Manila Standard - 2017 May 22 - Monday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 97 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

EARLY PREPARATIONS. A worker displays Philippine flags along Aquinaldo Highway in Cavite on Sunday (May 21, 2017 as part of the preparations for Independence Day on June 12. The Philippine flag was first unfurled after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated Spanish forces in the Battle at Alapan, Imus, Cavite. PNA

Duterte slams West: Treat us with dignity Opts to deal with China, Russia amid ‘US double-talk’

By John Paolo Bencito

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said he wanted to forge stronger ties with Russia and China as he accused the West of disregarding Philippine interests a day before he leaves for Moscow for a five-day state visit.

Speaking to Russian media at his hometown Davao City, Duterte said he will not leave the country’s national security dependent on Washington.

“I have nothing against America, [US President Donald] Trump is my friend. But my foreign policy has shifted. I want to deal with China and Russia.

Because in Western world, it’s doubletalk,” Duterte told Russian state broadcaster RT. “You treat me as if I’m your colony still. You must be kidding! We’re an independent country. I want my country to be treated with dignity,” he added.

Duterte will leave Monday from Davao City for a “landmark” visit to Russia in line with a decision to pursue an “independent foreign policy,” the Foreign Affairs Department said.

During his visit to the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Duterte is expected to

sign agreements on defense cooperation, military and technical cooperation, a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a treaty on extradition, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of security between the two countries’ national security councils.

The President is seeking to reverse the country’s arms dependence on the United States, which supplies about three-fourths of the country’s defense requirements.

Duterte also said he did not

want to be dragged into a war with China over the South China Sea. “They [the Americans] want me to fight China. With what?

Do I have cruise missiles? It’s gonna be a massacre! And then what? We’ll sit at the bargaining table and be like – I want this, and they say I want that.

Do I look stupid?” he said.

On the sidelines of the 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos last September, Duterte met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

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PH seeks ‘unconditional’ EU aid

TRADE TALKS. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (left) is seated next to Russia’s Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin during a joint press conference held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s 23rd Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Hanoi on May 21, 2017. AFP

Pacific ministers fight for trade pact sans US ASIA-PACIFIC trade ministers agreed Sunday to try to revive a massive free trade pact, even though the US reaffirmed its decision to pull out, as fears grow of a new global era of protectionism.

The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership covered 40 percent of the global economy before Trump abruptly abandoned it

in January to meet a campaign pledge to save American jobs which he says have been sucked up overseas.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand are leading efforts by the so-called TPP 11 to resuscitate the agreement, convinced it will lock in future free trade and strengthen labour rights and Next page

‘Guard against infra mess’ TAXPAYERS should be on guard against possible irregularities in the implementation of the government’s P9-trillion infrastructure program, Senator Panfilo Lacson said over the weekend.

In an open forum with members of the Rotary Club of Makati Central, Lacson said taking up

the role of watchdog should not be limited to legislators as it was everyone’s civic duty.

“We should be watchful on the implementation of these projects. Losing just 20 percent of the P9 trillion to irregularities means a whopping P1.8 trillion lost to corruption,” he said.

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AFTER spurning aid from the European Union, the Philippines hopes the regional bloc will revive an offer to provide development grants—but this time without conditions linked to the country’s human rights record, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said late Saturday.

“We believe that to help a friend and provide aid it must be without conditions,” Lopez said in an interview late Saturday at a meeting of Asia-Pacific trade ministers in Hanoi, Vietnam. “We would appreciate all aid but we would just request that there be no conditions,” he said. “We would simply not want to be questioned and we follow the principle of non-interference and independence in foreign

policy.”

The Philippines has told the EU it will no longer accept new development grants, which could mean foregoing around 250 million euros ($280 million) in assistance, unless they come with no strings attached. The EU has criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which has led to the deaths of thousands of suspected dealers, and his planned reintroduction of capital punishment.

In a televised speech on Friday, Duterte said his government refused the aid because it was given with the condition “to promote human rights.” Accepting it would give the EU the right to interfere in domestic affairs, he said.

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SE Asians join hands vs terror TOP military officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have vowed to work together to fight terrorism which poses threat to peace and security in the region, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday.

Aside from enhancing joint military exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacities, the agreement also aims to strengthen the regional mechanism to combat violent ideologies and create a coordinated response to nontraditional threats such as disasters, said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año, who also sits as the chairman of the 2017 Asean Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM), called for enhanced cooperation and collaboration among Asean armed forces for a more secure and stable region.

“The threats of terrorism, particularly the spread of ISIS-inspired extremism; maritime security concerns, and the onslaught of disasters and calamities became the focus of the meeting Next page

Party-list group bucks tax reform

By Rio N. Araja IT may not be possible to approve President Rodrigo Duterte’s tax reform package on second reading this Wesdnesday, Ako-Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said Sunday.

Batocabe, president of the Party List Coalition composed of 47 lawmakers, said there is a substantial number of lawmakers opposing the revenue measure that could trigger a rise in the prices of basic goods.

He said while they support many provisions of the tax package bill, they want to scrap a provision lifting the expanded value-added tax exemption on cooperatives.

“A compromise should be reached here because we feel that this will be detrimental to our sector,” said Batocabe.

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Justice belies de Lima yarn on ex-deal

By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice Department has rejected insinuations it has struck deal with Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino in exchange for testifying against detained Senator Leila de Lima on the drug charges against her.

“There is no such deal. She is imagining things,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said when asked to react on De Lima’s accusation that his department dropped the drug charges against Marcelino in exchange for pinning her down in the illegal drug trade.

“Her conscience is just bothering her.”

De Lima is facing trial for her alleged involvement in drug trading inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary. Next page

BARGAIN HUNTING. Parents and their children start buying school uniforms and supplies in Manila’s Divisoria Market, two weeks before classes open on June 5. Ey Acasio

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News

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

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Ilocos solon fumes over ‘excessive’ air fares

By Rio N. Araja ILOCOS Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Sunday warned Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to address complaints about expensive air fares and delayed flights against them and warned that Congress will review their franchises.

“Every week I am your client.

I have a downtime maybe once a week,” the House majority leader said.

“I have been wasting a minimum of two to five hours. Tell your corporate bosses that I will review your franchise. We can amend your franchise anytime.

You make a killing, and we are at your mercy. You have been taking advantage of the riding public.”

Fariñas reminded PAL and Cebu Pacific that their franchises had been granted to them by the Filipino people through their representatives in Congress.

“You have been operating because your bosses, the sovereign Filipino people, have allowed you to do so,” Fariñas said.

“Don’t take advantage of us. Your enterprise is imbued with public interest. Wake up and shape up.”

Fariñas and other lawmakers aired the warning to PAL and Cebu Pacific during the recent hearing of the committee on transportation led by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento.

The committee earlier summoned representatives of concerned government agencies and the airlines to explain their expensive tickets and delayed flights.

The committee called for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the so-called “excessive and opportunistic” airfares collected by the major airlines, particularly PAL and Cebu Pacific. ‘‘Riding an airplane is meant to be convenient and time-efficient,” Sarmiento said.

“Recent developments, however, show that air travel is not how it was envisioned to be. Today, it has become a reality for everyone, everyone who can handle the possibility of inconvenience; everyone who can face the risk of long delays; and everyone who can afford the high price of tickets,” Sarmiento said.

‘Guard...

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The Duterte administration recently lined up an ambitious infrastructure program that will spend P8.4 trillion over the next six years and include a subway system for Metro Manila that will be completed by 2024.

“Our program of infrastructure buildup will entail trillions in economic investments,” Ernesto Pernia, director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said.

Pernia described the P8.4-trillion infrastructure program as the country’s most ambitious.

For this year, the Duterte administration’s infrastructure spending will amount to P847 billion or 5.3 percent of the gross domestic product.

That would be higher than the 2.6-percent average infrastructure spending for the last six administrations, Pernia said.

And for next year infrastructure spending will rise to P1.13 trillion.

Lacson said the potential loss from any irregularity might be much bigger than P1.8 trillion as some contractors considered 20 percent as a minimal amount that could be demanded by corrupt officials.

The government has said it will be earmarking over P9 trillion for infrastructure projects through its “Build, Build, Build” program.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he would also participate actively in hearings on the proposed budget for 2018 once it was submitted to Congress.

Last year, Lacson discovered billions of pesos in pork-like insertions in the budget for 2017.

That included some P8.3 billion in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget for projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

After Lacson exposed the P8.3billion pork and stood his ground, senators agreed to realign the funds to free tuition for state colleges and universities. PNA

VACC: No to tax compromise T The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption said the proposal to drop the charges against Mighty Corp. in exchange for the immediate payment of P3 billion to the government was “unacceptable.”

Group founding chairman Dante Jimenez said the proposed compromise amount was too small compared to the tobaccofirm’s P36.5-billion tax liability

as assessed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in its two tax-evasion complaints before the Justice Department.

“We in the VACC believe that whatever the assessed amount of tax liability is, it should be collected in full,” Jimenez said.

“There should be no compromise when it comes to tax collections because our government

needs money now more than ever.”

Jimenez said if the government wanted to collect from Mighty Corp. right away and not wait for the outcome of the tax-evasion case, which could take years, it could allow the firm to fully settle its liability within a reasonable period so it could finance vital infrastructure projects.

“The government should just allow Mighty Corp. to settle its liabilities on an installment basis instead of agreeing to a compromise amount that is way below the BIR assessment amount,” Jimenez said.

He said aside from requiring Mighty Corp. to pay its total tax liabilities, the government could

Duterte...

kilometers away from the Russian capital of Moscow.

The Philippines and Russia celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations last year but officials said the engagement between the two countries remain at a “nascent” stage.

While he has nothing personal against Washington, Duterte stressed that he needs to protect the country’s foreign policy from American interests.

“If my country collapses, who will bring it back? The US? We need weapons,” he said.

“Russia sells weapons, no conditions. With the US it’s a different story. They make conditions. But I’m not gonna stand on bended knees,” he added.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Philippines and Russia will sign two cooperation agreements on trade and investment promotion and on industry development.

The Philippines has a standing trade program with the Rus-

sian government under the generalized system of preferences (GSP) that up to now is still underutilized, Lopez said.

With the improving ties between the two countries, that could change, he said.

At the start of 2017, a group of Russian investors conducted a trade and investment mission to the Philippines, the first after long years, in search of business opportunities in the Philippines.

The Russian Federation coordinated the delegation sent by the Ministry of Transport with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. The delegates discussed the capacity of Russian companies to take on infrastructure projects like transport systems and power plants.

The team mentioned previous and existing projects in ASEAN countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, and expressed interest in breaking into the Philippine market.

With Othel V. Campos

Acosta also questioned the motive of De Lima in raising the allegation.

“Why is she reacting like that?

Does she expect Marcelino to have knowledge about her?” she said.

Aguirre and Acosta were reacting to De Lima’s allegation that a deal had been struck for Marcelino to testify against her when the department granted his petition for review and and to dismiss the charges against him and Yan. “Isn’t that obvious? It’s too obvious and too brazen. After they dismissed his case, he will now testify against me,” De Lima was quoted in an ambush interview during a hearing in Quezon City.

Marcelino and Yan were ordered released from detention

by Judge Daniel Villanueva of the Manila RTC branch 49 last Thursday after the Justice Department reversed its earlier resolution finding probable cause in the charges and withdrew the case against them.

The two were arrested in a drug bust in a house along Felix Huertas Street in Manila on Jan. 21, 2016, where PNP and PDEA agents seized P380 million worth of shabu.

However, the Justice Department held that the two had “sufficiently proven that they were in

the performance of a lawful duty when they were chanced upon by Philippine National Police) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency joint team.

Upon his release from detention, Marcelino said he was willing to testify in the cases against De Lima and vowed to tell only the truth.

In his earlier affidavit, Marcelino said that while he was detained at the PNP custodial center after his arrest, De Lima visited him and discussed the raid and dismantling of the shabu laboratory in Camiling, Tarlac, that stemmed from his counterintelligence operation.

“We discussed the operation in the clandestine laboratory in Tarlac and the possible infiltration of the drug syndicate in the political leadership of which she said to me, ‘I can assure you the President is not involved’,” he recalled in his sworn statement.

The said raid on what was tagged as the biggest shabu laboratory took place during the previous administration, which meant the President being referred to was former President Aquino.

“I was stunned when she mentioned the President, when I did not even state his name or even allude to him at that time,” Marcelino said.

By Rey E. Requejo

HE government should drop its plan to forge a compromise agreement with tobacco firm Mighty Corp. for its taxevasion cases, a group said Sunday.

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In his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru in November, Duterte slammed what he called the “hypocrisy” of the US and other Western countries and their supposed bullying of smaller nations.

Duterte then claimed that he and Putin have become “fast friends.”

Duterte is also scheduled to deliver a policy speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he is expected to discuss his independent foreign policy and thoughts on achieving peace and security in the region.

Duterte will also talk about his economic policies and encourage businesses to invest in the Philippines during the Philippine-Russia Business Forum in St. Petersburg, about 650

Justice...

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Marcelino’s lawyer, Public Attorneys’ Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, has also disputed De Lima’s latest claim.

She said Marcelino had submitted his affidavit against the senator even before the Justice Department indicted him in court and later on withdrew the case.

“There’s no deal,” Acosta said.

“He [Marcelino] already had an affidavit during the House committee on justice hearing on the Bilibid drug trade last year, and he went there to testify voluntarily but he was not allowed to testify”.

Acosta said the Justice Department’s decision to withdraw the case against Marcelino and his Chinese asset Yan Yi Shou was correct as it was upheld by Manila regional trial court branch 49 and was consistent with the earlier findings of the Quezon City RTC, which granted Marcelino’s bail petition.

“The order of the court finding the motion to withdraw information is meritorious and in accord with truth, justice and law,” Acosta said.

“That alleged deal is speculative.”

PH...

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Still, Lopez said he didn’t think ties with the EU were deteriorating. He also said existing projects wouldn’t be affected.

But there are questions over what is known as the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which provides the Philippines and other developing countries with tariff-free access to the EU for some exports as long as they comply with international agreements, including a commitment against the death penalty.

“We hope it would still be insulated, would still be maintained, because that is more a transactional, that is a commercial arrangement,” Lopez said.

“It benefits us but we believe this also benefits the EU in return as our exports get to enter the EU

market duty-free and it offers definitely a cheaper source of products for consumers as well as cheaper inputs for manufacturers in the EU.” Lopez said Duterte’s war on drugs retained strong backing at home.

“This fight against drugs, we all believe it’s a program that will try to bring back order in the Philippine society, that will save many lives of children, of victims of heinous crimes because of drugs,” he said. “We are seeing for the first time that there’s a leader who is really trying to address this big problem that the Philippines has.”

On Saturday, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said Duterte’s decision to reject more than €250 million in development assistance would mostly affect the EU support for the Mindanao peace process.

“A major part of the new

spending will be reserved for Mindanao to support the peace process,” Jessen reiterated.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that it was the suggestion of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for him to forgo more than 250 million euros ($278.7 million) in funds for development projects in the country to avoid possible “interference” by the European Union.

“The EU, they sent us $200 million. They said, we will grant you. But it needs to be consensual. They told us, we’re giving you to promote human rights, law and order,” Duterte said in his speech before members of the Philippine Coast Guard in Davao.

“But for not receiving it, it was not my idea initially. It was a decision of Carlos Dominguez III, Finance secretary,” the President said. Bloomberg

impose strict conditions, such as canceling its permit and banning it from again engaging in the tobacco trade to stop it from again avoiding the payment of taxes.

Mighty Corp.’s first case involves P9.56 billion in unpaid excise taxes.

The second case involves P26.93 billion in tax liability.

The respondents in the cases are Mighty Corp. owner and vice president for external affairs Alexander Wongchuking; former Armed Forces deputy chief-ofstaff and retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, Might Corp.’s president; retired Judge Oscar Barrientos, executive Vice President; and company treasurer Ernesto Victa.

The prosecutors are set to con-

clude the preliminary investigation hearings in the first case on May 30 but move to start hearing for the second case.

Mighty Corp. has reportedly offered to settle its tax liabilities through a compromise payment agreement, but Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the government had yet to settle the amount and that the filing of cases against the tobacco firm would be necessary before the compromise could be arranged.

He earlier said that President Duterte had agreed to the P3-billion compromise offer, but Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez objected saying the amount should not be less than P15 billion.

SE...

other terror activities in the SuluSulawesi-Celebes Sea. Año described such move as a way to negate the threats and show that strong military cooperation is important in aligning security requirements and initiatives.

Earlier, Año said the surrender of some Abu Sayyaf Group bandits showed that the ongoing military campaign in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu is eroding their will to fight.

“We are seeing this trend right now. For the first time, (we are seeing) them surrendering en masse. It means that we have already broken their will to fight,” Año said.

Arevalo said that from Jan. 1 up to May 17, a total of 81 ASG bandits were killed, 50 surrendered, and 18 were apprehended.

Arevalo said the number of surrendered ASG terrorists was unheard of.

The AFP public affairs office chief said that the surrendered bandits are also claiming that their finances are going low due to their inability to kidnap new victims and ransom them, crippling their ability to acquire weapons, food and other supplies. PNA

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and these inspired the mutual agreement to forge stronger partnerships,” Arevalo said.

During the meeting’s plenary session, Año emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the regional bloc as a whole in order to strengthen its economic leverage and potential.

“ASEAN has become a rising global economic force due to its strategic location and economic activity. It has abundant resources, a more integrated market, and a large combined GDP from its members,” Año said.

“By providing security to our respective nations, we create a better environment for growth and prosperity. And through purposive security cooperation, we actually help to secure and sustain our region’s economic gains. We all know that a secure Asean is a progressive Asean,” he added.

The Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia have an existing trilateral agreement to fight trans-border crimes, terrorism, piracy, and

Pacific...

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environmental protections.

After an early-morning huddle in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay told reporters the TPP 11 “are committed to finding a way forward to deliver” the pact.

Trade representatives agreed to help the United States to rejoin the deal at any time, pinning hopes on a U-turn in American policy.

The TPP was in part crafted as a counterweight to the burgeoning economic might of China.

But Trump’s newly-appointed trade chief Robert Lighthizer poured cold water on the prospect of a US return, saying Washington “pulled out of the TPP and it’s not going to change that decision.”

“The TPP 11 can make their own decisions, the United States makes its decisions, that’s what sovereign nations do,” Lighthizer told reporters, adding his nation will “stay engaged” in the area, albeit on a bilateral basis.

Spearheaded by then-US president Barack Obama, the far-reaching TPP – which notably excludes China – would have rewritten the rules of 21st century trade.

After seven years of negotiations the finalized proposal was signed in February last year, but cannot go

Party-list...

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He said he will file today an amendment to revive the VAT exemption of cooperatives after a majority caucus last May 17.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte, for his part, said the first package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), formerly known as the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP), could help the Duterte administration accomplish its objective of high and inclusive growth.

Villafuerte said House Bill No. 5636 or TRAIN that consolidated the Department of Finance-backed HB No. 4774 with 54 other tax-related bills, is designed to cut income tax rates for the benefit of low-income workers and help raise revenues to fund the Duterte administration’s expenditure program, lift 6 million Filipinos out of poverty and

into force until it is ratified by six countries with a combined 85 percent of the bloc’s total GDP. The deal goes further than most existing free trade pacts, with labour laws, environmental protections and intellectual property rights touted as a new gold standard for global trade.

It promised to transform smaller economies such as Vietnam by offering unprecedented access to the world’s top economies.

The deal was also seen as a way to counter Beijing’s regional economic dominance.

Reviving the TPP, even without the heft of the world’s biggest economy, would still provide ballast against China, analyst Alex Capri told AFP. “The Chinese would not be particularly pleased to see the TPP go ahead even without the United States,” said Capri, a senior fellow and professor at the National University of Singapore.

He did not rule out the eventual return of the United States to the TPP, noting that Trump has “flipflopped” on other campaign positions in a headline-grabbing first few months in office.

The Trump administration has said it is seeking bilateral agreements rather than sweeping free trade pacts, and is pushing for fair trade with partners and not just free trade. AFP transform the Philippines into an upper middle-income country by 2022.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo also backed the return of cooperatives’ VAT exemption.

“Let us restore the exemptions on coop and temper the tax on fuel,” he said, noting that these would hurt the poor the most.

Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, head of the 42-strong Visayan bloc, has proposed a provision in the Duterte administration’s tax package seeking an automatic suspension in the implementation of the proposed P6 tax on petroleum products to safeguard the consumers should the price of crude oil hover around $80 per barrel.

“We feel that this is an effective way to protect consumers from erratic prices of petroleum products. There should be a provision for automatic suspension in the implementation of the proposed tax on petroleum products,” he said.

News 3 solons support Farinas’ scheme

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

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Road safety scheme stalls

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Rio Araja

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THREE members of Congress on Sunday supported a plan to mark absent those who arrive late for the sessions that regularly start at 4 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. After the roll call at 4 pm, the session hall will be closed.

The plan originated from Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, House majority floor leader, and it was supported b Raneo Abu, House deputy speaker, of Batangas; Winston Castelo of Quezon City, and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar.

If carried out, the measure would be enforced starting July 24, or when the 17th Congress opens its second regular session.

“The majority floor leader, on a smaller scale, has done it in the committee on rules, as its chairman. He’s proven that it works effectively. There are times we need somebody to take that role as a parent with a stick to instill discipline and order in the institution. We have a lot of work to accomplish and we need all hands on deck,” said Abu, a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party.

Castelo, chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said the House leadership was right to be strict, citing everyone must come on time since there is a lot of work to do in Congress.

“I agree with our House majority leader. It is the responsibility of lawmakers to attend sessions on time. Drastic situation calls for drastic solution.

Now is the time to be true to our oath,” said Castelo, now a member of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

On the other hand, Evardone, chairperson of the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries, also backed the proposal to sanction latecomers aimed at further improving the performance of the institution.

Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate public services committee, said it has has been eight months since Republic Act No. 10916 or the law mandating speed limiter for public utility vehicles was put in place but its full implementation remains in jeopardy as delays hound the issuance of the law’s implementing rules and regulations.

Despite Congress’ intentions to pass road safety-related measures to ensure a safer environment for the public, Poe lamented that the framework for effectively implementing RA 10916 was still not being realized.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier filed the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act of 2017 that proposed the use of a child restraint system to protect infants and children from the impact of auto collision and the AntiOverloading Act of 2017 which sought to prevent a repeat of accidents like the case of the overloaded bus that fell into a ravine in Nueva Ecija last month.

During the gathering at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, road safety advocates from both the government and private sectors vowed to raise awareness and implement reforms to educate the public on the importance of road safety and the need to address the grim statistics in recent years.

Coinciding with the United Nations-led Global Road Safety, SM Supermalls and SM Cares hosted the Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines (SKWP), Safe Kids Worldwide Network, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. and the WHO event.

Royce Cabunag, director of

ITH an average of 34 Filipinos dying from road accidents daily and causing the deaths of those aged 1519, stakeholders gathered on Sunday to support the World Health Organization’s launching of #SaveLives #SlowDown campaign that aims to install speed limiters on automobiles and help save lives.

SUMMER COOLER. Children make the most out of their summer vacation frolicking in the fountain area of Plaza Cervantes at Binondo, Manila. Ey Acasio

SM Cares Program on Children and Youth, said, “In this fastpaced world, not everything needs to move at the speed of light, and the road is definitely a place where slowing down is vital and lifesaving.”

Cabunag noted that SM Cares is a proud partner in this advocacy to protect and save lives, especially that of the children. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Women and Breastfeeding, Children and Youth, OFW (or SM Global Pinoy), Social Entrepreneurship and Environment and Sustainability.

WHO Health Systems Team Leader Benjamin Lane said reducing speed even by just 1 kilometer per hour will save lives.

Mark De Leon, Assistant Secretary of Department of Transportation and Communications said they are set to implement various programs that will make roads safer to everyone.

“We are proposing the installation of speed limit devices in all our public utility vehicles as well as dashcams and CCTVs for the protection of not only our riding public but pedestrians.

DOTC will make sure our roads are safer,” he said.

Jocelyn Yambao-Franco, President of SWKP, pointed the need to slow down on the road as she cited that worldwide, an estimated 1.25 million die and over 50 million are injured on road crashes annually and by 2020, road traffic crashes are expected to increase by 80 percent in low and middle income countries due to increasing motorization Jesus De la Fuente, Executive Director of SKWP agreed, saying that a large portion of fatal road crashes are caused by speeding.

Lawyer faked Uniwide papers, ordered arrested Citizens’ corps to train the youth — GMA

By Rey Requejo

A MANILA City court has ordered the arrest of a disbarred lawyer following his indictment by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for falsification of public documents and use of falsified documents on two counts.

In the order, a copy of which was furnished to the Department of Justice, Presiding Judge Anne Perpetual Rivera-Sia of Manila City Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 12, issued a warrant commanding law enforcers to arrest Bede Tabalingcos who stands charged for use of falsified documents and falsification of public documents filed by Uniwide Sales Warehouse Club Inc. The warrant of arrest was issued after finding probable cause to the

complaint filed by the Manila Prosecutor’s Office holding Tabalingcos criminally liable for committing the alleged crimes.

In a recent resolution approved by Manila City Prosecutor Edward M. Togonon, Assistant City Prosecutor Nestle A. Go found sufficient basis to the complaint filed by USWCI chairman Jimmy Gow accusing Tabalingcos of falsifying public documents and use of falsified documents.

The case stemmed from Tabalingcos’ unauthorized filing of a petition before the Court of Appeals, not only without authority or approval from the USWCI chairman, but also for falsifying the signatures of Eleonor J. Padagdag of Woodworth Realty Co. in the supposed “special power of attorney” authorizing lawyer To-

SAHARA IN ILOCOS. Tourists enjoy riding all-terrain, all-wheel drive vehicles at the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte. Manny Palmero

mas Caspe to file the petition. The respondent also forged the signature of Caspe in the petition for review filed with the appellate court, to the prejudice of the USWCI interest.

“Upon a thorough evaluation of the complaint, the undersigned (prosecutor) finds sufficient reason to engender a well-founded belief that probable cause exists for the crime charged . . . In light of the foregoing, the undersigned respectfully recommends the filing of information against Bede Tabalingcos for one count of falsification of public documents . . . and two counts of use of falsified documents committed against the complainant,” the resolution stated.

The investigating fiscal stressed that the conclusion was bolstered by the existence of falsified signatures, as sup-

ported by certification confirming the falsity, in the documents submitted by the complainant on the respondent’s alleged unauthorized filing of a petition for review before the Court of Appeals purportedly in behalf of Woodworth Realty Co., which is docketed as CAGR SP No. 130730, Woodworth Realty Co. vs Securities and Exchange Commission.

The prosecutor noted that the complainant, being the aggrieved party, also filed a petition for review with the appellate court questioning the decision of the SEC in dissolving and liquidating five corporations when what petitioners filed was for suspension of payments and rehabilitation of their corporate assets in USWCI vs SEC docketed as CA-GR SP 130736.

FORMER President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo is batting for the creation of a Citizens Service Corps to expand and improve the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program where the youth can truly take part in nation-building.

Stressing that youth training must not only be confined to external and territorial defense, Arroyo filed House Bill No. 5305 to teach and train young people to take part in public and civic affairs, including internal security threats and disaster management.

“This measure seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for the training and mobilization of the youth, and implements a constitutional vision of drawing them into the mainstream of national life by providing avenues for their participation in public and civic affairs, primarily through the establishment of the Citizen Service Training Course (CSTC),” she said.

In a related development, Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu called on Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to consider the immediate passage into law of his measure to revive the mandatory ROTC for Grades 11 and 12 in public and private schools nationwide.

Abu filed House Bill No. 5113 to immediately “resuscitate” the ROTC. “I appeal to the House leadership to give priority to my measure in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire to revive the ROTC aimed at promoting the prime duty of the government to serve and protect the people,” he said.

Under Arroyo’s CSTC bill, a basic citizen service training course shall be mandatory for all college students in baccalaureate degree and vocational courses in all public and private universities, colleges and other learning institutions.

If passed, the bill would retain the external and territorial training provided under the ROTC program, but would expand to cover trainings in internal security, peace and order as well as disaster risk reduction and management.

On the other hand, Abu’s measure sought to amend Republic Act No. 7077 or the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act” to make ROTC mandatory. Rio N. Araja

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

EDITORIAL

Yet another imposition

T

RAFFIC authorities have moved swiftly to implement the AntiDistracted Driving Act as it came into effect last week, eagerly warning motorists what they could not do in their vehicles.

Specifically, drivers are prohibited from using communication devices and other electronic, entertainment and computing gadgets while driving or even while waiting for the traffic light to go green or while on a temporary stop at an intersection.

That means drivers may not take calls or send and receive text messages on their mobile phones while they are behind the wheel.

Traffic and navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps can still be used but drivers must set

Adelle Chua, Editor

their preferred destinations before their departure. Gadgets with these applications can only be installed in areas that will not obstruct the driver’s view.

Mounting phones on the dashboard will no longer be allowed.

The lead agency implementing the law is the Land Transportation Office under the Department of Transportation. The LTO can deputize the police, the MMDA and local government units to carry out enforcement functions.

The penalties are stiff.

Violators will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense and P15,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of the driver’s license. Violations incurred beyond the third offense will result in the revocation of the driver’s license and a fine of P20,000.

The rationale behind the law and its stringent penalties is the mistaken notion that using a cell phone while driving is a major cause of road accidents.

A 2016 National Statistics Office report, for example, shows that there were 1,290 road accidents caused by the use of cell phones while driving. This was a mere 3 percent of the total 43,306 accidents in those three years.

So what were the most common causes? They were bad overtaking (18 percent),

overspeeding (16.7 percent), bad turning (15.16 percent), and mechanical defects (11.5 percent). Data from the three years showed the number of accidents caused by the use of cell phones while driving actually declined, from 608 in 2010 to only 173 in 2012, an indication, perhaps, that campaigns against texting while driving were working.

What do these figures tell us?

That the top three reasons for road accidents, making up more than half of the total, are all the result of poor discipline and driver education.

If the object were really to reduce road accidents, it would seem logical to begin with their biggest cause—poor driver education and bad discipline. In fact, the government might want to do something about another major cause of

accidents—road defects or road repairs, which accounted for almost 10 percent of all accidents from 2010-2012.

The intention is clear and the law was lauded in the beginning.

Indeed irresponsible behavior— texting and calling while driving, specifically—must be changed, even as the numbers have been going down and their share to the total number of road accidents is small.

We say now, however, that there must be distinction on how mobile phones are used. It is one thing to text, and quite another to use applications like Waze and Google Maps.

There is simply no data to show that the use of navigational aids on the dashboard are distracting enough to cause accidents. By and large, these applications have been a boon to motorists, helping them find their

way and avoid congested roads.

One could argue that positioning them under the dashboard would be even more dangerous that having them on top of it, as this would require a downward glance to check the navigational aid.

It would seem a government that cared for its motorists would not hinder, much less penalize them, for using such technologies that help them in their daily lives.

The gusto with which the authorities are now prepared to arrest or ticket motorists who violate this misguided law is reminiscent of the callousness we associate with the previous administration. Against the backdrop of the miserable failures in the past by agencies such as the LTO and the MMDA, this campaign against “distracted driving” is simply another onerous and unjust imposition.

Alan to the balance

In praise of the temporary restraining order

THAT has become an unlikeable phrase—almost synonymous with corruption and judicial excess.

And things did not get any better when President Digong, in his trademark colorful, bellicose and expletive-punctuated language, warned judges against improvidently issuing TROs against government infrastructure projects.

He had reason to be dour. Hireling attorneys of mega construction corporations have been using the device to block the prosecution of government projects that their powerful clients did not win! For sure, TROs can be abused—as can anything good that God

created, including the human tongue!

In fact, the temporary restraining order is a refinement of the legal system that provides even the humblest of citizens succor against the ponderous hand of the state or the insidious schemes of foes.

When a court, no matter that it may sit in some ramshackle building, is able to issue an order that effectively halts an impending government act— no matter its lofty post in the hierarchy of State—that says a lot about the rule of law and highlights the supreme principle of constitutionalism: Ours is a government of laws and not of men (and women)!

When the demolition crew of a megalithic business corporation is positioned to reduce to smithereens the hovel of a frightened family, the TRO is the most eloquent

The Bench is no place for wimps.

assertion of the equality of all before the law. It is what makes the charming promise that “those who have less in life must have more in law” a reality. The temporary restraining order is what maintains the necessary distinction between fact and validity. It prevents “what is” from overpowering “what ought to be.”

That it can be issued ex party (at the instance of the applicant) signals the availability of the law’s reliefs

to all, as well as the urgency of the circumstances that require that it issue. But that, in courts of general jurisdiction, the court must conduct a summary hearing within a 72-hour period to determine whether the restraint should be in place for the full, allowable length of 20 days, bespeaks of the circumspection that the law requires and the fairness that is inscribed in the rules.

It does not become a high official of the land therefore to warn judges against issuing TROs, and to threaten with defiance of the orders of course. The government is the prime educator of the people, and it cannot, in the name of all that our history has struggled for and of all that it holds noble and lofty, encourage and abet transgression of the lawful orders of courts. Neither can

it cultivate in the citizens the dangerous heresy that it is for them to judge what is lawful and what is not.

The stakes are high, but the judges themselves must keep the institutions of law sacrosanct.

Spite and defiance become attractive propositions when the law’s protective institutions are prostituted by the monied, the powerful and the highly placed.

But the Bench is no place for wimps, and when, under the rules, a temporary restraining order should issue, then it must issue, whoever it is who may grind and gnash his teeth. The gavel may be no match to the arsenal that is at the disposal of the Executive, but it is what prevents power from being self-legitimizing, from might being the terrible equivalent of right! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

THE choice of Alan Peter Cayetano as the country’s top diplomat was always on President Rodrigo Duterte’s mind, from Day One of his administration.

In fact, as early as the days after the resounding victory, the president-in-waiting had already privately offered the post to his vice-presidential running mate.

But there was a one-year constitutional ban, and so the President chose his good friend Perfecto Yasay Jr. to fill the void, foreign affairs being a most important affair (pardon the pun).

We were kidding Sen. Alan then, saying that the Presidentelect wanted him as DFA secretary because of his mestizo looks and his American middle name.

Alan’s mother is a Schramm, an American descended from European forebears who migrated to Michigan generations before.

His father, Renato Cayetano of Bulacan and Pateros, was then pursuing his masteral degree in law at the fabled Ann Arbor University in Michigan when he was smitten with the simple and unassuming American.

Those who remember the late Senator Rene Cayetano, who was a brilliant legislator and a colorful legal practitioner and broadcast personality, hardly knew the gentle woman behind his successful career and more importantly, the very Christian values upon which were moored the work ethic of their family. She was always in the background, and remained in the background even when her daughter Pia and son Alan, along with younger siblings Ren-ren and Lino, became active in local and national politics.

“Pang-balanse si Alan sa mga ‘Kano”, a common friend whom I shall not name, then quipped over a late dinner at Sonny Dominguez’ Marco Polo Hotel’s Chinese restaurant.

Our dinner group knew what he meant, though. It was Alan’s middle name. But we all knew that maternal parentage notwithstanding, Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher 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

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

Managing Metro Manila HOW do you solve the interconnected problems of a sprawling metropolis?

Monstrous traffic gridlock, pollution, overpopulation, flooding and a runaway crime rate are only some of the problems facing 12.8 million Metro Manila residents.

Officials of the 16 cities comprising Metro Manila can’t seem to find workable solutions to ease the conditions of people who have chosen to live and work under the most challenging conditions. But stay they do because Metro Manilans are a hardy lot compared to the denizens of New York, Tokyo and other cities of the world whose populations are bursting at the seams.

With these living conditions in our cities in mind, Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza filed a House bill to revive the Metro Manila Commission created during the martial law years. It may seem odd that Atienza, a street parliamentarian during those days, is now borrowing a page from the regime that he had opposed.

Atienza asks: “Why not, if that setup worked?”

The Metro Manila Commission, the precursor of the present Metro Manila Development Authority, was

headed by former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos as governor.

Maybe it w o r k e d because she had the full support of the then-most powerful man in the country.

Most likely, the MMC worked because it was an idea whose time had come. Its concept of seamless coordination among city mayors ensured that solutions were formulated and implemented, and one city’s problem did not spill into another’s area. For example, when Pasay City did not dispose of its garbage properly, its drainage and sewage systems became clogged.

Serious flooding spilled over to Manila.

The idea of an experimental rotating MMDA head was tried by the 16 Metro Manila mayors but failed because of parochial turf and jurisdiction issues.

To solve this petty turf discord, Atienza’s bill calls for the election of a governor to preside over the unwieldy management group. Other mayors may decide to run for governor if they want or if they are encumbered by the threeterm limit to seek re-election as mayor.

At ie n z a’s House bill could be the answer to urban planning issue.

With the Duterte administration’s infrastr ucture program of “build, build, build,” coordination and cooperation among the city governments must be absolute.

An expressway or skyway that runs through several cities must have the clearance and full knowledge of the affected officials and their constituents. Sewage systems and flood control must also be put in place in a way that they do not cause any problem to cities next to each other. The problem of having criminals who commit a crime in one city and then flee to the next must also be resolved. Who decides jurisdiction on matters of detention and court venue?

Atienza’s bill also seeks to address the problem of mass transport system. He mulls the idea of placing the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit operations under his proposed Metro Manila Commission.

His argument for this is that both railways break down almost daily because of inept management. Transferring the management and operations of the MRT and LRT cannot get

any worse under the present setup of the Department of Transportation.

At this stage, Metro Manila commuters, seeking relief from their misery of getting to and from work, would be willing to try anything. Six years under the Aquino administration and the stewardship of former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya did not solve the choking traffic on Edsa and other major roads.

Everyone agrees that the answer is an effective mass transport system and sensible traffic management. Under Duterte’s “build, build, build” program, the people of Metro Manila are hopeful that the proposed construction of two more bridges across the Pasig River is completed before the President’s six-year term is finished.

The Guadalupe bridge on Edsa that spans the Pasig river and that connects the cities of Quezon City, San Juan and Mandaluyong to Makati and Manila is strained from the hundreds of thousands of vehicles that pass it. Perhaps it’s time to conduct a safety inspection of Guadalupe bridge’s structural foundation.

This is necessary, considering residents of Metro Manila are anticipating a strong earthquake.

China is the future of the sharing economy

By Adam Minter IT’S been an excellent few months for start-ups in China’s sharing economy. Perhaps too good. The bike-sharing industry landed its first unicorn, and companies that allow phone users to share battery packs have raised at least $150 million in recent weeks. But at the same time, one startup recently announced that it expects to share at least 500,000 umbrellas in Guangzhou this year while a Jiaxing-based basketballsharing company is getting positive coverage in the state media. No doubt, given the hype, they won’t have trouble securing funding.

It’s easy to mock such businesses. (Just ask Kobe Bryant if anyone wants to share a basketball.) But even as money is wasted and companies merge or go bust, the sharing model looks to have a brighter future in China than almost anywhere else.

Homegrown ride-sharing and home-sharing companies emerged in China early this decade, shortly after Uber Inc. and Airbnb Inc. launched in the US. The industry has boomed ever since. According to the Chinese government’s sharing-economy research office (there really is such a thing), 600 million Chinese conducted business worth

Alan...

From A4 Alan Peter Schramm Cayetano would be nobody’s “little mestizo Amerikano” in the lamentable fashion of the “little brown American” which has characterized many chapters of our past foreign policy directions.

He would be as fiercely independent as his boss Rodrigo Duterte, and equally patriotic.

But while the mercurial president finds speaking his mind out so natural, resulting in often colorful if controversial epithets directed at those who interfere in largely internal affairs of the Philippines, Alan would calibrate his language.

Alan would seek balance.

This is not going to be too easy for the young Alan, who will turn 48 come October this year.

$500 billion in the sector in 2016, up 103 percent over 2015.

Numbers like that attract investors: Chinese sharing companies raised almost $25 billion last year. The sector has grown well beyond cars and apartments: Bike sharing has been one of the country’s most visible—and bubbly— destinationsfor venture capital over the last few months.

Even as much of the Chinese economy is slowing or stalling, the government expects China’s sharing economy to account for 10 percent of GDP by 2020.

Three factors justify that optimism. The first is China’s demographic profile. At one end of the spectrum, China’s millennials are the engine for the country’s world-beating e-commerce industry and the sharing economy that’s grown out of it. Rather than splurge on a car—or even a phone battery pack—many Chinese youth would prefer to save money for lifestyle experiences such as travel, or to seed their own start-ups. At the same time, Chinese seniors lack a strong social safety net and are thus dependent upon the support of children and grandchildren.

They can also personally remember an earlier, harsher China. Unsurprisingly, they’re by nature more frugal, which makes sharing assets more appealing.

The second factor is the

rapidly changing nature payment terminal, or scanning of Chinese consumption. a QR code to complete a Skeptical about product transaction which, in many safety, faced with rising home cases, might be for a very prices and burdened by the small sum. (A typical Chinese responsibility of caring for bike-share requires payments those aging parents, middle- that range from $0.07 to $0.14 class Chinese reportthey’re per 30-minute ride.) Little becoming more discriminating wonder that some investors in how they spend their might think that an umbrellamoney. That’s propelling a sharing service could be viable well-documented shift away This welcoming climate from mass-market products means many of the world’s toward premium products and innovations in sharing services. This has a twofold businesses may start coming effect. First, money that might out of China, rather than Silicon have been spent on, say, a car, is Valley.

Already Chinese instead saved by ride-sharing bike-sharing companies are and applied to other, premium expanding into and being copied purchases. Second, sharing in Southeast Asia, spreading enables access to premium a business model built for experiences—say, via a very China’s peculiar transportation good home share during a challenges. And soon China’s vacation. Interestingly, this vast manufacturing base may trend parallels the growth give rise to an app-based of a rich, e-commerce based sharing economy of its own, trade in secondhand goods providing small manufacturers (in effect, long-term sharing access to 3D printers and other businesses), including luxury equipment. Sure, there will be items like Gucci handbags. boondoggles and busts along The third and most the way. But one day, China important factor is the Chinese may be the one teaching the consumer’s embrace of mobile world how to share. Bloomberg payment systems such Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s AliPay and Apple Inc.’s ApplePay. Chinese mobilebased payments were 50 times greater than those in the US in 2016. These days, it’s commonplace to see Atty. Jimeno’s column will Chinese consumers waving resume next week. their phones in front of a

He is known as a rabid antigraft crusader, having tangled with a former first gentleman, and having been a vociferous leader of an impeachment drive against a sitting president. Of more recent vintage, he tore into the once-fabled poor-man narrative of a highly successful mayor who rose to the vicepresidency, and succeeded in demolishing the chances of one perceived to be the sure winner in last year’s presidential elections.

Alan is a motor-mouth fighter, and metamorphosing from microphone specialist to the quiet whispers (“murmurings” to borrow from President Digong’s inaugural speech) of diplomacy is going to be worth watching.

The key word is balance, which rhymes serendipitously with Alan.

In his first foray into the

world of diplomacy after his history-setting three-minute confirmation by virtual acclamation in the Commission on Appointments, Alan proposed that while there is yet no legally binding mechanism to enforce any deal on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea dispute, China and the Asean should in the meantime “settle for a gentleman’s agreement” to prevent any hostile actions and promote stability in the region.

This statement came after Asean and China finished a draft framework towards negotiating a code of conduct over the disputed maritime area.

“Many countries want it to be legally binding, but what I’m saying is, let’s start with a binding gentleman’s agreement.”

Realistically, or pragmatically in the parlance of geopolitics and international relations, there is no court, not even an

international tribunal, that can enforce its rulings on any sovereign nation. All it can do is use international pressure, which upon the other hand, could create unsettling instability in the region affected.

“We are all trying to avoid not only war, but instability,” Cayetano said.

Using the arguments of a lawyer, Cayetano tiptoes into the realm of diplomacy. What we cannot enforce, we can make acceptable and face-saving compromises upon.

As his superior, the President clearly intones, “we are not giving up our sovereign claims.”

We are just putting the conflict in the back-burner, for the future, to resolve with finality if ever.

And meanwhile, no matter how the usual jeremiads of doom and purveyors of fear keep jeering, we ought to benefit

A5

open thoughts orlando oxales

More growth needs more megawatts FOR many Filipinos, there is something visceral about electricity. We know that it is not free, that modern life has grown dependent on it, and that any fluctuations related to its price will affect the way we budget our routine household expenses.

This is why news of the Energy Regulatory Commission’s version of “dagdag-bawas” will hit a nerve in every consumer. News of a nearly P7-billion refund of over-recoveries by Meralco was quickly negated by the announcement of a consequent rate hike, thanks to an approved increase in Feed-in-Tariff rates.

Needless to say, the two issues have generated their own share of intrigues and controversies. The refund stems from over-recoveries incurred between 2014 and 2016. Meralco officials explained that “timing issues” gave rise to such over-recoveries, as the rate used to compute for the generation charge in a current billing month is based on the generation cost incurred in the previous one. This thus creates a lag.

Meanwhile, the increase in FIT rates, ostensibly to help boost the renewable energy sector, represents what some say are “very fast adjustments” from 4.06 centavos/ kWh in 2015 to 12.40 in 2016 and eventually 26 centavos in mid-2017. Critics of the initiative have hit what they describe as excessive intervention from the government, not only in price control but also in the grid prioritization of otherwise intermittent and unstable energy sources.

For many, what this does, Two issues ef fect ively, have generated is sacrifice consumer interest their own share and cheaper and of intrigues and stable electricity for corporate controversies. interest and “saving the planet,” via g uaranteed pricing, a slew of fiscal incentives, and other privileges. Because of this skewed prioritization, some even describe it as anti-consumer.

There are also reports of so-called “Meralco midnight deals” between the ERC and Meralco-affiliated generation companies that allegedly allowed some 3,551 megawatts of negotiated power supply agreements with periods of 20 years to evade a mandated competitive bidding policy. Some lawmakers have hit the delayed implementation of this rule and hinted at a collusion, something that both parties have vehemently denied.

For its part, the ERC maintained that the extension was not meant to favor any particular utility or generation company. Some industry observers say the move is to “proactively” assure sustainable power supply; distribution utilities and electronic cooperatives from across the country have planned for such by entering into supply contracts with suppliers early on in order to not only decrease exposure from uncertainties of the wholesale electricity spot market but, more importantly, to guarantee the supply requirements of their customers.

After all, some say, an initiative that aims to replace bilateral agreements with competitive bidding will not succeed due to a serious lack of power producers that can adequately supply the country’s growing demand for power. In short, the initiative doesn’t address the problem of supply, which the Duterte administration’s build-build- build mantra will also need to confront.

That necessary surge will only be possible in a healthy market environment with enough energy players.

According to some forecasts, the Philippine economy has the capacity for robust long-term economic growth of about 4.5 to 5 percent per year over the 2016 to 2030 time horizon. But this level, pace, and consistency of growth will require an additional 7,000 megawatts of power generation capacity built over the next five years.

For this to materialize, there needs to be a concrete plan to improve from mere sufficiency to a surplus of energy supply. The Department of Energy’s power development plan aims to make this a reality. Aside from the invitation of foreign investors, local players are also bullishly gearing up for this scenario. This should appease industry, at least for now.

For consumers, the DOE Task Force to Lower the Cost of Electricity in its final report has already identified the main elements contributing to the cost of power along the chain, from generation, transmission, to distribution. Their recommendations include the rationalization of taxes and the removal of bureaucratic barriers to encourage more investments in power plants.

Thus, for both industry and consumers, the issue of supply seems to be the epicenter of our persistent power woes and should guide the rethinking of our energy policies.

from friendlier relations with our neighbors.

Short of a settlement, we start first with building trust and avoiding more tension in the region.

Politics is the art of the possible. In the political realm of international relations, balance is the key.

And for the Philippines, it is Alan to the balance.

A6

News

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trillanes pushes for national ID system bill AFTER the National Identification Bill has passed the committee deliberation of the House of Representatives, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV urged his colleagues in the Senate to act on a measure creating a Filipino Identification Card, otherwise known as the national ID system.

“Aside from promoting efficient delivery of public services by curbing the perennial problem of providing various identifications in transacting with the government, this national ID system could also help our anticrime and anti-terror campaign,” he said.

“By having a centralized database, we would have easy access to information about suspects, fugitives and other lawless elements,” said the senator, a convicted coup plotter.

Under Senate Bill No. 95, the government will be issuing a Filipino Identification Card which shall integrate all existing government-initiated identification system.

The card would serve as the official identification for all Filipinos citizens, whether residing in the country or abroad.

Applicants shall apply for the registration and issuance of the Filipino ID at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of the city or municipality where they are residing.

For Filipinos residing abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority, shall handle registrations at the nearest Philippine embassy or Consular Office of the country where the applicants are residing.

ATTRACTION. Under the sweltering heat of the sun, tourists gather at the Kapurpurawan rock formation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Manny Palmero

Angara: Make college tuition tax deductible

By Macon Ramos-Araneta posal as a possible revenue loss SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara wants to make tuition tax deductible to ensure that tertiary education will be widely accessible to Filipinos, especially for those who cannot qualify for scholarship grants and other assistance.

Senate Bill No. 131 aims to make matriculation fees and other expenses not exceeding P40,000 tax deductible from the gross income of a taxpayer.

His measure, to be known as “Family Tax Relief Act,” seeks to amend Section 34 of the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines.

“The family can use the savings for additional expenses like fare, food. and other daily expenses of their children who go to school,” he said.

“We should not see this pro-

for the government. We should look at the bigger picture and think of the additional college graduates our country would produce and the significant contributions they could offer in the not so distant future,” he added.

The senator, a staunch education advocate, lamented that access to tertiary education remains problematic and elusive.

“Such initiative is also a way of encouraging the parents to send their children to school and for working students to continue their education because of the tax incentives they could get,” Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, said.

Tertiary education shall include post-secondary courses from higher educational or technical and vocational institutions.

PDP wants to end political dynasties S

ENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III said the anti-dynasty provision should be made self-executing in the proposed new Constitution in order to democratize political power.

Pimentel said this is just one of several political reforms that the ruling party, PDPLaban, wanted to introduce in the proposed new Constitution.

The PDP-Laban, headed by Pimentel, is leading a nationwide campaign to amend the 1987 Charter in order to change the form of government from unitary to a federal system.

For the proposed shift to federalism to suc-

ceed, he said it should come with a package of political reforms, among them to subsidize accredited political parties and to penalize political butterflies.

“But we will retain the concept of term limits,” said Pimentel, adding the party wanted to adopt a uniquely Filipino federalism model customized to the country’s needs and circumstances.

He said the current party list system would be improved and transformed into a system of proportional representation for the ruling party to muster a majority and ensure a stable parliament.

“We will raise the qualification requirements for the presidency,” Pimentel said.

Foreign ownership in nationalized economic activities will be delegated to the federal legislature, while land ownership would be reserved only to Filipinos.

Pimentel said the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit would also be strengthened to make them a strong presence in the regions in combatting corruption.

On the judiciary, he said the new Constitution should prohibit “judicial legislation” and a “Constitutional Court” would be established to settle constitutional issues and disputes.

“We intend to have at least one Court of Appeals division per region,” he said referring to the 11 proposed regional governments. “We intend to put time limit to cases and disputes.”

Many cases have clogged court dockets unresolved for years not only because of lack of judges but for other reasons, he said. “We will pursue the one appeal concept.”

More QC politicians transfer to ruling party

By Rio N. Araja

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. At least 8,971 public school kindergarten and elementary pupils in Valenzuela receive free school supplies from the city government during the second day of the Balik Eskwela Project. Each pupil took home backpacks containing textbooks, notebooks and other school supplies. Andrew Rabulan

MORE politicians have jumped ship to the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has sworn in Quezon City councilors as new members of the PDP-Laban.

These include councilors Victor Ferrer Jr., Voltaire Liban III and Mara Suntay of the Liberal Party; Eufemio Lagumbay and Don de Leon of the Nacionalista Party, Kate Coseteng of the Nationalist People’s Coalition; and Anthony Peter Crisologo of the United Nationalist Alliance.

“My shift of political party should not come as a surprise since my father (Rep. Vincent Crisologo) has been with PDPLaban since July last year,” Crisologo said.

Earlier, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte also bolted the Liberal Party to join the PDP-Laban.

Sports Age-group netfest resumes in Carmona OVER 200 entries set out for a week-long test of will and power as they slug it out in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Southwoods leg regional age-group tennis tournament at the Manila Southwoods tennis courts in Carmona, Cavite today (Monday, May 22).

Jose Pague, Alex Bulilan, Tim Gumban and Laurenz Quitara banner the field in the boys’ 18-and-under class while Lila Salvacio, Bettina Bautista, Bea de Ocampo and Denise Bernardo fight it out for top honors and ranking points in the premier side of the girls’ division of the Group 2 tournament sponsored

by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

“With a big number of agegroupers from Cavite and nearby town and cities wanting to showcase their talent and skills, we are putting up the Southwoods leg for the second year and this will now be a regular stop of the circuit,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Quitara, meanwhile, gains the top seeding in the 32-player 16-U draw with EJ Geluz, Athan Arejola and Bulilan as the next top-ranked netters in the event backed by Asiatraders Corp. and the new Unified tennis group, led by PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s and B-Meg. Lila Salacion and Bernardo, on the other hand, are the players to beat in the girls’ 16-U play that also includes De Ocampo and Cindy Nuguit while Kaye Emana, Nina Sandejas, Mica Emana and Francine DIzon tipped to dispute the 14-U championship.

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MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Legality of Manila Cockers Club’s operations upheld THE Games and Amusements Board, chaired

by Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, together with Commissioners Eduard B. Trinidad and Matthew P. Gaston, unanimously upheld the legality of the operations of the Manila Cockers Club, Inc. and its Off-cockpit Betting Stations.

The decision, penned on April 10, 2017, was made in connection with the complaints filed by Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc., Nicson Cruz, Luisito Demaisip, Juanito Tionloc, and Jesi Lapus which questioned the legality of the operations of MCCI, in par-

The GAB recognized that the Local Government Code vested the local government units with sole and exclusive authority to regulate cockfighting.

According to the GAB: “With the enactment of the RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) specifically Sec. 447 (a) ticular, the offering, taking, and (3)(v) thereof, the law vested the acceptance of bets in the OCBS. local government units with the The GAB ruled that Manila following authority, any law to Cockers was granted a franchise the contrary notwithstanding, by the Municipality of Carmona, to wit: Authorize and license the Cavite to establish, maintain and establishment, operation, and operate a cockpit arena under Mu- maintenance of cockpits; Regunicipal Ordinance No. 017-2014. late cockfighting, and Regulate

commercial breeding of gamecocks.”

The GAB, likewise, acknowledged that Manila Cockers was authorized to offer, take and arrange bets in person or by any electronic or other means of processing transactions under its franchise.

The GAB stated that “MCCI was authorized to utilize any available online, digital, wireless or electronic platform services that may facilitate the taking and acceptance of bets outside of the territorial jurisdiction of Carmona, Cavite.”

The GAB further stated that it “recognizes the authority of each and every LGU over cockfighting in its own territorial jurisdiction. This includes the power to decide whether or not to allow the subject betting in OCBS and under what conditions.”

The GAB’s ruling affirms the legality of the OCBS operations of MCCI. On account of the foregoing, the GAB reiterated its directive to MCCI in its letter dated Dec. 6, 2016 for MCCI to obtain the required local permits for the operation of its OCBS.

Forest Hills golf lures record 300

SOFTBALL KINGS. Members and officials of National University pose with ASAPHIL operations manager Jun Veloso (back row, third from right) and vice president for Luzon Eufracio Dela Cruz (back row, second from right), after nipping Adamson, 4-3, in the finals to capture the 2017 Cebuana Lhuillier-ASAPHIL National Softball Intercollegiate Championships crown.

Rivera tops National Slalom in Cabanatuan City MILO Rivera of Tough Gear Racing Team was his usual dominant self as he claimed the overall and production best time of 42.34 in the 3rd leg of the 2017 Phoenix National Slalom Series, held in Cabanatuan (NFA Compound) for the first time after exactly a decade of absence in the city.

Rivera endured a tight battle with Carlos Anton (42.42) of Mark Young Racing Team and Cars Unlimited, even as Pekto Pakutkot of Speedjav Racing Team was third with 42.70.

Inigo Anton came in fourth with 43.62 and Estefano Rivera finished fifth with 43.86.

Meanwhile, Anton brought home the Front Wheel best time of the Day, while his son Inigo Anton clinched the novice best clocking, with Reden Dizon of Team Comet Tarlac taking second spot (44.94).

The 2017 RACE Motorsports Club National Slalom Series is presented by Phoenix Premium 98 and Phoenix Accelerate Fully Synthetic Oil and major sponsors Federal Tyres and Outlast Battery and supported by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, Cars Unlimited Auto Sales Fairview, Mark Young Cars, Michael Mendoza and Joey Vergara, to-

RACE Motosports’ Bing Bang Dulce with winners of the third leg.

gether with media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Auto Car Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine, Ride and Drive Philippines, Driven2ride.ph. and medical team Aeromed.

Winners were awarded right after the slalom race at the Pig Stop Bar and Grill, owned by Daryl Flores and Mik-

ko Briones.

The event was participated in by Team Big Chill, Tough Gear Racing Team, Autofastion Racing Team, Speedjav Racing Team, Team Comet Tarlac, Kajega Racing Team and Mark Young cars.

The 4th leg will be held on June 4 for the first time at the Tarlac Circuit Hills.

Meralco rolls to 3rd straight victory BINAN—Meralco Manila leaned on a second-half goal from skipper James Younghusband to nip JPV Marikina, 1-0, for its third straight victory in the Philippines Football League at Binan Football Stadium.

Younghusband headed home a corner from younger brother, Phil, for the match-winner in the 64th minute that kept the Sparks at the top of the table with nine points from three matches.

JPV actually enjoyed plenty of possession, but the Marikina side couldn’t break down a well-drilled and disciplined Meralco defense.

It was the second loss in three matches for JPV, which has three points on the strength of its 3-2 win over Davao last Sunday.

“I think the team showed heart to survive the match against a very strong JPV team,” said Sparks coach Aris Caslib, whose team earlier defeated Stallion (5-1) and Ilocos United (2-1).

“This was our toughest game so far, and Im glad the players stood up to the challenge.”

Just three minutes after Tahj Minniecon forced a save from Nelson Gasic, Younghusband towered above everyone else to nod home the delivery from Phil for his second goal of the season.

Later, Kaya FC Makati secured its first victory after turning back Davao Aguilas, 2-0, in a game where both teams finished with 10 men at University of Makati.

Jordan Mintah opened the scoring in 16th minute with a close range strike, before Adam Reed converted from the spot to double the advantage just before halftime.

Davao captain Jason Cordova was sent off for a foul on Mintah inside the box, leading to the Reed penalty, but Kaya was also reduced to 10 men when Reed was given a straight red card for a challenge early in the second half.

GOLF EXPO. Members of the Philippine delegation, led

by Tourism Promotions Board CEO Cesar Montano, DOT assistant secretary Ricky Alegre, and The Association for Inbound Golf Tourism president Connie Mamaril, flash the thumbs-up sign after the Philippines won the bid to host the Asia Golf Tourism Convention 2018 in Danang, Vietnam recently. The AGTC, which gathers 600 delegates consisting of over 200 Golf Tour Operators from 36 countries which buy golf and leisure packages in Asia and the Pacific, will be held April 22 to 25, 2018.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at 09178119337, or like the event’s Facebook page racemotorsportsclub.

Some of the official results: Novice Stock Injected: 1st Rainier Tinio 47.86 Novice Stock Carburated: 1st Jonathan Biglang-awa 54.44 Novice Modified A: 1st Reden Dizon 46.18; 2nd JR Vergara 46.30; 3rd Cris de Guzman 46.58; 4th Rainier Tinio 47.44; 5th Adriel Pacis 47.52; 6th Christian Manuel Tan 49.96; 7th Franco Cajucom 52.04; 8th Jonathan Biglang-Awa 52.42 Novice Modified B: 1st Inigo Anton 45.46; 2nd Reden Dizon 45.54; 3rd Andrei Lim 46.30; 4th Potchie Paikot 46.64; 5th Vegil Calayo 46.70; 7th Amiel Barquez 50.08; 8th Julio Dionson 58.64; 9th Patrick Antiporda 61.70 Novice Modified C: 1st Vegil Calayo 45.88; 2nd Inigo Anton 46.34; 3rd Potchie Paikot 47.68; 4th Vrent Velarde 47.96; 5th Ramiro Cruz 49.88; 6th Julio Dionson 56.14 Novice 1A: 1st Inigo Anton 45.50; 2nd Potchie Paikot 46.12 Pro Stock A: 1st Carlos Anton 42.66; 2nd Pekto Pakutkot 44.86; 3rd Dr. Peewee Mendiola 45.90; 4th Milo Rivera 47.56

Makati Sports Club netfest set June 6-12 MAKATI Sports Club, Inc. will hold the 7th Annual National Tennis Open on June 6 to June 12 at the Makati Sports Club in Ayala, Makati City.

The tournament will be participated in by the country’s top players and it will coincide with MSCI’s 41st Club Anniversary, the highlight of which will be the awarding ceremony of the winners of the Tennis Open on June 12.

MSCI is encouraging tennis players throughout the country to participate in this highly competitive but fun event.

The tournament is spearheaded by the MSCI’s Sports Committee Chairman Dennis Loyola, Comptroller/ Sports Manager Ronaldo Limbo, and the club’s General Manager George Salvador.

For more information, call 8178731 and look for Gilbert Balasbas and Norman Montes.

A RECORD 300 members and guests vied for the prizes at stake in the Forest Hills 16th Invitational at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Antipolo, Rizal.

A Mercedes-Benz A 180, Mazda 2, Mitsubishi Mirage, Suzuki Swift and TATA Manza were at stake for a hole-in-one maker.

Aside from these, 136 more prizes were given away during the awards night.

The Mercedes-Benz was sponsored by Auto Nation Group Inc., the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift came from the ANC Group of Companies, while the Mitsubishi Mirage and TATA Manza were from Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. Other sponsors of the tourney were: Texas Eagle Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles, Tashian Insurance Brokers Phils. Inc., GPS Tracker, Golf Force Inc., Megaforce Security Services Corp., Mileage Asia/ Cherrylume, Group Management and Development Corp., Emirates Airlines, Cebu Pacific Airways, K&G Golf Apparel and Accessories, Jewelmer International, Highland Spring Sparkling Water and Musli Biscuits by Suncoat, Irene Chua, Kapihan in Igan and Bar, Edward Dy, Gerry’s Grill Restaurant and Bar, Asia Cargo Container Lines Inc., Recados Bar and Restaurant, Jiang Yin Zong Cheng Steel, NU Steel, Manila Water, Eaton Mega Construction Inc., Eaton Graphics Inc., CC Puno Jr. Construction Inc., Kuysen Enterprises, Transview Philippines, Metro Rail Transit, Honda Motors by ANC Group of Companies, Carasscal Nickel Corp., Reddimart MultiResources Inc., Teesports, Escala Tagaytay, Camp John Hay Golf and Country Club, The Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, The Manor Camp John Hay/The Forest Lodge Camp John Hay, Southwoods Manor, Stresscape Spa, Management and Assistance and Trading Enterprises Services (Mates) Inc., Primepower Manpower Services and Cass Beer.

Crawford eyes Pacquiao next NEW YORK—Unbeaten American Terence Crawford kept his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization junior welterweight titles by stopping Dominican southpaw Felix Diaz after 10 rounds.

Crawford improved to 31-0 with his 22nd victory inside the distance while Diaz fell to 19-2 in the feature at Madison Square Garden.

The Dominican was rocked by a left hook to the head in the eighth round and another early in the ninth as Crawford dominated, tapping the 2008 Beijing Olympic champion on the head in the 10th to embarrass him before Diaz’s cornermen stopped the bout after the round. Crawford, who has won five of his past six fights inside the distance, called out Filipino Manny Pacquiao after the triumph but indicated he was also up for a unification showdown with undefeated champ Julius Indongo.

“Pacquiao. That’s the only fight out there we’re really looking for,” Crawford said. “If not that, Indongo. He came to my fight. I’m ready to go with anybody.” AFP

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

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MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

Sports

Draymond Green (left) and Shaun Livingston of the Golden State Warriors high-five each other during the game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

It’s 3-0 for Warriors K

EVIN Durant scored 19 of his 33 points in the third quarter Saturday (Sunday Manila time) as the Golden State Warriors took a stranglehold lead in the NBA Western Conference finals with a 120-108 blowout of San Antonio.

“I love where my game is at,” Durant said. “I work hard every day I know what I can do in this league. I just try to put my head down and go.”

The Warriors now lead the Spurs,3-0, in the best-of-seven series with game four set for Monday in San Antonio.

The victory appears to put the Warriors on a collision course to meet the mighty Cleveland Cava-

liers in the NBA finals.† No NBA team has ever come back to win a series after losing the first three games.

The Cavaliers are up 2-0 in their NBA semi-final series and have an impressive 247-192 scoring advantage against the Boston Celtics, who lost star player Isaiah Thomas to a season-ending injury on Saturday.

Stephen Curry tallied 21 points

for the Warriors, who are now a perfect 11-0 in the post-season to match the best start in NBA playoff history. They have won 26 of their past 27 games.

Curry expects to see a different Spurs team on Monday night.

“Game four is going to be even tougher,” he said. “It is a chance to close it out and they are going to come out swinging.”

The host Spurs trailed by nine points at the half in game three and came within 69-65 two minutes into the third quarter before Golden State seized command with another incredible scoring

performance.

It was the Spurs’ chance to claw their way back into the series, but by the middle of the fourth quarter at AT&T Center arena, they appeared spent.

“They did a great job and competed really well,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Golden State.

“Every time you look up, you are playing against four all stars. We turned it over too much and we have got to make more shots.”

San Antonio players began settling for shots early in possessions and missed the majority of them as the Warriors compiled an

18-point lead in front of a displeased San Antonio crowd of 18,700.

“Fans want to see a buzzer beater every game,” Durant said. “It is not like that sometimes. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.”

The Spurs’ hopes were severely damaged earlier Saturday when the team announced that star forward Kawhi Leonard would not play in game three because of a sprained left ankle.

Leonard originally injured it in game five of the second round against Houston and reinjured it in the series opener against the Warriors. AFP

UAAP bares new set-up for host school TWO groups will soon run the affairs of University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

This will start in season 80 when Far Eastern University officially takes over as the host school.

FEU president Michael M. Alba revealed the new set-up after formally accepting the chairmanship of UAAP Season 80 from Season 79 president Fr. Ermito de Sagon and UST rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy OP. The university president of eight member schools will make up the board of trustees while junior members will be part of the board of managing directors.

In the next few weeks, I will be focused on the mobilizing and setting up of the new structure of the UAAP, said Alba during the closing ceremonies of the UAAP 2017 season on Saturday night at the Plaza Mayor inside the University of Santo Tomas campus.

The coming season will carry the theme: Go for Great.

The board of trustees will be part of the planning of the calendar of events, which will start with the basketball games this August.

This is new for the university presidents, remarked Alba.

The league will follow an organizational str ucture that is similar to what the National Collegiate Athletic Association is doing.

Peter Atencio

Gymnast Yulo bags gold in Asian Jrs.

BANGKOK—Despite the pain, Carlos Yulo shone brightly for the Philippines on Sunday, capturing the boys parallel bars title in impressive fashion in the 14th Asian Juniors Gymnastics Championships at the Nimibtur Gymnasium here.

Bucking a badly-sprained left ankle, Yulo sealed the gold with a score of 13.825 points, narrowly beating Japanesemedalist Takeru Kitazono (13.75), while humbling Chinaís fancied Chen Yihao, who took the bronze (13.65), in exiting the tournament with a bang.

“Masaya po at nanalo ng gold. Pero masakit pa rin,” said the diminutive Pinoy dynamo,referring to the injury he suffered in practice last Tuesday that nearly sidelined him from competing in his one and only Asian Juniors stint.

It was a significant achievement for the Filipino gymnast, who became the only Southeast Asian entry in the tournament to break the monopoly of established powers like China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea.

“Training, training, training. It all paid off,” said proud Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya of his ward, who had been training intensively for nearly a year in the Japan national training center in Tokyo through the support of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Caloy (Yulo’s nickname) is really a fighter and finally won the gold despite the injury. We are so proud of him,” said GAP secretary general Bettina Pou, who together with the rest of the national squad members, rooted for and witnessed the athleteís golden exploits.

Pou also took the occasion in thanking the PSC for funding the trip of the national team to this event which will serve us well in our buildup to the Malaysia Southeast Asian Games in August. We have learned where we can make improvements now have a better gauge of our SEA Games rivals.

Ironically, Yulo’s main rival proved to be Kitazono, 14, who had been the Filipinoís training partner in the parallel bars for the past five days in the run-up to Sundayís finals.

Kugimiya explained that the Japanese boy had a start value of 5.1 while the Filipinoís start value was 14.8, meaning that the level of difficulty of the formerís routine was higher than the latter.

If not for Kitazonoís mistake on the dismount, Yulo might have lost the gold,î the Japanese coach pointed out.

Performing as the No. 6 in the order of eight finalists, Yulo, a picture of poise and coolness, eclipsed his successors with that score of 13.825 points, leaving Chen (No. 7) and Kitazono (No. 8) as his remaining rivals.

But Chen was tentative while Kitazono wobbled when he landed in blemishing an otherwise superb performance.

Competing in the men’s vault finals of the 7th Asian Seniors Gymnastics Championships later in the day was Singapore Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Reyland Capellan, who would be the fifth gymnast to see action in the event.

900 eyed in Children’s Games

CHILDREN’S GAMES. Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Davao City coordinator Mark Paul Samante says

ver 900 participants are expected in the kick-off launch of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Summer Children’s Games 2017 slated May 25 to 27 in separate venues in Davao City. Beside him is Mildren Untalan, chief-of-staff of Liga ng mga Barangay president Davao City Councilor January Duterte. Tomas Avance—Davao Sportswriter Association

DAVAO CITY—Some 900 participants from 30 barangays in Davao City are expected to see action in the kick-off launch of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)backed Summer Children’s Games 2017 slated May 25 to 27 in separate venues here.

Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Davao City coordinator Mark Paul Samante bared this during Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao.

He said, “We have 60 teams in 3-on-3 basketball since each barangay can field two teams and 30 barangay teams for the girls volleyball. All 30 barangays will also have 10 participants each in the Larong Pinoy.”

He said the Games, designed for children 10 to 12 years old, aims to promote the PSC’s Sports for All program and fulfill President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s di-

Mondilla upbeat at ICTSI Phl Masters revival BACK in winning form, Clyde Mondilla goes for back-toback when the Philippine Golf Tour resumes with the revival of the ICTSI Philippine Masters beginning Wednesday (May 24) at its home at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay.

Mondilla, 24, pulled off a big victory last Saturday, upending the countryís top two players ñ Miguel Tabuena and Tony Lascuña to snare the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship by one, making him the player to watch at the Masters which is making its big comeback after 17 years.

Cassius Casas last won the fabled event in 2000 when Mondilla was barely a kid.

But the Del Monte lad has since become a national play-

er and now a star in the pro ranks and his big comeback from a so-so start in the season, marred by two missed cut stints at the Solaire Philippine Open and at the ICTSI Manila Masters, makes him more than ready for another challenge.

Even from the former Masters themselves ñ including many-time champion and king of Villamor Robert Pactolerin, Rodrigo Cuello and Casas.

Pactolerin, Casas and Cuello will surely be the sentimental favorites but a new breed has since emerged in Philippine golf with Mondillaís surge, that included a runner-up finish at Orchard two weeks ago, underscoring his readiness to shoot for another championship.

Although Tabuena will not be around to compete in the European Tour, the field remains formidable with LascuÒa leading the roster along with fellow veterans Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Gerald Rosales, Mars Pucay, Rey Pagunsan, Benjie Magada, Jhonnel Ababa, Marvin Dumandan and Mhark Fernando.

Young local turks are also expected to crowd Mondilla and the other big guns, including Ira Alido, Jobim Carlos and Keanu Jahns, ensuring another thrilling finish in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by ICTSI,†BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT.

Fresh from a victorious stint at Southwoods, Clyde Mondilla goes to Villamor in Pasay for the ICTSI Masters

rective to bring sports to the grassroots level. The Children’s Games is also part of PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez’s brainchild, Sports for Peace program, that was first held in 2008 with the Mindanao Children’s Games. Ramirez, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, is arriving earlier than the rest of the Manila-based PSC staff as he will be working closely with the PSI Davao City group under Samante who is also being supported by PSI Mindanao coordinator Marlon Malbog in the final preparations of the Summer Children’s Games. The Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office under Mikey Aportadera and the Liga ng Mga Barangay headed by its president Davao City Councilor January Duterte are among the major partners of the Games organizing committee.

Fitch cites risks to PH growth B3

IN BRIEF Real estate loans jumped 22% in Q1 REAL estate loans of universal and commercial banks increased 22 percent in the first quarter to P1.317 trillion from P1.083 trillion a year ago, driven by strong demand both for residential and commercial properties, data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The first-quarter real estate loans were also 3.2 percent higher than P1.276 trillion recorded in the fourth quarter.

Residential real estate loans jumped 21 percent in the first quarter to P322.9 billion from P266.10 billion a year ago, while commercial real estate loans climbed 22 percent to P994.85 billion from P817.78 billion.

Total loans for land developers and construction companies increased 23 percent to P528.87 billion as of end-March from P429.14 billion a year earlier.

Bangko Sentral has been monitoring the real estate exposures of universal, commercial and thrift banks as part of its broader role of assessing the quality of bank exposures to the different sectors of the economy. In early 2012, the regulator ordered banks to disclose more comprehensive reports on their exposures to the real estate sector. It set the limit on real estate loans at 20 percent of the bank’s total loan portfolio. Last year, the real estate exposure of Philippine banks hit 20.77 percent, driven primarily by strong property loans and investments. Julito G. Rada

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

B1

Govt eyes DBP as infra bank

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Finance Department plans to transform state-run Development Bank of the Philippines into an infrastructure bank to help the Duterte administration in closing the country’s decades-old infrastructure gap.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III mentioned the plan to high-ranking officials of Daiwa Securities Group Inc. led by president and chief executive Seiji Nakata, after the latter informed him of Daiwa’s collaboration with DBP on investment banking advisory services.

“We are very happy about your good experience with the DBP. We want to improve the DBP. Our plan is to make it the Philippines’ infrastructure bank,” Dominguez said.

“The DBP, in my view, lost its way for a few years so we want to redirect it like the Development Bank of Japan [DBJ Inc.],” Dominguez said.

DBJ pioneered project financing in Japan, specifically in the sectors of energy and infrastructure.

The meeting with Nakata and other Daiwa executives was held recently in Yokohama, Japan on the sidelines of the 50th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank.

Among those who joined Dominguez’s meeting with Nakata were Keio Tashiro, deputy head, International Operations; Hironori Oka, chairman and regional head of Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong Ltd.; and Kenji Nakanishi, president and chief executive of DBP-Daiwa Capital Markets Phils. Inc. Daiwa and DBP established a joint venture―the DBP Daiwa Capital Markets Philippines in 1995. As a result of the teamup, DBP and Daiwa later on expanded the collaboration to include investment banking advisory services.

DBP currently supports the government’s infra

program by assisting public-private partnership projects at the national and local government levels.

The bank’s priority lending areas, aside from micro, small and medium enterprises, include infrastructure and logistics, social services and protection of the environment.

It recently granted a P550-million term loan to the Camarines Sur provincial government to finance the province’s various infrastructure programs and advised the Department of Transportation in the structuring, tendering and eventual award of the PPP contract for the P65-billion LRT 1 Extension, Operations and Maintenance Project.

Dominguez said DBP as an infra bank could help clients raise funds for projects by tapping the capital markets “and that’s where Daiwa can help, in the capital market side.”

Nakata welcomed Dominguez’s proposal, saying that “we are more than happy to help you through the DBP.” DBP was the country’s seventh-largest bank with total assets of P492.453 billion as of end-2016.

Bill filed to create Mindanao ecozone

IFEX OPENING.

A SURIGAO del Sur congressman filed a bill to create a state-run special economic zone in Mindanao to attract Chinese investments.

Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur said House Bill 2672 proposed the creation of the Bislig City Special Economic Zone “to drive employment and consumption growth and overall economic expansion” in Mindanao in general and in Caraga in particular.

“We need new investors, especially in highly labor-intensive industries, to provide thousands of good-paying jobs and raise the living standards of a greater number of families in Mindanao,” said Pimentel.

He said the proposed ecozone once approved and built would attract Chinese investors, “considering our government-to-government as well as people-to-people relations with China have warmed up owing to President Duterte’s independent foreign policy track.”

Located 208 kilometers northeast of Davao City, Bislig is one of the two component cities of Surigao del Sur – the other being the provincial capital Tandag.

The Paper Industries Corp. used to operate from Bislig until the country’s only integrated forest and paper manufacturer folded up.

Othel V. Campos

Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado (third from left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Taste Asean Pavilion, EU Pavilion and Food Artisans Village on Day 1 of IFEX Philippines on May 19. The three settings were just some of the special features at the three-day event.

International and local buyers, media guests and other visitors trooped to the World Trade Center for the country’s biggest food show.

Food security body seeks immediate 7 foreign, local firms keen on LRT deal importation of 250,000 tons of rice By Darwin G. Amojelar

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales THE National Food Security Council recommended the immediate importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to beef up the buffer stock for the lean season, NFA spokesperson Marietta Ablaza said over the weekend.

Marietta said in a telephone interview the final volume would be tackled by the NFA council in a meeting this week.

The NFSC in a meeting Thursday recommended the importation of 250,000 metric tons plus the 805,000 metric tons under the Minimum Access Volume. “But the NFA Council will be the one to decide,” said Ablaza.

Ablaza said the NFA Council would convene a special meeting this week or next week to discuss the final volume of imports and the guidelines for MAV importation.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco earlier said the NFA Council approved the importation via government to private scheme to augment the buffer stock

for the coming lean months of July to September.

Evasco said the NFA would also shift from government-to-government transaction to government-toprivate importation―a move that is more competitive, least corrupt and transparent.

Instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts, private suppliers from participating countries may now be allowed to participate in the bidding, making the whole process comply with the Government Procurement Reform Act. “We have to make drastic changes in order to ensure a corrupt free and competitive bidding process at the NFA. Hence, instead of doing a G2G, the council will push for a G2P to increase accountability and transparency. While the G2G is exempt from the Government Procurement Reform Act, G2P is not,” said Evasco.

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council requires NFA to maintain a rice buffer stock good to last for 15 days at any given time and for 30 days at the onset of the lean months. At present, the country’s daily consumption rate requirement is 32,720 metric tons or 654,600 bags.

SEVEN foreign and local groups expressed interest to join the bidding for the procurement of trackwork, electrical and machinery systems of Light Rail Transit Line 2 Masinag extension, according to the Transportation Department.

The prospective bidders for the project are Marubeni Corp., Shimizu Corp. Philippines, Sumitomo Corp., AsiaPhil Group, D.M Consunji Inc., Beta Electronic Corp. and Kempal Construction.

“Bidding will be conducted through procedures in accordance with the applicable guidelines for procurement under Japanese ODA loans and is

open to all bidders from eligible source countries as define in the loan agreement,” the department said.

The agency said the eligible nationality of the suppliers should be Japanese in case of the prime contractor and all countries and areas in case of the sub-contractors.

The government earlier awarded the construction of LRT 2 Masinag Extension project to DMCI for P2.27 billion.

LRT 2 east extension project involves adding 4.2 kilometers to the railway from the existing Santolan station at Marcos Highway, Pasig City, all the way to the intersection of Marcos and Sumulong highways in Masinag, Antipolo.

The board of the National

Economic and Development Authority also approved the west extension of the existing Light Rail Transit Line 2 to Port Area, Manila.

The P10.12-billion LRT Line 2 west extension project involves the design and extension of the existing Line 2, from Recto station to Pier 4.

The project will have a total length of 3.02 kilometers and add three stations, including Tutuban (located next to the Cluster Mall); Divisoria (west of Recto Avenue and Asuncion Street intersection) and Pier 4 (located 50 meters north of Zaragoza Street).

The west extension of LRT 2 will be locally funded and implemented within 3.5 years.

IC pushes cyber insurance products TOP FRANCHISEE.

Philippine Seven Corp., the local exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven convenience store chain, honors top performing franchisees at the recent Franchise Appreciation Day. Shown during the awarding ceremony are (from left) PSC president and chief executive Jose Victor Paterno, business development division head Imelda Damo, outstanding South Luzon franchisee of the year Danilo Damo and business development division head Francis Medina.

INSURANCE Commissioner Dennis Funa urged insurance companies to develop cyber insurance products in the wake of the recent “WannaCry” ransomware attacks, or cyber extortions.

Funa said in a statement over the weekend the local insurance industry was a step behind in the development of insurance products specifically designed to protect the insuring public to risks posed by the fast-paced development of the internet-based technologies and activities including its concomitant threats.

Ransomware attacks have already affected hospitals, government offices, schools, major banks and companies around the globe resulting in major interruption of operations due to the lockdown of files and documents in infected computers.

The victims of ransomware were then forced to pay a “ransom” in the form of a bitcoin, a currency used in cyberspace. Since bitcoin, an unregulated currency, is used for the payment of ransomware, it makes it hard for law enforcement officers or agencies to trace its

source making it nearly impossible to apprehend perpetrators.

Affected and unprotected industries and individuals were thus forced to shoulder not only the “ransom” paid, but also the economic loss due to significant business disturbance.

Funa encouraged insurers doing business in the Philippines to develop products that would protect individuals and entities against internet-based risks especially since the need for this type of insurance is highly amplified by the recent movements and threats in cyberspace and in computer technology.

Funa said the cyber insurance market had a huge potential for growth as global demands were on the rise and, at present, only one player in the local market was offering this type of insurance product.

“The proliferation of cyber insurance products in the market will also be highly beneficial to the public since more competitive and innovative cyber insurance products, which can directly answer their needs, will be readily available,” Funa said. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market seen steady at 7,700 level

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

TOCKS are seen moving sideways this week, as the disappointing first-quarter economic figures tempered investors’ positive sentiments.

Analysts said the market’s guarded optimism stance could limit gains, as investors were now looking for fresh positive developments to justify a rally.

“While 1Q17 GDP data fell below expectations, the market is still upbeat on recovery prospects for the remainder this year as projects are rolled-out and budgets are deployed,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

“The only counter would be in timing of construction, with the rainy season ahead.

Overall, investors will keep a tab on joint

venture deals that would arise from the administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ agenda, including financing concessions and other arrangements,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

Local investors are also expected to reposition their portfolio with the upcoming initial public offerings of Eagle Cement Corp. and Cebu Landmasters Inc. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, closed lower last week by 0.6 percent to 7,767.62 on May 20, on weaker-than-expected growth in the domestic economy.

Except for the holding firms which inched up 0.2 percent, all other sub-indices were in the red led by services which decided 2.5 percent, industrial which dipped 0.9 percent and property which dropped 0.9 percent.

Foreign investors were net buyers by P272 million, while average daily turnover declined to P7.4 billion from last week’s aver-

age of P10.8 billion.

The government announced a GDP growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter, below the government’s 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent target for the year. The first-quarter growth figure was also slower than 6.6 percent posted in the fourth quarter and 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

Top gainers last week were Emperador Inc.,the liquor unit of tycoon Andrew Tan which advanced 6.2 percent to P6.82 and Alliance Global Group Inc., the holding company of Tan which climbed 5.5 percent to P14.90.

Logistics company 2Go Inc. rose 4.4 percent to P17.24.

Heavy losers included restaurant chain operator Max’s Group Inc. which dipped 12.3 percent to P18.50, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. which declined 5.8 percent to P67.80 and First Gen Corp. which shed 5.2 percent to P19.68.

Robinsons Land set to sell China homes ROBINSONS Land Corp., the property development arm of the Gokongwei group, said it plans to start pre-selling residential projects in China by 2018.

Robinsons Land said in a recent analysts presentation it had already awarded the construction contract for the development of an 8.5-hectare residential venture in Chengdu, China.

The property, which was acquired by Robinsons Land from the government through a public bidding, would involve a residential project, with small

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

MAY 15-19, 2017 Close Volume

Value

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

4.12 49.55 121.20 106.10 4.02 1.50 35.35 16.4 23.35 7.73 0.68 1.64 785.00 0.690 89 0.72 15.4 26.50 67.00 89 111 242 55.9 215.6 1605.00 84.00 1.2

2,809,000 115,300 9,078,190 6,614,270 64,000 4,953,000 3,493,500 440,900 9,014,700 25,100 19,000 45,000 280 20,052,000 13,424,490 642,000 562,500 1,600 541,400 3,360 400 3,350 3,212,470 3,581,400 450 407,940 2,488,000

FINANCIAL 11,109,940.00 5,666,320.00 1,103,387,732 701,689,225.00 254,010.00 7,166,940.00 122,357,090.00 7,200,226.00 205,035,015.00 204,218 12,780 76,060.00 225,500.00 13,926,480.00 1,190,139,523.50 455,980.00 8,731,080.00 42,400.00 36,311,082.50 294,830.00 44,000.00 809,766.00 176,298,989 772,821,538.00 734,625 34,076,835.00 3,216,550.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

39.9 6.01 0.84 1.59 21.75 0.280 117.7 14.34 7.09 16.98 192.8 23.25 80 86 74 1.92 5.7 11.8 12.780 10.20 6.82 5.99 1.69 19.68 70.4 13.30 14.32 9.8 1.580 203.00 71.90 4.55 3.7 25.95 31.3 18.5 19.36 0.245 278.80 6.20 3.39 10.68 3.5 11.50 2.11 11.16 1.95 67.8 6 4.85 1.8 3.34 295.2 12.96 4.5 0.151 1.36 159.6 4.1 1.61 31.50 1.10

10,943,200 14,976,200 18,454,000 23,453,000 69,000 82,370,000 370 27,900 45,109,600 9,574,500 910 428,800 7,470 430 385,060 1,421,000 424,900 227,100 14,957,400 10,219,300 13,321,000 79,587,900 14,000 13,946,900 425,170 552,200 2,038,900 20,685,100 8,560,000 6,023,230 180 5,430,800 180,000 3,800 4,251,000 17,176,800 16,079,800 8,100,000 625,490 145,300 1,344,000 76,545,300 5,000 132,500 18,575,000 12,660,500 12,293,000 5,203,680 10,744,700 11,272,000 62,000 1,466,000 54,470 14,006,100 559,000 7,030,000 1,504,000 16,010,590 268,000 8,277,000 3,000 5,083,000

INDUSTRIAL 436,532,565.00 86,679,874.00 15,904,280.00 38,114,230.00 1,524,795.00 23,688,450.00 43,815.00 406,076.00 323,713,989.00 162,392,464 172,811.00 9,936,700.00 605,004.00 36,630.00 27,348,181 2,725,310.00 2,425,055.00 2,676,262.00 190,690,522.00 104,021,290.00 88,936,758.00 475,453,589.00 24,450.00 278,290,277.00 30,327,644.00 7,351,930.00 29,508,058.00 197,575,354.00 13,397,350.00 1,232,040,942.00 12,065.00 26,329,659.00 659,450.00 98,320.00 131,862,690.00 318,948,035.00 304,668,966.00 1,979,700.00 172,787,400.00 894,093.00 4,555,680.00 797,145,470.00 17,500.00 1,521,802.00 39,359,020.00 135,159,078.00 24,704,120.00 364,780,588.00 63,878,789.00 53,956,870.00 124,200.00 4,772,490.00 16,346,142.00 185,021,506.00 2,511,650.00 1,042,890.00 2,078,130.00 2,554,024,393 1,105,180.00 13,196,060.00 95,030.00 5,827,660.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.365 75.80 14.90 1.15 6.20 0.340 0.335 864.5 1002.00 8.14 13.24 5.7 7.85 0.199 1249 6.75 83.00 4.5 4.65 5.1 1 7.18 16.24 0.400 6.6 3.3 0.0590 1.000 2.100 2.50 109.00 2.9 775.00 1.39 0.92 310.000 210.00 0.2950 0.2050 0.247

2,060,000 6,655,870 102,582,300 5,086,000 74,600 69,940,000 25,360,000 1,254,540 5 6,151,600 41,840,500 52,000 178,000 4,860,000 612,825 898,100 13,308,940 17,000 25,200 52,300 6,782,000 7,300,100 12,877,300 370,000 106,504,400 8,000 827,410,000 30,000 15,060,000 10,000 880,110 456,000 2,202,950 2,230,000 30,000 17,890 430 7,810,000 600,000 1,740,000

HOLDING FIRMS 758,200.00 504,725,148.00 1,531,161,454.00 6,179,770.00 454,713.00 24,041,500.00 8,756,750.00 1,085,167,055 5,010.00 50,261,348.00 552,657,708.00 305,873.00 1,392,557.00 974,610.00 763,018,055.00 6,031,725.00 1,100,890,480.50 72,060.00 123,785.00 266,490.00 6,769,890.00 52,549,393.00 209,164,818.00 150,900.00 705,014,058.00 26,350.00 50,649,000.00 27,780.00 30,203,830.00 25,000.00 95,551,754.00 1,294,000.00 1,706,921,035.00 3,157,310.00 27,600.00 5,521,356.00 86,620.00 2,247,100.00 130,140.00 430,550.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `B’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Interport `B’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

6.600 1.21 6.50 2.250 1.340 37.400 4.14 5.31 6 0.500 1.06 1.380 0.157 0.540 50.5 0.700 0.158 1.60 1.04 1.03 4.03 4.12 4.24 0.370 0.3650

1,643,000 46,876,000 2,400 2,517,000 34,847,000 64,325,400 24,820,000 261,800 2,000 26,431,000 240,000 913,000 20,970,000 44,350,000 1,462,730 439,000 10,840,000 43,416,000 44,043,000 4,505,000 26,000 17,000 119,353,000 611,120,000 13,350,000

PROPERTY 11,038,945.00 56,279,170.00 15,600.00 5,614,920.00 46,539,060.00 2,461,749,235.00 103,355,970.00 1,387,263.00 11,960.00 13,117,850.00 258,660.00 1,254,200.00 3,301,250.00 23,018,950.00 73,908,834.00 300,390.00 1,749,810.00 71,359,940.00 45,086,340.00 4,748,960.00 104,760.00 70,100.00 503,307,850.00 217,363,200.00 4,788,170.00

Close

MAY 8-12, 2017 Volume Value

STOCKS

MAY 15-19, 2017 Close Volume

Value

Close

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.750 31.00 4.1 24.20 1.7 3.25 32.50 1 6.98 0.880 5.200

213,796,000 2,700 4,829,000 7,997,800 1,781,000 1,254,000 49,659,800 16,856,000 48,800 1,348,000 12,883,900

157,837,560.00 82,125.00 19,515,810.00 194,670,230.00 3,036,300.00 4,116,390.00 1,614,405,095.00 16,779,400.00 322,118.00 1,190,860.00 66,699,520.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

17.24 43.65 1.55 0.520 0.046 11.1 5.75 9.60 0.0870 1.99 97.7 9.8 8.95 2.6 3.51 970 2014 6.13 16.32 2.91 99 3.50 12.66 8.90 0.182 1.3600 3.69 16.54 4.11 0.94 4.35 2.38 8.5 3.84 2.640 11.54 5.33 2.98 8.22 180.00 8.20 1610.00 0.400 1.530 43.35 83.65 5.89 2.62 1.110 2.13 3.41 0.680 5.390

4,525,900 170,700 27,000 23,316,000 193,700,000 42,200 36,167,300 68,375,800 159,710,000 17,001,000 812,120 22,100 690,600 3,000 10,000 490 375,945 1,613,700 479,500 15,154,000 12,500,790 656,000 114,900 1,632,100 14,210,000 2,528,000 236,000 176,200 9,576,000 103,000 7,641,000 2,065,000 45,252,700 22,827,000 4,447,000 23,200 79,400 30,000 300 529,460 15,663,400 751,765 10,660,000 32,387,000 5,216,400 5,778,520 1,242,800 63,381,000 24,317,000 64,000 17,970,000 111,715,000 67,962,700

SERVICES 78,413,268.00 7,474,940.00 42,640.00 12,260,550.00 8,981,600.00 500,054.00 242,915,146 666,677,468.00 13,853,260.00 32,791,970.00 80,038,433.00 217,000.00 6,191,819.00 7,430 35,140.00 475,300.00 750,640,075 9,870,562.00 7,831,678.00 43,796,790.00 1,226,055,202.50 2,315,400 1,435,836.00 14,632,213.00 2,585,520.00 3,426,750.00 855,840.00 2,914,980.00 37,539,580 98,470.00 33,290,570.00 4,950,200.00 369,739,015.00 88,415,040.00 11,536,190.00 274,200.00 423,922 90,720.00 2,465.00 90,008,970.00 130,308,289.00 1,236,147,375.00 4,281,600.00 49,191,380.00 226,382,740.00 474,052,634.00 7,333,509.00 159,643,350.00 27,029,300.00 137,410.00 62,921,610.00 76,419,980.00 367,638,507.00

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

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0033 1.98 5.10 13.46 2.0700 2.0500 0.91 0.400 8.95 2.510 0.250 0.189 0.195 0.011 0.0110 1.85 6.16 2.2 0.4900 1.0600 0.0110 0.0110 5.53 9.10 3.71 0.0130 158.00 2.78 0.0087

685,194,000 88,359,000 472,200 6,600 291,000 62,000 8,333,000 2,960,000 25,700 5,667,000 3,790,000 18,420,000 18,120,000 394,900,000 259,700,000 938,000 14,709,000 570,000 280,000 6,077,000 43,600,000 3,800,000 4,532,700 2,502,100 43,168,000 70,700,000 4,277,520 684,000 36,400,000

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

43.1 106 517 510 104.5 112.5 115 520 5.82 1010 1022 1.1 109.7 1060 1120 1019 107.9 110 77.2 81 76.2 78.2 79.3 79 78.3 79 2.1

29,400 142,220 5,630 12,200 209,000 12,260 10,000 20,830 2,798,400 305 3,380 364,000 14,340 5 315 3,060 8,270 6,710 123,740 316,130 223,430 139,600 160,910 60,900 511,700 4,180 32,000

LR Warrant

2.290

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,189,000 2,608,150.00

693,700.00 4,715,990.00 644,700.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

2.93 4.1 6.3 8.41

2,000 2,082,000 632,800 20,222,100

3,239,300 69,057,000

22,004,594.00 85,865,410.00

First Metro ETF

128.8

2.270 1.370 39.000 4.21 5.3

956,000 339,560,000 111,718,300 31,455,000 781,800

2,159,930.00 486,015,580.00 4,312,222,005.00 135,100,080.00 4,162,441.00

10.5

0.495 1.05 1.430 0.159 0.510 51.35 0.680 0.172 1.68 1.01 1.05

37,953,000 463,000 2,957,000 22,640,000 24,662,000 5,761,380 3,087,000 15,260,000 44,451,000 96,379,000 16,796,000

19,029,980.00 496,820.00 4,204,820.00 3,626,420.00 12,914,860.00 295,675,310.50 2,166,100.00 2,596,470.00 77,065,550.00 99,687,780.00 17,829,220.00

4.20 4.12 0.385 0.3800

38,000 240,788,000 1,201,090,000 43,940,000

159,810.00 1,031,906,400.00 468,950,950.00 17,473,350.00

3.59 48.8 122.20 106.70 4.00 1.35 35.75 16 22.75 7.71 0.67 1.7 830.00 0.700 86.9 0.71 15.6 26.50 68.00 87 108 239 55.4 217.4 1650.00 82.50 1.19

975,000 80,100 11,681,320 12,149,810 85,000 2,063,000 4,737,500 6,692,400 14,959,900 32,600 32,000 75,000 140 100,128,000 8,798,660 522,000 298,400 22,500 1,572,360 6,130 3,390 22,730 3,906,620 3,994,740 10 667,350 191,000

3,391,270.00 3,939,700.00 1,430,356,052 1,282,812,593.00 335,460.00 2,782,120.00 171,024,725.00 107,532,956.00 344,686,875.00 251,737 22,180 127,660.00 115,550.00 73,413,540.00 759,946,756.50 370,600.00 4,705,034.00 584,095.00 106,553,703.50 532,858.50 382,720.00 5,456,052.00 225,995,033 871,967,970.00 17,245 54,930,382.00 227,660.00

40.3 5.83 0.85 1.63 21.6 0.290 119.5 14.78 7.03 16.88 166 23.45 82.5 94.85 71.5 1.9 5.9 11.6 12.700 9.91 6.42 5.99 1.69 20.75 71.75 13.10 15.44 9.03 1.550 212.00 72.70 4.85 3.7 27.40 30.8 21.1 19.22 0.250 275.00 6.34 3.44 9.98 3.5 11.44 2.14 10.12 2.17 72 5.98 4.80

10,384,600 12,619,800 5,022,000 56,399,000 823,200 128,596,000 4,410 28,600 51,758,000 15,399,000 20 539,800 4,150 440 3,640 3,850,000 61,300 248,600 19,820,000 10,535,200 7,203,300 86,086,600 17,000 28,921,400 1,036,050 109,900 283,900 31,958,700 2,255,000 3,614,910 6,090 5,379,000 131,000 10,600 8,837,000 9,201,800 15,972,100 10,950,000 2,028,320 227,500 2,734,000 78,107,400 15,000 35,700 12,889,000 10,448,900 8,292,000 7,022,820 8,966,600 1,345,000

423,372,505.00 73,195,036.00 4,163,530.00 85,107,960.00 19,089,624.00 71,082,400.00 506,268.50 413,778.00 364,122,924.00 260,694,360 3,320.00 12,515,730.00 338,724.50 40,883.00 259,389 7,435,160.00 355,012.00 2,910,260.00 253,493,482.00 105,189,016.00 46,108,376.00 507,554,056.00 29,710.00 592,042,524.00 74,633,444.00 1,403,962.00 4,394,438.00 285,699,803.00 3,523,290.00 777,010,916.00 435,869.50 25,458,430.00 489,730.00 266,630.00 282,124,645.00 203,611,610.00 309,469,078.00 2,719,970.00 553,678,628.00 1,424,292.00 9,876,900.00 759,648,069.00 52,500.00 407,838.00 27,574,810.00 104,996,565.00 18,005,470.00 506,060,176.50 51,070,532.00 6,449,080.00

3.24 300 13.66 4.45 0.147 1.44 162.5 4.14 1.61 32.00 1.12

1,490,000 168,710 12,336,500 133,000 9,700,000 4,396,000 14,546,900 6,000 19,186,000 4,800 4,525,000

4,833,350.00 50,569,790.00 170,995,412.00 597,000.00 1,453,640.00 6,339,300.00 2,460,307,427 24,910.00 30,786,330.00 154,925.00 5,089,280.00

0.375 76.05 14.12 1.15 6.11 0.360 0.370 868.5

10,530,000 9,031,640 58,305,300 3,849,000 206,300 127,940,000 37,810,000 1,683,690

3,910,950.00 687,414,829.50 842,745,168.00 4,451,950.00 1,278,010.00 48,715,050.00 14,585,150.00 1,476,435,195

8.15 13.12 5.89 7.90 0.217 1256 6.50 83.20 4.27 5.05 5.2 1 7.34 16.4 0.415 6.6 3.22 0.0650 1.100 1.880 2.49 108.90 2.8 770.00 1.39 0.92 307.800

4,619,900 64,414,100 59,900 167,800 11,860,000 1,140,665 302,300 15,893,200 15,000 32,100 6,700 9,977,000 12,611,800 20,445,200 60,000 127,913,700 167,000 1,534,050,000 14,000 2,889,000 7,000 958,240 727,000 3,104,450 744,000 165,000 29,480

38,012,917.00 847,961,692.00 335,253.00 1,333,130.00 2,672,200.00 1,456,160,395.00 1,944,892.00 1,344,852,680.50 64,080.00 159,985.00 35,062.00 10,163,070.00 91,937,940.00 341,233,166.00 24,900.00 845,783,264.00 636,730.00 96,148,340.00 15,390.00 5,442,130.00 17,610.00 103,811,711.00 2,081,270.00 2,405,184,300.00 1,037,810.00 151,450.00 8,946,716.00

0.2900 0.2100 0.250

2,370,000 20,680,000 2,580,000

6.790 1.13

USD DMPL A1

MAY 8-12, 2017 Volume Value

0.760 29.50 3.8 24.00 1.72 3.3 31.90 0.99 6.8 0.890 5.100

614,491,000 1,600 8,410,000 17,499,900 1,938,000 481,000 60,178,100 25,641,000 10,300 4,133,000 14,335,100

480,492,020.00 47,090.00 35,512,470.00 435,801,940.00 3,314,530.00 1,581,750.00 1,946,297,485.00 25,628,180.00 65,284.00 3,802,170.00 74,335,887.00

16.52 43.9 1.58 0.520 0.047 12.3 5.31 9.95 0.0890 1.98 101.9 9.8 8.88 2.55 3.54 970 2032 6.12 16.30 3.00 96.8 3.70 12.64 8.99 0.182 1.3700 3.65 16.4 4.16 0.98 4.02 2.48 8.2 3.86 2.610 11.9 5.35 2.98

4,354,100 182,500 717,000 8,492,000 351,800,000 52,700 29,000 83,229,500 401,330,000 19,570,000 1,656,700 12,200 476,400 7,000 50,000 1,120 418,675 1,433,800 232,500 20,203,000 15,106,110 267,000 444,900 1,518,400 29,450,000 1,765,000 1,423,000 121,300 6,631,000 40,000 11,355,000 2,423,000 64,950,200 19,576,000 12,997,000 89,300 219,800 114,000

73,573,104.00 8,094,800.00 1,212,910.00 4,383,670.00 16,561,200.00 635,634.00 154,406 829,498,418.00 35,754,450.00 38,054,190.00 171,447,582.50 120,807.00 4,215,768.00 17,410 179,980.00 1,086,400.00 862,344,570 8,789,336.00 3,779,276.00 61,304,270.00 1,396,588,842.00 968,300 5,437,226.00 13,620,865.00 5,470,550.00 2,460,590.00 5,088,980.00 1,931,642.00 28,755,820 39,200.00 44,627,790.00 6,064,390.00 545,008,360.00 72,801,110.00 33,905,240.00 1,063,504.00 1,184,351 341,090.00

175.00 7.11 1755.00 0.410 1.560 42.95 81.00 6.02 2.40 1.100 2.05 3.62 0.760 5.390

344,780 2,962,700 861,645 7,050,000 32,116,000 14,965,100 2,471,630 794,000 30,686,000 47,142,000 394,000 58,100,000 211,328,000 43,725,700

60,337,770.00 21,577,551.00 1,499,905,710.00 2,874,750.00 49,954,390.00 651,807,905.00 195,968,970.00 4,712,001.00 73,832,500.00 52,103,310.00 835,750.00 221,470,800.00 151,393,400.00 235,562,893.00

MINING & OIL 2,838,000.00 178,146,750.00 2,401,627.00 86,918.00 608,490.00 125,300.00 7,506,080.00 1,197,300.00 225,848.00 14,181,330.00 949,980.00 3,488,160.00 3,458,240.00 4,475,400.00 2,864,800.00 1,769,020.00 90,364,491.00 1,222,880.00 135,450.00 6,343,200.00 496,600.00 41,800.00 57,151,604.00 22,598,502.00 155,668,420.00 912,000.00 676,557,393.00 1,864,140.00 356,500.00

0.0033 1.86 5.10 13.48 2.0200 2.1000 0.92 0.410 8.98 2.550 0.260 0.193 0.195 0.012 0.0120 1.88 6.05 2.2 0.4650 0.9000 0.0110 0.0110 4.18 9.10 3.16 0.0130 159.00 2.62 0.0093

1,526,200,000 71,733,000 2,390,400 6,000 471,000 73,000 46,391,000 6,320,000 36,900 13,682,000 440,000 43,940,000 12,720,000 46,600,000 77,100,000 2,260,000 62,183,800 326,000 1,676,000 1,356,000 237,900,000 112,100,000 407,000 17,519,100 4,830,000 20,357,500,000 7,013,490 275,000 404,000,000

8,647,800.00 132,860,200.00 12,427,202.00 78,860.00 964,360.00 149,230.00 44,051,800.00 2,609,270.00 325,842.00 34,723,240.00 111,400.00 8,599,420.00 2,514,020.00 528,500.00 925,200.00 4,229,730.00 378,182,268.00 711,270.00 856,440.00 1,253,620.00 2,622,600.00 1,391,100.00 1,660,550.00 154,925,587.00 15,180,780.00 28,684,600.00 1,123,321,957.00 716,530.00 3,895,700.00

PREFERRED 1,274,510.00 15,052,558 2,916,310.00 6,225,000 21,874,995.00 1,379,335.00 1,150,000.00 10,839,800.00 16,252,917.00 309,075.00 3,455,255.00 399,440 1,549,081.00 5,300.00 346,500.00 3,122,340.00 876,751.00 738,110.00 9,498,191.50 25,447,771.00 17,037,369.00 10,921,495.00 12,801,137.00 4,813,200.00 40,122,910.50 330,222.50 72,010.00

42.2 107.7 519 505 105 112.5 117.8 520 5.99 1015 1022 1.09 109.8 1028 1099 1020 106.5 118.9 77.5 80.3 76.05 78.2 79.25 79 78.65 79.25 2.1

159,800 108,400 8,230 12,120 113,050 34,010 11,080 520 3,500,400 16,770 38,525 1,057,000 16,910 1,730 1,165 5,450 7,920 11,910 38,610 266,350 28,390 126,210 311,470 2,040 304,950 68,160 2,000

7,023,810.00 11,636,062 4,283,720.00 6,143,250 11,861,043.00 3,825,323.00 1,274,424.00 270,500.00 20,707,453.00 17,054,250.00 39,462,140.00 1,145,180 1,812,700.00 1,777,615.00 1,182,945.00 5,555,265.00 837,060.00 1,313,759.00 2,979,838.00 21,460,063.00 2,161,657.00 9,847,086.00 24,964,577.00 161,184.00 23,981,480.00 5,362,772.50 4,350.00

2.200

3,112,000

7,188,880.00

4.36 6.44 7.9

5,941,000 375,500 32,113,600

27,557,710.00 2,420,737.00 260,700,503.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 21,070 2,719,756.00

129.5

76,000

9,905,386.00

DDOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 40,460 426,228.00

10.6

9,150

97,879.00

SME 5,860.00 8,712,930.00 4,031,891.00 162,804,526.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Pacifica `A’ Abra Mining MRC Allied Ind. Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Phil. Realty `A’ Apollo Global Boulevard Holdings Megaworld Waterfront Phils.

VOLUME 827,410,000 685,194,000 611,120,000 394,900,000 259,700,000 213,796,000 193,700,000 159,710,000 119,353,000 111,715,000

STOCKS Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ SM Investments Inc. SM Prime Holdings Alliance Global Inc. PLDT Common Jollibee Foods Corp.

I.C.T.S.I. Metrobank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc.

VALUE 2,554,024,393.00 2,461,749,235.00 1,706,921,035.00 1,614,405,095.00 1,531,161,454.00 1,236,147,375.00 1,232,040,942.00 1,226,055,202.50 1,190,139,523.50 1,103,387,732.00

portion for commercial development.

The project will have a total gross floor area of 220,000 square meters. Robinsons Land acquired the property in 2015 for $222 million.

The development―the company’s first venture outside the Philippines―will target the upper to middleincome market in China.

Meanwhile, Robinsons Land said it planned to open four malls and expand two existing ones this year. It also intends to open three new hotels―Summit Galleria Cebu, Summit Tacloban and Go Hotel in Iligan―and two office developments, in Naga and Davao this year.

The planned opening of new malls, hotels and office developments is expected to further boost its leasing business, which accounts for bulk of revenues.

Robinsons Land is currently the second largest mall operator and developer with 44 malls across the country with 1.27 million square meters of gross leasable space.

It is also a leading office and hotel developer with 325,000 sqm of office leasable space and 2,357 hotel rooms as of end March 2017.

The property firm earlier reported an 11-percent decline in first-quarter net income to P1.38 billion on lower real estate revenues.

Jenniffer B. Austria

ABS-CBN spending P3.3b in cable unit

By Darwin G. Amojelar BROADCAST network ABS-CBN Corp. is spending P3.3 billion this year to expand its broadband and cable businesses.

ABS-CBN chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado said the bulk of the capital expenditures of SkyCable Inc. would be used for direct-tohome television service and fiber cable.

“Our broadband business is doing very well,” Cerrado said.

SkyCable now has 205,000 broadband subscribers, including 161,000 DTH subscribers. It also has 672,000 cable TV subscribers.

Cerrado said the company was confident it would meet the earnings target of P3 billion for the year.

Cerrado said the company would manage costs to achieve the profit guidance for 2017. The company, he said, managed to reduce overall costs and expenses in the first quarter.

“We expect costs to go down further as we replace some of the higher cost programs which were carried over from last year,” he said.

The country’s largest media and entertainment company reported a net profit of P314 million in January to March, down 58.7 percent from last year’s P761 million.

ABS-CBN generated consolidated revenues of P9.6 billion from advertising and consumer sales in the first quarter, down 3.2 percent from P9.89 billion a year ago.

Advertising revenues went down 13.4 percent in the first quarter to P4.84 billion from P5.58 billion a year ago in the absence of election-related advertising placements from first quarter of 2016.

Business SM Prime prepares another devt plan

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM Prime Holdings Inc., the real estate unit of tycoon Henry Sy, is preparing another three to five-year development plan that will further strengthen its position as the country’s leading integrated property developer.

SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said in a recent interview the group was focusing on achieving its targets first under the current five-year plan covering 2013 to 2018.

“We are working on that. But we have focus first on the initial five-year target and then we craft a new target for another three to five years,” Lim said.

“We will announce that in due time,” he added.

SM Prime plans to open 75 malls by 2018 from 48 at the end of 2013.

The company on residential development plans to build 138,000 units from 70 projects by the end of 2018 from 63,892 units from 21 projects at the end of 2013.

For office development, SM Prime committed to build seven projects offering 510,000 square meters of gross floor area from 150,000 sq. m. from three projects in 2013.

SM Prime aims to build 2,187 hotels rooms from six projects from 1,015 rooms from four projects at the end 2013 on hotels and leisure projects.

SM Prime as of end March 2017 had 60 malls, six office projects with 383,000 sq. m. of GFA and six hotels with over 1,500 rooms.

SM Prime said its had sufficient landbank, totaling 1,227 hectares, which is good for development over the next five to seven years. The company’s landbank is also geared toward provincial expansion.

SM Prime earlier earmarked P100 billion in capital expenditures for 2017 to 2018 to ensure its five-year plan is achieved.

B3

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Fitch cites risks to PH growth

By Julito G. Rada

P

OLITICAL uncertainties and President Rodrigo Duterte’s unpredictable temperament could be some of the factors that may affect the economy’s growth trajectory going forward, Business Monitor International, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a report over the weekend.

“Risks to the country’s economic growth outlook are to the downside. Political infighting could cause policy gridlock, while Duterte’s unpredictable temperament could upset existing trade relations with major economic partners like the US and the EU,” BMI said.

“Another risk to the Philippine economy is President [Donald]

Trump’s protectionist rhetoric, which could see US outward investment decline and see a shift of the BPO sector back to the US,” BMI said.

BMI, however, said the protectionist risk appeared to have subsided for now with the recent US-China trade agreement suggesting a softening of Trump’s protectionist stance and his ad-

ministration shifting the focus to renegotiating the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement.

President Duterte on Thursday said he was rejecting some 250 million euros in aid from the European Union, apparently in retaliation to recent EU criticism on his war on drugs and to send a signal to the regional bloc not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that while the government was willing to let go of aid from EU, it did not want to lose privileges that Filipino exporters enjoy under the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences+ program.

The Philippines benefitted greatly from the EU’s GSP+

scheme—being the only country in Asean in the scheme—which grants full removal of tariffs on over two-thirds of tariff lines covering a wide range of products.

BMI said the trade privilege resulted in Philippines exports to the EU surging 46 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2017, making the EU its second largest export destination and displacing the US in March 2017.

Economic growth in the first quarter 2017 slowed to a fivequarter low of 6.4 percent, the slowest since 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, due mainly to the absence of robust spending that was evident in the run-up to the presidential elec-

tions in May 2016.

Despite the growth moderation, BMI maintained a constructive view on the country’s medium-term economic growth outlook, banking on the government’s infrastructure overhaul, and an improved business environment to drive growth going forward.

BMI expects an economic growth of 6.3 percent in 2017.

BMI also maintained a constructive view on the medium term that growth might average 6.2 percent over the next five years.

“This outperformance will likely be driven by an improved business environment, positive demographics and the government’s expansionary fiscal plans,” it said.

Citicore Energy Solutions, Inc., a unit of renewable energy company Citicore Power Inc., is now an accredited retail electricity supplier that offers a cleaner alternative source of electricity to bulk consumers. Energy Regulatory Commission chairman and CEO Jose Vicente Salazar (fifth from the left) hands the RES license to CESI president Manolo Candelaria.

They are joined by (from left) CESI vice president Victor Vinarao, ERC Commissioners Geronimo Sta. Ana, Josefina Patricia Asirit and Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, CESI energy regulation and compliance manager Rio Balaba and ERC Commissioner Alfredo Non.

Citicore Power secures

Cusi seeking China’s help in Mindanao link-up retail electricity license

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Department is seeking cooperation with its Chinese counterpart to assist in the crafting of the country’s transmission and distribution network development, including Mindanao.

“What we would like to do and something that we discussed with my counterpart in China is to assist us in the transmission development in Mindanao, including the distribution,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

He confirmed talks with State Grid Corp. of China and National Energy Administration of China. State Grid owns 40 percent of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines,

which operates the country’s transmission network.

Cusi said Mindanao’s energization level was just 74 percent, making it important for the government to expedite the transmission and distribution development, including the planned Visayas-Mindanao interconnection project.

“At least we are hopeful, we announced that the interconnection with the last meeting with NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) is 2020. We are hopeful that we can do it earlier, we are just finishing the work that we need to do,” the energy chief said.

Cusi said government had not decided if it would build the Vis-Min interconnection

project, or allow National Grid to pursue it.

“Whatever is the fastest means to do it, we will do it... At the least cost to lessen the burden to consumers,” he said, adding that the government could also tap the Malampaya fund.

National Grid has submitted its VisayasMindanao Interconnection Project application to the Energy Regulatory Commission in compliance with the government’s directive.

The project, initially estimated to cost P52 billion, will allow power-sharing between Visayas and Mindanao once completed.

Initial findings indicate that the most viable route should begin in Cebu and terminate in Dipolog.

Reflections on Marcopper and mining LENNY STA. BRIGIDA

GREEN LIGHT MARCOPPER Mining Corp. extracted copper on Marinduque Island from 1969 until March 1996. The company is co-owned and managed by Placer Dome.

The problem began when Marcopper disposed of its waste on land, dumping its mine tailings in the abandoned Tapian pit.

While the company plugged leaks in the pit, the pit ultimately collapsed, causing one of the largest mining disasters in the Philippines. The release of toxic mine waste resulted in environmental issues and health concerns for the people of Marinduque, specially those who live along Boac River.

An on-going concern Up until now, as reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (January 25, 2017), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau detects leaks in one of the abandoned dams of Marcopper, raising anew public concerns over the decadesold mining issue in Marinduque.

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995, also known as the Repub-

lic Act No. 7942, is the governing law that regulates mineral resources development in the country. One of the primary objectives of this act is to revitalize the ailing Philippine mining industry by providing fiscal reforms and incentives and maintaining the viable inventory of minerals to sustain the industry.

Responsible for implementing this act is the government agency Mines and Geosciences Bureau, which is under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The case looked into the response of the Philippine government toward recovery measures for the community and the environment following the mining incident and after Marcopper and Barrick closed down all mines and ceased its 30-year operation of extracting copper in the country. And the question is: how can the Philippine government prevent environmental tragedies like the Marcopper mining disaster from recurring while encouraging capital investments in the country?

Always the underdog Marcopper case is an issue on environment and public health

wherein the general public is always the underdog. The case presented a clear existence of violation yet after decades was not yet resolved nor given priority on how to avoid such incident in the future.

The government that should have been representing its people seems to neglect its responsibility on covering the welfare of its territory and the populaces; corruption appears rampant and personal agenda took precedence over national interest. The Philippine Mining act remain as it is, giving way on taking advantage on the weakness on most of the provisions.

Go beyond profits The case awakens humanity on seeing other people suffering and kindles our love for nature. That a business should not bypass the well-being of the community where the business operates, that beyond profit, factors on environmental concern and sustainability should take into consideration. Ultimately, we will definitely go back to nature—the ecosystem in which we live provides natural services for humans and all other species that are essential to our health,

quality of life and survival.

And lastly, I believe that this case is a call to our government in implementing a strict law relating to exploitation of our natural resources. That the likes of responsible mining can exist; that we have the responsibility to the future generations to provide a better place to live. We must realize that nature is not ours to own but rather to care for to ensure that everyone benefits.

And in taking care of nature, we can all enjoy the advantages the environment bestows while paying our respect to Mother Earth.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal she kept in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. Visit her blog at https://lstabrigida.tumblr.com/ The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission granted a retail electricity license to Citicore Energy Solutions Inc., a unit of renewable energy company Citicore Power Inc., allowing the company to offer a cleaner alternative source of electricity to bulk consumers.

Citicore Energy is active in talking to potential customers after securing an RES license that enables it to provide electricity directly to contestable customers under the retail competition and open access program.

Under open access, contestable customers or large users in Luzon and Visayas with an average monthly peak demand of one megawatt have the option to seek their own power suppliers.

“Being a new face in the industry, CESI is confident of being at par with its counterparts in the next few years given its technical expertise, competitive tariff rates, and broad range of customer-friendly services,” the company said.

Citicore Energy also aims to educate consumers on the open access scheme and the impor-

tance of switching to cleaner renewable energy sources and reducing carbon footprint in the country.

Citicore operates three largescale solar power plants in the provinces of Bataan, Negros Occidental and Cebu. These three facilities already account over a hundred megawatts delivered to the national grid.

Citicore plans to build 500 megawatts of solar capacity overseas as part of its expansion program. The planned solar projects are in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The solar expansion forms part of the 1,000-MW renewable energy target capacity that Citicore plans to install by 2020.

Citicore signed a partnership deal with Huawei Technologies Company Ltd. for its overseas solar business development.

The company plans to build a capacity of 1,000 MW using the widest range of RE sources, such as solar, biomass, wind and hydropower. Alena Mae S. Flores

MAMA SITA DONATION. The Mama Sita Foundation turns over Mama Sita commemorative stamps and cookbooks to the San Carlos University Library Resource Center in celebration of Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes’ 100th birth anniversary on May 11, 2017 at the San Carlos University new building at Talamban, Cebu. Shown are (from left) Remedio-Planas, San Carlos University librarian; Rosario Utzurrum, journalist at Sun Star Cebu and Mama Sita Foundation representative; Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, president of San Carlos University; Maxi Doreen Cabarron, SCU director of libraries.

Business

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

B4

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

Saudi, SoftBank raise $93b in fund

Canada ready for new talks on Nafta CANADA is prepared for the start of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and is confident it will get a successful outcome, according to Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

“When you start a discussion you start with saying, ‘well we’re the first client’,” Champagne said in an interview Sunday on the sidelines of a meeting of Asia-Pacific trade ministers in Hanoi, Vietnam. The agreement, negotiated more than two decades ago, “has been amended about 11 times so we said we’re happy to sit at the table.”

New US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has kicked off the process for a rework of the three-way agreement with Canada and Mexico, issuing a 90-day notice to Congress.

During his election campaign, President Donald Trump called the deal a “disaster” that cost millions of US jobs and hollowed out the manufacturing sector. A few weeks ago, he was weighing whether to pull out of the agreement entirely.

Champagne said some parts of the deal could be modernized, citing e-commerce, but he wouldn’t be drawn on whether Canada had any red lines for the discussions.

“We are very prepared and we are taking that very seriously, but we’ll put things on the table when it comes to the time to negotiate,” he said. “I am confident, if history has been guiding us, that if we succeeded 11 times that we are likely to succeed again.”

Champagne said he had a “good first meeting,” with Lighthizer in Vietnam during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum gathering.

“Whatever discussions you have start from the premise of a very fruitful relationship,” he said.

Champagne also met on Sunday with the 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that Trump withdrew the US from in one of his first acts as president. The TPP would have knitted together 40 percent of the global economy.

Canada’s International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne (center) leaves a press conference during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 23rd Ministers responsible for Trade Meeting in Hanoi on May 21, 2017. AFP

All oil producers agree on extended output cuts

A

LL producers agree to extend crude output cuts by nine months to help trim a supply glut, according to Saudi Arabia’s energy minister.

The extension through the first quarter of 2018 will help producers reach their goal of trimming global stockpiles to a five-year average, Khalid AlFalih said. Opec and other global producers such as Russia had agreed to reduce production in the first six month of this year, and the decision to extend the cuts will be taken when they meet in Vienna at the end of the month, Al-Falih said.

“We think we have everybody on board,” Al-Falih said in an interview with Bloomberg television in Riyadh on Saturday. “Everybody I’ve talked to indicated that nine months was a wise decision.” Al-Falih was speaking as Donald Trump started a visit in Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude ex-

porter, on his first overseas trip as US president.

National representatives from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and officials from several non-members discussed in Vienna on Friday the outlook for rising US shale oil production, which has been diluting the price impact of their production cuts. The producers, who together account for about half the world’s oil supply, have seen the initial price boost from their historic agreement fade as shale companies deployed more rigs and raised the country’s output to the highest since 2015.

Officials at the Vienna meeting were relieved that two outside energy consultants had estimates for growth in average

US crude output of 450,000 to 500,000 barrels a day this year, lower than the 562,000 barrela-day forecast from Opec’s own analysts, said two delegates.

Opec and other producers who agreed to the cuts last year are not targeting any specific oil price, Al-Falih said. “Everybody wants the extension, as we realize we have not achieved the objective of bringing global inventories down to a five-year average,” he said.

“Opec and non-Opec countries are working together, and that should encourage investment. My objective is clarity of where the market is going so that people invest, and I am less concerned about prices over the next 12 months than I am over the next 3 years, when supply will be short, demand will be approaching 100 million barrels a day,” he said.

While news of a proposal for a 9-month extension of output cuts helped send prices to

a two-week high on Monday, crude remains stuck near $50 a barrel, less than half the level traded in 2014. Inventories in 35 of the world’s most industrialized nations―the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development―were just above 3 billion barrels in April, or about 307 million above their five-year average, data from the US Energy Information Administration shows.

Inventories are decreasing, crude demand is rising and the global economy is doing well, Al-Falih said on Saturday.

“OECD and non-OECD floating storage has been offloaded into tanks and consumed. We’re coming into high demand season, so I think everything is coming together with consensus among producers, demand rising, the global economy doing well, Japan, Europe, the US are all doing reasonably well economically. So we’re fairly optimistic.” Bloomberg

SOFTBANK Group Corp. and Saudi Arabia formally announced the first round of capital commitments for the largest-ever technology investment fund, as founder Masayoshi Son seeks to accelerate his financing of cutting-edge technologies and startups.

More than $93 billion has been secured from backers led by the Japanese company and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, SoftBank said in a statement Saturday. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Co., Apple Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Foxconn Technology Group and Sharp Corp. are also investing, and SoftBank aims to reach $100 billion with a final close within six months.

Mubadala committed $15 billion, according to a separate statement.

The Vision Fund will allow the billionaire Son to cut even more ambitious deals than he’s been able to do with his highly leveraged company. He has used money from his domestic telecom operations to pay for investments in startups in China, India and the US and for acquisitions of larger companies such as UK chipmaker ARM Holdings Plc and US wireless operator Sprint Corp. Now he sees richer opportunities than ever before in areas like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

“SoftBank has long made bold investments in transformative technologies and supported disruptive entrepreneurs,” Son said in the statement. “The SoftBank Vision Fund is consistent with this strategy and will help build and grow businesses creating the foundational platforms of the next stage of the Information Revolution.”

Yasir Alrumayyan, managing director of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, said the fund will help his country’s strategy of developing “a diversified, knowledge-based economy.” Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chief executive officer of Mubadala, said the SoftBank fund “perfectly complements” the company’s strategy to become an investor in high-growth technology companies.

Son has made tens of billions from investments in companies including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Yahoo!

Inc. and Supercell Oy, and the new fund will pursue a similar strategy of backing technology companies at all stages.

The US will be a focus after Son met with President Donald Trump in December and pledged to create 50,000 new jobs by investing $50 billion in startups and new companies. Bloomberg

Beijing’s new weapon in economic war: Chinese tourists

By Allison Jackson BEIJING―Slapping import bans on products like mangoes, coal and salmon has long been China’s way of punishing countries that refuse to toe its political line.

But Beijing has shown that it can also hurt others by cutting a lucrative Chinese export: tourists who normally flock to South Korea or Taiwan.

China’s recent boycott of South Korea over a US anti-missile shield on the Korean peninsula signals a growing aggression in the way it flexes its economic muscles, analysts say.

Beijing has banned Chinese tour groups from going to the South, hammering its tourist market and the duty-free shops of retail giant Lotte Group, which has been targeted for providing land for the controversial defense system.

Dozens of Lotte stores were closed in China and protests held across the country as Beijing ramped up pressure on Seoul to abandon the Terminal HighAltitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which it sees as a threat to its own military capability.

Lotte also suffered setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures―from the government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyberattacks on company websites.

“If you don’t do what Beijing’s political leaders want they will punish you economically,” said Shaun Rein, founder of Shanghai-based China

Market Research Group.

“They put the economic vise on politicians around the world. They have been doing it for years and it works.”

Seoul-based tour operator Korea-China International Tourism has reported an 85 percent drop in tourists in recent months, which its founder attributes to China’s anger over THAAD. The company usually receives 4,000 mostly Chinese visitors a month, but that has fallen to around 500 after Beijing warned tourists about the risks of traveling to the South, and ordered Chinese tour operators to stop sending groups there.

‘Carrot and stick’ As the world’s second-largest economy and biggest trader, China can also inflict pain by blocking certain imports.

Norway learned that lesson the hard way. After the Oslo-based Nobel Committee awarded the 2010 Peace Prize to jailed Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo, China halted Norwegian salmon exports.

Relations only returned to normal in April after Oslo pledged its commitment to the one-China policy and respect for China’s territorial integrity.

Mongolia also incurred Beijing’s wrath in November when it allowed the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who China views as a devious separatist, to visit the impoverished landlocked country.

Following the exiled Buddhist monk’s visit, China reportedly took punitive measures against Mongolia, includ-

This photo taken on May 18, 2017 shows shoppers in the popular Myeongdong shopping area of Seoul. China’s boycott of South Korea over a US anti-missile shield on the Korean peninsula shows it is becoming more aggressive in the way it flexes its economic muscles, analyst say. AFP

ing stopping trucks carrying coal from crossing the Chinese border―a move with heavy repercussions for Mongolian mining concerns.

Tourism to Taiwan has also fallen sharply as relations across the strait worsen.

The Taipei Hotel Association reported decreases of up to 50 percent in Chinese visitors in recent months and warned “the situation could get worse.”

“I’ve been told by friends not to visit Taiwan since the cross-strait situation

is tense but I am just a regular citizen so I am not too worried about that,” a 58-year-old Chinese man surnamed Liu said in a Taipei duty free shop.

Countries that submit to China’s demands, however, can find themselves rewarded.

A ban on 27 Philippine tropical fruit export companies was lifted after President Rodrigo Duterte declared his “separation” from the United States during a visit to Beijing in October, confirming his tilt towards China.

The sanctions had been intended to punish Manila for its South China Sea stance.

South Korea will be hoping for a similar outcome after its new President Moon Jae-In dispatched his envoy Lee Hae-Chan to China after his election victory last week, in an apparent effort to mend fences with Beijing.

“It’s a kind of carrot and stick policy.

They (China) are doing it to show they have more leverage now and send a signal,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor in political science at Hong Kong Baptist University.

“The irony is that China has criticized that way of doing things but now China is less hesitant to do the same thing because she’s stronger and feels she can do it.”

Filling the void Analysts expect China to become even more assertive as it seeks to fill the vacuum created by the US retreat into “America First” policies promoted by President Donald Trump.

“Smaller nations (in Asia) don’t feel that Trump is going to support them,” said Rein.

But in the case of South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, Beijing has been careful to target specific sectors to avoid disruption that could backfire on Chinese companies.

“It has become a well-developed tool of diplomatic pressure,” said Andrew Gilholm, director of analysis of Greater China and North Asia at Control Risks. AFP

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

LGUs

Lottery for houses in Los Amigos set

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

GROUNDBREAKING. President Rodrigo Duterte is flanked by (from left) National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as they drop a time capsule to mark the groundbreaking of the Biyaya ng Pagbabago Housing Project in Barangay Los Amigos, Davao City. Presidential Photo

‘I will send you to jail,’ Erap warns syndicates M

By Sandy Araneta

ANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has warned syndicate members who will abuse local vendors, saying he would send them to jail—even those claiming to be his relatives or close friends.

Estrada made this promise to members of the Quinta Market Stallholders Association, Inc. who thanked him for improving the Quinta Market in Quiapo.

“No friends, no relatives, for me,” Estrada said, repeating his famous line in the inaugural speech he made as President on June 30, 1998. “If there are people trying to abuse you, report it to me.”

“There will be no excuses and no exceptions. I sent friends to

jail before,” the Manila mayor told the vendors.

“Erap ran for mayor to help the poor, the Filipino masses. I did not become mayor to serve my relatives, my kumpare. If you do something wrong, I will not tolerate it. You will be protected (against these syndicates),” he told the Quiapo vendors, who have been relocated to the reopened Quinta Market.

Led by their president Arnel Chico, the vendors expressed

concern that some individuals claiming to be close to the mayor would still demand protection money from them even if they are now operating inside the newly renovated market.

Estrada assured it is not possible since the city government and the private developer, Marketlife Management and Leasing Corp., is under an agreement to prohibit the collection of any illegal fees from the vendors and stallholders.

Estrada stressed it his duty as the father of the city to look after the welfare of his underprivileged constituents, particularly the lowly vendors who must make ends meet to provide for their families.

The Quinta Market vendors have expressed their gratitude to Estrada for keeping his promise to allow them back to the recently renovated Quinta Market.

Chico said the city mayor has

proven that he is indeed a man of his words. He admitted that he and his fellow vendors held protest rallies in 2015 when the mayor informed them they would have to be relocated temporarily to give way to the renovation of the old and dilapidated market.

They feared they would not be able to go back or be charged with exorbitant fees once the new market is reopened, he recounted. But on the contrary, Estrada made good his promises.

“All of us, all 279 members of our association, are now back in Quinta Market, just like what the mayor had promised,” Chico said.

“We resumed operation without paying advance rental fees or any deposit.”

While the Quinta Market is undergoing renovation, Estrada also gave them P5,000 each as capital assistance, Chico added.

DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte has said the placement of the beneficiaries of the housing project in Los Amigos, Tugbok here will be through lottery to prevent any suspicion of favoritism.

“To prevent favoritism, I think it’s going to be a lottery, so it will now depend on your luck. It will not be pinpointed by the officials because it will spark a suspicion that there is a favoritism,” the President said.

During his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Biyaya ng Pagbabago Housing Project, Duterte said the issue of favoritism will not be prevent because his children are in politics.

“It cannot be prevented because Pulong and Sara are in politics, people will say that we chose him or her because he is a leader or something,” he said.

The President said beneficiaries of the housing project will be composed of former New People’s Army and those residents of the city that were displaced because of calamities.

He said he bought the property years ago for those victims of fire, flooding and even rebel returnees who does not have their own houses.

The local government here said those living in the danger zone areas will be prioritize in the housing project to avoid any unnecessary circumstances.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte said that the partnership between the local government, San Miguel Foundation, Pilipinong May Puso Foundation and National Housing Authority is a big step for the attainment of the city’s vision of gainful employment, decent housing, educational opportunities and healthy living for all Davaoeños.

“It is worth noting that this endeavor is not limited to housing; aide from giving constituents adage and decent place to live, this venture will give the beneficiaries access to educational and livelihood program,” the mayor said.

The project will be composed of 840 units in 21 buildings, 68 social lots and 2 commercial lots.

It is expected to be finished in 18 months and will be turned over during the Araw ng Davao on 2018.

The San Miguel Foundation donated P1 billion for the project, another P24 million will be coming from the NHA while the city’s counterpart will be the lot area in Los Amigos, Tugbok.

Navotas youth in summer program

P200k for Manila centenarians ready STARTING this year, Manileños who reach 100 years of age stand to receive up to P200,000 as the city government’s birthday cash gift to centenarians, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada announced.

Estrada said half of the amount will come from the city government and the other half will come from the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

DSWD has announced the release this April of the P100,000 cash incentives to each of the 2,992 identified centenarians last year following the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

Even before the enactment of the subject law, the Estrada administration has been giving

away P100,000 cash gift to each centenarian in the city. At least 30 centenarians have been given the incentives since April last year.

“When I assumed the mayorship in 2013, I learned there is no program for the senior citizens during the former administration of Manila. The senior citizens are not recognized in Manila. Even your birthday gift is not even given,” Estrada said in a recent meeting with a group of Manila’s senior citizens at the city hall.

The mayor said he is now glad that there are activities for the senior citizens.

He said he ordered the health officers and doctors in the public hospitals and health centers to give them priorities in the medicines, medical attention, and others. Sandy Araneta

WELCOME DANCE. Young Ifugao dancers show their number during the arrival of the inaugural flight

of Wakai Air Services, formally reopening the commercial operations of the Bagabag Airport from Clark International Airport and vice versa. The opening of the airport is expected to boost tourism arrivals in Ifugao, Mt. Province and Cagayan Valley region. Ben Moses Ebreo

P241-M airport soon to open in Calayan Islands

By Abe Almirol CALAYAN, Cagayan—The beauty of the islands in this town of Calayan will soon reveal itself to the eyes of adventure lovers, as tourists can travel to Calayan by air as soon as P241 million worth of air transportation infrastructure is completed.

The airport, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017, was funded by an appropriation allotted to the Department of Tourism.

The Bagabag Airport in Nueva Vizcaya recently opened its runway to commercial flights after 16 years of hibernation.

Calayan airport would be the

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second airport to open in the Cagayan Valley Region this year as President Rodrigo Duterte aggressively pursues his objective to “build, build, build” more infrastructure.

Vice Mayor Edmund Escalante said the new airport would serve as an “alternative transport facility” to improve economic

activities and tourism in the chain of islands in the Babuyan Channel, a sea passage located between Cagayan and Batanes provinces.

“It is a dream come true for all Calayanos to be witnessing soon the maiden flight of the first aircraft to land at the Calayan Airport this year,” Escalante said.

With a population of more than 17,000 people, the town of Calayan is made up of four of the five major islands in the Babuyan Channel—Calayan proper, Camiguin, Dalupiri, and Babuyan Island.

Fuga, the fifth island in the Channel, is part of the town of Aparri.

THE Summer Youth Program in Navotas City is ongoing at the Navotas Sports Complex with several programs offered that will last until June 2.

Under the leadership of Mayor John Rey Tiangco, the yearly youth program offers free training in Taekwondo, judo, acting (Teatro), drawing, guitar lessons and pencak silat.

At least 70 resident-students aged six to 18 registered in the summer program. They will be under the training of coach Emmar Progelia, PO1 April Lynn Nevarez, Evan Dale Progelia, Rogelio Fernandez and Ian Progelia.

According to Emmar, the program which started last May 15 will include a 15-day training program.

Tiangco also announced the participation of youth resident Danielle Patrice Malmis for the Asean Taekwondo Cadet Championship which will be held in Vietnam.

He also said the city government aims to promote sports mindedness to the youth to drive them away from illegal use of drugs and other form of criminalities. Jun David

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LGUs

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

‘NPA can’t block anti-drug drive’ B

By Ben Moses Ebreo

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The protracted threat of the New People’s Army in Cagayan Valley region will not be a hindrance to the Philippine National Police in stepping up its drive against illegal drugs in the region, the new regional police director said Sunday.

“The recent atrocities of the NPA in various military and police establishments will not affect our resolve and campaign against illegal drugs in the region,” Police Chief Supt. Robert Quenery, a native of this town, said.

Quenery recently paid a courtesy call to Governor Carlos Padilla here and met with the officers and policemen of the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office at Camp Saturnino Dumlao here.

He said they have beefed up their security operations and widened their intelligence gathering and network to address the insurgency problem in the region.

Quenery said the recent attacks of the NPA have not dampened their intensified campaign on illegal drugs in Cagayan Valley even.

“We have our priorities such as anti-illegal drugs campaign, graft and corruption and maintenance of peace and order as ordered by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he said.

Quenery said the PNP in the region is right on track on the implementation of the Operation Tokhang Reloaded in the region.

The PNP regional chief said that he will review the implementation of the regional police’s priority programs, projects and activities to further improve and enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out peace and order programs.

Policemen in the region have been in their camouflage uniforms following the issuance of alert status of PNP higher officials after a series of insurgency activities against military and police personnel in Cagayan Valley.

“We are now also active in our internal security operations to prevent the communist in staging another blow to our government,” Quenery said.

He also admitted that the recent peace process between the government and the NPA’s political arm -National COURTESY CALL. Police Chief Supt. Robert Quenery, newly-installed Philippine National Police regional director for Cagayan Valley region, meets with Gov. Democratic Front has been irresponsibly used in strength- Carlos Padilla recently in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Quenery vowed to stop atrocities of the New People’s Army rebels in the region by stepping up internal ening the NPA’s resources and mobilization activities. security measures. Ben Moses Ebreo

Subic is distribution hub for ultra-light flying boats CDC sets

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—An Italian company that manufactures ultra-light aircraft has relocated its base to this premier free port to take advantage of Subic’s ideal position as a product distribution center.

Ramphos Corp., owned and operated by Italian designer Enos Gaiga, has been in the business of making ultra-light aircraft in Italy since 1998.

However, seeing the huge potential of Subic in transshipping product to other parts of the world, Gaiga brought the business to Subic in 2015 and made his first ultra-light flying boat here last year.

“The reason we relocated here is the potential of transshipping our product to other parts of the world without much hassle,” Gaiga explained. “Moreover, Filipinos are great craftsmen when it comes to manufacturing

Manila

Standard

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

TODAY

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS 1.

The Department of Health (DOH) intends to apply the sum of Sixty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP65,500,000.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: ABC (PHP)

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

Funding Source

2017-248

Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct of the ASEAN Breastfeeding Forum and Hakab Na!

15,000,000.00

25,000.00

General Appropriations Act of 2017

2017-245

Procurement of Biological Waste Processor

12,000,000.00

25,000.00

Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016

25,000.00

General Appropriations Act of 2017

IB No.

Name of Contract

Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct 2017-178-A of the Harmonized Health Promotion Awards 38,500,000.00 2017 – Re-bid Total 65,500,000.00

Single Largest Completed Contract

At least Fifty Percent (50%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

2.

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 22 May 2017 to 13 June 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184.

6.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

2017-248

Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct of the ASEAN Breastfeeding Forum and Hakab Na! Procurement of Biological Waste Processor Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct of the Harmonized Health Promotion Awards 2017 – Re-bid

2017-245 2017178-A 7.

Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids 30 May 2017; 10:00 A.M.

13 June 2017; 09:00 A.M.

Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)

Cash, Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank.

Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank.

Two percent (2%) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly Five percent (5%) certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security.

Bid Securing Declaration No percentage required 8.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (SGD) NESTOR F. SANTIAGO, JR, MD, MPHC, MHSA, CESO III Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC - C Chairperson

(MS-MAY 22, 2017)

boats and vehicles.”

Gaiga said the firm’s first ultra-light flying boat, called the Ramphos amphibious, was made in 1998 for recreational use. The next year the model saw commercial production.

According to Gaiga, Ramphos flying boats are easy to fly and can be used for sight-seeing tours, fishing, adventure trips, search and rescue operations, sea and river patrol, light cargo delivery and even special mili-

tary operations.

In 2003, Ramphos won the “best trike of the year award” at the Sun and Fun air show in Florida.

So far, Ramphos products have been sold in 32 countries worldwide, with the Ramphos amphibious priced at around P1.9 million.

The flying boat has been certified under different civil aviation authorities, among them in Europe, United States, Austral-

ia, China, Canada and Mexico.

As a registered investor in the Subic Bay Freeport, Ramphos plans to sell its ultra-light flying boats to resort owners and sports enthusiasts here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the company is a welcome addition to the growing number of investors in Subic, and expressed optimism that more ultra-light flying boats are made in the Subic Bay Freeport.

P2.5-b master dev’t plan

By Romeo Dizon

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—A new P2.5-billion master development plan that will change the face of doing business YELLOW inside the BLACK Clark DevelopCYAN MAGENTA ment Corp. freeport is now being prepare by a Filipino planner.

The plan calls for building lease instead of land lease for the 920 local and foreign firms operating inside the Freeport.

Jose De Jesus, chairman of the CDC, said affected by the development plan are about half of those firms whose 25 years of land lease contract with the CDC will expire next year, while those with existing lease contract will be respected.

The firms have a total registered investment of US$1.044 billion, employ a total of 101,000 persons, and export P5.1 billion worth of goods around Asia Pacific, Europe, US and China.

During a media forum here, De Jesus together with Noel Manankil, president and CEO of the government corporation said that those affected by the plan will be given priority for lease COUNCILORS’ RUN. Councilors from different towns of Bataan who participated in the Konse Run 2017, a run of the raw building that they can for a cause, flash the ‘1Bataan’ sign to show their unity. Butch Gunio further develop according to their liking, interest and requirement.

The price tag for the new building is not yet available but under the present set up, the Jaymee Real Guinto partnered gether with the head teachers lease agreements for industrial

By Roy Tomandao with San Pablo Central School received the certificate of donasite is $0.77 per square meter a SM EMPLOYEES across Phil- to do classroom repainting and tion last May 20th during the month and for commercial lot is ippines came out in full force to clean up. SM Security Force Brigada Eskwela closing Cer$2.20 per square meter a month. participate in Brigada Eskwela headed by CRS Manager Joselito emony held in Rizal hall.

“Instead of raw land, we will 2017, an event spearheaded by Villanueva confirmed a total of San Pablo Central School has construct more buildings for the Human Resource Depart- 56 employees volunteered that been producing graduates that lease to the investors and locament in the spirit of volunteer- day that helped cleaned up the are now working in SM, one of tors inside the former American ism under SM Cares that aimed classrooms. which is San Pablo City’s very base,” Manankil said. at benefiting public elementary SM City San Pablo Publicity own Mall Manager Gabriel TimManankil also said money schools.

Manager Niña Wong said that othy Exconde. worth P2.5 billion will be deposThe activity was held in sup- aside from the cleaning materiFor the past three years, SM ited in the bank with low interport of the Department of Edu- als, she also confirmed that SM Supermalls has been supportest. The money is planned to be cation’s yearly classroom clean- will be giving 15 first aid kits ing in the physical upkeep of used to finance innovation in up campaign, which ensures that to all the section of Grade 3, to the schools around the Philiporder sustain the continuous deschool facilities are ready for the be turned over before the school pines, the activity is geared at velopment of the Freeport for the opening of classes. year starts. improving classroom environgovernment to earn more money SM City San Pablo employees San Pablo Central School ment through community-inifor its development projects for headed by Senior HR Manager Principal Michelle Dorado to- tiated efforts. the benefit of the people.

SM mall workers join Brigada Eskwela

World IN BRIEF Ankara police kill 2 suspected IS members ANKARA―Turkish police on Sunday killed in Ankara two suspected members of the Islamic State jihadist group believed to have been planning an attack in the capital, the regional governor said.

The two were killed during a police operation on their residence in the Etimesgut district of Ankara after a gunfight with officers, state-run news agency Anadolu quoted regional governor Ercan Topaca as saying.

The raid was launched on the basis of testimony from a suspected Azerbaijani IS member who was detained

by Istanbul police after allegedly driving the two men to Ankara.

“This (police) operation was quickly planned after this suspect said they and the two others he left in Ankara were Daesh [IS] members and planning an attack,” Topaca said.

He said police opened fire after the two suspects themselves fired on the security forces.

After “neutralizing” the two men, guns and hand grenades were found, Topaca said.

Although the identities and nationalities of the two men have yet to be confirmed, Topaca said they believed they were aged between 25 and 30.

“We believe they were planning an attack likely in the next few days. The weapons, explosives were effective and powerful,” he said.

During the past 18 months, Turkey has been hit by a wave of attacks blamed on IS and Kurdish militants, killing hundreds in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Gaziantep.

The raid comes nearly six months after an IS gunman killed 39 people in attack on the elite Reina nightclub during New Year celebrations in Istanbul. AFP

Indian woman tops Everest twice KATHMANDU―An Indian climber Sunday reached the summit of Mount Everest for the second time in less than a week, her expedition team said, setting a women’s record for a double ascent of the world’s highest mountain in a single season.

Anshu Jamsenpa, 37, returned from the 29,028-foot peak on May 16, before turning around after a short rest to repeat the feat.

“Anshu reached the summit of Everest at 8:00 am (0215 GMT) today for the second time this season, setting a new record,” said Dawa Lama of Dream Himalaya Adventures.

Jamsenpa, a mother of two, was blessed by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before leaving for the expedition.

The current female record, certified by Guinness World Records, is held by Nepali climber Chhurim Sherpa, who in 2012 become the first woman to scale the peak twice in a season.

Jamsenpa has climbed Mount Everest five times.

She intended to make the summit in 2014 but the climbing season was cancelled after an avalanche killed 16 Nepali guides.

Another attempt the following year was foiled after an avalanche―this one triggered by a massive earthquake that left swathes of Nepal in ruins―killed 18 people at Base Camp.

Last week Nepali climber Lhakpa Sherpa broke her own record for the greatest number of summits by a woman after scaling the peak for an eighth time.

More than 120 climbers have made the summit this season, with the first ascents delayed by high winds, fresh snowfall and unusually cold temperatures. AFP

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

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‘20 US spies killed in China’ W

ASHINGTON―Beijing systematically dismantled CIA spying efforts in China beginning in 2010, killing or jailing more than a dozen covert sources, in a deep setback to US intelligence there, The New York Times reported Sunday.

PERFORMANCE. Musician JinJoo Lee of DNCE performs on the second night of CBS RADIO’s ‘SPF’ concert at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on May 20, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

The Times, quoting 10 current and former American officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades.

It said that even now intelligence officials are unsure whether the US was betrayed by a mole within the CIA or whether the Chinese hacked a covert system used by the CIA to communicate with foreign sources.

Of the damage inflicted on what had been one of the most productive US spy networks, however, there was no doubt: at least a dozen CIA sources were killed between late 2010 and the end of 2012, including one who was shot in front of colleagues in a clear warning to anyone else who might be spying, the Times reported.

In all, 18 to 20 CIA sources in China were either killed or imprisoned, according to two former senior American officials quoted. It was a grave setback to a network that, up to then, had been working at its highest level in years.

Those losses were comparable to the number of US assets lost in the Soviet Union and Russia because of the betrayals of two infamous spies, Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, the report said.

Western espionage services have traditionally found it exceptionally hard to develop spy networks in China and Russia.

The CIA’s mole hunt in China, following the severe losses to its network there, was intense and urgent. Nearly every employee of the US Embassy in Beijing was scrutinized at one point, the newspaper said.

Meantime, then-president Barack Obama’s administration

was demanding to know why its flow of intelligence from China had slowed.

The revelations come as the CIA seeks to determine how some of its highly sensitive documents were released two months ago by WikiLeaks, and the FBI examines possible links between the Donald Trump campaign and Russia.

Both the CIA and the FBI declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has released the first draft of a new intelligence law aimed at formalizing its sweeping security powers, with broad authority to engage in surveillance at home and abroad.

The document would create a legal framework for the country’s extensive domestic and foreign intelligence work, which already includes widespread monitoring of communications and broad authority to detain anyone suspected of harming national security.

It is part of a raft of legislative measures drafted by China in recent years that grant the government formal authority to crack down on perceived threats to domestic stability, including laws on national security, espionage and cybersecurity.

Like those documents, the National Intelligence Law’s current draft is short on specifics: just six pages filled with ambiguouslyworded phrases, according to a copy of the text posted on the website of the National People’s Congress Tuesday.

The text, which was made available for public comment seemingly without a formal announcement, had already received 236 responses by Thursday evening. AFP

Trump to urge Muslims to fight extremism RIYADH―US President Donald Trump is to urge the Islamic world to confront extremism in a highly anticipated speech Sunday to dozens of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia.

Aides have said the speech, given in the cradle of Islam, will be “uplifting” but also “blunt” in its call for leaders of Muslim countries to take a stand against violent fundamentalism.

It comes on the second day of a visit to Saudi Arabia, part of an eight-day foreign tour―Trump’s first since taking office―that will take him next to Israel and the Palestinian Territories and then to Europe.

The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals-welcome news for Trump as he faces mounting troubles at home linked with the probe into alleged Russian meddling during last year’s election campaign.

Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110 billion with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history, which US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said was aimed in particular at countering “malign Iranian influence”.

The White House has sought to draw a clear distinction during the visit with Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, who Saudi Arabia

and its Sunni Arab allies saw as lecturing and soft on their Shiite rival Iran.

Unlike the Obama administration which would often raise concerns over civil liberties with longstanding Arab allies, Trump has made no mention of human rights during his visit so far.

He is unlikely to do so in his speech, focusing instead on a centerpiece of his foreign policy: tackling jihadism and its disciples like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

“He will deliver an inspiring, direct speech on the need to confront radical ideology and the president’s hopes for a peaceful

vision of Islam,” Trump’s influential national security adviser, HR McMaster, said ahead of the visit.

“He’ll talk about what unites us in uplifting terms,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“But he’ll also be very blunt in talking about the need to confront extremism and the fact that many in the Muslim world have not only not done enough, they’ve actively abetted this extremism, even as some of them have talked a good game on the surface but in quiet, continue to fund extremism.”

The speech has been touted as a major event―along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic

world given by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

It will be especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration’s attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and accusations of anti-Islamic rhetoric.

In December 2015, Trump told a campaign rally he was calling for a “total shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States “until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on”.

His words shocked many Americans, with Trump detractors noting that the US Constitution prohibits religious discrimination.

AFP

Taliban kill 20 policemen in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR―At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed early Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed multiple security outposts in the volatile southern province of Zabul, officials said, as the insurgents escalate their annual spring offensive.

Local officials made desperate calls to Afghan television stations to seek attention as they were unable to get hold of senior authorities for help, highlighting the disarray in security ranks.

The coordinated attack is another stinging blow to NATO-backed Afghan forces. It comes just a month after the Taliban killed at least 135 security forces in northern Balkh province, in the deadliest insurgent attack on an Afghan military base.

“This morning, a group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints in Shah Joy district of Zabul province, killing 20 policemen,” provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told AFP. A district official told AFP that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.

The raid, the latest in a series of brazen Taliban assaults, underscores the insurgents’ growing strength

more than 15 years since they were ousted from power by the US invasion of 2001.

Taliban militants launched their annual “spring offensive” in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate against the resurgent militants.

The offensive normally marks the start of the fighting season, though this winter the Taliban continued to battle government forces.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last month warned of “another tough year” for security forces in Afghanistan.

His comments came after Taliban fighters dressed in army uniforms and armed with suicide vests attacked a military base outside the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif last month, killing at least 135 policemen and soldiers.

The brazen attack prompted fury in Afghanistan, leading to the resignations of defence minister Abdullah Habibi and army chief Qadam Shah Shaheem.

The US State Department denounced the “barbaric, unconscionable” attack, but stressed that America has no intention of giving up on the country despite more than 15 years of brutal war. AFP

ONSTAGE. Musician Hayley Williams of Paramore performs onstage at KROQ Weenie Roast y Fiesta 2017 at StubHub Center on May 20, 2017, in Carson, California. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

World

ANNIVERSARY. Garden president Luigi Minuto, left, poses with actors reenacting everyday life in the Hanbury Gardens in collaboration with the Cultural Association A-Storia on the 150th anniversary of the Hanbury Botanical Gardens foundation in Ventimiglia, Italy, on May 7. AFP

200,000 march against Maduro CARACAS―More than 200,000 protesters took to the streets of Venezuela on Saturday, day 50 of an angry and sometimes deadly showdown with the unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.

As with many of the previous marches in the crisis-hit country, police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital suffering from dire shortages of the most basic of goods.

The opposition blames Maduro for the economic mess in oil-rich Venezuela, demanding early elections to replace the socialist who took over from the late Hugo Chavez. Seven weeks of street protests have left 47 people dead.

In Caracas alone, some 160,000 marched through the city trying to reach the Interior Ministry in the city center, said Edinson Ferrer, spokesman for the opposition coalition MUD, citing a preliminary estimate.

Police firing tear gas broke up the demonstration and protesters responded by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails.

At least 46 people were injured in the eastern district of Chacao, the authorities said, including a woman hit by a vehicle.

Riots were taking place on the city’s outskirts overnight.

In the western city of San Cristobal in Tachira state, an estimated 40,000-plus took to the streets. Maduro ordered 2,600 soldiers to Tachira this week to quell street violence and looting.

In Caracas, demonstrators carried signs that read “#We are millions against the dictatorship” and “#No more dictatorship!”

The protesters blame Maduro for shortages of food, medicine and such basics as soap and even toilet paper, saying he is maneuvering to dodge calls for early elections.

“It’s been 50 days of protests.

I’m here with my two children, I can’t get any milk, I can’t get any food,” said Mariangel, a 24-year-old businesswoman.

The red, blue and yellow colors of the Venezuelan flag were painted on her face.

Young men wearing hoods and gas masks carried makeshift shields of wood and metal.

“This has been a massacre against the people,” opposition leader Henrique Capriles said before the march got underway.

AFP

Census a source of fear and hope MARGINALIZED, attacked and frequently hit by blasphemy charges, Pakistan’s religious minorities are hoping the country’s first census since 1998 will be a step towards greater political representation and rights.

In the congested Lahore district of Youhanabad, the largest Christian neighborhood in Pakistan, activist Sajid Christopher says his community looks forward to standing up and being counted.

“The census will benefit us in two ways. Firstly we will be able to know about our exact population as so far there has been only guesswork,” he told AFP. “Secondly, our representation in parliament will be according to our population as our present representation in the democratic system is based on the census of 1981,” he added.

Fast-growing Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, with an estimated 200 million people, but has not held a census for nearly two decades, despite a constitutional requirement for one every decade.

The count was delayed for years by politicians squabbling over the potential implications.

Estimates are approximate and disputed, ranging from two to 10 million for Christians, and 2.5 to 4.5 million for Hindus.

Christopher’s views were echoed by Nancy Stiegler, an advisor for the UN Population Fund who called the census a “powerful tool for planning” not only for minorities, “but all the population of Pakistan”.

This desire for more accurate data goes to the heart of the con-

troversy surrounding the census: that it will redraw political boundaries and force a redistribution of resources.

The process is not without complications―and not all religious minorities are eager to make themselves known.

Pakistan’s Ahmadis, a minority Islamic sect declared nonMuslims by law for their belief in a prophet after Mohammed, number an estimated 500,000 and are victims of persecution and violence.

Banned from even calling themselves Muslim, they find themselves in a dangerous position when census officials arrive asking them to declare their religion.

When a Balochistan resident identified himself as Ahmadi to Pakistani census officials, they chased him out of the mosque where they had gathered families to be counted, Saleemuddin, a spokesman for the community, told AFP, without identifying the man for safety reasons.

In other cases, he said, census officials simply assume the Ahmadis are Muslim because their names are indistinguishable from the general population and tick that box on their behalf. It is a potentially dangerous move.

Under Pakistan’s laws, “If I declare myself as a Muslim ... I can be imprisoned for three years,” Saleemuddin said.

Even those groups keen for recognition are wary, their suspicion fueled by bitter experiences that run deep among Pakistan’s minorities.

Citizens can declare themselves to be Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi or “other”. AFP

Rare night of street parties after Rouhani wins in Iran T

EHRAN―It was a rare night of openair partying in Iran on Saturday as tens of thousands of supporters of President Hassan Rouhani took to the streets to celebrate his reelection.

VISIT. First Lady Melania Trump visits the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh on May 21, 2017. AFP

Australia says ‘game up’ for fake refugees SYDNEY―Australia Sunday gave 7,500 boat people until October to file a claim proving they are genuine refugees or be kicked out, declaring the “game is up” for illegal arrivals ripping off taxpayers.

Before the conservatives took power and adopted a tough line on the issue in 2013, an estimated 50,000 asylum-seekers flooded into Australia on more than 800 boats over the previous five years.

Hundreds more, many from war-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, died at sea during the treacherous journey.

Of those arrivals, the old Labor government processed nearly 20,000, leaving 30,500 to the current administration.

Some 7,500 of them have yet to present their cases for asylum or are refusing to answer questions about their identity, while claiming welfare benefits, casting doubt

on whether they really need protection.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said that if they fail to lodge a claim by October 1, they will be removed from the country and banned from re-entering.

“This is a very serious situation and it’s costing Australian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year,” he said.

“So if people think that they can rip the Australian taxpayer off, if people think they can con the Australian taxpayer, then I’m sorry, the game’s up.

“We are prepared to support people who are legitimate refugees, but we aren’t going to support people who are just accessing welfare ... and then refusing to provide any information in relation to their protection claim.”

Refugee advocates reacted furiously, saying the government had

sunk to “an impossible new low”.

“For years, these men, women and children have been waiting patiently to go through the proper process to be assessed as refugees, and find permanent safety in Australia,” said Shen Narayanasamy, human rights director of campaigners GetUp. “Asylum claims are extremely complex, and involve hours of poring over legal documents and paperwork.

“Legal services are pushed to the limit forcing hundreds to forgo legal advice and interpreters, making their claims impossibly difficult to complete.”

Dutton said the cost of processing and supporting the 50,000 boat people amounted to Aus$1.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) a year.

Of the 30,500 left to the current government to deal with, 23,000 have applied for protection. So

far, 3,000 have been assessed as not genuine refugees.

“Australians have every right to question why an estimated 80 percent of illegal maritime arrivals arrived without any identity documents,” said Dutton.

Under its current Operation Sovereign Borders, which has managed to halt the flood of boat arrivals, Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia to remote camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

They are blocked from resettling in Australia even if found to be refugees.

The camps have been widely criticized by rights groups but the government has defended its position, which includes turning boats back, as necessary to stem the waves of migration that characterized previous administrations.

AFP

For many, it was a chance to breathe easily again after a tense campaign between Rouhani and his hard-line opponent Ebrahim Raisi.

“I’m happy and a bit relieved after a month of stress,” said 27-year-old Afshin as he joined a large crowd gathered in Vali Asr Square of central Tehran.

Across the country, young men and women danced and sang together in the streets until the early hours of the morning, with many taking advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere that attends presidential elections every four years.

As well as the purple of the Rouhani campaign, many wore the green of the reformist Green Movement, which was harshly suppressed after mass protests in 2009.

“Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein,” shouted the crowd in Vali Asr, combining a popular religious slogan with the name of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a reformist leader who has been under house arrest since 2011.

Cars honked amid patriotic chants as more and more people filled the streets after dark, completely blocking traffic across wealthier north Tehran.

One group screamed with joy as a young boy threw batches of Rouhani photos into the air.

Others held posters of former president Mohammad Khatami, who has been banned from appearing in the media for supporting the Green Movement.

“I’m very happy because I’ve reached what I wanted, which was not Mr Rouhani himself, but the path of reform, freedom and progress,” said Pegah, 25.

Many were determined to ensure Rouhani now kept his vows to improve civil liberties and reform the economy. AFP

The food and beverage industry accounts for more than half of New Zealand’s total exports.

Life FOOD

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

D1

Produce as good as gold THE JOYCE OF EATING

Two decades ago, New Zealand had almost zero wine exports. Now, it has become a $1-billion industry with premium whites and reds.

JOYCE BABE PAÑARES

T

HORIN OAKENSHIELD, the fictional character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, imparted a valuable lesson to his fellow dwarves: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

Tolkien could very well have been inspired by New Zealand where, incidentally, real-life “Shire” houses dedicated to Hobbit characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins can be found.

As a country with long growing seasons and endless fields, it is not surprising that the food and beverage sector remains the lynchpin of New Zealand’s economy. It employs nearly one in five New Zealand workers, and accounts for more than half of the country’s export earnings.

“We export about 75 percent of what we produce. This is the reason why take care of the quality of our food and beverage exports. If we have a problem – even a small one – we will have significant economic fallout. That becomes the guarantee that the food and beverage products from New Zealand that you are getting are premium products,” said Hernando Banal, New Zealand Trade commissioner to the Philippines, during the recently concluded one-day Food Connection Manila trade show.

The trade show featured products from 11 top companies in New Zealand, including award-winning wines from Babich Wine and Brumms Quality Wines, naturally-harvested Greenshell Mussels from Kono, and quality chocolates from Whittaker’s, to name a few.

“New Zealand takes pride in

Greenshell mussel

its reputation as a trusted food supplier, thus we make sure that every food product that comes out of New Zealand undergoes the strictest food safety and biosecurity measures,” Hernando said.

Biosecurity controls are strong enough, in fact, such that New Zealand has recognized status as an “animal disease-free” exporter by the World Organization for Animal Health. And it’s naturally fertile environment, moderate climate, geographical location and features, and clean air also make it ideal for almost every kind of food production, from horticulture and cropping to seafood and farming.

In the Philippines, New Zealand’s largest exports are predominantly dairy products, but in recent years, wine, confectionaries, healthy and natural beverages, and meat have also shown robust growth.

New Zealand leads the world in sustainably produced seasonal foods, g u ided by the food producers’ integrity and respect

for the environment passed on by generations of farmers, fishers, and growers. The country’s livestock are predominantly raised on pasture in open fields, and grass-fed free-range meat is a sought-after premium food in international markets.

“We know that Filipinos today are looking for convenient food that not only caters to their increasingly busy lifestyle but are also healthy, safe, and delicious. New Zealand products bring to the table these criteria for sustainability and organic production,” added Hernando.

Kiwi-Pinoy celebrity chef Leo Fernandez, who placed second in the 2015 MasterChef New Zealand, attests to the premium food and beverage products that the country has to offer.

“The products are premium and sustainable. Mauri people have the utmost respect for land and sea,” said Fernandez, who opened his own Filipino fusion restaurant, Azon, in Parnell, Auckland.

Fernandez whipped up classic Filipino dishes using ingredients renowned from New Zealand during the trade show, such as New Zealand Greenshell Mussel kinilaw, corned beef hash rice croquettes with caldereta sauce, and Ice cream made from the freshest, best quality ingredients the his specialty, Ultimate Mango Float.

For feedback, send comments to “I love the quality of the products sion to make Filipino cuisine famous in joyce.panares@gmail.com from New Zealand and I am on a mis- New Zealand,” he added.

Cap it off at Yuan Asian Bistro YUAN Asian Bistro is not in it just for the food gimmicks and other customer-luring tactics. Picture Ma-Ling fries, laksa, and sushi, you think you’ve seen it before. But Yuan Asian Bistro will make it a testament that you will want to try everything at once—or better, come back for more.

This humble restaurant takes pride in its loyal customers who come for its promise of affordable food, quality service, and communal ambience. Partly owned by GMA Artist Center star Rocco Nacino, Yuan may be sitting quietly along the busy street of Brixton, Kapitolyo, yet boasts intricate and hearty meals.

From its Laksa Tantanmen specialty, you get what you wish for—the lovechild of Southeast Asian and East Asian cuisine. The authentic taste of flavorful laksa paired with soft ramen noodles for only P339, and it can already fill up two tummies.

For P325, XO Malingkatsu will be very much enjoyed by the famished as it is generously served with rice and Slaw (coleslaw), plus a variety of dips and sauces. It is Yuan Bistro’s very own Spam Fries and you can freely mix and match its Japanese Mayo, XO sauce, Sesame Dressing, Sriracha, and Tonkatsu sauce.

Another Yuan loyalists’ favorite is the DIY Sushi—a handsome platter that consists of the sushi essentials: rice, salmon, tuna, nori strips and wasabi. At Php 349, you can already experience your very own sushi bar.

Meanwhile, Rocco swears, ladies get snuggly with Yuan’s bestselling cocktail Matcha Dream, a mix of vodka and vanilla, spiked with coconut milk and topped with Matcha powder. It is the drink that plays with the senses. Another signature drink called Whiskey Sour is bourbon made more exciting with

lime juice, sugar syrup, and egg whites.

As we indulge in Asian cuisine, Rocco took time to talk about his newest “baby.” Rocco stressed, “I am very proud of Yuan. Once kasi I set my mind on something, I’d dedicate my time to it. I don’t want to be just an investor.

I help out, kahit sa pinakasimpleng kaya kong gawin. Because when I become part of something, I want to actively participate in it.”

With food parks becoming the epitome of HOHOLs (Hang Out-Hang Out Lang, a millennials phrase), Yuan Asian Bistro stays true to what ‘capping the night off’ feels like.

Who needs an overwhelming crowd when you can gather with your closest friends and just chill?

Yuan Asian Bistro is waiting for your next HOHOL, and it is open daily (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m until midnight.

Yuan Asian BIstro is the perfect HOHOL place that offers chill ambiance and sumptuous meals, such as (from left) Laksa Tantanmen, XO Malingkatsu, and DIY Sushi Actor Rocco Nacino partly owns Yuan Asian Bistro

Life

D2

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

BASTE ENDORSES NeuBake Super Slice A

BY GARDENIA S GARDENIA introduces the newest Neubake Super Slice, it’s no surprise that Bae-by Baste, a super child star now, and his mom Sheila have been tapped to be the brand’s endorsers in the latest Neubake Super Slice TVC.

Sebastian Benedict Granfon, or most commonly known as Baste is part of our everyday lunchtime habit. He is a bright, precocious young boy who never fails to liven up our afternoon with his charm, wit and natural flair for comedy.

Ever since Baste’s aunt posted his Dubsmash videos on YouTube, everyone fell in love with this child charmer from General Santos City. After his on-line debut, he made his appearance in the longest running noontime show on GMA Network, where he was called “Bae-by Baste.” Now, he acts, sings and makes people laugh, and is touted as one of the country’s brightest child stars.

Like Baste, NeuBake is also super in many ways. First, it comes in a Super Slice – it’s bigger than most white breads in the market, making it perfect for Baste’s big appetite. According to his Mom, Sheila, Baste loves to eat sandwiches. And with NeuBake, she can make bigger sandwiches that can easily make Baste full and satisfied with just one sandwich.

Neubake Super Slice comes in a horizontal, super tipid pack, that is only P29 for 10 slices, perfect for practical moms like Sheila.

NeuBake is now available in leading supermarkets and convenience stores. Like Baste, discover why NeuBake is the super choice when it comes to bread. If Baste loves it, so will you!

Bae-by Baste and his mommy Sheila are the new endorsers of Gardenia’s Neubake Super Slice

B ITES

Meal Plan that tastes good and feels right

Chef Alisdair Bletcher brings his signature dishes—such as Baked Fillet of Garoupa; Leek, Potato, Gruyere Cheese Cannelloni on Porcini Cream Sauce; and Crispy Skin Duck Confit— to Marco Polo Ortigas Manila

Chef Alisdair’s signature dishes AS MARCO POLO Ortigas Manila welcomes a new Executive Chef, start a new culinary journey and discover Chef Alisdair Bletcher’s signature dishes whose flavors please even the most finicky gourmand.

Bringing in over 40 years of culinary experience in the hospitality industry, Chef Alisdair has gained his expertise from several luxury international hotels and resorts such as Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, and China, to name a few. He was most recently assigned as Executive Chef in a luxury resort and spa, and private island in the beautiful Maldives.

The Philippines is nothing new to Chef Alisdair, as he spent a few years of his childhood to study in one of the most prestigious schools in the Metro.

He was also the Executive Chef of two international hotel brands in the country, before they closed their doors.

As he recently joined in the hotel, he brings in a new line up of his signature flavors in Cucina’s new culinary path.

Combining the fresh flavors of the ocean and vegetables is the Baked Fillet of Garoupa with Mushrooms, Tomatoes and Lemon Herb Crust on Buttered Leaf Spinach and Grain Mustard Dry Vermouth Cream. Have a taste of Crispy Skin Duck Confit on Braised Red Cabbage with Caraway Seeds and Piquant Orange Sauce. Enjoy a creamy Leek, Potato, and Gruyere Cheese Cannelloni on Porcini Cream Sauce.

From the usual symphony of taste, Cucina is consistently seen in bringing something new to the table with these new buffet signature dishes, bringing incredible flavour and tenderness, prepared to perfection.

For more information, contact (02) 720-7777 or book online via www. marcopolohotels.com or email: manila@marcopolohotels.com.

Visit facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila or follow @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter or Instagram.

ANY traveler who has been to Italy, Spain, Greece, and coun· Tomatoes, sliced tries around the Mediterranean Sea will never advise to skip · Doña Elena Diced Tomatoes on the authentic and delectable local cuisine in these areas. · 2 T Doña Elena Anchovies Little do they know, the mouth-watering Mediterranean diet · 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled is also considered by experts as one of the healthiest culinary Dressing: 1/4 c lemon juice traditions in the world.

2 T Doña Elena Extra-virgin olive oil Traditionally found in countries along the Mediterranean 1/8 t fine salt coast, the Mediterranean diet consists of plant-based food like 1/4 c fresh dill, snipped fruits and vegetables, whole grain, legumes and nuts; herbs and Procedure: spices; pasta, olive oil and a higher proportion of seafood and · Whisk the dressing and set aside. poultry than red meat. The diet is such an important part of · Combine the ingredients . world culture that UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative · Add dressing and toss.

List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

Experts argue that the Mediterranean diet is also packed with needed nutrients to prevent cardiovascular diseases and—researchers recently discovered—a form of breast cancer, too.

“The Mediterranean diet is a combination of healthy sources of nutrients. It includes high sources of fiber and antioxidants like fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts. It is also low in salt, using herbs and spices instead to enhance flavor.

It makes use of good fat like monounsaturated fats from olive oil and omega 3 fatty acids from salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines. Protein comes from fish, seafood and poultry, while carbohydrates are sourced from whole grains like wheat bread, corn, oats and couscous,” says Paz Sales, a noted nutritionist, who has nearly 40 years of solid professional experience. She is among the country’s most respected nutritionists/dietitians and has served in several key leadership roles in the culinary and health industry.

She believes that the Mediterranean diet can provide various health benefits to Filipinos particularly in addressing cardiovascular diseases. In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and conducted in a span of nearly five years, results showed that risk of stroke was reduced and risk of cardiovascular events was substantially lowered in specific groups assigned with the Mediterranean diet.

A recently published research on the International Journal of Cancer also discovered that Mediterranean diet reduces Lemon-Garlic Tuna Fettuccine Ingredients the risk of receptor negative breast cancer. · 1/2 pack Doña Elena Al Dente fettuccine With its roots on the healthy culinary tradition, Doña · 4 T Doña Elena Pure olive oil, divided Elena’s wide range of products brings the Mediterranean · 4 cloves garlic, minced Diet regimen closer to the Filipino household. Families can · 1 cup fresh whole wheat breadcrumbs now enjoy a healthy and tasty home-cooked meal with Doña · ¼ cup lemon juice Elena’s olives, capers, Italian canned tomatoes, Spanish sar· 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper dines, flat fillet anchovies, Al Dente pasta, 100 percent tuna · ½ tsp. salt and olive oil – all exclusively distributed in the Philippines by · 2 3- to 4-ounce cans Doña Elena Tuna, flaked Fly Ace Corporation. · 2 T Jolly Tomato Paste For example, Doña Elena’s 100 percent Tuna is a rich · ½ cup chopped fresh parsley source of nutrients and antioxidants as the fish is low in fat · ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese and is a versatile ingredient. Whether eaten alone or for startProcedure: ers as part of a salad or as a main dish, like tuna casserole or Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tuna pasta, everyone in the family can enjoy it.

Meanwhile, Doña Elena Olive Oil contains important an- tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add tioxidants like polyphenols, oleic acid and Vitamins E, K, and A extracted from the fruits of olive trees abundant in the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant (but not brown) for about 20 seconds. Transfer the garlic and oil to a large bowl.

Mediterranean region.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the pan over meGreek Salad with Lemon and Dill Dressing dium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until crispy Ingredients: and golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. · 6 cups romaine lettuce, shredded Whisk lemon juice, tomato paste, pepper and salt into the · 1 pc red bell pepper, sliced garlic oil. Add the pasta to the bowl along with sardines, pars· 10 pcs Doña Elena black olives,pitted ley and Parmesan. Gently stir to combine. Serve sprinkled · 2 pcs scallions, thinly sliced with the breadcrumbs.

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

‘WANSAPANATAYM’ highlights importance of education

F

ILIPINO children are taught as they are growing up that education can empower them and make a difference in their lives, and its importance. This is underscored in the stories of Wansapanataym for almost two decades now.

Rondel Lindayag, the show’s overall creative head, said the team, to convey its importance to viewers, puts effort into showing characters that aspire to attain proper education.

“Our population has a high literacy rate. We give importance to education that is why we always include it in our stories. If you have education, you already have a weapon in life,” he said.

As storytellers, they also see education as a significant part of their growth because they attend seminars to learn more techniques in storytelling.

“We attended a seminar about honing children’s character and we learned that when kids watch cartoons, they do not get tired of watching them repeatedly. We used this as part of our technique to constantly share essential values by just giving them a new handle,” he said.

The technique also helps the team teach Filipino values to children here and abroad.

“The kid who watched Wansa before could be in thier 20s now. So, we should teach the lessons all over again to other kids and some of them might be TFC subscribers,” Lindayag said. “This enables us to show them how to be Filipinos through values such as doing mano and saying po and opo.”

Through the years, Wansapanataym has shared lessons that resonated with Filipinos nationwide. A hit among audiences, the program has left a mark on viewers’ hearts and stood the test of time.

The show’s influence also went beyond television when a movie of the same title was released in 1999

by Star Cinema. The movie told the touching story of Anna (Shaina Magdayao), an orphan who searched for her long-lost father (Christopher de Leon),

The cast of "Wansapanataym Presents Annika Pintasera" (clockwise) Marco Masa, Jomari Angeles and Amy Nobleza, and Julia Montes

whom she was able to find with the help of a guardian angel named Barbiel (Serena).

Meanwhile, it continues to share valuable lessons with kids through its current offering “Annika Pintasera,” starring Julia Montes, who plays a woman who was cursed because of being too critical

of others.

Wansapanataym Presents: Annika Pintasera airs Sundays after The Voice Teens on ABS-CBN and ABSCBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). For previous episodes, log on to iWant TV or to skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

MAINE MENDOZA shows off beatboxing talent in latest commercial IF YOU think you’ve seen everything that Maine Mendoza has to offer, wait ‘til you watch her latest McDonald’s TV commercial.

DubSmash Queen of the Philipppines definitely delights fans as she beatboxes while enjoying the best-tasting Chicken McDo. Maine’s on-screen partner, Alden Richards, all proud and happy, launches the new commercial and tweets about it. \Both Maine and Alden have been valued endorsers of McDonald’s. From split-screen to sharing the same screen commercials, these two never fail to entertain and give some kilig vibes to their fans.

Dennis stands by Heart DENNIS Trillo defends Heart Evangelista from bashers on her landing the pivotal role of Alwina in the much-anticipated Kapuso prime time offering Mulawin vs. Ravena.

The bashers say she doesn’t fit the role to a T. It is public knowledge that in the original Mulawin aired more than a decade ago, Angel Locsin played the part, which propelled her popularity as a female lead. “Of course, Angel is the original Alwina and it’s really hard to replace her,” Dennis avers. “But I hope the viewers will give Heart a chance to show what she can offer. It’s unfair to bash her without seeing her interpretation of Alwina first. Who knows, it will be different, something fresh that the public will also like, right?”

For the award-winning actor, apart from the stars, it’s the story of the new fantasy-action series that should be highlighted.

“Mulawin vs. Ravena has an exciting plot. It’s a beautiful story.

To be honest, I was hesitant to do it at first. You know, it is fantasy again, then the original was aired many years ago. It’s like the case of My Husband’s Lover, which personally, I don’t want to have a remake.

“It became a hit already so what’s the assurance that the people would still patronize its sequel? But with Mulawin vs. Ravena, I felt different. After reading the script, I thought that the story is so exciting. It still has something new to offer. So, I accepted it.”

For one, the program boasts a stellar cast.

“Yes! We’re star-studded. Apart from Heart and myself, we also have Regine Velasquez, Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez, Miguel Tanfelix, Lovi Poe, Bianca Umali, Derrick Monasterio, Bea Binene, Kiko Estrada, Winwyn Marquez, Valerie Concepcion, Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Joko Diaz, TJ Trinidad, Dion Ignacio, Chynna Ortaleza, Roi Vinzon and Nova Villa,” Dennis enumerates.

The spectacular fight scenes are one of the show’s main comeons.

“That’s true! They’re a technical marvel. Plus the elaborate execution. As Gabriel, I underwent rigid training myself. I have lots of scenes here where I’m in harness. It’s painful at first and you really have to be strong to endure it. That’s a challenge I’m happy to overcome as the taping progresses!”

Some GMA newbies like Arra San Agustin and Klea Pineda are vocal in saying that he’s their showbiz crush. It’s good his girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado doesn’t get jealous.

“Fortunately, she’s not that type. She understands,” ends Dennis. ******** After Break, Filipino-American actor-producer-writer Anthony “Tboy” Diaz is back on the big screen via Gorio Vicuna’s Way of the Cross, which is produced by his own Kaizen Studios.

“I’m so excited about this movie. Compared to Break, I believe the material is heavier and serious. It follows a Hollywood structure. I also take pride in the fact that majority of the scenes we shot here in the Philippines. There’s so much talent in the country,” he states.

Asked why the project is titled as such, the talented lad explains, “Well, the movie is about one’s faith. After watching it, the viewers’ faith will be strengthened. It’s not one which will bash any of the existing religions. The film has redemptive values for sure.”

Anthony is proud of how the characters in the movie was written.

“There’s a handful of colored characters here. Everyone contributes to the progress of the story. There’s no small role, so to speak. I’m glad to have worked with some of the best actors in the country like Alvin Anson, Roxanne Barcelo, Rafael Rosell and Isay Alvarez. It was a great experience.”

This early, many say that Way of the Cross is film fest-calibre.

“Thank you! We are really going to that direction. We plan to field it in various international film festivals and have it screened here in the Philippines,” reveals Anthony.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, May 22, 2017

ACROSS 1 Downward slopes 5 Late hours 10 Urge on 13 Ambler or Clapton 14 Amalgam 15 O’Hara plantation 17 “Mona —” 18 Pop fly 19 Sir — Guinness 20 Backyard planting 22 Teakettle, often 24 Marie’s friend 26 Bonfire remains 27 Pass near Pikes Peak 28 Seat belt fabrics 32 Work part-time 34 Tumult 35 Sees eye to eye 37 Outback mineral 40 Make watertight 42 Woolly one 43 0 people (2 wds.)

44 All, in combos 45 Music source 47 Actress — Tyler 48 Promo tape 50 In a bleak manner 52 N.Z. parrot

54 Dwarf 56 Birthright seller 57 Unique thing (2 wds.)

60 Did sums 63 Pack — — (quit) 64 Melancholy poem 66 Devastate 68 Bird-feeder treat 69 Jazzy Della — 70 Ocean flier 71 Chi follower 72 Fine viol.

73 Exercise system DOWN 1 Dolores — Rio 2 Orchid-like flower 3 Nonsense!

4 Pharaoh’s amulet 5 Seizing suddenly 6 Down with a cold 7 Candle’s light 8 Big commotion (hyph.)

9 Office workers 10 French state 11 Opinion survey (2 wds.)

12 Say hi 16 Realty unit 21 Boat made of skins

23 Seashell seller?

25 Heron 28 Baylor University site 29 Holland export 30 Limits 31 Fixed a seam 33 Heifer’s hello 36 Ghostly 38 Dye-yielding plant 39 Assessment 41 Twist the truth 43 Herd follower 45 Whodunit sleuths

46 Tried 49 Give — — break 51 Hepburn of films 52 Wavy-bladed dagger 53 Scarf down (2 wds.)

55 Piece of fish 58 Not for 59 Crystal gazer 61 Type of dollar 62 Small dent 65 Youth org.

67 Teachers’ gp.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017

Bea Binene as Anya, a half-human halfMulawin

Lovi Poe as Bathalumang Magindara, guardian of Lake Venado

Carla Abellana as Aviona, one of the most beloved Avians

Heart Evangelista is Alwina, the prophesized chosen one

‘MULAWIN VS. RAVENA’ Ariel Rivera as Panabon, a brave mortal

flies beginning tonight

I

T HAS been 12 long years since GMA Network marked history with its highly successful and groundISAH V. RED breaking telefantasya, Mulawin, which captivated the hearts of many Filipinos all over the country. GMA raises the bar even higher and takes flight again with the much-anticipated sequel to the highly acclaimed saga, Mulawin vs. Ravena, beginning tonight after 24 Oras.

Following previous events, Aguiluz and Alwina, the saviors of the human and Mulawin races, successfully defeated the Ravena tribe in their quest to annihilate the human race.

The sequel will continue the fight between good and evil as both tribes strive to defeat each other.

Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo returns as Gabriel and embraces his fate as a Ravena and is now the King of Halconia. With a new ruler, the Ravena tribe strengthens its forces. While no major battles spawned among the Mulawins and Ravenas over the years, some believe that this is merely the calm before the storm and war is imminent.

Joining the powerhouse ensemble are Kapuso Premier Actress Lovi Poe as Magindara, the goddess of the sea and daughter of Sandawa; versatile Kapuso actress Carla Abellana as Aviona, one of the most respected and well-loved Mulawin; and Asia’s Songbird herself in her first fulllength telefantasya, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid as Sandawa, the immortal goddess of nature and keeper of Mt. Apo. Adding glimmer to the show and playing very special roles are Philippine TV’s Sweetheart Heart Evangelista-Escudero as Alwina, savior of the Mulawin and humans; multi-talented Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez as Rodrigo, a human who falls in love with and marries Aviona; and seasoned actor Ariel Rivera as Panabon, representative of the Tabon or Mulawin halfbloods.

The hottest young Kapuso love teams also put their wings on in this primetime masterpiece. Bea Binene is Anya, the half-blood daughter of Aviona; Derrick Monasterio breathes life to Almiro, the noble son of Aguiluz and Alwina destined to be the ruler of Avila; one of the network’s most soughtafter actors, Kiko Estrada, also steps in as Rafael, Almiro’s best friend turned mortal enemy; Bianca Umali is Lawiswis, a beautiful young Avian and the love of Pagaspas’ life; and Miguel Tanfelix soars once again as Pagaspas,

a former owl that transformed into a Mulawin and has now come at the right age to declare his love for Lawiswis.

Completing the starstudded cast are: Mga mortal: Angelu De Leon as Lourdes, Bobby Andrews as Dionisio, Joko Diaz as Antonio, Martin del Rosario as Aramis, Charee Pineda as Savanna, and Nova Villa as Lola Elo; Mga Mulawin: Roi Vinzon as Daragit, Valerie Concepcion as Tuka, JC Tiuseco as Tangos, David Licauco as Malik; Mga Ravena: Chynna Ortaleza as Reyna Rashana, Dion Ignacio as Siklab, Winwyn Marquez as Ribay, and TJ Trinidad as Greco. *** Since its pilot airing last year, Encantadia took viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. They cried over the fallen, laughed over the slivers of silliness, welcomed new lives, and celebrated every victory with the valiant Sang’gres. The GMA Network’s highly acclaimed telefantasya finally bid adieu last Friday to give way to Mulawin vs. Ravena starting tonight.

Glaiza De Castro who played the role of Pirena, saying goodbye to the show is bittersweet.

Sanya Lopez, known in the series as Hara Danaya, couldn’t help but shed a few tears as she told how much the show changed her life.

Gabbi Garcia who played Sang’gre Alena said it is her costars Sanya and Glaiza that she would miss the most.

Kylie Padilla who played the role of the late Hara Amihan also shared her sentiments towards Encantadia. “The whole show was

memorable and I learnt a lot. Such an honor to have been a part of Encantadia. My character, Amihan, taught me a great deal.” *** Every day, thousands of Filipinos go abroad to seek greener pastures with hope to provide a better life for their loved ones back home. Their sacrifice and endurance to face the unknown for the sake of their families, as well as helping the country’s economy through their remittance, have earned them the title, “Bagong Bayani”.

Last Saturday, GMA Public Affairs premiered Tadhana, a weekly drama anthology featuring the colorful, romantic, heroic, and inspiring stories of OFWs. GMA Network’s Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera is hosting the show.

“Every Saturday, iba’t ibang story ang mapapanood nila — mga kuwento ng ating mga kababayan na nagtrabaho at nakipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa,” reveals Marian of her latest program with the Kapuso Network.

She adds that Tadhana will be very different from her previous projects. “First time ko ito as story teller at happy ako

Regine Velasquez as the goddess of nature named Bathalumang Sandawa

kasi may matututunan ako sa bawat istorya.”

Every week, the show will feature a story that shows the struggles and sacrifices of the OFW to fit in a strange world and the emotions coping with separation and sadness.

Apart from showing these difficulties, it will also present the other face of an OFW — a person who, through resilience, is able to rise above the situation and succeed. Each episode aims to inspire viewers to never give up and continue reaching for their dreams.

Marian knows how difficult it is to be away from her loved ones. “Bilang anak, nakalulungkot ‘yung lumalaki ka na nasa abroad yung nanay mo, buti andiyan ang lola ko para alagaan at gabayan ako,” she shares.

This is also why her new TV project is teaching Marian to value her family even more. “[Importante] ang maging close sa family kasi mahirap pala ‘pag malayo ka na sa kanila,” she adds.

For its pilot episode, Tadhana presented the story of Elvie, a former OFW who worked in Saudi Arabia. Playing Elvie was Kris Bernal while veteran actress Cherie Gil was Hannah, Elvie’s employer.

Elvie was reluctant to work abroad. It didn’t help that her experience while working in Saudi Arabia was nightmarish. Elvie was under an abusive employer who took advantage of her, even putting her life in danger.

Tadhana airs Saturdays after Ika-6 Na Utos on GMA-7.

ABS-CBN, Dole help Pinoys find jobs KAPAMILYA viewers will now be able to check job opportunities on their televisions as ABS-CBN TVplus channel CineMo! and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed a partnership for the airing of job listings.

CineMo! started broadcasting the said listings after the showing of every movie, aptly, on Labor Day, May 1.

The partnership is in effect for two years. ABS-CBN’s Business Development head Luis Paolo Pineda, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and CineMo! channel head Mark Anthony Awiten sealed the deal.

“CineMo! partnered with DOLE because we advocate the empowerment of our target audience,” said Awiten.

This is not the first time the channel has initiated an advocacy to serve its viewers beyond entertainment. Its award-winning comedy show, “Funny Ka, Pare Ko,” featured entrepreneurship segments on its previous season, showing viewers possible businesses that they can put up themselves.

Dennis Trillo as Rama Gabriel, the king and fearsome leader of the Ravenas

ABS-CBN and DOLE officials seal their partnership to provide job opportunities to Filipino