Manila Standard - 2016 October 14 - Friday

CRIMINAL KINGPIN.President

Rodrigo Duterte holds the book—he is reading it these days—in a speech Wednesday during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila. Written by the critically acclaimed Ioan Grillo, the book portrays a new kind of criminal kingpin that has arisen: part CEO, part terrorist, and part rock star, taking over much of the world’s trade in narcotics, guns, and humans. Lino Santos VOL. XXX • NO. 244 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

DU30 WISH LIST IN CHINA

Money, buckets of respect

By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne Fabunan

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte heads to China next week seeking billions of dollars in investments and buckets of respect, as he pivots angrily away from traditional ally the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to give the mercurial leader a warm welcome, after Duterte threatened to end a decades-long alliance with the United States and gave Beijing a timely boost in its quest for more control over the strategically vital South China Sea. Duterte, 71, has said he is trying to wean the Philippines off an unhealthy reliance on its former colonial ruler, although he has signaled the shift is also due to his outrage at US criticism of his deadly war on crime.

Analysts believe Duterte’s attraction to a rising China is typical of his ultra-pragmatic governing style, following repeated speeches from Next page

Megaphone bill turns off Lacson, watchdog

By Macon R. Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson said Thursday that a bill that compels police to use a megaphone to warn suspects before they are arrested would endanger the lives of policemen and would only

make criminals happy.

A crime watchdog group dismissed the same bill filed by Senator Leila de Lima as “out of this world.”

“They will shoot the policemen,” said Lacson, a former Next page

Task force on media killings formed PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed his first administrative order creating a presidential task force on media killings, Malacañang said Thursday.

The task force will look into the violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the press.

“The reason why the President wanted this administrative order is because he cares for you, for

us,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters.

“And he believes in the freedom of the press.”

Andanar said Duterte signed the order on Oct. 11.

The task force will be led by the Justice secretary and co-led by the Presidential Communications Office secretary.

The task force’s members will include the Interior secretary,

Defense secretary, the solicitor general, the executive director of the presidential human rights committee and the heads of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Andanar said the head of the Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman had been invited as observers and resource persons. John Paolo Bencito

Bob Dylan

Leila mother of all drug lords—NBI Bob Dylan,

By Rey E. Requejo music icon, wins Nobel A PAIR for former NBI deputy directors on Thursday filed the second complaint against Senator Leila de Lima for her alleged role in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still Justice secretary, calling her the “mother of all drug lords.”

Former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala filed the complaint against De Lima for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The complainants also filed charges against NBI deputy director Rafael Ragos, who testified before the House justice committee that he personally delivered millions in drug money to De Lima’s residence in Parañaque City on several occasions in 2012, handing the money to her aide and alleged lover, Ronnie Dayan.

Citing the testimony of Ragos and corroborating statements of NBI agent Jovencio Ablen Jr. and NBP inmate Jojo Baligad, the complainants alleged that respondents “acted in conspiracy”

to profit from the sale of illegal drugs.

“Senator De Lima, acting as the mother of all drug lords and through the use of her authority, was able to appoint and designate men inside the Bilibid in order to ensure the perpetuation of illegal drug trade,” the 20-page complaint said.

“Respondents definitely saw how profitable the system established in the Bilibid was at that time. Like hungry wolves, they took advantage of their power, influence and resources,” the complainant added.

Next page

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN— US music legend Bob Dylan won the Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, the first songwriter to win the prestigious award in a decision that stunned prize watchers.

Dylan, 75, was honored “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition,” the Swedish Academy said.

The choice was met by gasps and a long round of applause from journalists attending the prize announcement. The folk singer has been mentioned in Next page

Thai king Bhumibol dies at 88

Gordon, Leila lock horns over summary killings

By Macon R. Araneta TEMPERS flared anew between Senators Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate justice and human rights committee, and Leila de Lima at the resumption of Senate hearings Thursday on the rash of summary executions in the

Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.

The clash was triggered by De Lima’s two motions—to allow Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon to explain Commissioner Roberto Eugenio Cadiz Jr.’s critical remarks Next page

Alvarez airs dismay over ‘verbal fireworks’ HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday he was “embarrassed” by the near-brawl between two lawmakers on Wednesday during a heated discussion over which mode to use to amend the Constitution.

Alvarez said he would leave

the matter between Reps. Robert Ace Barbers and Prospero Pichay, the head of the committee on constitutional amendments, to the House committee on ethics, where Pichay had threatened to lodge a complaint against Barbers.

Next page twitter.com/ MlaStandard

LONGEST-REIGNING MONARCH . This file photo taken on December 3, 1998 shows Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej lighting the flame of the 13th Asian Games at Chitrlada Palace in Bangkok during a ceremony prior to the start of the games. AFP

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

thestandard.com.ph

BANGKOK—Thailand’s Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at the age of 88, the palace announced Thursday, leaving a divided nation bereft of a rare figure of unity.

Bhumibol’s death ends a remarkable seven-decade reign and plunges Thailand into a deeply uncertain future.

Most Thais have known no other monarch and he has been portrayed as a guiding light through decades of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest.

“At 15:52 (0852 GMT) he died at Siriraj Hospital peacefully,” the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement.

Next page

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

News

A2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pagasa expects rainy weekend TROPICAL depression “Karen” will continue to bring moderate rain to Luzon including Metro Manila until the weekend, the weather bureau said Thursday.

The eye of the storm was estimated 540 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, where Storm Signal No. 1 has been hoisted.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 13 kph.

It was forecast to make landfall in Aurora or Quezon on Sunday.

Weather forecaster Robert Badrina said “Karen” will leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday and head toward China.

“Flashfloods and landslides will always remain a threat in Luzon,” Badrina told the Manila Standard.

He said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms will persist in the Visayas, while Mindanao will experience light rain.

Rio N. Araja

Self-rated poor fall to 42 percent

By John Paolo Bencito

F

EWER Filipinos consider themselves poor with the latest poll on self-rated poverty hit a new record low, local pollster Social Weather Stations said Thursday.

SMOKING BAN. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has waged a hardhearted law and order campaign since July, will ban smoking—which kills 10 Filipinos every hour—in public this month, according to the Health department Wednesday, strengthening some of the toughest tobacco regulations in Asia. AFP

The survey, conducted from September 24 to 27 with 1,200 respondents, showed more than 42 percent of families (or an estimated 9.4 million) rated themselves poor, breaking the previous record of 43 percent in March 2010 and March 1987.

The same survey also found that 30 percent of families (or an estimated 6.7 million) considered themselves as “food-poor,” with the September figure a point below the previous record low logged in April and June at 31 percent (estimated at 6.9 million).

“Self-rated poverty has been either steady or declining for eight consecutive quarters from 52 percent in December 2014, to 51 percent in March 2015 and June 2015, 50 percent in September 2015 and December 2015, 46

Leila...

But there is corroborating witness, Ablen. That’s why we included him,” the complainants’ lawyer Eduardo Bringas said.

De Lima had dismissed Esmeralda and Lasala from their posts in March 2014 after accusing them of “lingering integrity issues” and links to pork barrel scam queen Janet LimNapoles.

The two denied that they filed the complaint to get even with De Lima.

“Definitely no [axe to grind].

There are pieces of evidence we gathered and it’s about time we file the charges also to give her due process,” Esmeralda said, in an interview.

It was the second complaint filed

against De Lima in connection to the NBP drug trade. The first one was filed last Tuesday by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

The VACC complaint named as respondents De Lima, former DoJ undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former BuCor chief Franklin Bucayu, De Lima’s former aides Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez and Jose Adrian Dera, Bucayu’s alleged bagman Wilfredo Ely and high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

De Lima is also facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman, for allegedly receiving money from the suspected Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, the son

of Leyte, Albuerra Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

The complainant, Chief Insp.

Jove Espenido, filed the charges against De Lima and a councilor of Barangay Benolho councilor anchored on the investigations and interviews with people who directly knew the younger Espinosa and his drug activities.

The probes also unearthed the involvement of people receiving drug pay-offs, including the mayor himself; Marcelo Adorco, Kerwin’s security and driver; Roland Kevin Espinosa, Kerwin’s younger brother, and Vervica Diano, Kerwin’s personal accountant.

Alvarez...

Gordon,..

apologize for Cadiz’s statements.

Gordon pointed out that he did not suspend the inquiry, but only a hearing of the panel.

Gordon also read a text message from Gascon, while showing his mobile phone to the Senate panel.

“I apologize for whatever aggravation it caused you and the honorable members of the justice and human rights committee,” Gordon said, quoting Gascon’s text message.

“The apology of Chairman Gascon is taken in consideration. I respect him as a gentleman. He doesn’t have to apologize to me,” Gordon said, then overruled De Lima’s first motion.

De Lima then insisted on her second motion, but Gordon ruled her out of order, saying she could make only one motion at a time.

“You can’t control [this committee] the way you controlled it the last time.

I don’t want to fight with you. I respect you and I am not going to veer from the purpose of this investigation,” Gordon told De Lima.

He then reminded De Lima that the testimony of her witness, the self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato, had sent the committee on “a wild goose chase.”

De Lima shot back that it was inappropriate for Gordon to mix other issues into the hearings.

Gordon replied that it was De Lima who was introducing other issues, then overruled her second motion.

“The motion is overruled. You may bring it to the floor next time,” Gordon said.

But De Lima said the plenary was not the “proper venue” and that the committee should settle the matter.

While she was talking, Gordon cut her off, saying “Noted, noted.”

Senator Manny Pacquiao, one of the authors of the death penalty bill, was then allowed to sponsor his measure.

Gordon said the committee will come up with a report on Monday, which will be submitted to the Ombudsman.

Megaphone...

act of committing a crime.

“How can there be an arrest if those to be arrested have been forewarned?” asked Lacson.

“I cannot see the wisdom [of this], with all due respect to Senator LDL (Leila de Lima)… The use of megaphone before the arrest and incapacitate first, if you are facing an Armalite or high-powered firearms, it’s difficult. You would endanger the life of a policeman.”

Lacson said he does not see the need to legislate De Lima’s bill, and said the bill would not pass anyway.

Once resource persons are called, there would be many objections.

“Those who will be happy are the criminals, the suspects; imagine, giving them warning before arresting them,” he said.

Acknowledging that this process is being used in other countries, Lacson emphasized that it’s on a case-tocase basis.

Under De Lima’ bill, police must warn a suspect that he is being arrested by making an announcement using a megaphone.

Also on Thursday, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption slammed De Lima over her proposed bill that megaphones be used by police to warn criminals before their arrest.

“I think it is out of this world,” VACC founding chairperson Dante Jimenez said of De Lima’s proposal.

“Where in this world can you see a police announcing the arrest of a criminal? Such a situation would just give the suspect the chance to flee or shoot,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez, whose VACC filed a complaint against De Lima, said more cases were sure to be followed.

“I am telling her there will be more cases to be filed against her,” he said.

With Rio N. Araja

Thai..

seized power in 2014 vowing to restore stability after a decade of political chaos, a turbulent period exacerbated by the king’s declining health as jostling elites competed for power.

The military has deep links with the palace and many inside the kingdom saw the putsch as a move to ensure generals could stamp down on any instability during a succession.

It is difficult to overestimate how important Bhumibol has been to most of his subjects, who from cradle to grave have been taught about his devotion to his people in newspapers, history books and nightly television broadcasts.

Backed by an intense palace-driven personality cult, he is revered as a demigod by many, seen as rising above the din of the kingdom’s notoriously fractious political scene.

It is not unusual to see Thais moved to tears when they talk of a future without him.

Officially known as King Rama IX, he descended from the Chakri dynasty which came to power in Thailand in the late eighteenth century.

His subjects have had many years to get used to the prospect of no longer having Bhumibol -- their king has not been seen in public for months and has suffered years of ill health. AFP

From A1 The respondents were specifically charged with violation of Section 5 (sale and trading of illegal drugs) of the anti-illegal drug law.

Offenses involve penalties of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million upon conviction after trial in court.

The complaint also said Ragos was included as respondent in the charge sheet despite being granted immunity by the House justice committee.

“His immunity was with regard only to the statement he gave.

From A1 “I think the matter has already been with the ethics committee.

Let them handle it,” Alvarez told reporters.

He said Barbers and Pichay were “old enough” to face the consequences of their actions.

“I am embarrassed, really embarrassed,” Alvarez said. He said he hoped the incident would never happen again.

Alvarez made his statement even as House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas was set to take over the chairmanship of the committee on constitutional amendments following the altercation between Pichay and Barbers.

It also appeared on Thursday that the lawmakers appeared to favor the Constituent Assembly as the mode of amending the 1987 Constitution.

Alvarez said the altercation between Barbers and Pichay, who exchanged expletives during the congressional hearing on Charter Change, was unfortunate.

“But I don’t think the reputation of Congress was damaged because of the incident,” Alvarez said.

“It should not have happened if cooler heads had prevailed, but then again we will not let it happen again.”

Fariñas said the House leadership will find a way to patch things up between Barbers and Pichay.

He said the House will resolve the matter peacefully and try to put a “happy ending” to it.

Barbers thanked Fariñas and Alvarez for their understanding and repeated his apology to the public and to the House committee on constitutional amendments.

“I submit to the guidance of our Speaker and House Majority Leader for a peaceful resolution of that embarrassing incident that occurred yesterday [Wednesday],” Barbers said. Maricel V. Cruz

Bob..

From A1 Nobel speculation in past years, but was never seen as a serious contender.

The Academy’s permanent secretary Sara Danius said Dylan’s songs were “poetry for the ears.”

“Dylan has the status of an icon.

His influence on contemporary music is profound,” it wrote in biographical notes about the famously private singer.

Last year, the prize went to Belarussian author Svetlana Alexievich, for her documentary-style narratives based on witness testimonies.

Dylan will take home the eight million kronor ($906,000 or 822,000 euros) prize sum.

The Nobel is the latest accolade for a singer who has come a long way from his humble beginnings as Robert Allen Zimmerman, born in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, who taught himself to play the harmonica, guitar and piano.

Captivated by the music of folksinger Woody Guthrie, Zimmerman changed his name to Bob Dylan— reportedly after the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas—and began performing in local nightclubs.

After dropping out of college

From A1 against Gordon; and to defer discussions on the death penalty bill in the same hearing.

Cadiz had earlier called Gordon a “coward” for prematurely suspending the inquiry into extrajudicial killings.

Gordon bristled.

“You can’t control this committee.

I don’t want another distraction,” Gordon told De Lima. “We can’t be forever distracted.”

Gordon said he was not demanding an apology from the CHR—although he said Wednesday night that CHR officials would not be called to testify unless they apologized for Cadiz’s remarks.

“This is not a joke, This is the Senate, 24 senators elected by the whole country. There are no extra powers except that we are representing the country,” Gordon said.

But on Thursday, Gordon told De Lima that Gascon had called him to

From A1 police chief, when sought for comment on De Lima’s bill, which imposes steep penalties on state-sanctioned summary executions.

“Because I came from the law enforcement, I cannot imagine how we can risk our lives or in this case, how we cannot risk the lives of policemen if they will first make an announcement before an arrest or a raid,” he said.

If a suspect is armed and he knows there’s a policeman, Lacson said either the suspect will run and there can be no arrest or the policemen will be shot because the suspects were warned of their presence.

He also said the use of a megaphone would defeat the reason for conducting intelligence work-- that is, to surprise the suspect to be arrested and to catch the suspect in the he moved to New York in 1960.

His first album contained only two original songs, but the 1963 breakthrough “The Freewheelin’Bob Dylan” featured a slew of his own work including the classic “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Civil rights campaigner Armed with a harmonica and an acoustic guitar, Dylan confronted social injustice, war and racism, quickly becoming a prominent civil rights campaigner—and recording an astonishing 300 songs in his first three years.

In 1965 Dylan’s first British tour was captured in the classic documentary “Don’t Look Back”—the same year he outraged his folk fans by using an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival on Rhode Island.

The following albums, “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blonde on Blonde,” won rave reviews, but Dylan’s career was interrupted in 1966 when he was badly injured in a motorcycle accident, and his recording output slowed in the 1970s.

By the early 1980s his music was reflecting the performer’s bornagain Christianity, although this was tempered in successive albums, with many fans seeing a resurgence of his explosive early-career talent in the 1990s. AFP

From A1 “Although the team of doctors treated him to the best of their ability, his condition deteriorated,” it said as large crowds erupted in mourning outside the hospital where the monarch spent most of the last two years.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-OCha, the former army chief who leads Thailand’s ruling junta, said that the king’s 64-year-old son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is his named successor.

The Crown Prince is much less well known to Thais and has yet to attain his father’s widespread popularity. He spends much of his time overseas, especially in Germany, and is a keen pilot who flies his own Boeing 737.

In a televised address to the nation, Prayut said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period and that all entertainment functions must be “toned down” for a month.

Thai television stations switched to a special announcement that began with black and white photographs of the king, before a formally dressed presenter read out the palace statement.

Bhumibol’s death is a major test for the country’s generals, who

percent in April 2016, 45 percent in June 2016 and 42 percent in September 2016,” SWS said in a report.

While self rated poverty dropped at “Balance Luzon” and the Visayas and a flat reading in Metro Manila, Mindanao meanwhile had a slight increase in ratings.

Self-rated food poverty fell three points in “Balance Luzon” to a new record-low 24 percent in September from June’s 27 percent, while in the Visayas it slipped a point to 36 percent from 37 percent.

However, it edged up two percentage points in Mindanao to 41 percent from 39 percent, while it stayed at 20 percent from June to

Money,...

From A1 him highlighting what he believes is the

United States’ diminishing economic and military might.

“He is a results-oriented person, Machiavellian, too,” University of the Philippines political science professor Clarita Carlos said.

“The guy knows if he can find markets for our bananas, pineapples, and create employment, whether it’s China, Russia or Mali, that’s where we are going. Whatever works.”

Duterte is bringing along a delegation of hundreds of businessmen, including many of the Philippines’ most powerful tycoons, in a bid to capitalize on the warming of relations that have taken place due to his efforts to placate Beijing on the South China Sea row.

China claims nearly all of the strategically vital sea, even waters approaching the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, and has in recent years built artificial islands in the disputed areas that are capable of hosting military bases.

Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, infuriated Beijing by challenging it on a range of fronts.

Aquino allowed American troops to be stationed in the Philippines, launched joint patrols in the sea, filed a legal case at a UN-backed tribunal, repeatedly raised the issue at regional summits and refused to hold direct negotiations with Beijing.

In July, 12 days after Duterte took office, the international tribunal handed the Philippines a surprisingly resounding victory, ruling that China’s claims to most of the sea had no legal basis and that its artificial island-building was illegal.

But, instead of using the verdict to pressure China as Aquino would have done, Duterte sought to mend ties with Beijing.

He also launched a sustained verbal assault on the United States, scrapping the joint patrols as well as a series of annual war games.

During the election campaign, Duterte said he was willing to “set aside” the South China Sea dispute in return for China building a railway through Mindanao.

He also said it was not in the nation’s interest to insist on its claim over Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that China seized in 2012.

“Let’s just not dwell on Scarborough because we cannot fight them,” Duterte said this week.

Duterte has also signalled he wants to go to Beijing to enjoy some respect, following relentless criticism from the West about alleged extrajudicial killings in his war on crime.

More than 3,300 people have been killed in the crackdown, and US President Barack Obama has been among the many critics to express concern about an apparent breakdown in the rule of law.

“Eventually I might in my term, break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China. Even if we do not agree with their ideology, they have respect for the people. Respect is important,” Duterte said this month.

He also said he hoped to visit Russia soon after China.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal warned Duterte’s approach was a big gamble for the Philippines, with China the only sure winner at this stage.

Duterte “is taking a huge risk, betting all on China’s goodwill and beneficence without the insurance provided by the diversified, multilateral support of historical and traditional friends and allies”, Batongbacal, a University of the Philippines law professor, wrote this week.

Still, it is too early for China to claim victory, according to Richard Javad Heydarian, a regional expert at De La Salle University.

“I won’t be surprised if at some point Duterte will hedge his bets and pivot back to the US if he fails to get any satisfactory concession from China,” Heydarian said.

Ahead of Duterte’s visit, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said the Philippines was counting on economic diplomacy to resolve bilateral issues with its larger, more powerful neighbor.

“What we are doing now is to pursue

September in Metro Manila.

Malacañang welcomed the results of the new SWS survey, claiming that the administration is already in good direction on combatting poverty.

“Inclusive and sustainable growth is a campaign promise of President Duterte and for the past 100 days since his assumption [of office], he has been finding ways to make economic growth work for the poor with focus on the country’s 10 poorest provinces.”

“The Duterte administration reaffirms the state policy to preserve prime agricultural lands to ensure food security,” he noted, adding that “[a]fter 10 years of not holding a meeting, the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council finally convened in Malacañang.”

The survey has a sampling error margins of ±3 points for national percentages and ±6 points each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. the other aspects of our relationship in this area of trade investment and economic development, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact, which is necessary in confidence building and needed for us to open the details of resolving our disputes in the South China Sea,” Yasay told Manila Standard in an interview.

“We may probably agree to the general principles on how to move forward, to that extent I am optimistic that we move to some kind of agreement on how to achieve that,” he added.

Yasay declined to comment on Batongbacal’s view that the country was taking a huge risk betting on Chinese good will, but said the way forward was to build more bridges.

“If we will be signing agreements with the Chinese, our primary purpose is to promote the national interest and welfare,” Yasay said.

On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that Duterte will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during his state visit, and they would have a “deep exchange of views” on how to improve ties, cooperation and regional issues.

“China looks forward to increasing mutual trust between the two countries, deepening practical cooperation and continuing the tradition of friendship via the visit of President Duterte,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“The Philippines is a traditionally friendly neighbor of China. The two peoples have a long history of friendship,” the ministry spokesperson said.

The Palace on Thursday said Duterte’s Special Envoy to China, former President Fidel Ramos, will not be accompanying Duterte on his state visit to China.

A Palace spokesman said he did not know why Ramos would not be joining Duterte, but suggested that having two presidents in the same trip might draw some attention away from the incumbent.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, meanwhile, said the objective during the visit will be to enhance trade levels between the two countries.

“We had talks with the government and the private sector and we expect more investments,” Lopez said.

The Philippines, he added, is looking forward for all forms of support, from funding and financing commitments to specific transactions with private companies or government-to-government deals.

While China is the country’s second largest trading partner, the government believes trade can still be enhanced with better relationships.

“A lot of business Chinese groups are visiting us and I am sure after the state visit we should expect more from the Chinese government and private groups,” said Lopez.

The Foreign Affairs department on Thursday declined to comment on the recent remarks of the top US diplomat for East Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, said he was unsure what Duterte’s “panoply” of conflicting statements would mean for Manila’s future security cooperation with Washington.

On Wednesday, after a weeks-long torrent of anti-American rhetoric, Duterte said the Philippines would maintain its existing defense treaties and its military alliances.

But he also said his foreign policy was to “realign” with China and put an end to the yearly joint military exercises with the United States.

“President Duterte has made a panoply of statements; I think the operative adjective is ‘colorful,’” he said.

“But what that will ultimately translate [into] in terms of the ability of the Philippines to work with the United States on issues directly germane to security and even some of the regional and global challenges it faces ... we don’t have an answer to just yet.”

Russel said he was not aware of any changes in security cooperation but added, “I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, it wouldn’t happen.”

“There is a lot of noise, there’s a lot of stray voltage in the media, but ultimately the decisions about the alliance operations are going to be taken, I believe in a deliberate and thoughtful way,” Russel said.

With Othel V. Campos, AFP

News IN BRIEF Drug trade continues in Bilibid JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered on Thursday the Bureau of Corrections to intensify its operation against illegal activities inside the minimum security compound at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Aguirre directed BuCor officer-in-charge Rolando Asuncion to continue the crackdown against illegal activities after being informed that inmates have moved drug transactions from the maximum security compound to the minimum security compound.

He said BuCor personnel seized several contraband items, including 18 cellular phones in an operation Tuesday at the minimum security compound.

Aguirre said this was due to the tight security measures being implemented by the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force contingent and the subsequent crackdown on the illegal drugs trade at the Building 14 of the NBP’s maximum security compound where most of the high-profile inmates such as Jaybee Sebastian are imprisoned.

A3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solons hit ‘fat’ in GAA

By Christine F. Herrera

T

HE House has approved the P3.35trillion 2017 General Appropriations Act that President Rodrigo Duterte’s leftist allies claimed carries the restoration of a DAP-like provision giving the President “broad powers” to impound funds that they fear could be used for political purposes.

The new “insertion” has prompted the Makabayan bloc to demand the scrapping of the impoundment provision as the House is set to pass the budget on or before October 19, when Congress goes on a month-long session break.

The new provision provides

that the President will have the power to impound the fund allocations for projects “in the case of an unmanageable national government budget deficit.”

But Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, allayed fears and maintained the

budget remains compliant with the Supreme Court ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), portions of which were declared unconstitutional.

Nograles explained any impoundment will not become “savings” as feared and will have to be approved by Congress since the Palace would first seek permission from Congress as to why the funds needed to be impounded.

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas lamented the impoundment provision or Section 51 which states: “The President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management may propose the rescission or deferral of appropriations from both Houses of Congress under any of the following: a) If the appropriations are no longer

required to fulfill the objectives, originally sought to be achieved by the programs, activities and projects covering the same or b) In the case of an unmanageable national budget deficit.”

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio insisted Section 51 runs counter to or supersedes the Section 66 in the current budget that prohibits the impoundment of appropriations.

“If Congress passes this impoundment provision, we fear it may open a situation wherein the President and the DBM will be able to circumvent the General Appropriations Act or GAA by impounding the release of public funds at any time of the year and thus trample upon the congressional power over the purse,” Tinio said.

“This power can be used as a

leverage by the ruling clique to control the release of funds based on political motivations,” Tinio stressed.

The proposed budget is up for approval on third and final reading next week and lawmakers could still make last minute individual amendments subject to the approval of the sub-committee on appropriations.

In a statement, the Makabayan bloc said Section 51 was inserted in the general provisions of House Bill 3408.

DAP, amounting to P143 billion, was used by President Benigno Aquino III to withdraw funds from approved projects in the budget mid-year and declared the funds as savings and reallocate them to purposes of his choosing to “pump prime” the economy.

DPWH issues new permit regulations THE Department of Public Works and Highways is pushing to centralize the processing of permits and other needed documents for infrastructure projects at the DPWH office.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the need to secure permits for infra-projects government to government is part of President Duterte’s mandate to cut down corruption and streamline the process.

“The DPWH is proposing that permits, licenses are secured government to government,” Villar said.

“Instead of contractors going to department agencies, local government units, DPWH would like to centralize the processing inside the department.”

Gatchalian reprimanded for pleading THE Sandiganbayan on Thursday reprimanded Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on his last-minute filing of motion to travel to China to join the official delegation of President Rodrido Roa Duterte’s foreign trip.

The anti-graft court noted that Gatchalian violated the “three-day notice rule” on filing a motion, leading justices of the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division to reprimand him because of his pressure to the anti-graft court to immediately resolve his motion to travel to China.

In his last-minute motion filed before the Sandiganbayan only on Wednesday, Gatchalian asked the court to allow him to travel to China on Oct. 19 to 21, 2016 as part of the Philippine delegation of President Duterte.

YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY. At least 17 mothers come out in Makati City on Thursday to meet the press at the presentation of candidates for the 2016 Mrs. Philippines Globe pageant. Ranging from 25 to 55 years old, this year’s finalists are composed of women from the fields of entrepreneurship, banking, medicine, aviation, management, engineering and business process outsourcing. Ey Acasio

Probe of P69-b telco deal still stopped Govt told

By Rey E. Requejo A DIVISION of the Court of Appeals has allowed the Philippine Competition Commission to investigate the P69-billion sale of San Miguel Corp.’s spectrum in the 700-megahertz band to Globe Telecommunications Inc. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. But while the court’s Sixth Division denied the plea of Globe to stop the probe, the PCC still cannot proceed with the investigation because the court’s 12th Division had already issued a preliminary injunction which PLDT sought on Aug. 26.

The appellate court has since consolidated

the separate petitions of Globe and PLDT and that effectively means the 12th Division will be the court to resolve the merits of PLDT and Globe’s petitions.

The PCC has questioned the consolidation of the two petitions in an appeal, but the objection was overruled by the Sixth Division in the latest order.

“The Court denies the respondent Philippine Competition Commission’s Motion for Reconsideration praying that we set aside the Resolution promulgated 28 July 2016 which granted petitioner Globe Telecom Inc.’s Urgent Motion to consolidated, and ordered that this case be consolidated with CA-GR SP-146528 entitled

PLDT vs. PCC,” the appellate court stressed.

Associate Justices Jane Lantion and Fernanda Lampas-Peralta concurred in this ruling.

In their separate petitions filed before the CA last July, Globe and PLDT questioned PCC’s investigation of their co-purchase of the telco assets of San Miguel because they had supposedly complied with the requirements of the PCC. PLDT further argued that its wireless subsidiary Smart has been implementing the transaction and using the frequencies as part of its nationwide rollout and warned a reversal of the transaction would result in irreparable and incalculable injury to the public service.

Duterte adopts ‘Ambisyon 2040’ plan

By Gabrielle H. Binaday PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his long-term vision for the Philippines as he signed Executive Order No. 5, adopting the “Ambisyon 2040” for longterm development planning for the country or aiming to become an upper middle in-

come country by 2040.

Contrary to the earlier statement of former President Fidel Ramos that Duterte “has no longer vision for the Philippines,” the latter signed EO No. 5 approving and adopting a 25-year Ambisyon Natin 2040 as guide for development planning on Oct 11.

National Economic and Development Au-

thority Deputy Director General Rosemarie Edillon said the EO declared Ambisyon 2040 as an anchor for development planning.

Under the EO, the Neda will be the lead agency in the crafting of the development plan for the Philippines for the next four administrations that will be aligned with four developmental goals.

German lawmakers back peace process

BLAST AFTERMATH. Scavengers rummage the ruins of firecracker stores on MacArthur Highway in Bocaue, Bulacan which were leveled by an explosion that also claimed the lives of two women and injuring 24 others. Manny Palmero

GERMAN legislators backed the peace and development initiatives of the Duterte administration, particularly the socioeconomic interventions, in peace agreements signed with various rebel groups.

“We wish you all the success, because it could be a very good time, not just for the Philippines, but for the reason to sit together; and this can be a positive sign that could help end conflict,” said German parliamentarian Dr. Thomas Gambke, who visited the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

During their meeting with OPAPP officials, Germany committed to support the government’s peace and development efforts. Germany is

one of the four largest bilateral donors to the Philippines alongside Japan, United States of America, Australia, and Canada.

Gambke, who is also chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation States, was joined by other German lawmakers Petra Ernstberger, Caren Lay, Elvira DrobinskiWeiss, Erwin Rüddel, Gordon Kricke and Michael Hasper.

OPAPP Undersecretary for Peace Accords Nabil Tan told the German parliamentarians that there is a need to manage expectations. “Peace process is not a destination as to when we can conclude, but it is a journey.” John Paolo Bencito

to resolve gas field tax issue

By Maricel V. Cruz A CONGRESSMAN on Thursday asked the Commission on Audit and the Department of Energy to get their act together and resolve the controversy over the Malampaya gas project, which could have an negative impact on the supply and price of electricity in the country.

Besides threatening the stability of the country’s energy supply, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte also said the failure of the DoE and CoA to resolve swiftly the Malampaya tax issue could jack up electricity prices and further spook investors.

Villafuerte was referring to the conflicting interpretation of the CoA and DoE of Presidential Decree 87 and the deal covering the Malampaya gas project known as Service Contract 38 (SC 38).

“As correctly pointed out by the DoE, the CoA ruling could lead to an ‘exodus’ of investors in the country’s power sector at a time when investments in this industry are badly needed in the face of critical power supply visa-vis our fast-growing energy requirements. We appeal to the CoA and the DoE to resolve this issue immediately,” Villafuerte said.

The CoA has ruled that the income tax of the consortium handling the Malampaya project was deductible from the government’s 60 percent share of the gas field’s royalties.

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Offending the donors

O

FFICIAL development assistance, or credits extended by more developed nations to emerging economies like the Philippines, by their very nature is given to promote the economic development and welfare of the recipient country.

THE ODA loans come in different forms. They may assist an ally country to strengthen its military capabilities or in response to humanitarian crises like natural disasters. Rich countries like the US, Japan and the European Union quickly rushed their aid

to the Philippines right after super typhoon “Yolanda” wreaked havoc across Eastern Visayas in 2013.

ODA loans carry very concessional rates to assist the recipient country that is understandably in need of foreign resources. The official aid may also be in the

form of food, goods and materials, which are readily dispatched by donor countries or institutions at no cost.

It is, thus, a surprise when President Rodrigo Duterte blurted out last week that donor countries may withdraw their foreign aid in reaction to criticism to his antidrug campaign that has already resulted in the death of 3,000.

President Duterte may not have fully grasped the context of ODA loans

when hit back at his critics. He offended the donors when he dared them to withdraw their assistance. These same donors actually extend the aid to the Philippines because of the trust and confidence built over the years between the giver and the receiver.

The Philippines receives a lot of official aid that has helped fund the budget in the past. ODA loans from the US in 2014 stood at $1.2 billion, with Australia and the EU contribut-

ing $567 million and $327 million, respectively. The UN, meanwhile, extended $365 million. Such amount could go a long way in creating job opportunities and reducing poverty incidence in the Philippines.

Foreign donors are not expected to readily pull out their aid to the Philippines just because of Mr. Duterte’s outburst. But the donors may not be as generous and as responsive in the future if their assistance is not appreciated by the recipient.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Duterte, stocks and the peso

Leila and Gloria LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES THERE’S one thing that a lot of people who cry “persecution” and “selective justice” to the high heavens these days keep forgetting: If you do unto others, you really shouldn’t whine when they do it right back to you.

A lawyer-friend has a compelling theory about why Senator Leila de Lima cannot play the victim card, regardless of how many press conferences she holds, how freely she weeps in public and how long she kneels in prayer in church. The lack of public sympathy for De Lima, according to this friend, is in large part due to the fact that she did not cut a very sympathetic figure when she was in near-total control of the criminal justice system as Justice secretary.

“It wasn’t too long ago when De

Lima was playing the role of victimizer,” she told me. “Rightly or wrongly, the perception was that she was the main implementor of a policy of vindictive and highly selective justice; she can’t turn that perception around simply because the administration has changed and she is no longer the all-powerful SOJ.” Indeed, if the latest pronouncements from De Lima about the poor treatment she’s supposed to be receiving from the Duterte administration sound eerily familiar, it’s because she was the target of the very same complaints just a few months and years ago.

I refer, in particular, to De Lima’s objection to the filing of drug trafficking charges against her by an anti-crime group before the Department of Justice and her plan to stage her own legal offensive to challenge the immunity from suit of an incumbent president.

It was only a couple of years back when De Lima was defending her use of her office as the appropriate venue for the filing

of charges against government officials, citing Supreme Court decisions to back up her pursuit of big names in the old Arroyo administration. And as for the immunity of her former boss, President Noynoy Aquino, De Lima (ever the faithful servant) said repeat-

change her stripes from victimizer to victim.

If De Lima had kept quiet like most of her fellow former travelers on Aquino’s straight path—including some of the ex-president’s most vocal defenders in the Senate who have now been struck dumb—maybe she would not be greeted with raised eyebrows every time she attempts to assay the role of victim. But because she is Stay classy, by her own admission not really a politician, perhaps she may have Senator Leila— been suckered into immediately after all, your going on the offense, even before been really attacked. troubles may have she’s So now she’s got no choice but to take on the mantle of humanonly just begun. rights advocate. Which is truly ironic when you recall that De Lima was the primary legal archiedly that an incumbent president tect of the case that a United Naenjoys unique and absolute immu- tions panel ruled was a violation of nity from suit and that this immu- the human rights of Gloria Macanity can’t ever be challenged. pagal Arroyo.

How times have changed. Or rather, how low an opinion De *** Lima must have of Filipinos if Still on De Lima, I could not she thinks that she can so quickly help but snicker at a practical joke

played recently on her by someone who claimed to be her supporter on social media. To put the joke in the proper context, you should remember that a news website had earlier asked the question of whether or not De Lima was going to be the next Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

This is how that exchange went on De Lima’s Facebook wall: Poster: I am one of those who believe in your ability, Madam, to follow in the footsteps of Senator Miriam.

De Lima (or the person managing her account): Thank you for being here and for your love and support.

Poster: No problem. Advance rest in peace.

Seriously, I don’t think De Lima should choose Santiago as her role model. I’m too much of a Miriam fan (and too consistent a critic of Leila) to agree that the senator from Iriga City can ever become like my all-time favorite legislator; let’s just say that the only

THE stock market and the peso against the United States dollar have continued their decline.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEI) hit 7312 index points yesterday (Oct. 13), down 1.58 percent from the Wednesday’s closing index. It makes the Philippine stock market one of the worst performing in Asia.

The peso slipped 0.03 centavos or 0.06 percent to P48.47 Thursday from P48.50 the day before. In 30 days to Oct. 13, the peso has lost 1.76 percent of its value against the US currency and 5.36 percent for the first 10 months of this year. Now, 5.36 percent is a very deep depreciation. It makes the peso one of the worst performing against the US dollar in the region.

On June 8, when Rodrigo Roa Duterte was named duly elected president of the Philippines, the peso was doing P45.84, a slight appreciation from P46.85 at the beginning of 2016, meaning the currency market was taking his election positively then.

By yesterday, however, the peso has slumped to its seven-year low at P48.58, a depreciation of 5.97 percent from June 8, 2016, and a drop of 3.7 percent from January this year.

They say it’s the Duterte factor, or more specifically, his expletive-laden saliva.

This is also the first time in our history where presidential saliva can move the stock market up and down, depending on whether Duterte is perceived by the market as either sane or sober (index up) or gone-berserk or a psychopath (index down).

An actress has called Duterte a psychopath (mentally ill). An arch supporter of the former Davao mayor, former President Fidel V. Ramos, has judged that Team Philippines is at the losing end under Duterte.

“We find our Team Philippines losing in the first 100 days of Du30’s administration—and losing badly,” winces the West Point-trained former four-star general, armed forces boss, defense secretary, and veteran of nine coup attempts (both on the instigator and counter-coup side).

FVR is also one of the Philippines’ best presidents, having rescued the country from a debilitating energy crisis, revived the economy, and attracted record foreign investments in key sectors of the economy during his presidency (1992-June 1998).

FVR finds Duterte a failure in two major areas—leadership and

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE MEMBER

PPI

Chairman Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager OIC-Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Adelle Chua Honor B. Cabie Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Editor Night Editor Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

A crisis of thought THE courses in logic most col- person! Is it not rather that the lege students took were utterly apparent necessity of the conjuncforgettable—often taught by tion—campaign for a drug-free inept instructors who took in- Philippines and the killing of susordinate time with such useless pected dealers and peddlers—is exercises as reducing syllo- owed more to lack of imagination, gisms to the first figure. And skill, creativity and diligence on in the name of “practicality,” the part of law-enforcers?

It is, in the same measure, education authorities, paying absolutely no heed to a sound the fallacy of the false disjuncphilosophy of education—of tion because it challenges the which it can be doubted if they objector to make a choice: Eihad any to begin with, eased ther a proliferation of drugs, or out logic from the curricula of we shelve human rights for now. most courses. Many of those But the disjunction is patently presently enrolled in the law fallacious — unless of course we course—a program of study make it inevitable. And that is that exacts from students high what trolls make of it, really: an levels of analytic capacity— unavoidable disjunction. How, have not had any undergraduate it is asked in a bankrupt attempt subject in logic. And it shows at rhetoric, can one be more carin the national discourse that ing of the rights of pushers and takes place quite significantly of peddlers than of their victims? on social media. Posts and com- In the first place, those who have ments to posts provide prime ex- been killed were only suspects. amples of fallacious reasoning. Between suspicion and convicUnfortunately, speciousness is tion is a gulf that is spanned by also easily spotted in the state- what is known as “due process”. ments of national leaders who, In the second place, rights are regrettably, are supposed to lead legal or moral claims, whosever a meaningful and thoughtful na- they might be, and it just makes no sense to insist that the claim tional conversation.

The ruckus over the killings re- of one to his life weighs less in the balance than sulting from the the claim of anaggressive camother! paign against the Then, of drug trade has Irrationality course, there is reached scandalthe fallacy traous—if not truly is never our ditionally called dangerous—inargumentum ad ternational pro- destiny. hominem…an atportions. The tack on the arguer President will rather than the not be deterred in his war on drugs. And he is argument, except that in the hands right about his intransigence in of trolls and sycophants, it takes on this regard. The Chinese who, a modified form: Anyone who critiit strangely seems, we have been cizes a government policy, or a protrying to woo, have flooded this nouncement or a statement must be country with drugs sufficient a Dilaw partisan, with “Dilaw”, of to dull the mind and numb the course, now a term of opprobrium senses for decades to come. (perhaps deserved!). I like HeiAnd local profiteers have made degger, but I do not agree with evea killing from these death-deal- rything he writes. I like Ferdinand ing substances by creating an Marcos, but I do not like everything unbelievably complex network he did. I like Pope Francis—very, of pushers, peddlers, hookers very much, but there are some and bribers, making even of the positions he takes of which I am national penitentiary—or so it wary. Why can I not like Presiseems—one of the key nodes in dent Digong and at the same time this nefarious netherworld! But disagree with some of his statethe body-count is also alarm- ments (or gestures!). In fact, the ing. Each day, there are reports President himself exhibited magof suspected drug-leaders either nanimity when Agot Isidro used shot to death by law-enforcers rather strong language in criticizor “salvaged” apparently by ing him, and he acknowledged it vigilantes. And those who raise to be her “constitutional right” to the alarm in the name of hu- do so! Insofar as some of his more man rights are tagged as “ob- rabid admirers are concerned— structionists,” impeders of this and definitely, the trolls—it is necessary frontal attack on the either that one agrees with Presimonster that the narco industry dent Digong’s every curse or one has become. There are two ways belongs to the accursed camp of to characterize the fallacy here. It the Yellows! Even when one adis the fallacy of the “unnecessary vances the most sophisticated conjunction” insofar as it seems to argument from geo-politics or advance the ridiculous proposition social theory for disagreeing that an aggressive war on drugs with any of the President’s stateand their dealers must necessar- ments, one will be a Dilaw, no ily come with a suspension of the matter that not the faintest streak claims of human rights. It has to of the hue will be found in one’s be both relentlessness against drug political constitution!

It is not a hopeless malady. Irdealers and the deaths of a growing number. But why should it be rationality is never our destiny. so? The proffered analogy with But it takes time to rid ourselves chemotherapy that, in the process of the habit of fallacy, and to reof eliminating malignancy, in- train ourselves once more in the evitably kills off some good cells ways of correct thinking. For does not convince simply because that we will need thoughtful edthe moral characterization of indi- ucators and equally thoughtful vidual cells is not comparable to purveyors of public opinion and the characterization of the human discourse as well.

Leila...

From A4 commonality between the two is womanhood, in my opinion.

The better person that De Lima should emulate is Gloria Arroyo.

Yes, the same person De Lima pursued like an avenging Yellow harpy with all the resources of government—and who kept a dignified silence throughout Leila’s six-year bombardment.

When you think about it, there is no way that De Lima has come close to suffering the persecution that Arroyo suffered at the hands of the Aquino administration. And yet, I never heard Arroyo publicly cry, wring her hands and seek sanctuary like De Lima has, even when Gloria was thrown in detention and kept there for five years on the flim-

siest of charges by her Yellow accusers led by Leila.

Regardless of your political persuasion and your own belief in the guilt or innocence of Arroyo, you can’t help but admire her silent and classy acceptance of her fate as the whipping girl of an entire government that seemed to believe, at times, that it was elected simply to destroy her. And I believe that Arroyo was able to stay strong throughout her ordeal because she fully understood something De Lima seems incapable of comprehending.

That’s the Golden Rule, and it applies to politics as it does to almost every other field of human endeavor. So stay classy, Leila— after all, your troubles may have only just begun.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A psychopath posing as president?

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO IT HAD to take a woman with balls to say it. But actress Agot Isidro did and called President Rodrigo Duterte a “psychopath” for wanting to scrap foreign aid and bragging that the Philippines can survive without it. The actress has been getting a lot of flak from bashers who are obviously Digong’s diehard supporters.

In a message posted in her Facebook, Ms. Isidro asked: “Ano, ang dami-dami na nga ang hindi nakakain, dagdagan mo ang bilang ng nagugutom (What, there are plenty who are starving and you want to add to that number?)”

She added that if Digong wants to starve, he should be left to starve alone—others need not join him.

Senator Panfilo Lacson agrees with Isidro, saying the actress talks sense. On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has warned the Duterte administration that the Philippines risks losing $3 billion in Official Development Assistance alone from the USAID if Duterte keeps insulting friendly countries. Foreign assistance, which the Philippines sorely needs, includes loans,

military aid and contract grants but not the condonation or forgiveness of debts.

The first from the entertainment world to speak out against Duterte’s excesses and rants against biggest foreign aid donor the US, Isidro gave some unsolicited advice to the President: “You are more than bipolar, you’re a psychopath. I have a well-known psychiatrist friend whom you can see for some professional help.”

Careful, Agot. The Davao Death Squad might change your name from Agot to “Lagot.” Lagot is Filipino slang for dead.

But in fairness to Duterte, he reacted in a most unusual presidential manner and simply told the actress: “You’re free to express your opinion under your constitutional right.” He did not call her a whore nor the child of one as he often does with people who get his goat. Digong in one of his tirades against US President Barack Obama called him “a son of a bitch.”

For her guts and gumption, Isidro is our nominee as “woman of the year” for being able to say what some of us have been wanting to say after the President’s first 100 days.

While the President must be credited for his war on drugs, although heavy-handed, he also gets a plus for working out a

ceasefire agreement with the New People’s Army when he brought Jose Ma. Sison’s Communist Party of the Philippines and Satur Ocampo’s National Democratic Front for peace talks in Oslo, Norway. The on-and-off peace negotiations under the auspices of the Norwegian government which has been acting as a friendly broker might finally come to a fruitful conclusion after several years.

While I’m in a positive mood, I might as well welcome President Duterte’s decision to move the New Bilibid Prison from Muntinlupa to Laur, Nueva Ecija. Doing so would decongest traffic a bit in Metro Manila. Transferring highprofile inmates would also lessen the heavy drug trafficking and movement of cold hard cash at the NBP in Muntinlupa. The Bureau of Corrections state penitentiary was built to accommodate 9,000 convicts but is now bursting at the seams with 24,000 inmates. This has led to high-profile inmates being allowed to build their “kubols” or private residences with all the comforts of life within the prison compound. Such arrangements of course have spawned connivance and corruption among prison officials who let the drug convicts run their lucrative business as usual through cellphones and connec-

tions outside the prison walls.

The new prison facility in Nueva Ecija is estimated to cost P50 billion to P150 billion, according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre who has been ordered

by Duterte to start bidding for the project on November 24 this year.

Former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz, one of the early proponents of building a new prison facility in his province, welcomed this development. He said the prison facility poses no security problem to the community near the area as it is located near military Camp Laur which can easily respond to any crisis in the prison.

The new prison complex is expected to be bigger with modern facilities, So far, only three groups have expressed interest in the project, an undertaking under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.. The bidders are required to submit a plan for an administration building, an area for sports, work and religious activities. Related projects like sewage disposal, catering and power generation may be bid out separately.

This is a big-money project.

Let us hope those in charge of it are not charged with graft and will not join the prison population if found guilty.

Education, excellence and enjoyment FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO TREASURING our longstanding friendship with Asia’s first grandmaster Eugene Torre, our small group of chess aficionados whose ages now exceed the number of squares of a chess board thought we should celebrate with him his success at the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan from September 1 to 14 this year.

We did this at a quiet and cozy hotel lobby in Malate where the main attraction was its Iberian chicken that had to be ordered four hours in advance. As expected, all discussions centered on El Eugenio —as what Business World’s Chess Piece columnist Bobby Ang reverently calls him— and his most memorable chess games in local and international tournaments for almost the past half-century.

The Baku Olympiad was the 23rd for El Eugenio, the most number of Olympiads for any player in chess history. Also, his 270 games are the most number of games by any player and his record of 103 wins, 124 draws and 43 losses for a total score of 165 points is second best in Olympiad history, surpassed only by Hungarian Grandmaster Lajos Portisch’s 176½ points in 260 games.

Only 18 years old when he debuted 46 years ago in these

Duterte...

From A4

teamwork, writing “that is where the obvious failures have emerged at this point in time.” Boldface font his.

The former president writes: “In terms of leadership, Senator Dick Gordon has said it so truthfully and directly: ‘Du30 Is Falling On His Own Sword” (The Manila Times, 04 Oct), adding that the President is too noisy, and should stop saying repetitively: ‘I will kill you.’

(Is this the norm in presidential public relations??). Ours is not to heap more brickbats on P. Du30—because he has had more than enough already—but to help enable him to transform (through his own efforts) from a mere provincial official to a capable international player at the head of 101,000,000 multicultured Filipinos.”

“The outcome aspired for by the majority of us is to insure the better future of our younger generations who, in due time—will assume the mantle of leadership over our nation’s political, security, cultural,

Olympiads in Siegen, West Germany in 1970, he was already 64 years old by the time he played in Baku. Amazingly, his 10 points out of a possible 11 was the highest as he emerged undefeated, and winner in all his games except in two fighting draws.

His winning percentage of 90.9 percent at board three would have earned him the gold medal under the old rules, but he was only awarded the bronze medal for his performance rating of 2836 because of the new system of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation. That system, incidentally, was the brainchild of our actuarial friend and Elo rating expert Memet Sangalang.

Ironically, it was 23-year -old Grandmaster Wesley So of Team United States who was awarded the gold medal for obtaining the highest performance rating of 2896 despite a winning percentage of only 85.0 percent. Yes, he was our chess prodigy who started playing at age nine in local tournaments in Bacoor, Cavite and who last manned our board one at the Istanbul Olympiad in 2012.

In fact, El Eugenio’s Baku bronze medal was his fourth at the Chess Olympiads. He has won his previous three medals at board one in Nice, France in 1974, in Valletta, Malta in 1980, and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1986.

With veteran journalist and sportswriter Iggy Dee and for-

mer Chess Asia feature writer and poet-by-heart Ed Orozco acting as if they were El Eugenio’s personal historians and archivists, our discussions revolved around his games and his achievements. Consequently, we barely noted that 20-year-old Janelle Mae Frayna had become our first ever Woman Chess Grandmaster in Baku.

Neither did we pay attention to our Filipina chess players’ 34th place final standing, which was much better than the disappointing 58th of our Men’s team, and just took for granted that the biennial tournament attracted 175 countries in the Men’s section and 138 countries in the Women’s.

Our discussions shifted only to other chess issues when Deputy Cabinet Secretary Peter Laviña arrived. He used to coordinate Davao City’s sports activities, and knows very well its chess officials and players who were once members of our Chess Olympiad teams - James Infiesto, Alex Lupian and the late Mirabeau Maga.

Laviña was so convinced about the beneficial effects of playing chess that he is advocating its inclusion in the elementary education curriculum and its use as a tool in rehabilitating illegal drug dependents.

Immediately, he suggested that we revive our chess development program at the grassroots level.

Specifically, he encouraged us to reactivate the Philippine Chess Society, which was pre-

viously headquartered in the late 1990s at the Grandmaster’s Café in Timog Avenue. Real estate magnate Jerry Acuzar now more famous for his Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan - was our chess patron then who graciously provided the place.

It was there where PCS trained promising chess players before they played abroad.

FIDE President Florencio Campomanes, his Secretary General Toti Abundo, Senate President Koko Pimentel and other chess greats had passed through its doors and played a few games inside its cozy area that conveniently transformed into a social club at night.

We emphasized the three Es in a chess player’s life - education, excellence, and enjoyment. He first gets educated in chess theories, tactics and strategies, and proceeds to achieve excellence by competing in tournaments against other chess masters. He then settles down to enjoy the royal game via friendly matches with any wood pusher, which I did last Sunday by playing against my barber.

We have known that all workers undergo similar phases. They learn a trade, get a job, and retire expecting that they’d be enjoying decent pensions.

Sadly, most don’t, and might not even get a pension like El Eugenio. However, they still could enjoy old age by continuing to play chess—win, lose or draw.

economic and other interests.”

I could sense Ramos’ sense of frustration and anger at the turn of events under the young Duterte presidency.

An Italian developer was asking me yesterday: “What’s going on? What is the direction of the economy?”

I replied that Duterte is in his current saliva mode. The president is a creature of bars and dingy places where drinks are many, camaraderie is strong, and banter, along with ribald jokes and expletives, is freewheeling. In such an atmosphere one lets down his guard, relaxes, and damns tomorrow.

But there is a tomorrow, I assured my Italian friend, and it is bright. In Italy, he disclosed “puta” can also be a term of endearment in conversation among friends, not necessarily a challenge to one’s ancestry.

The Philippines has the best economic fundamentals in Asia today.

They are so strong the country will just keep progressing even if the president of the Philippines were a dog—or a rat. In other words, the Philippines will survive a rotten chief executive.

The Philippines is a country of 102 million—the 12th largest consumer market on earth. The economy, the

33rd largest in the world, grows by 6 percent per year, among the fastest rates in the region. The country generates annually $26 billion from remittances of 12 million Filipino expats and beginning this year, $25 billion income from business process outsourcing or call centers. These earnings, $51 billion, would be valued at P2.44 trillion—enough to bankroll 73 percent of Duterte’s P3.35 trillion budget.

About 84 percent of the economy is driven by consumption. On an economic output of P14 trillion, that 84 percent is easily P11.78 trillion. Why is consumption strong? Because of the remittances, the BPO proceeds, and savings rate of 32 percent of GDP or P4.48 trillion.

What these figures imply is that the Philippines does not actually need those so-called foreign investments (it was negative $136 million in 2015, a boom year for the economy and meaning we are exporting capital more than we receive). The country does not need investmentgrade credit rating because it does not need to borrow. There is plenty of domestic capital. The Bangko Sentral alone has P2 trillion of excess private deposits safely parked

by commercial banks in its vaults, for lack of borrowers).

Thankfully, Duterte is not at all a bad president. He knows his focus— illegal drugs, crime, corruption. The biggest victims of these three horrors are the poor. The poor are the biggest users and dealers of illegal drugs. The poor are the biggest victims and perpetrators of crime. Why? Because a hungry stomach knows no law. A small bottle of rugby, bought at P5, will carry a tyke through the course of a day, without meals. A phone snatcher will be able to feed his family of five for a day.

Corruption? Corruption is the reason why the government doesn’t pay attention to the poor. Because the money that should been used to buy food (55 percent of a poor household’s expenditure), render basic services like education (the average Filipino child reaches only Grade 4) and health (80 percent of Filipinos grow up without seeing a doctor), or even to give them basic transportation to and from their place of work—is stolen.

Somebody who can solve the riddle of illegal drugs, crime and corruption will be a great leader. Duterte could be it.

A6

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

MMDA chief to tweak number coding scheme

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE government still needs to make some adjustments in its number coding scheme after a slight improvement in the traffic situation was observed on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue during the scheme’s dry run activity.

“There is no magic formula that will make traffic disappear.

It is just one of the many solutions that will have in place,” said Thomas Orbos, officer-in-charge of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

He said based on their initial assessment, the scheme’s trial activity which started last Wednesday

reduced the travel time of motorists by at least three minutes on Edsa.

“To say that yesterday was a resounding success will be overstretched but if you look at numbers, 400 apprehended without violation tickets plus the fact that bumilis ang Edsa, which we are targeting five minutes, plus the many violations caught

on CCTVs, I think this is good enough to reason to say we are at the right direction,” said Orbos.

Orbos said the Interagency Council of Traffic (I-ACT), the special team tasked to manage and control traffic in Metro Manila, still need adjustment to enforce the policy, particularly on Edsa, and among them was the opening of secondary streets linked to the 23.8-kilometer road.

“We have to clear illegal parking. We are willing to open more secondary roads to make it more passable,” he said.

The I-ACT is considering the areas of Connecticut, Boni Avenue, JP Rizal and Katipunan as among the alternate routes for private motorists.

The three-day dry run operation,

which will last until today(Oct. 14), is in preparation for the full implementation of the Number Coding Scheme without the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. window hours from Oct. 17 to January next year in anticipation of monstrous traffic with the onset of the holiday season.

Under the revised number coding scheme, coded vehicles are not allowed to travel from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 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 Expressway), AlabangZapote Road in Muntinlupa City, and all areas in cities of Mandaluyong, Las Piñas and Mandaluyong.

More than 400 vehicles, most of them coming from Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluying City, were flagged down and warned of the new scheme during the first day of the dry run activity.

On Thursday, I-ACT traffic enforcers were able to catch 309 drivers as of 2 p.m.

The authorities admitted that there are some confusion among drivers with regards to the new policy.

Members of the Metro Manila Council, which compose of the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region, agreed with the proposal to enforce the scheme, hoping that 20 percent of vehicles will be reduced on Edsa with the suspension of window hours.

2 cops tagged in slay

By Francisco Tuyay CRIMINAL charges were filed against two junior police officers of the Mindoro Oriental Provincial police office for allegedly shooting dead the regional head of an anti-crime watchdog last Sunday night.

Charges of murder and direct assault were filed before a local court in Oriental Mindoro against Senior Insp. Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. and Insp. Markson Almeranez for the death of Zenaida Luz, 51, regional chairman of Citizens Crime Watch.

Senior Supt Christopher Birung, provincial police chief, said Pimentel was assigned to the province’s First Maneuver Platoon-Police Public Safety Company while Almeranez is the chief of police of Socorro town.

Records showed that Pimentel was a graduate of PNP Academy Class 2009 while Almeranez is a PNPA graduate of Class 2013.

They were both identified by a witness as the one who shot Luz. The incident occurred after barangay chairman Dionido Quitain sought police assistance on reports of trouble occurring in the vicinity.

A police mobile car from the Gloria MPS immediately responded and upon reaching the intersection of Tambong Centrao and Strong Republic Highway, an unidentified bystander called the attention of the responding team and reported that a shooting incident occurred.

The operatives saw the victim lying on the ground and witnesses pinpointed the two men riding an Enduro-type motorcycle, wearing pants, black jacket and T-shirt as the persons who reportedly shot the victim.

IN BRIEF Erap clears Intramuros of eyesores MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, in his continuing endeavor to beautify the capital city, has cleared the 64-hectare Intramuros of all forms of obstructions and eyesores.

The famous Walled City, founded by the Spanish in 1571, has withstood wars, natural disasters and successive waves of colonial invaders, but not the road clearing units sent by Estrada to conduct a massive clearing operation in the 445-year-old stone citadel.

“Intramuros is an important cultural heritage that should not be neglected. We must keep it clean and well-maintained to help in its preservation,” Estrada said, citing the importance of the famous Spanish-era enclave to boost tourism in Manila.

Dennis Alcoreza, head of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, said the road clearing operation covered major streets within Intramuros.

Dozens of illegally parked vehicles, unauthorized structures, unsightly piles of garbage, and numerous junks and eyesores were removed; sidewalk vendors were driven away, and dozens and dozens of pedicabs and “kuligligs” or motorized pedicabs that have been causing traffic in the area were impounded, Alcoreza said.

Sandy Araneta

Two Manila inmates hurt in protest TWO people were hurt as inmates of the Manila City Jail held a noise barrage on Thursday morning demanding the ouster of the jail warden Supt. Gerald Bantag.

During the protest, gunshots were heard in the jail and two people were hurt during the noise barrage.

Units of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Manila Police District Special Weapons and Tactics team were on site. Sandy Araneta

JAILHOUSE PROTEST. Inmates of the Manila City Jail in Sta. Cruz, Manila state a protest atop their detention building demanding the replacement of their warden Gerald Bantag on Thursday. N. Araga

Labor federation slams BPO group THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines slammed a business process outsourcing (BPO) group for contending that banning contractualization in the country would deter foreign investors from infusing fresh capital here.

“The total ban on contractualization will be discouraging for investors,” IBPAP Executive Director for External Affairs Genny Marcial said. This is the Information Technology and Business Process Association of trhe Philippines.

But the TUCP slammed the IBPAP for resorting to what it described as scare tactics used

Tagaytay inaugurates “Green City Jail”

by the employers’ and capitalist lobby group who are profiting largely out of workers sweat and blood.

BPO is the contracting of non-primary business activities and functions to a thirdparty provider. BPO services include payroll, human resources (HR), accounting and customer/call center relations and is also known as Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES).

“In fact, responsible foreign investors wanted regular workers to produce quality products and compete in the world market,” TUCP Nagkaisa spokes-

competitive with other countries,” the IBPAP official said.

“If we can have the ability to let go of people ... we will take that option with open arms,” she said.

Marcial said Philippine laws in place must simply be implemented properly. “We believe current laws already cover contracting and subcontracting,” she said.

The Department of Labor and Employment said it continues to hold dialogues with different sectors in an attempt to minimize the employment of workers under the contractualization or “endo” system. Vito Barcelo

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista is studying the establishment of a new drug rehabilitation to accommodate drug dependents from barangays Lagro, Fairview, North Fairview, Novaliches, Kaligayahan, Pasong Putik, Nagkaisang Nayon, San Agustin, San Bartolome, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Monica, Bagbag, Capri and Gulod, who have surrendered to authorities.

The City Planning and Development Department, headed by Tomasito Cruz, is looking into the possibility of acquiring properties along Quirino Highway to give way the construction of a new rehabilitation center.

“The challenge of building rehabilitation centers is about buying properties,” Bautista said.

The city-run Tahanan located in Barangay Payatas is a drug treatment and rehabilitation center for the city residents.

Rio N. Araja

11,000 kick off Elderly Filipino Week

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Tagaytay City Mayor Agnes D. Tolentino and Cong. Abraham N. Tolentino, 7th District, Cavite led the inauguration of the New Tagaytay Green City Jail recently.

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Guest of Honor during the inauguration said that “the new Tagaytay City Jail can be hailed as one of the finest jails in the country because detainees don’t feel marginalized, instead they are valued citizens needing reform and should be provided with services and sanctuary.”

The construction of the “Green Tagaytay City Jail” is funded by the Local Government of Tagaytay and aims to promote environmental friendly practices. The Tagaytay Jail is powered by solar panels, equipped with high resolution CCTV cameras, and illuminated by LED lights. Located amidst green forest, the jail facility is also a space where detainees can breath calmly because verdant and lush garden abound within the vicinity.

The inauguration of the TAGAYTAY GREEN CITY JAIL facility was followed by its formal turn-over to Jail S/lnsp. Aris Williamere Villaester, Warden of Tagaytay City Jail and was witnessed by Jail Dir. Serafin Barretto, Jr., Chief BJMP and Jail C/Supt. Michael Vidamo, Sr., BJMP Region IV-A Director.

person Alan Tanjusay told the Manila Standard.

He said “they need a workforce who are regular and secure in their tenure.”

According to IBPAP, without contractualization, the Philippines will be less competitive against neighboring countries.

“Many investors are concerned about investing in the Philippines,” she said, noting the country’s labor sector is less flexible than in other Asean countries where companies supposedly hire and let go employees—as the case may be— within the bounds of the law.

“The industry has to remain

New drug rehab site eyed in QC

OVER 11,000 people from all sectors nationwide kicked off weeklong activities and events in celebration of Elderly Filipino Week this month to increase public awareness on various issues that affect the senior citizen sector.

The nationwide simultaneous one-kilometer walk billed as “Walk for Life” started at 5 a.m. in 16 key venues all over the country.

Activities also included the “Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda” (SUN) Awards in recognition of heroes among unsung

older people who have made a difference in the lives of many and have given exemplary services in their communities.

Most of them are farmers, indigenous people, women and persons with disabilities. Awards rites were held at the DAPA Hall of the Philippine Heart Center.

SM North Edsa Skydome also hosted “Talakayan/Forum on Elder Abuse and SSS Pension” to thresh out and present legislative measures on pressing issues of the sector, including elder abuse and low benefit level from SSS. The “Elderly Filipino Week,” a

celebration every October to give tribute to the senior citizens of the Philippines, was organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in partnership with other government agencies, local government units and non-government organizations.

During the week-long celebration, senior citizens—those above 60 years of age—enjoy exhibits and cultural shows, free medical checkup, medicines, cataract operation, eyeglasses, and dentures.

Elderly Filipinos constitute about 6.8 percent of the present population of 105 million, accord-

ing to figures available from the Philippne Statistics Authority.

The formation of events for the older community of the Philippines was in accordance to the United Nations’ General Assembly Resolution 37/51 of Dec. 3, 1982 to pursue an International Action Plan on Aging.

Presidential Proclamation No. 470, which mandates the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week to give importance to the roles of senior citizens in helping build the nation, aims to address the issues concerning the older people’s sector.

DoH launches P220-m mental health program WITH the “very little investment” in mental health, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean RosellUbial on Thursday signed an administrative order on the nationwide implementation of the department’s mental health program.

“We’ll change this landscape, this paradigm,” said Ubial, who gave assurances the DoH is at present advocating the passage of the first ever Mental Health Law in the Philippines.

Ubial told reporters on the sidelines of the 2nd Public Health Convention on Mental Health at Century Park Hotel in Manila the country’s investments in mental health were a priority under

the Duterte administration.

This is also a priority of the DoH under her leadership, she said, adding this is reflected in her department’s proposed 2017 budget.

From a P36-million program in 2016, she said they have proposed a 2017 budget of P220 million for the mental health program.

Under the department’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program, P1.2 billion will be allocated for the improvement of the country’s mental health facilities.

“Our budget and our direction is really to upgrade the existing [projects], we will not add

anything new because the concept is really a community-based mental health program. So more or less the facility-based will be for acute care,” said Ubial.

Before administrative order was signed, Ubial said the mental health program was implemented only “on a pilot basis.”

“So if somebody had an intervention, they go to the community, they do it, but it’s not, shall we say, uniformly implemented in all—for example — RHUs [rural health unites]. With an administrative order, the nationwide implementation of the program is defined,” she said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Rousey returns in December; PH’s Lausa makes UFC debut L

OS ANGELES—Mixed martial arts star Ronda Rousey is poised to return to the Octagon on December 30, taking on UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White said Wednesday the bout would headline the UFC 207 card in Las Vegas.

The 29-year-old Rousey, a former Olympic judo bronze medallist, held the UFC 135-pound crown for three years, from November of 2012 to November of 2015 -- when she was brutally knocked out by Holly Holm in Melbourne in one of the biggest

shocks in the history of UFC. Holm lost the title in her first attempted defence against Meisha Tate.

Brazil’s Nunes won the title with a first-round submission victory over Tate in July.

Meanwhile, UFC has confirmed that Filipino prizefighter Jenel “The Demolition Man” Lausa (6-2-0, fighting out of Iloilo, Philippines) has been re-booked to compete in

the upcoming UFC Fight Night Melbourne: ROCKHOLD vs JACARE 2 on Nov. 27, at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Making his long-awaited UFC debut, the former boxing champion turned mixed martial arts rising star will be taking on Yao “The Conqueror” Zhikui (2-4-0, fighting out of Beijing, China) in a three-round flyweight bout.

Lausa is the latest Filipino prospect to be recruited by the world’s premier MMA organization after a successful stint in the regional circuit that last saw him become a flyweight titleholder.

Using his strong striking background, Lausa will put his current four-fight winning streak on the line against China’s Zhikui, a nationally-ranked wrestler who is known for pushing an aggressive fighting style.

When he steps inside the famed Octagon for the first time, Lausa will be realizing a life-long dream. He is determined to make a lasting impression among UFC fans as the first Filipino MMA champion to join the ranks of the greatest fighters in the world.

Now competing with the very best Flyweights in the sport of mixed martial arts, Lausa is

ready to showcase his talents in front of the thousands of fans in attendance and the millions watching around the globe.

The event will be headlined by an epic middleweight rematch between former foes Luke Rockhold (15-3-0, fighting out of San Jose, California USA) and Ronalda “Jacare” Souza (23-4-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The former UFC middleweight champion Rockhold, is searching for his first win since losing the belt, while his rival Souza will look to make another statement in this five-round fight with heavy title implications.

Bridge makes its way to SEA Games Conclusion Madala led the only card to give declarer, Greco, a chance: the heart ace. Greco ruffed, cashed the spade king, led another spade, and went into a monumental huddle. At length, he finessed the spade nine as Bocchi pitched a club. Now a heart ruff would have dropped the king, and a third trump to dummy would have let him cash the heart queen and lose only three tricks. However, declarer had taken so long that he lost the thread and cashed dummy’s trump ace immediately.

This should have been fatal, but Bocchi had been lulled to sleep by the tempo and pitched another club. Now Greco could claim by knocking out the club ace, as his fifth club would be good. He immediately offered profuse apology for his Sominex Coup (his own words). Even down one would have picked up 8 imps: plus 590 made the swing 14 imps to DIAMOND, now ahead by 27.

-oOoFantoni-Nunes: New Hearing before CONI On July 19, 2016, Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes have appealed to CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) against the sentence of the FIGB (Italian Bridge Federation) Tribunal, issued on March 19, 2016 and published on April 11, 2016 The hearing before Coni (Italian Olympic Committee) will be held on October 4th, 2016 In Italy, the sports trials have three stages of proceedings: 1st -Federal Tribunal; 2nd-Federal Court of Appeals; 3rd-CONI. On March 19, 2106, the Italian Federal Tribunal decided a 3 years ban for each player. 1st stage) On April 29, 2016, Fantoni and Nunes submitted a previous appeal but, on June 18, the Federal Court of Appeals rejected their requests.

(2nd stage).

On July 19, 2016, Fantoni and Nunes submitted an appeal to CONI. (3rd stage).

On October 4, 2016 the hearing before CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) will be held.

In particular, Fantoni-Nunes’ appeal to CONI asks; - primarily that the decision of the appeal court on 10th of June, confirming the sanction described on 19th of March, is annulled.

- secondly, to reject all previous decisions made and to restart the examination of the case, following the right law principles.

WORLD CUP CONTENDERS. National BWC champions Lara Posadas (second from right) and Raoul Miranda (2nd from left) will represent the Philippines in the 52nd Quibica AMF Bowling World Cup international finals on Oct. 14-23 at Hao’s Bowling Center in Shanghai, China. The two, who will fly today for their first appearance in the prestigious individual kegfest, are shown receiving their plane tickets from Puyat Sports General Manager Engr. Gilbert Gavino (right) and Puyat Sports Vice President Joey R. Puyat III (left).

BaliPure gets back at Valdez Games tomorrow 12:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Champion 4 p.m. – Customs vs UST 6 p.m. – UP vs Pocari

IF BaliPure harbored any ill feeling toward Alyssa Valdez’s decision to play for another team, it hardly showed any effort to hide it Wednesday night.

The Purest Water Defenders held their former powerhitting star to just 16 hits as they bounced back from a stinging four-set defeat to the UST Tigresses by grounding Valdez and the Customs Transformers, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

“We really prepared for her (Valdez) mainly because we know her attacks are really incredible. We worked on our defense and our counterattack more,” said BaliPure Charo Soriano.

Valdez actually came into the BaliPure match oozing with confidence coming off a leaguebest 39-hit effort in an 18-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-9 victory over the Laoag Power Smashers last week.

The Transformers also came into the game in full force with Thai reinforcements Kanjana Kuthaisong and Natthanicha Jaisaen finally securing their clearance to play and Pau Soriano and Lilet Mabbayad re-suiting up not to mention their back-to-back victories over UP and Laoag.

Sure, Amy Ahomiro had said Valdez will forever be their teammate and nothing will change as far as their friendship is concerned. But the Purest Water Defenders had other things in mind.

“We were telling ourselves that if we could stop Alyssa, it’s going to be easier for us (to get the win), although we still have to work hard as a team,” said Soriano.

Unlike in their 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 13-25 defeat to the Tigresses, the Water Defenders, according to Soriano, played with cohesion and in unison against the Transformers.

SEA Games-bound team hones up in Bingo Open THE 2016 Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament firing off next week will not only be a showcase of the country’s top players and rising stars but also serves as part of the national team’s buildup for next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

National team head coach Paulus Firman expects the country’s elite players to dominate the P1.5 million championship

set Oct. 17-23 at the CW Home Depot Ortigas and SM Megamall. He added the tournament is also part of the national team players’ exposure for next year’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur where he hopes the Filipinos will finally contend for a medal against some of the world’s top players.

“I think we have a very good chance of at least competing for a bronze in the men’s doubles,” said

Colegio De San Lorenzo’s Jonjon Gabriel and Olivarez College’s Jayboy Solis battle for the rebound during their game in the UCLB basketball tournament yesterday at the Olivarez Gym Paranaque City. The Olivarez Sea Lions won, 95-77.

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@ yahoo

Firman. “But everything also depends on the draw.”

Tournament director Nelson Asuncion said ranking points will be up for grabs in the weeklong event, this being the country’s premier championship which features members of PBA Smash Pilipinas and the national pool with a slew of other talented players from the provinces also out to make their mark.

Possible inclusion in the na-

tional team also awaits the top finishers in various divisions of the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza Corp. and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by president Jejomar Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.

Meanwhile, the schedule of matches will be posted today (Friday) while the coaches, team managers and players’ meeting will be held on Oct. 16 at the

Olivarez Sea Lions bounce back OLIVAREZ College needed a huge third quarter to beat Colegio De San Lorenzo, 95-77, and barge into the win column Thursday in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez Sports Center.

Reserves Pruvil Bermudez and Lordy Geronimo combined for 15 points in the Sea Lions’ 33-point third-quarter explosion to shatter a 43-43 halftime count and surge to a commanding 76-58 advantage.

The win enabled Olivarez to soothe the pain following an opening day loss to Bulacan State University, 96-91.

The Sea Lions displayed a balanced attack with six players scoring in twin digits

Games Tomorrow:

(Olivarez Sports Center) 12 noon – CEU vs UB 2 p.m. – Diliman vs Olivarez

and dominated the Griffins in the rebounding department, 60-28.

Geronimo and Bermudez went on to finish with16 points apiece, while Richmon Sunga added 15 points on top of six rebounds and five assists for Olivarez.

Vin Belaso had a doubledouble effort of 12 points and 13 rebounds, while MavrickSaguiguit and Richard Sing contributed 10 points apiece for the Sea Lions.

CDSL stumbled to its second consecutive loss in a tie with

Newcomers emerge champs at Cebuana netfest in Capiz NEW faces emerged winners in the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series leg in Dumalag, Capiz, led by double winners Althea Rose Martirez from New Washington, Aklan and Louise Claire Clavaton from Roxas City.

Clavaton copped both the girls’ 16 and 18 & under titles as she beat Iloilo City’s Joane Joy Alison, 8-1, for the 18-under crown.

Earlier, she fashioned another easy 8-2 win over Avril Andrea Suace from Sta.

Barbara, Iloilo in the tournament co-sponsored by Dunlop Sports as the official ball.

Martirez duplicated the feat, defeating Suace, 8-6, in the 16-under and local bet Wella Mae Fullo, 8-0, for the12-under title.

“Over the past 10 years, this series has discovered and produced erstwhile unknown young tennis champions from the provinces. We will continue this program as our contribution to the development of tennis in the country,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President /CEO and current Philippine Tennis Association Chairman

LWRC 26F West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center in Ortigas.

The qualifiers and quarterfinals will cover five days of action at the CW Home Depot before the tournament, backed by Victor PCOME as the official equipment, SM Megamall, Smash Pilipinas and the Philippine Olympic Committee, moves to the SM Megamall for the semis and finals on Oct. 22 and 23.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, who initiated the tennis grassroots program in 2006.

In the boys’ side of the competition supported by Dumalag Mayor Amado Eriberto Castro Jr., who provided free billeting to the visiting players, Kalibo, Aklan native Lorenzo Angelo Legaspi edged out Iloilo City’s Mark Crososto, 8-6, for the boys’ 18-under crown, while local bet Justin mart Alba won the only title that remained in local hands after beating Legaspi, 8-6, in the finals of the boys’ 16- under.

The boys’ 14-under was won by Ca-

batuan, Iloilo’s JJ Chrysler Gazo as he posted an impressive 8-1 trashing of another local bet Joshua Feca.

Roxas City’s Dryxcin Jann Guillano, meanwhile, took home the boys’ 12-under title with an easy 8-2 victory over Kalibo City bet Rafael Antonio Legaspi.

Earlier, Nino Ronald Rey from Kalibo swept Roxas City’s 4-2, 4-1 in the finals of the 10-under age group.

Next leg for the series is on Oct. 14 to 18 in Legaspi City, Albay, according to series organizer Mario Craiz.

idle University of Batangas at the bottom of the standings.

Jonjon Gabriel led the Griffins with 21 points and six rebounds while Mark Carongoy and King Astrero added 20 and 12 points, respectively.

The scores: First Game Olivarez 95—Geronimo 16, Bermudez 16, Sunga 15, Belaso 12, Saguiguit 10, Sing 10, Uduba 6, Rabe 4, Rabusa 3, Solis 2, Sala 1, Almejada 0, Diaz 0.

CDSL 77—Gabriel 21, Carongoy 20, Astrero 12, Callano 8, Lagman 8, Alvarado 4, Ajero 3, Ancheta 1, Borja 0, Formento 0, Foronda 0, Vargas 0.

Quarters: 25-24, 43-43, 7658, 95-77.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

A8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Sports

Blockbuster PBA trade: Star’s Yap for Rain’s Lee

By Jeric Lopez

A

PAIR of blockbuster trades involving superstars and key players were completed Thursday and are expected to shake-up the landscape in the Philippine Basketball Association in its next season.

After months of finding himself in constant trade talks and rumors, James Yap was finally shipped by Star to Rain or Shine for Paul Lee in a superstar-for-superstar trade.

This was a shocking development, though Yap has been the subject of trade rumors for months now.

Both the Hotshots and the Painters are now bound to go in different directions with their respective franchises after giving away their top guns.

In a separate swap, the Elasto Painters then traded improved slotman JR Quinahan to Glo-

balPort in exchange for veteran swingman Jay Washington.

Both Rain or Shine and GlobalPort were said to be very happy with this move as they will be given an instant boost by the new players they acquired, with Quinahan adding the much-needed beef for the Batang Pier inside, and Washington giving the Painters versatility in the wing positions.

Yap, who will now play for just his second team since entering the league in 2004, is set to become the new face of the Elasto Painters while Lee is expected to be the same for the Hotshots.

Rain or Shine and Lee, a free agent, were in the middle of discussing a new contract for the latter, reportedly a three-year deal, but in a sudden swerve, the Elasto Painters dealt Lee for Yap in a snap.

Even with their new teams and their new roles in the coming season, Lee and Yap, incidentally both from the University of the East, are still expected to be relevant forces.

Lee will very likely receive a lucrative offer from Star as he will definitely be the one to take Yap’s place as the franchise player of the team.

This will be a reunion of sorts for Yap, Washington and the Elasto Painters as the two were key components back in the old Philippine Basketball League days wherein they led Welcoat to several titles there.

These two crucial transactions formally started Rain or Shine’s rebuilding process after coach Yeng Guiao left for NLEX last week.

The Elasto Painters are also dealing with a contract dispute with free agent big man Beau Belga as the two parties will know early next week whether they’ll be able to reach an agreement or not.

Chabon, Superal stay 4 adrift in Thailand SOFIA Chabon moved up to solo third with another two-under 71 but remained four strokes behind Malaysian Nur Durriyah Damian after two rounds of the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open at the Legacy Golf Club in Thailand late Wednesday.

Chabon, 15, flashed superb form to match her opening round effort as The Country Club ace pooled a 142 at the par-73 layout and stayed four off Damian, who also carded a 71 after a 67 for a 138 and a two-shot lead over Thai Napabhach Boon-in, who shot a 72 for a 142.

Over in Florida, Princess Superal fired a bogey-free fourunder 68 to jump from joint 11th to solo second at 141 but still stood four shots off local ace Maria McBride, who shot a 69 for a 137, in the second round of the National Women’s GA-Zellwood Classic at the Zellwood Station Country Club, also Wednesday.

Superal, priming up for next week’s LPGA Q-School Stage 2, also in Florida, birdied Nos. 1, 9, 12 and 18 while saving pars twice to put in a pair of 34s and arrange a final round showdown with McBride, who also turned in a solid 34-35 card to hold sway.

“It’s a big deficit but she’s confident. She’s been hitting it pretty well off the tee although she missed a couple of birdie chances,” said TCC coach Bong Lopez.

Lisbeth Brooks matched par 72 for a 142 while Monica Sealy and Madison Opfer remained tied at 143 after a pair of 72s.

In Thailand, the other TCC bets failed to gain headway with Mikha Fortuna laying seven shots behind at 145 despite a two-under 71 in a tie with teammate Bernice Olivarez-Ilas, who matched par 73.

A superstar-to-superstar swap, Star’s James Yap (left) will be headed to Rain of Shine, while Elasto Painter Paul Lee is moving over to the Hotshots.

MERALCO is exactly right where it wants to be at this point and it doesn’t plan on slowing down.

The Bolts are looking to move a step closer towards their first championship as they aim for a 3-1 lead over Barangay Ginebra in their best-of-seven finals series in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Game 4 is scheduled at 8:10 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Meralco looking to move a game closer to the title, and Ginebra again aiming to equalize things.

Prior to this, the season’s top players will be feted in the annual Leo Awards to be held at 7 p.m.

Meralco coach Norman Black knows that his team is inching closer to its ultimate goal and he hopes the Bolts can sustain their fine play at this juncture.

“We’re getting closer to where we want to be,” said Black. “We really want to take this series and we have to continue what we’ve started.”

The Bolts got their rhythm and game going in Game 3 to take it, 107-103, last Wednesday night after a fine display down the stretch.

Rookie sensation Chris Newsome and reliable veterans Reynel Hugnatan and Jimmy Alapag provided ample support to Allen Durham to help lift Meralco to victory.

With this golden opportunity at hand, Black wants his wards to seize the moment and keep their focus.

“In the middle of the battle, what you want to continue doing is keep on fighting and focus on play by play,” he said.

Ginebra is once again facing a must-win situation to avoid falling into a huge hole.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer superstar June Mar Fajardo is expected to be named as the Most Valuable Player of the season for the third consecutive time.

For the Rookie of the Year, Newsome is the one expected to take the plum after helping transform Meralco into a title contender this season with his consistent and stellar play.

Other awards that will be handed out are the Most Improved Player, Mythical First and Second Teams, All Defensive Team and the Sportsmanship citation.

October is Volleyball Month, says Duterte PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte further boosted his support to the country’s hosting of the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship by proclaiming October as Volleyball Month.

Mr. Duterte signed on Tuesday Proclamation No. 80 and ordered to shift national attention to the staging of this prestigious tournament starting this Tuesday at the MOA Arena, where the PSL F2 Logistics Manila team will compete against the best club teams from Turkey, Switzerland, Brazil, Italy, Japan and Thailand.

It is the first time in two decades that a Chief Executive declared a volleyball month, and it will serve as a morale booster to this world-class event organized by the Philippine Superliga and Eventcourt with TV5, Petron, Asics, BMW and F2 Logistics as official sponsors, Diamond Hotel as official residence and Turkish Airlines

as official airline.

The event is sanctioned by the International Volleyball Federation, Asian Volleyball Confederation and the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc..

The House of Representatives also honored late Wednesday the PSL-F2 Logistics squad that will compete against VakifBank Istanbul, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, Volero Zurich, Rexona-Sesc Rio, Pomi Casalmaggiore and Bangkok Glass.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as well as Reps. Mikee Romero, Eric Pineda, Len Alonte, Chiqui Roa Puno and Arnulfo Teves rolled out the red carpet to the athletes, vowing to reach out to their respective constituents to help boost fans’ presence in this weeklong spectacle that also has Philippine Sports Commission, Rexona, Mall of Asia Arena, Foton and Price Water- PSL F2 Logistics Manila Team in a playful mood at the office of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Roman Prospero house Cooper as supporters.

PBA extends rookie application deadline THE Philippine Basketball Association has moved to Oct. 19 the deadline for application in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft as the league is still finalizing a memorandum of agreement with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The MOA sets the guidelines and parameters of a proposed two separate drafts in the 2016 draft exercise slated Oct. 30.

The plan is to hold the regular draft and a special one involving 12 Gilas cadet players to be drafted by the 12 PBA ball clubs.

But at press time, SBP president Al Panlilio said they have yet to complete a 12-man roster.

Mac Belo, Kevin Ferrer, Roger

Bolts shoot for big 3-1 lead

Pogoy, Mike Tolomia Russell Escoto, Ed Daquiaog and Jio Jalalon are among those expected to make the new Gilas team.

Still uncertain is the status of Bobby Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena, who are trying their luck in the NBA D-League.

Meanwhile, the regular draft pool has an added first-round potential in former Youth and Racal guard Raphael Banal.

Banal, an Ateneo Blue Eaglet who played college ball for Victory U then Hope International in the United States, is among the latest players who made themselves available for the coming draft.

Among the early birds are for-

mer Gilas cadet Carl Bryan Cruz, Mapua’s Joseph Eriobu and Jessie Saitanan. St. Clare College’s Raymond Jamito and Jayson Ibay, UE’s Jairold Flores and Erwin Duran.

Others already in the list are Ryan Arambulo, Rashawn McCarthy, Timothy Habelito, Cedrick Ablaza, Jaycee John Asuncion, Jericho de Guzman, Aaron Jeruta, Billy Ray Robles, Jan Niccolo Jamon, Levi Hernandez, Ryusei Koga, John Pontejos, Joeffrey Javillonar, Tristan Perez, Edzel Mag-isa, Jerald Cueto, Joshua Alolino, Reden Celda and Charley Caluya.

The top pick in the 2016 Draft belongs to the Blackwater Elite.

Phoenix Petroleum is No. 2 with

the draft rights the team earned from a previous trade deal with Star.

Third is Barangay Ginebra (from Phoenix), followed by Mahindra, Star (from GlobalPort), San Miguel Beer (from NLEX), Meralco, NLEX (from TNT KaTropa), Rain or Shine, Ginebra, Alaska and Phoenix (from San Miguel) to round out the first round.

Draft order in the second round is NLEX (from Blackwater), Rain or Shine (from Star), GlobalPort (from Phoenix), Meralco (from Mahindra), Alaska (from Globalport), Rain or Shine (from NLEX), GlobalPort (from Meralco), Phoenix (from TNT), Rain or Shine, Mahindra (from Ginebra), Alaska and Phoenix (from San Miguel).

Fury vacates 2 world titles

By Ronnie Nathanielsz HEAVYWEIGHT champion Tyson Fury announced he is voluntarily vacating his WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles with immediate effect to fully focus on his medical treatment and recovery.

Fury recently withdrew from a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko for the second time after being declared “medically unfit.”

Sky Sports in Britain reported: “The undefeated boxer reportedly failed a drug test in the United States and he courted more controversy recently when he told Rolling Stone magazine in a recent interview he has ‘done lots of cocaine’ in a bid to battle depression.”

The British Boxing Board of Control were set to discuss removing Fury’s license on Wednesday, which would have seen him stripped of the belts, but the boxer has beaten them to the punch by vacating them voluntarily.

Fury claimed a unanimous decision over Klitschko to end the latter’s 11-year reign as heavyweight champion.

Sky Sports quoted Fury: “I feel that it is only fair and right and for the good of boxing to keep the titles active and allow the other contenders to fight for the vacant belts that I proudly won and held as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world when I defeated the long-standing champion Wladimir Klitschko.”

First Gen readies $1-b LNG terminal project B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

B1

Foreign funds withdraw $807m

By Julito G. Rada

F

OREIGN fund managers withdrew $807 million from the local financial market in September, the biggest net outflow in 32 months, on expected interest rate hike in the US.

Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed foreign portfolio investments or “hot money” posted a net outflow of $807 million in September, excluding the withdrawals in the first two weeks of October.

The September net outflow was also higher than the $323.98-million net outflow registered a year ago and a reversal of the $427-million net inflow in August this year.

It was also the biggest net outflow since January 2014 when fund managers pulled out $1.8 billion.

Foreign withdrawals led to the decline of the Philippine Stock Exchange index to a four-month low of 7,312.18 Thursday. The peso also fell to a seven year low of 48.54 against the US dollar Wednesday, before rebounding to 48.34 Thursday.

Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said Thursday a clearer guidance from the US Federal Reserve on the timing of its highly-anticipated interest rates hike was expected to calm rough trading in currency markets.

Tetangco issued the statement in reaction to the minutes of the Fed meeting held last month and was released Wednesday.

“The minutes as I understand it did not say anything new, i.e. , nothing unexpected or different from what market had “read” from the actual statement,” Tetangco said in a text message.

He said the division within the Fed was already spoken of even on statement date, adding the market would continue to closely monitor other Fed members who were speaking.

“We may see some clearer guidance from [Fed] chair [Janet] Yellen who is expected to speak on Friday. Hopefully, till then, regional currencies including the peso will trade within narrower bands,” Tetangco said.

Minutes of the meeting conducted Sept.

20 to 21 in Washington said that “several members judged that it would be appropriate to increase the target range for the federal funds rate relatively soon if economic developments unfolded about as the committee expected.”

The Federal Open Market Committee left the benchmark lending rate unchanged from 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent for the sixth straight meeting in September. But most of the 17 participants projected at least one hike before the year ends.

Data showed despite the outflow in September, hot money posted a net inflow of $1.27 billion in the first nine months, a reversal of the $413.93-billion net outflow in the same period last year.

Total inflows in September reached $1.27 billion, lower than $1.367 billion a year ago, while total outflows widened to $2.08 billion from $1.69 billion.

Bangko Sentral said among the reasons that caused the outflows in September were the bombing in Davao City early last month that prompted the government to declare a state of lawless violence in the country and the European Central Bank’s decision to discontinue its bond-buying program.

SC rules in favor of Aboitiz on Naga plant FastCat plans to add

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Supreme Court upheld a decision that nullified the awarding of the 153.1-megawatt Naga power plant complex in Cebu to SPC Power Corp. and effectively recognized a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp. as the right winner for submitting the highest bid in 2014.

Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange wholly-owned subsidiary Therma Power Visayas Inc. received on Thursday the notice of judgement dated Oct. 5 from the Supreme Court in case number G.R. No. 212686 entitled “Sergio R. Osmena III vs. PSALM, Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr., SPC Power Corp. and Therma Power.”

Aboitiz said while the high tribunal upheld the viability of public bidding held by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. in 2014, it invalidated the “right to top” provision.

PSALM earlier awarded the

power plant complex to SPC Power Corp., because of the “right to top” provision in the agreement. The complex consists of the 52.5-megawatt Cebu 1 and 56.8-MW Cebu 2 coalfired thermal power plants, and the 43.8-MW Cebu diesel power plant 1 composed of six 7.3MW bunker-C fed power units.

Therma Power Visayas emerged as the highest bidder with an offer of P1.09 billion in 2014, beating the P859-million offer of SPC Power, which was the existing operator then.

PSALM allowed SPC to exercise its right to top the offer of Aboitiz Power.

Senator Sergio Osmeña III filed a case with the SC in 2014 seeking to stop the sale of the Naga power plant complex in Cebu to SPC Power and nullify the stipulation in the lease agreement.

The Supreme Court voided the PSALM-SPC lease agreement in January 2016 and upheld the decision this month.

“In its notice of judgement, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the public bidding held by the PSALM Corp. of the Naga power plant but invalidated the condition in the bidding granting SPC the right to top the bid,” Aboitiz Power said.

“The Supreme Court annulled and set aside the asset purchase agreement and the land lease agreement executed between SPC and PSALM and directed PSALM to execute the NPPCAPA and the NPPC-LLA in favor of TPVI,” it said.

PSALM officer-in-charge Lourdes Alzona confirmed the agency received a copy of the Supreme Court decision. “We are reviewing it and will refer to DOE,” Alzona said.

Energy Department undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said PSALM “will implement said decision accordingly.”

“We asked them to furnish Secretary [Alfonso] Cusi a detailed presentation on the background of the case and how to

proceed,” Fuentebella said.

SPC senior vice-president for finance and administration Alfredo Ballesteros earlier said a “no rebid” scenario for the Naga complex would be disadvantageous to the government.

“Merely awarding the plant to what is now the lower bidder would be disadvantageous to government. This is changing the rules of the game. All the interested parties to the bid were aware of the right to top, as a condition on the Naga sale.

By participating in the bid, they recognized SPC’s right to top and cannot assert their right to win,” Ballesteros said.

“Of course we will comply with the final decision of the court. But a no rebid scenario for the government would change the rules of the game.

I’m sure all bidders for Naga considered the right to top in their bids, because the right was the primary condition in the bidding. It cannot simply be deleted,” Ballesteros said.

Asean RoRo services

By Darwin G. Amojelar ARCHIPELAGO Philippine Ferries Corp., operator of FastCat roll-on/roll-off ferries, said Thursday it plans to expand operations to Malaysia and Indonesia by late next year.

“Initially, these are the two countries that are very close to the Philippines. Our goal is to connect these two gateways,” AFPC chairman Christopher Pastrana said in a news briefing at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila.

Pastrana said the company aimed to start the Palawan to Kudat in Sabah, Malaysia route by late 2017.

“I think if we open these two gateways, there’s no stopping us to opening up other gateways.

They are talking about Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam,” he said.

Pastrana said the company would deploy two vessels for its Malaysian and Indonesian operations. At present, AFPC has 10 Catamaran vessels.

“But our goal is to have 30

ships, initially all over the Philippines. So that we will be able to connect about 11 million passengers, which is less than 15 percent of the total riding public using sea lanes as main mode of transportation and move about 12 million to 15 million tons of cargoes which is still not even 15 percent of the 110 million tons of cargoes moving in and out of the entire Philippines,” Pastrana said.

Pastrana said the company would acquire 20 Catamaran vessels for $8.3 million to $11 million each.

“The total is about $120 million to $160 million. That’s a substantial amount of investment by 2020,” he said.

FastCat current routes include Batangas to Clapan, Mindoro; Bulalacao, Mindoro-Caticlan, Aklan; Matnog, Sorsogon-San Isidro, Northern Samar; Bacolod-Iloilo, Liloan, Leyte-Lipata, Surigao; San Carlos, Negros Occidental-Toledo, Cebu and Dumaguete, Negros OrientalDapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

DoubleDragon pays P832m for hotel firm

By Jenniffer B. Austria DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. said Thursday it completed the acquisition of a 70-percent stake in hotel chain operator Hotel of Asia Inc. for P832.17 million.

The acquisition will enable DoubleDragon to extend its business in the hotel sector and support the company’s thrust to focus on recurring income businesses.

DoubleDragon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Injap Investments Inc., the selling shareholder of HOA, would be paid in DoubleDragon common shares priced at a 5-percent premium over the 30-day weighted average of the closing price of DD common shares, preceding closing date of the transaction, which is at P61.34 per share.

HOA was initially created in 2011

as a joint venture between Injap Investments, Chan C. Bros. Holdings Inc. of the Oishi Group and Staniel Realty Development Corp.

Upon closing of the transaction, Injap Investments will fully divest its interests in HOA and consolidate it at the DoubleDragon level, while CCBHI and SRDC will retain 15 percent percent each in HOA. HOA is a hospitality firm primarily engaged in the ownership, operation and development of hotel projects. It established its own brand called Hotel 101 and its subsidiary holds the master franchise for the Philippines of JinJiang Inn, one of the largest hotel brands in Asia.

HOA currently has two operating JinJiang Inns in the Philippines, located along San Miguel Ave. in Ortigas and Pasay Road in Makati.

Stock mart extends slump; MPIC climbs S

TOCKS slumped for a seventh day, as an unexpected drop in Chinese exports undermined confidence in the global economy while Federal Reserve minutes stoked fresh talk of a US rate hike before the year’s end.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 117 points, or 1.6 percent, to close at 7,312.18 Thursday. This reduced total gains this year to 5.2 percent.

The broader all-share index also tumbled 60 points, or 1.4 percent, to settle at 4,369.60, on a value

turnover of P8.8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 164 to 29, while 44 issues were unchanged.

All six sectors incurred losses, while only two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. rose 2.4 percent to P7.20, while Security Bank Corp. gained 2.1

percent to P207.

Among heavy losers, DoubleDragon Properties Corp. fell 6.9 percent to P51.50, while Megaworld Corp. declined 5.5 percent to P4.11.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong shares tumbled 1.4 percent as of 3:37 p.m. in Tokyo. Futures on the S&P 500 Index and Euro Stoxx 50 were each down 0.6 percent. Treasuries rose the most in two weeks amid demand for the safest assets. The yen climbed 0.4 percent against the US currency, while the yuan weakened to near a six-year low.

Crude oil continued to decline, falling below $50 a barrel. Thailand’s

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.5 16,000 47.85 4,100 102.5 1,687,300 3.82 12,000 106 1,665,260 1.28 163,000 38 233,700 16.6 71,500 18.2 1,108,100 6.85 1,600 0.67 517,000 1.81 24,000 0.67 9,892,000 82.8 4,458,250 0.9 52,000 14 500,200 22 2,700 54.7 44,540 260 950 248 10 98.95 330 35.75 307,300 207 2,177,880 1,495 325 75 159,610 1.42 236,000

55,600 196,060 173,081,215 45,810 176,627,007 211,390 8,863,050 1,188,200 20,115,032 10,630 351,240 43,460 6,634,810 369,493,078 45,300 7,002,804 59,785 2,476,463 247,326 2,480 33,116 10,980,930 450,923,926 485,915 11,978,110 334,610

138,615 12,793,549 -11,395,805 13,000 6,670,660 1,119,420 -2,935,478 -2,818,330 -24,617,270.50 22,628 3,328,470 -7,855,490 343,850 948,897.50 -

45 3.61 0.84 1.4 15 68.5 11.1 15.42 22.3 59.9 105 1.95 6.1 12 10.6 7.15 7.24 5.8 22.7 70.55 11.9 16.2 5.7 1.95 240.2 50 2.11 3.91 30 25.9 14.42 287.2 0.25 2.98 10.14 11.4 2.03 5.83 1.46 3.3 215 4.15 3.3 0.143 1.68 178 2.1 1.19

INDUSTRIAL 45.35 2,086,200 3.95 5,992,000 0.85 2,549,000 1.41 7,941,000 15.6 1,300 68.5 10 11.2 6,224,900 16 2,749,600 23.2 542,700 59.9 58,330 105 1,600 1.99 799,000 6.13 809,200 12.2 71,100 10.66 6,087,000 7.2 317,900 7.28 1,190,200 5.88 15,680,600 23 2,620,100 70.65 211,420 11.9 115,700 16.2 191,500 5.79 1,129,900 1.97 2,664,000 241 405,070 50 310 2.11 3,000 3.95 64,000 30.05 4,024,100 26.75 743,700 14.46 2,387,700 288 490,250 0.25 1,960,000 2.99 1,104,000 10.36 1,260,900 11.5 44,400 2.11 1,770,000 5.95 1,107,900 1.47 481,000 3.3 404,000 215.6 11,020 4.17 189,000 3.3 2,000 0.144 7,630,000 1.68 987,000 179 1,104,050 2.11 8,451,000 1.19 104,000

94,607,315 23,632,920 2,206,630 11,599,530 19,668 685 69,957,196 43,230,392 12,535,020 3,495,972 168,793 1,578,750 4,963,556 858,774 65,238,112 2,300,228 8,649,513 92,221,223 60,294,520 14,959,036.50 1,386,060 3,107,004 6,512,391 5,269,870 97,736,572 16,860 6,330 253,790 121,071,870 19,740,980 34,832,332 142,086,710 492,650 3,308,750 12,928,306 506,190 3,743,510 6,593,280 711,610 1,355,660 2,369,830 787,140 6,600 1,106,020 1,666,090 197,854,337 18,144,880 123,760

4,446,890 -2,097,940 -12,040 -6,105,860 -2,231,376 -31,058,686 4,600 692,544 407,750 188,837 -67,378 10,281,892 -852,773 610,699 32,854,258 95,195 -2,849,004.50 -1,065,770 0 225,735 104,970 -5,457,148 -59,338,075 -8,530,940 -8,474,278 -76,492,928 190,000 771,680 442,340 2,633,510.00 59,700 -47,300 720,740 -157,340 -107,120 -45,203,524 441,090 -

0.365 74.5 15.22 1.19 6.01 0.33 831.5 8.08 12.32 8 6.13 0.205 1,330 6.15 69.95 5.2 0.77 7.63 13.84 6.91 0.036 1.92 79.5 2.29 656 1.19 230.8 0.3 0.25

HOLDING FIRMS 0.375 950,000 75.25 1,315,210 15.22 4,094,700 1.24 22,000 6.01 100 0.335 3,990,000 839.5 912,230 8.1 3,755,900 12.5 5,563,400 8.15 228,000 6.13 5,000 0.205 40,000 1,330 314,535 6.15 31,600 71.1 1,537,840 5.2 1,000 0.78 49,000 8 5,510,300 14.16 4,687,900 7.2 39,014,100 0.036 68,300,000 1.92 452,000 80 207,150 2.29 20,000 656 487,440 1.19 28,000 233 9,270 0.3 6,180,000 0.25 2,710,000

347,300 98,749,881 62,776,838 26,780 601 1,328,550 766,147,235 30,449,645 69,490,098 1,858,521 30,650 8,200 422,803,005 194,340 109,106,440.50 5,205 37,800 43,210,929 66,112,672 273,377,878 2,459,800 869,840 16,555,883.50 45,900 321,276,870 33,520 2,153,106 1,873,350 682,600

15,046,125 -27,379,676 -10,410,925 5,686,112 26,899,046 -101,540,510 -6,634,460.50 -1,947,966 16,385,750 22,261,085 360,000.00 -2,571,074.50 -28,561,185 -

2,121,216 2,621,090 5,127,510 262,600 986,482,070 8,840,610 634 4,045,330 1,250 24,960 3,325,850 3,609,950 144,863,383.50 187,960 8,960 21,335,440 8,619,560 230,850 37,800 419,448,990 14,637,530 143,000 11,898,980 102,312,900 518,770 6,500 447,743,490 6,612,460

201,572 -21,000 -517,750 -166,950 -103,501,560.00 -2,234,790 -297,540.00 -30,050 -159,000 13,139,647 5,329,790 -2,920,400 14,770 -121,884,620 -207,300.00 51,000 44,710 -45,754,680 152,000 -182,530,860 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

3.5 47.9 103.5 3.82 107.5 1.34 37.95 16.8 18.5 6.63 0.68 1.82 0.71 84.1 0.87 14 22.25 57 260 248 100.8 35.7 205.2 1,495 75 1.42

3.5 47.9 104 3.82 107.8 1.34 38 16.8 18.5 6.85 0.68 1.82 0.71 84.15 0.9 14.04 22.25 57 267.6 248 100.8 35.85 208.2 1,503 75.5 1.42

3.42 47.75 101 3.81 105.5 1.28 37.6 16.6 18.1 6.63 0.67 1.81 0.66 82.2 0.87 14 22 54.7 260 248 98.95 35.7 205.2 1,495 74 1.41

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PHX SEMICNDCTR PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

45 4.19 0.9 1.57 15 68.5 11.5 15.7 23.45 60 105.1 2 6.1 12.14 10.68 7.29 7.28 5.83 22.85 71.5 12.06 16.2 5.9 2.02 241 58.5 2.11 4.03 30.2 27.35 14.8 294 0.255 3.14 10.3 11.4 2.17 5.94 1.5 3.45 219.8 4.16 3.3 0.147 1.75 181.1 2.25 1.19

45.6 4.2 0.91 1.57 15.6 68.5 11.52 16 23.6 60 109 2 6.25 12.2 10.94 7.3 7.3 5.93 23.45 71.65 12.06 16.26 5.95 2.02 245 58.5 2.11 4.03 30.3 27.35 14.86 300 0.26 3.14 10.36 11.5 2.17 5.97 1.5 3.45 219.8 4.17 3.3 0.147 1.75 183 2.25 1.19

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG ZEUS HLDG

0.365 75.5 15.56 1.24 6.01 0.34 845 8.1 12.4 8.15 6.13 0.205 1,368 6.15 70 5.21 0.77 7.95 14 6.98 0.036 1.93 80.5 2.3 661.5 1.2 233.8 0.31 0.255

0.38 75.75 15.7 1.27 6.01 0.34 848.5 8.2 12.52 8.17 6.13 0.205 1,368 6.15 71.55 5.21 0.78 8 14.26 7.2 0.037 1.93 80.5 2.3 669 1.2 233.8 0.31 0.255

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEBU PROP B CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND

7.3 1.09 2.45 0.27 37.3 2.85 6.34 0.58 1.25 1.04 0.151 0.53 55.1 0.74 0.149 1.74 1 1.12 4.2 4.36 0.169 0.255 3.6 30.05 1.61 3.25 27.05 1.05

7.3 1.09 2.45 0.27 37.45 2.85 6.34 0.58 1.25 1.04 0.151 0.53 55.2 0.74 0.15 1.81 1 1.18 4.2 4.39 0.173 0.275 3.65 30.05 1.63 3.25 27.1 1.08

7.24 1.04 2.25 0.265 36.4 2.73 6.34 0.56 1.25 1.04 0.146 0.51 49 0.74 0.149 1.73 0.97 1.12 4.2 4.09 0.155 0.255 3.31 29 1.6 3.25 26.05 1.02

PROPERTY 7.24 1.07 2.25 0.265 36.4 2.73 6.34 0.57 1.25 1.04 0.149 0.53 51.5 0.74 0.15 1.76 0.98 1.18 4.2 4.11 0.156 0.275 3.31 29 1.6 3.25 26.05 1.02

VOLUME

292,200 2,469,000 2,239,000 990,000 26,663,800 3,163,000 100 7,087,000 1,000 24,000 22,290,000 6,927,000 2,811,430 254,000 60,000 12,092,000 8,793,000 204,000 9,000 99,974,000 90,860,000 560,000 3,503,000 3,447,800 324,000 2,000 16,876,200 6,421,000

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

7.15 0.96 5.11

7.15 0.96 5.17

7.15 0.95 5

7.15 0.95 5

200 1,369,000 11,420,800

1,430 1,310,920 57,536,729

-120,000 -16,727,228

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A IMPERIAL B INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LIBERTY TELECOM MANILA JOCKEY MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT YEHEY CORP

7.59 48 1.3 0.54 5.21 4.92 0.09 3.24 103 9.78 6.75 2.53 954 1,810 6.28 13.6 1.97 18.04 136 74.85 0.0097 11.8 9.1 0.218 1.44 3.47 12.66 4.88 2.24 1.99 3.78 5.02 31 3.14 11.16 5.55 2.54 150 8.65 1,599 1.04 0.415 42.15 74.5 5.86 2.84 0.67 3.22 0.345 5.18

7.7 48.1 1.35 0.56 5.35 4.99 0.09 3.24 104 9.78 7 2.53 954 1,846 6.28 14 1.97 18.04 136 75.1 0.0097 11.8 9.23 0.218 1.52 3.47 12.66 4.88 2.24 1.99 3.79 5.02 31.05 3.14 11.32 5.55 2.54 150 9.2 1,615 1.06 0.415 42.15 74.5 5.86 2.84 0.7 3.25 0.345 5.37

7.53 47.5 1.26 0.53 5.21 4.9 0.082 3.04 101.8 9.52 6.65 2.53 954 1,796 6.21 13.3 1.87 16.02 136 74 0.0094 11.8 9.1 0.201 1.42 3.2 12.22 4.6 2.22 1.95 3.61 4.77 25.1 2.85 11.16 5.55 2.53 135.1 8.3 1,596 1.03 0.395 40.4 73.35 5.63 2.72 0.66 3.18 0.345 4.9

SERVICES 7.68 48 1.26 0.53 5.3 4.95 0.083 3.09 103 9.52 6.99 2.53 954 1,800 6.22 14 1.89 16.4 136 74 0.0094 11.8 9.23 0.205 1.5 3.47 12.22 4.73 2.22 1.99 3.68 4.83 25.15 3.05 11.32 5.55 2.53 147.9 9.2 1,598 1.06 0.4 40.4 73.35 5.63 2.76 0.69 3.18 0.345 5.16

240,000 33,600 536,000 836,000 2,500 9,155,900 123,750,000 2,341,000 580,200 22,400 208,800 9,000 350 75,115 84,100 237,500 4,621,000 34,000 50 1,393,260 63,000,000 500 491,000 24,230,000 2,858,000 71,000 1,410,700 1,030,000 610,000 66,000 8,433,000 4,323,700 75,600 5,395,000 1,900 1,200 11,000 140 11,006,400 306,650 14,119,000 4,820,000 603,200 1,043,420 467,000 2,519,000 15,415,000 2,023,000 90,000 227,300

1,826,615 1,612,655 696,710 447,130 13,135 45,312,456 10,502,630 7,300,330 59,753,056 215,268 1,408,805 22,770 333,900 137,105,715 524,197 3,231,222 8,812,560 573,210 6,800 103,646,950.50 600,800 5,900 4,530,900 5,007,630 4,254,770 231,760 17,266,990 4,874,130 1,358,350 130,800 31,113,990 20,890,239 2,070,055 15,832,010 21,364 6,660 27,860 19,703 97,833,500 490,368,460 14,781,140 1,945,650 24,499,150 76,822,892.50 2,678,260 6,935,410 10,528,400 6,456,280 31,050 1,159,115

-48,039 194,780 19,439,214 -372,060.00 -47,400 -2,514,277 246,220 29,834,670 -14,140 38,200 -7,956,156.50 -40,300 -50,150 17,214,336 53,110 77,700 490,560 -7,310,377.00 -8,590 7,620 -1,500 -1,665,457 56,971,680 -4,027,020 -32,800 -15,411,665 -37,136,801 35,100 -49,630 9,428,640 257,430 58,680

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BASIC ENERGY BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0036 2.95 4.08 9.63 0.205 2.09 0.57 0.395 8.12 1.01 0.265 0.186 0.19 0.01 0.012 1.41 7.01 2.89 0.85 0.012 0.011 0.012 8.11 3.78 120.9 3.18 0.0094

0.0036 2.95 4.08 10 0.205 2.11 0.57 0.395 8.3 1.01 0.27 0.187 0.19 0.011 0.012 1.41 7.01 2.89 0.85 0.012 0.011 0.012 8.13 3.79 120.9 3.18 0.0094

0.0035 2.88 4.05 9.62 0.203 2.08 0.57 0.38 8.12 0.95 0.26 0.182 0.189 0.01 0.011 1.39 6.68 2.8 0.84 0.011 0.011 0.012 8.09 3.66 118.4 3.1 0.009

MINING & OIL 0.0036 530,000,000 2.95 44,000 4.06 80,000 10 3,100 0.203 370,000 2.09 28,000 0.57 75,000 0.39 1,950,000 8.3 200 0.99 42,977,000 0.265 580,000 0.182 7,380,000 0.19 1,520,000 0.011 18,700,000 0.011 21,400,000 1.4 324,000 6.95 6,760,700 2.86 25,000 0.84 126,000 0.011 48,700,000 0.011 30,000,000 0.012 14,100,000 8.11 312,300 3.71 2,320,000 118.6 248,410 3.11 100,000 0.009 84,000,000

1,855,800 127,820 324,970 30,544 75,390 58,430 42,750 755,900 1,642 41,997,080 151,050 1,356,210 287,860 200,100 242,800 453,840 46,232,640 70,750 106,550 559,200 330,000 169,200 2,534,537 8,661,110 29,481,029 314,600 768,400

11,650 -20,310 -7,980.00 115,000 11,893,240 2,650 -168,230 -6,504,561 692,691 -159,430 4,969,783 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GLO PREF P LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

48 535 103.9 115.6 505 540 1.04 113 1,029 1,021 108 2.1 76.5 81 77 79 79.5 78.85 77 77.8

48.5 535 104 115.6 505 540 1.04 113 1,029 1,025 108 2.1 76.5 81 77 79 79.5 78.85 77 77.85

45 535 103.6 115.4 505 540 1.04 108 1,029 1,021 108 2.1 76.5 80.5 76.4 78.2 78.2 77 76.9 77.35

PREFERRED 45 204,900 535 810 103.7 25,630 115.4 10,000 505 2,000 540 200 1.04 40,000 108 19,000 1,029 2,500 1,025 600 108 10 2.1 4,000 76.5 62,500 80.5 68,010 76.4 20,160 78.2 13,300 78.5 92,270 77.5 233,900 77 223,050 77.85 129,340

9,799,590 433,350 2,662,214 1,154,720 1,010,000 108,000 41,600 2,102,130 2,572,500 614,000 1,080 8,400 4,781,250 5,477,282.50 1,541,320 1,043,232 7,291,098 18,207,250 17,173,628.50 10,040,411.50

-5,598,815 5,350 -1,154,720 -2,102,130 -2,572,500 30,630 -4,025,390 -1,043,232 -1,101,748 -

LR WARRANT

2.35

2.42

2.33

WARRANTS 2.33 133,000

312,370

-23,500

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.37 4.05 3.1 12.62

3.37 4.05 3.1 12.62

3.19 3.65 3.06 11.7

SME 3.34 3.93 3.07 11.94

3,390,820 1,714,250 40,120 90,302,132

6,380 -310,010 -29,032,868

FIRST METRO ETF

122.6

122.6

120.7

NAME

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

23,336,500

INDUSTRIAL

102,720,343

HOLDING FIRMS

151,395,279

PROPERTY

331,167,461

SERVICES

309,914,190

MINING & OIL

812,199,939

GRAND TOTAL

1,739,811,559

1,044,000 449,000 13,000 7,552,000

EXCHANGE TRADE FUNDS 120.7 15,500

1,878,183

120,700

VALUE 1,757.86 (down) 16.95 1,241,507,757.98 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,544.01 (down) 90.40 1,264,689,031.602 HOLDING FIRMS 7,348.17 (down) 68.36 2,543,265,316.04 PROPERTY 3,206.08 (down) 155.60 1,407.05 (down) 12.93 2,256,638,342.66 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,864.46 (down) 154.46 1,235,970,102.62 PSEI 7,312.18 (down) 117.64 137,208,855.138 All Shares Index 4,369.60 (down) 60.24 8,776,620,064.54 Gainers: 29 Losers: 164; Unchanged: 44; Total: 237

benchmark equity index headed for its lowest closing level since April.

Volatility is climbing as investors grapple with fresh evidence of a deepening slowdown in China, increasing bets on a US interest-rate hike and uncertainty spurred

by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union. Minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting released Wednesday reinforced the case for tighter monetary policy before the end of the year.

“Poor export numbers spark concern about the rest of the world’s economic outlook,” said Andrew Clarke, Hong Kong-based director of trading at Mirabaud Asia Ltd. “Sentiment is already pretty pessimistic, with Brexit and the sterling, the yuan looking vulnerable, the property bubble in China, looming cash calls from mainland banks and of course, who becomes the next US president.”

Troubled Samsung Electronics staged a slight recovery on bargain-buying after losing about 10 percent of its value this week on the Galaxy Note 7 crisis.

China said exports plunged more than predicted last month, disappointing markets after a recent upbeat reading on factory activity. In yuan terms it snapped six straight months of increases. Imports also fell, confounding predictions for a rise.

With AFP, Bloomberg

Nenaco records P1.7-b income NEGROS Navigation Company Inc., the controlling shareholder in listed logistics company 2Go Group Inc., said Thursday consolidated income surged 42 percent in the first half to P1.7 billion from P1.2 billion a year ago.

Nenaco said in a report to the Securities and Exchange Commission that management attributes complemented by healthy cost-torevenue ratio were the major factors behind the sustained revenue growth.

Nenaco said through operating company 2Go Group, it bolstered its foothold as the largest fully-integrated supply chain enterprise and most complete end-to-end solutions provider in the Philippines.

“Our mission is to become the enabler of FMCG industry in the country while manufactures and retailers expand their networks rapidly across the country,” said 2Go president and chief executive Sulficio Tagud Jr. Nenaco said amid the positive growth, there were reports of Udenna Corp., a holding company, recently acquired a substantial stake in Nenaco which controls 2Go. Nenaco said no such acquisitions were made upon checking with the corporate secretary who stated there was no satisfactory proof of such acquisition.

“Without the proof of acquisition, Nenaco continues to be owned and controlled

by KGLI-NM Holdings Inc., whose major shareholder is Negros Holdings & Management Corp.,” said Nenaco corporate secretary Amado Santiago III. Nenaco said the company and 2Go remained under the leadership and guidance of Sulficio Tagud Jr., whose current tenure had contributed to the flourishing of 2Go’s Group brands which in turn garnered a nationwide trust for being the largest integrated transport solutions provider in the Philippines.

Business IN BRIEF Nickel Asia’s output fell 4% in 9 months

NICKEL Asia Corp. said Thursday the volume of shipments in the first nine months dropped 4 percent to 15.18 million wet metric tons from 15.96 million WMT in the same period last year.

Nickel Asia said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the lower shipment volume and lower nickel prices resulted in a decrease in value of shipments to P9.94 billion from P12.32 billion in 2015.

Nickel Asia said the estimated realized nickel price on ore sales to Japanese and Chinese customers in the first nine-months averaged $19.20 per WMT compared to an average of $22.70 per WMT in the same period last year.

The company said for the low-grade limonite ore sold to both the Coral Bay and Taganito processing plants, it realized an average of $4.19 per pound of payable nickel on 5.44 million WMT sold from an average price of $5.74 per pound of payable nickel on 5.62 million WMT sold a year earlier.

Nickel Asia said the lower shipment volumes was due to the remedial work conducted at the Taganito HPAL plant.

Taganito mine shipped 2.13 million WMT of saprolite ore and 4.37 million WMT of limonite ore, including 2.82 million WMT to the Taganito HPAL plant. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

GT Cap weighs higher car taxes

GT CAPITAL Holdings Inc., the holding company of tycoon George Ty, is weighing the impact of the proposed increase in vehicle excise taxes on unit Toyota Motor Philippines Corp.

The Finance Department submitted to Congress last month the first package of tax reforms that aimed to help fund the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda for inclusive growth.

Aside from restructuring the personal income tax system, the Finance Department also proposed the expansion of the value-added tax base by reducing the coverage of its exemptions and adjustment of excise taxes imposed on petroleum products; and restructuring the excise tax on automobiles except for buses, trucks, cargo vans, jeeps, jeepney substitutes and special purpose vehicles.

GT Capital chief finance officer Francis Suarez said that based on the proposal, the government planned to increase the excise tax on vehicles from 2 percent to 5 percent. This means that for a vehicle priced P600,000 and below, the tax will increase to P30,000 from current 12,000.

“That is an effective P18,000 increase in tax per unit. The P18,000 is more or less similar to the discount provided by the dealer whenever you pur-

chase a car. So it will be probably the dealer absorbing the tax increase or it could also be passed on to the buyers,” Suarez said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Petron pegs interest rates on P20-b bonds

OIL refiner Petron Corp. set the interest rates for the P20-billion bond offering slated this month.

Petron said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission the five-year bonds due 2021 would carry an interest rate of 4.0032 percent per annum while the seven-year bonds due 2023 would have an interest rate of 4.519 per annum.

Offer period will be from Oct. 13 to 19 while issue date was set on Oct 27.

Under the plan, Petron will issue P15 billion worth of five and seven-year bonds, with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion.

Proceeds for the fund raising activity will be used to refinance existing debt and to fund working capital requirements.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and SB Capital are the joint issue managers and joint underwriters for the offering.

The bonds, which will be listed with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., were rated PRS Aaa by Philippine Ratings Services Corp.

Jenniffer B. Austria

American investors coming to Manila

A GROUP of US investors are scheduled to visit the Philippines to finalize business and project assistance deals, according to the Environment Department.

Environment Undersecretary for international affairs and foreign assisted programs Jonas Leones said that during a recent trip to New York, they were able to talk to five or six groups of possible investors.

“It is a successful activity or trip because we were able to discuss with different groups and investors there how we want to run the DENR. This will be the approach in dealing or in addressing the poverty and war conflict in the communities,” Jonas said at the sidelines of the Development Partners Forum at Century Park Hotel in Manila.

“In New York, we encouraged them and they committed, although there is no amount yet. They will come to the Philippines to further discuss the details of the assistance that they will be giving to us,” Jonas said.

Jonas said the government was prioritizing 29 sites for the possible investments, most of which were in Mindanao.

Environment Secretary Regina Lopez earlier said she went to New York to negotiate for a $1-billion possible investment in Mindanao.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

B3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

SUPPLY DEAL.

First Gen Energy Solutions Inc., a unit of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., signs a retail supply contract with food-based conglomerate General Milling Corp. FGES has agreed to arrange for the supply to GMC of up to 6.5 megawatts of clean energy from a geothermal plant in Negros Island of Energy Development Corporation, another First Gen subsidiary.

Joselito Fausto Parco (left), GMC executive vice president, shakes hands with Victor Santos, FGES and First Gen senior vice president, after signing the contract. At right is Carlos Lorenzo Vega, First Gen assistant vice president.

First Gen readies $1-b LNG terminal project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

F

IRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group plans to start the construction of a $1-billion liquefied natural gas receiving, storage and re-gasification terminal in Batangas by early 2018, its top official said Thursday.

First Gen president Francis Giles Puno told reporters at the sidelines of an energy summit the company would release the tender documents for the engineering, procurement and construction contract of the LNG terminal by early 2017.

“We already started, essentially, construction the of LNG by site preparation. We’re also bidding out the EPC. Tender of EPC is by next year,” Puno told reporters, adding his company

has short-listed five contractors.

Puno said the company was also expected to finalize agreements with joint venture partners in the project by the first half of 2017.

The company is presently in talks with eight companies as potential partners.

“We’re going through a partner selection process We’ve been talking to Japanese, European players as partners. What we’ve been doing is spending time with them to see what the

fit is (and) chemistry of the partnership,” he said.

Puno said First Gen was expected hope to conclude the joint venture structure around the end of 2017.

The company is focusing on the LNG terminal and the joint venture partnership prior to proceeding with additional expansion plans.

“We’re focusing now on LNG and the partnership. But the partnership will also probably be co-investors in Sta Maria (natural gas expansion project) in the future as well,” Puno said.

Puno said First Gen was also open to a partnership with stateowned companies.

“We have to really also enter into discussions with government as to who will really build the terminal. For me, there is a grand opportunity for this ad-

ministration to make it their legacy investment, to develop a LNG terminal in this term,” he said.

He said First Gen might take “multiple partners” in the project, with the company holding a majority stake.

Puno said the terminal would be capable of supplying First Gen’s existing natural gas facilities, future expansion and the Ilijan power plant in Batangas.

Puno earlier said the company was preparing for the end of the Malampaya contract.

The Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan currently powers three natural gas plants with a combined capacity of 2,700 MW. The field’s reserves are expected to be depleted by 2024.

“We have enough time to build the LNG regas in time for the expiration,” Puno said.

Big Brother speaks NOPE, we are not referring to the United States that has been traditionally referred to as the Philippines’ “Big Brother,” but former president and now special presidential envoy to China Fidel V. Ramos or FVR, whose patience must have worn thin listening to President Rodrigo Duterte cussing the European Union, the United Nations and the United States. They may be silent, but many in the military privately agree with FVR that decades of partnership should not be flushed down the drain just like that, concerned that we are playing right into the hands of the communists who, as everyone knows, are the “traditional” adversary of the military on account of the longrunning New People’s Army-led insurgency.

So far, the current president has not trained his verbal arrows on the former president whom Duterte has publicly acknowledged as the man largely responsible for his win in the May 2016 presidential elections. Many wonder though if in private, President Digong may have uttered an expletive or two after reading (or hearing about) that article of FVR, describing the government’s first 100 days in office as a huge disappointment and a letdown. (Old fogeys who remember the “Dear Kuya Eddie” show hosted by former senator Eddie Ilarde tell us they are dedicating the theme song to the president, which has a refrain that goes, “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie” to describe what Duterte must have felt.)

Buhay party list representative Lito Atienza is also advising the president to listen to “Kuya Eddie” especially with regard to the government’s war against illegal drugs. In television interview, FVR said police should learn how to shoot suspects in a way that would just disable—not kill them—in order to extract information.

“It is not always shoot to kill which is the mission of the law enforcer, it is shoot to disable,” Ramos said. “How do you get an investigation carried out properly if the suspect is dead? But if only wounded or disabled, then he can tell (you information),” he reiterated. But then again, it’s also true that dead men tell no tales, which could be the likely explanation why some addicts or dealers who surrender to the police end up dead a few days later.

PNP chief, General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa says there is no such thing as a death squad—at least in Metro Manila, and that if there is any “quota” at all, it is not in the number of killings but the suspects who surrender. Many agree though that shooting to disable will also help deflect suspicions that the government is violating human rights or is sanctioning these “extra-judicial killings.” Surely, the police could be taught to shoot to maim or incapacitate so that they can still have suspects to question, some of our buddies argue. Some however say that it is instinctive for one to shoot to kill in the face of danger.

Atienza, who is known as a pro-life advocate, points out that whether these extra-judicial killings are being carried out by overzealous law enforcers, by vigilante groups, by rival drug gangs, or by felons covering up murders by tagging their victims as pushers, “government is duty-bound to restore law and order and put an end to the bloodshed.”

••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo. com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/happyhourmanilastandard. Cheers!

Blaze “I AM a dreamer.”

Now, this is not the sort of answer one would normally expect from someone enrolled in a graduate management program.

When people think of students in a management degree program, they tend to expect very cerebral and focused answers. “I am a finance professional or I am an engineer.”

But this, you see, was not an MBA student.

This was one of the students in the Master in Entrepreneurship (ME) program of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

Unlike many entrepreneurship programs both locally and globally, the AIM ME is not about teaching wannabe entrepreneurs.

It is about taking those who are already entrepreneurs and leading them on a journey of discovery, development and next level growth for their businesses.

While the concern of many MBA students center on gaining the skills to land the next job on their career ladder, entrepreneurs are on a far different journey, one they began many years ago. Unlike the decision to take a job, which often can be a matter of careful and rational decision-making, the first step in any entrepreneur’s journey is always a leap of faith. There is no fixed salary nor carefully planned talent development program. There are no guarantees.

What every entrepreneur starts with is vision and courage.

Courage Because entrepreneurship is widely seen as the engine of economic growth, they have been the object of many studies.

From the 26th of September to the 13th of October this year, class 2018 of the AIM ME has been on campus four days each week. It is not easy for them to take this much time away from their business and they are raring to go back to work to start applying what they learned.

As they wrap up the last few hours of their journey, we have had time to reflect with them. Coincidentally, I had just finished rereading an article I had found on the web. It was a list prepared by Jenny Ta, founder and CEO of Sqeegee.com, a social commerce platform that helps individuals and businesses monetize their profiles. After having studied the subject of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur for years, she outlined a list of six traits. They were traits that I found familiar and generally agreed with so I decided to share them with the class.

The first three traits were easy and generally greeted with murmurs of agreement

and a few smiles—confidence, self-motivation and tenacity. The journey of the entrepreneur is almost never easy and there are always naysayers. In fact, in their foundation course, the class had been graced by the presence of Dee Ledonio, ME 2002, who is the owner and general manager of Dee’s gourmet popcorn, and the very first thing item on her slide on lessons for entrepreneurs: “There will be pain.”

The fourth and sixth traits were also greeted with general agreement: an understanding of your limitations and a willingness to fail. That entrepreneurs are willing to fail is clear from the beginning. Entrepreneurship, of course, is about taking risks. However, successful entrepreneurs, take risks intelligently. This means not taking unnecessary risks. Not acknowledging one’s own weaknesses would be taking an unnecessary risk.

It was, however, the fifth trait on the list that elicited the loudest assents and also the most chuckles—a healthy disrespect for rules. Entrepreneurs, of course, often create value through disruption.

Redemptor One of the most important phrases in the AIM mission is this: leaders-managers. At AIM, we always say we don’t just develop managers, we develop leaders. Contributing to the sustainable development of Asian societies is at the heart of the AIM mission, and that requires fresh approaches. That is the critical difference between managers and leaders. Leaders blaze new trails, create new paths.

Of the many managers who walk through our doors, it is probably our entrepreneurs

who are constantly focused on blazing new trails. On my facebook wall is a picture of AIM ME 2018 with Dee Ledonio and the caption begins with these sentences: “We create. We take risks. We live our passion.

We are Entrepreneurs.”

This batch of ME entrepreneurs is graduating in 2018, the year AIM turns 50. Because of this, they have adopted the word Bulawan, the Filipino word for gold as part of their class name. Henri, the lone European contributed the Latin word for entrepreneur: Redemptor.

They are a varied group, these Bulawan Redemptors: millennials, Xers, boomers, managers, engineers, chefs, bakers, creatives, a doctor, a lawyer, a pastor.

As they begin their first break, they made a commitment to each other, to support each other through this journey. They know it isn’t easy but they will do it anyway. Having shared the last three weeks of their journey with them, I know there is one trait missing from Ta’s list: passion. Entrepreneurs can blaze new trails because there is passion blazing in their hearts. They have a vision and they believe passionately in that vision.

And yes, Paolo Bediones, class president, probably speaks for all of them when he gave me that answer: “I am a dreamer.”

Welcome to AIM, ME 2018 Bulawan Redemptors!

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

B4

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Motoring

Big bash at BMW

centennial

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

B

MW recently marked its 100 years of ‘sheer driving pleasure’ with a car show highlighting the variants that made it an icon in the automotive industry. Held at the vibrant and fashion friendly Bonifacio High Street, the BMW centennial was organized by its official distributor in the country Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC).

The BMW M3 race car of Autoperformance is a crowd draw.

“BMW’s defining moments are anchored to innovation and progress. Every milestone, since the brand’s conception in 1916, has been about creating an effortless automotive future that does not compromise sheer driving pleasure. As we celebrate BMW’s successful past, we also look forward to exciting times ahead – the Next 100 Years. There’s no better way to share our success story and vision for the future of mobility than through the BMW Festival: XPO 2016 with no less than our customers, fans, of course partners,” Maricar Parco, President of ACC. Fans of the German marquee and automotive enthusiasts had a field day salivating over the collectible BMW cars on display owned by local collectors.

Aside from the futuristic BMW i8, the motoring public feasted their visual senses on cars

which represented a generation such as the BMW M3 E30, the mint condition Z1, the CSL 3.0 E9 and the BMW M3 Brembo race car of Francis Aguila among others. “The BMW M3 of Autoperformance, the official distributors of Brembo in the country, represents the brand in local races such as the endurance race. We are proud partners of Autoperformance,” states Karl Magsuci, Marketing Director of ACC. “We even have a kiddie driver’s course where the next generation can learn how to drive and follow traffic rules and regulations,” adds Magsuci.

The three-day event also featured a BMW lifestyle hub; a racing simulator by Shell; alongside BMW’s line of motorcycles and technical innovations which was embodied by its flagship variant, the all-new BMW 7 Series. Apart from the exciting

car display, patrons were allowed to test-drive some of the most celebrated BMW automobiles, while aspiring BMW owners chose from a wide range of certified pre-owned vehicles or the BMW Premium Selection at exclusive prices. Motorcycling enthusiasts also have ultimate riding machines to look forward to as BMW Motorrad features the BMW S1000XR and the award-winning BMW S1000RR in the weekend event. All the BMW cars and motorcycle on display were detailed and prepared to car show condition by Sonax Ph. “With all of the thrilling activities and world-class display of premium automobiles, the BMW Festival: XPO 2016 stands as the largest and most elaborate representation of our strengthened commitment to delivering premium mobility today and the years to come,” enthused Parco.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

C1

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

PERFORMANCE. Members of Noveleta Cooperative Council show off their talent in street dancing as they took home the P10,000 first prize cash during the Cooperative Month celebration at the Provincial Gymnasium in

Trece Martires City.

Police arrests 40 suspects

By Jun David

M

ORE than 40 suspected crime offenders including 13 alleged drug users and pushers were arrested by the Malabon police in a “one-time, bigtime” anti-crime operation in five barangays on Tuesday night.

The Northern Police District reported that the operation was joined by 164 operatives headed by Police Chief Insp. Lucio Simangan and the District Public Safety Battalion who raided barangays Longos, Anonas, Baritan, Taniong and Hulong Duhat.

Among those arrested were Abelardo Agustin, 56; Renato

Hallari, 42; Jeffrey Dayrit, 34; Angelo Piolo, 25; Karen Dela Cruz, 37; Christina Fernando, 28; Anjeneth Riello, 17; Joan Domingo, 46; Abraham Mariano, 22; Crisanto Gripon, 45; Ronaldo Solidum; Ferdie Santos; and Rudy Reyes.

Seven persons--Mark Angelo Rodriguez (attempted murder suspect), Leonardo Borenada

(child abuse suspect), Crisanto Gripon (illegal drugs suspect), Mary Grace Sapinoso (slight physical injuries suspect), Leonard Ubal (slight physical injuries suspect), Alexander Marquez (illegal drugs suspect) and Manuel Ibot (attempted murder suspect)--were served arrest warrants.

Jayson Malones, 32, and Mi-

Dry hydrant stoked Munti fire THE Bureau of Fire Protection said the recent fire in Putatan, where seven commercial establishments were razed, could have been suppressed earlier if the hydrant maintained by Maynilad Water Services Inc. in the area were functional.

Seven commercial establishments were burned and P55 million in property went up in smoke.

City Administrator Allan Cachuela wrote a letter to Maynilad execs and said the failure of the hydrant to provide sufficient water allowed the quick spread of the fire.

Cachuela strongly pointed out the concession agreement with the company includes the access of BFP to reliable water sources to combat fire and prevent further damage or loss of life and property.

The administrator expressed dismay and appealed for speedy action from the water concessionaire’s management.

“This is a matter with grave consequence and we are expecting immediate action to remedy the situation.

The people of Muntinlupa deserve nothing less,” Cachuela said.

According to report, the fire struck a commercial establishment at the corner of National Road and NIA Road, Brgy Putatan, around 2:54 a.m. on October 11.

The fire alarm rose to Task Force Alpha. The cause of fire is still under investigation and there is no reported case of casualty in the said incident.

As of 5:44 a.m., the BFP announced that the fire is under control.

Naga surrenderers return to drugs

By Manilyn B. Ugalde NAGA CITY—Random drug tests conducted by the Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board in some barangays in September showed that many of those who have volunteered for rehabilitation have not actually stopped using drugs.

Naga Mayor John Bongat ordered surprise random drug tests in barangays in coordination with the Department of Health following police reports that many of those who volunteered to surrender still trade drugs either as a user or pusher in the belief that their voluntary surrender would clear them of drug charges.

In Barangay Balatas, 32 of the 38 surrenderers who reluctantly submitted themselves to the

tests were again found positive for drugs.

In Barangay Sta. Cruz, five of 10 surrenderers were found positive; in Barangay Del Rosario, six of 20 tested positive; and in Barangay San Francisco, one of 22 was found positive.

NCDDB executive officer Jose “Toti” Importante said the suspects who agreed to a second drug test in the third week of September were only 50 percent of those who actually surrendered in Naga City since the start of the drug war in July. He said they suspect that most of those who declined could still be on drugs.

Importante said drug violators who stop using drugs and avail of opportunities to reform will not be charged in court.

chael Francisco were accosted for carrying a firearm replica while a number of persons were also arrested for disobeying the city ordinance against half-nakedness.

Malabon City Police commander Senior Supt. John Chua said no casualty was recorded during the operation.

Polish firm opens in Bataan

By Butch Gunio

VISION. Caloocan City Barangay 28 chairman Edgar Galgana delivers a speech to his constituents during the State of Barangay Address. Andrew Rabulan

P’que leads MM vs corruption

By Joel E. Zurbano THE city government of Paraaque City topped the list of compliant local government units in Metro Manila in fighting red tape and other forms of corruption.

The city led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez got an overall score of 92.7 percent, which is equivalent to excellent, and bested 15 other cities in the National Capital Region.

Civil Service Commission Director IV Judith Chicano said based on their report card survey conducted on July 25 to 27, 2016, the CSC “received a final score of 92.70 with a descriptive rating of excellent.”

The survey examined the service office’s compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act provisions and the overall satisfaction of its clients, to obtain feedback on how the service office follows provisions in its citizen’s charter; obtain information/ estimates of hidden costs incurred by clients in accessing frontline

services; and rate service office performance and client satisfaction in relation to frontline service delivery.

The city also scored 100 percent in the “no lunch break” policy and for following the regulations on work hours of local government officials and employees to render eight working hours a day for five days a week.

The agency rated 98.28 percent the city for not having pending administrative cases in any court for the past two years and 97.71 points for the very good anti-fixer campaign, according to Chicano.

For overall client satisfaction category, Parañaque was graded 94.40 percent.

The city was marked 95.69 percent in basic services, 95.42 percent in the physical set-up and 94. 87 percent in the frontline service provider.

Olivarez commended the city officials and employees for looking for better ways to serve their constituents, local and foreign investors.

He said this is the first time the city government obtained a positive rating for its anti-red tape and anti-corruption campaign and satisfied majority of the respondents with its frontline service providers and service quality.

Last year, Bantay.ph, an independent anti-corruption watchdog, also ranked Parañaque as the top and most compliant among all Metro Manila cities in eliminating red tape and corruption at city hall.

Parañaque got an over-all score of 90.73 percent which is equivalent to 4.5 stars to emerge as number one among all the 16 cities. It is followed by Marikina City with 89.15 percent, while Taguig City placed third with 83.66 percent, Mandaluyong fourth place with 82.88 percent and Malabon City fifth with 82.61 percent.

The group said the cities were scored based on several categories such as fixer alert, facilities, basic compliance, transparency and process flow.

MARIVELES—The local government of Mariveles and the Freeport Area of Bataan are ensuring a business-friendly environment to locators, Mayor AJ Concepcion told a press briefing at the opening of the Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines Inc. plant in the FAB on Tuesday.

“There is no competition between the Mariveles LGU and AFAB. We work together for progress in line with the vision of Gov. Abet Garcia,” Concepcion said.

“When I was still municipal councilor, I worked with AFAB chairman and administrator engineer Emmanuel Pineda, then the deputy administrator for operations,” said the mayor who looked visibly satisfied with Pineda’s appointment.

For his part, Garcia said Pietrucha is another proof that the province can host big investments. Garcia also praised the high engineering technology the company uses to manufacture its products.

The company manufactures vinyl sheet piling which is environment friendly, lightweight and extremely durable and is an advanced alternative to traditional materials such as steel, concrete and wood. It is used to reinforce flood protection systems, construct flood walls, protects the banks of various water reservoir as well as to protect slopes, landslide areas, and various excavation sites.

The launching of Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines is the first Poland-Philippines civil engineering joint venture in the country.

C2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

LGUs

DoT bats for inclusive tourism S

TAKEHOLDERS are rallying behind the Department of Tourism to boost “inclusive tourism” in Bacolod City and other localities in the area, in the spirit of the 37th MassKara Festival graced by President Rodrigo Duterte recently.

Duterte is the only President ever to join the spectacular MassKara opening rites.

“I had visited Bacolod when I was mayor of Davao City. I believe MassKara has evolved

into one of the more colorful festivities in the country. It has its own identity different from other festivals,” Duterte said.

CNN has recognized MassKara as “One of the 12 Best Things

to Do in the Philippines” while National Geographic proclaimed it as “One of the 10 Must-Do Festivals for the Month of October in the World.”

Travel and tour operators, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and community leaders joined officials of DoT, as well as local government unit officials in affirming their support for the government’s “tourismfor-all” program spearheaded by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. During the colorful festivities, the stakeholders pledged not

only to work for the benefit of the poor rural folk but to make tourism more accessible to persons with disability, handicapped, elderly and pregnant women.

The consensus dramatizes yet the Filipino resiliency that gave birth to the MassKara Festival almost four decades ago when economic depression hit the sugar capital of the country, said DoT Assisstant Secretary Gwen Cads Javier.

Javier lauded the local tourism sector, as well as the Bacolod City Council, for the successful

staging of the MassKara Festival, which has become a tourism icon that caters to international and domestic tourists.

The DoT official assured that a wide array of projects will reach Bacolod City, known as the City of Smiles.

“These projects include infrastructure along destination routes, ecotourism, agri-aqua tourism, adventure, river boat tours and international cruise tourism in Bacolod, Silay, Talisay and Bago,” Javier said.

FARM WORK. A child eagerly waits for his

father to finish his work in the field in Abra.

Teddy Pelaez

She also encouraged tourismrelated local establishments to get accreditation by the DoTNegros Island Region to assure tourists of world-class standards.

“MassKara Festival reflects our never-ending spirit of optimism. We anticipate the festival for more color, pageantry and excitement. The festival has likewise become an occasion to reminisce and to reunite as a people here and from other countries,” said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Davao wants healthier babies

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Pampanga saves trees displaced

by DPWH

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO—Adopt a tree, help save the environment and enjoy a healthier life.

The Multi-Sectoral Governance Council of this city is calling on the public to help save some 500 trees along the Manila North Road and provincial highway in barangays Dela Paz, to Baliti and Lazatin boulevard in this city which are affected by the widening of the road.

The inspection team of the Provincial Environment Natural Resource Office disclosed that about 62 trees must be cut because they are dying, while 97 are recommended for earth-balling because they are healthy.

Arthur Salazar of the technical services department of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Luzon said the trees were found to be defective and must be cut immediately to avoid accidents during storms.

The trees to be cut along Manila North Road or MacArthur Highway are narra, camachile, talasai and acacias and other breed.

Those who can be earthballed are mostly healthy acacia trees available for adoption, Wilfrito Mah, head of the council’s committee of public safety and order, said.

Under the adopt a tree program, interested parties can finance the earth-balling and transport of the tree to their respective areas.

The cost of earth-balling a tree is about P50,000.

Mah said about 20 interested parties, mostly schools, hospitals and individuals have applied for the program, including Our Lady of Fatima University, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Hospital and businessman Jess Nicdao, president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

P7.5m in smuggled cigarettes seized

By Lance Baconguis CAGAYAN DE ORO—Thousands of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes were seized yesterday from separate enforcement actions by the Bureau of Customs on three warehouses owned by Taiwanese nationals operating the 5K Store in Cagayan de Oro City.

The raid was led by Inspector Sonny Sarmiento of the BoC Anti-Smuggling Group/Spe-

cial Study Project Development Group-OCOM. Sarmiento reported that Customs officials from Central office swooped down two warehouses near Cogon Market and found hundreds of boxes of cigarette brands including Marlboro, Fortune, L&M and Jackpot.

All counterfeit packs were affixed with counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and the estimated excise tax loss was pegged at over P1 million.

A technical expert from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. confirmed that the confiscated cigarettes were fake after the seals passed through a scanner app from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The expert showed that, when scanned, a seal from a legitimate original cigarette will show its registration with the BIR while the fake ones will show “Invalid” or unidentified seal.

The counterfeit cigarette brands comes from four manu-

facturing corporations including British-American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco, PMFTC and other manufacturers.

The Taiwanese nationals’ distribution network covers the entire northern Mindanao including the Zamboanga Peninsula and Bukidnon.

Sonny Sarmiento, a technical assistant at the Office of the Commissioner of the BoC, said their intelligence work paved the way for the confiscation of the items.

DAVAO CITY—The New Born Child Health and Nutrition Ordinance, sponsored by Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, was approved by the 18th city council on Tuesday morning.

The ordinance aims to reduce the number of maternal death rate in the city through enhancing the service delivery network of the 17 district hospitals in the city.

Villafuerte said that in 2014, the City Health Office recorded 62 maternal deaths; however, the number decreased to 28 from 2015 to the present.

“Although we have a decreasing number of maternal deaths we should not let our guard down and further enhance our facilities through this new ordinance,” she said.

Villafuerte added that there are still women in the hinterlands who gave birth at home.

She said that the city council is eyeing to have a zero percent maternal death in the city after the passing of the new ordinance.

The New Born Child Health and Nutrition Ordinance is also part of the 10-point priority agenda of Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio.

“We are eyeing to convert these district hospitals to maternal centers so that it will be more accessible to our constituents to give birth and it will also lessen the danger of giving birth,” Villafuerte said.

After 31 years, street gets renamed

By Manilyn B. Ugalde

LIVING DANGEROUSLY. A Maguindanaoan mother and her child ride their motorcycle despite the sweltering heat of the sun. Omar Mangorsi

LEGAZPI CITY—After the city government ignored for 31 long years an approved resolution that named a street in honor of a highly respected philanthropist and distinguished educator, a balikbayan was surprised when a prominent name covered by the neglected and forgotten city resolution most city residents have been waiting for appeared in a map she bought in a book store.

Last week, the city government finally renamed Gov. Forbes Street to Don Erquiaga Street.

Balikbayan Mary Doughty, 70, one of the proud studentpioneers of Legazpi College who eventually became Don Erquiaga staff in school lamented after learning that despite the city resolution that named a street in honor of Don Buenaventura Erquiaga, an Albay official map she bought last week already contained the name of Don Buenaventura Erquiaga Street. The map she bought at the National Book Store was printed in 2010, said the balikbayan.

The source of the map was the provincial Tourism Office since municipal and city ordinances and resolutions are subject to validation by the provincial board and to approval of the governor.

On September 6, this year, Saturnino Velasco, president of the Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, wrote Rosal reminding him of the virtually ignored resolution that has been languishing for 31 long years unimplemented. Erquiaga, according to records, was an outstanding ACCI president for several terms.

In Legazpi City Resolution 36-85, signed by then-mayor Gregorio Imperial on June 19, 1985, the city council unanimously approved the renaming of Gov. Forbes Street to Don Buenaventura Erquiaga Street in honor of a person described

by Legazpeos as a great philanthropist especially to the marginalized and poor Filipinos.

In 1987, Imperial died and was succeeded by four other mayors, including incumbent Mayor Noel Rosal who was elected to his post in 2002. In 2010, he was succeeded by his wife Geraldine and he was reelected to his post in 2013.

A long-time resident of Legazpi, Don Erquiaga founded the first Legazpi City College in 1942 to provide the people of Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes college education nearer than Manila. The Legazpi College is now the known and highly sought Aquinas University of Legazpi, an affiliate of the University of Santo Thomas.

World

UN General Assembly to tap Guterres U

NITED NATIONS―The UN General Assembly on Thursday will appoint Antonio Guterres as the new secretarygeneral of the United Nations, setting a shift in motion toward a more reformist, high-profile leadership at the world body.

The former prime minister of Portugal who also served as UN refugee chief will not take over from Ban Ki-moon until January 1, but he already faces high expectations as the world’s next diplomat-in-chief.

UN diplomats say they expect Guterres―the first former head of government in the job―to shake up the world body and play a more prominent role than Ban, the former South Korean foreign minister known for his low-key style.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre described Guterres as the “best possible captain during this stormy period” of global crises, praising him as a reformer, a unifier and a “humanist with a genuine moral compass.”

“Guterres has shown as head of UNHCR that he is a man who seeks human contact and is hands-on,” he said.

As Portugal’s prime minister from 1995 to 2002 and as UN high commissioner for refugees from 2005 to December 2015, Guterres demonstrated that “he is a reformer”, said British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft.

“He is able to do both the outward leadership, the vision, the inspiration, the setting of direction but also the internal reform to drive efficiency, to improve processes and to make the whole more than the sum of its parts,” he said.

On Thursday, the 193 member states will adopt a four-paragraph resolution appointing Guterres as the UN’s ninth secretary-general for a period of five years.

The 67-year-old socialist politician will deliver his first address as the incoming UN chief before moving in to a temporary office with his transition team in New York, just across the street from

UN headquarters.

Some of the buzz generated

by Guterres’ election stems from disappointment with Ban, a chief many saw as a poor communicator who showed a reluctance to take strong action on the biggest crises―Syria, Yemen and South Sudan.

“Everyone is very polite about Ban but let’s face it... everyone knows that he has not been a strong secretary-general in terms of either internal reform or external leadership,” said a Security Council diplomat.

“He has the right instincts on Syria and everything else, but he hasn’t had the ability to really drive international opinion on any of these issues,” said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of background.

Guterres won unanimous support from the UN Security Council during a vote last week that capped the most transparent campaign ever held at the United Nations for the top post.

Following the council vote, Guterres pledged to serve “the most vulnerable” with humility and pointedly remarked that the deeply divided Security Council could show that it could act quickly. AFP

SCREENING. Director Olatz Lopez Garmendia attends the ‘Patria O Muerte’ screening and Q&A during The 54th New York Film Festival on October 12, 2016, in New York City. AFP

Wonder to lead Prince sendoff SAINT PAUL―Nearly six months after Prince’s sudden death, his fans will have their chance Thursday to mourn the pop icon at a star-filled tribute concert in his native Minnesota.

Stevie Wonder will lead the sold-out show at a 20,000-capacity arena, which will mark the first―and, family members say, only―official public event to remember The Purple One. Organizers invited fans to show up several hours ahead of time for a free outdoor party near the venue to celebrate Prince, the prolific if eccentric musical genius who was the biggest celebrity to live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The concert comes a week after Prince’s estate opened up Paisley Park―the reclusive star’s suburban headquarters that was usually sealed to visitors―ahead of the start of regular tours.

Prince, outwardly a model of

health, died accidentally at age 57 from an overdose of powerful painkillers. His family quickly cremated his body and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, his religious group late in life, held a memorial service, but both events were private.

Wonder, the soul legend whom Prince had cited as a role model despite their different styles, and pop star Christina Aguilera will headline the concert which begins at 7:30 pm (0030 GMT Friday).

Performers with personal connections to the late artist will include “Queen of Funk” Chaka Khan, whose cover of Prince’s “I Feel For You” revived her career, and Morris Day, who grew up with Prince in Minneapolis and played his rival in the classic 1984 film “Purple Rain.”

Newly announced to the lineup is Prince’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia. A dancer and choreographer, Garcia was also the mother of

Prince’s son Ahmir who died a week after his birth in 1996 from a rare disorder.

Ana Moura, one of the leading singers of Portugal’s melancholic fado music, has also confirmed her attendance. She found a new global audience after Prince, a fan of fado who is famous for taking on proteges, championed her music.

Other artists will range from 23-year-old breakaway pop sensation Tori Kelly to veteran funk singer Anita Baker and R&B producer Bilal.

Two of the backup bands from Prince’s long career, the New Power Generation and 3rdEyeGirl, will perform with the guest artists.

However, several acts closely associated with Prince are not performing, including drummer and singer Sheila E, who is scheduled to play Thursday night in suburban New York with Brazilian great Sergio Mendes. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

C3

Nazi jargon revival causes alarm BERLIN―Long-banished German words and phrases linked to the country’s Nazi past have been revived by far-right politicians railing against the migrant influx, sparking comparisons to the 1930s.

The re-emergence of formerly taboo words has prompted some historians to draw parallels with the rhetoric used in the final, turbulent years of the Weimar Republic, the fledgling democracy that gave way to Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship.

For more than a year, the Islamophobic Pegida street movement has routinely insulted the media as “Luegenpresse” (lying press), a word used by Hitler in the 1920s to discredit the mainstream press.

Far-right demonstrators heckling Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers also labelled them “Volksverraeter” (traitors) for allowing 890,000 asylumseekers to come to the country last year.

While “Volksverraeter” is a bona fide word denoting some-

Anxious prayers for ailing king of Thailand BANGKOK―Thais flooded social media with digital prayers while crowds kept vigil outside a Bangkok hospital for ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday as the deeply polarized nation faces the prospect of losing its figure of unity.

Bhumibol, 88, is the world’s longest serving monarch, beloved by his people and portrayed by the palace as a guiding light through decades of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest.

He has been ill and hospitalbound for most of the last two years but his already frail health has taken a turn for the worse in the past week.

It is a major test for the country’s generals, who seized power in 2014 vowing to restore stability after a decade of political chaos, a turbulent period exacerbated by the king’s declining health as jostling elites competed for power.

The military has deep links with the palace and many inside the kingdom saw the putsch as a move to ensure generals could stamp down on any instability during the succession.

On Sunday and Wednesday the palace released two unusually grave health statements, saying Bhumibol was on a ventilator, battling kidney problems and that his condition was “not stable”.

That sparked stock market jitters and prompted crowds of anxious devotees to gather outside the riverside hospital in Bangkok where he is being treated.

Around 500 people held prayers outside the hospital, many dressed in pink in the belief that the color will bring the king good luck.

“I wanted to be close to him to pray for him because I love him,” Anon Lim, 58, from northern Uttaradit province, told AFP. “He has done a lot for Thailand and for us.”

Many burned incense sticks as they prayed and left flower garlands at the hospital.

Sawitree Ampairat, 26, came straight to the hospital with a handful of colleagues after they all finished a night-shift at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

“I wanted to do something for the king so I am here praying for him,” she said. “My heart feels heavy hearing the news (that he is sick).”

Khomsan Prasertsri, a 48-year-old who runs a car rental business, was reading a prayer out loud.

“I can’t imagine how we can live without the king,” he told AFP after. “Thinking about not having him makes my heart drop. I don’t know how to explain what it would be like without him.”

Thais have had many years to get used to the prospect of no longer having Bhumibol as their king, he has not been seen by the public for a year. AFP

one committing treason, it carries a stench when used in political protests, evoking Hitler and his henchmen going after those they labelled enemies of the state.

At German reunification anniversary celebrations in the eastern city of Dresden in early October, one protester went as far as to carry a banner bearing a quote attributed to Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.

In Germany, where glorification of the Nazis is a crime, some have called for the law to step in.

“When national incitement becomes a popular sport, the state cannot just watch on,” said Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily in an editorial, adding that “there has already been a Weimar Republic.

It must not be followed by a Dresden Republic”.

But the loaded vocabulary is not only deployed by angry protesters ranting on the streets.

Some politicians too have been using racially charged words such as “voelkisch”, a term meaning “ethnic” but used by the Nazis to

describe people belonging to the superior German race, and “Umvolkung”―the fascist idea of replacing racially inferior populations with the German people.

The leader of the anti-migrant right-wing populist party AfD, Frauke Petry, who has never been shy of controversy, last month suggested that “voelkisch” be rehabilitated and wiped of its negative connotation.

“I do not use this term myself, but I don’t agree that it should only be used in a negative context,” she told Die Welt daily, drawing a chorus of condemnation.

Die Zeit columnist Kai Biermann pointed out that “the term voelkisch was a synonym for extreme nationalism and racism. It is, until today, a symbol for Nazism and its ideology to exterminate and murder everyone who is not German.”

The columnist charged that Petry had dug up the term because “it expresses the wish to reject everything that does not belong to one’s people”. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission IN THE MATTER OF

: : REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL PAPERS

CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION : : x----------------------------------------x

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 30 September 2016 a sworn Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION for the registration of One Billion Three Hundred Million Pesos (Php1,300,000,000.00) worth of Commercial Papers.

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the officers/directors of the corporation: Name Washington SyCip Stephen C. Roxas Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef C. Gohoc Sabino R. Padilla, Jr. Peter S. Dee Alice C. Gohoc Helen C. Roxas Emma A. Choa Rudy Go Eden F. Go Melita M. Revuelta Romeo E. Ng Melita L. Tan Emma G. Jularbal Catherine Grace T. Wong

Position Independent Director/Chairman of the Board Director/Chairman of the Executive Committee Director/Vice Chairman of the Board Director/Deputy Vice Chairman of the Board Director/President Director Independent Director Director Director Executive Vice President/Treasurer Senior Vice President/Compliance Officer Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary Assistant Corporate Secretary

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively known as *RS*) are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party, upon request, at such fees as the Commission may prescribe. The RS and the Prospectus dated 30 September 2016 and the corresponding updated version may be downloaded from www.cityland.net.

EMMA A. VALENCIA Officer-in-Charge Markets and Securities Regulation Department

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW! email us at advertise@ the standard.com.ph or call us at 832-5547

(MS-OCT. 14 & 17, 2016)

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2016 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contracts: Ref. No. 2016020

2016021

2016022

2016023

2016024

2016025

2016026

ABC/ Source Duration Required Work PROJECT/S of Funds (P) (c.d) PCAB License Description Construction of Eight (8)Three Storey Construction Low Rise Buildings, 159,436,629.38 “A” & Med. of Eight (8) Navotaas Homes NG Subsidy 270 Cat. “B” for Roads Storey Low 4, Sampaguita St., Rise Buildings Tanza, Navotas City (re-Bid) Temporary Sanitation Cat. “B” & for House-on-Stilts 39,247,244.84 Med. “A” for Temporary Phase II, Brgy.

NG Subsidy Sewerage Sanitation on Kasanyangan and Sitio (Zamboanga 180 & Sewage House-onHongkong and Rio Conflict) Treatment/ Stilts Hondo, Zamboanga Disposal Plant City Construction of Bacolod Office Building Cat. “C & D” & Construction of at Pahanocoy Sites 14,999,956.10 270 Small “B” for Office Building and Services, Phase NG Subsidy Buildings II, Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City M a g s a y s a y Housing Project, 12,000,000.00 Cat. “C & D” & Construction of Brgy.

Cabubuhan, Corporate 300 Small “B” for Housing Units Magsaysay, Misamis Receipts Buildings Oriental Land Development of New Lucena Ville 11,855,000.68 Cat. “C & D” & Land Phase 1, Brgy. Wari180 Small “B” for Development NG Subsidy Wari, New Lucena Roads Works Iloilo Land Development of Yllana Village Housing 11,359,994.48 Cat. “C &D” & Land Project at Brgy.

150 Small “B” for Development NG Subsidy Panduman, Tukuran, Roads Works Zamboanga del Sur Repair of Four (4) five Storey Medium Rise 5,882,741.08 Cat. “C & D” & Repair Works Housing Project, Brgy.

Trust Fund 120 Small “B” for for Medium Putatan, Muntinlupa (MRH Project) Buildings Rise Housing City

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited projects. Completion of the Works is required within the duration herein cited. Bidders should have completed a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/authorized official representatives or employees of the Contractor who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), presentation of original PCAB License, Contract Agreement and Certificate of Completion/Acceptance for completed similar project/s and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P30,000.00 for Ref. No. 2016-020, P22,500.00 for Ref. No. 2016021, P12,500.00 for Ref. Nos. 2016-022 to 2016-025 and P6,000.00 for Ref. No. 2016-026 at the Office of the NHA-BAC1 Secretariat, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on October 14, 2016. Deadline of submission of LOI is on October 21, 2016. The BAC1 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX No. 929-80-16.

The NHA will hold a Pre-bid Conference on October 24, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the NHA Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN ONLY to bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

To facilitate the opening of bids, prospective bidders are requested to register with the NHA BAC1. Bidders are reminded that applications for registrations are processed on a “First Come, First Serve” Basis. The BAC1 will only process applications for registration for bidders with complete supporting documents. The registration forms may be downloaded at the NHA website at www.nha.gov.ph.

Bids must be delivered at the NHA Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City, not later than 9:00 a.m. on November 7, 2016 for Ref. Nos. 2016-021 to 2016026 and November 9, 2016 for Ref. No. 2016-020. Bid opening shall follow immediately at the same venue.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount as stated in Bid Data Sheet (BDS).Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The NHA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.

(SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 1 (BAC1) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

( M S - O C T. 14 , 2 016)

C4

World

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

WOMEN BEHIND THE MUSIC. A general view from the 8th Annual ASCAP Women Behind The Music Event at Bardot on October 12, 2016, in Hollywood. AFP

Powers to try again for ceasefire in Syria W

ASHINGTON―Moscow and Washington have pledged to try again to negotiate a lasting ceasefire for war-ravaged Syria, committing to multilateral weekend talks in Europe, after the last attempt collapsed amid bitter recriminations.

Syria has been plunged into some of the worst violence of the five-year civil war after a hard-won truce collapsed as government forces backed by Russian air power push a brutal assault on rebelheld eastern Aleppo.

As the West accused Russia of potential war crimes over the bombing campaign, Moscow and Washington froze talks, trading blame for the collapse of the ceasefire they had brokered.

There is now a push to give diplomacy another chance with Washington announcing Wednesday two days of talks―in Lausanne on Saturday, and in

London on Sunday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are expected to be joined in Lausanne by counterparts from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar―all backers of Syrian opposition forces.

Neither side has confirmed an invitation to Iran, a key player in the conflict and an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Then in London, Kerry will likely meet up with his European counterparts―from Britain, France and Germany.

The United Nations said Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has been invited to take part in the talks but a spokesman said he did not know if he would attend.

Lavrov told CNN in an interview Wednesday that he hoped the weekend talks in Switzerland could help “launch a serious dialogue” based on the now-defunct US-Russian pact.

“We would like to have a meeting in this narrow format, to have a businesslike discussion, not another General Assembly-like debate,” Lavrov said.

The floor of the General Assembly was the scene of a stormy weekend meeting as Russia vetoed a resolution on a ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed Paris for the vetoed proposal, accusing it of deliberately putting forward a motion that Moscow would reject.

“It was aimed at inflaming the situa-

tion and fanning hysteria around Russia,” Putin said.

New Zealand on Wednesday presented another draft resolution demanding an end to air attacks in Syria’s battleground city of Aleppo―likely to again fan tensions between the West and Russia, who back opposing sides in the suppurating civil war.

Fresh air strikes and artillery fire in Aleppo on Wednesday left at least seven people dead, an international monitor said, a day after Russia was accused of stepping up its raids on the city.

The United Nations has warned of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe taking place in Aleppo, saying that the rebel-held territory could be destroyed entirely by the end of the year.

Despite the continuing exchange of insults, the negotiations had never really stopped behind closed doors, with Kerry and Lavrov speaking by telephone in recent days. AFP

Turkey frees US journalist who fled Syria WASHINGTON―Turkish authorities have released an American journalist detained for the last two months after she fled Syria claiming to have been kidnapped by jihadists, a senior US official said on Thursday.

Lindsey Snell is returning to the United States, the official said.

She was arrested on August 6 for “violating a military zone” after she returned from wartorn Syria, where she said she had been filming civilians affected by air strikes.

Snell’s Twitter biography identifies her as an Istanbul-based video journalist who has contributed to several western networks and news organizations including MSNBC, Vice News and ABC. On Facebook, she describes herself as hailing from Daytona Beach, Florida, and to have graduated from the University of Florida in 2005. She is a Muslim and wears a headscarf in pictures.

The Committee to Protect Journalists press freedom watchdog welcomed Snell’s release.

“Lindsey Snell’s release is a relief, but scores of journalists are still jailed in Turkey,” the New York-based group’s Nina Ognianova said, adding that Turkish police had raided Snell’s Istanbul apartment, confiscating a video camera, computers and other equipment.

“We call on Turkish authorities to return Snell’s confiscated equipment, and to free all the journalists still behind bars in the country for doing their jobs.”

Writing on Twitter before her arrest, Snell referred to having been kidnapped for 10 days by jihadists from the Al-Nusra Front -- which has changed its name to Fateh al-Sham Front -- before escaping with the aid of a “brave man on a motorcycle.”

On her Facebook page, she said she had been able to document her time in captivity with her cellphone.

“It’s a crazy story,” she wrote.

“A cave prison (the previous tenant of my cell had marked his days in residence in blood on the walls), masked villains, motorcycle escapes and disguises. I can’t wait to share the details.”

Snell was arrested as she crossed the border back into Turkey’s southern Hatay province, which is located near Syria’s Aleppo governorate―currently the scene of fierce fighting between Russian-backed Syrian regime forces and rebel groups.

On her return flight to New York on Wednesday, Snell said she was concerned about her husband Suliman Wardak, who was also arrested in Turkey after traveling there to help with her case, The Guardian newspaper reported.

“They still have my husband. I don’t feel free,” the newspaper reported her as saying.

AFP

Nobel winner playwright Fo is dead at 90 ROME―Italian playwright and actor Dario Fo, who won the Nobel prize for literature in 1997, has died at the age of 90, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced Thursday.

“With Dario Fo’s death, Italy has lost one of the great characters of its theatre, culture and civilian life,” Renzi said in comments carried by the Agi news agency.

“His satirical work, research, stage work and multi-faceted artistic activity are the legacy of a great Italian to the world.”

Left-winger Fo, one of the leading figures in 20th century farce and political theater, was best known for his works “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” and “Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay”.

He stirred controversy with his 1969 work “Mistero buffo” (“Comical Mystery”), a retelling of the Christian gospels in an improvised format. AFP

Moscow presses Aleppo bombing BEIRUT―Syrian and Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes on rebelheld districts of Aleppo early Thursday, after an intense bombardment over the previous two days killed at least 71 civilians, a monitor said.

Rebel fire on government-held areas of the city killed at least eight civilians on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.

More than 20 air strikes hit the rebel-held east at dawn on Thursday, the Britain-based monitoring group said. It had no immediate word on casualties.

The bombardment was accompanied by a fresh government advance on the northeastern outskirts of the city, where troops captured several hilltops overlooking rebel-held areas.

State television said four children were killed by rebel rocket fire which hit a school in a governmentcontrolled district early on Thursday.

The army launched its offensive to retake the whole of Aleppo on September 22. The east has been held by the rebels since 2012.

The operation has been backed by Moscow, which stepped up its air strikes against rebel areas earlier this week.

Seven children were among 56 civilians killed in rebel-held areas on Tuesday, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. Another 15 civilians were killed on Wednesday.

“The toll jumped because there were so many people who died of their wounds, and others whose bodies were still stuck under the rubble,” Abdel Rahman told AFP. AFP

EXPORTS DOWN. This picture taken on October 12, 2016, shows a Chinese worker making soft toys at a toy factory in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu province. China’s exports plummeted last month, data showed on October 13, as anemic global demand dealt another blow to the world’s second-largest economy, while weak imports fuelled worries about crucial domestic appetite. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

DESTINATIONS

D1

EXPERIENCE THAILAND WITH MARIO. The Tourism Authority of Thailand invites Filipinos to visit Bangkok Grand Palace, among many other destinations in the country.

Mario Maurer

wants Filipinos to experience Thailand A

TTENTION, Filipinos: Mario Maurer wants you to come to Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has put forward the intention quite succinctly with its campaign “Experience Thailand with Mario Maurer,” a warm invitation to residents of ASEAN countries to consider Thailand as their next travel destination. The campaign banks on the sensational Thai actor’s persona to showcase the beauty of Thailand, a place, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is a haven of unforgettable sights, great food, splendid shopping and warm, hospitable people.

Already making promotional stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and in Guangzhou, China, “Experience Thailand with Mario” has been making the rounds, with appearances by Maurer himself. In these junkets and appearances, the popular Thai actor and model along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand reach out to the public and promote key spots and a variety of local activities that tourists may experience and enjoy as they visit Thailand.

Several short jaw-dropping videos effectively illustrate Thailand’s beauty told through Mario’s solo adventure diary—armed with only a backpack and a camera phone and exploring the wonderful sights of the country were presented to the audience—among which were bustling Bangkok, where

great food and shopping, astounding temples, and even a heart-pumping Muay Thai session can be had; Trang, where crystal clear waters and a peaceful ocean village bring unmistakable peace; river life in Amphawa, where sweet local delicacies and peaceful temple only serve as momentary distractions to a peaceful town by the water; Pattaya, a haven of active fun with its gargantuan water amusement parks and adrenaline-packed car racing track; and the vintage town of Lampang, where structures and transportation take its visitors back in time, and magical Chiang Mai, where a breathtaking ride sojourn by the river aboard elephants and a nature-filled jungle zipline will render its visitors speechless.

In 2015, around 360,000 Filipino

Wat Pa Phu Kon Temple

Sanctuary of Truth

Koh Poda Island

Thai elephants on the river

tourists visited Thailand, and 2016 is poised to attract an additional six percent. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, while anytime is as

good as the other, Filipinos will look in November, where decorated boats are forward to Songkran Festival, Thai- set to float on the river. June and August land’s New Year fest held every April are also high times to visit, as Filipinos and the full moon festival Loi Krathong Continued on D2

A traveler’s diary photo exhibit ONE of the highlights of the recent Travel on a Shoestring Expo at SM City BF Parañaque was A Traveler’s Diary Photo Exhibit, which featured the collection of Italian world traveler Enrico Lanza.

Lanza has seen 82 countries in more than two decades of backpacking. He documented his travel with his point-and-shoot camera, and now has 3,000 photos in his collection.

Apart from the exhibit, Lanza shared snippets of his adventures – the many un-

conventional methods of traveling, the beautiful sunrise and sunsets in different hemispheres, the rich cultures and traditions that survived centuries of modernization, the food of the world, nature’s wonders, and most importantly, the kindness of the people he met along the way.

Some of the featured photos include a throwback at Afghanistan in 1977 where the Volkswagen Kombi, also named the Hippie Van, was a popular transportation for trave-

Italian world traveler Enrico Lanza (left) exhibits the travel photos he documented as he explored different countries across the globe.

lers. Lanza shared that he traveled 17,000 kilometers from Italy to Afghanistan over land using this vehicle.

In 1995 in the Himalayas, Lanza was literally on top of the world when he climbed the peak of Mount Everest on the Nepalese side, “looking straight into these mountains with the eyes like that of a child.” In Namibia in 2001, he witnessed how the fivemillion-year-old dunes in the Namib Desert became red on sunrise, and how the Himba, the last nomadic people in Namibia, covered themselves with a red rich cosmetic mixture of butter fat and ochre pigment to cleanse and protect their skin.

In 2016, one of the highlights of his trip to Hungary was the iron shoes memorial on Danube Bank in Budapest built to honor the Jewish people killed during World War II. The joys of traveling, he adds, are the special moments you get in every destination.

“These open your eyes; you’ll start to look at society with a different perspective. You get to experience the real world, and discover more about yourself.”

Lanza now enjoys living in the Philippines between his travels. Part of the reason, he reveals, are the smiling people, the relaxing surroundings and its beauty.

A Traveler’s Diary Photo Exhibit is one of the many exciting events at SM City BF Parañaque. It will be on display at SM City Bicutan this month.

Life

D2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Best of both worlds for Filipino traveler I

T’S no secret that Filipinos are becoming members of the once exclusive jet set. There’s really nothing like the thrill of discovering what makes a new place very special. Though it is an enriching adventure in itself, traveling becomes even more memorable when you have access to priceless experiences. With that in mind, Maybank offers something so Filipinos can indulge in this passion.

The bank introduced the Maybank Platinum MasterCard. Maybank Cards and Unsecured Lending Head Eden Estrella says, “We call it the best of both worlds. It is the only Platinum card in the industry that offers both cashback and miles benefits.”

Cardholders are entitled to a one percent cash back on overseas spend plus

Maybank and MasterCard officials introduce the Platinum credit card

The Maybank Platinum credit card is geared towards travelers

for every P50 purchase they can also earn one Asia Mile or KrisFlyer mile.

On top of being the only platinum card with both cashback benefits and a Miles program, Maybank cardholders can also enjoy travel benefits in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia with cross-border discounts called Maybank TREATS. “Our cardholders are pleasantly surprised when they find out they can get a 15 percent discount in Universal Studios Singapore using their Maybank Platinum

Add to all these benefits the safety and security features of Maybank Credit Cards, including the EMV-chip technology that offers an extra layer of security for Maybank Platinum MasterCard cardholders, especially when they use their cards abroad.

SMS/text messages are also sent instantaneously after every successful transaction. “We want to give our clients a certain level of security and that is something that they really appreciate,” says Eden.

MasterCard,” shares Eden. “We have a number of merchant tie-ups and some of the most popular are the 79 golf courses we are partnered with.”

With MasterCard as their partner, traveling becomes even more rewarding, particularly if your next stop is at one of MasterCard’s Priceless Cities.

Platinum cardholders heading to Singapore, for example, are given access to discounts and VIP benefits for famous attractions such as Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore and many more.

With various features ranging from exclusive benefits to security all packed in one card, Maybank Platinum MasterCard cardholders can look forward to travelling with ease and great pleasure. Switch to the ideal travel companion today and experience the best of both worlds.

To learn more about Maybank Platinum MasterCard, visit www.maybank.com. ph, and like www.facebook.com/MaybankPhilippines.

Faster way from Dumaguete to Dapitan

Sun Resorts on Boracay island offers modern amenities and fine pleasures to every guest

THE Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (FastCat) launched its Dumaguete-Dapitan route.

FastCat stays true to its promise of providing trips that are faster, safer and more convenient than ever by serving passengers traveling between Dumaguete and Dapitan with trips taking only three hours. Passengers are guaranteed a comfortable and speedy travel aboard FastCat’s modern catamaran vessels departing from Dumaguete, from 6 a.m. with succeeding trips at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. while from Dapitan, passengers can leave from 10 a.m. or during the two other scheduled trips: 6 p.m. and 2 p.m..

Passengers can pay P500 (business class), P440 (Premium Economy), or P380 (Economy).

FastCat is the owner and operator of Roll-on/Roll-of (RoRo) vessels. In 2010, FastCat took on a fleet modernization program that gained successful results with innovative catamaran vessels that

adapt to Philippine weather conditions.

More details about ticket rates can be FastCat continues its goal to provide eve- found at www.fastcat.com.ph. Like their ry Filipino passenger trips that are Ferry- Facebook page www.facebook.com/ Fast, FerrySafe and FerryConvenient.

FastCatOfficial for more updates.

Ferry services provider FastCat rolls out its three-hour Dumaguete to Dapitan and vice versa trips

It’s more fun in The Sun

TRAVELERS all over the world have always been enchanted by the beauty of Boracay. With its powder-white sand and spectacular sunsets, the island has always been included in the list of the top islands in the world and just recently, Travel + Leisure hailed it as the no.1 World’s Best Island.

To get the most out of this tropical paradise, come to Sun Resorts. You can choose among three charming resorts, depending on your budget and station preference.

The Sun Villa Beachfront is an 18room boutique resort located along the middle of White Beach, between Stations 1 and 2 in Boracay, and gives you a full view of the island life. It is just a few meters away from D’Mall, Boracay’s main shopping center, and right in the midst of Boracay’s jumpiest clubs, bars and restaurants.

Located in Station 2, The Sun Villa Hilltop is a quiet refuge nestled in a lush tropical garden on top of a hill.

Perfect for those who seek a more intimate setting, the 12-room boutique hotel offers top-class amenities, a

private pool and a spacious pavilion restaurant/lounge for meals, meetings and events.

For the budget-conscious traveler who searches for a haven of peace and quiet, The Sun Garden Hilltop is the ideal place. It is situated in a tropical garden on a hill with 14-rooms. The Resort is situated in Station 3.

All rooms in the three resorts are air-conditioned, with private toilet and bath, hot and cold shower, free Wi-fi and cable TV, among other amenities.

After a long day of frolicking along the shores of Boracay, soothe your tired bodies and rejuvenate at The Sun Spa, which offers different kinds of massages and other beauty services. Satisfy your craving for Asian cuisine as well as Filipino specialties at The Sun Asian Kitchen, home to the famous Boracay Mongolian Grill, both located at The Sun Villa Beachfront.

With Sun Resorts’ fine offerings and amenities that provide modern comforts and pleasures to every guest, you can have an unforgettable and fun-filled experience of Boracay.

Passengers are guaranteed a comfortable and speedy travel aboard FastCat's mdoern catamaran vessels

Merry Christmas party at Crowne Plaza

IT’S beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.

Start planning your Christmas and year-end parties and avail of limitedoffer rates from the metro’s premier event destination.

Buffet party package starts at P1,000 nett per person and Set Menu party package starts at P800 nett per person. Packages are inclusive of basic PA system with microphone, floral centerpieces, special rates on mobile system and band, complimentary ingress, and IHG Business Rewards points.

Mario...

From D1

Enjoy this exclusive rates for events booked for Dec. 19 to 30. Reservation is open until Nov. 30. Offer is applicable for events with minimum of 30 guests.

Make it a merrier Christmas for everyone as attendees of confirmed parties availing the packages, are entitled to a special room offer of P5,500 nett with buffet breakfast for two. This applies to an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room for stays between Dec. 1 to 30.

For more information, call (02) 6337222 or email mnlcp@ihg.com.

Celebrate holiday parties with friends and colleagues in the Ortigas hotel

will enjoy the annual Grand Sale all over Thailand.

Mario, Thailand’s very own Asian sensation, was made brand ambassador by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 2014 as a highly effective spokesperson for tourism in the country, given his fame as a young pop idol among several ASEAN countries, especially in the Philippines.

On his role as his home country’s ultimate face of tourism, Mario says, “It is a wonderful experience traveling to different countries and meeting so many delightful people. I especially love being able to tell them some of the delights and good times that await them in Thailand. I love my country and this job gives me the chance to share its attractions with the world.”

For more information about Experience Thailand with Mario and Thailand tourism, visit facebook. com/TATPhilippines or follow @TATPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

D4

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

PEOPLE …are talking about Agot Isidro WHILE reading this item, someone on Facebook or Twitter bashes the singer- actress. Probably this person is sharing a new meme that he finds witty and interesting. Obviously, Agot is the most talked about personality online, alongside Sen. Leila de Lima and Pres. Rody Duterte, after her unwelcome remark on DU30’s recent statement on foreign aid went viral. As she continues to draw flak from netizens, there’s also an online army that backs Agot’s stand. Everybody is just curious though, since when did she become passionate about politics and foreign aid?

Aspiring actors and actresses compete for their big break through eccentric and unusual auditions as they vie for roles in upcoming commercials and music videos

Myx TV debuts new original reality series Alden Richards Just days after he received a Diamond Record award for his Wish I May album, the young star achieved yet another milestone in his recording career. His new album released early this week is now topping iTune Philippines’ music chart. It is an early indication that his third album might replicate the success of his previous record. And that’s not even impossible. There are a number of AlDub Nation members who are really willing to shell out some money just to show support for their idol.

Marlon Stockinger The entire pageant circuit was rocked by the speculation that Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is dating the 25-year-old race-car driver. Queries on the Fil-Swiss heartthrob started to shoot up, an indication that people are getting interested in the development of their “imagined romance.” Though both Pia and Marlon have confirmed that they’re just friends, it cannot be denied that they look really good together.

…are not talking about Joseph Marco The Kapamilya actor has been in showbiz for almost a decade, but his active years in the business doesn’t reflect on his performance as an actor.

While some people get better through time, Joseph’s case is different. In his latest big screen outing, Joseph had godawful line delivery. And we’re not referencing to a particular line, we are referencing to every line he delivered in the movie.

Allen Abrenica The teenage boy band member wannabe auditioned in ABS-CBN’s newest talent search. During the interview portion, the youngest Abrenica told the judges that he had to stop school because he believes he’s destined to be part of the boy band that the judges are trying to form. Unfortunately, Alvin didn’t make through to the next round simply because he didn’t have the talent to begin with. Why didn’t Aljur and Alvin warn their brother that showbiz is not really for everyone?

Charice She had an epic career as a music artist until “some things happened.”

Now, Charice is trying to make another drastic decision. From singing pop and ballad, Charice, who now prefers to be called “a he,” is crossing over to rock music making her image and her music even harder to sell. When will she ever realize that her reinvention is not doing her any good?

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, October 14, 2016

ACROSS 1 Makes meringue 6 Rudimentary 11 No. 14 Feeling 15 Susan Lucci vamp 16 Fairway gizmo 17 Gossipmonger 18 Sphere of influence 19 D.C. tax people 20 Lions’ quarry 22 Small wood 24 Mauls 28 Piles up 30 Like old bathtubs 31 Hunky-dory 32 Rubbed the wrong way 33 Pure 37 Luau strummer 38 Galaxy units 39 Onassis nickname 40 Bugbear (2 wds.)

43 Formals 45 Low card 46 Satirical, maybe 47 Kind of bean 50 Goes by, as time 51 Helps with a heist 52 Large bay

53 Fizzy drink 54 Last box to check 57 Edgy 62 Future fish 63 Cool!

64 Hit Broadway musical 65 CSA monogram 66 Heroic tales 67 First showing DOWN 1 Scientist’s question 2 Color 3 Quaint lodging 4 Interest amt.

5 Caught a fly 6 Swains 7 Tattoo sites 8 Bro or sis 9 Pierre’s here 10 Bravo opposite 11 Handy swabs (hyph.)

12 Close-mouthed 13 Pro votes 21 Rorem or Beatty 23 European capital 24 Ply steel wool 25 Identical 26 Restaurant employee 27 Stun 28 Conscious

29 Brooks and Gibson 31 Trap 33 City in New York 34 Gapes open 35 Bilko’s name 36 Brake parts 38 Type of mate 41 Revise 42 Wrestling holds 43 Spliced, in botany 44 Dinny’s rider 46 Wis. neighbor 47 Smoke or mist

48 In excess of 49 View from Everest 50 Common Market money 52 — — grip!

55 Kind of towel or party 56 Crone 58 Festive night 59 Robin’s beak 60 R-V connection 61 Attend a banquet

ASIAN American entertainment network Myx TV’s newest series Cast Me! premiered giving viewers an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes of the casting world.

Cast Me! is set in Los Angeles at David Kang Casting (DK Casting), a Hollywood agency known for casting talent for clients ranging from major brands to top celebrities.

In the show, aspiring actors and actresses compete for their big break through eccentric and unusual auditions with esteemed casting directors as they vie for roles in upcoming commercials, music videos and more.

“This is a competition series that hasn’t been done yet,” said Miguel Santos, general manager of Myx TV. “We’ve seen the singers, chefs, entrepreneurs and models all get their shot at achieving their dream. Cast Me! gives the audience a chance to see actors strive for their big break.”

The panel of casting director judges includes DK Casting coowners David Kang and Becky Wu, former The Biggest Loser Australia host Ajay Rochester and former Latino child star Germán Legarreta.

Cast Me! is executive produced by Harlan Freedman, David Kang, Charles Kim and Raymond Watt. Miguel Santos

Jessica Sanchez (left) and Anna Maria Perez (right)

serves as executive producer for Myx TV. In honor of the premiere, Myx TV held a red carpet event celebrating diversity in entertainment on Sept.

22 in Hollywood. Celebrity guests included Naathan Phan (Magic Asian Man), Jessica Sanchez (American Idol), Yoshi Sudarso (Power Rangers Dino Charge), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (Hannah Montana) and many more.

iPhoto Centennial lawyer awardee AT THE recent grand reunion of Albay High School and Bicol University High School as part of the centennial anniversary of the graduates of Albay High School in 1916, 100 outstanding alumni of the two high schools were recognized in their chosen fields.

For those who became lawyers, Atty.

Oscar Manahan is centennial awardee. He won several landmark cases in the field of Intellectual property infringement. Manahan is a graduate of Albay High BICOL’S PRIDE. Atty. Oscar MaSchool Batch 65, and UP nahan (left) receiving the centennial award from Albay High School College of Law.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

D4

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Showbiz PUBLISHED. Teen star Andrea Brillantes presents her book entitled #Goals, which aims to inspire youth to become the better version of themselves even at a young age

Kapamilya authors at Manila

International Book Fair

F

IVE celebrity authors greeted thousands of Filipinos at the Manila International Book Fair as they introduced to Manila’s bibliophiles their new books from ABS-CBN Publishing, the country’s leading publisher of bestselling books and magazines.

Bestselling authors Ramon Bautista and Juan Miguel Severo launched Malapit Na, Unggoy and Tuwing Ikatlong Sabado, respectively.

Bautista’s book is a collection of fables for millennials. The first story revolves on a traveler’s journey with his monkey that aims to teach millennials the value of patience in pursuit of their dreams. The rest of the stories are injected with humor, euphemisms, and moral lessons.

Meanwhile, Severo’s is a transcript of striking spoken word poems by Words Anonymous, a team of Filipino performance poets who share stories about love, loss, and inequality, among many others that resonate across generations.

Kapamilya teen star Andrea Brillantes and bloggers Danah and Stacy Gutierrez have also entered the publishing world with their debut books #GOALS and The Big Fat Book of SelfLove, respectively.

Brillantes’ book is about her experiences and goals she has set

in life that she shares with fellow teens to inspire the youth that they can be the best version of themselves even at a young age.

Twins Danah and Stacy’s “on the other hand, is about self-love and body acceptance. In their book, the twins open up about their body love journey and how they eventually found peace with their bodies. Danah and Stacy are the bloggers behind Plump.ph, the first-ever plus size fashion and body positive web magazine in the country.

The three first-time authors also gladly snapped selfies with their fans and signed copies of their books. All books are available in National Book Store and other leading bookstores nationwide. *** DOT reacted on a women’s group’s petition for the Miss Universe Organization to withdraw its plan to hold next year’s Miss Universe pageant in the

ISAH V. RED

Bloggers and twins Stacy and Dina Gutierrez talk about self love in the book they co-authored

Philippines.

In a statement circulated to the mass media, the DOT said, “The government’s decision to accept the offer of Miss Universe Organization to stage the spectacular pageant in the Philippines has gained an overwhelming public support, especially among Filipino women and their families.

“Needless to say, this is such a special and proud occasion where we are presented with the golden opportunity to host the event in which the reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Cagayan de Oro City would pass on the crown to her successor.

“In addition, the massive attendance of international media for two-week extravaganza would be a big boost to the country’s tourism promotion program that will benefit local businesses and livelihood, as well as the travel and tour sector.

“While the DOT gives due respect

to such opinion as signified by a group of women leaders and concerned citizens, we assure everyone that we deem it a great honor to host the distinguished event that portrays the most beautiful and talented women with highest regard.

“In this light, the DOT expresses its utmost gratitude to the Miss Universe Organization of giving us the great opportunity to treat the world to genuine Filipino hospitality.”

So, folks, don’t believe what you have read on social media (Facebook, in particular) and even in a widely circulated daily blaring that the Miss U pageant will no longer be held in the country. That’s what some of the anti-Digong trolls want to happen, but unfortunately, the deal has been sealed far too long ago. *** TV and movie actress Yassi Pressman says, “If you’re like me, a young woman with a passion for collecting memories and a serious case of wanderlust, then you’ll

love all three of fragrance mists (I am endorsing).” The newest Avon Beautiful Escape ambassador adds, “Not only are they light and refreshing, they’re reminiscent of every girl’s dream destinations.

I say we should live life to the fullest, seize every moment, and seize these spritzes!”

Start making memories today and turn every adventure into a beautiful escape with this “scentsationa”l threesome.

Embrace the city chaos with Beautiful Escape Chic in the City Fragrance Mist (P299). It’s like a bouquet of sweet and pleasingly tangy fruits that blossoms into a heart of fine and caressing florals, sealed with a kiss of stunningly warm musk.

Dance to the calming whiff of Beautiful Escape Green Tranquility Fragrance Mist (P299). A light refreshing breeze of various berry sensations, it has a heart that thrives on the blossoming floral mix of jasmine, mimosa, and violet, then rests on a blissful woody base.

Make waves with Beautiful Escape Pleasing Paradise Fragrance Mist (P299). Fill your lungs with a burst of citrusy freshness that gracefully blends into a heartwarming combination of tropical and velvety floral mists, and then settles into a sweet and woody base.

To order Avon Beautiful Escape Fragrance Mists, contact your Avon Representative or order online at www.avonshop. com.ph to enjoy convenient online shopping and free shipping straight to your doorstep.

Don’t have an Avon Representative? Visit www. avon.ph or like Avon Philippines on Facebook to find out how you can get in touch with a Representative.

Want to order Avon on-the-go?

Download the Avon Brochure application from the Google Play or Apple Store to start browsing our latest brochure today! The Avon Brochure app will connect you to a nearby Representative, so you can enjoy personalized service!

Cignal launches Hits

Actress and VJ Yassi Pressman is a ‘young woman with passion’

CIGNAL and Rewind Networks announced the launch of Hits HD (Cignal Channel 120) on Cignal Postpaid Plan 290 and up, and Cignal Prepaid HD Load 300 and up.

“Cignal is committed to providing only the best to our subscribers and Hits HD delivers on that promise,” said Jane J. Basas, president of Cignal.

“The Filipino audience who grew up watching some of their favorite shows, will definitely be excited to watch series like MacGyver and The Nanny again.”

“This deal signals another awesome and proud milestone for us,” said Avi Himatsinghani, CEO of Rewind Networks. “Hits is a one of a kind service in the market with its celebration of the very best in TV content ever created, all in one place. We are delighted to expand our footprint in the Philippines with this partnership. Cignal subscribers will have a chance to watch our curation of some of the finest TV content for the first time in HD quality.”

Vitto Lazatin, Cignal VP – Content Acquisition, Management & Strategy, states that, “Hits is unique and will bring back some great viewing experiences where everyone in the family can watch together

and laugh along with series such as Seinfeld, TAXI’ and The Wonder Years.

Sandie Lee, VP & Channel Head of Rewind Networks said, “Hits provides familiar faces and really strong storylines in all our multi-award winning series.

It’s really the ‘comfort food of television’ for our Asian audience. Our simple schedule makes Hits very easy to watch as fans can catch their favorite shows at the same time every weekday, which is how most local channels are programmed today”.

Hits’ multi-award winning series bring the greatest stories and famous characters back to those who recognize them and introduces a new generation of TV viewers to these iconic shows.

Ratings successes in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and other markets have proven that HITS’ curation of awesome shows such as The X-Files, Grey’s Anatomy, Cheers and The Golden Girls resonates with viewers in the region. Hits’ launch on Cignal coincides with the premiere of popular comedy series That ‘70s Show, which launched the careers of A-list stars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace.