Manila Standard - 2016 October 20 - Thursday

PH-Sino games ruled out Duterte changes tack to avoid provocations

By John Paolo Bencito

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EIJING—President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ruled out all joint military exercises with any superpower, be it the United States, China or Russia, to avoid further provocations in the South China Sea. Speaking to Filipino journalists, Duterte maintained that there won’t be any deals on joint exploration or fishing rights in the South China Sea during his four-day state visit to China.

“There will be no military alliances brought in. I am just saying that we are not interested in adding fuel in what is already a volatile world,” Duterte said.

His latest statements seemed at odds with what he told Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television

WELCOME MAT. President Rodrigo Duterte is greeted Wednesday in Beijing by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua as the Filipino leader, who is open to joint explorations in the West Philippine Sea, begins a four-day official visit during which he will meet with Chinese officials and businessmen to help boost Philippine economy. AFP

about being open to joint military exercises with China and Russia.

Asked if he would consider joint military exercises with the two countries, Duterte said: “Yes, I will. I have given enough time for the Americans to play with the Filipino soldiers.”

Duterte also repeated his vow to no longer participate in joint military exercises with the United States, the Philippines’ main defense ally and supplier of milNext page itary hardware.

FVR: Independent policy counts for PH

By Maricel V. Cruz

VOL. XXX • NO. 250 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

IN CONTRAST to the Duterte administration’s sharp, antiAmerican rhetoric, guests at the cocktail reception sendoff for US Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Wednesday pointed to the importance of strong ties between Washington and Manila.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos said the Philippines should pursue an “interdependent” foreign policy instead of the independent policy espoused by President Rodrigo Next page Duterte.

RAMOS

Diplomat warns of China alliance

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

MALICIOUS MISCHIEF. Manila-based activists, with hundreds of Moro and Indigenous Peoples, clash with anti-riot police as the former try to approach the vicinity of the US Embassy to protest what they called the militarization of the IPs’ lands. Some 50 protesters and 30 police were injured, with those arrested charged with malicious mischief. Lino Santos

FORMER Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy seems to have gone off-track, and warned that forging a stronger alliance with China could have adverse consequences for the country.

In a speech before the Asia CEO Awards Tuesday night where he was given a lifetime achievement award, Del Rosario said isolating a long-time ally while forming alliances with other countries is not a “principled and independent” kind of foreign policy. (Full text of the speech on A5) Next page

‘Budget for change’ approved

50 hurt as cops’ car runs over anti-US protesters ABOUT 50 people were injured on Wednesday as a police car rammed into a group made up of hundreds of indigenous people during a violent dispersal of protesters at the United States Embassy on Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Several injured protesters, including students, were brought to hospital while 21 indigenous

people were arrested.

The group Human Rights Watch said the indigenous people marched in Manila to demand respect for their basic human rights.

No one was able to explain why the protesters marched on the US Embassy and not on Malacañang or the Commission on Human Rights.

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Storm signal number 5 up for first time amid ‘Lawin’

By Rio N. Araja and Florante S. Solmerin THE weather bureau raised public storm signal no. 5 for the first time Wednesday over Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao as Super Typhoon “Lawin” (international name: Haima) threatened to cut a path of death and

destruction through Luzon.

The UN Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System said the super typhoon could have a “high humanitarian impact” and affect as many as 11.6 million people.

Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio of the weather bureau said Wednesday that even moderate Next page

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DEL ROSARIO

Con-Ass preferred Cha-Cha mode THE House committee on constitutional amendments voted 32-7 with three abstentions on Wednesday to approve a motion to convene the House into a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.

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The committee led by Rep. Roger Mercado approved the motion of Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia to amend the Constitution, and mainly to shift to a federal system of government from the unitary and presidential form.

thestandard.com.ph

Mercado’s panel also formed a technical working group which will consolidate the proposals for the Constituent Assembly, including those of Reps. Albee Benitez and Robert Ace Barbers.

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THE House of Representatives on Tuesday passed on third and final reading the proposed P3.35trillion national budget for 2017.

It has been dubbed “A Budget for Real Change” that will finance President Rodrigo Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic development agenda.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said the budget “will fuel our quest for reforms that will uplift the lives of our people.”

He described next year’s budget as a “budget that is truly for the people, of the people and by the people―a budget that underlines what inclusiveness means.”

Duterte had urged the lawmakers to scrutinize the budget and then approve it.

“More than being a collection of figures and provisions, the proposed 2017 national budget is Next page

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FVR...

From A1 “Thank you very much for putting us together to assure our friend, [Ambassador] Philip Goldberg, that friendship should never change, but indeed must be multiplied with you people so that in the end according to the UN in the year 2030, we are just one community and one family. We can do this,” Ramos said at the reception hosted by the Manila Overseas Press Club to honor Goldberg, whom Duterte had once characterized as an “annoying homosexual.”

“That is why I am saying it is not an independent foreign policy anymore that counts for the Philippines. It is an interdependent foreign policy… densely intertwined by so many common interests, climate change, more exports and imports, a stable monetary currency and cultural exchange,” Ramos told the crowd of politicians, businessmen, journalists and members of the diplomatic corps.

Ramos said maintaining peace should be the global leaders’ top priority because “the world will be obliterated in 25 minutes because of these weapons of mass destruction.”

Goldberg agreed that the “interdependent foreign policy” he was proposing that the Philippines adopt would be good for the stability and development of the entire world.

“I think that the Philippines should have a good relationship with its neighbors. It should have a good relationship with China. It should have a good relationship with all countries. That is something we support [because] that is good for security, that is good for the United States also,” Goldberg said.

Philippine Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez expressed high hopes that the country’s alliance with the US would continue to deepen and strengthen amid new challenges in the AsiaPacific region.

Romualdez said the “warm ties that have been nurtured through the.years should live, expand and further develop” for the “the strategic interests of the Filipino and American people.”

50...

From A1 “They called for the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to drop the trumped-up charges brought by the previous administration against 200 tribal minority rights advocates and urged that state-security forces stop committing abuses against tribal minorities, particularly on the southern island of Mindanao,” said Carlos Conde, researcher for the Philippines of Human Rights Watch.

He said the protest was the latest attempt by indigenous groups to seek justice and accountability for the abuses committed against them.

Indigenous groups often bear the brunt of human rights violations by state security forces in the Philippines, especially in areas with mining and plantation interests.

The protesters identified the policeman who rammed them with his car as one Franklin Kho, but the Manila Police District refused to identify him.

Earlier, the protesters breached the police barricade and held a program in front of the US Embassy.

The police and members of a SWAT team led by Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. then ordered the dispersal of the protesters as their program was winding down.

The police fired teargas and water cannons at the protesters, some of whom were mauled. The police also attacked the photojournalists covering the rally. Sandy Araneta

Con-Ass...

From A1 Benitez and Barbers filed their respective resolutions favoring the Constituent Assembly even before President Rodrigo Duterte shifted support to it from a Constitutional Convention as a mode to shift to federalism.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had earlier said the holding of a Constituent Assembly would be cheaper compared to organizing a Constitutional Convention, which would include the election of delegates and a referendum. He said the Constitutional Convention could cost the government between P6 billion and P7 billion and the Constituent Assembly “nothing.”

Under a Constituent Assembly, senators and congressmen will convene to propose amendments to the Charter.

Reps. Lito Atienza and Ruwel Gonzaga said they opposed the Constituent Assembly as the mode of amending the Constitution.

Maricel V. Cruz and Christine F. Herrera

News

House lets DoJ probe Leila

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted the committee on justice’s report recommending that the Department of Justice dig deeper into the role of Senator Leila de Lima and other government officials in the trafficking of illegal drugs from the national penitentiary.

of drug syndicates and illegal drug trade in the NBP during the watch of then-DoJ Secretary Leila de Lima,” the report noted.

“Almost all witnesses testified on her involvement in the proliferation of drug syndicates and illegal drug trading inside NBP. Sufficient evidence point to her involvement and possible accountability in these illegal activities,” it said.

The committee report also showed that De Lima’s former driver and body guard, Ronnie Dayan, former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos and former Bucor Director Franklin Bucayu had involvement in any way into the illegal dug trading inside the NBP. “However, whether or not he did this on orders of Senator

The report was a product of House Resolution 105 which sought a probe into the proliferation of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

The committee report is expected to be tackled on the floor and subjects to voting when Congress resumes session on Nov. 7.

Congress goes on a Halloween break on Oct. 19.

The House committee on justice, chaired by former Liberal Party stalwart and Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, said in the report that the DoJ and the Ombudsman have the mandate to file criminal charges against those behind the illegal drug trade at the NBP. “The investigation has clearly established the proliferation

PH-Sino...

From A1

“If you’re asking me about the trip to China, this is it. We are taking advantage of the opportunity of making sure that the other aspects of our relationship with our neighbor China will be pursued. This is the reason why we’re here. In the past, there has been a weakening of this relationship but now we see that there are opportunities that are being brought by our President’s call to make sure that we renew ties with our neighbors. And this is what we are doing,” Yasay said.

“We are not expecting alliances in terms of anything that others may have suggested, no. We are just treating our friends in an equal manner in carrying out our independent foreign policy,” he said.

A senior business official on Wednesday said the Philippines can tap into more than $3 billion in loan facilities offered by Bank of China to bankroll infrastructure and support for micro, small and medium enterprises once an agreement on China’s Silk Road Initiative has been reached.

“You see today we start talking about the Silk Road and its a very, very big name,” Philippine Silkroad International Chamber President Francis Chua said in an interview.

On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wanted Manila to join Beijing’s proposed Belt and Road Initiative to make up for the country’s lack of funding for muchneeded infrastructure.

Duterte likewise said that rapid development was hard to accomplish for any country without railways, and hoped China could offer soft loans to build them.

“There are so many things in my country which I would like to implement, but [cannot] for [the] lack of the capital stock,” Duterte said.

“If we can have the things you have given to other countries by the way of assistance, we’d also like to be a part of it and to be a part of the greater plans of China about the whole of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia.”

China’s most ambitious foreign policy initiative, the Belt and Road refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road launched by the Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote economic cooperation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.

The strategy underlines China’s push to take a bigger role in global affairs, and its need for cooperation in areas such as steel and manufacturing.

Duterte is scheduled to meet top leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

“Only China can help us,” he told

the official Xinhua news agency Monday.

He was due to meet members of the Filipino community in Beijing later Wednesday.

The Philippines is hoping, among other things, that Beijing will repeal a ban on imports of its bananas -- an economic sanction intended to punish Manila for its South China Sea stance.

The Philippines is one of several coastal nations which dispute China’s claims to virtually all of the strategically vital waters. It has been a key player in the dispute, which is an issue of intense interest in both Washington and Beijing.

Tensions have risen between the US and China over Washington’s “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific, a move which Beijing says is intended to contain its rise.

Duterte has said his trip will focus on promoting economic ties. Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose has said: “There will be a lot, I mean a lot, of business contracts that will be signed.”

In an editorial Tuesday, China’s nationalistic Global Times newspaper called on the government to “reciprocate Duterte’s overture” by giving the Philippines access to fishing grounds near Scarborough Shoal -- a move which would imply that such rights were China’s to give.

“Filipino fishermen fish on a shoestring and are unlikely to jeopardize the ecosystem of China’s waters,” the paper said.

China took control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippine Navy. Manila has long claimed the feature for itself, maintaining that it controls the area’s fishing rights.

China itself has been accused of doing massive environmental damage to the South China Sea by building artificial islands, some with airstrips, capable of hosting military facilities.

In another editorial Wednesday, the Global Times said Washington had treated Manila “as a pawn” and Duterte was “redesigning Philippine foreign policy based on Philippine interests”.

Beijing has also enthusiastically endorsed Duterte’s war on drugs, which has seen more than 3,700 people killed and led the International Criminal Court to warn that those responsible could face charges.

China, which has frequently been criticised for its own approach to drug users, “is his best partner in the anti-drug fight”, the Global Times wrote. With AFP

rains,” he said.

Storm signal no. 3 was in effect over La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Northern Aurora, while Batanes Group of Islands, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Northern Zambales and Northern Quezon, including Polillo Islands were placed under storm signal no. 2.

Storm signal no. 1 was raised over Metro Manila, the rest of Zambales, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Albay.

The eye of “Lawin” was spotted at 275 kilometers east southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 225 kms per hour and gustiness of up to 315 kph.

“Lawin” was moving west northwest at 25 kph.

“The eye of the super typhoon is covering 800 kilometers of Luzon,” Aurelio said. “Expect power outages.”

Another forecaster, Gener Quitlong, said it was the first time that

the weather bureau has raised storm signal no. 5.

Pagasa administrator Vicente Malano warned residents along the northern coastline of Northern Luzon of storm surges.

“Yolanda,” one of the strongest storms in the world to hit land, flattened Eastern Visayas and killed over 7,350 people in November 2013, while Ondoy, on Sept. 26, 2009, flooded Metro Manila and Luzon.

Authorities urged residents in coastal and mountainous areas in Northern and Central Luzon to evacuate, warning of giant storm surges and destructive winds.

“Lawin” was forecast to hit remote communities in the far north of the country about 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, bringing winds almost on a par with “Yolanda” in 2013.

“It’s not just heavy rain and strong winds that we are expecting. It’s also floods, landslides and storm surges in coastal areas. Those in these areas, you are in danger. Find safer ground,” Allan Tabel, chief of the Interior Department’s disaster and information coordinating center, told a nationally televised briefing.

change in the here and now. This budget is for the people and by the people.”

Next year’s proposed P3.35-trillion budget is 11.6 percent higher than the his year’s budget of P3.002 trillion. It is 20.4 percent of GDP compared to this year’s 20.1 percent of GDP, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

The biggest recipients of next year’s budget are the Department of Education (P567.5 billion), Department of Public Works and Highways (P458.6 billion), Department of the Interior and Local Government (P150 billion), Department of National Defense (P134.5

billion), Department of Social Welfare and Development (P129.9 billion), Department of Health (P94 billion), State Universities and Colleges (P58.8 billion), Department of Transportation (P55.4 billion), Department of Agriculture (P45.2 billion) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (P41.7 billion).

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno says the 2017 budget is “a budget for real change” because it focuses resources on programs and projects that will achieve the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic development agenda. Maricel V. Cruz

In the same interview, Duterte also denied newspaper reports that the Philippines is set to enter into a deal with China to jointly explore energy sources in the uncontested areas in the West Philippine Sea, working to find oil or natural gas in what is also known internationally as the South China Sea. “No, I do not think it would be right,” Duterte said. “If you plan to give up and share what you have, then you cannot talk about it all along. At this time I am not in power to do that,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. also played down reports of joint exploration.

“We are not talking about joint exploration. This is not the right time to talk about joint exploration. We are just simply talking about how we can improve our ties with China without eroding or compromising our disputes, which is just a small portion of our relationship with China in regards with the South China Sea,” Yasay said.

On Sunday while on a state visit to Brunei, Duterte said he would raise the controversial arbitral ruling on the South China Sea with China’s leaders and vowed not to surrender any sovereignty or deviate from the July award by the tribunal in The Hague.

Duterte has not pressed Beijing over the tribunal’s ruling, apparently seeking to use that verdict as leverage with which to extract concessions from Beijing.

Instead of raising the issue, the President said that he would be asking Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for fishing rights of Filipino fishermen “in passing.”

“I will mention it in passing. Its very important because it’s livelihood. We will not look hard on who owns what because that is contested,” he added.

Duterte, who sought to cool off the icy relations with Beijing after an arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines, maintained he will just focus on exploring economic cooperation with China instead.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also emphasized the economic aspect of Duterte’s visit.

In another chance interview, Yasay said he had advised the President to “proceed with caution” in talking about the West Philippine Sea. Yasay also emphasized that the President will focus on economic and trade deals.

Storm...

From A1 rains brought by “Lawin” could trigger flash floods and landslides in rain-soaked parts of Luzon recently pounded by storm “Karen.”

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said provinces in the typhoon’s path must brace for “disaster.”

Aurelio said “Lawin” will continue to pound Luzon and to dump heavy, intense rain as storm signal no. 5 was raised over Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao.

“These areas will experience a disaster,” he said, as would Ilocos Norte, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao and Calayaan Group of Islands, which were under storm signal no. 4.

Yolanda-like rainfall will pound the provinces under storm signal nos.

5 and 4, he added.

“Rains spawned by ‘Lawin’ may not equal or exceed the rainfall brought by tropical storm ‘Ondoy,’ but will be close to Ondoy-like

‘Budget...

From A1 the embodiment of our people’s clamor for real change and a compassionate government,” Duterte said.

He said his commitment to implement real change was at the core of the proposed budget.

“This is my administration’s first budget,” Duterte said.

“It is a budget that gives flesh and bone to the promise by which I won as President, which is to fight for social justice. It was designed to realize

Leila de Lima or on his [Dayan] own was not clearly established as he failed to appear at the investigations,” the report said.

Dayan has gone into hiding after the issue on the NBP controversy broke a few months ago. He is now being sought by authorities after a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the House committee justice.

Meanwhile, the committee has proposed several legislative remedies to prevent the repeat of the NBP controversy, including measures reimposing the death penalty, grant of exceptions to the Anti-Wiretapping Law, Bank Secrecy Law, and Anti-Money Laundering Act if matters to be investigated or prevented involve drug trafficking.

The panel also recommended for an additional funding for

the purchase of state-of-theart CCTV cameras, monitoring gadgets and other security measures as part of modernization of the prison facilities in the country.

This developed as House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez vowed to contest the committee report which appeared to have absolved De Lima of any liability or culpability on the issue.

“To be sure, we will be filing amendatory legislation to impose stricter standards in our correctional facilities. We welcome the input of psycholigists and other experienced medical professionals to assist us in making laws that rehabilitate prisoners, and give them tools to be integrated in society,” Suarez said in a news conference Tuesday.

Drug suspect linked to Abu Sayyaf—intel INTELLIGENCE reports have confirmed the link of an arrested drug suspect in Quezon City to the Abu Sayyaf Group, an official said Wednesday.

Sr. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar of the Quezon City Police District said Juraid Sahiddun, who was arrested as a maintainer of a shabu den at the Culiat Salaam compound on Sept. 16, had been using different names to hide his criminal records in Basilan.

He made his statement even as the military said 12 local and foreign hostages of the Abu Sayyaf Group were still waiting to be rescued in Sulu.

The military also said a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf was arrested in Talipao town on Tuesday.

S a hiddun, or Sahibul Sailani or Juraid Sahibul, was involved in the mass abduction of 15 Golden Harvest Coconut Plantation workers in Tairan, Lanta-

wan, Basilan in June 2001 at the height of the Dos Palmas kidnapping incident, Eleazar said.

He said he was also involved in the series of encounters and ambuscades against pursuing military forces and the planting of several land mines in a road network in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, to blow up armored vehicles.

He said the suspect and other members of the Abu Sayyaf were put under surveillance after they took refuge with relatives and friends in Metro Manila.

Sahibul has a standing warrant of arrest for his involvement in the Tairan abduction in 2001.

He is facing drug charges before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

On Sept. 16, authorities raided the Salaam compound that led to the arrest of 145 drug suspects including Sahiddun. Rio N.

Diplomat..

From A1

Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said during his term as the DFA chief, his office pursued three pillars of Philippine foreign policy--to promote national security, to enhance economic diplomacy and to protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

“These pillars were strategically advanced by a foreign policy that was principled, independent, and in accordance with the rule of law for which we had renewed the confidence and earned the respect of the international community,” he said.

He urged Duterte to continue what they have started and reaffirmed the importance of the arbitration award.

“It may be worthwhile for our government to ensure that we have conveyed our gratitude for the support received from the responsible community of so many nations for our upholding of international law in order to seek a peaceful solution on our maritime issues,” he said.

He also advised Duterte to continue to call for support from all relevant countries to abide by the arbitration rulings based on international law.

“In a multilateral setting, it is to the ultimate benefit of our entire global village to have a rules-based international order,” he said.

Del Rosario said the Philippines should pursue a foreign policy focusing on peace and stability based upon the equality of nations, the rule of law, the peaceful settlements of disputes, respect for human rights and other core principles mentioned earlier.

“The Philippines must therefore be an active participant in building a regional architecture of cooperation, friendship and amity involving all concerned states,” he said.

Since taking office, President Duterte has spoken out against the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, which had expressed concern over the high death toll in his war on drugs.

In June, Duterte told the UN to “shut up” if it “can’t even solve the Middle East carnage.”

In August, Duterte in his speech called US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg an “annoying homosexual son of a bitch.”

Duterte has also called US President Barack Obama a son of a bitch, and told him to go to hell.

Shortly after these attacks, the US said the $32-million assistance to promote human rights and security would now be subject to “rigorous vetting.”

“With the possibility of bridges being burned, our foreign policy is as well not principled and independent when we may not know what the end game would be if our newfound friend turns out to be other than expected,” Del Rosario said.

The retired diplomat, who oversaw the previous administration’s pro-America strategy, said the Duterte administration may not fully understand the meaning of a principled and independent foreign policy.

“A principled and independent foreign policy is not about appearing to be driven by a possible bias or when it is advanced as a zerosum game so that a close alliance, or valued partners and friends are suddenly cast aside to favor another state,” Del Rosario said.

His remarks came amid threats

by Duterte to cut ties with the United States and to form alliances with China and Russia.

Del Rosario said it is difficult to comprehend with Duterte’s decision to form new alliances with China since the latter had “clearly and consistently” violated international law over the disputed West Philippine Sea “to the grave disadvantage of the Philippines and to the detriment of our national interest.”

Despite the current administration’s anti-American sentiment, the long-time ally might be the one to come to the country’s aid in times of threat or adversity, Del Rosario said.

“Our foreign policy is not principled and independent when we threaten to burn bridges with our close friends who have historically stood with us during difficult times since relations with old partners can co-exist with any new ones we may seek,” Del Rosario noted.

“For that matter, the friends we distance ourselves from today may be the very ones from whom we may need help tomorrow,” he said.

He said that the foreign policy of the Philippines will not be principled and independent if it can exist in isolation amid an increasingly interdependent world.

Del Rosario also questioned Duterte’s decision to bank on China.

“Where is the wisdom if we are appearing to place all our bets on the integrity and credibility of our northern neighbor–especially one, in particular, that vehemently rejects adhering to the rule of law?”

Araja and Florante S. Solmerin

News IN BRIEF Aguirre downplays gunshot JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday downplayed the reported gunshot on his close-in security’s vehicle last Tuesday.

This came after the National Bureau of Investigation learned that the bullet that hit the private vehicle of Aguirre’s aide Senior Inspector Recaredo Marasigan was a stray bullet.

“Based on ballistic test, the bullet had no direct impact so it appeared to be unintentional,” Aguirre said, adding that Marasigan was aboard his personal vehicle at 5:30 a.m. last Tuesday on his way to the house of Aguirre when the incident occurred.

“As I was about to turn left from Sucat Road to BF Homes to report for duty to [the secretary of justice]. I felt something hit the back part of my Hyundai Eon. Upon arrival at the house of SoJ, I inspected my car and saw a hole at the left tail light part of my car. When I inspected further, I saw a slug inside the hole,” Marasigan said, in a statement.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Stop VCM release, Marcos asks tribunal

By Joel E. Zurbano

L

AWYERS of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will file a petition with the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to stop the Commission on Elections from releasing supposedly unused vote counting machines to its automated poll system provider Smartmatic.

They said the Comelec’s high court. move violated the Precautionary Jose Amorado, counsel of Protective Order issued by the Marcos, made the pronouncement

during the Comelec briefing at its Warehouse in Barangay Pulong, Sta. Cruz in Sta. Rosa City to discuss the protocol on the release of 1,356 VCMs to Smartmatic beginning Oct 26, 2016.

“Senator Marcos is vehemently opposing the plan of Comelec to return the 1,356 VCMs to Smartmatic for the simple reason that there is no approval from the PET in the light of the PPO it earlier issued,” Amorado said.

The Court order enjoins the poll body to preserve and safeguard the integrity of all ballot boxes, their contents, VCMs and all other election-

related paraphernalia— including the automated election equipment and records—in all 92,509 clustered precincts used in the May polls.

Amorado pointed out the VCMs scheduled to be released were covered by the PPO because they were the contingency machines deployed during the elections.

“These contingency machines were used during the last elections as contingency VCMs. Some of them were deployed admittedly during the earlier meetings in different areas.

Some of them were left here in

Sta Rosa. So, because of lack of PET approval, the plan [of] Comelec to return the VCM to Smartmatic is vehemently opposed,” Amorado said.

He said they will file the necessary motion with the PET by the end of the week or early next week.

Liberal Party lawyer Beng Serdillo, for her part, said they will not oppose the release of the VCMs despite their own counterprotest pending with the PET. “We are not against it but their petition is too late now, and they should have proof to their allegations,” she said.

DoST rolls out 1,000th schie lab THE Department of Science and Technology’s “science library in a box” got its 1000th site with the installation of four units at the Dayap National High School in Brgy. Dayap, Calauan, Laguna.

Currently, Starbooks has deployed more than 1,123 units in several barangays and municipalities in the country.

Accessible on-site even without internet connection, Starbooks provides students, researchers, and S&T aficionados with thousands of free S&T related materials in text, audio, and video formats.

Among these are K-12 interactive courseware on math and science developed

by DoST’s Science Education Institute, livelihood videos dubbed as “TamangDoSTkarte” which provides parents and entrepreneurial students a thing or two about various livelihood opportunities within their sphere of interest, and other videos.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Agusan Sur town mayor suspended THE Ombudsman ordered on Wednesday the dismissal of an incumbent mayor of Trento, Agusan del Sur for grave misconduct and prejudicial conduct over a supposed “sweetheart” land deal.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the dismissal order on Trento Mayor Johnmark Billanes within 10 days.

The Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges against Billanes for irregularities in a P1-million land deal in 2012 that was brokered with his brother and landowner, Romeo Billanes Jr., owner of a 7,775-square meter property located along the national highway of Poblacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur. Rio N. Araja

STILL THE ECONOMY, STUPID. Government employees and workers gather in front of the House of Representative to demand an increase in their wages. Manny Palmero

CA confirms Medialdea, Lorenzana

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE powerful Commission on Appointments confirmed Wednesday the ad interim appointments of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Medialdea breezed through the CA plenary, a few hours after his appointment was approved at the committee level in less than two minutes.

The CA committee on government corporations and other offices hastily moved for the confirmation of Medialdea, known as the “Little President.”

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, a known ally

of President Rodrigo Duterte, immediately moved to confirm Medialdea after the latter’s brief introduction of himself.

Senator Loren Legarda, a member of the panel, seconded Zubiri’s motion.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon had described as “snake pit” Medialdea’s position.

“Luckily, because of the size of Secretary Medialdea, it is not easy to be devoured,” said Drilon, who served as Executive Secretary during the time of President Cory Aquino.

Drilon said Medialdea possessed the qualities of competence and integrity, which his job required.

Senator Ralph Recto, who also backed the confirmation of Medialdea, said he has known the Executive Secretary for 35 years.

Apart from his discipline to deliver on what is expected from him, Recto said Medialdea also has down-to-earth humility and disarming humor.

“The ES should be able to do heavy but unheralded labor; to endlessly chase papers but never publicity; to run a tight ship, including whipping the egos of alter egos into line,” Recto said.

“I had the pleasure of meeting BingBong Medialdea about 35 years and 35 pounds ago.

My impressions then as now are the same. He’s got what it takes to do the job,” he added.

School, hospital fund cuts restored

By Maricel V Cruz THE House of Representatives has moved to restore the budget cuts made in the National Expenditure Program against State Colleges and Universities and on government hospitals nationwide.

It stressed the need for the government to

invest on education and health in “building a better future for the nation.”

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexi Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said his panel agreed to restore the budget cuts despite the earlier position by the Department of Budget and Management that the MOOE of these institutions be reduced.

He said the budget cuts could have adverse effect on the country’s quality of education and the delivery of public health care.

“We are one in the belief that these SUCs and our government hospitals must be given utmost priority at all times. Quality education and quality health care are key public services that have a direct impact on our nation’s future,” Nograles said.

Samar dynasts unite against private armies

By Maricel V. Cruz

CONFIRMED. Senate President Aquilino Koko Pimentel, chairman of the congressional Commission on Appointment, replicates the signature fist sign that his ally President Rodrigo Duterte used while still campaigning for the presidency after the confirmation of the appointments of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Lino Santos

POLITICIANS from Samar have crossed party lines to neutalize private armed groups throughout the province, but particularly in the capital Calbayog City, officials said Wednesday.

Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento and Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, both politically at odds with Samar Gov. Sharee Anne Tan-Delos Santos and family, together with the mayors of the towns of Gandara, San Jorge, Matuguinao and Sta. Margarita have signed a covenant declaring their commitment to support ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to dismantle private armed groups in the province.

During the signing of the covenant last week, Tan-Delos Santos hoped the creation of Cagamas would check the proliferation of private armed groups in the province where previous campaigns have failed.

The AFP and the PNP have formed a Joint Task Force called Cagasmas aimed at disarming and dismantling private armed groups in Samar, previously known as western Samar.

The Joint Task Force was created following an appeal of Sarmiento who sent a letter and a manifesto to the PNP and AFP leadership calling for an end to the rash of killings allegedly perpetrated by private armed groups in the province, particularly in Calbayog City.

FOI bill unveiled at Senate

By Macon Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe has given assurances on the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information bill that gives flesh to the citizens’ constitutional right to information on matters of public concern, citing the costly lesson learned from the hackneyed phrase “secrecy corrupts, and absolute secrecy corrupts absolutely.”

In seeking greater transparency in government, Poe sponsored in plenary Senate Bill No. 159 or the proposed FOI law and sought backing from her colleagues in the light of the publicly avowed support from the administration on the measure.

“We truly appreciate the administration for its keen push of the FOI that would effectively make transparency, accountability and integrity as yardsticks in government performance,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public information and mass media.

“We remain confident we will pass this FOI in the present Congress because our citizens cannot afford to wait any longer to fully exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to access critical information,” she added.

Senator Sonny Angara, who has been rooting for the passage of the FOI bill since he was a congressman, urged his colleagues to support FOI, believing it is a key to curb corruption and abuses of some of those in the government.

He said it is likely the scandals that exploded last year could have been avoided if there was FOI.

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

No words

O

NE ought to be careful with one’s words and actions these days. The accessibility of handheld devices that can take photos or videos and even stream events as they happen makes it difficult, if not impossible, for people to deny whatever they have said or done.

Take for instance that video showing how a vehicle of the Manila Police District rammed over protesters in front of the United States Embas-

Adelle Chua, Editor

sy on Wednesday.

At the start of the clip that has now been shared numerous times over social media, the driver of the vehicle, whom the

police refused to identify, went backwards, sending the protesters running to avoid it. After a while, the driver stopped and advanced again, and like a madman did not care who were standing in his way.

Any doubts as to the extent of the injuries from this episode alone, and the mindset of the driver, will be extinguished by the video. And yet the chief of the National

Capital Region Police Office says the driver was merely extricating the patrol car from the rallyists who were trying to flip it over.

Among the 50 or so injured were students and indigenous peoples demanding the removal of US presence in the Philippines —oddly enough, sharing the sentiments expressed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The image of the patrol car does little to

convince us of the official line that Filipinos now feel safer walking on the streets at night.

We recall with horror how the two masked men, on board a motorcycle, who gunned down an anti-crime advocate turned out to be men in uniform themselves. The considerable percentage of the more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers or users also died in the hands of police officers who were arresting

them. They reportedly died in the struggle.

We condemn the violence that seems to be the norm among some law enforcers even as we trust that the number of decent, conscientious cops still exceed that of the power-hungry ones. The police leadership must know what to do with its members who lend notoriety to the organization instead of truly making the people feel safe.

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

Joint military exercises

A student’s killing LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I STARTED watching and I couldn’t look away. And way before the end of the short, silent black-and-white CCTV clip, I was heart-broken and angry as hell.

As the father of two collegeage young men, I was mesmerized by the surveillance camera recording of the killing of Nick Russell Oniot. This was the 18-year-old Adamson University student who was waylaid by two older men on a street in Taguig last Friday, one of whom stabbed him 18 times until he bled to death.

Oniot would probably still be alive today if he had only handed his backpack to the robbers. But the young man chose to fight, refusing to give up his bag even

after he was repeatedly stabbed by one of his assailants.

In the end, the robbers gave up and left Oniot, bloody and staggering—but standing, his backpack still safe in his possession. It was a victory that came at the cost of the young man’s life.

In his critical condition, Oniot tried to hale a passing van, which sped by without slowing.

After he fell in a bloody heap, a resident approached but walked away after giving the dying young man a once-over from a safe distance, as if fighting to bring the young man back up again.

The Taguig police have reported that the two suspects in the fatal mugging of the student have both been arrested. The knife-wielder supposedly tried to grab the gun of one of the arresting officers, who then shot him dead.

I check my response to this development and find that I am not outraged. In truth, I wish

the other suspect had grabbed commenters crying out for jusa cop’s gun, as well, so that he, tice—and a lot more. too, would have suffered the Crimes like the killing of Onisame fate. ot have made people seek leaders who will keep us safe. The reason why Digong Duterte is president is because he, among all the other people who sought the highest office in the land last I wish the May, vowed to do just that. other suspect Crimes like the killing of Oniot are also why people really had grabbed don’t care about all the hypocritical weeping and gnashing of a cop’s gun, as teeth from the so-called humanwell, so that he, rights advocates. What about the rights of people like Oniot, they too, would have demand, who will protect them suffered the same from those who took his life so they could get their hands on his fate. cheap cellular phone and the few pesos in his student’s wallet?

Of course, those who are merely using human rights to I know that I am not alone in push their political agenda canfeeling the way I do. On social not be expected to take the side media, the TV news report that of the killers of Oniot. Because first showed the surveillance they are really in it for political footage has gone viral, with reasons, they know they cannot

stand up for the slain suspect in this case, even if the perp’s death bore all the marks of an “extrajudicial killing” by the police.

I’d like to see them try, though.

I’d pay to watch them reap the whirlwind of public anger and disgust. *** Yesterday, the authorities were once again up to their old tricks, but in a way that is sure to get people mad at them. At the height of the dispersal of an anti-American rally in front of the US Embassy in Manila, a policeman in a van started running over protesters, speeding in reverse and forward, hurting three persons, including a woman who was pinned under one wheel of the police vehicle.

The violent dispersal was the second in as many days, in this supposedly enlightened time when extremists of all kinds are being welcomed into the mainstream. Last Tuesday, authorities Turn to A5

BEFORE embarking on his four-day state visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte gave a TV interview where he said he was willing to hold joint military exercises with China and Russia.

If the President goes through with this joint military exercise, what would be the scenario?

In planning for joint military exercises, one must have a fictional enemy. But even if the enemy is imaginary, there must be some basis in fact to make the exercise as realistic as possible. Our military exercises with the US was easy. We try to prevent the invasion of one of our islands. With China and Russia, however, it would be a little difficult to imagine a fictional enemy.

Going to the nitty-gritty of planning, how are we going to blend with the Russians and Chinese who have completely different armaments, doctrines and operational concepts? This was never a problem when we were having exercises with the US. Has the President considered this problem with his military advisers or simply thought this thing all by his lonesome self and then made the pronouncement, leaving his people to sort out the details? If this happens, it will be the complete opposite of what our military has been so used to over the past 80 or so years.

Another problem with the joint military exercises with China and Russia is that the Filipino people already have a good idea about who the aggressor is—and it is not Japan or the United States. The Filipino people already know which country has taken over part of its exclusive economic zone and banned Filipino fishermen from fishing on an area that is supposed to be ours.

Whether the nation agrees with the President’s desire to move closer to China at the expense of our long-standing relationship with the United States will be a test of his power of persuasion. Right now, the nation has embraced most of the things that he has been doing. The anti-crime and corruption campaign has gained broad support from the public notwithstanding their Turn to A5

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Opinion

IN HIS recent visit to Bru- chairman. This after Presinei and now to China, Presi- dent Duterte tagged him as dent Duterte hasn’t uttered an “oligarch who must be dea single cuss word. This is stroyed.” because Duterte chooses his But Bobby, who was my audience. He knows these student at Ateneo, is far from expletives resonate with Fili- being an oligarch embedded pinos. Duterte is being street in government. smart; he knows what a parThus, when Ongpin sold ticular audience wants him his 771,651,896 shares to to say.

Gregoria Ma. Araneta III, I believe that in due time, son-in-law of the late strongwhen illegal drugs and crim- man President Marcos, at inality are no longer a men- P2.60 per share amounting ace to society, the President to more than P2 billion— will finally metamorphose representing 53.76 percent of into the statesman we want Philweb—Araneta wrote the him to be.

SEC chairman that while he When a man is humble was willing to abide by the enough to acknowledge his SEC requirement of the tenmistakes and apologize for der offer. He would sell to them, he is still capable of minority stockholders shares doing great things for the at the earliest possible time; country. I think real change such an offer should be made will come, eventually – and I after his transaction with am not being an apologist for Ongpin is over. the President.

Araneta wrote Herbosa: In the same breath, I worry “I have on several occasions that the majority of Filipinos confirmed my willingness to seem perfectly fine with the abide by the requirements of killings of thousands of al- the tender offer at the earlileged drug dealers and us- est possible time. However, ers. Have we become desen- it should be obvious to all sitized to concer ned v i o l e n c e? that beCan we no cause the longer distransaccern what tion price Pagcor must is wrong? is P2.60 grant Philweb S a n t a per share Banana, anew its license to and the without the current operate. rule of law market and due price is process, above P9 where are that no we headed? sharehold*** er will tender his shares at The Supreme Court was P2.60 when he can dispose set to decide last Tuesday on of those shares at the market the many petitions against at anytime at the prevailing the burial of the remains of market price of P9 or better.” the late strongman President That’s logical enough for Ferdinand Marcos. Instead anybody to understand. Why the high court decided to would Araneta make a tenextend the status quo ante der offer to stockholders at order to November 8. What only P2.60 per share when could be the reason? the stockholders can always Insiders tell me that while buy at the market price of P9 the majority of the justices or over? have already voted for the Thus, the SEC should have dismissal of the petitions no choice but to approve the against the Marcos burial, block sale to be executed the the “Yellows” in the Su- soonest possible time. The preme Court—led by no tender offer requirement, if less than Chief Justice Ma. required to be accomplished Lourdes Sereno, together prior to the block sale, will with Justices Benjamin only cause unnecessary Caguioa, the assigned “po- expenses on the part of nente,” Marvic Leonen and Araneta.

Francis Jardeleza—sought It should be clear by now the postponement of the de- to observers that in effect cision. They are still hoping Ongpin lost more than P20 they could influence the oth- billion after Philweb’s share er justices to side with them. price plunged. But, if only That’s the problem with to have Philweb continue its the gods of Mount Olympus e-Games operations where at Padre Faura—they adhere Philweb and e-Games emto the “tayo tayo” system on ployees numbering over many controversial cases. 6,000 since August 11 have Some members of the judici- been out of work and the 131 ary decide not on the basis of operators of e-Games, and the law but on “pakikisama.” their investments of P1.8 My sources tell me, how- billion could be wiped out, ever, that the decision would Ongpin sold his share at only still be in favor of burial at P2.60 per share. the Libingan.

Pagcor had stated that “the In the meantime, there issue is not RVO (Roberto are moves by Congress to V. Ongpin) or Philweb rename the LNMB as simply per se. It is the President’s the “Soldiers Cemetery.” and his governments After all, the LNMB was opposition to on-line and patterned after the Arlington on-site electronic gambling Cemetery. Along with this because of the social ills and move, there’s a plan to decay that they foist on our build a pantheon for heroes. communities as they cater Santa Banana, that could to the more economically well be the answer to this vulnerable position of our controversy. population.” *** It also stands to reason that Securities and Exchange after the President allowed Commission chairperson on-line and off-site gambling Teresita Herbosa has di- so long as they were far from rected Philweb, an online schools and churches, and gambling company, to ten- since Ongpin had already der an offer to stockholders divested his shares, Pagcor after businessman Robert V. must now grant Philweb its Ongpin divested himself as license to operate anew.

A5

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The missing piece

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Saving jobs and investments

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ THE House Justice Committee has released its report on House Resolution No. 105, an investigation into drug proliferation in the New Bilibid Prison in aid of legislation.

While I find the Committee Report comprehensive, what is lacking is a recommendation for the filing of the appropriate charges against those who were alleged to have violated the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and committed acts of bribery and corruption. During the previous administration, investigations in aid of legislation routinely resulted in the recommendation of filing

of proper charges contained in their respective Committee Reports. Case in point, the Blue Ribbon recommendation to file charges against those involved in the pork barrel scam. Now, even before the report has been issued, the current chairperson has made a statement that no recommendations will be made because it is not a legislative function. Why the inconsistency?

The investigation focused on a multi-billion industry with powerful and well-connected people benefitting from this unspeakable arrangement. The drug trade on a commercial level infiltrated our national penitentiaries and transformed our prisons as convenient venues for the illegal activities to proliferate. This happened with the knowledge and complicity of government

officials, as testified by the drug personalities and other witnesses last week.

To effectively fulfill our duty as legislators, we in the Minority will be filing amendatory legislation to impose stricter standards in our correctional facilities. We welcome the input of psychologists and other experienced medical professionals to assist us in making laws that rehabilitate prisoners, and give them tools to be integrated in society.

There should be no hesitation in our actions to rid our country of the drug menace. Our country has taken a huge step in fighting this pandemic which has plagued us most especially during the last six years. Let us not waste it by using meek words in this time of action.

We weigh the importance of

fulfilling our mandate as public servants against the insistence on the separation of powers. Faced with the information revealed, are we, as public officials, to just allow nature take its course without even voicing what we feel is the right thing to do? What we propose is a mere recommendation. It is the Executive’s discretion whether to accept or reject this.

Four televised hearing days, 22 witnesses, 10 resource persons, an uncontroverted Discovery Channel documentary to start all of the testimonies corroborating what was to be narrated later, all point to one sordid truth: powerful people during the past administration not only dropped the ball in protecting us, they also contributed to the drug problem’s massive growth.

Perspectives on a principled Philippine foreign policy

By Albert F. Del Rosario THIS speech was delivered by the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs on October 18, 2016 at the Marriott Hotel I am deeply humbled to accept the Asia CEO Lifetime Contributors Award as it truly was an honor and privilege to have served our country and the Filipino people for a whole decade as Philippine Ambassador to the US and subsequently, as secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Pillars of Philippine foreign policy While heading the DFA, over the last five (5) years, our firm belief was that it was necessary for the Philippines to effectively assert its rightful place in the community of nations.

As a responsible nation, we sought further to make a contribution to maintaining a rulesbased international order.

Under the leadership of the previous administration, we pursued with the greatest of vigor the three (3) Pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy: To promote national security; To enhance economic diplomacy; and To protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

These pillars were strategically advanced by a foreign policy that was principled, independent, and in accordance with the rule of law for which we had renewed the confidence and earned the respect of the international community.

Principled and independent foreign policy It has recently been perceived that our foreign policy had seemingly gone off-track. Since there appeared to be a lack of clarity

Joint...

From A4 misgivings on the unabated alleged extrajudicial killings.

But the pivot to China is something that he has not expounded on much during the presidential campaign. He chose to remain quiet on this issue but now seems to be taking center stage.

Secretary Perfecto Yasay once quipped that observers should not pay attention to what the President says but what he does.

True enough. But these contradictory and confusing statements are not doing the country any good because it is negatively affecting the financial markets and the economy in the long run.

Even Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is not a trained economist, said the peso slide has something to do with the perception that the government is spooking the market because of its rhetoric. But the President is now in China with

A student’s...

From A4 used water cannon to disperse indigenous people who gathered in front of the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo to press for their rights to their ancestral land.

I thought violent dispersals were a thing of the past. And I thought protesters were now welcomed and ushered all the way into the presidential pal-

from the incumbent administration on what a principled and independent foreign policy should be, please allow me to respectfully expand on what I think it is and what it is not.

To be principled and independent, our foreign policy must be rooted in our core values as a nation. A principled and independent foreign policy must therefore be anchored on democracy, freedom, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

To be a principled and independent foreign policy, our national interest must be considered first and foremost, with the national interest being defined and promoted based on our values.

That is why we stood for what is right; and that is why we defended what is rightfully and legitimately ours using peaceful means in accordance with the rule of law.

That is also why we identified ourselves with states which observe and adhere to rulesbased international norms.

And, moreover, that is why in addressing the most critical security issue in our region, the Philippines positioned itself to successfully demonstrate that “right is might” and international law is the great equalizer among states.

Thus, we trust and have been given the assurance that our government will not overlook the fact that it is compelled by the law of the land to fully address The Hague’s Arbitral Award under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Having said what a principled and independent foreign policy should be, we would also like to dwell on what it should not be.

NOT PRINCIPLED AND INDEPENDENT A principled and independent foreign policy is not about appearing to be driven by a possible bias or when it is advanced as a “zero-sum game” so that a close alliance, or valued partners and friends are suddenly cast aside to favor another state. This is most difficult to comprehend since the perceived favored state has clearly and consistently exhibited, and continues to demonstrate assertive behavior while blatantly violating international law to the grave disadvantage of the Philippines and to the detriment of our national interest.

Our foreign policy is not principled and independent when we threaten to burn bridges with our close friends who have historically stood with us during difficult times since relations with old partners can co-exist with any new ones we may seek. For that matter, the friends we distance ourselves from today may be the very ones from whom we may need help tomorrow.

With the possibility of bridges being burned, our foreign policy is as well not principled and independent when we may not know what the end game would be if our newfound friend turns out to be other than expected.

Surely, our foreign policy is not principled and independent if we believe that the Philippines can exist in isolation amid an increasingly complex yet interdependent world.

At day’s end, our foreign policy is neither principled nor independent unless we are able to respond to this fundamental question: Where is the wisdom if we are appearing to place all our bets on the integrity and credibility

of our northern neighbor— especially one, in particular, that vehemently rejects adhering to the rule of law?

Rules-Based As our President is embarking on State Visits, we have seen from the news that he has reaffirmed the importance of the arbitration award and said that he would not “barter” it away. This is an important and timely step in upholding the country’s commitment to the rule of international law in the conduct of relations between nations.

It may be worthwhile for our government to ensure that we have conveyed our gratitude for the support received from the responsible community of so many nations for our upholding of international law in order to seek a peaceful solution on our maritime issues. Let us also consider seeking their continued support in encouraging all relevant countries to abide by the arbitration rulings based on international law. In a multilateral setting, it is to the ultimate benefit of our entire global village to have a rules-based international order.

Finally, the Philippines should pursue a foreign policy focusing on peace and stability based upon the equality of nations, the rule of law, the peaceful settlements of disputes, respect for human rights and other core principles mentioned earlier.

The Philippines must therefore be an active participant in building a regional architecture of cooperation, friendship and amity involving all concerned states.

Let me once again thank you for this invaluable award which I will cherish and for this opportunity as a private citizen to be able to dutifully share my humble views.

about 400 businessmen and scores of government officials. Let us all hope that he brings home the bacon. *** What will happen to the police when this anti-drug campaign is finally declared over? In a conversation over the weekend with a fellow police retiree, I speculated on this question. Both he and I believe that the best way to solve and prevent crime is the tried-and-tested practice of good police investigation. Indeed, there is really no substitute to it.

In the war over drugs, we have attracted tremendous international attention especially from human right groups. Now, the government has invited the United Nations rapporteur for Human Rights to come to the country, go anywhere, interview anyone in order to investigate whether there really is a state-sponsored extra judicial killings. If—and this is a big

if—it is found to be complicit in extra-judicial killings, what will happen to the reputation of the police as an organization?

Already there are examples of this. The two motorcycle-riding masked men who gunned down an anti-crime crusader turned out to be police officers. It is now estimated that there are more than 4,000 people killed for various reasons in the antidrug war. Before this thing is over, more will die.

There are those who believe that the Police is taking shortcuts to the law-enforcement process.

That it is simply killing the suspects without any due process to save themselves from the hard work of having to investigate and file cases. To these observers, this is poor police work and is certain to affect the psyche of the Police. The public cannot afford a trigger-happy police force.

Is it necessary to detoxify the whole Police and retrain them

to be a force that the public can trust again? This is a daunting and scary effect of this antidrug war. Managing a huge anti-crime campaign such as the drug war is not that easy. This is because our statistics on people who use, sell and manufacture drugs is not always reliable—although we know the problem is out there and is huge.

In order to wage this war, Police leaders will have get to the entire organization to a situation wherein certain objectives will have to be met. Otherwise, local police commanders will be relieved for non-performance.

There is therefore pressure from top to bottom, and this is where the shortcuts come in. Hopefully when this is over, the Police as an organization will emerge with its perspective intact. Otherwise, it will take years to retrain, counsel and institute other programs to bring the Police back to what it should be.

ace, where the president himself would listen to their demands.

I understand that the military is still unused to being the target of mass actions right outside their headquarters. And that the Manila policemen in charge of guarding the US Embassy have always acted more American than their most ardent flag-waving Stateside “brothers.”

But the superiors of the soldiers who used water cannon to disperse the protesting lumad

and the cop named Kho who drove the killer police van need to discipline their men right away. This is, after all, a time when the entire politburo of the local communist movement can have dinner with the president in Malacañang and when both the MILF and the MNLF have become real partners of the government in the pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao.

The police and the military, of course, need time to relearn

their jobs and their true role in society. They must understand that they are the protectors of the people and not their oppressors.

In the same way that criminals should understand that they will no longer be able to get away with crime, the police and military must accept that the people are their allies, not their foes. To paraphrase Nobel laureate Bob Dylan, the times should already be a-changing, right?

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

Standard THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 A6 TODAY Manila

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Comelec resumes list-up in Nov.

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Commission on Elections will resume the registration of voters in November after the poll body passes a resolution for the purpose after Congress passed a law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to Oct. 23, 2017.

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the Comelec expects an additional three to five million voters to register for next year’s barangay elections and two million voters for SK polls.

Comelec spokesperson Municipality of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur

James Jimenez said the funds intended for the 2016 barangay and SK polls are intact and will be used in 2017 while 411,000 ballots that have already been printed will still be used in the next election.

The Commission will conduct another round of registration period as required by RA 8189 or the Voters’ Registration Act of 1996, as both Houses of Congress approved the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to Oct. 23, 2017.

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

Meanwhile, Jimenez said the poll body has learned much at an international symposium on electoral debates at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Jimenez said conversations among delegates are providing useful insights on how to design, prepare for, and actually mount debates even before the start of the symposium last Oct. 18.

Jimenez represented the Philippines at the symposium, jointly organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates and National Democratic Institute, which brings together around 50 delegates to share their unique stories about organizing debates in their home countries.

Delegates from Jamaica, for instance, shared experience that are not unlike the organizing

issues the Comelec handled in putting the PiliPinas Debates 2016 together, he said.

Polls in Jamaica don’t have fixed dates, and they tell of successfully staging major debates despite having only three weeks lead time.

“If we can learn from the Jamaican experience in terms of how they maintain a constant state of readiness, our debate preparations can benefit from increased efficiency and, ultimately, efficacy,” Jimenez said.

Holding debates at the local level, which Jamaica is already doing, is also one of the Com-

2016LGU-10-01 Const of Pob/Bal Potable H2O System Pob./Balbalayang, Sugpon, I. Sur

Enduring friendship.

INVITATION TO BID

Philippine Constitution Association president and former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez and his wife Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez chat with outgoing United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg during a send-off ceremony at Alphaland Makati Place.

Ver Noveno

The Municipal Government of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites supplier/contractore to bid for the hereunder contract: Name of Contract

: CONSTRUCTION OF POBLACION/BALBALAYANG POTABLE WATER SYSTEM : Pob./Balbalayang, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur : CONSTRUCTION

Location Brief Description Approved Budget for the Contract Contract Duration

: Php7,649,272.61 : 90 calendar days

Prospective bidders should posses a valid license applicable to the contract, have completed a similar contract a value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the Eligibility Forms) available for the prosecution of the contract.

The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids. The BAC will conduct post=qualification of the lowest calculated bid.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

The schedule of BAC activities are listed, as follows: Activities 1. Pre-Procurement Conference 2. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 3. Issuance of Bid Documents 4. Pre-Bid Conference 5. Eligibility Check, Submission & Receipt of Bids 6. Bid Evaluation 7. Post-Qualification 8. Approval of Resolution/Issuance of Notice of Award 9. Contract Preparation & Signing 10. Approval of Contract by higher authority 11. Issuance of Notice to Proceed

Schedule October 18, 2016 October 20-27, 2016 October 20, 2016 -November 8, 2016 October 28, 2016 November 8, 2016 November 11, 2016 November 11, 2016 November 14, 2016/ November 15, 2016 November 16, 2016/ November 17, 2016 November 17, 2016 November 18, 2016

A complete set of bidding documents and other detailed information may be acquired from the BAC Secretariat, Municipal Hall, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. All prospective bidders shall be charged a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest guidelines issued the GPPB, in the amount of the Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00) only.

The BAC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE

:

Approved by:

(

(Sgd.) VIRGILIO B. ABAAG BAC Chairman

M S - O C T. 2 0 , 2 016)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

:

REGISTRATION SECURITIES Initial Public Offering

OF

SHAKEY’S PIZZA ASIA VENTURES INC.) : (formerly INTERNATIONAL FAMILY : FOOD SERVICES, INC. : (Registrant) x----------------------------------------------------- x

NOTICE

INVITATION TO BID NO. GOODS-054-2016 54

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

Name of Project Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) 1. Supply & Delivery of Canned Goods and other Food Supplies for =P=57,000,000.00 2016 Tulong Mula sa Pamahalaan ng Bataan

Notice is hereby given that on 10 October 2016, a sworn Registration Statement (“RS”) has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on behalf of SHAKEY’S PIZZA ASIA VENTURES INC. (formerly INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FOOD SERVICES, INC.) (the “Company”) for the registration of One Billion Five Hundred Thirty One Million Three Hundred Twenty One Thousand Fifty Three (1,531,321,053) common shares with par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) per share broken down as follows1: Primary Offering (To be offered and sold by way of Initial price Public Offering, unissued shares)

104,000,000 common shares

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share

Secondary Offering (To be offered and sold by way of Initial Public Offering, issued shares)

202,000,000 common shares

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share

Over-allotment Option (To be offered and sold pursuant to the Over-allot Option, issued shares)

46,000,000 common share

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Issued and Outstanding Shares (Not included in the Offer and the Over-allotment Option)

1,179,321 ,053 common shares

With par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) per share

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Total

1,531,321,053

The Provincial Government of Bataannow invites bids for the above listed Procurement.Delivery of goods is requiredon or before the maturity date stipulated on contract.Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. 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 nondiscretionary 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 open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Approved Budget for the Contract

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso)

500,000 and below

According to the documents presented on 10 October 2016, the following persons are the directors and executive officers of the Company2: NAME Christopher T. Po Ricardo Gabriel T. Po, Jr. Teodoro Alexander T. Po Leonardo Arthur T. Po Oscar A. Pobre Manuel T. Del Barrio Ferdinand A. Constantino Vicente L. Gregorio Genevieve U. Yu

500.00

More than 500,000 up to 1 Million

1,000.00

More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

5,000.00

More than 5 Million up to 10 Million

10,000.00

More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

25,000.00

More than 50 Million up to 500 Million

50,000.00

More than 500 Million

75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 26, 2016 at 10:00 A.M atProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall beopen only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered on or before November 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

POSITION Director, Chairman of the Board Director, Vice-Chairman of the Board Director, Vice-Chairman of the Board Director, Treasurer Director Director, Vice President Director Director, President Corporate Secretary

The Registration Statement, its attachments and any amendments therein (collectively referred to as “RS”) are open for inspection by interested parties during business hours. Copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to every party upon request at such reasonable fees as the Commission may prescribe. Said RS and its updated version may be downloaded from the company’s website: https:llwww.shakeyspizza.ph/

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities Schedule 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid October 19 - 25, 2016 2. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents October 19 – November 8, 2016 4. Request for Clarification October 28, 2016 5. Opening of Bids November 8, 2016 The Provincial Government of Bataan 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 or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

(MS-OCT. 20, 2016)

mission’s goals and is desired by many Filipinos, Jimenez added.

Flaws notwithstanding, what matters most in the execution of debates is recognizing that it is a continuous process of learning and refining. He emphasized: “There will always be room for improvement.”

Jimenez is set to give a presentation on the politics and background of election debates in the Philippines, which will be part of the discussion on “Debate Sponsor Models: Perspectives of Election Authorities and Media Regulatory Groups” on the second day of the symposium.

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

EMMA A. VALENCIA Officer-In-Charge 1

2

On October 7, 2016, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) an application to amend its Articles of Incorporation to, among others, increase its authorized capital stock (the “Second Amendment’). The foregoing is the description of the shares of stock to be registered with the SEC after the Second Amendment is approved by the SEC. Prior to filing of the Second Amendment, the following is the description of the shares of stock to be registered with the SEC: Primary Offering (To be offered and sold by way of Initial price Public Offering, unissued shares) Secondary Offering (To be offered and sold by way of Initial Public Offering, issued shares)

104,000,000 common shares

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share

202,000,000 common shares

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share

Over-allotment Option (To be offered and sold pursuant to the Over-allot Option, issued shares) Issued and Outstanding Shares (Not included in the Offer) Total

46,000,000 common share 416,614,050 common shares 768,614,050

At an initial public offering price of up to PhP15.58 per share With par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) per share

On October 6, 2016, the Company filed with the SEC an application to amend its Articles of Incorporation to, among others, reduce the numbers of directors from fifteen to seven(the “First Amendment). The foregoing is the complete list of directors and officers of the Company priot to the filing of the First Amendment. After the First Amendmend was approved by the SEC on October 14, 2016. the following is the complete list of directors to be elected: NAME Christopher T. Po Ricardo Gabriel T. Po, Jr. Teodoro Alexander T. Po Leonardo Arthur T. Po Vicente L. Gregorio Paulo Campos Fernan Victor P. Lukban Jorge Maria Q. Concepcion Manuel T. Del Barrio Armie M. Quintos Genevieve U. Yu

(MS-OCT. 20, 2016)

POSITION Director, Chairman of the Board Director, Vice-Chairman of the Board Director, Vice-Chairman of the Board Director, Treasurer Director, President Independent Director Independent Director General Manager Vice President Finance Director Corporate Secretary

MIAA unfazed by negative list

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Manila International Airport Authority on Wednesday brushed aside survey reports saying that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport placed number 5 in the list of worst airports in Asia. ‘’The survey came out last year and I was surprised why the travel website has to release it again,” said MIAA general manager Eddie Villanueva Monreal in reaction to the survey released by “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports.”

He said the survey brought out travelers complaining of being victims of the so-called bullet-planting extortion scheme at the airport, frequent power outages, poor air-conditioning, lack of seats and complicated terminal transfer.

When he was appointed in July, Monreal said the MIAA, in close coordination with the Police-Aviation Security Group, made sure that passengers would not be arrested if it caught with a single bullet in their luggage.

“Just confiscate the live bullet or amulet then let them go,” Monreal said referring to personnel of the Avsegroup who is in charge of investigation. “This [tanim-bala]

scheme is a thing of the past.”

Monreal said he would likely to address what have been pointed out by travelers regarding the Naia.

As part of its continued vigilance, Monreal said that Naia is tightening the security and intelligence work on all terminals to make sure that passengers and airport users are safe while at the terminals.

Upon assumption of office, Monreal also instituted numerous reforms and improvements to better serve the passengers and airports users of the four terminals of the country’s premier airport.

Among the reforms initiated by Monreal was the reactivation of the Airport Security Center.

ASC, under the supervision of the MIAA general manager, is tasked to protect the security regularity and efficiency of the Naia by developing and implementing the necessary procedures in compliance with the provisions of the National Civil Aviation Security Program for safeguarding persons, terminals, air navigations, aircraft and equipment against acts of unlawful interference.

Monreal also created a central desk connecting all agencies designed to provide immediate response to passenger complaints and concerns.

Erap gets special containment truck FOR the first time in Manila’s history, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada acquired on Wednesday a P30-million state-of-the-art containment vehicle that could respond to any nuclear, biological, radiological, and chemical (NBRC) incidents—including terrorist attacks—anywhere in the city.

Estrada said he ordered the acquisition of the NBRC trailer truck for the use of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in responding to any type of disasters and calamities, including possible terrorist chemical attacks and bombings.

“During the previous administration, our rescue units were ill-equipped to respond to even the simplest emergencies, much more to complicated disasters and hazards. Those days are gone,” the Manila mayor said.

With the new NBRC vehicle, Estrada said the rescue units of the city would be able to respond to and handle major hazards, particularly chemical spills, thus saving the lives of the victims and even those doing the rescue.

Estrada cited an incident in August 2013 when a chemical spill took place at the government-run Fabella Maternity Hospital in Sta. Cruz. He said Manila rescuers had to borrow equipment from the Hazardous Material Unit of the Bureau of Fire and Protection to help in the decontamination and cleanup efforts.

During the Rizal Day bombings on Dec. 30, 2000, Islamist terrorists detonated bombs at Plaza Ferguson in Malate and in a train cab of the Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT Line 1) at the Blumentritt Station, killing a number of people.

The bombs were made of black powder, a known chemical explosive composed of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate, according to authorities.

The NBRC truck is equipped with modern instruments, gears, and communication systems to help rescuers effectively handle and control NBRC incidents and hazards, such as fires caused by chemicals or toxic materials. It also has a decontamination tent, according to Johnny Yu, head of the MDRRMO.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Tapales-Geverjuan bundles out no. 2 in Bingo Open tilt PBA Smash Pilipinas’ Nestor Tapales and Alyssa Geverjuan wrested control early then held off second seed Mike Minuluan and Aires Montilla’s fightback, 21-18, 21-19, to barge into the quarterfinal round of the Open mixed doubles in the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament at the CW Home Depot Ortigas in Pasig Wednesday.

Tapales and Geverjuan put on a superb all-around game to send the National U-Team Prima/DLSU pair on the defensive then came through with clutch shots to finish off their rivals in 28 minutes and arrange a Last 8 duel with Melvin Llanes and Eleanor Inlayo.

The UP tandem also pulled off a surprise 19-21, 22-20, 21-14 decision over Kevin Cudiamat and Mariya Sevilla to stay in the hunt for the top P120,000 purse

in the top-ranking event sponsored by the country’s premier gaming and amusement center Bingo Bonanza.

Top seed Alvin Morada and Alyssa Leonardo of PBA Smash rolled past Marco Santiaguel and Alysa Desacola, 21-12, 21-6, to seal a quarters clash with Hanz Bernardo and Channel Lunod, who turned back JC Clarito and Christine Garin, 17-21, 21-15, 21-16.

Also advancing were Ronel Estanislao and Indonesian Keshya Hanadia, Paul Vivas and Thea Pomar, Peter Magnaye and Devi Permatasari, also of Indonesia, and Ros Pedrosa and Sarah Barredo.

Estanislao and Hanadia beat Jerome Pechera and Danica Bolos, 21-14, 21-2; Vivas and Pomar repulsed Andrei Babad and Gelita Castilo, 16-21, 21-12, 21-14; Magnaye and Permatasari routed Sito Fernandez and Angela Ra-

mos, 21-3, 21-13; and Pedrosa and Barredo held off Roberto Pineda and Jessie Francisco.

In men ‘s singles, Alem Palmares of National U upended No. 8 Wilson Lopez of UP, 21-12, 15-21, 21-16, to join the charge of the big guns in the third round, including No. 2 Frell Gabuelo, third seed Ros Pedrosa, No. 4 Orlan Ticala and fifth seed R-Jay Ormilla.

Gabuelo dominated Rabie Oba-ob, 21-14, 21-8; Pedrosa smothered Jerickson Oba-ob, 2116, 21-12; Ticala overpowered Michael Saragena, 21-12, 21-14; and Ormilla whipped Joshua Antonio, 21-4, 21-8.

Meanwhile, action heats up in the men’s and women’s Open singles today (Thursday) with top seeds and PBA Smash Pilipinas mainstays Kevin Cudiamat and Sarah Joy Barredo gunning for quarterfinal berths in their respective divisions.

Stephen Curry high fives Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Dubs are GMs’ pick to win NBA crown L

OS ANGELES —The Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming favorites for the 2016-2017 National Basketball Association crown, a survey of the league’s general managers showed Tuesday.

The Warriors, beaten in last year’s finals by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, are backed by a whopping 69% of GMs to regain the title they last won in 2015.

The Warriors lost an epic NBA Finals duel against the Cavs in June, being pipped 4-3 in the bestof-seven series.

However since that bit-

ter defeat the Warriors have strengthened their squad with the addition of Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant.

Only 31 percent of GMs polled backed James and the Cavaliers to mount a successful defence of their title.

Unsurprisingly, the Warriors and the Cavs are the overwhelm-

ing favorites to top their respective conferences, both coming out on top with 96.7%.

The Warriors were backed to finish ahead of the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference, while the Cavs were expected to finish first ahead of Toronto and Boston in the East.

Golden State’s stellar line-up was also tipped to be the most likely to be fun to watch, with 93.3% of the votes.

Nevertheless, while the Warriors remained overwhelming favorites, Cleveland talisman James was tipped to be the season MVP, with 46.7% of the votes, ahead of

Tria, Bayking boost Bacolod tennis cast

Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook 23.3% and Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Houston’s James Harden, both with 10%.

The survey however found that Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns was the most coveted player in the league. Asked to name the one player they could sign if they were starting a franchise, Towns topped the poll with 48.3%, ahead of Durant (20.7%) and James (17.2%).

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was named as the best international player in the league with 27.6% ahead of Memphis’s Marc Gasol and the evergreen Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas. AFP

NIO Tria and Bliss Bayking gear up for a tough challenge as they banner the field in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala Dangcagan, Bacolod leg regional tennis tournament which gets going Thursday at the Center Court, Panaad and Manville tennis clubs.

Over 200 entries are vying for top honors in various divisions of the event, which also stakes ranking points, with the Manila-based Tria and Bayking from San Carlos City, Negros seeking a pair of titles each in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

While he earns the top seeding in the boys’ 16-and-under class, Tria is ranked No. 3 behind top seed Karl Baran and No. 2 Lorenzo Legaspi in the premier 18-U category, which also drew the likes of Troy Llamas, Arvin Toledo, Reynan Mahusay,

Palmes leads The Turf Company golf winners celebratory cocktail party in the evening capped the occasion.

The Turf Company awarded Palmes of Orchard Golf & Country Club as this year’s Overall Champion while Ricky Delos Santos of Philippine Army Golf Club got the Lowest Gross Champion prize and was given a citation as the “Longest Drive” at 287 yards off the Tee. Other winners included Juanchit Jose of The Finix Corp. and Toto Pelor of MF3 International, Division 1 Champion and runnerup respectively; Col. Art Viyo of Philippine Navy Golf Club and Jared Sto. Tomas of Sta Lucia Land Inc., Division 2 Champion and runner-up respectively; Maril Davies Santos also of Sta Lucia Land as Division 3 Champion and Johnny Destago of South Forbes Golf & Country Club as runner up. Juanchit Jose also received the “Nearest to the Pin” citation at 9” to the Pin and

THE Turf Company, one of the country’s leading and most trusted distributors of precision mowing equipment, irrigation systems, golf cars and other utility vehicles, gathered its partners, clients, and friends together for its “3rd Turf Company Invitational Golf Tournament” topped recently by Jelly Palmes of the host The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

At the helm of the event was The Turf Company President and COO Mario Lopez who was ably assisted by his team of engineers, sales personnel as well as administrative staff.

A symbolic tee off was led by Lopez, The Finix Corporation General Manager Juanchit Jose, and HKR President Krister Stelton. Some 110 participants from the country’s premier golf courses joined the tournament.

The awarding ceremonies and a

Ruben Hermosilla of KC Filipinas Golf Club got the award for “The Most Accurate Drive.”

The Toro Company, the industry leader in turf and landscape maintenance based in the USA and one of The Turf Company’s flagship brands, was the major sponsor for the event.

The Turf Company has been the distributor of the Toro brand of golf course maintenance equipment and irrigation systems for more than 28 years now.

Toro officials Cameron Russell, Business Manager for Asia and Andrew Price, Sales Manager for Southeast Asia and New Zealand, graced the event.

“The Turf Company is the choice of most golf courses here in the Philippines because of its consistency, quality and superior sales service—the same core principles that we, at Toro, uphold” Russell said.

averaged 205.73 and stayed within striking distance of the other women champions 68 countries after finishing 16th after 10 games.

The other Filipino aspirant in the week-long tournament—Raoul Miranda—was still playing his third block of five games, along with pintopplers from 78 other countries.

Games Today

Photo shows (from left) Krister Stelton, HKR Corp. president; Juanchit Jose, GM, The Finix Corporation; Mario Lopez, President and COO of The Turf Company; Cameron Russell, Business Manager for Asia, The Toro Company and Andrew Price, Sales Manager for Southeast Asia and New Zealand, The Toro Company

Singapore’s Bernice Lim paced the women’s field with 3349 for a 223.27 average.

Germany’s Nadine Geissler checked in second with 3213, followed by Australia’s Rebecca Whiting (3212), Sweden’s Jenny Wegner (3200), England’s Lisa John (3195), the US’ Danielle McEwan (3184), Posa-

das, Indonesia’s Sharon Limansantoso (3069), Brazil’s Roberta Rodrigues (3038, Malaysia’s Syaidatul Afifah (3006), Netherlands’ Lisanne Breeschoten (3005) and Mexico’s Iliana Lomeli (3004).

After 10 games, Miranda was in 29th position but he was confident of making the 24-man field in the

second round.

The Philippines has already produced international champions in the past, led by Paeng Nepomuceno, so far the only bowler to have won the World Cup four times.

The other past Filipino winners were the late Lita dela Rosa, Bong Coo and C. J. Suarez.

8th European Bridge Championships T H E 8th European Open Br idge Championships will be held at Congress Centre & Teatro Verdi in Montecatini Terme (Italy) from 10th to 24th June 2017.

The Championships comprise the following competitions: Mixed Pairs, Mixed Teams, Open, Women’s and Senior’s Teams, Open, Women’s and Seniors’ Pairs.

This event is organized by the European Bridge League (EBL) in cooperation with the Italian Bridge Federation (FIGB).

-oOoI feature an interesting deal

from the Spingold 2015, 1V as reported by Kit Wolsey.

After half of the 2015 Spingold final, Cayne led Monaco by 8 imps.

On the next deal (Board 32), Cayne missed a couple of opportunities for a sizable pickup: South dealer Neither West vulnerable North ♠AKJ8 ♥6 ♦A632 ♣10843

West ♠764 ♥1084 ♦K107 ♣KJ96

East ♠Q1092 ♥KQJ532 ♦98 ♣2

Pass Passing this sort of double Pass isn’t fashionable these days, and a reasonable contract was In the Open room, Fantoni- reached. As the cards lie, five Nunes were warned about hearts. diamonds would have had little Three hearts suggested heart or no chance on a club or heart shortness, so Fantoni should have lead, but Helness creatively led aimed at five of a minor. Declarer the ten of spades, a blessing to South West North East Fantoni Fisher Nunes Schwartz did the best he could ducking two a trick-starved declarer. Verrounds of hearts and winning the sace won with the jack, played a 1NT Pass 2♣* Pass Double third round, discarding diamonds heart to dummy’s (South’s) ace, 2♦ Pass 2♥+ Pass Pass 3♥+ Pass from dummy. He ran the jack of and ruffed a heart. At this point, 3NT Pass Pass Pass diamonds, led a diamond to the declarer could have succeeded ace, and a club to the queen. If had he known how the cards Closed Room king-or jack-, singleton or double- lay, but he sensibly tried a club ton, of clubs had been outside, he finesse. Helgemo won and gave South West North East would have staggered home, but his partner a ruff: down one; Lauria Helgemo Verscae Helness he wound up down two.

2imps to Cayne.

1♣ Pass 1♦ 1♥ In the Closed Room, Helness 2♦ 2♥ Double§ 3♥ offered his opponents 800 with Comments to: sylvia.alejanPass Pass Double Pass the dangerous three hearts. dro@yahoo South ♠53 ♥A97 ♦QJ54 ♣AQ75 Open Room

TIP Engineers try to rebound (Olivarez Sports Center) 12 noon - Olivarez vs TIP 2 p.m. - San Lorenzo vs Diliman College

Posadas jumps to 7th in Bowling World Cup elimination PHIILIPPINE champion Lara Posadas carded 3086 pinfalls after 15 games yesterday and remained on target for one of 24 slots in the second round of the 52nd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup international finals at Hao’s Center in Shanghai, China.

With her consistent performance, Posadas jumped to 7th,

Vince Apostol and Bryan Bayking.

Bayking, on the other hand, is fancied in the girls’ 14-U side but is expected to have her hands full in the 16-U and 18-U classes, headlined by Tracy Llamas, Kiana de Asis and Valerie Desoyo.

“While we expect Tria and Bayking to dominate, we also see a number of reversals, this being a Group 2 tournament and a number of unranked stars raring to prove their worth and gain ranking points,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

The host has also tapped three venues to accommodate the big number of entries that has marked the circuit’s staging year-in, yearout. The event, sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball, also serves as part of the Bacolod Masskara Festival.

4♥ 5♥

Pass Pass

5♣ Pass

TECHNOLOGICAL Institute of the Philippines tries to bounce back from a crushing defeat, while Olivarez College goes for its third straight win when they collide today in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranaque City.

The TIP Engineers and the Olivarez Sea Lions clash at 12 noon with both teams bracing for an exciting finish as they try to untangle themselves from a share for second to third places with similar 2-1 records.

Owing to their 72-64 win over Diliman College last Monda, the Sea Lions are slightly favored over the Engineers who are still smarting from an 81-65 defeat to Centro Escolar University three days back.

The CEU Scorpions remain as the only unbeaten squad in the tournament organized by UCAL and sponsored by Euro-Med and Lamoiyan Corp. with a 3-0 card.

Expected to carry load for the Sea Lions are Provil Bermudez and Vin Belasco – the same players who hit key baskets in the team’s latest win.

Bermudez boosted his stock in the tournament by scoring 17 points the last time.

Meantime, Colegio de San Lorenzo goes for its first back-to-back wins when it meets Diliman College in a showdown between two Quezon City schools.

The CDSL Griffins ended two straight defeats with a 94-88 win over the Bulacan State University Gold Gears.

CDSL coach Boni Garcia will once again lean on the scoring prowess of Charles Callano and Joseph Gabriel who combined for 41 points the last time.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

A8

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Sports

Racela to take over as Texters’ coach

By Jeric Lopez

Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo loses his footing while driving to the basket as UE’s Shannon Gate gives chase in a UAAP game won by the Eagles, 75-61.

Brosi Gonzales

Mendoza’s treys power Eagles past UE Warriors J

OLLO Mendoza was hot yesterday.

His three three-point shots found their mark in the second period and helped propel the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 75-61 smothering of the University of the East Warriors in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

This far in the season, the six-foot Mendoza said he is finally getting comfortable in his role as a point guard of the Blue Eagles, a shift from his old position in high school when he played shooting guard and small forward.

“I just got more opportunities to score, thanks to my teammates for

giving me open looks,” said Mendoza after the Blue Eagles posted their fifth win in nine matches.

Mendoza led with 15 points, including three timely treys, which helped Ateneo turn the tables on UE at halftime, 42-37.

His first trey came with 6:06

Games Saturday

(Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. FEU vs UP 4 p.m. UE vs Adamson

left, allowing Ateneo to come back from nine points down, 26-32.

He struck again twice in succession, after Adrian unloaded his own threepointer in the last 58 seconds, giving Ateneo a 42-35 lead in the ensuing play.

“He’s very understanding and learning on his new position as point guard.

And it’s not an easy task for him,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

The Warriors behind Philip Manalang with 16 points, took a commanding 23-9 lead in the first period, before Ateneo’s outside shooting

whittled down their advantage.

Jollo Go’s drive and triple towards the end of the third period saw Ateneo taking a 60-48 spread.

Thirdy Ravena added 14 points for Ateneo while Wong provided 11, with his trey with 4:13 sending them to an 18-point spread, 69-51.

In the other senior game, Ben Mbala struck with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while Aljun Melecio added 18 for the La Salle Green Archers in their 113-88 swamping of the National University Bulldogs.

This sent the Green Archers to their 10th straight victory and kept them on track for a place in the Final Four, while NU fell to fifth with their fourth straight loss in a 4-5 card.

Melecio hit 10 points in the second period as the Green Archers moved ahead, 56-49, at halftime.

Mbala made 12 in the third canto in keeping the Green Archers in front, 85-75, at the end of the third.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas hopes to maintain its streak of winning at least one championship every year as the UAAP Season 79 taekwondo tournament kicks off today at the Blue Eagle gym.

The four-day competition opens with the poomsae event, where the Growling Tigers, starring veteran internationalists Jocelyn Ninobla and Rodolfo Reyes Jr., are gunning for their third title in four years. Peter Atencio

Volero boosts semis bid; PSL-F2 vows to do better

By Peter Atencio OLESIA Rykhliuk fired 19 points to lead Volero Zurich to a 25-19, 25-15, 25-17 beating of Hisamitsu Spring Kobe Thursday in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 6’3” opposite hitter from Ukraine asserted herself right in the second set, with her strong presence at the net sending Volero to a 7-3 lead which they protected.

Her big effort sent them to their second straight wi, and put them in contention for the semifinals in Pool B. They took the lead right away following an ace from Bulgarian spiker Dobriana Rabadshieva.

The Japanese spikers took

Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 10 a.m. – Bangkok Glass vs Hisamitsu 1 p.m. – Rexona-Sesc vs Eczacibasi 4:30 p.m. – VakifBank vs Volero Zurich 7:30 p.m. – PSL-F2 Logistics vs Pomi Casalmaggiore

charge in third with a 9-8 edge off Yuki Ishii. But a 6-2 run coming from frontline plays by Rykhliuk and Natalya Mammadova turned the tables around as they took charge again, 14-11.

Attacks from Foluke Akinradewo widened their edge, 22-14.

Meanwhile, the spikers of PSL-F2 Logistics Manila promise to do better in their next match in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships.

Brazilian team Rexona Sesc Rio prevailed over the Filipino

squad, 25-15, 25-13, 25-20, late Tuesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Team skipper Rachel Daquis said they fell short of expectations, but the squad will be much better when they meet Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy in their next match on Thursday.

“We fell short. But me and the girls will do our best in the next game. We have trust in each other,” said Daquis.

The Filipinas, behind American reinforcement Stephanie Niemer, started strong in the third set to take a 14-7 lead.

But the much-experienced Brazilian club, which got 13 points each from Anne Bujis and Ana Carolina Da Silva, fought back with an 8-1 run and tied the contest, 15-all.

runner-up to Pocari Sweat in the Open Conference early this year, remained tied for sixth with UP at 2-3 and will need to sweep its last two games against UP and Customs and hope that three from Pocari, BaliPure, Laoag and UP won’t go over four wins to force a playoff for the last semis seat in the seasonending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

The Lady Dolphins actually put up a gutsy stand in the second set and kept the game close but a series of mishits enabled the Jet Spikers to pull away again in the end.

It was cruise control in the third with Air Force posting a 16-6 lead

‘Thai king a great backer of boxing’

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Members of the PSL-F2 Logistics Manila celebrate a point made during its game against Rexona Sesc Rio. Roman Prospero

Jet Spikers crush Lady Dolphins, stay in hunt AIR Force checked its two-game slide with a methodical 25-11, 2519, 25-8 victory over a hapless Coast Guard side yesterday to keep its slim semifinals hopes alive in the Shakeys’ V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Jet Spikers imposed their will on the net while pouncing on the Lady Dolphins poor reception and floor defense to post the lopsided 60-minute win in a big rebound from their four-set and shutout losses to the Laoag Power Smashers and BaliPure Water Defenders, respectively, last week.

Despite the victory, Air Force,

THE carousel and movements remain a constant in the Philippine Basketball Association at the moment, and this time, it was TNT KaTropa’s turn to make a move.

The Tropang Texters are reportedly set to appoint longtime assistant coach Nash Racela as their new head coach in lieu of Jong Uichico.

Despite an already talentloaded line-up, which was further boosted by the arrival of this season’s top two two picks in Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, TNT KaTropa still failed to make a mark this season, only making the semifinals once, this Governors’ Cup, and failing to even make the finals.

Hence, this coaching swap was decided by the management. TNT’s failure to make the finals this third conference despite dominating throughout signaled the need for a change even more.

Uichico will exit after coaching the team for two seasons and producing one championship, the Commissioner’s Cup crown in 2015.

This will be the first time that Racela will take charge as a head coach in the PBA after serving as an assistant coach for most of his career.

He is expected to start taking over the team once his duties with Far Eastern University are finished.

Racela is still currently handling the FEU Tamaraws in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines season wherein they are looking to repeat as champions.

He led the Tamaraws to their first championship in a decade last year.

This is already the third coaching change in the league in the past month.

TNT’s sister team NLEX lured coach Yeng Guiao from Rain or Shine two weeks ago, forcing the Elasto Painters to re-appoint coach Caloy Garcia as their head tactician.

Games Saturday

12:30 p.m. – Army vs Champion Supra (S Turf) 4 p.m. – UP vs BaliPure (V League) 6 p.m. – Pocari vs Customs (V League)

before finishing off their rivals with hits on set and combination plays, tip-ins and on their rivals’ errors.

“Unlike in our losses, we played as a team today (yesterday),” said Dell Palomata, who finished with seven attack points for an eightpoint total and clinched the best player of the game honors. “We’ll just have to play with more confidence and improve on our communication in our last two games.”

Mary Ann Pantino topscored for Air Force with 10 hits while Jennifer Manzano and Judy Ann Caballejo added six points apiece and Joy Cases, Iari Yongco and Mae Antipuesto chipped in five hits each.

Air Force unloaded 44 kills against Coast Guard’s measly 14-attack effort with the Jet Spikers also producing seven aces and four blocks to dominate the Lady Dolphins in tournament backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

Grenlen Malapit had five points while Sam Dawson and Hazel Mea made four and three hits, respectively, for the ousted Coast Guard,

which fell to 0-5.

Earlier, Air Force rolled to its third straight victory, beating Army, 25-22, 27-25, 25-17, to close in on the first semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Third Conference, also at Philsports.

Ten of coach Rhovyl Verayo’s men scored with Mark Alfafara leading the attack wtih 14 points and Bryan Bagunas adding 11 markers.

Top setter Jessie Lopez had another field day distributing the balls to the Air Force hitters with Bagunas, Nino Jerus, Ruben Inaudito and Edwin Tolentino combining with Alfafara to finish off the Troopers in three.

WORLD Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman mourns the passing of one of the most influential persons to have ever supported the sport, King Bhumibol Aduluyadej, who passed away last week in Bangkok, Thailand.

“The King was a strong supporter and his dedication and determination opened the doors of his country to International Boxing and also opened the doors of the world to Muaythai, which is the national sport in the Kingdom of Siam,” said Sulaiman.

Sulaiman noted that Thailand had very little international activity in professional boxing up until the early 1980s.

“The late Sombhop Srismvongse, along with Edward Thangarajah visited my dear father Jose Sulaiman during the WBC´s annual convention in Korea in 1982 and then the future of Thailand´s boxing began,” said Sulaiman.

He said his father Don Jose Sulaiman changed his itinerary and flew from Korea to Thailand and spent two weeks putting together an action plan to organize a professional boxing structure.

My father was fortunate to meet the King in many occasions and it was the King´s wish to see Muaythai be respected worldwide as there is too much confusion with the so many mixed martial arts. The WBC formed the WBC Muaythai committee which sanctions events worldwide.

Sulaiman recalled that “The WBC has celebrated 6 world annual conventions in Thailand, 3 in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phucket and Pattaya. The world of boxing loves Thailand and there are so many stories that can be written through this formidable 35 years of activity.”

Ayala set to invest P80b in eneregy

B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

B1

Labor: ‘Endos’ likely to stay

By Othel V. Campos

T

he Labor Department plans to come up with amendments to the so-called winwin proposal of the Trade Department to resolve the end-of-contract issue by the end of this month.

Labor Undersecretary Josephus Jimenez told a business forum in Makati City Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez was agreeable in most terms but some needed fine-tuning.

“We need to iron out some definitions to eliminate ambiguity as well as have flexibility on the ratio of regular to contrac-

tual employees since, I believe, industries have their own unique realities. At the end of the day, I think (the Department of Labor) cannot abolish contractualization, they can only put restrictions,” he said.

A Labor administrative order will undergo revisions to incorporate some of the concepts that

other sectors and industries have put forward before its release by the end of the month.

One of the concepts that should be defined is core activity that many human resources people were not aware of, Jimenez said.

Another issue that will affect operations of most companies in the Philippines is the target ratio of regular employees to nonregular as proposed by the Trade Department. The ratio currently stands at 60-40 in favor of regular employees.

Trade has proposed a ratio of 80 percent regular and 20 percent non-regular employees, which is seen to affect industries with operational peaks, such as those in

the tourism sector.

Jimenez noted that more private companies had learned to accept that the scheme of end-ofcontract (endo) was illegal and should be stopped.

“But do not stop the entire system of outsourcing. Because outsourcing is the thing that gives you competitive advantage. Without outsourcing all the investors will go to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei,” he said.

The Philippines has become competitive in the outsourcing industry, making it one the leaders in the sectors for two decades now.

The plan to stop the contrac-

tualization scheme has been opposed by many sectors and is seen as a threat to the labor system employed in all exportoriented economic zones in the Philippines.

“What is positive now is that the Labor Department has agreed on a modus vivendi through massive consultations with the different sectors affected by this measure,” said Jimenez.

The Trade Department was the first to initiate a win-win proposal as the solution to stop the endof-contract schemes and push for improved contract terms to ensure workers with full regular status and mandatory retirement and separation benefits.

IN BRIEF Hyundai’s sales up 50% in 9 months

HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country, said Wednesday sales in the first nine months jumped 50 percent to 25,021 vehicles from 16,703 units recorded in the same period in 2015.

“Nearing the close of 2016, a more favorable outlook is seen for the remainder of the year as Hyundai is likely to maintain its growth momentum, mirroring the vitality of the country’s economy and its fast-growing automotive industry. With an endless potential, the company will continue to relentlessly satisfy its customers with its line-up of modern premium products and services,” said Hari president and chief executive Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Hari said both the passenger car and light commercial vehicle segments posted sales growth of 56 percent percent and 37 percent, respectively to 17,744 and 7,277 units.

Meanwhile, third-quarter sales soared 53 percent for the passenger car segment to 6,537 from 4,283 units while the light commercial vehicle segment increased sales by 23 percent to 2,122 from 1,731 units.

Total third-quarter sales went up 44 percent to 8,659 from 6,014 units. Othel V. Campos

SEC to summon Liberty on sale

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing OCTOBER 19, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,721.57 150.42

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing OCTOBER 19, 2016 43.00 44.00 45.00

P48.160

46.00

CLOSE

48.00

HIGH P48.110 LOW P48.270 AVERAGE P48.160 VOLUME 871.800M

P427-P632.00 LPG/11-kg tank P34.95-P44.65 Unleaded Gasoline

OPRICES IL TODAY

P26.80-P30.15 Diesel

NEW CLARK BUILDINGS. Guests and officials of Global Gateway Development Corp. perform the topping off ceremony for One West and Two West Towers, Quad I at the Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province. Shown are (from left) Clark Development Corp. officer-in-charge Noel Manankil, CB Richard Ellis chairman and chief executive Rick Santos, GGDC chief investment officer Evan McBride, GGDC president Michael Russell, Barings Private Equity Asia managing director Malcolm Lai, Asia Debt Management Hong Kong Limited investment manager Jamie Kim, Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive Alex Cauguiran, GGDC chief executive Mark Williams and EEI Corp. president and chief executive Bobby Castillo.

Customs collection increases 7% to P288b

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Bureau of Customs said import tariff collection increased 7.4 percent year-on-year in the first nine months, but still fell below the target for the period.

Customs said in a statement collection in January to September reached P288.1 billion, up from P268.2 billion in the same period a year ago.

The nine-month collection, however, was 30.5 percent behind the revised target of P409 billion for 2016.

The inter-agency Development Budget and Coordination

Software industry eyes $7-b revenues by 2022

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, October 19, 2016

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.3670

Japan

Yen

0.009629

0.4657

UK

Pound

1.229900

59.4866

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128884

6.2337

Switzerland

Franc

1.010816

48.8901

Canada

Dollar

0.762951

36.9017

Singapore

Dollar

0.721813

34.9119

Australia

Dollar

0.766200

37.0588

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654703

128.4000

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266724

12.9006

Brunei

Dollar

0.719217

34.7864

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028536

1.3802

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.1697

Euro

Euro

1.098300

53.1215

Korea

Won

0.000890

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.148328

7.1742

India

Rupee

0.014987

0.7249

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237812

11.5023

New Zealand

Dollar

0.718700

34.7614

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031724

1.5344 Source: PDS Bridge

Committee earlier reduced the 2016 target collection by 18 percent from P498.64 billion to P409 billion.

Data from the bureau’s financial service showed that in September alone, the agency collected P33.951 billion, or almost P1 billion higher than P33.002 billion in August.

The September collection was also 4 percent higher than P32.651 billion a year ago.

“The monthly revenue being collected by the bureau has been increasing since the administration of commissioner Nicanor Faeldon posted a P30.278-bil-

THE Philippine Software Industry Association said Wednesday it expects revenues to reach $7 billion and employ about 200,000 people by 2022.

“We are [expecting] a little over $3 billion [in revenues] this year and we are looking at growing this significantly by 2020 to the tune of $5 billion to $7 billion,” PSIA president Jonathan De Luzuriaga told reporters in a news briefing.

De Luzuriaga said in terms of employment, the sector expects to generate 200,000 jobs by 2022, up from 123,000 this year.

“There’s still so much opportunity for growth,” he said.

De Luzuriaga, who is also an executive at Spring Valley Inc., said the Philippines should develop further homegrown talents and “techno-preneurs” who could fur-

ther push the Philippines into new areas of software services.

He said the young, technology-savvy entrepreneurs could be trained to become more attuned to changing to consumer requirements, with ability to come up with new and innovative services.

De Luzuriaga said more companies were becoming familiar with the use of cloud computing, but the industry was also seeing more utilization on mobile space, app-based consumer facilities and the use of social media platforms for service-orientated communication.

“We need to come up with new products that will serve not just the domestic market but the global market as well. There’s a wider variety of development going on and the local software industry has to hit the ground running on this,” he said.

lion revenue collection for July,” Customs said in the statement.

September collection, however, was still 5.1 percent below the P35.790-billion target revenue for the month. Customs said “it is expected to increase upon the finalization of the report.”

The agency said of the 17 collection districts, six of them already exceeded their collection targets for the month.

Port of Clark collected P225.2 million; Port of Iloilo, P211.8 million; Port of Zamboanga, P19.5 million; Port of Cebu, P1.759 billion; Port of Davao, P1.052 billion; and Port of

Batangas, P8.529 billion.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Container Terminal posted a collection of P10.583 billion based on initial reports, and nearing its P10.601 billion target.

Faeldon welcomed this improvement in the revenue collection. “It depends on our ability to address other issues that we can improve the revenue collection,” Faeldon said.

Faeldon said the eradication of corruption―which his leadership was currently working on―would help the bureau yield higher revenue collection.

WORLD’S BEST.

PayMaya, the country’s leading payments app, is recognized by Emerging Payments Association as the world’s best online payments solution for enabling instant access to the digital economy. Accepting the award from Joanne Deaves (left) of IDT Finance during the 9th Emerging Payments Awards ceremonies held in London is Paolo Azzola, co-chief operating officer and managing director of PayMaya Philippines. The digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications Inc., the PayMaya app provides uncarded Filipinos instant access to a virtual payments card that can be reloaded and used immediately for online shopping.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission is set to issue a show cause order on Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. for non-disclosure of the reassignment of coveted frequencies.

The SEC said the reassignment of the frequencies was considered a material information that the investing public should be made aware of.

Sources said SEC’s market securities and regulation department was now drafting a show cause order against Liberty Telecoms which would penalize the company for its failure to timely disclose the reassignment of frequencies.

Liberty Telecoms said it could still appeal the MSRD’s show cause order.

The SEC earlier asked Liberty Telecoms to explain why it should not be held liable for its failure to disclose the reassignment of frequencies in its annual and quarterly reports.

SEC findings showed the frequency reassignment from Liberty Telecoms to sister company BellTell was first made only on July 29, 2016 or 16 months after the deal was made.

Iran wants more PH bananas IRAN wants to buy more bananas from the Philippines as both countries move to foster better economic ties, the Finance Department said Wednesday.

Iran Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammad Tanhaei said in a courtesy call to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that Tehran was keen on improving economic relations with Manila.

Tanhei said Iran planned to import more bananas from the Philippines and explore areas of investment and cooperation in infrastructure and energy.

Tanhae said Iran also wanted to strengthen the relations between the central banks of both countries to pave the way for Iranian investors in the Philippines.

The ambassador said a deputy minister of Iran’s Finance Ministry would visit the Philippines in the first week of November to discuss a framework of cooperation. Tanhaei said he would also invite the head of Iran’s Central Bank to visit the Philippines to discuss issues on banking cooperation with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Dominguez welcomed Tanhae’s proposal and assured that he would “be happy to assist him” and “will certainly welcome all of Iran’s officials” to Manila to help reinvigorate bilateral relations.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

B2

Business

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market soars; PXP, Cemex up S TOCKS soared for a second day, sending the benchmark index to a three-week high, as Chinese economic growth met estimates and on signs US monetary policy will remain accommodative.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, jumped 150 points, or 2 percent, to close at 7,721.57 Tuesday. This pushed up total gains this year to 11.1 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, climbed 74 points, or 1.7 percent, to settle at 4,534.49, on a value turnover of P12.2 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 119 to 76, while 40 issues were unchanged.

All six sectors advanced, while the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by PXP

early gains were pared as dealers shrugged at news China’s economy had stabilized in the third quarter.

News that China grew at 6.7 percent during July-September, beating a forecast in an AFP poll, came as relief following a years-long slowdown in the country that has been a major drag on economies from Asia to the Americas.

While that figure is within the government’s target of 6.5-7.0 percent for the year, it compares to the 6.9 percent annual rate in 2015, the slowest pace in a quarter of a century.

And analysts said there was little in the data to drive big moves and it would likely mean Beijing will hold off any fresh stimulus measures.

“China won’t do anything new in terms of policy because

Energy Corp., formerly Philex Petroleum Corp., which jumped 10.2 percent to P4.45, as President Rodrigo Duterte visited China to calm tension over the South China Sea, where PXP has a major interest in oil and gas reserves.

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. climbed 9 percent to P78.50, while Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. gained 5.7 percent to P11.60. Universal Robina Corp. rose 5.1 percent to P185.

Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday but

the economy isn’t sliding,” Ben Kwong, a Hong Kong-based director at KGI Asia, told Bloomberg News.

“Under these conditions, the market doesn’t really have a direction. It needs to wait for news on US [interest] rates.”

Shanghai ended flatand Hong Kong gave up 0.1 percent in the afternoon.

However, Tokyo closed 0.2 percent higher and Sydney— where several listed firms have interests in China—rose 0.5 percent. Seoul was slightly higher, Singapore put on 0.2 percent in late trade, Taipei added 0.7 percent and Manila soared 1.8 percent.

China’s yuan benefited from the data release, climbing against the dollar for the first time in eight sessions.

The dollar struggled to recover from Tuesday’s losses against the yen after dealers were left unimpressed by US inflation data that analysts said did nothing to strengthen the case for a US interest rate hike.

A below-forecast reading on producer inflation “was not sufficient to derail the prospects of a December Fed lift off, but certainly continues to support the gradual and flat pace of rate hikes into 2017”, Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA, said in a note.

The dollar also suffered selling against most high-yielding AsiaPacific currencies, with the South Korean won up 0.6 percent and Indonesia’s rupiah gaining 0.1 percent. There were also healthy gains for Thailand’s baht and the Malaysian ringgit.

With AFP, Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIAL 3.6 72,000 47.6 43,200 103.9 1,863,200 114 5,551,460 1.41 665,000 38 64,500 16.64 5,600 19.64 484,000 6.7 1,100 0.73 4,000 675 10 0.86 19,923,000 86 6,577,140 14.16 260,000 22 900 57.6 35,750 267.8 2,260 152.2 4,320 96.8 90 38 1,596,600 232.4 1,193,840 1,505 375 75.2 101,060

255,540 2,058,020 194,054,590 629,685,668 966,640 2,450,880 92,556 9,474,798 7,328 2,770 6,750 17,242,200 564,643,215.50 3,681,600 19,810 2,042,391.50 595,214 663,656 8,888 57,561,330 274,764,712 559,675 7,595,653.50

1,487,605 39,055,299 392,197,603 2,787,328 -140,800 -97,868,657 431,103.50 -1,041,795 35,588,556 3,456,788.50

46.25 3.88 0.9 1.45 15 66.1 10.98 15.7 22.7 195 60.1 100 2.06 6.41 12.1 11.28 7.24 7.38 5.9 23.2 70.55 12 16.02 6.04 2.02 245.8 79.8 4.15 30.05 27.7 14.96 284.8 0.245 3.04 10.5 11.18 2.14 5.9 1.45 3.4 215.2 4.16 3.3 0.145 1.7 176.1 4.31 2.12 1.15

INDUSTRIAL 46.4 1,377,000 3.95 2,372,000 0.9 2,155,000 1.5 1,030,000 15.7 1,100 112.3 19,860 11.6 34,137,200 16.2 1,610,200 23.5 669,500 195 40 60.55 17,240 100 1,560 2.14 700,000 6.5 475,800 12.28 15,400 11.38 7,520,700 7.26 692,900 7.38 1,644,900 5.96 11,809,000 23.2 1,193,900 71 356,850 12.4 134,400 16.48 93,800 6.1 1,422,700 2.05 772,000 250.4 412,440 89.9 3,220 4.15 14,000 30.85 3,606,700 28.8 853,000 15.32 1,322,200 285 871,250 0.245 230,000 3.08 1,064,000 10.5 5,851,700 11.5 3,600 2.25 3,156,000 5.96 327,800 1.54 516,000 3.6 323,000 220 2,430 4.2 651,000 3.3 6,000 0.145 2,990,000 1.79 1,128,000 185 6,861,790 4.36 9,000 2.19 3,023,000 1.21 1,600,000

63,881,190 9,299,970 1,967,140 1,525,640 16,570 2,038,971 390,165,782 25,977,240 15,706,765 7,800 1,042,949 156,958 1,480,790 3,088,303 188,284 86,226,572 5,043,154 12,161,258 70,265,838 28,295,835 25,307,443.50 1,618,512 1,538,480 8,674,021 1,576,080 102,756,362 280,839.50 58,750 111,700,765 24,318,660 20,282,352 248,638,722 56,350 3,275,590 61,783,320 41,336 6,894,650 1,951,536 769,450 1,136,190 532,276 2,733,630 19,810 436,090 1,984,860 1,252,269,790 39,940 6,574,830 1,858,910

32,351,865 43,010 49,766 -51,895,564.00 13,238,094 6,900 437,949 -532,690 35,420,102 -2,775,144 -3,385,412 1,903,109 -2,460,675 -20,896,360.50 -1,323,680 336,760 1,127,396 -8,210 39,877,234 32,264 54,430,045 -16,581,195 5,312,810 -138,563,544 2,280,630 -1,432,986.00 -373,340 162,200 499,310 49,590 48,811,521 -

0.365 78.9 15.18 1.25 6 0.33 0.34 851 1,050 8.21 13.2 8 0.212 1,410 75.85 5.2 5.3 0.77 8.08 15.62 7.12 0.036 1.9 80 2.25 693 0.86 1.19 233 0.3 0.26

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 330,000 80 2,491,370 15.18 3,561,900 1.27 38,000 6 55,400 0.34 560,000 0.34 350,000 869 350,830 1,050 10 8.28 1,762,400 13.8 11,727,600 8.06 124,200 0.213 710,000 1,428 138,215 79.45 5,548,140 5.2 1,800 5.3 2,000 0.79 623,000 8.2 1,943,500 15.84 7,456,200 7.25 56,500,900 0.037 15,800,000 1.92 520,000 80.65 284,030 2.25 24,000 700 862,820 0.97 158,000 1.2 237,000 234 8,420 0.31 250,000 0.27 510,000

120,550 198,524,593.50 54,367,904 47,730 333,537 185,650 119,250 304,920,155 10,745 14,592,130 159,670,922 999,332 150,920 197,443,135 437,852,658.50 9,361 10,600 491,150 15,912,079 118,164,902 407,363,427 584,200 996,050 22,924,666.50 54,220 604,054,000 144,330 283,140 1,969,956 76,300 137,300

99,015,945 -18,517,100 6,000 102,000 103,812,970 2,630,290.00 64,409,854 -11,270 40,280 7,273,845 131,992,763 -9,356,167.00 48,338,548 -11,317,061 94,080 -3,058,560.50 226,727,665 -46,800 15,500 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.5 48 103 110.1 1.42 38 16.22 19.1 6.63 0.68 675 0.9 85 14.16 22.05 56.3 260 154 101.2 36.1 223.6 1,495 75.2

3.65 48 104.8 114.1 1.5 38 16.7 19.7 6.7 0.73 675 0.91 86 14.16 22.05 57.9 267.8 154 101.2 38 233 1,510 75.45

3.4 47.3 102.8 110 1.4 37.9 16.22 19.1 6.63 0.68 675 0.83 83 14.16 22 56.3 260 151 96.8 36 223.6 1,490 74.95

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA 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 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 VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

46.55 3.97 0.95 1.45 15 66.15 11.04 15.7 23.45 195 60.5 109 2.06 6.6 12.3 11.3 7.31 7.4 5.9 23.6 70.75 12.66 16.02 6.04 2.05 246 79.8 4.2 30.05 28 14.96 287 0.245 3.08 10.6 11.5 2.25 5.96 1.46 3.4 219 4.2 3.31 0.147 1.72 176.1 4.31 2.12 1.18

46.55 4.02 0.95 1.5 15.7 112.3 11.76 16.22 23.5 195 60.55 109 2.14 6.64 12.34 11.68 7.38 7.44 5.96 24 71 12.68 16.48 6.15 2.06 252 89.9 4.2 31.5 28.8 15.46 288.4 0.245 3.09 10.7 11.5 2.3 5.96 1.54 3.65 220 4.2 3.31 0.147 1.8 185 4.61 2.21 1.21

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

0.37 78.9 15.3 1.25 6.01 0.33 0.345 856 1,099 8.33 13.2 8.05 0.212 1,410 76 5.21 5.3 0.78 8.2 15.8 7.12 0.037 1.92 80.9 2.27 693 0.86 1.19 233.6 0.305 0.26

0.37 80 15.5 1.28 6.1 0.345 0.345 880 1,099 8.33 13.8 8.06 0.214 1,432 79.9 5.21 5.3 0.81 8.2 15.92 7.3 0.037 1.93 81 2.27 703 0.98 1.2 234 0.31 0.27

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

7.5 1.07 6.9 2.37 0.27 37.4 2.86 5.06 0.6 1.17 1.08 0.15 0.64 54.5 0.76 0.149 1.79 0.99 1.14 4.31 0.184 0.41 3.43 30.7 1.59 3.26 27.8 1.04

7.5 1.1 6.9 2.37 0.27 38.1 2.89 5.08 0.61 1.17 1.08 0.151 0.67 55.95 0.76 0.149 1.81 1 1.14 4.38 0.186 0.425 3.45 31.45 1.61 3.29 28.9 1.07

7.23 1.05 6.7 2.31 0.27 37.35 2.86 5.06 0.58 1.12 1.05 0.149 0.64 54 0.76 0.14 1.78 0.98 1.14 4.29 0.171 0.41 3.33 30.7 1.59 3.26 27.35 1.03

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

6 1 5.27

7.1 1 5.28

6 0.97 5.14

7.1 0.98 5.16

700 116,000 5,411,500

4,750 113,510 28,043,633

-2,360,887

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA 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 MACROASIA 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

7.61 48.25 1.29 0.51 11.48 5.21 5.13 0.085 3.19 107 9.94 6.82 2.5 2.86 1,938 6.23 13.52 17.02 2.15 17 135 78.1 0.0094 10.8 9.23 0.223 1.43 3.44 12.26 5 2.02 2.25 2 4.02 4.97 22.4 3.05 11.32 5.45 2.53 137.1 8.5 1,640 1.05 0.4 41.1 72 5.65 2.84 0.8 3.26 0.34 5.15

7.75 48.25 1.41 0.53 11.48 5.34 5.26 0.088 3.25 108.1 9.94 6.82 2.5 2.86 1,942 6.25 13.98 17.02 2.16 17.5 135 79 0.0094 11.8 9.23 0.224 1.46 3.44 13.1 5.2 2.12 2.25 2 4.14 5.03 28 3.18 11.32 5.45 2.53 137.2 9.1 1,688 1.06 0.41 42.7 78.5 5.74 2.94 0.8 3.28 0.35 5.7

7.61 47.9 1.29 0.51 11.4 5.21 5.08 0.084 3.13 106.6 9.94 6.65 2.39 2.86 1,889 6.22 13.52 17.02 2.12 16 135 77.15 0.0091 10.8 9.1 0.22 1.42 3.31 12.26 5 2.02 2.25 2 3.96 4.91 22 3 11.3 5.16 2.53 137.1 8.49 1,640 1.04 0.4 41.1 72 5.65 2.84 0.76 3.21 0.34 5.13

SERVICES 7.7 48.1 1.41 0.53 11.4 5.34 5.15 0.086 3.13 106.6 9.94 6.8 2.5 2.86 1,900 6.24 13.82 17.02 2.14 17.2 135 77.15 0.0092 11.8 9.2 0.22 1.43 3.41 13.1 5.06 2.05 2.25 2 4.13 4.95 26.8 3.12 11.32 5.16 2.53 137.2 9.04 1,680 1.05 0.41 42.55 78.5 5.7 2.91 0.79 3.24 0.35 5.21

93,700 10,600 18,000 511,000 400 25,200 21,413,600 33,460,000 2,187,000 346,200 200 24,400 48,000 6,000 89,780 47,900 104,100 300 1,158,000 8,100 100 429,440 14,000,000 700 490,000 12,650,000 1,086,000 35,000 821,100 704,400 1,279,000 19,000 20,000 8,598,000 3,701,000 21,100 2,439,000 15,500 4,700 7,000 20 2,725,300 144,430 4,052,000 500,000 3,250,900 4,953,730 114,800 1,837,000 8,384,000 534,000 20,000 487,600

716,424 509,155 24,580 270,560 4,576 131,305 110,669,038 2,887,970 6,903,100 37,162,008 1,988 164,205 115,700 17,160 170,872,775 298,851 1,417,248 5,106 2,470,690 138,880 13,500 33,414,304 129,300 8,060 4,507,425 2,807,890 1,550,030 118,060 10,509,114 3,579,247 2,610,690 42,750 40,000 35,052,350 18,357,450 493,655 7,515,330 175,270 24,367 17,710 2,743 24,130,554 241,625,255 4,270,400 201,700 138,160,950 372,979,900.50 652,229 5,322,790 6,580,480 1,737,890 6,900 2,551,625

41,293 33,223,158 154,690 11,563,019 -40,020,655 136,000 -834,626.50 -141,360 1,671,288 967,410 -890,120 -3,969,100.00 1,667,770 108,940 2,246,930 101,031,655 4,000 2,256,825 -75,337,876 -159,460 3,525,390 -32,470 -499.9999

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 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 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PETROENERGY PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0037 3.2 3.97 0.203 2.1 0.61 0.4 8.04 1.13 0.27 0.192 0.197 0.011 0.011 1.64 7.36 2.88 0.45 0.9 0.011 0.012 4.03 0.012 8.2 4.5 124.5 3.3 0.0097

0.0037 3.2 4.04 0.204 2.1 0.61 0.4 8.48 1.15 0.27 0.204 0.209 0.011 0.011 1.83 7.5 2.88 0.45 0.92 0.012 0.012 4.25 0.012 8.38 4.75 128 3.47 0.0097

0.0036 3.1 3.96 0.203 2.05 0.57 0.38 8.03 1.12 0.255 0.192 0.197 0.011 0.011 1.64 7.31 2.85 0.45 0.9 0.011 0.012 4.03 0.012 8.15 4.4 124.5 3.2 0.0097

MINING & OIL 0.0036 19,000,000 3.12 335,000 4.03 229,000 0.203 1,000,000 2.05 9,000 0.58 566,000 0.395 1,080,000 8.2 1,700 1.14 98,503,000 0.255 370,000 0.199 21,290,000 0.197 5,510,000 0.011 23,400,000 0.011 7,000,000 1.73 5,149,000 7.34 3,183,500 2.86 4,000 0.45 80,000 0.9 158,000 0.012 600,000 0.012 50,100,000 4.25 8,000 0.012 6,100,000 8.3 2,089,000 4.45 58,022,000 126.5 970,100 3.35 357,000 0.0097 1,000,000

68,500 1,061,970 919,820 203,350 18,700 330,610 423,550 13,823 112,023,730 95,400 4,209,360 1,105,400 257,400 77,000 9,034,020 23,541,287 11,470 36,000 142,230 7,100 601,200 33,770 73,200 17,249,570 264,347,600 122,887,730 1,202,120 9,700

-108,550 86,900 32,892,040.00 -478,950 29,180 1,427,959 -787,482.00 -1,583,830 2,376,704 -190 -

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

48 103.5 114.5 115.5 510.5 6.2 1,091 110.8 77.1 80.5 76.4 78 77 77.5

48 103.5 114.5 115.5 537 6.2 1,091 110.8 77.1 80.5 76.4 78 77.05 77.5

47.9 103.4 114.4 115.4 510.5 6 1,091 110.8 76.7 80 76.2 78 77 77.5

PREFERRED 48 312,500 103.4 16,190 114.4 220 115.4 20,000 529.5 60 6 50,600 1,091 200 110.8 10 76.7 4,220 80.5 19,520 76.3 54,300 78 10,000 77.05 13,900 77.5 21,910

14,999,960 1,674,841 25,180 2,308,500 31,465 303,720 218,200 1,108 323,942 1,570,295 4,143,896 780,000 1,070,970 1,698,025

-14,995,160 -11,440 -300,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.32

2.4

2.32

WARRANTS 2.39 195,000

457,300

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.58 4.25 2.95 11.9

3.7 4.34 2.95 12.34

3.45 4.16 2.9 11.9

SME 3.65 4.28 2.9 12.08

4,220,620 1,660,300 107,640 209,842,156

-212,980 -21,500 -143,439,264

FIRST METRO ETF

125

127.2

125

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.23 1.08 6.7 2.36 0.27 38.1 2.88 5.08 0.6 1.12 1.05 0.15 0.65 55.95 0.76 0.14 1.8 0.99 1.14 4.29 0.172 0.425 3.39 31.25 1.6 3.29 28.8 1.04

25,700 1,947,000 7,200 1,514,000 550,000 24,229,400 302,000 500 6,838,000 72,000 35,000 6,630,000 14,246,000 497,510 29,000 180,000 23,999,000 1,580,000 150,000 51,247,000 87,410,000 160,000 705,000 1,846,900 78,000 82,000 16,579,600 3,901,000

186,407 2,074,570 49,640 3,547,930 148,500 918,676,970 868,800 2,534 4,068,420 80,740 36,810 990,740 9,297,270 27,568,653.50 22,040 26,010 43,197,330 1,560,530 171,000 221,671,920 15,496,010 66,800 2,377,010 57,530,220 124,780 267,500 473,585,750 4,061,800

-5,061 28,550 6,990 63,513,585 -190,240 1,190,000 -798,000 2,499,966 -9,288,990 -20,504,240 -241,880 5,364,955 123,241,180 -

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

40,262,929

INDUSTRIAL

105,074,117

HOLDING FIRMS

118,518,875

PROPERTY

275,686,964

SERVICES

135,441,960

MINING & OIL

306,366,766

GRAND TOTAL

1,000,408,104

1,168,000 389,000 37,000 17,440,700

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.2 20,210

2,550,298

-1,064,186

VALUE 1,844.92 (UP) 38.02 1,942,878,274.216 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,845.15 (UP) 201.50 2,610,236,835.322 HOLDING FIRMS 7,801.11 (UP) 135.14 2,719,740,649.77 PROPERTY 3,427.21 (UP) 79.98 1,473.82 (UP) 22.83 2,753,770,686.70 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,531.93 (UP) 179.44 1,351,757,627.68 PSEI 7,721.57 (UP) 150.42 560,226,450.8453 All Shares Index 4,534.49 (UP) 74.11 12,156,997,490.286 Gainers: 119 Losers: 76; Unchanged: 40; Total: 235

SPC asks court to reconsider Naga case

By Alena Mae S. Flores PUBLICLY-LISTED SPC Power Corp. asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on the Naga Power Plant Complex in Cebu, saying it is “grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

SPC said in a statement the court’s decision “destabilizes the investment climate in the Philippines and retroactively changes the rules on competitive bidding.”

“With the Supreme Court’s ruling to reinstate the notice of award to Therma Power Visayas Inc., the government not only stands to lose P54 million but is deprived of a rebid of the Naga Power plant which would likely result in an even higher price for the government,” SPC said.

SPC is presently preparing a motion for reconsideration to be filed with the high tribunal. The move followed the previous ruling of the court which declared as null and void SPC’s right to top the bid of Therma Power Visayas by 5 percent.

SPC said the court’s decision to reinstate the award of the Naga facility to Therma Power Visayas was contrary to its earlier position that “public bidding is the better means to secure the best bid for the government.”

Therma Power Visayas offered a bid of P1.088 billion during the bidding of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. in March 2014 wherein the right to top was known to the bidders. SPC exercised its right to top and matched Therma Power’s bid and paid an additional P54 million or a total of P1.143 billion to PSALM.

Globe raising $300m

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it plans to raise capital expenditures by $300 million this year for network expansion.

Globe said it was seeking approval from its board of directors for an additional $300 million to be invested for network expansion.

The company earlier set a capex guidance of $750 million or P35.4 billion for the full year of 2016.

Globe spent around P17 billion in capex as of endJune this year to support the growing subscriber base and increasing appetite for data.

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

Globe’s chief commercial officer Alberto De Larrazabal earlier said there would be a natural increase in spending in the third and fourth quarters to roll out more cell sites using the 700 megahertz, 1800 Mhz and 2600 Mhz. Under a three-year program submitted to the National Telecommunications Commission, the Ayala-led telco committed to provide mobile services, including voice, text and data to 95 percent of municipalities and cities by the end of 2018, using the additional spectrum it acquired from San Miguel.

Globe expects that about 2,200 existing cell sites representing over 30 percent if its network nationwide would be upgraded using the additional spectrum from the co-use agreement by end2016.

Business

Ayala set to invest P80b in power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores

A

C ENERGY Holdings Inc., the energy arm of Ayala Corp., committed to invest close to P80 billion to bring its capacity to 2,000 megawatts in the next five years.

AC Energy president John Eric Francia told reporters the company was previously looking at investments of P40 billion, but decided to increase it by “close to double” by 2020 due to the additional target capacity.

The company, which is expected to reach its 1,000MW attributable capacity target this year, posted a net income of P2.1 billion in 2015.

Francia said the company targeted a net income of P5 billion by 2020.

He said 60 percent or the bulk of the additional 1,000MW capacity in the next five years would come from renewable energy investments.

“The renewable energy revolution is upon us and we are gearing up the organization for this new reality. We will also harness synergies across the Ayala group to achieve this goal” said Francia.

“We expect renewable energy to be more competitive over the next five years, and this will be good from a sustainability, diversification and resiliency standpoint,” he said.

Francia said among the company’s strategic priorities in terms of getting to that milestone of 2,000 MW involved “making sure that all our operating plants get to the high efficiency levels and we’re happy to note that we are getting there.”

He said the company’s existing power assets had potential for expansion by about 500 MW but AC Energy was also looking at overseas opportunities such as Indonesia.

“We hope in the next few months, we will be breaking ground our first project in Indonesia. It’s less than 100 MW wind [project],” Francia said.

He said the planned Indonesia investment would be a “three way partnership” with AC Energy taking around 75-percent stake.

Francia said the company would also seek acquisitions and develop greenfield projects, both in the Philippines and select Southeast Asian markets including Vietnam and Myanmar.

“We will look at on opportunistic basis, Vietnam and Myanmar…but not an immediate priority,” he said.

B3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Manila

Standard

TODAY

SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 17 Series of 2016 SUBJECT : GUIDELINES ON THE APPLICATIONS FOR PAYMENT OF ANNUAL FEES OF CAPITAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS (INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONALS) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Commission En Banc, in its meeting of 01 October 2015 and confirmed on 29 September 2016, resolved to adopt the following Guidelines: 1.

These Guidelines apply to the following SEC-registered/licensed Capital Market Participants: Brokers Dealers in Securities (“BD”), Brokers in Securities (“B”), Dealers in Securities (“D”), Brokers in Proprietary Shares (“BPS”), Voice Brokers (“VB”), Investment Houses (“IH”), Investment Houses Engaged in Dealing Government Securities (“IH-GSED”), Underwriters of Securities Engaged in Dealing Government Securities (“US-GSED”), Government Securities Eligible Dealers (“GSED”), Investment Company Advisers (“ICA”), Mutual Fund Distributors (“MFD”), and their respective Associated Persons (“AP”), Compliance Officers (“CO”), Salesmen (“S”), Fixed Income Market Salesmen (“FIMS”) and Certified Investment Solicitors (“CIS”).

2.

Payment of annual fees shall be in November of each year. Applications for Payment of Annual Fees filed in December of the same year shall be considered late and shall be charged a surcharge of fifty percent (50%) of the annual fees while applications filed after December shall be charged a surcharge of one hundred percent (100%) of the annual fees. Failure to pay the required annual fees shall, after notice and hearing, result in the suspension or revocation of the registration/license.

3.

Applications for Payment of Annual Fees shall be filed with the Company Registration and Monitoring Department – Licensing Unit (CRMD-LU). Only applications whose documentary requirements are complete and in order shall be accepted for processing.

4.

The requirements for the Applications for Payment of Annual Fees are: A.

General Requirements: a.

Letter, with company letterhead, endorsing the applications of the Institution and the respective Professionals, and signed by the President of the applicant Institution and its APs/COs (“SEC FORM NELET-AF”; form attached).

There should be one SEC FORM NELET-AF for every batch/set of applications; those licensed during the last quarter of the calendar year shall have separate SEC FORM NELET-AF, specifying that the applicants are registered/licensed during the last quarter of the calendar year.

b.

Amendment forms, if applicable.

B. For the Institutions: BD, B, BPS, VB

IH, IH-GSED, US-GSED, GSED

ICA

MFD

C.

a.

Application Form for Payment of Annual Fees • Main : SEC FORM 28.1-1 • Branch: SEC FORM 28.1-1 (BAF)

b.

Original copy of the Surety Bond if the Unimpaired Paid Up Capital is less than PhP100M

c.

Annual Fees Refer to existing SEC Schedule of Fees and Charges

a.

Application Form for Payment of Annual Fees • Main : SEC FORM IHU/GSED-AF • Branch: SEC FORM IH-BO-AF

b.

Annual Fees Refer to existing SEC Schedule of Fees and Charges

a.

Application Form for Payment of Annual Fees SEC FORM ICA-AF

b.

Annual Fees Refer to existing SEC Schedule of Fees and Charges

a.

Application Form for Payment of Annual Fees SEC FORM MFD-AF

b.

Annual Fees Refer to existing SEC Schedule of Fees and Charges

For the Institutions: a.

For IH, IH-GSED, US-GSED, GSED, and ICA, the SEC FORM NELET-AF shall include an undertaking that the respective APs/COs shall attend SEC AP/CO certification seminars and take SEC AP/CO certification examinations.

b.

Tabular List of Applicants with their respective details: Name in Alphabetical Order, Type of Registration/ License; Certificate of Registration Number;Taxpayer Identification Number; Complete Residential Address; and, 1x1 ID picture taken within the last six (6) months (“SEC FORM TLIST-AF-P”; form attached).

Each SEC FORM TLIST-AF-P shall be certified correct by at least one AP/CO and shall be attached as an Annex to the SEC FORM NELET-AF; the maximum total number of individual applicants to be indicated in the List should be thirty-five (35) per batch/set. Those registered/licensed during the last quarter of the calendar year shall have separate SEC FORM TLIST-AF-P.

c.

SM-LTO AGREEMENT. The Land Transportation Office and the SM Group signs an agreement to bring drivers’ license renewal closer, easier and more convenient to the public at SM City North Edsa. Shown after sealing the deal are LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante (third from left), SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia (fourth from left) and SM Mart Inc. executive vice president Ricky Lim (second from left). With them are SM Mart VP for business center operations Dennis Yaw, LTO executive director Romeo Vera Cruz and LTO-NCR Regional Director Clarence Guinto.

September BoP fell 47% to $117m

THE country’s balance of payments surplus in September declined 47 percent to $117 million from $219 million a year ago, as the highlyanticipated interest rates hike by the US Federal Reserve triggered volatility in the global financial markets.

The September surplus was also 83-percent lower than the $682-million surplus in the month of August. The figure brought the BoP surplus in the first nine months to $1.648 billion, lower than $1.808 billion a year ago.

“September was particularly a challenging month because people thought that the US Fed would adjust monetary policy, so there was a lot of uncertainty and the global financial markets proved to be more volatile,” Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said at the sidelines of an event Wednesday.

Despite the lower surplus in September, Guinigundo remained optimistic the $2-billion surplus target could still be achieved. Julito G. Rada

BSP raises weekly auction by P20b

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will raise for the fifth time the weekly volume in the term deposit auction by another P20 billion from P110 billion to P130 billion beginning Nov. 2 in a bid to effectively siphon off excess liquidity in the financial system.

Data on the BSP website showed that the seven-day deposits would

IN BRIEF continue to account for P10 billion, but deposits with a month-long tenor would be increased to P120 billion from P100 billion.

Bangko Sentral had already increased the auction volume four times since June―from the original P30 billion to P50 billion, P70 billion, P90 billion, and P110 billion due to oversubscription.

Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said there could be room for further adjustments in the auction sizes in future auctions.

Julito G. Rada

Economic growth may slow to 6.5%

ECONOMIC expansion in the third quarter may slow to 6.5 percent from 7 percent in the second quarter due to sluggish exports and uncertain growth path of remittances, First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific said in a joint report Wednesday.

“Employment numbers in July and continued high growth in durable goods imports provide much confidence for a strong performance in the third quarter,” the economists said in the October issue of the Market Call.

“However, the erratic movements in OFW remittances and continued weakness in exports may pull growth closer to 6.5 percent,” the report said. Julito G. Rada

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Did we lose the PCA arbitration case?

IN 2014, two years after it lost possession of Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in a two-month standoff, the Philippines haled China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a tribunal established under UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), of which China and the Philippines are signatories. China refused to participate in the proceedings.

On July 23, 2016 PCA issued a ruling declaring that the territorial claims embodied in the so-called ninedash line had no legal basis and that Filipino fishermen had historical rights to fish in the Panatag Shoal. In an additional display of intransigence, China refused to recognize PCA ruling.

In both instances this country had international law— represented by the UN, UNCLOS and PCA—on its side. Conversely, by its actions, China had placed itself beyond the pale of international law. Unfortunately, UNCLOS embodies no enforcement mechanism.

Given this background, and in the midst of the recent statements and actions of President Duterte, his Secretary of Foreign Affairs and his Secretary of National Defense, I am constrained to ask, did the Philippines lose the PCA arbitration case? Stated differently, did PCA adjudge China to have a legal right to all the territory encompassed by the so-called nine-dash line?

I am constrained to ask this question because of all the tiptoeing, kowtowing and walking-on-eggshells that President Duterte and his key people have been doing where relations with China have been concerned. The Chief Executive’s declared unwillingness to take up the PCA ruling during his State visit to China—“I may take it up, but only generally” one day and “I will not take it up” the next day—his talk about an “alliance” with China and the remarks about getting all sorts of goodies, from railways to loans and investments, from

China. And, of course, the pilgrimage-like visit itself.

So, I ask, as former President Fidel V. Ramos asked in his newspaper column last week: what gives?

Mr. Duterte seems to think that he is the only Filipino who is interested in good and everimproving relations with this country’s giant neighbor to the northwest. Very wrong he is. The Filipino people—including the millions who did not vote for Rodrigo Duterte—value highly cordial and mutually beneficial relations with China and all other countries that will be friendly and helpful to the Philippines. They, too, want to see the Chinese goodies come to this country to make Philippine society better and more progressive.

But under present circumstances, tiptoeing and kowtowing to China are out of place. China forcibly deprived this country of its international entitlement when it drove Filipino fishermen away from Scarborough Shoal in 2014. Even today those same fishermen are being deprived by China’s Coast Guard of their right to earn a living in a historically Philippine fishing ground. It bears pointing out, in this connection, that Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay Jr. spoke recently of seeking Chinese “approval” for Filipino fishermen to fish once again in Scarborough Shoal.

Mr. Duterte and his key people may or may not be good card players. If they are, they should know that when one has a good hand, one can afford to be confident.

The Philippines won the PCA arbitration case. It should, at the very least, not behave like it lost the case.

Any conciliatory and trust-rebuilding gestures should come from the loser, not the other way around.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Business

BELGIAN BLOCKADE. Deputies attend a meeting on CETA (EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) at the Walloon parliament in Namur, Belgium, on October 18, 2016. The European Union gave Belgium until a leaders’ summit on October 21, 2016 to approve a troubled free trade pact with Canada which has been blocked by its small French-speaking region of Wallonia. The parliament of the region of Wallonia last week voted to block the deal, known as CETA—meaning that Belgium cannot sign up to the pact and leaving the deal in limbo after seven years of negotiations. AFP

China’s GDP growth in Q3 steady at 6.7%

B

EIJING―Chinese growth stabilized in the third quarter, data showed Wednesday, as ample credit and hot property markets propped up the world’s second-largest economy.

But while the forecast-beating reading was in line with state targets, it came as experts warned that authorities have relied too much on easy credit, which has in turn increased financial risks.

The economy grew 6.7 percent in July-September, officials said, just above the 6.6 percent predicted in an AFP poll.

“The general performance was better than expected,” National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) spokesman Sheng Laiyun told reporters. “The national economy grew steadily.”

The government has targeted 6.5-7.0 percent growth for the year, following 6.9 percent last year―the slowest rate in a quarter of a century.

“It was so in-line with expectations that I could have written this yesterday, to be honest,” Michael Every with Rabobank in Hong Kong told AFP. “It’s amazing what a housing bubble and crazy debt increases can achieve.”

Also Wednesday, data showed a pick-up in retail spending, which has become an increasingly important component as Beijing looks to recalibrate the country’s growth driver from investment and exports to consumer demand.

But Beijing’s attempts to retool the economy have proved painful, with authorities resorting to stimulus measures as they try to avoid a hard landing.

Sheng acknowledged that the economy was in “a critical period of transformation and upgrading, with old

drivers of growth to be replaced by new ones.”

With “a number of unstable and uncertain domestic and external factors,” he added, “the foundation of continued economic growth is not solid enough.”

Some analysts have questioned the accuracy of Chinese data, arguing they are subject to political manipulation.

“As always, the GDP figures will be met with some skepticism,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics, who thinks expansion is slower than official reports.

Though the figures suggest economic activity is broadly holding up, he said, the recent recovery was “on borrowed time” as Beijing tried to rein in runaway lending and housing prices.

The booming property market and loose lending supported the latest GDP figures, Claire Huang of Societe Generale told AFP, adding that new house-buying regulations and necessary credit tightening meant “the downturn will become even more obvious” in the fourth quarter and next year.

Data released Tuesday showed new loans by Chinese banks in September surged nearly 30 percent over the previous month, deepening concern about risky credit expansion.

Earlier this month the International Monetary Fund warned

Commodities to bounce back BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, sees early signs that commodity markets are rebalancing, with oil and natural gas best placed to deliver gains into 2018.

“Fundamentals suggest both oil and gas markets will improve over the next 12 to 18 months,” chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie said Wednesday in the company’s first-quarter production report. “Iron ore and metallurgical coal prices have been stronger than expected, although we continue to expect supply to grow more quickly than demand in the near term.”

BHP joins Rio Tinto Group in expressing increased optimism on the outlook for commodities amid continued strong demand in China, the top consumer. Raw materials will probably see a broad-based recovery in 2017 after an expected strong performance in the final quarter of this year on improving demand, according to Barclays Plc. With long-life assets in oil and copper, BHP is well positioned to benefit as markets rebalance, said David Lennox, a resources analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney. Higher oil prices would also help to offset forecast lower volumes in fiscal 2017 in the petroleum division, he said.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index has surged about 85 percent since it touched an almost 13-year low in January. Iron ore has gained 34 percent this year, while oil has advanced about 14 percent since the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last month agreed the outline of a deal that would cut production for the first time in

eight years.

BHP’s full-year copper guidance of 1.66 million tons is under review following a two-week long power cut in South Australia that’s halted some output at its Olympic Dam mine, the company said. The stock slumped 0.8 percent to close at A$22.47 in Sydney trading, trimming its advance this year to 26 percent.

“We are not sure if there will be additional impacts to Olympic Dam’s performance over the next couple of quarters, or potentially higher sustaining capital expenditure,” Adrian Prendergast, a Melbourne-based analyst at Morgans Financial Ltd., said by phone. “There’s maybe some concern around that.”

Copper output in the three months ended Sept. 30 declined 6 percent to miss estimates on lower grades at Chile’s Escondida and amid both maintenance work and the power outage at Olympic Dam. Petroleum and iron ore output both beat analyst estimates, even as the units posted declines on the same period a year earlier.

Olympic Dam should resume some copper production from next week and be at its normal output capacity about a week later, the mine’s asset president Jacqui McGill said Wednesday in a phone interview. The mine, estimated to produce about 200,000 tons this fiscal year, won’t have capacity to make up for lost production, she said.

“We are not producing copper at this point in time,” McGill said by phone.“It takes a while to build up inventory and then to produce it.” Bloomberg

that China’s dependence on debt was growing at a “dangerous pace” and risked a “disruptive adjustment” in the financial system.

That came after the Bank for International Settlements―dubbed the central bank of central banks― warned China’s banking sector could be facing an imminent debt crisis, fueling fresh fears of a blowout that could hit the global financial system.

China’s industrial output growth eased to 6.1 percent on-year in September, down from 6.3 percent in August, government data also showed Wednesday, as sluggish global demand weighed on the world’s biggest trader in goods. AFP

IMF sees rebound of Saudi economy THE pace of Saudi Arabia’s austerity drive will likely ease in 2017, a senior International Monetary Fund official said, helping the kingdom’s economy recover after a sharp slowdown this year.

The slump in oil prices has prompted the government to cut spending to curb a budget deficit that ballooned to about 15 percent of gross domestic product last year. Officials have delayed payment to contractors, reduced energy subsidies and trimmed the takehome pay of public servants.

With the private sector heavily dependent on public spending, non-oil economic growth will slow to 0.3 percent this year, a rate that is “barely positive,” according to Masood Ahmed, the IMF Middle East chief.

“Next year we see a little bit of an improvement compared to this year, in part because the big consolidation would be a little easier,” Ahmed said in an interview in Dubai. The fund expects non-oil GDP to expand 2.6 percent in 2017. Overall growth will be 2 percent.

The economic forecast didn’t include the impact of the government’s recent decision to freeze bonuses for state employees and cut the salaries of ministers by 20 percent in the Islamic year starting in October. The measures may be a “further downward drag on growth,’’ Ahmed said.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing the biggest economic shakeup in the kingdom’s history in an attempt to reduce its reliance on oil. The government aims to raise more than $100 billion in non-oil revenue a year by 2020, through measures including value-added taxation, as it seeks to balance the budget.

“This kind of transformation is never easy,” Ahmed said. “It takes some time to implement and I can see that a year into it people are still adjusting to it in a varying degrees.”

The average oil price that Saudi Arabia will need to balance its budget will fall this year, to $79.70 a barrel from $92.90 in 2015, the IMF said. Brent crude, a global benchmark, was trading at about $52 a barrel on Wednesday. Bloomberg

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

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LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

HAVEN. Local teens of Paoay town in Ilocos Norte relax under a shady tree and take selfie photos after their morning class on a weekend. Ey Acasio

‘LACK OF PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS DENIES JUSTICE’

Judge slay trial stalled

By Ferdie G. Domingo

B

ALER, Aurora—The wheels of justice are grinding ever so slowly in this province, with the trial on last year’s high-profile killing of a judge in this capital town stalled by the lack of prosecutors and lawyers which has left a backlog of 1,000 cases.

Provincial Prosecutor Jobert Reyes complained that the lack of prosecutors and trial lawyers is taking its toll on the cases, including that of murdered Regional Trial Court Branch 91 Judge Erwin Alaba.

“We only have four prosecutors handling cases in the entire province of eight municipalities,” Reyes said.

He said that before he entered the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, there was only one prosecutor – Phanie Rose Aragon-Saez. The number later increased to four with his assumption of the top post and the addition of prosecutors Evalor Paulo and Seychelles Doringo who like him came from the public attorney’s office.

Reyes said that to exacerbate the situation, the entire province has less than 10 trial lawyers, some of whom opted to serve the government and entered politics.

Aside from the four prosecutors who are lawyers themselves, the other lawyers are Raul Galagala of Surigao who is with the PAO, Lea Baccay of Taguig and Turn to C2

Cabanatuan vice mayor is city council catalyst CABANATUAN CITY—The Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) or city council in this city said it was neither a rubber stamp of nor an obstructionist against the city government’s development programs and projects.

Vice Mayor Emmanuel Antonio Umali, SP presiding officer, stressed that the SP thoroughly discussed and deliberated various legislative

agenda of the city government in a genuine process of checks and balances, unlike past SPs. “I could say that the SP under my leadership is not a rubber stamp nor an obstructionist to the development agenda of the administration. Everything handed to us for deliberation is being studied carefully and not passed without due diligence

and scrutiny,” he said.

Umali made the observation on the first 100 days of the SP under his leadership.

It marked the first time in two decades that somebody from Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara’s rival party is presiding over the council dominated by Vergara’s partymates.

In the past, the SP received

criticisms for reportedly catering to the interests of the Vergara administration since the sitting vice mayor then was his partymate.

Umali won as vice mayor against Vergara’s running mate Susan Garcia, wife of former vice mayor Marius Garcia.

Because of the lack of checks and balances, the legislative agenda of the city government got

passed without any difficulty because it had the majority faction in the SP, the current vice mayor asserted.

Umali, whose bloc represents the minority faction, said that when the programs being advanced by the Vergara administration redound to the common good, his group fully supports them without question.

Ferdie G. Domingo

US vet’s ashes cast in famed Leyte Gulf WHEN retired United States soldier Charles Goldberg was still alive, his wish upon his death was to have his body cremated and his ashes be scattered at the Leyte Gulf because he participated in the famous Leyte Landing by allied forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur on Oct. 20, 1944 that paved the way for the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese occupation 72 years ago.

Goldberg’s wish would be granted today after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana approved the request of the late American trooper to have his ashes cast on Leyte Gulf in Palo, where Goldberg jumped from a boat into the water together with thousands of other allied forces.

Goldberg was such a very proud member of the famed Deadeyes 96th Infantry Division of the US Army that helped free the Philippines from the clutches of the Japanese invaders during World War II that he told his wife Frances and his children Michael and Amy that upon his death his wish was for them to cremate his body and sprinkle his ashes in the historic gulf.

When Goldberg died in Yon-

kers City, New York early this month, his son Michael wrote a letter dated Oct. 8, 2016 to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., asking permission.

Col. Eric Calip, defense and Armed Forces attachė and acting chief of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office in Washington, acted on the request of the Goldberg family and immediately informed Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina (Ret.), PVAO administrator, who discussed the matter with Lorenzana.

The defense chief approved the request. He directed Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya “to provide assistance during the scattering of ashes ceremony for veteran Goldberg at Leyte Beach during the commemoration of the 72nd anniversary of the Leyte Landing on 20 October 2016.”

In his letter, the young Goldberg recalled his father’s assignment in the Philippines during the Second World War. He said his father was wounded and received the Purple Heart medal for American servicemen who were either wounded or killed in action from the President of the United States. PNA

REST. On a sunny day in Tagaytay,/ the wind asks what first catches your eye:/ the scenery or the butterfly?

Joyce Panares

Unesco cites 2 Ilocos churches

By Honor B. Cabie

PAOAY—Two Ilocano baroque churches have made it to the Unesco World Heritage List.

They are the Roman Catholic Church in this town— birthland of the Galaritas, the Blancos, the Villanuevas, the Toledos, the Valenzuelas, the Baysas—and the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church, which is nestled in a hill in Santa Maria, rich in myth and folklore.

The Paoay Church, also called Simbaan ni San Agustin, was built in 1704 from coral stones, mortar and molasses. Historians call the church structure “earthquake baroque.”

It is only a few kilometers from the inland Paoay Lake, which was mercilessly inundated during the onslaught of Typhoon “Pepeng” in 2009.

The lake, according to legend, took shape when the community north of the town proper exploded in much the same manner as the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.

Old hands in the town, inheritors of the silky smooth oral tradition, say Filipino builders adopted a foreign architectural design and style which complemented local conditions.

Sitting on an earthquakeprone region, the builders apparently propped up the church’s nave with thick stone buttresses.

They feature a scroll motif capped by intricately carved pinnacles.

While other concrete buildings and other church structures in the region have succumbed to earth shocks—the Philippines straddles the Pacific belt of fire—the Paoay Church has remained standing without a scratch.

Its outside feature is a crossbreed between a medieval Spanish church and a Javanese temple.

Nearly 90 kilometers south of this town is the other Heritage Lister in Santa Maria which stands on an elevated hill that legend suggests is the nipple of the mythical Aran, the energetic wife of Angalo (pronounced Ang-nga-lo).

The church door can be reached by walking up 85 stair steps from the cemented highway, a junction of the MacArthur Highway—named after Gen. Douglas MacArthur—which meanders through the region sandwiched by the Ilocos mountain ranges and the Luzon Bay.

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LGUs

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Makati sets traps vs Zika carriers M

AKATI City health officer Dr. Bernard Sese said his office stepped up efforts to determine areas in the barangays with a high density of mosquitoes through setting up ovi-larvitraps.

Based on the results of the ovi-larvitrap, high-risk areas in the barangays are identified and subjected to intensive cleanup operations jointly conducted by the barangay and city personnel, Sese said.

He said that the city would only resort to misting if despite cleanup efforts, ovi-larvitrap

Unlike dengue that can cause death, Zika is associated with microcephaly or babies born with small heads. It mostly affects pregnant women.”

The Makati health department clarified that contrary to media reports, one of the reported Zika cases in Metro Manila, a 42-year-old male, only works in Makati but is a resident of Mandaluyong.

Sese said that on orders of Mayor Abby Binay, they will conduct ovi-larvitrap operations more frequently in the barangays, including public schools.

“An intensified vector control is

results remain high. “In doing misting, areas with high larval index, elevated number of cases or those with reported deaths will be prioritized,” Sese said.

He assured residents there was no need to panic because “the male patient found positive for Zika virus, who is a non-resident, is already well.

needed to curb the transmission of the virus. We need to destroy the breeding sites,” he said.

“At this time, we do not know where the patient contracted the viral infection. But I urge our residents to remain calm and help the city government in cleaning up possible breeding areas for mosquitoes,” Binay said.

She urged residents to always keep their homes and surroundings clean, making sure to get rid of stagnant water and other usual breeding sites of mosquitoes.

“Community involvement is

very crucial. We must take part in the citywide cleanup drive,” Binay said.

The MHD chief also underscored the importance of continuous health education of people in the community regarding the prevention of virus infection and transmission.

“We are working closely with barangay health workers and barangay officials in conducting an information drive about Zika among residents to make them appreciate the importance of their active participation in the prevention and control of the virus,” Sese said.

At the same time, Binay asked residents to remain calm and participate in a citywide cleanup drive to destroy breeding sites of mosquitoes.

According to health officials, no Zika cases have been reported in Makati.

Health authorities believe that Zika is transmitted by sexual contact and through the bite of the Aedes mosquito, also identified as the vector in transmitting dengue and chikungunya.

Symptoms of Zika infection include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), headache and muscle pain.

BILLBOARD

AID. Senator Cynthia Villar and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed fishing nets, boats and other equipment to Baseco residents. They also led the stocking of tilapia fingerlings and the award of aquasilviculture projects to boost the fishers’ income and preserve the environment.

SATISFACTORY. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (center) receives from Commission on Audit supervising auditor Delia Asi a report that the city received an unqualified opinion from the commission. City hall officials shared Tiangco’s shining moment. Andrew Rabulan

Valenzuela City bans Obando vehicles

By Jun David GARBAGE trucks and public vehicles bound for Obando can no longer pass through Valenzuela for lack of coordination with the city hall.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian has issued an official order closing the roads accessed by the said vehicles—J.P. Rizal from Barangay San Pascual to Paliwas Road— for repairs.

The “rerouting scheme” allegedly being adopted by Obando municipal government has no coordination with the city government of Valenzuela, an official said.

Gatchalian also said no alternate roads were designated.

Despite lack of coordination with the city of Valenzuela, garbage truck drivers took Wawang Pulo and Balangkas as alternate routes.

Lack...

From C1 Angel Guzman of this capital town.

Two young lawyers—Sharon Ylanan and Christian Noveras—were lost to the government and politics.

Ylanan has assumed the post of chief of the Register of Deeds while Noveras, son of Gov. Gerardo Noveras, ran for board member and won in last May’s elections.

Last April, the Philippine National Police in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija stopped its manhunt for Alaba’s killer following a fruitless search and returned to RTC Branch 90 Judge Maximo Ancheta the warrant of arrest he earlier issued.

The court issued the warrant for the arrest of prime suspect Eugenio Pingol after reports said he was in Barangay Tabuating in San Leonardo.

Pingol and several John Does were tagged in an information for murder and frustrated murder filed before the court by Aragon-Saez.

Alaba and his wife Margarita just arrived at the compound aboard his Mitsubishi Montero at around 2 p.m. of September 1 last year when Pingol, armed with a 45-caliber pistol, inserted the muzzle of his gun at the car’s window and shot them.

Alaba died from a lone bullet wound in the chest. Margarita sustained a gunshot wound in the left arm.

The court issued the warrant in order to proceed with the trial of the murder and frustrated murder cases because under existing jurisprudence the accused could not be tried in absentia unless the court assumed jurisdiction over him.

Under the law, the accused should be arrested first and arraigned before he could be the subject of a trial.

“So we decided to close these streets to block garbage trucks, passenger jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs coming and going to Obando in the absence of a supervision permit,” Gatchalian said.

The roads were closed because a massive volume of transport vehicles will pass through a narrow street and create monstrous traffic. It will pose a danger to the health of

the residents and to the safety of school children passing through the area, and affect the livelihood of the members of the pedicab and tricycle-operatordriver associations due to the entry of other public vehicles.

The city government will put up barricades post traffic enforcers at the boundary of Valenzuela and Obando, Bulacan to implement the closure order, Gatchalian said.

Davao fishers taught marine conservation

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Fisherfolk here will be trained in marine environmental protection in observance of the 53rd Fish Conservation Week from October 17-21.

The trainees will be taught conservation and fishery laws to protect their source of livelihood and improve their income.

Mary Moratin, head of the Davao City Agriculture Office’s Fishery Resource Management Services Division, said the 36,000 members of the Federation of Fisherfolks Associations of Davao City from 24 coastal villages will be instilled with a “sense of volunteerism among fisherfolks and develop them as potential partners in the implementation of coastal environment conservation programs.”

Tirso Avila, chairman of the Tibungco Fisherfolks Association, said that after the fisherfolk were organized it became easier for them to make a living, improve and gain more knowledge of fishing techniques, gain support from concerned agencies and most importantly attain security in the coastal communities with the discontinuation of dynamite fishing.

“Fish yields in the past declined because of dynamite fishing and enforcing the explosives ban has placed our lives and our families in danger because of threats,” said the 63-year-old Avila.

He thanked the city government for its help and the national government for giving them fishing boats. Members of his group have volunteered to be sea watchers or “Bantay Laot.”

GAME. Thirty-five orphans in the Missionaries of Charity House of st Hope in Sagkahan in Tacloban City find a visiting playmate in 1 District Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (center), who donated tables and chairs for the children. Ver Noveno

FUMING. Bureau of Customs officials seize P7.5 million worth of

smuggled fake cigarettes from two warehouses in Cagayan de Oro City. Lance Baconguis

CLEAN. Manila Water president Ferdinand dela Cruz and Makati City officials mark Global Handwashing Day with hundreds of elementary school students at the Makati Circuit.

GREEN. A varied

fleet of electric vehicles powered by solar energy is displayed at the parking lot of the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City. The vehicles are products of Star8 Solar of Australia.

Manny Palmero

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

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TODAY

THRUSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

HK lawmakers blocked from taking oath H

ONG KONG―Hong Kong’s legislature again descended into chaos Wednesday as pro-Beijing politicians blocked the swearing in of two new lawmakers who want a split from China, in an increasingly divided parliament.

It comes as fears grow in the semi-autonomous city that Beijing is tightening its grip, fueling an independence movement in Hong Kong.

Wednesday saw rival lawmakers clash in a heated shouting match after the pro-Beijing camp walked out of the swearing-in session.

The walkout led to the meeting being canceled, preventing proindependence lawmakers Yau Waiching and Baggio Leung from taking the oath that would allow them to take up their seats.

In the ensuing confrontations one veteran pro-democracy legislator threw slices of luncheon meat at his opponents while another was surrounded by security after turning China and Hong Kong flags displayed on pro-Beijing lawmakers’ desks upside-down.

Meanwhile, pro-Beijing lawmakers chanted “Apologize!”, demanding Yau and Leung say sorry for their failure to take the oath properly at last week’s swearing-in

ceremony.

The pair had their oaths rejected last Wednesday after they draped themselves in “Hong Kong is not China” flags.

The oath states Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China.

Both refused to pronounce China properly, and Yau was heard to replace the words “the People’s Republic of China” with “the People’s refucking of Zeena”.

They were given permission to retake their oaths Wednesday, but the session was abandoned after the pro-Beijing walkout left an insufficient number of legislators in the chamber.

“If they want people to respect their oaths, they have to express regret over their behavior last week and to apologize to all Chinese around the world,” pro-Beijing lawmaker Priscilla Leung told reporters.

Hundreds of pro-Beijing supporters waved Chinese flags and stamped on pictures of the two outspoken

lawmakers outside the legislative council building.

The pair said they wanted to complete their oaths, but would not apologize for last week’s behavior.

“We are empowered by the people to enter the Legco,” Baggio Leung said.

The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under an agreement protecting its freedoms for 50 years, but there are concerns those liberties are being eroded.

Leung and Yau are part of a new wave of lawmakers advocating independence and selfdetermination who won seats in the Legislative Council―Hong Kong’s lawmaking body―in citywide polls last month.

Five legislators, including the pair, had their oaths rejected at last week’s swearing in.

Of those five, one pro-Beijing lawmaker and one pro-democracy lawmaker, whose oaths were declared invalid the first time round, were allowed to retake them Wednesday morning.

The Beijing camp then walked out, forcing the session to be abandoned before Yau, Leung and pro-democracy teacher Lau Siu-lai, who read her oath at a snail’s pace last week, took the stand.

AFTER THE RAIN. This photo taken on October 18, 2016, shows residents and cars making their way through a flooded street after heavy rain caused by Typhoon Sarika in Qionghai, south China’s Hainan province. AFP

Iran rejects release of 2 US citizens TEHRAN—Iran said on Wednesday it would accept no US “interference” after Washington demanded the release of a dual national and his 80-year-old father given 10 year sentences for espionage.

The State Department demanded the immediate release of Siamak and Baqher Namazi, both IranianAmerican dual nationals, after their sentences were announced on Tuesday.

But foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi told Iranian media: “The government and the Iranian people give no importance to the statements and interference of American officials and their efforts to divide the ranks of the

Iranian people.

“The American threats only add to the wall of mistrust Iranians have regarding the United States.”

Washington expressed concern over the health of the elder Namazi, a former UN Children’s Fund employee who also served as the governor of an Iranian province before the Islamic revolution of 1979.

Both were jailed for 10 years for “espionage and collaboration with the American government”, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolat-Abadi announced on Tuesday.

Three other Iranian-American dual nationals―Farhad Abd-Saleh, Kamran Ghaderi and Alireza

Omidvar―were also sentenced to 10 years on the same charges, along with a US resident from Lebanon, Nezar Zaka.

Siamak Namazi, a well-connected business consultant who has supported Iranian reformists and sought to promote ties between Iran and the United States, was arrested as he arrived in Tehran a year ago.

His father was detained in February when he came to Iran to seek his son’s release.

Conservatives in Iran have criticized attempts by the moderate government of President Hassan Rouhani to improve ties with the West following a nuclear deal with world powers last year. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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THRUSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

World

PECK’S CENTENARY. Images of actors Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck are displayed on a screen during the outdoor screening of the 1953 movie ‘Roman Holiday’ on October 18, 2016, in Rome’s Spanish Square as part of the 11th Rome Film Festival. Through October 13-23, 2016, the city of Rome hosts a series of events to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Gregory Peck, as William Wyler’s ‘Roman Holiday’ was the first American film to be shot entirely in Italy. AFP

Trump told: Get on with your campaign L

AS VEGAS―President Barack Obama on Tuesday slapped down Donald Trump’s claim that the 2016 presidential race is rigged, telling the Republican nominee to “stop whining” and get on with his campaign.

The withering riposte, in language usually used to scold a moody teenager, came on the eve of the third and final presidential debate between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Obama discarded diplomatic decorum, skewering the Republican mogul from the Rose Garden in front of visiting Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Trump has ramped up conspiracies about America’s election system as his poll numbers have plummeted in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him.

He trails Clinton by around seven

points nationwide and bookmakers in Europe―where political betting is legal―have already begun to pay out on a Clinton win.

But the White House is increasingly concerned that Trump and his supporters will not recognize the election’s outcome, plunging the country into a political crisis.

According to a poll by Politico and Morning Consult, 41 percent of American voters, including 73 percent of Republicans, now believe the vote could actually be stolen from Trump.

“I have never seen in my lifetime or in modern political history any

presidential candidate trying to discredit the elections and the election process before votes have even taken place. It’s unprecedented,” Obama said.

“If, whenever things are going badly for you and you lose, you start blaming somebody else? Then you don’t have what it takes to be in this job,” he added.

Addressing Trump’s allegations of “large scale voter fraud,” Obama said, “There’s no evidence that that has happened in the past, or that there are instances in which that will happen this time.”

“I’d advise Mr Trump to stop whining and go try to make his case to get votes.”

Trump and Clinton jetted in separately Tuesday to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital in the Nevada desert, ahead of their final debate Wednesday.

With three weeks until the November 8 election, it may be Trump’s last chance to make a positive

mark on millions of voters.

Campaigning Tuesday in Colorado, a slightly subdued Trump indicated his scorched-earth tactics would continue.

“We’ve only just begun to fight, believe me,” he said. “This is our final shot, folks,” he told a rally in Grand Junction.

Polls giving Clinton the lead were inaccurate, he insisted. In fact, “they’re sort of good” for the Trump campaign.

“We are going to have one of the greatest victories in political history,” he predicted, excoriating the US media for being “an extension of the Hillary Clinton campaign.”

“The press has created a rigged system and poisoned the minds of the voters,” he said.

“Either we win this election or we lose the country.”

Trump doubled-down on his vote rigging claims, saying “voter fraud is all too common.” AFP

Tax scam in India tip of iceberg MUMBAI―A multi-million-dollar racket that used fake Indian call centers to trick US citizens into paying bogus tax bills may be the tip of the iceberg, with police warning similar scams could be operating across the country.

School leavers or college dropouts would be trained to speak with an American accent, posing as US Internal Revenue Service officials and scaring people into believing they owed the government cash, detectives said.

The scheme, which had been operating for over a year, netted more than 10 million rupees ($150,000) a day, they added.

More than 70 people have been arrested after police this month swooped on call centers in western India, from Mumbai to the Gujarat capital of Ahmedabad, but they suspect the network could stretch even further.

“We believe that the racket is spread across India, including in the north,” Parambir Singh, commissioner of police in the Mumbai suburb of Thane, told AFP. Police from Thane, on the outskirts of India’s financial capital, rounded up at least 770 employees of bogus call centers on October 4.

Most were let go pending further investigations but 72 were arrested while another suspect was detained this week as police try to close in on the 23-year-old alleged mastermind.

It is claimed the accused would berate victims for falsely failing to pay taxes and then threaten them with jail if they did not cough up immediately.

The con artists would use an altered caller ID number that made it look like they were ringing from the United States and often quoted IRS badge numbers to make them appear legitimate.

The fraudsters would trick the victim into sending money, often through pre-paid debit cards that can be purchased at stores like Walmart, or even by buying Apple iTunes gift cards. In both instances transfers are made by the victim handing over the card’s registration number.

The iTunes scam has even led Apple to issue a global warning on its website urging people not to give the number to someone they do not know. AFP

Beaten up because of his good grades NEW DELHI―Indian police have detained two schoolboys accused of repeatedly beating a low-caste classmate for getting good grades, an officer said Wednesday, with a video of the attacks going viral.

The 16-year-old from India’s lowest Dalit caste released a letter to a national television network pleading for the violence to stop, after the video of him being punched and kicked in a classroom made headline news.

The beatings, which the boy says took place every day for two years, are the latest incidents of violence against Dalits, who lie at the bottom of India’s deeply entrenched social hierarchy system.

Police said they took action after studying the video, taken by another boy and uploaded, which shows the Dalit being punched, kicked and slapped at a government-run school in the eastern state of Bihar.

“He was being tortured for quite some time,” Babban Baitha, the investigating police officer, told AFP by phone from Muzaffarpur district.

“We went through the video which was recorded at the behest of the attackers themselves, and sent them to remand,” Baitha said, pending the conclusion of his investigation.

Dalits, formerly known as “untouchables”, were historically denied a school education and instead performed dirty and menial jobs from a young age. AFP

Ferry death toll up to nearly 50 YANGON―The death toll from a ferry disaster on a river in central Myanmar four days ago has risen to nearly 50, officials said Wednesday, with most of the deceased identified as women and at least two dozen others still missing.

The overloaded vessel, whose passengers included scores of teachers and university students, went down early Saturday while it was traveling on the Chindwin River in Sagaing region.

Some 150 people were rescued alive on that day but officials believe the ship was carrying up to 250 passengers when it sank on its way to Monywa, a city around 72 kilometers south.

“We have found altogether 48 dead bodies so far,” said local MP Tun Tun Win, a jump up from the 32 people pronounced

dead on Monday.

“Many more could be dead,” he said, adding that local monks have begun leading memorial services for the deceased.

An official from the local relief and resettlement department said two thirds of the dead were women.

At least 23 people―17 of whom are women― are still missing, the official said, requesting anonymity.

One end of the brightlypainted ferry has been raised above the river’s surface, with bloated bodies found trapped inside, but most of the vessel remains submerged.

On Wednesday rescuers continued efforts to raise the rest of the ship using cranes.

“The boat still can’t be lifted out [completely],” Sa Willy Frient, the director of the relief department, told AFP Wednesday morning. AFP

FASHION WEEK. Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin with his daughter Galina and grandson Anatoly appear on the podium after presenting his Spring/ Summer 2017 collection during Moscow Fashion Week in Moscow. AFP

Life

Lestre demonstrates the proper way of approaching strange dogs

WELLNESS & ENVIRONMENT

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

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WHEN DOGS ATTACK

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT I

RABIES

Rabies awareness advocate Rex Tomen

N his last few hours in that cold dreary blue-colored isolation room at San Lazaro Hospital, a five-year old boy was writhing and screaming in pain, his mouth parched dry but he was afraid of water. His pupils had become dilated and body twisted. His head bathed in sweat, he would suddenly turn ferocious, drooling with foam-like saliva, and behaving like a mad dog.

But instead of being able to console and spend their last moments with their child, his parents were even asked to leave him in the isolation room—for their own protection.

The child’s name was Gian Carlo “PoyPoy” Tomen. He died of rabies in 2008, just a day before Christmas.

A few months earlier, Poypoy was playing with a friend when the neighbor’s cocker spaniel scratched the back of his left shoulder. The attack left three long scratches on Poypoy’s back—scratches that were immediately treated with first aid by the dog’s owner who was an emergency room nurse. The wounds healed completely in a few days, and all that was left of these were white marks where the skin had broken.

Everyone thought Poypoy was going to be okay. That was their mistake.

Shortly after Poypoy’s death, his father Rex discovered a couple of things that could have saved his son’s life—first, the cocker spaniel had her last vaccination three years ago and that bites aren’t the only way to get rabies. Even the smallest wound or break on the skin—whether a bite or a scratch or even a lick on an open wound caused by a canine attack merits immediate professional attention.

In honor of Poypoy and the thousands who die (most of them children) of rabies, Rex became an advocate and put up the RabiesPoi.Org website to educate people about the dangers posed by man’s best friend.

Tomen relates, “We washed the wound and cleaned it with alcohol. The dog’s owner told us it was vaccinated for rabies so we didn’t bring our son to the doctor anymore. That was our mistake. Rabies can be fatal—everybody needs to know that,” he added.

Tomen was one of the speakers at the recent launch of the Department of Health’s “BiLiS Rabis,” a disease aware-

ness campaign aligned to the Rabies Free Philippines Advocacy. The advocacy was also supported by GSK. “Rabies is considered a neglected disease that is 100 percent fatal but also 100 percent preventable. Effective and safe medicines have been available for decades to prevent the disease in humans and animals,” DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial told members of the mass media.

“Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system that can lead to a serious illness and can lead to death if not addressed immediately. Rabies is most commonly transmitted through bites of rabid animals but it can also be transmitted through licks of rabid animals on existing scratches and wounds of individuals.”

BiLiS stands for the following: • Bi – Bilisan ang paghugas ng sugat (wash the infected area) • Li – Linisin ng alcohol (clean with alcohol) • S – Sumangguni sa doktor ukol sa tamang pag-gamot ng sugat (consult a doctor) Ubial said the advocacy not only promotes responsible pet ownership, but more importantly stresses the importance of early consultation when bitten by animals and timely administration of vaccines.

A total of 783,879 animal bites across the country were registered last year.

This was 10 percent higher than in 2014 when the total number of animal bites was 683,802. Although there is an increment, it means more bites were reported instead of ignored. This is attributed to the improved surveillance and services, which enabled bite cases to seek treatment at established public Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTC) and/or private Animal Bite Centers. As of March 2016, there are a total of 486 ABTCs located all over the country, 32 of which are in Metro Manila.”

Pinoy Dog Whisperer Lestre Zapanta and his dog A’quiya with Tonipet Gaba

Present during the launch of Department of Health’s ‘BiLiS Rabis’ campaign are (from left) GSK Public Affairs and Communication’s Rommel Abuda, Animal Health and Welfare Division OIC Dr. Emelinda Lopez, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, DOH Spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag and GSK Medical Director for Vaccines Dr. Christine Dizon. PHOTO BY D.C. VASQUEZ/INTERAKSYON

As prevention is always better than cure, Lestre Zapanta, the Pinoy Dog Whisperer, was also at the event to share some tips on how to deal with dogs to avoid being bitten: 1. Never pet strange dogs and don’t extend your hand because the dog will see this as a threat and it might bite you.

2. If you want to interact with a dog, squat sideways and wait for the dog to approach you.

3. Don’t disturb a dog while they are sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy or caring for puppies. Remember that a dog is scared, too, so don’t do anything that will make it feel you are a threat.

4. Be cautious around strange dogs and assume that a dog who doesn’t know you may see you as an intruder or a threat.

5. When confronted with a dog that may attack, DO NOT RUN. Resist the impulse to scream and run away. Instead stand still, keep your hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog. Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.

6. If you are a dog owner, have your dog vaccinated for rabies EVERY year. This could save lives, maybe even yours.

Pay attention to the dog’s body language. If you see the following signals: tensed

body, stiff tail, pulled back head and/or ears, furrowed brow, eyes rolled so the whites are visible, yawning, flicking tongue, intense stare, it’s a good idea to have a safe amount of space between yourself and the dog.

As part of the rabies elimination campaign, DOH and DA, Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) declared a total of 41 provinces/areas “rabies-free” from 2008-2016.

The DOH, through the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP), in partnership with different agencies and local government units, contin-

ue to implement strategies and activities to respond to this public health problem.

One strategy is the provision of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in all DOHrecognized ABTCs/ABCs, and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) especially for high-risk individuals and students in high incidence zones. Meanwhile, PhilHealth, through its Animal Bite Treatment Package, defrays the cost of PEP treatment among all qualified members.

The DOH has lined up various advocacy campaigns to disseminate information about the illness and how to prevent it.

The DOH also encourages pet owners to have household pets vaccinated at designated time periods. Lastly, the public is warned against approaching stray and possibly rabid animals and is reminded to immediately go to the nearest ABTCs/ABCs when needed.

“Be responsible, If you are a pet owner, make sure it has been vaccinated against rabies, and if you or someone you know is bit, scratched or licked by an animal make follow the BiLiS instructions, and immediately head to the nearest animal bite treatment center to have it checked and to have yourself vaccinated for rabies.” Secretary Ubial concluded.

CATCH! A’quiya attends

the launch of DOH rabies awareness campaign.

Life

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

The Felicidad T. Sy wellness center features activity center for children and waiting lounge for senior citizens

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OCAL officials and officers and staff of SM Foundation Inc. opened a newly upgraded health center, one of three, in Concepcion, Tarlac, last Friday. The new health center, costing P2 million, has a children’s play area and senior citizens’ waiting lounge, features adopted by SM Foundation in the Felicidad T. Sy (FTS) Wellness Centers it is building across the country. There are now 120 FTS Wellness Centers.

This is the 30th community health center that SM Foundation upgraded.

SM Foundation Director for Health Connie Angeles said the foundation would take care of maintaining the center, which was widely applauded by the local officials.

The health center serves close to 200 patients (covering central and northern Concepcion) on clinic days of Mondays and Fridays; Wednesdays are immunization days; Tuesdays are for pregnant women and Thursdays for diabetic patients. But with a birthing center put up right beside it last year by the local government, Tuesdays might also be used for medical consultations.

The old Concepcion Health Center was built in 1999 during the term of

Front desk and reception area of Concepcion Municipal Health Center in Concepcion, Tarlac

Upgraded health center

opens in Concepcion, Tarlac

SM Foundation, Inc.’s Mario Deriquito and Connie Angeles together with Concepcion Mayor Andres Lacson, Vice Mayor Danilo David and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Raymundo Valdez led the ribbon cutting for the newly refurbished health center.

then Mayor Avena who sought the help of Doña Lualhati Aldaba-Cojuangco, grandmother of former President Benigno Aquino while trapped in traffic on North Luzon Expressway, residents narrated.

When SM was applying for permits last year to put up a Savemore facility in Concepcion, incumbent Mayor Andres Lacson said, in jest, that it could also help

in the renovation of the largest of three health centers. “Weeks after I joked to SM officials about this, the ocular inspection team came and renovation plans began taking place and here is what we are opening now,” the Mayor recalled in a speech during the inauguration.

Concepcion is one of the biggest municipalities in Tarlac, spanning 7.5

Benilde faculty presents paper

on deaf volunteerism at Mexico confab THE De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) will participate in the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) World Volunteer Conference in Puebla, Mexico from Nov. 3 to 5.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Volunteering for Social Change,” recognizes that volunteerism is a powerful way in which individual and collective actions can bring needed change to communities, countries and the rapidly globalizing world. It also contributes to personal development by building knowledge of the realities of the society, reinforcing the instinct to care and to respond, and reminding of the ability to make a real difference in the lives of others.

The paper was prepared by SDEAS Social Responsibility and Outreach Program Coordinator William I. Sidayon Jr., together with SDEAS Leadership Involvement Program Coordinator Marian Patricia Bea U. Francisco, under the aegis of SDEAS Center for Deaf Esteem and Forma-

tion Director Agnes C. Canayon.

Sidayon, the sole representative for the Philippines, will present the study “Volunteerism in the Perspective of Deaf College Student Volunteers” at the global convention.

Sidayon has a Business Management and Masters in Education Degree from Pasig Catholic College. He has been connected with DLS-CSB for the past three years.

The report states that “Volunteering was a way for the deaf to socialize and to be an active member of society, and that through their volunteering efforts and advocacy, they are not only helping their community, they are also proving that the deaf can do anything, except hear.”

Using data gathered from interviews, reports and focus group discussions, it further said: “The volunteering experience of deaf students helps them grow to be value-laden and productive citizens. At the same time, they develop their self-esteem, their sense of belongingness and purpose in life. This presentation will focus on the perspective of

deaf students on volunteering and how their experiences contribute to their well-being.”

It also provides implications, insights and recommendations for the continuous improvement of volunteer programs for the deaf, and how others can be encouraged to be volunteers.

The IAVE, founded in 1970, aims to promote, strengthen and celebrate volunteerism in its many forms throughout the world. It is a global network of NGOs, businesses, national volunteer centers and grassroots leaders of volunteering, with members in 70 countries across all the regions globally.

Since the very first conference in 1970, the IAVE World Volunteer Conference has been the premier gathering point for volunteer leaders internationally, for those who share a commitment to volunteering as a means to build understanding across borders through the active engagement of individuals in service to their communities, to their societies and to the planet.

‘Love to See Change’ program BY launching a campaign called “Love to See Change,” an online program that encourages everyone to commit to having their eyes checked within the year, Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, joins everyone around the globe in observing World Sight Day (WSD) Essilor’s “Love to See Change” invites Essilor employees and the general public to pledge their commitment to have their eyes checked through the website, www.lovetoseechange. com/en/ until the end of 2016. For the first 100,000 users who will make a pledge, the Essilor Group will donate

$1 on their behalf in favor of a local initiative that supports healthy vision for those in need.

Every year, Essilor actively participates in WSD initiatives for the promotion of good eyesight through various programs and events held across different countries around the world. In 2015 alone, the company has initiated an astounding 23,284 vision tests in more than 49 countries worldwide. This is in line with Essilor’s mission of improving lives by improving eyesight.

World Sight Day is organized by the World Health Organization and is observed annually every second Thurs-

day of October. It is a part of a global action plan aimed at decreasing needless visual impairment, generating data about the magnitude and causes of visual impairment and encouraging nations to adopt eye health policies.

Everyone is invited to be a part of this important global event. They only need to get an eye check-up before the end of the year and participate in the “Love to See Change” Campaign.

Learn more about “Love to See Change” at www.lovetoseechange.com/ en/. For more information about Essilor Philippines, visit www.essilor.com.ph.

kilometers from the Capas junction to McArthur highway. It has 45 barangays. Dr. Raymond G. Valdez is the only doctor servicing a population of 75,000 with 20 midwives in the birthing center. He said ideally there should be seven regional health units (RHUs) in Concepcion with one doctor, nurse, sanitary inspector, dentist,

and midwife each but there are only three operating.

Its population is now at over 200,000 and though it hosts many prominent families, the Cojuangcos and Aquinos for example, the poor residents outnumber the rich people in this vastly agricultural municipality, which had been elevated to first class municipality.

Just like most health centers in the country, cases diagnosed are acute respiratory diseases; cardio vascular diseases; hypertension; diabetes; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) and cancers. Common cause of mortality is heart attack (myocardial infraction) or cardiovascular attacks (strokes).

Infant mortality is almost nil, Valdez said citing that the staff have been properly trained to address to mothers about to give birth. Even the mothers have been trained to feel the timing of their childbirths. Herbolarios (those that administer the births at home) have ceased to exist since 1990, he noted.

Since health care awareness is low and with only one doctor around, the local government made sure to buy one mobile clinic that makes the rounds of the barangays each week so that people are given the most basic medical and dental attention, said Mayor Lacson.

SDEAS Social Responsibility and Outreach Program Coordinator William Sidayon Jr. will present ‘Volunteerism in the Perspective of Deaf College Student Volunteers’ study at a global confab

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

ABS-CBN head for Sports Marketing Chris Wong accepts the “Best Sports Marketing Award” via a video message

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HE premiere dates of the inaugural HBO Asia Original anthology of martial arts action TV movies coproduced with China Movie Channel (CMC) were announced. Both movies will premiere on the same day during primetime across Asia on HBO and Red By HBO and in China on CMC’s premium subscription channel, CHC. Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So premieres on primetime on Christmas Day, while Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying will debut a day later.

Top: Martial arts character ‘Beggar So in Master of The Drunken Fist Beggar So.’ Bottom: Kick Wong Kei-ying, the central character in the HBO movie ‘Master of The Shadowless.’

This is the first time a China coproduction movie will premiere on the same day in China as well as across the region. Both movies will also be available on HBO Go and HBO On Demand in Asia, as well as on CCTV6 in China at a later date.

HBO Asia will be distributing the movies which were executive produced

by Hong Kong action director, Corey Yuen outside of China while CMC handles distribution within the mainland. The trailers for both TV movies, which boast a cast of Chinese actors professionally trained in mixed martial arts, kung fu and muay thai, were released.

The action-packed movies are set in ancient China at the end of the Qing dynasty.

Shot in Chinese language in Hengdian, China, the movies will be dubbed in English with local language subtitles when they premiere in Asia on HBO. Concurrently, both movies will also debut at the same time on Red By HBO in its original language with English subtitles. Both movies will air in original language in China.

Guo Jian-yong who specializes in martial arts movies and has choreographed the action sequences for Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), The Twins Effect II (2004), Red Cliff (2007) and Transporter I, II and III (2001; 2005; 2008) directed the two TV movies.

The first movie in the anthology, Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So, stars Cao Jun as Beggar So Chan. Due to a conspiracy, wealthy So Chan loses everything but is saved by the Beggars’ Sect. He learns the long lost martial art – Drunken Fist, to defeat the person who framed him.

Sun Hao-ran stars in the titular role of Wong Kei-ying. A physician, he learns the legendary martial art – Shadowless Kick – to take down the ruthless and treacherous new governor of Canton in Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying.

A team of writers from China wrote the two movies, while award-winning Singaporean screenwriter, Koh Teng Liang, contributed to the screenplay of Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong KeiYing.

These two anthology TV movies are among of four HBO Asia Original productions this year.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, October 20, 2016

ACROSS 1 Jolt 4 Zoo transport 8 Yacht feature 12 Marquis or earl 13 Hole up 14 Unfinished room 16 Yeah, right!

(2 wds.)

17 Speckled horse 18 Freshen a pillow 19 Large gathering 20 pH clue (2 wds.)

22 Fauna 24 — -majeste 25 It has its point 26 Parroted 28 Team supporter 31 Cubicle fillers 34 Spring 35 Hunch 36 Mouthy Martha — 37 Charred 38 Exigency 39 Coffee dispensers 40 Abel or Ducommun 41 Twig-and-mud homes 42 Student stat 43 Legend 44 Marsupial pocket

45 Oprah’s middle name 47 Carnival pitchmen 51 One meaning of ounce (2 wds.)

55 Chatter 56 “Rumba King” Xavier 57 “The Banana Boat Song” (hyph.)

58 Position 59 Become acclimated 60 Singer Celine — 61 Sooner city 62 Kernel 63 Funny money 64 Back when DOWN 1 He jilted Medea 2 Excuse 3 Lib. section 4 Electrify 5 Brawls 6 Comic Sandler 7 Pull-down item 8 Charted 9 Book of maps 10 Confounds 11 Measure speed 12 Wee one’s wail 15 EMT technique 20 Statutes

21 Zonked out 23 Invents 26 Falcon’s home 27 Window part 29 Aid and — 30 Beatty and Buntline 31 Germ killer 32 Tombstone deputy 33 Rabbi’s place 34 Temporary slowdown 35 Sweater style (hyph.)

37 Blues street in

Memphis 41 Ancient ointment 43 Jousted 44 Island attire 46 Tuned in 47 Marshy area 48 Inspecting 49 Math figure 50 Raced 51 Biol. or astron.

52 Cell habitants 53 Bookie’s figures 54 Water holder 58 Jellyfish abode

ABS-CBN Sports bags gold in Asia Sports Industry Awards ABS-CBN Integrated Sports earned a victory for the Philippines after winning “Best Sports Marketing Campaign of the Year” at the Asia Sports Industry Awards on Oct. 4 in Bangkok.

The sports arm of the country’s leading media and entertainment company was recognized for its work in promoting the Women’s Volleyball Tournament of the University Athletic Associations of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78, where it used an integrated marketing campaign anchored on women empowerment to get more Filipinos, especially women, into the culture of sports.

According to ABSCBN Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena, the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament has undergone a complete transformation in terms of viewership and marketing possibilities due to the sudden rise of the sport in the country.

From a mere few people trooping to the University of the Philippines’ College for Human Kinetics gym to watch volleyball games then, now the tournament has thousands of fans who watch the matches live at the venue, on television, and online through ABS-CBN’s multiple media platforms.

GWAPULIS.

Law enforcer PO1 Willy Quinto adjudged grand winner at the competition for handsome policemen

“Years ago, UAAP volleyball was played in the gyms at UP and Ateneo, but now we are able to fill to the rafters of the biggest stadiums in the country. Our volleyball players have also become so popular that they have become celebrities and role models to youth. ABS-CBN, as the official broadcaster of UAAP, is honored to play a role in making all of that happen,” Laurena shared.

In their 360 campaign for the volleyball tournament last season, ABS-CBN Sports aimed to inspire more people to get into this exciting and fast-growing sport through content and promotions on TV, radio, print, and online.

The campaign resulted to higher TV ratings, a new record in gate attendance, and greater page views and video views for articles and videos posted about the tournament on ABS-CBN’s sports hub sports.abs-cbn. com - indications that more people are taking notice of volleyball.

“We’re very proud to be chosen over some of the very best sports marketing projects around the Southeast Asian region, but more importantly, we take pride in staying committed to our mission of championing sports development and Filipino athletes by helping grow the next big sport

in the Philippines,” said Laurena. The Asia Sports Industry Awards recognizes and celebrates business leaders, organizations, facilities and campaigns at the forefront of the sporting industry, that have made a contribution to the growth and development of sports across South East Asia in the past eighteen months. ABSCBN also won last year for its “Isang Bayan Para Kay Pacman” campaign, which was conferred with the “Best Sports Digital Platform” award.

ABS-CBN, through ABS-CBN Sports, brings to free TV games popular international sporting events such as the NBA, US Open, FIFA, and UEFA Champions League, and is the home of premier collegiate basketball in the country as the broadcast partner of the NCAA and UAAP. They also air big fight events like the Pinoy Pride boxing series, Top Rank Boxing, URCC, Bellator, and ONE Championship promotions and produces original sports content such as the sports newscast The Score and Upfront at the UAAP. ABS-CBN Sports also has wide presence online through its sports hub sports. abs-cbn.com, and official social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter (@ ABSCBNSports).

Dancing policeman is

‘Gwapulis 2016’ grand winner

WITH a combination of good looks, great talent, quick wit, and a strong passion to serve, PO1 Willie Quinto of Valenzuela City was named the first grand winner of “Gwapulis 2016” in ABS-CBN’s flagship morning program Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG).

Quinto was chosen by judges that included former Miss Universe 4th runnerup Venus Raj, SOCO anchor Gus Abelgas, Philippine National Police directors Ramon Apolinario, and Wilfredo Franco over five other candidates in the contest, which aimed to promote appreciation and respect for the country’s law enforcers.

The young law enforcer, son of a vendor and tricycle driver, was presented with a key to a brand new house and lot, among other prizes in a ceremony aired live from the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

D4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

New programs and initiatives on

Star World A

SIA’S most beloved general entertainment channel StarWorld celebrated its newest programs and initiatives with a huge party at the Valkyrie Nightclub in Bonifacio Global City on Oct. 11.

StarWorld has invited the country’s biggest celebrities, members of the press, and esteemed industry partners to attend this glitzy event and be introduced to the channel’s most exciting properties.

Leading StarWorld’s excellent programming that includes premium dramas, comedies and reality shows is the channel’s newly launched wedding show She Said Yes!, which reveals the magic behind some of the Philippines’ most beautiful ceremonies.

The Voice Season 11 is another new addition to StarWorld that has had huge audiences tuning in due to the powerhouse duo of new judges—Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys—that inject the show with a refreshing feminine energy.

The channel has also kept in touch with the digital world by featuring on-air capsules hosted by the country’s top social

Former child star Antoinette Taus

Model and fashion journalist Apples Aberin and SVP GM Jude Turcuato

ARKEO Films’ newest production Apocalypse Child continues to win acclaim as it is the latest Filipino film to receive a grade of A from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB). The grade entitles the movie, which opens in cinemas on Oct. 26, to get a 100-percent tax rebate.

Apocalypse Child tells the story of Baler-based surfing instructor Ford (played by Sid Lucero) who is supposed to be the son of a famous American director. One summer, this often-told tale comes to fore as the instructor’s childhood friend Rich, now Congressman of Baler (played by RK Bagatsing), has pulled strings for the

Celebrity doctor Hayden Kho and pet stylist Tess Villareal

director to acknowledge Ford. Chona (Ana Abad Santos), the mother of Ford, is ecstatic. This development comes at a time when Rich is engaged to be married to Serena (Gwen Zamora), and Sid has a romantic affair with a young Fil-Am tourist Fiona (Annicka Dolonius).

The Cinema Evaluation Board’s summation noted the excellence of the ensemble cast. The CEB said, “Aside from Lucero, also a standout was Gwen Zamora, leagues away from her Bubble Gang persona as she evokes a simmering sexiness…

The support was also very good, from RK Bagatsing… to Ana Abad

media influencers, such as Ingrid Chua of The Bag Hag Diaries and Erwan Heussaff in The Fat Kid Inside.

Another show that StarWorld will be producing soon is called Taste Travels featuring Cher Tiu. Starworld also launched its newest online lifestyle platform called The Girl On TV, which aims to offer the most entertaining and relevant content to its target audience of strong, adventurous and stylish women all in one home.

Charo Espedido, director and head of Marketing and Programming at FOX Networks Group Philippines, said, “This event serves as a celebration of the successes of StarWorld. With our strong line-up of new programs and new initiatives to connect with our audiences on a digital platform, we are staying true to the claim that we are trendsetters within and outside pay TV. Our goal is to better reach our viewers with great content, and by so doing maintain our market leader status in the Philippines.

We feel wonderful about sharing our successes with our industry partners, talents and the press.”

TV star and Smart LTE endorser Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Jasmine CurtisSmith in #SmarterDavao weekend “THANKS to #SmarterDavao, I was able to upload this video with Smart LTE,” said young actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith in her caption on an Instagram post showing her and the crowd that gathered at SM Lanang over the weekend during the #ConnectedDavao event.

As a celebrity and online influencer, Jasmine needs the Internet to upload content for her social media accounts (Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) so fast and consistent Internet is a must.

Jasmine also enjoys watching videos on YouTube and playing games on her phone when stuck in traffic or during shooting breaks. She’s subscribed to iFlix where she can watch her favorite movies and TV shows.

With added Smart cell sites in Davao and with the city with full LTE signal, Jasmine was able to do just that. At SM Lanang, she updated her social media accounts easily.

Jasmine got in touch with her loved ones in Manila and Australia via SMS and other messaging apps.

“A seamless LTE connection is always important to me and I am glad that Smart has brought that to Davao City,” said Jasmine.

Two lucky fans who won in the online car race had the chance to have selfies with Jasmine.

The event also highlighted Smart’s full LTE rollout in Davao City.

“Smart LTE will forever change the subscriber’s mobile experience. It enables you to surf the Net in ultrafast speeds of up to 42 mbps! That’s six times as fast as 3G,” said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, FVP and head of Wireless Consumer Operations for Smart.

If Smart LTE is six times faster than 3G, imagine what it can do. If you work in Makati and live in Quezon City, that means you’re stuck in traffic four hours a day. Your mobile handset will be your landline to productivity and entertainment. On the way to work, you can check your email and respond to your messages on Viber and WhatsApp. On the way home, you can catch up on your favorite series or even do a bit of online shopping.

The #ConnectedDavao event also featured experiential zones where subscribers can get to experience Smart’s products, services and innovations firsthand and a selling area.

For more information, go to www.smart. com.ph.

Writer and host Stephanie Zubiri

“A” for ‘Apocalypse Child’

‘Apocalypse Child’ cast members Sid Lucero, RK Bagatsing, Ana Abad Santos, and Annicka Dolonius with the film’s co-writers during a promo tour

Santos as Ford’s mom… to Annicka Dolonius and Archie Alemania in their respective depictions of wasted but still hopeful youth.”

The Board hailed the film’s production values.

It described the editing as “sufficiently contained,” the cinematography as “imaginative,” and the music by Armi Millare of the band Up Dharma Down as “apt as it captured well the melancholic surf vibe.” The CEB praised the production design by artist Christina Dy for maximizing the scenic locale “to the hilt.”

The members of the CEB also gave kudos to directorwriter Mario Cornejo

and co-writer-producer Monster Jimenez. The summation made a reference to the duo’s previous work, the 2005 Cinemalaya film Big Time, when it stated, “It is films like (Apocalypse Child) that remind us that there is always a fresh way of telling a story, and like the director’s maiden project with Monster Jimenez, Big Time, it is a potential sleeper and helps keep the indie spirit alive.”

Apocalypse Child is distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation.

The movie is supported

by Belo Sun Expert. For updates, like the Apocalypse Child Facebook page and check out its website apocalypsechild.com.