Manila Standard - 2016 December 07 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

Du30 warns opposition ‘Wait for your time’ By John Paolo Bencito

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday warned that he would soon get even with his critics as Vice President Leni Robredo vowed to lead the political opposition against the rise of extrajudicial killings in his bloody war on illegal drugs.

VOL. XXX • NO. 298 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte did not mention Robredo or her resignation as chairwoman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in his speech Monday night, but issued a stern warning against his critics, saying he would deal with them as soon as he ﬁnished addressing the country’s pressing problems. “We are nearing 2017. To the opposition, just wait for your time. Anyway… you’ve had your days,” the President said. “I’ll be straightforward and continue until no Filipino is silly enough to shame us all,” he added. On Monday, Robredo vowed to lead the opposition after quitting Duterte’s Cabinet, making her the highestranking ofﬁcial to publicly voice dissent over the President’s hardline law-and-order platform. “This is not the time for fear. It is a time for conviction. It is a time for courage,” Robredo told reporters. “If being an opposition leader entails that, then I will be an opposition leader,” she added. Robredo vehemently opposed several of Duterte’s policies, including his bloody war on drugs, the lowering of the age of criminal liability, the revival of the death penalty, his disrespectful treatment of women, foreign policy, and the President’s decision to proceed with the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Robredo also said she would be “a stronger voice” now against the political comeback of the Marcoses, notably Next page

Digong spreads cheer, calls for unity

GENTLEMAN’S HIGH SIGN. President Rodrigo Duterte hands over a bouquet of ﬂowers (top) to newly crowned Miss International Beauty Pageant 2016 winner, the Baguio City-born Kylie Verzosa, a teacher and model and the 6th Filipino to win the crown, among the guests during the Christmas lighting ceremony at the riverside Malacañan Palace grounds Monday (below).

By Sandy Araneta and John Paolo Bencito

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has allotted P2 billion to the Department of Health to provide free medicines to indigents this Christmas season. “You Filipinos listening to me: If you have prescriptions. Go to the [Department of Social Welfare and Development] or go to the city health ofﬁce or the hospital itself and we will buy the medicines for you,” Duterte said during a later Christmas tree lighting ceremony Monday evening. Duterte said the fund will come from the P5 billion dividend he recently received from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for his socio-civic projects. “I want every Filipino holding a prescription who cannot ﬁnd the money to buy the medicine… [I told the Pagcor] give them P2 billion this Christmas,” Duterte said. Pagcor Community Relations and Service Department head Next page

Facebook, others set campaign vs terror WASHINGTON D.C.—Major US tech firms announced Monday they would work together to curb the spread of online “terrorist content,” responding to pressure from governments around the world. The announcement by Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google-owned YouTube aims to use “digital fingerprints” to block or remove violent content or efforts to recruit social media users for attack cells. “There is no place for content that promotes terrorism on our hosted consumer services. When alerted, we take swift action against this kind of content in accordance with our respective policies,” said a statement issued by the firms. Next page

Murder raps eyed vs ‘Espinosa cops’

‘Drug lord’ Lim hunted by NBI agents By Rey E. Requejo AUTHORITIES are now hunting down Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who has been linked by self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa to the illegal drug trade.

Lim, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, would not be arrested but “invited” for questioning as part of the government’s buildup in its drug cases. Aguirre conﬁrmed that the National Bureau of Investigation has

already established that the businessman who earlier met with President Rodrigo Duterte in the Palace is the same person allegedly involved in drug trafﬁcking operations in the Visayas, as Espinosa had testiﬁed beNext page fore the Senate.

THE National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said it has recommended murder and perjury charges against police involved in the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and inmate Raul Yap inside a provincial prison on November 5, saying their dawn raid was a rubout. The recommendation was transmitted to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on December 2 but made public only Tuesday. Among those identiﬁed for the ﬁling of murder charges was Supt. Marvin Marcos, the head of the Region 8 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who led the November 5 raid, and who President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered reinstated on the same day he was relieved over allegations that he accepted drug payoffs. The President on Monday said he did not have to explain why he ordered Marcos reinstated, saying that as chief executive, he could modify, amend or revoke any order. “I do not have to explain to you, the whole republic and the critics, why I made the order [for Marcos to be reinstated],” Duterte said Monday, during the traditional lighting of Christmas tree at Malacanang. “What is happening now, well, of course, I am the number one. So, they are questioning my motive… Now, they are assuming that maybe I knew about the operation and Next page

2 more bomb suspects in hiding—PNP By Florante S. Solmerin POLICE are in pursuit of two more jihadists involved in the foiled bombing of the US Embassy, after agents arrested three suspects, multiple sources told the Manila Standard Tuesday. “We won’t stop until we ﬁnd and arrest them dead or alive,” a police intelligence operative involved in the manhunt said on condition of anonymity. “We believe these two jihadists have with them broader knowl-

edge or information about plans of terrorism here in Metro Manila,” the source added. On Wednesday, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa is expected to present before the media a third suspect who was arrested Saturday in Bulacan. The suspect was earlier identiﬁed by Manila Standard sources as Mohammad Jomao-as, a returning convert to Islam. Before his arrest, Rayson Kilala Sandal alias Rashid and Jiaher

Guinar were arrested in two separate operations in Caloocan City and Bulacan. Rashid is said to be a practicing Imam, a religious leader, but was radicalized by the principles of terrorism. Dela Rosa said all the suspects have links with the Maute group based in Butig, Lanao del Sur. On Tuesday, security forces raided ﬁve houses of Farhana Maute, mother of the leaders of the terrorist Maute group. A Next page

Reds buck govt terms of peace

Lam faces more troubles; links with Tugade belied

By John Paolo Bencito

GAMING tycoon Jack Lam does not have a permit from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, contrary to the claim by his lawyer, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Tuesday. “Ceza has not authorized any of its operators to set up ofﬁce or any of their operations in the Clark Freeport. It is very apparent that some foreigners are violating our laws. We will not tolerate that,” Aguirre said in an interview. The Justice Secretary cited a

THE communist National Democratic Front on Tuesday accused President Rodrigo Duterte of holding political prisoners hostage to force the rebels to sign a peace agreement with the government. “There is only one reason for the non-release: the political prisoners, including the sick and elderly, have been held hostage to pressure the NDF into Next page

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By Rey E. Requejo

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letter from Ceza chief executive officer Jose Mari Ponce received by the Bureau of Immigration earlier this week. The Ceza issued the clarification upon request of the bureau for a list of Ceza Working Visa holders from among the 1,316 Chinese nationals who were arrested for working without the necessary permits inside Lam’s Fontana Leisure and Casino Park. “CWV holders are not allowed to work in offices not registered or authorized by the

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CONTRACTUALS’ CRY. Militant groups march Tuesday from the Wel-

come Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola at the University Belt in Manila— a little over 4 kms—to call on President Rodrigo Duterte to end contractualization and implement a P750 national minimum wage, stop the killing of poor people and give free housing to those in need. Norman Cruz

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News

Watchdog hounds LTO men A By Rey E. Requejo

GROUP has asked the Justice department to prosecute former and incumbent officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications for what it calls the anomalous implementation of the P3.8-billion Land Transportation Office-Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program.

The Citizens Crime Watch accuses former Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and his co-respondents of corruption unethical conduct. Abaya aside the other respondents in the complaint are former

Transport undersecretaries Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Rene Limcaoco, Assistant Secretary and Bids and Awards Committee member Dante Lantin, corporate counsel of the Filipino-Dutch consortium J. Knieriem B.V. Goes and Power Plates De-

‘Drug...

Du30...

“The NBI has already determined in its report that Peter Lim, the businessman, is also the drug lord,” Aguirre said. Aguirre said the NBI had already been building the case against Lim even before his name was again mentioned in the Senate committee on justice hearing Monday, when Senator Antonio Trillanes IV showed a picture of Duterte and Lim, when they attended a wedding both as principal sponsors. “The case buildup is ongoing. The President has repeatedly said that he [Lim] should be arrested,” the Justice secretary said, adding that there was nothing wrong with the President attending the same wedding with Lim. Aguirre said NBI agents have been tapped to locate Lim and invite him for questioning. Earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Isidro Lapeña said Lim, who went to meet Duterte last July after the President mentioned his name as among those involved in the illegal drugs trade, was indeed the same Lim on their list of drug lords. Confusion initially greet the President’s announcement when 4, 000 people with the same name appeared in the database of the NBI, but Lapeña said the Cebuano businessman was indeed the one and the same suspected drug lord. In the Senate hearing, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald De La Rosa denied that Duterte was protecting Lim, adding that there is an ongoing investigation against him ordered by Duterte.

her rival for the vice presidency during the elections earlier this year, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She also highlighted Duterte’s drugs war, which has claimed more than 4,800 lives and led to accusations that the government is overseeing widespread extrajudicial killings. She also vowed to speak out against plans by the Duterte administration to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility to nine. “I will oppose all policies with a stronger voice... that I think are detrimental to the Filipino people,” Robredo said. Despite her resignation, Robredo said that she still remains supportive of the “positive” achievements of the Duterte Cabinet. Malacañang, however, which

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The statement said they would share data that allows them “to help identify potential terrorist content on our respective hosted consumer platforms.” Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have struggled for years with this issue, seeking to be open to free speech without being used to promote violence or hate. Critics of the companies have called for these efforts, saying they could be based on a similar program to curb child pornography. The joint statement did not indicate what type of technology would be used in the new initiative, except to say it would be based on a shared industry database of “hashes” or digital fingerprints that identify violent content. “Each company will independently determine what image and video hashes to contribute to the shared database,” the statement said. “No personally identifiable information will be shared, and matching content will not be automatically removed. Each company will continue to apply its own policies and definitions of terrorist content when deciding whether to remove content when a match to a shared hash is found.” Governments in the United States, France and elsewhere have been pressing online firms to do more to curb extremist content, especially videos that depict beheadings and other gruesome acts often used in recruitment efforts. AFP

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policeman was injured when he set off a bomb by stepping on a trip wire inside the compound, ABS-CBN reported. Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the raid took place at 1:30 a.m., and led to the recovery of a firearm and several explosive materials. He said the raiding team was composed of members ofthe Regional Public Safety Battalion and

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[that] I ordered his [Espinosa’s] death,” the President said. “Whatever the reason be, that’s my discretion. I promised the police and the military: Do your duty, go out and find for these criminals, arrest them if possible. But if they offer violent resistance, and you think that your life is in danger, kill them. And that is my order until now.” He also said he believed the police when they said the late mayor had resisted arrest and shot at them first from his jail cell. Duterte also told his critics to go to the streets and demonstrate if they want. “So if you want to do something about it fine. You want to demonstrate? I give you the streets 365 days a year 30 days in a month

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Ceza. Such a violation is considered a ground for the cancellation of the company’s registration and the Ceza Working Visa of the concerned expatriate,” Aguirre said. The Justice secretary also admitted that 600 of the arrested Chinese, or almost half, have already posted bail for some P30 million in total. He further bared that only one lawyer assisted the detained Chinese nationals. The Department of Justice earlier issued a lookout bulletin order against Lam and also ordered the cancellation of his investor’s visa. The gaming tycoon flew to Hong Kong on Nov. 29, a few days before President Duterte ordered his warrantless arrest for continuing crimes of economic sabotage and harboring of illegal aliens. Aguirre said he expected the

Zika cases rise to 39

velopment Concept Inc.’s Ron Salo. Also named as respondents in the complaint were Julianito Bucayan, DoTC-BAC member; Catherine Jennifer Gonzales, overall head of the BAC-Secretariat; and Alfonso Tan, former chief of the Land Transportation Office. CCW, through its representatives Carlo Batalla and Diego Magpantay, says the charges against the respondents stemmed from the resolution issued by the Justice Department on Aug. 26, 2016, which ordered the indictment of the officials of the PPDCI and JKG for estafa through falsification of commercial documents, false testimony and perjury and violation

of R.A. 9184 based on the complaint filed by the Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines. The department held that the officials of JKG-PPDCI conspired to submit falsified documents and false information to the BAC of the DoTC-LTO to be able to bag the contract for the supply and delivery of motor vehicle license plates. “Since its implementation in 2014, all motor vehicle owners were required to replace their license plates on the date required for the renewal registration of their motor vehicles. Thus, the hapless Filipino people paid for P450 for a pair of regular plates and P120 for a motorcycle plate, all for non-existent plates, the complaint says.

CCW says the respondents failed to conduct post- qualification of the winning bidder, contrary to the recommendations of the Technical Working Group. “Had the BAC allowed the post qualification, the DoTC could have had the financial capability to manufacture the license plates under the MVLPSP Project, the complainant says. “It can be inferred that the DoTC-BAC have acted in manifest partiality towards the PPDCI-JKG joint venture.” CCW accuses the members of the DoTC-BAC of awarding the contract to PPDCI-JKG despite the false documents submitted by the joint venture.

expects Robredo to spearhead the political opposition against the President, confirmed Tuesday that the President’s order that she desist from attending Cabinet meetings was anchored on her political actions and statements which did not sit well with members of the Cabinet. In a radio interview, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco said Robredo should have turned down a Cabinet post if she wanted to speak out her mind as a member of the opposition. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s order for Robredo to stop attending Cabinet meetings was meant to discipline her. “I don’t think he was fed up with her,” Abella said in Filipino. “Maybe he just felt she needed to be disciplined.” Duterte said he accepted Robredo’s resignation “with a heavy heart.” Duterte’s spokesman also de-

nied speculation that the Palace was paving the way for her ouster as vice president by Marcos. “That’s quite a stretch,” Abella said. The camp of former Vice President Jejomar Binay criticized Robredo for saying she was the only head of the HUDCC to attend board meetings and work weekends at home. “Not to question Vice President Robredo’s work ethic, but it is quite unfair and self-serving of her to portray herself—after only five months in office—as the most hardworking HUDCC chair,” said Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado. Binay was HUDCC chairman during most of the Aquino administration. “I cannot speak for the other previous HUDCC chairs but perhaps she hasn’t heard of former Vice President Jejomar Binay’s work ethic,” Salgado said. “I don’t think it’s right to step

on others to set yourself up higher,” he added. On Tuesday, the Palace reminded Commission on Higher Education Chairman Patricia Licuanan to submit her courtesy resignation, after she too was barred from attending Cabinet meetings. “On August 22, a letter, a memorandum, a circular was given. It was asking for the courtesy resignations of presidential appointees,” Abella said. On Monday, Licuanan assured Evasco she would follow Duterte’s order for her not to attend Cabinet meetings, but said she will not be stepping down as the chairperson of the state higher education body. The Palace said “irreconcilable differences” had prompted the President to order Licuanan to stop attending Cabinet meetings. Unlike Robredo, however, Licuanan has a fixed term that ends in 2018, as guaranteed by the Higher Education Modernization Act. With Joel E. Zurbano

the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group supported by the 65th Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan. He said the team served the search warrant against Farhana. Tan reported a shootout, but a TV report from ABS-CBN showed vootage of the raid as it happened inside the Maute matriarch’s compound in Marawi. “A policeman from the raiding team was wounded after stepping on a trip wire inside the compound,” the TV report said without mentioning any shootout. The network said “water and

power bills bearing Farhana’s name” were found during the raid. The CIDG said Farhana might have been financing the operations of her sons and that her houses served as safe houses of the terrorists. The CIDG added that Farhana is a former government contractor and was able to send her sons to study in the Middle East where they were radicalized. On Monday, a member of the 1st Scout Ranger Company was killed when his team encountered about 20 members of the Maute group, Tan said.

“Troops were able to recover an RPG, several RPG ammunition, and a steel chainsaw,” Tan said. Recently, the military dislodged Maute group members who had occupied an abandoned municipal hall in Butig town. To date, Tan said a total of 63 terrorists have been killed and 17 have been wounded. Troops suffered one killed and 38 wounded. “The military continues to intensify the conduct of focused military operations to neutralize members of the Matue group,” he said.

Arnell Ignacio had earlier said the President wanted to revive the Botika ng Bayan using the P5-billion dividend. Duterte, meanwhile, also issued a Christmas message earlier than usual and he appealed for national unity for peace and support for the administration’s fight against illegal drugs and corruption. Duterte asked members of his government to work hard to fulfill his campaign promise of bringing lasting peace in the country, stamping out corruption and ending the illicit drugs trade. “I plead for the unity of the country. I plead for the next generation that there will be Filipinos able, competent, healthy and good,” the President said Monday in his message. “I plead for peace so that our citizens can move around anytime of the day or night. And I ask everybody in government that together we will stop corruption,” he added.

seven days, including Sundays, you can demonstrate. Just do not do violent things,” he said. In its report to the Justice Department, NBI also recommended the filing of charges against Police Chief Insp. Leo Diao Laraga, Police Officer 3 Norman T. Abellanosa and Paul Olendan, for the search warrant “maliciously obtained” and for violations of the Revised Penal Code. Citing testimony by witnesses who disputed the CIDG’s claim that they shot it out with Espinosa and Yap, the NBI concluded that their deaths were the result of a rubout. The NBI also noted that an earlier operation conducted on October 30 had made a thorough search of the jail, precisely to rid the premises of contraband, including firearms and illegal drugs, but found only a few items such as cellphones. It was, therefore impossible

for Espinosa and Yap to possess these firearms and illegal drugs inside their respective cells on the night of the supposed implementation of the search warrants, the NBI said in its report. The NBI also said the search warrant used by the raiding team was maliciously obtained because it was based on a perjured affidavit from Olendan, who claimed he went to Baybay City to visit Yap in jail, when records showed he was at the Leyte National High School, where he works as a utility personnel. “From the pieces of evidence, the NBI concluded it is patently clear that the acts of the CIDG 8 operatives showed a community of purpose or an implied conspiracy,” the NBI report said. “There was unison in their purpose and action, signifying that they were all moved by a single criminal intent,” the NBI said.

“Furthermore, there is no indication that the police operatives who participated in the killing had desisted or those who acted as lookouts had prevented the raiding team from shooting the victims. Recommended charged for multiple murder are PSUPT Marvin Wynn Marcos, PSUPT Santi Noel Gaspang Matira, PCINSP Leo Daio Laraga, SI Deogracia Pedong Diaz, SI Fritz Bioco Blanco, SPO4 Juanito Ampado Duarte, SPO4 Melvin Mendoza Caboyit, SPO4 Eric Palattao Constantino, SPO2 Benjamin Layague Dacallos, SPO2 Alphinor Milla Serrano, Jr., PO3 Johnny Abuda Ibanez, PO3 Norman Tiu Abellanosa, PO2 Niel Patrimonio Centino, PO1 Bernard Rodriguez Orpilla, PO3 Lloyd Ortinez Ortiguesa, PO1 Jerlan Sadia Cabiyaan, Cristal Jane Briones Gisma, Divine Grace Baclas Songalia, all assigned at CIDG Regional Office

No. 08, Port Area, Tacloban City as well as PCINSP Calixto Cabardo Canillas, Jr., PINSP Lucresito Adana Candelosas, SPO2 Antonio Romangca Docil, SPO1 Mark Christian Castillo Cadilo, PO2 John Ruel Baldevia Doculan, and PO2 Jaime Pacuan Bacsal, all assigned at Regional Maritime Unit 8 Port Area, Tacloban City. On Thursday, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa admitted that “a higher official” and his “kumpare in Malacañang” ordered him to reinstate Marcos, who was relieved for allegedly accepting payoffs from self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, son of the late Albuera mayor. Dela Rosa, however, would not say who the caller was. On Friday, Duterte admitted that he was the one who made the order, saying he was doing “an investigative job.”

criminal charges to be filed against Lam soon. The casino operation of the lone five-star Fort Ilocandia Resort in Laoag, meanwhile, has been temporarily closed. The FIR is an affiliate of Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Field, Pampanga. Upon instructions from President Rodrigo Duterte police and representatives from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. served the closure order late Monday. Following the arrest of 1,316 Chinese at Lam’s casino in Fontana for overstaying and some violations, the President ordered the arrest of the big-time gaming tycoon for allegedly attempting to bribe government officials, including Aguirre and Pagcor chairwoman Andrea Domingo, and for economic sabotage. Jayson Perrera, legal counsel of FIR, maintained that Lam has not violated any law, hence he is optimistic the operation of

the Fort Ilocandia casino will resume as soon as possible. Earlier this year, authorities conducted a raid inside FIRC, which resulted in the arrest of some Chinese who were accused of online betting but their cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence, Perrera said. Over the years, pack of Chinese tourists visit Laoag City via chartered flights and they are all billeted at the Fort Ilocandia. “Our Chinese visitors [at the FIRC] are well-documented Chinese. They come and go at the Fort Ilocandia,” said Perrera. The Bureau of Immigration reported Tuesday that 10 more Chinese nationals who left their holding facility at the convention center of the Club Fontana Hotel in Clark, Pampanga, have returned to government custody. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, called on the remaining 16 who are still unaccounted, as of Tuesday to return to the bureau’s custody.

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agreeing to a haphazardly drawn-up peace agreement that would redound to the revolutionary movement’s capitulation instead of addressing the roots of the armed conflict,” the group said in a statement. NDF consultant Rey Casambre said Duterte’s statements on Monday were contrary to those of chief peace adviser Jesus Dureza and government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III. “It belies Dureza’s statement that efforts are being undertaken but legal processes are unavoidably slow and validates the NDF view that political prisoners can be released within days along judicial processes once a decision to release is made, and that the political prisoners are being hostaged to force the NDF to a bilateral ceasefire or a final peace agreement,” Casambre said Tuesday.

THE Department of Health on Tuesday reported the third case of a pregnant woman afflicted with the Zika virus, bringing to 39 the total number of Zika cases as of Nov. 22. Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said the five-month pregnant woman was five months pregnant and was from Laguna. The additional cases were one from Mandaluyong and two from Iloilo Cify who were all not pregnant. She said the latest pregnant victim was 27 and had already had an ultrasound, but they were yet to get the results. Ubial said the two other pregnant cases were a 22-yearold from Cebu and a 16-yearold from Las Piñas.. Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag said the 16-yearold was 20 weeks pregnant and had had an ultrasound. He said his department was continuously monitoring the conditions of the pregnant patients, and that they would have to monitor their babies from the time they were born up to two years because the effects of the Zika virus manifested themselves two years later. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Bello earlier said 21 sick detainees, three elderly and a woman were recommended for immediate release. On the other hand, Dureza said the necessary legal processes could take a while since the cases were already with the judiciary. In a statement, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said Duterte’s pronouncements Monday to produce first a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement before a substantial release of detained communist rebels were his newest “instructions” given to Bello and panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad who left for Oslo on Tuesday. “Produce [for] me a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement and I will release them within 48 hours. You can take my word for it,” Bello quoted the President as saying. He said Duterte promised to release a number of elderly and sick detained rebels before Christmas.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘LP free to leave House coalition’

TOO YOUNG TO BE CRIMINALS.

Members of Akbayan Party-list and child rights advocates gather in front of the House of Represenatives to call on legislators to abandon plans to pass a proposed measure that would lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the current 15 years to nine years old. Andrew Rabulan

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday expressed hope the so-called super majority in the House of Representatives would remain strong in the event Liberal Party members allied with the majority bloc should decide to join the opposition bloc following Vice President Leni Robredo’s resignation from the Duterte Cabinet. “I’m comfortable with our numbers. I welcome any move if they decide to bolt the [super majority] coalition, and join the opposition. I have no problem with that,” Alvarez told a radio interview. Opposition Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier urged LP members in the super majority coalition in the House to join the seven-man opposition bloc following Robredo’s resignation as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. Former speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Deputy Speaker Miro Quimbo of Marikina led the LP members in the super majority coalition in the Lower House Other LP members allied with the majority bloc include Reps. Jorge Banal, Alfred Vargas and Winnie Castelo—all representatives from Quezon City; Vilma Santos of Batangas and Henedina Abad of Bataan, wife of former budget secretary Florencio Abad Jr. The LP, the dominant party during the Aquino administration, has 34 members in the House. Of the total, only five of them are with the opposition led by Lagman and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat. The Lower House has 293 House members. Baguilat said those who would join the opposition would be making sacrifices since it would mean losing committee chairmanships, vice chairmanships and other privileges. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, a member of the LP in the opposition bloc, finds it awkward for LP members to remain in the majority bloc while Robredo leads the opposition. “It’s very awkward that LP members in House are in super majority while our leader is the opposition leader. It’s time to take stand,” Erice told a news conference.

Dayan escorted back to Pangasinan house By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ONNIE Dayan, the former boyfriend of Senator Leila de Lima, was released from the Senate custody and allowed to go home Monday night, a few hours after being detained for lying in his testimony and for his “selective memory.” In an interview, Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, which is leading the Senate probe into the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Roland Espinosa, said Dayan was escorted back to his house in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan. “We agreed, anyway, he will make himself available, and besides, his wife and children were there, we took pity on them. So we asked the Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms and the PNP to accompany him,” said Lacson. Lacson said a SWAT team from the Pangasinan provincial police office escorted him when

he left the Senate premises. “We also requested the PNP to secure Dayan in his house. He said Dayan, also a former driver and bodyguard of De Lima, assured he would be available in case there would be another hearing in the Senate. “He wanted to say some things yesterday [December 5], but he no longer had the chance. If there will be another hearing, I suppose he would say some things which he hasn’t said yet,” added Lacson. Before allowing Dayan to leave the Senate premises, Lacson said he and Senators Vicente Sotto and Gregorio Honasan

talked to him. “We asked him for a few debrieﬁng,” said Lacson. “We advised him to compose himself. He should rest his mind so he can remember what ought to be remembered. I think that is a proper approach to reboot his memory because he seemed confused,” Lacson said. Lacson, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order, indicated that Dayan could still be stressed after hiding and running away from authorities after his and De Lima’s alleged involvement in protecting drug dealers surfaced. Dayan was detained in the Senate after Senator Manny Pacquiao moved he be cited in contempt for lying and contradicting his own statements. No senator objected to Pacquiao’s suggestion. Lacson said Dayan was merely called to the Senate hearing after the late mayor’s son Kerwin, tagged as the No. 1 drug lord in the Eastern Visayas region, talked about their connection. In his testimony, Kerwin said he gave De Lima a total P8 million for

her campaign funds in the last May elections. He said he personally handed the money to Dayan. Lacson also related that during their conversation before his release, they made Dayan recall if there was an incident in 2015 when they went to Leyte at the time De Lima was planning to run for senator. “He told us they went there because of ‘‘Yolanda’’ [investigation] and they had the opportunity to mingle with local politicians. Of course, if you go there, you will have the chance to talk to the mayors. So we told him to try hard to recall,” said Lacson. What remains still unclear, Lacson said, was the connection between Kerwin and Dayan since they had reconciled in the hearing last Monday the conﬂicting dates when the “payolas” were given. In a separate interview, De Lima indicated there was no basis for her colleagues to cite Dayan in contempt, adding there was a prenotion, and prejudgment that between him and Kerwin, Dayan was lying.

Alvarez to Catholic Church: Stay off death penalty issue

25 PCG ofﬁcials are suspended

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman on Tuesday ordered a six-month preventive suspension against 25 high-ranking ofﬁcers of the Philippine Coast Guard for their involvement in the anomalous utilization of funds of P67.5 million. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the suspension of Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena; Rear Admiral William Melad; Rear Admiral Cecil Chen; Commodores Enrico Efren Evangelista Jr. and Aaron Reconquista; Commanders John Esplana; William Arquero; Jude Thaddeus Besinga; Roben de Guzman; Angel Lobaton IV; Ferdinand Panganiban; Joselito Quintas; Ivan Roldan; Rommel Supangan; George

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday appealed to the Catholic Church not to meddle in the efforts of the House of Representatives to pass the death penalty bill; otherwise Roman Catholics may just join a new religion. Alvarez issued the appeal as some Catholic priests and bishops were reminded about their refusal to give Holy Communion to those who advocated the enactment of the Reproductive Health bill, especially lawmakers. Alvarez said Catholic leaders must be able to respect the sepa-

ration of powers between the Church and State as guaranteed by the Constitution. 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 Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Last week, the House sub committee on judicial reforms, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, approved the measure contained in a consolidated version, including House Bill 1 authored by Alvarez.

By Rio N. Araja

Ursabia Jr.; Ferdinand Velasco; Wilfred Burgos and Allen Dalangin; Captains Joeven Fabul; Angelito Gil; Ramon Lopez and Christopher Villacorte; Lt. JG Mark Franklin Lim II; Lt. Mark Larsen Mariano, and accounting head Rogelio Caguioa. She directed Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to implement the preventive suspension order. “The respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield inﬂuence on possible witnesses and to access public records, [and] their continued stay in ofﬁce may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance,” said Morales in her order.

Month-long leave of ERC chairman welcomed A HOUSE leader on Tuesday welcomed what she described as “initial relief” the taking of one-month leave of Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar over allegations of corruption in the agency. House Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy is among the prime movers of an advocacy in the House aiming to stop irregularities in the power commission that had at least resulted in the suicide of ERC Diretor Francisco Jose Villa Jr. last Nov. 9. Herrera-Dy has ﬁled several House Resolutions calling for inquiry into the alleged anomalies perpetrated by the agency’s top ofﬁcials, as well as calling for the investigation of the surrounding circumstances that compelled Villa to take his own life. Maricel V. Cruz

Sandigan upgolds Espino suspension THE Sandiganbayan has upheld the suspension order it imposed on Pangasinan (5th District) Rep. Amado Espino Jr. for a graft case ﬁled against him when he was Pangasinan governor. In a resolution dated Nov. 29, 2016, the Sandiganbayan dismissed Espino’s motion to nullify the 90-day preventive suspension it issued on Sept. 7, 2016. In the ruling written by Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada, the Sandiganbayan ordered House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to implement the order and to inform the Sandiganbayan of the actual date of the suspension and the expiry of the 90-day period. PNA

Focus on economic policies

Yasay, Lavrov prepare for Duterte-Putin meet in 2017 By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan FOREIGN Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Tuesday to prepare for the planned official visit and bilateral meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and President Vladimir Putin next year. Eying the visit may be during the Spring season, both Yasay and Lavrov also discussed the current state of bilateral relations and the prospects to enhance cooperation on broad ranges of areas, spanning the political, security, economic, cultural and people-to-people spheres. “They both agreed to redouble efforts to conclude a number of agreements that would form part of the legal framework on which to build relations,” a statement from the DFA said. In a recent forum, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev said Duterte’s official visit to Russia was made after his “productive” meeting with Putin at the sideline of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima, Peru.

IN BRIEF

QUESTIONABLE VACCINES. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, pitches questions to Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rossell-Ubial and former Health secretary Janette Loreto Garin during the Senate public hearing on the alleged P3.5 billion worth of questionable Dengue vaccines administered by the DoH to 280,000 students. Lino Santos

SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III said Tuesaday the proposed charter amendments to the 1987 Constitution would not only focus on the country’s shift to federalism but also how the country’s economic policies would be upgraded. “We must make sure the economy works for all Filipinos and not just a few families,” said Pimentel. Pimentel, President of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan, said he was carefully studying the proposal to change the 60-40 rule in the 1987 Constitution which limits foreign investment in the country.

Macon Araneta

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Palace double talk

EGARDLESS of the executive order on the freedom of information, this administration has been far from transparent or forthcoming about what happens behind the scenes. A perfect example of this was the cloak-and-dagger way by which Supt. Marvin Marcos, chief of the Region 8 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, was reinstated the same day he was relieved by Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa. Marcos was no ordinary cop. Only recently, he led a dawn raid on a provincial jail that killed Albuera Mayor

Rolando Espinosa, who, he would have us believe, had tried to shoot at him and 17 other members of the raiding team from inside his cramped jail cell. Marcos has also been identified by the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas, Kerwin Espinosa, as one of many police officials who took payoffs in return for protecting their illegal operations. Dela Rosa seemed caught off guard when the press asked him why Marcos was reinstated the same day he was relieved. His only answer was that he received a call from “a higher-up”—a person he described as his “kumpare.” President Duterte eventually admitted that it was he who ordered Marcos reinstated, so as not to disrupt an ongoing investigation of the officer. The explanation beggars belief.

What kind of investigation can anyone conduct, now that the President himself has let the cat out of the bag? Perhaps realizing how silly this explanation was, the President later took a more defiant tone. “I do not have to explain to you, the whole republic and the critics, why I made the order,” he said. He said the order was within his discretion, suggesting that he knew about—or ordered—the raid that killed Espinosa in his jail cell, an act that senators have described as a summary execution. “I promised the police and the military: Do your duty, go out and find these criminals, arrest them if possible but if they offer a violent resistance and you think that your life is in danger, kill

them,” he said. He said he believed the police when they said Espinosa resisted arrest—in effect justifying their actions during the raid. Duterte then told his critics to go to the streets and demonstrate if they wanted. “If you want to do something about it, fine,” he said. “You want to demonstrate? I give you the streets 365 days a year 30 days in a month 7 days, including Sundays, you can demonstrate. Just do not do violent things,” he said. But the violence has already been done—to the Albuera mayor and to those of us who are appalled by the Palace double standard that lets erring policemen go scot-free while killing all other drug suspects. VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Leni vs Duterte

‘Girl Sisi’ LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES IN THE first place, who stole what from whom? And if what’s been stolen is taken from the thief and returned to its rightful owner, is that stealing, too? In a televised press conference after she resigned from the Duterte Cabinet, Vice President Leni Robredo warned darkly about an alleged plot to steal her remaining position, that of the second-highest post in the land. By framing her resignation in the light of this so-called plot, Robredo sought not only to hide the real reason for her leaving (her refusal to conform to the declared policies and programs of her boss in the Cabinet, President Rodrigo Duterte) but also to incite her supporters against the possibility that she may be dislodged as vice president by

the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. In seeking to politicize her resignation, Robredo also attempted to divert attention away from her incompetence as overall housing coordinator. After all, Robredo’s claims of “solid accomplishments” have never really gone beyond attending meetings and conferences and giving speeches, where she would often take the opportunity to criticize the Duterte administration’s policies. As one joke goes, Senator Leila de Lima has built more houses for her paramours than Robredo ever did for the poor as HUDCC chief. And, at the time, De Lima was actually secretary of justice. But it’s one thing to use politics to cover up the fact that she was ideologically a bad fit for a Cabinet post and incompetent, to boot. It’s quite another to cast aspersions on the Supreme Court, which is still deliberating on the election protest filed against Robredo by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The Marcos camp, which has

long bewailed the slow pace of the court in ruling on the electoral protest it filed, was understandably irked by Robredo’s insinuations. And the irony of being accused of planning to steal the vice presidency

De Lima has built more houses for her paramours than Robredo ever did for the poor as HUDCC chief. from someone that Marcos has charged with theft in the May elections was not lost on the former senator. “We have been asking the court to speed up its disposition of the case for the longest time,

to no avail, because we worry is that that there may be a deliberate attempt to delay it,” Marcos’ campaign manager Jonathan dela Cruz told me. “To be accused [by Robredo] of stealing her post is laughable, because we believe that she was the one who benefited from wholesale theft of the vote in the last elections.” The electoral theft in question has to do with Marcos’ overnight loss of his one million-vote lead shortly after the polls closed on May 9. In fact, central to Marcos’ protest is the manipulation of the Smartmatic servers which reversed the trend of the vote showing the former senator comfortably ahead and establishing Robredo as the leader by a slim margin of a little over 200,000, which she maintained until the last votes were counted. Also, Robredo’s mention of her electoral case in her resignation statement shows her contempt for the PET, which is really the Supreme Court en banc, the body which the 1987 Constitution mandated to resolved pro-

tests regarding the election of presidents and vice presidents. Just like the petitioners against the recent burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Robredo has heretofore never questioned the jurisdiction of the high court —even if she seems to have no qualms about questioning a ruling that may go against her. Like her Yellow idol Noynoy Aquino, Robredo can never seem to find any fault in what she’s done and hasn’t done. She can’t understand—or refuses to understand—that she was forced to quit for being a very public critic of a president who gave her a high position in a gesture of inclusiveness and reconciliation and for not doing a good job. For Robredo, it’s all Bongbong Marcos’ fault, never hers. And that’s just the sort of attitude that costs people their jobs. *** A Palace informant has told me that Duterte has long been complaining about the other official directed to stop attending

VICE President Leni Robredo has been fired from the Cabinet of President Duterte. She has been treated shabbily, according to the Inquirer. Leni should have known from the start that as member of the Duterte Cabinet, she served at the pleasure of the President. She was at his beck and call. The President was her master. And when the President doesn’t like you, that’s it. The President can express or not express his dislike in many ways. Including your being fired by text, through a presidential subaltern. In being fired, she didn’t enjoy the courtesy of a call from the boss himself. Nor the formality of a perfunctory letter telling her how the President appreciates her brief stint and service in the Cabinet but because of sharp differences of views or approaches to governance, they cannot pursue their common goal of reducing poverty and extending prosperity to all without giving each other the flexibility or adequate elbow to pursue that goal in the manner each saw it best. Leni had it coming. Duterte from the start had indicated he did not like her and he didn’t like her joining his Cabinet. He didn’t like her because he wanted Bongbong Marcos as the elected vice president. I think Duterte suspects BBM was cheated in the count. Duterte did not like her joining the Cabinet because she represented the Liberal Party which during the election campaign raked up his so-called unexplained but bogus wealth and unexplained but bogus bank deposits, with some help from the supposedly independent and secretive Anti-Money Laundering Council. Duterte, 71, the president , operates by institutional memory. We develop our memories out of the daily anecdotes we encounter. Those experiences shape us and shape our ideas and vision of the future. That is why rags-to-riches stories of wealth are so compelling. It’s like seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The same with the rise to power of once a small town mayor like Duterte. Anyone who wants to analyze Duterte should read back to his childhood thru adulthood, his background at Ateneo where he was sexually molested by an American priest and ousted by them for perceived misbehavior, at San

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Opinion

IN THE wake of so much ha- Misuari, a graduate of the Unitred peddled by those opposing versity of the Philippines, who the burial of the late strongman believed that the Muslims must President Ferdinand Marcos at have their own government. the Libingan ng mga Bayani, The MNLF was not only after two pertinent questions have to autonomy, but total independence of the Muslims from the be answered. One, why did Marcos de- central government. Marcos was then actually clare Martial Law at midnight of Sept. 21, 1972, and two, if fighting on two fronts—the Martial Law were not declared, communist takeover of the eswhat would have happened to tablishment, and the Muslim rebellion.With the declaration the country? Let’s rewind a bit, and fol- of Martial Law, the backbone of low the antecedents of the dec- the communist movement was laration of Martial Law. In the broken. This was precisely why the late 1940s, there was the Martial Law had to be declared. As for the Muslim rebellion Hukbalahap (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) which traces in Mindanao, with the help it roots to the time of the Sak- of Marcos friends among the dalistas, demanding fair and eq- Muslims, Marcos gave MNLF uitable treatment of tenants by commanders what they wantlandlords, particularly in Cen- ed—money and power. Muslim commanders were given access tral Luzon. This struggle of oppressed to imported fruits, sardines farmers and tenants metamor- and other groceries which they phosed into the Hukbalahaps could sell. That also broke the during the Japanese Occupa- Muslim rebellion which forced Misuari into self-exile in Egypt. tion. Comes now the question: If After Liberation in the early 1950s, because of the Cold War, Marcos did not impose Martial communism and nationalism Law, what would have hapwere the wave of the future. pened? We can conclude that the People thought that to be a com- communist movement would munist, or at least a socialist, have taken over the establishment and that was somethe Muslim rething romanbellion would tic. have also sucI knew this ceeded. because as It broke the Lest I am a young stum isu nderdent at the backbone of stood, I am not old Ateneo condoning opde Manila, the communist pression and even I fanviolation of cied myself a movement. human rights com munist. during the In fact, my Martial Law good friend regime. Nor and classmate, former Vice President am I tolerating plunder comTito Guingona and I used to call mitted the 20-year regime of the Marcoses. But to heap eveeach other “comrade.” Those were the days when rything that happened during the Huks became the enemy these “dark days of history” on of the state. They went on a Marcos is also unfair. Martial Law had to be derampage throughout Luzon, inspired by the Communist Party clared, or else the country of the Philippines, with an would have come under comagenda of overthrowing the es- munist rule. I am citing all those in my tablishment. It got to be so that during the Magsaysay regime, personal belief that Marcos, for foremost in the agenda of the all that happened during those late President Magsaysay was days, must also have to be credto break the backbone of the ited for preventing a communist Hukbalahap. With the help of takeover of the country. Unfortunately during the the Central Intelligence Agency, the Hukbalahap movement years of the Cory Aquino administration, she gave an amhad a big setback. Through the years, commu- nesty all the communists and nism grew, so much as that me- decriminalized the Communist dia, the academe, the bureau- Party of the Philippines. That cracy in government, and even gave birth to the inclusion of Congress had admirers and sup- the anomalous party-list system which benefited the commuporters. Santa Banana, would you nists and everybody else identibelieve that months before the fied with the left. To the Aquinos, Marcos was imposition of Martial Law, the Huks, together with the all evil, because they blamed New People’s Army, had al- him for the assassination of the ready occupied Balara near late Senator Ninoy Aquino. But, the University of the Philip- during all the years the Aquipines? I knew this because I nos were in power, eight years was teaching at that time at the under Cory, six years under BS Ateneo High School in Loyola Aquino, they never tried to find out who really did it. Heights. What really saddens me, my I had a jeep then which I bought for P1,500 and I used gulay, is that this is a time when to take Highway 54, now Edsa, people should be rejoicing with as the fastest route to my law the coming of the Christ. And school. Then one day, when I yet the air is filled with so much wanted to take the Highway 54 hate and vindictiveness. Have we lost our sense of route to Manila, the highway was barred by logs and boul- values? *** ders, which I was told later, was What most people do not done by the NPAs. Marcos and then-Defense know is that Vice President Leni Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile Robredo practically begged knew this as an early warning President Duterte to be made a device. The Huks and the NPAs member of the Cabinet. When she was appointed, she were already knocking at the doors of Metro Manila. With vowed to support the President, their supporters inside the es- knowing full well that a memtablishment, they were ready to ber of the Cabinet is the alter ego of the President and as take over the government. Long before this, I was told, such, he or she must conform to Marcos and his people were all the policies of the President. Now, how can Robredo bealready ready to declare Martial Law using the 1935 Con- come the leader of the opposistitution which provided that in tion when she failed to realize cases of invasion and rebellion what it means to be a member of when public safety requires it, it the Cabinet? To me, it all boils can be done. With Proclamation down to opportunism. If there must be an opposition 1081, Mr. Marcos simply did leader, he or she must be one what had to be done. Another factor that came into who is respected and admired. play was the rebellion of the Have the Yellows sunk to slow Moro National Liberation Front that they would rather have an led by a Muslim visionary, Nur opportunist leading them?

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A controversial call

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Why Martial Law was declared

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO IT SHOULD not have been that big of a story but the US media blew it up into a major controversy. We are talking here about President elect Donald Trump taking a call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Trump, never known for observing diplomatic protocol, took the congratulatory call from the Taiwanese president as he did with other heads of state. But because of Beijing’s hardline one-China policy which the US recognizes, taking a call from the Taiwanese President is a no-no. Taiwan is considered as a renegade province of China. But what is Trump to do when the call was handed to him by his aide? He had to take it, out of elementary courtesy. After all,

he hadn’t been sworn in to office yet. If Beijing really needs to protest Washington’s de facto recognition of Taiwan, it should have done so in the US sale of $46 billion worth of weapons that strengthened the island’s defense against China’s threat to invade it. Against this backdrop of US hardening of policy towards China, a newly released book by Gordon Chang, an American of Chinese descent, augurs “The Coming Collapse of China.” Trump, to most Americans, appears to symbolize a new presidency both in foreign and economic policy. Take his wellreceived action to save 1,000 jobs in the Carrier air-conditioning factory in Indianapolis, Indiana. By offering Carrier management tax breaks and investment incentives, Trump convinced the company not to move those jobs and the factory to Mexico. Trump, during the presidential campaign, vowed to keep Amer-

ican jobs in the US. He even said he would build a wall between Mexico and the US to keep illegal Mexicans immigrants out. Vice President Mike Pence, the former Indiana governor, is turning out to be an articulate advocate of Trump’s policies as he explained the rationale for the President elect’s trade thrust. These two issues—saving American jobs and keeping illegal immigrants out of the US, contributed largely to Trump’s triumph. Another issue was the much-hated Obamacare which made medical costs more expensive. These three relevant issues resonated among American voters. Trump, however is taking his time to make an appointment to the vital Secretary of State position. The short list that included Governor Mitt Romney, retired US General and former CIA Director David Petraeus, and former US Ambassador Robert Bolton has now been expanded

to include three others. Petraeus appears to be a strong contender given his military background which is essential to foreign policy. Bolton, on the other hand, is attuned to US and Republican Party foreign policy. Recall that Bolton was posted to the UN by former President George W. Bush, who ignored the bicameral Senate and House Commission on Appointments to submit his name to them. He proved to be a competent and able Ambassador. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing recount of the November election returns challenged by the camp of defeated Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton But it is doubtful the results would show an otherwise different outcome that would reverse Trump’s victory. Even the street protests against Trump have started to dissipate. Americans seem to have accepted a Trump presidency.

Shorts SO I SEE LITO BANAYO SO MANY things are happening, almost at the same time, and just before the Christmas spirit begins to fill the air. For one, there are unusually high recorded temperatures. In Taipei, it should be cold by now, between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. Well, it’s still in the 20s. In Manila, it’s still in the lower 30s when it should be in the lower to mid-20s. Climate change is truly upon us, no thanks to years of wanton disregard in emitting carbon, and no thanks to the industrialized countries who used gazillions of barrels of oil and mega-tons of coal to fuel their mega-bucks. *** Coming as a sudden jolt was the resignation of Vice President Leni Robredo after receiving a text message from the Cabinet secretary that her presence as HUDCC chairperson was no longer welcome in Cabinet meetings. Sad. There must have been deeper reasons, information known to the President and his closest staff only, that triggered the decision to pull out the welcome mat from Cabinet meetings. That the Cabinet secretary included Commission on Higher Education chairperson Patricia Licuanan, a hold-over from the Aquino administration on account of her fixed term of office, indicates that there is a graver reason than merely the opposition to the Marcos burial at the Libingan, or the periodic com-

Leni... From A4 Beda Law School where he carried a gun to protect himself from bullies and imbibed his present knowledge of law without much diligence, at Lyceum where he took up foreign service and hobnobbed with closet rebels and where he developed his view and vision of the world as it was and as it should be, and at Davao where he tried to rule over what was virtually then a vast Wild Wild West by dealing with all kinds of lawbreakers—corrupt government men, police and military, communist New People’s Army, separatist Muslim rebels, foreign interventionists like America, and an incompetent and uncaring central government. Duterte believes he owes it to the Marcos family to return the gesture of the old man Ferdinand who gave Digong’s dad, Vicente,

‘Girl... From A4

Cabinet meetings, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Patricia Licuanan. A holdover of the Aquino administration whose term expires in 2018 yet, Licuanan has declared that she

ments on the ferocity of the drug war. The President may have known something he has verified, but need not tell the public at this point. But while it came too soon, parting was not entirely unexpected. It was just a matter of time. She was named chairperson of a coordinating council that supervises housing, but she has not been able to get her own choices appointed to key positions in the line agencies supervised by the HUDCC. Not the pivotal Pag-IBIG Fund, which has some P15 billion in funds at its disposal. Not the National Housing Authority. Neither the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. Then again, while a Cabinet is not supposed to be unanimous in its views and opinions, and members may freely debate policy options among themselves and in the presence of the man who appointed them, it must come out as one and solidly behind the President once a decision has been made. That is the presidential system. *** I read somewhere that the Rizal Memorial where we used to watch National Collegiate Athletic Association games in our younger days, and the title to which is deeded to the City of Manila, is soon to be demolished to give way to another shopping mall. Huwag naman sana. Huwag po, Mayor Erap. There are very few heritage buildings still standing in the nation’s capital, and very few examples of art deco-inspired architecture anywhere in the country. Even if there is a proposed mega-sports stadium and complex planned for the Green City in Clark, that is yet a plan,

and besides, the City of Manila, of itself and by itself, should have enough public spaces and sports centers for its 2 million population. Another mall at the heart of Manila would be another urban blight, another ugly pantheon to crass consumerism, and would add to the daily traffic woes experienced by Manila residents and Metro Manila commuters. See what Robinson’s mall in Ermita has done to the surroundings. See how traffic is botched up in Arroceros beside the City Hall because then Mayor Fred Lim allowed SM to put up a mall in what used to be YMCA’s wide expanse. Or Lucky Chinatown in what used to be the Meisic jail and a public school in Binondo. Or how a private developer is now tearing down El Hogar Filipino beside the Pasig. These malls should be in suburbia, not at the center of our already-congested cities. We have to look beyond raising revenues and solving short-term financial problems, and into preserving heritage. Meanwhile, why doesn’t the City assert its ownership over the Philippine Ports Authoritycontrolled Port Area bounded by Manila Bay on the west and on the east by Bonifacio Drive? All it takes is legislation to repeal or amend a presidential decree. And so many other properties of the City which were transferred to the national government during Martial Law? But then again, will the City plan as well as the then-First Lady Imelda Marcos and Dr. Jaime Laya did on how to optimally use these publicly-owned real estate? As it is, even these projects have gone to pot through years of indifference and neglect.

*** Looking at the Osaka Aquarium beside the sea and wharf of the bustling southern city of Japan evokes memories of how the same designers and planners had been conscripted to design an Oceanarium for Manila during the short-lived Erap term. This was supposed to complement the Manila Bay Marina development, a 1.4-hectare “island” at the back of the Quirino Grandstand where a one-stop, low-rise tourism center was to be put up. With an iconic architectural design, the glass-encased building to be constructed atop the platform was supposed to house art galleries, souvenir stores, an inter-active tourism destination map and planner, and restaurants showcasing the diverse regional cuisine of our islands. No Jollibees, no McDos, no Dencio’s, just strictly-supervised gustatory offerings from Ilocos, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, and other regions. And plenty of open areas for people to watch the sunset from. Beside it was supposed to rise the Oceanarium, on what used to be the skating rink, plus other properties owned by the City but deeded out to the Department of Tourism during Martial Law. This is exactly the same site as the Osaka Aquarium which juts out in front of the bay and beside the piers. The Arroyo administration instead built an “oceanarium” cum-hotel called H2O (a commercial project leased to a Singaporean developer with bad taste) atop the platform, which was already finished when they took over Erap’s abbreviated term. Sayang. Again, Kompadre-Mayor: spare the Rizal Memorial Center from crass commercialism.

the chance to serve in the Marcos Cabinet as secretary of general services from 1966 to 1968 when nobody knew Duterte’s old man from Adam during the pre-Martial Law years. For a decent but low-key professional from then-obscure Davao to be thrust into a national office, a Cabinet job must have been an absolutely big deal, especially to the Duterte family who emigrated to Davao from Cebu in search of greener pastures. Don Vicente put up a house on what he thought was a Davao government property only to find out somebody rich already owned it. This explains why the President hates squatters being relocated and the poor being told to hop from office to office, enduring all kinds of red tape and maltreatment, just to get a permit that should be issued without much ado. President Duterte believes that it was Cory Aquino who offered a local government job

to his mother Soledad. Mrs. Duterte declined the job which led the young lawyer Duterte to accept the job which then led to his becoming mayor of Davao for the next 23 years. For this reason, I do not believe Duterte will order the arrest and jailing of his predecessor, Benigno S. “Noynoy” Aquino III despite the latter’s supposed crime of raiding the treasury and distributing moolah to senators, congressmen and other favored politicians. Unless of course BS Aquino starts a campaign of destabilizing the Duterte administration and to install his Trojan horse, Leni Robredo. Duterte suspects BS Aquino is doing that destabilization campaign now. Which is why he cut and cut cleanly, from Leni Robredo. Now, is there a future for Vice President Robredo? Not much, I think. Without a Cabinet position with plenty of personnel and huge wherewithal, she can-

not do much good (for the socalled poor) and thus promote herself as the next president. If you look into her website, Leni as VP promises heaven on earth —zero poverty, prosperity for all, gender equality. Not even the richest and most powerful nations on earth can do those things. How much more of a Robredo without a Cabinet position? In the meantime, she could hope that Duterte’s frequent invocation of a migraine as an excuse to escape from mandatory socials and events is real. Or that his constantly vexing powerful America might finally prompt the CIA with extreme prejudice. You know what, Duterte will last his six-year presidential term. Anyone who maintains two wives and a couple of young girlfriends in a dorm is usually built to last.

will comply with the order that Robredo could not, but will not resign as head of the higher education agency. According to this source, Duterte has ordered Licuanan to stay away from Cabinet meetings because she seems uninterested in implementing his programs on higher education, such

as the President’s call to bring back compulsory military training in schools. Congress, aware that Licuanan is in the doghouse with Duterte, has gleefully slashed CHED’s 2017 budget, to get back at her for being so arrogantly against funding for state universities and colleges during the Aquino years, when she was

backed up by then-Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. But Licuanan will not do a Robredo even if Duterte’s higher education programs suffer, because she believes she is protected by her fixed term of office. “We’ll see about that,” my informant said. Abangan.

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News

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘80% kids still undergo violence’ By Sandy Araneta

BOUT 80 percent of Filipino children had or is still experiencing violence, a new study released by United Nations Children’s Fund’s Council for the Welfare of Children revealed on Tuesday.

CHILD WATCH. Ofﬁcials join hands after the results of the ﬁrst-ever National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children on Tuesday. Present

were (from left) Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Patricia B. Luna, children’s representative Christian Saludar, Unicef Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander, DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, Child Protection Network Foundation Inc. Executive Director Dr. Bernadette J. Madrid and Dr. Laurie S. Ramiro, principal scientiﬁc investigator, University of the Philippines Manila. PNA

IN BRIEF 800 ‘Yolanda’ victims moved THE government has relocated more than 800 families in less than a month after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered providing Typhoon Yolanda-affected families decent homes, a Palace official said. In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, December 6, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said that based on the report of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, the government has successfully relocated 827 Yolanda families out of 911 that was ruffled to their new homes as of Dec. 3, 2016. This is done just 26 days after President Duterte issued an instruction to relocate the beneficiaries to their new homes. “OPAV expects more families to be relocated to their new homes before Christmas as soon as other relocation sites are ready complete with electrical connection and potable water supply,” Abella said quoting Dino. Also, Abella said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III presented last night, during the Cabinet meeting, the proposal to acquire Postbank and convert it into an OFW or a workers’ bank. “And this particular move is an undertaking to show appreciation for the OFWs as our modern-day heroes,” he said. Remittances account for 9.8 percent of gross domestic product and 8.3 percent of gross national income. Therefore, there’s a need now for a more specialized financial institution for OFWs to cater to their needs and aspirations, Abella added. PNA

Tycoon to redevelop RMSC By Jenniffer B. Austria PORTS tycoon Enrique K. Razon announced on Tuesday plans to revitalize the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, an 11-hectare sports facility built in 1934. In a statement, the Razon Group said the redevelopment plans of the country’s national sports complex involves construction of contemporary buildings that will house modern offices and commercial areas run by smart technologies, with modern amenities and green open spaces. Razon Group did not say how much it will spend for the whole project but said the plan is a recognition of the 82-year-old sports complex as a historic landmark and immortalizes the affinity of Filipinos for sports. The plan includes the preservation of the structure as well as

fortifying the facade. A sports museum will also be built. The business areas are expected to compensate for the expensive and meticulous process of restoring and preserving the RMSC facade. Razon Group said the move to transform the RMSC through a preservation and urban renewal project will enable Manila to quickly catch up with other cities in the National Capital Region that have quickly grown and modernized. The same time the proposed plan will provide a new revenue stream for Manila, as well as create thousands of jobs. The RMSC, however, is facing opposition from various sectors that wanted to improve the complex instead of demolishing it. The RMSC was originally built 82 years ago in 1934. Destroyed during World War II, it was reconstructed in 1953, and renovated in 2011. Since that time, the RMSC

has not undergone any structural and facilities improvements or upgrading, rendering it virtually unsuitable and unsafe not only for training athletes, but especially for holding not only local but also international games. Managed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the property itself is owned by the City of Manila. The City has had no income from RMSC for years now, leaving the city with no funds to modernize facilities. With the planned RMSC redevelopment, the PSC is planning to transfer the RMSC to a different location, possibly Clark, in order to build the Philippine Olympic Village. This new sports complex is envisioned to be a larger and more modern sports complex complete with training facilities for national athletes as well as facilities to host large sports meets.

SMC gives P1b for rehab centers CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. will formally hand over its P1-billion donation to the government for the construction of additional drug rehabilitation facilities in the country on Wednesday. Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno thanked SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang and the entire SMC management for extending support to the government’s effort to rehabilitate drug users. “We thank Mr. Ramon Ang for the P1-billion donation that he will hand over to us, which will go a long way for our kababayans who can still be saved from drug dependence through rehabilitation,” Sueno said. Also, in a previous statement, Ang said that by supporting government in its campaign against illegal drugs, as well as the rehabilitation of drug dependents, was also helping create an “environment of participation and contribution” because it enabled other sectors to do the same. The DILG secretary said the government would continue encourage corporations to exercise their social responsibility and support government’s drive to eradicate illegal drugs activities and reform drug users who can still be functional members of the society. PNA

REWARDING WORK. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. employees and ofﬁcials, headed by Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Jeffrey Jude Thaddeus Opinion (2nd from right), hand over special Christmas gift packs to nearly 300 working students of the Parañaque National High School during the ﬁrst day of the agency’s annual gift-giving activity. PNA

Details of the study was revealed during a press conference held at the Manila Hotel with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Philippine General Hospital’s Dr. Bernadette Madrid, and Unicef representatives. According to the Unicef, this is the first-ever National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children and was conducted in 2015 among 4,000 child respondents from across all sectors and socio-economic backgrounds aged 13 to 24. According to the study, total prevalence of all forms of violence against children is at 80 percent; with boys at 81.5 percent; and girls at 78.4 percent. The reason why boys have higher prevalence than girls is because the study cited details that sexual violence started with the seduction of boys by predators. One in three children experiences physical violence, with more than half of this happening at home. Most common cases of violence at home are corporal punishment committed by parents and siblings. Three in five children experience psychological violence in the form of verbal abuse, threats or neglect. One in five children below age 18 have experienced sexual violence while growing up. Common perpetrators of sexual violence are brothers or cousins. Among males who experienced sexual violence, frequent perpetrators are cousins, fathers and brothers. And, nearly half of children experience violence online, whether sexual violence or cyber-bullying. “We at the Department of Social Welfare and Development call on our units to take a more

pro-active role when it comes to reporting cases of child abuse. More importantly, we want to promote a mindset among Filipinos that child abuse is wrong and should not be allowed in a society that claims to have respect for children’s rights,” Taguiwalo said. Taguiwalo also called on the delegation to make use of the results of the NBS-VAC as basis for enhancing legislation, policies, programs, and interventions for children; and enhancing the capacity of all service providers in order to prevent and respond to violence against children in the Philippines. On the other hand, Unicef expressed deep concern for the prevalence. “It is of deep concern that so many forms of violence pervade and harm the lives of Filipino children across all settings, committed by people they trust. The evidence demonstrates the need for expressed high-level government commitment and partner support to implement the National Action Plan to respond to and prevent VAC,” Unicef Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander said. Sylwander also cited the Philippine government’s commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goals, in which VAC is a worldwide priority agenda to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.” “We cannot do it alone. A single agency cannot create the impact or achieve our vision for a VAC-free society. It being a multi-faceted issue calls for strategic actions. We need to put all our acts together and more importantly, harmonize our actions,” said Taguiwalo.

‘Death squad probe yielded no evidence’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta operation, then suspected drug SENATOR Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate justice and human rights committee, ruled no basis was found on allegations that extrajudicial killing of suspected criminals in line with President’s bloody war against drugs, was state-sponsored. He also ruled out the existence of the so-called Davao death squad, saying it was just a media creation. This effectively cleared Duterte of Davao killings of more than 10,000 suspected criminals. He said the DDS killings, allegedly sanctioned by Duterte when he was Davao City mayor, was not proven during the committee hearing on extra-judicial killings or summary executions of drug personalities. The committee, Gordon said, also found “Operation Tokhang” violative of the Constitutional rights of an individual. Under such police operation, he noted that the constitutional rights of an individual against self-incrimination is violated. The senator said that during the

addicts or former addicts were asked to surrender and sign a paper stating they were addicts or former users without the presence of a lawyer. Gordon, who replaced Senator Leila de Lima as committee chairman, also said selfconfessed DDS hitman Edgar Matobato should be charged with murder for the killing of certain Salim Makdum whom he and his cohorts kidnapped. On De Lima and Trillanes, he said they should be sanctioned for their bad behavior but left other senators to pursue the matter. Gordon also said De Lima has also committed “material concealment” for such act. Trillanes, on the other hand, allegedly hid Matobato when the latter was about to be confronted by senators on the kidnapping case he was facing before the National Bureau of Investigation, also on the case of Makdum, Gordon said He said these findings will be contained in the committee report which is still being routed among committee members for signature.

SC revives Gonzalo Labs dispute Medical innovator urges action on doctor shortage By Rey E. Requejo WITH the Philippines needing almost one million new doctors, a law providing for medical school scholarships and telemedicine services are being touted as measures that can be adopted to ensure that every Filipino has access to immediate medical care. Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, who was directed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to travel to Cuba in August this year to study the country’s health care system, pointed out that Cuba has a ratio of one doctor for every 1,075 patients––a far cry from the Philippines, which has a ratio of one doctor for every 33,000 persons. According to Ubial, the prohibitive costs of medical school and length of study required discourages many Filipinos from becoming doctors.

“We’re producing only 2,600 a year. Right now, it’s very difficult to go into medicine,” Ubial said. There is a bill in the Senate that seeks to establish medical scholarship programs to increase the number of doctors in the country. Senate Bill 2717, authored by Senator Sonny Angara, would provide scholarships for deserving students in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine from every province of the country. “According to data from the UPCM, about 80 percemt of its graduates leave the country to practice medicine abroad. Unfortunately, this trend has been increasing for the past 10 years. The effect is evident in the lack of medical doctors to serve our underprivileged countrymen,” said Angara.

THE Supreme Court has revived the case involving the ownership dispute over rubbing alcohol brand Green Cross, despite the petition’s earlier withdrawal of the case in the “interest of substantial justice.” In a 16-page decision, the SC’s Special Second Division ruled that petitioner Gonzalo Co It, founder of Green Cross, should be allowed to avail of all legal remedies available to him with respect to his shares in his company despite his earlier withdrawal of his petition, which had become final and executory in 2012.

“Palpably, the interest of substantial justice demand that Gonzalo be allowed to pursue his appeal, reinstatement of the petition is imperative to further thresh out the issues involved therein,” stated the SC decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Perez and concurred by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Bienvenido Reyes. With this ruling, the SC reinstated Co It’s petition and ordered his siblings to file their comment on his appeal within 10 days from receipt of the said order. The case arose from the complaint for reconveyance

with damages filed by Co It, accusing his siblings namely Anthony Co, Mary Co Cho, Peter Co and Lucy So Hua Tan Co of fraudulently transferring to their names the shares of stocks of their deceased parents to his prejudice as they excluded him from the transfer. Co It alleged that he singlehandedly founded Gonzalo Laboratories, the maker of Green Cross, in 1952. In 1971, he incorporated his business into Gonzalo Laboratories Inc. and subscribed to 20 percent of the shares. To honor his parents, he caused the registration of some shares in the name of his mother, Ang Si and to his father Co Ay Tian.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

New Gilas PH vows to keep dream alive KEEPING the Olympic dream alive will be the continuing mission of Gilas Pilipinas in the next four years. Coach Chot Reyes said this after he presented a 21-man roster which will make up the national pool expected to train and prepare for the Olympic qualifying meets starting next year. “We don’t know if we will make it to the Olympics. But that is our burning dream,” said Reyes. Reyes, who now heads television network TV5, said this during a presentation Monday night at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati. He talked about the national squad just as former Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan forged a partnership with a roasted chicken retail business group to support the national team’s campaign for the next four years. This means that roasted chicken retail business group, Chooks to Go, will be around to support Gilas’ campaign for the next four years.

This was after Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascarinas signed a partnership with Pangilinan, the SBP, headed by its president Al Panlilio and national coach Chot Reyes. The national pool was supposed to be a 24-men lineup, but three have yet to be named to the list. Most of the players are from teams in the Philippine Basketball Association, including some members of the first batch of Gilas Pilipinas, who have been around since 2007. Dondon Hontiveros, Ranidel De Ocampo and Sonny Thoss were members of the 2007 national team that was christened for the first time as Team Gilas. University of the Philippines cagers Paul Desiderio and Jett Manuel were also around, along with Almond Vosotros, Matthew Wright, Jonathan Gray, Alfonso Gotladera, Von Pessumal, Ed Daquioag, Russell Escoto, RR Pogoy, Kevin Ferrer, Gryan Cruz, Jio Jalalon, Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo, JC Intal and Terrence Romeo. Peter Atencio

SHOOTFEST CHAMP. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce Chairman Jose Jorge E. Corpuz (right) and General Manager Alexander F.

Balutan (third from right) congratulate Agnes Ibera (second from right), PCSO’s Division Chief of Corporate Planning, after winning the championship of the Ladies’ Classic Division and Ladies’ Man vs. Man Classic Division Shooting competition organized by the Government Corporation Athletic Association at Sangley Point Naval Base in Cavite City. Other participants were (from left) PCSO’s Dr.Orlando Malaca, Vice Chairman of the Sports Committee; Executive Assistant VI Abraham Urubio, 2nd Runner-up in the Men’s Executive Production Division; and Executive Assistant VI Raymondo Liwag. Ibera has been topping the Ladies’ Classic Division since 2013. Joseph Muego

Southwoods opens bid with 8-shot lead BAGUIO CITY—Manila Southwoods started its bid by taking an eight-shot lead in the premier Fil Championship at the Baguio City Country Club golf course yesterday. Ira Alido turned in the best score of one-over 62 for 35 points as he powered the eight-time champion to a 131 and an eight-point lead over

Srixon Forest Hill. On a windy early morning, Alido, one of the three 15-year-olds from Carmona, Cavite, made two bogeys and a birdie for the day’s best score. “It was a steady game although my birdie shots did not drop in several holes,” said Alido, who missed birdie shots on holes 1, 5,

9, 12, 13, 14 and 17. Yuto Katsuragawa finished with 34 points, while Kristoffer Arevalo and Ryan Corpus chipped in 32 and 30, respectively, to count for the team. Arevalo is 17, Corpus is 15 and so is Aidric Chan, who made 29 and did not count, in the five-to-play, four-to-count tournament.

With the average age of less than 16 for the four players, Southwoods is true to its bid of supporting young and talented players. A sick Rupert Zaragosa tried to match Alido in their flight, but wound up with a two over 63 and 34 points to lead Srixon Forest Hills to 123 points. Dexter See

Good execution key for La Salle in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball tournament. OOD execution of team plays will make men’s They can wrap it up and win the difference for the La Salle Green their ninth crown if the Green Archers when they meet the Ateneo Blue Archers do well not just with their offense, but with their deEagles in Game 2 of their best-of-three ﬁnals fensive adjustments as well. series today at the Araneta Coliseum. “Kung kailangan namin pumuntos, pumupunta kami sa schemes Green Archers’ coach Aldin and tested formula that worked [game plans] namin. Hindi kami Ayo said this has been a tried for them for the whole season nagre-rely sa individual capabili-

By Peter Atencio

ties. ‘Pag individual play kasi, predictable,” said Ayo. The Green Archers are now close to the title after they took Game 1 in the men’s basketball finals with a 67-65 win over Ateneo last Saturday. On the other hand, Blue Eagles’ coach Tab Baldwin is upbeat about their chances of taking Game 2. They should be, after they

were able to minimize their turnovers to 16 in Game 1. “Less than 15 turnovers is an improvement we have with La Salle in the past. And you’ve been noticing in the second half, they haven’t been pressing. And that will come again. And we’ll see that again,” stated Baldwin. He promised that Ateneo will play a more organized game to

ensure that they will be able to tie the series. On the other hand, Cameroonian big man Ben Mbala vowed to play smarter if not better in Game 2. The 6’7” Mbala, who will be awarded the season MVP honors this Wednesday, feels that he needs to play better and that he should be able to discern the Blue Eagles’ defense on him and adjust accordingly.

Cavs hand Kamao 1st loss Ardina to play

The AFP Cavaliers join the Malacañang Kamao, together with BFP and MMDA to the second round of the UNTV Cup.

A JAMPACKED Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite witnessed a heart-pounding triple header at the UNTV Cup Season 5 as the first-round elimination came to an end. The AFP Cavaliers proved they still have their championship-caliber performance on the hard court after handing Malacanang Kamao their first defeat this season in a 72-67 win on Sunday. For this, Cavaliers Head Coach Sonny Manucat has become even more confident in his wards. “Unang una, I’m very proud of my boys. Sabi ko nga kontrapelo namin ang Malacanang. Pero at least, it’s high time na na-prove namin

Games on Sunday

Venue: University of Makati (UMAK) Gym Game 1 (2 p.m.) - BFP vs JUDICIARY Game 2 (3:30 p.m.) - MMDA vs NHA Game 3 (5: p.m.) - AFP vs PNP Games will be aired LIVE on UNTV and www.untvweb.com

sa sarili namin, kami pa rin ‘yung defending champion,” Manucat said. Both Wilfred Casulla Jr., who drilled 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, and Eugene Tan, who drained 11 markers, 7 boards and made 5 assists, were hailed as Best Players of the Game. In the second game of the triple header, the BFP Firefighters extinguished the Ombudsman Graft Busters in a neck-and-neck battle, 80-73.

The Firefighters grabbed a 4-2 record, while the Graft Busters exit the league this season with a 2-4 slate. Gilbert Malabanan and Jonathan Egea led the Firefighters and were both hailed as Best Players of the Game. Meanwhile, the MMDA Black Wolves ripped the Senate Defenders’ chance to a victory this season as they pulled off a 76-71 win. Black Wolves guards Peter John Villanueva and Ermel Idria were hailed as Best Players. On Sunday, the UNTV Cup Season 5 second round elimination will commence, with the top four from each group battle onwards all the way to the semifinal round.

La Salle-Zobel netters dominate Southwoods meet GIA Sagandoy racked up four titles while Marcus del Rosario annexed three crowns as the De La Salle-Zobel bets stamped their class in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Manila Southwoods leg regional age-group 2016 at the Manila Southwoods Sports Club in Carmona, Cavite recently. The unranked Sagandoy, 14, upended top seed Camille So, 6-3, 7-5, in the semis then trounced Mia So, 6-3, 6-3, to snare the girls’ 18-and-under crown. She also scored a 1-0

(ret.) win over No. 1 Gab Zoleta in the semis then whipped doubles partner Denise Bernardo, 6-0, 6-1, to run away with the 16-U plum. She and Bernardo later beat Julai Ignacio and Patricia Uy, 8-4, for the 14-U doubles title with the duo also pulling off an 8-5 win over Megan Reyes and Lila Salvacio in the 18-U doubles finals of the top-ranking tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger. Del Rosario, on the other hand, wore down Lourenco de

Almeida in a thrilling threesetter, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 10-6, to capture the boys’ 18-U crown. He also crushed Matthew Garcia, 6-3, 6-2, in the 16-U finals of the weeklong event hosted by Southwoods for the first time, sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger. The DLS-Zobel mainstay later combined with Jose Angelo Aparte to subdue Leyton Portin and Eldyzar Alvarico, 8-3, for the 18-U doubles plum. “We thank Manila Southwoods for supporting our junior

and grassroots tennis program which is a big boost to the sport and to Carmona, Cavite as well,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “While the DLS-Z aces proved dominant, the event also produced a number of new faces, including Michael Fuentes.” Zoleta, from Bristol Integrated School of Lucena City, took the girls’ 14-U title with a 6-3, 6-3 romp over Bernardo, while schoolmate Julia Ignacio clipped Marielle Jarata, 7-5, 6-1, to pocket the 12-U diadem.

Gia Sagandoy (second from right) and Marcus del Rosario (second from left) hold their trophies as they pose with PPS-PEPP host Alfie Aparte (left) and PPS-PEPP Manila Southwoods organizer Jonathan Bernardo.

Low Profile wrests victory in PCSO Presidential Gold Cup THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE A HORSE possessing the combined superpowers of a frontrunner and a closer emerged the victor of the prestigious Philippine Charity Presidential Gold Cup last Dec. 4 at San Lazaro Leisure Park. Ruben Dimacuha’s Low Profile bided his time at the back of a 13-horse field while Skyway, longshot winner of last year’s PCSO Silver Cup held at Metroturf, led for most of the 2,000-meter race and looked likely to win. But Low Profile, guided by regular rider Mark Alvarez, rallied at the far turn. The tandem steadily gained on

a waning Skyway, with Low Profile finally passing the plucky gray mare a mere 50 meters from the wire to win by a length and a half. Skyway came in second, Kanlaon third, and Court of Honor fourth. Low Profile’s sensational victory is a revenge of sorts for Skyway’s beating him in the 2015 PCSO Silver Cup, which Skyway won as the longest shot of all, coming from off the pace. What makes Low Profile’s victory all the more impressive is that he often does better as a frontrunner. In 2015, he won the PCSO Anniversary Mile (Nov. 29) and 2,000-meter Philippine Racing Commission Amb. Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup (Nov. 8), both at Santa Ana Park, by running in wire-to-wire fashion. Racing off the pace in third to Hagdang Bato and Skyway in the 2015 Silver Cup didn’t

give Low Profile enough room to rally, though he managed second place in that race. Congratulations to the PCSO Racing Committee headed by its chairman Conrado C. Zabella and coordinated by Dr. Orlando Malaca with the help of other hardworking members for staging another interesting Gold Cup. We look forward to PCSO’s 2017 racing calendar! *** “I’m looking forward to something new.” Jockey Antonio “Oyet” B. Alcasid Jr. revealed this much in a recent conversation, though at the moment he’s mum about the details. Alcasid, who has been riding professionally since 1988, is eager to transition from being a jockey to the next phase in his career, a move taken by jockeys usually sometime

in their 50s if not earlier. Over the decades, he’s earned quite a few accolades and has ridden for the most prominent stables in the country, among them those owned by Jose “Bebo” Quiros Jr., Andrew A. Sanchez, CJ Yulo and Sons, C & H Enterprises, Herminia Mamon, Aristeo G. Puyat, Rolando M. Rojas, Herminio S. Esguerra, Nathaniel G. Velasco, and others. Along the way, he has gained work experience and honed skillsets as a stable manager and racehorse trainer, and as a director of the New Philippine Jockeys Association. As headmaster of the Philippine Jockeys Academy, he coaches the young apprentices aspiring to be the next JB Hernandez, Patty Dilema, and, yes, Oyet Alcasid. Many jockeys go on to become trainers and stable managers;

among the icons that come to mind are Pablo Guce, Juanito Macaraig, and Renato Hipolito. Joselito Zabat is now a racing steward. Eduardo “Boboc” Domingo Jr. became a successful commentator and analyst on the live racing coverage, his debonair style bringing a level of class to the profession that now is sorely absent. What is Oyet going to do next? Trainer, teacher, steward, judge? The next few weeks will bring us the answer. In the meantime, his fans should savor his coming rides, because they might herald his upcoming retirement from active riding. *** Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @gogirlracing and @jennyortuoste, and Instagram: @jensdecember.

in 10-15 LPGA tilts next year

DESPITE missing earning a full LPGA status by a stroke, Dottie Ardina expressed satisfaction over her joint 21st place finish, enabling her to regain her tour card and play in 10-15 LPGA events next year. “Thank God I got my LPGA card again,” Ardina posted on her facebook page, which drew close to 300 likes after the grueling five-day LPGA Qualifying Tournament Final Stage in Florida Sunday. Only the top 20 players gained full exempt Category 12 status for next year’s LPGA Tour but the ICTSI-backed Ardina was ranked high enough in Category 17 (21st to 45th) to be able to play in 10-15 LPGA events next year. Only Regina de Guzman, a San Jose State U graduate, from among the six Filipinas who vied for LPGA cards made the grade with a joint 14th finish. According to coach Bong Lopez, Ardina’s goal is to make enough money on the events that she will compete in to be able get her card with full exempt status after the re-ranking held mid-year of each LPGA calendar. “She still keeps her full exempt card on the Symetra Tour (22-24 events), the farm league of the LPGA Tour. If she finishes among the Top 10, she’ll be in Category 12 (full exempt of the LPGA Tour), except for the Majors,” said Lopez. The other former The Country Club stalwarts – Princes Superal, Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez – also earned full exempt status on the Symetra Tour where they also hope to make good and finish in the Top 10 at the end of the 2017 season for automatic cards for the 2018 LPGA Tour. “The road to LPGA is really tough, but the girls have very good status for next year and can still have available options to get their LPGA card for 2017,” said Lopez. Meanwhile, Superal and Rodriguez are also eligible to play on Monday qualifiers in all 2017 LPGA events with both eyeing a solid start next year to earn enough money by re-rank time.

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+

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) glides to the hoop for lay up during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 5, at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Klay tallies 60 as Dubs win L OS ANGELES—Klay Thompson exploded for a career-high 60 points in a phenomenal individual display as Golden State steamrolled the Indiana Pacers 142-106 on Monday. Thompson tormented Indiana with a mesmerizing performance which saw him rack up 40 points in the first two quarters alone. A further 20 points in the third quarter gave Thompson the highest individual game tally of his career and the highest of any player in the NBA this season as the Warriors improved to 18-3. Thompson sat out the entire fourth quarter so was denied the

opportunity to improve his tally, which included eight three-pointers. Kevin Durant added 20 points for the Dubs with Stephen Curry chipping in with 13, but the night belonged to Thompson, who had the Oakland crowd on its feet as baskets rained down from all angles. “It was fun, I was in a great rhythm, took all good shots for the most part. Still missed a few wide open threes I wish I’d got, but it was

a fun night, to say the least,” Thompson said on court afterwards. Thompson declined to speculate on what his point tally might have been had Steve Kerr not elected to sit him in the fourth quarter. “Good question,” a smiling Thompson said. “Who knows?” Paul George led the scoring for the Pacers with 21 points as Indiana fell to 10-11 for the season. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook maintained his extraordinary run of form with a sixth straight triple double. Westbrook moved to within one game of equaling Michael Jordan’s seven consecutive triples in 1989 when he secured his 10th assist midway through the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s 102-99 win over

the Atlanta Hawks. Westbrook eventually finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the Thunder improved to 14-8. The 28-year-old is now three away from matching the legendary Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record of nine consecutive triple-doubles set in 1968. Westbrook has compiled 11 triple-doubles so far this season—the same number as the rest of the NBA combined. “What Russell is doing is incredible, remarkable. It’s something the league hasn’t seen like this in a long, long time,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “But I also give Russell, and our guys, a lot of credit. We’re a team... They’re all trying to make each other better.”

Westbrook, who is averaging triple double numbers for the season of 31 points, 10.9 rebounds and 11.3 assists, made 10 of 22 from the floor and 9 of 14 from the foul line. “He does so many different things,” said Thabo Sefolosha, Westbrook’s former Thunder teammate who was given the thankless task of attempting to guard him. “He has such a high energy level. You have to try to take his air space, contest his shot. He made a bunch tonight.” Donovan meanwhile praised Westbrook’s ability to read the game before choosing when to strike. “I think he was just kind of biding his time, seeing what was going to be open,” Donovan said. AFP

Older, wiser Tiger returns NASSAU, Bahamas—Tiger Woods looks toward the 2017 golf season with hope his injury woes are behind him and the second act of his career might have echoes of its sensational start. Woods completed his comeback event from a career-longest 16-month layoff following back surgery Sunday at the Hero World Challenge, settling for 15th place after playing 72 holes in four-under-par 284 at Albany Golf Club. The 18-man invitational at the remote Bahamas enclave where Woods is a member is far less of a challenge than regular PGA events will provide, much less majors. Older Woods is a far different player than the Woods of old, who captured 14 major titles starting with the 1997 Masters and to date ending with the 2008 US Open. Woods has had to make subtle changes to his swing during his layoff to protect his back, using patterns from his younger days as a guide. “I looked like the size of a 1-iron and I could hit it and I could really move the ball,” Woods said. “I probably never will be as loose and as Gumby-like (flexible) when I was that young, but there are other things I can learn from that.” Woods has to be wary of back issues. Even kicking around a football with his children “is certainly dangerous because you’re not activated.” “If I’m activated and I can prepare for something, then I’m fine. It’s the unexpected (that’s dangerous). When you have back issues like most of us do out here, it happens.” With his 41st birthday approaching on December 30, Woods has changed his workout regimen to allow for the toll time and past injuries have taken on his body. “I can’t do what I used to do,” Woods said. “My first probably five, six years on tour, I ran 30 miles a week. I would run five, six miles almost every day, at least four. Before a round, after a round, it didn’t matter. “There’s no way in hell I’m doing that now. That’s just aging. That’s just I’ve had four knee surgeries, three backs. My body has been through it.” AFP

ONE Championship holds 18 promotions in 2017 THE biggest sports media property in Asia just became even bigger. ONE Championship will increase its scheduled promotions from 12 to 18 events in 2017. ONE Championship will hold cards in major cities of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila and Yangon. The promotion is also set to return to the Cotai Arena in Macau and the Impact Arena in Bangkok. New markets Vietnam and Japan are also in the works as well as multiple destinations in mainland China including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. ONE Championship will hold two events at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 21 and November 10. Jakarta, Indonesia on January 14 and September 16. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 10 and August 18. Bangkok,

Thailand on March 11 and December 9. Singapore on May 26 and November 24 It will also hold events in Beijing, China on June 30 and December 2. Macau, China on August 12. Shenzhen, China on October 21. Shanghai, China on December 12. Yangon, Myanmar on July 14 and November 1. Da Nang, Vietnam on October 27. This past year, ONE Championship delivered world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) action to iconic Asian cities across the region, breaking into new Chinese markets while continuing to delight fans in key Asian destinations. The promotion also successfully held a live event at the Cotai Arena in glitzy Macau, and became the firstever major MMA promotion to hold a live event in Bangkok, Thailand. Victor Cui, CEO of ONE

Championship, stated: “2016 has been a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. It was absolutely historic for the promotion and 2017 promises to be even better. “With the addition of key senior leaders to aid ONE with our growth plans, the promotion is in an unbelievable position to make some major waves in the global MMA industry. Together we aim to deliver fans a continuously unique experience that they will never forget,” said Cui. “ONE Championship is coming out in full force to hold electric live events all over mainland China, with plans to break into new and exciting markets in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. I know fans can’t wait for ONE to come to town. Get ready for one of the biggest years in MMA.”

GlobalPort battles Alaska Aces By Jeric Lopez LEAGUE-LEADING GlobalPort Batang Pier tries to keep its grip on the top spot while the Alaska Aces and the Star Hotshots continue their search for that elusive first win as the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippines Cup resumes. With its 2-0 start, the Batang Pier found itself in the solo lead and it shoots for its third straight win against winless Alaska (02) at 4:15 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Today. Three hours later, an interesting tiff materializes with NLEX (1-1) and listless Star (0-2) squaring off at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.

Showing tremendous improvement with the help of its new recruits and the usual productions of its stars, GlobalPort is off to a hot start. Batang Pier coach Franz Pumaren credited his players for this nice run that his team is enjoying to start the conference and the season. “We’re putting emphasis on defense and everybody is embracing their respective roles that’s why we’re having one good start,” said Pumaren. Still, the battle-tested coach said that he and his wards expect tougher challenges ahead, including this one against the Aces. “The real tests are coming now and in our next few

games. These will be a good springboard for us to gauge ourselves,” he added. GlobalPort tripped Star, 91-84, the last time out last Friday with usual gunners Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo leading the charge. On the other hand, the Aces, despite having a depleted line-up, were still competitive against defending champion San Miguel before yielding, 93-88, last Saturday night. Alaska, the runner-up in this conference last season, is facing a must-win situation to avoid an 0-3 hole. Both the Road Warriors and the Hotshots will head to their battle coming off losses in their previous assignments.

Buyout of IPP contracts B3 eyed

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 2016

Inflation hit 2.5% in November I By Gabrielle H. Binaday

nﬂation rate climbed to a 21-month high of 2.5 percent in November, on higher food and oil prices and weaker peso, the government said Tuesday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed inﬂation rose 0.2 basis points from 2.3 percent in October and 1.4 basis points from 1.1 percent registered in November 2015. It was also the fastest increase in consumer prices since February 2015 when inﬂation also settled

at 2.5 percent. The National Economic and Development Authority said despite the uptick, inﬂation rate in the ﬁrst 11 months averaged 1.7 percent, below the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent. Neda director-general Ernesto

Pernia said international and domestic risks were tilted upward from a possible rally in oil prices, depreciation of the peso against the US dollar and pending petitions for electricity rate increases. Neda said the higher inﬂation was led by domestic prices of petrol products, which comprised the bulk of the non-food commodity basket. Non-food inﬂation increased also due to the uptick in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (1.3 percent from 0.9 percent) and transport (0.5

percent from 0.2 percent). Food inﬂation remained unchanged in November 2016 at 3.5 percent, with rice prices breaking a ﬁve-month increasing trend and corn prices continuing a downward trend since August. “The decrease in rice prices signals the recovery of the rice sector from the devastation of typhoons Karen and Lawin. We must foster technological advances in agriculture to decrease the susceptibility of our crops to natural calamities,” said Pernia. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflation in the near-term was expected to remain manageable. He said the inflation trend was consistent with expectation that for 2017-2018, full-year inflation would be within target. “We continue to watch petitions for transport fare adjustments and global development that may affect domestic inflation dynamics over the policy horizon,” Tetangco said. Tetangco said monetary authorities would continue to monitor evolving price trends and output conditions to ensure

price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth. The subdued inﬂation and robust domestic economic growth of 7 percent in the ﬁrst three quarters encouraged Bangko Sentral’s Monetary Board to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged during the last policy meeting on Nov. 10. Meanwhile, Neda said the lifting of the Philippines’ quantitative restriction on rice imports by July 2017 was expected to decrease prices of well-milled rice by P7 and farm gate price by P5.

CebuPac to acquire planes for US ﬂights By Darwin G. Amojelar

ATHALAND RAISES P2B. Property developer Arthaland Corp. holds a bell ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange after raising P2 billion in proceeds from the issuance of series b preferred shares. Shown are (from left) BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco, Arthaland director Christopher Paulus Nicolas Po, vice chairman Ricardo Gabriel Po Jr., president and chief executive Angela de VillaLacson, director Enrique Gonzalez and treasurer Leonardo Arthur Po, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, president and chief executive Hans Sicat, chief operating ofﬁcer Roel Refran and director Alejandro Yu.

IN BRIEF

Chinese investors interested in PH property market

PSALM resets sale of Sucat power plant By Othel V. Campos

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said Tuesday it moved the bidding of the decommissioned 850-megawatt Sucat power plant to the first half of 2017. “By the end of the year, we should have the bid forum, documents but we have to wait for result of DENR [Environment Department] clearance, because it’s a decommissioned asset,” PSALM officer-in-charge Lourdes Alzona told reporters during the Energy Investment Forum. Alzona said the environmental clearance was needed because of “a slight adjustment in schedule.” “Our target [bidding] date is early part of 2017. That means the first half,” she said. PSALM manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp. as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. PSALM’s board approved the privatization of the decommissioned facility in September. PSALM declared the second round of bidding a failure in April after the three qualified bidders did not meet the reserve price. PSALM sets the reserve price but does not disclose it publicly. Alena Mae S. Flores

GMA-7 spending P416m for digital GMA Network Inc. said Tuesday it will initially invest P416 million for its digital terrestrial television services rollout. The broadcast network said the amount would cover three high-powered transmitters and their related antenna and connectivity requirements, a fully-mirrored head-end system which is a master facility for grouping and digitally encoding programs. GMA is adopting the Japanese DTV standard or ISDB-T in compliance with the rules and regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission. “Considering the increasing number of ISDB-T ready homes in the country, we are now prepared to exit the test phase and begin with the ﬁrst part of our DTT rollout in Mega Manila. We are replicating the same level of superiority and consistency that we have exhibited in our analog signal as we shift to digital,” GMA chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon said. GMA president and chief operating ofﬁcer Gilberto Duavit Jr. said all technical back-end requirements related to the rollout were ready, including the media asset management and broadcast automation systems. Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, plans to acquire new-generation widebody aircraft for long-haul flights to the US West Coast, according to an aviation think tank. The Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation said Cebu Pacific was studying the acquisition of A350, 787 and A330 neo and planned to issue a formal tender to Airbus and Boeing in the third quarter of 2017. Cebu Pacific launched its long-haul operation in 2013, with A330-300 services to Dubai. It now operates five-long haul routes to the Middle East and Australia and also uses its A330 fleet on several short-haul routes. Capa said the airline was slated to take its eighth and final A330-300 in the first half of 2017, completing the first phase of its widebody strategy. “Phase two of Cebu Pa-

cific’s long-haul strategy has always been to transition to a new longer-range widebody type and launch flights to California, which has the largest Filipino community not already served by Cebu Pacific,” Capa said. “With new aircraft technology now available, and rival Philippine Airlines pursuing rapid expansion in the US market, it is time for Cebu Pacific to strategically make its move,” it said. The airline in March launched four-times weekly flights between Manila and Guam, its first US destination. Cebu Pacific offers flights to 36 domestic and 30 international destinations and operates an extensive network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US. Its 58-strong fleet is comprised of six Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and two ATR 72-600 aircraft.

CHINESE investors are seriously looking at the Philippine property market, real estate consultancy ﬁrm CBRE Philippines said Tuesday. “There is an extremely bullish interest coming from the Chinese group. We’ve met recently with a delegation from China. Investors from mainland China are deﬁnitely seriously considering the Philippines in their investments options,” CBRE Philippines chief executive Rick Santos said. Santos made the statement during the announcement of a new partnership with global con-

sultancy services group Knight Frank LLP. Santos said his group decided not to renew the CBRE franchise after 23 years of fruitful partnership. CBRE Philippines associate director for investment properties and capital markets Kash Salvador said Chinese investors developed a strong business conﬁdence in the Philippine investments market partly because of the renewed economic cooperation between the two countries. “Chinese interest per se is not new to the Philippines. What we have noticed is that more and more of them are starting to

make their moves quite seriously. They are saving and have money in their pockets so they can put in more for investments. One has in fact committed to invest in logistics and warehouse operations,” Salvador said. CBRE Philippines expect residential and industrial developments to lead the growth of the real estate sector in 2017. It said most foreign investments commitments would likely happen next year. It said manufacturing companies would want to locate within the economic zones where incentives were stable and predictable. Manufacturing and construction

46 gasoline stations found selling adulterated products By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department said Tuesday it found 46 gasoline stations selling petroleum products with high methanol blend ranging from 1 percent to 16 percent per volume during a series of inspections. The department’s Oil Industry Management Bureau conducted the inspection from January to November among 924 retail outlets/gas stations. The retail outlets/gas stations were located around Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, Batangas and Quezon. “We have to protect our consumers from buying and using adulterated petroleum products, hence we are conducting onsite inspections,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement. “We cannot allow the oil players, especially illegal peddlers, to shortchange our people by selling them adulterated petroleum products,” Cusi said. The agency said of the stations inspected, three belonged to major players and 18 to independent players while 25 were white stations or retail outlets/ gas stations that had one to ﬁve service

stations. The department said while methanol was an innate component in bioethanol, it should not mean that methanol should be directly blended in finished gasoline products. The Philippine National Standards for bioethanol specifies the limit for E100 at a maximum of 0.5 percent per volume or an expected maximum allowable methanol content of 0.05 percent per volume in E10. The Biofuels Law mandates the use of E10 blended gasoline in the market, which contains 10-percent ethanol. “We are strictly monitoring the components of biofuels, because we have specific standards for them. As a blend to raw gasoline products, E10 has a very minimal methanol content, because it is inherent to the fuel but it is not intentionally blended,” Cusi said. “Oil companies cannot use the methanol component in E10 as their leeway to replace ethanol with methanol in their products, because that’s a different scenario already,” he said. Cusi said illegal blending of methanol with gasoline was prohibited because “it can harm motor engines due to its corrosive characteristics.”

continue to attract foreign direct investments. CBRE Philippines said the real estate portfolio was veering towards industrial investments. The residential market is also fast growing with developments going beyond Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo, a trend that would continue over the next ﬁve years. Retail is also expected to yield better output with occupancy rate projected to rise to 98 percent from 90 percent in 2015, amid the inﬂux of more foreign brands and expansion of existing ones. Upcoming retail developments in Metro Manila are projected

to add 560,000 square meters in gross leasable area. The consulting firm said in the office sector, upcoming developments in Metro Manila were expected to reach 1.2 million square meters in gross leasable area, with the bulk in Bonifacio Global City. The overall office market is expected to remain robust as the business process outsourcing industry continues to expand, it said. Santos said the Americandominated BPOs had not wavered in their commitment to continue their Philippine operations.

Get the Best of Mindanao at the 2016 SikatPinoy National Trade Fair Make your Christmas gift-giving more meaningful by doing your shopping at the upcoming 2016 SikatPinoy National Trade Fair, which will be held from December 7 to 11, at the Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Fair hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Free admission. Carefully selected SMEs from Mindanao will be exhibiting their wares and, in keeping with the theme Piling-Piling Produktong Pilipino, 286 exhibitors from all over the Philippines will be showcasing their products in the following categories: furniture and furnishings; general home décor; fashion accessories; handwoven; footwear; snack food; processed meat; condiments; coffee and beverages; and health and wellness. These are examples of some of the products offered for sale: Yakan handwoven products from Zamboanga City. Pure honey from Bukidnon; pastel from Camiguin; chicharon and fruit drinks from Misamis Oriental. Muscovado sugar and VCO soap from Compostela Valley; fruit concentrates, durian peanut butter, banana chips, vegetable chips, cacao tablea, jams, and civet coffee from Davao del Norte. Fruit wines, roasted corn coffee, bottled bangus, lemongrass oil/capsule, pancit canton, snack foods from Agusan del Norte; and fashion accessories from Surigao del Sur. Processed fruits, siling kinamayo, durian candies, tower yema, polvoron, pastillas, ice cream, chocolates, microwaveable chicharon; fashion bags, straw bags, and fashion accessories from Davao City. For more information, contact the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion at telephone no. 751-3223, 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.

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; Globe tops gainers PSBank S expects TOCKS rose Tuesday, as investors rediscovered their appetite for risk after the previous day’s losses fueled by Italian uncertainty. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 29 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 6,806.14. Despite the rise, the bellwether was down 2.1 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, lost 1 point, to settle at 4,116.74, on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 112 to 68, while 44 issues were unchanged. Two of the six major indices advanced, including properties and holding ﬁrms. Seven of the

20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Globe Telecom Inc. which rose 1.3 percent to P1,378 and SM Prime Holdings Inc. which picked up 1.1 percent to P26.80. Meanwhile, Asian stocks rebounded Tuesday from a slump a day earlier. Regional markets were jolted and the euro tumbled to a 20-month low Monday after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he would resign after losing a referendum on constitutional reform. But attention is now turning back to the Federal Reserve’s

expected interest rate rise next week, with traders hoping it will give some indication of its plans for 2017 as US President-elect Donald Trump embarks on a bigspending program that will likely fan inﬂation. “Investors shrugged off the anti-establishment messages from the Italian referendum to drive share prices higher,” Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist in Sydney at CMC Markets, told Bloomberg News. “Attention now turns to the Fed’s interest-rate decision next week, the last listed major risk event for the year.” The Italian result sent the European single currency crashing to $1.0506—its lowest since March 2015—before it bounced back as

traders await more developments out of Rome. In afternoon Asian trade it bought $1.0750, having dallied earlier with $1.08. However, concerns remain that political instability could scupper Italy’s efforts to resolve a bad loans crisis in the banking sector, and spark fresh eurozone turmoil. On stock markets Tokyo ended 0.5 percent higher, while Hong Kong was up 0.7 percent in the afternoon. But Shanghai ended down 0.2 percent. Sydney gained 0.5 percent, Seoul was 1.4 percent higher and Taipei put on one percent. The gains were also prompted by the Dow’s second record close in three days, helped by a jump in activity in the key US services sector.

The renewed confidence provided support to Asia-Pacific currencies that have taken a beating in recent weeks because of growing expectations US borrowing costs will be increased more sharply than previously thought. Australia’s dollar was up 0.4 percent against the greenback after the country’s central bank decided against cutting interest rates. But weak inflation figures dented earlier advances as policymakers kept an open mind about a cut down the line. South Korea’s won added 0.3 percent and the Indonesian rupiah gained 0.6 percent, while the Malaysian ringgit, New Zealand dollar and Singapore dollar also posted healthy gains. With Bloomberg, AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 47.75 6,400 90 2,080,690 113 1,609,400 1.52 23,000 38 102,800 16.5 79,200 19 442,900 6.67 7,000 0.67 70,000 1.76 14,000 725.5 10 0.67 4,884,000 74.5 1,721,200 0.77 200,000 54.7 208,100 256 370 120 410 35.2 170,500 184.9 1,050,360 74.65 114,840 1.29 15,000

305,555 187,297,178 181,737,631 34,580 3,905,280 1,306,800 8,422,622 46,690 46,900 24,640 7,255 3,287,630 128,233,844.50 155,010 11,510,915 94,420 49,200 5,999,535 194,143,444 8,576,523.50 19,350

76,450 -11,272,872.50 9,250,708 3,100,800 -1,293,600 -2,780,728 -60,198,324.50 -5,259,872.50 2,560 1,300 -4,289,695 -44,779,659 -948,528 -

42.5 4.14 0.88 1.26 21.1 0.196 11.22 16.82 22.9 20 58 90 84 1.86 7.18 12.08 11.04 6 7.2 4.98 21.9 67.75 12.58 15.8 6.09 1.73 206.4 76.6 2.5 3.68 29.8 26.35 14.4 256.6 0.241 5.19 3.3 9.5 11.3 2.03 5.75 1.33 67.1 4.94 230 4.5 2.86 1.49 168.9 4.31 1.67 1.09

INDUSTRIAL 42.95 866,100 4.24 1,291,000 0.9 323,000 1.3 339,000 21.3 38,000 0.196 970,000 11.26 19,621,400 16.9 354,500 22.9 211,700 20.05 1,400 58.1 100,300 94 1,100 84 10 1.88 147,000 7.35 302,000 12.12 80,600 11.04 525,800 6 450,500 7.25 547,900 5.05 18,246,000 22.1 396,100 67.85 205,800 12.58 5,000 15.8 201,000 6.12 3,244,000 1.74 70,000 208 1,553,380 76.6 1,000 2.56 74,000 3.68 23,000 29.9 268,000 26.7 106,400 14.4 1,641,200 256.8 147,500 0.242 50,000 5.19 2,000 3.3 328,000 9.5 1,330,000 11.3 14,800 2.04 6,417,000 5.75 4,300 1.33 348,000 67.65 277,210 4.95 341,000 230 8,200 4.53 1,490,000 2.86 12,000 1.49 125,000 169 2,014,240 4.56 65,000 1.68 3,068,000 1.09 2,000

37,139,930 5,463,090 289,260 434,500 811,380 193,190 221,843,646 5,984,960 4,951,455 29,010 5,826,060 100,921.50 840 275,880 2,182,216 975,330 5,817,458 2,747,248 3,958,735 91,718,404 8,740,810 13,952,977 62,940 3,175,800 19,796,659 122,670 326,991,172 76,600 189,580 84,700 8,015,515 2,839,195 23,764,690 37,969,400 12,160 10,420 1,082,400 12,687,537 167,240 13,091,200 24,817 466,810 18,724,961.50 1,689,330 1,893,268 6,750,860 34,540 187,480 341,058,770 294,740 5,231,220 2,180

-23,716,295 767,490 35,070,400 335,862 -14,040 -71,915 -9,300 -10,770 759,850 1,769,600 -2,206,161 -2,448,819 -26,566,137 -2,546,420 -699,297 -7,900 9,194,667 -24,636,576 -2,524,230 -2,322,480 737,638 8,791,968 6,600 -2,003,410.00 -20,420.00 13,300 16,829,913 1,321,650 -283,126 3,307,460 -22,141,780 -91,090 -

0.435 72.6 12.98 5.95 0.31 727 8.42 13.1 8.29 0.189 1,198 70 3.8 5.02 1.51 7.8 13.16 6.6 0.038 1.91 85.6 2.22 634 1.18 187.1 238.8 0.305 0.183 0.26

0.395 71.55 12.8 5.9 0.305 704 8.28 12.96 8 0.181 1,172 68.6 3.8 5 1.31 7.6 12.84 6.3 0.037 1.9 84.8 2.21 626 1.18 187.1 235.2 0.295 0.18 0.255

HOLDING FIRMS 0.435 21,110,000 72 763,400 12.92 2,070,500 5.95 20,800 0.305 1,100,000 708 282,590 8.35 1,524,000 13.06 8,604,000 8.2 76,500 0.181 260,000 1,198 75,665 70 954,980 3.8 5,000 5.02 3,000 1.32 14,496,000 7.6 4,330,400 12.9 15,453,800 6.45 21,409,200 0.038 20,200,000 1.9 107,000 85.6 169,340 2.21 308,000 634 212,710 1.18 19,000 187.1 50 238 128,140 0.305 40,000 0.18 30,000 0.255 260,000

8,893,950 54,961,253 26,728,548 122,905 335,550 200,329,305 12,694,657 112,145,528 630,090 47,380 89,779,925 66,183,286 19,000 15,022 19,988,390 32,999,673 199,381,898 137,983,355 752,500 204,160 14,479,591 683,730 134,291,180 22,420 9,355 30,496,674 12,000 5,440 66,350

-87,000 -26,695,616.50 -13,085,386 -68,514,195 7,966,751 -34,561,516 -495,000 9,050 32,594,270 -7,994,496.50 5,843,154 20,189,038 1,839,875 3,286,184.50 -47,427,135 -35,552 -

6.95 1.11 2.18 0.34 32.9 2.9 0.55 1.04 1.39 0.156 0.6 40.95 0.71 0.133 1.69 0.95 1.19 3.69 0.147 0.255 0.41 3.15

6.89 1.08 2.14 0.32 31.6 2.8 0.53 1 1.29 0.154 0.56 36 0.7 0.133 1.66 0.94 1.12 3.55 0.14 0.255 0.4 3.12

2,190,573 477,050 49,320 1,175,550 242,343,035 11,687,790 3,412,670 75,220 914,690 234,140 18,691,160 143,484,015 7,800 15,960 16,623,180 1,605,600 1,003,830 113,527,080 1,324,270 130,050 216,700 275,050

-886,607 201,000 9,359,920 -4,728,360 -613,890 10,000 -6,028,630 35,558,190 -7,800 -15,754,600 -39,017,420 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

47.8 90.1 114 1.54 38 16.5 19.12 6.67 0.67 1.76 725.5 0.69 75 0.78 55.05 255 120 35.2 184.1 74.6 1.29

47.95 90.3 114.4 1.54 38 16.5 19.12 6.67 0.67 1.76 725.5 0.69 75.5 0.78 56 256 130 35.35 186 75 1.29

47.7 89.85 112.2 1.5 37.8 16.5 19 6.67 0.67 1.76 725.5 0.66 73.8 0.77 54.45 255 115 35.05 183.2 74.6 1.29

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

43.25 4.33 0.92 1.3 21.95 0.2 11.36 17.28 23.4 20 58.05 90 84 1.89 7.27 12.1 11.04 6.22 7.26 5.08 22.2 68 12.6 15.8 6.23 1.76 212.8 76.6 2.52 3.7 30 26.55 14.46 258.6 0.241 5.23 3.3 9.53 11.3 2.06 5.79 1.35 67.5 4.96 235 4.5 2.9 1.49 173.9 4.59 1.68 1.09

43.25 4.35 0.92 1.3 22 0.205 11.42 17.28 23.4 21 58.1 94 84 1.89 7.35 12.12 11.1 6.28 7.28 5.15 22.4 68 12.6 15.8 6.23 1.76 216.8 76.6 2.6 3.7 30.3 26.7 14.9 261.8 0.25 5.23 3.3 9.77 11.3 2.06 5.79 1.35 67.7 4.99 235 4.55 2.9 1.53 173.9 4.59 1.75 1.09

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

0.4 72 12.9 5.91 0.305 727 8.28 13.1 8.25 0.183 1,198 69.4 3.8 5.02 1.49 7.8 13.16 6.49 0.037 1.91 85.2 2.22 626 1.18 187.1 237 0.295 0.183 0.255

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

6.92 1.09 2.18 0.32 32.1 2.83 0.54 1.02 1.33 0.154 0.56 40 0.71 0.133 1.69 0.95 1.18 3.64 0.145 0.255 0.41 3.13

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

32 27 1.53 3.19 26.65 1.24 0.93 5

32 27 1.53 3.23 27.4 1.26 0.93 5

32 26 1.5 3.19 26.65 1.14 0.89 4.91

32 26.7 1.53 3.23 27 1.15 0.92 4.99

300 499,100 37,000 14,000 6,062,900 74,313,000 215,000 3,406,700

9,600 13,212,650 56,010 44,850 163,373,425 88,364,130 195,780 16,894,610

306,550 18,360 74,823,585 757,450 -3,623,738

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 GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A IMPERIAL B INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT

7.49 44.2 1.32 0.51 0.041 5 6.3 0.069 2.7 98 9.6 6.9 954 1,360 6.15 14.04 17.36 1.85 15.5 120 71.3 0.0095 12.26 9.11 0.18 1.38 3.56 13.4 5.34 0.91 4.15 3.57 17 2.55 11.34 3 135.5 14.08 1,283 1.17 0.41 39.5 75 5.25 2.5 1.02 1.8 3.3 0.34

7.6 44.2 1.43 0.53 0.041 5 6.48 0.071 2.73 98.1 9.94 7.2 990 1,384 6.16 14.78 17.36 1.97 15.5 120 74 0.0098 12.5 9.11 0.182 1.38 3.57 13.4 5.34 0.91 4.15 3.67 20.5 2.55 11.34 3.08 140 14.08 1,301 1.18 0.425 39.5 75.9 5.48 2.56 1.02 1.92 3.32 0.34

7.42 43.8 1.32 0.5 0.04 5 6.11 0.069 2.67 97.9 9.6 6.9 954 1,350 6.14 14 17.22 1.81 15.16 120 71.3 0.0094 12.26 9.08 0.18 1.34 3.56 12.9 5.11 0.91 4.08 3.57 17 2.42 11.34 3 135 13.7 1,281 1.16 0.41 38.5 73 5.2 2.5 0.98 1.8 3.28 0.335

SERVICES 7.6 43.9 1.32 0.5 0.04 5 6.2 0.071 2.72 97.95 9.94 7.1 990 1,369 6.15 14.7 17.22 1.96 15.5 120 74 0.0098 12.48 9.08 0.182 1.36 3.57 13.4 5.18 0.91 4.09 3.62 19.4 2.48 11.34 3.06 140 13.86 1,289 1.17 0.42 38.5 73 5.42 2.54 0.98 1.92 3.3 0.335

98,800 24,200 96,000 3,440,000 22,500,000 300 1,537,900 3,480,000 1,706,000 333,950 600 496,700 140 68,885 234,100 97,900 700 3,649,000 15,000 80 350,360 28,000,000 32,200 531,800 2,780,000 12,000 3,000 27,900 1,848,400 17,000 1,430,000 415,000 10,000 2,219,000 100 14,000 10,290 1,125,700 78,840 3,779,000 770,000 590,600 128,430 1,958,200 789,000 11,321,000 3,000 1,489,000 290,000

747,820 1,064,480 128,220 1,734,950 907,500 1,500 9,577,934 242,180 4,601,850 32,710,582.50 5,896 3,504,947 135,000 94,452,215 1,439,844 1,416,374 12,124 6,818,130 228,150 9,600 25,610,527.50 268,800 401,154 4,829,380 501,890 16,330 10,690 373,754 9,612,777 15,470 5,853,470 1,486,200 185,596 5,462,330 1,134 43,000 1,439,520 15,592,074 101,571,380 4,420,230 320,150 22,837,500 9,458,030 10,560,451 2,002,260 11,224,250 5,520 4,915,560 98,550

-1,457,830 -1,956,404 -10,710 381,588 1,228,442 -22,412,455 1,470 -200 2,561,978 36,000 3,236,284 -2,165,720 64,370 -46,930 -8,430 2,113,788 45,199,850 166,050 84,000 -15,810,865 -4,521,804 50,480 246,300 -3,328,000 -

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

0.0035 2.92 5.2 0.54 0.49 12.7 3.66 0.275 0.194 0.195 0.012 1.94 8.15 3.05 1.2 0.011 4.06 0.012 8.51 3.7 132 2.9

0.0035 2.93 5.24 0.54 0.51 12.98 3.67 0.28 0.195 0.195 0.012 1.96 8.2 3.12 1.21 0.011 4.07 0.013 8.6 3.74 132 2.9

0.0033 2.82 5.12 0.53 0.455 12.7 3.5 0.275 0.193 0.195 0.012 1.88 8.03 3.02 1.15 0.011 4.01 0.012 8.51 3.63 131 2.9

MINING & OIL 0.0034 182,000,000 2.84 196,000 5.17 437,800 0.53 50,000 0.455 13,970,000 12.82 109,200 3.58 3,541,000 0.275 140,000 0.193 1,580,000 0.195 950,000 0.012 30,600,000 1.88 375,000 8.15 2,593,800 3.02 127,000 1.18 839,000 0.011 2,000,000 4.01 20,000 0.012 63,000,000 8.6 1,610,600 3.69 942,000 131.5 449,840 2.9 2,000

615,800 559,200 2,253,509 26,900 6,755,950 1,401,886 12,673,700 38,800 305,940 185,250 367,200 723,890 21,048,956 388,160 986,440 22,000 80,490 816,200 13,738,043 3,455,140 59,167,780 5,800

3,400 -390,190 -225,650 -64,120 2,816,350 339,709 92,100 0 11,840,792 55,070 -33,328,567 -

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

44.25 545 550 102 104 120 540 5.9 1,030 1,160 1,034 107 77.85 80.6 78 78

44.25 549.5 550 104.9 104.9 120 540 5.9 1,030 1,160 1,037 107 77.85 80.7 78 78.2

43.5 545 540 102 104 120 540 5.88 1,029 1,160 1,034 107 77.85 80.5 77.6 78

PREFERRED 43.5 36,300 549.5 2,790 540 1,980 104 81,120 104 64,830 120 6,000 540 1,000 5.9 141,000 1,029 465 1,160 120 1,037 2,545 107 4,000 77.85 1,000 80.7 30,310 77.6 9,790 78.15 24,760

1,580,375 1,520,730 1,088,600 8,400,146 6,783,593 720,000 540,000 831,800 478,585 139,200 2,636,440 428,000 77,850 2,442,242 759,708 1,934,352

-865,605 -619,400 -

LR WARRANT

2.48

2.6

2.48

WARRANTS 2.59 29,000

73,470

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS XURPAS

2.79 3.38 9.64

2.8 3.45 9.68

2.58 3.34 9.47

2.6 3.4 9.52

4,262,240 289,460 11,870,067

50,940 3,500,438

FIRST METRO ETF

113

113.1

112.1

1,656,071

PROPERTY 6.89 1.08 2.17 0.33 32.9 2.82 0.54 1.03 1.36 0.154 0.57 36 0.7 0.133 1.68 0.94 1.18 3.58 0.142 0.255 0.4 3.15

316,800 439,000 23,000 3,500,000 7,564,600 4,127,000 6,315,000 74,000 686,000 1,520,000 32,101,000 3,851,300 11,000 120,000 9,898,000 1,694,000 875,000 31,618,000 9,310,000 510,000 530,000 88,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL

15,278,317 72,904,507

HOLDING FIRMS

114,499,892

PROPERTY

212,382,718

SERVICES

99,839,267

MINING & OIL

305,604,995

GRAND TOTAL

823,435,326

SME

1,580,000 86,000 1,244,900

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112.1 14,730

VALUE 1,668.54 (DOWN) 5.70 930,610,254.30 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,828.97 (DOWN) 75.03 1,645,764,047.278 HOLDING FIRMS 6,893.31 (UP) 36.73 1,396,175,680.30 PROPERTY 3,036.65 (UP) 42.62 SERVICES 1,274.79 (DOWN) 4.24 1,217,751,580.18 MINING & OIL 12,102.60 (DOWN) 29.73 446,483,119.35 PSEI 6,806.14 (UP) 29.73 125,640,226.634 All Shares Index 4,116.74 (DOWN) 1.91 5,780,502,746.04 Gainers:68 Losers:112; Unchanged: 44; Total: 224

lending growth By Julito G. Rada

PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the thrift bank unit of Metrobank Group, expects a double-digit growth in loans next year, on strong demand for vehicles and residential units, a top executive said Tuesday. “We always target a double-digit growth rate and on the loan side we have been hitting it,” PSBank president Vicente Cuna Jr. said at Tower Club in Makati City. “Auto loans comprise the bulk of our accounts,” Cuna said. “Auto and mortgage loans are our bread and butter.” PSBank posted a net income of P1.9 billion in the first nine months, up 7.7 percent from P1.73 billion a year earlier. Consumer loan portfolio increased 14.7 percent to P113.7 billion. Cuna remained conservative in terms of his projection on the growth of net income next year. “On the income side, we eye a single-digit growth rate... Growth drivers will still be loans which is one of our core businesses,” he said. Cuna said the bank would continue to be opportunistic when it comes to branch expansion to make sure that wider coverage nationwide was maintained. “We remain opportunistic, but we don’t set a target. If there is an area we feel we need to open a branch in, we will expand. We are looking on both the countryside and cities, but more of the cities than the far-flung areas,” Cuna said. Cuna said the previous plan of issuing P10 billion worth of long-term negotiable certificates of deposits next year would continue. He said the proceeds would be used to finance operations and as a part of its liability management exercise.

Arthaland allots P30b for capex By Jenniffer B. Austria BOUTIQUE property developer Arthaland Corp. said Tuesday it plans to spend up to P30 billion over the next five years to aggressively expand its leasing and residential portfolio. Arthaland treasurer Leonardo Po said in an interview following the listing of the company’s P2-billion preferred shares that the company lined up five office, commercial and residential projects that would boost gross floor area to 500,000 square meters from the current 110,000 sqm. He said of the P30-billion capital expenditures, P24 billion would be used for project development and P6 billion for land acquisition. Po said the company’s expansion plan was in line with a positive outlook on the real estate market. “There is still good momentum in the real estate market today,” Po said. Under the five-year plan, Arthaland will construct two office buildings in Bonifacio Global City and Cebu, two residential developments in Makati and Laguna and a commercial development in southern Luzon. Three more real estate projects are currently under negotiation, said Arthaland vice president for strategic funding and investments Sheryll Verano.

Business Govt rejects T-bond offers THE Bureau of the Treasury on Tuesday rejected bids for P25 billion worth of bonds in its last auction for 2016. National Treasurer Roberto Tan said the bureau found the rates demanded by investors too high in anticipation of the US Fed rate hike in the coming weeks. “I think the market is still quite unsettled because of what is being anticipated for the Fed,” Tan said. He told reporters after the auction the government decided to hold the next bond auction next year “when the market (has) absorbed and digested the Fed action happening next week.” Bid rates in Tuesday’s auction ranged from 4.25 percent to 4.40 percent and averaged 4.358 percent, or 38.10 basis points higher than the 3.977 percent average rate in the previous bidding. The average rates were also higher than 4.19 percent in the secondary market. Had the government awarded the long-term debt papers, it would accept P19.41 billion of the P41.915-billion tenders. “We have P8 billion maturing bonds. So we look at that as a factor in market deman. That is why the volume is quite meaningful, as you know it is almost fully covered in terms of the tenders. But the rates that are being bid out are quite off the market rates. So we decided to just reject,” Tan said. “We would like to accommodate following... but this might send the wrong signal.” Tan, meanwhile, said the Monetary Board approved a government plan to $500 million in new money in 2017. He said the foreign borrowing plan would be a one-time program to generate external funds. The government plans to borrow P631.3 billion next year based on the budget expenditures report submitted by the Budget Department to Congress, maintaining its bias toward local borrowings at a ratio of 80:20. Gabrielle H. Binaday

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Buyout of IPP contracts eyed By Alena Mae S. Flores

OWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has proposed buying out the independent power producer contracts of three plants in order to proceed with the eventual sale of the assets. PSALM ofﬁcer-in-charge Lourdes Alzona told reporters during an investment forum that the agency in charge of privatizing state power assets was studying the option to take over the IPP contracts of the 728-megawatt CalirayaBotocan-Kalayaan hydro power

plants, the 140-MW Casecnan multi purpose project and the 210-MW Mindanao coal station. “Our action plan study on the buyout and whatever the result will go back to the board,” Alzona said. “It’s only an option by government. Note that this is

still under study,” Alzona said earlier. She said a legal review would be conducted on the proposed government buyout of the IPP contracts. Alzona cited a buyout provision in the IPP contract “but there’s a speciﬁc date.” “But as per discussion with DoF (Finance Department) and Malacañang, we have to study the legal side if it can be allowed because under EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, we have to privatize,” she said. “If we buy out the IPP plants that are with us, then... we can privatize. But we have to check the legality,” she said,

adding the results of the study would determine the mode of privatization scheduled in 2017. The CBK hydro facility consist of the 22.6-megawatt Caliraya in Lumban, 20.8-MW Botocan in Majayjay and the 684.6-MW Kalayaan I and II in Kalayaan, Laguna. J-Power and Sumitomo Corp. of Japan operate the CBK power plants. The 150-MW Casecnan project, meanwhile, was built following the signing of a build-operate-transfer contract between the National Irrigation Administration and California Energy Casecnan Water and Energy Company Inc. in 1994.

CE Casecnan’s contract with the government will lapse on April 5, 2022 while that of J-POWER will end on February 7, 2026. Steag State Power Inc. of Germany, meanwhile operates the Misamis Oriental coal plant under a build-operate-transfer agreement with the government. Steag owns a 51-percent stake in the coal plant, Aboitiz with 34 percent and La Filipina Uygongco with 15 percent. The Mindanao coal plant was constructed in 2006 under a 25-year build-operate-transferpower purchase agreement scheme, which ends in 2031.

Growth to raise demand for power

SMART-O+ PARTNERSHIP. Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. and award-winning mobile brand O+ USA have

partnered to bring smartphones to more Filipinos through exciting offers. Launching the partnership are (from left) Smart prepaid head Gerard Milan; Smart wireless operations head Kat Luna-Abelarde; O+ marketing director Aveline Siy and O+ marketing manager Felyn Ong. Under the partnership, most O+ USA smartphone models are now bundled with a FREE Smart LTE Prepaid Sim packed with FREE mobile data of 100MB per month valid for 12 months.

Smart bullish on sustaining mobile data business growth By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Opec effect NEWS of oil prices hitting a record 16-month high—with crude rising to $55+ a barrel—could trigger another jump in oil prices. The decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to slash production by 1.2 billion barrels per day starting January is making our buddies with gasguzzling vehicles a bit nervous. For sure, the law of supply and demand could rear its ugly head, although Department of Energy officials say there are also other factors that could trigger an increase. We can already imagine the friendly neighborhood meat dealers complaining to their “suki” housewives about slow sales because they are also forced to hike up prices, anticipating calls for higher transportation rates from jeepney and tricycle drivers. The latter in fact have the temerity to ask for additional fare even without official approval from the Transportation Department. And if a passenger threatens to report them, they will just smirk and say, “go right ahead” knowing that the poor passenger will not follow through with the threat since it would waste a lot of his time. Those who are planning to travel for the holiday season (and even beyond) should make their flight reservations now before another surge in prices happens. Reports say the production cut by Opec could result in airlines cutting down some perks for passengers. For instance, the complimentary drinks in premium airlines will no longer be offered and even inflight entertainment may be withdrawn (or still be offered with very limited choices though). Premier, full-service airlines may just copy the example of budget carriers and start charging extra for food, drinks, checked-in luggage and other so-called

ancillary services that passengers have come to expect—and take for granted especially from legacy carriers. (We wonder if the time will come when “bring your own baon” will become de rigueur for long-hail flights.) After all, aviation fuel is one of the biggest expenses made by airlines, and this year so far, the increase has reached around 30 percent. Industry insiders are also saying that the five-year streak of profitability recorded by airlines would suffer a decline. There is also a great possibility that flights may be reduced to destinations that are not very profitable or lack so-called “premium passengers.” On the other hand, aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus may just profit from the situation because airlines will see the profitability of acquiring 787 Dreamliners or A350s because these twin-engine models are more fuelefficient than four-engine aircraft like the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380. Certainly, these developments could impact tourism, an industry that is exposed to volatility in oil prices. But then again, a lot of other industries—if not all—are always affected whenever oil prices go on a slump or zoom up. As an old article published at resilience.org pointed out, the volatile nature of oil prices could shake the foundation of this transport-oriented global economy, and send ripple effects across many sectors. ••• 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!

SMART Communications Inc. said on Tuesday it expects to sustain the growth of its mobile data business amid rising usage and better monetization of digital services. “To boost data usage, we are making available a wide range of handsets and devices bundled with generous data packages, as well as more relevant digital content and services. At the same time, we are working on improving the network for better quality, coverage, and internet speed for the best customer experience,” said PLDT Inc. and Smart chief revenue ofﬁcer Eric Alberto, Smart posted a 45-percent yearon-year increase in its mobile data revenues of P12.5 billion in the ﬁrst nine months of 2016. Revenues on a quarter-on-quarter basis were also up 14 percent. Smart’s monetization of its mo-

bile data business continued to improve as a 43-percent increase in usage during the nine-month period translated into a 45-percent growth in revenues compared with the same period last year, when a 139-percent jump in usage saw only a subsequent 42-percent rise in revenues. The higher mobile data revenues helped prop up wireless revenues for the period as voice and text revenues remain under pressure. Data in the third quarter of 2016 already accounted for 32 percent of the total wireless revenues from 30 percent in the second quarter and 28 percent in the first three months of the year. Mobile data revenues last year contributed 23 percent to consolidated wireless sales. About half of Smart’s 65 million subscribers as of end-September 2016 are already using smartphones.

THE Philippines will need additional power capacity of 17,338 megawatts by 2030 as energy demand is expected to continue to grow driven by projections of an eight percent annual growth rate in the gross domestic product. “Based on available current capacity of 13,877 megawatts, an 8 percent annual GDP growth rate and 1.5 percent population growth, our power demand will continue with its upward trend as we aggressively move towards industrialization and urbanization,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi told participants of an energy forum. Cusi said the Luzon grid would need 10,070 MW of additional capacity—4,320 MW from baseload, 4,800 MW from mid-merit and 950 MW from peaking plants. The Visayas grid will require 3,618 MW of additional capacity with 1,968 MW to be provided by baseload, 1,500 MW by mid-merit and 150 MW by peaking plants. Mindanao, meanwhile, will still need 3,650 MW in additional capacity from 2,100 MW baseload, 1,500 MW mid-merit and 50 MW peaking plants. “To support these additional capacity requirement, I have directed National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to expedite the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan,” Cusi said. He said the plan would include the completion of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection “to ﬁnally achieve our vision of a national grid.” “It has taken long already. It cannot be further delayed. They should fasttrack that. This is for the country. What we want is before this administration ends, they complete that,” Cusi said. He added the Energy Department was also reviewing National Grid’s concession agreement to ensure its compliance. Alena Mae S. Flores

PIPE FITTING LOAN. Development Bank of the Philippines grants a P5-million loan to Tung Fong Industrial Co. Inc. to finance the manufacture and increased production of its stainless steel buttweld pipe fittings. Shown during the signing ceremony are (seated, from left) DBP first vice president Daniel Gonzales; DBP executive vice president Benel Lagua; Tung Fong treasurer Imelda Go Chen and Anabella Payot of Tung Fong. At the back (from left) are DBP senior manager Jose Pepito Yusingbo and DBP account officer Arlyn Alimorom.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Business

Eurozone approves debt relief for Greece BRUSSELS, Belgium―Eurozone finance ministers on Monday approved new debt relief measures to alleviate Greece’s colossal debt mountain in the wake of its huge 86-billioneuro bailout, but at levels far short of those demanded by the IMF. “The Eurogroup endorsed today the full set of short-term measures,” including extending the repayment period and an adjustment to interest rates, the eurozone’s 19 finance ministers said in a statement. The ministers accorded Athens the small measures to reduce Greece’s debt as a reward for completing the latest round of reforms demanded in the country’s massive bailout program―its third since 2010. “We will start implementing them in the next weeks,” said Klaus Regling, the head of the European Stability Mechanism, the eurozone’s bailout fund. However, the ministers refused to officially sign off on the bailout’s second review as expected, telling Athens that there still remained a few open questions on Greece’s reform efforts. The talks were marred by a row with the International Monetary Fund, as Europe and the fund remain as far apart as ever on the level of need for debt relief measures and the economic targets being required of Greece, which the IMF says are unsustainable. This is crucial as the fund has remained adamant that it will not support a program unless the elements, including debt sustainability and the fiscal reforms needed to achieve the surplus target, are credible. The hardline stance on debt relief by the ministers, led by Germany’s powerful Wolfgang Schaeuble, comes as key elections approach next year in Germany and the Netherlands, where bailout fatigue is running rife with voters. The IMF played a major part in two earlier rescues for Greece, but balked at the third one for 86 billion euros in 2015 because it said Athens would never get back on its feet unless its mountain of debt was cut outright. AFP

STRIKING SEAMEN. Greek seamen march through the port of Piraeus on December 5, 2016 during a protest rally as part of their strike. Greek seamen are on strike since December 2, protesting the latest round of pension cuts, a worsening tax and social security status and increased job insecurity. AFP

Japan moves closer to legalizing casinos T OKYO―Japan’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed a long-awaited bill to legalize casinos, a big step towards opening up a market that analysts say could be worth some $30 billion a year. Some opposition members walked out of the chamber before the vote in protest at the bill, which comes after years of delays linked to worries about gambling addiction and organized crime. “The bill passed through the chamber and will be sent to the upper house by today,” a parliamentary spokeswoman said. The proposed legislation is all but assured to pass the upper house, which is also controlled by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The LDP is expected to try to get to the bill passed quickly before the current parliamentary session ends on December 14.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his party are betting that casinos can support tourism after Tokyo hosts the 2020 Olympics―and pump some life into their faltering bid to boost the world’s number three economy. Supporters have said casinos could bring billions of dollars worth of investment, in a challenge to Asian gaming titan Macau. Japan has long been viewed as a massive gaming market due to its wealthy population, close proximity to China and appetite for other forms of legal gambling, including horse and boat racing. Pachinko, a slot machine-

style game played in thousands of smoky parlors in every corner of Japan, is a huge revenue generator. Winnings can be exchanged off-site for cash, skirting gaming laws. Osaka, Tokyo and nearby Yokohama have all been cited as possible locations for major resorts that would host casinos, hotels, convention centers and entertainment venues. ‘Holy grail’ Brokerage CLSA estimates the casino market could be worth upwards of $30 billion a year, in addition to the sums already being spent. “The world’s leading operators regard Japan as a holy grail given the potential market size,” Jay Deﬁbaugh, a senior research analyst at CLSA, said in a report. “Gambling industries in Japan, including pachinko and public gambling, such as horse racing, car racing, bicycle racing and

boat racing, already generate in excess of US$30 billion in gross gaming revenue.” While legalizing casinos would be a major step forward, many details would still have to be worked out and the analyst said a so-called integrated resort was not likely to be built before 2023. Casinos do not have wide public support, largely due to concerns that betting parlors would aggravate crime and social problems. The arrest of several professional baseball players for betting on their sport made headlines last year, while an Olympic badminton hopeful crashed out after admitting he gambled at an underground casino. Japan’s main opposition Democratic Party as well as some members of Komeito, the ruling party’s junior coalition partner, have long opposed casinos. AFP

NY Times notes rise in digital readership NEW YORK―The New York Times has seen an exceptional surge in digital subscriptions in the period just before and after the November election, its top executive said Monday. New York Times Co. chief executive Mark Thompson told a business conference the prestigious daily has added more than 200,000 net subscribers since late September. “We’re seeing a dramatic increase in the willingness to pay for serious independent journalism,” Thompson told the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. The newspaper had some 1.55 million subscribers at the end of September for digital services, including news and crossword puzzles. Some weeks have seen new subscriptions at 10 times the pace of last year. “We’re getting very close to having three million overall subscriptions” for print, print and digital, digital only and crosswords, he said. The newspaper said it saw a net increase of 41,000 paid subscriptions in the week after the November 8 vote, including print and digital, calling it the largest one-week subscription increase since it started its paywall in 2011. The Times was among the media attacked by Donald Trump during his presidential race, as the newspaper launched a series of investigations that revealed his reported tax loss of more than $900 million. After the election, the president-elect sat down with reporters and editors at the newspaper for a wide-ranging discussion, after which he called the daily a “world jewel.” While the Times has been struggling ﬁnancially as it tries to make a transition to more digital readership, Thompson said the recent election may have been helpful to the newspaper. He said some of the reasons for gains include “anxiety about fake news” and a “belief that politicians are saying things that are not true and need to be held to account.” He added: “We expect the lively new cycle to continue in America and given the events in Europe beyond America, well into 2017.” AFP

Free wine endangered on Asian airlines after Opec agreement By Angus Whitley SOME of Asia’s marquee airlines that spoil passengers with free alcohol and in-flight entertainment may soon have to kick the habit. The on-board giveaways, famously rolled out to every passenger in the 1970s by Singapore Airlines Ltd., will be unsustainable for some carriers after Opec’s production cuts announced last week drive up the cost of fuel, according to aviation analysts. Other options include cutting unprofitable routes, retiring gas-guzzling aircraft and raising fares. The deal reached by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries on Nov. 30 couldn’t have come at a worse time for carriers such as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. and Singapore Air that are battling excess capacity and declining premium traffic. Asian operators are also particularly vulnerable to rising fuel costs as their profit margins are about half those of their North American peers after competition pushed down fares. In order to survive, some Asian airlines may be forced to ape US low-cost carriers and charge for extras―ranging

A ﬂight attendant adjusts an economy-class seat onboard an Airbus Group SE A350-900 aircraft operated by Cathay Paciﬁc Airways Ltd. during a media event in Hong Kong, China, on Monday, May 30, 2016. Bloomberg

from food and alcohol to checkedin baggage―that have been taken for granted on long-haul ﬂights for decades, according to Mathieu De Marchi, a Bangkok-based aviation consultant at Landrum & Brown. “More full-service airlines in Asia Paciﬁc might consider doing the same,” he said, declining to pick out the carriers in the region most likely to make customers pay. Making money out of socalled ancillary services

emerged among traditional US carriers following the global financial crisis, when their losses ballooned. Delta Air Lines Inc.―profitable every year since 2010―now employs the strategy to good effect, De Marchi said. North American airlines are likely to generate an operating profit margin of 15 percent in 2016 versus about 8 percent for Asia-Pacific carriers, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Budget airlines including AirAsia Bhd. and Jetstar, which is owned by Qantas Airways Ltd., have long tried to squeeze extra cash from customers during ﬂights. Michael O’Leary, chief executive ofﬁcer of European low-cost airline Ryanair Holdings Plc, in 2009 suggested charging customers to use the toilet. Fuel is typically an airline’s biggest expense and this year’s 30 percent price increase is

enough to threaten the global aviation industry’s five-year run of earnings growth, according to Heathrow-based advisory Flight Ascend Consultancy. Critical Review “Cathay is going to have to” start charging customers for extra services, said Neil Hansford, chairman of Strategic Aviation Solutions, an advisory business north of Sydney. Cathay, Asia’s biggest international airline, is conducting what it calls a “critical review” of its business after an 82 percent drop in net income for the first six months of the year. Last week, Cathay said 2017 will be “challenging.” Cathay’s media office didn’t respond to a request for comment. Singapore Air currently has no plans to introduce extra charges, a spokesman for the airline said. Oil prices started to tumble from more than $100 a barrel in mid-2014 to about $26 in January this year. Brent for February settlement climbed 13 percent last week after Opec’s accord. Aviation fuel jumped 11 percent the same week. To be sure, Cathay, Singapore Air, Qantas and other legacy carriers in Asia were still plying passengers with free drinks when crude oil cost $145 a barrel in 2008. Airlines

worldwide are on course to generate profits of $39 billion in 2016 after the two-year oil-price slump, according to IATA. Capping Expenses Qantas, for example, has capped fuel expenses in the year ending June 2017 at no more than A$3.2 billion ($2.4 billion). That would be the Australian airline’s smallest fuel bill in more than a decade after a turnaround program under chief executive officer Alan Joyce. “As a full-service airline, we don’t make a habit of introducing new charges,” Andrew McGinnes, a Qantas spokesman, said in an e-mail. “Through our transformation program, we’ve focused on removing cost by becoming more efficient.” In an era of pricier fuel, fullservice airlines may cut flights or reduce the frequency to tourist destinations such as Bali in Indonesia or Cambodia’s Siem Reap because of the absence of premium passengers, said Hansford at Strategic Aviation Solutions. Aircraft such as Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner and Airbus Group SE’s A350 may be more appealing to airlines because the twin-engine aircraft burn less fuel than four-engined models such as the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380, he said. Bloomberg

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

ART IS LIFE. Art and sign maker Bimbo dela Cruz paints the side of an eagle statuette at his roadside stall in Kidapawan City, Cotabato. Dela Cruz used to make painted mudguards for jeeps and other public vehicles and billboards for

cinemas in the 1990s until large-format tarpaulin printing eased him out of those jobs. Now Dela Cruz makes ends meet with smaller painting jobs, using the skills his father taught him since he was seven years old. Geonarri O. Solmerano

Erap: More hospital upgrades set E By Sandy Araneta

VEN after completing a P500-million modernization of Manila’s six city-run hospitals, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Tuesday said he will continue improving medical and healthcare services in these hospitals for the 1.7-million residents of the city. Estrada said he has instructed Dr. Regina Bagsic, overall coordinator of the city hospitals, to ensure they are at par with international standards. “The health and well-being of every Manileño is our highest priority. We just don’t want to

give them free medical services, but world-class and efficient services. Manileños deserve no less,” Estrada said. One of the six hospitals, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, has already been certified by the International Or-

ganization for Standardization or ISO, the mayor added. The other five hospitals are Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Tondo, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, and Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center. Rehabilitating and modernizing the hospitals and 59 community health centers is a feat considering the city was saddled with P5 billion in debt left by the previous administration, Estrada said. “Before we were contented with just meeting the standards set by the DoH [Department of Health]. But not now, we want to exceed those standards. In fact,

Abad Santos is already ISO-certified, which means the hospital is at par with international standards,” Bagsic pointed out. One indication of the improvement of hospital services in Manila, she said, is the number of patient admissions. GABMMC, for instance, has admitted 3,525 patients and handled 23,721 Manilenos at its Outpatient Department, with an occupancy rate of more than 100 percent over the last six months. The Ospital ng Tondo had 3,645 admissions over the last six months and more than 29,000 at its OPD. Overall, 16,598 patients were

served and treated in the six city hospitals during the same half-year period, excluding the 141,474 who were treated at the OPDs, Bagsic said. “The quality of service is what we have to offer, our supplies, the facilities are good. The quality is good in terms of facilities and supplies,” she stressed. “They keep coming to us and it means only one thing—they are satisfied. Otherwise, our hospitals might have no patients.” While the inadequate number of hospital personnel and employees with “bad attitudes” need to be addressed, Bagsic said the city government is doing all

Davao gets P200-m drug rehab center

HOUSE HEARING.

Leyte first district Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (right) asks Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (left) about the Leyte Industrial Development Estate during a hearing of the House Committee on Trade and Industry on Monday. Ver Noveno

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—A multimillion rehabilitation center for drug dependents was inaugurated on Tuesday at Brgy. Malagos in Calinan district here. Funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Resorts World Philippine Cultural Heritage Foundation, the center will be built on a 1.9-hectare lot owned by the city government inside the camp of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion. Kingson U. Sian, president of the Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation, said they designed a rehab center with a 224-bed capacity over a 7,000-square-meter floor area. Sian said only 1.2 hectares would be used of the lot to give space for expansion. The entire project will cost Pagcor and Resorts World P200 million and is expected to be completed in December next year. By funding the drug rehab center, Sian said they can show that the private sector is with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. “We in the private sector are working hand in hand in support of the government’s effort to eradicate this problem that we are facing. We decided to build a world-class facility, which is a DoH [Department of Health] sanctioned facility,” Sian said. Asked why they chose Davao City, Sian said the President’s campaign started here, so it is just right for them to also start their advocacy at its origin. The Resorts World foundation will make sure to hire workers from Davao to build the rehab center, he added.

Baguio: No to Loakan mining permit Graft for BAGUIO CITY—The city government has formally opposed the exploration permit given to the Golden Era mining firm to search portions of the Loakan airport area and several barangays here for valuable minerals. Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan has expressed his disappointment to the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples offices over processing Golden Era’s permit without consulting with city officials. “We were alarmed over the inclusion of the Loakan airport and several barangays in the city as part of the exploration permit application, that is why we already filed our opposition to uphold the interest of the city over the

applied areas,” Domogan stressed. The MGB and NCIP should have made sure if the proposed areas for exploration filed by Golden Era are within the declared mineralized zone under existing presidential proclamations and in accordance with Baguio’s new environmental code, the mayor added. Earlier, NCIP-CAR regional director Roland Calde chided MGB-CAR for approving the exploration permit application of Golden Era over a 444-hectare area that includes Loakan, several barangays in the city and other barangays in nearby Itogon, Benguet. However, MGB-CAR regional director Engr. Fay Apil explained that one of the conditions of the exploration permit application is for Golden Era to conduct

the required consultations with the local governments and the free and prior informed consent of the indigenous peoples within a period of six months before the permit would be given due course. While there are declared mineralized zones in some parts of Baguio, Domogan said the company must make sure their proposed activities “will not inflict heavy damage to the state of the environment over the applied areas.” The mayor asserted that large-scale mining is not allowed within the city based on Baguio’s environment code. What would likely be allowed, he said, is the small-scale mining operation in identified mineralized areas, specifically in barangays Loakan, Apugan and Kias. Dexter A. See

Manila drug gang members die in Jones Bridge shootout MANILA Police District operatives killed three alleged drug gang members in a shootout under the Jones Bridge after a buy-bust operation in Binondo, Manila on Monday night. Chief Inspector Leandro Gutierrez,

it can to continue providing Manileños with free, prompt, and quality healthcare services. “Little by little, this is not an overnight process, it takes time but we will bring it up to par. The important thing is, they know, we mean business. That’s important. They know we are strict,” Bagsic added, as she called on Manileños to report any complaints concerning hospital services and employees. Only last month, the city acquired a P36-million state-of-the-art CT scan machine for GABMMC, the latest in a long list of brand new medical equipment Estrada’s administration has purchased to modernize the city’s public hospitals.

chief of MPD Station 11, said the suspects were identified only through their aliases Cyril, Dodong and Ega. Gutierrez said Cyril, the alleged leader of the group, was the main target of the buy-bust operation.

“During the buy-bust, Cyril—their leader, after he received money—found out they were policemen, so he told the other suspects to shoot our police,” Gutierrez said. Cyril’s group sold drugs in Delpan, Sta. Cruz, Parola and Escolta areas in

Manila, the station chief said., adding that the suspects were also on the Manila police’s drugs watchlist. Seized during the operation were at least P4,000 worth of shabu, a .22 revolver and two .38 revolvers. Sandy Araneta

not being a doctor

A FORMER town health officer from Zamboanga del Sur is facing trial before the Sandiganbayan for violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Office of the Ombudsman indicted former Margosatubig health officer George Comendador for falsely representing himself as a licensed physician. In a seven-page resolution, the Ombudsman directed the filing of an Information against Comendador after confirming that he was not a doctor listed on the database of the Professional Regulations Commission. The Ombudsman explained that the municipality of Margosatubig “suffered undue injury” as it paid Comendador salaries and other benefits worth P4,388,378.60 starting from January 1996 until his retirement in May 2013. Rio N. Araja

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Housing MoA set for 5,000 in Davao DAVAO CITY—San Miguel Foundation, Pilipinong May Puso Foundation and the National Housing Authority have signed a memorandum of agreement that will build 5,000 houses for this city’s indigent residents. The project is called Biyaya ng Pagbabago Residential Project. The MoA will be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to give Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio the legislative authority to sign it. The agreement also covers the creation of sustainable livelihood and educational programs for the housing beneficiaries and their children. The construction of the houses, which are designed to be climate- and typhoon-resilient, will start next year in Los Amigos and Lasang resettlement areas. SMF is spearheading the project and will fund the construction of the houses, as the foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of San Miguel Corp. The NHA, meanwhile, will provide P24 million to fund the land development for the first phase of the project. The agency will also extend technical assistance to the project. The PMPF, on the other hand, will be tasked to provide livelihood and other assistance to the residents of the resettlement. The local government will identify the project beneficiaries, which will be coming from areas identified as danger zones. The Los Amigos and Lasang resettlement areas are government-owned properties. Davao City has passed the Comprehensive Urban Shelter Services Development Code to promote just, dynamic and comprehensive land tenure security and urban services development program. F. Pearl A. Gajunera

LGUs

Baguio begs for police chief B By Dexter A. See

AGUIO CITY—Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan challenged the leadership of the Philippine National Police to get serious with appointing a permanent police chief for this city instead of appointing officers-in-charge who stay beyond the 30day rule provided by Republic Act 6975 or the Local Government Code. Domogan said the PNP was blatantly circumventing RA 6975, which says a policeman can only remain as officer-incharge of a police district for a

month before he is replaced or permanently appointed as a town or city’s chief of police. The PNP leadership, Domogan said, “tended to put

in place overstaying officersin-charge without limit to suit the personal and professional interests of the ranking police officials wanting their chosen police officers to occupy sensitive positions.” “We are dismayed because the organization that is supposed to uphold the law is the very first that blatantly violates the same law that provides the limit for the assignment of an officer-incharge in a police office, thus, it could be the primary reason why people distrust the PNP because of the obvious patronage politics in the organization,” the mayor stressed.

The PNP should submit to his office a shortlist of qualified senior police officers, Domogan said, so the city could organize a screening committee to select a replacement for Senior Superintendent George D. Daskeo. Daskeo was unceremoniously relieved as city director of the Baguio City Police Office last September 30 for the “flimsy reason” that he was already “overranked” for the position, Domogan said. The mayor said the PNP had a habit of yanking police chiefs, citing Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay, who was also relieved as BCPO

IN BRIEF LEAP IP roadshow

NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco (center) cuts the ceremonial ribbon as he leads the inauguration of new school buildings

at Kaunlaran High School, San Roque National High School and San Rafael Technical and Vocational High School in the city. The buildings add a total of 40 new classrooms for the schools. Also at the ceremony are Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Romulo Rocena and the principals of the respective schools. Andrew Rabulan

Ruling party ranks swell with Pangasinan leaders LINGAYEN, Pangasinan— Hundreds of political leaders in Pangasinan recently took their oath of affiliation with the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDPLaban at the Sison Auditorium here. Fifth district Rep. Amado T. Espino Jr. was inducted as PDPLaban president for Pangasinan along with his son, Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino III, and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. PDP-Laban national vice chair-

man and Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, on behalf of party chairman President Rodrigo Duterte, administered the oath to the Espinos and Calimlim The elder Espino then led the oathtaking of all members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, followed by 16 incumbent mayors and the mass oathtaking of some 300 political leaders from various parts of the province. Cusi said the President “has been very appreciative” of Pangasinan’s overwhelming response to his advocacies to elim-

inate illegal drugs, corruption and criminality in the country. “We will push for real change under the leadership of President Duterte,” said Cusi, who also noted the elder Espino’s brand of governance, which enabled Pangasinan to become the fourthbest performing province in the country. This was from a low of 64th in 2007 before the current lawmaker assumed his first term as governor. The elder Espino said that the mass affiliation of Pangasinan’s leaders to PDP-Laban was “a re-

assuring statement of support” to the Duterte administration. Rep. Espino recalled that Duterte visited him twice, the first in January 2015 when he was still contemplating whether to run for president, and a month before the May 9 elections when the longtime Davao City mayor sought the support of Pangasinenses for his presidential bid. Espino, on the other hand, stressed that the zeal of his provincial leadership complements President Duterte’s platforms of good governance, as

he extended the all-out support of the officials of the province for the Chief Executive’s programs and projects. Cusi was accompanied by former Pagcor Chairman Efraim C. Genuino, PDP-Laban deputy secretary general Melvin Matibag, Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos, and PNOC president Ruben Lista, among others. First District Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, who had been sworn in earlier with PDP-Laban, also attended the ceremony. Dexter A. See

Benguet State execs hit for illegal lease LA TRINIDAD, Benguet— Five Benguet State University officials, including the incumbent president and four former leaders, and officials of a farmers’ organization were found liable for the illegal lease of commercial spaces that cost the university at least P258,000 in lost rental income. In a notice of charge dated November 29, Cristina B. Emaguin, State Auditor IV and Audit Team Leader, and Queemy F. Nadunop, State Auditor IV and OIC Supervising Auditor, said current BSU president Feliciano Calora Jr. and former presidents Rogelio Colting, Ben Ladilad, Jones K. Feleciano and Nicandra J. Cuilan allowed the farmers’ group to lease a stall at the school for free, contrary to laws governing state universities and colleges. Also charged were officers of the Timpuyug Dagiti Umanamong iti BSU Internal Guarantee System or TUBIGS, which was using the stall to sell the vegetable produce of its members but did so without a formal contract with the university, making it an unauthorized use

director and replaced with officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda, who occupied Cambay’s position for nearly two years. The BCPO needs a permanent head because local officials would be able to work closely with the police chief in crafting long-term peacekeeping and anti-crime interventions that will sustain the peace and order in the city, Domogan said. A permanent police chief would also help gain the confidence of foreign and domestic tourists to visit Baguio and keep it as a prime tourist destination, he added.

of government property. “We have reviewed the use of facilities of the University and noted that a private organization, specifically the TUBIGS, has been allowed free use of a stall along a commercial area of BSU and later, in a partitioned area within the BSU marketing center,” the auditors’ report said. “The initial stall occupied by TUBIGS was across the dry goods stalls, which are being leased to various individuals for a monthly fee. The TUBIGS then transferred to a stall portioned off from the space allocated for the BSU marketing center, said center being used for the income-generating projects of the University,” the notice added. Similar spaces in other university commercial centers are being leased out to private individuals for specific fees, the auditors noted, and BSU management was apparently “remiss in its fiscal responsibility by allowing the use of the assets without contracts of lease that resulted in the non-assessment and corresponding non-collection of rent income.” Dexter A. See

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines recently kicked off the first leg of its “Learn, Be Empowered, Adopt, and Profit from Intellectual Property” (LEAP IP) Roadshow for local government units with lectures to over a hundred employees of the city governments of Makati and Manila. To advance their knowledge about intellectual property rights, IPOPHL collaborated with the cities’ Office of the Mayor, Business Permits and Licensing Offices, and city council officials for the activity last Nov. 21 to 22. The LEAP IP for LGU Roadshow aims to assist government employees on implementing their IP ordinances through information dissemination, protection, and enforcement. IPOPHL is scheduled to hold its next legs of the roadshow in other LGUs within Metro Manila before the yearend.

Top locators feted OFFICIALS of the General Trias City government led by Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer will fete the Top 20 Locators for the year 2015 on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Bayleaf Hotel on Governor’s Drive in Barangay Manggahan for providing near a billion pesos in tax income to the locality. The Top Ten Business Taxpayers are Analog Devices, American Power Conversion Corp., Purefoods Hormel Corp., ProFriends Inc. JAE Philippines Inc., House Technology, Maxim Phil. Operating Corp., EHS Lens Philippines, Unilever Philippines, and Antel Holdings, Ferrer said. The Top Ten Real Property Taxpayers for 2015 are Purefoods Hormel, ProFriends, Unilever, SMC Yamamura Fuso Mold Corp., Can Asia, Magnolia Inc., TelFord Property Management, Steniel Cavite Packaging Corp., Analog Devices General Trias Inc., and JRP Realty Holdings Inc.

Cemetery museum

MEDAL OF HONOR. Calabarzon Acting Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Valfrie G. Tabian pins the

‘Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting’ to PO2 Noel R Hacutina Jr., who was shot in a recent drug buy-bust operation at Victoria, Laguna. The suspect, a barangay councilor, was killed in the operation, but not after shooting Hacutina’s left arm. Roy Tomandao

THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines will open the Nagcarlan Underground Cemeter y Museum on Friday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. in Nagcarlan, Laguna. NHCP acting chairman and commissioner Rene R. Escalante and professor Regalado Trota Jose, chief archivist of the University of Santo Tomas, will lead the opening ceremony. The new museum features a brief history of the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, the characteristics of heritage materials and the conservation techniques used by the NHCP to restore the chapel and perimeter walls. In addition to original artifacts, the museum uses infographics, touchscreen terminals, and an audio-visual presentation.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

World

Standard

TODAY

IN BRIEF Police burn illegal drugs in Jakarta JAKARTA―Police began torching about a ton of illegal drugs in Jakarta on Tuesday, as Indonesian President Joko Widodo defended his tough war on narcotics. Authorities wheeled out giant furnaces to incinerate some of the massive haul on display, including nearly half a tonne of methamphetamine, 190,000 ecstasy tablets and 420 kilograms of marijuana. Widodo and other top officials, wearing protective gloves and masks, inspected the drugs before tossing bags of pills into the incinerator. Indonesia has tough drugs laws but Widodo has made combating narcotics a top priority since taking office in late 2014, resuming the execution of traffickers after an unofficial hiatus. Eighteen convicted drug smugglers -- including 15 foreigners -have been sent to the firing squad in Indonesia under his administration. Widodo has defended his hardline stance, claiming Indonesia faces a “drugs emergency” and must act to protect the next generation. AFP

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

‘Torture rampant in China’ B

EIJING―China’s parallel justice system for Communist Party members relies heavily on torture and is “abusive and illegal”, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday, calling for it to be abolished.

Rain and ﬂoods kill at least 14 in Thailand

IC OF THE PHILIPPINES ONAL TRIAL C OURT BANGKOK―Days of CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION THE EX-OFFICIO rain SHERIFF and ﬂooding have QUEZON CITY

torrential killed at REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE least 14 people in southern ThaiNO. 004-2015010994 REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BANK., Registry of Deeds of Quezon City NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION land, with authorities declaring Mortgageee, OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 41, BLK. 4, OF NO. 11397 THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN PCS-007404much of FRE the region a disaster zone, QUEZON CITY 003783-D, BEING A PORTION OF THE CONS. AG the government said on Tuesday. OF LOTS 1071-L-3, 791-C-2-C (LRC) PSDPEAKHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION, EP. BY THEIR 263819, 535-C-2-B- (LRC) PSD-263717, 535-BMortgagee, Heavy rains have lashed the ONIOG, 9-A, (LRC) PSD-263816, 535-B-6, PSD-36572, -versusAND 974, PIEDAD ESTATE, LRC REC. NO. Mortgagors. central part of Thailand’s south for FRE NO. 11401 5975), SITUATED IN THE BRGYS OF SAUYO, ------------------x AND BAGBAG, QUEZON CITY, M-MANILA, IS. SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and UDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY much of the last week, including OF LUZON, BOUNDED ON THE NW., ALONG VICTORIA F. DEGACO ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED) LINE 1-2 BY LOT 39, BLK. 4; ON THE NE., AND the popular tourist draws of Krabi Mortgagors. tition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT E., ALONG LINE 2-4 BY ROAD LOT 8; AND ON x---------------------------------------------x e terms and conditions of theSamui Deed of island, Real THE SE., ALONG LINE 4-5 BY ROAD LOT 3; and Koh affecting under the date of February 2, 2015, by SPS. NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF AND ON THE SW., ALONG LINE 5-1 BY LOT ightsL. and ferry RRY E. TEBAGsome rep. byflAIDA BONIOG as services. 40, BLK. 4, ALL OF THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN. REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 idence and postal address No. 12 Prince XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF ONE HUNONSTAGE. Musician Debbi Peterson of The Bangles performs onstage(ASduring third annual AMENDED)Equality Now’s “582,343 people neral Santos City, South Cotabato, 9500/from 88 disDRED FORTY SEVEN (147) SQ. METERS, UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, MORE OR LESS. esta Village, San Mateo, Rizal, in favor of “Make Equality Reality” gala on December 5, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. AFP tricts are affected and 14 have peoas amended by ACT 4118 and pursuant to the ANK, Mortgagee to satisfy the mortgage All sealed bids must be submitted to the unterms and conditions of the Deed of Real Estate NE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SIX the interior CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ple have beenSIXTY killed,” Mortgage executed on September 7, 2015 by dersigned at the aforesaid office on the above RED PESOS AND 10/100 (P1,466,513.10) as stated date and time. sive of interest,ministry penalties, and other SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and VICTORIA F. said in charges an update. ay due together with all the lawful fees and DEGACO, - Blk. 4 Lot 41 Cordon corner Eagle Interested parties are hereby enjoined to REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES le, the Ex-Officio Sheriff the Regional Trial been injured Threeof people have St., Rolling Meadows 2, San Bartolome, Novali- investigate for themselves the title to the said eby announces that on December 14, 2016 REGIONAL TRIAL C OURT ches, Quezon City Mortgagors in favor of PEAK- property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if andat one is missing, a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Office of the Clerkthe statement NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION HOLD FINANCE CORPORATION, Mortgagee, any there be. Sheriff of Quezon City (beside Quezon OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF to satisty the mortgage debt in the amount of added,City, with provinces In the event that public auction should not take d, Diliman, Quezon she11 willsouthern sell at QUEZON CITY run by his father, who Php 1,889,340.03 amount due,era. as of place NOVI PAZAR, Serbia―In a shop since the total goslav Eastward departures st bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the on said date due to fortuitous event or if declared disaster zones, a process September 29, 2016 excluding attorney’s fees, the same be declared a non-working holiday, it operty/ies with all the improvements. PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK., country proud of its Orthodox the death of his son has spent have since the Islamic liquidatedtime damages; expenses for dropped publication; shalloff be held on DECEMBER 13, 2016 at the that frees up more emergency govMortgageee, filing fees; sheriff’s fees and commission, and same time and place without further notice. RTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 004-2014012207 Christianity, -versusthe Serbian city of at mosques trying State group such other cost and expenses arising out of or has begun to retreat. try of Deeds-Quezon Cityaid and resources. ernment FRE NO. 11397 to dissuade Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 21, 2016. incidental to the foreclosure, together with all the ED IN THE 6TH FLR OF THE MANHATTAN Novi Pazar isSPS. a place apart: young youngsters from becoming But sale, the CRISLYN C. TEBAG Railway services have also been lawful feesvioand expenses of foreclosure the presence of Salafist OCATED IN AURORA BLVD., AND GEN. (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD AND LARRY TEBAG, REP. BY THEIR Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of UEZON CITY.suspended CONSISTING OF TWENTY bearded menATTY. in ankle-length trou- lent radicals. “humanitarian organisations”, south of Nakhon Si Clerk of Court VI and IN-FACT AIDA BONIOG, Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy AND FIFTY SQUARE DECIMETERS (28.50) Acting Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff Mortgagors. diagrammaticThammarat floor plan appended to the Sheriff, hereby announces that on DECEMBER province after fl oodwasers stroll the streets, the restauNovi Pazar is a city without an ostensibly helping the needy in WARNING: of the condominium project annotated on x------------------------------------------------x 6, 2016 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or Destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before E OF TITLE N-302954-55 which ters covered theembraces train line there. AFP NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL OF REAL PROPERTY P.M. at the Office Clerk of Court & Exrants don’t serve alcohol, and the SALE airport or train station, served by of theSandzak, have become a cause of the date of the auction sale under penalty of

Radical Islam breeding in Serbia

cated at Aurora Blvd., and Gen. Malvar St., an area of (4,919 & 1,154) Square Meter. e submitted to the undersigned on the above

16 suspected criminals killed in shootout

ereby enjoined to investigate for themselves ty/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.

COATZACOALCOS, Mexico― Mexican police working with military troops killed 14 suspected criminals inNotice a shootout in the to remove, deface or destroy this of date of the auction sale under penalty of the crime-plagued state of Veracruz on Monday, officials said. . CRISLYN C. TEBAG 3)AIDA . BONIOG LARRY E. TEBAG No. 30 Jasmine St., Modesta Village, stepped Authorities have up 2 Prince Queenies, Love Vill. San Mateo, Rizal eral Santos City, South Cotabato 9500 (MS-Nov. anti-drug patrols in2016) the Gulf coast 15, 22 & 29, state, where cartels are responsible for a spike in crime. Officials said police patrolling the region came under fire from a criminal gang hidden behind a small hill in the town of Suchilapan, a mountainous area on the border of Veracruz state and Oaxaca to the south. Marine troops were enlisted after the assault to help flush out the attackers, and an ensuing gunfight resulted in the deaths of the 14 suspected criminals, a government statement said. The village of Suchilapan is along the route frequently used by Central American migrants attempting to make the dangerous crossing through Mexico to the United States. It also has been the scene in recent days of various skirmishes between armed forces and criminal drug gangs, including Mexico’s notorious Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation, two of the country’s most powerful cartels. AFP

CAN

(Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VI Acting Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff

City asks for $35m to protect Trump NEW YORK―The city of New York asked the US government Monday for up to $35 million to cover the cost of protecting Donald Trump as he builds his incoming cabinet at his Manhattan penthouse. Mayor Bill de Blasio said he made the request in a letter to President Barack Obama covering the period from November 8, the date of Trump’s shock election victory, to January 20, the date of his inauguration in Washington. New York police ofﬁcers are deployed around the clock outside Trump Tower at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, one of the busiest intersections in the city and particularly crowded in December with tourists and Christmas shoppers. AFP

call of the muezzin punctuates theunder bad roads and enclosed by moun- concern. UPON extra judicial petition ACT 3135, as amended by ACT and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Real daily routine.4118, tains, where the poverty rate is In an April 2015 report, DaEstate Mortgage executed under the date of February 2, 2015, by SPS. C. TEBAG & LARRY E. TEBAG rep. by AIDA L. BONIOG as Faced withCRISLYN percent, according maD, a local cultural (MS-Nov. centre, said AIF,massive Mortgagorsunemploywith residence and50 postal address No. 12 Prince to Serbia’s 8, 15 & 22, 2016) Love Vill. General Santos City, South Cotabato, 9500/ ment and a Queenies, feeling of St., exclusion statistics institute, these groups had “completely No. 30 Jasmine Modesta Village, San Mateo, Rizal, in favor of making the PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee to satisfy the mortgage against the backdrop of theof Syrian region theSIX most deprived isolated themselves from the rest debt in the amount ONE MILLIONSandzak FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS AND 10/100 (P1,466,513.10) as war, this Muslim majority area of area of the Balkan country. of society” and were “commitof October 3, 2016, inclusive of interest, penalties, and other charges including the fees that may due together with all the lawful fees and southwest Serbia has become ASheriff centre of textiles and com- ted to very conservative views expenses of foreclosure sale, theaEx-Officio of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, hereby announces that on December 14, 2016 breeding ground Islamist exdidof the notClerkwithstand the on religion which support jihadist between for the hour of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00merce, p.m., at the it Office had a child who was born on 20 August Republic of the Philippines Court and Ex-Officio Sheriff of Quezon City (beside Quezon tremists. of breakup fights”. 1998. After their wedding, PETITIONER and REGIONAL TRIAL COURT City Hall) Elliptical Road, Diliman,bloody Quezon City, she will sellof at Yugoslavia RESPONDENT lived at 6-10 Nakano, Kimitsu public auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the Nationalof Capital Judicial Region “Death infollowing the way of real Allah in with inallthe 1990s. A large number The region’s official Islamic audescribed property/ies the improvements. City, Chiba Prefecture. RESPONDENT filed a BRANCH 214 divorcemeanwhile and was granted on 06 become January 2016. Syria, 14 May 2013, aged 27” was OF theTITLE warehouses which employed thorities have Mandaluyong City CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE NO. 004-2014012207 No personal nor real properties, both in the Registry of Deeds-Quezon City Philippines and abroad, were acquired IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL a notice once “UNIT posted on the con- thousands of workers fell into dis- weaker aftertheirsplitting into twoduring riNO. 6Q SITUATED IN THE 6TH FLR OF THE MANHATTAN marriage. RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN PARKWAY TOWER 3, which LOCATED INuse. AURORA BLVD., AND GEN. crete walls of Novi Pazar, val structures. DIVORCE DECREE BETWEEN WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be MALVAR ST., CUBAO, QUEZON CITY. CONSISTING OF TWENTY sufficient in form and substance, let the LIWAYWAY ANTILLON AVESTRUZ EIGHT SQUARE METERS AND FIFTY SQUARE DECIMETERS (28.50) lies in the region of Sandzak. Serbia estimates around 40 of According to Serbian media, hearing on the presentation of jurisdictional AND MASAFUMI KIMURA, MORE OR LESS. In the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the requirements befor set on 07 February 2017 at or master deedKunof the condominium project annotated on to join the Killed in enabling Aleppo, Eldar its citizens have left youths who left Syria fre8:30 o’clock in the morning at the Regional TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE N-302954-55 which embraces LIWAYWAY ANTILLON AVESTRUZ Trial Court, Branch 214, Hall of Justice and describes the land located at Aurora Blvd., and Gen. Malvar St., dakovic used to be one of the jihad in Syria and Iraq, some of Petitioner, quented in Building, particular an associaCubao, Quezon City with an area of (4,919 & 1,154) Square Meter. Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, at which time, date and place followmentioned, all young men aimlessly strolling have since returned or died tion called Furkan, whose All sealed bids must be submitted whom to the undersigned on the above SP. PROC. NO. MC-16-10510 interested persons who may be affected thereby stated time and date. For: JUDICIAL RECOGNITION the town, where around half of there. ers are linked to a hardline Wahare directed to appear and show cause, if any, Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves OF FOREIGN DIVORCE as to why said petition should not be granted. title to the said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if anyeither youths the 100,000the residents are jobless They were mostly habi community in northeastern -versusthere be. Let copy of this Order be published at the KIMURA general the event that public auction not the take place on said date and a third due ofIntothe population is should from Sandzak region MASAFUMI or memBosnia. Onepetitioner’s of expense themin a finewspaper red ofshots Respondent. circulation selected by raffle, ONCE (1) A WEEK fortuitous event of if the aforesaid scheduled date is declared a x-----------------------------------------x non-working holiday, it shall be to held onbers December 21, 2016 at the same for THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. under the age of 19, according of the ethnic Albanian comat the US embassy in Sarajevo in ORDER time and place without further notice. Further, let copy of this Order be served upon Before Prethis Court is October a verified Petition2011. for the latest census. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Octobermunity 21, 2016. in the neighbouring the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of judicial recognition of a foreign divorce filed Mandaluyong City Prosecutor, the Local Civil Kundakovic, whoDG. belonged sevo valley.C. TALLUD In(PETITIONER). 2014, the the association disapby Liwayway Antillon Avestruz (Sgd.) CAROL BULACAN (Sgd.) GREGORIO Registrar of Mandaluyong City, the Philippine PETITIONER prays that after due notice and Sheriff IV Clerk of Court VI Statistics Authority, and RESPONDENT to the ultra-conservative SalafiActing st ClerkThose who return arehearing, moniafterMasafumi the Kimura dismantling of a judgment be peared rendered recognizing at his last known address in of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff PETITIONER’s foreign decree of divorce and to WARNING: his time beJapan at the whose expense of PETITIONER. movement, divided tored by powerful intelligence members direct and annotate suchjihadist judgment in the network Local is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Registry of Mandaluyong City and National SO ORDERED. tween prayerItSheriff’s rooms and the thatpenalty dateofback toCivil the Yu- were also part of Furkan. AFP on or before thetailor date of the services auction sale under the Statistics Office (NSO). Mandaluyong City UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED)

Officio 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:

the law.

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

law.

Copy Furnished: 1)NOLI A. CABRERA 2)SPS. CRISLYN C. TEBAG 3)AIDA . BONIOG 4th Flr. PSBank Center Bldg., AND LARRY E. TEBAG No. 30 Jasmine St., Modesta Village, No. 777 Paseo de Roxas Ave., No. 12 Prince Queenies, Love Vill. San Mateo, Rizal Cor. Sedeño St., Makati City General Santos City, South Cotabato 9500 (MS-Nov. 15, 22 & 29, 2016)

Groups to complain against smart toys Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Quezon City, Metro Manila Branch 223

conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of his residence in the Philippines in his relations with the constituted government as well as the community in which he is living; that he has all the qualifications under Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 and none of the disqualifications; that he is not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing organized governments; that the nation of which he is a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines; that it is petitioner’s intention in good faith to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince or sovereignty, and particularly to the Republic of Syria of which at this time, he is a citizen; that he will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of filing of this Petition up to the time of his admission to Philippine citizenship; that petitioner has not heretofore filed any petition for citizenship with any court, and that Charity Ruth Ignacio with address at Bldg. 23 Unit B-18 GSIS Metrohomes Anonas, Pureza Sta. Mesa and Maria Aurora Aguilar with address at No. 28 Potenciana St., New Intramuros Village Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City who are credible Filipino citizens and of good moral character, will appear and testify as his witness at the hearing of this petition.

BRUSSELS―EU and US consumer watchdogs announced Tuesday they are ﬁling complaints against a In The Matter of the Petition of clutch of smart toys that can “spy” on children and their Moumen Ahmed Aldaker for Admission Tobreaching Philippine homes, for allegedly privacy and data protection laws. Citizenship, The complaints R-QZN-16-03552-SP target smart toys My Friend Cayla, iQUE Intelligent Robot and Hello Barbie, according to the Moumen Ahmed Aldaker, Petitioner. BEUC and US groups European Consumer Organization x----------------------------------x like the Electronic Privacy ORDER Information Center or EPIC. Amended Petition For French and other EuComplaintsThis areis an being ﬁled with Naturalization dated September 9, ropean authorities asthewell as Moumen the US Federal Trade Com2016 file by petitioner Ahmed Aldaker. mission. The petitioner alleges the Internet-connected Cayla and i-QUE, manufactured by following: that petitioner has made a declaration of his bona Los Angeles-based Genesis Toys,fidehook up with a user via intention to become a citizen of the Republic of Hello the Philippines a phone or tablet while Barbie links to the internet and filed the same with the Office of thesaid Solicitor on August through Wi-Fi, theGeneral consultancy Bouvet on behalf of 11, 2014 (Annex “A” of the petition); the Norwegian that Consumer his full name Council. is Moumen Ahmed Aldaker, a citizen of Syria, Hello Barbie is not soldoninJanuary Europe. that he was born 1, 1977 in Damascus, Syria; that he “By purpose and design, these toys record and collect is married and presently residing at No. 16 Third St., Ignatius Village, children without any the private conversations of young Quezon City; that his father is Ahmad Hanoon and his mother limitations on collection, use, orisdisclosure of this perAmira Koudmani; that he is thirty nine (39) years old at the time of the US watchdogs said in sonal information,” EPIC and other filing of the petition; that he came to their complaint, which on they “concerns toys that spy”. the Philippines July say 19, 2002 WHEREFORE, finding the the Ninoy Aquino International verified petition to be sufficient “The toysthru subject young children to ongoing surveilAirport; that he is married to Ma. in form and substance, the same P. Lolarga, a Filipino is set for hearing on February lance and areTheresa deployed in homes across the United States citizen, who was born on June 17, 2017 at 8:30 o’ clock in the 17, 1963 in Baguio data City; that they morning standards,” at which date and time, without any were meaningful protection theyall married on November 15, interested persons may appear and 2008; that they have one legitimate show cause why the petition should said. child named Nicola Aldaker, eight not be granted. years having been and born on “They pose anold,imminent immediate threat to the November 24, 2008 in Quezon Petitioners are hereby directed safety and security of children in theto United States,” theyto City, Philippines; that petitioner furnish a copy of the petition been residing and continues the Office of the Solicitor General added. AFP has to reside in the Philippines since he who is ordered to file its Comment arrived on July 19, 2002; that from thereto within thirty (30) days from that time up to 2005, his residence receipt of a copy of the Petition. was at Unit 11 M. Tower A. Palm Towers, San Antonio Village, Let a copy of this notice and the Pasong Tamo, Makati. Petition be published once a week for three consecutive weeks at the It is further alleged that petitioner Official Gazette and a newspaper

PETITIONER alleges that she is a Filipino, of legal age, married to Masafumi Kimura (RESPONDENT) and divorced in Japan, and a resident of 717 Pantaleon Street, Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City. RESPONDENT is of legal age, a Japanese national, and a resident of 6-10 Nakano, Kimitsu City, Chiba, Prefecture, Japan.

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads sPETITIONER e c t i o nand mRESPONDENT u s t b ewere married b r o under u g civil h trite ont o29 August o u2011 r in Kimitsushi, Chiba Ken, Japan. Prior to their attention the very day marriage, PETITIONER and RESPONDENT the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately. 1

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

10 October 2016.

The 88 million members of the country’s ruling party are subject to an internal justice system known as “shuanggui”, which operates without oversight from judicial authorities and has been increasingly criticized by China’s legal community. More than 15 officials have reportedly died from abuses in “shuanggui” since 2007. Since coming to power, President Xi Jinping has presided over a much-publicised drive against corruption that has punished more than one million officials in what some compare to a political purge. “President Xi has built his anti-corruption campaign on an abusive and illegal detention system,” said Sophie Richardson, HRW’s China director. She called for its abolition as a “first urgent step” towards restoring confidence in China’s legal system. “Political parties in a one-party state should not run Manila their own detention systems.” Standard A report released Tuesday, TODAY based on analysis of court verdicts, media reports and interviews with former detainees and their family members, details the abuses of the system. Typically, “shuanggui” subjects disappear without warning and are held in unofficial detention facilities until they “con-

fess” to corruption. Then they are brought into the criminal justice system and convicted. Tactics used to extract confessions include prolonged sleep deprivation, food and water deprivation, severe beatings, being forced into stress positions for extended periods of time and threats to family members, among others. One former detainee detailed how he was forced to invent stories of his crimes. “They made me make it up. I had to make it up -– if I didn’t, they’d beat me.” Another was made to stand and sit in alternating endless 12 hour shifts, saying “my legs became swollen, and my buttocks were raw and started oozing pus.” One Beijing-based lawyer described the case of a client who was given only an hour a sleep a day and was forced to spend the rest of his time balancing a book on his head. After eight days, he “confessed to everything and to whatever they said”, the lawyer explained. “At that point his feet were swollen like an elephant’s and he could no longer urinate.” Chinese courts have a conviction rate of 99.92 percent. “The courts function as rubber stamps, lending credibility to an utterly illegal Communist Party process,” said Richardson. AFP

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IV-MiMaRoPa

INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF FARM INPUTSAND IMPLEMENTS AS STARTER KIT FOR VEGETABLE/ CASSAVA, CALAMANSI LANZONES SEEDLINGS PRODUCTION AND STARTER KIT FOR CORN &PEANUT, BANANAREPUBLIC & PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION PANTAWID OF THE PHILIPPINES TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 004-2015010994 REGIONAL TRIAL COURT PAMILYA -MCCT IP SSI Registry of Deeds of Quezon City NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Project Reference No. – 2016-012 OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 41, BLK. 4, OF THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN PCS-007404-

1. The Department of Social WelfareQUEZON and CITY Development003783-D, (DSWD) FieldOFOffice BEING A-PORTION THE CONS. MiMaRoPa at 1680 F.T. PEAKHOLD Benitez FINANCE St., Malate, ManilaOF LOTS through General 1071-L-3, the 791-C-2-C (LRC) PSDCORPORATION, 263819, 535-C-2-B(LRC) PSD-263717, 535-BAppropriation Act 2016 invites PhilGEPS registered supplier to apply for eligibility Mortgagee, 9-A, (LRC) PSD-263816, 535-B-6, PSD-36572, to bid for the hereunder items: -versusAND 974, PIEDAD ESTATE, LRC REC. NO. Quantity / Lot Lot 1 to 4

Lot 1.1

1.2

Lot 2

Lot 3

Lot 4.1

4.2

5975), SITUATED IN THE BRGYS OF SAUYO, FRE NO. 11401 Price of Bid

Approved T. DEGACOBudget and Item/DescriptionSPS. RANDY for the Contract

AND BAGBAG, QUEZON CITY,Period M-MANILA, Delivery / IS.

Documents

OF LUZON, BOUNDED ON THE NW., ALONG Place of Venue VICTORIA F. DEGACO LINE 1-2 BY LOT 39, BLK. 4; ON THE NE., AND (non-refundable) Mortgagors. E., ALONG LINE 2-4 BY ROAD LOT 8; AND ON Supply and Delivery ofx---------------------------------------------x Farm Php19,372,930.00 Php25,000.00 THE SE., ALONGForty-five LINE 4-5 BY ROAD(45) LOT 3; Inputs and Implements forOF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF AND ON THE SW.,calendar ALONG LINE 5-1days BY LOT NOTICE THE CONS-SUBDN. PLAN. Palawan Municipalities forREAL thePROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 40, BLK. 4, ALL OFfrom the Receipt XXX CONTAININGofAN AREA OF ONE HUNImplementation of Pantawid (AS AMENDED) NTP DRED FORTY SEVEN (147) SQ. METERS,

Pamilya MCCT-IP SSI.

UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT 4118 and pursuant to the

MORE OR LESS. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned at the aforesaid office on the above stated date and time.

terms and Implements for Vegetable & conditions of the Deed of Real Estate Mortgage executed on September 7, 2015 by Cassava, Production(Digging SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and VICTORIA F. Bar,Farm harrow,Garden DEGACO, - Blk. 4 Lot 41 Cordon corner Eagle Pruner,Garden trowel,Grab St., Rolling Meadows 2, San Bartolome, NovaliQuezon City Mortgagors in favor of PEAKHoe, Grass Sickle, ches, Native HOLD FINANCE CORPORATION, Mortgagee, Plow, Pickaxe,Rake, Seedling to satisty tray,Shovel speed type.Speedingthe mortgage debt in the amount of Php 1,889,340.03 the total amount due, as of Fork,Spray can, Wheelborrow. September 29, 2016 excluding attorney’s fees,

Delivery Place: Interested parties are hereby enjoined to Palawan investigate for themselves the title to the–said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, Municipality of if any there be. Quezon Rizal,

In the event that Sofronio public auction should not take Española, place on said dateBataraza, due to fortuitous event or if Balabac, the same be declared a non-working holiday, Brookespoint, and it shall be held on DECEMBER 13, 2016 at the Puerto Princesa same time and place without further notice.

liquidated damages; expenses for publication;

Farm Inputs for the Veg & sheriff’s fees and commission, and filing fees; such other cost and expenses arising out of or cassava production-Vegetable incidental seeds 50 gms. in can(assortedto the foreclosure, together with all the lawful fees and expenses of foreclosure sale, the in can, ampalaya, calabasa, Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of cucumber,eggplant,sitao,tomato) Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy Starter Kit for Corn & Peanut( Sheriff, hereby announces that on DECEMBER peanut seedlings,1 kg 6,/pack, 2016 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 at the Office of the Clerk of Court & Exfertilizer complete, corn P.M. seeds, Officio Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Hall of Juscommercial variety 25kg./bag.) tice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City,

Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 21, 2016. (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VI and Acting Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff 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.

Copy Furnished: SPS. RANDY T. DEGACO and PEDRO C. SEBALLOS VICTORIA F. DEGACO Blk. 4 Lot 41 Cordon corner Eagle St., Rolling Meadows 2, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

will sell thru public auction to the highest bidder 105 Mahiyain St., Supply of Calamansi & Lanzones for cash, in Philippine Currency, the following Sikatuna Village Quezon City Seedlings Production (lanzones described real property/ies with all the improveseedling, corn seedsmentsand existing thereon, to wit: fertilizer complete(14-14-14).

Starter kit farm implements for banana and pineapple production( digging bar, bolo, grabhoe, garden pruner, shovel speed) Banana suckers,cultivars lakatan, pineapple crown seedlings 25 pcs. /bundle

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 214 Mandaluyong City

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL

ERRATUM

(Sgd.) IMELDA L. PORTES-SAULOG Presiding Judge

In the RTC-QC, Notice of Office of the Solicitor General Sale of Real Extra-Judicial Office of the City Prosecutor, Property Mandaluyong City under Act 3135 (as Atty.amended) Jose Maronilla published on Nov. Liwayway Antillon Avestruz 15,22 & 29, 2016 the ffg. Should Masafumi Kimura

have read as follows: Philippine 1 Report of Marriage is attached to the Petition as Annex “A” Savings Bank, Mortgagee vs. 2 Divorce Certificate as Annex “B” of the Petition.

Sps. Crislyn C. Tebag and (MS-Nov.Rep. 15, 22 &by 29, their 2016) Larry E. Tebag, Atty. In-Fact Aida L. Boniog and the amount in words should have read as One Million Four Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Five Hundred Thirteen Pesos & 10/100 (P1,466,513.10). Our apology.

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)

(MS-Nov. 8, 15 & 22, 2016)

had a child who was born on 20 August 1998. After their wedding, PETITIONER and RESPONDENT lived at 6-10 Nakano, Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture. RESPONDENT filed a divorce and was granted on 06 January 2016.2 No personal nor real properties, both in the Philippines and abroad, were acquired during their marriage. SCHEDULE

ACTIVITIES RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCEto DECREE WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be Advertisement/ Posting of Invitation Bid BETWEEN December 7, 2016 sufficient toin form and substance, let the LIWAYWAY ANTILLONDecember AVESTRUZ 8, 2016 Issuance and Availability of BidAND Documents on the presentation of jurisdictional MASAFUMI KIMURA, December 27,hearing 2016 requirements be set on 07 February 2017 at Pre – Bid Conference December 15,8:30 2016@ PM at the Regional o’clock in1:00 the morning LIWAYWAY ANTILLON AVESTRUZ Court, Branch 214, Hall of Justice Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Petitioner, December 19,Trial 2016 Circle, Mandaluyong City, Deadline of Submission of Bid December 27,Building, 2016 Maysilo @ 10:00 A.M at which time, date and place mentioned, all SP. PROC. NO. MC-16-1051027,interested Opening of Bids December 2016 persons @ 10:30 who mayA.M. be affected thereby For: JUDICIAL RECOGNITION are directed to appear and show cause, if any,

2. Bidders should have completed at least (2) DIVORCE similar contracts theshould Project from OFtwo FOREIGN as to why saidto petition not be granted. the date of submission and-versusreceipt of bids. The description of an eligible bidder is Let copy of this Order be published at the MASAFUMI KIMURA contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instruction to Bidders. petitioner’s expense in a newspaper of general Respondent.

circulation selected by raffle, ONCE (1) A WEEK

for THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. 3. Bidding will be conducted x-----------------------------------------x through open competitive bidding procedures using a ORDER non-discretionary “pass/fail” Before criterion as specified in the Further, Implementing Rules and let copy of this Order be served upon this Court is a verified Petition for the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of Regulations (IRR) of Republic Actrecognition (RA) 9184, otherwise judicial of a foreign divorce filed known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. by Liwayway Antillon Avestruz (PETITIONER). the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor, the Local Civil PETITIONER prays that after due notice and

Registrar of Mandaluyong City, the Philippine

Statistics Authority, and RESPONDENT judgment be may renderedbe recognizing 4. The complete set of Biddinghearing, Documents purchased at the DSWD – Field Masafumi Kimura at his last known address in PETITIONER’s foreign of divorce and Office MiMaRoPa, BAC Secretariat upondecree payment ofto non-refundable price of bid Japan at the expense of PETITIONER. and annotate such judgment in the Local documents indicated above.direct The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free Civil Registry of Mandaluyong City and National SO ORDERED. of charge from the website of DSWD Field Office MiMaRoPa provided that Bidders Statistics Office (NSO). Mandaluyong City shall pay the non-refundable PETITIONER price notalleges laterthatthat the submission of their bids. she is a Filipino, 10 October 2016. of legal age, married to Masafumi Kimura

5. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole organizations with at (RESPONDENT) and divorcedproprietorships, in Japan, and (Sgd.) IMELDA L. PORTES-SAULOG least sixty percent (60%) interest orofoutstanding capital a resident 717 Pantaleon Street, Barangaystock belonging to citizens of Presiding Judge Hulo, or Mandaluyong City. RESPONDENT is of the Philippines, and to citizens organizations of a country the laws or regulations of the Solicitor General legalprivileges age, a Japanesetonational, and acitizens, resident Office of which grant similar rights or Filipino pursuant to RA 5183 and Office of the City Prosecutor, of 6-10 Nakano, Kimitsu City, Chiba, Prefecture, Mandaluyong City subject to Commonwealth Act 138. Atty. Jose Maronilla Japan. Liwayway Antillon Avestruz

PETITIONER and RESPONDENT were Masafumi Kimura 6. The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open to all interested parties; however, only those married under civil rite on 29 August 2011 in 1 Report of Marriage is attached to the Petition as Annex who have purchased the Bidding in the discussion at“A” Kimitsushi, Documents Chiba Ken, Japan.1 may Prior toparticipate their 2 Divorce Certificate as Annex “B” of the Petition. said conference; marriage, PETITIONER and RESPONDENT

(MS-Nov. 15, 22 & 29, 2016)

7. The Pre-Bid Conference and Submission and Opening of Bids shall be held at DRRMU Office Bldg.2nd floor conference room DSWD Field Office MiMaRoPa at 1680 F. T. Benitez cor. Malvar Sts., Malate, Manila; 8. The DSWD Field Office MiMaRoPa reserves the right to waive any formality in the responses to the eligibility requirements and to this invitation. DSWD – Field Office MiMaRoPa further reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or declare a failure of bidding, or not awardREPUBLIC the contract, and makes no thatwillcontract the assurance above-entitled petition be heard anew OF THE PHILIPPINES nd beforethereby this Court located at the 2any floor, shall be entered into as a result of thisTRIAL invitation incurring REGIONAL COURT without Rooms 2007-2008 Hall of Justice NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL liability in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184REGION and it’s implementing Rules Building, and Diliman, Quezon City on March 6, 2017 at BRANCH 98 – QUEZON CITY Regulations. 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour, all interested persons may appear and

KRISTINE JOY CALDERON REP. 9. For further information, please contact the BAC Secretariatshow at telephone no. (02)336cause why the petition should not be BY HIS FATHER WILFREDO MALIBAY 81-06 to 07 local 101 and MONTALES, 111. granted. Petitioner, -versus-

IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MS-DEC. 7, 2016)

The Branch Clerk of Court is ordered to cause the service of copies of this Order on

the Local Civil Registrar of Candon, Ilocos (SGD) EDITHA B. OCAMPO Sur, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon BAC Chairperson R-QZN-16-05370-SP

City and Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City for their comment/report.

Further, the petitioner is directed to (SGD) PURIFICACION R. ARRIOLA coordinate with the Sheriff of this Court for Vice-Chairperson the service of a copy of the petition on the

HON. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, CIVIL BAC REGISTRAR GENERAL, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CANDON, ILOCOS SUR, Respondent. x---------------------------------------------x

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.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ORDER Before this Court is a verified petition filed

In the event that hearing should not take

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

World

Rebels reject Aleppo exit as Syria’s army advances A LEPPO―Russia said it would hold talks with Washington on Tuesday on a total rebel withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo, where the army has made sweeping advances, but opposition factions have rejected any evacuation.

President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have seized two-thirds of the former rebel bastion in east Aleppo since they began an operation to recapture all of the battered second city in mid-November. The assault has raised an international outcry, but Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in the city. Tens of thousands of east Aleppo residents have fled to other parts of the city to escape the fighting, which has raised widespread international concern. The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters reeling and come ahead of talks in Geneva on Tuesday on a rebel evacuation. “During the Russian-American consultations the concrete route and timeframe for the withdrawal of all fighters from eastern Aleppo will be agreed upon,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier Monday. “As soon as these routes and timeframes are agreed on, a ceasefire can come into effect.” Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the two sides “are close to an agreement on the basic elements”. But deputy US envoy Michele Sison suggested there was no deal, saying “we will not let Russia string along the Security Council”. “We will continue bilateral negotiations (with Russia) to relieve the suffering in Aleppo, but we have not reached a breakthrough because Russia wants to keep its military gains,” she added. Rebel groups swiftly rejected any talk of an evacuation. Yasser al-Youssef of the Nureddine al-Zinki faction, a leading rebel group in Aleppo, described any such proposal as “unacceptable”. “It is for the Russians to leave,” he told AFP. Moscow is a close ally of Assad’s government, and launched a military intervention in support of Damascus last year. Government troops have also been bolstered by Iranian forces, fighters from Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah movement and Shiite fighters from other countries. - ‘Revolutionaries won’t leave’ “The revolutionaries will not leave Aleppo and will fight the Russian and Iranian occupation until the last drop of blood,” said Abu Abdel Rahman alHamawi of the Army of Islam, another smaller rebel group active in Aleppo. Rebels have been forced to evacuate several of their strongholds in Syria during the conflict, including a string of areas near Damascus in recent months. AFP

21,000 scared Rohingya flee to Bangladesh DHAKA—Around 21,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks to escape violence in neighboring Myanmar, an official of the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. Bangladesh has stepped up patrols on the border to try to stem the tide of refugees fleeing a bloody crackdown by Myanmar’s army in the western state of Rakhine since early October. But Sanjukta Sahany, head of the IOM office in Bangladesh’s southeastern district of Cox’s Bazar bordering Rakhine, said around 21,000 members of the stateless ethnic minority had crossed over in the past two months. The vast majority of those who arrived took refuge in makeshift settlements, official refugee camps and villages, said Sahany. “An estimated 21,000 Rohingya have arrived in Cox’s Bazar district between October 9 and December 2,” she told AFP by phone. “It is based on the figures collected by UN agencies and international NGOs” (non-governmental organisations). Those interviewed by AFP inside Bangladesh told horrifying stories of gang-rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar’s security forces. Analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch found hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages have been razed. Myanmar has denied allegations of abuse but has banned foreign journalists and independent investigators from accessing the area. Myanmar’s Nobel peace laureate and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has faced a growing international backlash for what a UN official has said amounts to a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya, a Muslim group loathed by many of Myanmar’s Buddhist majority. Last week she vowed to work for “peace and national reconciliation”, saying her country faced many challenges, but did not mention the violence in Rakhine state. Bangladesh has reinforced its border posts and deployed coastguard ships to try to prevent a fresh influx of refugees. In the past two months Bangladeshi border guards have prevented hundreds of boats packed with Rohingya women and children from entering the country. AFP

Dylan, Clapton manuscripts go on auction

POSE. Indian Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor poses for a photograph during designer Manish Malhotra’s 50th birthday in Mumbai on December 5, 2016. AFP

NEW YORK―Original manuscripts of classic songs by Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton will go on auction as part of a collection of rock memorabilia, Sotheby’s said Monday. An original manuscript signed by Dylan of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” one of the future Nobel laureate’s most iconic songs and a 1960s anthem, is estimated to fetch $300,000 to $500,000 at the sale in New York on Saturday. The lyrics are written in pencil along with Dylan’s corrections. Sotheby’s quoted an expert as saying the manuscript was one of four known to exist of “Blowin’ in the Wind” and came from the collection of Eve McKenzie, a folk enthusiast who with her husband welcomed the young Dylan as a guest when he moved to New York. Sotheby’s will also auction a typescript of “This Wheel’s on Fire,” one of the best-known songs from Dylan’s 1967 sessions with Canadian folk rockers The Band around Woodstock, New York. “This Wheel’s on Fire,” which Dylan wrote with The Band’s Rick Danko, went on to appear on the 1975 album “The Basement Tapes.” Sotheby’s estimated it would sell for $40,000 to $60,000. Among other items up for auction is a set of seven portraits that Dylan and fellow folk rocker Joan Baez sketched of themselves and each other. Dylan and Baez, who had been lovers, drew the sketches in 1963 on stops at a coffeehouse in Woodstock on their motorcycle trips. Sotheby’s estimated that the set would sell for $30,000 to $50,000. Other manuscripts that are part of the collection include the lyrics to Clapton’s “Layla,” one of rock’s best-known songs of unrequited love, which his estimated to go for $50,000 to $70,000. AFP

Iceland attracting more tourists REYKJAVIK―An island of ice and lava battered by the Arctic winds, Iceland’s dramatic and pristine landscape is attracting a growing number of tourists, not all of whom are respectful of the fragile ecosystem. Along with hikers, nature lovers, reality TV starlets and fans of the series “Game of Thrones” which was partially filmed in Iceland, 1.3 million tourists visited the country in 2015, a number expected to rise to 1.8 million this year. Long a destination that appealed only to the earliest ecotourists and fans of the eccentric singer Bjork, this small nation of 330,000 inhabitants is now reaping the benefits of a thriving tourism sector. Since the 2008 collapse of Iceland’s financial system, tourism has become a pillar of the economy, accounting for seven

percent of gross domestic product in 2015. But why are tourists thronging to this remote island, described so darkly in the recent wave of “Icelit” crime novels ? “It’s a place of ﬁre and ice. You can see different things everywhere: geysers, glaciers, volcanoes. Things that you don’t normally see in other places in the world,” says Marcelle Lindopp, a 28-year-old Brazilian thrilled by her stay despite a glacial rain lashing her face. “It’s the experience of a lifetime, really.” One has only to drive a few kilometers beyond Reykjavik’s city limits to be seized by the beauty and strangeness of the Icelandic panorama. Here, the rocky mountains give way to verdant tundra dotted with horses and sheep. Majestic waterfalls break the monotony of the

volcanic rocks. A little further away, near the sea, the cliffs seem to impress even the pufﬁns. Off the coast, bolder visitors can go whale watching, which tourism professionals hope will eventually sound the death knell for commercial whaling. Taking refuge inside a souvenir shop to escape the wind and rain, Jimmy Hart, a 49-year-old Irishman, who visited “Geysir”, the hot spring that erupts high into the sky and which has given its name to the famous geysers. “It’s wonderful,” he tells AFP. “An amazing experience.” “We were at the Blue Lagoon yesterday and it was even better than I thought. A beautiful place.” In this geothermal bath, visitors can bask in water between 35 and 39 degrees Celsius (95 and 102 Fahrenheit) while enjoying a majestic view of the volcanic hills. AFP

HONORING THE DEAD. People hold up hands and candles to honor the dead at a vigil for the victims of a warehouse ﬁre that has claimed the lives of at least thirty-six people on December 5, 2016, in Oakland, California. The ﬁre took place during a musical event late Friday night. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

FASHION & BEAUTY

Holiday look By Bernadette Lunas

T’S the most wonderful time of reunions, get-togethers and parties again.

Christmas is all about celebrating the cherished season of giving with friends and loved ones. This is when we partake of good food while sharing good stories amid the shiny and sparkly backdrop of the Holidays. Channel the season and stand out from the crowd with these stylish looks that you can cop for the long list of parties you have lined up in the last few weeks of December.

Showpiece shoes and bags

Knitted dreams

There are a few things in this life that’s cozier than knitted apparel, and British brand Joseph’s Autumn/ Winter 2016 collection got them in spades for those days when you just want to chill and enjoy a hot beverage either alone or with company. Motifs of freedom, such as bird, eye and hand are knitted into sweaters and badges and patches are sewn randomly onto the garments—a sheer illustration of the label being a non-conformist. The sign of true eclectic is further achieved through unexpected details: knitwear is sewn with heavy yarn, garments are turned inside out to expose raw seams, trousers are laced up, and buttons are intentionally mismatched. Joseph is located at SM Aura Premier and S Maison at Conrad Hotel.

Step out in bold and enchanting style wearing Jimmy Choo’s Cruise Collection 2017 composed of shoes and bags that could very well be the sole embelishment your whole look needs. Platforms come in suede and metallic layer of colors in a spectrum of berry shades with gold details and blue and green hues with silver details. Camo-floral pattern punctuated with Swarovski crystals, meanwhile, won’t make you invisible among the sea of solid-colored shoes. Other footwear styles include block-heeled round toe shoes with cage strap, open-toe mule in silk satin, and ankle-strapped ballerina flats with colorful grosgrain trim and ankle ties. Finish your Holiday party ensemble with the Candy clutch rendered in confectionery palette or the Celeste bag adorned with colored jeweled crystals. Jimmy Choo is located at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing.

COZY CHRISTMAS.

Men can keep themselves stylish and comfortable as they celebrate the cherished Yuletide season with friends and loved ones with MCS’s A New Adventure collection.

Classic and sophisticated croc

Try the classic but with a twist in Lacoste’s Holiday Collection as graphic artist Jean-Paul Goude lends his imagination to recreate the brand’s iconic crocodile in a dressed up and sophisticated rendering. Two parading saurians are embroidered on the items in the capsule collection. The collection is composed of short and long-sleeved heavy cotton pique polo shirt for men and women, Chantaco tote and clutch bags, and the limited edition bomber jacket. The Jean-Paul Goude capsule collection is now available at Lacoste stores nationwide.

Stand out from the crowd as you party the night away in show-stopping ensemble

Southern American vibe

Men who want to go for rugged and refined have plenty of options at casual wear label MCS. Channel the American frontier landscape and feel the vibe of adventure through its A New American Adventure collection. Yuletide doesn’t mean you have to be Sparkly in sequined shirt or metallic trouadditions Even the sers, for instance simplest enyou can go the semble can rebel route with be transwashed clothing formed into united with rubsomet h i ng ber and metal more fesdetails, and chains and belts with metal inlays. A tive with the blend of different cultures is achieved in MCS’s help of right brightly colored denim and cotton, and decisive accessowashes and patchwork. Contemporary and sophisries. To help ticated style is featured in heavy-duty woolens you put that combined with gray and light gray chinos and pizzazz in five-pocket denims. your look, MCS is located at Glorietta 4, Robinsons Place Charming Charlie lines up its Holiday collection Manila, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Megamall and that is fabulously sparkly and shiny. Abreeza Davao. Choose from necklaces, earrings, bracelets, sunglasses and bags that can be worn even after Celebratory handbags the Christmas season. These trinkets also make Michael Kors believes that the Yuletide season for a fun and thoughtful gift, so pick one or more is all about shine and celebration, hence the Holibecause they are all wish-list worthy. day 2016 chapter of its The Walk campaign. Charming Charlie is located at Central Square Continued on D2 in Bonifacio High Street Central.

Life

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

TIPS

B EAUTY

Color with bubble

on accent manicure for the holidays F

ROM Manila’s pioneer in nail care, California Nails & Day Spa, here are some caring and trending tips on accent manicure that will help you this Christmas. Accent manicure is the nail trend nowadays. It’s a great way to spice up your regular manicure. It showcases a bit of your creativity, without taking it over the top because it only involves one or two nails. You can add some glitter, a complementary shade of polish, a splash of shimmer, or an animal print. Here are some ways that you can sport the stylish accent manicure: Choose your colors. It can consists of two different nail polish colors such as red and gold, pink and black or gray and yellow. You can also pick two shades closer to each other in the color

CORNER

HAIR coloring can either be expensive when professionally done in salon, or difficult and prone to unevenness when done by yourself. This new technology in hair coloring, responds to this dilemma, as it makes it easier for individuals to update their tresses at the comforts of their home without worrying about making mistakes. Japan’s Liese Creamy Bubble Hair Color is considered one of the easiest hair coloring brands in the market thanks to its foam formula. Unlike usual treatments, Liese’s creamy bubbles are responsible in spreading the color evenly on your crowning glory. To use the product, just (1) mix the solution in the bottle with the foamer cap; (2) pump out the foam and massage the solution thoroughly on hair; and (3) rinse off with water after 30 minutes. The trick is to make sure the hair is covered with the bubble foam from roots to tips. This bubble hair color brand is available in major supermarkets and retailers nationwide. Accent manicure showcases creativity without looking over the top

spectrum. Accent the nail using a color that ties everything together. The accent nail not only livens up your manicure, it can also be used to tie together your entire polish theme. Accent the nail using a different polish finish. Another great way to rock the accent nail trend is by using a polish with a different finish on just one nail. You could use a solid matte color for the rest of your nails but a sparkling polish for the one accent nail.

Trust California Nails & Day Spa for your accent manicure, using only the best nail techniques with well-trained operators since 2003. Visit the following branches for your best accent manicure, BF Pergola Mall, BF Parañaque, Festival Mall, SM Southmall, Evia Lifestyle Center Daanghari Las Piñas, Starmall Taguig, SM Mall of Asia, Greenhills and Market Market. For inquiries, call telephone nos. (02) 825-3419 or 820-1569.

Swarovski

Science fights blemishes PIMPLES can plague anyone, especially if one has acne-prone oily skin. When oil, sweat and dead skin cells get trapped in hair follicles, a plug is formed, which creates an environment where bacteria can thrive and infect bumps or comedone. To end this cycle, Celeteque’s Acne Solutions line attacks the problem from source using science. The Dermo-grade line is composed of products fitted with pimple-fighting active ingredients. Clean your face with Acne Cleansing Gel which has Hydroxy Acid that can penetrate hair follicles and exfoliate dead skin cells; the Oil Control Toner’s aloe vera and chamomile extracts, on the other hand, help soothe the skin while removing stubborn dirt; the Acne Spot Corrector Gel is infused with Beta Hydroxy Acid and Poly Hydroxy Acid that aid in exfoliating dead skin cells and help in diminishing pimples; finally, the Acne Clearing Facial Moisturizer Gel has Salicylic Acid that breaks down blockage in pores and Acnacidol BG that helps reduce sebum secretion and inhibits the development of acne causing bacteria, its French Spring Water component is responsible for moisturizing the skin. Celeteque DermoScience line is available in all leading drugstores, beauty stores and supermarkets nationwide.

Charm Collection at FamilyMart

POPULAR Japanese convenience store chain, FamilyMart, launched its exclusive Swarovski Charm Collection featuring icons from Japan, New York, the Philippines and other top destinations. FamilyMart always caters to the needs of its customers by offering high-quality products, delicious value for money meals, and friendly service. By giving customers this chance to collect delicately designed Swarovski crystal-encrusted charms, FamilyMart just makes every store experience even more rewarding. Customers of the convenience store have the chance to get the charms at up to 90 percent off their actual retail price. Joining is simple: Every P20 purchase entitles customers to a sticker. Once you have collected five stickers, just pay P89, and a charm of your choice is yours. It’s that easy. Choose among the different designs available, like the Philippines’ Jeepney, Japan’s Cherry Blossoms, France’s Eiffel Tower and more. SnapCard holders can get a bonus sticker by simply presenting their card with every purchase. The Swarovski Crystal Charm collection makes for a perfect gift for the women in your life this Christmas. So what are you waiting for? Head on to FamilyMart and get your charm collection now. Promo runs until Dec. 16.

Wake up with fresh skin Swarovski crystalencrusted charms featuring some of the world’s iconic figures

WHAT was once considered waste is now being used for its skin exfoliation benefits. For the first time in facial skin care product, quinoa husk extract has been formulated into an anti-aging overnight treatment in the new Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate. The gentle overnight peel, which can be an alternative or complement to dermatologist peels, offers accelerated cell turnover, refined texture, improved skin tone evenness and more radiant skin. It is suitable for at home use and for all skin types, including sensitive skin. To use, apply two to three drops of the solution to clean skin every night before putting on serum or moisturizer. Kiehl’s new product promises refreshed skin in the morning. Kiehl’s Nightly Refining MicroPeel Concentrate is available in selected malls nationwide.

Oil of youth

Wear the world wherever you go with this limited edition charm bracelet available at FamilyMart convenience store

Holiday... From D1

Borrow the looks of runway favorite Ming Xi, model Sofia Richie and street style stars and DJs Simi & Haze Khadra by carrying Michael Kors’s customizable Sloan Select, Sloan Editor, Sloan Tango and the Scout camera handbags.

In keeping with the season, each bag has plenty of day-to-dark appeal, party-friendly opulence and an endless array of customization options to see you through the holidays and beyond. Michael Kors is located at Central Square, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

LOOK and feel good while embracing aging without fear with the help of Marula Oil. Specially formulated for face, neck and décolleté, the oil contains 50 percent more antioxidants and increased fatty acid content that helps slow down and reverse signs of aging. Marula’s secret lies in the intrinsic and clinically proven benefits of 99.2 percent pure Marula Oil. The said oil is sustainably harvested by hand from the high quality Marula nut in South Africa. The versatile beauty product can be used as anti-aging moisturizer or as makeup primer. Marula is available at the beauty section of SM Stores in SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Pilot of

‘Langit Lupa’ captivates viewers

"Langit at Lupa' stars Yam Concepcion (left) and Alessandra De Rossi (right)

IEWERS were easily captivated by the story of love and friendship in ABS-CBN’s newest series Langit Lupa. Its pilot episode scored high in national TV ratings on Nov. 28.

got 8.7 percent, according to data from Kantar Media. Netizens also showed their love and support for the series, with the ofﬁcial hashtag #LLFriendshipBegins joining the list of trending topics on Twitter. In its ﬁrst episode, viewers witnessed The morning series with child stars a national TV rating of 17 percent, how the friendship of Lala (Yam Yesha Camile and Xia Vigor scored beating rival show Trops, which only Concepcion) and Dey (Alessandra De

Rossi) started as well as their journey in fulﬁlling their dreams together. However, their friendship was put to the test when Dey died after Lala failed to give the money she needed for her medication. To forget all the pain, Joey (Jason Abalos), Dey’s husband, decided to move to Manila and start a new life with their family.

Will Dey’s family ﬁnd forgiveness for Lala? How will their paths cross again? Don’t miss the start of friendship that will brighten viewers’ mornings, Langit Lupa, weekdays, on ABS-CBN or ABSCBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch up on the show’s latest episodes on iWanTV or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

Former beauty queen to conquer clubbing scene IN JULY 2013, I had the chance to interview Sheryl Lynn Callister, a Filipino-Dutch beauty queen who visited the country to orient Philippine bet for Mrs. Globe 2014. At the same time, she was promoting her foundation committed to helping impoverished children. Sheryl Lynn represented the Netherlands at Miss World in Poland in 2006, and, in 2013, she was crowned as the international winner of Mrs. Globe in the United States. As a young girl, Sheryl Lynn already knew what challenges young children in Leyte are confronted with. Since she was three, she and her family regularly visited the Philippines to reconnect with her mother’s roots (she was born to a Dutch father and a Filipino mother from Leyte). At 23, she decided to establish a Philippine-based non-government organization focused on helping Filipino children attain quality education. She aptly called it Sheryl Lynn Foundation (SLF). Since then, SLF has been giving scholarships, providing school supplies and helping build classrooms and schools in various parts of Leyte.

Now, still with a flawless complexion and exudes sophistication, above and beyond the usual tale of the tape – tall, graceful and having a striking figure – Sheryl Lynn sets foot in Manila again to take on a more fabulous and exciting endeavor. Back in the Netherlands, the 5-foot-9 beauty is a celebrated DJ and she’s here to give locals a taste of her music and launch a career as a DJ (of course) in a place she calls her “second home.” On Thursday night, Sheryl Lynn was at the DJ booth of House Manila to spin some familiar tracks and formally dive into Manila’s clubbing scene. “I’ve been deejaying for a little over a year now. I’ve been dancing all my life that’s why I consider this as something really exciting to do,” she told the author right after her set. She studied in a DJ school in the Netherlands and was inspired by her husband to finally do something different. “I live in an artist’s neighborhood. We have our own studio at home so I find it easy for me to perfect the skill. In the beginning I wanted to be a dancer and wanted to be on the dance floor.

Filipino-Dutch beauty queen Sheryl Lynn Callister spins familiar track as she launches her career as a DJ in Manila

My husband kept on telling me that in DJing, I get to decide the kind of music you want to perform,” Sheryl Lynn shared. It took her quite some time to finally agree to her husband. She was busy with her foundation and she’s just recently finished a degree in Anthropology. “Well, after my studies I decided that I’m going to invest in entertainment industry because it is more suiting for me especially for my foundation. It can be a nice platform to make people aware of the things that I do,” she shared. The statuesque beauty, known in the industry for her wonderful production of House, Future House and Progressive/Big Room with a touch of Trap and Future Bass, loves to define her sound as something “from the heart” which people of all ages can enjoy listening to. Through her music and her vast experience performing across Europe and US, DJ Sheryl Lynn frequently headlines various international events. “I am very excited to launch my career in the Philippines. Manila is fast becoming one of Asia’s coolest cities with its vibrant nightlife and exciting new clubs, bars and lounges. It just

seems right to be a part of it,” the female DJ stated. Sheryl Lynn is a resident DJ in Amsterdam Fashion Week and regularly spinning at Bar Rhythms and Jaz Hotel, Westergasfabriek and Westerliefde. This year, she also performed live during the Miss World America in Washington DC. Apart from being a celebrity DJ in glamorous events, Sheryl Lynn also showcases wonderful streams of music through her online radio show, Heartbeat Radio. Several episodes of which are quick to earn the top spot in various music charts including the renowned Dutch House Chart. She also produces her own original house tracks together with her husband Andy Callister who is also a DJ and producer for over 20 years. Her greatest inﬂuencers are her parents: her Filipino mother was in a dance group while her Dutch father was in a band and is a huge collector of vinyls and CDs. Her zeal for house music comes with being Dutch. Growing up, she was surrounded with house music all her life, it being one of the main genres in the music industry in the Netherlands, a country that is also the no. 1 DJ country in the world.

Enchanted Kingdom enters ‘Ice Age’

Enchanted Kingdom releases the latest immersive animated ride based on the 'Ice Age' movie series

ONE of the most popular attractions at the Philippines’ ﬁrst and only world-class theme park just got even cooler. Enchanted Kingdom’s (EK) Rialto 4D theater is set to release its latest animated fully immersive ride based on the Hollywood blockbuster series Ice Age. This eye-popping adventure follows the beloved prehistoric squirrel Scrat on an epic odyssey in time-travel. From the Coliseum of Ancient Rome to the disco dance ﬂoor, Scrat survives everything from Excalibur to the Titanic as he chases after his beloved acorn that’s been accidentally lost in time. This high-energy nine-minute show full of mischief and mayhem was custom created by Blue Sky Studios, Fox Animation and 20th Century Fox Consumer Products in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment. Featuring exclusive brand new footage, Ice Age: No

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, December 7, 2016

ACROSS 1 Granola kin 7 Was in charge of 10 Lacking forethought 14 Kind of energy 15 Teahouse attire 16 Cookie Bumstead’s neighbor 17 Slot site 18 Close relative 19 Ta-ta in Turin 20 Car feature (2 wds.) 23 Mimics rudely 26 Even one 27 Bounces 28 Finds a job for 29 Navajo handiwork 30 DDE’s party 31 Folk-song mule 32 Fishing lure 33 More cowlike? 37 Tina Turner’s ex 38 Oh, gross! 39 Mi. above sea level 40 Bikini half 41 Kitchen fixture 43 S&L offerings 44 Ice melter 45 Zilch 46 — -relief

47 Visored cap 48 Nightspot 51 Completely 52 Dog breaths 53 Among the stars 56 Dow uptick 57 Fido’s shaker 58 Cochise, e.g. 62 Quaint lodgings 63 Meyers of “Kate & Allie” 64 Lustrous fabric 65 Chapeau’s place 66 Max opposite 67 Lies dormant DOWN 1 Laird’s prefix 2 Ms. Hagen of film 3 Dawn goddess 4 Nasty smiles 5 “Peanuts” kid 6 Click-on item 7 Trailing 8 Piano-key wood 9 Fender nick 10 Wins back 11 Wanted-poster word 12 Nobody’s fool 13 Parka features 21 Zero 22 Lifts, as morale 23 Swing or rock

24 Port near Kyoto 25 “People” person 29 Orion’s left foot 30 Fall colors 32 Minor partner 33 Bogart spouse 34 “Peer Gynt” dramatist 35 Throw lava 36 Sari sporters 42 Fragrant stick 46 Showed up (2 wds.) 47 Kind of chop 48 Sudoku fill-in

49 Lacking sense or significance 50 Tour of duty 51 Video-game pioneer 52 Of the Vatican 54 Meat in a can 55 Fraulein, to a laird 59 Mediocre grade 60 Like cool cats 61 USN rank

Time For Nuts 4-D, is presented in high-definition 3-D projection combined with in-theatre special effects to further engage the audience. “We are thrilled to bring this EKciting new Ice Age experience to our guests! The high-action storyline engages all the senses with amazing scenes that maximize our Rialto theatre special effects,” says EK Chief Operating Officer Cynthia R. Mamon, the Ice Age characters are well known and appeal to audiences of all ages, adding more magical memories to their bonding experiences. Ice Age: No Time For Nuts is showing at the Rialto 4D Theater. For more information about the attraction and other park promotions, visit www.enchantedkingdom.ph or follow its official social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

ERRATUM

IN A column article entitled Vic Sotto thinks ‘Enteng Kabisote’ will bring good tidings before Christmas, published on this section on Dec. 5, we regret that we inadvertently used Ambet Nabus' column title instead of Joseph Peter Gonzales' SHTICKS. Our sincerest apologies for the mistake.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

HE nippy air, the festive mood, colorful decors of shiny red and green, gold and silver everywhere, happy hearts, holiday cheers. Christmas, indeed, is right around the corner.

ISAH V. RED

TAKE A BITE.

Shakey's brand ambassador Luis Manzano is the unanimous choice to promote the restaurant chain because of his fun personality

For television host and actor Luis Manzano, celebrating Christmas is all about sharing wonderful memories and capturing these moments that can last us a lifetime. During the happiest season of the year, nothing makes him happier than celebrating with family, friends, and even strangers. Celebrations are a huge part of his life and here’s another thing he remembers about those occasions. “Every single time I celebrate, Shakey’s has to be a part of it,” he remembers. Growing up, Manzano’s memories with friends and family have always been colored by an image of the ever-present Shakey’s pizza box. “I grew up with my extended family, so every Sunday, the house was always full of people. In every reunion, there would always be Shakey’s. In fact, I can’t remember a reunion without it,” he adds. Manzano is an authentic Shakey’s fan, posting and tweeting constantly about the famous fun, family, pizza. Viewing his social media feed would show numerous photos of the Pepperoni Pizza, his all-time favorite. “In fact, when my friends found out I would be working with Shakey’s, they asked me if I was going to have parties at my house every

CELEBRATE

CHRISTMAS

Luis Manzano

KILIG KING. Hashtags member Ronnie Alonte

debuts as a solo performer in a major concert at the Kia Theater

weekend. I am that much of a fan!” For him, Shakey’s isn’t just about the food, although he admits that their menu is a good enough reason to keep coming back. “Shakey’s has a great atmosphere. It really is a place for good times and great memories because when you enter Shakey’s you see families laughing and couples smiling. Everything is always so fun and so celebratory. At Shakey’s, you can get to know people and enjoy your company.” This is the reason he believes Shakey’s has lasted in the market this long, because, speaking from his own experiences, he knows that Shakey’s is a brand that truly puts its guests ﬁrst. “Brands come and go—but the legends, the icons, the staples stay... and Shakey’s is one of them.” It is a popular known fact that Shakey’s has grown to be one of the Filipinos’ most favorite

casual dining restaurants. First opening their doors in 1975, the Philippines’ favorite fun, family, pizza restaurant has evolved into a definite venue for good times and great memories. Ghena Austero, Marketing manager of Shakey’s Philippines, reveals why Manzano was Shakey’s unanimous choice as an endorser. “Luis is fun. He can be everyone’s friend. His character and personality very much relates to the brand. He loves his family and he has a great network of friends. The brand chose Luis Manzano not only because of his funny, lovable personality but, more importantly, because he is a true and authentic fan of Shakey’s. Something that our guests can ultimately relate to.” For more information on Luis Manzano’s partnership with Shakey’s, like Shakey’s Pizza on

PREPARE for an exhilarating ride at the movies when the game-to-movie Assassin’s Creed opens on Jan. 8. The movie features Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, and Brendan Gleeson. A game-changing cinematic event, Assassin’s Creed is visionary filmmaker Justin Kurzel’s work from Ubisoft’s worldwide hit franchise of the same title. Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day. Since development began on the first Assassin’s Creed game, inspired by the life of Hassan-i Sabbah, a missionary who lived in 11th Century Persia, and whose followers became known as “Hashshashin”, or Assassins - the franchise has always been at the top of Ubisoft’s priority list, and since its release in 2007, there have been more than 20 games within the “Assassin’s Creed” canon, as well as comics, novels, and books. Now, on Jan. 8, 2017, Philippine audiences will finally get the chance to see Assassin’s Creed (from 20th Century Fox) brought to life in a new film that features plenty of moments and nods that fans of the games will pick up on. For Kurzel, transforming the world of the hit video game series Assassin’s Creed into a live action feature film meant putting as much effort into realizing the action of the games in real life as possible. “I could have shot it all in a parking lot and made it very CGI-heavy,” he admits, “but I thought what was really interesting was to see how we could make the audience feel as though it were possible; that these Assassins in real life could

Facebook and follow @shakeysph on Instagram. *** One of the most talented and in demand members of this generation’s hottest all-male sing-anddance group from ABS-CBN’s noontime show It’s Showtime, Hashtag Ronnie Alonte debuts as a solo performer in a major concert titled #KiligKing at the Kia Theater on Dec. 17. With a little less than a year as a #Hashtags member, Ronnie’s career has never been better. The group’s ﬁrst self-titled album released won the Best Dance Album category at the 2016 Star Awards for Music at Novotel Hotel on Oct. 23. At the same time, Ronnie released his ﬁrst single titled “Love at Website” written by Gabriel Tagadtad and produced by Roxy Santos for Star Music. This must be Ronnie’s year as he has two

‘Assassin’s Creed’

in cinemas in January

Irish-German actor Michael Fassbender in a scene from the upcoming action adventure ﬁlm based on the video game franchise of the same name

movies that made it to the Metro Manila Film Festival – Vince & Kath & James with Julia Barretto, Maris Racal, and Joshua Garcia that Theodore Boborol directed for Star Cinema and Reality Entertainmen’s Seklusyon with Erik Matti as director. He is in the new Kapamilya drama series, A Love To Last, with Bea Alonzo. “Dati po sa mga mall lang kami pasayaw-sayaw, pakanta-kanta. Ngayon, sa malalaking venue na po,” said Ronnie. Hashtag Ronnie’s special guests include Loisa Andalio, Julia Barretto, Bugoy Carino, Erich Gonzales, and his co-Hashtags members. He hopes he‘d get the chance to perform on stage with Maja Salvador and Vice Ganda. #KiligKing is produced by Dreamstar Events and stage direction by Marvin Caldito.

jump between buildings.” Early on in the project he took a meeting with the stunt coordinator, Ben Cooke, to determine how much could be realized. It was Cooke who suggested bringing on Damien Walters, one of the world’s leading free runners, to choreograph these sequences with the principal actors and the stunt team. When they started talking about the Leap of Faith – an iconic Assassin’s Creed stunt series staple, in which an Assassin flings himself off a ledge, turns in mid-air and lands on his back in water or on a bale of hay – Walters revealed that he’d been planning to attempt his own, just for fun. 20ft was the height mooted by the production to attempt the leap. Walters suggested going for 120ft. “What’s so amazing about this stuff is that you can do it,” says Kurzel. “You’re looking at an Assassin jumping off a building and going, ‘Is that possible?’ Well, we did it. I think that’s very important, especially if the film’s going to have some sense of its own identity. We’ve paid our dues to figure out how you jump from building to building, and leap and climb. What is a Leap of Faith that feels real and tangible and visceral?” Cook notes that it was worth the effort. “It’s such an iconic part of the game that I don’t think it should be ruined with visual effects. We actually went back to the old school of stunts and doing that kind of thing for real. If you get these stunts wrong, you’re going down, but for a stunt performer, if you’re not getting scared, it’s meaningless.” Agrees Michael Fassbender, who plays the dual roles of Callum Lynch and Aguilar de Nehra in the movie: “We did it old-school, on location, on camera. Damien doing that jump – it was so frightening. He was nervous, but I think it was very special that he did his biggest jump on our movie. I got nervous just watching him; I felt a little sick every time he was up there. I just wanted him down safe.”