Manila Standard - 2016 November 30 - Wednesday

BEAR HUG STRATEGY.

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari, facing charges of rebellion and violation of the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity in connection with the 2013 Zamboanga siege which killed more than 100 and 100,000 displaced, when the latter called on the former at Malacañang Monday.

VOL. XXX • NO. 291 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Maute snipers hold back Army attackers MILITARY offensives against the Maute group, now on their fourth day at Butig town, Lanao Del Sur, have resulted in the death of 40 bandits and wounded 20 troopers.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a briefing Tuesday government forces continue to inch their way to the Maute group strongholds in Butig.

However, the military advance is being held up by sniper fire and threats of improvised explosive device attacks by the bandit group, he added.

Most of the military wounded are not serious and the patients are ambulatory, Arevalo said.

The AFP offensive is headed by the 103rd Infantry Brigade, which is now reinforced by armor, artillery, and air units.

Arevalo said the Maute group, which is concentrated in Barangays Sindig and Bayabao, is putting up a tough fight but he expressed confidence that the military will break the group’s resistance soon.

Despite the intensified military offen-

sive in Butig, President Rodrigo Duterte said the government is not keen on waging war against the Maute terror group, and said he preferred to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.

His remarks came even after receiving news that a presidential convoy—and advance team for his visit Wednesday--had been hit by an improvised bomb in Butig.

“Let’s befriend them so there won’t be any conflict,” Duterte said.

Duterte was expected to arrive in Marawi Tuesday evening to visit injured PSG members.

It is not unusual for Duterte to extend the olive branch to lawless elements, saying it is pointless to wage war.

“I can burn Jolo. I can burn Sulu, but what would it bring us?” Duterte said in his speech, referring to the strife-torn island in Mindanao.

He also recently offered to hold talks with the Abu Sayyaf Group, even as security analysts said such a thing would be impossible. PNA

Du30 guards bombed UN draws flak over ‘alarming warning’ 9 hurt as PSG convoy THE government criticized Tuesday as “irresponsible and alarming” a UN envoy’s warning that life sentences meted out to two former-Khmer Rouge leaders should serve as a warning to Manila over human rights abuses.

Last week, a United Nationsbacked court in Cambodia upheld life sentences for crimes against humanity for two senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime, which was responsible for the death of up to two million Cam-

bodians from 1975-1979.

David Scheffer, the UN secretary-general’s envoy to the tribunal, said leaders in countries such as the Philippines, as well as the Islamic State group, must take note of the verdict.

“Mr. Scheffer’s remarks are irresponsible and alarming since these are directed at the leadership of a democratic country with a functioning criminal justice system,” the Philippine foreign ministry said in a rare statement.

“His remarks are unjustified and without basis.”

President Rodrigo Duterte, 71, has drawn a wave of international criticism for his drug war that has left more than 4,800 people dead.

The UN, the United States and the European Union have warned against alleged extrajudicial killings and a breakdown in the rule of law.

Duterte won May elections by a landslide after vowing to kill 100,000 criminals and rid the

country of illegal drugs in six months.

Since he took office in June, 1,900 have died in police operations and another 2,900 were killed in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

After the verdict in Cambodia last week, Scheffer said the decision showed world leaders can be held accountable for atrocities.

“Leaders in the Philippines or in South Sudan or in Sudan or in Next page

Commuters demand Transport chief’s ouster A GROUP of consumers and road users on Tuesday pressed for the resignation of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

The group said Undersecretary Noel Kintanar became a “sacrificial lamb” when he decided to quit to ease the criticisms against the department’s officials.

“We have likened this to a chess game where you sacrifice the rook to save the king. But it is the mastermind who must be removed,” said Road Users Protection Advocates chairman Ray Junia.

“If there is anyone who should resign first, that should be Tugade.

LAUR, Nueva Ecija--A Chinese philanthropist who donated P1.4 billion to build a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center here on Tuesday expressed his admiration for President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. ”An overseas Chinese in the Philippines, I fully support President Duterte’s admirable campaign [against illegal drugs],” Huang Ru-

lun, chairman of Century Golden Resources Group, said in his speech at the inauguration of the DATRC in Fort Magsaysay here.

Huang made his statement even as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday ordered newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections Director Benjamin De Los Santos to stop corruption at the agency and stop the illegal drug trade in the prisons including the New Bilibid Prison in Next page Muntinlupa City.

By John Paolo Bencito

F

ORT MAGSAYSAY—Nine soldiers were injured with two in critical condition after an improvised explosive device exploded at a presidential convoy at Marawi City.

Army spokesperson Restituto Padilla said that a convoy of Presidential Security Group personnel, state television RTVM and local troop escorts who were supposed to do advance work ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Butig, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday were waylaid after unidentified gunmen fired on the military convoy at Barangay Emie Punod in Marawi City at 10:30 a.m.

Despite these threats, Duterte said he would push through with his visit Wednesday.

“There is trouble there in Mindanao, it’s within control but it’s a troublesome thing so I have to go there,” Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility here.

“The advance party belonging to the Presidential Security Group was ambushed a while ago. They were hit by an IED. But I’m going there. I’m going there because—I am just simply going there,” he said. “The advice was to postpone. I said, ‘No, I will go there’ and if possible, take the same route.”

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Bomber’s sketch out; Manila tightens watch

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Chinese donor unveils P1.4-b drug rehab center

By Rey E. Requejo

attacked in Marawi

By Sandy Araneta and Rio Araja

CONTINUING PROTEST. Scores of survivors of the deadly Typhoon

‘Yolanda,’ which sliced through the Eastern Visayas region in November 2013, stage a protest rally Tuesday near the residence of former President Benigno Aquino III to demand accountability in regard to his administration’s alleged criminal neglect against the victims and alleged corruption of typhoon funds. Manny Palmero

THE Manila Police District has started augmenting the security around the United States Embassy in Manila following the discovery of an improvised bomb near the compound along Roxas Boulevard on Monday.

Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, who described the attempt to bomb the embassy as “an attempted act of terrorism,” Next page

An artist’s sketch of the suspect

Diokno quits House eyes ways to let Leila explain NHCP post as By Maricel V. Cruz and House should she refuse to an- ma’s denial of all the allegations Macon Ramos-Araneta swer will depend on the recom- hurled against her.

“She should stop trying to fool mendation of the House commitprotest act SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on tee on justice chaired by Oriental us.. it is her credibility that is at

DRUG REHAB FACILITY. President Rodrigo Duterte, in a helicopter

before he inaugurated Tuesday the 10,000-bed in-patients ‘mega’ drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, to help address the rising drug menace in which some 4,000 suspected drug peddlers and users have been killed since July 1.

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THE head of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines resigned on Tuesday in protest against the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

NHCP Chairwoman Maria Serena Diokno submitted her resignation to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and said it was a move toward the “right side of history.” Next page

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Tuesday said the House of Representatives will exhaust all means to compel Senator Leila de Lima to respond to the show-cause order filed against her by the House committee on justice.

“We will look at all the options at the same time,” Alvarez said in Filipino. “We won’t be choosing just one.”

Alvarez said the action to be taken against De Lima by the

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Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali.

If the committee recommends to have De Lima arrested, Alvarez said he would sign the arrest warrant against her.

“We will know in 72 hours,” he said.

Alvarez said the House will be forced to issue to an arrest warrant againt De Lima if she continuously ignores the subpeona issued.

Alvarez also laughed off De Li-

stake. It is only now that I have met such a person, so quick to lie,” he added.

He added that if De Lima had nothing to hide, she should not be worried about attending the House hearing.

On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Note and Umali served a showcause order to De Lima through Next page

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Nyet! Russia cool to defense pact R

USSIA can be the Philippines’ partner and friend but cannot join it in a military alliance, Russian Ambassador Igor Kohvaev said Tuesday.

He told a forum that Russia was not seeking a military alliance from any members around the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, but was open to promoting better understanding with all countries.

“We are open for cooperation with all responsible members of the international community including the Philippines,” Kohvaev said.

He made his statement even as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will visit Russia next week to “windowshop” for military equipment― including sniper rifles―for the Armed Forces.

“We will be visiting Russia to look into some of their military equipment that we can acquire, and one of the first things we will look into is their sniper rifles,” Lorenzana said.

Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte may visit Moscow in the spring time

next year.

Kohvaev expressed optimism about strengthening PhilippineRussia diplomatic, economic, military, cultural, anti-crime and anti-terrorism cooperation.

Russia was against any close military alliances that usually target third-party countries, but only “close strategic partnerships with China, Vietnam and India,” he said.

But Russia could sell and export modern military equipment and arms to the Philippines, including support for military training and technology transfer, he said. He said Vietnam had been a good customer for Russian military exports for several decades.

He said Russia does not sell second-hand weapons or vehicles.

Russia is the world’s second most powerful nation after the United States, but Kohvaev said all countries must be treated equally.

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while pursuit operations were ongoing.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana played down the attack, saying it was meant to taun the President, who was scheduled to be in Butig Wednesday.

The Palace said that they will never tolerate such attacks on members of the PSG. “The President has consistently expressed concern for uniformed personnel who bravely walk in harm’s way so we can live in peace and freedom. We assure our brave men and women who put their lives on the line for duty and country that their Commanderin-Chief will never abandon them in their time,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

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Among those reported wounded were Capt. Zamora, Ssg. Damaso, Cpl. Inova, Cpl. De Leon, Sgt. Garcia, Pfc. Gonzalez and Pfc. Panisa of the PSG. Two other personnel from the 65th Infantry Battalion, Cpl. Galintia and Cpl. Corpuz, were also hurt.

Most were slightly injured except for two PSG members who sustained serious injuries. A presidential chopper immediately airlifted the seriously injured and four others to Cagayan de Oro City for emergency care.

Other members of the convoy were given first-aid treatment

House...

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the Office of the Senate Secretary, seeking to compel her to explain why she should not be held in contempt for advising a witness at the House hearings—her former lover and alleged bagman Ronnie Dayan--to go into hiding to avoid testifying.

Fariñas said De Lima has 72 hours to explain her side.

“That is more than enough time,” Fariñas told reporters in an interview at the Senate, adding that the House issued the order despite De Lima’s promise to defy the order.

Umali, chairman of the House justice committee which conducted the probe into the flourishing drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when De Lima was still Justice secretary, signed the show-cause order.

Umali said that if De Lima should refuse to comply with the order, the committee would be constrained to take “appropriate actions” including finding her in contempt.

Since the House had already issued the show-cause order, Fariñas said no arrest warrant will be issued against De Lima.

He said they would leave it up to the Senate to impose sanctions against De Lima.

“But we will ask that they impose disciplinary action against their member,” he said.

Leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives met Monday night to avoid a possible

Chinese...

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‘‘Our mandate from the President is to stop drugs, corruption and criminality,” Aguirre told De Los Santos.

“That is also the mandate of Director De Los Santos at the Bureau of Correction. As we are relentless, he will also be relentless.”

Huang said the illegal drugs that had long plagued governments and people all over the world were the common enemy of mankind. ”Taking office this June, President Duterte has decisively waged an antidrug campaign with an irresistible force, adhering to the high faith and loyalty to uphold the independence of the Philippines and to seek longlasting national destiny,” Huang said.

Russian Ambassador Igor Kohvaev updates newsmen on the status of Moscow-Manila diplomatic and economic ties during a news conference at Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City. Ey Acasio

“It is a pre-condition for a based on equality and mutual each other,” he said. new world order, a new system responsibility. All of us depend Kohvaev backed the of international relations to be on one another and all of us need Philippines’ pursuit of an

Bomber's...

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also released an artist’s sketch of the suspect who allegedly left the improvised explosive device.

“This is the face of the suspect.

Check if you have a neighbor who looks like him and please, report it immediately. We still do not know his name, only his face,” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.

He described the suspect as being around 44 to 45 years old, about 5’5” tall, weighing close to 60 to 65 kilos, and with a fair complexion.

More members of the MPD

independent foreign policy that is most beneficial for the Philippines’ national interests.

He said Russia hoped to see the rise of “a new world order” where all countries big or small had mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs of each sovereign nation.

Unlike the US, Russia will not comment on the issue of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs, he said.

Kohvaev said they also not interfere in the West Philippine Sea dispute between the Philippines and China.

“Russia will not take any sides on this issue. It must be resolved by international law,” he said.

He wished the Duterte administration success in its anticrime efforts and socioeconomic development policies, saying Russia supported and would cooperate with the Philippines’ anti-crime, anti-drugs and antiterrorism efforts.

“We sincerely wish every success on your campaign. We understand well your legitimate concerns,” he said. Rio N. Araja, PNA, Sarah Susanne D. Fabunan

were seen patrolling in front of the embassy Monday night.

A police mobile unit was also on standby a few meters away from the embassy.

Checkpoints around Metro Manila have also been intensified due to the possibility that members of the Maute group, which President Rodrigo Duterte said is allied with the Islamic State, are in Metro Manila.

Dela Rosa had said that the Maute group could be behind the foiled bombing, saying the bomb had the same signature as the one used by the group to blow up a night market in Davao City in September.

Dela Rosa added that Monday’s foiled embassy attack

could be a diversionary tactic for Maute fighters who are battling government troops in Butig, Lanao del Sur. The IED was composed of an 81-mm mortar, a 9-volt battery and a cellphone, was found in a trash can by a street sweeper.

The MPD bomb squad was able to detonate the IED in less than an hour.

Hours after the discovery of the IED, the US Embassy issued a statement thanking the PNP for its quick response.

Police believe that the people who planted an improvised explosive device near the US Embassy were still in Metro Manila.

“Most probably they are still here [in Metro Manila],”

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde said.

Albayalde said efforts are ongoing to locate the person who planted the IED found near the US Embassy.

He said the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and intelligence units of other law enforcement agencies are helping in this effort.

“Yes, we have coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Albayalde.

The NCRPO chief also said they are asking for footage from CCTV cameras installed at the US Embassy and nearby establishments.

While Scheffer did not mention Duterte’s drug war, the Philippine foreign ministry defended the anticrime crackdown.

“The government’s campaign against crime and corruption is being waged precisely for the protection of its people and the continued enjoyment of their rights,” it said.

Duterte has been defiant following global criticism of his drug war and on Monday continued his verbal assault on critics.

He has threatened to follow in Russia’s footsteps and pull his

country out of the International Criminal Court, the world’s only permanent war crimes court, in fury at foreign criticism of his deadly drug war.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor said last month she was “deeply concerned” about the Philippine killings.

“Do not believe those European lawyers. They are all stupid, believe me,” he said Monday, adding they had brains “just like a pea.”

He added: “You threaten me that you will jail me? International Criminal Court, bullshit.” AFP

proceed with the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in effect ignored the horrors of Martial Law. “The burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is wrong; it denies our history, erases the memory of the lives lost and destroyed, mocks the collective action we took to oust the dictator, and denigrates the value of our struggle for freedom,” Diokno said.

The outgoing head of the agency tasked to preserve and protect the country’s history criticized Duterte for citing the lack of studies about Marcos’ leadership and dismissed the claims of Martial Law victims.

“Notwithstanding the narrow view adopted by nine members of the Supreme Court, President Duterte could have taken the higher ground,” Diokno said.

“But he chose not to. Worse, he justifies his ‘legalistic’ action by claiming, falsely, that ‘there’s no

study, no movie about it [Marcos’ record as a leader], just the challenges and allegations of the other side.”

Diokno had earlier submitted appeal letters to Duterte informing him about the “historical lies” committed by Marcos, particularly on his war records whom Duterte used to defend his decision to bury the late dictator as a soldier.

But she said she was still “filled with hope” despite her departure because of the younger generation of Filipinos defending history.

“The multitude of especially young Filipinos who have come out in defense of history and are prepared to co-author it for their generation and the future point to one clear realization: they, we all, will guard our history,” Diokno said.

She also expressed her intention to join the anti-Marcos protests.

John Paolo Bencito

tracts to benefit big businesses.”

RUPA earlier wrote the Commission on Appointments to register his group’s opposition to Tugade’s appointment.

He criticized Tugade for his “incredible and fantastic solutions” such as his plan to install cable cars over the length of Laguna de Bay as well as to transform the Metro Railway Transit Line 2 into a Bus Rapid Transit.

Two lawmakers have pressed for the resignation of three more undersecretaries of the department due to conflict of interest, and after their having served private firms that had stakes in big-ticket transportation projects.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo and Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin said the Transportation

officials—Undersecretary for Air Operations Robert Lim, Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Felipe Judan, and Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Raoul Creencia—must resign immediately to spare the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte from accusations of corruption and irregularities.

The two joined several other lawmakers who have sought the ouster of the Transportation officials.

Kintanar, who was previously with Ayala Corp., was instrumental in the company’s acquisition of rail projects under the previous administration. Lim was a former country manager of the International Air Transport Association while Judan has a shipping business with Ramon Ang’s Petron as customer. Joel E. Zurbano

clash between members of the two chambers over the case of De Lima.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson said they told their counterparts in the House, Fariñas and Umali, that they will not prevent them from serving the show-cause order to De Lima.

Sotto and Lacson also said if De Lima continues to defy the showcause order, House leaders can file a complaint against her with the Senate ethics committee.

Sotto and Lacson said they were avoiding having a member of the Senate arrested and detained, but added that they would not stop House leaders if they want to file charges against De Lima before the courts.

Sotto said they made it clear to the House leaders thst everything should go through a process.

For her part, De Lima said she will refer her show-cause order to the Senate leadership through Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, who has said he will forward it to the rules committee headed by Sotto.

Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said the Senate, as an institution, should take a stand on the show-cause order of De Lima.

“I would want that...the Senate President and the institution should tackle it, should respond to it. This is not only the issue of Senator De Lima, this is an issue of the whole Senate as an institution,” Drilon said.

“I would want it to be discussed either in a caucus or in the plenary in the Senate,” he added.

Farinas and Umali served the order through Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo before noon on Tuesday.

De Lima has stood pat on her assertion that the House committee has no jurisdiction over her.

“I’m not honoring that. I will not honor any notice or process from the House committee because I am not recognizing the jurisdiction of the House committee over me,” she said.

She dismissed the House hearing as a “kangaroo court” whose only intent was to nail her for made-up drug charges.

“I’m willing to accept the consequences. I’m willing to live with the act of defiance on my part,” she said.

Also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Office of the Solicitor General to answer the motion filed by De Lima seeking clarification on whether the privilege of presidential immunity from suit constitutes a prejudicial question in her habeas data suit filed against the President.

Court spokesman Theodore Te said the justices have given Solicitor General Jose Calida 10 days within which to answer De Lima’s motion.

De Lima, in a motion dated Nov. 25 said there is a need for the Supreme Court to clarify if the President’s immunity from suit constituted a prejudicial question, which in jurisprudence is a question based on a fact distinct and separate from the case, but so intimately connected with it that it determines whether the case will proceed or not. With Rey E. Requejo

UN...

”Is to defend the national dignity, to deliver the goods and to win the hearts of the people. This effort in the contemporary era will benefit future generations.”

Huang said the DATRC was his modest effort to help the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs and make the Philippines peaceful, stable and harmonious.

The DATRC has two phases with a total area of 100,000 square meters.

The first phase that can house 2,500 patients was inaugurated on Tuesday by Duterte. ”Philippines and China are close neighbors. The people of the two countries have maintained a deep, friendly and long-lasting relationship,” Huang said.

He commended President Duterte for his efforts to strengthen the ties between China and the Philippines

and to promote world peace. ”Firmly believe that under the leadership of President Duterte, and with the promotion of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of One Belt One Road Initiative as the international economic development strategy, and with the joint effort of multi-sectors in the Philippines, this beautiful island will surely set sail again and stand tall in the world,” Huang said.

The construction of the DATRC started last August, or only more than a month after President Duterte took his oath as the country’s 16th President and launched his strong war against drugs.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said her department will supervise the DATRC and will field an initial 800 personnel to help in the rehabilitation of the initial 2,500 drug dependents.

With PNA

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the Central African Republic or in Syria or among [IS] in Syria and Iraq should all take note that what happened today in this courtroom ultimately can reach their domain because international justice is not backing down.”

He added: “Holding senior leaders accountable for the perpetration of atrocity crimes under their leadership, does happen, it does ultimately occur.”

Diokno...

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“At this moment in our history every voice counts, and I wish to place mine on the side of history: not the history that the Duterte government ignores, but the history that beckons our people to demand justice that even the highest court of the land will not bestow,” Diokno said in a statement.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Malacañang respected Diokno’s decision to leave the Cabinet.

“We respect Chair Diokno’s decision and we thank her for the services she rendered to the nation as she headed the commission responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies,” Abella said in a statement.

Diokno said Duterte’s decision to

Commuters...

He is the most conflicted of them all.”

Junia said the House of Representatives and the Senate had “said in so many words that Tugade is not fit to head the DOTr [Department of Transportation].”

He said the powerful Commission on Appointments must stand firm on its earlier decision not to confirm Tugade despite his reappointment.

“The position of Cabinet secretary is one that is sensitive and of very high trust,” Junia said. “The Lower and Upper Chambers of Congress have already cast doubt on his loyalty, his competence and his intention to maneuver con-

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Senate tackles expanded Sotto law

By Macon Araneta AN EXPANDED law that exempts broadcast and online media from revealing their sources —currently enjoyed by the print media—is on high gear to becoming a law after Senator Grace Poe sponsored it on Tuesday before the plenary.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, submitted Committee Report No. 12 on Senate Bill No. 1255 seeking to expand the coverage of Republic Act No. 53 better known as the Sotto Law as pushed by former journalist and Senator Vicente Y. Sotto, Senator Vicente Sotto III’s grandfather.

The committee report is a consolidation of two bills, Senate Bill No. 6 and SBN 486 filed separately by Sotto and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The proposed measure seeks to amend the 70-year-old law and safeguard the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, of expression and of the press.

Under the 1946 law, later on amended by RA 1477 in 1956, print media are not compelled to reveal their sources published in their news reports, except in cases involving national security, as determined by the courts or any committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

“As lawmakers, we should capacitate the Fourth Estate— the media—in ferreting out the truth,” said Poe. She said the media have a very dangerous job, and one way “we can help them is to ensure the protection of their sources.”

Poe said the Shield Law actually acts as a second shield, with the first line of defense being the media practitioners themselves.

“Through this law, we want to embolden whistleblowers to speak out. If they cannot approach government institutions, then they should at least be able to approach the media. It is high time that we amend the law and extend protection to our truth-seekers and tellers,” Poe said in sponsoring the measure.

Poe said she expected the proposed legislation would hurdle Senate scrutiny before yearend.

Apart from reporters, editors and publishers, the amendatory bill would also include web masters, cartoonists and other practitioners involved in the writing, editing, production and dissemination of news.

Show cause. Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House committee on Justice, and his co-chairman Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas submit to Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo a letter demanding that Senator Leila De Lima explain why she should not be charged with obstruction of justice. Lino Santos

Death penalty bill done by Christmas

By Maricel V. Cruz

S

PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said the House of Representatives was hopeful of passing the proposal seeking to reimpose death penalty on heinous crimes before Congress would have its Yuletide break on December 16.

Alvarez made the statement as the House subcommittee on judicial reforms, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, approved the measure contained in a consolidated version, including House Bill 1 authored by Alvarez himself.

But Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the oppositors to the death penalty bill, denounced its approval.

The approved version of the

measure will then be submitted to the House committee on justice, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, for consideration.

“The railroading has started,” Lagman said, questioning the absence of a committee report prior to the approval of the measure.

Alvarez filed HB 1 which seeks to reimpose death penalty on heinous crimes, like human

trafficking, illegal recruitment, plunder, treason, parricide, infanticide, rape, qualified piracy and bribery, kidnapping and illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, car theft, destructive arson, terrorism and drug-related cases.

“There is evidently a need to reinvigorate the war against criminality by reviving a proven deterrent coupled by its consistent, persistent and determined implementation, and this need is as compelling and critical as any,” Alvarez said in his HB No. 1.

“The imposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes and the mode of its implementation, both subjects of repealed laws, are crucial components of an effective dispensation of both reformative and retributive jus-

tice,” the bill stated.

Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law was abolished in 1986 during the term of then President Corazon Aquino.

It was restored by president Fidel V. Ramos in 1993, and was suspended again in 2006 by then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he would want the capital punishment by hanging reimposed, vowing to carry out at least 50 executions a month to serve as a strong deterrent against criminality.

Alvarez lamented that the rise of criminality in the country had reached an “alarming proportion” and the government must do an “all-out offensive against all forms of felonious acts.”

Bicam panel meets China concerned by arrests on 2017 natl budget By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Senate and the House of Representatives convened Tuesday the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences in their respective versions of the proposed 2017 national budget worth P3.350 trillion.

The bicam was convened after the Senate approved on Monday the proposed 2017 General Appropriations Act. “I thank my fellow senators for their support and cooperation in the timely approval of the budget. This is the first budget of the new administration and we hope this will be spent judiciously to deliver long-term solutions to our country’s long-term problems, to deliver the change that our people want and need,” said Senator Loren Legarda, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said in a press statement.

Legarda said the 2017 national budget was crafted in line with the 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

A leap in infrastructure spending is one of the priorities of the 2017 budget, given its role in reducing poverty, raising productivity, and spreading the benefits of economic growth.

Among the important amendments introduced by the Senate are the P3-billion increase in the Philhealth budget so that all Filipinos will now be covered by the universal healthcare program; and the P2-billion Irrigation Fees

Subsidy in the budget of the National Irrigation Administration so that irrigation service fees will no longer be collected from farmers’ associations.

Additional allocation was provided for state universities and colleges for scholarships for all indigenous peoples and indigent students, especially those under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and for across the board capital outlay increase for all SUCs. The Senate also provided funding for the one-time cash grant of centenarians in line with the Filipino Centenarians Act; increased allocation for prisoners’ daily subsistence allowance; additional funds for the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development’s supplemental feeding program; increased budget for the combat duty pay of soldiers; allocation for the Dept. of Interior and Local Government’s Masa Masid or Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga; and support for the Judiciary.

According to Legarda, the Senate also proposed the following special and general provisions: • The Dept. of Agriculture to undertake disaster-resilient agricultural infrastructure projects and practices, and the Dept. of Agrarian Reform to promote the adoption of sustainable farming approaches.

CHINA is concerned about the great number of its nationals detained in the Philippines and urged Manila to settle their cases “without delay.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the statement after some 1,200 Chinese nationals involved in illegal online gambling were arrested on Nov. 24.

“We are highly concerned about the Philippine side’s detention of a large number of Chinese citizens. We will continue to monitor closely the development of the situation, keep in touch with the Philippine side, and urge the Philippine side to properly settle the matter without delay,” Geng said.

There was no immediate available comment from the Philippine side.

Geng said soon after the arrest, the Chinese Embassy sent its officials to the detention center.

Chinese officials, Geng said, have required the Philippine authority to “properly settle the detained personnel.”

He said some Chinese nationals have been deported while the rest have been waiting for verification.

“After learning about the incident, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines immediately sent officials to the site overnight, requiring the Philippines to properly settle the [cases of the] detained personnel, speed up the identity verification progress, release people who have legal identity with no delay, take concrete measures to protect the safety and provide humanitarian treatment to personnel involved, and handle the case in a timely and just manner according to law,” he said.

Gift of learning. Japanese Embassy first secretary Hiroyuki Enoki turns over the keys of the school

houses the Japanese government built in Tantangan, South Cotabato to Governor Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes, Vice Governor Vicente de Jesus, and Vice Mayor Time Joy Torres-Gonzales.

IN BRIEF Laundering probe eyed THE Department of Justice will investigate the possible criminal liability of members of the AntiMoney Laundering Council for obstruction of justice.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said AMLC has been stonewalling for 22 months on the request of the National Bureau of Investigation to look into bank accounts and paper trail of transactions from inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Aguirre lamented that after the December 2014 raid at NßBP by the NBI and then secretary of Justice, now Senator Leila De Lima, the NBI already made the request for assistance.

President Rodrigo Duterte, during the NBI anniversary warned AMLC members to cooperate with the DoJ’s investigation on bank transactions involving proceeds from drug trafficking.

But Aguirre noted that after Duterte’s warning, AMLC has sent them bank documents “that is useless.”

“I ordered a study if there could be a complaint to be filed [against AMLC] because I believe that there is already criminal negligence on the part of some people,” Aguirre said.

Earlier, he hinted that the AMLC could be protecting somebody. Aguirre said two ranking officials of AMLC are fraternity brothers of De Lima.

Rey Requejo

Prelate backs anti-FM rally LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN Archbishop Socrates Villegas has ordered a five-minute ringing of church bells in his archdiocese every 6 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday.

With this, the Catholic prelate urged the faithful anew to join the scheduled protest actions on Wednesday against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“If you believe that joining the rally is necessary and is part of your Christian obligation, you are invited to join with my blessing,” he said in his Pastoral Message to the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan Villegas noted that the tolling of all church bells from November 30 to December 2 every 6 p.m. will be followed by communal prayers in memory of the sacrifices of the victims of Martial Law, including those who were killed and injured, and those who disappeared.

“Pray the Angelus and pray for our nation,” he added.

He, however, reminded those who will join the protest rallies to maintain sobriety while sticking to the issues, and not to the personalities involved. PNA

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Do the job properly

T

HE House of Representatives seems hell-bent on completing the public humiliation of Senator Leila de Lima by dragging her before the chamber to answer the accusations against her, even at the risk of triggering a head-on collision with the coequal Senate.

On Monday, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is ready to sign an arrest warrant against De Lima if she refuses to answer a show-cause order issued by the House committee on justice against her.

The committee, which is investigating the proliferation of illegal drugs in the national penitentiary when De Lima was still justice secretary, wants the senator to ex-

plain why she should not be held in contempt for advising a witness, her former bodyguard and lover, Ronnie Dayan, to go into hiding to avoid testifying before the House.

“This is the first time a senator meddled in the proceedings of the House,” Alvarez said. “No senator has ever advised a witness of the House to go into hiding.”

He said De Lima committed a breach of parliamentary courtesy by interfering in the proceedings in the House. The institution itself was insulted, he added.

Amid such threats, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III issued a warning of his own, saying that the House was in breach of interchamber parliamentary courtesy.

He also bristled at how some congressmen, who urged him to

discipline De Lima, were telling him what to do.

“We have our own rules,” he said, noting that the House has not even charged De Lima with anything. “For a member of the House to tell the Senate to do something—do your thing first before you ask us to do something.”

On Sunday, House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said he did not think censuring De Lima would lead to a collision with the Senate, because it was De Lima who violated House rules by ignoring the summons to attend its hearings.

But an arrest warrant from the House against De Lima will most certainly test this exercise in wishful thinking. Instead of two chambers of Congress working together to pass needed legisla-

tion, congressmen and senators could be locked in internecine fighting that benefits nobody— least of all the public.

The root of the problem is that regardless of the Speaker’s assurances, the ultimate objective of the House committee on justice is not to arrive at the truth, but to destroy De Lima publicly. This was crystal clear in the salacious line of questioning that some of lawmakers took when they grilled Dayan, De Lima’s former lover.

One such lawmaker, a partylist representative of a group that ironically emphasizes the importance of education, said this week that he wanted to launch a congressional investigation into an online “mood meter” that showed that a news website’s readers were angry at him for posing

pointless, misogynistic, and voyeuristic questions to Dayan. The ludicrous suggestion is indicative of the ugly mood that seems to hold sway among some members of the House—an inflated feeling of power and self-importance that trumps common decency and even logic.

In a privilege speech, this party-list lawmaker wasted even more public time and resources by admonishing the media to do our jobs properly.

In that spirit, we offer this simple observation: If De Lima is truly guilty of the crimes of which she has been accused, she should be haled before a court of law, not the House.

Now that we have done our job, we suggest that legislators put an end to the nonsense and do theirs.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

The BizNewsAsia success story

A question of morals LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES MARIA Serena “Mariz” Diokno has the right idea.

If you feel strongly enough against a position that the government you serve has taken, by all means, you quit.

I don’t agree with the reason for Diokno’s resignation, which is based on her belief as chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines that Ferdinand Marcos is not a hero. After all, the Supreme Court, which allowed the burial of the dead dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, never ruled on the heroism of Marcos.

Again, what the court passed judgment upon was the seven petitions filed before it seeking to stop President Rodrigo Duterte from allowing the burial. And the burial

was allowed based solely on the legality of Duterte’s plan—which is based on the president’s belief that Marcos qualified on the basis of his being a former president and an ex-soldier.

A closer reading of Diokno’s resignation letter reveals her true basis for believing that Marcos should not be buried where he was.

Duterte, Diokno charged, should not have settled for a “legalistic” understanding of the rules and should instead have taken “the higher [moral] ground” that presumably goes beyond what the law dictates.

The thing is, asking the Supreme Court to rule on a question of morals is forcing it to go beyond its mandate as the ultimate interpreter of the law. Morality is fine, as far as that goes—but it is a very subjective standard, subject to interpretation by as many people who profess to be moral.

For example, it may be perfectly moral for a cannibal to eat some-

one else, even if that practice is frowned upon by other people who do not only find it immoral but illegal, as well. Roman Catholics and others who profess to protect the rights of the unborn have also long considered abortion immoral—but that hasn’t stopped some

If Robredo was a truly moral person like Diokno, she’d resign, as well. governments from legislating (and their courts from upholding the legality) of ending the life of a fetus inside a mother’s womb.

Morality has always been difficult

to impose even in countries where one religion dominates all the rest.

This is why secular governments leave moral issues to religious leaders to resolve and seek consensual agreement with those who agree to be governed in the law, which is more easily determined.

In the current context, the appeal to the higher moral ground has been (cynically, in my view) resorted to by the people who lost their bid to have Marcos buried. These are the same people whom Diokno proposes to join in street protests—yet another avenue that they have decided to explore in their bid to have the late dictator disinterred, after they lost the fight in the legal venue of the court.

But believing what she wants is Diokno’s prerogative. And her decision to resign because she can no longer morally agree with Duterte, the head of the government she serves, is her choice, as well.

Two leftist Cabinet members —who fought the Marcos regime

with many of their comrades— have also made their choice.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo have decided that they have bigger fish to fry and are willing to serve in Duterte’s government after once (and only once) making their opposition to the burial known.

The case of Diokno and the two Cabinet members contrasts sharply with the situation of Vice President Leni Robredo, who has repeatedly opposed the Marcos burial, even if she continues to serve in Duterte’s government as housing czarina. And Robredo has not only declared her opposition to Duterte on the Marcos controversy; she has, in various speaking engagements and press releases, placed herself on a collision course with the president on issues as diverse as the alleged extrajudicial killings and Duterte’s campaign to link Senator Leila de Turn to A5

THE Philippines’ largest weekly business and news magazine marked its 15th anniversary Friday, November 25, at Edsa Shangrila by honoring the country’s outstanding tycoons, leaders and professionals for excellence, service to country, and for making life better for Filipinos.

As BizNewsAsia Publisher and CEO, I was the gracious host. The event cost me a fortune; Shangri-La is an expensive place and guests were not charged their sumptuous scallops, steak and salmon dinner, unlike other award-giving publications or groups which charge as much as P5,000 per plate for one to be able to attend their party. But what the hell, a publication marks its 15th year only once in its lifetime.

Despite Friday’s horrendous traffic, rains and rallies, the BNA anniversary was an SRO affair. My boss at this paper, Martin Romualdez, looked very gwapo and dapper.

Today, BizNewsAsia has a pass-on circulation of 350,000 readers with each copy (the record copies sold is 35,000) having ten readers.

Three former presidents lent power, prestige, and presidential gravitas to the occasion— Fidel V. Ramos, now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

They also led this year’s outstanding batch of BizNewsAsia awardees.

“BiznewsAsia was a hell of a party. I don’t recall attending a birthday party where three former presidents were in attendance,” prominent Manila lawyer and shareholder rights advocate Francis Lim texted me the other day.

“This is like a National Security Council meeting, without the cabinet,” former President Ramos told me in jest.

Indeed, if it were, the national government could have received valuable insights from the tycoons and business leaders who graced the by-invitation only BNA anniversary.

The event also marked my 68th birthday and my 46 years of journalism as a political and business writer and columnist.

Turn to A5

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

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

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

ManilaStandard

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

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PPI

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

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

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Adelle Chua Honor Blanco Cabie Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Editor Night Editor Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion

ASIDE from speculation about pened since then? Red tape conthe fate of Senator Leila de tinues and it is still difficult to Lima after the testimonies link- do business with local governing her to drug money, there are ments. This is frustrating. now questions about President Last June in the World Bank Rodrigo Duterte’s suspension of Group’s ease of doing business the writ of habeas corpus. Many survey, the Philippines ranked people see this as being just a 99th out of 190 economies. step away from Martial Law. Singapore, expectedly, ranked This question is fueled by the high, second only to New Zeamagnitude of the illegal drug land. The Philippines ranked menace. We were recently told lower than Indonesia (91st), that as many as 10,000 govern- Vietnam (82nd), Brunei (72nd), ment officials are involved in Thailand (46th) and Malaysia the drug trade.

(23rd).

All these, coupled with the The trouble with red tape is continuing threat of terrorism, that every signature required is prompt us now to ask: Will an opportunity for corruption.

President Duterte declare mar- Imagine how much opportunity tial law? there is if you need 16 signaPalace spokesmen say he won’t tures! but his legal counsel says we Why can’t we do it for the enshould not interpret the Consti- tire country? Davao City did it. tution literally. The fundamental Business has been clamorlaw says the privilege of the writ ing for increased foreign inof habeas corpus can only be sus- vestments. It wants to ease the pended if there is rebellion or in- economic restrictions in the vasion.

Constitution. President Duterte Personally, I am not comfort- appears to be the leader who able with so can get this many people done. around the He should rePresident trymind local govThere is ing to calm ernment units the public af- speculation that that the only ter he says the President Duterte way to attract things he says. i nvest ments Anything can will declare and make it happen at the Martial Law. easy for them rate President to do business Duterte is here is to cut floating ideas red tape. to justify what he would do next.

I have said it, and I repeat: The *** magnitude of the drug problem Not all congressmen and is such that it would take more senators are supportive of the than six years to make a dent. idea of a constituent assemSo long as there is demand for bly as a means to amend the illegal drugs, the Philippines Constitution. It’s only House will be a profitable market for Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez drug cartels which have made and his cohorts who are for the country a transshipment this mode. They claim that point for worldwide operations. Constitutional Convention My gulay, there’s still crimi- would be too expensive. nality and corruption to contend Santa Banana, with our kind with on the part of the president, of politicians at the House, alnot to mention illegal gambling. lowing them to tinker with the This year is about to end and his Constitution to shift to a parliafirst year in office will define mentary-federal system of govthe direction of the rest of Mr. ernment just to save on costs Duterte’s term. What is, really, would be a mistake. To me, for instance, an “independent there is no substitute for a Conforeign policy?” With Donald Con. Delegates from the varitrump being elected president, ous regions/ provinces should will Duterte’s policy jell with be elected.

Washington’s?

It’s a fact that President Duterte himself was in favor of Con-Con *** but the people around him, in purThe President’s health is al- suit of their own political agenda, ways the concern of the people. convinced him otherwise.

Thus, when there is speculation about Mr. Duterte being ill, it is *** no small matter. The President Does making noises against is no longer a young man, and Martial Law make one a hero? he is suffering from a slipped Is one who is against the burial disc and constriction of the of former President Ferdinand blood vessels, among others.

Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Palace spokesmen must Bayani automatically a hero? squarely address speculaHave we sunk so low in our tion about the President’s attempt to look for heroes that passing out. He is, after all, we are prepared to call some 72 years old. The public people such just for being noisy? concer n is legitimate.

To be fair, the only authentic heroes were former Defense Sec*** retary Juan Ponce Enrile, PC-INP When President Duterte as- Chief Fidel Ramos and RAM’s sumed office, one of his first Gregorio Honasan. They risked directives was to cut red tape their lives during Edsa One to in government. What has hap- give us back our freedom.

A question...

From A4

Lima to the illegal drug syndicates.

And yet Robredo has the temerity to say that she is “fine” as far as Duterte is concerned.

Never mind if sometimes Duterte openly makes fun of her, as is his wont, remarking on her legs and her knees.

Robredo is definitely not made of the same stuff that Diokno is made of. If she was, she would never have accepted a Cabinet position and instead used her position as the highest-ranking elected member of the Liberal Party as a soapbox from which to slam Duterte.

See, Robredo’s decision to remain in Duterte’s government is yet another example of why morality is better left to religious leaders to decide. After

all, in a recent cover story for a local magazine, Robredo was supposed to have said that good will ultimately triumph over evil, thus framing her position in a purely moral light.

By doing so, Robredo can explain to herself that she is actually involved in a righteous crusade against the forces of evil (meaning, of course, the Marcoses) by staying in the Cabinet. To other people who do not share Robredo’s moral standards, she just appears to be a thick-faced opportunist, accepting a post that was only offered as a token of inclusivity and remaining despite the insults and the serious differences in opinion.

Robredo, of course, is a lawyer, so she realizes she is not breaking any law. But if she was truly a moral person like Diokno, she’d resign, as well.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Tourism infrastructure

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Will he or won’t he?

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO HERE is definitely welcome news for the tourism industry.

The Duterte government will invest $23 billion in tourism infrastructure.

That is what ails our tourism industry most, not the fancy slogans that we keep changing with every change in tourism secretaries—the woeful inadequacy of our infrastructure to catch up with the needs and wants of foreign visitors. The lack of airports and seaports that will give tourists access to the beautiful islands which are our best natural attractions. The lack of access roads to reach tourist destinations.

Even the woeful “speed” of our internet connectivity, which some rating agencies claim to be just a tad faster than Kabul in Afghanistan. And of course, the lack of hotels and resort establishments with facilities that are at least “livable.”

Recently, with the Duterte aperture Chinoise, an influx of visitors from the People’s Republic is expected. Question: do we have enough rooms to accommodate the entry of, say, a million tourists more?

How quickly can the private sector respond to this expected influx, which can easily bloom to 3 million annually by 2020, if the Chinese government so decides, and the Philippines can accommodate?

The basics—these are what we lack.

In 1998, only some 165,000 tourists, foreign and local, visited Boracay, especially after the waters fronting the long white beach tested positive for coliform. And treated water was yet non-existent, such that if you shampoo, the shower water in even the best of hotels would not rinse your hair properly.

But the Ramos and Estrada governments borrowed from Japanese yen loans to finance big-ticket items, such that by 2000, soft water f lowed into Boracay faucets, water that came from the Nabas River in the mainland, treated and purified in a PTA-built treatment facility, then brought to the island through an underwater pipe system that crossed the strait.

Similarly, the Estrada government built a wastewater treatment plant in the island, a project also started by the FVR administration, where every establishment in Boracay had to connect their septic tanks and wastewater, before discharging the safely-treated water into the middle of the Visayan Sea fronting Barangay Bulabog.

The Kalibo airport runway was lengthened; the terminal was improved. The road from Kalibo to Malay was widened, all started by Erap and finalized by GMA. The provincial government borrowed from the Landbank and put up a decent visitor terminal beside the pier in Caticlan. And PTA built a pier in Boracay to divert the motorboats from docking right in the long white sand. Now through

a PPP with San Miguel Corporation, the Caticlan runway has been lengthened from 800 meters to 2.2 kilometers, and the terminal modernized.

Even as I still think, after a recent visit to the island, that Boracay’s holding capacity is bursting at the seams, the fact is, from 165,000 visitors in 1998, it now hosts some 1.5 million (perhaps more) each year. It’s not because of the promotion. It’s because adequate infrastructure has made the inflow of visitors possible.

Build it and they will come.

The Shangri-La, Discovery, soon Crimson, and so many other hotels.

Soon, a new airport will be opened in San Vicente, a municipality in Palawan that faces the West Philippine Sea, and boasts of a 13-kilometer long white sand beach (Boracay’s is a bit more than 3 kilometers). Real estate speculators have already bought much of the surrounding properties, waiting for a boom in tourism.

Will they spoil San Vicente the way of Boracay?

Not under Gov. Pepito Alvarez’s watch. The businessmanturned-politician wants to keep San Vicente as pristine as possible, with a development plan that will seek balance between visitor dollars and pesos vis-àvis the preservation of its environment.

Tourism is one of the best drivers of inclusive growth, provided it is well-planned and wellimplemented, both in terms of infrastructure development and marketing support. It harnesses private sector entrepreneurship.

Cuba after Castro

It promotes small and mediumscale businesses. It provides jobs even to the unskilled and semi-skilled. *** Sure there are downsides brought by externalities. Global recession can freeze visitor arrivals. Peace and order, which is paramount. Political developments as well. Look at how Chinese visitors froze and declined during PNoy’s “cold war” over the South China Sea. And how they could jump with Duterte’s détente with Xi. In Taiwan for instance, there is a marked decline in visitor arrivals from the mainland since Pres. Tsai-Ing Wen and her DPP defeated the Kuomintang and Ma’s candidate.

But all these are par for the course. Economic shocks happen, and in time dissipate as new opportunities are found and explored.

The point of fact is, whether it is infrastructure to support agriculture or tourism, or to perk up economic activity—Build, Build, Build is key. *** Oh, and just one salutation to the decision makers of the Metro Manila Film Festival: Thanks for giving way to the indies and the small producers of quality films. And thanks for giving all Filipinos relief from the inanities of the Mano Po’s and the Enteng Kabisote’s and the horror flicks as well as slapstick comedies that have become the predictably bad fare of the last two decades.

Bravo!

have the same short-run effect. If at the same time the US were to reverse course on improving relations, as president-elect Donald Trump has threatened, Castro’s death could become a setback rather than an opportunity. Cuba’s aging revolutionaries might be re-energized—at some cost to the US and at enormous cost to Cuba.

One small step to guard against that outcome would be for President Obama to attend Castro’s funeral. By returning to Havana, Obama can express the US commitment to move forward in its relations with the Cuban people, pay respect to their achievements and suffering under Castro, and affirm that their prospects, with luck, might be about to improve.

HISTORY will absolve me, said Fidel Castro in 1953, shortly before he took the world stage. He was wrong. In power for nearly a half-century, he brought the US and Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war, exported revolution and repression, and turned his island into a penurious police state. His death could open the door to a brighter future for Cuba—especially if its neighbors, beginning with the US, pursue the right policies.

As ruthless as he was charismatic, Castro managed to hold off the superpower 90 miles from Cuba’s coast almost through force of will, becoming an icon for hemispheric antiAmericanism in the process.

His cunning cultivation of patrons—first the Soviet Union,

and then Venezuela—enabled the country to endure the US embargo and his own economic policies, which turned the Caribbean’s most advanced economy into a basket case.

Any reckoning of his legacy must grant the Cuban revolution’s achievements: high rates of literacy and educational enrollment, low levels of crime and infant mortality, relatively low levels of poverty and inequality, and universal health care. But the price was outrageous. Castro squandered the country’s enormous economic potential and was an exemplary human-rights abuser.

For decades he made his island a prison, its people denied freedom of speech, with dissidents forbidden to travel and subject to arbitrary arrest.

The question now is how best to transcend that legacy. As the standard bearer for “los historicos”—the revolutionary old guard—Castro was a bulwark of revolutionary fervor blocking political and economic reforms. After President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba in March, he sneered that “we do not need the empire to give us anything.”

US-Cuba relations thawed despite him. Castro’s passing could pave the way for speedier progress, both in relations with the US and in setting the country free.

For sure, his brother Raul, Cuba’s president since 2008, is no liberal in waiting. The reforms of recent years have been timid.

Obama’s visit prompted party leaders to circle the wagons, and the elder Castro’s death could

Bloomberg

The Biz...

From A4

The largest listed company in stock market capitalization. Its focus is the mass market offering essential services such as food, clothing, housing and finance. It has also moved into mining and casinos.

Other awardees for entrepreneurship, management and financial management excellence are: JJ Atencio, president-CEO 8990 Holdings Inc.; Henry Lim Bon Liong, chair-CEO, SL Agritech Corp.; Wellington Soong, president-CEO, Frigate Holdings; Elizabeth Lee, president-CEO, EMotors; Bansan Choa. Chairman and CEO, IRemit; Marife Zamora, chairman of Convergys Philippines Services Corp. and president of the Management Association of the Philippines; Joseph Calata, president and founder of Calata Corp., Myrna Yao, CEO, Richprime Global Inc.; Emma Imperial, presidentCEO, Imperial Homes Group; and RoseMarie Basa, chairman, PhilRealm Development Corp.

Cited for distinguished public service and governance excellence aside from Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo were: Lilia de Lima, director general for 21 years of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority; Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Teresita Herbosa, and Senator Loren Legarda.

For financial management excellence, the awardees are: Ferdinand Constantino, CFO, San Miguel Corp.; Chaye Cabal Revilla, CFO, Smart Communications; and Felipe S. Yalong, CFO, GMA Network Inc. Awards will also go to Mike Enriquez of GMA News, for broadcast excellence; lawyer Francis Lim for shareholder rights advocacy, lawyer Manuel “Lolong” Lazaro, excellence in law; and Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr and Donald Dee, business leadership.

I attribute BizNewsAsia’s success to its focus—the things that count—business, the economy, the Philippines. The weekly celebrates success in business and success in the economy. In turn, success in business and success in the economy make for a successful Philippines, which today is among the fastest-growing in Asia.

In the course of the last 15 years, at least four local magazines tried to copy BNA’s format – a newsweekly devoted to business and economic news.

They all failed eventually and miserably.

Foreign branded magazines also tried to operate locally. They either have failed or are struggling, despite being global brands.

W hy does BizNewsAsia th rive when older and bigger brands with a wider foreign foot print do not in the Philippines?

Maybe, we have been lucky.

Maybe, we are talented. Maybe, we are both. But one thing is definite about us—Our focus—business, the economy, the Philippines BizNewsAsia easily outsells local magazines and foreign brands because of its broad and deep coverage of business, politics and global issues, and outstanding profiles of personalities in business and governance.

When BizNewsAsia started giving awards, yearly, to business people for excellence, the practice also engendered copycats. Now, nearly every business group or big company has its own awards.

Despite the proliferation of such awards, those of BizNewsAsia remain much sought after.

Why? Because I know the awardees at heart. I have covered business and politics for 46 years, I have known many of today’s tycoons, taipans, and politicians and monitored their rise to the top.

Also, I am a political writer.

Very few senior journalists today straddle business journalism and political journalism and succeed in doing both.

I trained formally for journalism and business writing – four years of journalism at UST, magna cum laude; three semesters of MBA units at Ateneo, and global journalism at the University of Stockholm.

President Duterte and his key cabinet members had just landed the same night in Davao City fresh from their Apec summit.

His administration was ably represented by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

The CEOs and presidents of among the nation’s largest conglomerates and enterprises were in attendance.

Leading the awardees were President Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corp. and Chairman Teresita Sy-Coson of BDO. She is also vice chairman of the SM Investments Corp.

SMC is the Philippines’ largest corporation in sales (more than P800 billion), profits (more than P51 billion), and diversified businesses (beer, fuel, foods, packaging, power generation, tollways, bulk water, airport, infrastructure, mining, and real estate). Ang masterminded that diversification parlaying $5billion proceeds (profits from mergers and acquisitions and investments) during this century to transform SMC. Today, SMC’s motto is “your world made better”.

BDO is the Philippines’ largest bank. SMIC is the largest mall operator and department store operator, largest retailer, property developer, and largest Philippine investor in China.

News

A6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SSS pension hike limited

High court junks pleas vs 2 Bangsamoro pacts

By Rio N. Araja

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Social Security System on Tuesday maintained its support for a P2,000 pension increase, but called on the Senate to consider the implementation of an initial P1,000 hike.

“The Social Security System is attuned to the wishes of legislators for higher pensions in response to the prevailing public sentiment, which we also consider reasonable given the current cost of living. We request legislators to heed our appeal to how to best grant the pension increase without sacrificing the life of the fund,” SSS chairman Amado Valdez said.

Under the proposal of SSS, the grant of the P1,000 acrossthe-board pension increase shall be in January 2017, and an additional P1,000 in 2022, or earlier.

“Immediately implementing the full P2,000 pension increase will put in peril the SSS funds.

The P1,000 initial pension increase offers a more doable option towards the same goal of an additional P2,000 per month for pensioners,” Valdez said.

According to SSS, its funds are currently projected to last until 2042 but will deplete in 2025 if the P2,000 increase is immediately granted in full.

If the P2,000 hike is implemented in 2017, SSS would need an additional P64 billion for pensions for that year alone, and this amount is expected to grow every year.

With the P1,000 initial increase, the SSS funds life will last until 2032.

In a statement, SSS said it continuously explores innovations which include investing in corporations engaged in power, water and other utilities, and pursuing Public-Private Partnerships in developing infrastructure such as toll roads, which would provide stable long-term earnings for the funds of SSS members.

Valdez said while government subsidy remains a possible source for financing the P2,000 increase for at least two million pensioners, it should only serve to supplement, and not fully shoulder, the funds needed for the increase.

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by several groups seeking to declare as unconstitutional two agreements signed during the Aquino administration that allows the establishment of a Bangsamoro government in lieu of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

T

In its en banc session Tuesday, the SC denied the petitions for being premature.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said since there is no Bangsamoro Basic Law yet, any question on the constitutionality of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro “is premature and not ripe of adjudication.”

The FAB was signed Oct. 12, 2012 while the CAB was forged

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen while the CAB was negotiated and signed by incumbent government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer with MILF peace panel head Mohagher Iqbal.

The petitioners argued that the peace process with the MILF was made in violation of Executive Order No. 125 issued by former President Fidel Ramos which requires the presence of a panel of advisers composed of one each from the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Cabinet to be designated by the President.

Besides, the petitioners said respondents Leonen and Ferrer acted with grave abuse of discretion when they agreed to cause the amendment of the Constitution by signing the FAB and CAB. They noted that FAB and CAB grant concessions to the MILF be-

yond the powers of the President to grant and in violation of the provisions of the Constitution and existing laws.

The petitioners said FAB and CAB violated Section 1, Article X of the Local Governments of the Constitution which has authorized and recognized only five territorial and political subdivisions namely provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays and autonomous regions.

Furthermore, the petitioners pointed out that the power to create the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was vested only in the First Congress under the 1987 Constitution.

Paras, on the other hand, likened the two agreements to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain with the MILF which was also struck down by the Court for being unconstitutional.

IN BRIEF Air Supply gets permit

HEIGHTENED SECURITY. Army troopers fall in for inspection at the Manila Police District headquarters on United Nations Avenue as the government augmented security in vital installations in the city after a bomb was found near the United States Embassy. Norman Cruz

Bulacan police list allowable fireworks WITH Christmas less than a month away, the Bulacan provincial police on Tuesday released the list of firecrackers or pyrotechnics that can be sold during the Christmas season and the New Year revelry.

Among these are the baby rocket, bawang, el diablo, judas belt, paper caps, pulling of strings, sky rocket (kwitis), small trianggulo and other similar kinds of firecrackers in terms of explosives content.

On the pyrotechnic devices, only allowed are the butterfly, fountain, jumbo regular, luces, roman candle, “mabuhay”, sparklers, trompillo, whistle devices, all kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw), and other types equivalent to these pyrotechnic devices.

The prescribed weight of the explosive content should not exceed 0.2 grams or not more than a third of a teaspoon. Anything that will exceed such weight (overweight), is

March 27, 2014.

“Until a Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed by Congress, it is clear that there is no actual case or controversy that requires the Court to exercise its power of judicial review over a co-equal branch of government,” the high court declared.

Even if there are bills pending in Congress, the SC held that it cannot exercise its power of judicial review over such bills until

they are passed into law, otherwise it would be tantamount to the Court rendering an advisory opinion on a proposed act of Congress.

“The power of judicial review over an act of Congress comes into play only after the passage of a bill not before,” the tribunal said.

Dismissed were the petitions filed by the Philippines Constitution Association, Tanggulang Demokrasya, Rev. Vicente Libradores Aquino, Jacinto Paras and Rev. Elly Velez Pamatong et al.

In its petition, Philconsa through its president former Leyte congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the FAB and CAB grant “unconscionable” financial, social, economic, and political benefits to the MILF. The FAB was negotiated and signed by former government peace panel chief and now Supreme Court

already prohibited.

Likewise prohibited are the oversized firecrackers such as “super lolo” and giant whistlebomb.

The fuse should not burn in less than three seconds but not more than six seconds.

The Bulacan police also strictly implements the order of the Department of Labor and Employment to all factories and sellers of fireworks products in Bulacan not to sell their products yet until they have complied with all the requirements.

These requirements are the certification from the Philippine National Police, certification from the Bureau of Fire Protection and mandatory seminar for all employees from the lower rank up to the owner.

Until these requirements are not complied with, the fireworks stores cannot open their business or sell their merchandise. PNA

Groceries go straight to farms FIVE of the country’s biggest supermarket chains have committed to buy direct from onion and garlic farmers in a move that could end price manipulation by cartelized middlemen and traders, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said.

This unprecedented direct access by local growers to local markets nationwide “could be the start of the struggle to dismantle cartels controlling these important commodities in the country,” Piñol added.

He said that with the participation of SM, Rustan’s, ShopWise, SaveMore and Mindanao-based NCCC Mall, “I am seeing the start of the liberation of the country’s onion and garlic farmers from the control of cartels who have monopolized the industry for ages now.”

Piñol earlier revealed that Filipino onion-garlic farmers have suffered long from depressed prices for their produce because a “few, rich and powerful groups control the industry” through huge importation

and unscrupulous practices such as hoarding and smuggling.

Piñol revealed it was Go Negosyo head Joey Concepcion, the Presidential Adviser on Economic Enterprise, who put together the crucial agreement after the Agriculture chief had made an overseas call to him.

Concepcion was in Paris when Piñol phoned him while presiding over the SOCKSARGEN Agricultural Development Program board in Kidapawan City.

Before 6 p.m., Piñol said that, “Tessie Sy of SM, Nonoy Colayco of Rustan’s, Jojo Tagbo of SM SaveMore, Leah Lee of SM Supermarket and ShopWise responded and committed to buy their onion and garlic supply direct from the farmers.”

The news was relayed to him by Concepcion’s focal person for the Go Negosyo Program, Ginggay Hontiveros.

“On my own, I also sent a text message to Riolinda Lim, vice president of NCCC Mall, a chain of

about 20 supermarkets in Mindanao who said that brothers Javey and Lafayette Lim, whose family owns NCCC, have pledged to buy onion and garlic direct from the farmers,” Piñol revealed.

Following this development, the DA has to work out a system by which onion farmers, especially those from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, could deliver their produce to the supermarket chains, he said.

The farmers need a working capital, Piñol said, so they could buy their members’ produce for delivery to these supermarkets.

They also need a revolving capital since the supermarkets’ payment system does not allow direct payment upon delivery, he said.

“I instructed Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat to make arrangements with Agricultural Credit Policy Council [ACPC] head Jocelyn Badiola to prepare a substantial loan package for the country’s onion and garlic farmers,” he added.

Govt completes housing sites for ‘Yolanda’ victims

PEOPLE’S FOREIGN OFFICE. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. explains to Quezon City residents the policies that his department has been pursuing during the ceremonial blessing of the DFA satellite office at Robinsons Place in Novaliches. PNA

TWO-HUNDRED-EIGHTY families received an early Christmas gift as Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino led the completion of all resettlement sites for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims before Christmas.

In a matter of two-and-a-half weeks, about 280 families, comprising the first batch of “Yolanda” victims, finally occupied their respective permanent resettlement houses located in North Hill Arbours in Barangay Sto. Niño (Suhi), Tacloban City on November 28.

“The problem besetting the Yolanda resettlement in three years is solved in just 18 days after President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘tapang and malasakit’ to the Yolanda victims made him to issue presidential directives to finish it without delay,” Dino said who mobilized Task

Force Bulig for the project.

Around 8,000 beneficiary-families shall be transferred to permanent houses in 17 relocation sites north of Tacloban.

The Task Force has expected a daily transfer of settlers until the last familybeneficiary will be in their new home by the end of the year.

The seemingly rapid transfer has been made possible through a convergence of government, military, and private entities.

“This does not end here as tomorrow is another day for relocating. We are moving them little by little every day for safety purposes. There is much work to be done, but we are thankful for the help of the various line agencies, the Tacloban LGU, and 53rd Engineering Brigade of the AFP Central Command,” Dino pointed out. PNA

THE Bureau of Immigration has granted the Australian pop duo Air Supply a special work permit allowing the band to perform in the country this December.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued an order allowing Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock to serenade thousands of Filipino fans with their songs that became popular in the early 1980s.

The work permit allows foreigners, only for a short duration, to engage in gainful activity in the country. In the absence of an SWP, foreign concert artists, talents and musicians are prohibited from engaging in gainful activity and may be subjected to deportation proceedings.

Russell is a British-born singer-songwriter and guitarist while Hitchcock in the duo’s lead vocalist.

Aside from the duo, Morente also issued an SWP to their backup performers, namely Americans Derek Frank and Aaaron Mc Lain, Israeli Aviv Cohen and Dutchman Amir Efrat.

The work permit allows the band to perform at the Pacific Grand Ballroom Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on Dec. 6 and at the Resorts World Hotel in Pasay City on Dec.8.

It was Steve O’Neal Productions, the concert organizer and promoter, which filed the application for SWP on behalf of the foreign performers.

Vito Barcelo

Meat imports released soon DESPITE an order from the Department of Agriculture to recall import permits on agricultural products, the Bureau of Customs said it will release imported meat products to meet the growing demand for meat products this holiday season.

BoC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon assured meat importers that the bureau will continue to examine and release imported meat products even after the DA will recall import permits on agricultural products.

Faeldon made the announcement following reports that the bureau is holding several shipments of meat and agricultural products due to the DA’s order.

Customs stakeholders have also raised concerns on having to pay undue demurrage and storage fees.

Faeldon said he has not yet received any official order or memorandum from the DA regarding the recall order.

However, Faeldon said the bureau will not hesitate to comply with the order, “and we’ll not contradict other regulatory agencies. But for this one, we have to clarify with them because no memo has reached my office yet. For now, we will continue with the status quo.”

Vito Barcelo

Sports

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Winford Hotel hosts 2016 Mr Manila tilt

By Peter Atencio

Bodybuilders flex their muscles for photographers at the Jack Joint Restaurant, Abad Santos, Manila ahead of their contest on December 10 at Winford Hotel, Manila. The athletes are, from left: Jonathan Casimiro, Boy Agpoon and Jay Pineda. Lino Santos

THREE hundred bodybuilding enthusiasts are coming to join this year’s Mr. Manila 2016 Bodybuilding Championship.

And Filipina female bodybuilder Rowena Marcaida Walters, who is set to join in an event in Hong Kong, will be one of the judges.

Walters, who has been gracing international meets for many years, is expected to add prestige to the meet. The event is organized with the help Gymrat & Xtreme Gym Equipment.

“This is going to be a big event,” said Walters during the press launch at Jack’s Joint, Tondo, Manila yesterday, Tuesday. Walters and Gymrat’s Jackson Chua are workºing behind the scenes to get the competition going.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Philippine Committee of Bodybuilding Federation (PCBF) duly recognized by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).

“We as organizers invited the top Pinoy builders in the

country. In this event, the winners can compete abroad in events sanctioned by the IFBB,” said Chua.

Categories include the novice physique, the -75 kgs, the -80 kgs and the other categories.

Over P600,000 in cash prizes will be given away, while P200,000 in food supplements are also at stake.

The competition will be held December 10, Saturday at 2 p.m. at the brand new Winford Hotel and Casino in Manila.

“Our aim is to help make the industry bigger by promoting the benefits of fitness and bodybuilding,” said Chua.

Organizers said they are bent on having the country’s top local athletes and fitness enthusiasts participate in a friendly competition.

Mr. Manila 2016 is also supported by Phil Supplements Corp., Phenom Sportswear Inc., ProTan Philippines, CM Talents, Collab Printing Corp., Baketech Solutions Marketing Corp., Lumiere Skincare Philippines Inc., Jack’s Joint Food Corp. and Python Energy Drink.

Tiger to make High Noon return N ASSAU, Bahamas—Former world number one Tiger Woods, sidelined for 15 months after back surgery, will make his return to competitive golf at High Noon on Thursday alongside Patrick Reed at the Hero World Challenge.

Pairings for the 18-man invitational event were released Monday and Woods, a 14-time major champion who has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open, will be the second to play in the sixth group out.

It will be the first time Woods has played competitively since

he shared 10th at Greensboro in August of last year.

Woods, who fell to 898th in the world rankings on Monday, missed the cut at the US and British Opens and the PGA Championship last year.

Woods, whose 79 career PGA titles are three shy of Sam

Snead’s all-time record, has not won a tournament since the 2014 Bridgestone Invitational, a World Golf Championships event at Akron, Ohio.

It will be the first time Woods has played in the event owned by his charity foundation since it moved last year to the Bahamas and the Albany resort’s par-72, 7,267-yard Ernie Els-designed course.

Defending champion Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler are the first duo out at 11:10 a.m. followed at 10-minute intervals by two more US pairs, Jimmy Walker and Brandt Snedeker then J.B. Holmes

and Zach Johnson.

Reigning Olympic champion Justin Rose of England and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, the runner-up in Rio, will start at 11:40 in a repeat of their dramatic lastround Olympic pairing, with past winner Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar next followed by Woods and Reed.

Reigning US Open champion Dustin Johnson and fellow American Brooks Koepka follow Woods onto the course with the final two duos consisting of international talent—Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and South African Louis Oosthuizen followed by

Scotsman Russell Knox and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo.

Woods delivered a strong indication he is ready for his comeback after a 16-month layoff when outdriving Olympic champion Justin Rose at Nassau’s Albany Club in the Bahamas on Monday.

The 14-time Major winner makes his long awaited return in the Hero World Challenge starting Thursday, where he will play with American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed.

He teamed up with Rose, who has been a resident on the exclusive Albany estate for two and a half years, former New York Yan-

Another triple-double NEW YORK—Russell Westbrook insists he is not interested in chasing history after a quickfire eighth triple-double of the season left him on track to equal Oscar Robertson’s long-standing NBA record.

Westbrook was in scintillating form once more to help the Oklahoma City Thunder overpower the New York Knicks 112-103 at Madison Square Garden, bagging his third consecutive triple-double—the 45th of his career.

Westbrook needed just 20 minutes on court to complete his latest masterclass, part of a haul that leaves him averaging triple-double numbers for the season.

The 28-year-old finished with 27 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists.

Westbrook is now averaging 30.9 points per game, 11.3 assists and 10.4 rebounds for the season.

Only one player in NBA history—Robertson in 1961-62—has ever gone an entire season averaging triple-double numbers.

Westbrook is on pace to equal Robertson’s record, albeit with only 19 games of the season gone.

Westbrook’s display Monday helped the Thunder improve to 11-8 as the Knicks fell to 8-9.

However Westbrook is adamant that matching Robertson’s record is not on his agenda.

“Winning is sustainable,” Westbrook said. “My job is to go out and find the best way to win games.

Right now, we won three straight and that is what’s most important to me.

“I don’t really care, honestly. I like to win and compete at a high level. I do the same thing every year.”

Enes Kanter offered another offensive threat for the Thunder, rising from the bench to score 27 points and grab 10 rebounds in 28 minutes.

For the Knicks, Derrick Rose led the scoring with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Kristaps Porzingis added 21 points and Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 18 points.

Thunder coach Billy Donovan however paid tribute to Westbrook’s display.

“He [Westbrook] obviously set people up tremendously tonight,” Donovan said.

“Offensively getting and creating shots, getting in the lane. I thought his rebounding, getting to a couple of loose ball plays. When he does that it Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket sends an unbelievable message to our team of his against Derrick Rose (25) of the New York Knicks during the first half of their spirit and his fight and the way he competes.” AFP game at Madison Square Garden on November 28 in New York City. AFP

Tamaraws, Eagles chase last seat in UAAP finals THE defending champion Far Eastern University is expected to have a tough time with the Ateneo Blue Eagles when they meet again in their Final Four rubber match today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles will be ready for them, and will come prepared when they meet at 4 p.m. in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball Final Four.

This is why coach Nash Racela is challenging all members of his team to contribute in

every little way they can.

That’s what we need in our Game Today The last time around next game,” said Racela.

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) around, the Tams out- 12 noon – DLSU vs UE (women semis) The winner will earn the rebounded the Blue Ea- 4 p.m. FEU vs Ateneo (men’s semis) right to face De La Salle gles, 50-40.

University in the finals on Their strength under Saturday. the boards and their zone defense rattled So far, FEU has been dominating the ofthe Blue Eagles, and the Tams eventually fensive boards with 47 rebounds, with Atprevailed, 62-61, Saturday evening. eneo behind with its average of 44.5 “Each and every member of the team conFEU has two dominant rebounders in tributed to the cause. I can’t recall any one Raymar Jose and Prince Orizu with 11.8 player who was solely responsible for the win. and 9.8 rebounds, while Thirdy Ravena

leads the Blue Eagles with 7.7.

The last time around, Jose made his presence felt underneath, scoring a season high 20 points and a near-season record of 23 rebounds.

In that game, the Blue Eagles were forced to shoot from the outside a lot, and of the 36 three-point attempts, they converted only six.

Aaron Black led the Blue Eagles with 11 points, including two jumpers from the perimeter and a triple in the start of the fourth that handed Ateneo a 49-39 lead in the last 8:09. Peter Atencio

Kanlaon wins 21st MARHO Cup Classic THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE THE Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners once again staged a successful racing event last Nov. 20 at Santa Ana Park, an occasion graced by officials and members of the group as well as other racing industry personalities.

Benjamin Abalos III’s Kanlaon bested other elite horses to win the 2,000-meter Marho Cup-San Miguel Corporation Classic, with Hot and Spicy coming second and Gentle Strength third.

Stony Road Horse Farm’s Underwood dominated the Marho Cup-

Santa Ana Park 3YO Colt Mile, while Son Also Rises and Pinagtipunan placed in that order.

George Raquidan’s Real Flames triumphed in the Marho Cup-Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 3YO Filly Mile, followed by Leave It to Me and Since When.

Lawyer Narciso Morales’s Stravinsky copped the 1,300-meter Marho Cup-Philippine Racing Commission Juvenile Colts, trailed

by Changes and Batang La Paz. Philippine Racing Club, Inc. Chairman Emeritus Santiago Cua and Marho director Nathaniel G. Velasco received plaques of appreciation for their staunch support of Marho’s flagship racing event through the years.

Other race sponsors were Velasco’s Transprint Corporation, Tony Tan’s Uratex Foam

and Shelltex Bed, and Bernard Bernabe’s Siomai House.

Among the Marho directors in attendance were Antonio G. de Ubago, president; and Antonio V. Tan, former Tarlac congressman Jeci A. Lapus, Vicente P. Go Bon, Quezon City Councilor Victor V. Ferrer, and Kalookan City Vice Mayor Macario E. Asistio III. Marho was grateful for the presence of Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez and commissioners Bienvenido C. Niles Jr., lawyer Wilfredo Jefferson A. de Ungria, lawyer Victor V. Tantoco, and Lyndon Noel B. Guce. *** A chartered British Aerospace 146 short-haul plane carrying 81 people, including the Brazilian first division football team, crashed on its way from Brazil to Colombia

last Nov. 28.

The plane, operated by Bolivian charter airline Lamia, had nine crew members and 72 passengers on board, among whom were members of the first division football team from the small city of Chapeco in Southern Brazil.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “the team was scheduled to play Wednesday in the first of a two-game Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional of Medellin.” The Chapecoenses “joined Brazil’s first division in 2014 for the first time since the 1970s and made it to the Copa Sudamericana finals last week by defeating Argentina’s legendary San Lorenzo squad.”

Shades of the Chicago Cubs finally making it to the Series, underdogs with nowhere to go but up

finally making it to the big time, but the story sadly finishes with a tragic ending.

As of presstime, there were said to be six survivors of the crash, which might have been caused by an electrical failure. The LA Times also reported that according to local radio, the same plan carried Argentina’s national squad to Brazil for a game earlier this month.

Because of the crash, the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (South American football federation) has canceled all its activities until further notice. *** Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @gogirlracing and @jennyortuoste, and Instagram: @jensdecember.

kees baseball legend Derek Jeter and fellow World Series winner Tino Martinez.

Woods, who has ‘parked’ his luxury yacht ‘Privacy’ close to Rose’s palatial home on the island, was clearly very relaxed in the company of the three and aside from an errant drive down the left side of the 13th he was in play for much of the nine holes in the sunny but windy conditions.

There were no official scores recorded but it’s understood Woods, wearing shorts, shot a comfortable one-over-par 37 for the nine holes that included two bogeys and a birdie. AFP

Tiebreaker to decide world chess champion NEW YORK—Neither reigning champ Magnus Carlsen of Norway nor Russian grandmaster Sergei Karyakin has claimed the world chess crown after 12 matches, throwing the tournament to four tie-break games scheduled for Wednesday.

Almost three weeks after the chess World Championship began, the last scheduled game ended Monday in a draw—just like nine of the previous 11 games—with spectators left hungry for decisive action in the forthcoming tiebreaker.

“I’m not proud of the game today, but I think there’s a tradeoff” for the spectators, said Carlsen, alluding to the extra chess to be played.

Regulations stipulate that the two players will now participate in four rapid games, which the World Chess Federation says will be played “at the rate of 25 minutes per player per game, with 10 seconds added after each move.”

All previous games allowed for more than three hours of play.

In the event of a draw at the end of those four games, the players will participate in two blitz games, a fast format played at the rate of five minutes per player at the start, with three seconds added after each move.

Should there still be a tie at this point, they will play up to four more sets of blitz games.

“If there is still no winner, Carlsen and Karyakin will play an Armageddon game in which white has five minutes and black has four, but black only has to draw to win the match,” the World Chess Federation said.

The eventual accelerated games leave plenty of opportunity for harried mistakes.

But in the meantime, Carlsen said “25 minutes and 10 seconds per move is a lot of time so we’re still playing normal chess.” AFP

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

Pinays chase LPGA cards

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

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Sports Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on November 28, at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Curry, Durant lead Warriors th to 12 consecutive victory S

AN FRANCISCO—Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant each scored 25 points apiece as the Golden State Warriors overturned a fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 105-100 and claim a 12th straight victory on Monday.

Atlanta looked to have the Warriors rattled after edging into an 81-80 lead as the final quarter got under way.

But two Andre Iguodala baskets, a Durant jumper and a Shaun Livingston layup gave the Warriors an 8-0 run that put them 8881 ahead.

Atlanta pulled it back to 88-85 with a Kent Bazemore layup but missed with three-point efforts by

Dennis Schroder and Bazemore.

A further Bazemore three-point attempt also failed with two minutes left with the Warriors defending a narrow 91-89 lead.

The Warriors responded with six unanswered points, including four from Durant to give themselves vital breathing space.

Two superb defensive blocks by Draymond Green in the final minute also stymied the Atlanta challenge as

the Warriors improved to 16-2.

Durant meanwhile led the rebounds with 14 while Klay Thompson added 20 points.

Schroder headed the Atlanta scoring with 24 points as the Hawks slipped to 10-8. It was a sixth defeat in seven games for Atlanta, who had forged a 9-2 start to the campaign earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks will slowly ease Dirk Nowitzki back into the fray as the veteran German star recovers from a lingering Achilles problem, a report said Monday.

Nowitzki missed Sunday’s victory over the New Orleans Pelicans after complaining of soreness in his right Achilles despite showing signs of improvement recently.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle told The Dallas Morning News he would not hesitate to rest Nowitzki as the 38-year-old battles back to fitness after playing only five of 16 games so far this season.

“This is part of the recovery,” Carlisle said. “Getting him better, we’re going to have to take it incrementally. There’s not like there was any big setback.”

Carlisle said he expected Nowitzki’s recovery process would run into December.

“He’s come a long way in a four-plus week period. But it’s an Achilles strain and it’s taking time,” Carlisle said.

“My hope is that it can be complete sometime in December, sooner than later. But we just got to be

patient with it. He’s too important to us. If we have to play without him, we’ll play without him.”

Mavs owner Mark Cuban meanwhile said there was “every expectation” that Nowitzki’s injury was “not serious.”

“It’s dramatically better ... he just felt it again, so there’s no reason to take a chance. We’re just being cautious,” Cuban said.

Nowitzki has played for the Mavericks ever since joining from DJK Wurzburg in 1998. He was the NBA Finals MVP during the team’s 2011 championship year and is a 13-time NBA All-Star.

The Mavericks are currently languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a dismal 3-13 record. AFP

SIX Filipinos, including a Fil-Am, set out for the tough LPGA Qualifying Tournament Final Stage beginning Wednesday at the LPGA International in Florida (Thursday in Manila)—a 90-hole tournament among 157 players slugging it out for 20 LPGA Tour cards next year.

Cyna Rodriguez, who failed to keep her card after a so-so rookie campaign this year, is back chasing a card along with Symetra Tour veterans Dottie Ardina and Mia Piccio, Fil-Am Clariss Guce, amateur Regina de Guzman and former US Girls’ Junior champion Princess Superal.

This marks the first time that the Philippines is fielding in a big six-player roster in the Final Stage but with only 20 Tour cards up for grabs, each must dish out a solid game from Day 1 to Day 5.

“They’re all ready and in high spirits but with a big field and a slew of talented players, they would need a strong start and hope to sustain it all the way to the finish,” said Bong Lopez, coach of former Team The Country Club mainstays Rodriguez, Ardina, Piccio and Superal, and who also handled two-time LPGA Tour winner Jennifer Rosales.

The field will alternate over the first four rounds between the Jones and Hills courses with the top 70 after 72 holes advancing to the final round, to be played at the tougher Hills layout.

The top 20, excluding ties, will earn the coveted LPGA Tour status in Category 12 on the 2017 priority list while those that finish 21 through 45, including ties, will earn status in Category 17. Players who complete 72 holes but fail to earn LPGA Tour status will receive Symetra Tour status in Category E on the Symetra Tour priority list.

The low medalist will also earn $5,000.

Among the Pinay hopefuls, de Guzman is coming into the Final Stage brimming with confidence, having won her second to last tournament—the National Women’s Golf Association—in Daytona Beach, Florida two weeks ago where she nipped Thai Prima Thammaraks in the playoff.

Guce has also won two tournaments in the Symetra Tour this year to finish at No. 11 in the ranking while Ardina wound up at No. 21.

Vera defends ONE crown Horner

By Peter Atencio

ONE Heavyweight World Championship Brandon Vera is all smiles after a first round knockout victory over Taiwanese-Canadian fighter Paul ‘Typhoon’ Cheng to capture the heavyweight title. ONE Championship

JAPANESE challenger Hideki Sekine may be bigger and heavier than ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera.

But, this does not matter to the Filipino-American fighter, who is set to defend his title belt against Sekine on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’m very prepared. He’s bigger than my conditioning coach. What more can I say,” said Vera during an interview at the Viking’s Restaurant inside the SM MOA complex.

The undefeated Sekine has won seven fights, and is set to face Vera in the main event of ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION. The 39-year-old Vera

comes into the fight with a 14-7 win-loss record.

He has won his last two fights against Igor Subora and Paul Cheng, the first on a technical knockout, and the second on a knockout.

The 205-lb. Vera won’t be intimidated by the 265 lb.

Sekine, who is even heavier than his coach Billy Fonua.

For more than a year or so, Fonua has been training Vera to be faster on the ring with his 6’2” built.

There will be 10 under cards that evening, among those seeing action are Team Lakay standouts Geje Eustaquio, Honorio Banario, April Osenio and Danny Kingad.

Fights are also set for Eugene Toquero, Mark Striegl and Filipino-Aus-

tralian Reece McLaren.

Sekine has not fought over the last two years after he beat Ryuta Kono in the Real Fight Championship by TKO in the first round.

Vera, born October 10, 1977 has been a professional competitor since 2002. He formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the WEC. Vera is the former WEC 13 Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.

Vera signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship July, 2014.

He made his ONE Championship debut on December 5 against Igor Subora at ONE Championship: Warrior’s Way. Vera won via knockout after connecting a counter straight left at 3:54 minutes in the first round.

Beermen take on Fuel Masters

By Jeric Lopez TWO teams go for win no. 2 while two others aim to finally break into the winning column at the resumption of the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Defending champion San Miguel goes for a follow-up win but unpredictable Phoenix Petroluem stands in the way as the two tango at 7 p.m. as the scene shifts to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

In the curtain-raiser, Rain or Shine also looks for its second straight victory when it goes up against Mahindra at 4:15 p.m.

Both the Beermen and the Elasto Painters want a piece of the early tournament lead and tie surprising

leader Blackwater at 2-0.

The Beermen started out slow but eventually showed their championship poise to top Star, 96-88, last week in the first game of the season.

Three-time reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos are all back in serious business and San Miguel coach Leo Austria hopes for an even stronger start when his team gets tested by the Fuel Masters.

“We were able to show our character in our first game and that’s a good start,” said Austria. “We now have to sustain it.”

Unlike San Miguel, Phoenix wasn’t as sharp in its opener, crumbling down the stretch and losing to Blackwater, 94-87.

The Fuel Masters are looking to bounce back and avoid an early hole.

Despite having new key players, it didn’t take long for the Elasto Painters to get their act together.

They had a tremendous start as they downed heavyweight TNT KaTropa, 101-87, with ease last week to give the league a stern warning that they will remain a force.

Meanwhile, Mahindra, a team clearly lacking firepower, had reportedly signed up free agent scorer Gary David for one season.

David, the 38-year-old multiple time scoring champion, was not renewed by the Beermen prior to the start of the season but with this looming chance with the Floodbuster, he will have another crack at prolonging his PBA career.

San Miguel Beermen guard Marcio Lassiter (13) dribbles past a pair of Phoenix Fuel Masters defenders in Chico Laneta (left) and Cyrus Baguio.

The Beermen gun for a share of the lead of the PBA Philippine Cup when they battle the Fuel Masters today.

backs Hamilton ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates—Red Bull chief Christian Horner has accused Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff of naivety for attempting to control the outcome of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and with it the drivers’ world championship.

He said it was always obvious that outgoing champion Lewis Hamilton would have to “back up” Nico Rosberg in a last ditch bid to foil the German’s title bid.

Horner said he “would not have expected him to anything different”.

Wolff is contemplating taking disciplinary action against Hamilton, winner of 10 races this year for the team but who lost out on the title to Rosberg by five points.

Horner said: “With where they were at, it was just down to those two guys.

“So it was only ever going to be that kind of battle between the two of them.

“Congratulations to Nico…

He has driven a great season this year. He is a very worthy world champion, but it was naive to think that there would be any different approach to this race with what is at stake.”

Asked how he felt the race was handled by Mercedes, he added: “We know that Toto likes to control most things in the paddock including other teams’ drivers… so you could not expect any different.

“They are racing for a world championship, the drivers’ world championship. There are only two guys in it and they are both in the same car… AFP

S&P: ‘17 growth to hit 6.7%

B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2016

B1

RCBC blames Bangladesh bank

By Julito G. Rada

R

IZAL Commercial Banking Corp. said Tuesday it is not liable to pay any amount to Bank of Bangladesh for the theft of the $81-million fund deposited with the Federal Reserve in New York.

“Numerous reports quoting high Bangladeshi officials and the initial findings of BB’s own investigation indicated that the heist got help from BB insiders. Shortly after, BB decided to abort its investigation which raises a lot of questions, to

say the least,” RCBC external counsel Thea Daep said in a statement.

“RCBC is not the proximate cause of the theft. They have no case against us. BB was the one who was negligent. We therefore urge BB to be transparent to the

Philippine government which has done so much to help them and show us who really stole from them,” Daep said.

“Consequently, RCBC has no plans to pay BB any amount,” she said.

The stolen funds entered the country’s financial system in February through an RCBC branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City. Investigations found out that the funds went through three layers of highly protected financial institutions: the New York Federal Reserve, Swift System and the three global banks that eventually

made the remittance.

Daep said Bangladesh Ambassador John Gomes was unfairly using the media to pressure the Philippine government and make it its own collection agent, and in the process, was creating an undue and unnecessary adverse public portrayal of RCBC and by extension, the local banking sector.

Gomes blamed everybody but itself for its loss, Daep said.

Daep challenged Bank of Bangladesh to produce the results of its own investigation, even the initial ones, to help shed light on who the perpetra-

tors were. She said this would be critical in helping the global banking sector protect itself.

“This is the least BB can do,” Daep said.

Part of the $81 million was recovered by Bank of Bangladesh early this month. Officials in Manila handed over $15 million to the bank, and Gomes received the fund on its behalf.

A court in September ruled that Bangladesh Bank was the rightful owner of around $15 million surrendered by casino boss Kim Wong and his Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company.

Last week, the Anti-Money

DoE asked to pursue $500-m e-vehicles

Laundering Council filed before the Justice Department money laundering charges against six other officials of RCBC in connection with the $81-million money laundering scam.

Accused were Raul Victor Tan, RCBC head of retail banking group; Ismael Reyes, national sales director, retail banking group; Brigitte Capina, regional sales director, retail banking group; Nestor Pineda, district sales director; Romualdo Agarrado, customer service head, Jupiter business center; and Angela Ruth Torres, senior customer relations officer, Jupiter business center.

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing November 29, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

6,781.20 44.20

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines on Tuesday urged the Energy Department to reconsider its cancellation of the Asian Development Bank loan for the rollout of 100,000 electric tricycles.

EVAP president Rommel Juan said in a statement the department should look at re-aligning the loan to other electric vehicles, which still needed government support.

“We, as an organization and as industry players, wish to give our suggestions to the DoE in the hope of making the program more successful. We believe that the $500-million fund by the ADB may still be used in other EV-related projects not necessarily requiring a formal bidding,” Juan said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said the department cancelled the government’s $300-million loan from the ADB and another $100 million from the Clean Technology Fund for the rollout of 100,000 e-trikes.

The loans were supposed to finance the $500-million introduction of energy-efficient electric vehicles that aimed to replace 100,000 gasoline-fed tricycle units. The government was supposed to shoulder the remaining $100 million under the project.

“We do not wish for this fund to be wasted and simply be returned to ADB. There are plenty of opportunities in the country for EVs, may it be three-wheeled e-trikes or even four-wheeled e-jeepneys. This much-needed fund could help jump-start and catalyze our domestic EV industry which is just starting to take off,” Juan said.

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing NOVEMBER 29, 2016 43.00 45.40 46.60 47.80

P49.730

49.00

CLOSE

HIGH P49.660 LOW P49.810 AVERAGE P49.747 VOLUME 558.700M

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

MANUFACTURING SUMMIT. Trade and Public Works officials sign a memorandum of agreement during the Manufacturing Summit to launch the convergence program on road connectivity for industry and trade development called Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade or Roll It program. Shown are (from left) Trade undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Trade assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Public Works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

Investments surged 97% in November

By Othel V. Campos INVESTMENT commitments surged 97 percent in November to P28.5 billion from P14.4 billion a year ago, on the back of major infrastructure and power projects, the Board of Investments said Tuesday.

The figure brought total investments in the first 11 months to P324.5 billion, up 35.5 percent from P239.52 billion registered in the same period last year.

The BoI said the investment commitments were represented by 323 projects, which were expected to generate 55,813 new jobs.

Among the big-ticket investments were those committed by

IN BRIEF MBC backs third term for Tetangco

THE Makati Business Club on Tuesday threw its support for a proposal to reappoint of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. for a third term.

“With this, we fully support the president’s wish to appoint Tetangco for a third term and we join him in urging our lawmakers of the 17th Congress to amend Section 6 of the New Central Bank Act of 1993 which limits the term of the BSP Governor to one reappointment. We are confident that under Mr. Tetangco’s watch, the BSP will continue to serve its mandate towards the continued well being of our country’s economy,” MBC said in a statement.

Under Tetangco’s leadership, the BSP has been effectively executing and fulfilling its mandate of keeping inflation manageable, conducting sound monetary policy and supervising financial institutions under its jurisdiction.

“This has significantly cushioned the country from external shocks and has largely insulated us from the adverse effects of recent global and regional financial crises,” MBC said.

The BSP has consistently ranked first in the MBC Executive Outlook Survey, an annual survey conducted to determine members’ perception on the performance of Philippine government agencies, and the net satisfaction score of the institution has been remarkably high since Tetangco took office in 2005. Othel V. Campos

Golden Haven to open 12 parks

DEATHCARE services provider Golden Haven Memorial Park Inc. said it is accelerating expansion plan with the opening of 12 new memorial parks annually over the next three years.

The plan is faster compared to the initial target of opening seven memorial parks annually. Golden Haven is an affiliate of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., a group led by the Villar family.

“We [Vista Land] are already in 100 cities and municipalities and we intend to have one memorial park in each of these locations eventually.

It will be easy for us since we already have the land and the organization in each site,” Golden Haven controlling shareholder Manuel Villar said.

“We already have managers in these areas and we can use the same platform to expand nationwide,” said Villar.

Light Rail Manila Corp. with P30.369 billion; Limay Premiere Power Corp., P23.299 billion; GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., P16.750 billion; Energy Development Corp., P16.750 billion; Bayog Wind Power Corp., P14.728 billion; Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Corp., P12.175 billion; El Elyon Power Plant Philippines Inc., P11.641 billion; and Alternergy Sembrano Wind Corp., P8.526 billion.

“More investments mean more jobs, ensuring economic development from the bottom of the pyramid,” he said adding that the continued growth of the investments is a testament of the country’s sound economic fun-

damentals and sustained investor confidence,” said Trade Secretary and BOI chairman Ramon Lopez.

Trade undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the increase in power investment projects augured well for the country’s goal to ensure energy security and independence.

“These investments support the Philippine Energy Plan 20102030 to search for, discover, and further develop energy sources,” Rodolfo said.

The PEP indicated that at least P3 trillion in fresh investments were needed to attain the goal.

Rodolfo said transportation projects would greatly uplift

Villar said said Golden Haven could ramp up its expansion because it was very liquid and had enough cash from recently held initial public offering and from sales of memorial lots.

Golden Haven has eight operational memorial parks and four more are in the pipeline.

“We should end 2016 with 12 to 14 and add 10 to 12 in 2017. We want to open 12 every year,” Villar said.

Golden Haven will be operating in Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, in Bulacan, Cavite, Las Piñas, Pampanga, Batangas, Bataan and Nueva Viscaya by the end of the year. Jenniffer B. Austria

Money supply, bank loans rise

LIQUIDITY or money supply in the financial system grew 12.8 percent year-on-year to P8.9 trillion in October, driven mainly by sustained demand for credit, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

The October expansion was slightly faster than the revised 12.7-percent growth registered in September.

“The expansion in M3 remains manageable and consistent with the BSP’s current outlook for inflation and economic activity,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

Domestic claims grew 16.7 percent, faster than 16.2 percent in September due largely to sustained growth in credit to the private sector. Meanwhile, net claims on the central government expanded 24.8 percent as a result of continued withdrawals by the government of its deposits with Bangko Sentral in line with continued efforts to raise fiscal spending.

Meanwhile, outstanding loans of commercial banks grew 17.7 percent in October, slightly slower than the 17.8-percent growth in September.

Loans for production activities increased 17.4 percent in October, supported by increased lending to real estate activities (20 percent); electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (24.8 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (12.2 percent); manufacturing (8.6 percent); and information and communications (40.8 percent).

Loans for household consumption rose 22.2 percent in October, led by continued growth in motor vehicle loans and salary-based general purpose loans as well as expansion in credit card loans, which offset the decline in other types of household loans.

“The BSP will continue to ensure that the expansion in domestic credit and liquidity conditions keeps pace with overall economic growth while remaining consistent with the BSP’s price and financial stability objectives,” Bangko Sentral said. Julito G. Rada

the lives of the Filipino people.

“The mass transport projects will be a big help for the commuting public. It will also improve and sustain the quality of life of the people,” he said.

The largest share of approved investments from January to November 2016 were in the power sector which accounted for P150.3 billion.

Other sectors that topped the list of investment approvals were construction projects worth P62.3 billion; real estate activities including the mass housing sub-sector with P48.9 billion; the manufacturing sector with P30.4 billion; and transportation and storage sector with P15.4 billion.

P25.75-P29.32 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, November 29, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.7770

Japan

Yen

0.008921

0.4441

UK

Pound

1.241300

61.7882

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128922

6.4174

Switzerland

Franc

0.986777

49.1188

Canada

Dollar

0.745045

37.0861

Singapore

Dollar

0.701951

34.9410

Australia

Dollar

0.747500

37.2083

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

132.0345

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266724

13.2767

Brunei

Dollar

0.699496

34.8188

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028106

1.3990

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.5536

Euro

Euro

1.060900

52.8084

Korea

Won

0.000853

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.144753

7.2054

India

Rupee

0.014583

0.7259

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224215

11.1608

New Zealand

Dollar

0.706500

35.1675

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031501

1.5680 Source: PDS Bridge

Visayan Specialties at the 2016 SikatPinoy National Trade Fair More than forty exhibitors from the Visayas will be showcasing their wares at the 2016 SikatPinoy National Trade Fair, to be held this coming December 7 to 11, at the Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

In line with the theme PilingPiling Produktong Pilipino, SMEs from Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, and Samar went through a rigorous screening process and were chosen to be part of the biggest national domestic trade fair of the year. Here’s a rundown of some of the goodies awaiting Metro Manila shoppers: From Iloilo: turmeric powder, biscocho, butterscotch, and mango empanaditas.

From Negros Occidental: coasters, trays, placemats, and serving dishes; apparel and cloth made from abaca, silk, and piña; and pandan bags and backpacks.

From Bohol: hanging lamps, wood art, laminated wood fashion accessories; coco curtains; and raffia placemats, rolls, bags, pouches.

From Cebu: Cebu chicharon, vinegar, and rosquillos; guitars and ukuleles; fashion accessories and bags; dream catchers, Christmas wreaths, chimes, trays, and various wall décor.

From BIliran: candle holders, placemats, golf hats.

From Leyte: peanut butter and fruit jam; solihiya hampers, accent shells and carabao horn décor; bags, mats, boxes, hampers, and other home décor.

From Samar: tahong crackers, bottled fermented tahong, bottled adobo; ticog mats, boxes, bags, slippers, and other fashion items.

Make your Christmas gift-giving more meaningful by supporting local SMEs from the regions. Come and do your shopping at the 2016 SikatPinoy National Trade Fair. For more information, contact the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion at telephone no. 7513223, fax no. 751-3224, or email bdtp@dti.gov.ph. Please “Like” the Facebook page www. facebook.com/sikatpinoyfairs for updates on Sikat Pinoy events.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; Jollibee climbs Shakey’s S pegs final TOCKS fell for a second day, as traders moved cautiously on worries about an Opec plan to cut oil production.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, dropped 44 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 6,781.20 Tuesday. This widened total losses this year to 2.5 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also shed 26 points, or 0.6 percent, to settle at 4,120.47, on a value turnover of P12.4 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 120 to 58, while 49 issues were unchanged.

Six of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led

by Jollibee Foods Corp. which

climbed 2.8 percent to P215.80 and DMCI Holdings Inc. which rose 2.6 percent to P13.50.

PLDT Inc. plummeted 6.4 percent to P1,266, after it agreed to cut interconnection charges with Globe Telecom.

Meanwhile, Asian shares also traded lower Tuesday. Markets worldwide have soared since Donald Trump was elected US president, on hopes his spending policies will ramp up the world’s top economy.

However, analysts said dealers were taking a breather as other issues come to the fore,

with the oil reduction plan in immediate focus.

There are increasing concerns that members of Opec will not be able to agree the details of an agreement in September to reduce output and support prices, with Iran and Iraq saying they should be exempt.

Opec members and non-members including Russia are scurrying to hammer out a deal before the group’s twice-yearly meeting on Wednesday.

The uncertainty has fed volatility on oil markets, with both main contracts diving about four percent Friday but rebounding two percent Monday. Prices were down early Tuesday.

“Whether Opec manages to make black gold instead of fools

gold from its ongoing negotiations, we expect intra-day volatility to ratchet higher again into tomorrow,” Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

And Son Jae Hyun, a global market analyst at Mirae Asset Daewoo in Seoul, added: “What we are seeing now is a tug of war among Opec members to get their share of the pie. If a deal isn’t made this time, none of them will benefit.”

There is a growing nervousness about a weekend referendum in Italy on constitutional reform. Tensions between Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the European Union have reached boiling point ahead of the poll and he has suggested he

would step down if voters reject the proposal.

There are fears his resignation could spark elections in which populist anti-euro parties could do well, and possibly even lead to the country leaving the EU. The unease hit European financials, dragging regional markets, while US investors took profits after a string of record closes for the Dow. Asian markets moved in and out of positive territory through the morning. Tokyo closed down 0.3 percent, while Hong Kong edged down 0.2 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai ended up 0.2 percent.

Sydney slipped 0.1 percent while Seoul, Singapore and Wellington were all flat.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.44 47.7 90.5 3.88 113.1 1.5 37.8 16.5 19.02 0.66 721 0.68 74 0.82 13.94 55.5 259 133 35.7 185 1,745 75.1 1.31

3.44 47.7 90.55 3.88 114.3 1.59 37.8 16.5 19.18 0.66 721 0.68 75.25 0.82 14 56.5 259 133 35.8 185 1,745 75.2 1.31

3.44 47.7 89.2 3.88 112 1.5 37.6 16.22 19 0.66 720.5 0.65 73.8 0.77 13.94 55 255 133 35.6 180.4 1,700 72 1.31

FINANCIALS 3.44 1,000 47.7 10,700 90 5,985,210 3.88 16,000 112 5,258,720 1.52 167,000 37.7 5,500 16.5 29,300 19 286,700 0.66 22,000 720.5 40 0.67 4,726,000 75 8,230,050 0.77 121,000 14 800 55.2 122,280 255 570 133 10 35.6 221,700 181.5 2,668,550 1,706 35 74.6 64,350 1.31 68,000

3,440 510,390 538,434,028 62,080 591,941,966 255,500 207,450 480,670 5,451,854 14,520 28,830 3,145,470 616,552,517.50 93,420 11,176 6,742,701.50 145,564 1,330 7,897,460 486,404,334 59,835 4,804,036 89,080

472,230 -68,014,807 12,542,418 1,857,698 -104,460 -178,079,477.50 -1,239,555 5,104 -132,390.00 -270,818,221 -34,050 1,638,165 -

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

43 4.59 0.89 1.27 23 0.187 86 11.22 17.36 23.35 22.1 59 94.95 1.94 7.23 11.98 11.02 6.46 7 5.18 1.76 21.5 67.5 12.06 15.74 5.95 1.74 209.4 76.1 3.7 29.8 25.85 14.82 265 5.28 3.42 9.12 11.32 2.08 5.7 1.39 67.5 4.95 216 4.31 2.83 4.2 0.141 1.54 172 1.8 1.07

43.2 4.68 0.92 1.29 23.7 0.187 92 11.22 17.36 23.5 22.1 59 94.95 1.96 7.35 12.04 11.3 6.48 7.1 5.2 1.76 21.85 67.5 12.06 15.74 5.95 1.75 215.8 76.1 3.75 29.8 26.4 15.36 270 5.28 3.47 9.3 11.32 2.08 5.75 1.39 67.5 5 226.8 4.41 2.83 4.2 0.141 1.55 172 1.85 1.07

42.6 4.47 0.89 1.2 22.2 0.187 86 10.64 16.5 23 19 58 90.05 1.89 7.18 11.86 10.94 6.4 6.98 4.96 1.76 21.2 66.4 12.06 15.62 5.88 1.71 209 75.5 3.7 29.55 23.9 14.82 265 5 3.22 9.12 11.3 2.07 5.7 1.39 67 4.94 216 4.31 2.81 4.2 0.141 1.52 169.1 1.77 1.05

INDUSTRIAL 42.9 4,564,800 4.47 5,416,000 0.9 708,000 1.2 5,275,000 22.2 19,400 0.187 10,000 92 120 10.64 39,914,100 17.1 1,957,100 23.35 375,300 20.5 29,300 58 3,380 93 840 1.89 883,000 7.19 250,400 12.04 22,500 11.3 3,748,600 6.48 254,500 7.1 562,900 5.09 19,906,100 1.76 11,000 21.8 566,600 66.5 135,160 12.06 600 15.64 200,200 5.9 168,600 1.74 595,000 215.8 1,394,180 75.5 800 3.75 5,000 29.8 821,200 25.7 1,265,700 15.14 926,700 265 120,450 5 6,900 3.22 16,317,000 9.3 645,300 11.3 8,600 2.07 757,000 5.75 53,300 1.39 45,000 67 946,390 4.95 399,000 226 11,890 4.41 802,000 2.81 7,000 4.2 2,000 0.141 900,000 1.52 260,000 169.9 3,774,000 1.77 2,045,000 1.05 212,000

195,852,140 24,863,040 635,910 6,434,480 437,925 1,870 10,923 426,905,666 33,485,340 8,770,445 592,344 196,290 75,989 1,696,370 1,804,274 268,224 41,979,292 1,641,860 3,961,192 100,894,209 19,360 12,304,905 9,004,548 7,236 3,130,598 993,904 1,031,560 298,407,344 60,591 18,550 24,463,655 31,162,635 14,127,838 32,050,848 35,019 53,071,950 5,962,923 97,340 1,571,940 305,975 62,550 63,519,134.50 1,989,130 2,668,622 3,521,040 19,730 8,400 126,900 399,710 641,242,208 3,667,280 223,730

-10,062,445 624,800 -3,702,060 -19,980 -64,413,496 -820,638 -874,190 -14,750 -9,700 7,230 10,277,772 125,589 -860,250 -15,110,350 -5,477,450 -3,319,923.50 -149,952 588,000 70,880,702 13,049,255 -16,113,740 4,915,842 -381,134 -4,462,850 -2,431,496.00 23,126,031 123,750 948,052 518,530 3,060 -148,400,285 -

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

0.41 73 13.1 1.15 5.85 0.305 733 8.26 13 8.1 0.183 1,179 6.32 70.45 5.12 1.69 7.78 13.38 6.41 0.038 1.15 2.43 83.5 623 1.18 239.6 0.285 0.192 0.265

0.42 75 13.1 1.15 5.95 0.32 733 8.46 13.7 8.1 0.195 1,179 6.32 70.45 5.12 1.7 7.78 13.4 6.46 0.038 1.15 2.43 85 631.5 1.18 240 0.315 0.192 0.275

0.395 73 12.6 1.15 5.85 0.305 720 8.26 13 8.04 0.183 1,123 5.8 68 4.95 1.57 7.65 13.06 6.2 0.037 1.15 2.43 82.95 621 1.17 238.8 0.285 0.182 0.265

HOLDING FIRMS 0.395 9,170,000 73.25 5,510,770 13 11,836,000 1.15 4,000 5.95 7,100 0.305 600,000 726 489,710 8.46 1,656,900 13.5 21,006,500 8.09 157,300 0.195 440,000 1,159 230,805 6.3 10,300 68.25 4,584,160 5 2,603,100 1.6 20,865,000 7.78 1,101,000 13.1 5,179,200 6.2 45,907,600 0.038 6,100,000 1.15 50,000 2.43 4,000 84 410,160 624 965,010 1.17 171,000 240 7,280 0.295 910,000 0.182 220,000 0.265 840,000

3,706,150 405,524,360 153,128,940 4,600 41,720 183,300 355,366,380 13,999,206 283,792,528 1,267,175 83,680 265,545,485 60,685 313,173,154 12,887,920 33,669,430 8,562,119 67,840,030 286,932,934 231,200 57,500 9,720 34,488,487 602,656,945 200,290 1,746,424 270,050 41,040 227,300

-22,413,647.50 1,741,796 -26,125,760 1,150,401 69,629,906 -717,255 -11,094,835 -2,454,566.00 -1,633,920 -1,702,557 4,220,862 -113,748,575 3,800,365 -354,268,230 294,990 26,750

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

7 1.07 2.06 0.325 32.6 3.06 5.14 0.56 1.17 1.37 0.156 0.54 46 0.76 1.73 0.96 1.17 3.8 0.139 0.26 3.16 33

7.05 1.11 2.1 0.33 32.9 3.07 5.14 0.56 1.31 1.59 0.157 0.54 46.5 0.76 1.73 0.96 1.18 3.81 0.139 0.265 3.2 33

6.97 1.06 2.01 0.325 31.85 2.88 5.14 0.53 1.12 1.28 0.156 0.52 43.4 0.73 1.72 0.94 1.12 3.65 0.13 0.26 3.1 33

2,642,708 628,350 654,620 782,700 594,186,895 153,995,710 71,446 13,378,950 2,293,890 19,091,270 213,140 2,007,090 80,121,240 88,500 22,473,670 1,089,340 1,096,320 175,383,840 2,115,160 15,750 803,260 13,200

-639,612 -87,750 55,355,805 -73,615,330 -4,099,120 -2,320 -446,250 2,650 25,191,235 -6,208,280 -22,476,300 93,600 -

-

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

26.55 1.5 26.5 1.04 0.9 5.19

26.55 1.53 26.7 1.26 0.92 5.19

25.4 1.5 26.2 1.04 0.9 5

25.75 1.5 26.5 1.18 0.9 5

3,470,800 5,000 16,875,300 86,345,000 48,000 3,429,100

89,366,665 7,530 446,692,935 101,229,900 44,090 17,254,898

-11,271,055 1,530 -55,260,455 1,642,500.00 -10,592,768

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A IMPERIAL B INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MANILA JOCKEY MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING 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 WATERFRONT

7.5 45.1 1.47 0.53 0.041 5.01 6.22 0.067 2.85 101.5 9.94 6.88 954 1,432 6.15 14.48 2.06 17.58 125 72.15 0.0098 9.1 0.184 1.36 3.31 13.4 5.8 2.05 4.08 3.6 17 2.22 11.2 5.07 140 14.4 1,342 1.14 0.44 39.1 72.6 5.1 2.53 0.94 3.1 0.35

7.64 45.2 1.73 0.55 0.042 5.33 6.5 0.071 2.9 102.8 9.94 6.88 954 1,460 6.18 14.48 2.1 17.58 127 73.75 0.0098 9.11 0.184 1.36 3.31 13.8 5.91 2.05 4.1 3.6 18.4 2.35 11.2 5.07 140 14.4 1,342 1.15 0.44 39.4 72.6 5.27 2.55 0.94 3.14 0.36

7.5 44.7 1.47 0.53 0.04 5 6.22 0.067 2.75 101.5 9.94 6.67 953.5 1,414 6.15 14.32 2.04 15 125 71.55 0.0093 9.1 0.179 1.31 3.31 12.62 5.51 2.01 4.03 3.54 17 2.2 11.2 4.9 135.3 13 1,266 1.13 0.425 38.95 72 5.1 2.5 0.9 3.1 0.35

SERVICES 7.51 44.7 1.59 0.53 0.04 5.33 6.38 0.071 2.79 101.6 9.94 6.67 954 1,460 6.16 14.32 2.05 15.26 125 72.2 0.0097 9.11 0.179 1.31 3.31 12.74 5.53 2.01 4.1 3.57 18.4 2.31 11.2 4.9 140 13.22 1,266 1.15 0.43 39.05 72.25 5.11 2.54 0.93 3.11 0.36

38,500 196,300 4,693,000 337,000 39,400,000 2,100 4,759,300 37,440,000 10,096,000 62,550 500 88,900 570 152,075 68,800 49,700 2,477,000 55,000 140 4,040,220 25,000,000 460,000 5,630,000 310,000 1,000 33,800 3,606,600 134,000 2,532,000 360,000 300 2,734,000 1,300 56,100 530 4,647,300 1,590,370 9,061,000 3,710,000 307,600 124,470 56,900 491,000 7,533,000 248,000 460,000

288,826 8,834,475 7,706,950 179,210 1,606,600 10,543 30,333,190 2,552,030 28,432,980 6,359,930 4,970 599,396 543,775 219,657,285 423,592 714,962 5,134,010 860,486 17,520 292,047,892 239,600 4,190,500 1,013,130 410,800 3,310 447,452 20,423,700 273,900 10,339,860 1,287,550 5,380 6,283,640 14,560 278,236 72,978 62,754,282 2,020,858,840 10,380,750 1,590,150 12,007,720 9,013,745 292,065 1,232,760 6,921,930 774,170 164,550

-280,740 -29,200 5,010 -10,548,577 -202,160 -139,430 253,173 -26,800 41,009,275 1,432 -80,062,264 52,200 -442,633 -1,231,480 -153,420 -11,300.00 9,000 14,000 -815,398 -121,026,195 2,395,450.00 -4,400 -7,705,450 -1,027,479.00 5,621 670,000 3,041,090 -35,000

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

0.0035 2.81 5.4 2.2 0.55 0.41 12.88 3.8 0.28 0.197 0.2 0.012 0.012 2.02 8.6 3.35 1.37 0.011 0.011 3.96 0.012 8.24 3.69 132 2.9 0.0087

0.0035 2.95 5.4 2.3 0.55 0.44 13.5 3.85 0.28 0.197 0.2 0.013 0.012 2.12 8.6 3.38 1.38 0.011 0.011 3.96 0.012 8.28 3.7 134 2.9 0.0087

0.0034 2.81 5.29 2.2 0.53 0.41 12.72 3.63 0.275 0.191 0.196 0.012 0.012 2.02 8.26 3.25 1.24 0.011 0.011 3.96 0.012 8.21 3.59 131 2.89 0.0084

MINING & OIL 0.0034 353,000,000 2.92 111,000 5.3 1,065,600 2.3 19,000 0.53 712,000 0.435 6,410,000 12.78 115,600 3.63 16,337,000 0.28 160,000 0.191 15,030,000 0.197 70,000 0.012 12,100,000 0.012 400,000 2.05 2,073,000 8.26 2,172,300 3.27 482,000 1.24 2,539,000 0.011 2,400,000 0.011 1,000,000 3.96 3,000 0.012 32,300,000 8.28 230,700 3.69 2,181,000 131 450,790 2.89 27,000 0.0084 26,000,000

1,201,200 319,990 5,663,974 41,900 381,630 2,736,350 1,491,618 59,990,780 44,750 2,897,350 13,890 145,500 4,800 4,278,300 18,136,082 1,573,060 3,265,300 26,400 11,000 11,880 387,600 1,903,647 7,923,860 59,702,447 78,160 221,700

8,690 -1,596,550 8,800 193,200 7,259,400 24,700 521,965 227,500 230,400 -573,740 3,516,820 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

44.6 544.5 533 104 5.86 1,020 1,022 1,160 1,032 77.95 81 77.6 78 79.75 79.5 77.55 77.9

44.6 544.5 533 104 5.88 1,020 1,022 1,160 1,036 78 81 77.6 78 79.75 79.5 77.6 78

44.3 544 533 104 5.86 1,020 1,020 1,160 1,032 77.95 80.6 77.6 78 79.5 79.5 77.55 77.9

PREFERRED 44.3 218,300 544.5 6,800 533 1,200 104 5,290 5.86 12,000 1,020 26,990 1,020 8,195 1,160 1,000 1,036 7,030 78 5,600 80.6 61,850 77.6 13,000 78 1,000 79.5 17,500 79.5 9,970 77.6 5,000 78 20,380

9,696,620 3,700,515 639,600 550,160 70,470 27,529,800 8,365,670 1,160,000 7,282,630 436,650 5,007,450 1,008,800 78,000 1,392,625 792,615 387,900 1,588,632

-8,312,970 93,220 438,625 -

LR WARRANT

2.8

2.8

2.51

WARRANTS 2.53 1,711,000

4,503,160

-77,570

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

2.51 3.35 2.82 9.73

2.51 3.58 2.82 9.8

2.4 3.35 2.81 9.51

2.43 3.4 2.81 9.7

2,872,670 793,910 517,530 10,130,583

-392,970 49,550 5,163,873

FIRST METRO ETF

113

113.1

112.9

314,137

-7,910

MS

PROPERTY 7 1.07 2.09 0.325 32.9 2.88 5.14 0.53 1.12 1.4 0.157 0.53 44 0.73 1.73 0.95 1.13 3.68 0.132 0.26 3.19 33

377,400 582,000 320,000 2,400,000 18,119,000 53,003,000 13,900 24,993,000 1,885,000 13,108,000 1,360,000 3,784,000 1,810,000 118,000 12,992,000 1,147,000 955,000 47,242,000 15,830,000 60,000 255,000 400

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

28,922,459

INDUSTRIAL

136,700,943

HOLDING FIRMS

141,563,715

PROPERTY

310,553,451

SERVICES

176,348,607

MINING & OIL

477,560,450

GRAND TOTAL

1,274,299,905

SME

1,183,000 230,000 184,000 1,049,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112.9 2,780

VALUE 1,662.2 (up) 2.11 2,330,864,573.09 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,918.26 (up) 20.49 2,388,563,086.91 HOLDING FIRMS 6,856.23 (down) -71.56 2,920,968,389.275 PROPERTY 3,038.51 (down) -11.7 SERVICES 1,273.04 (down) -33.94 1,728,416,792.44 MINING & OIL 12,081.66 (down) -94.82 2,832,945,359.31 PSEI 6,781.2 (down) -44.2 172,510,475.415 All Shares Index 4,120.47 (down) -26.45 12,388,901,444.335 Gainers:58 Losers: 120; Unchanged: 49; Total: 227

IPO price at P11.26

By Jenniffer B. Austria RESTAURANT chain operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. set the final offer price for its planned initial public offering at P11.26 per share.

The final offer price is at the high-end of the reported indicative price range of P10.20 to P11.26, which the conpany set prior to the book building process.

At P11.26 per share, SPAVI will raise up to P3.96 billion in proceeds from the sale of 351.9 million common shares.

Under the plan, SPAVI will sell 104 million primary shares and 202 million secondary shares held by Arran Investments Private Limited, a unit of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC. Another 45.9 million shares will cover over allotment option.

Offer period will be from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8 while listing date was tentatively set on Dec 15.

Deutsche Bank AG was appointed sole global coordinator and bookrunner for the deal, with BDO Capital and Investment Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. as joint lead managers and underwriters.

At least 70 percent of the offer shares will be sold to overseas investors while the remaining 30 percent will be set aside for local investors.

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

EastWest takes over retail unit of SCB

By Julito G. Rada STANDARD Chartered Bank Philippines said it completed over the weekend the migration of its retail banking business to East West Banking Corp., a move seen to further enhance the growth of the latter’s retail and consumer banking business.

Transfer included credit cards, personal loans, wealth management and retail deposits.

The banks said in a joint statement the retail business transfer was aligned with Standard Chartered Bank’s global strategy to focus on retail markets where it had scale.

The two banks which announced the agreement in May said they had worked closely to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for the clients and staff.

“Our corporate and institutional banking business in the Philippines has built a strong track record as a leader in providing clientcentered value propositions that are innovative and transformative. Over the recent years, the business has seen sustained growth in securing mandates for capital markets, corporate finance and transaction banking segments,” SCB Philippines chief executive and head of global banking Philippines Lynette Ortiz said in a statement.

Business Finance says auto tax to ease city traffic

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Finance Department on Tuesday said the proposal to impose an automotive excise tax aims to help ease traffic in the Philippines as well as generate revenues for the government.

It said it was pushing for the restructuring of the excise tax on vehicles to partly ensure the financial sustainability of the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda on inclusive growth and deal with the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila and other highly congested urban centers.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the implementation of the vehicle tax increase could begin in 2018, giving the Duterte administration enough time to start fixing the problems plaguing the country’s rail transit system.

A higher tax will encourage people to use mass transport rather than using private cars.

“If this thing is going to pass, it will probably be effective in 2018. So we have a year to fix it. So there, that’s the reason. By the way, we are not imposing this merely to make life hard for people. We are imposing this to finance [our] infrastructure needs,” said Dominguez.

Dominguez said the progressive tax on automobiles would discourage the purchase of new cars, which, in turn, ease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution.

“What’s the point of buying a new car and not moving in the streets? That point of the matter is we want to direct the people to go to public transport, and we are making big investments in public transport, particularly the bus rapid transit system, and we’re fixing up the trains, whose maintenance has been neglected over the years,” Dominguez said.

B3

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

S&P: ’17 growth to hit 6.7% T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Philippine economy has the potential to grow higher next year and continue outperforming its peers in the region despite the expected adverse effects of the policy of US-elect President Donald Trump to most economies in the world, global debt watchdog S&P Global Ratings said in a report Tuesday.

S&P expects the Philippine economy next year to grow to as high as 6.7 percent, higher than its previous forecast of 6.3 percent. The growth projection is higher than Indonesia’s 5.7 percent, Malaysia’s 4.8 percent, Singapore’s 2.9 percent and Thailand’s 4.1 percent.

In 2018, S&P projected the Philippines’ potential growth to remain at 6.7 percent, still outperforming Indonesia’s 5.9 percent, Malaysia’s 4.9 percent, Singapore’s 2.5 percent and Thailand’s 3.9 percent.

“The Southeast Asian economies are seeing stable growth with the Philippines

outperforming the region, given its growing middle class, a business process outsourcing boom, and expansionary fiscal policy with emphasis on public infrastructure,” S&P said.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Philippines could withstand the adverse effects of protectionist policy of Trump because the Philippines was beginning not to rely too much on the western economies, particularly the United States.

Trump said during the campaign period that US immigration policies might be tightened and outsourcing activities could be reduced in a bid to bring back jobs to the US. Last week, British bank Standard

Chartered said the Philippine economic growth outlook remained rosy due to robust domestic demand, higher infrastructure investment and services sector providing the needed support for a sustained growth.

The bank said the Philippines could grow by 6.8 percent this year and 6.7 percent in 2017.

The Philippines economy in the first three quarters of 2016 expanded 7 percent, which is the upper bound of the Duterte administration’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent.

The economy grew 5.9 percent in 2015, missing the official target range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent but remained one of the fastest in the region.

Transco asks govt for higher FIT rate

By Alena Mae S. Flores

WORLD AIDS DAY. Dr. Randeep Gill Disease (from left), management progress leader of Johnson and Johnson Global Pacific Health; Dr. Kate Leyritana, medical director for sustained health initiatives of the Philippines; Renier Louie Bora, HIV counsellor; and Dr. Erwin Benedicto, senior scientific affairs compliance manager of Johnson and Johnson (Philippines) Inc. give the thumbs up during the HIV management application launch in the Philippines and the World AIDS Day Celebration on November 29, in Dusit Thani Hotel Makati. Sonny Espiritu

Manila Water connections topped 1m at the end of Q3

Artistic or in bad taste?

IF you haven’t heard of Tatiana Navka, chances are, you will soon be seeing or reading more of her in social media. The 41-year-old Olympic skating champion, who is married to Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, and her dancing partner Andrei Burkovsky have created quite a firestorm with their iceskating dance routine for an episode of “Ice Age,” a Russian TV show.

Navka and Burkovsky (a theater actor) were dressed in gray-striped uniforms with the yellow six-pointed Star of David patched on them. Both dancers were made up to look emaciated and bruised–-and there was no mistaking the reference to prisoners of the Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Looking forlorn, the dancers start the routine by staring at each other before they suddenly break into huge grins on their faces and prance around the rink and pantomime taking out something (although it also seemed as if they were trying to plant a tree) and playing around with one can only suppose is an imaginary child.

A dead giveaway that the performance has been based on the 1997 Italian film “Life is Beautiful” starring Roberto Benigni is the accompanying music—the theme song from the said film with the voice of Israeli singer Achinoam “Noa” Nini soaring beautifully. Those familiar with the Italian film set in 1939 would know that it features a man who makes his son think that their interment in a Nazi concentration camp is just a game, telling him to obey orders to earn points and win the final prize—which is a tank.

The skating duo’s performance ends with bright lights suddenly illuminating the man, followed by a burst of machine gun fire with the light fading, leaving the woman looking shocked and stricken, and carrying something which again we suppose is an imaginary child.

While the judges gave the pair perfect scores for their routine, it earned condem-

nation on social media because many think it trivialized the Holocaust—a period that continues to be painful to the people of Israel. Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev blasted it, saying Holocaust themes are not for dance, not for parties or reality TV, adding that “not one of the six million danced and a concentration camp is not a summer camp.”

Navka defended her routine, saying it was actually done to make people remember the horrors of the concentration camp. Ironically, the dance was choreographed by a Jew himself, 2002 Olympics silver medalist Ilya Averbukh. who also happens to be the producer of the TV show Ice Age. Some were impressed by the routine, saying it brought tears to their eyes, looking at it as a refreshing way to commemorate the Holocaust and its victims.

There were more criticisms, however, saying it is an atrocity to celebrate a period of atrocity, pointing out that the painful period is real, not just a dance routine on reality TV. One Instagram user even called Navka “very sick,” adding that “6 million are dead. It’s not art, it’s very sick. U should apologize.”

We are just curious though why Navka was getting more condemnation than her partner. Perhaps because she is the wife of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson? But for many, the more interesting question however is when artistry ceases to be artistic, and if there should be a limit to creative license. We’re no experts, but as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so perhaps this also applies to dancing.

We leave it to you to decide.

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

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales MANILA Water Company Inc., a unit of Ayala Corp., said Tuesday water service connections in its service area has reached over one million.

Manila Water corporate strategic affairs group head Jeric Sevilla Jr. said the company now manages 1,001,076 water service connections as of the third quarter of 2016.

It said 24,755 new water service connections in the first three quarters of the year were installed, consisting of 24,101 domestic and 654 commercial and industrial connections.

Sevilla said Manila Water in September installed 2,873 new connections, including 2,813 residential customers and 60 commercial and industrial customers.

Manila Water expects additional water service connections both for residential and commercial and or

industrial customers in the coming years, especially in the towns of Rizal province where most of the expansion programs are concentrated.

“The company has been steadfast in its commitment to ensure access to piped water supply in its concession area,” Sevilla said.

8Manila Water serves more than 6.3 million customers in the eastern portion of Metro Manila that covers 23 cities and municipalities including Makati, Marikina, Pateros, Taguig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, parts of Quezon City and Manila and the province of Rizal.

Manila Water earlier said net income in the first nine months of the 2016 rose 6 percent to P4.9 billion from P4.6 billion year-on-year on higher billed volume.

The East zone concessionaire said revenues increased 5 percent to P13.3 billion from P12.7 billion.

NATIONAL Transmission Corp. will file on Thursday an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission for a feed-in tariff allowance, or the per kilowatt-hour rate charged to consumers for the use of renewable energy, amounting to P0.2291 per kilowatt-hour starting 2017.

TransCo is currently collecting P0.1240 per kWh from consumers under the FIT-Allowance line item in the power bills. The rate will be increased to P0.2291 per kWh, if approved by ERC. The amount represents payment to eligible renewable energy developers totaling P16.488 billion, including under-recoveries in 2016.

TransCo also asked ERC to make the approval of the rate permanent, “or in the alternative, such other amount as may be found by the Commission to be consistent with the FIT-All guidelines and on the basis of new and updated information not... available to the applicant at the time of the present application.”

TransCo mainly used the most updated list of renewable energy projects that are projected to be eligible in the feed-in tariff system from 2014 to 2018 as provided by the Energy Department.

TransCo also tapped its own database containing historical information and the available submission of the developers on actual or forecast generation.

The state-owned firm added the department’s list provided the best estimate of the timing of the renewable energy plants but it did not give preemptive right to the identified projects to be counted under the final feed-in tariff eligible projects, not does it limit the payment to them.

The company limited the determination of the 2017 FITAll rate to include eligible capacities up to the installation targets set by the department, namely 500 megawatts for solar, 400 MW for wind, 250 MW for hydro and 250 MW for biomass.

FEEDER SERVICE. M/V Max Carrier makes its first call to Batumi International Container Terminal in Batumi, Georgia,

marking the launch of the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Gioia – Ukraine and Georgia feeder service. The new service features fast connections between the Port of Batumi and the ports in Gioia Tauro, Italy; Burgas, Bulgaria; and Ilichevsk and Odessa in Ukraine. MSC’s feeder service also links ports in SAEC, SAWC, the US, the East Mediterranean, Thyrennian and other ports South of the Suez Canal. BICT expects the service will be more efficient with the completion in 2017 of new highways that will connect main cities via the shortest possible routes.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

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Business

Mobile use spurs shopping season SAN FRANCISCO―Americans are turning to their mobile devices for deals to kick off the holiday shopping season, with retail trends increasingly upended by ever-present smartphones.

According to Adobe Digital Insights, the four-day Thanksgiving Day weekend that normally marks the start of the holiday season saw online sales of $36.5 billion, up seven percent from last year―more than a third of that coming from mobile devices.

The latest figures showed the diminishing importance of events such as “Black Friday,” the blockbuster sales day following the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, and “Cyber Monday,” a tradition dating back to days when consumers waited to use their office highspeed connections for online purchases.

Data released earlier by the National Retail Federation showed relatively flat total retail sales for Black Friday, noting that 44 percent shopped online, compared to 40 percent who went in stores.

Plenty of bargain-hunters took a break from Thanksgiving festivities on Thursday to shop―with online sales totaling $1.93 billion, and 40 percent of the total on tablets or smartphones ($771 million), according to Adobe.

Data from IBM, meanwhile, showed US holiday retail trends catching on globally.

IBM said global retailers saw a 24 percent increase in online sales as the weekend kicked off, with a major British retailer reporting 2,100 hits per second in the early hours of Black Friday.

“It is clear, online shopping during the US holiday period has become a global phenomenon,” said Harriet Green, general manager at IBM Commerce, which manages systems for retailers.

IBM said pre-holiday online shopping was up 10 percent over 2015, and that this momentum likely pointed to similar gains for the early season. AFP

NEW TRAIN. (From left) Minister for Mobility and Transport Francois Bellot, Marketing and Sales General Director of SNCB Bart De Groote, Chair of the Management Board of DB Fernverkehr AG Birgit Bohle, CEO of DB Fernverkehr and Brussels alderman Alain Courtois, attend the launching of a new offer of high speed train between Brussels and Frankfurt by NMBS-SNCB Belgian railway company, on November 28, 2016 in Brussels. AFP

Opec split; Russia not attending crucial talks O PEC officials failed to bridge their differences on an agreement to cut production and revive oil prices, while Russia said it’s not planning to attend crucial talks on Wednesday.

With just one day left before ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet to finalize the first decline in production in eight years, the foundations for a deal were looking increasingly shaky on Tuesday.

After a 10-hour meeting on Monday, Iraq and Iran continued to express objections, according to an Opec delegate who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the negotiations. The result: Opec officials agreed to refer the matter to ministers for further consideration. A proposed deal would trim production by 1.2 million barrels a day from October levels, though it remains unclear whether the idea has the support needed for

approval, the delegate said.

Benchmark Brent crude fell as much as 1.2 percent to $47.68 a barrel in London, after touching $48.81 on Monday.

Inside the meeting, countries fought to the very last barrel. Iran suggested a deal whereby it freezes production at 3.975 million barrels a day, or about 200,000 barrels a day above its current output, according to two Opec delegates with knowledge of the talks. Saudi Arabia countered with a proposal for Iran to cap output at 3.707 million barrels a day, roughly its current level.

In an attempt to break the impasse, Algeria, which is acting as a go-between in the talks, offered an alternative that would see Iran freezing at 3.795 million barrels a day, the delegates said. It’s unclear if any of those proposals would gather any support when ministers meet on Wednesday in Vienna.

As Opec tries to resolve its own differences, the group is also asking other big producers including Russia to reduce output by as much as 600,000 barrels a day.

The Kremlin so far has resisted requests that it join the cut, offering instead to freeze production at current levels. Energy Minister

Alexander Novak said Tuesday that he has no plans to visit Vienna on Wednesday, but that Russia is ready to talk with Opec once the group reaches an internal consensus.

Russian resistance to reducing supply was a factor that forced the cancellation of planned discussions on Monday with nonOpec suppliers. Last week, Saudi Arabia pulled out of the meeting, arguing that Opec needs to sort out its internal divisions before engaging with other producers.

On Sunday, Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi oil minister, for the first time floated the possibility of leaving Vienna without an agreement. It’s unclear whether the minister changed his mind about the deal’s merits, or is trying to boost his negotiating position with Iran and Iraq.

“Saudi Arabia and Iran are all playing very strong negotiation tactics,” said Abhishek Deshpande, chief energy analyst at Natixis SA. “The problem for Saudi Arabia is that this isn’t the 1980s and 1990s, when it could use its clout and expect others to follow.

Today members like Iran and Iraq are equally strong and their agenda is to ensure they get a large market share.” Bloomberg

Europol shutters over 4,500 websites THE HAGUE, Netherlands― In a massive crackdown, police and law enforcement agencies across Europe have seized more than 4,500 website domains trading in counterfeit goods, often via social networks, officials said on Monday.

The operation came as Europol, Europe’s police agency, unveiled its newest campaign dubbed “Don’t F***(AKE) Up” to stop scam websites selling fake brand names online.

“The internet has become an essential channel for e-commerce. Its instant global reach and anonymity make it possible to sell nearly anything to anyone at any time,” Europol said.

“Counterfeiters know it and are increasingly exploiting the unlimited opportunities” the internet offers.

But Europol warned that “despite these products looking like a bargain, they can pose serious risks to the health and safety of buyers.”

In the crackdown, agencies from 27 countries mostly in Europe but including from the US and Canada, joined forces to shut down over 4,500 websites.

They were selling everything from “luxury goods, sportswear, spare parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and other fake products,” Europol said in a statement, without saying how long the crackdown took.

An annual operation run in collaboration with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security, there was “a significant increase in the number of seized domain names compared to last year,” said Europol director Rob Wainwright.

As part of the crackdown, Dutch anti-fraud police arrested 12 people across The Netherlands over the past two weeks as they searched homes and warehouses.

Most of the raids were prompted by online sales of counterfeit goods on social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram.

“This is a relatively new phenomenon in the trade in counterfeit brand names,” the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) said in a statement.

More than 3,500 items of clothing and fake luxury goods were seized in Holland, including shoes, bags and perfumes purporting to be such brands as Nike, Adidas, and Kenzo, with a market value of tens of thousands euros. AFP

Electricity, water and heat a luxury for millions in Spain

By Daniel Bosque BARCELONA, Spain―Pedro and Mohamed await every utility bill with much angst.

To reduce the money they have to pay, they live in the dark, without heating, or shower just once a week― victims like millions in Spain of energy poverty.

Welfare associations have for years warned against this situation, but the death earlier this month of 81-year-old Rosa in a fire caused by a candle she used for light has brought the issue firmly to the fore.

Socialist lawmaker Pilar Lucio asked the ruling conservative government to immediately implement a “winter truce” on companies cutting power to those who cannot pay―a measure with majority support in parliament and encouraged in a 2009 EU directive.

Last year, according to Spain’s National Statistics Institute, 10.6 percent of Spaniards were unable to properly heat their homes―or more than four million people – compared to just 5.9 percent in 2008, when an economic crisis kicked off.

At fault are the economic crisis and widespread loss of jobs it caused, as well as a 30- to 50-percent rise in utility prices since 2006.

‘Luxury items’ Pedro Martinez, 48, has been in this situation for several years.

Unemployed since 2013, when the furniture company he was working for closed, he survives on a pension of 426 euros ($450) a month, and what remains of the compensation he received for being fired.

Divorced, he lives with his 20-year-old son and 23-yearold mentally impaired daughter in a working-class district of Barcelona, without heating and using electric light only when absolutely necessary.

“It’s tough in winter. We just have an electric heater, which we rarely switch on for fear of the bill,” he says.

“The cold chills you to the bone. We wear coats and at night we use all the blankets we have.”

Tere Bermudez, spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic charity Caritas, says that “for many families, water, light and gas are luxury items.”

She says that from 2007 to 2015, the organization multiplied by 30 the number of utility bills it helped pay.

One of its beneficiaries is Mohamed Chairi, a 37-year-old Moroccan.

Unemployed, his family lives off the monthly 250 euros from his wife’s cleaning work as well as help from charities.

Mohamed Chairi shows his electricity bill from the Spanish energy giant Endesa during an interview with AFP at his home in Badalona on November 21, 2016. To live almost in the dark, to do without heating or to have a shower once a week are some of the remedies that Mohamed Chairi must use to be able to pay his bills, a victim, like millions in Spain, of the ‘energetic poverty.’ AFP

“We shower once a week, on Fridays, so that the kids are clean at the weekend,” the father-ofthree says.

In the corner of the living room of his small flat in Badalona near Barcelona, his youngest son plays with a broken electric radiator.

Chairi has just received his

electricity bill―24 euros for the month, a small sum for Spain but huge for him.

“The rent alone is 440 euros,” he says.

“If I have to suffer from hunger or go without light or water, I don’t care, but the kids...”

Burning canvas shoes According to the European

Commission, Spain’s gas and electricity prices were the third and fourth highest respectively in the European Union last year.

“We are above the European average (in terms of fuel poverty) despite having much better weather,” says Jose Luis Lopez, spokesman for the Association of Environmental

Science.

There is no nationwide law on the issue, but several regions have implemented measures to try and address it.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, for instance, a law stipulates that utility companies must notify social services before cutting electricity or gas, and if the family or person struggling to pay is classified as vulnerable, they are banned from doing so.

But the law is not always respected, as was the case for Rosa, with utility firm Gas Natural acknowledging it had not contacted social services.

Lopez estimates that some 7,100 people die every year due to fuel poverty.

Firefighters in Catalonia have also warned of the security risks involved.

“We have come across people heating themselves with small fires made from newspapers or even canvas shoes,” said union spokesman Antonio del Rio. Spain may be emerging from the crisis, but at least 600,000 households saw their electricity supply cut off last year, according to the Facua consumer association.

“There’s a lot of talk about recovery, but on the street you don’t see it anywhere,” said Pedro Martinez. AFP

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CITY ALIGHT. Fireworks, a colored

fountain and a 15-meter-tall Christmas tree light up the night in Valenzuela City on Monday night as Mayor Rex Gatchalian led city officials in the annual ‘Tree of Hope’ program at the City People’s Park in Barangay Karuhatan to usher in their holiday celebrations. Jun David

Repacked meds being handed out in Makati T

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE city government of Makati on Tuesday cautioned the public on the possible health risks of taking the repacked and unlabeled medicines and vitamins being distributed to city residents for free.

Makati Health Department head Bernard Sese also sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration director general Nela Charade Puno asking the agency to look into the matter.

“I am concerned that the distribution of unlabeled and repacked drugs can pose serious health risks and potentially fatal complications to Makati residents, especially the elderly who are on maintenance drugs,” Sese said.

The drugs were packed in transparent plastic bags that are sealed only with staple wire, Sese noted. He also sent the FDA chief samples of the

packets received by residents for possible laboratory testing.

Based on the samples, the packaging of the drugs “apparently do not conform to standards prescribed by law,” referring to Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, Sese said.

“The medicines being distributed for free to our residents are not properly labeled. The packaging does not state the brand name or generic name of the contents, the quantity in terms of weight, measure or numerical count, and the ex-

piration date,” he said.

Sese also raised concerns that the drugs may have been contaminated while being repacked.

“If the drugs were removed from the original packaging and repacked manually, these could have been exposed to contaminants and are, therefore, unsafe for anybody who takes them,” he said.

He also sent the FDA chief some copies of photos of the actual distribution of drugs in certain barangays that was monitored by the Makati Action Center in barangays Carmona and Kasilawan in the first district.

Some residents there also mentioned a popular vitamin brand manufactured in the United States among the drugs being distributed.

Previously, the FDA had issued a public warning against three products of the said vitamin brand for being unregistered locally.

Erap targeting illegal terminal coddlers too

By Sandy Araneta A DAY after firing the city’s entire traffic enforcer force, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Tuesday said he will soon go after barangay officials who are protecting the operation of illegal transport terminals in their jurisdiction.

Estrada promised this as he asked Manileños for more patience as the city government “is doing everything it can” to improve the traffic situation in the city.

“They will be our next target,” Estrada said, referring to the alleged corrupt barangay officials. “All will be sacked.”

“We’re doing it gradually, so do not worry,” the mayor added after ordering the mass resignation of 690 traffic enforcers under the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau owing to various citizen complaints of extortion and illegal activities.

Estrada said he is aware that some barangay officials, and even a few policemen, tolerate illegal terminals be-

cause they benefit from it.

This is also the reason he is asking the help of legitimate transport organizations such as the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association and the Pasang Masda to monitor illegal traffic activities and fix traffic jams in Manila.

“Our campaign to rid those trafficcausing illegal terminals will be useless unless we cut off the head of those protecting them, in the barangays and the police,” Estrada pointed out. “We will clean these all up.”

Asked when the Manileños will feel the effect of his intensified traffic measures, Estrada replied: “As soon as possible.”

A new batch of traffic enforcers will be recruited and trained by the Manila Police District and will be fielded in the city streets by January, the mayor said.

At present, the MPD’s 244-strong Traffic Enforcement Unit has taken over traffic management operations from the temporarily deactivated MTPB.

Blanco stages successful solo exhibit at UPOU Davao on high alert vs bombs THE works of Jose Glenn Blanco were recently featured in a solo art exhibit titled “Paglalayag sa Kulay ng Buhay” at the Galeria Sinag, UPOU Community Hub, Los Baños, Laguna.

The UP Open University Cultural Community presented the exhibit, which was opened to the public.

Blanco is the eldest of seven siblings of the family of artists from Angono, Rizal. Their art is known for folk realism that portrays the so-called Tagalog Pastorale.

Blanco’s works became noted for their realistic and detailed portrayal of the local flora, which evokes the tranquility of nature.

They are also products of his fascination over the rural life and social rituals of Angono.

Blanco’s works are classified into three thematic areas—landscapes, rural life and social rituals.

Blanco has been part of his family exhibits in Beijing, China (1986), Singapore (1990), San Francisco (1991), Seville in Spain (1992), and New York in 1999 and 2005. In 2012, he held his first solo exhibit at SM Taytay.

He was awarded as the Outstanding Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas, College of Arts and Letters in 2013 and the TOTAL 2014 Award, The highest award given to alumni of UST for his contribution to Philippine art.

He was also awarded Angono’s Sanguniang Bayan Award 2016 for his artistic excellence, and is one of 12 Filipino artists whose works were featured in Art Dialogo held in Malaysia in July this year.

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

This painting, titled ‘Mangyan Family,’ by Jose Glenn Blanco was one of several featured in his recent solo exhibit titled ‘Paglalayag sa Kulay ng Buhay’ at the UP Los Baños campus in Laguna.

Docs on Masbate road project kept from press

By Manilyn B. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways in Bicol has ordered the restriction of documents of the long overdue controversial P444-million Masbate road contract, which remains unfinished since it was first awarded in 2010.

Journalists here tried to obtain a copy of the contract agreement for the road

project as early as September through the legal office, but DPWH legal officer Oliver Rodulfo said the documents are restricted at the construction division under Godofredo Beltran, on order of regional director Reynaldo Tagudando.

Tagudando, who has a very strict policy against the local media, could not be reached for comment. He would not answer calls and text messages from journalists, allegedly because of a bad encounter with Manila-based media

during his stint as regional director of the National Capital Region.

Tagudando also faces charges before the office of the Ombudsman over alleged anomalous bidding and promotion of personnel. Rodulfo filed the case against the director, and even appealed to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to fire Tagudando outright.

Bicol Reporters Association president Salvador Flor slammed Tagudando’s treatment of the local media and for

restricting access to the contract agreement on the P444-million road project, in defiance of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Freedom of Information Executive Order.

According to documents obtained by local reporters, Rodulfo wrote Tagudando on October 12 requesting certain documents about the Masbate road project, such as the approved extension of works and accomplishment reports as of September 30.

DAVAO CITY—Police here have intensified their intelligence monitoring in coordination with other security forces outside the city after their counterparts in Manila detonated a bomb outside the US Embassy on Monday.

Sr. Supt. Valeriano De Leon, Police Regional Office 11 Deputy Regional Director for Operation and Commander of the Special Investigation Task Group Night Market, said the improvised explosive device detonated in Manila was similar to the one used here last September 2 that claimed 15 lives.

“Other than we are still on high guard, there is intensified effort on intelligence gathering in collaboration of our neighboring regions,” De Leon said.

The regional police are also working hand-in-hand with other security agencies to confirm if the perpetrators of the Davao blast were the same group that left the IED in front of the US Embassy.

The 81-mm mortar found near the US embassy on Monday had a blasting cap, detonator, cellphone and 9-volt battery as a power source, De Leon said.

“We have intensified our fixed and mobile checkpoint operations and other security measures such as foot, mobile, shoreline and maritime patrols,” Task Force Davao commander Col. Erwin Bernard Neri said.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Ecija wants another big war movie C

By Ferdie G. Domingo

ABANATUAN CITY—A group of tourism officers in Nueva Ecija want to turn the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija”—the province’s own version of revolution against Spanish colonial rule over a century ago—into a movie similar to the Hollywood-produced “The Great Raid.”

The Association of Tourism Officers in Nueva Ecija (ATONE), made up of tourism officers in the 27 municipalities and five component cities of the province, have met with scriptwriters and historians for the planned movie.

The movie could star the Padillas, led by actor Robin Padilla and his brother Rommel, father of teen heartthrob Daniel Padilla.

Rommel Padilla is currently a senior provincial board member representing Nueva Ecija’s first district.

The Padillas hail from Cuyapo town where their mother, Eva Cariño, lives. The Padilla brothers previously ran for vice governor—Robin in the 1995 elections and Rommel in 2010—but lost.

Darmo Escuadro, ATONE president and San Jose City tourism officer, said they are also working closely with actor Jason Abalos, a native of Pantabangan town.

“There are many of those who want to help us put up the movie and hopefully, we can have the movie shoots in the first quarter of 2017,” Escuadro said, adding that what they intend to pursue is an independent film with a budget between P5 million to P8 million.

“This movie will not only highlight Nueva Ecija and its role

in the revolution but also boost tourism in the province. We really want to make Nueva Ecija into a tourist haven,” he said.

“Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” refers to the revolt on Sept. 2, 1896 when Gen. Mariano Llanera and Gen. Pantaleon Valmonte led home-grown revolutionaries, armed only with 100 guns, bolos and pointed sticks in assaulting the Spanish garrison in San Isidro.

For its role in the revolution, the province earned its place in the Philippine flag as one of the eight rays of the sun, each ray representing a province that first revolted against the Spaniards.

If realized, the movie will be the second big movie about the province after “The Great Raid,”

a 2005 war film about the daring, true-to-life rescue by Filipino soldiers of 500 American prisoners of war (POW) in Barangay Pangatian, Cabanatuan City on Jan. 30, 1945.

Directed by John Dahl, the movie starred Filipino actor Cesar Montano and Hollywood veterans Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen, Marton Csokas, Joseph Fiennes and Motoki Kobayashi.

The $80-million film, adapted from two books, William Breuer’s “The Great Raid on Cabanatuan City” and Hampton Sides’ “Ghost Soldiers,” was shown in theaters across the United States on Aug. 12, 2005, three days before the 60th anniversary of V-J Day.

The Japanese held around 500 American prisoners who had survived the Bataan Death March in Pangatian and subjected them to brutal treatment and summary execution, as the Japanese view surrender as a disgrace. Many prisoners were also stricken with malaria.

The real-life efforts of Filipino guerrillas were highlighted in the film, including the late leader Eduardo Joson Sr., who led a blocking force at a bridge that delayed Japanese reinforcements.

It also featured the resistance work undertaken by nurse Margaret Utinsky, who smuggled medicine into the POW camps.

The Japanese Kempeitai (military police) arrested her and sent her to a prison in Fort Santiago.

Mt. Prov tax cut for early payers

‘YOLANDA’ HOUSES. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino (with jacket), Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez (with hat) and other officials, tour the resettlement site for Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors located in North Hill Arbours in Barangay Sto. Niño (Suhi), Tacloban City on Monday. The resettlement was completed in just 18 days after orders from President Rodrigo Duterte.

IN BRIEF Cavite cops nab 13 suspects in 1 day POLICE in Cavite rounded up 13 suspects in one day for various crimes in Maragondon, Imus, Tanda, Naic, Alfonso and General Trias City.

Most of the suspects were arrested in buy-bust operations for illegal drugs, while police captured two women, one for estafa charges and another for theft.

In Maragondon, police arrested Leinalyn Angue, who is wanted for estafa.

In Imus, theft suspect Vilma Timbal fell after an operation by General Trias police.

In the drug bust in Tanza, Ronellio “Ronnie” Cinco was arrested after being caught with a sachet of suspected shabu. In the same afternoon, Naic police captured Darius Masambal, who had six sachets of suspected shabu on him. Benjamin Chavez

‘Pass training or don’t sell firecrackers’

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— About 130 producers and vendors of firecrackers, fireworks and other pyrotechnics in Bulacan must pass an ongoing fiveday safety awareness training before they can make or sell their goods again, labor officials here said Tuesday.

Jerry Borja, labor information officer of the Department

of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon, said the training is being conducted with the cooperation of Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, local police, and Bureau of Fire Protection officials.

The safety procedures the fireworks makers and vendors need to learn include health awareness at work, Borja said.

The pyrotechnics industry benefits about 100,000 people in

Bulacan, while the government earns million of pesos in sales taxes and other fees.

Borja said the result of their training, which ends on Friday, is the basis for the government to lift the ban it imposed this month to prevent further deaths and property destruction for the people involved in the industry.

Earlier this month, three people, including two children, died in a firecracker explosion in Bo-

caue, Bulacan that also caused millions of pesos in damages.

Once they pass safety awareness training, Director Ana Dione, regional director of DOLE in Central Luzon, will recommend the lifting of their ban to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello for his final decision.

Individual producers, as they pass the training, and not the whole group would be cleared, Borja stressed.

Domogan eyes BIBAK property master plan

Retired cop falls to PDEA agents DAVAO CITY—Charges were filed against a retired policeman apprehended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 11 office in a buy-bust operation last week in Matina Pangi here.

Monchito Quimora, 53, a resident of La Vista Monte Subdivision, Forest Hill, Matina Pangi, was arrested after he sold P1,000 worth of suspected shabu to PDEA agents who posed as buyers.

PDEA 11 spokesperson Noli Dimaandal said they had received information about Quimora peddling illegal drugs before their operation.

Also recovered from Quimora was a sachet of suspected shabu worth P5,000 and 700 grams of marijuana worth P28,000.

F. Pearl A. Gajunera

BONTOC, Mountain Province— To entice taxpayers to pay their taxes, the provincial government is offering discounts for advance and prompt payments of real property taxes, Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. said Monday.

Taxpayers were due to pay a one percent Basic Real Property Tax and an additional 1 percent for the Special Education Fund Tax for calendar year 2016. Taxpayers could get a 10-percent discount on these fees if they pay within the prescribed period and as much as 20 percent discount if they pay the real property tax before Jan. 1, 2017.

Provincial Treasurer Cawed A. Gamonnac said that the discounts are embodied in an existing revenue ordinance of the province that provides financial incentives to early taxpayers.

The taxes collected, in turn, will help the province lock up revenues and enable the financial planners to plan the budgeting of income and expenditures to efficiently deliver basic services to the constituents.

Taxpayers are given the option of where they want to pay their taxes at their convenience, but the provincial government urged them to pay early to get the maximum discounts, Gammonac said. Dexter A. See

‘GENTRI’ LIGHTING. The City Government of General Trias, led by Mayor Antonio ‘Ony’ Ferrer (third from left), Vice Mayor

Morit Sison (center) and councilors celebrate the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree at the city plaza Thursday night to kick off their Yuletide celebrations. Inset photo shows Mayor Ferrer’s wife, Anne, distributing gifts to children in the city.

Thousands flock to GenTri job fair GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite—Thousands of job applicants flocked to the Job Fair 2016 organized by the City Government of General Trias led by Mayor Antonino “Ony” Ferrer and the city’s Public Employment Service Office recently at Robinson’s Place activity area in Barangay Tejero here.

A total of 2,275 applicants went and applied for work with 45 local companies and seven overseas agencies that participated in the program

of the local government. About 1,612 qualified for jobs and 104 were hired on the spot in the two-day job fair.

Participating companies included those located at Robinson’s, the Gateway Business Park, the Cavite Export Processing Zone Authority, the First Cavite Industrial Estate, Gen. City Computer Center, Jobstart Philippines and the National College of Science and Technology-Institute of Industrial Research and Training.

Government agencies like the

Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, National Statistics Agency, and Social Security System joined the project to assist applicants who had difficulty in applying for permits required for their employment.

“The Job Fair is an annual project of our government for the people of General Trias and neighboring towns or cities, to make it much easier for them to get a job and the main livelihood of every citizen,” Ferrer said.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said his government and concerned government agencies should make a master plan for the 5,000-square meter Bontoc-Ifugao-Benguet-ApayaoKalinga (BIBAK) property along Harrison Road in Baguio to prevent its repeated encroachment by squatters.

Domogan, who attended the fourth-quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council in the Cordillera held in this town, thanked the region’s policy-making body for passing a resolution supporting the demolition of the illegal structures within the property.

The mayor also cited the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its position that the BIBAK settlers have no personality to occupy the identified public land, and that their structures do not have the required building and occupancy permits.

“We should come out with a master plan for the property as soon as possible after the demolition of the illegal structures to prevent the area from being squatted upon by informal settlers, and to make sure that the area will be used for its prescribed purpose to house the dormitory of students coming from the different parts of the Cordillera,” Domogan said.

The 60 illegal structures in the property will be demolished by the middle part of January next year, the mayor told RDC-CAR. The local court has denied two petitions for a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the demolition, he added.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Cordillera office, DENR-CAR and the local government are now pooling their resources to prepare for the demolition, Domogan added.

Adopting a master plan will guarantee the full use of the property for its prescribed purpose and will prevent informal settlers from intruding, the mayor said.

Despite not being qualified for relocation, Domogan said the BIBAK squatters will be resettled at an area by the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor. Dexter A. See

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

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‘Hollywood in a box’ coming soon L

OS ANGELES―On a sound stage no bigger than a large bedroom a cameraman takes up various angles to film a helicopter that isn’t there, landing in a field that isn’t there either.

LACK

IC OF THE PHILIPPINES ONAL TRIAL C OURT CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF QUEZON CITY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF QUEZON CITY

BANK., Mortgageee,

FRE NO. 11397 AG EP. BY THEIR ONIOG, Mortgagors.

------------------x UDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY CT 3135 (AS AMENDED)

PEAKHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION, Mortgagee, -versusFRE NO. 11401 SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and VICTORIA F. DEGACO Mortgagors. x---------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED)

ition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT terms and conditions of the Deed of Real under the date of February 2, 2015, by SPS. RRY E. TEBAG rep. by AIDA L. BONIOG as idence and postal address No. 12 Prince neral Santos City, South Cotabato, 9500/ esta Village, San Mateo, Rizal, in favor of ANK, Mortgagee to satisfy the mortgage NE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY SIX ED PESOS AND 10/100 (P1,466,513.10) as ive of interest, penalties, and other charges y due together with all the lawful fees and le, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial eby announces that on December 14, 2016 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Office of the Clerk Sheriff of Quezon City (beside Quezon d, Diliman, Quezon City, she will sell at st bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the operty/ies with all the improvements.

TIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 004-2014012207 try of Deeds-Quezon City ED IN THE 6TH FLR OF THE MANHATTAN OCATED IN AURORA BLVD., AND GEN. UEZON CITY. CONSISTING OF TWENTY AND FIFTY SQUARE DECIMETERS (28.50) diagrammatic floor plan appended to the of the condominium project annotated on E OF TITLE N-302954-55 which embraces cated at Aurora Blvd., and Gen. Malvar St., an area of (4,919 & 1,154) Square Meter. submitted to the undersigned on the above

UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT 4118 and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Real Estate Mortgage executed on September 7, 2015 by SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and VICTORIA F. DEGACO, - Blk. 4 Lot 41 Cordon corner Eagle St., Rolling Meadows 2, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City Mortgagors in favor of PEAKHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION, Mortgagee, to satisty the mortgage debt in the amount of Php 1,889,340.03 the total amount due, as of September 29, 2016 excluding attorney’s fees, liquidated damages; expenses for publication; filing fees; sheriff’s fees and commission, and such other cost and expenses arising out of or incidental to the foreclosure, together with all the lawful fees and expenses of foreclosure sale, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy Sheriff, hereby announces that on DECEMBER 6, 2016 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Office of the Clerk of Court & ExOfficio Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will sell thru public auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the following described real property/ies with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 004-2015010994 Registry of Deeds of Quezon City A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 41, BLK. 4, OF THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN PCS-007404003783-D, BEING A PORTION OF THE CONS. OF LOTS 1071-L-3, 791-C-2-C (LRC) PSD263819, 535-C-2-B- (LRC) PSD-263717, 535-B9-A, (LRC) PSD-263816, 535-B-6, PSD-36572, AND 974, PIEDAD ESTATE, LRC REC. NO. 5975), SITUATED IN THE BRGYS OF SAUYO, AND BAGBAG, QUEZON CITY, M-MANILA, IS. OF LUZON, BOUNDED ON THE NW., ALONG LINE 1-2 BY LOT 39, BLK. 4; ON THE NE., AND E., ALONG LINE 2-4 BY ROAD LOT 8; AND ON THE SE., ALONG LINE 4-5 BY ROAD LOT 3; AND ON THE SW., ALONG LINE 5-1 BY LOT 40, BLK. 4, ALL OF THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF ONE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN (147) SQ. METERS, MORE OR LESS. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned at the aforesaid office on the above stated date and time.

Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title to the said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

In the event that public auction should not take place on said date due to fortuitous event or if the same be declared a non-working holiday, it shall be held on DECEMBER 13, 2016 at the same time and place without further notice.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 21, 2016.

(Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VI and Acting Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff

PRESENT. Zoey Deutch attends the 26th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 28 in New York City. AFP

Trump’s claim of fraud rejected

ereby enjoined to investigate for themselves y/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any

auction should not take place on said date f the aforesaid scheduled date is declared a l be held on December 21, 2016 at the same her notice. nila, October 21, 2016.

NEW YORK―Experts and elected officials on both sides of the political aisle on Monday dismissed Donald Trump’s claim that “milCAN (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD lions” Americans voted illegally on ElecClerk ofof Court VI Acting Clerk Sheriffexpanded to organize retionof Court Day,& Ex-Officio as efforts to remove, counts deface or destroy this Notice of in swing states. date of the auction sale under penalty of the The Republican billionaire’s victory on November 8 saw him clinch the crucial Electoral College count, which determines the presidency, but lose the popular vote to rival Hillary Clinton by more than two million ballots.

Cloistered in his Florida resort for the long Thanksgiving weekend, the 70-year-old tycoon who has never previously held elected office took to Twitter to indulge in one of his customary tweet storms.

On Sunday, before returning by private jet to New York to resume interviews with potential cabinet appointees, he claimed he would have won the popular vote if it were not for “the millions of people who voted illegally.”

“Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California-so why isn’t the media reporting on this? Serious bias―big problem!” he followed up later.

Trump, who spent the campaign warning

CRISLYN C. TEBAG 3)AIDA . BONIOG LARRY E. TEBAG No. 30 Jasmine St., Modesta Village, 2 Prince Queenies, Love Vill.

San Mateo, Rizal ral Santos City, South Cotabato 9500 (MS-Nov. 15, 22 & 29, 2016)

that the result might be “rigged,” is now― with his aides―pushing back hard as the Green Party works to secure recounts in three states which Trump won: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The campaign of Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who won a tiny fraction of the vote in each state and where Trump beat Clinton by thousands of votes, said voters had filed recount requests in more than 100 (out of 9,163) precincts in Pennsylvania―promising that more would follow.

The party requested a statewide recount in Wisconsin on Friday and plans to request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday, the campaign said.

But observers deny any evidence of widespread fraud.

And few expect any change in the outcome of the vote, which former secretary of state Clinton conceded to Trump in an early-hours phone call on November 9.

Meanwhile, Trump increased his Electoral College vote count to 306, compared to 232 for Clinton, after Michigan certified its election results―and his victory there. AFP

48-hour strike cuts 800 flights

Europe ignores Syria’s suffering

FRANKFURT―German airline Lufthansa said it had slashed 800 flights Tuesday as pilots walked out for a 48-hour strike following a four-day stoppage last week in a long-running pay dispute.

Around 82,000 passengers are affected Tuesday by the latest industrial action, the 15th by the carrier’s flight crew since April 2014.

While Tuesday’s walkout affects shorthaul flights, Wednesday will see a further 890 flights canceled including some longhaul services.

Lufthansa failed to obtain an injunction to halt the strike from a Munich court―the second time in a week its attempts to block industrial action by legal means have fallen through after a similar judgment in Frankfurt.

A spokesman told AFP the group had withdrawn an appeal against the Bavarian court’s judgment.

There is little sign of an end to the drawnout dispute between pilots and managers at Lufthansa, with union Vereinigung Cockpit warning of further strikes if the airline does not soften its position. AFP

PARIS―As the bombs rain down on the besieged city of Aleppo the scenes of suffering are horrific, yet the Syrian war fails to move people to protest in the way that the US intervention in Iraq or the siege of Sarajevo did.

In Paris’ traditional place of protest, Place de la Republique, demonstrators spelled out “Free Syria” in candles last Friday as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad increased their control of rebel-held areas of Aleppo.

But barely a hundred people took part in the protest.

“I find it hard to understand. This is a cause which people should rally around,” said one of the participants, Ahmad Darkazanli, who originally comes from Aleppo but has lived in France for half a century.

It has been a similar story in London, Berlin and Rome-the plight of the Syrian people fails to strike a chord.

“Aleppo is already a Sarajevo, a black chapter in the history of mankind and of international politics,” Jan Egeland, the head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, said recently. AFP

WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or Destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of the auction sale under penalty of the law.

New dome on Chernobyl to be unveiled Republic of the Philippines

(MS-Nov. 8, 15 & 22, 2016)

InvItatIon to BId (For Cooperatives only)

had a child who was born on 20 August

2

Office of the Solicitor General Office of the City Prosecutor, Mandaluyong City Atty. Jose Maronilla Liwayway Antillon Avestruz Masafumi Kimura

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 98 – QUEZON CITY KRISTINE JOY CALDERON REP.

BY HIS FATHER WILFREDO MALIBAY MONTALES, Petitioner, -versusR-QZN-16-05370-SP IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME HON. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CANDON, ILOCOS SUR, Respondent. x---------------------------------------------x

ORDER Before this Court is a verified petition filed by petitioner Kristine Joy Calderon, Minor, represented by her father Wilfredo Malibay Montales praying that after due notice and hearing judgment be rendered directing the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Civil Registrar General/Chief of the National Statistics Office to make and effect the correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of Kristine Joy Calderon with Registry No. 99421, Item No. 1 the name of the petitioner from Kristine Joy Calderon be changed to Kristine Joy Calderon Montales.

However, the petition was dismissed on October 5, 2016 for failure of the petitioner to prosecute. On October 13, 2016, a Motion for Reconsideration was filed by the petitioner through counsel, which was granted by this Court per Order dated October 21, 2016.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that

locations and filming in them.

The costs spiral when you have to wait until it stops raining, or until the light exactly matches yesterday’s shoot.

The virtual sets being made available by “Parallax” allow directors to get through something like three weeks’ worth of traditional location work in a day, says the studio. The size of film crews, too, can be cut in half.

According to Weiss, a crew of a handful of technicians working with the system recently captured two blocks in New York -- every nook and cranny, from every angle, in under 14 hours.

“After an initial investment... the cost of using a virtual set can, in some cases, literally save 100 percent of the costs of on-location shooting,” said CBS Digital executive producer George Bloom.

Bloom, who was vice president of creative content at Walt Disney Pictures and has 14 years’ experience as a director, says “Parallax” hands control back to the filmmaker.

“When you’re a director, sometimes you feel like you don’t have control because you’re throwing all this vision that you have into a visual effects company’s hands,” he tells AFP. “You have no idea what it’s going to look like until five or ten days later.”

Fox’s “The Last Man on Earth” and ABC’s “American Housewife have both started using “Parallax.”

CBS Digital already provides a variety of cutting edge visual effects for Amazon’s “Transparent” as well as Netflix originals “Daredevil,” “Stranger Things” and “Jessica Jones.”

The only restrictions on what VR can achieve for television is the limits of the human imagination, it says. AFP

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal

Copy Furnished: SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and PEDRO C. SEBALLOS VICTORIA F. DEGACO 105 Mahiyain St., Blk. 4 Lot 41 Cordon corner Sikatuna Village Eagle St., Rolling Meadows 2, Quezon City San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

1998. After their wedding, PETITIONER and REGIONAL TRIAL COURT CHERNOBYL―Ukraine was on6-10 Tuesday RESPONDENT lived at Nakano, Kimitsu National Capital Judicial Region City, Chiba Prefecture. RESPONDENT filed a 214 the world’s due to BRANCH unveil largest movable divorce and was granted on 06 January 2016.

Mandaluyong City No personal nor real properties,nuclear both in the metal structure over the Chernobyl Philippines and abroad, were acquired during IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL marriage. reactor to enRECOGNITION OF FOREIGNdoomedtheirfourth power plant’s DIVORCE DECREE BETWEEN WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be sure the safety of future across sufficientgenerations in form and substance, let the LIWAYWAY ANTILLON AVESTRUZ hearing on the presentation of jurisdictional AND MASAFUMI KIMURA, Europe. requirements be set on 07 February 2017 at 8:30 o’clock the morning Regional LIWAYWAY TheANTILLON giantAVESTRUZ arch’s height of in355 feetat themakes Trial Court, Branch 214, Hall of Justice Building, Statue Maysilo Circle,of Mandaluyong City, it taller Petitioner, than New York’s Liberty at which time, date and place mentioned, all PROC. NO. MC-16-10510 interestedtons persons who may be affected thereby whileSP. its weight of 36,000 is three times For: JUDICIAL RECOGNITION are directed to appear and show cause, if any, OF FOREIGN heavier that theDIVORCE Eiffel Tower Paris. as to why said in petition should not be granted.

-versusLet($1.6-billion) copy of this Order be published at the The 1.5-billion-euro strucMASAFUMI KIMURA petitioner’s expense in a newspaper of general circulation selectedover by raffle, ONCE (1)existA WEEK ture has Respondent. been edged into place an x-----------------------------------------x for THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. ORDER ing crumbling dome that the Soviets in Further, let copy of this Order bebuilt served upon Before this Court is a verified Petition for the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of judicial recognition of a disaster foreign divorce filed haste when struck three decades ago the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor, the Local Civil

by Liwayway Antillon Avestruz (PETITIONER).

Registrar of Mandaluyong City, the Philippine on April PETITIONER prays26. that after due notice and Statistics Authority, and RESPONDENT hearing, judgment be rendered recognizing Masafumi Kimura at his last known address in Radioactive fallout PETITIONER’s foreign decree of divorce and to from the site of the Japan at the expense of PETITIONER. direct and annotate such judgment in the Local world’s worstCitycivil nuclear accident spread SO ORDERED. Civil Registry of Mandaluyong and National Statistics Office (NSO).

Cityand promoted across three-quarters of Mandaluyong Europe PETITIONER alleges that she is a Filipino, 10 October 2016. a legal global rethink about of age, married to Masafumi Kimurathe safety of atomic fuel.

(RESPONDENT) and divorced in Japan, and (Sgd.) IMELDA L. PORTES-SAULOG Work on the previous dome began after a a resident of 717 Pantaleon Street, Barangay Presiding Judge Hulo, Mandaluyong City. RESPONDENT is of 10-day firenational, caused by the explosion was conlegal age, a Japanese and a resident of 6-10 Nakano, Kimitsu City, Chiba, Prefecture, tained but as radiation still spewed.

Japan.

“It was through the super-human efPETITIONER and done RESPONDENT were married under civil rite on 29 August 2011 in forts Chiba of Ken, thousands of ordinary people,” the Kimitsushi, Japan. Prior to their marriage, PETITIONER and RESPONDENT (MS-Nov. 15, 22 & 29,Ko2016) Chernobyl museum’s deputy chief Anna rolevska told AFP. “What kind of protective gear could they have possibly had? They worked in regular construction clothes.” AFP 1

Until recently, virtual reality was the preserve of the gaming crowd but producers say the technology is on the cusp of a boom that could change forever the way television is made.

Leading the charge is visual effects studio CBS Digital, which has developed “Parallax,” a VR system which could potentially do away with on-location filming altogether.

The company has laserscanned endless parts of the United States, overlaying the geometry with hi-res images to produce fully explorable, 3D virtual sets into which real actors can be embedded.

Back at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, two actors can exchange dialogue in a room covered with green screens and optical tracking cameras dotting the ceiling.

But what the show runner sees on his camera screen is his two stars walking hand-in-hand around a photo-realistic Eiffel Manila Tower or leaning over a perfectly Standard rendered Niagara Falls.

TODAY “The biggest advantage is to take away traditional restrictions that filmmakers come up against,” Craig Weiss, executive creative director of CBS Digital, told AFP on a recent visit to the studio.

“And that would be the arduous task of going to different locations, shooting in the middle of the night. You’re able to bring the world to the stage, have a lot more flexibility and get more work done.”

The problems “Parallax” solves for film and television makers are numerous. But the most important perhaps is cash―or not having enough of it to bring ideas to life on the screen.

A big proportion of any production budget goes on securing

1 Report of Marriage is attached to the Petition as Annex “A” 2 Divorce Certificate as Annex “B” of the Petition.

the above-entitled petition will be heard anew before this Court located at the 2nd floor, Rooms 2007-2008 Hall of Justice Building, Diliman, Quezon City on March 6, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour, all interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

The Branch Clerk of Court is ordered to cause the service of copies of this Order on the Local Civil Registrar of Candon, Ilocos Sur, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City and Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City for their comment/report.

Further, the petitioner is directed to coordinate with the Sheriff of this Court for the service of a copy of the petition on the government agencies above-mentioned and to submit proof of compliance thereof.

Petitioner is likewise directed to have this Order published in a newspaper of general circulation, to be chosen by raffle, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at least two (2) weeks before the date of hearing.

In the event that hearing should not take place on the said date due to fortuitous event or if the aforesaid scheduled date is declared a non-working holiday, it shall be held on March 29, 2017 at the same time and place without further notice.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 21, 2016.

(Sgd.) MARILOU D. RUNES-TANG, MNSA Presiding Judge cc: Atty. John Goodluck y V. Nicolas-Counsel for the Petitioner/s Apitong St., Montevista Sub. Marikina City The Local Civil Registrar, Candon, Ilocos Sur The National Statistics Office, QC Office of the City Prosecutor, QC Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City (MS-Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & 14, 2016)

The Department of Education, Region IV-A, through the FY 2016 GAA SARO BMB-B-16-00223528 intends to apply the sum of Thirty MillionFour Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Pesos (Php30,448,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to eligible payments under the contract for theSupply and Door-to Door Delivery of school Furnitureto selected Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Region IV-A. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Quantity

ES/JHS Armchair 12,960

ES/JHS TTC set 288

Contract Duration

:

Delivery Site

:

SHS Armchair

SHS TTC

25,280

632

120 Calendar Days Various elementary & secondary schools in Region IV-A CALABARZON

The Department of Education Region IV-A, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites bids for the herein-mentioned Goods. Bidders must have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, i.e., in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bids received that exceed the ABC shall be rejected at bid opening. Bidder must bid for all items in a lot, otherwise, the bid shall be rejected. Evaluation and award shall be made on a per lot basis.

Prospective bidders must offer armchairs and teacher’s tables and chairs (TTC) made of materials required in the bidding documents; bidders and their bids offering armchairs and TTC made of other materials not specified in the bidding documents shall be disqualified.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be inspected or purchased at DepED Region IV-A BAC Secretariat, located at Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal (supply office) upon accomplishing a bidder’s information sheet and payment in cash of a non-refundable fee by interested biddersin the amount of Twenty Thousand Pesos(Php20,000.00) to the DepEDIV-A Cashier. Only bidders who purchased the Bidding Documents will be allowed to submit bids.

It may be viewed or downloadedfree of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), www.philgeps.net, and the website of the Procuring Entity, (insert website), provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The schedule and venue of the procuring activities are as follows: Activity Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Submission and Opening of Bids

Date and Time November 29, 2016 to December 21, 2016 (9:00am to 4:00pm) December 5, 2016 at 10:00am

DepED IV-A Supply Office

Venue

December 21, 2016 at 10:00am

RO-IVA Conference Room

RO-IVA Conference Room

Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to order or download the electronic copy of the Bidding Documents from the PhilGEPS website: www.philgeps.net, for them to be included in the Document Request List of the project. The pre-bid conference is open-toall interested parties who may have or have not bought the bidding documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address and on the date and time stated herein. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the ITB Clause 18.A valid Bid Securing Declaration must accompany the bid(s) in lieu of a bid security.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the opening of bids at the address, date and time stated herein. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DepED IV-A BAC reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract(s), or annul the bidding process without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Ann Geralyn T. Pelias BAC Chairman DepEDRehion IV-A Gate 2 Karangalan Drive Cainta, Rizal 6458406 (SGD) MARITES L. GLORIA BAC Vice-Chairman M S - N O V. 3 0 , 2 016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Korea’s Park willing to leave office early

World

Record coral kill-off on Great Barrier Reef S YDNEY―A mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year killed more corals than ever before, scientists said Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem.

The 2,300-kilometer-long reef―the world’s biggest―suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history due to warming sea temperatures during March and April, with the northern third bearing the brunt.

Follow-up underwater surveys, backing earlier aerial studies, have revealed a 700-kilometer stretch of reefs in the less-accessible north lost two-thirds of shallow-water corals in the past eight to nine months.

“Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef,” said Terry Hughes, head of the Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at

James Cook University.

“This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected.”

Further south over the vast central and southern regions, including major tourist areas around Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, there was a much lower toll.

Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their color.

Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products

of photosynthesis to help it grow.

The loss of algae makes the host vulnerable to disease and means it will eventually die.

However, coral can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonize them.

Environmentalists blame the burning of fossil fuels for global warming and repeated calls Tuesday for Australia to abandon coal mining to help prevent further bleaching disasters.

“This is the devastating price we are paying for the Australian government propping up the coal industry,” said Greenpeace Australia reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“A credible plan to protect the reef must address climate change and start with a ban on new coal mines.”

Canberra insists it is doing more than ever to safeguard the reef, which is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns

starfish, committing more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.50 billion) over the next decade.

Scientists estimate the northern region, which teems with marine life, will take at least 10-15 years to regain lost corals, but are concerned that a fourth major bleaching event may occur before that, hampering the recovery.

The reef studies center warned earlier this year that if greenhouse gas levels keep rising, similar events would be the new normal, occurring every two years by the mid-2030s.

Given reefs need so long to recover from severe bleaching, it said “we are likely to lose large parts of the Great Barrier Reef in just a couple of decades”.

That study noted climate change had added 1.0 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming to ocean temperatures off the Queensland coast in March, when corals were first seen turning white. AFP

SEOUL―South Korea’s scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she was willing to resign early and would let parliament decide her fate as leader.

“I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly”, she said in a speech carried live on television.

“Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimizes any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down,” she said without giving further details.

But opponents said the statement was a tactic to derail efforts in the opposition-controlled parliament to impeach Park over the scandal, which has already seen her secret confidante Choi SoonSil charged with fraud and abuse of power.

A number of lawmakers from the ruling party have backed a bid by the three main opposition parties to pass a motion as early as Friday to impeach Park.

If parliament does pass the motion, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as an interim head of government.

The Constitutional Court could take as long as six months to decide whether to approve the impeachment.

“The presidential statement lacked sincere repentance. What the people want is her immediate resignation,” the main opposition Democratic Party said in a statement.

“It is not for her to continue biding her time, sending the ball to parliament’s court. We’ll push

through with impeaching her,” it added.

Park’s Saenuri Party welcomed her statement on Tuesday, calling for the opposition parties to delay their impeachment bid.

Massive weekly protests have been intensifying over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park’s resignation, according to organizers.

Park’s justice minister stepped down, while even staunch supporters from within the president’s party have joined calls for her departure.

But Park―in her third public apology over the scandal― sought to distance herself from Choi, who allegedly leveraged her ties with the president to coerce more than $60 million in “donations” from top firms including Samsung and Hyundai.

“I pushed for the projects, sincerely believing that they were for public good and for the nation.

I have not sought any personal gain there”, Park said.

“But it was my fault that I failed to keep my personal ties [with Choi and Choi’s associates] under control,” she added.

The 60-year-old Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position.

Park had promised to submit herself to a judicial probe, as well as a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor to be appointed by parliament.

But she backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning.

AFP

Prince invited to become the new king BANGKOK―Thailand’s parliament on Tuesday invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the next king, resolving lingering anxiety over his accession following his father’s death last month.

The country has been plunged into mourning since widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign and removing a key pillar of unity in a bitterly divided nation.

Tuesday’s move ends a period of uncertainty sparked by the junta making the surprise announcement after Bhumibol’s death that the prince had asked to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn.

“I will invite the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to succeed to the throne and become king of the Thai people,” Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, head of the rubber stamp National Legislative Assembly said.

Lawmakers then stood up and replied: “Long live the king”.

The parliamentary endorsement came after Thailand’s cabinet officially submitted Vajiralongkorn’s name earlier in the day.

Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and the junta’s number two, said the prince’s ascension was “proceeding step-by-step” according to the country’s arcane succession rules.

According to protocol, the assembly speaker will now seek a royal audience with the prince to invite him to ascend the throne, the last step before being proclaimed the new monarch.

Prawit said that would likely happen “either tomorrow or the day after”.

Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the named successor to Bhumibol for more than four decades.

He spends much of his time outside the kingdom, particularly in southern Germany where he owns property.

A military source told AFP the prince was still currently in Germany.

He will soon inherit one of the world’s richest monarchies, an institution protected by a tough royal defamation law.

That law makes open discussion about the royal family’s role all but impossible inside the kingdom and convictions have skyrocketed since generals seized power in 2014.

Officially Thailand’s monarch has limited constitutional power.

But over his seven-decade reign, Bhumibol built up a powerful network of alliances, especially within Thailand’s military elite, and forged a reputation as an arbiter in times of crisis.

Yet the late king has left his son with a sharply divided country.

Thailand’s last decade has seen a cycle of political protests, coups by an arch-royalist military while inequality has deepened.

Dubbed the “lost decade”, Thailand’s most recent period of political unrest coincided with Bhumibol’s increasingly frail health and fewer public appearances.

Vajiralongkorn, a certified pilot, has yet to achieve his father’s widespread adoration.

Rumours over his private life have also trailed him. He has had three high-profile divorces, while a recent police corruption scandal linked to the family of his previous wife allowed the public a rare glimpse of palace affairs. AFP

foto

CONDOLENCES. A woman looks at floral wreaths displayed at the entrance of the Cuban embassy in Beijing on November 29, 2016, four days after the death of Cuban longtime leader Fidel Castro. The Cuban revolutionary icon died late in November 25 in Havana, his brother, President Raul Castro, announced on national television. AFP

Scurvy reappearing in Australia due to poor diet SYDNEY―Scurvy, a disease historically associated with old-world sailors on long voyages, is making a surprise comeback in Australia, with health officials Tuesday revealing a rare spate of cases.

Caused by vitamin C deficiency, the condition used to be a common―and often fatal―curse among seafarers who went months without fresh fruit and vegetables.

Once barely heard of in developed countries, reports suggest the problem is also on the rise in Britain, while a medical journal this year detailed the case of a baby developing scurvy in Spain.

Jenny Gunton, who heads the Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Endocrinology research at the Westmead Institute in Sydney, said scurvy had reappeared in Australia because of poor dietary habits.

She discovered the disease after

wounds on several of her patients failed to heal.

“When I asked about their diet, one person was eating little or no fresh fruit and vegetables, but the rest ate fair amounts of vegetables; they were simply over-cooking them, which destroys the vitamin C,” she said.

“It highlights a danger that you can consume plenty of calories, yet not receive enough nutrients.”

The scurvy diagnosis for 12 patients was made based on blood tests and symptoms, with all cured by a simple course of vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C can lead to defective formation of collagen and connective tissues, and cause bruising, bleeding gums, blood spots in the skin, joint pain and impaired wound healing.

Common foods that keep scurvy at bay include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, kiwi fruit, bell peppers and grapefruit, but overcooking can de-

stroy key nutrients.

Penelope Jackson was one of those diagnosed with the disease and said she was stunned.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘hang on a minute, scurvy hasn’t be around for centuries’,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s something you associate with the First Fleet and the days of Arthur Phillip and Captain (James) Cook. You don’t expect it to be around in the 21st century.”

Phillip was the first governor of New South Wales state who sailed with the First Fleet from England in 1788 while navigator and explorer Cook is often credited as one of the first to understand the relationship between fresh fruit and scurvy.

Gunton, who published a research paper on the diseases’ resurgence in the international journal Diabetic Medicine, said patients could be overweight

or obese and still have the condition.

Her paper reported there was no predominant social pattern to the incidence of the disease and that patients with poor diets appeared to be from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.

“This result suggests that despite the large amount of dietary advice readily available to the community, there are still plenty of people―from all walks of life―who are not getting the messages,” Gunton said.

“Human bodies cannot synthesize vitamin C, so we must eat foods containing it.”

Health authorities tend not to test for scurvy these days and Gunton’s study advised clinicians to be alert to the potential problem especially in diabetes patients.

“Particularly if their patients present with unhealed ulcers, easy bruising or gum bleeding without obvious cause,” she said. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

FASHION & BEAUTY

D1

Building blocks and slinkys find their way on shirtdresses, blouses and skirts

Bayo 2016 Holiday Collection Style Harvest presents A Playful Holiday

C

HRISTMAS is fast approaching and it is indeed the time of the year to wear this season’s festive colors through Bayo’s 2016 Holiday Collection, featuring warm, playful and trendy pieces.

Inspired by classic children’s toys such as yoyos, slinkys, pick-up sticks, building blocks, puzzles, and toy soldiers, this year’s holiday collection is titled Style Harvest: A Playful Holiday and it showcases pieces with flattering silhouettes, cuts and prints that will

surely take every Filipina down the memory lane.

With timeless pieces such as tops, pants, skirts and dresses, the latest collection features cheerful Christmas colors—mainly blues, reds, yellows and greens.

PLAYFUL FASHION. Homegrown apparel label Bayo takes cue from classic children’s toys such as yoyo for its Holiday 2016 collection Anna Lagon, Bayo’s creative director, said the team was inspired to create a collection that would bring out fun memories of childhood and that its holiday line of Style Harvest is a memoir to every adult and young adults’ Christmas.

“We literally had a playful time while working on the various pieces along with the unique artworks, inspired by the iconic toys we have chosen; it did bring out the child in us. After all, this season is the happiest time of the year not only for the young, but also for the young at heart,” Lagon said.

Bayo’s color palette was based on happy hues and shades that complement the season.

“Design sensibilities remain classic and elegant, which are all consistent with what Bayo is all about,” Lagon said.

This year, Bayo is partnering with KIDS 4 Others (Kids in Dedicated Service 4 Others) to celebrate the season of giving. Part of the proceeds from this collection will go to the Concordia Children’s Services and Gentle Hands Inc. Style Harvest is a collaborative brand of Bayo launched in 2013 promoting Filipino creativity. This brand also aims at helping communities and organizations by sponsoring projects that help cultivate Filipino talent and ingenuity.

Last year, Bayo collaborated with the

Asean craft to the World

SOUTHEAST Asia can look forward to more contemporary global crafts and designs as works of master craftsmen from the region took center stage in the recent Manila FAME, the country’s premier international event for lifestyle exports, at the World Trade Center.

Dubbed the ASEAN Master Craft Design Festival, the exhibit highlighted the first collection of crafts developed through the project “Improving the Status of ASEAN Mastercraft Designers” which is supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

With the theme “ASEAN Crafts to the World,” the festival featured contemporary crafts in an ASEAN Pavilion featuring the works of master craftsmen Roselyn Long Lah and Edric Ong of Malaysia, Lim Masulin

Filipino master craftsman Al Valenciano is featured in ‘ASEAN Crafts to the World’ festival (Photo by Wig Tysmans)

of Indonesia, Truong Phi Duc of Vietnam, Rush Pleansuk of Thailand, and Al Valenciano of the Philippines.

The pavilion, inspired by a cocoon and executed in metal and cloth, was curated by celebrated Indonesian architect Cosmas Gozali. The Vienna-trained designer presented modern and futuristic design works with innovative spatial exploration.

On display were Indonesian batik hand-weaving applications on furniture, clothing, houseware and installations, and Malaysian beadwork, Sarawakan native headgear, and cloth as fashion accessories and lighting fixtures.

The Philippines was represented by inabel hand-woven products from the Ilocos region, Vietnam displayed its notable lacquer ware sets, while Thailand

Flare of Storm by Rush Pleasunk of Thailand

Tourism Office of Pampanga that invoked the Filipino Christmas tradition by taking inspiration from the parols (lanterns) made by the artisans of San Fernando, Pampanga. Bayo partnered with Virlanie Foundation, Inc. to support its mission to help less fortunate children. Both organizations foster the love for the Filipino and its heritage.

Check out Bayo’s Holiday Collection must-haves at the branch nearest you or visit www.bayo.com.ph for more information or shop online at www.styleshops.com.ph. For updates on latest releases and offers, Like Bayo at www. facebook.com/bayoclothing or follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram at @bayoclothing.

its craft designs applied on furniture, lighting, accessories and houseware toys.

A partnership with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the project was initiated by the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), the region’s largest group of craftsmen.

The project was endorsed by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and funded by the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Future Oriented Cooperation Program.

“The program aims to strengthen and enhance the use of design in reinforcing cultural identity in the development and marketing of ASEAN products by sustaining the region’s master craftsmen,” says Mina Gabor, chairman of the Philippine Small and Medium Business Development Foundation, Inc. (Philsmed) which is managing the project.

She said the project stemmed from the decline in the export sales of Southeast Asian crafts as observed by the ASEAN countries during the AHPADA meeting in 2009.

“The solution is, not only to groom and propagate mastercraft designers, but also to make them develop and establish their individual cultural identity, attain brand distinction despite the com-

Edric Ong’s Rattan Topi Tunjang

monality of raw materials, diversity, and ultimately enable them to name their price,” she added.

The Korean-funded program kicked off in mid-2015, and was able to train 103 new craftsmen in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

The five senior ASEAN master craftsmen underwent an observation tour in Milan, Italy in April to interact with top international designers and get updated on global trends.

Gabor said that the exhibit is the “coming out party” for the ASEAN as they make a statement that they are ready for the world fashion and design market.

A second round of workshops is slated for the master craftsmen of other ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos as a continuation of the program.

A similar exhibit showcasing the crafts of the five countries will also be held in 2017 in Jakarta and Bangkok, and the complete 10-member ASEAN will stage an expo in Paris in 2018.

Life

D2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Tadhana 2016

at The Manila Hotel’s

Fiesta Pavilion E

VERY milestone deserves to be celebrated in grand fashion. On the occasion of the 12th anniversary of Wedding Essentials—the ultimate guide for the modern Filipina bride and the country’s fastest selling bridal magazine—and The Manila Hotel, the country’s premier five star hotel, welcomed back friends of the Hotel, media partners, wedding suppliers, real life couples, and soon-to-wed brides and grooms at the magnificent Fiesta Pavilion for “Tadhana 2016.”

On the first of October, a bridal exhibit featured wedding suppliers in the country—event stylists Gideon Hermosa and Gina Galang, fashion designers

The Manila Hotel had its own vignette lavishly decorated with fresh flowers, fine China porcelain, and silverware.

Everyone was welcomed to the evening gala by Atty. Joey D. Lina, president of The Manila Hotel.

The guests in pastel colors were treated to heavy cocktails and unlimited desserts by the talented culinary team of hotel.

“For 12 years, Wedding Essentials Magazine has given you thousands of pages of pure bridal inspiration and I promise you that we will continue to do Frederick Peralta and Jo Rubio, cakes so. As long as there are couples who love, of Penk Ching and Judy Uson, and in- and dream of their perfect wedding, Wedvitation stylists Printsonalities and The ding Essentials will be here with you,” Write Impression, to name a few. said Kitten Zapata, editor-in-chief.

The Manila Hotel President Joey Lina, Jr. (fourth from left) with (from left) VP for Sales Natalie Torres-Ramirez, F&B Director Christoph Kuch, Wedding Essentials Editor-in-chief Kitten Zapata and AVP for PR and Corporate Communications Nian Liwanag-Rigor

Bridal gown by fashion designer Edwin Tan

The Manila Hotel vignette lavishly decorated with fresh flowers, fine china porcelain and silverware

One of the highlights of the evening is the Wedding Essentials Real Weddings Issue that showcased the best and most inspiring wedding stories of 30 real-life couples that have proven that love conquers all.

The much-awaited Tadhana 2016 Fashion Show featured creations of Happy Andrada, Jot Losa, Manelle Chamian, Mikee Andrei, Yvette Ilagan and Choc Religioso. Everyone was thrilled to see the muses walked the runway in impeccably designed bridal wear. Before the program ended, the crowd was pleased with raffle prizes given away by The Manila Hotel and chosen wedding suppliers.

Truly, the partnership of Wedding Essentials and The Manila Hotel made this event a big success.

Radley’s Autumn-Winter 2016 Collection OUR London origin is a never-ending shape, distinct style and three- way source of inspiration. We’re immersed color palette will make you stand out in a rich cultural melting pot where from the crowd. tradition and trends blissfully coexist, Wear as a cross body or stylish grab offering an eclectic visual aesthetic for bag, the Abbey is the perfect style to take you from day to night. us to explore.

This season, Radley uncovered collectors, writers, artists and eccentrics, Hamilton Inspired by London’s most iconic alLondon girls who dance to the beat of bum cover of all time, The Beatles’ a different drum, independent in Abbey Road from 1969, featuring character and not afraid to think the famous zebra crossing. We’ve outside the box. The label’s Auused this signature London tumn-Winter 2016 collection scene as inspiration for the colcaptures the inventive form lection’s surprise stripe detail. and playful use of color and Grafton bag Available in a simple leather print that our nonconformclutch and retro saddle bag, our ist heroines have brought to classic Radley grab bag design the world. Radley messes and two small leather goods, with the rules, delivering have been designed to unconventional new add a smile to your shapes, surprising journey, wherever you color combinations, are off to. artisanal detailing and expertly crafted Herbarium leathers.

This new autumnal This is a collecprint celebrates the tion for women who Herbarium, a forgotare continuously inten Victorian England spired by life. pastime of collecting Abbey plant specimens and London’s flourarranging systematiishing art scene is known for celebrat- cally for decoration or scientific study. ing the unique and diverse side to the Radley’s design team were inspired city, and this is the inspiration behind after a trip to London’s Stafford TerRadley’s exciting new Abbey collec- race museum, a Victorian house of tion. The delight is in the detail; made the Sambourne family where the the with Radley’s new oversized grain original decoration remains intact.

Duddon leather, this distinctive box Its rooms are filled with the furniture shape is available in an intense paint and personal possessions the family box style color block. The unique left behind including a huge archive

British accessories brand Radley dedicates its Autumn/Winter collection to women who are continuously inspired by life

of diaries, papers, letters and artifacts and Herbariums survive, providing an exceptionally detailed picture of daily life in the 19th century.

Radley’s Herbarium print features traditional English plants graphically arranged and screen printed onto our textured Sherington leather. This capsule collection includes a classic clutch, two sizes of drawstring bucket bags, a cross body, a tote, a mini backpack and wallet.

architecture, these bold rectangular shapes create a striking silhouette.

Elms

An immaculate range of sleek, polished leather bags with circular leather clasp detail.

Wimbledon

Named after the laidback, leafy London suburb these winged bags are an ideal addition to work or weekend style.

Taplow

Hardwick’s bold rectangular shape is inspired by London’s modernist architecture

Grafton

Radley’s A/W 2016 collection captures the playful use of colors and prints

Classic yet contemporary, these halfmoon saddle bags feature contrasting leather pockets that are clean and understated – perfect for desk-to-dinner styling.

Paternoster

Hardwick

Cornforth

Inspired by London’s Modernist

Boxy, vintage inspired styles with a striking colour block design and bow detail.

Ideal for every day, these scooped hobo styles feature eye-catching contrast handles and tassel zip details.

This new half-moon silhouette gives a modern update to the everyday cross body.

Duke

Newton

Pickering

Odell

This unusual A-line backpack nods to nostalgia with its retro lunch box inspired opening.

Grosvenor bag, bright ruby red with oversized whipstitch detailing, inspired

by Fanny Cornforth, a red-headed British beauty and pre-Raphaelite muse.

A range of simple saddle bags crafted from our finest leather featuring a unique handcrafted whipstitch trim.

A limited edition version of our iconic

A streamlined collection of geometric designs in high polished leathers.

Rochester

Inspired by a trip to the ‘Magnif icent Obsessions: The Ar tist as Collector’ exhibition in London, one of our designers shared her personal collection of dice with us. This collection pays homage to her early interest in pattern and form with a delightful black spot print.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

‘Leading Women’ on CNN Philippines Weekly documentary featuring country’s most influential women

ALL SMILES. Rising Kapuso love team KrisJoy adds zest to the GMA Regional show in Davao

KRISTOFFER MARTIN and JOYCE CHING

prove love team’s charm in Davao

A

T A RECENT Kapuso Mall Show in Tagum City, Davao del Norte reveals that even if the KrisJoy love team took a break, fans remain to be smitten by their onscreen charisma.

Kristoffer Martin and Joyce Ching entertained the crowd gathered at Robinson Place Tagum on Nov. 18 and in turn, Davaoeños and Tagumeños gave a warm welcome to the lead stars of GMA Afternoon Prime’s Hahamakin ang Lahat.

Apart from solo performances that revved up the audience, Kristoffer and Joyce also made hearts flutter during their duet—proving that KrisJoy remains a favorite love team among fans.

“Sobrang saya mag-perform sa mga Kapuso nating Davaoeños at Tagumeños,” remarked Kristoffer.

“Sobrang init ng pagtanggap nila sa amin at talagang nanunuod sila ng Hahamakin ang Lahat. Ramdam na ramdam namin ang energy ng ating mga Kapuso.

We’ll surely be back soon,” he said.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga Kapusong Davaoeños at Tagumeños na nagpunta sa mall show namin lalo na sa mga Chinglovers at KrisJoy Royalties na andun. Salamat sa mainit na pagtanggap at sana patuloy ninyong suportahan ang Hahamakin ang Lahat,” added Joyce.

Prior to the Kapuso Mall Show, Kristoffer and Joyce met with the members of the local press where they talked about their latest project on GMA. The two Kapuso stars returned to television with Hahamakin ang Lahat that showcases a more mature KrisJoy as the two are stepping away from their “tween” roles. It features the struggles and conflicts of a mother and child belonging to a Chinese Filipinomfamily.

“We are grateful for the warm reception we received from our Kapusong Davaoeños and Tagumeños. They

showed us how they appreciate the love team of Kristoffer and Joyce. Indeed, these are two of the most promising young actors of this generation,” said Oliver Amoroso, GMA Regional TV Department OIC. He added that fans could further look forward to meeting their favorite Kapuso stars. “To our loyal supporters, watch out for more regional events featuring GMA programs and artists. We will continue to bring them closer to you as our way of thanking you for your continued support,” he ends.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

WOMEN are living fast-paced and multifaceted lives these days. They dominate and excel in many fields of work even while tending to their selves and their families.

Leading Women is a profile documentary series that lets CNN Philippines into the stories of the country’s most influential women. The weekly profile documentary is graced by female professionals and personalities that have made it to the top of their respective fields.

Watch out for modern day Filipinas who are recognized locally and abroad because of their thriving careers. These women demonstrate how they conquer their work life while pursuing their passions and having a fulfilling personal life.

Get to know these women who excel i n the world of politics, fashion, the arts and the media.

Leading Women features designers Patis Tesoro and Hindy Weber Tantoco, businesswoman Xandra Ramos, lawmaker Geraldine Roman, social media influencer Kim Jones Rosales, educator Dr. Josette Biyo, and filmmaker Roselle Monteverde.

Join host Angel Jacob every week and connect with a league of inspiring and empowered women that show us how to successfully navigate the t i g h t r o p e balancing act of a career woman.

W a t c h L e a d i n g Wo m e n , e v e r y Sunday, 7 p.m. only on CNN Philippines.

Mike Enriquez is 2016 CEO Excel awardee RADIO GMA Network, Inc. (RGMA) President and GMA Consultant for Radio Operations Mike Enriquez is one of this year’s recipients of the CEO Excel Awards presented by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Launched in 2005, the CEO Excel Awards “honors top-level leaders for their exceptional use of strategic communication in their organizations.”

“I am honored by IABC’s recognition of my work as the president of GMA’s radio arm – RGMA Network, Inc. It gives me added inspiration and motivation to continue working hard for the continued uplifting of the lives of the men and women of RGMA,” said Enriquez.

He is credited with spearheading the radio expansion program of the Network when he joined the company in 1995. Today, GMA Radio manages and operates 24 radio stations in major cities in the Philippines and is among the Network’s significant revenue contributors.

His unblemished credibility, uncompromised fearlessness, intact values, and passion for excellence have

Radio GMA Network, Inc. (RGMA) President and GMA Consultant for Radio Operations Mike Enriquez (center) joined by members of IABC’s Board of Trustees (from left) Mr. Owen Cammayo, Mr. Joe Zaldarriaga, Ms. Belle Tiongco, and Ms. Jika Dalupan during the awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Nov. 21.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, November 30, 2016

ACROSS 1 Some gridiron kicks 6 Bo’s’n boss 10 Twig shelter 14 Freeze over (2 wds.)

15 Many a Norway king 16 Hodgepodge 17 Ms. Verdugo 18 Robins’ beaks 19 Outlook 20 Risk enjoyer 22 Tequila source 23 Not green 24 Locked horns with 26 Skip stones 29 Brain, maybe 31 Aries mo.

32 It gives a hoot 33 — — grip!

34 Fills the shelves 38 Boo and hiss 40 Good name for a cook?

42 NBA star Luol — 43 Most peculiar 46 Goals 49 Found a perch 50 Itinerary word 51 Rib, slangily 52 Ave. crossers 53 Reeled off

57 Geishas’ sashes 59 Clean the slate 60 Type of triangle 65 Done in Dijon 66 Lovebird talk 67 Rascal 68 Desktop symbol 69 Like some fears 70 Organic compound 71 Zest 72 Feat or title 73 Della or Pee Wee DOWN 1 Dappled 2 NCAA Bruins 3 — -do-well 4 Radio dial 5 Bulb-planting chore 6 Modifies 7 Others, to Ovid 8 Cello player — Casals 9 RCA products 10 It’s near St. Petersburg 11 Sewing machine inventor — Howe 12 Colander 13 Did a AAA job 21 Thrust-andparry sword

22 Client mtg.

25 Faux — 26 Karate studio 27 Dazzled 28 Answered a judge 30 Goes steady 35 Cartoon frames 36 Make a sweater 37 Bilko and Preston 39 Editorial work 41 Set free 44 Location 45 — kwon do

47 Applies gently 48 — shock 53 Tailoring job 54 Ms. Jong 55 Bishop’s rule 56 Part of LED 58 Intuit 61 One-and-only 62 Like many a train 63 Days before 64 Like autumn leaves 66 British FBI

earned him and his TV and radio programs and stations several major local and international honors. He is so far the only Filipino to have won the Best Newscaster award in the prestigious Asian Television Awards held in Singapore in 1999.

Earlier this year, Enriquez was awarded as an Outstanding Manilan by the City of Manila and was also named Most Trusted Radio News Presenter by Reader’s Digest.

Enriquez joins a prestigious roster of CEO Excel awardees from the Kapuso Network including GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon in 2006, GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel Tiangco in 2010, GMA Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores in 2012, and GMA News’ Jessica Soho in 2014.

He co-anchors the country’s leading primetime newscast 24 Oras Tiangco and Vicky Morales. He also hosts the top-rating investigative program Imbestigador every Saturday afternoon on GMA, and the no.1 radio program in Mega Manila Saksi Sa Dobol B from 6 to 10 a.m. on DZBB.

KABISOTE NO MORE. In the

10th installment of ‘Enteng Kabisote,’ Vic Sotto is a robotics and is tasked to save mankind from an eccentric antagonist

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

ISAH V. RED

S

O, WHO’S gonna stop Enteng Kabisote from making your Christmas season worthwhile? Not the selection committee of the annual Metro Manila Fim Festival that rejected the film from being an official entry to the yearly Tagalog filmfest.

Host and comedian Vic Sotto (center) flanked by his co-stars in the fantasy comedy

In an unprecedented move, the producers of Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers announced late last week that the film will hit the theaters today, and it’s going to be a wide release nationwide, from Aparri to Jolo, just like the theme song of Vic Sotto’s popular noontime show, Eat Bulaga.

At the press conference for the film at Annabel’s last Thursday, Sotto said he respects the decision of the committee of the MMFF in excluding Enteng from the roster of official entries to the film.

“But, what I am not happy about is the apparent deprivation of the traditional fun the festival offers to children with films like Enteng Kabisote.”

The comedian cited the late Fernando Poe, Jr. who produced, directed, and starred in films with children in mind as the audience. “He told me when he was still alive, if I had no plans to produce films for the festival so that there would be an entry that the children and their family could look forward to.”

But Sotto has no rancor in his heart. In fact, he said, “It’s a blessing in disguise.

I’ll be able to spend Christmas in peace and not worry about the box office results of the movie.”

Yet, Vic’s box-office power is unparalleled. A member of the formidable trio TVJ (Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon are the other two) that churned one hit movie after the other, going solo has proven that Vic’s drawing power extends beyond TVJ and Eat Buaga. Up until these days, his supremacy at the tills remains strong.

One of Vic’s most successful franchises is Enteng Kabisote, which now totals nine installments. It has now a cult following among film buffs.

This year, the ace comedian return with Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers.

Of course, Sotto is happy to breathe life once again to one of his signature roles on screen.

“The last Enteng Kabisote movie was shown four years ago,” he said. “To give in to the fans’ clamor since they missed Enteng’s adventures and misadventures, we’re bringing him back on the big screen.”

Vic stresses that this sequel is the hardest and grandest to mount.

“People expect that this will be better than the last one. Imagine, we’re on our 10th sequel, so we have to show something new. So, when I talked to the team, I told them that we cannot rely on our old story line and antics anymore.

Viewers nowadays look for freshness in the material. I’m proud to say that our finished product has that element that will surely delight the crowd!

“We made sure that the movie will have a totally new look. There are a lot of new features in this latest sequel.

From the cast to the special effects, I’m sure the audience will love it. Even the younger crop, those whom are called

Spurned by MMFF,

‘ENTENG KABISOTE 10 AND THE ABANGERS’ hits theaters today

‘Millenials’, I’m sure they will enjoy watching it since the way we presented the story is very contemporary. There are a lot of scenes where they can relate so much.”

According to the screen icon, even the character of Enteng has evolved as well in the story.

“Oh yes! He’s no longer the usual Enteng Kabisote you’ve seen in the previous installations. As I’ve stated earlier, we ensured that he’d go with the flow. I can say that Enteng here caters to all types of viewers, from the conservative to the millenials. They will truly relate to him one hundred percent!” avers Vic. Produced by OctoArts Films, APT Entertainment and Vic’s very own M-Zet Production under the helm of Tony Y. Reyes and Marlon Rivera, Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers is star studded.

Joining the cast are Oyo Boy Sotto, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Bea Binene, Ken Chan, Ryza Cenon, Epi Quizon, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Atak, Cacai Bautista, Simon Loresca and child wonder Alonzo Muhlach. Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza will also have a special participation.

Many wonder who will play as the new Faye. “Well, that’s one of the highlights. You’ll know eventually!”

“I’m certain the viewing public will be entertained to the max with the film. It’s worth their time and money.

In the story, Enteng is now a robotics and iron works magnate. For the first time, he should save humankind from an eccentric yet very risky threat he is yet to conquer: digital manipulation of humankind through a viral mysterious game application! In order to defeat such menace, he needs to form a group of extraordinary unusual and elusive beings that happen to be outcast engkantados.”

For Sotto and the rest of the cast, tomorrow is Christmas time for the kids and their families.

Romantic manga in cinemas

A scene from the coming-of-age drama ‘You Lie in April’

AWARD-WINNING and best-selling romantic manga series Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso by Naoshi Arakawa is now the live-action film Your Lie in April starring promising young actors Suzu Hirose and Kento Yamazaki opening on Dec. 7.

The exciting cast includes Anna Ishii, actress and member of the popular girl group E-Girls and the hot, young actor Taishi Nakagawa.

Their heartrending tapestry of love is not to be missed.

A master of the love story genre, Takehiko Shinjo of Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu (I Give My First Love to You) and Kiyoku Yawaku (Beyond the Memories) directed the film.

Shinjo describes it as a story of the wonders and value of love, but also the pain, tears and heartbreak that often accompany it. “My goal is to deliver a film that leaves the viewers with a warm, gentle feeling. With the charm of Suzu Hirose, the sincerity of Kento Yamazaki, and a young, talented cast including Anna Ishii and Taishi Nakagawa, I hope to weave a

tale of brilliant and heartfelt love,” shared Shinjo.

The film follows a musician with absolute perfection and mechanical precision, piano prodigy Kosie Arima (Yamazaki) who is considered a human metronome. But Kosie lost his ability to play when he lost his mother. In April of his sophomore year in high school, Kosei’s childhood friends Tsubaki Sawabe (Anna Ishii) and Ryota Watari (Taishi Nakagawa) introduced him to a violinist named Kaori Miyazono (Hirose). Kaori is a willful free spirit, as ethereal as the clouds in the sky, and Kosei finds himself drawn to her unrestrained, exuberant performance.

“Kaori aggressively urges Kosei to play with her, forcing him to face the painful memories of his mother. But one day, Kosei discovers that Kaori has a secret.

“When I read the script, I pictured a beautiful span of time, in which each character battles his or her own, personal issues. In preparing for the role of Kaori, I touched a violin for the first time. It’s still a struggle, but day-by-day, I am coming to terms with

the violin as well as the role. Together with the director and cast, I hope to make “Your Lie in April” a beautiful film brimming with color,” says Hirose of the film.

Likewise, Yamazaki shared that the film taught him that everyday, life is full of color. “Portraying the struggles and challenges of a musical prodigy is challenging, but with the support of Director Shinjo, the staff and cast members, I tried my best to embody Kosei Arima. The concert scenes in the original manga are so dynamic that you can almost hear the music. I’m new to the piano, but I’m practicing hard every day so I can express Kosei’s flux of emotions in the music. I hope “Your Lie in April” adds color to the viewer’s world as well.”

Get your hankies and tissues ready for the painful truth masked in the sweetest of lies that will break your heart in Your Lie in April when it opens in cinemas on Dec. 7 nationwide from Pioneer Films.

Trailer link: https://youtu.be/ gVSiuaiAkjY