Manila Standard - 2017 April 25 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 70 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Luisita wall torn down by farmers

By Sandy Araneta FARMERS demolished part of the perimeter wall of Hacienda Luisita on Monday to press for the full implementation of a court decision.

The Supreme Court in November 2011 ruled on the total distribution to farmer beneficiaries of the hacienda, which is owned by the family of former President Benigno Aquino III. More than a thousand Luisita

farmworkers, agrarian reform beneficiaries and supporters successfully occupied on Monday portions of the fenced farmland in Barangay Balete.

The militant assertion coincides with the fifth year commemoration of the Supreme Court’s final decision to distribute the 6,453 hectares to the farmerbeneficiaries.

Early Monday morning, farmworkers marched to the fenced Next page

Sleeping with enemy: Cop linked to Sayyaf

By Francisco Tuyay

LET THE GAMES BEGIN. President Rodrigo Duterte raises his clenched fist as he declares Sunday night the official opening of Palarong Pambansa at the Binirayan Sports Complex in Antique. Malacañang Photo

A FEMALE police officer romantically linked to an Abu Sayyaf member was arrested Saturday night at a checkpoint in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town, a few kilometers away from a gunfight in which four bandits were killed.

Philippine National Police

chief Ronald dela Rosa identified the PNP official as Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, deputy chief of the PNP’s Crime Laboratory in Region-11.

Dela Rosa said Nobleza was arrested with an ASG bandit who is said to be her driver and lover along with a 60-year-old woman Next page

36 terrorists killed ‘Honeylet’ Manila ready to welcome nine Asean heads takes care By John Paolo Bencito of leaders’ spouses

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña will be welcoming and hosting the spouses of the Asean leaders who will be in Manila for the 30th Asean Summit, Asean National Organizing Committee and Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. said Monday.

Avanceña is expected to tour the spouses around the Metropolitan Museum on Saturday and then host the group for lunch.

“There will be a spouses’ program. I understand that they will be shown the Metropolitan Museum and will be hosted lunch

by Madam Honeylet. She’s the official hostess,” Paynor said, adding that it was Duterte’s decision to have Avanceña assume the hosting job.

“She’s being ably assisted by other agencies including the NCCA [National Commission for Culture and the Arts], the Metropolitan Museum, the Internal House Affairs of Malacañang and the Social Secretary.”

This is not the first time that Avanceña will host a spouse of a head of government, having hosted the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Next page

THE Philippines is ready to receive nine leaders of Southeast Asian Nations who will be visiting the country this week for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit to be held in Manila this week.

“Saturday will be a very long day for them, but our President is ready for it. We already briefed him on where will he go, what he’ll be doing, and what will be discussed,” Asean National Organizing Committee DirectorGeneral Ambassador Marciano Paynor said of President Rodrigo

Duterte, who chairs the 10-nation regional bloc this year.

“This is his first time, it’s expected that he does not know all the issues, but of the many issues, he has a fairly good grasp of these,” he added.

More than 2,000 delegates, including top government officials,

are flying into Manila for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

Preparatory meetings, involving Asean ministers and senior officials, will take place from April 26 to 28.

Of the 10 Asean leaders, only Next page

THE lawyer of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato on Monday filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court in The Hague against President Rodrigo Duterte and 11 other officials for mass murder and crimes against humanity, saying they were behind the killing of thousands of people in the government’s war on drugs.

In a complaint filed before ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, law-

yer Jude Josue Sabio said Duterte “repeatedly, unchangingly and continuously” committed crimes against humanity and that under him, killing drug suspects and other criminals has become a “best practice.”

“The situation in the Philippines reveals a terrifying, gruesome and disastrous continuing commission of extrajudicial executions or mass murder from the time President Duterte was the mayor of Davao City,” the comNext page plaint read.

Drug war suspension led to crime upsurge—Palace

By John Paolo Bencito CHANGE never comes for most Filipinos after the number of those victimized in crimes against property increased and the number of drug addicts in communities steadied despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to eradi-

cate criminality, the latest Social Weather Survey said.

Malacañang, however, blamed the apparent rise on the police’s suspension of their anti-drug campaign that was only lifted following an internal cleansing within the ranks of the police.

Next page

By Francisco Tuyay

A

T LEAST 36 members of the terrorist Maute Group were killed after government troops overran their encampment after three days of fighting in Piagapo Complex, Lanao del Sur.

Hitman’s lawyer sues Du30 before intl court

By John Paolo Bencito

Maute camp falls amid govt assault

LAWYER’S COMPLAINT. Filipino lawyer Jude Sabio files a complaint

against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court for ‘mass murder’ in the Philippines, according to the New York Times.

Three soldiers were wounded in the fighting.

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, said among those killed were two foreign nationals, one of them an Indonesian.

Troops were still recovering the bodies of Maute members killed during the fighting in the trenches of Sitio Pagalungan, Barangay Gacap.

Sporadic fight continued into Monday, but military officials said their forces overwhemed the terrorists, most of whom fled in different directions.

Brig. Gen. Nixon Fortes, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Tabak Division, said troops overran the Next page

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TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Graft raps over fire trucks

By Rey E. Requejo

A

PETITIONER who earlier asked the Supreme Court to nullify a P2.8-billion fire trucks contract said Monday he will file graft charges against the officials defying President Rodrigo Duterte’s order that the deal should not push through pending the case’s resolution.

Leo Romero is the counsel in the petition filed last year with the high court questioning the supply deal with Rosenbauer International AG for 76 units of TLF 4000 fire trucks.

He said he will proceed with his plan to file graft charges against certain officials of the Interior department and the Bureau of Fire Protection, including Interior Assistant Secretary for Plans and Programs Epimaco Densing III for their “brazen attempts” to push through with the Rosenbauer deal.

The supply contract with the Austrian company earlier prompted President Duterte to

fire then Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno over alleged irregularities.

But Densing defended the Rosenbauer contract, saying it was a government-to-government transaction covered by a 23-year loan.

“These culpable officials will also face administrative cases for countermanding the direct orders of the President,” Romero said.

“Money is really changing. It seems there is a well-entrenched group or clique in the government that is for this supply contract. Money can really do wonders―it can make you disobey

the President.”

Romero said BFP Director Bobby Baruelo issued Order Number COM-2017-018 on March 17 that created an Inspection and Acceptance Committee for the fire trucks.

But Senior Supt. Jorge Fariñas, whom Baruelo appointed as IAC chairman, had reportedly resigned as BFP director for Logistics as he refused to take on the committee chairmanship for the Rosenbauer fire trucks.

Romero said Fariñas, who has requested to be transferred to BFP-Region 3, was reportedly being forced by Baruelo to inspect and accept the fire trucks in question that were stored at the Batangas City port after they arrived in the country on April 18.

Romero also called the attention of Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella for “countermanding the position of the President” after Abella said the contract was a perfected one and that there was no temporary restraining order to prevent its implementation.

“I don’t know if Abella’s line is the official Palace line. But it

certainly runs counter against the position of the President,” Romero said.

He said he will send a letter to the President on Monday to seek clarification on the official policy on the supply contract.

“We just want some assurance from the President that Abella is wrong,” Romero said.

“We want to adhere to the President’s quest for a government that is free of graft and corruption, but Abella appears to be flip-flopping and this is dampening our spirits.”

Earlier, former Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz asked the Supreme Court to stop the delivery of the reportedly overpriced Austrian fire trucks.

“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.

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Maute Group’s main camp consisting of 100 fortified bunkers and fighting positions and several trenches at the ridges of Sitio Pagalungan.

Herrera said a Philippine flag was raised at the former Maute camp signifying government’s control over the area.

Herrera said the death of 36 Maute members is considered a major defeat for the group, which has been terrorizing the community in Lanao del Sur and other nearby areas.

Government troops found fragmentation and rifle grenades, improvised explosive devices, cellphones, a video camera, assorted uniforms, three motorcycles, food stuffs and the passport of an Indonesian national.

“The government forces, local government units, and the communities will continue to work hand in hand to thwart banditry and terroristic activities and to ensure security, peace and development in Piagapo and adjacent municipalities,” said Army 1st Tabak Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista.

Bautista said troops pounded the terrorist camp with artillery fire to flush out the terrorists, forcing them to break up into smaller groups.

As the terrorists were running out from the camp, attack helicopters fired rockets at them, killing dozens of fleeing Maute fighters.

The massive strike on the Maute Group came after residents of Balindong and Piagapo villages told military officials that they were recruiting teenagers at Barangay Tampo.

“The success is the result of a nonstop collaboration and partnership with the military, LGUs and populace in the collective battle against terrorism, banditry and criminality,” Bautista said.

SHOW OF FORCE. Around 300 members of the NDF-Southern Tagalog stage a brief program at Chino Roces

Ave. (Mendiola), a stone’s throw from Malacañang, to mark the 44th anniversary of NDF. They called for a peaceful resolution of the decades-old conflict between the Duterte government and the CPP-NPA. Norman Cruz

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and a 13-year-old boy, the son of Ahmed Santos, founder of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, which has links to the terrorist group Al Qaeda.

Santos is detained at Camp Bicutan, Taguig City. The 13-yearold boy was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Dela Rosa identified Nobleza’s lover as Reener Lou Dungon, alias Kudre. He and Nobleza were held at a police detention center in Tagbilaran, Bohol and appropriate charges were filed against them.

“She is romantically involved… with the ASG member and we will file criminal and administrative cases against Nobleza. For sure she will be kicked out of the police service,” Dela Rosa said. “She was sleeping with the enemy.”

Investigators said they did not

know what Nobleza was doing in Bohol since she was assigned to Davao, but Dela Rosa said it appeared they were trying to rescue the Abu Sayyaf members who escaped the firefight Saturday.

Investigators said Nobleza was on board a black Nissan Navarra driven by her ASG lover, who ran through a checkpoint in Bacani village. Police manning a second checkpoint flagged the black pickup truck and the occupants were told to get off and identify themselves.

When grilled by policemen, Nobleza introduced herself as a police officer and and said she was on a tour. A pistol of still unknown caliber, ammunitions, a cellphone and bottles of energy drinks were taken from the vehicle.

Dela Rosa considered Nobleza and her boyfriend high-risk detainees and said it was imperative they be transferred to Camp Crame.

In the Palace, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella condemned the Abu Sayyaf’s be-

heading of Staff Sgt. Anni Siraji, a soldier assigned with the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion.

Siraji’s body and head were found separately in Sitio Kan Suil in Taglibi village, Patikul, Sulu, Sunday afternoon.

“While Staff Sergeant Siraji was a soldier, he was an MNLF member who decided to trade his rifle as a fighter to become a peacemaker and agent of development to his fellow Tausugs,” Abella said.

“This barbaric act committed by ASG to a fellow Tausug has no place in a civilized society. This is our assurance to the family of Staff Sergeant Siraji: that we will not stop until justice is served. Let us work against common criminals to have safer and more secure communities,” he added.

Abella urged the public to be vigilant and alert, amid threats from the bandit group that recently attacked civilian communities in Bohol. With Nash B. Maulana and John Paolo Bencito

‘Honeylet’...

Manila...

Akie Abe, during their visit to Davao in January.

“She can hold her own definitely,” Paynor added.

So far, at least six spouses of Asean leaders, including the wives of Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, have confirmed their attendance in the event.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw will not be able to attend the 30th Summit. Instead, state counselor and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will represent her country.

“Over the recent past, this has been the case. So Aung San Suu Kyi represented Myanmar in the last Asean summit in Laos,” said Paynor.

During his meeting with Suu Kyi, Duterte gave $300,000 to the Myanmar government for the humanitarian efforts in the troubled state of Rakhine. Suu Kyi thanked the Philippines for its donation.

The 30th Asean Summit is the first of two leader-level meetings that the Philippines will convene this year as chairman of Asean. The second one, the 31st Asean Summit and Related Summits, will be held in November at Clark, Pampanga and

Drug...

million families or 1.8 points above the record-low of 4.5 percent or about the 1 million recorded in December 2016.

Meanwhile, the Justice department on Monday filed a criminal complaint against an AmericanKorean suspected to be a drug supplier who escaped hospital detention days following his arrest in Pasay City on April 5.

Jun No, who uses the aliases Jazz and Justine, was arrested at the parking lot in front of Royal Indian Curry House along Seaside Boulevard near SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The survey also saw an increase in the number of respondents saying their family members suffered from physical violence in the past six months

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The survey, conducted among 1,500 adult respondents, showed that the pieces of property lost to street robbery, burglars or carjackers in the past six months edged up to 6.3 percent, or an estimated 1.4

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“Your favorable action on this matter would not only serve the noble ends of international criminal justice, but would also be the beginning of the end of this dark, obscene, murderous and evil era in the Philippines,” Sabio said in his letter to Bensouda.

Also included in the complaint were Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Philippine National Police Director-General Ronald dela Rosa, Supt. Edilberto Leonardo, Supt. Royina Garma, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former Interior and Local Government secretary Ismael Sueno, SPO4 Sanson Buenaventura, National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, Solicitor General Jose Calida, Senator Richard Gordon, and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

“To end this impunity, the International Criminal Court is being resorted to as a court of last resort, given the gravity of the current human rights disaster in the Philippines,” Sabio said.

Describing the continuing spate of extrajudicial killings in the country as a “human rights disaster,” Sabio said that Duterte’s methods used by the Davao Death Squad in perpetrating alleged extrajudicial killings while he was mayor, including the planting of false evidence and cash payments to killers, were being replicated on a national scale.

Sabio is the lawyer for self-confessed hitman, Edgar Matobato who claimed that he was part of the Davao Death Squad when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City.

“The impunity is grave, as shown by the ‘repeated, unchanging and continuing’ extrajudicial or summary executions, with unrelenting impunity, ever since the time that President Duterte was still mayor of Davao City claiming 1,400 deaths, more or less, under his Davao Death Squad and later on in the national level in the war on drugs after 30 June 2016 waged by the very same person, no less than President Duterte, who formed, created, managed, headed and masterminded the Davao Death Squad in Davao City when he was still a mayor.

“The basic material hallmarks or elements in the extrajudicial executions in the Davao Death Squad in Davao City and in the continued extrajudicial executions after President Duterte became the president are too numerous and too obvious to escape scant attention.

“During the time that he was the mayor of Davao City, President Duterte never even lifted a finger to investigate the thousand killings undertaken under the Davao Death Squad. This is precisely because on hindsight he is personally involved.”

Among the parallels of DDS murders and the recent extrajudicial killings included elements, such as: 1) police par-

ticipation and command; 2) a hitman or an unknown armed assailant; 3), a reward system for every killing; 4) a reward in cash; 5) a kill watch list; 6) collaboration between barangay (village) and police officials; 7) the cardboard sign and the face and body wrapped in packing tape; 8) the use of ‘riding in tandem’ motorcycle-riding assailants; 9) the use of hooded or masked assailants; and 10) the planting of a gun and drugs.

Sabio said the President’s public pronouncements “express a loud and clear intention to promote, encourage, or incite the police and civilians to mass murder or violence.”

The complaint likewise cited investigations by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and a statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines denouncing the anti-drug campaign as a “reign of terror.”

The International Criminal Court, which handles cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, was founded by international agreement. The Philippines signed on in 2011.

The court may take cases only under certain conditions, including when a nation’s own judicial system is unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute.

Since Duterte took office in June 2016, more than 6,000 homicide cases were recorded with the police claiming that a third of these were simply in self-defense during legitimate police operations.

Rights groups, however, maintain that many of the remaining two-thirds were committed by vigilantes cooperating with the police or by police disguised as vigilantes—a claim the authorities reject.

Statistics from the Philippine National Police show that as of March 30, legitimate police operations have led to the deaths of more than 2,600 drug suspects since July 1, 2016 when its war on drugs started under the Duterte administration.

Its statistics also point to more than 6,000 deaths under investigation—including those involving drug suspects—for the same period.

Duterte has persistently denied he is involved with any death squad and said that his orders to kill drug suspects were done in regularity.

Malacañang dismissed the filing of charges against Duterte as nothing but an attempt to discredit him amid the country’s hosting of the 30th Association of South East Asian Nations Summit here in Manila this week.

“The timing of the filing of the case is suspect—apparently meant to create negative news in the midst of the Philippines Asean debut; as it cannot prosper. International Criminal Court rules provide that the ICC, as a court of last resort, will only exercise jurisdiction over a case once legal remedies in the Philippines have been exhausted,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

will be joined by the Asean’s dialogue partners, such as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

Before the actual leaders’ meeting on April 29, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Indonesian President Widodo will hold state visits on April 27 and April 28, respectively.

The theme for this year’s summit is “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”

With Vito Barcelo

land in Barangay Balete and started to break down the fortified concrete barriers of the property that was illegally converted and sold by the Cojuangco-Aquinos’ Tarlac Development Corp. to the Yuchengcos days after the heinous Hacienda Luisita massacre.

The property is part of the bungkalan or collective cultivation area previously tilled by farmworkers before RCBC fenced the property in 2013.

“This is just the start of our actions to reclaim our farmlands. We have demolished the walls—the symbol of the Cojuangco-Aquinos’ land grabbing and terror in Luisita,’’ said Rudy Corpuz, secretary of the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita.

“For decades, we were barred from entering our farmlands.

Private security guards destroyed our crops and harassed our leaders and members. The former DAR under Virgilio delos Reyes implemented the bogus tambiolo land reform raffle.

The Lorenzos of Mindanao invested in Central Azucarera de Tarlac and continue to exploit sugar mill workers and sacadas.

We are fighting back again. It is our right and duty to defend our right to the land and reclaim what is rightfully ours.”

Said KMP secretary general Antonio Flores: “We will continue to assert free land distribution through local peasant struggles, the passage of a genuine agrarian reform program and the approval of a Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the government.”

at 0.7 percent (estimated 155,000 families), flat from December (166,000 families) and September (162,000 families) last year.

Those victimized by common crimes steadied in the last three quarters, or 6.8 percent or equivalent to 1.6 million families.

Those who fell prey to street robbers in the last quarter also increased to 5.3 percent or 1.2

million families compared with December’s 3.3 percent.

SWS noted that despite official figures, “victimization by common crimes reported in SWS surveys is much higher than the number of crimes actually reported.”

In the same survey, those who said that they experienced carjackings rose most in Metro Manila, and by 2.3 points to 3.4

percent, the highest since September 2014’s 3.5 percent.

Respondents in the Visayas said they had no such experience during the survey period.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the increase in the crime incidence was due to the suspension in the police’s anti-drug efforts.

With Joel E. Zurbano

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News IN BRIEF OFWs exempt from paying airport fees MANILA International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal on Monday announced his agency would start on April 30 implementing a new policy exempting overseas Filipino workers from paying terminal fee.

Under the agreement signed by the airport authority with air carriers, OFW exemption shall be recognized at any point of sale in the Philippines or abroad beginning Sunday.

“As they buy their ticket, one has to state or declare that he is an OFW for exemption to be recognized. The selling agent may or may not ask for a proof of entitlement during transaction. If no proof is shown during transaction, the passenger should be able to present one during check-in at NAIA where same shall be validated,” said Monreal.

On July 31, on the other hand, air carriers will start honoring OFW exemptions at any point of sale for tickets purchased online, through telephone and mobile applications.

Among other validation measures that may be adopted by the air carriers, a passenger may be asked to show his proof of entitlement upon check-in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Joel Zurbano

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TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ombudsman: No probable cause to charge Noynoy

By Rio N. Araja

O

MBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales maintained on Monday the dismissal of criminal and administrative charges against former President Benigno Aquino III for the implementation of the P72-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Morales apologized to some people for disappointing them over the case’s dismissal.

She told a CNN Philippines interview there was no probable cause to indict Aquino.

“They want Aquino’s head.

We go by the evidence. If the evidence is there, if it’s rearing its ugly head, why should we not file the case?” she asked.

“But if the evidence does not

merit the determination of probable cause, why should we go to court?”

In July 2011, Aquino appointed Morales as Ombudsman head after her retirement at the Supreme Court.

Despite such, Morales said she did not owe anything to the former president.

“Excuse me, I did not ask for that position. In fact, I was hesitant to accept that position. I wanted the luxury of retirement.

But I was just gullible,” she said.

“Of course, I was challenged, (too).”

On March 7, the Office of the Ombudsman cleared Aquino and former Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary

Mario Relampagos of charges for the implementation of the P72billion DAP in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Only ex-budget Secretary Florencio Abad was found liable in the alleged illegal implementation of DAP. As far as Aquino is concerned, Morales said he did not act in bad faith over DAP’s utilization, saying he even authored a measure to limit the President’s executive power when he was still a senator.

She said she had not committed anything wrong that could lead to her impeachment.

“I am confident, impeachment or no impeachment. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve done noth-

ing wrong that can fall under any ground for impeachment,” she added.

She expressed disappointment over attacks over the dismissal of some high-profile cases at the Sandiganbayan due to the Ombudsman’s alleged delay without considering the merits of the cases.

“Why don’t they look at the Sandiganbayan? Why don’t they look at the regional trial courts?

Why don’t they look at the Supreme Court?” she asked.

“Sometimes, I indulge in self-pity. Why do they look at the Office of the Ombudsman for inordinate delay? They are only looking at the Ombudsman.”

High Court upholds Espina dismissal

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing Director Rainier Espina from the police service in connection with the questionable P400-million combat vehicle repair project of the National Police in 2012.

In a decision dated March 15, 2017, the High Tribunal reversed the 2014 decision of the Court of Appeals downgrading Espina’s liability from grave misconduct and serious dishonesty, as found by the Ombudsman, to simple misconduct, which effectively reinstated him to the police service.

The Court stated that Espina was guilty of gross neglect of duty and should be rightfully dismissed from the police service.

The case stemmed from the alleged “ghost” repair of several light armored vehicles and fictitious payments for repairs and purchases of police vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman filed on Monday graft raps before the Sandiganbayan against two former government officials and incorporators of a foundation linked to Janet Lim Napoles in a P4.86-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.

In a charge sheet, the Ombudsman said Rodolfo Gueib, ex-provincial agricultural officer, and Dennis Araullo, exCalabarzon executive director of the Department of Agriculture, took advantage of their positions to “conspire” with the incorporators of Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. A P30,000 bail was recommended for the provisional liberty of each respondent.

Both were accused of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The other accused were MAMFI president and incorporator Marina Sula; incorporators Lorna Ramirez, Renato Ornopia, Cherry Ann Kilapkilap and Amalia Soriano, and secretary and incorporator Luzviminda Castro.

With Rio Araja

PAL makes emergency landing A PHILIPPINE Airlines plane with more than 200 people on board on its way to Manila made an emergency landing and returned to an airport in Australia after it encountered technical problems on Sunday.

Australian news reported the flight PR212, which was about to arrive in Manila around 5 p.m. Monday, left the Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney at 1:06 p.m. but returned around 2:11 p.m. due to a technical issue.

It stated the plane was later towed away from the runway.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Ma. Cielo Villaluna, PAL External Communications chief and spokesperson, said the A340 aircraft—carrying 218 passengers on board and 14 flight crew (3 pilots/11 cabin crew)—landed safely at the airport and was subjected to a technical check.

No emergency landing happened, she clarified.

Villaluna said the passengers were given hotel accommodations and were being apprised of the situation.

Several affected passengers were rebooked on available PAL Sydney-Manila flights.

Other passengers have been booked on other airlines.

“Safety remains the cornerstone of PAL operations. The airline is seeking the understanding of its passengers as it focuses on ensuring the immediate return to operation of the aircraft,” she added. Joel Zurbano

ENVIRONMENTAL GAMES. Children from different schools mark Earth Day during the weekend at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City with traditional Filipino games and dramatize their protest against climate change.

Children play ‘tumbang preso’ on Earth Day

By Christine F. Herrera WITH such prizes as school supplies, candies and chocolates, school children as young as four years old and park goers were treated to traditional Filipino games to commemorate Earth Day and dramatize their protest against climate change and degradation of environment last weekend at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The Climate Change Network for Community-Based Initiatives sponsored a “Palaro para sa Kalikasan” aimed at starting the kids at a young age to learn to value and protect the environment.

The children came from different schools: St. Theresa’s College, University of the Philippines Integrated School, St. Joseph’s College, Holy Angel School of Caloocan, Charles Science Integrated School and Our Lady Queen of the World,

according to Belna Cabasan, CCNCI executive director.

Cabasan said the games included the pabitin, basagan ng palayok, tumbang preso, among others.

Instead of the usual loots and goodies, Cabasan said the pabitin had words written on labels and pamphlets that said “reduction of gas emissions, gender equality and peace” with corresponding prizes for every message snatched away from the pabitin.

“Wag putulin ang mga puno [Do not cut the trees],” was how five-year-old Skye Lopez from the Holy Angel School understood how she could help protect the environment.

Lopez’s teammate, Domini Ray Amano, 10, from UP-IS, agreed and suggested “To plant more trees.”

Older kids like Ria Marci Amano, 15, also of UP-IS believed, “the communities

must unite and organize themselves to be able to respond to the challenges brought about by climate change.”

The younger ones simply said “We’re here to play and enjoy.”

Most of the children were children of non-government organizations or NGO workers like those from the Philippine Network of Food Security Programs, Citizens Disaster Response Center, Management Advancement Systems Association Incorporated, Solidagro, and Third World Relief Aid, environmentalists and scientists from the University of the Philippines, Diliman who are members of Agham (Scientists and Technologists for the People).

A Belgian-based children’s welfare advocacy group, also helped sponsor and participated in the event.

The children were brought by their parents to the QC park.

Pacquiao seeks probe of Ecija bus tragedy

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

AESTHETIC DISPLAY. The 40 candidates in the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant, on board Mazda

MX-5 Miata Roadster, winner of last year’s World Car of the Year and the World Car Design of the Year Awards, provide a lifting visual experience for shoppers and passers-by during a tour of Cubao in Quezon City in their floral-inspired swimsuits and head pieces designed by Domz Ramos.

SENATOR Manny Pacquiao has sought a Senate inquiry into the Nueva Ecija bus tragedy that resuled in the death of 32 people.

Senator Grace Poe earlier called for the creation of a National Transport Safety Board due to the accident.

On the other hand, Senator JV Ejercito wants to impose stiffer penalties for overloading vehicles as the bus which figured in the accident after falling into a 100feet ravine in Nueva Ecija was reportedly overloaded.

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

In Senate Resolution No. 346 he filed, Pacquiao also wanted the Senate committees on public services and on public works to inquire into the road safety policies and regulations being implemented by agencies.

Pacquiao said the Senate probe was intended to improve road safety standards and protect the lives of millions of passengers and pedestrians.

“It is the duty of the State to enact laws and policies that will ensure a safe, viable, and dependable road safety system in the country in order to protect the welfare of the general public,” read Pacquiao’s resolution.

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nomination of JESSE A. ALVAREZ, PA to the rank of Brigadier General, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above nomination to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings and any other inquiry, contact the CA Secretariat through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713.

24 April 2017.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-APR. 24, 2017)

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

L

Talking with the neighbors

EADERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be in the Philippines this week for a summit.

It’s our turn to be chairman of the regional organization this year.

There will be at least 2,000 visitors coming for the summit and for other meetings beginning Thursday. Heads of state of nine out of 10 member countries will attend; Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will represent her country on behalf of her president, Htin Kyaw.

Adelle Chua, Editor

A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the leaders will “exchange views on pressing regional and international issues.”

The statement betrays the usual criticism of the regional organization’s apparent weak position on issues hounding the region.

And as this year’s lead-

er, the Philippines, primarily through President Rodrigo Duterte, must set an example to its fellow Asean members and occasion a greater feeling of camaraderie and mutual help.

If they must exchange views—no, articulate a stand—Asean leaders would do well to touch on topics that the bloc always just skirted around.

It’s a summit, after all, and nobody expects the participants to go into the details of how it can put up a united front

against China’s territorial bullying, or how it can persuade Suu Kyi—who will be among them—to take up the cause of the long-suffering Rohingya in her country.

In an interview with BBC a few weeks ago, Suu Kyi, who became known as an icon of democracy in Myanmar, denied the Rohingya was being persecuted when she used to denounce human rights violations of every kind.

Other members should

also feel compelled to at least raise questions about reported injustices committed in the name of the war against illegal drugs —without of course appearing rude to the hosts. As diplomats, these leaders will know how to carry a sensitive but all important conversation.

Another issue is how the region can collectively act in efforts to curb climate change.

After all, most of its members are vulnerable to natural disasters,

both by virtue of geography and resilience.

Finally, the regional population will need a clearer message about the progress of the Asean integration especially as it applies to migration, labor and trade. Will local farmers, for instance, have to brace themselves for worse, or better times?

The next few days will be a good opportunity to make meaningful talk to our neighbors—and no, we don’t just mean pleasantries.

The Gospels of Easter

Provocation FORMATION GARY OLIVAR LAST week, a boatload of Filipino fishermen claimed to have been chased away from their fishing grounds by a Chinese coast guard vessel sometime late March. The Chinese reportedly fired warning shots at the fishermen, prompting them to cut their anchor line and flee in a panic.

The Chinese denied any knowledge of the incident and promised to cooperate in any investigation.

But if proven true, this would be the first hostile encounter in nearly a year between the two countries.

More recently, last Friday a couple of Philippine military cargo planes carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP chief of staff General Ed Año were challenged over Chinese radio as they were approaching the airport runway of Pag-asa Island on an inspection trip.

Nothing untoward happened,

and Lorenzana later dismissed the incident as just “automatic protocol” on the part of the Chinese.

Nonetheless, it’s evident that these senior defense officials of ours were put in harm’s way during those brief moments.

As if trying to rub it in, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman later expressed “grave concern and dissatisfaction” over what was simply a routine visit by Philippine officials to an island that has been continuously settled by Filipinos since the early seventies and is administratively part of a Philippine municipality, Kalayaan town in Palawan. *** One certainly can’t accuse the Chinese of sleeping on the job. As they have reclaimed land and built their jetties, runways, and monitoring stations on one island after another, they have also assiduously cultivated our friendship while periodically probing the strength of our political will with these occasional provocations.

The real reason they’re taking over those islands is no secret. It’s not (yet?) because they want to an-

nex the Philippines, or because of some mysterious reserves of the deuterium “miracle fuel” lying at the bottom of the disputed waters.

Their objective is simply to deny absolute freedom of passage to US naval forces. And the reason for this denial is to allow the

One certainly can’t accuse the Chinese of sleeping on the job.

Chinese to convert the seas off the Asian mainland into their own submarine pen as they go about building a truly blue-water navy to challenge US maritime supremacy over the long term.

It’s a big-power game that nonetheless still leaves room for fishermen from around the region to

continue to fish in these waters, and more grandly for neighboring countries to conceive of crossborder joint ventures to develop all manner of undersea wealth.

One such example from the time of former President Arroyo was the three-way undertaking among the national oil companies of China, Vietnam, and the Philippines to jointly conduct submarine oil exploration. Such joint ventures are standard practice in the oil industry, especially during the earliest stages of exploration when the risk of failure is at its highest. *** However, the Aquino administration got off to a rocky start by angering China over their botched handling of the Luneta hostage massacre. Then they proceeded to throw fuel on the fire by bringing the question of maritime sovereignty to international arbitration.

It was a process that the Chinese did not acknowledge from the very start, thereby taking the wind out of an arbitration proceeding that, by definition, ought to be voluntary among all parties.

Neither did the eventual ruling

directly address the sovereignty issue. It only established the nature and boundaries of various classes of rights to be enjoyed by the different claimants. Nonetheless, this was, perhaps inadvertently, a Solomonic decision that opened the way for China and the Philippines to bilaterally agree to cooperate wherever possible while setting aside unsettled issues.

Unfortunately, what looked fine in theory has turned out different in practice. In the real world, China vastly dominates us on firepower. And so we’ve had no choice but to grin and bear it while the Chinese go about building their new islands and scolding us from time to time for behaving impertinently.

Our President is a proud man, no less than his predecessors. So it must be particularly galling for him to have to go along in order to get along. But even if he’s not above playing to audiences with his occasional faux braggadocio, he remains a realistic man who will not put military or civilian lives needlessly in harm’s way.

In a tacit quid pro quo, Du-

OVER the next few weeks, I will continue to share my spiritual reflections and this time focusing on the Gospels of Easter. This is a special season and it comes at a time of great uncertainty for the world and the country. Using the lens that everything is grace and that hope abounds will be helpful to many of my reasons.

For instance, last Sunday was a special day. On this day, we celebrate both the Second Sunday of Easter and the Divine Mercy Sunday. What used to be called Low Sunday—a time to relax from the strict regimen of Lent and the intensity of Holy Week—we now celebrate, a day when God showers special graces of forgiveness and mercy to whosoever asks.

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, in an article on crux.com, explains how this happened: “In asking why we lost our Low Sunday, therefore, the response is painfully obvious. The human family is still in tremendous need of healing and hope, of both receiving mercy and sharing compassion with one another.” According to Kirby, “Low Sunday now bows to the Divine Mercy Sunday so that forgiveness and tenderness are proclaimed and the world hears a different message than one of emptiness or hate and is shown a path to reconciliation and peace.”

St. Faustina, a humble polish nun, sparked this great movement when in the 1930s she received extraordinary revelations which she recorded in her diary. Our Lord told her, “In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart.”

The essence of Christ’s message to St. Faustina is that we are living in a time of mercy.

The present age, more than any other in history, calls for a great outpouring of the mercy of God. Surely, we need only to see what is happening all around us to realize that we are indeed living in the age of mercy. Wars, famines, killings, broken families, hunger and all sorts of pestilence hover all over us. The horrible civil war in Syria and other corners of the globe, the scourge of terrorism that seem to visit every corner of the world and even locally, the thousands of unresolved

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Opinion TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

A wake-up call DURING the Holy Week, I had enough time to recall my beginnings as a journalist. I have been in the business for over 66 years now, having gone full circle in print, radio and television.

I used to dream of being a lawyer.

In fact, having lawyers and doctors in the family was the dream of Ilocano parents. This is why I took law electives when I was a Bachelor of Arts student at Ateneo right after the Japanese occupation. And then I pursued law studies.

But four years before I became a lawyer, I volunteered, together with my friend and classmate Rudy Tupas, to help the Oblate missionaries of Cotabato (which was a big province at that time; not divided as it is now) with their weekly publication, the Mindanao Cross.

Santa Banana, at that time, the newspaper had 70,000 to 80,000 copies printed weekly. It was required reading in all Notre Dame schools run by the Oblate missionaries.

The reason the late Oblate Fr. Cuttbert Billman readily accepted us was that Tupas was editor in chief and I was associate editor of The Guidon, Ateneo’s paper that was named, numerous times, as the Best School Publication.

My two-year stay as editor of the Mindanao Cross in Cotabato City at that time was a learning experience.

This was also where I met my wife.

I was assigned to every provincial and city agency.

And how I loved my job.

After my stint in Cotabato City, I returned to Manila to continue my law studies even as I did not enjoy it much. I passed the Bar in 1954 and found myself the junior partner of the Salonga & Ordoñez Law Offices on Escolta, the premier address at that time.

I was, however, not too happy as a lawyer. I wanted some adventure and excitement.

But at that early age, I must have had the printer’s ink in my veins. I loved so much the morning meetings at the defunct Botica Boie on Escolta to discuss economic and political issues.

Thus, when I had the opportunity to join The Philippines Herald, at that time run by the late taipan and mogul, Don Vicente Madrigal, I grabbed it.

By a stroke of good luck, the business editor at that time had to take time off because he was reviewing for the Bar. So I applied for the post, complete with a recommendation letter from Don Vicente. Then-Herald editor in chief Felix Gonzales pointed to a desk with a typewriter and said: “Jurado, that is your desk and you are now business editor.”

I knew my prayers were heard.

My legal training, however, did not go to waste. In fact, it helped me as a journalist because I tended to look at things from a legal standpoint.

Six decades later, I am still here.

And I can say that journalism is not a profession but a calling.

If you think journalism is a way to get rich, think again. I was just lucky for having a wife who worked long and hard for our family. At

times, she earned more than I did.

This is why I am still pounding on my old Olympia typewriter. *** The Social Weather Stations March 26-28 survey says 78 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs, while 12 percent are dissatisfied. Thus there is a net satisfaction rating of 66 percent, classified as “very good.”

This score is 11 percentage points below and one grade lower from the government’s “excellent” showing of 77 percent net (85 percent satisfied, 8 percent dissatisfied) in the previous survey held in December.

What is more significant, however, is that the same survey also showed 73 percent saying that they are worried that they or someone they knew would become victims in Duterte’s war against drugs.

It also found that 66 percent felt it “very important” and 26 percent felt it “somehow important” that suspects involved in illegal drugs be capture alive.

The SWS survey added that opinion is split about the claim of the Philippine National Police that those killed were resisting arrest.

Twenty-four percent say the police are telling the truth but 31 percent say they are lying.

Santa Banana, I find this SWS poll disturbing!

In fact, I would like to say this should be a wake-up call for President Duterte to evaluate his campaign against illegal drugs. It is clear that public support for it is waning.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, former PNP chief, had stated that the police must take a new tack in the war against drugs. Authorities should concentrate on finding out who are involved in extrajudicial killings if the administration expects public support.

Malacañang cannot just disregard the findings of SWS even as it may not like them. While the net satisfaction rating remains high, I can predict that the next numbers will not be as good. Support is waning, and this is a message loud and clear. Mr. Duterte and PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa must listen.

The President must realize that support for his anti-drug campaign is waning.

Provocation...

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terte early on described China as a preferred partner for bringing in investment, trade, and credit.

By shifting the focus of the relationship to the economic and the cultural (“people to people”), he has deftly avoided confrontation and opened the door for huge economic gains.

It’s a great strategy that keeps Filipinos out of harm’s way while we buy more time to improve our military defenses and put up a plausible fight someday. The strategy makes a lot of sense…. and yet. And yet.

*** In 1996, President Fidel Ramos went on a state visit to Moscow. I was with the business delegation that joined the President on this trip and I suggested to him that we businessmen should organize ourselves into a group that would help any President, not just FVR, in attracting foreign investments.

Ramos thought of “Team Philippines” but many did not like it because it sounded like an athletic team. It was soon rebranded into Philippines Inc. When Benigno Aquino III came to power, he was cool to Philippines Inc. “because Jurado is in it.” That’s when I resigned.

Under the Duterte administration, Philippines Inc. somehow became irrelevant. The President had his own choice of whom to bring— a group that now includes the blogger, Mocha Uson.

asset yields abroad, and increase their presence on the global stage through regional institutions like the AIIB. In addition, there are many other countries out there who would love to invest in us or trade with us, with whom our relationship is more congenial. We can find them in North Asia, in the developed part of Asean, in the Middle East with all our OFWs, in central and eastern Europe.

Sure, they may charge us more for their deals. But whatever we may leave on the table with them by comparison with the aggressive terms usually offered by the Chinese, we ought to be happy to absorb it as a price worth paying to maintain our negotiating leverage and our national pride.

*** Former President Ramos has already started chafing at the bit and recommended going back to the international arbitrator after the latest incidents. Peacemaker though he may be, his West PointReaders can write me at er’s heart still beats strong. gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

And we should remember that the Chinese need the economic LOWDOWN partnership with us at least as much as we need them. By investJOJO A. ing heavily in countries like ours, ROBLES they are able to drain away excess liquidity in their financial system, push down their currency to stay Jojo Robles’ column will resume export-competitive, realize higher tomorrow

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

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China’s control problem

By Christopher Balding WHEN it emerged last week that China Minsheng Banking Corp. had sold $436 million in suspect wealth-management products, fears rose of a collapse in the loosely regulated market for such products. It now looks like a more mundane case of forgery involving a branch manager. But that’s not exactly reassuring: In fact, it suggests a different kind of systemic risk.

Internal controls—such as auditing, document verification and risk management—are part of the dull machinery of financial markets, which most people never notice. Yet such tedious tasks are vitally important. What can start as corner-cutting at one business unit can quickly spiral into a threat to the whole company and beyond.

In much of corporate China, weak internal controls are the norm. Banks are reluctant to spend money on database or compliance software. Forged corporate seals have been used to conduct billions of dollars in seemingly legitimate trading. Nearly 60 percent of Chinese executives say that unethical behavior is acceptable to keep a company going or to meet revenue

targets. In short, investors and regulators have reason to worry.

And these worries aren’t merely theoretical. Large thefts or losses from Chinese banks—ranging up to $560 million, in one case—happen with frightening regularity. What makes these cases so egregious isn’t the sophistication and planning that goes into them but the relative ease with which employees walk out the door with stolen yuan in a briefcase. The thefts look less like mastermind plots from a heist movie than like a cartoon.

Many major firms impose few controls beyond what the person in charge says. I know of companies that accept hard-copy reports from regional managers with no auditing to verify information. The data is then entered by hand into basic spreadsheets used to oversee the whole operation. Although foreign investment banks typically store all employee communications conducted on company-issued phones and computers —and often use artificial intelligence to verify compliance—in China it remains strikingly common for people to list private e-mail addresses on their business cards.

Without precautions, this kind of

thing could become a systemic problem. A bank executive sitting in an office without a strong IT system, risk-management software or internal auditing department relies solely on reports from provincial managers.

When those managers have wide latitude in how they classify loans, and an incentive to downplay their nonperforming loan ratios, it’s quite likely that risks will be underestimated by the executives—not to mention by regulators in faraway Beijing.

Worse, firms copy each other. If one bank gains a competitive advantage by creatively cutting corners—and seems to get away with it—others will catch on in rapid succession. The variety of financial companies suffering significant losses because of poor internal controls in recent years suggests that these aren’t isolated incidents.

The good news is that internal controls matter to markets. Investors seem to be pricing Chinese bank stocks on the low side, expecting additional unpleasant surprises or remaining skeptical of the official story on non-performing loans. And smaller banks, less able to hide losses with lower loan-to-deposit ratios, are showing higher levels of stress than

large ones.

Even so, China’s regulators need to do more. For starters, they should require improved financial reporting and auditing. Every Chinese bank that sells shares in Hong Kong readily concedes that regulatory standards— from loan classifications to accounting guidelines—are different on the mainland. The problem at Minsheng was reportedly only detected when the head office got a phone tip, not through internal mechanisms designed to prevent mismanagement. If that’s a problem at Minsheng, which is known for good management and technology, it’s a safe bet that other banks are doing worse.

When Beijing instituted regulations on government travel not long ago, as part of an anti-corruption campaign, it quickly got things under control: Spending has risen by only 0.3 percent since 2011, and is budgeted to fall in 2017, thanks to improved internal controls. The same could happen in the private sector with better accounting and auditing standards.

That would bring more transparency to China’s markets. And transparency will set you free. Bloomberg

Justice Vicente Mendoza on federalism HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA LAST week, the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association Inc., under the leadership of its president, Atty. Ramon Maronilla, organized a forum on federalism at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman.

Since federalism was the topic, it was no surprise that many UP alumni, officials, faculty, and students attended the forum. After all, President Rodrigo Duterte seems determined enough to replace the existing unitary government of the Philippines with a federal one.

Another reason for the success of the forum was the choice of speakers—ex-UP President Jose Abueva and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente V. Mendoza.

Dr. Abueva is a scholar on political issues, and Justice Mendoza is an acknowledged authority on Constitutional Law. Both are distinguished UP alumni.

Abueva declared that he favors retaining the existing unitary government, and that the solution to the nation’s social and political woes lies not in creating a federal government, but in putting up a parliamentary one, devoid of political dynasties. His disdain for political dynasties was wellreceived by the audience.

Justice Mendoza began his speech by stating that the proposal to create a federal government in the Philippines is fraught with dire consequences too serious to ignore.

Breaking up the country into eleven autonomous states, Mendoza said, is federalism in reverse procedure. He noted that existing federal governments throughout the world were formed when na-

tions (not mere provinces or political regions) agree to unite by surrendering part of their individual sovereignty, while retaining some degree of individual independence.

By way of example, Mendoza cited the United States of America which was formed when 13 population centers in North America simultaneously declared their independence from Great Britain, but eventually united as a federal nation when they realized that they had a better chance at defending their independence by force should the British try to reimpose their colonial authority on them.

Mendoza also cited the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia. Canada was established when its three provinces agreed to unite because they feared being overrun by American expansionism. For its part, Australia was established when its six population centers united for fear of conquest by Prussia, which manifested its presence in the Pacific, by Germany which occupied parts of nearby New Guinea, and

by France which colonized neighboring New Caledonia.

The common denominator of those federal governments, Mendoza revealed, is the prior existence of distinct, autonomous communities, which eventually found a need to federalize in order to gain political or military strength. The Philippine attempt at federalism, Mendoza stressed, is the reverse—the fragmentation of an independent country into smaller, weaker, separate units.

To repeat, Mendoza predicted that the move towards federalism has dire consequences for the nation.

First, if the federal adventure fails, there will be no turning back. The component states that once made up the independent country called the Philippines will find themselves bereft of moor-

ings. They will inevitably become weak entities and become easy prey to other nations.

Many analysts agree with Mendoza. So far, Communist China (which has seized Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea in violation of international law) and Malaysia (which tried to dismember the Philippines by its involvement in the now-defunct Bangsamoro Basic Law) have no regard for the territorial integrity of the Philippines. Imagine the island-seizing buffet Beijing and Kuala Lumpur will enjoy when the islands comprising what used to be the country called the Philippines become helpless “states.”

Second, the change in the political landscape of the Philippines will intensify existing regional differences, or even create differences where there are none. Past efforts at national unity will be put to naught.

Third, local tyrants or regional despots will arise in lieu of a national dictator. Right now, there are many warlords in Mindanao.

What will happen when these warlords seize the reins of state government?

Mendoza also emphasized that even if the Philippines is an archipelago, this fact does not, by itself, warrant a federal government. He said that 2,000 of the 7,000 islands comprising the archipelago are uninhabited, and that the archipelago’s islands constitute one country that has fought wars under one flag and sings one anthem. Filipinos, Mendoza added, may speak different languages, but Filipinos have both a national language and English which allow them to communicate with one another.

While the country, Mendoza said, may have some isolated problems concerning diversity, the Constitution addresses that problem precisely by creating autonomous regions in the Cordilleras and in Muslim Mindanao.

Parenthetically, Mendoza mentioned that the Bangsamoro Basic Law failed to pass in the last Congress because many of its provisions were perceived to be unconstitutional for creating not an autonomous region but a Bangsamoro sub-state.

Mendoza acknowledged that the concentration of power in the national government is the main obstacle to the even development of the country. That notwithstanding, Mendoza maintained that the solution is the decentralization of the national government, not federalism.

Decentralization, Mendoza explained, is a managerial concept involving the delegation of administrative powers to local governments while keeping policy determination in the central government. Mendoza emphasized that decentralization has been the policy under all the operative charters of the Philippines, as seen in numerous laws, past and present, calling for more autonomy for local government units. He cited, among others, the Local Government Code of 1991 which allots to local government units an unprecedented bigger share in government revenues.

In fine, Mendoza warned against an unorthodox approach to a problem that can be addressed through conventional means, because radical solutions often give rise to other, more serious problems. His reference to what the constitutionalist Paul Freund once said is very timely—“if it isn’t necessary to change, it is necessary not to change.”

Explaining the passion and enthusiasm that attended his speech, Justice Mendoza lamented, “We already lost Sabah, and we are now losing Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea. I cannot allow any further dismemberment of the Republic.”

mercy, he renders Me the greatest praise, and becomes the glory of My Passion. When a soul praises My goodness, Satan trembles before it and flees to the very bottom of hell” (Diary, 378). Surely, this is the day that God will bestow extraordinary graces to even the foulest of sinners, the vilest of his creatures.”

In last Sunday’s Gospel, divine mercy is also emphasized. In his appearance to the apostles, the resurrected Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to the apostles: “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” This authority has been passed on to the priests that minister to us.

The second part of Sunday’s Gospel tells us about Apostle Thomas who, in his uncompromising honesty, demands a personal vision of, and physical contact with, the risen Jesus as a condition for his belief. Only when Jesus, the risen Lord, appeared to Thomas that he was able to overcome his unbelief and his doubts. When is why the Lord said: “Blessed are those who have not seen but have believed.”

Today, there is an almost an

overpowering temptation not to believe in God. Cardinal Chito Tagle, in his Easter Vigil homily, pointed to the tombs we bury ourselves in: “How many people have been enticed to enter pearly gates which are really tombs?

Tombs of vices. Tombs of illegal drugs. Tombs of corruption.

Tombs of abuse of women, children, the helpless. Tombs of consumerism, materialism, human trafficking. All of these, new tombs, but they are presented like they are mansions, promising a good life, a good life, a successful life—but tombs.”

But the good Cardinal reminds us: “Please do not get discouraged.

We know that the tomb is empty.

We know that Jesus is alive, and he will not be touched by death again. We have to believe in that.

We have to search for him, we have to see him, and we have to proclaim him. As guns and bombs make noise in the world, sing your alleluia! Don’t let the bombs and the gunfire dominate our alleluia.

By the grace of God, the Gospels of Easter where the Risen Christ appears to his disciples in different ways and emphasizing

diverse messages, will remind us of this. Like in the case of the doubting Thomas, in all these appearances, Christ only asks of us to believe in order to see. For it is not doubt but faith that makes his presence become more palpable in our lives. He who depends on him like a child, and obeys him without question will be guided by his spirit that will make his spiritual presence felt as much as his physical presence. The key that would unlock God’s heart is humility in acknowledging our sins and wholehearted faith in him. If we have these, we will see that Cardinal Tagle is right: “Love prevails. Hope prevails.

The Risen Lord bears the marks of his wounds, and through those wounds, a person, that with pain, knows there is meaning to what I’m going through.

Jesus is truly risen. Let us search for him. We will find him. He will find us, and go to the rest of the world telling the Good News. Let us pause and welcome Jesus, who bears the life, the power of God. He comes to us.”

The Gospels...

From A4 killings seem to have become so rampant to the point that we have become so morally desensitized and callous to all these happenings. The value of human life has become so degraded that one life taken away is just another statistic. In the midst of all these, we tend to seek consolation and answers in all sorts of mundane contrivances and devices yet tribulations persist and even seem to worsen. Truly, Jesus told Sr. Faustina: “Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy (Diary, 300).”

Yet in all these troubles, God never sleeps. He sees the suffering of his people. We only need to be humble and with a contrite heart acknowledge the kingship of Christ. As Jesus said to St. Faustina, “Let no sinner be afraid to approach Me.” According to Faustina’s Diary, Jesus invites each one of us to yield to His infinite mercy, to trust in His compassion and forgiveness. Great graces are promised to those who proclaim His great mercy: “I shall protect them Myself at the hour of death, as My own glory. And even if the sins of the soul are as dark as night, when the sinner turns to My

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Church urged to stand firm vs fake news

BOOK LAUNCH. Former President Fidel V. Ramos does the fist sign with Manila Water Corp.’s president and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz (middle) and author Melandrew T. Velasco following the autograph signing of ‘RPDEV @ 15: Our Continuing Voyage for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development’ last April 21 at the MWSS building along UP Balara, Quezon City. With teamwork, the Philippines can still work its way up the top 20 or even higher, says FVR in his message during the launching of the commemorative book.

Stressing that the Philippines was in the upper half for over 25 years compared to its present ranking at 116th out of the 190 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, Ramos said that our country can still soar higher through Unity, Solidarity and Teamwork as well as Caring.

Lino Santos

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Monday slammed the people behind the spreading of fake news on social media, saying the Catholic church will stand by the truth.

In a message, LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the proliferation of fake news on social media is a big challenge to the Catholic Church’s mission to proclaim its teachings.

The CBCP president said in his homily during the canonical installation of new Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera that the church must stand their ground against fake news by proclaiming the truth nevertheless.

He described the social media as highly technological fake news.

He called on all priests and Catholic leaders to spread only the truth amid wide spread of fake news, and to proclaim only the truth.

“It is no longer the pagans who killed Christians. It is our own brothers and sisters, Christian be-

lievers of Christ who caused the death of one another,” he said.

Villegas reiterated the call to the faithful to defend church teachings on the sanctity of life amid divisive public policies.

“Stand up for life nevertheless, Archbishop. People shout separation of church and state [when] what they actually want is separation of God and man, stay with God, Archbishop Gilbert, and show us the face of God, and in a new ministry show us, teach us that there should no separation between God,” Villegas added.

Earlier, Villegas lamented that bishops have become “martyrs” and “punching bags” of trolls in social media, amid their criticisms of administration’s policies like the war on drugs and the push to revive the death penalty.

US, PH troops set 33rd Balikatan exercises AMERICAN and Filipino soldiers will conduct a joint training and medical assistance in the 33rd edition of Balikatan on May 8 to 19 at multiple locations in Luzon and the Visayas region, a US Embassy statement on Monday said.

Molly Koscina, US Embassy Press Attaché said that the Philippine and US forces will kick off Exercise Balikatan 33-2017 through community engagement activities in Panay, Leyte, and Samar.

“US and Filipino service members will work together to renovate five schools and conduct community medical engagements with local residents in the opening days of the 12-day military training exercise. Preliminary work on community infrastructure projects began mid-April,” Koscina said.

Balikatan 33-2017 incorporates high value training events designed to enhance the capabilities of both AFP and US armed forces. The training focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in order to improve response effectiveness and speed in the event of natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety.

“Balikatan is designed to meet current challenges facing the Philippines.”

Along with preparing the US forces’ and AFP’s ability to respond to natural disasters and deliver humanitarian aid, Balikatan will also increase our militaries’ counterterrorism capabilities, the US official said in a statement. Vito Barcelo

IN BRIEF Oil firms roll back pump prices THE country’s oil firms rolled back pump prices by as much as P0.40 per liter to reflect the movement of world oil prices in the local market.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Petron Corp., Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Flying V, Eastern Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, among others, cut pump prices effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

The oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P0.40 per liter for kerosene, P0.30 per diesel and P0.20 per liter for gasoline.

“Petron is pleased to announce the following price rollbacks effective 12:01 a.m., April 25: P0.20 per liter for Blaze 100 Euro 6, XCS, and Xtra Advance, P0.30 per liter for Turbo Diesel and DieselMax. and P0.40 per liter for kerosene,” the company said.

“These reflect movements in the international market,” Petron, the country’s state oil firm, said.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella earlier said that domestic oil price movements are dictated by the movement in the world market.

“In the world oil market, there are a lot of factors affecting prices such as foreign exchange, oversupply, undersupply, increase in demand or decline in demand. Also peace and order issues for oil producers. We have no control and no economist can predict the movement of oil prices,” Fuentebella said.

Last April 18, most oil companies implemented a P0.45 per liter increase in gasoline, P0.60 per liter in diesel and P0.60 per liter in kerosene.

Prior to today’s adjustment, yearto-date, total adjutments resulted to net increase in both products, i.e. gasoline at P1.14/liter and diesel at P0.65/liter.

Liquefied petroleum gas remains with net increase of P4.09 per kilo.

Last April 11, the oil companies also implemented an increase of

P1.10 per liter for gasoline and P0.90 per liter for diesel and kerosene. Alena Mae S. Flores

2 fall in SSS ‘Operation Tokhang’ THE Social Security System had effected the arrest of a doctor and a school owner today on its third “Operation Tokhang” led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police for violation of Republic Act 8282, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 1997.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that the SSS is happy that the operation led to the arrest of Erlinda N. Binanitan, owner of Skill Power Institute (SPI) and Dr. Realiza G. Henson, Board of Director of Silver Stream Publishing Corp.

“We are happy that the CIDG joined by our team were able to arrest the two employers. The SSS has been doing everything to crack down on these erring employers.

We have warned them several times that we will use the strength of the law to ensure that we get what’s due for our members,” said Dooc.

Based on records, Henson was implicated along with Victor and Conchita Caluag, but the case against Henson was archived because she has not been arraigned.

The warrant of arrest was issued for the court to have the authority to try the case against Henson.

Silver Stream Publishing Corp. has an outstanding obligation of about P6 million for unpaid contributions including penalties as of to date.

The warrant of arrest was served to Henson at her clinic in private hospital in Quezon City where the accused is working as a doctor.

“With the arrest of Henson, we can finally prosecute the case against her. However, we still seek the assistance of the public to give us information on the whereabouts of Ma. Antonietta Henson who has been in hiding since the filing of the case against them,” said Dooc.

Regional Bids and Awards Committee - Region II & Eastern CAR LANDBANK Tuguegarao Capitol Branch, Regional Government Center Barig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee - Region II & Eastern CAR (RBAC-II & ECAR), invites Rural Banks and Cooperatives to bid for the hereunder projects: ITB No. 2017-2-002 Service of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program Cash Grants to Beneficiaries for CY 2017 for Region II for February 2017 to January 28, 2018 Payrolls (May, July, September & November 2017 and January & March 2018 Payouts). Regional Coverage B. OFFSITE Province and Municipality CAGAYAN Abulog Alcala Allacapan Amulung Aparri Baggao Baggao Ballesteros Buguey Calayan Calamaniugan Claveria Enrile Gattaran Gattaran Gonzaga Gonzaga Iguig Lal-lo Lasam Pamplona Peñablanca Piat Rizal Sanchez Mira Santa Ana Santa Praxedes Santta Teresita Santo Niño (Faire) Solana Tuao Cagayan Total QUIRINO Aglipay Aglipay Cabarroguis (Capital) Cabarroguis (Capital) Diffun Diffun Maddela Nagtipunan Nagtipunan Saguday Quirino Total

Number of CCT Type Service Fee/ Approved Budget for Beneficiaries Beneficiary the Contract (ABC) 602 941 839 246 40 281 1,928 232 949 1,029 4 23 52 201 1,286 121 938 109 138 928 56 129 172 797 42 115 5 493 1,144 608 129 14,666

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

PhP 21.00 21.00 34.00 40.00 40.00 45.00 35.00 23.00 35.00 37.00 35.00 40.00 40.00 45.00 35.00 45.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 40.00 35.00 40.00 35.00 40.00 38.00 40.00 35.00 35.00 40.00 40.00

103 962 546 45 233 723 38 680 1,053 55

MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular

PhP 45.00 35.00 45.00 40.00 45.00 36.00 40.00 45.00 35.00 40.00

Php

75,852.00 118,566.00 171,156.00 59,040.00 30,960.00 75,870.00 404,880.00 32,016.00 199,290.00 228,438.00 840.00 5,520.00 12,480.00 54,270.00 270,060.00 32,670.00 196,980.00 22,890.00 28,980.00 194,880.00 13,440.00 27,090.00 41,280.00 167,370.00 10,080.00 26,220.00 1,200.00 103,530.00 240,240.00 145,920.00 30,960.00 Php 3,022,968.000 Php

27,810.00 202,020.00 147,420.00 10,800.00 62,910.00 156,168.00 9,120.00 183,600.00 221,130.00 13,200.00

Php 1,034,17800

4,438

Province and Municipality ISABELA Angadanan Benito Soliven Cabagan City of Cauayan Delfin Albano (Magsaysay) Dinapigue Divilacan Divilacan Echague Gamu Ilagan Maconacon Naguilian Palanan Palanan Quezon San Agustin San Guillermo San Mariano San Mariano San Pablo Santo Tomas Isabela Total NUEVA VIZCAYA Alfonso Castañeda Ambaguio Aritao Bagabag Bambang Bayombong (Capital) Bayombong (Capital) Diadi Diadi Dupax del Norte Dupax del Sur Kasibu Kasibu Kayapa Kayapa Quezon Santa Fe Solano Villaverde Nueva Vizcaya Total

Number of CCT Type Service Fee/ Approved Budget for Beneficiaries Beneficiary the Contract (ABC) PhP 38.00 24.00 38.00 24.00 24.00

1,563 1,317 545 772 828

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

231 20 339 434 643 2,657 257 828 97 1,141 811 443 1,109 963 2,720 215 811 18,744

Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular

40.00 50.00 40.00 24.00 38.00 38.00 40.00 24.00 50.00 40.00 24.00 40.00 24.00 45.00 24.00 50.00 24.00

394 707 746 60 27 522 256 362 253 634 295 628 1,409 615 1,125 315 869 6 134 9,357

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular MCCT IP Regular Regular Regular

PhP 38.00 38.00 26.00 40.00 40.00 45.00 38.00 45.00 25.00 38.00 38.00 45.00 25.00 45.00 38.00 38.00 25.00 40.00 40.00

Php

356,364.00 189,648.00 124,260.00 111,168.00 119,232.00

55,440.00 6,000.00 81,360.00 62,496.00 146,604.00 605,796 61,680.00 119,232.00 29,100.00 273,840.00 116,784.00 106,320.00 159,696.00 260,010.00 391,680.00 64,500.00 116,784.00 Php 3,557,994.00 Php

89,832.00 161,196.00 116,376.00 14,400.00 6,480.00 140,940.00 58,368.00 97,740.00 37,950.00 144,552.00 67,260.00 169,560.00 211,350.00 166,050.00 256,500.00 71,820.00 130,350.00 1,440.00 32,160.00 Php 1,974,324.00

ONSITE Province and Municipality CAGAYAN Abulog Alcala Allacapan Aparri Ballesteros Calayan Calamaniugan Claveria Iguig Lasam Peñablanca Piat Sanchez Mira Santa Ana Santa Praxedes Solana Tuao Tuguegarao City (Capital) Cagayan Total NUEVA VIZCAYA Aritao Bambang Bayombong (Capital) Diadi Dupax del Sur Kasibu Solano Villaverde Nueva Vizcaya Total QUIRINO Aglipay Cabarroguis (Capital) Diffun Maddela Nagtipunan Saguday Quirino Total

Number of CCT Type Service Fee/ Approved Budget for Beneficiaries Beneficiary the Contract (ABC) 349 84 41 8 676 46 45 52 4 102 24 15 5 538 16 7 4 93

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

PhP 23.00 23.00 23.00 24.00 22.00 24.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00

2,109 50 43 31 454 316 199 46 32 1,171

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

7 19 2 29 40 7 104

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

PhP 24.00 22.00 22.00 24.00 24.00 22.00 22.00 22.00

Php

28,162.00 11,592.00 5,658.00 1,152.00 89,232.00 6,624.00 5,940.00 6,864.00 528.00 13,464.00 3,168.00 1,980.00 660.00 71,016.00 2,112.00 924.00 528.00 12,276.00

Php

281,880.00

Php

7,200.00 5,676.00 4,092.00 103,326.00 45,504.00 26,268.00 6,072.00 4,224.00 164,412.00

Php PhP 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 24.00 22.00

Php

Php

924.00 2,508.00 264.00 3,828.00 5,760.00 924.00 14,208.00

Province and Municipality ISABELA Alicia Aurora Burgos Cabagan Cabatuan City of Cauayan City of Santiago Cordon Echague Ilagan Jones Luna Mallig Naguilian Quirino Ramon Reina Mercedes Roxas San Agustin San Isidro San Manuel San Mateo San Pablo Santa Maria Tumauini Isabela Total

Number of CCT Type Service Fee/ Approved Budget for Beneficiaries Beneficiary the Contract (ABC) 106 44 37 198 53 144 136 239 265 123 47 24 30 11 41 52 30 77 4 97 50 102 41 44 108 2,103

Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

PhP 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 24.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00

Php

Php

13,992.00 5,808.00 4,884.00 26,136.00 6,996.00 19,008.00 17,952.00 31,548.00 34,980.00 16,236.00 6,204.00 3,168.00 3,960.00 1,452.00 5,412.00 6,864.00 3,960.00 10,164.00 576.00 12,804.00 6,600.00 13,464.00 5,412.00 5,808.00 14,256.00 277,644.00

Interested bidders shall bid on a per province basis comprising of Onsite and Offsite.

TOTALS FOR OFFSITE AND ONSITE CAGAYAN ISABELA NUEVA VIZCAYA QUIRINO

- 16,775 Beneficiaries; Php 3,304,920.00 ABC - 20,847 Beneficiaries; Php 3,835,638.00 ABC - 10,528 Beneficiaries; Php 2,138,736.00 ABC - 4,542 Beneficiaries; Php 1,048,386.00 ABC

Bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use the non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Awarding of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The schedule of activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Advertisement Pre-Bid Conference Submission and Opening of Bids Post Qualification Issuance of Notice to Award Issuance of Notice to Proceed

SCHEDULE April 25, 2017 May 3, 2017, 1:00 PM at LBP Tuguegarao Capitol Branch May 12, 2017, 1:30 PM at LBP Tuguegarao Capitol Branch May 12, 2017 May 24, 2017 May 31, 2017

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable non-refundable amount to the LANDBANK Cashier, Tuguegarao Capitol Branch.

LANDBANK reserves the right to (a) reject any and all bids at any time prior to the award of the contract; (b) waive any minor formal requirements in the bid documents; (c) accept such bids, it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region II & Eastern CAR

Sports

A7

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

ICTSI, Villamor revive PH Masters T HE Philippine Masters, which used to be one of local version’s major championships, makes its long awaited return on the golfing calendar at its home at Villamor Golf Club next month with a crack international field tipped to see action.

Dubbed the ICTSI-Villamor Philippine Masters, the P2 million event set May 24-27 is expected to lure some of the region’s top and rising players since it will be held on the break of the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.

Cassius Casas last ruled the

event in 2000 before golf took a major hit following the economic turmoil and the ban on tobacco sponsorship of sporting events.

But with ICTSI and Villamor finally staging the fabled event after a 17-year wait, it is expected to stay on the tour calendar as one of the highlight events of

each Philippine Golf Tour.

“It’s very significant for the Philippine Masters to make its comeback in its original home,” said retired Col. Oscar Calingasan, now general manager of the Villamor Air Base Golf Club, during yesterday’s launch.

Also present during the launch were Major Gen. Conrado Parra, Philippine Air Force vice commander and VABGC chairman; Narlene Soriano, executive director of PGT and ICTSI Public Relations head; Colo Ventosa, general manager of PGTI; and tournament director Luigi Tabuena.

The long and difficult course

within the country’s premier air base has undergone a minor facelift, and is expected to provide serious challenge for the country’s top pros like Miguel Tabuena, Tony Lascuña and Jay Bayron.

Former Philippine Masters champions Frankie Miñoza and Robert Pactolerin are also expected to lend prestige to the P2 million tournament put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournament, Inc. Pactolerin, who calls the Villamor course his home, said the long and narrow tree-lined course will provide problems even for the toughest professionals.

“You need to hit accurate drives or the trees will come into play. A tiny mistake here and you’re looking at a double or triple bogey,” said Pactolerin.

Ventosa said they expect a hundred professionals, mostly Filipinos, to see action. She added that invites have been sent out to foreign players, most those from Japan and South Korea.

“We at the PGTI have always wanted to have a tournament here at Villamor but unfortunately, the opportunity did not present itself until now. It is just fitting to hold a tournament here at Villamor as the PGTI moves

to its tenth year,” said Soriano.

The Philippine Masters was born in 1975 with the legendary Ben Arda emerging as the inaugural champion. The event had gone on and off the local circuit until it was last staged in 2000 with Casas besting a tough international field.

The return of the Masters was formalized yesterday with the signing of the memorandum of agreement among officials of Villamor and the PGTI, capped by the raising of the VABGC and PGTI flags.

“This should kickstart the return of the Philippine Masters.

The course is ready and prepared,” said Calingasan.

Coca-Cola is Palaro’s hydration partner COCA-COLA FEMSA Philippines is throwing its full support to Palarong Pambansa’s program of youth empowerment, standing as hydration partner of the weeklong event among studentathletes from across 18 regions in San Jose, Antique.

The annual multi-sporting meet serves as the culmination of the Department of Education’s physical development programs that have nurtured the skills, talent and character of the Filipino youth in general.

The Palaro’s thrust of youth empowerment is in line with Coca-Cola FEMSA’s campaign to help build a future of well-round young men and women who hone and develop their athletic talents through self-discipline, determination and integrity.

“We at Coca-Cola FEMSA are very much looking forward to witnessing stories of triumphs as they unfold. We wish all the studentathletes the best of luck as we assure them that the inspiring narratives they usher in as they strive for sporting excellence will live

beyond the records of the Palaro,” said Atty. Jorenz Tanada, director for Legal and Corporate Affairs of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines.

As DepEd’s hydration partner, Coca-Cola FEMSA, the bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola products in the country, provided each delegate, including technical officials, Wilkins Pure bottled water and Powerade, all quality products of the Coca-Cola Company, during the opening rites.

Also in support of the Antique Provincial government, Coca-Cola FEMSA is providing beverages, including Coke, Royal Tru Orange and Sprite, for the Palaro Command Center at the Provincial Capitol and for the press/media center with Coca-Cola coolers placed in these sites for the duration of the games.

Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Company’s Phl business unit also put up its blimp, carrying a banner “Fly High, Antique” during the opening program at the Binirayan Sports Complex in recognition of the local government’s effort as host of the national inter-school competition for the first time.

MGen. Conrado Parra Jr. (second from left) shakes hand with Philippine Golf Tour Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano after signing the Memorandum of Agreement formalizing the return of the Philippine Masters to its home at the Villamor Golf Club with ICTSI as the major sponsor. Others in photo are retired Col. And VGC general manager Oscar Calingasan and PGTI general manager Colo Ventosa.

La Salle lady booters sweep UAAP eliminations DE LA SALLE foiled University of Santo Tomas’ march to the Finals with a come-frombehind 3-1 victory Sunday night to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 79 women’s football tournament at the Moro Lorenzo Field.

Aira Indac put the Tigresses ahead in the 20th minute before Kyra Dimaandal scored the equalizer 16 minutes later her league-best 10th goal of the season.

Alexi Arrieta then gave the Lady Archers the lead with

a 50th minute strike before Chelo Hodges sealed the deal in the 80th minute.

De La Salle, which lost to University of the Philippines in last year’s title match, finished the double-round eliminations with a maximum of

24 points.

UST wound up second with 13 points and will play Ateneo in a playoff for the last championship berth at 8 a.m. on May 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Lady Eagles, with Cam Rodriguez leading the charge,

battled to a 3-3 draw with the Lady Maroons and later got a boost for their first-ever Finals appearance after the Tigresses lost to the Lady Archers.

The one-game championship is set at 6 p.m. on May 7 at the same Malate venue.

PH Typhoons make noise in Thailand

By Randy Caluag PRIMING itself up for bigger battles ahead, the Philippines brought home two golds, 6 silvers and 13 bronze medals after three days of competition in the recently concluded 2017 Thailand Open karate championship.

Youthful Jaime Villegas delivered the first gold for the Philippine national team, collectively known as the Typhoons, with his victory in the male junior kata event.

Jayson Maacalay provided the second gold after topping the junior kumite -60 kgs division.

Winning silver medals were David Tubana in the Cadet Kumite -52 kgs. division, Brian De Jesus (Cadet -57 Kumite), John Aori Sevillo (Cadet +70 Kumite), Gabriel Villaluz Jr (-55 Kumite), Bea Balungaya Jr (+56 Kumite)

and Mae Soriano (- 55 Kumite).

James delos Santos, two-time gold medalist in the ISKF World Shotocup, settled for the bronze medal in the male kata competition.

“This year’s Thailand Open was tough. But despite that, I snatched the bronze medal in the end,” said the country’s top bet in the Tokyo Olympics where the event has been included as one of the regular sports. “That tells me I have work to do, but it’ll keep me a lot hungrier.”

Delos Santos vowed to work hard under coaches David Lay and Jay Futalan to improve his skills as he looks forward to joining qualifying tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“There will be more to come.

Laban Pilipinas,” added Delos Santos, who, prior to the Thailand Open, defended his title in the

The Philippine Typhoons with PKF president Joey Romasanta

men’s kata with a masterful performance in Cape Town, South Africa in August last year.

The Philippines is getting ready for the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in September and Olympic qualifying tournaments.

Also delivering the bronze medals were Nathan Tyrel Lim (12-13 years old Kumite), Thomas

Jared Lim (10 to 11 kata), Carl karvin Mayugba (8-9 kata), David Tubana (Cadet Kata), Anton Batungbacal (Cadet kata), James Delosantos (Male Kata), Antonio Batungbacal (cadet – 70), Micheal Joseph Farmer (+ 70 cadet), Emanuel John Navarro (- 70 Cadet), Sharieff Afif (Kumite -84), Christian Queeco (+ 84 Kumite), Bryan Fon-

tillas (+ 84 Kumite) and Kimberly Madrona (50 kg Kumite).

Karl Corbin Mayugba also won a bronze in the 8-9 years old kumite in the Thai Open Smart Kids.

The team was accompanied

by Philippine Karate Federation president Joey Romasanta and secretary-general Raymund Lee Reyes.

FEU-Gerry’s Grill, PH Christian University live up to billing DEFENDING champion FEU-NRMFGerry’s Grill and Philippine Christian University lived up to their high billing and hammered out similar impressive victories in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the EAC Sports Center in Ermita, Manila.

FEU-NRMF overwhelmed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 114-77, in a rematch of last year’s title showdown to extend its winning streak to three games.

Equally impressive was PCU, which toppled newly-crowned UNTV Season 5 champion Philippine National Police, 8564, in the battle of debuting teams in the event sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Star Bread, Dickies Underwear and Gerry’s Grill.

Raniel Jake Diwa scattered 25 points to

lead a balanced scoring attack by the Fairview, Quezon City-based Tamaraws, who led from start to finish in beating the Generals.

Dexter Zamora, Glenn Gravengard, Erwin Sta. Maria, Jerwin Gaco and import Moustapha Arafat also produced big numbers in FEU’s biggest winning margin.

Zamora added 17 points and Fil-German Gravengard contributed 14 points for the Tamaraws of manager Nino Reyes and coach Pido Jarencio.

Jethro Mendoza finished with 15 points for the Generals, who are competing as part of their pre-season buildup for the coming NCAA. PCU rode on the troika of former MBL MVP Jon Von Tambeling, Yves Sazon and Michael Ayonayon to outgun PNP. Tambeling and Sazon scored 18 points

apiece while Ayonayon added 15 for the Dolphins, who are seeking another major title under PCU president Dr. Junifen Gauuan, ISPEAC head Dr. Putli Martha Ijiran and the father and son tandem of coach Ato and Elvis Tolentino.

Tambeling made his first four shots to set the theme for the Dolphins’ strong start.

Former University of the East star Olan Omiping carried the fight for the Responders with 23 markers.

PNP is making its first appearance since winning the title in UNTV Season 5 against the Malacanang Kamao last month.

The scores: First game FEU-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill (114)— Diwa 25, Zamora 17, Gravengard 14, Sta Maria 13, Gaco 9, Arafat 9, A.Santos 8,

Gumabay 7, Asoro 4, C.Santos 4, Crellin 2, Raymundo 2, Tan 0.

EAC (77)—Mendoza 15, Diego 11, Laminou 10, Altiche 10, Gonzales 8, Aguas 6, Gano 5, Robin 3, Umali 2, Natividad 2, Martin 2, Rosales 2, Tadua 1.

Quarterscores: 24-13, 54-37, 80-61, 114-77.

Second game PCU (85)—Tambeling 18, Sazon 18, Ayonayon 15, Mescallado 12, Pallatao 8, Sumalacay 5, Camaya 2, Bautista 2, Vasquez 2, Galit 2, Catipay 1, Malto 0, Ordonez 0, Manalo 0, Abrigo 0.

PNP (64)—Omiping 23, Tolentino 9, Ongutan 8, Cabahug 7, Bayabao 5, VeraCruz 4, Sta. Cruz 3, Misola 3, Zules 2, Dia 0, Alejandro 0.

Quarterscores: 19-5, 52-30, 74-44, 85-64

National U is Rexona champ NATIONAL University-Ever Bilena validated its status as the country’s premier women’s ball club by ruling the first Rexona Women’s Invitational Tournament at the Buddhacare gym in Quezon City.

Behind the hot-shooting of Afril Bernardino and Gemma Miranda, the Lady Bulldogs used another torrid start to beat the University of the East-Cherrylume Lady Warriors, 86-82, and complete a two-game sweep of their title series presented by Rexona.

Bernardino, who led the team’s 78-50 win in Game 1, sizzled for 23 points for NU, which claimed its overall title since its breakthrough UAAP championship four years ago.

The title win bodes well for NU’s four-peat bid in the coming UAAP season.

But more importantly, NU avenged the two defeats they suffered at the hands of UE in the elims and during the single-round semis.

“Nakabawi rin kami sa UE, but it was a good title series although we caught them off-guard in Game 1 of our series,” said NU coach Pat Aquino.

“Despite our win, we can’t afford to relax in the UAAP. UE, I’m sure, will prepare well.”

Tournament director Horacio Lim handed the championship trophy the Lady Bulldogs, who remained undefeated in the UAAP tournament for the last three years.

Meanwhile, Air Force, getting 27 points from veteran Cindy Resultay, clinched third by downing Centro Escolar University, 82-72, in their one-game face-off.

Bernardino got big support from Miranda, who finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds and two assists while Daniel Animan had 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Tournament MVP Chack Cabindin and Janine Pontejos led UE with 23 each.

The scores: NU—Bernardino 23, Miranda 21, Animan 11, Nabalan 9, Abaca 7, Itesi 7, Tongco 4, Gupitan 2, Antiquerra 2, Harada 0, Del Carmen 0.

UE—Cabinbin 23, Pontejos 23, Sto. Domingo 20, Tacula 6, Ramos 4, Chan 4, Gayacao 2, Requiron 0, Cortinzano 0.

Quarters: 24-15, 39-36, 63-50, 86-82.

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

P0 M+ P0 M

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

SMB sends Garcia to KaTropa for Rosser

By Jeric Lopez IN A surprising transaction between rival teams, San Miguel Beer and TNT KaTropa completed a trade that they thought would benefit their respective teams.

Despite having a solid season, RR Garcia was dealt away by the Beermen to the Tropang Texters in exchange for third-year swingman Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.

The one-on-one swap was finalized yesterday with the papers already reaching the office of the commissioner.

Garcia was actually having a productive season with San Miguel thus far, serving as a reliable back-up to the 1-2 backcourt punch of Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.

However, Garcia was having difficulties carrying his momentum as he was normally in and out of the line-up as he couldn’t stay away from injury for good.

On the other hand, Rosser, after having a respectable rookie campaign in 2014-15, saw his minutes go down the past two seasons as he got lost in the Tropang Texters’ rotation during the stint of then coach Jong uichico and current mentor Nash Racela.

This forced TNT to move him and get Garcia, someone who can play backup to ace playmaker Jayson Castro.

As for Rosser, a former National team member, he is expected to be a utility wingman for the Beermen and take the place of Chris Lutz, who transferred to Meralco midway the Philippine Cup. Even without Garcia, San Miguel Beer still has Brian Heruela playing reserve for Cabagnot and Ross.

Still yet to find a home, TNT is now Garcia’s fifth team in the league in four years after having stints with GlobalPort, Barako Bull/Phoenix, Star and recently, San Miguel.

For Rosser, San Miguel will only be his second team.

The Beermen currently lead the league with its 5-0 card in the Commissioner’s Cup, while the Texters are likewise having a burly campaign with their 5-2 mark.

This came as a surprise to many as San Miguel Corporation teams (San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and Star) and Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group squads (TNT KaTropa, Meralco and NLEX) rarely transacts with one another at all given the intense rivalry that they continue to have both in the sporting world and in business.

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers’ Paul George (left) and Jeff Teague during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Cavaliers sweep Pacers; Rockets 3-1 vs Thunder L

OS ANGELES —LeBron James scored 33 points and made key plays late Sunday to give the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers a 106-102 victory at Indiana and a sweep of their playoff series.

The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 4-0 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round matchup and will next face the winner between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.

“Once again, we just had to weather the storm,” said James. “We beat a very good team.”

In the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets got a huge boost from their bench to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-109 and seize a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Over in the Eastern Conference, Isaiah Thomas is playing with a heavy heart due to the recent death of his sister but he still managed to score 33 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 104-95.

James sank a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a 103-102 edge, made a steal, then

missed another 3-point shot, but Kyrie Irving grabbed the rebound and Kyle Korver was fouled, hitting two free throws to stretch the Cavaliers lead to 105-102.

In the dying seconds, Indiana’s Paul George missed a 3-pointer and James grabbed the rebound. Fouled with one second remaining, he sank a free throw to create the final margin.

At Oklahoma City, Eric Gordon and Lou Williams scored 18 points each and Nene delivered a team-high 28 as the Rockets now have a chance to close out the series Tuesday at home.

Houston won despite an off night from superstar James Harden, who missed seven three-point attempts in a row and shot only 5-of-16 overall from the floor.

It is a different story for the Thunder.

They appear to be unable to score if

Russell Westbrook sits on the bench or hits a dry scoring patch.

With Westbrook on the bench Sunday, Oklahoma City were outscored 13-4 in a stretch that lasted from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth.

Westbrook angry Westbrook bristled when reporters pointed this out.

“I don’t want to hear that. We’re in this together. We play as a team. That’s all that matters,” he said. “I don’t want nobody to try and split us up. We’re all one team.”

Westbrook, who gets more touches per game than almost any other NBA player and often carries the Thunder on his back, finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.

Westbrook had another poor shooting second half on Sunday, making only 5-of17 from the floor in the final two quarters.

In a game-two loss, he misfired on 14-of-18 shots in the fourth quarter.

Westbrook had a triple-double in the first half, making him just the second player in NBA history with three consecutive playoff triple-doubles. Wilt Chamberlain did it in four consecutive games in 1967.

In Chicago, Thomas led the charge as

Boston levelled their series with a Bulls at 2-2. The Celtics have now won two games in a row after falling behind in the series with back-to-back home losses.

The best-of-seven series resumes Wednesday.

Heavy heart It has been eight days since Thomas’s sister was killed in a single vehicle car crash.

“What he’s been through in the day-to-day is unfathomable the way he has performed on the court,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.

“It’s been really incredible.”

Gerald Green scored a playoff-careerhigh 18 points, and Al Horford finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who blew a 20-point lead but managed to bounce back.

Jae Crowder finished with 11 points for the Celtics.

Jimmy Butler had 33 points and nine assists for the Bulls.

In Salt Lake City, Rudy Gobert returned from injury to deliver 15 points and 13 rebounds as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-98.

Joe Johnson also scored 26 points to help Utah even the series at 2-2. AFP

Pacman: I’m not done yet BRISBANE—Veteran Filipino Manny Pacquiao said Monday he plans to show he is “not done yet” when he defends his world title against Australia’s Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July.

The eight-weight world champion said the bout with the undefeated Horn was an opportunity to prove he could continue to be a global force at the age of 38 as he juggles boxing with a fulltime job in politics. “(I want) to defend my crown and prove that I’m still there in boxing, despite of my ambitions in office as a senator,” he told reporters on an Australian visit to promote the July 2 bout.

“I’m still handling my boxing career. I’m still there.

I’m not done yet in boxing.”

Pacquiao first won a world title at flyweight (112lb) two weeks before his 20th birthday in December 1998 to start a storied career that has seen him win global belts all the way up to super welterweight (154lb).

“Boxing is my passion. I started when I was young - it’s part of my life,” said Pacquiao.

“It depends on how you discipline yourself, how you train and prepare yourself.

It’s a matter of discipline.”

“Pac-Man”, who briefly retired early last year before making a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November, added that he was excited to face Horn, 29, in the WBO welterweight title fight at the 55,000-capacity

Suncorp Stadium.

“I’m not going to predict the fight but I will do my best to entertain the fans,” he said.

“I’m very excited to fight here, I’ve fought a lot of fighters in the (United) States. This is new, I’m excited. I can’t wait for the fight.”

Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 knockouts) is an overwhelming favourite against Horn (16-0-1, 11 knockouts), but the Filipino great has not stopped an opponent since his 12th round TKO of Miguel Cotto in 2009.

“I don’t know much about him (Horn) but I know he’s a fighter. I haven’t watched his fights yet but I’m going to get his last three fights and watch them,” he said. AFP

All-Star festivities get going

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao holds his championship belt as he arrives at Manila International Airport in Manila. Pacquiao said he plans to show he is ‘not done yet’ when he defends his world title against Australia’s Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July. AFP

Iloilo bet, barefoot Bukidon trackster hog Palaro spotlight

By Peter Atencio SAN Jose de Buenavista, Antique—Two teenagers who want to become police officers someday struck gold for the first time in their lives.

One broke a meet record and while the other ran barefoot and upset a multi-titled champion in athletics on Day 3 of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa Monday at the Binirayan Sports Complex track stadium.

James Lozanes, a prized find from Iloilo City hurled the 700gram spear by 59.46 meters in the secondary boys javelin throw to break a three-year record.

Meanwhile, Jay Ann Lapasano

used brown plaster tape to protect her feet on the hot rubberized turf, with a blazing morning sun above her. She picked up speed in the last 750 meters to overtake and stun three-time champion Jie Ann Calis in the women’s 3000-meter run.

The 17-year-old Lapasano, who is from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, reached the finish line in 10 minutes, 32.67 seconds to hand Region 10 its first gold in the secondary girls’ division.

Lozanes’ effort handed Region VI its first gold.

Officials were confused since a 700-gram spear was last used in the games in 2013.

Bryan Pacheco of the Central

Luzon set the first record with a 700-gm spear in 2013 with a throw of 57.81 meters.

Current documents show that there are existing meet records using spears of 600-gm and 800gm in weight.

“Focus lang,” said Lozanes, a fisherman’s son, who only began competing this year. He expressed his desire to be a police officer, along with Lapasano.

Lapasano, who hails from Alae, Cagayan de Oro, chose to run with her feet covered in mediplast. She came ahead by some 8.48 seconds ahead of Calis, who used to run for Davao City before she became part of the National Capital Region.

Calis, who joined NCR when she accepted a senior high school scholarship with University of Santo Tomas, got off to a fast start very early, and led most of way before she slowed down.

“Hindi ako nagsapatos. Hindi ako sanay,” said Lapasano who followed instruction from coach Mavycel Alecer not to move ahead early.

Calis, who won it thrice before she lost to Davao’s Mea Gey Ninura last year, clocked 10:41.15, while Junaliza Abutas of Region 1 took the bronze in 10:44.68.

Cezar Fernandez of Negros Region and Region I’s Kent Celeste both cleared 1.90 meters, but Fernandez took the secondary boys’

high jump gold after his rival fouled on two of his three attempts.

Sally Jose took home the secondary girls’ shot put gold for Region IV-A with a heave of 10.7 meters, with Rhealyn Decosta (Region VI) took the silver (9.98 meters) and Juwelisa Surabosing (region 10) claimed the bronze in 9.43 meters.

Meanwhile, the swimming competitions will begin today with eight golds at stake in the secondary division and another eight on tap in the elementary side.

In the ball games, NCR posted two straight wins in the secondary boys basketball action, first with an 87-84 win over Zamboanga Province before crushing MIMAROPA, 69-28.

THE 2017 PBA All-Star festivities get underway Tuesday with the PBA stars mingling with the Cagayan de Oro fans in a meet-and-greet session at the Centrio Mall on the eve of the All-Star Game at the Xavier University Gym. The PBA delegation arrives in the Misamis Oriental capital city via two morning PAL flights and starts their activities with a courtesy call on Mayor Oscar Moreno before lunch.

All-Star coach Chito Victolero holds a basketball clinic to usher in activities sponsored by HMR Trading, Mueller, Peak, Crystal Clear, Anako, Davco, Smart, Cloudfone and Petron on Wednesday, highlighted by the All-Star Game pitting the PBA Mindanao All-Stars versus Gilas Pilipinas.

Curtain-raiser on festivities at the Xavier University Gym is the Shooting Stars event to be participated in by Mindanaoan players Cyrus Baguio, Glenn Khobuntin and Jio Jalalon.

Baguio, Khobuntin and Jalalon later lead the Mindanao selection that includes Troy Rosario, Mark Barroca, Scottie Thompson, PJ Simon, Rafi Reavis, Mo Tautuaa, Sonny Thoss, Carlo Lastimosa and Baser Amer as they test the mettle of the Gilas team that is in the thick of preparation for the coming SEABA Championship.

Making the Gilas team in the Cagayan de Oro tiff are Terrence Romeo, LA Revilla, Mike Tolomia, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Carl Bryan Cruz, Alfonso Gotladera, Bradwyn Guinto and June Mar Fajardo.

Peza backs lower Mindanao rates B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

B1

Belle, Melco eye second casino IN BRIEF Govt sells P15b worth of T-bills

THE government sold P15 billion worth of Treasury bills during an auction Monday amid strong demand from investors.

Data showed that total tenders for the 91-day, 182-day and 364day T-bills reached P36.6 billion.

“Average rates came in below secondary market levels across all tenors amidst healthy market demand,” the Treasury said in a statement.

The 91-day or three-month debt papers fetched an interest rate of 2.299 percent, slightly lower than 2.394 percent it drew in the last auction. The six-month debt instruments yielded 2.638 percent while the one-year papers fetched 2.989 percent.

The Treasury earlier raised P175 billion from the issuance of threeyear retail treasury bonds including those generated from roadshows.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said total bids for the RTBs reached P500 billion but the Treasury awarded only P105 billion.

Julito G. Rada

By Jenniffer B. Austria

B

ELLE Corp. and partner Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp. plan to establish a second casino in the country and expand City of Dreams Manila, its first project in Parañaque City, an executive said Monday.

Belle vice chairman Willy Ocier said in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting the company planned to acquire lots surrounding City of Dreams Manila to expand the project, which was now running at full capacity Ocier said the group was also

open for a joint venture over a property contiguous to City of Dreams Manila to support the expansion plan.

He said aside from City of Dream’s expansion, the group was looking for a second casino in the Philippines, whether within Metro Manila or outside the

capital region.

Ocier said the group would seek a second gaming license with state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. once it identified the site for the planned casino.

He said City of Dreams Manila, which sits on a 6.2-hectare lot, was operating at full capacity, prompting the company to look for lots within the property for possible expansion.

“We are looking for neighboring site or land contiguous with COD. We are open also for joint venture partnership,” Ocier said.

He said the group would initially develop Belle’s existing

8,500-square-meter property near City of Dreams for the expansion of the integrated gaming and entertainment complex.

“We are planning with Melco,” Ocier said.

Belle said City of Dreams Manila was performing well, thanks to the strong management ability of Melco group, which was bringing a lot of players not only from China but also from other neighboring countries.

“City of Dreams is growing significantly and there is a good chance it will become number one in gross gaming revenue this year among integrated resorts,” Belle president Manuel Gana said.

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing April 24, 2017

8000 7600 7200 6800 6400 6000

Cape Fulmar makes maiden call in Subic

PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. said Cape Fulmar, a chartered vessel to Evergreen Marine Corp. of Taiwan, made its maiden call at the Subic Bay Freeport container terminal.

Evergreen, Taiwan’s largest shipping company, launched South Korea-Taiwan-Philippines to boost regional trade between the three trading economies, plying the ports of Incheon and Kwang Yang, South Korea; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Batangas, Manila, and Subic Bay, Philippines; and back to Kaohsiung.

New Container Terminals 1 and 2 serviced the 1,440-TEU (twenty equivalent units) capacity Cape Fulmar’s inaugural call in Subic on April 19, marking the launch of the KTP service in the Philippines.

Around 400 TEUs were jointly serviced by ICTSI subsidiaries Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. and ICTSI Subic Inc. Cape Fulmar is one two vessels deployed in the KTP weekly service. The other vessel is the 1,440 TEU-capacity Cape Faro.

Darwin G. Amojelar

7,588.88 10.72

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing APRIL 24, 2017 45.00 46.50 48.00 49.50

PHILIPPINE Airlines said Monday it expects the delivery of two Boeing 777-300 ER units in December for its flights to the United Kingdom and the United States.

“The Boeing aircraft will serve the Manila-London route, a move designed to primarily enhance the total passenger travel experience and inflight service delivery. While we already have eight triple 7s serving the West Coast, the incoming units will also augment other trans-Pacific flights,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.

“The Boeing 777 is our flagship aircraft for long-haul operations. With its range and operational capability, the flag carrier will be at par with other full service carriers along the route,” he said.

Bautista said PAL was also increasing its capacity as the aircraft would have a 370-seating capacity on a two-class configuration (42 on business and 328 on economy), compared to the 254-seating capacity of Airbus A340.

The acquisition of the carrier’s 9th and 10th B777s is based on a long-term lease agreement with Intrepid Aviation.PAL aims to be the country’s full-service fivestar airline in five years.

Its fleet modernization includes the acquisition of six brand new Airbus A350s for delivery starting mid-2018 and the reconfiguration of 8 monoclass Airbus A330s to tri-class lay-out by mid July.

P49.785 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P49.750 LOW P49.835 AVERAGE P49.804 VOLUME 407.000M

P480.00-P700.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.75-P49.56 Unleaded Gasoline

MAIDEN CALL IN SUBIC. International Container Terminal Services Inc.-operated Subic Bay Freeport container terminals welcome Cape

Fulmar, a chartered vessel to Evergreen Marine Corp.’s new South Korea-Taiwan-Philippines Service, signaling the start of the new Intra-Asian trade route in the Freeport. Shown during the presentation of maiden call certificate are (from left) Evergreen deputy junior vice president Eduardo Sales; Cape Fulmar chief officer Glenn Juezan, Cape Fulmar vessel master and captain Dennis Manala, SBITC terminal manager Santi Fuentes, Evergreen Shipping equipment control manager Jonjon Gomez and Evergreen operations assistant manager Andy Dela Cuesta.

Unilever building distribution hub in Laguna PAL set to receive By Othel V. Campos 2 Boeing aircraft

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Total gross revenue of the Philippine gaming industry reached $3 billion in 2016. City of Dreams Manila registered of P25 billion last year, up 80 percent from 2015.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates Solaire Resorts Corp., reported P38.5 billion while Travellers Hotel Group Inc., which operates Resorts World Manila, posted P23.6 billion in 2016.

Belle posted a consolidated net income of P3.1 billion in 2016, or 74 percent higher than a year ago.

The growth was fueled primarily by growth in revenues from City of Dreams Manila.

UNILEVER Philippines Inc., the local unit of British consumer goods giant Unilever, is building a 13.7-hectare mega distribution center in Cabuyao, Laguna to support its expansion in the country, a top executive said Monday.

The new mega distribution center is expected to speed up the distribution and transport of Unilever’s products from its manufacturing sites in Cavite and Paco, Manila, the company said in a statement.

“Building a mega distribution center is a key strategy to achieve Unilever Philippines’ growth tra-

jectory for the next three years.

As a purpose-driven company, it allows us to streamline our operations, accelerate delivery of goods, create economies of scale, and generate jobs in the local market.

This is a landmark development for us as we mark our 90th year of doing business in the Philippines,” said Unilever Philippines vice president of sales Benjie Yap. The distribution hub is accessible to alternative ports in Batangas for vessels heading to the Visayas and Mindanao, a good way of avoiding potential delays as a result of congestion in Manila ports.

The center, which is expected to be fully operational by Octo-

ber this year, is equipped with future-ready facilities to ensure efficient and sustainable operations capable of storing 130,000 pallets with 97 loading docks.

It also has paperless warehouse management systems and safety-compliant storage systems. The mega distribution center’s design and technology will use materials intended to reduce environmental impact.

Unilever, the leading fastmoving consumer goods company in the Philippines, said it continued to expand its reach in retail for its products in personal care, foods, home care, and refreshments. Through its supply

and distribution network.

The company, which generated over 10,000 jobs throughout the country, said it remained committed to invest 100 million euros or about P6 billion in the Philippines since its initial announcement in 2015.

“The continued growth of the Philippine economy, backed by strong domestic consumption and a vibrant retail market, opens a lot of possibilities for Unilever. Despite global uncertainty, we remain optimistic regarding our presence in the Filipino home. Our expansion is indicative of our continued commitment to invest in the health, hygiene, and well-being of Filipinos,” Yap said.

P29.23-P33.96 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P32.85-P41.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, April 24, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.7880

Japan

Yen

0.009046

0.4504

UK

Pound

1.284500

63.9527

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128627

6.4041

Switzerland

Franc

1.010407

50.3061

Canada

Dollar

0.742832

36.9841

Singapore

Dollar

0.717927

35.7441

Australia

Dollar

0.758800

37.7791

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657878

132.3304

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

13.2757

Brunei

Dollar

0.715359

35.6163

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029189

1.4533

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.5555

Euro

Euro

1.092300

54.3834

Korea

Won

0.000882

0.0439

China

Yuan

0.145205

7.2295

India

Rupee

0.015473

0.7704

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227376

11.3206

New Zealand

Dollar

0.703900

35.0458

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032961

1.6411 Source: PDS Bridge

Meralco’s net income rose 6% to P4.8b in Q1

By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER distributor Manila Electric Co. said Monday net income increased 6 percent in the first quarter to P4.8 billion from P4.5 billion a year ago, on higher electricity sales.

Meralco’s core net income was unchanged at P4 billion in the first quarter from a year earlier, as operating and business conditions proved to be challenging, the company said.

Energy sales in January to March reached 9,317 gigawatthours, up 3 percent from 9,077 gWh sold in the same period in 2016.

Meralco’s revenues grew 12 percent in the first quarter to P64.7 billion, while operating expenses stood at P6.2 billion.

Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said he expected robust spending and household demand to sustain growth this year, supported by overseas re-

mittances and higher government spending.

“We are mindful of the pressures on consumers in the face of inflation, currency effects, interest and commodity price movements and we will be relentless in our efforts to provide the best service at the most affordable cost to consumers in our franchise area,” Pangilianan said.

Meralco president Oscar Reyes said sales growth was constrained in the first three months because of cooler temperature, the absence of February leap year effect equivalent to 100 gWh in energy sales, higher inflation rate of 3.4 percent, higher interest rates, weaker peso, higher fuel prices and average retail rate.

Reyes said despite these challenges, energy sales still grew because of the expansion of Meralco’s customer base and strong consumer spending.

Commercial sales volume ac-

KEYLAND-ASCOTT PROJECT. Property developer Keyland Corp. teams up with The Ascott Ltd. of Singapore, the world’s largest international serviced residence operator, to launch 110 Benavidez Serviced Residences in Legaspi Village, Makati City. Shown are (from left) Keyland chairman Rex Drilon II, president and chief executive Jose Ma. Montinola and Ascott regional general manager for the Philippines and Thailand Arthur Gindap. The project, whose most units will be under Citadines Benavidez Makati, is expected to be operational by the first half of 2022. Roderick T. dela Cruz

B2

Business

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market extends gains; RCBC up SMIC completes S MyTown purchase TOCKS rose for a third day, as they tracked regional markets after moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of France’s presidential election and looked set to triumph in the run-off against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen next month.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 10 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 7,588.88 Monday.

This brought total gains this year to 10.9 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also picked up 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,542.81, on a value turnover of P5.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 109 to 84, while 52 issues were unchanged.

Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by MRC Allied Inc. which surged 14.5 percent to P0.435 and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. which jumped 10.4 percent to P53. Appliance manufacturer Concepcion Industrial Corp. added 5.7 percent to close at P74.

Meanwhile, investors globally had been fearful that a wave of populism, which swept Donald Trump to the White House and saw Britain leave the EU, could lead to a win for the anti-European Le Pen and put the future of the bloc in doubt.

However, Macron is widely expected to gallop to victory over the divisive Front National leader and traders gave a huge thumbsup, sending the euro flying above $1.09 at one point before paring the gains to $1.0850 from $1.0726 in New York on Friday.

The single currency also jumped to 119.46 yen from 117.07 yen.

In early European trade Paris surged 4.1 percent, London jumped 1.4 percent and Frankfurt gained 0.2 percent.

“Markets are happy to buy what they see as the fact—that 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron will be confirmed as the next president of the French republic in two weeks’ time,” Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank, said in a commentary.

The surge in optimism drove down the yen—considered a safe bet in times of uncertainty—which in turn lifted Japanese exporters.

Tokyo’s Nikkei ended up 1.3 percent, Sydney added 0.3 percent, Seoul gained 0.4 percent and Wellington put on 0.4 percent.

Hong Kong closed 0.4 percent higher but Shanghai sank 1.4 percent, extending a recent sell-off fuelled by profit-taking, liquidity concerns and regulatory plans.

“Market sentiment has been damped by recent tightening supervision on all fronts such as the banking commission, insurance commission, securities regulator,” Ben Kwong, executive director of KGI Asia in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg News.

With AFP, Bloomberg

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said it completed the acquisition of a 61.21-percent stake in Philippine Urban Living Solutions Inc., the operator of dormitory buildings under “MyTown” brand.

SMIC said the acquisition would enable it to capture growth opportunities in the fast growing dormitel segment of the property sector.

The conglomerate did not say how much it spent to acquire the controlling stake in PULS, but said the amount was less than 10 percent of SMIC’s net book value.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.09 190,000 48.7 30,400 104.8 165,550 119 1,339,270 1.26 171,000 35.5 2,544,200 16.76 1,272,500 21.55 1,411,500 7.75 1,400 0.69 9,000 775 10 0.67 3,822,000 84.5 1,820,660 15.3 61,800 62.15 3,803,140 242 1,430 110.5 250 86.9 10 53 2,685,400 212 1,214,590 1,680 65 79.7 51,960

572,640 1,473,055 17,347,901 159,018,733 204,400 90,237,995 21,359,974 30,069,590 10,850 6,030 7,750 2,539,290 153,533,777.50 946,066 232,820,050.50 342,136 27,625 869 136,889,820 257,686,158 109,200 4,139,974.50

1,197,080 3,143,071 14,246,814 9,560 -3,749,940 -2,726,582 3,325,600 45,877,667 -28,080,957 869 -44,006,865 -27,678,802 25,200 790

41.4 5.71 0.8 1.51 18.6 0.243 114 7.64 16.54 165.5 23.2 14.2 71 83.5 1.91 5.7 11.88 12.66 9.01 6.42 6.07 21.9 72.3 12.36 15.54 7.7 1.55 207 4.88 3.7 28.5 31.6 24 18.9 280.6 0.241 6.2 3.6 8.78 11.42 2.15 8.1 1.98 70.75 5.08 300 4.79 2.73 13.7 4.5 0.143 1.36 171 1.65 31.5 1

INDUSTRIAL 41.55 424,300 5.8 3,163,300 0.8 1,199,000 1.54 1,362,000 18.6 2,100 0.245 2,620,000 114 120 7.72 4,628,300 16.54 1,448,200 165.5 30 23.5 133,100 14.2 900 74 2,398,650 83.5 380 1.91 911,000 5.7 50,200 11.9 23,600 12.72 2,842,500 9.15 910,700 6.45 2,182,700 6.1 2,796,100 22 887,000 72.85 106,770 12.36 1,200 15.9 90,800 7.89 693,100 1.6 966,000 210.4 845,290 4.93 2,633,300 3.7 74,000 29.45 500 31.7 154,600 24 163,600 18.96 2,119,600 280.6 53,040 0.241 3,710,000 6.2 80,400 3.64 522,000 8.8 7,768,800 11.44 14,000 2.19 2,143,000 8.34 5,741,600 1.99 2,806,000 71.65 188,740 5.3 253,400 301 19,040 4.84 28,000 2.73 90,000 13.78 240,500 4.5 151,000 0.144 8,710,000 1.36 819,000 171.2 256,810 1.68 6,370,000 32.95 1,200 1.03 63,000

17,624,315 18,277,248 977,710 2,075,620 39,820 641,870 13,715 35,852,739 24,057,568 4,965 3,102,470 12,786 174,109,010 31,730 1,755,550 286,396 280,790 36,177,972 8,334,270 14,077,830 17,046,339 19,557,765 7,770,005.50 14,838 1,420,524 5,452,780 1,530,110 177,369,088 13,027,292 274,360 14,440 4,899,460 3,956,045 40,272,446 14,923,232 894,930 500,517 1,908,820 68,447,054 160,082 4,694,790 47,771,425 5,841,810 13,499,479.50 1,340,951 5,727,746 134,470 247,190 3,317,980 680,950 1,257,950 1,124,490 43,995,913 10,746,240 38,090 63,030

5,679,340 114,566 162,000 10,710 7,320 -11,872,573 -13,812,928 -4,965 -23,500 74,290,020 11,880 2,487,900 -2,990,671 -2,279,669 3,496,864 3,059,485 -436,597 -1,014,910 1,682,743 88,236,492 986,373 -1,460,205 -2,395,470 27,733,448 2,096,406 -363,870 -31,277,181 107,500 303,360 179,550 -508,546.50 -10,680 4,644,410 124,790 934,348 156,990 -4,312,757 1,695,350 6,590 -

0.37 76.1 14.78 6.2 0.455 0.465 867 8.31 12.8 7.9 5.8 0.207 1,230 6.47 84.05 5.4 1 7.6 16 6.58 3.5 0.058 1.07 1.85 2.49 110.4 2.8 720 1.42 289.8 0.29 0.204 0.243

0.36 75 14.54 6.2 0.42 0.445 860 8.21 12.44 7.85 5.41 0.195 1,205 6.2 81.7 5.29 0.98 7.39 15.88 6.51 3.21 0.055 1.03 1.85 2.49 107.6 2.68 706 1.38 284.6 0.28 0.197 0.242

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 4,700,000 75.35 403,430 14.56 1,685,500 6.2 2,100 0.44 53,010,000 0.45 8,890,000 867 86,120 8.26 479,600 12.6 4,495,600 7.9 391,500 5.8 1,200 0.204 2,110,000 1,229 64,525 6.2 49,200 82.7 1,123,520 5.4 8,000 0.98 3,692,000 7.39 1,364,500 15.94 2,765,900 6.54 27,819,800 3.5 3,000 0.055 168,460,000 1.03 76,000 1.85 50,000 2.49 16,000 110 101,780 2.7 29,000 709.5 436,800 1.4 683,000 289.8 9,140 0.28 560,000 0.198 950,000 0.242 450,000

1,717,300 30,395,178 24,598,316 13,020 23,543,800 4,043,950 74,375,060 3,958,942 56,654,310 3,073,304 6,878 416,960 78,852,085 305,212 92,957,003.5 ( 42,680 3,632,470 10,195,699 44,078,978 182,107,420 9,930 9,377,980 79,800 92,500 39,840 11,101,228 79,020 310,163,495 949,420 2,647,570 160,500 190,770 109,060

8,944,547 -4,437,938 -9,920 17,550 40,716,745 1,851,505 657,338 3,056,005 4,080.00 14,482,840 33,253,507.5) -8,907,503 11,307,282 -17,174,161 -101,140 -1,190,350 -29,303,875 -1,178,586 70,180

6.85 1.06 2.43 1.53 35.6 3.85 0.495 1 1.33 0.155 0.54 52.25 0.71 0.184 1.68 1 1.06 5.61 4.19 0.435 0.335 0.61 4.4 27.5

6.8 0.96 2.32 1.44 35.1 3.8 0.485 1 1.24 0.153 0.52 50.85 0.7 0.172 1.66 0.97 1.04 4.8 4.1 0.385 0.3 0.59 4.28 27.5

3,280,571 12,595,590 367,640 58,566,220 147,818,470 12,311,020 7,910,250 43,000 264,910 617,570 3,115,600 38,931,234 53,240 227,270 48,433,580 6,017,700 269,390 49,241 187,067,680 289,679,800 1,153,250 14,913,270 895,680 2,750

-1,766,452 466,910 -49,925,130 -336,890 -612,650 35,000 566,040 5,369,530 5,460 -2,610,660 36,769,900 -2,862,800 31,600 85,370 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.17 48.1 104.7 118.6 1.2 35.9 16.84 20.8 7.75 0.66 775 0.69 84 15.24 60.2 242 110.5 86.9 48.2 215.4 1,680 79.7

3.17 48.7 105 119 1.26 35.9 16.92 21.75 7.75 0.69 775 0.69 85 15.48 62.15 242 110.5 86.9 54.1 215.4 1,680 79.9

3.01 48.1 104.6 118.1 1.15 35.2 16.74 20.8 7.75 0.66 775 0.66 83.45 15.24 60.2 239 110.5 86.9 47.7 211 1,680 78.5

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

41.4 5.71 0.82 1.55 18.98 0.245 114.5 7.94 16.9 165.5 23.2 14.22 71 83.5 1.95 5.95 11.9 12.78 9.2 6.45 6.08 22.05 73.2 12.38 15.9 7.9 1.6 208 5.12 3.72 28.5 31.6 24.35 19.3 281.4 0.245 6.29 3.78 8.94 11.42 2.18 8.65 2.15 72.9 5.08 301 4.8 2.75 13.9 4.52 0.145 1.4 172.5 1.75 31.5 1

41.8 5.84 0.83 1.55 19.12 0.249 114.5 7.98 16.9 165.5 23.5 14.22 74 83.5 1.95 5.95 11.9 12.78 9.21 6.53 6.11 22.2 73.2 12.38 15.9 7.9 1.6 210.6 5.18 3.76 29.45 32 24.35 19.3 284 0.245 6.4 3.78 8.94 11.44 2.22 8.7 2.19 72.9 5.4 301.4 4.84 2.75 13.94 4.65 0.147 1.4 172.9 1.75 32.95 1.03

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

0.365 75.5 14.78 6.2 0.42 0.445 863 8.3 12.78 7.85 5.41 0.196 1,212 6.47 83.05 5.29 0.99 7.59 16 6.51 3.22 0.058 1.07 1.85 2.49 110.4 2.76 706 1.42 284.8 0.29 0.197 0.243

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

6.8 0.96 2.35 1.45 35.6 3.85 0.495 1 1.24 0.155 0.54 52.25 0.71 0.172 1.67 0.97 1.06 5.61 4.1 0.39 0.3 0.61 4.28 27.5

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

26.2 1.78 3.29 29.65 0.99 6.45 0.87 5.29

26.6 1.78 3.34 29.9 1 7 0.9 5.3

25.95 1.74 3.27 29.45 0.98 6.4 0.87 5.23

26 1.78 3.34 29.65 0.99 7 0.9 5.3

1,167,900 983,000 31,000 6,033,700 1,505,000 3,300 114,000 3,605,400

30,645,835 1,737,760 101,760 178,757,965 1,486,060 22,335 99,820 18,981,120

4,317,070 67,372,440 2,168,681

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

11.98 46 1.57 0.54 0.044 11.98 8.7 0.072 1.98 106.3 10.32 8.84 2,000 6.2 16.04 3.25 3.72 88.45 0.0091 12.02 9.01 0.183 1.46 3.57 15.6 4.52 0.95 4.76 2.36 6.79 3.76 2.89 5.32 2.99 168 7.95 1,705 1.54 0.415 41.75 80 6.19 2.31 1.03 1.92 3.2 0.47 5.23

11.98 46 1.63 0.54 0.045 11.98 8.85 0.093 2 106.6 10.32 8.84 2,022 6.23 16.5 3.29 3.75 89 0.0092 12.74 9.01 0.187 1.46 3.75 15.66 4.52 0.95 4.96 2.53 6.85 3.76 2.95 5.4 3 168.9 7.98 1,722 1.54 0.425 42.05 81 6.19 2.32 1.04 1.92 3.2 0.58 5.24

11.54 45.9 1.47 0.51 0.043 11.98 8.7 0.072 1.9 105.9 10.32 8.7 1,995 6.12 15.94 3.21 3.55 88 0.0091 12.02 9 0.18 1.38 3.57 15.4 4.34 0.94 4.76 2.3 6.64 3.65 2.84 5.32 2.99 168 7.86 1,704 1.47 0.415 41.75 79.45 6 2.26 1.02 1.86 3.17 0.47 5.19

SERVICES 11.9 46 1.47 0.53 0.043 11.98 8.85 0.088 1.92 106.1 10.32 8.8 2,020 6.18 16.5 3.23 3.55 88.6 0.0092 12.74 9 0.186 1.41 3.75 15.64 4.34 0.94 4.93 2.53 6.72 3.65 2.86 5.32 2.99 168.9 7.87 1,720 1.47 0.415 42 80.8 6 2.3 1.03 1.86 3.2 0.51 5.21

238,500 21,400 248,000 1,283,000 51,800,000 500 11,592,200 544,110,000 19,149,000 299,480 300 422,800 86,215 353,000 48,700 1,241,000 98,000 173,440 18,000,000 1,100 266,400 13,200,000 1,459,000 74,000 17,600 725,000 33,000 1,386,000 200,000 6,743,000 2,553,000 6,275,000 14,700 17,000 53,070 272,100 45,740 10,107,000 1,640,000 572,500 245,930 103,100 2,368,000 5,771,000 22,000 432,000 45,850,000 6,062,600

2,800,306 983,030 391,300 669,840 2,250,600 5,990 101,826,774 32 46,381,900 37,217,060 31,796,863 3,096 3,681,202(3, 173,680,930 2,182,633 799,514 4,036,040 350,560 15,384,101.50 163,900 13,294 2,397,614 2,409,950 2,052,410 267,600 274,520 3,172,170 31,090 6,776,000 479,980 45,417,381 9,371,390 18,062,970 78,244 50,870 8,959,023 2,142,674 78,598,020 15,240,380 682,300 24,020,390 19,735,988 619,448 5,415,290 5,936,290 41,040 1,380,250 24,166,600 ( 31,567,448

81,232 -30,130 -106,000 -21,400.00 ,461,436.9998 -319,660 820,290 14,847,146 487,829.9999) -23,213,245 3,509,295 -1,038,060 8,520 44,000 -1,046,050 30,311,124 -2,290,530 -17,890 4,200,633 -157,472 -8,411,910 -3,597,160 -5,431,350 -318,531 227,910 -431,350 908,420 448,250.0002) 11,177,856

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

0.0032 1.44 5.3 11.48 1.75 1.85 0.91 0.42 8.99 2.57 0.249 0.183 0.191 0.011 0.011 1.73 6.12 2.09 0.45 0.87 0.011 0.012 4.05 0.013 8.42 3.16 148.6 2.74 0.0083

0.0034 1.45 5.3 17 1.75 1.85 0.93 0.435 8.99 2.6 0.25 0.183 0.195 0.012 0.011 1.8 6.14 2.13 0.45 0.87 0.011 0.012 4.08 0.013 8.6 3.16 149.4 2.86 0.0088

0.0032 1.41 5.2 11.48 1.75 1.71 0.87 0.41 8.3 2.48 0.247 0.18 0.19 0.011 0.011 1.65 6.1 2.03 0.45 0.87 0.011 0.012 4.05 0.012 8.42 3.01 148.4 2.68 0.0083

MINING & OIL 0.0034 23,000,000 1.44 7,187,000 5.2 8,300 17 5,000 1.75 26,000 1.71 17,000 0.9 7,249,000 0.43 1,550,000 8.64 38,000 2.6 1,627,000 0.25 280,000 0.18 3,150,000 0.195 410,000 0.012 8,100,000 0.011 1,100,000 1.65 1,139,000 6.11 1,334,200 2.11 272,000 0.45 10,000 0.87 111,000 0.011 13,300,000 0.012 100,000 4.08 53,000 0.012 30,800,000 8.59 525,700 3.08 4,086,000 148.6 412,600 2.86 218,000 0.0088 10,000,000

73,800 10,264,430 43,174 64,874 45,500 29,230 6,569,410 653,750 323,368 4,127,870 69,390 568,600 79,510 89,500 12,100 1,920,520 8,163,573 564,230 4,500 96,570 146,300 1,200 215,350 369,700 4,465,405 12,564,100 61,321,272 597,860 85,300

3,400 578,880 -2,600 4,592 411,800 1,677,550 66,150 11,000 167,000 -2,746,975 1,824,770 -1,099,060 -259,151 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

45.9 535 104.5 115.5 5.8 1,017 1,031 108 1,035 1,020 104.1 2.1 80.15 76.25 78 78.1 78.3 78.5

46.2 536.5 105.5 115.5 5.8 1,017 1,031 108 1,035 1,021 104.1 2.1 80.25 76.25 78 78.1 78.3 78.5

45.85 535 104.1 115.5 5.7 1,017 1,031 108 1,035 1,020 104.1 2.1 80.15 76.25 78 78.1 78.3 78.25

PREFERRED 46.2 27,300 536.5 2,830 104.5 5,900 115.5 17,000 5.75 332,300 1,017 1,100 1,031 150 108 150 1,035 3,000 1,020 15,605 104.1 45,000 2.1 3,000 80.25 5,300 76.25 500 78 12,000 78.1 20,000 78.3 60,000 78.25 253,600

1,253,785 1,516,240 616,185 1,963,500 1,905,835 1,118,700 154,650 16,200 3,105,000 15,917,630 4,684,500 6,300 424,825 38,125 936,000 1,562,000 4,698,000 19,904,187.50

-1,253,785 1,099,720 -

LR WARRANT

2.45

2.45

2.3

WARRANTS 2.3 569,000

1,321,170

-

1,298,490 3,000 1,606,880 25,705,701

36,900 -2,480,357

472,213

120,408

MS

PROPERTY 6.83 1.05 2.32 1.53 35.2 3.85 0.49 1 1.32 0.154 0.53 51 0.7 0.182 1.66 0.98 1.06 4.91 4.18 0.435 0.315 0.59 4.35 27.5

482,200 12,272,000 155,000 39,036,000 4,189,500 3,213,000 16,170,000 43,000 208,000 4,020,000 5,883,000 760,990 75,000 1,270,000 29,165,000 6,184,000 256,000 9,700 44,961,000 700,470,000 3,560,000 25,050,000 206,000 100

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.75 3 7.05 9.72

3.89 3 7.2 9.75

3.66 3 6.74 9.38

FIRST METRO ETF

125.9

125.9

125

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

20,597,495

INDUSTRIAL

76,265,136

HOLDING FIRMS

290,542,669

PROPERTY

926,078,396

SERVICES

758,483,925

MINING & OIL

116,297,681

GRAND TOTAL

2,191,544,132

3.89 3 6.75 9.41

SME

350,000 1,000 233,700 2,690,300

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 125.7 3,770

VALUE 1,878.79 (up) 7.72 1,109,401,023.47 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,294.04 (up) 25.25 948,877,211.72 HOLDING FIRMS 7,690.05 (up) 1.09 1,083,779,455.90 PROPERTY 3,313.0 2(down) 13.15 1,587.83 (up) 9.71 1,128,393,087.365 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,955.13 (down) 24.25 738,517,096.993 PSEI 7,588.88 (up) 10.72 113,567,271.9668 All Shares Index 4,542.81 (up) 10.71 5,151,621,815.41 Gainers: 84; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 52; Total: 245

SMIC obtained the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission to proceed to the acquisition of a majority stake in PULS, as the transaction would not result in substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market.

PCC, the country’s antitrust body, is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure that these deals will not prejudice the interest of consumers. It review deals worth P1 billion and up.

Established in 2012, PULS owns, develops and operates dormitory spaces for rent.

Aimed at young professionals, MyTown’s dormitories are equipped with attractive amenities and targeted retail facilities that allows its tenants to save on travel time and transportation cost.

It owns and manages five buildings in Makati and Bonifacio Global City with over 1,000 beds.

Room sizes range from 10 to 20 square meters with monthly rental rates for at P4,800.

Five more dormitories that can offer 1,400 beds are currently under construction.

By 2018, PULS targets to have 6,000 dormitory beds by developing 12 more properties.

SMIC booked an 8-percent increase in 2016 net income to P31.2 billion on sustained growth of core businesses.

SBS opts for rights offering CHEMICAL trader and distributor SBS Philippines Corp. dropped its plan for a follow-on offering and chose to hold a stock rights offering instead to fund the diversification into property-related investments.

SBS said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would issue 350 million common shares to existing shareholders coming from the proposed increase in the authorized capital stock to P5.55 billion from P1.55 billion.

The company has not finalized the terms of the rights offering, including the entitlement ratio, offer price, record date and specific uses of the proceeds.

The offering of 350 million shares could raise up to P2.11 billion in proceeds, based on the company’s stock price of P6.03 per share.

“The rights issue is intended to provide additional core capital to support the growth and strategic initiatives of the company which will include, among others, its business diversification plans to engage in property related investments and businesses,” SBS said.

SBS said its board of directors approved to recommend to the shareholders the stock rights offering of unissued common shares to be offered first to all existing shareholders.

“Anesy Holdings Corp., the company’s major shareholder, has indicated its support for the rights issue and will subscribe to any remaining stock rights shares that will be unsubscribed after the mandatory second round of the stock rights offer,” SBS said.

The rights offering will be conducted within 12 months from the shareholders approval. It will also be subject to the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Stock Exchange.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

B3

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

First Gen gets $500m worth of funding

PHILEX’S ANVIL AWARDS.

Philex Mining Corp., one of the region’s oldest and largest gold and copper producers, win two awards during the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ Gabi ng Parangal 52nd Anvil Awards at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Philex vice president for legal and general counsel Joan De Venecia (second from right) receives one of the awards, along with Philex finance managers Paraluman Navarro (third from left), Rolando Bondoy (second from left) and John Reaner Nocum (right).

Joining them are information technology manager Horacio Hernandez (left) and finance supervisor Kristine Navalta (third from right).

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Peza backs lower Mindanao rates

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority endorsed to the Energy Department three regions where economic zones can avail of lower power rates as incentive for hosting manufacturing and service operations.

The regions are Davao (Region 11), Caraga (Region 13) and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Region 15).

Peza director general Charito Plza said the Energy Department committed to reduce power rates in Mindanao economic zones to P2.50 per kilowatt-hour from the prevailing P6 kwh.

“The Energy Department is going to provide the lowest cost of power to ecozones of Mindanao and asked us to recommend the first three regions where economic zones have operations.

So we came up with Regions 11, 12 and the ARMM. Caraga and ARMM are two of the poorest regions in the country. We also

Pharma groups back planned generics body THE Philippine Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry backed the formation of a government inter-agency committee on generic drugs development, saying it will help the growth of Filipino-manufactured generic drugs.

The PCPI also supported the inclusion of the Food and Drugs Administration in the proposed committee, which will be headed by the Department of Trade and Industry and composed of representatives of the Department of Health, the Intellectual Property Office, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Finance.

The PCPI noted that the FDA “through director–general Nela Charade Puno has been leading the way in instituting reforms that will benefit the public as well as the industry.”

“The FDA will certainly be an indispensable party in the envisioned inter-agency working committee,” the PCPI said.

The PCPI called for the inclusion of a representative from the private sector in the committee.

The position of the PCPI was contained in a memorandum to the Board of Investments which could act as the secretariat of the committee.

PCPI’s position was support-

ed by two other large industry associations—the Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber of the Herbal Industries of the Philippines Inc..

The proposed creation of the inter-agency committee is contained in a draft executive order prepared by the BoI. It aims to encourage the entry of more investments in generics drugs manufacturing and give Filipinos greater access to quality and more affordable generic medicines.

Based on the draft, the body will set policies and guidelines on the manufacturing of generic drugs, and maintain a database of generic drugs with their corresponding patent expiration dates.

The proposed committee is expected to drive research and development for the generic drugs manufacturing sector, and set policies that will help ensure that its human resources requirements are adequately met.

It will spearhead information and education campaigns on generic drugs. It will also review existing laws on generic drugs and incentives given to the sector “in the light of recent regional and global economic developments.”

see this as a strategy to allow the influx of investors in Davao to also consider locating in Caraga and ARMM,” she said.

Peza noted that the offer of lower power rates by the Energy Department was not yet firm after the agency made the proposal only because of excess supply in certain regions.

However, Peza is optimistic the proposal will eventually become an established scheme not only with the first three economic zones in Mindanao but several others where operations are heavy and brisk.

Peza noted that lower power rates would help attract more projects from Middle East investors, especial-

ly those from Saudi Arabai and Qatar who had openly expressed their preference for Mindanao.

The power subsidy to be given to Mindanao ecozone investors is not dependent on the amount of investments of the projects.

“Regardless of the amount (of projects), the subsidy is open to all investors who may want to avail of the offer. The subsidy will be coursed through Peza. We haven’t formally discussed this proposal but from what I understand, the department will provide either power subsidy or very low cost and until when do we get to implement this incentive,” Plaza said.

The lower rates will become effective once the applicants for-

mally sign a contract with the economic zone.

“Another way is we have a franchise authority wherein we encourage developers to provide their own power, water, telecommunication and they will be treated like other locators, eligible for same incentives. They should be able to provide lower cost of power since they are also enjoying incentives,” Plaza added.

Earlier, the national government approved the power subsidy requested by Texas Instruments, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc. and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corp. amounting to a combined P15 billion.

SY BROTHERS.

Brothers Henry Sy Jr. (right) and Hans Sy (left) with Belle Corp. vice chairman Willy Ocier pose after the annual stockholders’ meeting of Belle April 24, 2017. Belle, a member of the SM Group, is a diversified corporation engaged in tourism, leisure industries and real estate business. Sy Jr. is chairman of SM Prime Holdings Inc., while Hans, is SM Prime Holdings Inc. executive committee chairman.

FIRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group, through unit First Gas Power Corp., signed on Monday a $500-million sevenyear term loan facility with six banks to refinance its debts.

First Gen in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange identified the banks as Bank of Commerce, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank Inc., Philippine National Bank, Security Bank Corp. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

Singapore Branch.

The company said it would use the proceeds of the loan to repay the amounts due on First Gas’ debt of approximately $243 million. It will use the net proceeds of the refinancing to pay a portion of First Gen’s existing loans, as well as pre-fund its upcoming maturities.

First Gas owns and operates the 1,000-megawatt Santa Rita natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant.

“The $500-million debt facility is a testimony to the strong support and continuing confidence of our lenders in First Gen’s natural-gas business. First Gen pioneered this business about twenty years ago and it has since reached even greater heights,” First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said.

“The natural gas platform now stands at 2,011 MW and we are working hard to deliver the country’s first LNG Terminal, as well as more natural gasfired power plants,” he said.

First Gen, through its subsidiaries, is the largest producer of natural gas-fired power in the Philippines, where all plants are located in the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas City.

First Gas’ 1,000-MW Santa Rita is one of First Gen’s four natural gas-fired power plants operating today. The others are the 500-MW San Lorenzo, the newly-operating 97-MW Avion peaking and 414-MW San Gabriel mid-merit power plants.

First Gen is also the largest shareholder in Energy Development Corp., which owns and operates geothermal, wind, hydro and solar power plants in the country.

The company has a total installed capacity of 3,471 MW accounting for approximately 21 percent of the country’s gross output.

MPIC: Malaysian, Indonesian investments no-go

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE tollway unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said possible investments in toll road operators in Malaysia and Indonesia did not push through, but the company is still looking at existing expressway projects in the two countries.

“They may be considering other options. Like a govern-

ment entity as partner. If (it’s a) foreign partner, there (are) so many approvals. They needed the funding right away,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.

MPTC earlier said it was expecting to sign a definitive agreement with a listed Malaysian company for a 50-km tollway project in Kuala Lumpur early this year.

The company also made an offer and was shortlisted to acquire a toll road project in Indonesia.

Despite these, Franco said the company was still interested to invest in other toll road projects in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Franco said the company was interested in Malaysia because of its high motorization level and greater experience in paying toll.

“Malaysia has culture of toll

payments. I think last count we saw, there are more than 30 toll road concessions. They have already accepted the principle of user pays. To get quality infrastructure, amenable to paying toll,” Franco said.

“That’s the attraction. And if you look at Malaysia, in Asean countries, except for Singapore, Malaysia has (a) high car ownership ratio,” he added.

Rating Duterte administration’s first 9 months ON MARCH 30, 2017 the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte completed nine months of existence. Under normal circumstances nine months is a period long enough to justify an assessment of an administration; given the highly controversial nature of the Duterte administration; an assessment of the Duterte administration’s record is clearly in order.

How has the Duterte administration performed since it took over the reins of power nine months ago? Stated differently, what did Rodrigo Duterte and his people do with the mandate given to them by 38 percent of the people of this country?

From the standpoint of the economy, the record of the Duterte administration’s first nine months in office is arguably the worst of any postwar administration during the same period. Whether they actually said so or not, the administrations preceding Duterte’s strove to hit the ground running. The best example of this

is the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, whose people lost no time putting plans into operation as soon as they moved into Malacanang. The Duterte folk also hit the ground running, but it wasn’t the economy that was uppermost in their minds. It was Mr. Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

Indeed, the story of the Duterte administration’s first nine months in office is the story of Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs and the things associated with it: Operation Tokhang, extrajudicial killings and vigilante killings, the provision of facilities for the candidates for rehabilitation and the filing of drug-related charges against individuals. Such have been the degree of interest and amount of resources invested by the Duterte administration in the illegal-drugs issue that other matters of governance – especially the management of the economy – necessarily suffered during the period from June 29, 2016 to March 29, 2017.

If the truth must be told, the Duterte administration produced nothing concrete for the Philippine economy during

its first three quarters in office. It largely coasted along on the basis of the good economic environment bequeathed to it by the preceding administration. I refer in particular to the stable fiscal and monetary conditions left behind by Benigno Aquino III and his people.

Not only did the present administration not deliver concrete achievements during its first nine months in office, but it also caused palpable harm to the economy during its first 270 days in office.

By talking and conducting himself in an outrageous manner towards this country’s most important political and economic partners – the US and the members of the European Union (EU) – and by embarking on a so-called “independent” foreign policy – Rodrigo Duterte hurt, rather than enhanced, the prospects of the Philippine economy. At no time have the economic and political partners of the Philippines been as alarmed and confused about this country’s intentions and direction as they have been with Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang.

The only accomplishments that Mr. Duterte can claim for his administration’s first nine months in office are the State and official trips that he has made to the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – the Philippines holds the 2017 chairmanship of ASEAN – and a number of other countries. The visits have invariably culminated in the signing of documents embodying promises of official assistance and investment intentions of the private sectors of the host countries. In keeping with the accustomed practice, Mr. Duterte has presented the documents to the Filipino people as evidence of concrete achievements. The official promises and private-sector intentions have once again involved enormous amounts of money. The promises and expressions of intent may translate into infrastructural facilities, factories and more productive farms: but abundant experience has shown that this is not always the case and that gaps eventually develop between funds promised and funds actually inward-remitted.

Moreover, the prospects of official assistance and private-investment inflows need to be matched against the possibilities of reductions in foreign exchange inflows resulting from Mr. Duterte’s badmouthing of the European Union and his refusal to receive future US economic assistance For the first time in the postwar era the international community’s economic relations with the Philippines could become a negative-sum game.

Summing up, the period from June 29, 2016 up to today arguably has been the most dismal first nine-months period in the history of the Philippine Presidency.

There have simply been too many negatives and hardly any positives. For the sake of the 106 million people of this country – this piece of God’s creation that he possessively calls “my country” – one can only hope and pray that Rodrigo Duterte will shape up soon and start conducting himself the way the President of the Philippines needs to.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

Business Jack Ma sees decades of pain amid internet

SHANGHAI COME-ON. A woman in a cosplay outfit poses in front of a vehicle by Chinese carmaker Beiqi Foton Motor during the public day for the 17th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on April 24, 2017. AFP

ALIBABA Group Holding Ltd. Chairman Jack Ma said society should prepare for decades of pain as the internet disrupts the economy.

The world must change education systems and establish how to work with robots to help soften the blow caused by automation and the internet economy, Ma said in a speech to an entrepreneurship conference in Zhengzhou, China.

“In the next 30 years, the world will see much more pain than happiness,” Ma said of job disruptions caused by the internet.

“Social conflicts in the next three decades will have an impact on all sorts of industries and walks of life.”

Ma made the comments as Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce operator, spends billions of dollars to move into new businesses from film production and video streaming to cloud computing.

The Hangzhou-based company, considered a barometer of Chinese consumer sentiment, is looking to expand abroad since buying Lazada Group SA to establish a foothold in Southeast Asia, potentially setting up a clash with the likes of Amazon.com Inc. Ma, 52, also hit out at the traditional banking industry, saying that lending must be available to more members of society.

Alibaba shares have outperformed this year on expectations it can withstand efforts by rivals such as Tencent Holdings Ltd. to capture digital ad spending and muscle in on its turf. The company is moving into untapped rural markets and investing in new sources of income, such as online media and cloud computing― one of its fastest-growing businesses in 2016.

Ma also called for traditional industries to stop complaining about the internet’s effects on the economy. He said Alibaba critics ignore that Taobao has created millions of jobs.

He also warned that longer lifespans and better artificial intelligence were likely to lead to both aging labor forces and fewer jobs.

“Machines should only do what humans cannot,” he said. “Only in this way can we have the opportunities to keep machines as working partners with humans, rather than as replacements.” Bloomberg

Euro, markets surge on French vote

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HE euro and most stock markets surged Monday after moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of France’s presidential election and looked set to triumph in the run-off against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen next month.

Investors globally had been fearful that a wave of populism, which swept Donald Trump to the White House and saw Britain leave the EU, could lead to a win for the anti-European Le Pen and put the future of the bloc in doubt.

However, Macron is widely expected to gallop to victory over the divisive Front National leader and traders gave a huge thumbsup, sending the euro flying above $1.09 at one point before paring the gains to $1.0850 from $1.0726 in New York on Friday.

Oil ends slide, rises above $50 a barrel OIL rose for the first time in six days as an Opec-led committee was said to back prolonging supply cuts and as other markets rallied after the first round of French presidential elections.

Futures climbed as much as 0.9 percent in New York after slumping 6.7 percent last week, the first drop in four weeks. A six-month extension to the output cut deal is necessary, the committee concluded, according to delegates with knowledge of the matter.

Equities gained and the dollar weakened against the euro as a snap poll

by Ipsos showed centrist Emmanuel Macron would win the second round of voting in France.

Oil had retreated below $50 a barrel amid concern rising US crude production will offset efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to trim a global glut.

Macron securing a spot in the second round avoids the scenario of a contest between the anti-European Union Marine Le Pen and the Communistbacked Jean-Luc Melenchon, curbing threats to the euro zone and encouraging investors to embrace more risk.

“The Persian Gulf oil producers provided their strongest hint yet that the current output deal with non-Opec producers could be prolonged beyond the original June deadline,” said Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. in London. “It is hard to foresee a further significant fall in prices prior to the upcoming Opec and non-Opec meeting.”

West Texas Intermediate for June delivery rose as much as 46 cents to $50.08 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $50.01 at 9:35 a.m. in London. Total volume traded was about 22 percent above the 100-day average. Prices closed at $49.62 on Friday, the lowest since March 29. Bloomberg

The single currency also jumped to 119.46 yen from 117.07 yen.

In early European trade Paris surged 4.1 percent, London jumped 1.4 percent and Frankfurt gained 0.2 percent.

“Markets are happy to buy what they see as the fact—that 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron will be confirmed as the next president of the French republic in two weeks’ time,” Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank, said in a commentary.

The surge in optimism drove

down the yen—considered a safe bet in times of uncertainty— which in turn lifted Japanese exporters.

France’s bonds, meanwhile, jumped, with the 10-year yield dropping to its lowest level in three months.

The yield spread between French 10-year securities and benchmark German bunds narrowed to the lowest since January. A place for Macron in the second round avoids investors’ nightmare scenario of a contest between the anti-euro Le Pen and the Communist-backed Jean-Luc

Melenchon. This also boosted risk assets such as higher-yielding bonds from Italy and Spain, while France’s CAC 40 stock index climbed to a two-year high.

The euro surged to its strongest level in five months against the dollar before paring some of its gains as the market’s focus shifted to a proposed US tax cut.

“There was obviously concern that we might get two populist candidates facing off each other,” said Lyn Graham-Taylor, a rates strategist at Rabobank International in London. “It is a bit of a relief on the back” of the results.

“We will give back a little bit of these gains through the course of the morning.”

Macron, a first-time candidate and political independent, had 23.8 percent in Sunday’s election and National Front leader Le Pen had 21.5 percent, according to results from the Interior Ministry based on 97.4 percent of votes counted. The result lowers risk for the euro zone after a year of polling upsets and political turmoil driving currency volatility, from the U.S. elections to Italian and British referendums.

AFP, Bloomberg

S. Africa winemakers on quest for quality, prestige

By Philippe Alfroy STELLENBOSCH, South Africa― Looking out at his 50-hectare (124-acre) estate in a valley nestled below the Helderberg mountains, winemaker Ken Forrester beams with pride in his achievements over 20 years in the business.

“We never had a bad year, it’s been a consistent grow,” said Forrester, who is based in Stellenbosch―the wine region just north of Cape Town.

But like many South African vineyard owners, he is nervous about what the future holds for the industry, facing price pressure and for many an unsustainable return on investment.

“Look at this moisture, it’s perfect, this one is ready to be picked,” Forrester told AFP as he caressed a handful of chenin blanc grapes.

“It’s very important to pick the grapes at the right time. If not, the blend that you’re creating is an average one, and with an average one you achieve nothing because anyone else can do it.”

In 2016 “Mr Chenin” as he is known to his friends made 500,000 bottles of his trademark versatile, zesty white.

But increasing quantity will not be enough to keep his business viable, Forrester warned.

“There’s a critical price problem for the South African wines. It’s very difficult to get the right prices,” he said.

Cape Town’s Vinpro winemakers association says 40 percent of its 3,200 members are loss-making and 900 have thrown in the towel in the past decade even as national production rose around 50 percent between 2005 and 2015 to 9.68 million hectoliters with 4.12 million exported.

Last year production fell back 19 percent, according to the Paris-based International Organization of Vine and Wine.

“South African wine producers have an average two percent return on investments for their wine production and that is too low to be sustainable,” said Edo Heyns, Vinpro’s communications chief.

‘Image and branding’ Despite the industry’s challenges, wine production remains vital to South Africa’s economy: it employs 300,000

A picture taken on March 2, 2017 shows crates of newly picked Chenin grapes, waiting to be taken for pressing, at the Ken Forrester wine estate, close to Stellenbosch, about 60 km from the center of Cape Town. AFP

people and in 2015 contributed $2.77 billion (2.6 billion euros) to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

“We need to get better prices for our wine,” says Heyns. “South African brands are often viewed as value for money only. That needs to shift for quality, image and branding.”

Forrester agrees, lamenting exports of mainly cheap wines, calling it “a bad mistake because this positioned us incorrectly in the market place.”

Former Springboks flanker Jan “Bolen” Coetzee wore the national side’s jersey six times before following his forebears and buying a vineyard in Stellenbosch in 1980.

Coetzee, now 72, is critical of the recent quantitative rather than qualitative approach, even though South Africa is now the world’s eighth largest wine producer.

“When the market opened up to exports in 1994, everybody was curious about South African. But instead of selling our better wines, we were selling bulk wines by millions of liters. The only kind of brand we had was price, and the price was cheap,” he said.

Although South African wines have begun to break onto the international stage and win critical recognition, they are still saddled with their humble viticultural origins.

Those origins go back three centuries, but the industry took a hit notably in the 1980s amid international sanctions imposed over apartheid.

After those sanctions were lifted, producers moved to offload stocks, with little heed for price.

“I was shocked in Europe the other day because guys are willing to spend more for a bottle of water from Norway... than for a bottle of South African wine,” said Coetzee.

In a bid to increase the market value of the country’s output, industry organization Wines of South Africa has sought to reshape the perceptions of overseas buyers.

‘Save the industry’ “We have 500 odd wine brands but we don’t have one that stands out and is recognized worldwide. That’s one of our challenges,” said WOSA chief executive Siobhan Thompson.

Forced to do battle with new world

wines from Australia and Chile, the South African wine industry is struggling in traditional markets like Germany and Britain while expanding into China and elsewhere in Africa.

“We don’t have the consumer demand that can drive up the prices to the level that one wants. The SA market is relatively small,” said Nick Vink, a lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

Experts warn the industry is facing an uphill struggle when it comes to growing the domestic market and attracting newly affluent drinkers from among the black majority.

“If you’re sort of cutting more than half of your market off and say we’re not going to sell to them―or we can’t sell to them―you’re cutting yourself off from a large proportion of what you need to sort of save the industry,” Vink added.

For Coetzee, the veteran winemaker and rugby star, the future is in the hands of young winemakers.

“Only the producers can turn around the image of South African wines,” he said. “Our new generation is very talented, they can make it happen.” AFP

LGUs

Philex girds for MICC review

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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By Dexter A. See TUBA, Benguet—Philex Mining Corp. has formed an ad hoc committee to prepare for the planned multi-stakeholder review to be conducted by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council, and in line with the Duterte administration’s promotion of responsible mining.

This is apart from the previous audit done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We have to be ready for this upcoming audit by the MICC,” said Eulalio Austin Jr., CEO and president of Philex Mining.

The firm’s committee is composed of company executives and senior managers at its Padcal mine here, Austin added.

“It’s not that we are unprepared; it’s just that we are taking this seriously, as we support the ruling administration in its move to rid the industry of irresponsible-mining practices,” he said.

Austin said the team is tasked to assess what and where else could the company improve in its operations, then draw up formal suggestions and recommendations, and cascade these to the employees, especially those who are hands-on in the mining and milling operations.

Philex Mining passed with flying colors the technical mine audit conducted by the DENR on all operating largescale miners last August.

According to a statement released last Wednesday by the Department of Finance, this was not the multi-stakeholder review as required under Executive Order 79, which created the MICC in 2012 and tasked it to implement reforms in the country’s mining industry.

Quoting Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, the DoF statement said the department came to learn about this during the recent meetings conducted by MICC and its TWG, or technical working group.

On Feb. 20, they approved the framework, process, and methodology for carrying out the multi-stakeholder review in response to President Duterte’s order to reassess DENR’s mine audit.

WINNING CHORALE.

Members of the Los Cantantes de Manila chorale deliver their winning performance as they bagged the grand prize in the 3rd Las Piñas Chorale Festival, a competition organized by the Villar SIPAG Foundation at the St. Ezekiel Moreno parish church in Las Piñas City. The event honors the birth of the city’s patron saint and namesake of the church, who was Las Piñas’ parish priest in 1876, was beatified

by Pope Paul VI in 1975, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1992 after dying of cancer on Aug. 9, 1906.

Ey Acasio

QC backs institutionalized 4Ps

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Quezon City Council has passed a resolution supporting the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Resolution SP-6973, S-2017, introduced by Councilor Melencio Castelo, urges Congress to enact a law that will institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“The program has a remarkable impact in improving the lives of millions of household-beneficiaries particularly in health aspect and education. Children covered under the Program will have better

chances of gainful employment after finishing their high school under the new curriculum being implemented by the Department of Education,” the resolution read.

The 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer program of the national government that aims to eradicate extreme poverty among Filipinos, particularly in aid of their health and education.

As of April 10, 2017, Quezon City hosts a total of 37,689 4Ps household beneficiaries. More than four million households in the country have benefitted from the 4Ps. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was first implemented in 2008 under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and continued under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The program is implemented in 143 cities including Quezon City; 1,484 municipalities; 79 provinces; and 17 regions in the country.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government backs President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to address the shortage of blood sup-

ply and consolidation of blood types of all Filipinos.

The city’s health department will spearhead the launch of the President’s project dubbed “Type ng Bayan” at the QCX Building inside the Quezon Memorial Circle on May 7.

About 5,000 participants for blood typing and 500 others for blood donations are expected to attend.

The local government has tapped the Quezon City General Hospital and Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, saying it is expecting more hospitals to join the program.

“Type ng Bayan” is a project of the President under the Cabinet Spouses Foundation Inc., and in partnership with the Department of Health, Depart-

Manila traffic men take refresher

New NIA boss eyes review of all dams

By Ferdie G. Domingo CABANATUAN CITY—Amid fears of the “Big One” earthquake striking anytime, the new administrator of the National Irrigation Administration has ordered the agency’s engineers to inspect Pantabangan Dam and other dams in the country to ensure their structural integrity.

NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya told reporters following a visit at the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems office here that his men had just concluded training on determining the quake preparedness of dams.

They will soon undertake an engineering assessment of all dams, including the Pantabangan Dam, he added.

Visaya witnessed the installing of new NIA-UPRIIS Division III manager Engineer Jose Ariel G. Domingo after the compulsory retirement of Engineer

Joselito Mangunay this May. “With talks of this ‘Big One,’ we will consider the structural integrities of our dams to ensure the people are safe,” he said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has sounded the alarm for the “Big One” that could level Metro Manila, which is bisected by the West Valley Fault.

Phivolcs said that while there is no instrument to predict the occurrence of earthquakes, a tremor in Metro Manila is expected because of the possible movement of the West Valley Fault.

Pantabangan Dam is the country’s largest dam that irrigates over 100,000 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon.

In March 2011, then-NIA administrator Antonio Nangel claimed the earthen dam, the first and single largest infrastructure ever accomplished by the government, can survive an Intensity 10 earthquake.

By Sandy Araneta

RECLAIMING BACLARAN. Metro Manila Development Authority general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez (center), together with the MMDA’s clearing operations team, discussed strategy in relocating hundreds of illegal vendors and clearing the service road of Roxas Boulevard and the vicinity of Redemptorist Church in Baclaran. Orbos is offering jeepney drivers and operators to pick up passengers at the Southwest Interim Terminal in front of the Coastal Mall, at the corner of Coastal Road near President Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. Meanwhile, Olivarez disclosed the city will allocate P40 million to transfer the vendors to a proposed flea market area in a one-hectare government-owned lot at the Aseana Complex, fronting the church. He said Parañaque City will fully coordinate with MMDA on the development projects of the Duterte administration along Roxas Boulevard.

Baguio to roll out red carpet for ’17 Ad Summit BAGUIO CITY—The country’s undisputed Summer Capital will host this year’s Advertising Summit, which is tentatively scheduled on Sept. 13 to 16 at the CAP Convention Center inside Camp John Hay and at the Baguio Country Club.

City Administrator Carlos M. Canilao met with officials of the Media Specialists Association of the Philippines led by Venus Navalta, and discussed the obligations of both parties to ensure the suc-

cessful conduct of the event.

It will be incorporated as one of the major activities of the monthlong celebration of the city’s Charter anniversary, Canilao said.

“We were made to understand that the organizers of this year’s Advertising Summit had decided to hold the prestigious event in Baguio City, that is why we are also preparing for the hosting of the said event considering that it will help in the aggressive promotion of the city that will boost

ment of the Interior and Local Government, Philippines Association of Medical Technologies and Ricky Reyes, a popular Filipino hairdresser, businessman and philanthropist.

It aims to document and provide accessible and safe blood for those who need transfusions.

“We need to know what our blood type is. Why? So that we would know who we should approach for blood donations,” said Dr. Mary Rochelle Paulino, the program’s blood program medical coordinator and city’s officer in charge in District 6.

“We aim to gather over 5,000 participants in our bloodletting program. If there are more [people], the better,” she added. With Herand Kezia Pandaan

its local economy,” he stressed.

Organizers have made the initial inspections on the proposed venues of the events that will be lined up for the Advertising Congress, as well as the potential accommodation facilities. They were convinced the city is ready to host the yearly event for the Philippine advertising industry, Canilao said.

The initial commitments of the local government to the organizers are the guaranteed security of the participants; exemption of the

participants from Baguio’s numbercoding traffic scheme; participation of small industry workers such as wood carvers; coffee growers during farmer’s market; cultural immersion and presentations from cultural groups in the city; Provision of emergency volunteers and responders; availability of vehicles to be rented for the transportation of participants from their hotels to the seminar venues; organized city tours for participants; the placement of advertising banners;

the availability of tents and parachutes for the exhibit area; support for various sports activities; and guaranteed participation of student volunteers, among others.

Canilao said holding the Advertising Summit in the city will be a big boost to Baguio’s tourism industry and overall economic growth, because of the expected influx of thousands of advertising industry stakeholders, who will be staying in the city for at least a week. Dexter A. See

MORE than 150 former members of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau are set to start their extensive retraining before being inducted back to the city traffic force, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada announced Monday.

Estrada assured that every trainee has been thoroughly screened and subjected to background checks to ensure that only the best and qualified will be returned to the service.

“One of our requirements is that the trainee should have at least some units in college because we’re rebuilding a new traffic force composed of highly competent and professional men and women,” Estrada said.

The new applicants comprise the second batch of old MTPB personnel to undergo extensive retraining; the first batch, composed of 82 men and women, graduated last January.

They were part of the 690 traffic enforcers of MTPB who were fired by Estrada last November for involvement in extortion and other illegal activities. Many have been given their permanent walking papers while others underwent extensive screening before being allowed to apply again.

MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza said they have so far screened 62 applicants, several of whom were newcomers.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Standard TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 C2 COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nomination of JESSE A. ALVAREZ, PA to the rank of Brigadier General, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Leading ARMM with heart L The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above nomination to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

By Ayunan Gunting-Al-Hadj

For the schedule of the public hearings and any other inquiry, contact the CA Secretariat through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713.

AWYER Amenodin Usodan Sumagayan, 42, went into politics with a vision: To put order where there is 24 April 2017. crime and conflict.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA The Regional Assemblyman of the Secretary first district of Lanao del Sur said the citizenry has witnessed clashes between Moros and Christians, religious extremism and drug-related crimes. Seeing the people living in uncertainty and hoping to assuage their fears, Sumagayan ran as a lawmaker in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He aims to sustain the vision of previous leaders in making public safety the top priority.

“We must bring justice to lawless elements and eliminate illegal drugs so that my people will be more secure,” said Sumagayan.

He has filed bills such as the Public Safety Act and other resolutions that address peace and order, education, social services and health.

As a leader, his main characteristic is concern, or “malasakit” in Filipino.

“My interest is not about myself but the betterment of the people,” he said.

To draft the laws, Sumagayan does

his homework, consulting other officials to better understand the needs of his constituents. He leads committee hearings so legislative proposals are adapted to the current conditions of his district and would lead to solutions. His clarity of vision has inspired others to support his ideas.

Sumagayan said in his own modest way as a legislator, he is helping to create bills that will help make the ARMM a better place.

“The ARMM has taken great strides in governance, tourism, economic growth, education, and infrastructure development. ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman has moved mountains to address this area,” he said.

“Education, social services and public works have also been given much attention in the region because the bulk of issues are in this departments. As an assemblyman, I am helping to improve ARMM by passing bills and resolutions that are essential to the development of

culture and intellectual growth, motivated him to pursue degrees in management and law and a career as a public servant.

Sumagayan could have earned more as a lawyer in the big cities. Instead, he chose to stay in his hometown in Taraka, Lanao del Sur, where he served as municipal mayor for three terms.

His wife, Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan, a former professor in English and Literature, is Taraka’s mayor and has continued his initiatives.

Sumagayan describes his leadership style as being a humble servant to his constituents, while balancing the rule of law. He consults people for decisions and making himself available to discuss issues.

He recalls that when he was mayor, he showed his confidence and trust in his team by delegating responsibilities. “I have learned that trusting others is a sign of strength,” he said.

Ultimately, Sumagayan cites his parents as examples of humility and amicable personalities. He saw how they were decisive, yet were never influenced by the ego of position and were attentive to people’s needs.

“My parents taught me that the greatest achievement of a leader is to serve his people well,” he said.

DPWH chief in Albay sacked

By Manilyn B. Ugalde

LEGAZPI CITY—Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar has sacked the district engineer in Bicol anew, just more than a month after he sacked three of his top DPWH executives in the region.

Villar signed Thursday the relief order of district engineer Sumagayan Edilberto Ativo of the Albay 3rd District Engineering in Ligao both the region and my constituents,” City.

Sumagayan adds.

DPWH Special Order No. 60 Public service is in his DNA. “I was series of 2017 designated district raised in a family where public service engineer Edna Menez as the reruns through its bloodlines, starting placement of Ativo, who is rewith my grandparents and my parents,” portedly reassigned temporarily he said. to the regional office in Legazpi The son of a district engineer and a on a floating status.

Moro historian-educator, Sumagayan Menez was district engineer grew up in the academic community of the Albay 2nd District Engiof Mindanao State University in Maraneering from 2013 to 2015 when wi City. The intellectual atmosphere, she was ordered dismissed from which cultivated his pride in Muslim the service by the Ombudsman in March 2015 following a graft complaint.

Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) IV But early this year, the OmLANDBANK Batangas City Branch, Pastor Talambiras budsman ordered Menez reBuilding, P. Burgos Street, Batangas City instated after her motion for Telephone Nos. (043) 722-2070 and 723-3418 Email: rbac_region4@yahoo.com reconsideration was found meritorious.

INVITATION TO BID DPWH regional director DaAccording to Pineda, at present MARIVELES, Bataan—About 130 nilo Versola could not be conThe Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee - Region IV multinational firms have applied for there are 127 operational indus(RBAC-IV), invites Rural Banks and Cooperatives to bid for the hereunder project: tacted for comment, but his exaccreditation at the Authority of the trial firms in the FAB with a total ITB No. RBAC-IV-2017-002 ecutive assistant, lawyer Felix Freeport Area of Bataan to put up of 43,000 workers which contribute Services for the distribution of DSWD Conditional Cash Transfer Program (CCT) cash grants to beneficiaries for six (6) Brazil, confirmed the reassignpayouts for May, July, September, November 2017, January and March 2018 payout periods (Regional Coverage B): manufacturing plants at the fastest at least P400 million monthly to the ment of Menez as district engiNonApproved Budget emerging ecozone in the country, local economy.

No. of neer vice Ativo.

Service for the Contract Refundable CCT Type Province/City/Municipality Pineda added that the FAB, the Freeport Area of Bataan located Beneficiaries Fee A source said Albay Third Fee (ABC) in solid harmonization with the loin this town.

District Rep. Fernando GonzaBATANGAS Engineer Emmanuel D. Pineda, cal government officials headed by lez had been complaining of the Regular CCT - Offsite 1,365 P 38.00 BALETE P 311,220.00 P 500.00 AFAB chairman and administrator, Bataan Gov. Albert Raymond S. Regular CCT - Offsite 2,964 38.00 CALACA 675,792.00 500.00 “low performance” of Ativo.

Regular CCT - Offsite 2,400 38.00 CALATAGAN 547,200.00 500.00 said the foreign and local investors Garcia, has explored all avenues of Early last February, Villar Regular CCT - Offsite 2,088 38.00 LAUREL 476,064.00 500.00 are waiting for the approval of the promoting the FAB as an investrelieved Bicol regional director Regular CCT - Offsite 4,112 38.00 SAN JUAN 937,536.00 500.00 Board of Directors to start their op- ment-friendly location.

Regular CCT - Offsite 1,062 38.00 TAYSAN 242,136.00 500.00 Reynaldo Tagudando, assistant Regular CCT - Onsite 315 24.00 45,360.00 500.00 The establishment of FAB was erations this year. regional director Armando Es14,306 TOTAL BATANGAS P 3,235,308.00 Some of the prospective locators through the initiative of Gov. Gartrella, and regional legal officer ORIENTAL MINDORO who are motivated to relocate their cia, then congressman of the First Oliver Rodulfo over their own 623 P 50.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 186,900.00 manufacturing facilities are engaged District of Bataan, who authored infighting.

2,807 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite BACO 639,996.00 P 500.00 in the production of top-quality fash- the creation of the economic zone 142 20.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 17,040.00 Villar reassigned Tagudando 3,572 TOTAL P 843,936.00 ionable export products and other to boost the eco-industrial growth to the Bureau of Research and 402 25.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 60,300.00 of the province. Butch Gunio labor-intensive industries.

Standards, Estrella as assistant 2,314 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite BANSUD 527,592.00 P 500.00 256 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 35,328.00 regional direc2,972 TOTAL P 623,220.00 tor for East789 25.00 MCCT IP - Offsite BONGABONG P 118,350.00 ern Visayas in 4,858 25.00 Regular CCT - Offsite 728,700.00 P 500.00 5,647 Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) IV TOTAL P 847,050.00 Tacloban City, 1,916 48.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 551,808.00 LANDBANK Batangas City Branch, Pastor Talambiras and Rodulfo as 2,478 38.00 BULALACAO (SAN PEDRO) Regular CCT - Offsite 564,984.00 P 600.00 Building, P. Burgos Street, Batangas City legal officer in 599 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 82,662.00 Telephone Nos. (043) 722-2070 and 723-3418 4,993 TOTAL P 1,199,454.00 Email: rbac_region4@yahoo.com Region 7 in Cebu.

1,390 39.00 Regular CCT - Offsite P 325,260.00 Ta g u d a n d o 2,635 20.00 Regular CCT Onsite CITY OF CALAPAN 316,200.00 P 500.00 was replaced by 4,025 TOTAL P 641,460.00 INVITATION TO BID 117 50.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 35,100.00 Versola, who The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee - Region IV 3,155 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite GLORIA 719,340.00 P 500.00 was Region 13 (RBAC-IV), invites Rural Banks and Cooperatives to bid for the hereunder project: 118 22.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 15,576.00 3,390 regional direcTOTAL P 770,016.00 ITB No. RBAC-IV-2017-001 1,799 25.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 269,850.00 tor based in BuServices for the distribution of DSWD Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program cash grants to beneficiaries for Six (6) 3,362 25.00 Regular CCT - Offsite MANSALAY 504,300.00 P 500.00 Payouts for May, July, September, November 2017, January and March 2018 payout periods (Regional Coverage A): tuan City, while 328 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 45,264.00 5,489 TOTAL P 819,414.00 Marinduque Approved Budget No. of Non-Refundable 1,148 35.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 241,080.00 for the Contract Province and Municipalities district engiBeneficiaries Fee 4,434 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite NAUJAN 1,010,952.00 P 800.00 (ABC) neer Esmeraldo 1,752 24.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 252,288.00 BATANGAS 7,334 TOTAL P 1,504,320.00 Sarmiento suc• Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Bauan, 357 35.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 74,970.00 ceeded Estrella.

Calaca, Calatagan, City of Tanauan, Cuenca, Ibaan, 1,878 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite POLA 428,184.00 P 500.00 8,993 Lemery, Lian, Lipa City, Lobo, Mabini, Malvar, Mataas P 1,514,916.00 P 800.00 Versola is from 379 24.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 54,576.00 Na Kahoy, Nasugbu, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, 2,614 TOTAL P 557,730.00 Davao City.

San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, San Pascual, Santa 121 49.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 35,574.00 Brazil, howTeresita, Santo Tomas, Taal, Talisay, Tingloy, Tuy 454 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite PUERTO GALERA 62,652.00 P 500.00 ever, clarified the 575 TOTAL P 98,226.00 OCCIDENTAL MINDORO 115 28.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 19,320.00 reassignment of 26,590 • Abra De Ilog, Calintaan, Looc, Lubang, Magsaysay, P 6,214,080.00 P 3,000.00 573 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite ROXAS 130,644.00 P 500.00 Rodulfo in Cebu Mamburao, Paluan, Rizal, Sablayan, San Jose, 3,583 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 494,454.00 did not push Santa Cruz 4,271 TOTAL P 644,418.00 340 50.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 102,000.00 through after the ORIENTAL MINDORO 1,167 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite SAN TEODORO 266,076.00 P 500.00 Cebu-based legal 3,642 • City of Calapan, Pinamalayan, Puerto Galera, Victoria P 847,656.00 P 500.00 1,507 TOTAL P 368,076.00 officer reassign292 50.00 MCCT IP - Offsite P 87,600.00 ROMBLON 2,186 38.00 Regular CCT - Offsite SOCORRO 498,408.00 P 500.00 ment was put on • Alcantara, Banton, Cajiocan, Calatrava, Concepcion, 505 22.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 66,660.00 hold. He refused 16,191 2,983 Corcuera, Ferrol, Looc, Magdiwang, Odiongan, P 3,706,380.00 P 1,800.00 TOTAL P 652,668.00 to elaborate.

97 49.00 MCCT IP - Offsite Romblon, San Agustin, San Andres, San Fernando, P 28,518.00 1,011 39.00 Regular CCT - Offsite VICTORIA 236,574.00 P 500.00 San Jose, Santa Fe, Santa Maria (Imelda) Villar’s “ri700 23.00 Regular CCT - Onsite 96,600.00 godon” or staff Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date 1,808 TOTAL P 361,692.00 movement in of submission and receipts of bids, with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well 51,180 TOTAL ORIENTAL MINDORO P 9,931,680.00 as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest Bicol developed Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date calculated bid shall be conducted. following his of submission and receipts of bids, with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest visit in LegazBid shall be per province and bid for municipality shall not be considered. The detailed requirements will be seen on calculated bid shall be conducted. the PhilGEPS website (www.philgeps.gov.ph) and look for the opportunities of LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES pi on Jan. 14, - REGION IV. where he unBid shall be per municipality. The detailed requirements will be seen on the PhilGEPS website (www.philgeps.gov.ph) and look for the opportunities of LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES - REGION IV. expectedly enEach set of bidding documents shall cost a non-refundable fee, in accordance with Section 17.4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 9184. countered VolEach set of bidding documents shall cost a non-refundable fee, in accordance with Section 17.4 of the Implementing unteers Against Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 9184.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Crime and Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).

Cor r uption Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent founding chairprovisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: man CommoThe complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE dore Dante 1. Issuance of Bid Documents April 25 to May 10, 2017 SCHEDULE ACTIVITIES Jimenez at the May 4, 2017 - 10:00 A.M. Legazpi air port.

1. Issuance of Bid Documents April 25 to May 10, 2017 2. Pre-Bid Conference Conference Room, 2nd Floor LANDBANK Building May 4, 2017 - 10:00 A.M. Villar and J.P. Laurel Highway, Maraouy, Lipa City 2. Pre-Bid Conference Conference Room, 2nd Floor LANDBANK Building 3. Deadline of Submission of Bids and Documentary May 16, 2017 - 12: Noon Jimenez’s brief J.P. Laurel Highway, Maraouy, Lipa City Requirements / Opening of Bids and Evaluation LANDBANK Batangas City Branch 3. Deadline of Submission of Bids and Documentary May 16, 2017 - 12:00 NN meeting was witP. Talambiras Building, P. Burgos St., Batangas City Requirements / Opening of Bids and Evaluation LANDBANK Batangas City Branch, Pastor nessed by four 4.

Post-qualification May 18 to 30, 2017 Talambiras Building, P. Burgos Street, Batangas City 5.

Issuance of Notice of Award June 8, 2017 Bicol DPWH 4. Post-qualification May 18 to 30, 2017 5. Issuance of Notice of Award June 8, 2017 executives led Bid Documents will be available on the prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable non-refundable amount to the by Estrella and LANDBANK Cashier.

Bid Documents will be available on the prospective bidders (can be downloaded thru PHILGEPS) upon payment of the Rodulfo, who applicable non-refundable amount to the LANDBANK nearest branch.

Qualifications and documentary requirements shall be submitted simultaneously with the deadline of submission of bid. heard the VACC Failure to submit the needed qualifications and documentary requirements are set forth (posted in PHILGEPS) shall not be Qualifications and documentary requirements shall be submitted simultaneously with the deadline of submission of bid chairman tellconsidered. stated above. Failure to submit the needed qualifications and documentary requirements set forth (can be downloaded thru ing the secretary, PHILGEPS) shall not be considered. Submit your bid and documentary requirements on the above stated address.

The Bank reserves the right to (1) reject any and all bids at anytime prior to the award of the contract; (2) waive any minor “Don’t you know formal requirements in the bid documents; (3) accept such bids it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, LANDBANK reserves the right to (1) reject any and all bids at anytime prior to the award of the contract; (2) waive any minor secretary that without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. formal requirements in the bid documents; (3) accept such bids it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. the DPWH is the REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE most corrupt in REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE REGION IV REGION IV the region?”

(MS-APR. 24, 2017)

130 multinational firms flock to AFAB

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

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Aspiring stylist to jihadist widow QAMISHLI, Syria―Islam Maytat thought marrying an Afghan-British businessman was her ticket to a new life as a fashionista in London. Instead she became a widow living under jihadist rule in Syria.

At just 23, the young Moroccan spent three traumatic years in northern Syria under the Islamic State group’s so-called “caliphate”.

Tens of thousands of foreigners have joined jihadist groups in Syria, including women who are encouraged to marry and raise the children of IS fighters.

Some, like Maytat, have been lured unknowingly into marriages with would-be jihadists.

Maytat spoke to AFP after fleeing IS’s northern stronghold of Raqa to territory controlled by a US-backed alliance fighting the extremist group.

Now safe in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli, Maytat holds her gurgling 10-month-old daughter Maria in her lap as she tells her story.

“Meeting my husband was one of the things that motivated me to study fashion design in Europe, but I had no luck. Everything went wrong,” she said.

She first met Khalil Ahmed― an Afghan-British trader who worked in Dubai―online in early 2014, and they married two months later.

He flew to Morocco to marry her and they then went to Dubai, stepping into a complex web of lies and journeys across the Middle East that would eventually take her to Syria.

Ahmed proved to be a strict, controlling husband who did not allow her to wear makeup or bright clothes.

After a brief trip to Afghanistan to meet his family, Maytat was eager to get to London and start working as a stylist.

Ahmed proposed traveling to Istanbul, convincing a reluctant Maytat that it would be easier to move to London from there.

But as soon as they landed in Turkey, Ahmed immediately drove her to the southeastern city of Gaziantep near the border with Syria.

Ankara has long been accused of turning a blind eye to IS fighters using the porous Syrian-Turkish border to transport people, goods, and funds―allegations it vehemently denies.

In Gaziantep, Maytat and Ahmed moved into a large house full of ecstatic couples from countries including Saudi Arabia, Algeria and France. AFP

ANNIVERSARY Workers prepare for an ANZAC day service near Sydney Cenotaph in Martin Place on April 24, 2017. Dawn services will be held across the two countries on the anniversary of the ill-fated 1915 campaign of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that left 11,500 of them dead in what is now Turkey during World War I. AFP

Macron, Le Pen in final duel P ARIS―French voters flocked to the polls under heavy security Sunday in the first round of a highly unpredictable presidential election seen as vital for the future of the ailing European Union.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron are the favorites to progress to a run-off on May 7 but the race is too close to call in a deeply divided country.

Le Pen, the 48-year-old leader of the anti-immigration National Front (FN), hopes to capitalize on security fears that were catapulted to the fore of the campaign after the fatal shooting on Thursday of a policeman on Paris’s Champs Elysees avenue claimed by the Islamic State group.

Aiming to ride a wave of populism that carried Donald Trump to the White House and led Britain to vote for Brexit, Le Pen wants France to abandon the euro and also intends to call a referendum on withdrawing from the EU. Observers predict a Le Pen victory could be a fatal blow for the EU, already weakened by Brit-

ain’s “Brexit” vote to leave.

Macron, 39, is seeking to become France’s youngest ever president and has campaigned on a strongly pro-EU and pro-business platform.

Riding the crest of a worldwide shift away from established political parties, the former banker and economy minister formed his own movement, “En Marche” (On the Move), that he says is “neither to the left nor to the right.”

But polls show scandaltainted conservative candidate Francois Fillon, a former prime minister, and hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon are also in with a fighting chance of finishing first or second in order to reach the all-important second round.

Le Pen cast her ballot in HeninBeaumont, a former coal mining town in northern France that has

an FN mayor.

Macron voted in the chic northern seaside resort of Le Touquet with wife Brigitte, his former high school teacher who is 25 years his senior. Fillon and Melenchon both voted in Paris.

At midday, turnout on a bright spring day was up slightly compared with the same time in 2012―when a total 79.48 percent of the electorate cast ballots― seemingly defying forecasts of a record low participation rate.

Nearly 47 million people are eligible to vote in the eurozone’s second biggest economy.

Most polling stations will close at 1700 GMT, with those in major cities shutting an hour later. First projected results are expected shortly afterwards.

In the wake of the policeman’s killing on Thursday, 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers have been deployed around France to protect voters.

The terror attack was the latest in a bloody series that have cost more than 230 lives since 2015.

Guy Belkechout, a 79-year-old pensioner who was voting in the working-class Parisian suburb of Trappes, said he was concerned.

“Security issues influenced me

after the attacks. Candidates who want fewer security measures, who want to reduce the police’s powers, have not got my vote,” he told AFP. Analysts were divided over whether Thursday’s attack would sway voters in a country that has begun to take the jihadist threat in its stride.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Le Pen called for France to “immediately” take back control of its borders from the EU and deport all foreigners on a terror watchlist.

“If it were to benefit someone, that would clearly be Marine Le Pen who has dominated this issue throughout the campaign, or Francois Fillon,” said Adelaide Zulfikarpasic of the BVA polling institute.

Hajaf Erhamani, a 39-year-old teaching assistant from the wellheeled Paris suburb of Sevres, said she was more worried about the economy and the slew of ethics scandals that marred the campaign.

“You can’t trust politicians these days. On the left and the right, they’re stealing from us,” she complained.

Several voters told AFP they had voted tactically in a bid to keep the

far right out of power.

Closely watched around the world, the French campaign has been full of twists and turns.

A race that began with the surprise nomination of Fillon as right-wing candidate in November shifted into higher gear in December when unpopular Socialist President Francois Hollande decided not to seek re-election.

Hollande’s five years in office have been dogged by a sluggish economy and the constant terror threat.

After voting in Tulle, central France, Hollande said “democracy is stronger than all else”, in a reference to the Champs Elysees attack.

Fillon was the early front runner until his support waned after he was charged following accusations he gave his British-born wife a fictitious job as his parliamentary assistant for which she was paid nearly 700,000 euros ($750,000) of public money.

Though there are four main contenders in the election, a total of 11 candidates are taking part.

The candidate for the governing Socialists, Benoit Hamon, was a distant fifth going into the final weekend. AFP

UN chief Guterres reassures Jews

PARTY. Guests attend the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival ‘Rainbow Crow’ premier party at the Boom Boom Room on April 23, 2017 in New York City. AFP

NEW YORK―UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sought to reassure international Jewish community leaders on Sunday that he would stand up against any perceptions of anti-Israel bias at the world organization.

Guterres spoke amid a deepening row over alleged bias within the UN following US pressure, exacerbated last month when a UN rights expert issued a blistering criticism of Israel’s policies.

Guterres said he would “guarantee” that those working under him would abide by the principles that he considered right.

“As secretary general of the United Nations I consider that the state of Israel needs to be treated as any other state,” he said to applause at the World Jewish Congress in New York.

“I have already had the opportunity to show that I’m ready to abide by that principle even when

that forces me to take some decisions that create some uncomfortable situations,” he added.

Former UN official and Jordanian national Rima Khalaf last month said Guterres asked her to withdraw a report in which she accused Israel of being an “apartheid state” and subsequently resigned.

The UN chief nonetheless qualified: “That does not mean that I will always be in agreement with all the decisions that are taken at any moment by any government that exists in Israel.”

Guterres promised that he would be “in the front line” in the struggle against anti-Semitism, which he warned was on the rise in Europe and America, and called “absolutely unacceptable.”

He promised to “make sure that the United Nations is able to conduct all possible actions for anti-Semitism to be condemned, and if possible eradicated from the face of the earth.”

His 15-minute speech was in-

terrupted by applause at least 11 times. The former Portuguese prime minister was also given a standing ovation.

It was the first time that a UN secretary general has addressed an international gathering of Jewish leaders.

Israel last month announced a $2 million cut in its contribution to the UN budget because of constant criticism by the UN Human Rights Council of its policies towards the Palestinians.

Israel had already cut $6 million from its $11.7 million contribution after a Security Council resolution passed in December condemned Israel’s settlement building in the occupied West Bank. AFPOn Monday, UN Security Council ambassadors are scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump and US lawmakers for talks likely to include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US cuts to UN funding. AFP

Syrian refugees are New York tourists for the day NEW YORK―After fleeing the war in Syria and arriving in America with her family four months ago, for one day Mona Hafez is not a refugee. She is a tourist seeing the sights of New York.

“Coming to the park was really fun. Riding the subway was awesome. I love all of New York City,” says the 10-year-old, words tumbling out of her mouth in delight.

Hafez was one of 150 refugees last week treated to free tours of the US cultural capital, complete with a pizza lunch, in a charity drive organized by a New York guide desperate to make refugees feel welcome at a time when President Donald Trump wants them banned.

So ugly and so polarized is today’s US debate around immigration that organizer Luke Miller re-

ceived death threats on Facebook while raising money to cover the cost of the day-long tours.

“People wrote just really vitriolic, nasty, nasty things,” said the 48-year-old, who owns family business Real New York Tours.

“Overall the response has just been incredible.”

For five days over spring break, he took mostly Syrians but also some Iraqis around the city, treat-

ing groups of children, teenagers and parents to stories about New York’s history, fun facts and indelible memories.

For one day, the refugees could put aside worries about overcoming the language barrier and finding work, and just enjoy themselves after years of living in fear and uncertainty.

The tour took in Madison Square Garden, Times Square―

where a spot on the Marriott Marquis billboard costs $2.5 million a month to rent, Miller tells the flabbergasted group―then Central Park to see the sea lions and ride the carousel, ironically operated by the Trump Organization.

Then it’s back on the subway to head downtown to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty across the harbor and eat pizza.

“You guys want to see something cool?” asks Miller, inviting the group to crane their necks up to the Empire State Building shrouded in cloud.

He whips out pictures of King Kong clambering up the side in the 1933 movie to laughs and tells stories of construction workers laboring at dizzying heights who died in days of relaxed safety standards. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

Website threatens to wipe out US

World

Silence as Israel recalls Holocaust JERUSALEM―Israelis stood silent and sirens rang out for two minutes on Monday as the country held its annual remembrance of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Drivers exited their cars and buses ground to a halt, while students at schools marked the two minutes of silence that began at 10:00 am (0700 GMT).

Israeli radio and television stations have aired testimony, documentaries and films on the genocide carried out by the Nazis since Sunday night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to destroy those who call for the destruction of Israel in a speech at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial to mark the start of commemorations on Sunday night.

“Iran and the Islamic State want to destroy us, and a hatred for Jews is being directed towards the Jewish state today,” he said.

“From being defenseless people, we have become a state with a defensive capacity that is among the strongest in the world,” he said.

He also said that “in our world, the strong survive and the weak are erased.”

“We learned that in our bones with the Holocaust and it is always present in our minds.”

Six Holocaust survivors lit torches at the memorial on Sunday night in memory of the six million Jews massacred by the Nazis during World War II. The state of Israel was created in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust as the national home for the Jewish people.

More than 213,000 Holocaust survivors live in Israel today, many of them below the poverty line, according to survivors’ groups. AFP

Trump message to Jewish Congress NEW YORK―President Donald Trump vowed to wipe out antiSemitism in a message to mark Israel’s annual Holocaust Remembrance Day after his administration was criticized for past statements about the genocide.

In a four-minute taped video played to the World Jewish Congress in New York, the US leader called the Holocaust “the darkest chapter of human history” and pledged “never again” would such horror occur.

“Six million Jews, two-thirds of the Jews in Europe, murdered by the Nazi genocide. They were murdered by an evil that words cannot describe, and that the human heart cannot bear,” he said.

The Republican commanderin-chief went on to pay tribute to Israel and Jewish perseverance, condemning anti-Semitism.

“We must stamp out prejudice and anti-Semitism everywhere it is found. We must defeat terrorism, and we must not ignore the threats of a regime that talks openly of Israel’s destruction,” he said.

“We cannot let that ever even be thought of,” he said, adding “America stands strong with the State of Israel.”

The White House raised eyebrows on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January by issuing a statement that made no mention of the six million Jews killed in the Nazi genocide.

In February, Trump drew fire for remaining silent for several days over a spate of anti-Semitic threats against Jewish community centers, before condemning them as “horrible” and “painful.” AFP

DAY 3. Singer Tove Lo performs at the Mojave Tent during day 3 of the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 2) at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2017, in Indio, California. AFP

SEOUL―An official North Korean website warned Monday that Pyongyang will “wipe out” the United States if Washington starts a war on the peninsula, the latest tit-for-tat saber-rattling that has sent tensions soaring in the region.

The US super carrier Carl Vinson will arrive in the waters off the Korean peninsula “in a matter of days”, Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday, amid reports the North could be preparing a sixth nuclear test.

Pyongyang is still believed to be far from reaching its aim of building a missile capable of reaching the US mainland, but the secretive nation has ramped up its rhetoric in recent weeks and has carried out two rocket tests this month alone.

In a series of editorials the Rodong Sinmun newspaper―the official mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party―said the North’s forces were undeterred and called the US strike group’s imminent arrival “undisguised military blackmail”.

“Such threat may startle a jellyfish, but can never work on the DPRK,” it said Monday, using the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

A day earlier it said the North’s revolutionary forces were “combat-ready to sink the US nuclear aircraft carrier with a single strike”.

Pyongyang’s rhetoric intensifies every spring, when the US and South Korea hold joint exercises it sees as rehearsals for an attack on the North.

A separate editorial on the North’s propaganda website Uriminzokkiri Monday claimed that the dispatching of the Carl Vinson signalled a war: “It is proof that an invasion of the North is nearing day by day.”

The editorial, described as being written by an army officer, said it was a “big miscalculation” for Washington to compare the North to Syria, which did not launch an “immediate counterattack” after a US cruise missile strike earlier this month.

In the event of an attack, it said, “The world will witness how Washington’s rash nuclear aircraft carriers are turned into a huge pile of steel and buried at sea and how a country called America is wiped out from the Earth.” AFP

Restraint urged on N. Korea B EIJING―Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “restraint” on North Korea in a phone call with Donald Trump Monday, as Japan joined drills with an American super carrier heading to the Korean peninsula.

The US leader has repeatedly called on China, the North’s sole major ally, to do more to rein in Pyongyang as the tensions in the flash point region soar amid speculation it will conduct another nuclear test. “[China] hopes that the relevant parties can maintain restraint and avoid actions that would increase tensions in the Korean Peninsula,” Xi said according to the foreign ministry.

“The only way to realize de-nuclearization in the Korean peninsula and quickly resolve North Korea’s nuclear problem is for each relevant party to fulfill its duties.”

The conversation―the second since their summit at Trump’s luxury resort in Florida early this month―highlights rising concern in Beijing that the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang could spiral into military conflict.

“The international situation is rapidly changing, it is essential that China and the US maintain a close contact and exchange opinions on important matters in a timely manner,” Xi told Trump.

Trump also spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday, discussing the joint drills under way between the US carrier Carl Vinson and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force.

“We completely agreed that we strongly demand restraint by North Korea, which has repeatedly taken dangerous provocative actions,” Abe told reporters after the call.

Tensions have soared in recent months as North Korean missile tests have brought ever-more bellicose warnings from Trump’s administration―and repeated de-

mands for China do more to help.

Despite its longstanding ties with the North, China has stepped up pressure, announcing in February that it was halting all imports of coal from North Korea― a crucial earner for Pyongyang― for the rest of the year.

It also issued a stern warning earlier this month that a conflict over North Korea could break out “at any moment”.

The comments came ahead of a failed missile test coinciding with the 105th anniversary of the birth of North Korea’s founder, Kim IlSung.

Missile and nuclear tests are often timed around major dates and speculation is now centering on the next event on the North’s calendar, the anniversary on Tuesday of the founding of its military.

US Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday that the Vinson and its strike group would arrive in the Sea of Japan―which sits between the Korean peninsula and Japan, “in a matter of days”.

South Korea also said it was considering drills with the carrier group, which is currently conducting joint exercises with Japan in the Philippine Sea. Confusion had clouded the carrier’s whereabouts after Trump indicated the “armada” was steaming towards North Korea when in fact it was heading south and was photographed off Java.

The ruling party newspaper in the North on Monday called the Vinson’s deployment “undisguised military blackmail”.

“Such threat may startle a jellyfish, but can never work on the DPRK,” it said Monday, using the country’s official name. AFP

foto

PREMIERE. Jane Rosenthal attends the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival ‘Rainbow Crow’ premier party at the Boom Boom Room on April 23, 2017, in New York City. AFP

China urged to release North Korean refugees SEOUL―China should immediately reveal the whereabouts of eight North Koreans it detained last month, Human Rights Watch said Monday, adding they risk severe torture if they were returned to the North.

Most North Korean refugees begin their escape by crossing into China and then try to make it to third countries―often in Southeast Asia―where they seek asy-

lum in the South.

If caught and returned to the North they can face severe punishment.

China regularly labels North Koreans as illegal “economic migrants” and repatriates them based on a border protocol adopted in 1986.

“By now, there are plenty of survivor accounts that reveal Kim Jong-Un’s administration is rou-

tinely persecuting those who are forced back to North Korea,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

The group it highlighted― which includes at least four women―was detained by Chinese officials in mid-March after they were stopped for a random check in Shenyang, in northeastern China.

Human Rights Watch said that on the basis of information from

sources it considers usually reliable, the group was still believed to be jailed in China. But it feared they may soon be returned to the North since “most repatriations happen two months after detention”.

“There is no way to sugar coat this: if this group is forced back to North Korea, their lives and safety will be at risk,” Robertson said.

Seoul’s foreign ministry did not confirm the HRW account, saying

its protocol was not to publicly comment on individual refugee cases for their own safety and to protect diplomatic relations.

“But we closely coordinate with a nation involved when a problem involving North Korean refugees arises,” it said in a statement, and was in general “doing our best to ensure the safety and safe transfer of those who wish to come to the South”. AFP

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

D1

Life CULTURE & MEDIA

Emily Watson as the cellist in ‘Hilary & Jackie,’ a shocking portrait of love-starved musician

By Pablo A. Tariman

I

T WAS a long holiday and a good time to watch films with classical music figuring in some parts of the musical scoring.

A cineaste notes that Dead Poets Society, A Clockwork Orange, and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit have one thing in common. Beethoven’s Ode To Joy can be heard in all of them.

In the French film Diva, the Catalani aria Ebben? neandro lontana (from La Wally) is practically the film’s centerpiece and it highlighted the “love affair” between a Black American diva (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez ) and a young French postman (Frédéric Andréi). Soprano Nelly Miricioiu sang the aria in her last performance at the Ayala Museum.

In another film, Black Swan, which is about a ballerina, the music of Tchaikovsky is prominent and the film won for actress Natalie Portman the Oscar best actress trophy.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now partly shot in the Philippines used Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre.

On the other hand, the film impact of Shine and Hilary & Jackie was revealing even among non-music aficionados. Perhaps one way to improve music education in this country is to expose both young and adult audiences to quality films revolving around the life of musicians.

If the themes of love, intrigue, and obsession are common, they are even more pronounced in the musical world.

Competition between voice teachers and their pupils reached absurd, if, comic, proportions in the Belgian film, The Music Teacher, directed by Gerard Corbiau. The battle of tenors in the film reminded me of real-life rivalry between sopranos who had the same colorful teacher.

Stage actress Baby Barredo—who once figured in the Pergolesi opera, La Serva Padrona—once told me that the reason she bolted the opera world and jumped into the theater without regrets was because she couldn’t stand the intrigues on the opera scene.

The subject of illicit love and labor unrest in the orchestra world were given satiric expression in Meeting Venus.

In the Regal Film Laro Sa Baga based on the novel of Edgardo Reyes, Chito Rono unmasked a matron’s artistic pretense by showing her making love to her favorite portrait painter (played by Carlos Morales) with Puccini’s Un bel di (from Madama Butterfly) playing in the background.

One fine film that didn’t quite make it to Manila was Music of the Heart about a violinist (Meryl Streep) who bravely introduced classical music to the public schools of Harlem where black parents didn’t want their children to “waste their time on the music of dead white men” (this line reminded me of what I heard in my island province when I brought classical artists in the island: what we need in our place are piggery projects and abaca livelihood projects – not classical music).

If Shine showcased the immense power of the piano, Hilary & Jackie certainly scored a lot of musical points for the relatively unpopular cello.

In Shine, Geoffrey Rush who played

Classical music

ON FILM Soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez as the black singer in the French film ‘Diva’

The late Marilou Diaz Abaya brought Charito Solis (as voice teacher)and Dina Bonnevie (as pianist) to a Cecile Licad concert for actual exposure to life of musicians.

Film didn’t push through.

Marilou Diaz Abaya with author. She has an unreleased documentary film on pianist Cecile Licad.

the role of the Australian piano prodigy, David Helfgott, won the Oscar for best actor and Emily Watson, who played the cellist, was nominated for the Oscar after an earlier Oscar nomination for another film, Breaking the Waves.

Anand Tucker’s Hilary & Jackie is about two musically gifted sisters, one a flutist played by Rachel Griffiths and the other, Jacqueline Du Pre, the celebrated English cellist, played in the movie by Emily Watson.

The movie has enough informative concert scenes to make the viewer curious about this musical instrument called the cello. There is one backstage scene after Du Pre’s Wigmore Hall debut when a rich admirer gifted her with a Stradivarius Davidoff (1712) cello, which costs more than a million US dollars.

The film also allowed non-music lovers to realize that the cello— though not as popular as the piano and the violin—is gaining more acceptance in the performances of Filipino cellists like Wilfredo Pasamba (he organized an all-cello ensemble at St. Scholastica’s College and is, in fact, the first cello graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, the first Filipina piano graduate of which was Rowena Arrieta), Ramon Bolipata, Renato Lucas and that brilliant scholar from the Philippine High School for the Arts, Victor Michael Coo, who won rousing cheers for his cello debut with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under Rodel Colmenar.

Siegfred Helm, an authority on the cello, once commented that on the whole, Jacqueline Du Pre belongs to the distinguished group of Pablo Casals and Rostropovich who could make their instruments “sing.”

Dame Margot Fonteyn, also a frequent Manila visitor, was also portrayed in Hilary & Jackie as the one who gave Du Pre temporary shelter before her death in 1987.

The movie was based on the book, A Genius in the Family, written by Du Pre’s sister and brother, Hilary and Piers du Pre. Reviewer Michael Hartgraves (an avowed Du Pre-cello fan) writes, “This book could tarnish one’s image of Jacqueline Du Pre. There are family secrets that you may find painful to read. Think of how painful they must have been to write. Think of how painful they must have been to experience.”

In the movie, the most shocking sequence seen by Manila audiences was how Hilary, shared her husband with sister, Jackie, out of love.

But the most touching message of the film is the question: is there life after concertizing?

Jacqueline Du Pre-was a highly revered, world famous musician. But as the film showed, she was miserable in private life because she also longed for moments that have nothing to do with music – like loving moments with her sister, Hilary, and romping in the fields with her nephews and nieces. When Jackie noted that her sister was happy even without music because of a loving, caring husband, she wanted to share her happiness to the extent of asking her sister that her husband make love to her as well.

Even with audience adulation. Du Pre-was asking her equally famous husband and conductor, Daniel Barenboim: Will you still love me even if I stop playing well?

Of course, the most riveting element of the story is the overwhelming friendship of the two sisters even as, later, they would find themselves rivals in the field of music. She won acclaim as a cellist. The other didn’t do as well as a flutist. When Hilary told her sister, she is getting married, the following conversation ensued: Jackie: Why are you marrying him?

You don’t have to. You can have men and not be tied to them. Just use contraceptives (shows one to her). So, why are you marrying him?

Hilary: Because he makes me feel special?

After a pregnant pause, came the reply.

Jackie: The truth is, you are not special.

At some point in Du Pre’s career, she thought that music was unreal – that pianos and cellos are mere props for fame-and-fortune obsessed people. As Du Pre-once intimated with Rostropovich after the end of her master class in Moscow: “I’ve never been a career demon. I love playing cello, playing to the people, but I’ve never wanted to do it every day and every hour of my life.”

Will a film on musicians become a possibility in this country in the future: The late filmmaker Marilou DiazAbaya, who cried after watching Hilary & Jackie in Germany, once told me one of the film projects she would like to do would likely revolve around the story of young musicians. One of the few ideas in her drawing board was a story about gifted children.

Said Abaya, “I am actually looking at the little lives at the National Arts Center in Mt. Makiling and I am asking the question: what is sacrifice in the altar of art when you have a special child?”

At one point in the mid-80s while Cecile Licad was making waves with her Rachmaninoff concerto, Abaya tried it but it was a case of too-muchtoo-soon. “We have to convince our producers that audiences would be interested in such a film,” she said.

Why would she do it at all?

The parting shot: “Because I am a frustrated musician and that’s the reason why I am finicky with the music in my films.”

But will the composite lives of Cecile Licad, Lea Salonga, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Otoniel Gonzaga, Conchita Gaston and Zeneida Amador make sense to moviegoers of this generation?

With the relatively good acceptance of Shine and Hilary & Jackie, Abaya’s dream picture might yet come true in the hands of the new generation of filmmakers.

Life

D2

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

DIGITAL MEDIA

YouTube FanFest back in Manila Y

ouTube is delighted to announce the return of YouTube FanFest to Manila on May 12 at the World Trade Center.

Now on its third year in town, YouTube FanFest, co-presented by Globe Telecoms, is an exclusive live show showcasing the biggest YouTube stars from the Philippines and around the world, and a festival connecting them with fans #IRL. This year’s stellar line up features a mix of talented international creators: Lilly Singh aka IISuperwomanII, Alex Wassabi, LaurDIY, Jayden Rodrigues, JuNCurryAhn, Megan Nicole, Matt Steffanina, and local sensations Janina Vela, Kristel Fulgar, Lloyd Cadena, Mikey Bustos, Ranz Kyle and Niana Guerrero, Wil Dasovich, and Alienette Coldfire. These creators are set to take the stage at World Trade Center, Pasay City, for a night filled with music, dance, and lots of fun.

As part of this year’s FanFest, fans will also get to explore the YouTube Creator Fair, which will help fans get up close and personal with their Internet heroes, and also let them try their

FUN FEST. International and

local YouTube creators are converging in the Philippines to meet and greet their fans at the third YouTube FanFest in Manila.

own hand at shooting and uploading YouTube videos in themed booths and studios.

The Filipino YouTube community is one of the world’s most vibrant and fastest growing. Last year alone, YouTube’s watch time on mobile grew by 65 percent, while hours of uploaded content grew by over 145 percent. To-

day, over 70 channels in the Philippines have been awarded a Silver Play Button (100k+ subscribers), and eight channels have been awarded a Gold Play Button (1 million+ subscribers), including many creators who bagged the award within the past year — watch out for them at FanFest and the Creator Fair.

“We’re delighted to host YouTube Fan-

Fest again in the Philippines for the third time to celebrate this new generation of YouTube stars, and welcome some of our most popular global YouTube creators back to the Philippines. They love coming here because of Filipino fans’ energy and enthusiasm — we can’t wait to come back!” said David Powell, director of Online Partnerships and Development, You-

Tube Asia Pacific.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld Manila.

YouTube creators will also be giving away their own tickets to the show and meet and greet sessions via their social media channels.

For more details, visit www.youtubefanfest.com/ph.

AirAsia’s ‘Red Talks with Daphne’ AIRASIA, voted the world’s best low cost carrier for eight consecutive years by Skytrax launched a six-part web series featuring some of Asia’s best-kept attractions, rich cultural heritage, and inside stories about people and the airline that broke travel norms and made flying possible for everyone across Asia and beyond.

Red Talks with Daphne, hosted by awardwinning TV host and producer Daphne Oseña-Paez, takes viewers to different places and talks about traveling, flying, helping and inspiring communities.

Philippines AirAsia brand manager David Viray said, “AirAsia was established with a dream of making flying affordable and accessible to all and this success story has inspired so many people and communities across the region. The Red Talks team led by Daphne traveled far and beyond to search for places and meet people who share the same dream and story.”

The web series begin with “Destination: Dream (The Man with the Red Cap).” It takes viewers to AirAsia’s massive headquarters in

Kuala Lumpur where Daphne and AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes talk about the airline’s humble beginning and the exciting times for air travelers in the future.

The second episode titled “Destination: Fly” is an inside look on what it takes to be an AirAsia cabin crew and how their journeys and training earned them the distinct recognition of being world-class in a highly demanding job and environment.

“Destination: Good (The Silversmiths of Arkomjogja),” meanwhile, tells the story of architects and silversmiths in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. This third episode highlights the work of the AirAsia Foundation in keeping these ancient traditions alive.

Episode four is called “Destination: Unity.”

It talks about ASEAN as a single market destination and how AirAsia is making it more convenient, more affordable, more fun and more exciting to travel around thousands of islands and the challenges of connecting people, places, and empowering communities.

“Destination: Harmony” (The role of business in environmental protection) goes to Pala-

wan. In this fifth episode, Daphne talks about pearl production and delves into the ongoing campaign to protect Palawan’s marine biodiversity through responsible eco-tourism.

The finale, titled “Destination: Freedom” (A tribute to travelers from all walks of life), brings viewers to Shanghai, China in a story of adventure, thrill, and excitement.

Red Talks with Daphne was made possible by the AirAsia Foundation, the AA BIG Loyalty Programme, Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta, Flower Island Resort Palawan and Jewelmer.

AirAsia BIG Loyalty Program makes it even easier and faster to fly. AirAsia’s award-winning loyalty programme, AirAsia BIG Loyalty allows members to earn AirAsia BIG Points to redeem free AirAsia flights, hotel stays and more. With over 100 partners worldwide, there are plenty of ways to earn points. And every month during the member-exclusive Final Call Sale, flights can be redeemed from only 500 BIG Points.

Red Talks with Daphne can be viewed on AirAsia Philippines’ Facebook page at www. facebook.com/airasiaph.

Daphne Osena-Paez hosts the six-part web series ‘Red Talks with Daphne’ that features different stories of people in different places

Daphne in Yogyakarta

Daphne with AirAsia Group CEO Tony

Anthony Bourdain’s adventures are highlighted in ‘Explore Parts Unknown’ immersive guide

CNN launches new digital venture featuring Anthony Bourdain EXPLORE Parts Unknown is a mobile-first immersive guide featuring original stories and video, premium photography, and engaging interactives inspired by the Emmy-winning CNN Original Series Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown. The experience will allow users to recreate Anthony Bourdain’s journeys and dive deeper into the people, places, and stories he’s encountered.

Explore Parts Unknown is an editorial partnership between CNN and Roads & Kingdoms – an independent journal of food, politics, travel and culture based in New York and Barcelona. Together, they built a digital universe for the Bourdain super-fan, enabling the audience to learn what Tony knows, go where he went, eat what he ate, and drink what he drank.

Born from Bourdain’s contagious passion for culture, food, travel and adventure, Explore Parts Unknown highlights their shared obsessions: authentic food, culture, people, travel; continuing the conversations Tony starts beyond the TV screen.

Bourdain says, “Explore Parts Unknown is the next step, a logical step, and a deeply enjoyable one for me in collaboration with CNN and Roads & Kingdoms. I’m not a journalist, and never claimed to be one. I’m an essayist and storyteller. But the people at Roads & Kingdoms are journalists — and very good ones. This venture serves my insatiable curiosity and gives us the opportunity to go farther off the beaten path, tell more stories, enrich and elaborate on existing ones, and go deeper into the locations that I travel to for the TV series.”

The site will launch with destinations like Hanoi, Las Vegas, Koreatown (LA), Manila, Buenos Aires, London, Punjab, Montana, The Greek Islands, Senegal, Madagascar, Istanbul, New Jersey, Colombia and South Korea. New destinations will roll out weekly with original content.

The site will include digital features like: • Exclusive Videos: The site will launch with a 7-episode digital series called Catalunya: The Return featuring Bourdain’s road trip across Spain.

• Bourdain’s Field Notes: First person notes from Bourdain’s travels.

• The Perfect Day: Timestamped blueprints for a perfect 12 hours in a given destination, including notes on restaurants, bars and random detours.

• Hotel Bar Diaries: Short personal, voice-heavy dispatches from hotel bars around the world.

• Recipes: Recipes of dishes from episodes from Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown with accompanying articles that gives context to the dish, its origins and importance.

• Destination Fact Sheets: Fact sheets that allow you to “Travel like Bourdain” with local lingo, travel tips, and restaurant recommendations.

Visit www.explorepartsunknown.com, follow the new digital venture on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

Advocacy film in cinemas soon P

HILIPPINES’ award-winning advocacy film Ang Araw sa Likod Mo, written and directed by Dominic P. Nuesa, is a gripping story of two brothers reunited despite being separated by conflicting beliefs.

The movie also tackles the heroism of Filipino soldiers in the thick of a decades-old war against terrorism starring a talented cast that includes Ping Medina, Bong Cabrera, and Mike Liwag.

Ang Araw sa Likod Mo is Nuesa’s film feature debut and has been nominated at the upcoming Nice International Awards (2017) in the most coveted categories such as Best Director – Dominic Carlo P. Nuesa, Best Lead Actor – Mike Liwag, Best Supporting Actor – Ping Medina, Best Editing – JavierAbola and Best Sound – Greg Rodriguez III. Produced by Nuesa’s An Earth Below Productions, Ang Araw sa Likod Mo has already won five international awards – Best Film at Auckland International Film Festival, Global Award Winner at the Europe-based ARFF (Around Films International Film Festival), and Awards of Recognition for Feature Length, Best Actor (Bong Cabrera) and Best Supporting Actor (Mike Liwag) at the US-based Accolade Global Film Competition.

Inspired by the real stories of Special Operations soldiers in the country known as the Philippine Scout Rangers, Ang Araw sa Likod Mo is an intense film

filled with raw action that introduces brothers Jamiluddin (Cabrera) and Omar (Liwag) along with Sgt. Benjie Calayan (Medina) within the terrorist infested island in Southern Philippines.

Opening in theaters nationwide on May 24, majority of the proceeds from the box-office will be donated to Help Educate and Rear Orphans (HERO) Foundation, Inc. The foundation aims to uplift the families of soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines who were killed or incapacitated in the line of duty by providing educational assistance to their children to obtain a college degree or vocational course.

In return, this will help them to have a wider range of opportunities in their future and our society.

By taking care of their children, HERO Foundation salutes the Filipino soldiers for their sacrifices.

Nuesa is also an avid supporter of HERO Foundation, Inc. His support to HERO Foundation started when

"Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo" is a gripping story about heroism, redemption, and making sacrifices

he directed a corporate video for the organization. From this project, he met the scholars of HERO Foundation and was inspired to tell their stories into film.

He was inspired by their stories and was compelled to help raise awareness as his mission to tell fellow countrymen that the HERO Foundation needs the nation’s help and that their fathers or mothers, both soldier and civilian, need

to be honored.

Ang Araw sa Likod Mo is a testament to heroism and sacrifice, and challenges us to be more knowledgeable and understanding when trying to make sense of violence and national security.

Fighting for a cause, or making a stand, one eventually must sacrifice something and ultimately asks if it was worth it.

A pioneering fusion of filmmaking and

advocacy at its best, Ang Araw sa Likod Mo is part of this generation’s must-see in an emerging genre of relevant films that aims to elevate the youth’s awareness about the complexities of the Muslim conflict.

Check the film’s trailer here: https://www.facebook. com/AngArawSaLikodMo/ videos/252284628564649/

7th CineSB film festival winners STUDENT from various schools in Metro Manila convened at the recent 7th CineSB Film Festival spearheaded by the Digital Filmmaking Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB). Participants included filmmakers, multimedia arts and communication students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle-Lipa, De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the PhilippinesDiliman.

Presented were awardwinning short films that have received local and international distinctions (Maningning Shorts), original films directed

by La Sallian student filmmakers (Berde Shorts), and those from other colleges and universities (Sibol Shorts).

“As we foreground the significance of digital filmmaking as a medium for storytelling through the works of our students, we explore its potential to transform and impact our lives, because we gain insights and understanding about life and our world when these stories are told and shared,” expressed DLS-CSB

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

ACROSS 1 Math course 5 Luxury cars 10 Sloping walk 14 River to the Seine 15 Kayak user 16 — fixe 17 Ocean sound 18 Twilled fabric 19 Volcano or dunce cap 20 They take a licking 22 Scores points (2 wds.)

24 Wilde or de la Renta 25 Kind of paper or test 26 Ibsen woman 28 UN’s U — 32 Hole-making tools 35 Lime cooler 37 Flowering shrub 38 Chiang — -shek 39 Turkey neighbor 41 Two-bagger, briefly 42 Arctic surface (2 wds.)

45 Pale gray 46 Rank below marquis 47 Leaf junctures 48 Book ID

50 Silver and bronze 54 Following 58 Practice 61 Enjoy the mall 62 “— — Old Cowhand” 63 — nous 65 Solar plexus 66 Gallon fraction 67 Human herbivore 68 Average grades 69 Joule fractions 70 They’ll curl your hair 71 Raison d’ — DOWN 1 Human trunk 2 Hilarious ones 3 Mr. Asimov 4 Berlin natives 5 Bonny miss 6 Percent ender 7 Yves’ thanks 8 Is obliged (to) 9 Geyser output 10 Hong Kong taxi 11 Fusses 12 Cafe handout 13 Steal a glance 21 Paid athlete 23 Skater’s jump 25 “The — of the Lake” 27 Grate upon 29 “M*A*S*H” star

30 31 32 33

Omaha’s st.

Like a sequoia Similar Baylor University site 34 Deceived 36 Diamond stat 37 Pleased sighs 40 Mother of Horus 43 Glues tight 44 Not in harbor 46 Carry out the law 49 Disallow 51 Fountain for

wishes 52 Emmy-winning Ed 53 Dismiss (2 wds.)

55 Chirp 56 Organic compound 57 Della of pop 58 Not green 59 Sheik colleague 60 Knack 61 Affleck and Kingsley 64 Oversaw

New Media Cluster Associate Dean Sharon Mapa Arriola.

Ralph Quincena and Patricia Ramirez’s Ma? dominated the Maningning Shorts Category, winning Best Short Film Gold, Design Excellence Award, Technical Excellence Award (Sound, Cinematography and Editing) and Outstanding Performance by an Actor for Anton Collantes. Donnie Sacueza’s BJ got the second prize, while Jonel Revistual’s May Kung Ano sa Takipsilim won third.

Seymour Sanchez received the award for Outstanding Direction for his short film Caretaker. Cataleya Surio won Outstanding Performance by an Actress for Martin Mayuga’s Finish Line, while the cast of May Kung Ano sa Takipsilim brought home the Outstanding Ensemble award.

For the Berde Shorts Category, DLS-Lipa Communication Student Aimon Mercado’s Nawala won Best Short Film Gold, Design Excellence, Technical Excellence, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Performance by an Actor for Raul Morit.

DLSU-Dasmariñas Communication majors Nickole Batutay and Kurt Enriquez’s Bakit Ako? and Benilde film student Robin Estargo’s Iiiri Mo Ba? bagged the silver and bronze prizes, respectively.

This year's Outstanding Ensemble Award goes to the cast of "May Kung Ano Sa Takipsilim" led by Andrei Vegas, Christine Luz, and Rener Concepcion

Batutay and Enriquez also got the Outstanding Direction award, while Andrea Marie Felipe of Iiiri Mo Ba? won Outstanding Performance by an Actress.

Collectorella, the entry from Mapua, got the lion’s share of the awards for the Sibol category, bagging Best Short Film Gold, Outstanding Direction for Julian Roxas, Outstanding Performance by an Actress for Barbara Ruaro, Outstanding Ensemble, Design Excellence, and Technical Excellence awards.

Zer Eldron Baccay’s Checkmate and Jhamela Tejome’s Anino, both from Lyceum, won silver and bronze, respectively. Gab Ville won Outstanding Performance by an Actor for the entry from UP Diliman Nandito Naman Tayo Para sa Isa’t Isa, ‘Di Ba?.

The event, dubbed “Rise of the

Digital Philippine Cinema,” was organized by Benilde film majors under the Demo Reel and Film Festival (DEMOFES) class of CineSB: Special Edition Festival director Joey Ting.

Benilde film faculty members Vanessa De Leon, Jon Cuyson, and Gerard Elviña served as selection jury members for the 10 finalists in each category, while alumni Kim Zuñiga, Carl Angelo Ruiz, and Miguel Pablo were members of the jury.

“I started as a film student, and my only opportunity then in discovering great films from all over the world was through film festivals like this. In independent cinema, the rite of passage is always a film’s inclusion in a festival.” School of Design and Arts (SDA) Digital Filmmaking Program Chairman Mark Meily shared.

Raymund Bagatsing

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

Diego Loyzaga teams up with Sofia Andres (right) in their first series as screen partners

Enzo Pineda plays an adopted son in the series Beauty Gonzales

New Kapamilya star Bianca King topbills the afternoon drama that tells the story of two friends and their love and ambition

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BS-CBN is giving afternoon television a whole new look as it premiered a powerful story about love and ambition in Pusong Ligaw yesterday.

Produced by Star Creatives, the series stars a fresh ensemble of talents that viewers will surely watch out for every afternoon on weekdays – Diego Loyzaga, Sofia Andres, Enzo Pineda, Beauty Gonzales, Bianca King, Joem Bascon, and Raymund Bagatsing.

Bascon Taking the lead for the first time as a love team are Diego and Sofia, who first worked together in the hit series Forevermore.

“It is really my dream to be a part of this.

I feel that all my hard work since the time I started doing VTRs with my mom is finally paying off. It still feels surreal but I’m super thankful for this,” said Sofia.

“I have been waiting so long for this. I’m so

AS KIDS take a break from school, they can continue to learn the fun way via Team Yey premiering its second season and Sesame Street airing on ABS-CBN TVplus.

Team Yey is an all-kids variety show packed with activities your children will enjoy all week long. Parents need not worry about keeping their kids occupied, with the show’s new activities everyday: singing, dancing, arts and crafts, sports, storytelling, and even food preparation.

Team Yey will bring in the fun and learning all summer with its daily themed segments and the addition of its newest team members: Galaw Go!, with AJ Urquia and Nhikzy Calma; Snacks Naman with Mitch Naco and Sophie Reola; Artstig with Jana Agoncillo and Althea Guanzon; Game Play with Sam Shoaf and JM Canlas, StorYey with Raven Cajuguiran and Yesha Camile; Sound Check with Luke Alford and Noel Comia Jr.; and Sunday Funday with all the hosts. Kids will find something and someone to relate to, each day of the week. Team Yey airs every day (8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.).

Meanwhile, Sesame Street, the longest-running American Children’s show, can also be enjoyed by a whole new generation of Filipino children.

The iconic series that is home to the well-loved characters Big Bird, Bert, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, and more, have taught children across the world to become smarter, stronger, and kinder for over 40 years.

Season 45 was launched with a first-of-its kind music video where Kapamilya stars sing-a-long with our favorite muppets. The season also brings focus to school readiness and fundamental skills among young children, to enable them to excel in school and at home.

Yey also has new programs—all parent-and

happy that I’m right here and we have already started taping. It is my pleasure to be working with such amazing artists,” Diego said.

The show also marks Beauty’s biggest break in her career since she became leading lady to Zanjoe Marudo in Dream Dad and portrayed very effective supporting roles in various Star Cinema films.

“I have mixed emotions. I’m super thankful but nervous at the same time. I’m ready to take the challenge. This is also a chance to show viewers a Beauty they have never seen before,” said Beauty.

Meanwhile, newest tandem of Kapamilya stars Enzo and Bianca are happy to be in their first ABSCBN teleserye, while Raymund marks the series as his big comeback to the Kapamilya network.

Star Creatives, makers of top-rating hit series Princess and I, Got 2 Believe, Forevermore, Dolce Amore, and A Love to Last, tells yet another unforgettable tale.

Follow the story of best friends Tessa (Beauty Gonzales), a striving fashion designer, and Marga (Bianca King), a quick-witted beauty queen who both dream of becoming big in their respective careers. They promise to stick together until they both succeed, but that is until Marga betrays

Tessa and sleeps with her boyfriend Caloy (Joem Bascon).

To mend her broken heart, Tessa moves to Manila where she gives birth to Rafael, her child

by Caloy. She singlehandedly raises the boy and tries her best to make ends meet for the two of them. Fate once again tests her, however, when an unknown woman kidnaps the boy. Just as when she is about to give up, she meets Jaime (Raymund Bagatsing) who eventually helps her along her struggles. The two then adopt a son and name him Rafa (Enzo Pineda).

Little does Tessa know that her son, now under the care of the Policarpio family, is about to pursue his studies in Manila as Potpot (Diego Loyzaga) where, he meets Vida (Sofia Andres), the Marga’s daughter who chooses to disobey her mother in order to reach her dream of becoming a famous fashion designer like her idol Tessa, who is now known in the fashion industry as Terry Will Tessa and Marga be able to rekindle their friendship? How will the past affect the lives of Potpot, Vida, and Rafa? Who will choose the road to love and who will take the road of hatred and revenge?

MYX’s second year of street dance battle

THE GANG. The cast of Team Yey brings in the fun and learning all summer

‘Team Yey’ season 2, ‘Sesame Street’ in summer line-up of Yey kids-approved. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy seeing their favorite animals come alive on screen in Peppa Pig. They will love being with Peppa Pig as she goes around her neighborhood, meeting different animal friends, and discovering their traits and quirks. Tag along with her Monday to Friday (6:30 and 11:00 a.m.).

Little girls (and moms, too) will enjoy the remake of the classic 1980’s series, Strawberry Shortcake.

Stick around with Strawberry and her friends and learn the values of friendship, respect, trust, and perseverance, while exploring everything from technology, world travel and storytelling, to cooking, music and fashion. Join them on weekdays (7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.).

Boys love excitement, and they will love joining Yugo’s action packed adventures as he saves the world from madmen while trying to find his real parents. Follow Yugo on Wakfu from Monday to Friday (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.).

Let your kids explore their creativity and imagination with Rudy in ChalkZone, a world where anything that has been doodled comes to life. Along with his friends Snap and Penny, Rody draws himself out of mishaps thanks to his creative ideas. ChalkZone airs Monday to Friday (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

Boys and girls will enjoy the misadventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friend Princess Sally as they try to save their dystopian Planet Mobius, led by the evil mad scientist Robotnik. Episodes are action-packed, with Sonic and Sally battling evil robots and Robotik’s henchmen. Catch Sonic the Hedgehog Monday to Friday (9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.).

Yey is a free and exclusive channel on digital TV via ABS-CBN TVPlus, which you can get for a one-time payment of P1499. ABS-CBN TVplus is available in Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, and Cavite. Yey is also available SKYcable and Destiny Cable and on direct-tohome or satellite TV via SKYdirect.

For more information, visittvplus.abs-cbn.com and follow ABS-CBN TVplus and Yey on Facebook.

THE no. 1 music channel in the country reopens the battle to dance floor supremacy in the 2nd MYX Moves Street Dance Competition.

The cable channel once again invites hopeful high school dance crews in Metro Manila to chain their rhythms and show the country that they have what it takes to be crowned victor of the sought-after competition.

Great prizes await promising student dancers. Nine division finalists will receive P10,000.00 each, three division winners with P50,000.00 each, and the MYX Moves Grand Champion with a whopping P100,000.00 cash prize.

The upcoming battle promises more digital presence as MYX will post all dance videos online and will allow live streaming of the competition. Viewers may also cast their votes for their MYX Supreme Mover and Favorite Team picks online.

Last year, MYX launched its first-ever street dance competition participated in by 14 high school dance crews with Colegio San Agustin as the first MYX Moves Grand Champion and Co-Ed Division Winner. School of the Holy Spirit hailed as both First Runner Up and All-Girls Division Winner, while Marist School landed Second Runner Up and All-Boys Division Winner.

Think your squad can step up to the challenge? To join, submit a 1:30 dance video in MP4 format to myxmovesmarketing@gmail. com. Deadline of entries is on May 31, 2017.

MYX is on Skycable channel 23.

For updates, log on to www.myxph. com or follow MYX on Instagram (@ MYXPhilippines) and Twitter (@ MYXPhilippines).