Manila Standard - 2016 November 17 - Thursday

MARTIAL LAW AN OPTION—DU30

By John Paolo Bencito

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Martial Law remains an option to quash the protracted rebellion and spread of narco-money funding terrorism.

“I am not a fan of martial law. I’m a lawyer.

The people are afraid of Martial Law. But if ever, Martial Law is a conti-

nency to meet widespread violence,” Duterte said in a dinner with reporters.

“Mindanao is in a state of rebellion. If you go south, there is no guarantee that you can go there to TawiTawi,” he added.

Last month, the President said it was not possible for him to declare Martial Law even as he admitted that

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Ombudsman rebuked Leila: No one can force me to quit

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AMID renewed calls for her resignation after she admitted having an affair with her married driver-bodyguard, Senator Leila de Lima stood firm Wednesday, saying, “No one can force me to resign.”

“So that’s it, they’re feasting again on me. That’s what they like. Basta, resignation is a personal decision,” De Lima said.

The beleaguered senator said she would simply ignore the calls for her to step down, and said her accusers should be the ones to resign for using the entire government machinery to go after her.

“They have no qualms about

doing all these things like using the resources of the executive department... [and] they are all focused on me,” De Lima said. “What kind of standards are these?”

She accused the President’s men of harassing, coercing and blackmailing witnesses to testify against her on allegations that she accepted drug money from crime lords detained at the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary.

On Tuesday, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo urged De Lima to resign after she admitted on national TV to having an affair with her driver-bodyguard Next page

‘Capture Dayan alive to tell all on De Lima’

By John Paolo Bencito, Maricel V. Cruz and Sara Susanne Fabunan PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants Senator Leila de Lima’s exlover Ronnie Dayan alive to bolster the cases to be filed against her, saying that her admission to an affair is not enough to implicate her in the

illegal drug trade.

“It’s a long shot. The guy is not here, you can’t find him and get his statement. He also can’t answer for himself. But I hope he’s alive he’s a vital witness against De Lima,” Duterte told reporters Wednesday.

Dayan went into hiding in August, after President Rodrigo Next page

Solons: Carpio, Clemente silent on narco-pols

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

J

USTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and several lawmakers assailed Ombudsman Conchita Morales and her team of prosecutors for not investigating so-called “narcopoliticians” and allowing the drug situation to worsen in the country.

OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA CARPIO-MORALES

Aguirre specifically demanded that Morales explain why she refuses to investigate Senator Leila de Lima for her alleged involvement in drug trafficking despite the testimonial evidence that has recently emerged against her.

Lawmakers, on the other hand, criticized Morales for her “deafening silence” on other narco-politicians, like the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, while maintaining an inordinate interest in pursuing “lesser” charges against other officials.

The lawmakers said Espinosa

had already executed a sworn statement implicating, aside from De Lima, congressmen, police officials and other officials as being protectors of his son Kerwin Espinosa, said to be the biggest drug lord in the Eastern Visayas region.

And yet, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente did not even bother to ask for a copy of Espinosa’s affidavit until the mayor was slain inside a jailhouse in Baybay City, Leyte.

Clemente did not even investigate allegations that relief assistance for “Yolanda” victims were

being stockpiled by local officials and not being distributed to victims, the lawmakers added.

“After the congressional hearings, many witnesses, including two [National Bureau of Investigation] officers and other officials, said that [De Lima] and Ronnie Dayan received money in two instances worth P5 million each inside her Parañaque house,” Aguirre told Palace reporters.

“But to the Ombudsman, these are still insufficient. I don’t know why she is saying that these are

mere allegations,” Aguirre said.

Instead, Morales, who like De Lima was an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III, said that her office will not exercise their motu propio power to investigate De Lima.

“It’s not going to happen,” Morales said. “All of these are only allegations. There is really no lead would prompt us to initiate our investigation.”

But Aguirre questioned Morales’ motives for ignoring the testimonial evidence against De Lima.

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Noy to blame for FM burial uproar—Rody

Explain outages, Cusi orders producers

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says Corazon Aquino and her son Benigno Aquino III have only themselves to blame for failing to bar the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos from getting buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

He said he would not change his decision to have Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani unless he received a court order stopping him from doing so despite his detractors.

“It’s simple, he [was] a President and a soldier and on both counts,” Duterte told reporters Tuesday night.

“They [had] long been in power when Marcos was deposed. It [was] a long time coming. Why didn’t they fix these things?”

Duterte made his statement even as human rights activists

THE Energy Department on Wednesday ordered the power producers and other stakeholders to explain the cause of the tripping of eight power plants that caused the brownouts Tuesday night.

“There was an outage [Tuesday night]. The plants simultaneously went off and that caused disturbance on the grid.

We lost around 2,400 megawatts,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi told reporters.

He said parts of the franchise area of Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor, were affected by the

on Wednesday denounced his statement that the issue on Marcos’ burial was merely a “fight between two families.”

“The Aquinos were not the only victims of Martial Law, nor are they the ones leading the condemnation of a hero’s burial for the late dictator,” said Sanlakas Secretary-General Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa.

“The President cannot simply reduce the issue to a clash of political clans, especially if he is aware of the injustices and crimes committed by the Marcos dictatorship.”

Pedrosa said under Marcos’ rule, 3,240 people were killed, more than 70,000 were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured and 254 disappeared.

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‘Trust Trump’s judgment’ PEOPLE can expect fewer curses from President Rodrigo Duterte against the United States, after he declared that he can get along with President-elect Donald Trump.

“Oh I’m sure. We have no fight. I can always be a friend to anybody, especially to a president, chief executive of another country,” Duterte told reporters Tuesday.

Unlike US President Barack Next page

MEMORIAL RITE. TV host-author Cory Quirino (not in picture), granddaughter of President Elpidio Quirino, leads the laying Wednesday of a wreath at her grandfather’s statue on Quirino Ave. corner Roxas Blvd. during the 126th birth anniversary of the lawyer-politician, the sixth President of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953. Norman Cruz

Speaker wants 3 Transport execs fired SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday sought the ouster of three undersecretaries of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for allegedly sleeping on the job.

He also slammed the Transport Department for delaying the bidding of priority projects so that those could be included in negotiated contracts that need

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not be open to scrutiny.

Alvarez, in a radio interview, expressed dismay over what he called the dismal performance of Transportation officials.

He also accused them of having vested interests as they had previously served in companies that had direct stakes in infrastructure projects for the transportation sector.

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S

“With all these people at the [Transport Department], these undersecretaries who have their own vested interests, I am sure they will negotiate these contracts,” Alvarez said.

Asked to name the Transportation officials who should be fired by the President immediately, Alvarez identified them

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SERVICE AFTER SHOCKS. Members of the Filipino community help clear damage Wednesday from a house in Waiau town, 80 kms to the south of Kaikoura as New Zealand tries to recover from a devastating earthquake that swallowed roads, twisted railway lines and left towns and cities smashed and deserted. AFP

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Leila:...

From A1 Ronnie Dayan, whom President Rodrigo Duterte had tagged as the bagman who collected money from drug lords inside the NBP to fund De Lima’s senatorial campaign.

De Lima has denied accepting drug money, but said during her TV interview that it was “within the realm of possibility” that Dayan had used her name without her permission to extort money from the drug lords.

To save the Senate from further embarrassment, Panelo said De Lima should voluntarily resign.

He added that De Lima’s admission could bolster the drug charges against her. He said this also validates the accusation that she committed unlawful and immoral acts and opens her to a criminal charge of adultery.

“It opens her to expulsion proceedings in the Senate by the Senate ethics committee for immorality and grave misconduct in office, apart from opening herself to a disbarment proceeding as a member of the bar for immorality and unethical conduct,” Panelo said.

Drug lords who testified during the House hearings on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the NBP when De Lima was Justice secretary had corroborated Duterte’s assertion that Dayan was the senator’s lover who collected money from them.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also demanded that De Lima resign, saying that her admission strengthened the government’s case against her.

But De Lima said her admission to

Noy...

From A1 “A hero’s burial for Marcos will not give closure to the families and the memory of those who were denied dignity and rights under his tyranny,” Pedrosa said.

“Nor will it absolve the present and future generations of the 26.7billion dollar debt we will be paying as late as 2025, almost forty years after Marcos’ regime ended.”

Duterte asked: “After the fallen revolution, they should have passed laws disallowing or denying to the person already dead to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Why didn’t you pass a law telling us that this burial cannot take place at the Libingan?”

Duterte insisted he was merely following the law.

“It’s basically a [fight] between the two families. We just got involved,” he said.

John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta

'Trust...

From A1 Obama, Trump has never spoke out against the administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs, Duterte said.

Duterte, who won a May election by a huge margin is often compared with Trump, having himself been the alternative candidate from outside of national politics.

He has also threatened repeatedly to sever the country’s military relationship with the US, which has been a key element of Washington’s “pivot” to Asia.

Duterte has also slammed Washington’s threat to withdraw aid if the Philippines doesn’t toe the line “like a dog on a leash.”

Just like Trump, then Davao mayor Duterte campaigned on a populist, anti-establishment platform and struck a chord among ordinary Filipinos, with his promises to fix what he called a “broken country,” and bragged about sexually harassing women.

In the same interview, Duterte said he trusted Trump’s judgment, particularly on matters relating to immigration amid threats that he will be cracking down on immigrants, including Filipinos.

“I trust in his judgment and he would be fair in the matter of the treatment of illegal immigrants,” Duterte said.

“I cannot talk for the illegals because whether the President is Trump or not, or somebody else it won’t matter. Because an illegal is always an illegal. So he is subject at any time a deportation,” he added.

Malacañang, meanwhile, urged undocumented Filipinos in the United States to return to the country amid the threat of massive deportation of illegal immigrants once Trump assumes office in January.

“The Trump policy will have minimal effect on US-based OFWs, according to Secretary Bello,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a Palace press briefing.

“The interesting point here is that should the undocumented OFWs decide to come home, Bello noted that the government is ready to provide them assistance and in his words, the end program of the President is to bring back our OFWs so we already established a mechanism [for their return],” he said.

Abella also voiced the position of the National Economic and Development Authority, saying that the non-voice component of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry should be further expanded to avert Trump’s protectionist policies.

John Paolo Bencito, AFP

News

Du30 intends to meet Putin in Lima, Peru

having an affair with Dayan was not proof that she collected drug money through him for her senatorial campaign.

“What’s the connection? Theoretically, anyone can be a bagman,” she said.

“I know myself. I have nothing to do with it,” she said of allegations that she took money from the drug lords.

De Lima also said Dayan was already separated from his wife when they had the affair.

De Lima first admitted her longtime rumored relationship with Dayan in an exclusive interview by Winnie Monsod on GMA News TV Monday night.

When Monsod asked her why she fell for Dayan, who was just her driver and bodyguard, considering her intelligence and competence, De Lima described what happened as part of the “frailties of a woman.”

De Lima said she was being truthful about her affair in the same way she was truthful when she denied being a protector of drug lords.

“I can’t be truthful in one aspect, and untruthful in another. I’ve been very truthful about my innocence on the allegations against me about my alleged drug trade. I can’t be untruthful with respect to my personal life,” she said.

De Lima said she was asked directly so she answered directly.

“I don’t lie. I have difficulty lying so I opted to admit a past episode of my life,” she said. :my marriage has been annulled and then [he was] separated when that happened at that time. Things happened. I can’t lie because that’s the truth,” she said.

“But the point of being romanti-

cally involved at some point in my life, that’s not relevant. They’re just insisting on that because it’s part of humiliating me, the misogynistic tendency of the President that he wants to portray me as an immoral woman.

That’s when double standard in our society comes. Look who’s talking?” she said.

Asked if it was possible that Dayan had collected money for her without her knowledge, De Lima reiterated that while she believes that he would not do it, it was also possible that she was wrong.

“Because I cannot be 100 percent sure of anyone else except myself.

I can only be 100 percent of myself because I know myself.... I know myself,” she said.

“Although I want to believe they won’t do it, but they did that before...

I cannot be sure, I’m not their keeper.

I can’t guarantee their integrity,” she further stated.

De Lima blamed her predicament to the administration’s “non-stop acts of persecution” against her.

Reacting to critics who called her immoral, De Lima said: “No one can judge me on my morality.”

De Lima also said she wouldn’t be surprised if the government cut a deal with suspected drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa to link her to the illegal drug trade.

“They’re fabricating stories linking me to the drug trade, the inclusion of my name in the supposed list of the Espinosas—what they called the blue book, pink book, really, that’s totally fabricated,” De Lima said.

“Have you not noticed that all their efforts are focused on me. I am the only one being pinned down here. I am the only one charged here.

They’re ganging up on me. Have you heard other cases under case buildup against other alleged protectors, alleged coddlers? The real protectors and coddlers?” she said.

At the Senate, De Lima expressed concern over the huge increase in the confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the President in the proposed P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017.

During the plenary debate, De Lima noted how the proposed budget of the OP has dramatically ballooned to P20.03 billion which is around P17 billion more than its existing budget of only P2.87 billion for 2016.

“Why must the President spend more than ₱2 billion for confidential and intelligence expenses when there are agencies which specialize in intelligence operations?” she asked.

Under the proposed 2017 national budget, the President’s confidential and intelligence funds are given an allocation of ₱1 billion, four times bigger than the current ₱250 million.

De Lima pointed out that a bloated allocation of confidential and intelligence funds under the OP reveals the administration’s apparent distrust of the current intelligence operations.

“The President is the ultimate recipient of intelligence reports and not the one supposed to generate them.

Why must he require considerable funds for confidential and intelligence expenses for operations that would render the intelligence operations of the [other] agencies useless?” she said.

“The President should instead make use of the intelligence reports of our agencies instead of generating them himself,” she said.

Ombudsman...

From A1

prosecutors. “[The Ombudsman lawyers] are too quiet on that. They should take notice of [drug cases] because that is the problem that our country is facing today as pointed out by President [Rodrigo] Duterte,” said House Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (Buhay) partylist Rep. Lito Atienza.

Atienza recalled that Duterte had already said there are magistrates, local officials, retired and active police officers who are allegedly involved in drug trafficking but the Ombudsman has not lifted a finger to probe the charges.

“They should seriously look into the drug proliferation and the involvement of public officials in the drug problem. They should pursue this [so they can help the government in its campaign against illegal drugs],” Atienza pointed out.

Another opposition lawmaker Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin noted that the Ombudsman continues to file corruption cases, like the one filed against Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa over his trip to watch a boxing bout in the United States.

“But they should look into all cases, not only graft and corruption,” said Garbin, a lawyer. “Being a constitutional body and watchdog to look after our accountable public officials, they should take action motu proprio even without a benefit of a complaint from somebody.”

“The Ombudsman should conduct the probe immediately given the magnitude of the drug problem.

Dapat lahat at hindi lamang graft and corruption,” Garbin said.

Atienza said the Ombudsman has not even acted on complaints that local officials, some of them high ranking officials of the Liberal Party, were involved in drug trafficking.

But Aguirre said the DoJ will continue to conduct its own factfinding investigations.

“Despite the resistance from the Ombgudsman to investigate Senator De Lima, these kind of cases could be investigated or could be heard in preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman and by the Department of Justice at the same time.

“So we are continuing our preliminary investigation in connection with these charges,” he added.

nationwide to hunt down Dayan.

“We sent out a flash alarm...not only to our regional office in Region 1 but in all other regional offices of the police of the Philippine National Police. We have also directed Police Regional Office 1 to create tracker teams. And in two occasions, raids were conducted in Urbiztondo and vicinity, your honor, but unfortunately the result was negative,” Police Director Benjamin Magalong said.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, however, said he believes that De Lima’s admission would lead to her eventual disbarment and prove her links to the illegal drug menace.

Aguirre said that they have an “airtight” case agains the De Lima, which has been strengthened by her own admission of the affair.

“Even without Dayan’s testimony, even without Kerwin [Espinosa]’s testimony, it’s sufficient,” he said of the evidence they gathered.

He said he hoped the P1-million reward offered by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption for information about Dayan’s whereabouts would pay off.

“We were told that Ronnie Dayan is protected by some high public officials in his home province of Pangasinan and other northern provinces, up to Baguio,” Aguirre said. “I hope the P1-million reward will have a huge effect.”

Aguirre also said that Espinosa, a suspected drug kingpin who was arrested in Abu Dhabi and being sent home, would be used to pin De Lima to the drug trade.

“We were told that Kerwin was

very much fearful for his life as well as the lives of his common-law wife and children ... He was very fearful for their lives in view of what happened to the father,” Aguirre said, referring to Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was shot dead by a police raiding team inside his jail cell in the Baybay City provincial jail.

In a radio interview, Philippine ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Constancio Vingno Jr. relayed Espinosa’s request to place him under the government’s Witness Protection Program in exchange for information he would reveal once he arrived in the country.

“His request is that he be placed under witness protection and he will tell all” Vingno said on radio dzBB. On October 17, Espinosa was arrested after months in hiding in Abu Dhabi.

Vingno said he was finally able to speak with Espinosa or also known as “Boss K” inside the jail. Espinosa told him that he feared for his life as well as his family after his father was killed inside his jail cell on Nov. 5.

Also on Wednesday, a police officer told a congressional panel that the stabbing incident at the NBP on Sept. 28 was intended to silence inmate Jaybee Sebastian to prevent him from testifying against De Lima.

Police Chief Supt. Francisco Ebreo made the disclosure, citing the affidavit of convict Tomas Doniña, that he stabbed Sebastian so that he would not speak against De Lima during the House probe on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the national penitentiary.

there have been instances when he was tempted to do so to address the worsening drug problem in the country. “Sometimes, I’m tempted really to declare martial law. But that’s not possible, so fine. That’s why I declared a state of lawlessness, because narcopolitics has entered my country,” Duterte said.

During a “mini” LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council meeting on Monday night, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the President wasn’t serious about suspending the writ of habeas corpus.

Earlier, Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, both allies of the President, had told him he would have to justify suspending the writ of habeas corpus before Congress would sign off on it.

But Duterte said narco-politics continues to threaten the country, with one political family that he declined to name amassing more than P5.9 billion from drugs.

“They are in elective positions.

They were able to parlay their influence,” Duterte said.

The Palace again sought to soften Duterte’s message, saying that a declaration of Martial Law was not imminent, and that the President was only warning of continuing lawlessness in Mindanao.

“There is no imminent declaration, unless there are necessary conditions,” said presidential spokesman Ernest Abella.

“He’s underlining our awareness and necessary consciousness of the growing impunity of certain groups [in certain areas of Mindanao],” he said.

Lawmakers meanwhile said the President can always declare Martial Law as long as there is a justifiable reason.

“Why not? As long as the following condition exist, in case of invasion or rebellion and when public

know. That’s why i have to wait for report,” Cusi said.

The Energy Department said it was continuing to monitor the power situation in Luzon and the Visayas following the tripping.

“I am asking for a comprehensive report and will tap experts to come up with a fair analysis on what transpired,” Cusi said.

“We will look into the entire system and the specific roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders. This is to assure the public that there will be enough power supply during the holiday season.”

The power supply in Luzon stood at 9,925 MW Wednesday noon with a demand of 8,183 MW and a reserve level of 1,742 MW.

Initial findings showed that the three units of Sta. Rita (600 MW) and two units of San Lorenzo (526 MW) tripped and caused the automatic load drop in the Luzon area.

The frequency of the system dropped to 58.68 hertz.

The department said there was also a tripping of “motor sensitive loads in the area resulting in the frequency to bounce back to 61.08 hertz.”

The department said a second set of plants totaling 861 MW tripped including San Roque (81 MW), Quezon Power Philippines (452 MW), Bacman (136 MW), Trans Asia (27 MW) and GN Power (151 MW).

First Gen Corp., which owns the Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo power plants, said tripping occurs at the

same time and within seconds when there is a fault in the system.

“Let me clarify. It was a grid/ line event fault that resulted in the triggering of our plants’ protection system to prevent damage,” First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said.

“The protection system of these power plants are triggered to prevent them from getting damaged. It is not only the gas plants that was first to go down. Other plants, including some coal and oil plants, tripped simultaneously,” he said.

He said the gas plants had the flexibility to restart quickly and be synchronized to the grid at a shorter time than the coal plants.

Alena Mae S. Flores

“These are not mere allegations,” Aguirre insisted. “These are accusations even if backed only by testimonial evidence bu it is testimonial evidence. These are evidence.”

“I don’t know why she say [these are only allegations]. I believe the Ombudsman herself should explain her stand,” he added.

Aguirre argued that the evidence against De Lima was sufficient even without the testimonies of her former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

“Actually, even without Dayan’s testimony, even without Kerwin’s testimony, it is already sufficient.

We have more than enough testimonial evidence but we want an air-tight case. We are still strengthening the case [and] every single additional evidence is welcome,” he said.

Aside from De Lima, lawmakers said there were already many complaints of local politicians, like Albuera Mayor Espinosa, being involved in the drug trade but these were ignored by Ombudsman

'Capture...

From A1 Duterte claimed in a speech that he had an illicit affair with De Lima, and that the two were involved in the narcotics trade at the New Bilibid Prison when the senator was Justice secretary.

De Lima this week admitted to having an affair with her long-time bodyguard during a television interview, saying that the relationship lasted for a “few years” and that she broke up with him before she ran for senator.

De Lima however, maintained that she had never authorized him or anybody to collect money from drug lords inside the NBP to bankroll her senatorial campaign.

The National Bureau of Investigation said they are already hunting down Dayan but would not say anything else.

“Much as we would like to discuss in detail the operational procedures we are applying in trying to locate and arrest Ronnie Dayan, we do not want to jeopardize the ongoing operations,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin told a congressional hearing Wednesday.

“The latest update is that our tracker teams continue to scour Pangasinan and other provinces, your honor. We haven’t received any significant information as of this day,” he said.

“As we discuss this in Congress, your honor, I believe Ronnie Dayan is watching us,” he added.

The NBI and the Philippine National Police said that they have already tapped their regional offices

Explain...

From A1 power cutoff that was also restored immediately.

“I have written Meralco, NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines] and the concerned gencos [generation companies] for an explanation and what happened, Including ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission),” Cusi said.

He also ordered the Philippine Electricity Market Corp., the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, to explain.

Cusi said he expected their replies by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“There was a tripping. What caused the tripping we still don’t

By John Paolo Bencito

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte intends to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss with him how to improve their countries’ bilateral links on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next week in Lima, Peru.

“The meeting will push through...Earlier tonight, I had a long talk with the ambassador of Russia. I reiterated my desire to meet Putin,” Duterte told reporters Tuesday night.

Duterte added that while he wanted to be friends with his “favorite hero,” he also intended to use this opportunity to explore possible economic transactions.

“I want to be friends with him. I just want the two countries to be the best of friends.

This is an economic world. If there are things we can sell them or export (to them, that’s good),” he said.

The President even joked about his excitement to meet the Russian leader, saying he would seek advice from him on guns and hunting—among his interests and “spotting women.”

Duterte had long expressed his admiration for the Russian leader, whom he described as his “favorite hero.”

“And the fact that there are millions of Filipinos in your country… I cannot gamble an answer. Because either way, it would affect… they might cre-

Martial...

From A1

ate hostility and antagonism here. I’m better off in saying that my favorite hero is Putin,” Duterte said in an earlier interview.

Former Consul General to Los Angeles and DFA Office of International Economic Relations senior adviser Leo Herrera-Lim said the President might get two to four bilateral meetings with leaders of the Apec member economies.

“Well, we anticipate around two to four. We are still trying to find both the schedule and the timings and…these are pretty much the arranged ones,” Lim told a Palace press briefing.

Duterte is exploring the possibility of having Russia as one of the country’s top trading partners, including armaments and other equipment following his decision to pivot away from the United States.

Russia already expressed its support to the Philippines after they sought Duterte’s “wish list,” adding they are open to any cooperation with the country, with which it established diplomatic relations in 1976. safety requires it,” Ako-Bicol partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin said.

But Garbin said he believes the President was merely joking when he said so.

“The problem is such specified conditions as required by our Constitution does not exist in the prevailing circumstance. So he might just be joking,” Garbin said.

Representatives Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela and Jericho Jonas Nograles of PBA party-list shared a similar view.

“It is always an option because it is provided in the Constitution,” Albano, House Majority Leader for the House contingent of the Commission on Appointments, said.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday ridiculed President Duterte for saying that Martial Law was a “contingency to meet widespread violence.”

Trillanes also reminded Duterte that he said he would resign if he did not eradicate the drug problem in three to six months.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III noted that Duterte’s statement on Martial Law was “merely an idea or an option, not a decision.”

With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Speaker...

From A1 as Undersecretary for Railways Noel Kintanar, Undersecretary for Air Operations Bobby Lim, and Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Raoul Creencia.

Kintanar was a former assistant vice president of Ayala Corp. and was instrumental in Ayala’s acquisition of rail projects under the previous administration. Lim was the former country manager of the International Air Transport Association.

Alvarez said Tugade was to blame ultimately for the inaction of his people.

“At the end of the day, he is still accountable for the inefficiencies of these people whom he appointed as undersecretaries,” Alvarez said.

He said the Transportation Department was “dribbling” the projects that could have been implemented immediately without the proposed emergency powers being sought by Tugade to solve the traffic gridlock in Metro Manila and elsewhere.

Alvarez said the Transportation Department could not blame Congress for the delay in the passage of the emergency powers package being sought by Tugade because he and his team failed to provide concrete solutions and a specific list of projects.

“We cannot just grant them emergency powers if we are not sure where they will use those,” Alvarez said. Maricel V. Cruz

News

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

10,000 nursing positions available

By Macon Araneta HEALTH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial assured nurses who will lose jobs in the government’s rural health program that there are 10,000 plantilla positions for them and government hospitals have already been increasing their nursing personnel.

Ubial said many nurses are expected to lose their regular positions in the rural health program because the DoH’s budget for 2017 cannot pay for their services but there are new positions in the drug treatment and rehab centers and these were included in next year’s budget.

“These are also available for hiring in the plantilla position,” said Ubial after Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto urged lawmakers to rescue the thousands of DoH jobs in peril if Congress will not override the government’s plan to downsize the number of frontline health personnel.

He said thousands of nurses, doctor, dentists will face the dreaded “endo” (end of contract) at the end of the year.

Recto noted that the proposed cut was triggered by the payroll ceiling given to DoH for 2017 which could not accommodate the retention of all Rural Health Practice Program personnel as it has to fund the second round salary increases for its regular personnel under the Salary Standardization Law IV. Recto said he is working closely with Ubial on how to minimize the displacement “which was something that was merely imposed on the DoH.” Ubial said they’re trying to make sure that nobody will be rendered jobless or at least minimize the number.

She said the DoH will absorb a good number of the almost 7000 rural health workers who will be affected by the department’s payroll ceiling and the mandated pay hike.

She said there is a number of nurses in their deployment program that were absorbed and given plantilla positions.

Recto said the biggest cut will be in the deployment of nurses—from 15,727 this year to 9,349 in 2017, which means 6,378 nurses contracted under the Nurse Deployment Program will be axed.

WAR VS. SMUGGLING. Senator Cynthia Villar confers with Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon over the smuggling of agriculturial products which remains unabated in the country during the 2017 budget hearing on Wednesday. Lino Santos

JBC starts interview of bets for 2 SC seats

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Judicial and Bar Council on Wednesday started vetting candidates for the first two appointments of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Supreme Court.

And the seven candidates for the vacancies to be left by retiring Associate Justices Jose Perez and Arturo Brion were subjected to intense grilling by the JBC members, led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on pressing issues.

Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, the first to face the JBC, said her years of service under several presidents has ripened her for a seat in the highest court in the land.

“My credibility cannot be bought, my credibility can be attested to by the people and by my bosses in the judiciary. What I can bring to the SC is my credibility and my experience as chief of the Public Attorney’s Office,” she added.

Illegals in Qatar urged to leave

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment has urged hundreds of undocumented Filipinos working in Qatar to avail the three-month amnesty offered by the Qatari government to all undocumented foreigners to leave the country without facing legal consequences.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Qatar’s first grace period in 12 years which was enforced on September 1 and will end on December 1, 2016.

“Foreigners who are ‘illegally’ residing in Qatar—i.e. in violation of the provisions of Law No. 4 of

2009 Regulating the Entry, Exit, Residence and Sponsorship of Expatriates—can exit the country without legal consequences,” the Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said.

“I welcome this piece of good news for our overstaying OFWs of a still undetermined number as it gives them the opportunity to finally go home to their families in the Philippines, and allow them to start new lives,” Bello said.

“With this opportunity, I strongly urge Filipinos illegally staying in Qatar to avail of this amnesty and go home to the Philippines to avoid the repercussion of their being declared as illegal foreigners in Qatar,” he added.

The JBC asked the PAO chief about her public pronouncement that it was President Duterte himself who asked her to consider transferring to the judiciary.

“I have shown my independence in my opinions and my handling of cases. My basis is always the rule of law. Whoever recommended me to apply to the SC, that is their opinion and it will not be a reason for me to be biased in the future,” Acosta pointed out.

Another nominee, Centro Escolar University law school vice dean Rita Linda VenturaJimeno, a regular columnist of the Manila Standard, supports proposals to shift to a federal form of government.

Jimeno, recommended for

the SC post by former President Fidel Ramos, said federalism would benefit development in the provinces, but stressed that decentralization and enactment of Freedom of Information Law and an anti-dynasty law would be necessary for it to succeed.

Jimeno also supported plans to amend provisions in the Constitution and suggested the establishment of constitutional courts to diffuse the responsibilities of the SC. Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Samuel Martires, for his part, also agreed with the SC ruling on the Marcos burial case, saying he would have concurred with the opinion of Associate Justice Jose Mendoza that the case involves a political question that is beyond the judicial review power.

Duterte is reportedly eyeing also a Muslim appointee in the high tribunal, and two Muslim Court of Appeals magistrates who faced the JBC yesterday —Associate Justices Japar Dimaampao and Noel Tijam—are his options.

“By God’s grace, if I would be appointed to the Court, I can help the Court with all humility in avoid-

ing erroneous decisions on sharia which will eventually amount to injustices to Muslims in this country.

I can be of help in preventing such possible influx of decisions which are not resolved in accordance with sharia and existing Islamic jurisprudence,” he said.

He said he believes the SC committed an error in its decision upholding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the government and the US. When asked about Duterte’s plan to suspend the writ of habeas corpus to stamp out criminality in Mindanao, the magistrate said the Constitution has clearly set conditions for such declaration—existence of rebellion or invasion.

Tijam, during his turn, was asked how he could prove independence considering he was a classmate of President Duterte.

“I know the President. He’s full of pride and does not ask favors,” he replied, adding that he does not belong to any fraternity from San Beda law school where they both came from and cited his track record of ruling against policies of former presidents.

New SSS president named

By Gabrielle H. Binaday PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appointed current Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc as the new president of the Social Security System replacing Emilio De Quiros Jr. who has severely criticized for rejecting an increase in pensions while insisting on a P1 million bonus to SSS officials.

In an appointment letter dated November 15, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Duterte approved the appointment of Dooc who will be replaced as insurance commissioner, a position with a fixed six-year term.

Dooc was first appointed as Insurance Com-

missioner in January 2011 and was reappointed in 2013 with a fixed term of six years under the new Insurance Code. Dooc’s term was supposed to end on 2019 had he not been appointed SSS chief.

Dooc will replace De Quiros who was forced to resign last August along with other appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III. De Quiros was at the helm of the SSS when the fund raised an uproar from the public and members after he and other SSS officials received nearly P117 million in salaries, allowances and other incentives in 2014 while claiming the fund had no funds for a pension increase.

Be entrepreneurs, OFWs encouraged OVERSEAS Filipino Workers have an array of possible business enterprises to pursue when they settle back in the Philippines, Senator Cynthia A. Villar said during the 6th OFW & Family Summit.

Villar, an advocate for the protection and welfare of OFWs, said government institutions and agencies and peoples organizations are always on standby to give advice and assistance to the thousands of OFWs and their families so they can invest their hard-earned sav-

ings for their future.

“Our beloved workers do not have to toil abroad forever.

Once they have saved enough money, they can come home, put up a small business and spend more quality and happy times with their families,” the lady senator said.

She acknowledged that many OFWs continue to work abroad until their retirement ages to secure a better and more comfortable life for their children.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

FUNDING GOVERNMENT. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno explains to journalists how the Department of Budget and Management will implement the budget law without political provisions that was previously exploited by local officials. Lino Santos

IN BRIEF Camarines gov ousted THE Interior Department on Wednesday ousted Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado over grave misconduct charges filed by provincial employees.

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said Tallado was found guilty of grave misconduct and oppression and/ abuse of authority, with aggravating circumstances of recidivism, following his decision to invalidate the appointments of 48 provincial government employees, including those appointed to various positions on permanent status by then governor Jesus Typoco.

Tallado will be replaced by Jonah Pimentel while Michael Canlas will assume the office of the vice governor.

The complaint was initially filed before the Civil Service Commission as early as Nov. 30, 2010, but was dismissed by the CSC forcing the petitioners to elevate the issue to the Court of Appeals.

“After our Regional Office in Legazpi City got hold of the decision issued by the Ombudsman’s Office, we immediately prepared the necessary documentation and served the dismissal order,” Sueno said.

John Paolo Bencito

DFA team sent to Iraq AMIDST the escalating fighting in Iraq, the government on Wednesday deployed a Rapid Response Team to Erbil, a few kilometers from the area of fighting, to monitor and come in aid if the situation escalates.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said the government has prepared some contingency plans to protect all overseas Filipino workers if the fighting in Mosul escalates.

“There are appropriate steps that would have to be taken to ensure that the Philippine government is ready to lead all overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] in Kurdistan out if harm’s way,” Yasay said.

Yasay said, he instructed the RRT through DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jesus Yabes, to assess the situation in Iraq, issue advisories and alerts, and engage with the Filipino community in Erbil and neighboring areas.

The deployment of the RRT, Yasay said, is a proactive measure to assure that safety of Filipino citizens in Kurdistan and the country’s readiness to assist them in time of crisis.

There is no established Philippine diplomatic or consular presence in the Kurdistan Region.

The Philippine embassies in Baghdad, Ankara, and Tehran then were the ones who have been instructed to activate their crisis teams to prepare for contingencies in the event that OFWs are transported across their borders. Sara D. Fabunan

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Not an option

A

T A dinner with reporters, President Rodrigo Duterte said Martial Law remains an option for him so he could act on the problem of illegal drugs, terrorism and rebellion in the country.

He is not a fan of Martial Law, he said, but declaring it could be a measure he could take to respond to widespread violence.

Just a few days ago, Palace officials also floated the idea of suspending the writ of habeas corpus in the context of the same war on illegal drugs —something that was immediately rejected by many sectors, including the Presi-

dent’s allies in Congress. The strong reaction prompted Malacañang to take back its words and say it was just a thought.

The Constitution does not make any such declaration easy: Given the checks-andbalances system in government, the Legislature and the Judiciary themselves have options on what to do if the Executive branch does resort

to martial law.

The President must realize that talking about Martial Law is an admission that he is failing to curb the menace.

Proud man that he is, is Mr. Duterte ready to concede defeat this early?

We don’t believe that this administration has failed in its initial steps—no, far from it. Just look at the number of dead suspected drug pushers and users, the impunity with which the killings are committed, and the overall feeling of foreboding even among those who have nothing to hide but who fret they

may be just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

And if the “continuing lawlessness” in Mindanao is such a concern, for what, then, are the peace initiatives for especially now that Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari has been included in the process, warrants of arrest notwithstanding?

On one hand it is reassuring to dismiss Mr. Duterte’s statements as coming from somebody who does not really mean what he says, or who at least needs to put a lot more thought into what comes out of his mouth.

On the other hand—and this is the more somber realization—we have a leader who toys with extreme ideas and speaks his mind about them even before he considers the implications of what he says or what their consequences might be. A president who thinks less than he should before opening his mouth—this is perhaps the scariest prospect of all.

When will this President realize that loose talk should not be an option for somebody in his position, especially during these precarious times?

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

No taps for Marcos

‘Demonizing’ power LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES AL CUSI, President Rodrigo Duterte’s energy secretary, wants to open a non-political nuclear power plant. And the commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, Cusi believes, will happen if people stop “demonizing” the mothballed facility and focus instead on the benefits of finally getting it online.

Cusi says that time, nearly 40 years of it, makes a pretty convincing argument for finally opening the Bataan facility. Last Tuesday night’s sudden, unscheduled power interruption seems to help Cusi plead his case, as well.

But it’s mostly the non-stop demonizing of BNPP that Cusi wants to end. He is convinced that if the power plant had not been made a political football, kicked around for four decades because “Marcos built it,” things

would have been radically different for the Philippines.

“The whole economy could have been helped significantly over the years by the BNPP’s operation,” Cusi told me. “We were the first in the region to build a nuclear power plant; now we’ve been left behind.”

In 1977, when the BNPP was being built, the 620 megawatts of power it would have produced would have made it the biggest electricity generator in the country and one of the biggest in the region. Now, it would provide the output of one large coal-fired plant.

Not that the plant still can’t help our paper-thin energy reserves, Cusi says. As Tuesday’s power outage proves, we have next to no reserves and no quick way of building up capacity for future demand.

An ordinary power plant takes up to five years to build from scratch. Cusi says that BNPP needs only two to four years to become part of the all-important base load (or source of reliable

power) we sorely need.

It will take $1 billion to refit the plant. “I admit that’s a lot of money in absolute terms,” says Cusi, “but if we really want to catch up with ever-growing demand, we need to do this now.”

The energy that the BNPP will provide will benefit the Yellows and Marcos supporters equally.

Finding the financing is easy, compared to the hurdling the political roadblock. Like fighting the burial of Ferdinand Marcos’ remains in a military cemetery, opposing the opening of the nu-

clear plant has become an article of faith for the Yellows—never mind if Cory Aquino nearly ruined the economy by allowing 12-hour daily blackouts to happen rather than open the facility.

Subsequent administrations all looked into the possibility of reopening the BNPP because they were aware of the benefits. But opening the plant never happened after Cory probably because the other presidents felt that the political cost was just too steep. *** Up to now, I confess I don’t really know what it is about the BNPP that makes the Yellows go crazy.

They used to say that building the plant was a huge source of corruption; then they said that it was built on dangerous ground, a claim that persists until today.

Cusi is undeterred by these new claims. “In nearly 40 years, huge typhoons, earthquakes and even the eruption of Mount Pinatubo nearby happened; nothing ever happened to the BNPP,” he says.

And Cusi says that for every scientific study that shows that

the BNPP may suffer the same fate as the plants in Fukushima, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, other scientific studies— and yes, time—can show that it is perfectly safe. Cusi even has a clearance from Phivolcs which he says proves the safety of the site chosen carefully for the country’s first nuclear plant.

In the time since the building of the Bataan plant, the technology used to build, operate and maintain nuclear-fired facilities has become very highly advanced. International monitoring of such plants has also been a lot more aggressive, because of what happened in areas affected by nuclear-plant accidents.

Europe, Japan and the US have long relied on nuclear power as an important part of their energy “mix.” China and Asean are rushing plans to build dozens of plants, not only to power economic growth but also to decrease their over-reliance of fossil fuels.

Only Yellows still stuck in antiMarcos mode cannot accept that a Turn to A5

TAPS is the bugle call played every time a soldier or a former soldier dies and is laid to rest.

But this 24-note poignant bugle call was originally played in the old days for soldiers to signal lights out: It was time to go to sleep.

When I say the old days, this was before there was electricity. There were a lot of bugle calls to signal important daily activities in a soldier’s life.

There were bugle calls to rise, for mess, to attack, retreat and many others. The taps then did not also originally sound the way it does today and the reason for this was because during the American Civil War, a Union Army General by the name of Dan Butterfield did not like the sound of the original call.

To him, it did not sound musical enough. One July night in 1862, he called the brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton and together they worked out a new bugle call which we now all know today. When the bugler played this new revised composition, it had this melancholy sound and it became an instant hit. It spread throughout the union army including the confederate army.

Since the Armed Forces of the Philippines follows United States military culture, this custom has spilled over to us.

I have been, however, unable to find out when the taps started to be played in military funerals. But it looks like that even if the remains of the late President Marcos will finally be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and taps will be played, there will be no peace for Marcos. At least not in the foreseeable future. Maybe when all the protagonists in the martial law drama are all gone, then perhaps the nation can begin to see a more objective dissertation of the 20-year reign of Marcos, 12 years of which were under dictatorship.

Often been asked by people is that given the polarization that the burial will create, why does the Marcos family insist on burying Marcos at the LNMB? Why not simply bury him in Ilocos Norte where the man is well loved then build a monument for him that can serve as a tourist attraction, thereby providing his province a valuable service even in death?

There are no simple answers to these questions. One thing that should be done is to bury him as quickly as possible without any delays. Allowing it to linger will just be prolonging the controversy. The date of Turn to A5

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Opinion

IF WE count the many times that President Duterte said things only to change his mind later, it would be tempting to conclude that he is a chief executive whose credibility has been eroded.

For example, when he said he was separating from the United States, he later on clarified that he did not mean a severance of ties.

When he said that the 100 Americans stationed in the Southern Philippines would have to believe, the Americans said they would stay.

When a US senator opposed the purchase of American assault rifles, the President said he’d buy from the Russians. Now, PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa tells us that the arms purchase deal with the US will proceed.

And then, President Duterte said he cannot sign the Paris Agreement on climate change because he did not agree with it. But again he changed his mind.

The President also threatened to suspend the writ of habeas corpus to finally end the illegal drug problem. And then the Palace said it was only an idea.

Santa Banana, we should know now when the President is exaggerating or using hyperbole. Or when he is just provoked to say things.

But ask people and they would say they still believe the President. I for one still believe he could bring about the change we have so longed for.

So the war on illegal drugs, criminality and corruption now gives us reason for hope: There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Still, if the President can take some advice, he should be more circumspect in his pronouncements. Anything that comes out of his mouth is policy. *** I hate to say this, but it’s actually media that are exacerbating the controversy on the Supreme Court decision over the burial of the Marcos remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The gods of Mount Olympus have already ruled against the petitions opposing the burial. Media, however, continue to emphasize the atrocities during the Marcos regime.

Marcos is not a hero, they proclaim. But Marcos being a hero is not the issue. It is the fact that he was President and a soldier who deserves to be buried at the LNMB. Santa Banana, if we Filipinos have forgiven the Japanese who did much worse during the four-year Japanese Occupation, why can’t we put closure to the burial issue?

Indeed, media thrives on negativity. *** Just like the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, the government’s anti-corruption drive seems to be registering unintended collateral damage. Some innocent parties become victims. What happened to lawyer Arnel Alcaraz, a career official of the Bureau of Customs for almost 25 years now, illustrates this.

Alcaraz became a victim of what appears to be a conspiracy of certain groups. They want him out because he refused to turn a blind eye to the illicit activities of some operators in and outside of the agency.

Alcaraz was recently relieved from his position as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement and Security Service after he was erroneously named as the OIC of Intelligence.

Those who know him as an upright and conscientious Customs official suspect that Alcaraz was actually mislabeled as OIC Intel-

ligence on purpose.

Last October 26, for instance, Alcaraz requested the Office of the Commissioner to issue an Alert Order against a purported shipment of plywood that arrived in five 40-foot containers, but was suspected to have been misdeclared. The next day, the Office of the Commissioner issue an order to stop the release of the shipment.

Then, Santa Banana, in less than an hour after the “stop release” order against the shipment was issued, Alcaraz received a subpoena from the NBI which commanded him to appear before the NBI and answer complaints of “extortation” —I repeat “extortation” (sic)—and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The complaint was filed on Oct. 27 by a certain Ronald G. Lansangan, who claimed to be a representative of licensed broker Rosemary de Luna who was handling the questioned plywood shipment that was imported by her client Madagan Trading.

In the complaint, Lansangan alleged that the Customs Police prevented them from taking out the containers and that they were told to give money to Alcaraz so that the shipment could be released.

My gulay, the importer and broker must be blessed with the gift of prescience for them to be able to know beforehand that the cargo would be held. This ability enabled them to immediately prepare a complaint for “extortation” and file it with the NBI in less than an hour after the Customs Commissioner stopped the release.

But Alcaraz was proven right when an examination of containers showed that cargo was not plywood as declared. Instead, the cargo consisted of the much more expensive “phenolic board.” It was also shown that the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list and certificates of origin were altered to support the claim of misdeclaration.

The examination was conducted last Oct. 28 in the presence of concerned BoC officials and a representatives of the importer.

Because of this finding, it was recommended that a warrant of seizure and detention be issued against the shipment and that a criminal case be filed against the proprietor and the Customs broker of Madagan Trading. Interestingly, the customs broker was said to have issued a certification that Lansangan is neither an employee nor representative of the brokerage.

This is just the latest of this official’s accomplishments. A few weeks after he was designated as head of the BoC Enforcement Group. In August this year, Alcaraz, together with then BoC and PDEA agents, scored significant gains against drug smuggling syndicates.

Ironically, for Alcaraz, his name appears to have been substituted for the OIC of Intelligence whose unit was the other object of persistent complaints for allegedly extorting money from importers and brokers.

According to news reports, it was the Customs OIC for Intelligence that President Duterte had ordered axed from the service, not Alcaraz.

There is talk that the sums of bribe money that Alcaraz turned down are now being used by the syndicates to mount a vilification campaign against him, with the aim of having him kicked out of the BoC for “uncooperative” attitude—and, not to forget, “EXTORTATION.”

‘Demonizing’...

From A4

Duterte has also championed the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani and won over the Yellows’ objections to his plan in the Supreme Court. The difference between that case and the opening of the BNPP is that the power plant can actually help the country in tangible, economic terms, instead of being just a purely political act.

And the cheaper and more reliable energy that the BNPP will provide will benefit the Yellows and Marcos supporters equally— as well as everyone else caught in between the long-running feud between this country’s two most prominent political families. If any administration can open the BNPP over the objections of the Yellows, this has got to be the one.

Or it will probably never open at all, much to our regret.

This lawyer appears to be the victim of a conspiracy.

power plant built by the dead dictator is good for the country. And yet, these are the same people who never saw the irony of hosting last year’s Apec summit in Manila to cap Noynoy Aquino’s non-performing presidency at one of the jewels of Imelda Marcos’ massive public infrastructure program, the PICC. *** Cusi knows just how pervasive and well-entrenched the opposition is to the opening of BNPP is: his own boss, Duterte, was originally against its commissioning. “But the president came around when it was explained to him that the benefits far outweigh whatever risks,” the energy secretary said.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Holding on and letting go

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Collateral damage at Customs

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ FOUR months in service as the House minority floor leader of the 17th Congress, I have been busy doing legislative work, such as filing bills and resolutions which aim to improve our country’s policies. While I am maximizing my position in creating positive change for our nation, it has come to my knowledge that the faction of Rep. Edcel Lagman filed a case before the Supreme Court questioning the manner by which the House Minority

Floor Leader was elected.

The minority floor leadership for the 17th Congress has been extensively debated upon and concluded by the members of the House of Representatives.

The true and genuine minority group, as recognized by the whole House of Representatives, is composed of 18 members.

Our group has been magnanimous, and we opted to hit the ground running in our legislative work. We have been consistent in extending reconciliatory gestures towards Rep. Lagman et.al—to no avail. Note that the formation of House Committees was delayed due to their group’s insistence on non-binding traditions which contradict clear rules of the

House of Representatives. We emphasize “non-binding,” given that the rules were adopted by the House. These rules were not opposed by the Lagman faction when they had the opportunity to do so.

The supermajority already includes the Liberal Party. The core of Lagman et. al., also members of the Liberal Party, is insisting that their faction is entitled to minority leadership. Their intentions in monopolizing House leadership are evident, with LP members already part of the House majority while at the same time aiming for minority leadership.

I will not resort to name calling here, but the arrogant and entitled posturing of their fac-

tion reveals much about their character.

This group questions our integrity based solely on the fact that some of our advocacies are aligned with the administration. We do not oppose for the mere sake of opposing. We are a constructive minority. We have been consistent with regard to the policies of this administration: when you are right, we will support you, when you are wrong, we will correct you.

We welcome the filing of the petition so that this issue will finally be put to rest.

We are confident that, like contemporary actions initiated by their party, this will be exposed as a desperate attempt to stay in power.

35th National Book Award winners CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the 35th National Book Awards!

As announced recently by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle, among them are: Best Novel in English: Locust Girl: A Lovesong, by Merlinda Bobis; Best Novel in Filipino: Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang,

by Edgar Calabia Samar; Best Essays in English: Re: Recollections, Reviews, Reflections, by Luis H. Francia; and Best Essays in Filipino: Titser Pangkalawakan at iba pang angas sa social network underworld, by Joselito D. Delos Reyes.

There are many other winners in other categories, with some of the most interesting (to me) being Best Book on Food: Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit, and Bakery Traditions, by Amy A. Uy and Jenny B. Orillos; and Best Book in the Social Sciences: Tradition and Transformation: Studies on Indigenous Culture, by June Prill-Brett.

The University of the Philippines Press was recognized as

EVERYMAN

Publisher of the Year; they published nine of the 26 winners this year.

See the full list of winners at the NBDB Facebook page and at their website, nbdb.gov.ph. *** I’ve always been interested in food writing because I am interested in eating.

And at the end of the day, after politics and business and all the frenzy of human occupation is set aside, all we want is to sit down to a restful, quiet dinner with our loved ones. Food is the most basic of human needs, and I want to learn as much as I can about the backgrounds, history, and tradition of what sustains and comforts us.

A 2016 National Book Award winner, Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit, and Bakery Traditions is, according to their Facebook page, “a documentation of the stories behind the making of Philippine bread. The book follows the tale of the bread from bakery to dining table. It celebrates our tinapay (bread), tinapayan (bakery), and magtitinapay (baker).

“The book leads us inside the panaderia or bakeshops from north to south of the Philippines, both traditional and new, tracing how time and the economy have changed the way the panadero baked our breads.”

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi appears stuck in the past, with his insistence on using fossil fuels which literally comes from the dinosaur era, and in backing up the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant revival, which was a project of the Marcos presidency.

Cusi has also opposed the Philippines’ ratification of the Paris Agreement.

In a letter addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs and signed by Department Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the DoE says it is “constrained to maintain its reservation to submit its concurrence for the ratification by the President of the said agreement.”

Together with 195 countries, the Philippines signed the Paris Agreement last December 2015. One hundred seven countries have so far ratified the Paris Agreement which officially entered into force last November 4, only three days before the 22nd Conference of Parties began in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Philippines, however, has yet to ratify the agreement.

A certificate of concurrence is needed from all concerned government agencies before the President can sign the treaty. Out of all the government agencies that needs to submit a certificate of concurrence, only the Department of Energy has so far opposed the ratification. However, the President, after having apprehensions, already said he would ratify the Paris Agreement after his cabinet meeting last November 7. The President said that cabinet members, “except for one or two,” voted unanimously to sign the climate treaty.

In the same letter, Cusi also said that “The

burial should have been included in the Supreme Court decision.

Anything that the government will do will undoubtedly not satisfy those against the burial and judging by history when the former first lady embarks on ceremonies she always does it in a grand style. This will infuriate their enemies more. *** Today, President Duterte will embark on his first foreign trip outside the region. This is to attend the 24th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru. It is indeed a taxing journey for a 71-year-old man and would not be easy for him. But it is good that he changed his mind and decided

Award in consecutive years— “How I Spent My US Vacation” (2013), “Wolves I Have Known” (2014), and “Marry Me” (2015).

“The Cups” placed in a contest.

Several of the stories are set in a horseracing milieu. Half of the stories in this book have been published; the others are new for this collection.

Fictionary will be available in bookstores six to eight weeks from now, or around late December. Meanwhile, it can be purchased directly from UST Publishing House: please call 406-1611 local 8424 and look for Paul, Val, or Carlo.

My warmest thanks to UST Publishing House director Dr. John Jack Wigley and UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies director Dr. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, and to historian Dr. Jose Victor Torres for being the first person to buy a copy of Fictionary. (His latest book, The Camino Real to Freedom and Other Notes on Philippine Culture and History, was also just released.)

Please support Philippine literature and research—buy locally published books!

Dr. Ortuoste is a Californiabased writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember

Secretary Cusi is stuck in the past

By Renee Juliene Karunungan

No...

From A4

Doesn’t that make you think of pan de sal, pan de coco, and the other local breads we grew up buying from the corner bakery that every neighborhood has?

Back then the baker displayed the bread on aluminum trays inside a glass case, and used a pair of pom tongs to lift your bread, still warm from the oven, and placed them in a brown paper bag. From ensaymada to kalihim, the panaderia had all we wanted or needed.

Here’s a bit of trivia from the book: “Ever wondered why we call a loaf of white bread “Tasty” here in the Philippines? It seems that when the Americans introduced this bread in the country, the largest bakery in the US was Taystee Bread Company (established in the 1930s). Calling the bread “Tasty” must have originated there. Of course now, the other common name of sliced white bread here is “pan amerikano.”

I hope someone comes out with a companion volume— “Palaman” (sandwich filling).

Now that would be a tasty pairing! *** My latest book, Fictionary, a collection of 16 new and awardwinning stories, was released last Nov. 3 by University of Sto. Tomas Publishing House.

The book contains works that won the Nick Joaquin Literary

Philippine economy is still developing and its needs and effects of development are different with that of developed countries.” In the same breath, Cusi has said that “DoE shall voluntarily support all climate change efforts by the country.” This is the man, who, months earlier, said that his plans for the DoE is to “use whatever energy resources are available and affordable for power generation.”

It seems Mr. Cusi still does not get it. His concept and definition of “development” is one that is founded on dirty energy—the same path that developed countries took to get to where they are today, the same path that led us to the climate crisis. While most countries are now slowly shifting to renewable energy, Cusi wants to keep investing in fossil fuels and nuclear energy, forms that have been proven dangerous to the environment and to the people.

Ironically, Cusi is concerned about the Paris Agreement “stifling” the country’s development. He ignores how much the Philippines economy is stifled by the impact of climate change impact.

The National Economic and Development Authority with their Ambisyon Natin 2040, the 25-year long term vision for the Philippines, said that climate change is one of its priorities, especially because it affects the Philippines’ economic growth. The effects of climate change cost the country 1 percent of its GDP. However, Cusi only chooses to see one side of the issue: the need for the Philippines to adapt and be resilient but not to do its own work in reducing carbon emissions. Cusi says that the “DOE shall look primarily into adaptation and resiliency programs” and that

to attend the summit meeting of 21 leaders comprising the Apec. It will be a chance for him to be sized up by the other leaders and for him to size up the others as well.

He will be meeting most of these leaders in the next six years and is important for him that this early, he develops an early rapport with them. Our President is admittedly a new member of the club and probably will be observing and learning more than anything else. But many of the other leaders must also want to meet with him.

He expressed his wish to meet with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, whom he said he admires. What they will be talking about is anybody’s guess but one will probably be arms procurement. Russia is the second-biggest arms exporter after the United

the “DOE shall voluntarily support all climate change efforts by the country” but “without sacrificing its mandate to ensure quality, reliable, affordable, and secure energy for the Filipinos.”

How can a country who has always been in the list of top 10 most vulnerable countries in the past 20 years continue investing in something that eventually contributes to its destruction? The Philippines has been calling for other countries to stop polluting, but wants to continue to pollute. How many more excuses do we have to hear?

A dirty form of development is not sustainable. The developed countries of today have done the same in the past and as a result, we are already seeing and reaping its effects. The world has already warmed at 1 degree Celsius and even only at 0.8 degrees of warming, extreme events such as typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) has happened.

Already, at current climate commitments, worst-case scenarios point to 4 degrees of global warming above pre-industrial levels.

Imagine if all developing countries of today decide to continue polluting in the name of development?

Does Mr. Cusi think that climate change will choose which country to hit based on how much carbon they have emitted? Climate change will not wait for anyone.

Cusi must start moving on from the past and work instead towards clean and sustainable development.

Renee Juliene Karunungan is outreach manager for Climate Tracker. She is currently in Marrakech, Morocco for the climate change talks.

States. And unlike the US, Russian armaments are a lot cheaper; they are good, too.

Take the case of the AK47. This firearm is used all over the world and is the preferred assault rifle not only of armies around the world but also by terrorist organizations because the rifle is cheap, reliable and lasts long.

Fighter aircraft is also another Russian export that is increasing rapidly. Russian fighter planes being used in Syria are proving their reliability and most of our neighbors are beginning to buy them. Malaysia has Russian fighter planes and plans on buying more. Indonesia is a traditional Russian arms buyer.

China, even with its homegrown arms industry, also buys a lot of Russian armaments. Hopefully the public will be informed of the sub-

stance of their talks.

By all indications, President Duterte really wants to be less reliant on the United States. For us in the country who have been so used to presidents dealing with no one else but the United States, this is a jolt. But maybe it is really about time to wean ourselves from good old USA and try to explore other worlds out there. It would, of course, be preferable to open the country to relationship with other countries without damaging our longstanding relationship with the US. But it is probably too early to say that the drift away from the US is permanent. Following the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, President Duterte issued a statement to the effect of wanting to repair our relationship with the United States.

World

A6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Denver first US city to legalize pot L

OS ANGELES―Denver has become the first city in the United States to legalize the social use of cannabis in businesses, including bars, yoga studios and art galleries.

The new ordinance was part of several marijuana measures put to voters in nine US states during last week’s general election.

Denver officials said Tuesday that Initiative 300 had garnered enough votes to pass after nearly all the ballots had been counted.

The measure allows private businesses in Colorado’s capital to seek permits to create areas where customers can bring their own cannabis and consume it.

However, applicants would first need to receive backing from a local

business group or neighborhood.

“This is absolutely historic and ground-breaking,” said Emmett Reistroffer, a key proponent of the measure and a cannabis consultant in Denver.

“We are the first in the United States and potentially the first place in the world to regulate the consumption of cannabis.”

He told AFP that the vote was in line with a measure approved by the state four years ago allowing the recreational use of marijuana by adults.

“Essentially what we passed is a continuation of that same belief that adults should be able to use and socialize with cannabis as they are able to do with alcohol,” Reistroffer said.

The city’s trailblazing measure comes as more and more states across America move to legalize cannabis either for medical or recreational use.

California, the nation’s most populous state, last Tuesday handed a major victory for backers of legalization by approving recreational use of the drug. Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada approved a similar measure.

According to industry professionals, the marijuana market in the United States could expand to $23 billion by 2020, compared to

$5.7 billion in 2015.

In Denver, the new ordinance will be implemented possibly by the end of January as part of a four-year pilot program that will test the concept and determine its long-term feasibility.

Opponents, including Colorado’s governor and former Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, had argued that it would encourage the public use of marijuana―which is banned on the state and federal level―and harm public safety.

“I look at it as the camel’s nose getting under the tent flap,” Hickenlooper told the Denver Post before the vote.

Protect Denver’s Atmosphere, a group which also opposed the ballot measure, urged city officials to tread carefully in issuing

licenses to businesses.

“Initiative 300 allows the concurrent consumption of marijuana and alcohol, which can lead to greater impairment than use of either substance alone,” Rachel O’Bryan, campaign manager for the group, said in a statement.

“It will also allow the public consumption of slow-acting marijuana edibles and highly potent marijuana concentrates,” she added. “How can these businesses possibly monitor patrons for marijuana intoxication?”

She also noted that the initiative had received less backing from voters than the bill legalizing recreational marijuana use in 2012.

The Denver Post, which supported the bill, in an editorial also called for caution as local officials “move

forward with this experiment.”

“But right now Denver is struggling with a public consumption problem―some who want to consume have no place to go, legally,” the editorial said. “It’s a problem that should get solved sooner rather than later, now that voters have spoken.”

Supporters of the marijuana ordinance stressed that the measure is so restrictive that it is unlikely that pot smoking will flourish in public places where food and alcohol are served.

“I don’t see this coming to a lot of restaurants,” Reistroffer said. “I see it happening in certain art galleries, concert venues and even comedy houses where adults go for generally adult entertainment.” AFP

Tourists escape town hit by quake

MEDIA PREVIEW. The cast of the Walt Disney World Unwrap The Magic - Media Preview at Walt Disney World on November 15, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. AFP

Iceland opens the world’s largest penis museum REYKJAVIK―Size doesn’t matter at the Icelandic Phallological Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of penises which has an eye-watering array of specimens carefully collected from hundreds of different animals.

“I came to see if it was true, that there really was a penis museum in Reykjavik,” American tourist Jerry Anderson told AFP, smiling as he stared at the phallus of a sperm whale, the largest specimen in the museum.

Preserved in formaldehyde inside a huge plexiglass case at the museum’s entrance, it is 5’6 feet and weighs 75 kilograms (165 pounds).

Inside the museum’s large illuminated rooms, there are penises and penile parts of all shapes and sizes from a huge array of mammals, from whales to bears, seals to cats, and even mice.

It also houses a wide range of genitalthemed artifacts, among them trays, totem poles and a telephone.

“Who could resist coming to a penis museum?” said 62-year-old Kim, a tourist from Canada who did not reveal her last name.

“We thought it will be hilarious and it is,” she said, bursting out laughing as she and her friend look at a tube supposedly containing the invisible penis of an “elf”.

The Phallological Museum is anything but quiet as visitors giggle while observing the 286 exhibited biological specimens.

“It’s a good plateau for jokes and having a good time. You can get educated and at the same time have some fun,” said Hjortur Sigurdsson, 52, a former logistics manager who runs the museum.

His father Sigurdur Hjartarson, a historian who worked as a teacher for 37 years, opened the museum in 1997, starting with just 62 specimens.

“It all started as a joke,” he told AFP. “My father had fun just collecting, doing something no one has done before. He always said ‘somebody had to do it’.”

Back in 1980, Hjartarson had already gathered 13 specimens, nine from land mammals and four from whales.

Within a decade, that number had grown to 34.

But it was years before the museum got its hands on a human specimen, sent in by a 96-year-old Icelandic donor who was worried his manhood would shrink as he got older, Sigurdsson says.

Asked if he too would be willing to contribute to the museum’s unique collection, visitor Jerry Andersson was nonplussed.

“Sure. I’m donating my organs, I guess I can donate one more.”

Sigurdsson said the purpose of the penis museum is education and not eroticism.

“It’s been a bit taboo, especially (with) the human organ, but if you say ‘penis’, it attracts people,” he says.

“And, of course, we’re the only museum in the world that has been collecting biological organs.”

School children are among his favorite visitors because of their willingness to learn about the field of phallology, the scientific study of the penis.

“A lot of school kids come here especially during school hours and have a lot of fun,” Sigurdsson said, noting that visitors can compare the color, size and shape of a tiny mouse’s penis to that of a whale.

“They are some of our favorite guests because they are asking all the time... why the shape? Why the size?” he said.

“They aren’t afraid to ask.”

Over the years interest in the museum has grown and in 2011 it had 12,000 visitors in an island nation better known for its breathtaking landscapes.

It also has a shop which sells everything from penile-shaped pasta to designer condoms and hand-knitted willy warmers.

Most of the visitors are foreign nationals and more than 60 percent are women. AFP

CHRISTCHURCH—Rescuers in New Zealand on Wednesday completed a mass evacuation of the tourists stranded after a devastating earthquake, as officials in the capital Wellington sealed off dozens of potentially dangerous office blocks.

The last of the trapped holidaymakers boarded the navy ship HMNZS Canterbury late Wednesday at Kaikoura, the South Island seaside town that bore the brunt of the powerful 7.8 tremor.

“We got them all out, it was a superhuman effort,” Red Cross spokesman Simon Makker told AFP from the stricken town.

“The last of them were cheering and dancing down the street on their way out. It was pretty cool.”

Vessels from the United States, Canada and Australia are also steaming toward the town to provide emergency supplies and logistical support.

At the time of the quake, Kaikoura’s population of 2,000 was bolstered by about 1,000 tourists, attracted by the region’s renowned whale-watching cruises.

They were stranded when the tremor, which claimed two lives, severed road and rail access, leaving the town short of water and with little power.

Makker said most of the visitors were airlifted out by military helicopters, with about 250 set to depart on the HMNZS Canterbury for nearby Christchurch late Wednesday.

“There might still be a few stragglers left, but the focus now turns to the welfare of the residents,” he said.

The tremor was felt across the country, causing violent shaking in Wellington about 250 kilometers away.

The capital was initially thought to have escaped serious damage but the local council said Wednesday that engineering inspectors had raised concerns about some 60 downtown buildings.

At least one has been rated at imminent threat of collapse and will be carefully demolished, while another was a new government office block that was supposed to be quake-proof.

Prime Minister John Key said he was “staggered” at the building’s failure given the strict building codes in Wellington, which sits on a network of fault lines.

“Questions need to be asked and that’s going to happen,” he told Radio New Zealand. AFP

De Kooning painting gets $66.3m

CAMPAIGN MEETING. Members of the Kuwaiti opposition attend a campaign meeting in Kuwait City on Nov. 15. Kuwaiti opposition groups are aiming for a comeback in parliament after a four-year election boycott, seeking to reverse what they see as the deteriorating political situation in the Gulf state. AFP

NEW YORK―Willem de Kooning’s “Untitled XXV” was sold late Tuesday at Christie’s in New York for $66.3 million, a record for a work by the abstract artist and for postwar contemporary art.

The imposing work, which measures 7 by 6.5 feet, was painted by the DutchAmerican artist in 1977 and is emblematic of the energetic, multicolor brush strokes he used in his work of the mid1970s.

Christie’s auction house initially valued “Untitled XXV” at $40 million (37 million eu-

ros). When the same painting was auctioned ten years ago it went for $27.1, a record at the time.

The bid was placed in a phone call, and the buyer’s identity was not revealed.

New York’s fall auction season kicked off this week with an array of masterpieces, drawing bidders from around the world at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses.

Late Monday Edvard Munch’s “Girls on the Bridge” sold for $54.5 million, the second-highest auction price paid for a work by the Norwegian

painter, Sotheby’s said.

The 1902 painting depicting women in colorful dresses fetched a price higher than the auction house’s estimate of above $50 million.

There’s no shortage of bidders in the United States, Paris, London―and increasingly Asia, with growing Chinese fortunes spent on internationally recognized works at both major auction houses.

The sales will serve as a barometer of the global art market, which did well during this year’s spring auctions despite a slow 2015. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Monaco wins the 15th Champions’ Cup in Zagreb

MONACO has won the 15th European Champions’ Cup in Zagreb: Pierre Zimmermann (pc), Dominik Filipowicz, Geir Helgemo, Tor Helness, Kristofer Martens, Franck Multon.

The second place goes to Heimdal BK (Norway): Allan Livgard (pc), Terje Aa, Perk Erik Austberg, Jan Tore Berg, Glenn Grotheim, Peter Tondel.

The third place to go BC Bamberger Reiter (Germany): Michael Gromöller (pc), Jörg Fritsche, Wojtek Gawel, Helmut Häusler, Rafal Jagniewski, Martin Rehder.

The 15th European Champions’ Cup was held in Zagreb (Croatia) from 10 to 12 November 2016.

The winning team receives the Trophy and the title of European Champion Club as well as the right to participate in the next edition.

-oOoI refresh our knowledge on The Light Double A Lightner double is a lead-directing double of an enemy slam contract. It frequently implies a void, and asks partner for a ruff.

Generally speaking partner is asked to: 1. Lead dummy/s side suit, if one has been bid 2. Lead declarer’s side suit, if one has been bid 3. Make any other unusual lead-usually partner’s longest suit to get a ruff Other Considerations The Lightner double is not in effect if the opponents are sacrificing at the 6- ot 7- level.

In those situations, its more practical to use regular penalty doubles.

Playing Lightner doubles, the opening leader can also infer what to lead if his partner did NOT double. For example, if the opponents bid a side suit en route to a slam contract and partner does not double, the inference is that partner does NOT want a lead of the enemy side suit.

Origins The Lightner double is named for its creator, American player Theodore Lightner.

-oOoI now feature an article which appeared in the World Bridge Bulletin written by Mark Horton, September 17, 2016.

Silence is Golden?

One of the toughest decision for a defender is whether or not to make a Lightner double against a slam. On the one hand it might be the only way to defeat the contract, but against that you might persuade your opponents to run to 6NT. Take a look at the deal from the final set: Board 19 Dealer South E-W Vul North ♠J ♥76543 ♦Q7654 ♣K4 West East ♠A ♠Q9543 ♥K10982 ♥AQJ ♦K ♦AJ3 ♣AQ9752 ♣86 South ♠K108762 ♥♦10982 ♣J103 Open Room West North East South Helgemo Drijiver Helness Brink 3♠ 4♣ Pass 4NT Pass 5NT Pass 6♣ Dbl Pass Pass 6NT All Pass Realising that South was threatening to ruff something East moved to 6NT. He won the diamond lead perforce in dummy, came to hand with a heart and advanced the eight of clubs. When South played low without a care in the world declare took his time before running it. His reward wa +1440.

Closed Room West North East South Muller Multon De Wijs Zimmermann 3♠ 4♠* Pass 5♦ Pass 5♥ Pass 6♥ All Pass North led the jack of spades and West won with the ace and played two rounds of clubs.

North won with the king, but declarer had the rest, 1430 and a flat board.

Will South live to regret his double?

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

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

A7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Petron eyes tighter hold on lead

S

EMIFINALIST Petron tries to solidify its grip on the lead when it clashes with struggling Cignal in the Asics Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by PLDT Home Ultera today (Thursday) at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Action starts at 7 p.m. with the Tri-Activ Spikers looking for an important win to secure the top spot in the semifinals of this prestigious tournament bankrolled by Mikasa, Mueller, Grand Sport and Senoh with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

In the 5 p.m. appetizer of this battle that also has Focus Athletics, KLab Cyscorpions, Foton, Petron and F2 Logistics as sponsors, rampaging F2 Logistics is out to sustain its momentum as it battles Generika, which remains searching for its first victory.

After posting seven wins in eight games, the Tri-Activ Spikers are already assured of one of the two semifinals slot. But they still can’t take their last two games for granted as the Tornadoes, who have a 6-1 card, are breathing down their necks, eager to capture the top spot in the Final Four.

Based on the official tournament format, the two semifinalists in Petron and Foton, would face the survivors in the playoffs, where the third seed will clash with the sixth seed and the fourth seed will battle the fifth seed.

The do-or-die semifinals are set on Dec. 3 at the Ibalong Cen-

Games Today

(FilOil Flying V Center) 5 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Generika 7 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron

ter for Recreation in Legazpi City in the province of Albay.

Still fresh from a 25-17, 2516, 22-25, 25-16 victory over Generika late Tuesday at the Imus City Sports Complex, Petron is heavily favored to pounce on the depleted Cignal side as American spiker Stephanie Niemer and veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas continue to display their impressive form.

Niemer finished with 23 kills

Sultan Kudarat net tilt lures stellar cast THE Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala age-group tennis tournament kicks off its Sultan Kudarat leg Thursday with the best and the brightest players in the region clashing for top honors at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club.

Local aces Carlyn Bless Guarde, Minette Bentillo and Vince EJ Tugade set out to defend the home turf against a host of equally talented players, including Zambo Del Norte’s Sydney Enriquez, Zambo Del Sur’s Nilo Ledama and Wyn Dale Paglinawan, Davao’s Patricia Velez and John David Velez and Kylde Lagarde of Gen. Santos City.

The Madis sisters – Jazzelle and Tenielle, and Kabacan’s Reyman Saldivar are also likely to contend

for the crown in their respective divisions in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger and hosted by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu.

“This kind of cast virtually eliminates the so-called ‘home-court’ edge,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “This should guarantee a fierce showdown in most, if not all categories.”

The event, sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball, also serves as part of the Kalimudan Festival, according to PPS-PEPP event organizer and Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay,(0915-4046464.)

Superal, De Guzman stay in hunt PRINCESS Superal and amateur Regina de Guzman took different routes but produced the same two-under 70s to trail Elizabeth Szokol and three others by one at the start of the NWGA (National Women’s Golf Association) at LPGA International-Jones in Daytona Beach, Florida Monday.

Superal hit two birdies at the front

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then negated a bogey mishap on No. 11 with a birdie on the closing par-5 hole for a 34-36 card while De Guzman turned in a 36-34 round that included four birdies against two bogeys at the back.

The duo’s strong start put them just within striking distance of Szokol, who birdied three of the last four holes at the front to fire a 69.

GERRY’S OPENING. PBA Governor’s Cup Finals MVP LA Tenorio (second from left), and PBA courtside reporter Apple David (third from left) lead the ribbon cutting ceremonies of Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar’s 79th branch at the Mandala Park along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. The homegrown Filipino restaurant which is celebrating its 20th anniversary on February 2017 has been a staunch supporter of Filipino athletes from professional and amateur ball clubs in the country. Others in photo are Emily Madrid, Gerry’s regional head (left), Chai Mendoza, Gerry’s branch manager (second to the right) and PBA players Jervy Cruz of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (third to the right) and JC Intal (right) of Phoenix Fuel Masters.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM Bulletin of Vacant Positions (In Compliance with RA 7041 and CSC MC No. 27 s. 1991) No. of Pos.

Position Title

21

Chief Tourism Operations Officer

SG 24

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer

22

N OTICE

email us at advertise@ the standard. com.ph or call us at 832-5547

Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

24

Senior Tourism Operations Officer

18

(MS-NOV. 17, 2016)

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the NHA-Board approved Corporate Budget for the year 2016, intends to apply the sum equivalent to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract: ABC/ Source Duration Work Description of Funds (P) (c.d.)

1,198,585.67/ 180 Relocation/ Boundary NG Subsidy Survey Works, (Settlements Topographical Survey Upgrading) Works, Structural/ Facilities/ Utilities Survey Works, Consolidation/ Subdivision Survey Works, Lot Titling Works

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the finanCial proposals.

The NHA now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for the abovecited project. Checklist of requirements for eligibility is available for examination upon submission of a letter of intent addressed to the BAC 2 Chairperson and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P1,000.00/contract at the BAC 2 Secretariat Office, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Interested Consultants must submit their eligibility documents on or before November 29, 2016, not later than 10:00 a.m. at the SLB-AMO Conference Room, Annex Building, NHA Main Complex, Eliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Opening of Eligibility Documents shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of eligibility documents. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion. The BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Telephone No. 928-82-72.

25

Tourism Operations Officer II

15

c)

Applicable experience of the consultant and associates, considering both the overall experiences of the firm and the individual experiences of the principal and key staff including the times when employed by other consultants; Qualification of personnel who may be assigned to the job vis-a-vis extent and complexity of the undertaking; and Current workload relative to job capacity.

4

The NHA shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Cost Based Evaluation/Selection (QCBE/QCBS) procedure. The weights to be allocated for the Technical and Financial Proposals and the criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be indicated and provided in the Bid Data Sheet.

The NHA reserves the right to reject any and all bids, annul the bidding process, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Manpower Planning and Monitoring Division Manpower Training Division (2) Regional Office I, Tourism Regulation Division (2) (San Fernando, La Union) Cordillera Admin Region (CAR), Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Baguio City) Regional Office III, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-A, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (2) (CALABARZON) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Development Division (MIMAROPA) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Regulation Division (MIMAROPA) National Capital Region (NCR),Tourism Development Division Regional Office V, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Legazpi City) Regional Office VII,Tourism Development Division (2) (Cebu City) Regional Office VIII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tacloban City) Regional Office IX,Tourism Development and Regulation Division (Zamboanga City) Regional Office X, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (2) (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Development Division (2) (Davao City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Regulation Division (Davao City) Regional Office XII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Koronadal City) Regional Office XIII,Tourism Development & Regulation Division (2) (Butuan City)

Administrative Officer IV

15

National Capital Region (NCR), Office of the Director Regional Office VI, Office of the Director (Iloilo City) Regional Office XI, Office of the Director (Davao City) Regional Office XIII, Office of the Director (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor’s degree relevant to the job; 1 year of relevant experience; 4 hours of relevant training; Career Service Professional or 2nd Level Eligibility 32

Tourism Operations Officer I

11

Standards Development Division (3) Manpower Planning and Monitoring Division Manpower Training Division Regional Office I, Tourism Development Division (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office I, Tourism Regulation Division (2) (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office II, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tuguegarao, Cagayan) Regional Office III, Tourism Development Division (2) (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-A, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (CALABARZON) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Development Division (MIMAROPA) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Regulation Division (2) (MIMAROPA) National Capital Region (NCR),Tourism Development Division (2) Regional Office V, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Legazpi City) Regional Office VI, Tourism Development Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VI,Tourism Regulation Division (2) (Iloilo City) Regional Office VII,Tourism Regulation Division (2) (Cebu City) Regional Office VIII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tacloban City) Regional Office IX,Tourism Development and Regulation Division (Zamboanga City) Regional Office X, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Development Division (2) (Davao City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Regulation Division (2) (Davao City) Regional Office XII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Koronadal City) Regional Office XIII,Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor’s degree relevant to the job; experience and training not required; Career Service Professional / Second Level Eligibility 2

Administrative Assistant III (Secretary II)

09

Regional Office IV-A, Office of the Director (CALABARZON) Regional Office V, Office of the Director (Legazpi City)

Minimum Qualifications : Completion of 2 years studies in college; 1 year of relevant experience; 4 hours of relevant training; Career Service SubProfessional/1st Level Eligibility 14

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184 and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

(SGD) AR. SUSANA V. NONATO Chairperson, BAC 2 NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Elliptical Road, Diliman,Quezon City

Project and Investment Evaluation Division Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division Manpower Planning and Monitoring Division (2) Manpower Training Division (2) Regional Office I, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office II, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tuguegarao, Cagayan) Regional Office III, Tourism Development Division (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office III, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-A, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (2) (CALABARZON) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Development Division (MIMAROPA) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Regulation Division (MIMAROPA) Regional Office V, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Legazpi City) Regional Office VI, Tourism Development Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VI,Tourism Regulation Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VII,Tourism Regulation Division (Cebu City) Regional Office VIII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tacloban City) Regional Office X, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Development Division (2) (Davao City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Regulation Division (Davao City) Regional Office XIII,Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor’s degree relevant to the job; 1 year of relevant experience; 4 hours of relevant training; Career Service Professional or 2nd Level Eligibility

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted eligibility documents/Expression of Inlerest and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of RA 9184, olherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of maximum of seven (7) prospective bidders who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are:

b)

Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division Manpower Training Division Regional Office I, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office II, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (2) (Tuguegarao, Cagayan) Cordillera Admin Region (CAR), Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Baguio City) Regional Office III, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-A, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (CALABARZON) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Regulation Division (MIMAROPA) National Capital Region (NCR), Tourism Regulation Division Regional Office V, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Legazpi City) Regional Office VI, Tourism Development Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VII,Tourism Regulation Division (Cebu City) Regional Office VIII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tacloban City) Regional Office IX,Tourism Development and Regulation Division (Zamboanga City) Regional Office X, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Development Division (Davao City) Regional Office XII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Koronadal City) Regional Office XIII,Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor’s degree relevant to the job; 2 years of relevant experience; 8 hours of relevant training; Career Service Professional or 2nd Level Eligibility

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

a)

Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division Manpower Planning and Monitoring Division Manpower Training Division Regional Office I, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office II, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tuguegarao, Cagayan) Cordillera Admin Region (CAR), Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Baguio City) Regional Office III, Tourism Regulation Division (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Development Division (MIMAROPA) Regional Office IV-B, Tourism Regulation Division (MIMAROPA) National Capital Region (NCR),Tourism Development Division Regional Office V, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Legazpi City) Regional Office VI, Tourism Development Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VI,Tourism Regulation Division (Iloilo City) Regional Office VII,Tourism Development Division (Cebu City) Regional Office VIII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Tacloban City) Regional Office IX,Tourism Development and Regulation Division (Zamboanga City) Regional Office X, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Development Division ( Davao City) Regional Office XI, Tourism Regulation Division (Davao City) Regional Office XII, Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Koronadal City) Regional Office XIII,Tourism Development & Regulation Division (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor’s degree relevant to the job; 3 years of relevant experience; 16 hours of relevant training; CS Professional / Second Level Eligibility

(SGD.) RAFAELITO H. TARUC Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

Ref. Projects No. 2016- Survey Works & Lot 11- Titling of 1.48 Hectares 197 Area at Macabalanpuntod SIR Project Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City

Office

Minimum Qualifications : Masteral degree or Certificate in Leadership and Management from the CSC; 4 years of supervisory/management experience; 40 hours of supervisory/management learning and delopment intervention undertaken within the last 5 years; Career Service Professional / Second Level Eligibility 19

Notice is hereby given that 8990 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at 8990 Corporate Center, Negros St., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Urban Deca Homes Hampton) with a capacity of 1,988 economic and low-cost housing units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Buhay na Tubig, Imus, Cavite.

and three aces for 27 points while Maizo-Pontillas chipped in 12 markers for the Tri-Activ Spikers, who moving closer to its goal of winning the crown and representing the country in the AVC Asian Women’s Club World Championship in Kazakhstan.

“We still can’t relax,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos.

“We’re eyeing a good position in the semifinals so we have to win our last two games in the preliminaries. Anything can still happen.”

Cignal, on the other hand, continues to struggle following a sorry 13-25, 15-25, 10-25 setback to RC Cola-Army.

Administrative Assistant III (Sr Bookkeeper )

09

Regional Office I, Office of the Director, (San Fernando, La Union) Regional Office II, Office of the Director (Tuguegarao, Cayagan) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Office of the Director Regional Office III, Office of the Director (San Fernando, Pampanga) Regional Office IV-A, Office of the Director (CALABARZON) Regional Office IV-B, Office of the Director (MIMAROPA) Regional Office V, Office of the Director (Legazpi City) Regional Office VI, Office of the Director (Iloilo City) Regional Office VII,Office of the Director (Cebu City) Regional Office IX, Office of the Director (Zamboanga City) Regional Office X, Office of the Director (Cagayan de Oro City) Regional Office XI, Office of the Director (Davao City) Regional Office XII, Office of the Director (Koronadal City) Regional Office XIII, Office of the Director (Butuan City)

Minimum Qualifications : Completion of 2 years studies in college ; 1 year of relevant experience; 4 hours of relevant training; Career Service Sub- Professional/1st Level Eligibility 3

Tourism Operations Assistant

07

Standards Development Division Project and Investment Evaluation Division Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division

Minimum Qualifications : Completion of 2 years studies in college; experience and trainings not required; Career Service Sub-Professional/1st Level Eligibility

(MS-NOV. 17, 2016)

For more details, please visit DOT website:www.tourism.gov.ph and www.JobStreet.com. Deadline for submission of applications to the Human Resource Division (HRD) is on 02 December 2016. Requirements: Letter of Intent addressed to Chief, HRD, resume with detailed work experience and copy of Civil Service Eligibility.

(MS-NOV. 17, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

Cavs roll over Raptors, 121-117

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Patrick Patterson #54 and DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors try to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 121-117. AFP

Younghusband expects good show from Azkals

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippine Azkals national men’s football team will put up a good showing in the coming 2016 Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup. Veteran team member James Younghusband made this guarantee as their preparation for the tournament enters its final phases.

“In our last game, getting the win and spending time together has made the team close. We have shown good form in the

way we defended,” said Younghusband.

Younghusband, who has been with the Azkals for 11 years, said the team will have no problem with cohesiveness this time around.

“We have players of quality.

Really talented players. There’s

no problem jelling with them,” added Younghusband.

Much is expected of the Azkals after making it to three consecutive semifinal finishes in the tournament.

Their improving results against Asian opposition was seen in their recent friendlies with Bahrain, North Korea and Kyrgystan.

Because of this, their performances at the 2010, 2012 and 2014 editions of the Suzuki Cups are things that the opposition will look into, comparing them with the team’s present showing.

The Azkals are also considered serious contenders following their win in 2018 World Cup qualification over North Korea and Bahrain.

It is only Thailand that the Azkals have not managed to beat convincingly.

Injured winger Patrick Reichelt maybe a doubtful starter, so the team’s chances will also lie in how Younghusband and the Ott brothers, Mike and Manny, and Stephan Schrock will carry the team at the midfield.

Meanwhile, interim head coach V. Sundramoorthy will

Eagles claim no. 2 seed, battle Tams in Final Four

Centro Escolar eyes no. 1 Games Today

(Olivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City) 12 noon – TIP vs CEU 2 p.m. – CDSL vs BulSU

CENTRO Escolar University targets the No. 1 seed today when it goes for a repeat over Technological Institute of the Philippines, even as Colegio De San Lorenzo tries to firm up its semis bid in the Universities and College Basketball League at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranque City.

With a 9-0 record, the CEU Scorpions can clinch the top seed in the seven-team tournament if they beat the TIP Engineers for the second straight time at 12 noon.

The Scorpions handily beat the Engineers, 81-65, thanks to a 20-point, 20-rebound performance of Congolese import Rod Ebondo.

Ebondo, however, was benched in the team’s 81-54 drubbing of Diliman College last Monday.

But even without Ebondo, coach Yong Garcia has enough ammunitions in the form of Karlo Casino, Joseph Manlangit and Samboy de Leon.

Casino was on target the last time, finishing with 24 points highlighted by five triples while Manlangit added 14.

The Engineers are sporting a 6-2 mark, but need to win one of their four remaining games to clinch a semis berth.

Also worth watching is the 2 p.m. showdown between CDSL and Bulacan State University—two teams in the running for semis berths.

The CDSL Griffins (4-5), BSU Golden Gears (3-5) and Diliman College Blue Dragons (2-6) need to win their remaining games to shore up their semis bids.

make his debut with Singapore when they meet the Azkals at 8 p.m. Friday at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

Nicknamed ‘The Dazzler’ by fans during his playing days, Sundramoorthy is already in Manila with the team.

Sundram took over the Lions in May this year, and is expected to hold his ground against Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley.

Reports said that Sundram’s one-year contract will be extended should the Lions reach the semifinals.

LOS ANGELES—-Channing Frye’s three-pointer in the final minute lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-117 win over the Toronto Raptors in a tight contest between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers beat their playoff rivals for the second time this season and the defending NBA champions appear to be an even stronger team than they were last season.

“We are a composed team.

We have seen everything. It is not a situation we haven’t been in before. The coach drew up a great play we just tried to execute it to perfection,” Cavaliers star LeBron James said.

Frye has made 11 threepointers in his last two games and the Cavs took a lead against the Raptors in the season series, something that could become important when home-court advantage is at stake.

“He’s been great. He’s just a difficult matchup,” James said of Frye. “We have a great lineup, and his ability to spread the floor and shoot the ball like he’s been able to do and also guard bigs and help out on the glass has been a great thing for our team.”

These teams met in the conference finals last season.

James fell one rebound shy of a triple-double with 28 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds in front of a crowd of 20,500 at Quicken Loans Arena. He had six assists in the fourth quarter.

In Miami, Dennis Schroder led a balanced offense with 18 points as the Atlanta Hawks won their fifth game in a row, defeating the struggling Miami Heat 93-90.

Leading 89-88, Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore made two free throws with 11 seconds left.

Miami’s Josh Richardson got a dunk on the other end, and Schroder’s two free throws rounded out the scoring.

The win may have been costly for Atlanta, as center Dwight Howard left the game in the third quarter with a quad contusion. He finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes.

In Portland, Jimmy Butler scored 27 points as the Chicago Bulls went wire to wire for a 113-88 victory over Portland at the Moda Center.

In Minneapolis, Kemba Walker scored 30 points and Nicholas Batum added 16 to power the Charlotte Hornets’ comeback in a 115-108 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. AFP

CEREMONIAL TOSS. Basketball great Philip Cezar, chairman of the Manila Sports Council, makes the ceremonial toss kicking off the 3rd MASCO Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament at the Sen. Arturo M. Tolentino Sports Center (formerly Dapitan Sports Complex) in Sampaloc, Manila. Also present in the inaugural rites was MASCO vice chairman Norby Rivera, 5th from right.

THE Ateneo Blue Eagles capitalized on three big turnovers in the last seven minutes to turn the tables on the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 73-67, and formally earn the no. 2 seeding Wednesday night in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles first moved away on a couple of turnovers by Pappi Sarr and Dawn Ochea, as they firmly secured the lead, 5855, off charities scored by Raffy Verano and Isaac Go in the final 6:52.

They then took and held on to a five-point lead in the final 6:16 after Rob Manalang gave up the ball, and Mike Nieto struck off Thirdy Ravena’s pass, 60-55.

“Tough game. Tough win for us. It’s a hard-earned win. We’re happy our players stayed focused in spite of the good performance of Adamson. It wasn’t really a beautiful game. It was a defensive effort,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

PBA teams tweaking rosters

By Jeric Lopez TEAMS continue to do some minor tweaking in their lineups leading up to the 42nd Philippine Basketball Association season.

After submitting their official line-ups to the league, a couple of squads made several more quiet moves to settle their respective rosters prior to the start of the season this Sunday.

GlobalPort continued to get itself reinforced, formally signing Gilas cadet draftee Von Pessumal and also tapping the services of veteran swingman Aaron Aban from

Talk ‘N Text.

In a move to address some of its surplus in its line-up, Barangay Ginebra finally moved seldom-used forward Nico Salva to Mahindra in exchange for a future secondround pick.

The Batang Pier will have an additional marksman in Pessumal, who can hit from beyond the arc, while playing the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Pessumal signed a twoyear deal to officially become a part of GlobalPort.

Aban was traded by the Tropang Texters for a 2019 second-round pick from the

Batang Pier.

At the moment, GlobalPort has a total of six new faces, a combination of reliable veterans and a promising rookie, in its line-up.

Along with Pessumal and Aban, the Batang Pier now has JR Quinahan, Nino Canaleta, Rey Guevarra and Mick Pennisi to reinforce the team.

GlobalPort is hoping that these new additions can help its campaign in the seasonopening Philippine Cup following poor showings in the past season.

Pennisi was traded late last week by Phoenix in exchange for Doug Kramer.

The Blue Eagles, with Thirdy Ravena leading with 14 points and 13 rebounds, avoided the complications of the three-way tie in second place.

With Nieto and John Wong tallying 12, the Blue Eagles finished the eliminations with a 10-4 card at no. 2, behind the topseeded La Salle, which entered the Final Four with 13-1 record.

La Salle will now have a Final Four clash on Wednesday with Adamson, which finished fourth at 8-6, while Far Eastern University, which took, the no. 3 seeding, battles Ateneo.

Meanwhile, the defending champion FEU Tamaraws struggled with veteran shooter Monbert Arong sitting on the bench for most the game.

But the Tams still found a way to get over Arong’s absence on the floor as they the finally got past the University of the East Warriors in the final minute for a 6461 triumph. Peter Atencio

Big field in football event seen OVER a thousand young football players from the Cordillera Region are expected to show up this weekend for the 8th leg of the Football For A Better Life program, a nationwide grassroots football developmental and talentidentification series sponsored by PRU LIFE UK presently on its second year.

It will be a three-day event starting with the free football clinic at the Benguet State University, which is hosting the leg, on Friday to be followed by the two-day football festival with 43 elementary and secondary schools joining the pocket tournament, according to local organizer Frael Aquino, president of the Cordillera Region Football Association, tapped by series organizer Spears Sports and Activation, headed

by Albert Almendralejo.

Handling the football clinic for kids are current Azkals Simone Rota and Azuli Flores, former Azkal skipper Chieffy Caligdong, and another exAzkal Reffix Cuaresma, together with Gameplan host Fil-Briton UFL player Graham Caygill.

“With the number of kids expected to join this event, it promises to be the biggest football event in the region and we are happy that this time, players from this area are the ones to be given the opportunity to participate,” said Lee Longa, Chief Finance Officer of sponsors PRU LIFE UK-Philippines.

The last two legs of the series are scheduled in Subic and at the ULTRA in Pasig, according to Almendralejo.

BSP raises auction size to P180b B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

B1

Trump, Duterte can’t stop growth

By Karl Lester M. Yap

N

EITHER Donald Trump’s protectionist ambitions nor Rodrigo Duterte’s rants against the US are proving to be enough to derail the Philippine economy’s momentum as one of the fastest-growing in the world.

That’s according to economists surveyed

by Bloomberg News, who see growth exceeding 6 percent until 2018. Gifted with a burgeoning middle class and backed by $50 billion of revenue from remittances and outsourcing, the Southeast Asian economy is getting an additional boost from President Duterte’s $160-billion infrastructure plan.

Political risks “haven’t transpired into concrete policies,” said Gundy Cahyadi, an economist at DBS Group Holdings Ltd. in Singapore.

“We should pay more attention to hard data, which point to very robust growth prospects for the Philippines, given strong domestic demand,” Cahyadi said.

While the Philippines hasn’t been immune to the financial market rout since Trump’s shock win in the US election, strong domestic growth drivers have made it more resilient to global shocks compared to export-dependent Asian nations from Singapore to South Korea. Consumer spending makes up about 70 percent of the economy.

A government report on Thursday will probably show gross domestic product expanded 6.7 percent in the third quarter from a year ago after climbing 7 percent in the previous three months, according to the median estimate of 15 economists surveyed

by Bloomberg.

Polled after Trump’s victory, economists forecast the economy will grow 6.6 percent this year, 6.3 percent in 2017 and 6.5 percent in 2018.

Investors have dumped Asian emergingmarket assets after Trump’s victory, concerned that a rise in protectionism will curb global growth and trade. Indonesia and the Philippines have been among the worst-hit in Southeast Asia, with the peso falling near levels last seen during the 2009 global financial crisis.

Even before the US elections, financial markets were under pressure as investors worried about Duterte’s inflammatory attacks against the US—including his call for a “separation” from America—and his violent anti-drugs crusade that’s killed more than 3,000 people.

The American Chamber of Commerce, and businesses in the outsourcing and electronics industries, are among those that have raised concern that Duterte’s comments may harm the investment outlook.

Duterte has pledged to ramp up spending on roads, airports, seaports and railways to lure investors and create jobs. The Philippines has one of the lowest government debt ratios in Southeast Asia, at 40 percent of GDP, giving it room to boost spending.

“With foreign investors favoring emerging markets less, the Philippines is one of the better positioned to withstand the selloff,” said Joseph Incalcaterra, a Hong Kong-based economist with HSBC Holdings Plc. “The government has increasing scope to pursue fiscal stimulus and infrastructure build-up while private consumption will power growth.”

Bloomberg with Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE FILIPINO, BUILDING, MANAGING GLOBAL GATEWAYS. The Madagascar International Container Terminal sets the standard for trading gateways in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing world class port services to the Malagasy economy, with one of the highest productivities in the region.

Strategically located on the eastern coast of Madagascar, the terminal, with its state of the art port equipment, facilities and technology, is key in connecting African and Asian markets.

Madagascar International Container Terminal belongs to a network of marine and inland terminals successfully operated by ports specialist International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI). Backed by three decades of expertise, ICTSI operates 30 ports in 20 countries.

THE International Air Transport Association is endorsing a new location for Manila’s international gateway because of the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“Whether you need one airport, two airports or three airports, I think you have to build it somewhere. Obviously there’s no enough space around the current airports,” IATA regional director for airport, passenger, cargo and security in Asia-Pacific Vinoop Goel told reporters.

“If you have to build a new airport, make sure that it’s big enough because from a passenger airline point of view, having multiple airports requires you to land in one airport and in some cases navigate through Manila traffic and take off from the other airports, which you don’t want,” he said.

IATA in a report last year

urged the Philippines to build a new greenfield airport with sufficient capacity to meet Manila’s aviation needs that is situated no greater than 50 kilometers from the city center as a long-term solution.

IATA projected annual passengers to reach 140 million by 2035, up from 60 million in 2014.

The Philippine government wants to build a new international airport that is 25 to 30 minutes away from Naia, which is expected to reach its full capacity soon.

Jica said Naia would hit overcapacity this year, by which time the airport would handle 37.78 million passengers. By 2040, passenger traffic would reach 101.49 million.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency identified Sangley Point in Cavite and central Manila Bay as the ideal locations for the new international airport.

MADAGASCAR

www.ictsi.com

IATA wants new site for Manila airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MICTSL

Belle Corp., a property developer led by tycoon Henry Sy and Solar Group’s All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp., proposed to build a new international airport, seaport, economic zone and mixed-used real estate development off the coast of Sangley Point in Cavite worth up to $50 billion.

ARRC plans to reclaim 2,500 hectares at Sangley Point. The company expects to complete the reclamation in 12 months, according to RRC president Wilson Tieng.

Tieng said the new airport would be designed to have a capacity of 50 million passengers and would be completed in five years.

San Miguel Corp’s president Ramon S. Ang, however, proposed to build a new airport in Bulacan province, a revision of its 2014 proposal for a $10-billion airport on reclaimed land in Manila Bay.

IN BRIEF Peso tumbles to 49.35 a dollar THE peso further weakened against the US dollar Wednesday, amid the lingering uncertainties following the US presidential election and the looming Federal Reserve rate hike in December.

The peso lost P0.18 to close at 49.35 a dollar Wednesday, the weakest level in almost eight years since settling at 49.37 against the greenback on Dec. 4, 2008 during the global financial crisis.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the peso’s continuous decline was due mainly to the dollar strength, as other regional currencies also showed weakness.

“Because the expectation of the market is the policies that are going to be adopted by the US government will likely lead to higher interest rates particularly Treasury rates, and as a result of that, capital flows are being moved towards the US. That is regional and emerging market-wide,” Tetangco said.

Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said the “US/ PHP rate will remain under pres-

sure as the Fed raises its policy rate in December, and as the local stock market may go sideways until the end of the year.” Julito G. Rada

Solon proposes bank for OFWs CAVITE 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla has filed a bill seeking to establish a bank that will address the needs of overseas Filipino workers.

House Bill 3829 also enjoins the government to provide necessary financial assistance to sustain the viability of the proposed bank.

“It is about time that the overseas workers be provided with a bank that they can call their own; effectively run and managed by the people within their ranks; and which is expected to be operated for their greater good and benefit,” Revilla said.

He said the establishment of the bank would be a fitting recognition of the OFWs’ contribution to nation building.

Under the proposal, the bank’s principal office will be in the National Capital Region. It may open and maintain other branches, agencies and other offices in other parts of the country or abroad.

Revilla said the bank shall be a corporate body that can grant loans and other financial assistance pref-

erably to Filipino overseas workers, their spouses or compulsory heirs, for the development of agriculture and small and medium scale commercial and industrial enterprises.

1-MW threshold starts February THE Energy Department and the Energy Regulatory Commission have agreed to implement the mandatory retail competition and open access to power users with a demand of at least one megawatt by February 2017.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the two agencies agreed to implement open access by February although he initially wanted to implement it as soon as possible to give consumers the power to choose their suppliers this year.

ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said the commission resolved to move the implementation of mandatory migration for contestable customers, with at least 1 MW of average peak demand, to Febr.

26, 2017.

“CCs which fail to finalize a retail supply contract with a retail electricity supplier shall have the option to be served by the distribution utility as a supplier of last resort,” Salazar said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

B2

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rebounds; Megawide climbs MPIC eyes deals S TOCKS rebounded Wednesday, ending a three-day slump as investors searched for bargains and investors questioned whether they may have overreacted to Donald Trump’s shock US election victory.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, advanced 109 points, or 1.6 percent, to close at 6,966.28 Wednesday.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also rose 48 points, or 1.2 percent, to settle at 4,211.45, on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 104 to 75, while 45 issues were unchanged.

All six sectors rose, while 17 of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by infrastructure company Megawide Construction Corp. which climbed 6.3 percent to

P15.30 and property developer Ayala Land Inc. which gained 4.8 percent to P33.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the investment company of tycoon Henry Sy, rose 3.9 percent to P27, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei family added 3.7 percent to close at P70.65.

Meanwhile, energy firms led a rally in Asia equities markets on Wednesday after oil prices soared on hopes for a deal by producers to cut output, while the dollar settled back after its latest gains.

The advance on trading floors is the latest in a volatile week for global markets after Trump’s shock election victory, which has fanned uncertainty for the US and the world economy.

News that the OPEC exporters club and non-member Russia were engaged in a push to agree a deal fueled a rush back into crude, which has in recent weeks been hit by worries over the chances of a cut as well as a strong dollar.

Both main contracts rallied almost six per-

cent Tuesday on renewed hopes OPEC can reach a deal before it holds its twice-yearly meeting at the end of the month.

“With OPEC production at record highs, meaning any cut has to get bigger by the day, any news that this mountain can be climbed

by November 30th is seized upon,” Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

“With fast money flows dominating so many other markets at the moment it is no surprise that it was oil’s turn,” he said, adding: “We can expect more of this intra-day volatility over the next two weeks.”

Brent and West Texas Intermediate extended their gains in Asia Wednesday, providing fresh impetus to regional energylinked firms.

Among the big winners, Hong Konglisted CNOOC soared 3.5 percent, Woodside Petroleum jumped more than two percent in Sydney and Inpex was three percent higher in Tokyo.

With AFP, Bloomberg

with China firms

By Darwin G. Amojelar INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said Wednesday it is in talks with several Chinese companies for possible road and rail ventures in the Philippines.

“MPIC is talking to certain Chinese contractors for the tollways and bridges, mainly construction.

We want to talk to them about the LRT trains,” MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said the discussions were still in preliminary stages.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.3 8,000 47.7 38,100 94.25 1,766,200 3.8 21,000 111.5 1,591,050 37.9 32,100 16.54 22,500 19.1 212,500 1.89 37,000 0.77 2,125,000 76.5 3,934,760 0.87 6,000 14 1,600 21.85 38,700 55.3 8,830 260 520 144.2 30 98.85 1,130 35.85 38,300 207.4 694,180 1,601 115 74.45 42,530 1.31 1,000

26,400 1,815,095 166,510,342 79,800 177,423,255 1,207,430 372,578 4,073,658 69,930 1,633,560 301,567,675.50 4,920 22,400 847,030 490,218 136,030 4,337 106,016 1,370,005 143,868,936 184,160 3,160,892 1,310

1,781,765 -360,657 -37,927,278 -248,400 -3,354,446.00 3,780 -1,170,480 -163,299,433.50 218,500 152,619 -62,400 590,935.00 -27,102,780 987,184.50 -

42 3.71 0.88 1.31 19.94 0.196 105 11.56 16.16 22.85 24.1 59.95 85 2.01 7.12 12 10.98 6.48 6.99 5.23 1.76 22.1 64.4 12.1 16.8 6.03 1.6 209.2 79 2.08 31.1 26.5 14.4 275.4 0.245 4.81 3.07 9.36 3 11.5 2.11 5.72 1.42 68.7 3.66 220 4.43 4.05 0.141 1.61 169 4.15 2.01 31.25 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 42.65 2,278,700 3.83 504,000 0.9 397,000 1.31 2,203,000 20.7 62,200 0.196 300,000 105 160 11.6 9,309,200 16.3 1,009,200 23.45 438,100 24.1 5,300 59.95 5,740 89 250 2.03 196,000 7.21 2,182,500 12.44 6,100 11 5,856,600 6.48 896,800 7.05 537,900 5.23 11,050,800 1.76 20,000 22.65 546,500 65 221,210 12.12 7,000 16.82 81,800 6.03 260,400 1.63 2,285,000 209.4 1,568,650 80 1,610 2.08 47,000 31.15 2,535,700 26.95 181,300 15.3 12,166,100 282 87,540 0.26 30,000 4.81 2,000 3.07 1,089,000 9.38 3,915,200 3 1,000 11.5 800 2.13 450,000 5.9 185,800 1.45 201,000 68.95 1,355,320 3.66 4,000 224.6 3,080 4.43 1,074,000 4.25 13,000 0.141 2,080,000 1.62 102,000 171.5 1,465,190 4.6 556,000 2.02 2,542,000 31.25 100 1.08 87,000

97,066,515 1,918,120 353,590 2,931,780 1,270,064 58,800 16,850 108,550,772 16,440,654 10,274,300 136,070 344,402.50 21,290 395,020 16,114,038 73,484 64,499,712 5,850,556 3,776,731 57,969,880 35,200 12,332,660 14,315,163 84,740 1,376,756 1,573,535 3,751,380 334,114,614 128,790 97,760 79,091,295 4,883,870 183,468,308 24,407,590 7,500 9,620 3,400,610 36,956,699 3,000 9,200 957,940 1,092,987 288,960 93,494,888.50 14,760 688,390 4,761,110 53,100 295,140 166,780 251,695,023 2,547,840 5,191,930 3,125 93,960

-84,259,230 339,490 -56,123,670 3,338,102 1,174,300 4,840 -16,202.50 175,900 -5,268,356 -589,728 -1,763,775 -33,440,130 -2,140,500 -6,759,030.00 -1,210,224 1,284,578 -84,132,996 -39,963,525 -2,231,425 -54,100,590 3,256,062 1,269,300 -11,148,739 -683,730 -338,482 -178,800 7,687,597.50 670,790 -1,687,380 4,250 -14,698,434 2,299,950.00 -205,050.00 -

0.375 73.65 13.1 1.24 6 0.325 750 8.31 13.3 8.05 0.2 1,240 71.2 5.21 1.3 7.55 14.2 0.46 6.84 0.04 1.88 2.55 80.5 678.5 0.86 1.22 236 0.285 0.192 0.255

0.365 72.65 12.62 1.23 5.78 0.315 730 8.2 12.88 7.9 0.19 1,209 69.3 5.21 1.25 7.47 13.72 0.46 6.68 0.038 1.85 2.55 79.5 660 0.85 1.18 233.6 0.285 0.191 0.255

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 110,000 73.25 1,882,930 12.7 2,864,700 1.23 5,000 6 164,300 0.325 180,000 743 1,014,030 8.26 1,775,300 12.92 6,129,800 7.9 96,800 0.2 230,000 1,220 165,205 70.65 2,133,090 5.21 400 1.29 13,604,000 7.5 2,691,400 14 2,451,400 0.46 30,000 6.77 17,007,400 0.038 47,300,000 1.85 540,000 2.55 9,000 80.15 202,340 665 343,490 0.85 100,000 1.18 284,000 235.8 5,300 0.285 30,000 0.191 1,010,000 0.255 490,000

40,350 138,095,541 36,686,444 6,190 965,835 57,300 753,498,385 14,630,141 80,050,590 774,735 44,380 201,854,330 150,672,154 2,084 17,341,020 20,186,351 34,115,010 13,800 114,963,063 1,820,300 1,001,030 22,950 16,225,141 229,041,325 85,020 340,970 1,245,508 8,550 192,960 124,950

-76,631,636.50 -1,768,698 -291,710,605 -1,933,623 22,439,612 805 -40,622,430 21,651,795.50 245,250 -6,819,350 -4,403,010 -26,601,998 -2,223,341 1,359,455 21,128 -

7.12 1.12 2.28 0.33 33.2 3.14 5.16 0.59 1.17 0.153 0.54 52 0.75 1.78 0.96 1.04

7.1 1.08 2.22 0.295 31.75 3.05 4.9 0.56 1.11 0.147 0.53 50.45 0.73 1.75 0.94 1

36,251 1,159,780 179,880 3,161,900 341,530,810 20,591,830 1,158,668 19,206,240 225,960 582,300 1,243,170 28,766,827 41,280 7,641,180 2,062,710 128,560

-21,300 2,240 -98,000 -7,718,455 -14,685,020 155,862 -4,780,580 -8,820 -4,503,626 2,194,650 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.3 47.5 94.05 3.8 109.9 37.7 16.56 19.02 1.89 0.77 76.4 0.81 14 21.9 56 265 144.9 92.05 35.65 207.2 1,610 74.5 1.31

3.3 47.75 94.75 3.8 112.1 37.9 16.56 19.26 1.89 0.77 77.5 0.87 14 21.9 56.45 265 144.9 98.85 35.85 209 1,610 74.5 1.31

3.3 47.5 94.05 3.8 109.9 37.6 16.54 19.02 1.89 0.76 75.9 0.81 14 21.85 55.3 258 144.2 92.05 35.65 205.2 1,601 74.1 1.31

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY 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 EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PHX SEMICNDCTR PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

42.9 3.71 0.91 1.36 20.75 0.196 105 11.62 16.16 23.5 25.5 60 85 2.03 7.2 12.02 10.98 6.68 7.02 5.3 1.76 22.1 64.85 12.1 16.84 6.05 1.75 210.4 80 2.08 31.95 27 14.4 275.6 0.245 4.81 3.19 9.4 3 11.5 2.12 5.85 1.43 69.2 3.7 220 4.45 4.05 0.141 1.61 169.5 4.16 2.01 31.25 1.08

42.9 3.85 0.91 1.38 21.5 0.196 110 11.88 16.38 23.55 26.2 60.05 89 2.04 7.49 12.5 11.16 6.68 7.08 5.33 1.76 22.75 66 12.12 16.84 6.05 1.75 218 80 2.08 31.95 27 15.3 282 0.26 4.81 3.19 9.8 3 11.5 2.13 5.9 1.45 69.2 3.7 224.6 4.45 4.25 0.143 1.65 174 4.6 2.06 31.25 1.08

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

0.375 73.6 12.62 1.24 5.82 0.315 730 8.2 13 8 0.192 1,218 69.8 5.21 1.25 7.5 14.2 0.46 6.68 0.039 1.85 2.55 80.5 660 0.86 1.19 236 0.285 0.191 0.255

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP

7.12 1.12 2.27 0.315 31.75 3.09 5.15 0.56 1.11 0.149 0.53 51.8 0.75 1.78 0.95 1.04

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3.8 0.142 0.255 2.98 26.9 1.55 3.24 26.8 0.95 0.91 5.11

3.96 0.144 0.255 3.21 26.9 1.55 3.28 27.2 0.95 0.91 5.34

3.75 0.142 0.255 2.97 26.05 1.54 3.24 26.55 0.92 0.9 5.11

3.75 0.143 0.255 3.21 26.45 1.55 3.28 27 0.95 0.91 5.34

38,564,000 5,480,000 10,000 1,133,000 1,758,900 143,000 75,000 11,285,000 981,000 24,000 6,029,100

147,445,130 782,840 2,550 3,533,400 46,477,480 221,570 243,160 303,783,610 920,350 21,820 31,647,601

-23,819,030 5,680.00 -22,502,345 72,850 63,727,680 7,681,148

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

7.65 45.9 1.28 0.54 0.048 5.35 6.66 0.071 2.75 104 6.85 2.35 988 1,400 6.15 12.02 2.18 14.04 130 73 0.0094 12.48 9.1 0.192 1.33 3.33 4.9 4.19 3.8 20.15 2.38 11.3 2.5 8.75 8.65 1,350 1.15 0.4 40.85 74.95 5.56 2.53 0.78 3.12 0.335

7.8 45.9 1.32 0.56 0.053 5.35 6.95 0.074 2.78 104 6.96 2.35 988 1,450 6.15 12.52 2.18 14.5 130 75 0.0094 12.48 9.13 0.193 1.34 3.33 4.96 4.25 3.9 20.15 2.38 11.3 2.5 8.75 9.02 1,380 1.15 0.41 40.95 75 5.7 2.64 0.84 3.23 0.345

7.63 45.5 1.27 0.52 0.045 5.35 6.66 0.071 2.71 102.5 6.66 2.35 988 1,400 6.14 12.02 2.11 14.04 130 73 0.0091 11.2 9.05 0.188 1.31 3.33 4.9 4.14 3.8 20.15 2.19 11.3 2.5 8.75 8.61 1,339 1.12 0.4 39.05 73.5 5.56 2.52 0.77 3.12 0.33

SERVICES 7.8 45.6 1.32 0.54 0.052 5.35 6.84 0.073 2.76 103.6 6.66 2.35 988 1,410 6.14 12.52 2.14 14.5 130 75 0.0091 12.44 9.1 0.193 1.31 3.33 4.94 4.2 3.88 20.15 2.3 11.3 2.5 8.75 8.9 1,356 1.15 0.405 39.05 74 5.57 2.61 0.82 3.17 0.345

224,600 20,300 39,000 607,000 362,000,000 2,000 15,826,800 31,330,000 1,413,000 325,050 123,000 1,000 10 161,545 24,800 72,800 1,302,000 4,100 70 1,579,820 6,000,000 400 506,000 11,370,000 596,000 1,000 395,000 3,223,000 2,235,000 200 7,100,000 1,000 10,000 500 410,600 200,215 13,196,000 790,000 2,870,000 1,790,980 18,400 1,299,000 73,829,000 294,000 110,000

1,740,311 923,985 50,770 325,830 17,230,600 10,700 108,348,417 2,269,430 3,854,200 33,518,040 837,673 2,350 9,880 228,979,760 152,392 907,040 2,787,860 57,886 9,100 117,849,527.50 54,900 4,856 4,604,630 2,171,420 787,300 3,330 1,944,030 13,526,820 8,654,260 4,030 16,157,090 11,300 25,000 4,375 3,626,188 271,231,335 15,033,470 321,750 114,554,205 132,397,896 103,257 3,332,820 58,929,080 937,950 36,700

40,440 309,000 23,868,466 2,190.00 355,660 -9,067,543 9,880 -179,274,900 52,460 -44,930,146.50 129,770 -520,830 566,950 -1,487,170 -4,933,020 1,292,050 -1,792 -93,593,580 -63,406,390 31,325,418 -94,890 11,160 -9,530 -23,250

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET A BENGUET B 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 PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM

0.0035 2.97 4.8 2.3 2.39 0.58 0.415 9 3.75 0.285 0.195 0.2 0.011 0.012 1.72 8.18 3.05 0.48 1.01 0.011 0.012 8.15 3.66 124.3 3

0.0035 2.97 4.96 2.4 2.39 0.58 0.42 9.36 3.75 0.29 0.199 0.205 0.013 0.012 1.72 8.26 3.1 0.48 1.05 0.011 0.012 8.22 3.7 124.8 3

0.0034 2.89 4.76 2.3 2.3 0.58 0.4 8.86 3.52 0.275 0.194 0.2 0.011 0.012 1.7 7.94 2.99 0.48 1.01 0.01 0.012 8.08 3.59 124 2.9

MINING & OIL 0.0034 38,000,000 2.95 124,000 4.8 1,543,000 2.3 195,000 2.3 121,000 0.58 200,000 0.4 990,000 9.2 438,700 3.62 10,686,000 0.275 330,000 0.198 2,930,000 0.205 420,000 0.013 144,800,000 0.012 500,000 1.7 212,000 8.26 5,978,100 3.06 505,000 0.48 10,000 1.02 152,000 0.011 149,800,000 0.012 34,300,000 8.22 482,800 3.6 2,021,000 124.4 183,730 2.9 46,000

129,400 360,640 7,444,720 448,660 278,390 116,000 404,700 4,012,007 38,705,260 92,400 571,510 85,100 1,701,000 6,000 362,190 48,767,101 1,529,950 4,800 154,440 1,597,800 411,600 3,940,697 7,307,330 22,868,796 133,830

-23,800 -1,006,400 -87,040 -7,589,471 30,100.00 -43,415 72,510 -5,964,435 -

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

45.5 105 122 6.12 1,020 1.06 1,160 1,040 110 81 77.5 80 77.5 78.1

45.5 105 122 6.12 1,020 1.06 1,160 1,040 110 81 77.5 80 77.5 78.1

45.3 104.9 121.5 6 1,020 1.06 1,160 1,030 110 80.5 77.5 79.5 77.5 78

PREFERRED 45.4 115,300 104.9 59,690 121.5 1,290 6 54,000 1,020 150 1.06 31,000 1,160 1,025 1,035 4,180 110 3,300 80.5 13,000 77.5 180 79.5 30,490 77.5 95,000 78.05 87,560

5,233,135 6,261,581 157,375 325,837 153,000 32,860 1,189,000 4,308,850 363,000 1,048,350 13,950 2,425,551 7,362,500 6,832,325.50

-235,675 -156,160 128,987 -

LR WARRANT

2.32

2.32

2.28

WARRANTS 2.28 38,000

86,860

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS XURPAS

2.85 3.65 9.54

2.87 3.65 9.79

2.83 3.5 9.5

2.84 3.64 9.67

2,760,960 439,700 10,254,272

94,000 100,850 3,869,219

FIRST METRO ETF

115.6

117

115.6

1,851,526

257,400

MS

PROPERTY 7.1 1.11 2.28 0.3 33 3.14 5.16 0.57 1.11 0.153 0.54 51.8 0.73 1.78 0.95 1

5,100 1,061,000 80,000 10,140,000 10,400,800 6,691,000 228,700 33,537,000 200,000 3,860,000 2,338,000 563,260 56,000 4,314,000 2,181,000 128,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,732,217

INDUSTRIAL

72,700,073

HOLDING FIRMS

103,127,179

PROPERTY

141,338,847

SERVICES

542,502,324

MINING & OIL

395,079,712

GRAND TOTAL

1,267,649,786

SME

972,000 123,000 1,057,300

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.8 15,870

VALUE 1,716.98 (up) 8.00 827,827,066.374 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,975.68 (up) 82.19 1,503,519,599.348 HOLDING FIRMS 7,083.37 (up) 97.05 1,892,437,674.848 PROPERTY 3,105.03 (up) 100.31 1,315.47 (up) 14.27 969,092,583.06 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,766.71 (up) 16.42 1,174,066,957.22 PSEI 6,966.28 (up) 109.13 141,683,137.14 All Shares Index 4,211.45 (up) 48.12 6,523,936,826.392 Gainers: 104; Losers: 75; Unchanged: 45; Total: 224

MPIC has interests in tollways, railways, power, water distribution and healthcare in the Philippines.

MPIC Group operates the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.

MPIC’s subsidiary MPCala secured a contract from the Public Works Department to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain a fourlane, 47-kilometer closedsystem toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.

The P35.4-billion expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEx-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

MPTC also received a notice of award from both the city of Cebu and the municipality of Cordova for the financing, design, construction, implementation, operation and maintenance of an 8.3-kilometer toll road known as the Cebu-Cordova Bridge project, linking the island of Mactan to mainland Cebu through Cordova.

MPIC through Light Rail Manila Corp. also operates the existing Light Rail TransitLine 1 and has the right expand the system up to Cavite from Baclaran in Pasay City.

MPIC also expressed interest in infrastructure projects that the government is pursuing under the publicprivate partnership scheme.

Shakey’s finalizes plan for P5.5-b IPO

By Jenniffer B. Austria RESTAURANT chain operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. has finalized the timetable for its planned P5.5-billion initial public offering.

Latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed SPAVI would hold the maiden share offering on Dec. 2 to Dec. 8 and the listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Dec. 15.

Sources said the company was on course to meet the timetable, as it was expected to secure an approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission during an en banc meeting today.

Under the plan, SPAVI will offer 352 million primary and secondary shares, including 46 million shares in case of extra demand, at an offer price of up to P15.58 each.

Arran Investments Private Limited, a unit of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, agreed to sell 248 million secondary shares, assuming the over allotment option would be exercised. This would reduce Arran’s stake in SPAVI to 18.5 percent from the current 37.2 percent.

Documents showed at least 70 percent of the offer shares would be sold to overseas investors while the remaining 30 percent would be allocated to local investors.

SPAVI said it intended to use the proceeds from the sale of primary shares to partially repay its loan from BDO Unibank Inc. and fund the capital expenditures for a new commissary and the relocation of its headquarters.

Meanwhile, SPAVI said it teamed up with Quorn Foods, a world leader in meat alternatives, to offer the Philippines’ first meat alternative pizzas.

Business

B3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

OceanaGold bags five mining awards

ABOITIZ GROUP’S AWARDS. Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Aboitiz Power Corp. are recognized by the Philippine Stock Exchange for

their exemplary performance in good corporate governance at the PSE Bell Awards. Shown are (from left) SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa, AEV senior vice president and chief legal officer Jasmine Oporto, AEV senior vice president and chief corporate services officer Susan Valdez and PSE chairman Jose Pardo.

OCEANAGOLD Philippines Inc. won five mining awards during the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City.

The awards included the prestigious 2016 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award, the highest award conferred by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

The PMIEA recognizes outstanding levels of dedication, initiative and innovation in the pursuit of entities involved in various aspects of mineral utilization. The award was established in compliance with the policy that mineral exploration and mining operation shall be pro-environment and propeople in sustaining wealth creation and improving quality of life.

OceanaGold Philippines also won the 2016 safest mining operation (metallic category), safest surface mining opera-

tion, safest mineral processing (concentrator category) and 3rd runner-up for best in mining forest program.

“We are grateful for these awards for recognizing our efforts in establishing high standards in environmental protection, safety and health management and community development, but what’s more important than public recognition is our continuous improvement and approval from our communities where we operate in that we’re getting it right and doing it the right way,” said Chito Gozar, senior vice-president for communications and external affairs of OceanaGold Philippines.

OceanaGold Philippines’ Didipio Mine in Nueva Vizcaya continues to operate without interruption and continues to be a partner of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in promoting responsible mining.

BSP raises auction size to P180b What returning Presidents must stop doing DURING the course of their terms of office, Presidents of the Philippines are expected to make visits – State, official or working – to countries with which the Philippines has friendly relations. This is the norm in international diplomatic practice.

The start of his or her term is a particularly busy time for a new Philippine Chief Executive because he is expected to introduce himself to, and establish personal ties with, his counterparts in friendly countries that are important to the Philippines. And those visits are often repeated, during a President’s term, in order to maintain the friendly relations with the countries concerned.

The countries most important to Philippine diplomacy and economic development are the US, China, Japan, the biggest countries of the European Union – Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain – Australia, Canada and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. These are the countries to which a new President goes during his first two years in office, with the Asean countries at the top of the Presidential travel program. Heads of State are expected to attend the opening of the annual UN General Assembly meeting, but Philippine Presidents have not considered that event a de rigueur occasion.

Considering that the visits to the above-indicated countries are trips required of the Chief Executive of this country, all that the occupant of Malacañang needs to do, when he or she has to go on one of the programmed official trips is to pack his or her bags, make a pre-departure statement, go abroad and perform his or her mission, return to this country and make an arrival statement briefly describing his or her trip.

Presidential voyages overseas are necessary, being undertaken to promote and strengthen this country’s relations with foreign countries and international institutions. The President does not have to justify the trips and explain why he or she had to visit this or that country. Merely by being in those countries, being seen by their peoples and talking with their leaders is sufficient explanation for the expenditures and costs associated with the trips. The Philippines has to engage the world, and the best person for that task is the head of its government.

But Philippine Presidents do not agree that they do not have to justify their official trips abroad, and it has become the practice for the occupants of Malacañang to try and convince the Filipino people that their trips were worth the expenses and costs in concrete terms. They have invariably tried to justify their foreign sojourns in terms of bacon-brought-home. Upon their arrival, they have invariably launched into quantifications of the achievements of their trips: amount of loans and grants received, investment agreements signed and financial pledges obtained. It’s as though (1) the President has to demonstrate that his trip accomplished something quantifiable and (2) the Chief Executive did bring home the bacon of the financial kind.

After his recent trip abroad, President Duterte followed the practice of his predecessors –former Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo and Aquino – and brandished numbers attesting to his success in obtaining investments, loan packages and financial pledges. His visits to China, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, were all successes, he seemed to be saying, because he and his team brought home an assortment of financial goodies. He said, in his arrival statement, that he “got some $24 billion worth of investments and concessionary loans from his State visit to China and $19 billion worth of fresh investments from Japan.”

Not only does this practice of touting financial magnitude in arrival statements tend to demean Presidential trips abroad, but they are unnecessary. For the Filipino people, it is sufficient that the nation’s No. 1 official came home safe and sound and did a good job of representing their country abroad.

And there is also the element of risk. Presidents who brandish financial magnitudes in arrival statements run the risk that the numbers they brandish will be subjected to scrutiny and be found to be tentative and unfirm.

Under attack from skeptics, the Duterte administration has now admitted that most of the $24 billion figure mentioned by Mr. Duterte consisted of MOUs (memoranda of understanding), not hard deals. An official Japanese statement subsequently said that what resulted from President Duterte’s visit to Japan were “offers of investment” with a total value of $19 billion. And the Presidential spokesman capped the clarifications by saying that the MOUs “were not hard contracts but simply invitations.”

For the future, I wish that Presidents returning from trips abroad will simply get off the plane, say “It’s great to be home” to their welcomes, get into the Presidential limousine and speed off to Malacañang. No more recitals of investment deals signed, loans obtained and aid packages pledged. So demeaning. So unnecessary.

Let that practice be discarded.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

By Julito G. Rada

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ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will increase by P50 billion the volume of the weekly auction of term deposits under the interest rate corridor system starting Dec. 1, 2016 to more effectively siphon off excess liquidity.

Data from Bangko Sentral web site showed the auction volume would be raised to P180 billion from P130 billion. This will be the biggest adjustment in weekly volume since the auction started in June.

The amount of week-long deposits will be increased by P20 billion, or to P30 billion from P10 billion, while the

Pelletsasia investing P1.5b in Sagay City

By Othel V. Campos THE Board of Investments approved the application for tax incentives of Pelletasia Victorias Corp. as an exporter and producer of wood and grass pellets.

Pelletasia is investing P1.5 billion in a 300-hectare napier grass plantation in Sagay City, Negros Occidental with an annual capacity of 113,568 tons.

The project is expected to generate at least 576 jobs in the next six years.

Pelletasia already planted napier grass in 70 hectares and is set to start harvesting by December 2016, jumpstarting its commercial operations.

“The potential benefits of wood, especially napier grass are not yet fully explored to substantially become alternative fuels and contribute to energy independence. These resources can be grown in abundance as demand of energy pellets is seen to continuously grow,” said Trade undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

“Together with other potential sources of biomass fuels like bamboo and by-products of agricultural crops, these resources are renewable which ensures their continued supply.

In essence, bioenergy initiative is not only for energy. It supports agricultural development by adding value to resources which generally are left in the farm or go into waste,” Rodolfo said.

He said the project was a good example of how to encourage inclusive growth in rural areas while supporting agricultural development.

The company plans to export biomass pellets to Korea and Japan while also supplying the local market particularly sugar millers who are set to diversify into bio-ethanol production from molasses and sugar.

month-long deposits will be increased by P30 billion, or to P150 billion from P120 billion.

This is the sixth time Bangko Sentral is adjusting the volume of the weekly auction. The continuous oversubscription since the start of the auction in June encouraged Bangko Sentral to increase the volume five times, from the original

P30 billion to P50 billion, P70 billion, P90 billion, P110 billion and P130 billion.

“We raised the auction size for both facilities for the December auctions as there is still a significant amount of liquidity flowing into our ODF [overnight deposit facility]. Capturing more liquidity in the longer tenors would help us better manage liquidity in the system,” Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a text message.

The P130 billion offered to the public remained highly oversubscribed Wednesday, as banks and trust entities swarmed the weekly auction.

The week-long P10-billion deposits attracted total bids

of P29.598 billion, fetching a weighted average accepted yield of 2.523 percent.

The month-long P120 billion deposits lured total tenders of P207.30 billion and had a weighted average accepted yield of 2.78 percent.

“The auction shows that the BSP facilities continue to be effective in mopping up excess liquidity in the system. We noted a decline in the tender amount in the 28 days from about P232 billion last week to about P207 billion this week. This may be due to market positioning ahead of seasonal requirements... The uptick in the auction average rates continued to be in line with price movements in the recent past auctions,” Tetangco said.

AIRLINE TURNAROUND.

Philippine Airlines is recognized by the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, a Sydney-based think-tank and aviation strategist, as Asia-Pacific Airline Turnaround for 2016, for “providing industry leadership in adjusting to a new environment especially during times of industry upheaval.” Shown is PAL chairman Dr. Lucio Tan (right) and PAL president Jaime Bautista receiving the award from CAPA executive chairman Peter Harbison (center) during the CAPA Aviation Summit in Singapore.

Misamis coal plant starts operations

By Alena Mae S. Flores FDC Misamis Power Corp., the owner and operator of Mindanao’s largest baseload power plant, secured an approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission to start commercial operations.

ERC awarded FDC Misamis the certificate of compliance for the first two units of the 405MW (3 x 135-MW) coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental after complying with ERC’s financial, technical and environmental requirements.

All generation companies are required to secure certificates of compliance from ERC before they can commence commercial operations.

The certificate for the third unit is expected to be secured as soon as testing and commissioning are completed, according to the company.

The power plant is owned and operated by FDC Misamis, a subsidiary of FDC Utilities Inc. and a member of Filinvest Development Corp. of the Go-

tianun Group.

This is the first power plant commissioned under the Duterte administration and is envisioned to end the recurring power crisis that afflicted Mindanao for years.

“Our plant will finally put an end to the recurring power crisis that has plagued the region and hopefully drive the much needed economic development in Mindanao,” said FDC Misamis president and chief executive Mario Pangilinan.

FDC Misamis’ generating plants have been supplying power to customers and other energy players at discounted rates since the start of testing, greatly contributing to the stability of the Mindanao grid.

The company secured longterm contractual commitments for more than 85 percent of the plant’s net capacity with 18 distribution utilities and industrial customers throughout Mindanao.

The power plant, located at Phividec Industrial Estate in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental

is a multi-billion-peso investment that uses the latest in clean coal technology―the circulating fluidized bed boiler technology.

“The operation of the FDC Misamis power project will greatly boost the supply security in the Mindanao region. And this is not only because of its large capacity but also due to its strategic connection to the grid.

With this development, our system will be more reliable and the quality of service will be higher,” Ambrocio Rosales, OIC head of Mindanao system operations department of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said earlier.

FDC Misamis will supply 500 MW with the inclusion of its 100-MW Apo geothermal independent power producer administrator contract upon completion of the commissioning.

FDC Misamis secured longterm contractual commitments for more than 85 percent of the project’s net capacity with various distribution utilities and large industrial customers in Mindanao.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

LGUs

IP groups question selection process

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

‘QC tax hike 1 month’s cp load’

By Rio Araja

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HE proposed tax increase in Quezon City is just equivalent to a month’s cellphone load, a ranking official of the city government said Wednesday.

Sherry Gonzalvo, chief legal officer of the Office of the City Assessor, gave the assurance the adjustment in the fair market value “won’t hurt property owners.”

The increase in real-estate tax would only be “minimal, and is

equivalent to the cost of texting for a month,” she said.

The city government has been taking efforts to cushion the impact of the tax adjustments to the city residents, particularly owners of residential proper-

ties, Gonzalvo said.

“We spend around P200 to P300 a month for texting and phone calls and that’s the average rate every property owner has to pay when we implement the new schedule of fair market values,” she said.

A just increase is not too much of a burden if its benefits would see good results in terms of the delivery of more projects and services, she said.

As an example, Gonzalvo said, a property owner who has a 100-square meter residential lot

classified as Residential 4 is paying a P675 annual real property tax based on an 18 percent assessment level and a fair market value of P150,000.

Under the proposed revision, the land’s fair market value would be increased to P800,000 but the assessment level would be reduced to only 5 percent, thus, the property owner’s new annual tax rate would be adjusted to only P1,000, or a difference of mere P325.

“The amount is just the equivalent of one’s cost of tex-

ting a month or a meal for a day at a Jollibee restaurant,” Gonzalvo said.

There have been suggestions to lower the 18 percent assessment level to 10 percent but after a thorough study and in consideration of the plight of the property owners, the Office of the City Assessor further lowered it to 5 percent.

“If we settled at 10 percent (assessment level), the real property increase will be as much as P2,700, and that’s burdensome,” the chief legal officer said.

RELOCATION RESISTED. Nearly 500 survivors of powerful Typhoon ‘Yolanda,’ which struck Eastern Visayas in November 2013, rally in front of the Legislative Bldg. in Tacloban City against a plan of the local government unit to demolish structures covered by the ‘No-Build Zone Policy’ they claim will lead to the forced eviction of around 1,000 families per week in Tacloban’s coastal areas. Mel Caspe

Eng’rg confab set in Davao DAVAO CITY—The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers will hold its three-day 42nd National Convention starting today in this city with focus on the importance of civil engineering profession in nation building.

A highlight of the convention, to be held at the SM Lanang Premier here, is the meeting of Electoral College tasked to elect its national directors from candidates representing the private and government sectors.

The 15 new board members shall then elect the officers who will manage Pice in 2017.

Pice president Ernesto de Castro reported that under his administration a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with Construction Industry Authority of the PhilippinesPhilippine Domestic Construction Board on their partnership for Constructors Performance Evaluation System.

This is a system of rating the performance of constructors based on specific criteria set by the Infrastructure Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority to ensure the quality and timely delivery of infrastructure projects.

CPES is expected to raise the level of performance of Philippine constructors to be at par with internationally accepted standards and applies to all public infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

BAGUIO CITY—Elders of the city-based Ivadoys, Kalanguyas and Kankanaeys are questioning the selection process done by the indigenous peoples groups for their mandatory representative to the local legislative body.

They say the process is allegedly a product of “farcical, illegal and serious violation” of the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. In their protest letter sent to city officials and government agencies, the elders claimed the results, validity and integrity of the selection process last November 4 was not only doubtful but also considered illegal because of issues raised against the process.

The issues include the fact the Kalangya and Kankanaey groups were illegally and unlawfully excluded in the selection process, serious irregularities and anomalies attended the selection process compounded by non-observance of the customary consensus rule.

It was the consensus of the IP group representatives that because of the blatant defects in the conduct of the selection process, the selection and its subsequent results should be protested and presented to the general assembly to address and rectify all violations of law, including customary practices and traditions.

The representatives are seeking the declaration of the results of the November 4 selection process as moot and academic.

The IP representatives called on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of the interior and Local government to conduct another selection process.

This is intended to correct the defects of the previous process to guarantee the full representatives of all the citybased Ips, official sources said.

The representatives want the local government and government agencies to hold in abeyance any actions that will give effect and due course to the selection of the IPMR in the city.

The representatives believe the selection process done last November 4 was designed to suit the interest of a single tribe when there are numerous IP groups in the city. Dexter See

SSS presents option on proposed pension hike THE Social Security System has presented to the House of Representatives a proposal to implement the P2,000 pension increase starting with an additional P1,000 across-the-board pension in 2017.

Another P1,000 ATBP in 2022 or earlier, with corresponding legislative interventions in place.

Newly appointed Social Security Commission chairman

Amado Valdez said the agency’s highest policymaking body supported the initiative to grant the pension increase for more than two million SSS pensioners.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Government Enterprises chaired by North Cotobato 1st District Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, Valdez said, “We are very conscious of the sentiments of Congress to really help the working class

and we appreciate them for these efforts to push for meaningful pension reforms.”

He informed the Committee members the SS Commission is inclined to a P1,000 initial pension increase while he urged Congress to pass impact legislations to shore up the pension funds.

Valdez said that without funding support, Congress might be appropriating funds that are pri-

vate in nature.

According to him, the current fund has been obligated to current members.

Valdez said a law appropriating a private fund might be questioned as to its Constitutionality by SSS members for whom the current funds are obligated.

“As trustees of the pension fund, we have a contractual obligation to our members to

ensure that they would receive the benefits they are entitled to at any time during their membership with the pension fund,” Valdez said.

During the hearing, Valdez said SSS was committed to address the gaps in the implementation of its benefit program.

Based on several consultations of SSS, some sectors are amenable to the implementation of a P1,000 ATBP. Butch Gunio

Salceda: Space agency for PH now a must

MONOGAMOUS BONDING. A vendor displays his African lovebirds—sold for P800 per pair—at the

crowded Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, among the nine species of the genus Agapornis, their name coming from the parrots’ strong, monogamous bonding and the long periods which paired birds spend sitting together, with some species kept as pets and several color mutations are selectively bred in aviculture. Manny Palmero

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda has filed a bill in Congress that seeks to establish the country’s space development and utilization policy and create the primary agency that will spearhead the program of space access, science and technology applications.

Salceda’s measure, House Bill No. 4367, also referred to as the “Philippine Space Act of 2016,” serves as a response to the country’s growing need for a secure and independent access to space through the establishment of its own space policy and space agency.

The bill proposes the creation of the Philippine Space Agency or PhilSA as the central state agency that will address all national issues and concerns related to space science and technology applications, and safeguard the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests.

Salceda in a statement said PhilSA shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and administrative body of the

executive branch of government that will plan, develop, and promote a national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy.

He pointed out that space technology has become ubiquitous so that many vital and modern activities would not operate without space systems, such as satellites, to provide capabilities in communications, navigation, defense and security, environmental monitoring and disaster assessment.

“This makes space infrastructure and capabilities as indispensable asset of society and an essential requirement for any modern country,” he added.

As a developing country and an emerging economic powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region, Salceda said it is crucial for the Philippines to embark on an efficient utilization of space science and technology applications to address various national development and security issues and keep up with the rest of the world that is gradually becoming more space capable.

CSR MINING

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Supplement Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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MINING CSR:

The key to responsible

mining

GROWING WITH MINING. Employees of Agata Mining Ventures Inc. plant tree seedlings near the banks of the Kalinawan River in Tubay, Agusan del Norte. Tree planting is a pillar of corporate social responsibility efforts of large-scale responsible mining firms in the Philippines. They are among the country’s most prolific tree-planters, having sown over 20 million seedlings since 2011.

By Noah James

M

INING is truly a big business. Millions of dollars are spent on exploring possible mine sites, hiring geologists, engineers and workers to verify the mineral wealth of a site, building the roads and support infrastructure to get to the site, and bringing in the machinery and heavy equipment to extract the mineral ores and process them for local use or for shipping abroad.

But what really gives a mining project its value? Beyond its financial viability, a mine becomes valuable if it makes a positive impact on its host

community. This is where the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of a mining company are essential in underscoring their operations as a

responsible and sustainable effort—and separating them from illegal and unregulated projects that only leave the earth bare.

Initial benefits of mining

At its most basic and beneficial level, mining is a source of mineral resources important for maintaining and upgrading living standards, according to a study on mining technologies by the National Academies Press (NAP) of Washington DC in 2002.

By definition, mining is the extraction of valuable and non-renewable minerals or other geological substances from the earth. Materials acquired

through mining include gold and metals, limestone, rock salt, gemstone, coal, oil, gravel, and clay. Mining is intended to obtain resources that cannot be produced through agricultural activities or manufactured artificially in a laboratory or factory.

Meanwhile, responsible mining has some obvious benefits. A properly structured mine operation, says the NAP, engages with the local residents and provides them with jobs, raising the living standards of the community.

Revenues generated from mining activities help in developing facilities, such as schools, hospitals and other social infrastructure, says Australian

Mining -- the industry magazine in the country that rode its so-called mining boom to newfound prosperity. These activities promote business enterprise in the mining regions; for instance, they promote growth in rental houses to provide accommodation for miners.

Growth in businesses that would cater to mine workers’ needs, such as apartments, grocery stores and service businesses, is expected from a mining venture too—part of the “multiplier effect” that economists use to describe the impact of an industry beyond the monetary value of its products or services.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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HE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) is recognizing its exemplary membercompanies in the local mining industry by giving them citations during the Presidential Mineral Industry and Environmental Awards (PMIEA) on November 18.

These mining firms are being cited for their best practices in the industry and for their continuing effort to protect the environment in the awards event that will close the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) at the CAP-John Hay Trade Center and Cultural Center in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

The award is conferred every year to mining companies that show exemplary practices in safety and health, environmental protection and rehabilitation, and community and social development and management.

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), Philippine Society of Mining Engineers and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources organize the yearly ANMSEC. The 2016 winners will be announced on the Awards Night after a stringent selection process. In 2015, five companies – Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc., SR Metals Inc., OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp., and Coral Bay Nickel Corp. – gained the PMIEA Award.

Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp./Galeo Equipment Corp., Apo Cement Corp., and Holcim Philippines – La Union Plant also gained the Platinum Achievement Award last year.

Holcim’s Davao plant, along with Lafarge Republic Aggregates Inc., Eagle Cement Corp., Lafarge Republic – Bulacan Plant, Minimax Mineral Exploration Corporation/Agata Mining Ventures Inc., and Cagdianao Mining Corp. took home the Titanium Achievement Awards also.

For 2016, 23 companies were shortlisted for the awards by the PMIEA Selection Committee and Secretariat.

They listed 11 surface mining operations, six quarry operations, three mineral exploration companies and three mineral processing companies.

“These awardees are leading examples of responsible mining in the country and the world,” said Chamber of Mines executive vice president Nelia Halcon, who is among the judges for the PMIEA. “Despite the challenges that continue to hound the minerals industry, there remain companies which are

CSR MINING

Chamber of Mines

to cite members’ practices in PMIEA

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan (top photo, third from right) leads dignitaries and mining officials in formally opening the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference at Camp John Hay. Last year, awardees of the PMIEA included OceanaGold Philippines, represented by its Chairman Jose P. Leviste Jr. (above right photo, second from right).

They gained an audience with then-President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and then-Environment Secretary Ramon Paje at the formal presentation of their awards at Malacañang in 2015.

fully committed to protecting the environment and bettering the communities and the country.”

PMIEA’s strict requirements include full compliance with environmental policies; establishment of a contingent Liability Fund; an approved Social

Management and Development Program; zero fatal accident for the coverage period; and no significant damage to lives and properties as a result of mining operations.

“The pursuit for world class operations, long before the PMIEA was es-

tablished, is worth emulating. While deserving of trophies, their achievements also entail unwavering commitment to our advocacy of responsible mining,” Halcon added.

The PMIEA was established under Executive Order No. 399 on February

03, 1997 in compliance with the policy that mineral exploration and mining operation should be pro-environment and pro-people. This recognition is in line with the call for the Philippine mining industry to promote and practice responsible mining.

Mining...

From C1 Finally, mining resources are important foreign exchange earners and contribute significantly to the gross domestic product or GDP, adds Australian Mining.

Argument for mining in the Philippines

In the Philippines, mining as an industry has existed for at least a century, yet the country has barely scratched the surface of its mineral wealth. According to a US State Department report in 2012, the PH is one of the world’s most mineralized countries -- with estimated untapped mineral wealth of over $1.4 trillion (Php68.86 trillion) according to the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) says the Philippines is second in the world in gold resources, third in copper, and top five in overall mineral reserves covering an estimated nine million hectares of land – although just two percent (2%) of this area has received mining permits.

The country is also part of the broader Asia Pacific Region that includes the world’s largest producers and consumers of minerals, and accounts for more than 70 percent of global consumption of coal, iron ore and tin, a report by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) said in 2011.

“Given the size of the mining industry, it holds significant economic importance in the region,” says a report by the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon V. Del Rosario Center for

Corporate Social Responsibility (AIM-RVR-CSR) done for APEC in May that same year.

However, the AIM report continues, “based from global industry records, there have been numerous past instances of environmental damage due to unacceptable mining practices, causing irreversible harm to the mining industry’s reputation (and) leading to the increasing resistance of host communities to mining operations.”

The Philippines only has to look back at the horrible Marcopper spill 20 years ago to the illegal black-sand mining along its coastlines and even wholesale smuggling of nickel-rich earth to countries abroad to see the opposition to the industry here. Thus, the economic potential of mining “has not been maximized and the sector has failed to create significant impact on member economies,” the AIM report for APEC adds.

Where CSR comes in

The key goal for countries, therefore, is to find ways to balance the benefits to all stakeholders, the AIM report added – and this is where mining CSR steps in.

The challenge for the mining industry in APEC economies, says the AIM, covers three dimensions: economic, environment and social.

“The mining industry, specifically in developing countries, needs to ‘heal’ and revive the lost trust towards mining activities by ensuring maximum economic benefits with minimum environmental and social costs and the objective of sustainable development,” the institute report adds.

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CSR MINING

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Agusan town celebrates

69th year in partnership with mining firm

Residents and officials of the municipality of Tubay in Agusan del Norte join employees and officials of Agata Mining Ventures Inc. in a show of solidarity after their environmental activity to commemorate their town’s 69th founding anniversary.

T

UBAY, Agusan del Norte—Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) recently joined its host Municipality of Tubay in commemorating the town’s 69th founding anniversary— further cementing the common path towards solidarity, peace and sustainable progress for both.

A joint venture project of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) and MRL Nickel Philippines Inc., AMVI likewise shares the same progressive vision of incumbent Mayor Fidel B. Garcia, Jr. and the Tubay Municipal Board headed by Vice Mayor Raquim Cuyos.

Garcia and Cuyos jointly issued a commendation of the mining company’s contributions that “have brought better economic and socio-cultural conditions (and) its efforts that underscore the essence of responsible mining in our country.”

AMVI assumed major sponsorship of Tubay’s weeklong celebration that ended in the annual Binibining Tubay 2016 beauty pageant. Among 12 candidates representing different local organizations and offices, the Tubay Working Youth Club’s Gypsy Mae Arnado was crowned as the pageant’s winner, and became concurrent Agata Goodwill Ambassador for environment and social development programs.

“Truly this is one pageant that I admire as it resembles Tubay’s simplicity. These local beauties represent every sector with pride and elegance that reflect a community that

is always proud of its endeavors,” said guest of honor Rep. Erlpe Amante.

The commemoration also highlighted the town’s economic growth, which is attributed in part to Agata’s mining operations within its 4,995-hectare Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area.

Fostering goodwill “AMVI’s participation and resounding commitment towards the growth of our coastal communities have always been a pride, and more so towards the coming years of its responsible implementation of their projects,” declared Binibining Tubay Chair Fe Delia Garcia, wife of Mayor Garcia, during the pageant.

The yearly event was organized by the pageant committee through the municipal tourism office and is supported by the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Working Youth Club, Tubay Women’s Organization, and other sponsors.

AMVI General Manager Engr. Emilio T. Figueroa III and TVIRD Security Director (Ret.) Brig. General Emmanuel S. Cayton represented the

company and were among the judges who crowned Binibining Tubay.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with sports activities that saw the different offices of the local government in various competitions as well as an inter-barangay basketball tournament for members of the community.

Other activities were a Senior Citizens Day and dance competition organized by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. Some 10 barangays participated in the competition bested by Barangay Poblacion, which captured the title.

“The anniversary of Tubay reminds us not just of our success, but also our past which we owe to our senior citizens.

Without them, Tubay will not consist of competent workers and residents who are mindful of their environment. It reminds us to always respect our elders,” said Vice Mayor Cuyos during the event.

Cuyos likewise spearheaded the Alay Lakad and Tree Planting along with Agata Community Relations VP Edsel Abrasaldo, as they led over 200 employees and residents in a walk from the municipal hall to Barangay Tanog-

Mining...

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programs, says MiningFacts.org, which is a portal for the Canadian mining industry run by the Fraser Institute, one of the top 20 “think tanks” in the world.

“Each CSR program needs to be designed and continuously evaluated according to the needs of the community affected by a mining project,” MiningFacts.org says. “Creating a successful CSR project is therefore usually a process of trial and error.”

Most mining CSR projects, however, focus and incorporate three mains areas: the environment, social, and economic factors.

Several international initiatives and associations exist that promote best practices and corporate social responsibility in the mining sector. The following are the most recognized worldwide: The United Nations Global Compact initiative, in which companies self-evaluate and report their performance regarding 10 principles; The European Commission’s Renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy; The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), organized by the largest mining companies in the world and has a variety of programs to enhance sustainable mining.

ICMM makes its members accountable for the fulfillment of the 10 principles for sustainable development; and The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a mechanism to publish and verify company payments made to governments and government revenues received from oil, gas, and mining.

Mining companies also pursue certifications such as ISO 14000 (environmental certification), SA 8000 (working conditions certification), and AA 1000 (accountability certification). They are Common CSR components It is challenging to outline a set of clear com- also making efforts to be listed in the Dow Jones ponents that are common to all mining CSR Sustainability Indexes.

Turn to C4 “Mining activities should contribute to the host communities -- safeguarding human rights, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring the sustainability of the environment during the operation and after the closure of the mine.”

CSR is one of the “key practices” that could promote and enhance in line with sustainable mining objectives, the AIM says. CSR supports the principle that business “is fundamentally about meeting human needs.” For the mining industry, it must be “systematic and scientific in demonstrating benefits and efforts to prevent negative impacts and create value to society.”

CSR refers to “voluntary actions” undertaken by mining companies to either improve the living conditions (economic, social, environmental) of local communities or to reduce the negative impacts of mining projects. By definition, “voluntary actions” are those that go beyond legal obligations, contracts, and license agreements.

According to MiningFacts.org, CSR programs of mining firms usually invest in: Infrastructure (potable water, electricity, schools, roads, hospitals, hospital equipment, drainage repairs, etc.); Building social capital (providing highschool and university education, providing information on disease prevention, workshops on gender issues, information on family planning, improving hygiene, etc.); and Building human capital (training local people to be employed by the mining enterprise or to provide outsourced services, promote and provide skills on microbusiness, aquaculture, crop cultivation, animal rearing, textile production, etc.).

tanogon, where they planted more than 200 seedlings along Kalinawan River, AMVI’s adopted tributary.

The Sanggunian Bayan and Barangay Awards Night likewise recognized the efforts of distinguished constituents and organizations in the fields of public service, local projects, and various best practices in their communities.

Progress and development The Agata mining tenement includes four of Tubay’s barangays that have since benefitted from the miner’s Social Development Management Projects (SDMP): Lawigan, Tinigbasan, Tagpangahoy and Binuangan. The bulk of its mining operations is conducted within the town and extends to neighboring Jabonga and Santiago municipalities.

C3

Tubay and AMVI share a common development roadmap in harnessing its vast mineral resources and developing its dedicated human capital.

AMVI enhances economic activity in the area through direct employment and the generation of several livelihood programs specifically designed to the needs, resources and capabilities of its host communities. It likewise protects the environment and enhances the community by implementing the same successful social development model of TVIRD, the lead operator of the Agata Nickel Project.

To date, more than 300 jobs have been created for Tubaynons, who receive more than PhP 5.6 million in salaries.

In terms of capacity building, AMVI engaged the country’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct its NC2 Light Vehicle Driving and Basic Maintenance Training for 30 trainees.

Five Tubay scholars, whose studies are supported by AMVI, are also taking up mining-related courses in Caraga State University.

The company plans to undertake infrastructure projects such as the improvement of the Tinigbasan-Tagpangahoy access road in order to improve mobility within the municipality.

It also plans to construct a marine sanctuary observation tower in Lawigan, and AMVI already built one for Tinigbasan during last year’s Ocean Month celebration.

Responsible mining companies support all kinds of economic and social activities in their host communities. Here, Gypsy Mae Arnado (fifth from left) poses after her victory as Binibining Tubay 2016 in an event supported by AMVI. With her are (from left) Tubay Mayor Fidel B. Garcia Jr., Agusan del Norte Rep. Erlpe Amante, TVIRD Security Director (Ret.) Brig. General Emmanuel S. Cayton, Agata General Manager Emilio T. Figueroa III and the pageant runners-up.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Supplement Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com

C4

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

M

ario Luis Jacinto, the new Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and concurrent Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is emerging as a voice of reason for the embattled Philippine mining industry.

A geologist by profession who was appointed by his longtime boss in Davao City – current President Rodrigo Duterte – to head the mining bureau, Jacinto has so far worked well with Environment Secretary Regina Lopez while succeeding MGB chief Leo Jasareno.

But unlike Lopez who is a known anti-mining advocate and has led a crackdown on large-scale mining operations so far in her tenure at the DENR, Jacinto has repeatedly stressed the importance of the industry to the country’s development as long as it is done responsibly.

Jacinto recently said that the Philippines couldn’t yet afford to lose mining investments, with two-thirds of its current P282 billion in mining investments made by companies who have been suspended in the latest DENR purge or risk losing their permits to operate.

He also expressed confidence that Duterte, Jacinto’s boss for 21 years as he held various positions in the Davao City government, had the political will to regulate the industry and see it contribute more to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from its present measly 0.7 percent share in the next six years.

“A government should not go against any industry. If it’s an industry that contributes to the total development of an area and of that country, then just make it compliant. We should know how to optimize that industry’s contribution,” he said.

In September, Jacinto explained his stance at length to the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) in its monthly membership meeting. He said the industry needed to “work on its information dissemination” programs to show the country that mining “plays a key role in the development of our country, the regions, the provinces.”

Before meeting the PMEA, the MGB chief had come from a nine-hour hearing at the House of Representatives on the DENR’s budget for 2017. There, questions on mining dominated the discussion – “perhaps for the first time in DENR budget deliberations” Jacinto remarked -as congressmen grilled Lopez and her team.

CSR MINING

MGB’s Jacinto

emerges as voice of reason

for PH mining

PAST AND PRESENT. Current Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Mario Luis Jacinto (third from right) is joined by his predecessors (from left) former Environment Secretary Horacio C. Ramos, former DENR Undersecretary Jeremias L. Dolino, Engr. Juanito C. Fernandez, geologist Joel D. Muyco and Dr. Guillermo R. Balce.

in the Indonesian downstream ore processing industry, and if the Philippines should be pushing for a certain volume of sustained ore production.

While Jacinto doesn’t dispute the “cold statistics” of the industry in the PH, he noted that “if you look at impact of mining in areas where it is occurring, then it could be 70 percent of total economic activity, 70 percent of all employment in those areas, with localities that are practically totally dependent on the contribution of taxes and revenues that are generated by the mining operations.”

“We only have 109 active mining areas both for metallic and nonmetallic mines within the whole country, so we are not present in all provinces of the Philippines,” Jacinto added, hitting at a line often used

by Lopez in her anti-mining talks in the past.

“When we look at those figures, while it may look small in the overall statistics, it’s very important for the host communities who can benefit from it. These are the things that we have to inform, disseminate, and make sure that they know the importance of the industry in these mining areas.”

Jacinto advised the miners that they have to work well with the communities and engage them from day one of a project. “Only by engaging host communities and local government officials will they have a sense of ownership (over a mine) and understand that mining is important in a development of a community,” he said.

The lack of information about the industry “can be addressed by proper information that is verifiable,” Jacinto said.

As for the “unreasonable disinformation” on mining that “will come our way, we have to clarify (the wrong ideas) and show that these are meant

to discredit or try to put some doubt on what will be most beneficial for the people.”

The MGB, meanwhile, has to be clearer in its policy issuances, make sure that things are “well understood,” and that the bureau is able to cut down on the list of requirements and documents that have to be submitted.

“We have to cut red tape on the instructions of the President, and make sure that the time for processing (permits) should be shorter,” Jacinto added.

The good news, Jacinto said, is that mining is “really responsible,” and he expressly put on record that responsible miners “will always have a place in the development initiatives of the Philippines.”

“We will go by what is provided for in our laws, rules and regulations, and it is something that we will pursue and make sure that in mining projects, our existing laws will be in place,” the MGB chief added.

“We will make sure that responsible miners will be looking at the potential of developing different deposits, and be assured that when they are being compliant with the laws and government regulations, mining will always have a part in the development goals of our country.” Jimbo Gulle

CSR program, the Fraser Institute says, because the program’s success “is usually measured in terms of what doesn’t happen rather than what does.” For example, the absence of local tension, time not spent in dispute litigation, or of not having to absorb unplanned costs can be called successes.

Despite their benefits, there are a number of reasonable criticisms of these programs. Some critics claim that CSR programs are just part of a company’s public relations strategy, and thus do not really intend to benefit the local community, but are there more to bolster the company’s image, MiningFacts says.

In some cases, funding for projects under a CSR program Success and criticism never materializes. Others argue It is difficult to precisely mea- that these programs divest profits sure the success of a mining firm’s from companies’ shareholders and

diminish efficiency of the market economy. The Fraser Institute, for one, says further research needs to be done “to explore to what extent CSR programs take away from company profits.”

Another drawback of adopting CSR is that a mining company runs the risk of making a community dependent on the mining activity for community development, says MiningFacts. “Such dependency can become a real issue when a mine closes and the company is trying to leave the area,” it notes.

Mining companies, a handful of them in the country under the banner of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, are aware of this issue and to respond have begun to invest in the community in a sustainable manner that generates real and tangible social benefits.

Still, questions loom over how best to invest sustainably – and of how much of a role government should have in creating CSR standards. One example Canadian miners have asked, according to the Fraser Institute, is that if CSR programs are meant to be implemented by industry to benefit industry, should the government become a driving force behind these programs?

What’s clear is that without CSR, miners everywhere would have less of a social license to extract minerals on behalf of a country, which truly owns this wealth. Mining is indeed big business, but the stakes are high, and engaging in CSR lets mining firms do their work responsibly and sustainably – in the Philippines and elsewhere.

Mario Luis Jacinto (left) receives the MGB’s flag from outgoing Director Leo Jasareno (right) in a ceremonial turnover at the DENR offices in Quezon City.

“The bad news is that we have to do lot of legwork to convince legislators that mining plays a vital role in our development,” he told PMEA. “By counting heads, it appears (congressmen) support many of the options that will not really be for mining operations, or they do not appreciate at this time what development of mineral deposits in different areas of the country means, where there are less development initiatives where the mining industry can make a difference.”

Jacinto also revealed he had the chance to emphasize that his

bureau “wanted to thoroughly know and understand” from Congress how the Philippines will position itself in the minerals world market.

“One of the things we need to take into consideration is commodity flow in the minerals market, and how the Philippines in the long term can position itself and how to leverage (its resources),” he said.

Jacinto also told the lawmakers that other issues the Philippines needed to look at was the policy of ASEAN integration on mining and opportunities for consolidation, the developments

Mining...

From C3

Why engage in CSR? Who do mining firms engage in CSR, and why should they? From the community’s perspective, the Fraser Institute says CSR programs of mining companies “provide a mechanism of compensation for the social and environmental costs associated with mining.”

These costs are usually associated with environmental impact, higher food and housing costs, and social impacts from an increase in the number workers living in the area.

In addition, a CSR program “provides the community with a means through which it can be involved in, and provide input into the mining project.” Since local communities “may not see many of the direct benefits from the mining industry,” CSR programs are a means through which a mining

company can be seen to actively give back to the community.

Mining firms also benefit from CSR programs in several ways.

Firstly, they help build better relations with the local communities in which they operate. The economic risks of not having good community relations include project delays and even mine closure, and “significant delays may cost up to two-thirds of the mine project’s initial value,” MiningFacts.org notes.

According to the World Bank, the mining industry has become “a very technologically complex sector,” which employs considerably fewer people than in the past and, therefore, needs to provide other benefits to local communities “in order to obtain a ‘social license’ to operate.”

Secondly, it provides a way of responding to increasing consum-

er concern about how the products they buy are produced, combined with the fact that the Internet allows consumers to scrutinize mining companies’ operations, according to the Fraser Institute.

Finally, companies that are regarded as socially responsible “may be more likely to be asked to do business with governments that are accountable to their citizens. These companies can also be more efficient in their recruitment processes because “access to the brightest and best in the labor market will depend upon the reputational status of the industry and the companies within it,” MiningFacts adds.

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WELLNESS & ENVIRONMENT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

D1

Journey

to doubling the

tamaraw

H

OW does one appreciate the beauty of a beast?

For a group of student volunteers from Far Eastern University (FEU), it is by understanding the history and existence of their university’s symbol— the tamaraw—and that they were able to recognize the relevance of this wild animal. This endeavor eventually put the tamaraw in a different perspective and inspired a campaign towards its protection.

The tamaraw or ‘dwarf forest buffalo’ can only be found in the Philippines, particularly in the island of Mindoro. It may not be the most attractive or elegant among animals but the tamaraw has a perfect V-shaped horn. It is intelligent, independent and aggressive. It is also protective of its partner and territory.

These beasts lived abundantly throughout the vast land of Mindoro in the 1900s, but when man came to settle A Taw’Buid tribesman (left) joins Mount Iglit-Baco park rangers in protecting the tamaraws

The tamaraw is an intelligent, independent and aggressive animal that can only be found in the island of Mindoro

and occupy the island, the population of the tamaraw started to decline. Their numbers drastically dropped in the 1930s, when Mindoro was hit by the rinderpest or cattle plague. The tamaraw was among the livestock affected by this animal disease. The tamaraw also became victims of illegal hunting and trade of animal meat among the locals in Mindoro.

It was alarming that by the 1960s, these endemic beasts were close to extinction.

In 1969, it was estimated that there were less than 100 animals left, putting the tamaraw in the critically endangered list of the International Union for the Conservation of Na-

ture (IUCN). Animals having less than 250 mature individuals and with 95 percent of the species found in one sub-population are included in this classification.

To promote the conservation and protection of the tamaraw, October was declared as the Special Month for the Tamaraw in 2002. Under the Presidential Proclamation 273, which states to “conserve, protect and develop the country’s wildlife resources, especially the endemic species, for the benefit of the present and future generations,” the tamaraw was also declared a source of national heritage and pride.

The less than 5,000 hectares of Mount Iglit-Baco in Mindoro was converted into a National Park to provide a safe sanctuary for the tamaraw.

Here, the endemic beasts are free to roam and breed naturally.

FEU

launched its own efforts to protect the tamaraw in 2005. First was the “SaveThe-Tamaraw-Project,” which was organized by a group of student volunteers. The project is guided by the objective to raise awareness in securing the continuous and stable existence of tamaraw in Mindoro. A documentary video called Tamaraw Quest was produced, capturing the state, habitat and the reason for the gradual extinction of the animal.

The most pivotal year in the road to tamaraw conservation happened in 2012 when FEU and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) found an ally in World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. The strengthened partnership resulted in the launch of Project “TAMS-2” or Tamaraw Times Two, which aims to double the number of tamaraw from then 300 to 600 by 2020.

In order to achieve this goal, stateof-the-art camera traps were installed in the tamaraw reserve to study the activity patterns of the tamaraw. Park management was also improved by assigning different park rangers in the areas where the tamaraws were frequently spotted. Biodiversity research initiatives were reinforced with the construction of a conservation station, which eventually became an

eco-tourism attraction.

The entire FEU community became active supporters and advocates of this campaign. FEU students join in the annual tamaraw count through the university’s Community Extension Services and National Service Training Program (CES-NSTP) curriculum, while sustainable fund-generating projects were created to support the program’s advocacy efforts.

Moving outside its institution, FEU touched base with the reclusive, forestdwelling Taw’Buid people, to change their view of the tamaraw. FEU volunteers, through the TAMS-2 campaign, taught the indigenous community to care for the tamaraw and help them gradually end their tradition of killing these endangered beasts.

Eventually, the Taw’Buid tribesfolk became partners of FEU in protecting the tamaraw. They are natural and excellent trackers that can easily spy on poachers who hunt and kill tamaraw.

Their bush craft and knowledge of the terrain of Mount Iglit-Baco make them particularly effective park rangers, and are able to operate under any condition.

To date, there are already 413 tamaraw. With collaboration and combined conservation efforts, there is hope that by 2020, the number of tamaraw will reach the 600 goal.

iPhoto

Organique Acai Berry launched in US ORGANIQUE Acai Berry, a health supplement approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), will make its grand entry into the US market, with consecutive launches in three cities in the West Coast from Nov. 15 to 22.

Several activities have been lined up in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with actress and fitness expert Regine Tolentino who will headline the much-heralded launch of Organique Acai Berry to the US market.

Activities will include product sampling, a talk by Prof. Eric Soriano of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and even zumba events with Regine.

Organique Acai Berry was introduced in the Philippines eight years ago by Cebu-based couple, Elton and Cathy Salimbangon, who has Regine Tolentino headlines the launch of Organique Acai Berry in the US

proudly built a brand that brings wellness, health and beauty.

Processed and bottled in a cutting-edge plant in the US, Organique Acai Berry has very high levels of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that have health-benefitting and disease-preventing properties.

A delicious drink that can be taken by people of all ages, Organique Acai Berry helps lower blood pressure, improves lipid and glucose levels, prevents some causes of heart disease, helps osteoporosis, relieves symptoms of asthma and even fights prostate enlargement.

Tagged as “The World’s Number One Superfood,” Organic Acai Berry has been available in the US for quite some time now but will soon be sold even in retail outlets after the launch (Seafood City Supermarkets, Island Pacific Supermarkets and Arko Foods). The product is also available in Japan and Hong Kong.

Beauty queens on HIV Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina talk to youth advocates and UNICEF staff to learn more about the situation of HIV in the Philippines, and how to address the challenges faced by young people. According to the Department of Health, newly diagnosed HIV cases among adolescents increased by 230 percent from 2011 to 2015.

Life

D2

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Sanofi Pasteur launches ‘Be a Wall’ campaign to mobilize the citizenry to fight the spread of dengue as well as to educate them about the ways to prevent the disease with the help of vaccination

Vaccination drive against dengue S ANOFI Pasteur, the vaccine division of multinational pharmaceutical company and industry leader, Sanofi, launches “Be a Wall” campaign to mobilize the citizenry in a nation-wide campaign against the spread of dengue.

Dengue remains one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseases in the world and the Philippines ranks among the top-three countries affected by it. Cebu City, for example, has just declared a state of calamity with over 5,821 dengue cases recorded as of October this year. Other areas considered as the most infected hotspots include Metro Manila or NCR, Region IV-A or CALABARZON, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas.

The campaign aims to build awareness among Filipino parents and inform them how they can better protect themselves and their loved ones against the fastest-growing mosquito borne disease. It also aims to educate them about the multi-pronged ways to prevent dengue infection – vectorcontrol, disease information and vaccination.

Be a Wall will also engage Filipinos by inviting them to connect, share their experience, ask questions, and join a community that’s building the nation’s resistance against dengue, it aims to remind them of their role to step up the fight against the disease

and to get involved by taking an active part in health matters that affect them and their families.

“As responsible Filipino moms, let our voices be heard to raise awareness on dengue and let’s spread the good news that it is now a vaccine preventable disease. Each of us can now be a wall against dengue,” Maricel LaxaPangilinan noted.

“It’s great news that there is a dengue vaccine now available in the market. As a public affairs anchor, I’m on top of the news everyday and it’s very alarming to note the rising dengue cases from different regions of our country, it’s definitely a relief for

Filipino parents out there especially a father like me to be able to visit our doctors today and have our kids vaccinated,” said Paolo Abrera.

Celebrity mom, Christine BersolaBabao also expresses her support for the dengue vaccine. “I am a mother of two and I want my kids (family) to be safe from life-threatening diseases like dengue. Aside from the vector control measures that we have been doing, we really need a new tool that will help us in fighting the epidemic and vaccination is the answer. I encourage other Filipino moms to ask their doctors about dengue vaccination today,” she shared.

New generation aesthetics center at Centuria Medical Makati

The MMDA Metrobase Center which monitors the road situation in Metro Manila

COSMETIC surgery has become a $20 billion industry worldwide. According to the latest Global Cosmetic Surgery and Service Market Report, North America accounts for 45 percent of the global market and Asia is fast catching up as the “next frontier” for the practice.

The Philippines is following the Asian trend with the increase of aesthetic centers that offer surgical and minimally invasive procedures at competitive prices. The practice has gained mass appeal over the years, and is no longer just associated with celebrities and people from high society. These days, anyone who needs an extra boost of confidence can turn to aesthetic procedures for help.

For Drs. Al and Grace Jaafar of Neu Advanced Aesthetics, cosmetic surgery is a work of art, something that brings great satisfaction to both patient and surgeon.

“Doing these treatments is more than skin-deep. We don’t just make a difference on the external part – in many ways, cosmetic surgery also boosts the self-esteem of patients and allow them to have confidence,” said Dr. Grace Jaafar.

DISSOLVE), microneedling, fillers, BOTOX, PRPs, and facial treatments.

Neu Advanced Aesthetics also offers services for Cosmetic Gynecology. Headed by Dr. Grace Jaafar, it is one of the few cosmetic surgery clinics in the Philippines to provide both surgical and laser procedures for the female genitalia.

Dr. Grace Jaafar, an OB-GYNE who is a certified senior member of the European Society of Aesthetic Gynecology is among few Philippine doctors to specialize in this field. Her background and extensive experience as a boardcertified Obstetrician-Gynecologist coupled with her vast training as a cosmetic gynecologist makes her a trusted and credible surgeon in this field.

Among her major services are vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, and FEMILIFT non-surgical laser vaginoplasty.

Strategic partnership with Centuria Medical Makati

On their reasons for locating in Centuria Medical Makati, Dr. Al Jaafar stressed that having access to modern technolo-

gies and superior medical facilities within the building such as the laboratory (Advanced Lab Solutions by Hi Precision), operating rooms (The Surgery Center) and executive recovery guest suites allow their team to do the procedures in a safe and time-efficient manner.

“One important difference of Neu with other cosmetic centers is the location. Since we choose to locate at a world-class, one-stop medical arts building complete with brand new facilities, our patients don’t have to go outside the clinic to undergo several tests before proceeding with the operation making it more convenient to them,” he said.

Neu Advanced Aesthetics Center is located at Suite 1723 of Centuria Medical Makati in Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Centuria Medical Makati houses more than 600 doctors’ clinics and premier facilities.

For more information, contact the Centuria Medical Makati concierge at 793-8611 or ask@centuriamedical.com.ph.

Neu Advanced Aesthetics Center

SDEAS students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde visit the surveillance center

Deaf awareness seminars at MMDA Metrobase THE School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB) has continued to conduct on-going workplace deaf awareness seminars with selected personnel of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in view of a recentlysigned Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by SDEAS Dean Nicky Perez and MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos.

The series of lectures to acquaint and orient staff of the government agency on the basic sign language and sensitivity modules aims to integrate and enhance work relations with Benildean deaf alumni who are slated to be hired under the MOU, to augment its 100-strong Metrobase Operations Center.

The new graduates will likewise undergo a two-week intensive training to familiarize them with operations and procedures.

Under the agreement, DLS-CSB will appoint a Program Coordinator to liaise between the hearing-im-

paired and the MMDA officials for any concerns, as well as to provide the needed feedback.

Dean Perez proudly states that for years, Benilde has worked at integrating its graduates for mainstream employment. They have served as encoders at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), among many others.

In a statement, Orbos cited studies that showed individuals with hearing disabilities have a sharper sense of sight, which is an advantage for monitoring the more than 300 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras deployed metrowide to observe traffic in major thoroughfares.

“There are studies which indicate that when a person loses one of the bodily senses, the other senses are more sensitive or heightened. Their visual acuity is sharper,” he stressed.

The MOU also provides for the possible employment of more deaf personnel from DLS-CSB if the effort proves to be a feasible undertaking.

Situated on the 17th floor of Centuria Medical Makati, Neu Advanced Aesthetics is a new generation clinic that offers both invasive and non-invasive cosmetic treatments. Founded by the husband and wife tandem of Dr. Al and Grace Jaafar, the aesthetics center adopts an artistic and a non-traditional approach on cosmetic surgery with patient-centered values.

Dr. Al, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who practiced General Surgery for several years before shifting to surgical aesthetics, points out that the clinic’s mission is to provide better results to clients by incorporating advanced medical innovations and technologies that deliver safe and remarkable results.

“Rather than just focus on the usual surgical techniques or medical procedures, we also integrate technological advances such as the use of new machines so that our patients have the option to choose procedures that would have amazing results, faster recovery time and a wide safety margin.”

The clinic’s major expertise is in cosmetic surgery procedures such as rhinoplasty, eyelids/eyebags surgery, facelifts, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, power-assisted liposuction (PAL), and VASER liposuction (UAL).

Non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures being offered by Neu includes body contouring, using the only non-surgical option for liposuction, US FDA approved LIPOSONIX, RF body contouring and skin tightening treatment (ACCENT ULTRA CONTOUR V and V LIFT), mesotherapy (LIPO-

Centuria Medical Makati is now home to Neu Advanced Aesthetics, a new generation clinic that offers invasive and non-invasive cosmetic treatments

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Newest Big Brother housemates B

IG Brother formally introduced the newest set of interesting personalities to join the first batch of regular housemates in the hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7.

Aura Azarcon of Las Piñas joins the second batch of housemates in the show’s 7th season

Viewers watched the program on Nov. 5. Aura Azarcon, the Med of Honor of Las Pinas; Wil Dasovich, the Cool-it Vlogger of Pampanga; and Jesi Corcuera, the Transgender Man of the House of Cavite introduced themselves and got into the country’s most popular house.

Already a stand-out with her noticeably good looks, Aura, a medical intern, is also beauty and brains personified. Because of her background of service in the student council and in the field of medicine, she believes she can mingle with all kinds of people.

Before taking the medical board exam next year, she wants to have the once-in-a-lifetime experience as a PBB housemate and prove that doctors have a quirky side too.

Video blogger Wil, meanwhile, has always dreamed of getting into the PBB house and had auditioned three times in the past before finally joining Lucky Season 7. A FilipinoAmerican who initially travelled to the Philippines for vacation, Wil decided to stay in the country to pursue a modeling career and learn more about his Filipino heritage. And now, Filipinos undoubtedly love him and his viral videos where he fluently speaks Tagalog and gay lingo.

Trans man Jesi Corcuero of Cavite enters PBB house as a regular housemate

Host and vlogger Wil Dasovich

Jesi, on the other hand, is not a stranger to TV competitions. He was part of a talent search on a TV network where he auditioned as female. Although he is a product of a broken family, Jesi feels complete by expressing and living his true self – as a transgender man.

Viewers will surely get hooked on them as they show their authentic selves and accomplish Big Brother’s tasks together with Tanner Mata, the Incredible Hunk of Nueva Ecija;

Baninay Bautista, the Bibang Bentang-guena of Batangas; Ali Forbes, the Rampa Raketera of Bulacan; Luis Hontiveros, the Longing Son of Taguig; Thuy Nguyen, the Lucky Bet na Miss of Tacloban; Cora Waddell, the Dazzling Daughter of Bulacan; and Jerome Alecre, the Overseas Filipino Warrior of Tondo.

Meanwhile, just as new regular housemates entered the house, a teen housemate recently bid goodbye with the eviction of Christian, the Courtside Kusinero of Zamboanga. The remaining teens, on the other hand, have an outside task that is related to the regular housemates. Will they succeed?

Since its launch in 2005, Pinoy Big Brother has mirrored the hopes, plight, and aspirations of Filipinos through its diverse

mix of housemates. Big Brother formulates tasks and challenges for the housemates to bring out their best, test their strengths, and foster camaraderie as they undergo a transformative journey inside the house.

Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7, airs Monday to Friday after Till I Met You on ABS-CBN or on ABSCBN HD (SkyCable Ch 167).

Viewers can also catch up on the show’s past episodes via iWanTV. com and for Sky subscribers.

It also airs weekday afternoons, 5 p.m., while Pinoy Big Brother Season 7 Online Show goes live online Monday to Friday, 7 p.m. via www.pinoybigbrother.com.

For updates, follow @ PBBabscbn on Twitter, @ pbbabscbntv on Instagram or like https://www.facebook.com/ PBBabscbntv/ on Facebook.

TALK BALK

On ‘The Escort’ and other soaps THE review by Nickie Wang of the movie The Escort in the November 9, 2016 of Manila Standard is surprising that the success of the film was attributed to the millions of pesos it raked during the first few days of showing. However, this box office performance does not equate with its value and its substantive content. This is due to the blatant presentation of the sexual act in its repetitive rendition and different partners. As indicated in the press releases, there were no cuts so that more people were titillated. Therefore the viewership could not be linked to the social and moral significance value of the film Another teleserye that is meandering is Someone to Watch Over Me, which is part of a primetime series. The intention of the soap opera according to its press release is “to raise awareness of the problem (alzheimer’s) and its impact on family relations. However, it has become a series of outbursts on the part of the main actor and crying spills on the part of the wife, which detract largely from the focus on illness progression with its accompanying functional and cognitive deterioration.

However, the illness was romanticized and the wife presented as picture of devastation with daily crying seeking sympathy from viewers. In the real setting, the wife or immediate family member becomes pro-active in response to the point of seeking institutional help as the basic functioning of the individual deteriorates. The teleserye, which has been running for nine months, has become stale and repetitive with viewers’ call for the termination of the series since it seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Definitely, the awareness issue has been sidelined in this serye and the emphasis was “kilig” which is uncalled for. What happened to the call of meaningful teleseryes?

There is an absence of venue for teleserye watchers like me to express opinion and concern over teleseryes that are presented. The Fans’ Day column of the Philippine Inquirer has been removed and all that is gotten are few sentences drawn from fans’ gushing over their actors on Instagram. I hope that you will help us viewers to present our comments and critics of your suggestion. Manila Standard is one of the papers that presents an incisive view of current presentations which have an impact on viewers’ values and perception.

Sincerely yours, Aleli Patron Nurse – Profession

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

ACROSS 1 Spiky hair style 5 Halley’s — 10 Keg-party site 14 Bandleader — Kenton 15 Murphy Brown’s kid 16 Pumice source 17 Like it was 18 Show in summer 19 Indigo plant 20 Playhouse 22 Type of audience 24 Ruby or Sandra 25 Core 26 Surfaces 30 Relaxes 34 Warty critter 35 Kid’s address 37 Campus building 38 Greyhound 39 Lb. and oz.

40 Kind of jacket 41 Feel sore 43 Snicker (hyph.)

45 Stare stupidly 46 Was gracious 48 On the double 50 Miler Sebastian — 51 Admin. head 52 Creates from

clay 56 Firm, as pasta (2 wds.)

60 Freeway clogger 61 Jean’s school 63 Mournful cry 64 Wavy-bladed dagger 65 C3PO or R2D2 66 Jillian and Miller 67 La femme 68 Messy quarters 69 Guru’s practice DOWN 1 Furtive whisper 2 Idaho neighbor 3 Label 4 Massaged 5 Professions 6 Come on — 7 Drop — — line 8 Mr. Sevareid 9 Cause for revolution 10 Heavy-duty truck 11 Rajah’s consort 12 Tel — 13 Yarn 21 Kind of towel or party 23 Ale source 26 Ready to swing (2 wds.)

27 Pelican feature

28 Harem head of yore 29 Planted 30 Al of Indy fame 31 Traveling man 32 Speak slowly 33 Hazy 36 Utmost degree 42 Fence in 43 Seesaws 44 Aerie hatchlings 45 Collapse (2 wds.)

47 Keystone Konstable

49 Okra morsel 52 Rice wine 53 Frizzle 54 Elec. or gas 55 Bagpipes player 56 Shampoo additive 57 Prefix for second 58 Bell sound 59 Joy Adamson’s pet 62 — -Wan Kenobi

Dane DeHaan as an ambitious young executive who travels to an idyllic but mysterious wellness center in Swiss Alps

Gore Verbinski’s

‘A Cure For Wellness’ revealed 20th Century Fox and New Regency give us a peek into the intriguing premise of the upcoming psychological thriller A Cure for Wellness with its recent trailer reveal- https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=eQlVV8czjkU. A Cure for Wellness is directed by Oscar winner Gore Verbinski and stars an impressive cast that includes Jason Isaacs, Dane DeHaan, Mia Goth, and Adrian Schiller.

The movie takes the audience to a “wellness spa”

in a picturesque remote location in the Swiss Alps.

The facility promises a cure for what ails modern society, but all is not as it seems, as an ambitious young executive (played by DeHaan) uncovers its terrifying secrets and fights to save his life – and sanity.

An intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller, A Cure for Wellness opens in Philippine cinemas Feb. 15, 2017 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

By Robbie Pangilinan

V

ANCOUVER, CANADA—Hers was the voice that rocked the country. Before there was Aegis and Asin.

And Asin had Lolita Carbon.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

LOLITA CARBON still rocks

Pinoy folk rock icon Lolita Carbon embarks on a concert tour in Canada

In 1976, the folk-duo of Mike “Nonoy” Pillora Jr. and Cesar “Saro” Banares Jr. invited Lolita to join them. They were later named Salt of the Earth and would later beknown as the Peter, Paul, and Mary of the Philippines.

Lolita recalls singing with Nonoy and Saro in Bodega, a premier folk venue in the 70s. In 1977, Vicor Music Corporation signed up the trio as Asin and a year later released their first solo album titled Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran.

Lolita’s song “Pagbabalik,” included in the first album, won the 1978 Aliw Awards Best Folk Song of the Year.

The group’s second album, Himig ng Pag-ibig, contained favorite Pinoy love songs of all time. It was also memorable for Lolita when she did the Japanese version of Freddie Aguilar’s phenomenal hit “Anak.”

In 1981, she released her own vinyl single under the name “Lolita and the Boys.” The song “Usok” is considered the first song to adapt the reggae style in Philippine music history. On the flip side was the blues song “Ganyan Lang.”

Lolita joined other bands from 1981 to 1983 – Sulabama, the first reggae band that became a big hit in Mindanao, and Holy Smoke Band, which was her back-up band when she lived in Davao City.

Asin had a reunion, went on tour, and released their reunion album Himig ng Lahi, which became Awit Awards’ and Jingle Magazine’s Best Album of the Year in 1984. After that, Asin released more albums containing traditional Filipino songs with contemporary arrangements. Lolita herself produced the “Sinta” album in 1987, a collection of Filipino love songs.

Asin disbanded in 1990 but shortly afterwards became part of the experimental “supergroup” of musicians called Lokal Brown, which sang “This Is Not Amerika.” A year later, Lolita formed the band Nene with a group of session musicians and released her first full-length solo album with the hit song “Biyaheng Langit.” “Paraisong Liku-liko,” also in the album, was awarded as Best Rock Recording in the 1991 Awit Awards.

Three decades after Asin’s foundation, in 2000, Lolita regrouped with the fourth member of the band, Pendong Aban Jr. and released the album Pag-ibig, Pagbabago, Pagpapatuloy, with the first cut “Dalawang Dekada ng ASIN” winning Best Musical Arrangement in the 2002 Awit Awards. Asin is the only Filipino artist awarded as one of the 2004 Environmental Champions by the DENR-World Bank PublicationEnvironmental Monitor 2004.

Lolita grew up with music around her. Their Malate home was filled with musical instruments and her father had many musician-friends in the neighborhood. At a young age, Lolita already showed her singing prowess.

She was 10 when she won in Tita Betty Children’s Show, with “The Impossible Dream.” She was 13 when she joined the Philippine Navy Band N2 Division, singing numbers by Shirley Bassey.

She became a professional singer with One Way Up Band in 1975 and her first stint as a folksinger was at Kola House in Ermita in 1976.

Now in her 50s, the “Voice of the Earth” still rocks the world as she goes on concert tours bringing her timeless music and unique singing style.

In all these, Lolita is happy and has no regrets – only that she wishes to be with her children.

“If ever God will give me the chance to be with my children, that will be a great gift. I know I have never been a good mother but it’s not an excuse. I love them so much,” she says.

Lolita was only 17 when she gave birth to her firstborn.

“I was able to see my son briefly but the lola took the baby. I was traumatized,” she recalls.

Lolita has four children with three different fathers, and she prays that someday, her children will see her perform in front of them.

Lolita promises to continue performing as long as people still like her music. She is currently doing the Himig ng Pag-ibig Canadian Concert Tour that kicked at the R’s Bar Turd Hotel.

The concert tour will go around Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, particularly Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Red Deer, Banff, Grande Prairie, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Regina, and Edmonton.