Manila Standard - 2016 November 18 - Friday

SOLONS SLAM OMBUDSMAN’S INACTION

By Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS on Thursday expressed concern over lack of action on the part of the Office of the Ombudsman to look into the alleged mishandling of billions of pesos in the “Yolanda” reha-

bilitation and reconstruction fund while it pursues “politically motivated” cases.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said a thorough investigation must be conducted to find out what happened to the billions of pesos that had been allocated

to provide relief and rehabilitation to victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” which devastated Eastern Visayas in 2013.

Roque said resources would go to waste if the Ombudsman focused only on the small fry.

Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambun-

ting said that any mishandling of government funds demands attention from the Ombudsman.

“And if there is even a whisper of irregularity regarding the use of funds meant to aid victims of Typhoon Yolanda, then it definitely deserves to be looked

into,”Tambunting said.

“To turn a blind eye to the theft of funds meant to alleviate the suffering of those left behind, as well as to honor those who perished because of that great tragedy is a crime by and of itself,” Tambunting said.

‘USELESS, UNRIGHTFUL.’ President Rodrigo Duterte waves a document Thursday prior to his departure for the Apec Summit in Peru, and, calling the International Criminal Court ‘useless’ and capable of enforcing decisions only against small countries like the Philippines, says ‘I might follow Russia’ which said a day earlier it was pulling out of the ICC following a decree by President Vladimir Putin. AFP

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone also said it is about time that the “Yolanda” funds be accounted for.

“It is about time corruption in the use of Yolanda funds be investigated with outmost urgenNext page cy,” Evardone said.

Duterte’s drug war ‘very good’ —survey PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte received “very good” marks on his campaign against illegal drugs and promoting human rights at the start of his administration, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed.

The survey, conducted from September 24 to 27, showed that more than 75 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the administration, eight percent said they were dissatisfied, and 17 percent were undecided, giving Duterte a +66 percent net satisfaction rating.

The survey revealed that Duterte got a +78 rating or excellent in the campaign against illegal drugs and +63 percent or very good for promoting human rights—even as the body count in his anti-drug war rose above 3,000 and his critics assailed him for the rise in extrajudicial killings.

The President, who left yesterday for Peru, also got very good marks on helping the poor (+63), promoting the welfare of

VOL. XXX • NO. 279 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Economy soars 7.1% Gross Domestic Product Gross National Income

Q1-2015 5.0 4.2

Q2-2015 5.9 5.4

Q3-2015 6.2 6.3

Q4-2015 6.5 7.3

Q1-2016 6.8 7.4

Q2-2016 7.0 6.7

Q3-2016 7.1 6.3

PH fastest-growing in Asia

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

T

HE economy expanded 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016, the first three months of the Duterte administration, as the agriculture sector rebounded from consecutive months of decline, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

The 7.1-percent expansion in the third quarter gross domestic product, faster than the 6.2 percent in the same period a year ago, made the Philippines the fastest growing economy in Asia

Philippines Economic Growth (% Year-on-Year) First Quarter of 2015 to Third Quarter of 2016

so far. (Related story on B1) “We are higher than China’s 6.7 percent, Vietnam’s 6.4 percent, Indonesia’s 5.0 percent, and Malaysia’s 4.3 percent. India’s has not yet released their data,”

Du30 threatens to do a Putin, bolt intl court PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday he was studying following in Russia’s footsteps and similarly leaving the International Criminal Court for criticizing his war on drugs following the spate of summary killings of drug peddlers and users under his administration.

Before leaving to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru, Duterte also threatened to leave the United Nations for similarly criticizing his bloody war on drugs.

“Russia withdrew from their membership. I might follow.

THE Philippine National Police is laying out strict security to protect Kerwin Espinosa, who is expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Abu Dhabi today, an official said Thursday.

Espinosa, allegedly one of the country’s traffickers of illegal drugs in Eastern Visayas, will be fetched by policemen and anti-narcotics agents to ensure his safety once he disembarks, PNP

UN lists down 9 conditions

Why? We, the small countries, are being beaten by these shameless people,” Duterte said.

He made his statement even as an opposition lawmaker on Thursday said the Philippines should first be given the opportunity to investigate the alleged summary killings before the International Criminal Court intervenes.

“Unless and until the Philippines has been given the opportunity to investigate and prosecute these issues on its own, I believe the ICC should prioritize improving its partnership with the

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE United Nations special rapporteur on summary executions, Agnes Callamard, has specified several conditions before she visits the Philippines to probe the rise in drug-related killings, but has not responded to President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to a public debate.

Foreign Affairs Department spokesman Charles Jose confirmed that Callamard has already

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PH cops escort Kerwin from Abu Dhabi to Naia spokesman Dionardo Carlos said.

“The security preparations are for the arrival of the high-profile person,” he said.

Espinosa was arrested at an apartment in Abu Dhabi following a tip from Filipino workers there.

He had gone into hiding before his arrest, first traveling to Malaysia and then proceeding to Hong Kong to elude authorities tracking him days after a warrant for Next page his arrest came out. twitter.com/ MlaStandard

said Undersecretary For Policy Planning Rosemarie Edillon.

The 7.1-percent growth brought the average growth rate for the first three quarters to 7.0 percent after hitting 6.9 and 7 percent in the first and second quarters, respectively.

This was also the fastest since the 7.5 percent growth rate recorded in the second quarter of 2013.

The national government has set the official growth target for 2016 at six to seven percent.

Given this, Edillon said that for the fourth quarter, the country only needs to attain a 3.4-percent growth to attain the low-end target Next page of 6.0 percent.

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Otarra stays Moonlighting Pinoy wins C$32.7m lotto at post office INSTANT BILLIONAIRE. A Filipino migrant Patrick Estacio claims his check for $32,707,357 Canadian dollars, or a whopping P1.2 billion, from officials of the Loto-Québec in Montreal, Canada. Loto-Québec photo

A 41-YEAR-OLD Filipino who works two jobs and lives in a boarding house in Montreal, Canada became an instant billionaire last November 9 after he won $32,707,357 Canadian dollars, or a whopping P1.2 billion pesos at yesterday’s prices.

Patrick Estacio, who migrated to Canada only two years ago, told

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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officials of Loto-Québec that he thought he won only CAD32,000 when he went to the lottery’s office in Montreal on November 10.

“From what I see, it’s only 32,700 something. I give the ticket to the lady in the counter. Her reaction is not to 32,700 something... When I learned that I had won $32.7 million, I burst into tears of joy,” he said.

thestandard.com.ph

“I work two jobs to make ends meet. I still haven’t taken it all in, but my life will certainly never be the same. I want to stay humble, simple, but I am going to take advantage of my good luck. I’ll probably buy a house or a condo.

For the rest, we’ll see. I don’t know. I’m going to let the dust settle,” he told lottery officials.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has reappointed Joel Libarios Otarra as postmaster general of the Philippine Postal Office.

Duterte had earlier appointed him as a member of the board of Philippine Postal Corp.

The employees at PHLPost admire Otarra’s humility and simple lifestyle.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Two cops hurt as suspect resists TWO officers of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigative and Detection Unit were injured over the weekend in Quezon City after attempting to serve a warrant of arrest to a man charged with violating provisions of Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children Act. The officers, SPO1 Luisito Ubias and PO2 Mario Morales, were attacked by Rovic Canono after the former introduced themselves as law enforcers, informed Canono of the warrant issued for his arrest, and had advised him of his right to contact legal counsel.

According to an affidavit issued by Ubias and Morales, members of the PNP-CIDU showed their identification cards and requested Canono to surrender peacefully and to contact his lawyer. Instead of doing so, Canono attacked the police serving the warrant, leaving the arresting officers with bruises and wounds.

Canono had previously made a motion for the court to stop his arraignment and set aside the charges against him, but the court rejected his motion for lack of merit and ordered his arrest.

Canono has been charged by his estranged wife for violating Sections 5(h) and 5(i) of the VAWC law. Section 5(h) includes, but is not limited to, the following acts: stalking or following the woman or her child in public or private places; peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the woman or her child; entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the woman or her child against her will; and engaging in any form of harassment or violence.

Section 5(i) of the VAWC law, on the other hand, makes it a crime to cause mental or emotional anguish to a woman or child, including but not limited to repeated verbal and emotional abuse and denial of financial support or custody of minor children of access to the woman’s children.

If found guilty, Canono could face between six to 12 years in prison.

Aside from the charges filed by his wife, Canono now faces additional charges for resisting arrest, as the officers he attacked have filed a complaint accusing Canono of direct assault and resistance, and disobedience to persons in authority.

Otarra...

From A1 “We feel his honesty and humility, and we are happy that he stays as postmaster general,” said senior letter carrier Roberto Brondo of the Manila Central Post Office.

Duterte has also appointed Avelino Andal, a former director of the Quezon Metro Water District, as the new administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority.

Andal replaces officer in charge Glenn B. Santos.

The Philippine Coconut Authority is under the supervision of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco. It is the lead agency mandated to promulgate a Supreme Court ruling saying the P72-billion coconut levy fund held in trust was a public fund that ought to be used for the benefit of coconut farmers and the coconut industry.

Otarra appealed to PHLPost employees and management to work closely with him to make PHLPost reliable, trustworthy and an efficient service-oriented corporation.

Presently, PHLPost is strengthening its partnership with government and private institutions to deliver first-rate mail service, parcels and various goods around the country and abroad. Vito Barcelo and John Paolo Bencito

UN...

From A1

responded to an invitation from the Philippine government, and that an inter-agency group is set to study her conditions.

In her letter, Callamard set at least nine conditions before her team would fly to the Philippines and start the investigation, Jose said.

Most of the conditions were related to free movement, security and non-reprisal, Jose added.

News

Child abuse cases on the rise D AVAO CITY―President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed to look into the increasing cases of child abuse in the country following the death of a two-yearold child here.

Duterte showed clippings of International Airport before articles discussing issues related leaving for Peru. mostly to illegal drugs during But he said there was an increashis statement at the Davao City ing number of cases of sexual abuse

and battery involving children.

He said he will ask the Department of Social Welfare and Development to look into those cases.

“I think we really have to talk to DSWD,” Duterte said.

“There were minors killed, and one case here is that of a mother working in the Middle East. Her child was left with her cousins, and the two-year-old

kid was battered.

“This is really very disturbing for a human being who cannot defend himself to die in a brutal matter through negligence.”

Duterte was referring to the child who allegedly died after his guardians mauled him after he peed on his pants.

The mother’s child is working in Bahrain.

Duterte said the economic op-

portunities in the country must increase so Filipinos need no longer work abroad.

“We have to improve our country to accommodate those people. We want them to come home,” he said.

In August, a four-year-old child also died after his stepfather hung him from a sack that allegedly fell on the ground several times. F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Economy...

With the normalization of weather conditions, agriculture grew by 2.9 percent, breaking five consecutive quarters of decline.

She said the sector recovered from the prolonged drought brought by the El Niño phenomenon, which already dissipated in the third quarter of 2016.

Meanwhile, industry growth improved to 8.6 percent, with strong showings in manufacturing and construction.

However, services growth eased to 6.9 percent from last quarter and a year ago.

“Services saw slower, though still reasonable, growth. Expansion in the retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, wholesale and retail and communications subsectors grew strongly,” Edillon said.

Edillon also cited a slowdown in the communications subsector as the two large telecommunications companies closed a deal to buy out San Miguel Corp. to gain control of crucial frequencies.

Public administration, though expanding by 3.7 percent, slowed down compared to the previous quarters due to the waning effects of election spending.

“All things considered, our economy’s strong growth in the third quarter is a very good sign of things to come. Together with a low inflation environment, a sustained strong growth bodes well for continued poverty reduction this year,” Edillon said.

“We see this momentum to continue in the fourth quarter of the year,” she added.

The Palace said the GDP growth was proof that the administration was more than its war on illegal drugs.

“This underscores that… we have a sound economic vision and agenda that will spur growth to benefit the lives of our countrymen, especially the poor and the marginalized,” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez attributed the growth to President Rodrigo Duterte’s accelerated spending on infrastructure and assured the public there will be no letup in the administration’s commitment to spend big on this growth driver as well as on human capital and social protection to guarantee high and inclusive growth.

The National Economic and Development Authority said that the strong growth “bodes well for continued poverty reduction this year.”

With the projected population reaching 103.5 million in the third quarter of 2016, per capita GDP grew by 5.3 percent and per capita gross national income by 4.6 percent. “These are both higher than the respective growth of 4.4 percent and 4.5 percent in 2015,” the PSA said.

News of the GDP growth surprised experts after Duterte sparked concerns among foreign investors

over his controversial war on drug crime and a decision to pick fights with the United States and the United Nations on the issue.

“It was a surprise for the financial markets,” First Grade Holdings securities analyst Astro del Castillo told AFP, referring to the growth figure.

“It affirms our view that fundamentals remain intact despite the political noise.”

The country’s stock market, which is at a seven-month low, rose one percent Thursday but the peso remains stuck near eight-year lows, with analysts blaming political developments as well as expectations the United States will raise interest rates.

The greenback was up 0.2 percent at 49.40 pesos in late morning trade, with analysts warning it could surge to P50 by the end of the year.

In concerns echoed by other foreign business groups, international credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s warned in September that Duterte’s crime war threatened the Philippine economy and endangered its democratic institutions.

He won elections in a landslide in May after vowing an unprecedented crackdown on illegal drugs in which 100,000 people would die.

More than 4,000 people have been killed since he took office on June 30. About 1,800 were shot dead by police and about 2,600 others were murdered by unidentified attackers, according to official statistics. With John Paolo Bencito, AFP

Solons...

Rodel Batocabe, president of the Party List Coalition, urged the Office of the Ombudsman to coordinate with concerned authorities in getting vital information that would help the investigation against public officials allegedly protecting the illegal drug trade.

“It would be better if the Ombudsman should get leads from our law enforcement agencies rather than conducting separate probes to save on time, expense and efforts,” Batocabe said.

“But let our enforcement agencies investigate and file appropriate cases before Ombudsman,” Batocabe added.

Also on Thursday, the city government of Makati on Thursday brushed aside allegations of a group accusing Mayor Abigail Binay of doing nothing against the proliferation of online gambling in the city.

The group Anti-Trapo Movement asked the Office of the Ombudsman to file charges against Binay for allegedly failing to curb online gambling in her city.

But Binay’s spokesman and City Legal Officer Michael Arthur Camina said the corruption watchdog was “sadly misinformed.”

“We have not seen or received a copy of the supposed complaint filed by this new group. This group is sadly misinformed.

Makati has a strict policy against illegal gambling,” he said.

Camina also said only gaming establishments with licenses from appropriate government agencies are allowed to operate

within the city.

“If they are referring to establishments issued permits and operating within economic zones, we would like to stress that these establishments applied for and were given business permits as support services to offshore gaming companies. They are licensed by Peza. They should not be operating as gaming facilities,” he said.

“In fact, in the last four months, the city government has closed down or given show cause orders to over 90 business establishments, including online gaming firms, operating either without a valid license or violating the restrictions of the business permits,” Camina added.

In its complaint, ATM accused Binay and other city government officials of violating the “AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” for their alleged failure to exercise due diligence in processing the applications of illegal gambling outfits.

The group’s chairman Leon Peralta claimed some online gambling establishments were able to secure permits after supposedly presenting illegal licenses.

Peralta added that Makati has become a “haven” for gambling, which he claimed, also encourages the proliferation of illicit drugs and the entry of illegal immigrants.

The anti-graft court, meanwhile, acquitted former mayor

Elenita Binay of graft over the alleged anomalous purchase of office fixtures and furniture for city hall for P13.25 million.

In its decision released Thursday, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution “failed to establish the elements” to pin Binay down.

Similarly, Binay’s co-accused in the case, former councilor and general services chief Ernesto Aspillaga and Vivian Edna Edurise, were also acquitted of the same graft charge.

The graft case filed against Binay before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division stemmed from the Makati City government’s acquisition of office fixtures and furniture for the new city hall from private contractor Office Gallery International sometime in December 1999 and February 2000.

The P13.25 million worth of purchase was overpriced by P3.6 million, said a report submitted by a team of government auditors.

Binay, along with her husband, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, were facing another graft case before the Fifth Division over the alleged anomalous purchase of office furniture and fixtures costing P72.06 million in 1999.

Mrs. Binay is also facing graft and malversation cases before the Third Division for the alleged questionable purchase of beds and sterilizers worth P45 million for the Ospital ng Makati in 2000 and 2001.

With Joel E. Zurbano

Du30...

From A1

Philippines by providing the necessary technical knowledge in addressing the issue,” Party-list Rep. Harry Roque of Kabayan said in a speech before the 15th Session of the Assembly of the States Parties of the ICC Wednesday in The Hague.

Duterte criticized the ICC for allegedly failing to prosecute the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by nations.

“The people are killing but they do nothing. It’s by the thousands

bombing children, women, for five years now. Aleppo, Mosul,” Duterte said.

Russia said Wednesday it was formally withdrawing its signature from the founding statute of the International Criminal Court. It said the tribunal had failed to live up to the hopes of the international community when it ruled that Moscow’s annexation of Crimea was “onesided.”

Two African nations, Gambia and South Africa, earlier accused The Hague-based tribunal of the “persecution and humiliation of people of color, especially Africans.”

Last October, the ICC said that it was “closely following” the war on drugs in the Philippines allegedly being attributed to President Rodrigo Duterte to see if the spate of deaths in the past three months may be considered “extrajudicial killings” that could warrant prosecution.

Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, said extrajudicial killings could fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court if they were committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population pursuant to a State

policy to commit such an attack.

Unlike Russia, however, the Philippines has been an ICC member state since November 2011 and has ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2011.

The permanent international court can prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and international human rights groups have all raised concern over extrajudicial killings.

Duterte said he would have no

second thoughts about joining a new order organized by China and Russia as he threatened to leave the United Nations.

Since July, Duterte has overseen a brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that has left more than 3,300 people dead, both at the hands of police as well as in unexplained circumstances, according to official data.

In his speeches, Duterte has said he sees nothing wrong about killing drug lords and drug pushers because the gravity of the country’s drug problem calls for it.

John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

Callamard had also requested that the Philippines extend an invitation as well to the UN special rapporteur on health.

She also asked for facilitation of transport, particularly in restricted areas, and access to all prisons, detention centers and places of interrogation.

Callamard also wanted an assurance by the government that persons, whether officials or private individuals who have been in contact with her will not, as a result, suffer

threats or punishment or be subjected to judicial proceedings.

Lastly, she asked for appropriate security arrangements without restricting the freedom of movement or inquiry.

The UN rapporteur did not mention Duterte’s specific condition of a public debate between the two of them.

In a previous press conference, Jose said that the UN rapporteurs would have to secure approval from the Philippine government before beginning their investigation here.

“The government also needs to approve those victims or the victims’ family of extrajudicial killing before they can interview them.

They need to ask permission from the government first,” he said.

Jose said there would be no visit from the rapporteurs until both sides have agreed on terms of reference, including the dates of the visit, the places to be visited, and the people whom the investigators will interview.

“No visit will take place until the

TOR has been agreed upin by both sides,” he said.

The interagency body, he said, was set up by the Presidential Human Rights Committee-Secretariat, which is headed by Malacañang’s executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.

In August, Callamard and the UN rapporteur on the right on health Dainius Pūras urged Duterte to put an end to the current wave of extrajudicial executions and killings of the alleged drug users and pushers.

“We call on the Philippine authorities to adopt with immediate effect the necessary measures to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,” Callamard said.

But Duterte slammed the call of the two rapporteurs and threatened that the Philippines will pull out from the UN, but later he said it was only a joke.

The death toll in the government’s war on illegal drugs has risen since June to more than 4,000.

From A1 To reach the high-end target of 7.0 percent, the economy needs to grow by 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter.

Edillon said investments continue to drive economic growth, indicating its sustainability. The growth in investments in durable equipment remained strong, she added.

Private sector investments in construction grew significantly by 16.2 percent this quarter from last year’s 4.0 percent. Public investment in infrastructure remained strong, with public construction expanding by over 20 percent for the third quarter.

“Household consumption also remains a pillar of strength for the domestic economy, Edillon said.

Private consumption grew by 7.3 percent, higher than last year’s 6.1 percent, supported by low inflation, low interest rates, better labor market conditions and the steady, though slower growth in overseas Filipinos’ personal remittances.

The government dole program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, also provided additional boost to consumer demand.

External demand also improved, with growth in exports of goods steadily rising to 7.8 percent.

“From the supply or production side, we are happy to note the recovery signs of agriculture, which is one of the major development priorities of this administration,” Edillon said.

From A1

The lawmakers made the remarks amid criticism of Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente for failing to act on allegations that relief assistance for “Yolanda” victims were being stockpiled by local officials and not being distributed to victims.

Clemente also failed to look into some local politicians who were even mentioned by name by President Rodrigo Duterte as being narco-politicians, they said.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, meanwhile, questioned the Ombudsman’s “deafening silence” on public officials involved in the illegal drug trade.

Barbers echoed the view of Minority Leader and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza that the Ombudsman was not taking any action on the matter.

Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, chairman of the House committee on public order and safety, added that the Ombudsman should, on its own initiative, investigate the government officials and politicians that Duterte had tagged in his anti-drug campaign.

“The Office of the Ombudsman has that power under the law creating it. It can even act on anonymous complaints against public officials. There is a process that it observes,” said Acop, a lawyer and ex-police general.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep.

Duterte's...

From A1 overseas Filipino workers (+62), fighting crime (+58), eradicating graft and corruption (+57), fighting terrorism (+55), defending the country’s territorial rights (+53), and distributing lands to deserving tillers (+53).

He also received good marks on developing science and technology (+49), providing jobs (+46), foreign relations (+39), ensuring an efficient transportation system (+39), ensuring that no family will ever be hungry (+37), and fighting inflation (+33).

The administration’s efforts to reconcile with Moro rebels and communist rebels also received “good” satisfaction ratings with +42 and +39, respectively.

Malacañang welcomed results of the SWS survey, the highest initial net satisfaction rating obtained by any administration.

“We thank the Filipino people for giving the highest initial net satisfaction rating obtained by an administration to the Duterte Administration,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

“The ‘very good’ +66 net satisfaction rating of the Duterte Administration is a source of inspiration and strength to the President and his entire team to double their time and energy to rid society of drugs, criminality and corruption while bringing the fruits of sustainable inclusive development down to our grassroots.”

“Let these survey results not lull us to complacency. The President, as we all know, has been elevating the consciousness of our people from the gravity of the drug problem and the threat of terrorism and lawlessness. This means much work has to be done and we all need to roll up our sleeves and buckle down to work and get things done.”

The survey, which interviewed 1,200 respondents nationwide, has a sampling error margin of ±3 points for national percentages and ±6 points each for Metro Manila, “Balance Luzon,” the Visayas and Mindanao. John Paolo Bencito

PH...

From A1 He is said to be carrying a fake passport.

Carlos said the members of Espinosa’s immediate family, relatives and lawyers will have access to him.

From the Airport, Espinosa will be brought to Camp Crame and then presented to reporters.

He will then be brought to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for booking and then escorted to the PNP Custodial Center, where he will be temporarily detained.

It was still unclear whether Espinosa will be allowed to visit the wake of his father Rolando in Albuera town in Leyte.

His father was killed in an alleged shootout with lawmen trying to serve a search warrant on him at his cell at the Baybay Subprovincial Jail on November 3.

Francisco Tuyay and Florante S. Solmerin

News Passports’ 10-year validity proposed

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives is expected to enact soon a measure seeking to lengthen the validity of the Philippine passport to 10 years for adults and five years for minors.

This came after a technical working group of the House committee on foreign affairs, chaired by Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, finished consolidating 22 bills that would amend Republic Act 8239, or the “Philippine Passport Law,” prolonging to five years the validity of passports of minors, aged zero to 17 years old.

For passports of adults, or those 18 years old and above, the validity shall be 10 years.

Arroyo said it was not the intention of the authors of the bills to introduce any other amendment to the existing law, but only to lengthen the passport’s validity.

The former president said the present five-year passport validity “is rather too short given the tedious process and cost it requires to obtain or renew a passport.”

Reps. Aniceto Bertiz III of OFW party-list and Leopoldo Bataoil of Pangasinan supported the amendment during the TWG meeting.

Under Section 10 of RA 8239, the passport is valid for five years, regardless of the age of the applicant.

With the amendment approved by the TWG, the provision of the law shall read: “Section 10. Validity. Regular passports issued under this Act shall be valid for a period of five years for minors, ages zero to seventeen [0-17] years old and 10 years for adults 18 years old and above: “Provided, however, that the issuing authority may limit the period of validity to less than 10 years; whenever in the national economic interest or political stability of the country such restriction is necessary: “Provided, finally, that a new passport may be issued to replace one which validity has expired, the old passport being returned to the holder after cancellation.”

The present law refers to passport as “a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to give him/her all lawful aid and protection.”

Mall of Asia chosen venue of Ms. U tilt

By Joel E. Zurbano THE grand coronation during the 65th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant next January 30 will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, organizers said in Makati City.

The pageant, which started as a marketing competition by California company Catalina Swimwear in 1952, has evolved over the past 64 years into an annual tradition celebrating intelligence, poise, and beauty.

Last year, Ms. Philippines Pia Wurtzbach won the pageant.

Aside from hosting the Coronation Night, MoA will also showcase activities geared at bringing the whole Miss Universe experience to the Filipino people and the world.

The official venue will be transformed into a virtual Miss Universe village as it becomes its pocket of activities and events that will build, organizers said, excitement over the arrival of the premiere pageant.

MoA will host the Governor’s Ball, National Gift Auction, National Costume, the Fashion Show, the Designer Showcase and After Party among others, all geared towards giving the Filipinos and the universe an unforgettable Miss Universe experience.

The activities will culminate in the Coronation Night on Jan. 30 at the MoA Arena where everyone—at the arena and on television—will witness a rare display of beauty, talent and wit.

“The SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. once again makes Philippine history by bringing in one of the Filipinos’ most awaited international events to our shores.

After a stir in the country’s spirit from its first win in 22 years, the Mall of Asia Arena welcomes 2017 with a newly crowned Miss Universe,” said SMLEI president Edgar Tejerero.

“We are proud to be a partner of the much-awaited Miss Universe 2017,” he added.

Arnel Gonzales, MoA’s assistant vice president, said the official venue has been specifically chosen for the Miss Universe pageant because it has hosted many events that showcased the country globally.

He added it has been home to the world’s biggest international events such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and the Papal Visit in 2015.

Known for its amenities of international standards, MoA had housed entertainment acts in the caliber of Madonna, WWE Live, and Cirque Du Soleil.

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‘Major system trouble’ behind Tuesday outage

By Alena Mae S. Flores

E

IGHT power plants tripped due to a “major system trouble” which caused the brownouts Tuesday night, according to the preliminary report of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

ERC, in its market monitoring report for November 15 showed around 2,700 megawatts of generation loss were shaved off in the Luzon grid on that date due to the simultaneous unscheduled outage of the power plants in southern Luzon.

ERC also noted around 2,100 MW of capacity were on planned, maintenance and forced outages.

The regulator, however, said prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market “remained low and price spikes were prevented due to the SO (system

operator) initiated market intervention from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“Based on the CDOR (consolidated daily operations report) of NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines), the tripping of the identified power plants was due to major system trouble and detailed reasons for the outages have yet to be confirmed,” ERC said.

ERC said “the matter is still being probed into” but the report did not recommend a technical inspection “inasmuch as the cause of the outage is not related to plant operations but appears to be an external

grid disturbance.”

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said they have not made any conclusion on the brownouts.

“We got [an] initial report and [are] validating them. Our tech people are studying the matter,” Cusi said.

Cusi earlier directed the power generators and other stakeholders to explain the cause of the tripping of eight power plants which caused the brownouts.

The franchise area of Manila Electric Co. , the country’s biggest power distributor, was affected by the brownouts from 7:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. Tuesday but power was also restored immediately.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Why it matters

S

ENATOR Leila de Lima may have miscalculated public sentiment when she admitted this week on national TV that she had a years-long affair with her married driverbodyguard, after evading the issue for months.

Asked what made her fall for a driver-bodyguard, the senator’s reply was almost glib. “Frailties of a woman,” she said, with half a smile.

When the sympathetic talk show host asked, “You mean to say, propinquity?”

De Lima sounded almost dismissive. “Call it whatever it is,” she replied.

De Lima also seemed to play down how long the affair lasted.

“A few years?” she of-

Adelle Chua, Editor

fered, with a slight shake of the head as if to say it was unimportant. Then said she couldn’t remember if the affair had started when she was Justice secretary, or even earlier, when she headed the Commission on Human Rights.

Asked if it were possible that her driver-lover, Ronnie Dayan, could have used her to collect money from drug lords detained in the national penitentiary without her

knowledge, De Lima’s answer was telling. “It is within the realm of possibility,” she said, because she could only be 100 percent sure of her own actions.

Until her TV admission on Monday, De Lima had kept silent on the rumored affair for months, neither confirming nor denying the administration’s claim that Dayan was her lover.

She later refused to answer more questions about her personal life, saying she was “uncomfortable” talking about it in public.

She did issue a statement, however, that expounded on her “frailties” reply.

“Like many of us, includ-

ing my detractors, some decisions and relationships in our past have not been the best and the wisest. I have learned from these experiences and resolved to use my pain to focus on the good I can do.”

De Lima also vowed she had never allowed her personal life to affect her work in public service.

On this last point, the senator is clearly mistaken.

Months of speculation— and finally, her admission—that she had a love affair have also damaged her credibility, particularly since the lover she chose has been identified by several witnesses as a collec-

tor of drug money at the national penitentiary.

Her admission, too, that it was possible that Dayan, unbeknown to her, had collected drug money using her name suggests that she had already allowed her personal life to compromise her work when she was Justice secretary.

Finally, without passing judgment on her morality, we can also say that her “frailties of a woman” defense fell short of its goal of gaining public sympathy.

The women’s rights group Gabriela observed that the so-called frailties of women—and men or any gender—can never be cited

as a defense for crimes, be it adultery, abuse of authority by a public official or drug trafficking.

“It should not be used— especially by one who holds position of power like Senator Leila de Lima—as an excuse from criminal accountability or to paint herself as a victim,” Gabriela said.

The point is well made.

It is true that we all make mistakes, and sometimes, as De Lima points out, our decisions and relationships are not always the best or the wisest. However, not all of us hold high national office—or pass ourselves off as a moral guardian of the public good.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Burying the Aquino myth

AMLC gets religion LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES IT TOOK the Anti-Money Laundering Council only a little over an hour to respond to President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to give them a good, long talking to before the agency delivered.

But when the AMLC did submit to the Department of Justice the bank records of persons the government was investigating, it could only give data on the five “narco-generals” named by Duterte four months ago.

But at least AMLC seems finally over its role as the favored weapon for financial harassment by the previous administration.

And if AMLC runs true to form, I think it’s now set to perform its old task under the new Duterte administration.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II related to me how Duterte finally got around to looking into the mystery that is AMLC. On the day that Duterte was supposed to give a speech at the anniversary rites of the National Bureau of Investigation, Aguirre said, he was able to have some private time with the president in the “holding room.”

In the short time that he had to confer with Duterte, Aguirre narrated how he was having problems pursuing the the cases the president wanted pursued because of the apparent stonewalling of AMLC. Duterte nodded his head and, when he got to the podium, gave the anti-money laundering “the treatment.”

Earlier, the justice secretary had been accused by Senator Leila de Lima of fabricating evidence against her, while drawing criticism for not filing the appropriate charges against

the controversial lawmaker in the proper courts. Aguirre has repeatedly declared that he wants to build an “airtight” case that will stand up to any judicial scrutiny—

only come from AMLC, which has access to suspicious activity in bank accounts and other financial transactions. And that agency was not cooperating with Aguirre.

In his speech, Duterte told of how, as a candidate in the May elections, he was accused by AMLC, formed Senator Antonio Trillanes of keeping more than P200 milto fight the lion in an Ortigas-area bank. laundering of The AMLC, according to Duterrorist and drug terte in his speech, did nothing to absolve him despite his own money, became a protestations that he had no such tool for political sums stashed away. then, Duterte started what persecution under is And now one of the biggest guessAquino. ing games in town: he disclosed how one “guy” had laundered more than P5 billion in dirty money through a legit corporaincluding bank records of the tion he set up with his family.

AMLC suddenly woke up and senator and other personalities submitted documents on the five linked to the illegal drug trade.

That sort of information can generals to Aguirre’s office. But

it still hasn’t delivered on De Lima and the various other government officials and suspected drug lords named in the many lists and affidavits in the DoJ’s possession. *** Of course, everyone who kept up with the news in recent years knows how AMLC was “weaponized” by the Aquino administration.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Julia Baccay Abad (who is not, I’m told, related to Aquino-era financial wizard and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad), AMLC used its vast powers and information to expose the financial dealings of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, businessman Roberto Ongpin and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The AMLC reports on these three personalities—who were, incidentally, three of the bigTurn to A5

ONE of the most stunning myths ever foisted on Filipinos by a single family is that of Benigno S. Aquino Jr., his widow, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, and their son, former President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III. The myth consists of three parts. First, the Aquino name represents competence and good governance.

Second, the Aquino name represents nationalism, patriotism, love of country, and the rescue of democracy. Third, the Aquino name represents concern for the poor and inclusive growth.

There are two letters to describe the three—BS. Bullsh*t.

And why is the CojuangcoAquino family so worked up about Ferdinand Edralin Marcos’ remains being laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the state-run cemetery for former presidents, heroes, and the dead of the armed forces?

Because when the nation buries Marcos at the Libingan, it will also bury with him the so-called Aquino legend, as described above. The former president’s interment is in effect a rewriting of history, a righting of a grievous wrong, and a rendering of credit where credit is due. The burial will be a restoration for the Marcoses and a diminution for and a shaming of the Aquino family.

Competence and good governance. Ninoy Aquino was senator of the republic of nearly four years. In those four years, little is known about his output in terms of bills that became law. Little. He was famous for being a heckler, to Ferdinand Marcos and the First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Ninoy’s widow, Cory Aquino, assumed power in February 1986 without the benefit of a rightful election. She served for six years and four months.

During her presidency, the country was plunged into the most severe energy crisis in its history. Blackouts of up to 18 hours were a daily occurrence.

Hence, Cory acquired the monicker “The Queen of Darkness.” The electricity shortage brought forth economic slowdown and deterred investments, thus fueling inflation, promoting joblessness and Turn to A5

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Opinion

The Ombudsman and elected officials WHEN the 1987 Constitution occupied, he cannot and should created the Office of the Om- not—by the expedient of being budsman—not for the first time, elected—be able to elude though, because the 1973 Con- accountability. In fact, this is stitution provided for a similar the very reason that the Supreme office—it was prodigal in its Court rejected the “doctrine of grant of power. Article XI of the condonation”, decreeing that Constitution grants it author- it would apply one last time ity over all public officials. The to Junjun Binay and to no one only reason that impeachable else thereafter. Sed contra, officials, members of the Judi- there is the long-entrenched ciary and members of Congress belief that as legislators are are placed beyond the reach of elected representatives of the the “sumbungan ng bayan” is an people, one cannot, without attempt to reconcile the ampli- prejudice to the right of the tude of the Ombudsman’s reach sovereign people to choose with the other provisions of the their representatives, oust them Constitution. I am not too sure from office. But the fact is that that the particular provision of they can be ousted by criminal the statute is valid—limiting, as process, as when they are it does the application of an ex- convicted by final judgment, press Constitutional provision. or by a definitive finding of an In respect to members of the ju- election irregularity.

One way I think that equities diciary, all that the Constitution provides is that the Supreme are balanced is for the chamber Court shall have administra- to treat the Ombudsman tive supervision over members judgment as a complaint against of the Bench. About legislators, the respondent legislator. If the Article VI merely grants each legislator does not appeal the chamber the authority to dis- judgment of the Ombudsman to cipline its members. In neither the Court of Appeals, then he case is the grant of power exclu- admits the charge—and should accordingly sive. Impeachbe disciplined, able officials and, in are quite a accordance different thing with the a lt oge t he r — It does not judgment for you cannot of the do indirectly serve the public Ombudsman, (through the interest for expelled by exercise of the the chamber Ombudsman’s Congress to of which he power) what transform this is a member. the ConstituShould he tion directs matter into a tugappeal to should be done the Court only through of-war with the of Appeals, impeachment Ombudsman. and the —removal O mbud sm a n from office. is reversed, The disputthe matter is ed question at the present time is whether or brought to a closure. But if the not the Ombudsman may, by a Court of Appeals upholds the decision, oust a senator from verdict and the judgment attains his seat? While some think that finality, then, the chamber has the Ombudsman has no power no choice—unless it wants over members of Congress in- to defy the Ombudsman and sofar as administrative cases the Courts which it would are concerned, matters are re- be most reckless to do—but ally not that simple. If a senator to discipline its member by occupied public office before expulsion. Resultantly, both the his election as senator, and powers of the Ombudsman and was administratively charged of the chambers of Congress because of such a position, are upheld.

It does not serve the public that the Ombudsman has jurisdiction over the charge is not interest for Congress to doubted. What happens though transform this matter into a tugif the case is unresolved at the of-war with the Ombudsman. time the respondent official is And this is precisely why it is of utmost importance that the elected to the Legislature?

This is where the Ombudsman not only remain complication arises.

One fair and just but also appear to could advance the position— the public eye as fair and just! with plausibility—that as the official is held to account for rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph malfeasance or misfeasance rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph because of the office he once rannie_aquino@outlook.com

AMLC...

From A4 gest perceived political enemies of Noynoy Aquino—seem to come from everywhere, including mysterious “little ladies” who dropped off papers at the homes of prosecuting congressmen. AMLC, formed to fight the laundering of terrorist and drug money during the Arroyo years in compliance with the stringent rules imposed after the 9/11 bombings in New York, became merely another tool for political persecution under Aquino.

AMLC never reported how it stopped drug syndicates or terrorist groups by freezing their bank accounts because it never did so, despite its original and continuing mandate. And year after year, its officials would appear before Congress to beg for funds, despite having no real accomplishments outside of being a very effective financial truncheon employed against Noynoy’s foes.

(Congress never really investigated AMLC despite the agency’s failure to do its job over the years. I’m told that lawmakers were only too willing to give the agency a free pass, because

they did not want an AMLC that would be so powerful that it would cause the repealing of bank secrecy laws.)

But despite AMLC’s display of new-found willingness to cooperate, perhaps Duterte can still demand that Abad and her officials explain what they’ve been doing—and what they haven’t done. In particular, AMLC should say if it’s true, as Aguirre has alleged, that the agency won’t give information on De Lima’s bank accounts because two of its top officials are fraternity brothers of the senator in San Beda law school.

Aguirre has revealed that these two hold the positions of deputy executive director and chief of the agency’s investigating unit. These officials are not unknown entities—they will be named, Aguirre said, in a report he promised to submit to Duterte about the secretive agency that they work for.

It’s about time AMLC underwent some serious scrutiny itself. Cuss words from the president himself directed the agency’s officials when he meets them are optional—but they will be very well-deserved.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The need to travel abroad

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO SADLY, many desperate Filipinos now have to travel abroad just to work as domestic helpers or laborers in countries more affluent than the Philippines.

The more fortunate ones still travel abroad to study as scholars in schools of higher learning or train in their fields of expertise, visit interesting landmarks and places as tourists, go on religious pilgrimages, spend vacations with relatives, or negotiate business deals.

When our economy was much better, our tourists traveled often to Hong Kong to shop while the wealthy ones frequented European and American vacation destinations.

In fact, we were used to traveling abroad even in the distant past.

Our Tausug Muslim brothers from the Royal Sultanate of Sulu, for instance, used to roam as rulers the islands and districts in and around the Sulu Sea long before the Spaniards came.

During the Spanish regime, sons of our prominent families traveled to Madrid, the capital of our colonizers, to study medicine, law, engineering, and the arts and sciences.

Our Spanish conquistadores probably didn’t realize that in addition, our students in Spain would also learn of the French Revolution, be inspired by it, and return home as converted

nationalists bringing with them its message of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

It was while traveling across Europe when our national hero Jose Rizal wrote most of his Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which would later spark our revolution against the Spaniards.

In the early years of American rule, the cream of our youth would be selected as “pensionados” by our Americans colonizers and sent to American universities to study as scholars the modern system of running a democratic government.

In the 1930s, our workers started to seek greener pastures abroad as pineapple workers in Hawaii and as apple pickers and sardine factory workers in mainland USA. Later, they would be joined by our doctors, nurses, accountants and engineers.

We started to travel to the Middle East in the 1970s as construction engineers and later as its masons, carpenters, electricians, welders, clerks and laborers to build most of its infrastructures.

Even now, we still operate their oil fields and refineries, electric facilities and man their hotels at the front desks, lobbies and kitchens.

Our female workers run their hospitals as nurses, therapists and aides and serve in their homes as babysitters, drivers and domestic helpers.

Filipino students still enrol in western universities, but we know of a growing number now studying in Japan and Singapore.

Maybe, some Chinese-Filipinos are now also travelling to China to study.

Our government officials travel abroad to negotiate bilateral agreements but more often, they seek additional training that would enhance their work skills.

For instance, President Digong Duterte will fly to Lima, Peru on Nov. 19 to meet other world leaders of the member countries of AsiaPacific Economic Conference.

Never a world traveler while Davao City mayor for almost 23 years, he has already visited eight countries—all Asian countries—since becoming president 140 days ago.

He really wanted to speak directly to our overseas Filipino workers in these countries to thank them for being his staunchest supporters in the last election.

But we believe that his main purpose is to build bridges of friendship and cooperation that will connect us to our neighboring countries in the fields of trade, commerce, and investments.

Perhaps, he also believes that by offering his personal friendship to their leaders, he will also get their understanding and approval of his bold anti-drugs campaign.

As he visits these countries, we could only hope that he would be a good student and apply what he had learned to improve the lives of our ordinary citizens whenever he returns back.

We want him to bring home not

only pledges of billion dollars’ worth of direct investments but also technical assistance on how to solve our traffic and poverty problems.

Eventually, he has to travel to USA to meet its new president. By then, he should have prepared hard what his agenda would be in that meeting.

Finally, we need to travel abroad to learn the best about pensions. Obviously, we still don’t understand our pension program 60 years after we first implemented it in 1957.

Was this the reason why key officials of the Social Security System preferred attending the World Social Security Forum in Panama City from Nov. 14 to 18 instead of helping out Congress in its final deliberation on the P2,000 pension increase?

Did they present our single main predicament to the 1,000plus social security leaders and experts who attended the forum?

Did they get helpful ideas on how to solve it?

We doubt, as we also doubt that our SSS officials would ever translate into reality the forum’s theme of “transforming lives, shaping societies.”

We are more inclined to believe that their travel was a waste of precious funds that could have been spent better augmenting the funding requirements of the P2,000 pension increase.

Their travel was unnecessary unless their purpose was to see the artificial 77-kilometer Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

Duterte and Trump’s similarities don’t guarantee a lasting bond

By Cecilia Yap and Chris Blake PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte may share Donald Trump’s disruptive tactics and strongman style, but that doesn’t mean the two are about to form a lasting bond.

The Philippine leader has appeared to enjoy being compared to the US Presidentelect and was dubbed the “Trump of Asia” on the campaign trail. Both have a tendency to blow up at reporters over questions about their policies, and have made lewd remarks about women.

Both also came to power with populist policies on a wave of frustration with established political parties and a sense that life for ordinary people had gotten worse amid widening income inequality, a struggle for jobs, and rising crime.

Still, there are areas of potential conflict.

If Trump follows through on some of his campaign promises it could damage the Philippine economy. And Duterte, who was mayor of the city of Davao for decades before he ran for the presidency, has made clear he intends to continue his efforts to limit his country’s economic and military reliance on the US, opening up a greater role for China.

“They seem to have the same frame of mind,” said Lauro Baja, a former Foreign Affairs undersecretary who served as the Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations under ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, speaking of the two leaders. “But again, it will depend on whether President Trump is going to be the same as candidate Trump.”

A Trump administration curb on foreign workers could hit remittances from Filipinos in the US, while efforts to limit US businesses from exporting jobs might affect another Philippines growth industry

Burying...

From A4 overall despondency and poverty. Today, we still suffer from the after effects of that crisis, by paying among the highest-priced electricity in the world.

Under Cory, the communist New People’s Army grew to unprecedented strength, up to 35,000 armed regulars, and reaching a level of strategic confrontation with the government. She revived the Muslim separatist movement. The country was riven by discord. After six years, the people became poorer than they were in 1986.

Economic growth was stunted.

Even today, we have 25 million Filipinos mired in poverty. During her presidency, Cory was crippled by seven coup attempts.

Yet, today, Cory Aquino is known to the world as an angel,

in call centers and other forms of business process outsourcing. A US show of force in the South China Sea dictated by a hawkish Secretary of State could complicate Duterte’s attempt to hose down tensions over the disputed waters with China.

While Duterte’s predecessor Benigno Aquino strengthened defense ties with the US and opposed China’s expansion in the South China Sea, Duterte has openly courted China with a state visit to Beijing that reaped investment promises worth $24 billion.

Duterte has also downplayed a July court ruling rebuffing China’s claims to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, emphasizing his willingness to resume direct talks over the issue. At the same time he has distanced the Philippines from the US, telling President Barack Obama to “go to hell” and vowing to limit joint military exercises.

The US, which governed the Philippines for decades from the late 19th century, has been a longstanding military ally.

Stark risks “Duterte’s efforts not to start off on the wrong foot will be welcomed, as the risks associated with a Trump presidency are stark for the Philippines,” said Eufracia Taylor, Asia analyst at risk advisory company Verisk Maplecroft. “If Trump chooses to make bilateral trade difficult for the Philippines, it will certainly hit the economy as well as the public’s broadly pro-US sentiment.”

Speaking to reporters late Tuesday evening, Duterte said he trusted Trump’s judgment and that he would be “fair” in treating illegal immigrants.

“I can always be a friend to anybody, especially to a president, a chief executive,” Duterte said. “He hasn’t called me out in

a freedom fighter, the Mother of Democracy, and the woman who inspired the Philippines’ most peaceful revolution, People Power I, and the restoration of democracy in some 30 other countries under a dictatorship.

The BS Aquino III presidency (June 30, 2010-June 30, 2016) is outranked only in incompetence and corruption of government people in his mother’s presidency. Yet, today, BS Aquino’s is the presidency that is supposed to have recaptured the Philippines’ lost decade of growth, made the country investmentgrade for the first time, and one which achieved also for the first time, fiscal balance. Truth to tell, even if the president in the last six years were a dog or a rat, the Philippines would have achieved these milestones just the same. The economy was so strong it could stand the worst

the campaign about human rights,” he added, a reference to Duterte’s deadly war on illegal drugs that has seen thousands of drug suspects killed in the Philippines since he came to power.

Days before the US elections, Duterte appointed a Trump associate—Jose E.B. Antonio—as special envoy to America. Antonio is chairman and chief executive officer of Century Properties Group, which built the Trump Tower Manila under a licensing agreement. Shares in the company climbed to their highest-level in a year following Trump’s election win.

Diversifying friendship At the same time, Duterte’s Economic Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the president’s recent pivot to China had been based on his assumption that Trump would win.

“Instead of depending on the US to a great extent, we are now diversifying our friendship, so you don’t crash when the country you depend on is in trouble,” he said.

“Some fears are founded on Donald Trump’s pronouncements during the campaign period about his stance that he will protect American jobs and doing away with outsourcing is something he’d like to introduce,” said Julius Guevara, director for valuation and advisory at Colliers International in Manila.

In the end, the Philippines will have to make some adjustments on its economic, security and diplomatic strategies if Trump sticks to his campaign pledges, said former ambassador Baja. If Trump pulls back from the US navy presence in the South China Sea it could mean Duterte loses one chip in any negotiations with China, Baja said.

“Whether we like it or not, we can only be as aggressive and assertive in pursuing what we got from the arbitral panel if we have somebody big behind us.” Bloomberg

level of incompetence and corruption which became remarkable under BS Aquino.

Love of country. Ninoy’s father, Senator Benigno Aquino Sr. collaborated with the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation (when Marcos was fighting the occupiers) and was charged with for treason for collaborating with the enemy.

Senator Ninoy himself exposed a so-called Jabidah Massacre wherein commandos being trained in secret by President Marcos to invade Sabah (yes, our Sabah) were supposed to have been massacred in 1968.

No dead bodies were recovered from Manila Bay as evidence of a massacre. Marcos believed that the best way to secure a territorial claim was to occupy it. Occupy Sabah was aborted because of Ninoy’s exposure of a bogus massacre. You know

how much Sabah is worth today?

Easily $3 trillion. Enough to make every one of the 26 million poor Filipinos today very rich.

BS Aquino III himself, as president, allowed the Chinese to occupy Scarborough Shoal for four years, illegally. He also allowed the Americans to operate five military bases in the Philippines. That’s love of country?

Pro-poor and inclusive growth. Under Cory Aquino, economic growth was stunted.

Under BS Aquino III, economic growth could have been better.

This is why we still have 25 million poor Filipinos despite the Philippines being one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

So let’s proceed with the burial of Marcos at Libingan and with that, bury with him the fake Aquino legacy. biznewsasia@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

A6

TODAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Motorcyclists may use Edsa THE Metro Manila Development Authority will allow motorcycle riders to use two lanes of Circumferential Road-5 (C-5 Road) and Epifanio delos Santos Avenue during rush hours to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and prevent road accidents in the areas.

The riders, according to MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos, will then be allowed two lanes to now include the leftmost lane along Edsa and C-5 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

However, motorcyclists traversing Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City will still be using the designated motorbike lanes at all times.

Orbos made the decision following a meeting with MMDA traffic enforcers as well as officers of various national motorcycle groups, including Felipe Rabulan of Bullriders and Rod Cruz of Arangkada and Martin Misa of RG Community All. Joel Zurbano

News

MMDA opens 3 detours T HE Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday said three alternate routes including Camp Aguinaldo will be opened to private vehicles to help decongest traffic along Edsa.

In a press conference of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic held in MMDA headquarters in Makati City, MMDA General Manager Tim Orbos said some gates in Camp Aguinaldo will be open to private vehicles starting next week to Jan. 15, 2017.

Camp Aguinaldo is one of the government properties identified as access road for motorists from Epifanio delos Santos Avenue-Santolan and Katipunan Avenue in Quezon

City, vise versa.

Orbos said motorists can start filling up application forms to avail of the stickers that will serve as access gate to the camp

by Monday.

According to retired Brigadier Gen. Manny Gonzales, deputy chief of I-ACT, to acquire the stickers, just present Official Receipt/Certificate Registration (OR/CR) of vehicle and pay about P200.

The stickers will be put in the front windshield of the vehicle

so it will be easily seen by the soldiers manning the gates of the camp, Gonzales said.

Orbos said the sticker is required for “security reasons.” “This is a privilege to the public to enter this grounds to ease traffic flow this Christmas,” Orbos said.

He said that private motorist can enter Camp Aguinaldo from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

Private vehicles from Katipunan going to Edsa can use Gate 6 in Boni Serrano and exit in Edsa-Santolan in Gate 3 and vice versa while vehicles from Boni Serrano can also use Gate 6 and exit to Gate 5 in White Plains going to C5.

Noemi Recio, head of MMDA’s traffic engineering center, said that they are expecting to reduce at least 200 vehicles per

hour when this route inside the military camp will be opened to private vehicles.

Recio said that aside for the Camp Aguinaldo alternate route, the I-ACT will also open an alternate route—the right turning lane inside the Office of Transport Security in Pasay City and an access road in Buendia in Makati City.

She said that vehicles going to Domestic Road and Roxas Boulevard can use the alternate right turning lane inside OTS in Tramo and exit in Andrews Avenue to help lessen travel time.

“There will be a diversion road in such a way vehicles coming from Edsa turning to Domestic Road going to Roxas Boulevard will not cram and wait for the green light to the intersection.

The access road will allow vehicles to enter and exit at Andrews Avenue towards Airport Road and reach Roxas Boulevard,” Recio explained.

Also, the I-ACT will tear down a wall on Edsa-Buendia area to provide an access road going to Jupiter Street in Makati City.

“We are hoping that all of these measures would be able to alleviate the worsening traffic congestion because of Christmas season,” Orbos said, noting that there are already early Christmas shoppers coming from nearby provinces that add up to the number of vehicles on the roads.

To guide motorists of the traffic adjustments, Orbos said they will install directional signs.

PNA

New HK window cleaning rules out

Abi to charge bipolar driver MAKATI Mayor Abigail Binay on Thursday said she will file a case against a purportedly bipolar woman who wildly drove her yellow car, hitting people and vehicles at Rockwell Center Friday last week.

Binay said she ordered the Makati City Police to submit a full report on the case so that the City Legal Department can prepare appropriate charges to be filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The woman—Jamie Camille Lee Brojan, 28, a resident of San Juan City—surrendered to the police after over an hour of recklessly driving to evade her pursuers, leaving several damaged vehicles and properties in her wake. Some security guards in pursuit were also injured during the chase.

Binay said the case should not be treated lightly as it involved serious offenses that not only damaged government property, but also endangered the lives of pedestrians and motorists along the route taken by the driver.

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE Hong Kong government has revised its order on safety provisions in the contracts of foreign domestic helpers in cleaning the exterior of windows in high-rise buildings.

In a revised provision which will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2017, the Hong Kong government has included requiring all employers to put locked grills in windows when they ask their helpers to clean the exterior of the windows not located on the ground level or adjacent to a balcony or a common corridor.

The provision added that only the helper’s arms should be extended beyond the ledge.

“In view of the community’s BIRTHDAY BOY. Former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo greet Philippine Constitution concerns about the safety of Association president and former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez during his birthday celebration on Wednesday night at the Manila FDHs when cleaning outwardGolf and Country Club in Makati City with his wife incumbent Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez. Ver Noveno facing windows, the LD has over the past weeks consulted F.G. Calderon various stakeholders including the consuls general of FDHs’ High reunion home countries in Hong Kong, set Dec. 3 FDH employer groups, FDH groups and employment agenTWO global companies have long-term benefits to the Filipino power plant solution, hospitals, benefit from these humanitarian ARELLANO University F.G. cies associations,” the Labor collaborated efforts to provide people throughout the Philippines. schools, wireless communications projects.

Calderon High School will hold Department stated. humanitarian and infrastructure It is offering their services to the and roads and bridges in the cities Aside from clean water and its 14th annual reunion for batchThe new provision which will assistance to officials of the PhilPhilippines at no cost to the govof Sta. Rosa, Calamba, the municielectrical power, Pantheon and es 1952 to 1996 at the Aloha Hotel be included in the contract is ippine government. ernment. palities of Sta. Maria and Pakil.

Alpine’s team can start making on Roxas Boulevard in Manila on made to ensure the occupational Alpine Technical Services LLC Darren Sanford of Pantheon Pantheon Technology and Al- plans to convert partner cities/ December 3 (Saturday) at 6 p.m. safety of the foreign domestic and Pantheon Technology LLC Technology and of Alpine Techpine Technical Services likewise municipalities/provinces into a For more details, alumhelpers. have teamed up to give a humaninical Services, together with their met with Laguna Lake Develop“Smart City.”

Pantheon uses its ni may contact: Rosalinda The order was made after tarian blend of water, power, and technical team, recently visited ment Authority officials and dis- 802.11 and LTE protocols to creAquintania-Caoile (Batch ‘64) the Philippine Overseas Latechnology services.

The huthe Philippines on an invitation cussed various projects relevant to ate and support large-scale Wi-Fi 0906-9061212; Corrie Corpuz bor Office announced that it manitarian effort was coupled from partner local government the mandate of the Laguna Lake projects to create and or support (Batch ‘76) 0917-8031137; will no longer be allowed to with infrastructure funding to as- units and government agencies to Development Authority.

Smart Cities across the world.

Rowinnie Arguelles (Batch clean the windows of flats of sist Filipino leaders by providing discuss the projects.

Sanford and Richard Allred’s This patented military grade ‘84) 0932-850-4397; Felicitheir employers in high-rise simo “Jun” Santos Jr. (Batch them real benefits and solutions They discussed possible team will undertake a reasonable technology requires no wires or building.

‘89) 0917-8442059; and Charion these concerns. projects for water and waste water amount of due diligence before existing infrastructure to function This after Filipino domestic na de Luna-Pichay (Batch ‘93) This offer is provided by a glo- treatment facility, water cleaning steps will be taken publicly to and can operate in parallel without 0923-8097097. helper Rinalyn Dulluog fell bal network of companies which projects of the lakes, rivers, bays pull the process together so that disrupting existing communicato her death in August while will help provide jobs and other and waterways, waste to energy the Filipino people can tangibly tion systems. cleaning the windows of her employer’s flat on Manila the 48th floor of a Standard high-rise building TODAY in LOHAS Park, Hong Kong.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES In POLO’s memo TARIFF COMMISSION signed by attaché Jalilo dela Torre IN THE MATTER OF THE PROTEST AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF stated that employCLEAR FLOAT GLASS (2012 AHTN ers must ensure 7005.29.90) AND BRONZE FLOAT GLASS (2012 AHTN 7005.21.90) to implement this FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC and clause banning For: ANTI-DUMPING OF CHINA (PROC) Investigation No. AD-2016-OC-FloatGlassCN them from cleaning the exterior of winAGC FLAT GLASS PHILIPPINES, INC. (AGPH) dows and should Protestant include in the writx----------------------------------------------x ten contracts of all NOTICE OF FORMAL INVESTIGATION AND Filipino household PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE workers in Hong Pursuant to Section 711 of Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Kong.

Tariff Act) which adopts the provisions of Republic Act No. 8752 (Anti-Dumping Act of 1999), the Tariff Commission hereby gives notice of the institution of a formal “Please ensure investigation on the dumping protest against the importation of Clear Float Glass that employers read (2012 AHTN 7005.29.90) and Bronze Float Glass (2012 AHTN 7005.21.90) from the People’s Republic of China (PROC). This formal investigation is based on an this part and underaffirmative preliminary determination of dumping by the Secretary of Trade and stand it before they Industry and his endorsement of the case to the Tariff Commission. sign the contract Parties on record as identified from the Preliminary Investigation Report of the you will submit to Department of Trade and Industry were notified by the Tariff Commission to attend the Preliminary Conference on 22 November 2016, 9:00 a.m. at the Tariff Commission us for verification Conference Room, 5th Floor, Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, East and authentication,” Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

Dela Torre said in a For inquiries and other details, please contact the members of the Task Force memo dated Octoon Anti-Dumping Investigation against Importation of Clear Float Glass (2012 AHTN 7005.29.90) and Bronze Float Glass (2012 AHTN 7005.21.90) from the People’s ber 1.

Republic of China (PROC) at the following telephone numbers: (632) 9267476, (632) The clause in 9288419, (632) 9288106 and (632) 928.8731 or e-mail at info@tariffcommission. gov.ph. the contract should The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) and Xavier batch ‘83, respectively guided by their values state that “for safety Issued this 17th day of November 2016 in Quezon City, Metro Manila. of malasakit and being men of others, jointly celebrated Indigenous People Sunday with a medical and dental purposes, cleaning mission in Subic, Zambales. The collaborative effort also gave away vitamins and medicines to 300 aetas. In photo the exterior of winare (L-R) WCKF head coordinator Cristina Villanueva, WCKF Volunteers Arislyn Montemayor, Karizza Rivera, MARILOU P. MENDOZA Michelle Murriel, Myra Sanchez, Carol Gonzales, Patrina Yap, Vilma Velasco, Rowena San Pedro, Frances Joy dows is not part Officer-In-Charge Rodelas, Ana Agustin, Janette Francisco, Michelle Duque, Michelle Relota, Jessica Patriarca together with the of the domestic Armed Forces of the Philippines Personnel. helper’s duties.”

Firms offer no-cost govt projects

(MS- NOV. 18, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

George leads Pacers past champion Cavs, 103-93

L

OS ANGELES —Paul George scored 21 points as the Indiana Pacers took full advantage of the absence of LeBron James to defeat the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers 103-93 on Wednesday.

George also weighed in with 11 rebounds while teammate Jeff Teague added 20 points as the Pacers improved to 6-6 as the Cavaliers suffered only their second defeat of the season to go to 9-2.

NBA Finals MVP James had been rested while J.R. Smith was also missing for the Cavs, nursing a right ankle sprain.

While Kevin Love (27 points) and Kyrie Irving (24) both made double figures for the Cavs, the absence of James’ eventually told as the Pacers delighted the home crowd at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant had 30-point games to fire the Golden State Warriors to a fifth consecutive victory in a 127-

121 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Reigning NBA MVP Curry finished with 35 points and seven assists after the Warriors held off a furious late fightback from Toronto to claim the win.

The Warriors appeared to be cruising to victory after opening up an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Raptors however gradually reduced the deficit to six points with a minute left after a threepointer from Terrence Ross.

The Warriors hung on to improve to 9-2 while the Raptors fell to 7-4 after their second straight defeat.

In New York, Kristaps Porz-

ingis exploded with a career-best 35 points to steer the New York Knicks to a 105-102 win over the Detroit Pistons.

A devastating second quarter spree where the 21-year-old Latvian poured on 10 unanswered points was the highlight of a superb display as the Knicks improved to 5-6.

It was the eighth game of Porzingis’s career featuring a haul of 25 points or more and he finished with figures of 13 of 22 from the floor, also a career high.

The Knicks’ heavy-hitters also weighed in with Carmelo Anthony scoring 22 points, Derrick Rose adding 16 and Joakim Noah snaf-

fling 15 rebounds.

Rose was left in awe of the youthful Porzingis’s performance.

“He is dangerous,” Rose said.

“For a second-year player that doesn’t really know the game like that, for him to come out and play the way he plays is incredible. And for him to be 7-foot-3 and move the way that he moves is kind of crazy. A unique, unique player.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the game had effectively been won in the second quarter, when his team outscored Toronto by 32-15 to forge a 66-53 lead at half-time.

“The second quarter was great, one of the best quarters we have played,” Kerr said. AFP

De Guzman submits another 2 under 70 AMATEUR Regina de Guzman turned in a second straight twounder 70 and stayed within striking distance of new leader Prima Thammaraks in the second round of the NWGA (National Women’s Golf Association) at LPGA International-Jones in Daytona Beach, Florida Wednesday.

De Guzman fought back from a bogey mishap on No. 3 with three birdies in a nine-hole stretch from No. 5, keeping the Filipina shotmaker in the hunt for the crown in the 54-hole tournament serving as the second-tolast tuneup for those vying in the LPGA Q-School Final Stage two weeks from now, also in Florida.

But while De Guzman sustained her form and remained at joint fourth at 140, three off Thammaraks, former US Girls’ Junior Princess Superal dropped to a share of 12th with an even par 72.

Superal actually survived a roller-coaster round of two bogeys, a double bogey and four birdies, the last two at Nos. 14 and 18 gave her a closing 35 for a 142 aggregate heading to the final 18 holes.

Thammaraks rode on a fourbirdie string from No. 4 and went on to fire a 68 for a 137 and a two-stroke lead over Britanny Benvenuto and Jennifer Kirby, who pooled 139s after a 68 and 70, respectively.

Meanwhile, the last LPGA QSchool Final Stage will be held Nov. 20-22 at LPGA International-Hills with Superal bidding to become the next Filipina to earn a card at the world’s most lucrative women’s circuit.

The ICTSI, F Siblings and PB-Farms-backed Superal will be joined in the Final Stage by compatriots Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez and Mia Piccio along with Fil-Am Clariss Guce, a two-time winner on the Symetra Tour.

Indiana Pacers guard Paul George (13) gathers the ball as he tries to drive past Cleveland Cavaliers defender Kyrie Irving during their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 16, in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Azkals ready for 2016 Suzuki Cup MEMBERS of defending champion Thailand are now in town. They want one of two seats in the World Cup Russia 2018 which will be at stake in the 2016 Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup football championship.

They are in high spirits after their impressive showing against Asian champions Australia following a 2-2 draw in their fifth World Cup Group B for Russia 2018 last Tuesday.

But the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team are too not worried about the Thais, who will be focused in their bid to retain the crown.

One of their key players, FilIranian booter Misagh Bahadoran, will seeing action after recovering from injuries.

Coach Thomas Dooley has been asking him to spend more time in the field in order for him to improve on his fitness level.

“I have been injured. It’s one of the reasons why coach wants me to play 45 minutes, so he can check on my fitness level,” said Bahadoran.

Bahadoran will be one of the strikers for the Azkals.

He will carry a big responsibility for the team, now that Javier Patiño and Daisuke Sato won’t be available. The

Azkals begin their campaign against Singapore on Saturday at Philippine Sports Stadium.

Sato was recalled by Romanian first division side Politehnica, and he needs to stay with the club, which has seven games until Dec. 17.

Patiño has reportedly renewed his contract with Henan Jianye, and can’t come.

Dooley is making many adjustments. These include fielding leftback Jeffrey Christiaens and defensive midfielder Dennis Villanueva, who will be around to defend with Amani Aguinaldo.

On the other hand, the Thais

will have the goal of preparing for the World Cup, and along the way, they will try to retain the Suzuki Cup crown.

“The World Cup dream is not over and the Southeast Asian title hasn’t been secured yet,” said coach Kiatisak Senamuang in an article which appeared in the Bangkok Post.

As an incentive, the top two teams in Group A and Group B automatically qualify for World Cup Russia 2018.

The two third-placed sides will meet in a play-off with the winners facing a qualifier from Concacaf for another berth. Peter Atencio

ICTSI-PKA Tour starts in Palawan next week THE ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Association Tour kicks off its four-leg fourth season next week with organizers confident of producing the next batch of talents who could represent the country in various international competitions.

PKA president Jay Ortiz said since the sport is now part of the 2018 World Youth Olympics in Argentina and with a possibility of its inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, they’re stepping up their effort to discover and tap potential talents.

“PKA is also aimed at building the next generation of kiteboarding superstars by developing grassroots program for kids,” said Ortiz in yesterday’s launch of the annual event at the Mango Tree at the BGC in Taguig City.

“Now that the sport is in the 2018 Youth Olympics and hopefully in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, this competition will be a perfect staging ground in discovering fresh new talents,” he said.

Cuyo Island in Palawan will stage the first leg on Nov. 24-26 with a huge international field expected to see action. The second stage will be held in Bantayan Island, Cebu from Jan.

Philippine Kiteboarding Association president Jay Ortiz (center) receives the replica of the P3 million check representing ICTSI’s sponsorship of the Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 4 during the event launch at the Mango Tree Restaurant at BGC in Taguig yesterday. Others in photo are, from left: ICTSI Public Relations officers Ronnel Javier and JP Siat, PKA treasurer Carlo Leongson and Philippine Windsport president Manny Cabili.

13-15, 2017 with Boracay hosting the third stop on Feb. 3-5 before the tour winds up in Cagbalete Island in Quezon on March 3-5.

Ortiz said they expect not only the

best and the brightest kiteboarders in the country but also a slew of foreign participants, who have graced the first three staging of the event sponsored

by ICTSI and backed by Cabrinha,

Greenyard Boracay, Cobra Energy Drink, Drew Kettle Beer, and LGUs of Cuyo Island, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Cebu, Boracay, Aklan Province and Mauban, Quezon.

“We expect a lot of foreign entries just like last season so we’re really excited about this year,” said Ortiz.

The competition features three events—race, freestyle and hangtime – and divided into different levels—kids, novice, men’s, women’s and Masters class. Over the past four years, the PKA has organized more than 16 competitions on some of the country’s top surfing destinations. Their recent 2015-16 season drew more than 160 participants across 20 countries from Europe, America and Asia.

“This tour likewise helps further promote local tourism since we also help feature some of the top kitesurfing destinations in our social media page which foreigners not only from Asia Pacific, but also from the US and Europe would love to visit. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines has a lot of great kitesurfing spots to offer,” said Philippine Windsport president Manny Cabili.

For details, follow us on Facebook, Philippine Kiteboarding Association.

Falcons looking beyond Final 4

By Peter Atencio THE Adamson Soaring Falcons, although denied a twice-to-beat incentive, have formally advanced to the Final Four of the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball wars.

But, the quest and the journey to end the season with their best showing in five years is not yet over.

Coach Franz Pumaren said this after the Ateneo Blue Eagles beat the Soaring Falcons, 73-67, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We can’t be satisfied with just being in the Final Four. If we are, I wouldn’t waste my preparing the team and reviewing our games. But when everyone answered in an affirmative manner after the game, when I asked if we’re still going to continue our journey. Hopefully, we can pull some surprises,” said Pumaren.

The Soaring Falcons ended up with an 8-6 win-loss and the fourth seeding. They face the unenviable task of taking on the La Salle Green Archers who will be holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

This is their best showing after last reaching the Final Four in 2011 when they bowed to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

The La Salle Green Archers, who gained the top seeding with their 13-1 slate, will now have a Final Four clash on Wednesday against Adamson.

For the Falcons, getting past the Green Archers will mean preventing a dream finals showdown between Ateneo and La Salle.

The Blue Eagles, who finished the eliminations with a 10-4 winloss card at no. 2, will face FEU, which is looking for a chance to return to the finals also.

“I’m proud of my team. Who would think that we’ll be in this kind of situation,” said Pumaren.

Showdown looms at WADA summit LAUSANNE, Switzerland—Sports leaders are at loggerheads over how to fight the war against performance-enhancing drugs as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) goes into a key reform summit this weekend.

Who should control the global doping watchdog? What powers should it have? Who should pay? A welter of questions have been raised as the Olympic movement and sports federations seek to redeem their names after the Russia doping scandal.

The WADA Foundation will have to come up with at least the start of some solid answers after its meeting in Glasgow on Sunday. A new report on Russia is due out within weeks which could heighten pressure to clean up sport.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach last month called on WADA to set up a new independent unit to manage testing around the world.

He promised more money if the reforms are carried out.

The IOC blames sports federations for letting cheating flourish and wants to eliminate their role in testing, while transfering sanction-taking to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The IOC has also criticised WADA for failing to act quickly on doping allegations in Russia, which was accused of operating a ‘state-sponsored’ scheme over several years.

But there is widespread resistance to the IOC plan outside of WADA, with powerful federations indicating they want to be exempt from the reforms.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Miners vow to uphold responsible operations B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Trump’s policy to hurt PH —Moody’s

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing November 17, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,050.12 83.84

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

By Julito G. Rada

Closing NOVEMBER 17, 2016 43.00 45.40 46.60 47.80

P49.560

49.00

CLOSE

HIGH P49.220 LOW P49.560 AVERAGE P49.419 VOLUME 821.500M

P430.00-P661.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.40-P44.10 Unleaded Gasoline

OPRICES IL TODAY

POLISH INVESTMENT. Trade undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo (third from left) leads the inauguration of the manufacturing facility of Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines Inc. in Mariveles Bataan. PMPI is a joint venture between Pietrucha Group of Companies of Poland and local company Design Science Inc. Its 3,000-square-meter facility at Freeport Area of Bataan houses modern machineries that employ next generation vinyl sheet pile technology for a variety of engineering and industrial applications. Shown with Rodolfo and BOI director Angelica Cayas (fourth from left) are officials of PMPI headed by chief executive Jerzy Pietrucha (second from left) and vice president of design science Robert Gerard Tenchavez (second from right).

P25.75-P29.32 Diesel P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, November 17, 2016

Govt eyes $1-b airport, railway F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.2190

Japan

Yen

0.009169

0.4513

UK

Pound

1.243600

61.2087

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128911

6.3449

Switzerland

Franc

0.997904

49.1158

Canada

Dollar

0.744103

36.6240

Singapore

Dollar

0.706764

34.7862

Australia

Dollar

0.746900

36.7617

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

130.5578

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266702

13.1268

Brunei

Dollar

0.704275

34.6637

By Siegfrid Alegado and Cecilia Yap

T

he Philippines plans to award at least $1 billion of contracts to build an airport and a railway to transform a former US military base into a commercial hub as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s push to distribute wealth outside congested Manila.

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

Thailand

Baht

0.028184

1.3872

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.4017

Euro

Euro

1.068500

52.5905

Korea

Won

0.000854

0.0420

China

Yuan

0.145431

7.1580

India

Rupee

0.014694

0.7232

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.230150

11.3278

New Zealand

Dollar

0.706100

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031414

0.0037

34.7535

1.5462

Source: PDS Bridge

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority wants these and other major infrastructure projects for the area to be awarded by the second half of 2017 and for most to be completed as early as 2019, its chief executive Vince Dizon said in an interview in Makati City.

The authority will decide by the first quarter of next year whether to invite bids to build or operate the infrastructure, or do both, he said.

“We want the investment community to know that this government isn’t just about addressing crime and drugs,” Dizon, 43,

said Nov. 11. “We’re also here to build, build and build.”

Duterte, who won the presidential election six months ago, is lifting infrastructure spending to a record and allocating resources away from the capital, Manila, where traffic and transport logjams cost the economy at least P2.4 billion ($49 million) a day.

His government is attempting to fast track development of the planned Clark Green City, which was carved out of the former Clark Air Base used by US forces during World War II. It received just one bid last year to develop part of the proposed alternative capital city.

At 9,450 hectares (23,000 acres), Clark Green City would dwarf the main financial district of Makati in metropolitan Manila, home to the nation’s stock exchange and banks’ headquarters.

Building infrastructure outside the capital is key to attracting investment and boosting the country’s growth potential to as much as 9 percent, Rosemarie Edillon, deputy director general at the National Economic and Development Authority, said Thursday.

Third-quarter economic growth was 7.1 percent, the fastest in Asia.

The state body will invite

IN BRIEF

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., a consortium led

by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said Thursday it appointed former Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson as president and chief executive.

LRMC said Jesus Francisco, who retired from his post as president, would be one of the directors of the company.

Prior to his appointment as secretary of Public Works Department, Singson was president of Maynilad Water Services Inc., a unit of MPIC. LRMC won the bidding for the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015.

The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran station and run in a generally southerly direction to Niyog, Cavite.

It will consist of elevated guideways throughout most of the alignment, except for the guideway section at Zapote which will be located at grade. It will consist of the satellite depot and new station. Darwin G. Amojelar

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

Peso falls toward 50 per US dollar

Chinese investors eye industrial zone

TRADE undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo confirmed Thursday a plan of Chinese investors to put up a 300-hectare industrial economic zone in the Philippines.

The proposal was relayed by members of a Chinese business delegation in October 2016, he said.

“That’s on the table. They will develop the ecozone and they will invite the investors to come in and locate within the industrial zone.

They are offering total solutions. With a multitude of jobs that will be created, we want this project to push through,” Rodolfo told reporters at the sidelines of the Nordic Chamber Luncheon event in Makati City.

He said the proposal would be a big deal for the Philippines as production and value addition would be done locally.

The Chinese investors also proposed to expand cooperation by bringing in more tangible projects such as an airport, seaport, one railway, highway and one industrial zone. Othel V. Campos

bids for a new P15-billion airport terminal in Clark, north of Manila, according to Dizon. It will include a new international terminal that will double Clark airport’s current capacity to 8 million passengers under the first phase of a 30-year plan developed by Aeroports de Paris, he said.

It will also invite bidders for some projects identified during Duterte’s state visit to Beijing in October. These include a cargo rail line costing as much as $700 million, running from Clark to the Subic coastal area northwest of Manila, an industrial park and facilities for telecommunications and utilities. Bloomberg

GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said Thursday the Philippines is among the countries that may be adversely affected by the economic and immigration policies of US President Donald Trump.

Moody’s, in a report titled Sovereign Monitor―Focus on the Pacific Rim, noted that the business process outsourcing sector is one of the Philippines’ major sources of inflows every year.

“Costa Rica and Mexico―as the countries most reliant on exports of high-value-added goods and services which would offer greatest onshoring potential― would be most vulnerable in such a scenario,” Moody’s said.

“Meanwhile, India and the Philippines could also suffer in the event of policies that disincentivized foreign sourcing of business services,” it said.

Moody’s said since the global financial crisis, global trade has remained notably muted. It said a shift in the international orientation of the world’s largest economy “would exacerbate this situation, challenging output growth and potentially constraining policy space for trade-reliant and FDI-supported countries.”

Moody’s said a tightening of immigration rules in the US― as proposed by Trump during the election campaign―would over time dampen growth in remittances from foreign workers, which were significant for some economies in Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Moody’s said worker remittances also provide a stable source of foreign-currency earnings that support current accounts and underpin consumption and domestic economic activity.

Dominguez voices support for Tetangco

Singson appointed head of LRT firm

THE peso depreciated further Thursday toward the 50-per-US dollar level, the weakest in nearly eight years, amid the lingering uncertainties on the policy of newly-elected US President Donald Trump.

The peso lost P0.21 to close at 49.56 a dollar Thursday from 49.35 on Wednesday. It was the local currency’s weakest level since settling at 49.83 against the greenback on Nov. 24, 2008 during the global financial crisis.

Total volume turnover reached $821.5 million Thursday, higher than $666.5 million Wednesday.

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

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

B1

VISTA-JLL DEAL. Global real estate services firm JLL is appointed by the Vista Group as exclusive leas-

ing agent of its first office building, VistaHub Molino. Shown during the signing event are (from left) JLL country head Lindsay Orr, Vista Land & Lifescapes head for commercial BPO Nikki Cachuela, Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. chairman Manuel Villar, JLL nanaging director for Singapore and Southeast Asia Chris Fossick, JLL regional director and head of leasing Sheila Lobien and JLL markets manager Nico de Leon.

DMCI lays off 343 after mine shutdown

By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Mining Corp. said it reduced its workforce by 62 percent in the first nine months, after the protracted suspension of its mining units in Palawan and Zambales provinces.

The nickel miner said from 550, its manpower was reduced by 343 or 62 percent to 207. The number excluded thousands of seasonal workers hired during production rampup, parent company DMC Holdings said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Subsidiary Berong Nickel Corp. received a suspension order from the Environment Department in June this year on alleged discolor-

ation of Barangay Berong’s river system and tributaries.

The following month another unit―Zambales Diversified Metals Corp.--was served a suspension order due to “social issues”.

“Our hands are tied. We have no choice but to let go of most of our workers,” said DMCI Mining president Cesar Simbulan Jr. “We are trying to retain as many people as possible by assigning them to our environmental rehabilitation sites. But mine rehabilitation is not as labor intensive as nickel production so we simply cannot absorb all of them,” Simbulan said.

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Thursday voiced his support for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., after President Rodrigo Duterte said BSP and the AntiMoney Laundering Council “failed miserably” in stopping money laundering in the country.

“The BSP [officials] have not been remiss in doing their job supportive of the Duterte administration’s anti-graft crusade, but the tedious legal process that has from the start been a stumbling block to the immediate prosecution of suspected money launderers underline the urgency for the Congress to pass new legislation relaxing the country’s Bank Secrecy Law, which has among the world’s most restrictive regulations,” Dominguez said.

President Duterte earlier rebuked monetary authorities for allegedly turning a blind eye on

alleged money laundering. He even called BSP and the AntiMoney Laundering Council “garbage” for allegedly trying to protect those involved in money laundering.

Dominguez said BSP along with the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation agreed to take steps in support of President Duterte’s all-out drive to run after suspected money launderers.

“Tetangco, a respected member of the economic team, has been providing valuable help in the pursuit of criminals engaged in money laundering,” Dominguez said.

The timely submission of documents needed by the NBI for its investigation after the initial “wrinkle” in their working arrangement illustrates that the concerned institutions have been up to the task but regrettably have had to observe the normally tedious procedures as required by law, he said.

Busan vows to deploy more MRT trains

By Darwin G. Amojelar BUSAN Universal Rail Inc., the maintenance provider of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, said Thursday it is ramping up works at the overhead train system in anticipation of increased passengers this coming Christmas season.

Busan said it was undertaking the replacement of the light rail’s signaling system and the improvement of all train tracks to ensure further efficiency and safety in MRT-3 operations, and to allow the light rail to better serve the commuting public.

“We know how important it is for commuters to have fast, safe, and secure transportation during the holiday season. We will

endeavor to put as many trains on the tracks as possible, to meet commuting demands. And we will back this up with enough spares to ensure trouble-free travel in case of unforeseen stoppages,” Busan spokesman Charles Mercado said.

He said the company overshot its target in delivering the maximum serviceable number of cars since its service contract started in January this year.

Busan has put 65 cars in good running condition, which means 20 trains plus 1 train set and two spare cars.

The company on average restored two to three cars every month since its contract started in January, enabling it to deploy up to 20 trains (consisting of three

cars) at revenue line during peak periods. Peak runs are backed up by two reserved cars at the depot.

Four cars are also undergoing general overhaul, in line with the company’s commitment to restore all down cars soonest.

Mercado said given the age of the system, which is nearly 20 years, breakdowns and temporary shutdowns were to be expected even with regular and proper maintenance and calibration. However, the company endeavors to minimize disruption and to keep the system running at optimum, he said.

The company said train stoppage was not a maintenance issue but a safety precaution triggered by the system’s automatic train protection.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index returns to 7,000; URC climbs S

Starmalls registers P1.1-b net income

By Jenniffer B. Austria STARMALLS Inc., the commercial arm of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., registered a net income of P1.1 billion in the first nine months, up by 53 percent from P700 million recorded in the same period last year, on doubledigit growth in rental income.

Starmalls said in a statement rental revenues climbed 71 percent to P3 billion from P1.7 billion in the same period in 2015.

“We remain optimistic with the retail industry’s outlook for the rest of the year, as we continue to see sustained growth in the disposable income of Filipinos due to sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” Starmalls chairman Manuel Villar Jr. said.

“In addition, we will be taking advantage of the synergies that developed as a result of our integration into Vista Land,” he said.

Starmalls had 17 commercial assets in its portfolio as of endSeptember and continues to expand its leasable space.

Starmalls president Jerry Navarrete said the company was ramping up Starmalls’ expansion program and would deliver additional leasable space in the coming years. He said the company was developing existing 46.9 hectares of commercial land bank and would take advantage of Vista Land’s over 600 hectares of land across the country that are suitable for commercial development.

“The company’s growth rate was rapid as the additional commercial assets we opened during the year started contributing to our financial performance and added to the increased rental revenues from our existing malls brought about by favorable rental reversions and increased occupancy,” Navarrete said.

TOCKS advanced for a second day, sending the benchmark index above the 7,000-point level, after the government announced the Philippine economy grew 7.1 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, the fastest in Southeast Asia.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 83 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 7,050.12 Thursday. This also pushed up total gains this year to 1.4 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also rose 30

points, or 0.7 percent, to settle at 4,242.40, on a value turnover of P8.1 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 91 to 78, while 53 issues were unchanged.

All six sectoral indices rose, while 13 of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by food manufacturer Univer-

sal Robina Corp. which climbed 4.4 percent to P179 and conglomerate Ayala Corp. which gained 3.8 percent to P771.

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. advanced 2.9 percent to P33.95, while telecommunications company PLDT Inc. added 2.9 percent to close at P1,395.

Meanwhile, Asian markets were hit by fresh volatility Thursday as uncertainty permeates trading floors after Donald Trump’s shock election win, while the dollar pushed back up on expectations of a US interest rate hike.

Investors have been struggling to ascertain the outlook for the global

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.51 2,000 47.8 13,400 95.4 1,372,730 111.5 3,210,070 1.25 175,000 37.6 16,900 16.26 406,600 18.98 304,300 0.78 7,486,000 77.55 3,985,490 14.02 10,300 55.1 13,880 260 170 145 30 98.75 390 35.75 43,000 207 1,924,810 1,595 205 74.5 139,450 1.31 95,000

6,820 640,170 130,945,608.50 358,717,427 219,980 635,540 6,717,170 5,789,608 5,889,070 309,327,399.50 144,604 765,920 44,210 4,350 38,532.50 1,535,150 398,360,892 329,275 10,382,660.50 124,250

621,050 -12,146,453 20,274,198 -6,357,312 -2,360,710 -2,457,080 -171,191,496 246,110 -44,210 249,950 -272,515,594 160,000 -4,467,173 -

42.65 3.8 0.87 1.29 19.98 0.196 91.1 11.2 16.32 130 23.5 24.5 59.7 1.99 7.13 12.04 10.98 6.48 7 5.22 1.76 22.7 65 16.8 5.99 1.64 211 75.05 2.08 3.7 30.9 26.6 15.06 278.6 0.244 2.92 9.38 11.54 2.11 5.79 1.45 68.25 3.7 223.8 4.27 3.1 4.24 0.141 1.59 171.5 4.15 2.02 31.25 1.07

INDUSTRIAL 42.95 1,679,800 3.81 283,000 0.89 655,000 1.29 1,987,000 20.05 19,800 0.196 100,000 100 890 11.2 17,642,300 16.5 415,800 160 310 23.5 295,000 25.3 5,000 59.8 69,900 2.02 395,000 7.33 271,800 12.38 5,900 11.04 6,755,500 6.52 285,000 7.15 514,400 5.25 16,791,200 1.76 10,000 22.9 1,376,300 65.1 72,520 16.82 131,800 6 359,400 1.68 917,000 211.8 1,191,930 83.75 1,860 2.08 60,000 4.09 5,000 31 1,967,400 26.95 209,400 15.18 4,230,800 281 184,290 0.255 210,000 2.92 4,035,000 9.4 2,135,600 11.54 1,900 2.13 612,000 5.85 416,800 1.45 2,000 68.5 861,440 3.8 659,000 224.6 6,940 4.4 258,000 3.1 4,000 4.25 11,000 0.141 2,480,000 1.6 75,000 179 2,349,760 4.51 71,000 2.05 1,339,000 31.25 200 1.08 81,000

72,261,880 1,080,840 573,590 2,587,170 400,006 19,630 87,396 199,690,524 6,869,390 44,850 6,935,120 124,990 4,194,360 791,590 1,979,768 71,336 74,536,334 1,862,711 3,657,671 88,112,422 17,600 31,560,815 4,736,831 2,215,230 2,156,025 1,530,260 254,599,812 143,960 124,800 18,940 61,016,170 5,640,795 64,998,626 51,774,948 51,760 12,162,100 20,120,538 21,926 1,293,000 2,422,666 2,900 59,080,463 2,499,050 1,556,546 1,133,770 12,400 46,740 350,480 120,320 417,582,317 313,580 2,758,730 6,250 87,070

-25,647,960 -17,400 -129,677,324 3,142,472 863,977.50 -58,257,622 -799,364 1,187,941 -19,415,222 2,203,400 -857,326.50 -507,284 1,499,370 -37,211,220 -36,491,030 -5,018,775 -24,848,880 -22,704,954 -3,250,860 -4,167,923 633,000 -2,190,840 31,910,939 1,270,410 -462,100 4,800 187,494,423 -

0.375 75 13.14 5.8 0.33 771 8.31 13.2 8 0.202 1,245 72.1 1.39 7.7 14.56 6.96 0.04 1.86 80.3 683 1.19 236 0.29 0.192

0.365 72.7 12.78 5.76 0.32 745 8.21 12.94 7.8 0.181 1,205 69.5 1.29 7.41 14.12 6.77 0.038 1.85 79.5 665 1.18 234 0.29 0.184

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 100,000 73.55 2,029,700 12.9 3,342,300 5.8 35,200 0.33 290,000 771 329,450 8.26 2,148,900 13 4,841,300 7.9 91,500 0.181 1,050,000 1,205 100,600 70 2,899,100 1.37 38,394,000 7.7 3,037,400 14.3 3,917,700 6.84 20,828,400 0.038 5,400,000 1.85 224,000 80.15 62,410 665.5 539,120 1.19 150,000 236 7,020 0.29 720,000 0.184 1,120,000

37,100 149,242,233.50 43,233,656 204,152 94,200 251,740,700 17,740,123 62,999,352 721,017 193,970 122,982,030 204,187,811.50 51,458,320 22,933,212 56,068,754 142,475,003 210,700 414,610 4,999,701.50 360,681,510 177,500 1,654,722 208,800 207,180

-101,499,151.50 1,099,374 11,771,685 11,461,728.00 19,882,884 79,640 -10,391,320 -36,018,576.50 763,800 -10,085,623 5,277,726 -58,643,937 -7,800 -18,600 229,806.50 -92,434,205 -

7.11 1.13 2.26 0.31 33.95 3.14 5.17 0.58 1.14 0.155 0.55 52.9 0.74 1.79 0.96 1.02 3.87 0.146 0.42 3.58 32.25 27.45 1.58 3.28 27.6

6.96 1.08 2.2 0.3 33.1 3.08 5 0.56 1.11 0.151 0.53 51.7 0.73 1.74 0.94 1 3.74 0.143 0.42 3.21 32.25 26.2 1.56 3.28 26.8

2,813,602 1,009,320 658,580 324,150 489,093,605 6,666,350 1,207,944 18,979,400 161,740 611,330 2,058,380 45,492,162.50 7,330 14,088,640 3,062,710 200,900 91,753,220 1,609,140 21,000 7,405,100 6,450 53,758,885 109,500 3,280 742,962,855

-1,387,420 -7,560 11,000 24,800 108,597,630 -5,080,960 -1,150,625 -5,404,420 54,000 32,278,937.50 -3,871,480 -28,808,060 273,600 -442,740 -10,678,580 504,125,825

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.31 47.9 94.3 111.5 1.27 37.7 16.54 19.1 0.77 76.55 14.02 55.3 261 145 98.85 35.7 209 1,650 75.2 1.31

3.51 47.9 97.3 113.1 1.27 37.7 16.54 19.12 0.81 78.05 14.4 55.3 261 145 98.85 35.75 214 1,650 75.2 1.31

3.31 47.5 94.25 110.9 1.25 37.6 16.26 18.92 0.77 76.55 14.02 55.1 260 145 98.75 35.7 205.6 1,595 74.15 1.3

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

44 3.81 0.9 1.33 20.05 0.197 100 11.6 16.5 130 23.5 24.5 59.7 2.01 7.15 12.04 11.12 6.48 7.15 5.23 1.76 22.7 65 16.8 6.03 1.64 213 78.35 2.08 3.75 31.1 26.6 15.3 282 0.245 3.15 9.42 11.54 2.13 5.8 1.45 68.95 3.7 224.6 4.44 3.1 4.24 0.142 1.62 171.6 4.6 2.02 31.25 1.08

44.45 3.85 0.9 1.33 21 0.197 100 11.6 16.74 160 23.6 25.3 61 2.06 7.44 12.38 11.12 6.75 7.15 5.33 1.76 23 66 16.82 6.03 1.7 218 83.75 2.08 4.09 31.4 26.95 15.5 283 0.255 3.25 9.68 11.54 2.13 5.85 1.45 69 3.89 224.6 4.44 3.1 4.25 0.142 1.62 180.9 4.6 2.08 31.25 1.08

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

0.375 72.7 12.84 5.76 0.32 748 8.31 12.94 7.8 0.202 1,238 70.75 1.29 7.6 14.26 6.77 0.039 1.85 80.15 670 1.19 235.8 0.29 0.191

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 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG

7.1 1.12 2.26 0.3 33.1 3.14 5.17 0.57 1.12 0.151 0.53 51.8 0.74 1.79 0.95 1 3.76 0.143 0.42 3.21 32.25 26.3 1.56 3.28 27.05

PROPERTY 7.06 1.11 2.2 0.3 33.95 3.08 5.09 0.56 1.12 0.152 0.54 51.95 0.73 1.77 0.94 1.01 3.74 0.144 0.42 3.58 32.25 27.45 1.58 3.28 27.6

VOLUME

397,800 916,000 299,000 1,070,000 14,481,800 2,149,000 237,300 33,642,000 144,000 3,990,000 3,814,000 875,440 10,000 7,986,000 3,237,000 199,000 24,264,000 11,120,000 50,000 2,127,000 200 1,995,100 70,000 1,000 27,398,700

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STA LUCIA LAND VISTA LAND

0.95 5.33

0.96 5.34

0.94 5.19

0.95 5.3

526,000 2,944,700

498,740 15,493,634

-18,800 4,251,214

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

7.8 45.55 1.28 0.52 0.051 5.34 6.84 0.073 2.76 103.2 9.97 6.89 1,438 6.14 12.1 17.36 2.14 14.5 135 75.75 0.009 9.12 0.193 1.32 12.96 4.9 2.09 2 4.2 3.9 20.05 2.28 11.32 5.3 8.9 1,375 1.15 0.42 39.8 74.85 5.63 2.61 0.84 3.17 0.33

7.8 45.6 1.39 0.56 0.054 5.34 6.84 0.074 2.77 104.3 9.97 6.89 1,438 6.15 12.92 17.36 2.18 14.88 135 77.3 0.009 9.12 0.195 1.32 13.2 4.96 2.1 2 4.2 3.9 20.15 2.28 11.32 5.3 9.02 1,405 1.15 0.42 40.5 75 5.63 2.61 0.9 3.21 0.33

7.64 45.5 1.27 0.52 0.048 5.33 6.43 0.072 2.71 102.6 9.97 6.68 1,335 6.11 12.1 17.36 2.1 14.06 135 75.75 0.009 9.1 0.192 1.3 12.96 4.86 2.05 2 4.06 3.52 20 2.15 11.32 5.2 8.75 1,360 1.13 0.405 39.5 74.6 5.49 2.58 0.82 3.17 0.33

SERVICES 7.8 45.5 1.27 0.55 0.05 5.33 6.43 0.073 2.76 102.6 9.97 6.68 1,351 6.13 12.92 17.36 2.17 14.5 135 76.3 0.009 9.11 0.193 1.3 13.2 4.96 2.05 2 4.17 3.53 20.15 2.19 11.32 5.2 8.81 1,395 1.14 0.41 39.8 74.6 5.56 2.59 0.88 3.19 0.33

30,300 13,300 123,000 81,000 81,200,000 3,200 66,693,500 10,380,000 2,027,000 375,520 500 27,500 231,355 161,900 98,000 100 1,362,000 6,900 20 1,647,300 4,000,000 531,000 4,520,000 1,400,000 10,200 992,000 114,000 330,000 6,929,000 40,316,000 1,900 9,235,000 1,000 8,500 442,200 135,405 12,629,000 140,000 4,346,000 567,600 37,500 561,000 87,206,000 37,000 10,000

233,953 605,290 166,310 43,100 4,121,690 17,086 434,575,823 756,740 5,526,390 38,657,945 4,985 187,421 315,939,700 992,349 1,241,230 1,736 2,900,680 100,260 2,700 125,728,007 36,000 4,837,410 878,390 1,825,880 133,636 4,870,170 235,650 660,000 28,695,020 145,231,170 38,140 20,304,550 11,320 44,900 3,947,541 186,558,485 14,391,340 57,550 173,560,175 42,385,992 206,421 1,452,240 75,653,720 117,770 3,300

161,210 56,900 353,154,848 -23,940 -21,623,287 -111,003,325 -10,650 29,994,599 99,430 -1,051,600 2,043,240 -3,391,410 -30,878,470 -257,890 -22,351,880 2,275,750.00 -67,436,960 9,739,747 129,480 27,933,840 -

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 MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PETROENERGY PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0035 2.9 4.75 2.4 2.21 0.58 0.4 9.2 3.62 0.275 0.197 0.195 0.013 1.7 8.22 3.06 0.5 1.02 0.012 0.011 4 0.012 8.22 3.6 125 2.9 0.009

0.004 3 4.86 2.4 2.39 0.58 0.405 9.48 3.75 0.295 0.197 0.205 0.013 1.72 8.38 3.17 0.5 1.02 0.012 0.011 4.19 0.012 8.26 3.67 128 2.91 0.009

0.0035 2.9 4.72 2.3 2.21 0.58 0.395 9.11 3.57 0.275 0.193 0.195 0.012 1.69 8.02 3.02 0.5 1 0.011 0.011 4 0.012 8.18 3.6 125 2.9 0.0086

MINING & OIL 0.004 1,791,000,000 2.95 243,000 4.86 337,000 2.3 118,000 2.3 20,000 0.58 3,000 0.395 540,000 9.33 46,500 3.6 6,642,000 0.28 800,000 0.194 1,780,000 0.205 50,000 0.012 100,700,000 1.7 222,000 8.34 5,940,100 3.08 426,000 0.5 20,000 1 74,000 0.011 86,000,000 0.011 1,000,000 4.19 36,000 0.012 8,700,000 8.25 1,096,300 3.62 1,248,000 125.5 705,820 2.91 3,000 0.0086 12,000,000

6,853,000 720,390 1,613,520 271,900 46,450 1,740 216,400 435,896 24,149,180 231,500 346,970 9,850 1,243,500 376,230 49,272,351 1,320,210 10,000 74,750 984,200 11,000 145,090 104,400 9,028,386 4,506,920 89,449,442 8,720 106,100

-19,090 -11,050 1,728,370 -2,050 15,016,138 -61,920 6,709,646 39,690 26,826,340 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

45.4 520.5 535 104.9 109.9 520 1,030 1,026 1.07 110 1,100 1,230 77.95 80.5 77.5 79 80 77.6 78.1

45.55 534.5 535 105 109.9 520 1,030 1,026 1.07 110 1,100 1,230 77.95 82 77.5 79 80 77.85 78.4

45.2 520 535 104.9 109.9 520 1,030 1,020 1.07 110 1,100 1,229 77.95 80.5 77.5 79 80 77.6 78.1

PREFERRED 45.2 134,600 534.5 1,980 535 5,490 104.9 15,070 109.9 260 520 400 1,030 3,100 1,020 770 1.07 92,000 110 8,240 1,100 90 1,229 825 77.95 1,000 81 45,460 77.5 51,810 79 1,250 80 3,740 77.85 1,770 78.15 401,930

6,097,975 1,032,410 2,937,150 1,580,937 28,574 208,000 3,193,000 788,820 98,440 906,400 99,000 1,014,740 77,950 3,685,900 4,015,275 98,750 299,200 137,669.50 31,412,439.50

-2,575,805 96,210 -2,937,150 98,700 92,340 98,440 99,000 98,750 99,200 98,869.50 9,482,784

LR WARRANT

2.29

2.35

2.29

WARRANTS 2.29 19,000

44,200

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

2.84 3.62 2.9 9.75

2.84 3.63 2.9 10.02

2.75 3.5 2.9 9.5

2.75 3.63 2.9 9.5

2,854,320 241,300 5,800 29,624,012

8,400 3,620 -2,798,102

FIRST METRO ETF

116.4

117.1

116.4

1,995,325

-

NAME

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

19,200,499

INDUSTRIAL

101,760,930

HOLDING FIRMS

92,178,290

PROPERTY

145,090,433

SERVICES

339,257,933

MINING & OIL

2,019,840,202

GRAND TOTAL

2,721,482,168

SME

1,022,000 67,000 2,000 3,044,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.4 17,080

VALUE 1,725.14 (up) 8.16 1,230,640,739.36 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,132.01 (up) 156.33 1,956,925,232.534 HOLDING FIRMS 7,126.92 (up) 43.55 1,542,586,972.95 PROPERTY 3,167.69 (up) 62.66 SERVICES 1,324.14 (up) 8.67 1,538,612,662.27 MINING & OIL 11,815.04 (up) 48.33 1,644,451,001.00 PSEI 7,050.12 (up) 83.84 191,625,657.20 All Shares Index 4,242.40 (up) 30.95 8,139,568,502.154 Gainers: 91; Losers: 78; Unchanged: 53; Total: 222

economy under a Trump presidency after his bellicose rhetoric regarding trade agreements and spending plans that could ramp up inflation—and borrowing costs—at home.

While a surge in the dollar against the yen has sent Tokyo’s Nikkei to nine-month highs, emerging market bourses and currencies have been hit with an outflow of foreign cash as traders bet on better returns in the United States.

The Nikkei ended flat while Hong Kong edged down 0.1 percent and Sydney gained 0.2 percent.

Shanghai was flat, Seoul added 0.1 percent and Jakarta eased 0.1 percent, while Kuala Lumpur dipped 0.2 percent. However, Manila gained almost one percent after data showed the Philippines economy grew more than expected in July-September.

“Asian markets have been lacking conviction this afternoon,” Gary Huxtable, client advisor at Atlantic Pacific Securities in Australia, said in a note.

The fluctuations came after a tepid lead from Wall Street, where the Dow fell from a record high after a seven-day winning run.

Attention now turns to Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen’s testimony to congress later in the day, with traders poring over her comments hoping she will provide some idea about the bank’s monetary policy in light of Trump’s win.

Markets had largely expected the Fed to lift rates next month and then gradually through next year. But analysts say that if Trump follows through with pledges to boost spending and cut taxes, inflation could rocket, forcing the Fed to act.

UCPB’s net profit rises 45% to P2.88b UNITED Coconut Planters Bank said Wednesday profit in the first nine months climbed 45 percent to P2.88 billion from a year ago, led by higher net interest income.

UCPB said net interest income grew 15 percent to P7.21 billion, on the back of a double-digit increase in loans and deposits.

“Appetite for consumer loans continues to grow as well as our deposits. We are on track to meet our targets this year, and we thank our customers for their continued trust in the bank,” UCPB president and chief executive Higinio Macadaeg Jr. said.

Loans grew 17 percent to P136 billion, on the double-digit rise in consumer loan bookings and corporate loans. Consumer loans jumped 28 percent to P58.2 billion, while corporate loans rose 10 percent to P77.8 billion.

The low-cost current and savings accounts, which are used to fund consumer loans, climbed 16 percent to P175.9 billion as of end-September from P151.3 billion a year ago.

Non-interest income also increased 31 percent to P2.42 billion from P1.85 billion a year earlier, supported by a 64-percent growth in trading gains to P1.14 billion from P695.14 million.

Income from trust operations rose 39 percent to P88.52 million from P63.78 million.

Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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Miners vow to uphold responsible operations

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

B

AGUIO CITY―The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association reiterated the industry’s commitment to practice responsible mining.

“Our member companies are committed to responsible mining. I think all the companies are doing it right,” PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento said Thursday.

“We’re not a perfect industry and in spite of the heavy regulations, people and companies are responding to make sure that they’re doing it right,” Sarmiento said at the sidelines of the 63rd Annual Mine Safety and Environmental Conference in Camp John Hay. The conference was attended by more than 4,000 mineral industry workers, professionals and students from all over the country.

One of the main events of the conference is the Mining Exhibit and Mineral Industry Symposium which gives importance to the need to adapt through challenging times with technological breakthroughs and new research to ensure safe and environmentally friendly practices are undertaken.

The event was attended by counterparts from South Africa, led by the deputy minister for mineral resources Godfrey Oliphant and Ambassador to the Philippines Martin Slaberg.

Oliphant, a former diamond mine worker, expressed hope for knowledge sharing of technology and best practices and partnership with then Philippines in the future.

“Before, [mine] accidents in Africa reaches more than 200 and that is unacceptable in an industry like mining. Of course, there’s always high risks but because of what they did in terms of risk management, they were able to lower that dramatically through the years,” Sarmiento said.

“Together with the help of the regulatory, they managed to improve their safety statistics. We cannot do it alone, the government―and this was demonstrated by the South African government―should help the industry improve their safety records,” he said.

Sarmiento said the government and the mining industry should work hand in hand in order to improve the industry.

“We need both. The regulator and the one being regulated should help each other. It’s a journey. We cannot do it in an instant. Africa has best practices that we’re still not implementing. We can do it here and I think the industry is willing to adapt,” Sarmiento said.

“Now more than ever, we should all gather and show our strength and solidarity in advocating for responsible mining. I am encouraging the industry to keep doing what is right,” said Sarmiento.

SOLAR INVESTMENT. Growup Investment Asia appoints

Laurelmedia president Veronica Laurel Merk as marketing and promotions directress for its renewable energy project in the Philippines.

The ‘Nature’ Power Solar Energy will substantially reduce electrical consumption of city malls and halls, private and public establishments such as hospitals, parks, churches, beach resorts and residential and household subdivision and communities. Growup Investment Asia’s invention is tested in all institutional places in Japan and have quality assets at par with those of North America and EU. Shown are (from left) Merk who is a graduate of humanities at Sophia University in Japan, GIA president Koichi Tajima, Masahiro Sakashita and Takeshi Nishida.

Semirara supports two marine reserves

INTEGRATED energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corp. has pledged to support the Caluya local government unit’s campaign to declare two near-shore sites in Semirara Island as marine reserves or marine protected areas.

MPAs are coastal or marine areas placed under conservation or protection regimes by communities, local ordinances or national laws to restrict human activity.

Located in Barangays Alegria and Tinogboc, the two near-shore sites were also identified as possible MPAs by Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, a leading marine and terrestrial research organization.

Led by National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala and with the support of SMPC, SUAKCREM conducted a biological survey of Semirara Island’s marine environment in 2015.

“Prior to this research, marine diversity around the island was undocumented. We wanted an independent study to help resolve concerns and allegations

of environmental degradation in Semirara Island,” said SMPC president and chief operating officer Victor Consunji.

According to the SUAKCREM study, “Contrary to expectation for mining areas, the reefs surveyed has extensive coverage of live hard coral cover and relatively high fish biomass and density.”

However, the research team also noted that certain sites may have been affected by siltation and fishing activities but these sites have the potential to recover if “strictly protected from heavy fishing”.

Following SUAKCREM’s recommendation, SMPC plans to meet with its host community and the LGU to determine how best to support their marine conservation campaign.

SMPC is also pledging to restock giant clams on the two sites once these are legally declared as MPAs. The company breeds and reseeds giant clams through its Marine Hatchery Laboratory in Semirara Island.

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

The man made lake makes the ideal backdrop for the new Ford Escape.

Kia Motors changes the test-driving game COLUMBIAN Autocar Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, is giving Kia fans the chance to experience an innovative new take on the tired, old test drive process. The high-tech Kia Hands On Driveprogram limits the influence of sales representatives in the testing stage to let customershave a more engaging driving experience while they test out the cars.

This is the first program of its kind to be rolled out in the world, and the Philippines is one thefirst two countries to experience this new and exciting way of test driving cars.Simply book an appointment for a test drive at kiahandson.com and download the KiaHands On app on your mobile device.

Columbian Autocar says the app is available in the App Store for IOS and onGoogle Play for android devices.

The app will serve as your key and will allow you to unlock and start the car once your test drive begins.

Administrators will be monitoring the test drives remotely via GPS. The unique set-up, where the test driver won’t be accompanied by a Kia representative, gives the customer a relaxedand comfortable test drive experience.

Available for test-drive will be the Picanto, one of the best-selling subcompact hatchbacks inthe country.

A mainstay on Philippine streets, the Picanto is petite, nimble and accessible.The Rio, Kia’s versatile compact sedan will look to excite test drivers with its impressive fueleconomy and standout looks.

It’s more fun I exploring with Ford

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

N AN effort to solidify its market share and strengthen its presence in the domestic market, Ford Group Philippines hosted a two- week ride and drive event last week. Held at the historic Clark Economic Zone, a former bastion of the U.S. military in South East Asia, the Ford SUV Experience event played host to motoring scribes from neighboring countries such as China, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Korea.

The goal was to experience Ford’s heritage and expertise while promoting the natural beauty and scenic destinations of the Pampanga province. This writer was part of the first batch of motoring media which included Vietnam and Korea.

For this momentous event, Ford prepared their SUV lineup led by the all-new Expedition, followed by its top selling variants, the Ford Ecosport and Everest, plus the all new Escape and Explorer SUV’s. To give the participants adequate downtime with the vehicles, we were grouped into sets of four with two persons per vehicle. I shared my ride with motoring colleague Anjo Perez of Wheels Ph. Our first taste of the SUV experience took us around the San Fernando and Angeles for a bit of urban exploration driving the Ecosport to savor delectable Kapampangan cuisine and learn a thing or two on how to make lanterns. In the Afternoon, we had our fill of some off-road fun as we drove through the trail of Mt. Pinatubo, which was a mix

The Ford Everest gets an impromptu car wash.

Air compressor

by OMP WITH numerous brands of small air compressors being sold in the market, finding the right one can be a bit tricky, but definitely worth your while when you find the perfect model for your requirements. OMP, a global brand recognized for its rich heritage in automotive racing has engineered and designed a compact air compressor which has a smaller motor for less noise and vibration.

Aside from its affordability, the OMP Meccanica series air compressor provides a quick and effortless inflation of automotive, motorcycle, bicycles tires, sporting equipment and small inflatable. A long three meters cord comes with it for easy access to inflating car tires. During night emergency inflation, four LED lights provide illumination while you work on your tires.

OMP also made the Meccanica series air compressors out of tough and durable ABS plastic and with a carry handle for easy transport. It is small enough to fit in your motorcycle bag.

The OMP Meccanica air compressor is powerful enough for most applications, be it commercial work or advanced home projects that require additional pressure or power that other small air compressors could not provide.

OMP’s line of compact air compressors and battery jump starters are available to Blade lifestyle shops in SM and Robinson’s malls around the country.

of volcanic ash, sand and deep water beds behind the wheel of a bone stock Everest. The SUV never faltered considering that we were riding on stock tires which was impressive.

The following day started early as we headed off to the Green Canyon Resort, the country’s first eco-adventure resort in the country built with sustainable living in mind. With some of our colleagues availing of the massage at the waiting area, our group decided to explore the dirt trail of the resort driving the luxurious Explorer.

The last stop of the day was the Lakeshore, a modern community surrounding a lake filled with aquatic life. Here, participants did some fishing, kite flying and biking, which reflected Ford’s outdoor lifestyle.

It was an adventure and fun-filled two days for motoring scribes, and for me, an emotional one because my first trip to Mt. Pinatubo was also with a Ford vehicle way back in the nineties. Ford left no stone unturned in making this one a memorable experience.

Buyers test Honda’s mettle at STV drivefest HONDA Cars Philippines Inc. is taking part in the STV Auto Focus Pre-Christmas Test Drive Festival 2016 to allow its customers experience Hondaís dynamic performance and advantages through this four-day test drive activity.

This grand test drive event is the perfect opportunity for customers to experience firsthand the class leading features and technologies of Honda vehicles, including the City, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Jazz, Mobilio, Odyssey, and Pilot.

Customers may also test drive

for the first time both variants (1.5 S CVT and 1.5 V Navi CVT) of Hondaís recently launched 7-seater SUV, the All-New BR-V. The AllNew BR-V is Hondaís most affordable addition to its Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) lineup that promises an uncompromised driving performance with its advanced features and technology. The All-New BR-V will be available in the Philippine market starting December 2016 with a suggested retail price of Php 989,000 for the 1.5 S CVT, and Php 1,119,000 for the 1.5 V Navi CVT.

Furthermore, HCPI will showcase the sportier and bolder New City and Jazz Black Edition. The New City and Jazz Black Edition flaunt a Crystal Black Pearl paint complemented by exclusive all-black genuine Modulo or MUGEN accessories that further elevate the athletic appeal of Hondaís subcompact vehicles. Only a total of one hundred (100) units will be available for the Black Edition, hence customers are already encouraged to reserve to be one of the few to own this exclusive offer.

To celebrate the Christmas sea-

son, HCPI extends its Most Wonderful Deal of the Year campaign at the test drive festival. Customers who will inquire, test drive, and reserve any Honda vehicle will be entitled a corresponding number of entries for a chance to win an iPhone 7, GoPro Hero 5 Black, Php 100,000 Cash Rebate, and a grand prize of an All-New BR-V. The STV Auto Focus Pre-Christmas Test Drive Festival 2016 organized by Butch Gamboa runs until vember 20, 2016 at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

LGUs

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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SEASON’S THE REASON. Quezon City Hall workers install a Christmas ‘Belen’ beside the Quezon City Memorial Circle in preparation for the coming holidays. Manny Palmero

Davao to anchor DoT push for ‘joshi tabi’ D AVAO CITY—This city has everything going for it in competing as a worldclass tourist destination for women, particularly Japan’s “joshi tabi” or female traveler market, the Department of Tourism said on Thursday.

That’s why Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo has ordered the creation of the Department’s Mindanao Office and tasked DoT Assistant Secretary Eden David, who will head the office, and Tourist Attaché to Tokyo Gwen Batoon to organize joshi tabi tour packages right away.

Japan is the Philippines’ fourth-biggest source of inbound tourists, with more than 360,000 arrivals as of the second quarter of 2016 according to DoT data.

In 2015, Japanese arrivals to the country counted more than

490,000, generating 9.25 percent of the total market share.

David said Davao will bank on its lush greenery, rich biodiversity, pristine beaches, exotic gourmet food, and amenities for wellness services in putting together these all-female Japanese tour packages.

The success of a familiarization tour held here last week, participated in by least 12 major Japanese travel executives and bloggers, was a good sign for DoT’s joshi tabi program, Batoon added.

“Davao City’s soothing tranquility, oneness with nature, isolated beaches, Class-A wellness services—particularly massage and beauty care—and the native cuisine may prove to be irresistible attractions to Japanese women,” she added.

The tour group, which included three Tokyo-based women executives, particularly enjoyed the visit to the Malagos Garden Resort, where they mingled with exotic birds.

At the Pearl Farm Beach Resort in nearby Samal Island—a known honeymooners’ paradise—the Japanese visitors pampered themselves with gourmet and massage services, Batoon added.

Women travelers are an important travel segment, the tourist attaché said, citing a 2016 Japan Tourism Marketing Co.

study that says 60 percent of women make travel decisions by themselves.

Joshi tabi are likely to come to the Philippines for its multigateway destination, providing easy access to both urban and natural attractions, and the Filipino’s uniquely warm hospitality, Batoon said.

“It seems more reasonable for Japanese travelers in general to fly low-cost carriers to the Philippines and stay here in a luxury hotel with luxury amenities,” she added.

Batoon said the Philippines has largely been undiscovered by the Japanese to date, with the country’s over 7,000 islands and the increasing number of high-end shopping malls, resorts and spas in the country offering numerous possibilities. Sandy Araneta

NCIP, DILG asked to step into IP row BAGUIO CITY—In an effort to prevent “reverse discrimination,” Mayor Mauricio Domogan has asked the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to address the various issues surrounding the selection of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the City Council.

The NCIP and DILG must clarify how IPMR officers are selected and appointed, especially in localities dominated by indigenous peoples, Domogan said.

On November 4, about 300 IPs, mostly Ibalois, voted Roger Sinot to represent them on the City Council in an election facilitated by the NCIP. However, Sinot has yet to assume office pending orders from both the NCIP and DILG. Elders of the city-based Ivadoys, Kalanguyas and Kankanaeys are questioning the selection process, saying the event is allegedly a product of “farcical,

Laguna drug op nets 3 brothers

Informal settlers gain new homes SOME 105 informal settler families, many of whom are occupying waterways in Barangay Bagbag, have been added to the list of qualified beneficiaries of Quezon City’s socialized housing projects.

The new batch of beneficiaries will be occupying the Bistekville 8 housing project recently inaugurated by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Former Ambassador Bienvenido Tan Jr. donated the property, which sits on a 1,973 square-meter property near Kingspoint Subdivision in Barangay Bagbag, to the city gover nment for public use.

The project yields about 105 housing units in a three-

storey walk-up building, with each unit measuring 21 square meters excluding the corridor area. Urban poor families within the vicinity of the Bagbag cemetery will also benefit from the project.

According to the QC Housing and Community Development and Resettlement Department (HCDRD), formerly the urban poor affairs office headed by Ramon Asprer, at least three Bistekville projects are now fully developed.

Bistekville 1 is in Barangay Payatas, Bistekville 2 in Barangay Kaligayahan, and Bistekville 6 is in Barangay Fairview.

Bistekville 9 in Barangay Gulod has been scheduled for turnover. Rio Nolasco

STUFFED. Candidates from Sulu for Rajah and Rahnee ng ARMM 2016 introduce one of their Tausug

delicacies, an ‘okoh-okoh’ sea urchin shell filled with a stuffing of rice with ginger and turmeric to the media during the Sulu Food festival on Thursday inside the ARMM compound in Cotabato City. The Rajah and Rahnee ng ARMM 2016 pageant is part of the month-long celebration of the 27th ARMM Anniversary dubbed ‘Pakaradjaan sa ARMM.’ Omar Mangorsi

Baguio to make do with P12m for Panagbenga BAGUIO CITY—Organizers of the 22nd Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga will work with a budget of P12 million to bankroll the activities lined up for the month-long festivities that would sustain the influx of more visitors and to help perk up the local tourism industry.

The Baguio Flower Festival

Foundation, Inc. will raise P7 million to P8 million from the various income-generating activities and sponsors of the Panagbenga to sustain its the different events, said Anthony de Leon, co-chairman of the Panagbenga Executive Committee and president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio.

illegal and serious violation” of the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. Copies of the protest letters of the representatives of the three IP groups have been furnished the offices of Mayor Domogan, Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, the NCIP and the DILG for their action.

Domogan said there will come a time “that the minorities in the areas dominated by IPs will claim that they are now the ones who are being discriminated, thus, the occurrence of reverse discrimination,” if the concerned local governments will continue to allow the IPMR to occupy a seat in their local legislative body where there are in fact more IP legislators on it.

“We have to make sure on the availability and clarity of the rules governing the selection and appointment of IPMR in localities that are dominated by IPs to avoid suspicion from the minorities that there is reverse discrimination in the said places,” the mayor stressed. Dexter A. See

Meanwhile, the local government will use its P4-million subsidy specifically for the prizes of the winners of the different contests lined up for the duration of the festival, De Leon added.

By comparison, organizers of the Sinulog festival in Cebu spend more than P60 million

for their weeklong festivities, while the Ati-Atihan in Iloilo costs at least P35 million to undertake. The Masskara festival in Bacolod City also has a budget of about P25 million.

The Panagbenga will kick off on Feb. 1, 2017 with the grand opening parade and the elimination round of the grand

street-dancing parade for the elementary and secondary levels. The festival will run until March 5, 2017.

De Leon said the quality of the festival’s activities continues to improve significantly every year compared to the other big festivals in the country. Dexter A. See

CALAMBA, Laguna—A “high-value” drug suspect was killed and his two brothers were captured after a raid to remove illegal drugs in this city on Wednesday morning.

Calamba City Police Chief Supt Albert Tapulao said the suspect, Herman Manila, was killed after resisting arrest at Barangay Palingon here at 5 a.m. on November 16.

Police were conducting a buy-bust operation and executing a search warrant in the area when an encounter with Manila occurred, Tapulao added.

They recovered 36 sachets of suspected shabu and an Ingram machine pistol from the scene.

Manila’s brothers, Ronnel and Rommel, were also captured in the operation.

All three suspects were on the regional police’s high-value drug suspect list, Tapulao said.

Meanwhile in Cabuyao City, an armed encounter developed during a buy-bust operation at Barangay 3, leading to the capture of suspect Allan Pabalan.

Roy Tomandao

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

LGUs

DILG ‘solutions bank’ unwrapped L OCAL Government Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno has challenged local government units nationwide to “dare to innovate and care to share” by joining the “Innovative Solutions Bank” of the Local Government Academy (LGA).

Department said in a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the Local Government Code.

Under this program, an LGU will be given training to replicate selected policies of another LGU. Sueno lauded the first three LGUs that “deposited” their solutions in the bank: Quezon City The solutions bank would has- strategic solutions for specific for its anti-drug and rehabilitaten the collection, dissemina- governance challenges faced tion campaign; Tagum City for tion, and creation of practical yet by local governments, Sueno’s regulatory simplification; and

Barangay Hingatungan in Silago, Leyte for its work in Katarungang Pambarangay, or barangay justice system.

“LGUs and the sovereign Filipino citizenry are in better times nowadays. Exemplar LGUs can systematically share their process of local governance best practice to replicating LGUs through the Innovative Solutions Bank. This is a manifestation of being partners

for change with compassion or malasakit,” said Sueno.

“Let’s start the incoming year with the spirit of sharing and caring for an inclusive nation-building,” he added.

Sueno also urged experienced local officials to mentor newly elected officials (NEOs) through the LGA’s “Mentoring for Optimal Leadership and Development (MOLD) the NEOs Program.”

The program pairs local chief executives, such as mayors and gover nors, with more experienced off icials to lear n effective leadership strategies. A mentoring contract aligns the mentor and NEOs’ expectations and guides them throughout their time together, Sueno said.

“Let us share what’s within our capability to bring about real change,” he added. PIA

4 fall in Dasma shabu drug op DASMARIÑAS CITY—Two men and two women were arrested Thursday in a buybust operation by the Cavite Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group and city police at Barangay Sampaloc 4 here.

Nine plastic sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from suspects Emmalyn Gepiga, 43; Rodolfo “Jon-Jon” Deldio Jr., 43; Paulino Agoho, 22; and Grace Regoroso, 40, along with drug paraphernalia and marked money used in the operation.

Except for Agoho, a resident of Barangay Malabon in General Trias City, the suspects all live in Zone 4 of Barangay Sampaloc 4.

Deldio, a professional driver, and the unemployed Regoroso surrendered to the group led by Police Insp.

Marcelino Perez Male. Gepiga and Agoho were caught at around 11 a.m. by elements of the Dasmarinas City Police Station in coordination with agents of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency Region 4A. They will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and are detained at the Dasmariñas CCPS Cell.

The suspected shabu was brought to Cavite Provincial Crime Laboratory for Examination. Benjamin B. Chavez

SPRUCING UP. The town square of General Trias in Cavite gets a facelift in time for Christmas. Contributed Photo

UPLB’s Garibay tops civil engineer board exams UNIVERSITY of the Philippines-Los Baños graduate Sirven Carandang Garibay has topped the 2016 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission with a rating of 93.20 percent.

Garibay emerged the topnotcher among the 5,036 passers out of 10,972 examinees from the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de

Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban and Zamboanga this month.

Second and third placers were Samuel Eliezer Yu Uy (92.75) and Selina Dianne King Bernardo (92.65), both of the University of San Carlos.

Kenneth Suba-an Acas of Father Saturnino Urios University was in fourth place (92.20), followed by Lenielle Babon Ama-

tosa of the Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila (92.05) in fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 were Alvin Cleofe Sanvictores of Batangas State UniversityAlangilan (91.95); John Mervin Cabrador Bocatcat of Camarines Norte State College-Daet (91.85); Peter Paul Esparto Basiloy of the University of Eastern Philippines-Catarman, and

Kathreen Louise Pascual del Rosario of Bulacan State University-Malolos (91.70); Nikko Sidro Baldevizo Baluyot of the University of Eastern Philippines-Catarman, Jeremias Yang Marquez Jr. of the Cebu Institute of Technology, and Hiroshi Clarin Ueki of UP-Diliman (91.50); and Franz Josef Juscom Ceniza of the University of San Carlos (91.45).

Coring test for P10-m Baguio road ordered

Prison project bidders gain time PREQUALIFIED bidders will have more time to work on their bid proposals for the Regional Prison Facilities to be located in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija as the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections pushed the bid submission to April 27, 2017.

Prequalified bidders were poised to submit their bids on Nov. 24, 2016, the PublicPrivate Partnership Center said.

The announcement was made through General Bid Bulletin No. 25-2016 issued by DOJ’s Pre-Qualifications, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) published on Nov. 8, 2016.

The Regional Prison Facilities through PPP Project is the first PPP project for the DOJ and BuCor and the first of its kind in the country.

Local bidders Mega Structure Consortium, San Miguel Holdings Inc. and DM Consunji Inc. have all prequalified for the P50.2-billion project.

The DOJ and BuCor are asking its prospective private partner to finance, design, construct, and maintain the prison facility, with the BuCor having complete control over the operations of the proposed regional prison.

The top performing schools with 50 or more examinees with at least 80 percent passing percentage are UP-Diliman with a 96.08 passing rate; UPLB (95.16); Technological University of the Philippines-Manila (90.35); University of Santo Tomas (85.98); Pangasinan State University-Urdaneta (85.71); and University of Rizal System-Morong (84.31). PNA

TWO FOR TREES. An expectant mother and her young child frolic beside two Christmas trees erected at the By the Bay park in Pasay City. Lino Santos

BAGUIO CITY—Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan has ordered the City Engineering Office to perform a coring test on the P10-million Irisan road project in Purok 12 leading to the site of the Philippine Science High School to check the quality of the completed work before accepting the long-overdue project from its contractor.

Under a coring test, samples of a concrete pavement would be randomly taken from the completed works of the contractor concerned. Accredited companies would subject the samples to a strength test to determine if a contractor used the prescribed concrete design mix for the road.

Residents in the Irisan area have complained of the alleged poor workmanship of the road project, with evident cracks along the stretch of the road from its junction along Naguilian Road up to the PSHS campus.

The road was ordered rebuilt to benefit motorists passing along its length, the students and officials going to and from the science high school, and the community around Irisan.

But Domogan admitted the project’s implementation has only drawn complaints from the area’s residents, who cited the cracks and obvious scouring in various sections of the pavement.

“We already gave instructions to the City Engineering Office to conduct the appropriate coring test, whether or not the design mix of the concrete used for the project was in accordance with the prescribed industry standards,” he said.

If ever the samples from Irisan fail the coring test, Domogan said the city government would oblige the contractor to remove and replace the defective concrete pavement.

Previously, contractors were required to have their own cement batching plants outside the city to guarantee their compliance with the design mix and standard quality strength of 3,400 pounds per square inch of the pavement.

Baguio also has an ordinance that prevents contractors from using “job mix” or concrete mixing jobs and cement batching stations along major roads and all barangays in the city, in an effort to keep the roads open and ease traffic.

Domogan added the city government will make it a policy to conduct mandatory coring tests in all of Baguio’s major infrastructure projects, to determine if the winning contractors implemented their projects properly. Dexter A. See

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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Prince William warns of extinction

H

ANOI―Britain’s Prince William on Thursday delivered a dire warning on the fate of the world’s endangered wildlife, telling a major conference in Hanoi that vulnerable species are being killed at a “horrifying” rate.

Vietnam is a global hub for the illicit trade of contraband animal products, including ivory, rhino horn, pangolin, tiger and bear parts.

The communist country is both a top consumer and popular transit route for illegal products from Africa that are smuggled over to other Asian markets, notably China.

Speaking at the Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, William urged governments around the world to act quickly to save vulnerable species before it is too late.

“We know that we aren’t moving fast enough to keep up with the crisis. Rhinos, elephants, pangolins, lions, they are still being killed in horrifying numbers,” he said.

“While we’ve made progress, the truth is we are still falling behind. A betting man would still bet on extinction.”

The prince, who has become a champion of wildlife conservation, added that recent data showing a 30 percent decline of elephant populations in Africa in the past seven years “confirmed our worst fears”.

He cautioned that poachers and trafficking syndicates are becoming more sophisticated and said tastes for wildlife products like ivory and rhino horn need to be curbed.

The illegal wildlife industry, estimated to be worth $20 billion, is driven EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF FELIX B. MORALES WITH WAIVER OF SHARES AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS

PRESENT. Actress Makenzie Leigh attends the 2016 Guggenheim International Pre-Party made

Notice is hereby given that the Estates of the late FELIX B. MORALES, who died on April 30, 1989 at Pangasinan Medical Center, Inc. has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF FELIX B. MORALES WITH WAIVER OF SHARES AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS among their heirs over a parcel of land covered by TCT No. 34712; the heirs agreed to adjudicate among themselves, that they release, waive and transfer their rights in favor of their co-heirs, EMER JOHN M. MACAPAGAL and ELTON JOHN M. MACAPAGAL, the parcel of land and existing improvements covered by TCT No. 34712; as per instrument dated June 28, 2016; known as per Doc. No. 432;Page No. 88; Book No. III; Series of 2016 under the Notary Public ATTY. CLAUDETTE C. TOLENTINO.

LOS ANGELES―Four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening was honored with a glitzy tribute night in Hollywood on Wednesday― but spent the evening swooning over “cool” husband Warren Beatty.

Questioned about her glittering 28-year career before a packed audience at the American Film Institute’s AFI Fest, the 56-yearold preferred to talk up Beatty’s acting and directing prowess.

“When he acts in his movies, it’s very interesting. The simplicity of it is beautiful,” Bening told the crowd at the TCL Chinese Theater.

“He’s telling people what to do―’you go over there, you go over there’―and he’s directing the scene, and he just gets up, walks over... ‘Okay, roll it.’

“That’s pretty cool. That’s just one cool thing about my husband.”

Bening grew up in San Diego, California, and worked as a cook to finance drama studies at San Francisco State University.

She broke onto the silver screen with “The Great Outdoors,” in 1988 and the next year played the wicked Marquise de Merteuil in Milos Forman’s “Valmont.”

She was applauded by critics and won her first Oscar nomination playing a con artist in the neo-noir crime drama “The Grifters,” opposite John Cusack and Anjelica Huston.

The buzz propelled her to a starring role opposite Beatty in 1992’s “Bugsy,” and a Golden Globe nomination.

Bening and Beatty, who celebrate their silver wedding anniversary next year, have four children―Kathlyn, Benjamin, Isabel and Ella Corinne.

The glamorous duo starred opposite one another again in “Love Affair” (1994), a remake of the classic “An Affair to Remember” (1957).

Bening struck gold again at age 43 as the unfaithful wife of a suburban dad hitting a midlife crisis in “American Beauty” (1999).

The role brought her second Oscar nomination but, after winning a third nod for 2005’s “Adorable Julia,” she kept a relatively low profile.

She burst back onto the scene in 2010 with “The Kids Are All Right,” in which she played Nic to Julianne Moore’s Jules, a lesbian couple bringing up two children conceived by artificial insemination.

Bening earned her fourth Oscar nomination, but ended up with the best actress Golden Globe.

She was directed by Beatty once more in “Rules Don’t Apply,” which was screened last week at the opening of the AFI Fest.

Beatty, a 14-time Oscar nominee for acting, producing, directing and writing, stars as US entrepreneur Howard Hughes in the comedy biopic, which is due to be released next week.

“I was so thrilled to watch him on the set,” she told moderator Lisa Cholodenko, her director on “The Kids Are All Right.”

“I did get to act in the movie and that made me very happy, and he was very enthusiastic and encouraging of what I was doing.”

Asked about her career highlight, she pointed to “Bugsy,” where she met 79-yearold Beatty.

Bening’s latest starring part is in family comedy drama “20th Century Women,” by indie director Mike Mills, which was shown as part of the tribute.

“I feel like Annette is an incredibly smart person. She is also really emotionally intelligent. She has the talent and insight to honor how complicated people are,” Mills told AFP ahead of the screening.

Bening was asked by reporters about speculation in the trade press that both she and her husband might win Oscars at next year’s ceremony.

But she batted away the question, replying: “All I can say is this is a great night tonight. I’m just living in the moment.” AFP

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE NEGOTIATED PROCUREMENT UNDER TWO- FAILED BIDDING FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF AMBULANCE AND SERVICE VEHICLE 1. In view of the two (2) failed public biddings, the Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites interested bidders to participate in the negotiation for the Ambulance and Service Vehicle with an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of FOUR MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (P4,300,000.00) in accordance with Section 53.1 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” 2. The Following eligibility and technical documents as well as the Financial Proposal Form shall be submitted on or before December 2, 2016, (Friday) 10:00am at the 4th Floor Conference Room, Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)

SEC or DTI Mayor’s/ Business Permit Taxpayer’s Identification Number Tax Clearance CY 2014-2015 Audited Financial Statement w/ ITR Certificate of Philgeps Registration License to Operate (LTO) Bid Security (In the Form of Cash, Managers Check, Surety Bond or Bid Securing Declaration (i) Compliance with schedule of Requirements and Technical Specification (j) Omnibus sworn Statement (k) Authority of the signatory or Secretary Certificate (l) The statement of all ongoing and completed government and private contracts shall include all such contracts with similar contracts for CY 2014-2015 (m) Documents Request List (form Philgeps) (n) Delivery Schedule (o) Certificate of Good performance from three (3) government hospital (q) NFCC Computation 3. Opening of the Eligibility, Technical Documents and Financial Proposal will be on December 2, 2016, 10:00am.

4. For further information, you may call the VMC-BAC Secretariat at 2944625 from 9:00am to 4:00 pm.

5. The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any offer, to annul the negotiation process and to reject all offers at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to affected firms. (sgd) JOSEPH T. NOCOM, MD, BAC Chairperson (MS-NOV. 18, 2016)

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE

Markets and Securities Regulation Department IN THE MATTER OF CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - Registrantx---------------------------------------x

: SEC MSRD Order No. 35 Series of 2016 : Registration of Commercial Papers :

ORDER Upon consideration of the Registration Statement and other papers and documents attached thereto filed on behalf of CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, the Commission, in its meeting of 14 November 2016, favorably considered the application for registration of One Billion Three Hundred Million Pesos (P1,300,000,000.00) worth of Commercial Papers, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 8 and 12 of the Securities Regulation Code.

Let a Certificate of Permit to Offer Securities for Sale be issued in favor of the subject company authorizing the sale and distribution of the aforementioned securities.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the Issuer in a newspaper of general circulation and uploaded in its website within two (2) business days from its issuance. The corporation is hereby directed to furnish the Commission with a copy of the affidavit of publication of this Order.

SO ORDERED. EDSA, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, November 14,2016.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director (MS-NOV. 18, 2016) Republic of the Phlippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission IN THE MATTER OF

: : REGISTRATION OF : COMMERCIAL PAPERS : x-----------------------------------------x CITYLAND, INC.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 10 November 2016 a sworn Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CITYLAND, INC., for the registration of Six Hundred Ninety Million Pesos (Php690, 000,000.00) worth of commercial papers.

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the officers/directors of the corporation: Name Stephen C. Roxas Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef C. Gohoc Paul Y. Ung Peter S. Dee Alice C. Gohoc Helen C. Roxas Emma A. Choa Rudy Go Eden F. Go Melita M. Revuelta Romeo E. Ng Melita L. Tan Emma G. Jularbal

Position Director/Chairman of the Board Director/Vice-Chairman of the Board Director/Deputy Vice-Chairman of the Board Director/President Independent Director Independent Director Director Director Executive Vice President/Treasurer Senior Vice President/Compliance Officer Vice President Vice President/Assistant Corporate Secretary Vice President Vice President Vice President-Legal Affairs /Corporate Secretary

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively known as “RS”) are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party, upon request at such fees as the Commission may prescribe. The RS and the Prospectus dated 10 November 2016 and the corresponding updated version may be downloaded from www.cityland.net.

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com

INVITATION TO BID PUBLIC BIDDING NO.: VMC-2016-029 The VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER invites all eligible bidders to bid on: DESCRIPTION Procurement of Drugs & Medicines CY 2016 (Rebid)for 2nd Semester

PROJECT ALLOCATION NON-REFUNDABLE FEE P 6,666,881.56

1M -5M P5,000.00 5M up-10M- 10,000.00

The bidding documents shall be available to interested bidders at the BAC Secretariat, BAC Office, 2/F, VMC, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City from 9:00AM to 3:00PM, starting November 16, 2016 upon payment of non-refundable fee as indicated above. Only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre bid conference and raise or submit written queries (see revised IRR of RA 9184). The pre-bidding conference will be on November 25, 2016, 10:00 am at the Conference Room, 4/F, VMC Annex Bldg., Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. Bid opening will be on January 12, 2017, 10:00AM at the 4/F, VMC Conference Room, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.

All particulars relative to bid evaluation and award of contract shall be governed by the provisions of R.A. 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALTERNATIVE BIDS SHALL BE REJECTED. Bid bond shall be in form of cash, cashier’s check or manager’s check equivalent to two percent (2%) of the approved budget of the contract.

This invitation is also advertised with the Government Electronic Procurement System (G-EPS) at www.procurementservice.org and posted at the VMC BAC bulletin board.

For inquiry, please call the BAC Secretariat Office at Telephone No. 294-4625.

VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO 1) REVIEW ALL THE REQUIREMENTS; 2) REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS; 3) CONFISCATE THE BID BOND AND/OR PURSUE APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION SHOULD A BIDDER BE FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED R.A. 9184; 4) WAIVE ANY DEFECTS CONTAINED THEREIN; and/or 5) ACCEPT THE OFFER MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT. ANY DECISION MADE BY THE VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER IS FINAL AND EXECUTORY. FURTHER, VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER ASSUMES NO OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER TO COMPENSATE OR INDEMNIFY THE BIDDER OR WINNING BIDDER. AS THE CASE MAY BE, FOR ANY EXPENSE OR LOSS THAT SAID PARTY (IES) MAY INCUR IN ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE PRE-BIDDING AND BIDDING PROCESS NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE THAT AN AWARD WILL BE MADE.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MS-NOV. 18 & 21, 2016)

trade of ivory, rhino horns, big cats, primates and timbers,” said Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

“This is a global issue and no single industry, sector or country can effectively combat the problem of illegal wildlife trafficking without a comprehensive collaborative mechanism and strong commitments to action.”

The Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade is the third held since 2014―previous meetings were held in Britain and Botswana―and the largest of its kind ever hosted in Vietnam.

More than 40 countries were represented at the meeting, along with NGOs and conservation groups. AFP

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE

(MS-NOV. 4,11 & 18, 2016)

possible by Dior at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on November 16 in New York City. AFP

Bening spends tribute night swooning over her husband

chiefly by demand in Vietnam and China for traditional medicines and decorations fashioned from the animal products.

Conservationists say the trade has already severely depleted animal populations, especially in Africa, and threatens to wipe out critically vulnerable species like elephants and rhinos already on the brink of extinction.

Vietnam’s vice president echoed William’s urgent appeal, warning that her country’s biodiversity was under threat.

“The illegal wildlife trade on a global scale has increased and become more complicated, especially the

(SGD) JOSEPH T. NOCOM, MD, FPOA Chairman, BAC (MS-NOV. 18, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

World

Abe heads for New York for first talks with Trump T OKYO―Japan’s premier Shinzo Abe headed to New York Thursday for talks with Donald Trump, the first leader to meet with the president-elect whose campaign pledges provoked anxiety over US foreign policy.

The brash billionaire is set to receive Abe at his Trump Tower headquarters on Thursday evening, in an encounter that will be closely watched for hints on the long-standing security pacts that he has called into question.

“I’m honored to meet with President-elect Trump ahead of other world leaders,” Abe told reporters. “I’d like to discuss with President Trump our dreams for the future.”

Trump’s blithe comment during the campaign that the US might be “better off” with nucleararmed Asian allies has thrown into question the US security umbrella over Japan and South Korea.

His later disavowal of the remarks has done little to restore confidence in Washington as the lone superpower ready to face down a rising China and a capricious North Korea.

Trump has also talked about yanking thousands of troops from the region unless Tokyo and Seoul pay more of their hosting costs, despite the opportunity that would present to China and its ambitions for regional supremacy.

“The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security,” Abe said before departing. “The alliance works only when there is trust.”

“I’d like to build trust with Mr Trump and work together hand in hand for the peace and prosperity of the world.”

Dozens of leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have spoken with Trump by phone since his shock November 8 election victory.

The New York Times said offices of foreign leaders were blindly dialing in to Trump Tower as they scrambled to get the future president on the phone, prompting a denial and an insistence the transition is proceeding smoothly.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was only the second to get through, in a call set up by sports legend Greg Norman who is golfing buddies with Trump, it emerged Thursday.

The unconventional candidate has also stoked concerns in Europe―where the NATO alliance underwrites regional security―by warmly embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

And he has also vowed to block the vast TransPacific Partnership free trade deal, which has been championed by Abe and US President Barack Obama.

“I hope to share the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” Abe said before departing for the US ahead of the APEC summit of 21 Pacific Rim economies in Peru, where leaders will defend the tenets of free trade.

The 12-nation TPP has been a key component of Obama’s “pivot to Asia” and envisaged as a counterweight to China’s expanding economic influence.

Abe told parliament this week that a collapse of the pact could shift momentum toward a rival trade deal promoted by China.

Despite the fault lines, the Trump camp made positive noises ahead of the meeting with Abe. It “shows Mr Trump’s commitment to the relationship” with Japan, Republican Devin Nunes, a member of the presidential transition team, told reporters after talks with an Abe aide in Washington to prepare for the meeting.

Nunes called Japan “one of our most important, longest allies”, Kyodo News reported. AFP

Aborigines’ welfare ‘worsening’ SYDNEY―Imprisonment and self-harm rates have soared among Aboriginal Australians, an official report said Thursday as it slammed a lack of research into whether government programs were effective at addressing the issues facing the community.

Aborigines―who make up about three percent of the total national population of 24 million―are among the most disadvantaged Australians.

They suffer disproportionate levels of disease, imprisonment and social problems as well as significantly lower education, employment and life expectancy.

The government-backed Productivity Commission report said that violence among Aboriginal families and hospitalizations for self-harm “have stagnated or worsened” in recent years.

“Alarmingly, the national imprisonment rate has increased 77 percent over the last 15 years, and hospitalization rates for self-harm have increased by 56 percent over the last decade,” the Commission’s head Peter Harris said in a statement.

Deputy chief Karen Chester told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the report should serve as a wake-up call for Canberra to make sure “money is being spent not just in terms of bang for buck for taxpayers, but that we’re not shortchanging indigenous Australians”.

“Of over a thousand policies and programs, we could only identify 34 across the whole of Australia that have been robustly and transparently evaluated,” she said.

“At the end of the day, we can’t feign surprise that we’re not seeing improvement across all these wellbeing indicators if we’re not lifting the bonnet and evaluating if the policies and programs are working or not.”

The report said family and community violence rates were unchanged between 2002 and 2014-2015, affecting around one in five of the adult indigenous population. While juvenile detention rates slipped, they still stood at 24 times that for non-indigenous youth.

The report acknowledged some positives, including an improvement in mortality rates and an increase in the number of children finishing school. AFP

India eases cash rules for weddings

SPECIAL SHOOT. Indian Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan and Jacqueline Fernandez are spotted at a special shoot at a studio in Mumbai on November 16, 2016. AFP

NEW DELHI―India announced new measures Thursday to allow farmers and marrying couples to withdraw more money from banks, as frustration mounted over a cash crisis triggered by the withdrawal of all high-value notes.

The shock move last week, which saw 85 percent of the cash in circulation suddenly withdrawn, has led to huge queues forming outside banks as people rush to exchange old notes for new, and has thrown plans into disarray as the wedding season gets under way in the country of 1.2 billion people.

The government has placed a weekly limit of 24,000 rupees ($350)on withdrawals as banks struggle to cope with a shortage of cash and many ATMs run dry.

But Shaktikanta Das, secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, said families planning a wedding would now be able to withdraw up to 250,000 rupees in one go.

“Various representations were made to the government,” Das told journalists in New Delhi. “[We] decided that for marriage ceremonies, up to 250,000 rupees will be permitted to be withdrawn from the bank account and it has to be drawn... from the father, mother or the person getting married.”

The sudden withdrawal of the two highest denomination notes―aimed primarily at tackling tax evasion―has created huge problems for families planning weddings in India where most people still use cash, even for large transactions.

But that did not stop a mining tycoon from hosting a lavish wedding ceremony for his daughter on Wednesday, taking over a royal palace in the southern city of Bangalore at a reported cost of $75 million.

Agriculture has also been hit hard as farmers struggle to buy seeds and fertilizer with the winter crop-sowing season now under way. AFP

Obama to pass torch to Merkel BERLIN―US President Barack Obama pays a farewell visit Thursday to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, widely seen as the new standard bearer of liberal democracy since the election of Donald Trump.

On the last leg of his final European tour as president, Obama will underline shared values, try to ease fears about the future of the transatlantic partnership and thank Merkel for her friendship during his two terms, White House officials said.

As Western leaders brace for potentially radical changes with Trump moving into the Oval Office in January, Obama wrapped up a visit to Athens Wednesday warning that globalization required a “course correction” to keep voters from drifting to extremes.

“When we see people, global elites, wealthy corporations seem-

ingly living by a different set of rules, avoiding taxes, manipulating loopholes... this feeds a profound sense of injustice,” he said.

After Trump’s shock victory, Merkel expressed a desire to maintain close ties with Washington.

But in an extraordinary break with tradition for Germany, which long saw the US as its protector and closest partner, Merkel pointedly said cooperation must be based on shared democratic principles and respect for human dignity.

Analysts said the meeting Thursday could be seen as a kind of passing of the torch from Obama to Merkel, whom he’s called “probably... my closest international partner”, for stewardship of the free world.

Obama held the biggest rally of his 2008 campaign in Berlin, using the once-divided city’s

rebirth as a symbol of progress as he made a hopeful call for a world without nuclear weapons to 200,000 cheering fans at the Victory Column monument at sunset.

He and Merkel, who took power in 2005, soon developed a strong partnership, despite rifts over revelations of NSA spying on Merkel’s mobile phone and Obama’s vocal opposition to Germany’s austerity-driven response to the European debt crisis.

Germans at the Victory Column on a gray November day hours before Obama’s arrival said they were sad to see him go and anxious about what the Trump administration would bring.

“We were so hopeful after George W. Bush left office,” said Thomas Schmidt, 54, a business clerk who recalled being “thrilled” when he watched Obama’s Berlin speech on television. AFP

COCKTAIL PARTY. Stylist Laura Duncan (L) and Dita Von Teese attend the Zuhair Murad cocktail party at Sunset Tower Hotel on November 16, 2016, in West Hollywood, California. AFP

Life

The pako or fern salad is a fresh and exotic treat from the sea offered in the Philippines

DESTINATIONS

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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A taste of the Philippines D

ELEGATES to the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia-Pacific 2016, the largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, content media creators and tourism industry professionals, had a feast as they discovered Philippine cuisine.

Presented by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in coordination with NMX Events, their journey of discovery began with a 15-hour food tour where they traveled to Pampanga, “the culinary center of the Philippines,” to try iconic Filipino dishes such as lechon, sisig, chicken inasal, and sinigang. They then went to Binondo to experience the country’s Chinese culinary influence on food.

The contingent was served an array of grilled fish, prawns, squids and clams, and tasted some of the native delicacies such as barquillos, turones, kutsinta, halo-halo, and rice cakes including bibingka, cassava cake and puto.

The country’s tropical fruits were also a hit as the visitors sampled the sweetest mangoes, rambutan, lanzones and marang. Calamansi was a surprise to them for its versatility – from a refreshing fruit drink to an additional flavor to condiments.

To complete their Filipino food experience, they were served some of the country’s exotic foods including balut, pako or fern salad, and sea urchin.

“I find it very interesting that the Filipino cuisine is influenced by so many other cultures and it creates a fascinat-

TBEX Asia Pacific 2016 delegates partake of a boodle feast featuring assorted inasal and fresh seafood dishes

ing mix,” said Maria Haase who traveled all the way from Germany. “This food trip was very interesting and inspiring for me.”

Further making Filipino meals fun,

Guests are excited to try lanzones and rambutan

the delegates experienced boodle feasts, which urged them not only to share their food but to interact and converse with one another. Trying Filipino dishes in this unique way was something the first-time

visitors were able to enjoy. “This is such a simple pleasure to enjoy. It’s amazing that we get the time to eat together. I love this kind of culture,” said Chicago-native Rosemary Kimani.

Chef Claude Tayag carves lechon

TBEX Asia Pacific 2016 was made possible with the support of Philippine Airlines, Globe Telecom, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and Duty Free Philippines.

Other sponsors included Amorita Resort, The Lind Boracay, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Primer Group of Companies, The Funny Lion Palawan, Merrell Philippines, Lakan, Banana Peel, Le Spa at Sofitel, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Luna, Bluewater Maribago Resort and Spa, Sonya’s Garden, Museo Orlina and Grab Philippines.

The event was also made possible through the participation of volunteers from the University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar University, University of Santo Tomas and Philippine Women’s University.

The amazing variety of food–from savory dishes to sweet delicacies, and our wide array of fresh ingredients, diverse cultural influences, proves that the Philippines can stand out as an exciting culinary destination.

Davao City charms Japanese PREVALENT peace and order, unperturbed nature and ecological wonders, world-class accommodations, and the genuine hospitality of the people boost up the prospects for tourist influx into Davao City and surrounding areas.

A group of major travel operators and media representatives from Japan literally made the discovery of Davao City’s best-kept secrets during a fourday visit in the home turf of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Tourism Secretary Wanda TulfoTeo said the familiarization tour (famtour) organized by the Department of Tourism (DoT) Mindanao Office and the Philippine Airlines (PAL) included trips to the lush Garden of Eden, Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Garden, and Davao Marina Tuna.

The fam-tour also included visits to the humble Duterte residence in Matina, Davao City, Museo de Dabaw and the city’s Rescue 911 command center.

It culminated in an overnight stay at honeymooners’ paradise in Pearl Farm and Malipano islands, where cultural dances were performed, and local cuisine and exotic fruits were served.

DoT Tokyo Attache Gwen S. Batoon, who headed the 12 member fam-

tour group from Tokyo and Osaka, including major travel and tour operators, media editors and travel bloggers, credits the recent State visit of President Duterte for Japanese's strong interest to travel to the Philippines.

“This is quite an eye opener for these first-time visitors amidst a misconception that Davao City is part of a conflict area (Eastern Mindanao), even as West Mindanao authorities here have beefed up security measures,” DoT Assistant Secretary Eden David stressed.

The DoT official also disclosed that the fam-tour coincided with the lowering of Japan’s Travel Advisory to Level 1 for Davao City, which bodes well for local area tourism.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) raised the Travel Advisory to Level 2 in the wake of the tragic bomb explosion on Sept. 2.

Batoon relayed the MOFA announcement to David’s office, and confirmed by Japanese Consul to Davao City Tomoko Dodo during the group’s familiarization trip to Davao City.

“President Duterte, along with Secretary Teo, clearly won MOFA’s ap-

Japanese guests pose for a selfie with the Philippine eagle during their visit to the Philippine Eagle Center

said David.

Under the minimal precautionary Travel Advisory Level 1, Japanese tour and travel operators are now again allowed to offer tour packages to Davao City, David explained.

“Ultimately, the proud people of Davao City are its real charm. They are so hospitable and, despite what had happened, I feel safe here more than any place,” said Dodo who has served as Tokyo’s envoy to Davao City for more than one year.

“Just like President Duterte, who Eden Nature Park offers a peak into Davao's natural wonders was treated like a rock star during his proval and favorable action during hear about the great news from DoT’s visit in Tokyo, personifies the pride their working State visit,” Batoon said. Tokyo office, that is why our Japa- and charismatic charm of Davaoeños,” “We are very pleased indeed to nese friends are coming to Davao,” Dodo went on to say.

Life

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. mounted an exhibition featuring the photographs that depict the relationship of Filipinos and Chinese

I

NSPIRED by images and colors that beautifully reflect how Chinese traditions and cultures have been embedded in the everyday lives of Filipinos, a group of photographers used their skills to capture images that convey the depth of this relationship. Apart from the noodles, lanterns and fireworks that have become part of Filipino traditions, the Chinese influence can be felt in just about every aspect of the Filipino way of life down the generations. Armed with their cameras, these photographers captured vignettes of this dynamic relationship.

Photographers recognized

As a living representation of this phenomenon, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), in cooperation with the Camera Club of the Philippines (CCP), recently launched an online photo contest that aimed to promote the ever-changing FilipinoChinese culture. Entitled “Connected

The Top 3 winners of the Professional Category are flanked with contest judge Joe Galvez, Charges d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Peoples' Republic of China Madame He Xiangqe, FFCCCII President Angel Ngu and Camera Club of the Philippines President Philip Yu

for capturing ever-evolving Filipino-Chinese culture

Community,” it perfectly encapsulated the Filipino-Chinese ties. “Connections” loosely translates to guan xi, a relationship of one person or party to another with obligation built overtime or simply—reciprocity.

The online photography competition

ran from Aug. 8 until Oct. 16. It had 300 entries from photographers across the Philippines.

The winners of this contest were recently feted by the FFCCCII. From the professional category, Froiland Rivera took home P70,000, Second-placer

Emerson Catindoy bagged P40,000, and third place winner Dante Peralta P20,000.

Meanwhile, in the amateur category, Catherine Aragoncillo bested hundreds and secured the top spot taking home P40,000 in cash. Ysabel Victori-

ano was in second place with P20,000 in cash, while Bernard Recirdo II won third and brought home P15,000.

The photos of the finalists were also posted on its Facebook page. Garnering the most number of positive reactions and shares is the photo “The Rockstar Treatment.” Its owner, Mary Grace Anne Batalla, claimed the special prize with P5,000 and plaque.

“We were amazed at the talent and artistry of the winners in capturing the theme, Connected Community,” said FFCCCII President Angel Ngu. “Through this competition, the Filipino-Chinese ties really stood out. The photographers went beyond the obvious Chinese elements. Each photo that made it into the finals really had a compelling story to tell.”

“The entries are all works of art, and serve as a testament to the special bond between the Filipino and Chinese people. Each image showed how deeply interwoven Filipino-Chinese culture is, and will continue to be, in the generations to come,” said CCP President Philip Clayton Yu. To see images of the winners, check out www.facebook.com/FFCCCIIphotocontest.

Exciting destinations to tick off your go-to list THANKS to budget airlines, the world has truly become everyone’s oyster. Today’s globetrotters are no longer an exclusive club of the privileged—with recordlow airfares, rewarding one’s self with the perfect holiday has never been easier.

Everyone’s dream destination is now within reach, with more choices available even to the budget-conscious. Here are some of the most exciting destinations to check off your list before you hit 40.

Hospitality Innovators, Inc. founder and CEO Luis Monserrat and Ortigas & Co. Limited Partnership General Manager Thomas Mirasol (third and fourth from left) seal the partnership with a handshake. Joining them are HII Group Director Agnes Luna, OCLP Head of Marketing Jenna Belardo and HII Executive Director Peter Stevens

Ortigas teams up with Hospitality Innovators ENVISIONED to be a sanctuary in the metro, Circulo Verde is a project of Ortigas & Co. Limited Partnership (OCLP) for the busy individuals who wish to get away from the madness of the city.

A master-planned community, it stands on a 10-hectare property where one could bask in generous open spaces while enjoying the convenience of nearby retail and dining options. Commercial establishments within the vicinity intend to complement the lifestyle of guests and residents keen on spending their days carefree and leisurely.

Located in Quezon City, it is accessible via Calle Industria and Ortigas Avenue via A. Rodriguez Avenue through the upcoming Circulo Verde Bridge.

To ensure high standards of operations, OCLP tied up with Hospitality Innovators Inc. (HII) to manage the Serviced Residence feature of two of the high-rise towers within the compound –

Ibiza Tower and Seville Residences. The Serviced Residence Program gives people the opportunity to experience the accommodations and amenities at Circulo Verde without having to own a unit. In addition, it would also offer perks that go beyond conventional leasing options to investors while allowing them to generate more revenue.

As one of the leading hotel and property management companies in the country, HII is driven to constantly delight its partners and guests through excellent and professional services.

With accolades and awards to prove its excellence in the field, it continues to gain the trust of its diverse clientele.

A total of 55 units are slated to be part of the Serviced Residence Program (SRP). Each tower offers a range of amenities including Sky Gardens, a lobby, function room and residents’ lounge with pantry area, a library, children’s playground, gym, and a

swimming pool. Both properties will feature a youthful and hip design.

Through the SRP, long staying guests would be able to enjoy hotel living while immersing in a laidback residential environment.

With 70 percent of the property set to be open with a mix of green spaces, guests would be thrilled with a community park where they can find spots for fun, interaction, fitness and meditation.

A Guest House is also available perfect for functions and social gatherings. Offering a dog-friendly environment, another unique feature of Circulo Verde is the Hachi Park – an off-leash dog park that allows residents to play with their canine companions.

Intended to be an urban refuge in the heart of a very busy district, the Circulo Verde Serviced Residence Program caters to both business and leisure clients. It is expected to open

by March 2017.

Cambodia is also very accessible from neighboring countries like Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Iceland

Under the midnight sun, fire and ice blend to create stunning landscapes that define much of Iceland. Snow-covered hills roll into dark lava fields, while mistcovered fjords dot the coast. In the summer months, the sun almost never sets, while in winter, the sun shines only a Batanes few hours. No wonder this nation of only The Philippines’ northernmost prov- 300,000 people has over three times as ince is the country’s version of New many in tourist visits—all of Iceland is a Zealand, though small in comparison. dreamscape waiting to be discovered.

The province’s windswept hills and dramatic cliffs have captured the imagBefore setting off to these destinaination of many, and its relative seclu- tions, however, one must remember sion (on some days of the week, there’s to cover all bases and make necessary only one flight to its capital Basco) has preparations, such as checking passport added to its mystery. Some also come validity and relevant travel advisories. to seek the Ivatan people’s unique yet And while traveling is fun, it also presimple way of living, making it a per- sents risks to the unprepared. Good fect place to unwind. travel insurance, therefore, becomes essential when exploring new places here Maldives and abroad.

The islands are like pieces of gems True to its commitment of providstrewn in the Indian Ocean—each sur- ing excellent value for its clients, leadrounded by sparkling blue waters and ing insurance specialist Pacific Cross fine, powdery white sand. Even the Philippines offers the Travelsafe line of most discerning beachcombers will be insurance products designed to cater to delighted to discover that it’s sunny in travelers’ diverse needs. Customers can Maldives all-year round, ensuring per- select from the wide range of Travelsafe fect weather anytime one decides to vis- plans and coverage options—whether it. Maldives also boasts extensive coral one is traveling for business or pleasreefs and diverse marine life, making it ure, within the Philippines or outside a great destination for diving. the country, or whether one is traveling for short or long trips. Travelsafe insurSiem Reap, Cambodia ance is offered on a per trip basis, or as Deep in the jungles of sleepy Siem an Annual Travel Insurance plan for Reap is Cambodia’s fabled jewel—the frequent travelers. ancient Angkor Wat. Spanning over 160 Pacific Cross Philippines’ Travelsafe hectares, this UNESCO Heritage Site products include coverage for baggage is the world’s largest religious monu- delays and losses, loss of travel document, and boasts 12th-century temples ments, flight cancellations, and many carved with elaborate bas relief detail- others. Clients can also rely on Pacific ing of Cambodia’s glorious past. At Cross to provide 24/7 emergency assisthe crossroads of mainland Indochina, tance, wherever they are in the world.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

I

T WILL be a Valentine’s Day in November as one of the most sought-after love teams of this generation—KrisJoy or Kristoffer Martin and Joyce Ching—spreads love and kilig as Hahamakin ang Lahat goes to Davao del Norte today.

Davaoeños and Tagumeños are sure to be in for a treat as Joyce and Kristoffer lead the Kapuso Mall Show at Robinsons Place in Tagum City. The show starts at 4 p.m.

“We are excited to bring KrisJoy to our Kapusong Davaoeños and Tagumeños because we know how much they (have) missed one of their favorite love teams,” says Oliver Amoroso, OIC GMA Regional TV. “And every time our Kapuso artists are in Davao, they always get a warm welcome from their loyal fans and supporters. This is why the Kapuso Network continuously brings our programs and artists in the regions despite their busy schedule,” he adds.

A compelling love story, Hahamakin ang Lahat aired its pilot episode two weeks ago and stars three of Philippine television’s respected actors—Eula Valdez, Ariel Rivera, and Snooky Serna.

Also joining Joyce and Kristoffer in the GMA Afternoon Prime series is another Kapuso artist, Thea Tolentino.

Hahamakin ang Lahat features the repeating fates of a mother and her child—both had to bear the agony of being away from the man they truly love because of the struggles and conflicts they encounter in winning the approval of their family.

Hahamakin ang Lahat also stars Chinggoy Alonzo, Marc Abaya Jett Pangan, Marina Benipayo, Renz Valerio, Mona Louise Rey, and Bruno Gabriel.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook. com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

Sarah Geronimo Last week, the pop star rubbed elbows with the world’s finest rock icons and even walked home with the Best Asian Performer award at the Classic Rock Awards in Tokyo. Sarah G. has never failed to surprise her fans. It’s a statement that no one on the local music scene has taken her place. Not even the other singer who has a Diamond record award to her name.

Ellen Adarna Is she having a secret romance with the President’s youngest son? The photo of her and Baste with their lips locked says probably “yes.” Prior to this photo that now circulates online, Ellen was spotted with the young Duterte aboard an aircraft looking too close they would be mistaken as a couple. Whether or not the photo is authentic, it only makes Ellen a hot topic among netizens.

Dingdong and Marian The online world is feasting on the rumor that the couple will star in a primetime soap sometime next year. Though there’s no official statement from the Kapuso Network yet, fans have instantly picked up the idea and suggested what story is best for their comeback as on-screen couple. We just

Friday, November 18, 2016

49 Fold-up beds 50 Deli staple 53 Move diagonally 54 Whacked weeds 58 Thicken, as cream 59 Hurtful remark 61 Loafing 62 Basilica part 63 Red Sea peninsula 64 Floodplain maker 65 One giving the orders 66 Treadmill unit 67 Neutral or first DOWN 1 Impressed, plus 2 Liver secretion 3 Object on radar 4 Rapture 5 Crazes 6 Globe feature 7 Kind of muffin 8 Plop down 9 Black Sea nation 10 — d’etat 11 Comic-book Lois 12 Colony members 15 Musher’s vehicle 23 AAA suggestion 25 Go bad

NAMESAKES of the world’s famous mouse are directing Tale as Old as Time tomorrow at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Kia Theater.

Mickey Muñoz, head of ABSCBN Events, takes charge of stage direction while Mickey Perz, PBB 2007 2nd Big Placer and a fulltime choreographer, is in charge of movement.

The two met 10 years ago when Muñoz was part of the Pinoy Big Brother team that auditioned Perz in Milan, Italy. Muñoz had previously stage directed The Music of Ryan Cayabyab at the CCP Main Theater (2014), The Magic of John Williams Theater at Solaire (2015) and most of the shows involving the ABSCBN Orchestra.

Perz was a part of ASAP and other ABS-CBN specials as dancer and choreographer and had acting assignments for TV and movies.

“Mickey Perz was choreographer for one of our recent big concerts and his fun-filled but firm teaching skills plus his excellent ability to tell a good story through dance impressed us a lot,” Muñoz muses. “I guess we work well together as we are both optimistic, whimsical, sometimes aggressive coupled with a little bit of

...are talking about

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Xavier’s ex 5 Throngs 9 NCAA Bruins 13 Mental power 14 Bitter 16 Zen riddle 17 Adult Lamb 18 Groovy 19 Puny pup 20 Govt. branch 21 Fleming of spydom 22 Vine produce 24 Where to hear Farsi 26 — spumante 27 Dome homes 30 Magnificent 34 New Orleans pro 35 Just 36 Perry’s penner 37 Linen vestment 38 Wielded a lasso 39 Feminine principle 40 Knighted Guinness 42 Hertz rival 43 Sheepish comment 45 Part of D.C. 47 Stockpiles 48 Hayseed

Double ‘Mickeys’ helm Disney weekend concert

PEOPLE

Who’s at Hard Rock Café this month?

AN EXCITING line-up of shows is at the Hard Rock Café (HRC) this month.

Side A Band and Nyoy Volante lead the pack with special performances today and next Friday, respectively.

Certified hard rockers can look forward to great evenings of beautiful music as Side A and Nyoy dish out live their hit songs as well as a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers, homegrown favorites, and party anthems.

Other featured performers at HRC this November are All Access (Mondays), Silk (Tuesdays), Kudos Love 80s (Wednesdays), Verse 2 (Thursdays), Part 3 (Fridays and Sundays), 70s Superband (Nov. 19), and Music Network (Nov. 19 and 26).

All shows start at 9:00 p.m.

ABS-CBN's Events head Mickey Muñoz and choreographer Mickey Perz

26 — -ski party 27 Hayes or Asimov 28 Ernest or Julio 29 Slander’s kin 30 Old photo tint 31 Clothesline sub 32 Epic by Homer 33 Small hollows 35 Film 38 Hutch dwellers 41 Vicars’ helpers 43 Sci. of flora 44 Tongue- — (scolding) 46 Corsage flower

47 Hamper 49 Venice “street” 50 Nature’s bandage 51 Dog-chow brand 52 Team setback 53 Pueblo people 55 “Garfield” pooch 56 Cinder ender 57 Forest ruminant 60 Focus

wished though that it is something original and well thought of, besides, it’s their last shot to convince the audience that they still deserved to be called King and Queen of primetime.

...are not talking about Isabelle Duterte Being a relative to the country’s most powerful man doesn’t mean the person has sure ticket to stardom. It’s actually the

mischief – traits that are common as well with Mickey Mouse”.

Disney in Concert: Tale as Old Time is a fully-licensed Disney show that features orchestral suite arrangements of classic Disney songs alongside high resolution animated sequences from well-loved movies like Cinderella, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and a lot more - including hits from recent crowd-favorites Tangled and Frozen.

The concert also features live vocal performances by Kapamilya artists Janella Salvador, Morissette, Tim Pavino, Julia & Talia Concio along with theater luminaries Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Tanya Manalang, Jef Flores, Arman Ferrer, Vocal Synergy, and Bituin Escalante.

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the music direction of Gerard Salonga. This musical celebration is certain to remind the young and young at heart that through the magical storytelling of the Disney songs and films we grew up with, wishes can be made upon the stars, hope is eternal and that love conquers all.

Tickets available at all Ticketnet outlets or call 911-5555.

other way around, most especially if she doesn’t have what it takes to be in show business. Case in point, talent manager Annabelle Rama has recently introduced Pres. Duterte’s granddaughter as one of her wards. The 16-year-old wanted to be an actress. So, there. Let’s just wait what’s going to happen next.

Kris Aquino It’s easy to accept the President’s alibi why he was a no-show at an event in Davao where he’s supposed to meet with the TV host for an exclusive sit-down interview. The so-called Queen of All Media just downplayed the epic snub but it didn’t stop people from thinking that the country’s chief of staff just made Kris realize that she no longer has the same clout as when her brother was in Malacañang and when there’s still a big media outfit behind her.

Sharon Cuneta For the first time, we’re able to see something relevant from her post online, which normally just about musings or anything angst-sy. However, she received a backlash from netizens after she complained about the slow wi-fi connection in the country. They reminded the singer that her husband is a lawmaker who can be part of the solution to this problem. Sharon didn’t hit back, perhaps realizing she was barking up the wrong tree.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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N CELEBRATION of the 60th year of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations and Friendship, the Far Eastern University’s Presidential Committee on Culture presents a Dramatis Personae (DP) production of a stage adaptation on the life and death of Japanese controversial writer and patriot, Yukio Mishima, in Mishima: Confessions of a Mask, 8 p.m. tonight at FEU Mini Theatre, along Morayta Avenue, Manila.

MISHIMA’S

‘coup de theatre’

Dramatis Personae member Ryan Mendoza plays Yukio Mishima in the thought-provoking stage production "Mishima: Confession of a Mask"

Based on the biographies of Henry Scott Stokes and John Nathan, Mishima’s Confessions of a Mask, and Paul Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, admission to this thought-provoking theatre piece is free and open to the public on a firstcome-first-serve-basis.

Born Kimitake Hiraoka (19251970) with Yukio Mishima as his nom de plume, this coup de theatre wrestles within him his obsessive desire on ‘death, night, blood and suicide’ until he finally succumbs to the penultimate: his self-disembowelment or hara-kiri as deathly price to prove his heroworship to the Emperor as god to the once imperial pre-war Japan – then bereft of western influences and hegemony.

And though his action is anachronistic as it may seem, this traditional Japanese ritual is still deemed as a noble gesture practised by the samurai who is willing to purge in order to keep whatever sense of dignity is left of him.

Mishima features DP’s company of actors Raymond de Leon, Jonathan Montes, Joey Alvarado, Greg Quindala, RJ Maximo, Lito Casaje, and Ryan Mendoza as Mishima, supported by a host of FEU student home grown actors, with stage management by Lourdes Isip and Gelymei Borela, light design

by Nick Tulayan, costumes by Lito Perez of Camp Suki; dramaturgy

by Camilo Villanueva, and stage adaptation, design and direction by Lito Casaje.

The play, relevant and timely as today’s headlines, parallels Philippine President Duterte’s push for genuine sovereignty and independent foreign policy, as well as UK’s ‘brexit’ from the European Union, seemingly a protectionist move to preserve a people’s sense of identity and nationhood.

Kapuso comedians

renew contracts with GMA Network COMEDIANS Betong Sumaya, Mike “Pekto” Nacua, John Feir and Sef Cadayona renewed their ties with GMA Network on Nov. 10.

During the contract signing, Tsuperhero and Bubble Gang star Betong shared that he is grateful for the trust and challenge that the Kapuso Network is giving him. “Iba kasi yung pagkatiwalaan ka ng GMA so salamat talaga kasi this is such a big blessing.

At the same time, this is really a big challenge kasi this means mas marami kang dapat patunayan. Kung ano yung pinakita mo, dapat mas i-le-level up mo pa para mas lalong maaliw ang mga Kapuso viewers natin.”

Pekto looks at this as a chance to continue to treat the Kapuso Network as his partner in serving the viewers with his talent. “Ang comedy kasi pag ginawa mo yan, hindi na pwedeng ulitin or else, wala na yung element niyang nakakatawa. Kaya kami po ay masayang masaya kasi GMA pa rin ang partner namin sa pagpapatawa.

Makakaasa kayong pagbubutihan namin ang aming trabaho at sana mas matawa pa kayo sa mga darating naming projects.”

Sef, who is currently part of the sexy comedy program A1 Ko Sa’Yo and the longest-running gag show on Philippine TV, Bubble Gang, shared that this will serve as his motivation to further develop his craft, “Speechless ako dun sa chance na binibigay ng big bosses natin dito sa GMA. Ito’y magsisilbing inspirasyon sa amin para mas gawin pa namin yung work namin ng mas mahusay at para mas pagandahin pa namin yung craft namin kasi nagtitiwala sila sa amin e.