Manila Standard - 2017 April 05 - Wednesday

DUTERTE FIRES DILG CHIEF OVER FIRETRUCKS DEAL

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has fired Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, his spokesman said Tuesday as infighting and corruption allegations continued to rock his administration.

Sueno, who supervised Duterte’s war on drugs that has left thousands dead, was fired on the spot at a Cabinet meeting late Monday, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“The summary dismissal served as a warning that Mr. Duterte would not countenance any questionable or legally untenable decisions by any member of the Cabinet,” Abella added.

He did not say what these decisions were, but added the sacking Next page

Overtime pay for BI illegal, says Budget

By Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo and John Paolo Bencito BUDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno has turned down a proposal from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to temporarily allow the use of funds collected from the airport express lanes to pay overtime to personnel manning the immigration counters.

More than 30 immigration Next page

CRUSHING FISHPENS. Employees of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, accompanied by PNP Maritime Police, Philippine Navy SEALs and Coast Guard, start dismantling fishpens Tuesday in a section of the country’s largest freshwater lake in Cardona, Rizal, with authorities saying the pens—totalling 30—violated a moratorium on the construction of fishpens in the lake. Manny Palmero

Govt gives up Bulacan house units for Kadamay

By John Paolo Bencito PROTESTERS who forcibly took over idle housing projects intended for the military and other uniformed personnel in Pandi, Bulacan, will get to keep the units they occupied after President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the Next page government would give them up.

VOL. XXXI • NO. 54 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ceasefire in the works Govt-NDF 4th round of talks under way

Justices defer action on ‘Torre de Manila’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court on Tuesday failed to decide on the case involving the Torre de Manila condominium that critics say ruins the iconic sight line of the monument of national hero Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park.

Instead, the magistrates deferred their vote on the petition filed by the Knights of Rizal, which seeks the demolition of the residential project of DMCI Project Developer Inc.

A court insider said a draft decision had been circulated among the justices, but some of them sought more time to submit their separate opinions on the case.

The source said the 15-member bench, meeting in Baguio City, instead decided to reset their voting on the case during their last fullcourt summer session on April 25.

DMCI has been asking the high court to resolve the case and lift the temporary restraining order it issued on the completion of the

G

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Gun listing, permit now online—police THE Philippine National Police on Tuesday launched an online firearms registration system that it hopes will ease the burden of people wanting to register their firearms.

Before the online registration system, all those wanting to own a firearm and have it registered had to go to Camp Crame.

Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag said all applications to own and register firearms had been

By John Paolo Bencito

possible starting on Tuesday.

He said applicants will have to access www.onlineltopf.pnp and follow instructions.

He said the system was developed by the PNP Information Technology Management Service.

“This process will be convenient, efficient and will get rid of corruption,” Binag said.

He said there were about 1.7 million registered firearms naNext page tionwide.

TRUCE EFFORTS. Both government and National Democratic Front peace negotiators, led by GRP panel chairman Silvestre Bello III extending his hand to NDF panel member Benito Tiamzon, agree Tuesday to jointly craft a ceasefire pact expected to be sealed before much too long in Radisson Blu Palace in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Tadeco workers blast smear drive

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales EMPLOYEES of Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. on Tuesday slammed the allegations against the company, claiming there was a “well-orchestrated campaign meant to discredit the

company.”

In a statement, Ryan Pete Zamora, one of Tadeco’s employees, said the circulating negative statements about the company were completely false, and that no one had bothered to fact-check their stories or taken the effort to interview the

company’s employees to confirm the veracity of such reports.

“If there was truth about Tadeco being ‘abusive with its workers’ and ‘paying inmates with substandard’ rates, TADECO would never have reached 65 years,” Zamora said.

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OVERNMENT negotiators launched a new round of talks Monday with communist rebels in Noordwijk aan Zee in The Netherlands, aiming to hammer out an interim ceasefire in moves to end one of the world’s longest insurgencies.

The talks, which got under way in The Netherlands, are due to last until Friday and are the fourth round between the National Democratic Front and Manila.

“We welcome the openness of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines [NDFP] to undertake a forging in this round of talks of an agreement on [a] joint interim ceasefire,” government Next page

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Budget official suspended

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Sandiganbayan has placed Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos under a 90-day preventive suspension over his alleged involvement with the multibillion peso pork barrel fund scam.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division granted the request of the prosecution to suspend Relampagos and other officials, citing Section 13 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which allows the suspension of public official facing criminal prosecution.

“Section 13 is so clear and explicit that there is hardly room for any extended court rationalization of the law,” the Sandiganbayan ruling said.

“Once the information is found to be sufficient in form and substance, the court is bound to issue an order of suspension as matter

WELCOME GARLAND. Officials and crew of the New Zealand frigate Te Kaha (F77) are welcomed with garlands by their Philippine counterparts after they dock Tuesday at Pier 15 in Manila at the start of a fourday goodwill visit, training with the Philippine Navy in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. Norman Cruz

Ceasefire...

From A1 negotiator Silvestre Bello told a press conference.

The interim truce will “accompany our peace negotiations throughout,” he said, adding it will march “in step with the discussion of the socio-economic reforms that will address the root causes of armed conflict.”

The conflict erupted in 1968 in the impoverished country and peace negotiations have been on and off for about 30 years. They were kickstarted again by President Rodrigo Duterte after he took office last June.

The National Democratic Front is made up of several groups, the most prominent of which is the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose guerrilla unit is the 4,000-strong New People’s Army.

Norway had coaxed the two sides back to the negotiating table in August. But little progress has been made in the three previous rounds.

Originally due to be held in Oslo, the talks were moved to the western Dutch town of Noordwijk aan Zee, about 70 kilometers from Utrecht where several rebel leaders live in exile.

The founder of the Communist Party, Jose Maria Sison, who lives in Utrecht, is recovering from a bout of ill-health.

“The negotiations are necessary to address the roots of the armed conflict and to agree on a social economic, political and constitutional reform in order to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace,” he told reporters.

Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza assured the public that agreements reached during the talks would be “reflected on the ground.”

“Then it will move us forward.

It would be difficult if we signed a peace agreement then found that no one was following it,” he said.

Sison also agreed to draft a joint interim ceasefire with the government.

“A special statement or agreement or memorandum of understanding can also be issued to focus on this interim bilateral agreement,” he said.

The NDFP said it was hopeful that discussions during the fourth round of talks would not be limited to a bilateral ceasefire.

“It is important to stress that the issue of ceasefire should not be pursued as an end in itself. Ceasefires,

Govt...

From A1 Speaking to soldiers during the 120th anniversary of the Philippine Army, Duterte told the troops to just give the housing project to members of the militant urban poor workers’ group, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

“This ruckus in Bulacan, it’s like our poor fellow Filipinos grabbed the housing units. I will look into the matter seriously. And I will ask you soldiers and the policemen to just let go of the units and give them up to the poor,” he said in Filipino.

Duterte said that he was forced to resolve the issue to avoid more confrontations between the government and the urban poor group.

“I don’t want to push the issue

whether unilateral or bilateral or joint, are just a means to an end,” NDFP lead negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said.

Bello said his panel considers the 4th round of formal talks as appropriate venue to set in place the elements of a lasting peace, including a more binding bilateral ceasefire governed by well-defined parameters.

The panel has formally presented to the NDFP a draft joint interim ceasefire agreement that directs the committees of both parties to “meet immediately, even in between formal talks, to finalize the guidelines and ground rules.”

The draft provides for the crafting of guidelines that will cover the areas such as those governing the presence of armed groups in local communities and creation of buffer zones; on prohibited, hostile and provocative acts including the collection of revolutionary taxes; and undertaking of joint socio-economic projects.

Also contemplated in the proposed agreement are the rules for the immediate release of police and military captives, the release of prisoners listed by NDF, and the formation of a Joint Ceasefire Committee and the prospective role of a third party in ceasefire monitoring and other ceasefire mechanisms in the implementation of the ceasefire, including the handling of complaints and alleged violations.

“The Joint Ceasefire Agreement shall be deemed interim until a permanent ceasefire agreement is forged pursuant to a Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces,” the draft also indicated.

Duterte earlier told government negotiators to come up with a signed document with the communists “establishing the parameters of the peace talks” and there should be a ceasefire agreement to be witnessed by the Norwegian government, which acts as third-party facilitator in the peace talks.

The communist insurgency has left some 30,000 people dead, according to the Philippine Army. But the hope is now to reach a peace deal by the end of 2017.

The talks were delayed by a day, when Duterte said not all the conditions had been met. He has insisted the government will not recognize any territorial claims made by the rebels and that all prisoners held by the guerrillas should be released.

With Maricel V. Cruz, AFP further because it would somehow result in flogging and to think, our sin is that we’re all poor.

“To the Kadamay, do not touch my soldiers and police. If you’ll be doing that, I’ll be forced to remove you from there. Do not create trouble and avoid chaos. We will try to solve what ails this country,” he said.

Duterte then vowed to give soldiers who were beneficiaries of the housing projects in Pandi better housing developments to replace those taken from them.

“I’m asking you, if it’s possible, do not be offended and take it with an open mind. As President, I am asking you, let us not wage a fight against our own people. They’re just poor, let’s just understand them,” the President said.

of course, and there seems to be ‘no ifs and buts about it.’”

“In view whereof, the instant Motion to Suspend Pendente Lite filed by the prosecution is granted. The accused are hereby preventively suspended from their respective positions or from any public office which they may now or hereafter be holding, for a period of 90 days,” the order said.

Others who were ordered suspended include officials from the Department of Budget and Management: Rosario Nuñez, Supervising Budget and Management; Lalaine Paule, Administrative Assistant VI; and Marilou Bare, Administrative Assistant VI.

Also suspended from the Technology Resource Center were Marivic Jover, chief accountant and Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, group manager; Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College Rubber Estate Corp. president Salvador Salacup and treasurer Eduardo Nolasco.

From the National Agribusiness Corp.: Romulo Relevo, head of General Services Unit and Maria Ninez Guañizo, officer-in-charge Accounting Services Division; and National Livelihood Development Corp.: Gondelina Amata, president; Gregoria Buenaventura, chief of the Asset Management Division; Chita Jalandoni, Director IV; Sofia

Cruz, Chief Financial Analyst; and Ofelia Ordoñez, chief budget specialist.

The prosecution earlier charged Relampagos and the 14 others, co-accused of former Apec party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez, in the graft case in connection with the pork barrel controversy. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 10, 2017.

The prosecution alleged that Valdez received a total of P57.78 million in kickbacks from his pork barrel funds from 2004 to 2010 that were downloaded to the supposed bogus non government organizations linked to businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Duterte...

Rep. Antonio Floirendo, have been publicly feuding for weeks with Duterte trying to stay out of the quarrel.

Alvarez has accused Floirendo, the biggest contributor to the Duterte election campaign, of corruption, but Floirendo denies the charge.

Duterte won election by a landslide in May largely on his promise to launch a war on illegal drugs.

Although the campaign has proved popular at home, the President has faced international criticism for thousands of killings that human rights advocates say were carried out as part of the anti-drug initiative.

The government denies the allegations.

Sueno is the third person to leave Duterte’s Cabinet, after Vice President Leni Robredo, who resigned as housing czar, and Yasay, who was was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the Cabinet meeting opened with the allegations against Sueno.

The President then left the Aguinaldo State Dining Room with a promise to talk to Sueno privately.

Two Cabinet secretaries, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo and Environment Secretary Regina Lopez presented their plans before the Cabinet, but when Duterte came back, he announced that he had sacked Sueno, a move that caught the Interior secretary off guard.

Reports of Sueno’s alleged corruption activities were made public Monday after a confidential letter was given by the one of the advocacy groups that bankrolled Duterte’s campaign, including an alleged brand-new hotel in Marbel, South Cotabato; construction on his South Cotabato farm; authorizing a mayor to join a Washington, DC trip on illegal drugs; and an alleged all-expenses-paid trip for Sueno and members of his family to Austria and other European countries—allegedly as a result of an anomalous deal by the previous administration to buy firetrucks.

Sueno vehemently denied that he abused his power position, adding that he had never used his position to enrich himself or pursue his personal interest.

In the same press briefing, Abella denied that Sueno’s departure will pave the way for the appointment of Marcos.

“There has been no comment, no mention, and absolutely no reference to him [Marcos] as far as I’m concerned and as far as the Cabinet is concerned,” Abella said.

A former South Cotabato governor, Sueno was given the Interior portfolio, which has supervision over all local government units and the police last year.

Sueno afterward said he is ready to face any investigation and was ready to clear his name.

“My conscience is clear,” he said.

He said there was no way he could have presented the purchase of the Rosenbauer firetrucks because they were covered by a perfected contract entered into by the previous administration.

“My role was to abide by the provision of the contract which says that I should ensure that the firetrucks [are] to be delivered are in good condition so my team and I had to

go to Austria to inspect them. If we did not do that, we cannot anymore complain if they delivered defective firetrucks to us,” he said.

Sueno also said that the firetrucks are actually much cheaper than locally made firetrucks because these are covered by a soft loan agreement for 23 years with only minimal interest rates.

“The Austrian firetrucks are new ones compared to the locally-made ones which are cheaper but are reconditioned and which are good only for a few years. But then again, this is beside the point. The contract is perfected and I only had to implement it,” he said.

Sueno said while there is a pending petition before the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the contract, there is no temporary restraining order to stop it from going forward.

On the other corruption allegations raised against him, Sueno said the truth will prevail.

“What goes around comes around. I hope that they [his detractors] will do better than I did in the DILG. I may be old, I may not be as articulate as my three lawyerundersecretaries, but if there is one thing that I am sure of, it is I am not corrupt.”

Lawmakers on Tuesday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s no-nonsense policy against officials facing corruption charges.

Reps. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Harry Roque of Kabayan party-list, Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City and Jericho Nograles of PBA party-list said the firing of Sueno proved the President’s commitment to get rid of officials facing corruption allegations.

Whether the allegation of corruption against Sueno is true or not, Albano said “it is the prerogative of the President whom to fire and whom to retain. That is his official family.”

Nograles shared a similar view.

“All Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President. Simple loss of trust and confidence is enough reason for him to let you go, especially for Cabinet members who serve as alter-egos of the President,” Nograles said.

“The President is sending a very strong message. The President is not corrupt, and he will not tolerate any corruption in government. Bosom buddies, allies, even those instrumental in his election campaign— he will not hesitate to kick you out,” he added.

Nograles said the sacking of Sueno should serve as notice to all people in this administration that no one is indispensable.

“You have to work hard and honestly without and whiff of corruption if you want to continue serving under this administration,” he said.

Roque commended Duterte for his zero tolerance of corruption as evidenced by his dismissal of Sueno.

“We hope that this latest dismissal will send the message to all that this administration is serious about its anti-corruption agenda,” Roque said.

But Siquijor Rep. Ramon Rocamora lamented the President’s decision, saying Sueno was a good man, who was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

He said Sueno should have been investigated first before he was fired. With AFP

incentive program. Whoever said that Tadeco Bananeros are being abused are surely out of their minds.”

“For sure we never would have been so motivated about operational excellence if we were being abused.

The Floirendo Family, the down-toearth owners of Tadeco are treating us as family. The benefits they are giving to Tadeco Bananeros are above par in the banana industry.

That is why Tadeco is a source of envy of the other companies in the industry,” he added.

Apparently referring to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who has been attacking Tadeco, Zamora said: “It is beyond Tadeco Bananeros why an individual who hails from Davao del Norte had said that ‘the banana industry knows about this [about Tadeco being abusive to its workers

and to its inmates who are receiving substandard rates]’. Clearly, Sir, you are misinformed.”

Tadeco entered into a joint venture agreement with the government, represented by the Bureau of Corrections, in 1969 to help rehabilitate the inmates in the Davao Penal Colony by hiring them as workers in the banana plantation set up within the colony’s premises. The bureau, in turn, committed to give Tadeco “free and uninterrupted use of the land,” prevent the entry of squatters and maintain peaceful operating conditions.

The deal was renewed in 2003 with the latest agreement scheduled to lapse 12 years from now.

House Speaker Alvarez has filed House Resolution 867 that questions the company’s agreement with Corrections.

From A1 formed part of Duterte’s “drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption.”

On Tuesday, the President said Sueno was “lying through his teeth” when he denied there was anything onerous about paying for Rosenbauer firetrucks under a contract signed by the previous administration.

At the inauguration of the Metro Manila Development Authority’s Crisis Management Center, Duterte lambasted Sueno for taking him as “a stupid idiot” by telling him that his legal department had not informed him of any irregularities in the firetruck contract.

“He was not following the legal opinion of his own office. That’s why... I lost my [temper]. If you answer me with that kind of statement, but you’ve never read legal opinions of the legal officer of your own office, it’s either you’re taking me for a stupid idiot, or you are lying through your teeth sans the embarrassment or humiliation,” the President said.

“Kaya ako naputangina. [That’s why I cursed.] I said, you’re fired.

That simple,” he said.

Duterte insisted that Sueno’s claims were all lies.

After receiving a letter from Sueno’s undersecretaries, John Castriciones, Emily Padilla and Jesus Hinlo, Duterte began to investigate the implementation of the contract for Rosenbauer firetrucks from Austria for about P20 million each, when similar trucks could be bought for half the price.

Sueno supposedly traveled to Austria with his family to personally ensure the delivery of 76 firetrucks, even though the government contract is the subject of a case pending before the Supreme Court.

In a statement issued Monday, hours before his sacking, Sueno, 69, denied any involvement in corruption, blaming other followers of Duterte for circulating such allegations against him.

“My advocacy against corruption has been strong. My belief is the same as President Duterte in fighting this.

So this accusation against me is impossible,” said Sueno, a former provincial governor and city mayor.

Sueno said he was being badmouthed by three junior secretaries in the Department of the Interior and Local Government, like him also appointed by Duterte.

Asked if Sueno might face further charges, Abella told reporters: “Let us wait for the President to take his subsequent actions.”

Sueno’s sacking comes a month after Perfecto Yasay left his post as Foreign secretary after Congress ruled that he lied to them over his US citizenship.

Abella said the loss of another Cabinet member was not a sign of trouble but proof that Duterte was serious about restoring trust in government.

He did not say who would replace Sueno, though there has been speculation Duterte would appoint Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Former senator Marcos lost the vice presidential election last year but is contesting the outcome before an election tribunal.

In Congress, two other close Duterte allies, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Davao del Norte

Tadeco...

From A1 Calling themselves Tadeco Bananeros, Zamora and other Tadeco employees also praised the company’s salaries and benefits and the productivity and incentive programs for its workers, which had allowed the inmates working in Tadeco to send their children to school.

“How can we be competitive in the global market and very relevant in the banana industry if Tadeco is not taking good care of its workers?”

Zamora said.

“The truth is that in Tadeco we are not treated as workers. We are treated as families, as partners in the business considering that we have the best in the industry when it comes to the quality incentive program and the productivity

Overtime...

From A1 personnel have resigned due to unpaid overtime and 50 others have filed leaves of absence, resulting in long queues at the airport, where passengers must stand in line for more than an hour before being processed by an immigration officer.

In a Cabinet meeting Monday night, Aguirre asked the Department of Budget and Management for temporary relief until and amended immigration law is enacted.

“There should be really a bill in Congress to address this problem on overtime pay of the Immigration officers,” Aguirre said.

However, Diokno rejected the proposal, saying it would be illegal and would violate the General Appropriations Act for 2017, Aguirre said.

In December, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the use of express lane charges collected by the BI for the payment of salaries of casual and contractual personnel, as well as for overtime pay. Last year, BI personnel were paid P784 million for overtime, which was five times more than their basic salaries.

Under the law, Diokno said, overtime pay must not exceed 50 percent of their regular pay.

Also under the 2017 national budget, funds collected from the express lanes will now go to the National Treasury.

The DBM has created 887 new positions for the bureau and also allotted P224.835 million to pay for the extra work rendered by the immigration officers, but Aguirre said this amount would only allow a maximum of P5,000 in overtime pay of each immigration personnel.

“The unpaid overtime pay reached P2 billion, that’s why the DBM was questioning it,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre earlier warned that the shortage of immigration personnel at the airport could hurt national security.

As a temporary contingency measure, Aguirre has directed the BI to deploy additional officers at the major airports for the influx of passengers during the Holy Week.

A number of college students undergoing on-the-job-training were employed by the Bureau of Immigration to take the place of immigration personnel who resigned and for those who filed a six month-long vacation leave due to the non-payment of their overtime pay.

The Manila International Airport Authority expressed apprehension that the lack of BI personnel at the airport would cause flight delays, particularly this Lenten season as thousands of overseas Filipino workers, balikbayans and foreign tourists are expected to arrive to spend their summer vacation in the country.

A BI official who asked anonymity said that hundreds of BI’s confidential agents and even regular employees were not reporting for work due to the non-payment of their overtime pay since January this year, causing backlogs and affects processing of documents of foreigners wanting to expedite their travel documents.

“The BI seems to be taking advantage of the students to replace BI employees who are not reporting for work,” a BI official told the Manila Standard.

He said it would be unfair for OJTs to do the work since they do not receive any compensation from the BI. OJT provides opportunities college students to gain practical experience and work-based training course.

Justices...

From A1 49-story building in June 2015, citing business losses and damage to third parties—especially the buyers of units in the condominium.

The developer also asked the high court to dismiss the petition against the condo, warning that granting the petition would cost DMCI P4.27 billion in capital investments and unrealized profits, including the P1.28 billion it spent for the construction of the condominium as of May 2015.

The company also warned that granting the petition would create a dangerous precedent and result in “economic havoc,” saying high-rise buildings were surrounding most of the monuments in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

In its petition filed in September 2014, the Knights of Rizal claimed that DMCI violated several laws, including defacing the visual corridors of the Rizal monument.

Gun...

From A1 A license to own and carry a firearm is valid for two years, while a gun registration is good for four years.

Gun owners may now apply for a license to own and carry a firearm by registering with onlineltopf.pnp. gov.ph using their NBI clearance ID number or other government-issued identification cards.

Francisco Tuyay

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Children don’t need rhetoric of death’

By Macon Araneta

LYING IN PROTEST. Farmers from different provinces troop to the Department of Agriculture office at the Elliptical Road in Quezon City to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the Los Baños-based International Research Institute and denounce the prescriptive program they said was being pushed by Secretary Emmanuel Piñol like Masagana 6000 and the commercialization of Genetically Modified crops. Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF Bongbong not offered DILG post—Duterte THERE is no standing offer for losing vice presidential candidate and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos for him to take the post as Interior chief, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, only hours after he fired DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno over allegations of corruption.

“I don’t think (Bongbong) would abandon his election protest against declared Vice President Leni Robredo,” the President said in a chance interview at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Duterte added he was “still scouting for another talent” to replace Sueno in the powerful Cabinet position.

An opposition lawmaker, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said Tuesday the firing of Sueno as Interior secretary opened the possibility Marcos Jr., Duterte’s close friend, might be appointed to the Cabinet.

John Paolo Bencito

Comelec to limit voter’s data THE Commission on Elections said it would limit the voter’s information data on its website service to prevent another “Comeleak” incident where the more than 70 million registered voters personal data were hacked last year and twice this year.

The Comelec assured the public it had already undertaken several security measures to prevent another breach of personal information of registered voters.

The Anonymous Philippines group has claimed responsibility for the “Comeleak,” highlighting the “vulnerabilities” of the Comelec’s computers system in March 2016 and another on Jan. 11. Vito Barcelo

World lawmakers told: PH govt may adopt federalism

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATE President Aquilino L. Pimentel III told world legislators Tuesday the Philippine government was eyeing a major structural reform to ensure all Filipinos would enjoy the fruits of the country’s economic growth: The adoption of federalism.

Addressing participants of the 136th Interparliamentary Union Assembly, the Senate President said the country’s “chosen weapon to fight the inter-generational problems of poverty, inequality, and the societal instability that result therefrom, is not merely policy change but structural change— structural change in the form of the adoption of the Federal System of Government.”

The senator from Mindanao, who gave a speech on the assembly’s theme, “On Redressing Inequalities: Delivering

on Dignity and Well-Being for All,” explained the Philippines, like the rest of the world, was also grappling with “the wealth gap.”

“Reports indicate that GDP and GNP Growth rates in the world have been rising. Yet, despite these rising rates, serious inequalities on income, economic opportunity and political inclusion still persist, threatening to jeopardize economic sustainability, reverse the progress on poverty, and affect world security,” lamented Pimentel.

He stressed the Philippines

was too familiar with this wealth gap, especially the gap which exists within the country.

Last year, the domestic economy again posted a strong 6.6 percent growth in GDP, following steady growth in the previous years – but it has yet to be truly felt by the majority of Filipinos, especially the poor “who still comprise a little more than onefourth of our population.”

Pimentel said contributing to this problem was the fact that the Philippines was a unitary state, with more than 60 percent of its GDP generated in Metro Manila and the areas near the national capital.

He admitted “the poorest and least developed areas of the Philippines are found in the far south of the capital, in the island called Mindanao.”

“In short, the richest areas in the Philippines are the capital and those closest to it. The poorest are those farthest from the capital,” he said.

The election of President

Groups back solar-powered vehicle Death penalty restoration

By Rio N. Araja VARIOUS transport groups backed on Tuesday the operation of the first-ever solar-powered vehicle to pilot in Metro Manila.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Orlando Marquez, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas national president, along with Melencio “Boy” Vargas of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, called on the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Land Transportation Office to shift to green technology, and not to just remove the old passenger jeepneys on the road, particularly in the National Capital Region.

“We have requested a dialogue with Transpor-

tation Secretary Arthur Tugade,” Vargas told Manila Standard.

After the afternoon conference, Marquez, Vargas and the project proponent—Jacob Maimon, Star 8 Green Technology Corp. president and chief executive officer—proceeded to the office of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Tim Orbos to discuss the proposal.

“We are always being criticized and blamed (for the poor transport service). Let us think out of the box. Let us give the solar transport a chance,” Vargas urged the government.

According to Marquez, the operation of the solar-powered public utility jeepneys would help improve the quality of air and modernize the mass transport sector.

Bill to include national artist in NCCA LAWMAKERS on Tuesday expressed hope the Senate would pass the bill to include a national artist in the membership of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

House Bill 735, authored by Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero, was passed on third and final reading at the House of Representatives before Congress went on recess last March 15.

Escudero said the bill, once enacted, shall ensure the development of policies, plans and programs of the NCCA, particularly its Sub-Commission on the Arts, which is imbued with the intellect, creativity and skill of a national artist who has been distinguished and duly recognized in the field of Arts.

Maricel V. Cruz

Rodrigo Duterte in May 2016, explained Pimentel, was the electorate’s response to this longstanding problem.

One of the major thrusts of Duterte, the first President from Mindanao, is the country’s adoption of federalism.

“We believe that by federalizing the Philippines, we immediately obtain the following benefits: we involve the regions in national decision making; we accelerate the economic development of the regions as the regions will be free to determine their over-all direction,” said Pimentel.

The 1990 Bar exams topnotcher revealed that under the proposed federalism plan of Duterte, the country would be divided into 11 regions, thereby resulting in “eleven centers of power.”

According to the Senate President, the shift to federalism would also encourage the preservation of the culture, language, and other practices and beliefs of the country’s ethno-linguistic groups.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte should spare Filipino children his language of death and violence, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The minority bloc lawmaker said it was one thing to claim to protect them, and quite another to ask them to embrace a culture of violence and conceal it as protection.

“The rhetoric of death and violence is an education our children don’t need. President Duterte’s love of violence contradicts the very principles espoused by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines,” said Hontiveros.

She was giving reference to the group which, by law, recently made him the chief scout, being the President.

“One of its [Boy Scouts] core programs is the Messengers of peace initiative. It is anchored on training and dialogue, capacity building and peace projects,” said Hontiveros.

She said the President could not teach Filipino children “peace and progress through a parade of dead bodies. Mister President, do not brainwash our children. Leave our kids alone.”

The President should stop using the “protection of children” to legitimize his bloody war on drugs.

The awful truth, according to her, was that Filipino children themselves have become victims of this drug war.

She said some children, branded as “hardened criminals,” have died at the hands of extrajudicial killers.

She said many have been orphaned; when the drug war killed the parents and guardians of many poor families, it also succeeded in sentencing orphaned children to a life of destitution and poverty.

She added: “On top of that, all the children survivors of this abusive drug war would need mental health care, whose importance this government refuses to recognize.

“Without proper intervention, an entire generation of Filipinos will grow up scarred and traumatized, their sense of justice perverted by the President’s obsession with killings.”

COURTESY CALL. President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledges the courtesy gesture of British Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox who called on him at the Music Room of Malacañang on Monday.

Malacañang Photo

opposed by Du30 critics

By Macon Araneta THE proposed restoration of the death penalty and three other measures being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies would be opposed by the Minority Bloc in the Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Tuesday.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado, Trillanes said the three other measures which they agreed to block were the lowering of the minimum age for criminal liability from 15 to 9 years old, postponement of the barangay elections scheduled this October, and any move to change the 1987 Constitution.

“The Minority Bloc will block all those,” said Trillanes who belongs to the Opposition in the Upper Chamber.

The other members are Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon, Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros and detained Sen. Leila de Lima.

Trillanes disclosed that before Congress adjourned on March 15, they reached an agreement on the four measures which are among the priority measures of the President.

The House of Representatives has so far approved only the death penalty bill.

Trillanes also said the proposed postponement of the barangay elections would not be approved at the Senate.

He emphasized that even some members of the Majority Bloc were not in favor of it.

“So it’s unlikely. The barangay elections for all intents and purposes would push through by October,” he said.

The senator said the Minority Bloc would not agree that Congress should convene as Constituent Assembly to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution unless it was clear that the Senate and the House would vote separately.

“Definitely, this won’t push through and we will also not allow ourselves to be convened as a Constituent Assembly unless and until voting process is clarified. It should be separate,” related Trillanes.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Obey the law

T

HE resignation of more than 30 immigration personnel because of unpaid overtime is causing long lines at the immigration counters of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

There, arriving and departing passengers must line up for more than an hour to get an immigration officer, a situation that can only make it more difficult to sell the Philippines as a good place to do business or as an attractive tourist destination.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who has supervision over the Bureau of Immigration, says this could undermine national security and wants to take palliative measures to keep 50 other immigration workers who have gone on leave

to stay in their jobs.

The approach could bring short-term relief to thousands of travelers—but could also do more damage in the long run because it would perpetuate an opaque and inefficient system that is prone to corruption.

Before the 2017 national budget, the Bureau of Immigration was able to use funds collected from so-called express lane counters to pay overtime to immigration officers. These collections were also used to cover the salaries of casual and contractual personnel as well as the health insurance of the bureau employees. Under such a system, an immigration officer earning P14,000 a month could make as much as P48,000 with overtime.

But Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno points out that under the law, a government employee’s overtime should not

exceed 50 percent of his or her regular pay. This means the Bureau of Immigration’s bloated overtime system wasn’t just inefficient, it was also illegal.

“Under the law, your overtime pay cannot go over 50 percent of your regular pay,” Diokno says. “They were getting five times their regular pay. That’s the issue here.”

Moreover, because the express lane funds did not go through a budget process, their disbursement in past years was far from transparent.

The 2017 national budget closes these loopholes and bars the bureau’s use of express lane funds, which now go back to the National Treasury, as they should.

Instead, the Budget Department has set aside more than P200 million for the bureau’s overtime requirements and has also created 936 new positions to address its manpower requirements. Over-

time may now no longer be more than 50 percent of an employee’s regular pay.

“We want to replace the illegal, corrupt and opaque system with a system which is legal, clean and transparent,” Diokno says. “But they don’t want that. What they want is a system where nobody knows who is getting overtime pay.”

Viewed from this perspective, the answer to the current problem at the airport isn’t to keep existing immigration officers on the job by paying them bloated overtime from express lane funds, particularly since their mass leave can be seen as a form of intimidation if not blackmail.

The key is to find new workers who are willing to follow the rules, and a management at the Bureau of Immigration that is just as committed to enforcing them.

If the existing immigration personnel no longer want their jobs, so be it; there are plenty of qualified people who do.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Duterte fights corruption

People over cronies LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES WHEN I heard that President Rodrigo Duterte had fired his interior and local and government secretary, a former governor of South Cotabato and longtime friend of his who was instrumental in convincing him to run last May, my first reaction was: This would never have happened under Noynoy Aquino.

DILG Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno was part of the small committee made up of Mindanao politicians, businessmen and civic leaders who ran Duterte’s wildly successful presidential campaign. In terms of actual physical closeness to Duterte, he had about the same rank as Peter Tiu Laviña, the former head of the National Irrigation Administration who

was Digong’s campaign spokesman—and who was also recently fired by the President.

Now Sueno has joined Laviña in the ranks of the newly unemployed from government, earning the distinction of being the highest-ranked member of the Duterte administration fired by the President. By Duterte’s own count, he has so far dismissed almost 100 people whom he has appointed, something which should probably make those seeking government positions think twice before accepting a job offer from the President.

This is a president, after all, who will not hesitate to let go of his own people, no matter how close they are to him, especially if they are accused of corruption.

If that message did not sink into the heads of his appointees when Duterte fired Laviña, a former close-in staff member who was rewarded only with a mid-level bureaucratic post, it should really

get through with the dismissal of Sueno, who had a much more important role in his campaign and who was put in charge of an important Cabinet portfolio.

The people, after all, voted for Duterte, not for his friends, fraternity brothers or fellow Mindanaoans.

It wasn’t too long ago, after all, when another president routinely turned a deaf ear to charges of high crimes and gross incompetence by his chosen people that

threatened to engulf his entire administration. Aquino never fired anyone whom he had appointed, never mind if all the accusations gave rise to the socalled “KKK,” membership in which insulated any government official from any and all charges and which often led to the spectacle of the president himself protecting his men, instead of them quitting in order to save him from embarrassment.

It got so bad that Aquino even gave the sensitive mission of going after the terrorist bomb-maker Marwan to PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, who had already been suspended for corruption by the Ombudsman—an office which had already developed a reputation for protecting Aquino’s men, as well. And as we now know, Aquino’s over-reliance on Purisima directly led to the infamous Mamasapano Massacre, which killed 44 members of the elite PNP Special Action Force.

Aquino’s absurd loyalty to his people also made him personally post bail for former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, who was ordered arrested shortly after he appointed her as commissioner of the Commission on Elections, on the charge of failing to file her statement of assets and liabilities. I am certain that if Aquino could have found a way to hang on to Padaca, he would have, and damn the torpedoes.

Like Duterte, Aquino enjoyed a reputation for personal integrity, deserved or not. Where they differed was in executive experience, which is pretty obvious in Aquino’s near-pathological fear of letting non-performing and corrupt subordinates go, a task that Duterte obviously does not shy away from.

It’s an old theory of mine that because Aquino never held an executive position before he became the Chief Executive, he beTurn to A5

LATE Monday night, after a testy conversation, President Duterte fired Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno. The trigger was suspicion of graft and corruption.

Reports say Sueno grew the family business in his home province, protected a drug lord, and entertained bribes from illegal gambling syndicates. He denies the allegations, but he has lost the President’s trust and confidence.

The DILG supervises the chief executives of some 81 provinces, 145 cities, and 1,489 towns, along with about 170,000 members of the Philippine National Police, making it among the most powerful Cabinet positions.

Not counting Perfecto Yasay who was removed by the Commission on Appointments for lying, Sueno is the second close Duterte ally and friend to be fired. The first was Peter Laviña, a cabinet undersecretary and thencandidate Duterte’s campaign spokesman. He was ousted as chief of the National Irrigation Administration last March, also on suspicion of corruption.

Under Duterte’s rule, just a whiff of corruption will nail a suspect government official. He is particularly unforgiving to those close to him. He may be a killer president (against those engaged in illegal drugs) but he is also serious about fighting corruption in government.

He is also against red tape.

He gives government offices no more than three working days to process work permits and applications by ordinary mortals.

Duterte should start shaming, firing if not killing outright red tape-prone government officials.

I am sure they number more than the number of drug addicts he wants to drown in Manila Bay. The government employs three million people—the same number of confirmed drug addicts.

It still takes two months before one can get to file a passport application (processing is another ordeal). It still takes weeks to get a driver’s license and months to get a car plate. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it takes 40 to 50 minutes (waiting time) for Immigration to stamp your passport, longer than the actual flying time to places like Hong Kong, Macau and parts of China.

Among LGUs, red tape for business permits is still the norm. A big home builder I was interviewing this week told me it now takes longer—two years —to secure all the permits for a project.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

WHEN President Duterte immigration personnel. *** launched his bloody war against The delay in forging a peace illegal drugs, I said that the killing of drug lords and drug push- pact between the government ers would only be half the prob- and the combined forces of the National Democratic Front, lem solved.

So long as there are drug ad- Communist Party of the Phildicts—and many of them soon ippines and the New People’s become pushers to finance their Army can easily be traced to habit—there will be demand trust and sincerity. Can the for illegal drugs, and there will communists be trusted? Are always be supply to meet this they sincere in having peace with government? demand.

President Duterte has laid four The illegal drug trade is a $100-billion industry worldwide. conditions that the NDF-NPAGovernment should, in co- CPP must accept before a bilatoperation with the private sec- eral ceasefire can be achieved. tor, build rehabilitation centers These are: 1) an end to the rewhere drug users can be rehabil- bels’ revolutionary taxes, which itated so that they become pro- amount to extortion; 2) the reductive members of the society. lease of all prisoners held by the Another thing: There must communists; 3) non-recognition be more jails for those detained of the communists’ territorial on drug-related charges. We are claims; and 4) a signed and bindall too familiar with sub-human ing ceasefire agreement.

President Duterte knows that condition in jails. Inmates have to take turns sleeping. Some government has the leverage sleep on the steps of stairs. The and must negotiate from a posiallocation is P50 per day per tion of strength.

The President is also aware prisoner.

The Duterte administration that the communists have been needs to address the drug prob- going to the negotiation table lem and all its components. It’s with blood on their hands. They been 10 months since the cam- always claim that the Armed Forces of the paign began.

Philippines is at *** fault when we The problem all know that of the Bureau it’s the NPA of ImmigraPrison that has been t io n — w h e r e killing soldiers 32 immigra- conditions are and policemen. tion personnel I’m not sure have resigned sub-human. if the NDFand some 300 NPA-CPP will more are alaccept all the ready looking four conditions for other jobs —has resulted in much incon- of President Duterte.

Santa Banana, why would the venience to passengers, who have to wait for hours on end. If communists claim to have their the issue is not resolved imme- own territory when the Philipdiately, it can become a national pines is one country? And why would the communists continue security problem.

It is the non-payment of their to extort money from businessovertime work, plus their meal men when that’s pure and simand transportation expenses ple banditry? *** when they are required to work The Office of the US Trade beyond eight hours.

I believe it’s more than that. Representative, in a report, Immigration personnel, up says corruption is prevalent in to Level 11, get at most only the Philippines—including the P14,000 a month. An immigra- judiciary, and that it remains a tion officer gets only P16,000 significant barrier to trade. This a month. After all deductions, hits at the jugular of the Duterte take-home pay may only be administration’s fight against P13,000 a month. My gulay, my corruption.

“Concerns also have been driver gets more!

Budget Secretary Benja- raised about courts being inmin Diokno claims that over- fluenced by bribery and their time pay is illegal and that the improperly issuing temporary clamor for overtime pay had restraining orders [TROs] to been stopped. But don’t Diokno impede legitimate commerce,” and Justice Secretary Vitaliano the USTR report said.

The Bureau of Customs also Aguirre know that in September 2011, the Supreme Court came under fire by the USTR, ruled that overtime pay must be especially in valuation of impaid by both local and foreign ported goods, so much so that Customs corruption comes to airlines?

Sadly, this Supreme Court play, especially on imported ruling was never implemented meat products.

Both the President and Chief by all the Customs commissioners. No finance secretary lifted Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno a finger to help the Customs should be concerned. They personnel. More than half of must show that they are doing their best to stamp out corrupthem have since retired.

I cite this Supreme Court rul- tion in all levels of government.

What people expect from ing because it can also apply to Immigration and Quarantine the President is political will personnel, who work overtime to continue his war on corruption. Even his appointees seem at the airports.

Secretary Aguirre should to take advantage of their closelook at the Supreme Court rul- ness to the powers-that-be.

The people expect no less. ing to solve the overtime pay of

People...

From A4 lieved that firing people he had personally chosen would reflect badly on him as the one who hired them.

Thus, unlike Duterte, Aquino was deathly afraid of being blamed for taking in the wrong people, so he simply persisted in the belief that the charges against the men and women he surrounded himself with had all been fabricated by his political enemies—never mind if his own allies were also calling for their heads.

And so, Aquino held on to the likes of Florencio Abad, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Mar Roxas, Paquito Ochoa, Leila de Lima, Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Jose Angel Honrado, Purisima and a host of other incompetents and kleptocrats until the bitter end, long after they had been rendered inutile by the serious charges leveled against them—and long after they had damaged Aquino’s own credibility.

Aquino never understood what any executive knows: that you

end up choosing the wrong people sometimes and that your response should be to remove them before they cause further damage to you and the institution you head. *** Of course, another key difference between Duterte and Aquino is that Duterte really believes that he should protect the people and the government from the occasional bad eggs who get into the bureaucracy, never mind if they are his friends. Aquino only felt that he had to protect his friends, his classmates and various other cronies over and above the interest of the people who were—in name, at least—his bosses.

The people, after all, voted for Duterte, not for his friends, fraternity brothers or the Mindanaoans whom he rewarded with government jobs. If they don’t perform as promised or if they get involved in corrupt activities, they should go.

That’s really how it should work.

It’s just that, for the six years prior to Duterte, the people were somehow convinced that the reverse was actually true.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

All’s not well in Duterte domain

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Address jail congestion

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO WITH the feud between House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo still raging, another internecine rift is brewing in the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Prior to his sacking on Tuesday, DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno asked President Rodrigo Duterte to remove three Undersecretaries—John Castriciones, Jesus Hinlo and Emilie Padilla—for undermining his authority. The three Usecs, who campaigned for Digong in the May elections, had accused Sueno of corruption.

This placed the President in a bind. Graft charges the trio sent in a confidential letter to the President included Sueno’s ownership of a new hotel in South Cotabato, an irregular sale of fire trucks and alleged bribery from gambling lords. Sueno had denied all the allegations, claiming the three Usecs were getting back at him for reshuffling them.

This is the same predicament the President finds himself in the Alvarez-Floirendo feud. Both are from Davao with Bebot Alvarez showing himself a staunch defender against critics of Duterte.

Floirendo, on the other hand, was the biggest fund contributor to

Duterte’s campaign for the presidency. The fallout from this feud could result in Alvarez losing his House speakership or Floirendo losing his banana plantation empire in Davao. Digong has publicly said he won’t be taking sides which means “bahala na kayo sa buhay ninyo! ” Translation: You make a mess, you’re on your own.

The tiff between Alvarez and Floirendo, according to speculations, started from a quarrel between the mistresses of the two.

Other sources point to a business deal in the banana plantation that went sour. The Tagum Development Company (Tadeco) has been owned by the Floirendo family since the Marcos years.

A source close to the Marcoses who prepared the papers and worked the deal, however, said Tadeco is really owned not by the Floirendos but someone who used to be more powerful.

License to kill President Duterte’s premature announcement that he will grant pardon to the policemen accused in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa has drawn strong condemnation from legal circles. As it should —it would be giving the police a license to kill and gives credence to allegations of extrajudicial killings in the government’s war on drugs.

“It’s a mockery of justice,” said University of Santo Tomas law dean Nilo Divina, adding the accused cops will have to

undergo trial in the proper court.

If found guilty, the President may then pardon them after all due consideration of the circumstances surrounding the case.

No wonder the European Union and other human rights groups are aghast and accusing the Duterte administration of summary killings. Can you blame them, given the brazen killing of Espinosa inside his cell, and Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo right inside Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame?

The cops claimed self-defense in gunning down Espinosa who was arrested as a suspected drug lord in Leyte. But how can it be self-defense when the man was a helpless prisoner inside his detention cell when the police came purportedly to serve a search warrant.

To serve a search warrant in the wee hours of the morning on a man already in government custody? The police version just does not wash. There are speculations Espinosa was silenced because he had a long list of policemen and local officials in his drug payroll payola.

‘Palit-bise’ Let’s not blame Vice President Leni Robredo for giving the country a bad name. The videotape she provided the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria contained reports that are aired in the local TV news coverage and already known by the inter-

national media.

So, who’s behind the “Replace Leni” demonstration at the Rizal Park? For sure, someone is funding this politically-driven demonstration. It would be naïve to think this is a spontaneous gathering of civic-spirited citizens.

People have more important things to do like take over empty national housing projects. Even the unemployed masses’ priority would be to put food on the table. This is the sad situation of our people. The politicians play them to the hilt, exploiting their suffering. This is called the politics of poverty—using the poor for the agenda of the politicians to perpetuate themselves in power.

The usual suspects Why do voters continue to elect the same coterie and cabal of predatory politicians? This could perhaps be blamed or traced to the surfeit of banal fare fed daily to the masses. Morning and evening news on TV always include a segment on which movie star is dating whom or which popular love team is breaking up.

Is it Kathniel today or Aldub tomorrow? The latest buzz is that Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach’s boyfriend Marlon Stockinger fathered twin daughters with a former fashion model.

No wonder people like basketball player Robert Jaworski, movie star Tito Sotto and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao get elected to the Senate.

To dream and believe SO I SEE LITO BANAYO THE Philippine presentation began with a quote from Nobel laureate Anatole France, which translated, goes like this: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

Thus did the delegation headed by Philippine ambassador to France, Theresa Lazaro, begin its conference with high-level representatives of French businessmen and investors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday afternoon (late night Manila time).

The occasion was arranged by our gracious but tough lady ambassador with Agnes Romatet-Espagne, the directress of international trade and tourism promotion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The French Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Harlem Desir presided, and for the Philippines, young and engaging communicator Vivencio B. Dizon, president and CEO of BCDA, did the selling of Clark Green City.

He started with the Anatole France quote, en francais, and bowled the high-level business leaders and government officials present. Thereafter, he presented the BCDA dream to the gathered audience.

Assisting Dizon in the powerpoint presentation were Clark Development Corp. CEO Noel Manankil and Clark International Airport GM Alex Cauguiran. who ended the presentation with a quote from Dom Helder Camara, the Brazilian spiritual advocate.

The visiting Philippine delegation was also headed by eminent persons who have made their mark

Duterte...

From A4

Corruption and red tape remain the No. 1 problem of most businessmen. In the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, the Philippines has stagnated at 99th, while its perennial rival for foreign investments, Vietnam improved markedly, from 91st to 82nd.

Vietnam is the Philippines’ main rival in the race to join the ranks of the world’s 20 richest countries in terms of size of the economy measured both as the size of the economy or Gross Domestic Product in purchasing power parity (or what the dollar can buy in equivalent local goods), and in GDP per capita PPP. In recent years, the Philippines has proved to be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, growing at a clip faster than that of China. The economy has expanded for the past 72 consecutive quarters or a period of 18 years—the longest economic expansion in the country’s history.

According to Goldman Sachs, per capita, the Philippines will be the 18th richest country by 2050,

in their respective fields: BCDA Chairman Greg Garcia, the creative marketing genius who is on his first stint in government, and CDC chairman and former secretary of Transportation and Public Works Ping de Jesus, whose achievements in both the private sector and public service, are, as the French would say, “non pareil.”

The investors and the French officials were so delighted, and what followed was a lively threehour discussion of specifics.

The Philippine economy’s numbers are quite impressive, and the businessmen knew them: Asia’s fastest-growing economy in the last three years, and the World Economic Forum predicting that it would be the 24th largest economy in the world by 2030, with the Australian continent at number 23.

But more interesting was the Duterte infrastructure program that Budget Secretary promised to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure”: progressively increased public infrastructure spending from 5.4 percent of GDP now, up to 9 percent in 2021, for a total of 160 billion dollars within the term of the president.

Partnered with assistance and longterm loans from other countries and multi-lateral institutions, it would allow us to catch up with our more advanced Asian neighbors.

The “piece de resistance” of the Dizon presentation was that finally, this government would begin the construction of a new worldclass airport terminal in Clark the design of which was funded through the assistance of the French government and Aeroport de Paris, but which was for reasons still unexplained, laid dormant by the previous administration’s “walang pakialam” attitude.

Around that airport would gravitate several industrial and business parks where several countries would invest, the most exciting of which, thus far, is the

plan to build Asia’s largest food cold chain and logistics terminal in coordination with the world’s largest and most efficient— Rungis Marche International.

The Philippine group, headed by highly successful logistics expert and now DoTr Secretary Art Tugade, along with USec Cesar Chavez and other assistant secretaries visited the sprawling Rungis operations at 4:30 in the morning of Monday, April 3, just before conferences with French aeronautics and airport officials and then the investors conference the whole afternoon.

They saw how farm produce from the whole Europe, from all kinds of meat to all kinds of seafood, vegetables and fruits were brought to precise temperature controlled pavilions by railcar and lorries, thence purchased by supermarket and grocery chains, restaurateurs and hoteliers and even small retailers, all within one day of smooth efficiency. The whole experience deserves another article.

But what is most remarkable is that Rungis, which moved the main produce distribution center from Paris Les Halles to a 234-hectare spread some 7 kilometers south of Paris, started with the vision of the legendary Charles de Gaulle as early as the sixties.

It is the perfectly modern version of our “bagsakan” center which Ferdinand Marcos, through his creation of the National Food Authority in 1972 tried to replicate, albeit on smaller scale through the Food Terminal in Taguig.

But while Rungis grew to become the world’s best and most efficient, FTI in Taguig was left to rot when Marcos and his food security czar, the late Jesus Tanchanco, father of the NFA, left the scene with the ascent of President Cory Aquino. As early as

1988, the decision to sell off FTI in a wave of privatizing publicly-owned real estate because of financially-ineffective operations was made.

But President Rodrigo Duterte wants modern food terminals revived, and the first step would be in Clark, with likely a sub-distribution center in Taguig with what is left of the FTI after Ayala Land took over three-fourths of its real estate. Which is why Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco, who chairs the NFA now, sent his newly-appointed FTI chief, Ariel Buenaventura, to join the Paris delegation.

During the campaign, thenMayor Digong in private conversations with his vice presidential candidate, Senator Alan Cayetano of Taguig, intimated his desire to help farmers and spur agricultural modernization while stabilizing food supply and prices. Now president, among his first directives was to implement an effective food supply chain.

In Clark, Rungis plans a 300-hectare cold chain and logistics facility which would serve not only the Philippines but Asean as well. It is serendipitous that this plan is being revived by Duterte on the 50th anniversary of the Southeast Asian aggrupation.

What makes Clark ideal is its location and proximity to both source and market, an international airport and soon, a cargo rail link between Subic seaport and Clark airport.

The French encounter began with a quote from Anatole France, about dreams and beliefs. CIAC GM Cauguiran ended the long day with a quote from Camara: “When you dream alone, it is just a dream.

When you dream with others, that is the beginning of reality.”

Would that more Filipinos realize, as the French under De Gaulle did, that dreaming together is the beginning of reality.

with per capita income of more than $16,000, and together with the Vietnamese, becoming richer than the Indians.

PriceWaterhouse has a separate study ranking the Philippines among the 20 richest countries (No. 19), by 2050. Within the next 30 years, the Philippines will jump in ranking by nine places, from 28th to 19th with GDP of $3,334 billion ($3.3 trillion), from an estimated GDP PPP of $802 billion in 2016.

The Duterte administration has announced a Golden Age of Infrastructure during its six years. Infra spending this year will be P900 billion, 5.4 percent of GDP and more than the combined infra spending of P860.7 billion during 2012 to 2015.

Even with the government’s cumbersome and corrupt bureaucracy, major Philippine corporations are bullish beyond belief.

For instance, San Miguel Corp. has raised the stakes in the bid of major corporations to participate in the massive transformation of the economy and its robust growth in the next 10 to 20 years.

On Friday, March 31, SMC president Ramon S. Ang disclosed to

newsmen his P1.68-trillion ($33.6 billion) plan to undertake three major projects: • A new and larger oil refinery, with a projected capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, capable of manufacturing allied products like petrochemicals and aromatics, at an estimated cost of $15 billion; • A fully-integrated steel mill designed to produce steel from iron ore and other finished products from a stainless steel manufacturing facility, with an investment of $15 billion; and • A renewable energy power plant, using ocean tides, with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts of electricity, at a cost of $3.6 billion.

The projects are to be completed in three to five years, Ang said.

Ang also disclosed that this 2017, SMC expects net profit to rise by 20 percent to about P60 billion. In 2016, the beer, food, energy and infra conglomerate increased profits 80 percent to P52.2 billion on revenues of P685 billion.

At a five-year timetable, $33.6 billion involves capital expenditures of $6.72 billion or P336 billion per year at P50 to $1 rate. This makes SMC

the Philippines’ largest investor.

The Ayala Group has capital expenditures this 2017—a record P185 billion, up 13 percent, to support growth strategies for its real estate, telecommunications, and water units and ramp up its emerging businesses in power, industrial technologies, healthcare, and education.

“The aggressive capital spending we have programmed this year reflects the Ayala Group’s continued optimism in the domestic environment,” Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

For its part, SM Investments Corp. has allocated P73 billion in 2017 capex to finance the expansion of its property, retail and banking businesses.

“Our core businesses performed well and continue to grow in line with the country’s strong economic development. We are optimistic about continued development and that government plans for infrastructure, agriculture and tourism in particular will enable broader regional growth,” SMIC president Harley T. Sy said. biznewsasia@gmail.com

News

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NPO staff to undergo lie test

By Francisco Tuyay

T

HE National Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday that it was considering to conduct lie detector tests on the personalities involved in the alleged anomaly at the National Printing Office in the printing jobs for Social Security System which amounted to P74 million.

NBI-Anti Fraud Division chief lawyer Irvin Garcia said the agency will use all possible means to uncover all the details of the said transaction.

Representatives of print companies Best Forms Security Printer, owned by Benjamin Yam; Tri-Print Work of Ramil Tamayo and Metro Color Company of Celso Viray, all of which bidded for printing jobs with the NPO, earlier appeared before the NBI.

NPO officials led by Director Francisco Vales and former Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Sherwin Prose Castaneda were also present during the initial investigation conducted by the NBI. Representatives of the printing companies and NPO officials reportedly submitted documents with regards to the controversial contract.

Garcia said that they will also summon other person-

alities involved in the transaction, including former members of NPO-BAC and officials of SSS. The NBI Anti-Fraud Division chief assured the public that the agency will file charges against persons who will be found liable.

Records show that the contract was first awarded to Western Visayas Printing Corp., owned by Raymond Malapayo.

KMP hits Neda on ‘false claims’

By Sandy Araneta THE Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Tuesday slammed the National Economic and Development Authority for issuing a statement presumptuously claiming that President Rodrigo Duterte will most likely not sign the draft executive order imposing a two-year ban on land conversion.

KMP said the draft executive order is said to have been the result of a proposal by the Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano to the Presidential Agrarian Reform Commission last year, the final and official issuance of which the KMP and other militant organizations have since been anticipating.

KMP Secretary General Antonio Flores said in a statement that Neda Director General Ernesto Pernia is “cunningly trying to condition the public against the ban on land conversion by making up utterly false and deceiving arguments.”

Last October, Pernia and other members of Malacanang’s economic team, including Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez issued a position paper against the proposed ban on land conversion, citing the adverse effect that the said ban might have on the economy.

“It is absolutely not true that a ban will adversely affect economic growth, job generation and poverty reduction. On the contrary, prohibiting land conversion will arrest the decrease of land area size available for rice and other agricultural production which, for years, has caused the massive dislocation of farmers and the worsening state of the country’s food security,” Flores said.

According to the National Statistics Office, over 800,000 hectares of agricultural lands have already been converted to other uses since 1972.

KMP also refuted the economic managers’ contention that a land conversion ban will affect the efforts of the government to clear its housing backlog which currently stands at around 5.5 million units.

AFP checking Hapilon's reported death THE military is now determining reports that Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon may have been killed during an air strike early this year.

The announcement was made

by President Rodrigo Duterte who also said that nothing more has been heard from the ASG leader and allegedly the anointed ISIS leader in the Philippines.

“The President said he believes Hapilon might be dead because the latter was seriously wounded and no word from him was heard since then. There are raw reports but we still have no confirmation that Hapilon is really dead. Operations against his group will continue in Lanao provinces and Basilan,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año on Tuesday.

“Our last info on him was sometime February and he was being carried by four ASG members transferring from one temporary base to another in the hinterlands of Butig,” he added.

MMDA creates another traffic scheme

STANDING READY. Around 1,000 policemen from the Quezon City Police Department line up in front of the Camp Karingal grandstand as they get ready to be deployed in and around Metro Manila as part of the security forces for the delegates in the coming Asean Summit. Manny Palmero

Farmers decry DA’s Masagana 6000 program FARMERS from Bulacan, Quezon, Nueva Ecija and Southern Mindanao held a protest rally at the gates of the Department of Agriculture to denounce the prescriptive programs pushed by Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

Around 200 protesters denounced Piñol’s programs such as the Masagana 6000 and the commercialization of genetically-modified (GM) crops.

The farmers also gathered in commemoration of the 57th anniversary of the International Rice Research Institute, the supposed leading public research agency in rice production, based in Los Baños, Laguna.

“From Masagana 99 and high-yielding varieties in the 1960s, to Masagana 6000 and Golden Rice today, it seems nothing has changed,” said Antonio Flores, a farmer from Mindanao and secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

“Both programs and technologies are prescribed to supposedly improve farmers’ production, but in reality, they merely serve to bolster corporate control in agriculture and genetic erosion,” Flores said.

The DA has announced its intended program Masagana 6000 which it said will focus on increasing rice yields to 6000 kilos per hectare through the use of hybrid rice.

The program also supposedly aims to address the improvement of seed quality, conversion of farmers from traditional farming to high-yielding hybrid rice seeds, lack of irrigation, and lack of fertilizers.

Loan programs will also be promoted so

that farmers can have the financing to buy off external inputs supplied by huge agrochemical corporations.

“This is reminiscent of the Masagana 99 program instituted in the 1960s,” said Cris Panerio, national coordinator of MASIPAG (Farmer and Scientist Partnership for Development).

“The program, under the Green Revolution made use of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) developed by IRRI, and introduced a package of technology with seeds, chemical inputs and loans,” said Panerio.

“History, however, have shown that any benefits from the program were short-term, and that the MASAGANA 99, the HYVs and IRRI all have failed their promises of better production,” said Virginia Nazareno, a farmer from Infanta, Quezon.

“The seeds and the fertilizers are too expensive for poor farmers like us, that we become buried in too much debt while our yields began to decline because of the failure of the HYVs,” said Nazareno.

“Monocropping of the HYVs exposed the rice plants to various harmful pests while the excessive use of chemical fertilizers have stripped off the soils of its nutrients essential to plant growth,” added Panerio.

“The numerous traditional rice varieties that farmers have cultivated for generations were also lost, because IRRI and the government then only prescribed the use of a few IRRI rice varieties,” said Panerio.

Aside from Masagana 6000, the production

and commercialization of Golden Rice is also being revived.

The genetically modified rice was developed

by IRRI to supposedly address Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) in poor and developing countries, including the Philippines. IRRI, along with DA and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) conducted five multi-location field trials back in 2011 in preparation for its commercialization in 2014.

In 2013, more than 400 farmers uprooted the Golden Rice field trials in Pili, Camarines Sur as the calls to ascertain safety to peoples’ health and the environment remained unheeded by IRRI. “The farmers’ uprooting and continued resistance is justified, especially now in the light of new findings on Golden Rice which shows the weakness of the technology, the brunt of which will be shouldered by the farmers,” said Sharl Lopez, Executive Director of Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP).

“Recent studies found out that the Golden Rice have unintended effects when the gene constructs affected the plant’s own genes which now affects the plant’s growth,” Lopez said.

Lopez is referring to the study released by Test Biotech which states that the samples of Golden Rice were found to have lower yields due to the ‘substantial reduction’ of chlorophyll in the rice plants. This increases the contamination threats to other rice varieties and might have other unintended environmental effects. Sandy Araneta

Zambales’ Dinamulag festival kicks off DINAMULAG Festival 2017, the biggest and most colorful celebration for bountiful harvest of the country’s sweetest mango, officially kicked off yesterday, April 4, at the People’s Park in Iba, Zambales.

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso said the celebration is a way of showing appreciation for the bountiful agricultural harvests, especially the province’s pride and one of the world’s renowned sweetest mango which is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

“Zambales is noted, not only because it is being blessed with the cleanest and endless beaches in the country, but also for producing among the sweetest mangoes in the world, our pride and very own Dinamulag,” Deloso said.

The week-long celebration officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the People’s Park which houses the LGU Showcase

IN BRIEF

and Trade Fair where the best Zambales delicacies can be found for “pasalubong.”

The festival showcases the iconic gold-peel mango harvests in its pure sweet aroma, or the green and crunchy manibalang “kinalabaw,” and the wide variety of mango by-products such as candies, sweets, jams, etc. There are also booths selling other products of the province.

Meanwhile, the week-long celebration is a full-packed event as the Provincial Tourism Office and the office of lawyer Izelle Iamly Deloso, chairperson of the Dinamulag Festival 2017, have lined up activities that would make the tourists’ visit worthwhile.

The festival opening was also highlighted by a float parade and competition, which started from the Iba Airport to the People’s Park, and was followed by the marching band exhibition.

MORNING ROUTINE. Filipino-Chinese senior citizens do their early morning Tai Chi daily exercises at the Luneta Park in Manila. Lino Santos

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority launched Tuesday the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center that will implement and coordinate emergency response measures especially during natural calamities and other crisis situations in the metropolis.

The facility was established in line with the initiative of the government to minimize loss of casualties during times of emergencies.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the MMCMMC will implement appropriate measures to reduce the impact of negative effects to the victims or the public, and closely monitor events such as multiple vehicular accidents with massive casualties, industrial or chemical accidents, fire incidents, explosions, transport strikes, mass actions (protests and high population density events), epidemic or suspected release of biological agents, events of chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear nature (CBRN), widespread flood and seismic events.

The facility will integrate the function of the agency’s Flood Control Information Center which gathers and disseminates information to public during inclement weather and mitigate effects of flash floods.

The agency has also shared the facilities of Metrobase with the MMCMMC to gain access to video images all over the metropolis which is being manned by its officer and staff to ensure traffic control to facilitate movement of critical rescue services to victims affected by the emergency events.

This will also save costs of installing a new structure to carry out its functions. PNA

Water interruption

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. announced yesterday that some of its customers in Valenzuela, Quezon City and Bulacan will experience water interruption starting on April 6 and will last until April 8 due to a pipe network upgrade in Quezon City.

“Starting on April 6, Maynilad will conduct a pipe network upgrade in General Luis Street, Novaliches, Quezon City to improve water services in the West zone,” Maynilad said in a statement.

It added that in order to upgrade the network, the conpany will need to dig, dewater or remove water from pipes, repair the leaking line valve in the 5-foot fiameter primary line, and replace the damaged part of pipe.

“This will take almost two days.”

The company said this will result to a temporary water service interruption in some parts of concession area from 8 p.m. of April 6 to 5 a.m. of April 8.

Affected areas include all barangays of Valenzuela City, Brgy.

165 (Bagbaguin),166 (Caybiga),167 (Llano) in Caloocan City, Brgy. Capri, Gulod, Nagkaisang Nayon, North Fairview, Novaliches proper, San Agustin and Santa Monica in Quezon city.

Other affected barangays include Bancal, Langka, Lawa (Meycauyan Water District), and Catanghalan (Obando Water District) in Bulacan.

Sports Hotshots battle slumping Mahindra

By Jeric Lopez THE fiery Star Hotshots gun for their fourth straight victory and a share of the lead when they plunge back to action in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. One of the three undefeated teams, the Hotshots (3-0) want to keep rolling when they take on ailing Mahindra (1-3) at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Three hours later, winless teams GlobalPort (0-2) and Barangay Ginebra (0-1) clash to see who gets to post a win under their column.

Carrying its momentum from a successful Philippine Cup campaign, Star continued to roll as the team seemed to have found the right chemistry.

The Hotshots can tie league-leader Alaska (4-0) with another win.

Star coach Chito Victolero reminded his wards to stay grounded despite the rampaging start.

“We’re having a good start and I just reminded the players to stay focused and don’t look too much at the team standings,” said Victolero.

Last Friday, rising rookie Jio Jalalon lifted the Hotshots after hitting the game-winning buzzer beater to power Star to a 105-103 triumph over NLEX. On the other hand, Mahindra suffered a 92-98 setback at the hands of the Aces also last week in its last game.

Both the Batang Pier and the Gin Kings have not had the start that they want.

GlobalPort lost its first two while Ginebra dropped a 91-94 decision to the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters in its tournament debut last Saturday in Davao City.

One of them is bound to finally notch a win while the other’s agony will continue.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

ICTSI Manila Masters reels off

B

INANGONAN, Rizal—Former champion Angelo Que and reigning Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña clash in an early duel of the fancied bets in the ICTSI Manila Masters unfolding today, Wednesday, April 5 at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Que and Lascuña drew rookie pro Ira Alido in the featured 7:20 a.m. flight on No. 10, both hoping for a strong start needed in the P3 million championship which features the cream of the local crop and a slew of international players out to break the locals’ domination of the Philippine Golf Tour.

But while Que brims with confidence following a nine-shot romp at

Anvaya Cove Invitational last February, Lascuña hopes to shake off a mediocre start in the season after a dominating five-win feat to reclaim the OOM title.

“My condition is quite good. I had a good rest during the break but my chances for the crown is going to be a challenge since there are a lot of good players around,” said Que, a former three-time Asian Tour champion

who ruled this event in 2015.

He, however, skipped yesterday’s pro-am to prepare for the event, which also serves as his final tune-up for the grueling Japan PGA Tour campaign, which starts next week.

“It’s going to be an interesting start with Angel but I also like my chances coming off a long rest,” said Lascuña, who tied for 11th in the Solaire Philippine Open, shared eighth place at Anvaya and finished behind Que at fifth in The Country Club Invitational.

But a host of others are also out to seize control early on the up-anddown hazard-laden layout with rock formations and powder-white sand traps, guaranteeing a fierce battle among the huge 120-player field vying for the top 40-plus spots in the final two rounds of the event, sponsored

by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., offering a top purse of P550,000.

They include Clyde Mondilla, who nipped Jobim Carlos in a playoff to snare last year’s crown, Frankie Miñoza, Elmer Salvador, Jay Bayron, Cassius Casas, Zanieboy Gialon, Michael Bibat, Mars Pucay, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Jhonnel Ababa and Mhark Fernando.

Mondilla tees off after the QueLascuña group with Japanese Shota Fukuhara and Randy Garalde while Miñoza, who nipped absentee Miguel Tabuena in Bacolod last year, is paired with Bayron and Koji Oonishi of Japan at 7:10 a.m. on No. 10.

Salvador, who snapped a long title spell with a one-stroke victory over Bayron at Splendido last year,

‘Conviction’ eyes ONE crown

Alaska Aces center Sonny Thoss (7) pivots past Rain Or Shine import Shawn Taggart (right) while Gabe Norwood looks on.

Alaska’s Thoss named PBA Player of the Week

By Reuel Vidal THE Boss is back and the Aces have him.

Alaska’s big man in the middle Sonny Thoss, hampered by an assortment of injuries the past few conferences, is fully recovered and once again leading the Aces at both ends of the court.

The unbeaten Aces are on top of the standings of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup thanks to the veteran center who helped the Aces post two huge wins this past week.

For his efforts Thoss was named the

Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period March 26-April 1.

Thoss was Alaska’s defensive anchor who contained Mahindra’s high scoring import James White in the fourth period. Thoss also chipped in 11 points to power Alaska to a 9892 victory over the Floodbuster Wednesday last week.

Thoss was so dominant against White that Mahindra management announced a few days later that they will change White with another import.

Thoss was even better against defending champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters four

days later. Thoss not only limited the Elasto Painters import Shawn Taggart he also scored 15 big points, grabbed five rebounds and issued two assists as Alaska posted a hard-earned 105-102 victory.

“I just tried to give whatever I can to the team,” Thoss said.

Thoss earned the Player of the Week citation over a deserving group of contenders including Alaska teammate Calvin Abueva, Meralco’s Baser Amer, rookies Roger Pogoy of TNT Ka Tropa and Jio Alalon of Star Hotshots, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot, as well as Star’s Allein Maliksi.

The twin victories propelled the Aces to the top of the standings with their fourth consecutive win this conference.

Alaska’s next game will be against the Meralco Bolts - which parade the biggest, meanest import in Alex Stepheson—on Saturday, April 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 35-year-old Thoss, who incidentally won the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP citation when he led the Aces to their most recent PBA crown, is back in top form. And the Aces have once again established themselves as one of the teams to beat this conference.

Diones can win SEAG gold

By Peter Atencio

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Secretary General Renato Unso says he expects Mark Harry Diones and Michael del Prado to make waves at the SEA Games during the PSA Forum held at Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City. Lino Santos

THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE SENATOR Manny Pacquiao was recently quoted to have said that because there are many cases of boxing-related deaths in the Philippines, he is filing a bill to create a boxing agency separate from the Games and Amusements Board.

GAB is an agency under the Office of the President that is tasked with supervising professional sports, including the boxing, basketball, golf, and bowling. Among GAB’s duties is the issuance of licenses to professional athletes and the monitoring of such games to ensure that rules are followed and safety ensured.

Pacquiao claimed that under the GAB, boxing “is not given [the] proper and appropriate attention it deserves.” His proposed bill aims to create the Philippine Boxing Commission, with its own office,

will start at 11:30 a.m. on No. 1 with Dutch Guido Van der Valk and American John Jackson.

Japanese Toru Nakajima, a former PGT winner who placed second to Que at Anvaya, heads a crack foreign field that includes Americans Nicolas Paez, Josh Salah, Paul Harris, Elliot Hume and John Michael O’Toole, all upbeat of their chances in the event backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. Young Korean-American Micah Shin, who humbled the field at Luisita late last year, is also in the fold along with Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Swede Daniel Ekegren, Japanese Yuta Sudo and Aussie Shaun Malone.

EXPECTATIONS are high for triple jumper Mark Harry Diones and sprinter Michael del Prado.

Their performance in the recent the 2017 Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championships in Ilagan, Isabela has caught the eye of the coaches of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

“Inaasahan po natin ang (mga) batang ito na, in the future, mabigyan ng magandang training,” said Patafa secretary general Reynato Unso.

Unso spoke highly of the 23-yearold Diones during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix

Hotel in Pasay City.

Diones drew raves after he shattered the existing national record in triple jump.

Because of this, Diones is sure to earn a seat in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The 5’11” Diones, who is coached by Jojo Posadas at Jose Rizal University, cleared 16.70 meters on his sixth and last try.

He did not just break the 16.2 meter national mark that he himself set in the weekly relay finals last year. Diones, who is from Libmanan, Camarines Sur, is within the gold medal standard of the Southeast Asian Games.

In the last SEA Games, Malay-

sian Muhammad Hakimi Ismail held it after winning the gold after clearing 16.76m.

Unso said Del Prado, who is the son of the legendary Isidro Del Prado, beat members of the national team to get the silver in the men’s 400 meters with a time of 48.47 seconds.

The elder del Prado still holds the national record in the 400 meters of 45.57 seconds he set in 1981.

Ryan Bigyan who won the 400 meters race in 48.39 seconds.

The young del Prado outpaced Edgardo Alejan, who settled for third in 48.60 seconds, followed by fourth-placer Archand Bagsit and Joan Caido, who was sixth.

New boxing agency or not? set of officers, structure, and, of course, budget.

Pacquiao’s claims of neglect of the sport were denied by GAB Chairman Baham Mitra, who in an interview with Manila Standard Talk said that there have been no deaths under his watch. The last was said to have occurred in 2012 in Caloocan City, and before that in 2008.

What Pacquiao is proposing is the spinning-off from a “mothership” agency of a smaller, more specialized unit. This is not a new concept and it has been done before —and also to GAB, in fact.

GAB used to have horseracing under its umbrella, but during the time of President Marcos, it was plucked off by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. in 1974 when he formed the Philippine Racing Commission, of which he was chairman. The aim was similar—to give the sport the attention and promotion it needed to develop its potential, attention it was

said to have not been receiving when it was lumped with other sports.

Philracom’s charter, Presidential Decree No. 420, states that the functions of the GAB “with respect to horseracing, except those related to the supervision and regulation of betting in horseracing… are hereby transferred to the Commission. The [GAB] shall continue to supervise jai-alai, boxing, and wrestling activities…”

Pacquiao’s proposed boxing commission would be of a similar nature.

However, some lawmakers in the past have, far from forming niche agencies, attempted to consolidate the supervision of professional games and gaming under one umbrella. The most recent try was in the last Congress, by Rep. Aleta Suarez (3rd district, Quezon), whose “Act Creating the National Gaming Commission” of 2013 sought to merge under the NGC’s supervision the casinos under Pagcor, the lot-

tery run by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the horse races under Philracom, and “cockfighting and other existing numbers games” such as the illegal jueteng.

I recall being present at the hearing for this bill, to which were invited the heads of the aforementioned agencies. Naturally they all said that merging all these activities under one umbrella agency was not a good idea. So the bill remains “pending” with the Games and Amusements Committee of the Lower House.

On one hand you have a lawmaker spinning off an agency, and on the other, one who moves for consolidation of similar tasks and duties. What’s the better option? The argument can go both ways.

The creation of specialized niche agencies leads to more job opportunities for civil servants, and allows the particular kind of attention necessary to be given to

the industry in question.

However, it can also lead to more red tape and bureaucratic maneuvering. There could be more instances of graft and corruption and conflicts of interest should such an agency be populated by persons who have vested interests.

What makes one or the other the right option depends largely on the character of the people who will be put in control of such a body.

Pacquiao’s proposal for a boxing commission may be well-intended, but he should be reminded that this is politics now, not sports. Any proposal for a boxing commission should be carefully studied on whether it will actually benefit boxers to a large extent—or other people. *** Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @gogirlracing and @jennyortuoste, and Instagram: @jensdecember and @artuoste

GINA “Conviction” Iniong squaring off against ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angel “Unstoppable” Lee inside the ONE Championship cage seemed to be a far-fetched dream just a few months ago.

However, the tide has turned after Asia’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization acquired Iniong from the free agent market earlier this year.

Iniong, who has been on the promotion’s radar for several years, inked an exclusive multi-bout contract with ONE Championship, which bolstered its burgeoning roster of world-class female MMA athletes.

The 27-year-old Baguio City native is a member of the renowned Team Lakay and has a professional MMA record of 4-2. Three of her four career victories have come by thrilling finish, which includes two impressive submissions.

Team Lakay’s 5-foot-2 atomweight standout also owns notable victories over the likes of French fighter Nathalie Heidel and Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi.

In her last bout under a regional MMA promotion in January 2016, Iniong submitted Spanish combatant Vanessa Rico Fernandez with a heel lock in the first round.

Iniong will make her much-awaited promotional debut at ONE: Kings of Destiny in Manila, Philippines on April 21 as she is booked to face Filipino-English stalwart Natalie Gonzales Hills in a three-round atomweight contest.

Iniong admitted that one of her aspirations is to contend with Lee for the gold-plated strap.

“It has been considered for more than two years as a dream match-up. Now, it’s possible to happen because I am now part of the ONE Championship roster,” she said. “Of course, I want to face Angela Lee for the belt. It’s one of my main goals in this organization.”

Iniong knows that if she plays her cards right against Hills, a date with Lee may well be on the horizon for her.

Rivera wins at Flanders FIL-AMERICAN Coryn Rivera, now racing for Team Sunweb sprinted to victory at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday in Belgium.

She became the first woman riding for a United States team to win two women’s World Tour races this year.

And, with it, she towed her team to the same achievement, according to online reports on several cycling websites..

The 24-year-old Rivera was with a group of 15 riders who caught a break of four within the final kilometer.

She was ahead of 16 riders who finished the 153.2km around the roads of Oudenaarde in four hours, two minutes and 38 seconds.

The win was an emotional moment for Rivera, who won Trofeo Alfedo Binda two weeks ago.

After 41 kilometers of the race, three riders managed to gain 30 seconds. The gap closed as the peloton, which included River, approached the second third of the race and re-entered the Oudenaarde.

Team Sunweb faltered as Rivera and teammate Ellen van Dijk dropped behind on the final climb of the day with less than 14 kilometers to go.

According to reports, “both riders chased hard over the top and on the flat run into the finish, catching back on in time to set up the sprint for Rivera.”

“We were committed to the plan of sprinting. Ellen chased it down crazy hard and luckily we had some help from Canyon also,” said Rivera in an online interview. Peter Atencio

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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Pampi backs price deregulation B3

Business

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

SM Group finalizes purchase of Nenaco

IN BRIEF Lorenzo launches private equity fund A GROUP led by Filipino businessman and entrepreneur Martin Lorenzo recently closed a new private equity fund, the Sierra Madre Philippines 1 Fund, with $19 million in committed capital.

Its limited partners include blue chip international development finance institutions, Philippine institutional investors and high-net worth individuals.

Aside from Lorenzo, other members of Sierra Madre senior team are finance veterans Danny Lizares and Alasdair Thomson. “I am very confident in the extensive and impressive private equity investment track record, blue chip fund management experience, deep local knowledge, networking capabilities and proven strategic and operational capability of the fund’s active management,” Lorenzo said.

Sierra Madre is a locally sponsored, locally focused private equity investor that makes growth investments of $5M and above to Philippine small and medium enterprises that have a track record of performance and the potential to become leaders in their chosen market segments.

“We see a lot of growth prospects in the country, and our expectation is that we will invest in around eight to 10 selected SMEs in the next five years,” Lorenzo said.

“Our aim is to partner with likeminded Filipino entrepreneurs, develop their businesses over time, and provide our investors with access to new and innovative opportunities for long-term revenue stability,” he said.

7-Eleven operator posts P1.2-b profit PHILIPPINE Seven Corp., the local licensee of 7-Eleven convenience stores in the country, said net income grew 16.6 percent in 2016 to P1.18 billion from P1 billion in 2015 on continued rollout of new stores.

PSC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange retail sales of all stores climbed 23.2 percent to P31.8 billion from P25.7 billion recorded a year ago, as the company opened 393 stores in 2016.

It said as of end-2016, it was operating 1,995 stores all over the Philippines, of which 55 percent were owned by franchisees and 45 percent were companyowned outlets. Of the total stores, 1,633 outlets were in Luzon, 255 in the Visayas and 107 in Mindanao.

Same-store sales went up 1.2 percent last year.

“We continued to dominate the convenience retail sector by opening new stores all throughout the country. We capitalized on our first-mover advantage and economies of scale in widening our lead against competitors.

The capacity building expenditures we made in the form of establishing new distribution centers and regional headquarters are starting to produce favorable results,” PSC said.

PSC said it would further expand its product offering, remodel existing stores and implement market development plan over the next five years to enable it to achieve new milestones. PSC budgeted P3.5 billion for 2017 capital expenditures to support store expansion. Jenniffer B. Austria

B1

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing April 4, 2017

8000 7600 7200 6800 6400

By Darwin G. Amojelar SM INVESTMENTS Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, finalized the acquisition of a 34.5-percent stake in Negros Navigation Co., the parent firm of logistics provider 2Go Group Inc., for $124.5 million.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the acquisition of Nenaco’s shares “will not affect the business, financial and operation” of the company.

Nenaco, which is identified with the Tagud family, owns 88.3 percent of 2Go. 2Go’s ultimate parent company is Negros Holdings and Management Corp.

2Go is the country’s largest integrated supply chain operator whose businesses include shipping, freight forwarding, warehousing and express delivery services.

SMIC president Harley Sy, a son of the tycoon, earlier said the company saw an opportunity to invest in a fast growing, dynamic logistics business.

Sy said the group was “optimistic about broader regional growth with the government plans in infrastructure, agriculture and tourism.”

SMIC has interests in malls, banks, hotels, condominiums and infrastructure.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

6000

7,446.49 104.84

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing APRIL 4, 2017 45.00 46.50 48.00 49.50

P50.175 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P50.135 LOW P50.190 AVERAGE P50.158 VOLUME 287.000M

MANILA WATER IN MYANMAR. Manila Water completes its pilot project in Yangon City in Myanmar, significantly reducing levels of

water system loss from more than 54 percent to 14 percent. Shown is Manila Water Asia Pacific president and chief executive Virgilio Rivera Jr. (second from right) handing over the technical feasibility report of the company’s pilot leakage reduction project to Yangon City Mayor U Maung Maung Soe. (See story on B3).

Weak peso pushing consumer prices up I

By Julito G. Rada

NFLATION rate likely accelerated to 3.6 percent in March from 3.3 percent in February, as the weak peso caused higher food, power and fuel prices, the Finance Department said in a report Tuesday.

The Finance Department said in an economic bulletin that inflation rate, or the movement in consumer prices, probably settled at 3.6 percent in March, faster than 3.3-percent in February and 1.1 percent in March last year.

The agency’s inflation forecast was within Bangko Sentral’s estimate of 3 percent to 3.8 percent for March.

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the acceleration of inflation was also due to “base effects,” adding that global petroleum prices started normalizing from low levels last year.

“The BSP has lowered its inflation forecast for the whole year 2017 [to 3.4 percent from 3.5 percent in February] due to lower actual inflation than earlier forecast,” Beltran said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. The Philippine Statistics Authority is set to release the official March inflation report today.

The depreciation of the peso to a 10-year low in the first quarter was blamed for the higher prices of several imported products, such as fuel, automotive, consumer goods and food. The peso declined 0.1 percent Tuesday to settle at 50.175 against the US dollar, still near the 10-year low of 50.395 registered on March 6.

The Finance Department said prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks likely rose 4.5 percent in March, while the cost of alcoholic drinks and tobacco increased 6.5 percent.

Prices of housing, utilities and fuels likely increased 4.1 percent in March, while those of clothing and footwear inflation went up 2.9 percent.

Manila Electric Co.’s power rate slightly increased to P10 per kilowatt-hour in March from P9.3 per kWh in February and P8.9 percent a year ago.

Meralco’s generation rate per kWh also increased to P4.9 in March from P4.3 in the previous month and P4 in the same month in 2016.

Meanwhile, the average price of diesel in Metro Manila among the “big three” oil companies slightly dropped to P31.1 per liter from P31.3 in the previous month, but higher than P22.5 in the same month in 2016.

P496.00-P756.00 LPG/11-kg tank P37.85-P47.40 Unleaded Gasoline P27.33-P38.49 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P31.30-P40.93 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, April 4, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

50.1440

Japan

Yen

0.009020

0.4523

UK

Pound

1.248800

62.6198

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128677

6.4524

Switzerland

Franc

0.998702

50.0789

Canada

Dollar

0.747496

37.4824

Singapore

Dollar

0.715973

35.9018

Australia

Dollar

0.760100

38.1145

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655408

133.1528

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

13.3721

Brunei

Dollar

0.713419

35.7737

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.029104

1.4594

UAE

Dirham

0.272309

13.6547

Euro

Euro

1.067300

53.5187

Korea

Won

0.000896

0.0449

China

Yuan

0.145167

7.2793

India

Rupee

0.015394

0.7719

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.225938

11.3294

New Zealand

Dollar

0.701200

35.1610

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032926

1.6510 Source: PDS Bridge

Tetangco warns against risks of growing US protectionism BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. on Tuesday warned against the risks of ‘new mediocre’ in advanced economies and the rising US protectionism.

Tetangco, speaking during the 12th Asean Finance Ministers Investors seminar in Cebu City, said while he was expecting Asia to be resilient against global shocks, a policy misstep could also hurt the region.

“A bolder vision for the region sees it as becoming a key pillar of growth for the global economy in the years to come. However, there is the other possibility to consider,” he said.

“Emerging challenges in the global economy will continuously test the resilience of Asia.

Asia’s ability to withstand these shocks will crucially depend on the structural reforms and proactive policies that it will undertake in key areas,” Tetangco said.

Tetangco warned that a “misstep in this direction and Asia may also become the new mediocre.”

He said whether Asia would follow the advanced economies’ ‘new mediocre’ or not would also depend on how the region would overcome the risks and/or take advantage of the opportunities.

He said some of the risks included the growing US protectionism, financial spillovers, the ‘middle income trap’ and demographic issues.

Tetangco said Asian countries differed in terms of preparing for uncertainties emanating from US protectionism.

“For some, like the Philippines domestic aggregate demand has been the main driver of growth for years now. For others, like China, they have moved away from export-oriented to more service-oriented growth. In the meantime, intra-Asean trade has been increasing. In the case of the Philippines, Asean [as an ag-

grupation] has moved to become our number 1 overall trading partner,” he said.

He also said that a disorderly reaction to possible US interest rate hikes and broader uncertainty about a synchronicity of monetary policies in advanced economies could lead to capital flow reversals and spikes in asset price volatility in Asian emerging markets.

He said ironically, Asia’s resiliency during the global financial crisis was founded on another crisis. He said the 1997 Asian financial crisis shaped the key financial, structural and institutional reforms that defined Asian

economies in the decade following the crisis.

He said in the decade that followed the Asian financial crisis, the Asean and Asean+3 countries adopted four key regional initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s capability to prevent and manage future financial crises.

These are Asean Surveillance Process, Asean+3 Economic Review and Policy Dialogue and Chiang Mai Initiative and Asian Bond Market Initiative.

“Clearly, the reforms, post AFC, have served Asia in good stead,” Tetangco said.

Julito G. Rada

Aboitiz set to start P12-b water project

By Jenniffer B. Austria ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. is set to start the construction of a P12-billion bulk water project in Davao City in July this year.

AEV chief finance officer Manuel Lozano said the company already secured funding for the project and was just waiting to for the permits needed to start its implementation. Construction is expected to take two-anda-half years.

“We hope to start delivering water by 2019,” Lozano said.

AEV teamed up with J.V. Angeles Construction Corp. to undertake the project.

Under the plan, the joint venture partners will supply up to 300 million liters per day of potable bulk water from Tamu-

gan River to Davao City Water District, which will benefit more than 1 million people of the city.

The project will be the country’s largest private bulk water supply facility with a renewable energy-powered water treatment plant.

JVACC will be the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the entire project.

JVACC is one of the leading contractors in the Philippines with over 48 years of experience in construction and development of water-related infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Lozano said AEV unit Aseagas Corp. was looking to start commercial operations of an 8.8-megawatt biomass power plant in Batangas province by the second quarter of 2017.

WHEATGRASS ENDORSER. Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass, the Philippines’ first and leading wheatgrass brand, signs Sponge Cola, one of the most admired Pinoy rock bands Sponge Cola, as its newest endorser.

Shown are (standing, from left) Sponge Cola bassist Gosh Dilay, Wheatgrass CAN International product manager Armi Rose Montano, Sponge Cola drummer Ted Mark Cruz, Phil-US registered dietitian-nutritionist consultant Cheshire Que, Wheatgrass CAN International Inc. licensed nutritionist-dietitian Babyruth Balderama and Sponge Cola guitarist Erwin Armovit. Seated are (from left) Sponge Cola band manager Saul Ulanday, Sponge Cola vocalist Yael Yuzon, Wheatrass CAN International Inc. president Edward Ling and Sponge Cola PR representative Ernestina Magboo.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index tops 7,400; Ayala up SMC Global readies S third-quarter listing TOCKS rose for a second day, sending the benchmark index to a near six-month high as investors cheered reports the economy likely grew 7 percent in the first quarter.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 104 points, or 1.4 percent, top close at 7,446.49 Tuesday, the highest since October last year. The bellwether was also up 8.9 percent since the start of the year.

All six sectors advanced, led by property and financials.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also climbed 47 points, or 1.1 percent, to settle at 4,460.56, on a value turnover of P11.9 billion.

National Economic and Development Authority director-gen-

eral Ernesto Pernia was quoted as saying the gross domestic product grew “close to the midrange target for 2017” in January to March. The government set a growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent for 2017, compared to the 6.8-percent expansion in 2016.

Seventeen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate Ayala Corp. which climbed 3.1 percent to P875 and developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. which advanced 3 percent to P29.55. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender, in-

creased 2.7 percent to P120, while DMCI Holdings Inc. added 2.6 percent to settle at P11.80.

The local stock market bucked the downtrend on Wall Street and several Asian markets. Financial markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were closed Tuesday for a public holiday.

Other Asian stocks slipped, taking their cue from a weaker US equities session, as a rising yen weighed on shares in Tokyo. The Australian dollar dropped after the nation’s central bank left rates unchanged.

Tokyo benchmark stock index fell to a 10-week low Tuesday as a rise in the yen hit exporters after a deadly subway explosion in Russia, while Toshiba plunged almost 10 percent on fresh fears about a possible delisting.

Eleven people were killed and dozens injured after the Saint Peters-

burg metro was rocked by a blast on Monday, with the Kremlin saying it bore “all the hallmarks of an attack”.

Russia said it was probing the explosion as a possible terror attack, while on Tuesday, Kyrgyzstan’s security services said a suicide bomber from the country was responsible.

The dollar dropped to 110.50 yen Tuesday from 110.91 yen in New York and was well down from the mid-111 yen level seen in Tokyo earlier Monday. The yen is considered a safe bet in times of turmoil and uncertainty.

The blast on a metro train in Russia’s second city dragged US and European equities lower, after a positive start to the week across Asia, with traders also on edge about the upcoming summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. With AFP, Bloomberg

By Alena Mae S. Flores SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., the power arm of San Miguel Corp., is pushing through with its initial public offering in the third quarter, a top executive said Tuesday.

“Yes, in the third quarter we will conduct the listing. San Miguel Power will conduct an IPO,” San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang said.

Ang said the company was making good on its promise to list SMC

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.18 26,000 48.85 54,600 105.5 4,387,770 4 50,000 120 5,136,500 1.26 174,000 40.75 224,200 16.2 453,500 20.7 314,800 7.75 11,300 0.65 597,000 82.45 2,817,880 0.7 2,000 14.7 15,000 54.95 43,110 241.4 120 118 110 86.5 5,840 38.4 183,300 205.6 786,190 1,700 125 79.7 42,030 1.21 4,000

81,780 2,660,090 462,926,909 200,000 609,555,164 220,410 9,129,420 7,346,710 6,524,175 87,575 387,410 231,142,037 1,400 220,500 2,370,158 28,854 12,980 505,314 7,019,850 161,758,268 212,550 3,349,251 4,840

2,303,915 225,217,850 -227,196,054 1,260 678,240 -7,333,760.00 -2,236,340 90,729,771.50 -1,525,569.50 4,956,640 45,260,480 -388,005.50 -

41.4 5.2 0.8 1.42 18.06 0.24 103.8 6.7 16.8 23.35 14.52 63.05 88 1.97 5.98 12 12.72 8.89 6.04 5.94 1.75 21.5 71.7 12.14 14.8 7.56 1.48 197 72.05 5.3 3.81 30.5 25.85 17 272.4 0.24 7.02 3.6 8.63 11.3 2.13 8.4 1.87 72 4.9 290 4.68 2.76 13.32 4.5 0.144 1.35 163 4.15 1.5 1

INDUSTRIAL 41.7 1,026,200 5.3 1,256,200 0.81 74,000 1.42 343,000 18.8 1,500 0.246 1,690,000 103.8 10 6.7 19,720,300 16.88 2,538,900 23.7 187,000 14.9 3,700 65.6 9,750 89.5 1,850 1.98 169,000 5.98 3,100 12.28 37,200 12.82 3,123,000 9.15 6,037,700 6.06 1,942,000 5.95 7,289,900 1.75 2,000 21.65 592,300 71.8 1,098,130 12.14 1,100 14.9 142,000 7.79 5,845,500 1.55 396,000 198 976,980 72.05 1,070 5.3 820,100 3.85 107,000 30.6 2,067,000 26 187,600 17.4 2,715,200 274.8 184,880 0.247 3,130,000 7.02 445,600 3.61 272,000 8.74 2,755,200 11.38 3,400 2.15 6,666,000 8.54 11,782,200 1.88 540,000 72.05 2,769,480 5 24,600 300 38,850 4.7 3,753,000 2.8 6,000 13.52 1,287,300 4.5 16,000 0.144 400,000 1.37 87,000 164 2,475,830 4.15 151,000 1.57 2,952,000 1 217,000

42,774,980 6,620,973 59,670 488,730 28,004 409,190 1,038 133,730,761 43,119,762 4,377,785 53,824 635,484.50 163,444 334,920 18,568 446,952 39,977,026 55,108,766 11,765,620 43,852,474 3,500 12,875,645 78,849,964.50 13,420 2,120,606 45,199,494 599,350 193,724,924 82,143.50 4,384,830 411,300 63,209,535 4,877,175 47,297,648 50,896,068 768,500 3,246,705 993,890 24,082,917 38,684 14,325,380 100,688,996 1,027,930 199,423,619.50 121,142 11,495,548 17,707,880 16,780 17,445,732 72,000 57,600 118,640 406,468,240 635,570 4,569,680 218,000

7,964,880 230,458 -51,103,275 3,589,448 424,682.50 -34,800 11,062,972 -13,864,571 -10,362,715 -3,335,514 5,132,730 -789,522 -1,851,340 22,997,865 27,266,198 -39,945 107,000 -8,907,820 117,010 -12,720,690.00 4,173,220 9,840 444,450 -8,844,635 8,598,800 17,350,123 -5,420,370.50 47,542 5,687,958 -9,999,200 -183,934 -110,500,944 127,800 -1,756,470 -

0.375 75.9 12.98 6.19 0.33 0.34 883 8.6 11.86 7.86 0.187 1,135 6.45 82.95 4.3 1.03 7.88 16.1 0.41 6.13 0.056 1.98 105.2 2.74 707 1.43 274 0.285

0.365 74.55 12.88 6.14 0.315 0.315 845 8.5 11.5 7.82 0.179 1,116 6.35 81 4.3 0.99 7.69 15.78 0.41 6 0.053 1.96 102 2.61 694 1.4 272 0.285

HOLDING FIRMS 0.375 620,000 74.7 1,030,150 12.9 3,980,100 6.19 9,400 0.33 680,000 0.34 180,000 875 312,370 8.51 1,355,900 11.8 15,530,100 7.82 50,400 0.187 90,000 1,120 236,210 6.35 9,600 82.4 2,195,860 4.3 1,000 1.02 2,066,000 7.87 633,100 15.98 4,076,500 0.41 20,000 6.09 54,868,400 0.055 87,200,000 1.96 1,164,000 104.5 395,900 2.67 75,000 701 543,680 1.4 172,000 274 10,920 0.285 120,000

229,650 77,187,932.50 51,432,174 57,938 222,300 60,950 271,800,620 11,580,095 182,723,524 394,944 16,430 264,776,625 61,104 180,781,153 4,300 2,091,990 4,933,961 65,081,294 8,200 334,406,278 4,778,630 2,283,900 41,197,663 198,020 381,175,770 242,230 2,987,588 34,200

-44,300 14,880,311.50 14,519,822 117,511,840 2,305,185 -62,891,490 7,480 -11,455,425 18,445,789 -69,309 8,477,338 -96,385,624 -90,580 9,800 5,504,628 144,211,600 -1,401,938 -

6.84 0.95 6.01 2.27 1.35 34.25 4 5.13 5.5 0.52 1.06 1.26 0.16 0.55 54.95 0.69 0.175 1.65 0.98 3.65 0.26 0.305 0.65

6.79 0.91 6.01 2.23 1.25 33.35 3.9 5.13 5.5 0.5 1.06 1.22 0.159 0.54 53.5 0.65 0.165 1.62 0.96 3.42 0.226 0.295 0.58

2,948,499 920,560 4,207 38,190 10,332,500 257,434,925 18,033,190 284,715 123,750 5,124,130 26,500 39,120 359,400 390,550 47,551,108.50 966,240 704,800 16,411,360 2,328,500 113,757,960 89,351,930 171,400 30,660,050

-41,484 -2,660 -58,352,025 -204,010 102,000 166,950 6,568,660 -282,800 -15,528,720 -25,920 -5,259,590 -968,570 -2,288,270

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.31 48.85 103.5 4 116.8 1.26 40.7 16.4 20.75 7.75 0.65 81.55 0.7 14.7 55.2 239 118 87 38.4 203 1,701 79.65 1.21

3.31 48.85 106 4 120.4 1.27 40.75 16.4 20.75 7.75 0.67 82.45 0.7 14.7 55.2 242 118 87 39 207.2 1,701 79.7 1.21

3.1 48.3 103.5 4 116 1.24 40.6 16.1 20.65 7.75 0.64 81.3 0.7 14.7 54.9 239 118 86.5 37.8 202 1,700 79.5 1.21

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR 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 SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

41.9 5.31 0.8 1.46 18.66 0.242 103.8 6.99 17 23.35 14.52 63.05 90 1.98 6 12.3 12.72 8.89 6.14 6.1 1.75 21.5 71.75 12.32 15.28 7.61 1.49 197 85 5.38 4.04 30.8 26 17.3 277 0.245 7.25 3.61 8.63 11.3 2.15 8.46 1.96 72.45 5 290 4.74 2.76 13.44 4.5 0.144 1.37 163 4.28 1.51 1.05

41.9 5.34 0.81 1.46 18.8 0.249 103.8 6.99 17.18 23.7 14.9 67.5 90 2 6.08 12.3 12.88 9.25 6.15 6.1 1.75 21.9 72 12.32 15.28 7.79 1.55 199.9 85 5.45 4.04 30.8 26.4 17.8 277.2 0.25 7.36 3.73 8.79 11.38 2.17 8.64 1.96 72.6 5 300 4.75 2.83 13.8 4.5 0.144 1.39 165.5 4.28 1.58 1.05

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

0.375 75.9 12.9 6.15 0.325 0.315 849 8.5 11.5 7.86 0.179 1,134 6.39 81 4.3 1 7.73 15.78 0.41 6.01 0.054 1.98 103.5 2.74 698.5 1.4 273.2 0.285

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

6.84 0.95 6.01 2.27 1.26 33.55 3.91 5.13 5.5 0.51 1.06 1.26 0.16 0.55 53.55 0.68 0.165 1.62 0.96 3.43 0.227 0.295 0.59

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.83 27.55 23.6 1.81 3.3 28.7 0.97 7 0.87 5.02

4.83 27.55 24 1.81 3.37 29.65 1.01 7 0.89 5.12

4.79 27.55 23.2 1.77 3.3 28.7 0.97 7 0.87 5.02

4.81 27.55 23.5 1.78 3.3 29.55 0.99 7 0.89 5.12

322,000 200 3,226,800 526,000 7,000 9,111,400 6,051,000 400 59,000 1,376,800

1,550,840 5,510 75,369,935 945,600 23,310 267,804,180 6,017,480 2,800 51,350 7,022,617

-24,000 56,250,325 -48,600 79,592,055 959,120

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

13.5 46.3 1.46 0.51 0.046 10.2 5.5 8.07 0.071 2.04 94 8.46 4.5 2,054 6.72 16.18 3.2 3.56 90.5 0.0092 12.3 9.01 0.18 1.27 3.55 14.98 4.17 1.04 4.15 2.46 6.67 3.6 2.95 11.52 5.4 165.1 7.94 1,664 1.58 0.425 44.8 77 6.17 2.19 1.08 1.67 3.21 0.395 5.36

13.9 46.4 1.46 0.51 0.046 10.8 5.5 8.4 0.074 2.14 95 8.46 5.53 2,090 6.76 16.5 3.3 3.64 91 0.0094 12.3 9.02 0.183 1.31 3.6 15 4.22 1.04 4.81 2.62 6.78 3.68 2.95 11.52 5.48 165.1 7.97 1,698 1.65 0.435 44.8 79 6.17 2.28 1.1 1.75 3.23 0.395 5.37

11.96 46 1.46 0.51 0.042 10.2 5.5 8.07 0.07 2.04 94 8.44 4.5 2,054 6.6 16.18 3.2 3.56 90.3 0.0092 12.3 9 0.18 1.26 3.52 14.5 4.15 0.96 4.05 2.46 6.67 3.57 2.85 11.52 5.35 164 7.6 1,661 1.58 0.42 44 76.85 5.91 2.19 1.07 1.67 3.2 0.395 5.21

SERVICES 11.96 46.05 1.46 0.51 0.043 10.8 5.5 8.35 0.074 2.14 94.2 8.44 5.38 2,080 6.65 16.4 3.24 3.57 90.5 0.0093 12.3 9 0.182 1.31 3.52 14.5 4.2 1.03 4.4 2.51 6.77 3.68 2.94 11.52 5.35 164 7.83 1,693 1.65 0.435 44.15 78.4 6.17 2.24 1.09 1.75 3.21 0.395 5.32

9,417,300 14,600 11,000 212,000 348,200,000 1,100 5,900 14,401,600 37,330,000 2,189,000 212,650 11,100 14,200 135,875 959,500 62,600 1,942,000 92,000 3,266,130 25,000,000 500 352,000 2,760,000 720,000 221,000 45,900 748,000 42,000 7,765,000 408,000 15,108,100 5,588,000 1,389,000 5,400 6,900 2,540 967,700 199,600 58,038,000 850,000 3,089,500 711,990 77,100 1,003,000 4,475,000 8,000 141,000 220,000 19,364,900

119,486,004 674,055 16,060 108,120 15,207,900 11,280 32,450 119,907,481 2,673,010 4,587,720 20,067,146.50 93,872 71,282 282,521,880 6,432,184 1,022,782 6,340,710 329,250 295,573,478 231,100 6,150 3,168,014 500,770 915,260 782,050 679,748 3,125,170 42,260 34,362,720 1,022,010 101,874,614 20,038,990 4,039,790 62,208 37,013 419,032 7,552,220 337,329,940 93,699,980 358,750 136,371,530 55,607,362.50 457,138 2,248,850 4,843,870 13,520 451,820 86,900 102,468,565

-1,005,330 -180,000 19,439,692 78,760 -62,200 4,535,373.50 14,348 26,266,310 22,490 73,067,521.50 18,600 169,060 -105,910 29,560 1,174,080 -791,710.00 28,818,901 -8,885,170 17,560 237,725 -1,455,963 77,795,665 752,860 70,165,470 5,180,411 71,160 -397,140 -175,110 166,160 8,961,785

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

0.0033 1.53 5.17 11.4 1.8 1.8 0.58 0.4 9 2.84 0.255 0.183 0.195 0.011 0.011 1.71 6.08 2.16 0.9 0.012 4 0.013 8.35 3.41 151 2.8 0.0086

0.0033 1.57 5.3 11.8 1.81 1.8 0.59 0.4 9.28 2.85 0.255 0.184 0.195 0.012 0.011 1.71 6.12 2.16 0.9 0.012 4.01 0.014 8.36 3.49 153.6 2.8 0.0086

0.0032 1.52 5.15 11.4 1.75 1.8 0.56 0.4 8.63 2.78 0.247 0.18 0.195 0.011 0.011 1.7 6.01 2.07 0.88 0.011 3.97 0.013 8 3.35 150 2.8 0.0086

MINING & OIL 0.0033 236,000,000 1.55 4,645,000 5.3 113,200 11.8 2,700 1.81 39,000 1.8 1,000 0.56 5,834,000 0.4 590,000 9.28 600 2.84 5,448,000 0.25 570,000 0.18 2,170,000 0.195 50,000 0.012 4,000,000 0.011 900,000 1.7 20,000 6.08 2,413,500 2.13 77,000 0.9 3,000 0.011 20,800,000 3.97 115,000 0.014 24,800,000 8.2 1,046,200 3.38 773,000 152.8 1,113,880 2.8 30,000 0.0086 2,000,000

758,500 7,159,100 587,573 31,060 68,970 1,800 3,333,130 236,000 5,355 15,436,180 141,550 393,870 9,750 44,200 9,900 34,100 14,661,072 160,540 2,680 239,100 459,520 322,600 8,518,659 2,625,350 169,927,837 84,000 17,200

9,900 -616,000 -5,726 17,700 -111,260 7,650 -8,958,021 -1,944,342 48,068,804 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF PF PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

46.1 527.5 104.1 103.9 6.18 1.04 1,020 76.3 80.5 76.7 80 77.8 78 78.95

46.5 527.5 105.7 103.9 6.2 1.04 1,020 76.3 80.5 76.7 80 77.8 78 79

46.1 527 104.1 103.9 6.14 1.04 1,019 76.3 80 76.7 80 77.8 78 78.95

PREFERRED 46.5 27,600 527 1,000 105.7 70 103.9 100 6.14 396,500 1.04 200,000 1,019 1,020 76.3 5,660 80.5 24,000 76.7 15,200 80 13,510 77.8 600 78 10,900 79 12,000

1,283,295 527,345 7,335 10,390 2,448,037 208,000 1,040,360 431,858 1,922,846.50 1,165,840 1,080,800 46,680 850,200 947,997.50

1,046,185 -1,342,089 -

LR WARRANT

2.2

2.21

2.13

WARRANTS 2.17 180,000

387,820

10,800

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.63 6.7 10.02

3.73 6.7 10.5

3.55 6.5 9.91

3.73 6.58 10.5

658,540 682,444 39,186,930

-306,280 334,940 -48,970

FIRST METRO ETF

121.5

123.2

121.5

MS

PROPERTY 6.81 0.92 6.01 2.27 1.27 34 3.93 5.13 5.5 0.52 1.06 1.22 0.159 0.54 54.35 0.67 0.168 1.64 0.97 3.55 0.255 0.295 0.62

433,600 1,000,000 700 17,000 7,905,000 7,575,600 4,569,000 55,500 22,500 10,054,000 25,000 32,000 2,260,000 723,000 874,050 1,472,000 4,170,000 10,029,000 2,412,000 31,986,000 363,950,000 580,000 49,024,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

15,721,945

INDUSTRIAL

108,292,008

HOLDING FIRMS

178,001,736

PROPERTY

519,867,607

SERVICES

809,437,461

MINING & OIL

313,749,874

GRAND TOTAL

1,949,153,231

SME

182,000 102,700 3,777,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.2 20,700

2,537,723

-243,700

VALUE 1,865.93 (up) 31.31 1,537,689,244.772 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,964.57 (up) 14.92 1,783,858,231.304 HOLDING FIRMS 7,527.50 (up) 77.16 2,097,249,829.182 PROPERTY 3,225.07 (up) 76.44 SERVICES 1,585.01 (up) 21.84 956,811,561.62 MINING & OIL 12,143.28 (up) 92.26 5,297,081,926.744 PSEI 7,446.49 (up) 104.84 225,294,842.21 All Shares Index 4,460.56 (up) 47.14 11,941,051,832.834 Gainers:114; Losers:79; Unchanged: 42; Total: 235

Global Power’s shares in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“The power business now is not like before that is very bullish. Now, prices have gone down but since we promised even before to do an IPO, whatever price or whatever outlook, San Miguel Power will go with IPO,” Ang said.

The diversified power portfolio gives SMC Global the ability to provide the most competitive and reliable supply offers to customers and power the growth of the economy, the company said.

SMC Global Power was originally scheduled to list with the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2011, but was the plan was delayed because of the global financial turmoil.

San Miguel announced in 2013 it planned to raise $700 million from the planned IPO, but decided to defer it.

“The equity value of our power generation company is $1.5 billion. If we sell at least 49 percent, we will raise about $700 million,” Ang said at that time.

A registration statement it previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed SMC Global planned to offer between 348 million and 519.7 million primary and secondary shares at P71 per share.

Ang did not say how much the company planned to raise this year. San Miguel previously said proceeds from the public offering would be used to acquire and build greenfield power projects.

BDO eyes provincial expansion

By Julito G. Rada BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, said it will prioritize the expansion of branches in the provinces to seize the growth opportunities outside Metro Manila.

BDO president and chief executive Nestor Tan said at the sidelines of the Bankers Association of the Philippines annual general membership cocktail reception Monday night the bank had enough branches in Metro Manila.

“It is really a matter of current presence. We already have a lot of branches here,” he said.

Tan also ruled out the possibility of putting up new offices overseas, saying the bank’s priorities was the domestic market which would continue growing amid the robust economy.

Tan also welcomed Bangko Sentral’s plan to lift the restriction on bank branching in restricted areas in Metro Manila, saying “if they’re going to lift it, then it will just help us.”

Bangko Sentral earlier restricted banks to put up their branches in eight cities in the metropolis in a bid to avoid overbanking and at the same time compel banks to expand in the provinces and help in the financial inclusion efforts of the government.

Bangko Sentral simplified the guidelines on the establishment of bank branches in December in line with its policy to promote a competitive banking environment and ease business transactions.

Bangko Sentral also reaffirmed the general thrust of allowing banks to establish branches anywhere in the Philippines, including in the cities that were previously considered as restricted areas such as Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon and San Juan.

Business

B3

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

San Miguel repays P3b worth of bonds

PH-US TRADE RELATIONS.

Trade ties between the Philippines and the United States is pushing toward a more dynamic relationship. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez meets March with US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim to discuss the trade and industry development between the Philippines and the United States.

Lopez assures Kim that establishing new ties to new countries does not diminish the existing Philippine-US trade relationship.

By Jenniffer B. Austria SAN Miguel Brewery Inc., the beer unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., said it completed the payment of P3 billion worth of fixed rate bonds issued in 2012.

The P3-billion Series D bonds, which matured on April 3, forms part of the P20 billion worth of Series DEF of fixed rate bonds San Miguel issued in 2012.

“The company used its available cash to finance the Series D bonds maturity,” San Miguel Brewery said.

The company in 2016 posted a net income of P17.7 billion, 31 percent from 2015, while consolidated revenues rose 18 percent to P97.2 billion.

The domestic operations reported record sales volume

of 202.6 million cases, up 15 percent from 2015.

The company aggressively expanded distribution and executed strong marketing campaigns and sales initiatives focused on increasing demand and consumption of its products.

Election-related spending, a growth in consumer confidence and the positive outlook for consumer spending also helped sales.

The company’s international operations also registered significant improvements in revenue and operating income, driven by price adjustments, higher export volumes and cost management programs.

San Miguel president Ramon Ang over the weekend said the company was “evaluating and may bid” for Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.

Pampi backs price deregulation SteelAsia, Yao vie A for top global awards GROUP of food manufacturers has expressed support to the plan of the Department of Trade and Industry to lift the suggested retail price scheme for basic necessities and prime commodities to reduce bureaucratic procedures.

“The ongoing practice now is that SRPs of basic necessities and prime commodities are currently set by manufacturers, but are subject to evaluation and approval by the DTI,” Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said he wanted to deregulate the SRP scheme, so that the market could decide and determine the right prices of commodities.

Pampi echoed DTI’s stance that setting the SRP should be a business decision among manufacturers. “We should give the consumer the freedom to choose what is best for him,” said Tiukinhoy.

“People can patronize products with good value. On the other hand, they can boycott abusive manufacturers,” he said.

Tiukinhoy said Pampi and its 35-member companies in terms of price adjustments

are advocating for good manufacturing practices to ensure efficient production and sound supply chain that would keep products cost-competitive.

Tiukinhoy said Pampi supported the Duterte administration’s thrust to protect the well-being of every Filipino consumer. He said one way of doing it was to keep prices at a minimum level without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment.

“Our meat products, which are considered prime commodities, are price-sensitive and highly competitive. Minor price adjustment among market players would mean loss of market share and competitiveness. Thus, we do

not see the importance of a government-regulated SRP,” said Tiukinhoy.

“We fully agree with Secretary Lopez that manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities are hesitant to increase prices for fear of losing market share. For us, consumer loyalty is of prime importance to make our business sustainable,” he said.

Government regulators have earlier treated the SRP as a ceiling price and imposed measures against retail stores and manufacturers found to be selling goods beyond the SRP. Pampi is a P300-billion industry association providing direct and indirect employment to over 200,000 people.

Manila Water completes Yangon pilot project

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales nical surveys and system loss, doubled with the replacement ther reduction of non-revenue MANILA WATER Company Inc., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said Tuesday it successfully completed a pilot project in Yangon City, Myanmar, significantly reducing the level of water system loss from over 54 percent to 14 percent.

The pilot project, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corp. and Yangon City Development Committee, was conducted in the townships of Insein and South Okkalapa in Yangon The project included the formation of district metering areas, technical and non-tech-

or non-revenue water.

Non-revenue water in Htan Pin Gone in Insein Township was trimmed to 17.32 percent in August last year from 52 percent in March. Similar leak reduction efforts in South Okkalapa township resulted in a decreased level of 12.19 percent by November 2016 from the initial 57 percent.

Water recovered was brought back in the system, increasing water pressure by 2 psi and improving access to water supply of the estimated 4,000 residents of the project areas.

Registered billed volume has

Focus IT IS the first week of April. Philippine president Duterte leads the Time100 online poll for Time’s most influential people for 2016 even as international scrutiny is drawn to the country’s drug campaign. Elsewhere in the news, Moody’s last week released its two-year forecast for the Philippines, projecting an over 6 percent economic growth in spite of what they called “political noise.” In social media, sniping and sometimes worse continues between critics and supporters of the current administration.

The current adversarial nature of many conversations and discussions concerning the state of the nation and national governance is a stark example of what happens when communication is derailed.

Conversations In business as well as in personal life, this ability to keep conversations from deteriorating is an important skill. Too often, those involved in a conversation forget the real objective of the discussion and fall into unproductive behavior.

Perhaps the most difficult discussions are those seeking to find a consensus. Too often, individuals come to these conversations having already made up their minds.

of water meters, increasing revenues for the Yangon City Development Committee, the administrative body responsible for water management in Yangon City.

Manila Water Asia Pacific president and chief executive Virgilio Rivera Jr. said the pilot program demonstrated that the company had the understanding, expertise and experience to support YCDC to deliver sustainable water services.

“We are excited to note that YCDC, under the leadership of (Mayor) U Maung Maung Soe, is interested in co-developing a plan under PPP to address fur-

In these cases, there is no real meeting of the minds as each person grasp only at the arguments supporting their point of view.

The conversation becomes a battle rather than a search for commonality. When positions harden and the topic is emotionally fraught (often the case in politics or religion, for example), then no real conversation happens and words become missiles seeking to destroy rather than bricks and mortar seeking to build.

Sarah Green Carmichael, in a 2010 article concerning difficult conversations for the Harvard Business Review, outlined 9 common mistakes. Many of the mistakes she mentions have to do with managing mindset and reactions. They include such things as allowing others to push our buttons or falling into old patterns and scripts and hence not providing room for real conversation.

At the heart of these mistakes are two stark realities. First, for the most part, most people don’t enjoy conflict. Hence, we will try to find ways to avoid the conflict, either by shutting down or seeking to find that one single big offensive that will finish the conversation. Unfortunately, this deployment of that one single strike, much like the atomic bomb, often has the adverse effect of creating more conflict. Second, human beings tend not to like being wrong or losing or being criticized. Hence, we all develop a complex system of mechanisms for selfpreservation. Some of these mechanisms are so hardwired, we lose control of them and they become automatic responses

water on a larger scale and deliver piped potable water supply at reasonable cost to the public,” said Rivera.

The pilot project is part of an agreement signed by Manila Water, Mitsubishi and YCDC in 2014 to address the needs of the city’s water system.

Manila Water in Metro Manila provides clean and potable water to customer by rehabilitating an old water system of a densely populated city. It has successfully reduced eastern Metro Manila’s system loss to 11 percent from a high of 63 percent during the start of the concession period.

(our red buttons, for example). In the literature on emotional intelligence, we refer to these moments when we allow our self-protective reptile brain to take over our logical forebrain as amygdala attacks (Note to reader: Seriously! Look it up.).

Keeping on track I found two of Carmichael’s comments particularly helpful.

One of them is a lesson often used in sessions on mindfulness and effective thinking: It is important not to lose sight of the goal. Everything that we do or say in a conversation must bring us closer to the goal. In fact, this is one of the methods for preventing ourselves from falling into the trap of behaving irrationally.

Take a step back and ask yourself a few questions: What am I trying to accomplish here? If I do what I want to right now (say, bring up an old mistake), will that lead me closer to the goal? What other consequences might I trigger?

I remember one particularly memorable conversation I had with a close friend. We were both very young and said friend was relating stories concerning the inappropriate, often unpleasant, and sometimes very personal, comments of a co-worker. As is often the case, the unpleasant co-worker actually had multiple skeletons in the closet and my friend was considering exposing those skeletons the next time said co-worker said something inappropriate. I took one long breath and asked: and what would you accomplish by doing that? The answer: “It would make me feel better.” After a few heart-

STEELASIA and its chief executive officer Benjamin Yao have been named finalists in the two top categories of the prestigious Platts Global Metals Awards.

SteelAsia is among five finalists for the Steel Industry Leadership award, while Yao is shortlisted for the CEO of the Year award.

SteelAsia is the Philippines’ leading steel company and the largest manufacturer of steel bars in South East Asia.

The company is in the running, along with Nucor Steel, the largest steel producer in the United States; AK Steel, a 115-year-old US company that is the producer of automotive steel; and EVRAZ, Russia’s second largest steelmaker and an industry giant employing more than 80,000.

Yao, meanwhile, is in a field that includes Saijin Jindal of JSW, India’s second-largest steel company, and Oleg Bagrin of NLMK, Russia’s largest steelmaker.

The awards are given by S&P Platts Global, a leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, with customers in over 150 countries.

S&P Platts Global honors and recognizes companies and individuals that motivate the metals industry to new paradigms, and embody excellence in leadership, innovation, safety, integrity and overall perfor-

beats, a second, more considered answer: “And I would be making a potentially powerful, spiteful enemy.”

And here is the crux of the matter, when conversations go the wrong way, it is often at the intersection of two situations: we react emotionally and we lose track of our goal.

The third factor A third factor typically comes into play when we choose the wrong approach and this factor is relevant even when no conflict or emotions are at play. This third factor has to do with the logic that we bring to understanding the particular problem at hand. When we are crafting the potential solution to a problem, we are quick to ask the question: Will this allow us to accomplish the intended consequence? The other question we need to ask is this: What other unintended consequences might we trigger as a result of our planned solution?

An even deeper potential logical pitfall is this: Are we even solving the correct problem? One item in Carmichael’s list is relevant to this topic: oversimplifying the problem.

Of course, we all know that there is a natural temptation to find ways to just get the problem over with. Unfortunately, oversimplifying the problem means we actually never manage to solve the problem. An even more complex and dangerous situation exists when we end up framing the problem in a manner that supports an internal bias. In these cases, the conversational conflict becomes even more toxic: disagreement as to what the

mance.

The 2017 Platts Global Metals Awards will be presented at a black-tie gala attracting metals industry leaders from around the world on May 18 at Marriott Grosvenor Square in London.

SteelAsia, an industry pioneer, in 1996 began modernizing the Philippine steel industry by introducing the rolling mill technologies accepted worldwide as standard.

The company now operates six steel mills—three in Luzon, one in Cebu and two in Mindanao—that together produce some 2 million tons of steel.

It is currently expanding to integrate upstream with an additional 1.7 million tons of steelmaking, and 3 million tons of rolling mills producing rebar and import substitute products such as beams, channels, wire rods and merchant bars.

problem even is.

In the literature concerning collaborative management of change, especially what the academic literature calls wicked decisions (complex decisions involving multiple factors, multiple stakeholders and multiple decision-makers), the first step to finding a solution is to agree on an analysis of the problem. An important part of the approach for these kinds of problems is to ensure that each key sector is not only heard from but is an actual constructive and active participant in the process, not only of finding a solution, but actually in defining and understanding the problem.

In a 2013 Forbes piece, John Hall presents many tips for having meaningful conversations. In a nutshell, most of his tips can be distilled into a very few: do your homework, listen and remember key points, find ways to truly engage and appreciate the other person’s point of view, find ways to make sure all participants receive and add value.

And that, finally, after all, is what productive conversations are about. It’s not a contest. It’s not about who is right or who is wrong. It’s about finding ways to build something that makes sense and considers everyone. There will never be perfection but there will always be a way to move forward rather than back Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com. For academic publications, Maya uses her full name, Maria Elena Baltazar Herrera.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

Business

Trump restricts IT visa program T HE US administration began to deliver on President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to crack down on a work visa program that channels thousands of skilled overseas workers to companies across the technology industry.

Fed up with a program it says favors foreign workers at the expense of Americans, the Trump administration rolled out a trio of policy shifts. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services agency on Friday made it harder for companies to bring overseas tech workers to the US using the H-1B work visa. On Monday, the agency issued a

memo laying out new measures to combat what it called “fraud and abuse” in the program. The Justice Department also warned employers applying for the visas not to discriminate against US workers.

Trump campaigned on a promise to overhaul the immigration system, calling for companies to hire more

Americans instead of outsourcing jobs to countries with cheaper labor or bringing in lowerpaid foreign workers. Silicon Valley’s biggest tech companies, many of which were founded or run by immigrants, depend on H-1Bs and say efforts to thwart immigration threaten innovation, recruitment and startup formation. Trump’s executive orders restricting travel from a handful of Muslim-majority nations led to unprecedented opposition from the industry.

But there’s also broad recognition that reform is needed, given several highprofile examples where American employees have been

replaced by lower-paid foreign workers through the program.

Advocates for immigrants’ rights also argue H-1B workers are easily exploited because their legal status is tied to a particular employer. The Economic Policy Institute estimated there were about 460,000 people working on H-1B visas in 2013.

This week’s moves weren’t the administration’s first attempts to adjust the program.

Last month, the immigration department suspended a system that expedited visa processing for certain skilled workers who paid extra. But people who have been pushing for reform had become frustrated in recent weeks that

the Trump administration wasn’t moving fast enough.

Outsourcing firms are considered the worst abusers of the system, an impression that the tech industry has been happy to encourage. Monday’s USCIS announcement targets those firms, with the agency saying it will focus inspections on workplaces with the largest percentage of H-1B workers, and those with employees who do IT work for other companies.

Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Infosys Ltd., Wipro Ltd. and Accenture Plc each slipped more than 1 percent on Monday.

Microsoft Corp., Facebook

Inc., Alphabet Inc., Cognizant, Wipro and Accenture didn’t respond to requests to comment.

Infosys declined to comment, while Tata Consulting Services Ltd. said it has reduced use of high-skilled H-1B visas, while creating more U.S. IT services jobs.

“Each of these steps are small steps by themselves,” said R Chandrashekhar, president of the trade group Nasscom, which represents many India tech firms.

“What we are waiting to see is how they will tighten the process.

How exactly will the policy be implemented? The process for granting H-1B visas has become a lot more uncertain.” Bloomberg

S&P cuts S. Africa’s credit rating to junk JOHANNESBURG―Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded South Africa’s rating to junk status on Monday, as pressure on President Jacob Zuma grows following a controversial cabinet shuffle.

S&P said the cut to below investment grade reflects “heightened political and institutional uncertainties” following Zuma’s shock purge of critical ministers on Friday, including respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

The shake-up has “put at risk fiscal and growth outcomes,” the ratings agency added as it downgraded South Africa to BB+ from BBB-.

The rand fell a further two percent against the US dollar on Monday night, after already suffering a five percent drop since Friday.

Moody’s ratings agency said it was placing its own South Africa rating―two notches above “junk” status―on review for a downgrade, a decision it said was “prompted by the abrupt change in leadership of key government institutions.”

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, branded the S&P downgrade “a clear vote of no confidence in President Zuma.”

The president has faced widespread criticism for replacing Gordhan with a loyalist, former home affairs minister Malusi

Gigaba.

All of South Africa’s main opposition parties have condemned the move, as has deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, an ANC member, and the communist partners in the ANC’s coalition government.

Opposition parties on Monday vowed to press ahead with a no-confidence vote against Zuma, as the ANC’s own integrity commission delivered a stinging rebuke over the cabinet shuffle, saying it was “deeply perturbed” by the lack of consultation, according to media reports.

Shortly after his appointment, Gigaba had stressed the need to maintain South Africa’s investment grade status.

The treasury issued a statement in response to the S&P downgrade saying it showed the need to “accelerate inclusive growth and development.”

“Reducing reliance on foreign savings to fund investment and relying less on debt to finance public expenditure will secure South Africa’s fiscal sovereignty and economic independence,” it added.

The country was granted a reprieve at the end of last year when rating agencies did not drop it to the “junk” category following a series of downgrades.

Zuma has survived several no-confidence votes in recent years. AFP

Tesla now 2nd largest American auto maker CHICAGO―Tesla on Monday became the second-largest US car maker in terms of market capitalization, displacing Ford, whose sales lagged amid concerns about the ability of the US market to keep growing.

Many major auto makers reported US sales declines in March compared to a year ago, but Tesla over the weekend said it saw a huge jump in vehicles delivered to consumers in the first three months of the year.

That was enough to send the electric car maker’s stock soaring Monday, even as investors punished major car brands for reporting lower-than-expected March sales.

Tesla said it delivered 25,000 of its high-tech vehicles in the January-March period―a 69-percent surge compared to the first three months of 2016― indicating it was on its way to meeting its goal of 50,000 vehicle deliveries by mid-2017.

Late last year, the company reported its first quarterly profit in more than three years, but then slipped back into unprofitability in the following quarter.

Investors still rewarded the company on Monday, with stock movements reshuffling the hierarchy among US carmakers. Tesla Motors overtook Ford for the number two spot and closed the gap with GM, the biggest US automaker by mar-

ket capitalization.

At market close, Tesla was up 7.3 percent to $298.52 for a market capitalization of $48.63 billion.

Ford, which at one point was down as much as three percent, had a market capitalization of $45.47 billion. At its low, GM fell 4.4 percent, but maintained a market capitalization above $50.9 billion.

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk marked the occasion on Twitter with a dig at short sellers, investors who bet that a company’s stock will decline.

“Stormy weather in Shortville,” Musk wrote.

For the industry as a whole, it may indeed be stormy weather.

Car companies failed to meet forecasts of an overall March sales increase, which fell instead industry-wide by 1.6 percent, according to an estimate by the tracking firm Autodata.

The seasonally-adjusted annual rate for US vehicle sales fell to 16.62 million units, versus 16.67 million units a year ago, Autodata reported.

Despite the bad news, there were bright spots among established auto makers.

GM saw sales gain 1.6 percent, helped by Americans’ strong demand for light trucks and sport utility vehicles, as well as bigger discounts.

AFP

ANTI-FRAUD GATES. People pass anti-fraud gates at the Montparnasse railway station in Paris on April 3, 2017. French national rail operator SNCF installed new ticket gates to reduce the bill of 100 million euros it loses to fraud each year through travel on the TGV. AFP

NY bars, restaurants turn into co-working space

By Shelly Hagan AT 7 A.M. on a recent morning, Simon Collins was at his office in New York making a video call to China. The fashion consultant was about to launch into his plans for an upcoming conference he’s organizing before his overseas colleague interrupted: “Are you in your grandmother’s dining room?”

He was actually at Public, a dimly lit restaurant with dark oak tables and vintage décor located in New York City’s trendy Nolita neighborhood. The Michelin star eatery undergoes a transformation each morning into a co-working space for freelancers and other professionals. A network of five such restaurant-office hybrids is run by a local startup called Spacious.com, which is finding a niche among people looking for a place to work that’s cheaper than WeWork but quieter and more reliable than a Starbucks.

Spacious is one of several new businesses with an unusual twist on co-working. The model of converting dining rooms or bars into shared offices is attractive to restaurant owners because it offers a new source of revenue during the work day, when their spaces are usually left dormant. It’s especially appealing to the food-service industry, which has seen its already-low margins squeezed.

“Walking by a coffee shop and seeing everybody piled on top of each other, and seeing a beautiful empty restaurant next door―it just seemed to be a natural fit,” said Preston Pesek, co-founder and chief executive officer of Spacious.

Co-working spaces, where people rent desks and offices alongside other freelance or satellite workers, have become a global sensation, led by WeWork Cos. The New Yorkbased company was valued at more than $17 billion last month after an investment from SoftBank Group Corp.

Spacious members work at the bar in Public, a restaurant in Manhattan, on March 31st, 2017. Bloomberg

WeWork provides members with free snacks and access to in-office beer kegs. It has 162 office locations in 41 cities around the world.

WeWork’s hometown is one of the world’s co-working capitals.

Commercial real estate devoted to co-working in New York City has grown fivefold in the past five years, according to Jonathan Mazur, managing director at real estate firm Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. The city, with its high concentration of restaurants and bars, offers plenty of options for Spacious and its rivals, such as WorkEatPlay and KettleSpace.

But similar businesses are starting up in Austin, Texas and Tel Aviv. They typically don’t offer as many perks as WeWork but provide members with speedy Wi-Fi, printers, office supplies and coffee.

Subscriptions range from $95 to $110, which is about half the cost of a desk at WeWork.

Daniel Rubin, CEO of Israel’s Pub Hub, said he’s opened one location and is scouting more

than a dozen bars in the country’s tech hub of Tel Aviv. But he said finding one that can make itself look presentable to working professionals every morning is a challenge: “Not every bar is great for co-working.”

Working someplace with a fully stocked bar has its perks.

Shaina Forman, a 28-year-old brand strategist, shuts her laptop at 5 p.m. when DBGB Kitchen and Bar on Manhattan’s Lower East Side opens to the public.

Then she’ll sometimes partake in the $1 oysters and drink specials. “We get a text at the end of the day saying it’s time for happy hour,” she said.

Because Spacious uses mostly high-end restaurants, it doesn’t have to worry about cleaning up a mess from the night before.

Cheryl Clements, who founded and runs a crowdfunding website called PieShell that’s aimed at food and beverage entrepreneurs, said Spacious allows her to get a rare taste of fine dining, even if it’s during off-hours. She often works from La Sirena in Chelsea, which is

owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali. “You walk out of here and go to the washroom, and the orange Croc wonder is standing there doing a commercial, and you’re like, ‘Oh, yeah. Hi!’” Clements said.

Collins, the fashion consultant, also likes the upscale digs, in spite of the mockery from his Chinese colleague.

As Collins told him over video chat recently, the vibe helps him portray a certain status to clients.

“This is a really cool restaurant downtown that people struggle to get into, and we get in early,” he said. “I filmed an interview with a Chinese network in the wine room at Public. It’s a long, beautiful room filled with wine.”

But due to the high turnover in the restaurant industry, your favorite location may not stick around forever. Collins was bummed to learn recently that Public lost its lease and will shut down in June. He’ll relocate to La Sirena or another Spacious location, he said: “Always sad to see a good restaurant go though.” Bloomberg

‘Kalinga ni Erap’ medical fair on FOR the third year in a row, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada will lead this week the “Kalinga ni Erap III” comprehensive medical fair aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to the communities.

Estrada said he expects at least 1,000 underprivileged city residents to benefit from the daylong medical-dental mission scheduled today (April 5) at Dapitan Sports Complex and on April 7 at Tondo Sports Complex.

“As we all know, health is wealth. That is why we’ve been putting premium on the health of every Manileño,” Estrada said.

“I’m inviting Manileños to come on April 5 and 7 and avail of the city government’s free health services,” said Estrada.

Thousands of poor Manileños from across the city have benefited from the Kalinga ni Erap program since Estrada introduced it in 2015.

Services offered include general consultation, free medicines, and laboratory tests such as complete blood count, sugar, and cholesterol tests; bone density scanning and screening, dialysis, and electrocardiogram; breast scanning, and most importantly, HIV-AIDS testing.

Dental services, on the other hand, include tooth extraction, prophylaxis and dental cleaning.

Estrada said free reading glasses will also be distributed to senior citizens and those needing one. Last year, 2,000 glasses were provided to beneficiaries. Free haircut services are also available.

Dr. Regina Bagsic, overall coordinator of the six public hospitals in Manila and one of the main organizers of the medical outreach program, said even non-Tondo residents are welcome to come.

She said registration will start at 8 a.m. and gates will open at 8:30 a.m.

“All districts are welcome.

We are seeking the help of the barangays, those with vehicles, to transport their constituents to the venue closest to them,” Bagsic said. Sandy

Araneta

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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

D AY, APRIL 5, 2017

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BLOOD PROJECT. ‘Type ng Bayan,’ a free blood typing project in cooperation with the Office of the President, the Department of Health, the Department

of the Interior and Local Government, the DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association, and the Metro Manila Mayor’s Spouses Foundation Inc., was recently launched in Parañaque City. The DOH turned over 100 units of blood typing testing kits to MMSFI under the leadership of president Janet A. Olivarez (center). Also in photo, representing Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, is Edwin Ubial with the members of the Cabinet Spouses Association and the Metro Manila Mayor’s Spouses Foundation Inc. with beauty specialist, philanthropist and CSA executive editor Ricky Reyes. Manny Palmero

Green light for Army Navy L

By Sandy Araneta

IKE other cultural heritage sites in Manila, the old Army and Navy Club in Roxas Boulevard needs to be restored, the city’s tourism chief said.

Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau head Solfia “Sol” Arboladura said the restoration of the Army and Navy Club is a big shot in the arm for the city government in its efforts to preserve historical and cultural properties in the city.

“Like the Metropolitan Theatre, I do agree that it has to be restored. All buildings have to be restored into its former glory,” Arboladura said of the Club’s ongoing renovation as a five-star boutique hotel.

“It’s been neglected. Unused. It’s a waste, isn’t it?

It’s a prime property, beautiful, why not make use of it?” Arboladura added.

Her statement came in the heels of Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s earlier reaffirmation of support to the restoration project.

During a recent news forum, Estrada said the restoration and rehabilitation of such important cultural and historical properties is part of his administration’s urban renewal program.

“Well, of course, we are in favor of it to be restored,” Estrada said pointing out that the Army and Navy Club project is a matter of extreme urgency since the historical landmark is already in a decaying state.

Estrada was instrumental in the Army Navy Club restoration. While the project was still being conceptualized in 2014, he had said the Club, as an important heritage site, should be restored to its former appearance.

Completed in April 17, 1911, the Army and Navy Club is the first American social club to be established in the Philippines and is presently being restored as a boutique hotel by Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp.

Underscoring the importance of such important heritage sites, Arboladura, whose office is tasked with the preservation of cultural and historical properties in the city, pointed out the restored Army Navy Club would surely attract local and foreign tourists, especially history enthusiasts and heritage advocates.

“Manila, basically, we are known for our culture, we have a rich historical value because we have the Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Luneta,” she said.

“So, if we have the Army Navy Club, and it’s been preserved, I think it will be visited still,” Arboladura said.

With the addition of the restored Army Navy Club as a new tourist attraction in Manila, Arboladura said it will further boost the tourism industry in the city.

Tourism, she stressed, creates opportunities, jobs, and funds the city, citing as an example the island of Boracay in Aklan, which earns millions in tourism revenues.

In Prague, Czech Republic, Arboladura said centuries-old buildings, or at least it facades, have been beautifully preserved; the capital city is the historical capital of Bohemia, the largest historical region of the Czech lands in the present-day Czech Republic.

“In other cities, abroad like Prague, they managed to maintain the façade of the old buildings, they were able to preserve it. It’s beautiful.,” the MTCAB chief, recounting her previous trip to European city.

“If they managed to preserve their cultural properties, why can’t we?” Arboladura said. “Let’s make an identity. We cater to progress without losing our identity, a historically- and culturally-rich city,” she also said.

Jica shows Davao River flood control work plan

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—A team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency or Jica recently presented to the city government the outline it prepared for a feasibility study on a flood control and mitigation project in the city, which will focus on the Davao River.

Nozomu Yamashita of Jica said the study will become the basis for the crafting of a master plan against the perennial problem of flooding in the city, which the Japanese government has approved for funding.

The master plan, he said, will become the city’s guide during the next 30 years in setting priorities and sequence of implementation in so far as flood control and mitigation measures are concerned.

City Planning and Development coordinator Ivan Cortez said the city government gave assurances it would actively back the Jica master plan design, such as in the submission of all available data.

“Flood control and mitigation is among the

agenda of Mayor Sara Duterte; thus, this feasibility study and masterplan will be very advantageous for the city,” City Administrator Zuleika Lopez said.

During the presentation, which was also attended by Undersecretary Emil Sadain of the Department of Public Works and Highways, representatives from the National Economic Development Authority, City Engineer Joseph Dominic Felizarta, and Japanese Consul Tomoko Dodo, the Jica team also put emphasis on the need for continued investment in Disaster Risk Reduction.

They cited the case of Japan, which faces daily threats from earthquakes.

Yamashita revealed that the approval of the master plan’s formulation was “record breaking” as it only took the Japanese government a month to do so.

Sadain said the request was filed in November last year and was approved in December.

The news of its approval was revealed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to the city in January.

SALN spells trouble for CoA boss

By Dexter A. See BONTOC, Mountain Province—The Ombudsman has ordered criminal charges and administrative penalties filed against an official of the Commission on Audit in the Cordillera Administrative Region for not religiously submitting her true Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth.

The Ombudsman found Edna T. Tomelden, director II of the COA-CAR, liable for violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, and was meted three months’ suspension from office without pay.

The six-page decision was penned by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Christine Carol A. Casela-Doctor and approved by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera.

If Tomelden is no longer in the service and the penalty of three months’ suspension can no longer be imposed, the decision stated the same is converted into a fine payable to the Ombudsman.

The decision directed the COA chairman to immediately implement the decision upon re-

ceipt pursuant to Section 7, Rule 3 of Administrative Order No. 07, as amended by AO No. 17 in relation to Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2006.

In his complaint dated September 21, 2015, concerned citizen Salvador Liked stated upon inquiry from the Ombudsman, he found out that Tomelden allegedly failed to file her SALNs for the years 2004 to 2007 and 2009.

On Feb. 26, 2016, Tomelden was ordered by the Ombudsman to submit her counter-affidavit and controverting evidence, to which she complied on March 15, 2016.

In her counter-affidavit, Tomelden claimed she religiously filed her SALN in compliance with existing rules. The CoA, through its administration sector, monitors compliance with the filing and submission by its officials and employees of their SALNs by issuing the necessary memorandum.

She claimed she never received any memorandum for non-compliance of the law requiring the annual submission of SALN, adding she “was not privy as to how the ombudsman keeps its records.”

PPI-NAC WORKSHOP. Journalists from Mindanao participated in the last leg of Philippine Press

Institute’s workshop series on environment reporting dubbed as ‘Taking Stock of Our Natural Account and The Role of the Press.’ A total of 57 print and broadcast journalists attended the training in the cities of Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, and Butuan. This was supported by Nickel Asia Corp., which is currently PPI’s principal partner for its Civic Journalism programs.

Just do your job properly, Sara tells new city cop chief Tagum DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte has directed newly installed Davao City Police Director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum to do his job properly in putting order and implementing the laws in the city.

“I just told him to do his job and not to listen to anyone. I told him that he just needs to do his duties and responsibilities as our City Director and to cascade it to his men,” the mayor said.

She said she already reminded Tagum of the usual crimes in the city like theft, especially since the Lenten session is just around the corner.

Duterte said Tagum already has some plans on the perennial problems of the city like theft and even gang wars.

She then instructed the police chief to work hand in hand with the city’s Vices Regulation Unit to monitor the anti-smoking ordinance, liquor ban and selling liquors to minors.

Tagum assured the mayor he will do his best to maintain order in the city and ensured her that he will put the right person to their right job by determining the capabilities of his personnel.

“I believe that the right person to the right job will be assigned to their position I would like to assure you that the select officers will only be the station commanders,” Tagum said.

Tagum had served as the provincial police director of Abra and North Cotabato, but was relieved of his post due to the bloody Kidapawan City dispersal last year. F. Pearl A. Gajunera

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OTABATO CITY–NewlyStandard commissioned Police TODAY Inspector Macdum Darping Enca, the valedictorian of this year’s graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy, should be emulated and recognized for giving this city a “lifetime honor,” Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi said.

ernment and local officials tendered a testimonial ing even days after the graduation ceremonies,” CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK dinner for Enca, a native of this city. he said. “I am very proud, this is unprecedented.”

“He put Cotabato City on the map of excellent Yacobnor said he dreamed of his son becoming and good people,” Sayadi said of Enca, valedicto- an Islamic preacher, not a police officer. “But I rian of PNPA Masidlak Class of 2017. believe in destiny, so this is his destiny,” he said.

A motorcade around town preceded the rec“I was surprised,” Macdum said of the welcomognition night, where Enca got a warm welcome ing local officials and police officers as he got off from classmates, teachers, relatives, and even the plane Monday afternoon from Manila. strangers.

“I am not used to it,” he said at the Cotabato Engineer Yacobnor Enca is perhaps the happi- airport. “Every time I returned home, only my est father now. “People I have not seen since birth parents welcomed me. Now almost everybody are recognizing me for having a brilliant child in recognizes me.”

From the airport, a motorcade toured Enca “I can’t explain how happy we Cotabatenios Macdum,” he said.

“I am very popular now, greetings keep com- around the city, ending at the Peoples Palace are,” Sayadi said Monday night after the city govManila

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK (City Hall) for a meeting with Mayor Sayadi.

To the people of Cotabato City, Enca advised that fear should not prevent anybody to excel.

“Dare, nothing will happen if we allow ourselves to be taken by fear, that we cannot make it,” he said.

“Anybody can do what I have achieved, I do not have the monopoly of success in life. You, too, can succeed,” he told his townmates.

Mayor Shameem Mastura of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao also cited Enca for graduating as PNPA valedictorian. Enca earlier graduated as a top student of the Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy in that town. PNA

Gov. Espino extols Pangasinan scholars

By Dexter A. See LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Amado I. Espino III recently hailed about 1,770 provincial scholars enrolled in the lone staterun university in the province, extolling them as the “future of their families and the province of Pangasinan.”

During the distribution of financial grants amounting to P17.7 million to scholars at the Pangasinan State University held at the Sison Auditorium, Espino urged the students to instill the perseverance to finish their college education.

“Think of the people who are sacrificing for you, especially your parents,” the governor told the scholars, as he asked them to preserve the good reputation of their families and of the province.

“Make your life extraordinary by doing your part as a student, as a son or daughter and as a Pangasinense,” Espino added.

Provincial scholars in PSU are broken down as follows: Alaminos City (150), Asingan (150), Bayambang (300), Binmaley (75), Infanta (75), Lingayen (400), San Carlos City (220), Sta. Maria (150), and Urdaneta City (250).

Dr. Erlinda Fernandez, PSU Scholarship Program coordinator, said the provincial government has allocated P10,000 to each provincial scholar for the Academic Year 2017-2018, or P5,000 per semester.

Lauding the accomplishments of academic achievers from Pangasinan, Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee chairman on Education, took pride of the provincial scholars in PSU.

MUSLIM AFFAIRS ADVOCATE. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (fourth from left) receives a plaque of appreciation from Presidential Adviser on OFW and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah Mamao (third from left) for his service to the Muslim community as an advocate of good governance last March 27 during the Bangsamoro Federal Business Council Inc. launching at F1 Hotel, Taguig City. Also in photo are (from left) Foreign Chamber Council of the Philippines chairman emeritus Philip Chien, Social Security System Chairman Dean Amado Valdez, BFBCI chairman Abdulgani Macatoman, BFBCI president Nasraili Conding, and BFBCI executive director Abdul Hannan Tago.

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Manila

Manila Standard Standard TODAY

By Brenda Jocson

TODAY

WAR ON DRUGS. Calamba City Mayor Timmy Chipeco (second from left), together with

Calabarzon police officers, headed by Sr. Supt. Restituto Gatera (center) and Calamba police chief Supt. Fernando Ortega (right) walk the alleys during the PRO4A Oplan Tokhang and Taphang in the community within Camp Vicente Lim in Mayapa, Calamba City, Laguna (See story below) Roy Tomandao

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW! NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Please be informed of the following New Set of Directors/Shareholder of BOURBON MARINE SERVICES MANILA effective 15 February 2017

RENATO M. SANTELICES PAMELA S. ALBANO SALVADOR S. ALBANO EVELYNE MARIE ILIOU MARK HENRICK F. HILVANO

email us at advertise@the standard.com.ph or call us at 832-5547

Corporate Secretary: KAREEN FE PIOQUINTOENRIQUEZ Asst. Corporate Secretary : ARCANGEL CHRISTIA REYES-MARCOS For more information: CALL US at 720-1000 or VISIT US at 8F Sage House 110 V.A. Rufino St. Legaspi Village, Makati City Philippines

Notice of Extrajudicial NOTICE OF Settlement of Estate

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby OF given that the ESTATE estate of the late Lamberto Armenio Flores Jr., Notice is hereby given consisting real property Notice is ofhereby given that the the estate of of the thesettled late was extra-judicially that estate late and distributed among his Josefina Fruto Binalla Josefina Fruto Binalla heirs – Eduardina Montilla has been extra judicially Flores, Christopher Lambert has been extra judicially settled among her heirs heirs M. Flores, Justin Edward M. settled among her Flores, Michael Anthony on 15 15and March 2017 as on March 2017 as M. Flores, by means of a per Doc. No. 86; Page public document executed on per Doc. No. 86; Page th No. 18; Book Book 27 January 2017, No. before 3; a No. 18; No. 3; Notary Public in Quezon City, Series of of 2017; 2017; before before Series Philippines, under Notary Atty.

Alysha Grace M. Public Atty. Jonna O. Guiang, Atty. Alysha Grace M. Zulueta, Notary Notary Public Public with Document No. 506, Page Zulueta, No. 103, BookofNo. III, Series for the the City City Manila. for of Manila. of 2017.

(MS-MAR. 22, 2017)

(MS-MAR. & APR. (MS-FEB.22,29 22, MAR. 1 &5,8,2017) 2017) (MS-MAR. 22,29 & APR. 5, 2017)

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS OF BRIGHT KINDLE RESOURCES & INVESTMENTS, INC. Republic ofofthe Philippines Republic the Philippines (FORMERLY BANKARD, INC.)

MUNICIPALITY MULANAY National IrrigationOF Administration

RYM Business Management Corporation, Caulfield Heights, Inc., Mr. Anthony M. Te and Mr. Macario U. Te (the “Bidders”) PANGASIWAAN PATUBIG) Province of Quezon acquired a total of 1,375,459,989(PAMBANSANG shares of common stock of Bright Kindle NG Resources & Investments, Inc. (formerly Bankard, Regional Office No. IIIbeneficially owned by, Rizal Commercial Banking Inc.) (“BKR”) (the “BKR Sale Shares”) registered in the names of, and/or Corporation and RCBC Capital Corporation. As of the same date, the BKR Sale Shares represented approximately 89.9891% March 29, ofOffice Address: the issued and2017 outstanding capital stock of BKR. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Email Address:niar03@yahoo.com (044) 766-2467 766-4839, 816-6808 InTelephone Nos. : relation to the conditions for the acquisition of the BKR Sale Shares and Telefax No.(044) 766-2467 pursuant to the requirements of the Philippine Website: www.region3.nia.gov.ph Invitation toand Bidregulations, for theTIN: 000-979-570-000 Securities Regulation Code (“SRC”) and its implementing rules the Biddersare implementing a tender offer to / Concreting of Invitation SitioBagongPook – Maralahay – Brgy.Bagupaye – and acquireRehabilitation the 257,145,011 common shares currently held by the public, representing approximately 16.82% of the issued to Bid outstanding capital of BKR (the “BKR Public Shares”) from the owners thereof (theRoad “BKR Public Shareholders”), subject to Anonang – Burgos Farm-to-Market Participatory Irrigation Development Project the SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidders with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)(“Tender Offer”).

Loan No. 1. Bidders Theshall Local Government Unit of Mulanay, Quezon through theOffer 2016 DILG byBuB The purchase BKR Public Shares which are 7709-PH tendered (the “Tender Shares”) the Fund& BKRPublic IN THE MATTER OF THEat the Shareholders “Tendering Shareholders”), of P0.8575 (the “Tender Offer Price”), payable in LGU(the Fund Counterpartsintends to price apply the sumperofshare Sixteen Million, Eight Hundred cash (before deductions for Thousand, customary selling charges of0.61%Motorized of the total transaction valueor P0.8523 deducting PETITION FOR FINAL Replacement of Sluicegate with Lifting Mechanism at the Thirty Seven Three Hundred Ninety Eight Pesos and Twentyafter Nine Cents customary selling charges).The customary selling charges that will be deducted by the Bidders do not include the selling EXTENSION OF THE the Approved (Php16,837,398.29) only being Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments Magsaysay and Concrete Lining Tanggal Lateral P-12, broker’s commission Dam payable by the Tendering Shareholder, which at is subject to mutualKumon agreement between the Tendering SAFEGUARD MEASURE under the contract Rehabilitation / Concreting of Tarlac SitioBagongPook – Maralahay – Camiling Camiling, Shareholder and its/his/her broker,for and the taxes on RIS, the commission.

AGAINST THE IMPORTATION Brgy. Bagupaye – Anonang –Burgos Farm-to-Market Road/2017-01. Bids received in Each Public Shareholder of anybe date during the Offer Period isatentitled to sell its/his/her BKR Public Shares to OF BKRexcess STEEL BARS of theANGLE ABCasshall automatically rejected bid opening.

ITBtoNo. PIDP3-C-CAMRISN-2 the Bidders in accordance and2007/2012 subject the Terms of the Tender Offer, which is Annex A to the Application to Tender UNDER AHTNwith Common Shares in Bright Kindle Resources (formerlynow Bankard, Inc.) bids to RYM Management 2.

The Local Government Unit &ofInvestments, Mulanay,Inc. Quezon invites forBusiness Rehabilitation/ HEADING NOS. 7216.21.00 1.

The Government the has received Loan from the World Bank toward the Corporation, Caulfield Heights, Inc., Philippines Mr. Anthony M.(GOP) Te–and Mr. Macario U.Brgy.

Tea (the “Application”).

Concreting of of SitioBagongPook Maralahay Bagupaye – Anonang –Burgos (AHTN NO. 7216.21.00) cost of2004 Participatory Irrigation Development Project –and it intends to apply part of the proceeds The Tender Offer will commence at 9:00 a.m. on 20 March 2017 and end at 5:00 p.m. on 19 April 2017.The Bidders reserve the Farm-to-Market Road.

Completion of the Works is required by One Hundred Four of this loan to payments under the contract for Replacement of Sluicegate with Motorized Lifting AND 7216.50.10 (AHTN right toMechanism extend thecalendar Tender Offerdays. with theBidders approval of the SEC. (104) should have completed a contract similar to the Project. at Magsaysay Dam and Concrete Lining at Tanggal Kumon Lateral P-12 Camiling 2004 NOS. 7216.50.11 AND For: SAFEGUARD MEASURE RIS, Camiling, The description of an eligible is contained thewish Bidding Documents, Scrip shareholders (i.e., Tarlac. shareholders who holdbidder stock certificates) of BKRinwho sell their shares to theparticularly, Bidders should 7216.50.91) (R.A. No.to 8800) complete in theSection Application triplicate andtosubmit the same with the following attachments to Lucky Securities Inc. (the “TO II. inInstruction Bidders.

S.G. Investigation No. 01-2014 2.

Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its duly authorized Agent”) at the address set forth below, not later than the end of the Tender Offer Period: 3. liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nonLucky Angles, Securities Inc. Shapes and Steel discretionary pass/failStock criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations 1902B West Tower, Philippine Exchange Center, 3.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) now invites bids for the bidding for the Replacement Sections Manufacturers (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City9184), of Sluicegate with Motorized Lifting Mechanism at Magsaysay Dam and Concrete Lining at Association of the Philippines, ReformKumon Act”. Lateral P-12 Camiing RIS located at the municipality of Camiling, Tarlac. a.Inc.Tanggal Original BKR stock certificates duly endorsed; to be verified by the TO Agent as valid and authentic certificates. For (SASSMAPI) Completion ofrestricted the Works required Hundred Eighty (180) calendar days.

Bidders those whose is stock certificate/s is/are lost:citizens/sole (i) in oneOne (1) original of a duly notarized affidavit of loss; (ii) of the should affidavit Bidding to is Filipino proprietorships, partnerships, or copy organizations x-------------------------------------------x have completed, five (5) years,circulation a contract similar tothe the Project. description of loss asatpublished inwithin a newspaper of general (in substantially form ofcapital AnnexThe Estock to the Applicationof which with least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding belonging toan eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to is Exhibit A to the SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidders with the SEC); (iii) affidavit of publication (of affidavit of loss); and citizens of the Philippines.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Bidders. (iv) bond in the amount of P0.8595 covered by a lost stock certificate. b.4. Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as ForInterested Individuals: bidders may obtain further information from Local Government Unit 4.

Pursuant to Quezon Paragraph 2 of Section 16 (Monitoring) ofthe Republic Act 8800 andaninspect the Bidding Documents at General Services specified in the IRR of RA 9184 (R.A. 9184), with some amendments, as stated in these bidding (i) of Mulanay, For shareholders actingAct), through attorney-in-fact, a duly notarized Irrevocable Power of (inhearing substantially the (Safeguard Measures thefrom Tariff Commission will conduct a Attorney public to Section-Procurement Unit 8:30 to A4:30 during working days. documents and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the applicable form attached as Annex B to the Application, which isAM Exhibit to the PM SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidders with the SEC). For determine the compliance by the domestic steel angle bar industry represented by procurement guidelines the World The contract shall awarded Lowest married individuals who areof Philippine citizens,Bank. their respective spouses must sign be the space providedto in the the Irrevocable 5. Calculated A complete set of Bidding Documents acquired on March Steel Angles, Shapes and Sections Manufacturers Association ofduring theBidders Philippines, Inc. Bidder (LCRB) was determined as interested such post-qualification.

Power ofResponsive Attorney to indicate marital consent towho themay sale ofbe the Tender Offerby Shares.

29,Estimated 2017with toProject April 17, AM 4:30 from the address below uponit (SASSMAPI) its adjustment plan as to well asPM theSeven progress andThirty specific efforts The Cost2017; (EPC)8:30 is Thirty Four Million Hundred Nineand Thousand (ii) payment Photocopies valid identificationfee cards Applicant’s signature and photograph, i.e.,to driver’s Nineteen Pesos and 63/100 (PhP 34,739,019.63). of ofatwononrefundable forshowing the Bidding Documents, pursuant thelicense, latesttax undertook to make a(2)positive adjustment to the import competition.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION

identification card, Social Security Services/Government Services and Insurance System card, or passport.

Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Commission afford allthe identified parties and consumers opportunity 5. Interested bidders further information from ofthe Bids and Awards Committee and (iii)The Duly accomplished signature card containing the specimen signature the Applicant and verified byan the Applicant’s broker (Php25, 000.00)may toshall theobtain Cashier of LGU- Municipal Treasurer Office. inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Mondays to be present, to produce evidence, to respond the (the presentations ofspecify other or by an officer of the bank at which the Applicant maintains anto account signature card must the parties, name of the to Fridays. brokeralso and signatory or the name of the bank andthe the bank’s signatory, as the case may be).

It may bebroker’s downloaded free of charge from website of the Philippine Government or otherwise to the be heard.

Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), provided that bidders shall pay the fee for c.

For Corporations: 6.

A complete set will of Bidding Documents may 2017 be purchased by the interested The hearing be held on 19that April (Wednesday), 9:00 a.m.bidders at thestarting Tariff the Bidding Documents not later the submission of their bids. a nonrefundable fee for the February 28, 2017 from the address payment of attached (i) Notarized Board Resolution (in substantially the form and of the upon Secretary’s Certificate as Annex C to the Application, Commission Conference Room, 5/Fbelow Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, bidding documents in the amount Thirty Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 35,000.00). which is Exhibit A to theQuezon SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidders with the SEC) authorizing the sale of the Tender Offer Shares, East 6. Avenue, Thedesignating LocalDiliman, Government UnitCity, ofandMulanay will hold signatures a Pre-Bid Conference signatories for the purpose indicating the specimen of those signatories. on April 6,

It For may also downloaded free charge from the website of Force the Philippine Government 2017; 9:00be in the morning at of thethe Municipal Budget Office, LGU Bldg.

Egualidad details, please inquire from Members ofdocument the Task the Monitoring (ii) Copy of SEC Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent constitutive certified as (http://www.nia.gov.ph), trueon copy of the original by the Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and shall the NIA website Street, Poblacion I, Mulanay, Quezon, which be open to all interested parties.

Review on Steel Angle Bars who may be contacted at Telephone Nos. (632) 928Corporate Secretary or equivalent person having official custody of company records. provided that bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than 8419 and 926-8731 or emailed at info@tariffcommission.gov.ph.

7. the submission of their bids. must beArticles delivered to the address on or orbefore April 18, 2017; 9:00 in as the (iii)Bids Copy of latest of Incorporation and By-lawsbelow of the Applicant equivalent constitutive document certified true copy ofthis the original by theof Corporate Secretary or person having official custody ofStreet, company records. morningat the Budget LGU Bldg., Egualidad Poblacion Issued 3rd Municipal day April, 2017 Office, atequivalent Quezon City, Metro Manila.

7. An I, organized field visit by the contractors and NIA will be conducted on March 06, 2017.

Mulanay, Quezon.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the (iv) Duly accomplished signature card containing the specimen signature of the Applicant’s designated authorized signatories Prospective bidders are advised to coordinate with the BAC Secretariat regarding the itinerary acceptable and in broker the amount stated ITBat which Clause Error!maintains Reference source not and verified forms by the Applicant’s or by an officer of theinbank the Applicant an account (the signature of the field visit. Attendees will include representatives from the Regional Irrigation Office (RIO), card must specify the name of the broker and the broker’s signatory or the name of the bank and the bank’s signatory, as found..

Irrigation Management Office (IMO) and Irrigators Associations. the casemay be).

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend 8.

The NIA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 08,2017, 09:00 A.M at the Conference Room, d.

For Partnerships: Chairperson at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

NIA-Region III, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall beopen to all interested (i) Copy of SEC Certificate of Registration or equivalent constitutive document certified as true copy of the original by the parties.

(MS- APR. 5, 2017)

8.

ThePartnership Local Government Unit of Mulanay, Quezon no responsibility whatsoever Secretary or equivalent person having official custodyassumes of the partnership records.

indemnify bidders for any orexpenses incurreddocument in the certified preparation of the Bids must be delivered at the Conference Room, NIA-Region III, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, (ii) to compensate Copy of the latestor Articles of Partnership of the Applicant equivalent constitutive as true copy of the bid.original by the Partnership Secretary or equivalent person having official custody of the partnership records.

Bulacan on or before March 21, 2017, 10:00 A.M. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration or a bid security in the amount of Six Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Seven Hundred (iii) Notarized Partnership Resolution (in substantially the form of the Partners’ Certificate attached as Annex D to the PesosGovernment (PhP 694,780.00)ofinMulanay, the formQuezon of Cash, Cashier’s/Manager’s Check orreject Bank 9. Eighty TheApplication, Local reserves to accept which is Exhibit AUnit to the SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidders with thethe SEC)right authorizing the sale or of the Tender Guarantee issued by a universal or commercial Bank. any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract

9.

ailure ereby

Offer Shares, designating signatories for the purpose and indicating the specimen signature of the signatories.

DIFFUN, Quirino—The Commission on Higher Education has approved the reappointment of Quirino State University president Dr. Samuel O. Benigno here for a second term.

CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan said the reappointment of Benigno, who holds a PhD in Rural Development, was effective last Feb. 9 through Feb. 8, 2021.

Benigno is also former dean of the school’s Institute of Graduate Studies, director for Instruction, and Vice president for Academic and Related Affairs.

Also a member of QSU’s Board of Regents, Licuanan said Benigno served as the first university president when Quirino State College of Diffun town was converted into a state university on Oct. 19, 2012 under Republic Act 10230.

The conversion of the QSC integrated the two campuses of Quirino Polytechnic College in Cabarroguis town and Maddela Institute of Technology in

award, without thereby incurring anyof liability to the affected bidder/s.

Bids will be opened in the presence the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend

IN BRIEF

Republic of the Philippine CITY OF NAGA BIDS & AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF FUEL, OIL AND LUBRICANTS (1 LOT) The City Government of Naga, through the Fuel, Oil and Lubricants Account of all city government offices, intends to apply the sum of Twelve Million (P 12,000,000.00) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Supply and Delivery of Fuel, Oil and Lubricants for use of all city government offices (1 lot), Contract Reference Number: 2017-015. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1 lot

Item No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Quantity 76,110 343,550 2,800/140 764 6,850 2,072 200 160 50 800 280 3 3

Unit liters liters pails pails pails liters liters liters liters liters liters pails pails

Items Unleaded Gasoline Diesel Fuel Motor Oil, #10, hydraulic oil Motor Oil, #30 Motor Oil, #40 Lubricant, ATF Gear Oil, 90 Gear Oil, 140 2T Oil Brake Fluid Coolant Multi-Purpose Grease High-Temperature Grease

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)-1 lot

P 12,000,000.00

The City Government of Naga now invites bids for Supply and Delivery of Fuel, Oil and Lubricants for use of all city government offices (1 lot), Contract Reference Number: 2017-015. Delivery of the Goods is required as needed by the official vehicles. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from City Government of Naga and inspect the Bidding Documents at the City Planning and Development Office (BAC Secretariat Office), 2nd Floor City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on Wednesday, April 5 to May 2, 2017 from the City Planning and Development Office (BAC Secretariat Office), 2nd Floor City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand (P 25,000.00) Pesos, and an Annual Registration Fee of Three Thousand (P 3,000.00) Pesos. Please present your Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS showing your company name.

It may also be downloaded free-of-charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and at www.naga.gov.ph, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. Official Receipts should be presented upon submission of bids.

The City Government of Naga will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 3:00PM at the City Procurement Office, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the City Procurement Office, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City on or before Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 3:00PM. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security, either in the form of cash or cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a universal or commercial bank (2% of ABC), or, Bid Securing Declaration (BSD).

Bid opening shall be on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at City Procurement Office, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The City Government of Naga reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the e af affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: MR. FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. Acting City Administrator Office of the City Administrator 2nd Floor City Hall Building City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue Concepcion Pequena, Naga City 4400 bac@naga.gov.ph/junmongoso@naga.gov.ph www.naga.gov.ph (SGD) LEON B. PALMIANO IV BAC Vice Chairperson ( M S - A P R . 5 , 2 017 )

Maddela town.

Benigno has initiated programs and developments that enhanced and transformed QSU’s administration, instruction, research, extension, and auxiliary services, CHED said.

Because of his five-year development plan, the university now enjoys a Systematized Student Admission and Registration, which standardized the implementation of policies, standards and guidelines on student admission and registration in the three campuses of the university, the agency added.

Benigno said one of his priorities was the creation of the QSU website for transparency on the agency’s budget information, invitations to bid, and contracts.

Other initiatives he pushed were a Workshop on Strategic Performance Management System to craft the performance evaluation system in line with its strategic objectives and Major Final Outputs, and the Annual Institutional Procurement Planning and Budgeting for procurement directions, strategies, processes and priorities for the upcoming year.

Baguio Sitel site offers more jobs

BAGUIO CITY—The opening of outsourcing firm Sitel’s fourth site has made Baguio the largest regional operation of the company, bringing the number of its full-service customer contact service centers in the country to 13.

Sitel’s SM Cyber site is expected to generate 800 new jobs that will benefit residents and those from nearby provinces.

Sitel has enjoyed steady growth in the local market for 16 years since it set up shop in 2000, the firm said. The Philippines’ business-friendly climate, particularly a ready pool of highly skilled talent trained to provide strong customer orientation, enabled Sitel to grow, and expand at a steady clip.

“We are delighted to open the Sitel SM Cyber site, our fourth in the City of Pines,” shared Craig Reines, Sitel Philippines chief operating officer. “Baguio was a natural choice because it has been so good to us for 12 years, and the region still has tremendous growth potential.” Dexter A. See

‘Tokhang, taphang’ by Calabarzon cops

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—The Police Regional Office Calabarzon on Wednesday conducted Oplan Tokhang and Taphang at Enlisted Men’s Barrio, a housing community inside its regional headquarters at Barangay Mayapa, Calamba City.

Police, city officials, and representatives from the religious sector conducted house-to-house visits to former surrenderers, followed with the Taphang program at the Purok 4 Covered Court.

Sr. Supt. Restito Gatera, deputy regional director for Operation of PRO4A, and Supt. Fernando Ortega, chief of police of Calamba City, led the activity with Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco, barangay chairman Flaviano Taniola; retired Sr. Supt. Apolinar Felipe, president of EM’s Barrio Homeowners Association; Rev. Fr. Julius Cruz, regional pastoral officer; Pastor Ernie Cerezo of Calamba Pastor’s Alliance; and other members of the government of Laguna and PRO Calabarzon.

Approximately 500 residents participated in the activity, which aims to promote community awareness on the negative effects of illegal drugs.

Oplan Tokhang (Tok-Tok Hangyo), which means “knock and request” in Cebuano, and Oplan Taphang (Tapok Hangyo), which means “gather and request” are the two components of Project Double Barrel of the Philippine National Police’s focused war against drugs. Roy Tomandao CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

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‘Gas’ attack kills 58 in Syria town B

EIRUT―Warplanes carried out a suspected toxic gas attack that killed at least 58 people including several children in a rebelheld town in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, a monitoring group said.

PERFORMANCE. Japan’s On-Art Corp’s 6.4 meter tall dino-tronics robot performs at the Sky Lobby of Hikarie building in Tokyo on April 4. AFP

Stepping up fight against Islamic clothing DUSHANBE, Tajikistan―Clothing factories in Tajikistan are churning out brightly coloured national dresses amid a surge in sales, and it’s not just because of the arrival of spring.

An increasing number of female officials, teachers and students have been wearing the Atlas and other traditional dresses following a recommendation by the Central Asian country’s government.

“The Atlas will never go out of fashion,” said Nasiba Anvarova, who owns a dress boutique in the capital Dushanbe, referring to a popular, dye-streaked style of dress.

“Any Tajik bride should have several of these dresses in her wardrobe,” Anvarova told AFP. The campaign reached its peak last month during the spring Nowruz festival in Tursunzoda, a town west of Dushanbe, where the country celebrated its Persian heritage in a vibrant display of indigenous fashion.

State television showed President Emomali Rakhmon, a practicing Muslim, and other officials dancing at a concert along with thousands of women in traditional garb, bearing baskets of bread.

But Rakhmon and the male officials wore Western-style suits, and the festivities belied the government’s growing fears of Islamist extremism.

The authorities have campaigned against Arab-style head and face coverings like the hijab as part of a crackdown that has also included forced beard shavings.

The government claims that over a thousand Tajiks have joined the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and points to “foreign” Islamic clothing as “being a sign of radicalization”, said Edward Lemon, a researcher at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University in New York.

Rakhmon, a secular autocrat who took charge of the country in the early 1990s as it plunged into a bloody civil war after the collapse of the Soviet Union, nonetheless makes public demonstrations of piety.

Last year he completed the latest of several pilgrimages to Mecca, where his wife and daughter were photographed wearing the hijabs that Tajik women are increasingly discouraged from wearing.

At home, however, the crack-

US Teen pleads guilty to plot to kill the pope WASHINGTON―A New Jersey teen pleaded guilty Monday to a plot allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group to kill Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to the United States.

The US Justice Department said Santos Colon, 15 years old at the time, sought to recruit a sniper to shoot the pope as he celebrated mass in Philadelphia on September 27, 2015. Colon also allegedly planned to set off explosives.

But the teen unwittingly recruited an undercover FBI agent for the job, and was arrested quietly 12 days before the event.

“Colon engaged someone he believed would be the sniper, but in reality was an undercover FBI employee. Colon engaged in target reconnaissance with an FBI confidential source and instructed the source to purchase materials to make explosive devices,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

Court documents said Colon sought to carry out the act in support of the Islamic State group and that he had used the adopted name Ahmad Shakoor.

In a plea bargain with prosecutors, Colon, now 17, agreed

to forgo trial and plead guilty as an adult to one charge of providing material support to a terror group.

With the deal, prosecutors dropped three other charges filed against him as a juvenile.

Court documents said the charges were in relation to the Islamic State group, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organization.

But there were no details on how Colon became interested in the group and if or how he communicated with them.

Pope Francis celebrated mass for tens of thousands of followers in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the historic east coast city to cap a week-long visit for the World Meeting of Families Colon’s home is in Lindenwold, New Jersey, just east of Philadelphia.

Colon faces a maximum of 15 years in prison but sentencing would likely be held off until 2021 while he undergoes psychiatric treatment in a secure facility.

In a plea statement, Colon acknowledged having been a patient in a mental institution in the past. AFP

down has gathered strength since 2015, when the government banned a moderate Islamic opposition party and handed heavy prison sentences to its leaders following a wave of political unrest.

Several incidents of forced beard shavings have been reported, and a hospital recently turned away a group of women wearing hijabs, Lemon said.

The trend could be explained by

a Soviet-style “fear of religion as a competing system of morality and legitimacy to the state”, he said, which dates back to early communist times when the authorities actively promoted veil-burning.

But many critics see the dress recommendations as a sign of an accelerating slide toward authoritarianism under Rakhmon, who has never hid his preferences regarding women’s fashion.AFP

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said those killed in the town of Khan Sheikhun, in Idlib province, had died from the effects of the gas, adding that dozens more suffered respiratory problems and other symptoms.

The Britain-based monitoring group was unable to confirm the nature of the substance, and said it was unclear if the planes involved in the attack were Syrian or those of government ally Russia.

The reported gas attack comes at the start of a two-day conference on Syria’s future hosted in Brussels by the European Union and the United Nations.

The Observatory said medical sources in the town reported symptoms among the affected including fainting, vomiting and foaming at the mouth.

The victims were mostly civilians, it said, and included at least nine children.

Photographs circulated by activists showed members of the volunteer White Helmets rescue group using hoses to wash down the injured, as well as at least two men with white foam around their mouths.

Idlib province is largely controlled by an alliance of rebels including former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

It is regularly targeted in strikes by the regime, as well as Russian warplanes, and has also been hit by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, usually targeting jihadists.

Syria’s government officially joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and turned over its chemical arsenal in 2013, as

part of a deal to avert US military action.

But there have been repeated allegations of chemical weapons use by the government since then, with a UN-led investigation pointing the finger at the regime for at least three chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015.

The government denies the use of chemical weapons and has in turn accused rebels of using banned weapons.

Tuesday’s attack comes only days after forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad were accused of using chemical weapons in a counter-offensive in neighboring Hama province.

The opposition accused the government forces of using “toxic substances” in its battle to repel the assault.

On Thursday, air strikes on several areas in the north of Hama province left around 50 people suffering respiratory problems, according to the Observatory, which could not confirm the cause of the symptoms.

The monitor relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Tuesday’s gathering in Brussels has been billed as a followup to a donors’ conference last year in London, which raised about $11 billion (10 billion euros) for humanitarian aid programs in the devastated country.

AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

World

Saint Petersburg mourns after metro system blast S AINT PETERSBURG― Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg was in mourning Tuesday after an explosion in the metro system killed 11 people and injured dozens, as Kyrgyzstan said a suicide bomber from the Central Asian nation was responsible.

Russian tricolor flags flew at half-staff as the city observed the first of three days of mourning.

Heightened security measures were imposed in the metro system, which has reopened, but the attack still weighed heavy on commuters.

“Everyone in the metro can only think of this,” said 45-yearold Svetlana Golubeva as she entered the Saint Petersburg underground.

Investigators have launched a probe into an “act of terror” but stressed they would look into other possible causes of the blast, which hit a busy central metro line on Monday afternoon.

Kyrgyzstan security services said Tuesday the attack was staged by a “suicide bomber” named Akbarjon Djalilov, a naturalized Russian citizen born in southern Kyrgyzstan in 1995.

“He is a citizen of Russia,” spokesman Rakhat Sulaimanov told AFP in Bishkek, adding that Kyrgyz security services are “in contact with Russian security services.”

Russian authorities have not commented on the alleged bomber’s identity.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion, which comes after the Islamic State group called for attacks on Russia in retribution for its military intervention in Syria against the jihadists.

Pictures screened on national television showed the door of a train carriage blown out, as bloodied bodies lay strewn on a station platform.

The blast occurred in the tunnel between two key hubs in the system.

President Vladimir Putin on Monday offered condolences as he was holding meetings outside Saint Petersburg and later placed a bouquet of red flowers at the entrance to one of the stations, Technological Institute, where people have improvised a memorial.

The death toll from the blast stood at 11, with 45 injured, according to anti-terror authorities.

AFP

Malaysian durian sells for $77 in HK HONG KONG―It might be a healthy food choice, but Hong Kong’s latest fruit fad is doing serious damage to shoppers’ wallets.

From luxury supermarkets to outdoor stalls, expensive premium produce is increasingly on show and sought after by customers.

At Hong Kong’s vibrant Yau Ma Tei fruit market, a Malaysian durian goes for HK$600 (US$77) and Tasmanian cherries for HK$550.

On the shelves of high-end supermarket City Super, a single Japanese strawberry recently fetched a whopping HK$168. Each strawberry nestled on a paper pillow, encased in a glossy cardboard box.

The appetite for pricey fruit from far afield reflects a quest for what punters see as clean, fresh produce, even if it has traveled thousands of miles.

Fruit shoppers told AFP they did not consider produce from mainland China -- the source of much of Hong Kong’s food -- as healthy.

“I used to buy mainland fruit, but now I could never go back. It is not as safe and fresh,” said Peter Wong, 48, an accountant who says he spends around HK$2,000 on imported fruit each month for himself, his wife and their two children.

“The fruit is fresher if it comes from overseas, like the USA or South Africa or Japan,” he said as he browsed the Yau Ma Tei stalls.

Reports of farmers using excessive pesticides, fertilizers and preservatives in China have damaged the reputation of its produce, and food grown locally in Hong Kong is very limited.

The trend partly reflects a growing desire for a healthier diet, in a city where traditional dishes can be heavy on salt and fat.

But it is also about status -- expensive fruit has become a popular gift to impress loved ones and colleagues, tapping in to an established Chinese tradition of giving fruit to bring good luck and prosperity.

Daniel Chan, 42, a vendor at Yau Ma Tei whose family has been running the business for 70 years, said the gifting of expensive fruit was largely related to “face”, an important element in Chinese culture to show wealth and generosity.

The family used to sell only to wholesalers, but has branched out into retail in the past two years thanks to the demand for premium fruit from wealthy customers. AFP

Colombia’s mudslides kill over 270

PREMIERE Actor Paola Nunez attends AMC’s ‘The SON’ premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on April 3 in Hollywood, California. AFP

N. Korea warns world it will retaliate SEOUL―North Korea has warned it will retaliate if the global community ramps up the sanctions over its latest round of weapons tests.

The warning comes as President Donald Trump threatened the United States was prepared to go it alone in bringing Pyongyang to heel if China did not step in.

The isolated state has quickened its missile program in recent months, with a volley of tests it says are putting it closer to acquiring the ability to hit the US mainland with a nuclear weapon.

US-based analysts have said North Korea appears to be preparing a new atomic test. It has staged five nuclear tests so far, two last year.

North Korea’s foreign ministry on

Monday assailed Washington for its tough talk and for an ongoing joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan that Pyongyang sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion.

The “reckless actions” are driving the tense situation on the Korean peninsula “to the brink of a war”, a ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by the official KCNA news agency.

The idea that the US could deprive Pyongyang of its “nuclear deterrent” through sanctions is “the wildest dream”.

“Now that the US fails to face up to the trend of times but incites confrontation to strangle the DPRK (North Korea), the DPRK is left with no option but to take necessary counteraction against it.

“The world will soon witness what eventful steps the DPRK will take to frustrate the hideous and reckless sanctions racket”, he said without elaborating.

North Korea frequently makes unspecific threats in its state media.

The statement comes ahead of a first face-to-face meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The comment by the North’s foreign ministry spokesman came hours before the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill re-listing the North as a state sponsor of terror, along with a resolution denouncing the North’s nuclear and missile development. AFP

MOCOA, Colombia―Rescuers clawed through piles of mud and twisted debris Sunday searching for survivors after violent mudslides destroyed homes in southern Colombia, killing over 200 people and injuring hundreds more.

They were the latest victims of deadly floods and mudslides that have struck the Pacific side of South America over recent months, also killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.

In the southwestern Colombian town of Mocoa a sudden surge of mud and water swept away homes, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber buried in thick mud.

The mudslides slammed Mocoa late Friday after days of torrential rain in the Amazon basin area town of 40,000.

“The latest information we have is that there are 206 people confirmed dead, 202 injured, 220 missing, 17 neighborhoods hit hard,” Colombian Red Cross chief Cesar Uruena told AFP. On Sunday President Juan Manuel Santos is set to return to the town, the capital of Putumayo department, with cabinet ministers to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

Santos met with rescuers and survivors in Mocoa on Saturday, and declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations.

“Dear God, I don’t want to even remember that,” said street vendor Marta Ceballos, who survived the mudslide.

“To see how some people screamed, and others cried, ran, tried to flee in cars, on motorcycles, and how they were trapped in the mud. It’s all too, too difficult,” she told AFP. Ceballos said that she lost all of her material possessions. “The only things I fortunately did not lose were my husband, my daughters and my nephews,” she said. AFP

Mom, 2 kids add to flood death toll SYDNEY―The bodies of a “hero” mother and her two young children were pulled from a river in Australia Tuesday as the death toll rose from the cyclone-fueled floods that devastated parts of the country.

At least five people are now confirmed dead after lashing rain and powerful winds pummeled swathes of Queensland and New South Wales states over the past week, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. Three more remain missing.

In the most recent tragedy, the woman’s car plunged into the swollen Tweed River in northern New South Wales after veering off a muddy road on Monday, entombing the family. An eight-year-old girl escaped and alerted passers-by.

“Police divers have recovered three bodies from a submerged vehicle in Tweed River, near Tumbulgum,” police said, adding that the

sunken car had yet to be brought to the surface.

Local media said the dead were a 43-year-old woman, her son, 7, and daughter, 11 and that they were in the flood-ravaged area to help those affected.

Tweed Byron Local Area Commander Wayne Starling said he believed the young girl escaped with the help of her “remarkable” mother.

“That woman is a hero, she died trying to save her children,” he told reporters.

“The mother was trying to get one of the children out of the car when she passed away. She was holding the child.”

The worst of the weather is now over with category four Cyclone Debbie moving out to sea on Saturday, with a massive clean-up underway.

Residents in hard-hit areas, including the New South Wales

towns of Lismore, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, have been given the all-clear to return home after floodwaters washed through the region, leaving behind thick mud and mountains of debris.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the “thoughts and prayers of all Australians” were with those affected, with hundreds of homes and businesses either uninhabitable or destroyed.

“This has been a natural disaster that has spread the length and breadth of the east coast of Australia. Nature has flung her worst at Australians, which brought out the best,” he said.

“The solidarity, the cooperation, Australians pulling together, Australian Defense Forces, emergency services, police and the community and all levels of government working together to clean up, repair the damage and get back on their feet.” AFP

FOR SALE. ‘Osterpalmbuschen’ Easter decorations are for sale at an Easter market in Salzburg, Austria. AFP

Life

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. GMA

Artist Center star Gabbi Garcia is the first Filipina to become Pantene’s Asia ambassador.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

FASHION & BEAUTY

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Gabbi Garcia

Latest

‘it’

girl

Gabbi is grateful for her latest stint for an international brand

Gabbi stars in the latest Pantene TV commercial that will air in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia

P

ANTENE’S newest Asia ambassador is GMA Artist Center star Gabbi Garcia, and she is the first Filipina to become the front woman of the brand. She stars in the latest Pantene TV commercial that will air in 10 countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Australia.

Gabbi flew all the way to Australia to shoot the TV commercial and the print campaign, where she worked with awardwinning photographer and filmmaker Olivier Staub, Sydney-based Hollywood stylist Ellie Goodman, celebrity hair stylist Ken Arthur, and high-profile Filipino makeup artist Robbie Piñera.

The Kapuso star embraces challenge in this newest project, but is thankful that she has been trusted with an international brand. “It feels overwhelming, especially

knowing that the previous ambassadors are all strong and successful. But being in a big production where I work with people from different countries, I feel so empowered,” Gabbi continued.

A hundred days after her 18th birthday, Gabbi has set a new path for her career and she is just getting started. She takes being Asia’s newest Pantene ambassador as a platform to send every Filipina teen a message that believing anything is possible can make dreams come true.

Oli13’s brightly colored soles and discreet uppers create a cool, fuss-free style

Walk the summer in Jimmy Choo JIMMY Choo creative director Sandra Choi takes inspiration from extraordinary examples of one of a kind beauty found in nature for the Spring/Summer collection. The season’s motifs, once contemplated, undergo metamorphosis in a fusion of materials.

“I started by thinking about these staggeringly beautiful phenomena of nature, whose only designer is evolution—mindbogglingly gorgeous things. The 21st century has become so fastpaced we often forget to be still enough to look around and marvel at the wonders we co-exist with. I considered the sensibility it takes to be attuned to this kind of beauty: what it takes to have the perspective both to see it, and in a way also to be it.”

Choi considered Falling Gardens, the immersive botanical installation by artists Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger— a man-made work of art to aid the contemplation of such natural wonder. Then she looked at the attitude of spontaneously audacious expression displayed by style-ciphers such as Frida Kahlo and David Bowie.

From this creative petri dish has sprung a collection that combines magnificent handiwork, bold experiments in form, and powerfully potent color and decoration. Stiletto heels are broadened to add substance to their inherent sensuality.

A shoe-

boot is sliced by cutouts whose shapes recall flexed feathers bent back by flight. Hand stitched irispetal panels adorn sculpted sandals. Tinted Perspex inlays and paneling combine with tiered metallic palette sequins in an ode to nature’s architecture.

Key styles and new silhouettes include: Leather, square-joined tassels attract with movement play counterpoint to the delicate sheen of satin strapping in the Diamond sandal with delicacy and toughness in perfect balance atop a tapering heel. Duchess echoes the hand-made tassels with a 30mm block heel in three complementary color palettes, Black or Mocha with Honey Gold and Tea Rose with Anthracite.

Celebrating the fragile beauty of translucent petals with a sun lit backdrop, floral shaped Perspex panels in eye catching color combinations are the center of attention on the Lumia block heel sling back and the Light mule. Both open-toed styles come in combinations of raw and finished leather fabrication juxtaposed with layered leather petals in shades of Anthracite and Yellow, Honey Gold and Iris, and Pop Orange against Tan Layered hand-stitched panels that meander with the same natural grace of an iris decorate the Lolita heel and flat sandal. Delicate straps entwine the foot and ankle with an intricate arrangement of layered leather petals becoming a decorative corsage for the foot.

The Moscow open toe sandal with single sole finish is an innovatively light design with a wide Perspex ankle strap in attention grabbing shades of Gold, Jazzberry and Pop Orange glitter lurex.

Gleaming plumages of golden and iris colored iridescent

The young actress flew to Australia to shoot the TVC and the print campaign, where she worked with award-winning photographer Olivier Staub and high profile stylists

Simplicity is achieved in Artie hobo bag’s minimal design in color pop suede finish

layered pailletes encase the ankle and foot in these audaciously decorated styles. The Klara is a flat open toe sandal with combinations of clear or solid straps. The Kimrov plays mirrored leather piping against suede or vachetta leather with feathered details moving to the ankle strap.

The Isabella envelope clutch echoes the beauty in nature theme with two tightly fluted arcs of ruffle. Simultaneously signifying both wings and petals, they come in a broad array of fabrication ranging from gleamingfinish black to iridescent glittered lilac and gold.

The Artie hobo bag charms with a minimal design in color pop suede finishes. The Clover blends the casual functionality of the backpack with elegance. Its single strap is anchored by a gleaming metal circlet whose eye-catching proportion is complemented by its tasselled, tied closure and tactile organic texture.

In the Philippines, Jimmy Choo is in Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing.

Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

The intricate arrangement of layered leather petals on Lolita heel sandals make it a decorative foot corsage

Olistyle: 13 JUAN Luis’ knowledge about high-end shoemaking and his passion for design shared with Isabel led them to create Oli13 in Barcelona in 2013.

Oli13 is what they do and how they do it, accessible, optimistic and lively. Since their very first shoe, the EE1929, named after their grandfather, they have been working thier own lasts and molds to achieve a harmonious and stylized silhouette with a very comfortable fit. Color has also been present from the outset with combinations of brightly colored soles and more discreet uppers to create a cool but fuss-free style.

They manufacture in Spain, keeping expert rafting and tradition alive but also looking to the future. The double height and the subtle curve of our soles, unique features of their shoes, represent this movement and forward vision.

They use environmentally-friendly materials: natural rubber, made in green fabrics. So just like when they go to the country, they like to touch the ground, they want their shoes to come from there.

The collections are handmade in a small Spanish village with a strong tradition of the artisanal vulcanized system, consisting of fixing the fabric and the natural rubber of the sole at a temperature of 150 degrees without the use of chemical products—just with heat and pressure.

New molds and lasts have been created exclusively for Oli13 to give the shoes their unique shape, a preEach shoe cise task made by hand using a hammer and a diaof the brand mond tool to mold each detail of the sole. is manuOli13 is exclusively available in Rustan’s Makafactured in ti, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Gateway Mall, Spain and Rustan’s Alabang Town Center and Rustan’s Cebu. made of

Accessible, optimistic, and lively

eco-friendly materials

New molds and lasts have been created exclusively for Oli13 to give the shoes their unique shape

Life

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 isahred@gmail.com From left: Vice president for Finance Dennis Aquino, marketing director Cathy Aquino, president Jorge Aquino, Medical Director of SvelT’i Health and Beauty Centre Dr. Lalaine Salazar and digital influencer Duane Bacon

Emerge uses laser technology to do lasting work under the affected layers of the skin

Allow your most beautiful skin to emerge

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HESE days, a healthy, glowing, and perhaps even radiant skin is considered a must for many people, regardless where they work or the kind of lifestyle they enjoy. The overall sense of happiness and fulfillment from the unblemished appearance connotes confidence and professionalism that cannot help but positively touch the lives of their friends, colleagues, and loved ones as well. It projects a freedom from illness and the stress that comes with the struggles of making a living in the perpetually busy city.

Triggers in the environment and one’s lifestyle can affect skin health. Failure to address these skin conditions at the right time for earlier diagnosis can also worsen them. For example, if unattended, acne can leave scars on the face and body that are difficult to remove. Excessive and unregulated exposure to the sun can also trigger skin conditions like melasma. The natural aging process can leave fine lines and wrinkles that may become an almost permanent fixture on the face over time. The same thing happens to a mother’s stretch marks if she leaves them unattended for a significant period of time.

These skin conditions can only be addressed

by treatments that have been designed to effect long-lasting care. One such treatment that can be found in the SvelT’i Health and Beauty Centre in Quezon City is the cutting-edge, patient-friendly solution, appropriately known as Emerge. Emerge is a non-invasive, non-surgical approach that uses laser technology to do lasting work under the affected layers of the skin.

Emerge is more effective than most skin treatments because it addresses the skin problems at their roots.

Dr. Lalaine Salazar, medical director of SvelT’i Health and Beauty Centre, explains, “The healing that Emerge provides lasts longer because it

Makeup techniques course in Manila AN intensive master certificate course on Airbrush Makeup Techniques for Screen and Media is offered at The School for Professional and Continuing Education (SPaCE) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) for six Saturdays, from April 22 to May 27.

In partnership with Sprint Asia Beauty, a Philippine-based source of imported revolutionary makeup, the class is offered due to high-definition makeup and airbrush makeup’s popular demand in the wedding and entertainment industries.

Registration fee is P38,000, and comes with a free Temptu Pro airbrush kit. An early-bird discount of P36,324 will be given to those who will register two weeks before the start of the module.

Classes will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m..

For inquiries and registration requirements, contact Raffy Aguinaldo, Jr. or Lynn Garcia at (02) 230-5100, (02) 4007405, and (02) 400-5425. Also visit https://sites.google.com/a/benilde.edu.ph/ design-programs/home/master-certificate-in-airbrush-make-up-techniquesfor-screen-and-media SPaCE is located at the 4th Floor, School of Design an Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.

Participants to the Airbrush Makeup Techniques course will get a free Temptu Pro airbrush kit

focuses on the affected parts of the skin which lie a few layers below the epidermis or the surface.

Fractional skin resurfacing with Palomar uses laser energy microbeams to create new layers of skin on the affected area that extends through the epidermis into the dermis. The body’s natural healing process allows new, healthy tissue to replace the areas of affected tissue, resulting in healthier, younger-looking skin.”

“Emerge triggers the production of collagen under the skin of the affected area such as a scar on the cheek, a wrinkle on the forehead, or a stretch mark on the stomach. Collagen is the body’s natural substance that rejuvenates and softens the skin

Emerge is highly recommended for people who have deep-pitted scars from severe acne condition and makes it look young,” Dr. Salazar continues.

Treatment of scars and wrinkles

Emerge is highly recommended for people who are suffering from deep-pitted scars resulting from previous severe acne condition.

It also addresses the concerns of patients with wrinkles: it arrests the development of these aging symptoms even before they start; it also reduces the ones that have already gathered almost as a mass on the affected area.

“There is minimal to no downtime,” enthuses Dr. Salazar. “Each session is conducted for only 30 minutes. The patient can go home, shop in the mall, or return to work. They can resume their activities without any inconvenience.”

Prior to the treatment, a consultation with each patient is conducted to determine how Emerge can be best applied to respond to their unique needs. “Our solutions are customized,” says Dr. Salazar. “Each patient has their own unique medical history which can explain how

they acquired such conditions. Our application of Emerge is designed to bring out the best possible result for the patient while taking into consideration their lifestyle and work activity.”

Emerge is designed to make the patients emerge at their best in all spheres of their lives. From a busy boardroom to a sunny beach, they can radiate their best, basking in the new confidence that their rejuvenated skin has given them.

“After one treatment, you can see results,” says Dr. Salazar. “Commitment on the part of the patients is needed until the desired long-term result is achieved.”

To know more about the treatments that SvelT’i provides, inquire at (02) 332-7546 / 09188-SVELTI (783584) or visit the clinic at 5/F South Insula Condominium, #61 Timog Avenue, Quezon City for free consultation from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. . You may also visit SvelT’i FB page on www.facebook.com/sveltiph and IG account @SVELTI_PH.

VANITY CORNER

Nail that #travelgoals Get chic and Instagram-worthy nails this summer with Caronia’s travelinspired Escapades Collection. The new line of nail polish is composed of three shades of gray; each matches a particular traveler’s personality.

For the adventurous type who loves trying things out of their comfort zone, the dark gray shade of Break Free is the right choice. Those who enjoy long rides and the green sceneries along the way would love the mossy shade of Road Trip. And those who fancy having a quick escape from time to time would find Day Off the ideal nail polish for a light weekend getaway.

Get the collection in the limited edition promo pack for a chance to win cool items for your next escapade.

Caronia Escapades Collection is available in major retailers, supermarkets, department stores and drugstores nationwide.

Colored hair, don’t care HAIR coloring has become a form of expression for those who have or had their tresses colored; or a way to change one’s looks. Regardless of drives and differences, one thing remains the same among those who love to color their hair: the fear of damage.

L’Oreal Professionnel makes it possible for everyone to try whichever color transformation they desire without having to fear damage with its new hair color additive, Smartbond. Smartbond acts as a bond strengthening system, which restores weak bonds and protects strong bonds. The technology lies in its blend of ceramide, polymers, and a new acid.

Go to your salon to ask them about Smartbond. To know more, visit www.lorealprofessionnel.com.

The scents of a man Men, just like women, have different tastes when it comes to fragrance: some prefer musky and earthy, while others veer towards clean and aquatic.

Blackwater offers its flagship Classic line composed of timeless scents.

Blackwater Classic Aqua features an out-of-shower scent that smells clean and fresh all day, the woodsy fragrance of Blackwater Classic Ambitious is for those who embrace their confident and masculine side, while Blackwater Classic Dynamic has a darker and more intense earthy mixture, and the grassy notes of Blackwater Classic Sporty hits the right balance of clean and sexy.

The Fame line, on the other hand, is composed of the clean and fresh scent of Magnetic, and the deeper and addicting smell of Mysterious. Further, the Blackwater Gold eau de toilette caters to men who like to indulge. And the Sports collection has four trendy body spray choices whose citrusy scents keep athletes and active individuals smelling fresh while training.

These Blackwater fragrances are available in supermarkets, department stores, drugstores and beauty stores nationwide.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

‘Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream’ hails 6 finalists as grand winners

'I Dare to Dream' mentor Lea Salonga names all six finalists, namely Hyacinth Leonado, Stephanie Jordan, Liana San Diego, Jaden Narvios, Alexi Tan, and Sirach Catipay, as grand winners of Disney and Globe Studios' first ever digital reality series

I

T’S one thing for Lea Salonga to hold a concert, but it’s another for her to lead a magical night to sing Disney classics with the country’s best singers. That’s what happened on March 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena, when the Disney Legend performed with the country’s best belters in Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream, the concert that crowned the winner of Disney and Globe Studio’s first digital reality series Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream.

Out of hundreds of girls that auditioned for the series, six young and vibrant girls were chosen to start their quest to reach their dreams.

Carrying Disney values and sharing their own life stories, the girls went on a journey of self-discovery and confidence with Salonga alongside mentors from different industries.

The six finalists were Sirach Catipay, an aspiring chef who wants to share the world’s cuisines to others; Stephanie Jordan, a singing competition contestant who wants to enter the world of hosting; Hyacinth Leonado, who dreams of becoming a Broadway singer and actress; Jaden Narvios, who wants to be the president of the Philippines; Liana San Diego, who wants to be a veterinarian; and Alexi Tan, who’s striving to become an animator.

Together with Salonga, the girls were each mentored by top chef Jessie Sincioco, YouTuber and host Charisma Star, theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, social educator Efren Peñaflorida, veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato, and animator Tito Romero. They were also joined by vlogger Janina Vela, who served as the guiding elder sister.

At the end of the concert, in a surprising turn of events, Salonga announced all six girls as winners of Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream. As grand winners, all them flew to Japan for the premiere of the liveaction adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. They also had a chance to meet and greet Disney Legend and composer Alan Menken and director, screenwriter Bill Condon, and visit Tokyo Disneyland.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, April 5, 2017

ACROSS 1 Medieval tales 6 PC screens 10 Frontier, once 14 Pong creator 15 Busy places 16 Harness part 17 Touch base (2 wds.)

18 Shepard or Greenspan 19 Disney CEO Bob — 20 Spread thickly 22 Globe substitute 23 Kachina doll maker 24 Genuine 26 KLM rival 29 Ricci or Foch 31 Pasture sound 32 Std. 33 Nature’s bandage 34 Gauchos locale 38 Kin’s partner 40 Well-known uncle 42 Tusked animal 43 Flowed out 46 Anagram for vats 49 Mohawksporting actor (2 wds.)

50 Central

51 Proofread 52 Soup ingredient 53 Indonesia’s capital 57 Obey 59 Coeur d’—, Idaho 60 Scowling 65 Explore sunken ships 66 Stead 67 Cowboy meet 68 Malicious 69 Sorrowful cry 70 January, in Jalisco 71 Withhold 72 Dried up 73 Exorcist’s quarry DOWN 1 Gangland guns 2 Term paper abbr.

(2 wds.)

3 “Beowulf,” e.g.

4 Kind of serum 5 Draws off 6 Queens, in old Russia 7 Actor’s quest 8 Warty critters 9 Job application info 10 Poet James — Riley 11 Silent flyer 12 Finger-paint 13 Succinct

21 Grand in scale 22 Dwarf buffalo 25 Holy terror 26 Rice wine 27 Hertz rival 28 Certain NCOs 30 Diminish 35 Magnificence 36 Berne’s river 37 Mex. miss 39 Compassionately 41 Pandemonium 44 Gael republic 45 Banned bug spray

47 Point of — 48 Took the helm 53 Blase 54 Still in the game 55 McHale of the NBA 56 Nimble 58 Male honeybee 61 Noted limerick writer 62 Footnote word 63 Orchid-loving Wolfe 64 Mob member 66 Fa followers

“Globe recognizes the change in how Filipinos consume entertainment, content is on demand now, so we brought this unique show to where most Filipino are: online. Both the concert and the digital reality series are a celebration of young kids everywhere who are dreaming big. It was tough to select only one winner from a pool of incredible girls. They are talented in their own way, and have shown remarkable depth and maturity. All the Disney princesses got their happy endings, and we felt that they should, too,” shares Quark Henares, Head of Globe Studios.

Salonga led a series of spectacular performances of Disney songs with Christian Bautista, KC Concepcion, Sam Concepcion, Morissette, Julie Anne San Jose, Tippy Dos Santos, Aicelle Santos, Erik Santos, and Janina Vela, who performed favorites like Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest,” The Little Mermaid’s “Under the Sea,” Aladdin’s “A Whole New World,” and Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go.” What’s next for these girls?

It’s hard to tell because they’re so young, but joining the series allowed them to be one step closer to becoming a chef, a host, a Broadway singer, president of the Philippines, a veterinarian, and an illustrator.

And it all began with a dream in their mind and a wish in their heart.

To learn more about the cast and watch all the episodes of Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream, visit Globe Telecom’s YouTube channel or www. idaretodream.ph. This will also be aired on Disney Channel and on the Disney Channel mobile app in May.

An ultimate survival challenge CAN you survive in six lethal environments over the course of 60 days?

This was the main question asked to the six brave hearts participating in Discovery Channel’s new adventure series The Wheel, which premieres next week.

The show challenges participants to survive in six distinctly grueling landscapes across South America. With every turn of the wheel, each survivalist is dropped into a new isolated location, exposed to the world’s deadliest terrains including freezing tundra, rugged mountains and treacherous rainforest.

The participants are not typical survival experts, but rather everyday people with something to prove. Unbeknownst to them, the wheel is a mechanism that mirrors the lunar calendar. With every phase of the moon, the wheel will turn and send each person to a new eco-zone. The amount of time at each location is revealed only to viewers, leaving the survivors to agonize and obsess over when the wheel will spin again. As every rotation thrusts them—without warning —into a new harrowing domain, participants are completely at the wheel’s mercy.

Manila Standard had a chance to delve into the psyche of some of the participants to the show to know how dangerous, challenging and unpredictable the survival series was.

According to Luke Soderling, a plumber from Gilbert, Minnesota, who is also a cancer survivor, the emotional fact of missing his family was the hardest part of embarking on this challenging and thrilling journey.

“It was very difficult to be away from them and to think about them and not become preoccupied by that, I had to consciously put my game face on and focus on what I had to do and no longer think about my family,” Soderling admitted.

For Shon Joyner, a former Marine from Indianapolis, Indiana, he felt like he was being challenged mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically everyday going about his tasks.

“Sometimes I would wake up in the morning and I will feel good physically and then weaken at certain aspect and then sometimes I would feel horrible

physically, and then I will feel great of something else,” he said.

Apart from being away from their family, both participants also discussed about having no contact with the rest of the world.

For 60 days, they were back to basics without using any kind of technology except for light survival packs and SOS devices that can be used at any time to quit the challenge and call for help. Also, they must fend for their lives by procuring food, water and shelter.

“It was a tremendous culture shock, used to having a relatively easy life. My routine exists of or consists of waking up hungry and spending hours before I could eventually even eat and it was very-very different, it was incredibly raw in this row, it was amazing experience,” Soderling recalled and added that he somehow felt good without technology by his side.

“It stripped away all the superficial things that we spend our time on and waste time on.

I regret every minute I spent on my phone when I could have been with my kids.”

One of the challenges, Joyner pointed out, is that the show is entirely new. They battle the elements and their own mental stamina without any idea how the show would really end or what challenges would come next.

“It brought a lot of pressure. If there would have been a season before us we could have seen how everything worked a little bit and I think it would have given us all a little bit more of an advantage,” the former Marine noted.

Soderling and Joyner feel privileged that they became part of the show as it gave them a whole new experience and tested their abilities.

“From the experience, mother nature definitely humbled me and you know you can plan as much as you want of how you think you are going to live in the wilderness but when weather gets thrown at you, when you have certain things happen to you with the animals or predators in the area definitely gained a whole new respect for mother nature,” Joyner ended.

The Wheel premieres on April 11 at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel.

The cast of Discovery Channel's adventure series 'The Wheel'

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

RADIO’S ‘AKSYONLADY’

raring to go back on the air H ER listeners have not heard her voice on radio, DZMM, particularly, from which she resigned on Dec. 2 last year to join DZRJ 810 AM which she now heads as president of 8 TriMedia Pro, Inc., the company that operates the station.

It has been three months since Kaye Dacer last sat on board a radio booth, and as she spoke to some members of the press recently at the receiving area of the radio station she heads, her eagerness to be on the air again was most evident in the tone of her radio-friendly voice and in the facial expression each time she would emphasize a point why she isn’t on the air yet.

There’s a one-year embargo for talents and employees of ABS-CBN to appear or be heard on a competing entity. She affirmed that when she was asked why. Yet, she said she wanted to meet with the management of ABS-CBN radio and seek elucidation on the ban.

Meanwhile, she contents herself with sitting as guest on the station’s programs. During the time we met her, showbiz writers and hosts of an afternoon showbiz-oriented show Mildred Bacud and Rommel Placente put her on the air as she answered questions from members of the media (including this author).

The Action Lady of Philippine Broadcasting Kaye Dacer said that she has put up Akyson Lady Center for her listeners on the other station looking where they can connect with her. The center is open daily, morning to evening, and allows her listeners to meet Kaye in person.

“In the meantime that I can’t be back on board full time (as she awaits decision from the management of the station she had left behind), the center is where my listeners and I can get personal,” she said.

Dacer has been serving the society’s underprivileged sector for almost 20 years now.

As the voice of the less fortunate, she fought courageously to help them get the justice they deserve.

As president of the radio station, her role is not only to be anchor of a program. “I am also responsible for what the listeners hear on the air, who anchors the shows and where the shows would take them.

Metro Manila KBP Chairman and industry pillar Rey Langit is one DZRJ’s top anchors.

Also in the radio network are radio journalists Angelo Almonte (also from ABS CBN DZMM, Gani Oro (from GMA’s DZBB and CNN Philippines), Neil Ocampo (another one from ABS CBN DZMM and DZRH), industry pioneer Joey Falcon and senior anchors Percy Lapid, Miguel Gil, and Jimmy Morato.

ISAH V. RED

The station has also signed showbiz personalities Shalala and Aster Amoyo and some of the members of the Philippine Movie Press Club, like Rodel Fernando, Mildred Bacud and Rommel Placente, along with public service advocates Pia Morato, Bernard Tan, Hannah Seneres, Gemma Gumamela, Ryan George, and Sir Tsip General Sammy Pagdilao.

Rey Salinel, Edwin Bien, Cecil Catapang, Sonny Villoria, Charlie Mendez. and John Reyes also joined 8 TriMedia .

Recently, actress Vivian Velez also sits on board with her show Double V. With Dacer at the helm, the team of 8 TriMedia promises that public service will surely be no. 1.

C u r r e n t l y, D Z R J 810 AM is the fastest growing AM radio.

It now has a parallel broadcast on cable TV.

iPhoto

Vista Land Chairman Manny Villar welcomes Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) grand champion Noven Belleza and finalists, from left, Sam Mangubat, Marielle Montellano, Pauline Agupitan, and Froilan Canlas during the winners’ courtesy call at Coffee Project Shaw in Mandaluyong.

As part of the grand prize of the ABS-CBN’s hit singing contest, Villar’s company, Camella, gave away a brand new house and lot to TNT grand champion, Noven.

Radio/TV anchor and now president of 8 TriMedia Pro Inc. Kaye Dacer expresses her eagerness to be on the air again

So, will AksonLady’s listeners still miss her?

“Not for long on the air,” Kaye Dacer said. *** Rochelle Pangilinan is grateful to her haters.

Meanwhile, Ruru Madrid and Glaiza de Castro want to hurt Neil Ryan Sese.

And that’s only because both Sese and Pangilinan who play Asval and Andora in the telefantasya Encantadia are responsible for the demise of Lira (Mikee Quintos) and Mira (Kate Valdez), the former as the daughter of Ybrahim (Madrid) and the latter Pirena’s (De Castro) daughter.

Pangilinan has been deluged with hate comments on the social media networks. Instead of being affected, she simply said, “Avisala Eshma sa lahat ng nanunuod ng Encantadia. Alam kong kayo ay nagagalit ngunit... maraming salamat.”

Meanwhile, Sese said he felt threatened when he sat near Madrid and De Castro. He posted his

feelings on his Instagram account who said it was an awkward moment and added, “Time to move on.”

But how?

“Paano nga kaya kami makaka-move on sa pagkamatay ng dalawa sa mga mahagalang karakter sa Encantadia?”

Well, it’s hard to accept death, really! *** Fans of the primetime drama series Destined To Be Yours agree that lead actor Alden Richards surfaced in the series’ recent episodes.

Said the fans, “Alden has only shown a bit of his talent and we will expect even more as the series progresses.”

Alden’s fans are glad to see him in dramatic scenes, after all it has been awhile since they saw him in serious acting mode.

And Maine Mendoza?

The fans also expect the newbie to level up with Alden in the series.

‘The Greatest Love’

bows out soon, grateful for Kapamilya fans’ support

GLORIA’S (Sylvia Sanchez) story of love for her children and sacrifices to keep her family intact in The Greatest Love touched and left valuable lessons to viewers nationwide.

Her character showed the strength and the unconditional love of parents for their children, proving that there is no greater love than a mother’s love.

The series also became an avenue to shed light about Alzheimer’s disease and its effect to filial relationships. But Gloria and her children Amanda (Dimples Romana), Andrei (Matt Evans), Paeng (Aaron Villaflor), Lizelle (Andi Eigenmann), and grandson Z (Joshua Garcia) proved that The cast of 'The Greatest Love' (from left) Aaron Villaflor, Andi Eigenmann, everyone can rise from such Sylvia Sanchez, Dimples Romana and Joshua Garcia adversity when there is love and hope in everyone’s hearts.

With the unwavering support of viewers, Sylvia scenes of The Greatest Love, which consistently wins Sanchez, the series’ lead star, is grateful to everyone who the ratings game every afternoon. It hit an all-time high follows the journey of her character Gloria. national TV rating of 20.4 percent, according to data “I will never forget the love and respect as a person from Kantar Media. The series is also a regular trending and as an artist the viewers made me feel,” said Sylvia. “I topic online. am sad that we are parting ways. But I am happy because Meanwhile, the series became an avenue to teach the show will end well and people like it.” viewers about Alzheimer’s disease as it organized Sylvia also said that the touching story the forum “Remembering Our Greatest Love: An strengthened her relationship with her own family and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Forum” with the help of changed her perception on love. “Family is the most the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines important thing in the world. Also, no one can keep apart (ADAP). two people who are destined for each other,” she said.

It airs its finale on April 21 (Friday), serving up more Viewers nationwide tuned in to the heart-wrenching explosive revelations set to surprise viewers.