Manila Standard - 2017 February 28 - Tuesday

SENATE PURGE: 4 LIBERALS LOSE PLUM POSTS

By Macon R. Araneta

Chaotic ending at Oscars HOLLYWOOD—Coming-of-age drama “Moonlight” won the coveted best picture statuette at Sunday’s Oscars, but the evening ended in chaos as “La La Land”—already the winner of six prizes—was first mistakenly handed the award.

Until the final minute, the film industry’s biggest night had run smoothly, and was marked by plenty of political statements, mainly jabs at President Donald Trump, and light-hearted jokes from host Jimmy Kimmel.

But the epic stumble on the final award was the nightmare Hollywood ending no one wanted to see.

Tinseltown legends Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, stars of 1967 crime classic “Bonnie and Clyde,” were meant to give the best picture Oscar to Barry Jenkins’s film, but she mistakenly called it for Damien ChaNext page zelle’s musical.

SENATOR Franklin Drilon was removed Monday as Senate President Pro Tempore in a shakeup that also saw Liberal Party members losing their key positions.

As soon as the session opened at 3:30 p.m., Senator Manny Pacquiao took to the floor and declared Drilon’s position as well as the chairmanship of three major committees vacant.

Drilon was succeeded by Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto, who took his oath of office before Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. 3 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY As Senate Pro Tempore, Drilon was the second highest Senate official and an ex-officio member of all standing committees in the Senate and in the powerful Commission on Appointments.

Stripped of their chairmanships were LP national president Francis Pangilinan and Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, a first cousin of former President Benigno XPERIENCE•XCELLENCE•XCITEMENT OSCARS FIASCO. In a phenomenal jumble, ‘Moonlight’ won the best picture Oscar after ‘La La Land was incorrectly named Sunday.

Aquino III. It was announced the wrong film had been read and that ‘Moonlight’ was the real winner. Emma Stone, Casey Affleck, Mahershala Pangilinan was booted out as Ali and Viola Davis won acting awards. Barry Jenkins won the adapted screenplay award for Tarell Alvin McCraney’s ‘Moonlight’ and chairman of the agriculture and Kenneth Lonnergan for his original script, ‘Manchester by the Sea.’ AFP

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XPERIENCE•XCELLENCE•XCITEMENT

VOL. XXXI • NO. 18 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

I’ll let go of Gina if...

Duterte won’t reappoint her if she fails to get CA okay

By John Paolo Bencito, Rio N. Araja, Sandy Araneta and Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The mining industry has mounted a concerted effort to block Lopez’s confirmation after she closed or suspended 28 mining companies and canceled 75 mineral production sharing agreements over environmental concerns.

Lopez failed to win confirmation in December 2016 but was

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he is willing to let go of Environment Secretary Regina Lopez if she fails to win confirmation from the Commission on Appointments Wednesday.

reappointed by President Duterte.

On Monday, he said he might not do it again if Lopez is bypassed a second time.

“That’s another thing, because you know, this is a democracy. I do not control the careers of people through and through. There are processes to be observed,” the President told reporters in a

chance interview.

Despite this, the President said he supported Lopez.

“Yes, of course. I won’t get her [in my Cabinet] if I do not like her,” he said.

Lopez had earlier accused members of the Commission on Appointments of receiving a P50million bribe to block her confir-

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Leila asks SC to void drug case

‘Trillanes in trouble for hiding a criminal’

DETAINED Senator Leila de Lima on Monday asked the Supreme Court to void the arrest warrant issued against her by a Muntinlupa City court in connection with the drug trafficking charges filed against her by the Justice department.

She sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order and/ or a writ of preliminary injunction against Judge Juanita Guerrero of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 who issued the order to arrest her.

De Lima made her plea even as President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday it would be better for her to stay behind bars than end up dead.

“I’m sure that she is safe. I think people are interested not to see her dead, but to see her in

By Rey E. Requejo and John Paolo Bencito SOLICITOR General Jose Calida on Monday described Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as a “person of interest” for coddling and hiding confessed criminals.

In a press conference in his office in Makati City, Calida assailed Trillanes, a known critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, for harboring criminals.

Calida said retired Senior Police Officer 3 Arthur Lascañas and Edgar Matobato were both confessed members of the Davao Death Squad who admitted killing criminals and accused Duterte of being their

mation, a claim she later retracted.

In an eight-minute video posted on her Facebook page, Lopez turned emotional and addressed her detractors, particularly a few of the mine owners, and called them “very greedy.”

Before a business group, Lopez had said: “My confirmation is on

PRESIDENTIAL GO-AHEAD.

President Rodrigo Duterte gestures his rubber stamp behind the steering wheel of one of the first Philippine manufactured Mitsubishi Mirage G4 during its launching at Malacañang on Friday. The cars, which use locally made parts, were built at the company’s Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant.

Malacañang Photo

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Troops fan out to retrieve body of beheaded German Immigration gives Korean THE military on Monday launched an operation to retrieve the body of a German hostage beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf on Sunday afternoon in Sulu to determine if, indeed, he had been killed by his captors.

The authorities have yet to receive confirmation on the killing of 70-year-old Jurgen Kantner, but a video footage posted at the “Site Intelligence” site seemed to show

he was being killed by one of his captors.

Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa on Monday said they had received an intelligence report that Kanther had indeed been beheaded by his captors, but the report remained to be validated.

Armed Forces spokesman Edgard Arevalo said they were seeking the help of the local government units in Sulu and the Moro

National Liberation Front in locating the victim’s body if, indeed, he had been beheaded.

The bearded Kantner was in a gray shirt and sitting on the grass when a hooded man grabbed him and slit his throat.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits chanted “God is great” in a foreign language after the killing.

The last video footage of Kantner was posted on Feb. 14, and it

showed his captors threatening to behead him if ransom was not paid.

Military officials said they had to see Kantner’s body to confirm his death.

“Video is not enough basis to confirm the beheading.” said Armed Forces spokesman Restituto Padilla.

Kantner was killed hours after Next page

a clean bill: No mafia links

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo KANG Tae Sik, a Korean businessman who has been living in the Philippines for more than 40 years, has been cleared of any derogatory records by the Bureau of Immigration.

Kang, 76, president and chief executive of K&L Jinro Philippines Inc., was accused of heading the alleged Korean Mafia operating in the Philippines during a Senate hearing on the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo. Next page

News

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Aguirre defends rally quip as ‘part of entertainment’

By Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

J

USTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday defended his remark before a proDuterte rally at the Quirino Grandstand where he asked the crowd who they want next jailed after Senator Leila de Lima, saying his question was meant to entertain the crowd.

He said that in political rallies, every statement made is intended to entertain.

“Pag sa political rally, parang mga entertainment lang yan,” Aguirre said.

During the rally, after Aguirre asked who they want next after De Lima, the crowd responded “Trillanes,” referring to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who, like De Lima, is a staunch critic of President Duterte.

Aguirre then quipped, “O, tulungan niyo ako ha.” [You should help me].

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Scenes of confusion and embarrassment followed after the “La La Land” crew—already on stage and delivering speeche—suddenly realized the mistake and announced themselves that “Moonlight” had actually won, prompting Beatty to mumble apologies.

The Oscar-winning veteran actor and director, 79, said he’d been given the wrong envelope—the one containing the card announcing “La La Land” star Emma Stone’s best actress win.

Stone said backstage she had been hanging on to her winning envelope the whole time, although slowed-down footage of the commotion appeared to corroborate Beatty’s explanation.

Several reports suggested that two sets of envelopes are typically on site during the ceremony—one on either side of the stage.

“This was confusing, obviously, so... we thought he was being coy and cute and milking it but, in reality, he was perplexed by why her name was on it,” host Jimmy Kimmel told ABC after the show.

I’ll...

From A1 March 1. Let the dice fall where [they] may. I don’t care. I was told that every congressman was offered P50 million if they voted against me. I don’t know.

I heard there’s a kitty out there, I don’t know, that’s people talking.”

Following Lopez’s statement against the lawmakers, the 12-member House contingent, led by its chairman San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, canceled a courtesy call that Lopez had sought with them.

Zamora said the contingent would just see Lopez on Wednesday, during her confirmation hearing.

On Monday, the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Science slammed Lopez for blaming large-scale mining for the degradation of the environment and said her actions would have disastrous effects on Geology students and graduates, who worked hard to earn their degree.

“My students are hurt. Mining is a decent job,” said Carlo Arcilla, UPNIGS professor, at a news conference.

“I did not teach my students to rape the environment.”

He said even his former students who now work at the DENR stand to lose their jobs if large-scale mining operations are shut down.

“They could not speak to share their views for fear of reprisal,” he told the Manila Standard.

The DoJ under Aguirre filed three separate drug charges against De Lima before the Muntilupa court which were raffled to three branches.

De Lima was arrested last Friday morning and is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

When later asked to clarify his remark, Aguirre said he was asked that question even before he gave his short message to the crowd.

Trillanes had recently revived his So far, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has not issued a formal statement about the embarrassing mix-up.

“Moonlight” was a shock winner for best picture, after Chazelle’s runaway favorite “La La Land”—a modern take on the all-singing, all-dancing Golden Age of Tinseltown’s studio system— had taken six prizes for best director, actress, score, song, production design and cinematography.

“I noticed the commotion and thought something was strange. And then I was speechless by the result,” Jenkins, who won earlier for best adapted screenplay, said backstage.

“I’ve watched the Academy Awards before and have and have never seen that happen before.”

Starring Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali–who bagged the first of the movie’s three Oscars--”Moonlight” tells the life story of a young AfricanAmerican struggling to find his place as he grows up poor in Miami.

The film has won plaudits as a vital portrait of contemporary African-American life and is praised in equal measure as a moving meditation on identity, family, friendship and love. AFP “In fact, I am on the record, she must not be confirmed. I have nothing against her. She would be a very, very good tourism secretary.”

Arcilla said small-scale miners account for 70 percent to 80 percent of all mining in the country, while large-scale mining accounts for only 20 percent.

He said it is difficult to regulate smallscale mining because provincial governors are authorized to issue permits, and local governments often do not have the expertise to monitor mining operations.

In 2012, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geoscience Bureau admitted smallscale mining was not that easy to monitor and regulate, and that it exploited Presidential Decree 1899 issued in 1984 allowing individuals to apply for mining permits while imposing very few requirements.

“Why is she [Lopez] too focused on mining?” he asked.

Illegal logging, not mining, has caused the denudation of the forest cover triggering landslides and flash floods, he said.

“If something goes wrong, she blames mining at once. The problem with her is her ecological approach.

She has maintained her anti-mining position since the very start. It is okay to order the closure of some, but not all. There are responsible miners around,” Arcilla said.

“We have no choice but to mine responsibly.”

He slammed Lopez for her failure to even define what a watershed area

Leila...

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prison for what she did,” Duterte told reporters.

De Lima, who was arrested over her supposed ties to illegal drug operations, insists on her innocence.

She voluntarily surrendered to authorities over the weekend after dodging an arrest warrant but stressed it was triggered by Duterte’s “fixation of revenge” against her, which was rooted in her investigation of the Davao Death Squad when she was chairman of the Commission on Human Rights.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker and fraternity brother of De Lima on Monday challenged her to answer the allegations against her instead of undermining the credibility of the courts handling her drug-related cases.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, House justice committee chairman and godfather of De Lima’s son, said De Lima should refrain from “the familiar tactic of impugning the credibility” of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.

“It is unfortunate that, again, instead of facing the drug charges against her head-on, Senator De Lima now resorts to the familiar tactic of impugning the credibility of the regional trial court that issued the warrant of arrest against her, and politicizing the issue,” Umali said.

He said De Lima was one of his sisters in the Lambda Rho Sigma sorority, the counterpart of Lambda

allegations that Duterte has stashed at least P2.2 billion in ill-gotten wealth in banks and challenged the President to issue a waiver so his bank transactions can be opened to the public.

Trillanes added that he will resign as senator if his claims will not be proven true. He further said that like De Lima, he is also ready to be detained and even die as a consequence for opposing Duterte.

Trillanes earlier tagged the President as a mass murderer who formed the Davao Death Squad to kill suspected criminals and later on, his political and personal enemies, when he was Davao City mayor.

But Aguirre said it was not his intention to have another argument with Trillanes. “Why do you want people to quarrel when there is nothing to it?”

He said he was merely asking the people to help him in providing sup-

port to the administration of President Duterte.

“I said help me in supporting the administration of President Duterte.

I don’t need the help of anybody outside the DoJ [Department of Justice] family,” said Aguirre.

But Aguirre’s explanations on his remarks last Saturday did not suit well with some senators, including Senator Grace Poe, who reminded the Justice Secretary that he is expected to administer justice, not to moonlight as a ‘perya’ barker and agitate a crowd.

She added that “to say that you [Aguirre] have been carried away by the cheers is no excuse.”

Poe said that a Justice secretary should be made of sterner stuff, one who is never swayed by partisan provocation, because when he does, he betrays his oath and renders his very own self unfit for the job.

“That high office entails pru-

dent decision-making which is not served by tasteless stunts that incite the mob,” she said.

Poe added that as Justice secretary, Aguirre is expected to be the “voice of reason.”

“So you can only imagine how many of your countrymen felt betrayed when you abandoned it for rabble-rousing,” Poe said.

“I know that lawyers are given allowances for theatrics, but that night you clearly crossed the line, and in the process trample the ethics that guide you, by asking the people who to prosecute next, as if it were their choice,” she added.

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, said that while he fully supports the administration, Aguirre’s act was “uncalled for.”

De Lima’s partymates in the Liberal Party also criticized Aguirre for making the remark.

LOPEZ NON-BELIEVERS. University of the Philippines Director of National Institute of Geological Science Dr. Carlo Arcilla (5th from left), is joined by professors and senior geological science students in flashing the thumbs down gesture to oppose the confirmation of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary designate, Regina Lopez, shortly after a forum held at the UP-NIGS hall. Ey Acasio is, and her refusal to listen to mining experts, geologists and metallurgical engineers.

Lopez would rather listen to nongovernment organizations and accuse experts of being paid off by the mining companies.

“She herself cannot even define what a watershed is.”

Ronald Recidoro, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines vice president for legal and policy, said Lopez, the DENR and the government will face many civil suits if her appointment is confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

“She [Lopez] is not qualified. She lacks the experience and knowledge to run the affairs of the Environment Department,” he said.

Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang of Kalinga said Lopez was singlehandedly “killing the mining industry.”

At a forum Monday, Mangaoang said Lopez did not know the consequences of her actions, and did not know the mining industry.

He said local governments stand to lose P650 million a year from taxes that mining companies pay. The country could also lose billions of pesos a year, not only from the mining industry, but from other industries that supply it.

Mangaoang, a geologist, worked 10 years for private mining companies.

“I know how mining workers feel if they are out of jobs,” he said.

Under the law, companies with violations are not shut down, but given time to rectify these violations, he said.

“Responsible mining is you follow

Rho Beta fraternity of the San Beda College of Law. De Lima told the high court that Judge Guerrero committed a grave abuse of discretion when she issued a warrant of arrest against her on Feb. 23 without first resolving her motion to quash information.

She said said the judge also violated her constitutional, legal and procedural rights because in the first place she had no jurisdiction over the case.

She said it was the Sandigabanyan anti-graft court and not a Regional Trial Court that had jurisdiction over her case, which allegedly was committed when she was justice secretary.

She also said there was no substantive basis on record in finding probable cause against her.

“Glaringly absent from the recital of facts is any allegation of actual or even implied complicity of the accused in the illegal drug trade, as it does not even allege, for instance, that the accused gave instructions to the NBP inmates to gather the money that she demanded from the illegal drug trade,” De Lima said.

“There is no allegation, much less proof from the records that would show that the criminal activities of the NBP inmates were participated in by the accused.”

De Lima said Judge Guerrero acted with undue haste and inordinate interest as she had yet to resolve her Motion to Quash that had been set to be heard on Feb. 24 given the voluminous records submitted to the latter’s court. Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

the law. If there are 1,000 policies or rules, you must follow the 1,000 rules. If you miss one, you rectify that,” he said.

Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc. and Philex Gold Philippines Inc., both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Philex Mining Corp., said Monday they are reserving their civil and criminal rights and remedies against all responsible parties, including rights for enforcement and compensation under applicable investment treaties should the government close their mines.

The two companies recently filed separate letters responding to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ show cause letters, which directed them to explain why their mineral production sharing agreements should not be canceled on the alleged ground that the contract areas of the MPSAs are situated within watershed areas.

“All the MPSAs, which were subjected to the rigorous process prescribed by applicable law and regulations which included obtaining the requisite regulatory clearances that the areas covered by the MPSAs are open to mining, are valid and legal,” Philex said.

Philex noted that mining is also not prohibited in all watershed areas.

“Under Philippine law, only watersheds that are proclaimed, designated or set aside pursuant to law or presidential decrees, presidential proclamations or executive orders as watershed forest reserves or as critical watersheds are closed to mining operations. None of the MPSAs’ contract

‘Trillanes...

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principal when he was still city mayor.

“How can you believe the statement of a perjurer? They should have been arrested first. Is this the job of a senator?”

Calida said.

“Give me more time and I will have the proper case to be filed against him,” Calida said.

“Why he is coddling these self-confessed criminals?” he said. “As senator he should help in the administration of justice.”

Calida vowed to go after Trillanes for harboring criminals.

“Trillanes is too much. He is accusing the President of plotting to kill him.

I don’t know where he gets these wild ideas,” he said.

On Monday, Duterte belittled Trillanes as being “to insignificant” to bother with.

Duterte admitted knowing Lascañas, who retracted his testimony last year before the Senate in which he denied the existence of the DDS, and said it was Duterte, after all, who lead the vigilante group.

“I saw him once, twice a year [when he was a policeman],” Duterte said, but added

areas are situated inside proclaimed watersheds, forest reserves and critical watersheds where mining is prohibited,” Philex said.

“The threatened cancellation of the MPSAs has no legal and factual basis whatsoever, yet the DENR secretary unceremoniously held a press conference announcing their cancellation three days prior to the actual personal service of the DENR letters to SMMCI and PGPI, resulting in not just in actual losses but in significant damage to the reputation of both companies and the erosion of investor confidence without affording them their due process rights and any opportunity to be heard,” Philex added.

A mining industry source, meanwhile, said Lopez’s granting of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to her company-owned geothermal company was a clear case of conflict of interest, because there were other pending ECC applications that should have been acted upon first.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, meanwhile, urged the government to amend the Philippine Mining Act to require prospective investors to not just mine ore but to produce the final downstream products.

“We want the mining of natural resources to be given to companies who will produce the final products.

We should not just get the ore, export them and import the finished products. Filipinos will not learn anything,” Chamber president Jose Luis U. Yulo Jr. said.

that he never gave direct orders to Lascañas because he always worked through his police chiefs.

“I do not deny that hundreds of criminals died in Davao City [when I was mayor]. In my 23 years, they were wiped out,” he said.

On Saturday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II asked a pro-Duterte crowd at a rally at the Quirino Grandstand who he should go after next, after Senator Leila de Lima had been arrested and detained.

He then asked the crowd to help him pin down Trillanes.

Senator Richard Gordon, a Duterte ally, on Monday challenged Lascañas and the people behind him to file a case against Duterte with the Ombudsman if they have evidence that he paid between P20,000 and P100,000 to have people killed.

Gordon said the Senate was not a forum for grandstanding and gaining publicity at the expense of others by lying.

He said the Office of the Ombudsman and not the Senate, is the proper agency to look into the recent claims made by Lascañas regarding the existence of the DDS. Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, had earlier ruled there is no evidence of the existence of the DDS. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Senate...

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Nacionalista Senator Cynthia A. Villar, vice chairman of the agriculture and food committee, assumed the position vacated by Pangilinan.

Independent Senator Francis Escudero replaced Aquino.

Escudero, along with Recto, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV are members of the minority bloc in the Senate.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who ran under the LP banner in the May 2016 elections, was sacked as chairman of the committee on health and demography. She was replaced by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito who had earlier manifested his intention to bolt the United Nationalist Alliance and joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

Pimentel was the lone member of PDP-Laban in the Senate until he was joined by Pacquiao, who abandoned UNA where he ran for senator.

The three LP senators—Drilon, Pangilinan, and Aquino—and their ally, Hontiveros , later said they would now become part of the minority group. None of them objected to Pacquiao’s motions and even seconded them.

Drilon said detained Senator Leila de Lima, also of the LP, would join them in the minority.

Following a one-minute break, Pacquiao nominated Recto as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, which was seconded by Escudero.

Of the 23 senators present, 17 voted in favor of Recto. No senator objected to the motions raised by Pacquiao, first to replace Drilon and second, to declare the chairmanship and memberships of the three committees vacant.

Before the session started, Pangilinan said they would not be surprised if they would be ousted from their posts following the detention of De Lima at the PNP Custodian Center in Camp Crame on drug charges.

Pangilinan said he was “relieved, actually” after being sacked.

“We can further strengthen our independent stance vis-a-vis the administration,” he said. “It’s better this way. We can strengthen the minority.”

Aquino said he had heard there would be a shakeup, but said this was not questioned because it was a political move.

“This is not about the performance of my committees because important laws in my committee are working.

This is really a political move—a partisan move. I think we became an example because we’ve been very adamant about policies like the death penalty. We opposed that—lowering the age of criminal liability. Our support to Senator De Lima... in going to Edsa,” Aquino said.

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the 3 p.m. deadline to pay his ransom lapsed on Sunday.

Sources said Kantner was killed somewhere in Indanan, Sulu, around 3:30 p.m.

Kantner and his partner Sabine Merz were intercepted by the Abu Sayyaf while sailing off the coast of Sabah on board their 50-foot yacht in November last year. Francisco Tuyay with PNA

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Immigration cleared Kang even as Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the possible involvement of his fellow South Koreans in Jee’s kidnapping and killing in October last year.

He said he met with South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin on Feb. 24, and that Kim gave his consent to pursue the “Korean mafia” angle.

The meeting took place after the South Korean Embassy criticized Aguirre over such “unfounded information.”

He said he told kim his reasons for believing in the importance of pursuing the Korean mafia angle.

Kang’s spokesman Redentor Viaje said the false accusation on his client had put his and his family’s life in danger, adding that Aguirre should first provide evidence before naming names.

Viaje said the incorrect information on Korean investors and Korean Embassy officials over Jee’s abduction and killing had put the Korean citizens living in the Philippines in a bad light.

In a statement Kang denied he was a member or a leader of the Korean mafia but a legitimate businessman in the country.

Viaje said accusing Korean businessmen of wrongdoing without evidence would drive away other Korean investors.

News IN BRIEF Bongbong not keen at joining Du30 Cabinet EVEN with an appointment ban lapsing soon, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was not keen at joining his Cabinet as Interior secretary.

“He’s not interested,” Duterte said, referring to Marcos Jr., in a chance interview at Malacañang.

Duterte’s pronouncements dispelled rumors Marcos, who lost to Vice President Leni Robredo, would be named as the new head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government once the oneyear ban on defeated election candidates expires in May. Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno has previously expressed his readiness to be replaced if that would be the decision of Duterte.

The Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, recently junked Vice President Leni Robredo’s motion to dismiss the election protest filed by the son of former President Ferdinand Marcos. John Paolo Bencito

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SSS leadership condemned for contribution increase T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE left-leaning Bayan Muna on Monday denounced the impending increase in Social Security System (SSS) contribution as announced by its president Emmanuel Dooc.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said the SSS was quick to announce the increase in contributions when it has yet to implement the initial P1,000 pension hike.

Zarate, a lawyer, said the increase in SSS contribution was illegal.

Apart from the fact that the increase in contribution was not approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, Zarate said such was not allowed under Section 4.b (2) of Republic Act 8282 which prohibits increase in contribution to fund a pension increase.

Zarate, together with former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, said “Dooc must discuss the proposal first with Malacañang and why he wants to dampen Malacañang’s announcement of a pension increase with claims to increase contribution when it is not true that President Dutere has even approved the same.” ”We maintain there is no major impact on SSS fund life if there is no contribution increase this year or even next year,” Colmenares said.

The Bayan Muna claimed the SSS leadership is quoting a 1.5-percent increase without

factoring in the increase in collection.

The group said “SSS is currently collecting contribution from 12-million members when according to the Philippine Statistics Authority the 41 million of the labor force are employed.”

“This means SSS has failed to collect from the many employers who do not remit their workers’ contributions.If only SSS will increase its collection rate efficiency to about 16-20 million paying members, I am sure they do not even need a 1.5-percent contribution increase,” Colmenares said.

“I am also sure that SSS did

not even factor this collection increase in their actuarial study.

Otherwise, I am sure the SSS projection of a 1.5-percent increase is baseless,” he added.

Both Zarate and Colmenares urged President Duterte not to allow a contribution increase, especially since setting aside contribution increase proposals until SSS has conducted reforms in two to three years will not even substantially affect SSS fund life.

“There is no rush for increase in contribution, absent efforts

by SSS to increase collection rate efficiency,” the militant group said.

NPA guerrillas attack 2 firms in Bukidnon CAGAYAN de Oro City —Fifteen rebels from the communist New People’s Army stormed two private companies in Bukidnon on Saturday, army officials said.

The guerrillas entered the construction compound of the proposed 10.6 megawatt Pulanai Hydroelectric Power Plant at Zone 11, Hangaron, Barangay Lumbayao, an outskirt community of Valencia City.

It is the same power project whose groundbreaking ceremony President Rodrigo Duterte graced in December.

Duterte even asked in his speech the NPAs to spare the project from their attacks as the Pulanai plant, was owned and operated by Repower Energy Development Corp.

Officials said the NPAs confiscated the cellphones of the workers and ordered them to go out of the said compound.

Witnesses told the army the NPAs fired several shots after laying some Improvised Explosive Devices inside the compound.

Col Antonio Bautista Jr., 8IB commanding officer, said troops responded, including a team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

The power plant, one of power-generation facilities envisioned to boost the economic activity in the area, will cater to the electric requirements of Mindanao.

At 10 p.m. Saturday, another NPA group burned down two spray trucks owned

by Davco Agri Venture Corp. in Brgy. Merangiran, Quezon, Bukidnon.

According to police, the company’s refusal to give in to NPA extortion demand was the motive. Lance Baconguis

MORE CLASSROOMS. Japanese Embassy Minister Makoto Iyori attends Friday the turnover ceremony of classrooms for the Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in Agusan del Sur as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance with Gov. Adolfo Plaza, among others, in attendance. PNA

‘Luneta rally validates Duterte support’ 2 ex-Enrile

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday said the turnout of supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte at the Luneta rally on Saturday was an affirmation he enjoyed the support of the majority of the Filipino people.

“Clearly, what we witnessed last Saturday... was an affirmation of the people’s strong support for the President—on the basis of the platform of government; that he was given a huge mandate by the people,” Alvarez said in a television interview.

Alvarez said comparison between the turnout in the separate events in Metro Manila on Sunday—the Edsa commemoration near Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and the Luneta rally—could not be helped.

Alvarez noted that participation in the Luneta event was purely voluntary.

Protesters from different sectors and universities gathered at the People Power Monument near Camp Aguinaldo during the weekend to decry the burial of former President Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Nov. 18, 2016.

Alvarez also out that Duterte supporters held similar gatherings in several urban centers, including Cebu City, Davao City, Butuan City, and Cagayan De Oro City, among others.

“The Duterte supporters showed the Filipino people is [sic] one with the President,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said while the turnout apparently did not reach a million, there were “enough warm bodies.” Police estimates the number of the Luneta crowd at 215,000.

Alvarez also dismissed allegations the bigger turnout at Luneta was prompted by a memorandum of the Department of the Inte-

rior and Local Government which “encouraged” local government units to participate in the event.

Alvarez said such a memo was not necessary.

In the case of the Edsa People Power anniversary celebration, Alvarez said it should not be exclusive to the supporters of the late President Corazon Aquino and former Pres.

Benigno Aquino III. “People Power is for everybody. It does not have exclusivity,” Alvarez said.

Meanwhile, Alvarez said singer Jim Paredes should have tolerated the presence of Duterte Youth at the Edsa People Power anniversary commemoration.

A video of the confrontation between Paredes and the youth supporters of President Duterte has gone viral, where the singer was shown heaping insults on the group who chose to remain silent.

Funding provisions of bills creating courts OKd

By Maricel V. Cruz

STUDENT TRAINEES. Twenty college students from the Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Siocon

campus, under a proposal from Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for agri-technician interns, will be training for two weeks at the Philippine Rice Institute in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. PNA

A PANEL in the House of Representatives has approved the funding provisions of bills creating more courts to hasten resolution of cases and raising government revenue through electronic linkage between the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Vat-registered taxpayers.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the House committee on labor, said the bills form part of a long list of measures whose funding provisions were approved by his panel.

“Knowing that Congress will be going on a break by March 15, this committee saw it fit to have all of these bills approved so we can refer them back to

their mother committees. The committees will then have the chance to report the bills out to the plenary so we can have some more accomplishments before Congress breaks into recess,” Nograles said.

Approved were the funding provisions of House Bills 198 and 2433 and the substitute bills to HBs 451, 991, 2011 and 2029, seeking to create additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in certain parts of the country, authored respectively, by Reps. Jose Carlos Cari of Leyte, Maria Theresa Collantes of Batangas, Lucy Gomez of Leyte, Joaquin Chipeco Jr. of Laguna, Cheryl Deloso-Montalla of Zambales, and Imelda Marcos of Ilocos Norte.

staff, 10 more dismissed

By Rio N. Araja

THE Office of the Ombudman ordered the dismissal from the service of two former staff of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and 10 others in connection with their involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal of Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, Enrile’s ex-chief of staff; Jose Antonio Evangelista II, Enrile’s ex-deputy chief of staff; ex-National Agribusiness Corp. paralegal Victor Roman Cacal; National Livelihood Development Corp.’s then president Gondelina Amata; ex-department manager III; ex-director IV Chita Jalandoni; ex-director IV Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal; ex-cashier Ofelia Ordoñez; ex-budget officer Filipina Rodriguez and project development assistant IV Sofia Cruz; Technology Resource Center’s ex-director general Dennis Cunanan; ex-budget officer Consuelo Lilian Espiritu and ex-chief accountant Marivic Jover—for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dishonesty.

Apart from their dismissal, the respondents have been perpetually disqualified from holding public office, and that their retirement benefits are forfeited.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Brats

P

UBLIC transportation is not just a business venture or a source of livelihood. It is imbued with public service because it enables Filipinos who do not have their own vehicles or have the means to pay for more expedient rides to get from one place to another.

Thus, those who make a living out of public utility vehicles must acknowledge that they have a responsibility to the general population they serve.

It is their duty to ensure that the vehicles plying roads are always

Adelle Chua, Editor

in good condition, are safe to board and pose no danger to passengers, pedestrians or other vehicles.

They should also prevent their vehicles from spewing polluted substances into the air.

They must follow ex-

not inconvenience the public they claim to serve—as though they were brats who throw tantrums just because they don’t get what they want.

Monday’s strike by operators and drivers of public utility jeepneys reeks of this irresponsible, inconsiderate behavior.

Thousands of workers found themselves having difficulty getting to work. Precious school hours were lost as classes had ear-

isting laws protecting the quality of air, for the sake of the environment and of people’s health.

They should then not begrudge the government the right to impose regulations on the safety and quality of public vehicles so long as proposed changes are communicated within reasonable time and options to ensure compliance are made available to them.

Finally, they should

lier been suspended.

Other unscrupulous, enterprising transport providers took advantage of the situation by charging higher fees.

Worse, there were reports that organizations tried to extort from drivers who expressed desire to ply their routes anyway for fear of foregoing their daily income.

The protesting operators and drivers certainly made their voices heard—but not in the way they en-

visioned. They only showed their lack of long-range planning and, more importantly, their lack of consideration for the people they say they serve.

Why resist upgrading the way they do business especially since help should be available anyway?

They are not being summarily driven out of business. They are just being asked to improve their trade for the common good.

Silence and Lent

Two rallies LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES IF THE “spirit of Edsa” is dead, who, pray tell, killed it? That would be the ex-Yellows, of course.

I believe I should call them exYellows now because they seem to be ashamed to wear their old signature color these days. Even former President Noynoy Aquino, like the rest of the remaining loyalists of his former regime who gathered on Edsa last Saturday, wore black—perhaps to mourn the passing of their three decades of power and influence.

The remaining adherents of the Aquino family’s political faction can change their color to aubergine or back to Yellow again tomorrow for all anyone cares. It still won’t bring their dead movement back to life, as the sparse

crowd that gathered to mark the 31st anniversary of the 1986 Edsa “people power” revolt showed.

The passing of the “Edsa spirit” is to be expected. After all, through three decades of neglect, thievery, incompetence, vengefulness and elitism, the ex-Yellows already killed the “body” of Edsa a long time ago.

It may be true that Edsa may have stood for something good before. But the Aquino adherents who were supposed to nurture the ideals that it represented threw it all away.

And these people cannot blame us, who do not share their discredited beliefs, of killing their precious Edsa. Literally and in spirit, we weren’t even near the place these past 30 years, except when we’re stuck in traffic on the way to somewhere else.

The irony of it is, the Yellows proved to be even more powerhungry, money-mad, uncaring and incompetent than the regime that it originally supplanted. And they gave birth, unwittingly, to

Rodrigo Duterte, whom the people chose in repudiation of the Yellow belief system.

On the plus side, the ex-Yellows should be happy that they did make it this far and stay this long.

But now they have to step aside, if

The Yellows killed Edsa and now they’re not even proud to call themselves Yellows anymore. they really don’t want to move on with the rest of the country.

The ex-Yellows have had their fun, enriching themselves while professing their love of God and

the Aquinos. It was never about the country for them, these people even treated the various representations of their yellow ribbon standard as a higher symbol than the Philippine flag.

Now they should stop whining and face the reality of their impending extinction. And they can start by ending the search for people to blame for their troubles outside of their own ranks.

Because the Yellows killed Edsa. And, in a perfectly understandable move, they’re not even proud to call themselves Yellows anymore. *** In certain terminally bitter political circles, it’s fashionable to talk about how besieged Duterte must be feeling these days, when he is supposedly losing the support of the people. And when I hear such talk, I remember how many times Duterte has been compared to a certain Donald J. Trump – and how different the two leaders are in at least one crucial respect.

The biggest difference between Duterte and Trump, I’ve always maintained, is the margin of victory between them and their closest opponents. Using this yardstick, it’s clear that Trump has every reason to feel besieged, because he didn’t even get more votes than Hillary Clinton.

Duterte, however, was the runaway winner last May, garnering more than 50 percent of the votes received (through fair means and foul) by the surprise runner-up, the erstwhile bottom-dwelling Mar Roxas.

And yet, Duterte and his supporters are beset on all sides by the raucous losers who are orphans of Roxas and the Yellow regime that backed him. How did it happen, you may ask, that the voice of the majority has been all but drowned out by the noise of the few?

Well, the Yellows do have a still-formidable propaganda machinery all across traditional and new media. They have financial backers among those who are true believers and those merely scared

“REMEMBER that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These are the powerful words uttered by the priest as he ceremonially places ash on the foreheads of Catholics during the Ash Wednesday celebration, which signals the beginning of the Lenten Season. This year, Ash Wednesday will be tomorrow.

In his Lenten message, Pope Francis reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lying before the door of the rich man, Lazarus fed on the crumbs falling from his table. This biblical narrative is most timely and appropriate especially today with the unjust persecution of Senator Leila de Lima, the continuing massacre of the poor, and the looming passage of the death penalty bill at the House of Representatives. The trolls and mob cheering these developments can only be chilling for a country that says it is Christian and Catholic. If we hold a mirror to ourselves as a people, we will be shocked at what some of us have become: The opposite of the people of God. We are a people supposedly of faith, love, mercy and compassion, but many of us have become, today, filled with hatred, resentment, vengeance and deceit.

Going back to the parable, Francis tells us in contrast about the rich man who becomes “vain out of greed, his appearances mask [ing] ‘an internal emptiness,’ making him a prisoner of his sin.” He said the rich man’s real problem, then, is that he failed to heed God’s word, and because of this, he lost his love for God and began to despise his neighbor. “The word of God is alive and powerful, capable of converting hearts and leading them back to God,” he said, adding that “when we close our heart to the gift of God’s word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters.” Lent, he added, “is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor.”

What is beautiful about Christianity, notwithstanding the imperfection, inconsistency, and hypocrisy of bishops, religious, priests, and believers (me included), is that it liberally dispenses the message of hope and love to friends and foes alike. Surely, no matter how wretchedly sinful a person might be, Christ’s inexhaustible love and mercy remains available to whosoever chooses to return to his loving embrace. As Francis also once said, “When faced with the gravity of sin, God responds with the full-

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Opinion TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

What’s happening?

THE 31st anniversary of the Edsa Yasay Jr. used to be an AmeriPeople Power Revolution showed can citizen. He was still a US us how divided this country re- citizen when he was chairman mains to be. of the Securities and Exchange There were 23,000 Duterte Commission. He has denied this supporters who rallied in favor before the Commission on Apof the President’s war on illegal pointments. There appears to be drugs and of the restoration of conflict. Is he stateless? Do we the death penalty. Whether or not have a stateless Foreign Affairs they were recipients of the con- secretary? ditional cash transfer program, What is happening to our and whether they were paid or country? brought there through their local The nation’s biggest problems, government units, are all matters to my mind, are poverty and jobof speculation. lessness. Terrorism and climate In another rally, there were change come next. What is Presialso Yellowtards led by former dent Duterte doing about these?

President Benigno Aquino III Nothing—because he is so foand his cohorts in the Senate. cused on the war against illegal They were fewer, and conspicu- drugs. ously so. They lambasted the I believe though that this probextrajudicial killings that have lem will persist even after he become the new normal. They steps down in 2022. also attacked the arrest of SenaThese problems make the tor Leila de Lima, who served as country ripe for another revoluJustice Secretary under the Aqui- tion. Still, no amount of people no administration. They said it power will succeed unless there was political persecution. is a military component.

De Lima, who also used to be Thus, I believe that the Presichairperson of dent can sleep the Commiswell at his sion on Human rest house at Rights. She is Malacañang Given the now detained Park or his home at Camp Crame many issues we in Davao City. for her alleged He still has the involvement in have to address support of the the drug trade and those we majority. At the at the New same time, he Bilibid Prison. are actually must realize that She is accused addressing, we despite his zeal of obtaining to eliminate ilmay be more money from legal drugs, he inmates to fund divided than we must address her senatorial all the other think. run—definitely problems of the a crime.As excountry such as pected, they poverty and unalso used the occasion to oppose employment. the burial of former President I also know that Mr. Duterte Ferdinand Marcos at the Libin- knows that Filipinos are like the gan ng mga Bayani. carabao. It will not react even if And then, there were the usual you beat and abuse it—until it militant activities that continued has had enough. And then it will to deplore the Martial Law re- charge. gime and the lack of grand celThe President was elected because ebration of Edsa One. They are he promised us change. But the more trying to make themselves still he talks about change, the more relevant! things stay the same. He should lisWe elected a city mayor who ten to the well-meaning advice of we thought could help unite the those who have had experience in country and heal our political dealing with these issues. wounds. Unfortunately, we now have problems like extrajudicial *** killings.

While I would like to say that I Now we hear from so-called admire the courage and fortitude whistleblowers who claim they of Senator de Lima, I cannot fully used to be members of the say I am with her. We know too Davao Death Squad, headed by well how she defied the Supreme no less than President Duterte. Court by preventing former PresBut since it is a personal attack ident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the credibility of the Presi- from leaving even though the latdent, it needs to be looked into ter was going abroad for medical by the Senate. treatment.

We also have former drug adDe Lima was also instrumendict and Ananda Marga follower, tal in having Chief Justice ReEnvironment Secretary Gina nato Corona convicted during his Lopez, heir to the Lopez clan, impeachment trial. His convica staunch anti-mining advocate tion broke his heart and led to his who is trying her best to kill the death. Likewise, De Lima sent mining industry. She does this three senators—Juan Ponce Enwhile protecting her family’s in- rile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong terest in the geothermal industry. Revilla—arrested and detained And then, that pipe of the First in relation to the use of their pork Philippine Holdings of the Lopez barrel funds. clan has made the West Tower And now De Lima and her cobuilding in Bangkal, Makati un- horts are crying out persecution? inhabitable.

At least she will be given her Now we are told that Foreign day in court to answer the charges Affairs Secretary Perfecto “Jun” against her.

Two...

From A4 of facing charges in court.

They have the support of liberal elites all over the world, in media, NGOs and multilateral bodies, which they leverage to great acoustic effect. What these Aquino-lovers don’t have—and this is crucial—is the support of the only constituency that matters: the Filipino people.

This is Duterte’s strength. And the people should realize that he will be needing them from time to time, when the din generated by the Yellows threatens to make it appear that they somehow have seized the majority.

The judicious use of this new

and much more real “people power” is what will give Duterte the strength to continue. It should always be ready to be deployed.

That is what the majority that voted for Duterte last May needs to understand: While the elections are long over, they still need to protect their president from those who want him removed from time to time.

And last Saturday’s show of force at Manila’s Rizal Park (and elsewhere around the country and even in other nations) should happen again, to remind the plotters and destabilizers that the people will not allows them to have their way.

Noise, after all, doesn’t mean numbers. Sometimes, even the fewest number can create the greatest noise.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Uncool Jim were too well disciplined to raise their voices against someone like FORMATION Jim who was clearly older, wealthier, better-bred (did you ever hear GARY so much proper English bandied OLIVAR about in a street confrontation?), and most definitely louder than AFTER bravely facing down a them. Were they less disciplined, fearsome total of seven kids at the they might have put up a better Yellow Edsa rally last Saturday, show for Jim’s greater delectation. backed by thousands of his blackshirted supporters, this is what *** fearless balladeer Jim Paredes had None of this deterred Jim, who to say to his adoring Twitter fol- has never been known to run away lowers: from a fight where he enjoyed the “I had an immensely enjoyable upper hand. confrontation…It is so satisfying I remember a sunny weekend to shut them up when it mattered. afternoon some years back, when I Face to face. In person.” was walking in Rizal Park together Well. I must say that I’m truly with the late Chief Justice Renato impressed by him. It takes so little Corona and others, on our way after all to get Jim’s rocks off. His to some obscure rally that he just modesty is quite becoming. wanted to observe.

Of course, if Jim had wanted to Passing by a group of wellstretch himself a bit, he might have heeled young people (whom picked on a more challenging tar- I later learned were Ateneo get than these seven. They were schoolmates of Jim’s), I heard only products of schools like UP, them start to boo the old man, TUP, Adamson, nowhere near the who had just been relieved of rarefied realms of Ateneo that oh his Supreme Court seat courso gently cradled Jim’s growth to tesy of P50 million paid to each maturity under the watchful eyes senator by the estimable Budget of the gods of privilege.

Secretary Butch Abad, a foundNot only that; most of them, it ing member of the estimable turns out, used to be ROTC corps Hyatt 10. commanders back in college. Que The boos began to build in volhorror! They were nothing but ume, until CJ Corona decided to young men who were trained only just leave the place. It certainly to lead other young men to fight wasn’t the finest hour for freedom and die for their country if the need of speech, PNoy-style. arises. It’s a safe bet that none of So, you see, Jim Paredes doesn’t them can carry a tune as well as our discriminate. He’ll pick a fight with precious Jim. the old just as readily as he’ll pick Unfortunately for them, they on the young. It does take so little

to get his rocks off. *** Flashback even earlier, again in Rizal Park, on a late day in June 2010, when outgoing President Arroyo was on her way to the ceremonial turnover of power to her successor, Mister Daylight Bringer himself, the Noynoy.

As she made her way through the crowd, obviously jampacked with Yellow supporters, the boos started. A few catcalls mixed in.

If there were any presumably well-bred Ateneans in there—Jim Paredes included—they certainly didn’t bother to show off their good breeding.

I learned right there not to expect too much from this gang. When NoyNoy and Corona shared the same stage much later, before the impeachment started, the President did not even bother to shake the hands of his co-equal the Chief Justice. Why should the Son of Heroes and Martyrs be bothered with something as trivial as behaving politely?

These days the NoyNoy has become so invisible, it’s embarrassing. He’s gone to ground at Times Street, occasionally he’ll pop his head out like a hedgehog at the end of winter to sniff the air and issue some profundity (“The fight is not yet over!” he thundered last Saturday), and then he’ll disappear again.

Even with his limited faculties, the guy understands that discretion is now the better part of valor.

Live to fight another day, but not now—not when your former jus-

tice secretary, at long last in jail for drug pushing, might decide to become less than discreet and unburden herself of the truth about where, exactly, and how high up, did all that drug money go.

In the meantime, Noynoy isn’t really missed. Not with valiant warriors around to defend his putative legacy, of the mete and caliber of Jim Paredes. *** All of which is not to say that I consider the guy a lightweight, or, worse, laos. To my own senior’s ears, that sounds so unkind. His music has been derided as frothy and sentimental, but, hey, I like a lot of it. I can be just as frothy and sentimental as anyone else.

But I will ask this: Jim oh Jim, where were you when I needed to have substantive discussions about politics and such? I’m right here, my friend, whenever you realize that, at your age and elevated social status, you really should be picking your fights with someone of the same size, age and background.

Any way you’d like the fight to go, dude, I’m game.

My email address is right here below. Don’t be a stranger, just drop me a line. And remember my parting words to you: 3.1416… mo. 3.1416… ka.

You’re well-educated, my friend.

You can figure it out.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

Public pay toilets and unisex public restrooms HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA SO FAR, a social and legal problem of immense consequence has largely been unnoticed by the general public. That problem is the proliferation of “pay toilets,” or restrooms which require an admission fee for their use. These pay toilets are present not just in plush establishments in the metropolis, but even in shopping malls, commercial arcades, and restaurants open to the general public.

Under existing laws, public buildings and private commercial buildings accessible to the public must have clean and sanitary public toilets for the separate use of each of the genders. City and municipal health and sanitation ordinances require the building’s management to constantly maintain these public rest rooms, and to make sure that they are fit for human use. Penal sanctions await those who do not comply with the requirements of these laws and ordinances.

The law protecting persons with disabilities also requires that new toilets in public buildings and buildings accessible to the public must designate a separate facility for PWDs. These facilities for PWDs are also covered by laws and ordinances which require the building management to maintain sanitation there. Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, commercial arcades, and similar business establishments are covered by this law.

The importance of toilets in any facility cannot be gainsaid.

Silence...

From A4

ness of mercy. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive.”

Mercy then is what the next 40 days is all about. Because I have experienced and continue to experience the Lord’s mercy, in spite of my relentless sinfulness, I would like to accompany my readers during this season of Lent. I will share reflections at least once a week, probably preceding each Sunday of Lent and onwards even to the first weeks of Easter. Aside from the scriptural readings, I will use as material the relevant homilies and addresses of Pope Francis, excerpts from my Lenten reading—Shusako Endo’s novel Silence (that has now been made into a movie by Martin Scorcese), and passages and prayers from the personal spiritual journal I kept during a 30 day Ignatian retreat I experienced in 2015.

We are not at a good time today, in this country and world. In the Middle East and Africa, and here at home with the collapse of the unilat-

Almost every person who patronizes an establishment that serves food and beverages will inevitably need to go to the rest room, either to wash up or to relieve himself.

Since disease-causing germs thrive in damp and moist places like public toilets, the law requires whoever is in charge of the public comfort room concerned to maintain it and keep it clean.

In fact, toilets are so important that it is unthinkable for business establishments to charge customers for the use of their toilets. To state the obvious—it’s a basic right.

The public’s right of free access to toilets in a public edifice or a private building accessible to the public is quietly being ignored by several commercial establishments.

A leading shopping mall in the heart of Makati has pay toilets located at convenient places, while its so-called “public toilets” are rather difficult to reach. Over in Mandaluyong City, a five-star hotel and its adjacent shopping mall have pay toilets in convenient areas, while the “public toilets” are difficult to reach. In a commercial arcade in uptown Pasig City near the Meralco head office, the pay toilet is air-conditioned and well maintained, while the “public toilet” is hardly anything like it. Down the Valle Verde area likewise in Pasig City, there is an enclave of small bars and restaurants where the only rest room is a pay toilet attended to by a female employee.

The foregoing enumeration is not exhaustive. There are other shopping malls, commercial arcades, restaurants, and similar business establishments in Manila, Quezon City, and San Juan

which are also into this questionable practice.

The excuse offered for the existence of these pay toilets is that it costs money to keep restrooms clean and usable at all times. Pardon the pun but that excuse is crap.

As discussed earlier, it is the legal obligation of every shopping mall, commercial arcade, restaurant and similar business establishment to make clean and sanitary restrooms available to its clientele. To charge customers for the maintenance of clean and sanitary restrooms, which is an obligation mandated by law, is tantamount to charging people an amount of money for the exercise of a legal right protected under the law and pertinent ordinances.

Other questions also arise. If the management can go out its way to maintain a clean and sanitary pay toilet, why shouldn’t it do the same for the “public restroom?” Why should one and the same shopping mall, commercial arcade, restaurant and similar business establishment maintain a cleaner, more well maintained restroom for customers who can pay, and leave a less cleaner, less maintained comfort room for customers who do not wish to pay for the exercise of their right to use a toilet in the first place?

Why should the right to relieve oneself in a clean and sanitary restroom in a shopping mall, commercial arcade, restaurant, or similar business establishment be subject to a price tag?

There is a saying that the call of nature is one great equalizer.

Everyone, rich or poor, will have to relieve himself at one point or

another, wherever he or she may be. Apparently, that saying is no longer true. Even the right to relieve oneself in a public restroom now has a price tag.

By way of analogy, there are memorial parks for the rich, and graveyards for the poor. Now, there are pay toilets for those who have money, and “public toilets” for those who don’t.

Public restrooms, by their very nomenclature, must be treated as a public facility. That is the reason why the law requires the building or mall management to keep those public restrooms clean and sanitary.

Charging a fee for the use of public restrooms is an anomaly, and violates public policy. Congress should take a look at this issue.

What are the city governments of Makati, Mandaluyong and Pasig doing about this?

Under the law, they are empowered to put a stop to this objectionable practice.

Speaking of restrooms, many plush restaurants and high-end coffee shops in Metropolitan Manila have unisex restrooms. Doesn’t the law require separate toilet facilities for men and women customers?

Many women customers complain that male customers who use unisex restrooms tend to a make a mess of the toilet seat. On the other hand, male customers argue that women take a longer time to use a restroom than men do. For this reason, male customers complain that female customers take a long time to use unisex restrooms.

This problem can be avoided if these restaurants and coffee shops provide separate toilet facilities for men and women.

eral ceasefires by the New People’s Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the violence of our language precedes and accompanies the bullets and bombs that are killing combatants and civilians alike.

Global and domestic politics has reached rock bottom, vicious and poisonous, with narcissistic politicians dominating the headlines and cyberspace. These will worsen before they get better.

This Lent, let’s ask for silence so we can listen to the assurance of salvation. Another, better and kinder world is possible. But before we get there, we must ask forgiveness and convert. Silence will lead our hearts to that moment of metanoia, a word explained very well by Saint Pope Paul VI: “Through the word of Christ a message is transmitted to him which invites him to conversion and grants forgiveness of sins. These gifts he fully attains in baptism. This sacrament, in fact, configures him to the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord, and places the whole future of the life of the baptized under the seal of this mystery. Therefore, following the Master, every Christian must

renounce himself, take up his own cross and participate in the sufferings of Christ. Thus transformed into the image of Christ’s death, he is made capable of meditating on the glory of the resurrection.”

Silence will help us see that we have been and are forgiven, that the love and power of God is greater than all the evil in this country and world. Silence will make it easier for us to say yes to the cross and participate in the passion and death of our Lord. Silence will help us rejoice when, come Easter vigil night, we proclaim the Exultet: “This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave . . . O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer! Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!”

And so as Lent begins, I share the prayer with which I began my retreat in 2015. It was suggested to me by my retreat master, Fr. Chris Dumadag, SJ - the novice master of the Society of Jesus, truly a holy priest who understands and teaches young Jesuits nd searching lay persons like me the work of the Spirit. I offer it now to all my reader, so that

you will all be graced with silence in this season: “Slow my pace, Lord. Slow my life. Come sit by me at the well. I am exhausted. Give rest to my heart; bring calm to my feelings.

Come lead me to the mountain.

I am empty. Give me these hours the leisure to be still that I savor the quiet of rolling hills, tasting the presence of the Divine.

Bring me from the running of the day and the doing of the duties to the sitting in the evening to know the reward of being.

Set aside the problems of mind; Soothe the aches of the heart; give rest to the body that I hear the music of my being and know a quiet that allows the soaring of the soul.

Be gentle, Teacher, teaching the truth of being. In gentleness, command silence. In stillness, embrace my spiritand re-enkindle with love . . . and opening the embrace give freedom to the soul.

Slow my pace, Spirit of Love.

Breathe into my being, Word . . . And with a mighty wind blow the incarnate word to the ends of the earth.”

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News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Strike makes wrong turn

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE transportation strike staged by jeepney operators and drivers against the government’s modernization program failed to paralyze Metro Manila and other urban centers in the country with commuters complaining of distasteful incidents during the strike.

“In general, the strike failed despite the harassment, intimidation and force utilized by the hardliners against those who just wanted to earn their living driving their jeeps,” Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Thomas Orbos said.

“It failed because it was based on deception by their leaders,” Orbos said, noting that transport group leaders were allegedly imposing P1,000 fines on

drivers who did not want to join the strike and preferred to ply their routes as usual.

“We did ocular inspections in areas where there were reports of disruption and had dialogue with several groups who joined the strike,” he said.

“Apparently there were a lot of misrepresentations made by their leaders which were clarified. These members vowed not to join future strikes and participate in dia-

logue with the government,” Orbos added.

Officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board criticized some transport group leaders who allegedly demanded P1,000 from drivers who did not want to join the protest.

“We received information that you are preventing other operators from plying their routes, especially in the Bulacan area,” LTFRB board member Aileen Lourdes Lizada said over ABSCBN “Umagang Kay Ganda” program.

“They are imposing a P1,000 find on drivers who want to ply their routes. Please don’t do that,” Lizada said.

But Stop and Go Coalition president Jun Magno denied this.

“There is no truth to this. This is 100 percent lie.”

The strike was staged to protest government plans to phase

out jeepneys more than 15 years old and require jeepney operators to have a minimum capital of P7 million and 10 minimum units for each franchise.

To address operators’ and drivers’ concern of undue economic burden from having to purchase brand new jeepney units, the government would allow them to apply for loans with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

But thousands of commuters were still affected by the transport strike, particularly in the cities of Marikina and Pasig in the eastern metro; Commonwealth Avenue, Tandang Sora, Mindanao Avenue, and the district of Fairview, all in Quezon City; Taft Avenue, España, Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo, Recto and Sta. Cruz, all in Manila, and Monumento and Grace Park in Caloocan City.

“Yes, we were affected by

this transport strike, most especially my daughter, a grade nine pupil. On my part, I walked all the way from the MRT station of Buendia Avenue to our office here in Makati,” said graphic artist Haidee de Guzman. “What’s happening to our country, is this change?

Commuters in nearby provinces of Laguna, Bulacan and Cavite were also stranded forcing them to walk or find other mode of transportation like tricycles to get to their offices.

In Cabuyao City, tricycle drivers made opportunities demanding passengers P20 instead of the P9 minimum fare for tricycle.

In Taguig City, the local government ordered the suspension of classes in all levels, both private and public.

Other local government units did the same and made the announcement a day before the strike.

John Paolo Bencito

Fuel firms cut gas prices THE country’s oil firms rolled back pump prices by P0.40 per liter for gasoline but raised the price of diesel and kerosene prices by P0.35 per liter and P0.30 per liter effective Tuesday.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Eastern Petroleum and Flying V issued separate advisories of the latest price movement that will be reflected starting 6 a.m. Feb. 28.

Energy Department director Melita Obillo said there is oversupply of gasoline “especially with the increasing inventories in the US” thus prices of gasoline went down.

Obillo said diesel prices, however, went up because of speculations of tight supply after two Indonesian refineries bared plans to have a maintenance shutdown in the next few weeks.

Analysts are warily watching the movement of oil prices amid conflicting supply trends. While there has been a push to cut production from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, there has been continuing uptrend in the US drilling rig. Alena Mae S. Flores

‘Luneta rally shows people back Digong’

Duterte supports Napoles acquittal PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signified his approval of the move of Solicitor General Jose Calida for the dismissal of serious illegal detention cases filed against alleged suspected pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

“I think he’s right. I agree with [Calida],” Duterte told reporters.

“For me, I will move for the dismissal of the case, because it is not our job to persecute. It is our job to prosecute right? It’s just simple justice.”

Duterte, who served as prosecutor in Davao City before being elected mayor of Davao City, said he has done something similar in the past.

“I myself would move for the dismissal of the case, especially if fabricated, planted evidence.”

The OSG filed with the Court of Appeals a “manifestation in lieu of rejoinder” recommending the acquittal of Napoles for the crime of serious illegal detention of her second cousin, Benhur Luy, who is the star whistleblower in the pork barrel cases.

A local court imposed a penalty of life imprisonment on Napoles for the Luy’s illegal detention.

Duterte argued that Luy’s behavior at the time of his supposed illegal detention is questionable.

“For me, and really, the circumstances would show it, he [Luy] was not restrained at all,” Duterte said. “If I were the prosecutor, I would dismiss the case.”

The President refused to comment on Napoles’ role in the pork barrel scam, but insisted on the reassessment of the pork barrel cases since it seemed that not all those involved in the scam were charged before the courts.

“It appears that it was selective. Not all were charged. The criminal actions must proceed against all responsible,” he said.

IN BRIEF

JUST ANOTHER HARDSHIP. Commuters board a truck the state provided as jeepney drivers and operators staged a strike to protest a government modernization plan. Andrew Rabulan

Digong eases tax fears of car makers

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday sought to calm fears of car manufacturers on the administration’s plan to increase taxes on cars.

“Let me take this opportunity too to assure our stakeholders from the automotive industry that we will take due consideration of your concerns about our package fiscal reforms,” Duterte said in a speech during the launch of the first locally produced Mitsubishi Mirage G4 at Malacañang.

“We will ensure that its impact would be fair and supportive of your growth as participants in the CARS program,” the President added,

referring to the Trade Department’s P27-billion stimulus Comprehensive Auto Resurgence Strategy package.

Car manufacturers have expressed opposition to the government’s plan to introduce a new tax on the sale of automobiles in the country, saying that it will imapct heavily on the vehicle industry and dampen the desire of locals to purchase a vehicle.

Currently, the taxes on the sale of cars in the Philippines are staggered, with a base fee determined by the value of the car, and an additional proportional charge, also set by the value of the car.

Data from the Finance Department showed that should the program push through, a

Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS with a current SRP of P740,000 and a base tax of 2 percent determined by the value of the car, will have a new proposed SRP of P775,514 plus a 4 percent base tax.

Other car models will have higher excise tax which will be used to improve traffic management solutions, and fund climate change-resilient infrastructure.

The new tax was proposed as part of a wider plan by the government to shift the national tax system to a low-rate wide-base system, which would see taxes charged at a lower rate but on a greater number of items and transactions.

The government hopes that by raising the taxes on cars, it will

be able to reduce the taxes levied on personal incomes.

Japanese firm Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. announced on Monday the commencement of the local production of the Mirage G4 in its 21-hectare plant in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna starting this year, committing the production of 200,000 vehicles of their chosen model in a span of six years.

The vehicle industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Prior to the Philippinemade Mirage G4, the Mirage is being built at Mitsubishi Thailand’s Laem Chabang plant, facility number three since April 2012.

BoC surrenders rhino horns to DENR agency

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

CONTRABAND. Theresa Mundita Lim (left) of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, inspects rhinoceros horns, seized by customs bureau, represented by Lieutenant Angelito Cruz, during a turnover ceremony in Manila. AFP

THE Bureau of Customs on Monday turned over its stockpile of rhinoceros horns to the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The rhinoceros horns were seized by the BoC in September 2012 after they were discovered in a shipment from Maputo City in Mozambique at the Manila International Container Port. The shipment, valued at some P74 million in the black market, was declared as cashew nuts.

BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim received the seized horns from the BoC, represented by its Environmental Protection Unit head Lt. Angelito Cruz.

Lim said the turnover of the seized rhino horns to the BMB is part of the Philippine commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endan-

gered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

The CITES is an international treaty developed in 1973 to regulate commercial trade in certain wildlife species, including the critically endangered rhinoceros.

“We may not have rhinoceros in our country, but this does not mean we will allow others to use them and other such wildlife for unscrupulous gains and contribute to their extinction as a species,” Lim said.

Lim said the BMB would coordinate with the government of Mozambique for the possible return of the specimens.

“Should the African state refuse to accept them, they would be disposed of properly or possibly destroyed,” she said.

The BMB had been coordinating with the BoC for the turnover of the specimens since their seizure. The process was put on hold as the BoC management underwent some changes.

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday said the huge turnout of supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte at the Luneta rally on Saturday is a validation that he enjoys the support of the majority of the Filipino people.

The gathering at Luneta coincided with the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution held at the People Power Monument.

“Clearly, yung nangyari nung Sabado, makita natin na alin yung majority, alin yung minority. So nakikita natin, yung suporta sa ating Pangulo, talagang anduduon pa rin.

At malakas pa rin yung suporta dahil nga on the basis of the platform of government ay binigyan siya ng huge mandate by the people,” Alvarez said in a television interview.

He said comparison between the turnouts in the separate events on Saturday cannot be helped. Alvarez noted that participation in the Luneta event was purely voluntary.

Likewise, Alvarez pointed out that Duterte supporters held similar gatherings in several urban centers, including Cebu City, Davao City, Butuan City, and Cagayan de Oro City, among others.

“Pinapakita lang siguro nung mga supporters niya na talagang ito ay suportado ng sambayanan,” Alvarez said.

He said that while the turnout apparently did not reach a million, there were “enough warm bodies.”

Police estimates place the number of the Luneta crowd at 215,000.

Airport queues worsen

By Vito Barcelo QUEUES at the immigration counters of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport worsened on Monday after immigration officers did not show up for work because of non-payment of their overtime pay.

Airport officials said a number of passengers missed their flights due to long queues in the immigration counters at the Naia.

According to an officer of the BI, only 11 immigration officials reported for work and were not able to accommodate all passengers.

Foreign and local passengers had to stay in line for more than an hour before they could reach the immigration counter.

Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno assured that there is funding for the allowances of employees of the BI who render overtime services.

“A total of P224.835 million has been appropriated in the FY 2017 General Appropriations Act [GAA] specifically for the overtime pay of BI employees who do overtime services,” Diokno said after reports of work stoppage at the Naia came out.

It was also learned that BI immigration officers filed their leave of absence en masse last week as a sign of protest for the alleged non-payment of their overtime allowance.

“The immigration officers perform an important role in ensuring public security and safety. They are at the frontline of the battle to secure our borders from terrorist threats, human trafficking, and illegal drug trade. That’s why the President made sure that there is an appropriation in the GAA for their overtime pay in recognition for the work they perform,” Diokno said.

Sports

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Thais seek end to PH Open spell

D

ESPITE boasting of world-caliber players, Thailand has never scored victory in the Solaire Philippine Open. But the country’s chief rival in various regional competitions is determined to end it all this week with a full 24-player roster all primed up for the $400,000 event firing off Thursday at The Country Club in Laguna.

Jazz Janewattananond, No. 17 in the current Asian Tour Order of Merit Ranking, banners the crack Thai contingent in the country’s premier championship – and Asia’s oldest National Open – which unwraps Thursday at the par-72 Tom Weiskoph-designed course spruced up to championship form.

Ittiphat Buranatanyarat, who won the Asian Development Tour leg at Sherwood in 2015, is also in the fold together with Chinnarat Phadungsil, who at 17 became the youngest winner on the Asian Tour when he ruled the Double A International Open at home

in 2005 as an amateur.

Thaworn Wiratchant, meanwhile, hopes to provide the experience and poise for the Thai delegation but the 18-time Asian Tour champion, now 51, will have to slug it out with the young but long hitters in the event sponsored

by Solaire Resort and Casino and held in cooperation with Meralco and PLDT. Other Thais seeing action are Arnond Vongvanij, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Chawalit Plaphol, Gunn Charoenkul, Kevin Techakanokboon, Namchok

Tantipokhakul, Panakorn Uthaipas, Panuwat Muenlek, Peradol Panyathanasedh, Piya Swangarunporn, Poom Saksanin, Poosit Supupramai, Raththee Sirithankunsak, Rattanon Wannasrichan, Sattaya Supupramai, Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Sutijet Kooratanapisan and Thammanoon Sriroj.

Meanwhile, Australia, which ruled three of the last 10 Phl Open, is fielding in six, including 2014 champion Marcus Both, while Taiwan has seven players, including 1993 winner Yeh Chang-ting and 2014 Solaire Open champion Lin Wen-tang.

Other countries represented in the blue-ribbon event, backed by Pioneer Insurance, Lexus, BDO, Sharp, Custom Clubmaker, KZG, Empire Golf and Titleist, are Malaysia, I ndone sia , Japan,

New Zealand, England, Scotland, Finland, China, Guatemala, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Ireland, Macedonia, Colombia, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Myanmar, Venezuela and the US, making it truly international in scope.

2015 champion Miguel Tabuena and former three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que and reigning Philippine Golf Tour Tony Lascuña headline the local challenge, along with Clyde Mondilla, Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador and former champions Frankie Miñoza, Cassius Casas, Gerald Rosales and Robert Pactolerin.

Organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in cooperation with the National Golf Association of the Philippines, the Solaire Philippine Open is staking a top purse of $72,000 (P3.6 million) with the event also serving as a preview of the Solaire Philippine Open’s grand centennial staging in 2018.

Reynante is retiring AFTER competing for more than two decades, Lloyd Lucien Reynante of Navy-Standard Insurance is hanging up his bike and cycling jersey.

Reynante, one of the most decorated Filipino cyclists today despite not winning the Ronda Pilipinas and the Tour, made the announcement yesterday during the one-week break of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017.

“I’m resting my tired body from competition, this Ronda will be my last,” said the 38-yearold Reynante in Filipino.

“I’m blessed beyond belief to have been given this chance to compete against the country’s best in more than 20 years and meeting and working with some great people who supported me, what more can I ask for,” he added.

Reynante, a seaman second class, who is retiring as a Navyman this July after 20 years of military service, did not show regret over his failure to win the Tour, which his father, the late Manuel, won in 1980.

He said his runner up performance to Rhyan Tanguilig, Joel Calderon and Irishman David McCann, the 2004, 2009 and 2010 Tour winners, respectively, and countless top five and top 10 finishes were more than enough to fill that title craving.

“I’m probably the only Filipino rider with the most second place finishes and I have contended in so many others that made me feel that I won it, too,” said Reynante.

After biking, Reynante’ next calling will be coaching.

“I’ve actually been coaching Navy-Standard Insurance for years and if they want me to coach them again next year, it will be an honor for me. I also have a new team in Bike Extrme,” said Reynante.

Iloilo bets clinch Capis tennis honors a 0-2(ret.) setback to Jon Jimenea, also of Iloilo, in the 16-U finals of the Group 2 event hosted by Mayor Amado Eriberto Castro Jr. Suace, on the other hand, survived Rose Martirez, 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-2, to snare the girls’ 14-U title but the Central Philippine U stalwart bowed to Kalibo’s Averille Sacapano, 0-6, 0-2(ret.) in the 18-U finals of the fifth leg of the circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president and CEO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, listup for the next leg in Roxas City set March 2-6 is ongoing. For details, call Bobby Mangunay, the PPS-PEPP sports

program development director at 0915-4046464.

La Carlota’s Kiana de Asis took the girls’ 16-U diadem with a 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Sacapano; Jufe-Ann Cocoy, also of La Carlota, held off Abigail Sacapano, 6-3, 6-3, to pocket the girls’ 12-U title; while Roxas City’s Derrick Guillano turned back Louchela Estember, 4-2, 1-4, 4-2, to nail the 10-unisex crown in the event presented by Slazenger.

Unranked Kalibo’s Nino Ronald Rey shared the spotlight by winning the boys’ 12-U plum, thwarting Rafael Legaspi, 6-1, 7-6(7), in the event backed by Asiatraders Corp.

and sanctioned by Philta.

Gazo later teamed up with Paul Caspe to nip Matthew Flores and Jondreve Jimenea, 8-7(3), while Averille Sacapano and De Asis overpowered Louise Clavaton and Angela Depalobos, 8-2, for the boys’ and girls’ 18-U doubles crowns, respectively.

Lamparero and Nowlakha edged Rey and Angelo Mejia, 8-5, and Abigail Sacapano and Martirez routed Suace and Cocoy, 8-1, for the boys’ and girls’ 14-U doubles plums, while Estember and Guillano also dominated Marben Alimarin and Eric Binas, 8-2, to run away with the 10-unisex doubles title.

University of Cebu table-netters ready for Taipei Universiade 2017 CEBU CITY, Philippines—The University of Cebu table tennis team maybe young and inexperienced, but they are dauntless and very determined to make Cebuanos proud with a decent finish in the coming 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei City, Taiwan on Aug. 19 to 30.

The six table tennis qualifiers to the Taipei Universiade are the current gold medalists in the just-concluded Private Schools Athletic Association and all of them were consistent gold medalists since elementary to high school.

They are Lemuel Agbon, Fausto Zeus Comaingking and John Vincent Cabaluna for the men’s division and Lez Lie Agbon, Diana Oliverio and Jeramae Saromines for the women’s division. These “fearless” racket-wielders from

the Queen City of the South are so confident they are going to invade Taipei by storm as their major task in going there to represent Cebu in the Universiade.

Agbon, who is the oldest of the team at 21 years, is taking up Mechanical Engineering, while Comaingking, 20, is taking up Civil Engineering and Cabaluna is a 19year old Criminology student.

Comaingking said that despite the difficulty of being Civil Engineering student, he has still enough time to practice because it’s only a way of “time management.”

The 19-year-old Saromines is taking up Industrial Engineering, while Agbon and Oliverio, both 18 years old, are both taking Education courses.

This will be the third time that

Fun run winner. Marco Vilog got a P5,000 cash

reward after winning the first leg of the 2nd ‘Takbo Para Sa Makasaysayang Zapote River’ held during the twoday Las Pinas City River Festival, the opening of which was led by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar. The senator said she looks forward to events like this, promoting healthy and friendly competition among all participants who ran from Pegasus Street (River Drive) up to the Molino Dam. The other finishers in the first leg, exclusive to only Las Pinas residents are Carlito Fantilaga, Marvin Talampas, Jojie Dagaas and Alesandro Luciano, who all received special prizes. The first five finishers for the second leg are Rowel Galbero, Junel Gobotea, Reynold Villafranca, Jomar Angus and Neri Elbrin. Like Vilog, Galbero also got P5,000 cash reward aside from finishers’ medal and complimentary loot bags. The participants in the second leg came from the nearby cities and provinces.

the UC table tennis team is representing the Philippines in the Universiade. The others were in Kazan, Russia in 2013 and in Gwangju, South Korea in 2015.

Atty. Baldomero Estenzo, UC team manager and FESSAP vicepresident for the Visayas region, said that he will ask FESSAP President David Ong and chairman of the Universiade Preparation & Monitoring Committee, Prof. Robert Milton Calo, to let his players to stay the entire duration of the competition as scheduled until the finals.

Atty. Estenzo was present during the luncheon meeting with the players along with Cecille Sarmiento of the FESSAP national secretariat and champion coach Jessica Honoridez, a former table tennis champion herself.

FESSAP Vice President Atty. Baldomero Estenzo (center) of University of Cebu Dean of Law is shown with the University Cebu team that won the National PRISAA title recently. They will represent the Philippines to the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei City in August 2017.

More senior golf tilts loom THE Senior Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines, after a successful revamp of its organization last year, is looking further to promote the senior golf scene in the country and come up with more tournaments within the year.

Part of the 2017 plans is to hire a marketing coordinator or team to ensure that big sponsors would be sourced out and help fund the upcoming tournaments, said Mar-

tin Rivera and Robert Pactolerin, SPGAP president and vice president.

Those interested, Rivera also said, may contact the office at 09064883147 or through Wendy Superal at 09202991169.

Also in the current Board, with Rivera and Pactolerin, are Fred Superal (secretary) and Wendy Superal (treasurer) plus directors Mario Manubay, Juanito Pagunsan, Doming Umadhay, Rodolfo Enema, and Rolando Lumawag.

ROOKIE sensation AJ Lim powered University of the East to a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 79 lawn tennis tournament over the weekend.

The Red Warriors, still looking for their first crown, defeated defending champion National University, 4-1, and bested De La Salle, 3-1, the next day at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Lim joined forces with his fellow singles’ player Josshua Kinaadman in helping UE going undefeated in five ties.

The 17-year-old Lim, who played for the country’s Davis Cup team earlier this month, was also perfect in five singles’ matches.

University of Santo Tomas had mixed results in men’s play over the weekend, edging De La Salle, 3-2, before losing to Ateneo, 2-3.

The Growling Tigers and the Bulldogs are tied in second place at 2-2. UST and NU will battle University of the Philippines and De La Salle, respectively, in the make-up ties for the abandoned Feb. 18 clashes tomorrow at the same Malate venue.

The reigning women’s titlist Lady Bulldogs also went unbeaten in the first round with a identical 4-1 victories over the Lady Maroons and the Lady Archers.

NU went perfect in four ties, thanks to the brilliant performances of former MVP winners Clarice and Christine Patrimonio.

UST beat Ateneo, 3-2, to wound up second with a 3-1 slate, while UP capped the first round with an even 2-2 card.

Montilla, Minuluan bags Prima doubles’ title

Ittiphat Buranatanyarat, who won the Asian Development Tour leg at Sherwood in 2015, is also in the Philippine Open fold.

MARBEN Mosquera and Avril Suace came away with contrasting victories in the 14-and-under class and turned in runner-up finishes in higher divisions to bag top honors in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dumalag leg regional tennis tournament at the Dumalag Tennis Club in Capiz yesterday.

The fourth-ranked Mosquera upended top seed Nikhel Nowlakha, 6-0, 6-2, in the semis then trounced Jan Lamparero, 6-1, 6-3, to cop the boys’ 14-U crown. But he fell short against fellow Ilonggo JJ Chrysler Gazo from Cabatuan, 4-6, 0-6, in the 18-U finals and yielded

Lim powers UE to sweep of tennis 1st round

SONNY Boy Montilla and Mike Minuluan and the women’s pair of Aldreen Rae Concepcion and Mae Pamorada ruled the doubles’ level B titles of the 10th Prima Pasta Badminton Championship recently at the Powersmash Badminton Courts in Pasong Tamo, Makati City.

Montilla and Minuluan won over Joaquin Deato and Roberto Gan Pineda, 21-18, 21-10, in the finals to capture the men’s doubles level B crown, while Concepcion and Pamorada beat Jiselle Joy Capillo and Mitzi Joy Pantoja, 1721, 21-20, 21-6, for the women’s doubles’ level B title.

Over 2,000 participants all over the country participated in the weeklong tournament organized by committee chairman Alexander Lim in partnership with the Philippine Badminton Association and affiliated with the Philippine National Ranking System.

In other doubles’ finals results, John Oliveros and Tristan Oliveros crushed Jeff Monton and Nepthali Pineda, 21-17, 21-13, to pocket the men’s doubles’ level D crown, while Myra Francisco and Aiza Garcia derailed Jennifer Choy and Lea Hermosilla, 21-9, 8-21, 18-15 (Retired), to grab the women’s doubles’ level D trophy.

Emmanuel Paul Chua and Godofredo Hernandez outlasted Lance Ilagan and Andy Vasquez, 21-15, 21-16, to win the men’s doubles level F title of the tournament sponsored by Babolat and SMART Communications through MVP Sports Foundation.

The event was also supported by Boysen Paints, Morning Star Milling Corporation., Mabz Builders, ILO Construction, Monolith Construction, Monocrete Construction, Pioneer Insurance, Promax International, Regent Foods Corp., RFM Corp and Del Monte Phils.

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

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

Westbrook fuels OKC past New Orleans’ 5

LOS ANGELES—Russell Westbrook scored 21 points in the fourth quarter en route to his 29th triple double of the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-110 on Sunday.

Westbrook posted his seventh career 40-point triple double, which tied him with Wilt Chamberlain for the second most in NBA history.

Westbrook finished with 41 points on 14-of-29 shooting from the field in front of a crowd of 18,200 at the Thunder’s Chesapeake Energy Arena. He also had 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

“I just stay in attack mode and tried to help us win,” Westbrook said.

The 21 points is the most Westbrook has ever scored in the fourth during his career.

“I think throughout the game, I try to find ways to pick my spots,” Westbrook said. “Tonight was the fourth quarter.

Some nights it may be early, some nights it may be late. I just play.

“The game will tell you what to do. If something is working, I keep doing it.”

Enes Kanter came off the bench to add 20 points and nine rebounds. Steven Adams and Alex Abrines each had 13 points for the Thunder.

Anthony Davis led the Pelicans (23-37) with 38 points and seven rebounds.

“I thought we played well,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. “I thought we did a good job. We started the game the right way.

“At the end of the day, Russ made all the plays down the stretch. You have to give them credit.”

Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins added 31 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.

Cousins picked up a technical foul 32 seconds into the game. It was the 18th of the season for Cousins which means he will be suspended for one game.

“I don’t feel I did anything wrong to receive it,” said Cousins, who leads the league in technical fouls.

Clippers sting Hornets in OT Elsewhere, Blake Griffin scored 43 points and collected 10 rebounds, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 124-121 overtime victory over the slumping Charlotte Hornets.

DeAndre Jordan finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, who defeated the Hornets at Staples Center for the seventh straight game. AFP

MEN’S CEREMONIAL TEE OFF. The 70th Regular Men’s PAL Interclub golf tournament officially opened with the ceremonial tee off at Rancho Palos Verdes, led by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana (right photo). A total of 82 teams are seeing action in the Men’s Interclub to run March 1 to 4 at Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo Golf in Davao City.

Top amateur golfers boost Southwoods’ Interclub cast

D

AVAO CITY—With the country’s top young amateurs in its fold, Manila Southwoods looms as the team to beat in the 70th Regular Men’s Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships, which get going Wednesday.

Even without Justin Quiban who has turned pro, Southwoods has enough firepower to make it three in a row.

“Let’s just say we’re confident with what we have right now,” said Southwoods captain Jerome Delariarte.

“Our team is less experienced compared to last year’s squad, but certainly is more talented.”

The team has only four holdovers led by Junjun Plana, the most senior member at 49 years old. The only other adult in the squad is 22-year-old Jama Reyes.

The rest of the squad are teenagers, led by in-form Yuto Katsuga-

wara who is 18.

The others are Kristoffer Arevalo, 17; Liam Cully, 17; Aira Alido, 16; Aidric Chan, 15; Jet Sajulga, 15; Carl Corpuz, 14; and Tom Kim, 14.

Aside from Plana, the other holdovers are Katsugarawa, Alido and Sajulga.

Last year, Southwoods routed Canlubang in the final round to score a 10-point win at the Mimosa Golf Club in Clark, Angeles.

Canlubang, led by Rupert Zaragosa, is again tipped to give Southwoods a run for its money as well as Luisita and Del Monte.

The 70th PAL Interclub Platinum sponsors are Mareco Broadcasting Network, A&E Networks Asia, RMN Networks, The Manila Standard, Fox Networks Group, Rolls-Royce, TV5, MasterCard, TFC and Business Mirror.

Major sponsors include Asian Air Safari, Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Sabre Airline Solutions while Corporate sponsors are Baron Travel Corporation, Boeing, MX3, GE Aviation, Bombo Radyo Philippines, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers, Sabre Airline Solutions and Tourism Promotions Board.

The donors are Shangri-La at The Fort, Trinity Insurance and Eton Properties.

A total of 80 teams are entered in the four-day, five-division event which ends on Saturday. They will play at the Apo Golf and Country Club and Rancho Palos Verde.

Felipe hangs tough in LTDL

Bonjo Martin of 711 Roadbike Philippines shows aggressiveness against rival riders at the LTDL 2017. Roman Prospero

KUALA KUBU BHARU--The 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippine riders failed to break free from the big guns manning the peloton in the 151-km Stage 5 Le Tour de Langkawi from Meru Raya to Kuala Kubu Bahru.

Marcelo Felipe, the 7-Eleven team leader who hung on with the rampaging main bunch to cross the line several wheels behind winner and yellow jersey holder Ryan Gibbons of Dimension Data.

The winning group was timed 3h, 27m and 20 secs.

Dominic Perez’s attempt for the sprint was spoiled early with another crash near the finish involving KSPO and Giant riders.

In the sprint, Gibbons, with full support of his teammates,

pipped Jakub Marezcko of Wilier Triestina and Marco Benfatto of Androni Giacattoli, who settled for second and third.

Gibbons increased his overall lead from 11 to 23 seconds over closest rival Cameron Bayly of Isowhey.

“Getting second on stage 1, that was a sense of achievement but today my first pro win is more a relief than anything else and I’m just so happy to finally get a win for the team and also for myself,” Gibbons said.

“This result will stay for the rest of my career. On a good day on a flat road, I can win a bunch sprint but today with a bit of a drag and the road surface being bricks, it suited me a bit more but moreover my team put

Salak is Cocolife assistant coach FORMER top player Tina Salak is set to open another chapter in her volleyball career as she serves as assistant coach of new team Cocolife in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference starting this Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

After leading the Philippine Army to glorious finishes and representing the country in various international tournaments, the 40-yearold playmaker will now assist head coach Obet Javier in the season-opening conference.

Salak’s commanding presence in the bench is a major boost to the neophyte squad composed of former stars from fierce rivals Ateneo and La Salle, as well as the nucleus of newly crowned NCAA champion Arellano University.

Michele Gumabao will be at the helm, while Denise Lazaro, Wensh Tiu, Erika Alkuino, Rosemarie Vargas, Therese Gaston, Eunice Galang, Anne Esguerra, Rhea

Ramirez, Jovie Prado, Regine Arocha and Andrea Marzan make up COcolife’s core.

Former UAAP Most Valuable Player Iris Ortega-Patrona, meanwhile, will be making a grand comeback together with Kay Martinez-Daly, who will come in after Mika Esperanza begged off to focus on her studies in a medical school.

Gumabao, the heart and soul of La Salle’s championship runs, said Salak is helping them develop their chemistry inside and outside the court.

She also instills the discipline and work ethic she acquired from Army and the national team, which she led to the silver medal in the 1995 Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and bronze medal in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila.

“Coach Tina’s presence is a necessity in bonding the whole team. Coach Tina is both strict and understanding,” said Gumabao,

referring to Salak who also served as trainer of PSL Manila in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship last year.

“The past week, she really taught us a lot as a team and I know in such a short amount of time, we can still be competitive. Coach Tina doesn’t look at anyone in our team any differently. We all go through the same rules and training that makes us one as a team.”

Team official Joshua Ylaya added that Salak’s stint with the Asset Managers wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of the Lady Troopers.

“We want to extend our thanks to the Philippine Army for allowing us to borrow coach Tina,” he said. “At least our team can experience the kind of discipline, the kind of fighting spirit she instills to strive for excellence. Coach Tina and a champion coach in Coach Obet would surely make us very competitive.”

me in a perfect position. I would have been hard not to win. I’m really grateful for their help.”

“I wasn’t targeting the intermediate sprints”, the race leader continued. “It was more riding defensively. Every time with 1km to the sprint we so IsoWhey moving up. They had the teal jersey with Sunderland but Bayly was also up there so I had just had to make sure I’d finish in front of him. I’ve managed to pick up four points and two seconds. It was mainly watching the guys on GC, not worrying too much and not attacking them. The teal jersey is a great award but my focus for now is the yellow jersey. If it happens that I can win it as well, I’ll be grateful though.”

Huey, pal settle for 2nd in Delray tilt

By Peter Atencio THIRD seeds Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi made it to the doubles’ finals of the Delray Beach Open Tennis last Sunday in Palm Beach, Florida.

But after a closely fought game, second seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram picked up their first ATP World Tour doubles title of 2017 following a 7-5, 7-5 triumph over Huey and Mirnyi.

Huey, who plays for the Philippines in its Davis Cup campaigns, reached the finals with Mirnyi after they disposed of Tommy Haas and Vasek Pospisil, 7-6(5), 6-2, in the semifinals.

According to the tournament’s official website, Klaasen did not take chances with his serves in the ninth game and held on for a 5-4 lead in the first set.

But Huey and Mirnyi fought their way to a 3-1 lead in the second set.

That’s when Ram broke serve in the fourth game and led a rally for a 5-all tie.

Klaasen, who is from South Africa, and the US-based Ram hung and came out ahead in the next plays of their 90-minute game.

The winners picked up 250 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split a check for $29,010.

On the other hand, Huey/ Mirnyi, who are seeking their in their first ATP World Tour final of the season, earned 150 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split a check worth $15,250.

Perpetual’s Taneos redeemed BROTHERS Relan and Rey Taneo, Jr. of Perpetual Help went to the 92nd NCAA beach volleyball in Subic Bay seeking to make up from their heartbreaking defeat to St. Benilde in the finals of indoor volleyball early in the month.

They went home redeemed.

Showing nerves of steel, the Taneos needed an extra finals’ game and a nail-biting 21-16, 20-22, 17-15 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Jhonel Badua and Joeward

Presnede to clinch their very first men’s beach volley title at the Moon Bay Marina Area in SBMA over the weekend.

When it was over, the Taneos were relieved to finally erase the ghost of last year when they lost to last season’s champion Mapua in a showdown the former were heavily favored to win.

It also came as a soothing balm for Perpetual Help’s failure to claim the indoor volley crown.

PSA Forum tackles caging, supercross THREE-on-three basketball and motocross will be the center of discussion in today’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Golden Phoenix Hotel at Diosdado Macapagal, Sunrise Drive in Pasay City.

Former national coach Joe Lipa talks about the 3x3 tournament set to be held in Cebu and the National Capital Region and backed

by Under Armour. He will be joined by Un-

der Armour Southeast Asian executives Angelica Suiza and Adrian Chai of Singapore in the session to be aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918.

Meanwhile, the other half of the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Golden Phoenix and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., will tackle the opening leg of the Diamond Motor Supercross.

February inflation likely hit 3.9% B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

B1

IN BRIEF Century, Mitsubishi to build 3,000 homes

CENTURY Properties Group Inc. and partner Mitsubishi Corp. of Japan are investing P2 billion to build close to 3,000 homes in Tanza, Cavite, marking the real estate company’s venture into the “first home” segment.

Century Properties said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the foray into the first homebuyer market was in line with the company’s thrust to expand its real estate portfolio which currently includes highend and mid-rise residential developments.

Century Properties chief operating officer Marco Antonio said the new product would be launched in the second quarter of 2017, with each unit having a starting price of P1.1 million and a monthly amortization of P9,000.

“The launch of this new segment effectively expands the company’s portfolio of residential offerings, from luxury and mid-priced condominiums in the business districts and city centers to competitively-priced first homes within boom towns outside of Metro Manila, while maintaining Century’s tradition of quality, innovation, and unique customer experience across all market segments,” Antonio said.

The new residential project will primarily to the underserved end-user market of first-time homebuyers, who are still familiarizing themselves in purchasing property but are already planning to move out of rented apartments or their parents’ houses in search for a legacy home for their young families, Antonio said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Peso slides further to 50.27 per dollar

THE FILIPINO, PIONEERING GLOBAL PORT TECHNOLOGY. From systems and hardware, to hand-held devices and equipment, the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, Poland uses leading edge technology to facilitate trade.

A highly advanced terminal in the ICTSI Group, BCT leads Baltic ports in the seamless facilitation of trade.

THE peso weakened further to hit a new 10-year low against the US dollar Monday, amid uncertainties posed by the imminent policy adjustments by the US Federal Reserve.

The local currency closed at 50.27 a greenback Monday, down from 50.215 a dollar Friday. It was the local currency’s weakest level in more than 10 years, or since it settled at 50.32 a dollar on Sept.

26, 2006. Some $366.6 million changed hands Monday, lower than $415.3 million on the previous trading day.

Security Bank said in a report the US dollar would continue to be strong against other currencies. “The market will keep an eye on Trump’s first joint speech to Congress where we will have an idea on the administration’s tax plan,” Security Bank said.

“We still, however, have a bias towards a higher US dollar with support stronger than resistance.

Theoretically, the US dollar should be stronger on fundamentals and potential for wider rate differentials,” the bank said.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said the peso’s underperformance over the past several days could also be a result of local factors.

“The premium of PHP to the index of Asian currencies [ex-Japan yen] has actually widened to as high as 5ppt. We attribute this to local political uncertainties, especially in the last couple of weeks. This set of political developments leading to intensified political noise result in cautious views tending to favor US dollar rather than the peso,” Cuyegkeng said.

Julito G. Rada

Arthaland, partners to erect Cebu tower

BOUTIQUE property developer Arthaland Corp. tapped China Railway Dongfang Group of China and Knusford Berhad of Malaysia to build a 38-story office tower in Cebu worth $166 million.

Arthaland said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a $166-million contract with the two foreign construction firms for engineering, procurement and construction of the Cebu Exchange project.

Under the agreement, China Railway Dongfang Group and Knusford will form a joint venture company in the Philippines to execute the EPC contract.

China Railway is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited, one of the largest construction conglomerates in the world.

Knusford Berhad is a Malaysian publicly listed multi-disciplinary construction company involved in major construction works, property development and investments. Jenniffer B. Austria

BCT

BCT, one of the first Philippine ventures in European Union, belongs to ICTSI's growing portfolio of 30 terminals in 20 countries.

www.ictsi.com

Pangilinan: No more layoffs in TV 5 for now

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

LDT Inc. chairman Manuel Pangilinan said Monday the dismissal of 100 employees at TV 5 Networks Inc. last week will be the last round of cost-cutting measures designed to bring back the broadcast company to profitability by 2019.

Pangilinan, whose group controls TV 5, confirmed that “pink slips” were given Friday to about 100 people working for TV 5.

“We’re closely monitoring the situation but that’s the last, that’s the last of the costcutting for TV 5,” he said.

“It had to be done. The choice is shut down the station or keep it alive. We want to save the many [employees] and I know that few had got to be sacrificed,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said the employee layoffs, which started in 2015, was “always a painful experience.” The company reported having around 1,000 employees last year.

“So there will always be comments on how it was executed, the terms under which the separation are being offered. So

POLAND

you know, we can only do the best we can under the circumstances because TV 5 continues to show losses, albeit the losses are starting to decline starting 2016,” he said.

Pangilinan said TV 5 would be left with around 600 employees, because any additional layoffs would mean “cutting it to the bone and that’s not good.”

Pangilinan said he was hoping that TV 5, the country’s third biggest broadcast network, would return to profitability by 2019.

“I think those losses will decline starting 2017. I would say 2019 [is the target]. We reduce debts starting this year 2017, so by 2019 we will be [debt free],” he said.

Pangilinan said TV 5 was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.

“I think the news will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” he said.

“It’s not a shutdown situation for TV 5. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for TV 5 to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” Pangilinan said.

He also shot down revival of talks to acquire GMA-7. “There’s been no discussions,” he said.

MediaQuest Holdings Inc., a unit of PLDT Group, bought TV 5 in 2009 from the Cojuangco family for P4 billion, and acquired MPB Primedia of Malaysia, a TV5 major block-timer, for $16 million.

Media Quest is owned by the Beneficial Trust Fund of PLDT where Pangilinan sits as chairman and chief executive.

Meralco nets P19.2b as electricity sales rise POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Monday net income rose slightly last year to P19.2 billion from P19.1 billion in 2015, as energy sales volume rose 8 percent in line with the expansion of the economy.

Meralco said consolidated core net income, excluding one-time gains, improved 4 percent to P19.6 billion from P18.5 billion in 2015, despite lower electricity prices.

“Meralco continued to have a reasonably favorable year,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said during the release of the company’s financial and operating results.

The country’s biggest power distributor said energy sales volume increased 8 percent in 2016 to 40,142 gigawatt-hours amid warmer weather, strong domestic economy, record low inflation and lower electricity prices.

Gross revenues rose 0.5 percent to P257.2 billion in 2016 from P258.4 billion in 2015 as the decline in pass-through fuel prices muted the impact of the increase in the volume of energy distributed.

Distribution revenues increased 3 percent in 2016 to P56.9 billion, reflecting the increase in volume, which contributed P4.5 billion, offset by the impact of the lower

distribution charge of P2.7 billion.

Meralco’s average distribution rate eased to P1.42 per kilowatthour last year from the 2015 level.

Meralco’s total customer base reached 6 million last year, up 4 percent year-on-year with residential volume growing 12 percent.

“The country’s impressive GDP [gross domestic product] growth of 6.8 percent, continued low inflation during the year and the company’s operational excellence underpinned Meralco’s strong financial results and consequently enabled good returns to its shareholders,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Meralco’s core net income in the fourth quarter alone increased to P4.6 billion from P3.1 billion a year ago, while reported income rose to P3.4 billion from P2.9 billion.

System loss rate of Meralco is now lowest at 6.35 percent, while subsidiary Clark Electric Distribution Corp.’s system loss rate eased to 3.59 percent in 2016, which resulted in cumulative savings to Meralco customers of P26.9 billion or P0.09 per kWh since 2008, relative to the regulatory system loss cap of 8.5 percent for distribution utilities.

Alena Mae S. Flores

B2

Business

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; Arthaland soars China Bank’s profit S rises 15% to P6.45b TOCKS fell amid thin trading Monday in line with the movement of Asian markets, as investors grew cautious before speeches this week from US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 26 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,232.47, as three of the six sectoral indices declined. Mining and oil stocks advanced, as metal prices climbed.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also dropped 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,384.35, on a value turnover of P4.4 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 103 to 84, while 54 issues were unchanged.

Ten of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by

Arthaland Corp. which surged 13.7 percent to P1.33, after announcing a partnership with China Railway Dongfang Group and Knusford Berhad for a $166-million office project in Cebu.

Technology company Xurpas Inc. gained 5.8 percent to P8.46, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp. rose 1.1 percent to P142.50.

Meanwhile, Asian markets kicked the week off with losses Monday, with Tokyo hit by a stronger yen, as the global Trump rally shows signs of fra-

gility ahead of a key speech by the new president to Congress.

A record 11th successive alltime high close for New York’s Dow was not enough to inspire investors who are growing worried the recent buying—fueled by expectations Donald Trump will introduce economy-boosting measures—may have run too far.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s warning that growth might not hit the four percent Trump promised, as well as uncertainty around the new president’s plans to slash taxes and spend big on infrastructure, sent the dollar tumbling Friday.

And it struggled again on Monday, sitting at around 112 yen— levels not seen since the end of November and more than five percent down from highs touched at the start of the year.

The greenback was also lower against the euro but climbed against the pound after Britain’s Sunday Times reported Prime Minister Theresa May was preparing for Scotland’s leaders to call for another independence referendum following last year’s Brexit vote. The majority of Scots voted to remain in the European Union.

The sharp advance in the yen hit Japan’s exporters, sending the Nikkei 0.9 percent down, while Hong Kong lost 0.4 percent, Sydney sank 0.3 percent and Seoul was 0.4 percent lower. Singapore gave up 0.4 percent.

Shanghai shed 0.8 percent.

China’s top securities regulator on Sunday pledged to speed up approvals of initial public offerings, as the government seeks to attract capital and encourage domestic growth. With AFP, Bloomberg

By Julito G. Rada CHINA Banking Corp., the eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, said net income last year surged 15 percent to P6.45 billion from a year ago, driven by sustained growth in core businesses.

China Bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the full-year performance translated into a return on equity of 10.4 percent and a return on assets of 1.16 percent.

“Our 2016 results reflect the teamwork and dedication of everyone in the China Bank group to achieve significant growth in

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

3.33 47.5 95.05 4.45 118 1.3 40.35 9.99 16 20 7.7 1.69 0.68 80.35 0.75 14.46 25.75 58.65 239.2 116.3 90 39 201.2 1,780 79.05

3.35 48.55 95.75 4.45 119 1.3 40.6 10 16.18 20 7.7 1.7 0.7 81.5 0.75 14.72 25.75 58.65 242 120 90 39.3 203.2 1,780 79.2

3.32 47.5 95.05 4.24 116.8 1.28 40 9.99 16 19.88 7.7 1.68 0.68 80.35 0.74 14.46 25.75 58.3 239 116.3 89 39 201.2 1,760 79.05

FINANCIALS 3.35 8,000 48.5 4,900 95.6 592,430 4.26 40,000 118 846,060 1.28 20,000 40.15 330,100 9.99 10,100 16.18 1,400 19.88 401,000 7.7 1,000 1.68 17,000 0.69 3,730,000 80.95 1,133,240 0.75 90,000 14.5 50,700 25.75 1,400 58.3 14,990 242 5,860 120 590 89 990 39.2 275,600 203 427,330 1,770 590 79.15 152,780

26,670 237,600 56,595,989.50 175,550 99,892,146 25,800 13,261,600 100,981 22,556 7,982,052 7,700 28,740 2,557,480 91,684,498 67,440 733,932 36,050 876,319.50 1,415,952 70,763 88,990 10,814,660 86,489,934 1,050,050 12,089,731

189,185 -1,779,072 13,608,510 5,001,615 -1,238,120 -660,960 23,971,197.50 435,272 -711,512 -7,101,890 -23,921,598 4,586,299.50

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PHX SEMICNDCTR PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SHAKEYS PIZZA SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

44.15 5.48 0.85 1.39 19.2 0.28 9.7 16.28 180 23.7 14.92 61.5 91.35 2.17 6.18 12 12.94 8 6.77 6 1.7 21.6 73.7 12.3 17 6.67 1.71 202 73 8.1 3.75 30.3 26.8 15.9 290 0.265 6.64 3.42 9 3.7 11.56 2.38 7.17 1.92 78.4 4.9 265 4.95 2.9 12.2 0.147 1.5 165 1.76 34.65 1.07

44.25 5.56 0.86 1.41 19.2 0.29 9.72 16.32 191.5 23.7 15.2 61.5 91.35 2.17 6.18 12 13.3 8 6.95 6.02 1.7 21.6 74 12.3 17 6.87 1.74 204.2 73 8.5 3.85 30.7 27.35 16.16 294.4 0.275 7.5 3.42 9.03 3.7 11.56 2.4 7.17 1.92 78.5 4.95 265 4.95 2.9 12.4 0.151 1.5 165.6 1.77 34.65 1.08

43.65 5.38 0.85 1.39 18.2 0.275 9.5 16.2 165.1 23.35 14.92 59 91.35 2.15 6.08 11.9 12.94 7.89 6.77 5.98 1.7 21.05 73.7 12.3 17 6.67 1.69 202 67.05 7.46 3.7 30.3 26.8 15.9 290 0.26 6.54 3.42 8.69 3.7 11.56 2.38 7 1.87 77.6 4.85 264.8 4.94 2.82 12.18 0.146 1.48 161 1.71 34.65 1.07

INDUSTRIAL 43.7 576,600 5.5 754,200 0.86 284,000 1.4 360,000 18.98 2,000 0.285 14,970,000 9.5 9,422,800 16.3 3,799,400 165.1 120 23.5 169,600 15.18 2,400 59 540 91.35 90 2.17 462,000 6.08 38,600 11.9 1,100 13.14 2,463,800 7.93 119,900 6.9 773,400 6.01 21,340,000 1.7 1,000 21.1 1,615,200 73.7 106,720 12.3 200 17 600 6.7 672,200 1.74 255,000 203 512,380 73 6,020 7.5 5,329,700 3.78 15,000 30.5 342,300 27 238,700 15.98 2,748,900 293 109,620 0.26 9,830,000 6.89 477,500 3.42 64,000 8.77 4,491,100 3.7 10,000 11.56 9,000 2.39 401,000 7.15 360,200 1.87 671,000 77.85 194,720 4.9 116,000 265 1,900 4.94 24,000 2.83 33,000 12.28 5,378,200 0.151 320,000 1.48 59,000 162.5 938,980 1.72 745,000 34.65 100 1.08 31,000

25,245,220 4,135,736 242,590 500,690 36,826 4,230,200 90,661,173 61,885,952 21,395 3,980,645 36,016 31,905 8,221.50 995,380 235,773 13,130 32,343,044 950,222 5,314,989 128,095,131 1,700 34,179,425 7,871,283.50 2,460 10,200 4,557,988 436,380 104,156,932 403,760 43,035,187 56,810 10,445,320 6,403,495 43,984,590 32,157,758 2,611,600 3,337,465 218,880 39,718,418 37,000 104,040 957,780 2,560,142 1,260,770 15,196,187 565,700 503,396 118,770 93,700 65,996,454 47,010 87,920 153,328,508 1,285,200 3,465 33,470

-8,952,125 974,966 28,500.00 19,147,812.00 8,650,794 -11,750 -39,060 15,007,484 106,995 -2,404,585 81,869,654 -2,923,330 -3,212,385.50 -1,679,634 1,087,206 354,165 8,259,080 -5,921,500 -495,032 7,458,894 -26,500 181,260 -9,216,819 -131,180 4,287,412 -106,014 -14,820 29,535,072 -70,915,799 10,380 -

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.38 73.15 12.78 1.12 6.35 0.375 0.37 801 9.2 13.06 8 6.25 0.191 1,260 6.05 77.4 4.06 1 7.9 14.9 0.455 6.88 3.39 0.057 2 106.8 2.5 668 0.87 1.51 268 0.29 0.188 0.26

0.385 73.15 12.9 1.2 6.42 0.38 0.37 803 9.2 13.2 8 6.25 0.191 1,260 6.1 77.4 4.13 1.05 7.92 15.06 0.455 6.92 3.5 0.059 2 106.9 2.5 671 0.87 1.51 268 0.29 0.188 0.26

0.375 73 12.78 1.12 6.35 0.365 0.37 791 9.01 13 8 6.25 0.191 1,208 6.05 75.6 4.06 1 7.88 14.68 0.455 6.83 3.2 0.055 1.98 105 2.5 666 0.87 1.5 266 0.29 0.188 0.26

HOLDING FIRMS 0.38 2,090,000 73 659,840 12.8 988,800 1.2 8,000 6.42 31,400 0.38 5,480,000 0.37 40,000 793 118,500 9.16 609,500 13.1 3,903,800 8 500 6.25 200 0.191 10,000 1,210 71,270 6.1 31,100 75.6 327,490 4.13 7,000 1.03 11,091,000 7.92 312,100 14.88 1,423,900 0.455 20,000 6.85 20,685,300 3.5 41,000 0.056 192,430,000 1.99 318,000 106.9 1,029,730 2.5 1,000 666 457,710 0.87 10,000 1.5 493,000 266.8 4,500 0.29 50,000 0.188 380,000 0.26 300,000

784,950 48,221,293 12,693,962 9,340 200,714 2,037,950 14,800 94,362,935 5,570,373 51,008,236 4,000 1,250 1,910 86,418,900 189,210 24,964,613.50 28,500 11,426,130 2,471,505 21,260,454 9,100 141,812,252 137,870 10,876,300 633,270 109,051,103 2,500 305,181,835 8,700 742,350 1,201,500 14,500 71,440 78,000

-522,188.50 -240,834 -96,000 -24,778,485 2,492,979.00 10,427,082 -33,144,525 -4,690,963.50 52,000 -396,000 -5,427,444 53,132,805 224,440 -37,810 -67,594,289 -30,431,445 -426,344 -

441,270 279,620 2,660 97,566,370 248,963,905 23,925,060 63,746 13,664,680 10,700 718,070 3,502,700 2,401,420 16,656,258 47,780 229,070 16,207,610 810,110 469,150

281,660 -12,483,880.00 96,860 -3,774,060 33,800 840,000 6,220,978.50 -7,313,360 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP

6.82 1.03 2.66 1.17 36.05 3.5 5.05 0.52 1.07 1.29 0.169 0.56 55 0.74 0.162 1.65 0.99 1.34

6.93 1.03 2.66 1.34 36.4 3.65 5.06 0.54 1.07 1.35 0.169 0.56 55.25 0.74 0.162 1.67 1 1.34

6.82 1.02 2.66 1.17 35.8 3.48 5.05 0.51 1.07 1.28 0.163 0.55 54 0.71 0.161 1.63 0.99 1.23

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

-

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3.7 0.164 0.31 0.65 4.94 24.6 1.69 3.35 29.4 1.03 6.98 0.9 4.77

3.71 0.164 0.32 0.65 4.96 24.6 1.69 3.35 29.75 1.03 6.98 0.93 4.8

3.67 0.16 0.3 0.6 4.82 24.1 1.68 3.35 29.05 1 6.98 0.9 4.72

3.7 0.163 0.305 0.6 4.82 24.2 1.68 3.35 29.1 1.02 6.98 0.93 4.72

12,698,000 29,040,000 2,400,000 40,357,000 1,002,000 2,157,000 38,000 13,000 5,427,300 7,134,000 1,700 232,000 3,401,000

46,920,070 4,692,850 733,400 24,842,680 4,896,620 52,423,170 63,940 43,550 158,486,490 7,209,860 11,866 208,830 16,147,940

1,799,040 81,440 -118,250 -188,450 -31,890,370 -13,400 -35,139,165 625,000 -6,731,050

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

7.9 47.35 1.48 0.53 5.15 7.4 0.067 2.46 93.95 9.75 8.84 2.13 1,833 6.15 16.38 15.52 3.69 4.22 76 0.0093 12 9.06 0.195 1.37 3.18 4.05 3.27 2.05 5.1 3.78 17.5 2.84 11.2 5.65 3.15 8.6 9 1,417 1.43 0.41 46.2 79 6.16 2.44 1.13 3.28 0.42

7.99 48 1.48 0.53 5.15 7.4 0.067 2.55 93.95 9.75 8.84 2.39 1,833 6.15 16.38 15.52 3.83 4.4 76.45 0.0093 12 9.06 0.205 1.4 3.22 4.05 3.42 2.62 5.1 3.8 17.5 2.89 11.2 5.65 3.3 8.6 9.03 1,435 1.43 0.42 46.7 81.2 6.22 2.45 1.14 3.29 0.42

7.85 47.3 1.45 0.53 5.15 7.1 0.065 2.42 93 9.75 8.84 2.13 1,786 6.12 16.18 15.52 3.65 4.2 75.75 0.0092 12 9.03 0.195 1.36 3.16 3.96 3.23 2.05 4.98 3.74 17 2.81 11.2 5.6 3.1 8.56 8.9 1,400 1.38 0.41 46 79 6.16 2.43 1.12 3.24 0.405

SERVICES 7.85 47.95 1.45 0.53 5.15 7.26 0.067 2.42 93 9.75 8.84 2.39 1,800 6.12 16.28 15.52 3.67 4.26 76 0.0093 12 9.03 0.201 1.36 3.22 3.97 3.25 2.33 5 3.74 17.5 2.81 11.2 5.6 3.11 8.56 8.9 1,400 1.43 0.415 46.3 81 6.16 2.44 1.13 3.24 0.41

64,800 11,700 42,000 125,000 1,400 9,167,200 590,000 4,857,000 211,630 12,600 1,000 86,000 28,335 123,200 22,400 300 2,179,000 350,000 1,920,760 21,000,000 10,100 520,100 34,460,000 405,000 32,000 2,960,000 2,204,000 3,016,000 2,819,900 1,101,000 2,200 1,403,000 765,400 9,000 100,000 300 167,500 52,640 13,525,000 1,150,000 2,432,400 249,470 141,400 923,000 7,264,000 399,000 330,000

512,769 556,865 62,100 66,250 7,210 66,082,810 38,590 12,028,160 19,703,161 122,850 8,840 187,400 51,123,165 755,188 364,674 4,656 8,132,070 1,504,810 146,002,319 194,900 121,200 4,696,506 6,940,930 552,270 101,560 11,756,590 7,319,940 7,279,480 14,159,858 4,146,920 38,300 3,994,880 8,572,480 50,405 312,130 2,572 1,497,005 73,790,880 19,170,050 477,800 112,763,935 20,206,668 874,878 2,254,920 8,207,820 1,301,790 134,150

156,215 8,880 -5,150 -14,464,251 46,960 -4,284,783.50 -10,102,750 -30,400 -8,540 21,125,435 9,300 -40,400 -7,788,160 -330,100 26,450 -2,707,508 -421,010 -85,700 35,764 -11,125,850 -634,860 -38,456,535 12,355,102 -1,326,410 2,467,920 -700,790 -

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

0.0032 2.26 5.65 1.82 1.92 0.48 0.45 11.1 2.4 0.255 0.186 0.192 0.011 1.8 6.65 2.38 0.495 0.92 0.011 0.012 4.19 0.015 9.1 3.22 141.2 2.85

0.0032 2.27 5.8 1.91 1.92 0.49 0.45 11.1 2.47 0.255 0.191 0.195 0.011 1.9 6.85 2.38 0.495 0.93 0.011 0.012 4.22 0.015 9.38 3.22 144 2.85

0.0031 2.03 5.62 1.82 1.92 0.465 0.45 10.16 2.39 0.249 0.185 0.192 0.011 1.8 6.64 2.33 0.495 0.92 0.011 0.012 4.12 0.014 9.04 3.11 140.8 2.84

MINING & OIL 0.0032 27,000,000 2.04 6,954,000 5.7 543,200 1.91 2,000 1.92 30,000 0.465 270,000 0.45 50,000 10.82 9,600 2.47 7,654,000 0.25 800,000 0.19 17,050,000 0.195 180,000 0.011 1,500,000 1.89 1,391,000 6.85 1,896,400 2.36 21,000 0.495 10,000 0.93 483,000 0.011 15,400,000 0.012 700,000 4.22 37,000 0.015 2,600,000 9.37 767,500 3.11 1,099,000 142.5 2,307,340 2.84 82,000

85,900 14,571,010 3,095,955 3,730 57,600 128,800 22,500 98,968 18,631,050 199,320 3,233,100 34,650 16,500 2,590,240 12,824,801 49,450 4,950 444,800 169,400 8,400 154,680 38,200 7,046,099 3,464,990 328,196,591 232,900

25,600 53,040 -932,485 -57,600 -5,656,720 -4,626,469 -2,394,930 55,940 47,659,822 -

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

47.3 104.1 108.2 530 5.85 1,035 1.03 106.8 1,011 2 77 82 76.6 78.05 79.8 77.7 78.05

48 104.1 108.2 530 5.86 1,035 1.03 106.8 1,011 2.06 77 82 76.65 78.05 81 77.75 78.05

47.3 103.5 108.2 530 5.85 1,035 1.03 106.5 1,010 2 77 82 76.5 78.05 79.8 77.65 78.05

PREFERRED 48 113,000 103.5 70,380 108.2 100 530 300 5.85 2,307,700 1,035 5 1.03 96,000 106.5 160 1,010 1,500 2.06 17,000 77 142,040 82 80 76.5 27,200 78.05 1,000 81 211,900 77.7 7,000 78.05 2,600

5,382,465 7,318,614 10,820 159,000 13,500,595 5,175 98,880 17,082 1,516,150 34,240 10,937,080 6,560 2,081,330 78,050 17,073,895 543,899.50 202,930

-1,621,170 -1,543,175 30,330 78,050 -

LR WARRANT

2.2

2.2

2.15

WARRANTS 2.19 89,000

193,290

-

PHILAB HLDG ITALPINAS XURPAS

7.16 3.6 8.09

7.33 3.8 8.58

7.09 3.59 8.09

7.09 3.6 8.46

996,574 996,730 77,062,080

-11,408 25,200 -657,337

FIRST METRO ETF

120.7

120.7

119.3

853,245

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.82 1.02 2.66 1.33 36 3.54 5.06 0.52 1.07 1.35 0.163 0.56 54 0.71 0.161 1.66 0.99 1.29

64,300 273,000 1,000 76,546,000 6,915,000 6,749,000 12,600 25,988,000 10,000 536,000 21,270,000 4,289,000 304,620 67,000 1,420,000 9,825,000 818,000 368,000

TRADING SUMMARY SHARES

FINANCIAL

8,564,279

INDUSTRIAL

93,977,160

HOLDING FIRMS

243,879,308

PROPERTY

261,944,669

SERVICES

119,852,007

MINING & OIL

89,037,966

GRAND TOTAL

826,842,168

SME

139,000 276,000 9,163,400

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.3 7,130

VALUE 1,802.44 (UP) 4.98 419,121,986.18 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,114.65 (DOWN) -23.26 991,908,017.28 HOLDING FIRMS 7,316.24 (DOWN) -51.84 1,025,662,888.9335 PROPERTY 3,275.24 (DOWN) -18.61 SERVICES 1,408.47 (DOWN) 0.32 841,129,040.27 MINING & OIL 12,210.24 (UP) 186.57 637,566,570.46 PSEI 7,232.47 (DOWN) -26.52 395,429,876.656 All Shares Index 4,384.35 (DOWN) -10.73 4,390,731,165.0835 Gainers:84; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 54; Total: 241

the major market segments – corporate, middle market and entrepreneurs – where we are traditionally strong and establishing a stronger presence in the consumer segment, and more recently in the capital markets,” China Bank president and chief executive Ricardo Chua said in a statement.

Net interest income grew 11 percent to P16.69 billion, on the back of a 12.5-percent increase in interest revenue from loans to P17.89 billion. Fee-based revenues improved 14 percent to P5.09 billion, bolstered by trading gains of P918.09 million, and robust growth in revenues from service charges and fees, trust fees and gains on sale of acquired assets.

Operating expense growth was limited to 7.9 percent even with the continued expansion in branch and distribution network and investments in people and technology to support the growth of new businesses.

Total assets jumped 20 percent to P633.2 billion, as loans and deposits grew faster than the industry.

Gross loans rose 24 percent to P393.74 billion, led by the 27-percent growth in consumer loans.

Total deposits rose 23 percent to P541.6 billion, with the 21-percent growth in low-cost current and savings account deposits to P276.4 billion, boosted by deposit growth from new branches.

Casa ratio stood at 51 percent, while loans-to-deposit ratio was 71.4 percent.

BDO set to pay out P1.31b in dividends BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, will pay P1.31 billion worth of cash dividends to common shareholders on March 31, after realizing a record net income last year.

The declaration of cash dividends was approved by the bank’s board in a regular meeting Friday.

“Please be informed that the board of directors of BDO Unibank, Inc…. approved the declaration of regular cash dividends on common shares in the amount of P0.30 per share for the first quarter of 2017 payable on March 31, 2017 to all stockholders of record as of March 14, 2017,” it said.

The bank said the source of the dividends was the “surplus profits of the bank as of December 2016.”

Bank records showed that BDO had 4,366,694,984 common shares and 515,000,000 preferred shares.

BDO’s net profit last year rose 4.4 percent to a record P26.1 billion from P25 billion in 2015, on robust growth across all business segments.

The full-year performance also matched its earnings guidance for the year.

Customer loan portfolio increased 16 percent to P1.5 trillion, while total deposits rose 15 percent to P1.9 trillion, on sustained growth of the bank’s low-cost current and savings account deposits. Net interest income went up 15 percent to P65.6 billion, reflecting the quality growth in the loan portfolio.

Meanwhile, fee-based income grew 15 percent to P22.2 billion and insurance premium contributed P8 billion, as the bank’s efforts at diversifying income stream started to bear fruit. Julito G. Rada

Business

B3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Cavitex firm allots P1.7b for expansion

By Darwin G Amojelar

BEST FINANCE DEAL. Light Rail Manila Corp., operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, receives the award for Best Project Finance Deal of 2016 in the 10th Annual Alpha Southeast Asia Best Deal and Solution Awards in Malaysia. The award cited the P24-billion loan facility that will finance the LRT-1 Cavite extension project and the other station and service improvement efforts being done by LRMC. Receiving the award for LRMC is president and CEO Rogelio Singson (sixth from left). With him are (from left) LRMC finance analyst Kurt Yee; RCBC associate Aldrich Ng; RCBC Capital vice president Claudine del Rosario; Security Bank first vice president Yvonne Marcelo; Alpha Southeast Asia CEO and Editor-in-Chief Siddiq Bazarwala; SB Capital senior director Joy Supan; Metrobank senior VP Rose Tiamson; FMIC first VP Franz Bonoan; LRMC counsel Philip Ranada; and LRMC business development head Janet Bautista.

A UNIT of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. said capital expenditures this year will reach P1.7 billion to expand the ManilaCavite Expressway.

“Cavitex’s capex this year is about P1.7 billon for C5 South Link’s work on the flyover and a number of Enhancement Works (Lane Widening for R1 Expressway, SN flyover near Pacific Drive and C5 Access Entry Lane),” Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. president Luigi Bautista said.

Cavitex has tapped FF Cruz Construction Inc. to build the first phase of the Cavitex C5 South Link.

The first phase of Cavitex C5 South Link will connect C5 and Merville, Parañaque by way of a flyover.

The second phase will link Merville and Cavite and would cost P9.5 billion.

Cavitex C5 South Link will allow residents from Cavite, Las

Piñas and parts of Parañaque to avoid Edsa and take a direct link to and from C5 to Cavitex.

Bautista said the new expressway, which was expected to be completed in 2019, would add 40,000 to 45,000 vehicle traffic per day, on top of the 130,000 vehicles currently using Cavitex.

C5 South Link will ultimately connect with R1 Expressway (Coastal Road) and provide fast, safe and convenient travel for motorists going to and from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite and for Parañaque residents in Multinational, Moonwalk and Merville villages.

Bautista said the new expressway will not only decongest the Parañaque villages, but will also provide easier travel from Taguig, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and other northern areas to Manila, Las Piñas and Cavite province.

It will also provide relief for vehicles using the congested Edsa and C5 Road arteries of the metropolis.

February inflation likely hit 3.9%

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflation in February likely accelerated to as high as 3.9 percent from 2.7 percent in January due to higher jeepney fares, fuel prices and electricity rates.

“The BSP forecast suggests that February inflation could settle within the 3.1 to 3.9 percent range. The increase in domestic petroleum prices, jeepney and taxi fares, and electricity rates of Meralcoserviced areas could exert up-

side pressures to inflation during the month,” Tetangco said in a text message to reporters on Monday.

He said the uptick in the projected inflation was seen to be temporary as upside pressures were largely supply-

side in nature.

“Moving forward, the BSP will continue to monitor closely emerging price conditions to ensure price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

Government data show that the last time inflation rate breached the 3-percent level was in November 2014 at 3.7 percent.

Early this month, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved a P1 increase on minimum fares in public utility jeepneys operating in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

LTFRB also approved a sepa-

rate petition to revert the taxi base fare back to P40 in Metro Manila, Cebu and Panay.

Also in February 2017, power distributor Manila Electric Co. increased its power rates by P0.92 per kilowatt-hour due mainly to a higher generation charge.

Inflation in December settled at 2.6 percent, bringing the 2016 average to 1.8 percent, way below the target range of 2 to 4 percent for the year. However, consumer prices accelerated to a two-year high of 2.7 percent in January 2017 due to higher increments in clothing and footwear, health and transport. It was the fastest since the 2.7 percent in December 2014.

horizon. He said while inflation had risen due to the recent increases in food and oil prices, latest baseline forecasts continued to indicate that the future inflation path would remain within the target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2017 to 2018.

But the board adjusted upward the inflation average target this year and next on higher oil prices, and depreciation of the peso, especially in the last quarter of 2016. The target for 2017 was increased to 3.5 percent from 3.3 percent made during the Dec. 22 meeting, while the 2018 target was slightly adjusted to 3.1 percent from 3 percent.

BoI approves P321-m virgin coco oil project

Group warns vs delays in RCOA

By Othel V. Campos

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Independent Power Producers Association warned that delays in the implementation of the retail competition and open access, or RCOA, will affect the timeline of lowering the thresholds to other customers.

PIPPA, the association of power generators in the country, expressed concern over the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order that indefinitely stopped the implementation and enforcement of the regulations issued by the Energy Department and the Energy Regulatory Commission on RCOA. “The recent TRO issued by the Supreme Court has the effect of putting on hold aspects of the RCOA, specifically the timeline for lowering of thresholds,” the group said.

PIPPA is an association of 28 companies engaged in power generation. Collectively, PIPPA’s members have 13,549.4 megawatts of grid installed capacity or 82.8 percent of the country’s total and serve millions of Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

RCOA is mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 but implemented only in 2013. It aims to institutionalize competition in the supply of electricity, allowing the electricity end-users to choose their suppliers based on low price and other factors.

The Energy Department and ERC were supposed to implement RCOA for customers with one megawatt and above consumption on February 26 and reducing the threshold to 750 kilowatts by June. “PIPPA supports the implementation of RCOA and hopes that the issues before the Supreme Court will be resolved with finality at the soonest possible time. We support the move from DoE and ERC for a unified policy on RCOA. We hope that this will finally settle the issues and the industry will already move forward to attain the objectives of EPIRA,” PIPPA said.

The Monetary Board of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas during the first policy meeting for the year kept the benchmark interest rates steady 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. earlier said the board’s decision was based on assessment of inflation dynamics and the risks to the inflation outlook over the policy

GLOBE TELECOM LOAN. Globe Telecom Inc. signs with Union Bank of the Philippines a 15-year, P5-billion term loan to finance the acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telecommunications assets. Globe Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu (center) and chief finance officer Rizza Maniego-Eala (second from left) signed for the leading telecommunications company. Signatories for Union Bank are Union Bank chairman and CEO Justo Ortiz (second from right), Union Bank President and COO Edwin Bautista (extreme right) and chief operating officer and senior executive vice president for retail and corporate banking head Eugene Acevedo.

THE Board of Investments approved the application of Lionheart GPPAC Farmers Corp. as new export producer of virgin coconut oil, coconut flour and tender green coconuts under the export activities category of the Investment Priorities Plan.

Expected to employ around 1,595 personnel, the P321million project involves the establishment of a coconut processing factory integrated with a hybrid coconut plantation in Rizal, Palawan.

The company will develop 2,400 hectares of hybrid coconut plantation in the first year and increase the hectarage to 4,600 hectares in succeeding years.

Commercial harvest is expected after three and a half

years from planting. Lionheart has already planted 100,000 hybrid coconut trees to date.

Until the trees have matured and started yielding, the company plans to secure raw materials for the processing plant by buying coconuts from farmers and cooperatives in the area.

Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the project fit the government’s inclusive business thrust which aims to reduce poverty, generate more jobs, and sustain inclusive growth.

Commercial operation for the processing plant will start by May 2017. The company has already started construction of the coco-hub facilities in December 2016. Installation of equipment will follow as soon as the construction is finished.

Let airport decision be made without further delay

ONE of the negative issues leveled at the Aquino administration’s candidate in the 2016 Presidential election—which apparently figured prominently in the defeat of former Secretary of Transportation and Communication Mar Roxas —was the extreme slowness of government decision-making on the projects encompassed by the PPP (public-private partnership) program. This came to be known as analysis-paralysis: too much analysis resulting in paralyzed decisionmaking.

One of the victims of analysis paralysis has been one of this country’s most urgently needed infrastructural facilities: an international airport capable of handling the 140 million passengers expected to use its facilities by 2035.

During President P-Noy Aquino’s time in office, discussions on that subject centered around two airports, namely, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Macapagal International Airport (also known as Clark Interna-

tional Airport). The two-part solution to the burgeoning-NAIA-traffic problem was to expand NAIA and improve the accessibility of Clark International Airport to Metro Manila. During the Aquino administration there was some alleviation of the NAIA part of the problem —the reacquired NAIA Terminal 3 and the renovated NAIA 1 were placed in full service—but solution was found for the Clark accessibility problem. Clark remained insufficiently accessible.

Today the scope of discussions of enhancement of the principal air gateway to this country has widened to include two proposals for alternatives to NAIA and Clark. One proposal is that of AllAsia Resources and Reclamation Corporation (ARRC), a consortium led by Henry Sy and Wilson Tieng. The other proposal is that of conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Thus, there are now four cards on the gateway-improvement table.

Both of the new players, being financially powerful, have put forward very impressive proposals. ARRC’s P1.3 trillion project seeks to reclaim 2,500 hectares at Sangley Point (Cavite) for a facility designed to handle 90 million passengers annually. The P700 million

SMC proposal involves the installation of six runways on 2,500 hectares of reclaimed Bulacan land. ARRC says that its facility will be operational in 4-5 years.

The Sy-Tieng and SMC proposals are serious and are merely awaiting government approval. But the Duterte administration, now eight months in office, has not yet done anything substantive about them. They’re on the table, waiting to be seriously discussed. CAPA Center for Aviation, an aviation industry think tank, said recently that the Duterte administration is “moving slowly” in the matter of an alternative airport.

The root cause of the inaction is that successive administrations have been wedded, not entirely without reason, to the idea of NAIA having been the main air gateway to this country. Indeed, the PPP project is for NAIA’s expansion, not the installation of a new airport.

The latest development is that the PPP NAIA project has been put on hold, the explanation being that the government wants first to draw up a Comprehensive Luzon Gateway Master Plan. Goodness knows how long such a plan will take to produce.

Although some airlines have agreed to

use Clark as the hub of their Philippine operations, NAIA remains the preference of most airlines flying into and out the Philippines. The government clearly would like Clark to take the pressure off Clark, but it has no choice but to focus on NAIA for as long as there is no rapid-transit (translation: railway) connection between Clark and Metro Manila.

Speaking realistically, such a connection cannot be expected to be in place anytime soon.

Pressure on the government—the Duterte administration—to resolve the principal-air-gateway issue without further delay comes from two sources. One is that NAIA’s capacity is becoming more overstretched by the day. Whereas they have a total design capacity of 3i million passengers per annum, the airport’s three terminals handled 39.5 million passengers in 2016. The other source of pressure is long lead time for the completion of the Sy-Tieng and SMC projects. Four to five years is a realistic estimate for such completion—if the Duterte administration makes up its mind without further delay.

There has been too much analysis-paralysis. The term has come for decisionaction.

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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China regains status as top market for art

World

Iranian director boycotts Oscars TEHRAN―The Iranian film “The Salesman” on Sunday won the Oscar for best foreign language film, but director Asghar Farhadi skipped the Hollywood gala in protest at a travel ban by US President Donald Trump.

Farhadi initially said he would head to Hollywood for Oscars night, where his film -- the story of two actors whose relationship turns sour during a performance of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” -- earned a statuette.

But after citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries were briefly denied entry last month to the United States, he decided there were too many “ifs and buts” about whether he would be allowed to enter the country.

Instead, thousands of people watched “The Salesman” for free in London’s Trafalgar Square.

In a statement read at the Oscars in his name, Farhadi said he was staying away in solidarity as people had been “disrespected”

by Trump’s policy, which is currently on hold after a decision by a federal appeals court.

“Dividing the world into the US and ‘our enemies’ categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war,” he said in the statement read at the Hollywood gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

“These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression. AFP

Truck accident mars Rio carnival RIO DE JANEIRO―A huge float carried by an out-of-control truck struck at least 20 people celebrating carnival in Rio de Janeiro, causing serious injuries at the start of an all-night danceoff Sunday.

The truck was at the tail end of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school parade in the city’s Sambadrome when the accident occurred during heavy drizzle.

It drove too close to a fence at the entrance to the competition piste, leaving several people unable to escape. Three were seriously injured, including a woman news photographer who had a leg badly crushed.

The truck was topped with one of the extravagant floats that symbolize the world’s most famous carnival.

Of the 20 people injured in the accident “eight were sent to hospital in ambulances,” including three severely injured women, the Health Secretary of Rio de Janeiro’s office said.

But despite the casualties and pools of blood on the rain spattered ground, the party soon got back in swing.

Brazilians living through two years of steep recession and nearly 13 percent unemployment have grasped this year’s carnival as a chance to let off steam. In Rio especially, the thrill of hosting the Olympics six months ago has given way to the grim reality of rising crime and near bankruptcy of the state government.

There were intense cheers around the packed stadium of 70,000 people the moment that drumming began to thunder up from the piste.

Samba queens dressed in sequined micro-costumes and vast feathered headdresses danced at dizzying speed. Behind them came armies of drummers and costumed dancers, interspersed by the floats. AFP

75TH ANNIVERSARY. In this photo taken on February 16, 2017, a group of well-wishers carry flowers to lay at the feet of a statue of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il at Mansudae hill in Pyongyang. North Korea was marking the 75th anniversary of the birth of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. AFP

PARIS―Global art sales plunged in 2016 as the number of high-value works sold dropped by half, while China regained its status as the world’s top market, Artprice said in an annual report released Monday.

The art auctions worldwide totaled $12.5 billion (11.8 billion euros) last year, down 22 percent from $16.1 billion in 2015, it said.

The world’s biggest database for art prices and sales, working with Chinese partner Artron, attributed the drop to a plunge in the number of works worth more than $10 million each -- from 160 in 2015 to 80 last year.

“On all continents sellers are choosing a policy of ‘wait-and-see’,” Artprice CEO Thierry Ehrmann said.

The top-dollar auctions last year included that of an Impressionist painting of a haystack by Claude Monet, “Meule”, which went for $81.4 million and a Peter Paul Rubens masterpiece, “Lot and his Daughters”, sold for $58.1 million, both at Christie’s.

Contemporary art had its stand-out moments, too, with an untitled painting from American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat that went to a Japanese collector for $57.3 million, and Wassily Kandinsky’s “Rigid and Curved” from 1935, which went under the hammer for $23.3 million.

But it was China that chalked up the highest total sales and “established itself clearly as the superpower” of the art world, the report said.

After five years of dominance, the country lost its title as top art market to the United States in 2015, but a year later was back, recording $4.8 billion in auction sales.

That figure represented 38 percent of total world sales, said Artprice, which compiled the data with its partner firm Artron of China.

Traditional calligraphy and painting comprised the vast majority of sales in China.

The country’s biggest sale in 2016 was a scroll painting of “Five Drunken Kings Return on Horses” by early 14th-century Chinese artist Ren Renfa that went for $45.89 million.

But contemporary art sales, too, are becoming frequent in Hong Kong which “has become an unmissable spot on the art market”, Artprice said. AFP

Hollywood takes on Trump H OLLYWOOD―Hollywood seized the global platform of the Oscars on Sunday to take on Donald Trump, but stars kept the tone light and inclusive after the US president’s divisive debut.

With Trump famous for his angry Twitter attacks on critics, Hollywood’s stars made jibes about incurring his wrath but mostly adopted a celebratory mood, with multiple winners highlighting their origins as immigrants, minorities or foreigners.

“This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us,” the awards’ host, Jimmy Kimmel, said in his opening monologue.

The late-night comedian quipped that Trump, who pulled off a political upset win with his campaign that targeted immigration, had taken the heat off Hollywood and its annual gala.

“I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That’s gone,” Kimmel said.

“We are very welcoming to outsiders here in Hollywood.

We don’t discriminate on people based on what countries they come from. We discriminate them based on their age and weight,” he said.

The top prize went to “Moonlight,” the coming-of-age story of an African American boy and his struggles with sexual identity -- although the Oscar was announced only after an embarrassing mistake in which feel-good musical “La La Land” was first announced as the winner.

“This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls, and non-gender-conforming, who don’t see themselves -- we’re trying to show you,” playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney said as he

accepted the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

“Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins was one of several nominees to sport a blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, the rights lobby that has been stridently fighting the Trump administration in court.

Also for “Moonlight,” Mahershala Ali won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of a drug dealer -- becoming the first Muslim to pick up a golden statuette for acting.

In perhaps the night’s most potent symbol, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the gala as his drama “The Salesman” won for best foreign language film -- the second time his work has won that prize.

Farhadi was protesting Trump’s visa ban that bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran from entering the United States.

While a court has put Trump’s order on hold, the US leader has vowed to bring it back -- and Farhadi vowed solidarity with “disrespected” people.

“Dividing the world into the US and ‘our enemies’ categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war,” he said in the statement read at the gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

“Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others -- an empathy which we need today more than ever.” AFP

VIEWING PARTY. Model Bo Krsmanovic attends the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017, in West Hollywood, California.

AFP

foto

IS-linked Indonesian killed after bomb attack BANDUNG―Indonesian police shot dead a man linked to the Islamic State group during a firefight at a government office Monday after a small bomb was set off nearby.

No one apart from the attacker was hurt in the incident in the city of Bandung on Java island, which started with a pressure cooker bomb exploding in a park before the gunbattle erupted in the office opposite.

Police said the attacker was a

former terror convict from an ISsupporting network called Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, which has been blamed for a series of recent attacks in the Muslim-majority country including an assault in Jakarta last year.

After the blast at about 8:30 am (0130 GMT), the attacker fled into a building belonging to local authorities opposite the park and set it ablaze.

Police exchanged fire during an hour-long standoff with the man.

He was shot in the stomach and died later in hospital.

Everyone was evacuated from the building unhurt. Police seized guns and two backpacks carried by the attacker but did not say what they contained.

National police chief Tito Karnavian said the attacker belonged to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD)

and had demanded that authorities release his associates from prison.

Indonesian security forces have arrested hundreds of militants during a sustained crackdown in recent years.

“He belongs to the group JAD -it is a main supporter of ISIS,” Karnavian told reporters, using a different name for IS. “He asked for his friends to be released from prison.”

He said the attacker, whom he did

not name, had been jailed over his involvement with militant training in Jantho in Aceh province. Jantho was the location of a notorious Islamic extremist training camp, which was closed down by authorities in 2010.

Last month the United States designated JAD a terrorist organisation, saying the network was an umbrella group for about two dozen Indonesian extremist outfits. AFP

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ANNI VE R SARY

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MANILA STANDARD@30 (The XXX Guest Book)

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ECAUSE we believe one can’t have too much of a good thing, we have decided to extend our 30th anniversary celebration to a whole month. On these pages, we give thanks and pay tribute to our special friends and supporters who have stood by us all these 30 years. To everyone, our heartfelt thanks.

From left, Business columnist Atty.Rody Romero, with OIC for Operations Anita Grefal and Publisher Rollie Estabillo.

Manila Standard Department heads and editors, from left, Chito Constantino, Edgar Valmonida, Gianna Maniego, Baldwin Felipe, Rollie Estabillo, Anita Grefal, Mon Tomeldan, and Jun Buscas.

A special table was set aside for Manila Standard’s VIPs.

Former Standard controller Climaco Caliwara and Standard publisher Rollie Estabillo.

City Editor Joyce Pañares chats with columnist Jojo Robles.

Anita Grefal.

Newspaper dealers (PMDO) table.

Estabillo with columnist Alejandro Del Rosario.

Reymer Paglinawan and Vic Ferriol of Michelle Muriel of Mighty PIAA. Corp.

Former Standard President Rogelio C. Salazar, shakes hands with Estabillo.

Jess Garcia of Philippine Airlines, center, with Romero, left and Estabillo.

Archie Nicasio and Joy Andrade of Resorts World.

Greggy Romualdez of Team Energy.

Charo Logarta, of Cebu Pacific and Cherry Ramos of Mondelez Philippines.

Host Migs dela Rosa–––

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XCELLENCE•XPERIENCE•XCITEMENT

TOP ADVERTISERS AND AD AGENCIES Angeles receives the award for Top Advertiser Mitsubishi Motors Phils. Corp.

Paula Reynoso receives the award for Top Advertiser on behalf of Megaworld from Baldwin Felipe and Rollie Estabillo.

Edith Angeles receives the award for Top Advertiser in behalf of the Department of Finance

Standard Business Editor Rey Eñano, center, receives the Top Advertiser award on behalf of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Angeles receives the award for Top Advertiser Makati City.

Angeles also receives the award in behalf of PHD Media Network, which was deemed one of the Top Ad Agencies of the year.

Reynoso receives the award of SM Inc.

Alexis Dela Cruz of Starcom Media Group receives the award in behalf of Toyota.

Starcom Mediavest Group media manager Mikaela Tayor, center, receives the award for Top Ad Agency from Felipe, left and Grefal.

Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Corporate Communications, accepts the Top Advertiser award in behalf of Globe Telecoms.

A Worthwhile Franchise

Jing Flores of DesignWorks Inc., receives the award in behalf of Top Advertiser ICTSI.

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ANANG’S crispy glazed chicken has been capturing the hearts of Filipinos since 2010. From its humble beginnings at Mercato Centrale--a food market they continue to participate in on weekends--it now has 12 branches nationwide (with more expected to spring up) in such locations as SM City San Mateo, Robinson’s Novaliches, Robinson’s Place Tacloban City, SM Fairview, SM North Edsa and soon to be in Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is one of the fastest growing fast casual restaurants in the Philippines with strong brand identity and recall. Manang’s Chicken offers unique and quality products such as the Soy Garlic Glazed Chicken (which is offered in original, mild spicy and extra spicy), chips that are accompanied by a dip, and gourmet pastas which are innovative yet tailored to Filipino taste preferences. It has a strong management and support team with local and international experiences in food development, fast-food management, logistics, accounting and law. The company has a comprehensive logistic support system via its sister companies in the MMG Group of Companies, whose businesses range from logistics (trucking, customs brokering, freight forwarding, warehousing), commercial and industries property leasing, financing, fuel retail to cosmetics retail and distribution. The company has been in business for over 35 years. Manang’s Chicken is a member of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., the country’s largest franchise association. With a combination of strong entrepreneurial essence and drive to follow already proven systems Manang’s Chicken would be the best choice to invest in. The family owned business is ready and prepared to extend their success to eager potential franchisees. For franchise inquiries, contact Giabella Foods Corporation Franchising Department at franchise@ manangschicken.com or (02)403-5450 / (0932)862-6742

Baby Evangelista, president of Medialine, receives the Top Ad Agency award.

Archie Hernandez principal specialist, Corp Comm. and public affairs chief of NGCP receives the award for Top Advertiser.

Jing Flores receives the award for DesignWorks, which was chosen one of the Top Ad Agencies.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

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TOP DEALERS

Circulation personnel, including manager Edgar M. Valmorida (extreme right) with top dealers, from left, Ferdie Cubinar, Manny Bungay, Mari- Valmorida, Peralta, Villaseñor and Grefal. cris Tutanes Peralta, Joanne Palon, Josie Angeles, Marvin Angeles, Danny Mesina, Wilson Pascual, Jorge Diomampo, Abner Trinidad, Cora VIllasenor, Arnel Villasenor, Glenn Peralta, and Chon Nebres.

Valmorida, Maricris Tutanes Peralta, Joanne Palon, and Peralta.

Vanessa Supit, Valmorida, Benedicto, Dave Decastro and Standard columnist Emil Jurado.

Elvin Clarete, Girlie Zabala, Standard loyal subscriber Dra. Alice Benedicto, Valmorida, and Estabillo.

Clarete, Manny Bungay, Wilson Pascual, Ferdie Cubinar, and Valmorida.

Clarete, Valmorida, Benedicto, and Grefal.

Valmorida with dealers Choy Nebres, Danny Mesina, and Frank Dagdagan.

The appeal of banana-wrapped meals Clarete, Bungay, Valmorida, Emma Maka, Pascual, Jorge Diomampo, Grefal, and Cubinar.

Valmorida, Josie Angeles, and Marvin Angeles.

Thomas Young, Estabillo, Sydney Young, and Clarete

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WE WOULD like to thank the following companies, organizations and individuals who joined our 30th anniversary festivities: PIAA, PMDO, Push Pin, Atty. Emil Jurado, Eon, Inc., Globe Telecoms, NGCP, Primer Group of Companies, Geiser Maclang, Starcom Media Group, Medialine, Dr. Alice Benedicto, Resorts World Manila, Mighty Corp., Team Energy, Mondelez Philippines, SSMC, Pro-Friends, Designworks, Ogilvy PR, Full Circle, Dealers Association, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Young.

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INALOT is celebrating its 20 years in the food service business this year with four additions to its growing list of franchisees.

These new branchesólocated in Nueva Ecija, Cubao, Sampaloc and Muntinlupaóare ready to give you good hot meals all over the country.

Binalot started franchising 10 years ago as entrepreneurs clamored for a sure fire business investment, including returning OFWs, former employees who decided to have their own stores, and those already engaged in business seeking an alternative source of income.

Binalot serves hot meals wrapped in banana leaves that are ready for take-out and picnics. They also serve lunch packs and even offer catering. The popular meals are TapaRapSarap, Vivo Tocino, Anytime Inihaw and Fiesta Adobo, all served with salted egg and tomatoes, the way Pinoys always wrapped their lunches.

Binalot has also expanded to the UAE, opening a branch in Little Manila, Dubai.

On its 20th anniversary, BINALOT expects to expand its list of franchisees. A franchise store

investment starts at P1.5 Million or just under $32,000. ‘‘We want to serve the Filipinos who are far away from home,’’ says Rommel Juan, founder and CEO and Chief tagabalot. ‘‘There are more than 10 million Filipino OFWs who want to eat food that reminds them of family and home,’’ he continues.

For the local expansion plans, BINALOT continues to accept franchise applicants in the Visayas and Mindanao. It now has stores in Bohol, Iloilo and Davao. Visit www.binalot.com or find them on Facebook: BinalotFiesta

One of Lorenzana’s early works he discovered hidden in his studio

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

CULTURE & MEDIA

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UNEARTHING

the Lorenzana Archival Collection F

ILIPINO artist Luis Lorenzana is a selftaught artist whose primary schooling in Public Administration and a formative career working at the Philippine Senate has provided his early work with a distinct political awareness. He uses our dark past—colored by internecine conflict— as well as our surreal political present to make twisted brutally incisive commentaries on the state of our country today.

Lorenzana recently discovered a large body of early works created around 2005 to 2008 hidden in his studio. The entire collection remained intact. Previously in his career, these works were deemed to have no commercial market. After stumbling upon his old works, Lorenzana shares that he did not have a clue on what would happen to the pieces after rediscovering them after so many years.

The pieces were shown to an international collector with a strong interest in promoting art from the Philippines to an international audience. This collector has a reputation for acquiring, archiving and exhibiting historically important bodies of work in collaboration with the world’s leading museums. When the collector first saw Lorenzana’s early work, he was shocked and emotionally overwhelmed. He had never seen such a fresh, powerfully raw and emotional display of art from one artist.

With our nation’s dark past and surreal present as his inspiration, Luis Lorenzana is able to create paintings that exude rawness and replete with witty social commentaries

The paintings, which reminded the collector of works by Yoshitomo Nara and Jean-Michel Basquiat, resonate not only to the Philippines, but also to the rest of the world. Over the course of many months, this collector made the decision to acquire the entire body of work, referring to it as the Luis Lorenzana Archival Collection. This acquisition is important because rather than having the works dismantled and dispersed among various collectors, making it almost impossible to organize for a coherent exhibition, they remain together and therefore may be researched, viewed, and interpreted as a comprehensive whole.

The collection has attracted international attention by curators and art world professionals for its fresh aesthetic, witty social commentary, and its relationship to popular culture and timely political issues.

This month, an exhibition and book on this archival collection was launched. The idea of people seeing these works for the first time becomes a channel for Lorenzana to communicate to spectators on how he started as an artist. It demonstrates his visions and voices then that were never seen nor heard. Lorenzana deems these an eye-opener and reference point from where he began, and the direction he is heading as an artist.

The artist features Filipino heroes, such as Heneral Antonio Luna in some of his works

Entitled Lorenzana Archival Collection, the publication includes critical essays by Michelle Yun, senior curator of Modern and Contemporary art at Asia Society, New York and Ryu Niimi, director of the Oita Prefectural Art Museum, Japan, and one of that country’s leading curators of international contemporary art. FukuokaPrize winner Ambeth R. Ocampo added historical context to the collection’s anchor works that feature Filipino heroes; with a biographical essay

by Lisa Guerrero Nakpil. The book is published by International Arts and Artists, a leading non-profit art touring organization in Washington, DC. Its founder and president, David Furch-

gott, was in Manila for the occasion as well as Michelle Yun, the book’s author. The book will be exclusively sold at Leon Gallery or online at Artbooks.ph.

The execution of the exhibition is carefully and artistically well planned. It has always been the practice of Lorenzana to use ornate frames that will complement his artwork. The presentation will be a visual feast as Lorenzana modifies and paints on the frames as well.

The works are an astonishing record of one Filipino artist’s process and development as well as a colorful record of our own country’s current events that mirror the entire world’s goings-on’s in more ways than one.

Mindanao Tapestry: A gift from the South IT TAKES a design legend like Renee Salud to come up with “Mindanao Tapestry.” It is the initiative to highlight all the major weaves of the island, in an effort to promote indigenous materials and the amazing Mindanaoan artistry.

Hailed as an icon in the Philippine fashion scene, Salud creates ethnic clothes with international appeal.

He advocates for the use of indigenous materials in all his fashion shows—and project a distinct “Philippine look.”

Salud has a strong sense of pride for fabrics that are specific to the indigenous Filipino tradition, and produces intricate creations representing a fashion statement on the exotic and regional inf luences of indigenous groups.

His intricate combinations of beadwork and use of native textiles have been exhibited at design expositions all over the world, including Tokyo, Taipei, Seville, the Caribbean and in most major cities around the world.

This time, Salud’s focus is on Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, and home to more than a dozen Indigenous People groups.

They each have their own unique identity and customs, but their colorful woven products show that they have a common tradition.

Fashion designer Renee Salud creates clothes made of native Mindanao textiles

“Throughout my career, I’ve been championing the development and promotion of the Filipino fashion industry for the purpose of reaching the global market, with a strong sense of pride for fabrics that are specific to the indigenous Filipino traditions dating back to the Spanish times,” says the Philippine Fashion Ambassador to the World.

Though not a native of the island, he

The various indigenous people groups in Mindanao are united by their colorful woven products

lends his vital voice in the preservation of the weaves of Region IX (Zamboanga), Region X (Bukidnon), Region XI (Davao), Region XII (T’nalak / T’boli), Region XII (Manobo) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Maranao).

An astute designer, Salud deftly uses these fabrics for his enthralling collection: Inaul, a woven fabric of different colors and designs used as wall décor, or buntings, for special occasions like weddings by the Maguindanao tribe; T’nalak, the T’Boli cloth made from abaca fiber, and the designs are patterned after the dreams of the weavers; Malong, a tubular dress, skirt, blanket, baby hammock, a table cloth, a bedspread, a curtain for dressing modestly behind it, a cover over the head for sunny or rainy days, a decorative fabric to hang as canopy; a status symbol denoting royalty; and Yakan, intricate weaving, which is hand-loomed fabric made from abaca and pineapple.

Salud’s knowledge of Mindanao’s rich weaving resources was harnessed when he practiced his profession in Davao City. “My Davao business flourished for 15 years. It was an integral part of my business, because my Mindanao clients did not have to go Manila just to have their clothes done by me.”

On March 27 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City, Salud and his Mindanao Tapestry collection will give everyone a peek into a beautiful aspect of the Philippines: the Mindanao culture. The neo-ethnic collection will enhance one’s appreciation of the totality of the Philippines’ cultural heritage.

By showcasing the best of Mindanao, everyone will be let in to a Mindanao that is rich in culture, beauty and tradition, and not a Mindanao that is ridden in strife and conflict.

The grand fashion show, which will also feature cultural dances and video vignettes, will communicate to the audience that the region is worthy of a visit because it is beautiful and peaceful. It will be a celebration of all things enchanting in Mindanao.

Salud’s Mindanao Tapestry collection will give people a peek into the island’s rich culture

iPHOTO

Metro Colon bags 1st prize in Sinulog 2017 Visual Merchandising Competition Metro Colon department store and supermarket in Cebu City recently won first prize in the Visual Merchandising Competition of the 2017 Sinulog Festival.

In line with this year’s festival theme of “One Beat, One Dance, One Vision”, Metro Colon brought to life the color, tradition and essence of giving homage to Sto.Niño through its creative and artistic in-store motifs of the annual celebration. Metro Colon was established in 1982 and is the first department store of Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI), the largest retail store operator in the Visayas region.

Photo shows (from left) Cebu City Councilor and Sinulog Foundation Chairman Nendell Hans Abella, Cebu City Mayor and Sinulog Foundation Inc. Board Chairman Tomas Osmeña, Metro South Cebu Stores Area Manager May Sasedor, Metro Colon Store Manager Diane Almagro, Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña, Metro Corporate Visual In-Charge Marissa Otadoy, Metro Visual Supervisor – Visayas Stores Sherwin Buca, Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman and Sinulog Foundation, Inc. member of the Board of Trustees Edward Hay Co.

Life

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

DANCE

The incomparable swans on Manila’s ballet scene

By Pablo A. Tariman

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Natalia Makarova is an incomparable dancer of this planet

HEN the curtain rises for the last weekend run of Swan Lake March 4 and 5 at the CCP, Filipino balletomanes will once again call to mind the earlier exposure to dance of Filipino audiences to visiting Russian artists.

Swan Lake was first seen at Bolshoi Theater in Moscow in 1877.

The late dance chronicler Ronnie Alejandro (who used to dance and choreograph) wrote that one of the greatest ballerinas of all time, Anna Pavlova, also danced at the original Manila Grand Opera House in 1922, some two years before she announced her retirement.

One outstanding Filipino figure in dance also in awe of Russian artists is Maniya Barredo, who had a triumphant reign as prima ballerina of Atlanta Ballet in the United States.

While Maniya was in awe of Russian artists, she was herself an object of generous praises coming from them. Performing in Cuba for the first time in a dance festival that featured the world’s best dancers, Maniya not only attracted the Cubans but the Russian dancers present in the festival.

Dancing Romeo and Juliet in the first part of the program in one theatre, she created a sensation forcing Russian teachers and choreographers Natalia Dudinskaya and Konstantin Sergeyev to leave the theatre where Gelshey Kirkland was dancing Giselle and proceeded to where the Filipino was dancing Juliet.

Two great Russian dancers identified with Swan Lake are two great prima ballerina assolutas -- Natalia Makarova who danced at the CCP in 1979 and Maya Plisetskaya who did her signature Dying Swan also at the CCP in 1982.

I recently watched a video of Makarova before her retirement. She said her dance life wasn’t all about flowers and applause. It was also about disasters on the ballet stage.

She started at the corps de ballet, was asked to fill in for a sick member and ended up doing a funny version of a parrot dance she never rehearsed. “I was called to the office of the director and I thought my dance career was over. He said I was being promoted from corps de ballet member to soloist.”

Her first Odette (Swan Lake) was marred by a creaking elevator at the Bolshoi Theater while audiences were being given an illusion of a swan swimming through the lake. “The Russian elevators then were not as good as they were today where you just push a button and you are up or down anywhere quickly without noise. My swan pose became a trembling one when the elevator floor started making strange noises and the music that I heard was not anything from Swan Lake.”

Makarova and Patrick Bissell after their ‘Giselle’ in Manila in 1979 with Edna Vida and other dancers of Ballet Philippines (Photo from Edna Vida’s collection)

In 1982 some three years after performing in Manila, Makarova was injured in an accident during a performance at the Opera House of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

She was hurt when a pipe that was part of the scenery fell and hit her as she was dancing in a revival of “On Your Toes,” the 1936 Rodgers and Hart mu-

sical. She was struck by the pipe during the second act, at the beginning of the “Slaughter on 10th Avenue” ballet sequence. The rest of the performances were cancelled.

When I interviewed her in 1979 on the CCP main theater stage, she started with an apology, “Excuse me but I speak poor English.”

Beside her was dancing partner – the then 21-year-old Patrick Bissell – a well-proportioned hunk of a man who was also a favorite partner of other great ballerinas like Leslie Browne, Cynthia Gregory, Gelsey Kirkland, Jolina Menendez and Martine van Hamel.

Amidst the eerie Giselle graveyard props, Makarova talked about her true

love - dancing, her fate after the defection from Russia and how she managed between dancing and motherhood.

After her dramatic defection in 1970, she changed a lot according to her.

“Life is like that and it’s true to me.

Careers, images, traditions change – and so have I. I didn’t have a hard time trying to get a job. When I defected, it was just timely because at that time, a dance company was in need of a new name and they found me.”

Does she live her role to do well in the dance medium?

“That’s not necessary. Suppose you play the role of a madwoman, do you have to be like that in real life? I’ve lived through some of my roles. To concentrate on one role, I listen to the music the night before the performance. There is nothing like music. It stimulates me, it gives me joy, it makes me cry, too.”

Makarova explained how she transforms herself for a particular role.

“It is very much an inner vision for me.

The change for the role starts within me.

You can’t afford to lose control. Art is art.

When it’s inside you as in a role in Giselle, I put the skin of Giselle in me. It is a role you perfect by experience, by constant practice and unending search for artistry.

You just have to be involved.”

In the last rehearsals before opening night for excerpt from Giselle, I watched her movements and I was gradually carried away by the way she essayed lyricism in the dance medium. Her turns were swift but luminously graceful, her leaps were like a giraffe caught in slow motion by a movie camera. She was quite a sight.

When she wanted certain parts of the accompaniment right, she hummed with the orchestra and made suggestions on the way. “That’s wrong, that’s wrong.

Stretch that a little, just a little before my exit.”

When she was in Paris 1978 eight years after her defection, she saw her friends at Kirov for the first time after nine years and she unabashedly confessed, “I cried on the second act of Swan Lake.”

In 2012, Makarova was one of the honorees in the annual Kennedy Center Honors along with bluesman Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, television host David Letterman and rock band Led Zeppelin.

When asked if she considered herself Russian or American, Makarova replied in her native Russian tongue answered simply. “I am a ballerina. For me ballet has no borders, no barriers – it’s a universal art form. I am a dancer of this planet.”

Filipino danseur Nonoy Froilan who is re-staging Swan Lake on March 4 and 5 had an uncanny recollection of Makarova. “As a ballet great, we expected her to be very demanding but she wasn’t at all.

She has a way of getting what she wants without flaring up. She is very receptive no matter how advanced her training is from us. When she’s late for rehearsals, she apologizes.

And she listens to corrections. Young as we are in the CCP Dance, she goes down to our level to work out certain differences. She knows how to adjust to limitations.”

Uplifting Creativity IN THIS year’s call for entries, adobo Design Awards Asia asks, “How do you inspire humanity through design?”

Now on its 8th year, the adobo Design Awards Asia (aDAA) returns with the theme, “Inspiring Humanity Through Design” focusing on the emotional connection a design can generate.

Last year’s theme, “Designing for a Bold New World”, the jury looked for designs that pushed the boundaries of creativity in order to connect to the audience. TBWA Santiago Mangada Puno was the most awarded agency of 2016 winning a total of 17 awards including the top award, Best In Show for Boysen Colors (Press and Poster category).

A stellar roster of both international and local design luminaries make up this year’s jury headed by Bruce Duckworth—incumbent D&AD president, principal at Turner Duckworth, and legendary designer. He is joined by Jowee Alviar of Team Manila, Dave Ferrer of J. Walter Thompson Philippines, calligrapher Patrick Cabral (who was also part in last year’s jury), Dan Matutina of Plus63 Design, Robert Alejandro

of RAD Design Philippines, Quark Henares of Globe Studios, and Ivan Despi of The Acid House, to name a few.

Adobo Design Awards Asia is a partnership between D&AD (formerly Design and Art Direction) and adobo magazine. D&AD is a global creative, design, and advertising association celebrating and finest in design and advertising. The organization’s professional awards are recognized globally as the ultimate creative accolade, making their participation cement aDAA’s stature as one of the region’s most important creative awards. adobo magazine, on the other hand, is the Philippines’ premier advertising, marketing, and brand communications magazine garnering an international audience of 80,000.

Bruce Duckworth enthuses, “We share the philosophy that we should promote the best work in the world and working together will be key to sharing our vision of creative excellence with a global audience.”

The adobo Design Awards Asia call for entries launched on Jan.31

Jurors of the adobo Design Awards Asia 2017 (from left) Harvey Tolibao, co-founder, Creative Director of HMT Studios; Angel Guerrero, President, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of adobo magazine; Merlee Jayme, ‘Chairmom’ and Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Jayme Syfu; CJ De Silva-Ong, Associate Creative Director of TWBA/SMP; Patrick Cabral, freelance Type Artist; Janelle Barretto-Squires, Vice President and COO of adobo magazine; Ivan Despi, owner and Creative director of The Acid House

is open in over 15 Professional CatAs it’s always been, the most rigorous egories, an Open Category, as well of standards will be applied. Nothing as Special Awards. but the best will do for the best.

The deadline for entries is on March 11.

More information on its founders

can be found on www.dandad.org and adobomagazine.com. Details are of the competition can be found at adobodesignawards.asia.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

AMA’s Gabay ng Kabataan Ambassador A

AMA Education System names actor Coco Martin, 35, as its Gabay ng Kabataan Ambassador

MA Education System (AMAES) officially launched actor Coco Martin as its Gabay ng Kabataan Ambassador through a television advertisement showcasing its innovative Senior High School programs.

The ad also kicked off an advocacy partnership between the pioneer IT institution and the star of the hit TV series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

When AMAES approached the actor to be the face of its borderless education advocacy for the youth, Martin immediately agreed, as it is very much in line with his views on getting good education ingrained in him by experience.

“Yung pananaw ko, napaka importante ng pag-aaral. Nung araw, kahit mahirap lang kami, itinaguyod ng Lola ko yung pagaaral ko at kahit gusto ko ng tumigil at magtrabaho na lang, sinabihan niya ako na tapusin yun kurso kong HRM. Kaya nagpursige talaga akong makatapos,” shared Martin.

His own struggle strengthened further Martin’s belief in the value of good education. “Kahit saan ka mapunta, may baon ka pagnakatapos ka. Nagtrabaho ako sa hotel, nag OFW ako, at pinasok ko yung showbiz. Kahit saan ako napunta, alam kong kayang kong sumabay,” he said.

Now that he’s widely popular, Martin knows that his reach is something he can use to further share the importance of good education. “Bilang actor, napakalaki ng obligasyon ko sa mga manonood.

Napapanood ako di lang sa Manila, pati sa probinsya. Kaya kung mapapansin niyo, kasama sa kwento ng Ang Probinsyano yung kahalagahan ng edukasyon.

Mapa-soap opera man o sa totoong buhay, gusto ko talagang makainspire at makatulong sa mga

FOR one day, cancer-stricken children forgot about needles, chemo, hospitals and anything related to their sickness. Instead, they were surrounded by their loving families and their ninangs and got to experience probably the best day of their lives.

The DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association led by President Jocelyn Sueno and philanthropist Ricky Reyes brightened the lives of Childhaus kids and their families and gave them a very memorable and fun day as they treated them to a day of good food, lots of play and shopping courtesy of their Kuya Hans Sy and wife Carol.

The City of Dreams, with its numerous lifestyle and leisure shops and various dining options provided the venue for these children’s gastronomic adventure and entertainment as they were given a sumptuous lunch and merienda.

After which, the kids had a blast with all the attractions in Dreamplay, a

Dreamworks movie-inspired creativity center located inside the City of Dreams.

Before the day ended, the children went on a shopping spree to their hearts delight.

Together with their assigned Ninangs from the Cabinet Spouses namely Aleli Andanar, Bai Norhata Alonto, Lorna Esperon, Marissa Aguirre, Fely Lou Cui, Lilibeth Cuntapay, Ruby Mamondiong with Edwin Ubial and Secretary Mike and wife Joy Sueno, they got to bring home their most sought after toys for a fitting conclusion to a most unforgettable day.

“It’s a breath of fresh air to actually see my Childhaus kids having fun and to see them laughing and playing and forgetting at least for a day that they are sick is heaven to me. And spending a day like this with them and the wonderful and generous Cabinet Spouses is truly a blessing,” Reyes said.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

ACROSS 1 Like a superhero 6 Greek market 11 VCR button 14 Up — — (stymied) 15 Smoked 16 Zoologists’ mouths 17 Nobel physicist — Bohr 18 Masked buffoon 20 It has long arms 21 Giant-ant horror film 23 Public sentiment 24 Breeding horses 26 Canvas users 28 Hire on 30 Give way 31 Wee 32 Officious 33 Racing circuit 36 Sandwich cookie 37 Quake locale 38 Chicken 39 Jarrett of NASCAR 40 Inner motivation 41 Ditto (2 wds.)

42 “— Street Blues” 43 Dear, in a way 44 Concurs 47 Hindu class

48 Jargon 49 Galley movers 50 Amtrak et al.

53 Heads for the moon (2 wds.)

56 Less cordial 58 Caribou kin 59 Banks of baseball 60 Ms. Verdugo 61 Compass dir.

62 Loses by inches 63 Tricky moves DOWN 1 Water-to-wine site 2 Take — — from me 3 Knocked off the schedule (hyph.)

4 Moray 5 Total 6 Throbs 7 Pacific island 8 Boston’s Bobby — 9 Kin, for short 10 Skillfully 11 NFL no-no’s 12 Watch site 13 Guys like Hamlet 19 Tobacco chew 22 “— Jude” 25 Deep-voiced lady

26 Usher’s beat 27 Remains 28 Poet’s black 29 Thick mud 30 — gotta be kidding!

32 Bucket handles 33 Sweepstakes 34 Army no-show 35 Stratagem 37 Keg party locale 38 Gala 40 Signified 41 Richer in bryophytes 42 More than asks

kabataan na mag-aral silang mabuti.”

More than being a spokesperson, Martin also saw a great opportunity in working with AMAES for his personal advocacy-driven initiatives. “Hiniling ko talaga sa AMA na bigyan ako ng scholarships na pwede kong ipamahagi. Marami akong batang gustong tulungan kasi maraming hirap sa buhay na gusto mag-aral at sa ganitong paraan makakatulong ako.”

Martin’s quest to share the value of education is highly in line with AMAES’s institutional advocacy of borderless education.

“We’ve always believed in innovating education. From expanding our campuses and curriculum and through initiatives like blended learning, and more recently having Senior High School programs, we want to continue making education borderless,” said Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V, recognized Father of IT education in the Philippines and the founder and chairman of AMAES. Currently, AMAES has 11 different universities and colleges with campuses in major cities and towns in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and overseas – Bahrain, Oman, Macau, and Hong Kong. Popularly known mostly for its IT courses, AMAES now offers a wide variety of programs including Senior High School, certificate short courses, and undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees.

For more information about the different schools under the AMAES banner and program offerings, log on to www.amaes. edu.ph.

43 Airport rental 44 “The Zoo Story” penner 45 Thresholds 46 Plumber’s tool 47 Greasy spoons 49 Think nothing — —!

51 Descartes or Russo 52 Fraus, in Sp. 54 Herr, in Madras 55 — for the books 57 Actor — Gulager

SOLID KAPAMILYA. Comedian Vice Ganda with ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak

VICE GANDA

is still a Kapamilya VICE GANDA remains a Kapamilya after signing an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN on Feb. 16.

“There is a lot to celebrate. I have a new contract. The concert was also successful,” said Vice about his sold-out concert Pusuan Mo si Vice Ganda sa Araneta on Valentine’s Day. He also joked, “Can I just sign a 50-year contract instead, so one signing would be enough?” The It’s Showtime host said that aside from his television gigs, fans can also look forward to the US leg of his Valentine concert.

Present during the signing were ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, head of Dreamscape Entertainment Television Deo Endrinal, and head of finance for broadcast and integrated news and current affairs Catherine Lopez.

Politics takes bizarre turn in ‘Braindead’ IN THE alternate reality of Washington D. C. politics, documentary filmmaker Laurel Healy (Mary E l i z a b e t h Winstead) starts work as a congressional staffer for her brother, Democratic Senator Luke Healy (Danny Pino), to help him out at his senate office. There, she stumbles upon an alien conspiracy where space bugs are eating the brains and taking control of members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers.

Laurel then becomes an unlikely heroine as she teams up with Gareth Ritter (Aaron Tveit), a staffer for Republican Senator Red Wheatus (Tony Shalhoub), Gustav Triplett (Johnny Ray Gill), an eccentric genius who discovers the cause of all the strange happenings, and Rochelle Daudier (Nikki M. James), a medical doctor who helps them unravel the bugs mystery.

Together, they embark on a mission to find out how to stop the space invaders from further infecting people and ultimately taking over the world.

BrainDead airs every Thursday at 10:40 p.m., first and exclusive on AXN. AXN is available on Sky Cable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38. AXN HD is available on Sky Cable Channel 247.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

After a long wait, the first primetime series starring Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza finally hit the small screen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

Kapuso fans fall in love with

‘DESTINED TO BE YOURS’ I

T WAS like holiday for every AlDub fan and the fans of either Alden Richards or Maine Mendoza, most of them skipping ISAH V. RED work or classes in school (especially those with late afternoon or night classes) so they could watch the premiere (simultaneous in every country where GMA Network has a significant presence) last night of Destined To Be Yours after the top-rating Encantadia.

The long wait was over for these fans of the phenomenal love team of Richards and Mendoza for their first-ever teleserye together. It took the Kapuso entertainment TV group almost a semester to cement a concept that would fit the two stars and how it would impact on the minds and hearts of their fans.

Destined To Be Yours revolves around Benjie Rosales (Alden) and Sinag Obispo (Maine), two entirely different people from two different worlds, and how they meet as destiny works its magic on both of them, eventually love weaves its way into their lives.

During the press conference held on Valentine’s Day in a ballroom at a Quezon City hotel, Richards expressed his happiness and excitement over the highly anticipated series.

“Sobrang happy ako with the team and with the actors na nakakasama po namin dahil ramdam ko po ‘yung passion nila to make the soap work and to make the script very effective sa audience and sa actors as well.”

Meanwhile, Mendoza just wanted their supporters to be proud of their work. “Ginawa namin itong soap na ito para sa aming fans. Ang talagang importante sa amin ni Alden ay magustuhan nila. Sana matuwa sila at maging proud sila sa akin, sa amin.”

Also in the cast are Boots Anson Roa, Lotlot De Leon, Gardo Versoza, Tommy Abuel, Ronnie Henares, Ina Feleo, Sheena Halili, Dominic Roco, Juancho Trivino, RJ Padilla, and Koreen Medina. This romantic series also features Janice de Belen who has hopped over to GMA after a couple of years trying if her mien could change the landscape of the other channel.

Destined To Be Yours airs Monday to Friday after Encantadia on GMA Telebabad. *** GMA Network Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Lizelle G. Maralag will once again take part in the 2017 Asia Pacific (APAC) Effie Awards as a jury member.

The Effie Awards is a prominent award-giving body recognized in the industry as the global standard of marketing effectiveness excellence.

Organized by the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA) and Tenasia Group, the APAC Effie Awards, in turn, honors the most outstanding marketing communication works and aims to champion practices of marketing effectiveness in the Asia Pacific region.

Maralag, who is on her second consecutive year as judge, will join an esteemed group of senior level executives from various marketing disciplines in evaluating some of the best marketing communication works in the region. The judging is held at the Bloomberg Office in Singapore.

Maralag joined GMA in 2010 and has since been responsible for driving growth and marketing innovation for the network leading it to become the only Philippine network with the most number of local and global marketing awards to date.

GMA network Chief Marketing Officer Lizelle G. Maralag

Gardo Versoza

JESSICA CHASTAIN

in John Madden’s latest thriller

Janice de Belen

The network received top honors at the 2016 PANAta Awards, 2015 Asia Pacific SPARK Awards, 2015 Asia Pacific Mobile Excellence Awards, 2014 Araw Values Awards, 2014 Catholic Mass Media Awards, 2013 University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) Tambuli Awards 7th Asia-Pacific IMC Effectiveness and Values Awards, and Catholic Mass Media Awards, among others.

Prior to her stint with GMA, Maralag held an outstanding career as an advertising media professional spanning two decades, wherein she drove Starcom Mediavest Group Philippines Co. Inc. in becoming the number one media agency in the market when she was the Managing Director.

She was founding Co-Chairperson of the Media Specialists Association of the Philippines from 2008 to 2009, Chairman of the Radio Research Council Adjudication & Review Board, and a Director of the TV Research Council. She served as a global juror at the SMG Fuel Awards in 2004 and is a frequent jury member in local and regional advertising industry awards.

Maralag earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman, majoring in Statistics. She also took post-graduate studies at the INSEAD in Singapore.

THE Maison Piaget is proud to have accompanied its International Brand Ambassador and renowned actress, nominated at the Golden Globes for Best actress in a drama movie, Jessica Chastain’s Miss Sloane character during the whole movie as she wore iconic Piaget watches and jewelry.

In the high-stakes world of political power brokers, Elizabeth Sloane is the most sought after and formidable lobbyist in Washington. Known equally for her calculating and her track record of success she has always done whatever is required to win.

As Elizabeth Sloane takes on the most powerful opponent of her career, the lobbyist looks determined, classy and completes her looks either with a Piaget Dancer watch or iconic traditional oval watch as well as Piaget Couture Précieuse High Jewellery collection earrings.

Miss Sloane by John Maden picked up a nomination (Best Actress) at the recent Golden Globe Awards.

The unique allure of Piaget lies in the audacity of its style. Charismatic and flamboyant, dazzling watch and jewelry creations embody the radiance that defines the Maison.

This passion for daring creativity was born in La Côte-aux-Fées, where GeorgesEdouard Piaget

set up his first workshop in the family farmhouse and devoted himself to producing high-precision movements. This was back in 1874 and marked the start of an ever-growing reputation. In 1943, the company took a decision that would prove crucial to its future by registering its brand name.

Faithful to its pioneering spirit, in the late 1950s Piaget set about designing and manufacturing the ultra-thin movements that would become one of the Maison’s signatures and leave a lasting imprint on the art of watchmaking.

Piaget has also always represented a style: a marriage of gold and an explosion of color, new shapes, precious gems, and dials made of hard stones. Swept to new heights of creativity driven by Yves G. Piaget, the Maison’s jewelry collection grew in an original direction with a resolute emphasis on color, giving birth to the iconic Piaget look. Building on over 140 years of history, the ever-bold Maison continues to innovate by offering jewels in motion, elegant and extravagant High Jewelry collections, as well as remarkable watches.

In a world unconstrained by boundaries, Piaget the watchmaker-jeweler continues to explore unexpected creative possibilities, turning gold, stones and gems into brilliant works of art.

Piaget has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting cinema and the arts. In February 2017, Piaget will once again be serving as Premier Sponsor of the Film Independent Spirit Awards for the tenth consecutive year.

Piaget is exclusively available at The Silver Vault, Rustan’s Makati and City of Dreams Manila