Manila Standard - 2017 February 13 - Monday

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 3 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A N N I V E R S A RY

XPERIENCE•XCELLENCE•XCITEMENT

P2b in aid for victims Du30: Jobs, housing for the displaced

By Lance Baconguis and John Paolo Bencito

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URIGAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday promised to release P2 billion in relief for victims of the powerful Feb. 10 earthquake in this city and neighboring towns.

At least six people were killed and more than 100 were being treated in hospitals after the magnitude 6.7 earthquake damaged buildings and houses, toppled power lines, and sent billboards crashing to the ground.

Malls such as the Parkway Mall and Gaisano Capital were closed

to the public after portions of their buildings collapsed. Hotels such as the Tavern also suffered damage, as did the newly constructed St. Paul University Hospital.

The female ward of the Caraga Regional Hospital collapsed, and more than 1,000 homes across the city were damaged.

The Surigao State College of Technology was shut down after its top portion collapsed, while the perimeter wall of the Mariano Memorial Elementary school also crumbled.

Roads along the national highway bore signs of rupture.

Water and electricity were still not back in many parts of the city, and people were lining up along the streets for water delivery by volunteer organizations.

Twelve schools suffered damage to their buildings in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte and classes remained suspended.

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Reds heed AFP call for truce in Surigao

By John Paolo Bencito THE communist New People’s Army operating in Surigao and portions of Agusan del Norte has declared a unilateral interim ceasefire with government troops effective Feb. 11 following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck the region, leaving six people dead and several structures damaged.

In a report in Mindanews, Ka Oto, the NPA’s spokesman in the region, said the communists had ceased tactical offensives against government forces effective 6 p.m. on Saturday “until the province will recover from the disaster.”

He said the rebels will focus on humanitarian efforts to help the quake victims.

“Rest assured we will not do any harm to the military as long as they will not come to our areas,” Oto said.

The military had earlier urged the communist rebels not to attack its soldiers conducting rescue and rehabilitation operations in the areas affected by the earthquake.

“Allow the soldiers every opportunity to help the victims of

President Duterte comforts a victim of the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that has struck Surigao City during a visit on Feb. 12, 2017 while good samaritans of Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. get into the act by providing relief goods to the survivors and (lower panel) installing temporary lighting for evacuees in makeshift shelter.

FVR dares Imelda to tell truth

By John Paolo Bencito FORMER first lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos should tell the truth on two issues still causing political unrest in the country more than three decades after the death of her husband Ferdinand Marcos, former President Fidel V. Ramos said on Sunday.

Ramos, who served as chief of the Philippine Constabulary under the Marcos dictatorship, urged Mrs. Marcos, “Asia’s Iron Butterfly,” to talk about her family’s alleged hidden wealth and the murder of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. “The former first lady must be the one to speak for the family now because she knows more than any of the children. Number 1, where’s the rest of the hidden wealth?” Ramos told the online news portal Rappler.

“Number 2, what happened in August 1983. Really, what happened? It was not [Rolando] Galman [who killed Benigno Aquino Jr.].”

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Court upholds Ombudsman ruling vs ex-PCGG head

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has upheld the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman finding former Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman Camilo Sabio guilty of dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudi-

cial to the best interest of the service.

The appellate court’s 10th Division denied Sabio’s petition for review seeking the reversal of the Ombudsman’s decision issued on July 28, 2011.

“We emphasize that despite the exalted position that respondent

Sabio had occupied in the executive arm of the government, he is not immune from administrative suit. As chairman of the PCGG, he had no blanket authority to do as he pleased with the money and property of the government,” the appellate court said. ‘‘As holder of a public office he

must observe honesty, candor and faithful compliance with the law.

Nothing less is expected. Instead of demonstrating a conduct that is beyond reproach, respondent Sabio abused his power and position to the detriment of the government and the public as a whole.”

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Duterte sparks hopes of peace gab resumption

By John Paolo Bencito and Florante S. Solmerin

COUNT THE WAYS. As flower prices start to get prohibitive, a farm hand in Bahong, La Trinindad rushes to

cash in on Valentine’s Day and harvest fresh roses but it’s a different story in Manila where a restaurant offers P2,200.00 for a dozen of bacon roses that lovers can partake during or after a date. David Chan and Norman Cruz

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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday offered the hope that peace talks with the communist rebels would resume, and that his public conflict with them “will be resolved” soon.

“In due time, this will be resolved because it is not really the ideology, but about the Filipino people,” Duterte said in a speech before Surigao City residents over the weekend.

“Whatever is the proper term, I

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have no problem if they are communists or capitalists, as long as they prioritize Filipinos,” he said in Filipino.

In the same speech, Duterte said that he needs to respect the varying opinions of the members of his Cabinet, who give him advice on key issues.

“My Cabinet is huge. There are rightists and there are leftists who have ideologies. [I need to] understand them, respect them.

The Communist Party, it’s the same with the Liberals and the Nacionalistas ... the beliefs of the Next page

Miners told to clean up their ‘mess’

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday warned owners of destructive mining operations to clean-up their mess or face closure in a government crackdown.

“I can’t do anything if [Environment Secretary] Gina [Lopez] would order the closure of erring mining operations.

On my way here, I saw the destruction. Mindanao really is the most mined [area.] You can see the mountains being leveled and stripped—like a tansan [bottle cap] of Coca-Cola. You can see it even from Davao,” Duterte said, speaking to residents of Surigao City which was hit by the magnitude 6.7 tremor on Friday night.

Duterte said that if the mining firms operating in Mindanao fail to restore what they have Next page

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

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Caraga rescue teams deploy MINING firms in the Caraga Region have sent emergency response teams (ERTs) to Surigao City, the area hardest hit by the magnitude 6.7 that struck the region Friday night (Feb. 10).

Companies that have sent ERTs are Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corp., Taganito Mining Corp., CTP Mining and Construction, ADNAMA Mining Corp., supported by the Caraga Chamber of Mines and in coordination with the Philipine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

For its part, Greenstone Resources Corp. brought fire trucks and ambulances, as well as civil engineers to help in assessing the integrity of buildings in the city. Silangan Mindanao Mining has also deployed fire trucks and first aid teams, while the Platinum Group Metals Corp. has flown drones to help in the realtime assessment of the earthquake damage.

Meanwhile, Philsaga, OceanaGold, Lepanto and Philex mining are on stand by, ready to augment and support their colleagues in this humanitarian effort.

Despite some of them being in the list of companies ordered closed or suspended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, these miners have opted to share their expertise and resources to serve and save lives.

Reds...

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the earthquake,” Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, head of the military’s Public Affairs Office, said Saturday.

“We urge you not to attack our soldiers or in any other ways [that will] disrupt the AFP’s rescue and rehabilitation activities for our people,” he said.

The military’s appeal came as the NPA announced a “heightened armed resistance” against the government’s all-out war declaration on Saturday.

On Friday, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison urged his former student, President Rodrigo Duterte, to continue with the peace negotiations with the communists to clarify “misunderstandings” that he said were instigated by the peace “spoilers.”

But Malacañang told the communist rebels to show their sincerity before any peace talks could continue.

FVR...

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The Presidential Commission on Good Government, which was tasked to recover the illgotten wealth of the late dictator, his family and cronies in their almost 20-year rule in Malacañang, has recovered over the last 30 years at least P170 billion in cash despite working on a budget of only P2.9 billion over the same period.

Various estimates put the total Marcos loot at between $5 billion and $10 billion.

To date, however, the PCGG has recovered only a fraction of what was stolen by the Marcos network, while no one has served a prison sentence for their part in the alleged crime.

Meanwhile, some accounts claim that Marcos ordered Aquino’s assassination but that was never proven.

Galman was the other person killed on the tarmac when Aquino arrived in Manila after three years of exile and was gunned down by an airport security personnel after he supposedly shot Aquino at close range.

Following Aquino’s death, the opposition to the Marcos regime grew strong and resulted in the People Power Revolution that drove Marcos from power and thrust Aquino’s widow Corazon into the presidency in 1986.

After Corazon assumed the presidency, she appointed Ramos head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and later defense secretary.

Plunder in ‘death bill’ iffy S

PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Sunday said nothing was final about the deletion of plunder on the list of crimes to be punishable by death penalty under a proposed measure restoring capital punishment.

TO THE RESCUE. Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. personnel embark on rescue missions

while other distribute water and hand out medicines for the hundreds of earthquake evacuees in Brgy. Lipata, Surigao City.

P2b...

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The municipalities of Malimuno and San Francisco were still isolated due to badly damaged bridges.

President Duterte on Sunday apologized for the delay in the government’s response to victims of the quake.

“Actually, when we arrived here, our airplane could not land directly here in Surigao [because of the damaged runway] and carry the relief here from Manila, so I had to take a helicopter from Butuan going here,” the President said.

“I am very sorry for what happened here, I really wanted to go as early as yesterday and see immediately the damage… here,” he added.

Duterte told the crowds at the City Gymnasium that the aid will be consist of livelihood programs, infrastructure and housing for the displaced.

Duterte also told the crowd that he just released P1 billion for medicines, “This is for Filipinos who cannot afford to buy medicines, just go to DSWD,” Duterte said, referring to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and Education Secretary Lenora Briones arrived here early and had a closed door meeting at the city hall with Mayor Ernesto Matugas.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno also came with President Duterte.

Miners...

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detroyed, he will order them closed.

“I have a warning to all mining companies: Even if you rake in billions, even if you pay whoever to get concessions, I will not accept that.

You have to think of the Filipino first.

The sons of your sons must be able to benefit, and should not suffer from whatever... has been done to your lands,” the President said.

“We are cleaning up their mess until now. It was not made it public, but the one who was sent to help clean up the mess was Secretary [Carlos] Dominguez of Finance. Dominguez was a businessman. He was just quiet about it. If they cannot clean this up this early, I will not agree [for their operations to continue]. They have to clean it up while they are still here. “ “After extracting every thing from the mines, big mining operators just leave the place in disarray, with toxic mine tailing and other chemicals left unsecured and uncleaned. I can’t allow that,” the President said.

Moreover, Duterte said that he will try his best to find alternative livelihood for displaced mining workers in the event of permanent closure.

“I can find a source, if I can find an industry to replace [the lost jobs], maybe I can really close these down because our forests have been denuded,” he said.

The Mining Industry Coordinat-

Aside from the distribution of relief, the President said the government would extend financial assistance to the families who lost a member during the quake.

He also ordered Villar to clear all the roads affected by the earthquake to ensure the smooth deliver of relief.

He also ordered the restoration of the power in the city.

“I want power restored in Surigao City and Surigao Del Norte tonight,” he said.

Duterte offered his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the earthquake, but said he was grateful that the damage was not much worse.

He recounted that in the wake of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013, no one could drive a vehicle through the streets of Tacloban because of the dead bodies.

“Let’s give thanks to God, as I was looking into the buildings, there is not much damage,” Duterte said, He promised to return soon to Surigao so he could talk longer with the people.

Surigao City Information Officer Annette Villaces said the city has been placed under a state of calamity.

“We have 20 percent of the population affected,” she said.

Villaces said that they need engineers, medical experts and ambulances to transfer patients between hospitals.

The city government is also in need of portable water purifiers, portable toilets, tents with 10 person capacity, hydraulic tools, and tankers for water distribution.

Tom Olivares of CTP Construcing Council, led by Dominguez and Lopez, agreed over the weekend to a multi-stakeholder review of the DENR’s decision to shut down 23 mining companies after she admitted to disregarding the recommendation of a technical review committee to levy only fines and suspensions on erring firms.

Lopez and Dominguez agreed to take another look at the performance of existing mining operations in consultation with local government units.

The DENR chief had earlier announced the looming shutdown and closure of operations that failed in last year’s mining audit, but was put on to hold to look into whether the move followed “due process.”

Only after President Duterte decides on the status of mining operations can she order the closure of the mining companies in question, Lopez said.

On Sunday, the University of the Philippines Mining Engineering Society (UP Miners) said the suspension and closure orders issued by Lopez means unemployment for new graduates of Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgical Engineering and other affected fields.

In a statement, UP Miners said placing in jeopardy the future of new graduates and students of Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgical Engineering and other affected fields, along with the plight of some 1.2-million people in the affected mine sites, is a contradiction to the secretary’s philosophy of anti-suffering.

tion and Mining Corp. said his 18man team with three water tankers is delivering water to different barangays across the city.

Olivares said that they are also bringing a portable water purifier.

Olivares said that they would distribute water as long as they are needed.

Thousands of residents sought refuge on the streets as aftershocks hit the region Sunday, two days after the powerful quake.

People who had fled their damaged homes wrapped themselves in blankets and sacks for a second night as they slept side-by-side on the pavement Saturday, a photographer for the Agence-France Pressse at the scene said.

The state seismology office recorded 130 weaker quakes in Surigao, a city of 152,000 people, and in the predominantly agricultural region around it since the quake struck, though there were no additional reports of casualties or damage.

“The people are terrified about the aftershocks,” Romina Marasigan, spokeswoman for the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council told reporters.

“This was the first time Surigao had suffered a quake this strong.

The previous one occurred in the 1800s,” President Duterte’s spokesman Martin Andanar, a native of the region, said over government radio.

Duterte flew to the region on Sunday to inspect the response effort, which officials said has shifted to relief and rehabilitation after the last of the dead and injured were pulled from the rubble.

He was accompanied by a mili-

Duterte...

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capitalists are the same as the socialists,” he said.

Malacañang on Saturday said that Duterte is seeking the ear of his peace advisers after Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison urged him to return to the negotiating table.

“I’m sure the President is a listening President and he will continue to consider the advice of his secretaries and peace advisers.

Let’s see what will be the developments in the coming days,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Duterte’s spokesman reminded communist rebels, however, to fix the “internal disconnect” within the revolutionary movement and do something to convince the government of their sincerity in talking peace.

On Friday, Sison urged Duterte to continue with the peace negotiations with the communists to clarify “misunderstandings” that, he claimed, were instigated by peace “spoilers.”

New People’s Army spokesman Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos echoed this sentiment, saying the NPA is still willing to talk peace with the government.

Despite the renewed peace overtures, fighting continued.

At least six suspected NPA recruits were captured during a running gunbattle with government troops Sunday morning in Alabel,

Alvarez, Davao del Norte representative and Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan secretary general, said lawmakers had already spoken during the plenary voting last month.

“Plunder remains on the list of crimes [punishable by death]. The entire membership of the House of Representatives will have the final say on its inclusion or removal,” Alvarez said.

“I voted for its inclusion during the caucus.”

Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said plunder had not been delisted from the list of heinous crimes under House Bill 4727 as embodied in the committee report number 47 or the reimposition of the death penalty.

He said he, Alvarez and other lawmakers had voted for the inclu-

sion of plunder in the bill during a caucus, but was outnumbered by the other lawmakers wanting the deletion of plunder among the crimes punishable by death.

“The Speaker and I, among others, voted to keep plunder in the bill, but a greater majority voted to delete it,” Fariñas said.

“But nothing is final yet. There has been no amendment to the proposed measure as we are still in the process of building a consensus.”

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

Capital punishment was restored by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993 and was suspended in 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Rio N. Araja

tary transport plane loaded with generator sets, solar lamps, highenergy biscuits, mosquito nets and blankets for the displaced residents, Marasigan said.

Early on Sunday, long lines of people carrying pails and jugs queued for water rations supplied by fire trucks after the quake damaged pipelines and cut off tap water supply.

“We have no water. We are just relying on water cascading from the mountains,” said one of the residents lined up waiting to fill his container from water trickling from a mountain slope in Barangay Luna a few kilometers outside the city.

The supply of bottled water dwindled in groceries.

The Surigao Metropolitan Water District has begun repairing damage pipelines to restore the distribution of potable water, even as health officials warned residents of potential diseases from contaminated water from wells and open pit sources.

“We’re still being hit by aftershocks, and as of now we do not have tap water supply. The people are suffering,” provincial information officer Mary Escalante told ABS-CBN television in an interview.

“Buildings that suffered structural damage have been closed,” she said, adding some schools and gyms that were meant to serve as evacuation centers were among those damaged by the quake.

The quake also damaged bridges and roads and knocked out the power supply, though electricity was restored in most of Surigao on Saturday.

The Department of Energy de-

clared a price freeze for liquified petroleum gas and kerosene products in Surigao City, which would last for 15 days, following the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit the city and nearby areas.

Mining firms in the Caraga fegion have sent emergency response teams to Surigao City, the area hardest hit by the magnitude 6.7 quake that struck Friday night.

Companies that have sent emergency teams are Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corp., Taganito Mining Corp., CTP Mining and Construction, and Adnama Mining Corp., supported by the Caraga Chamber of Mines and in coordination with the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

Greenstone Resources Corp. brought fire trucks and ambulances, as well civil engineers to help in assessing the integrity of buildings in the city. Silangan Mindanao Mining has also deployed fire trucks and first aid teams, while the Platinum Group Metals Corp. has flown drones to help in the real-time assessment of the earthquake damage.

An average of five earthquakes, most of them undetectable except through instruments, hit daily across the Philippines, which lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

The last lethal quake that hit the country measured 7.1-magnitude.

It left over 220 people dead and destroyed historic churches when it struck the central islands in October 2013. With Francisco Tuyay, Alena Mae Flores, AFP, PNA

Sarangani, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said.

One soldier suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen and was being treated at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center in Davao City, he said.

He said members of the 73rd Infantry Battalion cornered the NPA recruits in a brief firefight in Sitio Tangis in Barangay Datal Anggas.

“Five of them with their highpowered firearms were captured,” Batchar said.

Batchar said the capture was the result of a series of armed encounters in the province from Feb. 8 to 11.

Meanwhile, soldiers from the 60th Infantry Battalion recovered two improvised explosive devices, a blasting machine, detonating switch and wires left behind by the fleeing NPA rebels after a series of encounters Saturday in Barangay Bollucan, Laak, Compostela Valley.

He said “several people affected by the ongoing armed conflicts” in Alabel and Laak.

“They have been evacuated to safer areas. The line units of 10ID are closely coordinating with the local government units, local police and the local DRRMC to address the situation,” Batchar said.

The renewed hostilities between the government and NPA erupted after the rebel group lifted its own unilateral ceasefire early this month then followed by the government lifting of its own.

With Rio N. Araja

Court...

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In its resolution on July 28, 2011, the Ombudsman found Sabio administratively liable for failure to pay excess telephone charges amounting to P25,594 for the period 2006 to 2008.

He also failed to remit the cash advances and partial remittances from sequestered corporations such as Independent Realty Corp. and the Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp. from the proceeds of the sale of A. Soriano Corp. shares amounting to P10.3 million.

Likewise, he also failed to liquidate P1,555,862 out of his total cash advances totaling P10,213,336 for the period 2005 to 2008.

Since the penalty of dismissal from the service could no longer be imposed against Sabio because he was no longer PCGG chairman when the Office of the Ombudsman issued its ruling, the agency imposed the accessory penalty of forfeiture of all his retirement benefits and privileges “with prejudice to reemployment” in any branch or instrumentality of the government.

In ruling against Sabio, the appellate court said the findings of the Ombudsman were sufficiently supported by substantial evidence.

The court held that Sabio failed to dispute that he incurred cellular phone charges in excess of the amount allowed by his own office, which was P10,000.

News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

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Ruling on Leila’s drug raps out soon J USTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II admitted that state agencies are taking time to build an airtight case of drug trafficking against Senator Leila De Lima in relation to her alleged role in the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“Talagang mahirap ’yung kaso because there are so many witnesses, maraming accusations, maraming sections na violated, kaya talagang hinihimay nila,” Aguirre told reporters in a press conference on Friday.

The panel of prosecutors head-

ed by Senior Asst. State Prosecutor Peter Ong has already submitted the case for resolution without the answer from De Lima, who was repeatedly summoned to attend the hearing and submit her counter-affidavit.

The consolidated complaints

against De Lima were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala and high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian in connection to her alleged involvement in illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was still Justice secretary.

The complaints filed against her include indirect bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft Law and of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Aguirre said the resolution on the complaints against the sena-

tor would be out in a matter of days or this week.

“In a matter of days. Baka hindi na lumampas sa next week,” Aguirre said on Friday.

Asked for a comment on De Lima’s petition before the Court of Appeals to stop the Department of Justice from acting on the drug trafficking complaints filed against her, Aguirre said that there is no need for temporary restraining order because during her stint as DoJ secretary she ordered to file cases against public officials.

“Talagang hindi naman dapat lagyan ng TRO kasi alam naman

FVR book launching on Feb. 15 ON Feb. 15, 2017, a week before the 31st anniversary of the first day of the Edsa People Power Revolution, the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) and Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. (MTVi) will launch a book on former President Fidel V. Ramos at the Hexagon Lounge, 4th floor, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The book, FVR XYZ Files: An Anthology of Controversies & Issues, Anecdotes & Trivia about Fidel Valdez Ramos, is a companion book of A Continuing Voyage for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development, which will be launched in March to coincide with RPDEV’s 16th anniversary.

Consisting of 372 pages, FVR XYZ is divided into three chapters: Trivia, Issues and Controversies, and Anecdotes.

The chapter on Trivia contains sections on the different stages in the life of the 12th President of the Philippines—from his childhood, his life in the uniformed service, his Presidency and on to his role as senior Statesman and Kuya to over

resolving the charges and branded the DoJ PI as mere “charade” aimed at persecuting her for being vocal against the government’s war on illegal drugs.

She said the Office of the Ombudsman has the sole jurisdiction to conduct an investigation on offenses cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.

De Lima said even if she has been accused of violating the Anti-Drugs Law, it has to be determined still if the alleged offenses were committed in relation to her former position as DoJ secretary. PNA

Govt execs warned on illegal gambling

By John Paolo Bencito

Former President Fidel V. Ramos flashes his signature thumbs-up sign during a pre-book launching event. He is joined by his official biographer Melandrew Velasco.

100-million Filipinos. The chapter gathers bits of interesting information to make Filipinos understand the person who led the country from 1992 to 1998 to become one of the fastestgrowing economies in the region. This enlightening chapter reveals a leader imbued with wit and a sense of humor despite his rigid military training from the

PCSO asserts Meridien illegal PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan on Sunday asserted that all gambling operations of Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. outside Cagayan Economic Zone Authority are illegal.

“To protect the government-run small town lottery [STL] and guarantee additional revenues for the government, we cannot sit idly and let illegal gambling operators f lourish such as Meridien,” Balutan said.

He was reacting to the claim

natin during her time ’yun ang ginagawa nya. Di ba ang dami nyang finilan na mga public officials, sina Abalos na nasa RTC, hindi sa Ombudsman kaya ngayon lang nya sinisilip ’yung dating ginagawa niya,” he explained.

De Lima sought relief from the CA after the DoJ rejected her plea for inhibition of the department from the cases and to forward the complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman, which she said has exclusive jurisdiction of graft charges against elected officials.

She questioned the impartiality and objectivity of the DoJ in

of lawyer Raymond Fortun of Meridien that the firm’s operations outside CEZA are legal, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte declared an allout war on all forms of illegal gambling under Executive Order No. 13.

With EO 13, Balutan said PCSO will intensify the campaign to protect STL as the only legal numbers game in the country.

“This EO backs PCSO’s earlier declaration regarding the operations of Meridien as illegal,” Balutan reiterated.

US Military Academy.

The chapter issues and Controversies presents the real narrative and account behind every issue and controversy thrown at the former president. Issues, long answered during his incumbency but which again came around as critics try to connect him to the failure of those who succeeded him to lead the coun-

try, are responded to straightforwardly. These include the alleged role of the United States in the 1986 Edsa People Revolution, the AFP Modernization Program, Flor Contemplacion Case, and the inefficient MRT, among other issues that impinged upon good governance, peace and order, economic development and social welfare.

MALACAÑANG on Sunday warned that President Rodrigo Duterte won’t think twice in removing public officials who are involved in illegal gambling.

“The President had repeatedly gave a stern warning to us, government employees that if we’re caught red-handed practicing corruption, they will be the first ones to go,” Communications Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar told state radio dzRB. “[The President] won’t think twice in removing and filing charges agains these government officials who practice corruption, especially in illegal drugs and gambling,” he stressed.

Following President Duterte’s order for enforcers to get tough on online gambling operations in the country, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella reminded law enforcement officials not to take advantage of the President’s war on illegal gambling as cover for other activities.

“We continue to remind those who are in the police, in the PNP and all those related law enforcement agencies that please be careful and not to for-

get that our main purpose is really, to build the nation and not to build our own pockets and own wealth,” Abella said. .

Abella echoed the President’s call for law enforcers to live simply and turn their backs on the tendency to live beyond their means.

“Do not try to aspire for things that you cannot afford,” he added.

On Friday, Duterte instructed the PNP, the NBI, and law enforcement agencies to “coordinate and promptly act on requests of gambling regulatory authorities to investigate and put a stop to illegal activities in their respective jurisdictions.”

This as he prohibited the assignment, sharing, lease, transfer or selling of online gambling licenses in the country, while those who wanted to operate outside the jurisdiction of the government’s authority must apply for a separate license.

Last week, rogue police officers from the National Capital region Police Office who are facing different administrative complaints received a tongue lashing from President Duterte and were ordered to prepare for reassignment to conflict-hit Mindanao.

Estrada hopes peace talks will resume FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, incumbent mayor of Manila, is backing President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of war on the New People’s Army but still hopes peace negotiations will resume.

Estrada said the communist terrorists have all the reasons to fear Duterte’s wrath because the President never backs down from a fight.

“Aba, matakot sila kay President Duterte, baka mapaspasan din sila,” Estrada said when asked about the NPA going head to head against Duterte. “Tignan natin kung ang ating Pangulo ay magbibigay pa ng chance pero ’pag hindi

nila tinupad ’yung usapan na ’yan, delikado na sila.”

Estrada made this comment amid the statement issued by the Communist Party of the Philippines on Feb. 9 that Duterte’s “all-out war” against the insurgency will fail.

“Defeating the NPA is a Duterte pipedream. Other regimes before him have tried and failed,” the CPP said, even comparing the offensive military operation against them to the government’s war on drugs that they claimed only resulted in massive human rights violations.

The NPA is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US State Department and

as a terrorist group by the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy. Its estimated strength has since dwindled to less than 3,000.

Estrada pointed out that Duterte was right when he suspended the unilateral ceasefire in reaction to the atrocities and ceasefire violations committed by the NPA bandits in the past weeks.

Still, Estrada is hoping both parties will go back to negotiating table.

“Hopefully, hopefully, dahil NPA naman ’to, e, hindi naman MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front], e. Iba ’to . Ang mga NPA, ang problema naman nila mga land reform lang

talaga,” he said when asked by reporters if he supports another round of peace talks with the communist outlaws.

Recalling his days as President when he wiped out MILF camps and territories during his war against the Islamist terrorists, Estrada said he gave the MILF sufficient opportunities to talk peace with the government back then.

“I talked to them for about three months then in the fourth month, they burned down Kauswagan [Lanao Del Norte], many innocent civilians, mostly children were killed, and they even beheaded six soldiers,” Estrada recounted.

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Opinion

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Death on their minds

H

OUSE leaders seem hell-bent on ramming through legislation to reinstate the death penalty, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s hardline approach to dealing with crime.

Unfortunately, they seem to be going about the task on blind faith, believing rather than actually knowing that executing criminals will somehow deter others from following in their footsteps, or benefit society by instituting death as a form state retribution.

Thus, the President’s allies believe that reinstating the death penalty will some-

how bring down the crime rate, when the evidence suggests otherwise.

For example, in the United States, the murder rate in non-death penalty states has remained consistently lower than the rate in states with the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Moreover, a study pub-

lished in The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology found that 88 percent of criminologists in the United States believed that the death penalty was not a deterrent to murder.

At the same time, both logic and experience tell us that the threat of execution at some future date is unlikely to enter the minds of those acting under the influence of drugs or alcohol, those who are in the grip of fear or rage, those who are panicking while committing another crime or those who suffer from mental illness.

Perhaps because the evidence to support the death

penalty as a deterrent is so scant, the President has instead framed capital punishment as a form of retributive justice rather than as a deterrent, going back to the Old Testament dictum of “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.”

This approach seems more appropriate to a backward, authoritarian society than a modern, humanistic state, but none of this seems to matter to the President or his allies.

In fact, Mr. Duterte’s man in the House, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, is doggedly determined not to bring logic or conscience into the equation, but to rely on fear, intimida-

tion and blind loyalty.

Alvarez has warned his fellow PDP-Laban members that they must vote for the reinstatement of the death penalty or leave the party. If they hold key committee chairmanships, they will also be replaced.

“They’re free to resign from the party,” Alvarez said when asked what would happen to PDP-Laban members who vote against the bill. “If you don’t agree with the party stand, you might as well quit.”

“If they do not agree with an administration bill, we will replace them,” he added.

The Speaker’s combative-

ness extends to his colleagues in the Senate, who have held off discussing a similar bill in their chamber over legal concerns.

“We are not dependent on them. It is up to them if they will pass it or not,” Alvarez said, referring to the Senate.

“Nobody can control the House on what [it wants] to do. I do not care [if the Senate will not support it]. It is not my concern.”

Someone ought to remind the Speaker, who has death on his mind, that it takes two chambers to pass a law, no matter how fervently he wants to goose step to the drumbeat from the Palace.

State and Church

A charter of passenger rights I START with the Aristotelian proposition that the airlines exist for the passengers, and not the other way around. If that premise is granted, then it follows that the passenger has demandable rights against the airline, and these rights are engendered not only by the contract of carriage that creates a juridical bond between the carrier and the passenger, but also because airlines hold themselves out to the public—and create corresponding expectations— as capable of carrying goods and passengers safely, efficiently and capably. Whoever defines his relation to others in one way or another obligates himself to the consequences of such a relation.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the self-understanding of airlines—there is a conceptual perversity that they pass on to their employees and agents and servants (borrowing the terms of law and not meaning anything derogatory thereby). Aside from laying down the terms of the contract

about which the passenger is completely helpless if he desires the convenience and the ease of air travel, airlines are very much the despots of the transportation industry that is, in every respect, the antithesis of the anti-absolutist bias of our society. No matter how oppressive the terms, unreasonable the conditions and shabby the treatment, passengers acquiesce— because we have unwittingly subscribed to the myth that once at the airport, in front of the checkin counter, we forfeit all our civil and political rights in favor of an omnipotent air transport corporation, and when seated inside the airplane, become the meek and docile subjects of “the god-in-the cockpit” who deigns to communicate with the passengers once or twice during the flight through the PA system and effects his absolute commands through his underlings, the flight attendants and cabin crew. This degree of tolerance we have for absolutism

Passengers of the world, unite.

surprises me, given that we have loud cries against even the memory of Martial Law! First, there is the matter of “overbooking.” By every account under the provisions of the Civil Code, this is “anticipatory breach”: the airline sells more seats than are available on the flight, with the consequence the it is prepared to “off-load” some with confirmed tickets. But if every ticket bought and issued is a confirmed contract of carriage, how does one skirt liabilities for breaching a contract? First, there is a loathing for litigation. There is a term that we use for retainer

fees of lawyers: “Taga”— literally, “a hack wound.” And because many fear that the costs of counsel may outweigh whatever they may be awarded as damages, they keep the outrage to themselves.

A second reason is guile: Airlines have mastered the art of coaxing passengers our of their contractual rights. So it is that very often they offer passengers free overnight stays in some hotel, with a guaranteed seat on the flight the very next day and, very often, there are passengers who waive their rights under a preexisting contract and accept this manner of resolution. While one can always say that this is the passenger’s choice, what this does, in fact, is breed a lackadaisical attitude towards contracts and a trivialization of its obligations.

Then there is the matter of perennially delayed, if not cancelled flights. Very frequently, the excuse will be: “Air traffic conditions at

the airport,” followed by the perfunctory “We sincerely apologize…,” to be sure, a prerecorded apology! True, airlines do not control the use of the airport, and the runways of the Manila airport were constructed by one who obviously failed the course in logic! But that the transport companies are quite content to leave matters as they are, consigning it to the fates to determine whether their aircraft take off or land on time, without any serious attempt to dialogue, cajole, perhaps even threaten airport managers is deplorable. And such matters as “late arrival of turn-around aircraft” and “additional aircraft servicing” are within the control of the company.

Quite clearly, to me, the prevailing attitude seems to be: Bayaan mo silang maghintay.

It is even worse when flights are cancelled because there are not enough passengers to make the flight economically viable.

Then some excuse like “weather

Turn to A5

THOSE who dislike Rodrigo Duterte and his brand of leadership, or who cannot accept the draconian methods he employs in his fight against drugs and crime, or are simply shocked by the language he mouths which do not pass the standards of urbanity they prefer of a president of the land, may think they have found a strong ally in the bishops of the Roman Catholic church.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, which twice became an instrument in toppling governments in this country, is no longer as powerful or influential as it used to be in a perverse sort of way, during the years when the unlamented Cardinal Sin was its unelected leader.

Filipinos have realized that their lives did not get any better, and in fact became worse, after they listened to the interventionist voice of the man called Sin. In Edsa One, there may have been great moral outrage which synthesized with the moral posture of the Church in the Philippines.

There was largely a grave doubt in the public mind that their vote was robbed by the Comelec under strongman Marcos. This broke the camel’s back, which was under great strain since the assassination three years earlier of Ninoy Aquino. The conviction was strongest, and the opposition was most vociferous in Metro Manila, the seat of political and economic power.

Edsa Two was otra cosa. It was a clear power grab with little genuine moral outrage propelling the conspiracy of the elite. But it was backed by ambitious military generals who wanted to bask in the power that a female vice president was all too willing to share with them. And when the interventionist Cardinal Sin convinced then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that she had a “moral” duty to assume power and grab the presidency from the man who two years and a half ago was elected by overwhelming numbers of the lumpen, once more the influence of the Roman Catholic leadership in the Philippines altered the course of history.

But after two Edsas, which we will again commemorate in less than two weeks hence, what “blessings from heaven” have our people received in return?

Turn to A5

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

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Opinion

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

A5

A matter of life and death THE divisive issue on the return of the death penalty is stoking emotions from both sides of the political aisle. The issue is a matter of life and death for criminal offenders committing murder, kidnapping for ransom and robbery with rape. Plunder of government coffers is also on the list of heinous crimes but because politicians always look after their own interests, it’s unlikely it will be included..

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez tweaked the decibel higher when he threatened with expulsion congressmen who do not support the priority bill certified by President Rodrigo Duterte that will bring back the death penalty. The House is dominated by the so-called “super majority,” a coalition composed of turncoats and political opportunists who flock to the ruling party of whoever is elected president of the Republic. Depending on which side of the political fence he’s on, the voting result of this measure is going to be tectonic affecting every House committee chairmanship.

It’s this brazen display of naked political power that drew the ire of Buhay Party Rep. Lito Atienza.who has always been at the forefront in the fight against the return of capital punishment.

Alvarez and his Malacañang masters may not realize it but they could be facing a revolt from the ranks of the legislators.

A conscience vote may be too much to expect of our

cong ressmen.

But if the Senate rejects the measure, why then would the House still push the proposal?

E l e m e n t a r y, my dear Watson. They stay in the good graces of Malacañang which holds the purse strings to the congressmen’s pet projects in their respective districts.

No funds, no project—no reelection.

“Speaker Alvarez should just leave this controversial issue to the conscience vote of the individual House members,” said Atienza, adding “this is where the men are separated from the boys.” He also said that if Malacañang and its majority in the House are confident they have the numbers to pass the death penalty, then let the chips fall where they may.

He condemned the threat of Speaker Alvarez to defrock congressmen as heads of key House committees if they don’t work for the President’s priority bill. Atienza said he hasn’t done a headcount yet of how many congressmen are supporting the death penalty restoration. He said that even if the House does the Palace bidding, the Senate will surely reject the measure. Although House Speaker Alvarez and Senate President Koko Pimentel are from the same ruling PDPLaban political party, they are not on the same page on capital

punishment.

One of those who could face ouster is former President and now Pampanga Representative G l o r i a Macapagal Arroyo. She is presently House Deputy Speaker but could be ousted if Alvarez musters the numbers in the House. The death penalty was abolished under Arroyo.

Atienza also cited the legal opinion of Supreme Court Senior Justice Antonio Carpio who reminded the legislators that the Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations covenant against the death penalty. Carpio said the country’s constitutional law has to follow international laws the Philippines signed as UN member.

Atienza said he’s optimistic there will be enough conscience vote among House members not to restore death penalty. He said the death penalty which still exists in some US states has not deterred criminals.

He suggested that meaningful reforms should instead be implemented in the justice and penal systems. More often than not, prison inmates have to share the same cell and quarters with hardened criminals. The result is that minor offenders, who, after serving their sentences, come out and go back to prison as recidivists.

To understand Lito’s visceral pro-life belief, one has to

visit the halfway house for abandoned babies he and wife Beng have maintained for more than 10 years. Called the House of Angels, babies abandoned in public toilets and garbage heaps are sheltered by the Atienzas in a two-storey house in Manila’s San Andres district. There are at least six or eight children under the watch of a full time caregiver and two other volunteers.

It is an under publicized social and humanitarian undertaking.

I only came to know about it when I asked Lito where and how I can donate some used and even brand new children’s clothes. He then took me to the House of Angels where he showed me his wards and the little known Samaritan side of this politician. It was a joy to see how the kids liked the clothes I brought in two boxes.

The slightly used and brand new clothes were from my two granddaughters in New York.

Some of the abandoned babies have grown up to six years old . They are still in the shelter because no one is willing to adopt them. These are the unfortunate ones with physical defects like cleft lip and palate.

The Atienzas, meanwhile, go on with their missionary zeal despite lack of government funding.

The adoption is done through the Department of Social Welfare and Development with the DSWD processing all the necessary paperwork and documentation.

Science, not ideology IT WAS a dramatic image: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez on a chopper flying over and surveying a landscape seemingly ravaged by mining. The scene invoked a good-versus-evil narrative, and anyone watching would find it hard not be moved. Many automatically sided with the crusading secretary, and when she announced the closing of a number of mines all over the country—half of the operating mines according to some count—she was lauded by some quarters. Anti-mining groups declared it a victory.

The reality on the ground, however, is much more complex.

While the environment is surely a critical factor in the management of a country’s natural resources, the sector is infinitely more complex and multi-faceted than any single scene can capture.

In the case of the Philippines, the implications are farreaching, too. For too long, a lack of a long-term development agenda for the country’s natural resources has delayed the efficient harnessing of an estimated US$1.4 trillion in mineral reserves. This has led some to describe the Filipino as a poor man sitting on a pot of gold. It is thus a scenario that will hardly benefit from a crusade anchored solely on the environment.

Understandably, the sweeping closure orders sparked an uproar from legitimate mining companies and their stakeholders. And for good reason: the official notices had

evil destroyer not been sent to OPEN of the the mines and THOUGHTS environ ment any attempt by for profit is media to obtain OrlaNdO just a fictional details had OxalES element for an been rebuffed enter t ai n i ng

by Lopez. This clear disregard of protocol, plot. History proves that in wellprocesses and transparency, led developed mining economies some to question the motivations all over the world, the mineral behind the campaign, as well as industry is a strategic driver for the prejudiced, grandstanding industrialization and prosperity.

Aside from its obvious manner in which it has been job-generating dimension, a waged.

The slew of closure orders well-managed sector links is also contrary to President to auxiliary businesses that Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions multiplies the employment for a fair and lawful opportunities. Often overlooked management of the mining is how mining enhances local industry early in his term. As an services and human resources. alter ego of the President, Lopez From education, health, retail, cannot defy the administration’s trade, and financial services pronouncements and chart her to agriculture, manufacturing, own path when it comes to and infrastructure, legitimate policy. A clarity and consistency mining projects creates a of vision is crucial for such bustling local economy by way a multi-faceted sector as the of jobs that create a demand for all kinds of services. Where mineral industry.

The inter-agency Mining available, the economy should Industry Coordinating Council also make room for processing released its Resolution No. 6 facilities that can help the effectively giving relief to the industry yield higher value mines subject to Lopez’s closure products.

As all these require massive orders by recognizing the government must requirements for due process capital, and has resolved to hold its own establish an investment climate multi-stakeholder review. Even that is globally competitive. with this, Ms. Lopez adamantly A regulatory environment affirms her stand to close the complemented by an efficient bureaucracy, clear and stable mines.

How do we break this decades- policy.

The best example we have is long stalemate? Understanding the issues surrounding mining Baguio City, today a progressive while keeping an eye out for regional center, used to be a environmental stewardship remote, sleepy mountainous emanates from a logical and region just over a century ago.

The Americans at the turn of the lucid foundation: science.

To begin, the Hollywood century did not build Kennon stereotype of mining as an Road to enjoy the cool weather

State...

From A4 Nada.

Well, except if one considers this perverted democracy we “enjoy” more important than a better quality of life for some 90 percent of our population.

That is why the people of this benighted land saw a “savior” in Rodrigo Duterte, despite his cussing profanity, at one time directed towards Il Santo Papa, mismo!

Rodrigo’s victory in democratically held elections last year was a triumph of the ordinary man against a system where only the forms of democracy presided over an utter lack of

A charter...

From A4 conditions at destination” or “mechanical problems” will be proffered—although clearly the adverse conditions and vexing problems are neither climatological nor mechanical but attitudinal!

How, exactly, are airline personnel, both ground and flight crew, trained? My recent experience should be sufficiently illustrative.

or tourism. It was the huge mining potential in rich copper and gold ores—that spurred the development of Benguet province.

Expanding this to the level of national economies, industrialization has always required a vibrant mineral industry. Countries like Canada, Australia, China, and the United States continue to massively harness their mineral potential to feed the raw materials for their manufacturing industries.

Deploying the newest technologies they have effectively managed the effects to the environment to globally acceptable standards.

Thus, while the crusade being waged by Lopez is valid from a certain perspective, the success of other countries proves that it is an incomplete perspective.

This ideological propaganda deceives the public with an unbalanced and even malevolent view of mining.

Sadly, the biggest casualty in this anti-mining crusade will be the very people it promises to save. If Lopez stops legitimate mining, the biggest winners are the thousands of illegal mining operators who do not pay taxes, sell to smugglers and are the real destroyers of the environment.

Why not go after them?

We need a brand of environmental governance grounded on sound science and technology, not on emotional dogma.

A responsible stewardship of our natural resources that is rightly passionate without being discriminatory or myopic.

Science has the answers.

Rights of illegitimate children TOMORROW will be Valentine’s Day. With Filipinos having a reputation for being naturally romantic, expect restaurants, hotels and motels to be fully booked. Without wanting to be a square, I believe it timely to talk about the worrisome trend, not only in the Philippines but worldwide too of the rising birth of children out of wedlock.

In the Philippines, illegitimacy has almost become the norm, especially in the poor sectors of society who cannot afford the high cost of weddings, which entail prenuptial and at-nuptial video and photo shoots, lavish and expensive wedding ceremonies, hundreds of thousands worth of wedding gowns, among others. Statistics taken in 2011 by the National Statistics Office (now Philippine Statistics Authority) showed that four of every 10 babies born were illegitimate and one of them came from a teenage mother. The Statistics Office said back then that if the trend continues, by 2016 (last year), the majority of children born will be illegitimate. Whether the trend was influenced by popular showbiz personalities who openly admitted having illegitimate children is something that has yet be studied. Popular actor-turned-senator, Ramon Revilla Sr. was reported to have sired more than 80 children by different women while comedian actor Dolphy, who never married, had 17 children. In the US and They do in England, more than not enjoy the half of all births now are born out of wedlock, same rights thus illegitimate. under the What is disturbing about illegitimacy in law enjoyed the Philippines, apart by legitimate from the social stigma, is that illegitimate ones. children do not enjoy the same rights under the law enjoyed by legitimate ones. Very often, when a father marries another woman, the child born out of wedlock by his relationship with another woman becomes neglected in terms of support, love and caring.

Although some women may argue that they do not need a husband, the fact is, all children need a father too; not just for financial support but for the child’s balanced personality development.

What are illegitimate children entitled to under the law?

Illegitimate children are entitled to carry the surname of their fathers provided they were expressly recognized as shown in their record of birth or if there is an admission of their filiation by the father contained in a public (notarized) document or a private handwritten instrument. They are entitled to support and to inheritance when the father dies.

However, an illegitimate child’s legitime or entitlement to the estate of his father is only half of that of a legitimate child.

While the parental authority of an illegitimate child shall be with the mother, the father of an illegitimate who recognized him may be entitled to visitorial rights to enable him to enjoy the company of the child, give him love and share in the child’s rearing and development.

What if an illegitimate child is not recognized by his father in his birth certificate? Can he legally seek recognition to be entitled to his rights? Yes. The Family Code provides that such illegitimate child may file a petition to establish his filiation with his father during the lifetime of the father. He can use pieces of evidence to prove that the father has recognized him as his biological child such as photos, letters and testimonies of people. With the advance in science, the child may also resort to DNA testing to prove his filiation.

While love, infatuation and attraction govern most relationships, women must be ever mindful about bringing into the world children whose futures may be uncertain if they were born out of wedlock.

Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

democratic substance, which is equal opportunity.

And so those who supported his political competitors found themselves engulfed by a maelstrom of protest they could not quite fathom until it hit them straight in the eye.

They have become yesterday’s men, consigned to bite the dust of a new wave of nationalism and a strong desire for meaningful change in the everyday life of the everyman.

Look at the recently released short jeremiad of the CBCP, which in rather cautiously-calibrated language denounced the so-called culture of death foisted by the secular leadership against drugs. Once again, the CBCP segued into their consistently-advocated fear of the death penalty now pending in Congress. Invoking their “bias”

for the poor, the bishops virtually state that in the kind of society where we exist, poor boys fry while rich men fly if the death penalty is reimposed.

Which may be true, but that is precisely because they have conspired with the elite in foisting this kind of feudal order upon the benighted land.

But Rodrigo Duterte and his House Speaker will have none of the usual balderdash from the bishops.

Calling them “hypocrites,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez minced no words in pushing his proposed legislation, and even went as far as threatening those who would not follow him and the President to resign from their positions of power and prominence.

Never have the bishops been confronted by this kind of tit for tat, by the in-your-face intransigence of political leadership.

But that is how it must be. We live in a secular state, where the Constitution, whether the present or the past basic laws, guarantee the separation of State and Church. (I purposely began with the word State before Church).

Let the Church confine itself to matters that belong to it, and let the State care about the daily affairs of keeping order in society and ensuring the material basics of the people it serves. Was that not how Christ himself decreed the separation of State and Church, by stressing that people must “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s?”

So should it be. So it must be.

The real and undiluted separation of State and Church might well be the beginning of a better Philippines.

The association that had invited me for a lecture at Iloilo purchased the Iloilo to Manila ticket that should have taken off from Iloilo International Airport at 9.30. I purchased the Manila to Tuguegarao leg that had an ETD of 12.45 pm, but every normal account, more than ample time.

In Iloilo, I requested that my bags be tagged to Tuguegarao—since I was taking the very same airline to Tuguegarao from Manila, and leaving from the very same terminal. I was told that that was not possible since my flight was not

a connecting flight! I demanded to know why not since the same airline had issued me two tickets—one for the Iloilo to Manila leg, the second for the Manila to Tuguegarao leg. It was then introduced to the peculiar vocabulary of the airline: A connecting flight is one where the ticket says “connecting” and where the tickets are bought at the same time—no matter that they may in fact be connecting. Clearly, there was some cognitive connecting that had to be done in the brains of these personnel—which is why

I think that a good measure of logic and critical thinking should go into the training of airline personnel.

Passengers of the world, unite. You have nothing but the whims and caprice of humongous airline corporations to lose, and a whole world of convenience, reason and reliability to gain! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

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News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Govt bats for higher tax on cars ‘Install CCTVs for NBP inmates’

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Sunday said they will install closed circuit television cameras at the Armed Forces of the Philippines detention facility where some high-profile inmates are temporarily detained.

Aguirre stressed that the measure is necessary following reports that some high-profile inmates are enjoying preferentrial treatment inside the military’s detention facility.

“I think its not hard to do and it is necessary that we put CCTVs,” Aguirre said.

The inmates were detained at the AFP detention center due to the congestion inside the New Bilibid Prison Building 14 in Muntinlupa City as well as to prevent conflicts between some inmates.

“The very reason they high profile inmates were put there because of the riots where, at one instance, one prisoner was killed. For which reason until now they could not be put together in Building 14 where they are supposed to be housed before,” Aguirre said.

Earlier, high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian was transferred from the NBP to the National Bureau of Investigation Detention Center for safety reasons after he was stabbed during a riot at Building 14 last year.

Two other inmates were injured, while another one was killed during the incident.

Aguirre earlier denied allegations made by Senator Leila De Lima that he restored the privileges of inmates of the NBP who testified during the inquiry conducted by the House of Representatives on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the national penitentiary.

Party-list ousts 2nd nominee THE Commission on Electionsregistered voting delegates of Kabayan party-list’s Special Party Congress have unanimously ousted their second nominee, Rep. Ron Salo, from its roster of members.

“Upon uncontroverted evidence presented at this Special Party Congress assembled, Rep. Ron Salo, Pedro Parrocho, Joshua Sebastian, and Vic Caguimbal are hereby impeached and expelled from Kabayan Partylist, for serious violations of its Constitution and By-Laws,” read the resolution signed by all voting delegates present at the Special Party Congress.

The Kabayan members said the resolution means Salo no longer represents the party-list in Congress.

The Comelec-registered voting members of Kabayan also nullified Salo’s creation of a “Board of Trustees” and it’s decision to expel Rep. Harry Roque.

According to Kabayan secretary-general Rogel Navarro, Salo’s creation of such a board “was illegal because the party-list’s constitution does not provide for the creation of a ‘board of trustees’ that can make decisions for the party-list.”

Navarro said under Section 1 of Article IV of the Kabayan Partylist Constitution and By-Laws, the party Congress is the “highest policy-making body of the party.”

“We expect Salo to undermine the legitimacy of this special congress but he cannot dispute the fact that we are composed of people who are the original officers, members and signatories of Kabayan Party-list, as registered in Comelec. Kabayan has not held a Party Congress ever. All decisions of the party, including the one expelling the first nominee, was made without any resolution submitted to and approved by the Congress,” Navarro said.

By Rio N. Araja

T

he House committee on ways and means will hold its third deliberation on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package proposal of the Department of Finance to focus on possible higher excise taxes on automobiles today.

The excise taxes on automobiles is contained in Chapter VI of House Bills 4774 and 4688 authored by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, committee chairman, and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, vice chairman, respectively.

According to Cua and Salceda, their bills—both titled “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion” or TRAIN— aim to create a tax system that is simpler, fairer and more efficient, characterized by low rates and a broad base that promotes investment, job creation and poverty reduction.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government’s proposal to raise excise taxes on cars could help ease the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila.

Cars are now “very cheap” and higher taxes would temper sales growth, he said.

The committee on ways and means invited officials of the departments of Transportation, Trade and Industry, Finance, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue to give their

views on the bills.

The committee also invited representatives from the automobile industry, including members of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Automobile Association Philippines, CATS Motors Inc., Jaguar Philippines Inc., Chevrolet Motors Philippines Inc., Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, Confederation of FX-AUV Operators and Drivers Association; Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc., Isuzu Philippines Corp., Nissan Phil-

ippines Inc., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Inc., Toyota Motors Philippines Inc., PGA Cars Inc., Prestige Cars Inc., Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. and Laus Group.

Under Cua’s HB 4774, the excise tax for automobiles shall be raised to four percent from the present two percent if the net manufacturer’s price/importer’s selling price is up to P600,000.

If the price is P600,00 to P1.1 million, the tax shall be P24,000 plus 40 percent of value in excess of P1.1 million. The present tax rate is P12,000 plus 20 percent of value in excess of P1.1 million.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE. Thick black smoke billows as firefighters struggle to put out the fire at Brgy. Damayan along E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City. Mikhaela Valmorida

PDP-Laban endorses Moncupa as next BSP governor THE Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan party is set to formally endorse banker Antonio Moncupa to be the next Central Bank governor.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, who is also president of the ruling party, said the party will soon endorse Moncupa to PDP chairman and President

Rodrigo Duterte.

Pimentel said he believes that Moncupa is the most qualified among the candidates to head the monetary authority.

“I believe Mr. Moncupa has all the qualities required to lead the central bank in this period of challenge and change. He is an experienced banker whose

knowledge of the financial markets is matched only by his unquestionable integrity and character and passionate nationalism,” Pimentel said.

Moncupa, who is currently president of East West Bank, also heads the PDP-Laban policy think-tank. He is a former activist and political detainee.

The Senate president said Moncupa is highly capable and knowledgeable about financial and monetary policies, which would allow him to manage inf lation and keep the foreign exchange market stable.

“It is time for bold and innovative leadership at the BSP. It can no longer be ‘business as

usual’ in government, particularly at the central bank which is the overseer of the country’s financial system,” he added.

Pimentel said that under the leadership of Moncupa, he would foster a more responsive and vigilant banking industry through a reinvigorated BSP. PNA

Lawmaker eyes more protection for inmates

FULLY LOADED. A trike loaded with merchandise traverses along Reina Regente St. in Binondo, Manila. Manny Palmero

HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. has called for the creation of a Capital Defense Unit that would provide topnotch private lawyers, with the state footing the bill, to poor imates who may be meted with the death penalty if efforts to revive capital punishment succeed.

“Assuming Congress decides to revive death verdicts for the worst criminal offenders, the state should at the very least guarantee that nobody gets wrongfully doomed on account of his or her simply being poor and unable to obtain superior legal representation,” Campos said.

“We have to ensure that disadvantaged individuals accused of capital felonies receive the best legal defense available,” Campos said, as he invoked the mandate of Section 11, Article 3 of the 1987 Constitution that “adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.”

As proposed by Campos, the CDU would be run by the University of the Philippines College of Law’s Institute of Human Rights and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, retain highly experienced criminal defense lawyers, and pay for all the legal fees of underprivileged defendants facing potential death sentences.

Sports

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Belangel, Clemente lead MVP cage race

By Peter Atencio

SAKIMA IS KING. Champion galloper SAKIMA (USA) and jockey John Alvin Guce strides home unopposed in last week’s running of the 1st Henry Cojuangco Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure

Park to crown himself as the top racehorse in the country today. Proud owner Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez of SC Stockfarm acknowledges the congratulatory handshake of champion archer Amaya “Aya” Paz Cojuangco, who joined husband, former Taclac Vice Governor Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco, Jr. (center) and their son Alfonso in the post-race awarding for the race held in honor of the late Tarlac 1st District Congressman and renowned horseman Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco. Joining them were sportsman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat (left) of the organizing Hapi Group, Philtobo President Manny Santos (third from right) and MJCI Chairman and CEO Alfonso “Boy” Reyno, Jr. (right).

Durant jeered as Dubs prevail L

OS ANGELES—Kevin Durant was in hostile territory as he returned to Oklahoma City on Saturday, but shut out the noise to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 130-114 victory over his former team the Thunder.

Durant scored 34 points and pulled down nine rebounds in his first game in Oklahoma City since he departed as a free agent for Golden State after last season.

The jeers and catcalls greeted him at pre-game warm-ups and didn’t let up until the Warriors had stretched

their league-leading record to 46-8.

“It was a fun game,” Durant said.

“I actually thought it would be a little louder. To be on the other side of it, to be able to calm all these guys down as they boo you is kind of fun.

“I’ve got to embrace it,” Durant added. “That’s all I can do. And keep

playing my game.”

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 26 points each for the Warriors, who withstood a 47-point performance from Russell Westbrook, once the other half of a star duo with Durant in Oklahoma.

The two traded a couple of oncourt barbs, which Durant passed off as normal trash talk, and despite the palpable tension Warriors coach Steve Kerr said it wasn’t the worst such reception he’d seen from fans for a former favorite.

That was the greeting LeBron James got in Cleveland in 2010, after

he’d departed for the Miami Heat.

“I think that one might have been a little nastier,” Kerr said.

After winning two titles in Miami, James famously returned to Cleveland and led the Cavaliers to last season’s championship.

He was in full flight on Saturday, scoring 27 points in the Cavs’s 125109 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

“It’s transition three. It’s layup.

It’s dunk,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone, an assistant coach in Cleveland during James’s first tenure with his hometown team, said of the weapons at the disposal of James

his skilled supporting cast of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

“The next you know it’s ‘Oh my gosh, you’re down by 20 points... It’s tough when you have a three-headed monster, which they do.”

Irving added 27 points of his own and Love scored 16 for Cleveland, who led by as many as 22 points in the third quarter.

After a tight first half, the Cavaliers scored the first 18 points of the third. Denver missed their first seven shots of the second half and turned the ball over twice as Cleveland surged ahead. AFP

Huge field gears up for CT Ironman 70.3

OVER 800 triathletes, including 22 pros and six in the Asian Elite division, make up the early roster in the 2017 Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 firing off next month in Subic Bay. Organizers expect the international field to hit over 1,000 when the third staging of the premier swim-bike-run event is held March 12. The inaugural run drew 902 participants while 823 took part in last year’s edition of the event sponsored by Century Tuna and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. Craig Alexander of Australia and Swiss Caroline Steffen will gun for a repeat of their feats last year although the duo are in for a tougher challenge this time with a host of others raring to foil their back-to-back title bids, including inaugural champion Tim Reed, Sam Betten, Jason Hall and Dan Wilson of Australia, South African Johan Stofberg, Till Schramm of Germany and Eric Watson of Bahrain, who are all tipped to contend for the championship.

The CT Ironman 70.3 will actually cap a three-day weekend of fun and competition with a 2GO Bike

Service and Expo slated on March 10 and the Alaska Ironkids and the highly popular Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run spicing up the action on March 11.

Great Britain, the US and Australia, noted for their top triathletes, are fielding in 23, 22 and 20 entries, respectively, Singapore has 16, Guam 14, Japan 12, Germany 11 while Switzerland has 10, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in various agegroup divisions.

Other countries participating are Argentina, American Samoa, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Monaco, Mexico, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Aside from the centerpiece pro and Asian Elite, other titles to be disputed are the 18-24, 25-29, 3034, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 5559, 60-64, 65-69 and the 70-andabove age categories.

Fed Cup tie marred by anthem error; US wins LOS ANGELES—Alison Riske beat Andrea Petkovic to put the United States up 1-0 on Saturday in a Fed Cup World Group tie that got off to an awkward start thanks to a gaffe involving the German national anthem.

“The USTA extends a sincere apology to the German Fed Cup team & fans 4 the outdated National Anthem,” the US Tennis Association said in a tweet. “This mistake will not occur again.”

The apology came after a performance of a stanza of the anthem that dates back to World War II and which has been officially eliminated as part of the anthem since the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification in 1990. “@usta we hope so...” the German tennis federation tweeted, prompting the USTA to respond, “@DTB Tennis We can assure that it won’t. Again, our sincere apologies.”

It was the start of what turned out to be a tough day for Germany.

Riske overcame her nerves to fashion a 7-6 (12/10), 6-2 victory

over the experienced Petkovic, who came into the tie with 12 Fed Cup singles titles on her resume.

After roaring to a 5-0 lead in the second set, Riske fought through a tense spell to seal the victory and give a leg up to surprise Australian Open semi-finalist CoCo Vandeweghe, who was to take on Julia Goerges in the second singles.

Vandeweghe took the first set from Goerges 6-3 and was up 3-1 in the second when Goerges slipped on a rain-slicked baseline, hurting her knee. A medical timeout coincided with a rain delay, and the match never resumed.

The were to resume on Sunday, meaning both will be in singles action twice on the final day of the bestof-five match tie -- with Vandeweghe also slated for doubles.

The winner of the tie will face either the defending champion Czech Republic or Spain, who were level at 1-1 after day one in Ostrava.

The United States own a record 17 Fed Cup titles, but haven’t won the nations tournament since 2000.

IT could be a tossup between Ateneo Blue Eaglet Sam Josef Belangel and National University’s John Lloyd Clemente in the race for Most Valuable Player honors as they emerged as two of the most consistent players in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball tournament.

Belangel’s averages of 19.1 points, 10. 3 rebounds and 3.5 assists helped put the Blue Eaglets in the Final Four with the defending champion NU Bullpups.

Clemente, who ranked fourth with his shooting average of 14.8 points during the eliminations, normed 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in leading NU to the no. 1 seeing in the Final Four.

The two assumed the top ranking in the list of top players, who could take the MVP honors and the Mythical Five selection.

This was after the Adamson Baby Falcons and the UPIS, led by their top cagers Florencio Serrano and Juan Gomez de Liano, did not reach the Final Four.

Last Thursday, the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers took charge early and nursed a comfortable lead they earned to fend off the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 72-65, in the playoffs for the last Final Four seat at The Arena in San Juan.

Joaquin Mariano shot 17 points for the Junior Archers, who joined early qualifiers NU, Ateneo and FEU in the semifinals this Tuesday.

Second stringer Ray Carlos had only eight points. But his presence during a 12-0 run in the first period mattered.

Diaz...

From A8

Proponents o fthe Superheroes Run are shown here. They are Lloyd Manaloto (starting third from left), Head of Marketing of TV5; Menchie Silvestre, Executive Director, Alagang Kapatid Foundation; and Jinoe Gavan, Founder of Takbo.ph and partner of Leadpack.

TV5 Superheroes Run set on Feb. 25 THERE’S no denying that superheroes make us all want to fly through the highest part of the sky, run as fast as the wind, protect the universe from bad people and most importantly save and defend other people’s lives.

The wish to become extraordinary humans become more exhilarating when we get to read it on magazines and comic books or watch it in films and TV series.

But what if you can be a superhero for a day?

No superhero training or superhero relative required. All

you need to bring is one specific superpower: the heart of a superhero fan who wants to help out other people and a penchant for participating in fun runs.

On Feb. 25, heroes will assemble in TV5’s Superheroes Run: Manila at the SM MOA Grounds, Block 16. In the spirit of doing good like our favorite superheroes, a portion of the proceeds from the fun run will be donated to the Alagang Kapatid Foundation.

Each race kit will have a little surprise for the participants to make the fun run more super.

Depending on the distance that

they choose, runners will get a Supergirl cape and/or The Flash and Arrow head gears. These goodies will definitely serve as a motivation to finish strong!

Not only that, participants will also be joined by TV5 stars and athletes.

The Superheroes Run: Manila is also an avenue to promote the superheroes programs of TV5 Arrow which airs every Monday at 7:30 p.m., The Flash, Mondays 8:30 p.m. and the upcoming launch of the “tagalized” version of Supergirl, which will be flying in every Tuesday starting March 21, 7:30 p.m.

Citation - Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Rogen Ladon (boxing), Charly Suarez (boxing), Marlon Tapales (boxing), Gretchen Abaniel (boxing), Jerwin Ancajas (boxing), Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing), Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio (cycling), Sofia Chabon (golf), Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (golf), Annie Ramirez (jiu-jitsu), Margarita Ochoa (jiu-jitsu), Joseph Myers (jiu-jitsu), Orencio James delos Santos (karate), Jacob Ang (karting), Brandon Michael Vera (mixed martial arts), Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Pauline Louise Lopez (taekwondo), Juvenile Faye Crisostomo (taekwondo), Patrick John Tierro (tennis), Monica Torres (triathlon), August Benedicto (triathlon), Divine Wally (wushu), Arnel Mandal (wushu), Ramon “Tats” Suzara (volleyball), Johnny Tan (motorsports), National University Lady Bulldogs (women’s basketball), National University Pep Squad (cheerdance), Pocari Sweat (volleyball), RC Cola-Army (volleyball), Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Fencing Team, Philippine Sailing Team, Philippine Sepak Takraw Team, Phillippine Canoe Kayak Federation, United Football League (UFL), Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), Pru Life (football), TV 5, UNTV

BRAND AMBASSADOR. Phildex, the No. 1 pipes

manufacturer in the Philippines signs Barangay Ginebra star Scottie Thompson as its brand ambassador. Shown here during the contract-signing are (from left) Marketing Manager Ross Gonzales, President William Choa, Thompson and Gem Encarnacion. Choa believes in Thompson’s talent as a basketball player and character as well. He said he will help him in his need for pipes once he starts building his dream house in Davao.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

Sports

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

A8

MONDAYDAY, FEBRUARY 13,

Hotshots seek 3-0 PBA lead

By Jeric Lopez

STAR doesn’t plan on cooling down.

The league’s hottest team with eight straight wins, the Hotshots go for another one as they shoot for an insurmountable 3-0 lead over ailing Barangay Ginebra in their bestof-seven semifinals series in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. With Game 3 slated today at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Star, which owns a commanding 2-0 lead, has a golden opportunity to put Barangay Ginebra on the brink and move a step closer to the finals.

Despite a commanding lead on the Gin Kings, Star coach Chito Victolero still doesn’t feel any complacency as he knows the job is still far from done for the Hotshots.

“We need to win four games, we’re only halfway. We have to prepare for what Game 3 brings,” he said.

The talented coach is still wary of Ginebra’s resiliency and capabilities despite falling behind.

“2-0 is nothing if we don’t take this next game. We know Ginebra can comeback and we have to be ready for that,” he said.

Like Game 1, Game 2 last Saturday night also went down the wire with the Hotshots once again coming up on top, 91-89.

Again, Paul Lee led the charge with 17 points and was aided by Allein Maliksi’s 14 markers.

The Gin Kings are now facing another must-win situation as they are hoping to make a series out of it.

At the very least for Ginebra, rookie Kevin Ferrer continued his rise, scoring a career and team-high 25 points in Game 2.

Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar were solid, but LA Tenorio has still yet to find his touch in the series.

Hidilyn Diaz, whose silver-medal feat in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics gave this country its proud moment in 2016, will be recognized with the Athlete of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed by the country’s oldest media organization first established in 1949.

Diaz, other PH sporting heroes to be feted today T

HE cream of the crop of Philippine sports last year get their rightful dues tonight when the Philippine Sportswriters Association pays tribute to them through its Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel and MILO at the LE PAVILLON in Pasay City.

Hidilyn Diaz, whose silvermedal feat in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics gave this country its proud moment in 2016, will be recognized with the Athlete of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed by the country’s oldest media organization first established in 1949 and currently headed by president Riera Mallari of the Manila Standard.

The 25-year-old pride of Zamboanga City leads 91 other personalities and entities, who are also going to be honored with

different awards during the formal gala night co-presented by CIGNAL/HYPER HD. Awards proper starts at 7:30 p.m. to be hosted by Quinito Henson, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Carla Lizardo, and Steph Ongkiko.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez lead the local sports community in paying homage to all the stars of the affair being held in partnership

with the PSC, Smart, Phoenix Petroleum, Foton, ICTSI, Globalport, Mighty Sports, and Rain or Shine.

Notable titles to be handed out are the Lifetime Achievement Award (Eugene Torre), President’s Award (Milo Rivera), Executive of the Year (Philip Ella Juico), and National Sports Association of the Year (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association).

A Posthumous award will also be extended to beloved sports personalities who passed away a year ago led by such legends as Carlos ‘Caloy’ Loyzaga, Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, and Filomeno ‘Boy’ Codinera.

Those who failed to receive their invitations can personally get it at the registration center of the venue during

the program also backed by the Philippine Basketball Association, Federal Land, SM Prime Holdings Inc., Meralco, ACCEL, NLEX, MVP Sports Foundation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The 2016 PSA AWARDS NIGHT HONORL ROLL LIST Athlete of the Year – Hidilyn Diaz Lifetime Achievement Award – Eugene Torre President’s Award – Milo Rivera Executive of the Year – Philip Ella Juico NSA of the Year – Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) Mr. Basketball – June Mar Fajardo Mr. Football – Misagh Bahadoran Mr. Golf – Miguel Tabuena

Son of former Tour champ tops Ronda’s longest stage PILI, Camarines Sur-- Jaybop Pagnanawon of Bike Extreme showed impressive form as he topped the long, grueling Stage 5 Sunday in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017 that started in Lucena City and ended at the Camsur Watersports Complex here.

Pagnanawon, son of former Tour king Rolando, displayed remarkable grit as he made his move just barely out of Camarines Norte, or 28 kms to the finish line, and then outsprinted Navy-Standard Insurance’s Daniel Ven Carino and RC Cola-NCR’s Leonel Dimaano

when the two caught up with the former in the final stretch.

When the race ended, the 28-year-old Pagnanawon came up with his first stage victory in six hours, 58 minutes and 13 seconds, which was the same time of Carino, who is also a Cebu native like the former.

Dimaano checked in at No. 3 in 6:58:13.

Pagnanawon’s feat was made more impressive with the fact that Stage 5 was the longest lap in this 14-stage race at 251 kms.

“I was surprised that I still had it in the final 28 kms and

just went for it when everyone was contented in pacing themselves up,” said Pagnanawon, whose father won the fabled Marlboro Tour in 1986.

Depsite his recent triumph, Pagnanawon, who worked as a bike instructor outside competing, however, is out of race for the overall individual honor after he encountered mechanical problems in the Angeles-Subic Stage 3 that sent him sliding from being in the Top 10 to outside the top 40.

“I got a little sadder because I will have to wait another year

to chase my dream to become a champion like my father,” said Pagnanawon. “But I will stll try to win some stages if I get my chance again.”

Kinetix Lab-Army’s Lord Anthony del Rosario and Go 4 Gold’s Elmer Navarro finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with a clocking of 6:59:11 and 6:59:13, respectively.

Navy’s Ronald Lomotos wound up at No. 6 in 6:59:14 to regain his No. 2 spot overall, while Kinetix Lab-Army’s Cris Joven made true to his vow and finished seventh in 6:59:20 to jump from No. 9 before

the stage to No. 7.

Red jersey wearer Rudy Roque of Navy was stuck in the peloton, but still managed to keep his grip on the lead with a total time of 18:12:48, or 59 seconds ahead of Lomotos with 18:13:47 and a little less than two minutes atop Carino.

Morales was also jammed in the main group that forced him conceded some minutes to Lomotos and Carino and skidded to No. 4 with 18:15:51, or just 17 seconds ahead of Joven, who is dangerous at No. 5 and only 3.20 minutes off the pace.

PH Golf Tour kicks off new season at Anvaya Cove

Reigning PGT Order of Merit champion Tony Lascuña banners the stellar field in the Feb. 15-18 ICTSI Anvaya Cove.

THE Philippine Golf Tour kicks off its new season at the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club in Morong, Bataan next week with the P3.5 million ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational featuring the cream of the country’s pro crop, plus a host of foreign aces.

Reigning PGT Order of Merit champion Tony Lascuña, three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que and fellow Japan PGA Tour campaigner Juvic Pagunsan, Elmer Salvador, Jay Bayron, Frankie Miñoza, Jhonnel Ababa and young turks Clyde Mondilla and Jobim Carlos banner the stellar field in the Feb. 15-18 event at the challenging, wind-raked layout.

Fifteen legs spread over the country’s championship courses are on tap in this year’s PGT calendar, including a record five Asian Development Tour events, with the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. also staging the fifth edition of The Duel, the country’s version of the Ryder Cup pitting the leading players from Visayas and Mindanao against those from Luzon, now held on alternate years.

The new season will also see the revival of one of the country’s former four Major championships, the Philippine Masters, set in May at its home at the Villamor Golf Club.

Meanwhile, others vying for the top P650,000 purse at Anvaya are Ferdie Aunzo, Jerson Balasabas, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Michael Bibat, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Albin Engino, Anthony Fernando, Mhark Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, Charles Hong, Keanu Jahns, Rey Pagunsan, Mars Pucay, Justin Quiban, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales and Orlan Sumcad.

From Anvaya, the PGT goes to the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal for the ICTSI Manila Masters on April 5-8, then to Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac for the ICTSI Luisita Championship on April 26-29, and the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite on May 10-13.

The Orchard event also serves as the kickoff of the five ADT-sanctioned

events that include the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship on May 1720, the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic on Aug. 2-5 at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite, the Aboitiz Invitational on Aug. 9-12 at The Country Club, and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) Open on Nov. 1-4, also at Luisita.

The Philippine Masters, which used to be one of the country’s premier championships alongside the Philippine Open, the President’s Cup and the National PGA, will be played on May 24-27 to be followed by the ICTSI Del Monte Classic on June 7-10, the Pueblo de Oro Classic on June 14-17, the ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat on July 19-22, the Calatagan Golf Challenge on Sept.

27-30, the Riviera Classic on Oct. 11-14 and the season-ending ICTSI Tournament Players Championship at Wack Wack on Nov. 15-18.

The Duel, won by Team South in come-from-behind fashion at Wack Wack in 2015, will be held at Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio on July 5-8.

Mr. Taekwondo – Jeordan Dominguez Ms. Volleyball – Mika Reyes Major Award - Josephine Medina (paralympics), Janelle Mae Frayna (chess), Eric Shauwn Cray (athletics), Marestella Torres-Sunang (athletics), Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), Ian Lariba (table tennis), Kirstie Elaine Alora (taekwondo), Nestor Colonia (weightlifting), Philippine Poomsae Team (Jean Pierre Sabido, Ernesto Guzman Jr., Jeordan Dominguez, Glenn Lava), San Miguel Beer (pro basketball), Jeron Alvin Teng (amateur basketball), Johnriel Casimero (boxing), Yuka Saso (golf), Eduard Folayang (mixed martial arts), Marvin Mangulabnan (superbike), Mark Alvarez (Jockey of the Year), Low Profile (Horse of the Year)

Obiena rips PH pole vault mark

By Peter Atencio POLE vaulter EJ Obiena did it again. In the company of the world’s best.

The 20-year-old Obiena placed fifth and broke the national indoor record in the 18th Potsdam athletics meet in Germany last Feb. 6.

He cleared 5.43 meters to break the Philippine mark that he had set last year.

According to the event’s official website, it was Polish bet Piotr Lisek, who took the gold and became the 10th vaulter in history to clear six meters indoors.

Action took place on a makeshift runway inside the Sterncenter Shopping Centre, with Lisek clearing 5.73m on his second attempt to seal the competition from Croatia’s Ivan Horvat.

Horvat and Karsten Dilla took the silver and bronze in 5.63.

Lisek placed sixth on the world indoor all-time list in the same group as world champion Shawn Barber, 1992 and 1996 Olympic champions Maksim Tarasov and Jean Galfione and German indoor record-holder Danny Ecker.

Last year, Obiena made 5.4 meters twice, first in the Asian Indoor Athletics meet in Doha, Qatar last Feb. 20, and then in another competition in Tsautun, Taiwan.

Obiena, a University of Sto Tomas college junior, cleared 5.55 meters in the Singapore Open to also own the new national outdoor record last April 20.

He made his feat last year while under the guidance of famed pole vault coach Vitaly Petrov.

New solar factory hiring 1,000 B3

Business

business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

B1

SMC readies solar venture

IN BRIEF SMC’s coal plant meets emission limit

SMC Global Power Corp., the power generation arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., said the first unit of its 600-megawatt clean coal power plant in Limay, Bataan yielded emissions below the government and World Bank standard limits.

San Miguel, in a statement, cited the most recent results of a government-mandated daily continuous testing since January which showed that unit-1 of the Limay power plant consistently produced low levels of sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.

The Limay plants consist of four units of 150 MW, of which only the first 150 MW unit completed continued testing process.

The plant’s sulphur oxide was at 41 parts per million, compared to the 245 ppm limit set by the Environment Department and the 700 ppm limit set by the World Bank. Its nitrogen oxide was at 92 ppm, compared to the Environment’s 365 ppm limit and the World Bank’s 487 ppm threshold.

Carbon monoxide monitored was at 4 ppm during the latest testing, below the Environment’s limit of 400 ppm.

The Limay plant registered 0.8 percent opacity or clearness of the air (which is also used to indicate particulate matters) with dust at only 2.4 milligrams per cubic meter or mg/Nm3. The World Bank standard for particulate matters is at 50 mg/Nm3 while the Environment is at 150 mg/ Nm3. Alena Mae S. Flores

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

By Alena Mae S. Flores

S

AN Miguel Corp. and its strategic partner plan to put up 1,500 megawatts of solar capacity within two years, its top executive said over the weekend.

The solar power plant venture is a part of San Miguel’s decision to diversify into renewable energy through subsidiary SMC Global Power Holdings Inc. “SMC targets 1,500-MW solar venture, in two years,” San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said.

The company has shortlisted two Asian companies, one of which could emerge as its strategic and technical partner on the green venture.

The joint venture is also looking at opportunities in hydropower and natural gas.

San Miguel said last week the new venture would

unburden power consumers of punishing electric bills resulting from the feed-in tariff subsidies given to renewable energy producers.

Ang noted that the cost of RE technologies worldwide had been dropping, with the global renewable sector maturing.

San Miguel earlier focused its resources on putting up baseload, or coal fired power plants. The company is nearing completion of the first phase of its coal plants in Bataan and Davao provinces and is also considering similar projects in Mindanao and the Visayas.

“It’s about time we find a balance between promoting clean energy and securing the country’s energy needs without making consumers bear the cost of a punishing subsidy for years in favor of RE producers,” Ang earlier said The country’s feed-in tariff system guarantees compensation for renewable energy producers through a long-term fixed price over a 20-year spread, a subsidy that is shouldered by power consumers.

The Philippines has one of the highest electricity rates in Asia. Consumers are paying additional rates

through the feed-in tariff allowance.

“We have a responsibility as a major power producer to do our share in pushing for a sustainable clean energy economy but it has to be done in the most efficient way possible for the consumers. With critical mass and better technology, I believe we should be able to strike the perfect balance between renewable and non-renewable sources in terms of the country’s energy mix,” Ang said.

San Miguel also owns 60 percent of the 218 MWAngat hydro power plant and is the independent power producer administrator of the Ilijan natural gas plant in Batangas and the San Roque hydro station in Pangasinan.

Ang said the company formed a team that would conduct researches on and develop solutions across the clean energy sector.

“We are challenging ourselves to be able operate in the most environmentally responsible manner while taking into consideration energy security and affordability to the consumers. Initiatives to achieve this objective are under way and I’m proud to say, we are making good headway,” he said.

Ayala mulls over medicine production

CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. plans to deepen its presence in the healthcare sector by investing in medicine manufacturing and healthcare finance.

Ayala Corp. chief finance officer Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said in an interview the company was looking at manufacturing and healthcare finance, the two important components of the healthcare industry, aside from building hospitals.

“In medicines, you have distribution and manufacturing. We already have distribution through Generika and we are now looking at manufacturing,” Limcaoco.

Medicine manufacturing in the Philippines is dominated by United Laboratories of the Campos group, Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals and Pascual Laboratories.

Limcaoco said the group was looking into healthcare finance, as there were only 4 million Filipinos with healthcare insurance.

“We know there is something missing there because while there are three big players [Maxicare, Medicard and Intellicare] and many other insurance firms, all of them only cover 4 million people and that number has not changed in 20 years,” Limcaoco said.

“We think there is space but we don’t know how to get into it. So we are still looking,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Agriculture eyes Australian cattle

The Agriculture Department is seeking to include in its 2018 budget the procurement of Australian live cattle.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the move would boost the livestock industry in the country.

“I would be asking for a P200-billion budget next year because during the previous Cabinet meeting, the president told me that the DA will be getting the funds it needed to serve the Filipino farmers and fisherfolk,” Piñol told reporters in an interview.

“He didn’t say any amount but I will be asking for the amount that I think the farmers would really need,” Piñol said.

He said he already discussed the possible importation of live cattle with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely, who called on him at his Quezon City office last week.

The agency intends to establish dairy municipal multiplier farms in the Cordillera region and Bukidnon, where the climate is cold, using the imported cattle as surrogates for embryos, which are likely to be procured from Australia.

Technicians will be provided to the farms to ensure proper care of the cattle.

Piñol said Gorely also expressed Australia’s intention to continue exporting wheat, sharks fin and potentially, live bees to the country.

The Australian government approved in October last year the importation of Philippine mangoes, except those grown in Palawan. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

FIBER GLASS BOATS. Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (front row, third from right) awards 20-footer fiberglass boats to local fishers of Malabang, Lanao del Sur as a part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to uplift the lives and livelihood of Filipinos in the farthest communities. The fishing vessel, worth P35,000 each, will be used in various fishing activities of the beneficiaries and prevent illegal fishing activities.

Mactan airport expects 10m passengers in 2017

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport expects 10 million passenger arrivals by the end of 2017.

GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. reported 8.9 million passenger arrivals in 2016, including 6.7 million domestic passengers and 2.2 million international passengers.

Last year’s passenger figure was 11.5 percent higher than 7.98 million passengers in 2015.

The company is targeting to hit 10-million passenger arrivals by the end of 2017, or a 12 percent jump from

2016.

“By pursuing new and diverse routes and increasing travel and tourism to the Visayas-Mindanao regions, we are ensuring long term sustainability and economic and social benefits for the passengers and the businesses,” GMCAC president Louie Ferrer said.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority general manager Steve Dicdican said the robust growth in the number of flights and passengers to MCIA was indicative of the national and global acceptance of Cebu as a world-class destination.

“To keep up with the foreseeable steady growth in the years to come and the expectations of passenger that pass through our gateway, we at MCIAA are committed to delivering an airport experience that is reflective of the dynamism and warmth of Cebu,” Dicdican said.

New routes connecting Cebu to Australia, Europe and other Asean countries are in the works in the next two years. Expanding connections to China, Japan and South Korea is also being studied.

MCIAA said to entice international and domestic airlines to launch new

routes from Mactan-Cebu airport to any point of the world, it would offer incentives to airlines.

“We are proud and excited to be at the helm of this growth. With a total of 16 international destinations, 27 domestic destinations and with 19 partner airline carriers, it shows that Cebu is no longer just a secondary airport. It is a viable choice connecting to the rest of the Philippines and to the world,” said Ferrer.

Five new international destinations and three domestic destinations were launched out of Mactan-Cebu Airport last year.

Govt needs to create more jobs

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government needs to sustain its “economic overdrive” to create enough jobs for the increasing ranks of young Filipinos joining the work force as the country nears its “demographic sweet spot.”

Dominguez said in a forum in Davao City the Duterte government was spending big not only on infrastructure and social protection for the poorest families, but also on education, health and skills training to prime the country’s youth for the challenges of a globally competitive job environment.

“Investment-led growth creates meaningful employment. It draws our younger workers into jobs that require globally competitive skills. It allows us to optimize assets that are scarce such as land. It draws us to our advantages such as a young labor force capable of learning and doing new things,” Dominguez said.

“Our population is nearing a demographic ‘sweet spot’ where millions of young Filipinos will be joining the workforce. We need to train them in the high skills required for a 21st century economy,” he said.

He said the government should spearhead

efforts to make growth investment-led, rather than consumption-led to fulfill President Duterte’s pledge of sustaining high growth and making it truly inclusive, especially for those at society’s fringes.

The Duterte administration’s unmatched spending on three areas―infrastructure, human capital development and social protection―would help realize its inclusive-growth agenda and reduce the rate of poverty incidence from the current 22 percent to 14 percent by 2022, he said.

“To produce investment-led growth, however, we need to rapidly upgrade our infrastructure. After many years, of spending less than our neighbors for quality infra, we now face a huge backlog that this administration aspires to close in the medium term,” Dominguez said.

He said to achieve that, “the government must be armed with ample revenues to do a groundbreaking public investments program.

This is where the Finance Department comes in and where its role becomes absolutely critical.”

Dominguez said that to collect enough revenues needed for the unprecedented public investments program, the government should institute reforms not only in tax administration but also in tax policy.

TOURISM CAMPAIGN. Tourism Promotions Board chief operating officer Cesar Montano (second from

left) kicks of a nationwide domestic tourism marketing and promotions campaign with a grand exhibit at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The TPB exhibit showcases the country’s finest destinations in 16 regions. With Montano are TPB executives Clifferson Mendoza, Jose Ramirez Manhilot and Priza Cinco.

B2

Business

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market seen trading sideways

By Jenniffer B. Austria

A

NALYSTS expect the stock index to move within a narrow range this week in the absence of strong of catalyst that could push the market upward.

“Chartwise, the week’s close at 7,235.21 continues to suggest the market’s inability to sustain a rally above the 7,400 levels.

Continue to see the market to remain range bound between the 7,000 to 7,400 levels in the near term,” BDO Unibank investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said.

Investors are being cautious because of rising inflation rate, which could mean higher interest rates in the coming months. Inflation rate accelerated to 2.7 percent in Janu-

ary, the fastest in two years.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last week revised its 2017 and 2018 inflation forecasts on higher oil prices and weakening peso against the US dollar. However, the bank’s Monetary Board decided to keep interest rate unchanged last week.

Bangko Sentral said it expected inflation rate to be at 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.1 percent in 2018, higher than previous estimates of 3.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, investors will continue to monitor the release of corporate earnings this week and further developers in the mining industry, according to analysts.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, inched up 0.1 percent last week to close at 7,235.21 on Feb. 10, while the broader all-share index went up 0.1 percent to 4,380.51.

Except for holding firms which declined

1.1 percent, all other sub-indices ended in the green led by mining and oil which rose 2 percent, property which advanced 1.4 percent and services which improved 0.8 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers last week by P1.78 billion, as total foreign selling hit P20.19 billion while foreign buying amounted to P18.48 billion.

Top gainers last week included Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. which jumped 10.6 percent to P40.15, Philippine National Bank which climbed 8.42 percent to P59.20 and Globe Telecom Inc. which advanced 7.46 percent to P1,800, after reporting strong fourth-quarter earnings.

Heavy losers included Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. which declined 11.7 percent to P10.10, Xurpas Inc. which went down 7.1 percent to P7.44 and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. which retreated 5.2 percent to P77.30.

PAL expands fleet of turboprop planes

By Othel V. Campos PHILIPPINE Airlines is expanding its operations to smaller islands with new deliveries of small Bombardier turboprop aircraft to enhance domestic connectivity, a top executive said.

The 86-seater planes will fit the narrow runway of small airports in the islands to serve the air mobility requirement of tourists and passengers and deliver cargo and goods.

“We are embarking on this

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

FEBRUARY 6-10, 2017 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

3.27 48.3 114.60 93.00 38.75 4.38 1.29 16.08 19.78 7.40 0.71 1.65 825.00 0.790 77.3 0.76 14.4 25.00 59.20 91 125 239 40.15 213 1760.00 78.80

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ MG Holdings Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Pilipinas Shell Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

43.45 4.98 0.87 1.45 18.9 0.285 109.8 14.90 10.1 16.36 152 95 97.3 23.6 58.5 2.04 6.08 11.98 12.800 7.14 5.82 8.40 22 72.4 12.38 17.08 6.24 1.700 206.00 70.00 3.92 3.47 27.95 30.4 27.1 14.78 290.00 0.270 5.44 3.3 9.50 3.59 78.35 11.58 2.41 7.18 1.51 4.9 4.98 2.03 3.3 274 12.36 4.2 0.146 1.49 163 4.54 1.71 31.05 1.15

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.390 72.65 12.70 1.13 6.20 0.335 0.350 793 8.91 13.00 5.23 8.14 0.212 1251 5.98 72.00 4.94 7.81 1.03 13.78 0.430 6.81 3.01 0.0650 1.110 2.080 2.56 103.00 2.25 671.00 1.43 0.89 265.800 0.3050 0.1920 0.275

8990 HLDG Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

7.150 6.10 1.03 2.630 1.550 36.300 3.33 5.13 5.8 0.530 1.01 1.280 0.165 0.580 53.5 0.720 0.150 1.03 1.67 1.19 4.30 3.71 0.160 0.3500

Value

FINANCIAL 1,397,940.00 3,612,625.00 1,132,721,779 1,444,083,774.50 60,776,665.00 963,660.00 1,862,040.00 1,494,902.00 24,958,793.00 228,627 71,000 943,890.00 776,400.00 78,928,700.00 2,210,106,596.50 3,610,680.00 1,538,352.00 627,500.00 31,489,319.00 512,045.50 470,498.00 4,728,778.00 43,842,335 597,122,258.00 8,639,850 18,559,840.00 INDUSTRIAL 7,149,600 308,908,915.00 6,485,900 33,233,516.00 7,572,000 4,641,690.00 4,865,000 7,035,530.00 65,000 1,163,292.00 207,933,620 194,585,580.00 2,180 219,193.00 217,700 3,242,794.00 73,371,400 779,108,756.00 17,538,700 284,454,062 10 1,520.00 2,060 267,731.00 70 6,811.50 1,166,700 27,049,410.00 120,670 7,099,391 1,636,000 3,296,950.00 1,601,100 9,907,690.00 149,500 1,792,884.00 30,485,400 390,334,188.00 2,964,800 20,858,456.00 59,452,100 345,126,244.00 8,298,300 68,699,359.00 5,874,900 130,974,830.00 835,010 60,292,017.50 23,200 286,200.00 960,800 16,414,734.00 1,642,700 10,244,453.00 3,522,000 6,074,790.00 1,712,330 353,433,982.00 540 37,636.00 3,620,000 14,738,750.00 11,000 39,680.00 2,000 56,300.00 5,756,000 171,745,425.00 1,551,700 42,133,490.00 8,792,200 129,058,546.00 1,002,790 289,448,218.00 73,220,000 21,284,400.00 45,500 245,010.00 727,000 2,403,080.00 9,682,000 91,792,060.00 18,000 66,250.00 3,189,780 249,463,585.50 31,800 363,752.00 23,103,000 56,271,400.00 8,665,900 61,952,086.00 1,246,000 1,900,180.00 2,468,300 12,196,672.00 424,700 2,109,956.00 14,000 28,420.00 4,454,000 15,589,230.00 47,850 12,998,274.00 14,098,100 176,784,884.00 547,000 2,290,550.00 78,790,000 12,039,850.00 2,733,000 4,160,440.00 8,105,410 1,317,716,659 74,000 334,620.00 20,554,000 36,211,100.00 600 18,915.00 1,523,600 1,768,580.00 HOLDING FIRMS 36,710,000 14,243,000.00 9,908,580 731,827,302.50 31,491,500 399,077,838.00 721,000 848,680.00 10,531,000 66,340,355.00 44,980,000 16,022,050.00 1,260,000 442,250.00 921,210 725,593,830 13,187,800 119,334,449.00 36,469,300 474,804,788.00 105,500 573,575.00 457,500 3,671,739.00 35,240,000 8,097,370.00 1,155,430 1,442,963,035.00 60,700 359,599.00 8,963,810 655,897,309.00 15,000 74,100.00 5,005,100 39,523,197.00 34,590,000 36,717,330.00 24,285,200 328,753,506.00 210,000 92,000.00 154,684,000 1,044,452,877.00 2,000 6,020.00 7,993,690,000 479,577,380.00 179,000 201,560.00 2,626,000 5,460,840.00 3,000 7,680.00 2,964,200 303,077,414.50 6,000 13,500.00 1,417,950 969,683,095.00 3,644,000 5,180,720.00 262,000 230,250.00 48,340 12,799,942.00 21,570,000 7,044,100.00 79,210,000 18,146,640.00 26,690,000 7,687,850.00 PROPERTY 3,685,400 26,357,377.00 7,700 47,078.00 16,170,000 18,327,080.00 7,877,000 21,093,910.00 538,783,000 808,276,100.00 38,307,300 1,367,459,985.00 9,022,000 29,887,520.00 7,200 36,376.00 5,400 31,320.00 419,501,000 237,501,980.00 603,000 642,690.00 799,000 1,032,130.00 228,540,000 38,519,760.00 66,583,000 39,105,140.00 1,250,510 66,657,096.00 1,225,000 890,780.00 59,720,000 10,140,640.00 21,577,000 22,071,490.00 106,603,000 363,893,380.00 946,000 1,097,550.00 85,000 365,500.00 157,757,000 601,828,290.00 167,450,000 27,360,240.00 123,240,000 51,940,650.00 422,000 74,900 9,929,200 15,634,920 1,573,500 229,000 1,464,000 104,900 1,253,000 31,900 100,000 562,000 940 97,785,000 28,427,930 4,756,000 107,400 25,100 551,160 5,740 3,730 20,100 1,136,100 2,799,780 4,930 235,120

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 3, 2017 Close Volume Value 3.45 48.2 114.50 90.50 38.5 4.16 1.31 16.18 20.2

87,000 65,900 12,370,630 7,252,820 583,600 51,000 1,690,000 66,000 2,779,500 6.76 7,400 0.72 20,000 1.69 495,000 840.00 210 0.830 103,280,000 81.5 13,831,900 0.77 1,680,000 14.2 127,700 24.20 95,700 54.60 140,890 90.3 1,970 142 1,240 236 3,720 36.3 527,700 210.6 2,487,470 1770.00 1,965 78.90 308,120

306,770.00 3,177,575.00 1,386,384,221 658,240,540.50 22,509,115.00 209,110.00 2,250,070.00 1,065,903.00 55,548,124.00 49,955 14,400 816,500.00 176,850.00 81,295,920.00 1,125,935,759.00 1,284,680.00 1,816,472.00 2,368,490.00 7,676,623.00 177,186.00 168,110.00 887,010.00 19,113,525 524,866,422.00 3,480,150 24,258,440.00

43.05 5.19 0.87 1.48 18.68 0.190 104 15.30 11.44 16.04 150 96 105 23.8 56 2.06 6.31 12 12.500 7.05 5.80 8.07 22.45 72.05 12.28 16.70 6.11 1.800 206.00 70.00 3.87 3.82

10,646,500 14,881,700 4,625,000 4,770,000 25,300 2,540,000 8,810 1,560,300 22,762,500 6,701,500 70 5,100 240 800,600 242,730 2,494,000 1,184,100 101,300 23,027,500 4,770,700 60,955,900 3,442,300 3,874,400 1,217,700 6,800 755,500 936,800 5,027,000 2,233,710 760 6,891,000 42,000

456,082,355.00 74,115,287.00 4,085,240.00 7,236,840.00 461,858.00 496,540.00 940,125.00 25,338,488.00 260,278,292.00 109,196,868 10,500.00 486,057.00 24,182.00 18,141,615.00 13,986,538 5,115,330.00 7,580,499.00 1,217,812.00 284,837,912.00 32,977,023.00 380,682,566.00 27,516,057.00 86,965,420.00 87,406,992.50 83,508.00 12,496,700.00 5,734,581.00 9,301,680.00 461,513,644.00 53,356.00 28,527,470.00 152,700.00

30.35 27.95 14.78 289.60 0.260 5.37 3.33 9.36 3.58 78.6 11.56 2.40 6.83 1.52 5.11 5.00 2.03 3.15 271 12.7 4.35 0.015 1.57 162 4.33 1.82

3,049,000 3,038,400 7,443,900 438,330 1,950,000 60,700 640,000 22,692,000 2,000 1,965,430 10,900 10,409,000 15,122,800 1,065,000 1,273,400 5,368,500 117,000 1,358,000 264,780 14,668,000 277,000 7,350,000 3,023,000 8,620,100 67,000 35,216,000

91,995,685.00 84,879,630.00 109,915,686.00 125,803,624.00 490,150.00 321,439.00 2,091,870.00 211,940,657.00 7,160.00 154,900,667.50 124,382.00 24,309,790.00 99,602,010.00 1,619,580.00 6,909,551.00 26,526,681.00 238,710.00 4,119,820.00 69,801,392.00 188,015,394.00 1,163,260.00 1,107,150.00 4,980,160.00 1,402,795,843 296,870.00 67,354,440.00

1.06

388,000

423,510.00

0.400 73.70 12.62 1.17 6.10 0.340 0.350 795 9.24 12.96 5.9 8.14 0.184 1245 6.07 74.50

46,330,000 5,634,690 19,992,600 11,000 112,900 53,430,000 6,680,000 763,680 17,452,100 18,207,000 5,800 178,000 660,000 867,160 1,900 6,600,440

18,614,050.00 417,247,981.00 253,165,228.00 12,830.00 685,600.00 18,726,450.00 2,312,600.00 614,033,775 162,537,063.00 236,011,504.00 34,220.00 1,430,106.00 124,320.00 1,111,119,075.00 11,263.00 490,942,201.50

7.92 1.11 12.9 0.440 6.62

7,090,600 16,551,000 13,837,100 190,000 102,124,500

56,270,181.00 18,572,680.00 180,726,886.00 83,650.00 1,897,459,976.00

0.0430 1.120 1.980 2.56 99.50 2.23 692.00 1.41 0.85 264.000 0.3350 0.1900 0.245

742,100,000 35,000 701,000 145,000 771,560 9,000 1,377,560 9,446,000 683,000 26,470 32,240,000 1,800,000 6,040,000

30,514,400.00 39,450.00 1,392,310.00 369,050.00 76,291,348.50 20,070.00 957,709,015.00 13,626,990.00 621,210.00 6,970,202.00 10,292,850.00 345,710.00 1,548,630.00

7.190 6.20 1.34 2.550 1.150 35.150 3.34 5.13

1,090,600 120,400 379,800,000 6,223,000 369,915,000 35,848,600 18,360,000 60,900

7,938,353.00 128,184.00 479,736,490.00 16,337,800.00 358,517,640.00 1,268,387,020.00 60,602,390.00 307,639.00

0.520 1.08 1.290 0.169 0.570 53.75 0.730 0.143 1.02 1.66 1.19

130,705,000 474,000 2,600,000 314,930,000 27,459,000 2,577,080 1,583,000 930,000 9,431,000 28,681,000 1,927,000

69,201,080.00 500,160.00 3,430,790.00 56,400,710.00 15,613,460.00 136,883,087.00 1,158,080.00 132,990.00 9,522,360.00 46,320,470.00 2,286,860.00

3.64 0.169 0.2650

106,747,000 190,620,000 1,350,000

390,012,330.00 33,302,710.00 371,850.00

STOCKS

FEBRUARY 6-10, 2017 Close Volume

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.730 27.65 5.05 24.95 1.6 3.35 30.00 1.03 7 0.910 5.040

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

7.79 46.1 1.56 0.530 0.059 10.66 5.31 7.05 0.0650 2.38 95.7 9.6 2.3 8.60 2.91 960 1800 6.21 16.60 15.62 3.92 76 15.60 125 12 0.0096 9.06 0.195 1.3500 2.95 14.5 4.05 0.93 2.58 17.84 2.04 4.54 3.98 2.750 11 5.33 3.22 144.60 8.99 1520.00 0.425 1.390 44.20 79.25 6.34 2.61 1.090 1.79 3.2 0.445

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0032 2.32 5.73 11.48 1.8200 2.2100 0.5 0.460 11.08 2.630 0.260 0.186 0.200 0.011 0.0120 1.86 7.05 2.56 0.4600 0.9800 0.0120 0.0120 4.07 9.80 3.50 0.0150 135.80 2.88 0.0094

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ Alco Preferred B DD PREF First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

45.7 535 528 105.6 104.7 112.9 115 530 5.86 1020 1030 1.04 109.4 1099 1025 107 116 77 81.1 76.55 78 79.8 77.6 77.75 78.5 2.2

LR Warrant

2.080

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

9.06 2.93 3.78 7.44

First Metro ETF

118.9

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 3, 2017 Value Close Volume

454,498,000 1,800 11,215,000 6,714,100 3,296,000 201,000 29,261,000 92,928,000 10,500 2,755,000 39,007,100

625,867,110.00 50,070.00 55,036,860.00 168,767,340.00 5,395,670.00 660,830.00 881,584,555.00 97,243,550.00 72,000.00 2,552,890.00 196,813,366.00 SERVICES 512,700 3,919,298.00 75,300 3,477,665.00 1,378,000 2,116,800.00 9,042,000 4,992,110.00 1,324,590,000 77,892,970.00 47,500 506,596.00 15,000 80,965 28,647,000 207,162,096.00 240,700,000 15,695,650.00 44,548,000 176,573,320.00 3,055,980 292,703,249.50 33,700 323,957.00 432,000 978,310 1,609,500 14,270,375.00 1,000 2,910.00 550 528,000.00 350,200 612,493,790 1,291,400 8,052,059.00 181,900 3,032,986.00 900 14,050 35,077,000 131,175,830.00 7,360,770 555,628,155.50 40,300 630,974 170 21,250 65,300 792,936.00 89,200,000 878,630.00 2,622,000 23,753,180.00 93,280,000 18,530,640.00 2,572,000 3,524,540.00 194,000 576,750.00 20,500 297,610.00 4,341,500 22,066,620 15,000 14,010.00 495,000 1,253,270.00 6,700 119,466 1,000 2,040.00 25,029,000 118,272,250.00 6,786,000 26,317,940.00 16,431,000 44,520,700.00 44,500 495,108.00 42,900 228,850 687,000 2,194,620.00 143,270 20,066,899.00 816,311,775 -1,012,721.00 715,520 1,074,740,240.00 52,530,000 22,390,250.00 19,799,000 27,756,900.00 6,933,300 309,198,310.00 6,758,080 544,565,676.50 770,400 4,862,628.00 15,113,000 40,638,200.00 77,231,000 84,178,700.00 34,000 61,260.00 3,362,000 10,763,620.00 98,130,000 50,171,500.00 MINING & OIL 2,376,000,000 7,630,500.00 22,929,000 58,164,700.00 5,275,100 29,044,257.00 1,100 12,060.00 147,000 269,750.00 106,000 213,350.00 24,132,000 12,837,760.00 11,830,000 5,576,650.00 1,135,100 12,523,998.00 75,665,000 188,973,720.00 28,880,000 2,310,410.00 60,140,000 11,035,270.00 5,570,000 1,078,560.00 63,300,000 726,600.00 839,100,000 9,294,300.00 18,473,000 32,915,830.00 28,200,600 197,688,141.00 897,000 2,309,940.00 270,000 124,200.00 2,945,000 2,734,110.00 419,300,000 4,935,200.00 105,200,000 1,240,300.00 1,048,000 3,775,890.00 32,303,700 312,275,096.00 7,323,000 25,911,800.00 3,543,700,000 52,995,800.00 3,781,390 513,052,236.00 409,000 1,183,820.00 90,000,000 847,600.00 PREFERRED 1,385,600 63,971,825.00 1,870 1,006,540.00 6,100 3,220,700 186,360 19,494,912 236,140 24,480,541.00 30 3,387.00 174,560 20,072,495.00 2,080 1,102,790.00 10,086,100 59,353,027.00 9,000 9,180,000.00 12,180 12,568,300.00 57,000 59,280 1,700 185,980.00 5 5,495.00 8,700 8,873,170.00 41,500 4,419,150.00 10 1,160.00 39,590 3,052,483.50 220,260 17,901,009.00 21,000 1,607,550.00 53,000 4,138,750.00 470,850 37,576,315.00 29,700 2,310,521.00 99,780 7,726,095.00 222,010 17,406,500.00 18,000 37,640.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 2,345,000 4,867,320.00 SME 2,042,400 15,007,536.00 28,000 82,140.00 2,008,000 7,807,890.00 7,974,700 61,606,603.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 29,480 3,521,653.00

Value

0.660 30.95 4.97 24.50 1.66 3.4 30.00 1.08 7 0.950 5.040

111,620,000 400 18,925,000 10,555,200 881,000 1,877,000 44,629,200 32,998,000 8,300 2,498,000 11,217,800

66,684,450.00 12,380.00 93,640,550.00 263,739,740.00 1,474,910.00 6,147,550.00 1,334,696,690.00 34,742,040.00 57,960.00 2,390,430.00 56,176,428.00

7.41 46.7 1.44 0.500 0.062 10.52 5.66 7.50 0.0670 2.57 96 9.6 2.05 9.35

285,100 63,700 115,000 1,865,000 1,331,360,000 200 15,800 44,963,700 93,910,000 22,825,000 1,664,920 55,100 126,000 3,015,200

2,115,288.00 3,019,185.00 164,800.00 962,870.00 81,055,210.00 2,104.00 85,873 334,374,131.00 6,449,360.00 61,538,080.00 158,675,741.00 530,046.00 266,120 27,859,816.00

960 1675 6.26 16.86 15.40 3.40 77 15.80 110 11.74 0.0095 9.07 0.199 1.4000 2.98 14.5 4.12

7,790 247,910 220,500 527,200 500 22,729,000 11,413,890 51,100 270 11,500 118,800,000 2,514,000 53,380,000 1,988,000 3,179,000 25,900 3,267,000

7,478,400.00 424,642,230 1,375,532.00 8,746,356.00 7,690 74,420,700.00 890,506,246.50 828,690 29,702 138,188.00 1,174,220.00 22,779,710.00 10,986,010.00 2,839,190.00 10,325,480.00 376,894.00 13,497,380

2.50 19.40 2.03 4.85 3.99 2.840 11.2 5.34 3.2 140.00 9.16 1480.00 0.450 1.410 43.50 80.75 6.50 2.63 1.060 1.78 3.2 0.425

534,000 3,000 22,000 23,726,000 11,523,000 26,659,000 24,100 211,800 310,000 1,062,080 3,353,500 343,215 29,510,000 47,315,000 8,703,700 6,936,760 35,216,600 8,981,000 36,412,000 33,000 1,995,000 16,090,000

1,334,520.00 55,630 44,100.00 112,722,300.00 45,723,590.00 75,395,140.00 270,780.00 1,103,101 969,530.00 140,729,067.00 32,200,328.00 506,461,820.00 13,267,350.00 66,820,840.00 379,959,285.00 552,150,362.00 242,253,984.00 23,782,690.00 38,860,300.00 59,360.00 6,467,690.00 6,679,600.00

0.0032 2.65 5.66 11.48 1.8000 1.9500 0.53 0.495 11.02 2.740 0.250 0.187 0.191 0.012 0.0120 1.84 6.87 2.64 0.4600 0.9500 0.0110 0.0110 4.05 9.20 3.65 0.0140 133.50 2.91 0.0088

939,000,000 10,670,000 5,224,100 200 561,000 256,000 24,838,000 54,839,000 463,000 54,321,000 9,440,000 217,560,000 33,280,000 118,600,000 588,100,000 18,967,000 35,984,200 609,000 630,000 4,808,000 75,500,000 54,300,000 14,000 7,091,300 8,629,000 494,800,000 3,750,200 103,000 16,000,000

3,045,900.00 29,103,610.00 29,130,974.00 2,296.00 1,099,190.00 520,840.00 13,143,125.00 28,151,630.00 5,249,868.00 143,149,200.00 2,374,230.00 41,035,450.00 6,249,860.00 1,366,900.00 7,057,900.00 36,310,250.00 246,270,731.00 1,619,540.00 294,550.00 4,692,860.00 844,200.00 619,400.00 57,780.00 65,189,919.00 104,823,470.00 6,903,000.00 505,133,722.00 303,290.00 142,200.00

46.5 542 540 106.9 104.8 113 116 535 5.89 1020 1048

667,000 200 2,180 19,200 82,920 30 2,600 4,280 7,074,000 68,895 62,330

31,405,740.00 108,400.00 1,150,350 2,051,530 8,626,739.00 3,390.00 301,600.00 2,264,330.00 41,639,874.00 70,050,725.00 64,826,030.00

110 1098 1020

124,360 200 14,450

13,639,902.00 219,600.00 14,703,220.00

76.65 81 76.1 78.4 79.75 78 79.1 78

37,370 306,370 22,540 22,320 580,690 76,800 53,130 435,930

2,871,937.00 25,058,846.50 1,714,478.50 1,745,824.00 46,365,753.00 5,964,474.00 4,102,366.00 34,134,309.00

2.200

625,000

1,383,780.00

6.6 3.01 3.85 8

808,700 74,000 2,489,000 9,198,600

5,370,272.00 217,810.00 9,990,520.00 74,655,784.00

119

24,390

2,918,103.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Pacifica `A’ Philodrill Corp. `A’ Abra Mining Apollo Global Manila Mining `B’ Philweb.Com Inc. Arthaland Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Century Property Oriental Pet. `A’

VOLUME 7,993,690,000 3,543,700,000 2,376,000,000 1,324,590,000 839,100,000 816,311,775 538,783,000 454,498,000 419,501,000 419,300,000

STOCKS Metrobank Bank of PI GT Capital Ayala Land `B’ Universal Robina Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. PLDT Common Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

SM Investments Inc. SM Prime Holdings

VALUE 2,210,106,596.50 1,444,083,774.50 1,442,963,035.00 1,367,459,985.00 1,317,716,659 1,132,721,779 1,074,740,240.00 1,044,452,877.00 969,683,095.00 881,584,555.00

program to develop the market for smaller airports. We envision to serve all smaller airports in the future. Smaller islands and airports can be profitable, too,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said during the three-day Travel Tour Expo held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

PAL will add five more small planes to its current fleet of nine, with one expected each month from July to November 2017.

The company is also awaiting the delivery of two Airbus 321 this year as a part of the delivery package negotiated in 2026 and one Airbus 350 for long-haul flights to New York.

Bautista said PAL was also looking at flying direct to Paris, “but there are no new announcements yet for new flights to Europe.”

“This will depend on the delivery of planes. So far, we’re still coming up with the list of cities where we can fly,” he said.

PAL is looking at increasing traffic to 15 million passengers in 2017.

PAL served 13.5 million passengers last year. International and domestic traffic accounted for 50 percent each.

Bautista said the company was anticipating the creation of new airports to expand its network.

STI set to build P6b worth of schools STI Education Services Group Inc. said it plans to spend P6.13 billion over the next 18 months to construct new schools and acquire properties for future expansion.

STI-ESG said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission the capital spending from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2018 would finance the construction a new school in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and new campuses for existing schools in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, San Pablo, Iloilo and Baguio.

STI-ESG said the new school in San Jose Del Monte would occupy a 4,178-square-meter lot in a densely populated area bordering Metro Manila. The lot was acquired in 2014.

The company is also looking at building new campuses in Davao, Edsa, Lipa, Cebu, Legaspi, Tanauan and Cabatanuan.

Expansion projects are also in the works in Sta. Maria (Bulacan), Cagayan de Oro, San Pablo, Iloilo, Baguio and Caloocan.

Funding for these projects will come from STI-ESG’s planned P5-billion fixed-rate bond offering.

STI-ESG said it planned to initially issue P3 billion worth of seven and 10-year bonds in March.

The remaining P2 billion will be placed under shelf registration.

ChinaBank Capital Corp. and First Metro Investments Corp. are the joint issue managers and underwriters for the offering.

STI ESG constructed 11 new school facilities over the past seven years, resulting in the additional enrollment of 17,500 new students.

“STI-ESG intends to continue this strategy and build new facilities for more schools,” the company said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business DBS sees interest rate hike in March

By Julito G. Rada DBS Bank of Singapore expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase interest rates by 25 basis points next month if the US Federal Reserve goes on with its own adjustment.

The bank in a report over the weekend noted Bangko Sentral’s latest statement that risks to inflation remained tilted toward the upside, particularly the increasing oil prices.

“While previous comments from the central bank officials have suggested that the BSP won’t necessarily respond to any rate adjustment in the US, we reckon that a hike by the US Fed in March will embolden the BSP to kick off its own policy normalization,” DBS said.

“A 25bps rate hike still looks likely next month,” it said.

The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral, on Thursday kept the benchmark interest rates steady on its first meeting for the year due to the manageable inflation environment and strong economic growth prospects.

The interest rates of 3.5 percent for overnight lending, 3 percent for overnight borrowing and 2.5 percent for overnight deposits were left unchanged. The reserve requirement ratios were likewise maintained.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the board’s decision was based on assessment of inflation dynamics and the risks to the inflation outlook over the policy horizon.

DBS said although Bangko Sentral’s decision to keep the interest rates unchanged was not surprising, several things caught its attention. Alongside the central bank’s statement on GDP growth momentum and ample liquidity, the board revised upward the inflation forecast this year and next due to higher oil prices and weaker peso.

ALLAN CHRISTOPHER SANTOS

GREEN LIGHT FOR the past years, I have been watching clips of and listening to songs from the Tony Awardwinning Jonathan Larson classic musical, Rent—a story of a group of young artists struggling to carve their own niche within the hustle and bustle of New York City’s East Village.

The story of each of the eight protagonists was largely inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème, which had tuberculosis as its plot’s focal theme. With Rent, Tuberculosis is replaced with HIV/AIDS in a bid to keep up with the times and to tackle one of the critical issues faced by the target market-slash-generation of the musical, the nineties generation.

I had the privilege of watching the film adaptation back in 2006.

The musical’s lyrical magnificence, masterfully crafted numbers, and overall story engrossed me so much so that I have seen the movie countless times since.

As I matured, though, the film’s message gradually became more of a serious topic for me than just an engaging form of entertainment.

Creating awareness for HIV/AIDS Last December 1, people all over the globe celebrated an important campaign initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1988: World AIDS Day. Since its discovery in 1959, HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic that made it one of the most important global public health issues in the history of human race. The campaign aims to not only serve as a day of mourning for those whose lives have been destroyed mercilessly by the disease but also, more importantly, to raise awareness.

Its worldwide celebration is ob-

B3

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

New solar factory hiring 1,000

By Alena Mae S. Flores

L

OCAL company Solar Philippines is set to start operations of a solar panel factory by the end of the month, employ 1,000 people and initially produce 600 megawatts of solar panels at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Solar Philippines will become the first local company to manufacture solar panels in the country. The company, led by young entrepreneur Leandro Leviste, said in a statement over the weekend it planned to scale up the production capacity to 2,000 MW. “Within the year, Solar Philippines plans to start exporting solar panels and developing projects internationally, and begin an expansion to 2 gigawatts of manufacturing capacity, to gain economies of scale and make the Philippines the leader for solar energy in Southeast Asia,” it said.

Solar Philippines said the factory would create 1,000 jobs and use state-of-the-art German equipment and high-efficiency

Taiwanese cells.

“The company will soon announce a partnership with one of the world’s leading solar manufacturers to produce panels using proprietary technology at the lowest costs,” it said.

Solar Philippines said the completion of the initial 600-MW solar factory would support the company’s projects this year, including 50 MW in Batangas and Cavite, which would supply Manila Electric Co. under a recently signed supply agreement and 150 MW in Tarlac, the country’s first battery-equipped solar farm to supply power at rates lower than fossil fuel.

“Vertical integration is the key to mak-

ing solar cost-competitive, as in other countries, where solar is already cheaper than coal and especially natural gas. Once we establish this, and demonstrate that solar with batteries can provide reliable 24/7 power, we estimate that the Philippines will be able to save P50 to P100 billion per year,” Leviste, the 23-year-old founder and president of Solar Philippines, said.

Leviste said the solar facility would be an entirely new factory but managed by former senior operations team of SunPower Philippines, which closed its facility in the country.

“We encourage other power companies to join this transition into a solar-powered future, which represents a historic opportunity for the Philippine power industry to remake our generation infrastructure and accelerate the advent of sustainable energy worldwide,” Leviste said.

Solar Philippines announced in June last year that it would build one of the world’s largest solar factories in Batangas.

“Increasingly, solar manufacturing is

moving from China to Southeast Asia, and we believe that the Philippines can lead that trend. Filipinos are among the best workers in the world, and the large local solar market can add to the demand for otherwise exportonly factories,” Leviste said earlier.

Leviste said the facility was constructed with the aim of lowering panel costs, taking control of the supply chain, and supporting the new administration’s agenda to bring manufacturing to the Philippines.

“This is the key step towards lowering solar costs, enabling us to produce electricity cheaper than coal. Instead of importing expensive fuel from other countries, we will manufacture here in the Philippines. Soon enough, our country can become the Saudi Arabia of solar, a leading energy exporter, and Made in the Philippines panels will be used around the world,” Leviste said.

Solar Philippines is one of the nation’s leading solar providers. It has completed the Calatagan Solar Farm and projects with SM and Robinsons Malls.

RCBC FESTIVITIES. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. holds a grand two-day celebration to herald the Year of the Fire Rooster. The first day saw multiple festivities in RCBC

Plaza, from Dragon Lion Dancers parading in plaza offices as well as the lobby and courtyard to LED and Ribbon Poi dancers entertaining Plaza guests from morning to afternoon. Joining the festivities in Binondo, Manila are (from left) Joee Guilas, RCBC first vice president and head of PR and media relations; Suzanne Cruz, RCBC Savings Bank corporate communications head; and Liza Vengco, RCBC vice president for corporate affairs.

How Do You Measure LIFE? served often through efforts and initiatives dedicated to spread and educate people on its prevention and control, to disseminate relevant information, and eradicate the stigma associated with the disease.

In the Philippines, the occurrence of the sexually-transmitted disease is relatively low although its prevalence is slowly picking up pace as it increases year on year. Although cases involve a vast range of age groups and sexual orientation, still, the average person, if not equipped with the right information, would mostly associate the disease with homosexuals. This is basically one of the information most health organizations want to spread: that HIV/AIDS is a heterosexual disease and that anyone, regardless of sexual preference and age, could be at risk. The Department of Health is also committed to fighting off the stigma attached to the disease.

Stopping the stigma While it is true that the world is still waiting for a major medical breakthrough that will help cure and eradicate AIDS, it can also be pointed out that HIV, if treated correctly, can be prevented from progressing to AIDS. The stigma it poses mainly stems from misinformation and people, especially here in the Philippines, need to understand that there is a way to treat the virus. Anti-Retroviral Therapies (ARV) are given by the government for free in social hygiene clinics spread across the country and if an HIV-infected person will submit himself to correct ARV treatment, he could actually live a healthy person’s average lifetime.

To paint a better picture,

ARV treatment closely mirrors that of the usual maintenance drugs people with Diabetes take. Yes, it is a lifetime treatment but it’s better than just allowing the virus to worsen and progress not only to AIDS but also to a number of opportunistic diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis. If people are only correctly informed, the stoppage of the stigma will help increase the initiative in each individual to take the test and take corrective measures based upon the results.

Supporting HIV/AIDS advocacy A number of organizations like Love Yourself Inc. have emerged to help people, especially the youth, to embrace themselves and nurture their self-worth as well as inspire a community that will create ripples of positive change within our society. And it’s actually refreshing to see how big businesses like Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. through its Pilipinas Shell Foundation also involves itself in an active participation to support the advocacy.

I am writing this journal entry because I feel like HIV/ AIDS is one of the few causes left unnoticed by most companies’ CSR initiatives. I might be wrong but I think this could all be due to: 1) industries, apart from those in the medical field, do not see it as a cause related to their business undertakings; or 2) companies shy away from the stigma that the disease carries with it. For whatever reason the advocacy is mostly not in most CSRs, I would be happy to see a community that is more broad in their ways of thinking which will encourage more businesses to become proactive enough to

support causes such as this.

I’d like to end this entry with a quote from one of Jonathan Larson’s lyrics from Rent: Five-hundred twenty five thousand six-hundred minutes Five-hundred twenty five thousand six-hundred moments so dear Five-hundred twenty five thousand six-hundred minutes, how do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets? In midnights, in cups of coffee?

In inches, in miles? In laughter, in strife?

In five-hundred twenty five thousand six-hundred minutes, how do you measure a year in the life?

How about LOVE? HOW ABOUT LOVE? Larson’s words calls us to quantify life and one’s selfworth with nothing else but LOVE. As temporary dwellers of this earth, we only have ourselves to depend upon and it is by being dynamic in caring for each other to help build a wellsustained community that we can trump the many hurdles life could bring along the way.

LOVE WINS!

PH mobile data speeds improving, says report

By Darwin G. Amojelar MOBILE data speeds in the Philippines have improved, boosted by major investments of telecommunications operators in the past year, according to the Asia Network Quality Report of J.P. Morgan Securities for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Average LTE download speeds in the country rose to 8.24 Mbps in the last quarter of 2016 from 7.27 Mbps national LTE average posted in the previous quarter.

This is ahead of fellow archipelagic country Indonesia’s LTE average speed of 6.66 Mbps for the same period.

The same report, which cited crowd-sourced data gathered by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal, also found that among Philippine carriers, Smart posted the highest overall LTE download speeds at 9.17 Mbps. Smart has also taken the

lead in NCR for 3G, with download speeds of 2.85 Mbps, the report shows.

LTE download speeds across areas ranged from 7.39 Mbps in the Visayas to 9.99 Mbps in Metro Manila.

The improvements have been driven by the stepped up investments of operators to upgrade their data networks.

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. is now undertaking a nationwide, three-year network expansion and overhaul program to improve both coverage and quality of service, especially its LTE service.

A major leg of the network expansion is currently underway in Metro Manila and in Metro Cebu, and is expected to significantly boost Smart’s voice, SMS, and mobile data services, specially its indoor LTE coverage, in these urban centers.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal he kept in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics.

Visit his blog at https://ripplesandechoes.wordpress.com/.

The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

NEW NTA BOSS.Newly-appointed administrator of the National Tobacco Administration, Robert Seares (right), formally takes over the rein of the government’s regulatory agency that oversees the tobacco industry onFebruary 9, 2016 in a simple turnover ceremony held at the NTA Central Office in Quezon City. Seares, a former mayor of Bangued, Abra, receives the agency banner from outgoing administrator Edgardo Zaragoza.

Business

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

B4

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Airlines shifting slowly to biofuels

Ford set to invest $1b in AI startup NEW YORK―Ford will invest $1 billion over five years in an artificial intelligence startup with the aim of developing an autonomous vehicle by 2021, the auto giant said Friday.

Ford will take a majority stake in Argo AI, an artificial intelligence company based in Pittsburgh, started in late 2016 by former Google and Uber employees who had worked on autonomous driving.

The venture will employ leading engineers and “roboticists” to develop a “virtual driver” system, described by Ford officials as the “brain” of an autonomous vehicle.

The setup is intended to give Ford a head start on competitors in the race to commercialize autonomous vehicles, said Ford executive vice president Raj Nair.

“This is really unique in the industry,” Nair said on a conference call with analysts.

It will have the “speed and nimbleness of a startup, but also integrated into a full production development team.”

Nair said research towards full autonomy has moved “beyond the research phase,” but there remains the need for a “tremendous leap” between the driver-assist technologies now available and full autonomy.

Argo AI employees will have a minority equity stake in the venture. The structure is intended to lure top engineers to the venture, Ford executives said.

Ford said the investment would help it to realize a previously announced plan to introduce an autonomous vehicle for ride-hailing or ride-sharing service in 2021.

Argo AI plans to hire more than 200 people at sites in Pittsburgh, Michigan and Silicon Valley, according to a press release.

Argo AI and other boosters of autonomous driving argue it could make roads safer and open up mobility to the elderly and others.

“We are at an inflection point in using artificial intelligence in a wide range of applications, and the successful deployment of self-driving cars will fundamentally change how people and goods move,” Argo AI chief Bryan Salesky said. AFP

TEA RAGE. Indian tea garden workers protest at Simulbarie Tea Garden, on the outskirts of Siliguri, on February 11, 2017. The

management of the tea estate has announced suspension of work, alleging that a section of workers along with “land mafias” is preventing it from planting tea saplings on unused land. AFP

Greece hits back at IMF, Germany over debt woes

A

THENS—Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Saturday warned the International Monetary Fund and EU economic powerhouse Germany to stop playing with fire over his country’s debt problems.

Opening a meeting of his far-left Syriza party, Tsipras said he was confident a solution over repayments would be found, despite talks between Greece and its creditors ending in Brussels with no breakthrough on Friday.

Months of feuding with the IMF has rattled markets and raised fears of a new debt crisis, with Athens resisting pressure to cut public services any more than has already been agreed with creditors.

The Greek premier urged a change of course from the IMF. “We expect as soon as possible that the IMF revise its forecast.. so that discussions can continue at the technical level,” he said.

And referring to Germany’s Wolfgang Schaeuble, Tsipras called for Chancellor Angela Merkel to “encourage her finance minister to end his permanent aggressiveness” towards Greece and “stop playing with fire.”

“The IMF is playing a game of poker by dragging things aside because it does not want to blame the intransigence of the German minister,” Tsipras said, criticizing the “new absurd demands” targeted at Greece.

The next meeting of eurozone ministers on February 20—is seen as an unofficial deadline ahead of important elections in Europe.

The row with its eurozone

paymasters over debt relief and budget targets has also revived talk of Greece’s place in the euro.

On Friday, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said progress had been made in the Brussels talks with Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and other EU and IMF officials. But he provided few details.

Athens faces debt repayments of 7.0 billion euros ($7.44 billion) this summer that it cannot afford without defusing the feud that is holding up new loans from Greece’s 86-billion euro bailout.

An IMF report obtained by AFP on Monday said Greece’s debt “is highly unsustainable” and “will become explosive in the long run.”

There has long been a split between the IMF and Europe over a demand by the eurozone that Greece deliver a primary balance, or budget surplus before debt repayments, of 3.5 percent of GDP. The IMF has said only

1.5 percent is feasible.

The options Athens is said to be considering, including substantial debt relief or even a withdrawal from the bailout, have been ruled out by Schaeuble in the run up to Germany’s elections later this year.

And IMF proposals that Greece increase taxes and invoke pension cuts go against Tsipras’s refusal to enact “one more euro” of savings.

Breaking the stalemate in the coming weeks is seen as paramount with elections in the Netherlands on March 15 and France in April through June threatening to make a resolution even more difficult.

But Dijsselbloem indicated Friday that the February 20 meeting would still be too early for a breakthrough.

“We will take stock of the further progress (during that meeting),” said Dijsselbloem, who is also the Dutch finance minister. AFP

MONTREAL, Canada—The air transportation sector is turning slowly toward sustainable fuels as part of the global fight against climate change.

But adoption has been delayed due to a lack of incentives and low oil prices.

“It’s very urgent to develop these alternative fuels,” said Michel Wachenheim of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations(ICCAIA).

“There is no reason to be satisfied with the situation.”

Despite an expected increase in airline traffic, the aviation industry is the first commercial sector to commit itself to limiting carbon emissions within 20 years, through a binding mechanism.

But to achieve that goal, the industry must look at a variety of options.

Even partially replacing jet fuel with sustainable biofuels can make an impact. That is one of the four options favored by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which convened a panel of experts on Wednesday and Thursday in Montreal to address the dilemma.

Lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, optimized flight plans, or turning off jet engines while on the tarmac also would help to cut emissions.

But meeting the 20-year commitment will require widespread adoption of alternative fuels that produce less carbon emissions over their life cycle than jet fuel produced from petroleum.

The ultimate goal is to make a fuel-equivalent to jet fuel, but those processes still are under development or at an early stage of industrial production.

Hydro-treated oils, a process of converting gases into hydrocarbons, or fermentation processes such as the one being done by biotech Amyris with French oil firm Total, produce sustainable biofuels, according to the experts gathered at the ICAO. These fuels are made from biomass such as starches, sugars, oils and lignocellulose—in other words, plants. The use of seaweed is still in the research stage.

Nate Brown, in charge of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s alternative jet fuel initiative, said more work needs to be done before reaching large-scale production.

In addition to coming up with alternative fuels with “equivalent safety-performance,” the costs must be comparable to that of conventional fuel, he said. AFP

Europe feels pinch as vegetable fields in southeast Spain suffer

By Emmanuelle Michel MADRID―Vegetable lovers across Europe have been making hard choices this winter after storms battered fields in southeast Spain, the continent’s main fruit and vegetable patch.

Courgette prices are soaring, but shoppers are also thinking twice before shelling out for pricier tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.

Some British supermarkets have even resorted to rationing sales of broccoli and lettuce in light of plummeting harvests.

The vast fields along Spain’s Mediterranean coast usually stay warm enough to produce year-round, even in winter.

But torrential rains hit the region late December, followed by shock snowfalls in January―areas near Murcia, in the heart of the farming zones, had not seen a snowflake in 34 years.

For most of the year, Spain supplies around 30 percent of the main fresh fruits and vegetables on European shelves. In winter, this proportion rises to half―and to a whopping 80 percent when it comes to lettuce.

After the bad weather hit, a Spanish federation of agricultural exporters reported a 30-percent drop in European shipments. The COAG farmers’ union says output has halved in the worst-hit regions.

Some farmers “have lost their entire crop,” said Andres Gongora, COAG’S Almeria director.

The province of Murcia, which exports two-thirds of Spanish lettuce, a trade worth 423 million euros ($450 million), has been particularly hit.

Young lettuces, growing in open fields after sprouting from seeds in greenhouses, were destroyed. After the foul weather receded, a thick coat of thawed mud held up replanting in many places.

“We won’t be able to plant here this year,” said Javier Soto, manager of spinach and melon growers Agrar Systems near the town of Murcian town of Torre Pacheo, pointing to a field gouged out by a muddy torrent.

Adding to the veggie crunch has been heavy snowfall in northern Italy, another major supplier to Europe.

Thousands of growers there have lost their crops, with expected losses of to around 400 million euros, according to Italy’s main farmers’ union.

Luxury lettuce The double whammy is now being felt in European stores.

Lettuce prices have doubled in Germany, and even tripled in Finland. In France, courgettes fetched four to five times their normal price in mid-January.

Spanish supplies of iceberg, romaine and other types of lettuce had already been hit by a dry autumn, and artichoke harvests had fallen by a fourth.

Many shoppers have vented their anger on social media, using hashtags like #lettucecrisis and #courgettecrisis.

Laureano Montesinos, a marketing director at Fruveg, a producer near Murcia, said British supermarket chains had not immediately grasped how dire the situation was.

In Germany and northern Europe, produce stalls are not as packed as usual, but stores have managed to avoid drastic measures.

“We’ve had some supply problems with iceberg lettuce these past weeks.

But until now, we’ve been able to offer enough for our clients”, said Kirsten Gess, communications director for the Aldi-Sud discount chain.

Spain’s agriculture minister expects production to recover in a few weeks, with producers aiming to be back on track by early March.

But for lettuce grown in open fields, the wait could extend into April.

For Alan Clarke, a strategist at Scotiabank in London, the price increases could spill over into processed food products, such as veggie burgers and other ready-to-eat meals.

“More generally, restaurant prices face upside risks, especially because spring/summer menus are due for imminent update,” he added.

So even though higher produce prices may prove short-lived once Spain’s harvests recover, diners may be paying the bill for months. AFP

Javier Soto, managing director of Agrar Systems, a German capital company specialized in the production of lettuce of different types, poses on a lettuce field devastated by storms in Torre Pacheco on February 8, 2017. Lettuce covered with mud, rotten leaves, harvest turned upside down by inclement weather: farmers in southeastern Spain, who usually provide Europe with salads during winter, look glum and do not foresee any quick improvement. AFP

LGUs

TOURIST ATTRACTION. From shipwreck to memorial park: Tourists stand on the bow of the m/v Eva Jocelyn, a commercial ship that was washed inland during the fury of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and now stands as a memorial park.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez unveiled the memorial on Nov. 7, 2015. Mel Caspe

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Probe of TPL scam urged A

BIPARTISAN group of Manila city councilors urged Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna to conduct separate investigations into a reported multimillion-peso third party liability or TPL insurance scam being perpetrated by “unscrupulous individuals” led by a certain “Ali Lee.” Majority Councilors Rod Lacsamana, Jesus Fajardo and Ian Joey Uy and the minority’s Bernie Ang, Terence Alibarbar and Re Fugoso said their constituents told them of the sup-

posedly illegal activities of Lee and his cohorts every taxpaying season in Manila, or from January to February, since 2014.

Lee’s group, the councilors say, earns up to P50 million

from their operation every year, “operating from a spacious ground covered by tents inside the inner garden of the Manila City Hall complex.”

Manila Standard could not contact Lee for comment, as he was unavailable and has no official office at city hall.

Estrada and Lacuna, as presiding officer of the City Council, should determine in discrete probes “who Lee really is and how he has been able to conduct his insurance business right inside the city hall premises these past four

years,” the lawmakers said.

The inquiries “will eventually redound to the good and benefit of the Manila government and local taxpayers,” they added.

“Who are Lee’s contacts, ‘padrinos,’ benefactors in or outside city hall, if any, in running his insurance scheme?” the councilors asked. “Is monetary consideration a factor?”

They also wondered if Lee is accredited by the Insurance Commission, especially with his alleged list of designated IC-licensed insurance companies Lee has authorized to issue

insurance policies to “reluctant and disgruntled taypayers.”

The councilors said taxpayers had to deal with Lee’s favored insurance firms or else their applications for business permits in Manila would be disapproved.

“The norm is that any IC-licensed or approved insurance and surety company—not only those named in Lee’s list—can transact such business anywhere else in the country,” they said, while asking if Lee’s group is being taxed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Tony Macapagal

Cops in Dayan’s arrest get medals

By Dexter A. See SAN FERNANDO, La Union—Philippine National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Medal of Heroism) to the regional police director here for his “vital role” in the arrest of Ronnie Dayan, the alleged lover of Senator Leila De Lima, last Nov. 22, in San Juan, La Union.

Dela Rosa commended Chief Supt. Gregorio Pimentel, PRO1 director, for being the overall in charge of the month-long intelligence gathering and manhunt operation that led to the arrest of Dayan, also De Lima’s former driver.

Senior Supt. Leo Francisco, La Union police director, also received the same medal during the PNP’s 26th foundation anniversary celebration at Camp Florendo here for his role in supervising the operation.

The region’s police operatives were already cited earlier for their job in arresting Dayan, who hid for several months in Barangay Lacung, San Gabriel, La Union.

Dayan went into hiding after he was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives for snubbing the invitation of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

Also cited during the PNP anniversary were policemen involved in anti-drug operations, disaster management, neutralization of robbery suspects, and those who served as security during the recent Miss Universe event in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

LAST RESPECTS. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan (second from right) and Vice Mayor Luis Macario Asistio pay their respects to Macario Asistio Jr. on the last day of the former mayor’s wake at city hall. Asistio Jr., the incumbent vice mayor’s uncle, died last week. Jun David

QC adds to death benefit of senior citizens QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed into law an ordinance granting a P5,000 death benefit assistance to the bereaved families of a registered senior citizen.

The assistance shall be given by the city government on top of the P2,000 death benefit assis-

tance provided for under Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2000.

To cover payments for the grant, the city government will use a portion of the one-percent budget allocation it has set aside for programs and projects that will benefit the elders.

Under Ordinance No. 2544, only the legitimate surviving relative of the deceased shall be entitled to receive the cash assistance.

In case the deceased has no spouse and is not married, the assistance shall be limited to relatives in the following degree of kinship—children, parents,

brothers or sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts.

To facilitate the grant, the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs requires claimants to present the identification card that OSCA issued prior to the death of their relative, and a photocopy of the death certificate. Rio N. Araja

C1

Tourism program for NCR planned

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo led the two-day Metro Manila Tourism Forum to tackle issues on the development of the nation’s capital region as the country’s top tourist destination.

Bautista shared Teo’s insights while underscoring the need for Metro Manila cities to capitalize on their similarities and differences through market-sharing with local and foreign tourists enjoying different experiences as they moved through each city.

“For those of us in Metro Manila, the distinction among cities may not be as distinct; there are many similarities we share. But there are enough differences that we can capitalize on to set as apart,” he said.

Teo said there is a need for the metro’s cities to continue building up their advantages and capitalize these gains to promote the development of the country’s tourism industry.

Both reiterated the need for the cities to reinvent themselves to create distinctions that can attract and capture markets, especially with the period of Association of Southeast Asian Nations integration.

“With demand escalating and competition becoming more intense, there is a greater pressure for places to reinvent themselves,” Bautista said.

He said education and medical tourism shall be pursued by his administration, considering Quezon City has a large network of schools and universities as well as hospitals and health and wellness facilities.

Davao shuts car distributor over tax liabilities

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The city government has closed one of the biggest car distributors in Davao because of unsettled business tax liabilities.

Kar Asia Inc., the distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles here, has pending tax

obligations with the city from 2011 to 2013, Assistant City Administrator Lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo said.

Domingo did not disclose Kar Asia’s total pending obligation for the three-year period.

He said that in those years, the local government and the management of Kar Asia had different computations of the

firm’s tax payments, with the car distributor contesting the city’s reckoning.

“Initially they tried to contest, they tried to refuse to pay these tax obligations to the city,” he said. “According to them, the amount we have required them to pay is not the actual amount, so they are contesting it.”

Domingo said the city already in-

formed Kar Asia that based on the city’s revenue code, they should be paying under protest, but have refused to do so.

Under the revenue code, if the company pays under protest, they should pay the amount the city requires them to pay.

However, the city cannot touch the funds until the issue is settled.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

Private groups meet CV RH needs B

By Abe Almirol

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court banning the use of modern contraceptive implants by the Department of Health has pushed family planning advocates and the private sector to fulfil the unmet needs of women in Cagayan Valley.

Women here seeking modern means to avoid pregnancy were happy to learn that a program using private clinics to provide their needs has been funded by the United Nations Fund for Population Administration.

“Region 2 has placed in the top three among the regions who were able to fulfil unmet needs because of the perseverance of reproductive health advocates involved in a private-public partnership here,” Population

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO - Presiding Officer SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA MARIE ALETHEA SJ. CASAL-UY FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR. DIVINA A. JACOME LUIS S. JAVIER JR. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY MA. ARLENE M. ORTEGA MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

LnB President

ARMANDO P. PADILLA

Commission Regional Director Angelito Obcena said.

A Department of Health memorandum order dated July 30, 2015 obtained by Manila Standard clarified that only the pregnancy prevention implants already procured by the DoH were covered by the ban.

“Civil society organizations, development partners and private health care providers can perform implant insertion, provided they are acting on their own behalf and the Implanon and Implanon NXT did not come from DoH,” the frequently asked questions attached to the memo reads.

“We were very frustrated by the lack of information among some municipal health officers and Rural Health Units,” lamented Benjamin Lucas Jr., a local NGO partner of two reproductive health advocates, the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood and the

RESERVE YOURAD SPACENOW! email us at advertise@ thestandard. com.ph or call us at 832-5547

Standard OBITUARY TODAY “When someone you love becomes a MEMORY, the memory becomes a TREASURE”...

Manila

ABSENT: Councilor GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES “ ROMEO C. MEDINA-Sick Leave “ NELSON S. PASIA “ ENRICO J. PUNO “ NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.-Official Business ===================================================================== On motion presented by Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Ordinance No. 2017-023 on third and final reading.

CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2017-023 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut Jr., Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. F.T. Eusebio, Hon. E.D.E. Villamor and Hon. A.P. Padilla

In Loving Memory of Gervacio Jose Brondial March 20, 1958 - August 7,2016

Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr., Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. L.M. Magpantay and Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino AN ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING THE COLLECTION OF LOCAL FEES IMPOSED UNDER ARTICLE B, SECTION 5B.01 (C) OF CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2004A-025, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAKATI REVENUE CODE, FOR THE ISSUANCE/ PROCESSING OF CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES OF BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATE OF NO RECORD BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRATION OFFICE (CCRO) DURING THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE CIVIL REGISTRATION MONTH AS DETERMINED BY THE CITY MAYOR, SUBJECT TO ALL LAWS AND AUDITING RULES AND PROCEDURES. WHEREAS, Article B, Section 5B.01 (c), of City Ordinance No. 2014-025, otherwise known as the Makati Revenue Code, provides that: “SEC. B.01. Imposition of fees. The following fee shall be collected for the services rendered by the Civil Registrar of the City of Makati. xxxxx (c) For issuance of Certified True Copies of existing Civil Registry Record 1. Certificate of Live Birth, Foundling, Death and Fetal Death 2. Certificate of Marriage 3. Certification of No Record on File

Philippine Council for Population Development.

Lucas is the chief executive officer of Building Inter-Tribal Ecodevelopment, a local NGO implementing a project funded by a grant from the UNFPA. He reported that some local health officials, who were not properly informed on the scope of the TRO, were driving away private sector volunteers doing campaigns to meet women’s reproductive needs in the villages.

“But we also praise the bold move of some local chief executives like Mayor Liwayway Caramat of Santa Fe and Mayor Chito Bumolo of Kasibu towns of Nueva Vizcaya who provided women acceptors with free rides to private clinics who are not covered by the ban,” Lucas explained.

It may be recalled that a group identified as the Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines

- P 100.00 - 100.00 - 100.00

x x x x x”.

PUBLIC NOTICE Transfer of new office location of GOODMAN INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER,INC. Effective on March 10, 2017 --------------------------------------------------

New Address: Unit A2 & F Ground Flr. Echelon Tower Condominium Bldg. 2100 A. Mabini St. Malate, Manila

WHEREAS, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Memorandum No. 2016-138 dated 29 December 2016 provides that in preparation of the celebration of Civil Registration Month this February 2017, with the theme “Pilipinong Rehistrado, Matatag na Kinabukasan ay Sigurado”, all PSA field officers are enjoined to organize activities for the month long celebration such as but not limited to the following: display of streamers, mobile registration, trainings (IEC), quiz on civil registration, slogan contest or poster making contest;

(MS-FEB. 13, 2017)

WHEREAS, in line with this, the City Government of Makati, through the CCRO, will be waiving fees in issuance/processing of Certified True Copies of Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate and Certificate of No Record during the annual celebration of the Civil Registration Month as determined by the City;

WHEREAS, Section 10 (e) of Republic 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, states that: “the Sanggunian Panlungsod shall approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and facilities”; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, considering the necessity of espousing the abovementioned endeavor, hereby enacts this Ordinance which shall temporarily suspend collection of local fees imposed under Article B, Section 5B.01 (C) of City Ordinance No. 2004-A025, otherwise known as the Makati Revenue Code, for the issuance/processing of certified true copies of Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificate and Certificate of No Record by the Office of the City Civil Registration Office (CCRO) during the annual celebration of the Civil Registration Month as determined by the City Mayor.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED, AS IT IS HEREBY ENACTED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, that: Section 1. To temporarily suspend collection of local fees imposed under Article B, Section 5B.01 (C) of City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025, otherwise known as the Makati Revenue Code, for the issuance/processing of Certified True Copies of Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificate and Certificate of No Record by the Office of the City Civil Registration Office (CCRO) during the annual celebration of the Civil Registration Month as determined by the City Mayor.

Section 2. The waiver of the above said fees shall be availed during the annual celebration of the Civil Registration Month as determined by the City Mayor and will be effective not only this current year but as well as to the succeeding years.

Section 3. The program can be availed by the following: (a) All Makati residents and clients born and married in the City of Makati. (b) All Makati residents and clients with relatives who died in the City of Makati.

Under Section 35, of RA 9184, the BAC shall declare failure of bidding when no bids are received. The BAC members resolved to declare Failure of Bidding and recommended to Re-bid the above-mentioned procurement subject to the approval of the Provincial Governor.

In view of the failure of the first bidding, the Provincial Government of Bataan advertised again the Invitation to Bid for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, Provincial Government of Bataanin the Provincial Government of Bataan Website, in the Philgeps and in a conspicuous place at the premises within the Provincial Government of Bataan continuously for seven (7) days; 16

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

Purchase of 12 Units Motor Vehicles for the use of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, Provincial Government of Bataan

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) =P=21,000,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is requiredon or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Section 5. The requested certified true copies of the abovementioned certificates shall be released after three (3) working days.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

ENACTED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Special Session held on 10 February 2017.

HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

HON. NELSON S. P PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

ON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT HON.

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

OFFICIAL BUSINESS HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 042012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Certified true and correct by: ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataanwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 17, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

Bids must be delivered on or before March 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President

Schedule February 10 - 16, 2017 Refer to date of Opening of Bids February 10 – March 2, 2017 February 17, 2017 March 2, 2017

The Provincial Government of Bataanreserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

Attested by:

Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer Approved by: MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY City Mayor

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Fifty Five Million One Hundred Thirty Four Thousand Seven Hundred Philippine Pesos (PhP155,134,700.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: IB No.

Name of Contract

ABC (PHP)

IB No. 2017136

Procurement of Safety Collector Boxes

30,000,000.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2017- Procurement of Syphilis Antibody Rapid 139 Test Kit

30,254,700.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2017140

Procurement of HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit

24,900,000.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2017141

Procurement of HIV Antibody 1 and 2 Confirmatory Test

36,000,000.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2017142

Hepatitis-B Surface Antigen

19,250,000.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2017143

Procurement of Lubricant

14,730,000.00

25,000.00

(MS-FEB. 13, 2017)

At least Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects.

Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 13 February 2017 to 07 March 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids

Name of Contract

IB No. 2017-136 IB No. 2017-139 IB No. 2017-140 IB No. 2017-141 IB No. 2017-142 IB No. 2017-143

Procurement of Safety Collector Boxes Procurement of Syphilis Antibody Rapid Test Kit Procurement of HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit Procurement of HIV Antibody 1 and 2 Confirmatory Test Hepatitis-B Surface Antigen Procurement of Lubricant

21 February 2017; 10:00 AM

07 March 2017; 09:00 AM

Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank.

Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank.

Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security.

Bid Securing Declaration

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)

Two percent (2%)

Five percent (5%) No percentage required

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (SGD) NESTOR F. SANTIAGO, JR, MD, MPHC, MHSA, CESO III Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC - C Chairperson

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN (MS-FEB. 13, 2017)

Cost of Bidding Single Largest Documents (Php) Completed Contract

TOTAL 155,134,700.00

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Section 7. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID

In response to the first advertisement for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, Provincial Government of Bataan, one (1) eligible bidder purchased & submitted bidding documents but failed to comply bidding requirements which was opened last January 31, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.;

1.

Earlier, Francisco said the NGCP will also be building the 500 kV Castillejos-Hermosa transmission line and the 69 kV Floridablanca-Hermosa line.

She said the CastillejosHermosa transmission line will cater to new power generators in Zambales.

The Hermosa-Floridablanca line project aims to relieve the overloading of the existing Hermosa-Guagua line.

Vidal said they aim to work closely with the Bataan media to better inform local residents, particularly in times of power interruption.

Butch Gunio

PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS

Section 4. Makati residents/clients who shall secure documents under this program can be given one (1) free certified true copy of one (1) of the documents mentioned in Sec. 1. Those who will secure more than a single copy will have to pay the regular fees as prescribed by the Makati Revenue Code.

Section 6. Let copy of this Ordinance be furnished to the City Civil Registration Office, the Office of the City Administrator, ICRD, and other offices concerned for their information, guidance and reference.

BALANGA CITY, Bataan— In anticipation of new power generation facilities here, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines will undertake the Bataan transmission reinforcement project.

New power plants in the province are expected to operate in the next few years, said NGCP Regional Corporate Communication Officers Fely Francisco and Ernest Vidal in a briefing here last week.

The transmission company will commence the Bataan 230 kV Reinforcement Project to accommodate the new power streams from the province.

InvItatIon to BId no. Goods-016-2017

Name of Project

The new order aimed at “attaining and sustaining ‘zero unmet need for modern family planning’ through strict implementation of the responsible parenthood and reproductive health act.”

Duterte has also directed all agencies with population concerns to help attain this goal.

“Local health officials are not yet fully aware of the new EO. They were surprised when we showed them a copy,” Lucas said.

Lucas raised the ‘low level of understanding’ of the modern feature of the hormonal implant. “It merely prevents the production of ‘eggs’ in the female reproductive system. So theoretically, it is not ‘abortifacent’ as was commonly understood. There is no ‘abortion’ since fertilization has not occurred when no egg was fertilized by the male sperm,” he added.

More power works in Bataan for NGCP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati, headed by the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay and the City Civil Registration Office (CCRO), supports the celebration of the Civil Registration Month;

WHEREAS, such initiative aims to promote and create awareness on the importance of civil registration to every individual and heighten the opportunities of Makati constituents who are financially incapable to avail certified true copies of such documents;

Inc. and lawyer Maria Conception S. Noche filed a petition to stop the DoH from promoting the use of modern contraceptive implants before the Supreme Court on June 17, 2015.

Last July, the petitioners were granted a TRO enjoining the DoH to stop “procuring, selling, distributing, dispensing or administering, advertising and promoting the hormonal contraceptive Implanon and Implanon NXT” and the Food and Drug Administration to refrain from “granting any and all pending applications for registration and/or recertification of reproductive products and supplies including contraceptive drugs and devices.”

But early this year, the passage of Executive Order No. 12 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Jan. 9, 2017 has inspired RH and family planning advocates to intensify their campaign.

(MS-FEB. 13, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF Indian soldiers killed in gun battle SRINAGAR—Four suspected rebels and two Indian army soldiers were killed in a gun battle in a village in Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, an army spokesman said.

The militants were hiding in a south Kashmir village when the army and police surrounded it, a police official said.

In the ensuing fire fight four militants and two soldiers were killed.

“Four terrorists were killed and four weapons were recovered from the encounter site,” army spokesman in Srinagar, Col Manish told AFP. “Two soldiers were also martyred and three injured during the encounter,” he added.

The operation was ongoing, Col Manish said.

A civilian, the young son of the owner of the house in which the militants were hiding, was also killed, Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid told AFP. Three militants managed to escape, a Superintendent of Police, who declined to be identified, told AFP. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since they won independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. AFP

IS fighter stripped of citizenship SYDNEY―An Islamic State fighter has become the first Australian to be stripped of his citizenship under anti-terrorism laws, authorities and reports said.

Khaled Sharrouf -- who made headlines in 2014 when he posted an image on Twitter of his young son holding a severed head -- had his citizenship revoked earlier this year, The Australian newspaper reported Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to AFP Sunday a person was stripped of their citizenship but would not provide or confirm further details.

Sharrouf is also a Lebanese citizen, The Australian reported.

Sharrouf, reportedly aged 35, left Australia for Syria in 2013 with his family.

His wife Tara Nettleton reportedly died last year and Sharrouf was believed to have been killed in a drone strike in Iraq in 2015.

But later media reports cast doubt on whether he was dead.

The fate of their five children is unknown, the newspaper added.

The government has been increasingly worried about foreign fighters returning home.

Numerous national security laws, including legislation to strip dual nationals linked to terrorism of their citizenship, have been passed since Canberra raised the national threat alert to high in September 2014. AFP

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Protests set against Trump M

EXICO CITY―Mexicans are planning their largest protests yet Sunday against US President Donald Trump, hitting back at his anti-Mexican rhetoric and vows to make the country pay for his “big, beautiful” border wall.

Heir to Saudi throne honored RIYADH―The heir to Saudi Arabia’s throne has been awarded a medal by the new director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, who honored his counter-terrorism work.

Mike Pompeo, making his first overseas tour since being confirmed as spy agency chief in late January, made the presentation to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef at a weekend ceremony, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Prince Mohammed, 57, has been interior minister since 2012 and has years of experience in intelligence work.

Widely respected in the West for his efforts to combat violent extremism, he oversaw a crackdown on Al-Qaeda which killed security officers and foreigners in the kingdom between 2003 and 2007.

In 2009 Prince Mohammed survived with only light injuries an assassination attempt by AlQaeda.

Pompeo awarded him the George Tenet Medal in recognition of his “excellent intelligence performance, in the domain of counter-terrorism and his unbound contribution to realize world security and peace.”

George Tenet was the CIA’s longest-serving director, from 1996 to 2004.

Pompeo and Prince Mohammed also held talks on security issues, SPA said. AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

FASHION WEEK. A model walks the runway during Charles and Ron at New York Fashion Week Art Hearts Fashion NYFW FW/17 at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on February 11, 2017 in New York City. AFP

Marches are planned in some 20 cities across the country, including the capital, Mexico City, with throngs of people expected to turn out dressed in white and waving the red, white and green of the Mexican flag.

Dozens of universities, business associations and civic organizations are backing the protests, which start at 12:00 pm (1800 GMT).

“It’s time we citizens combine forces and unite our voices to show our indignation and rejection of President Trump, while contributing to the search for concrete solutions,” said the coalition behind the marches.

US-Mexican relations have plunged to their lowest point in decades since Trump took office on January 20.

Trump, who launched his presidential campaign calling Mexican immigrants “criminals” and “rapists,” has infuriated the United States’s southern neighbor with his plan to stop illegal immigration by building a wall on the border -- and in particular with his vows to make Mexico pay for it.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto canceled a January 31 trip to Washington over Trump’s insistence that Mexico pay for the wall.

Trump has also wrought havoc on the Mexican economy with his threats to terminate the country’s privileged trade relationship with the United States, blaming Mexico for the loss of American jobs.

The Mexican peso has taken a beating nearly every time

Trump insisted on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), attacked car-makers and other companies that manufacture in Mexico, or vowed to slap steep tariffs on Mexican-made goods.

Mexico sends 80 percent of its exports to the United States -- nearly $300 billion in goods in 2015.

The confrontation has stoked patriotic pride in Mexico, where US companies like Starbucks, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s are the targets of boycott campaigns and many people have taken to putting the Mexican flag in their profile pictures on social media.

That new nationalism appears to be giving a boost to Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, whom some political analysts call a “leftist Donald Trump” for his populist, anti-establishment rhetoric.

Lopez Obrador -- widely known by his initials, AMLO -was the runner-up in the past two presidential elections.

He is leading in opinion polls for presidential elections in 2018 -- and appears to be benefiting from Trump’s anti-Mexican vitriol, which has badly dented the popularity of Pena Nieto and the ruling PRI party, seen by many as too conciliatory toward a bullying neighbor.

Ironically, a Lopez Obrador victory next year could work to Trump’s disadvantage, giving him a far more hard-line counterpart to work with. AFP

Turmoil grows over White House correspondents’ dinner WASHINGTON―It is supposed to be a light-hearted gathering of journalists, celebrities and the president, where differences are put aside for good-natured jibes.

But amid a bitter war of words between the Trump administration and the Fourth Estate, plans for the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April have been thrown into turmoil.

After President Donald Trump’s repeated barbs against the “dishonest media” and “fake news,” some journalists and media outlets are thinking twice about their par-

ticipation in the April 29 dinner, a tradition that dates back to 1921.

“How can media clink glasses with a White House that makes clear its contempt for press freedom and its admiration for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin methods?” tweeted David Frum, a senior editor at The Atlantic.

The association, which organizes the annual event that raises money for journalism scholarships, said the dinner will be held as planned.

The White House has indicated it is on Trump’s calendar -- de-

spite some doubts about whether he will attend.

Opinion editor Robert Schlesinger of US News & World Report said that regardless of what Trump does, “the media should boycott the dinner.”

“News organizations should buy tickets as usual (it’s for a good cause) but make other plans that night and if he does attend, let the ratings- and crowd-obsessed narcissist freak address an empty ballroom,” Schlesinger wrote.

Ironically, some analysts say the 2011 dinner in which then presi-

dent Barack Obama skewered Trump became a pivotal moment in the billionaire’s decision to make a White House run.

In recent years, the dinner has become a star-studded event attracting A-list celebrities ranging from George Clooney to Helen Mirren to Lindsay Lohan, with politics mainly an afterthought.

This year, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair have canceled parties they traditionally host as part of the hoopla surrounding the dinner.

Also, many stars are avoiding the event this year and no “head-

liner” comedian has committed so far, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

- ‘Stick a fork in it’ Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan said the glitzy party and related events around it no longer seem appropriate.

“Once merely embarrassing and ridiculous, the annual White House correspondents’ dinner is poised to tip over into journalistic self-abasement,” she wrote. “It’s time to stick a silver-plated fork in it.” AFP

Germany seen electing ‘anti-Trump’ candidate BERLIN―Billed as Germany’s “anti-Trump”, the center-left former foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is Sunday set to be elected as the new ceremonial head of state.

The 61-year-old, who regularly polls as Germany’s most popular politician, will represent the EU’s top economy abroad and act as a kind of moral arbiter for the nation.

For the Social Democrats (SPD), his appointment raises the party’s profile just as its candidate Martin Schulz, the former European parliament president, readies to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in September elections.

Steinmeier is expected to receive a large majority of votes after Merkel’s conservatives, lacking a strong candidate of their own, agreed to back him to replace incumbent Joachim Gauck, 77, a former pastor from ex-communist East Germany.

The vote will be held in Berlin’s glass-domed Reichstag building by a 1,260-strong special Federal Assembly, made up of national lawmakers and deputies sent from the country’s 16 states.

With his snow white hair, round glasses and dimpled smile, Steinmeier is one of Germany’s best known politicians, having twice served as top diplomat under Merkel for a total of seven years.

Though the trained lawyer is usually measured in his speech, in the thick of last year’s US election campaign Steinmeier labelled Donald Trump a “hate

preacher”.

After the billionaire won the White House, Steinmeier predicted relations would get “more difficult” and said his staff were struggling to detect any “clear and coherent” foreign policy positions from Trump.

As Steinmeier has prepared for the new post, which he assumes on March 19, he has vowed to “be something of a counterweight to the trend of boundless simplification”, calling this approach “the best antidote to the populists”.

The Berliner Morgenpost daily judged that Steinmeier looks set to be “the anti-Trump president”.

Steinmeier is only known to have lost his cool once, in 2014, when he yelled at Berlin protesters who had accused him of being a “war monger” over his Ukraine policy. The outburst was so unusual it became a minor YouTube hit.

A policy wonk by nature, Steinmeier served as advisor and then chief of staff to Merkel’s predecessor, the SPD’s Gerhard Schroeder, coordinating the security services and helping shape biting labour and welfare reforms.

In 2009, Steinmeier ran against Merkel and lost badly, only to return years later to serve in her cabinet.

Political scientist Michael Broening of the SPD’s think-tank the Friedrich Ebert Foundation said that “as foreign minister, Steinmeier often acted as a voice of reason, bridging gaps and bringing people together”. AFP

INVITATIONAL. Kaique Pacheco rides Mystical during the 15/15 round of the PBR Kansas City Invitational at the Sprint Center on February 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

World

Trump slams N. Korea for launching a missile S EOUL―North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, drawing a strong response from US President Donald Trump who vowed “100 percent” support for key ally Japan at a press conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The missile, the first test since Trump became president, was launched around 7:55 am (2255 GMT Saturday) from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan, and flew east towards the Sea of Japan (East Sea), the South Korean defense ministry said.

It flew about 500 kilometers before falling into the sea, a ministry spokesman said, adding the exact type of missile had yet to be identified.

“Today’s missile launch... is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting its nuclear and missile capabilities”, the ministry said in a statement.

“It is also believed that it was

an armed provocation to test the response from the new US administration under President Trump,” it added.

Trump responded with an assurance to the visiting Abe that Washington was committed to the security of its key Asian ally.

“I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 percent,” Trump said, without elaborating.

Abe denounced the launch as “absolutely intolerable” while top government spokesman Yoshihide Suge told reporters in Tokyo it was “clearly a provocation to Japan and the region”.

North Korea is barred under UN resolutions from any use of ballistic missile technology but six sets of UN sanctions since Pyongyang’s first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons.

Last year the country conducted numerous tests and launches in its quest to develop a nuclear weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

A South Korean army official quoted by Yonhap news agency ruled out the possibility of a longrange missile test, describing the device as an upgraded version of the North’s short-range Rodong missile.

Seoul-based academic Yang Moo-Jin said the latest test was “a celebratory launch” to mark the February 16 birthday of Kim Jong-Il, late ruler and father of current leader Kim Jong-Un. Pyongyang often celebrates key anniversaries involving current and former leaders with missile launches, Yang, a professor at the

University of North Korean Studies, told AFP. South Korea’s acting president Hwang Gyo-Ahn vowed a “corresponding punishment” in response to the launch, which came on the heels of a visit to Seoul by new US Defense Secretary James Mattis earlier this month.

Mattis had warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack would be met with an “effective and overwhelming” response.

Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, spoke to his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-Jin on the phone and agreed to “seek all possible options” to curb future provocations by the North, Seoul’s presidential office said in a statement.

In January leader Kim Jong-Un boasted that Pyongyang was in the “final stages” of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in an apparent attempt to pressure the incoming US president. Trump shot back on Twitter, saying “It won’t happen.” AFP

ONSTAGE. Judy Collins performs during the annual Clive Davis preGrammy gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2017. The annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala, presented in association with the Recording Academy, is among the most coveted invitations on the eve of The Grammy’s gala. AFP

Trump and Abe in golf diplomacy

Samsung heir to be quizzed again

WEST PALM BEACH―After reportedly hitting it off in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe played golf before ending the day with an impromptu news conference on North Korea’s missile test.

As part of a two-day visit that began in Washington, Abe and Trump jetted to the US president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida together on Friday aboard Air Force One for more diplomatic talks and a round of golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

Trump tweeted a photograph in which he is wearing a white baseball cap and polo shirt, highfiving the Japanese leader who is dressed in white pants and a navy blue cap.

“Having a great time hosting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the United States!” Trump commented.

In a subsequent statement on Saturday, the White House said Trump “enjoyed hosting Prime Minister Abe on the golf course today, which was both relaxing and productive.”

“They had great conversations on a wide range of subjects, and the president looks forward to further discussions with the prime minister at dinner this evening.”

Saturday’s evening schedule took an unexpected turn after North Korea fired a ballistic missile that flew about 310 miles (500 kilometers) east before falling into the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean defense ministry.

Trump and Abe appeared at a hastily arranged press conference, with the US president saying simply: “I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 percent.”

He did not elaborate.

Abe denounced the launch, which came in defiance of UN resolutions, as “absolutely intolerable.”

The temperamental Trump was on the charm offensive Friday when he greeted the Japanese leader with an affectionate hug, dropping his previous harsh rhetoric towards Tokyo and ensuring America’s commitment to Japan’s security. AFP

SEOUL―South Korean prosecutors said Sunday they would question the Samsung heir again as part of a probe into a corruption and influencepeddling scandal that caused President Park Geun-Hye to be impeached.

Lee Jae-Yong, Samsung Electronics vice chairman and the son of the Samsung group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed several times over his alleged role in the scandal that has rocked the nation.

The 48-year-old will be summoned again Monday morning, said a spokesman for the special team of prosecutors probing the affair.

Lee, described as a key suspect in the scandal, narrowly avoided being formally arrested last month when the prosecutors accused him of bribery involving nearly $40 million.

A Seoul court rejected the arrest warrant on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Lee has effectively taken the helm of the group since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014.

“We need to question Lee... over other things we have discovered (after the arrest warrant was rejected),” said Lee Kyu-Chul, spokesman for the prosecutors’ team.

The scandal centers on Park’s secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms to “donate” tens of millions of dollars to two nonprofit foundations which Choi allegedly used for personal gain.

Samsung was the biggest donor to the foundations and is accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi and her daughter in a bid to receive policy favors from Park in return.

Park has been named as an accomplice with Choi, and also stands accused of letting Choi handle a wide range of state affairs including senior nominations even though she held no official post.

Two other senior Samsung executives would also be questioned Monday as criminal suspects, the spokesman said.

Prosecutors may try again to formally arrest Lee based on the outcome of the questioning, he added. AFP

PRE-GRAMMY GALA. Singer Britney Spears attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Debra Lee at The Beverly Hilton on February 11, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Beached-whale crisis in New Zealand over FAREWELL SPIT―Whale rescuers were cautiously optimistic Sunday that the current wave of mass beachings in New Zealand was over, after hundreds of the creatures died after being stranded ashore.

The crisis began early Friday when a pod of 416 whales were found stranded on the 26-kilometer Farewell Spit, with hundreds more following them over the weekend.

The shallow, sweeping spit is believed to interfere with the whales’ navigation systems and is a regular scene of mass strandings.

As low tide approached early Sunday evening, around 300 pilot whales were heading out of Golden Bay in the northwest of the South Island and swimming towards the deep-water safety of Cook Strait.

“It’s good news. The pod is swimming well away,” Department of Conservation regional conservation manager Andrew Lamason told AFP. “They’re the exact words,” he added, when asked if he was cautiously optimistic the crisis was over. “We’ve pulled our boats out of the water.”

The news came as a relief for the hundreds of exhausted volunteers, who had spent three days comforting the stranded animals and keeping them cool while waiting to refloat them on the high tide.

Late Saturday afternoon, when rescuers believed the situation to be under control, about 240 whales moved around a small flotilla of boats and a human chain of rescuers standing in the water trying to herd them away.

They beached themselves about three kilometers from the Friday stranding.

By Sunday morning most had managed to refloat themselves and at high tide volunteer workers were able to get the remaining animals back into the water where boats were used to guide them towards the other survivors.

Many volunteers gathered on the shoreline broke down in tears on hearing the latest strandings appeared to be over.

Louisa Hawkes, from the environmental group Project Jonah which has been assisting with the rescue, told them it was only natural they would feel emotionally drained. AFP

Life

Iberico pork ribs with porcini mushroom sauce

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

FOOD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

D1

Great Expectations THE JOYCE OF EATING JOYCE BABE PAÑARES

I

LEFT FOO’D by Davide Oldani (yes, the name of this famous Michelin-starred chef is a permanent appendage to the restaurant’s own) at the five-star Shangri-La at The Fort after a four-course tasting menu last month feeling, well, less than satisfied.

Perhaps it was because I attended Oldani’s event with great expectations. He, after all, honed his skills under some of the best chefs in Italy, including Alain Ducasse, Michel Roux Jr., pastry chef Pierre Hermés, and Gualtiero Marchesi, his mentor and the first chef in Italy to earn three stars from Michelin.

My palate is definitely not as sophisticated as his, nor as with the other guests who enjoyed the set menu. Perhaps that would explain why I did not do so as much.

Davide Oldani

Raw shrimp tartare with lime

For starters, Oldani prepared what he called a faux egg. The fake sunny-sideup-looking dish is actually made up of cauliflower velouté and tabbouleh (for the egg white) and a carrot and orange sphere as yolk. There was texture as rich as the flavor of the combined ingredients. But diners who are not into cauliflower, the ingredient du jour, might not take a liking to this dish.

(And I could not help but ask if there was no other possible creative name, instead of faux egg that sounded uninspired to me.)

Next came Oldani’s version of the classic surf and turf. This dish was a testament to his distinct Cucina Pop style, which aims to elevate the dining experience by making luxury gastronomy affordable. Instead of the more expensive meat cuts and lobster, he used Wagyu beef cheeks and tiger prawn, served with lobster jus and asparagus.

The beef melted like butter, and the prawn provided contrast in terms of texture. I was hoping for more of the briny flavor of the lobster jus and the caviar topping, but overall this dish really aimed to please, and succeeded.

The third course (a surprise entry as the plan was originally for a threecourse tasting menu only) was saffron fregola served with rich Grana Padano cheese. I could barely taste the saffron, though, and I told Oldani that the cheese and the lemon juice might have overpowered it. Grana Padano is not supposed to do that, though, as it

Wagyu beef cheek with prawn in lobster jus

Fregola pasta swirled with saffron sauce and Grana Padano cheese

Fake egg made with cauliflower

has a subtler and less nutty taste than its fellow Italian cheese, the Parmigiano, which makes it the cheese of choice for a delicately flavored risotto, for example.

To cap the set, Oldani served white coffee tiramisu. Perhaps it was because the kitchen had to serve one too many guests at the same time that the sponge cake base was not as moist as I expected, and the dehydrated merengue tasted positively dehydrated. But the coffee mousse was fantastic.

According to Oldani, he has remained

If there is one Italian chef who can make magic happen, that would be Oldani. His D’O restaurant in his hometown of Cornaredo, near Milan, has been described by Wall Street Journal as “Italy’s most elusive reservation,” with bookings of up to eight months in advance. This is why I am hopeful that the dishes of FOO’D at The Fort will soon (if not yet) live up to Oldani’s reputation and record.

true to his humble Cucina Pop philosophy of combining tradition with innovation, and keeping prices affordable.

“I am an entrepreneur and I want a restaurant that is always full. It is a marriage of quality and accessibility. And I believe Filipinos are ready for this concept,” Oldani said during our pull-aside interview.

“I have to give a chance for people to enter my restaurant. We use local and seasonal ingredients to keep the prices affordable. I am not a magician. I just use my brains,” he added.

For feedback, send comments to joyce.panares@gmail.com

Romantic and indulgent Valentine’s Day AT CITY of Dreams Manila, romantic Valentine’s Day celebrations filled with gastronomic delights await diners at the luxury integrated resort’s award-winning restaurants: Crystal Dragon, Nobu Manila, Red Ginger and other 20 dining options.

Crystal Dragon, the premium Cantonese and regional Chinese restaurant of City of Dreams Manila and voted recently as one of the top 20 restaurants in the Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurant Guide for the second year in a row, offers a spectacular Valentine’s five-course lunch and dinner set menus for couples.

The indulgent gastronomic affair starts off with Shredded Roasted Duck with Fresh Fruit Salad in Dressing; followed by Steamed Sea Treasures, Scallop and Truffle Dumpling with Pumpkin Broth and the Oven Baked Marinated Cod Fish Fillet topped with Cheese and Fragrant Garlic. A Cupid Dessert Plate and a Soy Milk Pudding with Mango Caviar, Heart-Shaped Espresso Chocolate Cremeux, Red Bean Parfait and Wolfberry cap off the exquisite meal. The menu is served with fragrant Jasmine Tea. Crystal Dragon’s Valentine’s Day menus are offered from Feb. 13 to 15 for P3,980++ per person for a minimum of two guests.

At Nobu Manila, couples can indulge in Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian Omakase menu on Feb. 13 and 14 at P3,999++ per person, with a Nobu Manila Sweet Masu Box with Petit Fours and Origami Flower as a signature token. Setting the romantic mood is a heavenly seven-course dinner that starts with the Sashimi Duo of Yellowtail Jalapeño and Oyster New Style Caviar, followed by the Sushi Trio: Tuna Tataki with Maui Onion Salsa, Snapper Dry Miso and Octopus Tiradito and a

Salmon Sashimi Salad with Goma Dressing. The Crispy Scallop Phyllo introduces the entrée of Beef Tenderloin Uni Butter and Clear Soup with Asari Clam. A sweet ending to the dinner is the Chocolate Royale with Fresh Berries.

At Red Ginger, following a hearty meal of Southeast Asian specialties, couples can share a special Valentine’s treat as the venue offers a chocolate fondue with a choice of white chocolate, strawberries and pink peppercorn, Bailey’s dulce de leche, and dark chocolate and sea salt.

These are served with assorted tropical fruits, coconut marshmallows, pili nut brownies and pandan cakes. The Valentine’s chocolate fondue is priced at P320+ and will be be available till Feb.14.

Café Society, till Feb. 15, offers Valentine’s Day-themed bouquets, assorted chocolates, pralines, cakes, macarons and an adorable teddy bear as individual gifts or to fill a Valentine hamper.

Couples can likewise sample a wide selection of gastronomic experiences at other City of Dreams Manila restaurants including poolside dining at Breezes and Wave; lunch and snack time bento-style dishes and sweet treats at Nobu Lounge; lunch and dinner buffet at The Café at the Hyatt; 24-hour casual dining at Noodl8; sumptuous Italian fare at Prego; premium steaks at Ruby Jack’s; exceptional Japanese cuisine at Hide Yamamoto; authentic Taiwanese cuisine at Taipei Ding Xian 101; Western comfort food at Erwin’s Gastropub; Korean dishes at O Kitchen; Filipino favorites at Apu; and post-dinner drinks at Chaos Nightclub, Crystal Lounge, and CenterPlay where top bands perform from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m..

For reservations, you can call 800 8080 or e-mail guestservices@codmanila.com

Valentine’s Chocolate Fondue

Shredded Roasted Duck with Fresh Fruit Salad in Dressing

Sashimi Duo of Yellowtail Jalapeno and Oyster New Style Caviar

Life

D2

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Mouth-watering confections at

S

STARBUCKS

PEND lovers month on a positive note by indulging in the heavenly treats from Starbucks. From its newest Espresso Confections, delectable food and returning favorites, your go-to coffeehouse has got your cravings satisfied.

Excite your taste buds with the newest Salted Caramel Mocha Crumble, which combines all the goodness of espresso, milk, mocha sauce and tof-

fee nut syrup. Topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, Starbucks Sea Salt and brownie bits, this espresso confection is truly perfect for those

Starbucks newest Espresso Confections: Salted Caramel Mocha Crumble and Chestnut White Chocolate Truffle

who love to indulge.

You may also delight your senses with the Chestnut White Chocolate Truffle, a combination of Starbucks signature espresso, chestnut flavor and white chocolate sauce. It is topped with whipped cream and chestnut drizzle.

Both espresso confections are available in hot, iced and blended formats.

Great coffee calls for great food. Pair the returning Starbucks Guatemala Casi Cielo, a bright and elegant coffee with a smooth cocoa finish, with new featured food items which include desserts like the Mango Cake, Vanilla Crepe Cake, Purple Yam Cookie, Chocolate Doughnut Éclair and Vanilla Doughnut Éclair.

Starbucks has also released new food items perfect for any time of the day, like the Chicken Pot Pie, a buttery and flaky crust filled with delicious creamy chicken topped with mashed potato, the new Sausage Roll and the Longganisa Pandesal, a soft and buttery bun with sautéed garlic longganisa filling.

If you’re craving for more savory dishes and hearty food items for lunch, try your favorite espresso beverage with Farmer’s Ham & Emmental Cheese on French Baguette or Pork Carnitas Wrap.

What’s more, Starbucks Coffee Rolls are back in a special tin can packaging.

It’s a new take on the crispy wafer rolls, infused with Starbucks Espresso Roast.

The Starbucks Reserve Card which features the Starbucks Reserve logo and

Sausage Roll

Chicken Pot Pie

wordmark in a sleek black background Starbucks Reserve stores. is available with an initial consumable Visit this link to see the list of stores load of ₱300 and is only available in www.starbucks.ph/promo/reserve-store

Life after leftovers WHEN the firecrackers have died down and the frenzy is over, what are left are probably a hangover plus lots of ham and cold cuts from the season’s feast. King Sue says you can raise these leftovers from fallback to feast. Here are some ways: Let’s sip and toss, for a start. Dice the leftover ham, slice some cherry tomatoes, your favorite greens, nuts and dried fruits. Pour honey vinaigrette dressing for a healthy salad. If you have mushrooms, corn kernels, carrots, ham slices and shell macaroni, a creamy

macaroni soup is in order. Add King Sue bacon before you finish off a hot bowl.

Bring on the breakfast. Slice King Sue Gourmet sausages and mix them with tomatoes, mushroom and cheese to make your own special omelet or frittata. Leftover rice may be sautéed with diced carrots, green peas, corn kernels, and a mishmash of your spare cold cuts and a hearty morning meal is on its way.

Pancake fixin’. Remember that pancake mix sitting in your cupboard? Mix it with eggs, milk and whisk. Add King

Create sumptuous post-holiday meals using leftover ham, sausages and bacon from King Sue

Sue bacon or ham on skillet then pour in the pancake mix. Once done, stack them up, sprinkle some raisins or your favorite fruit before you drizzle with honey.

Pizza pan de sal. Slice pan de sal, pour some tomato or pizza sauce, add King Sue Hawaiian ham slices and top

them with grated cheese and chopped basil. Cook in an oven toaster for mini pizzas.

Tasty lunch with leftover bacon.

Sauté onions, garlic and tomato with fried bacon and cream for that special sauce. Toss in the pasta and add a dash of pepper and herbs.

Dig into dinner. Sautee beans, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes and fried tofu with your favorite cold cuts left from the party. Flavor with oyster sauce and sesame oil. Dinner is deserved!

For more easy-to-make recipes using King Sue products, check out their website www.kingsue.com/recipes.

VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS

Delectable treats that fill the stomach and warm the heart IT IS said the way to a man and woman’s heart is through their Sweet XOs stomach, and no truer words have ever been said since. On the Send your expressions of special day of love, and on days leading up to it, treat that special love through Krispy Kreme’s someone in your life with food that translates to “I don’t want you Hug and Kiss doughnuts. Your to be hungry because I love you.” significant other’s favorite flavors comes in adorable heart-, X- and O-shaped doughnuts.

Express your love even further by adding heart eyes emojis.

The Hug and Kiss doughnuts are available today until Feb. 14 in all Krispy Kreme outlets nationwide.

Fluffy affection

Say ‘I love you’ with a box of chocolates

There’s nothing sweeter than saying “I love you” with a box of chocolates. Villa Del Conte, the hand crafted artisanal chocolates from Padova, Italy celebrates Valentine’s with the Amore chocolate gift box which comes in an elegant red box with a gold heart. The Amore chocolate gift box contains 200 grams of either Villa Del Conte’s decadent Praline Balls or the healthy goodness of the Bonta Dark Chocolates.

The Amore chocolate gift box is priced at P880 and is available at all Villa Del Conte stores in Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, Shangri-la Mall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia.

For bulk orders and to know more, contact (02) 893-2575 or 621-6101, visit www.villadelcontecioccolato.com or follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VillaDelContePh, Instagram: instagram.com/villadelconte, and Twitter: www.twitter.com/VilladelConte.

Say your feelings while treating your loved one to a fluffy pastry with Red Ribbon’s limited-edition Valentine Mamons, made with moist white chiffon mamon topped with Valentine-themed designs, it comes in two variants: Team Kilig and Team Hugot.

Mamons under Team Kilig have sweet Valentine messages that will surely make your special someone feel the warmth of your love. The Team Hugot mamons, on the other hand, are decorated with witty “hugot” lines, perfect for those who choose to happily celebrate the occasion even withwith out a signifi significant other.

Both variants are packaged in a Valentine’s Day gift box of three.

T he y’re available at all Red Ribbon stores nationwide for P100 per box.

Five-course love affair

Impress your Valentine on Feb. 14 with a dreamy dinner at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s The Lounge and ignite the passion with a scrumptious 5-course meal dubbed “Love for a lifetime Valentine’s Day Dinner.”

The heart’s day treat is composed of delectable flavors, perfect as you bond with your beloved on the most romantic night of the year. Relish an amuse bouche of Chicken Vol au Vent, followed by Grilled Spiced Shrimp Skewer and Creamy Roasted Squash Soup for starters. The surf and turf main entree is Grilled Fillet Mignon and Prawn Thermidor, and unlimited cakes and pastries at the des-

sert buffet put a sweet ending to a rather indulgent meal.

This Valentine’s Day meal is priced at P1,580 nett per person, inclusive of whisky cocktail, Spanish sparkling wine and 10 percent discount on bottle orders of Ernest & Julio Gallo California wine.

For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 570-7777 or log on to www.eastwoodrichmondehotel.com.ph.

Amorous dining options

Celebrate the season of love with your better half at any of The Peninsula Manila’s in-house lounge and restaurants. This year’s Valentine’s Day is extra special for the premier hotel as it coincides with their 40th anniversary celebration.

Escolta serves up an international buffet for P2,200 today and a Seafood Dinner Buffet on Feb. 14.

Fine dining restaurant Old Manila treats lovers to an exquisite fourcourse Valentine’s dinner today and tomorrow. Dishes included in the menu are Gratinated Fines De Claire Oysters, leeks fondue, Champagne sabayon and toasted almond; Slow-cooked free-range egg, ratte potato espuma, black truffle and mushroom fricassee; Puff pastry veal tourte, baby spinach, pommery mustard and mixed greens; and “Amour” (Hazelnut Dacquoise, crispy praline and chocolate mousse).

Spices offers the exotic flavors of India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam through it a la carte menu and special Spices Under the Stars selection for a minimum consumable of P1,900.

The Lobby, meanwhile, serves up a three-course dinner under its magnificent Sunburst, priced at P2,200 per person. Its classic Afternoon Tea Buffet will have an especially romantic touch today and tomorrow as diners will be serenaded by the hotel’s guitar and flute duo, for only P1,550 per person.

All ladies dining in any of the aforementioned establishments will receive a Peninsula long-stemmed red rose.

For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 887-2888 ext. 6694 or email diningpmn@peninsula.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

10 Netflix Picks to binge-watch

N

ETFLIX has become associated with streaming well-loved films and shows. Increasingly, they are bringing stories from the world’s best storytellers through its growing library of quality content that is gaining recognition including 54 Emmy nominations in 2016.

Here are our favorite Netflix shows that might suit your personality and mood:

4. Designated Survivor Designated Survivor is a political thriller that follows the concept of a designated survivor, or a person assigned to become or act as the President of the United States upon the death, incapacity, resignation, or removal of the present leader. In the series, the designated survivor is U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Tom Kirkman, who is sworn in after an attack, and is thrust into the throes of political drama.

8. Narcos Narcos is a raw, gritty series which chronicles the gripping real-life stories of the drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. Seasons 1 and 2, which are now streaming, are based on the life of Pablo Escobar, a Colombian who achieved notoriety (and billionaire status) for producing and distributing cocaine. The series shows his dealings with the law and his enemies, but it always portrays Escobar in a sympathetic light. It’s fun, it’s tense, and maybe just a little bit addictive.

1. The Crown If you’re the type of person who enjoys political drama and royal intrigue, The Crown is for you. Ît tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world -- Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street - and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Critics have praised the acting, storytelling, and the production design, making it the perfect period drama to binge on.

2. A Series of Unfortunate Events Based on the international best-selling children’s novels by Daniel Handler, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans -- Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling his many devious plans and disguises, in order to discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death. Leading the cast is award-winning actor, singer and television host Neil Patrick Harris.

3. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Gilmore Girls was a feel-good favorite in the 2000’s, and tells the story of Lorelai and Rory, a mother and daughter team who navigates family, friendship, and romance in the fictional town of Stars Hollow. It was praised for its witty comedy and clever dialogue, and has been called a new TV classic. The Netflix revival is set 8 years after the series finale. And if you never caught the original, all 6 seasons are available to binge on Netflix too!

5. Stranger Things Stranger Things pays homage to ‘80s sci-fi movies by Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, and George Lucas, and faithfully recreates the era through music, fashion, and even hairstyles. A love letter to the ’80s classics that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is set in 1983 Indiana, where a young boy vanishes into thin air. While friends, family, and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving topsecret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.

6. Black Mirror Black Mirror is a sci-fi anthology where each episode is based on a different reality, with a different cast and story. The themes are dark and satirical, and it intelligently studies the dangers of technology and what can happen if we let it go unchecked. This is the perfect series to watch if you’re addicted to technology and social media.

7. Marvel’s Luke Cage Marvel’s Luke Cage is recommended for those who enjoy comic books and their film adaptations. After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive trying to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But he is soon pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury. Luke Cage is part of the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe, and will lead to the crossover series The Defenders, which will bring together Cage, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, (both of which are now streaming) and Iron Fist which premieres on Netflix in March 2017.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, February 13, 2017

ACROSS 1 Pull down 5 Corsage flower 8 Aberdeen kids 12 Influence 14 Mr. Dithers’ wife 15 Helm position 16 Proportion 17 Earth mover 18 Runner’s unit 19 Smarmy 21 Flopsy or Mopsy 23 Cooking spray 24 Private’s word 25 Equal, in combos 26 Courtly dance 30 Aussie minerals 32 In unison (2 wds.)

33 Gauzy-winged insect 37 Give a high-five 38 Nest on a crag 39 Uh-oh!

40 Ice skating feat (2 wds.)

42 Overcharge 43 Proceed (2 wds.)

44 Pulp tree 45 Boar’s mate 48 After taxes 49 KP workers 50 Online persona

52 Pauses in speech 57 Dice throws 58 Magnum venue 60 Boadicea’s people 61 Wagner’s earth goddess 62 Artifact 63 Braid 64 Galaxy unit 65 Drop bait on water 66 — fair in ...

DOWN 1 Neutral color 2 Economist — Greenspan 3 Cadet’s org.

4 A night in Paris 5 Dairy bellows 6 Suffix for forfeit 7 “The — of Figaro” 8 Gyro filler 9 Perpetrator’s need 10 Lox locales 11 Deal with (2 wds.)

13 Hairpiece 14 Sidekick 20 Mare’s morsel 22 A Guthrie 24 “The Rains in —”

26 27 28 29

Not fem.

Cuba, to Castro — Chomsky Dismantle a tent 30 Sen. Hatch of Utah 31 Eavesdrop 33 Bus stop 34 Malodorous 35 Links org.

36 River in Belgium 38 Kind of belt 41 Capp’s hyena 42 Loose talk

44 Diner staple 45 Gluts 46 In plain view 47 “A Fish Called —” 49 It had three parts 51 Movie mogul 52 Karate blow 53 Pac-10 team 54 Not bogus 55 Indigo plant 56 Roosts 59 Nabokov heroine

9. Orange is the New Black Orange is the New Black is based on the book with the same name by Piper Kerman, which details her life in prison after helping her international drug smuggler girlfriend. The show has become Netflix’s most watched original series for its story and positive depiction of race, sexuality, gender and body types. Since its release in 2013, it has received 16 Emmy nominations. Seasons 1-4 are streaming now.

10. Sense8 Sense8 is the interconnected stories of eight “sensates,” or people who are emotionally and mentally linked despite being in different countries. As they try to figure out how it works and why it happened, they must protect themselves from Whispers, a sensate from an organization that hunts them down. It is created and directed by the Wachowski siblings who also created The Matrix Trilogy.

These are just some of many Netflix shows that exist, and that can create wonderful moments for you and your loved ones in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy #GlobeNetflix with awesome HD TV’s that can be yours through the new Globe Broadband plans!

Learn more about how to catch all these by visiting http://broadband.globe.com.ph/watch.html.

Lloydie fans wait for his teleserye MANY of his fans are asking when will John Lloyd Cruz star in another soap opera?

He was seen last in A Beautiful Affair opposite Bea Alonzo in 2013. At present, he is only seen in the weekly sitcom Home Sweetie Home with Toni Gonzaga. He is also seen in some guest appearancess, prodding his supporters to think that he doesn’t like to do soaps anymore.

“That’s not true,” says Lloydie. “It’s not that I don’t like to do one. Perhaps, I’m just waiting for the right project.”

The award-winning actor points out that even if this were the case, he was still productive during those times that he wasn’t active with soap operas.

“If you’d notice, in the last three or four years, I was able to make more films, which is not bad, right? At least, I was still busy and visible in another medium.”

For John Lloyd, it still all depends on his mother network.

“Actually, they’re the ones who decide when it comes to the projects I’ll do on the small screen. I work for them, they call the shots. I don’t own the company, I’m just a talent. It’s as simple as that.”

Some quarters suggest that for his comeback soap, it must be with Sarah Geronimo, for a change.

“Well, why not? I like the idea. Sarah and I have great chemistry as well. The storyline though is a foremost consideration for me. I’m sure there will be an interesting material for us,” ends Lloydie. ******** According to Toni Gonzaga, she can relate better now to her character in the popular sitcom Home Sweetie Home after becoming a homemaker herself.

“So much has changed in my life,” she avers. “Before, I sleep a lot when I don’t have any showbiz commitment like tapings or shootings. But now, I don’t have deep sleep anymore, especially after giving birth to Seve who is already four months old. I breastfeed my child so it’s really not that easy.

“I find it hard to leave the house on days when the location of the taping is so far. I always think of Seve. So, what I do when I’m on the set is pump milk, put it in a bottle and send it home. I don’t want to deprive my son just because I’m at work. I guess, that’s maternal instinct.”

At this stage in her life, she became more appreciative of mothers.

“Oh, yes! As a mom myself, I realized how strong women really are.

Just imagine---to carry a life for nine months, conceive and take care of it eventually. It’s so touching to think.

Now, I have so much love and respect to every single mother out there. What moms go through is simply different!”

With her current stature, the actresshost-singer admitted that she sees life in a different light now.

“I can say that it has a different meaning now, deeper I suppose. Before, I couldn’t really understand the meaning of the words, ‘I’d die for you!’ but now, I do,” Toni states.

Maja Salvador in her most challenging role to date

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

MAJA

fights for family and love in

‘WILDFLOWER’ R

EVENGE has never been wild as Maja Salvador stages her much-awaited comeback on television as Ivy, a woman who will do everything to avenge her parents’ death brought about by a powerful political clan in Wildflower beginning today on ABS-CBN. Before anger turns her into Ivy, get to know her first as Lily (Xyriel Manabat), a young girl who grew up in a loving family. Her father Dante (Christian Vasquez), who worked as a PAO lawyer, unfortunately received death threats for a case he handled. This prompted him to leave town with his wife Camia (Sunshine Cruz) and their daughter and relocate to Poblacion Ardiente.

The first week in Poblacion Ardiente went well for her family, especially Lily, who easily found a friend in Diego (Jesse James Ongteco).

However, misfortunes continued to haunt their family when Diego’s father, Raul Torillo (Wendell Ramos), lusted over Camia and sexually harassed her. Without hesitation, Dante immediately filed a case against Raul, who happened to be the husband of town mayor Emilia Ardiente Torillo (Aiko Melendez). To protect their family’s reputation, Emilia took matters into her own hands.

In just a snap, Lily’s life suddenly crashed when his father suspiciously died in a heart attack. Lily was forced to leave her mother. Luckily, Lily escaped the wrath of the Ardientes and found herself in the home of Prianka Aguas (Priscilla Meirelles), who adopted her and raised her like her own.

Few years after, Lily finally returns to Poblacion Ardiente as the seductive and powerful Ivy, who vows to seek revenge against the Ardientes.

Everything will work out as planned, until she crosses paths with her long lost friend, Diego Ardiente Torillo (Joseph Marco).

How will Diego affect Ivy’s plans to avenge her family? Will justice for the death of her parents finally be served? Is there a chance for forgiveness and love in Ivy’s heart?

Also joining the cast are Tirso Cruz III, RK Bagatsing, Vin Abrenica, Malou De Guzman, Ana Abad Santos, Arnold Reyes, and Izzy Canillo.

Wildflower is directed by Onat Diaz, Raymond Ocampo, Cathy Camarillo under the production unit headed by Ruel Bayani.

Don’t miss the premiere of “Wildflower” today on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). *** Coco Martin’s character in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano has been earning praises from the audience.

Recently, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mike Sueno lauded the actor’s portrayal of a policeman for being a good example to the police force during the 26th Philippine National Police (PNP) Foundation Day on Feb. 6.

ISAH V. RED

“Let us show that heroism is still alive in the police force, in the people who are expected to be modern-day heroes, such as Cardo Dalisay in the series Ang Probinsyano,” he said in his speech.

Aside from Sueno, PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa also praised Coco and the series for the lessons it imparts to viewers, according to news reports.

The House of the Representative also commended the series for promoting crime awareness and prevention among viewers and endorsed Coco as “Celebrity Advocate for a Drug-Free Philippines.”

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which has been on air for more than a year now, has received praises for teaching viewers about the consequences of crime and imparting life lessons about family and patriotism. It revolves around the life and struggle of Cardo while performing his duty as a member of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The program is also the most watched program in the country, based on data from Kantar Media covering urban and rural homes. It has gained praises from viewers as it reveals the operations of several syndicates and tackles crimes such as drug trafficking and prostitution.

Several award-giving bodies has also recognized the series, including Gawad Tanglaw, Anak TV Awards, and PMPC Star Awards. *** Gloria’s fight to keep her family intact despite her illness in The Greatest Love continues to touch the lives of viewers as the Kapamilya afternoon series enjoyed a weeklong winning streak in nationwide ratings versus its new rival program.

From Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, the Sylvia Sanchezstarrer kept its winning streak as it hit a weekly national TV rating of 14.6 percent, while its rival program Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa only registered an 11.9 percent ratings points.

With its heart-wrenching story, The Greatest Love has resonated with viewers as it shares values on family and educates people about Alzheimer’s disease, which helps promote awareness of the illness.

Last Thursday one of Gloria’s priced possessions was burnt together with her memories as their house was engulfed by fire, causing chaos in her family.

You can continue to show support for the series by using the episode’s official hashtag #TGLBurningMemories.

The Greatest Love airs after Doble Kara on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Joseph Marco and Maja Salvador set TV screen ablaze as sexy drama "Wildflower" starts airing today

A riveting true story of a woman’s struggle in and out of madness

Chloë Grace Moretz and Thomas Mann in biographical drama film based on memoir of the same name

BRAIN on Fire is the astonishing true story of a young woman’s descent into madness in the face of a medical mystery starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Thomas Mann, Carrie-Anne Moss, Richard Armitage, Jenny Slate, and Tyler Perry.

Based on the award-winning memoir and a New York Times bestseller, Brain of Fire is directed by Gerard Barrett and trails the challenges of Susannah Cahalan (Moretz), a young woman just out of university and living her dreams in New York City.

She’s an up-and-coming journalist at the New York Post, and she’s falling in love with a musician named Stephen. When her boss gives her the big assignment that would jumpstart her career, things couldn’t be better.

Soon little things start going wrong. Susannah gets a flu she can’t shake, she forgets things, and she misses deadlines at work. She can hear people talking about her, she’s sure that Stephen has another girlfriend, and she can’t control her body.

It soon gets worse; Susannah begins having violent seizures,

and her increasingly psychotic behaviour means she must be watched at all times.

After repeated trips to the hospital, a team of doctors can find nothing wrong with her. As Susannah is admitted and spends days, then weeks, in a hospital bed losing her ability to move, talk, even eat, her family is repeatedly told that she is one hundred percent healthy. Her mom Rhona and her dad Tom are at a breaking point, waiting for their daughter to die while being told there is nothing anyone can do to help her.

With Susannah trapped in a body that continues to deteriorate, her family keeps hoping for someone, anyone, that can solve the mystery. Only when they finally find a doctor determined and curious enough to see her case through can Susannah begin to recover from her bizarre illness and try to get back to the vibrant young woman she was.

Witness an inspiring miracle when Brain on Fire opens Feb. 22 in cinemas from Pioneer Films.