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CRASH PROMPTS PENALTY CALL VS OVERLOADING By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Ben Moses Ebreo

Rody pokes fun at Erap: Back to jail

THE vice chairman of the Senate committee on public services said stiffer penalties should be imposed on bus companies that overload their vehicles after an overloaded Leomarick bus fell into a ravine in Nueva Ecija, killing 32 people and injuring 46 others on Tuesday. Senator JV Ejercito said the Nueva Ecija bus accident was so tragic that

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday poked fun at former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada who celebrated his 80th birthday on Wednesday, threatening to have him detained again for once calling him a “low-class” politician. ‘‘Si Erap, naghihintay na ‘yung buang. Birthday niya ngayon eh. Sabi niya, ‘Punta ka talaga ha kasi…?’ Tapos noon sabi niya, ‘Wala ‘yan si Duterte. Ano ‘yan, low class lang ‘yan. Ano ‘yang style niya pag ka ano..’ Ngayon, t*** i** ibalik kita sa kulungan,” Duterte said in late evening speech at the Cine Lokal launch in Pasay. Duterte said that not even Estrada could ﬁnd any fault with him. Next page

VOL. XXXI • NO. 66 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Take no Sayyaf prisoners—Du30 By John Paolo Bencito

OR President Rodrigo Duterte, the only good Abu Sayyaf is a dead one.

administration provoked China to build more islands in the disputed territory. “During her [Arroyo’s] term there was peace and quiet in the South China Sea. One principal point is that there was no such

“Do not give me prisoners. I don’t need them,” he said Wednesday night. “If there’s a fight and they surrender, you refuse. You decline the offer of surrender.” “Let’s continue fighting. Eventually they will run out of bullets. I have plenty of soldiers to spare,” he added as he divulged that the recent clash in Bohol was timed by the ASG to embarrass the government, which is hosting meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “The Abu Sayyaf [is there] because there is an Asean meeting now, and they went there maybe to kidnap [some people]… I told the Navy if you see them [on a boat], blast them off,” he said. Earlier in the day, Duterte offered a P1-million bounty for each of the six Abu Sayyaf bandits who escaped the deadly encounter with security forces in Inabanga, Bohol, last week. The President even called up on civilians to kill the jihadists, as he ordered an intensified crackdown on the terrorist group, even in their lairs in Sulu. The President had earlier 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 in nearby Inabanga, Bohol, leaving

LIFE AT 80. President Rodrigo Duterte and former President Gloria Arroyo are among guests of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, himself a former chief of state, on his 80th birthday anniversary at the Manila Hotel Wednesday. Malacañang Photo

Mines firm Aquino blamed for China’s island building binge Maricel V. Cruz, Sara hits out at BySusanne Fabunan and Francisco Tuyay ABS-CBN CHINA’S island building spree in the disputed waters of the South China Sea should be blamed on the Aquino administration, former Jus-

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales ASSISTANT Finance Secretary Paola Alvarez said Thursday the inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council was seeking a P50-million budget so it could hire independent experts to reassess the operations of the 311 mining ﬁrms as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. The 311 include the 28 mines shuttered or suspended by the Environment department. Alvarez made the statement even as Manila Mining Corp. urged ABS-CBN and ANC to clarify what it said was a “misleading news report” about the company. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Manila Mining said ABSCBN and ANC recently released a story titled “DENR gives Manila Mining 2 months to neutralize the open pit’s acidity level.” “The open pit referred to was the Ntina pit. The report is misleading because it is incomplete and suggests, whether wittingly Next page

tice secretary Estelito Mendoza said at a media brieﬁng in the House of Representatives Thursday. At the same brieﬁng to launch Mendoza’s primer entitled “The Ocean Space of the Maritime Area of the Philippines” published by the UP Law Center, for-

mer President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo said China’s move to build more islands in the disputed waters did not take place under her watch. Mendoza said the ﬁling of a case before the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal by the Aquino

Fire trucks deal a ‘go’ amid protest By John Paolo Bencito and Rey E. Requejo THE deal to buy fire trucks from Austria for P2.8 billion that led President Rodrigo Duterte to fire Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno over alleged irregularities will push through, the Palace said Thursday. “It is a perfected contract and there is no temporary restraining order that prevents its implementation,” said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella. “The Department of the Interior and Local Government fire truck deal will proceed.” Some 14 units of Rosenbauer Next page

READY FOR ASEAN. Members of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group conduct at Camp Karingal in Quezon City a deployment preparation for Asean Summit delegates attending the event next week. Manny Palmero

Bongbong hammers away at Leni failure By Rey E. Requejo GORGEOUS GRACE.

Students rehearse their performance Thursday at the CCP Complex in Pasay City for the ‘Aliwan Fiesta 2017’ street dance competition this coming weekend. Norman Cruz

FORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the counter-protest of Vice President Leni Robredo for failing to pay the protest fee on time. Marcos, through his lawyer George Garcia, said the high court acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal should dismiss Robredo’s counter-protest since she failed to settle the ﬁrst installment of P8 million out of the P15.44-

million fee required of her by the tribunal. Marcos cited Rule 34 of the 2010 PET Rules saying “if a party fails to make cash deposits or additional deposits herein required within the prescribed time limit, the Tribunal may dismiss the protest or counter-protest or take such action as it may deem equitable under the circumstances.” Marcos said instead of paying the ﬁrst installment on April 17, Robredo, through her lawyer Romulo Macalintal, ﬁled a mani-

festation asking the Tribunal to make a clariﬁcation on the fees that Marcos must settle and hold in abeyance the payment required of her for the 8,042 counter-protested clustered precincts. Robredo was ordered to pay P8 million for the ﬁrst installment and P7.43 million for the second. She said Marcos should be made to pay P185 million and not P66 million since in his pleading he asked the PET to secure the protection of the election results Next page

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

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Arroyo junks speakership transportation secretary during the Arroyo administration, removed Arroyo as deputy speaker for Central Luzon after she voted against House Bill 4727. But Arroyo earlier vowed to continue supporting Alvarez as well as President Rodrigo Duterte. Arroyo had said “the issue of the death penalty is unlike any other in that it touches the core of each person’s fundamental

view of human life.’’ “I believe that the issue required a vote based solely on conscience and the deepest of personal convictions. Thus, despite my support for President Duterte and Speaker Alvarez, I voted against House Bill 4727.” Alvarez has belittled the reported ouster threat against him even as he expressed confidence on the continuing support of the majority coalition of his leadership.

incessant military pressure. “There is no definite date yet for his surrender but he has expressed willingness to surrender and as reported to us, he is weak, tired and weary due to their constant movement from one place to another as our focused military operation against them is unceasing due to our constant rotation of our forces,” said Sobejana in Filipino. Sobejana declined to identify the ASG chief’s emissary but said the latter is a close and respected friend of the bandit chieftain. He also declined to give additional details as efforts are still ongoing to ensure that Sahiron’s surrender will materialize. “We believe that once Radullan surfaces [and surrenders], his followers and other [leaders] will follow,” the military official added. One of the conditions set by the ASG leader is that the government will not turn him over to the US government. Sahiron leads the ASG in Sulu after most of the founding leaders

of the group were killed. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $1 million reward for his capture. The total number of surrendered Abu Sayyaf members has reached 16, following the order of President Duterte to finish off the bandit group in the six-month period ending June 30. Over 40 Abu Sayyaf members have been killed in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi since January. Justice Department officials on Thursday said one of the two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists arrested here last month and scheduled for deportation was still in the country because of an “airline ticket problem.” Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes confirmed that Syrian national Rahaf Zina remains in the country as the Bureau of Immigration is arranging her flight back home with the assistance of the Syrian Embassy. With Vito Barcelo, PNA

the Philippine archipelago, a law that was upheld by the Supreme Court. He even noted that the Supreme Court’s decision was written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. “Without the definition of these baselines, the law of the sea convention which recognizes the archipelagic principle may not be implemented by the Philippines either to claim its sovereign rights over maritime areas or to protect them against infringement of other countries, particularly the territorial seas and the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ],” Mendoza said. Mendoza recalled that China opposed the inclusion of Kalayaan and Scarborough Shoal but did not oppose the baselines law as a whole. Former national security adviser Eduardo Ermita said the signing of the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU), a “pre-exploratory” activity signed by the Philippines, China and Vietnam prevented any conflict among claimant countries at the time. On Thursday, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año ordered Gen. Raul del Rosario, commander of the Western Command based in Palawan, to validate new reports that Chi-

nese ships were stalking Filipino fishermen in Union Banks, some 124 nautical miles off the Philippine coast. News reports said a Chinese coast guard ship circled Filipino fishermen near Union Reef off Mariveles, Bataan and even fired warning shots. Military officials were cautious about commenting on the report until they could verify it. “We are still validating that story. We also heard that but it’s hard to give an official statement without first getting facts and verifying the alleged incident,” Año said. “So, we have to coordinate with our Coast Guard because normally they are the one in charge on the matter while any military response would be a last recourse,” Año said. Union Banks is a large underwater atoll in the center of the Spratly islands in the West Philippine Sea. Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said that they will raise the matter through bilateral consultation. “We are currently verifying this report with our security agencies,” Bolivar said. He said that with the “positive momentum” that Philippines has with China, Manila will deal the matter through consultation.

fire trucks from Austria arrived at the Batangas City port earlier this week, part of the deal to purchase 76 units signed by the Aquino administration. Abella made these pronouncements even as President Duterte said he could not believe Sueno proceeded with the purchase of the fire trucks despite the opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s legal team that it was questionable. Sueno maintained his innocence and denied any corrupt dealings even after he was removed from office, saying the Rosenbauer deal was an executive facility agreement between the Philippine and Austrian governments, and the first and

second supply contracts were merely implementations of the agreement. A former party-list lawmaker, however, has asked the Supreme Court to immediately issue a temporary restraining order to stop the delivery of reportedly overpriced Austrian fire trucks covered by a P2.8- billion supply contract. With the arrival of the first batch of fire trucks this week, former Abakada representative Jonathan dela Cruz filed the motion seeking a TRO and a writ of prelimiary injunction earlier submitted to the Supreme Court in January. Dela Cruz said despite the position taken by President Duterte against the supply contract with Austrian firm Rosenbauer AG for 76 units of TLF 4000 fire trucks, some officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of the In-

terior and Local Government were conspiring to push through with the deal. He noted that the Rosenbauer contract has already cost the job of Sueno, who was fired by the President for attempting to facilitate the supply agreement despite the pending Supreme Court case. Sueno, together with his wife and other relatives, as well as officials from the DILG and BFP, traveled to Austria in January to meet with Rosenbauer officials. “President Duterte perceived and smelled a ‘first whiff’ of graft and corruption in the acts of former DILG Secretary Sueno, whom he unceremoniously dismissed...But it appears that nothing in the way will deter, prevent and stop the culpable parties from fleecing moneys from public coffers,” Dela Cruz said in his petition.

lawyer, Christian Monsod, had helped draft in that same gathering,” Alvarez said. “Hence, we at the DOF are rather perplexed as to why the good secretary would seemingly want to throw a monkey wrench into the MICC-approved review of all mining operations by opposing the budgetary support when, first, such a reassessment was ordered by President Duterte no less during the Cabinet meeting last Feb. 7, and, second, she herself formally approved such an MICC review by signing MICC Resolu-

tion No. 6 during the Council’s meeting on Feb. 9.” With regard to the P50-million budgetary support, “Lopez had likewise green-lighted this request to the DBM during the follow-up MICC meeting last Feb. 20 as the Council would need to hire a sufficient number of private experts from different fields to review the technical, legal, social, environmental and economic aspects of all 311 mining contracts in the country.” As for Lopez’s plan to appeal to Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin to inhibit from the MICC

process in light of his past ties to mining companies, Alvarez said “Secretary Lopez is free to make such an appeal in the same manner that certain groups are free to oppose her confirmation by the Commission on Appointments on a conflict-of-interest issue and other grounds.” However, she added that Agabin had already pointed out that his professional engagement with the Philippine Associated Smelting & Refining Corp. ended 15 years ago and with Rapu Rapu Minerals Inc. 10 years ago.

By Maricel V. Cruz

“I

’M NOT interested,” Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Thursday when asked if, indeed, she was being groomed to replace Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in light of his adversarial policy against the lawmakers who failed to support the death penalty bill.

The former President, together with lawyer Estelito Mendoza and former National Security Adviser Eduardo Er-

mita, held a briefing on the Area of the Philippines that West Philippine Sea even as was published by the UP Law they launched a primer on The Center. Ocean Space Or the Maritime Alvarez, who served as

Take...

pino community in Saudi Arabia last week, Duterte said the idea of the Philippines having a national ID system was good. Duterte was responding to a query from an overseas Filipino worker who was seeking the establishment of a national ID system similar to the one in Saudi Arabia. “We’re working on it because it’s good.” Several proposals have been made in past Congresses to establish a national ID system, but these failed because of strong opposition by sectors who raised concerns about privacy. The military welcomed Duterte’s announcement of a P1-million cash reward for the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits who survived the clash in Bohol. “The offer of the President was a welcome move and we thank the Commander-in-Chief for this. Hopefully, this will encourage informants and other concerned citizens to help expedite the arrests of these bandits,” Armed Forces of

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nine people dead, including the leader of the operation, Abu Rami, three soldiers and a policeman. The Palace played down Duterte’s call to civilians to kill terrorists, however. “It’s not a policy direction, okay. It’s not a policy… There’s no paper to support that. But what I’m saying is that this is his intention to raise security,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Thursday. In the same press briefing, Abella said that while the introduction of a national ID system “seems to be the general direction” that the country is headed to address security concerns, it is not an urgent concern for the President. “[President Duterte] is open to the idea of a national ID system but at the moment it is not included in his legislative priority agenda,” he said. During a meeting with the Fili-

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major steps should be taken to revamp regulations on land transportation. “Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code is an outdated law which needs to be reviewed. We were able to pass the Speed Limiter Act during the 16th Congress, I think it is high time to pass an amendment with respect to the violation of the prescribed maximum capacity of public utility vehicles,” the senator said. He noted that the law was enacted in June 1964, and its corresponding terms and conditions issued by the LTFRB do not provide for a penalty which corresponds to the possible damage to its passengers. “What we need are stiffer penalties for overloading. Right now, our law only prescribes for P2,000 to P3,000 and suspension of the certificate of public convenience for first and second offense, respectively,” he said. Ejercito said that while the nation is grieving with those who lost their

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in the 92,509 clustered precincts out of the 369,138 established precincts used in last year’s national and local elections. Marcos beat the deadline by posting P36.02 million as his first installment with the second amounting to P30 million to be paid on or before July 14 this year. “In view of the failure on the part of the protestee/counter-protestant to pay the first tranche of the cash deposit for her counterprotest within the deadline set by this Honorable Tribunal, protestant Marcos is now constrained to move for the immediate dismissal of the counter-protest in accordance with Rule 34 of the 2010 Rules of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal,” Marcos said. He cited two decisions in the election cases Perla Garcia vs House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and Rep. Harry Angping and Bienvenido Wil-

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or unwittingly, that Manila Mining Corporation had failed to meet the environmental standards set by law and regulations for observance by mining companies,” the company said. “In the case of MMC, it is not even in operation presently and is only on care and maintenance status while awaiting the DENR approval of its ECC application.” Alvarez said the MICC had

loved ones in the accident, the Senate will take steps in ensuring that accidents like these are prevented from happening again. Health officials in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija said survivors of the bus crash are still trying to cope with the tragedy and trauma. Letty Puguon, acting administrative officer of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital in Bambang town, said 16 victims were declared dead on arrival Tuesday. She said nine victims came from Nueva Vizcaya, two were from Nueva Ecija, three were from Isabela and two were still unidentified. “We are calling the assistance and help of benevolent individuals and groups to share their resources in any form such as food and other needs of the patients,” she said, referring to the survivors. Puguon said most of the patients suffered concussions, hematoma and bruises in the different parts of their body due to the bus accident. “They also need psychological, psychosocial and spiritual services from our religious sector and from those experts in stress debriefing situations,” she said.

liam Lloren vs. Commission on Elections and Rogelio Pua Jr. in which the high court upheld the summary dismissal of the cases for failure to make the required cash deposits within the prescribed time limit. “Guided by the foregoing, the dismissal of the counter-protest in this case is therefore warranted given the failure on the part of the protestee/counter-protestant Robredo to pay the required cash deposit within prescribed time limit of this Honorable Tribunal,” Marcos said. Marcos also assailed Robredo’s move to file the manifestation as another dilatory tactic, especially since there was no issue as the cash deposit required to be paid by her. “Protestant Marcos finds it quite ironic that Robredo would ask for the deferment of the payment of her cash deposit even though she had already expressed her conformity and willingness to pay the same in her manifestation with urgent ex-parte omnibus motion,” Marcos said. “subsequently held two meetings that resulted in the unanimous adoption of MICC Resolution 6 providing for a multi-stakeholder review of all mining operations. The council also agreed to seek a P50-million allocation from the Budget department to finance the review over a three-month period. “In fact, DENR Secretary Regina Lopez was present at the first MICC meeting held on Feb. 9 in which she signed with her Council co-chairperson, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, this MICC resolution that her personal

the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said. The military is still hunting the stragglers from the group led by ASG sub-leader Muanmar Askali alias Abu Rami, who were intercepted by military forces at Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo, Inabanga town last April 11. In the clash, Askali and three other bandits were killed along with three soldiers and a police officer. Two elderly civilians were also reported killed in the firefight. The AFP earlier said Askali’s group was out to kidnap local and foreign tourists in the province as part of their fundraising efforts. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Thursday advised Filipinos not to take Duterte’s call to kill terrorists seriously because killing is not the solution to criminality. Also on Thursday, Joint Task Force commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said aging ASG leader Radullan Sahiron was ready to surrender because of the

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island building factories as we experienced during the Aquino administration in the South China Sea,” Mendoza said. Mendoza said those created tension when China started converting features part of the Kalayaan Group into veritable islands. “They became aircraft carriers in the South China Sea and as explicitly stated by China, the building of those island factories were provoked by the filing of the Philippines arbitral claim,” Mendoza said. Arroyo, for her part, declined to give any unsolicited advice to President Rodrigo Duterte on how to deal with China. “He knows what he’s doing,” Arroyo told reporters. But Arroyo said she made general recommendations during a recent National Security Council meeting in Malacañang. “Our strategic direction is to emphasize our economic relations [with China] and transcend matters and issues between us,” Arroyo said. Mendoza also credited the Arroyo administration for the enactment of Republic Act 9522, which defines the baselines of

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Asean experts take on sea row THE Philippines should leverage on its chairmanship of the Asean this year to put on the spotlight Southeast Asia’s most pressing political and security challenges, including the territorial disputes involving multiple parties, think tank Stratbase ADR Institute said. “No stranger to the difficulties in the South China Sea, the Philippines is seeing new evolutions to its trials: first, in the form of Chinese vessels loitering in Benham Rise and, second, in the prospect of Chinese construction on Scarborough Shoal. In light of these events, the Philippines must continue to take pains to uphold its sovereign rights and defend its national interests against unlawful or unilateral action,” Stratbase ADRi president Dindo Manhit said. To jump-start discussions, Stratbase ADRi is gathering international-relations experts to present updates on the developments in the South China Sea, the Benham Rise and the role of the Asean in achieving stability in the region at a forum on April 25, titled “The South China Sea: the Philippines, Asean and their International Partners” at the Tower Club, Philam Life Tower in Makati City. Manhit said the forum will bring together perspectives on the maritime challenges and on how the country can act independently and in unison with its neighbors and friends to build support for and uphold the rule of international law and to safeguard the stability of Southeast Asia. The forum will feature five speakers to look at the state of play in the South China Sea, the progress of international cooperation, and the legal opportunities and challenges in moving forward in accordance with the 2016 ruling. Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario will discuss the importance of promoting respect for the rule of international law to the Philippines’ and the region’s interests. Dr. Renato de Castro of the International Studies Department of De La Salle University and a trustee of Stratbase ADRi will discuss new strategic dynamics in the South China Sea. De Castro’s research interests include Philippine-US security relations, Philippine defense and foreign policies, US defense and foreign policies in East Asia and the international politics of East Asia.

Rody... From A1

“Ano namang makita mo sa akin? If you find, if you want to find fault? Money? It will take you forever. Women? They’re all—matanda na sila. Pinatawad ko na sila. Sabi ko, wala na. so wala. I sleep early. After eating, I sleep, listen to the news,” he added. Estrada, who served as the 13th President from 1998 to 2001 and as the ninth vice president from 1992 to 1998, was detained on plunder charges after he was impeached in 2001. He was pardoned in 2007 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In his message during Estrada’s birthday bash at the Manila Hotel, Duterte greeted the former President and reiterated his commitment to eliminate illegal drugs and corruption in the country, noting that failing to address the problem threatened the next generation of Filipinos. His goal, Duterte said, was to eliminate graft and corruption and illegal drugs in the country and then he would let his economic managers improve the economy. He said among the members of the Cabinet were brilliant men who could run the economy well and that they were also clean and honest. At the same time, he promised to go after the abusive oligarchs, particularly those who were not paying the correct taxes.

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Solons question contracts’ approval By Maricel V. Cruz and Alena Mae Flores

RUSSIAN VESSEL. The flagship of Moscow’s Pacific Fleet Varyag, a Slava-class guided missile cruiser, drops anchor Thursday at Pier 15 of Manila’s South Harbor for a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines with a naval contingent headed by its commanding officer Capt. Alexsei Ulyanenko. Lino Santos

IN BRIEF ‘Workers must benefit from income tax cut’ DAYS ahead of Labor Day, a party-list lawmaker belonging to the political opposition said corporations should be able to pay their employees higher wages once Congress slashes the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent. “Corporations are bound to generate substantial costsavings from the five-percentage point cut in the applicable income tax rate, and we are counting on them to use some of the extra money to help raise the living standards of their workers through higher salaries as well as non-wage benefits,” House senior deputy minority leader and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said. “In fact, once we have lowered the income tax rate, we are hoping that many corporations will start voluntarily adopting the profit-sharing plan for employees that we’ve been proposing,” Atienza said. Atienza cited a COL Financial Group Inc. study showing that the reduction in corporate income tax rate to 25 percent would “immediately lead to a seven percent increase in corporate earnings.” COL Financial is the country’s leading online stockbrokerage firm, and performs studies on the impact of policy changes, including tax reforms, on some of the biggest corporations whose shares are publicly traded on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Maricel V. Cruz

Malacañang not alarmed by popularity dip PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte isn’t losing his popularity among the poor, Malacañang said Thursday amid the apparent decline of his survey numbers mainly attributed to the bloody war on drugs mainly targeted on the poor. “[We’re] not alarmed,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. “I would say there’s a dip, instead of an erosion,” Abella said in a news briefing in Malacañang. An opposition lawmaker, Rep. Gary Alejano, who filed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, said the Palace should not be complacent as there was already “waning support” for the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. He added people were “getting fed up and worried” over the fear they could fall victims of [extra judicial killings] under the administration’s war on drugs. Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said the tactics being employed by the Duterte administration in its war on illegal drugs were starting to reach their saturation point as far as the public was concerned. John Paolo Bencito

Accused in car rental scam shot dead by motorcyclists By Francisco Tuyay

OTORCYCLE-RIDING gunmen shot dead Thursday one of the respondents in the multi-million car rental scam outside her house in Sta Rosa, Laguna, police said.

In a report, Sr. Supt. Joel Pernito, Police Provincial Director of Laguna, said Eleanor Rosales, 58, and resident of Brgy. Malusak, died from a close range shot by two unidentiﬁed assailants in mid-afternoon. Pernito said Rosales sustained several wounds from a caliber .9mm pistol. Rosales, along with Tycicus Historillo Nambio, Jhennelyn

Berroya, Anastacia Montes Cauyan, Eliseo Cortes, Marilou Cruz and Sabinna Torrea are respondents in the unprecedented estafa case ﬁled by 1,800 car owners in a car rental business. The group reportedly raked in millions of pesos among car owners whose vehicles were eventually used as collateral for loans from lending ﬁrms.

Investigation on the car rental scam started in early April after counter affidavits had been completed and submitted by the respondents in line with the directive of the Department of Justice last March 31 in reply to the 25 complaints for large scale estafa filed by private complainants through the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group in Calabarzon. Initial investigation revealed the victim had just attended a court hearing relating to the estafa case filed against her and was on her way home when the incident occurred. Rosales, upon arriving home, called her housemaid to open the locked gate of the house when one of the suspects on board a

Suzuki MC without license plate alighted and shot the victim dead. Reports said the suspects hurriedly ﬂed towards the direction of B. Saballa St. heading towards Garden Villas in Malusak. Pernito said the shooting incident was caught by a CCTV installed near the crime scene. Probers are reviewing the footages in hopes they would be able tyo identify the assailants. CCTV footages showed one of the suspects (back rider) was wearing a blue jacket, bull cap, face mask and short pants and about 35 years old while the driver of the motorcycle was sporting a combination of black and white jacket in a maroon helmet, and at least 5’7” in height.

LAWMAKERS on Thursday questioned Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Jose Vicente Salazar’s action in allegedly approving without his board’s approval Extensions of Power Purchase Agreements between power generation company FDC Misamis and seven electric cooperatives in Mindanao. Reps. Bernadette HerreraDy of Bagong Henerasyon party-list and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City said the matter should be looked into to ﬁnd out if there was indeed regularities committed under Salazar’s watch. “The singular act of Salazar is highly questionable and very irregular,” Herrera-Dy said. Herrera-Dy said common sense dictated the ERC must act on the speciﬁc petitions of power producers as a body and a thorough consultations with all stakeholders must have been conducted prior to any action on the petitions. In Ilocos Norte, travelling Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked Malacañang to step in to protect public interest in the wake of the ongoing internal squabble at the Energy Regulatory Commission. “Malacañang should already closely look into this and pursue the issue more in-depth,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, told reporters in Laoag City. Gatchalian said the internal issues hounding the ERC “is very disheartening” and expressed concern this might spill over and affect the agency’s discharge of their duties. “Their mission is to protect all of us, to ensure that rates and prices are right for consumers. I am more afraid that the personal bickering will spill over to the discussions in the commission… From what I am reading also, there are a lot of fault finding,” he said.

MMDA starts clearing up service roads Payatas sanitary landﬁll poses no threat—QC By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority has started clearing up the service road in Barangay Baclaran in Parañaque City of vendors and illegal terminals of public utility vehicles to further ease trafﬁc along Roxas Boulevard. “We will clearing four lanes. The key here was the cooperation of stakeholders, our Muslim brothers, the terminal and the vendors. We will remove them and we will be having a new structure where they will be relocated. The City of Parañaque will manage the structure,” said MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos said. The area of Redemptorist near the Baclaran Church, where a number of Muslim vendors are situated, will be included in the clearing operation. “We studied this carefully and there should not be [a] terminal in here; but in consideration we will allow them to pick [up] and drop. We will allow

loading and unloading but not a terminal,” said Orbos. Orbos said his agency was also offering jeepney drivers and operators to pick up passengers at the Southwest Interim Terminal located in front of the Coastal Mall [formerly Uniwide Sales Mall] at the corner of Coastal Road near President Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. “They can use it for free. If they will continue putting up illegal terminal [they would] commit illegal parking, we will tow them regularly,” he said. “We are not here to abruptly change the whole environment, we understand their needs.” The move, according to Orbos, came after the agency observed the worsening trafﬁc situation in the area and the place became an accident prone area to pedestrians and motorists. The agency also noticed that vendors were occupying seven to nine lanes of the service road, giving only one lane to motorists passing through the area.

TURNOVER CEREMONY. Pfc. Samuel Garay (center left) and Sgt. Solaiman Calocop (center right)

are guarded by members of New People’s Army guerrillas, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, during a turnover ceremony to government ofﬁcials and peace advocates Wednesday in Matanao, Davao del Sur. The group of the children was not identiﬁed by the cameraman. AFP

By Rio N. Araja DESPITE a Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ pronouncement to close down the Payatas sanitary landfill in the first quarter of 2017, the Quezon City government said on Thursday there was no imminent threat of such. Andrea Andres, assistant head of the city government’s Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, said Environment Secretary Gina Lopez sent Undersecretary for Field Operations Undersecretary Philip Camara and DENR-National Capital Region director Lourdes Wagan on March 28 to discuss issues on sustainable integrated area development within the community of the Payatas dump and on other “considerations.” “There are considerations for the waste pickers; livelihood program; technology, such as composting; system, policies and projects,” she told the Manila Standard. Despite a dialogue with several DENR officials, the city government is still preparing for the worst. “No notice yet from DENR. Anyway, it [landfill] is inevitable to close since it is almost filled to capacity in two years. We just have to implement a sound closure plan and prepare for (a) new collection system to ensure that our fleet is appropriate to a site to be designated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” city administrator Aldrin Cuña told the Manila Standard in a text message. “Additional budget and plans for displaced waste pickers are also being prepared and studied.” Citing the report of the landfill

operator—the IPM Environmental Services Inc.—Andres said the Payatas dump could still be used for two or three more years. The city is generating at least 1,762 metric tons of garbage a day. Based on a 2017 projected population, Andres said, the city could generate 2,970 metric tons of trash a day. Quezon City has 2.94 million constituents. “Each person is expected to generate .88 kilo of wastes per day. A waste analysis is important in the determination of truck requirements,” she said. There are 400 to 500 daily truck trips of mixed equipment —10-wheeler trucks, 16-cubic meter dump trucks and elf trucks, she added. Last January, Lopez announced the Payatas sanitary landfill’s closure by the first quarter of 2017 over the possible impact of the leachate near the watershed of La Mesa Dam, the source of table water. She earlier told environment reporters that Mayor Herbert Bautista must look for an alternative place. According to Andres, an original proponent status was granted to the consortium of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Covanta Energy and Macquarie Group by the city government for the proposed construction of a P15-billion waste-to-energy facility in Payatas. “We are on the negotiation stage. Their proposal would still go through the study of the city’s technical working group. After completion of the proposal, we will look into their financial, technical and legal documents,” she said.

Opinion

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

‘Rolling coffins’

NOTHER road accident claimed over 30 lives this week in Nueva Ecija province, right after a similar mishap killed 15 in February, most of them college students on their way to a field trip in Tanay, Rizal province.

The twin accidents demonstrate the incompetence of certain government agencies to strictly regulate the public transportation system in the Philippines, already beset by

Adelle Chua, Editor

a poor road infrastructure. Police initially pointed to overloading as the cause of the Nueva Ecija mishap, after a bus plunged 24 meters into a ravine. Road accidents are

common in the Philippines, where transportation regulators allow old, badly-maintained buses—rolling coffins, really—to ply their routes. Often, public utility drivers are the culprit because of judgment errors and overwork. The Senate Committee on Public Services conducted an investigation into the tourist bus accident in Tanay, Rizal after the vehicle slammed into a post on

a downhill road. The investigation revealed that the tourist bus involved in the accident was 29 years old and poorly maintained. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra during that Senate hearing stressed the need to modernize land transportation to minimize road accidents. The transportation official cited that the Supreme Court had already up-

held the Department of Transportation’s position that 15-year-old buses must be phased out. Why Delgra’s agency did not implement the Supreme Court ruling and still allowed aging buses to run is puzzling. Clearly, something is amiss in the regulation of public transportation in the Philippines. Commuters, in the meantime, face the risk of riding dilapidated

buses or jeepneys that should have been taken off the road a long time ago. The government, especially the Transportation Department and its line agencies, should regulate public transportation system with an iron hand. Concerned agencies should also be held accountable for allowing rolling coffins on the road. Too many lives have been lost because of the lax implementation of the law.

Why the tide finally turned against O’Reilly By Megan McArdle

The flourishing of a university PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO I WILL not join the spirited exchanges now ongoing on social media over an honorary doctorate for the President of the Philippines. But what interests me about it is why it should matter at all upon whom degrees, even if honorary, are conferred and and what it suggests about the culture of a university. A university is the locus of that difficult but necessary tension between freedom and rigidity. Academic freedom is not some fringe benefit a university enjoys. So essential is it to the life of a university that without it, there is, strictly speaking, no university at all. “Universitas scholarum et magistrorum” —and that meant a universe of freedom: unfettered minds, unbridled discourse, uncensored publication. That is why I have always chafed at subjecting uni-

versities to a surfeit of regulation. Government regulatory agencies serve universities best by being guardians of their academic freedom—in much the same way that the Constitution serves the people best by being the impeder of impeders! On the other hand, the scholars of the university are held to the highest standards of scholarship and the most stringent adherence to the canons of their disciplines. No decent physicist will be ever be paid heed again who quotes as authority the Book of Genesis, neither will a philosopher be given much credence who arrives at conclusions by using the formulas of integral calculus! The only acceptable censors in a university are one’s academic peers — and they hold the scholar, the professor and the student to account for method, procedure and the validity of inference. At one time, I was an officer of the Philippine Association for Graduate Education (PAGE), and I sat for a session at which the late Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC was invited to speak on

“The Extension Work of Graduate Schools”. And the conference turned out to be an unmitigated let-down for the late Fr. Ramon Salinas, OP—PAGE’s long-time president—and his

Not in the accumulation of theories, but in the constant overthrow of theories and their replacement by better ones. associates, not because Andrew was not good. On the contrary, he was his usual brilliant self, but instead of discoursing on the extension work of graduate schools, he lambasted the whole notion of extension work for ad-

vanced education. If, he argued, graduate students in the Philippines hardly produce quality papers, what time is there for extension work? And to what end? I do not say that I subscribe to this skepticism about extension work, but it is this kind of ferment, this clash of views that makes a university flourish. When the exchange is muted, then proportionally too is there a withering of academic life! Lately, OBE—Outcomes Based Education—has been the mantra of the Commission on Higher Education, and there is much to be said for it. Setting institutional outcomes and determining “expected graduate attributes”, it is believed—and with good reason—is one way of bridging the troubling gap between university schooling and the demands of industry. And so it is that colleges within a university formulate their program objectives orientated towards the institutional objectives, and teachers drive themselves to their wits’ end writing syllabi according to the rubrics of OBE.

There is much to be said for OBE, but when the demands of industry and enterprise and job opportunity determine curriculum, lay down the process of delivery and become the measure of a university’s success, then the very soul of a university is emaciated. The point rather is that the freedom of a university is exactly what makes the university graduate create opportunities for himself. The true university graduate does not fit into industry. He changes industry. He does not look for jobs that need his expertise. His expertise rather draws the attention of those who are clever enough to recognize that they need them! And so it is that in my present job as Vice President for Administration and Finance of a state university, I am ever aware that I cannot truncate university life by making systems and schemes, manuals of operation and procedure in any way compromise and prejudice that openness and liberty that alone can assure the flourishing of a university and Turn to A5

REVOLUTIONS come not all at once, but in tiptoe steps. Especially the bloodless ones, of course, but even rivers of blood will not convert the rest of the population instantly to the revolutionary’s command. Just think how long it took for the United States to go from declaring that “All Men are Created Equal” to actually abolishing slavery. Or the back-and-forth dance of the early Bolsheviks before they decided to make war on all economic activity outside of the state. Or consider how long it took 21st Century Fox Inc., the parent of Fox News, to decide that it was time to stop settling sexual-harassment suits and jettison their powerful targets. We have come a long way, legally and morally, since the days when people thought that men chasing secretaries around their desks made for a pretty funny joke. But it has taken us many decades to get to the point where even a powerful conservative media figure like Bill O’Reilly faces career-ending repercussions based on accusations of such behavior. You might think it would have happened sooner, given that he seems to have been costing the company a lot of money in sexual-harassment settlements. But, of course, he was also generating lots of advertising dollars, thanks to a strong audience. Given the age demographic of the average Fox News viewer, it’s safe to say that many of them remember the days when powerful men had a lot of leeway to do or say lewd things to lower-level female employees—and judging from his ratings (which actually went up as the scandal unfolded), not all of them remember those days with horror. It may well have been the economically rational thing to do to keep paying off the lawsuits, and keeping the audience happy. So what changed? Several things, actually, but before we get there, let’s go back for a moment and trace the history of sexual harassment in America. Contrary to somewhat popular belief, it wasn’t that everyone back in the bad old days thought that sexually harassing your employees was perfectly all right. It’s just that they had somewhat more nuanced views of these things than we do today. (Nota bene: “Nuanced” is not a synonym, or a code word, for “correct,” though it is often so misused by the commentariat.) Old movies are full of young, handsome dudes engaging in relatively

Turn to A5

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Opinion FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

style, at least through a couple of stations. *** 2. “We can do this ourselves” —Gone are the doleful years of the previous administration, which completed only one PPP project per year and canceled Arroyo-initiated projects left and right—sometimes illegally so, as ruled recently by an international arbitrator in the case of the Laguna de Bay road dike project. When PNoy left office, his people boasted about leaving behind a trillion pesos in unspent budget. That’s like a father leaving his children in rags, unfed, unschooled, and homeless, then boasting about all the money he put away in the bank. Only a banker would love someone like that—and it’s exactly why the man was such a favorite of the rating agencies, who care only for lenders and creditors. If PPP is so difficult to put together, then, why doesn’t government just plan, build, and finance the infrastructure itself? That’s the question Duterte’s economic team asked. After all, the country has been awash in dollar-based liquidity from OFW and BPO earnings. Global interest rates and inflation are still low (though slowly rising), and the peso recently posted its strongest rally in over two years. The answer to the above question would be unambiguously “yes” in the case of uncomplicated projects like roads, bridges, and seaports. It would still be positive even with more complicated variables like railway rolling stock and airplanes. But these projects present a number of challenges the Duterte team has agreed to accept, which make up the other side of the DuterteNomics ledger: *** 3. “We will go into debt at home to pay for our infrast r u c t u re”— Budget Secretary plans to run an annual budget deficit of 3 percent of GDP starting next year in order to finance these projects. It is possible for him to do this now, with stable public finances and low debt ever since the tax reforms initiated under both Arroyo and Aquino II. 4. “We will go into deficit abroad to pay for our infrastructure”—For the first time in many years, our current account last quarter swung from surplus to deficit. But this can be managed in light of our foreign exchange reserves and a strengthening peso, which allows us to import infrastructure components for less money. 5. “We will reform our tax system in order to ‘pay as you go’ ”—As discussed in an earlier column, the comprehensive tax reform package now pending in Congress is the best way for us to raise the additional taxes needed to pay for infrastructure out of pocket, while at the same time easing the tax burden on our middle class and poor. *** At the end of the day, of course, PowerPoint promises are easy enough to make. We certainly saw enough of that with the unlamented likes of Roxas and Abaya. This is why perhaps the most important announcement at the forum came from Presidential Spokesman Ernie Abella: The rollout of a Philippine Infrastructure Transparency Portal that will allow any citizen to track online the progress of every one of these projects. The portal is being built at www.build.gov.ph. Check it out, use it or lose it. Whether or not we use this access is what will make all of us—not just Duterte, nor his Cabinet, nor their foreign and private partners alone—responsible for success, or complicit in failure.

We are even given a website to track the progress.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

What ever happened to Mamasapano? BACK CHANNEL

‘Du30nomix’ I HAD the pleasure last Tuesday of moderating a forum on “DuterteNomics,” the new brand dreamed up by the clever young minds at the President’s communications office. It was held at the new Conrad hotel beside the SM MOA in Pasay City, where you’re greeted with a stunning view of Manila Bay as you emerge into the lobby from the parking garage lift. That view alone is enough to perk up one’s spirits before you enter one of the function rooms where the forum was held. I’m assuming it put the participants in a properly optimistic mood to hear what the President’s economic and infrastructure advisers had to say. *** The new brand “DuterteNomics” isn’t just clever spin. It isn’t intended just to show that there’s more to Duterte than his unorthodox views on keeping the peace at home and making friends abroad, even if those views were likely what made him the world’s most influential leader last year, according to TIME magazine. DuterteNomics actually comprises a very specific list of policy prescriptions that deserve a serious look. They include the following: 1. “Build build build”—The driving proposition is that we have to create nothing less than a “golden age of infrastructure” if we want to do away with structural poverty and become a middle-income nation in one generation. It is infrastructure that will knit our islands closer together and bring investment, trade and tourism to our most rural precincts as well as our most crowded cities. Fellow UP economists Ernie Pernia (Neda) and Ben Diokno (DBM) plan to spend a whopping P8.4 trillion over the next six years on infrastructure. By the time Duterte leaves office in 2022, infra spending will have gone up from 5.4 percent to 7.4 percent of GDP, which in turn, is projected by IMF to be the fastestgrowing GDP in Asean this year and next. *** Among the ambitious projects touching Metro Manila alone, some of which have already started: NLEX Harbor Link—A partnership between Mark Villar’s DPWH with Manny Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific. Already halfway finished, this elevated roadway will transport cargo from the Manila ports to NLEX for points north, expediting logistics and keeping big container trucks out of Manila’s busiest streets. Luzon Spine Expressway— Intended to cut travel time between La Union and Bicol to less than 12 hours. This web of road projects includes the North-South Connector Road, also already being built by Metro Pacific, that will let travelers between NLEX and SLEX bypass Metro Manila streets altogether. PNR North and South Rails —The northbound link spans 100 km. from Tutuban to Clark, while the southbound link will connect first to Calamba and Los Baños, then to the Bicol region. Art Tugade of DOTr is so confident about finishing these projects by 2022 that he promised to move his entire agency from Ortigas Avenue to Clark this July. That’s a whole lot of motivation for his people to do the job quickly, most of whom live in or around Metro Manila. Metro Manila Subway—Tugade expects the President and Japanese Prime Minister Abe to sign this contract by the yearend. The first phase will comprise 13 subway stations, from Mindanao Avenue in QC to the FTI and Naia in Taguig. It won’t be completely done yet by the time Duterte leaves office, but he ought to be able to experience a subway trip, Philippine-

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE Sandiganbayan has set to June 6 the pretrial of former Philippine National Police Director Alan Purisima for graft charges related to the anomalous 2011 courier delivery contract without public bidding. Purisima, according to the charge sheet, entered into a deal with Werfort Courier Service to deliver firearms licenses of applicants. Due diligence was not carried out by the former PNP chief. It turned out Werfort does not have a track record in the courier service industry as it is not even registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Graft charges filed against our government officials are nothing new. It’s par for the course and the citizenry has, sadly, learned to accept and come to terms with official corruption. But what the people would like to see is for the courts to make accountable Purisima all the way to Noynoy Aquino their culpability in the massacre of 44 PNP Special Action Force in

Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Purisima, already suspended for other allegations of graft, was assigned by Aquino to oversee the dangerous police operation against Muslim terrorists with bomber Marwan as the prime target. The worst part of it is that the PNP operation did not have an exit plan. They were left stranded to be butchered by a combined force of MILF and BIFF in an open corn field. And where was Noynoy Aquino? He was in nearby Zamboanga sitting pretty and waiting for Marwan’s head to be delivered. The thing delivered to him was Marwan’s index finger cut off as proof of death. Too bad the PNP survivors should have cut off Marwan’s middle finger as a fitting gift for Noynoy. The middle finger, if you still do not get the irony of it, is to show derisive offensive sign against anyone you dislike. According to reports from those who were with Aquino in Zamboanga, he told the military to stand down when the besieged SAF were under fire and desperately asking for reinforcement. Yet Aquino had with him the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines not to mention several helicopter gunships which could have been

dispatched to Mamasapano. So Kris, please stop asking President Duterte not to prosecute your brother for crimes against the SAF 44. For Duterte not to would be a dereliction of duty as president. Spare your Kuya and never mind justice for those heroic SAF fighters killed in the line of duty? What about their grieving relatives who are still crying for justice for their loved ones? Spare us your pa-cute antics, please. It may land you a role in Hollywood but your acting and credibility no longer sell with the locals. MRT woes continue Despite new train carriages from China’s Dalian company, commuters’ woes from the Metro Rail Transit continue. After carrying out maintenance service and safety check during the four-day Holy Week break, MRT management can’t seem to solve the daily glitches of the public transport system. A faulty rail stopped service between the Santolan and Shaw Boulevard stations stranding thousands of passengers on their way to work. The daily breakdown of the MRT brings us to the question as to why former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya

has not yet been charged for the anomalous deals he entered into during his watch. The MRT operation falls under the jurisdiction and supervision of the DoTC. Earthquake forum The Zuellig Foundation, in coordination with the National Risk Reduction Management Council, will hold a forum/ seminar on surviving an earthquake at the Manila Polo Club on April 21-23. The event is timely in the light of the series of earthquake that hit Batangas, Bohol, Surigao and other parts of Mindanao. Almost everyone living in Metro Manila are now wondering when the big one will finally hit the metropolis. With its high-rise condominium towers and office buildings, jittery residents are wary of the earthquake fault line that rings the West Valley fault starting from Bulacan along Marikina, Pasig, Pasay Mandaluyong, San Juan and Makati. Aftershocks in Mabini, Batangas could be portents of the big one to come. I do not wish to sow fear and panic among the people but it’s always advisable to prepare for “the big one.” It’s no longer how big, but when, is the question running through the minds of the people in Metro Manila.

The Yuchengco I knew VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ MY FRIEND, Alfonso T. Yuchengco, was buried before noon yesterday (April 20, 2017) at the family mausoleum at upscale Manila Memorial Park which he built. He died on April 15, at age 94. Having been a business journalist for 47 years, I am one of the few given the privilege to interview AY a number of times over the past 25 years. AY built the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) conglomerate anchored on banking and insurance. He rebuilt his father Don Enrique Yu’s non-life insurance business, China Insurance, established in 1930, into what became Malayan Insurance. It went bankrupt because the Yuchengcos chose to honor warrelated insurance losses. AY’s father, Don Enrique Yu, was born Oct. 7, 1879. Enrique was given the name Cheng or Yu-Cheng, followed by “Co,” Chinese for “brother”, which was the custom in the Philippines. Hence, the family name “Yu Chengo Co”. Rice trading in Pangasinan was the original business. When Enrique died in 1953, Al Yuchengco, then 30, took over. He restarted China non-life, calling it Malayan “because Filipinos belonged to the Malayan race”. It became No. 1. Then AY put up Grepalife in 1954 for life insurance. It became No. 5. In the 1960s, he bought Rizal Development Bank. He loved the Rizal name. It became

Why... From A4 minor harassment, such as patting derrieres. They are certainly more tolerant of marital rape than we are. But they do not spend a lot of time celebrating men who demand sex in exchange for something a woman desperately needs, such as her job. Nor are they particularly tolerant of older and unattractive men who fondle their employees—bosses who at best come off with comic desperation, at worst as evil. Roughly, the people of yesteryear thought that women might enjoy the attentions from very attractive men, but also understood that such attentions could be unwanted and abusive. And that probably reflects the beliefs of the larger culture, which might be summed up as “sexual harassment exists, and is wrong, but not all unsolicited advances are sexual harassment.” What we see in black and white, they saw in shades of gray. In part because of this, they didn’t take it as seriously as we do. If you didn’t like sexual harassment, and your boss or your boss’ boss wouldn’t put a stop to it, you had a choice between putting up with it and looking for another job.

The ﬂourishing... From A4

that make of it one huge public space — an agora, in the best of Greek traditions. Whatever administrative procedures and functions must be dutifully carried out will be justified only in the measure that they enable the sustainability and the enhancement of the drive for re-

RCBC—today the fifth largest local commercial bank. He put up the Manila Memorial park in 1964, acquired Mapua in 2000, and built the 48-story RCBC Plaza in 2001 as a joint venture with Singapore. In 2011, Sunlife of Canada bought 49 percent of Grepalife Financial, enabling RCBC to sell bancassurance products. Helen Dee, 72, now takes over as the YGC matriarch, becoming the chair of most of the companies. She finished Commerce from Assumption College and MBA from La Salle. In 2007, Helen hired Lorenzo Tan as CEO of RCBC. With AY, Helen Dee and Lorenzo Tan, along with former PM Cesar Virata, the vice chair, RCBC took off. As of end-2016, RCBC had assets of P521 billion, loans of P306 billion, deposits of P353 billion, equity of P62 billion. In 2016, profits fell 25 percent to P3.87 billion, from the record P5.13 billion in 2015, hurt probably by the $81 million dollar stealing scandal by Bangladesh. In 10 years, with Tan as president, RCBC grew from 700,000 to seven million plus in customers. Its market value rose 10fold. Cathay Financial’s entry valued RCBC at P100 billion with its $400 million investment for 20 percent of the bank. RCBC invested heavily in technology, talent and training as AY would want it. It sought strategic alliances with Sunlife Financial, Resona Bank and Okasan Securities. It repositioned PCI Bankard into RCBC Bankard, one of top five credit cards today. RCBC redirected Grepalife into a global player in bancassurance (Top 5) with Sunlife Grepa. RCBC started the first

microfinance business in Philippines by a unibank in Rizal Microbank. RCBC won more than 100 major international awards. Unlike other conglomerates which are backstopped by property and power assets, RCBC grew by using the capital markets in what Tan called “a prudent, calculated strategy.” For AY, building a business or a business empire does not happen overnight. It requires years of painstaking and patient and plodding hard work. “Take your time. Prove what you can do first. Then go to the next step,” was his advice to would-be entrepreneurs. At his prime, AY presided over a business conglomerate that at one time, included over 92 companies (of the YGC Group) under his main holding company, Pan Malayan Management and Investment Corp. There were five main companies—each a conglomerate in its own right: RCBC, House of Investments, Inc., MICO Equities, Inc., GPL Holdings, Inc., and AY Foundation. YGC is one of the oldest, largest and most diversified conglomerates in Southeast Asia. It was a “womb-to-tomb” conglomerate. Insurance, banking and investments basically render basic services, from the time one is born to the time one is buried. By the dawn of the 21st century, it employed over 22,000 people. The Yuchengcos have been in the Philippines for more 100 years. The family roots were established during the Philippine Revolution and the early years of the American administration (1896 to 1946). By 2009, YGC had already resources of about P215 billion ($5 billion), with P22 billion

in equity. Over the years thus, YGC became infinitely larger and stronger. One secret of Yuchengco’s success was getting the right people to manage the enterprises and knowing well the companies he deals with. Thus, he hired famous people like Carlos Romulo, Cesar Virata, Mariano Cuenco, Antonio delas Alas, the late Roy Navarro, and banker Lorenzo Tan. Among all Philippine taipans, AY was the least averse of having partnerships and joint ventures, especially with established names and multinationals abroad. “You must deal with the right people,” he said. “You must study the past of the people you deal with, their track record, how they treat others, their sincerity, their honesty.” Yuchengco put a premium on a good name and reputation. “A good reputation is more valuable than wealth,” he was wont to say. AY was also an accomplished diplomat, a generous patron of the arts, and a philantropist. He was ambassador to China under President Corazon Aquino, to Japan under President Fidel V. Ramos, and to the United Nations in New York under President Gloria Arroyo. As envoy to Beijing for two and a half years, AY got Deng Xiao Ping to pledge not to support Philippine communist guerillas. As ambassador to Japan, AY boosted Japanese investments in the Philippines and helped sick OFWs who couldn’t seek medical health because they were illegal aliens. He was given two decorations by the Emperor of Japan.

The feminists of the 1970s changed that, by getting courts to declare that women who were sexually harassed had a legal cause of action against their firm. Companies were no longer allowed to care more about keeping the boss happy than keeping him from mauling the secretaries. And as firms grew wiser about the legal risks, they began to crack down. Yet despite the legal risks, sexual harassment continued—I experienced it (from clients) as a young consultant in the 1990s. And, of course, all revolutions take longest to reach the top. Think of the Soviet party chiefs who were living remarkably like affluent capitalists, while the rest of their country lined up in empty supermarkets. As long as sexual-harassment allegations were basically a legal problem, it made sense (economic if not moral) to subject it to cost-benefit calculation: Are the lawsuits going to cost me more or less than firing the accused harasser? In most cases, the answer is “yes.” But in the case of major producers in lucrative industries? It might be more profitable simply to assign a lawyer to their case and pay the plaintiffs to shut up. But sexual harassment is no longer just a legal problem, because the law changed

the culture. When the majority of managers are strictly forbidden to engage in that kind of behavior, it is exiled from the realm of “Something that unfortunately happens,” and banished to “Never Neverland.” Cultural tolerance for it erodes, and resentment from lower-level managers who have to play by the rules grows as the stars get the company to pay their lawsuits off for them. And culture, in turn, informs both the economics of the decision, and the willingness of companies to subject those decisions to cost-benefit analysis. If management had received allegations that Bill O’Reilly was killing his staffers and stuffing their bodies in trunks, we can assume that Fox would not have been asking, “How much to make this go away?” And the more we regard these things as moral crimes, rather than “a series of unfortunate events,” the more costly it is when accusations come to light. According to CNN, more than 60 advertisers pulled out after the New York Times ran a story about O’Reilly’s history of accusations. I think we may also be witnessing a transition, both in Fox News and the larger Rupert Murdoch empire. All innovative companies get to the point

when they have to transition from the control of a dynamic founder to the next generation of talent, whether that is the children or a new CEO. When that happens, companies often become more “normal” in all ways—less of an outlier in both profits and behavior. You can see this at Apple Inc., which still makes a fine product, but hasn’t given us a revolution along the lines of the iPod or the iPhone since the untimely death of Steve Jobs. And we may also be seeing it at the Murdoch empire. According to Gabriel Sherman of New York Magazine, “Late last week, the feeling inside the company was that Rupert Murdoch would prevail over his son James, who lobbied to jettison the embattled host.” Somehow, the tide turned, possibly because James’s brother Lachlan was persuaded (by his wife) that O’Reilly had to go. The revolution is still not complete, and won’t be until the people in power don’t even remember a time when anyone was kept on board after multiple such accusations. Which is to say, we’re still a few generations off. But if we are not witnessing the beginning of the end, we are at least at the end of the beginning. Bloomberg

search, the irrepressible eros of inquiry and the inevitable clashes born out of intellectual conviction and integrity. Professors have to be paid according to an acceptable salary scale. Classrooms have to be adequate, and facilities have to be upgraded, the library well-stocked, the laboratories, state of the art. And the end of all administrative efficiency and fastidiousness is to provide for that environment where academic freedom

reigns supreme: where no question is too embarrassing or too sensitive to be discussed, where no problem is ever too recondite to wrestle and tackle. So it is too that administration cannot and should not be vexed with forever placating a restive faculty that is unable to transcend visceral needs no matter the most earnest attempts at meeting them. Indeed, the university flourishes by that restiveness that is the hallmark of the

seeking spirit that hurtles towards an infinite horizon by ceaseless questioning. I like Popper’s characterization: Not in the accumulation of theories, but in the constant overthrow of theories and their replacement by better ones. This is what it means for a university to flourish!

biznewsasia@gmail.com

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 A6 Standard TODAY Manila

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Group wants P500 subsidy for workers By Vito Barcelo

“Government’s regulatory bodies the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy officials N UMBRELLA network of labor unions has who are supposed to protect the interest urged President Rodrigo Duterte to give a P500 of consumers are no longer functioning to protect the people against the rising monthly subsidy to workers, citing a signiﬁcant cost of power,” said ALU-TUCP vice rise in the cost of electricity and lowered value of the president Louie Corral. daily minimum wage. Manila Electric Co. recently said the recent electricity price hike was due to “We are proposing a subsidy for “The regional wage boards are no the low dispatch of contracted indeworkers through its Labor Empower- longer responsive to the needs of mini- pendent power producers, maintenance ment and Assistance Program fol- mum waged workers and their families shutdown or outages of power supplilowing a significant increase in house- against rising cost of inflation in the ers, and increase in fuel costs. hold electricity and the falling value of context of consistently growing ecoTanjusay also noted a World Bank P491 daily minimum wage,” said Alan nomic growth. We have high economic report last week which placed the Tanjusay, spokesman of the Associated growth yet the workers who helped Philippines as having the lowest level Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of built that economy is poor,” he said. of growth in the export sector among the Philippines. Earlier, the labor group said the value Asean countries. Tanjusay said at least 25 percent of a of an ordinary worker’s pay has dipped “Clearly, the lack of power supminimum wage worker’s monthly pay by 15 percent due to a 23-centavo in- ply and the spiraling, seemingly unis spent for electric bills alone, up from crease in the cost of power. controllable power costs spikes... are only 11 percent five years ago. The government’s National Wages the main culprit to disincentivize the Tanjusay said a minimum wage earner’s and Productivity Commission says the entry of locators and investors discurrent real monthly wage is P8,728 purchasing power of the P491 daily couraging job-creating investments while the average 200 kwh household minimum pay is P364, or a drop of P127 needed by our millions of jobless consumption is equivalent to P2,200. a day since the last quarter of 2016. workforce,’’ Tanjusay said.

Subway to boost economic growth By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe said the Duterte administration’s ambitious 25-kilometer subway project will not only help ease traffic in the already congested metropolis but also propel economic growth. “We have to invest now, build now, but not without exercising caution. Having a reliable public transportation system, especially railway, will not only spell public convenience but also contribute to economic growth,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services and the main proponent of the emergency powers measure sought by the administration to ease traffic in major urban areas. “Although it is relatively costly and the construction time will take a little bit longer as reportedly said by Transport officials, an underground mass transport will help decongest road traffic as there will be less road disturbance to the above-ground environment,” she added. Poe, however, stressed that the subway design should complement road transport design above ground, and take into account the accessibility and walkability of each station’s stop with that of other public transportation. Interconnectivity, according to the lawmaker, is key to a thriving economy. “I hope that this time the administration, in considering the location of each

station, will prioritize public convenience and accessibility over private interests,” she said. President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to sign an agreement for the P227billion subway this year. Construction of the first leg of the Mega Manila subway is expected to be finished by 2024. The subway system will connect Quezon City to Taguig, with projected travel time at half an hour. It will initially accommodate around 350,000 passengers daily in its opening year, officials said. The proposed 13 stations are along Mindanao Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas and Katipunan in Quezon City; Ortigas North and Ortigas South in Pasig City; Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City; Bonifacio Global City, Cayetano Boulevard and Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig; and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. “In the long run, the benefits will far outweigh the cost. As estimated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, projected losses from traffic reach P3 billion daily. We must address this for the benefit of the public,” Poe said. Jica warned Metro Manila road traffic demand is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2012 to 2030.

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO - Presiding Officer SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA MARIE ALETHEA SJ. CASAL-UY GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR. DIVINA A. JACOME LUIS S. JAVIER JR. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY ROMEO C. MEDINA MA. ARLENE M. ORTEGA ENRICO J. PUNO MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

ABSENT: Councilor “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO NELSON S. PASIA-Sick Leave

ABSENT: Councilor “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO NELSON S. PASIA-Sick Leave

ABSENT: Councilor “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO NELSON S. PASIA-Sick Leave

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA-Vacation Leave ============================================================================== On motion presented by Hon. E.D.E Villamor, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017-032 on second and final reading.

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA-Vacation Leave ============================================================================== On motion presented by Hon. G.I.N. de Lara, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017-033 on second and final reading.

CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-032 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut Jr., Hon. E.D.E. Villamor, Hon. R.C. Medina, Hon. E.J. Puno and Hon. M.A.M. Ortega

CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-033 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut, Jr., Hon. A.P. Padilla, Hon. R.C. Medina and Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino

Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr., Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. L.M. Magpantay and Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino

Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr., Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. L.M. Magpantay, Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. E.J. Puno and Hon. E.D.E. Villamor

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY TO CONFORM, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, TO THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (DENR-EMB, NCR) AND AYALA HOTELS INC. REGARDING THE CREATION OF THE MULTIPARTITE MONITORING TEAM (MMT), ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING TEAM (EMT) AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUARANTEE FUND (EGF), SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY TO NEGOTIATE, ENTER INTO AND SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA), ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, WITH THE MAKATI CITY EMPLOYEES MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (MACEMCO) REGARDING THE LATTER’S COLLECTION, THROUGH PAYROLL/SALARY DEDUCTION EVERY 15TH AND 30TH OF EACH MONTH, OF THE SHARE CAPITAL BUILD-UP, SAVINGS CONTRIBUTION/MOBILIZATION PROGRAM, LOAN REPAYMENTS AND CASH ADVANCES FROM ITS MEMBERS, SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the of the State to attain and maintain a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection through sustainable use, development, management, renewal and conservation of the country’s natural resources, including the protection and enhancement of the quality of the environment, not only for the present generation but for the future generations as well;

WHEREAS, Article 2 of R.A. 9520, otherwise known as the “Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008”, states that;

WHEREAS, to realize the abovementioned policy, the Department of Environmental Natural Resources (DENR) issued on 2 December 1996 Administrative Order No. 96-37 which further strengthens the implementation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System; WHEREAS, EIS System is concerned primarily with assessing the direct and indirect impacts of a project on the biophysical and human environment and ensures that these impacts are addressed by appropriate environmental protection and enhancement measures; WHEREAS, to further attain its purpose, the aforecited administrative order requires as a condition for the grant of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) the formation of a MultiPartite Monitoring Team (MMT) and establishment of Environmental Monitoring Fund (EMF) and Environmental Guarantee Fund (EGF); WHEREAS, Ayala Hotels, Inc. (AHI) has been issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 for the “Park Central Towers” with ECC Reference Code No. ECC-NCR-1510-0315 on 13 November 2015 under the project name Project Emerald located at Paseo de Roxas corner Makati Avenue, Barangay Urdaneta, Makati City; WHEREAS, the ECC requires as a condition the formation of MMT and shall be composed of representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau-National Capital Region(DENR EMB-NCR), AHI, Makati Development Corporation (MDC), City Government of Makati, Barangay Urdaneta and Philippine Business for Environment; WHEREAS, the ECC likewise requires as a condition, the establishment of (a) EGF, as a fund source for the indemnification of damages caused by a Project and immediate rehabilitation and/or restoration of affected ecosystem, and (b) EMF, to cover the expenses of environmental monitoring and surveillance activities; WHEREAS, DENR-EMB NCR and AHI must execute a MOA in order to clarify and define their respective commitments and responsibilities in connection with the formation of the MMT and the establishment of the EGF and EMF; WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati needs to give its conformity to the subject MOA in order to effectuate the abovementioned purpose; WHEREAS, considering the relevance of giving such conformity, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, pursuant to Section 8 (a) (6), Article III, of R.A. 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, hereby authorizes the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay, to conform, on behalf of the City Government of Makati, to the above-mentioned Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to conform, on behalf of the City Government of Makati, to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau, National Capital Region (DENR-EMB, NCR) and Ayala Hotels Inc. regarding the creation of the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT), Environmental Monitoring Team (EMT) and Environmental Guarantee Fund (EGF), subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

On motion presented by Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017-034 on second and final reading. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-034 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut, Jr., Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. N.S. Pasia, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr. and Hon. E.D.E. Villamor Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. L.M. Magpantay, Hon. R.C. Medina, Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino and Hon. E.J. Puno A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY AND OSPITAL NG MAKATI (OSMAK) HOSPITAL DIRECTOR DR. VERGEL P. BINAY, MD, FPSGS, MBAH, TO NEGOTIATE, ENTER INTO AND SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA), ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI AND OSMAK, RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OFFICE (DOH-NCRO) REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAL HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MHCAP) FOR INDIGENT AND POOR PATIENTS PURSUANT TO DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2016–0010 DATED 31 MARCH 2016, SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

“ART. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is the declared policy of the State to foster the creation and growth of cooperatives as a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and harnessing people power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice. The State shall encourage the private sector to undertake the actual formation and organization of cooperatives and shall create an atmosphere that is conducive to the growth and development of these cooperatives.

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City Government of Makati to promote the health and welfare of its citizens;

Toward this end, the Government and all its branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies shall ensure the provision of technical guidance, financial assistance and other services to enable said cooperatives to develop into viable and responsive economic enterprises and thereby bring about a strong cooperative movement that is free from any conditions that might infringe upon the autonomy or organizational integrity of cooperatives.

WHEREAS, the Department of Health-National Capital Region Office (DOH-NCRO), is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2016-0010 dated 31 March 2016 entitled as “Guidelines on Medical Assistance to Indigent and Poor Patients in Government Hospitals”;

Further, the State recognizes the principle of subsidiarity under which the cooperative sector will initiate and regulate within its own ranks the promotion and organization, training and research, audit and support services relative to cooperatives with government assistance where necessary.” WHEREAS, Makati City Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACEMCO), a duly registered cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority and organized by the Makati City Hall employees with business operation in the Makati City Hall, is the cooperative of all employees of the City Government of Makati; WHEREAS, to sustain MACEMCO’s smooth operation, its officers and members agreed to have their share capital build-up, savings contributions/mobilizations program, loan repayment and cash advances be collected through payroll/salary deduction every 15th and 30th pay period of each month; WHEREAS, MACEMCO members agreed as well to collect through salary deduction from the payroll of the City Government of Makati the payment of advances made by MACEMCO on benefits such as 13th and 14th month pay, rice allowance, uniform allowance, Performance Evaluation Incentive, fringe benefits, cash gift and all other miscellaneous gifts and incentives the City Government of Makati will afford to members/employees; WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati maintains its commitment to its long-standing collaboration with the cooperative movement in promoting self-reliance in harnessing people’s skills for economic development, considering that research has shown that in times of crisis, cooperatives are reliable sources of resilience and stability that contribute to social inclusion and poverty reduction; WHEREAS, the Sanggunian Panlungsod hereby gives authority to Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to sign the aforecited MOA with MACEMCO pursuant to Section 8 (a) (6), Article III of R.A. 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to negotiate, enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), on behalf of the City Government of Makati, with the Makati City Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACEMCO) regarding the latter’s collection, through payroll/salary deduction every 15th and 30th of each month, of the share capital build-up, savings contribution/mobilization program, loan repayments and cash advances from its members, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Let copy of this Resolution be furnished to DENR-EMB, Ayala Hotels, Inc., Department of Environmental Services (DES), Office of the City Administrator, City Law Department and other offices, departments and agencies concerned for their information, guidance and reference.

Let copy of this Resolution be furnished to Makati City Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACEMCO), HRDO-Payroll Section, Accounting Department, City Law Department, Office of the City Administrator and other offices concerned for their information, guidance and reference.

This Resolution is subject to existing laws, rules and regulations and shall take effect upon approval.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

APPROVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Regular Session held on 19 April 2017.

HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

P HON. NELSON S. PASIA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

P HON. NELSON S. PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President

WHEREAS, the General Appropriation Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 allocated One Billion Eight Hundred Forty Nine Million Pesos (Php1,849,000,000.00) to the Department of Health (DOH) for medical assistance to indigent and poor patients;

WHEREAS, relative to the abovementioned administrative order, the DOH allocated the amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00) to Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK), as per Sub-Allotment Advice (SAA) No. 2016-09-1331 dated 13 September 2016, for the provision of approved medical assistance to its eligible patients; WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati and OSMAK manifest its desire to participate in the efficient and effective grant of medical assistance to indigent and poor patients of the OSMAK; WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Agreement between the DOH, on one hand, and the City Government of Makati and OSMAK, on the other hand, is necessary in order to achieve and guide the parties in carrying out the abovementioned purpose; WHEREAS, Sec. 8 (a) (6) of R.A. 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, provides that the City Mayor, as the chief executive of the city government shall represent the City in all its business transactions and sign on its behalf all bonds, contracts, and obligations, and such other documents upon authority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or pursuant to law or ordinance; WHEREAS, considering the noble purpose and the absence of any legal impediments to the subject MOA, the Sangguniang Panlungsod hereby authorizes the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay and Hospital Director Dr. Vergel P. Binay, MD, FPSGS, MBAH to negotiate, enter into and sign the subject MOA, on behalf of the City Government of Makati and OSMAK, respectively, with the DOH. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay and Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK) Hospital Director Dr. Vergel P. Binay, MD, FPSGS, MBAH to negotiate, enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), on behalf of the City Government of Makati and OSMAK, respectively, with the Department of Health – National Capital Region Office (DOH-NCRO) regarding the implementation of Medical Health Care Assistance Program (MHCAP) for indigent and poor patients pursuant to DOH Administrative Order No. 2016–0010 dated 31 March 2016, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Let copy of this Resolution be furnished to Department of Health (DOH), Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK), Accounting Department, City Law Department, Office of the City Administrator and other offices, departments and agencies concerned for their information, guidance and reference. This Resolution is subject to existing laws, rules and regulations and shall take effect upon approval. APPROVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Regular Session held on 19 April 2017. HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

HON. NELSON S. P PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

HON. ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President

Certified true and correct by:

ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

Attested by:

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA-Vacation Leave ==========================================================================

Certified true and correct by: ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Attested by:

Attested by:

(MS-APR. 21, 2017)

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer (MS-APR. 21, 2017)

(MS-APR. 21, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Japanese experts give Philracom a big boost F OR the second time in two months, the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) is bringing in experts from abroad to uplift the standard of horse-racing in the country.

The Philracom on Thursday welcomed to the country Japanese Racing Association Facilities Co. LTD. Director Kazuhiro Youfu and JRA Facilities Co. LTD. Adviser Sadamichi Imabayashi to help raise the standards of the Philippines’ three premier racetracks. “We are bringing them (JRA executives) here so as to put a standard on all of the racing tracks for them (tracks) to be safe, for the protection of our jockeys and horses when they race,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez.

The Philracom chief revealed that Youfu and Imabayashi maintain 10 race tracks in Japan, keeping them safe for all racing events, jockeys and horses. “They will give individual reports on each of the three race tracks in the country to emphasize kung ano ang kulang, kung paano mako-correct and how to maintain them. And from their findings and recommendation, we will put this as a requirement to the clubs,” added Sanchez. The Japanese visitors, who planed in Thursday, immediately made a courtesy call on the Phil-

racom board, before heading to MJCI’s San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park at Lantic, Carmona, Cavite; the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park (Santa Ana Park) Race Track at Sabang, Naic, Cavite, and the Metro Manila Turf Club Race Track in Malvar and Tanauan City, Batangas. “We figured we have to have a standard na hindi dapat sa amin manggagaling, we are not professionals like them (Japanese) on race track maintenance and care. So that when they do it, it’s really professionals that are telling us how to maintain or even improve the race tracks,” the Philracom chief stressed. The Philracom has made great strides in the past months in its goal of boosting horseracing in the country. Last month, it played host

to International racing consultant Ciaran Kennelly, who in turn helped the Commission in its efforts to raise its standards befitting a new member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The Philracom achieved a milestone of being formally accepted as a member of the IFHA, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport. The high-profile IFHA executive reviewed the current structure of the Philracom’s Racing Programme and prepared a draft that set up a ratingbased handicapping system, the structures that will have to be in place and the maintenance and updating of the ratings.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Korean rallies, edges Del Rosario in playoff TARLAC—Korean Euna Koh battled back from five shots down, blew a two-stroke lead late in regulation but birdied the first playoff hole to upend Pauline del Rosario and snare the ICTSI Luisita Ladies Challenge in sweltering condition at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday. Koh, 18, bucked the heat, hunger and Del Rosario’s fightback with a superb pitching wedge shot from 120 yards that landed four feet off the cup in their sudden death on No. 18 and calmly drilled in the putt after the Filipina ace flubbed her birdie bid from eight feet. “I was shaking because I’m hungry but I was happy to have pulled it off,” said the 18-year-old shotmaker from Gwangju and a mainstay at Riviera in Silang, Cavite who ended a string of poor finishes in the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Tour with a P250,000 victory. She overhauled Del Rosario’s huge five-shot lead in a flight head with a remarkable 35 at the front but needed to toughen up in the last two holes after failing to clinch it in regulation with a bogey on No. 16 for a 72. Del Rosario birdied that par-5 hole for a crucial two-shot swing and matched Koh’s pars in the last two to card a 77 and force a playoff at six-over 222 in the third leg of the

ICTSI Ladies Philippine Tour. It was a sorry setback for the 17-year-old Del Rosario, who had looked forward to scoring a breakthrough win in just her third pro tournament after surging to a fourstroke lead over Thai Numa Gulyanamitta and five clear of Koh after the second round of the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Del Rosario, who finished tied at 15th at ICTSI Champion Tour Mt. Malarayat after an impressive joint runner-up feat at Splendido, both legs of the Taiwan LPGA Tour, settled for P120,000. Nemittra Juntanaket also birdied No. 16 to save a 75 and tied fellow Thai Gulyanamitta, who turned in a 76, at third at 225 worth P80,500 each while Indonesian Jessica Lydia rallied with a 74 to place solo fifth at 227 and pocket P65,000. Nimmitta Juntanaket signed a second straight 78 for sixth at 228 while last year’s Orchard leg winner Chihiro Ikeda rebounded with a 72 to finish seventh at 229 followed by Thai Jaruporn Palakawongnaayuttawa (76-230), 2015 winner Cristina Corpus (77232) and Apple Fudolin (74-232), and 2015 Sherwood leg champion Sarah Ababa (81-238) and Thai Janjira Tiensa-ard (79-238).

Manila

Standard

TODAY

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

ABSENT: Councilor “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO NELSON S. PASIA-Sick Leave

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA-Vacation Leave ========================================================================== On motion presented by Hon. N.S. Yabut, Jr., which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017-035 on second and final reading. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-035 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut, Jr., Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. N.S. Pasia, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr. and Hon. E.D.E. Villamor Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. L.M. Magpantay, Hon. R.C. Medina, Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino and Hon. E.J. Puno

The Philracom Board, led by its Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez (center) welcomed JRA Facilities Co. LTD. Adviser Sadamichi Imabayashi and JRA Facilities Co. LTD. Director Kazuhiro Youfu and (4th and 5th from left) at the Philracom ofﬁce. They are joined by (from left) Commissioners Victor V. Tantoco, Lyndon Noel B. Guce and Jose P.G. Santillan, Jr., Legal Counsel Atty. Pilita Q. Venturanza, Commissioners Wilfredo J.A. De Ungria, Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr., Bienvenido C. Niles Jr.; and Executive Director Andrew Rovie M. Buencamino.

By Randy Caluag

Budpack: Bag for sports enthusiasts, style junkies

EX-BOXER Caloy “Bad Boy” Baduria is no stranger to facing much bigger opponents in the mixed martial arts cage. Most of those he battled, from wrestlers to bodybuilders, fell victim to his heavy hands. Tonight won’t be any different as he returns to the cage opposite 6’3’’ behemoth Mansa Musa Conteh at Casino Filipino Pavilion in the Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars [B.E.T.S.2] in Manila. BETS is a partnership between Casino Filipino and the longest-running MMA organization in Asia, the Universal Reality Combat Championship, headed by Alvin Aguilar, recognized as the frontrunner of MMA in this part of the world. Conteh, an American giant fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand, replaced Baduria’s original opponent, Askar Mozharov of Ukraine, who backed out of the highly anticipated match for an unspecified reason. Baduria of Elorde MMA has a 10-5-1 win-lossdraw record and is coming off a first-round demolition of compatriot Jess Dan dela Pena in the inaugural B.E.T.S. held last January 28. According to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation AVP for entertainment and sports Jimmy Bondoc, the highly successful maiden staging encouraged them to continue offering top-rate MMA entertainment to casino patrons and guests. “With the outcome of first part of BETS, we realized how far the MMA has come to the consciousness of local fight fans and how entertaining it is for our patrons and guests to witness a live actionpacked event. For this reason,we didn’t think twice holding it again at CF Pavilion,” Bondoc said.

THE bag for sports enthusiasts, travelers and style junkies is here. Budpack has been established as a bag company in the Philippines in September 2015. The collection of bags from Budpack enables men and women to choose based on style, uses, durability, affordability. The great thing about owning a Budpack bag is having to rid yourself of the worry that there isn’t enough space or it isn’t the right color. Budpack bags provide the importance and function of its every single part, that most people looking for in a bag. Budpack knows how important style and function is. Not only this, just keep it simple Budpack is the bag that always on the go to carry all your things and essential. The bags are great for your everyday outfits composed of casual wear. Budpack always stand for its word “You’re travel buddy”. It is open to all interested wholesalers and distributors. STYLE: Globetrotter Wave (Large) ( 21”h x 14’w x 8”base); Globetrotter Soft Wave (Medium) 18”h x 12”w x 7”base MATERIAL USED: Imported ballistic, cordura 1000; (Imported material, locally made) FEATURES: Top hidden zipped pocket; Top zipped closure; Bottom compartment (for clothes, shoes,

Bad Boy Baduria topbills MMA tilt

WHEREAS, Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, provides that: “(T)he State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”; WHEREAS, Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, likewise mandates the devolution of the delivery of health services and facilities as one of the basic functions and responsibilities of all local government units (LGUs) at all levels; WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City Government of Makati to promo¬te the health and welfare of its citizens by safeguarding public health and ensure the physical well-being of its citizens; WHEREAS, “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” has been adopted as the implementing framework for health sectors to attain the goal of a better health reform and outcome, more responsive health system, and an equitable health care financing by pursuing three strategic thrusts such as the following; (1) financial risk protection through expansion in National Health Insurance Program (NHIP); enrollment and benefit delivery; (2) improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities; and (3) attainment of the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); WHEREAS, the City-Wide Investment Plan for Health (CIPH) is the key instrument in forging partnership between the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) in order to achieve health sector goals of better health outcomes, more responsive health system and equitable health care financing; WHEREAS, the CIPH will serve as a vehicle in implementing and consolidating support for health reforms at the city level; WHEREAS, the City of Makati has prepared a CIPH and will be implemented as contained in the Annual Operational Plan (AOP); WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati manifests its willingness to be part of the implementation of “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” and be a partner of the DOH to attain the aforecited objectives; WHEREAS, a Terms of Partnership (TOP) between the City Government of Makati and DOH is necessary in order to achieve and guide the parties in carrying out the abovementioned purpose. WHEREAS, Sec. 8 (a) (6) of R.A. 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, provides that the City Mayor, as the chief executive of the city government, shall represent the City in all its business transactions and sign on its behalf all bonds, contracts, and obligations, and such other documents upon authority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or pursuant to law or ordinance; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, pursuant to the abovementioned provision, hereby authorizes the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to negotiate, enter into and sign such Term of Partnership (TOP) with the DOH. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay, to negotiate, enter into and sign a Terms of partnership (TOP), on behalf of the City Government of Makati, with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the implementation of the City-Wide Investment Plan for Health (CIPH), subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

sports accessories, etc.,); Waterproof side zipped pocket Rubberized slip pocket; Fully interior lining made from nylon oxford; Gartered wall pocket designed for laptop or documents; Interior (5) pockets Durable back strap w/ adjuster; Fully interior foam support MARKET: A,B and Upper-C

FEU-Gerry’s Grill nails 2nd straight victory FEU-NRMF keep Wang’s at bay. DEFENDING champion FEUGames Saturday: Ex-PBA star Jerwin Gaco, former NRMF-Gerry’s Grill leaned on (EAC Sports Center) Lyceum standout Dexter Zamora the explosive duo of Clay Crel6 p.m. -- FEU-NRMF vs. EAC and import Moustapha Arafat also lin and Glenn Gravengard to roll 7:30 p.m. -- PCU vs. PNP played well for the Tamaraws, who back Wang’s Ballclub-Asia Tech, 80-67, for its second straight win in the 2017 outscored the Couriers, 27-17, in the payoff period. The win was a fitting follow-up for FEUMBL Open basketball championship at the AquiNRMF, which debuted with a smashing 89-57 nas gym in San Juan. Crellin, the 6-4 Filipino-Canadian sensation triumph over Victoria Sports-MLQU last April 8. PBA D-League veteran Mark Montuano carwho earned MVP honor last year, scored 15 points on a wide array of shots despite Wang’s ried the fight for the Pablo Lucas-mentored Wang’s with 26 points, including four triples. double-teaming defense. Michael Juico added 16 points, John TayongGravengard, a 6-1 Fil-German trying to make a name in local basketball, added 13 points in tong contributed eight and Rey Publico had six in another solid effort for the Fairview, Quezon Wang’s losing effort in the tournament supported City- based Tamaraws of coach Pido Jarencio and by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Dickies Underwear, Star Bread and Gerry’s Grill. manager Nino Reyes. Wang’s, which won over Emilio Aguinaldo Veteran Erwin Sta. Maria also came up big with 10 points, all in the fourth quarter, to help College, 82-81, last April 8, dropped to 1-1.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY, TO NEGOTIATE, ENTER INTO AND SIGN A TERMS OF PARTNERSHIP (TOP), ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY-WIDE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR HEALTH (CIPH), SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Let copy of this Resolution be furnished to Department of Health, Makati Health Department, City Law Department, Office of the City Administrator and other offices, departments and agencies concerned for their information, guidance and reference. This Resolution is subject to existing laws, rules and regulations and shall take effect upon approval. APPROVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Regular Session held on 19 April 2017. HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

HON. NELSON S. P PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

HON. ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT H

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President Certified true and correct by:

Attested by:

ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer (MS-APR. 21, 2017)

Sports

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

PSC to grant LGU requests By Peter Atencio THERE are 57 requests for assistance from the local government units in their efforts to put up a grassroots sports programs in their area. Officials of the Philippine Sports Commission tackled this during a three-day directional meeting at the Hotel Benilde in Manila. National training director Marc Edward Velasco said the request from the LGUs vary and the government sports agency is doing its best to meet the needs. “I don’t think the PSC had this much program requests before to fulfill within a short period of time,” said Velasco. During the meeting, the executive board of the PSC identified six missions that the agency needs to accomplish for the next five years, as well as 17 programs. “We have a clearer direction in the next five years and two months,” said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. Ramirez said it is now the PSC’s first mission is to enhance its capability and accountability to lead, manage, implement and assess sports programs in the country. Its second mission involved sports awareness, which is to make the Filipino aware of their role in sports as a vehicle for personal and community development. On the other hand, the PSC is making plans to make the staging of the Philippine National Games and the Batang Pinoy national games a biennial event. Sports officials are thinking of holding the regional eliminations of the multi-sport competitions once every two years. Stretching the competitions to a two year period will help the LGUs plan out their grassroots programs and participation in national meets.

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) avoids the blocking attempt of Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Milsap during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterﬁnals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 19 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. AFP

Wizards subdue Hawks in bruising duel, 109-101 W

ASHINGTON—Bradley Beal scored 16 of his 31 points in the ﬁnal quarter as the Washington Wizards seized a 2-0 lead in their ﬁrst round NBA playoff series with a 109-101 win on Wednesday. John Wall delivered a team high 32 points as he and Beal tallied 20 of the Wizards’ final 21 points in a penalty filled contest. The Wizards fell behind 8988 with just over six minutes left in regulation. A Beal layup put Washington up for good at 96-94 and Wall’s free throw with 25 seconds left capped the decisive 16-4 run and put the Wizards ahead 107-98. After game one, Millsap made a point of calling out what

he considered overly aggressive play from the Wizards – “They were playing MMA,” he said. In game two, the teams were whistled for 55 fouls and took a combined 71 free throws. Atlanta was 33 of 38 and Washington finished 24 of 33. Washington won the series opener 114-107 on Sunday. Wall had 32 points and 14 assists as the Wizards scored 69 points in the second half. Game three is in Atlanta on Saturday as the Wizards have

won five in a row over the Hawks. Paul Millsap had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks. Dennis Schroder scored 23 points and Tim Hardaway had 19. Atlanta committed 18 turnovers. Elsewhere, Eric Gordon and Lou Williams caught fire in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets rallied for a 115-111 playoff win over the Oklahoma City Thunder who lost despite another 50-point performance by guard Russell Westbrook. The Rockets erased a 15-point deficit to take a 2-0 lead after game two of their Western Conference firstround playoff series. Westbrook delivered a triple-

double of 51 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds but couldn’t get the ball to drop when it counted. He shot a dismal four of 18 in the fourth quarter. Gordon gave the Rockets their first lead with his threepointer at the 8:07 mark of the fourth quarter at 96-94. Gordon delivered another clutch basket with 1:48 remaining, drilling a 28-footer off a James Harden pass to extend the lead to eight. Harden finished with 35 points and eight assists and was a perfect 18 for 18 from the freethrow line. Game three is Friday in Oklahoma City. In Oakland the Golden State Warriors clamped down on the Portland Trail Blazers 110-81

Folayang, Ting to headline blockbuster ONE fight card ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang defends his title against challenger Ev Ting of Malaysia to headline the stacked card of ONE: Kings of Destiny to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, today Friday, April 21. ONE Championship Vice President for Public Relations and Communications Loren Mack said the fight promotion has pulled out all the stops and assembled a stacked fight card for their tenth event on Philippine soil. “We have prepared the very best match lineup for the delight of our Filipino audience and the rest of the world. ONE: Kings of Destiny is going to be the biggest mixed martial arts card in the country’s history. We have the Philippines’ biggest star in Eduard Folayang defending his world title for the

first time in Manila against Malaysia’s top contender Ev Ting. I just cannot begin to say how massive of a main event this will be,” said Mack. “In addition, a handful of compelling bouts between Asia’s top superstars are set to take place inside the ONE Championship cage on fight night. Fans will not want to miss all the action that goes down in Manila, as we are already gearing up for an absolutely electrifying evening of world-class mixed martial arts.” The 33-year-old Folayang veteran authored a career resurgence in 2016 by winning three consecutive bouts against high-profile opponents capped by his sensational victory over Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki when he captured the Lightweight title. Ting is also on a run of his

own, winning his last four bouts including two impressive victories at lightweight to become a top contender for the title. Folayang acknowledged that Ting will be a dangerous challenger who cannot be taken lightly. “Ev Ting is a great athlete. He is an amazing competitor and has obviously earned the opportunity to challenge for the title. He is the complete package, with good striking and a really good ground game. I need to be at my absolute best to make sure I can defend the belt successfully. I would love to test my skills against the best martial artist in the world, and to show everyone how much I have improved since my last match. I’m excited to showcase my ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang (left) faces challenger Ev Ting of skills in front of my country- Malaysia during the media launch of the blockbuster ﬁght card in ONE: Kings of Destiny men,” said Folayang. where Folayang defends his title against Ting. ONE Championship

Alaska Aces face Phoenix Fuel Masters By Jeric Lopez

COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS. Olympic silver medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (right) and Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) Postmaster General Joel Otarra stand beside the commemorative stamps of sporting icons, from left: boxer Anthony Villanueva, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco and Diaz herself as PHLPost celebrates its 25th corporate Anniversary. Lino Santos

THE Alaska Aces and TNT KaTropa are both aiming to keep their places near the top of the standings when they face separate foes at the resumption of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. The Aces (4-1) will look to get back on track when they clash with unpredictable Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (24) at 4:15 p.m. in the opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today. In the nightcap, the rampaging

Tropang Texters (4-1), winners of four in a row, are going to be challenged by ailing GlobalPort (1-4) at 7 p.m. After starting out on fire with four straight wins, Alaska’s streak was snapped the last time out. The Aces got clobbered by second-running Meralco Bolts, 99-91, last week. Now, they will try to keep in-step with the top two teams as they try to get their momentum back when they face the Fuel Masters, who have been inconsistent.

Phoenix blew a 17-point lead and eventually bowed down to defending champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 94-96, also last week. TNT KaTropa has been on a tear as of late, riding a four-game winning run after losing its tournament debut. It was taken to the limit by Mahindra in its last game before it came out on top, 86-84. GlobalPort, on the other hand, finally won a game when they beat NLEX, 85-82. They are hoping that this can be the start of something positive.

to take a 2-0 series lead, in a dominant defensive performance that belied their injury issues. The Warriors were vulnerable as they played without Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes. Rookie second-rounder Patrick McCaw had to start at guard for the undermanned Dubs. After shooting six of 18 after three quarters, Beal sank six of nine in the fourth, including two of his four from beyond the arc. Washington’s Marcin Gortat easily controlled the headto-head matchup as Dwight Howard’s struggles in the playoffs continued. Hawks centre Howard had just six points and seven rebounds.

Philta to hold election April 28 BOARD members of the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta) will sit down this week to discuss plans to hold an election of officers on April 28. Secretary general Romeo Magat said there are many things that need to be ironed out. So far, the Philta has been embroiled bitter power struggle among its leaders. And that’s between a group that’s led the association for a long time, and a new group that’s seeking change. “Hindi pa maliwanag kung paano gagawin ang election. We will discuss sa isang executive board meeting,” said Magat. Businessman-sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier has been trying to get the the board’s blessings to run for president since early this year. And this among the things that the meeting seeks to resolve. Interim Philta president Edwin Olivarez and his father Pablo, a former Philta president, and other high-ranking officials are expected to be around. Lhuillier is a candidate who has involved a group of influential tennis stakeholders that wants to assume leadership in the association. But his efforts were frustrated over the last two years. In a meeting last February, Lhuillier’s group walked out, and the Philippine Olympic Committee later nullified the result of the election. The walkout led to withdrawals of leading tennis stakeholders. Among them were Palawan Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhuillier, Tru-Flex, Toby’s, Wilson, BMEG, Henry Sy Memorial Age Group, Dunlop, Babolat and the PCA Open from the umbrella of Philta. Peter Atencio

Aboitiz Power plans to issue P3-b bonds B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Robust economy lifts banks’ profits By Julito G. Rada

WO of the country’s largest banks on Thursday declared higher profits in the first quarter, boosted by double-digit growth in loans and deposits amid the robust domestic demand. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the fourth-largest lender led by Ayala Corp., said net income in the first quarter jumped 25.6 percent to P6.3 billion from a year ago, on improvements across business segments. “The first-quarter results

showed that the growth momentum last year was carried over this year,” BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing said in a news brieﬁng after the bank’s annual stockholders’ meeting in Makati City.

“While we are pleased with our first-quarter financial and operating results, we are very excited about our programs to continually enhance customer service across multiple channels by increasing safety, innovation and convenience,” he said. Total revenues grew 17.6 percent to P17.96 billion, while net interest income rose 15 percent to P11.49 billion as asset yields increased along with loan volumes. Total loans grew 19.9 percent to P1.03 trillion, while deposits rose 10.7 percent to P1.44 trillion. BPI said total

assets expanded 12.4 percent to P1.73 trillion as of end-March. Consing said BPI was planning to build 90 more BanKO (its microﬁnance unit) branches before the end of the year, in addition to the current 10 branches, to put more focus on small businesses. Meanwhile, BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, said net income in the ﬁrst quarter rose 6.4 percent to P5.8 billion from P5.5 billion a year ago. BDO president and chief executive Nestor Tan said the growth in loans and deposits

were expected to continue on robust economy. “We expect a sustained expansion in loans and deposits... The big-ticket infrastructure projects of the government will provide a huge upside,” Tan said. “We remain positive on the economy... The higher ﬁscal spending is positive because it creates jobs, and jobs create more consumption,” he said. BDO posted a 19-percent increase in net interest income in the ﬁrst three months to P18.4 billion, as customer loans surged 21 percent to P1.5 trillion and deposits increased 13 percent to

Govt incurs P23.7-b deficit THE government ran a budget deficit of P23.7 billion in February 2017, a third lower than P34.6 billion a year ago, as revenue generation outpaced spending growth, the Bureau of the Treasury said Thursday. “The trend is reflected as well in the lower cumulative shortfall from January to February amounting to P21.5 billion against P38.1 billion in 2016,” the Treasury said in a statement. Revenue collection rose 9 percent in February to P151.8 billion from P139 billion a year earlier, while expenditures increased 1 percent to P175.6 billion from P173.6 billion. “January to February revenues grew by 10 percent year-on-year behind reforms set in place among revenue collecting agencies as well as the pickup in economic activity for the period. Tax revenues accounted for 91 percent of total collections in February,” the agency said. Net debt interest payments climbed 14 percent in February to P24.2 billion from P21.3 billion in the same month last year. “The increase in interest payments for the month is due to coupon payments and other charges relating to liability management transactions in 2016 and the early part of 2017. Year to date, expenditures registered a positive growth of 4 percent,” the Treasury said. The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P105 billion in February, up 12 percent yearon-year, sustaining a doubledigit growth this year. Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF Smart posts fastest LTE service—study

SMART Communications Inc. delivered the fastest long-term evolution service in the country, surpassing that of rival Globe Telecom Inc., according to a study by J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan said in an April 2017 report that based on the actual mobile experience of OpenSignal app users, Smart “leads in overall LTE download speeds and at regional levels.” The OpenSignal app enables mobile data users to run their own speed tests. At the country level, Smart recorded an average LTE download speed of 10.91 mega bits per second from December 2016 to February 2017. Globe’s average LTE download speed was estimated at 7.31 Mbps. Smart averaged 11.76 Mbps in Metro Manila compared to Globe’s 7.65 Mbps. In South Luzon, Smart averaged 8.56 Mbps, while Globe had 7.01 Mbps and in the Visayas, Smart had 10.42 Mbps and Globe had 7.75 Mbps. Aside from beating competition in the LTE arena, Smart also improved its average LTE speeds in all areas covered by the study. Darwin G. Amojelar

BDO Unibank Inc. president and chief executive Nestor Tan (left) confers with chairperson Teresita Sy during the annual stockholders meeting at Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. BDO posted a record income of P26.1 billion in 2016, meeting the bank’s earning guidance for the year. Bobby Cabrera

Coca-Cola: Boycott to affect farmers By Anna Leah E. Gonzales BEVERAGE producer Coca-Cola said Thursday recent calls to boycott their products in Negros provinces will not only affect the company but also the sugar workers and the local communities. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said some protesters in Negros provinces called for a boycott of Coca Cola products, which Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon supported by ordering a ban on the sale and sponsorship of Coca Cola in the province in April. “They cited that because of the massive use by Coca Cola [and Pepsi Cola] of high fructose corn syrup, the prices of sugar dropped from P1,800 per bag of 50 kilos to only P1,300 per bag as of March,” Piñol said. Cola-Cola said in a statement it was disappointed that the sugar industry which it considered as partners were pushing for the boycott. “We are deeply concerned that the misunderstanding on the importation of HFCS has affected our relationship

with the sugar industry and the people we proudly serve in the Negros region,” Coca-Cola said. “We believe that, at times when there is a disagreement, there are always viable solutions that all sides can amicably reach in an atmosphere of respect and openness. The misguided call to boycott our products is not one of them. The call to boycott our products affects many more workers and consumers along the economic value chain than some of our partners in the sugar industry realize,” Coca-Cola said. Coca-Cola said the loss of sales from the boycott would hit the local communities the hardest. “These are not lost proﬁts, so much as they are money taken away from the people who work the most― the sugar farmers themselves; the small micro-entrepreneurs who sell our products; the men and women behind the local businesses that sell us ingredients or packaging and who stock their shelves with our products,” said Coca-Cola. “In fact, our bottling facility in Negros Occidental produces beverages

Quezon City casino to rise in 2018 By Jenniffer B. Austria BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. plans to start developing a hotel and casino project in Quezon City early next year, or after the informal settlers on the site are relocated. Bloomberry chairman Enrique Razon Jr. said in an interview the company was hoping to start developing the project on a 1.56-hectare property within Vertis North complex in Quezon City this year. He said informal settlers were still living on the site. “We may start construction early next year,” Razon said at the sidelines of the annual stockholders meeting of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. which he also heads as chairman. Razon said the company

P1.9 trillion. “We will try to achieve a good growth which is sustainable over time,” Tan said. “With a strengthened capital base, robust business franchise and extensive distribution network, BDO is well-positioned to beneﬁt from the country’s growth momentum,” he said. Tan said earlier the bank planned to put up 50 to 70 branches in 2017, the usual target every year, depending on the growth prospects. BDO had 1,100 branches nationwide, including those of unit One Network Bank, as of end-2016.

was working with Ayala Land Inc. in clearing the property. Ayala Land is developing a huge portion of Vertis North. Razon earlier said he planned to develop the property into a mixed-use development with hotel and casino components. The lot was a part of National Housing Authority’s share in the joint venture between the government and Ayala Land in Vertis North. Bloomberry’s unit Sureste Properties Inc. bagged the property in 2014 after submitting a negotiated offer which was accepted by NHA. Vertis North is a 45-hectare master planned development in the North Triangle property including the Trinoma mall. Bloomberry owns and op-

erates Solaire Resort and Casino, the ﬁrst integrated resort to open in state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s Entertainment City project in Parañaque City. Bloomberry Resorts Corp. posted a net income of P2.32 billion in 2016, a sharp turnaround from the P3.37billion net loss in 2015 on record gaming and non-gaming revenues. Gross revenues jumped 19.1 percent last year to P40.9 billion from P34.2 billion in 2015 with gaming revenues accounting for 94.2 percent of total revenues. Razon said he expected the company to remain profitable this year even with the oversupply of casinos in the country following the recent opening of the $2-billion Okada Manila.

with 100 percent locally-sourced sugar. Moreover, Coca-Cola is expanding our bottling operations in Bacolod City by adding a new production line worth $17 million,” the company said. Cola-Cola said despite the calls for boycott, the company would continue to work with the government for the improvement of the local sugar industry. “Despite the calls of local government ofﬁcials and some sugar industry stakeholders to boycott our products, the CocaCola System continues to welcome the opportunity to engage in dialog and to work with government, the local sugar industry and all other stakeholders concerned to address the needs of all sectors, particularly the sugar farming communities in Negros,” said Coca-Cola. Coca Cola earlier appealed for the suspension of an order by the Sugar Regulatory Administration which regulates the entry of high fructose corn syrup. The order mandates that an importer or consignee of imported fructose be a duly registered international trader with the SRA.

SEC clears Eagle’s initial public offering THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday approved the initial public offerings of Eagle Cement Corp. and Cebu Landmasters Inc. Documents ﬁled with the SEC showed the two companies planned to conduct their maiden share offerings in May. Eagle Cement will sell 500 million common shares and possibly another 75 million shares in case of strong demand, at P16 per share. The cement company led by businessman Ramon Ang will raise up to P9.2 billion to fund the construction of a P12.5-billion cement plant in Cebu. Post-IPO, Eagle Cement will have public ownership of 11.5 percent and a market capitalization of P80 billion. The company hired SB Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investments Corp. and China Bank Capital Corp. as the underwriters. Offer period will be on May 3 to May 10 while listing date was tentatively set on May 17. Meanwhile, Cebu Land Masters plans to sell 505 million primary and secondary shares with an over allotment of 75 million common shares at an offer price of up to P6.56 per share. The company will raise up to P3.8 billion to ﬁnance property development projects and land acquisitions. BDO Capital and Investments Corp. and BPI Capital are the joint underwriters for the offering. Jenniffer B. Austria

Govt still studying Sulu nuclear facility

THE government said it will apply international laws in looking at possible sites for nuclear facilities such the proposed modular nuclear energy plant in Sulu province. Energy Undersecretary Jesus Posadas said the government had yet to come out with a national policy on the use of nuclear for power generation, the ﬁrst prerequisite to put up a nuclear power plant. The Philippines, together with other Asean member states, tackled the security of nuclear sources during the 7th Nuclear Energy Cooperation and Sub-Sector Network three-day meeting. “The Philippines being a latecomer to the nuclear, in a sense that we did not operate our nuclear, we can implement all of the safeguards, all improvements that has happened in the years passed. Also in terms of technology, which has undergone such huge steps, we can leapfrog to the latest version,” Posadas told reporters. The Philippines mothballed the 600-megawatt Bataan nuclear power plant in the late 1980s due to safety concerns. “The Philippine government has imposed, self imposed compliance to the International Atomic Energy Agency. We have to have a national position ﬁrst but we are still moving towards that,” Posadas said. The local government of Sulu expressed willingness to host a modular nuclear energy facility of less than 100 megawatts in capacity. “Discussions on nuclear energy as well as radioactive sources tend to attract issues on security. We are cognizant of this and must admit that this issue cannot be discounted as people and the environment must always be protected,” Posadas said earlier. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rebounds; Bloomberry up Aboitiz Power plans S to issue P3-b bonds TOCKS rebounded Thursday, as betterthan-forecast trade ﬁgures in Japan boosted optimism in the global economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 40 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 7,563.45, as four of the six major sectors advanced. The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 19 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,521.21, on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Losers edged gainers, 96 to 94, while 43 issues were unchanged. Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which jumped 5 per-

cent to P8.65 and developer Robinsons Land Corp. which climbed 3.6 perent to P25.95. Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. went up 3.3 percent to P82. Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly rose Thursday following broad losses the previous two days but they struggled to maintain early momentum as analysts warned caution was prevailing on geopolitical worries and fading hopes for Donald Trump’s stimulus drive. Energy ﬁrms were among the main laggards, tracking losses in their US counterparts, after

a surprise jump in US petroleum inventories sent oil prices skidding almost four percent Wednesday. Hong Kong added 0.4 percent in the afternoon, Sydney put on 0.3 percent by close, Seoul jumped 0.5 percent and Singapore 0.1 percent. But Tokyo ended marginally lower, while Shanghai was also ﬂat. Wellington and Taipei slipped. Markets have been rattled in recent weeks by a series of events that upended the optimism that welcomed in the year. Trump’s failure to push through key healthcare reform last month dealt a huge blow to his chances of passing the tax-cutting, bigspending plan that had helped fan a global rally since his election win in November.

That was followed by a US missile strike on Syria -- which hit US-Russian relations -- and the ongoing sabre-rattling by North Korea that has fuelled worries about nuclear conﬂict. At the same time France and Germany are preparing for elections that could have big implications for the eurozone, and Britain’s shock decision to call a general election next month is also keeping dealers on edge. And an uninspiring Federal Reserve report Wednesday on the US economy also failed to provide any lift. “Geopolitical angst, a faltering US economy and the UK snap election are consuming investors mindsets,” said Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA. With Bloomberg AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria ABOITIZ Power Corp. plans to issue P3 billion worth of bonds due 2023 in June to ﬁnance equity infusion in GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. Aboitiz Power said in a ﬁling with the Securities and Exchange Commission the P3-billion bond offering would be a part of the company’s P30-billion bond shelf registration. Offer period for the bonds will be on June 9 to 16, while issue date was tentatively set on June 21. The bonds will be listed with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.15 19,000 48.7 7,300 105.8 556,590 4 116,000 118.8 5,465,230 1.26 69,000 36.7 965,600 20.7 456,800 770 70 0.68 1,299,000 83.5 1,659,260 0.74 84,000 15.1 64,000 59.5 553,240 240 160 48 1,103,900 215.6 1,073,740 1,680 55 79.7 27,210

58,390 354,795 58,912,655 464,070 645,458,473 84,270 34,882,085 9,398,815 53,900 873,470 138,411,528.50 60,650 954,000 33,002,819 38,330 52,112,935 231,761,502 92,290 2,167,069

335,390 -27,665,066 -123,522,228 -5,500 15,212,930.00 -488,325 30,800 -35,915,260 -31,510 1,304,578.50 7,749,805 -29,625,174 -178,985

41.25 5.32 0.8 1.43 18.3 0.243 99.95 7.86 16.9 180 23 14.2 71 81.4 1.96 11.86 12.68 9.1 6.38 6.01 21.6 72.85 12.36 15.52 7.66 1.61 201.6 69 5.25 3.8 23.8 32.15 24.35 18.32 279.6 0.241 6.39 3.78 8.95 11.42 2.15 8.43 2.03 70.75 5 300 4.75 2.75 13.9 4.7 0.145 1.38 168 4.16 1.7 31.5 1

INDUSTRIAL 41.35 792,900 5.38 846,800 0.83 232,000 1.52 2,929,000 18.44 36,400 0.243 3,640,000 100.1 610 7.95 5,971,000 16.9 157,800 180 10 23.5 315,800 14.68 5,200 71 472,340 83.4 2,870 1.96 144,000 12 70,800 12.72 3,136,800 9.44 2,438,900 6.4 1,794,100 6.05 9,307,900 21.7 1,196,500 73 190,900 12.6 4,700 15.68 44,200 7.9 2,705,700 1.63 306,000 205 436,010 69 120 5.29 8,499,500 3.9 44,000 23.8 400 32.25 1,900,700 24.5 25,600 18.9 908,100 280.2 174,680 0.243 5,020,000 6.39 111,900 3.78 2,593,000 8.96 4,151,300 11.42 28,000 2.15 985,000 8.7 5,508,800 2.1 3,558,000 70.95 92,120 5.03 192,000 300.4 15,760 4.75 520,000 2.75 30,000 13.98 635,100 4.7 164,000 0.145 4,040,000 1.38 121,000 173 524,540 4.16 2,000 1.8 12,654,000 31.5 400 1.03 3,000

32,773,295 4,572,382 187,330 4,359,050 669,590 895,300 65,808 47,513,780 2,673,218 1,800 7,352,610 74,974 34,042,444 243,961 286,240 848,290 39,974,882 22,934,567 11,486,165 56,368,628 25,982,815 13,930,823 58,988 692,548 21,357,959 496,160 88,677,414 8,280 47,456,853 170,630 10,020 61,296,615 626,255 17,059,986 49,009,984 1,216,350 715,045 9,856,550 37,240,745 320,000 2,117,900 47,549,781 7,477,270 6,534,731 960,600 4,731,776 2,482,200 82,500 8,878,084 770,800 589,310 169,360 89,910,064 8,320 22,453,720 12,600 3,060

-29,726,360 26,750 -225,000 -6,010,054 1,687,390 -3,338,020 -22,065,353.50 35,280 -360,000 -4,030,184 9,245,056.00 -4,268,035 13,752,421.00 -7,994,625 3,726,882.50 -444,994 -3,745,912 -14,836,092 50,235 -19,172,695 -180,910 7,171,640 19,355,840 -2,430 -271,480 -6,234,020.00 1,311,500 977,240 282,580 -5,076,802.50 650,000 3,168,696.00 -136,560 -1,011,494 12,568,506 -1,964,230 -

0.365 75 14.4 1.1 6.2 0.4 0.41 848 8.3 11.9 7.65 5.39 0.185 1,169 6.2 79.4 0.99 7.69 15.4 6.47 3.3 0.057 1.85 107 2.67 708 0.8 1.4 284 0.285 0.198 0.241

HOLDING FIRMS 0.38 8,660,000 75.3 841,360 14.78 6,647,200 1.1 80,000 6.2 100 0.43 152,690,000 0.435 24,740,000 860 159,510 8.35 610,800 12.26 8,292,300 7.75 139,800 5.4 1,100 0.195 2,430,000 1,175 273,755 6.4 592,400 82 1,050,270 0.99 4,495,000 7.7 1,914,600 15.76 1,420,500 6.5 18,489,300 3.5 2,000 0.058 46,530,000 1.88 17,000 110.5 411,550 2.67 136,000 718.5 545,360 0.8 380,000 1.4 43,000 284.8 10,220 0.29 2,100,000 0.198 110,000 0.242 530,000

3,302,000 63,371,658 97,196,816 88,200 620 67,300,000 11,110,950 137,003,205 5,092,407 100,979,808 1,082,270 5,938 469,960 322,314,255 3,760,661 85,471,998 4,469,810 14,761,333 22,303,814 120,280,974 6,800 2,714,110 31,650 44,731,881 363,120 392,111,115 311,850 60,310 2,908,522 599,000 21,980 127,950

-51,800 -5,480,375.50 10,673,230 -767,500 -24,031,720 156,223 27,019,796 911,255 -100,765,115 10,008,862 -12,826,829 -15,355,720 -13,347,848 -4,640 18,758,053 140,152,225 -967,860 -4,840

6.82 0.95 2.26 1.43 34.8 3.86 5.2 0.49 1 1.26 0.155 0.52 53.3 0.68 0.18 1.63 0.97 1.05 3.99 0.33 0.305

PROPERTY 6.83 418,100 0.95 4,096,000 2.26 102,000 1.44 10,020,000 35.2 4,725,000 3.86 1,527,000 5.25 242,600 0.49 4,770,000 1.01 101,000 1.3 151,000 0.156 2,470,000 0.55 13,629,000 53.45 191,890 0.7 63,000 0.18 1,310,000 1.64 2,418,000 0.97 955,000 1.09 1,636,000 4.07 104,411,000 0.34 170,980,000 0.31 1,040,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

3.08 48.6 105.7 4.01 119 1.19 35.8 20.55 770 0.67 81.8 0.72 14.8 58 240 46 215 1,669 79

3.15 48.7 106 4.05 119 1.28 37 20.7 770 0.69 83.75 0.74 15.1 60 240 48.4 216.6 1,680 79.9

3.05 48.25 105.7 4 117.2 1.1 35.5 20.5 770 0.67 81.75 0.72 14.8 58 238.6 45.8 215 1,669 79

ABOITIZ POWER 41.4 AGRINURTURE 5.35 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.81 ALSONS CONS 1.45 ASIABEST GROUP 19.12 BASIC ENERGY 0.244 BOGO MEDELLIN 99.95 CEMEX HLDG 8 CENTURY FOOD 17 CHEMPHIL 180 CIRTEK HLDG 23.35 CNTRL AZUCARERA 14.22 CONCEPCION 72.95 CONCRETE A 87.5 CROWN ASIA 2 DEL MONTE 11.9 DNL INDUS 12.74 EEI CORP 9.2 EMPERADOR 6.4 ENERGY DEVT 6.02 FIRST GEN 21.8 FIRST PHIL HLDG 73 GINEBRA 12.36 HOLCIM 15.52 INTEGRATED MICR 7.7 IONICS 1.62 JOLLIBEE 204 LIBERTY FLOUR 69 LMG CHEMICALS 6.2 MABUHAY VINYL 3.94 MACAY HLDG 28.8 MANILA WATER 32.45 MAXS GROUP 24.4 MEGAWIDE 18.56 MERALCO 282.2 MG HLDG 0.242 PANASONIC 6.4 PEPSI COLA 3.8 PETRON 8.98 PHINMA 11.44 PHINMA ENERGY 2.16 PHX PETROLEUM 8.47 PHX SEMICNDCTR 2.08 PILIPINAS SHELL 70.8 PRYCE CORP 5 PUREFOODS 300 RFM CORP 4.76 ROXAS HLDG 2.75 SHAKEYS PIZZA 14.02 SPC POWER 4.7 SWIFT FOODS 0.148 TKC METALS 1.42 UNIV ROBINA 169 VICTORIAS 4.16 VITARICH 1.71 VIVANT 31.5 VULCAN INDL 1

41.65 5.43 0.83 1.53 19.12 0.255 118.8 8.08 17 180 23.5 14.68 73 87.5 2 12 12.84 9.54 6.52 6.09 21.9 73.2 12.6 15.72 7.97 1.64 205 69 6.23 3.94 28.8 32.45 24.7 19.02 282.2 0.245 6.4 3.82 9 11.44 2.16 8.75 2.16 71.45 5.03 300.4 4.84 2.75 14.06 4.7 0.148 1.42 173 4.16 1.82 31.5 1.03

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

0.395 75.6 14.8 1.11 6.2 0.46 0.46 860.5 8.38 12.26 7.8 5.4 0.208 1,206 6.52 82 1.02 7.77 15.8 6.54 3.5 0.059 1.88 110.5 2.67 721.5 0.85 1.41 284.8 0.29 0.2 0.242

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

0.365 75.6 14.54 1.11 6.2 0.405 0.415 855 8.38 11.9 7.7 5.39 0.2 1,205 6.52 79.4 0.99 7.71 15.8 6.54 3.3 0.058 1.85 108 2.67 708 0.85 1.4 284.2 0.285 0.2 0.241 6.83 0.95 2.28 1.46 34.85 3.88 5.23 0.495 1.03 1.26 0.155 0.52 53.5 0.68 0.189 1.63 0.97 1.09 4 0.33 0.32

6.85 0.96 2.28 1.48 35.3 3.9 5.25 0.5 1.03 1.3 0.156 0.56 54 0.7 0.189 1.65 0.99 1.09 4.13 0.35 0.325

VOLUME

2,855,453 3,894,160 231,840 14,551,300 165,917,195 5,910,670 1,271,830 2,362,200 101,560 195,290 383,510 7,503,790 10,283,674.50 43,900 240,170 3,964,230 932,760 1,741,710 426,481,700 58,231,750 327,550

-286,122 -122,500 -9,639,105 -217,140 -495,000 50,100 5,200 26,550 1,703,278 -2,100 -3,640 -2,603,320 -2,540,190 292,650 14,650

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

0.61 4.35 25.1 1.76 3.32 29.4 1 0.89 5.21

0.62 4.49 26.35 1.76 3.32 29.7 1 0.89 5.25

0.6 4.3 25 1.71 3.32 29.4 0.99 0.89 5.18

0.6 4.3 25.95 1.71 3.32 29.6 1 0.89 5.25

15,579,000 227,000 7,836,100 107,000 16,000 2,943,900 584,000 10,000 1,750,500

9,400,230 978,760 204,196,125 187,510 53,120 87,064,030 578,380 8,900 9,158,126

4,270 216,000 103,700,580 8,459,445 -3,844,304

2GO GROUP 12.14 ABS CBN 46 ACESITE HOTEL 1.57 APC GROUP 0.52 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.045 ASIAN TERMINALS 11 BLOOMBERRY 8.22 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.074 CALATA CORP 2.09 CEBU AIR 103.5 CENTRO ESCOLAR 10.44 DFNN INC 8.81 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.59 GLOBE TELECOM 1,990 GMA NETWORK 6.32 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.24 HARBOR STAR 3.2 IMPERIAL 3.85 INTL CONTAINER 87 IP EGAME 0.0091 IPM HLDG 9.02 ISLAND INFO 0.189 ISM COMM 1.45 JACKSTONES 3.77 LBC EXPRESS 15.68 LEISURE AND RES 4.5 MACROASIA 4.53 MANILA JOCKEY 2.43 MELCO CROWN 6.28 METRO RETAIL 3.79 MLA BRDCASTING 17.46 NOW CORP 3.15 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.5 PAL HLDG 5.5 PAXYS 3.05 PHIL SEVEN CORP 165 PHILWEB 7.95 PLDT 1,670 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.58 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.425 PUREGOLD 42.2 ROBINSONS RTL 81.2 SBS PHIL CORP 6.02 SSI GROUP 2.23 STI HLDG 1.05 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.91 TRAVELLERS 3.2 WATERFRONT 0.465 WILCON DEPOT 5.25

12.14 46.15 1.57 0.54 0.046 11.88 8.74 0.074 2.1 103.9 10.44 9 2.64 2,020 6.35 16.4 3.2 3.85 88.75 0.0092 9.02 0.191 1.48 3.83 15.7 4.54 4.63 2.48 6.57 3.8 17.46 3.15 11.5 5.5 3.05 168.9 8.13 1,680 1.6 0.43 42.25 81.2 6.1 2.28 1.07 1.91 3.27 0.47 5.3

12 45.95 1.47 0.52 0.044 11 8.16 0.071 2.02 101.7 10.4 8.55 2.59 1,982 6.21 16.12 3.13 3.65 87 0.0091 9 0.185 1.41 3.6 14.68 4.21 4.53 2.35 6.03 3.72 17.36 3.08 11.5 5.35 3.05 165 7.91 1,645 1.57 0.415 41.15 80 6.02 2.2 1.04 1.89 3.19 0.445 5.2

SERVICES 12.1 240,300 45.95 9,900 1.54 33,000 0.54 2,082,000 0.046 29,000,000 11.88 2,800 8.65 13,397,800 0.072 25,890,000 2.05 21,339,000 102.8 175,970 10.4 700 8.7 282,500 2.64 55,000 1,995 26,380 6.22 336,400 16.4 43,100 3.13 2,744,000 3.65 200,000 88 3,642,650 0.0092 5,000,000 9 324,000 0.187 8,760,000 1.43 643,000 3.72 396,000 15.6 23,400 4.46 3,478,000 4.6 571,000 2.35 13,000 6.51 8,201,000 3.75 1,155,000 17.36 2,300 3.08 1,363,000 11.5 100 5.4 102,000 3.05 56,000 168 251,280 8 1,789,000 1,680 118,070 1.57 9,227,000 0.43 1,370,000 42 3,248,600 80 79,630 6.04 15,200 2.27 3,896,000 1.04 15,857,000 1.89 60,000 3.21 826,000 0.46 6,600,000 5.23 4,020,300

2,892,774 455,580 49,280 1,087,830 1,299,100 30,904 115,514,275 1,867,740 44,055,790 18,022,249 7,284 2,497,082 144,540 52,600,280 2,112,321 704,532 8,649,340 751,280 320,385,827 45,600 2,918,830 1,638,680 930,820 1,469,250 361,776 15,378,230 2,618,160 31,480 53,083,281 4,350,860 40,008 4,223,110 1,150 554,895 170,800 41,466,174 14,334,504 196,065,020 14,601,260 582,300 135,956,220 6,370,690.50 91,614 8,645,820 16,624,980 113,600 2,657,870 2,993,600 21,035,803

32,650 -520,000 45,000 19,600,490 97,770.00 8,290,200.00 3,896,784 325,970 10,145,495 31,400 -237,372,425.50 -9,200 95,000 3,764,760.00 -91,800 8,564,268 -622,910 -30,800 170,800 -3,360 -7,887,592 -23,510,315 1,023,040 -48,974,470 5,800,000 6,020 1,307,330 6,640,740 94,500 -701,360 4,395,376

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

0.0033 1.55 5.44 1.74 1.77 0.81 0.385 9.09 2.55 0.248 0.179 0.192 0.011 1.74 6.1 2.09 0.89 0.011 0.012 8.5 3.17 149.7 2.78 0.0085

0.0033 1.55 5.44 1.75 1.77 0.83 0.4 9.1 2.55 0.25 0.181 0.192 0.012 1.74 6.15 2.1 0.89 0.012 0.013 8.53 3.2 149.7 2.78 0.0085

0.0032 1.5 5.4 1.74 1.77 0.8 0.385 8.67 2.52 0.247 0.178 0.192 0.011 1.73 6.1 2.07 0.89 0.011 0.012 8.5 3.13 148.9 2.73 0.0085

MINING & OIL 0.0032 22,000,000 1.51 10,078,000 5.4 3,600 1.74 81,000 1.77 3,000 0.83 5,082,000 0.385 450,000 9.09 4,500 2.54 237,000 0.248 280,000 0.179 3,800,000 0.192 20,000 0.011 1,300,000 1.73 106,000 6.11 1,362,600 2.09 104,000 0.89 6,000 0.012 4,100,000 0.012 15,700,000 8.5 743,900 3.18 891,000 149.4 279,820 2.73 23,000 0.0085 1,000,000

70,500 15,219,640 19,448 140,960 5,310 4,117,770 174,200 40,009 600,620 69,220 679,430 3,840 14,500 183,670 8,337,260 217,270 5,340 47,300 190,000 6,327,731 2,825,290 41,745,284 63,440 8,500

-6,500 -3,762,910 -5,310 -32,600 -4,960 3,840 286,823 2,490,196 63,600 -10,683,588 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

46.05 535 107.5 105.5 524 5.78 1,031 1,020 112 76.35 81 79.95 80 79 78.3 78.25

46.05 535 107.5 105.5 524 5.79 1,031 1,020 112 76.35 81 80 80 79.5 78.5 78.5

46 535 107.5 104.5 524 5.75 1,031 1,020 112 76 80.1 79.95 80 79 78.3 78.05

PREFERRED 46 7,200 535 560 107.5 400 104.5 19,390 524 350 5.79 6,295,900 1,031 4,750 1,020 250 112 5,900 76 33,400 80.1 21,020 80 24,200 80 990 79.5 26,000 78.5 70,000 78.5 90,370

331,450 299,600 43,000 2,045,095 183,400 36,450,168 4,897,250 255,000 660,800 2,539,025 1,683,970 1,935,890 79,200 2,064,655 5,490,854 7,071,682.50

-331,450 18,816,729 -

LR WARRANT

2.45

2.54

2.35

WARRANTS 2.51 345,000

835,990

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.98 7 10

4 7.31 10

3.88 6.89 9.5

SME 3.9 7.05 9.65

966,380 622,901 33,225,212

-6,252,131

125.3

124

386,197

97,207

NAME PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

FIRST METRO ETF 125

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

13,521,182 89,700,450 288,689,876 354,402,342 183,947,530 67,904,059 1,001,936,300

245,000 88,100 3,434,600

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 125.3 3,100

VALUE FINANCIAL 1,880.11 (up) 5.88 INDUSTRIAL 11,278.36 (up) 93.61 HOLDING FIRMS 7,667.87 (up) 63.12 PROPERTY 3,309.66 (up) 17.02 SERVICES 1,567.77 (down) 2.41 1,021,235,319.715 MINING & OIL 11,987.08 (down) 17.03 1,60,323.843.08 PSEI 7,563.45 (up) 40.47 81,120,684.395 All Shares Index 4,521.21 (up) 19.41 5,941,157,916.80 Gainers:94; Losers:96; Unchanged: 43; Total: 233

1,209,195,953.67 844,519,613.13 1,589,561,402.90

Corp. Aboitiz Power tapped BPI Capital Corp. as the issue manager and underwriter and BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. as the trustee. Aboitiz Power said net proceeds from the offering would finance equity infusions into GNPD which was developing and constructing two units of 1,336-megawatt supercritical coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan. The proposed power plant project will be constructed in two phases. GNPD successfully achieved its financial closing and started the construction of the first phase involving the first 668-MW unit with target delivery in 2018. GNPD already signed power purchase and sale agreements with 27 highlyrated distribution utilities and said it intended to register with the Energy Regulation Commission as a retail electricity supplier to enable it to enter into forward contract with prospective contestable customers. Aboitiz Power, through subsidiary Therma Power Inc., acquired GNPD in December by purchasing the partnership interests held by affiliated investment funds of The Blackstone Group, L.P in World Power Holdings, L.P. and Sithe Global Power, L.P.

ICTSI gets nod for RoRo terminal By Darwin G. Amojelar PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. said Thursday it secured a green light from the government to build a common-user barge and rollon roll-off terminal in Cavite province. “The government has approved it but it was not an unsolicited proposal. It is a private development for a common user facility,” ICTSI senior vice president for Asia-Pacific region and Manila International Container Terminal head Christian Gonzales said. “We will be cutting the ribbon [on Friday] as a project launch with construction start pending ECC [environmental compliance certificate,” he said. The $30-million Cavite Gateway Terminal will be constructed in a six-hectare property in Tanza, Cavite. “We are going to develop it in phases. First phase will be very basic,” Gonzalez said. Phase 1 of the project is designed to support a total output of 115,000 twentyfoot equivalent units a year, or equal to about 140,000 fewer truck trips plying city roads annually. Gonzalez said he expected the terminal to be operational by the first quarter of 2018. Harbor Star, the barge operator for the CGT, will deploy 150 TEU barges. “Harbor Star is going to be a client. We are doing it on our own. It’s a common user facility. Whoever wants to use it, if you can secure window, then, go and use it,” he said. ICTSI earlier reported a net income of $180 million in 2016, up 207 percent yearon-year. The port operator led by businessman Enrique Razon said total revenues increased 7 percent last year to $1.13 billion from $1.05 billion in 2015.

Motoring

From to

wheels blocks

Liuson has carved a reputation in the domestic aftermarket industry by introducing large size wheels for SUVs like his Black Rhino brand.

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

ammy Liuson is known as the “Godfather “ of the Aftermarket Maﬁa in the local car industry. He is credited with pimping Filipino cars in large wheels and tires as well as fashionable trappings of mobility. His recent foray into the real estate industry has the markings of his highly successful business in the aftermarket industry. Builders and constructors are going to see a transformation in the Real Estate industry with an innovative product set to redefine the construction business. Known as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC, this revolutionary product is a unique and excellent type of building material. AAC is produced using common materials such as lime, sand, cement and water, and a small amount of rising agent. After mixing and molding, it is then autoclaved under heat and pressure to create its unique properties. Starken Philippines, the local

subsidiary of Starken AAC Malaysia, recently hosted a private gathering of select media and known personalities in the construction and real estate sectors to introduce the AAC lightweight blocks. “This will usher in change and convenience in the industry,” says Liuson, President and CEO of Starken Philippines. Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) products are becoming the preferred building products for constructing residential, hotel, industrial and public building because of its natural composition and non-toxic properties, energy

saving qualities and have been proven to be eco-friendly. AAC products possess the durability characteristics similar to normal concrete or stone, yet with the workability better than wood.” A lightweight concrete block is a concrete masonry unit (CMU) made of expanded aggregate to reduce the density and weight compared to standard concrete block. Weights vary significantly, but are less than when denser aggregates are used. For masons laying block, back injuries commonly represent half of the cost of workers’ compensation, and with AAC, we lessen the risk of worker’s injury,” adds Joey Carlos, VP for Operations of Starken PH as he demonstrated on stage the convenience and durability of the AAC lightweight block. According to Asbar Sanusi, Senior technical Manager of Starken Malaysia, builders worldwide have began choosing this modern building material because it is 70 percent lighter than concrete; it is fire resistant; has upgraded thermal and sound insulation; good workability process; impact resistant; speedy and less complicated application and

From left: Sam Liuson, President and CEO of Starken Ph; Joey Carlos, VP for Operations, Starken Ph; Ng Wai Luen, CEO of Starken AAC Sdn Bhd.; Chua Swee Hock, GM for International Business and Asbar Sanusi, Senior Technical Manager for Starken AAC Sdn Bhd.

is proven to be durable. “AAC block entrains air/gas in the concrete and produces a much lighter block (variable density 1/2 to 2/3 weight reduction compared to standard concrete). AAC block is most commonly used for interior walls and structures of two stories or less. This may also be used in large panels, and has improved insulating characteristics,” adds Sanusi. Unlike the conventional cement block, an AAC block is easy to use and is less messy. With the aid of special tools developed by Starken, an AAC block is laid down with a thin bed of adhesive specially formulated and recommended for bonding the AAC blocks, panels and lintels. This adhesive was developed and underwent stringent testing, assuring the optimum performance once assembly is completed. “We have been using this technology for years now in modern buildings, residential units and housing complexes around Asia,” he explains. Starken AAC blocks is currently being used in the construction of Wheel Gallery’s new wing, a popular destination for automotive tuners in San Juan City. According to Liuson, compared to using conventional construction materials, building time has been cut in half. Orders for this revolutionary material has also been fast tracked since its launching early this month. “Finally, Starken AAC blocks (TUV Certified) that has been widely used in European, Hong Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian skyscrapers are now available locally. Once the architects and contractors try this out, they will wonder why we only have this now. Starken AAC blocks are faster, stronger, cleaner and greener,” Liuson says. Autoclaved lightweight concrete was invented in the mid1920s by the Swedish architect and inventor Johan Axel Eriksson. It is a lightweight, precast building material that simultaneously provides structure, insulation, and fire and mold resistance.

100 winners for Honda’s Summer Splashdown HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile unit in the Philippines, offers the coolest cash back prizes with Honda’s Summer Splashdown raffle campaign. 100 lucky winners will get a chance to win cash rebates of up to Php 100,000. Customers will receive raffle coupons for every transaction completed. For every inquiry, customer is entitled to one (1) raffle ticket. Test driving their preferred Honda vehicle will also mean additional two (2) raffle tickets, and when the customer decides to reserve or purchase a brand new Honda vehicle, the customer is entitled to additional four (4) tickets for reservation and five (5) tickets for brand new purchase. Customers can drop their raffle tickets to any Summer Splashdown drop boxes located at the reception area of their preferred dealership. Deadline of submission of entries is on May 1, 2017 and raffle draw is on May 12, 2017. Official winners will be announced through HCPI’s official

website and Honda Cars Philippines Facebook page on May 13, 2017. Winners will be contacted by an official HCPI associate through email and phone call. Winners can claim their cash re-

bate cheque from the dealership’s information center upon agreed date and time. For complete details on “Honda’s Summer Splashdown” campaign and other ongoing promo-

tions and activities, visit www. hondaphil.com or any authorized Honda dealership nationwide. This campaign is covered Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 5315, Series of 2017.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

FASTLANE Bike Festival MOTORCYCLE parts and accessories brand, 4S1M along with hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts and supporters gathered together in the recent 11th Annual Inside RACING Bike Festival & Trade Show (IRBFXI) held last March 24–26 at the World Trade Center-Metro Manila . Filled with the 4S1M‘s latest offerings to the intensespirited riders, the 4S1M booth showcased their high performance motorcycle parts and accessories that both professional and amateur riders crave for. IRBFXI served as the perfect venue for the local brand as it was able to showcase its line of products to thousands of motorcycle owners, enthusiasts, custom shops, aftermarket parts and accessory suppliers, and retailers. “The best part is that it brings everyone together,” said Ronald Uy, 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team manager, when asked what he liked most about the team’s par-

ticipation in the touted biggest motorcycle trade show in Asia. Apart from being wellknown for its high-grade racing parts, 4S1M also has its own dedicated and fully-supported racing team, 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team powered by BRT and Racing Force. Their passion for the sport is evident not only with their loyal patronage as participants in the Philippine Motorsports Championships: Motorcycle Racing Series, but also with the dedication of their racers - reflected in their past races having bagged a number of medals and trophies in the last few years. This year, 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team will compete in the celebrated annual racing series which will kick off this April 2017. With the same commitment as their brand 4S1M, the team is set out to break their own records with high-performing parts to support their ride.

Isuzu PH awards new mu-X to promo winner A FAMILY woman working as a geologist for a petroleum company has been picked as the lucky winner of a brandnew Isuzu mu-X premium SUV. Arlene Magbanua from Quezon City on March 20, 2017 was awarded a black Isuzu mu-X 2.5 4x4 LS-A AT after her name was drawn from among thousands of raffle entries in the Feel the Ride Christmas Promo of Araneta Center. Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) supported Araneta Center’s promotional activity, which sought to treat shoppers during the holiday season, by providing the brand-new mu-X. Held from November 24, 2016 until January 15, 2017, the holiday promo attracted 4,733 entries from shoppers who earned a raffle coupon for every P1,000 single-receipt purchase they made. The coupons entitled them to a chance to win instant prizes, with the Isuzu mu-X serving as the grand prize. “The Christmas season, most especially in the Philippines, is a time for good tidings and cheers. It is with this spirit that we in Isuzu Philippines join in the celebrations, like in Araneta Center’s holiday promo where we provided an Isuzu mu-X as the grand

prize. We are as happy to note that the Isuzu mu-X proved to be a strong attraction for people to join,” IPC President Hajime Koso said. “In behalf of Isuzu Philippines, we extend a cheerful congratulations to all winners, most especially to Ms. Arlene Magbanua, for winning the Isuzu mu-X grand prize,” he added. The Isuzu mu-X 2.5 4x4 LS-A AT is powered by Isuzu’s 2.5-liter 4JK1-TC (HI) diesel engine that is equipped with common rail direct injection, intercooler and a variable geometry system turbocharger. This engine produces 136PS at 3,400rpm and 320Nm of torque from 1,800rpm to 2,200rpm. Matched to this is a five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift function. As a premium SUV, the Isuzu mu-X 2.5 4x4 LS-A AT boasts of numerous upscale features like projector-type multi-reflector headlamps, chrome power-folding sideview mirrors with integrated turn indicators, leather steering wheel with audio controls, leather seats, and an entertainment system that has Bluetooth, iPod and WiFi connectivity, as well as a 7-inch touchscreen display for the various multimedia functions.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Edi tor DIN O DIREC TO III A ss t . Edi tor

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Motoring

Alternative parking Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

inding a safe and ample space for a car has always been a problem for practically all motorists in Metro Manila.

On weekends, when half of the population decides to go the mall, one spends half an hour or so waiting for a space to clear out. With the increasing number of vehicles on the road, more people will realize that a car park is a precious piece of real estate. Emicor Incorporated, distributors of the Smart Parking technology is offering an alternative solution to our parking woes. Created by Korean firm DongYang PC, Smart Parking has been providing practical and intelligent solutions Worldwide for years. Suitable for areas with existing structures and limited parking spaces, Smart Parking will only require a minimal space equivalent to two parking slots or 32 square meters. Ingress and egress is not a problem due to an optional electric turntable that can be installed in five days, which includes machine calibration, testing and personnel operation training. “The unit itself is 100 percent made in Korea, apart from the motor which is made in Germany. Smart Parking carries a 10-year warranty with a lifespan of 25 years,” explains Gilbert Pinuela, Head of Parking Solutions for Emicor Inc. Smart Paking is a technology that has been in use in countries like Japan, Singapore, the United States, Korea and Europe for years now. The smallest unit can hold six sedans. This parking unit can also accommodate 12 SUVs. “An exterior canopy and façade cladding are also available and it can be customized depending on the client,” adds Pinuela. They also have optional parking for private garages which can hold two to four cars depending on the size of the garage. There have been cases where sports cars were saved from flooding due to a built-in sensor that comes with the parking unit. Once the sensor detects water, it will automatically rise by a few meters up to its maximum height. “A client waas able to save his expensive sports car which was parked in his basement,” adds Pinuela. Other advantages of Smart Parking include maximizing limited space; security against theft; sturdy structure that can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake and 250kph winds; quick installation in a matter of days and environment friendly. According Pinuela, there are buildings in the country which are already equipped with the Smart Parking system. Among them “hospitals, condominiums and automotive factories to name a few,” he says.

Smart parking allows building and mall owners to maximize their real estate

Showtime in Shanghai GLOBAL automakers unveiled new SUVs, electric vehicles, and futuristic concept cars at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday, racing for an edge in the world’s biggest auto market as growth slows after years of frenzied sales. China’s automotive market remains the most important in the world for manufacturers, with sales jumping 14.9 percent to 24.38 million passenger cars last year, well beyond the 17.55 million bought by US drivers. With China’s fast-expanding middle class adopting modern, mobile lifestyles, passenger-car sales have nearly quintupled over the past decade. But volume last year was skewed upward by a short-term purchase incentive and has generally slowed of late as China’s decades-long economic boom loses pace. A number of automakers have already reported falling China sales so far this year. Analysts warn full-year volume could be flat and possibly contract in 2018 for the first time in memory. Major carmakers remain bullish at the Shanghai show, China’s biggest automotive showcase. But they acknowledge they will have to innovate to keep on track as consumer tastes evolve in an ever-changing market. “We believe the future of driving will be autonomous driving and that is true for China as well,” said Daimler’s China CEO Hubertus Troska, adding the firm would push to bring the next-generation functions to the Asian giant. He said Mercedes sales grew 37 percent in this year’s first quarter. “I don’t think we will be at the same level at the end of the year but it is still going to be a very good year,” he said. - Electric avenue As that moderates, manufacturers are focusing on still fast-growing segments like sportutility vehicles, which are expected to overtake China sedan sales possibly this year. Ford has even announced plans to try to sell its American-icon pickup trucks in China. Electric cars have also seen hot growth, fuelled by green incentives from the government, which is mulling new quotas requiring carmakers to produce certain amounts of “new energy” vehicles. Volkswagen, China’s overall market leader, will introduce a range of new SUV models in China this year and ramp up production of electric vehicles, said its China CEO Jochem Heizmann. “It’s developing even quicker than we estimated,” he said of SUV sales. “I am very confident. We are still investing in China, a level of about 4 billion euros ($4.3 million) this year along with our JVs (joint ventures).” The Chinese car market soared past the United States eight years ago to become the planet’s top market and in 2016 set a 26th straight annual sales record. Sales were boosted last year by the government’s temporary halving of a 10-percent purchase tax on small-engine cars in late 2015. Consultancy IHS Markit warned last week that slower sales had triggered a “rampant price war” in China that could pinch automakers’ global profits. Analysts say going forward the maturing of the market will benefit larger manufacturers with the scale and product range to pivot along with consumer tastes, and that a shakeout of less-able players is likely in coming years. AFP

Summer getaways Should

I STAY or should I GO? By Charmaine Cunanan

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

LOVE YOUR

SUMMER STYLE AT THE SM STORE

HERE are many reasons why we love summer – the sun, the sea, the laid-back days, and elegant nights.

There are also many reasons why we love summer’s style – crisp white dresses on the resort report, modern boho expressions on the music festival scape, athleisure attitudes, easy weekend casuals, and stunning summer night party looks. The SM Store’s #LoveYourSummerStyle invites you to create the summer style you love with fashion picks you can mix and match, start your own trend and just be yourself.

where?

LL of us need a break. It is a fact. Even the busiest people has to take a break and detach themselves from their work. But

Staycation becomes a thing for those who wants to have a quick and laid-back vacation somewhere near the city. It can be out-of-town, but the idea is to just stay in, relax, and live royally for a couple of days. For Maan Logarta, Malayan Insurance executive, who has kids, she opts for a homey place that the whole family can enjoy. “A staycation would be great. I’ll look for one with very good reviews on Tripadvisor, check the photos to see if I like the interiors (affects my mental wellbeing), the rooms must have a big TV, and there should be a pool. It’s also good to have affordable restaurants nearby as well.” “We are open to go to Vis/Min or Ilocos or Bicol too. Definitely not staycation though. Gagastos na rin lang, yung malayo na,” Nannette Abreu shares, an executive of a meat distribution company. As for Katrina Cabanos, content writer, “As long as there is free breaksfast buffet, I am good.” There are lots of options for different people with different taste and preference. There are ample of hotels in the city that offers great deals, nice room, good food, and modern facilities. With the popularity of Airbnb, it is easier to score a whole instagrammable place to stay that comes with a great view. Here are the five staycation places in and out of Manila that one can consider:

Shangri-La at BGC

It is the newest branch of this five-star hotel in Manila. Located in the middle of BGC, it is a great option when you want luxury and proximity. It features luxurious interiors, outstanding customer service, spacious guestrooms, L’Occitane en Provence body & bath amenities, extensive breakfast buffet spread at High Street Cafe, and free use of their exclusive gym and pools at Kerry Sports Manila.

Modern Kubo with Private Pool Overlooking Narra Hill Tagaytay If you prefer a tranquil ambiance with a fantastic nature view, this one is for you.It is a bed and breakfast place where you can rent a kubo or, if you are going with the whole barkada or family, the entire venue. The place i pet friendly. Guests are free to use the pool, walk and jog around the property and its gardens, and do a tour of the aquaponic system in the greenhouse.

One Manila Heritage Apartment

Go back in time when you stay in this apartment in Malate. It has a 1940s inspired theme with two bedrooms. You can hang out in its balcony while watching the sunset in Manila bay.

Le Coq Bleu in Baguio

The place isn’t entirely for rent. The owners live in the house, only welcomes guests to experience their unique house. It is a small cottage in the mountain that can accommodate four people. The interiors are French inspired, complete with cozy couches and a fireplace. Additionally, the owners like interacting with their guests over breakfast that they cook.

Kanti Luxury Suite in Aklan

If you have the time to go the distance for a long weekend and you are itching to go for a dip in the beach, this vacation place in Aklan must be on top of your option. It is designed with Narra hardwood floors throughout, 270 degree view of ocean and mountain beach, spacious master bedroom with antique carved Narra wood bed with large ensuite bathroom completely done in mosaic tiles and mirror, Balinese marble sink and bathtub with a view. Its large island kitchen is equipped with blender, expresso machine, induction stovetop, and oven so you can cook our own food posh style. Without a doubt, It is the best escape from the crowded beach!

Summer starts at The SM Store’s #LoveYourSummerStyle #SMStyleSeries.

LGUs

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

‘Zero tuition in SUCs near reality’ L EGAZPI CITY—College students in Bicol University here and its campuses in Tabaco City and Polangui and Guinobatan towns, and in all state universities and colleges or SUCs in the country, will no longer have to pay their tuition fees starting this school year, 2017-2018.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said this piece of good news, however, only gives the country a foretaste of more exciting benefits coming when the Universal Access to Tertiary Education Act of 2017, filed as House Bill 7221 in Congress that he principally authored, becomes a law.

Salceda, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, also co-authored the free SUCs tuition bill that college students will start enjoying this year. He said he was its “noisiest and most ardent campaigner” during the hearings attended by the Commission on Higher Education.

The lawmaker said HB 7221 will be “the real game changer that provides lasting effects on the country’s growth.” The measure provides wider coverage for students in SUCs including both tuitions and school fees, accessible to even those enrolled in technical vocational institutions run by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. He said those enrolled in private universities and colleges, community colleges, and Tesdaaccredited institutions will still have access. One is through a subsidy, “free for those belonging to families within the 50 percent lowest income bracket,” he said. The subsidy could also be accessed through the National Stu-

dent Loan Program for those belonging to families not within the top 20 percent income bracket, and payable only after graduation when they land good paying jobs or put up feasible business ventures, Salceda added. The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education already approved HB 7221 last March, after two other bills were consolidated with it. The highlights of the consolidated measure include full funding of SUCs with its proposed P38-billion budget, and another P21.6 billion for other expenses; sufficient funding for technical vocational education and training or TVET in technical vocational institutes or TVI run by Tesda

with P6.7 billion; and a tertiary education subsidy of P15 billion, limited to Decile 1 to 5 students, for tuition and other expenses in accredited private higher education institutions, local universities and colleges, SUCs and Tesdaaccredited TVIs. The measure, Salceda said, aims to provide other mechanisms to increase the participation rate in tertiary education from all socio-economic classes. It also seeks to give all Filipinos equal opportunities to quality education in both private and public schools, give priority to academically-able students from poor families, optimize use of government resources in education, and recognize the complementary

roles of public and private institutions in tertiary education. HB 7221 also provides the NSLP with a P15-billion allocation, limited to Decile 1 to 8, for tuition and other expenses in accredited HEIs and SUCs. Apart from promoting universal access to tertiary education in SUCs and state-run TVIs, the bill strengthens the unified financial assistance system for tertiary education, and amends an older legislation, Republic Act 10687, known as the UniFAST Law. Under the measure, NSLP loans are payable when their beneficiaries become gainfully employed or become entrepreneurs, and their gross incomes reach the minimum critical threshold.

Davao probing 50 erring employees By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—At least 50 erring City Hall employees are currently under investigation by a committee that was revived after Mayor Sara Duterte signed Executive Order 06 series of 2017, which aims to probe complaints against government officials. Lawyer Enrique Bonocan of the City Legal Office said since Duterte took office as mayor, his office has received at least 50 such complaints—most of them attendance-related offenses filed by their superiors. Bonocan said anyone can file a complaint by writing to the office of the mayor. The investigating team will then validate the complaint and examine the erring employee. “Anyone can just file their complaint. If they want to be anonymous, we will respect it, we will even provide them a lawyer,” he said. After validating the complaint, the investigating team will clas-

sify it as a “light,” “less grave” or “grave misconduct” case against the concerned City Hall employee, who can be dismissed from the service if proven guilty. Bonocan, however, stressed that a complainant can only file one case at a time. “We will not let a complainant file several cases at a time, he can only file one and wait until the case is finished before he can file another one,” he said. During the term of President Rodrigo Duterte as mayor of Davao, at least 10 erring employees were dismissed after the investigating committee found them guilty of the complaints filed against them. Most of these dismissed employees came from the City Treasurer’s Office, with a case of embezzlement of public funds. It can also be remembered that when the older Duterte heard rumors of corruption in the Business Bureau office here, he immediately sacked all the employees, from the department head to the janitor.

‘BEAUTY FOR BETTER LIFE.’ Lyne Pulido (right), a trainor from ‘Beauty for a Better Life,’ demonstrates to part of a group of 75 underprivileged women from Barangay Sto. Niño in Marikina City some skills in hairdressing from L’Oreal’s team of hair professionals. A livelihood program by L’Oreal Foundation Philippines, ‘Beauty for a Better Life’ was formally launched Thursday in the event attended by (standing from right) Thibault de Saint Victor, managing director, L’Oreal Philippines; Reynaldo Antonio Laguda, executive director, Philippine Business for Social Progress; Mai Linh Dao Ferguson, Corporate Communications head of L’Oreal APAC; Heydee Longanilla, BFBL trainor; and Carmel Valencia, Corporate Communications manager, L’Oreal Philippines. Sonny Espiritu

P198-m Cagayan road starts By Jessica M. Bacud TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan—Gov. Manuel N. Mamba and Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar Jr. joined local officials during the recent groundbreaking of the Iraga, Solana-Bayabat farm to market road in Amulung West here. With a P198-million budget under the Philippine Rural Development Project, the 20.25-kilometer road project is part of the Cagayan Development Agenda of Mamba’s administration. CAGANDA 2025 aims for the concreting of all provincial roads in the province and connecting towns and barangays through roadworks and bridges. Alviar said the PDRP project was funded by the World Bank through the joint efforts of the DA Regional Field Office 02 and the Provincial Government of Cagayan.

The Iraga-to-Bayabat road is targeted to be completed in 16 months, Alviar said. Farmers in Solana and Amulung are confident the FMR road traversing the barangays in their towns “will provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to boost the production and marketing activities of the province,” Mamba said. “This project will help boost the economy of the locality and make it easier for the townspeople for easier transportation of their goods and products, and increase the market shares of farmers on other commodities, thus increasing their income,” the governor added. Mayor Jenalyn P. Carag of Solana thanked the provincial government and the DA for the project. “This FMR will be of great help to my fellow Solanians since this road network is essential in their means of livelihood and make it convenient for them in bringing their products to the town proper,” Carag said.

IN BRIEF Muntinlupa, NGCP work on tilted tower THE local government of Muntinlupa City is coordinating with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for the restoration of the transmission firm’s tilted tower in Alabang after a residential fire there Wednesday. Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office discussed the issue with NGCP’s officers to ensure the prompt restoration of the Biñan-Muntinlupa 230kV line. MCDRRMO Operations and Warning Division chief Engineer Edward Arciaga urged the NGCP to make the tower upright as soon as possible as it poses a threat to motorists plying the South Luzon Expressway Alabang flyover and nearby residents. Arciaga said MCDRRMO will assist NGCP in putting up a perimeter fence and securing the tower from informal settlers upon its restoration. As of Thursday, the SLEX Alabang Exit Northbound was still closed to motorists owing to the slanted tower.

Mart One festival dance contest set

PITC-TAIWAN MEET. Philippine International Trading Corp. president Dave Almarinez (center) met

with officials of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council or TAITRA, led by director Harisson K.M. Lan, TAITRA manager Albert Fan, and consultants Romeo Lerit and Yu-Jie Lin. Almarinez and Lan hold up PITC brochures as the former shared information about PITC and its key services. TAITRA and PITC aim to promote foreign trade and cooperation through empowering local business and manufacturers in facing the international market. Roy Tomandao

Reduce tourist vans, LTFRB told By Dexter A. See BONTOC, Mountain Province—The Cordillera Regional Development Council or RDC-CAR urged the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board to recall the numerous franchises it issued to tourist transport services in the area. The council said the LTFRB franchises are in direct competition with already existing franchises of public utility vehicles in the provinces and cities in the different parts of the region. Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, who chaired the second quarter RDC-CAR meeting here, said it is unfortunate the tourist transport vehicles use Baguio as their staging area for their desired destinations, considering

their point of destination is in any part of Luzon. The absence of a designated parking area for their vehicles contribute to the constriction of traffic in the Baguio, Domogan added. The RDC-CAR resolution requesting the cancellation of the tourist transport franchises is in response to the clamor of legitimate PUV vehicles that were issued franchises, which are now affected by the proliferation of the tourist transport vans but are operating as “garage vans” that are in direct competition with PUVs operating in the region. Domogan also criticized the absence in the RDC meeting of the regional director or duly authorized representative of the Department of Transportation and Railways, the agency responsible on the issue.

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela— Showcasing the rich dance culture of the Philippines, Mart One Department Store is staging its “Philippine Festival Dance Contest” on April 29 at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga in Bataan, featuring the famous festival dances of various provinces in the country. Jennifer “Gwen” Bautista, Mart One regional manager North 2 Store Operations Department, said the nationwide summer campaign of the retail chain of the Expressions company will feature the country’s popular festival dances. They will be performed by eight different dance groups that were pre-qualified during local screenings held in selected destinations where Mart One is present. The winning dance group will take home P100,000 and an additional P30,000 to be donated to the group’s chosen charity. Mart One will also give P8,000 in cash and P2,000 worth of gift certificates as consolation prizes and P10,000 cash with P3,000 worth of GCs for the voters’ choice award, Bautista added. Jessica M. Bacud

World

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Hostage crisis in Vietnam deepens HANOI―A group of Vietnamese farmers who took more than a dozen police and officials hostage over a land dispute said Thursday they would resist any rescue attempt by the authorities and have sealed off their village. The incident began on Saturday in My Duc, a suburban district of Hanoi, when authorities clashed with villagers who alleged their land had been illegally seized for sale by a militaryowned telecoms firm. The crisis is a rare act of defiance in the authoritarian communist nation where anger against official corruption and land seizures simmers but usually meets a forceful response from police. Local residents told AFP they had sealed off their village with barricades made from logs, sandbags and bricks and had banned any outsiders from entering. They also made veiled threats to set fire to the house where the hostages are being held if the authorities move in. One female farmer, who declined to give her name, said the villagers took “preventive” measures late Wednesday after they spotted signs police might be planning a rescue attempt. “We poured oil around the community house where the men are being kept. We will make our move if the police attack us,” she told AFP. She added that the hostages were being treated well and were being fed three meals a day. A total of 38 policemen and local officials were taken hostages on Saturday. Three of them escaped successfully while 15 others were released Monday, Hanoi’s police were quoted on state-controlled media. “We are still holding 20, including two senior local officials,” the female resident told AFP. It is not the first time Vietnamese villagers have taken up arms to resist perceived state injustices. In 2012, a Vietnamese fish farmer used homemade weapons to resist a forced eviction, injuring seven policemen. The farmer was jailed for five years, but his case became a symbol of growing public dissatisfaction over land rights. AFP

SPRING GARDEN PARTY. Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and members of the royal family walk to greet guests during the spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo on April 20, 2017. The Japanese royal family host garden parties annually, once in the spring and another in the autumn. AFP

Next S. Korea leader seen to rein in Trump S EOUL―When South Korea fills a presidential vacuum next month, the first order of business for its new leader will be to tame Donald Trump’s aggressive approach towards the nuclear-armed North, analysts say. The impeachment of former president Park Geun-Hye―who took a hard line on North Korea― forced her out of Seoul’s Blue House, giving the White House free rein in a crisis over Pyongyang’s weapons program. Trump has told leader Kim Jong-Un that he’s “gotta behave” while US ofﬁcials have repeatedly warned that “all options are on the table”, prompting dire threats of retaliation. The North has made progress towards its goal of developing a missile capable of delivering a

warhead to the US mainland, and speculation has mounted that it could conduct another nuclear test. But in the South Korean race to succeed the now detained Park, both front-runner Moon Jae-In of the main opposition Democratic Party, and his only serious challenger Ahn Cheol-Soo are urging Trump to cool his position. Both oppose any ﬁrst strike by the US. “Currently, South Korea has no president and its voice in the crucial security issue on the Korean peninsula has simply not been

heard,” said Hong Hyun-Ik, senior researcher at the private Sejong Institute. “But when the next president comes in after May 9 election, he would urge Washington to coordinate closely with Seoul in talking about things such as preemptive strikes against the North”, he told AFP. Seoul National University political science professor Kang Won-Taek added that whoever wins, they will pursue dialogue with the North more actively than Park, and “seek to put a damper on harsh US rhetoric”. The North has vast artillery forces deployed within striking range of Seoul, putting the South Korean capital at direct risk of catastrophe if a conﬂict escalates, even without the use of atomic weapons. Washington has a treaty alliance with Seoul and has more than

28,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour. It also announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its battle group to the Korean peninsula―described by Trump as an “armada”―although it turned out Wednesday to still be thousands of kilometers away. But despite headlines worldwide about crisis and the threat of war, South Koreans have remained calm. They have become accustomed to the North’s threats, which ramp up every spring when Seoul and Washington hold joint military exercises it condemns as rehearsals for invasion. And an atomic test would be the sixth by Pyongyang, which says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion. AFP

Scared Syrian evacuees stuck

PREMIERE.

Actress Karen Gillian arrives for the world premiere of the ﬁlm ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2’ in Hollywood, California, on April 19, 2017. AFP

BEIRUT―Hundreds of frightened Syrian evacuees from two besieged government-held towns were stuck at a rebel-held transit point on Thursday where dozens of their fellow townspeople were killed in a weekend bombing. The 3,000 evacuees, who had left their homes at dawn on Wednesday, spent the night in buses in a marshaling area in Rashidin, west of the government-held second city Aleppo, awaiting onward transport to safety. Some 300 evacuees from rebel-held towns were similarly held up at a staging point at Ramussa in government-held territory. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the delay was the result of 11th-hour rebel demands for the release of prisoners held by the government. “The convoys will not move until after the release of 750 prisoners―men and women―from regime prisons and their arrival in rebel-held areas,” the British-based monitoring group said. The hard-won resumption of evacuations on Wednesday came after a suicide car bomber killed 126 people, 68 of them children, in Rashidin on Saturday. Most of the dead were evacuees from the governmentheld Shiite-majority towns of Fuaa and Kafraya, with a handful of aid workers and rebels guarding the convoy also killed. Armed rebels were standing guard at Rashidin on Wednesday and carefully inspecting vehicles arriving in the area. The current evacuations mark the end of the ﬁrst stage of a deal brokered by rebel supporter Qatar and government backer Iran late last month. A second phase is due to begin in June. Fuaa and Kafraya will be emptied entirely, with residents and ﬁghters heading to Aleppo and then on to government-held Latakia or Damascus. All rebels are expected to leave Madaya, Zabadani, and other nearby oppositions-held areas, but civilians who want to remain may do so. Those leaving rebel-held areas will head to Idlib province, which is held by an opposition alliance. In all, up to 30,000 people are expected to leave under the deal. AFP

Maduro critics vow new protests CARACAS―Opponents of the Venezuelan government vowed fresh huge protests on Thursday, upping the ante in their bid to oust President Nicolas Maduro after a day of deadly clashes in the oilrich but beleaguered nation. A 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old woman died after being shot Wednesday during massive protests, and a soldier outside Caracas was said to have been killed, bringing to eight the number of people killed this month in a mounting political crisis. Riot police fired tear gas to force back stone-throwing demonstrators as hundreds of thousands of people fed up with food shortages and demanding elections joined protest marches in Caracas and several other cities. Thousands of Maduro’s supporters held a counter-rally in central Caracas. The opposition has accused Maduro of letting state forces and gangs of armed thugs violently repress demonstrators as he resists opposition pressure for him to quit. Some disturbances continued into the night, with reports of looted bakeries, supermarkets and food centers in western Caracas. Despite Wednesday’s deadly violence, his opponents displayed their determination to ratchet up the pressure by calling for renewed protests on Thursday. “Today there were millions of us,” senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles told a news conference late Wednesday. “Tomorrow even more of us have to come out.” The 17-year-old was shot by gunmen on motorbikes who also threw tear gas canisters into a crowd of protesters, Amadeo Leiva, head of the Clinicas Caracas Hospital which treated him, told AFP. The 23-year-old woman, Paola Ramirez, died after being shot in the head in the western city of San Cristobal, the state prosecution service said later in a statement. A pro-government politician and reservist, Diosdado Cabello, said on his television show that anti-Maduro activists had also “murdered” a soldier in San Antonio de los Altos, a town just south of Caracas, late Wednesday. Prosecutors confirmed the death. Authorities had previously reported five other people killed, including a boy of 13, in protests around the country earlier this month. The opposition leader of congress, Julio Borges, and Maduro’s vice president, Tareck El Aissami,

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Summer getaways With that, the #LoveYourSummerStyle campaign highlights The SM Store with #SMStyleSeries bringing top stylists, photographers and metro style inﬂuencers for a series of styling activations. These include a fashion styling talk, a styling session and photo session. These include Team RainXEm who will talk and style: Celebrity Stylist and Meg Magazine EIC Rain Dagala and Fashion Stylist Em Millan; Preview’s EIC Isha Andaya Valles and Creative Director Vince Uy; Mega’s EIC Peewee Reyes-Isidro and Stylist and Asst. Editor Angelo Ramirez de Cartagena and L’Ofﬁciel Manila EIC and Fashion Stylist Pam Quinones. Master make-up artists Jigs Mayuga and Jake Galvez will have a Beauty Makeover Talk and Make-over Sessions; while Photographer BJ Pascual who will give some fashion photography tips for shoppers. Completing the #SMStyleSeries line up are Blogger Besties —Laureen Uy, Nicole Andersson and Kryz Uy, who are ready for their styling activation. Love summer and love your new

look at the #LoveYourSummerStyle #SMStyleSeries at The SM Store— this summer’s most exciting summer destination! Follow The SM Store on Facebook (facebook.com/TheSMStore ) and Instagram (@thesmstore ) for schedules of #SMStyleSeries.

Get styling tips from top stylists, photographers and metro style inﬂuencers for a series of styling activation at The SM Store until May 2017.

Soothing skin relief for summer in the city SIZZLING summer is truly here and we’re all a bit hot and bothered because of it. With average city temperatures reaching 30ºC and up going about our daily routine can become a bummer. But there’s no reason to sweat the small stuff because the perfect summer salve-ation is in the palm of your hand! Golden Cup Balm is Thailand’s number one balm, made with herbal and natural ingredients that promote a feeling of wellbeing, similar to that of a spa will let the healing essential oils of camphor and clove work their soothing magic on your migraine and headaches, when massaged on the forehead, temples and nape to ease the pain. Experiencing nausea or a sneezing ﬁt from your summer allergy? Try rubbing Golden Cup Balm directly underneath your nostrils to quickly decongest and inhale the spa-like scent of the herbal and natural ingredients, which include peppermint oil, to overcome your dizzy spell or unclog your stuffed nose. This effective balm also works on insect bites and other irritations that result from hanging out on the beach, camping trips

or nature walks. Golden Cup Balm’s nongreasy and calming formulation also can do double-duty as an insect-repellant beacause of the cinnamon oil properties. Muscle pain from too much fun in the sun and outdoor activities during the day? The eucalyptus oil and menthol-enriched Golden Cup Balm has anti-inﬂammatory properties, and the clove oil helps to quickly relieve muscle and joint soreness. Golden Cup Balm truly the perfect summer partner to have when the heat is on and all it takes is the power of a deep breath or a simple DIY self-massage to get you from being hot and bothered, to calm and stress-free. Golden Cup Balm is available in Mercury Drug, Watsons and other leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide, exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Most High Intertrade Inc. For more information about Golden Cup Balm and Golden Cup Oil, visit www.goldencup.com.ph, like them on Facebook : @goldencupbalm, or follow them on IG: @goldencup_ph. You can also call (632) 410-0340 and email at goldencupbalm.ph@gmail.com

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

SHOPPING

Robinsons Magnolia's Mall Atrium transformed into a stunning catwalk during The Magnolia Residences Lookbook Fashion Gala Night which unveiled latest collection of popular local and international fashion brands as well as up-and-coming designers.

Hip runway trends

IP, modern, and sophisticated ensembles graced the catwalk at The Magnolia Residences Lookbook Fashion Gala Night held recently at the Robinsons Magnolia Mall Atrium in New Manila, Quezon City. The event highlighted the newest collections of popular local and international brands as well as up-and-coming designers. Participating brands included Topshop, Topman, Warehouse, Promod, Dorothy Perkins, Parfois, G2000, Mango, Penguin, Bayo, Teresa Hagape Atelier, Ganda Anore Couture, and Ever New. More than the fashion and style ideas, The Magnolia Residences Lookbook presented a sneak peek into the kind of lifestyle that one can experience with The Magnolia Town Center’s masterplanned complex. “Fun events are just some of the perks of living at The Magnolia Residences,” said Mark Stephen Delumen, associate marketing director at Robinsons Land. “The biggest amenity here is the mall itself, where you can shop, dine, or watch movies with your family.” Apart from having a premier mall just a few steps away, several recreation

and leisure amenities are also integrated in the four-tower residential complex, such as the jogging path, swimming pool, fitness gym, and Wi-Fi room. These active and passive amenities are designed with families in mind—thus, guaranteeing that quality times are more memorable and enjoyable for residents and their guests. The elegant vertical community also enjoys a prominent address at the crossroads of New Manila, strategically located at the corner of Aurora boulevard and Doña Hemady street. The prime location is one of the tradi-

More than just a debit card

THE Philippine National Bank recently launched its PNB EMV Debit Mastercard fully equipped with EMV Chip technology during its International Convention attended by all companies under the Lucio Tan Group. At the convention, heads of local and international PNB branches and representatives from the numerous companies under the Lucio Tan Group were in attendance to present their various product offerings. For PNB, the launch of its new PNB EMV Debit Mastercard was a n nou nced during the event. This card is now protected by an EMV Chip, which makes it safer and more Bernie Tocmo, PNB’s secure. With Executive Vice President the successful implementation of PNB’s ATM network for EMV chip cards, cardholders need not worry about their cash withdrawals at any PNB ATM or BancNet ATM nationwide using their new card. When travelling abroad, cardholders can also use their card to get access to cash through Maestro ATMs. The PNB EMV Debit Mastercard is more than just a regular ATM. Through PNB’s partnership with Mastercard, the world’s leading global payments and technology company, the debit card is made more powerful because it can now be used at over 45 million Mastercard accredited establishments not only in the Philippines

tional neighborhoods where old families have found sanctuary for generations. “Good urban living means enjoying a comfortable home within a secure and vibrant community that is exclusive but is still located in the middle of the action,” said May V. Lopez, vice president for Sales and Marketing at Robinsons Land. “The Magnolia Residences gives the promise that the residents will live well and delivers on this commitment.” The high-rise residential development redefines current perceptions and standards of modern city living as seen in its contemporary living spaces amidst all the urban conveniences. At present, units at the Tower A and B are ready-for-occupancy while Tower C is under construction and is already on pre-selling. The Magnolia Residences and Robinsons Magnolia Mall are integral components of the Magnolia Town Center – a township that promotes a “walkable” lifestyle for urban dwellers. The complex also showcases the Summit Magnolia Hotel, which is ideal for business travelers, and couples or families searching for extraordinary staycations. This is one of the many reasons why this township was awarded as the Best Mixed Use Development in the 2014 International Property Awards. To achieve that enviable New Manila lifestyle, call the Robinsons Residences hotline at 636-0888 or (0925) 333-3333, or visit www.robinsonsresidences.com and www.facebook.com/ RobResidences.

The brands that participated in the runway show included Topshop, Topman, Warehouse, Promod, Dorothy Perkins, Parfois, G2000, Mango, Penguin, Bayo, Teresa Hagape Atelier, Ganda Anore Couture, and Ever New

Choose your summer style PNB President Reynaldo Maclang

but all over the world. Moreover, this debit Mastercard opens new doors to a world of unlimited online deals and offers at the best prices. “Through the launch of the PNB EMV Debit Mastercard achieving 100 percent compliance to BSP’s mandate to equip all card products with EMV chip is at hand,” said SVP A n n ie Umali, head of the Cards Ban king Solutions Group. “PNB is moving faster to ensure the secuAnnie Umali, Head of Cards rity of its Banking Solutions Group pay ment card products with enhanced technology and PNB will continue to launch innovative new products as a sign of its commitment to serve its customers better, providing solutions to all their current and future banking needs,” said EVP Bernie Tocmo, head of the Retail Banking Sector. PNB President Reynaldo Maclang also said, “We can only expect PNB to keep changing, each time a step closer to achieving excellence in giving customers the best banking experience. PNB’s growth in the market will be undeniable as it strives to transform itself anew with the support from its employees.”

THERE are many reasons why we love summer – the sun, the sea, the laid-back days, and elegant nights. There are also many reasons why we love summer’s style – crisp white dresses on the resort report, modern boho expressions on the music festival scape, athleisure attitudes, easy weekend casuals, and stunning summer night party looks. T h e S M

Store’s #LoveYourSummerStyle invites you to create the summer style you love with fashion picks you can mix and match, start your own trend and just be yourself. With that, the #LoveYourSummerStyle campaign highlights The SM Store with

#SMStyleSeries bringing top stylists, photographers and metro style influencers for a series of styling activations. These include a fashion styling talk, a styling session and photo session. These include Team RainXEm who will talk and style: celebrity stylist and Meg Magazine EIC Rain Dagala and fashion stylist Em Millan; Preview’s EIC Isha Andaya Valles, and creative director Vince Uy; Mega’s EIC Peewee Reyes-Isidro and stylist and assistant editor Angelo Ramirez de Cartagena and L’Officiel Manila EIC and fashion stylist Pam Quinones. Master make-up artists Jigs Mayuga and Jake Galvez will have a beauty makeover talk and makeover sessions; while photographer BJ Pascual will give some fashion photography tips to shoppers. Completing the #SMStyleSeries line up are blogger besties — Laureen Uy, Nicole Andersson and Kryz Uy, who are ready for their styling activation. Follow The SM Store on Facebook facebook.com/TheSMStore and Instagram @ thesmstore for schedules of #SMStyleSeries. Up your summer style game with the help of fashion pros who will share their know-how at The SM Store's #SMStyleSeries

Life

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

V/MOVIE stars recently battled it out for a cause in the first ever #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, of top five premium global smartphone brand Vivo, collecting a total of P101,980, which the smartphone brand donated to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, a non-profit housing organization tackling poverty by building and renovating homes for families in need.

In the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, celebrities competed with a goal of garnering the most number of likes for their perfect selfies. Selfies of Yeng Constantino, Erich Gonzales, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee, Andrea Brillantes, Jane Oineza, Sue Ramirez, Miles Ocampo, Maris Racal, and Loisa Andallo were posted on the Vivo Philippines Instagram account (@vivophil), captured with the brand’s newest flagship phone, the V5 Plus, equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera and the most advanced selfie technology to date. These selfless stars asked netizens to like their selfies on the Vivo Instagram page (@vivophil), with every vote equivalent to P1 donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Teen star Andrea Brillantes emerged as the Vivo Perfect Selfie cup winner, with a total of 18,848 likes. Although only one star emerged as the triumphant #VivoPerfectSelfieCup victor, every like for each celebrity photo was converted into one peso, raising P101,980, all given to Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Vivo brand director Annie Lim and Vivo brand executive Christian Jocson handed over the donation to Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity Philippines partnership

Stars turn insta-hearts to insta-donations

Vivo officials (Charisma Buan, Christian Jocson, Annie Lim and Nelson Perez) hand over a total of P101,980 proceeds from its Vivo Perfect Selfie Cup to Habitat for Humanity officers (Francis Hussein Mamasabulod and Rowena Kakilala)

manager, and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving manager on March 22 at the nonprofit organization’s headquarters in Makati City. Also present in the event were Vivo

brand executive Charisma Buan, Vivo digital specialist Nelson Perez, Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving officer Tricia Abrigo and Habitat for Humanity Philippines direct marketing officer Mateo Bautista.

Lim expressed her gratitude to all the participants to the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup. “Vivo thanks everyone who joined our contest. Above all else, our brand always aims to help Filipinos have a better life and through participating, we

Jeans from work to workout AS IF we needed any more reason to love denim jeans, the durable, comfy, and figure-flattering fashion staple we can never get enough of is also flexible in more ways than one. Using ultrastretchable and quick dry denim, Freego recently unveiled its Yoga Jeans, a denim innovation that gives wearers the stretchy yet snug look and feel of workout tights or leggings. Available in four stylish washes (from the light-colored acid to the dark blue enzyme and rinse, and the dressy black), Freego Yoga Jeans are a godsend to women whose daily schedules take them from power meetings and lunches to “me time” alone or bonding with the girls over coffee. Sporting acid wash Yoga Jeans with a white blouse during the launch, Daisy Go, president of Magnifico Jeans, Inc., has also worn her pair to outdoor shoots and other occasions that require her to move around a lot. “When I go on long-haul flights, I want to wear something that gives me the comfort of a pair of jogging pants or pajamas—but I also don’t want to look sloppy when I arrive at 2 am.” Go’s jeans have also retained their shape despite numerous wears and trips to the laundry. “They’ve been washed four times already and they still look good,” she says. “And you don’t need to iron them. They’re very easy to maintain; just roll them up and pack them in your suitcase.” The jeans come in low-waist slim-cut jeggings and regular super-skinny fit jeans, both of which hug the body like

From left: Group Marketing manager Jillian Panganiban, host Gelli Victor, Freego brand director Arnold Sabado, and Freego marketing coordinator Chriza Salvador

second skin. Apparently, it’s a silhouette that appeals to Pinays. “The slim fit is very popular among Filipinas,” avers Go. With their relaxed shape and lowcrotch style, boyfriend jeans may be comfy but it also takes a certain body type to pull them off. “You can look short and fat in them, whereas skinny jeans can be slimming,” says Go. Of course, Freego doesn’t call them Yoga Jeans for nothing; prior to the launch, Go sent samples out for yoga teachers to road test. “It’s very interesting,” says Yoga+ Express teacher Karen Ann Demot, who led a 30-minute Vinyasa Flow yoga session for beginners during the launch. “I’ve never taught yoga in jeans before and it was comfier than I expected.” Guiding the class through downward

facing dog, planks, cobra, and lunges, Demot says the jeans moved with her but didn’t ride up or needed constant adjusting and tugging. “They’re also a little thicker than the usual leggings. I like how they support you and help you keep your form and posture,” she adds. While not necessarily meant for the gym, these jeans can certainly do the job should you suddenly forget to pack your usual workout gear. “It’s all about multi-functionality,” says Go of the versatile apparel. “At an age when things are designed for more than one purpose, these jeans are perfect.” Freego is available in all leading department stores nationwide. Follow FREEGO on facebook.com/freegojeans, @freego_ jeans on Instagram and Twitter, and FREEGOjeans on Youtube.

Members of the media putting Freego Yoga Jeans to test (inset) The new line of pants are made of ultra-stretchable, wrinkle resistant, and quick dry fabric that women can wear for both work and play

gave hope to homeless families in the country,” she said. Aside from the donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Vivo also awarded brand new Vivo V5 Plus phones to 10 lucky likers. The 5th Don Cristobal Fashion Show highlighted fashion and wellness

Fashion show highlights natural glow CONFIDENCE truly starts with HyC 150, the supplemental drink that brings out the beauty from within. Manufactured by FINE Japan Co., Ltd., HyC 150 is the perfect product that combines all the needed vitamins and substances to keep your whole self fit and fabulous. To promote healthy, younger looking skin for the Filipinos, HyC 150 took part in the 5th Don Cristobal Fashion Show at the SMX Convention Center where fashion and wellness went together hand in hand for the theme, "Fashion and Earth." The fashion runway event showcased different designers who have perfectly made clothing style to nature-themed outfits that had an all-natural appeal to the eyes. More than just giving a flawless and natural look, HyC 150 also helped young, aspiring and even professional models to continue being themselves, walking the runway with grace and poise. At the 5th Don Cristobal Fashion Show, HyC 150 upheld its promise to make skin radiant with an allnatural touch of nature and fashion. With only one sachet added to your favorite drink or simply on water, HyC 150 is proven and tested to be safe and efficient. It is a recipient of the prestigious Monde Selection award for its quality and safety for its

Various designers showcased their works during the show

consumers. HyC 150 is distributed in the Philippines by BrightEay Enterprises. For more information, visit www. HyC150.com; like it on Facebook w w w.fa ceb o ok .c om / HyC150); follow it on Twitter #HyC150 or Instagram @HyC150, or call (02) 546-7297, (02) 861-6298, or 0917-7750779. This product is available in leading drugstores nationwide, www.lazada. com.ph, and on its own online store with free delivery nationwide. Models with flawless skin strutted the runway wearing nature-themed outfits

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Globe Independent Film Fest holds

FIRST AWARDS NIGHT

Colours brightens up

PROGRAMMING

Cignal TV’s Ian Velasco and Nadia Tantuco with celebrity hosts Danica Sotto and LJ Moreno (center and second from right) and TV executive Wilma Galvante

IGNAL TV’s entertainment and lifestyle channel Colours recently launched its brand new programs to brighten up its programming menu.

The burst of bolder and brighter new shows are geared toward driving its targeted female audience to becoming better, more beautiful and bolder versions of themselves. According to Cignal TV President Jane J. Basas, “The women of today are on top of their game in whatever field they delve in. They don’t settle for second best - be it at home or at work. They work hard at achieving their goals and get things done, quickly and it the most colorful and creative ways. This is the audience to which the revitalized Colours cater.” Celebrity hosts Danica Sotto-Pingris and LJ MorenoAlapag lead Mombiz. Danica and LJ, both married to basketball heroes, are also entrepreneurial moms. During the event, Danica and LJ gave a sneak peek of their show that gives tips and stories about several other “supermoms” that have gained success in their field of expertise, business and in their family life. Mombiz features real moms who journey to find creative, colorful and fun solutions to everyday situations that challenge them everyday. Pia Guanio hosts the engaging 30-minute program, 40 is the New 30. According to TV executive Wilma Galvante who represented Pia at the launch, the magazine show features women who, even at their 40s, manage to look, think and feel young in their endeavors. The show focuses on the newfound highs of selfdiscovery and reinvention that women at this age range can enjoy to the hilt.

Other shows that will revitalize the Colours channel are: Celebrity Scoop, which will feature showbiz celebrities, the latest on beauty and lifestyle news and more; Fashion Forward, a show that helps today’s fashionista stay up-to-date on the hottest trends in fashion beauty and lifestyle; and InstaGlamour takes a peek at the lives of today’s biggest stars through the lens of social media. Movie fans will get their fill of the latest news from the big screen, international festivals, premieres and awards shows and the weekly countdown of top box office blockbusters from Films & Stars. Film buffs will surely enjoy the slew of Cine Filipino film masterpieces by today’s up and coming directors. From Monday to Friday, moms will love lifestyle programs such HGTV at 7 p.m., AFC/Food Network at 8 p.m. and The Travel Channel at 10p.m.. Even kids are in for thrilling visual treats. Moms get to bond with their toddlers and pre-schoolers with Dinosaur Train. Hop on board the fun and educational Dinosaur Train to learn about natural science, natural history and paleontology. Each episode features Buddy, a preschool-aged Tyrannosaurus Rex, and his adoptive Pteranodon family traveling on a special train to meet all kinds of dinosaurs and explore the world inhabited by these amazing creatures. Cignal executives believe that women, particularly young moms, can be empowered but they don’t have to lose their identity in the process. They simply want these women to add cheer and fun as they grow in knowledge and savvy. These women’s lives will definitely be better and brighter with Colours Channel. The Colours Channel is available to Cignal TV’s 1.6M subscribers and also available in over 200 local cable affiliates all over the country.

PEOPLE …are talking about

GLOBE Studios, the original content production arm of Globe Telecom, recognized and awarded bright, young Filipino talents in its recently concluded Globe Independent Film Festival (GIFF). Launched towards the end of 2016, GIFF is the first ever online film festival that changed the landscape of independent film fests. GIFF maximized the online platform to rally amateur filmmakers to share their quality films and reach a wider audience. “When we started GIFF, we really wanted to do a different type of film festival, something that is more fun, friendly, and most importantly, inclusive. We also aimed to make it more accessible and cost effective for our audience as it is free and can be seen whenever, right on their devices,” said Quark Henares, director of Globe Studios. GIFF accepted over 200 hundred entries to six major categories: Documentary, Experimental, Animation, Webisodes, Narrative, and Music Video. Each winner per category brought home up to P200,000. The first ever GIFF winners are as follows: DOCUMENTARY 1st: Nothing Too Supreme by Felman Jay Jr. Hernandez 2nd: Pelikula Ni Rey by Dino Placino 3rd: Panginabuhi Namo, Sa Kaong Na Giluto by Romel Lozada, Tatiano Molarto and Jori Mae Samillano EXPERIMENTAL 1st: Isda by Mark Glenn Doroja 2nd: Penafrancia by Gab Mesina 3rd: Girl Magazine by Anna Meer ANIMATION 1st: Lakas Ng Lahi by Arnold Arre, and Emil Flores 2nd: The Well by Juan Alcazaren 3rd: Momo by Avid Liongoren WEBISODES 1st: Dota Dad by Karlo Policarpio

2nd: Bilucao Warriors IV by Gariendo Encarnacion, Jr. 3rd: Hugot Sword by Karlo Policarpio NARRATIVE 1st: All Your Algorithms by Alec Figuracion 2nd: TransParent by Adel Clemente 3rd: The Harvest by Brian Patrick Lim MUSIC VIDEO 1st: BP Valenzuela - Building Too by Christine Joyce Silva 2nd: Nanay Mo - Absent Mind by Gio Puyat 3rd: Escuri - Sepia by Dominic Bekaert and Quintuin P. Cu-Unjieng There was a bonus award for the most number of views online, on both the website of Globe Studios and its YouTube channel. Penafrancia by Gab Mesina was the winner of he Audience Choice Award. Globe Studios opened GIFF to all amateur filmmakers and were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges from the entertainment industry –Antoinette Jadaone, Bianca Gonzalez, Philbert Dy, and Sid Maderazo. “Globe Studios’ GIFF Awards Night definitely proved how we gave our brand a whole new way of bringing wonderful entertainment to our customers,” added Henares. “With the event, our vision for Globe Studios has been realized – to advocate local talent and eventually collaborate with them for content. GIFF has allowed us to fuel creativity among filmmakers and we are very proud of these entries that brought these amazing films closer to every Filipino.” At the GIFF awards night, guests also sang to their favorite tunes from renowned indie artists such as ESCURI, Nanay Mo, B.P. Valenzuela, MOONWLK, Olympia, Taken By Cars, and Pedicab. To watch the finalists and winning entries, visit Globe Telecom’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/ globeph or on www.GlobeStudios.ph

…are not talking about

Maymay Entrata Is her network helping her realize her dream to become a recording artist Joshua Garcia just too much? We guess There are a few good so. The PBB Lucky 7 grand reasons for people to winner has just joined call him one of the most Star music’s roster of bankable actors of his recording artists and is set generation. While still to record her debut album part of a top-rating really soon. And we’ve got drama, the PBB alumnus talented singers out there is preparing for another still desperately waiting to series opposite Janella be signed up by the record Salvador. He is also working on a movie project with Julia Barretto, a quick follow up label. Are they favoring to their first movie that delivered a healthy return at the box office. audio trash now over real talent? Kris Aquino Alyas Robin Hood After a few terrible blows of late, including a TV special that The series is returning with a “book 2’ and Dingdong made her look so cheap, she is making a “real comeback” that stunned even her worst detractors. By now, people already know Dantes will reprise his role as the vigilante. For those who have that she’s going to be in Crazy Rich Asians. Though it’s easy to already forgotten, Alyas Robin Hood is the same program that guess the character she is going to play, people wouldn’t believe made us question GMA Network’s idea of a quality program. how she worked hard to get the role. Seems lady luck has not left We’ve learned that the series is going to be part of the station’s lineup for the last quarter of the year. So, brace yourself for more her side just yet. weird things that can happen on TV including terrible script and cheap special effects. The Voice Teens Filipino viewers have deep fixation on music and reality talent Ai Ai delas Alas shows that’s why it’s not surprising that the local teen edition of She’s really marrying her boy toy amid their wide age gap, not the hit TV show ruled the ratings game over the weekends. The Voice Teens won in its timeslot not just according to TNS Kantar to mention the disapproval of some people who doubt their MayMedia, AGB Nielsen also shared the ratings data showing the December love affair from the very start. It’s not really our business program’s strong debut. Don’t we just love being exposed to to say this relationship would not last long, in fact, we are wishing hidden talents and seeing people find new career opportunities them good. But this is not the first time that we saw the comedienne making such kind of decision. So, let’s just wait and see until in showbiz? something strange happens.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, April 21, 2017

ACROSS 1 Bleachers cry 4 Confronted 9 Keep time 13 Wyo. neighbor 14 “Hasta —!” 15 Persona non — 16 Friend of the Three Musketeers 18 Toxic gas 19 Discharge 20 Passport or deed 22 Loser’s challenge 25 Easy win 26 Normandy city 28 Backbones 32 Mich. neighbor 35 Tissue layers 37 Night racket 38 Sighs of relief 40 Mine cars 42 Toothy smile 43 Worries too much 45 Mug 47 Circus routine 48 News exclusives 50 Earthenware pots 52 Gator kin 54 Taco cousin 58 Examined (2 wds.) 62 Adjusted a

piano 63 Kate’s sitcom friend 64 Mix at a mixer 67 Harness parts 68 “The Velvet Fog” 69 Under par 70 Hong — 71 Action lead-in 72 Wind dir. DOWN 1 Jockey 2 Maxim 3 Seraglio 4 Crew cut 5 31-day mo. 6 Five score yrs. 7 By Jove! 8 Benefactor 9 Seizing up, as a muscle 10 Take on cargo 11 Like — — of bricks 12 Breathe hard 15 Complains 17 Romanov title 21 IBM and GE 23 Lisa Lisa & — Jam 24 Whodunit suspects 27 Totally cool! 29 Director — Ephron

30 Clapton of “Lay Down Sally” 31 On its way 32 Big galoots 33 DEA operative 34 Inspector Kojak 36 Refine ore 39 Lingerie item 41 Round building 44 Buying frenzies 46 Worse, as the weather 49 Instant lawn 51 Phaser setting 53 Organ-pipes

55 “— Baby” (Helen Reddy song) 56 Wooded valleys 57 Astaire sister 58 Carefree escapade 59 Tub in the fridge 60 Dutra of golf 61 Tweety or Sylvester 65 Mohawksporting actor (2 wds.) 66 Bovary title

Kapuso network makes afternoon viewing even hotter with the small screen debut of sexy comedy "D' Originals"

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

HOT DRY SEASON with Kapuso’s new shows

HE country’s dry season is anticipated to be even more vibrant as GMA Network premieres new programs sure to add more color to the hot months of the year.

Kicking off the Kapuso Network’s string of shows is the sexy “dramedy” D’ Originals. It started airing on April 17 on the network’s Afternoon Prime block. D’ Originals trains the spotlight on three wives and their tussles with the three women who disrupt their quiet domestic lives. This series is top billed by 2016 Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose , 2016 Gawad Urian Best Actress LJ Reyes, “Ang Bagong Pantasya ng Bayan” Kim Domingo, Katrina Halili with Jestoni Alarcon, Mark Herras, Meg Imperial, Archie Alemania, and Lovely Abella. A “docu-reality” show where celebrity real or reel life couples take on the challenge of immersing as parents to their adoptive children follows. With Kapuso star Heart Evangelista-Escudero as host, it airs every Sunday starting April 23. From raising a foster family to imparting life lessons to children, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko focuses on molding children’s values with stories they learn from their folks. Gloria Romero top bills this family-oriented show,

premiering April 30, with Jillian Ward, David Remo, Chlaui Malayao, and Julius Erasga. The show will feature celebrity guests every week. Marian Rivera-Dantes is the special gueson is pilot telecast. Paying tribute to the colorful, romantic, heroic, and inspiring stories of Overseas Filipino Workers is the Network’s first OFW-themed weekly anthology, Tadhana. Marian Rivera hosts the show that tells, how Filipinos abroad live, work, and love. Another intriguing drama that will surely make viewers glued to their television screens is the remake of the successful TV series Impostora. It is also the first GMA-produced TV drama adapted abroad. Kris Bernal stars in the Afternoon Prime drama opposite Rafael Rosell. Also in the cast are Ryan Eigenmann, Assunta de Rossi, Elizabeth Oropeza, Aicelle Santos, Vaness del Moral, Leandro Baldemor, Sinon Loresca, Yuan Francisco, Dayara Shane, with the special participation of James Blanco. Also set to take flight this May is the much anticipated and groundbreaking telefantasya, Mulawin vs. Ravena. Headlining what is touted as the biggest telefantasya of GMA this year is none other than Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, and Lovi Poe. And in her first-ever telefantasya is Regine VelasquezAlcasid. Playing very special roles are Philippine TV’s Sweetheart Heart Evangelista-Escudero and

versatile Tom Rodriguez. Ariel Rivera joins the star-studded cast. Also featured in the primetime series are Bea Binene, Derrick Monasterio, Bianca Umali, and Miguel Tanfelix. Kiko Estrada is also in the soap. Completing the cast – The Mulawins - Valerie Concepcion, David Licauco and Roi Vinzon; The Ravenas – Chynna Ortaleza, Dion Ignacio, Winwyn Marquez and TJ Trinidad; and in the mortal world – Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Joko Diaz, Charee Pineda and Nova Villa. Completing the Kapuso Network’s roster of hot new shows this summer is the local remake of the hit Koreanovela My Love from the Star. Kapuso Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado breathes life to the popular character of Stefﬁ, and for the character of Matteo, GMA Network introduces newest Kapuso actor and heartthrob Gil Cuerva who auditioned for the role. Joining them are Gabby Eigenmann, Glydel Mercado, Christian Bautista, Jackie Rice, Renz Fernandez, Spanky Manikan, Melissa Mendez, and Nar Cabico. "My Love from the Star" lead actor Gil Cuerva

Kris Bernal plays dual role in the television remake of "Impostora"

Teleradyo strengthens programming MORE news and public service awaits viewers of DZMM TeleRadyo as it strengthens its line-up with the addition of ABS-CBN news and current affairs programs led by the late night newscast Bandila, anchored by Karen Davila, Ces Orena-Drilon, and Julius Babao. DZMM TeleRadyo, which is celebrating its 10th year on television this year, will air an early edition of Bandila at 10 p.m. followed by its telecast on ABS-CBN Channel 2 after Tonight with Boy Abunda with updates and developments. Apart from Bandila, other ABS-CBN current affairs programs will also be accessible to more Filipinos on DZMM TeleRadyo, now a free TV channel on ABS-CBN TVplus. Long-running news magazine show Rated K with anchor Korina Sanchez-Roxas, award-winning educational program Matanglawin with host Kim Atienza, hit legal drama Ipaglaban Mo with lawyers Jose Sison and Jopet Sison, top-rating crime investigation show S.O.C.O. with Gus Abelgas, and critically-acclaimed Mukha documentary series will be aired on DZMM TeleRadyo during weekends. This big development is part of ABS-CBN’s ﬂagship AM radio station’s effort to strengthen its programming as it strives to deliver the best and most relevant news content for Filipinos all over the nation round-theclock. Meanwhile, the station’s newest on-ground event “DZMM Kapamilya Day” continues to bring joy and public service to barangays in Metro and Mega Manila and is now its ﬁfth leg. The activity, which brings the programs and anchors closer to Filipino families, will run until June.

VIEWERS nationwide watched the ﬁrst batch of teen artists impress the four superstar coaches of The Voice Teens as its blind auditions kicked off on a high note, recording a national TV rating of 37.9 percent, according to Kantar Media. The program’s pilot episode made The Voice Teens the most watched program across urban and rural homes nationwide and beat its rival program, Tsuperhero, which only posted 15.1 percent. It also sent netizens abuzz as they posted their comments online while watching the show, sending the episode’s ofﬁcial hashtag #TheVoice Teens to the top of the list of the trending topics on Twitter in the country and worldwide. The four coaches already have one artist on their respective teams – the fourchair turner and teen wonder of Makati, Mikko Estrada (coach Lea); the astig singing beauty of Pampanga, Isabela Vinzon (coach Bamboo), another fourchair turner and the chicharon charmer of Sampaloc, Patrick Corporal (coach Sarah), and the mega fan of Cavite, Zyra Peralta (coach Sharon). Don’t miss the teen artists who will give inspiration and share their extraordinary talent in The Voice Teens every Saturday, 7:15 p.m. and Sunday, 7 p.m. with the team-up of awardwinning hosts Luis Manzano and Toni Gonzaga.

FDCP Chairman Liza Diño (second from right) during Cine Lokal's recent press launch

Cine Lokal launched THE Film Development Council of the Philippines and SM Cinema strengthen their commitment to support Philippine cinema as well as champion independent films. Cine Lokal, a new cinema line which aims to house award-winning, independent films and FDCP programs in select SM Cinema branches across the country, will be launched this month. FDCP Chairman and CEO Liza Diño and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. (SMLEI) President Edgar Tejerero recently signed a three-year contract formalizing their partnership at Cerchio in Tomas Morato. Cine Lokal’s goal, according to Diño, is twofold: to provide independent filmmakers with a commercial venue for their films, thereby strengthening their experience and training on film marketing and distribution, and to create a culture of support and viewership among Filipinos nationwide. FDCP and SM Cinema signified their commitment to work together from booking, licensing, up to marketing of the films to be shown in Cine Lokal branches to ensure the success of their venture. “Independent films mirror our society’s milieu in the most meaningful

and affective of ways and we are grateful to SM Cinema for this great opportunity for us to bring more choices of these films closer to our people,” Diño added. Meanwhile, Tejerero said Cine Lokal affirms its support for the Philippine film industry which includes independent film producers. “With the help of FDCP, we have an opportunity to expand our content and invite a new set of audience. Cine Lokal brings SM Cinema closer to its goal of becoming not only the largest, but the most diverse film exhibitor in the country,” he stressed. The eight dedicated SM Cinemas chosen to show FDCP-curated films throughout the duration of the partnership are SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Southmall, SM Cebu, SM Bacoor and SM Mall of Asia. Movie lovers and independent film enthusiasts alike can expect an exciting roster of award-winning, independent films at Cine Lokal. Among the films initially scheduled to be shown as part of its “Salve Pelikula” program are Himala (Ishmael Bernal), Iadya Mo Kami (Mel Chionglo), Sinners and Saints (Ruben Soriquez) and Academy Awards 2015 Best Picture winner Spotlight.

‘The Voice Teens’ pilot wins viewers, leads weekend programs nationwide

"The Voice Teens" coaches Bamboo, Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta, and Sarah Geronimo