Manila Standard - 2017 May 01 - Monday by Manila Standard

WORKERS UNITE, FORGE NEW ALLIANCE; JOB FAIR IN QC By Sandy Araneta

LABOR DAY PROTEST. A militant group’s worker applies the ﬁnishing touches on a mural painting in preparation for a Labor Day protest today. Manny Palmero

‘Release druggies from secret detention’

Trump asks Du30 to visit Washington

By Rio N. Araja

VOL. XXXI • NO. 76 • 5 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MAY 1 , 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHAIRMAN Chito Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights on Sunday slammed Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa for what he called his ignorance of the law. He attacked Dela Rosa’s questioning of the commission’s surprise inspection of the Manila Police District’s Station 1 where they found about a dozen people locked up in a crowded secret cell. “It is prudent that the matters that may involve malfeasance or misconduct by public ofﬁcials, particularly when this affects fundamental human rights as in this case, that their superiors refrain from making statements that appear to be condoning the same,” CHR public information ofﬁcer Joel Sarmenta told the Manila Standard in a text message quoting Gascon. “Otherwise, to do so further encourages the climate of impunity that perpetuates wrongful action because the wrongdoers are not held accountable or punished.” Sarmenta made his statement even as Human Rights Watch Next page

WORKERS belonging to the newly formed labor alliance Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa or PAGGAWA will commemorate Labor Day with traditional activities and use the occasion to air their demands on the issues affecting working-class families, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino or BMP said Sunday. The groups will converge at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, today, Labor Day, at 8 a.m. before marching toward Mendiola Bridge where they will hold their program. In other developments: • President Rodrigo Duterte will lead Labor Day celebrations at the People’s Park in Davao City, where he is expected to speak at 4:30 p.m. Before that, Duterte will be visiting the Chinese guided missile destroyer Chang Chun (DDG 150) that is docked at the Davao City port. In Manila, there will be a job fair for workers at the Quezon City Circle that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is expected to attend. • Senator Loren Legarda on Sunday paid tribute and pledged support to the millions of Filipino workers all over the world on the eve of Labor Day. She cited their signiﬁcant contribution to the Philippines’ economy and overall development. “The celebration of Labor Day is a recognition of the important role that our workers

Govt junks IS bombing tale By John Paolo Bencito

HE Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast that wounded 14 people in Quiapo, Manila on Friday, but the authorities insisted that the explosion was not a terrorist attack.

On Saturday, the US-based SITE IntelThe bomb went off Friday night as the ligence Group said the ISIS-run Amaq country was preparing to host the 30th News Agency reported that the group Association of Southeast Asian Nations was responsible for a bombing in Manila Summit. Friday. “There is nothing to indicate or show

that the Quiapo explosion was connected with any terrorist or threat group,” said National Capital Region police regional director Oscar Albayalde. “We maintain that this incident is nothing but a local peace and order concern involving feuding gangs or persons in the Quiapo area,” he said. He added that ISIS was “grabbing the opportunity to promote their cause and interest.” Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana also dismissed claims made by jihadist group, saying that these were a result of a local gang conﬂict. Next page

WASHINGTON—US President Donald Trump on Saturday invited his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte to Washington in a “friendly” call in which the leaders discussed the threat of North Korea, the White House said. The announcement comes amid rising tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs following its latest test-ﬁre, as well international criticism of Duterte’s drug crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives. “It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [Asean] regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea,” the statement said. The leaders also “discussed the fact that the Philippine government is ﬁghting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world.” The Philippine President has relentlessly railed against criticism of his drug war, which Amnesty International and other rights groups have warned may amount to a crime against humanity. Duterte last year branded then US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore” for criticizing the drug war, and more recently called European lawmakers “crazies” for issuing a statement condemning the killings. Next page

50 Reds attack cops; kill 1, abduct 3 By Abe Almirol MADDELA, Quirino—A policeman was killed when some 50 communist guerrillas onboard motorcycles, two vans and a truck stormed a police station in this remote town Saturday night. The firefight, which began at 10:30 p.m., lasted until midnight. The fatality was identified by witnesses as PO2 Jerome Cardenas, who was the court process-

ing officer of the station. “They wore camouflage uniforms, we thought the Army and the police were fighting,” said one of four inmates occupying the prison cell inside the station. Bullet holes could be seen all over the building’s façade. “It was like New Year’s Eve. Hours of loud automatic gunfire kept us awake the whole night,” said an internet shop owner in the nearby public market. Before the police could issue

an ofﬁcial statement, the communist New People’s Army handed its version of events to a Bombo Radyo reporter. “The tactical offensive is a response to the demands for justice be given to the terrorist Duterte regime,” the NPA said in Filipino. The NPA accused the 86th Infantry Battalion of camping in school buildings, which led to a cancellation of classes. Witnesses conﬁrmed an earlier Next page

FRIENDLY CALL. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assisted by Special Assistant to the President Christopher

Lawrence Go speaks to US President Donald Trump on the phone at the sidelines of the gala dinner hosted by the Philippine leader for the heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Hotel Soﬁtel in Pasay City on April 29. Malacañang Photo

Duterte holds punches on sea row PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte failed to condemn China’s push to control most of the disputed South China Sea on Sunday after hosting a regional summit, handing Beijing a political victory. A day after taking center stage as host of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders’ meeting, Duterte released a bland chairman’s statement that

ignored last year’s international ruling outlawing China’s sweeping claims to the key waterway. “We took note of concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments in the area,” said the 25-page statement without any mention of what these issues were, which countries were thought to be responsible, and which heads of state raised them.

China has been turning reefs and shoals in areas of the sea claimed by the Philippines and other nations into artiﬁcial islands, and installing military facilities on them. Asean members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also claim parts of the sea, but China insists it has sovereign rights over nearly all of it. Next page

‘Vice lords out to stop Rody’s war’ By Florante S. Solmerin

One of the trucks set on ﬁre by communist guerrillas who also raided the Maddela PNP station. Abe Almirol

THE big-time gambling lords including Charlie “Atong” Ang are allegedly out to destroy President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal gambling by conniving with some lawmakers to declare the expanded Small Town Lottery illegal, according to an intelligence report

obtained Sunday by the Manila Standard. “Atong Ang has requested some lawmakers to declare STL illegal or he will reveal their names and identify them as recipients of payola,” the report said. “Last February 13 the House Committee on Games and Amusement threatened to pass a resolution

declaring PCSO’s STL illegal.” Ang could not be reached for comment. The STL is a charity game of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce which legality was earlier questioned by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. He even threatened to ﬁle charges before Next page

News

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

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Rody, Joko launch shipping route Govt... From A1

“The ISIS can claim all they want but that was not their handiwork,” Lorenzana said. President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier said the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group have pledged their allegiance to ISIS. But Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año on Friday said he saw the eventual defeat of the Abu Sayyaf, following the death of Alhabsy Misaya, a sub-leader. Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said the ASG’s notoriety would soon be diminished following the series of setbacks for the bandit group, including the slaying of Misaya. “His death will surely diminish the ASG’s capability to conduct terrorism, particularly kidnapping,” Año said. He added that this would also affect the terrorist group’s recruitment efforts and lead to its eventual defeat. Misaya, a sub-leader, was pinned down by Marines on the ridges of Indanan, Sulu. His slaying came after security forces neutralized Muamar Ashkali, alias Abu Rami, who was behind the recent beheading of two Canadians and a German national in Sulu. Año said Misaya’s death was a powerful blow to the ASG. Misaya, also known as Abu Rami, was in charge of kidnapping foreigners and was known as

Trump... From A1

The White House said Trump “enjoyed the conversation” and looks forward to attending the key US-Asean and East Asia summits in the Philippines in November. “President Trump also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction,” the White House said. US Vice President Mike Pence had announced that Trump would attend the Asian meetings as a sign of his “unwaver-

Duterte... From A1

Throughout the summit Duterte said the Philippines and other nations were helpless to stop the island building, so there was no point discussing it at diplomatic events such as Saturday’s meeting. China is not a member of the 10-nation Asean, but its ambassador to Manila worked hard to influence the tenor and content of the chairman’s statement, diplomats said. Analysts agreed the bland statement was a result of Chinese pressure. “This reflects the ‘Cambodianization’ of Philippine foreign policy. We’re starting to behave like Cambodia, which is extremely sensitive to China’s strategic interests,” said Renato de Castro, international studies professor at Manila’s De La Salle University. At an Asean foreign ministers’ meeting last year in Laos, Cambodia—which has strong economic ties to Beijing—controversially blocked a proposed joint communique referring to the international tribunal’s ruling against China. Duterte has vowed not to “taunt or flaunt” the tribunal ruling while pushing closer ties with China in the hopes of attracting billions of dollars in Chinese investment. His predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III, had pushed hard at Asean summits for the bloc to voice its strong opposition to Chinese expansionism, and official statements at those events often reflected that.

50... From A1

report that PCI Jhun-Jhun Balisi, OIC station chief of Maddela PNP, SPO4 Antonio Siriban and PO2 Albano were “abducted” by

a daring terrorist. Misaya’s enlistment activities contributed to the radicalization of young Tausugs, hje added. Dozens of ASG sub-leaders have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte declared an all out war and even offered a bounty of P1 million each. “We have received many surrender feelers from the remaining ASG members,” Año said adding that the military will continue its relentless efforts until it has neutralize the last ASG terrorist. The group’s top leader, Radullan Sahiron, who was critically wounded in the Lanao del Sur military operations, has sent surrender feelers to ranking military commanders in Mindanao. Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Misaya’s death was a big plus. “His followers hopefully get the message that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them and hence, motivate them to turn a new leaf and seriously consider surrendering,” Padilla said. “It also sends a clear message to the community that supporting criminals will not bring them a better life but only greater misery if they insist on providing them safe havens. The AFP, without doubt, communicated its serious intent in addressing the threat posed by this group and its dedication to serve and secure the people, Padilla said referring to Misaya’s death. With Sandy Araneta and AFP ing commitment” to the region. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the White House called the Palace Saturday evening, after the Philippines had hosted the 30th Asean Summit. “President Trump likewise mentioned that he looks forward to his visit to the Philippines in November for the East Asia Summit [EAS],” Abella said. “Further, the discussion that transpired between the presidents was warm, with President Trump expressing his understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing the Philippine President, especially on the matter of dangerous drugs,” said Abella.

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY―President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially launched the Davao City-General Santos-Bitung, Indonesia, route that will shorten the time and lessen the cost of trading goods between the Philippines and Indonesia.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomes Indonesian President Joko Widodo upon his arrival at the Francisco Bangoy International Aiport in Davao City for the launching of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung Rollon/Roll-off shipping service on April 30. Malacañang Photo

“Other topics were also touched on like that of the upcoming summit, as well as matters of regional geo-political concerns, especially on the situation in North Korea,” Abela said. “Moreover, there was a mention of an invitation from President Trump to President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the White House,”Abella added. Trump invited Duterte to the White House “to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction,” the US Ofﬁce of the Press Secretary said in a statement. The White House gave no details of when the leaders would

Aquino also filed the case at the international tribunal. But the ruling against China came after Duterte took power last year. “On the ground, there is no hindrance to China achieving absolute dominance in the South China Sea, whether in military or civilian terms, regardless of parameters set by international law,” said Jay Batongbacal, from the University of the Philippines. The statement “makes it more difficult for Asean to agree soonest on a consistent and unified basis for dealing with China and the maritime disputes,” he said. An earlier draft of the chairman’s statement seen by AFP cited a reference to “respect for legal and diplomatic processes.” Another version also contained a call, championed by Vietnam according to diplomats, to cease “land reclamation and militarization” of the sea. Both references were absent in Sunday’s final statement. A political analyst said Duterte had abandoned efforts to press the country’s claims to disputed territories in the South China Sea when he chose not to call out Beijing’s militarization and landgrabbing activities in the chairman’s statement. The communique, released more than 14 hours after the closing ceremonies of the 30th Asean Summit held in Manila, glossed over the strongly worded chairman’s statement last year in Laos which expressed concern to Beijing’s increasing militarization and construction activities.

litical Science Professor Richard Heydarian said that Duterte’s watered-down response to developments in the region placed the Philippines, along with Cambodia and Laos, among countries in the Southeast Asian region perceived to be protecting Beijing’s interest. “Increasingly the Philippines is being seen as part of the emerging Chinese sphere of inﬂuence inside Asean, a remarkable climb down from the country’s robust position just a year ago. And this is creating deep frustration among major founders such as Indonesia and Singapore, and fellow claimant Vietnam,” De La Salle University Political Science Professor Richard Heydarian told Manila Standard. “While not legally undermining Philippine position, the Duterte administration has abandoned efforts to press its claim per international law as the Asean chairman,” he added. “Still, the ﬁnal statement will likely be just as soft if not more than past year under Laos.” The chairman’s statement, crafted as an outcome document to Manila’s hosting of the biannual summit, expresses the position taken by Asean leaders on key issues affecting region. The statement, which never directly called out the international arbitral tribunal ruling won by Manila against Beijing, nor China directly—only called for the “full respect for legal and diplomatic processes,” a phrase which China wanted to be stripped out, which is heavily seen in diplomatic circles as referring to the arbitral rulDe La Salle University Po- ing. John Paolo Bencito and AFP

the NPA. However, they were released unharmed when the rebels reached their lair at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains. In Davao City, the Davao City Police Ofﬁce held 14 suspected members of the NPA posing as security guards of the Lapan-

day Foods Inc. while two still unidentiﬁed bodies believed to be rebels were recovered by the military during pursuit operations since Saturday. The suspects were tracked by the pursuing army troops in Buhangin on Saturday af-

meet in Washington, but said Trump looked forward to visiting the Philippines in November as part of two summits with other Asian nations. Before Trump took ofﬁce, Duterte had hurled tirades against Washington for criticizing the deaths of thousands of drug suspects in his war on illicit drugs. Ties between security allies US and Manila improved under Trump, who has not openly criticized Duterte’s controversial campaign so far. The US State Department, however, recently described the drug-related killings in the Philippines as “troubling.” Sandy Araneta and AFP

Workers... From A1

play in the development of our country,” Legarda said. “I salute our workforce for their sacriﬁces and signiﬁcant contribution to our economy. Our country will not function without them. We should address their concerns and protect their fundamental rights.” PAGGAWA said it will assert the revocation of Department Order 174 that allegedly perpetuates and legalizes the abusive practice of contractual employment, the immediate termination of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III as Cabinet secretary and the demand that President Rodrigo Duterte sign the draft Executive Order submitted by the BMP in November last year that will prohibit all forms of contractualization. The BMP aside, PAGGAWA is composed of the Association of Genuine Labor Organizations and National Federation of Labor Unions, Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reform Federation and Metro East Labor Federation. Leody de Guzman, BMP president, declined the invitation of the President to join him in Davao on Labor Day. With John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta ternoon near Tigatto where the NPA rebels could have exited after attacking Lapanday early morning on Saturday. They were immediately turned over by the army troops to the police for investigation. With PNA

The new route is one of the new shipping routes of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalasiPhilippines East Asean Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA. The Davao-Gensan-Bitung route will only take a day and a half to travel and save as much as $1,500 in travel cost compared to the Manila-Jakarta route that takes four to five weeks. “As we open this new maritime trade route, we reaffirm our ties with each other and commit ourselves to the aspirations of the larger Asean Community,” Duterte said. “This route shall be the first of the many routes that will form the international RORO network envisioned by our fellow Asean leaders to provide greater accessibility and open more opportunities for our countries.” Duterte called on the private sector to support the new route to help maintain its stability. President Joko Widodo said that the new route was beneficial for the two countries. “The launching of the Roll on, Roll off RORO Davao-General Santos―Bitung route is an important milestone. It will cut the amount of time of transportation of goods of the two regions,” Widodo said. He said trade between Indonesia and Philippines increased by more than 30 last year.

He said he understood Duterte since he himself was also a former mayor before he became president. That was the reason he immediately addressed the imbalance of development when he took his oath more than two years ago. “President Duterte and I sincerely believe that the people in the outer region are just as smart, are just as strong, are just as resourceful as the rich people in the capital cities. They only need one thing, one thing only and that is to be given a chance,” Widodo said. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that, for the new route to prosper, the management and the people should never forget that safety and security should be ensured in the high seas. Ronald Go, president of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., said at least 35 Davao- based businessmen and 30 Indonesian businessmen will meet to discuss the products that they will ship. He said the company Aboitiz had already committed to transport its goods using the new routes. “There are a lot of prospects that can be traded. It was mentioned that it will be mostly agricultural products, ice cream, construction materials and even batteries. These are all products of Davao City,” Go said. With Sandy Araneta

‘Release...

men,” Drilon said. He said he was alarmed by the culture of impunity among policemen. Not a single police ofﬁcer had been held criminally liable in the death of thousands of thousands of people in the campaign against illegal drugs. Dela Rosa had slammed the CHR for inspecting Raxabago Station 1 in Tondo on Thursday night and questioned the timing. Said Gascon in reply: “As to his allusions as to timing, it is best he does his job as we will, too. “Bato should not so quickly brush this aside! That he would choose, by his statement, to even justify the operation of this hidden jail reﬂects his personal ignorance of both the constitutional and legal provisions that prohibits the maintenance of secret detention facilities by public authorities.” The CHR is pushing for an inventory of all detention facilities. “I challenge him [Dela Rosa] to undertake a full audit of all places of detention under the control of the PNP to ensure no other cases akin or similar to what was covered in MPD Station 1 exists as I am concerned that this may not be an isolated incident,” Gascon said. With Sandy Araneta and Macon Ramos-Araneta

From A1

said the Philippine government should immediately release the alleged drug suspects unlawfully detained in the secret jail and ensure their protection after release. “The ofﬁcial Commission on Human Rights and the National Bureau of Investigation should conduct a joint investigation into the existence of other unofﬁcial lock-up cells in police stations across the country and ensure they are shut down, said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Kine said that on April 27, 2017, a CHR team accompanied by journalists raided the Manila District Police Station 1 in Tondo and found at least a dozen people in a cell hidden behind a bookshelf and suffering from grossly overcrowded conditions. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon called for an end to police excesses and impunity in the ongoing war on drugs and urged the authorities to investigate and prosecute the policemen behind the secret jail. “I condemn this illegal, inhumane and outrageous action committed by some of our police-

‘Vice... From A1

the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman against PCSO executives. “Atong Ang is now feeling the heat from the government’s illegal gambling campaign,” the report said. Ang, a known jueteng ﬁnancier, has accused some retired military and police generals including National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre of plotting to kill him while claiming they were taking kickbacks from the STL operations. Ang said his contacts from the National Bureau of Investigation and from the police and military had warned him about the alleged plot to kill him. Esperon dismissed that as a tall tale and said Ang’s impunity on illegal gambling “will be killed” and not him. Aguirre likewise slammed Ang for fabricating an issue to get back at him because of the Jack Lam issue that shut down the illegal gambling operations last year at Fontana in Clark, Pampanga.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a known critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has threatened to call a probe into the issue, and Ang conﬁdently declared during his press conference at the Resort World in Pasay City to tell all only during a congressional hearing. The intelligentce report also said some anti-Duterte lawmakers were also asked to help Ang to question the illegal gambling campaign of the Duterte administration. “Successive hearings supposedly in aid of legislation are expected in the coming days to shape the public’s opinion that President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 13 is a failure,” the report said. Allegedly, some lawmakers were demanding more shares from the STL. “Governors and mayors have been insisting that they must have a say in the selection of STL operators in their areas,” the report said. “Politicians are also clamoring for a higher share of STL revenues and want their share directly given to them by STL operators instead of the PCSO, which insists on asking for government issued receipts.”

News

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Amnesty for tax evaders rejected CALLS for Congress to pass a new amnesty law for the benefit of corporations and individual with unpaid tax obligations in prior years have been met with vehement objection by a ranking member of the House of Representatives. “Strong enforcement is the best strategy to ensure full compliance with our tax laws, and the grant of amnesties every now and then is totally inconsistent with tough application,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability. A tax amnesty provides an opportunity for a specified group of taxpayers to pay a defined amount, in exchange for forgiveness of a larger tax liability, including interest and penalties, incurred in prior years without fear of criminal prosecution. “There should be no mixed signals from government. We cannot tell everybody to dutifully pay their taxes on one hand, and tell them don’t bother to pay your taxes now because we’ll absolve you later, on the other hand,” Pimentel said. His views came after the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a P9.5-billion tax-dodging case against homegrown cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. Mighty was found using counterfeit cigarette tax stamps on its products to avoid payment of excise taxes. The case against Mighty is consistent with robust enforcement, according to Pimentel. In August last year, President Rodrigo Duterte warned tax evaders that they may be next in his shame campaign. “I hope you guys who have not been paying your taxes, especially the rich, the oligarchs, kindly settle your tax cases. I would hate to read your names in public and maybe authorize your arrest,” he said in Davao City.

GUINNESS BID. In a bid to set a Guinness world record, Koronadal City hosts its first motorcycle festival during the 23rd annual convention of National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs that has attracted 3,336 motorcycle riders on Saturday April 29. City Mayor Peter Miguel says that the record attempt is historic for the city and a great achievement for the people of Koronadal. On a kilometer stretch of the highway, the world record attempt is for the most engines started and horns sounded simultaneously for 20 seconds. Mark Navales

‘Era of cooperation’ gets boost By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY—Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said that the Philippines—China relationship has entered an “era of cooperation” following the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in China last year and the warm welcome received by the Chinese navy here on Sunday, April 30.

Speaking to mediamen, Zhao said that the cooperation involves military to military relationship and understanding. “It is a common interest of China and the Philippines to maintain peace in this region which is a prerequisite in socioeconomic de-

velopment in any country in this region,” Zhao said. Zhao explained that the alleged harassment received by the Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea will not affect the overall bilateral relationship of the two countries.

He added that he has not received any evidences that will prove the harsh treatment commited against the Filipino fishermen. Zhao said that the action of the Chinese military to ask the Philippine’s C130 plane with top defense and military officials abroad to go away from the disputed area is just “a common practice” of their security forces since they have an “ownership with those islands and reefs.” “Which ever airplane or ship intrudes, we give them warnings,” he said. “I think the same goes in the island that you occupied, if you see an airplane flying over you’ll definitely say something to tell them something.” When asked about their possible action if the Philippine will

pursue the development in Pagasa island, Zhao said that their stand will remain. “Our future line is quiet clear, we view the occupation by the Philippines side of those islands are illegal and so the buildings on it are also illegal,” he said. He added that if the Philippines will pursue the development then “the policy will adhere to the peaceful negotiation, peaceful solution.” Three Chinese navy vessels arrived in Davao City for a three-day “goodwill visit” in the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said that the city will always welcome peace loving citizens such as the Chinese Navy. Sara said that she acknowledged

Red tape reduction on infotech backed MALACAÑANG’S initiative to cut red tape in the processing of permits for telecommunications infrastructure, particularly at the local government level, to improve internet access has received the support of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte on Sunday. A proposal drafted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology to reduce red tape to a week from an average of eight months could help address the high demand for mobile data usage, he said. “Malacanang’s approval of the draft executive order will send another strong signal to investors that the Duterte administration is serious on cutting red tape and helping ease doing business in the country,” he added. The DICT earlier said it had already finalized the draft executive order in consultation with telecoms firms and other stakeholders, and would soon submit

it to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval. “All applications or renewal of business permits and licenses to install and operate public [utility] services, such as telecommunications and broadcast facilities, value-added services, and cable television shall be completed and issued not more than seven days from the receipt of said applications,” the EO read. After the lapse of the sevenday period without any action taken, the officer concerned must immediately elevate the matter to the local government executives who should decide on whether to grant or deny the application within two days. “If the local chief executive fails to act within the period of two days, such application/renewal shall be deemed granted,” the EO stated. At present, at least 25 permits have to be secured to allow the construction of a base transceiver station or cell site tower. Rio N. Araja

Death penalty unlikely in Senate

ROTC REVIVAL. As President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved the return of the Reserved Officers Training Course in Grades 11 and 12 of the country’s public and private schools, Students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City hold a military training for Reserved Officers Training Corps in a program to instill discipline and patriotism among the youth. Manny Palmero

Lapanday raiders rob workers of jobs, phones, computers LAPANDAY Foods Corp. condemned the theft of property and the arson of its box and plastic manufacturing plants by unidentified men who entered the company’s Davao City compound after disarming the company’s security personnel around 2 in the morning of April 29. The company said employees who were working at the time of the incident were not harmed or injured. All of the company’s

personnel are safe. Employee mobile phones, computers and other company properties were also stolen by the unidentified intruders who ransacked the offices of the plant. As they were withdrawing from the plant, the intruders set materials on fire that eventually engulfed the plant. The company said in a statement that while it will cooperate with the Philippine National Police as it investigates this latest criminal act

the dispute in the West Philippine Sea but the visit of the Chinese Navy is a good start to open the channels of communications between the Philippine and Chinese Navy. “This visit is for peace and friendship in China and Philippines,” Sara said The three naval vessels of the China People’s Liberation Army Navy Task Group 150 arrived iat Sasa Wharf in Davao City Sunday. Lt. Jetmark Marcos, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao public affairs office chief, identified the visiting Chinese ships as the guided-missile destroyer Chang Chun (DDG-150), guided-missile frigate Jin Zhou (FFG-532) and Type 903 replenishment ship Chao Hu (890). With PNA

of this armed group the company urged law enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines to exert effort to prevent these unidentified elements from further endangering the safety and security of people and inflicting damage to private property. The burning of the plant will lead to the displacement of hundreds of employees and adversely affected those who have existing businesses with the box and

plastic plant, Lapanday said. It is they who are now jobless and shall bear the brunt of the consequences of this vicious act, the company said. Last week, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, who failed in his attempt to install farmers belonging to a breakaway group of agrarian reform beneficiaries on lands already registered with Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Benefi-

ciaries Cooperative-1 threatened the company for prohibiting him from escorting these farmers and their supporters from various leftist organizations, Lapanday said. This breakaway group and their supporters were coddled and abetted by the DAR leadership to openly defy the final and executory order of the court that ruled there was no agrarian dispute and DAR had no jurisdiction on the case, Lapanday said.

BUHAY Rep. Joselito Atienza said on Sunday the fear of losing the support of the Catholic Church in the 2019 elections could influence senators to junk the restoration of death penalty. “The peril of denials of support, especially from Churchbased groups, is there. And our sense is, members of the Senate are far more sensitive to withholdings of support than members of the House of Representatives,” he said. Atienza is a House senior deputy minority leader. Voting 217-54 with one abstention last March 7, Congress approved on final reading House Bill 4727 to impose the death sentence on drug-related cases. “Even a few hundred thousand votes lost could spell the difference between winning or losing in the Senate race, or spending a lot more just to get into the Magic 12,” he said. For very popular senators, he said, their nonsupport could cost them their goal to lead in the senatorial race in 2019. “It could be that the pro-death penalty senators, mostly from the majority, are afraid that they’ll lose the vote, and embarrass not only themselves, but also President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said. Other nations have long rejected the death penalty as a cruel, degrading, inhuman and unnecessary punishment, he said. Rio N. Araja

Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Embarrassing the government

HE chief of the Philippine National Police, Ronald dela Rosa, on Friday defended the detention of a dozen men and women inside a cramped onemeter by three-meter secret cell at the Manila Police District 1 in Tondo. “As long as the prisoners were not tortured or extorted, it’s okay with me,” he told reporters when asked about the discovery of the Commission on Human Rights during an announced visit to the station. Those detained in the hidden room, the size of a

closet, had not yet been charged. Cries of “here we are, here we are” were heard from behind a wall, according to the rights workers and journalists. The rights workers then found a hidden door behind a bookshelf, leading to the cell.

Stunned detainees came stumbling out of the room, some begging for water while others, in tears, pleaded with the rights workers not to abandon them. The detainees said they had been held for about a week after being arrested on allegations of drug use or trafﬁcking and that police were demanding hefty payments of up to P200,000 in exchange for their freedom. “They were picked up on the pretext of drugs but they [the police] had not ﬁled any charges against them,”

said Gilbert Boisner, Manila director for the CHR who led the inspection. The detainees also claimed that inadequate lighting, ventilation, and toilet facilities forced them “to urinate and do bowel movements in plastic bags,” Boisner said. Yet all of this seemed all right to the PNP chief, who seemed to dismiss the accusations of extortion against the Tondo police out of hand. Instead, Dela Rosa accused the CHR of plotting to embarrass the Duterte

administration. Nor does the police chief give allowance to the possibility that cramming 12 people into a one-meter by three-meter closet with no proper ventilation or toilet facilities and in 35 degree heat over an extended period of time might constitute “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment” that is barred by the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. Regardless of what motives Dela Rosa ascribes to the CHR, it can be argued that the commission is only

doing its job according to its constitutional mandate. The same might not be said about the police chief, whose subordinates had illegally detained and then strangled a Korean businessman inside the PNP headquarters in October in a despicable extortion attempt. Now he is defending the inhumane detention of drug suspects who have not even been charged. The police chief got one more thing wrong—it is he, not the commission, that is an embarrassment to this administration.

Learning how consumers think By Cass R. Sunstein

What the President ought to fear I PERSONALLY do not thinkx that the letter-complaint filed with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court inviting her to investigate President Digong will prosper into a case, not because the complaint is utterly devoid of merit but because the International Criminal Court, ever so aware of its own vulnerability, will not like to be perceived as intrusive, preempting domestic mechanisms of redress. One principle courts, whether domestic or international, go by is as salutary as it is necessary: A court will not render a judgment it cannot enforce. An effete decision invites spite, compromises the credibility of the court, and denigrates its status as arbiter and adjudicator But when news filtered through that a “secret cell” had been discovered in one of Manila’s police precincts, concealed behind a shelf, I was

rudely roused from my somehow vague, waning but painfully lingering “hope” that things would improve, that the nightmare of arrant violation of law perpetrated by agents of the law, encouraged and abetted by high officials of the land would soon be behind us, that there would be a national awakening to the terrors of a nation that has gone down the dangerous path of State-sanctioned violence! When the awful pictures made their way to social media—and to mainstream news outlets—of the horrid place of confinement that violated every sense of decency, transgressed every principle of respect for other human persons, that made of detainees caged animals, then I knew what the President really ought to fear! I do not doubt the President’s avowal that he wants to rid the country of criminality in its most heinous and violent

I grant the President’s sincerity about wanting to leave a legacy of a country renewed.

forms—which is why he has trained his presidential ire on drug peddlers and users and all but reduced the national agenda to a single item: The eradication of the drug problem. But the statements that have gone public about guaranteeing police and other operatives presidential protection

when they are charged, and, more ominously, the recklessness with which law-enforcers deal with their prey: The readiness of the excuse “nanlaban sila” (they fought back) and “tinangkang umagaw ng baril” (attempted to wrest control of the weapon)—resulting in a mounting body-count, and the ease with which most of the nation accepts these convenient fictions, knowing them to be fictions nonetheless is what scares me—as it should scare the President, for he may very well bequeath to the future the very opposite of what he has promised to deliver to the nation when his term is done! The very persons and entities he has written off as his foes—human rights advocates, alternative law groups, the Church, international watch groups, the media— may turn out to be his most

helpful friends. After all, long after the trolls shall have tired of trolling, the question will be asked about the State the President shall have left behind. It is immensely difficult to institutionalize the Rule of Law, but ever so necessary. It takes decades for citizens to learn that rather than slugging it out with foes, or starting the bloody and endless cycle of vendetta, one turns to the courts for redress, relief and satisfaction. It is no easy task for people to learn that no matter that I may be sorely lacking in what I would like to have, I cannot, without fear of legal sanction, usurp what is not mine. And, in many parts of the country, the point is not yet mastered that when a public official becomes overbearing and exploitative, the way to deal with him is not by hiring an assassin but by wielding the power Turn to A5

IN RECENT decades, psychologists and economists have produced a flood of new findings about how human beings think and act. Those findings offer compelling lessons about how to change people’s behavior. Governments have taken notice—and so has the private sector. There are terrific opportunities here, but also real risks. Behavioral scientists have established, for example, that people are greatly affected by “default rules,” which establish what happens if they do nothing at all. If employers automatically enroll employees in savings plans (while allowing them to opt out), participation rates will be far higher than if employers ask employees whether they want to opt in. The US Department of Agriculture has found that if poor children are automatically enrolled in programs that provide free school meals, it can get millions of kids into those programs. Alert to the power of default rules, several states have become keenly interested in automatic voter registration, by which eligible citizens become registered voters, unless they explicitly say that they don’t want to be. Behavioral science has also shown that people have limited attention, that they dislike losses far more than they like equivalent gains, and that unless information is made salient, they might ignore it, even if it is quite important. In these circumstances, simple reminders significantly increase the likelihood that people will take necessary medicines, save money, and teach their children to read. Consumers lose a lot less money when credit card bills contain clear information about late fees and overuse charges. Because people abhor losses, a small tax on the use of disposable bags will dramatically cut their use of such bags. In cases of this kind, behaviorally informed nudges deserve a big round of applause. But other uses of the same techniques, exploiting people’s behavioral biases, should make us a lot more nervous. Consider the widely discussed report that Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc., the ride-hailing companies, are aggressively exploring how to use behavioral science to get their drivers to do what they want. In a clever experiment, Lyft showed one group of inexperienced drivers that they would make a lot more money by moving their work from a slow time, such as Tuesday morning, to a busy time, such as Friday night. It showed another Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Dangerous skies WE ARE not talking here of US war-planes clashing with Chinese jet fighters over the South China Sea. What the world saw in the month of April was how dangerous it has become for airline passengers. First we were witness to how United Airlines staff and security personnel dragged a passenger along the aisle. This was by far contradiction of the airline’s slogan of “The friendly skies of United.” The manhandled passenger was supposedly picked at random because the airline had overbooked and wanted to make room for United staff attending a conference. Was it really at random or because he was Asian and fitted the stereotype of one who won’t resist? It turned out the passenger of Vietnamese descent was a doctor and he did resist. Dr. David Dao was dragged bloodied along the aisle as other passengers took pictures that went viral and a public relations nightmare for United Airlines. The doctor did not want to be offloaded because he had to see patients in Louisville, Kentucky. He boarded in Chicago with his wife hoping he would have a pleasant short flight. United has since settled the case with Dr. David Dao for an undisclosed amount plus probably a round the world first class ticket for him and his family.

But the April 9 incident that United wanted to downplay has been very costly in terms of passenger revenue losses. This is what happens when airlines treat passengers like cattle. Take the other case of American Airlines whose cabin staff struck a mother of two on the head with a folded baby stroller. A male passenger tried to defend the victim but the burly flight attendant dared the man to “bring it on.” Knowing it is a serious federal offense to lay a hand on an airline staffer or cabin crew member, the man backed off. But in this day of cellphone cameras, the whole incident was recorded by other passengers. It went viral on social media. What is it with airline crew and attendants these days? If they can’t stand the pressure of being glorified as mere servants of paying passengers, then they should look for another job. A career change might be the answer to pressure build- up of having to pander to some demanding passengers. May Day Today is Labor Day and workers are sanguine they will get a May 1 gift package from President Rodri-

go Duterte. Campaigning on the theme of working for workers, Digong won a lot of votes from this sector as he harped on ending the onerous “endo” policy of big business establishments. “Endo,” is the latest in the local lexicon, It pertains to the ploy of employers to end the contract of of employees before the six-month probationary period. Because they hire these “probies” from recruitment agencies the companies’ relationship is with them and not the workers. This saves them the grief arising from workers forming or joining a labor union.The policy also spares the companies from paying Social Security, Philhealth, 13th month pay, separation pay and other workmen’s compensation benefits. Mr. Duterte is supposed to address a large group of workers in his hometown of Davao. Will he unwrap a basketful of goodies that include the end of contractualization and a higher daily wage? Labor is demanding a P750 daily wage increase, up from P450 for workers in Metro Manila. Families are separated because of the lack of work here. Fathers, mothers and young adults brave

unfriendly and harsh work conditions in the Middle East to send dependents to school , Basically it’s to put food on the table and clothes on their backs. The latest Social Weather Stations survey showed a 50-percent increase of Filipinos who consider themselves poor and hungry The number of poor people is now 11.5 million in a country where only one percent control the economy. Yet we have at least 10 Filipino entrepreneurs, most of them Tsinoy taipans who are in Forbes Magazine’s list of richest people on the planet. The rich live in opulent houses in gated communities while the poor have forcibly taken over the National Housing Authority projects like the one seized by the informal settlers of Kadamay in Pandi, Bulacan. It would be quite a social upheaval if the homeless occupy Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan. Instead of shutting down the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN television network by not renewing its franchise contract, perhaps President Duterte would earn more supporters if he takes over Hacienda Luisita and distributes the land to the farmer beneficiaries as intended by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

DENR reforms based on what? PERHAPS reacting to mounting criticism from a range of quarters, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretarydesignate Gina Lopez announced recently that the government body would undertake “sweeping reforms,” ostensibly geared to make DENR more effective in fulfilling its mandate. In particular, the beleaguered official said, the planned reforms are envisioned to make its programs and services “more efficient and accessible to the people,” still aligned with her avowed goal toward social justice. In the official release, Lopez, who was notably bypassed by the Commission on Appointments, said the reforms will cover policies related to forest, land, protected area, and environmental management. Lopez followed this with yet another announcement that she has issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2017-10 prospectively banning all “open-pit method of mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores” with the exemption quarrying to produce building materials. This development comes just days before the CA is set to meet on the confirmation of Lopez as DENR Secretary and on the heels of reports of “deep divisions” in the cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, in particular disagreements regarding the proposed review of the interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council. Lopez had questioned the legal basis of the MICC review, which was precisely

sustainable formed to clarify open and inclusive issues surroundthoughts growth. Coning the departcretely, the amment’s contenorlando bitious seventious suspension oxales percent growth and closure orin Gross Doders, which hit mestic Product several key minthat the Duterte administration had ing operations in the country. Department of Finance Un- set will be impossible to breach dersecretary Bayani Agabin said without this key component of the the DoF was disconcerted about domestic economy. Already, experts note that the Lopez questioning the legality of MICC, a marked reversal con- lack of any long-term developsidering she had already agreed ment agenda for the country’s to the multi-agency review. It natural resources has delayed the was precisely the multilateral harnessing of an estimated $1.4 character of the review, Agabin trillion in mineral reserves, a stagnoted, that differentiated it from gering figure could have been instrumental in uplifting generaDENR’s controversial audit. As such, Secretary Lopez’s tions of Filipino families; instead, total open pit mining ban fur- the minerals remain deep underther demonstrates her obstinate ground, unutilized. Catapulted to power on a popuanti-mining attitude that some observers had equated to as an list platform, there is a particular across-the-board anti-develop- sense of urgency on the part of the ment stance. The self-proclaimed Duterte presidency to achieve what advocate assumed the role on a many administrations had failed to crusader’s platform, which many do. The shift might need a drastic in the business sector consider turnaround in terms of mindset. impetuous and anti-development. There is a need to highlight the Furthermore, Lopez’s order ex- strategic role and potential of the empting quarrying for building mining industry in the overall materials, an open pit method, di- structure of the Philippine econorectly benefits a family owned in- my, including the much-needed reterest, one of the biggest aggregate vitalization of important industries like steel and manufacturing. supplier of the country. Key, of course, is partnering Lopez’s actions, runs contrary to what the economic history of some with the legitimate mining indusof the world’s biggest superpow- try instead of antagonizing it. A ers tells us: that a robust extrac- long-term national roadmap can tive industry—including the revi- and should be developed to intetalization of allied industries like grate the development of mining, steel—is indispensable in carving steel, and other downstream indus-

Learning... From A4 group how much money they would lose by sticking with the slow times. The result was straight out of Behavioral Science 101: Because people dislike losses, the second approach was more effective in getting drivers to work more during busy times. Intriguingly, Lyft elected not to use that approach, on the ground that it would be too manipulative. But ride-hailing companies have eagerly enlisted other behaviorally informed approaches. One of the smartest, now used by both Uber and Lyft, is called “forward dispatch.” Before the current ride ends, drivers are automatically assigned a new one. That’s good for passengers, because their waiting time is shorter. It’s terrific for the companies, because it encourages drivers to stay on the road. It’s less clear that it’s good for drivers, for whom it creates a clear default: Keep working. In a similar vein, many companies use a strategy known as “negative option marketing,” which means that unless consumers actually take action, they will be assumed to continue to want some good or service—and to pay for it. For example, you might choose to subscribe to a magazine for a year, but the subscription is automatically renewed, so you can end up paying for it for a decade or more, even if you don’t much like it. Or a company will give you a service for free during an introductory period—but if you don’t cancel it, you’ll find yourself paying a healthy amount every month thereafter.

As companies keep learning more about behavioral science, and as it becomes easy to accumulate massive amounts of data about each of us, self-interested nudging will become both more common and more personalized. Aware of the limited nature of attention and the power of loss aversion, casinos have become the Jedi Knights of behavioral manipulation, focusing customers on the possibility of riches (and showing them new opportunities around every corner). Every day, banks are using behaviorally informed techniques to persuade their customers to obtain “overdraft protection,” which often turns out to be immensely expensive loans. If you hope to profit from impulse purchases, you would be smart to put high-calorie, sugary foods right near the cash register—and a lot of supermarkets are smart. All this raises big questions: When is nudging ethical? When is it acceptable to take account of, and perhaps to exploit, people’s behavioral biases? The first way to answer those questions is to ask whether people are being helped or hurt. Many of the best nudges are like GPS devices: They make it easier for people to get where they want to go. If you are reminded that a bill is due, or that you have a doctor’s appointment this week, you aren’t likely to complain. Most employees are happy to be defaulted into savings programs, and poor children aren’t exactly objecting to free school meals. But we shouldn’t approve if people are being defaulted into a product or a program that hurts them, whether it involves extra pounds, impaired

What... From A4 of the ballot and the exercising of the right of suffrage. The alarm bells have been ringing for some time now: We may have started on the downward slope towards the horrible prospect

tries, toward achieving inclusive growth. This is where the expertise of the science and technology sector can enter the picture. Equally important is the structure of the potential partnerships. Instead of a unilateral approach, inputs must come from experts and stakeholders alike, including the mining industry, the academe, and the environmental advocates. This condition is more than procedural; the mining industry is as complex as any, and there is always a pressing need to balance environmental protection and economic development. An impartial approach to the issue will thus only be possible if all decisions are based on sound scientific study and data, the province of experts, whether they come from government, through its research and development arms, or the private sector. It is this kind of prudent scientific guidance that can then steer the formulation of policies. Therefore, while reforms are needed in the DENR’s policies, there is a need to stress that any reformulation of the agency’s stance should first and foremost be grounded on this dispassionate set of information, which should be mercifully kept exempt from the drama of politics and self-interest. The elements of a long-term road map—from extensive consultation to a deep and objective understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape—should be the basis of any meaningful reform in the DENR, not populism, not drama, not rhetoric.

health or hidden fees. It’s also necessary to ask whether behavioral science is being used to manipulate people. Most nudges are anything but manipulative. On the contrary, they are explicitly designed to increase transparency and to boost people’s capacity for agency—as, for example, by informing consumers about late fees, health risks or the energy efficiency of household appliances. Many nudges are widely publicized, as in the case of automatic voter registration. Uses of behavioral science become far more troublesome when they are hidden from their targets, or when their users are exploiting people’s unconscious biases for their own profit. If companies default customers into expensive services they don’t need, and use jargon or fine print to obscure what they’re doing, there’s a big problem. The same is true if employers enlist behavioral science to trick employees into working longer hours, without giving them a fair opportunity to make that decision on their own. We are sorely in need of an ethics of nudging. We should start by insisting that in this era of behavioral science, it is more, not less, important for private institutions to treat people with respect. Here, as elsewhere, government’s regulatory role should be cautious. But consumer and worker protection laws already provide protection against lying and deception. For federal and state regulators, it is time to consider the possibility that egregious forms of manipulation, exploiting people’s behavioral biases to their detriment, belong in the same category. Bloomberg

of a failed state. An autocracy, in fact, should count as a failed state because it is held together (or made to appear so) by the fiat and the will of only one man! The hidden cell and what one can only imagine to be the horrible mix of living bodies, excrement, refuse and and the empty shells of

The President and the ICC JUST when the country busied itself in the hosting of the Asean Summit held in Manila last week, a news item competed for front page attention. It was the filing of a complaint against President Rodrigo R. Duterte and 11 other senior officials of the administration by lawyer Jude Josue Sabio, the legal counsel of Edgar Matobato who has confessed to being a hitman of the Davao Death Squad, at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. What are the prospects of President Duterte getting indicted in the ICC? Sabio alleged in his 77-page complaint that since Duterte became president, “more than 7,000 drug-related killings by police and unknown armed persons occurred in his war on drugs at the national level.” He also said that this “continuing commission of mass murder constituting a crime against humanity falls within the subject matter jurisdiction” of the ICC. Notably, Sabio did not claim that he had personal knowledge of his alleged facts as he himself said that the allegations he presented are largely based on the testimony of his client Matobato and Arturo Lascañas, a retired police officer, as well as media reports. The ICC is an international tribunal that started to function on July 1, 2002 when the Rome statute—a multilateral treaty among 124 states—came into force. It has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC traces its beginnings to post World War I with the establishment of an international tribunal to Who, in reality, judge political leaders accused of internationare behind the al crimes. After World ﬁling of the War II, the allied powers established ad hoc complaint— tribunals to prosecute axis power leaders acand for what cused of war crimes. motives? The International Military Tribunal which sat in Nuremberg prosecuted German leaders who perpetrated the Nazi war crimes directed against Jews while the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo prosecuted Japanese leaders. These trials led to the advocacy by Benjamin Ferencz, an investigator of Nazi war crimes, for the establishment of international rule of law and an international criminal court. Much later, or in 1989, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago revived the idea of a permanent international criminal court by proposing that such a tribunal be created to deal with the illegal drug trade. While a statute was being drafted upon the instruction of the UN General Assembly, two ad hoc tribunals were created by the United Nations in early 1990s. One tribunal prosecuted and tried the large scale atrocities committed by armed forces during the Yugoslav wars and the other, to try the Rwandan genocide. These cases show the gravity, magnitude and nature of crimes meant to be tried at the ICC. The complaint filed by Sabio alleges that President Duterte should be investigated and prosecuted for crimes against humanity for the death of thousands in connection with his war on drugs. I like to think that Sabio, being himself a lawyer, knows that his action will only embarrass the President—or him—but will not prosper at the ICC. Sabio’s complaint misses two major points. One, as defined in the Rome statute, crimes against humanity refer to acts “committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population xxx.” The war on drugs waged by President Duterte is not blindly directed at a civilian population but against criminals engaged in the trade of illegal drugs. President Duterte’s war on drugs is, in fact, aimed to protect helpless civilians and citizens against the illegal drugs trade which has fomented heinous crimes and destroyed the lives of millions who have gotten hooked to it. Crime records show that since the onset of the war on drugs, the rate of crime in the Philippines has gone down. The second but most important point missed by Sabio is that the ICC is guided by the complementarity principle. This means that the ICC will only prosecute an individual if a state is unwilling or unable to prosecute. Thus, if there are ongoing legitimate investigations or proceedings involving the alleged crimes committed by an alleged perpetrator, the ICC will not take any action. It must be remembered that in the case of President Duterte, an impeachment complaint was filed against him in Congress by Magdalo party list representative, Gary Alejano, essentially grounded on the same allegations relied upon by Sabio in his ICC complaint. Also, the Senate has conducted investigations on the alleged links of the President to extrajudicial killings. Quite significant too is that there is no indication whatsoever that the Philippine prosecutorial and judicial systems have failed, refused, or been unable to prosecute the alleged crimes against humanity supposedly perpetrated by the President and the 11 others named in Sabio’s complaint. On the contrary, recent surveys have shown that the Filipino citizens favor the war on drugs being carried out by the government. This brings to mind the questions: who, in reality, are behind the filing of the complaint at the ICC? And for what motives? Could they be the very same people who presented Matobato—Sabio’s client—as a witness in the Senate hearings? Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

human dignity—this should be the starkest signpost of how far gone we are! Sure, there will be thousands on Facebook or Twitter who will unctuously defend this barbarity. But human reason is intractable, as are the institutions, the principles and the conventions of law! I grant the President’s sincerity about wanting to leave

a legacy of a country renewed. It will serve him well to heed the threatening portents—and to discover who his true friends and allies are! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

News

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Drug suspects need expanded protection’ By Rey E. Requejo A LAWYER has backed a call for the Supreme Court to formulate a new procedure to address human rights violations under President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs. In a letter to the high court, lawyer Severo Brillantes said a new writ would protect drug suspects and serve justice to victims of extrajudicial killings under the Oplan Tokhang of the Philippine National Police. Brillantes, counsel of parents and teachers from Manila Science High School in an earlier petition that sought to stop the K-12 program, also threw his support to the petition of legal advocacy group Center for International Law for a new procedure that would ensure checks and balances would deter human rights violations in the bloody war on drugs. “We believe that among others, what will deter extrajudicial killings is the certainty of investigation, prosecution and eventual conviction of their perpetrators; that is, for everyone to be made aware that an investigation will inevitably automatically be conducted, with the suspected perpetrators subsequently prosecuted and those found guilty thereafter meted the punishment due to them,” he said. The lawyer told the SC that the PNP already admitted that 2,710 have been killed in the drug war as of April but the number has yet to be veriﬁed in a formal and independent probe. Brillantes believes the creation of a writ of contra homo sacer requiring mandatory inquest procedure would not sufﬁce. According to him, the limited periods provided for under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code and the summary nature of inquest proceedings have been inadequate to enable

the investigating prosecutor to avail of all legal means necessary to make an exhaustive investigation in EJK cases. “We propose instead that these additional rules be incorporated with the Rule on Arrest (Rule 113 of the 2000 Rules of Criminal Procedure) as well as the Rule on Preliminary Investigation (Rule 112),” the lawyer stressed. Brillantes argued that the proposed measures would be consistent with the obligation of the Philippine government under international agreements “to carry out a prompt, impartial and independent ex-officio investigation of extrajudicial executions which among others, include killings resulting from excessive and/ or unlawful use of lethal force by law enforcement officials and thus constitute violations of the inalienable and nonderogable right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life guaranteed under international law.” “The International Commission of Jurists holds that the Philippines is bound by international law to probe extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary killings,” he said. Last week, Center Law asked the SC justices in a petition letter to promulgate new rules creating the writ of contra homo sacer. Homo sacer refers to a class of persons in ancient Rome that were treated as outlaws and without any rights. It is defined in legal terms as someone who can be killed without the killer being regarded as a murderer. Center Law said it believes that drug suspects under the Duterte administration are being treated as such, saying they are “reduced to mere biological existence, denied of all rights, marked for execution anytime and anywhere” and “subject to banishment to the realm of uncertain fate.”

‘Govt must comply with Clean Water law‘ By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court has ordered the government to submit a report on how it is complying with its mandate to implement the Clear Water Act of 2004. In a four-page resolution, the high court directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to submit a list of categories of industry sector, its obligations relative to water quality standards and its plan with for solid waste disposal. Section 14 of law requires the DENR to regulate the discharge of wastewater while Section 19 man-

dates it to prepare a National Water Quality Status Report, an Integrated Water Quality Management Framework and a 10-year Water Quality Management Area Action Plan as lead implementing agency of the law. Apart from DENR, the Supreme Court also gave the same order to other agencies, including the Department of Health, Department

of Public Works and Highways, National Sewerage and Septage Management Program Ofﬁce in the Department of the Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Local Water Utilities Administration and Laguna Lake Development Authority. The DILG was likewise required to submit to the court a complete list of highly urbanized cities in the country. The high court issued the order upon the petition of water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Company Inc. Both ﬁrms were also required by the high tribunal to submit an

Mining firms told: Comply with EITI Solon wants night differential

updated list of the respective service areas under their concession agreements with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and also updated reports on the status of their compliance with the provisions of the law. The Clean Water Act aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities) and provides a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE. A week after they were rounded up by social workers from the busy side streets of Manila's Roxas Boulevard, ambulant vendors and street dwellers are back to where they used to be with the conclusion of the Asean Summit. Ey Acasio

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

ALL mining contractors must now comply with the disclosure requirements of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said. Environment Secretary Regina Lopez has signed Administrative Order No. 2017-07 requiring all mining companies to take part in PH-EITI. The initiative aims to ensure full disclosure of taxes and other payments made by oil, gas and mining companies to governments. The government will suspend the Environmental Compliance Certificate as well as the Ore Transport Permits and Mineral Export Permits of any mining contractor that fails to comply with the disclosure requirements. The certificates and permits will remain canceled until the mining companies are able to comply with the PH-EITI requirements, the MGB said. The PH-EITI was created by Executive Order No. 147 signed by then President Benigno Aquino III in 2013 to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the extractive industries, specifically in the way the government collects, and companies pay taxes from extractive operations.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

NCRPO Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde (right) shared a sumptuous lunch with members of the Presidential Security Group, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and volunteer paramedics after successfully securing the visiting heads of state and delegates to the recently concluded 30th Asean Summit. Norman Cruz

pay for government workers By Macon RamosAraneta SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV on Sunday urged his colleagues to pass a bill granting night shift differential pay to government employees, including employees of government-owned or -controlled corporations. He said work at night is more strenuous than work done during the day, hence, the former deserves greater compensation. “It is a universal fact that the normal work is performed during the day and the work done at night is exceptional and justiﬁed only on grounds

of inevitable necessity,” he said. “Hygienic, medical, moral, cultural, and socio-biological reasons, moreover, show that night work entails various inconveniences and when there is no alternative but to perform it, it is only just that the laborer should earn greater salary than the ordinary work so as to compensate the laborer to some extent for the inconvenience,” added Trillanes, who heads the Senate Committee on Civil Service. Trillanes said there are government employees whose regular working hours fall between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00

a.m. of the next day, such as personnel in the Bureau of Immigration and uniformed personnel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. He said the case of BI employees is more lamentable because of their lack of compensation or monetary allowances considering the nature of their work. “This bill seeks to recognize the sacriﬁces of government employees who work late at night until the wee hours of the morning, when they are supposed to be asleep, by providing them premium pay for hours work during the night,” he said.

Water search and rescue training held By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health-Mimaropa has concluded its 8th batch of Water Search and Rescue training in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. The ﬁve-day program, which ran from April 24 to 28 in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, produced 43 successfully trained water attendants. “If there is a trained water personnel in the area, accidents could be avoided. This is the reason why we need to prepare and teach all water personnel on water search and rescue for them to be able to prevent water accidents such as drowning,” Health Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said. Janairo said a survey in areas where there are WASAR-trained personnel showed that there have been no cases of drowning or other water incidents. “Proper knowledge and the ability to provide immediate emergency response must be properly taught for them to have a better perception on how to manage a possible victim prior to and upon arrival of the health response team,” he said. Since the start of the “Health in Tourism Program” in 2015, the regional DoH ofﬁce has already trained a total of 205 WASAR water personnel in Palawan. The target is to have at least 500 aquatic personnel in the whole region. “The objective is to ensure safety of the public who frequents resorts and beaches,” Janairo said.

Sports

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Joshua willing to give Klitschko rematch

Sharapova run halted STUTTGART—Maria Sharapova lost in the semi-finals in Stuttgart on Saturday, her controversial comeback from a 15-month doping ban ending in defeat to one of her biggest critics. Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one, lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Kristina Mladenovic as the Russian exited her first tournament back from a ban after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. “I’m not angry, I’d have loved to have used the opportunity when I was ahead in the second set, so I had a bit of a let down which allowed her to get back in the match, gain confidence and play well,” said Sharapova. Mladenovic has been a vocal critic of Sharapova’s return to tennis and on the eve of their semi accused her of getting “extra help”, having been handed wild cards to play at the Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome tournaments. Having started her comeback with a world ranking of zero on Wednesday, due to her ban, reaching the semi-final means Sharapova has already moved up to 260th in the world. Sharapova refused to blame a lack of fitness for her defeat, but says she needs match practise after her enforced break. AFP

Briitain’s Anthony Joshua (right) throws a punch at Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko during the tenth round of their IBF, IBO and WBA, world Heavyweight title ﬁght at Wembley Stadium in north west London. AFP

Cavs, Warriors well rested as playoffs’ Round 2 opens

ASHINGTON—Defending champion Cleveland and season win leader Golden State, each seeking a third consecutive NBA Finals appearance, are well rested as the second round of the playoffs begins Sunday. They were the only clubs to advance through the first round without dropping a game and are again favored in their best-of-seven second round matchups. Cleveland superstar LeBron James, trying to reach the NBA Finals for a seventh consecutive year and eighth overall, led the NBA in minutes played while averaging 26.4 points, 8.7 assists and 8.6 rebounds. He powers the Cavaliers against Toronto, a team they beat in last year’s Eastern Conference final. “Doesn’t mean we’re going to be able to win this year,” James said. “We’ve got to go out and make it happen. We have to worry

about game one first.” Boston faces Washington starting Sunday in the other East matchup, the Celtics having taken the conference top seed over the Cavs. “The sky is the limit for this team,” Boston guard Avery Bradley said. “Anything can happen as long as we continue to stay positive and play as hard as we can.” The Warriors, one win from back-to-back NBA titles last June before Cleveland made the greatest comeback in finals history to deny them a repeat, wait until Tuesday to open round two at home against Sunday’s winner be-

tween Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State has been nagged by injuries, including a calf injury to star forward Kevin Durant, and health issues with coach Steve Kerr, who has missed two games and is uncertain for the remainder of the playoffs. The other Western Conference semi-final showdown matches Texas rivals San Antonio and Houston, their first playoff meeting since 1995 after a season where their four meetings all went down to the final minute. - ‘King’ of the road James has won at least once on the road in 27 consecutive playoff series dating to 2009 and in 35 of 38 over his 14-year career. “I just like the adversity of the road,” James said. “I love the ‘Tonight is not the night’ LeBron slogans. I love the ‘You’re overrated’

and all those things.” He might hear it a lot. Despite 31 home wins, second best in the NBA this season, the Cavaliers won’t have the home-court edge again in the playoffs if form holds. Cleveland and Toronto each went 51-31 this season and while Cleveland went 3-1 against the Raptors to gain the home-court edge, three meetings were last year and the last had many key players sitting out to rest. The Raptors pushed Cleveland to six games last year and won’t likely vanish easily this time. “I know what we have in that locker room, and that’s some fighters and scrappers,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. The Celtics, 2-2 against Washington this season, expect to have guard Isaiah Thomas for game one after her attended his sister Chyna’s funeral Saturday. She

was killed in an auto accident two weeks ago, but Thomas has not missed a game. “I don’t know (how he played),” Bradley said. “It’s truly amazing.” Celtics coach Brad Stevens is more concerned about the man than the games. “If he decides when he gets there that it’s too much, that’s OK. That’s fine,” Stevens said. “This (grieving) is a lot more important.” Thomas averaged 27.8 points a game against the Wizards this season while Washington guards John Wall and Bradley Beal together averaged almost 40 points against Boston. Washington led the NBA with 20.7 fast break points and 9.2 steals a game in round one. “It’s playoff time,” Beal said. “It’s winning time and we’re going to do whatever it takes.” AFP

Pakutkot, Paikot top slalom invitational Japan, HK share spotlight ASIAN triathlon heavyweights Japan and Hong Kong split top honors in the open elite division Sunday, with Japanese Ryosuke Maeda ruling the men’s division and HK bet Yan Yin Hilda Choi taking the women’s crown at the 24th staging of the NTT - ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Maeda, who is ranked in the Top 10 back home, finished the 1.5K swim - 40K bike 10K standard distance race in a fast time of 1:53.59, even as he admitted he had a hard time coping with the heat and the warm water temperature in the swim leg. “But I really expected to win today,” said Maeda after the race that started at the ACEA beach resort and finished at the oval track of Remy Field. For Hong Kong’s top-ranked triathlete Choi, who is preparing for the Asian Triathlon Championship in Indonesia later this year, it was not the first time for her to win in Subic as she already won there in the junior division. It was, however, the first time for her to win at this level. “It was a nice race, good swim and I had a good bike pack with (the Philippines’) Claire (Adorna) setting the pace which helped us a lot,” said the pretty Choi, who clocked 2:10.02 in the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and sanctioned by the Asian Triathlon Confederation, whose president Justin Park was a special guest and did the awarding together with Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal.

Overall and Front Wheel best time winner Perfecto Pakutkot and novice top clocker Potchie Paikot of Speedjav Racing Team are shown with Phoenix Petroleum and Federal Tyres Executives.

Butch: PSC... From A8

PSC Commissioners Charles Raymond A. Maxey, Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram and Arnold Agustin were also in attendance along with PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco and his deputy Henry Daut. Members of the PSC management committee, composed mainly of the agency’s department heads, were also present. PSC Chairman Ramirez

PERFECTO Pakutkot of Speedjav Cabanatuan City topped both the overall best time and the Production Front Wheel best time of the day by clocking 54.44 in the ﬁrst leg of the RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Slalom Invitational Challenge at Robinsons Place Calasiao Pangasinan. Second place was Jeff Capiral of Wholesome Concepts Baguio City with 55.34, followed by Potchie Paikot of Speed Jav with 55.50, Ryan Ablang of Weicars Racing Team with 55.94 and Ram Rafanan of Globe Spade Racing Team with 56.28. Meanwhile, Paikot also bagged the novice best time of 55.50, with Rafanan coming in second with 56.74. The 2017 RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Slalom Invitational is powered by Phoenix Premium ’98 and Phoenix Accelerate fully synthetic motor oil and co-sponsored by Federal Tyres, Outlast Battery. It is also supported by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, Robinsons Malls and Robinsons Place Calasiao Pangasinan, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Power Wheels Magfzaine, Auto Car Magazine and medical team Aeromed. Also to Taking part in the invitational event are the Corolla Auto Club, Speed Limits, Wholesome Concepts, Speed Jav, Team Kuneho, Greenlight La Union, MITTC, Globe Space Racing Team, Yanco All Day Racing Team and privateers from Tarlac and Pangasinan. The second Phoenix Slalom Invitational will be on Aug. 20, still at Robinsons Calasiao Pangasinan, Meanwhile, the third leg of the 2017 Phoenix National Slalom Series will be held on May 7 at the NFA Compound, Cabanatuan City.

Mangosong rules Diamond Supercross 3rd leg Hong Kong’s Yan Yin Hilda Choi crosses the finish line, winning the Elite Women’s crown of the 24th NTT-ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon held yesterday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. She timed 2 hours, 10 minutes and 2 seconds.

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

IN THE absence of main rival Glen Aguilar, Rhowell Matias “Bornok” Mangosong IV of Team UA Mindanao dominated the third leg of the Diamond Motor Supercross Series at the MX Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal on Saturday. Mangosong played

second fiddle to Aguilar in the first two legs and with the veteran rider competing elsewhere, the pride of Davao found the best time to shine. “Confident ako sa takbo ko ngayon pero kailangan pa rin magimprove kung may kailangan pa improve,” said Mangosong, who beat

the field that included event second placer JR Rellosa and third finisher Jeric Mitra. Mangosong boosted his stock in the battle for the overall plum and ready to put up a good fight against Aguilar in the fourth leg of this event supported by the Philippine Sports Com-

mission, Unified Sports & Racing Association, Diamond Motor Corporation, Motorcross Messiah Fairgrouds, Dunlop Tires, Coffee Grounds, Yamaha Motor Philippines, Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co., DC Shoes Philippines, Tireshakk, and PTT Philippines

LONDON—World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua declared he was willing to give Wladimir Klitschko a rematch after his 11th-round win on Saturday, but the Ukrainian wouldn’t confirm he would box again. The Briton successfully defended his International Boxing Federation (IBF) world heavyweight title for the third time and claimed the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) belt against the former champion after an epic battle was settled by Joshua’s 19th consecutive stoppage. In a wildly exciting fight, which swung one way and then the other, Joshua sealed victory during a thunderous 11th round. “I don’t mind fighting him again, if he wants the rematch,” Joshua said at a press conference after the fight in front of 90,00 fans at Wembley Stadium. “Big respect to Wladimir for challenging the young lions of the division. “It’s up to him, I don’t mind. As long as Rob (McCracken, Joshua’s trainer) thinks it’s good I’m good to go.” - ‘One of the best’ Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said that if a rematch were to take place in the UK later this year, it would likely be at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which has a roof. “It was one of the best heavyweight fights I’ve seen and Klitschko will probably say he wants a rematch,” Hearn told reporters. “Whether he feels the same on reflection I don’t know. We’re not opening negotiations with any other fighter until he knows what he wants to do. “If people don’t want to see a rematch, it won’t happen. If people want to see a rematch, it’s likely to happen. “It’s more likely to be at (the Principality Stadium] if it’s in the UK, or it might take us to a new territory. “Anthony wouldn’t mind going to Germany for it, but he won’t be ready before October and that was a bad cut Wlad had.” Klitschko, 41, refused to make any commitment on his future and whether he would retire after a second successive defeat. “I’m not going to consider anything, I’m not going to make any statements, I will take my time and let you know,” Klitschko said. “I have a rematch clause in the contract which I can execute. Right now I will not announce anything. “I don’t feel like someone who lost. Even though I didn’t get the belts, I definitely gained although I lost.” Klitschko suffered his first stoppage defeat since 2004 when he was overwhelmed by Joshua’s precision and power in a ferocious 11th-round assault. But Klitschko showed there is still plenty of fight left in him. Joshua had lost control of the epic encounter after flooring the Ukrainian in the fifth and appeared to have punched himself out. Klitschko landed a right to the temple in the sixth round which dropped Joshua for the first knockdown of his professional career. “I thought he would not get up,” said Klitschko. “I thought I could have done more to finish him after he went down. I was pretty sure it was going to be my night so I took my time.” AFP

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

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

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Sports

Butch: PSC focus is on grassroots PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez urged some 50 regional and program sports coordinators of the Philippine Sports Institute to be men and women of legacy as he also shared his fundamental beliefs to them during the two-day coordinators’ meeting held April 26 and 27 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Ramirez said that since PSI, created to address President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s mantra of making sports available to all relative to R.A. 6847 or the PSC Act, the work of PSI coordinators is a “very serious job.” “We will focus on grassroots sports. For the ﬁrst time in 27 years, the PSC will now have a genuine grassroots sports program. Go out of the box, be imaginative. Make yourself a person of legacy. Bahagi ka sa istorya ng Philippine sports,” Ramirez said. He also bared his core values and beliefs that he also wants the coordinators to also embrace such as compassion, humility, competence, integrity, commitment and urgency to serve with conviction. The PSC chief also reiterated that making sports accessible to the countryside is the President’s directive, thus, he would want all regional coordinators to also focus on collaborations with local government units and other stakeholders to start grassroots sports in their respective areas. “In creating a vibrant and healthy citizens as stipulated in R.A. 6847, we need to implement programs in the grassroots level and these need need not be expensive. We can have sports programs and make use of the streets or parks or shorelines or rivers in making sports available for children, adults and seniors,” he said. Ramirez added that investing on Filipinos, particularly children, is the real gold mine and not the Olympics, although he said that the PSC Board will stand by its commitment to support national athletes from the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games this year to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “This is the highway we’re taking in Philippine sports. What we’re doing is for the children and the motherland. We can all be a part of this historical journey of Philippine sports and together leave a legacy we can all be proud of,” Turn to A7 said Ramirez.

Philippine Basketball Association players, led by San Miguel Beer’s JuneMar Fajardo, distributed gifts to Homecare kids in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu as part of the league’s All-Star festivities.

BaliPure clips Air Force in Premier volley opener B ALIPURE charged back strong from an early struggle and fashioned out a 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 victory over Air Force to kick off its title drive in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference before a big Sunday crowd at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan. Games tomorrow 1 p.m. – Sta. Elena vs Café Lupe (men’s) 4 p.m. – BaliPure vs Power Smashers (women’s) 6:30 p.m. – Perlas vs Air Force

The Purest Water Defenders cranked it up from the second frame on with Grethcel Soltones leading the attack and Jerrili Malabanan emerging as the team’s surprise package, ﬁring 12

hits, the last clinching the one-hour, 34-minute victory for BaliPure. The power-hitting Soltones hammered in 14 kills and finished with 16 makers while Risa Sato matched Malabanan’s output as the Water Defenders shrugged off a tentative start that enabled the Jet Spikers to gain control. “They were still trying to feel their way around. Nagkakahiyaan kasi iba na ito, eh,” said BaliPure coach Roger Go-

rayeb, referring to his mix of aces from his San Sebastian and National U teams in the collegiate leagues. But Malabanan proved to be a revelation as she came off the bench to emerge one of the team’s top scorers in the inaugurals of the 14th season of the league backed by Asics and Mikasa and organized by Sports Vision. “She was not even in the ﬁrst 6,” said Gorayeb of the FEU mainstay, who grew up in the US. “But I think she can be a starter. She proved effective.” Jocemer Tapic came away with 14 points while veteran Joy Cases put in 12 hits and Iari Yong, May Ann Pantino and Mae Antipuesto combined for 24 markers for the Jet Spikers. BaliPure scored 45 attack points, eight more than Air Force with the Water Defenders also coming away

After Solaire conquest, Lewton eyes Luisita golf title

The University of Cebu Webmasters in action against Team Bounty A

Webmasters crowned 3x3 champs UNIVERSITY of Cebu proved to be the best of the lot after topping the Under Armour 3x3 U18 basketball national tournament with a close 21-20 overtime win over Bounty A in the championship round at the BGC’s Titan Court in Taguig, City over the weekend. Allen Dave Peregrino’s free throw served as the marginal point that gave the victory to the Webmasters, who also won the Cebu leg of this tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. Interestingly, Bounty A placed only second to Bounty B in the Manila leg, 14-16. Escuela de Sophia

defeated Philippine Christian University to place third. After the Manila leg, Bounty B joined Bounty A, Escuela de Sophia and UC in the ﬁnal four pocket tournament. The Cebu-based Webmasters joined the top three teams in the Manila leg for the pocket tournament to determine the best of them all. “Sobrang saya kasi unang game namin ito sa Manila at nabigyan agad kami ng panalo ng Panginoong Diyos,” said UC member John Bryl Cuyos, who teamed up with John Emmanuel Bautista, Virlou Orquez and Pelegrino in their quest for

a slot in the national pool that will be sent to the FIBA Asia 3x3 event in Malaysia. The event, supported by PDI and Business Mirror, with event partners Gatorade, Wilson, Crystal Clear, De Los Santos Medical and Innewvation, aims to select players who will compose the national team to the FIBA 3x3 U18 Asia Cup from May 26 to 28 at the Cyberjaya Gem-In Mall in Malaysia. A total of 42 teams competed in the Under-18 category, while 24 teams slugged it out in the Open division, which was won by EGS Elite at the expense of MIT Bazinga, 18-13.

STEVE Lewton, who became the first Englishman to win the Solaire Philippine Open last March, sets out for another premier local crown – the $60,000 ICTSI Luisita Championship which reels off Wednesday in Tarlac. The Northampton ace, who nipped American Johannes Veerman in a thrilling sudden death to snare Asia’s oldest National Open at The Country Club, will banner the crack international field slugging it out with the local aces in the 72-hole event also serving as the third leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour. After his breakthrough Phl Open win, Lewton also placed second in the rain-shortened PGT Northport Championship in Malaysia and turned in a ninth place effort at the PGM UMW Championship in Kuala Lumpur, making him one of the marked men in the upcoming event at the Luisita Golf and Country Club. After surviving the exacting TCC layout with a one-under 287 total, Lewton is also expected to figure well at the par-72 Robert Trent Jones

Sr.-designed course which poses a different kind of challenge with its narrow fairways, sleek putting surface and unsettling water hazards that come into play in at least 11 holes. The unpredictable wind could also add up to the test and concern among the power-hitters in the ranks as it alters the character of the holes in an instant. Aside from Lewton, other foreign aces tipped to contend for the top $10,500 purse in the event sponsored by ICTSI are James Bowen, John Catlin, Paul Harris and Brett Munson of the US, Aussies David Gleeson, Rhett McIvor, Jason Dawes and Nathan Park, and Park Jun Sung and Kim Sung Wook of Korea, Japanese Ryoma Miki, Yuta Sudo and Shota Ishikawa, South African Mathiam Keyser, Canadian Lee Sang Gyun and Finnish Teemu Putkonen. The Manila-based Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands also hopes to toughen up in the clutch and ﬁnally nail the elusive win after blowing a number of chances in his past camSteve Lewton will banner the crack international ﬁeld slugging it out with the local aces.

seven blocks, including three from Aiko Urdas, as against their rivals’ four courtesy of Tapic. Meanwhile, no imports suited up in the opener pending the FIVB’s release of the ITCs (International Transfer Certificate). Earlier, Army battled from 1-2 down to stun Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 16-14, in the lone match that also kicked off the men’s tournament. Five players churned out double-digit scores for the Troopers with skipper Benjaylo Labide firing 19 hits. Jayvee Sumagaysay added 14 markers while Anthony Arbasto and Romnick Rico chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Greg Dolor fired 17 points while Joeward Presnede added 14 hits for IEM.

NCAA does away with recruitment of foreign cagers By Peter Atencio THERE will be no more foreign players, who can be recruited and allowed to take residency for member schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association this year. The league will ﬁnally implement this ruling that the NCAA policy board approved ﬁve years ago. In 2012, the NCAA came up with this new rule, which was supposed to take effect in 2014. But league members delayed its implementation. Its full implementation will now be felt in 93rd season of the league under new host San Sebastian College. The season unfolds on July 8, with the basketball games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. With the new scheduling and venue format, the league will hold three games each during Tuesdays and Fridays, while reserving the Thursday playdate at the basketball courts of the seven schools. All seniors’ games will be aired live at ABS-CBN Sports and Action Channel. Management Committee Chairman Fr. Glynn Ortega, OAR, for his part, also named Arturo “Bai” Cristobal as its commissioner during a turnover ceremony with Season 92 host San Beda recently. It will be recalled that San Beda College began the trend of recruiting foreign athletes in 2006. That was when the school tapped Nigerian slotman Sam Ekwe. With Ekwe around, the Red Lions went on to snare three straight men’s basketball titles.

Nomura hikes PH growth targets

Business

IN BRIEF Arab investors set to explore PH islands FOUR Arab investors are coming this month to invest in island development, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said over the weekend. Peza director-general Charito Plaza said the agency would assist the investors in conducting ocular inspection over the islands of Palawan, Cebu, Bataan and Mindanao to scout for possible sites. “In fact, one investor would like to invest in four islands for tourism projects. Another wants a 1,000-hectare island for agro-industrial zones,” she said. These four investors are included in the letter of intent signed between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia during an investment roadshow in the Middle East in April. Peza appointed special advisers to Saudi Arabia and Qatar who were given special powers of attorney to follow up on the committed investments. “We want all this to be ofﬁcial, once they [investors] register at Peza,” said Plaza. Othel V. Campos

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

SMC ventures into tidal power By Darwin G. Amojelar

AN Miguel Corp. is set to submit to the Energy Department a tidal power plant project that can produce up to 20,000 megawatts of electricity.

“We will submit it to DoE in the next few weeks,” San Miguel president Ramon Ang said. Ang said the Pacific Ocean Tidal Power Project was a 10-year program and “we can produce up to 4,000 megawatts in the fifth year of operation.” He said the company planned to sell power to the grid for P5 per kilowatt-hour, with the price expected to drop to P3 per kWh once the company recovered its investment. The Philippines has yet to build and operate its first ocean or tidal power project, and the government has

yet to design the appropriate feed-in-tariff subsidies for such projects. A tidal power plant is a project that convert kinetic energy from tidal waves into electricity. PNOC-Renewables Corp. earlier assigned local energy company H&WB Asia Pacific (Pte. Ltd.) Corp. and Sabella SaS of France to build the first ocean power plant in the country. It will also be the first facility to tap tidal energy in Southeast Asia. The companies will deploy tidal in-stream energy conversion technology in H&WB’s three concession areas in San Bernardino Strait between Matnog, Sorsogon and Capul and Dalupiri in Northern Samar. San Miguel is diversifying from a food and beverage conglomerate into an infrastructure and power group with long-term projects. Its infrastructure unit, San Miguel Holdings Corp. and Philippine National Construction Corp. earlier signed an agreement to jointly undertake the expansion of toll roads under their existing joint venture worth P554 billion. The expanded road network will include extension

of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project and the Metro Manila Expressway, or C6/Skyway Stage 4. Under the agreement, SMHC and PNCC will build San Pedro-C6 Laguna Lake Road, extending the South Luzon Expressway from San Pedro, Laguna and passing along the shores of Laguna Lake and ending at C6 in Taguig. Other projects are Tanauan-Tagaytay Expressway or Sky 8; TR5 which will extend SLEx from the end of TR4 in Pagbilao, Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon; Sky 7, which will connect Taguig to Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City; Buendia Interchange and Ramp Extension to Macapagal Boulevard; and Sky 9 or the Pasig River Alignment which will included ramps to Buendia, Pioneer and Bonifacio Global City. San Miguel and PNCC were also studying to develop a P700-billion expressway that will connect Quezon, Bicol and Samar in Leyte. Last year, San Miguel posted a net income of P52 billion, up 80 percent from a year ago, as revenue rose 2 percent to P685 billion.

PIDS wants reforms in bus transport sector THE worsening traffic along Edsa caused by the huge volume of buses in Metro Manila can still be fixed by reforming the bus market, according to a study published by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies. PIDS president Gilberto Llanto and consultant Hope Gerochi said in a discussion paper the best approach would be the “compete for the market” framework where bus operators would be consolidated into bus consortia, and only those that were complying with the standards set by the government would be able to operate. “In addressing pressing traffic problems in the Edsa corridor and also along other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, reforming the bus market to provide high capacity and efficient bus services is a low-cost and immediate solution,” the authors said. Bus consolidation is not new to Metro Manila. In 1974, the government established a public utility company to improve the quality of transportation in the metropolis. Metro Manila Transit Corp. produced buses commonly known as the “Love Bus.” Darwin G. Amojelar

HEALTHCARE JOB FAIR. Employers from the Middle East, the US and the UK are looking for Filipinos to ﬁll over 500 job vacancies in the healthcare sector, according to the Dubai-based organizers of Healthcare Recruitment Philippines, a job fair scheduled to take place in July. Some 30 public and private hospitals from other countries will be coming to Manila to attend Healthcare Recruitment Philippines organized by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions on July 27 to 28 at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. Shown are job applicants using tablets to ﬁll in their personal information.

Meralco studying Japan’s coal group S&P afﬁrms investment TOKYO, Japan―The Philippines can beneﬁt from the creation of a coal organization similar to a Japan group that is involved in research and development to promote the use of clean coal, industry executives said. Coal accounts for 26 percent of Japan’s power requirements and around 30 percent of the Philippines’ generation supply. Japanese stakeholders organized Japan Coal Energy Center or JCoal in 1990 as a one-stop center for energy and coal development utilization under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. “It would be likewise good to explore the potential of having a formal initiative or perhaps a group that will work towards the achievement of attaining similar advocacy

towards sustainable energy on coal development,” Meralco PowerGen Corp. vice president for external affairs Litz Santana said. JCoal is composed of 138 member companies in a wide range of coal business such as coal mining, power, steel, heavy industries, engineering and trading. JCoal is also actively involved in the research and development of clean coal technologies that have the least environmental impact and minimized emissions. “We continue to seek and look for best practices in the utilization of clean coal technology. We wish to continue to understand the available technologies that will ensure the efﬁcient and environmental sustainability of this power resource,” Santana said.

Meralco PowerGen, through a subsidiary, is set to build the country’s first ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. Japan did not abandon coal as a fuel source but instead improved its coal facilities through clean coal technologies. Japan still has coal plants that were around 50 years old but most of these old plants were upgraded to more efficient clean coal technologies in recent years. Japan put up its first ultra super critical coal fired power plants as early as 1990s but the Philippines has yet to complete its first super critical power plant―the 500-MW San Buenaventura coal-fired power plant which is due for completion in June 2019. Alena

Mae S. Flores

rating with stable outlook By Julito G. Rada INTERNATIONAL credit watchdog S&P Global Ratings affirmed its “BBB” or investment grade rating for the Philippines with a stable outlook, citing the country’s robust external position and declining external debt. The “BBB” rating, an upgrade from “BBB-”, was given on May 8, 2014, also with a stable outlook. S&P also affirmed the ‘axA/axA-2’ Asean regional scale ratings on the Philippines. The transfer and convertibility assessment was unchanged at ‘BBB+’. “The ratings on the Philippines reflect our assessment of its strong external position, which features ample foreign exchange reserves and low and declining external debt. This strength is balanced by the Philippines’ lower-middle income economy, and emerging policymaking settings,” it said in a statement over the weekend. It said the stable outlook reflected its

view that the policy environment remained conducive for sustained economic growth that contributes to continued stability of the sovereign’s fiscal and debt metrics. “We may raise the ratings if the newlycalibrated fiscal program under this administration significantly boosts investment and economic growth prospects, or if improvements in the policy environment lead us to a better assessment of institutional and governance effectiveness,” S&P said. It said the ratings might be lowered “if the reform agenda stalls or if the recalibrated fiscal program leads to higher-thanexpected deficits sufficient to reverse the progress made under the previous administration.” S&P mentioned the Duterte government’s “10-point plan” to reduce poverty, promote a law-abiding society, and achieve peace settlements with separatists in Mindanao. Other priorities include macroeconomic stability guided by orthodox fiscal, economic, and development policies.

PNOC seeks better Limay offer By Alena Mae S. Flores

HYBRID CLOUD PROVIDER. John Deﬁesta (center), Nexus-InfoFabrica country sales manager, present the Cloud service offerings of Nexus-InfoFabrica, a joint venture between Nexus Technologies Inc. and InfoFabrica Pte. Ltd. With Deﬁesta are (from left) Tuck Chong Chan, InfoFabrica senior professional services manager; Juan Chua, Nexus Technologies Inc. president; Wen Chi Li, InfoFabrica director; and Lionel Ting, Nexus Technologies vice president for business development. Nexus-InfoFabrica aims to provide Hybrid Cloud services for the commercial, enterprise and SME sectors in the Philippines.

STATE-owned Philippine National Oil Co. asked the camp of businessman Gregorio Araneta II to revise its offer for a planned energy city in Limay, Bataan, an executive said over the weekend. PNOC president Reuben Lista said the company sent a letter to Araneta, who heads the Energy Oil and Gas Holdings Inc. after his previous proposal expired last, year. Lista said PNOC was waiting for a new and better offer for the lease of PNOC’s Limay property. “We invited him if he is still interested to offer us a better offer because his offer is not acceptable. It was not approved by the board then, so it expired already in 2016,” Lista said. Lista said the previous offer was very low in terms of cost and PNOC last week

sent a letter asking Araneta to come out with a better offer. The entire PNOC property in Limay covers about 220 hectares but Araneta’s group wanted only about 90 hectares, which raised questions to the government on what would happen to the remaining 130 hectares. “He [Araneta] wanted only 90 hectares which we could not give because what will happen to the 130 hectares that are not as good. We will lose value,” Lista said. The executive said PNOC was now trying to develop the right side of the Lamo pier property in Limay. He said other companies already expressed interest in the area especially after the memorandum of agreement with the Araneta group expired last year. “If they will not respond immediately, then we have to entertain the rest,” Lista said.

Business

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index likely to top 7,700 level By Jenniffer B. Austria

TOCKS are expected to sustain the positive trend this week, as investors focus on developments overseas and the ﬁrst-quarter earnings of listed companies. Philstocks Inc. analyst Justino Calaycay said the outlook for the market in this shortened trading week remained positive, based on net foreign inﬂows and improvement in the market’s week-on-week breadth. There is no trading on May 1 in observance of Labor Day. “The PSEi [Philippine Stock Exchange index] has already shown its ability to hit levels above 7,700 – it just needs more ev-

idence to validate the growing optimism,” Calaycay said. Abacus vice president for research Raymond Niel Franco said he expected the benchmark to end the year at 7,500-point level as average earnings growth of listed companies were expected to go up by high single digit. “There is momentum and a lot of optimism in the market right now. I will not be surprised if the market will go higher. But the market is fairly valued at current levels, so it would be better for investors to wait for better prices before coming into the market,” Franco said. The PSEi rose 1.1 percent last week to close at 7,661.01 on April 29, while the broader all-share index gained 1 percent to 4,579.20. The PSEi was also up 12 percent in the ﬁrst four months.

All sectoral indices ended in the green last week, led by services which climbed 2.4 percent, holding firms which advanced 1.6 percent and financials which rose 0.9 percent. Foreign investors were net buyers by P2.07 billion last week. In the ﬁrst four months, foreign investors were still net sellers by nearly P8 billion. Top gainers last week were Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. which jumped 13.4 percent P54.45, Philippine National Bank which went up 8.3 percent to P65.20 and Belle Corp. which climbed 5.9 percent to P4.10. Heavy losers included Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. which dropped 9.6 percent to P1.41, Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. which declined 7.2 percent to P7.34 and Max’s Group Inc. which retreated 4.3 percent to P23.25.

Filinvest studying Luzon hydro plant CONGLOMERATE Filinvest Development Corp. plans to expand its power business portfolio to include renewable energy projects, such as a hydropower facility in Luzon. FDC president Josephine Gotianun-Yap said in a recent interview the group was looking at developing a hydro power plant in Luzon, after it completed a 405-megawatt coal-ﬁred power plant in Mindanao. “We are looking at Luzon market, for possible renew-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

APRIL 24-27, 2017 Close Volume

Value

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Solid Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

3.02 48.6 119.90 104.80 4.17 1.25 35.3 10 16.2 21.45 7.75 0.72 1.7 800.00 0.670 84.5 0.74 16.2 25.00 65.20 89.5 115 240 54.45 213.2 1680 1690.00 79.75

292,000 118,100 9,448,210 3,236,420 55,000 306,000 5,931,400 2,500 4,995,800 20,903,300 2,000 587,000 13,000 2,520 12,041,000 8,007,650 159,000 401,000 25,700 8,192,770 3,040 1,050 114,940 6,322,720 2,818,550 65 580 222,740

FINANCIAL 880,710.00 5,735,770.00 1,133,530,339 339,550,807.00 219,850.00 363,820.00 210,096,530.00 24,185.00 80,966,960.00 447,649,950.00 15,500 415,250 22,100.00 2,015,590.00 8,005,750.00 682,667,975.00 114,810.00 6,368,434.00 644,340.00 513,004,456.50 272,054.00 115,455.00 27,580,594.00 333,634,018 602,223,444.00 109,200.00 983,900 17,753,200.00

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp. Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co À’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. À’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp. Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

42.5 5.76 0.83 1.41 18.68 0.275 96.55 14.12 7.34 16.5 165.2 23.5 84.5 90 74.05 1.89 5.7 12 12.800 10.10 6.39 6.03 1.75 21.5 72.5 12.38 15.40 7.7 1.600 210.00 36.20 4.98 3.75 28.55 31.95 23.25 18.48 0.255 280.00 6.33 3.7 9.11 11.40 2.15 8.50 1.98 73.5 5.5 4.84 2 2.77 300 13.72 4.47 0.148 1.37 172 4.33 1.63 32.95 1.02

7,084,900 7,886,100 2,644,000 7,576,000 23,600 44,710,000 160 11,100 34,180,500 10,537,600 320 702,800 2,790 2,340 2,439,220 3,781,000 466,400 63,100 9,718,300 14,947,300 8,758,500 30,917,300 1,000 6,885,600 486,250 12,100 202,300 3,859,800 2,766,000 2,707,680 590 5,769,500 118,000 1,900 4,935,900 824,800 7,652,700 66,450,000 515,450 107,800 1,732,000 37,862,900 68,100 6,852,000 13,478,400 6,127,000 1,830,310 2,956,100 110,000 1,000 145,000 32,090 3,829,300 378,000 22,970,000 1,198,000 3,569,640 10,000 21,026,000 1,500 489,000

INDUSTRIAL 302,426,335.00 45,486,115.00 2,146,140.00 11,118,350.00 442,942.00 11,635,340.00 17,577.00 157,466.00 259,653,847.00 175,774,960 53,026.00 16,436,985.00 233,504.00 208,854.00 177,115,811 7,244,060.00 2,659,308.00 754,408.00 124,927,284.00 146,468,178.00 56,051,643.00 187,620,780.00 1,750.00 149,746,135.00 35,434,944.00 149,840.00 3,147,892.00 30,219,097.00 4,414,160.00 574,260,838.00 38,070.00 28,654,984.00 440,180.00 52,615.00 159,202,755.00 19,755,345.00 141,694,010.00 16,711,760.00 145,255,276.00 671,370.00 6,406,630.00 339,179,642.00 776,594.00 14,898,080.00 113,796,286.00 12,465,580.00 133,177,563.50 16,193,006.00 529,810.00 2,000.00 398,560.00 9,648,696.00 52,694,096.00 1,696,590.00 3,379,170.00 1,648,250.00 617,437,935 42,450.00 35,273,470.00 47,975.00 494,440.00

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings À’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. Lopez Holdings Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp À’ Seafront À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.370 76.80 14.80 1.10 6.20 0.420 0.425 866.5 8.16 12.86 5.8 7.85 0.202 1260 6.35 84.20 4.27 4.9 1 7.69 15.96 0.405 6.58 3.5 0.0560 1.040 1.880 2.49 110.00 2.8 728.00 1.42 0.85 294.000 181.00 0.3050 0.2050 0.260

11,150,000 4,281,180 24,909,700 80,000 13,200 192,610,000 54,100,000 861,950 5,990,400 65,870,000 19,500 782,200 3,330,000 588,885 275,200 6,774,590 12,000 16,100 8,240,000 3,018,600 10,344,000 2,100,000 96,590,500 4,000 349,130,000 338,000 311,000 16,000 458,750 299,000 1,543,390 1,063,000 30,000 29,850 100 10,320,000 1,960,000 2,040,000

HOLDING FIRMS 4,071,100.00 329,823,190.00 367,768,524.00 88,500.00 81,908.00 85,946,050.00 24,410,650.00 752,882,840 50,096,163.00 851,841,230.00 113,018.00 6,145,818.00 664,780.00 741,445,195.00 1,728,065.00 570,020,011.50 51,750.00 83,570.00 8,176,890.00 22,870,668.00 165,371,046.00 853,700.00 638,997,760.00 13,430.00 19,652,590.00 352,170.00 585,810.00 39,840.00 50,017,404.00 841,290.00 1,116,142,500.00 1,481,620.00 25,500.00 8,696,674.00 18,105.00 3,107,850.00 391,850.00 512,810.00

6.960 1.15 6.00 2.300 1.420 35.300 4.1 5.27 0.490 1.00 1.340 0.162 0.530 52 0.710 0.180 1.73 0.98 1.05 4.91 4.06 0.420 0.3500

PROPERTY 1,207,700 8,226,571.00 49,093,000 53,618,200.00 36,000 216,220.00 959,000 2,284,610.00 135,705,000 201,560,700.00 41,940,000 1,491,203,970.00 25,383,000 102,754,120.00 214,200 1,117,986.00 33,900,000 16,622,150.00 599,000 590,260.00 1,046,000 1,401,810.00 230,370,000 38,730,910.00 15,402,000 8,158,480.00 2,399,260 124,236,779.50 41,513,000 29,130,990.00 7,430,000 1,298,390.00 56,859,000 96,094,000.00 16,769,000 16,365,530.00 7,980,000 8,490,600.00 9,700 49,241.00 118,924,000 493,550,720.00 2,695,830,000 1,121,970,850.00 16,080,000 5,518,050.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport À’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

APRIL 17-21, 2017 Close Volume

Value

3.1 48.65 118.50 104.70 4.00 1.26 35.85 9.99 16.76 20.8 7.75

216,000 72,100 18,091,280 4,145,960 382,000 125,000 7,717,300 200 1,672,100 2,809,700 45,800

668,410.00 3,496,580.00 2,146,961,294 437,213,632.00 1,533,850.00 148,510.00 279,708,830.00 1,998.00 28,238,582.00 58,363,115.00 354,952

1.7 775.00 0.680 83.5 0.72 15.5 25.30 60.15 86.55 110 240 48 215.4

158,000 320 8,044,000 10,755,850 1,391,000 133,700 3,400 2,450,280 3,400 1,380 42,280 7,116,000 4,616,010

268,580.00 247,350.00 5,414,410.00 889,291,024.50 1,021,480.00 1,992,902.00 88,080.00 144,792,732.50 304,974.50 152,006.00 10,143,832.00 320,978,655 998,881,244.00

1680.00 79.70

1,125 390,410

1,882,190 31,111,218.50

41.35 5.66 0.83 1.56 18.58 0.249 114.8 14.22 7.91 16.9 180 23.5 86 94.95 70 1.95 5.72 12 12.760 9.20 6.46 6.08 1.7 22 73.2 12.50 15.68 7.9 1.610 208.00 69.00 5.11 3.72 28.45 32.1 24.3 19 0.244 281.00 6.30 3.78 8.95 11.40 2.18 8.65 2.10 72.9 5.08 4.75 2.01 2.75 300.6 13.94 4.5 0.144 1.40 170 4.41 1.74 31.50 1.03

6,533,900 10,204,200 7,797,000 7,338,000 43,500 19,190,000 800 34,000 50,474,900 2,029,200 140 932,900 4,480 110 2,909,180 3,441,000 70,400 242,400 22,298,100 5,785,900 8,590,400 42,644,200 8,000 6,863,700 481,750 22,200 728,900 9,213,600 1,407,000 2,986,120 930 27,462,000 267,000 3,400 5,593,100 173,100 5,938,100 14,960,000 769,550 581,700 3,697,000 22,981,900 109,100 16,441,000 16,277,100 11,012,000 2,233,230 391,400 4,282,000 35,000 129,000 93,310 7,202,700 942,000 27,390,000 1,105,000 2,915,000 40,000 31,834,000 4,600 209,000

271,021,900.00 56,018,673.00 6,564,320.00 10,966,230.00 802,870.00 4,737,230.00 85,161.50 485,584.00 409,081,460.00 34,484,712 23,506.00 21,780,265.00 384,766.50 10,157.50 206,935,195 6,778,240.00 404,734.00 2,902,906.00 288,314,260.00 53,746,176.00 55,235,473.00 258,567,880.00 13,600.00 148,634,300.00 35,165,157.50 276,416.00 11,698,518.00 71,707,215.00 2,283,960.00 617,233,362.00 64,170.00 150,828,349.00 1,014,920.00 91,470.00 181,038,300.00 4,276,500.00 111,204,156.00 3,618,580.00 216,783,700.00 3,683,401.00 14,168,780.00 206,499,408.00 1,245,316.00 35,478,340.00 139,183,039.00 22,739,010.00 159,838,511.00 1,962,581.00 20,352,640.00 70,360.00 355,480.00 27,999,590.00 100,567,152.00 4,406,160.00 3,996,900.00 1,580,350.00 497,067,686 166,540.00 55,847,180.00 145,290.00 209,150.00

0.370 75.35 14.70 1.15 6.20 0.415 0.435 861 8.3 12.78 5.4 7.85 0.192 1208 6.40 83.05 4.7 5.44 0.99 7.59 15.9

20,310,000 5,632,180 48,690,600 123,000 234,000 203,920,000 48,930,000 652,860 4,403,200 57,874,600 2,400 486,100 5,920,000 642,155 2,236,400 7,161,090 5,000 6,300 15,151,100 5,128,300 10,377,100

7,579,800.00 426,913,662.50 705,750,714.00 137,450.00 1,455,361.00 88,811,950.00 21,746,600.00 560,686,890 36,579,720.00 704,940,894.00 13,738.00 3,758,393.00 1,149,130.00 771,470,405.00 14,354,072.00 587,429,909.00 23,100.00 31,867.00 20,591,680.00 39,476,520.00 160,561,360.00

6.51 3.55 0.0570 1.070 1.860 2.49 110.40 2.76 711.00 1.41 0.85 285.000

79,164,800 6,000 322,130,000 32,000 967,000 1,000 2,000,950 899,000 1,469,140 763,000 405,000 40,630

513,037,440.00 21,240.00 18,951,440.00 34,480.00 1,803,330.00 2,490.00 218,513,024.00 2,507,540.00 1,053,735,805.00 1,083,160.00 333,100.00 11,543,916.00

0.2900 0.1970 0.242

3,420,000 1,660,000 1,400,000

981,750.00 325,070.00 338,510.00

6.800 0.96

1,061,300 5,620,000

7,245,878.00 5,352,940.00

2.340 1.450 35.600 3.87 5.27 0.495 1.03 1.300 0.154 0.540 52.25 0.700 0.173 1.66 0.97 1.06 5.59 4.1 0.380 0.3000

439,000 104,092,000 22,274,900 7,649,000 1,039,800 27,154,000 179,000 1,040,000 23,120,000 21,462,000 1,230,720 107,000 13,090,000 29,628,000 12,020,000 39,789,000 4,000 217,700,000 1,243,260,000 5,330,000

1,007,810.00 148,596,480.00 784,534,225.00 29,784,560.00 5,402,765.00 13,505,490.00 180,910.00 1,330,580.00 3,596,850.00 11,673,330.00 65,671,350.00 74,700.00 2,332,140.00 48,683,440.00 11,787,300.00 41,852,580.00 19,640.00 881,831,250.00 428,968,450.00 1,667,500.00

STOCKS

APRIL 24-27, 2017 Close Volume

APRIL 17-21, 2017 Close Volume

Value

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.620 27.50 4.6 25.65 1.76 3.25 29.80 1.01 7 0.900 5.290

60,473,000 400 1,584,000 6,514,600 1,755,000 428,000 25,811,600 7,134,000 3,300 299,000 14,044,200

36,656,900.00 11,000.00 7,225,520.00 170,847,355.00 3,104,600.00 1,405,860.00 770,976,335.00 7,120,980.00 22,335.00 266,110.00 74,012,818.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. À’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPeople Inc. À’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Wilcon Depot

12.9 45.85 1.53 0.520 0.044 11.5 5.34 9.00 0.0930 1.94 108 10.3 8.79 2.64 3.53 970 2078 6.15 16.30 3.31 89 3.63 0.0093 12.68 9.00 0.182 1.3700 3.58 15.58 4.22 0.93 4.85 16.98 2.5 7.36 3.65 2.850 11.68 5.50 2.99 168.00 7.73 1770.00 0.415 1.560 41.70 79.40 5.99 2.29 1.070 2.1 3.3 0.490 5.420

SERVICES 4,160,000 52,810,576.00 88,100 4,048,850.00 444,000 674,910.00 8,045,000 4,160,090.00 488,600,000 21,876,100.00 19,400 217,508.00 46,400 255,083 62,929,300 568,463,205.32 1,606,920,000 140,898,550.00 35,051,000 68,619,710.00 2,229,090 241,229,978.00 1,400 14,442.00 2,460,400 21,412,640.00 152,000 399,790 21,000 76,920.00 400 388,000.00 258,555 533,726,530 1,093,900 6,752,704.00 245,100 4,008,242.00 7,617,000 24,862,760.00 5,071,050 451,702,509.50 312,000 1,109,990 42,000,000 386,200.00 2,000 24,716.00 1,223,500 11,006,044.00 26,850,000 4,904,530.00 3,087,000 4,298,970.00 364,000 1,322,910.00 48,300 750,370.00 4,306,000 18,342,210 38,000 35,780.00 3,329,000 16,145,780.00 2,200 36,746 254,000 614,940.00 58,731,300 424,834,832.00 4,707,000 13,702,600.00 14,019,000 40,443,440.00 113,300 1,334,884.00 40,700 218,639 17,000 50,870.00 232,940 39,537,925.00 1,583,900 12,377,494.00 368,795 648,399,640.00 4,640,000 1,934,300.00 49,901,000 76,369,610.00 4,610,900 193,547,705.00 1,808,360 144,361,863.00 453,100 2,705,818.00 9,054,000 20,783,280.00 15,121,000 15,842,100.00 174,000 343,300.00 4,808,000 15,640,150.00 77,419,000 39,614,685.00 85,166,200 457,352,206.00

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. À’ Atlas Cons. `B’ Atok-Big Wedge À’ Benguet Corp À’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0033 1.49 5.26 5.52 13.48 1.7300 1.6700 0.91 0.420 8.81 2.550 0.255 0.182 0.192 0.012 0.0120 1.7 6.25 2.14 0.4500 0.8700 0.0110 0.0110 4.06 8.82 3.14 0.0130 149.00 2.77 0.0088

42,000,000 20,271,000 99,500 140,500 22,500 256,000 329,000 33,071,000 8,980,000 88,000 5,217,000 1,350,000 13,110,000 53,950,000 152,300,000 7,200,000 2,313,000 9,135,100 373,000 510,000 267,000 40,400,000 1,300,000 192,000 1,833,600 6,666,000 64,300,000 3,767,980 278,000 47,000,000

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen F FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

45.95 108.4 533 525 104.5 104 506 530 5.75 1024 1045 1.08 108.2 1072 1145 1019 105 77 81 78 81.2 79.9 78.85 78.2 78.3 2.1

140,500 34,500 34,070 26,360 93,850 17,020 33,000 15,240 2,212,100 1,130 1,650 2,000,000 3,500 1,020 505 40,825 65,000 2,390 81,440 7,400 16,700 468,180 22,040 182,140 357,900 3,000

LR Warrant

2.260

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,167,000 2,686,990.00

MINING & OIL 137,500.00 29,956,780.00 530,638.00 767,313.00 291,178.00 441,130.00 556,110.00 29,985,650.00 3,809,900.00 757,768.00 13,309,340.00 334,600.00 2,205,081.00 10,255,360.00 1,681,900.00 79,900.00 3,888,320.00 56,737,119.00 777,820.00 229,250.00 233,360.00 443,500.00 14,400.00 781,010.00 15,825,357.00 20,650,620.00 792,900.00 562,931,398.00 761,070.00 410,900.00 PREFERRED 6,482,200.00 3,727,230 17,767,360.00 13,840,720 3,653,417.00 1,965,663.00 16,704,250.00 7,924,800.00 12,664,963.00 1,149,420.00 1,576,600.00 2,150,600 3,159,100.00 1,051,240.00 578,250.00 41,618,530.00 6,802,250.00 184,205.00 6,577,665.00 576,325.00 1,306,480.50 37,250,520.00 1,723,319.00 14,272,268.00 28,110,472.50 6,300.00

Value

0.610 27.50 4.28 26.00 1.72 3.34 29.65 1 7 0.900 5.300

72,443,000 500 5,337,000 14,977,500 767,000 68,000 19,596,400 12,166,000 800 379,000 8,256,600

44,730,370.00 13,750.00 22,876,450.00 386,802,995.00 1,346,320.00 225,380.00 581,705,245.00 12,145,530.00 5,537.00 337,980.00 43,325,867.00

12 46 1.53 0.540 0.044 11.02 5.31 8.71 0.0720 2 106.6 10.34 8.83 2.64 4.00 971 2020 6.20 16.30 3.23 88 3.69 0.0091 12.68 9.00 0.183 1.4500 3.67 15 4.52 0.95 4.76 16.90 2.37 6.75 3.76 3.000 11.5 5.50 3.05 168.00 7.93 1698.00 0.415 1.540 41.75 79.85 6.18 2.29 1.030 1.92 3.2 0.465 5.230

2,068,000 67,600 261,000 9,827,000 205,900,000 20,000 33,500 36,687,100 161,730,000 45,836,000 2,016,820 1,100 640,900 100,000 13,000 1,130 393,275 3,266,600 457,000 8,547,000 11,506,860 352,000 52,000,000 54,700 1,609,200 65,200,000 7,224,000 732,000 83,100 11,428,000 294,000 3,107,000 11,600 303,000 28,465,000 9,096,000 13,870,000 19,900 177,400 188,000 264,580 5,536,800 567,510 4,160,000 41,226,000 12,063,200 3,480,000 244,300 29,508,000 53,945,000 100,000 4,565,000 31,340,000 33,531,700

25,164,558.00 3,109,655.00 404,390.00 5,169,130.00 9,231,500.00 230,554.00 180,680 314,661,850.00 11,941,950.00 94,758,960.00 210,582,651.00 11,363.00 5,613,245.00 260,150 51,720.00 1,097,130.00 798,819,400 20,586,481.00 7,489,436.00 27,320,950.00 1,018,171,506.50 1,297,410 474,000.00 680,596.00 14,496,006.00 12,310,280.00 10,435,700.00 2,723,530.00 1,256,444.00 52,510,380 280,090.00 14,200,230.00 189,854 740,440.00 186,688,197.00 34,868,870.00 42,647,020.00 230,846.00 965,888 573,100.00 43,707,806.00 44,141,148.00 979,176,450.00 1,750,900.00 65,403,610.00 509,652,415.00 275,098,861.50 1,498,205.00 68,042,270.00 57,253,330.00 164,820.00 14,679,370.00 14,148,650.00 175,607,256.00

0.0033 1.45 5.20

110,000,000 66,278,000 155,500

362,900.00 102,707,180.00 821,197.00

11.48 1.7500 1.7100 0.9 0.420 9.00 2.570 0.250 0.180 0.192 0.012 0.0120 1.84 6.12 2.11

200 554,000 255,000 55,779,000 9,540,000 15,700 6,841,000 1,530,000 29,700,000 1,160,000 106,100,000 3,000,000 808,000 11,655,200 394,000

2,296.00 986,460.00 446,620.00 45,917,890.00 3,929,200.00 137,616.00 17,747,040.00 380,170.00 5,357,670.00 223,680.00 1,168,500.00 35,500.00 1,427,570.00 71,578,286.00 819,520.00

0.8800 0.0110 0.0120 4.05 8.59 3.16 0.0120 148.60 2.87 0.0084

620,000 48,600,000 10,400,000 50,000 2,623,200 6,727,000 511,900,000 2,097,870 230,000 4,000,000

550,520.00 538,900.00 124,600.00 201,900.00 22,402,123.00 21,643,440.00 6,596,000.00 313,913,779.00 631,610.00 33,700.00

45.9 107.5 535 525.5 104.5 103.9

152,700 10,480 22,920 26,990 45,800 100

7,027,380.00 1,126,600 12,109,550.00 14,181,615 4,815,181.00 10,390.00

525 5.72 1017 1031 1.06 10737 1030

21,480 18,808,200 31,885 5,910 660,000 21,160 50

11,236,290.00 108,069,035.00 32,531,195.00 6,093,590.00 695,500 2,278,932.00 50,580.00

1020 105 76 80.1 76 81.6 80 78 78.1 78.5

400 38,900 33,400 88,710 17,820 135,820 200,720 162,910 171,910 350,250

408,000.00 4,089,982.00 2,539,025.00 7,107,023.50 1,360,955.00 10,807,710.00 16,047,453.00 12,723,832.00 13,481,079.00 27,404,145.00

2.480

5,205,000

13,114,890.00

SME 20,610.00 4,622,490.00 3,807,316.00 95,370,080.00

3.88 7.08 9.72

1,508,000 1,753,100 17,569,700

5,898,490.00 12,702,269.00 172,543,050.00

126

105,370

13,223,991.00

Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

2.93 3.83 6.65 9.38

7,000 1,244,000 560,700 10,068,800

First Metro ETF

127.2

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 81,260 10,311,737.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS MRC Allied Ind. Boulevard Holdings Apollo Global Pacifica À’ Crown Equities Inc. ATN Holdings A Manila Mining À’ Arthaland Corp. Megaworld Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

VOLUME 2,695,830,000 1,606,920,000 488,600,000 349,130,000 230,370,000 192,610,000 152,300,000 135,705,000 118,924,000 96,590,500

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. MRC Allied Ind. SM Investments Inc. DMCI Holdings SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ GT Capital Metrobank PLDT Common

VALUE 1,491,203,970.00 1,133,530,339 1,121,970,850.00 1,116,142,500.00 851,841,230.00 770,976,335.00 752,882,840 741,445,195.00 682,667,975.00 648,399,640.00

able energy like hydro,” Gotianun-Yap said. She did not give more details on the planned expansion, as the group was still conducting studies on renewable energy. FDC hopes to finalize an investment plan this year. FDC’s power generation unit FDC Utilities Inc. completed a 3 x 135-MW clean coal power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental in December 2016. “We were excited to start supplying much-needed electricity to the Mindanao grid. This will not be immediately reflected in the revenues, however, since commercial operations started towards the end of the year,” Gotianun-Yap said. FDC re-entered the power generation industry in 2011. The group gained experience in the power industry in 1995 through the ownership of East Asia Power Corp. and eventually Cebu Private Power Corp. in 1998 until 2000. Meanwhile, Gotianun-Yap said the company was on track with a target to build 5,000 hotel rooms by 2020. She said the company identified new sites in Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Tagaytay, Cubao and Clark for hotel expansion. Slated to open this year is Crimson Boracay, a 150-room hotel that will push the group’s hotel portfolio to 1,500 rooms by end-2017. Jenniffer B. Austria

Globe boosts Boracay network GLOBE Telecom Inc. reinforced its network strength in Boracay, the country’s premier tourist destination, through the deployment of a new technology designed to boost mobile data coverage and capacity in time for the LaBoracay summer revelry. Globe is the first telecommunications operator in the Philippines to make use of massive multiple input, multiple output or Mimo technology which can utilize existing spectrum to accommodate more users at higher data rates with better reliability. Based on initial test results, the massive Mimo technology can provide 4 times the data capacity of a regular cell site as well as offer speed of up to six times depending on the number of users. The faster speed and higher capacity assure better user experience for vacationers who are expected to flock to the island for the Labor Day weekend. The massive Mimo deployment is in line with the ongoing optimization of Globe network in Boracay in preparation for the tourist influx since the technology is ideal for places where the demand is high yet the existing spectrum has already reached its full capacity. “The massive Mimo technology is particularly beneficial in providing mobile data capacities in high foot-traffic areas so it is ideal for major tourist destinations like Boracay as well as in places where a lot of people convene such as stadiums, transport stations, shopping mall, schools and universities, and dense residential areas. Through massive Mimo, we would be able to enhance the internet experience of our customers and cater to their growing connectivity needs,” said Joel Agustin, senior vice president for program governance of Globe Network Technical Group.

Business Capital market can fund infra jobs BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the domestic capital market could take an active role in funding the government’s large-scale infrastructure projects. Espenilla, in a speech during the 20th anniversary of the Fund Managers Association of the Philippine held recently at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City, said funding the big-ticket infrastructure projects could not solely be provided by the banking system. “A deep and vibrant domestic capital market is a necessary complement to bank financing. We understand that the use of project bonds has been gaining ground in providing funds to special purpose entities. These present good investment opportunities for long-term investors,” Espenilla said. He said Bangko Sentral had been keeping an eye on the increasing appetite of both the public and the private sectors to participate in large-scale infrastructure projects. He said in response, the Bankgo Sentral rationalized some lending restrictions to support the financing of priority productive sectors and projects under the Philippine Development Plan, the or Public Investment Program. “In particular, the BSP now allows companies the flexibility to engage in different Public-Private Partnerships or PPPs structured as special purpose entities or SPEs. Each of these SPEs is treated as an independent entity with its own single borrower’s limit as long as the project cash flows are properly ring fenced,” he said. He said Bangko Sentral as financial regulator had been actively supporting the development of the domestic capital market, providing additional means for the much-needed financing of a growing domestic economy. Julito G. Rada

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Nomura hikes PH growth targets By Julito G. Rada

APANESE ﬁnancial services group Nomura raised its gross domestic product growth forecasts for the Philippines this year and in 2018 on the expected recovery of exports and higher ﬁscal spending, especially on infrastructure. “We upgrade our GDP growth forecasts to 6.7 percent and 6.8 percent for 2017 and 2018, from 6.3 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, taking into account the improvement in electronics exports,” Nomura said in a report over the weekend. “In addition, we now expect stronger investment spending as the public sector is clearly pushing the implementation of more projects which is likely to crowd

in private investment spending...,” it said. Nomura said electronics exports were “catching up” with the regional upcycle, complementing the already strong domestic demand. Nomura noted a few signs that the Philippines was beneﬁtting from the electronics export recovery until January 2017, when electronics export growth jumped 10.4 percent year-on-year following

a 1.9-percent decline in the last quarter of 2016. Exports growth accelerated to 15.9 percent in February, driven by a surge in volumes while price effects have been somewhat more subdued than in other Asean countries. “By country, demand for Philippine exports seems to have picked up from all key trading partners so far this year, with the exception of Japan,” Nomura said. But Nomura said as more than 70 percent of electronics exports were in semiconductors and other components, a reversal of the current pickup in the tech cycle could create a drag on headline export growth. Total electronics exports comprise over 50 percent of total goods shipments.

It also said exports of electronics, machinery and equipment (along with their business process outsourcing sector) could be vulnerable to protectionist policies from the United States. However, Nomura said as exports of goods and services accounted for only 26.5 percent of the GDP and domestic demand remained fairly strong, the economy was relatively insulated from external factors. “Although we forecast a moderation of the tech cycle in the second half of 2017 and a sharper downturn in 2018, we believe the economy will be relatively resilient, as the main engines of growth—private consumption and investment spending—continue to power

on,” Nomura said. Nomura maintained its current account surplus forecast of 0.5 percent of GDP this year but reduced it to 0.2 percent from 0.4 percent next year. Nomura added with investment and private consumption being the main drivers of growth, the peso was less vulnerable from the expected slowdown in Asia’s exports in the second half of 2017 and beyond. It said many global risk events, corporate US dollar hedging demand and growing investor concern over Bangko Sentral being behind the curve on inﬂation, as well as the retirement of Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. on July 2, 2017, could add to the weakness of the local currency.

MANDAYA WEAVERS.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol and Undersecretary for Administration, Agribusiness and Regional Engagement Bernadette RomuloPuyat view the live demonstration of Mandaya weavers of Davao Oriental on the sidelines of the 30th Asean Summit on April 26 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Mandaya weavers are experts in using abaca and often use traditional patterns, such as those imitating crocodiles in the embossed fabric.

DA disperses disease-resistant banana seedlings 7-Eleven to open 412 By Anna Leah E. Gonzales new stores, allots P4b THE Department of Agriculture in Region 11 has distributed at least 135,000 Panama disease-resistant banana seedlings to enable small-scale farmers to recover from infestation. DA 11, through its High Value Crops Development Program, plans to distribute more than one million GCTCV 218 and 219 seedlings. GCTCV refers to Giant Cavendish Tissue Culture Variance, a semi-clone banana varieties found to be resistant to Panama or Fusarium Wilt Disease. The distribution is part of DA’s package of assistance to contain the spread of the disease. Other interventions include eradication,

trichoderma application and training. “We started the distribution of the seedlings January this year after we have collaborated with the private sector, particularly Lapanday Food Corporation,” said DA integrated laboratory chief Susan Razo. Razo said the distribued 135,000 GCTCV 218 seedlings covered 90 hectares of banana plantations across the region covering 289 beneﬁciaries. Razo said the government would increase the distribution, which is being done weekly. She said farmers from the provinces picked up the planting materials from the nursery of Lapanday in Davao City. “This shows the interest of the farmers to avail themselves of the assistance and will-

ingness to provide the logistics particularly the vehicle, fuel and the labor during hauling,” she said. Razo said critical to the production of soma-clones banana plantlets was the selection as not all tissue-culture laboratories were capable. She said DA 11 signed a contract with Lapanday for the production of the GCTCV 218 and 219 plantlets to ensure farmers the planting materials distributed were of good quality. Meanwhile, Lapanday research group manager Maria Emilia Rita Fabregar said the company saw the need to support both the government and small-scale banana growers in managing Fusarium disease.

Work-life harmony over work-life balance CAMILLE FILIO

GREEN LIGHT WORK-Life Harmony, this struck my interest when my professor, Ms. Pia Manalastas, mentioned this phrase. In my entire career until now, I have always seemed to prioritize work over my personal life. I have been guilty of bringing it with me when I got married. The difﬁculties and challenges at work have always gotten me stuck at work. I seemed to be more married with work than with my husband. In all honesty, I am more of a homebody. I enjoy being at home. I enjoy cooking. I enjoy being the host of gatherings at home. I enjoy being with my pets. I enjoy joining my husband wherever he wants to go. I enjoy cross-stitching. I enjoy just sitting down with nature feeling and breathing fresh air, reading or having some quiet time. And other than that, I am naturally an introvert even if others’ impression of me is not. Struggling to ﬁnd the balance But what has happened to me? I have always struggled to

find the balance. How do you really find that balance? Is it really possible? In the 80’s it was. I remember my aunts and uncles had time for family. Nowadays, it is different. Traffic was not as bad then. Work, I think, was not as demanding then as compared to now. Let’s see: 1 hour to prepare for work, the least. 2 hours for travel time to work 9 hours standard work hours, which include the 1 hour lunch break 2 hours travel time to get home By the time I get home, I am exhausted from work and the traffic drains you all the more. Too exhausted to cook for the family. What more if you are working and studying at the same time? But what is the reality? Nine hours staying at work is rare. Balance is impossible. Some Saturdays are spent at work. Hoping to please your boss or satisfy the demands of the job. Trying to find that balance made work and life seem like oil and water. Finding harmony Harmonizing life and work made more sense than trying to

balance it. In my quest to ﬁnd out how to harmonize work and life, I reﬂected on how past experiences, discussed with friends, observed the people around me, and came across some relative stories, videos and clips. Here are some tips, trivias and insights I was able to gather: 1. People who brought their pets with them at work are more creative, positive, and a quick thinker at work. 2. Bring your family in business trips and spend time and arrange a date with them after work. 3. A healthy family relationship along with supportive and positive family members makes... so what if others, colleagues or boss, criticize. The important thing is you are happy and are able to deliver. Not everyone will share the same values and views as yours. That’s always a given. 4. You can’t be everything to everyone. Otherwise you stretch yourself too much. In the end, instead of pleasing all, you disappoint everyone. 5. We have the power to create our own opportunities. As we search for opportunities that

will provide a better life with our family, set your boundaries. Otherwise, you fall into the problem of stretching yourself too much where the family suffers its consequences. Having the power to change We can’t entirely blame it to the environment we are in. We have the power to change our mindset. We have the power to decide on what action to take. We have the power to look at the bright side of things. Basically, harmonizing life with work makes one more productive, happier and fulfilled. Something to reflect on this day dedicated to all workers. Happy Labor Day to all! The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal she kept in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

CONVENIENCE store chain giant 7-Eleven announced an aggressive expansion campaign with the opening of 412 new stores across the country this year. Banking on the Philippines’ continued performance as one of the countries with highest growth in Asia, Philippine Seven Corp., the listed local franchise holder of 7-Eleven, is optimistic the positive outlook will lead to the achievement of its expansion goal in 2017. The company is set to open 262 stores in Luzon—138 in Metro Manila and 124 in provincial areas. Another 150 branches will open in the Visayas and Mindanao. PSC business development unit head Francis Medina said the move reﬂected 7-Eleven’s ﬁrm stand to maintain undisputed leadership in terms of market share in highly competed territories. PSC plans to penetrate new territories and is aggressively seeking franchise partners in these

areas. Offered in flexible options, potential partners can avail of regular new store franchise (open a new 7-Eleven store) or property conversion (convert an established business or properties into a 7-Eleven franchise). PSC finance department head Lawrence de Leon said this year’s expansion program would cost PSC P4 billion. PSC last year allotted P3.5 billion for capital spending, up from P3 billion in 2015. 7-Eleven’s franchise package offers suitable partners a unique opportunity to benefit from a proven system and ongoing support. Apart from one-month preparatory training, partners are given assistance especially at the first crucial stages of operational transition, from supervising, basic HR coaching to sales monitoring. In line with the expansion is the rolling out of the new store of the future designs wherein the concepts will vary and depend on the store’s locations and cluster.

ASEANA SQUARE. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez speaks during the inauguration of Aseana Square, a two-story building that features a lively streetscape ambience which will serve as a stopover to motorists going to and from the airport and the South, on Macapagal Boulevard along Entertainment City. Aseana Square will offer convenience to motorists and visitors who will pass by the area, as there will be banks, a variety of fast food chains and a mix of upscale restaurants, coffee shops, as well as spa and wellness centers for those looking for a relaxing treat.

Business

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

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

US GDP growth softens to slowest in three years

ASHINGTON―Since the Federal Reserve upped its benchmark interest rates by a notch in mid-March, the skies have grown a shade darker for the world’s largest economy.

The softening outlook may have sapped some of the justiﬁcation for policymakers to make the two further rate hikes expected this year. Even so, most analysts say the Fed looks poised to stick with the prevailing view of three increases in the key lending rate this year, likely in June and December. The US central bank’s monetary policy committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday, and even before the recent soft data they were not expected to move at this meeting. The Fed raised rates in March and December amid the wave of economic optimism that greeted

President Donald Trump’s rise to the White House, with Wall Street and consumer sentiment smashing records and while inﬂation ticked higher amid accelerating job gains. But since the last meeting, weak consumer spending, with back-to-back drops in retail sales, saw quarterly growth sink to its lowest level in three years. Gross domestic product increased 0.7 percent in the ﬁrst three months of the year as consumer spending and government expenditures tumbled to their lowest levels in years, the Commerce Department reported Friday, presenting preliminary data.

Though only slightly below the 0.8 percent increase in the same quarter of last year, the result was down sharply from the 2.1 percent expansion seen in the fourth quarter of 2016. It was well below analysts’ expectations of 1.1 percent GDP growth. The last time first quarter expansion was more disappointing was a 1.2 percent drop in 2014. Job growth fell by more than half in March, and the pace of new home construction slowed. So did durable goods orders, with orders of for big-ticket items excluding the transportation turning negative for the first time in six months. Consumer confidence also began to dwindle in April after record highs. Meanwhile, inflation, which the Fed is mandated to control, retreated after steady gains since the summer. The “core”

Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, actually contracted for the first time in seven years. The core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation indicator, held steady at an annual rate of 1.8 percent, below the Fed’s two percent target. Earlier this month, the Fed’s influential vice chair, Stanley Fischer, said he still expects the central bank to raise rates a total of three times this year. But he sounded a note of caution. “We are dependent on what happens in the economy,” he said. “We’re not tied to three.” Steven Ricchiuto, chief US economist at Mizuho Securities USA, told AFP there was scant justification for the rate hike in March and he does not think the Fed will raise more than twice this year. AFP

AUTO RECOVERY. A model poses with a Honda car on display at the Indonesia International Motor Show in Jakarta on April 29, 2017. Indonesia has forecasted vehicle sales in 2017 to reach 1.1 million units, growing at a rate of ﬁve percent, as Indonesia’s economy is expected to recover from a prolonged market slump plaguing the market in the last few years. AFP

Cuban sugar to recapture sweet smell of success By Hector Velasco PEDRO BETANCOURT, Cuba―A sweet smell of treacle used to fill the air in the village of Pedro Betancourt―but like the workers from the derelict Cuba Libre sugar refinery, it has dispersed. It was the smell of success against the odds for Cuba, reviled by the United States and its allies in the Cold War but still a world champion sugar producer―until the Soviet Union fell and stopped buying it from Fidel Castro’s communist regime. Now a demolition crane is attacking what is left of the Cuba Libre refinery’s rusty steel skeleton. Fidel is dead, the Cold War is over― and Cuba wants its sugar industry back. “The refinery was the life of the people who lived here,” says Arnaldo Herrera, 86. He lost his job at the plant when it closed in 2004. “When that changes, life changes.” Cane on the risin’ Britain and other colonial powers grew fat on Cuban sugarcane―harvested by black slaves― from the 18th century until independence at the turn of the 20th. The island then sold a lot of sugar to the United States until Washington imposed a trade embargo after communist revolutionary Castro took over in 1959. Castro later announced a “revolutionary offensive” to relaunch the industry. The Soviet Union bought the sugar at preferential prices. For 1970 Castro famously set a production target of a “great harvest” of 10 million tons. (He fell short by 1.5 million.) But after the Soviet bloc collapsed in 1989, with the US embargo still in place and prices falling, the island could no longer compete. Two-thirds of its refineries―about 100 plants―have shut down since 2002. From eight million tons a year in the 1990s, production plunged to just over one million in 2010. “That was when we touched bottom,” says Rafael Suarez, head of international relations for the state sugar monopoly Azcuba. “Since then an effort has been made. The refineries have been improved and a lot of emphasis has been put on recovering sugarcane production.”

View of the Gregorio Arlee Manalich sugar mill, which is in the process of being demolished in Melena del Sur, Mayabeque province, Cuba on February 20, 2017. The mill was one of the 100 sugar mills (64 percent of the total) that were forced to close down due to a shortage of sugar cane, as part of a broad structural reform of Cuba’s sugar industry that got underway in 2002. AFP

Suarez says Azcuba is also looking to expand production of sugar derivatives: rum, cattle feed and renewable fuel. Human cost Some 100,000 Cubans used to work in refineries like the one in Pedro Betancourt in the east. The refineries used to pay well, for Cuba―at least double the $28 average monthly salary. Julio Dominguez, 84, worked in Cuba Libre until it shut. “This town has been stripped bare. Tobacco production is all it has left,” he says. The refinery stopped milling in 2004 and demolition began in 2007. Like everything in Cuba, it takes time. Some still weep when they pass the site, says the head of the demolition, Eliecer Rodriguez. “I am knocking it down, but that was someone else’s decision,” he says. Workers were kept on their salaries for some

time after the closure. Some have since moved on to work as tobacco producers, taxi drivers or handymen. Others have emigrated to the United States. “Closing a sugar refinery is always traumatic in human and social terms,” Suarez says. “What the revolution did was take a lot of care to see that no one was abandoned.” Sweet smell Soon only the concrete smokestacks of Cuba Libre will still stand among the green fields of sugarcane. But 70 kilometers (some 40 miles) away, a chimney is still smoking. The air smells of caramel. It is business as usual at the Jesus Rabi refinery. The plant’s boiler operator Juan Hernandez, 63, was made redundant from two sugar plants that shut down before he landed here. AFP

From left are: Philex Mining Corp. HR Group Manager Jocelyn S. Sinajon; Philex Mining Corp. President and CEO Eulalio B. Austin Jr.; Philex Mining Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; TUCP partylist representative Cong. Raymund Democrito Mendoza; PPMMEU President Davis Macaraeg

IN HONOR OF THE FILIPINO WORKER THIS is the day that we pause from the daily grind to honor those who, well, do the daily grind – our labor force – and to take note of where they are situated and what is needed to, at the very least, address their concerns regarding work and industry. According to the most-recent quarterly survey of our labor force by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), conducted this January 2017, unemployed workers number 2.76 million which is 6.6 % of the total labor force. This is a slight increase from the same month last year. Around 63% of employed workers are salary employees or wage earners. Less than 50% of them are laborers or unskilled workers. Underemployment is also said to be at a higher-thanusual level. The bottom line, thus, for this government, and every government before it, was to create jobs and more jobs. For this, businesses and industries must be allowed to flourish, else, where to source these jobs in the first place. In the recent ASEAN Prosperity for All Summit 2017, the consensus was that for there to be prosperity for all there must be wealth that should be generated, and that for this to happen business and industry, as well as investments, must be stable and growing. More on the ASEAN Summit in my next column. I trust that the current administration under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the Department of Labor and Employment under a most competent Secretary, Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, are doing all that it can to address this challenge, in line with the thrust to alleviate poverty and spur economic growth for the nation. Build business and industry, not shut them down. The mining industry is one such industry that must be allowed to prosper, if only for the potentials, investments, and eventually jobs that it will bring. Mining employs thousands upon thousands, not to mention the income brought to families and downstream industries. MSMEs also benefit largely from the industry, especially in those areas where mining operates. Imagine the number of jobs lost and the income lost if mines were to be closed, or if mining investments were to be spurned. Recently, Philex Mining Corporation entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philex Pasig Metro

Manila Employees Union (PPMMEU) after just a few months of negotiation and deliberation. There has been a healthy relationship between the Philex management led by President and CEO Eulalio B. Austin Jr. and the corporate ofﬁce union led by its President Davis Macaraeg, thus no hitches when it came to discussions over the negotiation table. Credit for this also goes to the mentoring and supervision of, as well as coordination with, the Associated Labor Unions – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) federation to which the PPMMEU and the Philex Padcal unions belong to, under the sound leadership of my fellow Bisaya Congressman Raymund Democrito Mendoza of the TUCP Partylist and ALU-TUCP National President Michael Mendoza, as well as of ALU-TUCP Executive Vice-President Gerard Seno, and ALU-TUCP Luzon Regional Operations Ofﬁcer Sofriano “Ka Undo” Mataro. Aside from President Euls Austin, the Philex management panel was composed of Manuel V. Pangilinan as Chairman with the following members: VP and General Counsel Joan A. De Venecia, HR Group Manager Jocelyn S. Sinajon, Corporate Finance Division Manager Paraluman M. Navarro, and HR Services Supervisor Emila Lourdes D. Veloso. They were ably assisted by Engineering Group Manager Engr. Vengel A. Romero and In-House Counsel Atty. Joyce Sapla. Aside from Union President Dave Macaraeg, the following are the other union officers: Eddie Gonzales, Vice President; Chimes Placido, Secretary; Jonna Catanyag, Treasurer; Weng Bautista, Auditor; Robert Andrada, PRO; with Mel Bernardo, Princess Abalajon, Vlenda Ocon, Mel Balidoy and Dick Canievel as Directors. Indeed, a stable workforce boosted by business and industry, coupled with industrial peace, make for progress and development for our country. My sincerest greetings to all Filipino workers here and abroad on this Labor Day! Mabuhay ang Manggagawang Pilipino!

Manuel V. Pangilinan, Philex Mining Corp. chairman and Cong. Raymund Democrito Mendoza, TUCP partylist representative

Cong. Raymund Democrito Mendoza, TUCP partylist PPMMEU President Davis Macaraeg

Philex Mining Corp. chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (seated –third from left), Philex Mining Corp. president and CEO Eulalio Austin, Jr. (seated, 2nd from left) lead other company ofﬁcials in the signing of collective bargaining agreement with the Philex Pasig Metro Manila Employees Union (PPMMEU). Also pictured are Cong. Raymund Democrito Mendoza of the TUCP Partylist; PPMMEU President Davis Macaraeg and other union ofﬁcers and union members

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

NOT A BURDEN. A man moves his children to another barangay by carrying them under the scorching midday sun in Maglicong, Ifugao. Teddy Pelaez

IP tribe pushes domain claim By Ben Moses Ebreo

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Officials of the Gaddang tribe here are pushing for the completion of their ancestral domain claim in the province with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. The move was started four years ago during the launching of their ancestral domain area survey and boundary marking project in barangay Batu Ferry in this town. The program was coupled with a massive information dissemina-

tion to the Gaddang communities “We are about to complete our ancestral domain claim. Only areas in Diadi town are still being worked out due to a similar claim of the Ayangan tribe,” Jimmy Calata, a member of the

Gaddang, said. He said their tribe was the first who crafted their Indigenous Political Structure in the country, a requirement in claiming their ancestral domain areas. The Gaddang’s ancestral domain areas in Nueva Vizcaya is part of the country’s 30 million hectares of land. One third or 10 million hectares are being claimed as ancestral domains of various indigenous peoples, where 7.5 million have already been titled. Gregorio Singgangan, NCIP provincial chief, said the ancestral domain survey and bound-

ary marking project was funded by the NCIP then. It involved on-site ancestral domain survey and erection of ancestral domain boundary markers of the Gaddang tribe in consultation with the tribal folks’ communities scattered in several municipalities of the province. The Gaddangs’ more than 100,000 hectares of claimed ancestral domain cover parts of the municipalities of Bambang, Bayombong, Bagabag, Solano, Diadi, Quezon and Villaverde. The project, he said, also generated employment as it required

the services of Gaddang tribe members who were paid P250 per day during the work period. “The Gaddang tribe was the first indigenous people who settled in our province since time immemorial but were the last tribe who have moved to formally claim for recognition their ancestral domain areas in Nueva Vizcaya,” Singgangan said. Attempts to put in place the ancestral domain area claim of the Gaddang tribe into the NCIP’s ancestral domain title map failed to generate support for many years.

Donations to human milk bank welcomed By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista is calling for the support of all lactating mothers to donate breast milk to the city’s human milk bank. Lactating mothers who wish to donate their milk can visit the Quezon City General Hospital or any of the seven lyingin centers—San Francisco, Batasan Hills, Betty Go-Belmonte, Murphy, Kamuning, Arsenia Maximo and Sta. Lucia, he said. Bautista launched the human milk bank on March 23, 2015 as a collaborative effort of the city government, along with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and other partners advocating breastfeeding. “The effort is important. The objective of the Quezon City human milk bank is to provide [breast] milk to children, who badly need it, such as toe the babies at the intensive care unit or in critical condition. Breastmilk is the best food for babies,” bank’s executive director Dr. Catherine Reportoso said. Ten percent of the collected pasteurized human milk is being stored for distribution during calamities, she said. “Mothers who volunteer to donate milk are those who have more than enough milk,” she said. Milk donors must undergo interview and blood screening to check their eligibility in donating safe and healthy breast milk.

MOVING UP. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez delivers an encouraging message to Grade 6 students of San Isidro Elementary School during a moving up to secondary education last week. Olivarez informed the incoming high school students that his administration seeks their academic excellence. The city government was able to build 16 public high schools over the past two years, allowing the city’s school district to achieve full implementation of the government’s K to 12 program.

Cebu voters try to beat listup deadline CEBU CITY—Hundreds of voters in Cebu tried to beat the deadline Saturday for the registration of voters for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls set to be held in October. Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the voters’ registration

period for the barangay and SK polls started on Nov. 7 and ended on Saturday, April 29. Castillano said elections officers in the town and cities were given instructions to accept applications for voters’ registration only up to 5 p.m. on Saturday. He said the poll body has been

reminding prospective voters not to wait for the last day of registration. In Cebu City, long lines were observed at the satellite registration booths at the Robinson’s Cybergate Mall at Fuente Osmena. The Cebu City election offices for both the north and south

districts earlier set up satellite registration booths at the activity center of Ayala Center Cebu from Monday to Thursday. These registration booths were moved to Robinson’s Cybergate Mall on the last two days of the registration on Friday and Saturday. PNA

Tondo hospital revamp starts By Sandy Araneta IN HIS continuing effort to modernize the six public hospitals in Manila, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has started the renovation of the city-run Ospital ng Tondo to further improve medical services to thousands of residents of Districts 1 and 2. Estrada on Sunday said the city government is also in the process of acquiring additional brand new medical equipment such as digital X-Ray and electrocardiogram machines so the 50-bed district hospital could accommodate more indigent patients. “This hospital was built to provide free and comprehensive proper healthcare and we will continue improving its services and facilities for the well-being of poor Tondo residents,” Estrada said. The four-story district hospital, located along Jose Abad Santos Street in Tondo, was last renovated in 2009, or eight years ago. Back then, it lacked even the basic medical equipment and facilities to serve the growing number of indigent patients. When he assumed office in 2013, Estrada initiated a P500million rehabilitation of all the six city-run hospitals and 59 community health centers, including the acquisition of a long line of state-of-the art hospital equipment and facilities. One of the six hospitals, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, has already been ISO-certified recently. Dr. Isaias Cando, Jr. director of Ospital ng Tondo, said the P15-million renovation work is already on its third week; the entire four-storey building is being refurbished for the comfort and convenience of the patients and hospital personnel.

Full slate of activities for last day of Pistay Dayat LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Fun-filled and exciting events await visitors and spectators in the last two days of this year’s edition of Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival). On Sunday, sand sculptors from various areas in the region competed for the best art work carved from sand on the Capitol beachfront. The competition, in

three categories—professional, student/ youth, children—started at 5 a.m. Professional category is limited only to five competing groups while 15 groups will compete for the student/youth category. For children category, five groups will vie for the top prize. Almost simultaneous with the sand

sculpting competition, spectators witnessed the Army Sky Diving and Exhibition Artillery Static Display also at the beachfront, coupled with Beach Volleybelles elimination games, along with a Paragliding Exhibition Show. An invitational shootfest, the 1st Urduja Cup will thrill enthusiasts of the

sport at the PNP grounds. Also on Sunday, the much-awaited search for the fairest maiden took place in the evening at the Capitol Plaza. Twenty-five lovely and witty Pangasinense ladies tried to outshine each other for this year’s Limgas na Pangasinan Pageant Night. Dexter A. See

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN Manila Manila REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Standard Standard

Philippines from the date of filing of this petition up to the time of his admission to Philippine citizenship; 20. That he once heretofore filed a petition for citizenship in court but the same was dismissed9 without prejudice; IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF JALAL 21. That Ann Michelle Lao-Frigiliana, of legal age, ABOUGHAULA (also known as “JALAL married and residing at 407 Inocencio Street, Pasay ABDULHASSAN ABOUGHAULA” and “JALAL City and Melody Raquel Gobencion Mercado-Al HASSAN ABOUGHAULA”) TO BE ADMITTED AS Amrey, likewise of legal age, married and residing at CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, 10 Cresta Street, Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City, Filipino citizens will appear and testify as NAT. CASE NO. R-PSY-16-24627-CV who are both witnesses10 at the hearing of this petition. NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 119, PASAY CITY

TODAY TODAY

JALAL ABOUGHAULA, Petitioner. x ------------------------------------------------------------------ x

ORDER

PRAYER WHEREFORE, Petitioner most respectfully prays of this Honorable Court that he be admitted a citizen of the Philippines.

Manila, Philippines, this 07 day of November, Before this court is a Verified Petition for Naturalization filed by JALAL ABOUGHAULA dated November 7, 2016 stating 2016. among others, that: 1) the petitioner is a Refugee under the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for JALAL ABOUGHAULA Refugees; 2) presently residing with his family since March Petitioner 2015 and now his latest residence immediately preceding Assisted by: the date of this petition is at 1D Anchor Tower Bay Gardens, Metropolitan Park, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City and more; ROSELINO COLUMNA CANDOY 3) he has resided continuously in the Philippines for not less Counsel for the Petitioner than thirty (30) years immediately preceding the date of this 2362 Oro-A Street, San Andres Bukid, Manila 1017 petition; 4) he was born on May 1, 1967 in Kuwait; 5) he Contact No.: 0927-8676745 is married to Gloria Lugtu, a Filipino citizen, 50 years old born on March 6, 1966 in Angeles City, celebrated on April Email Address: roscanic.esq@gmail.com 15, 1993, at No. 420 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City; 6) PTR No. -4943229; Manila: 01/8/16 they have two (2) children named, Alyah Lugtu Aboughaula, IBP No. -1022162; Manila IV; 01/8/16 born on February 6, 2002 at Paranaque City, who is now RoA No. 38500 at her Grade 9 in Southville International School and MCLE Compliance No. V-0017909; Pasig City; Colleges, and Aeshia Lugtu Aboughaula, born on April 7, 2009 at Paranaque City. ho is now at her Grade 2 also in 03/03/16 Southville International School and Colleges; 7) due to his marriage, he is entitled to the benefit of Section 3 of VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION Commonwealth Act No. 473 which reduce to five (5) years the ten (10) year requirement of continuous residence; 8) he speaks and writes English and Pilipino; 9) his occupation is Republic of the Philippines } a Director of M. S. Brain’s Int’l. Manpower Services, Inc., with City of Manila } S.s. business address at M/F Laurel Foundation Bldg., corner M.H. del Pilar and Pedro Gil Streets, Ermita, Manila, and x----------------------------------------x derives a monthly income of more or less P 50,000.00; 10) he is of good moral character and believes in the principles JALAL ABOUGHAULA, of legal age, under oath, underlying the Philippine Constitution; 11) has learned and hereby deposes and says: embraced the Filipino customs, traditions and ideals, that he is not an anarchist nor polygamist; 12) he has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor 1. He is the petitioner in the above-entitled petition; suffering from any mental alienation or incurable contagious 2. He caused the preparation of the above-entitled diseases nor a citizen of a nation at war with the Philippines; petition and has read the allegations thereof which he 13) he is in good faith to become citizen of the Philippines attests as true and correct of his own knowledge and and renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and based on authentic records at hand; fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty particularly Palestine; 14) that he will reside continuously 3. No other petition or proceeding for naturalization in the Philippines from date of filing up to his admission to involving him has been filed with any other court, Philippine Citizenship: 15) that he has all the qualifications tribunal, agency or office (except as above-stated in required under Sec. 2 and none of the disqualifications paragraph 20 of the petition whereby the same was under Section 4, of Commonwealth Act No. 473; 16) that dismissed without prejudice); he has complied with the requirements of the Naturalization Law and complied the ten-year requirements of continuous 4. To the best of his knowledge, no such petition or proceeding is pending in any such court, tribunal, residence in the Philippines. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, agency or office; let the hearing thereof be set on November 16, 2017, at 8:30 5. Should he learn hereafter that a similar petition o’clock in the morning, on which time and date, any person or proceeding has been filed or is pending before may appear and show cause why said petition should not any such court, tribunal, agency or office, he hereby be granted. undertakes to report such fact within five (5) days Let a copy of this Order and petition be published at therefrom to this Honorable Court. petitioner’s expenses at least once a week for Three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines to be IN WITNESS WHEREOF, he has hereunto set his selected through a raffle to be conducted by the Executive hand in ____ this 7th day of November 2016. Judge of this Court. That said Order and the petition be posted in a public and conspicuous place in the Office of the Clerk of Court and also let a copy of this Order together with a copy of the petition and its annexes be furnished to JALAL ABOUGHAULA the Office of the Solicitor General for him to appear and represent the Republic of the Philippines on the aforesaid Affiant hearing. Likewise, let a copy be furnished to the United Nations SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me at City Refugee Agency, Makati City, Bureau of Immigration, PNP, of Manila this 7th day of November 2016 affiant Camp Crame, Quezon City, MeTC of Pasay City, and exhibited to me his Alien Certificate of Registration National Printing Office (Official Gazette), Quezon City. No. E-181261 issued at Manila on December 10, SO ORDERED. 1999 (as carried over on ACR-I-Card under S S R N Pasay City, Metro Manila, February 20, 2017. th

(Sgd.) BIBIANO G. COLASITO Acting Presiding Judge

1610JA0811103213 with Card Serial No. 000 661 577).

Doc. No. 457 Page No. 93 Book No. VII Series of 2016.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT PASAY CITY, BRANCH 119

ANNEXES

Ambaguio: N. Vizcaya’s hidden eco-tourism By Ben Moses Ebreo

MBAGUIO, Nueva Vizcaya— Though this town is named after the Kalanguya term “Ambangiw,” which simply means “moss,” it offers more than a name to local and foreign tourists.

It is also called “Little Baguio” because of its cold weather like in Baguio City. But aside from its vast agricultural lands, carved into small terraces for rice, root crops and vegetables, it is also a home to other eco-tourism wonders and attractions. The number of mountaineers using the trail in the upland Ambaguio town, for one, has grown in the last five years, the local tourism office here revealed. The Provincial Tourism Office, in the second half of last year, recorded just under 100 mountaineers that opted to pass through the Ambaguio trail. Marichelle Costales, provincial tourism officer, said another 25 mountaineers were recorded

Naturalization Case NO.R-PSY-16-24627-CV

PETITION COMES NOW, the PETITIONER and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers: 1. That Petitioner’s full name is JALAL ABOUGHAULA; 2. That he is a Refugee recognized1 under the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 3. That he is presently residing with his family at 1D Anchor Tower Bay Gardens, Metropolitan Park, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City since March 2015 and more so has resided continuously in the Philippines for not less than thirty (30) years immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit: since March 30, 1986 and in Pasay City for not less than one (1) year; 4. That his last place of foreign residence was in Kuwait and that his former places of residence prior to his present residence were as follows, to wit: (i) Unit B9 Columbia Towers, Santol Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila (ii) Lot 2 Block 11 Multinational Avenue, Multinational Village, Parañaque City

in the first quarter of last year. She said Mt. Pulag can be reached via the Ambaguio Trail with the aid of tourist guides who will soon be properly trained by the Department of Tourism. Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Northern Luzon, can be accessed through the main road in Benguet province or through the highway of Ambaguio town. The Ambaguio Trail consists of a path from Ammoweg-Upper NapoBalete, Kayapa-Babadak, Benguet before reaching the Ranger Station. “Our trail in Ambaguio town is also being used by a growing number of mountaineers because it is more challenging. It has become a popular trail in the last five years,” Costales said.

CAR’s position that the municipalities of Cervantes and Quirino, Ilocos Sur are neighboring communities of LCMC, and should be beneficiaries of its annual SDMP projects that are programmed in consultation with the beneficiaries. Jacinto pointed out the MGB decision is further strengthened in the environmental performance report and management plan of Lepanto, which states that Quirino and Cervantes are situated along the Abra river, one of the major water bodies within the LCMC mining claim and where the final discharge

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

5. That he was born on May 1, 1967 in Kuwait; 6. That he is married and is the father of two (2) children; 7. That his wife, Gloria Lugtu, is a Filipino citizen, 50 years old, and born on March 6, 1966 in Angeles City, whom he married on 15 April 19932 in accordance with Islamic rites; 8. That the name, sex, date and place of birth, and residence of his children are as follows:

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS 1.

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Ninety Five Million Two Hundred Thirty Two Thousand Seven Hundred Philippine Pesos (PhP195,232,700.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: IB No.

Name: Alyah Lugtu Aboughaula3 Sex: Female Date of Birth: 06 February 2002 Place of Birth: Parañaque City Residence: 1D Anchor Tower Bay Gardens, Metropolitan Park, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City

Name of Contract

IB No. Procurement of Ultra 2017Low Volume Aerosol 202-A Spray-Re-bid IB No. Procurement of Spray 2017-231 Can and Repair Kit IB No. Procurement of Syphilis 2017-229 Antibody Rapid Test Kit IB No. Procurement of 2017-230 Filariasis Test Strip Procurement of IB No. Hepatitis B Surface 2017-221 Antigen

Name: Aeshia Lugtu Aboughaula Sex: Female Date of Birth: 07 April 2009 Place of Birth: Parañaque City Residence: 1D Anchor Tower Bay Gardens, Metropolitan Park, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City 4

9. That he arrived5 in Manila, Philippines on March 30, 1986 by air on board Kuwaiti Airways; 10.That due to his marriage to a Filipino citizen, he is entitled to the benefit of Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, which reduce to five (5) years the ten (10) year requirement of continuous residence; 11.That petitioner is already qualified for naturalization as he had complied with the reduced five-year requirement of continuous residence in the Philippines (in view of his marriage to a Philippine citizen) and in this connection, he is invoking the provisions of Article 7 of the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (to which the Philippines acceded6), specifically, paragraph no. 2 thereof which states, as follows –

Project proposals and further recommendations to improve the Ambaguio trail and the establishment of other facilities for local and foreign tourists are now being studied for funding through the convergence program between the DoT and the Department of Public Works and Highways, she said. “Recently, a meeting to discuss these proposals was conducted through Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla, along with DoT, DPWH and some provincial government officials,” Costales said. Ambaguio town’s eco-tourism potentials also offer sports tourism like rappelling and rope course at the Nabubungan Cave and Gulon Peak; rock climbing, water rafting and water tubing through the Matuno river and its tributaries; sightseeing and hiking along the Japanese trail; mountaineering at Mt. Pullol, touted as the highest peak in Ambaguio town; and agriexposition of its upland agricultural products such as camote, upland rice and coffee.

Lepanto adds 2 SDMP towns MANKAYAN, Benguet—The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has upheld the earlier decision of its regional office that two Ilocos Sur towns located below the area of operation of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company are neighboring communities of the firm and thus must benefit from its Social Development and Management Program projects. In his letter to Mayor Materno R. Luspian, Environment Undersecretary and concurrent MGB Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto agreed with MGB-

JALAL ABOUGHAULA, Petitioner. x -------------------------------------------------------------------------- x

LGUs

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

By Dexter A. See

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF JALAL ABOUGHAULA (also known as “JALAL ABDULHASSAN ABOUGHAULA” and “JALAL HASSAN ABOUGHAULA”) TO BE ADMITTED AS CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES,

ABC (PHP)

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

80,000,000.00

50,000.00

13,262,700.00

25,000.00

50,000,000.00

25,000.00

32,720,000.00

25,000.00

19,250,000.00

25,000.00

of the effluents from the mine’s tailings storage facility drains into. He emphasized MGB-CAR based its decision on the definition of a host and neighboring community under Section 5 of the DENR Administrative Order 2010-21, the consolidated implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act. Under the act, “host community” refers to the people living at the barangays outside the mining camp where the mining project is located, and “neighboring communities” refer to the people living in the barangays which are adjacent to the host community; areas covered by the mining tenement of the project; and areas where mining facilities are located; and immediate areas which will be affected by the mining operations.

P’sinan honors board passers LINGAYEN, Pangasinan— The provincial government honored two Pangasinenses who recently topped the Licensure examination for nurses last year. The 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, on its 29th regular session on April 24, approved Provincial Resolution No. 663-2017, commending Virgilio Barroga II from Urdaneta City, and Justine Agustin Cai, of Dagupan City, for their exemplary achievement in passing the 2016 Nursing Licensure Examination. Virgilio Manuel Barroga, II, graduate of St. Louis University in Baguio City, obtained a rating of 85.00 percent and ranked 8th among 6,836 passers. Justin Agustin Cai, from the same university landed 10th place with 84.60 percent rating. Barroga II and Cai are among the 170 new nurses produced by SLU, which is the second top performing schools in the recent examinations. Resolution author SP Member Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario stressed it is but fitting to cite Barroga II and Cai “for the exemplary honor they brought to the province of Pangasinan.” It can be recalled earlier, Mae Beann Asuncion, an alumna of the University of Pangasinan (UPang) – Phinma, ranked 8th among 819 passers of the June 2016 Nurse Licensure Exam. Along with Asuncion, the provincial government commended four other Pangasinense who topped the said 2016 licensure exam, namely: Nariel Magonon, Raiza Joy Liaa Oriel, Walter Patrick Torio, and Shaira Louiesse Siapno. Dexter A. See

Single Largest Completed Contract At least Fifty Percent (50%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet At least Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

TOTAL 195,232,700.00

“After a period of three years’ residence, all refugees shall enjoy exemption from legislative reciprocity in the territory of the Contracting States.”

12. That he speaks and writes English and Pilipino; 13. That his lawful trade or occupation is as Director of M.S. Brain’s Int’l. Manpower Services, Inc. with business address at M/F Laurel Foundation Bldg., corner M.H. del Pilar and Pedro Gil Streets, Ermita, Manila, and as such director, he derives an average monthly income of Php 50,000.00, more or less; 14. That his children of school age, whose names, educational level and school are indicated below, are enrolled at private school systems recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) were Philippine history, government and civics are taught as part of the school curriculum and where student enrolment is not limited to a particular race or nationality, to wit:

Name of Child Educational Level School Alyah Lugtu Aboughaula Grade 9 Southville International School and Colleges7 Aeshia Lugtu Aboughaula Grade 2 Southville International School and Colleges8 15. That he is of good moral character and believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution and had conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of his residence in the Philippines in his relations with the Constituted Government as well as within the community in which he lives; has mingled socially with the Filipinos and has evinced a sincere and genuine desire to learn and embrace their customs, traditions and ideals; 16. That he is not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments; that he does not defend or teach the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault, or assassination for the success and predominance of one’s ideas; that he is not an anarchist, or polygamist or a believer in polygamy or in the practice of polygamy9; that he has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;; that he is not suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious diseases; that he is not a citizen or subject of a nation at war with the Philippines; 17. That he has all the qualifications required under Section 2, and none of the disqualifications under Section 4, of Commonwealth Act No. 473; 18. That he has complied with the requirements of the Naturalization Law (Commonwealth Act No. 473) regarding the filing with the Office of the Solicitor General of his bona fide intention10 to become a citizen of the Philippines; 19. That it is his intention in good faith to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to Palestine of which at this time he is a citizen or subject; that he will reside continuously in the

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 02 May 2017 to 23 May 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184. The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2017-202-A Procurement of Ultra Low Volume Aerosol Spray-Re-bid IB No. 2017-231 Procurement of Spray Can and Repair Kit

As shown in a Certification issued to that effect by the Department of Justice, machine copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “A” and made integral part hereof. 2 As shown in their Certificate of Marriage, machine copy of which hereto attached and marked as Annex “B” and made integral part hereof. 3 As shown in her Certificate of Live Birth, machine copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “C” and made integral part hereof. 4 As shown in her Certificate of Live Birth, machine copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “D” and made integral part hereof. 5 As shown in his Affidavit of Arrival, machine copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “E”, and made integral part hereof. 7 (located at 1281 Tropical Avenue, cor. Luxembourg Street, BF Homes International, Las Piñas City) 8 (ibid) 9 Petitioner hereby takes exception to this statutory (dis) qualification (on account of his Islamic faith) and hereby invokes the benefit of the en banc ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Alejandro Estrada v. Soledad Escritor (A.M. No. P-02-12651, 22 June 2006) part of which ruling is hereby quoted, to wit: “Be that as it may, the free exercise of religion is specifically articulated as one of the fundamental rights in our Constitution. It is a fundamental right that enjoys a preferred position in the hierarchy of rights – “the most inalienable and sacred of human rights,” in the words of Jefferson. Hence, it is not enough to contend that the state’s interest is important, because our Constitution itself holds the right to religious freedom sacred. The State must articulate in specific terms the state interest involved in preventing the exemption, which must be compelling, for only the gravest abuses, endangering paramount interest can limit the fundamental right to religious freedom. To rule otherwise would be to emasculate the Free Exercise Clause as a source of right by itself.” 10 As shown in his Declaration of Intention, machine copy of which is hereto attached and marked as Annex ‘F” and made integral part hereof; 9 Per Order dated September 19, 2013 issued by the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque City (Branch 258) in Spec. Proc. Case No. 09-0126 10 who executed their respective supporting Affidavits, copies of which are hereto attached and correspondingly marked as Annex “G” and Annex “H” and made integral part of this petition. (MS-Apr. 24, May 1 & 8, 2017) 1

IB No. 2017-229

Procurement of Syphilis Antibody Rapid Test Kit

IB No. 2017-230 IB No. 2017-221

Procurement of Filariasis Test Strip Procurement of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Activity (DAte & time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids

09 May 2017; 10:00 A.M.

23 May 2017;09:00 A.M.

7.Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Amount of Bid Security Form of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC) Cash, Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank. Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of Two percent (2%) credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank. Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified Five percent (5%) by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security. Bid Securing Declaration No percentage required

8. 9.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-MAY 1, 2017)

(SGD) NESTOR F. SANTIAGO, JR, MD, MPHC, MHSA, CESO III Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC - C Chairperson

(Sgd.) ALFONSO C. RUIZ II

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (middle) leads the ceremonial switch-on for the Magat Dam hydro scale model. With him (from left) are Mayor Norma Miguel of Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya; Mayor Glen Prudenciano of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; Mayor Jesus Laddaran of Ramon, Isabela; SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu; and Norwegian Ambassador Erik Forner. Jessica M. Bacud

Cusi keynotes 10th SNAP-Magat party By Jessica M. Bacud SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela— Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi led the 10th anniversary celebration of SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. on Wednesday in Ramon, Isabela. In his keynote address, Secretary Cusi noted that the country sources 32 percent of its power from renewable energy, which is relatively higher than most countries in Asia. Though he wants this to continue, Cusi stressed that the DoE adopted a “technology-neutral” policy toward power to increase supply and make prices more reasonable. Cusi said: “Integrated energywater-food projects like hydro-electric dams is among the key strategy to achieve its sustainable development goals under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.”

Hailing Magat hydro as an example of “a nexus of water, food and electricity,” Cusi encouraged more sustainable projects that help not just the community but the whole country. “We are open for business, DoE will provide a conducive environment while protecting the interest of the public,” Cusi added. He also invited the private sector to explore investment opportunities to support Ambisyon Natin 2040, the country’s development vision under the Presidency of Mayor Duterte. SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu said, “We chose our theme ‘Power to Sustain’ to rededicate ourselves to contributing to the sustainability not only of our business, but also of the environment, host communities, and partners.”

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

World IN BRIEF ‘China putting pressure on North Korea’ WASHINGTON―Donald Trump thinks Chinese President Xi Jinping is “putting pressure” on North Korea, the US president said in an interview to air Sunday, as tensions mount over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs. If North Korea carries out a nuclear test “I would not be happy,” Trump told the CBS television network’s “Face the Nation” program. “And I can tell you also, I don’t believe that the president of China, who is a very respected man, will be happy either,” Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Saturday. Asked if “not happy” signified “military action,” Trump answered: “I don’t know. I mean, we’ll see.” North Korea test-fired a missile over the weekend in apparent defiance of a concerted US push for tougher international sanctions to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons ambitions. The latest launch, which South Korea said was a failure, came just hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the UN Security Council of “catastrophic consequences” if the international community -- most notably China -- failed to pressure the North into abandoning its weapons program. AFP

Drone strike kills 5 jihadists east of Sanaa ADEN―Five suspected members of Yemen’s Al-Qaeda branch were killed Sunday in what local authorities said was a US drone strike east of the capital Sanaa. The early morning strike targeted a car in central Marib province that had been transporting arms from Yakla in Baida province, a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The official said the car belonged to a known local leader of Yemen’s Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which the United States views as the radical group’s most dangerous branch. Sunday’s strike comes 24 hours after a similar raid killed three suspected AQAP operatives in southern Shabwa province, which has been a central target of the US military. Yakla was the target of the controversial January 29 air raid ordered by US President Donald Trump, his first since taking office. That raid, during which US special operations forces entered an AQAP compound in Yakla, killed a Navy SEAL and several Yemeni civilians, including a child with US citizenship. AFP

Climate challenges in cities V

IENNA―Faced with exploding populations and steadily rising temperatures worldwide, cities must make haste in reinforcing defenses against climate change-induced flooding and heat waves, experts warned this week.

‘Godfather’ movies cast reunited NEW YORK―Cast members of “The Godfather” movies were reunited in Manhattan Saturday, nearly half a century after the first of the legendary mafia films hit theaters. American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola reminisced with actors Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and Robert de Niro at a panel event organized as part of New York’s Tribeca Film Festival. The reunion marked the first film’s 45th anniversary, and was accompanied by a double screening of parts one and two of the series centered on a powerful New York crime family. The award-winning Coppola, who also directed “Apocalypse Now,” pointed to the shaky origins of the acclaimed mob movie. When shooting began rumors swirled that Coppola would be replaced. Paramount Pictures, which produced the film, wanted neither Hollywood legend Marlon Brando―whose performance as Vito Corleone won him an Oscar for best actor―nor Pacino. Brando landed the role after stuffing his cheeks with cotton wool to make Don Corleone look “like a bulldog.” The actor adopted a raspy whisper to portray the crime boss: “He had totally turned into the character,” Coppola said. The filmmaker also recalled a question posed to him by the then- owner of Hollywood studio MGM―how do you make a film that is successful financially and artistically? “I said, ‘With risk.’” The Tribeca Film Festival was co-founded by De Niro in the wake of the September 11 attacks in a bid to revive Manhattan. AFP

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

ONSTAGE Singer Shania Twain performs on the Toyota Mane Stage during day 2 of the 2017 Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 29, 2017 in Indio, California. AFP

City temperatures are forecast to shoot up in the coming years, exposing inhabitants to killer heat spikes, while rising sea levels and river flooding threaten homes, drinking water, and transport and electricity infrastructure. Cities are vulnerable to a unique risk called the “urban heat island” (UHI) effect -- their concrete surfaces retain more of the sun’s heat than undeveloped areas, scientists explained at a meeting of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) in Vienna. By mid-century, if planetwarming fossil fuel emissions continue unabated, city temperatures in Belgium could exceed today’s heat-alert levels by as much as 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) for 25 days each summer, according to one research paper. Another study showed that heat waves will become a frequent challenge for European cities― more numerous in the south of the continent, more intense in the north. And floods, a major risk to Europe’s dense urban settlements, will become more common because of an increase in freak rainstorms, as well as sea-level increases caused by polar ice melt and warmer ocean water expanding. In flood-prone southeast Asia, precipitation is set to increase by 20 percent this century, one researcher said in Vienna. The stakes are especially high given the projections for expansion of urban areas, which are often ill equipped to deal with nature’s vengeance. Already, more than half the world’s population live in cities. By 2050, 80 percent of people

in rich nations, and 60 percent in developing states, will be concentrated in built-up areas, according to recent calculations. This corresponds to the appearance of a settlement of a million inhabitants somewhere on the globe every week for the next 40 years. Occupying only a small portion of Earth’s available land, cities are responsible for 80 percent of all energy consumed and generate over 60 percent of the planetwarming greenhouse gases emitted when humans burn fossil fuel for heating, power and transportation. In spite of efforts to curb emissions, the planet has already warmed about one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on average from pre-Industrial Revolution levels. Many scientists say the planet may be on track for three degrees Celsius of warming or more, exceeding the two-degree cap politicians set in Paris in 2015. This means cities must act now to shore up their defenses against impacts that can no longer be avoided, French climatologist Herve le Treut warned at the annual EGU gathering. “It’s already happening,” Le Treut said of climate change impacts. “We have to start structural action quickly: transportation, houses... mainly in the cities, especially in vulnerable places.” Most of the infrastructure constructed by humanity is un urban zones. “The ways cities are built is not optimal” for today’s climate reality, said Daniel Schertzer, a hydrometeorologist at the engineering school Ecole des Ponts ParisTech. AFP

Urban farming finds fertile ground in New York NEW YORK―The urban farm craze is finding fertile ground in New York, where 10 young entrepreneurs are learning to grow greens and herbs without soil, bathed in an indoor, psychedelic light. In a “hothouse” of invention in a Brooklyn car park, each farms a container, growing plants and vying for local clients in the heady atmosphere of a start-up, fighting against industrially grown food, shipped over thousands of miles. Meet the farmer-entrepreneurs at Square Roots, a young company with a sharp eye for the kind of marketing that helps make

Brooklyn a center of innovation well-equipped to ride the wave of new trends. “It is not just another Brooklyn hipster thing. There is no doubt the local real food movement is a mega-trend,” says Tobias Peggs, one of the co-founders, a 45-yearold from Britain who previously worked in software. “If you are 20 today, food is bigger than the internet was 20 years ago when we got on it,” he adds. “Consumers want trust, they want to know their farmers.” He set up Square Roots with Kimbal Musk, brother of Tesla Motors billionaire Elon, and they have been training 10 recruits

since November. Already well-established in parts of Europe―the Netherlands in particular―the technology is still being pioneered in the United States. The greens are reared in an entirely closed and artificial environment that can be completely controlled, grown vertically and irrigated by a hydroponic system that feeds them water mixed with minerals and nutrients. Wylie Goodman, a graduate student finishing a dissertation on urban farming at Cornell University, says the US financial capital was a captive market for the innovations.

“It makes total sense,” she said. “You’ve got a well-educated and wealthy population willing to pay a lot for good local food” -- in this case $7 per single pack of fresh greens delivered to your door. New York and its environs have seen constant innovation in urban agriculture from rooftop gardens to the huge AeroFarm complex in neighboring Newark and Gotham Greens, which grows greens and herbs in ultra-modern rooftop greenhouses that can be harvested before breakfast and on a New York plate for lunch. Halfway through his year-long apprenticeship, Peggs says the 10

young entrepreneurs have already learned how to grow food customers want to buy. The next stage will begin within a year, he says, with the creation of “campuses” capable of producing greens―similar to the one in Brooklyn―in other large US cities before the initiative rolls out “everywhere.” His enthusiasm is contagious. Around 100 people who took part in a guided tour of the farm this week, were for the most part not only willing to shop the greens but also appeared to be mulling over setting up something similar. But there are downsides to the business model. AFP

Trump hails ﬁrst 100 days as US president HARRISBURG―Donald Trump hailed a “very productive” ﬁrst 100 days as America’s president on Saturday, telling a roaring crowd of supporters other “great battles” ahead would be won. In an hour-long speech Trump lambasted the media and predecessor Barack Obama, boasted of his support for US industry and the military, and vaunted his foreign policy positions including on confronting North Korea, earning cheers from the crowd in Pennsylvania. The president held the campaign-style rally―in a state that helped tip the election in his favor―while snubbing a traditional White House correspondents’ dinner taking place late Saturday, where he had risked being roasted by comedians. Declaring himself “thrilled” to be far from “the Washington swamp” and the “very boring” dinner, the president sneered at “fake news” CNN and the “failing” New York Times. “They are a disgrace,” he said. The black-tie affair in Washington was headlined by veteran investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein,

who gained fame in the Watergate scandal that prompted the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Woodward rebuffed the president’s relentless barbs against news outlets. “Mr President, the media is not fake news-let’s take that off the table as we proceed,” he said. “Whatever the climate, whether the media is revered or reviled, we should and must persist and I believe we will.” Some of Trump’s animosity stemmed from US media evaluating his 100-day record as meager and mixed. They have noted embarrassing setbacks for the Republican on health care and a travel ban, and reversals on China and NATO -while also recognizing campaign pledges he has met, like appointing a conservative Supreme Court judge and pulling the country out of the Trans Paciﬁc Partnership trade agreement. In his speech Trump presented his record so far―including the signing of many executive orders―as “very exciting and very productive,” despite what he described as the “mess” left by Obama’s administration. AFP

TRIBECA TALKS. Barbra Streisand attends Tribeca Talks: Barbra Streisand with Robert Rodriguez during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 29, 2017 in New York City. AFP

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

BACKSTAGE. Young Iraqi dancers and musicians wait for their turn backstage during the Baghdad school of music and balletís end-of-year performance in the capital Baghdad on April 27, 2017. AFP

Nuclear power running Ukraine KIEV―Ukraine is still suffering from the trauma of the world’s worst civil nuclear accident at Chernobyl but has nonetheless turned the hazardous fuel into the backbone of its energy portfolio. The crisis-torn country now uses atomic power for more than half of its electricity needs as it struggles through a coal shortage sparked by a three-year war against Russian-backed insurgents in the separatist east. And that ﬁgure shot up to nearly three-quarters of all power consumed during the natural gas price disputes with its eastern arch foe and energy superpower Russia from 2014 to 2016. Ukraine Wednesday marked 31 years since the disaster in which thousands died with the country extending the lifespan of its communist-era nuclear reactors and turning atomic power into a workhorse that will be around for generations to come. The Chernobyl plant’s fourth reactor in the north of former Soviet Ukraine exploded in 1986 after a safety test went horribly wrong at 1:23 am on April 26. Some Ukrainians remain worried that a similar catastrophe could hit their country again. “The main risk in using nuclear energy in Ukraine is associated with reactors that have exhausted their lifespans,” says Iryna Golovko of the National Ecological Center of Ukraine’s energy projects department. “Today six of Ukraine’s 15 operating reactors have surpassed their designed service lives,” she told AFP. “And by 2020, there will be 12 of them.” Ukraine enjoys abundant coal reserves that happen to lie mostly in regions controlled by Russian insurgents. Kiev spent nearly three years in the uncomfortable position of ﬁghting the rebels while enriching them by buying their anthracite coal to keep its thermal power plants pumping. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko bowed to public pressure and banned all trade with the separatist east on March 15. Energy Minister Igor Nasalyk said shortly after Poroshenko’s decision that nuclear power’s share of total electricity production had jumped to 62 from around 55 percent. AFP

Labor Day protests urged in Venezuela CARACAS―A top Venezuelan opposition figure called on Saturday for more marches aimed at taking back the courts and the National Electoral Council that he said had been “hijacked” by President Nicolas Maduro. Freddy Guevara urged people to protest on Monday―May 1 or May Day, a traditional workers’ holiday―with marches to the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council’s offices. “We want to summon all Venezuelans, across the country’s 24 states, to hit the dictatorship with a one-two punch,” Guevara said, evoking simultaneous peaceful marches in the two locations. A month of demonstrations in April in Venezuela has left 28 people dead in clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters, according to prosecutors. More than 400 people have been injured, and nearly 1,300 arrested, according to the attorney general. The center-right-led opposition is demanding elections to remove Maduro, an elected socialist. It blames him for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food, medicine and other basic items. “On May 1, after a month of resistance, we need to show that the people refuse to give up,” Guevara said. Late Saturday, hundreds of people marched by candlelight, flowers in their arms, to pay homage to those killed in the latest protests. “We are here to remember our friends who have been killed seeking the release of those on our side who have been jailed. The (dead) deserve this recogni-

tion from all of Venezuela,” said law student Amanda Fioretti, 20. Rights group Amnesty International urged the government on Wednesday to stop the “persecution” and “arbitrary detention” of protesters. Earlier in the day, Pope Francis said the Vatican was ready to intervene as a mediator to try and end Venezuela’s deadly political crisis under “clear conditions.” Speaking on a plane bringing him back from Egypt to Rome, the pontiff said: “I believe that must be done under conditions. Very clear conditions.” “There was an intervention by the Holy See following strong pressure” by four former leaders of Spain, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia, he said. “This did not work because the proposals were not accepted. They were diluted. It was a ‘yes, yes but no, no,’” he said. The pontiff said the four mediators were trying to relaunch the process, adding “they are looking for a venue” but the opposition was against the process. “We should do all that we can for Venezuela with necessary guarantees,” he said. The pontiff did not clarify the conditions. But his Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the former papal nuncio in Venezuela, had in December spoken of four prerequisites: the establishment of an election timetable, the freeing of opposition supporters held in prison, allowing foreign health aid and giving the legislature back its powers. But senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles dismissed the idea of resuming dialogue with the government. AFP

20 years under Chinese rule H

ONG KONG―A multimillion-dollar program of events in Hong Kong will mark 20 years since the city was handed back to China by colonial ruler Britain, but critics say the show is out of step with political tensions.

COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL. Festivalgoers attend day 2 of the 2017 Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 29, 2017 in Indio, California. AFP

Japan warship to escort US supply vessel TOKYO―Japan will dispatch its biggest warship since World War II to protect a US supply ship, as tensions mount in the region over North Korea, media reports said on Sunday. The helicopter carrier Izumo will leave the mother port of Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, on Monday and join the US supply ship to escort it further into the western Pacific, the leading Asahi Shimbun daily and Jiji Press reported citing unnamed government sources. It will be the first deployment―outside of troop exercises―to protect the US fleet after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded the country’s military capabilities in 2015, though they remain restricted under Japan’s pacifist constitution.

The US supply ship is expected to support America’s naval fleet in the Pacific, possibly including the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which remains on high alert over North Korea’s ballistic missile firings, the reports said. Japanese naval officials declined to comment on the reports. Earlier this week, the US carrier had joint drills with Japan’s naval forces. The Carl Vinson arrived in the Sea of Japan and kicked off a joint drill with the South Korean navy on Saturday, hours after North Korea launched a ballistic missile in apparent defiance of the US. North Korea’s state media has said the North’s military is capable of sinking the US aircraft carrier with a single strike.

The latest missile launch, which South Korea said was a failure, ratchets up tensions on the Korean peninsula, with Washington and Pyongyang locked in an ever-tighter spiral of threat, counterthreat and escalating military preparedness. US President Donald Trump, who has warned of a “major conﬂict” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s regime, said the latest test was a pointed snub to China―the North’s main ally and economic lifeline. “North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!” Trump tweeted. AFP

The large-scale celebrations come despite increased concerns over Beijing meddling in the semi-autonomous city and deep political divisions between Hong Kong’s pro-democracy and pro-China camps. China’s President Xi Jinping is expected to visit for the July 1 anniversary, with security exercises under way in preparation. Hundreds of events, from art exhibitions to sports tournaments, will take place between now and the end of the year as part of the festivities, with the government proposing to spend HK$640 million ($82 million). Colored lights and rainbow posters already adorn local neighborhoods under the slogan “Together, Progress, Opportunity”. An official video of Canto pop stars performing a new song “Hong Kong, our home” is frequently broadcast on television networks. The city’s unpopular outgoing leader Leung Chun-ying said the celebrations reflected the city’s “vision of tomorrow”, and aimed to engage all residents. “The handover to me is historically significant and worth commemorating because Hong Kong is originally a part of China,” a 51-year-old resident who gave his name as Michael said. Retiree Ah Yu, 76, agreed. “The [anniversary] is important for Hong Kong because we are all Chinese,” he said. But others were skeptical. “Are we celebrating the fact that we don’t have freedom and have no democracy?” 67-year-old Ales Li asked. “Why don’t they use all these resources to mend divisions?” The agreement made between Britain and China in 1997 was designed to secure Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status, protecting its freedoms and way of life for 50 years. But Beijing stands accused of undermining the deal, triggering protests and a fledgling independence movement. Some young residents told AFP they felt the celebrations were simply a stunt. “It isn’t really helpful towards anyone,” said university student Miranda Yeung, 20. “It’s a great publicity campaign and it looks very exciting for a tourist, but it doesn’t really mean that much.” Others said the amount of money being spent was a waste in a city with a yawning wealth gap. Frustration over a lack of political reform despite mass pro-democracy protests in 2014 has led to the emergence of groups demanding selfdetermination for Hong Kong or even a full split from China. That has sparked a backlash from Beijing, with Chinese authorities intervening to effectively bar two democratically elected pro-independence lawmakers from taking up their parliamentary seats in Hong Kong last year. AFP

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

THE JOYCE OF EATING

JOYCE BABE PAÑARES

CE cream was the first thing that Hidilyn Diaz had right after bagging a silver in the women’s 53-kg weightlifting competition last year, ending the country’s 20-year Olympic medal drought. While other members of the Philippine contingent to the Rio Olympics had their fill of meat at a churrasco restaurant, the 26-year-old Hidilyn downed a big bowl of ice cream after several months of depriving herself of her favorite treat and sticking to a highprotein, low-carbohydrate diet. “I love sweets. But I cannot eat sweets before a competition, only after,” she said, chuckling at the memory, a vision of a small town girl from Zamboanga City. Hidilyn gave her silver medal as a birthday present to her mom, Emelita. Through Emelita’s steadfast belief in her daughter’s potential, Hidilyn, who developed her love for the sport at the tender age of 11, became the first Filipino woman to win an Olympic medal. When volleyball player Gretchen Ho was still a kid, her mom Annie prohibited junk food from her diet, forcing her instead to eat fish, vegetables and fruits. But just like any other average kid, Gretchen would give in to her cravings from time to time. When she lied about a chichirya wrapper in their garbage can, her mom did not think twice about making her eat chili as punishment. “It was supposed to be a punishment for her for not telling the truth. But now she likes spicy food,” Annie said. Gretchen eventually joined the varsity team of the Immaculate Concepcion Academy in fifth grade. She became

to the real champs

Life FOOD

A high-protein dish fit for a champ: toro taku maki roll

Chicken ginseng soup helps combat stress

A salad of edible flowers, quinoa, pomegranate, and calamansi

Volleyball player and TV host Gretchen Ho with her mom Annie

the team captain in her senior high year, and, in college, was one of the so-called “Fab Five” players of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Hidilyn and Gretchen are two successful athletes whose discipline both in their chosen field and in the k itchen h a v e b e e n shaped largely by their moms – the first chefs in their lives who made sure healthy eating would not

Olympian Hidilyn Diaz tries her hand at slicing fresh salmon sashimi

necessarily mean eating bland food. And with the belief that behind every successful athlete is an equally “super” mom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza decided to pay homage this year to mothers who have instilled a happy and healthy lifestyle as their legacy to their children in a weekend celebration from May 12 to 14. “Parents oftentimes neglect their own well-being, getting too caught up with work and with the kids. We want to recognize the people behind our champions,” said Sofitel General Manager Adam Laker. The master chefs of Sofitel’s Spiral buffet came up with colorful and nutritious specialties, treating all moms to a sumptuous journey of taste inspired by the households of Hidilyn and Gretchen. The specially-curated dishes spread across Spiral’s 21 dining ateliers include Thai chicken green curry, braised chicken with black mushrooms and

fresh ginseng, rainbow maki roll, chicken ginseng soup, a salad of edible flowers, quinoa, pomegranate and calamansi, avocado prawn with wasabi light mayonnaise, and guilt-free desserts such mix berry panna cotta and banana hazelnut torte. Lunch on May 12 is priced at P2,650 while dinner is set at P3,550. Saturday lunch on May 13 is a little higher at P3,450, while the Mother’s Day brunch goes for P4,655 and comes with live musical entertainment. Now, these offerings may be on the upscale side, but for those who want to indulge their moms – biological or by choice – on their special day, that four-digit price tag may just be worth it. They are, after all, the true champs in our homes. For feedback, send comments to joyce.panares@gmail.com

Madrid Fusion’s welcome party ON THE first day of Madrid Fusion Manila 2017, SM hosted a welcome party at the scenic SM by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia. The event, which feted the Madrid Fusion’s world- renowned chefs and delegates, as well as Department of Tourism and Madrid Fusion officials, highlighted the continuing collaboration between SM and Madrid Fusion Manila, which began two years ago. The guests were treated to a Filipino fiesta party with a sumptuous spread of local specialties from Café Adriatico, Vikings, XO 46

Heritage Bistro, Abe, Kai as well as special showcase of different types of lechon from Ellars and Mila’s. Guests were also treated with free local beers from Joe’s Brew. Director of Arum Estrategias Internacionalization Iñigo Cañego, Floro de Debate’s Lourdes Plana along with Michelin Star chefs from Spain, Rodrigo De La Calle, Paco Perez, Kiko Moya, Pedro Subijana, were delighted to sample a taste of the Philippines. Likewise seen enjoying the great food, great scenery by the bay, and great company

were our own culinary icons, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016 Margarita Fores and Chef Claude Tayag, as well as Test Kitchen Chef Joseph Boutwood. DoT officials led by Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr, Director Verna Buensuceso also graced the occasion. SM executives led by SM SVP for Marketing Jon Jon San Agustin and SM AVP for Operations Perkin So warmly welcomed the guests. Guests were also treated to traditional folk dances by the group Karantong.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo (center) with husband Roberto Teo during the Madrid Fusion Welcome Night Party At SM By The Bay at SM Mall of Asia. With them are (from left) SM SVP for Marketing Jon Jon Agustin and SM AVP for Operations Premier 3 Perkin So 3 Michelin Stars and Tradicional Lola Torres awardee Chef Pedro Subijana

Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 welcome party guests were treated to special local beers from Joe’s Brew

Slurpee Halo-Halo comes in limited edition ube flavor

Halo-Halo

like never before SUMMER is officially here! The season where endless adventures and exciting getaways are enjoyed with the barkada has finally arrived. Although summer holds the promise of fun and excitement, no one can deny the searing heat that comes with it. Good thing, our favorite kapitbahay has a refreshing surprise for all of us. 7-Eleven is introducing a novel take on a Filipino summer favorite, with its very own Slurpee Halo-Halo. This new way of enjoying the deliciously addictive flavor of halo-halo is the excellent beverage to accompany every road trip or getaway. A must try drink served at a chilling -2°C, Slurpee HaloHalo is the perfect way to douse the heat of summer. Slurpee Halo-Halo comes in a limited edition ube flavor, and for as low as ₱10, everyone can finally experience and enjoy a cup of this cool and fizzy drink. To further level up the fun, just shell out an additional ₱15 to get classic halo-halo toppings, like saba, langka, monggo, and sago. Simply dispense a cup of Slurpee, head on over to the counter to get your Slurpee toppings, and mix them all together. Slurping up all the halo-halo goodness has never been easier. Enjoy the classic Filipino favorite in its smoothest version ever this summer with the one and only Slurpee Halo-Halo, starting at only ₱25.

Life

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Sambo Kojin

adds new, delectable dishes to menu

HE Master of Buffet Cuisine, Sambo Kojin, delights its customers by adding more delectable items in its already extensive menu. Indulge in the best of Japanese and Korean barbecue with a wider variety.

As the foremost “eat all you can Ya- only the finest quality meat, fresh seakiniku” restaurant, Sambo Kojin serves food, and vegetable yakiniku items perfect for grilling. With its superior smokeless grilling equipment, guests can take pleasure in cooking their own food. Apart from that, Sambo Kojin also offers a wide range of sumptuous cooked specialties, an extensive sushi bar and desserts. Among its spread of savory Japanese and Korean favorites, Sambo Kojin introduces new dishes for diners to enjoy. Have your fill with its latest selection of rice dishes, which include the Sambo Kojin Kamameshi, Sambo Kojin Kamameshi

Eat all you can yakiniku restaurant Sambo Kojin offers a wide array of Katsu dishes, including Kaisen Katsu, Buta Katsu, and Kani Katsu

Salmon Ebiko Kamameshi and the Tori Kamameshi. It’s Teppan items now include Niku Tamago, Niku Tamago Curry, Tori Teppan and Katai Yaki Soba. Have a bite of Okonomiyaki with a choice

Sambo Kojin’s aburi rolls, aburi sushi, and tataki

of Kaisen (seafood) or Butaniku No (pork) to suit your tastes. The Tempura menu still has all kinds including Ebi, Kani, Ika, Kisu, Nasu, Satsumaimo, and Kakeage plus new additions like Somen (Japanese noodles), Kabocha (squash), Shishito (chili pepper), and Saya Ingen. And try out the Takoyaki with Tamago Mayo Wasabi. Take your pick of Katsu dishes from Kaisen Katsu or Kaisen Ball Katsu (seafood), Buta Katsu (pork), and Kani Katsu (crab) plus a choice of curry sauce, mayonnaise or sweet takoyaki sauce to go with it. And get ready to pile up your plates with Aburi Rolls. The selection of Sushi favorites now includes, Salmon Ebi Aburi, Ebi and Kani Aburi, Salmon Tartare Aburi, Oyster Aburi, Salmon Skin Aburi, Tuna Tartare Aburi, Kani Avocado Aburi, and Ebi Mozzarella Aburi. There’s also Salmon Aburi, Tuna Aburi and Ebi Aburi plus the addition of Tataki sushi. Sambo Kojin also offers a variety of international cuisine which now includes Chicken Wasabi Hot Salad, Pork Buns, Pork Curry Spring Roll, Lamb Curry Spring Roll and Beef Curry Spring Roll, Seafood and Chips with Wasabi and Tartar Sauce. What’s even better there are ongoing promos at Sambo Kojin.. Birthday celebrants gets for free on the day of their birthday, on exact day of birthday, three days before and three days after, accompanied by one full

Katai yaki soba

paying adult guest. A group of 10 gets one free buffet. Frequent diners can get one free buffet when they complete the ten stamps on their Frequent Diner Card. Graduates, with two full paying adult guests, also get a free buffet treat on their graduation day, up to seven days after, until July 1. For promo mechanics and other announcements, like Sambo Kojin on Facebook www.facebook.com/SamboKojin and @sambokojin on Instagram, and visit www.sambokojin.com. Sambo Kojin is located at EDSA Greenhills Mandaluyong City (726-4466 or 7264520), Eastwood Citywalk QC (4210145 to 46), West Avenue Quezon City (372-8846 or 921-2873), SM Southmall Food Street (511-7843 or 511-7853), SM Megamall (696-1291 to 93) and SM City Fairview (921-5172 or 921-5175).

B ITS

Best-selling Honey Butter potato chips POTATO Pro Jack ‘n Jill Calbee continues to unveil novel and exciting potato chip flavors to the Philippine market. Its latest innovation from Japan, Honey Butter, is a delectable adventure for the true blue snacker. Since 2014, Honey Butter has been flying off the shelves of stores in Japan and Korea. Pinoys who have tried this finely flavored variant have been clamoring for it to be launched in the Philippines. With Jack ‘n Jill Calbee Honey Butter Potato Chips now available locally, everybody can delight in the sweetness of honey and creamy goodness of butter on thinly-sliced, crunchy potatoes. Calbee Honey Butter Potato Chips are available in 60g packs for only P26.00. If you’re craving for more, you can indulge in the bigger 170g pack for only P90.00 which is also perfect for sharing. Both packs are available in all leading supermarkets nationwide. Follow Jack ‘n Jill Calbee on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacknJillCalbee/ and on Instagram at @JacknJillCalbee.

Gardenia’s treats for kids MOMS could whip up some meals that her kids will definitely love because of how very well she knows her children, but when she is pressed with the time needed to prepare she would definitely find a great ally in Gardenia—a soft, freshly-baked bread that is great-tasting and nutritious. Helping hardworking moms everywhere to show their kids a pocket full of fun and a mother’s love, the country’s leading bread maker now introduces its newest product that kids will surely enjoy—the Gardenia Pocket Sandwich. Made with two slices of soft and luscious white bread, Pocket Sandwich has no edges and is perfectly sealed, making it a convenient snack for the kids and not messy to eat. Because it is made by Gardenia, it is guaranteed safe because these sandwiches are produced in a clean and sanitized environment. Now, moms need not worry about sandwich preparations every morning and can

now have more time for their kids. Gardenia pocket sandwich is easy to carry around in their lunch boxes or bags, so kids could bring them to school and enjoy the energizing baon during breaktime or in-between playtimes. The sandwich is baked fresh every day so kids can enjoy chocolate and peanut butter sandwiches anytime and anywhere. While kids are at school or around the neighborhood playing with their friends, any mom would know that their kids need all the energy and nutrition from what they eat. For only P15.00 (SRP), kids can now enjoy the newest Gardenia Pocket Sandwich, available in leading supermarkets and convenience stores near you. For more information and pocket full of fun, like Gardenia on Facebook at GSnack Treats or visit www.gardenia.com.ph.

New Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavors THIS year, the world’s favorite ice cream brand is sure to bring more happiness as it introduces new ice cream flavors to delight ice cream fanatics in the metro—Butterscotch Toffee Blondie, Dulce de Leche, Salted Chocolate Truffle Crunch and Tiramisu Delight. Available in stores now is the new Tiramisu Delight, a rich tiramisu and espresso ice cream wrapped with an espresso chocolate flavored ribbon and tiramisu cake pieces. A perfect treat to beat the summer heat is Butterscotch Toffee Blondie, which is made with butterscotch toffee pieces and brownie bits swirled

with a toffee ribbon. Upcoming flavors include Dulce de Leche ice cream swirled with a dulce de leche flavored ribbon (available in April) and Salted Chocolate Truffle Crunch, chocolate ice cream with a salted chocolate cookie crunch ribbon and chocolate flavored truffle pieces (available in May). To know more about other Baskin-Robbins premium ice cream flavors, log on to www. baskinrobbins.ph or check out their social media accounts facebook.com/baskinrobbinsph and @baskinrobbinsph on Twitter and Instagram.

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

The family that plays together L

IVING life as one of the country’s top celebrities does have its perks. Who wouldn’t get excited over getting glammed up for an event or meeting your idols growing up? However, what many people don’t see is the other side of this industry: more than being in the spotlight, it is a job that includes a hectic schedule and long taping hours, a lot of skill in front of the camera, and thick skin. For Magnum’s newest endorsers Raymond Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, and Janine Gutierrez-- who are, coincidentally, under the same family tree--a little “me time” during stressful times is necessary. By speaking to them, we got a few tips on how to take a break from adulting. Known for his work in events and television (both behind and in front of the screen), Raymond Gutierrez seems to live a pretty busy life. Recently, Raymond has prioritized his ﬁtness and getting back in shape. However, this doesn’t stop him from rewarding himself every once in a while for his efforts. His guilty pleasure of choice

during these breaks? The new Magnum Red Velvet, which is a base of milk and white chocolate swirl coated with cream cheese, and then covered with a white chocolate shell. You’ve seen her face on television, on billboards, and on the covers of your favorite magazines. With these accomplishments under her belt, Sarah

Raymond Gutierrez (center) at the recent Magnum Red Velvet party

Lahbati seems to be the proud of being a mother to the young Zion, her child by actor Richard Gutierrez. When asked about how she balances her time, she says, “I’m very busy but when I can, I bring Zion to work sometimes. I make sure to spend a lot of time with him as he is growing up.” When she needs a little time to herself, Sarah likes to work out since it makes her feel great. “It also makes me feel less guilty because I have a sweet tooth!” she shares. Janine Gutierrez was born to be a

star. Whether it is her classic beauty that instantly gets your attention or the fact that she is showbiz royalty, she was simply meant for the spotlight. With shoots, guest appearances, and hectic taping schedules on a daily basis, Janine makes sure to give importance to being able to unwind with her family at the end of the day. “When I need to take a break from my hectic schedule, I like to unwind with my family. My sisters and I love to bond over eating ice cream. Since I love anything white chocolate,

Jennylyn under pressure with new drama series JENNYLYN Mercado admits that she is under pressure with her upcoming GMA prime time series, the local remake of the hit Koreanovela My Love from the Star. “Well, I guess it’s just natural, considering how big and popular the original show is when it aired, right?” she says. “I know that many are waiting for its Pinoy adaptation. I just hope we’ll be able to meet the public’s expectations: that they’ll be able to relate to the characters and be entertained.” The pretty actress knows there will be comparisons between the original and their local version. “That is expected. I wish that it would be in a positive way though. All of us involved in the production are doing our best to come up with a highly entertaining offering. Personally, this is my first time to do a TV genre like this. It’s light as compared to my heavy dramas before. That’s where the challenge lies.” Does she feel nervous to be compared to Korean actress Jun Jihyun? “Oh yes!” Jen admits. “She’s so good in the original. I hope I’ll be able to really give justice to the female lead in the local reboot. You know, when I was in South Korea, I saw her photo on the bus, and I really dashed towards it just to take a ‘selfie.’ It was funny!” Apart from My Love from the Star, the award-winning Kapuso is also busy with another show for GMA News TV called Everyday Sarap with CDO. “I’m happy because we’re in our second season now. The first one was a success so here we are with a new offering. It’s definitely a gastronomic treat to the viewers.” Many are asking if she’d have the chance to cook in the program. “Ha-ha-ha! That’s a lovely idea but our guest chefs are tops. They know better for sure. I’m hats-off to their expertise, inputs and the twists they bring to the taste of each recipe.” Even at home, she reveals, she hardly cooks nowadays.

“Much as I want to, I don’t have the time. Of course, I miss cooking for the family, specially for my growing son Alex Jazz. If there’s time, I do but at this point, my schedule is so tight,” ends Jennylyn. ******** According to Kim Chiu, there’s awkwardness between her and former beau Gerald Anderson when they first reported on the set of their reunion soap opera Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin. “I guess that’s understandable because the last time we worked together was some five years ago. In our first few taping days for our latest show, we really felt awkward because we’re not that super close as friends since we parted ways. We would just exchange ‘Hi’s!’ whenever we stumble upon each other on events or live shows like in ASAP. “Then we were doing scenes in which we’re chummy-chummy with each other. It was just awkward. It’s not really easy, you know, specially we’re with other people who know what we’ve gone through in the past. The thing is we’re both professional. That helped us to do the scenes right,” she avers. Their maturity level at this point is admirable. “Yes, I think so! Our working relationship is fine---there’s no wall between us. We learned a lot from that bittersweet experience. Look at us now. It was providential that those things happened when we were still young.” Seven years after their love story ended, Kim realized one important factor to completely heal and move on. “Forgiveness. That’s the only thing that can make you genuinely happy. If you don’t know how to forgive, you’ll have a heavy baggage to carry in your life. You will get tired eventually.” For the lovely actress, it’s essential to have peace of mind. “As the old saying goes, ‘All’s well that ends well.’ Gerald and I are okay. At least, everybody’s happy,” states Kim.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, May 1, 2017

ACROSS 1 Ocean compound 5 Sporty vehicles 9 Gave two aspirin, say 14 Morales of “La Bamba” 15 Palenque builder 16 Lasso 17 Aerobics habitats 18 Sigh of relief 19 Adventurer — Quatermain 20 Fair-hiring abbr. 21 Resume cousins 22 Dieter’s taboo 23 Non-finicky eater 25 Gray matter 26 Poetic tribute 27 Waiter’s offering 28 Autumn mo. 31 Quits 34 Hot peppers 36 Jot 37 Ms. LaBelle 38 Warrior princess 39 Brown bears 41 High-tech beam 42 Turndowns 43 — Reekie (Edinburgh) 44 — Kilmer of

films 45 Picnic pests 46 Skipper 50 Kind of apartment 53 Not that 54 RV haven 55 Condor’s abode 56 Make — — for it 57 Helsinki native 58 Goes ballistic 59 Ives of “Bluetail Fly” 60 Take — — stride 61 Kayak user 62 Counting-rhyme start 63 Risque DOWN 1 Beersheba’s desert 2 Come- — — are 3 Dromedary 4 Fleur-de- — 5 Ballpark official 6 Skiing mecca 7 Looks closely 8 Met a poker bet 9 Shrunken (2 wds.) 10 Slicked up 11 Auction 12 Coup d’— 13 Dojo levels 21 Leafs out 22 Red Sea

peninsula 24 Gemstone 25 Thaws 27 Alike, as socks 28 Singles 29 Traffic pylon 30 Autocrat of yore 31 Endorse a check 32 Bullring bull 33 Elevator maker 34 Slammer and clink 35 Praise highly 37 Demoted planet 40 Most wacky

41 Drinks like a cat 44 To no avail 45 Farewell 46 Butter maker 47 Watchdog breed 48 Column order 49 Pram pusher 50 First name in cheesecake 51 Mallard cousin 52 Strongly advise 53 Correct 56 Mr. Vigoda 57 Balsam —

the new Magnum White Almond was an automatic favorite of mine,” shares Janine. Like Raymond, Sarah, and Janine, you don’t have to feel guilty for indulging yourself here and there. With the help of Magnum’s two new exciting ﬂavors this summer, one should remember to keep a #NeverStopPlaying attitude. Don’t forget to take a break with Magnum’s White Almond and Red Velvet. Available soon in convenience stores near you.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017

Echo and Bela in ‘Luck At First Sight’ F

ROM the team of the phenomenal box-ofﬁce hit, Camp Sawi, and the director of mega-blockbuster movies, like Always Be My Maybe and #WalangForever, come this year’s most enchanting romance-comedy, Luck At First Sight.

VIVA Films and N2 Productions bring to the big screen a Joyce Bernal production that pairs Asian Drama King Jericho Rosales and Primetime TV Gem Bela Padilla for the ﬁrst time. In the movie, Jericho is Joma Labayen, a downon-his-luck guy who believes that a “life charm” could help make for him a rosy existence despite the drudgery of everyday living. By accident and by some stroke of fate, he meets Diane dela Cruz (Bela), who he thinks is his “life charm.” Little did he know that their encounters would lead him to the toughest choice his heart will ever make: luck or love. Diane, however, is no sucker for stories of luck and/or life charms. She is a ﬁrm believer of love and how romance sheds light, beauty and happiness to one’s being. Their partnership proves lucky enough until they discover that choosing between luck and love can be a tough pick. Luck At First Sight is a concept Bela thought about while listening to the radio. “Nasa kotse ako, nakikinig ng conversation ng DJs sa radio. Tapos, naisip ko ‘yung title, du’n nabuo ang story. Tungkol siya sa dalawang tao na sinuswerte kapag may physical touch sila. “Ako, gusto ko makapanood ng konting feeling ng magic, parang maniniwala ka uli sa isang bagay na hindi mo nakikita. Sa totoong buhay, naniniwala ako sa swerte, ibang forms lang siguro. “Nu’ng nag-iisip na kami kung sino ang kukuning direktor, sabi namin, dapat si Direk Dan [Villegas] ito. Sobrang galing kasi niya, sobrang ganda ng shots saka gusto naming

ma-touch din ang point of view ng lalaki sa pelikula,” Bela explains. As for Villegas, working Luck At First Sight made him excited. “Ang difference nito sa mga nagawa ko na, yung dati, rooted on reality, kung ano ang nangyayari sa totoong buhay. Kaya na-excite ako rito kasi may magic element, ‘di realistic. Medyo hyper realistic siya, magical, fantastic,” he says. “First time kong gumawa ng ganito, so minsan, ‘yung pagtimpla ng mga eksena, mapapaisip ka, exaggerated na ba ‘to, baka masyadong mababaw o matigas. Rom-com siya, pero may magic realism element,” he adds. Echo, like Bela, is totally absorbed by the project. Though Luck At First Sight may be their ﬁrst as a tandem, he shares, “May commitment sa isa’t isa na ito ang pinakamagandang movie na gagawin namin together.” Bela says Echo is easy to work with, “Hindi niya ako pinahirapan.” Echo relates, “Working with Bela was great. She’s very open, walang showbiz na vibe. ‘Pag nasa set kami, nag-uusap kami ng concept and ways to promote or make the ﬁlm better. It’s nice that she’s open to exploring things, wala siyang masyadong inhibitions. It’s been fun.” Luck At First Sight casts its magical spell in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, only from VIVA Films and N2 Productions.

Sarah Lahbati’s ‘True Beauty’ shines through in book BEAUTY is not just skin deep. Just ask Sarah Lahbati, one of the most beautiful stars in tinsel town. Better yet, get a copy of her first book, True Beauty: How To Glam Your Life Inside And Out. In it she details all the difficulties, struggles, and hardships she has gone through from her awkward childhood days to her tentative teen years and beyond. And she shares all the triumphs she has had in overcoming self-doubt as well as the lessons she has learned that helped her become the confident young woman that she is today. Beneath the glamor, Sarah’s life has not at all been trouble-free. She may have emerged as the ultimate winner in the TV talent search that launched her career, but the journey getting there started out in the most heartbreaking, catastrophic way as her audition fell on that fateful day of Typhoon Ondoy. In this book, Sarah recalls the devastating sights she witnessed, the emotions she felt, the things she endured, and what made her trudge on in spite of it all. In one of the 11 chapters, you’ll also find a story about her encounter with a bully and how she prepared herself to stand up against anyone who would pick a fight with her. Then, she talks about her “ugly phase”, and gives tips on how to feel confident about your looks regardless of your age, height, weight, and complexion. There is a lot to learn about fitness and fashion in True Beauty, but it doesn’t stop there. Sarah gives a visual treat of the places she has visited. Her love for traveling started when she was a child, thanks to her parents who took her on holiday trips outside Switzerland and the Philippines. She sees the importance of traveling in widening the mind – learning about people, cultures, nature – and she shares her must-do things to make the most of every trip she takes.

Sarah’s book will not be complete without her love story. How did her friendship with Richard Gutierrez turn into courtship? What was it like meeting his family for the ﬁrst time? How did her own parents react to her relationship with the man who would become the father of her child? Sarah proudly and lovingly describes Richard beyond his boy-next-door charm, thus making us see what she values most in a man. For the single ladies, she provides a checklist that may help in determining if the man who is trying to sweep you off your feet is truly “The One”. True Beauty also touches on Sarah Lahbati’s passion for performing, the lessons she learned from life’s challenges, f i n d i n g inspiration and spreading positivity, and many more. It shows why she is now a picture of happiness. Everyone is invited to get a copy of this fun and insightful read. Use it to celebrate your own beauty and to further glam your life inside and out. True Beauty: How To Glam Your Life Inside And Out is now available in all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches nationwide for only PhP 295.00 from VRJ Books.

LIKE A BOSS. The men of Real Madrid suit up for Hugo Boss’s new season collec-

tion

HUGO BOSS OUTFITS

prestigious Spanish Club

Singer and actress Sarah Lahbati is now an author

REAL Madrid C.F., Europe’s most successful soccer club, wears the elegant BOSS looks during the course of the 2016/2017 season. Based on an agreement, the partnership also covers the squad of the club’s second team Real Madrid Castilla, its basketball team Real Madrid Baloncesto and all of the technical staff. The players wear slim-cut, navy blue BOSS suits from the “Create Your Look” line at all ofﬁcial engagements. The collection’s unique feature: the athletes can combine their preferred sizes and ﬁts for trousers and jackets – choosing from regular, slim and extra-slim – to create a suit that is an ideal match for their physique. The classic look #SuitedByBOSS is perfected with a crisp white cotton shirt, a blue tie, black shoes and belt – and topped with a navy cashmere overcoat. “Real Madrid is an outstanding team and an excellent partner for our brand. The players already cut

a fine figure on the pitch – and off it they now look impeccably dressed in BOSS,” said Tiago Baptista, HUGO BOSS Managing Director Iberia. “We are delighted to be outfitting one of the world’s most successful clubs.” Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid’s Institutional Relations Manager, stated, “We are very pleased to have HUGO BOSS as a partner for Real Madrid. It is an honor to associate our name with such a prestigious and well-known international brand. We have many shared values, including innovation, leadership and the pursuit of excellence.” Further information on the BOSS “Create Your Look” line the players are wearing can be found at http:// www.hugoboss.com/boss-mensuits-create-your-look/ In the Philippines, BOSS is at City of Dreams Manila, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Shangri-la and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing. Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.