Manila Standard - 2016 November 19 - Saturday

US told: Back Rody’s war

VOL. XXX • NO. 280 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

DESPITE President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against US President Barack Obama, the Philippine government has asked the US to move forward and start supporting Duterte’s bloody war on drug users and dealers, an official said Friday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said he made the request to

US Secretary of State John Kerry and described his meeting with him as “very cordial.

He said he asked Kerry to continue his government’s help to improve the Philippines’ law enforcement agencies and police forces.

“I have explained to him the need for Next page

FM buried at Libingan Marcos family opts for simple, solemn burial

By Joel E. Zurbano and John Paolo Bencito

T

HE late strongman Ferdinand Marcos was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Friday noon, more than a week after the Supreme Court decided in favor of the burial and more than 27 years after he died in exile in Hawaii.

Police said the burial was made unannounced to ensure peace and order during the solemn event.

“This is part of the PNP’s order to ensure peace and order. Initially Senator Bongbong [Marcos] wanted the burial to be on Sunday but we were told yesterday that it will be

today,” said National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde.

Marcos’ eldest daughter, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and the Supreme Court for allowing the burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani, which according to her, was the last

wish of her father before he died.

“The last wishes of my beloved father came true at last. The former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos is now laid to rest with fellow soldiers,” she said. “Me and my family, from the bottom of our hearts, thank Next page

HERO’S BURIAL. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Irene Marcos-Araneta, watch as military officers unfurl the tricolors—concurring with a 21-gun

salute and a flower drop from a cloudy sky—as former President Ferdinand Marcos is finally laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Friday 27 years after he died in his Honolulu exile in 1989—condemned and described by human rights victims (right below) during Martial Law at their gathering at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani beside Camp Aguinaldo while Marcos supporters and media (left below) are held back at the gate of the LNMB by police and security authorities. Revoli Cortez/Norman Cruz

8 senators vow to dig up remains; reso ‘lost’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rio N. Araja and Sandy Araneta

Kerwin back in PH, vows to tell all on narco-trade KERWIN Espinosa, the alleged big-time drug lord of Eastern Visayas, is back in the country from Abu Dhabi and now in custody of the Philippine National Police.

At a press conference in Camp Crame, Espinosa apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte for engaging in the illegal drug trade

LIBERAL Party senators vowed to exhume the remains of former strongman President Ferdinand Marcos from the Libingan ng mga Bayani, where he was buried noon Friday after the Supreme Court cleared all the legal obstacles for his burial.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III announced as “lost” Senator Risa Hontiveros’ resolution objecting to the interment of Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery when only eight of 20 senators

present on the Senate floor voted to support it.

Newly designated LP acting president Senator Francis Pangilinan, however, warned that Marcos might not remain buried at the heroes’ cemetary long.

“As long as there are people who stand firm on the abuses of the [Marcos] dictatorship, we will push that the Marcos remains be transferred,” Pangilinan vowed.

“If he is buried today, we will work tirelessly to undo this monumental injustice inflicted upon the tens of thousands of victims and Next page upon the nation.”

By Macon Ramos-Araneta by a police raiding team in the

and asked for a chance to reform.

Espinosa also vowed to divulge all he knew about the illegal drug trade.

“This is my situation now that my father is gone,” he said in Filipino, referring to Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was shot

TESTIFYING against her is the only way for the alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa can stay alive, Senator Leila de Lima said Friday.

In an ambush interview on Friday, De Lima said she would not be surprised if Espinosa links her to the illegal drug trade to avoid the fate of his father, who was shot dead in his jail cell

Next page

BoC deputy’s slay probed THE National Bureau of Investigation said Friday it was now investigating the ambush of Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica, who was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant Thursday night in Manila.

NBI Director Dante Gierran said Friday they would do their best to solve the case but declined to give a time line for completing their investigation.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon appealed to in-

formants to help them identify Lachica’s killers.

“I have instructed both our intelligence and enforcement units to support the investigating agencies,” Faeldon said.

Lachica was shot and killed in his car while his driver/ bodyguard, who was waiting for the traffic light to turn green on España Boulevard and Kundiman Street, was wounded.

Another aide who was sitting with him in the back of the car was not hurt.

Next page

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

Leila ‘won’t be surprised if Kerwin implicates her’ Baybay City provincial jail.

She said the killing of his father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, was a warning to Kerwin that he should cooperate.

“He has no choice,” De Lima said. “”I will no longer be surprised if his testimony will point to me. That would be the best way of staying alive,” the senator said. Next page

Du30 warned on ICC exit

NOSELIFT DESPITE. Rolan ‘Kerwin’ Espinosa, tagged as the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas and who has undergone a facelift to hide his identity, wearing a bullet-proof vest, apologizes to President Rodrigo Duterte for engaging in the drug business, asking the President to give him another chance to start a new life before PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa presents him to media at Camp Crame. Manny Palmero

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

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MALACAÑANG said Friday President Rodrigo Duterte will not disregard legal processes after saying he was considering withdrawing from the International Criminal Court for criticizing his war on drugs.

“This is an Executive discretion over foreign relations. However, the President as a lawyer will not renege on the legal processes such as the concurrence of the Senate,” Communications Assistant Secre-

tary Ana Marie Banaag said.

She made her statement even as Senator Leila de Lima said Duterte could not unilaterally withdraw from the ICC. “If we will withdraw from the ICC, there is a need for the concurrence of the Senate,” De Lima said.

“He needs to consult first those who ought to be consulted: the members of Congress, other political leaders, human rights groups, Next page the public.”

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Viets extend runway on Spratly H

ANOI—Vietnam is extending its runway on an island in the South China Sea also claimed by Beijing, according to fresh images likely to irk the regional superpower.

Hanoi has lengthened the runway on Spratly island from less than 2,500 feet (760 meters) to 3,300 feet, the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

said in a report, citing images from early November that appeared to be from a satellite.

Vietnam will likely extend the runway to 4,000 feet in total,

added the monitor, a project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Communist Vietnam is also building two large hangars capable of hosting its maritime surveillance aircraft and transport planes, AMTI reported.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea. It has reclaimed reefs and built airstrips capable of hosting large military planes, sparking anger from competing claimants

FM...

in death,” said Renato Reyes of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, adding that the hasty burial of Marcos appears to be out of fear of the growing protests of the people.

“The heirs of Marcos want to sneak in the dictator’s remains at the LNMB, away from the indignation of the Filipino people. They are mistaken though if they think we will let this day pass without any protest,” he said.

“We call on the people to make known their outrage by joining the Black Friday protests at 12 noon in various areas and by holding indignation rallies tonight at 6 p.m. Let this day be marked not by the rejoicing of the heirs of the dictator, but by the cries of outrage by the Marcos victims and the people who refuse to forget the judgment of history,” Reyes said.

The Supreme Court on November 8 rejected a petition by human rights victims to stop the transfer of Marcos’ remains to the Libingan.

The burial was a fulfillment of the campaign promise Duterte made in February while he was in Marcos’ home province of Ilocos Norte.

Duterte said he believed Marcos should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, not because he was a hero, but because he was a soldier and a former president.

“The issue about Marcos’ burial at the Libingan has created division among our people. Almost all Ilocanos have bad feelings about that,” he said.

“If you don’t want to call him a hero, then just think of him as a soldier.”

He said allowing a hero’s burial for the former president would help unite the country.

Ferdinand Marcos was the country’s President from 1965 to 1986, ruling as a dictator under Martial Law from 1972 to 1981. He was ousted in the People Power revolt in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii. Before becoming president, Marcos also served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1959 and of the Senate from 1959 to 1965, where

he was also Senate President from 1963 to 1965.

Duterte on Friday said the decision to proceed with the burial was entirely legal and pleaded for national healing.

“We have to decide once and for all.

Me, I was legalistic about it. President Marcos was a president for so long and he was a soldier. That’s about it,” Duterte told state television RTVM shortly after arriving in Lima, Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this weekend.

Dodging criticism about human rights violations committed during Marcos’ 20-year rule, Duterte said that these were allegations yet to be proven.

In a statement read by presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Duterte said that he was only doing the legal thing.

“Let history judge but I will do what it is legal and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is,” Duterte said.

Abella echoed Duterte’s plea for Filipinos to find it in their hearts to forgive the late strongman.

“Hopefully, both sides will exercise maximum tolerance and come to terms with the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos,” Abella said.

Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag said that critics of the burial have already been given a chance to prove their case, reiterating that it’s already time for the late strongman to be buried.

“The President was so clear about that since the campaign period,” Banaag said in a Palace briefing.

Abella, along with senior Cabinet officials who were with the President in Peru, said Duterte didn’t know about the date of the burial.

“As far as I know, he was not sure of the exact date,” Abella said of the President at a press briefing.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also said he, too, was not informed about the burial.

“I do not know. I am here in Lima, Peru with the President,” Lorenzana

said in a text message.

The defense chief, whose department supervises the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which oversess the Libingan ng mga Bayani, said he was only informed that the Marcoses wanted the burial to take place “not later than Dec. 1.”

Abella also said that there’s “nothing sneaky” about the rushed burial.

“I believe the President has done his part and the issue of the actual burial itself belongs to the Marcos family,” he added.

Abella also said there was no direct conversation” between Duterte and the Marcos family as the President’s focus in the past days was on Peru, where he would attend this year’s Apec Summit.

Abella’s statement, however, contradicted Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa’s claim that Duterte knew Marcos would be buried on Friday.

It was Dela Rosa who broke the news of the burial at around 10 a.m., and said that the military was informed about the burial date last Thursday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.

AFP spokesperson, Brigadier General Restituto Padilla affirmed Dela Rosa’s claims, saying that Duterte himself was aware when Marcos would be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“The President is always kept aware of everything that’s happening in the country,” Padilla said.

He added that there was no announcement regarding Marcos’ interment “in deference” to the wishes of the Marcos family.

“They are the ones who lost someone, not us. We just provide the services,” Padilla said.

Padilla said they were informed late by the Defense Department to provide burial services for the late strongman on Friday noon.

“That’s why we were given short notice, because of their request to do it in private,” Padilla said.

It is embarrassing. As I said, we are a laughing stock in the whole world.”

He said the party will join street protests to “undo this injustice inflicted upon the victims of Martial Law and reverse the order” allowing the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Other anti-Marcos groups decried the “sneaky” burial.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago said the secretive manner in which the burial was held speaks volumes of how far authorities are willing to go just to change the course of history.

“The sneaky burial of the late dictator—a plunderer, a human rights violator of the highest order—is a grave travesty against the Filipino people. This will not result in the healing of the nation, this secret burial will go down in history as one of the most traitorous moves meant to subvert the judgment of history,” Elago said.

“The deposed president is not worthy of emulation, much less the honor of being considered a hero. In the wake of his administration, he left the Philippines as a bankrupt, rotten killing field,” Elago said.

The youth group Anakbayan con-

demned Duterte for allowing the secret burial.

“Ill-gotten wealth, stolen power, stolen honor, stolen life. Even the burial of the dictator Marcos is stolen,” said Anakbayan Secretary General Einstein Recedes.

Protest were held Friday afternoon at the University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas. The youth group vowed to hold more protests in the days to come and continue raising awareness on the crimes of the late dictator.

The Gabriela Women’s Party said the burial would not bring closure, but could be a new beginning of “a scary martial rule.”

The women’s party-list group joined Black Friday protests.

The militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas condemned the burial, calling it a betrayal of the people.

“The entire nation is enraged at how the Marcoses, in connivance with the Duterte government, pursued the secretive, rushed burial amid broad multisectoral protests and opposition,” the group said.

With Rey E. Requejo

From A1 you all for sharing the rights of my father to be laid here at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.”

“First of all, to President Duterte who proposed this, and to the [justices of the] Supreme Court who decided this, and to the thousands of supporters of our family. You came along and prayed for almost three decades to witness this,” she said.

The governor said they made the burial private because they wanted a solemn and peaceful funeral.

“We apologize and we are asking for your understanding for the decision made by our family to have simple, private and solemn burial of my father,” she said. “Our never-ending gratitude to all. Long live Philippines.”

Marcos’ namesake and only son former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his gratitude to President Duterte. “Our family will forever be thankful for his kind gesture,” he said.

“It is our sincerest hope that this will lead the nation towards healing as we endeavor to move the country forward to give every Filipino a better life,” he added.

Former first lady Imelda Marcos, wearing a black terno, walked alongside children Imee, Ferdinand Jr., and Irene, while soldiers carrying his wooden casket marched slowly to his grave. The former president was given a 21-gun salute. His only living sibling, Fortuna Marcos-Barba, watched the burial from her wheelchair.

Marcos’ remains were flown in from a mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte, to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig and was interred shortly before noon—10 days after the Supreme Court voted 9-5-1 to dismiss the consolidated petitions seeking to stop it.

Many groups, including those from the militant left, opposed the Marcos burial at the heroes’ cemetery.

“Like a thief in the night, even

8 senators...

From A1 He added: “They may have won this battle but the war is far from over.”

Pangilinan said the Duterte administration and the Marcos family reopened wounds caused by abuses, torture and killings under Marcos’ dictatorial rule.

He added that instead of bringing unity and healing, the burial would bring more conflict and divisiveness.

The Philippines, he said, would be the laughingstock of the world, because it buried an ousted dictator and a thief in the heroes’ cemetery.

Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said the stealthy manner in which Marcos was buried was reminiscent of the dark days of Martial Law. He said the atrocities perpetrated during Martial Law succeeded because citizens were kept in the dark.

“Marcos betrayed the country for decades; we should not allow him to continue to do so up to this day,” he added. “His burial is anything but noble. Even in death, he is a thief.”

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV described as sinister the burial, which was done in secrecy.

“They remain deaf to the calls of the many Filipinos demanding justice for the abuses during the Marcos regime and remain numb to the pain of too many innocent victims of Martial Law,” Aquino said.

“This is now part of our history—from Marcos and his cronies’ grave abuses to the People Power Revolution, from his covert burial to today’s protests and cries against a hero’s burial for a Filipino dictator.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the “sneaky” burial branded the late strongman a thief until the very end.

Senator Francis Escudero, in a text message, said it was wrong for the Marcos family to clandestinely bury Marcos and said they should have been transparent about it.

He added that they should have waited for the decision of the Supreme Court to become final.

“This absence of respect for the Supreme Court and wanton disregard for the sentiments of some sectors, which transparency could

have mitigated, will sadly just further fuel the protests and division of our country on this issue,” said Escudero. “What they did was wrong.”

However, a spokesman for the Supreme Court, Theodore Te, said there was no legal impediment to the burial.

While there is a 15-day period within which the petitioners can file their motion for reconsideration of the Court’s ruling that upheld President Duterte’s decision allowing the Marcos burial, this does not prohibit the Marcos family from proceeding with the burial.

“Even if there is a 15-day period, there was no order restraining the act,” Te said.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Pangilinan said the entire Liberal Party was completely against a hero’s burial for Marcos.

“Even the people are against it. I would like to echo Vice President Leni Robredo’s statement, the Marcoses were not only saddled with the issues of hidden wealth, but also with the issue of hidden burial,” he said.

“A hero is recognized with honors, and his burial is open to all to inspire people. But in this case, the burial was made secret to the public.

Kerwin...

From A1

dead in his cell by a police raiding team at the Baybay City provincial jail. “All those involved in illegal drugs that I know will be exposed.”

Espinosa did not comment on whether he personally knew former Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima, whom Duterte has tagged as a protector of drug lords.

Espinosa’s plane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 amid tight security Friday afternoon.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa personally picked up Espinosa at the Naia and was also with him inside the vehicle going to Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa said that they consider Espinosa as the “missing piece” in the ongoing investigation into the illegal drug trade.

Espinosa, wearing a bullet-

proof vest and handcuff, was presented before the media in a press conference in Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa said he may grant the request of Espinosa to attend the wake of his father.

Espinosa is temporarily detained at the PNP Custodial Center.

The Palace on Friday ordered the PNP to assure Espinosa’s safety.

Espinosa arrived Friday after he was arrested in Abu Dhabi.

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno welcomed news of Espinosa’s return to the Philippines, and said he has ordered the PNP to give the possible state witness “maximum protection.”

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Friday urged Espinosa to make public the sources of his illegal drugs, including his coddlers and protectors.

Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, also urged Espinosa to co-

led by Vietnam and the Philippines.

Hanoi and Beijing have traded diplomatic barbs over disputed island chains and waters in the sea.

Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but the issue remains incendiary on both sides.

In 2014, China moved a controversial oil rig into contested territory, prompting riots in Vietnam though tensions have simmered in recent years.

“Even amid reduced diplomatic

operate with the government and disclose the identity of people who facilitated his escape from Manila.

He said Espinosa’s disclosure on his illegal drug operations in the past is vital since this would unmask the “narco-politicians” and “narco-generals” who personally and financially benefitted from his illegal activities.

Also on Friday, the National Bureau of Investigation said it would join the manhunt for Ronnie Dayan, the former driver, bodyguard and lover of De Lima, when she was still Justice secretary.

NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin, also the deputy director for the Forensic Investigation Service, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had revealed that Dayan was allegedly hiding somewhere in Northern Luzon and being coddled by politicians with links to drug syndicates.

John Paolo Bencito, Maricel V. Cruz, Sandy Araneta and PNA

tensions, Vietnam continues to modernize its military and seek closer security ties with Japan, the United States and India in preparation for future Chinese assertiveness in disputed waters,” AMTI said in its report published Tuesday.

Hanoi did not respond to a request for comment Friday, but Beijing issued a customary rebuke and asserted its claim over the disputed Spratly chain, which it calls the Nansha islands.

“We are firmly opposed to some relevant country’s illegal occupation and construction work on some of the islands and reefs of China’s Nansha islands,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuan said at a regular briefing.

The strategic waterway is also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan and is rich in energy reserves, fishery resources and is a busy shipping route. AFP

ON THE RISE. A bird’s eye view of two buildings under construction in Manila on Nov. 17, 2016. The Philippines became Asia’s fastest-growing economy in President Rodrigo Duterte’s first three months in office, officials said, even as his fiery rhetoric hit the peso and stock prices. AFP

US...

From A1

us, meaning the Philippines and the US, to continue with our joint cooperation particularly in the fight against drug addiction and terrorism,” Yasay said in a statement citing his meeting with Kerry at the sidelines of the Apec summit in Peru.

“We had hoped that they would be able to continue to assist us in our capacity building of our law enforcement agencies and police forces,” Yasay said.

In August, the US announced that the $32-million assistance to the Philippines to promote human rights and security was now subject to “rigorous vetting.” It called on the Philippines to observe the rule of law and due process in its campaign against illegal drugs.

Leila...

From A1

She said the same thing happened to inmate Jaybee Sebastian when he was stabbed during a prison riot, as a warning that he should cooperate.

Sebastian, allegedly De Lima’s favored inmate, testified he raised campaign funds for her senatorial run in the last May elections.

De Lima has consistently denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, and has accused the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte of fabricating evidence against her.

Earlier this week, she admitted to having a years-long affair with her driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, who was tagged as a bagman that collected money from drug lords detained at the New Bilibid Prison.

Like Sebastian, De Lima said, Espinosa will probably make up stories to link her to the drug trade inside the NBP. Told that Espinosa would be summoned before Senator Panfilo Lacson’s committee, De Lima said this was good only if he told the truth.

“That’s probably part of the deal. That’s why he was even fetched [from Abu Dhabi],” De Lima said.

The US has also allotted at least $6.7 million to boost law enforcement in the Philippines.

But that aid may be diverted to other countries if Manila and Washington fail to agree on how it will be used.

Yasay said his meeting with Kerry materialized because Kerry wanted to assure the Philippines that the US continued to value its relations with the Philippines.

He said they agreed to move forward despite Duterte’s plan to stop the joint military exercises with the US. “We had agreed to move forward in so far as our mutual cooperation is concerned, not so much to focus on joint military exercises but more on the areas of joint cooperation on illegal drugs, corruption and even disaster mitigation,” Yasay said.

Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Du30...

From A1

Senator Panfilo Lacson echoed De Lima.

“I would guess it’s not that simple to withdraw. I guess the decision is not unilateral,” Lacson said.

On Thursday, Duterte said he was studying following in Russia’s footsteps and similarly leaving the ICC following its criticism of the spate of summary killings of drug peddlers and users under his administration.

The ICC can prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

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.

The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and international human rights groups have all raised concern over the summary killings in the Philippines. John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

BoC...

From A1 Lachica was taken to United Doctors Medical Center but he died while undergoing treatment.

He was appointed to the bureau in July 2014.

Sandy Araneta and Vito Barcelo

News

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Olympic sponsors may get incentives THE House committee on youth and sports development has approved a bill seeking to give incentives to donors of athletes who have won medals in the Summer Olympic Games.

The committee, chaired by Abono party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III, passed House Bill 4054 seeking to provide tax incentives to individuals and corporations which give donations, contributions and grants to Filipino athletes who have won in the Summer Olympic Games.

The bill was principally authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and co-authored by several other House leaders: deputy speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat, PBA party-list Reps. Jericho Jonas Nograles and Mark Aeron Sambar.

Lobregat said through the tax breaks and incentives, the people would be encouraged to support the athletes’ endeavors as they try to bring more pride and honor to the nation.

Abu proposed to the body to allow the committee on ways and means, where the bill would be subsequently referred, to discuss the issue of tax incentives since the contentious issue in the proposal was on how much amount would be given as tax exemption.

It is only after 20 years that the Philippines is again an Olympic winner, Lobregat said.

Lobregat said: “Hidilyn Diaz, a 25-year-old lass from Zamboanga City won a silver medal in weightlifting in the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Olympics and brought glory and honor to the country.

“Hidilyn’s victory and experience in her sport will be very valuable in developing and molding future Filipino Olympic medalists.”

She said the last Olympic medal for the Philippines before Diaz’s silver medal was won by Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco in the boxing division during the 1996 Atlanta games.

“Needless to say, Hidilyn Diaz and the other Filipino Olympic heroes like her deserve not only our praise but also our support,” said Lobregat, chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Highways.

Maricel V. Cruz

BIENVENIDO A LIMA. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is welcomed by Peruvian Minister of Culture Jorge Nieto Montesinos upon his arrival at the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru on November 17. Malacañang Photo

Charter change will take time—Speaker T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE shift to federal form of government as espoused by President Rodrigo Duterte will take time, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Friday.

At present, Alvarez said the proposed Charter Change to effect federalism was still being discussed in Congress.

Similarly, Alvarez said Congress was awaiting an executive order to be issued by Malacañang creating a Constitutional Commission which shall compose an experts team of 25 tasked to review the 1987 Constitution.

“We will give them six months to review the Constitution and prepare the draft [amendments]. As soon as they have the final draft, Congress will then convene as a constituent body to debate on the draft amendments,” Alvarez told a

radio interview.

“We will also conduct massive information and education drive up to the barangay level to educate the people on what the proposed amendments would be,” Alvarez added, stressing the referendum would be done in time for the 2017 mid-term elections.

Alvarez admitted that rewriting the Constitution toward federalism would take time and that the whole process would not be finished by 2017.

“The whole process of amending the Constitution will not finish by 2017. As soon as the President appoints members of the Constitutional

Commission to prepare the final draft, that is the only time we will be able to convene into a Constituent Assembly...In about a year, we will be able to hold the referendum by 2019,” Alvarez stressed.

Alvarez said efforts on the part of the ruling PDP-Laban to explain Charter Change to the public by holding massive information drive campaign.

“The PDP-Laban has set up a sort of federal institute to campaign for federalism and explain to the people what is it about,” Alvarez said.

The Speaker expressed hope Charter Change would be widely accepted by the Filipino people, noting that Mindanaoans have responded well to the administration’s campaign for Charter Change.

“We are focusing our information drive in Luzon and Visayas; except in Bicol region where the campaign to effect federalism is a bit accepted.

The same is true for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. So I guess our focus really would be in Luzon,” Alvarez pointed out.

Alvarez expressed belief Charter Change would advance the country’s economy and promote development as this will also address congestion in Metro Manila.

With the proposed federalism, Alvarez said they would look into the possibility of transferring the seat of government to the Visayas, such as the Negros Island which would be accessible to all.

“Definitely, this idea is workable—that Negros will be the state capital,” Alvarez said, adding the offices of both the Senate in Pasay City and the House of Representatives in Quezon City will also be transferred to Negros when Charter Change, specifically, federalism has pushed through,” he said.

PWD tax breaks Villar pushes agri fund ok implemented soon By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Macon Araneta THE long-awaited rules that will implement tax breaks for persons with disabilities and their kin who care for them will be signed on December 1, Department of Social Welfare and Development officials said, in reply to a query from Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto during the budget debates.

The DSWD’s assurance was confirmed by Senate finance chairman Senator Loren Legarda, who conveyed it to Recto in the course of his interpellation of the DSWD’s P129.8-billion budget

request for 2017.

To stress that the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act RA 10754 “is a go,” DSWD officials invited Recto and senators to the event to be held in the agency’s central office in Quezon City.

“Well, what can I say? ....It may have moved along in crutches, but it is arriving,” Recto said.

Recto viewed the “imminent promulgation” of the IRR of RA 10754 “as a strong indicator that the administration’s plan to revoke certain tax-free privileges of PWDs and senior citizens will no longer push through.”

SENATOR Cynthia Villar said the P50.5-billion proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture for 2017 was crafted to address the barriers that hinder competitiveness of farmers and fisherfolk.

Villar, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, presided over the budget hearing of DA and its attached agencies under Finance Subcommittee “E”, and was tasked to defend the budget in plenary.

“I am pleased to say that we have high expectations the budget of DA next year will address

the barriers that hinder Filipino farmers and fisherfolks from being more competitive and to increase their income,” Villar said.

“We have taken into consideration the agriculture sector has had to contend with tougher competition with the opening or reintegration to the Asean Economic Community since last year and, on top of that, climate change issues,” she added.

Villar said studies have identified the factors that affect competitiveness of Filipino farmers as the lack of technical expertise, inadequate access to socialized credit, lack of mechanization and financial literacy.

Ombudsman still mum on lawmakers’ criticism

By Rio N. Araja OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales on Friday remained silent as questions mounted about her failure to investigate narco-politicians, Senator Leila de Lima’s supposed involvement in the drug trade, and the alleged misuse of the Yolanda rehabilitation and reconstruction funds in billions of pesos.

She remained conspicuously silent about the allegations of neglect hurled against her by Senator Manny Pacquiao, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and other lawmakers for turning a blind eye

to the proliferation of drugs inside the National Bilibid Prison.

They involved De Lima and Bureau of Corrections officials, narco-politicians like the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, and misappropriation of relief assistance for the Yolanda victims and survivors.

The Office of the Ombudsman, however, has not issued any official statement.

Mary Rawnsle Lopez, acting director of the Ombudsman’s public information and media relations bureau, could not be reached for comment.

STILL FRIENDS. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay and Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee greet US

Secretary of State John Kerry at the start of a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru. AFP Photo

IN BRIEF Drug war ok in Dagupan DAGUPAN City continues to be a model of success for the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Double Barrel and President Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war on drugs. According to Dagupan Police Chief Supt.

Neil Miro, Barangay Poblacion Oeste was the latest area to be declared drug-free by the PNP, joining nine previous barangays believed to be rid of this social menace.

“We are glad to announce that Poblacion Oeste is now drug-free, and this is due to the effort exerted by the barangay council under the leadership of Punong Barangay Lolita Vallejos. They deserve our commendation for their cooperation,” Miro emphasized.

In his report to Mayor Belen Fernandez, who is the chairperson of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Miro disclosed that Poblacion Oeste had at least 43 drug personalities in their list, and all of them were either arrested or surrendered under Operation Tokhang. A day earlier, Barangay Lomboy was likewise declared to be drug-free, making it the second island barangay after Salapingao to be given that distinction.

“Before the year ends, we hope that our target of making Dagupan at least 80 percent drug-free will be achieved,” noted Fernandez. At present, approximately 30 percent of the 31 barangays in the city have been cleared of drugs.

Davao City Reading tilt successful DAVAO CITY—In the face of exciting and rapidly changing technology that takes the interest of children these days, the Davao City Library has organized a storytelling contest among public and private schools in the city, said Davao City Library chief Pedrita Badar.

Dana Laverne Solidor from the Ateneo de Davao University bagged the first place, which also earned her a P5,000 cash prize. Her winning story was “Raquel’s Fantastic Hair.”

The second place went to Hannah Laurea Bustaleño from Tugbok Central SpEd Center which earned her P4,000 cash prize. He story was “The Jackal and the Drum.”

The third place winner, who won P3,000 cash prize, was Zuleika Lou Dalian of the Precious International School of Davao. Her story was “The Giving Tree.” Six other contestants won P1,000 each as consolation prizes.

F. Pearl A. Gajunera

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Opinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Frailty

I

T IS a shame that women in positions of authority in this country are sometimes the first to ensure that double standards and glass ceilings remain, and firmly.

This week we heard Senator Leila de Lima admitting an affair with her former driver, Ronnie Dayan, who is now being accused of collecting protection money from drug lords operating from within their cells at the National Bilibid Prison.

The courts will eventually get to the issue of drug money, using, we hope, not just the controversial testimonies of the high-profile inmates

when they were called to the House of Representatives, but solid paper trail and other evidence.

But in an attempt to justify her reason for engaging in an affair with Dayan, a married man, De Lima cited “the frailties of a woman.”

As if men were never frail.

Public attorney Persida Acosta, in the running for associate justice of the Supreme Court, seems to hold the

same archaic views. Acosta wants to retain the harsher conditions for the grounds of infidelity when it is the married woman who commits the indiscretion.

Under current laws, a married woman may be charged with adultery every single time she has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband.

A married man, however, may only be charged with concubinage if he keeps a woman in the conjugal dwelling, has sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or cohabits with

her in any other place. “[The law] should be stricter on women more than on men because women are the light of the home. If the home is destroyed because the woman cheats, it’s over. But if the man cheats, the woman remains strong, and since she is the light of the home, the home survives.”

Acosta may believe she is doing women good by invoking these platitudes about their strength and resilience, even uprightness, but she is not.

What her statement betrays is a belief that right and wrong become relative depending on who commits them, and that

women deserve harsher punishment for violating age-old gender roles that are rooted in patriarchy.

When a woman fails, it is because she fails as a human being, not because she is a woman who must be reined in for her intemperateness, poor judgment or frailty.

This is absolutely no different from when anybody else fails. There is only right and wrong—no excuses, no hiding behind circumstances.

One must be strong and decent and human enough to take responsibility for one’s actions. Any other thinking is what counts as frailty.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Legal battle for Green Cross continues

What if the whole plan is, to make Duterte president, bury FM in the LNMB, and have Ferdinand Marcos Jr. win his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo? Then it is going to be a DuterteMarcos administration. Bongbong Marcos will just be one step away from the presidency.

What if after declaring BBM as the president, Duterte resigns? This will make BBM the president.

Or, what if Duterte declares Martial Law and even without winning his electoral protest, BBM is assigned to an important post and VP Robredo is put in the freezer?

Some people may say that this is outrageous, that those who think that these can happen are hallucinating. I agree that this may sound unbelievable.

However, at this point, after the first several months of the Duterte presidency, can we

THE Green Cross brand of disinfectant rubbing alcohol is ubiquitous in supermarket and drug store shelves, and in hospitals in the Philippines.

Since time immemorial, this trademark has been associated with hygiene and disease prevention.

Green Cross goes back to 1952 when Gonzalo Co It came up with his formula for a rubbing alcohol compound.

Thereafter, Co It registered the Green Cross trademark and trade name with the Philippine Patent Office. He also established Gonzalo Laboratories, a sole proprietorship, to manufacture and distribute his product.

At first, Gonzalo Laboratories was a one-man entrepreneurial concern. In time, it became a lucrative business largely through the industry and dedication of Co It. In 1971, Co It incorporated the business as Gonzalo Laboratories Inc. and subscribed to about 20 percent of the authorized capital stock. He likewise caused the registration of some of the corporation’s shares in the name of his parents.

To comply with the requirements imposed by law on stock corporations, Co It also caused the registration of other corporate shares in the names of his siblings.

Co It paid for all the shares of his parents and siblings, who all simply held the said shares in trust for Co It. When the enterprise became more profitable through the years, an increase in capitalization became necessary. According to Co It, his siblings deceived him into waiving his pre-emptive rights over the additional subscription through a scheme which eventually reduced Co It’s shareholdings in the corporation to a lone share of stock. Although Co It’s parents still held a substantial number of shares in the corporation, Co It said the scheme enabled his siblings to seize the controlling interest in the profitable enterprise.

It appears that when Co It’s parents passed away, their

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A continuing betrayal POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO LIKE a thief in the night, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos has been surreptitiously buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The difference is, President Rodrigo Duterte himself, and the Supreme Court made this possible.

This is betrayal of the highest order of the Filipino people.

While everyone was following the return of suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa to the country because of concerns that he might suffer the same fate as his father, the Marcoses, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as the Philippine National Police were already doing the final preparations for Marcos’ burial. There is every reason to believe that Kerwin Espinosa

was a smokescreen. It was a devious plan.

Everyone was caught unaware. People were under the impression that the Supreme Court’s decision was not yet executory as the petitioners against the burial still had time to file their Motion for Reconsideration (MR) with the SC. Then it happened. The Filipino people were again betrayed.

At first Malacañang was denying that the President knew about what was going to happen. However, this is unbelievable since the AFP and the PNP were involved. The personnel and helicopters used even by the Marcos family all belong to government. The event was obviously very well-planned, orchestrated, and executed up to the last detail. There is no way that the Commander-inChief was not informed about this. As later said by a PNP official, President Duterte was fully informed of what would

transpire. Again, the President’s spokespersons tried to mislead the people.

It should be noted that before the secret day of the burial, President Duterte has issued some sort of warnings. Though the context he cited was different, he said that he might be

Kerwin Espinosa was a smokescreen.

“forced” to suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus, and worse, declare Martial Law. On hindsight, perhaps his intent was to warn people against reacting strongly against what was going to happen.

The Marcoses and Mr. Du-

terte took a common line—that the burial should be a form of closure on the tumultuous Martial Law era and atrocities committed by the former dictator.

They both said that it is time to move on.

However, the opposite may be happening. As of this writing, various protests are happening and social media has exploded with netizens venting anger at the Marcoses, Duterte, and the SC. Instead of a closure, wounds because of the dictatorship’s abuses are reopened.

People are taking to the streets again.

This is not going to be a closure. This betrayal is the beginning of a renewed struggle to protect the democracy that Filipinos fought for, and thousands, died for. I suspect that this is going to be another long struggle.

According to a friend, it is possible that the Marcos burial at the LNMB could just be a part of a bigger, more sinister plan.

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Opinion

is: why has the term independent foreign policy become MARCOS refused to send synonymous with anti-Americombat troops to join the US canism? Is it rooted in the prowar of aggression in Vietnam pensity of the US to interfere in 1967, did not renew the in the domestic affairs of other “parity rights” agreement be- countries? Interference is a yond 1974,opened diplomatic weak point in diplomacy for it relations with the Soviet Un- betrays the lack of agreement ion and China in 1975, and to a given objective; that if othsought membership with the ers see it as contrary to their Group of 77. In retaliation, interest, interference or resort the US did not only renege on to the hard power approach beits commitment to supply the comes its last recourse.

Armed Forces with weapons US interference in our doand ammunitions under the mestic affairs has somewhat Mutual Defense Agreement. It become instinctive because also sowed intrigues to create it treats us as a vassal state. disenchantment in their ranks While the Philippines purports by encouraging the soldiers to to be an independent state, its organize the so-called Reform policy is always subject to the the Armed Forces Movement. approval of the US, acting as After ousting Marcos by a suzerain state. Washington coup d’ etat, the oligarchs and policy makers are not only the ultra conservative clerics presumptuous, but insist that promptly projected their un- US interest for the Philippines constitutional action as “Peo- is not only synonymous to our ple Power” to give it a sem- interest, but is for the good of blance of popular support. our people. Many of officials One must note that the subscribe to this colonial posopening of tulate. diplomatic The antities with US sentiment China was expressed by most historic US interference President Duand stunning. terte is not a Former First in our domestic condition to Lady Imelda affairs has improving R. Marcos our relations succeeded in somewhat with China securing the become instinctive and with Rusassurance of sia nor is debecause it treats China that it manded by will no longer us as a vassal the two counsupport the tries. Rather, state. local insurour attitude gency movehas been ment.

That moulded by instantly dethe past concapitated the local Communist duct of the US. This explains Party of its principal broker. why every time we make an atThe Noynoy administration tempt to analyze our relations sought to revive the wedge with the US, automatically to separate us from China by there is that lingering suspidrumming our claim in the cion that one is pro-China.

South China Sea and seeking The US and its local acthe return of the US bases as complices, the oligarchs and its misplaced leverage. the Church, wants to erase President Duterte now Marcos from the pages of our suffers the same rough sailing history because he represents in navigating our new foreign that fleeting moment in the policy direction. Up to now reawakening of our political the US could not dissect the consciousness as it was comfine difference between the pelled to intervene just to put pursuit of national interest back on track our interest. It from that of securing them was forced to install their pupthrough an alliance which pet Cory Aquino and projected tend subsume our interest to her as our icon of democracy that of the US. In the end, and freedom. our national interest becomes This is what US political secondary to that of the US scientist Paul Kennedy exbut cloaked as imperative to plained as the hard power apour security. proach in his book, “The Rise The end of the Cold War and Fall of Great Powers.” contributed much to diminish The US refuses to concede the value of military alliances. that marshalling allies to fight It was not only a battle for on its side is more costly. It remilitary superiority but also a quires a degree of oppression battle for ideological suprema- and subjugation. cy. The raising of the infamous The hard approach caused its “Iron Curtain” and “Bamboo economy to be depleted, wiped Curtain” are historical land- out to near extinction its midmarks that bear the ugly scar dle class, allowed the decay of of the bloody proxy war. The its vital infrastructures, had old militaristic umbrella of to relocate factories to other hegemony upon which allies countries at the expense of blindly accept the US ideolog- the employment of its people, ical doctrine as equivalent to and penalized them with high their national interest has long taxes, pursued the monetarist policy in favor of production been replaced.

Admittedly, China is geo- just to keep intact the seemgraphically proximate to us, ing invincibility of the US doland the Philippine archipela- lar, and maintained its miligo is very much a part of the tary presence anywhere in the South China Sea. The end of globe to keep its enemies at the Cold War was substituted bay. As one commented, while by closer economic interac- nobody could chink the armor tion. China has shown more of the US, it failed to see that eagerness to help us extricate internal rust was corroding fast our people from poverty. We the foundation upon which its can no longer revive the old stands.

The reverse theory was adline of defining our national interest based on the old pre- vanced by Joseph Nye. In his cept, but must adjust to the book, “The Future of Power,” changing realities of peaceful Nye came out with the “soft cooperation and economic de- power” approach. He observes that, “if China increases its soft velopment.

The fundamental question power to a point where it feels Part II

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Not a good day for justice

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Evolution of PH-US relations

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA YESTERDAY was a bad day for reconciliation with justice.

The surprise burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, even before the motions for reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision could be filed and decided, was a foul and an unwarranted provocation by the Marcos family. It guarantees that there will be no closure soon on this issue. Court decisions are not final and not be executed until after 15 days precisely to give the litigants an opportunity to file motions for reconsideration and for courts to act accordingly.

Aside from basic decency and courtesy, the rule of law lost yesterday. It is my hope that the Supreme Court act on this unprecedented contempt done to it and to do so immediately and motu propio.

In the spirit of protesting yesterday’s travesty, I summarize in this column the dissents of the five justices that went against the majority opinion which allowed the burying of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. They are Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Antonio Carpio, Marvic Leonen and Francis Jardeleza.

In brief, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was of the view that the Court has the authority to resolve this controversy under the expanded concept of judicial review in the 1987 Constitution. However, diverting

Legal...

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estates were never settled. Co It said that his siblings simply appropriated for themselves their parents’ shares in the corporation, to the exclusion of Co It. When it was clear to Co It that he had been deceived by his siblings, he decided to seek judicial relief. In June 2009, Co It filed a complaint for reconveyance with damages against his siblings before the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City.

In 2010, the trial court ruled that Co It’s right to sue his siblings had already lapsed. On appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling of the trial court. This prompted Co It to bring his case to the Supreme Court by way of a petition for review filed in 2011. By that time, however, Co It was already 91 years old.

This is where Co It’s story gets really tragic.

It appears that Co It’s lawyer informed Co It that in view of the upcoming yuletide season in 2011, and considering Co It’s advanced age, Co It’s siblings were willing to reconcile with

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really discount these things from happening?

At this point also, we need to take Duterte’s pronouncements seriously. It appears that he does not say things without any purpose. There have been some disturbing statements from him. Let us not forget that from the get-go Duterte has declared his loyalty to the Marcoses. Remember his trip where both Imee and BBM were present? He introduced Marcos Jr. as the possible Vice President. He repeated this a few more times. Is Duterte secure in not having to resort to military power to achieve its aims, then everybody win.”

He believes that in the course of time the soft approach will naturally evolve and coagulate as common interest.

from the ruling by the majority, she was of the opinion that the President acted with grave abuse of discretion and in violation of his duty to faithfully execute the laws when he ordered the burial of Marcos in the LNMB. She argued that statutes and jurisprudence establish a clear policy to condemn the acts of Marcos and what he represents, which effectively prohibits the incumbent President from honoring him through a burial in the LNMB. Further, the AFP does not have the power to determine which persons are qualified for interment in the Libingan. Furthermore, she strongly objected that the burial cannot be justified by mere reference to the President’s residual powers; it is not unfettered, and such power can only be exercised in conformity with the entire Constitution.

The Chief Justice warned that to allow Marcos to be buried in the LNMB would violate international human rights law and an independent source of state obligations, and would negate the remedies provided by Republic Act 10368. Clarifying her argument, she says that under international law, the Philippines is obligated to provide effective remedies, including holistic reparations, to human rights victims; the burial would contravene the duty of the Philippines to provide reparations to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime; and it would run counter to the duty of the state to combat impunity. Finally, Chief Justice Sereno pointed out that public funds and property cannot be used for the burial as it serves no legitimate public purpose.

In explaining his vote, Jus-

tice Alfredo Caguioa (joined

by Justice Jardeleza) was of the same opinion as the Chief Justice that the interment serves no legitimate public purpose, hence, no use of public property or public funds can be made to support it. In fine, he is of the opinion that the interment of former President Marcos constitutes a violation of the physical, historical and cultural integrity of the LNMB as a national shrine, which the State has the obligation to conserve. Caguioa argued that “burying (Marcos) at the LNMB does not make him a national hero, disregards the status of the LNMB as a national shrine, the public policy in treating national shrines, the standards set forth in these laws and executive issuances as well as in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) LNMB burial regulations.

Taking a different tack from the dissents of his four other colleagues, Justice Antonio Carpio said that Marcos is disqualified from being interred at the LNMB on the ground that he was forcibly removed from the Presidency by what is now referred to as the People Power Revolution. This is the strongest form of dishonorable discharge from office since it is meted out by the direct act of the sovereign people, Carpio said.

Justice Marvic Leonen, on the other hand, stated in a strong dissent that the President’s verbal orders, which were the basis for the issuance of the questioned orders of public respondents are invalid because they violate Republic Act 289, which was never repealed. He continued: “The President’s verbal orders, the Lorenzana Memorandum, and

the Enriquez Orders all violate the requirement in Section 1 of Republic Act No. 289 that those buried must have led lives worth of “inspiration and emulation.” Further, Leonen points out that the public respondents gravely abused their discretion when they failed to show that there was an examination of the sufficiency of the facts that would reasonably lead them to believe that the burial of the remains of Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan would be in accordance with Republic Act 289. As such, according to him, the President’s verbal orders were issued with grave abuse of discretion because they violate Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013; further stating that the President’s verbal orders cannot be justified even under the provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987. By and large, according to the dissent, the actions of public respondents are contrary to the President’s oath of office because they encourage impunity. Leonen reasoned that it is “illegal” for the remains of Marcos to be buried at the LNMB. Justice Leonen ends his dissent powerfully and I make his words mine: “Marcos is no hero.

He was not even an exemplary public officer. He is not worthy of emulation and inspiration by those who suffer poverty as a result of the opportunity lost during his administration, by those who continue to suffer the trauma of the violations to the human dignity of their persons and of their family.”

him, and even enter into an amicable compromise to resolve their problem.

Buoyed by the idea of family reconciliation and the prospects of a compromise settlement, Co It was convinced by his lawyer to sign a motion for the withdrawal of his petition then pending in the Supreme Court.

Co it signed the motion, and his lawyer filed it in the Supreme Court. In January 2012, the Supreme Court declared the case closed and terminated.

Unfortunately for Co It, the anticipated reconciliation and settlement, which prompted Co It to withdraw his petition in the first place, never materialized.

In a meeting held in January 2012 which Co It eagerly attended, he was shocked to learn that his siblings had no desire to settle the case. His siblings even berated Co It for filing the case, and demanded that Co It publish in a newspaper an apology to the local Chinese community.

Incidentally, the lawyer of Co It’s siblings is Estelito Mendoza, a famous high-end legal practitioner, and the solicitor general during the administration of President Ferdinand

Marcos.

Realizing that he was duped into withdrawing his petition, Co It hired a new lawyer, Ramon Maronilla, to protect his interests. Maronilla is a seasoned litigation lawyer, and an ex-president of Club Filipino. He is also the incumbent president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc. and he currently sits in the Board of Regents of the state university.

In May 2014, Maronilla filed the pertinent pleadings seeking the reinstatement of the petition improvidently withdrawn by Co It. His theory is simple but sound—since the withdrawal of the petition was premised on a reconciliation and settlement which never materialized, the withdrawal of the petition was based on an inexistent consideration, and to disallow its reinstatement will visit gross injustice to Co It. Maronilla also cited past decisions of the Supreme Court which warrant the reinstatement of a petition improvidently withdrawn.

As expected, Co It’s siblings opposed the reinstatement of the petition and cited the rulings of both the trial court and

the Court of Appeals. For reasons unexplained, however, Co It’s siblings kept silent about the impetus for Co It’s earlier decision to withdraw his petition—a silence the Supreme Court noted.

During the pendency of the motion for the reinstatement of the petition, the camp of Co It’s siblings expressed confidence that Co It will never regain his Green Cross business.

Finally, in a resolution dated October 21, 2016 and written by Justice Jose Perez, the Supreme Court sustained Co It’s position and ordered the reinstatement of his petition. The High Court likewise directed Co It’s siblings to file their comment on Co It’s petition. It is not known if the siblings will seek a reconsideration.

Sadly, Co It passed away several months before the resolution in his favor was promulgated. Nonetheless, his heirs have decided to pursue the petition as part of their determined quest to recover the Green Cross business which lawfully belongs to their late father Co It in the first place.

Meanwhile, the legal battle for Green Cross continues.

warning us that this is part of his and the Marcoses’ grand plan?

It will also be recalled that the president has repeatedly said that he is willing to resign. Although again, the contexts were different when he said this, one cannot totally discount the possibility that there is truth to his willingness to resign. If Bongbong Marcos wins his electoral challenge against Robredo and gets declared as VP, is it far-fetched to think that Duterte will give way?

Truly, I hope that these things will not come to pass.

And the way to prevent these

from happening is for the spirit of people power to be kept burning.

Some say that one reason why the dictator’s LMNB burial happened was because we, the people were not keeping a close watch. We let our guards down. We cannot do this again. We should be very vigilant.

The Supreme Court where BBM’s electoral protest is lodged should be closely monitored and pressure should be kept up. Our Justices have the responsibility to be JUST. The president and his men should know that the people will strongly protest moves to

further thwart our democratic gains. We must make our voices heard. It is our constitutionally guaranteed right to peacefully assemble for political redress.

Most importantly, we must educate our young people and those in communities of the importance of democracy and protecting our rights. We cannot be remiss in this.

There is so much to do. The struggle is on to prevent the continuing betrayal of our people.

to others. Such philosophy is not borne out of profundity, but from an ancient Chinese philosophy that allowed human civilization to thrive for thousands of years. This is amplified today by the “One Road One Belt”

policy of China. It is totally different from the traditional Western approach of building an alliance through a system of intricate quid pro quo.

Soft power is not meant to isolate the US and place it on the defensive to make war unavoidable. It is a win-win formula for eventually countries will gravitate towards the one willing to share his prosperity

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

14 combatants killed in Sulu battle

By Florante S. Solmerin

M

ORE than a dozen combatants were killed while nine others were wounded in a fresh battle between the military and Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu on Friday, Major Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said.

Tan said the fierce battle started by Radullan Sahiron in Sitio Dyaround 10:20 a.m. between ele- undangan, Barangay Buhanginan. ments of the 35th Infantry Battal“The encounter lasted for almost ion and around 150 terrorists led 45 minutes before the terrorists

escaped to different directions,” Tan said, adding four soldiers were killed while nine were hurt in the encounter. At least 10 terrorists are believed to have been killed with a still undetermined number of wounded.

“We have three bodies [from the ASG]. Seven of the slain terrorists were brought by their comrades in their escape,” Tan said, adding the fleeing terrorists were chased with shelling from 105mm and 155mm howitzer guns.

Fresh troops were also inserted to continue pursuit operations against the terrorists.

“Blocking troops and check-

points were also established to intercept the escaping terrorists,” Tan said.

“Despite the casualties incurred, the military continues to conduct combat operations against the ASG to destroy the bandits, rescue the kidnap victims and deter terror attacks perpetrated by the bandit group in the province of Sulu and possibly in other provinces as well,” Tan said.

“The purpose of the operation is to destroy the enemy and to rescue the victims,” said Tan, who added the troops did not see any of the captives held hostage by the militants.

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network, and has earned millions of dollars from kidnappings-for-ransom.

In recent years, some of its leaders have pledged allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq.

The Abu Sayyaf is also blamed for the Philippines’ deadliest bombings but in recent months, many of its activities have been kidnappings in the high seas.

Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen killed a German sailor and abducted her elderly male companion

IN BRIEF

Tourism readies Miss U venues

Customs seizes fake cigarettes CUSTOMS operatives raided a warehouse of fake branded cigarettes in Marilao, Bulacan, which has defrauded the government of rightful revenue of more than P108 million a month.

The raiding team found boxes of Marlboro, More, Fortune, Philip Morris, Jackpot, Hope and other assorted cigarettes to Philip Morris Philippines Inc. in a warehouse at Barangay Sta. Rosa 2 in Marilao, Bulacan.

PMFTC representative Solomon Dador Jr. confirmed that the confiscated cigarettes were all fake and being sold in the provinces in North Luzon at a very low price.

He said the manufacture of cigarettes has no permission from the Philip Morris International, and are therefore counterfeit.

The raiding team, lead by customs CIIS operative chief Joel Pinawin said, also found tons of raw materials to produce the cigarettes.

Dador said that more than 125,000 packs of assorted cigarettes were being transported to nearby provinces and were sold to small stores and public markets at a very low price.

The warehouse owner was not there when the raiding team arrived.

Liver experts hold confab DISTINGUISHED international experts in gastro-enterology and liver disease treatment are featured speakers in the Hepatology Society of the Philippines 10th anniversary convention slated November 23-25 at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Keynote speaker is Prof.

Masao Omata of Japan. Other foreign resource speakers are Professors Jacob George, Australia; Jia Hong Kao,Taiwan; Rino Gani, Indonesia; Chung Mao Lo, Hongkong and Pierce Chow, Singapore.

Forty of the country’s top gastro-enterologists and liver experts will also tackle various topics in the convention’s scientific program.

Dr. Ian Homer Y. Cua, HSP president, said the 10th anniversary convention opens a new chapter in the history of the organization as it renews and reinvigorates its steadfast commitment to the study of liver health and diseases, the promotion of research, education, advocacy and the formulation of national health policies in active partnership with the global community in control of the dreaded killer disease.

More than 500 delegates are expected to attend the convention.

Dr. Stephen Wong, organizing committee chairman, said the theme: “HSP@10: State of the Art Management of Liver Diseases, underscores the scientific program of the convention which is designed to equip practicing physicians with advanced knowledge to improve clinical outcomes and prevent progression in managing patients afflicted with liver disease.

By Sandy Araneta

MMFF SEASON. Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Tim Orbos announces the eight entries to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival on Friday. Manny Palmero

BI installs border control system

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration has installed BI Information System (BIIS) to improve electronic border control and information system to bolster the agency’s ability to thwart the entry of illegal aliens and enhance the integrity of its travel documentation processing system.

“The system facilitates the faster immigration processing of the thousands of travelers who enter and exit the country via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport [Naia] and other major ports nationwide,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime

Morente said.

A flagship project of the BI, the new BIIS now operates in all three terminals of the Naia and the airports in Clark, Mactan, Davao, Iloilo, Laoag, Kalibo, and Zamboanga.

“Using the highest international standards, we put the ingenuity and creativity of the Filipino to work to produce a system that covers the myriad of migration and border concerns, and links up the many information sources and databases from our own records as well as domestic and international partners,” Morente said.

He disclosed that with the

new automated system, immigration processing time in immigration counters is now down to 20-30 seconds from the previous average of 45-60 seconds per passenger.

Morente described the system as very comprehensive as it stores more than 320 million arrival and departure records in a centralized database.

“It is also inter-connected with the Interpol which allows us to access databases and information on wanted fugitives who are subjects of red notices, stolen and lost travel documents, and fingerprints as well,” he said.

It was learned that the BIIS is equipped with improved security features through cameras and fingerprint scanners that were installed in the airports to take pictures of passengers and do biometrics.

Another feature of the system is its capacity to recognize faces and detect fraudulent passports and travel documents through the use of ultraviolet and infrared devices.

The BI said the BIIS will soon be linked to the databases of the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

WELCOME CIVILITY.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II shakes hands with Senator Leila de Lima during a brief meeting with Senator Loren Legarda (foreground, back to camera) at a Senate budget hearing on Thursday.

PNA

THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday announced it will prohibit slow-moving funeral corteges or processions to use major thoroughfares in Metro Manila as part of the government’s initiative to improve the traffic condition in the metropolis.

MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said members of the Interagency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) came up with the decision to ban the funeral along main roads to prevent

traffic buildup on busy streets.

He added the funeral services industry agreed with the move during in a meeting with I-ACT officials at the MMDA main office in Makati City on the consensus in the use of major roads in Metro Manila.

Orbos said some of the agreements the I-ACT agreed upon after consultation with funeral transport service providers are: • Once the funeral convoy leaves the funeral parlor, it shall proceed at normal traffic speed.

• The hearse and its convoy shall

IN WHAT the Department of Tourism promises to be a most memorable and beautiful pageant, Miss Universe 2016 contestants will visit Cebu and Boracay, iconic Vigan, romantic Baguio, and the vast greenery of Davao City, the DoT said on Friday.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said the Miss Universe organizing committee is considering other localities as venues of the pre-pageant events leading to the coronation night on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We are working closely with our private partners to ensure a total tourism experience for our special guests throughout their two-week stay. Let’s show the Philippines’ best-kept secrets,” Teo said.

Teo made the assertion, following the formal signing of memorandum of agreement between the DoT, the Miss Universe organization and the pageant’s private partners, led by Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Wednesday night at Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Singson lauded the private partners and sponsors, as well as the DoT for their determination in hosting the Miss Universe pageant in the country, the first since 1994.

Referring to reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Singson said, “We find no better tribute to finishing your reign and passing the crown to your successor than right here in your home country.”

In addition to the Singson group, the pageant’s other private partners are Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment Inc. and the SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., while sponsors include the San Miguel Corp., Jpark Island Resort and Waterworld of Cebu and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio City.

Neda okays new Nayong Pilipino

Funeral corteges to be banned on major streets

By Joel E. Zurbano

from their yacht at sea last week.

Five crew members of a Vietnamese cargo vessel were also kidnapped by unknown gunmen in nearby waters last week.

In recent months, the Abu Sayyaf has been accused of kidnapping dozens of Indonesian and Malaysian sailors in waters off the southern Philippines.

In what maritime experts described as a landmark incident, the South Korean captain of another cargo ship and a Filipino crewman were abducted off their vessel in October, the first such attack on a large merchant vessel.

obey traffic rules. The convoy shall stop or gets cut once the traffic signal turns red. No stopping of traffic to allow the hearse and its convoy to pass.

• For those requiring walks, as per tradition/culture, designated walk areas will be identified based on the assessment of funeral parlors.

Orbos said the funeral services industry players understand and recognize the need to ease the traffic condition in the roads. He added the agreements on funeral procession are now being enforced until the end of the year and will be re-assessed and

fine-tuned and recalibrated.

“Member-agencies of the I-ACT are continuously exploring and consulting every sector of society because we believe that we need not only the active participation of government but also of the private entities as well to come up with traffic solutions,” Orbos said.

I-ACT is composed of the Department of Transportation, MMDA, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

THE National Economic and Development Authority board approved the New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City Public Private Partnership project after it was endorsed by the Investment Coordination Committee.

The board headed by President Rodrigo Duterte was convened on November 14. The newly approved P1.47 billion PPP project is tourism-oriented facility.

It is envisioned to be the top-of-mind destination for foreign and local tourists who want to experience what makes our nation and culture unique and more fun.

The planned cultural theme park of the Department of Tourism and Nayong Pilipino Foundation will be an experiential and creative showcase of the various elements and dimension of the Filipino culture, identities and traditions spanning past and contemporary periods.

The winning private partner will build, operate and maintain the project with a cooperation period of 23 years which includes a three-year construction period.

The P1.47-billion New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City project can now be bid out under the Public-Private Partnership scheme.

The tourism-oriented facility passed the muster of the National Economic and Development Authority board, the last hurdle before the bidding procedure.

The Entertainment City, which includes an integrated resort, casinos, shopping malls, fine dining restaurants and residential areas, was envisioned to be the top-of-mind destination for foreign and local tourists.

It will cover 120 hectares of reclaimed land at the southeastern part of Manila Bay and generate employment for close to half a million in Parañaque and neighboring areas.

The winning private partner of the New Nayong Pilipino project will build, operate and maintain the facility in the span of a 23-year cooperation period, which includes a three-year construction time under the Build-TransferOperate-and-Maintain scheme.

Sports Olivarez guns for semis slot Games Today

(Olivarez Sports Center, Parañaque city) 12 noon – Diliman vs Olivarez 2 p.m. – BulSU vs UB

OLIVAREZ College goes for the second semis berth against Diliman College today, while the surprising Bulacan State University tries to boost its own bid in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranaque City.

Already assured of a playoff, the Olivarez Sea Lions are looking to clinch their seventh win in 10 starts when they clash with the Blue Dragons at 12 noon.

A repeat over the team that dropped their last four games would enable the Sea Lions to join the Centro Escolar University Dragons in the Final Four of the event presented

by Euro-Med and Lamoiyan Corp.

The BSU Gold Gears, on the other hand, try to follow up their thrilling 85-84 win over the Colegio De San Lorenzo Griffins when they tangle with winless University of Batangas at 2 p.m.

With a 4-5 record, the Gold Gears must win their three remaining games to advance to the next round without going through a playoff with either Diliman or CDSL. The CDSL Griffins have a 4-6 mark while the Blue Dragons tote a 2-6 mark.

Led by Provil Bermudez and Vin Belasco, the Sea Lions staved off Diliman’s last-gasp rally to pull off a 72-64 win in the first round.

Despite having a psychological advantage, the Sea Lions are not taking the Blue Dragons easily knowing the Renzy Bajar-mentored squad is fighting for its survival.

With only two wins in eight starts, the young Blue Dragons would be eliminated if they can’t stop Olivarez’s vaunted running game.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Harden triple-double carries Rockets past Blazers, 126-109

W

ASHINGTON—James Harden posted his third triple double in five games to power the Houston Rockets over visiting Portland 126-109 Thursday on a night of lopsided NBA matchups.

Harden finished with 26 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the Rockets (75). It was Harden’s 12th career triple double and the Rockets are 10-2 when he achieves double digits in three categories.

The Rockets made 14 of 32 three-pointers. Trevor Ariza scored 16 points, Clint Capela

added 15, reserve Eric Gordon netted 16 points and Patrick Beverley hit 11 in his first start since pre-season left knee surgery.

C.J. McCollum led Portland with 26 points while Maurice Harkness added 19 and Damian Lillard had 18 with five rebounds and five assists.

Harden scored 16 points,

grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists in the first quarter as the Rockets led 41-29 after 12 minutes.

Dion Waiters scored 23 points and the host Miami Heat snapped a six-game losing streak, their longest since 2008, by downing Milwaukee 96-73.

Miami improved to 3-8 while the Bucks fell to 5-6. Miami guard Goran Dragic, who missed three games with an injured left ankle, had 16 points while Heat center Hassan Whiteside had 12 points, 17 rebounds and an NBA season-best seven blocked shots despite early foul trouble.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, also in foul trouble, was held to 14 points and seven rebounds.

At Washington, John Wall scored 23 points and passed out 11 assists as the host Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating New York 119-112.

Washington (3-8) sank 15of-23 three-point shots and surged ahead by as much as 27 points only to let the Knicks score 12 points in a row late and pull within seven before falling for the 10th time in their past 11 meetings

Aussies win by 19 shots; PH is no. 6

Aussie Greg Rhodes blasts a drive on No. 10.

V-League, S Turf All-Star Foton tries to boost its chances to benefit ‘Lawin’ victims SHAKEY’S and Sports Vision highlight another banner VLeague season with an All-Star Game tomorrow, featuring the best and the brightest players who saw action in the Open, Collegiate and Reinforced Conferences of Season 13.

But it won’t just be a gathering of stars but the event also serves as a fund-raiser for victims of Typhoon Lawin, which hit the northern parts of Luzon last month.

“It’s time not just to give back to the fans for their continued support to the league but we also want to help our fellow Filipinos who suffered from the wrath of super typhoon Lawin,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

This year’s All-Star is actually a double-treat with the Spikers’ Turf also holding its first-ever special game side by side with that of the Shakey’s V-League.

“Men’s volleyball essentially packs so much action and we want fans to see what these high-leaping, crisp-hitting spikers have to

Schedule tomorrow

(Philsports Arena, Pasig) 1:30 p.m. – Fans’ photo-op & autograph signing with the Stars 3 p.m. – Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game 5 p.m. – Awarding of plaques – Spikers Turf Stars & event Partners 5:15 p.m. – Shakey’s V-League All-Star Game 7:15 p.m. – Awarding of plaques – Shakey’s V-League Stars

offer, even in an exhibition game,” said Sports Vision chairman Moying Martelino.

Michelle Gumabao, Myla Pablo, Gyzelle Sy and libero Melissa Gohing of the recent Reinforced Conference champion Pocari Sweat will go up against a squad bannered Reinforced tilt MVP Alyssa Valdez of Customs in a match set at 5:15 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Fans, meanwhile, will also get a chance to join their favorite players for fun and games from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. All ringside and patron ticket holders can join the players on the court for autograph signing and photo-ops.

FOTON will field a full roster when it clashes with RC ColaArmy for a crucial win that would improve its chances for the top spot of the semifinals of the Asics Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by PLDT Home Ultera Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Game time is at 3 p.m. following the battle between struggling Generika and Cignal in the 12:30 p.m. opening salvo of this weekend doubleheader sponsored Mikasa, Mueller, Grand Sport and Senoh with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Toting a 6-1 card, the Tornadoes are looking to sweep their last three games to overtake Petron and claim the top spot in the semifinals of this prestigious tournament that also has Focus A thletics, KLab Cyscorpions, Foton, Petron and F2 Logistics as sponsors.

The first match will be shown live on TV5, AksyonTV, Hyper and Sports5.ph while the second match can be seen on Hyper and Sports5.ph.

Games Today

(Philsports Arena) 12:30 p.m. – Generika vs Cignal 3:00 p.m. – RC Cola-Army vs Foton

Right now, Petron is sitting on top with an 8-1 win-loss mark following a masterful straight set conquest of Cignal late Thursday, 25-18, 25-10, 25-17. But there could be a complete reversal of fortune as the Tri-Activ Spikers and the Tornadoes would clash in the final day of the preliminaries on Thursday next week, a battle that sideliners believe could be the preview of the finals.

The top two teams after the double-round preliminaries would automatically advance to the semifinals while the third seed would face the sixth seed and the fourth seed would battle the fifth seed in the sudden-death playoffs, making the last few games very crucial for all teams.

The survivors in the playoffs would face Petron and Foton in the semis that would be held at the Ibalong Centrum for Rec-

reation in Legazpi City on Dec. 3.

Save for EJ Laure who remains doubtful, Foton would be marching with a complete roster as it welcomes the return of Jaja Santiago following a grueling 12-day training in Japan together with National University.

In its previous game, Santiago’s absence was very obvious as F2 Logistics dominated them with a 25-15, 23-25, 2523, 26-24 victory at the Imus City Sports Complex in Cavite.

Aby Marano, who suited up for the Tornadoes in the AVC Asian Women’s Club World Championship last September, terrorized the net with conference-high eight blocks for 16 points while Hayley Spelman, Ara Galang and Cha Cruz had a field day in the attack zone, finishing with 23, 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

“Jaja’s return would be such a big boost to Foton. So we have to prepare ourselves and be ready,” said RC Cola-Army coach Kungfu Reyes.

McGregor goes where no fighter has gone before SPORTS CENTER REUEL VIDAL SHOULD Connor McGregor be allowed to keep both the UFC lightweight and featherweight world title belts?

UFC President Dana White has said on numerous occasions that McGregor will have to give up one of the belts. White explained that McGregor will have to figure out which belt he wants and not hold up two divisions.

The only legitimate reason I can think of not to allow McGregor to keep two belts is if he’s not able to defend either or both belts.

But McGregor is and has always been an active fighter. He fought four times this past year. He beat

with the Wizards.

Otto Porter scored 21 points for the Wizards while Bradley Beal added 18 points in his return after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Derrick Rose had 27 points for the Knicks (5-7) while Carmelo Anthony added 19.

At Minnesota, Andrew Wiggins scored 35 points and KarlAnthony Towns added 25 to spark the host Timberwolves over Philadelphia 110-86. Dario Sacic came off the bench to score 16 points to lead the 76ers while Joel Embiid had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Eddie Alvarez by TKO last Nov. 12 at UFC 205. He fought Nate Diaz twice: August 20 and March 5. Last December 12, 2015 he knocked out Jose Aldo with one punch to win the UFC featherweight title.

This means that theoretically McGregor could defend both titles twice a year which effectively eliminates the only valid argument against him holding both titles at once.

Besides, this business of fighters holding multiple world titles at the same time isn’t really anything new.

A guy named Henry Armstrong held the boxing world titles in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions all at the same time back in the late 1930s.

Having said all that going up in weight is one thing. Trying to go back down is quite another thing and is way more difficult. Even McGregor knows that.

But it’s something he’s done before. McGregor became a twodivision champion in the United Kingdom MMA promotion Cage Warriors Fighting Championship in 2012. He captured both the featherweight and lightweight titles. He never defender either title because he moved on to the UFC in 2013.

He also has not defended his UFC featherweight title which he won way back December 2015.

While he’s an active fighter per se, he’s not really active in defending titles after winning them.

With his victory over Alvarez McGregor has become arguably the biggest MMA figure of all-time. And like his previous dealings with other fight promotions he’s not really looking to just defend his title but already looking to bigger opportunities.

After beating Alvarez he publicly went on record saying that he would continue to fight but only if

he’s given an ownership stake at the UFC. And just yesterday, he said he’d fight Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match for $100 million.

So, should Connor McGregor be allowed to keep both the UFC lightweight and featherweight world title belts?

Does he even want to? *** By the way, that image of Connor McGregor straddling the top of the UFC Octagon with two championship belts draped around his shoulders could become as iconic as the image of Muhammad Ali glowering over a fallen Sonny Liston after he won their second bout.

And it never would have happened if not for some quick thinking by Dana White and the brass balls of McGregor himself.

Without the two belts there would not have been that iconic photo of McGregor sitting atop the cage with

two belts draped around his shoulders. And wouldn’t you know it?

McGregor neglected to bring his UFC featherweight belt leaving him a belt short of an iconic photo.

Good thing Dana White was quick to think on his feet and just borrowed Tyron Woodley’s belt for the photo ops.

So was this planned? Maybe partly. Knowing that he neglected to bring his featherweight belt, thus likely missing the chance for that “iconic” photo, McGregor just threw a hissy fit knowing Dana White would figure something out. It’s like maybe throwing White a ball and saying: “Hey Dana, think fast.”

Luckily, White was as much a showman as McGregor and knew the significance of McGregor holding the two belts and found a win-win solution by borrowing Woodley’s UFC welterweight championship belt as a prop for the photo ops.

A VIRTUAL champ after two rounds, Australia never let up and re-claimed the Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Championship crown via a whopping 19-shot romp over a rallying New Zealand despite a 301 at the Alabang Country Club yesterday.

Greg Rhodes and Ian Frost carded 74 and 75, respectively, while Gordon Claney shot a 75 and Stefan Albinski chipped in a 77 as the Aussies ran away with the crown with an 898 aggregate that included a 299 and 298.

It was a big bounce back for Australia, which dominated the event the last eight years, winning five, including three straight from 2010, but struggled to finish third in last year’s edition in China won by New Zealand with Japan finishing second.

The Kiwis redeemed themselves from two so-so rounds by shooting the tournament-best 294 for a 917, edging Japan, which shot a 307 for a 918, by one for runner-up honors in the 54-hole tournament sanctioned by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation and hosted and co-organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

South Korea carded a 309 to place fourth at 923 while Hong Kong-A totaled a 955 after a 326 to end up fifth in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, San Miguel Corp., Smart, PLDT, Cleveland, Srixon, the Philippine Sports Commission, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, and the Department of Tourism.

The Philippines also churned out its best round in three days, a 313 but finished the way it started—at sixth with a 967 as Rolly Viray fired a 76, Abe Avena shot a 77, Richie Garcia added a 79 and Allan Alegre put in an 81.

10 medalists disqualified for doping LAUSANNE—Sixteen athletes, including 10 medallists, were on Thursday disqualified by the International Olympic Committee for doping at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The 10 medallists who competed in weightlifting, wrestling and athletics were all found to have taken banned substances after retesting of samples.

They included three silver medal winners —Russian Khasan Baroev and Azeri Vitaliy Rahimov in Greco-Roman wrestling and Kazah weightlifter Irina Nekrassova.

The seven bronze medallists included four weightlifters —Russians Khadzhimurat Akkaev (+94 kg) and Dmitry Lapikov (+105), Ukrainian Natalya Davydova (+69) and Kazak Mariya Grabovetskaya (+75), Greco-Roman wrestler Asset Mambetov of Kazakhstan, Ukrainian pole vaulter Denys Yurchenko and Greek triple jumper Chrysopigi Devetzi.

The six others disqualified were weightlifters and athletes from Russia, Azerbaidjan, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The IOC have re-tested over 1,243 samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics based on improved techniques.

The build-up to the 2016 Rio Games was overshadowed after a report found evidence of a state-sponsored doping programme in Russian sport. AFP

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Fit Azkals ready vs Singapore

By Peter Atencio THE fitness to go toe-to-toe with their rivals is there.

National head coach Thomas Dooley said this with a day left before the Philippine Azkals plunge into action against the Singapore Lions at 4 p.m. today in the 2016 Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup football championship at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“The players are 100 percent after what they have been through in the last couple of weeks. We can manage to win the first game. The second game (with Indonesia), I think we can physically make it till the end,” said Dooley.

Dooley talked about their Azkals’ chances during a press conference yesterday at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas.

Singapore Lions’ coach V. Sundramoorthy was around with counterparts Kiatisuk Senamuang of Thailand and Indonesia tactician Alfred Riedl.

The Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, will be the only remnants of the team which first reached the semifinals back in 2010, and two other stagings after that.

“It’s been six years. And we’ve reached the semifinals three times. In 2010, not many expected this back then. The third is challenging. There were high expectations. It was disappointing to lose the semifinals even though we got far. This is the tournament where you want to play,” said Phil.

Sure to suit up with Phil and James are Misagh Bahadoran, Stephan Schrock, Iain Ramsay, Manny Ott, Jeffrey Christiaens, Amani Aguinaldo, Dennis Villanueva, Junior Munoz and goalie Roland Muller.

They will miss three players who could make a difference, including Chinabased striker Javier Patiño, Fil-Japanese booter Daisuke Sato and Martin Steuble.

Patiño’s club Henan Jianye just signed him a new contract, and he reportedly can’t afford to get injured, while Romanian club, CSM Politehnica Iasi, has not released Sato.

On the other hand, Steuble needs to serve a one-game suspension after getting a red card in the second leg of their semifinal loss to Thailand two years ago.

Sports Floyd Mayweather addresses the media after the press conference announcing the Badou Jack v James DeGale Super Middleweight World Title Unification Bout at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. AFP

Mayweather insists: I won’t fight again W

ASHINGTON—Retired unbeaten former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather says he has retired for good and has no hunger for a ring return, adding he has too much fun traveling the world.

Mayweather told USA Today in New York on Wednesday that he has no need for the money or glory another bout could offer, especially a rematch with 37-year-old Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, whom he defeated 18 months ago.

“A lot of fighters in the sport of boxing may want to retire, but they have to fight because

they have to,” Mayweather said.

“I don’t have to fight.

“I just made $300 million for fighting Pacquiao. I’m OK. Like I said before, I’m happy with my position. Once again, the money don’t make me. I make money.

I’m well off. I make smart moves and like I said before, I’m happy with where my career has went.”

Mayweather, 39, said he at-

“Can Floyd Mayweather contradict himself? Absolutely. So that’s why I know when I contradict myself, it doesn’t mean I’m crazy.

“I’m only human. I’m not perfect. God only made one thing perfect: my boxing record.”

And that’s why it might not ever reach 50-0.]Meanwhile, the right to be described as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is on the line Saturday when Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev meet in Las Vegas in a battle of the unbeatens.

Ward, the 2004 Olympic champion and former super middleweight world champion,

is aiming to grab Kovalev’s unified light-heavyweight crown in a long-anticipated collision at the T-Mobile Arena.

The bout is being promoted under the banner “Pound for Pound,” a 12-round scrap billed as a showdown to determine who deserves to be regarded as the best fighter on the planet.

While some critics might be inclined to argue in favor of other fighters—notably the undefeated four-division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez—few will attempt to make that case in Las Vegas this weekend. AFP

Chip-in birdie nets De Guzman golf title

LeBron donates $2.5m to Ali exhibit WASHINGTON—LeBron James is donating $2.5 million to an exhibit dedicated to Muhammad Ali at the newly opened Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in Washington, it was reported Thursday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star, a long-time admirer of the late former heavyweight boxing icon, told USA Today he was making the donation to pay tribute to Ali’s achievements both in and outside the ring.

“Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring— what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor,” James told USA Today.

“I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today talking to you about it.”

The exhibit—titled “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change”— includes items such as Ali’s headgear and training robe from the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach where the boxer trained.

Ali, a beloved icon of the 20th century whose career transcended his sport, died in June at the age of 74.

The Smithsonian exhibit also pays tribute to Ali’s work as a social activist.

James’ donation mirrors a similar multi-million-dollar gift given to the museum by NBA legend Michael Jordan. The former Chicago Bulls star gave $5 million in August. AFP

tended Pacquaio’s victory over Jessie Vargas earlier this month in Las Vegas “at the last minute” to “do something different” with his daughter.

Mayweather prompted talk of a Pacquiao rematch by saying the door was “absolutely” open to a comeback after he called it quits in September of last year upon defeating Andre Berto to finish 49-0.

Mayweather admits he tosses out differing notions on the comeback possibilities depending on how he feels any given day.

“Different days, I say different things. Different days, I feel different ways,” Mayweather said.

Regina de Guzman sets up for her drive on the first playoff hole.

REGINA de Guzman turned from flawed to flawless, chipping in for birdie on the par-5 sudden death 18th then watching Prima Thammaraks crumble with a three-putt miscue to snare the NWGA (National Women’s Golf Association) crown at LPGA International-Jones in Daytona Beach, Florida Thursday.

It was a stunning reversal to what had looked like a sorry ending for the Filipina amateur who birdied four of the last nine holes in regulation to fire a 67 and tie the Thai pro, who carded a 70, at 207. But after opting to layup on the reachable 469-yard closing hole, de Guzman hit a poor pitch shot but chipped in from around 20 yards for birdie.

That unsettled Thammaraks, who reached the

green in two but three putted from 35 feet, enabling de Guzman to claim the victory.

The win underscored the 24-year-old San Jose State U senior’s superb form coming off a long layoff and augured well for her bid in the LPGA Q School Final Stage, also in Florida, two weeks from now.

De Guzman, also a former SJSU top freshman who easily made it past the first two LPGA Q School elims, also took the low amateur honors in last week’s Arizona Open.

“This is quite an achievement for her, considering she just got back into serious golf last July to concentrate on her studies,” said de Guzman’s mom Tet. A winner on the Cactus Tour and member of the second-placed Philippine team

in the Queen Sirikit Cup who also saw action in the SEA Games and Putra Cup national squads, de Guzman carded back-to-back 70s to stay in contention. But after starting the final round three behind Thammaraks, she fell farther back with a bogey on the opening hole.

But she fought back with birdies on Nos. 3 and 5 then pounced on Thammaraks back-to-back bogeys from No. 5 to tie. The Thai birdied No. 9 to regain the lead but de Guzman birdied No. 11 then matched Thammaraks’ three birdies in the last six holes to force a playoff.

The Thai, however, took the top $3,000 purse.

Princess Superal blew a three-under card with bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16 and ended up tied for 10th at 213 after a 71. She received $750.

Henares dominates PH shootfest SAN Miguel Beer assistant team manager Dan Henares hauled two gold medals and two silvers to become the winningest marksman in the Philippine National Shooting Association’s National Open Rimfire Event at the Marine Range, Taguig City recently.

Henares teamed up with businessman Gene Manalastas to score 1460 and took the gold in the team benchrest light varmint class.

In the team bench-rest heavy varmint class, this time with Tommy

Canto as his double, their score of 1469 proved enough to secure the gold in the event.

Henares also shot in the individual HV and LV classes which resulted in two silver medals.

Bench-rest rifle is a precision rifle event requiring the shooter to hit a one-millimeter target at a distance of 50 meters. Henares holds the Philippine record for the light varmint class with a score of 747 out of a possible 750.

“I always try to come prepared for

the National Open, but you can never be sure how your rifle is going to perform. Sure enough, the other expert shooters did well and came to compete. But I’m happy with the results.

It’s always good to have a gold from the National Open,” said Henares.

Drama unfolded in the individual heavy varmint class when team gold medalists Henares and Canto both scored a 727 to result in a final tie score for the individual HV gold medal, but Canto took the tie breaker to end the tourney.

Dan Henares: It’s always good to have a gold from the National Open.

$450-m farm project approved B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Peso approaches 50 a dollar

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE peso fell for a third day, drawing closer to 50 per US dollar, as uncertainties surrounding the policies of newly-elected US President Donald Trump and the expected interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve next month jolted global financial markets.

The peso lost P0.22 to close at 49.78 against the greenback Friday from 49.56 Thursday. It was also the local currency’s weakest level in almost eight years, or since settling at 49.83 a dollar on Nov. 24, 2008 during the global financial crisis.

Total volume turnover reached $812.9 million Friday.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals continued to shield the peso from further volatility.

“The exchange rate is normally our first line of defense in adjusting to new shocks to the peso and the rest of the economy. Given the uncertainties surrounding the new leadership in

the US, Brexit, US Fed interest rate hike and China slowdown, the peso is now our adjustment tool,” Guinigundo said in a text message.

“As long as the volatility remains manageable and speculative plays are held at bay, we should allow the adjustment to continue. After all, we should remember that our fundamentals remain sound with third-quarter real GDP at 7.1 percent―which would anchor all of these adjustments and rebalancing to manageable proportions,” he said.

He said monetary authorities would remain attentive and closely monitor the situation.

Security Bank Corp. said in a report the US dollar trend was very apparent and confirmed both tech-

nically and fundamentally.

Asian central banks intervened in the market to support their currencies. Indonesia’s central bank intervened a week ago after the rupiah dropped as much as 3 percent. Malaysia’s central bank said the same day it would manage volatility and India’s central bank was said to be buying rupees.

“We think Asian central banks will not be worried about seeing their currencies depreciate against the U.S. dollar,” said Enrique Diaz-Alvarez, chief risk officer at foreign-exchange broker Ebury in New York, Asia’s mostaccurate forecaster last quarter.

“They may smooth out spikes in volatility, but this is far less expensive in terms of foreignexchange reserves and they have

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX

ICTSI IRAQ’S AWARD.

Closing November 18, 2016

Basra Gateway Terminal, the Iraqi unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. operating at the Port of Umm Qasr, is conferred the “Contribution to the Development of the Regional Maritime Cluster Award” at the 2016 Seatrade Maritime Awards for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

Shown is BGT chief executive Phillip Marsham (center) accepting the Seatrade Middle East award from Dubai Maritime City Authority maritime inspection senior manager Abdullah Bin Touq (left) and Seatrade chairman Chris Hayman.

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,067.73 17.61

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing NOVEMBER 18, 2016 43.00 45.40 46.60 47.80

P49.780

49.00

CLOSE

HIGH P49.700 LOW P49.805 AVERAGE P49.773 VOLUME 812.900M

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

OPRICES IL TODAY

P25.75-P29.32 Diesel P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, November 18, 2016

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.4190

Japan

Yen

0.009095

0.4495

UK

Pound

1.242200

61.3883

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128912

6.3707

Switzerland

Franc

0.993739

49.1096

Canada

Dollar

0.740466

36.5931

Singapore

Dollar

0.704424

34.8119

Australia

Dollar

0.741500

36.6442

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

131.0849

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266709

13.1805

Brunei

Dollar

0.701951

34.6897

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028227

1.3950

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

13.4558

Euro

Euro

1.062700

52.5176

Korea

Won

0.000848

0.0419

China

Yuan

0.145518

7.1914

India

Rupee

0.014693

0.7261

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227790

11.2572

New Zealand

Dollar

0.702800

34.7317

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031304

1.5470 Source: PDS Bridge

more than plenty for that. We think that the story now is not so much a flight from Asian currencies but as a pure dollar rally,” Alvarez said.

Malaysia’s ringgit has weakened 4.9 percent since Nov. 8 and South Korea’s won has dropped 4.1 percent. Indonesia’s rupiah lost 2.6 percent, the Philippine peso fell 2.3 percent and India’s rupee declined 2.1 percent.

The Philippines incurred a balance of payments deficit of $183 million in October, a reversal of the $469-million surplus a year ago. The deficit trimmed the BOP surplus in the first 10 months to $1.465 billion, compared to the $2.276-billion surplus registered in the same period last year.

With Bloomberg

BSP swung to a net profit of P14b in 9 months BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas posted a net income after tax of P13.99 billion in the first nine months, a reversal of the P3-billion net loss it incurred a year ago, on the back of higher revenues and lower expenses.

Data showed the nine-month income was the best profit that BSP reported in any given year.

Revenues jumped 32 percent to P57.12 billion from P43.19 billion a year ago. This mainly came from the 22-percent increase in interest income to P34.70 billion from P28.42 bil-

lion. Miscellaneous income also rose 52 percent to P22.43 billion from P14.77 billion.

Expenses dropped 3.7 percent in the nine-month period to P51.82 billion from P53.84 billion in the same period last year. Interest expenses declined to P33.39 billion from P36.59 billion.

Net income before gain on foreign exchange fluctuations, income tax expenses and capital reserves hit P5.30 billion, a turnaround from the P10.65-billion net loss a year ago.

Bangko Sentral incurred an-

nual losses between 2010 and 2015. The biggest net loss was recorded in 2012 at P95.38 billion. However, prudent management trimmed the losses to P17.51 billion in 2013, P10.11 billion in 2014 and P3.90 billion last year.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo earlier said that “if exchange rate improves and strengthens, which means the economy is improving, BSP incurs losses. But if the peso depreciates, BSP profits.”

The peso opened the year’s trading against the US dollar at

47.12 on Jan. 4. It dropped to 48.50 against the greenback as of end-September 2016, driven mainly by external factors particularly the expected rate hike by the US Federal Reserve this year.

Bangko Sentral is currently pushing for the passage into law of a bill seeking additional P150-billion capitalization. The government released in January 2014 an equity assistance of P10 billion to Bangko Sentral that completed its P50-billion capitalization, or 20 years after its creation in 1993.

Julito G. Rada

Cebu Pacific acquires stake in Air Black Box

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, said Friday it joined other airlines in the region in investing in Air Black Box Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. The airline owned by industrialist John Gokongwei and Japan’s ANA Holdings were the new shareholders of Air Black Box, a joint venture founded by Scoot Pte Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Group), Nok Airlines Public Company Ltd. and VaultPAD Ventures.

Cebu Air is the parent company of Cebu Pacific and Cebgo while ANA Holdings is the parent company of ANA and Vanilla Air. Air Black Box has built an innovative software platform that allows diverse airlines to connect and cooperate. The platform is

credited with making Asia’s Value Alliance possible.

The Value Alliance includes Scoot, Nok Air, NokScoot, Tigerair Singapore, Tigerair Australia, Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Vanilla Air and Jeju Air. The airlines cooperate across a combined route network of over 160 destinations.

Through Air Black Box, customers will be able to view, select and book the best-available fares on flights from any of the airlines in the Value Alliance, in a single transaction directly from each partner website.

“This allows member airlines to combine inventory and at the same time, cooperate in a broader route network, which means more destinations, more routing options, and greater convenience for customers of each airline,” CEB vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring said.

B1

SEC clears Shakey’s P5.5-b IPO

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday approved the P5.5-billion initial public offering of restaurant chain operator Shakeys’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. SPAVI will be the fourth company to conduct an IPO this year.

Documents filed with the SEC showed SPAVI would offer 352 million primary and secondary shares, including 46 million shares to cater to extra demand, at an offer price of up to P15.58 each.

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

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

SPAVI’s maiden share offering will be held on Dec. 2 to Dec. 8, while listing was tentatively set on Dec. 15.

SPAVI will use the proceeds from the IPO to partially repay loans from BDO Unibank Inc., fund the construction of a new commissary and relocate its headquarters.

SPAVI had 177 stores all over the country as of end June and it plans to expand to other parts of the country. At least seven more stores are expected to open before end of 2016 and 20 more in 2017.

The company plans to open 10 to 15 Shakey’s stores annually over the next five years to hit 200 to 250 stores.

Minimum investment for one store is between P15 million and P25 million.

IN BRIEF Nickel miner cleared to continue operations GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc. said Friday it received a copy of the audit report containing the findings and recommendations of the mine audit conducted by the Environment Department.

FNI, the second largest nickel producer in the country and the largest single lateritic mine exporter in the world, said that based on the report, Platinum Group Metals Corp., the company’s operating arm in Cagdianao, Surigao del Norte, was allowed to continue its operations because it was ISO 14001 certified and compliant with the policies, environmental laws, rules and regulations of the Philippine Mining Act and on the issued environmental compliance certificate. “ A series of interviews with local stakeholders including barangay officials, schoolteachers, farmers, fisherfolk and members of the Mamanwa tribal group also revealed social acceptability of the mine operation to be very high with several social development projects in place which are well implemented,” FNI said.

The mining company said barangay officials provided a strong and unequivocal positive response to the contributions of PGMC through its social development and mining program in the delivery of livelihood, health, education and infrastructure projects in barangays Hayanggabon and Cagdianao.

“They view PGMC as a vital partner of the government to boost economic growth and development in the area,” FNI said.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

DoF wants to adjust income tax holidays

KOREAN INVESTORS. Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez (center) leads a 25-man delegation from the business and diplomatic community of Korea to take a look at the country’s improved investment landscape and explore business opportunities through an investment briefing at the Board of Investments in Makati City. Shown with Hernandez are (from left) commercial counselor Emmanuel Niño Ang, Trade assistant secretary and foreign trade service corps’ Manila coordinating office head Michelle Fatima Sanchez, BOI director for international investments promotion Angelica Cayas and Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines president Ho Ik Lee.

THE Finance Department wants to adjust the income tax holidays in the country to be at par with those of other Southeast Asian countries in a bid to modernize the incentives program and further liberalize the economy.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government needed to rationalize the current fiscal incentives program while working on ways to make the Philippines a more open economy for foreign direct investments.

Dominguez said he asked Finance undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua to compare the country’s set of tax breaks with those of the other Asean members.

“We are currently doing a line-by-line comparison between ourselves and our competitors in Asean. Karl Chua is doing this together with some members of our staff, so that we can really compare apples to apples,” Dominguez said.

He said the was not rushing the preparation of a fiscal incentives rationalization bill “because we want time to consult, to really think and check what’s going on around the Asean region.” Gabrielle H. Binaday

B2

Business

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks advance; Semirara up S TOCKS rose for a third day, as investors cheered the government’s announcement the Philippine economy grew 7.1 percent year-on-year in the third quarter and the bullish comments from the US Federal Reserve.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 17 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 7,067.73 Friday. This pushed up the bellwether’s total gains this year to 1.7 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also picked up 11 points, or 0.3 percent, to settle at 4,254.28, on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 90 to 81, while 50 issues were unchanged.

Four of the six sectoral indices advanced, led by mining and

oil. Among the 20 most active stocks, 10 ended in the green, led by Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which climbed 6.4 percent to P133.50 and DMCI Holdings Inc. which rose 3.1 percent to P13.40.

Meanwhile, a new batch of economic data portrayed the world’s largest economy as being in generally good health: weekly jobless claims hit a 43year low, the consumer price index posted its strongest gain in six months and monthly housing starts increased.

In New York, the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.7 percent while the S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average held onto positive territory, adding 0.2 percent, but was weighed down by a 3 percent drop in global retail giant Wal-Mart Stores, which posted disappointing third-quarter revenues.

Equities in Europe also rose, with London’s benchmark FTSE 100 up 0.7 percent and the CAC 40 in Paris gaining 0.6 percent.

But Asian markets were directionless, suffering fresh volatility as uncertainty permeates trading floors after the shock election win of Donald Trump.

Comments in Washington by Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen that an interest rate increase likely will be appropriate “rela-

tively soon” gave a further shot in the arm to the dollar.

The comments supported market expectations that the US Federal Reserve will hike historically low US interest rates when it meets next month and saw the dollar gain against the euro, yen and pound.

“The dollar is enjoying another resurgence after somewhat of a lull yesterday, with Janet Yellen’s hawkish comments further raising expectations of a December hike,” said market analyst Joshua Mahony at online trading firm IG. Yellen said that since the Fed’s last policy meeting, “I do think that the economy’s making very good progress toward our goals and that the judgment the committee reached in November still pertains.”

Investors have been struggling to gauge the outlook for the global economy under a Trump presidency after his rhetoric on trade agreements and spending plans.

In oil markets, traders were waiting to see if the producers could make good on a September agreement to cut crude output.

Crude prices surged this week on news the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia were pushing for an agreement before its twice-yearly meeting on November 30.

“We’ve been held in check today somewhat by a strong US dollar,” Matt Smith of ClipperData said of oil prices.

Oil futures settled lower in New York and London, changing directions after recent gains.

With AFP, Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.29 49,000 47.95 18,500 95.7 593,060 111.4 749,860 1.25 1,000 37.7 13,600 16.78 12,500 18.98 102,600 6.6 30,300 0.65 1,000 1.89 5,000 700 200 0.77 5,083,000 77 2,992,610 14.04 600 56 2,120 260 1,780 98.95 22,750 35.75 52,000 207 331,730 1,660 540 74.4 175,770 1.31 173,000

161,990 876,195 56,623,954 83,558,051 1,250 512,100 203,270 1,948,342 200,389 650 9,450 140,000 3,926,080 231,004,144.50 8,424 117,787 462,780 2,097,640.50 1,857,765 68,660,216 891,330 13,078,151.50 226,630

190,690 -15,663,087 -18,008,965 -270,820 -270,096 -3,219,880 -157,320,732.50 19,616 -244,400 536,380 -22,777,946 -16,550 -8,887,054 -

42.9 3.73 0.87 1.31 19.4 90 11 16.5 140 23.4 25.3 58 80.4 2.01 7.3 12.34 11.06 6.52 7.04 5.2 22.75 65.05 12.12 16.5 5.95 1.68 209 83 2.08 26.5 30.8 26.5 14.98 280.8 4.79 2.9 9.42 2.11 5.8 1.43 68.1 3.83 216.4 4.4 3.1 4.06 0.143 1.57 178.2 4.15 2.04 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 43.5 473,200 3.83 543,000 0.89 80,000 1.32 329,000 19.5 52,900 99 660 11.1 20,048,300 17.1 1,848,300 140 60 23.5 249,500 25.5 1,000 59.7 68,430 89 190 2.02 37,000 7.42 2,022,500 12.34 3,400 11.14 8,512,900 6.65 84,400 7.1 289,000 5.24 9,276,000 22.8 421,900 67.8 935,580 12.12 200 16.5 13,500 6.03 158,800 1.7 592,000 209 1,738,540 85.75 2,370 2.11 119,000 27.2 800 30.9 8,433,800 26.9 395,800 15.08 623,400 283.8 78,240 4.79 1,000 2.92 5,420,000 9.7 1,349,800 2.12 1,147,000 5.8 109,800 1.43 64,000 68.5 191,760 4.17 4,834,000 216.4 150 4.4 13,199,000 3.1 11,000 4.1 36,000 0.143 310,000 1.58 402,000 179.8 2,121,370 4.31 134,000 2.08 5,315,000 1.1 142,000

20,575,040 2,058,720 70,700 433,760 1,045,229 64,287 224,343,626 31,434,722 8,400 5,859,040 25,530 4,039,156.50 15,429 74,620 15,102,724 42,000 96,451,584 561,875 2,066,471 48,613,748 9,660,965 64,511,525.50 2,424 223,746 956,552 1,005,900 364,242,012 200,692.50 249,780 21,340 261,252,155 10,657,445 9,390,352 22,110,840 4,790 15,815,080 12,882,843 2,429,960 636,840 92,180 13,113,127.50 19,434,260 32,612 58,076,370 34,100 146,670 44,330 635,080 381,100,237 562,740 11,020,480 159,410

-5,301,310 132,000 -53,912,370 4,117,180 31,347 -1,288,992 -4,946,116 -307,064 -259,696 -28,989,780 -633,205 -45,400,146 -66,308 629,044 30,600 -297,135,904 -73,467,455 -8,872,285 -3,178,072 -5,018,270 6,155,360 -2,533,231 801,800 -609,000 -50,190 4,244,651 4,510,780 -21,640 -32,996,300 93,380.00 38,489,973 1,041,740 -

0.375 75.5 13.08 5.9 0.325 786 8.49 13.7 7.99 0.195 1,207 6.32 70.85 1.43 7.79 14.3 6.94 3.01 0.039 1.89 80.15 671 1.17 236 0.29 0.185

0.365 74 12.9 5.9 0.315 771 8.21 12.88 7.88 0.181 1,188 6.32 70.05 1.29 7.53 13.96 6.74 3.01 0.038 1.85 79.75 662 1.17 235.4 0.285 0.185

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 120,000 75 1,052,490 12.9 3,053,400 5.9 154,900 0.315 1,540,000 780 366,090 8.25 463,500 13.4 15,039,000 7.92 84,700 0.181 60,000 1,200 121,455 6.32 400 70.6 593,860 1.3 17,576,000 7.6 1,110,800 14 1,966,800 6.81 16,016,700 3.01 5,000 0.039 12,700,000 1.85 31,000 80.1 78,240 665 262,290 1.17 650,000 236 2,730 0.29 550,000 0.185 20,000

44,000 79,018,989 39,509,956 913,910 487,650 285,171,230 3,862,686 202,763,174 669,710 11,110 145,688,730 2,528 41,900,933.50 23,750,110 8,445,739 27,836,012 109,229,700 15,050 494,100 57,690 6,262,977.50 174,803,625 760,500 644,236 159,450 3,700

-22,793,147.00 -17,647,806 53,001,560 634,224 24,407,014 528,297 1,810 -28,450,430 -30,005,830.50 -31,380 -4,651,688 -2,160,618 -29,750,061 -3,926,493.50 -62,294,255 -

7.06 1.13 2.26 0.365 34.2 3.25 5.1 0.57 0.165 0.55 52.9 0.73 1.78 0.96 1.05 3.87 0.146 0.255 3.59 33 27.45

6.96 1.08 2.2 0.305 33.4 3.07 5.1 0.55 0.153 0.54 51 0.72 1.76 0.94 1.01 3.76 0.141 0.25 3.39 33 26.9

1,107,070 1,996,970 618,950 12,489,300 304,295,215 33,203,810 36,720 7,917,170 6,415,040 476,360 11,043,768.50 78,820 5,574,030 255,820 184,630 54,160,380 1,666,430 20,350 2,144,340 59,400 18,164,925

334,533 -439,500 3,707,655 -18,295,260 -1,624,000 644,466.50 1,545,800 -538,590 718,000 -34,500 -11,037,115

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.31 46.75 95.4 111.5 1.25 37.7 16.24 18.98 6.65 0.65 1.89 700 0.79 77.4 14.04 55.1 260 92.1 35.7 206.4 1,648 74.5 1.31

3.49 47.95 95.95 111.8 1.25 37.7 16.78 19 6.65 0.65 1.89 700 0.79 77.65 14.04 56.35 260 99 35.8 207.2 1,660 74.5 1.31

3.28 46.75 94.35 111.3 1.25 37.6 16.24 18.98 6.6 0.65 1.89 700 0.76 76.95 14.04 55.1 259.8 92.1 35.7 205.4 1,648 74.2 1.31

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETRON 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 VULCAN INDL

43.95 3.8 0.87 1.31 19.98 90 11.48 16.5 140 23.5 25.3 58.6 81 2.02 7.33 12.38 11.08 6.52 7.14 5.25 23 65.05 12.12 16.7 6 1.7 214 83 2.08 26.5 30.85 26.95 15.18 282 4.79 3 9.42 2.14 5.8 1.45 68.5 3.85 224 4.41 3.1 4.15 0.143 1.59 179 4.17 2.05 1.08

43.95 3.84 0.89 1.35 20.7 100 11.52 17.26 140 23.6 26 59.9 89 2.04 7.61 12.38 11.5 6.7 7.2 5.29 23.2 70 12.12 16.7 6.05 1.71 215 85.75 2.2 27.2 31.1 26.95 15.18 283.8 4.79 3 9.7 2.14 5.8 1.45 68.7 4.35 224 4.42 3.1 4.15 0.143 1.6 181 4.34 2.09 1.17

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

0.375 74.85 12.96 5.9 0.32 771 8.21 13.08 7.9 0.195 1,207 6.32 70.05 1.37 7.69 14.3 6.85 3.01 0.038 1.85 80.15 665.5 1.17 236 0.285 0.185

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND

6.96 1.12 2.24 0.305 33.95 3.12 5.1 0.56 0.153 0.54 52 0.73 1.78 0.95 1.01 3.78 0.144 0.255 3.58 33 27.15

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROCKWELL SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.57 27.75 0.95 0.96 5.3

1.58 27.75 0.96 0.96 5.34

1.57 27.15 0.95 0.96 5.24

1.58 27.4 0.96 0.96 5.3

19,000 5,209,500 462,000 3,000 2,233,300

29,900 142,796,835 441,530 2,880 11,818,062

-14,042,165 3,928,238

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS

7.8 45.55 1.28 0.53 0.05 10.56 5.33 6.43 0.073 2.78 102.6 6.66 2.3 1,373 6.15 12.28 2.16 14.88 76.3 0.0091 11.2 9.12 0.193 1.32 3.29 13.5 4.88 0.93 2.04 4.15 3.57 2.19 11.34 5.2 155 8.81 1,399 1.14 0.405 40 74.6 5.5 2.59 0.89 3.19

7.81 45.55 1.39 0.55 0.05 10.56 5.33 6.58 0.079 2.88 103.4 6.85 2.37 1,390 6.15 12.9 2.18 14.88 77 0.0093 12.42 9.13 0.195 1.38 3.29 13.98 4.95 0.93 2.1 4.2 3.62 2.25 11.34 5.2 160 9.6 1,405 1.15 0.41 40.05 75 5.56 2.64 0.93 3.22

7.78 45.5 1.28 0.53 0.045 10.56 5 6.43 0.073 2.77 102.6 6.66 2.3 1,361 6.13 12.28 2.11 14.04 75.65 0.0091 11.14 9.1 0.189 1.3 3.29 12.74 4.88 0.93 2.04 4.1 3.56 2.19 11.3 5.2 155 8.81 1,369 1.13 0.405 39.9 74.6 5.5 2.56 0.88 3.19

SERVICES 7.81 45.5 1.39 0.53 0.047 10.56 5 6.5 0.077 2.86 102.6 6.85 2.37 1,380 6.13 12.52 2.16 14.04 76.2 0.0093 12.42 9.11 0.19 1.36 3.29 12.74 4.94 0.93 2.1 4.2 3.61 2.22 11.3 5.2 160 9.32 1,379 1.15 0.41 40 74.95 5.55 2.57 0.91 3.22

52,600 182,600 16,000 1,047,000 275,100,000 200 5,100 25,041,800 59,110,000 1,247,000 216,060 2,300 13,000 327,320 53,600 65,500 2,318,000 1,100 1,755,790 10,000,000 800 544,000 7,990,000 381,000 1,000 146,500 148,000 10,000 3,000 2,212,000 2,157,000 1,214,000 9,000 4,800 99,920 3,133,600 110,375 5,167,000 20,000 3,904,500 1,323,830 7,000 347,000 53,689,000 132,000

410,161 8,308,570 20,960 556,190 12,675,920 2,112 25,699 162,753,195 4,519,840 3,518,700 22,217,871 15,530 29,970 450,569,335 329,051 837,630 4,966,580 15,574 133,494,634 92,000 9,052 4,956,030 1,526,040 517,230 3,290 1,958,506 727,970 9,300 6,180 9,237,110 7,756,940 2,706,460 101,820 24,960 15,489,200 29,258,441 152,281,275 5,934,870 8,150 156,175,370 99,279,944.50 38,616 896,910 48,165,580 424,690

179,600 45,783,951 84,140 -254,730 -8,536,567 -70,351,775 -11,178 -10,800 -27,640,493 31,270 211,780 -2,078,640.00 479,330 -17,430 0 489,237 -4,666,320 377,270 -5,242,210 8,162,724 -111,070 14,148,130 -3,220

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

0.004 2.92 4.94 2.3 2.19 0.58 0.4 9.15 3.64 0.28 0.195 0.195 0.012 0.012 1.74 8.3 3.1 1.02 0.011 0.011 4.14 0.012 8.18 3.6 127.8 2.91 0.0088

0.004 2.92 5 2.3 2.3 0.58 0.405 9.49 3.75 0.29 0.195 0.204 0.012 0.012 1.85 8.34 3.13 1.02 0.011 0.011 4.15 0.013 8.3 3.74 135 2.91 0.0088

0.0037 2.8 4.82 2.3 2.18 0.57 0.4 9.15 3.64 0.28 0.194 0.195 0.012 0.012 1.69 8.1 3.06 0.99 0.011 0.011 4.02 0.012 8.17 3.6 125 2.91 0.0087

MINING & OIL 0.0039 878,000,000 2.86 382,000 4.82 293,000 2.3 50,000 2.3 14,000 0.58 65,000 0.405 50,000 9.36 71,600 3.73 4,953,000 0.285 1,190,000 0.194 3,390,000 0.204 720,000 0.012 14,100,000 0.012 300,000 1.8 1,897,000 8.19 3,846,300 3.1 69,000 1.02 56,000 0.011 86,000,000 0.011 10,000,000 4.02 20,000 0.012 15,300,000 8.3 1,316,600 3.71 967,000 133.5 2,743,390 2.91 7,000 0.0087 3,000,000

3,400,800 1,095,470 1,441,890 115,000 30,740 37,200 20,100 678,415 18,374,470 334,650 657,980 141,430 169,200 3,600 3,370,500 31,867,421 213,380 56,600 946,000 110,000 80,850 183,700 10,856,307 3,543,810 361,526,464 20,370 26,200

-71,000 -9,870 -28,440 7,354,560 -78,000 -3,600 -1,536,116 462,399 235,110 75,227,865 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

45.3 521 534.5 104.9 534.5 6 1,020 1,090 1,161 1,030 110 81.5 78 79.8 77.5 78.2

45.3 525 535 105 534.5 6 1,020 1,090 1,161 1,031 110 81.5 78 79.8 77.5 78.25

44.1 521 531 104.9 534.5 6 1,020 1,090 1,161 1,030 110 81 78 79.8 77.5 78.2

PREFERRED 44.1 235,500 525 3,600 535 3,980 105 2,700 534.5 190 6 48,400 1,020 320 1,090 450 1,161 5 1,031 1,260 110 10,040 81 51,780 78 1,300 79.8 1,000 77.5 25,300 78.2 225,500

10,574,720 1,881,000 2,122,010 283,285 101,555 290,400 326,400 490,500 5,805 1,298,860 1,104,400 4,195,070 101,400 79,800 1,960,750 17,634,350

-9,024,070 1,166,210 96,210 240,000 -54,500 5,805 -

LR WARRANT

2.34

2.34

2.26

WARRANTS 2.26 71,000

161,100

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

2.76 3.75 2.81 9.64

2.8 3.75 2.81 9.97

2.74 3.56 2.8 9.6

2.74 3.56 2.8 9.97

1,550,250 148,320 117,800 18,822,947

-11,030 3,750 -3,857,697

FIRST METRO ETF

116.5

117.2

116.5

895,174

-

MS

PROPERTY 7 1.09 2.26 0.345 34 3.25 5.1 0.56 0.163 0.55 51 0.73 1.77 0.96 1.03 3.85 0.142 0.25 3.48 33 27

158,000 1,827,000 275,000 36,430,000 8,982,500 10,410,000 7,200 14,132,000 40,100,000 879,000 215,470 108,000 3,150,000 267,000 181,000 14,156,000 11,640,000 80,000 622,000 1,800 670,700

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

11,135,343

INDUSTRIAL

92,235,524

HOLDING FIRMS

73,938,119

PROPERTY

155,498,619

SERVICES

459,687,291

MINING & OIL

1,028,887,288

GRAND TOTAL

1,823,944,434

SME

563,000 41,000 42,000 1,908,600

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.2 7,650

VALUE 1,724.83 (down) 0.31 522,607,191.14 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,176.29 (up) 44.28 1,716,513,377.24 HOLDING FIRMS 7,163.40 (up) 36.48 1,180,842,480.59 PROPERTY 3,164.05 (down) 3.64 1,324.15 (up) 0.01 1,354,024,974.96 SERVICES MINING & OIL 12,145.26 (up) 330.22 1,354,024,974.96 PSEI 7,067.73 (up) 17.61 439,376,786.82 All Shares Index 4,254.28 (up) 11.88 5,961,912,229.07 Gainers: 90; Losers: 81; Unchanged: 50; Total: 221

SMIC cleared to raise P50b

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM INVESTMENTS Corp., the listed holding company of the Sy family, said Friday it obtained the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for shelf-registration of P50 billion worth of fixedrate bonds.

SEC commission secretary Armando Pan said the corporate regulator had also approved SMIC’s initial issuance of seven-year, P15 billion worth of bonds with an over allotment option for another P5 billion.

The conglomerate plans to issue the bonds next month.

SMIC is one of the country’s largest publicly listed companies with core investments in banking and property development. Outside these core businesses, the group also has investments in retail, mining and tourismoriented developments.

Proceeds from the bond offering will be used to finance future investments and strategic acquisitions particularly in the retail and property sectors.

“The issuer [SMIC] intends to use P13.67 billion of the proceeds from the offer to finance future investments and strategic acquisitions.

Part of the strategies of the issuer is to maintain its leading market share in its retail and property business segments by diversifying and expanding the businesses of the group,” the company said.

Hedcor to issue P4.1-b notes

By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp.’s subsidiary Hedcor Sibulan Inc. executed a notes facility agreement with a consortium of note holders for the issuance of fixed-rate corporate notes worth P4.1 billion.

Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday that Hedcor would use the proceeds of the notes issuance, “among others, to finance the partial redemption of HSI’s redeemable preferred shares pursuant to its capital management program and to fund other general corporate purposes.”

First Metro Investment Corp. acted as issue manager and bookrunner, while Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. acted as facility and paying agent.

Hedcor is the project company for the 16.3-megawatt Sibulan Hydro A plant, 26.2MW Sibulan Hydro B plant and the 6.7-MW Tudaya 1 plant.

Aboitiz Power, together with wholly-owned subsidiary Aboitiz Renewables Inc., effectively owns 100-percent interest in Hedcor Sibulan.

The Sibulan hydro plants located in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur have been generating 42.5 MW of clean and renewable energy for Davao since 2010.

The first of two cascading plants, Sibulan A produces 16.3 MW and the water it utilizes is re-used in the Sibulan B hydro that produces 26.2 MW. The Tudaya 1 plant is also located in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and operates the upstream of the Sibulan hydro plant A harnessing the Baroring creek.

Hedcor also owns and operates run-of-river hydro power plants in Benguet, Mountain Province and Davao del Sur. Its power plants combine for around 185 MW of clean and renewable energy.

Business

B3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH, Bahrain trade groups renew accord

By Othel V. Campos

EASTWEST’S AWARDS. East West Banking Corp. receives top recognition from Visa Inc. for the outstanding performance of the bank’s

debit and prepaid cards in 2015 and its contributions to help grow e-commerce and cashless transactions in the Philippines. Shown during the awarding ceremony are (from left) Visa business development manager Pia Arellano, EastWest vice president and head of bank marketing and corporate communications Allan Tumbaga, EastWest senior vice president and deputy head Ivy Uy, EastWest executive vice president and retail banking cluster head Gerry Susmerano and Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson.

Customs seize fake cigarettes in Davao MIGHTY Corp., a Filipino tobacco manufacturer, said Friday it filed criminal charges against several persons engaged in illicit trade after Customs authorities seized more than P50 million worth of contraband cigarettes stored in six different warehouses in Davao City.

Bureau of Customs officials confiscated 1.262 million contraband cigarette packs with a street value of P50,480,000, making the shipment one of the biggest hauls by local authorities since the implementation of the sin tax law in 2013.

Mighty said the warehouses allegedly belonged to two companies namely, HBTT Marketing and JCL. HBTT warehouses allegedly yielded P12 million worth of fake cigarette products in a raid last year.

Both owners of the warehouses remain at large.

The bulk of the contraband shipments, including 1,229 cases of Two Moon cigarettes brands, 304 Mighty brands, 261 More, 109 jackpot, 73 Philip Morris, 161 Mark, 121 Marvels, 58 Marlboro, is believed to have been smuggled from China.

Authorities acted on a directive by Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon after receiving reports of smuggling activities in Davao City and nearby provinces, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 214 (b) of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Both suspects and warehouses are also liable for violating Section 2530 of the Customs and Tariff Code for non-payment of duties and taxes, as well as Section 155 (trademark infringement) with IS No. XI-02-INV16-K-3311, in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

All the applicable laws, fines and jail terms will be meted out on the suspects, Customs and Revenue authorities said.

A Customs official earlier said fake cigarettes were flooding the market due to the enticing profit margins they offered to retailers.

He warned, however, that every body involved in smuggling, manufacturing, distribution and sale of any counterfeit product would not be spared once caught.

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry renewed their cooperation to promote mutually advantageous commercial and industrial interests.

The agreement’s objective is to establish a general cooperation framework between the two chambers in support of bilateral economic relations, according to PCCI. Under the framework, both chambers agreed to exchange regularly market information, business opportunities and economic delegations for promoting trade, investment and commercial exchange and also to expand cooperation among entrepreneurs and organizations in terms of membership.

The groups signed the agreement atPCCI office in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.

PCCI board director Benjamin Loong and BCCI vice treasurer and Bahrain delegation head Mohammed Sajid Ishar Uthag signed the agreement.

BCCI said Bahrain was trying to increase economic ties with Asean and was ready to discuss with the PCCI joint ventures in medical, engineering, tourism and information technology sectors.

Loong thanked BCCI and the Department of Foreign Affairs for visiting the PCCI office and renewing the PCCI-BCCI cooperation agreement. Both chambers will formally convene the joint business council soon to tackle a common work plan.

Meeting with the Philippine Retail Association, the Bahrain delegation recognized the Philippines’ high-quality, export goods and the availability of qualified and trained human resources.

The Bahraini side said it was looking forward to organizing a Gulf- Pilipino Exhibition in Bahrain in March 2017.

Bahrain, a financial hub in the Middle East, allows eligible foreign investors full ownership to more than 98 business activities and gives them tax incentives.

There are more than 60,000 Filipinos who live in Bahrain and another 350,000 in the eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia.

$450-m farm project approved

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

T

HE National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte approved the $450-million expansion of the Agriculture Department’s Philippine Rural Development Project.

The project will expand the existing PRDP, with World Bank participation, to increase its program for agricultural infrastructure support.

It supports the enhancement of farm and fishery productivity in 16 regions and 80 provinces across the country.

The expansion will increase the current program of agricultural infrastructure sub-projects, including 206 (to a total 386) farm-to-market roads; 24 (to a total 44) farm-to-market roads with bridges; 2 (to a total 8) rural road bridges; 5 (to a total 7) communal irrigation systems; 17 (to a total 27) level-2 potable water supply systems; and 65 (to a total 129) other agricultural support infrastructures.

Neda’s Investment Coordination CommitteeCabinet Committee earlier endorsed the proposed expansion of the World Bankassisted project.

The additional financing

being sought from the bank will primarily address the shortage for the project’s ‘healthy’ infrastructure development subproject pipeline.

The pipeline includes subproject proposals that have already complied with the PRDP’s requirements such as feasibility study, detailed engineering design, program of work, and social and environmental safeguards instruments.

The PRDP projects that loan proceeds for infrastructure would be fully committed in 2016, fully obligated by December 2016 and fully disbursed by June 2019.

The Agriculture Department said without assured available funding from the national government after this year, the project could no longer commit to fund the rest of pipelined infrastructure subproject proposals.

According to the PRDP

management, the proposed expansion also means partnering with and influencing more local government units on top of accommodating proposals and reaching more communities to benefit from the Project’s infrastructure and enterprise development interventions.

“This means expanding our reach and consolidating institutional reforms being introduced by the project,” said

laysian visit when the US poll results were announced.

“We are both making curses.

Even with trivial matters we curse.

I was supposed to stop [cursing the US] because Trump is there. I don’t want to quarrel with anyone because Trump has won,” Duterte said, as quoted by one newspaper report.

Salceda said the biggest threats US protectionism could bring would primarily be on economic aspects, consisting of impacts on robust BPO business with the US at 5.7 percent of Philippine gross domestic product, mainly trade; 2.84 percent remittance from US/ GDP, mainly in terms of economic slowdown and deportation; and 4.5 percent export/GDP, representing trade/economic slowdown.

These combine to 13 percent of the Philippine economy exposed to the US which makes it the second highest, next to Singapore, Salceda said.

Salceda, the senior vice chair of both the House committees on economic affairs and local government, said protectionist policies were also bound to slow down US’s own economic growth, and flow of trade, services, migration and remittances which are certain to impact on the Philippine economy.

Moreover, he said exports to the US were “mostly electronics which have low gross value added of 20 percent compared to BPOs

reforms.

“The LGUs will do reforms together with the DA and the PRDP will be the instrument to do these,” de Mesa said.

De Mesa said that through the PRDP, commitments from LGUs could be further secured to advance the cause for good governance and transparency.

“We can [vigorously] innovate and propose changes because of the PRDP,” de Mesa said.

HACKATON CHALLENGE. PLDT Inc. awards the winning teams in the initial leg of the PLDT 88 Hackathon Challenge in a two-day weekend program for participants from Luzon. Team White Cloak, Team Pocket Market and Team Pentagon bested 17 other competing teams of coders, programmers and IT students to take home the recognition of being the first winners of the nationwide hackathon challenge.

Duterte fit to deal with Trump PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s down-to-earth candor makes him “just fit and perfect” to deal with US President-elect Donald Trump, in negotiating better deals in the light of perceived risks the possible protectionism policies espoused by the American leader could bring to the Philippine economy.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, a noted economist, articulated this perception, saying the Philippines is the second most vulnerable country in Southeast Asia, next to Singapore, to a possible US’s policy shift towards protectionism as declared by Trump, who won the recent US elections chanting the “Americans first” slogan.

The Albay lawmaker agreed with popular opinion the two leaders were closely similar in temperament, “brute frankness included, which should bring them to a common ground in resolving issues.” Both were political outsiders before winning their respective presidential quests, fired up by nationalistic zeal.

Duterte, known for his hostile rhetorics against US President Barrack Obama, was among the first heads of nation to greet Trump following news of his victory. “I would like to congratulate President Trump. Long live Mr. Trump!

We both curse at the slightest of reasons. We are alike,” he declared in Kuala Lumpur while on his Ma-

Agriculture undersecretary for operations and PRDP national project director Ariel Cayanan.

“Expanding the PRDP means expanding reforms that we have been advocating within and outside the Department,” Cayanan said.

Arnel de Mesa, PRDP’s national deputy project director said the proposed expansion would sustain the commitment of LGUs to execute these

and [constructively] remittances; and secondly, the social costs of deportation of some 360,000 TNTs or undocumented Filipino migrants of the 3.4 million Filipinos in the US, 88 percent of them are legal and Trump is not against legal migrants.”

The economist lawmaker, however, said there’s hope the “perceived kindred spirit of Duterte and Trump should prove useful in negotiating for Philippine economic interest, tax exemption on outsourcing and no pressure on BPO principals; and an easier pathway to citizenship for 360,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US, or a more gradual process, say over four years.”

He said contrary to widespread perception, the Philippine GDP was only 4.5 percent (export/ GDP) exposed to the US market.

It was the second least exposed among its Asean neighbors, next to Indonesia, which wasd the least exposed at 2.5 percent.

Salceda said the Philippines had only a $1.5-billion trade surplus over the US, aided by GSP preferences, and since exports to the US were mostly electronics with low GVA of 20 percent compared to BPOs and remittances.

Salceda said US BPOs account for 5.7 percent Philippine GDP. US accounts for 77 percent of the $22 billion BPO sector that generated 1.1 million jobs in 2015.

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

A DESIRE NAMED STREETCAR. The Philippines is playing a catchup game, infrastructure-wise. Catch-up not to Japan or China, but to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Vietnam and Cambodia.

By Joel Lacsamana

R

EAL estate and infrastructure play a key role in promoting development for an economy.

Both provide for the connectivity required to achieve rapid urbanization and sustainable growth.

This is true for developing countries such as the Philippines. Real estate and infrastructure are the main drivers of the economy with significant multiplier effects that catalyze growth in consumption, employment, investments and tourism.

These are well-played in the country through the growth plans of private developers, and initiatives of the government through public works projects and publicprivate-partnerships (PPPs).

Mixed-use concept needs infra boost

Private developers in the Philippines have paved the way for more inclusive growth by establishing presence in key growth areas in Metro Manila, Cebu and other provinces. The focus on developing “estates” that allow for a “mixed-use” concept enables a balanced use of land for residential, retail, office or tourism purposes.

Infrastructure plays a big role in shepherding the efforts of these developers.

These include rail projects, toll roads, highways, airports and transport facilities intended to improve access and facilitate trade and investments in key growth centers.

Unfortunately, the Philippines is playing a catch-up game, infrastructure-wise. Catch-up not to Japan or China, but catch-up to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Vietnam and Cambodia.

Wake up call

Nowhere is a wake up call more needed than in the Philippines’ railway infrastructure, which is considered the most popular and sustainable mode of transport in

the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region.

At the recent 38th ASEAN Railways CEOs Conference (ARCEO), held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Philippines, it was painfully clear that while our ASEAN counterparts have overtaken the Philippines in their modern trains and expansive railway systems, the Philippines remained far behind, it’s major cities and roads choking in traffic amidst the runaway growth of its automobile population.

An observer at the conference described the Philippines’ railway scenario as “totally left behind” when technical/management teams from seven countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar used the annual event to present current rail status, on-going projects and immediate plans of their respective governments— and private sector partners—to set up a growing ASEAN rail community.

The Philippines, which last participated in the annual conference 15 years ago, had nothing to show it was ready for ASEAN integration, much less competition, with its fast-evolving counterparts in the ASEAN railway industry.

The high-powered discussions during the 4-day conference were spirited, creative, and proudly competitive as delegates claimed bragging rights centered on fasttracking the building of missing links, setting up modern systems of signalling and train tracking, and opening up hundreds of kilometers of markets and railway operations, in particular for freight, in their respective countries.

The Malaysian Industry-Gov-

Property “SHOW ME THE MONEY”

PH NEEDS TO CLOSE INFRA GAP TO SPUR REAL ESTATE GROWTH ernment Group for High Technology’s (MIGHT), for example, showcased plans to set up a Rail Centre of Excellence (RCOE) that will provide training programmes in signalling and communications for main line and metro railways.

Malaysia’s focus on developing its local rail talent and expertise is intended to shore up the mammoth 350 km Kuala LumpurSingapore high speed line it will be building, expected to cut travel time to 90 minutes.

Philippines had headstart in rail

The Philippines, acknowledged to have had a headstart in setting up railways as early as the turn of the century, and a commuter rail system (MRT and LRT) since the early 1980s, had nothing to present. True, the local team could lay claim to the LRT commuter extension line to be built from Baclaran to Cavite, but the completion of the project is still years away, depending on tortuous Right-Of-Way (ROW) and myriad political issues Conference papers and presentations rolled on energetically about how ASEAN is targeting 80% of transport infrastructure investment in the region to be in rail in the next ten years, standardizing the performance and competitiveness of its transport systems, shifting from a “modal shift from road to cost effective modes of transport”, and setting up viable business plans, to ensure a virtuous circle in the rail system.

This virtuous circle was not limited to rolling stock and infrastructure. The Philippines’ ASEAN neighbors have ostensibly tweaked and finetuned the template of sharing financial risks and profits between the future owners of their respective tracks and the operators, thus ensuring the world-class maintenance of the rail infrastructure

in their countries.

Glimmer of light

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte’s infrastructure team announced a list of projects after the President’s trip to Tokyo, which dovetailed with news on the government’s rapprochement moves with China. Among them: a Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transport System, with the first phase connecting Edsa through a tunnel beneath McKinley Road; and the construction of the Clark International Airport Terminal, designed by the French, which has been sleeping for six years without any action.

To be sure, a Philippine delegation in Yogjakarta could have presented such big ticket items, namely, the North-South Commuter Railway Project (600km Manila-Sorsogon line, estimated cost: P200 billion).

Or the priority projects supposedly being eyed by the DOTr under Secretary Arthur Tugade: a 85km Manila-Clark Railway; the 60km Clark-Subic Freight Train; the Mindanao Express (first phase200km, total project-2,000km); and a cargo rail proposal to restore rail connectivity between the port of Manila to an inland container terminal facility in Laguna. The latter proposal seeks to creatively lay a freight railway service to deliver goods, taking advantage of the existing PNR rail tracks from Tutuban to Calamba..

All the above projects, provide an attractive alternative mode to transport containerized cargoes.

These infrastructure projects can effectively alleviate traffic in the

major Manila arteries, and make us competitive in the ASEAN region again as import/export of goods will be more seamless.

The latter project, in particular, is considered by industry experts as “low-hanging fruit”, as it will rehabilitate and expand the existing dilapidated tracks of the PNR (thus no new, expensive infrastructure), and can be a catalyst for development not just for Manila, but for the near provinces.

But unless they get off the drawing bard, these projects will remain just that: plans.

Audacious goals

Still, kudos are in order for the Duterte administration for setting audacious goals. It is clearly an administration which recognizes the fact that the Philippines has been left far behind, and will have to make up for years of “neglect.”

Budget Secretary Ben Diokno recently announced that the administration plans to spend up to P900 billion on infrastructure in 2017, and raise infrastructure spending to as much as seven percent of GDP within Duterte’s term.

Diokno said they would build more railroads, roads and bridges in what is hoped to be a “golden age” of infrastructure.

At the beginning of the Duterte administration, a forum was organized by the local construction industry on government procurement procedures and PPP’s. New, more transparent rules on government procurement, as well as pro-

ceremony for the Lima Technology Center in Lipa Batangas, part of The Outlets in Lipa City, its first commercial project in Luzon. The shopping development will host an outdoor multi-purpose sports field, a selection of stores and food places, as well as pedestrian areas for family activities. At the ceremony were (Lest to right): Steve Araneta, VP for external affairs, AboitizLand; Andoni Aboitiz, president and CEO; Atty. Leo Latido, Lipa city administrator; Councilor Joel Pua, chairman, committee on land use and zoning; Patrick Reyes, COO; Rafa Fernandez de Mesa, first vice president of operations; Charity Marohombsar, head of international business unit, Lima Land, Inc.; Engr. Pongz Medina, VP for construction, AboitizLand; Geremy Manas, PEZA zone manager; Architect William Ti - principal architect, WTA; Teodoro Rodriguez - president, JCRCC and Engr. Roy Ruedas - AVP of operations, ACGI.

Private sector support, crucial

Clearly, government needs the private sector to invest in infrastructure. But while the private construction industry is excited with the plans of the Duterte administration, their skepticism needs to be addressed.

They want to see how the bureaucrats and regulators implement the presidential intent.

PARTNERSHIP FOR A LASTING LEGACY. ESLA Land Developers recently celebrated its partnership with Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, in building high value communities and homes. ESLA Land’s properties include Green Valley townhouses and executive homes in Valle Verde I, Pasig City, Urban Homes in Cainta, Rizal, and Green Valley Village in Baguio City (Shown in photo).

Nippon Paint manufactures coatings solutions for a multi-segment portfolio, ranging from architectural, automotive, and industrial coatings. “The industry is constantly evolving,” said Albert Lim, president of ESLA Land.

“To keep up with the changing times, developers should focus on building communities that will be relevant for future generations.” The developer is currently repainting the 32-hectare Green Valley Village at Mt. Sto. Tomas using Nippon Paint’s primers, sealers, and topcoats. With Nippon Paint, it is also providing the finishing touches for Garden Square – the subdivision’s first mixed use condominium-hotel (condotel) project, as well as the Gardenville Hotel, located at Green Valley Village, and Valle View Condominium in Pasig City.

SEASIDE GETAWAY. Pico de Loro Cove

SHOPPING HUB IN BATANGAS. Cebu real estate developer AboitizLand recently held a groundbreaking

Conflict of interest in high places

posed amendments to improve the PPP law, were presented.

The general reaction from the businessmen in the construction industry was predictable.

“That’s nice”, they said. “But nice rules are easily manipulated by bureaucrats and regulators to favor their co-conspirators in bagging government contracts.”

Indeed, if the Duterte administration wants the private sector to be their partner in infrastructure development, an attitude change is necessary. It was pointed out there is so much turf protection among bureaucrats which delay the approval process. There is an obvious bias of NEDA and the old timers in the implementing agencies for ODA and direct budgetary financed projects.

Meanwhile, House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez again decried this week alleged conflicts of interest situations in key government offices, singling out Secretary Tugade, in particular, to “start firing” three of his undersecretaries at the DOTr for “delaying a number of infrastructure projects and programs in favor of certain conglomerates and multinational companies.”

recently unveiled its Lagoon Property Series at the expansive four-hectare Pico de Loro resort along the shores of Nasugbu, Batangas.

The development features residential beach condominiums distributed in four residential clusters—Jacana, Myna, Carola and Miranda.

All offer three-bedroom corner suites and penthouse lofts, with sizes ranging from 134 to 209 square meters. Pico de Loro Cove is known as one of the country’s top quick weekend getaway spots. Complemented by top-line property management and security, beach homes at development are virtually worry-free – allowing owners to lock up and leave their units when going back to the city.

Pico de Loro Cove is the maiden community of Hamilo Coast, the SM Group’s premier beach resort town 90 minutes from Manila via the Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road.

LGUs

QC video to boost HIV/AIDS campaign QUEZON City will join the international commemoration of World AIDS Awareness Day on December 1 with the launching of the City Health Department’s advocacy video, which targets millennials.

The activity, which will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, will have “Promoting Unity to Stop HIV,” as its theme.

A video presentation of some of the country’s best local practices on HIV/AIDS awareness and control, including those of Quezon City, Iloilo and Davao, will also be presented during the event. An exhibit of key service providers in the fight against HIV/ AIDS will also be featured.

Mayor Herbert Bautista will launch the city’s video presentation, which will underscore the QC government’s commitment to remain responsive to managing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in the city.

Organizers said about 500 participants are expected to join the World AIDS Awareness Day event, which will be jointly hosted by the QC government and PinoyPlus, a non-government organization engaged in providing treatment, care and support to Persons Living with HIV. Based on the AIDS/HIV registry of the city health department, there are about 427 HIV cases among Quezon City residents. Of the total, 417 cases involved sexual transmission by men having sex with men.

Apart from increased investments for HIV prevention programs, QC has also passed several laws that protect HIVinfected persons against discrimination on grounds of their status, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Bautista also reiterated that the city government has prioritized AIDS response at the very highest levels of governance and is working closely with the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to pursue and sustain its program of zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. Rio Nolasco

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

SOUTHERN DELIGHTS. Tawi-Tawi Chef Bong Ladjahali and his assistant present some of their province’s favorite delicacies—a teamed giant ‘kuracha’ crab, grilled fresh big fish, squid, lobster, and other local dishes and exotic delicacies during a food festival on Friday at the ARMM offices in Cotabato City. Omar Mangorsi

Erap to keep clearing roads T O GIVE the public a respite from the expected traffic congestion this Christmas season, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Friday ordered the city’s anti-illegal vendor task force to continue its road clearing operations throughout the month of December.

Estrada said this is the time the city government should be more strict and relentless in clearing the main roads and sidewalks of Manila of all forms of traffic-causing obstructions, including illegal vendors.

“No, we will continue with our road clearing operations.

Just because it’s Christmas does not mean we will relax our cam-

paign,” Estrada said.

“We have to keep our roads and sidewalks open, especially now that the Christmas season is fast approaching, for the convenience of the public,” he added.

Earlier, Estrada announced he would no longer allow another night market along Recto Avenue from Abad Santos to Juan Luna

streets this December to lessen the expected traffic congestion during the Christmas rush.

The Manila Night Market was Estrada’s idea in 2013 to continue giving opportunities to vendors who were displaced in the process of clearing out the sidewalks and streets during daytime.

Instead, Estrada said a night market limited to vegetable and wet goods vendors will be put up along Recto Avenue between Juan Luna to Asuncion streets and will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Che Borromeo, head of Task Force Manila Cleanup, said the mayor’s instructions are clear:

do not allow the city’s precious roadways and sidewalks to be occupied again.

Together with members of the Department of Public Services, Borromeo’s task force again raided Evangelista Street, between Raon and Recto Avenue, and drove away around 100 sidewalk vendors.

Borromeo said the street is virtually impassable to vehicles during rush hours because of the huge number of vendors occupying the sidewalks, which force pedestrians to walk on the street and compete with vehicles for the road space.

Task Force Manila Cleanup is also set to conduct clearing op-

Leni leads ‘Angat Buhay’ anti-poverty program DAGUPAN CITY—Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo visited this city last Saturday to launch the government’s antipoverty alleviation program.

This was Robredo’s first visit to Pangasinan after her assumption as the second highest public official of the land.

Dubbed “Angat Buhay,” the program advocates the delivery of adequate and effective antipoverty programs to families and communities in partnership

with national government agencies, private and non-government organizations.

“Mula sa pagkapanalo natin bilang pangalawang Pangulo ay tinitignan na natin kung ano ang magagandang gawin para sa mahihirap… pagpatuloy ng programa nang ako ay Congresswoman pa,” the Vice President said.

She said even without much budget or funding from the Office of the Vice President, this did not pose a problem, as a lot

of private companies were willing to help.

“Kahit walang budget, hindi problema ‘yung walang budget dahil napakarami sa pribado na gustong tumulong. Ginagawa natin ang sarili natin na tulay, tulay mula sa pribado papunta sa mahihirap para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan,” she added.

Three of the anti-poverty programs launched in the city during Robredo’s visit include the feed-

ing program of Day Care Children sponsored by the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines; storybooks donation to the Day Care Centers of the city sponsored by the Canvass Philippines; and the wellness program for the senior citizens of the city sponsored by the Seaoil Foundation.

Aside from providing free medicines for senior citizens in upcoming medical missions, Robredo promised a Community Rehabilitation Program in

partnership with therapists and rehab doctors to help senior citizens with arthritis, body pains and stroke survivors.

“Mahalaga na may mga sustainable programs tayo. Magtatagumpay ang mga proyekto kung magtutulong-tulong tayong lahat,” Robredo said at the Carael Elementary School.

Dagupan was among the 50 local government units in the whole country chosen as pilot areas for the program. PIA

Farmers learn all about contracts DAVAO—More than 50 farmers from 24 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Davao City joined a two-day program beneficiaries development (PBD) Lawyering Activity on contract review and negotiation at the Eagle Ridge Resort here.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Ernesto B. Tan said the PBD activity is an intervention of the Department of Agrarian Reform Legal Team and the Program Beneficiaries Development Division.

It aims to provide the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and ARBOs the basic skills on agribusiness ventures agreements and contracts with their investorpartners to give them a higher income and opportunities to increase their standard of living.

Tan said the training would benefit those who have existing contracts and provide information to the ARBs and ARBOs who are

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planning to venture into agreements and contracts with investors.

Atty. Glenn Pobre of the DAR Legal Division, one of the resource speakers, explained the obligation and contracts based on the Civil Code of the Philippines, specifically the three stages of entering into contracts: preparation, perfection and consummation of a contract, principles of a contract, the cause of the contract and the requisites of a good contract.

Pobre also discussed certain topics on the art on negotiation, for first timers in contract negotiations and renegotiation tips for those have already existing contracts. He cautioned the ARBOs that engaging in commercial agreements “signifies adherence to its terms and conditions.”

Ruel Larosa, Chief Agrarian Reform program officer for PBD, challenged the participants to give ample time understanding the stipulations of their contracts before signing. PIA

GRID’S GIFT. A boy gets free medicines during a medical and dental mission in Barangay Balsik in Hermosa, Bataan, sponsored by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. Butch Gunio

erations along Capulong Street, from Juan Luna Street to R-10 in Tondo, according to Borromeo.

Since June, Estrada has intensified the city government’s road and sidewalk clearing operations, driving away more than 3,500 illegal vendors and removing countless number of obstructions and illegal structures.

Estrada has personally led clearing operations in Divisoria, Blumentritt, Quiapo, Binondo, Sta. Cruz, R-10, and Pedro Gil, among other roads, and roads leading to and from the Port of Manila. He had also cleaned up the University Belt weeks before the June 13 opening of classes.

Sandy Araneta

Valenzuela caters to ‘tokhang’ wellness THE city government of Valenzuela will kick off this weekend its communitybased wellness program for surrenderees involved in illegal drug activities.

The six-month program is outpatient rehabilitation for “tokhang” surrenderees, which involves training, seminar and hands-on activities intended to motivate the drug dependents to forgo illegal drug use.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian, also the chairman of the Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council, said the simultaneous conduct of the program in the city’s 33 barangays “is expected to help the surrenderees be reintegrated in their communities so they could get back to their normal lives.”

City and barangay officials, Philippine National PoliceValenzuela, 120 barangay service coordinators, and 1,309 outpatient drug surrenderees and their families will join Gatchalian in the program.

The kick-off activity will take place at Barangay Polo covered court at 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Lawang Bato Covered court at 10 a.m. to noon; Astrodome, Dalandanan, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Nov. 20 at Mapulang Lupa covered court at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and the Gen. T. De Leon High School basketball court at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jun David

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

LGUs

Taiwanese eyeing Davao biz, too D

AVAO CITY—A trade promotions organization has expressed interest in promoting Davao City to potential Taiwanese investors.

Taiwan Trade Magazine Inbound Mission-Research Group recently met with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center and the Department of Trade and

Industry-Davao Field Office to discuss business opportunities for their member companies in Davao.

TAITRA is a non-profit trade promotion organization

that assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers in reinforcing international competitiveness.

Harrison Lan, TAITRA director, said the purpose of their business study mission was to learn about Davao City’s demographics, economic profile, priority investment areas, and incentives packages.

“We want to know more about the business environment

and opportunities that Davao City can offer for Taiwanese businessmen,” said Lan. The research group is also looking into possible PublicPrivate Partnership projects that Taiwanese companies can participate in.

Lan’s first visit to Davao was when he joined Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Economic Director Nick Ni for a courtesy visit to DCIPC.

“We are grateful that Taiwanese investors are very keen on exploring business opportunities in the city,” said Lemuel Ortonio, the DCIPC OIC. “The visit of TECO and TAITRA is indicative of their strong interest in Davao City.”

TAITRA Market Researcher Li-Ting You emphasized that Taiwan is known in the manufacturing industry, specifically

on quality laptops, cellphone gadgets, and security solutions.

Davao City also has existing sisterhood pacts with the Taiwanese cities of Keelung and Taichung.

Ortonio said the business research mission will help pave the way for reestablishing connections with these two cities and exploring partnerships with other major Taiwan cities.

F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Bill filed to shield key river system

GIFT OF GAB(Y). Gaby Aldaba (center), a teenager from Makati, raised P100,000 so preschoolers at Salvacion Elementary School in Ormoc City (surrounding her in this photo) could have access to digital learning tools. Smart Communications matched Aldaba’s donation with a TechnoCart, a mobile laboratory that includes 20 student tablets preloaded with the Batibot mobile app, one teacher tablet, one laptop, a Smart Bro pocket WiFi, and a projector. Contributed Photo

South African mining firms won’t pull out of PH BAGUIO CITY—South African-owned mining companies operating in the Philippines will not pull out their investments in the country amid uncertainty over the Duterte administration’s audit of over 40 mining firms here.

Godfrey Oliphant, deputy minister of the South Africa Department of Mineral Resources, said one of their companies, Far

Southeast Gold Resources Inc., is considered in South Africa as a credible mining company “which is brave in infusing investments inside and outside their country.”

FSGRI entered into a joint venture with Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. for the exploration and development of the company’s Victoria gold project in Mankayan, Benguet.

“We just want certainty for the sustained operations of our company in their pending projects,” Oliphant stressed on the sidelines of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference at Camp John Hay here.

“Uncertainty in the country’s mineral industry will definitely affect foreign investments in the rapidly growing industry,

that is why it is now up to the government to provide foreign investors with certainty so that there be liquidity in the infusion of fresh capital in the industry,” the South African minister added.

Oliphant said the PH government must set the standards of the mining industry to help stabilize the contribution of mining to the economy, adding that in

South Africa, the contribution of mining to their economy is roughly 70 percent.

However, in the Philippines, mining contributes only 0.7 percent to the gross domestic product, which is considered by many sectors as insignificant.

However, host and neighboring communities consider mining as a key economic driver in their respective areas. Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY—Cordillera lawmakers joined a colleague from Cagayan province in filing a bill in Congress that would ensure protection of the Chico River Basin, one of the major river systems in the Cordillera Region.

Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang and Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting are proposing the creation of the Chico River Basin Development Authority to guarantee the protection and management of the Chico River watershed and water system.

Mangaong said the wouldbe agency aims to provide focused management and intervention in the development, preservation and sustainability of the Chico River.

It will “coordinate and implement programs that will ensure the participation of all stakeholders, government and non-government groups and individuals.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol has recommended a “serious study” for the de-silting and dredging of the Chico River and Cagayan River, which caused damages in the province of Kalinga and Cagayan during Typhoon Lawin.

From its headwaters in the tri-boundary of Ifugao, Benguet and Mountain Province, the Chico River Basin covers an area extending from Mountain Province down to Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao, and drains into the Cagayan River. PIA

DPWH Govt quality body lauds SBMA for ISO 9001 mark widens Agusan bridge THE Department of Public Works and Highways has improved and widened a critical bridge in Agusan del Sur. Wawa Bridge, located along Daang Maharlika in Bayugan City, got an additional two lanes for a total cost of P219.8 million.

According to DPWH Region 13 Director Danilo E. Versola, the 240-meter Wawa Bridge is the longest steel bridge in the province, and serves as a road boundary connecting Bayugan to Sibagat town, making the delivery of basic services to people in the area more efficient.

It also enhances the growth of agriculture and commerce and should facilitate tourism growth in the province known as the “Land of Golden Opportunities.”

Previously known as the home of the largest crocodile in the world—a 20-foot saltwater croc named ”Lolong,” which died in captivity in 2013—Agusan also boasts of colorful cultural festivities, cold and hot springs, ecoparks, and perfect mountainous sceneries. PIA

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— The Government Quality Management Committee has recognized the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for attaining ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certification.

The GQMC annually recognizes government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units for their QMS reaching ISO 9001 Certification from January 2012 to October 2016.

In a communication sent to SBMA, GQMC Chairman and

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the conferment was in recognition of the freeport authority’s established QMS. The GQMC is co-chaired by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, with Local Governments Secretary Ismael Sueno and Development Academy of the Philippines president Antonio Kalaw.

An ISO 9001:2008 Certificate is awarded by International Standards Organization certified Registrars to an organization that meets specified quality system requirements to be able to consistently provide conform-

ing products, either materials or services, to meet customer’s expectations.

In the Philippines, ISO certification and quality management in government institutions was required through Executive Order 605 and Administrative Order 161 signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

SBMA obtained its ISO Certificate in January 2013 and was recertified in June this year, according to SBMA OIC-Total Quality Management officer John Aquino, who received the certificate in a ceremony at the LBP Auditorium

in Manila.

The First Surveillance Audit was conducted by AJA Registrars Inc., which resulted in the “zero major non-conformity, zero minor non-conformity and nine observations.” This result, said Aquino, was considered a “legacy” in the history of government offices.

“This is the fruit of an allagency effort and utmost commitment to QMS and good governance by the dedicated men and women of the SBMA, headed by Chairman Martin Diño,” Aquino said.

Aquino said the SBMA started

working to meet the requirement based on standards specified on ISO 9001:2008 since October 2012 with AJA Registrars. All departments of the freeport au thority had conformed to the ISO 9001, resulting in the issuance of ISO 9001:2008 Certification last April 2013, he added.

These offices include the Internal Services Group with 10 offices or departments; Maritime, Business and Investment Group (seven); Regulatory Group (six); and chairman and administrator-CEO Group (six).

Butch Gunio

AMBULANCE FOR LAMITAN. Philippine

Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander F. Balutan (second from left) turns over the symbolic key of a brand new ambulance to Mayor Rosita Furigay (third from right) of Lamitan City, Basilan on Friday at the charity agency’s main office in Mandaluyong City as part of the PCSO Ambulance Donation Program. With them are (from left) PCSO Executive Assistant VI Manuel Fraginal Sr., Josephine Codilla of the Philippine Senate, Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay and City Councilor Joaquin Puri Jr. Contributed Photo

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN Manila Manila

World

Standard Standard

TODAY TODAY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 93, QUEZON CITY

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CHINA BANKING CORPORATION Plaintiff

The haunted life of child soldiers Y Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Mandaluyong City Branch 211

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION AND CANCELLATION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF KHAYLEE KIYOMI Manila BALOBO LICUP SP Proc. No. MC16-11159

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TODAY

KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP, Represented by KATHERINE BALOBO LICUP, Petitioner, -versusTHE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF THE CITY OF MANDALUYONG CITY and THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OR PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY and CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP (a.k.a. CARL FRIAS FRONTOZA), Respondents. x---------------------------------------------x

ANGON―Darkness was falling across the pagoda outside Yangon when a military officer walked up to Su Thet Htoo and gave him two choices: go to jail or join the untold ranks of child soldiers in Myanmar’s army.

ORDER

This is a verified petition filed by the petitioner praying that after due notice, publication and hearing judgment be rendered Ordering 1) the Local Civil Registry of Mandaluyong City and the Civil Registrar General/Philippine Statistics Authority to cancel and correct the entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of the minor KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP under Registry No. 2009-3167 as follows: FROM: 13. NAME (First) (Middle) (Last) CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP 14.CITIZENSHIP 15. RELIGION Filipino Catholic 16. OCCUPATION 17. AGE at the time of this birth Mailman 29 years TO: 13. NAME(First) (Middle) (Last) UNKNOWN FATHER 14. CITIZENSHIP 15. RELIGION 16. OCCUPATION 17. Age at the time of this birth That petitioner was born on June 4, 2009 at Unciano General Hospital. Her registered parents in the Certificate of Live Birth are FATHER: CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP and MOTHER: KATHERINE VIRAY BALOBO. She was the fourth child of of the spouses.

That petitioner’s (parents were first married on October 6, 1997 at Makati City. From that marriage, three (3) children are born, namely:

petitioner’s mother, however caused the registration of the birth of the petitioner as the legitimate child of the SPOUSES LICUP with CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP as the registered father.

That after about three (3) years of the petitioner’s parents marriage declared as null and void, they patched up their differences and remarried on June 27, 2011 at the City of San Juan.

Manila That petitioner’s registered father in the Certificate of Live Birth CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP (now Carl) by virtue of Petition for Change of Name, has applied for U.S. Citizenship on December 12, 2007. The petition for immigration was granted in so far as KATHERINE BALOBO LICUP, JOHN CARL BALOBO LICUP, KATE RUSSEL BALOBO LICUP and CARLSON KYLE BALOBO LICUP are concerned. The petition for naturalization of KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP was denied for the reason that a DNA best result indicated that petitioner is excluded as the biological child of CARL FRIAS FRONTOZA. That the grant immigrant status to the petitioner’s mother and the three (3) children gives them the opportunity to reside in the United States. The three (3) children JOHN CARL BALOBO LICUP, KATE RUSSEL BALOBO LICUP and CARLSON KYLE BALOBO LICUP are now enrolled and studying in the United States leaving behind in the Philippines, the petitioner KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP. That the plight of the petitioner KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP who will be left behind in the Philippines is a cause of great concern and worry on the part of the petitioner’s parents. Petitioner’s mother and the registered father is still pursuing the grant of the immigrant status to the United States in favour of the petitioner. The petition, however will be granted if the registered father in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner will be CANCELLED and an entry of “UNKNOWN FATHER” be registered thereat.

Let a copy of this Order be published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks before the hearing on November 21, 2016 at 1:30 o’ clock in the afternoon at the petitioner’s expense in the Manila Standard, a newspaper of general circulation in Metro Manila, selected by raffle pursuant to PD No. 1079.

A copy of this Order shall likewise be posted in the bulletin board of this Court.

Let the Office of the Solicitor General, Local Civil Registrar of Mandaluyong City, Prosecutor’s Office of Mandaluyong City, Civil Registrar General or Philippine Statistics Authority and Carlbert Frias Licup (a.k.a.

Carl Frias Frontoza) with a copy of this Order together with the petition and its annexes at the expense of the petitioner, the proof of service thereof to be duly proven and established to the satisfaction of the Court.

-versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV For: INTERPLEADER

ARLENE F. PALOMARES, XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES and SHALOM D. SY Defendants x-----------------------------------------x

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RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW!

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL C OURT Mandaluyong City Branch 211

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION AND CANCELLATION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP SP Proc. No. MC16-11159 KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP, Represented by KATHERINE BALOBO LICUP, Petitioner, -versusTHE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF THE CITY OF MANDALUYONG CITY and THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OR PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY and CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP (a.k.a. CARL FRIAS FRONTOZA), Respondents. x---------------------------------------------x

petitioner’s mother, however caused the registration of the birth of the petitioner as the legitimate child of the SPOUSES LICUP with CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP as the registered father.

That after about three (3) years of the petitioner’s parents marriage declared as null and void, they patched up their differences and remarried on June 27, 2011 at the City of San Juan.

That petitioner’s registered father in the Certificate of Live Birth CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP (now Carl) by virtue of Petition for Change of Name, has applied for U.S. Citizenship on December 12, 2007. The petition for immigration was granted in so far as KATHERINE BALOBO LICUP, JOHN CARL BALOBO LICUP, KATE RUSSEL BALOBO LICUP and CARLSON KYLE BALOBO LICUP are concerned. The petition for naturalization of KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP was denied for the reason that a DNA best result indicated that petitioner is excluded as the biological child of CARL FRIAS FRONTOZA. That the grant immigrant status to the petitioner’s mother and the three (3) children gives them the opportunity to reside in the United States. The three (3) children JOHN CARL BALOBO LICUP, KATE RUSSEL BALOBO LICUP and CARLSON KYLE BALOBO LICUP are now enrolled and studying in the United States leaving behind in the Philippines, the petitioner KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP. That the plight of the petitioner KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP who will be left behind in the Philippines is a cause of great concern and worry on the part of the petitioner’s parents. Petitioner’s mother and the registered father is still pursuing the grant of the immigrant status to the United States in favour of the petitioner. The petition, however will be granted if the registered father in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner will be CANCELLED and an entry of “UNKNOWN FATHER” be registered thereat.

Let a copy of this Order be published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks before the hearing on November 21, 2016 at 1:30 o’ clock in the afternoon at the petitioner’s expense in the Manila Standard, a newspaper of general circulation in Metro Manila, selected by raffle pursuant to PD No. 1079.

A copy of this Order shall likewise be posted in the bulletin board of this Court.

Let the Office of the Solicitor General, Local Civil Registrar of Mandaluyong City, Prosecutor’s Office of Mandaluyong City, Civil Registrar General or Philippine Statistics Authority and Carlbert Frias Licup (a.k.a.

Carl Frias Frontoza) with a copy of this Order together with the petition and its annexes at the expense of the petitioner, the proof of service thereof to be duly proven and established to the satisfaction of the Court.

Frightened and alone, the then 16-year-old chose military service, beginning a two-year ordeal that would see him cut off from his family, beaten, sent to the front line and turn into an alcoholic.

ORDER This is a verified petition filed by the No one knows exactly how many children petitioner praying that after due notice, publication and hearing judgment be are still among the estimated 500,000 troops rendered Ordering 1) the Local Civil Registry of Mandaluyong City and the Civil Registrar Date of rebel Birth General/Philippine Statistics Authority that serve in Myanmar’sJohnmilitary or the Carl Balobo Licup - March 30, 1998 to cancel and correct the entries in the Kate Russel Balobo Licup - December 18, 1999 Certificate of Live Birth of the minor KHAYLEE militias waging insurgencies against the state.

Carlson Kyle Balobo Licup - July 10, 2001 KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP under Registry No. 2009-3167 as follows: That on February 12, 2008, the marriage of The army and sevenpetitioner’s ethnic armed groups SO ORDERED. parents dated October 6, 1997 at FROM: Mandaluyong City, October 17, 2016.

City was declared NULL AND VOID by 13. NAME (First) (Middle) (Last) have been listed by the Makati United Nations as usthe Hon. Judge Elsa I. De Guzman of the RTC, CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP (Sgd.) OFELIA L. CALO NCR Br. 89, Quezon City under Civil Case No. 14.CITIZENSHIP 15.

RELIGION Judge ing underage fighters―those Q-07-61401. below the age Filipino Catholic 16. OCCUPATION 17. AGE at the That after the annulment of marriage of of 18―as they clash inpetitioner’s the country’s bordertime of this birth parents KATHERINE VIRAY Mailman 29 years BALOBO gave birth to the petitioner lands.

TO: KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP, who was 13. NAME(First) (Middle) (Last) born on 04 June 2009 at Unciano General UNKNOWN FATHER In major cities such Hospital as Yangon andFATHER”.

Manto an “UNKNOWN The 14. CITIZENSHIP 15. RELIGION (MS-Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 2016) 16. OCCUPATION 17. Age at the dalay, recruiters are known to scour parks, time of this birth That petitioner was born on June 4, 2009 pagodas and bus and railway stations for at Unciano General Hospital. Her registered parents in the Certificate of Live Birth are poor and vulnerable boys who they threatFATHER: CARLBERT FRIAS LICUP and MOTHER: KATHERINE VIRAY BALOBO. en, drug or tempt with promises of wellShe was the fourth child of of the spouses.

That petitioner’s (parents were first married paying jobs. on October 6, 1997 at Makati City. From that marriage, three (3) children are born, namely: Many, like Su Thet Htoo, are taken without Date of Birth John Carl Balobo Licup - March 30, 1998 a word to their families, who assume they are Kate Russel Balobo Licup - December 18, 1999 Carlson Kyle Balobo Licup - July 10, 2001 dead after months without contact.

That on February 12, 2008, the marriage of SO ORDERED. petitioner’s parents dated October 6, 1997 at Now 21, the aspiring mechanic says he is Mandaluyong City, October 17, 2016.

Makati City was declared NULL AND VOID by the Hon. Judge Elsa I. De Guzman of the RTC, focused on building a new life on his own af(Sgd.) OFELIA L. CALO NCR Br. 89, Quezon City under Civil Case No. Judge Q-07-61401. ter years of painful reintegration into society.

That after the annulment of marriage of REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Petitioner had filed and submitted petitioner’s parents KATHERINE VIRAY “I do not want to remember those experiREGIONAL TRIAL COURT to the Office of the Solicitor General BALOBO gave birth to the petitioner NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL of the Philippines her verified KHAYLEE KIYOMI BALOBO LICUP, who was ences. I feel pain whenever I remember what REGION declaration of intention to become born on 04 June 2009 at Unciano General BRANCH 165 a Filipino citizen in compliance with Hospital to an “UNKNOWN FATHER”. The happened,” he tells AFP. MARIKINA CITY Section 5 of Commonwealth Act (MS-Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 2016) No. 473, as amended. Petitioner IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION “I’m still trying to make amends.”

FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION is willing, upon being admitted to Philippine citizenship, renounce FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIPhas Recruitment of underage fighters forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potente, state, or slowed since the military stepped down from NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK sovereignty, and particularly India, of which at this time she is citizen junta rule in 2011 and started easing its grip or subject. Petitioner practically MANPREET KAUR PABLA grew up in the Philippine and (Also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) after five decades of brutal domination that was raised as a Filipino and have Petitioner, Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila 1018, Philippines, mingled socially with the Filipinos x-------------------------------------------------x drove the Southeast Asian country into dire and she have learned to love and P.O. Box 436, Manila, Philippines Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855, http://www.ppa.com.ph ORDER embrace the customs, traditions, poverty. and ideals of the Filipinos, and she Before this Court is a verified believes in the principles underlying for Naturalization filed by The army vowed to endPetition the use of child solthe Philippine Constitution. INVITATION TO BID petitioner MANPREET KAUR PABLA, Petitioner is a person of good through counsel Atty.

Rassel A. diers the following year and has worked with moral character, good repute and Dinglasan. Petitioner alleged that FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORT OPERATIONS BUILDING morally irreproachable. Petitioner she is an Indian single, rights groups to release hundreds ofnational, youngdeclares that she possesses all the fondly called Daisy by her friends, a The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the qualifications for the grant of Filipino fide resident of the Philippines, sters in sporadic batches. bona citizenship, being not less than 21 REPUBLIC OF THE Petitioner had filed and submitted residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Authority CYresiding 2016, intends to apply thePHILIPPINES sum of P 67,584,958.39 being years of age, hasfor been REGIONAL TRIAL COURT to the Office of the Solicitor General Oro remain Vista Subdivision, Concepcion But experts say children at risk as in the Philippines continuously for for the NATIONAL CAPITAL toJUDICIAL of under the Philippines her verified the Approved Budget Contract (ABC) payments the contract Uno, Marikina City, where she may more than ten (10) years, of good REGION declaration of intention to become be served with copies of pleadings, new underage recruits continue to trickle into forcharacter, the Construction Porta Filipino of Lamao, moral believes in the of Port Operations BRANCHBuilding, 165 citizen in Limay, compliance with motion, summons, orders, resolution, principle underlying the Philippine MARIKINA CITY Section 5 of Commonwealth Act judgment, decisions and other court Bataan (LFP BNA No. 018-2016).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall the military.

Constitution, conducted herself in a No. 473, as amended.

Petitioner processes. Petitioner was born in IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION proper irreproachable manner is willing, upon being admitted to beand automatically rejected at bid opening.

Chandigarh, India have on December FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION “The Tatmadaw [Myanmar army] to during her entire residence in the Philippine citizenship, renounce 28, 1984, and is now 31 years old.

FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP never been convicted forever all allegiance and fidelity to Petitioner’s personal description keep up a level of strength, but they have dif- is Philippines, Ports Demolition and nor The chargePhilippine criminally, owner of Authority now invites bids for A. any foreign prince, potente, state, or Indian racial color; brown complexion, a real property in the Philippines particularly India, brown; 165.1 cm. height; 54 kg. weight; Removal Works B. Construction of Port Operations Building.

NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK sovereignty, and ficulties in recruiting, soblack they snatch people worth not less than five hundred of which at this time she is citizen hair color; black eye color with thousand pesos, studied in school Completion of the Works is MANPREET requiredKAUR in 420 calendar days.

Bidders must or subject.

Petitioner practically other Piyamal visible distinctive marks scar PABLA who are vulnerable,” said Pichaiwere Philippine history, government grew up in the Philippine and on the chin. Prior to petitioner’s (Also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA)(SLCC) completed a Single Largest Completed Contract similar and have civics are taught as part of was raisedthat as ais Filipino and have transfer tofor NO. 4the (40) Ephesian Street, Petitioner, wongse, deputy liaison offi cer Internathe school curriculum during her mingled socially with using the Filipinos Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion to the contract to be bid, andx-------------------------------------------------x whose value, adjusted to current prices entire residence in the Philippines, and she have learned to love and Uno, Marikina City, petitioner and tional Labor Organization. socially Filipinos andprice indices, must ORDER themingled PSA with consumer be at least fifty percent (50%) traditions, of embrace the customs, her parents were living at No. 20-E able to speak and write Pilipino and ideals of the Filipinos, and she Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, Before this Court is a verified Many are sent to conflMarikina ict areas such as the ABCandto none be bid.

The description of an eligible bidderbelieves is contained in underlying the and the English, of any in the principles City from 1985 to June 1994.

Petition for Naturalization filed by disqualifications. Petitioner prays the to Bidders.

Philippine Constitution.

Petitioner migrated to the Philippines in MANPREET Section II. Instructions petitioner KAUR PABLA, northeastern states of Kachin and Shan, where that Bidding the Court Documents, grant her Filipinoparticularly, Petitioner is a person of good from Del-Delhi, India when she was through counsel Atty. Rassel A. citizenship and all the rights, duties moral character, good repute and 5 monthsto old,be via Af-Air France Dinglasan.

Petitioner alleged that the army is fighting rebelbarely groups, put to and Bidding responsibilities obligations willandbe conducted through open competitive morally bidding procedures irreproachable.

Petitioner through the passport of her mother, she is an Indian national, single, appertaining thereto. declares that she possesses all the Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port fondly called Daisy by her a using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion asfriends, specified in the Revised work as soldiers or in support roles carrying qualifications for the grant of Filipino of Manila on or about May 26, 1985 as bona fide resident of the Philippines, Finding the petition Rules to be and Regulations (IRR) of Republic citizenship, not (R.A. less than 21 Implementing Act being 9184 by the Certification issued by residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, supplies or growing food.shown sufficient in form and substance, years of age, has been residing the Bureau of Immigration indicating Oro “Government Vista Subdivision, Procurement Concepcion notice is hereby given that theknown said 9184), otherwise as the Reform Act.” in the Philippines continuously for lawful swept entry for permanent residence Uno, Marikina City, where she may Local children are often up in the petition will be heard by this Court more than ten (10) years, of good in the Philippines. Petitioner entered be served with copies of pleadings, sitting at the 3rd floor, Justice Hall moral partnerships character, believesor in the the to Philippines her mother’s Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, motion, summons, orders, resolution, clashes―many are forced join under the ethnic Building, Marikina City on February principle underlying the Philippine passport, she was allowed to use the judgment, decisions and other court 9, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. at which place, organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding Constitution, conducted herself in a surname PABLA is allowed processes. Petitioner was born in insurgents but others volunteer to because fightit in a date and time, all interested persons proper and irreproachable manner under Indian Law. Subsequently, her Chandigarh, IndiaPhilippines. on December stock belonging to citizens of the are capital hereby cited to appear and to during her entire residence in the parents used the same surname, 28, 1984, and is now 31 years old. bid to protect their communities. show cause, if any, why the petition Philippines, never been convicted PABLA. Petitioner took and finished Petitioner’s personal description is should not be granted.bidders may obtain nor charge criminally, owner of Interested further information elementary and secondary Indian racial color; brown complexion, from the Bids and Su Thet Htoo was takenher to the Danyinkone a real property in the Philippines educations at Infant Jesus Academy 165.1 cm. height; 54 kg. weight; Let this OrderCommittee be published, at Awards (BAC) forbrown; Engineering Projects and worth inspect thethan Bidding not less five hundred at Russet Street, ofRancho black hair color; black eye color with recruitment camp outsidesituated Yangon where the expense of the petitioner, for thousand pesos, studied in school IV, Marikina City, where Philippine Documents theinaddress given belowdistinctive from 8:00 other visible marks a.m. scar to 5:00 p.m., Monday three (3) consecutive at weeks the were Philippine history, government history,he government and civics are on the chin. Prior to petitioner’s ficers told him to lie and say was 18.

Official and in a newspaper and civics are taught as part of to Gazette Friday. taught and one of the requirements transfer to NO. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, of general circulation, and a general the school curriculum during her to finish the course.

Petitioner also Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion He spent four and a half months in trainnotice of hearing posted in a public entire residence in the Philippines, studied and graduated with a degree Marikina City, may petitioner completeplace set where of BiddingUno, Documents be and acquired by interested and A conspicuous socially mingled with Filipinos and of Bachelorto of Science in Nursing at her parents were living at No. 20-E ing before he was deployed work as a petitioner’s residence is located. speak and write Pilipino Our Lady of Fatima University situated Bidders on 21 November 2016 from the address belowable andto upon payment Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, and English, and none of any MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Marikina City from 1985 to June 1994. patrol guard on the frontinValenzuela line inCity,the southPetitioner is likewise directedfee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant of a non-refundable to the latest disqualifications.

Petitioner prays where Philippine Petitioner migrated to the Philippines to cause the service of this Order that the Court grant her Filipino History, and civics are from Del-Delhi, India when she was ern state of Karen, the site ofgovernment long-running Guidelines by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY together with the copy issued of the petition citizenship THOUSAND and all the rights, duties likewise being taught and one of the barely 5 months old, via Af-Air France and its annexes to the Office of and responsibilities and obligations requirements to finish the course.

PESOS (P50,000.00). through the passport of her mother, ethnic rebellion. the Solicitor General. Let a copy appertaining thereto.

Petitioner continuously resides in Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port of this Order be sent to the Local the Philippines since in she the arrived of Manila on or about May 26, 1985 as Staring down at his tattooed hands may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of thethePhilippine CivilItRegistry of Marikina City, the Finding petition to be on May 26, 1985 and never left the shown by the Certification issued by petitioner and her counsel. sufficient in form and substance, Philippines, vacations Government Electronic Procurement (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Bureau ofSystem Immigration indicating dim light of the mechanics’ offiexcept ce, forashort sparse notice is hereby given that the said and tour, to wit: entry for permanent residence SO ORDERED. heardfor by the this Court the Philippine Ports Authority,lawful provided that bidders shallpetition pay will thebefee in the Philippines.

Petitioner entered fringe of hair on his upper lip and a wearied Marikina City, this 3rd day of sitting at the 3rd floor, Justice Hall Date of Departure Date of Return Philippines under her mother’s October, 2016. Documents not laterthe Bidding than the submission of their bids.

Building, Marikina City on February to the Philippines passport, she was allowed to use the look in his eyes, he describes howMayregular 9, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. at which place, April 4, 1989 8, 1990 surname PABLA because it is allowed (Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO date and time, all interested persons The Philippine Ports Authority’s Committee for Engineering March 27, 1996 May 27, 1996 underBids Indianand Law. Awards Subsequently, her beatings drove him to drink.

Judge are hereby cited to appear and to April 6, 1998 May 31, 1998 used the same surname, Projects will hold a Pre-Bid parents Conference on 29 November 2016 atwhy 10:00 show cause, if any, the petition 6, 2004 Junewrong.

11, 2004 PABLA. Petitioner took and finished “I was beaten if I didApril something Copy Furnished: should not be granted. th March 9, 2007 March 12, 2007 her elementary and secondary a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7 Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Nov. 16, 2010 Nov. 23,I2010 educations at Infant Jesus Academy Sometimes, if I made a small mistake was Counsel for the Petitioiner Let this bidders.

Order be published, at Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which be open all interested situatedshall at Russet Street, to Rancho Manpreet Kaur Pabla the expense of the petitioner, for Petitioner alcohol,” is not an anarchist, IV, Marikina City, where Philippine punched. So I started drinking he three (3) consecutive weeks in the Petitioner polygamist nor a believer in the history, government and on civicsorare Bids must be delivered to the address below before 9:00 a.m.

13 Official Gazette and inof a newspaper practice of polygamy. Petitioner has Office of the Solicitor General taught and one of the requirements says. th and a general of general circulation, Civil Registry, Marikina not been convicted of any crime LocalDecember 2016 City at the Bids toand Committee finishAwards the course.

Petitioner also(BAC) Office, 5 Floor, notice of hearing posted in a public involving turpitude nor isashe OCC-RTC, Marikina City and graduated with a degree One night of drinking led to moral a brawl with and conspicuous place where PPAStatistics Bldg.,Authority Bonifacio Drive, studied South Harbor, Area, suffering from any mental alienation Philippine of Bachelor of SciencePort in Nursing at Manila. All bids must petitioner’s residence is located. or incurable contagious disease. (NSO) Our Lady of Fatima University situated acceptable forms and senior sergeant. be accompanied by a Bid Security in the following in MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Petitioner is likewise directed amount: Valenzuela City, where Philippine “Then about three or four soldiers started to cause the service of this Order History, government and civics are together with the copy of the petition likewise being taught and one of the punching me,” he says. “My head was injured Amount of and BiditsSecurity annexes to the Office of requirements to finish the course.

Form of Bid Security the Solicitor General.

Let a copy (Equalresides to Percentage of the ABC) Petitioner continuously in by their blows.” of this Order be sent to the Local the Philippines since she arrived Civil Registry of Marikina City, the a) Bid Securing Declarationon May 26, 1985 and never No percentage required left the Twice Su Thet Htoo ran away to his parents petitioner and her counsel.

Philippines, except for short vacations b) Surety Bond callable upon and tour, to wit: and younger sister. Both times he was caught, SO ORDERED. Marikina City, this 3rd day of demand issued by a surety or Date of Departure Date of Return beaten and sent back to the army.

October, 2016. to the Philippines insurance company duly certified Five percent (5%) April 4, 1989 May 8, 1990 It was only when his mother called a hot (Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO by the Insurance Commission March 27,as 1996 May 27, 1996 Judge 6, 1998 May 31, 1998 line set up by the UN for people to report authorized to issue suchApril security April 6, 2004 June 11, 2004 Copy Furnished: March 9, 2007 March 12, 2007 child soldiers and showed the army his birth Rassel A. Dinglasan Bids will be opened in the Nov. presence the bidder’s Atty. representatives who 16, 2010 ofNov. 23, 2010 Counsel for the Petitioiner certificate that he was finally allowed to leave. choose to attend at the address below on 13 December 2016 at 10:00 Manpreet Kaur Pabla a.m.

Petitioner is not an anarchist, polygamist nor a believer in the Petitioner Now he is among 800 underage recruits Late bids shall not be accepted. practice of polygamy. Petitioner has Office of the Solicitor General not been convicted of any crime Local Civil Registry, Marikina City that have been released since 2012, according • Required PCAB Registration: Ais- she Building and Industrial involving moralMedium turpitude nor OCC-RTC, Marikina City suffering from any mental alienation to UNICEF, which provides counseling and Philippine Statistics Authority Plant or incurable contagious disease. (NSO) helps the former soldiers return to school or The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any set up businesses. bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to Pichaiwongse said the ILO also has a backcontract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. log of some 200-300 more cases of runaways that it has yet to deal with.

For further information, please refer to: Like many, Su Thet Htoo has found adjustBAC Secretariat, 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., ing to life outside the army difficult.

A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor Port Area, Manila His relationship with his family broke down as his drinking continued and he Telephone Nos. 527-47-35 bounced from job to job before finally going 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539 into a Buddhist monastery to kick the habit.

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph He now lives alone and is training as a mechanic.

REYNAND C. PARAFINA UNICEF’s Representative for Myanmar, Officer-in-Charge, AGM for Engineering Bertrand Bainvel, said many former child soldiers are also spurned by their neighbors Standard – Nov. 19, 2016 when they return home. AFP

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

Copy Furnished: Atty. Julian T. Tutanes Office of the Solicitor General Office of the City Prosecutor, Mandaluyong City Office of the Local Civil Registrar, Mandaluyong City Civil Registrar General/Philippine Statistics Authority Carl Frias Licup, (a.k.a. Carl Frias Frontoza) Manila Standard

Copy Furnished: Atty. Julian T. Tutanes Office of the Solicitor General Office of the City Prosecutor, Mandaluyong City Office of the Local Civil Registrar, Mandaluyong City Civil Registrar General/Philippine Statistics Authority Carl Frias Licup, (a.k.a. Carl Frias Frontoza) Manila Standard

ORDER This resolves the Ex-parte Motion For Leave to Serve Summons by Publication filed by the plaintiff through counsel.

In its motion, the plaintiff alleged that the Officer’s Return dated December 1, 2015 indicated that there were unsuccessful services of Summons and Complaint in Interpleader on defendants Palomares on October 27, November 02 and 03, 2015. Efforts were exerted by the Plaintiff’s counsel to contact and locate defendants Arlene, Xyra and Lyca all surnamed Palomares (“defendants Palomares” for brevity) but to no avail. Hence, plaintiff prays that service of summons and complaint be effected upon the defendants by publication pursuant to Rule 14 Section 14 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.

The Court finds merit in the instant motion.

Section 14, Rule 14 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure provides as follows: SEC. 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. - In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in such places and for such time as the court may order.

Pursuant to the aforesaid provision of law, service of summons by publication is permissible provided it complies faithfully, strictly and fully with all the foregoing requirements of service of summons by publication.

The rules provide for such remedy where personal service could not be effected on a party. Section 14 of Rule 14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides that whenever the defendant’s “whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation.”

In the case at bar, the defendants’ whereabouts could not be ascertained by diligent inquiry, after the Process Server tried to serve the summons and a copy of the Complaint in Interpleader at their last known address.1 Likewise, Alias Summons dated August 26, 2016 was also unserved on defendants Palomares and as per Officer’s Return dated September 5, 2016, the Summons and Complaint in Interpleader were unserved on the said defendants because they already moved out a year ago from the address stated in the summons as per information given by their neighbors. Also attached to the said Officer’s Return is a Certification issued by Barangay Bahay Toro and signed

by Barangay Captain Dennis A. Caboboy certifying that a verification conducted by Office of the Barangay Captain revealed that defendants Palomares are no longer found nor residing thereat and their whereabouts are unknown.

Efforts were exerted by the plaintiff to locate defendants Palomares but to no avail. Plaintiff does not know of any other address or whereabouts of defendants Palomares despite diligent inquiry.

Hence, the service of summons by publication is proper.

WHEREFORE, finding the “Ex-Parte Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by publication” filed by the plaintiff to be meritorious, the same is hereby GRANTED. The plaintiff is hereby directed to comply with Section 14, Rule 14 of the Revised Rules of Court to serve Summons and a copy of the Complaint in Interpleader on the defendants once by publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

The plaintiff shall file before this Court a manifestation of his compliance within five (5) days from the date of publication.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, September 13, 2016.

-versus-

CYAN

Civil Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV

For: INTERPLEADER PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this ARLENE F. PALOMARES, Honorable Court that after due hearing, an Order be issued.

XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES

1.

Requiring defendants to interplead between LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES themselves their respective claims as to who are entitled to and SHALOMamount D. SY in that account at the Marilao claim the transferred Defendants Branch of the plaintiff. x-----------------------------------------x 2. After appropriate proceedings, an adjudication be made as to who between the defendants is/are entitled to claim and receive the transferredORDER amount in that account at the Marilao Branch of the plaintiff.

This resolves the Ex-parte Motion For Leave to Serve Plaintiff further by prays for such other or reliefs Summons Publication filed measures by the plaintiff through as may be deemed just and equitable in the premises. counsel.

MakatiInCity Quezonthe City,plaintiff June 26, 2015. that the Officer’s its for motion, alleged Return dated December 1, 2015 indicated that there ALCALA DUMLAO ALAMEDA were unsuccessful services of Summons and Complaint TAN ALANO & MANINGDING in Interpleader on defendants Palomares on October 27, Counsel the Plaintiff November 02 and 03,for 2015.

Efforts were exerted by the Plaintiff’s counsel to Philcom contact and locate defendants Arlene, 4th Floor Building Xyra 8755 and Lyca Palomares PaseoallDesurnamed Roxas, Makati City (“defendants Palomares” for brevity) to no avail. Hence, plaintiff prays Tel No.but 885-5153 that service of summons and complaint be effected upon the By: defendants by publication pursuant to Rule 14 Section 14 of (Sgd.) JAYofANGELO N. ANASTACIO the 1997 Rules Civil Procedure.

PTR No. 4750955/1/5/15 Makati City IBP No. 0987798/01-10-15/Quezon City Section 14, 14 of theNo. 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure RollRule of Attorney 39202 providesMCLE as follows: No. V-0006749;03/10/15 SEC. 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or E-mail:jananastacio@chinabank.ph The Court finds merit in the instant motion.

whereabouts are unknown. - In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of Republic of effected the Philippines court, be upon him) by publication in a newspaper of S.S.places and for such time as general circulation and in )such the court may order.

I, MARITES legal ageofwith PursuantB.toGO, the Filipino, aforesaidof provision law, office service of address at the by G/F SM City isMarilao, Km. provided 21 Barangay summons publication permissible it complies Ibayo,faithfully, Marilao, strictly Bulacan after duly sworn to in and fullyhaving with allbeen the foregoing requirements accordance withof law, depose by andpublication. state that: of service summons 1. I am a Senior Manager and Branch Head of China The rules provide for such remedy where personal Banking Corporation-SM Marilao Branch. service could not be effected on a party. Section 14 of Rule 2. I have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors 14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides that whenever of petitioner China Bank to institute this suit as evidenced the defendant’s “whereabouts are unknown and cannot by the corresponding Corporate Secretary’s Cerficate, a be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of copy of which is hereto attached at Annex “A” and pursuant court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper thereto, I have caused the preparation of the foregoing of general circulation.”

Complaint.

In the case bar, the defendants’ whereabouts could not 3. I have read theatallegations in the foregoing Complaint be ascertained by diligent inquiry, after theand Process for Interpleader and found the same to be true correctServer to serve the summons and aand/or copy of Complaint in basedtried on my own personal knowledge onthe authentic Interpleader at their last known address.1 records.

Likewise, Aliasthat Summons dated 26, 2016 was 4. I hereby certify the plaintiff hasAugust not heretofore also unserved defendants Palomares andthe as per commenced any otheron action or proceeding involving dated September 5, 2016, the Summons same Officer’s issues inReturn the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or anddivisions Complaint in Interpleader were unserved on the said different thereof or before any other court, tribunal defendants because they already moved out a year ago from or agency. statedthat in the summons as per information given 5. the If I address should learn a similar action or proceeding by their Also attached to theCourt, said Officer’s has been or isneighbors. pending before the Supreme Court ofReturn is aorCertification issued thereof

by Barangay Toro andorsigned Appeals different divisions or anyBahay other tribunal byI Barangay Dennis A. this Caboboy certifying agency, undertake Captain to promptly inform Honorable Courtthat a Office of the Barangay Captain within verification five (5) daysconducted from such by notice. revealed that defendants Palomares are no longer found nor MARITES B. GO residing thereat and their(Sgd.) whereabouts are unknown.

Affiant

(Sgd.) ARTHUR O. MALABAGUIO Presiding Judge

Efforts were exerted by the plaintiff to locate defendants SUBSCRIBED AND before me this 26know day ofof any Palomares but to SWORN no avail.TOPlaintiff does not June 2015, exhibiting to me her LTO Driver’s License other affiant address or whereabouts of defendants Palomares No. N04-93267929 with expiration on August 24, 2016. despite diligent inquiry.

Hence, the service of summons by publication is Doc. No. 146 proper.

Page No. 41 WHEREFORE, finding the “Ex-Parte Motion for Leave to Book No. 16 Serve Summons by publication” filed by the plaintiff to be Series of 2015 meritorious, the same is hereby GRANTED.

Copy Furnished: Office of the Clerk of Court Regional Trial Court of Quezon City China Banking Corporation Plaintiff 8745 Paseo de Roxas cor Villar Street Makati City Atty. Jay Angelo M. Anastacio Alcala Dumlao Alameda Tan Alano & Maninding Counsel for the Plaintiff 4th Floor PHILCOM Building 8755 Paseo De Roxas, Makati

The(Sgd.) plaintiffCHRISTINE is hereby directed to comply with Section 14, L. ZERNA-BRIONES Rule 14 of thePublic Revised of Court to serve Summons Notary forRules the City of Makati and aAppt. copyNo. of M-331 the Complaint in Interpleader on the (2015-2016) defendants once byBuilding publication in a newspaper of general 4/F Philcom circulation.

8755 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City ThePTR plaintiff file before this Court manifestation No.shall 4748650, 01-05-15 Makatia City of his IBP compliance within 01-10-15; five (5) days from the date of No. 0987794; Pampanga publication.

Roll of Attorney’s No. 42549 SO ORDERED. ANNEX “A” Quezon City,PHILIPPINES Philippines, September 13, 2016.

REPUBLIC OF THE ) MAKATI CITY ) S.S.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 93 , QUEZON CITY

(Sgd.) ARTHUR O. MALABAGUIO Presiding Judge SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE Copy Furnished: Office of the of Court I, ATTY. LEILANI B.Clerk ELARMO, of legal age, with office TrialChina CourtBank of Quezon address Regional at 11th Floor BuildingCity 8745 Paseo de Roxas cor.

Villar Banking St., MakatiCorporation City after after having been duly China sworn to Plaintiff in accordance with law, hereby certify that: I am the duly appointed Assistant Corporate 8745 Paseo de Roxas cor Villar StreetSecretary of CHINA BANKING Makati City CORPORATION(the Corporation), a universalAtty. banking corporation duly organized and existing Jay Angelo M. Anastacio under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Alcala Dumlao Alameda Philippines, Tan Alano & Maninding As Assistant Corporate Counsel for the Secretary, Plaintiff I have possession of the records of the Corporation, including the minutes of the PHILCOM Building 4th Floor meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee 8755 Paseo De Roxas, Makati

CHINA BANKING CORPORATION Plaintiff -versusCivil Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV For: INTERPLEADER ARLENE F. PALOMARES, XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES and SHALOM D. SY Defendants x-----------------------------------------x

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SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

4. On October 11, 2013, defendant Sy made a tellerphone fund transfer to a particular China Bank Account at the Marilao Branch of the plaintiff. However, in an Incident Report dated October 16, 2013, defendant Sy claimed that the fund transfer to China Bank Account at the Plaintiff’s Marilao Branch was erroneously made by her and she requested that the full amount transferred be credited back to her.

5. Meanwhile, the entire balance, including the amount transferred in the China Bank account at the Marilao Branch of the plaintiff is also being claimed by the defendants Palomares.

6. It is definitely clear from the foregoing narrations that there exists conflicting claims between defendants Palomares and defendant Sy over the said transferred amount in the particular account at the Marilao Branch of the plaintiff.

7. In light of the conflicting claims of the defendants, plaintifs is at a loss as to whom the said transferred amount in the said account REPUBLIC may be released.

OF THE PHILIPPINE 8. Plaintiff does REGIONAL not claim any interest whatsoever TRIAL COURT over the said NATIONAL amount in the said China Bank account at CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION its Marilao Branch. And, to avoid suits from BRANCH 93,unnecessary QUEZON CITY either of the defendants, plaintiff finds it imperative and necessary to file the instant case, by way of interpleader, CHINA BANKING CORPORATION requiring defendants to litigate their conflicting claims over Plaintiff the transferred amount in that particular account at the Marilao Branch.

ARLENE F. PALOMARES XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES No. 16 C Aberdeen Street Bahay Toro, Project 8 Quezon City

During the regular meeting ofOF theTHE Board of Directors of REPUBLIC PHILIPPINE the Corporation held on 03 June 2015 at which meeting a REGIONAL TRIAL COURT quorum was present and acting throughout, the following NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION resolution was duly passed and approved.

REP MAK

“AUTHORITY OF MARITES B. GO CHINA BANKING CORPORATION BD-6-3-2015(50) Plaintiff -------------------------------------------versus“In accordance with the memorandum dated 03 June Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV 2015, all the members ofCivil the Board present, upon motion INTERPLEADER duly made and seconded, For: unanimously approved to authorize Ms. MARITES B. GO, Marilao Branch Manager, ARLENE F. PALOMARES, to represent and file or cause the filing on behalf of the XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES Bank LYCRA of Complaint/s, complaint-affidavit/s, KAIZZEL F.affidavit/s, PALOMARES answer/s, and counter-claim/s, SHALOM D. SYthird-party complaint/s, counteraffidavit/s, reply-affidavit/s, motion/s, verification/s, petition/s Defendants of all kinds, including foreclosure of mortgage and other x-----------------------------------------x

I, addr Rox swo

BRANCH 93 , QUEZON CITY

G R E E T I N G S: You are hereby required, within sixty (60) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your Answer to the verified Complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof, as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the verified Complaint.

collateral contract/s certification/s against forum shopping SUMMONS BY and PUBLICATION of complaint/s petition/s, appeal/s any or all papers or pleadings, in and/or before any or all court/s, quasiTO: ARLENE F. PALOMARES th court/s, administrative bodies and the like, against any and WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 20 XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES all persons, group/s or syndicate/s and/or any and all the day of September 2015.

LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES member/s thereof, client/s and/or officer/s, and employee/s No. 16 C Aberdeen Street (Sgd.) ATTY MARIA CECILIA GERTRUDES R. SALVADOR of the Bank when warranted, against which/whom the Bank Bahay Toro, Project 8 Branch Clerk of Court may have a cause and/or causes of action, and/or in relation Quezon to whose legal action/s the City bank may have to defend itself, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES attend the trial, pre-trial, conciliation, mediation, arbitration G testify R E Etherein, T I N Gwith S: full power to offer, negotiate, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT thereof, to accept, decide, enterrequired, into a compromise NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION You areand hereby within sixtyagreement, (60) days after and toservice sign, execute and deliver or allthis of Court the and of this summons uponany, you,some to file with QUEZON CITY, BRANCH 93 aforementioned papers andyour pleadings. serve on the plaintiff Answer to the verified Complaint, CHINA BANKING CORPORATION copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You Plaintiff Theare foregoing resolution has not in been revoked, modified reminded of the provision the IBP-OCA Memorandum -versusCivil Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV or amended, andGuidelines is thus still in full force and12, effect. on Policy dated March 2002 to observe For: INTERPLEADER IN WITNESS I hereby affix my this the restraint inWHEREOF, filing a Motion to Dismiss andsignature instead allege 18th day of June 2015 at City.in the Answer. If you fail to grounds thereof, asMakati defenses ARLENE F. PALOMARES, answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the (Sgd.) ATTY. LEILAINI B. ELARMO LYCRA KAIZZEL F. PALOMARES verified Complaint. Assistant Corporate Secretary

and SHALOM D. SY

Defendants x-----------------------------------------x

COMPLAINT IN INTERPLEADER Plaintiff, by counsel, to this Honorable Court most respectfully states: 1. Plaintiff is a universal banking corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office located at 8745 Paseo de Roxas cor. Villar Street, Makati City, where legal processes and Orders of this Honorable Court may be duly served.

2. Defendants Arlene F. Palomares, Xyra Shenelle F. Palomares and Lycra Kaizzel F. Palomares (hereinafter referred to as defendants Palomares) are of legal age, Filipino and are residents of No. 16 C. Aberdeen Street, Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City, where summons and legal processes of this Honorable Court may be duly served.

3. Defendant Shalom D. Sy (hereinafter referred to as defendant Sy) is of legal age, Filipino and is a resident of No. 132 Kapiligan Street, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, where summons and legal processes of this Honorable Court may be duly served.

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“I 2015 duly auth to re Ban answ affid of a colla of c or p cour WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 20th all p SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN day of September 2015. to before me this 18th day mem of June 2015 at Makati City, Affiant exhibiting to me her Non (Sgd.) ATTY MARIA CECILIA GERTRUDES R. SALVADOR of th Professional Driver’s License No. N01-04-266287 valid until Branch Clerk of Court may 03 August 2016. to w atten Doc. No. 438 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT ther Page No. 89 acce Book No. 91NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION and Series of 2015 QUEZON CITY, BRANCH 93 afore

CHINA BANKING CORPORATION (Sgd.) BELENETTE Y. CHING-TAN Plaintiff Notary Public for Makati City -versusCivil Case No. R-QZN-15-05978-CV Appt. No. M-236 Until December 31, 2015 For: INTERPLEADER 4/F Philcom Building ARLENE F. PALOMARES, 8755 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City XYRA SHENELLE F. PALOMARES PTR No. 4748649; 01-05-15; Makati City LYCRA KAIZZEL PALOMARES IBP No.F.945832; 12.12.13; Makati City and SHALOM D. SY Roll of Attorney’s No. 37110 Defendants 1 Officer’s Return dated December 1, 2015 signed by x-----------------------------------------x Process Server Edmund Roy B. Tadeo

T or a IN 18th

Plaintiff, by counsel, to this Honorable Court most

S of Ju Prof 03 A

1. Plaintiff is a universal banking corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office located at 8745 Paseo de Roxas cor. Villar Street,

D P B

(MS-Nov. 19, 2016) COMPLAINT IN INTERPLEADER

CYANrespectfully MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN MAGENTA states:YELLOW

Monroe gown fetches $4.8m

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

World LIFTOFF. People take photos as an Ariane 5 space rocket with a payload of four Galileo satellites lifts off from ESA’s European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Ariane 5 successfully launched four satellites that will be part of the Galileo global satellite navigation system. AFP

LOS ANGELES―The figurehugging gown Marilyn Monroe wore to serenade President John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday smashed its guide price to sell for $4.8 million at auction on Thursday.

The flesh-colored dress, adorned with 2,500 handstitched crystals, had been expected to fetch between $2-3 million, Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills said.

It went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, an American media empire specializing in bizarre and historically significant items that owns a chain of museums, including one in Hollywood.

The dress was so tight on Monroe that the legendary actress wore nothing underneath and had to be sewn into it at the last minute before stepping on stage at Madison Square Garden in 1962 to sing to JFK in her trademark sultry voice, according to the auction house.

First auctioned by Christie’s in 1999, the Jean Louis dress went to the late business mogul Martin Zweig for $1.3 million.

“Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ is certainly one of the most famous impromptu performances in American history,” said Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien’s Auctions. AFP

‘Australia rights record tarnished’ S YDNEY―Australia’s “punitive approach” to boat people has tarnished its human rights record, the United Nations said Friday as it voiced concern that xenophobia and hate speech was on the rise.

Canberra sends asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by sea to isolated outposts on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, with the detention camps’ conditions widely criticized by refugee advocates and medical professionals.

Following an 18-day mission

to Australia, UN special rapporteur Francois Crepeau said migrant rights had deteriorated under current government policy.

“The punitive approach adopted by Australia towards migrants who arrived by boat has served to erode their human rights,” he said.

“It is a fundamental principle of human rights law that one person cannot be punished only for the reason of deterring another.”

Asylum-seekers who arrive by boat are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be genuine refugees in a hard-line stance Canberra says is a crucial deterrent to people-smugglers.

The government has defended its position, including turning boats back, as necessary to stem waves of migration by people from war-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, with many dying at sea during the treacherous journey.

Crepeau, who visited detention facilities in Australia and the camp at Nauru, acknowledged that Australia had the right to deny entry or return migrants.

But it “equally has an obligation to respect the human rights of all migrants in the process,” he added, voicing “deep concern” about the impact of mandatory and prolonged detention on mental health.

The offshore camps have become a political headache for Canberra, which this month announced a “one-off” deal to settle an unspecified number of the 1,600 boat people held at Nauru and Manus

Island in the United States.

There is now concern the agreement could be scuppered by the election of Donald Trump, who campaigned to ban Muslim immigration.

While cautioning that some of Australia’s migration policies and laws were “regressive and fall way behind international standards”, the UN rapporteur commended the country for increasing its refugee intake and welcoming 12,000 refugees from Syria.

But he also noted that xenophobia and hate speech seemed to have increased “creating a significant trend in the negative

Students trained to wrestle demons

More quakes tipped for NZ CHRISTCHURCH―Seismologists in New Zealand said Friday that this week’s 7.8 earthquake was one of the most complex ever recorded and warned there was a high likelihood of further powerful aftershocks.

As a massive clean-up continued following the tremor that claimed two lives early Monday, scientists were coming to grips with the “astonishing” scale of the seismic seizure.

The official GeoNet science agency said the land moved up to 36 feet along the many fault lines in the South Island disaster zone, permanently changing the region’s geography.

The quake also pushed up the seabed by as much as two meters along a 110 kilometer stretch of coastline that includes the tourist town of Kaikoura.

GeoNet said the quake ruptured at least four faults and was “clearly... one of the most complex earthquakes that has ever been observed”.

New Zealand is on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, which form part of the socalled “Ring of Fire”, and experiences up to 15,000 tremors a year.

There have been well over 2,000 aftershocks since Monday and the agency said statistical analysis showed residents should prepare for more major shakes in the coming weeks. AFP

perceptions of migrants”.

“Politicians who have engaged in this negative discourse seem to have given permission to people on the street to act in xenophobic ways and to allow for the rise of nationalist populist groups,” he said.

“Australia must work to fight xenophobia, discrimination and violence against migrants, in acts and speech.”

Earlier this year, anti-immigration politician Pauline Hanson was re-elected to parliament where, in her first speech since returning, she warned Australia was in danger of being swamped

by Muslims. AFP

OPENING. Actress Peyton List attends Beau Dunn’s ‘Plastic’ opening at De Re Gallery in West Hollywood, California. AFP

Trump daughter sits in on landmark talks TOKYO―Photos of US President-elect Donald Trump’s landmark first talks with a foreign leader show his daughter Ivanka was present, underscoring the family’s influence as he readies to take power.

In the meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the mogul’s Trump Plaza residence, Ivanka―a modelturned-business executive― was seen seated as the group conversed in the opulent reception room.

Media were shut out of the gathering in Manhattan, but the images released by the Japanese government also showed Ivanka and her husband, real estate developer and publisher

Jared Kushner, standing and chatting with Abe. Ivanka and Kushner, both 35, have emerged as key advisers to Trump, who shocked the world by beating Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

World leaders have scrambled to establish ties with Trump but Abe was the first to see him in person since the vote which has provoked anxiety over US foreign policy and its commitment to security in Asia.

Abe told reporters afterwards that the encounter convinced him the US president-elect was someone “in whom I can have great confidence”.

“We were able to have a very

candid talk over a substantial amount of time. We held it in a very warm atmosphere,” he said. “Without confidence between the two nations, our alliance would never function in the future.”

Also seen standing in one of the photos, amidst the gilt and chandeliers of Trump’s skyscraper, was former general Michael Flynn, who has reportedly been offered the post of national security adviser.

But the presence of Ivanka, in a black-and-white dress and high heels, drew attention in protocolconscious Japan, particularly after the tabloid press reported Trump planned to appoint her as US ambassador to Tokyo.

“It’s quite unusual to see a family member attending the first encounter between two leaders even if it’s informal,” said Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a professor at the University of Niigata Prefecture, “It indicates that she would be playing some important role in the Trump administration,” he added.

“But it’s no surprise to see her there as she has already been involved in politics. Anyway, that’s the Trump way.”

Ivanka Trump is a key player in her father’s business empire and has her own fashion label and jewelery line, and active Twitter and Instagram accounts that nourish her brand. AFP

BUENOS AIRES―Manuel Acuna sprinkles holy water and waves his crucifix, then lays his hand on the sweating, shrieking woman before him.

This is not a horror movie.

It is a real-life mass at Acuna’s evangelical exorcism school― thought to be one of the first in Latin America.

The bespectacled 54-year-old Lutheran pastor trains lay people as “exorcism consultants”.

“They study the devil’s character and how he works,” he told AFP, amid the rich smell of incense.

“The exorcism consultant will be able to determine where there is a case of a demonic presence, possession, oppression, obsession or a curse.”

Acuna has a passionate following. Crowds of hundreds flock to his Good Shepherd church on exorcism nights.

He has also earned the suspicion of fellow clergymen.

His 35 students pay $47 a month for his three-year, parttime course in “Parapsychology, Angelology and Demonology.”

He insists it isn’t about the money.

“The mystery of the unseen provokes fascination in some people, but also a lot of criticism,” he said.

“I have been called all kinds of names. But I didn’t choose to be an exorcist. It is a calling from God.” Photographs on a wall show Acuna meeting celebrities and even Pope Francis, a fellow Argentine.

But unlike Francis and most other Latin Americans, Acuna himself is not Catholic. AFP

Life

The hilarious Grossery Gang entertain the kids

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

WEEKEND LIVING

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OR three amazing days, Toy Kingdom’s Toy Expo transformed the SMX Convention Center into a wonderland for kids of all ages. It was not only the biggest gathering of toys in the Philippines, but also a spectacular showcase of the coolest branded booths, life size 3D structures, and awesome Meet & Greet activities.

Guests were welcomed to the Toy Expo by the larger than life Star Wars corner with its iconic storm troopers and BB8 life size 3D structures. There were well-loved toys everywhere – the bigger, the better: a life-size Iron Man stars at the Metals Die Cast zone; the latest Nexo Knights at Lego’s booth; the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gang; and the awesome Hot Wheels epic tower.

Kids also spent fun filled hours at some activity booths—girls got groomed at the Barbie Pink Boutique, and created sweet treats at the Barbie Café. They also had fun picking vegetables and fruits at Plush & Play farm where the first Filipino Plush toys grow.

Kids also had the rare opportunity to meet and greet their favorite characters during the expo, including the most awaited Pikachu. The adorable Powerpuff girls charmed the audience, while Betty Spaghetty introduced its newest collection. Shopkins, Hello Kitty and Friends, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families were crowd favorites among the girls. Kids also had the chance to meet the cast of Grossery Gang, Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thomas & Friends, Play Doh Tubby and Leap the Frog.

The fun continues at Toy Kingdom Express outlets in SM Stores and Toy Kingdom Stores at all SM Supermalls.

Visit www.toykingdom. ph or ToyKingdomPH at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

IRON MAN. The Metals Die Cast booth, featuring a life-size Iron Man statue, is one of the highlights at Toy Kingdom’s Toy Expo 2016.

Amazing toy expo Lovable My Little Pony characters

Pikachu graces the event to the delight of children

The Powerpuff Girls saved the day during their amazing stop at the expo

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Kim Domingo graces the third leg of Shell Bike Fair 2016

Shell Advance celebrity ambassador Jericho Rosales with the Best Bike Club winner, the Western Bicutan Riders Club

Shell Bike Fair 2016 in Metro Manila THE Philippines is home to a strong four million motorcycle community that still continues to grow everyday. The recent rise in number of motorcycle riders for the past couple of years has cemented the popularity of the two-wheeled vehicle, making it an indispensable mode of transportation for Filipinos all over the country.

Coming from a successful celebration of all things motorcycle last year, Pilipinas Shell takes things to the next level by hosting a bigger and grander Shell Bike Fair 2016. To show Shell’s appreciation for the motorcycle community, this year’s Shell Bike Fair is a series of three grand events in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The three-part celebration was made possible by Shell Advance, Shell Advance MotoCare Express and Shell V-Power Nitro+.

Shell Bike Fair 2016

The third and final leg of the Shell Bike Fair 2016 was recently held at the World Trade Center through a day filled with games and entertainment for the company’s valued customers.

Upon entering the world-class location, the attendees were treated to fun demos and games at the different booths.

Exciting performances by Imago, Gracenote, Parokya ni Edgar, Callalily, and Mocha Girls plus other surprise celebrity appearances brought the house down, with the crowd partying along to their favorite hits. The event ended on a high note as several motorcycle clubs received special prizes and three lucky guests brought home their brand new motorcycles.

Partners on the road

Shell aims to demonstrate that it is a trusted partner of motorists in their every ride.

Using Shell Advance can help provide easier engine starts, as well as long-term cleanliness and overall maximum protection, for a smoother ride on the road. To cater specifically to the needs of motorcycle riders, the Shell Advance MotoCare Express aims to provide professional and convenient motorcycle servicing at a more affordable price.

Shell’s world-class lubricants and trusted service go hand in hand with the use of Shell V-Power Nitro+, Shell’s premium performance fuels, which are designed to fight gunk and corrosion. And lastly, Shell aims to make every visit to a gas station worthwhile through the wide array of snacks, refreshments and hot meals that Shell Select offers for riders on the go.

“For over 100 years, Pilipinas Shell’s products and services have evolved to meet the current needs of Filipino motorists. We want our customers to know that Shell is every Filipino motorist’s partner on the road. Aside from quality lubricants and fuels, offerings such as the Shell Select convenience store, Shell Advance MotoCare Express and other integrated services, Shell has evolved into more than just a gas station – it is a pit stop that fuels both you and your motorcycles,” said Anthony Lawrence Yam, Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Retail.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph.

Life

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

T

Entertainment editors

HE idea was raised just once. Two weeks later, a flurry of messages and emails in between, the group found itself driving north of Metro Manila.

To celebrate its first year anniversary in a meaningful way, the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) spent an afternoon with the children of Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Bustos, Bulacan.

Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres is an orphanage that houses more than 150 abandoned children.

SPEEd President Isah V. Red, editor of Manila Standard, led members of the organization on Nov. 5 in bringing good cheer to the home’s residents, whose ages ranged from 7 to 12 years.

With them were donations of clothes, slippers, books, toys, toiletries, food and drinks and medicines. Beyond material gifts, it was the chance to share their blessings that was ultimately more precious to all.

SPEEd secretary Ian Farinas of People’s Tonight, and assistant secretary Gie Trillana of Malaya Business Insight, coordinated with Bahay at Yaman’s surrogate mother and volunteer co-worker Myrna del Rosario to make the event possible.

With the assistance of program coordinator Noel Vincent Ordiales, SPEEd members Dondon Sermino of Abante and Rohn Romulo of People’s Balita hosted the games, with generous prizes donated by GMA Network Communications team led by Angel Javier (candy bags and balloons), Liwayway Marketing Corp through Kacie Gotamco and Annie Ringor (Bread Pan and Choco Chugs) and Dr. Eric and Vina Yapjuangco of Icon Clinic through Chuck Gomez (toiletry kits and medicine).

Jerry Olea of Abante Tonight, Ervin Santiago of Bandera, Janice Navida of Bulgar (who baked brownies for the occasion), Maricris Nicasio of Hataw,

celebrate group’s anniversary with kids in Bulacan

San Miguel Corporation through Jon Hernandez gave boxes of Magnolia mineral water to quench the kids’ thirst, while Unilab for Ritemed, through Claire Papa and Butch Raquel, donated boxes of vitamin C and paracetamol.

Bahay at Yaman is a well-kept compound that houses the charity school arm of Angelicum. Since 2003, kids from Prep to High School have received education within its grounds, where a pictureque chapel is also located.

According to volunteer co-worker Adora Briones, those who are interested in sharing their blessings to the children may donate the following: Toiletries (bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, alcohol), laundry soap or detergent, condiments (cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce etc), clothes, slippers and books.

Contact Noel Ordiales at 09212579375 or log on to their website www.stmartinproject.org.

Officers and members of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), led by group President Isah V. Red, celebrate their first anniversary with the children of Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Bustos, Bulacan

Eugene Asis of People’s Journal, Salve Asis of Pilipino Star Ngayon/Pang-Masa, Tessa Arriola of The Manila Times and Dinah Ventura of Daily Tribune assisted in the games and gift-giving.

Accompanying the group was Chuck

Gomez and Sonny Espiritu as official photographer.

Adding more fun to the event were a photo booth and face-painting booth, courtesy of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications group led by Kane Choa.

Promoting peace and protection of children ON the occasion of the International Day of Peace and National Peace Consciousness Month, UN children’s agency UNICEF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came together to celebrate peace and promote peace building by showcasing traditional art forms with the talents of children.

The Pakaradian sa Kalilintad or

festival of peace and merry-making feature traditional art forms including music, visual arts and dance. The event seeks to expand community understanding on the welfare of children and their role as instruments of peace building as part of the “Children, Not Soldiers” campaign on non-association of children in armed conflict.

The festival seeks to expand community understanding on the welfare of children and their roles as instruments of peace building

Children from Bangsamoro communities from Lanao to the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan competed in three categories of traditional dance, song and musical performances. Clad in vibrant colored costumes, and backed by traditional musical instruments such as the kulintang, agong and dabakan, they proudly shared their folk arts and culture as a significant part of their unique identities as a community.

This event is the grand culmination of six local level competitions organized by the Bangsamoro Islamic Women’s Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB), supported

by Kalimudan Arts and Culture Centre and UNICEF. “By fostering children’s appreciation for diversity and creating a platform for children to share their stories and dreams, we promote unity and peace.

Through these activities, children develop friendships and become active players in peace building, paving the way for social cohesion among communities. The community members such as the Base Commanders, elders and parents also play their role in changing behaviors to keep children away from war, and allow children to play, go to school and just be children,” UNICEF

Philippines representative Lotta Sylwander says.

The UN-MILF action plan was signed in 2009 to address the recruitment and use of children and commits the MILF to ensure that no children under 18 are associated with the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) as combatants or in supporting roles such as messengers, cooks or cleaners. The “Children Not Soldiers” campaign has reached around 29,100 people, including 10,765 members of the BIAF, 2,457 children and 9,427 community members in eight provinces.

As the seven sambolayang or peace flags by children fluttered in the morning breeze in Camp Darapanan, the children reminded the adults for the need to preserve their rich cultural heritage for the new generation, as well as their desire for the successful implementation of the peace process that is inclusive and supports the rights of all children.

Children showcase their talents during the Pakaradian sa Kalilintad

Tablets for Tabla Elementary School kids LENOVO Philippines donated devices to school students in remote areas through the University of San Carlos’ Chemical Engineering Society (USC ChES) and its Project LIBRO, which received Lenovo’s Most Innovative Award at the 13th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards last February.

Project LIBRO has a simple premise: to promote love of reading and provide educational reinforcement to pupils of remote public elementary schools in Cebu, with donated books and tablets.

As part of their commitment to enablement through technology, Lenovo Philippines, the exclusive technology partner of TAYO, donated devices that will help the USC ChES reach out to students in remote areas to be able to access information and reinforce their learning.

“Lenovo believes in empowering youth through education and that is why we are in full support of Project LIBRO. Our hope is that through our devices and the educational materials included in them, kids will experience a richer kind of learning,” said Michael Ngan, country m anager, L enovo P hilippines.

The TAYO Awards is an annual event recognizing youth organizations for making a difference in their communities. Recently, USC ChES visited

Tabla Elementary School, one of the beneficiary schools of Project LIBRO, for the handover of tablets from Lenovo Philippines. The school is located in Barangay Tabla, one of the most remote mountain barangays in the Municipality of Liloan, Cebu.

Members of USC ChES taught the students at Tabla Elementary School how to use the reading apps and educational games installed in the tablets.

Said Marius Aragon, president, USC ChES, “You could really see their gratitude when we shared the tablets with them. Seeing how innocent they were moved me, [and realizing] that most of them were holding a tablet for the first time in their entire lives [on that day]. I saw how willing they were to share the tablets with their classmates. From that moment onwards, I realized that the things I worry about are nothing compared to these students’ problems, yet they continue to be happy with their lives.”

The handover of the Lenovo tablets was one of the five phases of Project LIBRO. The other phases include the installation of a mini library in the school, and the hosting of reading and comprehension competitions to award the reader showing the most progress, and the best reader in each of the chosen institutions.

Lenovo donates mobile devices to Tabla Elementary School in Cebu for the first phase of University of San Carlos’ Chemical Engineering Society’s Project LIBRO

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Actors in politics

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FTER launching his musical career with a platinum-selling self-titled debut album, Enchong Dee is back with his most personal project to date via EDM (Enchong Dee Moves) released by Star Music.

The album, Enchong says, is his gift to his fans for his 10th anniversary in showbiz. This also marks Enchong’s foray into electronic dance music “I want to share a part of me with my audience something they can take home or drive around with. It’s also a gift for the continuous support my fans gave me for the past decade. This album is really personal, more than any of my projects,” said Enchong.

The album contains 10 tracks, including carrier singles “Telenobela” and “’Di Ko Alam,” as well as “Hopia,” which Enchong penned. “’Hopia’ was inspired by a friend while we were driving, and I finished writing it in 30 minutes. There are so many love hopefuls, and this is for them – a tribute to people who constantly wish for a trusting, caring, and loving relationship with someone they like. So I wrote it for them,” he explained.

The album is mainly composed of love songs, such as the fun-laced “Oo Gusto Kita,” “Crush,” “Sa Huli,” as well as the tender and pleading “Hanggang Dito Na Lang.”

However, Enchong also encourages listeners to get up and dance with the song “Tara Pagpawisan.”

Completing the track list are “Crush (Theo Remix),” which features a rap part by Hashtags member and PBB 737 Teen Big Winner Jimboy Martin, and “Hopia (Theo Remix” featuring Bebe Riz BFe Wbh. EMD (Enchong Dee Moves), produced by Rox Santos, can now be streamed on Spotify and is now available at all record bars nationwide for only P199. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via online music stores such as ABS-CBN Store, iTunes, Mymusicstore.com.ph, Amazon.com, OneMusic.ph, and Starmusic.ph.

For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/ starrecordsph and Instagram. com/Starmusicph.

MUSIC ARTIST. Actor Enchong Dee forays into Electronic Dance Music with the release of the new album EDM (Enchong Dee Moves)

Cinema One Originals Festival 2016 ongoing now MOVIE fans can now watch the featured films in this year’s Cinema One Originals.

The festival formally opened Sunday (Nov. 13) at Trinoma Cinema 7.

Filmmakers, artists, and movie aficionados came together during the festival’s opening night and showed support for this year’s roster of independent movies.

In his welcome speech, Head of Cinema One and Festival Director Ronald Arguelles thanked the audience for their unwavering support for indie cinema every year.

“It’s all about the synergy between the films and the audiences. This synergy is the lifeblood of Cinema One Originals and Filmmakers competing at the annual filmfest that puts the spotlight on the talents and diverse voices of the lifeblood of Philippine Cinema. This the Filipino independent films synergy is why we make films every year,” and Miss Bulalacao, films that made waves here Trinoma, Glorietta, Gateway, Greenhill Theater Mall, said Ronald. and Cinematheque Centre Manila until Nov. 22.

Special citations were also given to Ang and abroad.

You can also purchase a festival pass to watch all Acclaimed foreign movie The Wailing opened Babaeng Humayo, starring Charo SantosCinema One Originals films via www.ticketworld.

Concio and John Lloyd Cruz, and Cinema the festival.

Cinema One Originals films will be screened at com.ph.

One Originals 2015 entries Manang Biring

Kris Bernal wants to bear a child in ‘Karelasyon’ KAPUSO actress Kris Bernal is a woman longing for a child in today’s episode of Karelasyon.

Raised single-handedly by her mother, Rachel (Kris) grew up to be an independent and resourceful woman. They are already living a comfortable life but as Rachel gets older, she yearns to have her own child.

But, Rachel does not want to be in a relationship. While her friends tell her about adoption, Rachel insists she likes to be a mother in a natural way. This is why she has thought of just looking for a man

who will agree to give her a baby by having a one-night stand with her.

Will Rachel be able to find a man who will fulfill her dream of becoming a mother? And is she really resolved to just having a baby and not a family?

Joining Kris Bernal are Mike Tan, Ces Quesada, JC Parker, and Maui Taylor.

Karelasyon with Carla Abellana as host airs every Saturday after #LIKE on GMA 7.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, November 19, 2016

ACROSS 1 Frisbee, e.g.

5 Does a horoscope 10 Go off course 14 Ottoman title 15 Cobweb site 16 Theater award 17 Koh-i- — diamond 18 Stretch of sand 19 Microsoft product 20 Having a cool time 22 Conjectures 24 Bronzed 25 Any minute 26 Sends a check 29 Mysteries 33 Hoople’s mutterings 34 Steer or ram 36 Suffix for press 37 Go wrong 38 Narrow down 39 Bygone auto ornament 40 Catered 41 New singles 42 Big celebrations 44 Sights and sounds 47 Brown and simmer 48 Thing

49 Poet’s “always” 50 Shabby 53 Summer sports gear (2 wds.)

58 Not the half —— 59 Perch 61 Readied the bubbly 62 Drury Lane composer 63 Prince Valiant’s wife 64 Where hackles rise 65 Eclipse causer 66 Geologic formations 67 Dismal DOWN 1 “Rats!”

2 Composer — Stravinsky 3 Wave away 4 Important artery 5 Cruise quarters 6 Pharaoh’s god 7 Dateless 8 Twitch 9 Large beer glass 10 Pledging 11 Black, to Donne 12 Emerald Isle 13 Lipstick shades

21 Cisterns 23 Luau fare 25 Monica of tennis 26 Lagoon protectors 27 Snowy-white bird 28 — Gras 30 Out-of-uniform garb 31 Zodiac sign 32 Know intuitively 34 Adage 35 Goodall subject 38 Wire

42 Complimentary 43 Hoop or stud 45 Winter apparel 46 Ms. Hagen of films 47 Fighting fish 50 Prowl 51 Dated hairdo 52 Vannelli of pop 53 Misfortunes 54 Early movie dog 55 Stitch mark 56 French Legion attire 57 Footnote word 60 Pamplona yell

AMONG showbiz celebrities in Congress is Yul Servo-Nieto.

Representing the third district of Manila, Yul as a firsttimer Congressman has his eyes set on promoting the welfare of youth and elderly in his district, among his platforms of government service.

“To give them scholarship grants and health benefits,” remarked Yul on his priority “advocacy” for the sectors concerned.

Being a showbiz and media insider, he said that he and his peers like Congressmen Alfred Vargas and Monsour del Rosario with Congresswomen Vilma Santos-Recto, Lucy Torres, Sol Aragones and Chiqui Roa-Puno have made initial talks on how to help the industry.

“We have plans na pero siyempre uupuan pa namin ng masinsinan. But as of now, we are united in doing something for our sector,” the good actor said.

Currently, he is part of the afternoon soap Oh My Mama on GMA 7 and he doesn’t mind playing contravida saying, “Kilala naman nilang artista ako.

This is just a role I need to portray. Basta in real-life, I am known as a good public servant.”

When we kidded him about the possibility of Senator Leila de Lima’s taking inspiration from their critically-acclaimed movie with Nora Aunor called Naglalayag, he showed his popular trademark smile and remarked, “Oo nga. She already admitted her affair (with her driver-bodyguard).”

In the said 2004 movie, the Superstar played an aging brilliant Fiscal/Lawyer who falls for a young taxi-driver (Yul) and everyone censured their love.

Then a colleague reacted, “In the movie Yul’s character died. But in Sen. de Lima’s case, nagtatago ang lover niya and no one believes that she doesn’t know anything of his whereabouts.”

Someone said, “Baka sa mga bundok sa Bicol?

Isn’t it that Ate Guy and Sen. de Lima both come from this place called Iriga?”

Ouch! ***** Who will blame Enzo Pineda for seemingly enjoying his work as a Kapamilya artist?

“For as long as I am here and I now work with people who I dream of being with, portraying bit roles is not an issue,” said the slimmer and more handsome Enzo in an interview.

He admitted to have auditioned for his role in the James Reid-Nadine Lustre’s Till I Met You as the “friend-lover” of JC Santos’ character.

Enzo revealed that it has been his dream as an artist to experience working with ABS-CBN and its talents.

That he really doesn’t mind at all being cast even in a very small role or even in a gay role for as long as he is seen on ABS-CBN. “To be fair with my previous network (GMA 7), they gave me my name but I feel as an artist, I will grow here (ABS-CBN),” he ended.

Ouch again! ***** Now that Robin Padilla has been granted his “Absolute Pardon” by President Rodrigo Duterte, will his USA visa come next?

“Even for just three days. I will be very glad,” sighed Robin now that his wife Mariel has already given birth to Maria Isabella in America while he was just monitoring from the webcam.

“Being there, with my wife, (with them) is very different from just being here, looking and feeling uncomfortable, anxious and excited and happy at the same time. Although I’m glad that this kind of technology (web cam) is made available today, iba pa rin siyempre yung nandun ka, yung physical self mo at nahahawakan, nayayakap mo sila,” he related.

In his attempt to secure a US Visa, Robin has been questioned by netizens who know him to be “nationalistic/ patriotic.” And now that he has been granted an Absolute Pardon, netizens again call him names.

In all of these, Robin has just this to say, “I was imprisoned for almost four years for the crime I made.

I paid for it by being in jail unlike those who enjoy freedom even if we know, they are as guilty as the other bad elements in our society. Sa usapin naman ng US Visa, hindi nga ba’t nagmamakaawa pa ako up to this very minute? But let me make it clear again, I’m not doing it for myself but for my American wife and my child.”

There he goes!

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

FREEMAN. Actor Robin Padilla (center) with President Rodrigo Duterte and PMS head Bong Go. Padilla is

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OBIN Padilla, on parole since ISAH V. RED 1997, walked out of Malacañang Palace last Tuesday a free man after President Rodrigo Duterte granted him “absolute and unconditional pardon.”

Duterte confirmed this at a dinner with palace reporters.

“I just granted pardon in favor of Robin Padilla kasi yung original pardon niya hindi sinabi yung full restoration ng political and civil rights therefore he could not trravel, he could not get a permit… to possess a gun again. I really do not know the dimension of what is meant by deprivation of political and human rights. But one thing is that you cannot vote, you cannot travel and therefore he could not be issued a passport,” Duterte said.

“Ang crime na ‘yan, walang nasaktan... He suffered enough I think. Eh, kung bitawan mo lang ‘yung tao sa labas, give him the rights... Makaboto, maka-travel

whatever to enjoy. He can apply for a gun license because full civil and political rights, eh,” Duterte explained further.

Over lunch at Mario’s on T. Morato on Wednesday, Robin met with some members of the press.

“I didn’t expect this would happen. No, I didn’t ask Mayor (that’s how he addresses the President) to grant me this pardon. I didn’t know my manager (Betchay Vidanes) and my lawyer (Philip Jurado) applied for me to be among those the President would give executive clemency.

“Ayokong isiping hiningi ko ito kay Presidente. In the last 27 years, tanggap ko na ganito na buhay ko. Naging malapit

given an executive clemency that restored his full political and civil right.

Binoe a free man, finally

ako kay FVR, kay Erap, kay GMA at maski kay PNoy, pero ni minsan hindi ko hiningi ang absolute pardon kahit na nga nagsilbi ako sa kanila nung sila ay mga pangulo pa.”

Robin said he was only scheduled to meet the President at the Palace and was to introduce her sister Rema for a project related to the rehabilitation of public hospitals. “My sister is in the health care business, so I wanted her to meet the President,” he said.

But, Robin was surprised when the President handed him over a folder and asked him to read the contents of the papers in it.

“Akala ko appointment for a government post.

Ninerbyos ako. Pero, nung makita ko yung words na absolute pardon doon sa papel na binabasa ko, parang nawalan ako ng ulirat. Hindi ko na mabasa at parang nanikip and didbdib ko,” Robin related. “Sa bilis ng mga pangyayari muntik ko na ngang makalimutan na ipakilala ko si Rema.”

Miss Universe is home

By Nickie Wang AND it’s going to be the best “Miss Universe ever.”

Twenty-two years since the last time Miss Universe was staged in the Philippines, the country has officially secured the right to host the world’s most prestigious beauty contest. The three-hour spectacle will be telecast live from the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30 at 8 a.m.

During the press launch of the 65th Miss Universe at Makati Shangri-la, where the official contract signing between the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), Department of Tourism and pageant partners took place, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson told the press that the beauty contest is officially happening.

“Miss Universe is home,” Singson, who’s the key personality that made the Philippine hosting of the pageant possible, said after giving the audience a brief history of the country’s involvement in staging the pageant first in 1974 and then in 1994.

“Not only will this bring joy to the Filipinos with its pageantry, but is also expected to deliver incredible economic benefits through tourism, as we are given a platform to showcase our local attractions before half a billion Miss Universe fans worldwide,” he stressed.

Singson and his group, LSC Holdings, is the biggest investor in the event. According to the former

governor, his group invested around $12.9 million to make sure Miss Universe in Manila pushes through.

“Our country has been trying very hard, waiting for so long for the chance to win the honor of hosting Miss Universe one more time. I am here to tell you tonight that the long wait is over,” Singson enthused.

But the road to the Philippine hosting of Miss Universe was not an easy one to take. Singson revealed that MUO cancelled the Manila event even if LSC Group has already made the full payment.

The cancellation happened when President Rodrigo Duterte made a controversial remark late September that offended the Jewish community. The MUO is owned by WME-IMG, which is co-run by Ari Emanuel, a prominent figure in the Jewish community in America and A-list Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell.

“There was a time that the staging of the pageant in Manila was canceled. I said, this can’t (sic) be since we have paid in full and we have already signed a contract. I just pleaded that they don’t announce it yet,” Singson shared.

And, just like a Steve Harvey brouhaha, the right to host the event is back with the Philippines again. Singson shared that it was actually the Jewish community that convinced the MUO to push through with the Manila hosting after the President apologized and

Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup hosts the pageant’s official press launch held at Makati Shangri-la Hotel. (Inset) Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson (third from right) with Shawn McClain, vice president of business development and marketing of the MUO (first from right) and the executives from the pageant’s major partners.

made amends with the offended party.

Shawn McClain, vice president of business development and marketing of the Miss Universe Organization, during his speech, said that the payment has already been made even before the contract was signed thus making the Miss Universe Manila event “official.”

“We will have a team of about 400 people here, and we’re going to be visiting lots of different places, and we’re going to be showing the world what the Philippines has to offer. And we’re going to be helping boost tourism, and putting positive focus on everything that the Philippines is and stands for and will be in the future,” the

MUO executive shared.

At the pageant’s official launch, it was announced that more pageant related updates will be made available on www.65thmissuniverse.com and Facebook page @MissUniverse65th, the pageant’s official website and social media account, respectively.

The Philippines is fielding Maxine Medina, a 25-year-old interior designer and model, in the 65th edition of the pageant. She will attempt to do a back-toback win by succeeding Pia Wurtzbach, the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown after Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973).

And this happened after his wife, Mariel Rodriguez, gave birth to a 7.5-pound baby in the US that he witnessed live on Face Time. He said, “Dapat nandoon ako! Eh, graduate ako ng birth coaching nung ipinagbubuntis pa lang ni Mariel yung anak naming.”

Since, he couldn’t get a visa from the US embassy, he wasn’t able to accompany his wife to the US and be with her when she gave birth.

With the absolute pardon granted to him by the President, Robin is all set to try and secure a visa from the US embassy so he can be with Mariel and Isabella, their daughter.

Padilla, a staunch supporter of Duterte prior to his rise to the presidency, was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1994 and sentenced to a 21year prison term. He began to serve the term after the ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeals in 1995.

He was released after being granted conditional pardon by former President Fidel Ramos in 1997.