Manila Standard - 2017 April 20 - Thursday

‘VERY LOUD SOUND’ PRECEDED BUS CRASH

By Ben Moses Ebreo and Ferdie G. Domingo

VOL. XXXI • NO. 65 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

END OF THE ROAD. This handout photo, taken on Tuesday and released by the Municipal Disaster, Risk Reduction and Management-Carranglan, shows rescuers carrying a stretcher with one of the victims after a passenger bus fell into a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. At least 32 have been reported dead by authorities. AFP

Uproar over honorary title; Rody junks offer

By John Paolo Bencito, Rio N. Araja, F. Pearl A. Gajunera and Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER creating a stir over an alleged plan to confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Rodrigo Duterte, the UP Board of Regents on Wednesday said there was no such proposal after all.

Word of the honorary degree had sparked outrage among critics of the President, and a strongly worded defense from his son, Davao Vice Mayor Paulo Duterte, as well as a reaction from the Palace.

Duterte himself said he would decline such an award, if it were offered to him.

“With due respect to the University of the Philippines, I do not accept... I do not accept, as a matter of personal and official policy, I do not accept awards,” the President said in an interview after a command conference in Bohol province.

“I did not reject it… I simply declined,” he said.

In an April 19 letter to members of the 11-man Board of Regents,

lawyer Roberto Lara, University and BOR secretary, clarified that following a review of taped recordings of the proceedings of a recent board meeting, there was no motion “to confer honorary degree upon certain proposed conferees,” referring to Duterte.

“The statement to that effect as appears in the summary is incorrect,” Lara said, adding that Senator Francis Escudero, who sits on the board, made no such proposal.

“I deeply regret this error for which I take full responsibility. I apologize profusely to Regent Escudero for any unintended effect this may have created, and to all any inconvenience caused,” he added.

According to the summary of the board resolutions, the motion to confer an honorary degree on Duterte was initiated by Escudero and seconded by regents Frederick Mikhail Farolan and Angelo Jimenez.

This Summary of Resolutions was later revised to delete the phrase “upon motion of Senator Regent Escudero.”

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‘Kill order’ out vs all terrorists

Du30 puts up P1-m bounty on each ASG member

By John Paolo Bencito, Francisco Tuyay and Florante S. Solmerin

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday offered a P1-million bounty for each of the six Abu Sayyaf bandits who escape in a deadly encounter with security forces in Inabanga, Bohol, last week as he urged civilians to take up arms and kill off the terrorists.

“My order to the police and to everyone, and even to the civilians... is [to get them] dead or alive,” Duterte said in Filipino after receiving a security briefing in Tagbilaran, Bohol Wednesday ahead of the ongoing Asean-related meetings being held in the province.

“Just a tip--give them to the police and the military, no questions asked, we’ll not even give you names. Just tell the govern-

ment and we will be in charge,” he said.

On Sunday, Duterte told security forces to finish off the Abu Sayyaf as another of the terrorist group’s sub-leaders, Alhabisi Misaya, was spotted in Negros Oriental, constituting a threat to nearby Apo Island, Sumilon Island and Siquijor.

Last week, Abu Sayyaf bandits planning a terrorist attack clashed with police and troops

Palace exec deals Gina Drug war rebuke with stay order support

By John Paolo Bencito, Rio N. Araja and Anna Leah E. Gonzales EXECUTIVE Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday rejected the accusation of Environment Secretary Regina Lopez that he was siding with suspended mining companies when he issued a stay order against her directive that they pay P2 million per hectare of damaged farmland before being allowed to remove their stockpiles.

“The stay order issued by the [Office of the President] is not a final order but a mere provisional measure to prevent substantial damage that may result unless extracted ores are shipped out,” Medialdea said in a text message Wednesday.

“The stay order does not contradict the President’s policy against destructive mining operations. It is provisional in character and may be set aside or modified at any time during the pendency of the appeal,” he added.

On Wednesday, Lopez accused Medialdea of going “against the very spirit of the Duterte administration, which is to help the poor” when he allowed mining companies to remove their stockpiles even before they remit P2 million per damaged hectare to a trust fund.

“The OP has not taken any legal position regarding the validity of the DENR requirement for mining companies to remit P2 million per hectare to a trust Next page

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Ian Boy Fernandez, 12, one of the survivors of the ill-fated Leomarick bus that fell into a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, heard an unusual sound coming from the bus’ engine that prompted him to jump out of the window to save himself.

“I heard the engine sound, it was very loud. As if the gears malfunctioned so I decided to jump before it rammed a concrete barrier and eventually fell into the ravine,” he said in Ilocano.

Fernandez said he saw sprawled bodies of the passengers who were asking for help after the bus split into many parts.

“There were many bystanders who came but only took pictures with their cellphones instead of helping. The Igorots who were living in the vicinity were the ones who came in to help us,” Fernandez said.

Health officials here said more than 30 passengers died while more than 20 more were being treated and confined in various hospitals in the province.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, provincial health officer, identified 11 fatalities as Ruperto Maddawin, Gilbert Mariano Sr., Judy Marquez, Rosalyn Bondoc, Cherry Mae Salem, Jovita Returban, Alfredo Locero, Gladys Pacada, Catherine Manglapus, Luisa Pahinag, and Jessabel Lalmas.

The victims were from the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Abra, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan.

“We are still in the process of identifying the other dead victims. Relatives of the dead and injured are now in the province to claim their bodies,” he said. Next page

in nearby Inabanga, Bohol, leaving nine people dead, including the leader of the operation, Abu Rami.

The President called on civilians to kill the jihadists, as he ordered an intensified crackdown on the terrorist group, even in their lairs in Sulu.

“Well I hope it would not reach that point where we have to choose the last option. Because if that’s the case, I will maybe invade Jolo. A real invasion where people will get hurt--civilians, children. If the country is in a bind, I will order the invasion of Jolo. The entire Army, Navy will go there, and that’s where the real fighting will be. If that’s what they want, I’ll give it to them,” he said in Filipino.

The province of Bohol is currently hosting the Intercessional

Regional Economic Partnership Trade Negotiating Committee from April 19 to 21.

In a Palace press briefing, Asean National Organizing Committee Director-General Marciano Paynor said the government is beefing up security following the recent fighting in Bohol.

“When the incidents unfolded last week, we, of course, had an emergency meeting and as part of the NOC, we have a Committee on Security and Disaster Preparedness. So they went to Bohol, I did go also and we had a brief meeting,” Paynor told reporters.

He said the Security Committee felt that the situation has been contained and therefore, the meeting should go on adding that “it was natural, of course, for some of the embassies to ask us our plans.”

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ASEAN SECURITY. President

Rodrigo Duterte chats Wednesday with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the security briefing for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related meetings at the Philippine Ports Authority Conference Room in Bohol, with the four-day Asean Summit due to begin in seven days.

Malacañang Photo

waning— Magdalo

By Maricel V. Cruz A STAUNCH critic of President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday warned Malacañang not to belittle the 11-point drop in the public satisfaction with the government’s drug war as shown by the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

Rep. Gary Alejano, an opposition lawmaker who filed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, said the Palace should not be complacent over the public’s “waning support” for the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

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gears up for Asean Summit hosting Enormous PH

By John Paolo Bencito shipworm unearthed SCIENTISTS’ DISCOVERY. This undated

handout photo, made available Wednesday by Marvin Altamia, shows the length of a giant shipworm, a species never before studied, after removal from its shell, at a laboratory in Manila. Extremely rare live specimens of a giant shipworm have been found for the first time in southern Philippine waters. AFP

AN ENORMOUS black worm that lives in the mud of the sea floor and survives on the remnants of noxious gases digested by bacteria has been unveiled by scientists for the first time.

The slimy giant shipworm can grow up to five feet in length, and despite living a sedentary Next page

PREPARATIONS are underway for the Philippines’ hosting of 30th Asean summit in Manila on April 26 to 29, which will coincide with state visits of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, a senior official said Wednesday.

Asean National Organizing Committee Director-General Marciano Paynor said their top priority was having a zero-incident type of meeting as the leaders of the 10 Asean member countries came here for the

annual regional meeting.

“It’s very difficult to prepare for something that you are not really totally and fully aware of. So we try as much as we can to harden venues...in our security preparations,” Paynor told reporters.

“So we’re doing all that and we are beefing up our security elements.”

In other developments: • United States President Donald Trump has confirmed to President Rodrigo Duterte his visit to the Philippines this November and his attendance to the Asean Summit, Paynor said.

“President Trump has already indicated that he is coming in November,” Paynor said.

• Duterte will welcome next week Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and President Joko Widodo of Indonesia.

Paynor said the meeting with the Brunei leader will be held on April 28 and with the Indonesian leader on April 29.

• Optimism is high that a framework on the Code of Conduct on the West Philippine Sea will be completed during the Philippines’ Next page

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Employee sets 22-km swim for poll listup

By Vito Barcelo A COMMISSION on Elections employee will attempt to swim the waters of Tañon Strait in a bid to promote voter registration, which will end on April 29.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the election officer, Ingemar Macarine of Tubigon, Bohol, will swim nonstop and unassisted across the 22-kilometer distance from Dumaguete City to Siquijor on Wednesday, April 19.

A triathlete and environmental lawyer, Macarine will endure a 22-kilometer open water swim across Tañon Strait, between Negros Oriental and the “enchanted island” of Siquijor to encourage qualified applicants to participate in the ongoing voter registration ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 23, 2017.

The Comelec is urging the public to take the time to register.

Jimenez had previously said that despite possible postponement of this year’s polls, if voters register now they can still vote in succeeding elections.

He said that Comelec have so far received a total of 2,174,601 applications for registration from Nov. 7, 2016 to March 25, 2017 in the ongoing registration of voters nationwide.

The Comelec expects at least 5 million new voters.

Applications received from regular registrants nationwide were 1,558,892, while those from SK registrants numbered 615,709.

Region III obtained the highest number of SK applications at 80,696 out of the total of 324,408, which include those from the 18 years old and above age bracket.

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chairmanship of Asean, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

• “As President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary [Enrique] Manalo have mentioned a few times, we are hopeful that we will have a framework on the Code of Conduct within our chairmanship year,” acting Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said.

Paynor said part of the 137 meetings that will be hosted by the country were the meetings on the 26th with the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to Asean while the discussions on the BIMPEAGA and the Asean Senior Officials Preparatory meetings will be happening on the 27th.

Several activities will happen on the 28th, including the Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle Senior Officials Preparatory Meetings, the Asean Business Advisory Council Prosperity for All Summit; we have the 14th Asean Leadership Forum; the Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting; the 15th Asean Political Security Council Meeting; and the 19th Asean Coordinating Council Meeting.

The highlight of the visit will be the Leaders’ summit on the 29th, where all 10 leaders of Asean member countries will be meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center and will hold a leaders’ retreat at the Coconut Palace.

President Rodrigo Duterte will also be hosting a gala dinner for all 10 leaders.

Paynor said the country had beefed up security preparations in Bohol, where an Asean trade meeting is under way.

Last week, suspected Abu Sayyaf members engaged government troopers in a gunfight in Inabanga town that resulted to the killing of six suspected members of the bandit group, three soldiers, and one policeman.

The area is some 71 kilometers from the capital Tagbilaran City and the adjoining Panglao Island where Asean traders are attending the Intercessional Regional Economic Partnership Trade Negotiating Committee from April 19 to 21. With PNA

News

CoA: Dismal rating for MTRCB

The agency’s performance audit on the MTRCB, released on April 18, showed Pangasinan, Bukidnon, Abra, Cotabato, Marinduque, Ilocos Norte,

Sarangani, Guimaras, Sulu, Basilan, Siquijor, Camiguin and Sorsogon were among the provinces included in the draft plan for 61 priority areas.

“However, out of the 61 areas, only three, Pangasinan, Bukidnon and Ilocos Norte, representing 4.92 percent were covered in accordance to the draft plan, CoA’s report said.

“The Matalinong Panonood program was not held in areas included in the draft plan due to reasons such as time conflict with the resource person, no communication with the contact persons and unpleasant weather.”

The censors board went doubling back repeatedly in several areas that were not even in the draft plan, such as Aklan twice and Ateneo de Manila University eight times.

Despite a very low coverage,

‘Kill...

“No problem. I’ll take care of you. I’ll pardon you. Whatever,” he said.

The Armed Forces is still hunting the remaining terrorists.

On Wednesday, military officials said 34 drug-crazed prospective recruits of the Abu Sayyaf were captured and a bandit was killed in a clash with security forces that raided a supposed drug den on the outskirts of Patikul, Sulu Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu said the 34 suspects, including a female, were captured shortly after brief clash

that led to the killing of an ASG member following the conduct of law enforcement operations in Barangay Danag, Patikul town at 4 a.m.

Sobejana said an Army soldier was also wounded during the latest operations against the bandit group.

He said members of the Sulu PNP and soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion were about to serve warrant of arrest against the drug suspects supplying drugs to the ASG when one of them resisted sparking an ensued skirmish that led to the death of the ASG member.

“The wheel burst and that caused the bus to fall into ravine. It seems that it [the bus] was overloaded. Because of the overloading, it was beyond the capacity of the wheel to hold,” Yarra, the provincial police chief, said.

He said a count determined there were 77 passengers on board, much higher than earlier estimates.

He declined to say who might be held responsible as the investigation was ongoing.

Carranglan Mayor Mary Abad blamed drivers for the frequent accidents at the site and asked the national government to build an alternative route in Dalton Pass.

“We have already installed signs that it is a sharp curve so drivers of various types of vehicles should slow down when approaching this site. The problem with these drivers is they are reckless,” she said.

Abad said that in past years, passenger buses and truckloads

of palay also fell into the ravine.

Abad said that it’s high time for the national government to pursue the construction of an alternate route to Dalton Pass which will skirt the Capintalan portion.

Senator Grace Poe called again for the creation of a National Transport Safety Board following the Nueva Ecija bus accident that killed at least 32 people.

In a statement, Poe also said the necessary assistance should be extended by authorities and the bus company to the victims and their relatives.

She also cited the need for a thorough investigation to hold liable those responsible and give justice to victims,” Poe said.

“This incident again underscored the need for a National Transport Safety Board to conduct an independent probe on accidents and create policies and programs to avoid dangers on the road,” said Poe. With Macon Ramos Araneta

environment and to the affected communities.”

“What will happen to the farmers who are not within the rehabilitation area? Who will take [good] care of them?” she asked.

Because of Medialdea’s intervention, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau cannot prevent mining companies from taking away their stockpile.

“Now, I cannot stop them. Like in Zambales, they were bringing the ore. The military and National Bureau of Investigation cannot stop them.‘You’re going against the law. Why are you taking away the stockpile when you haven’t given money for the farmers? I can stop them, but now that the Cabinet secretary put that order, I cannot do anything,” she said.

She said she did not want a fight with the miners, but wanted them to “give money to the farmers.”

President Rodrigo Duterte reappointed Lopez after she was bypassed by the Commission on

Appointments three times.

In February, Lopez ordered 23 mining operations closed and five others suspended.

She said those firms are still conducting mining activities while waiting for the resolution of their appeal filed before the Office of the President.

On Wednesday, Lopez also said she was concerned that the Finance department representative, Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, was “involved with a mining company.”

“I’m a little worried that the representative of DoF who’s chairing the process in the absence of the secretary is involved with a mining company. He [Agabin] is involved with LapuLapu. So you begin to wonder, where is his heart? Mining or social justice? The mandate of DENR is to make sure that the resources of the country are managed and utilized in a way that doesn’t disadvantage future generations. I have every reason to fulfill that,” Lopez said.

the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police made some adjustments in their tactical offensive.

“The summary killings by riding in tandem and other similar methods have become too predictable and the public have grown tired of hearing the same modus operandi over and over again,” said Lacson, the head of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

While the government had proven much in its campaign against illegal drugs, Alejano said, “people want to hear more on the developmental policies, programs and projects being pursued by the Duterte administration rather than policies on killings, hatred, vengeance, persecutions and controversies.”

He said illegal drugs were not the Philippines’ only problems.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the 11-point drop in the public’s satisfaction with the government’s drug war did not mean anything as 78 percent or a great majority of the Filipinos were satisfied with the government’s performance despite all the criticisms against it.

Meanwhile, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, a Duterte ally, said Time magazine’s “Most Influential People for 2017” was “the biggest affirmation that President Rodrigo Duterte was now the “People’s Leader” of the world.”

“With this latest feat, President Duterte also carried with him the entire Filipino nation in serving notice that the Philippines has arrived as a country that is looked upon to lead the community of nations towards a new global order,” Nograles said.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Rio N. Araja

O

NLY three out of 61 areas have benefited from the Matalinong Panonood or Intelligent Viewing program of the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board in 2016 with a dismal rating of 4.92 percent, according to the Commission on Audit.

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“We have, of course, alternate plans and that meeting would have been held here in Manila had it been necessary to do so,” he said. “But we always say we will not be coerced or held hostage by these actions. But at the same time, we need to be sure that we can assure the safety of the delegates… As of now, the meeting is a go.”

The President said he is willing to pardon any civilian who will try to kill the bandits.

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George Basilio, health education and promotions officer of the Veterans Regional Hospital in Bayombong town, said there are still unclaimed bodies and injured victims being treated.

Gov. Carlos Padilla lauded the efforts of all rescue volunteers, the Philippine National Police, health workers and the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for the immediate response to the bus crash.

Police said the death toll from the crash rose to 32 and said overloading could have made the crash more likely.

The accident, which saw the bus come off a winding road to fall 24 meters into a ravine in the upland province of Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, also left 46 injured with four still in a critical condition, said Senior Supt.t Antonio Yarra.

Palace...

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fund. This is the very issue on appeal to the OP,” Medialdea said.

“The appeals to the Office of the President go to the Executive Secretary and not directly to the President. Our office applies the rules on appeal uniformly. The decision or order appealed from is temporarily stayed, unless the case falls under any of the exceptions,” he added.

He added that his office is not taking any sides on the matter.

“It’s not a ruling on the merits; it merely seeks to preserve the status quo ante until it is lifted for justifiable reasons or until a decision is arrived at on the merits,” he said.

On Jan. 30, Lopez issued a memo directing the suspended mining companies to place P2 million into a trust fund for every hectare of affected lands “to further mitigate the adverse impacts of the mining operations to the

the MTRCB still spent P3.27 million out of its P5.68-million budget appropriation in 2016.

The program has three principal objectives: To empower parents and responsible adults, determine the media and entertainment that their children should have access to, and help viewers have a clearer understanding and appreciation of the ratings and classification system for film and television.

The draft plan called for the MTRCB to coordinate with a contact person in the targeted location before the conduct of a regional forum in select areas.

But the implementation departed from the plan at the start

of the year.

While the MTRCB claimed an accomplishment of 158 activities for the program, only three of the targeted areas were reached.

“The places selected by the agency were not those which needed the program most.

Hence, [the] information campaign could not have been effectively communicated to concerned areas,” the commission said.

Based on CoA’s recommendations, the MTRCB agreed that a review of the planning strategy for the program was necessary to ensure coverage of the targeted areas to benefit a wider section of the population.

The clash, Sobejana said lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Rear Admiral Rene Medina on Wednesday said naval and air assets had foiled Tuesday an attempt by armed bandits to hijack a cargo vessel possibly to kidnap some of its crew off Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Medina said the rescue operation happened at 8 a.m. to save the 21 crew of M/V Anabelle.

He could not immediately confirm if the pirates were Abu Sayyaf or any kidnap-for-ransom group operating in that part

of the region.

“The cargo vessel was cruising the sea waters off Siocon from Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte enroute to Zamboanga City gave a distress call and reported that three motorized boats with undetermined number of armed men onboard were seemingly attacking them and attempting to board their vessel,” he said.

Medina said he immediately dispatched Navy ships and requested two combat attack helicopters from the Air Force to rescue the distressed crew.

The pirates quickly sped off.

With PNA

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The online community was divided over the suggestion that Duterte would receive an honorary law degree, which angered the school’s students and alumni.

The hashtags #NoDegreeForDuterte #DuterteNotWorthy became popular, with the UP community opposing the award because of the thousands of deaths as a result of the President’s bloody war on drugs.

UP Student Regent Raoul Danniel Manuel, a member of the BOR expressed opposition planned conferment, calling on the university administration to serve “as social critic and defender of the oppressed.”

“Honors must not be given to a President that declares all-out war against his people to quell their struggle for just and lasting peace, and reimposes death penalty to legitimize the killing of the poor,” said Manuel.

Incoming UP Diliman University Student Council chairperson Benjie Allen Aquino said that Duterte is “unworthy of any distinction” from UP, calling the President “a self-confessed murderer.”

“President Duterte is guilty of treating women as objects, disregarding people’s fundamental human rights, and condoning unspeakable acts of violence against Filipinos. He is not worthy of being honored by the University,” he said.

Asked about his thoughts on the backlash from the UP community on the possible conferment, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella smiled and replied, “That’s to be expected.”

Defending his father from the backlash, the President’s son, Paulo Duterte, said his father is not fond of getting awards and would just normally shrug it off since the President is satisfied with what he has.

“Knowing my father, he does

Enormous...

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Drug...

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“Though still high, the ratings are an indication of the waning support of the people on Dutertes war on drugs,” Alejano told the Manila Standard in a text message.

“They are getting fed up and worried as can be shown in their sentiments where they wanted suspects taken alive and not killed, that they fear they or their friends could fall victims of [extra judicial killings].”

Alejano made his statement even as Senator Panfilo Lacson said the tactics being employed by the Duterte administrqtion in its war on illegal drugs were starting to reach their saturation point as far as the public was concerned.

He said while the overall strategy was still effective, it was time

life in ocean sediment and apparently eating nothing more than the waste products of the microorganisms that live in its gills.

“We are amazed. This is the first time we saw a shipworm as large as this. Usually, shipworms are only as short as a matchstick and are white,” Filipino marine biologist Julie Albano told AFP. The shipworm is not actually a worm at all, but a bivalve--like mussels and clams--and has its own brittle, tusk-like shell.

Also known by its scientific name Kuphus Polythalamia, the mollusc is radically different from its smaller shipworm cousins, which burrow in and digest wood.

Researchers who analyzed the creature found that although it had its own digestive system, this was shrunken and appeared to be

not give a heck [about] any ‘honorary degre’” simply because he knows he did not work hard for such a degree,” Paolo said.

“He has always been a simple man, satisfied with what he have and works hard to make a difference not just for his family but for the Dabawenyos and now the Filipino nation,” he added.

Paolo said that being elected as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines is enough recognition for his father and “no other recognition or honorary degrees could eclipse that.”

Addressing his statement to his father’s critics, Paolo said “You can have that honorary degree for all we care.”

He then thanked the UP Board of Regents for considering giving his father an honorary doctorate degree.

Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education and sits in the BOR, denied that he was the proponent of the honoris causa conferment.

“I did not move but I did not object when it was proposed given that it is a UP tradition that Philippine heads of state including the Chief Justice and the Senate President are offered honorary degrees when they are invited as commencement speakers, which is also a UP tradition,” Escudero said in a text message.

Besides, he said almost every honorary degree offered by UP has been controversial and never unanimous.

“I guess that too is part of UP’s long history and tradition,” Escudero said.

“However, it’s up to the conferee if he/she will accept it. This is not given unilaterally and needs to be accepted before being conferred,” he added.

Former presidents from Manuel Quezon in 1929 were conferred with the honorary degree, except President Joseph Estrada and his successor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who turned it down.

largely redundant.

Instead, Kuphus Polythalamia relies on bacteria that live in its gills, which digest hydrogen sulphide--a gas that smells of rotten eggs--from the mud and emit traces of carbon.

The process is photosynthesis in plants, where they take carbon dioxide from the air, use the carbon to grow and expel oxygen as a by-product.

“We suspected the giant shipworm was radically different from other wood-eating shipworms. Finding the animal confirmed that,” said Margo Haygood, a research professor at the University of Utah who also took part in the study.

The discovery of the giant shipworm, a species never before studied, marked the first time scientists had live specimens in hand, according to an article published this week in American journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. AFP

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF ERC urged to resolve squabbles THE Energy Department is urging the Energy Regulatory Commission to resolve their internal differences to avoid delays and inconveniences to the public and the power industry.

“The delays incurred by the ERC must be addressed immediately. We cannot have internal squabbles within the Commission go in the way of the interest of the public,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement a day after the meeting with ERC commissioners.

Cusi met with the four ERC Commissioners on Tuesday to address the concerns of the public and the electricity industry sector.

The four are Geronimo Sta. Ana, Alfredo Non, Josefina Asirit and Gloria Taruc.

The commissioners submitted to Cusi a report which the department is currently studying.

Officials did not comment on the contents of the report although industry players have raised concern on the delays of approval of power supply agreements by the commission.

Cusi, in previous meetings with the commissioners, asked ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar to ensure that the ERC was working.

Alena Mae S. Flores

MWSS chief elected to Asia Water Council METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco has been elected as director of the Asia Water Council during the 4th AWC Board meeting in Beijing, China.

AWC president Hak-Soo Lee formally welcomed Velasco who briefly addressed the AWC Council saying, “It is my honor to represent the Philippines and the MWSS as a member of the Asia Water Council and I thank everyone for this warm welcome.”

AWC is a global network focused in providing tangible solutions on Asian Water Challenges and facilitating multilateral discussions among stakeholders. The AWC coordinates with stakeholders during identification and implementation of tangible solutions.

According to AWC Executive Director Yongdeok Cho, Asia Water Council started in June 2014 when the Asian Water High Level Round Table, was held in Korea wherein a majority consensus was arrived at that Asia needed to tackle its collective water problems.

Likewise, Velasco has also been invited as one of the resource speakers of the forthcoming Asia International Water Week (AIWW), a forum for sharing AWC’s professional achievements as well as knowledge sharing with other professionals’ experience and networks. The MWSS chief is expected to lecture on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the waterworks industry in the first AIWW and Korea International Water Week (KIWW) to be held in Sept. 20-23, 2017 in Gyeongju, South Korea.

BEATING THE HEAT. Mali, the 43-year-old Sri Lankan elephant, is helped Wednesday by its unidentified caretaker inside the Manila Zoo in beating the scorching summer sun, which lately has caused the mercury to jump to the 30s Celsius. Norman Cruz

SC orders LEB to comment on petition against PhilSAT

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has directed the Legal Education Board to file its comment on the petition seeking to stop the implementation of the Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhilSAT).

During its en banc session on Tuesday, the SC resolved to require the LEB through its chairman Emerson Aquende to answer the plea of retired Makati City court judge Oscar Pimentel.

Pimentel is currently a member of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and a lecturer in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

“The Court directed respondents to comment within

10 days from receipt of the petition for prohibition with prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order dated April 6, 2017,” SC spokesperson Theodore Te told a media briefing.

Aside from Aquende, also named as respondent in the petition is LEB member Zenaida Elepano.

In his petition, Pimentel asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order as he challenged the constitutionality of Republic Act 7662 or the Legal Education Reform Act of 1993 and sought to restrain the implementation of LEB Memo-

randum Order No. 7 Series of 2016, which scheduled the conduct of the PhilSAT on April 16 in several cities in the country.

The assailed memorandum provides that starting next academic year, aspiring law students will be required to take the PhilSAT before they can be admitted to any law school.

The LEB said schools would not be allowed to enroll students who did not take the PhilSAT and that if they failed to comply, they would be subject to possible sanctions, including the payment of fine of up to P10,000.

However, the memorandum still allows the schools to ask aspiring law students to take complementary exams such as to test the ability to write in English through an essay or conduct a panel interview if they want so as not to curtail their academic freedom.

The memorandum though said that honor graduates granted professional civil service eligibility, who are enrolling within two years from their college graduation, are exempted from taking the PhilSAT and instead will have to submit a civil service recognition to the LEB.

Hacienda Luisita distribution ‘incomplete’—KMP Duterte

By Sandy Araneta to visit S. Korea, Japan FIVE years after the Supreme Court handed down a final verdict on the Hacienda Luisita, owned by the family of former President Benigno Aquino III, for the distribution of the more than 6,000 hectares of land, the Department of Agrarian Reform has yet to finish its distribution of these lands to the farmers.

“The DAR has yet to complete the distribution of the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita which was ordered for distribution by the Supreme Court in (sic) April 24, 2012,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas secretary general Antonio Flores said in a statement.

“Five years after the final and executory SC decision, Luisita farmer-beneficiaries do not have control over the lands, proving the ‘tambiolo raffle land reform’ implemented under the Aquino administration to be an epic failure,” said Flores.

Flores said many haciendas have remained “untouched” by the government’s

land reform program.

Flores also said other haciendas that should be subject to acquisition and distribution included Araneta Estate with 3,000 hectares (Bulacan), Hacienda Looc with 8,650 hectares (Batangas), Hacienda Dolores with 8,000 hectares (Pampanga), Hacienda Yulo with 7,100 hectares (Laguna), Hacienda Roxas with 8,813 hectares (Batangas) and Hacienda Zobel with 12,000 hectares (Batangas).

“These haciendas have become ‘battlegrounds of agrarian struggles’ between farmers and landlords for many years,” Flores said.

The KMP also lambasted the DAR for what it called its failure to distribute these lands, saying coverage of free land distribution should include big landholdings like haciendas.

“The six million hectares of public and private agricultural lands that should be targeted for free land distribution to farmers must include big landholdings, haciendas and land estates that are still under the con-

trol of big landowners,” Flores said.

Flores said the KMP had asked the DAR to clarify the coverage of lands for distribution.

“It’s 2017 but haciendas remain intact.”

Flores said: “Among the vast tract of lands that should be acquired and distributed by the government are haciendas that are already tilled by farmers and farm workers.

“These haciendas, including ‘sullied landholdings’ or lands illegally or fraudulently acquired by landlords through legal maneuvers, circumvention of agrarian reform program, use of force and violence should be subject to DAR’s compulsory acquisition and distribution.”

He added: “Land classification should not be the sole basis for inclusion to land reform coverage. Land use conversion as a form of land grabbing has exempted lands from agrarian reform.

“The actual use of land, especially if tilled and cultivated by farmers for agricultural production, should be among the basis for coverage.”

SolGen asks court: Junk De Lima plea

By Rey E. Requejo

HONOR FOR COUNTRY. MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco (4th from left, back row) has been elected as director of the Asia Water Council during the 4th AWC Board Meeting in Beijing, saying “it is my honor to represent the Philippines and the MWSS as a member of the Asia Water Council...”

THE Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition of Senator Leila de Lima seeking her release from detention following her indictment on drug trafficking charges.

In a 92-page memorandum, Solicitor General Jose Calida also debunked De Lima’s allegation she was being politically persecuted supposedly for being a staunch critic of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

The chief state lawyer argued that such argument was misplaced and should not be given weight by the high court.

“It does not likewise help De Lima to allege political persecution to justify the present petition. The writs of certiorari and prohibition are directed against Judge Guerrero. Judge Guerrero does not belong to the executive branch, from which the political persecution is alleged to emanate,” the Solicitor General stressed.

Calida also justified his presence during the earlier preliminary investigation on the drug trafficking charges against De Lima in the Department of Justice, which was questioned during oral arguments as possible proof of persecution against the senator.

By John Paolo Bencito MORE foreign visits are under way for President Rodrigo Duterte, as he will soon pay his first state visit to South Korea and a return visit to Japan later this year.

In a report by Maeil Business News based in Seoul, Duterte is set to visit the East Asia country “in the second half of the year” after accepting the offer of the South Korea Importers Association for an investment forum.

During Duterte’s visit, both countries’ institutions in charge of international trade such as Koima, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization would sign memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to come up with ways to facilitate bilateral free trade.

“Koima will work hard to address trade imbalance with the Philippines,” said its chairman Shin Myoung-jin.

It will be Duterte’s first visit to South Korea as the president of the Philippines, after visiting the country twice before as mayor of Davao. He will also be among the first to meet with the new president of South Korea following the May 9 election.

The Blue House, currently without a tenant after President Park Geun-hye was removed from office following the Constitutional Court verdict upholding legislative impeachment motion, did not make any statement.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Tradition, commotion

I

T APPEARS there has been a confusion about an alleged proposal to confer an honorary degree—Doctor of Laws—to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Initial stories had it that the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines wants, out of sheer tradition, to give the honoris causa to Mr. Duterte.

It’s not the man himself; the Board has given the same honors to presidents who have come before, even as former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for their respective reasons,

declined the honor.

Almost immediately came the deluge of reactions from UP students, alumni and faculty and even those from other schools.

Sentiments ranged from resignation to disappointment to outrage. You don’t give such an honor to the leader of an administration that kills thousands and reimposes the death penalty, said the Office of the Student Regent in a statement condemning the plan.

The spokesman of the Supreme Court also opposed the plan.

Supporters of the President were equally vociferous. The vice mayor of Davao City, Paolo Duterte,

defended his father from those who said he was not worthy of the honor.

The Palace, for its part, said the President may decide to accept the award even as he was not actively chasing it. Mr. Duterte later issued a statement that said he was politely declining the honor as a matter of personal and official policy—and “reject” is too strong a word.

All this now sounds moot as the Secretary of the University and the Board of Regents has released a letter denying that Senator Francis Escudero, a member of the Board, had proposed the conferment. The secretary owned up to the mistake that led to the commotion.

It’s easy to dismiss the incident as water under the bridge, but it can also prompt us to evaluate our practices: Why do we continue doing what we do, for no other reason than it has always been done?

The argument that the premier state university would offer an honorary degree to anybody just out of tradition goes against the essence of what schools are supposed to teach the young. Certainly, meaningful traditions are there for a reason; that they have withstood time attests to the fact that they make sense.

But why mindlessly uphold a practice that makes no sense, and use tradition to justify it?

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

The President is on a roll

award to Aquino six years ago.

If Aquino, who barely completed his Ateneo economics degree, is more deserving than Duterte, who has a San Beda law degree and who had to pass the bar examinations, then I have a real doctorate in advanced nuclear physics, also from Diliman.

If someone insists that I prove that last claim, I will say that I just need time to gather the evidence. Commuting to Recto Avenue can be a real pain. *** A Turkey-based supplier that has won the bidding for hightech gadgetry for the Armed Forces of the Philippines has come under fire for being the alleged beneficiary of favorable bidding rules. The bidding for the AFP’s P1.1-billion Night Fighting System involved the supply of 4,500 night vision monoculars, an equal number of infrared aiming devices and 500 laser zeroing devices.

The losing bidders cited inter-

AT 71, President Duterte is the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. This, however, does not seem to hinder him from embarking on an ambitious program to accomplish within his six-year term. He wants to amend the Constitution to federalize the government, end the internecine warfare that has bedeviled this country by signing a peace deal with the CPP/NPA and the Muslim militant factions in Mindanao, eliminate criminality and corruption, chart an independent foreign policy, and embark on a monumental infrastructure program.

Any one or two of this efforts could already tax a healthier and much younger man. This President, however, intends to get the job done. If successful, President Duterte will undoubtedly be elevated into the pantheon of greatness.

But there is still more than five years to go and a lot could still happen between now and 2022.

For one, the programs are not that easy to accomplish.

Eliminating crime and corruption is almost impossible.

Right now, however, the President is on a roll. His popularity and trust ratings remain high.

Most importantly, the economy continues to grow at a robust rate, outpacing our neighbors in the Asean region. This is at least something Filipinos can be proud of. Who knows, we might regain a lot of lost ground and catch up with some of our neighbors that have left us behind.

With the President’s leadership style, he can get everyone to toe the line. The only drawback to this, as a friend told me, is that the President has tendencies to become a caudillo in reference to those South American strongmen in the 1950s. Unlike them, however, President Duterte is limited to a six-year term and even if he wants to continue, he probably will be too old in 2022.

Amending the current constitution to federalize the government can be done before President Duterte’s term ends in 2022. A peace deal with all the warring factions can also be done. Whether the peace deal will be supported by majority of the public is of course something else. The

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Diliman Scandal LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES IN MARCH 2011, I wrote in this column about news that the University of the Philippines has decided to give then President Noynoy Aquino a doctor of laws degree, honoris causa.

“Old hands at Diliman wryly commented that perhaps UP wanted to be first again—or at least to beat Noynoy’s beloved Ateneo to the ‘honor’ of giving the President an award that not even his old school has given him yet,” I said.

I was told then that the practice of UP administrations of giving such degrees to incumbent presidents was a shameless bid to gain more funding for the premiere state university, which has seen a steady decline in government subsidies since the assumption to the presidency of Cory Aquino (who accepted the

offer of an honorary UP degree, by the way.) The university “is now on full mendicancy mode and will do anything to get more funds from the state—and a doctorate degree does seem a small price to pay for that,” I wrote then.

Now UP is offering the same honorary degree to President Rodrigo Duterte, upon the initiative of Duterte’s appointees to the university’s governing Board of Regents. Even more than seeking more money for UP, the current BoR, I’m told, is just continuing the tradition of appointees giving honor to the president who got them their posts—which is why the holdover regents are now questioning its conferment.

But I don’t think Duterte is the kind of president who could be scammed with such an award.

In that way, he is unlike the two Aquinos who preceded him who accepted the honor with alacrity, and more like two other predecessors who turned down the degree.

The high school dropout Joseph Estrada refused to accept the award (probably snickering as he did so at the prospect of being called “Doctor Erap”), as did Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,

I don’t think Duterte is the kind of President who could be scammed with such an award from UP. who reportedly told UP that she already had the real thing, a doctorate in economics from the same university that she really worked to get before she became president. I have a distinct feel-

ing that Duterte will turn down the offer, as well, because he doesn’t care about such things.

Needless to say, I opposed UP’s granting of an honorary doctorate to Aquino then and I am opposing the offer of the same honor to Duterte for much the same reason. Noynoy’s appointees to UP were merely sucking up to him by giving him the degree, while Digong’s own appointees are also behind the move this time.

The award itself has been devalued for decades, to the point where it is now about as important as purchasing a fake diploma from Recto. Of course, the people who want to give the award to Duterte are real academics with real doctorates.

But it’s still a scam. And a long-running Diliman Scandal.

Besides, it is no coincidence that the people who are now opposing the conferment of the honorary degree to Duterte are practically the same ones who gushed over giving the same

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Opinion

IN A speech during his Middle ongoing. A glut will adversely East trip, President Rodrigo affect farmers.

Obviously, Piñol is unaware Duterte again blasted former Marcos trade minister Roberto of the existence of a rice cartel at the National Food Authority “Bobby” Ongpin.

Recall that sometime last itself.

Santa Banana, NFA Adyear, Mr. Duterte also singled out Ongpin as an oligarch that ministrator Jason Laureano y Aquino has authorized primust be destroyed.

The President said that Ong- vate rice imports, reportedly pin obtained business conces- bypassing the NFA council sions from President Corazon headed by Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco. The council is, by Aquino.

I could not believe this. I law, the only authority that can know for a fact that President authorize rice importation.

Note that the President has Cory hated Ongpin because he was an official of Marcos. In fired an undersecretary of the fact she hated anybody associ- Office of the Cabinet Secretary for overreaching her authority ated with the late dictator.

I also know for a fact that to allow private rice imports Ongpin, who was my student whose permits have expired.

What happened was someat Ateneo High School, went on exile after the 1986 People Pow- thing else.

Lo and behold, administrator er Revolution. He only came back to the Philippines during Aquino himself signed the permits to import for three private the Arroyo administration.

In fact, during the presidency importers way past the Feb. 28 of Cory’s son, BS Aquino III, deadline.

Was not the President inOngpin experienced harassment and persecution. Cases formed of these irregularities? were filed against him for a loan He must not have been, else he of P556 million from the Devel- would have acted already. He opment Bank of the Philippines. did say that he would not hesitate to fire The reason? officials for He was a so much as a friend of the whiff of corformer First in Gentleman You cannot put ruption their offices.

Mike Arroyo. *** I called a good Filipino President up Bobby to Duterte must find out how and businessman revamp his he was after down.

Cabinet now Duterte menafter sacking tioned his Interior and name again.

Local GovHe said it was ernment Secretary Ismael Sueno absolutely false.

I have known Bobby for many over those allegedly overpriced years. I know he is a business- fire trucks. Those at the NFA man of the highest integrity. He must also go. Mr. Duterte has a is neither an oligarch nor an in- strong message to deliver—that he does not tolerate corruption. fluence peddler.

But then, he has reappointI hope the President ensures ed Environment and Natural all he receives are right facts.

Mr. Duterte’s attack on any Resources Secretary Regina businessman, especially for Lopez despite the fact that she baseless reasons, can do serious has a pending case before the damage to one’s reputation. In Office of the Ombudsman for the case of Philweb, which used interceding for a French compato be controlled by Ongpin, the ny and accepting an all-expense latter had to sell his majority paid trip in return.

I am confused, Mr. President. stake—at a loss of some P18 billion. The President’s accusa- As many people are. *** tions against Ongpin are unfair.

Santa Banana, what did the This loss, however, has not stopped Ongpin from under- President really mean when he taking more projects here. For said during his Middle East trip example, the high-end Baguio that if Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Mountain Lodges—called the and Qatar needed help from the Forbes Park of the summer cap- Philippines to fight terrorism, ital—is well under way. So is he would readily send Filipino Patnanugan island, which Ong- soldiers.

He must have been overpin calls the Balesin Gateway (only 22 nautical miles from his whelmed by the courtesies exsignature development). And tended to him by his hosts and of course, his Aegle Wellness by the pledges of investment.

True enough, National SeCenter both in Makati and in Balesin just does not compare curity Adviser Hermogenes Esperon had to say that there to anything.

He is 80 years old and so I would be no operational deasked him, why still do all these ployment in the Middle East bewhen the President seems to be cause the Philippines is a mempersecuting him? Bobby says he ber of the Coalition of Military still believes in the economic Forces. This means we can only send observers. The CMF is fofuture of the Philippines.

Bobby is a Filipino and a busi- cused on disrupting terrorism nessman you cannot put down. preventing piracy, preventing illegal activities and promoting *** Agriculture Secretary Em- a safe maritime environment.

Instead of offering help, manuel Piñol warned rice cartels against hoarding rice at this the President should focus on time when the harvest season is addressing terrorism here.

Diliman...

From A4 national experts who claimed that the “loose application of bidding rules” favored a single supplier with the help of the military’s bids and awards committee and an Army general. Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret, Theon Sensors, SA Nightline, Newcon and ATN all took part in the bidding conducted by the Department of National Defense, which Aselsan eventually won.

The losing bidders complained about an alleged lack of transparency and a level playing field in the screening and selec-

tion of the bidders for the package. They said that when the DND specified that the gadgets should contain an Image Intensifier Tube with a halo diameter size, which determines the gadget’s level of performance, of 0.85mm are qualified, this “effectively excluded” them.

The alleged favoring of one supplier over the others will serious affect the military’s ability to upgrade its equipment, they claimed. And the “disqualification by specification” sounds like just the kind of practice that President Rodrigo Duterte said he wants to eliminate because it fails his smell test for corruption in government transactions.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

What they deserve

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

What does Duterte have against Ongpin?

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THIS administration has consistently expressed intolerance toward corruption in the government. In his unique language, the President, in no uncertain terms, promised that corrupt government officials will be dealt without compromise.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, responsible for more than 90 percent of the country’s revenues, are among the government agencies that have been tainted with irregularity that lasted many administrations. Corruption in these agencies appears so deeply ingrained that the prior administrations’ efforts in implementing anti-corruption measures have not been successful.

I am the principal author of the Republic Act 9335 of 2005 or the “Lateral Attrition Law,” which aims to address two serious problems in the BIR and BoC—meeting their collection

targets, and providing a merit and demerit system by way of financial incentives for proper and effective collection to revenue collectors. Under the merit and demerit system, collectors who exceed their collection targets keep the excess as a reward. This reward is shared down the line, from the collector to the rank and file. Undercollection without justifiable cause will hold the collector accountable to the extent of lateral transfer, or even removal.

The financial incentive discourages receiving bribe money or under-the-table agreements, which is notorious in our revenue collection agencies.

The Lateral Attrition Law was suspended during the past administration. I am encouraged that Secretary Dominguez committed to implement it this year.

Stepping up the objectives of the Lateral Attrition Law, I intend to pass a legislative measure where the compensation of revenue collectors will be based on the percentage of their collections, and review present laws regarding wages, salaries

and bonuses. A purely rewardsbased system of compensation is a strong incentive that encourages efficient revenue collection.

Perception is, some employees and collectors in the BIR and BoC are underperforming because they receive regular salary, and sadly, find creative ways to make money. A purely rewards-based system will convert the feel of a bureaucracy and professionalize the institution by creating a working atmosphere akin to a career position.

We can explore the privatization of some, if not all, functions relating to tax administration. In other countries, such as Peru, the Superintendencia Nacional de Administracion Tributaria (SUNAT) was established to make the country’s tax administration autonomous, having its own pay scale and standards. A similar approach was taken by several countries to maintain the integrity and competence of their respective Central Banks. The SUNAT, on its first three years of implementation, doubled its revenues as a percentage of the

Gross Domestic Product. This “privatization” approach made the tax administration function more like a private enterprise.

In highly developed countries, such as those that are a part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), taxes may be remitted through private banks, and tax debt collection is outsourced to private collection agencies.

If the BIR and BoC, which perennially fail to reach their targets, are too resistant to change, we should also consider the option of abolishing them and give our tax and customs duties to private entities whose income will be a percentage of their total collection. This way, we can reduce, and hopefully eliminate graft and corruption, at least in the field of tax administration.

I anticipate strong, and even violent objections to my proposed measure. I hope the public will understand that only radical solutions can be effective against an age-old culture of inefficiency and corruption that seems ineradicable in our collection agencies.

Finding common ground on North Korea Bloomberg editorial FOR the moment, fear of US retaliation appears to have dissuaded North Korea from conducting another nuclear test. But the respite is only temporary.

Lasting progress will require something more than saying a US “armada” will be diverted toward the Korean Peninsula.

To its credit, the US also seems to be redoubling its efforts to get cooperation from the one country that has the most leverage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: China. But if the US is to work with China, then it’s important to be realistic.

Unilaterally levying sanctions on Chinese banks and companies that do business with the North would probably only drive the two countries closer together. Instead, US

officials should be conferring with their Chinese counterparts on specific measures that would both impose pain on the Pyongyang regime and disrupt the flow of money and technology that sustains its illicit weapons programs. The goal wouldn’t be to bring down Kim Jong Un, but to ensure he and those around him think twice about how much support they can continue to expect from Beijing.

The US can offer China a couple things in return, beyond the unspecified trade concessions Trump has already hinted at. First, US officials should be willing to address Chinese concerns about the future of a reunified Korean Peninsula. This might mean promising never to deploy US troops above the 38th parallel, or even to remove them from the peninsula entire-

ly, although any commitments will have to take into account the interests of US allies South Korea and Japan as well.

To this point, China hasn’t shown much interest in such a dialogue, not least because it has little reason to trust US promises. Even the hint of such talks, though, would have the added benefit of unsettling Kim and his cronies.

Second, the US should make clear to Chinese leaders that if their pressure seems to be having an impact on the North’s behavior, it will be prepared to hold bilateral talks with the North without demanding that they lead to full and immediate denuclearization. At best, such negotiations would produce a freeze of North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. It would be difficult to verify compli-

ance; the risk of proliferation would remain.

Yet preventing proliferation is one of the obligations of a superpower. Kim cannot be allowed to develop and test a nuclear-tipped ICBM. Anything that furthers that goal is worth pursuing. Even if talks fail, they could provide the US with essential information about the North’s weapons programs, and help convince China of the need for tougher measures.

A successful deal, on the other hand, would buy the world more time to deal with the North Korean threat, expose the isolated country to more outside influences and, ideally, undermine the regime from within.

President Donald Trump may not like it—few people do—but talking to your enemy is generally preferable to fighting.

How women should respond to all-male panels

By Kara Alaimo LAST month, Goldman Sachs hosted a conference in London on disruptive technology. Out of 76 speakers at the event, five were women. That was hardly an anomaly: At a 2016 event in Davos organized by the company Mercer, for example, all of the speakers on a panel about helping women thrive were men.

(The moderator, at least, was female.) Similarly, one count of events at six leading think tanks in Washington found that 65 percent of their panels were all-male.

Denying women opportunities to present at professional conferences prevents them from gaining visibility in their fields, and it deprives their colleagues of valuable perspectives. So in 2013, Rebecca J. Rosen proposed a solution in The Atlantic: Men should refuse to speak on all-male panels. If all men did this, of course, it would immediately solve the problem.

The idea is slowly taking off: A pledge posted online by a development economist in London now has over 1,100 signatures from male academics, researchers and NGO representatives,

The President...

From A4 management of the economy is a plus factor for the President.

It is also fortunate that our economic planners have the same vision of boosting infrastructure spending and are willing to spend trillions of pesos just for construction. If all the plans will materialize, the government will be spending 7.5 percent of GDP to improve infrastructure. It is in the areas of crime fighting, anti-corruption drive, conducting an independent foreign policy and his well-publicized profanities which might put a dent on how history will eventually rate him as the leader of his country. His anti-drug campaign which has reportedly killed anywhere between 7,000 to 8,000 people is now known the world over and has generated widespread criticisms from various sectors. The President simply

and nearly 100 men who work on peace and security issues at high-profile organizations have signed a similar pledge on the website manpanels.org. And last year, high-profile digital media expert Sree Sreenivasan made waves when he made the pledge to not participate in all-male panels. Then he upped the ante and announced he wouldn’t attend them, either.

But how should women respond to all-male panels?

Boycotting them doesn’t make sense for us, because we need professional development opportunities to advance in our fields.

Women are already underrepresented in senior leadership positions: Less than 6 percent of Fortune 500 chief executives, less than 15 percent of corporate board members, and less than 20 percent of members of Congress are female. But women aren’t getting the professional development opportunities that might help bridge the gap. A study by Development Dimensions International found that men get more professional development opportunities than women at every job level. And 70 percent of women want more such opportunities, according to a study

by the training firm Skillsoft.

So, instead of boycotting, I propose that women attend allmale panels to take advantage of the opportunities—and embarrass conference organizers.

For example, women can tweet photos of the events and use the hashtag “#WhereAreTheWomen?” One blog, Congrats! You Have an All-Male Panel!, features user-submitted photos in an ever-expanding wall of shame.

In their book “Activists Beyond Borders,” Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink call this strategy “moral leverage.”

The idea is that organizations care about their reputations, so if they’re called out and embarrassed for a particular behavior, they’re likely to stop it. (United Airlines, I’m looking at you!)

This strategy is especially likely to work here, because adding women to panels isn’t a particularly difficult or controversial proposition. Ironically, empowering women is a goal of many of the organizations that have so glaringly excluded them as speakers at events. Goldman Sachs, for example, runs 10,000 Women, an initiative to support female entrepreneurs around the world. And in 2014, Goldman

and the International Finance Corp. (IFC) launched the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility to provide women with capital.

So it’s unlikely that many of the organizations hosting allmale panels have bad intentions.

They’re probably just oblivious.

That’s why raising awareness is the best solution. If organizations knew they had to fear bad publicity for gender imbalances at their events, I bet they’d plan to find female speakers from the start.

I should admit another reason I think the strategy would be successful: It worked on me. I serve on the program committee for the World Communication Forum. Last year, I was mortified when I noticed social media posts calling out an all-male panel that was, ironically, held on International Women’s Day. So this year, I organized and moderated the first all-female panel in the eight-year history of the event. I was repeatedly told by participants it was one of the best sessions of the conference.

If we all started asking “Where are the women?” at professional events, I bet organizers and sponsors would be doing the same in record time. Bloomberg

reacted by telling his critics to go to hell. One consequence of the anti-criminality campaign is that our jails are now bursting with prisoners.

Our jails, which are already overcrowded to begin with, are so packed with people. They are like animals in their condition—and we should all be ashamed of it.

The government must do something to improve the overcrowding. With regard to the so-called extrajudicial killings, the country will eventually come to terms with this whether it was the right thing to do or whether the President and his police went overboard in their zealousness to eliminate the illegal drug menace.

As someone who has served in the AFP and Police for a long time, I hope that our police system will be able to ride this episode and still be able to serve and protect the people in the years to come. It is interesting to note that in spite of the Presi-

dent’s high popularity and trust ratings, there two areas where his ratings went down significantly. The killings as a result of the anti-drug war and his ability to protect and defend the territorial integrity of the country which brings us to his independent foreign policy.

There is no denying that he has singlehandedly taken the bull by the horn and reversed our long-standing historical relationship with the United States as he shifted towards China. When he ordered the military to occupy several islets in the South China Sea being claimed by the Philippines and plant the Philippine flag, China warned him not to.

True to form, he took the warning as an advice and will no longer go there because as he said, China is a true friend.

To serious foreign affairs observers, these moves are mystifying to say the least. Why does he keep issuing statements only

to backtrack later on? During his Middle East trip, he also announced that the Filipinos are ready to die for Qatar and he is willing to send a division if need be to help defend the country.

Does the President even realize what it takes to deploy an army division overseas?

Maybe the President should pause a little and really think through what to say. The Filipino people may have grown used to his rhetoric but it is entirely a different to go abroad and say those things. As the President very well knows, conducting foreign policy is a complicated business. And one wonders whether US Vice President Mike Pence bypassing the country to confer with other Asian allies is a show of displeasure. The President does not probably care one bit. With all his good intentions, let us all hope that he will eventually take us to the Promised Land and not to Neverland.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF 38 Chinese in illegal online gambling fall THE number of Chinese nationals arrested by the Bureau of Immigration has climbed to 55 with the apprehension of 38 others reportedly involved in illegal online gambling inside the Bataan Freeport Zone.

According to BI Fugitive Search Unit head Jose Carlitos Licas, the foreigners will be deported to China for failing to present valid immigration papers to be able stay in the country.

“They will be brought to the BI detention center in Taguig.

All their passports have been canceled already by the Chinese Embassy,” Licas said.

The FSU initially arrested 17 other Chinese nationals last Tuesday.

The raid was conducted after the bureau received information that the foreigners were operating illegal online gambling in the BFZ. Licas said the operation was made in coordination with China police attaché Senior Supt. Fu Yun Fei and Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan administrator Emmanuel Pineda.

Last year, the BI arrested 1,316 Chinese nationals working in an illegal online gambling facility inside the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Field, Pampanga. PNA

News

‘45k workers ‘regularized’ under DoLE’s new order’ M

By Vito Barcelo

ORE than 45,000 workers hired under the contractual scheme were regularized from their work after the Department of Labor and Employment issued Department Order (DO) 174, which bans all forms of illegal contractualization and “endo” schemes.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government’s anti endo campaign has so far benefited 45,605 workers from July 2016 to March 2017.

“We managed to increase the number of workers whose employment were regularized following our assessments and massive information drive on contractualization. With our new department order which bans labor-only contracting and other forms of illegal contracting practices, we hope for more contractual workers to be-

come regular this year,” he said.

The labor secretary said that 35,781 workers were voluntarily regularized by 1,322 employers while some employers resorted to termination of employment due to incapacity to regularize their employees.

“Since July, DoLE has been strictly implementing laws and regulations on job contracting and DoLE immediately provided placement and livelihood assistance to those whose employment has been terminated due to inca-

pacity of some employers to absorb regular workers,” he said.

The DoLE deputized labor groups to inspect establishments for their compliance with the new order as well as with existing labor laws and regulations.

“I believe that more workers under illegal contracting arrangements will become regular workers as we strictly enforce the new department order,” he said.

The Labor secretary has also authorized Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod to supervise a team composed of labor compliance officers and representatives from labor and employers that will conduct inspections of more than 90,000 establishments to assure their compliance with labor standards and existing labor laws.

In a related development, the DoLE also recommended the regularization of 10,000 workers of the Philippine Long Distance

Telephone Co. after conducting special assessment on the telecommunications company in accordance with the implementation of DO 174.

Bello said the proposal was the result of the department’s Special Assessment/Visit of Establishments, which found that the workers were performing jobs that are directly connected to the company’s business but under contracting and subcontracting arrangements.

“I will order the regularization of close to 10,000 workers under contracting and subcontracting arrangements but are performing jobs that are directly related to PLDT’s business,” he explained.

Bello noted that the company’s subcontractors were also found to be non compliant with the new order.

“PLDT where found violations, mostly among its sub-contractors

QC to file motion to nullify SC decision

NPA frees 2 hostaged Army soldiers THE New People’s Army on Tuesday freed two army soldiers whom they took as hostages in Davao del Sur as a government panel and leaders of the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNPA continue to hold peace talks aimed at resolving the decadeslong insurgency.

Major Gen. Refael Valencia, commander of the Army’s 19th Infantry Division, said Private First Class Samuel Garay Jr., and Seargent Solaiman Calocop, both members of the 39th Infantry Battalion, were released by the communist rebels at Sitio Datal Pitak in Brgy Colonsabak, Matanao town at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Valencia said the two army freed soldiers were turned over to former Davao del Sur Congressman Mark Cagas, along with Vice Mayor Edwin Bermudez of Colombio, Sultan Kudarat and the provincial administrator as facilitators.

“We are glad that the CPPNPA rectified the treacherous and insincere act that they made last February 2 of abducting the two soldiers while there was a ceasefire and an ongoing peace talks,” Valencia said.

The release of the two hostage soldiers was one of the conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte to the communists barely weeks after the CPP expressed their desire to continue the stalled talks following a series of NPA ceasefire violations in the countryside that led to the killing of dozen of soldiers, including a young lieutenant.

The two soldiers, who was unarmed and in civilian clothes, were forcibly taken by the NPA while they were buying goods at a market in he town of Sultan Kudarat last Feb. 2.

Prior to their release, the NPA has demanded that the government suspend all military operation, which the military rejected. Francisco Tuyay

and majority of which are not even registered or with expired registrations,” he said.

Likewise, the DoLE chief said that Philippine Airlines and PAL Express including their contractors and subcontractors were found violating general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.

These violations include underpayment of wages, overtime pay, service incentive leave under general labor and standards and no valid fire safety inspection certificate, no trained safety and health officers on OSHS. Bello added that “Contractors’ workers are also performing jobs directly related to the main business of the companies.”

The SAVE is the DoLE’s mechanism to assess, validate and verify compliance with labor laws of companies and their contractors/ subcontractors. With PNA

WORKERS’ LAMENT. Members of a nationwide organization of workers in agriculture, informal transport, health, education, migrants and the youth sector hold a rally infront of the Department of Labor and Employment building to express their stand against Department Order (DO) 174 and the continuing contractualization policy in the country, and also for the increase in the minimum wage. Lino Santos

Korean investment fraud suspect arrested

By Francisco Tuyay A FUGITIVE South Korean who is reportedly involved in an investment fraud in his country was nabbed by combined agents of the police Anti-Transnational Crime Unit and Bureau of Immigration at his temporary safe house in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday.

The ATCU identified the South Korean as Oh Seung Jo, 51, who was arrested at Acacia Hotel located at 5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue, Gulon Vest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City at 10:35 p.m.

The arrest was made possible through an Interpol red notice and a BI arrest order.

Oh’s arrest brought to four the number of South Korean fugitives collared by Philippine authorities for similar offenses.

Last April 3, three South Koreans—Yong Ho Jeon and couples Yam Sum and Yang Muyung Ock Yeo, were arrested at their safe houses in Makati City and Benguet. Based on records, the three stashed about P6 billion in Korean won from their compatriots in a lending scam.

“Jeon and his group is believed to have joined with other Korean

groups in the country which are engaged in extortion, kidnapping, contract killing, protection racket and other criminal activities,” PNP chief Ronaldo dela Rosa said.

The Atcu said that in 2015, Oh established a company called Ticket Line Co. Ltd. where he named himself as chief executive officer).

The Atcu said the suspect was involved in an investment scam which promises a two percent interest per month for its clients.

Records showed that Oh was able to stash an estimated 72, 342, 690, 529 won or a total of P3 billion pesos from several

fellow Koreans.

The Atcu added that Oh fled to the country sometime in 2016 and continued his illegal activity, using fictitious names and moving to different hotels to evade detection until his arrest Tuesday.

Dela Rosa said Koreans perpetrating illegal activities in their homeland, is using the Philippines as a safe haven.

“They are escaping from their crimes committed in Korea so they are hiding here in the Philippines.”

The BI is processing Oh’s immediate deportation.

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Baustista said the government will file a motion for reconsideration following the Supreme Court’s decision to stop the city government from implementing an ordinance that is aimed at revising the city’s real property tax scheme.

Bautista said on Wednesday that they have yet to receive a copy of the SC decision but added that he welcomes the decision.

“We have yet to receive an official copy of the decision but the Quezon City government welcomes the development,” he said.

Bautista said they will explain to the SC that the ordinance they passed was a product of a series of public consultations.

Quezon City is confident that the high court will eventually rule in its favor.

“We pray that the Supreme Court decides on the matter at the soonest possible time so as not to hamper the delivery of basic services in the city,” Bautista added.

Bautista said Quezon City was compelled to adjust fair market values of real properties after the Department of Finance and the Commission on Audit directed the city government to implement the long-delayed adjustment as mandated by Section 219 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

The Finance department also issued Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01 enjoining all LGUs to implement Section 219 of the Local Government Code which requires the City Assessor to implement a general revision of tax rates every three years.

Prior to the enactment of City Ordinance 20CC-141, the last approved general revision of fair market values was made in 1995.

Bautista said the value of land in Quezon City is lower than those in Caloocan City, Makati City, Pasay City, Mandaluyong City and San Juan City. PNA

Binay aims for a ‘drug-free’ Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano

MARCH FOR MOTHER EARTH. Representatives from various science advocacy groups, including Advocates for Science and Technology for the People and the Cornell University Alliance for Science, hold a press conference at the College of Science Complex in UP Diliman in Quezon CIty, to announce the March for Science, Environment and the People, a protest march and day of activities set on April 22, Earth Day. The march is in concert with over 400 other marches in 50 different countries, to highlight the value of science and its role in solving problems like Climate Change. Manny Palmero

MAYOR Abigail Binay on Wednesday urged the people of Makati to be vigilant and cooperate with her administration to help the government in its fight against the drug menace in the country.

“It is gratifying to know that our local police are keeping our communities under tight watch for illegal drugs. We urge citizens to be vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement authorities,” Binay said.

She reiterated the city government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against drug trafficking and its use, following the arrest Tuesday afternoon of a 51-year-old village councilman for alleged drug pushing.

“We are serious about making Makati a drug-free city. I repeat, there will be no sacred cows under

my administration, most especially if it concerns illegal drugs,” the mayor said.

On Tuesday, police operatives apprehended the suspect, Virgilio Sombero Awit Jr., an incumbent councilman of Barangay East Rembo, during a buy-bust operation conducted along the northbound side of Circumferential Road -5 (C-5 Road) near 19th Avenue at the said village.

Reports said that the victim even represented East Rembo during meetings of the city’s Peace and Order Council and also participated in the Philippine National Police “Oplan Tokhang” anti-drug campaign operations in the barangay.

Mayor Binay warned other barangay chairmen and officials that the city government is prepared to bring down the full force of the law on anyone who is caught breaking the law in the city.

She also thanked and lauded the Makati City police for their vigilance and diligence in preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city’s barangays.

Awit is currently detained at the Makati Police Station and will be charged with violation of Sections 5 and 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act for possession and sale of illegal drugs.

Based on a spot report submitted by Insp. Jeson Vigilla of the Station Drugs Enforcement Unit, four pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or ‘shabu’ were confiscated from the suspect. Marked money amounting to P1,500 was also found in Awit’s possession.

Binay has asked the Makati Police to keep her informed on the progress of the case.

Sports

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Baguio bets score near sweep in Cebuana tilt LOCAL players took seven out of the nine events contested at the recent Baguio City leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series in an impressive display of talent.

The onslaught was led by the pair of Sharryl Caluza and Angelyn Atos in the girls’ side as they took two titles each, with Caluza reigning supreme in the 16-under and 18-under, and Atos unbeatable in the younger 14-under and 12-under age categories.

Caluza posted a pressure free 6-3, 6-3 victory over another local bet Angela Tangalin in the 18-under, while earlier, she won over Tuguegarao City’s Lindsay Reyes, 6-0, 6-2, in easy fashion for the 16-under girls’ crown in the tournament supported by Dunlop as official ball.

Meanwhile, Atos faced off against the same opponent Pia Wong from Nueva Ecija with the same results in the 12-under and 14-under finals. But she was

Grade 11 athletes expected to shine

By Peter Atencio OLDER student athletes and those who have reached Grade 11 are expected to make competition interesting in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa, which gets going from April 23 to 39.

That’s why two standouts, swimmer Maurice Sacho Ilustre and trackster Mea Gey Ninura, are among those expected to shine when the games commence in San Jose, Buenavista, Antique.

Both are now in Grade 11 and their stint in high school have been extended by the implementation of the K-12 policy.

Ilustre and Ninura drew raves with their performances last year in the secondary division.

“It’s a very good idea to give elite athletes some opportunities to shine,” said Deped Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, who added that with the Palarong Pambansa going through a transition period, athletes who have reached Grades 11 and 12 are expected to get even better.

For two years, Ilustre emerged as one of the most bemedalled athletes of the games.

He finished with gold medals in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x100 meter freestyle relay to help the National Capital Region dominate the swimming meet of the 2016 Palarong Pambansa when it was held in Legazpi, Albay.

Ninura, now 16, is best remembered when she fought it out with old nemesis Jie Ann Calis for the third time in three years last year.

She finally won over Calis, reaching the finish line after breaking the national junior record in the secondary girls’ 3000-meter steeplechase.

A 10th grader at Capatagan National High School in Davao del Sur, Ninura claimed the first gold medal of the five-day meet in 10 minutes and 3.4 seconds Their rivalry is expected to take place again when the athletics meet begins on opening day.

more impressive in the 12-under finals, posting a 6-1, 6-1 win over Wong but was likewise pressure free in the 14-under championship match, winning, 6-0, 6-4.

“Baguio has a good tennis program for its young players and the results in this leg bear it out.

We hope to see the same in other cities where we hold our tennis legs,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier after the tournament, the sixth leg in Luzon and 16th overall in this year’s series.

Another local bet Joshua de Guzman swept Laoag City’s Zire Mina, 6-3, 6-3 to take the boys’ 18-under crown with Raymond Cabuco adding another title for Baguio after defeating Bacoor’s Rainier Angelo Selmar, 6-3, 6-2, for the boys’ 16-under title.

Dynna Visaya delivered the seventh title for the host city with a come from behind, 1-4 , 4-2, 10-2 win over Laoag’s Zandie Mina for the 10-under unisex crown.

ERAP’S SUMMER CAMP. The City of Manila, under Mayor Joseph Estrada and the Manila Sports Council, under its Chairman Philip Cezar, jumpstarted “Mayor Erap’s Summer Camp 2017” on Wednesday with free and simultaneous basketball, volleyball and swimming clinics for Under-16 participants in six districts, namely Tondo Sports Complex, Patricia Sports Complex, Anadalucia Gym, Dapitan Sports Complex, San Andres Sports Complex and JCC Covered Court. The cage clinics (photo) were handled by ex-Philippine Basketball Association pro Gherome Ejercito and Coca-Cola PBA Youngstar 16-under Basketball Champion Coach Jun Usman at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Cabagnot’s hot shooting lifts Beermen to 4-0 start The Beermen kept their place at the top as they improved to 4-0 and moved closer to securing a HE rampage continues. berth in the quarterfinals.

League-leading San Miguel cruised Cabagnot emerged as the game’s Best Player with 26 points to yet another victory, annihilating (on 4 of 7 three-point shots), 8 reMahindra, 109-80, this time around to stretch bounds, 4 assists, while Marcio its winning run to four and remain unscathed Lassiter did a little bit of everyin the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association thing for his team as he scored 18 and had 2 rebounds, 2 asCommissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome points sists and 2 steals.

Only the top eight teams will in Pasay City last night. move forward to the playoffs with Alex Cabagnot had his best carrying the Beermen with 26 the bottom four getting the boot.

This fourth straight defeat game of the tournament yet, points and eight rebounds.

By Jeric Lopez

T

dropped Mahindra to 11th place with its now 1-6 slate.

Its chances of making the playoffs are slipping away and it needs to sweep its remaining games to at the very least hope for a playoff.

Meanwhile, streaking Barangay Ginebra (2-1) is dueling with luckless NLEX (0-6) as of this report as the Gin Kings are shooting for a third straight win.

On the other hand, the Road Warriors, the league’s only winless team, are fighting for survival as another loss will

TEE-OFF.

Dr. Lucio Tan Sr. hits the ceremonial tee to start the 4th Tanduay Chairman Kap Invitational Golf Tournament recently at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. Close 150 players, including Lucio Tan Group executives and guests participated in the one day event.

New challenge awaits XTERRA cast THE crack pro XTERRA cast, including 11 in the men’s side, braces for a rough, tough challenge when the country’s premier OffRoad Triathlon unreels Sunday at its new home in Danao, Cebu.

The field, led by defending champion Bradley Weiss of South Africa and Aussie ace Ben Allen, will not only be tackling the course’s demanding layout but also the extreme summer heat in what could be a survival of the fittest for the top $15,000 purse and ranking points.

The finishing 10km run stage, for one, will feature a series of climbs and single track and nar-

row trails and a course with lots of loose rocks tipped to make or break one’s title bid in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. Meanwhile, the 1.5km swim stage will start and end at the Coco Palms beach resort while the twoloop 40km bike course will pass through the village and barangay roads before the field goes through punishing climbs as they go deeper in the course before tackling the fire roads and rocky terrains.

That ensures a spirited battle for top honors in the event, sponsored by Alcoplus, Sanicare, The Philippine Star, 2GO Express, Cetaphil, Prudential Guarantee, Co-

lumbia, Garmin, Tri Life, Cignal Hyper TV, Rocktape, Gatorade, MNTC, Coca Cola Femsa, Powerade, Wilkins and Storck with Japanese Takahiro Ogasawara, Taylor Charlton, Kieran McPherson, Jacky Boisset, Brodie Gardner, Olly Shaw, Alex Roberts, Dan Brown, Will Kelsay and local bet Joseph Miller joining the title hunt in the premier men’s pro division.

Jacqui Slack of Great Britain, on the other hand, heads the chase for the top $15,000 purse in the women’s side which also includes Aussie Carina Wasle, Myriam GuillotBoisset, Penny Slater of Australia and American Jessica Koltz.

Meanwhile, host Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI has vowed a successful staging of the event, the first of three after the city and SEI signed a memorandum of agreement making Danao the event’s host till 2019.

Also up for grabs is P120,000 in the Asian Elite and the duathlon individual title with the 3km run20km bike-5km run event drawing a huge field.

For details, visit www.xterraphil.com or through social media accounts (fb) xterraNorthPH; (IG) xterranorthph xterrasouthph and hashtag: #xterralaunion and #xterradanao and #xterrasouthph.

Full-blown war in Clash of Heroes on April 28 IT’S going to be a full-blown war as members of the training pool fight for their respective slots in the national men’s and women’s teams in a one-game showdown dubbed “Clash of Heroes” on April 28 at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Former Ateneo hotshot Alyssa Valdez and comely spikers Mika Reyes and Rachel Anne Daquis banner the star-studded event organized by the PSC-POC Media Group and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission for the benefit of

the national squads’ training in Japan and South Korea next month.

Aside from the men’s and women’s matches, there would be a Super Bowlstyle pep rally where members of the national men’s and women’s training pool would be formally introduced to solicit support as they embark on their journey to the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

LVPI acting president Peter Cayco said national coaches Sammy Acaylar of the men’s team and Francis Vicente of the women’s team would be at the sidelines,

but will delegate the coaching chores to their deputies so they can just focus on noting how the players are performing.

“This is our way to present the team to the public. They are no longer carrying their university or club teams anymore; they’re now representing our country, the Philippines. And our coaches want to see how they work as one,” said Cayco during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

“This is going to be a very crucial event as

it serves as the basis of our coaches in choosing the 18 members of the team whom they would bring to Japan and, probably, South Korea for training next month.”

Ticket prices are pegged at P200 and P100 and are available at the media center of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

National men’s team assistant coach Macky Carino said they will observe balance and fairness in dividing the 24-man pool, which has been training regularly since it was formed and announced last month.

eliminate them on the spot.

The scores: SAN MIGUEL 109—Cabagnot 26, Rhodes 20, Lassiter 18, Espinas 12, McCarthy 7, Reyes 6, Tubid 6, Santos 4, Van Opstal 4, Ross 2, Heruela 2, Agovida 2, Fajardo 0, Semerad 0, De Ocampo 0.

MAHINDRA 80—Wright 16, Celda 13, David 13, Corpuz 10, Revilla 7, Yee 7, Deutchman 6, Salva 4, Guevarra 2, Caperal 2, Paniamogan 0, Galanza 0, Teng 0, Ballesteros 0.

Quarterscores: 32-16, 55-31, 86-59, 109-80

San Beda cage clinic listup on REGISTRATION is now open for the second set of sessions of the 2017 San Beda basketball camp.

The camps, which are now on their 12th season, starts next month.

Clinics will begin on May 2 inside the Mendiola campus, and on May 4 inside the Taytay campus.

Interested parties may contact Oliver Quiambao at 735-6011, local 2104, or at 0929-1971071, and through program head, coach Edmundo “Ato” Badolato, at 09088624543.

The camp is a continuation of the April series and a beginning set for new enrollees.

Coaches from San Beda will handle the camp and will be joined prominent ones from other schools as well.

Classes in the Mendiola campus, which will be held every Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting on May 2 and will end on May 26.

Over at the Taytay campus, classes will take place every Mondays and Thursdays, from May 4 to 25.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

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

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Sports

Saso pulls away; Monsalve, Kim lead

Rajon Rondo of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston, MA. AFP

Bulls halfway to history; Raptors, Clippers rebound L

OS ANGELES—The Chicago Bulls powered past the Boston Celtics 111-97 Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead over the Eastern Conference top seeds in their NBA playoff firstround series.

The Bulls, who clawed their way to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, are trying to become the first eighth seed to topple the top-ranked team in the opening round since the Philadelphia 76ers upset Chicago in 2012.

While both the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers avoided their second straight defeats at home on Tuesday, the Celtics were again unable to solve Chicago.

The Bulls head home to Chicago for game three on Friday with

a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven set thanks in large part to a vintage performance from Rajon Rondo.

Rondo, a former Celtic who won a title in Boston, narrowly missed the 11th playoff triple-double of his career with 11 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds.

Rondo also produced five steals and three blocked shots.

“It’s key when you have a point guard like him that controls the whole game—you’ve just got to play,” said Dwyane Wade. “To-

night, our job was easy. We just had to play. As I told him, ‘Way to run your team.’”

Wade and Jimmy Butler scored 22 points each, leading six Bulls players in double figures. The Bulls didn’t trail in the second half, using a 10-0 scoring run— which included eight points from Wade—to build a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter on the way to the convincing win.

Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, still reeling from the death of his sister, Chyna, in a road accident over the weekend, had a quiet night. He scored 20 points but made just six of 15 shots from the floor, missed six of his 13 free-throw attempts and had five turnovers.

Jae Crowder matched his ca-

reer playoff high with 16 points and said the Celtics were far from done. “[The Bulls] came in and took [it], and we have to do the same thing,” Crowder said. “Take it one game at a time and try to get game three.”

Lowry ‘a fighter’ In Toronto, Kyle Lowry bounced back from a lackluster game one as the Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-100 to level their series at one game each.

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and produced the goahead jump shot late in the fourth quarter.

Lowry, who scored just four points in the Raptor’s series-opening defeat, added 22 points and de-

livered a clinching jump shot over Bucks rookie Malcolm Brogdon.

His basket gave the Raptors a four-point lead with 8.9 seconds remaining.

“It’s just his competitive edge,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.

“I’ve seen him in the trenches before, and he’s always bounced back.”

“It’s just who he is, he’s a fighter, a competitor, and I knew he wasn’t going to satisfied with the way he played in the first game.”

Patrick Patterson added two free throws for Toronto, while the Bucks were left to regret five missed shots to end the game.

That included a three-pointer by Brogdon that rattled in and out of the hoop. AFP

Del Rosario storms ahead as Korean, Thai foes tumble

Pauline del Rosario chips onto the green on No. 12

TARLAC—Pauline del Rosario put in a gutsy one-under par 71 and surged ahead by four as erstwhile leaders Numa Gulyanamitta and Nimmitta Juntanaket of Thailand and Korean Euna Koh melted in extreme heat and tough condition in the second round of the ICTSI Luisita Ladies Challenge at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Two adrift of the foreign troika with a shaky 74 in the opening of the P1 million event Tuesday, Del Rosario took control with a twobirdie, two-bogey frontside effort as Gulyanamitta and Juntanaket skied with identical 40s and Koh fumbled with a 39 trying to buck the tight layout’s challenge and the hot condition. The rookie Filipina pro then birdied No. 10 and 16 to pull way but failed to go up-and-

down on the par-3 17th and settled for a 36-35 card.

Still, her 71, the best in the tournament thus far, and a one-over 145 aggregate put the former Philippine Ladies Amateur Open champion 18 holes away from nailing her maiden pro victory after falling short by two in a joint runner-up finish in her pro in the ICTSI Champion Tour at Splendido won by Thai Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul last month.

Gulyanamitta did recover with a closing 37 but her 77 dropped to second at 149 while Nemittra Juntanaket birdied the 18th to card a 76 and tie sister Nimmitta and Koh, who limped with 78s, at 150 for joint third in the 54-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Despite the huge lead, the former The Country Club spearhead remains wary

of her chances for the top P250,000 purse, mentioning the layout’s everpresent challenges and the terrors lurking on its unpredictable surface.

“Luisita is so tough that the challenges vary each day. Its unpredictable greens are also hard to master,” said Del Rosario, also a former Thailand Ladies Amateur Open titlist and winner of a number of local and international titles.

Indonesian Jessica Lydia, tied with Del Rosario at fourth at the start of another scorching day, held her ground with a 37 start but lost steam at the back, fumbling with four bogeys and a double-bogey for a 42 and 79. She slipped to sixth at 153, eight strokes behind in the event, backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.

Herbalife backs Volcanoes GLOBAL nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition proudly announces its newest sports partnership with one of the most exciting team in the local sports scene to date, the Philippine Rugby Football TeamPhilippine Volcanoes.

Herbalife Philippines General manager Rosalio T. Valenzuela and Philippine Rugby Football Union President Rick Santos led the contract signing which was held at Herbalife’s Philippines corporate office.

Also present to witness the momentous event were Herbalife Philippines’ management team; PRFU’s William Bailey (treasurer), Ada

Milby (secretary-general), Jake Robrigado Letts (National Teams Head), and national team players’ Justin Villazor Coveney and Acee San Juan.

“This is another milestone for Herbalife Philippines, as this partnership exemplifies the company’s commitment to a healthy, active life, supported by good nutrition.

Together with the Philippine Volcanoes, we are confident that we can inspire more people to make better choices towards a healthier lifestyle,” said Rosalio T. Valenzuela, General Manager of Herbalife Philippines.

The Philippine Volcanoes

are one of the Philippines’ most successful national teams. Just recently, they bested 10 other countries to win the top prize in the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy Series competition in Qatar. Currently, the team is ranked first in the Southeast Asia after bagging the gold medal in the 2015 edition of the SEA Games.

With the recently forged partnership, Herbalife becomes the Official Nutrition Partner of the Philippines Volcanoes. The team will receive a monthly supply of products which includes the recently-launched sports nutrition line Herbalife24 F1 Sports and Rebuild Strength.

Herbalife Philippines General Manager, Rosalio T. Valenzuela and Philippine Rugby Football Union Inc. President Rick Santos sealed the news sports partnership via a contract signing ceremony held at Herbalife’s corporate office. Also present at the signing were Herbalife Philippines’ management team; PRFU’s William Bailey (treasurer), Ada Milby (secretary-general), Jake Robrigado Letts (National Teams Head), and national team players’ Justin Villazor Coveney and Acee San Juan.

YUKA Saso slowed down with a 72 but padded her lead to five as her rivals faltered with over-par scores even as Kim Joo Hyung of Korea and local ace Ryan Monsalve surged ahead in the boys’ side midway through the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships (Strokeplay) at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite yesterday.

After an eagle-spiked 68 in the first round, Saso settled for a three-birdie, three-bogey stint in the heat to pool a 36-hole aggregate of 140 and move five strokes clear of Junia Gabasa and closer to scoring a title repeat in the 72hole championship serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation.

Gabasa, who held her ground and shot a 71 Tuesday, bogeyed two of the first four holes and went on to card a 75, staying at second but falling farther back by five with a 146 in the event backed by Cignal and Metro Pacific Investment and organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Former national champion Harmie Constantino virtually bowed out with a 78 for a 151, 11 shots off the pace, while Kristine Torralba and Korean Yang Ju Young stood at 154 and 155 after an 80 and 77, respectively.

That should make Saso’s task easier with the reigning World Junior Girls gold medalist expected to step up her title-retention drive and nail the first berth in the national team bound for the SEA Games in Malaysia this August.

But while the girls’ crown looked a cinch for Saso, the chase for the boys’ plum remained as tight as ever with defending champion Kim and Monsalve matching 71s for 145s, two shots ahead of Carlo Gatmaytan, who pooled a 147 after a 74.

Opening day leader Carl Corpus failed to sustain his 71 start with a double bogeymarred backside 40, finishing with a 79 and tumbling to joint sixth with Kristoffer Arevalo, who fought back with a 71, at 150, now five strokes behind.

Teams jockey for positions Matches today (Moro Lorenzo Field) 2 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Men) 4 p.m. – ADMU vs FEU (Men) 6:30 p.m. – UP vs NU (Men)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, already assured of Final Four berths, play for their final UAAP Season 79 men’s football elimination round rankings today at the Moro Lorenzo Field.

The Growling Tigers take on already-eliminated De La Salle at 2 p.m., while the Tamaraws clash with league leader Ateneo at 4 p.m.

Defending champion University of the Philippines and also-ran National University collide at 6:30 p.m. to cap the final elims matchday.

The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons, who are lording it over the table with 32 and 28 points, respectively, are assured of the No. 1 and 2 ranking in the semifinals, which is a knockout affair.

That leaves FEU and UST battling it out to avoid finishing No. 4, which will have Ateneo in the semis set on April 30.

The third-ranked team will cross paths with UP in the other semifinals pairing.

The Growling Tigers are at 20 points, two off the third-running Tamaraws, whom they defeated, 2-1, last April 9.

For UST coach Marjo Allado, it’s all about giving their best, as the Tigers, preparing for their second straight semis stint. “’Yung puso ng UST, they never give up para lang manalo,” said Allado.

Balfour tapped to repair LRT 1

B3

Business

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

B1

IN BRIEF

Ayala Land Inc. unveils a plan to launch three new townships this year as a part of its expansion plan. Shown during the company’s annual stockholders meeting at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City are (from left) Ayala Land president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy, chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and vice chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

Lino Santos

Manila hosting two global IP conferences THE Philippines is hosting two global intellectual property conferences that will tackle the significance and impact of intellectual property rights protection on the growth and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property will hold the 2nd AIPPI Asean Regional Meeting in cooperation with the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines on April 20, 2017. Among the topics to be discussed are the emerging IP issues in the digital age and IP-related issues on the use of “clean and green” technologies.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Group of the Asean Intellectual Property Association will host the 2017 Asean-IPA Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting on April 21 to 23. Both conferences will be held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Hotel in Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

“The theme of this year’s conference is ‘IP in the Asean Region in a Changing Global Landscape.’ The theme complements the overall theme of the Asean’s 50th Founding Anniversary: Partnering For Change, Engaging The World. We expect to harness the collaboration of all the Asean countries in proactively promoting intellectual property rights protection to accelerate the growth and development of business in Asean,” said Asean IPA incoming president Aleli Angela Quirino, AccraLaw Of-Counsel.

BoP gap grew to $994m in 1st quarter

By Julito G. Rada THE balance of payments posted another deficit in March 2017, amid the volatility in financial markets, weighing on the value of the peso and gross international reserves.

Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the BoP yielded a deficit of $550 million in March, wider than the $436-million deficit in February and a reversal of the $854-million surplus in March 2016.

This brought the BoP position to a deficit of $994 million in the first quarter, higher than the deficit of $210 million in the same period last year.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a statement the country’s external payments position was under some stress and marked the second straight quarter the country incurred a BoP deficit.

“The likelihood of another deficit of the current account is high. If this is the case for first quarter of 2017, then this would represent also a second straight quarter of a current account deficit,” Cuyegkeng said.

“We may need to revisit our base case of a current account surplus this year. We expect a current account surplus of around $700 million to $800 million or around 0.2 percent of GDP this year. If the worst case develops, then we would be back to a twin deficit environment,” he said.

He said a rising ratio of current account and BoP deficits “could raise concerns and affect investor confidence about the country’s credit rating.”

BoP summarizes the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world, with a deficit indicating that foreign exchange payments exceed inflows. A BoP deficit affects the value of the peso against the US dollar and eats into the country’s gross international reserves.

Bangko Sentral earlier said concerns over trade and immigration policies of US President Donald Trump were affecting not only global but also the domestic financial markets.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Ayala unveils three new big townships

By Jenniffer B. Austria

P

ROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. is set to launch three huge mixed-use developments this year as it ramps up expansion on expectations of sustained growth of the economy.

The three new estates are the 250-hectare Evo City in Kawit, Cavite; the 25-hectare Azuela Cove in Davao City in joint venture with the Alcantara group; and a 35-hectare property between Quezon City and Pasig City in joint venture with the LT Group of tycoon Lucio Tan. Ayala Land president Bernard Vincent Dy said in a news briefing following the company’s annual stockholders meeting the three new estate developments would add to the

company’s existing 20 townships across the country.

“2016 was a successful year for us and as far as our 20-20-40 target we announced three years ago, we are on track. We feel that we can make progress in that plan this year and what gives us confidence is that the economy continues to be robust. The economic drivers that support the growth of the property industry continue to be there,” Dy said.

He said mortgage rates continued to be low while the business process outsourcing industry remained strong. Dollar remittances from overseas Filipino workers were still healthy while the tourism sector, both domestic and international, continued to grow, he said.

Under its 20-20-40 vision, Ayala Land expects to grow its net income by 20 percent annually to hit P40 billion by 2020 from P11.7 billion in 2013.

Ayala Land earmarked P88 billion for

2017 capital expenditures primarily to roll out more residential, hotel, office and retail projects.

Meanwhile, Ayala Land chief finance officer Jaime Ysmael was appointed chairman and president of OCLP Holdings Inc. Ysmael will be replaced by Augusto Bengzon, who is currently the deputy chief finance officer of Ayala Land.

OLCP Holdings is the parent company of private property firm Ortigas and Company Limited Partnership, which is now jointly managed and owned by Ayala Land and SM Prime Holdings Inc. Ysmael said he would oversee the development plans of four existing projects of the company, including Greenhills Shopping Center, Capital Commons, Cirkulo Verde and Fonterra Verde.

Ysmael said these properties were being redeveloped into a mixed-use development with office, residential and retail components.

AboitizPower plans P30-b retail bond sale

ABOITIZ Power Corp. said it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement for the planned P30-billion fixed-rate retail bonds under a shelf-registration program.

Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first tranche of the bond offering would involve P3 billion to be offered to the general public in 2017.

Aboitiz Power said it would issue the subsequent tranches of the bonds as needs arose. Net proceeds from the first tranche will be used to finance an investment into a company partly owned

by Aboitiz Power.

The company tapped BPI Capital Corp. as the issue manager and underwriter and BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. as the trustee. The bonds will be listed with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp.

Aboitiz Power earlier reported a 14-percent growth in 2016 income to P20 billion from P17.6 billion in 2015, on strong performance of power generation business. Jenniffer B. Austria

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing April 19, 2017

8000 7600 7200 6800 6400 6000

7,522.98 66.00

SC asked to lift injunction on review of telco deal

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine Competition Commission asked the Supreme Court to lift the injunction on the review of a P69.1-billion deal between the largest telecommunication companies.

The Office of the Solicitor General filed on behalf of the PCC a petition before the Supreme Court to lift the preliminary injunction issued by the Court of Appeals, which halted the anti-trust body’s review of the acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom assets by PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. “By this petition, we elevate

the matter to the highest court of the land to finally allow us to fulfill our legal mandate in the interest of promoting competition in the telco market,” PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan told reporters in a news briefing.

“What we are asking [Supreme Court] is to issue order to PLDT in the meantime to discontinue its consummation of the last tranche because it’s more difficult to undo,” he said.

Balisacan said the consummation of the P69.1-billion telco deal would be more costly and limit PCC’s remedies.

The last payment of PLDT for the acquisition of the 50-percent

stake in Vega Telecom Inc., Bow Arken (the parent company of New Century Telecoms, Inc.) and Brightshare (the parent company of eTelco Inc.) is on May 30.

PLDT already paid San Miguel P19.8 billion as of December 2016.

The other 50 percent of the P52.8 billion, excluding the liabilities, would be settled by Globe.

“Those two actions will allow PCC to finally fulfill its legal mandate to continue its review of the telco deal,” Balisacan said.

PCC wants to review the distribution of 700-megahertz

bandwidth, which the industry described as powerful broadband frequency.

PCC’s initial findings on the transaction showed that the telco deal was anti-competitive. PCC said its position was to prioritize public interest in evaluating the competition concerns in every merger or acquisition deal that fell within its jurisdiction.

“We must not lose sight of our main goal in pursuing the review of the acquisition. That is, to ensure the preservation of a level playing field for incumbent and prospective players in the telco industry,” Balisacan said.

Rice import delay lifts farmers income

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

UNION BANK SUPPORTS SMES. Union Bank of the Philippines signs a memorandum of

understanding with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for a partnership on the Ureka Forum, the country’s biggest mass conversion program for micro, small and medium enterprises. Shown during the signing ceremony are (seated, from left) UnionBank executive vice president and head of the Center for Strategic Partnerships Genaro Lapez, DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim and UnionBank vice president and Ureka executive director James Morris Ileto. Standing are (from left) Maria Consuelo Ruiz of UnionBank, Nikko Visperas of DICT and Tere Isla of GeiserMaclang Network.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to defer the proposed rice importation in the first quarter lifted the aggregate income of Filipino rice farmers by P24 billion, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday.

Piñol said the aggregate income of rice farmers hit P73.08 billion in the first quarter, as the buying price of paddy rice reached P21 per kilogram, an increase of P7 to P9 per kilo from the previous harvest seasons.

He said the income estimate was based on a net harvest of 3,480,086 metric tons in January to March.

Piñol said DA’S Philippine Rice Research Institute’s Philip-

pine Rice Information System actually monitored a total harvest of 4,142,960 metric tons of rice in the first quarter of 2017, but the DA factored in a post-harvest loss estimate of 16 percent.

“Now, that is a P24.38-billion increase in the income of the rice farmers for the first quarter alone because of President Duterte’s directive to defer rice importation until after the harvest season,” Piñol said.

The directive raised rice prices at the retail level. The National Economic and Development Authority said that in March, rice prices went up by 2.3 percent from a year ago, mainly due to import constraints imposed by the government.

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing APRIL 19, 2017 45.00 46.50 48.00 49.50

CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P49.650 LOW P49.780 AVERAGE P49.709 VOLUME 436.500M

P465.00-P685.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.20-P47.75 Unleaded Gasoline P27.68-P38.84 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P32.85-P41.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, April 19, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.6030

Japan

Yen

0.009225

0.4576

UK

Pound

1.284600

63.7200

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128650

6.3814

Switzerland

Franc

1.003814

49.7922

Canada

Dollar

0.747608

37.0836

Singapore

Dollar

0.716538

35.5424

Australia

Dollar

0.756000

37.4999

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655337

131.7127

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

13.2282

Brunei

Dollar

0.713980

35.4155

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029105

1.4437

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.5055

Euro

Euro

1.073500

53.2488

Korea

Won

0.000876

0.0435

China

Yuan

0.145222

7.2034

India

Rupee

0.015482

0.7680

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.226809

11.2504

New Zealand

Dollar

0.704100

34.9255

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032911

1.6325 Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market falls; MPIC climbs

First Gen resumes delivery of power

By Alena Mae S. Flores THREE natural power plants of First Gen Corp. started delivering power to the Luzon grid after an earthquake on April 8 disrupted the San Lorenzo switchyard in Batangas province.

First Gen said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday the company pursued an interim solution to restore the San Lorenzo switchyard, which connects the three natural gas plants to the transmission lines of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

“We are pleased to advise that the connection to the grid of the 500-megawatt San Lorenzo, 414-MW San Gabriel and 97MW Avion power plants. Accordingly, power output from all three power plants can now be

exported to the grid,” First Gen said.

First Gen, controlled by the Lopez Group owns the 1,000MW Sta. Rita, 500-MW San Lorenzo, 414-MW San Gabriel and 100-MW Avion natural gas plants.

First Gen earlier said that while the 1,000-MW power plant tripped following the earthquake, the plant and the Sta. Rita switchyard did not suffer any significant damage and resumed operations.

First Gen said along with Siemens, the operations and maintenance contractor for the San Lorenzo and San Gabriel plants, the company was working on an interim solution to restore the affected switchyard and enable the operation of the power plants.

S

TOCKS slid Wednesday, following a negative lead from Wall Street and Europe, with analysts saying Britain’s shock decision to call a snap election added to global uncertainties.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. which climbed 0.8 percent to P6.54 and BDO Unibank Inc. which went up 0.8 percent to P119.90.

DMCI Holdings Inc. also advanced 0.7 percent to P11.88, while Megaworld Corp. picked up 0.3 percent to P4.

Meanwhile, most Asian stocks traded lower Wednesday amid concerns over global uncertainties. The pound held on to its gains after Prime Minister Theresa May announced a snap

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 66 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,522.98, as five of the six major sectors declined.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 34 points, or 0.8 percent, to settle at 4,502.07, on a value turnover of P5.6 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 125 to 67, while 46 issues were unchanged.

Four of the most most active stocks ended in the green, led by

poll for June 8 as she looks to cement a mandate heading into key Brexit talks with her EU counterparts.

The move comes as France prepares for the first round of its presidential elections at the weekend, while Germany is set for a vote this year, both of which could have huge implications for the future of the eurozone.

Added to that, said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, was the face-off between the US and North Korea and the cooling of relations between Washington and Moscow over the Syria crisis.

May’s announcement “has added another layer of uncertainty for traders”, McKenna added. “It all sounds dire at the moment.”

The news sent the pound surging more than two percent against the dollar, which hammered London stocks

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.08 57,000 48.6 9,800 106 1,885,210 4.19 54,000 119.9 5,270,130 1.19 13,000 35.8 2,784,900 16.2 51,100 20.55 449,700 0.67 1,315,000 81.8 712,560 0.74 305,000 15 800 58 934,040 240 2,350 110.2 100 86.55 10 46.2 1,470,900 216 694,450 1,669 250 79.3 19,260 1.2 50,000

175,560 475,855 199,331,842 216,610 625,300,984 14,670 99,978,890 827,820 9,280,770 885,250 58,338,315.50 225,700 11,808 54,189,522.50 564,000 11,020 865.5 67,945,640 150,026,024 416,675 1,523,710 60,000

407,870 17,299,483 -57,361,607 7,469,955.00 -827,820 -580,605 -16,673,279 162,800 4,392 -1,734,913.50 -9,600 5,374,400 3,723,272 -66,800 -524,355 -

41.2 5.35 0.81 1.41 18.58 0.245 7.96 16.98 165.1 23.2 14.06 70 87.4 1.95 5.71 12 12.74 9 6.37 5.97 21.4 72.6 12.38 15.52 7.7 1.61 203.2 69 5 3.8 24.2 31.75 24.2 18.3 281.6 0.241 6.3 3.8 8.95 11.42 2.15 8.25 2.02 70.75 5 300 4.75 2.8 13.9 4.6 0.142 1.42 167.2 4.15 1.7 31.55

INDUSTRIAL 41.3 1,116,100 5.35 1,824,900 0.81 1,197,000 1.46 799,000 19.14 300 0.245 2,000,000 8 8,596,800 16.98 554,700 165.1 100 23.5 116,300 14.22 9,000 73 651,930 87.4 360 2 1,046,000 5.71 53,200 12.14 1,600 12.74 4,511,900 9.35 1,014,500 6.4 2,698,200 6.01 12,229,600 21.8 784,300 72.8 58,420 12.48 8,200 15.98 22,600 7.73 454,100 1.63 162,000 203.4 480,950 69 800 5.97 12,664,000 3.89 63,000 28.8 2,700 32.45 349,400 24.4 47,800 18.54 363,000 282 222,150 0.241 3,590,000 6.38 137,200 3.8 53,000 9 6,256,100 11.44 51,200 2.15 2,019,000 8.43 1,090,700 2.06 3,126,000 70.95 173,550 5 17,000 300 31,810 4.82 15,000 2.8 30,000 14 1,796,700 4.79 198,000 0.147 18,080,000 1.42 108,000 167.7 521,430 4.16 27,000 1.71 1,949,000 32.15 4,200

46,126,280 9,951,040 980,040 1,144,630 5,688 490,310 68,859,116 9,423,380 16,603 2,716,875 127,636 45,972,575.50 31,878 2,075,030 305,450 19,288 58,753,934 9,303,091 17,274,319 73,636,831 17,067,810 4,251,420.50 102,152 360,494 3,502,966 261,590 98,115,502 55,200 71,601,120 241,710 72,865 11,341,760 1,172,540 6,690,706 62,702,722 866,870 865,022 204,000 56,140,506 585,228 4,343,500 9,188,593 6,469,990 12,301,493.50 85,000 9,543,000 71,840 84,210 25,161,004 928,320 2,654,080 153,540 87,522,061 112,210 3,339,770 132,690

-40,298,945 -543,980 -1,640 -130,130 22,050 16,950,963 1,518,784 -32,850 269,090 -17,401,050 899,133 3,759,865 -7,913,400 -987,595 -305,277 -263,922 2,125,169 -59,706,492 -1,430,400 -3,550 -8,655 2,646,970 -287,670 1,652,764 1,362,876 -34,530 -21,806,967.00 2,891,710 -849,240 -177,260 -1,029,297 -6,399,000 43,120 5,527,284 94,850 -36,527,058.00 -4,280 25,420

0.37 76 14.6 6.25 0.415 0.42 860 8.45 11.9 7.8 6 0.212 1,222 6.6 81.95 5.44 1.04 7.86 15.78 6.57 0.059 1.08 1.87 110.2 2.77 719.5 1.45 284.8 0.295 0.198

0.365 75.5 14.48 6.2 0.4 0.41 855 8.33 11.8 7.7 6 0.186 1,200 6.4 79.4 5.44 0.99 7.7 15.48 6.4 0.057 1.07 1.85 107.5 2.77 708 1.41 283.2 0.29 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 1,790,000 75.6 864,800 14.54 5,671,300 6.2 19,600 0.405 8,200,000 0.415 2,500,000 856.5 150,220 8.33 518,600 11.88 8,908,900 7.8 1,000 6 1,000 0.2 3,260,000 1,206 105,770 6.4 1,017,300 79.4 1,062,420 5.44 100 0.99 5,981,000 7.7 776,100 15.78 3,336,100 6.54 15,867,200 0.058 91,680,000 1.07 32,000 1.85 202,000 107.5 267,280 2.77 60,000 711 383,170 1.41 158,000 284.8 5,740 0.29 470,000 0.198 1,460,000

654,550 65,413,200 82,459,620 122,430 3,323,450 1,038,000 128,718,810 4,330,362 105,541,724 7,750 6,000 636,830 127,749,485 6,584,423 84,931,510 544 5,994,980 5,976,814 52,437,964 103,362,658 5,326,170 34,480 376,540 28,925,662 166,200 272,345,520 225,070 1,634,376 136,350 286,280

-77,700 1,024,687 15,074,118 -166,050 -1,853,700 586,886.00 -28,760,368 -3,900 -39,773,655 460 -6,929,291 -188,906 -4,499,960 17,043,844 3,602,053 -38,248,415 -412,984 -

6.86 0.97 1.49 35.15 3.93 5.21 0.5 1.03 1.3 0.155 0.53 54 0.7 0.189 1.65 0.98 1.12 4.04 0.335 0.325 0.64 4.43 25.3 1.76 3.3

6.82 0.95 1.42 34.8 3.89 5.15 0.495 1.03 1.23 0.155 0.52 53.15 0.7 0.18 1.62 0.97 1.04 3.93 0.31 0.3 0.6 4.35 24.9 1.76 3.3

PROPERTY 6.83 98,500 0.95 386,000 1.46 35,887,000 35 4,622,300 3.9 2,357,000 5.2 608,700 0.495 8,008,000 1.03 1,000 1.27 344,000 0.155 340,000 0.53 1,677,000 53.5 358,320 0.7 18,000 0.189 1,730,000 1.63 4,819,000 0.97 2,160,000 1.09 33,814,000 4 24,926,000 0.325 95,870,000 0.315 3,150,000 0.61 18,629,000 4.35 375,000 25.05 2,005,100 1.76 271,000 3.3 3,000

673,154 369,410 52,369,850 161,761,020 9,201,720 3,152,131 3,993,370 1,030 432,180 52,700 875,730 19,256,341 12,600 313,830 7,867,850 2,112,310 35,416,900 99,379,500 30,920,950 994,550 11,468,700 1,650,300 50,159,595 476,960 9,900

-357,585 2,176,820 -26,184,670 4,882,560 75,622 -314,600 2,201,547.50 -2,765,700 318,000 32,069,730 -282,500 57,600 80,840 -5,695,795 -

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE 3.08 ASIA UNITED 48.6 BANK PH ISLANDS 107 BDO LEASING 4.2 BDO UNIBANK 118.8 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.11 CHINABANK 36.8 COL FINANCIAL 16.2 EAST WEST BANK 20.8 MEDCO HLDG 0.67 METROBANK 81.8 NTL REINSURANCE 0.74 PB BANK 14.64 PHIL NATL BANK 57.5 PHIL STOCK EXCH 240 PHILTRUST 110.2 PSBANK 86.55 RCBC 47.95 SECURITY BANK 216.2 SUN LIFE 1,670 UNION BANK 79.3 VANTAGE 1.2

3.08 48.6 107 4.2 119.9 1.19 36.8 16.2 21 0.69 82.85 0.74 15 58.2 240 110.2 86.55 49 216.4 1,670 79.3 1.2

3.08 48.1 104.1 3.99 117.1 1.11 35.5 16.2 20.5 0.67 81.5 0.74 14.64 57.5 240 110.2 86.55 43.2 215 1,666 79 1.2

ABOITIZ POWER 41.8 AGRINURTURE 5.36 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.83 ALSONS CONS 1.42 ASIABEST GROUP 19.16 BASIC ENERGY 0.248 CEMEX HLDG 8.2 CENTURY FOOD 17.1 CHEMPHIL 167 CIRTEK HLDG 23.2 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.06 CONCEPCION 71 CONCRETE A 89 CROWN ASIA 1.96 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.9 DEL MONTE 12 DNL INDUS 13.1 EEI CORP 9.21 EMPERADOR 6.43 ENERGY DEVT 6.1 FIRST GEN 21.7 FIRST PHIL HLDG 72.9 GINEBRA 12.5 HOLCIM 15.52 INTEGRATED MICR 7.8 IONICS 1.63 JOLLIBEE 205 LIBERTY FLOUR 69 LMG CHEMICALS 5 MABUHAY VINYL 3.83 MACAY HLDG 24.2 MANILA WATER 31.75 MAXS GROUP 24.9 MEGAWIDE 18.5 MERALCO 283 MG HLDG 0.243 PANASONIC 6.33 PEPSI COLA 3.9 PETRON 9.08 PHINMA 11.42 PHINMA ENERGY 2.16 PHX PETROLEUM 8.28 PHX SEMICNDCTR 2.1 PILIPINAS SHELL 71.45 PRYCE CORP 5 PUREFOODS 300 RFM CORP 4.76 ROXAS HLDG 2.83 SHAKEYS PIZZA 14.06 SPC POWER 4.8 SWIFT FOODS 0.143 TKC METALS 1.43 UNIV ROBINA 170.2 VICTORIAS 4.16 VITARICH 1.7 VIVANT 31.55

41.8 5.52 0.84 1.46 19.16 0.25 8.2 17.1 167 23.5 14.62 73 89 2 5.96 12.14 13.12 9.35 6.43 6.1 21.9 72.9 12.5 16.08 7.8 1.64 206.2 69 6.2 3.89 28.85 32.65 24.9 18.56 284 0.243 6.38 3.9 9.08 11.44 2.16 8.48 2.12 71.45 5 300 4.82 2.83 14.1 4.8 0.15 1.43 170.2 4.16 1.73 32.15

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

0.37 76 14.6 6.25 0.405 0.42 855 8.45 11.88 7.7 6 0.186 1,222 6.43 81.9 5.44 1.03 7.86 15.58 6.49 0.059 1.08 1.87 110.2 2.77 717 1.45 284 0.29 0.19

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

6.82 0.95 1.45 35 3.93 5.16 0.5 1.03 1.29 0.155 0.53 53.3 0.7 0.181 1.64 0.98 1.12 4.01 0.32 0.3 0.63 4.41 25.3 1.76 3.3

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

29.8 0.99 6.37 0.91 5.28

30.2 1.01 7 0.91 5.28

29.3 0.98 6.37 0.86 5.21

29.6 0.99 7 0.9 5.22

5,108,000 2,667,000 800 204,000 1,769,700

151,338,080 2,643,240 5,537 184,480 9,258,326

-52,534,405 564,300 338,866

2GO GROUP 12.22 ABS CBN 46 ACESITE HOTEL 1.55 APC GROUP 0.52 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.046 ASIAN TERMINALS 12.1 BERJAYA 5.45 BLOOMBERRY 8.37 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.077 CALATA CORP 2.13 CEBU AIR 103.9 CENTRO ESCOLAR 9.77 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.35 EASYCALL 4 FAR EASTERN U 971 GLOBE TELECOM 2,040 GMA NETWORK 6.32 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.48 HARBOR STAR 3.25 IMPERIAL 3.7 INTL CONTAINER 88.65 IP EGAME 0.0091 IPEOPLE 12.5 IPM HLDG 9.03 ISLAND INFO 0.193 ISM COMM 1.43 JACKSTONES 3.71 LBC EXPRESS 15.5 LEISURE AND RES 4.79 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.95 MACROASIA 4.54 MANILA JOCKEY 2.4 MELCO CROWN 6.4 METRO RETAIL 3.87 MLA BRDCASTING 15.3 NOW CORP 3.07 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.66 PAL HLDG 5.55 PAXYS 3.05 PHIL SEVEN CORP 169 PHILWEB 8 PLDT 1,770 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.59 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.425 PUREGOLD 42.9 ROBINSONS RTL 79.3 SBS PHIL CORP 6.02 SSI GROUP 2.23 STI HLDG 1.08 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.9 TRAVELLERS 3.21 WATERFRONT 0.405 WILCON DEPOT 5.19

12.26 46.05 1.6 0.53 0.047 12.1 5.45 8.37 0.077 2.13 103.9 9.77 2.59 4 971 2,050 6.37 16.48 3.28 3.7 88.9 0.0091 12.68 9.03 0.193 1.47 3.72 15.6 4.8 0.95 4.56 2.5 6.4 3.95 15.3 3.19 11.66 5.6 3.05 169 8 1,775 1.6 0.425 42.9 81.3 6.18 2.27 1.09 1.91 3.25 0.475 5.32

12 45.95 1.48 0.52 0.044 12.1 5.45 8.19 0.073 2.05 103 9.77 2.35 4 971 1,990 6.27 16.24 3.2 3.54 87.5 0.0091 12.4 8.8 0.187 1.42 3.7 14.42 4.55 0.95 4.52 2.4 6.16 3.78 15.3 3.07 11.66 5.5 3.05 169 7.86 1,695 1.59 0.42 41.75 78.6 6.02 2.23 1.06 1.85 3.19 0.405 5.17

SERVICES 12.14 233,800 46 6,000 1.57 164,000 0.52 615,000 0.045 82,100,000 12.1 100 5.45 19,500 8.24 4,464,600 0.074 36,180,000 2.08 3,009,000 103.2 122,760 9.77 100 2.59 31,000 4 5,000 971 1,030 1,990 63,910 6.3 312,000 16.4 200,700 3.2 722,000 3.55 44,000 87.9 1,321,870 0.0091 13,000,000 12.68 43,100 9.01 332,000 0.189 6,390,000 1.45 1,072,000 3.72 64,000 14.42 1,300 4.55 2,554,000 0.95 104,000 4.53 307,000 2.46 79,000 6.28 3,180,200 3.79 3,602,000 15.3 1,900 3.11 3,257,000 11.66 800 5.5 21,400 3.05 13,000 169 11,620 7.95 2,873,600 1,700 275,130 1.59 1,688,000 0.42 490,000 42.2 1,227,200 80 809,340 6.1 55,000 2.23 2,613,000 1.06 9,705,000 1.91 27,000 3.2 1,533,000 0.46 17,750,000 5.25 13,382,300

2,847,974 275,820 258,050 320,780 3,674,400 1,210 106,275 36,895,380 2,712,740 6,274,880 12,669,443 977 80,050 20,000 1,000,130 128,681,100 1,971,623 3,305,848 2,323,530 156,350 116,332,890.50 118,300 540,300 2,989,130 1,209,590 1,545,210 237,160 19,886 11,794,990 98,800 1,392,260 195,500 19,944,570 13,856,820 29,070 10,156,960 9,328 118,540 39,650 1,963,780 22,834,444 469,663,745 2,685,090 206,300 51,712,580 64,979,888.50 332,185 5,849,900 10,384,810 50,620 4,911,590 7,956,600 70,392,413

-67,100 -31,600 4,600 24,323,352 126,050 31,680 -1,782,578 -46,103,380 7,880,186 152,160 -1,460 1,049,700 12,666,532 -3,614,990 -94,900 33,550 -99,710 -16,675,701 87,712,640 -18,219,870 40,068,650.50 124,854 -3,280,910 1,976,800 -2,235,630 -160,000 8,490,081

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

0.0033 1.55 5.35 1.8 2 0.83 0.39 9.03 2.62 0.25 0.18 0.192 0.012 0.012 1.73 6.16 2.12 0.89 0.012 0.011 0.013 8.5 3.24 150 2.73 0.0084

0.0033 1.57 5.35 1.8 2 0.85 0.39 9.03 2.62 0.255 0.18 0.192 0.012 0.012 1.75 6.18 2.12 0.89 0.012 0.011 0.013 8.62 3.29 150.9 2.78 0.0084

0.0033 1.53 5.3 1.74 2 0.8 0.385 8.68 2.54 0.247 0.179 0.192 0.011 0.011 1.73 6.11 2.05 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.012 8.5 3.14 149.4 2.7 0.0084

MINING & OIL 0.0033 36,000,000 1.54 5,334,000 5.3 21,000 1.79 116,000 2 1,000 0.82 7,583,000 0.385 340,000 9.02 300 2.58 2,387,000 0.25 60,000 0.179 3,110,000 0.192 140,000 0.011 101,400,000 0.012 2,700,000 1.74 16,000 6.11 2,002,000 2.08 182,000 0.89 106,000 0.011 15,000,000 0.011 100,000 0.013 39,000,000 8.5 265,100 3.16 3,078,000 149.7 783,150 2.78 65,000 0.0084 1,000,000

118,800 8,233,430 111,347 204,640 2,000 6,235,650 130,950 2,673 6,150,570 14,990 557,340 26,880 1,115,700 32,200 27,810 12,273,817 376,430 93,930 165,500 1,100 506,600 2,261,547 9,810,510 117,299,061 176,580 8,400

-1,625,860 -55,122 59,680 433,600 0 -7,109,975 0 0 -46,007 -672,180 -14,065,157 0 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

46.1 528 526 104.6 115.1 523 5.73 1,020 1,045 1.05 107.7 80.1 79.9 77.7 78.1 78.05

46.2 528.5 526 104.7 115.1 523 5.8 1,020 1,045 1.05 107.7 81 80.1 79 78.1 78.25

45.95 528 525 104.5 115.1 523 5.73 1,020 1,045 1.05 107.7 80.1 79.9 77.7 78.1 78.05

PREFERRED 46.2 109,800 528.5 17,200 525.5 21,690 104.6 7,660 115.1 500 523 11,690 5.78 2,953,000 1,020 23,100 1,045 5 1.05 10,000 107.7 300 81 4,900 80 172,550 79 52,710 78.1 2,000 78.25 82,600

5,050,835 9,081,700 11,394,165 801,259 57,550 6,113,870 17,080,305 23,562,000 5,225 10,500 32,310 392,940 13,793,835 4,103,780 156,200 6,462,450

-1,205,200 2,635,495 -336,240 -

LR WARRANT

2.58

2.6

2.45

WARRANTS 2.46 1,102,000

2,794,950

-

560,800 731,835 50,591,848

80,000 857,663

329,734

97,782

NAME SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

MS SME ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.99 7.35 9.95

FIRST METRO ETF 125.8

TRADING SUMMARY

4 7.4 10.16

3.9 7.04 9.93

125.8

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 124.4 124.8 2,630

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,633,218

INDUSTRIAL

94,334,834

HOLDING FIRMS

155,467,902

PROPERTY

252,243,364

SERVICES

221,443,270

MINING & OIL

221,019,110

GRAND TOTAL

966,467,429

3.9 7.15 9.96

141,000 102,200 5,079,900

VALUE 1,874.23 (UP) 0.81 1,321,041,696.50 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,184.75 (DOWN) 113.25 1,005,101,675.225 HOLDING FIRMS 7,604.75 (DOWN) 77.20 1,182,618,259.85 PROPERTY 3,292.64 (DOWN) 19.57 SERVICES 1,570.18 (DOWN) 27.94 657,182,905.16 MINING & OIL 12,004.11 (DOWN) 79.10 1,170,932,488.68 PSEI 7,522.98 (DOWN) 66.00 165,963,962.986 All Shares Index 4,502.07 (DOWN) 34.77 5,555,055,212.41 Gainers:67; Losers: 125; Unchanged: 46; Total: 238

the most since last June’s referendum to leave the EU. The FTSE fell 2.5 percent, while the Dow sank 0.6 percent on Wall Street.

By the end of the morning session in Tokyo the Nikkei index was flat.

Hong Kong slipped 0.5 percent, Shanghai sank 1.2 percent, Sydney lost 0.4 percent and Singapore gave up 0.6 percent. There were also losses in Taipei and Wellington.

Safe haven assets were also holding up as investors fret over the global outlook.

Gold is up more than two percent since Donald Trump ordered missile strikes on a Syrian airbase 12 days ago, sparking fears of a possible conflict with Russia, which is backing the Damascus regime.

The yen was also sitting around five-month highs against the dollar.

There was a “growing wait-and-see mood due to such uncertainties as the French election and British snap poll”, said Okasan Online Securities chief strategist Yoshihiro Ito in a commentary. With AFP, Bloomberg

PhilJets secures fund for helicopter

By Othel V. Campos FILIPINO boutique aviation company PhilJets Group secured a financing assistance from Chailease Finance, a Taipei-based financial institution, to acquire a brand new Airbus H130 helicopter.

PhilJets chief executive Thierry Tea said his company started to develop a fruitful partnership with Chailease Finance, “and their support enables our growth and the one of our partners.”

“It is a milestone for PhilJets to have passed the stringent accreditation process of Chailease, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship even further on the long run,” he said.

The financing agreement was finalized during the inaugural Rotorcraft Asia in Singapore on April 18, 2017.

PhilJets is expected to take delivery of its fifth Airbus H130 within the next three months. It developed an expertise in operating the flagship helicopter type, making the boutique aviation group one of the major operators of H130 in Southeast Asia.

It is the second aircraft in PhilJets’ fleet to be financed

by Chailease.

Apart from the brand new H145, PhilJets also procured two H130 helicopters, bringing to 9 the number of helicopters it operates in the Philippines and making it the largest operator of Airbus helicopters in the country. Its current fleet includes 4 H130, 1 EC130B4 and 1 AS350B2.

Both the twin-engine H145 and the two singleengine H130 helicopters are scheduled for delivery in the last quarter of 2017.

The new helicopters will be used to support PhilJets’ growing VIP, corporate and tourism businesses, with the possibility of adding new missions, as the operator explores expansion plans into the emergency medical services and cargo transport sectors.

A pioneer aircraft finance market company in Taiwan, Chailease Finance Co. Ltd. specializes in aircraft and aircraft engine financing and leasing business for a span of over 30 years, including venturing in rotary and fixed wings in the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Taiwan and China.

Business

B3

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

BSP calls for more bank transparency

Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) operator Light Rail Manila Corp. signs an agreement with engineering and construction firm First Balfour for the LRT-1 Structural Restoration Project, which includes the parapets, faulty concrete, and repair of river bridges of the LRT-1 line. Shown during the signing ceremonies are (front row, from left): LRMC general counsel Philip Ranada; LRMC president and CEO Rogelio Singson; First Balfour president and chief operating officer Anthony Fernandez; and First Balfour executive vice president Rey Villar.

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, wants banks and quasi-banks to be more transparent in their presentation of annual reports so that the public will be informed about their real condition.

In a statement Wednesday, the board said it approved the amended guidelines on the presentation of annual report of banks and quasi-banks. The move is aimed at enhancing market discipline aligned with international best practices.

Under the revised rules, banks and quasi-banks are required to disclose in their annual reports significant information concerning their financial condition, performance, ownership and governance.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the information would enable the public and market participants to better understand the true condition of the banks and quasi-banks.

“The initiative is an important step to promote greater disclosure and transparency. This paves the way for the public and market players to access material information before decisions are made,” Espenilla said.

All banks and quasi-banks, except foreign bank branches, are now required to publish their annual reports. This is a departure from previous guidelines which anchored the requirement on the type and asset size of the bank.

The annual report includes discussion and analysis of the bank and QB’s corporate policy, financial highlights, financial condition and results of operation. It also provides information on the bank and QB’s risk management and corporate governance framework.

Banks and quasi-banks with complex business segments would be required to disclose more granular information, the board said.

The approval of the Monetary Board will apply to annual reports for the financial year 2017 effectively giving banks and quasi-banks adequate transition to the new requirement. Julito G. Rada

First Balfour tapped to repair LRT 1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

L

ight Rail Manila Corp., a consortium led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said on Wednesday it signed a P980million deal with First Balfour to restore the structure of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1.

The LRT-1 Structural Restoration Project includes the restoration of parapets, faulty concrete, and repair of river bridges of the system.

“This project is a priority for us given that it concerns the safety of our passengers,” LRMC president and chief ex-

ecutive Rogelio Singson said.

“While we have been working towards powering up more trains, replacing the tracks, and improving the environment of the stations, the structural integrity of all LRT-1 stations is our prime concern and responsibility,” he added.

First Balfour previously worked on LRT-1 projects.

First Balfour in 2005 did the power supply and electrical works for the LRT-1 capacity expansion project and completed the design and build contract of the LRT-1 North Extension project, through a joint venture with DMCI. The LRT-1 Structural Restoration Project was given the notice to proceed last month with target completion set in two years.

The project is aimed to enhance the safety and overall riding experience in LRT-1, and will complement the ongoing improvements implemented by LRMC in LRT-1

trains and all 20 stations.

LRMC earlier completed the rehabilitation of the Doroteo Station, which is part its P500-million Station Improvement Project.

LRMC is also working on the rehabilitation of United Nations, Gil Puyat, Abad Santos, Pedro Gil, and R. Papa Stations, which will be accomplished in June.

“By end 2017, LRMC will deliver a wholly refurbished train line, featuring stations that have been renovated and equipped with structural upgrades and new facilities to enhance passenger experience,” Singson said.

LRMC said as of end-Decem-

ber 2016, it was able to deploy up to 100 light rail vehicles or 30 trains per day. This was up from only 77 in September 2015, when the company assumed operation and maintenance of the train line.

It said with more LRVs serving a daily average of 420,000 passengers and through the implementation of effective management strategies, the time for a train to complete a loop improved from 118 minutes to 108 minutes.

The company earlier won the P65-billion LRT Line 1 extension project, with a premium bid of P9.35 billion in September 2014.

LRMC is responsible for the

construction of the 11.7-kilometer extension from the present end point in Baclaran to the Niog area in Bacoor, Cavite.

It will consist of elevated guideways throughout most of the alignment, except for the guideway section at Zapote which will be located at grade. It will consist of the satellite depot and new station.

The extended rail line is expected to help increase the capacity of LRT 1 from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily and benefit more than four million residents in the southern part of Metro Manila and Cavite.

P180-b term deposits undersubscribed

By Julito G. Rada THE P180-billion worth of term deposits offered by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its weekly auction on Wednesday were undersubscribed

by P52.5 billion due mainly to sluggish demand from investors in month-long instruments.

Data showed that the sevenday P30 billion deposits continued to attract banks and trust entities as total bids reached P41.34 billion and fetched a weighted average accepted yield of 3.36 percent.

However, the P150-billion month-long instruments lured total bids of just P86.16 billion and had a weighted average accepted yield of 3.45 percent.

Despite the successive undersubscriptions, Bangko Sentral is keeping the weekly volume of P180 billion during its next auc-

tion set on April 26.

Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said earlier that one of the reasons for the under-subscriptions was the retail treasury bonds’ settlement on April 11, 2017.

The Bureau of the Treasury successfully raised P70 billion in its latest issuance of retail treasury bonds. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said strong demand for the 3-year security set the coupon at 4.25 percent with total tenders reaching P86.2 billion for a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.87 percent.

This prompted the auction committee to expand its offering from the initial announcement of P30 billion to P70 billion to accommodate market appetite.

Tetangco also cited reports that banks were earmarking funds for their reserve require-

ment compliance.

“We will continue to monitor bank positions and refresh our liquidity forecasts as needed,” Tetangco said.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said earlier the regulator was on a waitand-see mode regarding any move to adjust the weekly volume, because it would be hard to increase the volume and then render the market in a tighter condition. He said that situation would be unnecessary because it could, in any way, hamper the momentum of economic growth.

Previous oversubscriptions in 2016 prompted the regulator to increase by P50 billion the weekly volume from the previous P130 billion to P180 billion starting Dec. 1, 2016 to more effectively siphon off excess liquidity in the financial system.

New from GE. GE and PowerEdge Solutions introduces the new TLE Series CE UPS to the Philippine market.

The new series combine high reliability, efficiency and power to offer a blend of smart software, diagnostics and real-time, multimode energy savings. GE Energy Connections–Industrial Solutions Commercial Leader for Asean/Korea and Japan Francis Ang and Product Analytics Specialist Dario Mazzoleni Ferracini showcase the new TLE Modular 30-180kVA.

Poorest provinces have no mining industry THE first indication that one side is beginning to lose an argument is when it starts to resort to false claims and baseless assertions.

The more important the argument and the greater the resulting humiliation, the more outrageous and brazen the false claims become.

The nation is currently witnessing a manifestation of this persistent tendency. The subject of the false claims and baseless assertions is the campaign of the Duterte administration – more specifically, the campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – against this country’s mining industry. Realizing that she is on the verge of losing the argument about the right of the Philippine mining industry to continue existing, DENR head Gina Lopez has made a declaration seeking to place the mining industry within the context of the poverty situation in this country.

Several weeks ago, Secretary Gina, in

her best mining-is-evil tone, said this to the members of a Congressional committee: “The poorest areas in the Philippines are mining areas.” Naturally, the legislators were alarmed, but the alarm lasted only until the mining folk, citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and individual corporate data, pointed out the absolute incorrectness of Secretary Gina’s brazen assertion.

“Studies do not support the contention that mining increases poverty in the areas where (mining companies) operate,” quickly retorted Chito Gozar, a senior official of OceanaGold Corporation, one of the largest gold producers in this country. “On the contrary, mining (activity) spikes household incomes in mine sites,” he said.

Gozar said that there is not a single mine in any of the provinces identified by PSA’s First Semester 2015 Poverty Statistics as the ten poorest: Northern Samar, Siquijor, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Zamboanga del Sur. Yet those provinces recorded the nation’s highest poverty inci-

dence rates. For Lanao del Sur the poverty incidence rate was 70.2 percent. For Sulu and Sarangani the corresponding percentages were 61.8 and 54.5, respectively.

In contrast, Gozar said, Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet, which host mining operations, registered much lower poverty incidence rates.

Benguet’s rate was 6.5 percent and Nueva Vizcaya’s was 15.8 percent. This country’s oldest and most prestigious mining operations are located in Benguet. OceanaGold’s Didipio Mines are located in the Nueva Vizcaya barangay of the same name.

The OceanaGold official cited the findings of the Barangay Didipio socio-economic assessment conducted by the UP Los Banos Foundation. The salient finding of the assessment was the P19,380 mean annual household income in Barangay Didipio. This figure is significantly higher than the 2015 national poverty threshold (P18,935) and the national average income (P17,166).

There was an additional socio-economic benefit for Barangay Didipio from the entry of a mining company into the locality, Gozar

noted. The barangay’s work force gradually shifted from farm income to salary income.

Today 82 percent of Barangay Didipio workers are recipients of salaries, he said.

Either Secretary Gina was not informed about these facts by her staff or she was informed about them but decided to try and pull a fast one on the legislators, hoping that no one would come forward and set the record straight. Either possibility is not good for the embattled DENR chief, for it indicates that she has run out of valid arguments against the Philippine mining industry.

A final word of advice for Secretary Gina in her coming appearances before the Commission on Appointments and other Congressional bodies. Fight clean (the Spanish phrase is jugar limpio). Stop saying things that sound good for your personal crusade.

And stick to the facts, e.g. the Philippine mining industry has not been a promoter of poverty.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

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

B4

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Business

IMF: Trump era a new challenge

By Jeremy Tordjman

W

ASHINGTON―In its 70-year history, the International Monetary Fund has been no stranger to financial crises and policy disputes but now faces a new challenge: a US administration fundamentally opposed to some of its most important positions.

With the Fund’s 189 members due to stage a semi-annual meeting in Washington this week, there has been no shortage of divergences with the White House.

The Trump administration has vowed to dismantle much of the financial regulation put in place after the 2008 financial crisis.

But the Fund warns darkly that excessive deregulation could “increase the likelihood” of another meltdown.

The IMF warns of the economic dangers of climate change. But the Trump administration casts doubt on its existence and seeks to revive its coal industry while threatening

to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on emissions.

It is nevertheless the volatile question of global trade that holds the greatest potential for friction between the IMF and its largest shareholder.

Since the US presidential campaigns, the IMF has repeatedly warned about the dangers of “inward-looking” protectionist measures and defended multilateralism.

It is hard to see this as anything but an implicit counter-argument to Trump, who has vowed to raise trade barriers and restrict immigration, who has assailed the free-trade promoted by the World Trade Organization and on Tuesday signed an executive action to promote US firms over foreign ones in federal contract

awards.

The IMF has so far escaped the president’s barbs. Not so in the case of the Commerce Secretary.

“Every time we do anything to defend ourselves... they call that protectionism,” Wilbur Ross told The Financial Times. “It’s rubbish.”

Washington, meanwhile, is calling on the IMF to pay closer attention to member countries’ efforts to affect currency exchange rates and other imbalances, particularly in trade, that harm the United States.

“Clearly, there are some in the Trump administration that have expressed enormous skepticism toward multilateralism and if their line prevails, institutions like the IMF will suffer,” said Douglas Rediker, a former US

representative at the Fund.

Such antagonism cuts a stark contrast with the Obama years, when the IMF found a receptive audience at the White House in calling for raising the US minimum wage, combatting income inequality or giving a greater voice to emerging countries.

“There will be some tensions but the weight of the US should not deter the IMF from being blunt and frank in its assessment of US policies,” said Nathan Sheets, former under secretary for international affairs at the US Treasury.

For the moment, the IMF is holding its anti-protectionist line but also striking a conciliatory tone by hailing the Trump administration’s plans to invest in infrastructure and cut corporate taxes. AFP

Singapore is about to get more expensive BUSINESSES in Singapore are bracing for higher costs in a country that’s already among the world’s most expensive to live in.

From a 30 percent increase in water prices to higher diesel costs to a looming carbon tax, manufacturers are being forced to adjust their operations to remain competitive in an economy that’s only recently recovering from an export slump. It also signals a pick-up in inflation, an outcome the central bank flagged in its monetary policy statement last week.

Of the measures announced

by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his February budget, higher water tariffs have generated the most debate and anxiety among Singaporeans. Having kept the cost steady since 2000, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is clear why the government needs to adjust prices: as an island nation that’s water-stressed, the state needs to pay for expensive desalination plants. Higher prices will also make consumers more aware of their usage of the scarce resource.

For Lee Soon Kiat, director of government relations at semiconductor maker Globalfoundries Inc., higher water tariffs―to be implemented in two phases beginning in July― means extra costs of as much as S$5 million ($3.6 million) a year at plants producing electrical circuits.

“It’s clear that it will add to our operating costs,” said Lee, who is also a member of the executive committee of Singapore’s Semiconductor Industry Association. “It’s an issue that our industry will have to adapt to, and continue to pursue water saving or recycling measures in our processes.”

Singapore is routinely ranked among the top when it comes to global competitiveness, mainly because of its low company tax rates, good infrastructure and easy procedures to open a business, rather than cost effectiveness. It was placed fourth out of 61 countries in last year’s world competitiveness index― compiled by the Swiss business school IMD―but ranked among the lowest, at 57, on scores for cost of living.

Song Seng Wun, a regional economist at CIMB Private Bank in Singapore, said the government is banking on companies accepting higher costs in exchange for the city state’s other advantages: its reliable power and water supply, business-friendly framework, stable legal and political system and competitive tax rates.

“Singapore has never been the cheapest place to do business,” he said. “Other factors have to be strong enough to keep Singapore as a very competitive place.” Having a green and healthy environment is “also a competitive advantage,” he said. Bloomberg

Models pose with a Skoda Kodiaq during the media day of the 17th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on April 19, 2017. Global automakers unveiled new SUVs, electric vehicles, and futuristic concept cars at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 19, racing for an edge in the world’s biggest auto market as growth slows after years of frenzied sales. AFP

Trump presses American 1st pledge KENOSHA―President Donald Trump moved Tuesday to make good on his emblematic pledge to “Buy American, Hire American” by tightening skilled-worker visa rules, but his room for maneuver remains limited without wider congressional reform.

Speaking in Kenosha, Wisconsin―one of the states that carried him to his upset victory last November―Trump vowed: “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure more products are stamped with those wonderful words, ‘Made in the USA.’” Like many of Trump’s executive orders to date, his newest decree will have little practical impact, but sends a signal for government agencies to come forward with ideas for reforming the country’s H-1B visa system.

Trump is looking to stamp out “abuses” of the time-limited work permits, which are pervasive in the US high-tech sector, as a first step towards reforming the regime.

Intended for scientists, engineers and computer programmers, H-1B visas have become an important gateway for the many Indians drawn to Silicon Valley. The United States issues 85,000 each year.

Trump’s decree namely instructs the Labor, Justice and Homeland Security departments to tackle abuses and draw up reforms aimed at bringing the program back to its original intent: awarding visas to the most skilled and highly paid applicants.

The Trump administration argues that the current system has led to a “flood” of relatively lowwage, low-skill workers in the tech sector―and in doing so has harmed American workers.

“We believe jobs must be offered to American workers first,” Trump said.

The US Chamber of Commerce voiced immediate reservations: While it agreed there was room for improvement of the H-1B program, it warned the Trump administration not to do away with it altogether.

“It would be a mistake to close the door on high-skilled workers from around the world who can contribute to American businesses’ growth and expansion and make the US more competitive around the world,” the business lobby said in a statement. AFP

Automakers see promise in China car-sharing solution

By Dan Martin SHANGHAI―Unable to afford a car, Shanghai university student Long Yi faces a lengthy, expensive commute across his vast city but has found a solution in the car-sharing schemes quickly gaining momentum in China.

Essentially an Internet Age twist on car rentals, car-sharing is growing rapidly from virtually nothing two years ago as Chinese millennials seek more mobile lifestyles without the cost and hassle of buying cars.

Long, 20, drives himself to school for around 50 yuan ($7) using EV Card, a service launched by state-owned automaker SAIC Motor that offers compact electric vehicles sprinkled around the city, slashing his travel time and at onequarter the cost of taxis.

“It is cheaper and more convenient and very flexible. I would choose EV CARD as my primary way of transportation almost every time,” said Long.

After years of skyrocketing sales, the global auto industry is contemplating a sales slowdown as it convenes this week for the Shanghai Auto Show, putting alternative sales channels like car-sharing in focus.

Long-established in Western countries, car-sharing schemes are relatively new in China, but are a growing component of an ongoing Chinese personal-mobility revolution.

Drivers typically use a smartphone app to find and even unlock cars, later parking them anywhere or at set locations.

Already, bike-sharing busi-

nesses have exploded across China, flooding major cities with bicycles that are unlocked

by GPS using an app, can be left anywhere and have become critical to the commutes of countless Chinese urbanites.

Dozens of Chinese and foreign companies have now either launched or invested in carsharing businesses, with some making purpose-built cars.

Germany-based consultancy Roland Berger forecasts carsharing will grow annually by 45 percent.

“That is a significant growth opportunity (for manufacturers). There are only a few hundred thousand cars now, but it’s growing and it’s growing very quickly,” said Johan Karlberg, a Shanghai-based partner with Roland Berger.

Driving new sales German giant Daimler launched car-sharing services in the southwestern city of Chongqing a year ago and has since expanded to six other cities, with more than 250,000 registered users, the company said.

Jochem Heizmann, China CEO for Volkswagen, the country’s top car brand, told reporters Tuesday VW was close to cementing a partnership with Chinese car-sharing operator Shouqi serving multiple cities―partly to boost sales of VW electric vehicles.

“You have to see the development of such fleets as sales channels,” he stressed.

Some models are emerging with sharing features installed.

Lynk & Co.―a new subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely, which owns Volvo―will

This picture taken on April 18, 2017 shows EV Card share cars parked at a station in Shanghai. Unable to afford a car, Shanghai university student Long Yi faces a lengthy, expensive commute across his vast city but has found a solution in the car-sharing schemes quickly gaining momentum in China. AFP

unveil in Shanghai an SUV with electronic features that facilitate “sharing” the car to other drivers for a fee, much like renting out a flat on AirBnb. “These types of services will grow to the extent they change to a degree the type of car you build,” said Bill Russo, head of Shanghai-based auto consultancy Gao Feng.

“You may build them to entertain people in the backseat, or to provide more connectivity so people can be productive. We’ll see this segment influence specifications.”

China’s central government and many local authorities are keen to reduce congestion and air pollution and have dangled various financial incentives, including eased licensing requirements, guaranteed parking and other inducements.

Further working in car-sharing’s favor, countless Chinese face significant hurdles to car ownership, including cost, scarce parking, and limits on car use in several major cities.

By 2020, China will have just 195 million cars for 355 million licensed drivers, Roland Berger

estimates.

“Many middle class families that can afford a second car are opting not to. It’s a real hassle,” said Karlberg.

The problem, say analysts, is that high start-up costs and other hurdles in the fledgling industry mean that no one is making money yet.

But they add that within the next two years the growing numbers of industry entrants will likely consolidate into a solid few able to run sustainable business models in partnership with local authorities. AFP

Govt set to battle El Niño season

LGUs

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Tuesday the government will lay down “preparatory measures” to protect Filipino farmers against the threat of another long dry spell.

Piñol made the statement after the Australian Weather Bureau warned that the Pacific Ocean could warm up again, projecting a long dry spell that could start between the end of 2017 to early 2018.

He said the El Niño “could severely affect fish catch and destroy crops.”

“We will coordinate with the credible authorities to know the areas which will be hit by the El Niño. We will coordinate with the Australian Weather Bureau, and we might have to seek additional information from the US Weather Bureau to validate the information, so we will be able to firm up our preparation,” Piñol said.

Piñol said part of the preparation would be the establishment of Small Water-Impounding Systems and Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems.

He said P165 million is being readied for the SWIS, which includes cloud seeding during the early stages of the drought.

Piñol said he would also present a proposal to President Rodrigo Duterte that, among other things, calls for the immediate start of the SolarPowered Irrigation System throughout the country.

The DA chief earlier said he is seeking a P20-billion budget next year for the solar-powered irrigation system.

Piñol said he will also coordinate with the National Irrigation Administration for the early release of irrigation water for the next planting season, which will be carried out to ensure El Niño will not hit the next harvest.

“I already talked to NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya for the early release of irrigation from NIA so that if ever there’s an El Niño, the latter part of our next harvest season will not be hit,” Piñol said.

He said the National Food Authority could also “fasttrack its procurement program and import whatever would be the shortfall in the rice buffer stocks.”

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

Orbos OKs MM governor idea T

By Joel E. Zurbano

HOMAS ORBOS, general manager and acting chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, on Wednesday welcomed the proposal to have an elected governor and vice governor to oversee a Metro Manila government instead of an appointed MMDA chairman.

The proposal came from Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who believed having an elected governor and a council composed of mayors of cities and municipalities managing and supervising the National Capital Region could solve the worsening traffic problem.

Atienza, a former mayor of the

City of Manila, said the current setup where the MMDA chairman coordinates with different Metro Manila mayors is ineffective.

“There’s always conflicting positions… elected versus appointed official. The elected official has all the power for the development planning for his

city,” Atienza explained as he introduced House Bill 4758.

Orbos said he is not against Atienza’s proposal, but “more than the kind of MMDA authority, whether elected or appointed, what needs to be reviewed is the strengthening of the powers of MMDA.” Based on a study, traffic in Metro Manila resulted in an estimated productivity loss of around P2.4 billion a day, or more than P800 billion a year.

Several MMDA officials agreed with Atienza’s observation, saying agency enforcers found it difficult to manage traffic because ordinances and other policies of local government units hampered the execution of the MMDA’s programs to solve the worsening traffic in the metropolis.

They suggested there should be one rule or law that would harmonize these policies about traffic, the function of the local government, and national government agencies and the MMDA, in so far as public utility vehicles are concerned.

In 2015, the agency appealed to local government units to review and amend traffic and street regulations to prevent incidents like the confrontation of MMDA enforcers and San Juan local government personnel over illegally parked vehicles.

In that incident, members of the MMDA Traffic Management Unit, then led by Nestor Mendoza, were conducting operations along Annapolis Street to clear the road of illegally parked vehi-

By Alena Mae S. Flores

HOP ON. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (right, inside vehicle), who turned 80 on Wednesday, rides one of 50 electric tricycles or E-trikes his government donated to beneficiaries in Binondo district before the Holy Week. Norman Cruz

National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine National Police.

“I will ask the President to empower the Task Group to open and inspect all grains warehouses all over the country, including those suspected to contain smuggled rice,” said Piñol.

Piñol said the inspection of warehouses will start within this quarter.

“We will do it within the quarter. It’s going to be a continuing

inventory. The NFA warehouses will also be inspected,” he said.

“This is not a knee-jerk reaction. I’ve been thinking of this for so long. If you remember I’ve been saying all along that our data is not organized. Let’s say for example, who can tell me our actual inventory of rice stocks all over the country? No one can tell, not even the PSA,” he added.

Piñol said that to establish a

credible stock position, the government should also factor in the smuggled rice that enters the country.

“That’s why we need to inspect the warehouses, all warehouses in the country because that’s the only way,” he said.

In his Facebook post, Piñol said the task force aims to prove there is enough rice in the country.

The group will also need to establish the actual rice stock

North Mindanao crime drops 32.5%

By Lance Baconguis CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— The crime volume in Region 10 or Northern Mindanao has dropped 32.5 percent year on year as police intensified its law enforcement operations and Operational Plan Double Barrel gained momentum.

Regional police spokesperson Police Chief Supt. Lemuel Gonda said the crime statistics show a drastic drop in crime volume.

“Our assessment points to the link and direct effect of the diminished presence of illegal drugs in the streets, as a result of the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign,” Gonda said.

Data from the regional police office showed that 5,780 crimes were recorded in the first quarter of 2017, down from 6,250 crimes during the same period in 2016 and 10,307 crimes in 2015.

“Crime decreased by 32.5 percent compared to crime vol-

cles and motorcycles when they were stopped by the San Juan City government personnel, saying the parked vehicles were using the street, which is part of the Mabuhay Lane routes, for pay parking.

The San Juan local government, under its city ordinance, allowed car owners to park in the area and charged them P30 for the first three hours and an additional P10 for every succeeding hour.

The MMDA officials said this incident can be prevented if there is a unified traffic law for Metro Manila.

Former senator and local government secretary Joey Lina, in a forum, said the MMDA, with 7,000 employees, “seems useless and has no police power to enforce its mandate.”

Fire hits NGCP Alabang tower

Piñol wants task force to inspect rice warehouses AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday he will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the creation of a task force that will inspect all rice warehouses in the country.

Piñol said the Task Force will be composed of members from the Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Statistics Authority,

C1

ume of 2015 and 3.71-percent decrease compared to the crime volume of 2016,” Gonda added.

Gonda said most of the prevalent crimes are usually drug-related cases like theft, robbery, physical injury, domestic violence, rape, and all forms of abuse.

“We were not surprised with the marked decrease in crime volume as stressed in the timeline,” Gonda said.

“Since January to March this year, there were 887 persons arrested in our intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign, wherein 64,039 households were revisited and 8,449 new households visited by our police stations, with 88 selfconfessed drug users and eight drug pushers have voluntarily surrendered,” he added.

Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Agripino Javier directed the police to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars.

situation so the government could come up with the correct statistics which could be the basis of a sound agricultural planning, especially when it comes to the country’s rice production program.

“Hopefully, the Task Force will be able to give us an accurate baseline information and a very clear picture of the rice industry in the country,” Piñol said. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

The SM Foundation School Building Team, led

by Juris Soliman, flew to Puerto Princesa for the groundbreaking ceremony of SM Foundation’s first school building to be built at the F. Ubay Memorial Elementary School campus. The twostorey, four-classroom building will be equipped with teachers’ tables, desks for the students, blackboards, wall fans and toilets. Signing the MOA are (from left) Principal Marisol Llacuna, SMFI’s Juris Soliman, Fely Acosta (wife of Palawan Rep. Gil Acosta), DepEd School Division Superintendent Elsie Barrios, and SM Puerto Princesa’s Leasing Manager Aiza Templonuevo.

A TRANSMISSION tower of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in Alabang, Muntinlupa City was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement around it on Wednesday, as it leaned over a portion of the South Luzon Expressway and caused a massive traffic jam in the area.

Bureau of Fire Protection Muntinlupa Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot said the fire broke out in Barangay Alabang involving a residential structure near the SLEX Alabang Exit (Northbound), where the BiñanMuntinlupa 230kV power line was located, at 8:48 a.m.

The fire was raised to second alarm and weakened the foundation of the NGCP’s tower causing it to collapse and lean toward the Alabang Skyway flyover, Dolot added.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of the Alabang SLEX Viaduct were temporarily closed due to the fire.

According to BFP-Muntinlupa, 80 families, whose homes were made of light and concrete masonry, were affected by the fire. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze and the amount of damages to property.

No casualty or injury was reported, and the fire was declared out at 9:15 a.m. At the same time, NGCP personnel were on site to assess the damage and check the safety perimeter. Aerial patrols were also conducted to evaluate the integrity of the tower.

Due to the extent of the fire, the foundation of Tower 34 of the NGCP line was weakened, causing it to lean, the firm said.

Muntinlupa Social Service Department responded to the fire and provided meals for the affected families. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also vowed to provide the fire victims with financial assistance.

NGCP said there were no power interruptions recorded due to the transmission service provider’s line redundancy system and has begun restoration of the tower to ensure public safety.

“The power carried by the affected transmission facilities was immediately diverted to other facilities, and no loss of transmission services was experienced,” the firm said.

San Fernando traffic fines hit P1.2m SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— The renewed and intensified traffic campaign in this city has netted a total of 4,399 violators and added P1.2 million in fines to the local government unit’s treasury.

The violators, mostly tricycles, motorcycles, jeepneys,

truck drivers and private car owners, were apprehended for violating city ordinances and national laws on traffic.

Senior Supt. Danilo Bautista, head of Public Order Safety Coordinating Council said the violators were led by tricycle drivers totaling

2,042, who committed different offenses like driving without license, no garbage receptacles, and driving along the national highway.

They are followed by motorcycles with total of 1,463 cases, mostly for not wearing protective helmets when traveling.

The other violators were 748 public utility jeeps, whose offenses committed include illegal loading and unloading, not wearing of prescribed uniform, obstruction, illegal parking, driving without license, reckless driving, and overloading. Romeo Dizon

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

Eye doctor slain in Cotabato C

By Nash B. Maulana

OTABATO CITY—The family of slain ophthalmologist Dr. Sajid “Jaja” Sinolinding here appealed Wednesday to President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate his murder, as well as the alleged corruption in a state college in North Cotabato.

Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said his slain sibling was “collateral damage” after another brother, Professor Harris Sinolinding, survived an ambush last year af-

ter he exposed corruption at the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology in Arakan, North Cotabato.

Dr. Jaja was shot dead by a lone gunman while he was attending to a patient inside his

clinic at the second floor of the Cotabato Doctors’ Clinic, which is along Sinsuat Avenue here, at around 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The gunman, who posed as a patient, also shot dead Dr. Jaja’s armed security escort, and fled casually amid the commotion, witnesses said.

Dr. Jaja’s fellow physician, Dr. Faisal Samanodi, said he rushed to the crime scene after hearing from his adjacent clinic six gunshots in rapid succession in about six seconds.

“Two people fell dead in six seconds. I loudly heard the gunshot sounds echoing through the walls of our building. It’s up on my clinic. Our patients panicked,

rushing through different directions. Others ducked for cover,” said Samanodi, a surgeon.

“When we entered his clinic, I saw the bodyguard lay lifeless in supine position. I could smell gunpowder then i saw the body of this young ophthalmologist in prone position. He was no longer breathing and blood splattered all over. The gunman just casually escaped with the panicked patients,” he added.

Dr. Kadil said the family was dismayed and bothered to learn that the medical facility’s CCTV cameras failed to capture the events before and after the murder.

Dr. Kadil said he was told

“that all other events inside the clinic were recorded except the minutes or seconds before and after his 37-year-old brother was killed at around 11:10 a.m.”

Senior Inspector Alexander de Pedro, police station 2 chief and city police spokesperson, admitted the CCTV failed to capture the face or how the gunman entered the building and into the victim’s clinic.

The younger Sinolinding and his armed escort, Mohammad Esmael, both died on the spot after they were shot by the gunman, who posed as a patient. The ophthalmologist was shot in the face while he was examining another patient. With PNA

Bato: No conflict with LGUs, police

sion and control of the local police force by local officials only happens when local officials are involved in illegal activities that tend to compromise their efforts in the implementation of the government’s all-out campaign against illegal drugs and other illegal activities,” Dela Rosa said.

“If such a problem exists, then the PNP is authorized to remove the supervision and control of local officials over the PNP in their areas but such scenarios are isolated.”

The PNP chief said local officials can invite municipal, provincial, city or regional police officials for clarifications in relation to the discharge of their assigned duties and responsibilities, and in relation to the government’s priority anti-criminality campaign and peacekeeping initiatives, “for transparency and for the alignment of local and national programs.”

By Dexter A. See BONTOC, Mountain Province— Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa on Wednesday stressed there is no conflict in the control and supervision of local government officials over the police force in their respective areas of jurisdiction and the supervision and control of PNP officials over their men on the ground.

Dela Rosa, who was given the local name “Moling” (hard rock) after being named an adopted son of the province, said local officials are the police’s partner in executing the government’s anti-drug, anti-criminality campaigns and peacekeeping initiatives.

Their “primordial aim” is to maintain peace and order in the country, he added.

“The conflict on the supervi-

RESERVE YOURAD SPACE NOW!

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Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure & Services Industries Service (MS-APR. 20, 2017)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS (REIs) 1.

The Department of Health (DOH) intends to apply the sum of Twelve Million Philippine Pesos (PhP 12,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contract for the procurement of various consulting services listed below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposal.

Name of Project

Type

1. Procurement of Consulting Services for the Development of Lifestyle Related Disease Prevention and Control Program’s (LRDPCPs) Health Promotion and Communication Plans, Messages and Materials for 2017-2022-Rebid under REI-CSGOP-2017-004 2. Procurement of Consulting Services for the Development of Competency-Based Model/Framework and Competency-Based Job Description for Personnel of DOH Retained Hospitals and Selected Regional Office PositionsRebid under REI-CSGOP-2017-011

Firm

Project Duration

Funding Source

12 months

CONAP 2016

Approved Budget for the Contract (PhP) 7,000,000.00

Evaluation Procedure

QCBE

Bidding Document Standard Fee (PhP) 10,000.00

HELPING HAND. Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca (right) hands a check for

financial assistance to PO1 Joseph Martinez and PO2 Jimny Guevarra, members of the Nasugbu Municipal Police Station, who were wounded in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Lumbangan in Nasugbu, Batangas last Good Friday. Both policemen are recovering at the Apacible Memorial District Hospital. Roy Tomandao

INVITATION TO BID

ITB No. 2016-3-086(2) Consolidation of Titles and Transfer of Tax Declarations in the name of LANDBANK Lot 1 - 844 Lot 2 - 135 Lot 3 - 1,291 ITB - GS-20170314-01 Supply, Delivery and Installation of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) with 4-Year Maintenance Package Lot 1 - 180 Units Thru-The-Wall Type Lot 2 - 70 Units Lobby-Type ITB - GS-20170330-01 Supply and Delivery of the following: Lot 1 - 4 Units Desktop Multi-Currency Sorter Machine Lot 2 - 4 Units Portable Multi-Currency Bill Counter with Counterfeit Detector

Firm

5,000,000.00

12 months

GAA 2017

QCBE

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources office here recently distributed free land titles to the villagers in this town.

Constante Espiritu, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the 156 free patent titles were given to farmers from barangays Wangal, Tadjie, Binugawan and Capissaan.

“The land titles cover residential and agricultural lands being tilled by the recipients. We also provided lectures on the National Greening Program and climate change adaptation and mitigation,” he said. Ben Moses Ebreo

I. Goods and Services

P

6,189,456.00 1,665,440.00 16,607,360.00

Bidding Documents Fee

P

3,100.00 900.00 8,400.00

Delivery Period

Within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of completion of documents necessary for the undertaking

To be discussed during the Pre-Bid Conference P 120,953,000.00 43,217,000.00

P

50,000.00 21,700.00

P

P

4,400.00

8,624,000.00 1,792,000.00

Within forty five (45) calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed

MPSPC gets 4 more CHED certificates

900.00

5,000.00

II. Infrastructure

Items

2.

The DOH now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for the above mentioned procurement projects. Eligibility documents of interested consulting firms must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat on or before May 2, 2017, 9:00 A.M. at COBAC Conference Room, G/F Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

3.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from COBAC Secretariat, COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 20 to May 30, 2017 from the address above upon payment of applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The COBAC shall draw up the short list of consulting firms from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

6.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of R.A. 9184.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

7.

The DOH 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 affected bidder or bidders.

8.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC B SECRETARIAT Department of Health 2nd Floor, Building 6, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003 Tel. No. 651-7800 Loc. 1625 – 1627; Telefax No. 711-6061 Website: www.doh.gov.ph; April 20, 2017 (Date of Issue) (SGD) MA. CAROLINA V. TAIÑO, CPA, MGM, CESO IV Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC B Chairperson

ITB - CW-20170320-01 Building Construction/Renovation of the following LANDBANK Offices: Lot 1 - Calamba (Misamis Occidental) Extension Office Lot 2 - Samal Island Branch Lot 3 - Capiz Lending Center

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

P 11,860,000.00 11,420,000.00 2,770,000.00

Bidding Documents Fee

P

Work Completion (calendar days after receipt of approved Building Permit or Notice to Proceed whichever comes first)

6,000.00

180

5,800.00 1,400.00

180 75

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, with an amount of not less than 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).

The schedule of activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

3. Submission / Opening of Bids 4. Post-Qualification 5. Notice of Award

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya— A mining firm recently built a hanging bridge in Barangay Dumaliguia here to link villagers to better education and economic opportunities.

Peter Storey, FCF Minerals Corp. general manager for operations, said the hanging bridge was funded by their company and completed recently after the villagers requested it through the Community Development Program of the barangay local government unit.

“This project, which was funded through the 2016 CDP has been prioritized by the BLGU as one of the development projects needed by the villagers,” said Storey of FCF, which runs the Runruno gold mine here.

Rudy Andrada, a farmer, said the first hanging bridge built by the Earthquake Rehabilitation Program of the Caraballo Sierra Madre Cordillera Administrative Development was destroyed by the rampaging river waters during recent strong typhoons.

“We carry our children at risk whenever they cross the river daily, while we as farmers were hard up in transporting our products. Most of these are wasted during the occurrence of typhoons,” he said.

Andrada said the 85.9-meter hanging bridge will now give comfort, convenience, and a safer path among the 40 families who usually cross the river to conduct their regular livelihood.

The recipients are living within the Community-Based Forest Management area of the mining company and depend on vegetable and fruit production for their living.

DENR gives out land titles to NV farmers

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites consultants/ suppliers/manufacturers/distributors/contractors to bid for the hereunder projects:

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

By Ben Moses Ebreo

IN BRIEF

1598 M.H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets Malate, Manila Tel. Nos. 522-0000, 551-2200 connecting all departments

Items

Hanging bridge aids NV village

SCHEDULE April 20 to May 11, 2017 April 27, 2017 - 2:00 PM Bidding Room, 25th Floor, LANDBANK Plaza Building 1598 M. H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets, Malate, Manila May 11, 2017 - 11:00 A.M. Procurement Department, 25th Floor, LANDBANK Plaza Building 1598 M. H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets, Malate, Manila May 12 to 18, 2017 May 23, 2017

Bid documents will be available to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable Bidding Documents fee to the LANDBANK Cashier.

LANDBANK reserves the right to (a) reject any and all bids at any time prior to the award of the contract; (b) waive any minor formal requirements in the bid documents; (c) accept such bids, it may consider advantageous and beneficial without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

BONTOC, Mountain Province—The Commission on Higher EducationCordillera Administrative Region awarded four additional Certificates of Program Compliance to the state-run Mountain Province State Polytechnic College during the celebration of its 48th Foundation Anniversary and the historic 1st Grand Alumni Homecoming of MPSPC at the College Quadrangle here.

The school gained COPCs in Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED-Tadian Campus), Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (BSED-Tadian Campus), Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

CHED-CAR officer-in-charge Dr. Ma. Geraldine Casipit, congratulated MPSPC president Rexton F. Chakas and the college “for having done its utmost efforts to comply with the recommendations of the Regional Quality Assurance Team during their visits to the College.”

Chakas thanked all the stakeholders of MPSPC who collectively worked hard for the accomplishment, and reiterated his commitment and to work further for the COPCs of the other programs of the College.

Dexter A. See

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

(MS-APR. 20, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF Taiwan rejects political asylum request TAIPEI-Taiwan said Wednesday it has rejected a political asylum application from a Chinese tourist, reportedly an anti-corruption campaigner who has spent time in a mainland prison.

Zhang Xiangzhong arrived on the island on April 12 for an eight-day holiday but left his tour group the next day.

He was identified by local media and a human rights group as the same person who was part of a movement calling for Chinese government officials to disclose their assets.

Self-ruling Taiwan, which China sees as a renegade province awaiting reunification, does not grant political asylum to Chinese citizens but instead offers “permanent residence for political consideration” in special cases.

Zhang had to prove he was a prominent leader in a democratic movement and would be in immediate danger of persecution if he returned to China.

But Taiwanese authorities decided he did not qualify and he had left the island with his tour group, the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement.

“It is difficult to recognize that the person matches with the existing regulations for long-term residence for special cases,” the council, Taiwan’s top policymaking body on China, said.

“Zhang fully understood our explanation and agreed to depart with his original tour group at the end of the trip.”

Allowing Zhang to remain in Taiwan would have further soured relations between Beijing and Taipei, which have deteriorated since China-skeptic President Tsai Ing-wen won Taiwan’s leadership last year.

Zhang was jailed by a Beijing court in 2014 on a credit card fraud charge and released last July, according to documents he submitted to Taiwanese authorities.

He said he was motivated to leave the mainland by the wife of detained Taiwanese rights activist Lee Mingcheh, according to a Radio Free Asia interview. AFP

UN to rule on case against Russia THE HAGUE―The UN’s top court will Wednesday rule on a bid by Kiev to halt Russia’s alleged funneling of money, arms, and personnel into Ukraine’s war-torn east, a key moment in the threeyear crisis.

Judges at the Hague-based International Court of Justice will hand down a ruling at 1300 GMT on Ukraine’s request for emergency measures, which it says will help bring stability to its volatile east.

Kiev is also calling on the court to order Moscow to halt what it calls “racial discrimination” against minority groups in the Russianoccupied Crimea peninsula, particularly against its Tatar population.

More than 10,000 people have died in the conflict which entered its fourth year this month, following the ouster of a Kremlin-backed regime in Kiev in February 2014.

Ukraine in January dragged its former Soviet-era neighbor before the ICJ, which was set up in 1945 to settle disputes between countries in line with international law.

Kiev accused Russia of violating the Terrorism Financing Convention and an international treaty against racial discrimination. Moscow rejects the allegations.

In its filing, Ukraine charged Russia with “sponsoring terrorism” by financing pro-Russian separatists and failing to stop military aid from seeping across the border into eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. AFP

THURSDAY, ARIL 20, 2017

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Venezuela braces for demos C

ARACAS―Venezuela braced for rival demonstrations Wednesday for and against President Nicolas Maduro, whose push to tighten his grip on power has triggered waves of deadly unrest that have escalated the country’s political and economic crisis.

Maduro’s opponents are vowing to stage the “mother of all protests” calling for his ouster, after two weeks of violent demonstrations that have left five people dead and dozens wounded.

Sowing fears of more violence, Maduro has in turn urged his supporters, along with the military and civilian militias, to defend the leftist “revolution” launched by his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 1999.

It is set to be the biggest day of protests since Maduro’s allies tried to strip the power of the opposition-controlled legislature -- the only lever of government Maduro’s camp does not hold -- and banned opposition leader Henrique Capriles from politics.

The streets of Caracas have seen running battles pitting masked protesters hurling stones and Molotov cocktails against riot police firing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons.

The protests have been relatively small so far, with turnout in the thousands.

But the opposition is now hoping to flood the streets with protesters, whom they are urging to remain peaceful.

They plan to march from 26 rally points toward central Caracas, a pro-Maduro bastion and the seat of government. The authorities say they will not allow the protesters into the area, where the rival rally will be held.

Maduro’s camp has vowed not to be outdone by the opposition.

“The whole of Caracas will be held by the revolutionary forces,” said lawmaker Diosdado Cabello, one of the president’s most powerful allies.

Pressure on Maduro has increased as falling prices for Venezuela’s crucial oil exports has aggravated a financial crisis, creating severe shortages of food and medicine in the state-led economy.

On Tuesday, the center-right opposition repeated its call for the military -- a pillar of Maduro’s power -- to abandon him.

“It is the moment for the armed forces to demonstrate that they are with the constitution and with the people,” said Julio Borges, the opposition speaker in the legislature.

But the defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, pledged the army’s “unconditional loyalty,” while Maduro blasted Borges for urging a “coup” against him, saying he “should be put on trial.”

The president rallied his troops this week, vowing to send the army into the streets and ordering pro-government militias to be expanded to half a million members, “each with a rifle.”

“The hour of combat has arrived,” Maduro said. “We are at a crucial moment in the destiny of our nation.”

Maduro on Tuesday activated the “Zamora Plan” -- a military, police and civilian operation aimed at combatting a supposed coup attempt -- which the president says is being orchestrated by Venezuela’s opposition and the United States.

“The Zamora Plan is a strategic and operational plan that activates the defense of the nation in case of threats to the internal order,” Retired Major General Cliver Alcala told AFP. AFP

FASHION WEEK. A model displays a creation by Lebanese fashion designer Abed Mahfouz during Beirut Fashion Week.

Labor shortage amid a building boom COLOMBO―Cheap Sri Lankan labor has built skyscrapers and condos across the Gulf for decades, but now contractors at home are desperate for workers as the island nation experiences an unprecedented construction boom.

The labor shortage has seen builders offer lavish incentives ranging from cash to vehicles to keep workers from heading overseas and, in some cases, illegally employ foreign tradesmen to man projects.

Sri Lanka was left with a massive reconstruction task at the end of the civil war in 2009, with large parts of the north left in ruins by decades of fighting.

Annual investment in new homes, roads and ports -- which has hovered at around 600 billion rupees ($4 billion) in recent years -- is expected to almost

triple to $11.6 billion in 2017.

But Sri Lanka needs 400,000 new workers -- a two-thirds jump from existing levels -- to keep up with this surge, said Nissanka Wijeratne, the head of the Chamber of Construction Industry.

“We can’t get that many overnight and we will have to import. We are now facing a serious labor crisis,” he said.

Private contractors are going to extreme lengths to stop the flow of tradesmen heading to the Gulf for construction jobs, offering bonuses like motorcycles and cars to laborers who choose to work on projects back home.

The government has taken a different approach and sought to put curbs on migration by raising the minimum wage requirements for workers head-

ing overseas.

Under their proposal, Sri Lankans will be barred from going abroad for work unless they can show evidence of future earnings amounting to more than $400 per month.

“We want to discourage those who go abroad for low pay. Some of these workers can get more money if they stay back in Sri Lanka,” Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told AFP. But it is a risky strategy. Roughly one in ten Sri Lankans work abroad and their remittances are the numberone foreign exchange earner for the island of 21 million.

The pool of money flowing home is growing, with Sri Lankans sending $7.24 billion last year compared with $6.98 billion in 2015.

US again taps China to rein in North Korea

GETTING READY. A model gets ready backstage during Beirut Fashion Week in the Lebanese capital. AFP

WASHINGTON―After a few days of saber-rattling, US President Donald Trump’s administration has reverted to the same North Korea policy as its predecessor: relying on China to control Pyongyang.

The USS Carl Vinson carrier battle group, which Trump boasted last week was the “armada, very powerful” to bring leader Kim Jong-un to heel is instead carrying out drills off the coast of Australia.

And in Washington, top officials now express hope that North Korea’s great power neighbor China will apply the necessary political and economic pressure to halt its nuclear tests.

Beijing, of course, has made this promise before, and experts warn there is no particular reason why China would honor it now -- but the White House seems to have few better options.

Last week, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the Vinson was “on her way up” to the Korean peninsula. Four days later the

ship was photographed sailing the other way, into the Indian Ocean.

On Tuesday, Mattis said the United States is “working so closely” with China towards the aim of denuclearizing the peninsula, adding hopefully that: “We all share that same interest.”

Trump also expressed confidence that -- after his summit earlier this month with Chinese leader Xi Jinping -- the standoff will be resolved with Beijing’s full support.

Speaking to Fox News television, Trump said he was dealing with Xi “with great respect” and that China had already begun enforcing more strictly its own ban on coal imports from North Korea.

“Nobody’s ever seen it like that. Nobody’s ever seen such a positive response on our behalf from China,” he said.

But if Pyongyang is nervous that international sanctions are about to bite, it has not shown it, and senior officials have vowed to continue nuclear and ballistic missile tests. AFP

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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THURSDAY, ARIL 20, 2017

Evacuations resume in Syria after blast R ASHIDIN, Syria―Hundreds of Syrian civilians who have been under a crippling siege left their homes on Wednesday as evacuations resumed after a weekend bombing killed dozens of others fleeing, nearly 70 of them children.

A large convoy of buses from the government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya reached the edge of the rebel-held transit point of Rashidin outside second city Aleppo, the correspondent said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the hardwon evacuation deal was back under way.

“The process has resumed with 3,000 people leaving Fuaa and Kafraya at dawn and nearly 300 leaving Zabadani and two other rebel-held areas,” the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP. Rashidin was the scene of Saturday’s deadly car bombing. At least

‘Rasputin’ daughter fights extradition

109 of the 126 dead were evacuees, among them 68 children. The rest were aid workers and rebels guarding the convoy.

Dozens of wounded were taken to hospitals in nearby rebel-held territory, while others were taken to Aleppo, which government forces regained full control of late last year.

Security was tightened up for Wednesday’s departures. Several dozen armed rebel fighters stood guard over the marshaling area where the buses were parked.

The AFP correspondent said all other vehicles were carefully searched.

The evacuations were taking place under a deal between the

government and the rebels that is also seeing residents and rebels transported out of Madaya and Zabadani, towns near Damascus that are surrounded by pro-government forces.

It was brokered late last month

by Qatar, a longtime supporter of the rebels, and Iran, a key regime ally, but its implementation had been repeatedly delayed.

When Wednesday’s evacuations are complete, a total of 8,000 people should have left Fuaa and Kafraya, including pro-government fighters as well as civilians.

In exchange, 2,500 civilians and rebel fighters should have left rebel areas including Zabadani and Madaya.

It is the first stage of the deal.

A second phase is due to begin in two months’ time which should see the two government-held towns entirely emptied and all fighters, and civilians who choose to, leave the two rebel-held towns.

In total that will amount to

more than 30,000 people.

The agreement is the latest in a string of such deals, which the government of President Bashar al-Assad says are the best way to end the violence after more than six years of civil war.

Rebels say they amount to forced relocation after years of bombardment and siege.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s bombing.

The government blamed “terrorists” -- a catch-all term for its opponents.

The United Nations says 4.72 million Syrians are in hard-toreach areas, including 600,000 people under siege, mostly by the Syrian army, but also by rebels or the Islamic State group.

There has been a series of evacuations in recent months, mostly around the capital Damascus but also from the last rebel-held district of Syria’s third city Homs. AFP

AALBORG, Denmark―The daughter of Choi Soon-Sil, the woman at the center of a corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of South Korea’s president, appeared in a Danish district court Wednesday to fight her extradition to Seoul.

Chung Yoo-Ra, the 20-yearold daughter of the woman dubbed South Korea’s “Rasputin”, is one of the figures in the influence-peddling scandal that led to huge street protests demanding the removal of President Park Geun-Hye. The Aalborg district court will examine Chung’s case, and a decision was expected later in the day.

Chung was detained in Denmark on January 1 for overstaying her visa, after South Korean authorities issued a warrant for her arrest.

Seoul then sought her extradition, which the Danish public prosecution authority approved on March 17.

Chung has denied any wrongdoing.

An equestrian who has reportedly bought horses and trained in Denmark in the past, she has told police that she was in Denmark because of her involvement in the sport.

Chung’s mother, a confidante of Park’s, is accused of using her influence to secure her daughter’s admission to an elite Seoul university, Ewha Womans University, with a state probe revealing that the school had admitted Chung at the expense of better-qualified candidates.

The revelation touched a raw nerve in education-obsessed South Korea.

Several professors at the university, including a former school president, have been investigated for allegedly giving Chung preferential treatment.

A South Korean special prosecutor is also probing allegations that Chung’s mother used millions of dollars of bribes from Samsung, South Korea’s largest conglomerate, to finance her daughter’s equestrian career and luxurious lifestyle in Europe.

Chung’s lawyer, Michael Juul Eriksen, told Danish news agency Ritzau he would argue to the Aalborg court that his client had not committed any crime and that the extradition was based on political motives.

“We will argue that the conditions have not been met for extradition,” he said.

“We think this is a political case, and therefore there can be no extradition,” he said.

Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-Hye was on Monday charged with bribery involving millions of dollars over the massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal that brought her down and which has also implicated top businessmen.

The former leader, already detained at a centre near Seoul, also faces charges of abusing her powers and leaking state secrets.

Park is accused of colluding with her confidante, Chung’s mother Choi Soon-sil, who is already on trial for coercing local conglomerates into donating a total of 77.4 billion won ($68 million) to two non-profit foundations.

Choi allegedly used some of the donations for personal gain. AFP

Critics slam 100-hour overtime cap TOKYO―Workaholic Japan has unveiled its first-ever plan to limit overtime, but critics want to give it the boot, saying an “outrageous” 100-hour-a-month cap will do nothing to tackle karoshi, or death from overwork.

Tokyo’s bid to ease a national health crisis comes after the top executive at advertising giant Dentsu quit late last year in response to the suicide of a young employee who regularly logged more than 100 hours of overtime a month.

The death of Matsuri Takahashi generated nationwide headlines, prompting the government to come up with a solution to punishing work hours blamed for hundreds of deaths due to strokes, heart attacks and suicides every year.

A panel headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has since come up with a plan calling for a maximum of 100 overtime hours a month.

The conservative leader called it a “historic step for changing the way people work in Japan” but critics think the plan should be given its marching orders.

The Labor Lawyers’ Association of Japan has slammed the proposed cap as “extremely inappropriate” and “impossible to support”.

“It’s tantamount to endorsing a limit that could cause overwork deaths,” said Association head Ichiro Natsume.

Others who have lost loved ones to karoshi agree.

“We cannot accept this -- it’s outrageous,” said Emiko Teranishi, who heads a group for relatives of karoshi victims.

“I thought the government was finally going to tackle the issue.... But this has turned out to be (a) step backward rather than a step forward.”

Teranishi’s husband was the manager of a struggling soba noodle restaurant in Kyoto when he committed suicide in the mid-nineties after suffering from depression blamed on long working hours.

“My husband worked for a total of 4,000 hours a year without weekends off. At most, he had two days off a month,” she said, adding that he was pressured to work more by his recession-hit employer.

“He was depressed. He told me he couldn’t sleep or eat. I asked him to take a day off every morning, but he still went to work.”

The popular post-war image of a Japanese “salaryman” toiling long hours, drinking with the boss and then taking the last train home has evolved over the decades, but many still spend far more time at the workplace than their counterparts in other modern economies.

Currently, Japanese firms can make fulltime employees work far beyond the usual 40 hours a week during busy periods.

Overtime is viewed as a sign of dedication at many firms, even if Japanese workers’ productivity lags behind that of their US and European counterparts.

And more than one in five Japanese companies have employees whose tendency to overwork puts them at serious risk of dying, according to a government survey published in October.

That survey was part of the nation’s first white paper on karoshi. AFP

ON THE MEADOW. Young cows stand on a snow-covered meadow in Unterthingau, southern Germany. AFP

Kim family values on show at North Korea parade PYONGYANG―Before tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians marched before him, along with some of the most fearsome weapons at his command, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and his audience were shown portraits of his grandfather and father.

Pyongyang’s giant weekend parade was intended as a show of military strength aimed at Washington, Seoul, Tokyo and others with tensions soaring over its nuclear and missile ambitions.

It was also a domestic affirmation of Kim family authority over the country, analysts say.

Banners hung from buildings around Kim Il-Sung Square, which is named for the founder of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea -- as the North is officially known -- and its ruling dynasty.

One offered Kim Il-Sung “eternal glory”, with another reading: “Let us

safeguard with our lives the central committee of the party headed by the great comrade Kim Jong-Un.” Despite dying in 1994, Kim Il-Sung remains the titular leader of the North, where he is “Eternal President”, and his “Juche” or “self-reliance” philosophy – centered on the concept that “man is the master of all things” - is proclaimed as its guiding tenet.

In a speech ahead of the march, senior Kim aide Choe Ryong-Hae declared it “a loyal report to the great president Kim Il-Sung and (his son and successor) the great leader Kim Jong-Il that we are maintaining the revolutionary cause”.

Pictures of the two men are ubiquitous throughout the country, where Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un -- still only in his 30s -- is consistently referred to as the “respected general”.

The parade was “a big deal for the

Kim family cult in the North”, said senior Rand Organisation researcher Bruce Bennett.

At the same time, Pyongyang was “sending messages of deterrence toward everyone”, he added.

The new US administration of Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Pyongyang and declared that Washington’s “strategic patience” is over.

The North, which says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against the threat of invasion, failed with a missile launch the day after the procession and its exact military capabilities are shrouded in secrecy.

But it invites international media to observe the parades, and analysts scurry to examine pictures of the missiles on display -- whether real or mock-ups -- for clues about its progress.

Choe told his audiences in the square,

the country and abroad that the North was a “powerful nuclear-armed state” and “Asia’s leader in rocketry”.

North Korean parades are a regular occurrence, said Jeffrey Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California. “It’s like Christmas, but for Juche instead of Jesus.”

Religious terminology is prominent at Kim Il-Sung’s birthplace, a heavily restored grave-keeper’s cottage at Mangyongdae, a rural idyll overlooking islands in the stream of the Taedong river outside the capital.

“This is the sacred place that all the people of the world look up to,” said guide Chon Hyon-Ran, who referred to April 15 as Kim’s “birthdaymas”.

“Relics” of family life are on display, from Kim’s great-grandfather’s pipe to an inkstone used by the future president. AFP

Life

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

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J

UST as the Empire State Building in New York, the CN Tower in Canada, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia have done in the past, the Philippines’ iconic entertainment and sports landmark fondly called the Big Dome has been lit up blue for a good cause.

On April 3, the Smart Araneta Coliseum’s main gate was lit blue in line with the global campaign to support the World Autism Awareness Day (April 2 in the US) declared by the UN. With April being the World Autism Awareness Month, the “Big Dome Lights Blue” project supports the global autism community – a symbolic gesture behind a bigger aim to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of people with autism.

“Big Dome Lights Blue” was a joint effort of the Araneta Center, Inc., the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Inc. (JAAF), in partnership with the Philippine Associate for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities, Inc. (PACDLD).

Prior to the ceremonial lighting of the Big Dome’s main gate, PACDLD held its first-ever Autism Advocate Awards at the Gateway Gallery on the 5th level of Gateway Tower, in recognition of several medical professionals and parents that have made advances and contributions to Autism Awareness and Advocacy in the Philippines.

Before the Big Dome was bathed in blue lights, a handful of children with autism and other learning disabilities, collectively called Kontra Gapi Plus, performed using Filipino ethnic instruments. The kids were trained in art and performance by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

“We are proud to support this global awareness movement and the advocacy of acceptance of people living with autism,” noted Diane Romero, executive director of JAAF, in her speech. “Our founder, Don Amado Araneta, had always envisioned the Center to be a place that welcomes all, and our participation here signifies our commitment to his vision. Today, we light up the main entrance of the Big Dome blue to signify our belief that we can be partners to tireless groups like the PACDLD

BLUE

for autism awareness and the Autism Advocate Awardees in the movement towards acceptance, appreciation, and protection of children and individuals living with autism and other learning disabilities.”

Other speakers were PACDLD co-founder Felicite Jean Gonzales and Rizalio Sanchez, chief of Information, Education and Communications Division, National Council on Disability Affairs.

“Big Dome Lights Blue” is just one of the CSR activities of the Araneta Group in support of autism awareness. In the future, activities in partnership with groups like PACDLD in disseminating information on autism, holding art and crafts workshops for kids with autism, and training frontliners in recognizing and giving proper response to people with autism are in the plan.

Kontra Gapi Plus performs at the ‘Big Dome Lights Blue’ lighting ceremony—a CSR project of Araneta Center, Inc., Smart Araneta Coliseum, and J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Inc. in support of autism awareness.

National Council on Disability Affairs chief Rizalio Sanchez speaks during the ceremonial lighting of the Big Dome’s main gate

Love your heart

Nestle Health Science encourages families to live a healthy lifestyle and make better choices

What it means to give the gift of health IN TODAY’S busy and fast-paced world, getting together with your loved ones is a precious celebration. Just like any festivity, these valued moments are often spent with the whole clan, indulging on sumptuous meals.

While enjoying the company of family, coupled with plenty of food and drinks, it is often forgotten that eating more than what your body is used to can impact your health. This is why Nestle Health Science encourages you to share

the most valuable gift you could give to your family this year—the gift of health. By opting for a balanced diet and ensuring the regular intake of nutritional supplements, you can put your family on the path to general wellness.

Maintaining a balanced diet is difficult, making it easy to overlook the different culprits that could affect your and your family’s health. However, it’s still important to opt for complete nutritional supplements that enhance the way your

IN CELEBRATION of National Wear Red Day, The SM Store in partnership with St. Luke’s Medical Center and SM Foundation recently held a campaign of building awareness about heart disease through #GoRedForWomen. Participants wore red as heart health screenings and consultations were held at selected SM Stores and booklets were distributed.

There is, of course, much to be concerned about heart health. National Wear Red Day began in 2003 when the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute took action against a disease that was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year – a disease women weren’t paying attention to.

The hard facts: heart diseases are the number one cause of death for men and women, and every 34 seconds someone may experience a heart attack. Moreover, 40 percent of heart attacks are fatal.

The booklet shares tips for a healthy heart: stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise with friends. It is also good to find time to relax and have regular check-ups.

It also lists the symptoms of a heart attack. These include sudden, increasing chest pain and pressure, as well as pain spreading from your jaw, throat, arm, back, or belly. Sweating, especially cold sweat, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness are also symptoms of a heart attack. Then there is also a shortness of breath, feelings of indigestion and heartburn, rapid or irregular heartbeats, and extreme fatigue and weakness.

While chest pain is the most common symptoms, some women have reported no chest pains at all. That is why it is important to pay attention, and don’t ignore your symptoms. Most of all, don’t delay, dial 911 in case of emergency.

body functions and recovers from any risks you may experience, especially as you age.

Be stronger as you age

You and your loved ones may already be experiencing some changes in your body as the years go by. It’s a slow process that you barely notice, which is why it’s essential for you to look after yourself and your family and make them realize that you can help each other be stronger.

As you get older, supplements specially formulated for the aging body are essential. A nutritional supplement that contains specific nutrients such as high quality whey protein, prebiotics, and probiotics enables you to regain the strength that you may lose as you get older. These nutrients also target and invigorate body parts that become weaker, while enabling you to live a full life despite your age.

Be health conscious during the holidays

Supplements specially formulated for the aging body—with high quality whey protein, prebiotics, and probiotics, among others—are essential for individuals getting older

It’s better to celebrate special events with your loved ones when you’re feeling good and healthy. As much as you’d want you and your family to stay healthy regardless of your lifestyle, it won’t work unless you take precautionary measures to adjust to the different changes happening to your body.

This year, one of the best things you can give your family is the gift of health. By living a healthy lifestyle together and encouraging each other to make better choices, you’re giving your family a chance to spend more time with each other and with the generations ahead.

SM Store offers women with a free risk analysis and consultation

Life

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

ROLES MOMS PLAY

in molding young athletes

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ASKETBALL has always been considered the unofficial national sport of the Philippines. Just count the number of basketball courts—makeshift or otherwise—in any given city or barangay and you can surmise how popular the game is among Filipinos. It is no wonder that more and more kids are picking up the sport at younger age. To help nourish these young athletes’ love and skill for the game, Alaska has again launched the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017.

A partnership between Alaska Milk and NBA Philippines, the Jr. NBA Program aims to cultivate young athletes’ potential through a series of school and open basketball clinics, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Program and the NBA experience trip. It also seeks to help these young talents form the habit of getting the right nourishment by drinking milk and through leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), obesity has become one of the most pressing nutritional issues of Filipino children today with about five in 100 Filipino kids who are overweight. Alaska Milk emphasizes the need for children to start leading healthier, energetic, and nutritionally balanced lifestyles through programs like the Jr. NBA Philippines to entice kids to put down their gadgets and pick up a sport instead.

And as moms, you can help your budding basketball player reach his or her star athlete potential. Here’s how

NUMBER ONE FAN. Parents can help their budding athletes reach their full potential by supporting them and providing them with the right nutrition

you can support your young champ from the sidelines.

Demonstrate sportsmanship. Not every game your champ will be in will be as clean as a whistle. Kids will be kids. So, don’t be surprised if they play rough sometimes. Teach your son or daughter to be the “bigger” athlete by taking the high road. If for instance, your kid’s team loses a game or an important point, teach him to refocus instead of losing steam. Train him to reassess what he could have done better and how he can apply it next time.

Learn the game further with your kid. Brush up on some Basketball 101 by going online, watching games, or just asking other basketball fans. Before you know it, you both can comment on the directions of the point guard, critique the flow of the movement in the paint, and observe how the team executes zone defense and triangle offense like the best of them.

Emphasize the value of teamwork.

Do you remember when you were a kid and you didn’t want to follow rules or just wanted to be let alone? Well chanc-

es are, your child will also have a spell and will refuse to go to practice. Be understanding, yet firm. Tell him that he is a crucial part of the team and that he should feel privileged to be part of it. Help him realize the importance of commitment and teamwork.

Cultivate a positive attitude. One of the mistakes most parents commit is that they pressure their child to perform well and win the game. Don’t overburden your child by focusing on the outcome of their game. Emphasize to them that what is most important is that they

are enjoying every minute of what they are doing. Allow them to discover the highlight of the sport and to fall in love with every aspect of the game because once they’re hooked, their dedication, passion and performance will follow.

Give time and space. Big name athletes didn’t excel in their sport overnight. They practiced, practiced and practiced. If you want your child to reach his potential, don’t be afraid to give him the time and space to practice.

Let him dribble away during his spare time, watch and rewind recorded NBA games, or even bring his basketball with him wherever he goes.

Highlight importance of respect.

In professional sports, athletes are often pitted against each other. While your budding star athlete is still young, make him realize that his only real competition is himself. Show him to benchmark against his own personal bests and not see or tag other athletes as “the enemy.”

You also need to become a good example. Leave the coaching to the coaches. Let’s face it, it’s hard to shake off the game even when you get home.

Stop yourself from over analyzing each move point by point or from criticizing your kid’s play. Your job as parent is to be their quiet strength and their pillar of support – even when they lost the deciding point. Be an encourager and not their worst critic.

Remember, the most powerful yet simple thing a mother can do for a young athlete is to provide unconditional love and support. Nourish your child in and out of the court. Ensure that your child gets the proper food and nutrition while undergoing training.

This helps them perform better by powering up their bodies to function at its optimum and has the “fuel” needed to recover after training day. Drink Alaska Chocolate Powdered Milk Drink. It has energizing nutrients namely, magnesium, calcium and potassium that keep young athletes’ bodies in winning form.

And as always, be their number one fan by telling your kid you love them before or after every game, whether they win or lose.

Sound sleep to nurture life

Regular eye check-ups reveal the patient’s prescription and general wellbeing

Have you had your eyes checked?

ESSILOR, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, reminds everyone to go for an eye check-up as part of the educational campaign of Crizal, one of the company’s flagship brands.

The campaign, “Create beautiful moments,” actively encourages the public to have their eyes checked as Essilor believes that beautiful moments in life deserve the clearest vision.

“Protecting healthy eyes is as important as correcting vision problems,” explains Essilor general manager, Dr. Emelita Roleda. “Through the ‘Create beautiful moments campaign,’ we can educate the public on the value of healthy eyesight, for everyone to realize that it need not take a missed moment to have a reason to visit your eye doctor.

Everyone should have an eye check-up at least once a year.”

A visit to your optometrist will reveal more than just your current prescription. Your eye doctor can also determine what preventive actions you should take against permanent

damage and can even provide great insights into your general wellbeing.

Aside from checking how well your eye muscles work, the optometrist can also gauge if you are suffering from any ailment that can affect your eyesight and your overall health, including diabetes and glaucoma.

Your vision dictates both how you see life and how you live it. Regardless of age and physical health, routine eye check-ups are vital to keep your eyes healthy and stay focused on life’s moments.

Crizal allows Filipinos to live life more clearly with its line of Anti-reflective lenses. Whether prescription, for outdoor activity, indoor use or part of a digital lifestyle, these lenses filter and deflect harmful UV and blue light, lowering the risk of eye fatigue and preventing long-term vision damage. Crizal lenses are available at leading optical shops and through eye care professionals nationwide.

For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph.

SLEEP is currently one of the easiest things to give up by a lot of hardworking individuals. They would rather work late hours and finish the task that is required from them and miss on hours to no sleep at all. This could affect one’s health, as those who are getting less sleep could suffer from stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. On the other hand, people suffering from insomnia are most likely to manifest symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can ultimately affect their performance and their relationships. In short, when sleep fails, health declines along with the quality of life.

As the country’s Sleep Specialist, Uratex takes it as a responsibility to promote sound sleep among Filipinos with their lineup of innovative and technology-rich products that could equip people with the sleep comfort they desire. Uratex also celebrates World Sleep Day (WSD) by strengthening its campaigns in spreading awareness among fellow Filipinos that good, healthful, and superior sleep is always needed in recharging their bodies, after a whole day of doing stressful and strenuous activities. Because Uratex believes that whenever an individual gets a good night sleep, they could have a good day ahead, and in the long run, a good life.

The WSD celebration has been gathering some momentum around the world and has reached many people who are challenged with issues related to sleep, brought about by stressful habits and unhealthy work lifestyles.

This activity by the World Sleep Society was spearheaded by the World Association of Sleep Medicine and World Sleep Federation. WSD aims to promote sleep health worldwide, and this year marks its 10th year. “Sleep Soundly, Nurture Life” is this year’s theme for WSD, which focuses on how better sleep could give people and their bodies a chance to nurture and recover itself from stress, and ultimately nurture their lives.

Uratex Premium, offers an extensive lineup of high quality and inno-

Dr. Marco Escareal speaks during the celebration of World Sleep Day

Uratex celebrates World Sleep Day by instilling the benefits of good sleep

vative products that could provide the perfect sleep solutions to cater to specific needs. Uratex Premium has the first in the market the smart innovation, Orthocare Biorhythmic, which helps in the reduction of stress from pressure points during sleep. They also have the Senso Memory Ultima Plus that is infused with hydragel beads that allows a refreshingly cooler sleep. Their Premium Touch Romance awakens the senses for a more rewarding evening for couples. And lastly, the Perfect

Serenity Aura Fresh keeps the sleeping ambiance fresh and odor free.

As WSD spreads its reach across the islands of the Philippines, Uratex believes that their sleep solutions would be at the forefront of promoting overall health and wellness. They hope that with their continuous effort in spreading the message of WSD, more Filipinos would see the benefits of sleeping soundly in nurturing not just their own lives, but also lives of their families as well.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

LIKE NICKI. Child star Awra Briguela, as Nicki Minaj, rapping his way to victory

First ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids’

Kapuso network welcomes

students of technologybased courses

THE GMA Network Excellence Award (GNEA) has expanded its scope on its 15th year, now including students of technology-based courses to vie for the annual recognition.

This was announced during the recent signing of the memorandum of agreement between GMA Network and its partner organizations - Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21), YesPinoy Foundation Inc., Don Bosco Technical College, Angeles University Foundation, and University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation Inc. - which formalized the collaboration for this year’s GNEA program.

With this development, the GNEA is now conferring two awards – one for the best

Communications student (Mass Communication, Multi-media Arts, or Advertising) and another for the outstanding student of technology-based courses (Electronics and Communications Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology). The two winners shall each receive a cash prize of P50,000 and a plaque.

The GNEA honors academically excellent graduating students with outstanding track record in leadership and socio-civic activities.

For more details about GNEA, contact Unis M. Loleng at 982-7777 local 1108 or UMLoleng@ gmanetwork.com or visit www.gmanetwork.com/ excellenceaward.

GRAND WINNER “B reakout Child Star” Awra Briguela was hailed the first Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids grand winner after garnering the highest combined score from the jury and public text votes at the program’s grand showdown recently.

Awra got a score of 95.41 percent and impressed viewers with his rapping skills and high-level performance as he transformed into the American rapper Nicki Minaj.

He won P1 million, a house and lot, and a trip to Jeju Island, South Korea for four.

Meanwhile, viewers tuned in to the two-night grand showdown as Your Face Sounds Familiar

Kids scored high in nationwide ratings last weekend, according to data from Kantar Media.

The program hit a national TV rating of 35.3 percent, beating Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kwento’s 18.1 percent on April 8.

Your Face Kids also recorded 38.3 percent, or almost double than Tsuperhero’s 14.7 percent on April 9.

Present in the MOA signing were (left to right) Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21) Comptroller Ariel Agcaoili, YesPinoy Foundation Inc. Executive Director Pebbles Sanchez, Don Bosco Technical College Deputy Director for Institutional Affairs Engr. Emmanuel Averilla, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Angeles University Foundation President Dr. Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation Inc. President Dr. Elena E. Pernia, GNEA Ambassador Benjamin Alves, and GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs andCommunications Angela Javier Cruz.

Octavia Spencer in ‘Gifted’ WHEN you’re an Oscar winner, no one expects you to show up on the set most every day – even when you’re not working – but that’s what Octavia Spencer did in Gifted where she co-stars with an impressive cast led by Chris Evans, Grace McKenna, Jenny Slate, and Lindsay Duncan.

Gifted is directed by Marc Webb, who, once again, gives another heartfelt movie about a single man raising his spirited young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) in a coastal town in Florida.

Mary is a child prodigy and Frank’s intention that she lead a normal life are thwarted when the seven-year old girl’s command of mathematics comes to the attention of his formidable mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan)—a wealthy Bostonian whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Mary and Frank. As family tensions and disconnections flare, uncle and niece find support in Roberta (Octavia Spencer), their protective landlady and best friend, and Mary’s teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate), a young woman whose concern for her student soon develops into a relationship with her uncle as well. “I don’t think there’s a single member of the crew she didn’t reach out to and make laugh on a daily basis.

Producer Karen Lunder says of the actress who personified the character of Roberta. “She brought warmth and humor to this pivotal role. She’s also the one person who knows Frank almost better than himself. Most importantly, Roberta is the comic relief, which comes out of her relationship with Frank. She’s always giving him the business, but she’s also deeply emotional. You care so much about Roberta and worry whether she will be able to continue to have the relationship with Mary.”

Spencer recalls what attracted her to the role, “What intrigues me about Roberta is that her relationship with Frank and Mary is an integral part of the story. She’s a surrogate mom to the girl and to this habitually single guy, she’s a sister and a mom, whatever the relationship requires. If I were to describe the anatomy of Gifted, Mary would be the heart, Frank would be the muscle and the sinew

and Roberta would be the spine. It all works wonderfully together and that’s why it resonated with me on so many levels.”

Ultimately, Roberta discovers the power she does have in this untraditional family unit: “You realize that these people coexist in a way that is very much family. They need each other. Frank has a very tough decision to make, and when he makes that decision he asks Roberta for help. I really love that the end of the movie starts the same way as the beginning, with Frank and Roberta’s relationship.”

Gifted opens May 3 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Actress Octavia Spencer (left) in a scene from the drama "Gifted"

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, April 20, 2017

ACROSS 1 Vaccine amts.

4 Some T-shirts 8 Burn up the road 12 Give a high-five 13 Nose stimulus 14 Chilling 16 “Tomb Raider” heroine 17 Cheerful tone 18 Lady outlaw Belle — 19 Sierra Madre gold 20 Assist (3 wds.)

22 Mezzanine 24 Hitch in plans 25 Make haste 26 Household members 28 Square root of IX 31 Bean or Welles 34 Mrs. Lennon 35 Dollywood loc.

36 Prospector’s tool 37 Garden bulb 38 Part of NBA 39 Lot size, often 40 Shah’s kingdom 41 Oven gloves 42 Gehrig or Rawls 43 Noncoms

44 Thug’s piece 45 Complimentary 47 Move like a moccasin 51 Yegg 55 Tina Turner’s ex 56 Express a view 57 One-time Mets’ stadium 58 Roman poet 59 Risk a ticket 60 Overflow with 61 Female lobsters 62 Bring to bay 63 Diploma word 64 Chow mein additive DOWN 1 “It Girl” — Bow 2 Wassailers’ tune 3 Health resort 4 Illinois city 5 Uplift 6 Numbskull 7 Baja Ms. 8 Pine exudations 9 Insurance giant 10 Most rugged 11 Aer Lingus base 12 Messy person 15 Bungle 20 Kind of cloth 21 Lens setting 23 Throttle

26 Rum mixers 27 Similar 29 Technical sch.

30 Motels of yore 31 Outback gem 32 Puerto — 33 More shabby 34 Round dwelling 35 Sully 37 Kind of lily 41 California’s — Woods 43 Break away 44 Shimmers 46 “Walk Away —”

47 Trapshooting 48 Honey producers 49 Scraping by 50 Lipstick shades 51 Soap pad brand 52 Client mtg.

53 Whodunit terrier 54 Sonny’s ex 58 Unit of resistance

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Tina Fores Henson and Bledes ForesLegarda

Ronnie and Ida Henares

70S FEVER. The Penthouse Gang doing a special Latin number

I

T WAS SRO for the generation that wore platform shoes, flared pants, flowing skirts, BangBang jeans and NikNik shirts, as they converged upon Strumm’s in Makati for the 6th installment of Penthouse 7 Incorporated’s trip down memory lane.

“A Very Special Disco Like We used To...For DJ Papi” held last March 24th, and was attended by many a discophile that frequented such places like Another World, Where Else ?, Coco Banana, Stargazer, Faces, and Euphoria.

This continuing series of events, that has all the elements to get you dancing all night long, is the brainchild of Penthouse 7 Incorporated, composed of Pipo Liboro, Sandy Hontiveros, Milky Evangelista, Gina Valenciano-Martinez, and Boyet Sison, who were the dancing icons on TV in the 70s.

In spite of the Friday night traffic, discophiles came in droves early, and the evening began on a high note as music from the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Paul Jabara, Gloria Gaynor, and many more, reverberated over the dance floor as performed by Route 70 , and spun as well

by DJ’s Boyet Sison and Jon Tupaz.

But what made the night more special was the surprise Latin dance number by the group that were joined by Anna Viv Garcia, and Tina Fores Henson.

Seen having a blast at the party were 1977 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Anna Lorraine Kier-Tabora, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi COO Mio Chongson, Peng and Vicky Perez de Tagle, Enzo and Sandie Squilantini of the Romulo’s Food Group, Ronnie and Ida Henares, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano of Genenis Entertainment, Dental-B’s Chris Portillo, Composer Louie Ocampo with his better half Jojo of BPI, Bledes ForesLegarda, Gigi and Sandy Piit of the Rieseling Boracay Resort, Gilda Reyes of the Sunshine Place, Jomie and Lia

When DISCO was HOT in the CITY

From left: Chinky Marfori, Natalie Riviello, Gina Dahlen, Anna Lorraine Kier, and Didi Foronda

Enzo and Sandy Squilantini

Francisco, Jay and Jackie Hechanova, and Carmella Gana- Araullo, The event was held to raise funds for Penthouse Live dancer and renowned DJ, Manolet “DJ Papi” Santos and to help him with his medical expenses. Manolet was present with his lady love Grace, and elder brother Ricky.

The support of Delimondo, Mac Grafix Carranz, Paramount Insurance, Globe, Republic Cement, Orahex, The Sunshine PLace, The Party Kitchen, Crossover 105.1 and Retro 105 DCG-FM, was instrumental in making the night a big success.

“This is what we need more of, to relive the good times and dance,” says Sandy Hontiveros, “Our generation still wants to gather to listen and move to the music of years gone by” chimes in Pipo Liboro.

“Dancing should part of everyone’s life, because it’s simply good for you,” says Gina Valenciano- Martinez, “It’s a great way to get a workout in and keep healthy, “ says Milky Evangelista.

For Boyet Sison, he says, “The music of the era just had a lot of heart and soul, plus great rhythm to boot”.

Many have tried to emulate the concept but the regular patrons of the series say that the “Penthouse 7” touch, is what keeps these “reunion” of sorts, a step above the rest.

Another edition is already in the pipeline, and it won’t be long when everyone again gets to Disco Like they used to.

One Music Ph to launch own record label this year FILIPINO music lovers can look forward to new, exciting things from ABS-CBN’s music portal One Music PH – initially launched to offer Filipinos the total music experience with audio and video streaming, music news, and exclusive digital concerts featuring the brightest Filipino talents – as it introduces its very own record label this year.

One Music PH is only one of the digital initiatives of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, which is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies, and a growing list of digital properties.

It recently welcomed into its family its first signed artist, singersongwriter Volts Vallejo, best known for composing the Metro Manila Film Festival-nominated song “Hey Crush” for the blockbuster movie Vince and Kath and James.

As One Music PH’s first signed

artist, Volts will record an album that will be produced by acclaimed producer and songwriter Rox Santos.

“They can expect songs which listeners can relate to. There is a song about falling in love, a song about heartbreak, and a song about moving on, and many more,” said Volts.

“What I can offer to listeners is, I would say I am a versatile musician. I take on many genres because I sing in different kinds of events that require me to learn different songs. I can offer them my best every time I perform.

I can offer them my heart and soul through the songs I write,” he added.

Volts had already joined numerous other music ventures, including a stint in The Voice of the Philippines, MYX Mo!ment and other stages across the country.

But his big break came when he was noticed by One Music through its “Be Discovered” section where aspiring musicians can take a crack at stardom by allowing them to upload their work

Up-and-coming recording star Volts Vallejo (second from right) with Alco Guerrero, Joy Mesina, Rox Santos, Roxy Liquigan, and Richard Reynante

on the website.

As of now, One Music PH is currently growing its roster of signed artists and is looking for Filipino artists with extraordinary talent and potential.

The music portal is only one of

the digital initiatives of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, which is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies,

and a growing list of digital properties.

Don’t forget to log in to www. onemusic.ph.

For updates, just like www.facebook.com/ OneMusicPH or follow @OneMusicPH on Twitter and Instagram.