Manila Standard - 2017 May 19 - Friday by Manila Standard

ECONOMY WEAKENS; Q1 GDP SLOWS TO 6.4% By Julito G. Rada ECONOMIC growth slowed down to 6.4 percent in the ﬁrst quarter, the slowest rate in ﬁve quarters as government spending turned weak following last year’s robust construction activities in the run-up to the May presidential elections. Gross domestic product, or

the total value of goods produced and services provided, grew slower than the 6.8 percent recorded a year ago, and the 6.6-percent increase in the fourth quarter of 2016, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. National Economic and Development Authority directorgeneral Ernesto Pernia said in

news brieﬁng that despite the slower growth, the Philippines remained one of the strongest performers among the major emerging economies in Asia. “For the ﬁrst quarter, we overtook Vietnam and Indonesia, which grew by only 5.1 percent, and Thailand by only 3.3 percent. We are only second to China’s growth of 6.9 percent

BUILDINGS BOOM. Workers erect steel bars at a construction site in Manila on May 18, 2017. The Philippine economy has shown weaknesses but remains one of the strongest performers among Asian economies, according to the National Economic and Development Authority. AFP

while India’s number hasn’t come out yet,” Pernia said. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Philippines remained on track to meet its full-year growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent. “GDP expansion in the year’s ﬁrst three months illustrates that growth remains Next page

PH, China hold talks on sea dispute By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Philippines will raise the issue of Chinese missiles on the disputed Kagitingan Reef when the two sides meet on the South China Sea dispute, the Palace said Thursday. “I think that will be covered by the bilateral consultative mechanism,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters at Malacañang. Abella added that the country’s growing economic relationship with China would not affect the government’s commitment to protecting Philippine territory. “Those are two separate situations,” Abella said, noting that the bilateral consultative mechanism enabled both countries to keep economic ties on a separate track from areas of disagreeNext page ment.

CRUCIAL LINK. President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurates the Miranda Bridge II, a vital link between the municipality of Carmen and the city of Tagum in Davao del Norte on May 18, in line with his administration’s infrastructdure buildup. Joining the President are Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and national as well as local executives. Presidential Photo

VOL. XXXI • NO. 94 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte rejects EU aid Eco team, DFA caught unawares By Othel V. Campos and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan KEY economic ofﬁcials as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs were kept in the dark in President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to reject some 250 million euros in aid from the European Union. “We haven’t seen the details. We still need to clarify the details...we can’t say yet which will be affected because it is not clear to us what the decision covers,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, in a separate interview, admitted that

For ‘interfering’ in PH affairs By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Philippines stands to lose more than P13 billion in aid from the European Union after the government rejected any form of assistance from the 28-member bloc that may allow it to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

IN JOVIAL TIMES. Cecilia Malmstrom, European Union commissioner

for Trade, and Ramon Lopez, Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry attend a joint press conference during the 23rd Asean Economic Minister’s retreat and Related Meetings in Manila on March 10. AFP ﬁle photo

members of the administration’s economic team were not consulted before the EU Delegation in Manila was informed of the policy change.

“No, I don’t think so,” Pernia said, adding that he was “in a way” surprised by the development and that he does not believe that the Next page policy has been set.

The move appeared to be in retaliation to recent EU warnings that it might abrogate more than 27 trade agreements given the number of extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, government sources told the Manila Standard Thursday. The decision to reject aid from the EU would mean the loss of

about 250 million euros ($278.73 million) worth of grants mostly allocated to Muslim communities, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said. A decision was reached on Wednesday following a highlevel meeting of senior government ofﬁcials from Malacañang, the Department of Finance and

WORLD boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Senator Cynthia Villar are the richest members of the Senate while Senator Antonio Trillanes is the poorest, according to their respective statements of assets, liabilities and net worth in 2016. Pacquiao came in second to Villar, who remains the richest senator. Villar, wife of former Senate President Manny Villar, remains the wealthiest among the 24 senators.

Manny Villar, the former Senate leader, has also been named by Forbes magazine as among the wealthiest Filipinos. Meanwhile, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was richer by P2 million between 2015 and 2016. Based on Morales’ SALN, her net worth had increased by at least P2 million from 2015 to 2016. ‘‘The increase was due to the additional P2.02 million from her cash investments,” the document said. Next page

By John Paolo Bencito

Lawmakers led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez held an all party-caucus on Wednesday to ﬁne-tune the Palace-proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN, formerly

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has already signed an executive order setting strict guidelines for a nationwide ban on smoking, which will cover schools, universities and recreational facilities for minors. Under Executive Order No. 26, signed on May 16--smoking is prohibited “within enclosed public places and public conveyances, whether stationary or in motion,” except in designated smoking areas, deﬁned as “an area of a building or conveyance where smoking may be allowed, which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation.” Also prohibited is the selling, distribution, purchase and usage of tobacco products for minors, and the placement, posting, displaying and distribution of tobacco-related promotional materials within 100 meters from the perimeter of a school, public playground, and other facility frequented by minors. No designated smoking areas may be constructed in a) Centers

Marine officer, asset cleared of drug raps By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice department has approved the withdrawal of its drug case against Marine Lieutenant Ferdinand Marcelino and his Chinese companion Yan Yi Shou. The department upheld the May 23, 2016 resolution of a state prosecutor clearing Marcelino and Yan of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for alleged possession of illegal drugs due to lack of evidence.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 49 on Thursday ordered Marcelino and Yan’s release following the Justice department’s resolution and the withdrawal of the P380-million drug case against them. The department said the evidence presented by the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was insufﬁcient to warrant the ﬁling of drug cases against the accused. Next page

Smoking ban comes into force

Villar, Pacquiao listed as wealthiest senators By Macon R. Araneta

other relevant agencies following concerns raised by the EU about human rights violations here. A government source privy to the meetings said administration ofﬁcials agreed to preempt any move by the EU to cut off aid “by refusing to receive it.” Malacañang on Thursday said Duterte had already approved the recommendation of the Department of Finance to reject grants from the European Union that “may allow it to interfere” in the country’s internal affairs. “We’re supposed to be an independent nation,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told reporters in a text message. In a press brieﬁng, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella

BANNED. Despite the city-wide smoking ban in Manila, an elderly woman openly smokes at Plaza Sta. Cruz in Manila’s Rizal Avenue while taking care of her grandchildren. Ey Acasio

House bloc seeks freeze on petrol tax By Maricel V. Cruz THE 42-strong Visayan congressmen on Thursday sought an automatic suspension of the implementation of the proposed sixpeso tax on petroleum products

to shield consumers from the adverse effects of higher fuel prices. Negros Oriental Rep. Albee Benitez, head of the Visayan Bloc in the House of Representatives, said the main objective of Congress was “to protect consumers.”

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Economy... From A1 steady and could gain momentum for the rest of the year, partly as a result of this administration’s ‘Dutertenomics’ strategy to stimulate economic activity and achieve financial inclusion for all Filipinos in the long haul via an aggressive expenditure program on infrastructure, human capital formation and social protection,” Dominguez said. Pernia said the government was expecting first quarter growth to fall between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent. “This can be explained by the base effects: That is, growth last year was high due to election spending, as you would already know by now, the impact of which has already dissipated,” Pernia said. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the growth outlook remained strong, even as the first-quarter output was slower than market anticipated. Among the major economic sectors, services had the fastest growth of 6.8 percent. Industry growth decelerated to 6.1 percent from 9.3 percent in the first quarter of 2016. Agriculture recovered with 4.9-percent growth from a decline of 4.3 percent in the previous year. Pernia said the “changing of the guard of the government” and reorientation of programs really took time to settle, slowing government spending for the quarter. “Note, however, that this was better than during the previous administration where government consumption spending and public construction contracted by about 15 percent and 37 percent, respectively. Of course, this could also mean that we have benefitted from reforms that have been put in place by the previous administration,” Pernia said. He said on the demand or expenditure side, the economy remained strong, even with the slowdown in household spending and capital formation. With improving global demand, he said growth in exports was robust. Exports of goods grew 22.3 percent, the fastest since the third quarter of 2010, and exports of services grew steadily by 14.3 percent in the first quarter of the year. “Moving forward, the domestic economy is poised to maintain its growth momentum with the recovery of external trade and private sector’s steadfast optimism. The government has also been busy laying down a strong foundation for sustainable and equitable growth with an ambitious infrastructure program, among the many reforms and programs contained in the Philippine Development Plan 20172022―[among which] are infrastructure spending and as well as other government programs, including investment in human capital,” Pernia said. ING Bank Asia chief economist Tim Condon said the slower firstquarter GDP could prompt a reassessment of the monetary path, where the consensus was forecasting two 25 basis point rate hikes to 3.50 percent in the second half of 2017.

Eco... From A1 “No, it’s not policy. Policy is something that is more permanent. If it’s refused this year, maybe it might not be refused next year. So, this is only for this year,” he said. “If I were to make the decision, I would not [reject the aid]. I’m a friendly person.” Pernia said he will discuss with other members of the economic team whether or not they will recommend a reversal of the pronouncement that was only relayed verbally to EU officials in the country. “We will collectively decide. The three of us [Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III] will collectively decide,” he said. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella confirmed there was already a Palace circular on the aid rejection, but said it was “not for public consumption” and that he was not sure if it has already been formally transmitted to the EU. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, for his part, clarified that while the government says it is willing to let go of aid from the European Union, it does not want to lose privileges that Filipino exporters enjoy under the EU GSP+ program. “We don’t want the current GSP+ to be affected. It is not a grant and they’re commercial transactions that can mutually benefit both sides. EU should continue to engage the country,” he said. The Philippines joined the countries that benefit from the Generalized System of Preference Plus in December 2014. The 10-year program enables Filipino exporters to sell more than 6,000 products to the EU at low or zero tariff raes. “EU investors in the country that export back to EU also benefit from the GSP. Its a mutually beneficial arrangement,” said Lopez. Earlier, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the EU parliament and EU member states have concerns about extrajudicial killings and the proposed revival of the death penalty could jeopardize the Philippine’s ongoing GSP+ program with the EU. “We have our concerns about some issues here in the Philippines like the extrajudicial killing and death penalty. We have an agreement [with the Philippines] we called GSP+ which opens good trade opportunities. But those are subject to certain international conventions,” she said. With Julito Rada

70 drivers defy law—MMDA T By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Metro Manila Development Authority, using its high-deﬁnition cameras, caught more than 70 drivers using their mobile phones and gadgets while on the wheel on Thursday, the ﬁrst day of the full implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Law.

for the first offense, the second offense goes up to P10,000, while the fine is P15,000 for the third offense including suspension of the driver’s license for three months and P20,000 for the fourth offense, including revocation of the driver’s license,” said MMDA legal and legislative affairs staff Victor Nuñez. The law also covers motorcycles, trucks, cargo haulers carrying hazardous or flammable materials, cyclists, pedicabs, “kuligligs” (makeshift tricycles), and animal or human-powered vehicles. The law, however, clarifies it is not considered as distracted driving if the driver is not holding the mobile device like when in hands-free function, using the speaker phone, earphones and microphones. The placement of the mobile device or hands-free device, however, must not interfere with the line of sight of the driver. There are also exemptions to the provisions of the law: • When used for emergency

In its latest advisory, the MMDA public information office reported that the agency’s personnel from the Metro Base, where the monitors of its Closed-Circuit Television cameras are installed, initially caught 51 motorists from 6 a.m. to noon on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. Twenty-six other drivers were caught from noon to 3 p.m., and most of them were using gadgets while driving private cars and motorcycles. In apprehending violators, the MMDA decided to use the hightech cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside heavily tinted cars, to determine if

the drivers are using their mobile phones and other electronic devices while on the road. Republic Act 10913 prohibits both private and public utility drivers from using mobile communication devices when behind the wheel and even when stationary during traffic or on stop lights. It states that writing, reading, sending a text-based message, making phone calls, or watching movies, surfing the internet, reading an e-book, or performing any sort of computation on a mobile device by a motorist is not allowed. “Violators will be fined P5,000

Duterte... From A1

war and Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler’s Holocaust. “Hitler massacred three-million Jews. Now there are three-million drug addicts [in the Philippines]. I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Duterte said, underestimating the number of people killed in the Holocaust. Duterte later apologized for the Hitler reference but said he was “emphatic” about wanting to kill addicts. Duterte easily won presidential elections last year after promising to end crime by killing tens of thousands of drug traffickers and addicts. Police have reported killing about 2,700 people since Duterte took office at the end of June and immediately launched his war on drugs. Unknown assailants have killed more than 1,800 others, while about 5,700 other violent deaths are under investigation, according to police data. Partly in response to American criticism of the drug war, Duterte has also loosened the Philippines’ ties with traditional ally the United States. He has instead embraced China, which has supported his drug war and sought to deepen economic ties by providing billions of dollars worth of investments and aid to the Philippines. Duterte, a self-described socialist, has also forged warmer relations with Russia, and will travel to Moscow next week to meet President Vladimir Putin. Senators on Thursday said the government must make sure poor communities do not suffer from its refusal to accept EU aid. In the absence of aid, Senator Francis Pangilinan added, the administration must provide ongoing projects that benefit the poor with sufficient government funding. “Just now, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said he is not taking as policy the decision of the Philippines to reject foreign aid from the European Union,” said Pangilinan. Nevertheless, the EU’s expression of concern over the war on drugs, including the incarceration of Senator Leila De Lima, should not cause the Philippines to step back in its relationship with EU, Pangilinan said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the financial aid coming from the EU benefits mostly poor communities. “The administration’s decision not to receive aid from Europe union may be consistent with having an independent foreign policy specially if there are strings attached to that aid,” Recto said. “However, on the downside, we forgo financial assistance that is used to help the poor,” he added. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said the rejection of the EU aid was another example of Duterte’s “reckless and whimsical” decisions. Insted of being arrogant and hateful, as President of a developing country ought to be grateful that there are donor-countries that are concerned about the plight of Filipinos and are willing to help, he said. Senator Joel Villanueva said the EU could have provided “significant support” in health and education, especially in Mindanao. Senator JV Ejercito said he believed there is no need to burn bridges with the EU. “I am an ally of the administration but in my personal opinion, there is no need for this,” Ejercito said. Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV called on the government to be transparent about its foreign policy directions and its dealings with other countries in terms of aid and loans. “The administration’s refusal to receive aid seems like a contradictory move to its proposal to raise taxes. If we are refusing aid because we are self-sufficient, why are we then planning to burden our countrymen with more taxes that might raise prices of goods even higher,” he added. Senator Panfilo Lacson, an administration ally, said the move to reject EU aid showed a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy. He said the rejection of EU aid also speaks volumes about the President’s determined position to stand up against the traditional patrons of former colonies like the Philippines. “I am not ready to say this early if this is the right direction.... Only time can tell if it will do our country right or not,” he said.

tomatic suspension in the implementation of the proposed tax on petroleum products.” Quirino Rep. Dakila Cua, House committee on ways and means’ chairman, said the Finance department’s decision to spread out the proposed sixpeso-per-liter increase in the excise tax on oil into three tranches of P3, P2 and P1 in the ﬁrst three years would lighten the burden on the riding public. House Bill 5636, principally authored by Cua, imposes the following tax rates: Leaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, from P5.35 to P7 in 2017, P9 in 2018 and P10 in 2019; unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, from P4.35 to P7 in 2017, P9 in 2018 and P10 in 2019; aviation turbo jet fuel, per liter of volume capacity, from P3.67 to P7 in 2017, P9 in 2018 and P10 in 2019; kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, from P0.00 to P3 in 2017, P5 in 2018 and P6 in 2019. Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, from P0.00 to P3 in 2017, P5 in 2018 and P6 in 2019; liqueﬁed petroleum gas, per liter, from P0.00 to P3 in 2017, P5 in 2018 and P6 in 2019; asphalts, per kilogram, from P0.56 to P3 in 2017, P5 in 2018 and P6 in

2019; bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, from P0.00 to P3 in 2017, P5 in 2018 and P6 in 2019. These tax rates shall also be increased by four percent every year thereafter effective Jan. 1, 2020, through the revenue regulations issued by the Finance secretary. At the same time, Benitez said he and his colleagues coming from sugarproducing provinces would move to slash the imposition of P10-per-liter tax on sugar sweetened beverages to P5. “We fear that the 10-peso proposal is too high and may kill the local sugar industry. We will propose this to slash by half,” Benitez said. He said the proposal as it was now was “anti-poor” as the sugar industry was already burdened with the valueadded tax and creditable withholding tax. Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, president of the the Party List Coalition composed of 47 representatives, said their members were considering abstaining during the scheduled second- reading voting of the TRAIN on Wednesday next week unless a compromised agreement was reached.

Within premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental, optical clinics; and e) Food preparation areas. While a designated smoking area can be established inside a building, the EO requires the construction of a two meter “non-smoking buffer zone,” which will not allow air from smoking areas to escape. Designated smoking areas must also have signs designating them as

such, and carry graphic health warnings on the effects of tobacco use, and warnings on the prohibition of minors, the EO read. Those who violate the EO can face penalties from P1,000 up to P400,000, depending on the gravity of the offense. When he was mayor of Davao City, Duterte had a similar ordinance that made public places “a 100-percent smoke-free environment.”

said the rejection of financial assistance from EU would be done on a “case-to-case basis” and that each situation would be “viewed separately.” The new policy won’t cover humanitarian aid that usually comes without any conditions, Abella said. Asked what the administration considers “interference,” Abella said this would be imposing conditions that interfere with the way the Philippines handles its internal affairs. “The Philippines reserves the right to accept loans and grants that help attain its objectives of promoting economic development, inclusiveness, and reducing poverty, attaining peace within its borders and with its neighbors, and fostering a a law abiding society,” he said. “It also reserves the right to respectfully decline offers that do not achieve these goals and offers that allow foreigners to interfere with the conduct of its internal affairs,” he added. The Palace expressed confidence that the Philippines can stand on its own. “Economic results tell us that we are growing and in fact, we are improving. And we can manage. We’re confident, aren’t you? I am,” Abella said. “I think we need to gain a certain confidence in ourselves and this is exactly the kind of mentality the President wants the Filipinos to avoid, a mendicant attitude,” Abella said. The EU delegation to Manila said the government had already informed it of its decision to reject EU aid. Duterte, 72, has repeatedly criticized European lawmakers and the EU for condemning his drug war, which has claimed thousands of lives and led to warnings from critics of a crime against humanity. In comments last year, he used vulgar language and raised his middle finger in a response to a European Parliament statement expressing concern over the killings. The German government also expressed concern after Duterte last year drew parallels between his drug

House... From A1 known as the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package that is scheduled for approval next week. Meanwhile, the Finance department has agreed to work with the House of Representatives for the full implementation of the Lateral Attrition Law to ensure better revenue collection in support of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package now under deliberation in the House, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said on Thursday. Alvarez made the statement after the House conducted an all-party caucus Wednesday to set the stage for the CTRP bill’s approval on second and third and ﬁnal reading before Congress adjourns sine die on June 2. Benitez said the Visayan group intended to make the proposal, especially if the price of crude oil hovered around $80 per barrel as the awmakers had been given until Monday next week to submit their proposed amendments to the measure. “We feel that this is an effective way to protect consumers from the erratic prices of petroleum products,” Benitez said. “There should be a provision for au-

Smoking... From A1 of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for minors; b) Elevators and stairwells; c) Locations where ﬁre hazards are present; d)

purposes such as an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services, agency or entity; and, • When operating an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, fire truck, and other vehicles providing emergency assistance. Meanwhile, starting today authorities will fully implement a policy prohibiting small children from riding motorcycles as passengers. Under Republic Act 10666 or Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015, two-wheeled motorcycle riders may not be allowed to drive a motorcycle with a small child on board. The Implementing Rules and Regulations stipulate that only children whose feet can reach the foot peg, could wrap their arms around the driver’s waist, and wear protective gear such as a helmet, may be allowed to ride on a motorcycle with an adult. The law covers all public roads, including roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles, where

PH,... From A1 The first China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea dispute will be held in Guiyang in China’s Guizhou province on May 19. The Chinese delegation will be led by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin. The rocket launcher defense system on Kagitingan Reef, designed to discover, identify and attack enemy combat divers, was an apparent response by Beijing to Vietnamese divers who installed large numbers of fishing nets in the Paracel Islands. China claims more than 90 percent of the South China Sea where Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei have overlapping claims. Panganiban Reef, which is 70 nautical miles from Palawan and is located within the country’s 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has been occupied by China since 1994, when Beijing transformed the reef into a highly fortified military garrison. There are more than 40 reef islands in the South China Sea which have been occupied and even garrisoned by other countries. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday warned that the reported installation of rocket launchers in the Fiery Cross Reef, also known as Kagitingan Reef, will just be the start of Beijing’s plans to militarize artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea waters. “That is just the start because the

Villar,... From A1 From P52.10 million in 2015, Morales’ net worth went up to P54.13 million in 2016. The Villar family has been in the real estate business for decades. They are also engaged in retail. Cynthia Villar’s wealth had increased to P3.606 billion as of Dec. 31, 2016 from P3.5 billion in 2015. Villar’s real estate properties are worth P4.6 million, including one in BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City whose acquisition cost was P2.9 million, the largest of her real properties assets. She listed two items under “personal properties”: “investments in shares of stock” and “other real and personal properties,” in all making up 99.87 percent of her net worth. Pacquiao, one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, has a net worth of P3.072 billion. He declared total assets of P3.422 billion but had liabilities worth P350,595,647. The neophyte senator was named the richest congressman when he left the House of Representatives. He was elected Sarangani representative in 2013. He has a net worth of P3,268,200,088.00 for 2015, almost double the P1.688 billion he recorded in 2014. Based on his latest SALN, the bulk of Pacquiao’s earnings came from his boxing ﬁghts and endorsements while his liabilities were due to “various loans.” His biggest assets in his SALN were “cash, jewelry and other personal properties.”

Marine... From A1 “Lt. Col. Marcelino and Yan Yi Shou have sufficiently proven that they were in performance of a lawful duty when they were chanced upon by the PNP and PDEA joint team,” the department’s resolution said. That resolution overturned the September 2016 Justice department ruling finding probable cause against Marcelino and Yan. Marcelino and Yan were arrested in a drug bust along Felix Huertas Street in Manila on Jan. 21, 2016, and seized 76,697.7 grams or P380 million worth of shabu. Marcelino maintained his innocence, saying he was only in the area doing surveillance operations with his asset Yan. But the police still arrested Marcelino and filed a case against him and Yan

there is a high-density of fastmoving vehicles, or where the speed limit is more than 60 kilometers per hour. An exception applies only to cases where a child to be transported requires immediate medical attention. Violators will be fined P3,000 on their first offense, P5,000 on their second offense, and P10,000 on their third offense and suspension of driver’s license for a month. Beyond the third offense, violators will have their licenses revoked. Both laws were created to ensure the safety of motorist and pedestrians, and prevent or lessen the increasing number of road accidents, the MMDA noted. The government believes this “proactive and preventive approach will also secure the safety of passengers, especially children,” it added. According to the World Health Organization’s 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety, 53 percent of reported road fatalities in the Philippines involved motorcycle riders. rockets they installed [are] just short range,” Carpio said in a speaking engagement before the Rotary Club of Makati-West. Carpio warned that China may soon install its anti-aircraft missiles with a range of at least 200 kilometers “slowly” to avoid international condemnation from neighboring countries. “They are trying to militarize it slowly and not suddenly so that there will be no uproar,” Carpio said. “Expect them to install later on their HQ9 anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 200 kilometers.” The magistrate also expressed dismay at the government’s apparent lack of conviction to use its victory in the arbitral court in connection with its territorial dispute with China. “I have listed down all of those courses of action, nonconfrontational, legal, in my e-book, and I have given them copies. But it’s up to them, I really cannot impose on them,” Carpio said. “As they say, it’s difficult to wake up a sleeping person who’s pretending to be asleep,” he added, saying that he has forwarded relevant documents and his lectures on the West Philippine Sea to the government, but he said these may have fallen on “deaf ears.” A Foreign Affairs spokesman said the country would raise the issue on the missiles with China, once the reports of their existence are verified. Unlike Abella, however, the department spokesman Robespierre Bolivar was unsure if the issue would be brought up at the first meeting between Chinese and Philippine officials on Friday. Pacquiao’s assets include 100 pieces of real estate with an aggregate value of P1.6 billion, mostly residential, commercial, and agricultural properties in General Santos and Digos cities, and in different municipalities in Sarangani province. His most expensive property is in Lagao, General Santos City, which was acquired in 2015 for P400 million. The other properties of the boxerturned-politician are a house and lot at Hancock Park, Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, USA, worth P115 million and a commercial property on Mercado Street, Dadiangas Heights, General Santos City worth P121 million. In 2016, Pacquiao acquired two lots at Labangal and Lagao, General Santos City. Thirty-four of his real properties do not have a year of acquisition indicated in the SALN. He also declared P1.3 billion cash on-hand and in-bank, jewelry and other personal properties. He also registered P250.2 million in liabilities from different banks. The third richest senator was Ralph Recto, husband of former actress and now Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos. He declared a net worth of P522,610,452.59. The bulk of his assets comes from personal properties, specifically his “cash in bank and financial institution,” which is worth P295.9 million, and “investments in stocks” worth P143.1 million. He also declared four real properties in Metro Manila and Lipa City―all residential and worth a total of P73.8 million. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was the poorest with P6,506,672.13, replacing Senator Francis Escudero who held the distinction in 2015. With Rio N. Araja before the Justice department. Marcelino said the root cause of his arrest was PDEA Chief Arturo Cacdac, who was “historically irate” at his continued involvement in the government’s anti-drug campaign. Marcelino filed a petition for bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, which was granted for lack of evidence. Judge Lyn Ebora Cacha said Marcelino was found in the ground floor, where there were no illegal drugs. The court added that the authorities failed to present proof that Marcelino had any knowledge or control of the illegal drugs found in the area. The court noted that Marcelino was found resting on a sofa when the authorities arrived in the area. “His mere presence at the house does not by itself make petitioner Marcelino liable as such is merely circumstantial, which is yet to be connected to the crime,” the judge said.

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IN BRIEF AFP taps MMDA as army reserve unit THE Armed Forces has tapped the Metro Manila Development Authority as its first National Army Reserve Engineering Brigade which can be deputized in time of emergencies like disasters or in the event of war. The AFP’s Philippine Army, with the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte, granted the title to MMDA after thoroughly and carefully reviewing the documents and qualifications to the military organization. MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos said that with the title, the agency would maximize its resources and personnel to assist in times of disasters and calamities. “It is an honor to be named and get this title. We owe it to the public that we serve to get immediate response especially in emergency cases,” Orbos said. The agency expressed its intent to become an affiliated reserve unit and after presenting its Charter, proposed organization and the qualification of the agency’s personnel, the office of the Army’s Reserve and Veterans Affairs recommended to approve MMDA’s bid. Joel E. Zurbano

CBCP tells govt: Reject death penalty MANILA Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Thursday called on the government to find alternative ways to fight crime but ruled out death penalty, which he described as inhumane form of punishment. The cardinal, who supports the 21-day nationwide caravan against death penalty, said that capital punishment must be replaced with better alternatives. “The march gives us an opportunity to find ways of fighting crimes, for all crimes violate life, but without resorting to measures that also violate life, like capital punishment,” Tagle said. “With personal and collective study, prayer, discernment and action, we hope to be a people that promote a culture of life,” he said. A multisectoral group of cross country pilgrims reached Cavite province last May 18, dubbed “Lakbay-Buhay,” a march-caravan all the way from Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao to drum up public awareness against death penalty. Backed by the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, the marchers are composed of 14 core pilgrims from various sectors including women, farmers, fishermen, laborers and the youth. The marchers passed through the island of Cebu, and the provinces in Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Southern Luzon, and were joined by civil society groups, human rights advocates and church people throughout the route of their journey. Nassa executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez said the march also aims to affirm their “unqualified stand for the right to life.” “This caravan is our way to let our lawmakers know that the church is not only the ones against death penalty but also Filipinos from different sectors,” Gariguez said. Vito Barcelo

HEADTURNERS. Miss Global Philippines, a fast-rising beauty pageant in the country, welcomes the 2017 pageant season with its new batch of 22 Miss Global candidates vying for the crown during pre-pageant activities held at the West Avenue Suites in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

BIR prods DoJ to file tax evasion cases vs Mighty By Rey E. Requejo

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue has recommended to the Department of Justice to file tax evasion charges against tobacco firm Mighty Corp. and its top executives, which now have a total tax liabilities of P36.5 billion arising from the use of fake internal revenue excise stamps on its cigarette products. The BIR filed last March P9.56-billion tax evasion charges against the owners and officials of Mighty Corp., and on May 9, the agency again slapped the controversial tobacco firm with a P26.93-bil-

lion tax evasion case, bringing Mighty Corp.’s alleged total tax liability to P36.49 billion—the largest tax evasion case under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. During the continuation of

preliminary investigation hearing Thursday, BIR lawyers submitted a reply-affidavit asking prosecutors to file the case in court upon finding of probable cause. They asked the DoJ panel chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Sebastian Caponong to reject the defense raised by Mighty Corp. owner and vice president for external affairs Alexander Wongchuking and other respondents in their counter-affidavits. The BIR lawyers refused to furnish reporters with copy of their pleading and immediately left the DOJ after the 20-minute hearing. Sources said, however, that the BIR reiterated its allegations that Wongchuking and three other company officials violated

the National Internal Revenue Code for unlawful possession of articles subject to excise tax without payment of the tax and for possessing false, counterfeit, restored or altered stamps on the master cases of cigarettes worth P2.3 billion bearing fake tax stamps seized from the ﬁrm’s warehouse in San Simon Industrial Park in Pampanga. The bureau insisted that the stamps were fake since they did not contain the multi-layered security features of a valid internal revenue stamp and were not afﬁxed at the production plant of Mighty Corp. in Bulacan as required by law, which means the seized master cases came from another manufacturing plant. The prosecutors then set the

NCRPO reshuffles personnel By Joel E. Zurbano and Francisco Tuyay THE National Capital Region Police Office on Thursday undertook a major reorganization affecting several police commanders in Metro Manila as part of its reform program and to improve the quality of service of its police personnel. Among those transferred to their new posts were Senior Supt. Alexander Santos from the NCRPO Regional Operations Division to Taguig City Police Office, replacing Senior Supt. Allen Sumeg-ang Ocden who was reassigned as chief of the Navotas City Police Station. Navotas Police chief Senior Supt. Dante Novicio was reassigned as head of the Muntinlupa City Police chief, replacing Senior Supt. Nicolas Salvador who was designated as Acting Regional Operations and Plans Division of the NCRPO. Pasay City Police commander Senior

Supt. Lawrence Coop, who was transferred to San Juan City Police Station, was replaced by former Makati City Police chief Senior Supt. Dionisio Bartolome while NCRPO Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit head Senior Supt. Audie Villacin was reassigned as officer-in-charge of the Eastern Police District-Directorial Staff. Bartolome was recently relieved as Makati police chief following the arrest of four of his men allegedly involved in the abduction of a businessman who owns a bike shop. The cops allegedly tried to extort at least P100,000 from their victim. A police officer earlier sacked from his post involving the arrest of four of his men in an alleged extortion case, was redesignated to a new position following a minor revamp among officers in key positions in Metro Manila. Sr. Supt Dionisio Bartolome, former Makati City Police Chief who was relieved from his post following the arrest of four police officers in an extortion try, was posted as

Chief of Police in Pasay City. Bartolome, along with Chief Inspector Oscar Pagulayan, the immediate supervisor of arrested P02 Herley Garcera, P02 Clarence Maynes, P01 Time Galzote and P01 Jeffrey Canete, was also relieved. But according to NCRPO spokesperson Kimberly Molitas, Bartolome has been cleared of any liability. “As explained by the NCRPO regional director, officers administratively relieved to give a freehand for any investigation. When liability is cleared we must give assignment to officers performing well,” she explained. Metro Manila police director Oscar Albayalde said the latest reshuffle was also made due to Career Advancement of police officers while some were promoted to higher positions and others are due for retirement. Albayalde said that upon assessment of the oversight committee, it is necessary to designate an officer who is familiar with the structure of the community where his expertise is needed.

Recruitment agencies told to raise capital to P5m By Vito Barcelo

BACK TO SCHOOL. Members of the Philippine Navy deployed on the BRP Lake Caliraya perform

repainting jobs on the classrooms of the H.J. Atienza Elementary School in Baseco, Tondo, Manila on Thursday. Norman Cruz

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has raised the capitalization or paid-up capital of all licensed recruitment and manning agencies to P5 million. In a statement, the POEA said the new rules provide an option for a minimum annual increase of P750,000. It directed all licensed recruitment and manning agencies to comply with the increase in their company’s paid-up capital pursuant to the agency’s revised rules or face suspension and penalties. Under POEA’s revised rules of 2016, licensed agencies are

required to raise their capitalization or paid-up capital to P5 million in a span of four years. The new rules provide an option for a minimum annual increase of P750,000. “Under Section 2 Rule I Part II of the POEA Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of OFWs states: Those with existing licenses, shall, within four (4) years from effectivity thereof, increase their capitalization or paid-up capital, as the case may be, P5,000,000 at the rate of P750,000 every year,” the POEA said. Non-compliant agencies, the same rules provide, will be slapped with suspension of licenses.

next hearing on May 30 for filing of rejoinder by Wongchuking and other respondents-former Armed Forces deputy chief-of-staff and retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, Mighty Corp.’s president; retired Judge Oscar Barrientos, company executive vice president; and company treasurer Ernesto Victa as co-respondents of Wongchuking in the first tax evasion case. The first two hearings were held last May 4 and 11 when the Mighty Corp. officials submitted their counter-affidavits to the DOJ and sought the dismissal of the charges. The panel has yet to set the hearing for another date on the second P26.93-billion tax evasion complaint filed by the BIR against the tobacco firm.

149 Abus, killed, captured —AFP By Florante S. Solmerin AT LEAST 149 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been killed, captured and surrendered since January this year, including two more who were slain Wednesday in an encounter with government forces in Patikul, Sulu, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said on Thursday. “The latest skirmishes that resulted to the killing of two more terrorists happened at around 7 a.m. at the so-called Patikul hill in Barangay Sandah. Our troops from the 10th Infantry Battalion also seized three M16 rifles,” Petinglay said. It added that the military killed 81 Abu Sayyaf men, 50 have surrendered, and 18 were arrested. The encounters also yielded 70 high-powered and low-powered firearms. Petinglay said the Patikul hill encounter yielded two bodies “who are still yet to be identified.” Joint Sulu Task Force commander Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana said no one from the operating troops was hurt or killed. Before the encounter, Sobejana said Abu Sayyaf members Musa Jamil Alsid, 19, and Mohammad Waddang Udding, 20, surrendered Tuesday to the 2nd Special Forces Battalion. The two were residents of Barangay Pitogo, Caluang, Sulu.

Opinion

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

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EDITORIAL

No thanks to EU

HE Philippines’ decision to decline financial assistance from the European Union is downright irresponsible and childish. The move reflects government’s myopic view of what the EU grants are all about and virtually belittled what the assistance has done to alleviate poverty in vulnerable regions, especially Mindanao.

The Philippines in an announcement Wednesday said it would no longer accept new grants from the EU, or those that “interfere with the internal policies” of the country. EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said

Adelle Chua, Editor

over 250 million euros, or $278.7 million, worth of grants could be affected by the decision. Manila’s decision is clearly a knee-jerk reaction to the European bloc’s criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s

deadly drug war that has killed about 2,700 people. Another 1,800 people have been killed by unknown gunmen, while the police said about 5,700 other violent deaths are under investigation. The EU is the Philippines’ eighth-biggest source of aid, with assistance reaching $217 million in 2016. But Mr. Duterte had challenged the EU to stop the assistance, after the bloc warned that the Philippines risks losing dutyfree exports to Europe because of the thousands killed in his war on

drugs. Mr. Duterte last year also used profanities in response to a European parliament statement expressing concern over the killings. EU’s criticisms of Duterte’s violent drug war, however, should not overshadow the bloc’s humanitarian program aimed at reducing poverty in the Philippines and its support to the peace process in Mindanao. The EU has noted that economic progress in the Philippines has had little impact on poverty reduction because of high population growth, un-

employment, corruption and feudal politics. The bloc’s funding assistance has focused on the health sector, governance and the vulnerable populations, particularly in Mindanao where people are being displaced by the Muslim rebellion. The government should weigh carefully its decisions or policy shifts when dealing with respected international groups like the EU. The bloc has been generous to the Philippines, being the biggest foreign investor in the country. The Philippines is

also the only country in Southeast Asia that enjoys tariff-free exports under EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences +, or GSP+, incentives for developing countries. The Philippines, for one, should not risk losing that trade privilege with the EU. Duty-free exports to EU amounted to an estimated 1.6 billion euros, or $1.78 billion, in 2016. A forfeiture of the special trade treatment from the European bloc will directly translate into reduced foreign exchange revenues and job losses. PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

Accountability

Doing the unthinkable LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has once again done the unthinkable: He has told the European Union that the Philippines will no longer accept any new grants, to “prevent [the EU] from interfering with our internal affairs,” as Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea explained. The refusal is more than just symbolic. Duterte has turned down nearly $280 million in aid and put in jeopardy millions of dollars more in exports to the bloc, which some years ago gave preferential, tariff-free treatment to all sorts of goods coming from the Philippines. Duterte’s chief economic planner, Ernesto Pernia, scrambled to explain that refusing aid was not the administration’s policy and that he hoped that the presi-

dent would reconsider his decision, which he apparently made without consulting Pernia. His trade secretary, Ramon Lopez, was quick to point out that the Philippines was already starting to benefit from Duterte’s new policy of friendship with China, which has begun giving funds from a promised $24-billion package of aid and assistance to Manila. The President has long been railing against the United States, the United Nations and the EU for calling him out on his war against illegal drugs, which has killed thousands of suspected drug users and pushers. His refusal to accept further aid from European nations who want him to end his showcase anti-crime campaign and to answer charges of violating human rights is his way of putting money where his mouth is, so to speak. Of course, Duterte knows that the EU is not going to beg him to take its money and to continue his fight against illegal drugs

if he does. He also understands that the bulk of the EU aid is intended to help poor Muslim communities in Mindanao and that he has to find ways to make up for the loss.

I’m willing to give Duterte a chance to show that he is not leading us to perdition.

But Duterte has decided that the Philippines should no longer be held hostage by Western countries who have the power to withhold aid to those who do not comply with their wishes or support their favored causes. And

since the EU, like the US, has already warned of sanctions on the Philippines if Duterte doesn’t dance to its tune, the President might as well refuse aid, if accepting it will make him fail to fulfill his promise to the Filipino people to end the problem of illegal drugs. Duterte is also betting that the people who put him in Malacañang last year and who continue to support him now will back him up as he pursues an independent foreign policy simultaneous with his campaign against narcotics. After all, Duterte knows that he only has to make his countrymen—not the Westerners who can’t seem to understand our problems and priorities—happy. There will always be those who will castigate Duterte for doing what other presidents before him have never done—putting the interest of his country first before the demands of foreigners who think they know better. I’m willing to give him

a chance to show that he is not leading us to perdition, but to a whole new world of long-overdue independence. *** Creating a sensation in the US media these days is an essay by Pulitzer Prize-winning FilipinoAmerican journalist Alex Tizon, who died recently without seeing his last, most controversial work published. The Atlantic ran the long-form story written by Tizon about his family’s “slave,” a woman they called Lola who served three generations of his family in two countries (mostly without pay, praise or even enough sleep), as its cover story in its current issue—and people have not stopped talking about it since. Even by Filipino standards, Tizon’s story of Lola’s modernday slavery is mind-blowing. “My Family’s Slave” is as excruciatingly painful as it is voyeuristically compelling; I had to keep stopping to ask myself Turn to A5

PUBLIC officers are accountable because no one has a right to public office. It is public trust—so goes the well-worn phrase, but there are two things captured here: trust in the sense of reliance, and trust in the legal sense—something held by one for the benefit of another or of others. Because public office is a trust in both senses, he upon whom it is bestowed must be held to account for the use of its powers and the exercise of its prerogatives. The Divine Right theory of kings was precisely absolutist because it held crowned heads accountable to none but to God alone! And so there is good reason to assert that accountability to the people is de essentia in regard to a democracy. That is just the problem with our democracy in the Philippines. The mechanism of accountability, precisely for the highest officials of the land who wield the most power and are in the likeliest position to be whimsical and oppressive, is unwieldy. Impeachment is almost always doomed to fail when the members of Congress wear the colors of the incumbent Chief Executive. On the other hand, for just that same reason, the process of impeachment can also be used against the enemies of the president. The disgust of the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and the late Senator Joker Arroyo at the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona are the most credible condemnatory statements against the abuse of the impeachment process. When the government is parliamentary, accountability is swift. The Prime Minister and the government face the opposition in Parliament and must answer grueling, embarrassing and relentless questioning—with a good deal of heckling to complete the recipe of parliamentary democracy. A serious lapse in judgment by a senior minister may invite the reproof not only of those across the aisle but even of members of the governing party. And when a Prime Minister obstinately stands by a beleaguered minister, the whole government faces the threat of collapse, usually through a noconfidence vote. But the most effective source of accountability is popular outcry and an unyielding demand for explanations. This is the reason that the masterstrategist of an administration will endeavor to build a Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Opinion EVERYMAN

The woman from another time By Cesar Barrioquinto BOOMTOWN Restaurant is a relic from the Sixties, a souvenir from an era when Manila had been pretty. The beer joint on Recto and Rizal Avenue was without doors, the only place in the area that never closed. The dive was known for its food and the cats that patrolled under the tables late at night. Its customers were mostly men, and they dropped in either to order food to go or to drink themselves into a stupor. If you were a regular you could count on bumping into a friend or a nodding acquaintance on any visit. You could even see someone you hadn’t seen for years. It happened to me one night long ago when I went there. I’d been drinking with colleagues, and after we broke up and hit the road I decided I was good for a few more beers and dropped by. I sat near the entrance and surveyed the scene. On the table to my left a tubercular man sat studying the paper napkins while drinking. Eight or nine cats patrolled under the tables, and two tables ahead of me a bald man in a tank top sat facing the jukebox farther inside, where eight men on two tables sat drinking near the machine. Eddie Peregrina’s What Am I Living For was playing, and after it Two Lovely Flowers and Together Again followed. The mush didn’t seem to bother the eight men―though they had to raise their voices to talk to avoid being drowned out. It grew quieter after the last song ended, but then the bald man stood up, approached the jukebox, pumped coins into it and the three songs repeated. I approached the jukebox to check on the songs; I found that most of those were as mushy as Peregrina’s, and many were first recorded at least 20 years ago. I checked to see if Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was there, but it wasn’t. I would have played it over and over to liven up the place. More cats patrolled under the tables as the night wore on. The napkin man kept studying the paper napkins, drinking steadily and not moving except when going to the men’s room to pee. The bald man kept pumping coins into the jukebox for the same three songs. When I stood up to take a leak I counted eight bottles of beer on the napkin man’s table. I passed the eight men on my way to the washroom, and on my way back I noticed they’d finished 48 bottles of beer based on the two cases holding empties under their tables, while a third case was beginning to fill up. I counted only two bottles of beer on the bald man’s table, and I decided he was getting stewed on Peregrina and not on beer. Around midnight I stood up and sat on the other side of the table to face the sidewalk. No more people had come in to drink since I came in―leaving the place to me, the napkin man, the bald man and the eight men near the jukebox—but more customers kept dropping in to order food to go. Most of them just sat down to wait for their orders, but some downed a bottle or two of beer while waiting.

just kept nodding at each other,” she said. “My name’s Joy. What do they call you?” I told her, and what she said was true, too. I first knew her as this doe-eyed girl with the toothy smile who helped pull in customers in this beer joint on Rizal Avenue, where I’d been tending my mother’s magazine stand for over a year after finishing college but failing to land a job. We simply nodded at each other and never had the chance to know each other’s name. She was pretty then, but now she was just old and exhausted. She asked me how I was, and I told her a little about myself and my family. She told me her husband left her for another woman about five years ago, forcing her to entrust her two sons aged five and three to a brother who had a pig farm south of Manila. She returned to the city and roomed in with three younger friends who worked as salesgirls in a department store. She made a living washing clothes and running errands, and in desperate times she leaned on her friends. She sent whatever money she could to her brother for her children’s upkeep. It had been quiet for a bit when she came in, but then the bald man stood up after giving the machine some sort of rest and pumped coins into it. The three songs repeated. “Beautiful,” she said when she heard the first few bars of Together Again. I squirmed secretly. “Want to sleep with me? I don’t charge much,” she then said suddenly, jolting me. “Yes, but not now. Do you come here often?” “Yes.” “We’ll do it next time.” She flashed her toothy smile, and quickly I knew that she knew that I was lying. She later fell asleep without finishing her third bottle, resting her head on her left arm. The bald man stood up to leave finally after the first few bars of Two Lovely Flowers played, and when I stood up to pee I counted only four empties on his table. The eight men were well into their fourth case, and when I checked on the napkin man I counted 14 bottles on his table. I took out two hundred-peso bills from my wallet. Then I took her right hand and clamped her fingers on the money. That woke her up but I told her to go back to sleep, whereupon she flashed her toothy smile and closed her eyes. I signaled the waitress for my bill, and when I stood up to leave I noticed that the cats were still patrolling under the tables―though they didn’t seem to be looking for food. I wondered what time they hit the sack. It was light when I emerged outside, and when I crossed the street to hail a cab for home I felt truly depressed at what she’d told me. I wondered about the time in her life when joy started oozing out of her. When I first saw her smile long ago I thought it was the most sanguine I’d seen, but now it looked pained and shorn of the truthfulness it had when she was young. I took a last look at the restaurant once I was on the other side of the street, and instantly the past came back to me: the time when Rizal Avenue from Claro M. Recto―it was then called Azcarraga―to Carriedo had been my turf, and the dive had been the only place to go when everything else was closed: the time when nothing could be more pleasant than going there at an ungodly hour and bumping into a friend or an acquaintance and having a few drinks together. But that was long ago, and as I stood there thinking about her I decided it was the last time I visited the place―and it was.

I wondered about the time in her life when joy started oozing out of her.

SHE showed up around halfpast midnight. She eyed the napkin man first, and when she saw me she flashed her old toothy smile. “I know you,” she said. “Likewise,” I said and asked her to sit down. I asked her if beer was fine with her, and when she nodded I ordered a couple of bottles. I also ordered some food, and when it came she wolfed down the portion she put on her plate and helped herself to some more. “You know, it’s just strange that we’d known each each other for over a year before you Cesar Barrioquinto is a newsdisappeared, but we never got to know each other’s name. We paper editor.

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

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Quixotic quest, mission impossible BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO CRITICS of Magdalo Party List Rep. Gary Alejano should not be too harsh on him. The man is not a lawyer but he nevertheless charged into the fray by filing an impeachment case against President Rodrigo Duterte. His missionary zeal, although described by opponents as delusional and frivolous, served a purpose in that kings and powerful presidents should still be held accountable for their actions. Alejano’s act can be likened to that of Don Quixote, the main character in the story of The Man from La Mancha. Don Quixote on his steed Rocinante charged into a windmill under the delusion it was a dragon that must be slain. Don Quixote gave rise to the phrase “quixotic” in our lexicon. One may have the missionary zeal but unless you’re fully equipped for the task at hand, you’re bound to fail. Don Quixote was hardly the picture of a knight in shining armor who, like his horse and his lance, had seen better days. He was a caricature of a man –frail and bordering on the delusional.

House justice committee chairman Rep. Reynaldo Umali described Alejano’s attempt to impeach President Duterte as “frivolous.” Still, Alejano’s effort should be seen in a better light that we must not be daunted nor intimidated by the tyranny of numbers. A super majority in numbers under the control of Duterte dismissed the impeachment case outright. My empathy with Alejano, I suppose, lies in my sentiment for the underdog and a strong belief in “afflicting the comfortable, and comforting the afflicted.” For doing what he did with audacity, Alejano deserves the people’s praise. Indeed even kings and powerful men such as the country’s present president should still be answerable to the people. This was shown in the case of the presidents of South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan who were ousted by legal process for abuse of power. Manila’s issue with Beijing in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea must be seen in the same context. The Philippines must not be daunted by the sheer number of China’s People’s Liberation Army and its vast military arsenal. A comparison of China and the Philippines’ in the 2017 Global Firepower manual showed the lop-sided statistics in favor of our giant neighbor across the pond. Look at the

stats: China’s has a population of 1.373-billion people compared to the Philippines’ 1.3 million. China’s People’s Liberation Army has a frontline personnel of 2,335,000 compared to the Philippines’ 220,000. In terms of air power, China has 2,995 aircraft, while PHL has only 149—most of which are second-hand, and with questionable airworthiness. China has 6,457 tanks, the Philippines only 45. China’s naval power boasts of 734 warships with the aircraft carrier Lioning as flagship. The Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands, only has 139 vessels, most of which are hand-medown decommissioned ships from the United States. Looking at the statistics, President Duterte may be right after all in not antagonizing China. But he need not show he welcomes Chinese aggression like he’s willing to host an invasion. Hopefully, newly confirmed Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano will be able to provide the moorings and course of the country’s foreign policy and advise the President that there are certain parameters on which he has to base his public pronouncements. For example, President Duterte wants to include Mongolia and Turkey in the Asso-

ciation of Southeast Asian Nations. Any student of geography would know the two countries are not in Southeast Asia and therefore do not qualify to be members of Asean. As it is, the 10-member group is unwieldy enough with Cambodia and Laos doing China’s bidding not to draft a Code of Conduct or an Asean communique in the settlement of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. This has resulted in China raising the bar on its aggression in the region, including the installation of rocket launchers on Fiery Cross Reef, known as Kagitingan Reef to Filipinos. China has also reclaimed land from the sea to build man-made islands to construct military bases with naval stations and an airstrip in other parts of the Spratlys. How far will Beijing push its sweeping claim in the South China Sea before the US Seventh Fleet interdict the Chinese by invoking the freedom of navigation? Trillions of dollars in commercial freight including crude oil carried by cargo vessels pass through the vital South China Sea lanes. Any disruption caused by China’s military buildup in the region could block this passage and the transport of oil cargo to the region. This would set back the economies in the region, including that of the Philippines.

San Miguel’s market power VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ HOW do you compete with a behemoth like San Miguel Corporation? The answer is not easy to come by. Under the tandem of chairman-CEO Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and president-COO Ramon S. Ang, SMC has grown tremendously, beyond belief. For much of that growth Cojuangco credits Ramon, an engineer by training, vice chair since 1999 and president since 2002, for his vision, strategy, and massive diversification the latter uncorked in 2008. The expansion and diversification made SMC No. 1 in petroleum refining and marketing, food processing, packaging, power generation, and private infrastructure (its tollways have 82 percent market share. SMC operates Boracay airport and wants to build a new airport to service Manila). All the businesses are being expanded some more, to cash in on the tremendous growth of the economy and the severe shortages in infrastructure. In the original five Asean countries, according to the World Economic Forum, the Philippines has the worst quality of infra, the worst quality of airports, the worst quality of air transport, the worst railroad, the worst ports, and the lowest quality of electricity supply, the lowest ratio of cellular phone subscriptions, and the lowest fixed line ratio per 100 people. SMC is the kind of company that can help in those shortages. It is the No. 1 logistics company

Accountability From A4 considerable reserve of popular support and goodwill. The Aquino administration rode on the crest of sympathy for Cory who had then just passed away, and it continued to keep the public spell-bound for some time with its populist maneuvers—the prohibition of “wangwangs” and catchy lines like “Walang mahirap kung walang corrupt.” But all this soon lost its luster and people grew tired of an oligarchy that pretended so hard to be “makamasa.”

Doing... From A4 how an otherwise upright and thoroughly assimilated Filipino immigrant family could have committed such an injustice in a country where what they did was not only frowned upon but also carried heavy penalties. Tizon recounted in terrific— and often terrifying—detail how Lola, or Eudocia Tomas Pulido, an unlettered farm worker’s daughter

in the Philippines. It has no less than 18 ports. It has no less than 500,000 retailers. Despite its market power, San Miguel prices its products reasonably, which makes it difficult for newcomers to compete. Today, San Miguel has P1.3trillion assets, P700-billion annual sales, P52 billion in profits in 2016, P436 billion in net worth, and P264 billion in market capitalization or how the stock market values the company. Ramon Ang estimates the company has an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation) of $4 billion—basically the cash the company generates from its operations. This 2017, San Miguel Corp. will record its best year ever, with an unprecedented net income of P60 billion. That will be an increase of 15.4 percent from the previous high of P52 billion posted in 2016, which was a hefty 80 percent jump from P28.99 billion profits in 2015. The stock market has taken notice of San Miguel’s immense profitability and awesome market power. SMC’s share price has risen steadily, from a low of P71 per share in May 2016 to a high of P111 in April 2017, valuing the company at P264 billion. That’s an appreciation of P95 billion or 57 percent in just one year. Analysts estimate San Miguel has an EBITDA of at least $4 billion. “Which company in the Philippines has an EBITDA of $4 billion?” asks Ramon Ang. Just how much money can you make from SMC? In 1992, the SM Group of Henry Sy Sr. invested $2 million in San Miguel. In 1998, after six years, Sy cashed in and collected $200 million, 100x his original investment.

San Miguel revenues have been erratic of late. In 2014, SMC already had revenues of P772.24 billion. But sales declined to P672.24 billion in 2015, a 12.9 percent drop, only to recover to P685.3 billion in 2016. Had crude remained at $100 a barrel (it hit $147 in 2008), SMC would have reached P1-trillion sales long time ago. SMC owns 100 percent of Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refinery and it contributes P343.84 billion to SMC’s total sales and is potentially a huge moneymaker in the future having just completed a $3 billion modernization. Ang says Petron is grossly underpriced in the market. “It is selling at only 8x times EBITDA —[earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation],” he notes. Petron has an EBITDA margin of 11 percent—almost 40 percent higher than the industry average of 8 percent. In assessing how good San Miguel is, it is perhaps better to look at its bottomline. Look at the quality of its management. Look at its gargantuan projects in the pipeline. SMC president Ang, 63, goes to office every day working 15 hours a day. Ang is extremely bullish about SMC and the economy. Among his projects in the planning stage or in the pipeline: 1. A new and larger oil refinery with a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day and manufacturing what he calls aromatics or petrochemicals. San Miguel will become the biggest producer of plastics products in the Philippines. Project cost: $15 billion. 2. A fully integrated steel mill which will produce 20 million tons per year of high grade steel of the series 300 and 400, using

chromite and imported highgrade coal and locally sourced iron ore. Possible location: Quezon. Possible partner: Foreign. “We have to produce high-grade stainless steel because that is what the market demands,” Ang says. “If you are going to produce just ordinary mine steel, you better stay home.” 3. A tidal power plant utilizing the movement of ocean tides to produce electricity using underwater turbines. Initial reports said such a tidal plant will generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity at a cost of $3 million per megawatt or $3.6 billion for San Miguel. Of course, SMC continues to pursue its $10-billion new airport project, in Bulacan. Ang says “I can build an airport anywhere in the Philippines.” Lately, Ramon has been talking of a tidal electricity capacity as high as 20,000 megawatts of electricity at a cost of $60 billion. At that capacity, San Miguel will put many power generation companies out of business because SMC has the scale and efficiency to drive cost down. It is already selling electricity to a number of provinces at an unheard cost of P2.85 per kilowatthour. The usual retail price of electricity: P12/ kwh. The timetable for the oil refinery, steel mill, and tidal power plants—five years. Even SMC’s old businesses remain exceptional performers. Its beer business, founded in 1890, enjoys an EBITDA margin that is the envy of its competitors—46 percent. Beer businesses will less than that margin were recently selling for $20 billion.

President Rodrigo Duterte has followed a similar track. He cornered a very convincing majority of the nation with “mass appeal” and his tough stance against criminals—who can become the collective embodiment of everything that Filipinos fear, especially in themselves! And so the demand for accountability is not heard much, and when it is, those who courageously raise it are soon pelted and pilloried. Some will persist. Most will prefer the more sedate life offered by silence. But if there is anything that the past administrations have made clear, it is that accountability can-

not forever be waylaid, and there is comeuppance. Erap was booted out of office and then convicted. GMA spent plenty of time—unjustly to my mind—in detention, only to be subsequently acquitted. PNoy is fending off, almost with pathetic futility, demands that he hang for PDAF and DAP. Were I president—which I never will be —I would allow the processes of accountability to run their course. No matter that Rody Farinas valiantly stood by President Digong and made short shrift of Alejano’s impeachment complaint on some frankly untenable legal theory, it will do well for the President to ask

why such an attempt at unseating him was even made. And even if Jude Sabio’s letter may go no farther than the drawer of the ICC’s Prosecutor, it will also help to ask what the allegations are and how one may correct either the reality or the perception—for both are equally important. In any case, the futility of demands for accountability is never an argument against accountability. If anything at all, it only highlights its necessity and its indispensability!

in Tarlac, became their unpaid, overworked servant after she was taken in by his grandfather, a troubled military man who eventually killed himself. Lola was brought by Tizon’s parents with them when they immigrated to the US, did all the housework and raised him and his siblings while his parents worked multiple jobs before eventually ending up with Tizon and his own family, receiving regular pay and a much-needed set of dentures. Tizon’s excellent journalistic

prose kept Lola’s unbelievably revolting story from descending into the maudlin. But I could sense that Tizon grappled with powerful demons in order to keep his emotions firmly in check and succeeded only because he brought all of his journalist’s and journalism teacher’s training to bear on what was really a story of unspeakable personal horror. Tizon did attempt to seek redemption in the end, an effort that culminated with his personally delivering the ashes of Lola to her

relatives in their hometown after she died. It is unfortunate that Tizon died when he did, only weeks before the publication of Lola’s story—but perhaps it is better that he is no longer around to face not only the firestorm of criticism in his adopted land but also anger from his outraged countrymen here. If you haven’t read Tizon’s story yet, I strongly advise that you do. He is a great writer and an unforgiving reporter, sparing no one in this final journalistic tour de force—not even himself.

biznewsasia@gmail.com

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

News

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hike palay farm prices, group urges By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz

XPECT the farm gate prices of palay to go up, 1.1-million rice farmers belonging to the National Confederation of Irrigators of the Philippines said on Thursday.

Silvestre Bonto, NCIP president, said that the rise in the farm gate prices of palay is being backed by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., National Food Authority chairperson. “Evasco supports the hike. He knows about it 100 percent,” he told the Manila Standard. A one kilogram of palay is anticipated to go up from P17 to P20 to P21, he said. “The increase to P20 a kilo is acceptable

for dry palay, and not for newly harvest palay,” he said. Dry palay is preferred because its moisture content for milling is only 14 percent, while fresh grains contain 22-percent moisture content. Bonto said that while rice farmers would enjoy higher farm gate prices of rice, the consumer price would be affected. “Just like in Cagayan and Nueva Ecija, a kilo of newly harvest palay is at P22 to

P23,” he said. He called on the Duterte administration, particularly the Department of Agriculture, to provide farmer-irrigators with a P20 to P21 subsidy support system. A militant lawmaker, meanwhile, said the NFA should buy more palay or unhusked rice, from the farmers to beef up its stock, than almost totally relying from those sourced from abroad. Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casi-

lao made the remarks in response to the NFA's claim there is low supply of rice which prompted the agency to import from private suppliers. “NFA is sowing fear about having low supply, by consciously hiding the fact they only intend to stock up imported rice and totally neglecting its supposed mandate of puchasing palay from Filipino farmers, instead of from foreign governments or private entities,” Casilao said.

Sports

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Betten targets 3-peat in triathlon

Manila Cockers Club elect execs, vow to ensure top-quality fights

SAM Betten braces for what could be his toughest test in the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series, facing an elite field out to foil his three-peat bid in the Regent 5150 Triathlon on June 4 in Subic Bay. The 6-4 Aussie is raring to restamp his class anew but remains wary of a compact cast of rivals, led by fellow Aussies and veterans Ben Allen, the 2016 Australian ITU Cross Triathlon champion and a former XTERRA As-Pac titlist, Mitch Robins and Dan Brown. American Iain Alexandridis, a consistent top 10 Ironman 70.3 finisher, is joining the title hunt in the 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run event put up by the country’s leading snack manufacturing company. But Betten’s impressive 2:06.55 clocking last year should fire up the third placer in last year’s Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship all the more as he tries to become the first triathlete to score a three-peat in the annual event organized and conducted by Sunrise Events, Inc. The chase for the women’s tiara is also expected to be fierce with veteran campaigner and be-medalled triathlete Dimity-Lee Duke, also of Australia, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, and Kerry Mulholland and Annelies Jeffries, also both from Down Under, slugging it out for the crown won by absentee Amelia Watkinson of New Zealand last year. To spice up the event, SEI is again putting up a short distance race series, featuring a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run, that proved to be a big hit last year. Dubbed the Sunrise Sprint, the event is designed for beginners wanting to immerse themselves into triathlon racing, a tri warrior who has been off the circuit and out to make a comeback or simply a triathlon enthusiast.

HE Breeders Association of the Manila Cockers Club, the newest player and game changer in the Philippine cockﬁghting industry, held its initial membership meeting and elected its Board of Directors and ofﬁcers at the banquet rooms of the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Jose “Peping” Ricafort was elected Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors, with the six elected officers of the committee being Rep. Amado Bagatsing as Chairman; Don Mauro Prieto as Vice Chairman; Boy Marzo, as President; Rep. Lawrence Wacnang as Vice

President; Atty. Lucien Sayuno as Treasurer; and Ding Magboo as Secretary. The committees and their elected chairpersons are: Membership Committee, Rene “Boy Diaz; Rules Committee, Rep. Wacnang; Finance Committee, Rep. Amado

Bagatsing and Atty. Sayuno; and Derby Committee, Hanson “Honey” Yu, Magboo, and Engr. Ireneo “Rene” Moralita. Other members of the Board of Directors are Barry Baricar, Jun Benedicto, Pete Benedicto, Jun Sevilla, Danny Coronel, Ting Coscolluella, Carlos Tumpalan, Antonio “Tony” Espinosa, Jebe Gayanelo, Jimmy Zapata, Monet Lao, Arnie Teves, Antonio “Nino” Mabanta and Hector Magpantay. With the formation of the Breeders Association, Manila Cockers Club is expected to solidify its position as the premier cockfighting club in the country. Apart from the strict implementation of standard cockfighting rules,

new procedures will be created to ensure that the quality of fights will never be compromised in any situation. The Board is also expected to implement new strategies in expanding club operations and membership to include not only breeders in Luzon, but also in Visayas and Mindanao. The breeders association shall work closely with the MCC management to ensure that its derbies and events are of the highest caliber, its integrity without question, all for the benefit of the cockfighting and breeding industry. New plans are also in place to maximize the use of mobile and offsite technology for cockfighting, ensuring that aficionados from all over the Philippines and the world

Football for Better Life gets Gold Quill award

Football for a Better Life clinic and tournament for Gawad Kalinga held at the PhilSports Football Field in Pasig for the Metro Manila leg of the program.

Salahog storms ahead as rain halts play in ICTSI golf CARMONA, Cavite—Obscure Nilo Salahog took charge as the erstwhile frontrunners slowed down in rainy condition, rattling off eight birdies against two bogeys for a 66 and a onestroke clubhouse lead over Orlan Sumcad midway through the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at the Legends course here. Though he only aimed at making the cut at the most in this $60,000 event, Salahog hardly expressed surprise when he found himself on top of the heap with a stirring 14-under 130 total, easily the best 36-hole output in a winless five-year pro career. “Foremost in mind is to really

remain part of the game wherever they are. The MCC is a subsidiary of the Manila Jockey Club, Inc., established to organize, manage and promote a world-class cockfighting facility in Carmona, Cavite under Municipal Ordinance No. 017-2014. It is the operator of the Cockers Arena, an exclusive studio cockpit at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite. Manila Cockers Club matches are broadcast live via GameTime TV (Cignal ch109) and online via Livestream (livestream.com/accounts/19731881) To learn more about MCC, visit www.manilacockers.com or call Dana Cruzado at +632 6961120.

make the cut,” said Salahog, who tied for 36th in last week’s ICTSI Orchard Championship. “But I’m playing great golf over 36 holes. It was fun golf with those scores.” He, however, stressed that he does take this tournament seriously, only he’s so delighted sinking birdie putts from close or long range. “I’m constantly working on my short game, especially putting. Now, I am earning the fruits of my labor,” said Salahog, who bucked tough pin placements at the front that saw him birdie Nos. 1, 3 and 6 to negate a missed green bogey on the fourth then capped his 33 start

with a chip-in birdie from 10 yards to grab the clubhouse lead. For the second straight day, play was suspended for two hours due to lightning but Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia, who rallied late Wednesday to match Tony Lascuña’s course recordequaling 62, groped for form on the greens early, finishing with a two-under 70 and dropping to joint third at 132, two shots behind the new leader. That also enabled Orlan Sumcad to wrest second spot at 131 after the power-hitting but also winless pro sizzled with seven birdies in the last 14 holes to fire a 65 and move within one heading to the last 36 holes of

the fifth leg of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But with only a handful of the half of the 110-player starting field still out on the fairway at presstime within reach of the clubhouse leader, led by American Lexus Keoninh and Lascuña, Salahog could keep his spot on top at the end of another long day. Keoninh is at 12-under overall with a three-under card after nine holes while Lascuña is at 10-under with an even par card after six holes in the event backed by ICTSI, BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit

Mineral Water and PLDT. Meanwhile, Paul Harris, also of the US, followed up his 66 with a 67 to stay three shots off Salahog at 133 while Filipino Charles Hong shot a 69 for a 137 and unheralded Nelson Huerva fought back with a 68 for a 138. The rest stood too far behind with South African Mathiam Keyser and Englishman Jake Shepherd pooling 139 after a 68 and 70, respectively, Dino Villanueva assembling a 140 after a second 70, American James Bowen at 141 after a 71 in a tie with Japanese Yuta Sudo, who rebounded with a 68, and Korean amateur Kim Joo Young at 142 after another 71.

Hidalgo, Alcala capture 2 HEAD net titles

Angelica Alcala in action at the HEAD Jr. tennis Vigan leg tournament

TOP seed Jude Miguel Hidalgo and Angelica Alcala ruled the eighth leg of 19th HEAD Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit by capturing two crowns recently at the Vigan Tennis Club in Ilocos Sur. Hidalgo, the No. 1 player in the 14- and 16-under boys’ singles class, beat Don Silvan Miguel, 6-2, 7-5, in the 14-under finale to claim the title and then defeated Karl Philip Miguel, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4, for the 16-under boys’ class trophy. Alcala, for her part, outclassed Allana Mae Manglibo, 6-1, 6-1, to bag the 18-under girls’ singles crown. She also beat Heart Fernandez, 6-1, 6-0, in the championship round of 16-under girls’ singles’

category for the title. The tournament is supported by Chris Sports, the nationwide sports retail chain, Toalson strings, UBE Express, the Premium Airport Bus Service, media partners People’s Television, Aksyon Sports, Business Mirror, Philippine Locale, Cook, Health and Fitness, Pilipino Mirror and Philippines Graphics. No. 1 seed Kidlat Estogero blasted Zandre Mina, 4-1, 4-1, for the 10-and-under unisex crown, while Ava Daniel Mandac derailed Kyle Angelo Lorenzo, 6-1, 6-3, for the 12-and-under boys’ trophy, and Angeline Alcala bashed Ma. Juroelene Lucas, 6-4, 6-3, for the 12-andunder girls’ title.

Karl Philip Miguel rallied past Zire Mina, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3, to clinch the 18-and-under boys’ crown and Ma. Juroelene Lucas outplayed Angelyn Atos, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, for the 14-and-under girls’ diadem of the annual junior tennis satellite circuit attended by more than 100 players from Northern Luzon. The doubles’ champions were Bezalel Kates Ayunon and Patricia Vanessa Artienda (14-and-under girls); sisters Angeline Alcala and Angelica Alcala (18-and-under girls); Jude Miguel Hidalgo and Mateo Rivas (14-and-under boys); and Karl Philip Miguel and Don Silvan Miguel (18-and-under boys).

FOOTBALL for a Better Life, a nationwide grassroots football program conducted by members of the Azkals Philippine Men’s National Football Team, won a 2017 Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators. FFABL is among three Merit Awardees in the Corporate Social Responsibility Category. The other two were projects from Russia and Canada. According to the IABC website, gc.iabc.com, “The Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication excellence globally, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. Entries are evaluated against IABC’s standard of excellence.” Furthermore, the website noted that based on feedback from IABC’s evaluators, the standard of work in the 2017 awards was “some of the best seen in recent years.” The 2017 Gold Quill Award is the latest recognition to be given to FFABL, after bagging a citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association and winning an Anvil Gold at the annual Anvil Awards given by Filipino public relations practitioners. In all three award-giving bodies, FFABL was hailed for championing youth development and providing a pathway for underprivileged children through football. Launched in 2015, FFABL conducts free football clinics and tournaments to boys and girls ages six years old and above. Former and current members of the Azkals, such as Chieffy Caligdong, Misagh Bahadoran, Phil Younghusband, James Younghusband, Simone Rota and Amani Aguinaldo, have all become FFABL facilitators. The program has reached more than 20,000 kids in 20 towns/cities in the Philippines, including Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, Tagum in Davao del Norte, and Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur where football is a developing sport. FFABL partners with local governments, local football associations, schools, and other stakeholders to promote the sport, enhance players’ skills, and identify talent. At his speech at the opening of the Philippines Football League, economist and football enthusiast, Bernardo Villegas, PhD., cited FFABL as a “traveling grassroots football development program” and example of an endeavor between private companies and local governments.

Askren predicts easy night vs Thani in Dynasty of Heroes LOTTO RESULTS AMERICAN mixed martial arts superstar Ben “Funky” Askren is set to make his much-awaited return to the ONE Championship cage on May 26 as he stakes his undefeated record and the coveted ONE Welterweight World Championship title against fellow unbeaten fighter Agilan “The Alligator” Thani of Malaysia. Both men are scheduled to collide in the co-headliner of ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES, which takes place at the 12,000-seater

Singapore Indoor Stadium. When the champion known as “Funky” enters the sold-out showground for the scheduled five-round championship clash with Thani, it will have been over a year since he last made the walk to the cage. However, his Malaysian opponent has competed three times since then and still has the enthusiasm and drive to seek improvements in his game every day at the tender age of 21. Thani’s rise in MMA after just a

few years in the sport has been spectacular, but Askren believes there is nothing his foe can do that will prepare him for what is about to come. “It does not matter what my opponent’s strengths and weaknesses are, because at the end of the day, I have got the trump card. He cannot stop my wrestling, which he cannot, then he is going to be on his back, and he is going to get beaten up,” he said. Askren’s claim is not erroneous as he is highly regarded for his outstanding wrestling background

that earned him two NCAA Division I national championship trophies and the privilege to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition, Askren is universally recognized as one of the best welterweight in mixed martial arts (MMA) today and one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old grappling expert from Milwaukee, Wisconsin holds an unblemished professional MMA record of 15-0 with four

knockout victories and four submission wins. “Usually, it is just not enough, and by usually, I mean it always is never enough,” Askren quipped. Although Askren acknowledges Thani’s inspirational story of coming from Malaysia’s lower level development scene all the way to a ONE Championship title contest, he is confident of keeping the gold-plated strap around his waist and his unscathed win-loss MMA slate intact.

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

Sports

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

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

Seaba just first step By Peter Atencio

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during Game One of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 17 in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

LeBron, Cavaliers cruise past Celtics, 117-104

ASHINGTON—LeBron James delivered 38 points and Kevin Love had a career playoff high 32 as the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers opened their Eastern Conference ﬁnal series with a blowout win on Wednesday. The Cavaliers were coming off a 10-day break but showed no signs of rust by going wire-to-wire to easily beat the Boston Celtics 117-104 at the Boston Garden arena. “Starting the game, LeBron really controlled the tempo, really set the tone early,” Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said. “He’s playing at a

high level right now, and that’s the reason we’re riding him so much.” Game two is Friday at the Garden before the series shifts to Cleveland for games three and four. “Amazing, but he’s better than when I first got into the league,” said Celtics fourth-year coach Brad Stevens of James.

as we’re capable of shooting it. “I think the energy and the effort and mindset was where it needed to be starting on the road, especially in the Eastern Conference Finals.” Love also grabbed 12 rebounds. Tristan Thompson had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Kyrie Irving tallied 11 points and six assists. “Tonight was another one of those games where I made a couple plays to help us get a win, but it was definitely our two bigs (Love and Thompson who) set the tone,” James said. “They were phenomenal.” Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder led the Celtics with 21 points apiece. The Cavaliers managed to keep

The Cavaliers dominated from the opening tipoff. They compiled a 26-point lead in the first half and expanding it to 28 in the third quarter before the Celtics cut it down to 17 at the end of the quarter. James, who is seeking to reach his seventh straight NBA finals, scored 15 in the fourth quarter en route to his seventh straight 30-point game. He also had nine rebounds and seven assists. James said as well as the Cavaliers played, they can do even better. “I don’t even think we played that great tonight,” James said. “We definitely didn’t shoot the ball as well

Lee wants to extend win streak

De Guzman thankful for place in PH team FOR John Vic de Guzman, playing for the national men’s volleyball team is a blessing and privilege. Many good things have happened to him because of this. For one, De Guzman earned a break in the movies because of this. Second, the College of St. Benilde Blazers won their first NCAA men’s volleyball crown with him around for the last time. “This is a once in a lifetime experience na madadala ko hanggang sa pagtanda ko. Magiging history ito sa buhay ko,” said De Guzman after Monday’s benefit game ‘Clash of Heroes’ at the Arena in San Juan He believe that he still a lot of opportunities to play for other clubs and companies. But De Guzman chose to set them aside for now because of his priorities. “Puede pa naman ako maglaro sa ibang team or company, Marami pa namang seasons,” said De Guzman. Because of this attitude, national coach Sammy Acaylar has decided to give him a slot to the national squad as early as April. Because they did not show up, Acaylar said the coaching staff has closed the door on star players like Marck Espejo, Ish Polvorosa and other members of the national pool. Also considered out are Cignal players Peter Torres, Mark Alfafara, Bonjomar Castel, Herschel Ramos, Erikson Ramos, Lorenzo Capate Jr. and Anjo Pertierra. “Tapos na ‘yung patience ko sa kanila. During our practice, sometimes hindi sila nag-e-ensayo, I understand dahil marami silang liga (like the UAAP), inintindi ko lahat ‘yun,” said Acaylar. Acaylar is now considering the likes of Ranran Abdilla, Dave Cabaron, Greg Dolor, Esmail Kasim, Relan Taneo, Jason Uy, Manuel Doliente, Mark Deximo, Jack Kalingking, Reyson Fuentes and Kheeno Franco.

Isaiah Thomas in check as he finished with just 17 points and 10 assists. He was just seven of 19 from the floor, two of seven from beyond the arc. The win was the Cavaliers’ 12th in a row in the playoffs (one shy of matching the NBA record, set by the 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers), dating back to last year’s finals. Boston had their five-game home playoff winning streak snapped. Some third-quarter unpleasantness erupted between Thompson and Boston’s Marcus Smart. The pair was whistled for double fouls on one occasion and came together on other occasions. AFP

ONCE Team Philippines sweeps its games in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association championship they will not only earn the crown, they will also qualify for the FIBA Asia Championships in Beirut. Home and away games in that qualifying competition will begin in November for Gilas Pilipinas. “This is first step for the next tournaments that come after,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio of the 2017 Southeast Asia Basketball Association competition. The task is almost complete for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team. Another win will hand Team Philippines the 2017 championship. This is just the start of the long road to the qualification round of the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup and the 2020 Rio Olympics. “But, first we have to complete the task at hand. We have to win here first,” said Panlilio after he watched Gilas Pilipinas beat Thailand, 108-53, Tuesday evening at the Araneta Coliseum. Panlilio was with businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan when Gilas used its height and speed advantage to stop the prolific Chitchai Ananti. They watched as Gilas Pilipinas picked up their fourth straight victory with the win over Thailand to move closer to the Seaba crown. Defense was focused on Ananti, who was held scoreless in the 15 minutes of action. Japeth Aguilar topscored for 23 points while Calvin Abueva had 15 points in a big effort that put the Team Pilipinas into a share of the lead with Indonesia. Indonesia and the Philippines are fighting for the lone qualification slot to the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. In the third quarter, Gilas leaned on an 8-0 run to post an 80-41 edge off a triple from Troy Rosario in the remaining 58 seconds.

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee raises her hand in triumph after another victory inside the cage. ONE Championship

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee squares off with Brazil’s Istela Nunes in the main event of ONE: Dynasty of Heroes at the 12,000-capacity Singapore Indoor Stadium on May 26. Considered as the face of women’s mixed martial arts in Asia, Lee is one of ONE Championship’s most outstanding athletes regardless of gender or weight class. The 20-year-old MMA sensation made history in May 2016 by capturing the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship belt with an awe-inspiring victory over Mei Yamaguchi. Lee’s beautiful combination of elite striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success as she has remained unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage. In her last trip to the cage, Lee dominated top contender Jenny Huang of Chinese Taipei with a masterful display of striking to successfully defend her gold-plated strap.

There is no denying Lee’s dominance and fast rise to popularity in the constantly-evolving sport of MMA and as one of ONE Championship’s biggest draws. Despite her young age and the ever-increasing pressures around her, Lee is still loving life of being the champion, admitting that she looks forward to her next world title defense. “I’m very excited to be jumping back into the cage and defending my title for the second time. My last training camp for my first title defense was great. This one is going to be even better. It’s always a treat for me fighting in Singapore as I have great support from all my family and friends,” she said. However, Nunes is an opponent who should not be underestimated as she is a two-time Muay Thai world champion with an unblemished 6-0 professional win-loss record. Nunes’ exciting style and knack for delivering powerful strikes makes for exciting fights and is one of the biggest components of her game.

The 24-year-old Brazilian striker took on top-rated female atomweight Mei Yamaguchi in her last outing, winning a closely-contested split decision. At her best, Nunes is a wellrounded combatant with a solid striking and grappling skill set that gave her two career wins by finish. “Our styles are very explosive and it will be exciting for the fans to see. I think that Istela is a good opponent for me,” Lee said. While Lee is not underestimating the challenge ahead of her at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES, she feels that when it’s all said and done, she will have her hand raised in triumph at the end of the fight. Lee believes that she has what it takes to tame a ferocious striker like Nunes when they collide. “She’s a good striker, but I know that I’m much more wellrounded. I feel like I can take this fight wherever I want it. Whether it’s on the feet or on the ground, I’m extremely confident in all areas,” she said.

Ginebra, SMB return to action By Jeric Lopez THE league’s top two teams plunge back to action in their bid to separate themselves from the pack as the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup resumes following a one week break. Co-leaders San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra face separate foes as they try to remain at the top. After tasting their first defeat in their last game, the Beermen (5-1) are looking to bounce back. They are heavily favored against still winless NLEX (0-8) in their 4:15 p.m. tussle at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Right after, the Gin Kings (5-1), currently the league’s hot-

test team, shoot for their sixth straight win when they get tested by inconsistent Rain or Shine (44) at 7 p.m. in an explosive main event. San Miguel Beer, carrying its momentum from its Philippine Cup title win, started out like a house on fire and won its first five games. However, it stumbled the last time out, bowing to TNT KaTropa, 112-105, two weeks ago. Now, the Beermen are looking to vent their ire on the dismal Road Warriors, who have not won a game with only three assignments left. NLEX though will head the game with a retooled line-up as it will now be reinforced by savvy veterans Larry Fonacier and

JR Quinahan. Former gunners Garvo Lanete, Sean Anthony and Bradwyn Guinto are now gone following a comprehensive trade two weeks ago. After losing its conference opener, Ginebra, behind its steady and prolific import Justin Brownlee, is playing really well. Its last victim was Alaska with Ginebra escaping with a 103-102 win. On the other hand, the Elasto Painters just can’t seem to find consistency as they split their eight games thus far. Victories for San Miguel and Ginebra will put them a step closer to securing a berth in the quarterfinals and will also put them at a better position to finish in the top two.

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee drives strong to the hoop against a pair of TNT defenders. Brownlee will try to lead Ginebra to a sixth consecutive when they battle Rain or Shine at 7 p.m. in an explosive main event.

Investors swarm IPOs of Eagle, Cebu B2 builder Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, May 18, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

49.7420

Japan

Yen

0.009025

0.4489

Pound

1.297600

64.5452

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128447

6.3892

Switzerland

Franc

1.021659

50.8194

Canada

Dollar

0.735240

36.5723

Singapore

Dollar

0.719528

35.7908

Australia

Dollar

0.743100

36.9633

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

131.9416

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

13.2649

Brunei

Dollar

0.716949

35.6625

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028969

1.4410

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.5441

Euro

1.116000

55.5121

Korea

Won

0.000891

0.0443

China

Yuan

0.145250

7.2250

India

Rupee

0.015596

0.7758

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.231428

11.5117

New Zealand

Dollar

0.694000

34.5209

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033202

1.6515 Source: PDS Bridge

Business

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

HE National Food Authority Council on Thursday ordered NFA administrator Jason Aquino to sign the remaining import permits under the Minimum Access Volume and to “refrain from being biased on his favored importers.” Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco said the council also directed Aquino to sign the remaining import permits covering 54, 000 metric tons of rice under the 2016 MAV scheme that has been stuck in various ports.

The council told Aquino to publish immediately the resolution extending the importation until June 30 for the remaining 20,000 MT, so as not to cause further delay in augmenting the county’s rice stocks.

Evasco said a document obtained from the Bureau of Customs showed that Aquino deﬁed the council’s order and signed only 14 import permits covering 17,270 MT. The June 30 extension of MAV was also not published by the NFA chief. He said BoC document showed that Aquino only signed import permits with port of destination outside Manila such as Cebu Port, Davao Port, Cagayan de Oro Port and Poro Point La Union. “ It was also noticeable in Administrator Aquino’s letter to Customs Commissioner Faeldon that some of the importations be-

SM PRIME Holdings Inc., the country’s leading integrated property developer, is now in an ‘exploratory stage’ in terms of expanding to other Southeast Asian countries. SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s P20-billion bond listing at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. the company started sending people to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to conduct studies. It also hired consultants who were expected to submit their assessments before the end of the year. “We are now in the exploratory stage and we have sent people and got consultants for us to be able to evaluate,” Lim said. “I don’t think we will go to all [Asean countries]. We are going to two to three countries just to study and then we decide. Hopefully before the end to year we get the consultants to help us assess,” Lim said. Lim said the Asean expansion would involve both residential and mall developments. SM Prime currently has seven malls in China. It will also start pre-selling condominium projects in Chengdu, China. Jenniffer B. Austria

more time to June 30, 2017, he said. Evasco said the NFA administrator had yet to sign permits for the remaining 56,730 MT on top of the 54,000 MT that had already arrived and 20,000 MT covering the extension until June 30. The volume was equivalent to 1,134,600 sacks of rice or roughly two days of the country’s daily consumption requirement. “ These issues should be addressed immediately by issuing a ﬁnal order to all concerned agencies: NFA, LandBank and BOC to act accordingly,” said Evasco.

Davao ﬁrm gets $220-m China loan

ABOITIZ Power Corp. subsidiary AP Renewables Inc. will supply power to Nestle Philippines Inc. from its geothermal plants in Batangas province, allowing the multinational firm to use renewable energy. Nestle Philippines’ manufacturing facility in Lipa, Batangas switched to Cleanergy from the 458-megawatt MakBan Geothermal Power Plant of AP Renewables. Nestle Philippines technical director Peter Winter said the partnership between the two firms “is a testament to the shared commitment of both companies to continually look for better and sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment in a more sustainable manner.” Antonio Moraza, Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer, said that Aboitiz Power’s balanced mix portfolio guaranteed that consumers would have reliable, ample, and reasonably priced power for their needs. “With the portfolio that we have and our commitment to sustained growth, we believe that Nestle and all our other customers can be served well,” Moraza said. Alena Mae S. Flores

SM Prime readies Asean expansion

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

latedly granted with permits have arrived between February 21 to 26 or ahead of the original deadline. To note that the the date of letter was only May 15, despite the directive of payment of the 24 pending IP’s last May 5, 2017,” said Evasco. “ So much delay has been done that the rice stocks that arrived as early as February are already at high risk of deterioration; since milled rice is only good to last for six months,” said Evasco. The original deadline of MAV importation on Feb. 28, was later extended by the NFA Council to March 31, and extended one

Nestle switches to clean energy

ASIANA Airlines said it is offering round-trip flights to the US by as much as 77 percent off for a limited time only. The airline company said passengers could simply use BPI credit card to purchase ticket to take advantage of the seat sale. In the US, flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu are priced at only $570. From Manila to New York and Chicago, ticket prices cost only $670. Asiana Airlines said it was also extending the BPI special discount offer to round-trip tickets to Seoul and Busan, as well as to key European capitals like London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt and Istanbul. From Manila, Cebu and Clark to Seoul or Busan, a round-trip ticket is only $290. For European destinations, tickets are only $610. The promo is good until May 28, 2017. Asiana Airlines is a leading global airline based in Seoul, South Korea. The airline focuses on both business and leisure markets and drives efficiency and effectiveness while providing a first-class experience for all customers on board.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

NFA chief told to buy more rice

IN BRIEF

Asiana offers US ﬂights for only $570

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BIGGEST FOOD SHOW. The International Food Exhibition Philippines, Asia’s ethnic food and ingredient show, welcomes every food buyer and enthusiast as it opens for its 11th edition on May 19 until May 21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. Trade and Industry-Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions executive director Clayton Tugonon gives a thumbs-up on ground and roasted coffee Atokape – 100 percent Benguet Arabica Coffee, one of the export products featured in IFEX Philippines, the country’s biggest export-oriented food show.

Shell, PNOC in talks over gas terminal By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Shell Companies in the Philippines conﬁrmed talks with state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. for a possible partnership over a liqueﬁed natural gas terminal in Batangas province. “We are very open to partnerships with various groups including PNOC,” Shell country manager Cesar Romero said. “On LNG, we remain very [interested]… That’s one area we really want to successfully bring into the country. But, it’s a bit tricky because we have to form partnerships,” he said. Romero said there was an “exploratory conversation” with PNOC, which was spearheading the government’s LNG program. PNOC hopes to complete the

country’s ﬁrst LNG terminal by 2021 or 2022. “But the key is to be able to understand how economics would work because it is a huge investment. An LNG facility is $600 million to $1 billion. That’s why you need partners to be able to balance it off. Secondly, the economics must be carefully understood in terms of how the investment will be,” Romero said. PNOC president Ruben Lista earlier said Shell expressed interest in the government’s LNG project but the latter had yet to make a formal offer. “They could be a good partner because they are already our partner in Malampaya,” Lista said. Shell Philippines Exploration B.V operates the Malampaya gas project in

northwest Palawan with a 45-percent interest. PNOC subsidiary PNOC Exploration Corp. holds a 10-percent stake while Chevron owns the remaining 45 percent of the consortium running service contract 38. PNOC wanted to put up an LNG integrated facility and 200-megawatt power plant in Batangas. Shell ofﬁcials asked government to come out with an LNG policy to guide them on their ﬁnal investment decisin. “We don’t want to compete with anybody just initiating the project. We don’t even have to be majority. Somebody has to have the storage facility for LNG. And we are putting up the plant for Peza [economic zones] and for the poorest of the poor,” Lista said.

Businessmen push for Clark-Naia rail system By Othel V. Campos A BUSINESS group is pushing for a fast rail system connecting Clark International Airport in Pampanga province and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. The Management Association of the Philippines said it was fully supporting the plan of the Transportation Department to optimize, through upgrades, the existing Naia, while redeveloping Clark International Airport as a part of a holistic approach to the development of an aviation system for the Greater Manila Area and Luzon. “We back the decision of Transportation Department to maintain and upgrade Naia, a valuable state asset. Upgrading the existing Naia facilities now will provide early and welcome relief to the present problem of severe passenger and aircraft trafﬁc congestion at a time well within the term of the current administration. Pending completion of the upgrades, one quick way of mitigating the congestion in Naia is to make Clark attractive as an alternate departure and arrival airport through appropriate inducements,” the

group said in a statement. MAP said the proposed fast train between Tutuban and Clark would be he second important component of the proposed aviation system, next to the two air gateways. A fast train link between the two airports, passing through the metropolis at a travel time of one hour maximum, will enable Clark to augment Naia’s operations while it, at the same time, serves the needs of air travelers to and from Central and Northern Luzon. “For better connectivity and convenience of the traveling public, we suggest that the proposed fast train to Clark be extended to Naia, instead of terminating at Tutuban, Manila,” MAP said. The group also pushed for the development of in-city check-in stations that should be easily accessible and strategically located adjacent to the fast train and near either the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway or Edsa. One such facility could be located at the MPIC-proposed fast train terminal at the junction of Gil Puyat (Buendia) Ave. and PNR line in Makati, it said. The MRT 3 common station at the

intersection of Edsa and North Ave. in Quezon City would be a good site for the second station, if such would be served by or linked to the fast train, according to MAP. MAP said pending the train service, there should be a ransport connection from these check-in stations to Naia and to Clark via point-to-point airport limousine service using modern tourist-type buses that can quickly negotiate the distance. “We believe that, together with the other components of the envisioned aviation system, optimization will extend the usefulness of Naia for another eight to ten years. However, we strongly recommend that the government look beyond that time frame and plan for the long term sustainable future of Naia,” the group said. “Studies have been made to increase the airside capacity of Naia with the construction of a new parallel runway. Others involve complementing or replacing Naia with a new airport. It would be ideal that before the end of the current administration in 2022, a deﬁnite path be plotted for the future of Naia,” MAP said.

CHELSEA Logistics Corp., a company owned by Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy, obtained a $220-million bridge loan from Bank of China Ltd. Bank of China country head Deng Jun said during the loan signing ceremony that the $220-million credit loan facility extended to CLC was a part of the initial $3-billion financing package the bank committed during the state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to China in October last year. “We look forward to investing more in the development of infrastructure and other strategically important industries in the Philippines to further unlock the potential of the economy,” Deng said. “Efficient shipping and logistics are a key component to creating a globally competitive economy. We believe that synergies between Udenna and 2GO will bring together a stronger and more efficient shipping and logistics industry for the country,” Deng said. CLC, the logistics arm of the Udenna Group, will use the proceeds from the bridge loan for the acquisition of a 32-percent stake in integrated transport solutions provider 2Go Group Inc. through an affiliate. CLC founder and chairman Dennis Uy said the company aimed to become a super shipping and logistics company that provides all kinds of shipping and services all islands in the country. Uy said CLC was also open to acquiring additional stake in 2Go. CLC, which plans an P8-billion initial public offering next month, also intends to expand organically and through other acquisitions to become the prime mover of goods and passengers in the Philippines. CLC said the loan agreement was a vote of confidence, by one of the world’s biggest financial institutions, on the soundness of its acquisition into 2Go and the strategic importance of shipping to the economic growth of an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands.

Business

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; Bloomberry up Investors swarm IPOs S of Eagle, Cebu builder TOCKS retreated Thursday, after the government announced a lower-thanexpected ﬁrst-quarter economic growth and regional markets sank over political controversies surrounding US President Donald Trump.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 68 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,757.69, as all six major sectors declined. The heavier index, representing all shares, also dropped 26 points, or 0.6 percent, to settle at 4,626.42, on a value turnover of P7.5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 124 to 74, while 51 issues were unchanged. Only ﬁve of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Robinsons Retail Hold-

ings Inc. which rose 1.9 percent to P83.65 and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which gained 1.6 percent to P9.75. Meanwhile, most Asian equities sank Thursday while the dollar held losses on fears the intensifying crisis surrounding Donald Trump could lead to his impeachment and shatter any chances of his economy-boosting agenda being implemented. Investors tracked the heaviest losses in New York since Trump was elected, following claims

by recently ﬁred FBI boss James Comey that the president pressed him to drop a probe into ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn’s links to Moscow. That came a day after it was reported Trump had divulged classiﬁed information to Russia’s foreign minister, fanning further allegations about his own tied to the country’s leaders. While the tycoon says he will be exonerated by a newly appointed special prosecutor who will look into the claims, analysts said the uncertainty is rocking markets globally. There is a growing fear that Trump’s plans for tax cuts, big spending and red-tape slashing— which had fueled a global equities and dollar rally his November election win—will be thrown off course. “It’s all about President Trump

this morning,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note. “Impeaching Donald Trump was a pipe dream for the Democrats but extremely unlikely to most other observers until a few days ago,” he added. “As it drags on, it hurts sentiment and recently often threatens the administration’s agenda—especially around tax and infrastructure.” Tokyo plunged 1.3 percent, while Hong Kong shed 0.5 percent in the afternoon, Sydney shed 0.8 percent, Seoul was 0.3 percent off and Singapore also gave up 0.3 percent. Shanghai lost 0.5 percent, Wellington 0.7 percent and Taipei 0.4 percent. In early European trade, London dropped 0.3 percent and Paris was ﬂat while Frankfurt gave up 0.1 percent. With Bloomberg, AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria INVESTORS expressed strong interest in the initial public offerings of Eagle Cement Corp. and developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. which are expected to exercise their over allotment options, underwriters handling the transactions said Thursday. SB Capital Investments Corp. president Noel Dayrit said Eagle Cement’s P8.6-billion maiden offering which kicked off Tuesday was well received by institutional and retail investors. “The investors’ warm response is a strong indication of conﬁdence

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.72 149,000 49.25 11,400 106 1,236,190 4.02 39,000 120.8 2,119,050 1.28 35,000 35 480,800 16.22 225,700 22.4 3,336,400 780 50 0.69 9,863,000 88.5 1,944,770 0.72 100,000 15.4 150,100 66.5 103,260 243 200 111 220 89 50 55 1,647,680 216.4 577,300 1,629 90 85 58,970 1.2 161,000

550,420 560,655 130,571,222 155,480 255,845,659 45,050 16,800,505 3,667,364 74,754,820 39,200 6,872,490 171,956,259 72,000 2,321,550 6,855,829 48,012 24,250 4,450 89,804,862.50 124,743,362 146,655 5,003,285 192,340

-10,990 472,275 -9,551,003 -133,798,237 2,912,955 -2,873,928 -41,881,475 210,000.00 54,931,271 -480,480 -988,844 24,250 4,450 -76,862,694 -9,123,784 -105,950 -447,357 -

39.75 5.51 0.81 1.54 21.65 0.275 117.6 7.13 16.84 189 22.8 14.4 73.9 82 1.91 5.71 11.6 12.66 9.8 6.7 5.95 1.69 19.88 70 13.2 14 9.39 1.48 198.1 71.9 4.4 25.95 30.75 17.48 18.8 275 0.243 6.09 3.38 10.16 11.48 2.1 10.44 1.9 67.25 5.8 296.4 4.78 3 12.94 0.146 1.36 158.1 4.11 1.58 31.5 1.05

INDUSTRIAL 40 3,647,800 5.8 3,926,700 0.83 846,000 1.55 2,922,000 21.65 8,200 0.275 19,980,000 117.7 340 7.15 3,284,500 17.3 1,457,100 190.8 360 23.4 79,400 14.56 2,300 74 2,380 82 900 1.91 172,000 5.71 53,000 11.9 125,800 12.8 2,987,500 9.98 2,548,200 6.77 1,055,800 5.99 7,213,400 1.69 2,000 19.94 2,413,900 70.15 48,620 13.3 172,200 14.02 1,010,000 10 7,867,700 1.54 711,000 200 1,615,170 71.9 80 4.59 1,640,000 25.95 800 31 582,100 18.44 3,638,000 18.86 936,600 275 200,970 0.243 1,620,000 6.1 5,200 3.38 107,000 10.4 12,520,700 11.48 9,500 2.11 2,552,000 11.18 2,505,900 1.93 2,778,000 67.95 1,782,910 6 175,000 299.8 4,790 4.78 10,707,000 3.2 118,000 12.96 1,611,700 0.146 1,470,000 1.37 363,000 158.9 2,839,220 4.11 27,000 1.59 1,407,000 31.5 100 1.12 606,000

145,624,945 22,550,416 701,080 4,569,770 181,400 5,576,250 40,257 23,564,680 24,881,338 68,446 1,834,910 33,290 176,081.50 73,800 330,440 302,680 1,480,230 38,065,650 25,398,189 7,149,294 43,168,501 3,380 48,201,857 3,419,103 2,290,080 14,297,632 76,114,793 1,073,590 324,182,222 5,752 7,550,320 20,760 18,033,475 66,380,694 17,645,020 55,598,838 395,370 31,718 361,840 130,006,788 109,060 5,379,350 26,958,002 5,369,740 122,048,300 1,032,134 1,431,526 51,249,180 370,500 20,931,810 214,890 497,710 451,063,955 111,190 2,240,160 3,150 658,530

-18,030,880 466,327 6,720 -58,680 -13,900 2,701,156 8,553,748 22,850 64,341.50 -640,320 -258,338 -5,635,276 -1,165,500 5,565,010 -30,195,294 -1,349,649.50 13,340 -11,028,032 25,487,691 7,700 -124,478,471 119,290.00 3,150,705 -14,054,506 1,313,948 7,743,206 4,860 98,000 5,948,722 4,441,260 3,062,348 891,630 -79,517,075 -38,696 -655,600 15,432,000 4,593,616 1,460 -74,297,466 -219,150 -

0.37 76.1 15 1.18 6.27 0.345 0.345 868.5 1,002 8.19 13.32 7.89 6 1,270 6.7 82.7 4.65 1 7.2 16.5 6.67 0.059 2.11 108.8 2.9 779 1.42 310 0.3 0.22

0.37 75 14.78 1.12 6.2 0.32 0.33 861 1,002 8.13 13.1 7.8 5.85 1,227 6.55 80 4.32 0.99 6.94 16.3 6.44 0.057 1.96 107.3 2.81 765 1.38 308.4 0.28 0.21

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 220,000 76.05 1,466,880 14.86 9,190,800 1.17 336,000 6.23 12,100 0.33 15,590,000 0.33 5,980,000 865.5 219,020 1,002 5 8.14 998,000 13.24 7,068,200 7.85 140,000 6 1,200 1,238 98,250 6.7 291,100 82.7 2,801,240 4.65 4,100 0.99 378,000 7.2 3,891,100 16.38 771,900 6.52 25,879,400 0.059 92,300,000 2.07 6,634,000 108.1 250,890 2.81 75,000 779 438,720 1.41 199,000 310 2,690 0.295 5,680,000 0.21 100,000

81,400 111,168,444 136,698,396 381,080 75,194 5,201,700 2,012,450 189,157,820 5,010 8,133,446 93,630,880 1,094,561 7,050 121,392,780 1,943,585 228,018,254.50 18,285 374,590 27,804,817 12,645,950 168,492,209 5,342,320 13,614,950 27,092,185 215,240 339,870,310 276,630 832,118 1,641,000 21,300

1,874,485 3,917,106 -57,505,365 3,655,883 75,364,590 -872,075 -43,891,885 -87,995,629 -5,334,030 -5,508,992 -49,797,099 11,400 -64,700 11,359,959 97,972,685 -92,738 -6,300

6.77 1.21 2.23 1.34 38.3 4.16 5.28 6 0.5 1.06 1.43 0.157 0.53 50.75 0.69 0.16 1.64 1.04 1.04 4.12 4.26 0.35 0.37 0.76 4.2 25 1.71 3.3 32.8

6.76 1.17 2.17 1.31 37.5 4.06 5.26 5.6 0.49 1.05 1.37 0.157 0.52 49.05 0.68 0.16 1.61 1 1.01 4.12 4.15 0.34 0.33 0.71 4.06 23.9 1.7 3.3 32

PROPERTY 6.77 202,700 1.2 10,463,000 2.21 752,000 1.32 4,211,000 37.55 17,303,500 4.15 5,431,000 5.27 112,800 6 2,000 0.495 8,140,000 1.06 21,000 1.43 68,000 0.157 7,630,000 0.52 3,253,000 50.1 177,670 0.69 104,000 0.16 440,000 1.63 3,760,000 1.04 15,348,000 1.02 971,000 4.12 8,000 4.22 25,611,000 0.35 51,270,000 0.37 4,910,000 0.76 26,052,000 4.1 297,000 24.05 1,481,900 1.71 151,000 3.3 10,000 32.5 11,352,300

1,371,383 12,496,580 1,657,510 5,566,940 654,326,280 22,477,300 594,905 11,960 4,040,550 22,110 95,690 1,197,910 1,693,960 8,878,150.50 71,040 70,400 6,100,150 15,666,790 991,200 32,960 107,446,250 17,716,300 1,722,650 19,169,470 1,217,510 35,781,645 257,410 33,000 368,429,970

-571,972 348,640 -289,378,295 8,497,540 -105,927.00 -357,900 -514,700 4,321,163.50 1,380 -3,790,900 1,228,160 -32,960 42,609,950 -27,600.00 6,900.00 68,400 -1,743,640 -16,500 31,474,395

HIGH

LOW

AG FINANCE 3.65 ASIA UNITED 49.3 BANK PH ISLANDS 105.2 BDO LEASING 3.9 BDO UNIBANK 121.9 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.29 CHINABANK 34.95 COL FINANCIAL 16.36 EAST WEST BANK 22.8 MANULIFE 800 MEDCO HLDG 0.69 METROBANK 88.8 NTL REINSURANCE 0.72 PB BANK 15.5 PHIL NATL BANK 67.05 PHIL STOCK EXCH 240 PHILTRUST 110 PSBANK 89 RCBC 54.1 SECURITY BANK 216 SUN LIFE 1,644 UNION BANK 84 VANTAGE 1.19

3.77 49.3 106.4 4.02 121.9 1.3 35 16.4 22.8 800 0.73 89.5 0.72 15.5 67.05 243 111 89 55.15 216.6 1,644 85 1.2

3.53 48.7 105 3.9 120 1.28 34.8 16.04 22.25 780 0.67 88 0.72 15.4 66 238.2 110 89 54 214 1,610 84 1.18

ABOITIZ POWER 40.1 AGRINURTURE 5.72 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.82 ALSONS CONS 1.63 ASIABEST GROUP 23.35 BASIC ENERGY 0.285 BOGO MEDELLIN 118.5 CEMEX HLDG 7.23 CENTURY FOOD 16.98 CHEMPHIL 189 CIRTEK HLDG 22.8 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.4 CONCEPCION 73.9 CONCRETE A 82 CROWN ASIA 1.92 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.72 DEL MONTE 11.9 DNL INDUS 12.76 EEI CORP 10.28 EMPERADOR 6.86 ENERGY DEVT 6.06 EUROMED 1.69 FIRST GEN 20.05 FIRST PHIL HLDG 70.95 GINEBRA 13.2 HOLCIM 14.5 INTEGRATED MICR 9.59 IONICS 1.53 JOLLIBEE 200 LIBERTY FLOUR 71.9 LMG CHEMICALS 4.74 MACAY HLDG 25.95 MANILA WATER 30.75 MAXS GROUP 17.68 MEGAWIDE 19 MERALCO 279 MG HLDG 0.245 PANASONIC 6.09 PEPSI COLA 3.38 PETRON 10.52 PHINMA 11.48 PHINMA ENERGY 2.11 PHX PETROLEUM 10.58 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.98 PILIPINAS SHELL 70.2 PRYCE CORP 5.99 PUREFOODS 298 RFM CORP 4.78 ROXAS HLDG 3.15 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.04 SWIFT FOODS 0.149 TKC METALS 1.37 UNIV ROBINA 160 VICTORIAS 4.13 VITARICH 1.6 VIVANT 31.5 VULCAN INDL 1.16

40.1 5.82 0.84 1.63 23.35 0.29 118.5 7.23 17.3 190.8 23.4 14.56 74 82 1.93 5.72 11.9 12.8 10.28 6.87 6.06 1.69 20.1 70.95 13.34 14.8 10 1.54 203.8 71.9 4.8 25.95 31.4 18.8 19 279 0.245 6.1 3.44 10.52 11.48 2.11 11.2 1.98 70.2 6.15 299.8 4.8 3.2 13.04 0.149 1.38 160 4.13 1.6 31.5 1.16

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

0.37 76.1 15 1.13 6.27 0.345 0.345 868.5 1,002 8.19 13.32 7.84 5.85 1,270 6.55 82.6 4.5 1 7.14 16.5 6.67 0.057 1.96 108.8 2.85 773.5 1.41 309.8 0.285 0.22

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

6.76 1.2 2.2 1.33 38.3 4.07 5.28 5.6 0.495 1.06 1.37 0.157 0.52 50.75 0.68 0.16 1.64 1.02 1.04 4.12 4.26 0.345 0.365 0.73 4.2 25 1.7 3.3 32.7

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

0.99 6.97 0.88 5.24

1 6.98 0.9 5.24

0.98 6.22 0.88 5.11

1 6.98 0.9 5.2

1,669,000 7,100 148,000 1,276,400

1,650,520 47,999 130,540 6,625,883

-625,502

2GO GROUP 17.6 ABS CBN 43.7 ACESITE HOTEL 1.55 APC GROUP 0.5 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.048 ASIAN TERMINALS 10.84 BERJAYA 5.57 BLOOMBERRY 9.58 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.089 CALATA CORP 1.94 CEBU AIR 98.7 CENTRO ESCOLAR 9.8 DFNN INC 8.8 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.41 GLOBE TELECOM 2,012 GMA NETWORK 6.1 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.48 HARBOR STAR 2.99 IMPERIAL 3.54 INTL CONTAINER 97.5 IPEOPLE 12.06 IPM HLDG 8.96 ISLAND INFO 0.182 ISM COMM 1.36 JACKSTONES 3.52 LBC EXPRESS 17.38 LEISURE AND RES 3.88 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.95 MACROASIA 4.39 MANILA JOCKEY 2.39 MELCO CROWN 7.73 METRO RETAIL 3.83 NOW CORP 2.59 PAL HLDG 5.33 PAXYS 2.98 PHIL RACING 8.22 PHIL SEVEN CORP 180 PHILWEB 7.7 PLDT 1,627 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.49 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.405 PUREGOLD 43.3 ROBINSONS RTL 82.2 SBS PHIL CORP 5.89 SSI GROUP 2.44 STI HLDG 1.1 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.13 TRAVELLERS 3.45 WATERFRONT 0.65 WILCON DEPOT 5.42

17.6 43.7 1.55 0.56 0.048 10.84 7.49 9.75 0.089 1.99 98.75 9.95 8.97 2.6 2,012 6.18 16.48 2.99 3.55 98.4 12.66 8.97 0.183 1.36 3.69 17.38 3.9 0.96 4.39 2.41 8.2 3.83 2.59 5.4 2.98 8.22 180 8.45 1,630 1.53 0.405 43.6 83.85 5.89 2.59 1.1 2.13 3.45 0.67 5.42

16.52 43.4 1.55 0.5 0.046 10.84 5.57 9.38 0.084 1.9 97.2 9.8 8.8 2.41 1,960 6.1 16.18 2.86 3.45 96 12.06 8.9 0.181 1.35 3.52 16.46 3.79 0.95 4.24 2.39 7.68 3.74 2.54 5.33 2.98 8.22 180 7.7 1,610 1.48 0.4 42.95 82.15 5.89 2.4 1.07 2.13 3.35 0.62 5.32

SERVICES 17 1,457,300 43.7 18,100 1.55 5,000 0.52 14,209,000 0.046 29,400,000 10.84 300 6.05 14,478,100 9.75 15,968,500 0.085 41,980,000 1.98 3,234,000 97.65 58,060 9.95 600 8.97 8,100 2.6 2,000 2,000 113,480 6.1 375,900 16.38 54,600 2.9 1,756,000 3.45 67,000 98 3,324,810 12.66 600 8.9 383,000 0.181 6,500,000 1.36 455,000 3.68 78,000 16.78 11,600 3.85 503,000 0.96 72,000 4.3 1,364,000 2.4 373,000 8.2 11,214,300 3.8 3,057,000 2.55 650,000 5.4 700 2.98 10,000 8.22 100 180 100 8.04 1,971,700 1,610 108,725 1.52 5,537,000 0.4 4,930,000 43.5 738,400 83.65 2,343,150 5.89 8,000 2.55 25,915,000 1.09 2,950,000 2.13 3,000 3.4 4,299,000 0.66 11,892,000 5.35 15,945,500

24,742,514 788,850 7,750 7,627,310 1,353,900 3,252 101,730,456 152,673,564 3,586,430 6,322,000 5,684,550.50 5,895 71,475 5,010 225,919,080 2,299,086 889,970 5,079,180 236,500 324,985,578 7,296 3,428,570 1,178,930 614,830 283,270 195,472 1,936,960 68,880 5,864,540 894,400 89,953,544 11,590,590 1,660,950 3,766 29,800 822 18,000 15,959,364 175,826,925 8,326,430 1,973,500 32,050,210 195,069,825 47,120 65,579,400 3,208,990 6,390 14,580,040 7,658,070 85,327,905

-38,880 -455,000 37,400 22,162,839 5,950 1,332,470 -2,807,617.50 -18,703,265 3,510 98,193,224 -67,330 92,300 2,149,100 9,386,443 -8,666,980 -12,700 29,800 -18,000 -8,154,183 -136,659,745 -791,900 10,430,550 106,441,992 28,272 -2,529,650 95,250 1,665,660 -215,650 59,097,865

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

0.0033 2.12 5.16 2.05 2.05 0.9 0.41 8.99 2.51 0.255 0.193 0.193 0.012 0.011 1.89 6.23 2.2 0.87 0.011 0.011 5.65 0.012 9.14 3.76 158.8 2.74

0.0033 2.15 5.16 2.11 2.05 0.9 0.41 8.99 2.51 0.255 0.193 0.193 0.012 0.011 1.9 6.23 2.2 0.88 0.012 0.011 5.99 0.013 9.14 3.8 159 2.74

0.0032 1.99 5.01 2.05 2.05 0.88 0.4 8.55 2.45 0.248 0.188 0.192 0.012 0.011 1.87 6 2.15 0.87 0.011 0.011 5.6 0.012 8.91 3.55 158 2.68

MINING &OIL 0.0032 75,000,000 1.99 32,536,000 5.01 79,500 2.05 271,000 2.05 11,000 0.9 736,000 0.4 100,000 8.96 10,100 2.49 1,309,000 0.25 1,770,000 0.189 11,300,000 0.192 1,300,000 0.012 44,700,000 0.011 30,000,000 1.87 217,000 6.13 4,671,100 2.2 5,000 0.88 10,000 0.011 35,200,000 0.011 1,800,000 5.6 1,171,800 0.013 15,800,000 9.1 564,200 3.58 9,504,000 159 1,126,810 2.68 83,000

244,400 67,744,910 400,966 567,420 22,550 656,950 40,200 90,458 3,247,020 441,390 2,135,580 250,600 536,400 330,000 409,600 28,451,319 10,850 8,750 404,200 19,800 6,773,421 203,400 5,089,833 34,471,210 178,625,443 224,780

6,400 1,018,590.00 -266,070.00 -90,000 77,180 19,300 4,441,015 -870,921 682,682 -1,652,820 53,330,474 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

43.5 517 525 106.2 104.5 127 115 524.5 5.85 1,025 1.1 109.7 1,060 1,120 106 110 77 81 76.25 78.2 79.5 79.5 78.3 79

43.5 517 525 106.2 105 127 115 524.5 5.86 1,025 1.1 109.7 1,060 1,120 108 110 77.5 81 76.25 78.2 79.5 79.5 78.3 79

43.5 517 510 106.2 104.5 127 115 520 5.8 1,022 1.09 109.7 1,060 1,120 106 110 77 81 76.25 78.2 79.5 79 78.3 79

PREFERRED 43.5 8,200 517 440 510 12,200 106.2 9,790 104.5 60,630 127 10 115 10,000 520 20,000 5.81 867,200 1,022 1,210 1.09 56,000 109.7 10 1,060 5 1,120 15 108 610 110 5,700 77 50,060 81 90,160 76.25 19,300 78.2 3,000 79.5 42,600 79 16,700 78.3 17,500 79 4,170

356,700 227,480 6,225,000 1,039,698 6,350,955 1,270 1,150,000 10,402,250 5,037,608 1,236,920 61,100 1,097 5,300 16,800 64,680 627,000 3,854,685 7,302,960 1,471,625 234,600 3,386,700 1,319,900 1,370,250 329,430

356,700 -3,331,854 -4,046,760 -

LR WARRANT

2.21

2.22

2.15

WARRANTS 2.15 307,000

665,170

SME 4.15 6.4 8.01

1,839,210 775,175 7,672,360

247,300 327,420 1,094,195

NAME STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

MS ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.3 6.42 8.09

4.31 6.65 8.11

4.11 6.38 7.9

FIRST METRO ETF 130

130

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 128.5 128.7 3,470

446,564

-24,453.00

USD DMPL A1

10.5

DDS 10.5

19,950

10.5

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

22,240,428

INDUSTRIAL

114,386,899

HOLDING FIRMS

181,279,243

PROPERTY

202,747,567

SERVICES

232,109,785

MINING & OIL

2,335,941,734

GRAND TOTAL

1,023,673,484

442,000 120,700 958,600

1,900

VALUE 1,918.55 (DOWN) 9.21 891,063,553.16 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,945.89 (DOWN) 68.74 1,803,964,129.28 HOLDING FIRMS 7,918.45 (DOWN) 32.08 1,524,225,321.766 PROPERTY 3,501.95 (DOWN) 55.85 SERVICES 1,602.55 (DOWN) 11.11 1,305,043,628.345 MINING & OIL 12,615.38 (DOWN) 17.19 2,732,719,878.751 PSEI 7,757.69 (DOWN) 68.84 1,626,235,468.72 All Shares Index 4,626.42 (DOWN) 26.59 7,492,703,096.65 Gainers: 74; Losers: 124; Unchanged: 51; Total: 249

in Eagle’s fundamentals and potential to be the major driver of the Philippine cement industry,” Dayrit said. The cement maker is selling 500 million common shares by way of primary offer with an over allotment option for another 75 million secondary shares at P15 apiece. Proceeds of the IPO will be used to partially ﬁnance Eagle’s Cebu plant which will house its fourth production line. The plant is expected to help establish the company’s foothold in the Visayas and Mindanao, together with the construction of several marine terminals. ChinaBank Capital Corp. president Virgilio Chua said there were inquiries from foreign investors about Eagle Cement’s IPO, but the cement ﬁrm wanted the IPO to be a purely domestic offering. “We are very happy with the demand for the IPO,” Chua said. Meanwhile, the IPO of Cebu Landmasters also received a warm response from investors because of its attractive pricing. BDO Capital and Investments Corp. president Eduardo Francisco said the allotment for the institutional investors was now fully covered and the company was going to the Visayas and Mindanao to generate interest from retail investors.

NLEx’s income rises 16% to P1.07b By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEx Corp. said Thursday net income rose 16 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, boosted by higher vehicle traffic. The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway said net profit reached P1.07 billion in January to March, up from P922 million in the same period last year. “The growth is attributed to the higher traffic during the period for both NLEx and SCTEx, and lower operating costs,” NLEx said. The average daily traffic for NLEx increased 7 percent to 229,633 daily vehicle entries from the same period last year, while average daily traffic at SCTEx went up 20 percent to 51,128 daily entries. Total revenues in the first quarter grew 8 percent to P2.79 billion from P2.59 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2016. Non-toll revenues climbed 33 percent to P47.7 million from P35.7 million a year earlier, on higher income generated from toll service facilities and advertising revenues. The company recently asked the Toll Regulatory Board to approve toll adjustments at NLEx. NLEx wanted to add P0.26 per kilometer on the current P2.37 per km closed system toll rates for class 1 vehicles (cars, jeepneys, pickup trucks and vans). For class 2 vehicles (twoaxle trucks, buses and vans), NLEx requested for additional P0.66 per km on the current P5.94 per km and class 3 vehicles (trucks and trailers with three or more axles). “Failure to immediately impose and collect the adjusted toll rates would result to an outright delay or stoppage of urgently needed improvements and expansion of the NLEx,” NLEx president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.

Motoring

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

Electrified EVAP upbeat, gears up for modernization

ITH the government’s impending modernization program for public utility vehicles including the iconic jeepneys, Rommel Juan, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, expressed optimism for the electric vehicle industry. The Department of Transportation is finally on the verge of implementing this historic modernization program for public utility vehicles which aims to drastically improve the mass transport landscape and help reduce or eventually eliminate toxic air pollution on Philippine roads. This is because not only will the 15-year old jeepneys be upgraded to new ones but the power train will either have to be the environment-friendly Euro 4 engines or alternative-fuel type like electric and hybrid, LPG, LNG and CNG, according to Juan. “With the political will of the Duterte administration, we think this will finally

happen”, he stressed. Transport authorigies and attached agencies together with the Department of Trade and Industry through its Board of Investments and the Bureau of Philippine Standards, the Department of Finance, the Department of Science and Technology with its Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other government agencies are all working on this program. This is expected to be launched on May 31, 2017 with an initial budget of One Billion Pesos to be made available through Landbank. Juan explains that the biggest stumbling block right from

Commuters can expect many more environment-friendly public utility vehicles like the electric jeepney (right) plying more routes.

the very beginning has always been retail or consumer financing. “Now, they have come up with a financing program that will finance even new airconditioned jeepneys to the tune of 1.4 to 1.6 million pesos each through Landbank. Non-airconditioned jeepneys could be had for from 1.1 to 1.4 million each. This financing scheme will entail a very low downpayment and will be a boundary hulog scheme of eight hundred pesos per day for seven years at 6% interest. The best part of this program is that after the seven-year loan period, the driver ends up owning the new jeepney. This would never have happened

NLEX opens 64 lanes THE NLEX Corporation, formerly Manila North Tollways Corporation, opens to motorists a total of 64 new lane kilometers in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga to help ease travel and promote growth of local businesses in North and Central Luzon. The opening of the new expressway lanes, which was approved by the government, supports President Duterte administration’s “Build Build Build” mission to decongest traffic in urban areas and boost socio-economic growth with infrastructures that facilitate more efficient transport of goods and services. The NLEX Corp. has invested P2.9 billion to improve the road

capacity of the expressway from Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan to San Fernando City. The firm has expanded the section to 3×3 lanes, from the previous 2×2 lanes in each direction. To further ensure motorist comfort, lay-bys or emergency stops at both northbound and southbound directions of the 5-km long Candaba Viaduct, were constructed and the shoulder lanes were upgraded as third lanes. Apart from adding new lanes, NLEX Corp. has extended the lighted portion of the NLEX with 800 LED lights in the sections of Balagtas and Sta. Rita to San Fernando in a bid to keep the expressway safe for motorists, especially

for those driving at night. The new roadway lighting also helps NLEX traffic monitoring teams and patrol officers in spotting and responding to road incidents as the lights make the road visually perceptible during nighttime. A new 4-kilometer, 2×2 northbound carriageway was also built in Mabalacat City including two bridges in Balem and Quitanguil to enhance road safety and provide easier access to the city. NLEX Corp. President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco expects the opening of the new infrastructure to further “deliver hassle-free travel experience, spur tourism development, and bring in more investments in the region.”

under the old boundary system with an operator”. The Landbank estimates that with its initial one billion peso loan portfolio for this year, it can finance an estimated 650 to 700 units of new jeepneys to get the ball rolling. “We are sure that there will finally be an opportunity for electric jeepneys to come in to serve the inner city with short distance routes, and we already have EVAP members who have the products that suit this need”. For the Euro 4 jeepneys, EVAP is currently working with the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.,

the Truck Manufacturers Association and the Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines to formulate the standards for the new modern jeepney in coordination with the DTI and the BPS. Member companies of the Philippine Parts Makers Association are also gearing up in preparation for a bigger demand for jeepney parts. Juan reveals that EVAP and the entire automotive industry are passionate about growing local industries, specifically on generating fresh investments, generating new jobs and providing business opportunities for MSMEs that comprise the bulk of automotive

FASTLANE Stand out with Black Rhino GET your game face on and tackle the roads less travelled with Black Rhino! Designed for rugged use with elegance in mind, the fresh concave design visually hits you right off the bat that shows a tough style with its mechanically chiseled lips combined with high end precision machined style. Ten angled spokes are deeply recessed in these custom off road wheels, with a chainsaw like barrel which gives the Razorback

Volkswagen Jetta, Golf GTS soon to hit PH roads VOLKSWAGEN Philippines will release by end of May two new versions of its passenger cars, the Jetta and the Golf GTS. This move is in line with its 2017 goal of doubling the record-breaking sales output in 2016, thus solidifying its leading position among European brands. Later this month, Filipinos will get the chance to bring home the new version of Volkswagen Philippines’ number one-selling sedan in 2016, the Jetta In six generations, the Jetta has sold over 14 million units worldwide, making it among the most successful sedans in the German marquee’s history. Each Jetta that rolls out of the assembly is “Made

The Business Edition+ and Business Edition are equipped with Bi-Xenon headlights, Adaptive Front Lighting System, and LED daytime running lights. The 17” Lancaster alloy wheels and front fog lights are also available in the Highline. Standard for all variants is the sunroof. In the interior, the Business Edition+, Business Edition, and Highline feature the Fender 8-speaker sound system, dual zone Climatronic air-conditioning, rain sensor, and 6-way power driver seat plus lumbar adjust. Standard for all variants are leather seats, Keyless-Go with Push Start and the 5.8” Touchscreen Color Display Audio.

for Everyday Driving,” with its stylish looks, feature-packed amenities, and remarkable comfort features. In the Philippines, the Jetta will be available in four variants: The Business Edition+, Business Edition, Highline, and Comfortline. Being the only diesel model in the segment, its advanced technology and safety features reinforce the Jetta’s value-for-money proposition.

Safety highlights for the Business Edition+ include the Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Alert with Lane Assist, and Front Assist with Forward Collision Warning. The Jetta is powered by a 2.0-liter Turbo-charged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission system which generates 150Ps of power at 3,500-4,200 rpm and a class-leading 340Nm of torque at

1,750-3,000 rpm. Available exterior colors for the Jetta are Black, Platinum Gray, Toffee Brown, Cardinal Red Metallic, Reflex Silver, Blue Silk, Pure White, and Moon Rock Silver. Black interior is offered for all while beige interior is also available for the Business Edition+, Business Edition and Highline. For all these features, the Jetta is priced at P1.1 million for the Comfortline, P1.2 million for the Highline, P1.25 million for the Business Edition and P1.3 million for the Business Edition+. Along with the Jetta, the new Golf GTS will be available later this month. In over seven generations of production, the Golf has sold over 30 million units, even overtaking the well-loved Beetle. In the Philippines, the Golf GTS comes in as the only diesel model in its segment. The Golf GTS’s (Grand Touring Sport) body style carries the DNA of the original Golf, but offers 350 liters more cargo space (rear seats folded) than its hatchback version. The GTS is ideal for those who love the power and performance the Golf has been known for over the years, yet still value the comfort and space of a wagon. The Golf GTS comes in two variants, the Business Edition+ and Business Edition. Both are powered by a 2.0 TDI diesel engine mated to a 6-speed DSG Transmission system. It generates 150 PS of power at 3,500-4,200 rpm, and class-leading maximum torque of 340 Nm at 1,750-3,000 rpm. The Golf GTS Business Edition is priced at P1.35 million while the Business Edition+ is available at P1.4 million.

parts and components suppliers. “That is why we are pushing for local manufacturing and assembly of the new jeepneys by plants accredited with the Manufacturer, Assembler, Importer and Distributor (MAID) Program of the Land Transportation Office,” he said. The jeepney is a Filipino icon so it should retain the characteristics and charm of the original jeepney across all the islands of the country. But of course with a modern touch, new driver attitude, automated fare collection system, wifi, gps, cctv, speed limiter and even airconditioning to boot, he said. MS Motoring

a high energy presence. are the brawny spokes, and the thick, detailed lip. It’s beefy, take-noprisoners design, has always been a trademark of Black Rhino wheels. Razorback wheels are aggressively sized, with fitments for 17x9, 18x9, 20x9 and up to 22x12, all with oversized lips to provide a sturdy bead seat for the big fat tires and to haul heavy loads and overcome the rugged terrain with the lease amount of effort. All wheels are either hub centric or supplied with centering rings to ensure a smooth vibration free ride. The wheels come in a variety of finishes - Matte Black, with a dark tint machined face. Shown in photo is the Razorback, one of the hottest selling wheels of Black Rhino. So when it comes to choosing well built, tough looking wheels for your off road truck, lifted truck or sport utility vehicle, go on and give it horns with Black Rhino Wheels. Those who want to level up their game, original Black Rhino wheels are available in dealers nationwide or log on to www.conceptonewheels.com

Wheeltek offers Petron Value Card to motorcycle buyers WHEELTEK Motor Sales Corporation, a nationwide motorcycle dealer, has signed up with market leader Petron Corporation to offer the Petron Value Card (PVC) to new motorcycle buyers. With over 200 stores nationwide selling about 6,000 new Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and TVS motorcycles, Wheeltek will be giving its customers additional benefits and privileges through the co-branded Wheeltek-PVC. Wheeltek-PVC cardholders will earn bonus points on top of the regular points earnings of the PVC. Purchases between Php 50 – Php 99 earn three bonus points; for Php 100 – 149, six bonus points; and for Php 149 – Php 300, eight bonus points. This is in addition to the regular reward of one value point for every Php 250 fuel spend, and 5 value points for every Php 100 worth of engine oil purchase. Other ways to earn more points are through the Frequent Visit promo where the PVC cardholder gets additional points on every 5th visit to a Petron station, and the Birthday Promo that awards bonus points when the Grab driver gases up within five days of his birthday. Peso points earned on the Wheeltek-PVC can be redeemed for Petron products at over 2,000 Petron stations nationwide. These can also be converted to cellphone load, air miles, groceries, movies, and other

options. Petron takes care of its loyal customers, and Wheeltek-PVC cardholders can enjoy the following benefits —subject to terms and conditions—through their Petron Value Card: free personal accident insurance coverage of PHP 10,000 for accidental death and PHP 1,000 medical reimbursement, and privileges at partner establishments. The Petron Value Card mobile app, available for iOS and Android smartphones, provides the transaction history and points summary, as well as access to the various promos, benefits and privileges. Petron Corporation is the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines. It has over 2,800 service stations nationwide. To-date, there are over 4-million active Petron Value Card holders who enjoy the exclusive rewards of being a loyal Petron customer.

Motoring

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

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

Travel

essentials this summer

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

love road trips! To me, road trips are fun and exciting, no matter why I have to take them. Regardless of how you feel about road trips, it’s always good to prepare before you embark on one. To fully maximize your recreational time with your loved ones, here are essential road trip tips on how to prepare yourselves for that perfect summer getaway. Visit your car dealer or personal mechanic

Having your car checked by your dealer/mechanic can help ensure a blissful drive.

It is a hassle to have your car conk out on your way to your destination. Before driving off to parts unknown, have your car checked thoroughly from the electrical system, oil levels and lubrication, the brakes and mechanical bits like the steering and suspension system. Also have your cooling and climate control system checked because noontime to mid afternoon temperatures tend to add more stress into our physical function and the car as well. You may also check the tire’s depth if its safe for a long drive. Countless accidents have been caused by a blown tire while traversing the expressway. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Clean up your car Now who would want to ride in a car or SUV that smells like used socks after a basketball game. For the sake of your companions, have somebody detail your car. Personally, I trust my detailing duties to the guys at Sonax Ph. As the World’s most trusted brand in automotive preservation and paint maintenance, Sonax line of waxes and car polishers has been weather tested to repel dirt and chemically engineered to protect the car’s paint against aggressive environmental and weather damage. Feel good, smell good and look good when you drive out to your destination.

TODAY’S dynamic work environment demands more than sharp wit. To be at the top of the game, professionals need to be able to squeeze as much as they can in an eight-hour workday. This means scuttling to and from meetings, corporate events and office errands while still having some time for lunch dates and personal obligations. Determined to help young professionals keep up with their fastpaced lifestyle, pioneer compact car manufacturer Suzuki Philippines has rolled out the Ciaz, a subcompact sedan that delivers fuel efficiency and a smooth driving experience for today’s road warriors.

Driven to deliver

The worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila is making driving a daily challenge. With more vehicles plying the streets every day and road constructions and floodings added to the equation, getting to one’s destination on time is no mean feat. The Ciaz, powered by bestin-class fuel efficiency and advanced features, is most suitable for city driving, braving the traffic and moving around cramped areas. With its superior engine

Check your tires before embarking on a long drive.

Plan the route

Mobile map apps are essential in planning your route.

Now that you’re set on driving to your destination, it’s time to plan your route. In the past, I’ve already told you about several tools for planning fun road trips, which include apps like Waze, Google Maps among others. There are several aspects to planning a road trip, and in the end it all comes down to personal preferences and priorities. Is saving money your first priority? Perhaps travelling in fair weather is most important to you? Do you want to see lots of attractions on the way? Or maybe you just care about getting there quickly? Having directional apps is a God sent for most travelers because they provide the best and fastest route to your destination and they also have locations of gasoline and fast food restaurants along the way. To me, food is the most important part of any road trip. You don’t necessarily have to plan ahead for this – just stopping at a random out-of-the-way diner can be an experience by itself – but sometimes there are places along your route you just don’t want to miss, like the Lomi houses in Quezon Province or Beef Shank places in Batangas.

Entertainment to cure boredom

It is important to look and feel good on a long drive with a clean car

Ciaz, perfect for the

road warrior

Now is a good time to finally listen to all of those 80’s, 90’s and Bruno Mars music which you downloaded on Spotify recently. Load up on music because if you are planning a trip to Bicol or the Ilocos province, that will take a lot of music to cover the 12-hour drive. You can also stock up on some old CD’s of the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Perry Como if you are travelling with a senior citizen. If he likes OPM’s like Mike Hanopol or Ric Segreto, good luck because it’s going to be a torturous 12-hour ride. You may also bring your power banks like Mili. MiLi is a brand synonymous to automotive and travel chargers. As mobile phones get more data storage and faster almost every year, battery life does not seem to get any better. Just an hour or two on 4G mode or using it to browse the internet is enough to drain the battery of your iPhone, Smartphone, Tab-

Juice up on iPhone/Android power with power banks.

let or any other USB powered device. If you’re a heavy social media user, then what you need is a power bank to stock up on “juice” along the way.

performance that does not compromise the environment, millennials will sure look forward to riding this chic sedan!

A joy to drive

Reflecting elegance with a sporty touch, the multi-awarded car model is designed with redefined interiors tailored to today’s younger generation. The Ciaz boasts a roomy comfortable cabin and advanced features, including an integrated multimedia unit with an Android touchscreen. The GLX variant has audio and handsfree connectivity in the steering wheel and keyless push start system. Available in three variants – the GL Manual Transmission, GL Automatic Transmission and the premium GLX – the Ciaz has grabbed considerable market share since its release in the first quarter of 2016. It won Best in Fuel Rating under the Sedan-Gasoline Category at the Department of Energy’s Euro Fuel Eco Run, Best Subcompact Car for the Car of the Year Awards by the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) and Best in Value for Money at the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards under the Compact Sedan category.

Clashes with NPA heat up; 3 killed

LGUs

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Lance Baconguis and Roy Tomandao THREE New People’s Army rebels were killed in an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon last Saturday, a military spokesman said Thursday. Meanwhile, two policemen, five soldiers and two civilians were wounded by suspected NPA forces in Lucban, Quezon on Wednesday, the Calabarzon regional police office said. Troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army’s Special Operations Command in Brgy. Licoan, Sumilao, Bukidnon put down the three NPAs around 2:30 p.m. on May 13, said Captain Norman Tagros, spokesperson of the 403rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. The fallen NPAs, who were identified as alias “Aryong,” alias “Janie,” and alias “Jemboy”, were among the estimated 20 NPA fighters who engaged government troops in an hourlong firefight. Tagros added that field reports noted that five NPA rebels were also wounded during the clash. “The government troops continue to search the area for the cadavers of the NPA fatalities,” he added. The 1st Special Forces Battalion is among the troops operationally controlled by the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. In Quezon, the policemen wounded from the NPA ambush were identified as PO1 Romelio Lameseria and PO1 Philip Tayaba. Calabarzon Police Regional Director Ma. O Aplasca said policemen from the 5th Maneuver Platoon of the Quezon Police Public Safety Company encountered an undetermined number of NPA rebels at the boundary of Barangay Kalangay and Mahabang Parang in Lucban around noon while on combat patrol. The encounter lasted until 4:30 p.m, Aplasca said. The rebels retreated, bringing with them their wounded companions. An hour earlier, another encounter erupted at the boundaries of Barangay San Antonio and Barangay San Jose, Luisiana, Laguna, between Army troops and the NPA.

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

JV: No basis for Gomez recall T By Macon Ramos-Araneta

HERE is no basis for San Juan City to hold recall elections against Mayor Guia Gomez since there is no clamor from San Juaneños for it, Sen. JV Ejercito said on Thursday.

Defending his mother, Ejercito said San Juan City has significantly improved under the administration of Mayor Gomez. The city had just garnered back-to-back citations, the senator noted—the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Excellent Rating from the Civil Service Commis-

sion as contained in its Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card. These awards, Ejercito said, “profess the good governance Mayor Guia is implementing in San Juan City,” noting that more projects are underway such as the construction of the Hall of Justice, the new San Juan Medical Center, and the Rehab Center. “San Juan is being run very

well,” said the senator, who was mayor and congressman of Metro Manila’s smallest city before his mother took over. “It is rapidly developing and services are bound to further improve, then comes this recall petition from a political foe who cannot accept defeat.” “Amid all these progress, how can there be a ‘loss of confidence’ and incompetence?” Ejercito said. On Wednesday, supporters of former vice mayor and defeated mayoral bet Francis Zamora filed a petition before the local Commission on Elections seeking the election recall for the mayoral post, citing the reasons the senator mentioned. Zamora’s supporters gathered

30,000 signatures of residents who supposedly want another election and presented it to the Comelec in a bid to unseat Gomez, now on her third and last term as mayor. Ejercito, the son of Gomez by former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, insisted there is no reason to hold recall elections “in our beloved San Juan City.” He debunked the accusations of fraud against Gomez, calling them “baseless” since “the act is virtually impossible in an automated election.” “Should San Juan’s development be stalled because of the ambition of one man [Zamora]?” he said.

original author of the bill, hailed Congress’ approval of the measure as a “real game changer that will provide lasting effects on the country’s growth” and a “genuine contribution” to nation building. The consolidated bill, based on Salceda’s House Bill 2771 filed last year, was approved by the House on second reading. It is expected to be enacted into law shortly, since the Senate has already passed its own version of the measure.

HB 2771 was consolidated with two other measures filed by party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio (Teachers) and Sarah Jane Elago (Kabataan). Delighted over the speedy action by his colleagues on the measure, Salceda called the development as “another Albay Model becoming law soon.” “Education can’t wait,” he said in another social media post. As Albay governor for nine years, Salceda instituted free tui-

tion in all community colleges in the province, provided scholarship grants and loans in SUCs and private colleges, which amounted to 24 percent of total provincial budget and helped graduate some 88,000 students. He considers the House approval of the bill as “a major victory – a legacy borne out of Albay’s commitment to higher education for all,” since it absorbed the major elements of his original bill. Salcedo’s “higher education

contribution scheme” had become the National Student Loan Program. “No more tuition and miscellaneous expenses can be charged by SUCs in the next semester SY 2017 to 2018. No tuition in TESDA’s TVIs. Non-repayable subsidy for those belonging to lower 50 percent. And student loans to those belonging to Decile 1 to 8 and repayable based on incomes/ employment,” posted Salceda on his social media account.

PFI at halfway mark of malnutrition fight PASAR Foundation, Inc. is now halfway through its goal of nourishing the children of Leyte via an ongoing feeding program under Project Yolanda’s “Developing Resiliency in Leadership of Local Schools” or DRILLS, which culminates next month. PFI, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the local government of Isabel in Leyte, started in August 2016 with about 307 severely malnourished children, 576 malnourished children and 289 students—whose health was on the borderline from pre-school to elementary and high school—as recipients. PFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. or Pasar, the only copper smelter and refinery in the Philippines based in Isabel, Leyte. Participating schools are elementary schools in Anislag, Apale, Bantigue, Bilwang, Binog, Canan-

Zamora had earlier filed a disqualification case against Gomez for her camp’s alleged vote-buying activities, but withdrew the case to give way to the recall petition. Gomez, in turn, has accused Zamora of buying signatures in the guise of financial assistance to secure signatories for their recall petition. “They are paying our countrymen more or less P5,000 per individual under the guise of ‘cash for work’ to get signatures,” the 75-year-old Gomez said in a statement. “Even the relatives of our community leaders are saying these are mere fantasies and hoaxes.”

‘BRIGADA’ AID. Leyte 1st District Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (left) turns over paint cans and cleaning materials to Principal Rogelio William of Ridgeview Park Integrated School in Barangay Cabalawan, Tacloban City. Romualdez’s donation was part of the nationwide ‘Brigada Eskwela’ school cleaning program ahead of the new school year. Ver Noveno

House OKs bill on universal tertiary education THE House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved the Universal Access to Tertiary Education Act, a consolidated measure that provides free tuition in state universities and colleges, technical vocational institutions and schools, private colleges and technical vocational schools. The measure also provides subsidies for those in income deciles one to five, and student loans for those in deciles one to eight. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda,

dan, Cangag, Consolacion, Honan, ICS, Libertad, Mahayag, Matlang, Monte Alegre, Puting Bato, Relocation, Tabunok, Tolingon, Tubod, Tabunok and Palompon. Participating high schools include Isabel National Comprehensive School, Isabel National High School, Matlang National High School and Potingbato Cangag, Consolacion St. Felomina National High School. Pre-schools involved are the Gawad Kalinga SIBOL, Holy Infant Day Care Center, and St. Augustine Parish School of Matlang Inc. PFI’s monitoring revealed that after December 2016, the number of beneficiaries grew by 7 percent to 1,263, from 1,172 children at the start of the program. Severe cases of malnutrition went down by 14 percent with a 27-percent reduction of malnourished beneficiaries, while the status of children with sufficient nourishment went up by 58 percent from the initial statistics.

AMBULANCE TURNOVER. Alexander Balutan (center), general manager of the Philippine Charity

Sweepstakes Office, joins Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao executive secretary Laisa Alamia and Mayor Abdulkarim Lamkuno of Paglat, Maguindanao (in green polo) in inspecting ambulances donated by the PCSO on Wednesday. Six local government units and two hospitals in ARMM received ambulances under the state lottery agency’s priority programs. Omar Mangorsi

Estrada promises Ramadan security By Sandy Araneta MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has ordered the city police to put in place “foolproof” security arrangements at the Muslim community in Quiapo as the holy month of Ramadan begins later this month. With the earlier explosions of three improvised bombs in Quiapo in mind, which he himself said was some sort of “a religious war among the Muslims”, Estrada tasked the Manila Police District to further increase security at the Quiapo Golden Mosque and other Islamic cultural centers across the city. “We will be implementing foolproof security arrangements to prevent a repeat of such incidents,” Estrada said, referring to the April 28 and May 6 explosions that killed two people and injured 20 more. “With the assistance of our Muslim community and religious leaders, the public is assured of security during Ramadan, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters,” the Manila mayor pointed out. Police investigators believe the May 6 twin explosions targeted a Shiite Muslim cleric identified as Nasser Abinal, who also works as tax officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK Manila Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

TODAY TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SN ABOITIZ POWER-BENGUET, INC., WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, ERC CASE NO. 2017-016 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) AND SN ABOITIZ POWER-BENGUET, INC. (SNAP-BI), Applicant.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 3 March 2017, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-BI) filed an Application (with Prayer for the Immediate Issuance of Provisional Authority) (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) entered into by both parties. In the said Application, Applicants alleged the following: 1.

NATURE OF THE CASE This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) between the NGCP and SNAP- BI, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC, entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the ApprovaI of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority.” PARTIES

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 91361 (EPIRA). It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95112 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

Applicant SNAP-BI is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws with principal office address at Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brgy. Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of the Binga Hydro-Electric Power Plant (Binga HEPP) located at Itogon, Benguet which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Regulating Reserve (RR), Contingency Reserve (CR), Dispatchable Reserve (DR) and Black Start Capability.

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system3.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Service tariffs to the ERC4.

Ancillary services (AS) as defined in Section 4b of the EPlRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002- 253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP invited and negotiated with all prospective generation companies capable of providing ancillary services, one of which is SNAP-BI.

It may be recalled that NGCP and SNAP-BI entered into an ASPA in 2010. On 5 April 2010, NGCP and SNAP-BI filed an Application docketed as ERC Case No. 2010-026RC before the Honorable Commission for the approval of the 2010 ASPA, which was approved in the Decision dated 4 July 2011. The Honorable Commission on page 26 of the Decision stated that: “Upon final evaluation of the instant application, the Commission finds that the approval of the ASPA would redound to the benefit of all the consumers of NGCP in terms of continuous, reliable and efficient power supply as mandated by Republic Act No. 9136 [Section 2. Declaration of Policy-“to ensure quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power’’].’’

ANTECEDENT FACTS

10.

On 11 October 2013, NGCP and the SNAP-BI entered into another ASPA (2013 ASPA) for a period of 3 years. On 20 November 2013, the parties filed an Application docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-214RC before the Honorable Commission for the approval of the 2013 ASPA, which was provisionally approved through an Order dated 3 February 2014. The Honorable Commission in page 8 of the Order stated that: “The Commission believes that the contracted Ancillary Services capacity is needed to augment the deficiency of Ancillary Services reserve capacity. This will ensure reliability in the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid”.

11.

Due to the necessity of extending the services of providing the same ancillary services, the Applicants again entered into a new ASPA under the same rates, terms and conditions. In the latest accreditation tests conducted in 2016 on the Binga HEPP, the plant demonstrated capability of providing RR, CR and DR. The copies of the Accreditation Certificate Nos. 2016-L0005 dated 9 May 2016 and 2016-L00006 dated 10 June 2016 are attached as Annexes “A” and “A-1”.

12.

Similar to the existing ASPA, NGCP agreed to procure and SNAP-BI agreed to continuously provide, under the new ASPA, the following AS for a period of a period five (5) years:

Capacity

Type of Ancillary Services Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable reserve Black Start Capability

Non-firm

A copy of the ASPA is attached as Annex “B”. CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATES AND IMPACT SIMULATION 13.

Also, the Applicants used the following rates for the capacity fees as provided in the previous ASPA: Non-Firm:

Ancillary Service Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable reserve Black Start Capability

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate) Php 3.00/kW/Hr Php 2.25/kW/Hr Php 1.25/kW/Hr Php 2.14/kW/Hr

14.

SNAP-BI respectfully submits that the proposed rates represent a reasonable recovery of the opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS.

15.

The rates under ASPA were subjected to a simulation with the following results:

Ancillary Services Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable Reserve Black Start Capability

Indicative Rate Impact P/kW P/kWh 5.9050 0.0119 4.5991 0.0093 2.9809 0.0060 0.3511 0.0007

A copy of the rate impact simulation is attached as Annex “C.” 16.

Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

17.

It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2b, EPlRA). With this end in view, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the contract before the same could be implemented.

18.

As mentioned above, the Honorable Commission has already declared that there is a necessity for NGCP to procure the contracted ancillary services capacity of SNAP-BI to maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid.

19.

SNAP-BI must continue to provide the current contracted ancillary services beyond the 2013 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based on the current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon Grid, the contracted AS have not yet met the required levels of the ASPP. The copies of the relevant actual data and its corresponding graphical presentations showing the required and available levels of AS in the Luzon Grid are attached as Annex “D.”

20.

Thus, NGCP and SNAP-BI agreed to execute the new ASPA for a period of another five years. With this ASPA, the Luzon Grid is assured of AS until 2022.

21.

Also, as the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

22.

Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lizaflor Bacani-Kater, which is attached as Annex “E.” PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission to: a) b)

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA; APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA.

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief under the premises. The Commission has set the said Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 8 June 2017 at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i.

The petitioner’s name and address;

ii.

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

iii. A statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) 2) 3)

The name and address of such person; A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 27th day of April 2017 at Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO 1

3 4

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for other Purposes”; An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and (d); Section 6.3.1.2; (MS-MAY 11 & 19, 2017)

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

LGUs

CAR calls for peace By Raul M. Francia

AGUIO CITY—Top local executives and civic leaders here called on the government and the National Democratic Front to agree to a permanent ceasefire and enable the full development of the Cordillera communities.

In a joint statement signed Tuesday after a two-day conference here, officials and members of the Cordillera Administrative Regional Development Council and the Regional Development Council declared their “commitment of support to the call to end violence and to the attainment of permanent ceasefire” with communist guerrillas.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, chairman of both the RDC and RPOC, said the attainment of just and lasting peace is a key foundation to realize inclusive growth and sustainable development in the Cordilleras. “We believe that this will be realized through continuing peace negotiation, sustainable socioeconomic reforms, and recogniz-

ing our right to self-determination through an autonomous regional government,” Domogan said. Other top local officials who participated in the joint RDC-RPOC conference included Governors Cresencio Pacalso of Benguet, Pedro Mayam-o of Ifugao, and Bonifacio Lawasan Jr. of Mt. Province. Also present were officials of national government agencies, the Armed Forces, and the Philippine National Police, as well as community leaders from the private sector and non-government organizations. The conference was part of nationwide consultation-workshops on proposed social and economic reforms being discussed with communist guerrillas initiated by the government

panel negotiating with the NDF. The consultation held at the Albergo Hotel also sought to solicit inputs from local officials and community leaders of the Cordilleras on concerns on the proposed joint ceasefire agreement with communist rebels. “The series of workshops is part of the government panel’s nationwide consultations with relevant stakeholders to collect inputs, test the validity of its positioning and encourage buy-ins for the ongoing peace negotiations,” said former Agrarian Reform secretary Hernani Braganza, the panel member supervising the discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms or CASER and joint ceasefire agreement.

Isabela has best disaster team Dredging ILAGAN, Isabela—The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has declared the provincial disaster team of Isabela province as the best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council unit across the country. Under Gov. Faustino Dy III and Vice Gov. Antonio Albano, Isabela was declared best PDRRMC for the second straight time, beating the provinces of Pampanga in Region 3

and Dinagat Island in Caraga region in second and third rank, respectively. Meanwhile, Rescue 922 of Cauayan City, Isabela bagged first place in the Government Emergency Management Services (Urban/ Advance) category, while the town of Baggao’s Rescue 116 bagged third place in the Basic category. The Isabela Provincial Capitol Day Care Center also brought home the Hall of Fame Award for Best Early Learning Center (Urban).

Santiago City in Isabela was declared best City DRRM Council in all component and independent cities nationwide. The town of Villaverde in Nueva Vizcaya province bagged third in the Municipal DRRM Council (4th to 6th class) category. Barangay Alinguigan Second of the City of Ilagan also won first place in the best Barangay DRRM Council (Rural) category. Jessica M. Bacud

of rivers starts in earnest By Romeo Dizon

STO. TOMAS, Pampanga—The residents of this town, known as the casket and pottery capital of the province, and the nearby City of San Fernando can sleep well GK HOUSING. this rainy season, as the river causBeneficiaries of houses ing massive flooding in the area from the Gawad will at last be dredged by a nonKalinga Foundation government organization. Inc. and Muntinlupa Engineer Marni Castro, a City Government stand leader of the NGO called Multi together during the Sectoral Non-Government Orawarding ceremony of ganization, said the Pao River their units last May 18. near the Federosa Resort in BaMayor Jaime Fresnedi, rangay San Matias here will be Rep. Ruffy Biazon, and GK executives formally dredged starting this month to turned over the houses prevent flooding in the area. in the Laguerta GK The river, about 1.5 kilomCentennial Villageeters long, will be dredged usBuilding 4 located in ing the new amphibious Baku Tunasan and developed machine worth P35 million by the local government. purchased recently by the proMost of the beneficiaries vincial government. used to live in danger The dredging transpired zones and esteros. through 2nd District Rep. and former President Manila Standard Gloria Macapagal NOTICE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF TODAY Arroyo, who asked PHILWEB CORPORATION the government to dredge heavily silted rivers in the area To All Retail and/or Non-Strategic Shareholders of PhilWeb Corporation: from Lubao to Sto. Tomas, Castro said. Please be advised that Gregorio Araneta, Incorporated (the “Bidder”) will file a Tender Offer Report in Three dredgers SEC Form 19-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the Philippine owned by Mayor Stock Exchange (the “PSE”) pursuant to Section 19 of the Securities Regulation Code in connection Jun Sambo of Sto. with its intention to acquire 663,803,284.00common shares (the “Shares”) of PhilWeb Corporation Tomas were also (“PhilWeb”). made available for the project. The The offer price for the acquisition of the Shares is Two Pesos Sixty Centavos, Philippine Currency, (P2.60) fuel to be used by per share or a total consideration of One Billion Seven Hundred Twenty Five Million Eight Hundred the dredgers will Eighty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Eight Pesos and Forty Centavos (P1,725,888,538.40) be shouldered by and will be payable in cash. the Central Luzon The Bidder shall acquire the Shares that may be tendered by any stockholder of PhilWeb in response office of the Deto the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer shall commence on 19 May 2017 at 9:30 A.M. and shall end on partment of Public 19 June 2017 at 1:00 P.M. (the “Tender Offer Period”). The Tender Offer Period may be shortened or Works and Highextended by the Bidder subject to prior approval of the Commission. The Shares to be tendered are ways under Director intended to be crossed at the PSE on 22 May 2017 (the “Cross Date”). Settlement Date shall be 03 Antonio Molano. July 2017. According to Castro, the dredging Stockholders who wish to offer all or a portion of their Shares for sale to the Bidder may do so of the river will take by securing an Application to Tender Shares form (the “Application Form”) from, and submitting a at least three months duly accomplished Application Form together with the documentary requirements to the Transaction starting this month. Broker, PLATINUM SECURITIES, INC. After the Pao River, the dredging will The Transaction Broker reserves the right to require the tendering stockholder to present additional continue all the way documents for purposes of determining the validity, eligibility and acceptability of the Shares being to Minalin town, tendered by the stockholder pursuant to the Offer. toward Manila Bay. This time, dirt and The Shares being tendered for sale to the Bidder must be received by the Transaction Broker in waste from the scripless form not later than 1:00 PM of 19 June 2017. Shares received thereafter or without the dredging will be required documents shall be rejected by the Bidder. hauled elsewhere instead of being The Shares tendered may be withdrawn by the stockholder of record at any time during the tender placed along the offer period by submitting a written request for the tendered Shares to the Transaction Broker and surrendering the original Securities In-Receipt issued by the Transaction Broker. The last day to river bank, which withdraw tendered Shares shall be on 19 June 2017at 1:00 PM. could float back during the rainy The Shares shall be deemed accepted by the Bidder for payment on 26 June 2017 at 1:00 PM(the season. “Closing Date”) subject to the condition that the Bidder shall have obtained all corporate, contractual “This is a differand regulatory approvals, consents and authorizations for the purchase by the Bidder of the Shares. ent dredging of the river,” Castro asStockholders are advised to read the Application Form, the Terms of the Tender Offer, and the SEC sured members of Form 19-1 filed by the Bidder with the SEC. For queries, please call the Transaction Broker at contact the Cabalen Sports details set forth below. Copies of the Application Form and the SEC Form 19-1 may be obtained by Club during their the stockholders of PhilWeb, free of charge, from: weekly meeting on Thursday. Flooding here and in San FerBroker : PLATINUM SECURITIES, INC. nando has caused Contact person : Mr. William O. Go deaths and extenAddress : Unit 801 Antel 2000 Corporate Center, 121 Valero Street, sive damage to Salcedo Village, Makati City property, with the Telephone : (02)887-1179 / (02) 8866414 city suffering up to Email : plasec223@yahoo.com P15 billion in damages and lost business opportunities annually, he added. (MAY 19,20 & 21, 2017)

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World

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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

Iran hits out at US over new sanctions TEHRAN―Iran criticized the new US sanctions on its missile program on Thursday, saying they would undermine a 2015 nuclear deal with the world powers. “Iran condemns the US administration’s ill will in its effort to reduce the positive results of the country’s implementation of JCPOA [nuclear deal] commitments by adding individuals to the list of unilateral and illegal extraterritorial sanctions,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said on his Telegram channel. The administration of US President Donald Trump chose to stick by the nuclear deal with Iran on Wednesday, renewing a waiver of nuclear-related sanctions despite his past criticism of the agreement.

But it imposed new measures to punish Iranian defense ofﬁcials and a Chinese business tied to Tehran’s ballistic missile program, which it says is in breach of international law because they could carry nuclear warheads in the future. The decision came just before a Friday presidential election in Iran, in which moderate President Hassan Rouhani is ﬁghting for a second term against hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi, who has called for a much tougher stance against the West. Iran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons and Ghasemi said its missile program is part of its “absolute and legal right to build up the country’s defensive capabilities”. AFP

NOTICE

PROTEST. Opposition activists place candles to protest against the deaths of 43 people in clashes with the police during weeks of demonstrations

Transfer of Registered branch office location of AIM HIGH INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT CORPORATION - Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. New Address

against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on May 17, 2017. The United States warned on Wednesday at the United Nations that Venezuela’s crisis was worsening and could escalate into a major conﬂict similar to Syria or South Sudan. AFP

Snowden criticizes HK for rejecting refugees H ONG KONG―Fugitive whistle blower Edward Snowden hit back at the Hong Kong government Thursday for rejecting the protection bids of a group of refugees who sheltered him while he was hiding out in the city.

The impoverished Philippine and Sri Lankan refugees helped the former National Security Agency contractor evade authorities in 2013 by hiding him in their cramped homes after he initiated one of the largest data leaks in US history. They have spent years hoping the Hong Kong government would recognise their cases and save them from being sent back to their home countries where they say they were persecuted. But the family of four, a mother and her daughter and a single man saw their protection claims rejected Monday by the city’s immigra-

tion authorities, which said there were “no substantial grounds” for believing they would be at risk if they went home. They now face deportation. “These are good people that were driven from their homes by torture, rape, abuse, blackmail and war, circumstances that are really difﬁcult for us to imagine,” Snowden said in a video released Thursday. “Now what they’re facing is a transparent injustice from the very people that they asked to protect them,” he said. “Someone in the Hong Kong government has decided that they

want to make these families disappear immediately, no matter the cost,” Snowden added in the video in which he spoke against a plain white background. He has been living in exile in Russia since the summer of 2013. Russia’s immigration service in January extended Snowden’s residency permit to 2020. After leaving his initial Hong Kong hotel bolthole for fear of being discovered, he went underground, fed and looked after by the refugees for around two weeks. Their stories only emerged late last year. The refugees’ lawyer, Robert Tibbo has called the decision by Hong Kong authorities “completely unreasonable”, and said he had less than two weeks to submit appeals before the families were deported. He said there was a risk his clients could be detained and their

children placed in government custody. Hong Kong is not a signatory to the UN’s refugee convention and does not grant asylum. However, it is bound by the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and considers claims for protection based on those grounds. One of the refugees, Vanessa Rodel from the Philippines, who lives in Hong Kong with her ﬁveyear-old daughter, broke down over the news of the decision. Another of the refugees, Ajith Pushpakumara from Sri Lanka, told AFP the government had “taken his whole life”. Lawyers for the Snowden refugees have separately lodged an asylum petition with the Canadian government and are calling for to be expedited. AFP

Japan economy posts longest expansion TOKYO―Japan has posted its longest economic expansion in over a decade, government data showed Thursday, marking a win for Tokyo’s growth bid even though its battle to conquer deflation is still far from won. The world’s number three economy grew 0.5 percent in the first quarter―or an annualized 2.2 percent. That was the fifth straight rise and up from a 0.3 percent expansion in the last quarter of 2016. Japan’s prospects have been improving on the back of strong

exports, with investments linked to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics also giving the economy a shot in the arm. The labor market is tight and business confidence is strong with firms investing more. But consumer spending remains tepid and the efforts to lift inflation have fallen flat despite years of aggressive monetary easing by Japan’s central bank. Private consumption picked up a modest 0.4 percent in the first quarter from zero growth in the previous three months. Individual spending accounts for more than a

half of Japan’s GDP. “I can’t give the ‘all clear’ yet,” said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo. “Public works spending is helping prop up growth this year but it’s tough to imagine that private spending is going to be a driving force for the economy.” The latest reading nonetheless means Japan’s economy has had its longest string of gains since 2006, during the tenure of popular former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi.

The ﬁgures are good news for the current prime minister Shinzo Abe―whose brief and underwhelming ﬁrst term as Japan’s premier came directly after Koizumi. A string of short-term leaders followed before Abe swept back to power in late 2012 on a pledge to reignite Japan’s once-booming economy with a plan dubbed Abenomics. The scheme―a mix of huge monetary easing, government spending and reforms to the economy―stoked a stock market rally and fattened corporate profits. AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION The public is hereby notified that CORTEXPH RECRUITMENT SERVICES INC., a corporation organized and existing under Philippine laws, with registered address at 15/F Enterprise Center Tower I 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo de Roxas Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati City, Philippines, will be DISSOLVED through shortening of corporate term in accordance with Section 120 of the Corporation Code. The corporation’s dissolution will take effect upon approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the amendment made on the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation to shorten its corporate term.

2 nd Floor, Gorospe Sapal Building, Tirso Neri Street, Cagayan De Oro City. (MS-MAY 19, 2017)

PAL HOLDINGS, INC. NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In connection with the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of PAL HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) to be held on 25 May 2017, shareholders are hereby notified that copies of the Corporation’s Unaudited Interim Financial Statements for the First Quarter of 2017 prepared pursuant to SEC Form 17-Q (with the required Management’s Discussion and Analysis) are now available. Kindly direct all requests for copies of the Annual Report, the First Quarter Report and/or exhibits to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, to wit: Atty. Ma. Cecilia L. Pesayco Office of the Corporate Secretary, 2/F Allied Bank Center 6754 Ayala Avenue Makati City, Metro Manila Philippines 1200. Please note that the Corporation may charge a fee to cover the photocopying expense of the exhibits.

MA. CECILIA L. PESAYCO Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 19, 2017)

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NATIONAL TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION Scout Reyes Street, corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City Tel No. (02) 374-3987 Fax. No. (02) 374-2505

INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS FOR IFOIGAP RICE – WET SEASON, 2017 (PB 2017-03) 1.

The NATIONAL TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION (NTA), through the 2017 Corporate Operating Budget intends to apply the sum of PhP 15,944,851.00, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the project: “Supply and Delivery of Fertilizer Requirements for IFOIGAP Rice –Wet Season, 2017’’. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2. The NTA now invites bids for the supply and delivery of fertilizer requirements for IFOIGAP Rice–Wet Season, 2017. Delivery of the Goods is required for a period of fifteen (15) days. Bidders should have completed, within a period of five (5) years, from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. (i) 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. (ii) Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from NTA and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on May 19, 2017 to June 07, 2017, from the address below; and upon payment of the bidding fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of PhP25,000.00.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The NTA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 26 May 2017, at 10:00 a.m., at 3rd Floor, Training Room, NTA Building, cor. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

7. 8.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that GENNEXT LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. with office address at Arbortowne Bldg., 394 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Carmenchu Residences) with a capacity of 82 economic and low-cost housing units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Pagsawitan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

ONSTAGE. A model displays a creation from the Australian label Akira during Fashion Week

Australia in Sydney on May 18, 2017. AFP

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure & Services Industries Service (MS-MAY 19, 2017)

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 07 June 2017. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on 07 June 2017, at 10: a.m., at 3rd Floor, Training Room, NTA Building, cor. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The NTA reserves the right toreject 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.

10. For further information, please refer to: CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, DBA National Tobacco Administration Cors. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City Tel No. 372 3188; cclnta@yahoo.com Fax No. 373 2095 Website Address:nta.da.gov.ph (SGD) CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, DBA Chairman, NTA-BAC (MS-MAY 19, 2017)

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World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

Opinion divided over old painting PARIS―An original Caravaggio or a master fake? This is the question that continues to befuddle art historians and experts about a painting discovered in a French attic three years ago. The 400-year-old canvas― depicting the beheading of an Assyrian general, Holofernes, by Judith from the biblical Book of Judith―was found in 2014 when the owners of a house near the southwestern city of Toulouse were investigating a leak in the ceiling. Discovered in remarkably good condition, the work was painted between 1600 and 1610, specialists believe, and could be worth as much as 120 million euros ($132 million). But whether the spectacular large-format canvas is the long-lost masterpiece by Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio or the work of Louis Finson, a Flemish painter and disciple of Caravaggio who died in 1617, has the art community divided. Art historian Giovanni Agosti even resigned in protest over the issue when Milan’s Brera Art Gallery, where he was a board member, decided last year to put the painting on display alongside authenticated works by the Renaissance master. The disputed painting hung next to the authenticated copy of the same scene by Finson from around 1607. The museum hedged its bets by including an asterisk on its caption attributing the work to Caravaggio but referring viewers to notes on its history in the exhibition catalog, but that wasn’t good enough for Agosti. Eminent French art expert Eric Turquin―who has the backing of Caravaggio specialist Nicola Spinosa and has been entrusted with the painting―believes however that the tableau is the true work of Caravaggio. It perfectly captures “the energy that radiates from the artwork and the expression on Judith’s face,” he said. Turquin, who has kept the painting tucked away in a vault at his ofﬁces, pointed to the artist’s rendering of the fabrics -the drapes in the background, the red knot near the left corner. The very creamy texture of the painting is typical of Caravaggio’s pictorial style, he said. AFP

ARRIVAL. American model Bella Hadid is greeted by American actress Susan Sarandon as she arrives on May 17, 2017, for the screening of the ﬁlm ‘Ismael’s Ghosts’ (Les Fantomes d’Ismael) during the opening ceremony of the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

China issues warning on ransomware virus B EIJING―China has urged Windows users to protect themselves against a new ransomware virus similar to the WannaCry bug that wreaked havoc worldwide last week. “UIWIX” encrypts and renames ﬁles through a bug in the Windows operating system, China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center or CVERC warned in a public announcement Wednesday, telling users to install the latest Microsoft update. The warning comes on the heels of the “WannaCry” cyberattack, which has hit hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. While no UIWIX infections have yet been detected in China, the virus has spread in other countries and prompted a security alert last week from the Danish cybersecurity company Heimdal Security. “UIWIX ransomware is picking

up where the first WannaCry wave left off, without a kill switch domain and the same self-replicating abilities that enable it to spread fast,” the firm said in a statement. Heimdal cautioned that the new bug could be more powerful than WannaCry due to the absence of a kill switch domain that could contain the virus’s distribution. But other analysts have noted that UIWIX appears to be spreading at a much slower pace. Global cybersecurity firm Proofpoint warned on Wednesday about another large-scale, stealthy cyberattack linked to WannaCry called Adylkuzz. The extent of Wannacry’s impact in China remains unclear.

On Sunday, Qihoo 360, one of China’s leading suppliers of antivirus software, said more than 29,000 institutions ranging from government ofﬁces to ATMs and hospitals had been “infected” by Wannacry, singling out universities as particularly hard-hit. But the Education Ministry’s China Education and Research Network denied that there had been widespread damage to computer systems, saying only 66 out of 1,600 Chinese universities were affected. Sarah Larson, a politics and cybersecurity researcher at the University of New South Wales, told AFP that China’s preemptive alert about UIWIX may indicate that WannaCry sent the government “reeling.” Larson said China is particularly vulnerable to malicious code because the majority of the country’s computer users are reliant on pirated software.

“Until now the government has done little to encourage the use of legitimate software,” she said. “This reluctance is largely caused by a type of cyber sovereignty directed at the dominance of US tech companies like Microsoft.” Severine Arsene, an Internet expert at the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, said the announcement, which noted the virus was “detected abroad,” is in line with China’s current rhetoric around cybersecurity. “China has long claimed that they are a major victim of cyber attacks every year,” Arsene told AFP, “whereas they are essentially portrayed as a source of cyberattacks by foreign media.” The warning is intended “to publicly show that they are taking responsibility to help maintain security and stability online”. AFP

Taiwanese arrested for beheading sister

PHOTOCALL. American actress Julianne Moore poses on May 18, 2017, during a photocall for the ﬁlm ‘Wonderstruck’ at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

TAIPEI―A Taiwanese man was arrested Thursday for decapitating his sister in front of horrified neighbors, a week after another killer was jailed for beheading a three-yearold girl in the street. The brutal crimes have shocked the largely peaceful island. The 54-year-old man, identified by his family name Lin, beheaded his sister with a kitchen knife outside their home in southern Kaohsiung city after an argument, police said. Lin and his sister, 52, were both unmarried and lived together in southern Kaohsiung city. He had been taking care of the mentally-ill woman for many years, police added. “She was supposed to go to the hospital this morning and they quarreled when she refused. Lin then attacked her with a kitchen knife and severed her neck,” an officer said. Local television quoted an eyewitness as saying the woman had knelt and pleaded for her life while neighbors

screamed when they saw her severed head on the pavement. In the previous killing of the three-year-old girl, schizophrenic Wang Chingyu decapitated the child in public near a metro station in Taipei last year, ﬁghting off her mother and passers-by who tried to stop him. He escaped the death penalty in court last week. Wang’s case sparked fresh debate over the death penalty for child killers and there were protests calling for capital punishment. He claimed that he had hallucinated he was a Chinese emperor from Sichuan province and believed that killing the girl would bring him concubines to “carry on his family line”, local media reported. Prosecutors called the crime extremely cold-blooded and demanded the death penalty. But a district court sentenced Wang to life in prison due to his “mental handicap”. AFP

Japanese princess set to lose her status TOKYO―Emperor Akihito’s granddaughter’s upcoming engagement to her college sweetheart, a commoner, will cost the princess her royal status in a move that highlights the maledominated nature of Japan’s monarchy as it faces a potential succession crisis. Public broadcaster NHK broke the story of Princess Mako’s engagement late Tuesday, sending the country into a tizzy with the news dominating television chat shows and newspaper coverage ahead of an expected official announcement in coming weeks. Her reported fiancé, Kei Komuro, a telegenic 25-year-old commoner once named “Prince of the Sea” in a tourism promotion contest, briefly met journalists on Wednesday, but dodged questions on the engagement, saying he would only speak about it “when the time comes”. Still, asked if he had spoken with the princess after the news emerged, Komuro―a graduate school student also working at a law firm―said: “I talked to her on the phone this morning.” The national rejoicing, however, has been tempered by concerns over the future of the royal family as the country prepares for its first imperial abdication in two centuries amid an acute shortage of male heirs. Mako, 25, is the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino, Akihito’s second son, and like all female imperial family members loses her royal status upon marriage to a commoner under a controversial law. Akihito’s only daughter Princess Sayako also left the palace in 2005 when she married city planner Yoshiki Kuroda, though the departure was sweetened with a more than $1 million payout from the government. The law does not apply to male royals, with Akihito and both his sons marrying commoners, who are now part of the monarchy. The news of the engagement has intensified a debate on whether the law should be changed so women born into the imperial family can continue in their royal roles. That could help increase the number of potential male heirs to a monarchy that does not allow females to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

UMMER is almost over and those long weekends all gone; and while those travel adventure photos prettified your Instagram and social media feeds it probably did a lot of damage to your wallet as well. So now is probably the best time to reassess your finances, get those unnecessary expenses checked and start saving once again. Here are five shopping tips that will help you get back all those vacation money you spent. Identify which are “your” essentials - Besides food, a lot of our money goes to our everyday essentials such as toiletries and personal care items. Because we identify them as necessities, it’s easy to just pick out the first item we see on the shelf without realizing that there are actually cheaper and more practical alternatives. If you have kids for example, tissues and wet wipes are everyday necessities. Take time to compare prices as you’d probably be purchasing them quite often. For example, three boxes of Watsons soft tissue can save you as much as 20 percent compared to a different brand with the same quality. Buy in bulk - Filipinos are known for tingi mentality, or buying in small quantities. However, if you are going to use something a lot and often, buying in bigger quantities may prove to be more economical. Almost all households nowadays use hand soaps, which when used properly would last longer than those bars. Watsons offers not only sells hand soap in various fragrances but they also have a lot of “buy one take one” offers. The same goes for their giant shampoo and conditioner bottles, cream bath soap and even body lotion. You get the same quality as the branded ones but with even more savings. Do not be afraid to make the switch - Sometimes you have to try out different products to know what you have been missing. Cheaper doesn’t mean lower quality and this was proven via the Watsons Switch Test. The Switch Test was conducted in several Watsons

5 SHOPPING TIPS

Save money by switching to more affordable brands for essential items like facial tissue and mouth wash

to save you lots of money stores and shoppers were asked to try out a leading product and a Watsons label brand. The hitch—they’d have to do it blindfolded. Without being able to see the brands, customers were asked to try out two products and choose the one they would rather buy. From body scrubs to hair irons—to even toothbrushes shoppers felt their way through the Watsons selection, and the results were overwhelming. Making the switch could mean a lot of savings. The Watsons charcoal toothbrushes for example, feel and last as long as the branded ones but you get 45 percent savings. Another great buy is the Watsons label mouthwash or cream bath, which gives you 60 and 70 percent savings. Go for generics - Prevention is always better than cure that is why a lot of us take vitamins, food supplements and stock up on over the counter medi-

cines in case of emergency. Launching Watsons Generics in 2014, Watsons was able to provide affordable quality medicine to Filipinos everywhere. You can save as much as 70 percent from your ascorbic acid vitamin when you get the Watsons brand or 65 percent when you purchase their multivitamins + Iron supplement. OTC meds such as ibuprofen and loperamide gives you 64 percent savings, while the Watsons branded cetirizine for anti-allergy will save you up to 80 percent as compared to the leading brand. Take advantage of special promos and loyalty rewards - Gone are the days when you have to cut out a newspaper clipping or magazine ad to get a discount on a specific item. Now, all you have to do is signup and become a member to earn special privileges. If you have an SM Advantage Card or

have a BDO Rewards card, for example, you can enjoy more discounts and buy specially marked items at an special members only price at Watsons. Members can also get exclusive freebies, such as wallets, bags and even join exclusive eRaffle promotions which can win you lots of prizes. Members will also be the first to be notified of upcoming deals and offers and can receive invites to exclusive sale events ahead of everyone else. Launched in 2012, Watsons Switch and Save campaign started as an educational effort that showed smart shoppers how to save on their personal care essentials in order to afford more of the things they really wanted. All they had to do was shift from the leading brand to the Watsons brand. In those first years, the simple idea proved a smashing success. Watsons cus-

tomers all across the country made the switch, changing out their toothbrushes, tissues, lotions and more for the affordable, high quality Watsons alternative. With such great momentum behind the movement, they decided to expand the campaign to include Watsons Generics to bring that same promise of affordable quality to Filipinos everywhere. Recently, Watsons gathered its six celebrity endorsers, Christian Bautista, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Iya Villana, Kylie Padilla, Lorna Tolentino, and Edu Manzano, and put them all to the Switch Test. Running the same blind test used in stores, Watsons asked each of the celebs the simple question, “What’s the difference between these two products?” Their verdict- none! There was, however, one big change they all noted. If you switch to Watsons, you can save up to 80 percent.

Loyalty card to help you stay healthy and beautiful BUSINESSES may spend millions trying to lure in new customers, but any expert will tell you that the key to any successful enterprise depends on having a strong and loyal customer base. Tracing its origins to over a hundred years, loyalty programs have changed the way consumers interact with the companies from which they purchase products or services. One of the earliest loyalty programs that won the hearts, minds and wallets of customers was the S&H Green Stamp program issued by Sperry & Hutchinson in 1896. To encourage loyalty, costumers were given tiny stamps

whenever they purchased something from participating merchants. They glued them onto pages of booklets and when they collected enough stamps they could exchange it to various products of corresponding value. The loyalty program was such a success, S&H Green Stamps once issued three times as many stamps as the US Post Office, and by the 1960’s, S&H was the largest purchaser of consumer products in the world. From stamps, loyalty programs have evolved from discount coupons and stickers to miles and the current point systems where you could use your ac-

SM Advantage Card members can enjoy rewards and exclusive privileges from Watsons through the 'Members Get More' program

cumulated points just like cash to purchase various items. And for the smart shopper, these programs can make Since its launch in 2002, SM Advantage Card has rewarded more than 9 million members with redeemable their shopping even points and exclusive perks and discounts more rewarding. One of the first and most successful our members not just with points they can on their next travel destinations and just modern loyalty programs in the coun- earn and redeem but also exclusive perks recently, through pawning, and money transfers- giving our members more try is the SM Advantage Card. Since its and discounts they can enjoy. Going beyond the mall experience, reasons to be rewarded. launch in 2002, it has become a permaNow, SMAC holders will feel even nent resident in our wallets in our purses SM Advantage has become part of its along with our important IDs and cards. members’ daily lives. From simply pay- more beautiful and healthier as WatSMAC redefined the meaning of shop- ing their phone bills, to gassing up their sons launches the “Members Get More” ping by rewarding more than 9 million of cars, to booking their accommodations program. Held at the new Watsons store at the UPTOWN Mall in Taguig, Members Get More aims to reacquaint shoppers with all the advantages of owning (and renewing) your SMAC membership. “At Watsons, we want to make our shoppers special. So we make sure they enjoy perks of being a loyal customer every time they visit our stores. With the Members Get More program, they can get more savings, more points and even get exclusive prices simply by using their SM Advantage Card (SMAC),” says Watsons Marketing Director Viki Encarnacion. Members Get More gives shoppers more reasons to come back to Watsons by giving more rewards and exclusive privileges to card-bearing customers. Also included in the Watsons loyalty program are SM Prestige and BDO ReHost and blogger Valerie Tan with Watsons Team Lance German (Marketing Officer), Loi wards card. Sanchez (Senior Marketing Manager) and Viki Encarnacion (Marketing Director)

Get 501 pesos off on Levi’s iconic 501 jeans IN CELEBRATION of the 144th birthday of Levi’s®, the world’s original jean, the timeless brand is offering a special gift tomorrow: P501 off and a limited edition 501® patch for every purchase of its iconic 501® jean. This nationwide promo will include purchases from Zalora and Lazada. Levi’s® 501® jean, named by TIME

Magazine in 2000 as the “fashion item of the 20th century,” has redefined the fashion sense of men and women since it was first released. The classic 501®, however, continues to be fresh and relevant, even as it maintains its vintage look and vibe. This year, Levi’s® welcomed the newest addition to its 501® family— the 501® Skinny, a skinny jean with

that coveted vintage look. The brand earlier introduced the 501® Stretch, the first time the iconic denim was offered in stretch while maintaining its original properties. As part of the 501® jean’s 144th anniversary, Levi’s® is likewise releasing a 2017 limited edition collection for its 501® Day celebration on May

20. This will include limited edition 501® jean and shorts. The collection will also feature hand-distressed denim, scribbled embroidery, and vintage customizations. From artists to activists, and from actors to heads of state, the iconic Levi’s® 501® jean has been an important piece in the wardrobe of people who

shaped history through the years. Don’t miss the chance to get the most coveted Levi’s® 501® jeans with a P501 discount on May 20. Head to Levi’s® stores or visit levi. com/501day for more information on the 501® Day celebration. To learn more about the #501Day, visit http://levi.com.ph/501day.

Life

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

ONDERLAND by Tim Tam Ong is from the idea of a haven where people turn to in order to find comfort from the chaotic and challenging world. For some people, this is an actual place. For others, it could exist only in their minds, perhaps a treasured childhood memory. It can also take the form of a passion or even a person that brings them to a peaceful state. “It is inevitable to face challenges and disappointments in life,” Tim Tam explains. “It’s important to have a safe place that one can turn to when things get tough.” This concept of a “haven” is beautifully and poignantly explained in a short narration that inspired the collection. The story tells the account of a little girl who followed a golden butterfly to a place called Wonderland. Here, she finds happiness and courage—knowing that she could always go back to this place. The enchanting collection brings to life the spellbinding place that the little girl went to, containing images of a butterfly, flowers and leaves. The gemstones, on the other hand, mimic the colors that were swirling in Wonderland’s sky. “It’s a collection filled with wonder and imagination.” Tim Tam enthuses. “It captures the imagination, hope and peacefulness that a child possesses. It also captures the beauty of inner peace. I hope that the pieces give its wearers the same happiness—or even more—that it gives me.” Tim Tam and her team of artisans worked to making these images come alive paying attention to the characteristics and movement of nature. “We worked extra hard to capture the detail,” the designer explains. “So for example, when we made the butterfly, we weren’t simply trying to create a semblance of a butterfly, we wanted to bring the butterfly to life.” The designer also stresses the wearability of the pieces, pointing out that creativity, relatability, and versatility where characteristics consciously incorporated when designing the pieces. As always, the beautiful creations root from her deep love of the Philippines and its people. Her vision to promote Philippine ingenuity and talent only gets stronger with time.

Tim Tam Ong's latest collection, Wonderland, is inspired by a haven that people turn to in order to find comfort from the chaotic and challenging world

Tim Tam Ong’s

Wonderland From left: Daphne (necklace with ruby), Gabriella (earrings with blue topaz and white topaz), Lila (bangle with amethyst), Catherine (earrings with ruby), Charlotte (bangle with amethysts)

Collection looks to Japan’s

fun mix of quirk and style EVERYONE seems to be in Japan—it’s the new millennial playground, where the young, hip and travel-obsessed go in search of new inspirations and Instagram fodder. But as far as style goes, the country has always been a great influence to how the youth dress themselves. But anime and J-Pop aside, Japan and all its nooks and crannies—Tokyo, Harajuku, even the less-populated lands of Hokkaido and Niseko—have proven to inspire a great deal of stylish individuals. This inspiration makes up SM Youth’s Summer ’17 collection. Set in a pitch black yet lantern-lit space, the SM Youth Summer ’17 Collection is inspired by Japanese cuts and prints, Asian minimalism and the

stylish quirks of young Tokyo. Eastern-inspired patterns are seen in dark florals and ancient Asian illustrations, while and kimono-like cover-ups introduce a Japanese-like silhouette that’s a great, less structured alternative to the common guy’s hoodie or blazer. Asian minimalism is also seen in the collection, with oversized, boxy shirts, shorts and denim jackets done up in solids and Spartan stripes. Bringing a jolt of craziness into the collection comes kooky cartoon prints and colors reminiscent of Harajuku’s vibrant, crazy-cool and devil-may-care style, pared down to be palatable to the SM Youth dresser: pop art banana prints, aqua-themed paint splash board shorts, and pastel Tees

are just the right punch of sunshine this summer. The SM Youth Summer ’17 Collection campaign was shot with SM Youth’s Richard Juan and Janna Tee. The collection is a line-up of Asian-inspired summer staples that can be worn on a beach trip, at a city staycation and even on a cool trip abroad. Until May 31, get P100 on a purchase of any three regular-priced items from Tee Culture, Markus, Tank, Character Brands and Coco Republic Teens. Visit facebook.com/SMYouthLifestyle or Twitter and Instagram @SMYouth for more details on the summer collection and other promos.

Central Square partners with Huma Island Resort & Spa for its summer raffle promo

Lounge in luxury THIS season, Central Square, a premier lifestyle destination in Fort Bonifacio, wants you to experience a summer vacation like no other, as it brings you to one of the Philippines’ top luxury resorts with its “Lounge In Luxury” summer raffle promo. SSI Group, Inc., – with Huma Island Resort & Spa, Skyjet Airlines, Samsonite and Marketplace by Rustan’s – brings you to Busuanga for that ultimate escape pampered by modern luxuries and personalized services while surrounded by Palawan’s pristine waters. Five exclusive getaways are up for grabs when you shop at participating Central Square and Bonifacio High Street Central stores until June 30 and get a raffle ticket for every single-receipt or an accumulated purchase worth P3,000. Paradise is within reach for you and your loved one winning the grand prize, as both get round-trip airfares from Skyjet Airlines, a leisure airline that has the fastest flights daily to Coron, Busuanga from Manila. Moreover, you get to enjoy a relaxing three-days-two nights stay at Huma Island Resort & Spa’s Water Villas, that prides on unparalleled sea views and provides modern comforts, a private sun deck and an outdoor tub and shower – inclusive of daily breakfasts, land and boat transfers, plus full use of the island’s facilities. To spoil you even further, you will also get a

Lounge in Luxury summer promo will raffle off five exclusive getaways

coveted spa treatment for two at Kapuruan Spa. Four lucky winners also get roundtrip airfares from Skyjet Airlines, a three-days-two nights stay for two at Huma Island’s Water Villas inclusive of daily breakfasts, land and boat transfers and full use of the island’s facilities. Furthermore, all winners will have access to the resorts’ week-long free activities such as sunset cocktails, whiskey tasting master class, yoga classes and the like. Special prizes from Samsonite, such as the two-piece Cubelite luggage set and one piece Octolite luggage will also be given away to help you travel with ease and style. Turn your dream vacation into reality as you finally lounge in luxury, so watch out for more great experiences and happenings this year only at Central Square.

SM Youth Summer 2017 Collection is inspired by Japanese cuts and prints, Asian minimalism, and stylish quirks of young Tokyo

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

‘Rock the Road’ video wins Kidlat bronze

BASTE DUTERTE now on TV

Presidential son Baste Duterte (second from right) joins (from left) Andrei Apostol, Bogart the Explorer, and Sboi Malicay in TV5's newest travel show, "Lakbai"

RESIDENTIAL son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte debuts on Philippine television as co-host of Lakbai, the newest reality travel show which will have its premier episode on TV 5 on Sunday, right after the PBA. The good-looking, 29-year-old, rock singer will co-host Lakbai with YouTube sensation Bogart the Explorer. At the blogcon (an event mainly for bloggers) for the show, Baste, in black shirt and blue jeans, was very candid when he answered questions from the bloggers.

Lakbai, which is short for the Bisaya expression, Lakaw ta, bai! or Lakad tayo, kaibigan, is a one-of-a-kind travel show. Baste, who has a son with Davao-based model Kate Necesario and a daughter with a former girlfriend, was a hot topic in showbiz after her short-lived relationship with sexy actress Ellen Adarna. Thrust into the limelight with his father’s election, Baste, who confessed to being more of a mama’s boy, said that nothing has changed much in his personal life even after his father won the presidency in the last elections and became the president a year now. Lakbai in Bisaya and Tagalog is an eightweek special showcasing the country’s top destinations as well as their food. The show will take audiences in a whole new light as it focuses on the adventures of a group of “bros” while exploring exciting places, participating in the

local activities and establishing a connection with the places. Baste, who is a seasoned surfer and diver, will be seen scuba-diving and swimming with sea turtles in vast coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity. Lakbai will feature the world-renowned and top diving destination of Apo Island in Negros Oriental and the nearby exotic province of Siquijor, among other exciting places. Joining Baste are his closest friends, Alexis Lumbatan, a lawyer who loves to make jokes; Sboi Malicay, the cool bro who keeps the mood light; and Andrei Apostol, the creative bro who acts as travel’s videographer. Travel suggestions on where to visit are welcome. Send them to TV 5 Home Facebook. Eton B. Concepcion

PEOPLE

...are not talking about

Goblin You can’t blame TV audiences if they’d prefer watching the Korean Drama, which is obviously eating local TV series alive. From production value to the way the story is told, local content producers have a lot things to learn from this mega hit fantasy drama. We claim that local talents are world-class and that their creativity can challenge even big-budget contents made for TV and we can’t even make something like Goblin. How we wish that we can ﬁnally wake up from this illusion.

AiAi delas Alas While her comedic timing is still on point, the same thing cannot be said of the latest movie that she stars in. The movie Our Mighty Yaya is supposed to redeem her “Comedy Queen” title but that’s not going to happen with an unoriginal, sloppy, and forgettable movie like this one. We are not telling you to avoid the movie though, just consider this as a fair warning.

...are talking about

Sharon Cuneta Is there anything else that we don’t know about her? Since becoming active on social media, Sharon has utilized her Facebook account as a freedom wall. From one lengthy post to another, the Megastar apparently attracts trolls and bashers, which she extremely detests. Yet, she still carries on announcing her problems on social media. Doesn’t she have any friends whom she can talk to instead of washing her dirty linens in public?

Kris Aquino Has her team commissioned a group of bloggers to convince people that The Kris List was doing well? Kris has recently launched a digital show that runs for 5 minutes per episode. They said that the show furthers Kris’s claim to fame as the Queen of All Media. They even said that the online show’s ﬁrst episodes went viral, to which we replied: Have we been living under a rock for so long that we didn’t have any clue about it?

Mocha Uson It’s interesting that the number of her detractors is becoming equal to the number of people that support her since she got appointed to a government post. Hence, bashing the sexy-dancer-turned-blogger would not change the fact she has more clout now compared to the inﬂuence of her detractors combined. It’s easy to understand their sentiments, they can’t accept the reality that someone they say who’s only good at twerking is actually going to receive salary from people’s taxes. Hero Angeles Do you remember the guy? We’re sure you don’t. So, let us refresh your memory. Hero was the winner in the ﬁrst season of ABS-CBN’s popular reality star search, Star Circle Quest. He was paired with Sandara Park from 2004 to 2005. And he’s the actor that made MMK the most watched TV show during the weekend and a trending topic on social media. You didn’t miss Hero, we suppose.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, May 19, 2017

ACROSS 1 Chevalier musical 5 Misplace 9 — the hatchet 13 Milk, to Yves 14 Impromptu (2 wds.) 16 Two-piece cookie 17 Gawk at 18 The “March King” 19 Yin complement 20 Tusked animal 21 Herr, in Madras 22 Cell parts 24 Andy’s radio pal 26 Keyboarding error 27 Curly-tailed dogs 30 Monitors 34 Rome’s river 35 Dash 36 Without any slack 37 QB objectives 38 Chowder morsels 39 Hot spring 40 Game plan 42 Road hazards 43 Willow shoot 45 End 47 Anchor cable 48 Maneuver slowly 49 Name as a

source 50 Straw roofing 53 Bad review 54 Elec. units 58 Flight prefix 59 Turn inside out 61 Rub the wrong way 62 Fictional rafter 63 Ointment 64 Squandered 65 Park feature 66 Requirement 67 Enthusiastic shouts DOWN 1 Messy mass 2 Othello’s betrayer 3 Arizona “monster” 4 Repeat 5 Rodeo gear 6 Bloodhound clues 7 Feng — 8 Daughter of Hyperion 9 Refuse to buy 10 Europe-Asia range 11 Magritte or Russo 12 Cartoon bear 15 Gorges 23 Checkout scan 25 Deface 26 Mine cars

27 Storage place 28 Buster 29 Norwegian playwright 30 Continental drifter 31 Well site 32 Delhi coin 33 Lady outlaw Belle — 35 Shake off 38 More than just defeats 41 Cleaning fluid 43 Mare’s morsel 44 Rely on (2 wds.)

46 Resinous substance 47 Implied 49 Sculpt 50 Presidential name 51 Next in line 52 Drury Lane composer 53 Big name in soccer 55 Runner’s unit 56 Tearful request 57 Plies a needle 60 Roomy vehicle

AN AUDIOVISUAL ode to the Ford Mustang, one of the world’s most iconic cars, bagged a Kidlat Bronze award for the Branded Film and Native Advertising category in the recent Kidlat Awards 2017. Ford was the only automotive brand to win in a major category at the Awards. The Ford Mustang Rock the Road (a.k.a. Roar) video featured actor-race car driver Matteo Guidicelli and rock band Sandwich, creatively integrated the iconic roar of the Mustang engine into a musical performance. The video earned over seven million views on Facebook, more than 33 million online impressions, a 90 percent increase in vehicle inquiries, helping the Mustang sell out across dealerships in the Philippines. The Kidlat Awards, which is held annually by the 4A’s Creative Guild, recognizes the best and most creative works in the advertising industry. “We’re honored to be recognized by the Kidlat Awards for our creative efforts to support the iconic Mustang. This reinforces our strategy of storytelling through creative communications,” said Lance Mosley, managing director, Ford Philippines. To watch the video, visit: https://www.facebook. com/FordPhilippines/videos/1158680254211612/.

Actor and race car driver Matteo Guidicelli (left) with TV personality Ivan Carapiet

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

HE is happy with what she is doing now on ABS-CBN. Hosting the baby reality show called Bet On Your Baby, that’s what. She could have said ‘no” to this project and insisted on reviving the aborted soap opera when she got pregnant more than a year ago, but the drama actress who had an issue with weight chose the “baby” show instead. “It’s close to my heart,” she said, “since I am nursing a baby now,” ending it with the Juday-patented giggle. This is Juday’s come back to television, ABS-CBN’s cutest game show. “I’m so excited to be working on TV again. I was gone for more than a year so it feels good to do a show again that is close to my heart. I hope one of your kids can join us in the Baby Dome,” said Juday at the press con before the new season piloted last weekend. The Queen of Drama, who is also the queen of her family with the addition of newborn daughter Luna, also teased audiences of new program elements. “One of these is her newest sidekick, the digital mascot named Piggy Bangs. All throughout the episode, Juday and the contestants she calls the little princes and princesses are interacting with Piggy. All kid contestants also be automatically become membets of the Baby Club that gives them exclusive perks and access to the program. For its pilot week, five celebrity babies with their mommies and daddies will compete. The game starts off with them playing one by one in the game round where the kids will face mini challenges inside the baby dome. One parent must place his or her bet as to how far his or her child can go in accomplishing a particular challenge. If the parent gets it correctly, they win P10,000. If not, they still get a consolation of P5,000. The elimination happens in the second round called “Watcha Makulit.”The first family to get the correct answer advances to the jackpot around. In the final stretch of the show, mommy, daddy, and baby get three chances to find and smash the piggy bank that contains PI million. Bet on Your Baby has changed a lot of lives and has been an inspiring show for Filipino families for almost two years since it premiered in 2013. The show named a total of 11 kid millionaires or called Babynaryos. Because of its grand prizes, exciting games, and the moving stories of the contestants, Bet on Your Baby has been a wellloved show in the Kapamilya network.

ISAH V. RED

all to himself in Canada where they’re headed right after the finale of the show. “Oo naman, excited ako kasi apart from work, at least this time makakapag-bonding kami ni Sanya at magkakapagkwentuhan,” the actor said. *** Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) production of the family musical Annie took home five awards out of 10 nominations at the recent 9th Gawad Buhay Awards. Annie was cited as Best Female Featured Performance in a Musical for Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo; Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical; Female Lead Performance in a Musical for Krystal Brimner; Outstanding Stage Direction of a Musical for Michael Williams; and Outstanding Production of an Existing Material for a Musical. The win added more recognition for the musical after winning the Discoveries of the Year award for Krystal Brimner and Isabeli Araneta-Elizalde, and the Best Foreign Musical Production prize in the 29th ALIW Awards last year. Krystal Brimner, who played the role of Annie, was overwhelmed when she received her Female Lead Performance award, at times rendered speechless by the citation. “I was totally not expecting this and I’m sharing this award with Beli,” she said, acknowledging her co-star and alternate Isabeli Araneta Elizalde who was likewise nominated for the same category. Prior to its win at Philstage’s Gawad Buhay Awards, Annie was awarded the Asia-Pacific Communications award in Singapore, the Asia-Pacific Excellence Awards in Hong Kong, the Gold Stevie Award trophy, and an Anvil award for the viral video #brightertomorrow. It also garnered the Bronze Stevie Medal for its Souvenir Programme and Activity Book. This y e a r,

RWM is set to stage another family musical Chitty Chitty B a n g Bang at the NPAT. For more upcoming RWM entertainment offerings, visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/ Visitor Hotline at (632) 9088833. *** In recognition of his work as one of the most proliﬁc Filipino songwriters and music producers, Willy Cruz was recognized with a posthumous award by the Original Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA) Foundation during the Platinum: Rocco Nacino plants a kiss on Sanya Lopez's World’s Favorite Hit Songs cheek during an event for "Encantadia" Live! concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. *** The OPPA Foundation recognizes Encantadia ends tonight. But some fans of the show can’t get enough, it and supports the world-class talent of the Filipino in the performing seems. A group that refers to its members arts, while also aiming to institutionas Encantadiks is asking GMA Net- alize efforts for its advancement. work for another sequel. I got e-mail from Roberto E. Evangelista (Administrator Encantadia 2016, ofﬁcial Facebook group). The mail said that the group’s petition for a sequel has reached 5,000 signatures. But, of course, we don’t know if the Kapuso network will do a sequel soon. I will, I am sure, but perhaps after two years or maybe even less, if the network’s creative group can’t think of something more original. Meanwhile, love teams in the show are blooming even off screen, like the Seen in photo are OPPA Foundation chairman tandem of Rocco Nacino Kingson Sian awarding the plaque of recognition and Sanya Lopez. The ac- to Willy Cruz’s sister, Ms. Magdalena “Bong” tor vowed he’d have Sanya Cruz-Africa.

JUDY ANN focuses on hosting, sidelines drama Celebrity mom Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo returns to TV as host of a baby reality show

Free workshops in Dagupan record videos to give them a feel VOLUNTEERS from the De La of broadcast news reporting. Salle-College of Saint Benilde Volunteers from the DLSrecently conducted free summer CSB School of Deaf Education training workshops at the Escuela and Applied Sciences de Nuestra Señora de La Salette in (SDEAS) arrived on the Dagupan City. second week and offered free Benilde, through the Center for Special Education symposium Social Action (CSA) office led and Filipino Sign Language by director Leo Cortes, and La classes. The SOS and SDEAS Salette, represented by Marianne teams also paid a courtesy Tan-Lor, president, partnered in call on Dagupan City Mayor the Summer of Service (SOS) Belen T. Fernandez and City 2017 program to provide free Administrator Atty. Farah training and workshop to teachers, Marie G. Decano. staff and students of the De La CSA coordinator Reynolph Salle-supervised school at Tapuac Patrick Ladon revealed that District. the two-week volunteering In the spirit of volunteerism, Students participating in free summer training conducted by program also aims to bring service and collaboration, volunteers from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde participants to unfamiliar Benildeans provided skills-based territories for them to learn services to La Salette from April Management major, taught Campus 17 to 27. CSA matched the skills of SOS Journalism to students from Grades 7 to 11. how to acquaint themselves with another participants to the training needs of its Shena Mae Amor, also a BSBA HRM culture and adjust to a new community. La Salette, a first-time Benilde SOS partner school. student, facilitated the Research WritingAnna Aqui, who works as a Counselor for Science Investigatory Project class for partner, is a center for development and Multimedia Arts at the DLS-CSB Center for Grades 7 to 11 students. She gave different formation of the young through quality, Counseling Services, handled Personality scientific experiments for the students to human and Christian education. The school Development for La Salette teachers and do before teaching them how to write their offers a well-rounded curriculum and staff led by Principal Sonia Tandingan- papers for their science fair exhibits as part employs the innovative Dynamic Learning Program. Camacho and Student Services Director of the culminating activity. Other SOS teams were assigned to Gapan in Rustan DV. Indong. Seymour Sanchez, lecturer at the DLS“I signed up for SOS to share what I know CSB Film Department, served as Team Nueva Ecija, Guiuan in Eastern Samar, Danao about positive psychology and student well- Dagupan’s faculty adviser. Being a former in Cebu, Barangay Masaplod and Barangay being in schools, learn more about myself news producer at CNN Philippines, he Libjo at Dauin in Negros Oriental, Sitio and be of service to other communities,” also taught Broadcast News Writing and Banga and Sitio Matanguilon at Kabankalan Aqui said. Reporting to students of the Campus City in Negros Occidental, Bislig in Surigao del Sur, Davao and Davao Oriental. Mary Clarence B. Cariso, a BSHRIM Journalism class. All groups convened at the Benilde Retreat Hospitality Management student, facilitated The student journalists then covered the the Mathematics Enrichment Program Gilon-gilon ed Baley street dancing parade and Conference Complex in Tagaytay for the class for Grades 4 to 6 while Maria Annie along the city’s downtown area to shoot CrossRoads program and graduation of all D. Billones, a BSBA Human Resource pictures for their photojournalism exhibit and SOS 2017 volunteers last April 30.