Manila Standard - 2017 May 26 - Friday

REDS THREATEN TO STEP UP ATTACKS

(Story below)

VOL. XXXI • NO. 101 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

AIRSTRIKE. A military heli-

copter flies out of a Philippine military camp as fighting rages in Marawi City where Maute militants are on a rampage. AFP

Battle rages in Marawi Troops bomb Maute in a bid to retake city

M

ARAWI CITY--Security forces bombed Marawi City on Thursday as they battled Islamist militants who were holding hostages and reported to have murdered at least 11 civilians.

An initial rampage by the gunmen, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, through the mainly Muslim city of Marawi on Tuesday prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law across Mindanao.

Authorities said ending the crisis was proving extremely hard because, although there were only 30 to 40 remaining gunmen, the militants were moving nimbly through homes, had planted bombs in the streets and were holding hostages.

Intense gunfighting could be heard constantly throughout the

REINFORCEMENT. Government soldiers arrive to reinforce comrades at a military camp while a trooper (below) stands guard at an outpost after Maute extremists attacked the city. AFP and Lance Baconguis

Reds buck martial law, vow to intensify attacks

By John Paolo Bencito COMMUNIST leaders on Thursday called on their armed wing, the New People’s Army, to intensify attacks on government troops as a way of opposing President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law.

In a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines

said armed resistance by the NPA was the “most effective way” of rejecting martial law, as proved during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

“The Party calls on the NPA to plan and carry out more tactical offensives across Mindanao and the entire archipelago,” the CPP said.

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condition of anonymity.

The guided-missile destroyer’s “freedom of navigation operation” is likely to provoke anger from Beijing as the Trump administration attempts to draw support from China on reigning in North Korea.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan and several southeast Asian nations including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Next page

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Rio N. Araja A VISITING diplomat on Thursday said the European Union respected the government’s decision to declare martial law in Mindanao, but urged it to do so with “significant constitutional restraints,” even as a leftist think tank said military rule would not help the economy.

In a roundtable discussion, EU on Asia and the Pacific managing director Gunnar Wiegand said that a humanitarian team is al-

Trust in China wanes—SWS

By John Paolo Bencito THE Filipinos’ trust in China dipped further by 13 points in the latest Social Weather Stations survey, and despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to seek better ties with Beijing.

The First Quarter 2017 SWS

survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents and released on Thursday, showed that 34 percent of those polled had “much trust” in China while 38 percent expressed “little trust” in the Asian superpower.

Net trust in China was at a neutral -4, a 13-point decline from Next page

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By Francisco Tuyay and Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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ready in place in Cotabato, Mindanao, to assess the situation of the people in Marawi to determine how much assistance the bloc could provide.

Wiegand said they wanted to know that “significant constitutional restraint” would be observed in the administration of martial law.

On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over the whole island of Mindanao after Maute group that recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State attacked Marawi

Rule of law must reign, troops told

with House

THE House of Representatives will convene into a committee of the whole Wednesday next week to hear from the Palace the justifications for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, an official said Thursday.

Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the House, led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, will meet at nine in the morning of May 31 to receive a briefing and ask questions from the members of the Cabinet on Duterte’s declaration.

“I will move on Monday that we constitute ourselves into a committee of the whole and have our meeting at the session

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EU asks for ‘significant constitutional restraint’

Palace boys US warship sails near reef in South China Sea set meeting WASHINGTON―A US warship sailed near a reef claimed

by Beijing in the South China Sea on Thursday, a US official said, the first such operation by US President Donald Trump’s administration in the disputed waterway.

The USS Dewey sailed “less than 12 nautical miles” from Mischief Reef (Subi Reef for the Philippines)―part of the Spratly Islands―early Thursday morning local time, the official said on

day, according to an Agence France-Presse reporter in the city, and the military said it had dropped bombs on residential neighborhoods.

“We are using surgical airstrikes,” military spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera told reporters in Marawi shortly before big clouds of black smoke rose from a bombed area near the provincial government building.

Most of Marawi’s 200,000 residents had fled the city, but Herrera said those who remained had been warned to get out of the

SPECIAL MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a special Cabinet meeting he convened two days after declaring martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017. The meeting was held at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on May 25, 2017.

POLICE and military officials on Thursday reminded their troops to respect human rights and the rule of law as they implement martial law in Mindanao.

“The objective and goal [of martial law] is for the benefit of the people in Mindanao particularly Marawi City. The guidelines to our forces is not to abuse the rights of the citizenry,” said Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos.

Chief Insp. Jose Najera, PNP legal officer, said under the guidelines, the police and military can make arrests without a warrant when the person to be arrested has committed or is actually committing a crime. The arrested person should be charged within three days of his arrest or be Next page released, he added.

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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

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EU to rechannel PH grant In a round-table discussion, EU on Asia and the Pacific managing director Gunnar Wiegand said if the Philippines decided not to accept its €250 or P13.89 billion grant, the bloc will not “beg to ask the Philippines” to accept it.

“We do not believe that we have to beg, to ask the Philippines please can you take our money?”

said Wiegand who is here to attend this week’s Asean Regional Forum.

“If we are not welcome, there is no lack of other countries in the region and beyond where the money can be very well used.”

Wiegand also said that, aside from attending the ARF, he also would take the opportunity to

clarify its “misunderstandings” with the Philippine government.

His statement is a confirmation of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ president Guenter Taus’ warning that the Philippines’ refusal of aid with conditions from the EU could endanger further assistance from the bloc.

The government last week announced it would no longer accept the €250-million (P13.89-billion) aid from the EU, the country’s biggest donor, because it was interfering in its national policy.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano defended Duterte and said the Philippines would no longer receive any aid with conditions in pursuit of an independent

Battle...

perimeter, searching for the remnants of the Maute group.

Herrera also said Abu Sayyaf chieftain Isnilon Hapilon, who was the target of a failed raid, was still somewhere in Marawi City, according to intelligence reports.

The fighting erupted on Tuesday after security forces raided a house where they believed Hapilon, the local head of IS, was hiding.

The United States regards Hapilon as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, offering a bounty of $5 million for his capture.

The raid went spectacularly wrong as dozens of gunmen emerged to repel the security forces, then went on a rampage across the city while flying black IS flags.

The gunmen belonged to the Maute group, which along with Hapilon’s faction of the Abu Sayyaf, had pledged allegiance to IS, authorities said.

The militants raided two jails, leading to the escape of more than 100 inmates, said Mujiv Hataman, the governor of a Muslim self-rule area that includes Marawi.

They also set fire to many buildings, including a church and a university.

An enraged Duterte, who was in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, declared martial law shortly after the fighting erupted and cut short his trip to fly home and deal with the crisis.

“It is brutality, cruelty,” Duterte said on Wednesday after flying back to Manila.

Duterte said martial law was required throughout the southern region of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, to stop the rising threat of hardline militants aligned to IS. Muslim rebels have been fight-

ing since the 1970s for an independent or autonomous homeland in Mindanao, with the conflict claiming more than 120,000 lives.

The main Muslim rebel groups are now involved in peace talks with the government.

But the Abu Sayyaf, Maute and other hardline groups want to set up an Islamic caliphate in the south for IS, according to Duterte and security analysts.

Duterte said Wednesday he may impose martial law throughout the rest of the country if he believed the terrorism threat was spreading.

The President, who has waged a controversial war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives, warned martial law would be “harsh” and similar to military rule imposed by dictator Ferdinand Marcos a generation ago.

On Thursday, Duterte told Congress that the ISIS-inspired Maute local terrorist group’s recent acts of terrorism only prove their capacity to sow terror not only in Marawi City but in other parts of Mindanao, as he sought to justify his declaration of martial law.

Duterte said the Maute group’s takeover of a hospital, establishment of several checkpoints, burning of public and private properties, and flying the flag of Islamic State in several areas, prove that a rebellion is ongoing in the country’s south, necessitating martial law.

The Maute group is “openly attempting to remove from the allegiance to the Philippine government this part of Mindanao and deprive the Chief Executive of his powers and prerogatives to enforce the laws of the land, and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, constituting the

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

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EUROPEAN Union official said Thursday the bloc will transfer its development grant meant for the Philippines to other countries if it does not want it.

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areas where there was bombing and fighting.

“We are requesting our people in Marawi to go to safe places... and to stay indoors,” he said.

Five soldiers, two policemen and 13 militants have died in the three days of fighting, the authorities said.

Herrera said two civilians had also been killed inside a hospital that the gunmen had occupied on Tuesday, and the military was investigating reports that nine people had been murdered at a checkpoint the militants had set up.

GMA-7 showed images of nine bullet-riddled bodies lying in a field with their hands tied together.

Duterte said on Wednesday that one of the policemen killed was similarly caught at a checkpoint set up by the militants, then beheaded.

The militants are also holding between 12 and 15 Catholic hostages abducted from a church, according to the local bishop, Edwin dela Peña.

Ground troops continued to battle Maute extremists on three fronts outside the city.

In the three days of skirmishes in Marawi City, seven troopers, including two officers were killed while 33 others were also wounded in fightings outside of the city.

Herrera said the three villages of Gadungan, Basak and Dangan were the site of military clearing operations.

“At present, there is sporadic fighting in the three villages that our troops are clearing,” Herrera said.

Dozens of tanks and infantry remained in Marawi City and its

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“In the face of the Duterte regime’s martial law declaration in Mindanao, the necessity of waging revolutionary armed struggle becomes ever clearer,” it added, as it also urged the NPA to accelerate its recruitment of new fighters.

CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said Duterte’s martial law declaration was like “playing with fire” and had “no or little justification.”

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Civilians cannot be tried in a military court, and arrested civilians still have the right to post bail for his temporary liberty, he said.

Police officers must at all times respect human rights and the dignity of a suspect, he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for his part, said the department has issued guidelines to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for areas covered by martial law.

“There will always be a triumvirate of leadership,” Lorenzana said. “The ground commander will work closely with governor or mayor as well as regional director of the police. So there will always be the presence of the three,” Lorenzana said. “”They must always be present to make sure that the law is always carried out precisely,” Lorenzana said, citing specifically the need to safeguard basic human rights.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, meanwhile, challenged those opposing the decision of the President to declare martial law to question its legal-

Sison, in self-exile in The Netherlands, questioned if the clashes between government troops and the Maute group in Marawi City are enough to justify martial law in the entire island of Mindanao.

“There is even an allegation the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] made a ‘false flag operation’ to justify martial law,” Sison said.

Sison warned Duterte of the possible repercussions of his decision, just as Marcos did in the 1970s.

“That’s what they did in 1971 and 1972 when they tried to disity before the Supreme Court.

Aguirre said the President was in possession of information and reports that are not known to ordinary citizens, and this could have been used as the basis for declaring martial law in Mindanao.

“The proclamation is in accordance with the Constitution and necessary to avoid the dismemberment of our nation,” Aguirre said.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President has the authority to declare martial in any part of the country or the entire country for a period of 60 days but Congress, voting jointly, may revoke or extend the proclamation.

The Supreme Court, on the other hand, can invalidate the declaration within 30 days after a petition challenging its legality is filed.

Aguirre said those who oppose Duterte’s decision are doing so since “they view it as an obstacle to their own agenda.”

He did not elaborate.

On Wednesday evening, Philippine Muslim Society lawyer Jamal Latiph told CNN Philippines that his group is planning to go to the Supreme Court to oppose the declaration of martial law.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

arm the Muslims,” Sison said.

“Duterte is playing with fire if he thinks it is a solution to Philippine problems,” he added.

On Tuesday night, Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao following the attacks of the ISISinspired Maute group on Marawi City, resulting in clashes with the military and police that have killed five and wounded 31 other government troops.

Duterte said that he will be “harsh” in terms of implementing martial law, saying that it would not be different from what Marcos did.

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It has rapidly built reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes.

The US has challenged the annexations of these islets and advocated for a diplomatic settlement to the disputes.

A Pentagon spokesman, Major Jamie Davis, said US forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis and will fly and sail “wherever international law” allows.

“We have a comprehensive Freedom of Navigation Operations program that seeks to chal-

foreign policy.

He said the Philippines would reject any aid with conditions from all countries.

But Wiegand said their help was not a form of “interference” and that the EU had a track record of working well with its Philippine partners and beneficiaries since 1992.

He said three programs would be affected by the rejection of the €250-million fresh grant: the peace process including livelihood programs for the people directly affected by the conflict; the promotion of renewable energy in Mindanao and the significant rule-of-law component with the Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission and other parts of the

Philippines’ legal system.

Wiegand said the EU was adhering to a standard principle to all recipients of its aid: to “observe the rule of law and the guaranty of human rights”.

He said the EU’s principle was not difficult to apply especially in a democratic country such as the Philippines.

“This is nothing special for the Philippines. That is something that we apply as a standard for all our assistance programs, and it is something which should be not so difficult to apply with the country which is democratic, stands for the rule of law which takes its own commitments for the guarantee of human rights seriously,” Wiegand said.

crime of rebellion,” Duterte said.

Military officials said about 120 hostages were rescued as government troops regained control over some areas occupied by the Muate group.

Western Mindanao Command Commander Carlito Galvez Jr. said 78 of the 120 hostages were rescued from the governmentowned Amai Pakpak Hospital.

They consist of 21 hospital staffs, eight patients, and 49 construction workers. Galvez said the members of the Maute group brought two wounded companions for treatment at the Amai Pakpak hospital on Tuesday.

“In the process, they held captive 78 people in the hospital,” Galvez said.

He said the troops had retaken the hospital by 3 p.m. Wednesday and continued to advance.

He said the remaining 42 rescued hostages were teachers who were trapped inside the campus of the Dansalan College. The Maute group set fire to a school building.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, Galvez said, 13 Maute members were killed. Of the total, the troops recovered the remains of the two slain Maute followers.

The government forces recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle and a cache of bomb-making components from the safe house of the Maute group.

Without naming them, Galvez said some politicians were harboring the Maute Group followers.

“Many people in Marawi [City] and in other areas are denying the presence of a looming terrorism threat in their communities. Sadly, we even received reports that there were even politicians are supporting the group in some way,” Galvez said.

He said terrorism needed to be

eliminated and completely destroyed “because if left to thrive, it will soon poison our communities and take our freedom and our precious lives away from us.”

“We are therefore calling on all citizens not only those in Marawi [City] but also in other areas of Mindanao to join us in the fight. We have to make noise and disallow these terrorist to destroy our communities. Let us all make a strong stance against this menace before it gets us,” Galvez added.

In Sulu, a soldier was killed while 10 others were wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits, officials said.

Capt. Jo-ann Petingaly, Western Mindanao Commandspokesperson, said the clash occurred at around 5:25 a.m. in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.

Petinglay said the soldiers were on focused military operations when fired upon by the Abu Sayyaf bandits, which triggered the firefight.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the troops launched the operation following information that a group of bandits with some captives were sighted in the area.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captive 27 people, mostly foreigners, in the hinterlands of Sulu.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group within six months. The deadline will lapse on June 30.

About 80 Abu Sayyaf bandits have been killed since the offensive against them started in January in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. AFP, Francisco Tuyay, John Paolo Bencito, PNA

The communist call for attacks on the military did not bode well for ongoing peace talks with the government.

Government chief negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III described calls by the CPP as an “insult to the candor and genuineness in talking peace” shown by the Duterte administration.

“We are deeply disturbed that the Communist Party of the Philippines made a false reading of the intents of President Duterte in placing Mindanao under martial law,” Bello said.

“We therefore find the CPP directive to the NPA to intensify attacks as totally misplaced borne out of a grossly distorted appreciation of the President’s intention.”

Bello also called on the CPP to “correct its error and recall its senseless order.”

“At the very least, it was an insult to the candor and genuineness displayed by the President and the GRP [government of the Republic of the Philippines] panel in talking peace. At worse, it betrays the absence of sincerity of the CPP in the negotiating table,” he added.

lenge excessive maritime claims in order to preserve the rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law,” Davis said in a statement to AFP. The exercises are “not about any one country, nor are they about making political statements,” he added.

According to the Pentagon, the US in 2016 conducted operations “challenging excessive maritime claims of 22 coastal states, including allies and partners.”

The US has long argued that Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea threaten freedom of navigation and overflights through the strategically vital waters.

China denies these claims, countering that the US is eager to stoke tensions in the region.

Australia and other countries have supported the US exercises, but have so far been unwilling to participate.

During a visit to Japan in April, US Vice President Mike Pence said the United States would defend the right to freedom of navigation through the waterway.

Speaking in January in New Delhi, US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said Washington “will not allow the shared domains to be closed down unilaterally―no matter how many bases are built on artificial features in the South China Sea.” AFP

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the neutral +9 recorded in December 2016.

Some 35 percent of those polled expressed “much trust” while 29 percent showed “little trust” with Russia, another superpower being wooed by President Duterte.

Net trust in the Russian Federation fell by 3 points to a neutral +6 from a record-high neutral +9 in the last quarter.

Despite Duterte’s continued tirades, 70 percent of those polled had “much trust” in the US while 17 percent were “undecided” and 13 percent had “little

trust” in the US. The United States received its lowest net trust rating since its +35 in March 2010--and even while remaining in the “very good” category at +56 from +72, +66 and +59 in June, September and December last year.

Australia and Japan maintained “good” trust ratings with Filipinos, with Japan posting a +42 net satisfaction rating, SWS said.

France and North Korea were included in the poll, which showed the former having a net trust of +18 in March (from -1 in October 2000) and the latter, a net trust of -5 (from -7 in December 2014).

The latest survey, conducted from March 25 to 28, had sampling error margins of ±3 percent for the national percentages.

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City, killing several people who could not recite Islamic verses and burning public buildings and houses.

Wiegand said the EU would not interfere in the country’s national policy and said it was up to Filipinos to monitor the constitutionality and legality of martial law.

“It is not up to us to define them, to enforce them for the checks and balances in your country. We are not the judge of your situation,” he said.

The diplomat also added that the EU will leave the matter to the Congress to debate and decide on Duterte’s declaration of martial law.

“It’s not for us to comment on the triggering of a possibility which clearly exists under your Constitution. For the President, there is a situation of lawlessness in part of the country. If there is a significant challenge from terrorism, we share that challenge with the Philippines,” Wiegand said.

He also added that he is confident that Duterte would impose military rule in line with the 1987 Constitution.

Meanwhile, the left-leaning Ibon Foundation Inc. said martial law in Mindanao would not help the economy, “which is already slowing as it is.”

Ibon dismissed the claim of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that martial law in Mindanao region would protect business operators and other investors from the threat of terrorism, and that it would not slow down the growth momentum of the country.

Martial law would only create an economic environment hostile not just to workers, farmers and basic sectors but also to capital and legitimate businesses not aligned with the government, Ibon said.

“The country’s last experience with nationwide martial law resulted in a wide range of anti-people neo-liberal ‘free market’ policies being forced on the Filipino people, worldclass bureaucratic corruption, and the unprecedented bloating of the country’s foreign debt and a severe financial burden on the economy.”

Days after the martial law declaration, the foundation cited the Philippine Statistics Authority report about the slowing economic growth in the first quarter of 2017.

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hall in an executive session,” Fariñas told reporters as the House was expected to receive Thursday night Duterte’s martial law report.

Duterte announced the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday night.

In other developments: • Senator Francis Pangilinan said Thursday he did not believe that martial law should be declared in the Visayas or Luzon.

He said there might be isolated terrorist acts in these areas but there did not exist a Visayaswide or a Luzon-wide invasion or rebellion to merit the declaration of martial law there.

“Absent any nationwide rebellion or invasion, we will vigorously oppose a nationwide martial law declaration,” he said.

• Senate leaders believe that Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao will not be revoked as it is only Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who has been opposing it.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he had not heard any objections to it so far.

“We have to determine the developing consensus, although I haven’t heard of any objection yet,” Pimentel said in a text message.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also said it was “highly unlikely” for Congress to dump the martial law declaration.

“Highly unlikely for Congress to revoke the proclamation. But we are waiting for the President’s report to Congress. The report will be the basis for any action to be taken,” Recto said in a text message.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said Congress, which is dominated by Duterte allies, had no intention to reject the martial law declaration.

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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Veloso’s camp seeks CA ‘leniency’

By Rey E. Requejo THE lawyer of convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso on Thursday said the Court of Appeals should have been more lenient and allowed them to take her deposition in Indonesia where she is languishing on death row.

Lawyer Edre Olalia, legal counsel of the Veloso family in the case they filed against her alleged illegal recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao before the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court, argued that Veloso’s situation is unique that it calls for judicial equity.

“Mary Jane’s situation is unique that calls for judicial equity, if not flexibility. Indeed, it warrants common sense or basic empathy. The bottom line is how in heaven’s name can we get to hear the side of a fellow compatriot who is behind bars and waiting in death row in a foreign land and who cannot come home for said purpose,” Olalia said.

Olalia also assailed the assertions made by Sergio and Lacanilao in opposing the deposition, saying it contradicts their repeated assertion that they want to confront her.

“Whatever happens to the fate of distressed overseas workers like her, in the meantime, may in large measure be attributable to a fixation for legal gobbledygook, an abstraction of lofty legal principles and procedure that is open to serious impressions that they are bereft of reality, compassion and a sincere search for justice in a case where time is of the essence,” Olalia lamented.

He said Sergio and Lacanilao are invoking esoteric and archaic legal argumentations to prevent the taking of the deposition.

In a ruling issued last May 22, the CA’s Eleventh Division permanently stopped the deposition of Veloso by issuing an injunction order against the implementation of the Feb. 13, 2017 resolution of Nueva Ecija RTC Branch 88 Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes allowing the deposition.

Sergio and Lacanilao, who are facing human trafficking charges filed by the family of Veloso, earlier argued that securing a written deposition would be prejudicial to their constitutional rights to confront the witnesses face to face which they added is guaranteed under Section 14, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution. They stressed that allowing the deposition would also be contrary to the previous ruling of the Supreme Court in Vda De Manguerra vs Risos wherein the high court categorically declared that taking of deposition through written interrogatories is applicable only in civil cases and not in criminal cases.

The deposition would have been administered by Philippine Consular official in Yogyakarta, Indonesia where Veloso is imprisoned and to be personally observed by the respondent judge.

ON ALERT. Policemen from the Manila Police District man a checkpoint near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila yesterday as part of the heigthened alert ordered by the Philippine National Police in connection with the ongoing firefight between government forces and members of the Maute terror group in Marawi City.

Norman Cruz

PH, Russia signed 10 agreements—Cayetano A

By John Paolo Bencito

TOTAL of 10 deals were signed between Philippines and Russia, including an agreement on defense cooperation a day after President Rodrigo Duterte cut short his trip and flew back to the Philippines earlier than scheduled due to the Marawi attacks by the ISIS-led Maute group.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that the signed agreements were centered in cooperation in the fields of agriculture, defense, humanitarian issues, industry, nuclear energy, transportation, trade and tourism between the Philippines and Russia.

“I’d like to thank our host, the Russian Federation, especially President [Vladimir] Putin. On the instructions of President Duterte, [I’d like to express] our appreciation for his understanding of the situation in the Philippines and the necessity for President

Duterte to return home and cut short his trip. We thank his excellency President Putin for most graciously adjusting his schedule,” Cayetano said at a press conference.

Among the deals signed were an agreement on Defense Cooperation; Tourism Joint Action Program 2017 to 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture Cooperation, an agreement on Cooperation on Transportation, Protocol on Cooperation between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture for the Russian Federation, a Memorandum of Intent between Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry and Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development, a

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Industry Development, a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines and the State Atomic Energy Corp. on the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes, an Agreement on Exchange of intelligence information and a Plan of Consultations between the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the signing ceremony, Cayetano said that Russia was open for contracts with the Philippines.

“President Putin was very generous. He said we have framework in place to cooperate. Make the proposals. We will study them and we will do all ef-

Chiz urges Senate to amend Amla law

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Chiz Escudero has urged the Senate to pass the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act to include casinos in its coverage before the deadline given by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering.

Escudero said Senate Bill No. 1468, which was approved on second reading, is a mere component of the committee report he previously sponsored.

The measure seeks to put more teeth into the existing Amla by including the casino industry under the coverage of the law. In its plenary meeting last September, the APG decided to give the Philippines until June 2017 to pass the required legislation, said Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies.

The inclusion of casinos in the Amla coverage is one of the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, a global anti-

money laundering and anti-terrorism watchdog, to avoid the potential blacklisting of the Philippines.

“Failure to enact the required legislation within the given time frame would put the Philippines under monitoring of the International Review Group of the FATF, which could eventually result in the possible blacklisting of the Philippines,” the veteran lawmaker said.

Moreover, Escudero said the blacklist tag would put the country under stringent international financial scrutiny, which might increase the cost of bank transactions abroad. Unfortunately, this would highly affect the remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers.

Last year, the country “barely escaped” the FATF blacklist after hackers stole $81 million from the account of Bangladesh Bank in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and was then diverted to four fake bank accounts in the Philippines.

“The heist therefore highlighted a vulnerable aspect in our anti-money laundering efforts and underlined the FATF’s conditions with regard to casinos,” Escudero said in his sponsorship speech.

In 2012, the Philippines made progress after it was upgraded from FATF’s dark gray list to its gray list. However, in 2013, even after the enactment of Republic Act No. 10365—which further strengthened the antimoney laundering drive and removed the Philippines from the FATF’s list of vulnerable jurisdictions—casinos were still not put under the scrutiny of the law.

Under the proposed measure, Escudero said casinos, with respect to their casino cash transactions related to their gaming operations, shall be considered as “covered persons.”

A single casino cash transaction involving an amount in excess of P5 million or its equivalent in any other currency will be considered as a “covered transaction.”

Mindanao classes to open June 5—DepEd

By John Paolo Bencito and Joel Zurbano

SIGNED AND DELIVERED. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano presents to members of the media the bilateral agreements signed by the Philippines and the Russian Federation during a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Moscow, Russia on Wednesday, May 24. Secretary Cayetano said the agreements are expected to contribute to the economic growth and development of the country.

Malacañang Photo

THE opening of classes in public elementary and high schools, including those in Mindanao, will push through on June 5 as scheduled despite the threat of martial law, the Education department said Thursday.

In a statement, Education Secretary Leonor Briones likewise said that students, teachers, and personnel “must be spared from any form of violence, intimidation, or threat” following the ongoing clashes in Marawi City between government troops and the ISIS-inspired Maute local terrorist group.

“The Department of Education [DepEd] further emphasizes that schools will not be used as evacuation centers.

‘‘In Marawi City, the provincial capitol and the Mindanao State University [MSU] will serve such purpose,” Briones said.

Briones also reminded “all sectors concerned to ensure the neutrality of schools and temporary learning spaces as zones of peace.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air has advised passengers to allot more time going to airports in light of the recent situation in Marawi City and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

The operations of Cebu Pacific in Mindanao remain normal, with no restrictions or limitations imposed on air travel by the authorities, the CEB said in a statement.

But it added that air travelers must have sufficient travel time to get to the airports due to the heightened security measures being implemented.

forts to accommodate,” Cayetano told reporters.

He added that neither Russia nor the Philippines was seeking to build a military alliance and the military equipment the Filipino government had an eye on—including smart bombs— would only be used for counterterrorism purposes.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meanwhile, said that Russia’s military and technical cooperation agreement with the Philippines is at final stages of preparation.

“And, of course, a number of very important documents are at the final stage of preparation, including on issues of military and technical cooperation, interaction between law enforcement agencies,” Lavrov said.

House okays bill on press freedom

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives on second reading Wednesday night approved a measure extending the protection provided under Republic Act 53, or the “Sotto Law,” to journalists from broadcast, news agencies and internet publications.

The House, in plenary session, approved House Bill 684 which aims to uphold the freedom of speech and expression by expanding the coverage of the protection of the law on the right of media practitioners to refuse to reveal the source of any news item, report or information.

Authored by Reps. Raul de Mar of Cebu and Harlin Neil Abayon III of AANGAT TAYO party-list, the bill “extends the protection to the publisher, station owner and/or manager, bureau chief, editor, news editor, writer or reporter, correspondent, opinion columnist or commentator, cartoonist, photographer, or any practitioner involved in the gathering, writing, editing of and commenting on the news.”

The approved bill also “requires that the protection shall only be accorded to a legitimate practitioner of an accredited media organization or entity.”

Del Mar proposed to amend the law as “electronic journalism was virtually nonexistent—where broadcast stations played music or drama and gave the news but did not hire news reporters; the news or wire agencies still had to be developed and recognized, and the internet was not even a dream.”

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Restless in Mindanao

S

TRIFE-TORN Mindanao is again the focus of a deadly military operation. A rampage by Muslim extremists in Marawi City has prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law in the entire island of Mindanao, possibly setting back again the island’s economic development.

It may be too early to tell the impact of martial law on Mindanao’s economy, but the military rule will likely scare away foreign investors in the initial

Adelle Chua, Editor

stage, until the government restores order and eliminates the threat from ISIS and other Islamist militants.

Extreme poverty and government neglect are

the main causes of disenchantment in Mindanao, with some of the population becoming sympathetic to the bandit Abu Sayyaf group and Muslim rebel forces. Jobs and livelihood are scarce for the most part of the island, with economic progress confined to the few urban centers.

The Muslim rebellion, kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf and lately the ISIS threat have virtually turned

isolated parts of Mindanao into a no man’s land. Major industries and businessmen face the constant risk of terrorism and the deteriorating peace and order situation. The rate of return on investment, in other words, is low unless the business is situated in the calmer parts of Mindanao.

President Duterte, in imposing martial rule on the island, must seize this window of opportunity to finally make

a dent in the island’s economic development.

For starters, he should now pursue an aggressive infrastructure program in Mindanao, starting with roads and bridges to give market access to farmers and fishermen.

Inadequate infrastructure has discouraged local and foreign investors from setting up their business in the Philippines, much less in conflict areas like Mindanao.

But government intervention through the construction of more ports, airports, storage facilities and rail networks will spur the generation of jobs and give the private sector the opportunity to locate their businesses in Mindanao. Mindanao needs an economic boom to eventually resolve the conflict in the island. That should be President Duterte’s only goal in imposing martial law.

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

So, what is the law on martial law?

One Muslim’s view LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES NOYNOY Aquino came out of his Times Street man cave this week to say that he, too, once contemplated declaring martial law. During the siege laid on Zamboanga City by a band of armed men belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front, Aquino said, he asked his generals if he should impose military rule.

Aquino said the generals told him there was no need to do so, so he didn’t. End of story.

But that’s Aquino for you. He will have occasional ideas and then he will eventually decide to do nothing.

Noynoy’s successor, Rodrigo Duterte, is not as prone to idleness, thank God. And as a Mindanaoan born and raised, he wants to end the various conflicts that have beset his island for decades and prevented it from fulfill-

ing its now-ironic nickname of “Land of Promise.”

And so Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao, after the Maute thugs decided to mass in Marawi City, killing and burning in a bid to gain attention and support from their spiritual and ideological idols, the brutal ISIS terrorists.

It is a bold, decisive move by a president on a mission to bring peace and prosperity to Mindanao, backed by the same people who catapulted him to the presidency in his native land.

Here I must share a Facebook post written by Yusuf Ashraf (Joey) Tugung, a Californiabased Filipino from Zamboanga, entitled “Condemnation of Attacks Not Enough Anymore.” It is one Muslim’s incisive take on what is happening now in Marawi, written by someone who is horrified by fundamentalist violence and terrorism. I have taken the liberty of editing Tugung’s post for style and length. *** Laying siege to your own town, which is predominantly

populated by Muslims, and terrorizing your own people and your own tribe are not only despicable but demonic to say the least. Doing it days before the holy month of Ramadan is not only an act of abomination but

‘I am tired of being an apologist for the heinous acts committed by some errant Muslims.’

shaytan (satanic).

Claiming that you have done it in the name of Islam only defiles the same God, the one God (Allah) that we all claim to worship.

In essence, those who have done these atrocities are not Muslims, because Islam is a religion of peace and love. On the contrary, by definition, they are kafir, or infidels.

Indeed, these evil forces— Maute and Abu Sayyaf—do not deserve to exist on the face of the earth. These savage bandits have no God, know no God, but only the arch-devil, Iblis. Kafir, in the truest sense of the word, they should be damned and consigned to the gates of jahannam (hell). And since mercy is not in their vocabulary, these monstrous bands of brigands deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

I am tired of being an apologist for the heinous acts that have been committed and are being committed by some errant Muslims. I am weary of condemning them for their atrocities to the point that I feel it has already become trite. To me, words of condemnation and the call for unity, peace, sobriety, and dialogue are not enough anymore. Condemnation cannot erase nor stop the

continued violence committed by these infidels.

For these Muslim deviants, now is not the time to play for words anymore. We must all be united to defeat the terrorists who seek to attack us. And it is high time that we apply Hammurabi’s Code to these evildoers: “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”

Without wavering, what we need now is to give our strong support to the actions of our government, the military and the law enforcement authorities— to kill all these infidels, and let God (Allah), sort them out as to who will go to the gates of jahannam (hell) or jannah (heaven/ paradise).

Without any reservations, we should all support the declaration and imposition of martial law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte and the consequent undertaking of military operations and law enforcement activities against these terrorists and their sympathizers. This is now all about the fight between

DEAN Tony La Viña is right. It is easier to say what martial law is not—since the Constitution goes to considerable length at saying what cannot be done—than to say that it is. It then is no wonder that people ask why it should have been declared since there was already a declared state of lawlessness—and an exercise of the “calling-out” powers.

My good friend and colleague, Daryl Bretch M. Largo’s—Daryl is a professor at the top-performing University of San Carlos University Law School—post strikes with accuracy: Much of the discourse is only a simulacrum of discourse because many are not informed, and they who are supposed to be better informed MIS-inform.

Throughout the day’s interviews, these are some the points I shared: 1. The martial law of 1972 and the martial law of 2017 cannot be the same, because the constitutional provisions are different.

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is very much in place. Those wrongfully arrested and detained can go to court, ask the court to command that their persons be produced before the court and should it be determined that their detention is unlawful, they may enjoy the privilege of the writ—the order granting their release.

To suspend the privilege of the writ, the President has to issue a separate order.

3. No rights are abrogated.

The only warrantless arrests and warrantless searches allowed are those allowed by the rules that apply at all times.

4. Whether or not the Maute commotion is a rebellion is left by the Constitution to Executive determination—because of the President’s office as Commander-in-Chief. HOWEVER, the issue may be raised before the Supreme Court in a proper action, and the matter is then dealt with as justiciable.

5. One of the exceptions to the rule that a search warrant is needed prior to a search is a “search under exigent circumstances.” Martial law is an exigent circumstance. And so, some forms of warrantless searches are permissible—but these will still be within the permissible exceptions.

6. Because of Martial Law there will be military participation in the day-to-day affairs of civilian government that is NOT however replaced.

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Opinion BACK CHANNEL

Marcial Lo One, the terrorists have been pretty open about their fealties to ISIS and their penchant for beheading, hostage-taking, and attacking even women and children. And it’s the easiest thing in the world for them to extend their support and logistics networks throughout the contiguous island of Mindanao, not to mention their links to foreign jihadists.

And two, the 1987 Constitution severely restricts the President’s power to do a repeat of Marcos-style martial law even if he were so inclined: Martial law justified only by rebellion or invasion.

Cannot extend beyond sixty days.

Must be justified to Congress within 48 hours, who can then overrule him by simple majority.

May also be overturned by the Supreme Court upon any filing of opposition.

The Constitution can’t be suspended.

Congress can’t be shut down.

The courts can’t be supplanted.

Even if someone is denied habeas corpus, he still has to be released if he isn’t judicially charged within three days. *** These are safeguards for which we of course have the late President Cory, martial law’s most famous widow, to thank. They also serve as reminders that history doesn’t repeat itself mechanically, that today’s martial law will not automatically be the same as yesterday’s.

In fact, that mechanistic link was broken much earlier, in 2009, when former President Arroyo also declared martial law throughout Mindanao right after the Maguindanao massacre.

Business and government operations continued normally, all the suspects were arrested, all assets frozen, all evidence seized, no lives were lost. Originally slated for 30 days, she lifted martial law after only 8 days.

Contrast that with the performance of the previous administration during the Zamboanga crisis of 2013. No martial law was declared, and yet hundreds of lives were lost, countless civilians displaced, billions of pesos in property destroyed. From the same people who gave us the Luneta hostage incident and Mamasapano 44, it was pretty much par for the course.

In the end, it’s who the leader is, that’s what really counts. As well as the citizens, of course— to make sure that abuses are avoided and the job is done quickly and done right. *** A depressing postscript to this piece concerns the CPP’s reported orders to the NPA to intensify their military offensive activity, at this time of national distress, and just as the fifth round of peace talks are scheduled to resume next week.

This particular rebel group has been called many things in the past. But today, they certainly can’t be accused of letting anything stand in the way of what they want.

One...

From A4

ered unpatriotic.

This fight against terrorism that we should all support is all about the rule of law, justice and the preservation of peace and order. This is about Christians and Muslims united in the fight against terrorism. Understand, these terrorists don’t profess any ideology or any creed.

Their values and behaviors are tribal rather than spiritual or religious. They are anarchists. A real Muslim is one who follows the religion correctly and doesn’t justify violence using religion.

The long-term solution is to solve the age-old Mindanao conflict. I just hope that the MILF had no hand in this Marawi incident, otherwise, the peace process could immediately be suspended indefinitely.

My prayers this Holy Month of Ramadan will be relentless for peace, love and unity in our beloved Mindanao.

In the end, it’s who the leader is.

the forces of good and those of evil; in particular, the evil doings that have been committed by these mindless, God-less terrorists.

To the political pundits, activists, opposition groups and charlatans, I would like to say that the declaration of martial law is not a political issue. What we have in our midst is a major crisis of national proportions because of the existential threat of terrorism to our national security.

The objective of the imposition of martial law is simply the preservation of law and order. Anyone that will politicize the imposition of martial law in Mindanao and the military operations against these terrorists are doing a great disservice to our country and must be consid-

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

More than a regional crisis

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

EARLIER this week I finally took possession of a LandBank cash card that lets me draw upon an account into which was earlier deposited my humble share of compensation awarded some years ago by Congress to victims of human rights violations during the martial law years.

For people like me who aren’t poor, the award is more valuable symbolically. But for many others who feel the daily grind of survival much more painfully, the money will go a long way, not just towards restorative justice, but more practically towards easing their lives for a long while to come. Total payout is somewhere south of P10 billion, which by any measure is a great anti-poverty program.

My hat has to come off to the board and staff of the compensation commission, led by the very fetching retired police general Lina Sarmiento, who did a yeoman’s job of painstakingly sifting through over 70,000 applications in order to weed out the frauds from the genuinely entitled claimants.

Once, General Lina sat me down to walk me through a sample application. The applicant mentioned certain dates and names in his narrative of his underground involvement.

Those dates and names then had to be manually cross-checked against the narratives of other applicants whom the checker might remember as claiming to be associated with the primary.

[Unfortunately, not enough time or money was available to the commission to properly database the information and computerize the cross-referencing.]

This process was basically repeated 70,000 times in order to narrow down the qualified applications to some 40,000 names.

Unfortunately for our country, even on something as sacrosanct as making reparations for lives and liberty lost to martial law, there were still 30,000 people out there—almost as many as the real victims—who jumped on this dark moment in history to try and make a quick buck. *** By great happenstance, around the same time I was claiming my LandBank card, President Duterte was announcing the imposition of martial law in Mindanao, in response to vicious attacks on Marawi City by two ISIS-affiliated terrorist groups, Maute and Abu Sayyaf, that were still going on as I write this.

By and large, the rest of the country has gone along and even heaved a sigh of relief over the President’s decisiveness. The stock market barely moved, the Church wrung its hands over priests and parishioners taken hostage, Congress pledged its super-majority support.

Opposition leader Vice President Leni Robredo voiced approval, while the mainstream Mindanao insurgent groups, MILF and MNLF, distanced themselves and expressed their hope that the peace process would not be affected.

It’s not difficult to explain this relative sanguinity.

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE declaration of martial law in Mindanao is more than a regional crisis. Make no mistake about it; this is a crisis whose magnitude is national in scope owing to the widespread lawlessness and criminal violence prevailing in every sector of society. This is not just in Mindanao in the wake of the Maute terrorists attack on Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. There are ambuscades committed by the communist New People’s Army in other parts of the country even as the Duterte government is waging a brutal and relentless war on illegal drugs.

That martial law could be extended to the Visayas and even Luzon was indicated by President Rodrigo Duterte himself who said declaring martial law throughout the country is an option if the situation calls for it. This means that if the Maute group which has identified itself with the

international terrorist ISIS widens its attack on the other regions. The ISIS black flag was hoisted in Marawi by the Maute raiders. The military said Maute is just aligning itself with ISIS to get funding and weapons.

President Duterte cut short his five-day official visit to Russia to rush home to deal with the problem. This proves he is a hands-on president, a takecharge guy. Filipinos expect nothing less of their leader.

“I’ll be harsh with those who seek to destroy the Republic,” said the President in his usual bellicose tone. The man was left no choice but to apply the full force of the law to deal with an extreme emergency. Maute gunmen laid siege to Marawi, killing policemen and civilians and burning government buildings.

The situation in Marawi in the account of the authorities appears to be under control although gunfire can still be heard in some areas where the Maute gunmen continue to battle government troops and local policemen. There are reports of hostages taken by the Maute to use as shields against pursuing government troops.

The attack on Marawi bears some semblance to the attack in Zamboanga a few years back

by Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front. The siege lasted almost a month before government troops were able to dislodge the MNLF fighters from Zamboanga City. As in the Zamboanga siege, there were also criticisms of failure of intelligence on the part of government for not being able to detect early the entry of the armed group into Marawi.

Residents fled to Iligan City in droves, leaving Marawi virtually a ghost town.

Lawmakes are divided on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Those who are allied with the Duterte administration support the President’s action while some say the government, with all its resources and superior number in military manpower, could have restored order in Marawi without declaring martial law.

The citizenry is also apprehensive the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus could lead to abuses and violation of human rights. The government,

though, has made clear that no such thing would happen as martial law—as amended in the 1987 Constitution—is limited in scope and power. Congress can review the basis for the Duterte declaration of martial law and limits its duration to 60 days and can only extend it if the situation warrants a longer period. The courts under the revised martial law will continue to function although warrantless arrests can still be carried out by law enforcers.

The governments of the United States, Canada, France and Britain have issued warnings and advisories to their nationals to avoid Mindanao. But then, these countries themselves have been subjected to terrorist attacks. Britain, in particular, was hit recently by a suicide bomber during a concert in Manchester. At least 22 people were killed, including women and children who came to watch American pop singer Ariana Grande perform.

In an act of compassion, Ariana said she would defray the cost of the victims’ hospitalization.

She is scheduled to perform in Manila but that concert might now be canceled because of fear of a terrorist attack.

Creeping martial law VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ THE first president from Mindanao has declared martial law —in Mindanao, the Philippines’ second biggest island, effective 10 p.m. of Tuesday, May 23.

Seventeen hours later, Rodrigo Roa Duterte disclosed he would extend martial law’s area of coverage to the Visayas, which he said, “is just a walking distance actually” and “because of the many islands they (the terrorists) can always escape there and begin another terroristic activity.”

On Tuesday afternoon, it took only eight hours of sporadic hide-fire-and-run fighting in Marawi City, 814 kms southwest of Manila, between government troops and a group of bandits and terrorists led by a so-called Maute Group which claims allegiance to Islamist State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), to prompt President Duterte, who was on his first day in Moscow on a fiveday visit, to declare military rule in the Philippines.

Duterte cut short his Russia trip, met for three hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin, from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday. Then he boarded his Philippine Airlines special flight, landing at the Manila International Airport by 5 p.m.

May 24.

At Naia, the commanderin-chief said he has asked the

So,...

From A4 7. There will also be increased military presence, and probably an increased number of checkpoints—all of which are constitutional.

There may also be curfew, which is likewise constitutionally permissible. And because of heightened military presence, there will also be heightened military surveillance—which may include more Terry searches which, jurisprudence has laid down, do not even demand probable cause but merely reasonable suspicion.

8. The Chief Justice has directed the courts to continue in operation. Should circumstances so deteriorate that civilian courts can no longer operate (either because the judges flee in terror or because the belligerent circumstances that make their operation impossible), then military courts or commissions may be created—but it seems clear that we are a long way from this yet.

9. Congress can concur with the declaration of Martial Law and keep it in place.

It may also set it aside. It may finally extend the period beyond sixty days.

10. The President cannot declare martial law HANGGANG SAWA. There is a default setting that puts its lifespan at 60 days unless ex-

military, especially the navy “to embargo the islands”, especially the sea that separates Mindanao, from the Visayas.

Now if ISIS-inspired terrorism spreads to Luzon, the main island of the 7,107-island archipelago, Duterte hinted he would declare martial law nationwide. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is a militant group that seeks to install an Islamic state or caliphate in various parts of the world, including the Philippines.

Duterte bristles at such a possibility. Hence, his martial law and the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. “This thing government cannot allow,” he said. “Government must put an end to this [terrorism]. I cannot gamble with ISIS because they are everywhere.”

The President assured his country, “I am not willing to allow abuses. [Civilian] government is running. The Congress is functioning. The courts are open for citizens to seek grievance.”

That, however, failed to assure critics. Human rights lawyer, former Senator Rene Saguisag said Duterte’s martial law could be worse than that of strongman Ferdinand Marcos. “His [Marcos’s] ultimate plan was really to be president for life,” Saguisag told ANC, so Marcos tried to minimize abuses and soften its impact.

Addressing Duterte, Saguisag said, “You are provoking the entire Muslim community, the entire ISIS group to retaliate.

What happened in Manchester, England can happen here.” One

tended by Congress.

11. Martial law provides the circumstance for triggering the operation of Art. XII, Sec. 17 —the take-over by the State of public utilities or businesses impressed with public interest, for a LIMITED PERIOD...but this is NOT a presidential prerogative, but a Congressional power.

But now that Presidential Proclamation 261 left no doubt that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus has also been suspended, it is good to be equally clear about that as well.

Don’t say “Suspension of the writ.” The writ is the order of the Court. What you are after when you file a petition for the writ of habeas corpus is “the privilege of the writ”— which, essentially, is your release from detention when it is determined that your detention has no legal warrant.

Under Article VII the suspension will apply only to cases of rebellion or acts essential to or directly related to invasion (murder, homicide, arson, et al committed by the invaders). There is no such thing as the crime of invasion. And even when the privilege of the writ is suspended, you cannot be thrown into some secret cell and left to rot—because charges have to be filed against you within three days—or else, you get released. In effect, the suspension of the privilege only gives the enforcers of the law

may commit rookie errors, the former senator said, but after one year, “traffic could not be solved, insurgency worsened. To have to declare martial law is an admission of failure on your part.”

To be sure Duterte made it clear from the start, “I will be harsh”. He announced checkpoints, searches and arrests without warrants. Grim-faced on national television, he told the terrorists bluntly: “If I think you should die, you will die. If you fight us, you will die. If there is an open defiance, you will die!” The President has also made clear he would solve all of Mindanao’s peace and order problems, even if it would take the entire five-year remainder of his six-year term.

Former military officer and partylist Congressman Ashley Acedillo said Duterte “was playing with people’s lives. This is not child’s play. We had martial law before. It ended very badly.”

The excuse for emergency rule, initially is an alleged rebellion mounted by two groups in Marawi City—the 400-strong Maute group, which is part banditry, part private army, and partly a religious movement, and the so-called Abu Sayyaf, which the military claims has only 200 regulars.

The Marawi siege all began at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, when groups of armed men, elements of Maute and ASG, streamed into the city of 201,000, ostensibly to provide security to their leader, Isnilon Hapilon. They entered a hospital and captured hostages.

more time to detain you than is usually allowed before they become liable for arbitrary detention.

But there is a SINISTER effect to the suspension of the privilege of the writ for IN EFFECT, it allows for warrantless arrests, because the only way to obtain relief against a warrantless arrest is by applying for the writ of habeas corpus, but if the privilege of the writ is suspended, then one has really no recourse against a wrongful warrantless arrest—at least for the period of three days (within which time, so much can happen).

I personally do not think that the writ of amparo will be available—because the Constitution precisely allows this emergency power to the Executive to cope with an emergency—and the constitutional intendment cannot be defeated by recourse to a Court-instituted rule like that on the writ of amparo.

In effect, when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, the privilege of the writ of amparo is likewise suspended—otherwise the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus would be effete. rannie_aquino@csu.edu. ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda. edu.ph rannie_ aquino@yahoo. com

Days earlier, the military received reports the rebel-bandits would enter Marawi, apparently to occupy it. The reports were ignored. Maute, according to security specialist Rommel Banlaoi, has about 400 armed regulars, twice the number of the ASG and bigger than the strength of the Bangsamoro army.

Army soldiers saw the presence of an increasing number of unidentified armed men and prepared to arrest Hapilon.

At past 2 p.m., firefights broke out and residents heard loud explosions, from bombs and mortar fire. The bandits scampered for safety. They raided a chapel and took away a priest and 15 hostages. They raided the hospital and took away hostages.

They raided the city jail, killed its police guards, and freed more than 100 prisoners. In ten areas of the city, the bandits positioned themselves, snipers at the ready. Later, it was learned, the terrorists had murdered at least nine civilians in cold blood and dumped them into an open field.

Early evening Tuesday, in Moscow Duterte began receiving reports of the worsening situation. At least a policeman and two soldiers were reported killed. Eight other soldiers were wounded in the firefight. It appears the bandits had taken effective control of the city.

Duterte decided to declare martial law. Marawi became a ghost town. Davao, 257 kms southwest of Marawi, went into a lockdown. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Statement of the Philippine Bar Association on the imposition of martial law in Mindanao 24 May 2017 THE Philippine Bar Association, the oldest voluntary organization of lawyers in the Philippines, denounces the senseless violence instigated by terrorist groups in Marawi City which has resulted in the imposition of martial law in the whole of Mindanao.

Under the Constitution, the President may place the Philippines, or any part thereof, under martial law “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”

The declaration of martial law is a power given to the President by the Constitution which he may use for purposes as therein enumerated in order to protect our democracy, to ensure the return of peace and order, and to defend the rule of law. Its exercise in the first instance is largely based on his judgment and his assessment of the situation. The Constitution provides for a system of checks from Congress and the Supreme Court designed to prevent abuse of this power.

Given our country’s grim history with martial law, however, it is understandable that news of its declaration would be met with some trepidation. Thus, we urge the government to resolve the crisis in Marawi City expeditiously so that the imposition of martial law may be lifted as soon as it is no longer necessary. We have complete trust that the forces of the state will be guided by these principles, ever vigilant that such presidential power is to be exercised only for the greater good.

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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

DoLE to hold studies on wage hike

By Vito Barcelo

TRIBUTE.

Far Eastern University pays tribute to National Artist Nick Joaquin through a public memorial lecture, featuring the reopening of his memorabilia room, a book relaunch, and an art exhibit.

Norman Cruz

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment and private stakeholders will conduct a series of rigorous studies on the P184 across-the-board daily wage increase for workers in Metro Manila filed by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

“The petition for the wage increase will go through hard and rigorous study,” according to Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod.

The ALU-TUCP filed a P184 pay increase before the Regional Wage and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region to correct disparities in basic pay and the grant of additional monetary benefits for Metro Manila workers.

“We are fully aware that our workers receive a very modest pay that’s why the labor groups are seeking for salary adjustment.

We support them but we have to study the impact of the petition. President Duterte even said that this should be studied,” Maglunsod said.

He added that extensive study and consultation between business, labor, and other concerned sectors are needed as the proposed increase will give substantial relief to the workers and their families but will also have implications on the side of the business and employers.

“I support the workers’ fight, because it’s their right to ask for a raise and help their families.

The DoLE will consider the request and will discuss it with the Regional Wage bodies because under the law, the responsibility of raising pay is through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board,” Maglunsod explained.

The RTWPBs are mandated by law to determine and fix the minimum wage rates and structure applicable in a particular region.

The board is composed of the DoLE regional director, regional directors of the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry, and two representatives each from the worker and employer sectors as members.

The increase of minimum wage was among the major issues raised by workers during the labor dialogue with President Rodrigo Duterte on Labor Day.

Tarlac’s local execs ordered dismissed

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Thursday the dismissal from service of local officials of Mayantoc, Tarlac for administrative liability of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.

Those dismissed from the service were ex-mayor Tito Razalan, exengineer Rodolfo Corpuz, ex-treasurer Nilda Salazar, ex-budget officer Florence Bueno and ex-administrative officer Marilene Bedania.

Graft probers uncovered irregularities that tainted the P23-million Mayantoc Memorial Park project undertaken in 2009.

Substantial regulations on procurement were not followed by the respondents, such as the lack of a pre-procurement conference and nonposting of the invitation to bid, and that bid documents were not paid by the bidders despite its announcement that bid documents were available upon payment of P5,000.

Other violations were the non-invitation of observers to join the procurement activities and acceptance of underpayment of performance and warranty securities by the winning contractor, JQG Construction.

In a consolidated decision, the Ombudsman said that “records show that Corpuz and Razalan facilitated the release of the payment amounting to P23,048,230.15 to JQG Construction by issuing a certificate of project acceptance and certificate of project completion which was found to be incomplete and inoperational.”

Moreover, Razalan approved and instructed the release of payments to the contractor without securing the certification of the municipal accountant as to the completeness of the supporting documents.

“The dismissal order carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking the civil service examination,” the Ombudsman's decision read.

“In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s one-year salary.”

PCGG: Marcoses’ high-value artworks not missing

By John Paolo Bencito THE Presidential Commission on Good Government on Thursday denied that six high-value paintings sequestered by the government from the Marcos family were missing while many are now deteriorating.

In its report released this week, the Commission on Audit said that six paintings which should be in Malacañang’s antique houses were missing, along with three other Russian paintings of the Marcoses that were kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

The CoA also alleged that most of the paintings and artworks in the Metropolitan Museum are deteriorating mainly due to poor facilities, and some paintings have dirt and scratches on the surface due to lack of humidity, temperature and exposure, and the lack of expertise to preserve the artworks.

“PCGG is not remiss in its duty to preserve these paintings since it has consistently reminded the responsible officials of the Museum to conduct regular maintenance of said artworks including provision for storage racks, and consultation with experts on possible restoration to prevent further deterioration and damage to the paintings,” the PCGG said in a statement.

The PCGG likewise said that state auditors which conducted an inven-

tory in 2012 merely relied on a tentative list from the Commission on the basis of documents showing that the paintings were“merely offered to Imelda R. Marcos,” or “may have been connected to the Marcoses but no proof of actual purchase, ... nor any verified report showing the paintings referred to in the tentative list were actually delivered to the Malacañang Antique Houses.”

The PCGG likewise cited the same CoA report which said that the paintings are “still in relatively good condition” but susceptible to further damage.

State auditors said the 17 artworks/paintings found in Malacañang’s antique houses are all in good condition while the six paintings, however, reported in the 2012 inventory as “missing” were still have not been located during last year’s inventory.

The PCGG said that they will “request DBM to provide the necessary funds for the proper preservation and maintenance of these paintings, and request the assistance from the appropriate authorities for an effective management and immediate restoration of these artworks.”

The PCGG, however, insisted that the three Russian missing paintings “were in the physical possession, custody, and control of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and never with PCGG.”

Sports 4 local netters carry fight for Ozamis FOUR local girls carried the fight for host city Ozamis at the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series leg in Misamis Occidental, winning their respective age groups in this country’s longest-running tennis developmental program now on its 11th year.

Carmeville Gervacio led the charge by beating Annamae Mendoza from Iligan, Lanao del Sur, 6-0, 6-3, for the girls’ 18-under crown, while Jan Marie Anghag was extended to three sets, 6-0, 6-7, 10-3 by her finals opponent Rovie Baulete in the 16-under before taking the crown.

Carmel Marie Padilla had an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory over province-mate Zeaiha Toribio to rule the girls’ 14-under, while Judy Ann Padilla completed the sweep by defeating Toribio, 6-2, 6-2, in the finals of the girls’ 12-under.

“I am truly impressed at the level of play by these young players of Ozamis City and most of them have been campaigning regularly in our series which has helped them develop their skills to reach this level,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President /CEO, who has been supporting tennis for a long time.

In the boys’ side, a familiar name, Marc Nicole Suson from Cebu City continued his winning ways in the 16-under as he beat Tubod, Lanao del Norte’s John Steven Sonsona, 6-1, 6-2, for the title, while John Renest Sonsona engaged Nilo Ledama from Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur in a three-setter before prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 11-9, to take the 18-under crown.

Relative unknown Eric Jay Tangub from Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur was a surprise winner in the in the 14-under with an upset victory over Aaron Jacque Geromo, 6-1, 6-2 .

Multi-titlist Nash Agustines from Oroquieta City edged out Heinz Asian Carbonilla, 5-7, 6-4, 11-9, to win the boys’ 12-under category, while Zamboanaga del Sur bet Abdel Qadzri Matarul posted a three-set win, 5-3, 0-4, 4-0, over Vince AJ Bering for the 10-under unisex title in the tournament supported by Dunlop as the official ball.

Matarul shared with Garlandson Ardiante the unisex doubles’ title after beating the duo of Bering and Kale Cyd Villamar, 5-4, 4-2 , in the finals, while Tangub partnered with Lex Estillore and defeated Brent Signmond Cortes and Ashton Benne Villanueva by retirement while ahead 6-4 for the boys’ 14-under doubles finals.

A7

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Baguio City hosts archery qualifier for Universiade T

By Graham C. Lim

HE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines will hold the 1st National Students Men’s Archery qualifying tournament to the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei on Saturday at the Baguio Archery Range in Baguio City.

The inaugural men’s qualifier is being staged in coordination with the FESSAP members from the Cordillera Autonomous Region such as University of Baguio and the Baguio City Archery Club, through its president John Hongitan, The top three winners in the men’s category will be eligible to compete in the archery competitions in the Taipei Universiade, which will be held from Aug.19 to 30 this year.

The Summer Universiade is a biennial multi-sport event that features the top university athletes around the world, including those from the United States, Russian Republic, People’s Republic of China, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Republic of Korea and France. It is considered by many as the “Olympics” at the university level.

The qualifiers to the prestigious Taipei Universiade in the

Balaoing and Dangla, both products of the University of Baguio, secured berths to the Taipei Universiade after starring in the 1st Asian University Archery Championship held in Malaysia last April.

A third female archer from the University of Baguio will join the pair in Taipei City after consultation with the school president Dhanna Kerina Bautista-Rodas.

Hongitan is grateful that archery athletes from Baguio City are being considered to represent the Philippines in the Universiade.

“The support of the FESSAP is beneficial to the archers from the City of Pines and we encourage our athletes to do their best during Loren Chloe Balaoing Photo by Bong Boado the Taipei competition and bring Women’s Archery category have tioned Philippine archery team from glory to the country,” said Hongithe distaff side are Loren Chloe tan, the Baguio City Archery Club already been selected.

Making it to the FESSAP-sanc- Balaoing and Shanaya Rose Dangla. president.

Air Force clouters keep lead; Adamson dominant

BIG WINNERS. The 2nd 2017 World Pitmasters Cup 9-cock International Derby, Fiesta Edition concluded on Saturday at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila in Pasay City with three champions namely J&B Kaingin, Polomolok Sports Complex and RJM HVT HT3 Tiki Bar-Sandbar. RWM hosted the first World Pitmasters Cup 9-cock International Derby early in January this year with more than 300 local and foreign cockfighters participating, making it the most prestigious derby and the largest event in cockfighting history in the country. Shown here are (from left) RJ Mea of RJM HVT HT3 Tiki Bar-Sandbar, organizer Engr. Sonny Lagon, organizer businessman Gerry Ramos, organizer and gaming aficionado Charlie “Atong” Ang, Jojo Cruz of J and B Kaingin, and Ed Lumayag of Polomolok Sports Complex.

Tanduay inter-collegiate volleyfest slated THE Tanduay AthleticsPhilippine Volleyball Federation National InterCollegiate Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship starts Saturday at the twin sand courts of the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City.

Southwestern University of Cebu leads the Vi-

sayan challenge, while Jose Maria College represents Davao after topping the eliminations last Sunday.

Capitol University comes from Cagayan de Oro, St. Joseph College from Zamboanga del Norte and University of Luzon represents Pangasinan.

School, Colleges and

Universities champion Rizal Technological University lead teams from National Capital Region, while University of Perpetual Help-Laguna represents Luzon.

De La Salle University, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas have also been invited and

are expected to play in the two-day event presented by Tanduay Athletics of sports patron Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jr. and co-presented by Asia Brewery of Mike Tan. Wilson is the official ball.

All participants and officials will be billeted at the Cantada Sports Center.

Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr.

Torres proves mettle at KTM RC Cup EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD racing protégé Ralph Kenneth Torres proved his mettle at the KTM RC Cup Asia held recently at the Sepang International Circuit despite his absence in the first round of the race.

The Philippines’ first sponsored rider to the prestigious competition, Torres figured strongly after competing against riders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, and Thailand.

The KTM RC Cup Asia has two class categories where contenders competed in two races for the second of five rounds of the cup held at the 5.543-km Sepang Circuit, putting premium focus on the KTM “Orange” class category, which aims to

Ralph Kenneth Torres beside his KTM RC 390 during the second of five rounds at the KTM RC Cup Asia at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia.

Blue Dragons, Maroons outplay foes THE Diliman College Blue Dragons and the University of the Philippines Maroons outplayed their foes to post big wins in the ongoing 23rd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball tournament.

The Blue Dragons turned to African cager Adama Diakhite in the last period to repulse the La Salle Green Archers, 75-68, at the San Beda-Manila gymnasium in Mendiola.

Diakhite shot 16 of his 33-point output in the fourth quarter to help propel the Blue Dragons to their

first win in three games This allowed the Blue Dragons to post their first win in three games in Group A of the senior division.

The Green Archers took their first loss in five games, with Brent Paraiso and Jollo Go shooting 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Ibrahim Outtara put in 20 points for the UP Maroons, who scored an 82-78 stopping of the San Beda Red Lions in this cagefest supported by Armor On Sportswear.

The Maroons went on to grab their

second straight victory in Group B. In the junior division, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs turned back Manila Patriotic School, 94-77, to pick up their second win in four games, while the Chiang Kai Shek Blue Dragons prevailed over San Beda Manila.

Rhayjun Baquial and Timothy de la Cruz made 16 points for the Tiger Cubs.

The Blue Dragons are unbeaten after three matches after a 78-74 win over the San Sebastian Staglets the other day.

encourage and empower emerging young talent into becoming future world champions. Torres, who competed at the Orange Class category for the first time, faced no easy feat considering his unfamiliarity with the track and limited practice time.

Starting in fifth position in the grid in Race 1, Torres accelerated to an early lead against top contenders Ibrahim Norrodin, Ahmad Idham Khairuddin, and Izam Ikmal Izamli.

Clocking in the best Race 1 lap time of 2:35.218, Torres placed fifth in the standings after two rounds, eventually ranking ninth over-all among the 26 competing young riders in the two categories of the cup—a remarkable

achievement given his absence in the first round of the race.

“It was a great weekend for me and for my team for having a podium [finish] for both races, especially since it’s only my first race in the KTM RC Cup Asia,” shared Torres in a Facebook post immediately following the race.

The KTM RC Cup, which is being staged in the Asia region for the first time, has been held across Europe and United States to showcase and exploit the capabilities of the KTM RC 390 sports motorcycles, which is known for its speed, agility, and spectacular handling. The Orange class is open to riders aged 14 to 22 using the same bike but without any modifications.

Huge field in Luzvimin golf TWENTY-FOUR teams, including eight from the south, brace for another spirited battle for top honors in various divisions when the 2017 Champion Infinity Luzvimin golf tournament is fired off June 8 at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark, Pampanga.

All four division champions are back in the title hunt in the 54-hole Molave team competition, all eager to make it back-toback on a course which, offers a different kind of challenge for the competing field featuring the top golfing ladies of the country’s leading golf clubs.

Del Monte, which foiled Southwoods-Masters and Valley I to rule the premier Diamond division of the annual event sponsored

by Champion Infinity at Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao last year, hopes to score a repeat on a team built around Pamela Mariano, Rhea Langamin, Martina Miñoza and Lesley Icoy.

AIR Force came away with a pair of victories to stay on top of the Club and Open men’s divisions while Adamson kept its domination of women’s play midway through the Cebuana Lhuillier-ASAPHIL Summer Grand Slam National Open Fast Pitch softball tournament in Cabuyao City late Wednesday.

The Airmen trounced the San Ildefonso, Bulacan nine, 5-2, to remain in the lead in the Club division with a 3-0 mark while their Open class squad crushed the Jk.com Zamboanga side, 3-0, to likewise stretch their win run to three in the week-long event which drew 46 teams nationwide in the men’s and women’s categories.

The Lady Falcons, on the other hand, rolled to their fourth win in row, beating Tanza, Cavite for a three-way tie with the University of the East Lady Warriors and the Phl Youth team in the event presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.

“We always expect the Summer Grand Slam tournament to deliver great matches and this year’s edition does not disappoint,” said ASAPHIL and Cebuana Lhuillier president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “At this point, it’s hard to tell which team will take home the championship title so I just wish everyone the best of luck and may they all be able to show all their skills and play each game to the best of their abilities.”

In other women’s results, the Phl Youth smothered Makati, 7-2, for a 4-0 mark while the latter rebounded with a 5-1 rout of Central Luzon State University. San Miguel, Bulacan also thumped Baguio, 5-1, while Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Rizal Technological University waylaid De La Salle-Zobel, 12-0, and Manila, 21-3, respectively.

Manila Team I also hacked out an 8-4 victory over Tanza, Cavite while National U escaped with a tough 4-3 decision over host Cabuyao.

In men’s action, San Rafael, Bulacan blanked the Entom Tigers, 7-0, to match Air Force’s hot start while RTU blasted Cabuyao, 10-3.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

A8

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

Sports

Zubiri gets formal POC nod

By Randy Caluag

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and PSC Chairman William Ramirez are shown with participants of the2017 Mindanao Children’s Games.

Mindanao Games go on, unmindful of martial law

By Peter Atencio

T

HE staging of the 2017 Mindanao Children’s Games is expected not only to get children into sports, but also help mold responsible and well-rounded future leaders of the country.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, the moving force behind this undertaking, said this during the opening ceremonies held yesterday at the

Almendras Gym in Davao City.

“The true gold mine in sports are found not in high-level competitions but in the children whose lives we touch and change through

sports,” said Ramirez.

The games got going amidst the turmoil that took place this week in nearby Marawi City.

Davao is now on “hold and secure” status, downgraded from a lockdown the other day when the Marawi siege erupted in that city and martial law was declared all over Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Almost 500 children 12 yearsold and below participated in the 3-on-3 boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball.

Ginebra seeks solo 2nd place

on hand to lend inspiration to the young participants.

“I started in sports when I was 11 years old,” shared Diaz, adding that she was around the same age as the participants when the sport which would eventually thrust her into national spotlight beckoned.

Diaz persuaded the kids to get into sports, citing the privileges and opportunities it opened up for her.

“Nakabyahe ako sa Pilipinas at iba-ibang bansa, nakapag-aral, nagkatrabaho at natuto dahil sa sports,” said Diaz.

Mendoza is PH’s 1st female commissaire SUNSHINE Vallejos Mendoza successfully hurdled the recent International Cycling Union National Commissaires Course for Road to become the Philippines’ first female commisssaire for the discipline.

Also passing the course organized by the Singapore Cycling Federation from May 18 to 21 at the Singapore Sports Hub was Franklin Gonzales of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Mendoza is the project director of the Le Tour de Filipinas (LTdF), the only multistage road race in the Philippines on the UCI Asia Tour calendar that will hold its ninth edition in February next year. Gonzales, on

By Jeric Lopez ACTION further intensifies in the homestretch of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup with two critical games featuring teams with different standings.

After getting back on track right away in its last game, Barangay Ginebra (6-2) now aims to grab solo second place as it is resumes its campaign against Blackwater (2-7), a team battling for survival, at 7 p.m., as the action shifts to Laguna at the Alonte Sports Arena.

In the first game, Rain or Shine (5-4) looks to follow-up on its big win the last time out when it takes on GlobalPort (3-6), which is looking to earn a tie for eighth place, at 4:15 p.m.

With its then five-game winning streak snapped, the Gin Kings picked themselves up right away, emphatically earning their biggest win of the tournament by impressively downing San Miguel, 107-99, last Sunday in a rematch of the Philippine Cup finals.

That allowed them to remain tied with the Beermen at second place as the teams above battle for positioning with all of them looking to finish in the Top 2, which offers a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

Another victory for Ginebra will put it in a good spot to keep contending for one of those top two berths.

Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone expects his team to keep its high level of play in this crucial stretch of the elimination round.

“We’re in a good spot right now, but we want to keep going. We need more wins and most importantly, we’d want to enter the quarterfinals with a lot of momentum,” he said.

Larong pinoy games will be played today with estimated participants of almost 600 kids. Some 30 barangays participated in the event.

Councilor Antonette PrincipeCastrodes, who represented Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was keynote speaker.

She said that the mayor cited sports as “a suitable diversion from delinquency,” and welcomed the PSC’s efforts to make sports available to the youth.

Hidilyn Diaz, Rio Olympics Silver Medalist in weightlifting, was

COM PLE MENTING the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Ph ilippi ne Olympic Committee formally appointed SenSenator Zubiri ator Miguiel Zubiri as the Chairman of the 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.

In a letter signed by POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, the POC board of trustees gave its formal appointment to Zubiri to lead the preparation and actual hosting of the 30th edition of the biennial meet in Manila.

Although Zubiri was already named to the post by President Duterte a couple of weeks back, his appointment still needed confirmation by the local national Olympic committee in pursuant to the Charter and Rules of the Southeast Asian Games Federation.

Zubiri appeared to be a logical choice as the senator was a former athlete himself, having practice karate. He is also the biggest proponent of Filipino traditional martial arts, arnis.

He was also the main reason why arnis has been declared the Philippines’ national sport and this early, he’s reportedly pushing for its inclusion in the Manila Southeast Asian Games.

Zubiri is also aware that POC and the Philippine Sports Commission, headed by chairman Butch Ramirez, are not totally in sync due to differences in priorities.

“Mabigat ang responsibilidad at kailangan nating pagsamahin at i-reconcile ang POC at PSC,” he said in previous interview. “Mahalaga na magkaisa sa layunin to hold the best ever Southeast Asian Games and we should ensure the quality of the venues and facilities. Kaya pa naman dahil may dalawang taon pa tayo.”

For a start, Zubiri said he will go to Malaysia to cheer for the Filipino athletes when the Games open on Aug. 19 in Kuala Lumpur. He will be on hand when the Malaysia Southeast Asian Games Committee turns over the hosting to the Philippines during the closing rites on Aug. 30.

the other hand, worked as assistant commissaire in the eight editions of the LTdF. “It’s a major responsibility to become a UCI National Commissaire and we are bound by regulations,” Mendoza said. “I will do my best to carry out that responsibility for the development of road cycling in the Philippines.”

UCI International Commissaire (IC) for Road Navaratnaraja Karunaratna of Sri Lanka supervised the course which drew 12 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The course included lectures and wrapped up

with written, oral and practical examinations during the Singapore National Road Championships.

Mendoza and Gonzales’s participation in the Level 2 course was endorsed by PhilCycling President Tagaytay Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chairman Alberto Lina and supported by LTdF organizer Donna Lina, president of Ube Media.

The two new UCI commissaries joined the country’s pool of road commissaries that include IC Jose Adolfo “Ding” Cruz, Elite National Commissaire Jun Lomibao and National Commissaire Carlos Gredonia.

PSL Manila falls to Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs

Newly-minted International Cycling Union National Commissaire Sunshine Vallejos Mendoza (left) with course supervisor, International Commissaire Navaratnaraja Karunaratna of Sri Lanka.

UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan— Rebisco PSL Manila managed to stir the hornet’s nest in the first set, but Hisamitsu Springs of Japan got back hard to fashion out a 25-17, 25-10, 25-14 victory at the start of the Asian Women’s Club Championships Thursday at Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace here.

Jaja Santiago scored 16 points in trying to power the Filipinas who were taking on the two-time champion Japanese club right on their first tune-up game as a core of the

Philippine squad.

Fajardo scored four points and 11 excellent sets, while Ces Molina, Rhea Dimaculangan and Jovelyn Gonzaga had three points each. Mika Reyes and Rachel Anne Daquis scored two points apiece, while Aiza Pontillas made one marker.

Rebisco had 18 errors, mostly on attacks, which according to head coach Francis Vicente did very well but lacked speed and coordination that Hisamitsu, the 2002 and 2014 champion team,

brandished with impunity.

“Why are you so sad?” Vicente asked the team during the team also sponsored by Asics, Grand Sport and Turkish Airlines.

“You learned from them. You didn’t play badly. We just need more speed. More volleyball IQ. You got the Japanese coach worried in the first set. Be proud,” Vicente added.

The Filipinas got the Japanese fired up with Santiago’s unstoppable forays in addition to Kim Fajardo’s sneaky net drops.

Aussie wavers but stays 2 ahead of Mondilla NATHAN Park blew a huge lead as he lost his putting touch at the finish, settling for a four-under 68 and a two-stroke edge over an equally charging Clyde Mondilla midway through the ICTSI Philippine Masters at the Villamor Golf Club yesterday.

The left-handed Australian went on a birdie spree coming off another rain delay and a bogey on No. 1, gunning down four in a five-hole stretch from No. 2. But he squandered a four-shot lead with back-to-back three-putt miscues from No. 7, enabling Mondilla and the rest of the pack to stay within striking distance heading the final 36 holes of the P2 million event.

“I was fantastic up to the sixth hole at the front. Then my putting deserted me,” rued Park, who sizzled with birdies on Nos. 12, 15 and 16 then bounced back from a bogeymishap on No. 1 with another four-birdie binge in five holes from the second.

With a seven-under 137, Park led Mondilla, who rallied with a 67 for a 139, by two while Tony Lascuña, Keanu Jahns and erstwhile leader Jobim Carlos stood a short farther back at 140 after a 69, 70 and 72, respectively, ensuring a spirited battle for the top P360,000 purse in the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI. Mondilla, who opened with a so-so 72 coming off a victory over Miguel Tabuena and Lascuña at Southwoods last week, also charged back early with three birdies in the first eight holes but flubbed at least four birdie putts inside three feet.

The Del Monte ace, however, rolled in an eagle putt from 50 feet on the par-5 closing hole to finish with a 67 and line himself up for another crack at the championship in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “I missed a number of birdie putts from close range but made a long, long putt for

eagle. But that’s golf,” said the 24-year-old Mondilla, who racked up three victories last year to finish second to Lascuña in the Order of Merit derby.

Japanese Genki Okada made a blistering start at the back to fire a 31 and wrest the lead at seven-under overall but faltered at the front with a 42 marred by four bogeys and a double-bogey with no birdie to show.

He wound up with a 73 and dropped to joint 14th with Albin Engino (72) and compatriot Seiji Yanagisawa (73) at 143.

Forty-three players made the cut at 147 with former champion Robert Pactolerin safely making it through with a 145 after a 73 and Cassius Casas, the winner here in 2000, pooling a 146 after a 74.

Among the notables who failed to advance were Dutch Guido Van der Valk (70-148), former Masters winner Rodrigo Cuello (71-148), Jay Bayron (72-151), and Ferdie Aunzo (78-155).

Aussie Nathan Park hits his drive on No. 10.

Eagle Cement’s IPO highly oversubscribed B2

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, May 25, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

49.9680

Japan

Yen

0.008969

0.4482

UK

Pound

1.297500

64.8335

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128391

6.4154

Switzerland

Franc

1.027749

51.3546

Canada

Dollar

0.745879

37.2701

Singapore

Dollar

0.722335

36.0936

Australia

Dollar

0.750200

37.4860

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

132.6748

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

13.3255

Brunei

Dollar

0.719735

35.9637

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029095

1.4538

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

13.6063

Euro

Euro

1.122100

56.0691

Korea

Won

0.000894

0.0447

China

Yuan

0.145148

7.2528

India

Rupee

0.015444

0.7717

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233046

11.6448

New Zealand

Dollar

0.704600

35.2075

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033160

1.6569 Source: PDS Bridge

Business

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

By Julito G. Rada

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Thursday downplayed any impact on the economy of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, saying the 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent growth target this year remains doable.

“The economy is in no way threatened by the imposition of martial law. The military is in full control of the government installations and major infrastructures on the island,” Dominguez said in a statement two days after President Rodrigo Duterte put the entire Mindanao under military control.

“Martial law will ensure that these facilities are protected so that business transactions will be unaffected,” he said.

The country’s largest business group, however, expressed concern over the martial law declaration.

“With PRRD’s martial law declaration in Mindanao, there is

concern from the business community,” PCCI president George Barcelon said in a statement.

“But we have faith in our president’s firm control and determination to eliminate the threats and to protect the entire community. Hopefully the issues will be resolved as quickly as possible with minimum loss of lives and properties,” said PCCI president George Barcelon.

The group said it was consistently supporting the initiatives of the Duterte administration since day1.

“This drastic and firm action by our President should send a clear message to radical groups that for such heinous crimes they will suffer the consequences. Af-

ter which things should normalized,” the group said.

Dominguez said the country’s growth momentum remained on track and the declaration of martial law would quickly and decisively contain the threats of lawless elements in a limited area distant from the island’s major business centers.

“The economy is rapidly growing; it is expected to grow by 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent during the year with both internal and external demand contributing evenly to growth,” Dominguez said.

President Duterte declared the entire island of Mindanao under martial law after heavy fighting broke out between government troops and alleged members of

DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. is raising P9.7 billion in fixed-rate bonds to finance expansion plans.

DoubleDragon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the bond offering would have a base offer of P6.5 billion, with an oversubscription option for another P3.2 billion.

The proposed issuance represents the second tranche of the P15-billion fixed-rate retail bonds previously approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission under a shelf registration program.

“This offering will be a good chance for retail bond investors to participate in a fresh name like DoubleDragon since we do not expect to be tapping the bond market again anytime soon beyond what is remaining on our shelf registration from last December,” DoubleDragon chief investment officer Hannah Yulo said.

Yulo said the proceeds were expected to fully cover the company development plans through 2020 for both office and retail portfolios. Philippine Rating Services Corp. issued a credit rating of PRS Aa for the second tranche bond issuance. Obligations rated PRS Aa are of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. Jenniffer B. Austria

By Jenniffer B. Austria

NFA: Rice farmers earned more in Q1

RETAINING the value-added tax exemptions of cooperatives that already enjoy almost all types of tax-free privileges is unfair to the almost 100 million taxpayers and non-coop members, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said Thursday.

Chua cited studies showing that only 7.6 million members of the country’s 9,431 registered cooperatives were benefiting from the VAT exemptions, of which more than half―or about 4.2 million Filipinos―belonged to rich cooperatives with annual gross sales of over P5 million.

“The VAT leakage in this sector is big because the Cooperative Development Authority cannot audit coops properly and distinguish sales to members and non-members.

There are also many fake coops that take advantage of the system,” Chua said.

“Moreover, not all coops are poor, some can be very rich,” he said.

CDA data showed that cooperatives with gross sales of over P5 million reported a combined total income of P34.2 billion in 2015. This figure excluded income from credit operations and only involved 750 cooperatives, Chua said.

About 8,314 coops with gross sales of below P3 million earned only P3.3 billion, excluding income from credit operations, during the same period.

“There are many ways to help coops, but VAT exemption is not the right way as it goes against the principle of a VAT. The VAT is a consumption tax and is wrong to use it as an incentive. It is not a tax on profit. We can use the budget to target their specific needs,” Chua said. Julito G. Rada

the terrorist Maute group.

Although Marawi City is Lanao del Sur’s economic hub, Dominguez said the threats by lawless elements were contained in areas far from Mindanao’s major business centers and the military was doing everything to minimize these.

Duterte earlier said the “compelling reason” for the declaration of martial law was the involvement of elements linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group in the Marawi conflict and that the whole of Mindanao was put under military rule to allow the government to best respond to the possibility of the terrorists seeking sanctuary or sowing terror in other parts of the South.

SMC set to build $700-m glass plant

DoubleDragon set to sell P9.7-b bonds

Govt wants coops to start paying VAT

B1

DoF: Martial law to spare economy

IN BRIEF

THE National Food Authority said rice farmers earned P32 billion from high farm-gate prices in the first quarter of 2017.

NFA said it bought 131,720 bags of rice from farmers nationwide in January to March at the government support price of P17 per kilogram, plus incentives of P0.70 to P1 per kilogram for a total amount of P118.5 million.

NFA said the remaining harvest for the quarter was sold by farmers to private traders at higher prices averaging P19.80 per kg.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the cost of palay production in the country reached P12 per kg.

NFA said farmers who sold their palay to NFA at P850 to P900 per bag realized a net profit of at least P39.5 billion, while those who sold to traders at an average of P990 per bag earned an estimated P390 per bag or a total of P31.93-billion net profit.

It said despite the intensified palay buying activities and incentives of NFA, farmers took advantage of the high prices offered by private traders ranging at P18 to P22 per kilogram versus the NFA’s support price of P17 per kg plus incentives.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

SWEDISH TIEUP. Local auditing company KPMG R.G. Manabat and Co. strengthens its economic ties with Sweden as it recently hosted a knowledge-sharing luncheon with Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries. KPMG RGM&Co. is taking the lead in bringing more Swedish businesses to the country. Shown during the luncheon are Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries (third from right) with (from left) KPMG RGM&Co. advisory partner Michael Guarin, chief finance officer Pacifico Castañeda, tax principal Maria Carmela Peralta, vice chairman and chief operating officer Emmanuel Bonoan and vice chairman and head of advisory Henry Antonio.

PAL reports cancellation of flights to Mindanao

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines said Thursday it expects earnings to fall this year following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and the excess capacity in the Middle Eastern market.

“For sure there will be an effect, it will result to a reduction in revenue, but we are hoping that this is the solution to the long term problem,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters.

“So we want to look at it on a more positive basis that we have this problem now, but when the peace and order stabilized in

Mindanao, there will be more people traveling in Mindanao,” Bautista said.

Bautista confirmed the cancellation of flights, rebooking and fare refund because of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao to suppress violence and restore order in Marawi City.

“If there are issues like this, there are many passengers who tried to defer their travel. We are now experiencing some cancellations but not that much,” he said.

Bautista said the airline was looking at restructuring some flights in Mindanao because of the proposed curfew in the re-

gion.

He said the overcapacity in the Middle East also forced PAL to suspend Manila to Abu Dhabi flights.

“We will carefully evaluate existing capacity [in the Middle East] but we are hoping that the market will continue to grow in the international,” Bautista said.

Bautista said air ticket prices could increase if jet fuel price continued to rise.

PAL is taking delivery of seven brand new aircraft worth over $550 million within the second half of the year as a part of its fleet expansion and modernization program.

The airline led by tycoon Lu-

cio Tan expects delivery of two Boeing 777-300 ER in December and five next-generation Bombardier Q400 in July to November.

The twin-engine A350-900 will become PAL’s new flagship aircraft.

PAL ordered six A350s, with an option for six more. The aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from Manila to New York.

The additional B777-300 ERs will be deployed to the London and North American routes.

PAL’s parent firm PAL Holdings Inc. earlier posted a total net loss of P904.7 million in the first quarter, a downturn from P2.71billion income last year.

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. is spending $700 million to build the country’s largest glass manufacturing facility.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s annual stockholders meeting unit San Miguel Yamamura would break ground over the next two months for a glass manufacturing with an 800-metric ton capacity.

The plant, which will rise within the company’s industrial estate in Davao Occidental, is expected to be completed over the next 24 months.

Ang said the production plant would cater primarily to the export markets including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

“The plant will be competitive because of very low power rate within the industrial estate,” Ang said.

He said aside from the glass manufacturing facility, San Miguel would also build a plastics manufacturing facility and carton converting plant..

Phase 1 of the glass manufacturing project will cost roughly $700 million, Ang said.

San Miguel has a joint venture partnership with Japan’s Nihon Yamamura Glass Company Ltd. for packaging.

San Miguel Yamamura posted a 3-percent increase in revenues in the first quarter to P25 billion. Consolidated operating income went up 2 percent to P2.3 billion, as a result of improved efficiency and cost management.

San Miguel owns a 2,000-hectare industrial estate in Malita, Davao Occidental that is expect to attract both local and foreign companies.

ICTSI pulling out of Nigerian terminal PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. said Thursday it terminated a 21-year contract to develop and operate a container terminal in Nigeria following the delay in the implementation of the project.

The port operator owned by businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange subsidiary Lekki International Container Terminal Services LFTZ Enterprise and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise mutually agreed to terminate the sub-concession agreement dated Aug. 10, 2012, subject to a payment of an agreed amount to LICTSE. The agreement granted LICTSE, as a sub-concessionaire, an exclusive right to develop and operate, and to provide handling equipment and container terminal services, at the container terminal within Lekki Port located at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, Federal Republic of Nigeria for a period of 21 years.

ICTSI said the termination of the sub-concession agreement was finalized and was deemed effective May 24, 2017.

“The parties arrived at this decision following delays in the execution of the Lekki Port Project,” ICTSI said.

ICTSI did not renew its contract to operate and maintain a container terminal in Brunei in February.

ICTSI Oregon and the Port of Portland also agreed to terminate a 25-year lease agreement to operate the container facility at the Port’s Terminal 6. Darwin G. Amojelar

POSITIVE FORECAST. A group of seven independent analysts forecast “strong Philippine economic

growth” in the coming years during the May 25 “Pandesal Forum” at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City. Shown during the forum are (from left) moderator Wilson Lee Flores, Phil-BRICS Institute founder Herman Tiu Laurel, economist and former Education undersecretary Butch Valdes, Professor Celso Cainglet, Integrated Development Studies Institute founder George Siy, former diplomat Ado Paglinawan and columnist Rod Kapunan.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; PLDT, PhilWeb up Eagle Cement’s IPO S highly oversubscribed TOCKS rose for a fifth day, following overnight gains on Wall Street as traders welcomed indications from the Federal Reserve that interest rates could rise next month, while oil prices rallied ahead of an expected extension to output cuts.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, climbed 33 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,871.65 Thursday, as two of the six sectoral indices advanced.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 21 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,693.39, on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Advancers led gainers, 103 to 84, while 53 issues were unchanged.

Nine of the 20 most active

stocks ended in the green, led by online gaming company PhilWeb Corp. which surged 14.8 percent to P10 and PLDT Inc. which climbed 6.4 percent to P1,718. Bloomberry Resorts Corp. added 5.7 percent to close at P10.08.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also traded higher Thursday. Minutes from the Fed’s May policy meeting showed board members thought that if jobs growth in the US remains

healthy with a rebound in investment and consumer spending then rates could rise “soon”, which many took to mean June.

While the economy has shown some signs of weakness, the bank still thinks its broad strength would justify winding down its balance sheet, essentially sucking cash out of the system and putting upward pressure on borrowing costs.

The news helped propel Wall Street to a fifth-straight day of gains, with the S&P 500 hitting another record, as the sharp losses suffered last week were reversed.

Global markets tumbled in the middle of last week on fears that crises engulfing Donald Trump could hit his economy-boosting agenda.

On Thursday the Nikkei in Tokyo ended the morning session

0.5 percent higher, while Sydney put on 0.4 percent.

Shanghai jumped 1.4 percent as dealers brushed off a cut in China’s debt rating Wednesday

by Moody’s, with speculation state-backed funds were supporting the market.

Hong Kong added 0.8 percent to put it on course for a fourthstraight gain, with the city’s finance minister hitting out at Moody’s decision to also downgrade the city, citing increasingly closer economic links with the mainland.

Seoul jumped 1.1 percent to a fresh record after the South Korean central bank kept interest rates on hold citing an improving economy. Singapore, Taipei and Wellington also posted healthy gains. With Bloomberg, AFP

By Jenniffer B . Austria THE P8.6-billion initial public offering of Eagle Cement Corp., a local cement manufacturer led by businessman Ramon Ang, was more than three-times oversubscribed at the end of the offer period, one of the underwriters handling the transaction said Thursday.

“The excellent takeup is a testament to the market’s belief in Eagle’s sound financials and aggressive expansion plan which comes amidst the increasing infrastructure spending in the country,” China

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.03 36,000 50 35,600 105.8 1,102,540 4.1 23,000 120.5 1,381,740 1.48 55,000 37.15 1,120,800 16.3 183,500 25.25 1,827,800 7.75 900 1.68 1,000 820 10 0.7 2,642,000 88.9 1,072,500 0.72 39,000 15.4 24,700 68 1,471,710 239.2 70 113.9 210 88 990 60.95 676,600 216.4 448,990 84.35 29,380 1.16 40,000

144,320 1,775,800 116,582,155 92,300 166,829,600 81,150 41,500,420 2,984,424 45,869,670 6,975 1,680 8,200 1,841,560 95,255,513 28,080 380,380 100,441,849 16,714 23,874 87,366.50 41,102,477 97,164,454 2,478,594 46,500

1,531,010 16,959,402 -18,142,622 24,979,890.00 -2,958,344 -475,440 13,948,387.50 -60,729,060 -7,719,418.50 -26,978,736 -1,230,598.50 -

39.5 6.26 0.82 1.59 22.25 0.265 105 7.55 17.2 22.85 14.4 74 80 1.92 5.7 11.7 12.76 10.44 6.8 6 19.7 70.8 14.7 9.5 1.76 203 4.45 3.56 24 31.65 19.8 19.2 274 0.242 6.05 3.36 10.48 3.51 11.46 2.08 9.72 1.93 66.6 5.9 295 4.68 3.3 13.38 4.5 0.146 1.38 166 4.1 1.89 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 39.6 1,321,800 6.75 8,257,500 0.85 497,000 1.64 1,023,000 23.95 255,700 0.28 7,130,000 114 100 7.64 10,189,500 17.44 1,012,500 23.2 294,700 14.42 6,800 74 400,090 80 1,880 1.92 334,000 5.71 198,400 11.7 9,200 12.82 2,234,600 10.58 1,390,400 6.92 553,600 6.05 9,589,200 19.7 2,076,400 71.3 56,700 14.76 68,100 9.6 2,258,100 1.82 9,414,000 207 291,010 4.5 142,000 3.66 25,000 25.85 6,200 31.95 1,061,400 19.9 762,000 19.2 403,400 274 168,860 0.242 1,150,000 6.45 728,600 3.37 78,000 10.7 13,755,200 3.51 5,000 11.46 10,700 2.09 538,000 10 6,595,200 1.97 415,000 66.95 939,850 5.95 1,572,400 299 2,010 4.7 69,000 3.3 193,000 13.42 179,100 4.5 62,000 0.147 310,000 1.39 44,000 167 1,317,710 4.28 13,000 1.91 44,307,000 1.08 24,000

52,354,780 53,444,489 412,420 1,641,460 6,054,905 1,930,700 10,770 77,757,185 17,660,788 6,786,095 98,602 29,606,660 150,400 643,140 1,131,500 107,710 28,598,780 14,677,452 3,817,849 57,773,437 41,060,216 4,026,979.50 1,004,046 21,674,230 17,100,380 59,945,806 639,290 89,730 152,395 33,913,410 15,250,306 7,802,802 46,495,988 279,230 4,627,531 262,190 147,882,458 17,550 122,856 1,122,800 66,066,133 817,830 62,958,593.50 9,281,387 600,950 323,260 649,040 2,400,280 279,000 45,750 61,100 220,407,342 53,840 87,493,890 25,920

-42,471,980 22,486 -75,580 44,897,839 12,993,132 3,772,520 24,958,678 -8,917,272 894,942 26,437,530.00 15,982,438.00 -411,370.50 -890,288 -5,465,104 517,560 15,408,606 13,500 30,022,170 -2,392,150 1,003,558 -5,707,966 12,150 77,240 7,316,980 -99,856 -209,000 -9,144,283 -35,853,492.50 -148,525 598,000 318,560 1,856,238 234,000 32,133,931 41,000 3,044,840 -

0.36 75.6 15.02 1.14 0.335 0.325 867 8.14 13.36 7.7 6.06 0.197 1,190 7.35 82.6 1.02 7.02 15.96 6.49 0.057 2.02 107.5 2.9 779.5 1.39 305.6 0.285 0.196

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 4,480,000 76 753,500 15.1 9,131,800 1.14 168,000 0.345 12,550,000 0.325 1,940,000 867 298,640 8.19 648,800 13.42 13,462,100 7.75 25,300 6.06 100 0.199 610,000 1,200 324,655 7.56 307,300 83.25 1,386,850 1.05 11,191,000 7.08 371,200 16.8 2,176,400 6.5 26,227,200 0.059 61,720,000 2.05 356,000 108 101,920 2.91 411,000 780 133,900 1.42 614,000 308 4,270 0.285 430,000 0.205 100,000

1,622,650 57,226,492 138,880,928 192,410 4,338,550 652,050 259,054,160 5,294,103 180,498,626 195,602 606 120,210 389,282,125 2,310,974 115,347,567 11,890,420 2,629,182 35,265,772 170,490,177 3,639,140 724,770 11,003,078 1,205,330 104,499,140 862,010 1,312,846 122,600 19,960

55,500 -15,957,156.50 24,967,438 -97,416,185 1,258,822.00 130,815,796 -204,370,585 -36,759,693 11,600 -875,197 -846,726 -60,930,505 1,770 445,943 -12,247,085 184,720 -387,504 -

6.37 1.16 2.29 1.26 38.65 4.17 5.27 0.5 1.08 1.39 0.156 0.51 49 0.68 0.16 1.64 1.02 1.02 4.12 4.43 0.37 0.33 0.71 3.85 28.9 24.15

PROPERTY 6.48 807,600 1.2 7,080,000 2.31 401,000 1.28 8,263,000 39.9 12,025,600 4.17 3,581,000 5.28 104,300 0.5 3,706,000 1.09 119,000 1.49 1,548,000 0.158 3,060,000 0.52 6,312,000 49 335,500 0.68 12,064,000 0.16 50,000 1.67 9,015,000 1.04 5,928,000 1.03 103,000 4.12 20,000 4.48 22,878,000 0.375 81,060,000 0.34 1,020,000 0.73 18,031,000 3.9 230,000 28.9 200 24.7 1,861,200

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE 3.9 ASIA UNITED 49.8 BANK PH ISLANDS 105.9 BDO LEASING 4.1 BDO UNIBANK 121.1 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.43 CHINABANK 37 COL FINANCIAL 16.3 EAST WEST BANK 25 FILIPINO FUND 7.74 IREMIT 1.68 MANULIFE 820 MEDCO HLDG 0.7 METROBANK 89 NTL REINSURANCE 0.72 PB BANK 15.4 PHIL NATL BANK 68.3 PHIL STOCK EXCH 238 PHILTRUST 113 PSBANK 89.45 RCBC 60.4 SECURITY BANK 215.6 UNION BANK 85 VANTAGE 1.17

4.03 50 105.9 4.1 121.2 1.48 37.15 16.3 25.6 7.76 1.68 820 0.71 89 0.72 15.4 68.8 241 113.9 89.45 61 218 85 1.17

3.83 49.6 105 4 120.5 1.43 37 16.2 24.55 7.74 1.68 820 0.69 88 0.72 15.4 68 238 113 88 60.4 215.2 84.15 1.16

ABOITIZ POWER 39.9 AGRINURTURE 6.27 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.83 ALSONS CONS 1.6 ASIABEST GROUP 22.7 BASIC ENERGY 0.27 BOGO MEDELLIN 105 CEMEX HLDG 7.68 CENTURY FOOD 17.48 CIRTEK HLDG 22.9 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.4 CONCEPCION 74 CONCRETE A 80 CROWN ASIA 1.92 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.7 DEL MONTE 11.7 DNL INDUS 12.8 EEI CORP 10.44 EMPERADOR 6.93 ENERGY DEVT 6.02 FIRST GEN 19.74 FIRST PHIL HLDG 71 HOLCIM 14.86 INTEGRATED MICR 9.5 IONICS 1.76 JOLLIBEE 206.2 LMG CHEMICALS 4.45 MABUHAY VINYL 3.57 MACAY HLDG 25.05 MANILA WATER 31.8 MAXS GROUP 19.8 MEGAWIDE 19.78 MERALCO 277 MG HLDG 0.247 PANASONIC 6.1 PEPSI COLA 3.36 PETRON 10.52 PHIL H2O 3.51 PHINMA 11.5 PHINMA ENERGY 2.1 PHX PETROLEUM 9.72 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.93 PILIPINAS SHELL 67.8 PRYCE CORP 6 PUREFOODS 295 RFM CORP 4.68 ROXAS HLDG 3.38 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.4 SPC POWER 4.5 SWIFT FOODS 0.148 TKC METALS 1.39 UNIV ROBINA 169.7 VICTORIAS 4.1 VITARICH 1.98 VULCAN INDL 1.08

39.95 6.75 0.85 1.65 24.75 0.28 114 7.72 17.5 23.2 14.74 74 80 1.94 5.71 11.8 12.84 10.7 6.93 6.05 19.82 71.5 14.88 9.7 1.88 208 4.52 3.68 25.85 32 20.25 19.78 277 0.247 6.45 3.37 10.86 3.51 11.5 2.1 10.2 2 67.8 6 299 4.7 3.39 13.44 4.5 0.15 1.39 169.8 4.28 2.07 1.08

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

0.375 76.25 15.34 1.18 0.35 0.35 870 8.2 13.5 7.75 6.06 0.199 1,200 7.57 84.3 1.08 7.15 16.8 6.54 0.06 2.05 108.2 3.05 786.5 1.42 308 0.29 0.205

0.365 76.2 15.22 1.18 0.335 0.345 870 8.2 13.5 7.75 6.06 0.197 1,190 7.35 84.3 1.04 7.15 16 6.53 0.058 2.05 107.6 3.05 782 1.42 308 0.285 0.196

8990 HLDG 6.4 A BROWN 1.18 ARANETA PROP 2.31 ARTHALAND CORP 1.29 AYALA LAND 38.8 BELLE CORP 4.2 CEBU HLDG 5.27 CENTURY PROP 0.5 CITY AND LAND 1.09 CITYLAND DEVT 1.44 CROWN EQUITIES 0.158 CYBER BAY 0.52 DOUBLEDRAGON 49.7 EMPIRE EAST 0.7 EVER GOTESCO 0.16 FILINVEST LAND 1.66 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.03 IRC PROP 1.02 KEPPEL PROP 4.12 MEGAWORLD 4.45 MRC ALLIED 0.375 PHIL ESTATES 0.35 PHIL REALTY 0.73 PRIMEX CORP 3.87 PTFC REDEV CORP 28.9 ROBINSONS LAND 24.35

6.52 1.23 2.38 1.29 39.9 4.35 5.32 0.51 1.09 1.54 0.158 0.53 49.7 0.7 0.16 1.67 1.04 1.04 4.12 4.5 0.385 0.35 0.74 3.97 28.9 24.7

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

1.71 3.3 32.8 1 6.97 0.93 5.45

1.75 3.3 33.2 1.02 7 0.93 5.58

1.71 3.26 32.7 0.96 6.97 0.9 5.45

1.74 3.29 32.8 1.02 7 0.92 5.51

136,000 116,000 5,873,800 21,172,000 18,100 320,000 8,099,100

236,620 380,490 192,931,035 21,011,420 126,330 295,320 44,597,426

-194,880 1,772,095 91,320 14,668,289

2GO GROUP 17.3 ABS CBN 43.55 ACESITE HOTEL 1.6 APC GROUP 0.5 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.045 BERJAYA 5.66 BLOOMBERRY 9.7 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.087 CALATA CORP 1.98 CEBU AIR 99.25 CENTRO ESCOLAR 10.08 DFNN INC 8.56 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.41 EASYCALL 3.51 FAR EASTERN U 970 GLOBE TELECOM 1,995 GMA NETWORK 6.09 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.34 HARBOR STAR 2.83 IMPERIAL 3.47 INTL CONTAINER 99.8 IPEOPLE 12.12 IPM HLDG 8.94 ISLAND INFO 0.181 ISM COMM 1.34 JACKSTONES 3.68 LBC EXPRESS 16.7 LEISURE AND RES 3.99 MACROASIA 4.32 MANILA JOCKEY 2.47 MELCO CROWN 9.15 METRO RETAIL 3.65 NOW CORP 2.54 PAL HLDG 5.3 PAXYS 2.98 PHIL SEVEN CORP 174 PHILWEB 9.01 PLDT 1,655 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.57 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.405 PUREGOLD 43.35 ROBINSONS RTL 83.6 SBS PHIL CORP 5.8 SSI GROUP 2.6 STI HLDG 1.11 TRAVELLERS 3.59 WATERFRONT 0.66 WILCON DEPOT 5.38

19.98 43.55 1.6 0.52 0.046 5.7 10.1 0.092 2.16 99.5 10.08 8.85 2.54 3.51 980 2,110 6.13 16.36 2.98 3.51 101 12.12 8.94 0.184 1.35 3.68 16.86 4.12 4.42 2.47 9.5 3.75 2.59 5.4 2.98 174 10.1 1,718 1.62 0.405 43.35 83.6 5.8 2.63 1.11 3.64 0.66 5.4

17.1 43.2 1.58 0.495 0.044 5.61 9.54 0.085 1.97 98.9 10.08 8.51 2.41 3.5 970 1,990 6.07 16.16 2.83 3.47 99.8 12.12 8.85 0.181 1.33 3.68 16.7 3.95 4.32 2.47 9.15 3.65 2.54 5.3 2.98 174 9 1,642 1.57 0.4 42.95 83.45 5.75 2.56 1.07 3.48 0.64 5.34

SERVICES 19.7 2,247,300 43.35 45,700 1.6 35,000 0.5 3,806,000 0.046 16,100,000 5.62 46,900 10.08 16,832,600 0.091 218,800,000 2.13 13,949,000 99.5 230,720 10.08 500 8.8 227,600 2.42 32,000 3.5 8,000 970 1,900 2,110 75,805 6.1 404,300 16.36 70,100 2.95 2,754,000 3.51 13,000 100.3 1,210,960 12.12 300 8.92 315,000 0.182 3,780,000 1.35 572,000 3.68 1,000 16.8 9,700 4.08 1,174,000 4.42 994,000 2.47 1,000 9.46 13,974,400 3.75 1,268,000 2.57 1,031,000 5.4 3,200 2.98 1,000 174 2,070 10 13,265,800 1,718 128,830 1.62 46,247,000 0.405 1,110,000 43.1 3,782,800 83.5 1,866,350 5.75 61,700 2.56 2,941,000 1.09 4,833,000 3.59 2,911,000 0.66 5,881,000 5.38 11,611,400

42,060,600 1,979,055 55,600 1,902,600 725,500 263,634 167,823,050 19,644,990 29,160,830 22,872,931.50 5,040 1,953,760 77,820 28,030 1,843,200 156,891,165 2,459,332 1,142,094 8,111,660 45,470 121,541,835 3,636 2,808,120 685,990 764,540 3,680 162,500 4,726,940 4,370,890 2,470 131,197,095 4,685,170 2,646,860 17,000 2,980 360,180 127,010,172 217,554,295 74,481,140 445,900 163,017,265 155,880,852.50 355,766 7,580,360 5,253,840 10,338,530 3,829,070 62,473,168

-236,534 -955,500 13,034,214 -99,170.00 -106,860 9,289,207.50 745,227 65,253,950 -139,870 75,345,805 -179,790 15,759,722 -2,180,660 76,200 2,980 -69,600 -4,066,978.00 70,291,780 3,839,880 144,168,485 87,941,624 606,750 510,570 -506,700 49,660,733

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

0.0032 1.89 5.1 11.72 2.1 2.19 0.88 0.395 8.93 2.45 0.26 0.19 0.193 0.011 1.82 6.31 2.19 0.495 0.96 0.01 5.85 0.013 9.14 3.35 158.9 2.67 0.0086

0.0033 1.89 5.1 13.28 2.1 2.26 0.9 0.41 8.93 2.53 0.28 0.191 0.199 0.011 1.82 6.53 2.19 0.495 0.98 0.011 6.5 0.013 9.14 3.42 160 2.67 0.0086

0.0032 1.83 5.01 11.5 2.1 2.19 0.85 0.395 8.41 2.4 0.255 0.19 0.193 0.011 1.76 6.25 2.14 0.47 0.95 0.01 5.8 0.013 8.73 3.33 158.3 2.65 0.0086

MINING & OIL 0.0033 29,000,000 1.87 7,888,000 5.01 191,700 13.28 9,000 2.1 2,000 2.26 3,000 0.88 1,437,000 0.41 200,000 8.88 4,000 2.53 3,101,000 0.27 7,190,000 0.191 3,970,000 0.199 400,000 0.011 800,000 1.76 289,000 6.53 2,784,300 2.16 155,000 0.49 77,000 0.98 205,000 0.011 52,000,000 6 2,228,900 0.013 300,000 8.9 1,446,900 3.35 1,430,000 158.7 745,690 2.67 30,000 0.0086 11,000,000

92,900 14,639,880 965,557 107,644 4,200 6,640 1,248,390 80,250 34,163 7,599,470 1,945,350 754,720 79,360 8,800 517,200 17,919,796 335,020 36,765 196,100 546,000 13,603,931 3,900 12,765,469 4,819,480 118,318,338 79,940 94,600

-1,766,480 -609,508.00 40,000 383,620 -10,800 2,750,343 -661,630 1,522,820.00 -160,600 -77,920,652 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

43.3 517 513 106.3 105 112.3 115 510 5.8 1,022 1,029 1,100 1,016 105 110.1 77.4 80.5 76.25 78.4 78.2

43.3 517 513 106.3 105 112.3 115 510 5.8 1,022 1,029 1,100 1,016 105 110.1 77.4 81 76.25 78.5 78.65

43 516.5 513 106 104.5 112.3 115 510 5.8 1,022 1,029 1,100 1,016 105 110.1 77.1 80.5 76.25 78.4 78.2

PREFERRED 43 28,900 516.5 11,550 513 200 106 25,550 104.5 220 112.3 10 115 24,300 510 4,000 5.8 15,100 1,022 5 1,029 50 1,100 300 1,016 100 105 8,120 110.1 1,500 77.15 3,350 81 31,260 76.25 25,000 78.4 159,100 78.2 13,800

1,245,780 5,971,065 102,600 2,708,405 22,995 1,123 2,794,500 2,040,000 87,580 5,110 51,450 330,000 101,600 852,600 165,150 258,427 2,531,430 1,906,250 12,477,250 1,079,295

-1,245,780.00 258,250 106,000 -16,820 -

LR WARRANT

2.21

2.33

2.19

WARRANTS 2.25 357,000

796,990

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.19 6.22 8.12

4.26 6.45 8.26

4.11 6.22 8.1

SME 4.25 6.3 8.18

902,440 796,807 12,677,316

309,330 925,019

FIRST METRO ETF 130

130

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 129.6 130 6,680

867,667

-153,275

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

MS 5,211,177 8,476,440 928,490 10,508,990 473,950,320 15,134,330 550,688 1,875,300 129,660 2,297,300 478,500 3,246,190 16,463,955 8,204,880 8,000 14,930,330 6,104,960 105,130 82,400 102,258,130 30,509,100 343,550 12,986,520 895,250 5,780 45,214,600

-4,908,525 -46,400 127,500 249,445,410 -3,975,060 -277,500 -31,500 153,000 1,614,185 -8,125,850 -2,894,980 -82,400 45,985,800 18,750 -356,240 4,932,295

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,215,927

INDUSTRIAL

135,881,586

HOLDING FIRMS

153,275,724

PROPERTY

235,385,609

SERVICES

396,153,690

MINING & OIL

127,890,904

GRAND TOTAL

1,062,699,002

215,000 126,600 1,547,100

VALUE 1,933.54 (DOWN) 1.86 714,794,425.15 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,182.90 (DOWN) 38.57 1,282,654,686.225 HOLDING FIRMS 7,925.87 (DOWN) 14.07 1,591,260,538.76 PROPERTY 3,616.25 (UP) 37.40 SERVICES 1,667.06 (UP) 52.55 1,023,319,620.00 MINING & OIL 12,609.83 (DOWN) 12.16 1,622,690,968.29 PSEI 7,871.65 (UP) 33.83 239,231,097.812 All Shares Index 4,693.39 (UP) 21.90 6,489,196,490.94 Gainers: 103; Losers: 84; Unchanged: 53; Total: 240

Bank Capital Corp. managing director Virgilio Chua said in a statement.

Apart from the government’s plan to upgrade and build more public infrastructure, the continued boom in the real estate market and the expanding tourism sector bolstered interest in Eagle’s IPO in anticipation of the expected increase in cement demand.

Industry estimates showed Philippine cement consumption was expected to reach 39 million metric tons by 2022, up from 26.7 million tons in 2016.

The underwriters said Eagle’s strong fundamentals, efficient production lines and strong brand equity in Luzon also contributed to the investors’ positive response on the company’s maiden share offering.

Priced at P15 per share, Eagle plans to sell 500 million common shares by way of primary offer with an over allotment option for another 75 million secondary shares.

The shares will be listed under the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 29. Eagle is the second company to conduct an IPO this year after Wilcon Depot Inc. Eagle’s IPO is also considered the biggest purely domestic public offering.

Other underwriters of Eagle cement IPO were PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp.

PSE agrees to sell back Tektite office to PhilRealty THE Philippine Stock Exchange agreed to sell back its Tektite office in Ortigas to developer Philippine Realty and Holdings Corp. for P257.2 million.

PSE said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it executed an agreement with PhilRealty for the sale of the latter’s 4,754-square-meter office space at the PSE Exchange Center. The property consists of four office units and 21 parking lots. The purchase price will be paid in two tranches.

PSE has been trying to sell the property since 2011 after its headquarters were consolidated at Tower One of Ayala Stock Exchange in 2010.

The planned sale, however, hit a snag because of two failed biddings. Since then, PSE has been in talks with PhilRealty which donated the property to the local bourse and which has the right to match the best offer for the property.

Proceeds from the sale of the Tektite office will be used to partially finance the construction of PSE’s new headquarters in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

PSE earlier said it planned to transfer to its new headquarters in BGC before the end of 2017.

The P800 million 26-story PSE building will offer 6,400 square meters of office space.

PhilRealty, which came out of corporate rehabilitation after being saddled with losses following the real estate crash in 1997, started developing new projects such as Andrea North, an upscale residential enclave in Quezon City.

The company announced plans in 2015 to diversify into new businesses, including education, healthcare, financial services and power projects to provide the company with additional revenue stream. Jenniffer B . Austria

Motoring

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

B3

H

Harley-Davidson builds Thai plant

arley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle brand hailed by US President Donald Trump for keeping jobs in America, is building a plant in Thailand, the company confirmed Thursday, as it seeks new buyers in Asia and lower tariffs.

The factory -- only the third Harley has built outside the United States -- highlights the irresistible draw of overseas plants for US manufacturers, particularly as the Trump administration castigates regional free-trade agreements.

“We are expanding our presence in the Asia-Pacific market by building an assembly facility in the Rayong Province in Thailand,” Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Katie Whitmore told AFP. She declined to say how much the plant was worth but said it would be up and running in “late 2018”.

The move comes after American bike brands were dealt a blow by Trump’s decision to pull out of the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, which would have abolished tariffs on their products across 40 percent of the world’s economy.

Trump argued TPP would hurt American industries and lead to job losses.

During his election campaign he frequently held up Wisconsinbased Harley as an example of an American manufacturer that kept jobs and production inside US borders and was harmed by such freetrade agreements.

But even Harley has found it hard to resist the lure of overseas assembly lines -- both to be geographically closer to emerging markets and circumvent high tariffs that favour local competitors.

It already has assembly plants in Brazil and India that put together bike kits made from parts from its US factories. The Thai plant will do

the same.

Whitmore said high tariffs were only part of the reason Harley decided to build a plant in Thailand but she added: “Our growth is currently limited due to uncompetitive retail prices.”

Thailand currently slaps around a 60 percent import tariff on foreign motorbikes.

A plant in Thailand will also allow Harley to take advantage of tax breaks when exporting to nearby neighbours under trade agreements struck by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It also reduces import distances to China, which is fast emerging as a major market for foreign bike brands.

Harley’s decision to open the Thai plant sparked an angry backlash among US union workers.

“Management’s decision to offshore production is a slap in the face to the American worker and to hundreds of thousands of Harley riders across the country,” the United Steelworkers union said in a statement.

Harley has insisted the Thai plant will not result in American job losses, arguing instead it will enable them to grow their business using American-built parts.

“There is no intent to reduce Harley-Davidson US manufacturing due to this expansion,” Whitmore said.

“Harley-Davidson US manufacturing will continue to supply the US and certain other global markets,” she added. AFP

No parking? No problem WITH the MMDA’s campaign to rid the public road network of illegally parked vehicles, and as a safety precaution to car owners, having your own multi-level parking space is a practical convenience.

Smart Parking is a technology that has been in use in countries like Japan, Singapore, the United States, Korea and Europe for years now. The smallest unit can hold six sedans with a maximum of 16 sedans. This parking unit can also accommodate 12 SUV’s.

Engineered and designed by Ko-

rean firm DongYang PC, Smart Parking is suitable for for areas with existing structures and limited parking spaces. “The unit itself is 100 percent made in Korea, apart from the motor which is made in Germany. Smart Parking carries a 10-year warranty with a lifespan of 25 years,” explains Gilbert Pinuela, Head of Parking Solutions for Emicor Inc. Smart Parking offers optional parking for private garages which can hold two to four cars depending on the size of the garage. “This unit is popular among

families which have three to four cars. With our parking solution, we promote space saving by maximizing the potential of your garage. It also provides convenience to everybody in the neighborhood because you declog the streets of parked cars.

Other advantages of Smart Parking include maximizing your limited space; security against theft; safety because the structure can withstand an M8 earthquake and 250kph winds; quick installation in a matter of days and environment friendly.

Miata Cup season opener sizzles at Clark Speedway THE 2017 Mazda Miata Cup took off to a sizzling start last May 14 as four generations of Miata’s fought for precious points and traded paint at the 4.2 kilometer Clark International Speedway.

“The grid had 17 MX 5’s representing all four generations of the Miata,” says Mikko David of Mazda Ph. Now on its Ninth year, the annual race is organized by the Miata Club of the Philippines and supported by Mazda Ph. “The Miata Cup has always provided a gentleman-racing experience where members can compete with one another on the track while improving their own driving skills at the same time,” says MCP president Bob Briddon.

“For members who are into modifying their cars, the friendly competition in the Miata Cup drives an

attitude of constant improvement via engine and suspension modifications. But most importantly, the Miata Cup races provide the club members the means to express themselves while enjoying the strong camaraderie prevailing in the club,” adds Briddon.

For Mazda Philippines, the club series not only highlights the brand’s ethos but also directly communicates this with its customers. “The Miata Cup is the ideal venue to feel Mazda’s Jinba Ittai, or the horse and rider as one, driving philosophy,” shares Steven Tan, president and CEO of Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributors of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country.

“Because of the unique experience Miata Cup participants have with their cars in running this event,

their affinity with their MX-5s is further strengthened. This emotional bond is the driving force behind the brand and is the reason why Mazda makes cars that drive the way they do,” states Tan. The next leg of the Miata Cup is on July 16th and October 15th at the Batangas Racing Circuit and at the Clark International Speedway on November 19th. The Miata Cup is held under the auspices of the Clubman Racing Series.

Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. Mazda Philippines ranks first in the 2016 J.D. Power Philippines Customer Service Index Studies and currently has a network of 19 Mazda 3S dealerships strategically located across the country. Dino Ray V. Directo III

Suzuki Super Carry joins Pahiyas PIONEER compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines joined the Lucbanons in celebrating the most colorful Pahiyas festival last May 15 in Lucban, Quezon, which was attended by at least 3 million people.

Suzuki’s participation and presence was geared toward complementing the booming agricultural business and local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.

By creating a booth that showcases the different variants of Suzuki’s first entry into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, the Lucbanons and festivalgoers were able to witness the several ways the Euro 4-certified DDiS Turbo Diesel-engine equipped Super Carry can support the load required for different business needs such as cargo and

people transport with the Super Carry Cargo Carrier, Cargo Van (CV), Utility Van (UV) and Jeepney Body (JB) variants.

The all-white Super Carry units stood out among the rows of vibrant houses adorned with kiping (rice wafers), fruits, vegetables and local handicrafts during the Pahiyas Grand Parade, which also included beauties, higantes, farmers, carabaos, marching bands and floats. A “Libreng Sakay” initiative enabled festival-goers to experience firsthand the features and functions of the Suzuki Super Carry.

At the Super Carry booth, games and other fun activities greeted visitors and locals alike. Former AFFI President and Ink-All-You-Can CEO and Leapreneur Jerry Ilao conducted a free business seminar about entrepreneurship.

“It is with great pleasure that

we are able to participate in this year’s Pahiyas Festival and showcase the workhorse that is the Super Carry. Suzuki Philippines has always aimed to offer economical yet great-value products that cater to Filipinos’ diverse commercial and personal needs, and we could not be more proud to venture into the LCV segment with the Super Carry. With this, we hope to power more businesses, in particular MSMEs, in a manner that also cares for the environment,” Suzuki Automobile General Manager Shuzo Hoshikura shares.

Suzuki Philippines helps local MSMEs expand their business with the Super Carry. Designed to deliver enhanced operational productivity, uncompromised performance and fuel efficiency, the LCV meets the logistic demands of Philippine MSMEs.

Super Carry babes take part in the festival that has at least 3 million people joining the annual merriment.

Motoring

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

B4

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

Refreshed

Honda

City

unveiled Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A

S ONE of the stellar variants in terms of popularity and sales of Honda Cars Philippines, Honda City in its refreshed glory has just been unveiled.

Held at the City of Dreams luxury hotel, the launching event doubled as a coming out party for HCPI’s new president andgeneral manager Noriyuki Takakura.

“It is with great pride that we present to you this 2017 version of the City, a car that exhibits a hightech and sporty design, class-leading fuel efficiency and comfort, and above class safety that provide customers with the smartest ownership experience,” explains Takakura. Prior to his posting in the Philippines, Takakura was the CEO and Managing Director

of Honda Australia. He brings to the table his wealth of experience in industrialized markets such as New Zealand and Australia.

Visible changes of the 2017 City is visible on its exterior, specifically its front fascia. It sports a low and wide stance, and stately presence that seamlessly complements a new front and rear design that gives the New City a sharper

and more aggressive look. The New City is also now equipped with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), while the top variant VX+ comes with LED headlights and LED fog lights. Adding to the sporty look of the New City is a new intricate-looking front grille, and exquisite diamond cut aluminium alloy wheels (16-inch for the VX and VX+ variants and 15-inch for the E CVT variant).

The VX and VX+ variant also get power folding side mirrors for added convenience.

Inside, design engineers gave the interior a rich and sophisticated cabin that flaunts a high-

tech design, decorative panel, and plush leather seats (for the VX+) that truly highlight the New City’s sporty feel. Metallic trims around the air-conditioning vents and gearshift, and heightens the visual appeal of the cockpit. The New City’s gauges and Push Start Button have also been redesigned for a more premium and elegant touch. For added convenience, the VX and VX+ variants are now equipped with Cruise Control that maintains a steady driving speed set by the driver.

The New City is powered by the same 1.5-liter i-VTEC SOHC 4-cylinder engine that produces

120PS at 6,600rpm and 14.8kg-m of torque at 4,800rpm. The engine is mated to either a 5-speed Manual Transmission (for the base E variant) or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed under Earth Dreams Technology that delivers a dynamic and fuel efficient driving performance.

The New City also features Honda’s Eco Assist System which consists of the ECON button and eco-coaching ambient meter to promote smart and fuel efficient driving habit. The New City VX and VX+ variants are also equipped with paddle shifters for a sportier driving experience.

Takakura also revealed significant numbers that boosted the performance of Honda during the first quarter of this year.

Honda sold a total of 8,813 units or an increase of 18 percent during the first four months of this year. Vehicle sales were up by 31 percent and Honda recorded their highest monthly sales in its corporate history by selling 3,479 vehicles for the month of March alone. According to Takakura, the sales charge was credited to the strong showing of the Honda Mobilio and the BRV, which has sold 3,100 units since its launching.

Vettel sets out to end 16-year Ferrari drought in Monaco CHAMPIONSHIP leader Sebastian Vettel will this weekend seek to increase his advantage and inflict a demoralising blow to his rivals by securing Ferrari’s first win at the Monaco Grand Prix since 2001.

The four-time champion leads Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes by six points after five of this season’s 20 races, but heads into the classic 78-lap contest on the unforgiving streets of the Mediterranean principality knowing a victory could prove decisive in their tight title fight.

He knows also that there is some concern at Mercedes that their car, with a much longer wheel-base, could struggle to match Ferrari’s agility on the famous tight and twisting track where Hamilton, who loves the

challenge, won last year.

The three-time champion will be seeking his third Monaco win after triumphing also in 2008 while Vettel, who won for Red Bull in 2011, is chasing his second win and, learning of Mercedes’ worries, will fancy his chances.

“At the moment, Ferrari has certain advantages there,” said Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda.

“We will have our problems with our longest wheel-base through the tight corners. It will be even worse than in Singapore.”

Despite winning every race in Monte Carlo since 2013, Mercedes appear to be truly afraid that they will start with a disadvantage.

Valtteri Bottas, who has replaced retired world champion Nico Rosberg as Hamilton’s team-mate, warned: “A car with the longest wheelbase on a track with so many slow corners -– we could be slower than them.”

Daniel Ricciardo, who lost a near-certain victory last year due to a Red Bull tactical bungle, will also be a threat to the leaders in what is expected to be an intriguing scrap in qualifying and the race.

“Last year was disappointing for me as I felt a win was on the cards,” said Ricciardo.

“But I am old enough and mature enough now to put that behind me and look forward and take back what I lost last year.”

Hamilton, however, will be certain to mount a fierce chal-

lenge for victory after winning in Spain two weeks ago and knows that he cannot afford to allow Vettel any chance to build up momentum.

The race will be billed as the 64th running of the Monaco Grand Prix as part of the world championship –- though it is the 75th race since 1929 -- and will see back-from-retirement former winner Jenson Button, the 2009 champion, replacing two-time champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.

Alonso will instead be at the Indianapolis 500 while Button, making his 306th F1 start, hopes Honda’s package of upgrades can enable him to make an impressive return for Monaco’s historically most successful team. AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

C1

LANDSLIDE. Two weeks of intermittent rains caused a landslide that buried three houses at Pinesville in Baguio City’s Kias district.

Three members of the De Jesus family living there suffered injuries, but thankfully no deaths were reported. Dave Leprozo

Quiapo Muslims to police ranks, too A

By Sandy Araneta

DAY after Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada ordered police to tighten security in Manila in light of the crisis in Marawi City, Muslim leaders in Quiapo on Thursday expressed their unwavering support in helping the city government prevent a spillover of violence in the capital city.

Grand Imam Solaiman Saran- munity said both Muslims and gani of the Quiapo Muslim com- Christians should do their part

in preserving peace and order, not only in the city but also in the entire nation.

“We must help each other in monitoring, whether Christian or Muslim, so we will remain peaceful,” Sarangani said.

In response, Estrada said he has never doubted the sincerity of the peace-loving Muslim people of Manila.

“The city government welcomes the cooperation and support of our Muslim brothers and sisters. In times like this, we have

to work together to fight extremism and violence,” Estrada said.

As agreed during a consultative meeting with city and police officials last week, Sarangani said community leaders and volunteer residents have been working hand-in-hand with the Palanca police station in securing Quiapo, where two bomb blasts killed two people and injured 20 more earlier this month.

“We will continue to cooperate with the city government and police. Yes, we are on duty everyday

together with the barangay tanods and police,” said Sarangani.

The Federation of Muslim Students Association-Manila also committed to support the Estrada administration in pursuing peace in the light of the situation in Marawi.

“We want to become part of the solution and not part of the problem. Islam is not just a religion but a complete way of life,” the group’s president Alnajib Maujon said.

As young Muslim professionals, Maujon said the group’s “commit-

KSK harvest fests from north to south FROM north to south, SM Foundation is teaching vegetable farmers the techniques of growing their own crops without the use of pesticides and by using organic fertilizers, seeds selection, and drip irrigation.

Through the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan or KSK Farmers’ Training Program, farmer-participants are maximizing the yield of their farmlots, not only for their daily consumption but also to become entrepreneurs.

Other farmers are banding together to set up cooperatives to be able to compete with big business and become vegetable suppliers to supermarkets. Indeed, the training they have received under the program has opened up new livelihood opportunities for them.

Batch 131 of KSK Urban Farmers’ Training Program in Baguio City recently held its Harvest Festival and Graduation ceremony. A total of 59 participants from the Manuel Quezon Elementary School and Happy Hol-

low National High School finished the season-long training in partnership with HarBest Agribusiness Corp., SM Baguio, SM Supermarket Baguio and DSWD-CAR SLP & 4Ps. A harvest festival in Barangay Aliwekwek, Lingayen, Pangasinan was also held earlier this month as Batch 127 Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan of SM Foundation completed its training.

Among the crops harvested there were eggplants, gourds, sweet cantaloupe,s brilliant golden honeydews and Dianavariety golden watermelons.

Going south, 101 participants in the farmers’ training program held their harvest festival in Zamboanga City. The program, conducted in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness, Go Negosyo, Department of Social Welfarte and Development, Department of Agriculture and the Zamboanga City government, aims to ensure food sufficiency and help spur the socioeconomic development Lettuce, cabbage and cut flowers grow beautifully inside plots ringed with old tires at Batch 131 of the KSK Urban Farmers’ Training Program farm in Baguio City. in the city.

BPLO: Caloocan business tax collections rising BUSINESS locators in Caloocan City have become more active based on the collection of business taxes that have entered the city’s coffers, the Business Permits and License Office said Thursday.

BPLO chief lawyer Emmanuel Emilio Vergara, in his report to Mayor Oscar Malapitan, said his office is about to reach its P500million additional target this year.

Vergara said from the P797

million collected since Malapitan’s term started in 2013, business taxes have increased to more than P1.2 billion in 2016.

Collections for the first quarter of 2017 are also up by 25

percent compared to the same period last year, he added.

Malapitan, for his part, said the increase in tax collection is the manifestation of businessmen’s support and confidence in

the present administration.

Meanwhile, a new police community patrol station located on Congressional Avenue, Barangay 173 will be inaugurated on Monday, May 29. Jun David

Shape up or shut down, QC dormitories warned THE Quezon City government has warned owners of dormitories and lodging houses for students to comply with safety and building regulations or face immediate closure.

A composite team from the QC Business Permits and Licensing Department and the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City Fire Station conducted surprise inspections

on a 40-room dormitory in Barangay Loyola Heights and an apartment in Cubao.

The inspectors found Sunrise Hill dormitory in Loyola Heights to have complied with regulations, while the owner of the Cubao apartment was out, prompting the city hall team to call off the inspection.

“Mayor Herbert Bautista wants us to check if the dormitories are in order because the

opening of classes is near, to make sure these dorms are safe and ready for the students,” inspection officer Ronnie Miclat said.

“Our inspections are regular, and wherever area we are assigned to, the establishments there are what we focus on,” Miclat said.

He also acknowledged that several dormitories have not complied with the

necessary permits.

“For sure there are some that have not complied, which we have not identified yet,” Miclat added. “But for those who do violate [the regulations], we give them notices.”

The Bureau of Fire Protection inspections also check if the dormitories have sprinklers installed, and there are no blockages at their fire exits.

ment to peace is to strive for holistic peace and development by way of education, because Muslim professionals are proactive catalysts for change.”

“The Muslim youth sector are peace advocates who can help a lot in enjoining good and forbidding evil, which begins in the heart,” Maujon stressed.

On Wednesday, Estrada directed local police to double its security deployment around the capital city in the event terrorists plan to attack Manila.

QC set to build 2 ‘evac’ centers

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed a measure for the construction of multipurpose centers in the city’s six districts.

District 2 Councilors Ramon Medalla and Ranulfo Ludovica, authors of the ordinance, said it was necessary to construct multipurpose evacuation centers in every district of Quezon City to enhance disaster preparedness in the communities.

The City Planning and Development Office is now identifying suitable locations for the evacuation centers.

At present, the CPDO said two sites are ideal sites for building the evacuation centers: Barangay Pasong Tamo in District 6 and Barangay Payatas in District 2.

“Right now, we are in the process of acquisition of the properties,” Marissa Isip of the city planning office said.

Ordinance 2578-2017, signed by Bautista, concretizes various measures passed by the city council on disaster preparedness.

City Council Resolution 3925-2007, meanwhile called on QC’s 146 barangays to identify and designate evacuation areas.

On the other hand, Resolution 5848-2014 supported the city government’s construction of dedicated evacuation centers in disasterprone areas.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Standard FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 C2 TODAY Manila

Bohol’s new must-visit attraction I

By Ben Cal

SOLA DI SAN FRANCESCO, Bohol—This once obscure islet is fast becoming one of the top tourist attractions in the province, after its owner-philanthropist built a chapel dedicated to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, whom he credits for curing his right eye that had gone blind.

In an exclusive interview during a tour of the beautiful islet off Panglao Island, Ramon E. Rodriguez said he was blinded in his right eye after a vein erupted following a bout of high blood pressure.

For over a decade, he underwent medical treatment by an ophthalmologist, getting the

most advanced medicine with steroids but to no effect.

Rodriguez admitted his “grandiose life” as a businessmen made him turn away from God for many years, until he became a devotee of St. Padre Pio. But with his prayers answered, he constructed the chapel on the islet, which he and his wife, Didi

Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE Regional Office IV-A B. Morada Avenue Interior, Lipa City, Batangas NOTICE OF DISPOSAL The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE is inviting offers for public bidding by way of sealed bids the following impounded motor vehicles for disposal on an“As is Where is” basis; ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

PLATE NO. RJ2976 VK7147 7361VQ NO PLATE UD7214 XX3669 NO PLATE NO PLATE 7312DL NO PLATE CQ1754 DA67175 NO PLATE NO PLATE XA8919 NO PLATE NO PLATE WU2144 NO PLATE NO PLATE 1395WJ NO PLATE 1954UB DP1391 6831WO NO PLATE BC99886 2415NF DD7009 2658WO WJ3872 132403 XO6111 5323XJ TWH217 3790DB DI7032 DR2823 NO PLATE NO PLATE 8996DK NO PLATE 2363WP 5186DN NO PLATE 6374WG 6210WY NO PLATE NO PLATE 3027WD NA12338 NO PLATE WW8337 6708DP WJ9029 NO PLATE NO PLATE

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TC TC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC TC MC MC TC MC MC MC MC MC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC SEDAN 4 DR MC MC MC MC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MTC MC MC MC MC TC MC MC MC MC

SUZUKI YAMAHA HONDA SYM HONDA RACAL RACAL RACAL RACAL RACAL KAWASKI SYM JIANSHE SYM FOR HIRE/ KAWASAKI RACAL RACAL YAMAHA/ HIRE RACAL RACAL YAMAHA KAWASAKI MOTORSTAR KAWASAKI CHONGQING NO RECORD MITSUKOSHI SUZUKI NO RECORD YAMAHA HONDA NO RECORD HONDA SUZUKI TOYOTA HONDA KYMCO YAMAHA EURO HONDA SUZUKI KYMCO YAMAHA MOTORSTAR SUZUKI BAJAJ RACAL MOTORSTAR SYM HONDA MOTORSTAR HONDA KAWASAKI KAWASAKI SUZUKI SYM HONDA

NAME OF OWNER OR TRADE NAME NO RECORD ERLINDA TOPACIO JOHN ELCID TENORIO NO RECORD ALEX TABANG JOEL GECOMO PHILIP CALVEZ ALBERT R. MANALO GERALD MAGNAYE JIMMY NATIVIDA RESTY DOMINGO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD RUBEN SARE JENNIFER OLIMBERIO GIGGIG GALA MARLON SAMPAGA EDDIEZER MAGALONA NO RECORD HAROLD TINED MANIAGO ARMAN D ROSQUITES ANNA MARIE M GALANZA PRISCILA C COBARRUBIA JUDY MERCADO RIMANDO NO RECORD NEMIA ZAMORA DELA ROSA ELMER C ODONEL NO RECORD FOUND MARY JOYCE CELESTE LABIANG MAXIMILLIAN L. PANGILINAN MICHELLE MANALANG EUSEBIO CHRISTOPHER T PRODIGALIDAD EPHRAIM REYES ORCULLO EMP TRANS CORP JEROME R, VELASCO CARLOS ANTONIO AREVALO EDNAR CABALLERO JEFFREY G. DELA CRUZ ROMEO A. PASAMBA ROBERT B. PEDERNAL MILDRED N. LOZA EDUARDO EBORA ALFREDO A. FLORES RICARDO I SAQUIDO EMELITA A FAYLON GENER DICHOSO JEROME NAÑEZ WENIFREDO LOPEZ MICHAEL A. HABIG MARK JOSEPH V, SANTIAGO LUZVIMINDA D.MARSON FLORENCIO F. REYES ELIZABETH DIAMANTE ANTONIO V, TURINGAN REGINE PILAR ELSA FAJARDA LUZ S SAYSON/ CARL LOUIE NADUMA PEREZ ANDREI PAGULAYAN SURETA RAYMOND CORTEZ BON RHODORA LARIOSA JUTA/JOJO PORTUZUELA RELORCASA JOMAR VIRTUCIO AGUADO BRYAN PLACER BORROMEO/EMMANUEL VALDEZ JULIET QUIROZ DELA MASA/ RINMUEL JOYAG SARA BABYLEN DUMALAGUE CUSTODIO/ MYRA TOGLE ARVIN CASTRO LUGUE ALEXANDER C DELABAJAN/ABSCONDED EDUARDO MESINA GONZALES/PEPITO NATIVIDAD LORENA CAÑON ALVIAR NIDA GALVE GALLENERO/ANTHONY ALMONTE ESPIRITU JASMIN MOSTAJO LLARENAS SONNY MOJICA RAMOS RANDY RIVAS ENCINARES JOSE FRANCIS BONETE/OLIVER REGALO AQUINO ROMEL BALTAZAR SAMUELA VALERIANO PECAYO ABSCONDED RAI I KESH JOSEPH DENNIS B CANICOSA/ GEN REX LIVELO OLIVARL PATERNO SUASIN RANDY SAN JUAN MELANY L. PORTILLANO GERALDA GOLO NO RECORD

LOCATION

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LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO IMUS LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO KAWIT LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA LTO LUCENA

UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE LTO LUCENA SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE

TO CALAMBA

UNSERVICEABLE

LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA

UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE

Honda

ROLANDO IBANEZ

LTO GUMACA

UNSERVICEABLE

Honda Suzuki Yamaha Yamaha MC Kymco SYM

EMMA G. PELICANO JIMMY E. MANTALA BEMBOL M. ARANETA (APPREHENDED) NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD

LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA

UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE

Rusi

WILLSON PALIMA

LTO GUMACA

UNSERVICEABLE

Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki Yamaha Suzuki Yamaha CBD Kawasaki Yamaha Suzuki Yamaha MC Kia Rusi Yamaha Grandstar Motorstar Suzuki Honda Honda HONDA/TMX YAMAHA / V50 SUZUKI RUSI PMR RUSI DELTA RACAL MD100 EURO RUSI MC RUSI 100 MC RAMSTAR 100 MC RUI MC Euro Kawasaki Kawasaki Kawasaki Yamaha Kawasaki Kawasaki Yamaha Toyota Loncin Kawasaki Yamaha Yamaha Asiastar Kawasaki Kawasaki Yamaha Honda Honda Honda Racal Kawasaki Kawasaki Rusi Honda Suzuki Honda Yamaha Suzuki Yamaha Honda Kawasaki Yamaha Kawasaki Kawasaki Toyota American Euro Honda Honda Honda Euro Suzuki

REY OLIVEROS NO RECORD NOLASCO A. DE TOBIO ROBERTO M. PROFUGO JIMSON M. LLONA LOUDES LUMABI EDUARD A. VILLAMIEL NO RECORD ZERNAN ALEGRE NO RECORD JAIME BROTAMANTE JUANITO A. DACILLO RICARDO RODELO NICANOR R. SORA MARYLEN D. BELEN GRANDSTAR LSD TO ALLAN LUNA RAMIL A. PLADERO NILA A. AYALA EDGARDO J. VERACRUZ Francisco M. Dano NO RECORD TAN, JIMMY LAGAT, MARVIN VECINAL, ADOLFO D. HERNANDEZ, JOHN LLOYD P. CANDELARIO, JOEY G. MALIMBAN, MA. CECILIA AYO DAVID, JEFFREY CRUZ BIHAG, ABEGAIL ULARTE HERRERA, JOHN JOHN A. GABINETE , KEVIN VERIN VILLANUEVA, MELCHOR A. NO RECORD ENRIQUITO ARCEGA NO RECORD NO RECORD LUIS ALCOY CARLITO DELA CRUZ NO RECORD LEONARDO BLANCO DANILO SALANGSANG ROLANDO ANDRES FERDINAND TAYLOR NO RECORD EFREN ENRIQUEZ LOUIE SALVADOR PATRICIO TOLENTINO RAUL JUNE NARCISO ROSALIA DELOS SANTOS NO RECORD DANTE MAINIT NO RECORD LILIBETH DE JESUS MATT MURILLO NO RECORD RACQUEL DELA CRUZ NO RECORD KAAKBAY KABUHAYAN LEND ARMANDO REÑOS LACHMAN BRAR ALMA PINTO RICKY MILANTE NO RECORD AUST PHIL ALUM NO RECORD LORETA MENDOZA NO RECORD ASIA INTL AUCTIONER NO RECORD DANTE VARONA NO RECORD NO RECORD RONALDO GARCIA NO RECORD NO RECORD

LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO GUMACA LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BALAYAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN

UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE SERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE

58

1624ND

MC

HONDAMA

59 60

9654WT NO PLATE

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SUZUKI RACAL

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US4783

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QINGQ1

62

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MCY

AMAHA

63

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MITSUKOSHI

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6563WN

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CHONGQING

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66 67

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MC MC

SYM HONDA

68

2795DP

MC

HONDA

69

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70

2427WL

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71 72 73

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PS5369

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EURO YAMAHA YAMAHA YAMAHA

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79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 12 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168

UH9297 MC 5692DC MC 7931DP MC XI4946 MC NO PLATE MC PO6422 (attached MC XO6178) WI6163 MC WE8881 MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC Attached plate TR3286 MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC WL4778 (attached MC NO6157) NO PLATE MC Imp-NE7565 MC VY9434 TC NO PLATE MC 3998DB MC NO7665 MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC DM8102 MC NO PLATE MC PC2583 MC CBD MC XAM533 Kia 4631VT Rusi 9319PU Yamaha NQ5219 MC NO PLATE MC WX3576 TC WX1832 TC 1658DD MC WN-5550 MC DF-4647 MC WG-4859 MC 4524WP MC 1617WR MC 5291WN MC NEW MC 8502NC MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC 5NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MTC XA 7610 TC NO PLATE MTC NO PLATE MTC VZ 6399 TC WB 8679 MTC DC 5954 TC VP 3595 TC DKS 903 OWNER JEEP UD 1802 MTC VL 9715 TC NO PLATE TC IB 5034 MC EP 3244 MC WO 2672 MTC VU 2791 TC ON 4066 MTC NO PLATE MTC OW 4639 MTC NO PLATE MTC 5170 SR MC 2530 PK MC NO PLATE MTC 6208 TQ MC _M 7415 MC MC UM 1208 BI 4599 MC TC 4222 MC 6719 PM MC VV 5302 TC NO PLATE MC UB 7870 TC NO PLATE MTC VM 8594 TC VW 2843 TC CRV 513 LITE ACE IA 6753 MC 6067 NR MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC UL 1942 MC NO PLATE MC NO PLATE MC

Suzuki Yamaha Mitsukoshi Honda Honda

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Cloribel, bought more than 50 years ago.

Now, the islet sports the chapel and a towering 20-foot replica of St. Padre Pio, who during his lifetime suffered the stigmata— the wounds of Christ—for 50 years before he died at the age of 85 in 1968. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Incidentally, May 25 (Thursday) is the 130th birthday of Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione. He was given the name of Pio when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

The Isola di San Francesco is just a 10-minute trip by boat from Panglao. Most of the visitors go to the islet to pray, but some go swimming in its unpolluted wa169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282

UT 5159 NO PLATE NO PLATE VF 2757 NO PLATE 1596 NA NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE ZL 4568 NO PLATE 1274 NN NO PLATE 2523 UM NO PLATE VY 1384 VN 7889 VL 2715 NO PLATE NO PLATE 4055 FA NO PLATE NO PLATE DZ 9958 NO PLATE VF 4276 PT 5090 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE VW 1345 7207 NS 5437 UG PD 6721 VT 6372 5611 UU TL 2613 XB 1784 PJ 7493 5166 HW 6773 PM NO PLATE NO PLATE TE 7197 WA 892_ ZL 5714 2498 OE WY 8011 1794 NO WT 1384 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NI 6362 VE 6643 DM 2304 VG 9526 NO PLATE DF 7269 NO PLATE 1557 NA TM 3111 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE TE 2639 NJ 6155 DK 8030 NO PLATE HB 8239 TH 9159 NO PLATE KR 8528 AJ 9321 TJ 4374 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE YG 3517 NO PLATE EP 6085 _R 5654 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE BE 4567 PN 7974 GS 4750 NO PLATE NO PLATE TVT466 NO PLATE WM4537 NO PLATE DX1689 NO PLATE NO PLATE VX6082 NO PLATE DZ7485 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE

MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC TC no sc TC TC MC MC MC MC MTC TC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MTC MTC TC MTC MTC TC MTC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MTC TC NO SC MC TC NO SC MC MC Taxi MC MC MC MC MC AUV MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC UV MC MC MC MTC Multi-Cab MC MC Truck/Dropside MC MC SCOOTER MC

Honda Racal Yamaha Honda Kawasaki Suzuki Honda Yamaha Sym Suzuki Honda Sym Suzuki Suzuki Kymco Kawasaki Kawasaki Kawasaki Honda Yamaha Lifan Honda Suzuki Suzuki Honda Lifan Honda Honda Kawasaki Motorstar Suzuki Honda Kawasaki Euro Skygo Kawasaki Kawasaki Racal Kawasaki Yamaha Kawasaki Blaze Euro Euro Blaze Dealem PMR Suzuki Racal Kawasaki Mcx Kawasaki Honda Kymco Toyota Honda Yamaha Yamaha yamaha Suzuki Toyota Honda Honda Honda Honda Euro Euro Honda YAMAHA YAMAHA YAMAHA KYMCO YAMAHA HONDA YAMAHA HONDA YAMAHA SCOOTER HONDA HONDA Kawasaki HONDA SCOOTER SCOOTER SCOOTER HONDA HONDA SUZUKI XGJAO SUZUKI YAMAHA HONDA SCOOTER SCOOTER HONDA SCOOTER HONDA YAMAHA LIFAN SUZUKI SYM ISUZU MITSUKOSHI SUZUKI Euro Suzuki Multi-Cab Yamaha Yamaha Truck Honda Suzuki SCOOTER SYM

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MC MC TC MC MC MC TC MC MC MC MTC MC TC MC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC

Lifan HONDA Yamaha Suzuki Suzuki Honda Suzuki Honda Yamaha Mitsukoshi SKYWING Honda Yamaha Yamaha LONCIN Honda Honda SUZUKI EASTWORLD Suzuki EURO Honda Mitsukoshi Yamaha Loncin

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NO PLATE 5471DT NO PLATE WD6612 UK7104 UN9218 NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE NO PLATE 4640WN NO PLATE NO PLATE DO4450 NO PLATE XO1479 NO PLATE NO PLATE YR-2049 NO PLATE NO PLATE 4154 DB NO PLATE 4050 DG NO PLATE

MC MC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MTC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC MC

Honda Sinski Honda SYM Yamaha LONCIN RACAL HONDA HONDA RACAL RACAL Motorstar Mitsukoshi Motorstar Suzuki Mitsukoshi RACAL Honda Motorstar Suzuki kawasaki yamaha suzuki yamaha honda honda sanyan

ACTIVITY 1.Availability of Bid Form 2.Submission of Sealed Bids 3.Opening of Bids

ters. Going to the islet is free, with only a donation of any amount at the chapel as an entrance fee.

“I virtually forgot about God,” Rodriguez said remorsefully.

“Then I got sick with high blood pressure. I went to my doctor, who prescribed me a medicine called Predzion Steroid which I took for many years, but still my right eye was still blind,” Rodriguez said.

“One day, my close friend Jesus Mendoza gave me a novena prayer of St. Padre Pio,” he added. “I took it and casually put the novena prayer to my pocket. But my friend told me to give due respect to the novena prayer by treating it with some degree of reverence.”

“He reminded me about Jesus Christ our Lord God and

JCS CHEMICAL IND NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MARY GRACE CRUZ NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD JONIE HERNANDEZ NO RECORD LIZ JOY BINAY NO RECORD EASTRIDGE GOLF CLUB NO RECORD DOMINGO ORTENERO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD FABIOLA FRANCISCO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MARIO FERMANTE VALENTIN MULINGBAYAN LARRY RAMPAS SERAFIN BAUTISTA BONBON VALLE ARIEL MAGNO RHODORA CASTILLO NO RECORD JOSE VILLAHERMOSO ANGELITO MURILLO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MC NEIL LAYNO MARIA LUZ ALBANIA CRISTINA/NERSAN OCONER TEOFILO INTALAN AGUIDO NEMENZO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD ARMANDO QUINIT NO RECORD VALLEY GOLF CLUB INC FERNANDO TEODORO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD BERNARDETTE SUSTENTO NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MA. CRISTINA T ANIEL NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MELVIN T. MATAMIS NO RECORD SANDRA A. TAN NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD MINERVA ROAN NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD NO RECORD PHIL FOOD SERV CORP NO RECORD NO RECORD MARLON MEDINA MICHAEL LAYRON BRIONES ARNOLD PANGANIBAN JENNIFER D. ABRAZAL ROLLIE VALUZ MONTE CARLO E. GUAN MARK JOSEPH A. SANTOS TEODORO S. LAVISTIDA RONNIE J. LAGMAN JR. JOEL V. PAYAWAN RAFAEL SAN LUIS JEFFREY G. TAPIA MILA G. CABANGUNAY EDWARDO M. ORDONIO JR./ MARTINEZ DIMLANIW ALLAN EDWARD MERICOAS JOSEPH C. PUDA VICTOR M. VILLANUEVA ERICKSON M. DOLOROSO MARC DARELL A. MINJI RAYMOND E. TAJAN HERO R. ELBO RYAN P. MARAMAG GILBERT DANGALAN NATHANIEL R. DILLA JAIME B. BAUTISTA MAR A. BAUTISTA ARNOLD A. LIM RODOLFO F. FAUSTINO JR. JULIUS ROCELA ORLANDO B. CATAGAN MARLON DAVID MARIO B. ALVAREZ RANDY E. BARAL JONATHAN B. POSTRE MAYONEL A. SERRANO DOMINIC A. CRISTE LUIS G. BADAYOS PABLO S. ALBORIDA DONATO GARIBAY ROMAR E. VILLANUEVA / MARIFEL E. VILLANUEVA JERRY MALLARI JEFERSON R. GELLIDO / ERROL Y. ROJO GENE PHOLL P. BAUTISTA JUANITO B. CALINAGAN JUN DELA PAZ EDSEL NAPUGOT FERDINAND R. BALATIAN RICO ANSAY CHRISTIAN UBALDO BRIANE BURAQ REY JOHN MASINON ALBERT ANDALLO MENDREJE LEANDRO PANOTES, FABRIE SUZUKI JOHNNY HERMOSO ARIEL BICANGHEZ BAUTISTA, ALLAN ARELLANO, GILBERTO VILLEGAS, PRINCE Steve D. Yu Asensi NO RECORD NO RECORD EDNA GAÑO OPELEÑA NO RECORD JULITO ABALOS FABRIAG NO RECORD

DATES May 26, 2017 - June 9, 2017 Monday, June 12, 2017 (8:00am -1:00pm) Monday, June 12, 2017 (2:00pm)

LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BINANGONAN LTO BATANGAS LTO BATANGAS LTO BATANGAS LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ LTO STA. CRUZ

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VENUE LTO Regional Office IV-A, Int. B.Morada Ave., Lipa City LTO Regional Office IV-A, Int. B.Morada Ave., Lipa City LTO Regional Office IV-A, Int. B.Morada Ave., Lipa City

Bidders are required to submit bid bond equivalent to ten percent (10%) of their bid price in the form of cash or cashier’s/manager’s cheque.

Late bids shall not be accepted. Bids will be opened in the presence of all the bidders or their duly designated representatives and the COA representative. Highest bidder shall pay the bond to the cashier after award. The bid bond of non-winning bidders shall be returned outright.

FRANCISCO P. RANCHES JR., CESO VI Chairman, Committee on Disposal of Unclaimed Impounded Motor Vehicle Old City Hall Compound, B. Morada Ave., Lipa City, Batangas The Regional Disposal Committee reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or any part thereof, waives and formality, requirements or defects contained therein and will accept the offer it considers most advantageous to the LTO. Kindly contact Ms. Maria Victoria Lina or Mr. Sonny Evangelio at (043) 702 6968 / 09778591627 for inquiries.

FRANCISCO P. RANCHES JR., CESO VI Assistant Regional Director Chairman, Committee on Disposal of Unclaimed Impounded Motor Vehicle.

(MS-MAY 26, JUNE 2 & 9, 2017)

Savior, telling me ‘you have forgotten Him,’” Rodriguez quoted his friend as saying.

Before he knew it, he started praying to St. Padre Pio. “However, during the prayer, I told St. Padre Pio to cure me in 30 days and if he granted my petition, I promised to honor him the rest of my life,” Rodriguez said. “But after three weeks of constant prayer my right eye was still blind.”

“I reminded St. Padre Pio again that the 30-day deadline was fast approaching, and I swore to fulfill my promise if cured within that period,” Rodriguez said.

“However, on the 26th day of my novena, I was shocked when I woke up that morning when my right eye could see,” he said.

“Still I could not believe. I covered my left eye and I saw everything with my right eye.

I saw my wife Didi on my side still sleeping.”

To make sure his right eye could see, he went to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan, where his family resides, to see his doctor.

He was two hours early for his doctors’ clinic that opens at 9 a.m., so he proceeded to the canteen to take his breakfast.

IN BRIEF Tesda list-up for trainers, assessors set THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will hold a nationwide registration for trainors and assessors in order to step up the agency’s Technical Vocational Education and Training.

Tesda Director General Guiling Mamondiong said the nationwide registration for trainors and assessors is scheduled from June 7 to 15 this year.

Mamondiong said the list-up was needed “in view of improving the human infrastructure of both training and assessment [in Tesda], with the end of expanding the absorptive capacity of training providers.”

He also ordered regional, provincial, and district directors of Tesda to organize activities that would drum up the nationwide registration for trainors and assessors. Jun David

Another detainee dies in Sta. Rosa jail CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—A day after the regional police said 30 inmates had died in jails around Calabarzon over a five-month span this year, another detainee at the Sta. Rosa City Police Station lock-up cell perished after suffering a hematoma following a mauling from his fellow prisoners.

Sta. Rosa police chief Supt. Joel Estaris identified the victim as Restituto Soria, who was rushed to the hospital at 1 a.m. on Wednesday after vomiting blood. He died five hours later, with doctors saying he succumbed to shock and a seizure owing to his internal bleeding.

Soria’s death prompted Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca to order Laguna provincial police director Senior Supt. Cecilio Ison, who supervises the Sta. Rosa police, to investigate the mauling.

Supt. Estaris also relieved the jail guard on duty, PO1 Naser Boila. Aplasca assured that appropriate administrative and criminal charges will be filed against any other personnel who will be found liable for Soria’s demise. Roy Tomandao Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Goods-036-2017 The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund36 intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

Name of Project 1.

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

Computerization of Financial Management Integrated Systems for the Provincial Government of Bataan

=P=35,000,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract.

Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataanwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 2, 2017 at 10:00 A.MatProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan Bids must be delivered on or before June 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at provIncIal Bac oFFIce, peo capItol compound, BalanGa cIty, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activities Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid Eligibility Check Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents Request for Clarification Opening of Bids

Schedule May 26 – June 1, 2017 Refer to date of Opening of Bids May 26 – June 15, 2017 June 5, 2017 June 15, 2017

The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN (MS-MAY 26, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

Troops ordered deployed in Brazil

IN BRIEF Launch puts New Zealand in space race WELLINGTON―New Zealand joined the exclusive space-race club on Thursday with the successful launch of a Rocket Lab test craft named Electron.

The rocket blasted off from the company’s facility at Mahia, on the east coast of the North Island, to end three days of launch attempts aborted because of the weather.

“Made it to space. Team delighted. More to follow!” aerospace company Rocket Lab tweeted as New Zealand became the 11th country to launch into space.

New Zealand media said it was also believed to be the world’s first successful launch from a private site, and marks a further advancement in the move towards private enterprise carrying small satellites and other cargo towards the stars.

“In the past, it’s been countries that go to space, not companies,” said Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck.

Before the launch, he described the venture as “an important milestone for our team and for the space industry at large”.

The launch is the first of three planned tests before Rocket Lab begins providing customers commercial satellite opportunities.

The 55.7-foot rocket is said to have reached speeds of more than 27,000 kilometers per hour during the two-anda-half minute flight into orbit.

Beck has said that while there would be some celebrations following a successful launch, the main party would wait until they reached the commercial stage of taking satellite cargo into orbit. AFP Although a New Zealand firm, Rocket Lab’s main backers include US companies Kholsa Ventures, Beesemer Venture Partners, Data Collective, Promus Ventures and Lockheed Martin. AFP

Journalist shot dead in Siberia MOSCOW―A local journalist was found shot dead in a small Siberian town, investigators said Thursday, adding they believe his slaying may be linked to his work.

The body of Dmitry Popkov, editor of local paper TonM, was discovered Wednesday in the yard of a house at Minusinsk, a small town some 440 kilometers south of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.

The 42-year-old’s body bore evidence of bullet wounds, news agency RIA Novosti quoted investigators as saying.

“The investigation is following various lines of inquiry regarding this killing, including that it may have been motivated by the victim’s professional activities,” a statement by investigators said.

The regional interior ministry said a commission of inquiry was under way, adding the immediate area around where the body had been found had been sealed off.

Popkov is the second journalist to be killed in Russia this year following Nikolai Andrushenko, who died after an assault in Saint Petersburg which his colleagues say was linked to his attempts to expose corruption.

Reporters without Borders currently ranks Russia 148th in the world for press freedom-sbehind Mexico, which the organization judges the third most deadly country for journalists in the world―after Syria and Afghanistan.

In press freedom terms, Russia also ranks behind Zimbabwe and Algeria.

Russia has seen a swathe of attacks on journalists in recent years―but police investigations rarely run their course. AFP

C3

LINING UP FOR FOOD. Displaced children stand in line to get food at the Hammam al-Alil camp for internally displaced people south of Mosul on May 25, 2017, as government forces continue their offensive to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State group fighters. AFP

US candidate accused of assaulting reporter W ASHINGTON―A Republican running for Congress in Montana was cited for misdemeanor assault after he allegedly “body-slammed” a reporter for The Guardian newspaper Wednesday on the eve of the state’s hotly contested vote.

The altercation between Greg Gianforte―who is running for the state’s only congressional seat in Thursday’s special election―and journalist Ben Jacobs took place at a campaign event at Gianforte’s headquarters in the city of Bozeman, Montana, The Guardian said.

“Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault,” said a statement from Sheriff Brian Gootkin released late Wednesday night.

The Republican is now slated to appear in county court prior to June 7, the statement said, with a possible penalty of up to six

months in county jail and a $500 fine.

Gootkin also disclosed that he had in March donated $250 to Gianforte’s campaign.

The development heightened the drama of an already highly scrutinized special election in the traditional Republican stronghold of Montana, which has proved to be a far closer race than expected.

It is seen as a key test of whether rural voters who helped send Donald Trump to the White House in November are sticking with him.

The altercation took place after Jacobs asked a question about health care.

“Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses,” Jacobs tweeted before news

of the alleged attack quickly spread on social media.

The reporter posted audio of the incident in which Gianforte appears to say: “The last time you came in here you did the same thing. Get the hell out of here!”

Police had said they questioned four witnesses to the incident.

Others at the event corroborated the version of events―including a crew from Fox News, the most viewed US cable news channel and a favorite of conservatives.

In a firsthand account published on the network’s website, a Fox reporter said that, at one point, “Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him onto the ground behind him.”

Gianforte’s campaign issued a statement offering a starkly contrasting account, saying the incident took place when the candidate was giving a separate interview in a private office.

“The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a re-

corder in Greg’s face, and began asking badgering questions,” the statement said.

“Jacobs was asked to leave.

After asking Jacobs to lower the recorder, Jacobs declined. Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg’s wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground,” it added.

“It’s unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ.” On Jacobs’s audio, businessman Gianforte is not heard asking him to lower his microphone.

When Jacobs asks for the names of those present, saying he would go to the police, he is told, “you gotta leave”.

Following the incident, two of the state’s major newspapers swiftly pulled their endorsements for Gianforte. The effect of the altercation on the race remained unclear, however, as many in the state have cast early ballots. AFP

BRASILIA―Brazilian soldiers deployed Wednesday to defend government buildings in the capital Brasilia after protesters demanding the exit of President Michel Temer smashed their way into ministries and fought with riot police.

“At this moment, federal troops are already here in [the foreign ministry],” Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said in a brief televised statement. “And next there are troops arriving to secure all the ministerial buildings.”

Jungmann said the army was ordered in by Temer, who is fighting for his political life after being placed under a corruption investigation.

The deployment of soldiers sent a psychological shock wave through a capital already shaking from the day’s violence and frantic debate over the corruption scandal threatening to bring down the president.

In the lower house of Congress, the session was temporarily suspended after leftist deputies took over the speaker’s podium, brandishing signs saying “Temer out”.

Troops are regularly used in Brazil to back up police when law and order breaks down or help at major events like last year’s Rio Olympics.

The issue is deeply sensitive in a country that lived under military rule from 1964-1985, however, and the decision to bring soldiers into the heart of the government complex spooked even Temer’s allies.

“The question of a military presence is always something that frightens us,” said Tasso Jereissati, president of the PSDB social democrats.

Violence erupted soon after the crowd, estimated by police at 35,000, marched toward the presidential palace, which is flanked by Congress and the government buildings.

Although most of the protesters were peaceful, small groups wearing masks threw stones at officers ringing the area and smashed their way into the agriculture ministry and reportedly also the culture and planning ministries. Riot police crouching behind black shields lobbed tear gas and stun grenades into the crowd, triggering running battles.

When protesters set a fire in the agriculture ministry, employees were forced to flee. AFP

Gay marriage ruling raises hopes in Asia BEIJING―Taiwan’s giant step towards allowing same-sex marriage has reverberated across Asia, but activists warn the fight for equality isn’t over in a region where gay sex remains illegal in some countries.

Challenges to an Asia-wide embrace of same-sex unions were highlighted by this week’s caning of two Indonesian men as punishment for gay sex and a South Korean military court’s jailing of a soldier for having intercourse with another man.

In mainland China, two men lost a court battle to get married last year.

But activists are hopeful that the push for marriage rights will be reinvigorated by Taiwan’s constitutional court decision, which paves the way for the island to become the first place in Asia to allow same-sex couples to tie the knot.

The court ruled Wednesday that laws preventing same-sex unions violated the constitution’s guarantees of freedom of marriage and gave the government two years to implement the decision.

“We’re very happy,” said Vuong Kha Phong, a rights assistant at iSEE advocacy group in Vietnam. “This is a historic victory for the LGBT groups in Asia.”

Gay marriage is currently legal in only around 20 countries around the world, 13 of which are in Europe. New Zealand also al-

lows same-sex couples to legally marry.

Taiwan is seen as one of the most progressive societies in Asia when it comes to gay rights.

“While I think it is still a long way to the equality dominoes falling all over Asia, I think a few East Asian countries, such as Japan and Vietnam, may be more ready to consider equality legislation,” Ray Chan, Hong Kong’s first openly gay lawmaker, told AFP. “I can foresee many couples in Hong Kong will try to get married in Taiwan. When they return home, they will press the government and even the private sector for recognizing them because the current laws, policies, and rules are blatantly discriminatory.”

In Vietnam, which is seen as socially progressive on LGBT issues and where a vibrant gay scene flourishes online and in some big cities, hopes for marriage reform have stalled.

But iSEE’s Phong said the Taiwan ruling “will give us momentum to mobilize the community to take action -- to do something so that gay marriage can be considered when lawmakers discuss changing the marriage law in 2020.”

Gay activists in China expressed optimism that their country’s cultural connections with Taiwan could help their efforts to change the law on same-sex nuptials. AFP

SCREENING. Swedish model Elsa Hosk poses as she arrives on May 24, 2017, for the screening of the film ‘The Beguiled’ at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

Trump set for tough Nato, EU meetings BRUSSELS―Donald Trump meets Nato and EU leaders for the first time Thursday with the US president set to press nervous allies to do more on terrorism after the Manchester bombing.

Trump faced protests on his arrival in Brussels, but he is getting a red-carpet welcome from Western allies eager to persuade him that his earlier criticisms of them were misplaced.

Nato, which Trump on the campaign trail dismissed as “obsolete” for focusing on Russia instead of terrorism, is set to bow to his demands that it join the US-led coalition against the Islamic State.

“This will send a strong political message of Nato’s commitment to the fight against terrorism,” Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference ahead of the summit.

Trump’s entourage, however, warned that the billionaire president will once again press the 28-nation alliance to pay their full share of the alliance’s financial burden.

“I think you can expect the president to be very tough on them,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters traveling with Trump.

Trump himself however is set to face pressure from British Prime Minister Theresa May over leaks to the US media of details of the probe into the bombing of a pop concert Monday in Manchester that killed 22 people.

Brussels could be the toughest leg yet of what has so far been a largely trouble-free first foreign trip for Trump, who came direct from a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

On his arrival on Wednesday in Brussels, the city he once said had been turned into a “hellhole” by Muslim immigration, the president was greeted by thousands of protesters saying “Trump not welcome.”

Further protests were expected Thursday and security was tight across the city with helicopters flying overhead and key roads shut down.

The European Union, like Nato credited with keeping the peace in Europe since World War II, will also be hoping to convince Trump that it remains relevant. AFP

PROTEST. People carry effigies of US President Donald Trump and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel during a demonstration againt the US president in Brussels on May 24, 2017. US President Donald Trump is on a two-day visit to Belgium to attend a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit on May 25. AFP

Britain tracks down suspects in bombing M ANCHESTER―Britain raced Thursday to track down a jihadist network suspected of orchestrating the Manchester concert attack, while a row escalated between London and Washington over leaked material from the probe.

As more children were named among the 22 victims of Monday’s massacre, the suicide bomber’s father and brother were arrested in Libya and police in Britain made new arrests.

However, British authorities were left “furious” by repeated leaks of material shared with their US counterparts, which provides an awkward backdrop for Prime Minister Theresa May’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Nato summit in Brussels later Thursday.

In Manchester, northwest England, feelings were still raw following Salman Abedi’s attack on

a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande―especially so as the bomber was born in the city.

But Manchester United fans stood together in defiant mood as their team’s triumph in European football’s Europa League final brought some much-needed smiles to a city still in pain.

The club dedicated their trophy to those killed, while manager Jose Mourinho said they would gladly exchange it if it could bring their lives back.

According to photographs from the scene of Monday’s attack at the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena, Abedi’s device appeared

to be fairly sophisticated.

Images obtained by The New York Times newspaper showed a detonator that bomber Salman Abedi was said to have carried in his left hand, shrapnel including nuts and screws, and the shredded remains of a blue backpack.

But after of the bomber’s identity and details of the probe were leaked, the intelligence-sharing relationship between close allies London and Washington was left rocking.

“We are furious. This is completely unacceptable,” a government ministry source said of the images “leaked from inside the US system”.

The National Counter Terrorism Policing body said the breach of trust caused great “damage” and “undermines our investigations”.

University dropout Abedi, 22, grew up in a Libyan family that reportedly fled to Manchester to escape the now-fallen regime of Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

His father Ramadan and younger brother Hashem were detained in Libya, authorities there said.

A spokesman for the Deterrence Force, which acts as Libya’s Government of National Accord’s police, said the brother was aware of Abedi’s plan and the siblings were both members of the Islamic State jihadist group.

The attack was the latest in a series of deadly incidents across Europe claimed by IS that have coincided with an offensive on the group’s redoubts in Syria and Iraq carried out by US, British and other Western forces.

Hashem had been “under surveillance for a month and a half” and “investigation teams supplied intelligence that he was planning a terrorist attack in the capital Tripoli”, the Deterrence Force said on its Facebook page.

A relative told AFP that Abedi had travelled to Manchester from Libya four days before the bombing. AFP

Taiwan’s war games simulate China attack

70TH ANNIVERSARY. US actress Elle Fanning smiles as she arrives on May 23, 2017, for the ‘70th Anniversary’ ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

PENGHU, Taiwan―Taiwan forces simulated an invasion by China Thursday as part of livefire war games against a backdrop of rising tensions with Beijing.

The annual drills are Taiwan’s biggest military exercise and mocked up a scenario in which Chinese troops launched an amphibious assault.

They took place on the outlying Penghu Islands, which sit in the strait that separates Taiwan from China.

The defense ministry has warned of a rising military threat from China, which still sees selfruling Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary.

Taiwan’s military is boosting its firepower to counteract the risk, including launching its first ever home-grown submarine project and building a new generation of jet trainers.

President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the drills and emphasized the importance of building up Taiwan’s indigenous defense industry.

“When Taiwan shows its determination to take the road of defensive autonomy, it is putting on a display to the world of our de-

termination to protect our home and land,” she said at a military base in Penghu after overseeing the exercise.

As part of the drills, attack helicopters fired missiles and jet fighters including eight F-16s dropped bombs in the waters south of the archipelago to repel the enemy.

Rocket artillery and tanks also fired rounds as far as 18 meters from the coast. The live-fire was not in the direction of China.

The defense ministry has said there is a growing risk of invasion from Chinese forces as relations with Beijing-skeptic Tsai deteriorate.

China does not trust her traditionally pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and has cut off all official communication with Taipei.

Beijing has also sought to isolate the island diplomatically as Tsai refuses to acknowledge both sides belong to “one China”―unlike her China-friendly predecessor Ma Ying-jeou.

Taiwan expressed outrage earlier this month when it was refused a meeting to the World Health Organization’s annual assembly under pressure from China. AFP

Jakarta probes suicide attack JAKARTA―Indonesia’s elite anti-terror squad was Thursday investigating a suicide bombing attack near a busy Jakarta bus station that killed three policemen, the latest assault in the Muslim-majority country as it faces a surge in militant plots.

Two suicide attackers detonated bombs in a street outside the terminal late Wednesday, sending huge clouds of black smoke into the sky and panicked people fleeing.

The bombers died while five other police officers and five civilians were injured in the assault, which left body parts and glass strewn across the road outside the Kampung Melayu terminal in a working-class district.

Police believe they were targeted in the bombing as they provided security for a parade near the station, which is an area frequented by locals but not foreigners. Security forces have been the main target in recent years of Indonesian militants, who have largely turned their attention away from Westerners.

In a televised address Thursday, President Joko Widodo said he had ordered a thorough probe and was “urging all citizen across the nation to stay calm and remain united”.

“I convey my deepest condolences to the victims and their families―especially the police officers who passed away while performing their duty,” he added.

Authorities have not indicated who might be responsible but Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has been on high alert after a string of plots in recent times by militants inspired by the Islamic State group.

After wrapping up a crime scene investigation in the early hours, police handed over the probe to their elite anti-terror squad, which has played a leading role in tracking down and killing some of Indonesia’s most wanted militants.

“Anti-terror squad Densus 88 is currently conducting an investigation, we want to know where the bombers came from, which groups they are affiliated to,” national police spokesman Setyo Wasisto told AFP. Wasisto would not be drawn on which group could be behind the attack, but he confirmed the bombs were made out of pressure cookers. AFP

The Orange Tab collection is composed of re-mastered pieces that capture the peerless fit and styles of the originals but with updated fabrics and features

Life

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

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

D1

LEVI’S re-masters the classic Orange Tab

for the new generation

B

ORN during the counterculture era of the 1960s, the Levi’s Orange Tab collection first featured a line of slim-fitting jeans, jackets and shirts, symbolizing a generation that favored breaking away from mainstream ideals through fashion individualism.

The now vintage collection—a take on streetstyle influences that supported the lifestyles and personalities of the counterculture generation— has since become the ultimate score for vintage collectors and denim heads.

Reminding today’s rebels to keep on expressing themselves, the timeless Levi’s re-mastered some of the well-loved favorites of the '60s Orange Tab Collection, capturing the peerless fit and styles of the coveted originals but updating the fabrics for today’s aesthetics.

In re-mastering the Orange Tab, Levi’s aims to offer style seekers and trendsetters an overall design appearance that is different from the Red Tab, with 1960sinspired finishes and contemporary fit and fabrics,

celebrating ‘vintage cool’ and ‘modern retro’.

For non-conformists whose style statement is exclusively their own, the Orange Tab jeans have no burrs or rivets and have more belt loops (seven versus the standard five), authentic vintage finishes, and asymmetrical back pockets.

Men’s varied fits include Orange Tab takes on the 510 Skinny and the 505C, with fabrics based on the archival '60s and '70s, but with updated stretch for a more modern feel.

Meanwhile, men’s tops, tees, and knits are cut a bit looser for more comfort and ease of movement, while the iconic Trucker Jacket features Arcuate and welt pockets.

For women, Orange Tab bottoms include a cropped version of the 505C, a 721 vintage high-rise and a workwear-inspired culotte with additional details like patch pockets.

On the other hand, women’s tees and tops feature Levi’s logos and prints pulled right out of the Orange Tab archives, while overalls and vented skirts perfectly capture the vintage look of the '60s and the '70s.

Levi’s Orange Tab collection is the updated uniform for those who embrace a youthful, free spirit. To learn more about it, visit www.levi. com.ph.

Citi Credit cardholders win brand new BMW sports cars FIVE loyal Citi cardholders got to drive home brand new BMW 118i sports cars in the recently concluded BMW raffle promotion held by the country’s leading global bank.

Buddy Novenario, Fortunata Fontanilla, Ambrocio Enriquez, Cristy Jemina-Javier, and Tyrell Duncan earned their raffle tickets by simply using their Citi credit cards. In a turnover ceremony led

by Citi Philippines Credit Payment Products Director David Stoughton, three of the five winners were awarded keys to the brand new luxury cars. Karl Magsuci, marketing director of BMW distributor Asian Carmakers Corporation, also joined.

“This promotion is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all our loyal cardholders,” shared Stoughton. “We were very pleased with the response and we are committed to continue designing attractive marketing offers with exciting rewards and promotions all year round.”

Among the winners, founding member Enriquez – whose son and supplementary cardholder, Carlo, earned him a raffle ticket with the use of his Citi credit card through a ride-sharing app – flew back to the Philippines from the U.S. after hearing about his surprising win.

This same fate is shared by another founding member, Novenario, who also won through a similar transaction and was out of the country when the call regarding the win came.

Retired physician Fontanilla used her threemonth old Citi Prestige Card while buying groceries, when she instantly earned a raffle entry.

Duncan’s win was made possible when his wife, a Citi Platinum supplementary cardholder, used his Citi card for a fitness enrollment at a gym. Complet-

ing the list of winners was Jemina-Javier who swiped her Citi card when she filled her car’s tank with gas, leading to her owning a brand new BMW car.

According to the winners, the Citi promotion made it very easy for them to win – with no minimum spend required, plus multiple ways of earn-

Citi Philippines Credit Payment Products Director David Stoughton (right) and Asian Carmakers Corporation Marketing Director Karl Magsuci (left) join some of the lucky Citi cardholders that recently won brand new BMW 118i sports cars

PAL, Mabuhay Miles and The SM Store tie up for ‘Dream Get Away Promo’ From left: Quennie Cua, SM Retail Inc. VP Marketing; Kevin Hartigan Go, PAL VP Ancillary Business; Sid Bada, SM Retail Inc. VP Credit Management; Chelo C. Monasterio, SM Retail Inc. President; Jaime J. Bautista, PAL President and COO; Stewart Lim, PAL EVP and Chief Administrative Officer; Ricky A. Lim, SM Retail Inc.; Ryan Uy, PAL VP Sales; and Ayee MoyaThe SM Store AVP

ing raffle entries. With exclusive rewards like this from Citi, along with countless discounts, promotions, and privileges leveraging partner merchants across the globe, Citi cardholders can rest assured they will continue having a rewarding relationship with the country’s leading global bank.

PHILIPPINE Airlines, Mabuhay Miles and The SM Store recently formalized a joint program partnership called “Shop Your Way to a Dream Get Away Promo.”

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement at the PAL Corporate Headquarters in Pasay City was led

by PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista and SM Retail, Inc. President Chelo C. Monasterio.

Under the promo, every P 2,000 single receipt purchase at The SM Store by SM Advantage and SM Prestige members entitles them to one electronic raffle entry and a chance to win PAL Mabuhay Miles in weekly and monthly draws culminating in a grand raffle. If a loyalty card member uses a PNB Mabuhay Miles Credit Card, he/she gets double entry.

PAL booths will be set up in select SM Malls nationwide (one mall per week for eight weeks) enabling shoppers to conveniently sign up in the Mabuhay Miles Program.

There will be 58 weekly winners of 20,000 Miles, 58 monthly winner of 45,000 Miles and 58 grand winners of 75,000 Miles. Promo period runs unti July 24.

Grand prize winners will have the chance to choose from any of PAL’s 44 international and 31 domestic destinations. All 2,000 cashiers of SM stores nationwide will also offer Mabuhay Miles membership. Interested parties will be able to place their application forms in drop boxes made available in all SM Malls or sign-up by visiting www.mabuhaymiles.com

Life

D2

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Get that perfect

summer selfie

with V5 Plus W ITH summer well underway, fun seekers are heading to the beach for some sun, sea, and surf, while others opt for cooler climes to find relief from the sweltering heat. Wherever your itinerary takes you, you will totally want to document every single “Instagrammable” moment with perfectly captured selfies.

So ask yourself now: how do you take summer selfies worthy of your friends’ likes and Instahearts?

Here, top-five premium global brand Vivo shares all the tips you need for bingetaking perfect summer selfies: • Take your summer selfie game to the next level with the V5 Plus. It’s your go-to smartphone camera for shooting all the stunning vistas, enabling you to capture every single detail clearly—thanks to the V5 Plus’ 20-megapixel dual front camera and advanced selfie technology.

• Be creative and spontaneous. Wheth- er you’re into aqua sports or chilling out with friends at a poolside, be playful, silly, goofy, sexy or alluring when taking those share-worthy selfies.

• Find your “perfect” angle. Hone your selfie skills by practicing at home. Take lots of selfies until you learn what angle suits you best.

• Choose the best backgrounds.

Distant hills and mountains, the sparkling sea, lush foliage, and the striking colors of a sunset are some of the most amazing backgrounds for those perfect summer selfies. But even without these elements, the V5 Plus’ ‘bokeh’ effect will beautifully blur a less-than-pretty background while keeping the subjects in focus.

• Use a selfie stick. Take fun groufies of the family or barkada with a selfie stick, a polelike device with a grip at the end, designed to hold a smartphone when taking selfies.

A selfie stick is indispensable at events Take beautiful summer selfies by knowing the basic techniques and using the right gadget for the job

like summ e r b e a c h weddings, launch parties, sports activities, etc.

• Look your best.

You must play up your best features for the perfect summer selfie. Fortunately,

you’ll get a lot of help from Vivo V5 Plus’ face beauty mode 6.0, which enhances your skin tone and makes you look fresh and pretty even without a filter or edit.

• Check your lighting. Taking group selfies while enjoying summer’s night scenes can be a pain—but not with the V5 Plus’ softlight selfie, which allows you to take clear selfies in any lighting condition.

• Have fun! Summer is all about making new friends, fortifying bonds, and creating happy memories. Your summer selfies should chroni-

cle all those wonderful moments for times when things don’t go the way they should and you need something to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face.

So do it the right and easy way—with the Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone.

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph, or check out their Facebook (www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (twitter. com/vivo_ phil) accounts.

Preserving Filipino tradition through sneaker culture ASICS Tiger and award-winning specialty boutique Commonwealth preserve Filipino culture through their collaboration on the GEL-LYTE V. Although, having stores in Washington, DC, and Virginia Beach, Com-

monwealth has looked to its newest store in Manila and Kalinga to create a sneaker that pays homage to one of the country’s preserved traditions.

The Kalinga is an ethnic group in the Phil-

Commonwealth Philippines co-founder Michael Concepcion holds the GEL-LYTE V

ippines that inhabit the mountains of Luzon.

Due to the mountainous terrain and warriorculture of the people, the Kalinga were able to preserve their culture despite centuries of occupation in the lowlands by the Spaniards, Americans, and the Japanese.

That includes the intricate tribal art of body adornment, drawing on basic geometric shapes and nature-inspired designs. This ancient technique of adornment is called “batok” that dates back a thousand years. These designs were used to communicate with one another for generations. They represented who they were, where they came from, and what they stood for, therein revealing an insight to the people’s philosophy and social standards.

Inspired by that sacred tradition, dubbed the “Kultura” GEL-LYTE V, ASICS Tiger and Commonwealth pay respect in sneaker form. Nubuck, premium suede, and breathable mesh upper meets Kalinga inspired art on the s GEL-LYTE V’s signature mono sock-tongue, bridging the gap between a reverence for the past and a foot towards the future.

The GEL-LYTE V was originally released in 1993 as a marathon shoe while the “Kultura” (tagalog for Culture) represents the need to preserve Filipino culture and traditions as a race that’s worth running.

Essilor brings Bolon eyewear to PH ITALIAN-designed leading affordable luxury eyewear is now in the Philippines.

Introduced by Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, Bolon premium eyewear, known for its elegance, high quality and functionality, has been launched in Metro Manila and is now available in select optical shops.

Bolon is recognized for its unique and stylish designs as well as its ingenuity in protecting the eyes against harmful rays of the sun. The Bolon® brand redefines the modern aesthetic to meet the standards of today’s chic consumers, at the same time maintaining its functionality and elegance.

“We are pleased and enthusiastic to launch Bolon in the Philippines,” remarks Dr. Emelita Roleda, Essilor Philippines general manager. “With Bolon®, Filipinos now have access to premium, affordable luxury sunglasses and eyewear.”

Combining both science and art in each eyewear, Bolon is not only a fashion statement because of its exquisite designs.

Its high-definition polarized lenses have E-SPF technology to ensure the highest

level of comfort and protection. It is also made from Italian “Mazzucchelli” acetate, renowned for its outstanding colors and textures, as well as from Swiss-made memory resin, wellknown for supreme resistance and lightness.

Bolon is indeed a top-notch eyewear that captivates even Oscar and Emmy award winner, Anne Hathaway, who is its brand ambassador. Epitomizing youth, style, and glamor, the Interstellar actress perfectly embodies the high quality of Bolon sunglasses and prescription frames.

With 85 percent brand recognition level and 30 percent market share in Asia, Bolon already has a strong presence across the region. It has also been massively distributed to major global hubs and airports, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. Recently, the brand made a successful move to expand to the Middle East and UK markets.

Learn more about Bolon by visiting your preferred eye care professional or leading optical shop nationwide.

Bolon eyewear, endorsed by Hollywood icon Anne Hathaway, now available in the Philippines

Get a chance to reimburse your education costs with The SM Store and Mastercard's WIn Back Your Tuition promo

Shop and win back your tuition SCHOOL begins in two weeks and you send off your kids to their classrooms to learn from their teachers and socialize with their classmates. You can feel excited for them and be at ease about that looming tuition bill.

As a global payment solutions company committed to their consumers, Mastercard touches on not only our passion points, but our most important life needs as well. Understanding the value of education, the company has partnered with the country’s retail giant, SM, to make schooling more accessible.

The SM Store and Mastercard once again hold the Win Back Your Tuition promo. While you tick off brand new school musthaves, and replenish required supplies, you can send someone or yourself to school in the process.

Shop until July 15 for all your school needs and get a chance to reimburse yours or someone else’s educational costs for the coming school year. You can win back the entire tuition fee amount or up to P100,000 for either yourself, your sibling, your child, or up to P50,000 for a beneficiary. Pre-elementary, elementary, high school, college, Masters and Doctoral levels are all qualified.

Every P3,000 single-receipt straight and installment transaction from The SM Store using a Philippine-issued MasterCard credit, debit or prepaid card entitles a cardholder to one electronic raffle entry. 100 lucky shoppers will be drawn on June 24.

The payments brand of choice and the country’s largest shopping center are partnering to ensure that getting ready for school is an easy and extra rewarding experience, and better yet, gives you a chance to give back. With the Win Back Your Tuition promo, you’ll be having a more worthwhile time shopping and spending for all your school needs.

FR

PEOPLE …are talking about New batch of America's finest althetes in the latest season of "American Ninja Warrior"

‘American Ninja Warrior’

BACK ON AXN

ONCE again, heart-pounding thrills and excitement come your way in American Ninja Warrior, one of the most watched sports competition series, on AXN. A new batch of America’s finest athletes try to prove their mettle when it comes to strength, stamina, and endurance as they take on the world’s most challenging obstacle courses in the qualifying rounds in Venice, Kansas City, Houston, Orlando, and Pittsburgh. Also, the new season pays tribute to the military with an all-military personnel qualifying round.

As in previous seasons, the top competitors advance to the national finals in Las Vegas, where the grueling Mt. Midoriyama will be the final course of the competition.

Long heralded as unlike any other reality competition program on television, the latest installment

of the popular series features a total of 600 competitors, each attempting to make history to become the first ever American Ninja Warrior champion.

In addition, this season’s grand prize was increased from $500,000 to $1,000,000.

Comedian Matt Iseman and former NFL player Akbar GbajaBiamila return as hosts in the new season while newcomer Kristine Leahy joins them as the sideline reporter.

American Ninja Warrior Season 7 airs Monday to Thursday at 8:50 p.m. first and exclusively on AXN. AXN is available on SKYCable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

Delicious breakthroughs IF YOU’RE a foodie and a cooking enthusiast, you’ve probably scrolled through Erwan Heussaff’s Tastemade videos with Mari Jasmin. Or you saw yourself in him by watching his Youtube Overnight videos featuring several renowned global tourists’ spots.

So, let us bring you to the source of them all, Seabiscuit Films.

Born out of frustration, Seabiscuit took upon itself to produce lifestyle videos that are not run-of-the-mill. Some of their projects are poised as mini-docu series that tackles the simple and good life of food and travel. They take pride in making videos that push for original content that will not just make their clients proud, but will also distinguish them as a world-class Filipino product company.

Even with a lean team, the production company enabled them to snag opportunities to work with big media companies like CNN Philippines, Fox International Channels, Discovery Network, McCann World Group, BBDO Guerrero, Ogilvy & Mather, Meralco, Globe, Unilever, Nestle, and Selecta.

It’s portfolio is the testament to quality output that ranges from content development, TV

shows, web shows, commercials, corporate and animated videos, as bespoke as possible. The production company also does short feature films as well.

With its zeal for visual storytelling and collaborative efforts, the production company also opens its doors to like-minded individuals and groups at their Back Room space. Back Room is a creative, dynamic space that can transform to your needs and requirements. It’s a place where great ideas can be born. It’s a place where interests can intersect.

It is often used for workshops, seminars, talks, art shows, bazaars, screenings, yoga classes, healing modalities, mini-fairs to name a few.

Currently, it’s an open space with a long table and chairs, and a comfortable seating area.

The space is air-conditioned and the vibe is relaxed yet dynamic.

Seabiscuit Films is always hungry for a challenge. The company stands by its quality made films and shorts that are solutions to a myriad of commercial, corporate, artistic, and, even, personal needs!

To know more, visit www. seabiscuitfilms.com and follow @ seabiscuitfilms on Instagram and Twitter.

Liza Soberano She keeps on giving her fans a heart attack. For them, hearing that Liza would play Pia Wurtzbach in Maalaala Mo Kaya was already the highlight of their week., yet they went through another cardiac arrest when news circulated that their idol has been chosen to play Darna in the much awaited screen adaptation of the famous komiks serial. Don’t Liza and her fandom deserve each other? She is a rising superstar and her fandom is one of the best groups of supporters in the land.

Sanya Lopez Is she the next big star in the Kapuso Network? Many people believe so. From being a little-known talent, Sanya is now a household name after successfully reprising a role initially played by Diana Zubiri in Encantadia.

And harnessing her full potential as a TV star, the 20-year-old actress is starring in another TV project.

This time she’s not sharing topbilling with a group of talents. It’s just her and her leading man.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith After posting a bikini photo on Instagram, Anne Curtis’s younger sister became the recent victim of body shaming online. But instead of taking nasty comments lying down, the actress gave her haters a befitting reply, which reminds us that Jasmine is among those few celebrities who inspire other young girls to embrace their imperfections.

…are not talking about

Mulawin vs Ravena Encantadia was a hit. In fact, its rival program was consistently challenged by its impressive ratings performance. But Mulawin vs Ravena’s performance based AGB Nielsen’s data may have some tough time. Though people over the network won’t admit it, the first four days of the high-on-effects fantasy series weren’t very impressive. The first week is critical because it’s the period where most people decide whether or not they’d continue watching the program.

Jessy Mendiola It’s quite interesting how she went to become the sexiest woman in the country last year and yet her name is nowhere to be found in the top 10 this year. That doesn’t normally happen.

Where are the half-a-million voters who rallied to put her name at the top of the sexiest women list? Have they already realized that they were on the wrong boat?

Marlo Mortel It’s been two years since the last time he appeared in a TV series. It was a project together with his former screen partner, Janella Salvador, who is still very much visible until now. This is probably the reason Marlo misses acting terribly. It pains him to see how Janella’s career is soaring while his, apparently, has for no reason is stagnating. For consolation, he still has a few provincial shows and he does hosting now, too.

Erwan Heussaff sipping on Sake in Osaka, Japan

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, May 26, 2017

ACROSS 1 Allot 5 Diva — Ponselle 9 Not chubby 13 Mideast power 14 Droops 15 Come down with 16 No. on a bank statement 17 Internet note 18 Was, to Caesar 19 Flogged 21 Admission — 22 Byway 23 Yen 25 Animal that barks 27 Pulling ahead of 30 Full moon and half-moon 34 Wait 35 New Age singer 37 Map feature 38 Name in Beatles history 39 Hangs five 41 Dash partner 42 Toss here and there 45 Small amount 46 Bugle call 47 Scam (2 wds.)

49 Hide away 51 Barely managed 53 Actress — Perlman

54 Campus mil. grp.

57 CSA monogram 59 Forgo 63 Pass over 64 Kayak user 66 Luau number 67 Trunk of a tree 68 Colors 69 Arab chief 70 Realty sign 71 Is, in Madrid 72 Auditioned DOWN 1 Clock’s front 2 Fierce whale 3 Resinous deposits 4 Act gung-ho 5 Teacup part 6 Norse king 7 Farm enclosures 8 Slumbering 9 Varnish 10 Zhivago’s love 11 — the Terrible 12 Ration out 14 Casual shoes 20 RN stations 24 Total indifference 26 Happy sighs 27 Colorful horse 28 Make pretty 29 Pita treats 31 Egypt’s

Anwar — 32 Avoid a big wedding 33 Hardens, as cement 34 Pear variety 36 Later 40 Drawer fresheners 43 Ousted 44 Chinese pan 46 Student’s need 48 Censure angrily 50 Legal matter 52 Sandwich shops

54 Sticks up 55 Melville title 56 Money drawer 58 Let borrow 60 Mr. Cronyn of “Cocoon” 61 Director — Kazan 62 Voting district 65 Ms. Hagen

RIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 Director Brillante Mendoza captures the beauty of Marinduque and The Moriones Festival in the latest episode of his made-for-TV film

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

MARINDUQUE’S MASK MAKERS IN TV5’S

‘Panata’

Great adventures await in FYI’s exciting line-up for June

ISAH V. RED

T

V5 and Caness-winning director Brillante Mendoza unveiled the director’s latest masterpiece for the monthly Brillante Mendoza Present series, “Panata,” during the press conference at Director’s Club in Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall recently. The episode will air 9:30 p.m. on TV5 tomorrow.

Starring Kristofer King, Felix Roco, Arnold Reyes, Sue Prado, Lou Veloso, and Edwin Nombre, “Panata” follows the story of Mario (King), a mask maker in Marinduque who becomes a student activist. Later on questioning his faith in God, he joins one of the rebel’s clandestine gatherings up in the mountains.

Apart from turning out a remarkable story, Mendoza also captures the beauty of Marinduque and The Moriones in his latest made-for-TV movie. The Moriones is an annual festival held during the Holy Week in Marinduque, starting on Holy Monday and culminating on Easter Sunday.

It is considered as one of the most colorful festivals celebrated on the island, with men and women dressed in costumes and masks of soldiers in the Biblical Roman era. This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.

Brillante Mendoza Presents is a collection of films made for television that merge together Filipino culture and Filipino stories. It airs once a month on a Saturday at 9:30 p.m. on TV5. Movies are themed according to the month of its airing – earlier episodes included “Tsinoy” for Chinese New Year, “Everlasting” for Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival and “Ang Pagtatapos” for the graduation time.

Each episode is presented in Mendoza’s trademark cinematic storytelling style that has garnered prestigious international awards. Brillante Mendoza Presents explores the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of culturally rich Filipino traditions.

With this partnership, TV5 considers Mendoza as its content partner. TV5 President Chot Reyes shares his excitement for this exciting milestone for Philippine television, “We’re very excited about our partnership with award-winning director Brillante Mendoza. His works are synonymous with creative storytelling and world class excellence - qualities that are consistent withTV5’s positioning as the channel that provides quality, alternative content.”

He adds, “Our collaboration with Direk Brillante Mendoza is a full-fledged content partnership that spans culturally significant made for TV films and a 13episode miniseries. With this partnership with Direk Brillante Mendoza, TV5 continues to uplift and improve the quality of entertainment in Philippine FREE TV.” For his part, Mendoza also shares that he agreed to do this

Highlighting "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano's" top rating episode last week was the wedding of Cardo and Alyanna played by Coco Martin and Yassi Pressman, respectively.

project as his advocacy for indie films, a vision that TV 5 –who has given the winning filmmaker full support for this creative inputs and brand of storytelling – also shares.

“With TV 5’s new thrust, it’s going to be a home for independent artists and independent cinema, and I am happy to be part of it. Our goal here is to tell the Filipino story, and for this, I will – like in my films –show reality and capture life the way it is on television,” shared Mendoza.

Upcoming episodes include “Anak” (June 24), “Kadaguan: (July 29), and “Habilin’ (August 26). *** Fans of Mulawin around the world waited with bated breath the premiere of Mulawin vs Ravena on Monday making the initial telecast a trending topic worldwide. Even after the first episode ended, discussions on various social media websites continued on until the following day.

For fans that have watched the original

Mulawin nearly two decades ago, the pilot episode gave them a feeling of nostalgia. Most of them agreed that the chemistry among the actors playing important parts in the show is great, especially between Heart Evangelista-Escudero and Dennis Trillo (who are playing Alwina and Gabriel, respectively). The audience could empathize with Alwina who is still longing for her lost love Aguiluz.

More than that, the audience was impressed with the world-class special visual effects of the production, and the breathtaking photography coupled with the able direction of Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez. *** It’s been more than a month now since Ika6 Na Utos has been airing Saturday afternoons after Eat Bulaga, and yet, its loyal followers can’t seem to get enough.

They continue to follow the saga in the lives of Rome (Gabby Concepcion), Emma (Sunshine Dizon) and Georgia (Ryza Cenon).

It is veritably the ratings winner in the afternoon block, and even in social media it is a constant trending topic. Netizens say that GMA Network is able to fabricate a series with the right formula for the Filipinos’ taste for soap opera.

Until when will Georgia stop scheming to put Emma down, especially now that she has lost her own baby in a car accident? *** More viewers nationwide tuned in to the most-awaited wedding of Cardo (Coco Martin) and Alyanna (Yassi Pressman) in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano according to Kantar Media with 36.6 percent on May 19.

The wedding ceremony continued and more thrilling scenes ensued in the action-series last Monday, drawing even more viewers and recorded a national TV rating of 41.1 percent.

Netizens also got hooked on the action-packed scenes in the Kapamilya series as its official hashtags #FPJAPKasal and #FPJAPSingilan became trending topics on Twitter and gained thousands of tweets.

Meanwhile, the battle between Cardo and Joaquin (Arjo Atayde) is far from over as the latter kidnapped Alyanna to seek revenge against Cardo by putting her life in danger.

But Cardo will do everything to save his wife’s life and make his mortal enemy pay for all the sins he committed.

JUNE is bound to be filled with interesting discoveries as FYI features a line-up of shows that will take you on a range of wonderful adventures – from traveling to top destinations, food trips, to finding dream homes and unusual treasures.

Brand new culinary series Destination Flavour: Singapore follows talented cook and MasterChef Australia winner Adam Liaw as he travels around the small island nation to uncover its vast culinary landscape.

Go on this journey with Adam to discover what makes this dynamic city an Asian food mecca. Destination Flavour: Singapore premieres 8 p.m. on June 1.

On June 16, at 8:55 p.m., get ready for the sixth season of Shipping Wars. This reality series follows professional shippers – or independent truckers – who have discovered that they can make money out of transporting items which traditional carriers won’t touch. From oversized packages to the truly bizarre, these shippers will haul anything if the price is right.

The hit international travel show Top Travel follows the world’s leading globetrotters Jeannie D and Janez Vermeiren as they journey around the world in 26 weeks. Top Travel unlocks the viewer’s passport to a world of amazing adventures in some of the most exotic locations. Catch this show full of travel tips 8:30 p.m. starting June 1.

On June 5, Mondays at 9:50 p.m., catch a new episode of Gok’s Fill Your House for Free.

Fashion expert and award-winning host Gok Wan has reopened his shop in Glasgow, filled with furniture sourced for free. Gok and his team face the challenge of helping young couple finish prepare their new home.

Armed with practical tips, inspirational advice and simple solutions, see how Gok helps them transform their house without breaking the bank.

In the newest episode of Unplugged Nation, another family tries to live a simpler life by going off the grid.

Outdoors enthusiast Jay Gruen guides these people into living “unplugged” by harvesting food, tending livestock, generating power and creating home goods.

Witness another family’s experience and see whether they continue living off the grid or return to the city 8 55 p.m. on June 6.

In Waterfront House Hunting season 2, real estate expert Seth Stisher works with families and couples who are looking for a new home in a desirable waterfront location. Every buyer is unique, and in this new episode, another couple is looking for the perfect home where they can be as close to the ocean as possible. Watch as how Seth helps point them in the right direction while still prioritizing their needs. Catch this new episode 8 55 p.m. on June 7.

FYI™ is available on SKYCable Ch 79; Cable Link Ch. 44; Dream Satellite Ch 21.

The cast of "Gok's Fill Your House For Free"