Manila Standard - 2017 May 29 - Monday

Terrorists kill 27 civilians in 5-day siege MARAWI—Islamist militants locked in streetto-street battles with security forces in Marawi City have killed 27 civilians, the military said Sunday, bringing the official death toll from nearly a week of fighting to at least 103.

Military officials said the death toll after five days of fighting had topped 100, including 61 fighters from the terrorist Maute Group and 15 soldiers and policemen.

The violence prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on Tuesday across the entire island of Mindanao to quell what he said was a fast-growing threat of militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group.

Authorities said the militants had killed 27 civilians in Marawi, a mostly Muslim-populated city of 200,000 people. These included three Next page

VOL. XXXI • NO. 104 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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CASUALTIES. A woman calls out to her relatives after identifying bodies dumped off a cliff along the highway leading to Marawi City on May 28, 2017. Islamist militants who have gone on a rampage have killed 27 civilians including women and children, the military said on May 28, as fighting entered the sixth day. AFP

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday he will ignore the Supreme Court and Congress as he enforces martial law across Mindanao, even though the Constitution gives them the power of oversight.

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DoJ bucks proposals to abolish 2 agencies

By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice department is opposing two bills in the House of Representatives seeking to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

In a legal opinion, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II objected to House Bills 5216 and 5233 that seek to abolish OGCC and the PCGG and to transfer their functions to the Office of the Solicitor General.

Aguirre said the OGCC and PCGG had special functions that were entirely different from that of the OSG, and that them could result in conflicts of interest in many cases.

“There are numerous cases wherein the OGCC and the OSG find themselves representing opposing sides with conflicting interests,” Aguirre said.

“The OGCC represents the GOCCs [government-owned Next page

PEP TALK. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the troopers of the Joint Task Force

Sulu prior to his visit to the wounded soldiers at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu on May 27, 2017. Presidential Photo

Duterte on Tuesday imposed martial law in Mindanao, home to 20-million people, following deadly clashes in a mostly Muslimpopulated city involving militants he said were trying to establish a caliphate for the Islamic State group.

“Until the police and the Armed Forces say the Philippines is safe, this martial law will continue. I will not listen to others. The Supreme Court, Congress, they are not here,” Duterte told soldiers on Saturday.

“Are they the ones dying and losing blood, bleeding, hemorrhaging because there is no help, no reinforcement? It’s not them.”

The 1987 Constitution imposes limits on martial law to prevent a repeat of the abuses carried out under the regime of dictator Fer-

dinand Marcos, who was deposed by the “People Power” revolution of 1986.

The Constitution requires Congress to approve a president’s declaration of martial law, and limits military rule for 60 days. If a president wants to extend it, he or she must again get congressional endorsement.

The Supreme Court can also rule on martial law’s legality.

“The Supreme Court will say they will examine into the factual [basis]. Why I don’t know. They are not soldiers. They do not know what is happening on the ground,” Duterte said Saturday in Jolo.

A day after declaring martial law, Duterte described the nine years of military rule Next page

2,000 people send SOS amid fighting, airstrikes MARAWI—Two thousand fearful civilians were trapped on Sunday inside Marawi City where troops have been battling Islamist militants for almost a week, authorities said.

The military intensified a bombing campaign on parts of Marawi, one of the biggest Muslim cities, as it accused the gunmen of atrocities including murdering women and a child.

The initial fighting prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on Tuesday across the entire island of Mindanao to quell what he said was a

fast-growing threat from terrorists linked to the Islamic State (IS) group.

Most of the city’s 200,000 residents have fled because of the fighting, but 2,000 remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants, said Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesman for the provincial crisis management committee.

“They have been sending us text messages, calling our hotline, requesting us to send rescue teams but we cannot simply go to areas which are inaccessible to us,” Adiong said.

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Work-from-home scheme endorsed

By Macon R. Araneta THE Senate had approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to encourage companies to adopt a work-from-home program as a means of easing traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other cities.

Senate Bill No. 1363 or the Telecommuting Act of 2017, was approved with 22 affirmative votes. The proposed law was authored by Senators Joel Villanueva and Cynthia Villar.

The bill defines telecommuting as the partial or total substitution of computers or telecommunication technologies, or both, for the commute to work by employees.

The adoption of the program would ease the worsening traffic situation in cities by allowing more employees to work at home.

Villanueva, chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development and sponsor of SBN 1363, said the measure also seeks to protect the rights of the homebased workers by ensuring that they have equal pay, leave benefits and promotion as their counterparts in the office. It also seeks to lessen the feelings of isolation of home-based workers from their office mates.

While telecommuting started in the 1980s, especially in the fields of communication and architec-

ture, Villanueva said that only a few companies have adopted it.

In 2014, he said, the US software company VM Ware Inc. conducted a study involving corporations with more than 500 employees in the Philippines. Villanueva said the study showed that 70 percent of their respondents who worked “on the go” claimed that they were more productive and creative. Around 93 percent said that they used their smart phones for work while 73 percent said that working from home was ideal.

Villanueva said a report from the Employers Confederation of the Philippines showed that there was a growing acceptance of teleNext page

GHOST TOWN. A member of the police special forces stands guard at a deserted intersection in Marawi City on May 28, 2017. AFP

Paskuhan sale triggers probe of Lapid

By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS has summoned former Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid to appear in an investigation of the supposed anomalous sale of the 10-hectare Paskuhan Village heritage site in Pampanga in 2016.

The House committee on good government and public account-

ability, led by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, issued the subpoena following Lapid’s repeated failure to show up in the inquiry of the sale, which is deemed grossly disadvantageous to the government.

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzalez Jr. filed House Resolution 654 questioning the sale of the heritage site to Premier Central Inc., which he said could have violated many laws.

Pampanga’s San Fernando could be at the losing end because of the deal, Pimentel said, citing the city government’s argument that, under RA 9593, the city had the right of first refusal to the sale.

Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, deputy speaker, said such provision was clearly specified in the law under Section 54 stating ‘‘Tieza and the Department of Next page

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under Marcos as “very good,” and said his would be similar.

Duterte also told soldiers on Friday they would be allowed to conduct searches and arrests without warrants.

“During martial law, your commanders, you, you can arrest any person, search any house. There is no more warrant needed,” Duterte told troops on Friday.

Duterte’s comments contradicted a government statement released on Saturday to explain martial law.

“Warrants of arrest or search warrants should be issued,” the statement from the government’s information agency said.

“No person may be arrested and detained without orders coming from these civil courts.”

Duterte has overwhelming support in Congress, which is this week widely expected to endorse his initial declaration of martial law.

However, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on Friday expressed concerns about martial law.

A critic of Duterte, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said declaring martial law over the entire island of Mindanao was “overkill.”

In an interview on radio dzBB, Trillanes said ousted President Joseph Estrada declared an allout-war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which wanted to create a separate Islamic state, but he did not declare martial law. But still, the Armed Forces overran 13 major camps, including Camp Abubakar, and 43 minor camps in just three months.

“So there is really no need to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao because according to the AFP, they are looking for only 100 [Maute Group members],” Trillanes said.

Also on Sunday, the Palace said it would appoint a civilian Maranao spokesperson to provide updates on the government’s ongoing offensive against the Maute terror group in Marawi City.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office said the move is part of its establishment of a “Mindanao Hour” Communications Center in Davao City, which will be a source of accurate and reliable information on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. AFP, Sandy Araneta, Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Tourism, in coordination with the Privatization Council, shall determine which assets shall be put up for sale or lease.”

Tieza and the DoT were supposed to take into consideration the importance of maintaining and preserving the Philippine Tourism Authority and its assets that had been considered cultural treasures and heritage sites, such as the Banaue Hotel and similar assets, which should not be sold or in any way disposed of but placed under the ownership of the Tieza for their continued maintenance, Garcia said.

The contentions of Tieza, in its position paper submitted to the Department of Justice, was flawed, she added.

She reminded Tieza chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas that the law was clear with its proviso that circumventing it would mean a clear violation.

Just like the Banaue Hotel, the Paskuhan Village might be considered a heritage site and, therefore, could not be sold or disposed of, she said.

She said the joint congressional oversight under Section 103 of the law must also be informed about the issue for a study and decision on the matter.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., a deputy minority leader, requested a copy of a report on the supposed interlocking ownership of the four participating bidders for Paskuhan Village from the Securities and Exchange Commission and answer accusations of collusion in the bidding.

Based on the documents that the SEC submitted, the owners/ board of directors belonged to the same Sy family of the SM group of companies.

Garbin and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said it was incumbent upon the new Tieza head to carefully study the deal and come up with the necessary recommendations.

CHR frets over ‘rape joke’ T

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Commission on Human Rights on Sunday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for his second rape joke and the human rights situation in Marawi City.

“Rape is never a joke,” CHR spokeswoman Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

“Women, especially the poor and vulnerable who bear the brunt of the ongoing violence on the ground, are not objects of ridicule either.

“It is in this context that the CHR condemns the President’s recent remarks before the troops in Iligan City assuring his protection of any soldier who might commit rape during martial law in Mindanao.”

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

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“They want to leave. They are afraid for their safety. Some are running out of food to eat. They fear they will be hit by bullets, by airstrikes,” he said.

The military announced on Saturday, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, that it would step up the bombing.

“In as much as we would like to avoid collateral damage, these rebels are forcing the hand of government by hiding and holding out inside private homes, government buildings and other facilities,” said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

“Their refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical airstrikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end.”

The militants have killed at least 19 civilians, including three women and a child who were found dead near a university, said regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera.

“These are civilians, women.

These terrorists are anti-people,” Herrera said.

In Iligan City, state forces conducted house-to-house inspections in response to a threat that local terrorists would raze the city to the ground.

City Mayor Celso Regencia ordered city and village officials, accompanied by the military and police, to conduct the census after the city received a report Saturday night that the Maute Group would burn five villages in the city’s downtown district.

In a telephone interview Sunday morning, Iligan City spokesman Joe Pantoja identified the villages as Tubod, Hinaplanon, Luinab, Mahayahay and Del Carmen, all located in the city’s downtown area. Forty percent of the residents in these villages are Muslims.

He said that the census team was accompanied by village and city officials so that village residents could easily be identified.

“Those without proper identification would be held for questioning,” Pantoja said.

“The city has adopted stricter measures by monitoring the movements of people from all walks of life to ensure the safety of the city residents,” Pantoja said.

Regencia appealed to Iligan City residents to cooperate with law enforcers on all security measures that the city might implement every now and then, Pantoja said.

He said that Iligan City was host to about 1,900 evacuees who fled from strife-torn Marawi, 38 kilometers southwest of Iligan.

In Davao City, the Philippine National Police said permits to carry firearms outside of residences have been suspended due to martial law.

Chief Insp. Andrea G. Dela Cerna, Police Regional Office (PRO-XI) spokesman, also said the right to public assembly, such as protests or rallies against the government, will be curtailed and the leaders or organizers of such events will be arrested.

Dela Cerna discouraged the public from traveling to avoid traffic due to the checkpoints set up by the PNP and the AFP. Also on Sunday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Energy Department is mapping out a plan to secure all energy facilities in Mindanao. AFP and PNA

women and a child who were found dead near a university.

“These are civilians, women.

These terrorists are anti-people.

We found their bodies while conducting rescue operations [on Saturday],” regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera said.

An AFP photographer saw another eight bodies by a road in the outskirts of Marawi on Sunday, with local residents identifying them as employees of a rice mill and a medical college.

Herrera said the military had yet to investigate the reported deaths.

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi after security forces attempted to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of IS. The gunmen planted black IS flags, took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage from a church, and set fire to buildings.

Thirteen soldiers, two policemen and 51 militants have died in the fighting, according to authorities. This brings the combined official death toll to at least 85.

Most of the city’s residents have fled because of the fighting, which has seen the military heavily bomb residential areas where the militants were believed to be hiding.

The military announced on Saturday, the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, that it would intensify the bombing campaign.

“In as much as we would like to avoid collateral damage, these rebels are forcing the hand of government by hiding and holding out inside private homes, government buildings and other facilities,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

“Their refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical airstrikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end.”

Duterte and military chiefs have said most of the militants belong to the local Maute group, which they estimate has about 260 armed followers and has declared allegiance to IS. But Duterte has said local

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commuting in workplaces such as Meralco, SGS Philippines, Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Aboitiz Equity Ventures. In 2016, the Department of Labor nd Employment also reported that there were 261 companies with employees who were under voluntary flexible arrangements.

In comparison, a Gallup study on 1,011 adults aged 18 and older in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia showed American companies were more receptive to telecommuting.

The study revealed that the number of employees who were or had at one point in their career worked at least one day a month from home had increased by more than 300 percent in the

also criticized Duterte for his speech to the soldiers during the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Iligan City.

“You can see from there that Duterte is crazy,” Trillanes, one of the President’s top critics, told DZBB radio.

He said ordinary people including street bums do not joke about rape.

“You must be a maniac to think like that,” Trillanes said and rejected those defending Duterte and claiming that what he said was a joke.

“First of all, you are the Presi-

dent of the Philippines, you are the commander-in-chief and you are talking to the soldiers.”

De Guia called on the police and the military to defend the rights and dignity of all people in all circumstances.

“We encourage their faithful adherence to the recent guidelines set by the Department of National Defense and PNP asserting the rule of law and the primacy of human rights, especially during the rule of martial law,” De Guia said.

Duterte came under fire after imposing martial law in Mindanao and saying soldiers were allowed

criminals are backing the Maute in Marawi.

Padilla said the bodies of civilians found validated reports of atrocities committed by the Maute Group terrorists.

Earlier, reports said Maute bandits stopped a truck-load of fleeing civilians, who were told to disembark. They were then tied up and executed.

Padilla said 42 bodies of bandits were recovered from the site of the fighting, while 19 others were confirmed killed based on eyewitness accounts.

Fatalities from the government side climbed to 15, 11 of whom were soldiers, and four were policemen, including an officer. Thirty nine soldiers were also wounded.

Padilla said troops took 28 high-powered firearms, including machine guns from the slain bandits during the two days of continued military hunt against the Maute group.

He said the military was still clearing pockets of resistance in the city while aiding residents trapped by the fighting.

“We have successfully rescued and assisted 124 trapped civlian residents since the start of the operations,” Padilla said.

Air strikes and artillery fire continue to pound areas where Maute members are holed up.

“Our forces are working overtime to hasten the restoration of the rule of law and Marawi’s return to normalcy. We can only do this if we have the full cooperation of our citizens in these affected areas,” Padilla said.

“We count on everyone to unite as one nation and do their patriotic duty for the restoration of peace in our country,” Padilla said.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Western Mindanao Command has earlier projected that Marawi would be retaken in two or three days, but fighting entered its fifth day Sunday.

On Sunday morning, unidentified gunmen dumped the bodies of eight men into a ravine along the national highway in Barangay Matampay in Marawi City, less than a kilometer from a checkpoint.

Police said they heard a burst of gunfire at 2 a.m.

One of the bodies bore a tagged with an Arabic word “Monafik” or hypocrite.

Police Officer 3 Jamail Mangadang said the victims were not from Marawi City and were probably from Iligan

City. The men were all tied up and bore gunshot wounds to the head.

Also on Sunday, a hospital official dispelled reports that Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi was taken over by the Maute Group.

Dr. Amer Saber said the report that the medical facility was overrun by members of the Maute Group was not true and appealed to media outlets to verify any information before airing or publishing it.

Saber, however, confirmed that a team of Maute fighters went to the hospital and brought an injured comrade at the start of fighting Tuesday.

He said two armed insurgents entered the facility and asked if they could bring in a patient for treatment.

Their companions, four or five of them and who were also armed, stayed outside the hospital gate and kept watch.

“They were very courteous and even greeted us with ‘Assalam Alaikum’ before asking us if they can bring in their patient,” Saber said.

The patient did not survive since he was already in critical condition when he was admitted.

At about the same time, a police car arrived at the hospital. One of the police officers aboard the vehicle was Senior Insp. Freddie Solar, the intelligence unit chief of the Marawi City Police.

Saber said Solar brought his wife to APMC as she was suffering from appendicitis.

Footage from the hospital’s CCTV camera showed the policemen were taken hostage by the Maute fighters outside the APMC gate.

Of the police officers who were held at gunpoint, only Solar was shot. He was then brought inside the hospital but died shortly due to blood loss, Saber said.

He said the Maute fighters left the hospital early Wednesday morning.

Saber said the APMC is ready for any emergencies and they are expecting more patients as the military conducts clearing operations.

The Amai Pakpak Medical Center is a government-run 438-bed capacity hospital, with about 700 staff, 108 of them doctors with various specializations and 300-plus nurses. AFP, Lance Baconguis, Francisco Tuyay

past 20 years.

The same study showed that 37 percent of the employees said they had worked remotely at one point in their career in 2015 as compared to 30 percent in 2006 and nine percent in 1995.

According to the study, 58 percent of the respondents believed those who worked remotely were just as productive as those who worked in an office, up from 47 percent who said the same in 1995. Only 20 percent of them thought telecommuters were less effective on a daily basis than their peers who worked in the office each day.

Villanueva said his committee had looked into the “best practices” in telecommuting to ensure that more employers would adopt the program in their workplace. He said the proposed law would not be mandatory and instead give

the employers the discretion on whether to offer telecommuting to their workers or not.

However, Villanueva said, the bill would guarantee that any telecommuting program should not be less than the minimum labor standards set by law. He said employers would ensure that their home-based workers be given the same treatment as their peers in the office under the bill.

“Employers must ensure that measures are taken to prevent the telecommuting employees from being isolated from the rest of the working community in the company,” Villanueva said.

“The employers should also be responsible for taking the appropriate measures with regard to software to ensure the protection of data used and processed by the telecommuting employee for professional purposes,” he added.

to rape up to three women.

De Guia said the CHR would continue to monitor the human rights situation in Mindanao through its regional offices “as we stand by the protection and promotion of human rights of both civilians and our troops.”

“We express our sympathies to the families and friends who have lost loved ones in the ongoing crossfires. And, in the end, as we work toward the immediate resolution of this conflict, may we all unite in preventing further victimization of the vulnerable and marginalized.”

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and -controlled corporations] while the OSG represents different agencies of the government like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, Department of Finance and the like.

“If the BIR, for instance, assesses a tax on a GOCC like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the latter interposes as its defense that it is exempted from the tax, this conflict can only be resolved by going to court and it would be absurd if both entities will be represented by the solicitor general.”

Aguirre said the OGCC should be recognized for its key role in the economic achievements of GOCCs. He does not want the PCGG abolished either but instead expand and broaden its powers.

“This department sees nothing wrong with the OSG, OGCC and PCGG existing independently of each other. In order to strengthen the OSG, there is no need to abolish the OGCC and PCGG,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre also disagreed with the provisions in the bills seeking transfer of the OSG as an attached agency of the Justice department to the Office of the President as an autonomous office.

“It is our view that the OSG should continue to be an agency attached to the DoJ, mainly because the powers and functions of the OSG are devolved from this department’s power as ‘the principal law agency of the government as legal counsel and representative thereof,” he said “It is thus our position that all offices providing legal services, including the OSG, should be attached to the DoJ,” Aguirre said.

The OGCC supported the position of the DoJ in a separate position paper submitted to the House committee on justice, which will deliberate on the two bills.

The agency laid down its accomplishments and contributions to government coffers to prove its efficiency in performing its duties and to show it did not deserve abolition.

The OGCC said that, in the past six years alone, a total of P171 billion in dividends remittance by the GOCC through its legal assistance had been recorded.

“Better corporate governance across the sector was also observed, thus lending credence to the adage that good governance in fact results in good economics,” newly appointed Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado said.

He said his agency had played a vital role in protecting the government’s multi-trillion assets and equities through its contextualized knowledge of the clients’ needs and its industry awareness over the past eight decades Jurado said the GOCC sector was a P4.9-trillion portfolio and its contribution to national development could not be denied.

“It is thus logical that its statutory counsel, which is tasked to provide them legal compass, must not be abolished but strengthened,” he said.

The DoJ and the OGCC issued the opinions at the request of the House committee on justice.

Solicitor General Jose Calida earlier expressed support to the two bills, which he believed would result in a leaner and cleaner bureaucracy in its legal services.

“Consolidating the legal services under the Office of the Solicitor General will eliminate redundant, duplicative and overlapping functions since the OSG, OGCC and PCGG only serve one client―the Republic of the Philippines,” Calida said.

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Filipinos in Saudi assured of help

By Macon Araneta HEALTH Secretary Jean Paulyn Ubial has assured Filipino workers returning to the Philippines from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of adequate services.

The repatriates are taking part in the 90-day amnesty program offered by Saudi Arabia for workers whose residence permits have expired.

Ubial noted that health services is part of the inter-agency efforts of the Philippine government, specifically the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to facilitate the repatriation of undocumented workers.

Addressing the health of Filipinos is vital and highly relevant for the success of our nation’s efforts to realize the Philippine Health Agenda of “All for Health towards Health for All.” “This agenda primarily seeks to ensure equitable access to quality health care for all Filipinos, whether within the country or overseas,” said Ubial.

The DoH has issued Department Memorandum No. 2017 – 0191 or the “Medical Assistance for the Repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers using the DoH Medical Assistance Program [MAP],” which provides financial assistance to socially or economically disadvantaged patients seeking medical services at government health facilities.

The Filipino overseas workers who have been recently repatriated or are still to arrive from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the benefit of KSA’s Amnesty Program undergo assessment by Social Workers in government health facilities to enable them to access medical/ surgical/dental services free of charge under the MAP. “Such services are extended throughout their pre-departure and travel periods, into arrival at their destination countries, all the way until they return to the Philippines at the conclusion of their work contracts,” said Ubial.

WATER FORUM. MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco (fourth from right) poses with Finex environment officers Rodrigo E. Franco (center) and Romeo Bernardo (fourth from left), and other resource speakers Manila Water president Ferdinand M. de la Cruz (beside Franco), National Water Resources Board executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr., (third from right) and Maynilad president Ramoncito S. Fernandez (second from right).

Water security projects up M ETROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco has outlined a three-pronged program on water security and sustainability in Metro Manila and nearby serviced areas at a water forum hosted by the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) at the New World Hotel over the weekend.

Stressing that 95.6 percent of Metro Manila’s water source comes from Angat dam that produces 4,000 million of liters per day, Velasco said the time is now to beef up water security under the Duterte administration.

Velasco focused on three areas: 1) interim and long-term water source projects to approximate at least 4,000 million of liters per day (MLD) in the next 10, 25 to 50 years; 2) disaster management especially with the possible occurrence of the Big One (7.2 earthquake) and anti-terrorist/ saboteur measures on major water installations and facilities; and, 3) sustained environment program

through sustainable watershed management projects.

Velasco keynoted the Finex Water Forum with the theme: Averting A Crisis Manila Water president Ferdinand M. de la Cruz, Maynilad president Ramoncito S. Fernandez, National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr., Finex Foundation chairman George Chua, Finex’s Environment Committee chairman Rodrigo E. Franco, and the committee’s liaison trustee Romeo L. Bernardo.

Velasco noted that while the Angat Reservoir seems to be sufficient with its capacity to cover

the water requirement of the current population including the near future, nonetheless, droughts brought by perennial El Niño and decreasing effective reservoir capacity due to the heavy siltation have sometimes given limits for water supply requirements of Metro Manila due to the irrigation requirements in Bulacan and Pampanga provinces.

“When one speaks of water sustainability, it means there is enough and available water not only for the present generation but also for future generations,” Velasco said.

On interim and long-term water source projects, the MWSS chief said that he will form shortly a new Technical Working Group comprising of MWSS, its three concessionaires—Manila Water, Maynilad and Luzon Water Development—and other entities to map out a new 10-year roadmap or development plan on new water sources that will zero in on: Laguna Lake (50 MLD); Putatan (150 MLD); Umiray and Sumag (350 MLD); Kaliwa (600 MLD), Laiban (1,800 MLD) and the possible

reinstatement of Wawa Dam (350 MLD) into an active state after 24 years of dormancy.

The goal is to match Angat’s dam 4,000 MLD productions from 2022 to 2025, he said.

“Having these additional flagship projects approved, started and implemented in the next five years and completed in a span of 10 years would be enough water security and legacy of the duterte administration for the next generations of Filipinos and consumers in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan,” Velasco said.

So how secure are our major water installations and facilities notably those managed and operated by Maynilad, Manila Water, Bulacan Bulk Water as well as the Angat Dam? “Because we all can’t take risks, we should always be prepared and ready when and where disaster strikes,” stressed Velasco in his speech.

He called for anti-terrorism program to beef up overall security measures to protect our water facilities and sanitation, which is among the high risk targets along

14 Senate bills about aquaculture near finality

Seafarers hit out at Marina officials ADVOCATES for Filipino seafarers are up in arms against the Maritime Industry Authority and its officials and board members for the alleged dubious approval of a memorandum circular that violated certain provisions of an executive order issued by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a bid to encourage investments in the domestic shipping industry by providing investors with incentives.

The United Filipino Seafarers through its president Nelson Ramirez denounced Marina and its officials for alleged grave abuse of authority and violation of the law against graft and corruption for their “questionable approval” of Marina Circular 2015-04 or the rules and regulations to implement EO 909 issued by Arroyo.

The EO states that ship owners and operators shall be encouraged to introduce International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) classed brand new or newly

constructed vessels that are appropriate and suitable to the weather and sea conditions of the archipelago for the purpose of transport and improved quality of services; grant of Pioneer Status wherein public interest and public convenience shall be served by granting all existing and new ship owners and operators in the domestic trade; incentives; priority in Issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC); route protection; provision for special ramp/berth facility; and exemption from Value-Added-Tax and other Import Duties and Taxes pursuant to R.A. 9295 and Memorandum Order No. 299.

UFS said that the EO was premised on the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) of the Government for 2009 which identifies the water transport sector as preferred area of investment and an efficient and modernized water transport industry as key to the growth of the national economy on a sustained basis.

MISSING PERSONS. Marking the International Week of the Disaparecidos, people gather at the

Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City to stage a kite-flying activity seeking justice for the disappeared. Manny Palmero

Book publishers seek Du30 help on DepEd policy OFFICERS of the National Book Suppliers And Publishers Association of the Philippines have asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte to put sanity and order in the procurement of books at the Department of Education including the full implementation of Republic Act 8047 for the development of the book publishing industry.

“For almost a year, much was expected from President Duterte to effect meaningful change in our society including minimizing

red tape, eliminating redundant procedures and documentation, processing time will be faster and prompt action will be done on people’s complaints. However, it is unfortunate that this is not happening in many agencies to include DepEd,” NBSAP spokesperson Lucy Carrasco said.

NBSAP President Florinia S. Espiritu Santo earlier appealed to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones in a letter on July 18, 2016 but their association only received a formal

with power, transportation, communication and ports.

“This goes with the territory and I am calling for enhanced anti-terrorism program through constant threat assessment, intelligence build up and additional security measures to prevent degradation of assets by the enemies of state, terrorist attacks or saboteurs,” said Velasco, a retired three-star police general and first commander of the Special Action Force.

On disaster preparedness and management, Velasco cited that both Manila Water and Maynilad have their respective existing Disaster Preparedness and Contingency Management Plans in the event a major disaster strikes like a 7.2 earthquake.

“In the business of water and water security, there must be no limit given the growing population, and, God forbid the occurrence of the Big One in our lifetime,” Velasco said who added that adequate and timely dike strengthening is being done by the national government and concessionaires on Angat dam.

reply (10 months after) last April 25, 2017 stating that DepEd will study the proposal in reference to RA 9184 and other existing policies and regulations.

However, Espiritu Santo clarified that NBSAP still holds DepEd Secretary Briones in high esteem and respect whose integrity remains unsullied but has to navigate a department that has still holdover officials who continue with the same failed policies and procurement

procedures on Supplementary, Reading, Reference and Other Instructional Materials.

Sources at DepEd point to two officials as having taken control of the procurement and printing of textbooks and instructional materials as well as on the book supplies’ procurement policies and guidelines.

After three years of stalling the suppliers and publishers due to the moratorium on the procurement of supplemental reading,

reference and other instructional materials he issued on Sept. 26, 2013 (DepEd Order No. 44), former DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro issued a midnight DepEd Order. No. 53 on June 29, 2016 that lifted the moratorarium until December 2016 that all but trimmed down approved published materials from 2,000 to only 765 books, mostly foreign books which by virtue of D.O. No. 96, s. 2010 were exempted from evaluation and automatically approved.

WITH the Senate set to approve on third reading 14 bills creating multi-species marine hatcheries, Senator Cynthia Villar said aquaculture will now get a needed boost in the provinces.

“It is not surprising that aquaculture now has an uptrend globally given the dwindling catch from the wild. With the creation of these hatcheries and more in the future, our people are now assured of a source of food,” Villar said.

After hurdling the second reading last week, 14 bills seeking the creation of marine hatcheries in various municipalities in Quezon, Surigao del Sur and Albay are up for third and final reading.

Villar, chairman of the committee on agriculture and food and principal sponsor of the measures, said marine hatcheries will contribute to the growth and development of the fisheries sector and allied industries in the respective cities and municipalities.

“This also presents an opportunity for our fisherfolks to undergo training and improve present practices to improve productivity,” she added.

Aquaculture is defined as the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish and shellfish for human consumption or commercial purposes. It is also used to restore threatened and endangered marine species. Macon Araneta

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

EDITORIAL

Inspiring men

I

T COMES as no surprise that Senator Vicente Sotto III was one of the first to come to President Duterte’s defense when he joked about rape to soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade. It was Sotto, after all, who made a snide, sexist remark that denigrated single mothers, then tried to pass it off as joke that his critics didn’t get.

Speaking to the troops in Iligan City Friday, President Duterte joked that he would even go to jail for them if they raped up to three women, but if they took a fourth, he would have Defense Secretary Delfin Lazaro beat

Adelle Chua, Editor

them up.

This may seem par for the course for Mr. Duterte, who once joked that he wish he had raped an Australian missionary before convicts had done so and killed her.

Sadly, Duterte and Sotto

seem cut from the same Stone Age cloth, of men who believe that manliness is somehow enhanced by the degradation of and violence toward women.

The opposite is true.

If Mr. Duterte simply sought to fire up the troops ahead of battle, he could have easily drawn inspiration from the many examples that history provides.

Napoleon Bonaparte rallied his troops before the Battle of Marengo in Italy in 1800 by asking—and answering—a key question.

“Shall we allow our audacious enemies to violate with impunity the territory of the

Republic? Will you permit the army to escape which has carried terror into your families?

You will not. March, then, to meet him. Tear from his brows the laurels he has won.

Teach the world that a malediction attends those that violate the territory of the Great People. The result of our efforts will be unclouded glory, and a durable peace.”

As Germany invaded France in May 1940, Winston Churchill rallied his people for the coming war with confident defiance. “[We] shall fight on the seas and oceans... we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall

fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...”

Speaking to his demoralized troops before they defeated Rommel’s Afrika Corps in August 1942, General Sir Bernard Montgomery said: “Here we will stand and fight; there will be no further withdrawal. I have ordered that all plans and instructions dealing with further withdrawal are to be burned, and at once. We will stand and fight here. If we can’t stay here alive, then let us stay here dead.”

Another example, perhaps more to Mr. Duterte’s liking, comes from General George S. Patton, who exhorted the Third Army in the Spring of 1944: “I don’t want to get any messages saying, ‘I am holding my position.’ We are not holding a goddamned thing.

Let the Germans do that. We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy’s balls. We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all of the time.”

Great leaders can inspire men without degrading the opposite sex. Real men understand that.

We shall overcome

Evil capitalism

I HAVE friends who work at fast-food chains. I asked them once what happened to food produced in excess that was not bought at the end of the day. I was shocked when I was told that, first, it would never be given employees for free, and second, management considered it preferable to dump it rather than to give it away.

This is capitalism’s evil face, because there is no other way

to explain such wastefulness—and heartlessness —than fidelity to the laws of capitalism. Some time ago, I really screamed in my heart when one Scandinavian country succumbed to the prodding of dairy farmers and dumped tons of cow’s milk into the sea rather than cause a depreciation in its market price by an oversupply.

It is a fact that Marxism has been tried and has really failed—else, the Soviet Union would still be completely read, and Eastern Europe would still be swearing by Das Kapital, which it is not! And there

When we have practices like the wastefulness and heartlessness, it is helpful—and respectful—to render Marx one profound bow, in respect and acknowledgment.

may have been congenital infirmities with Marx’s account of history. But the struggles Marx and Engels ignited have not yet been completely smothered because there is very much about capitalism that confirms much of Marxist theory: government as superstructure safeguarding the interests of the class in power, capitalists conceding only as much as is necessary to supply them with the labor power needed to get their machines running and their farms, producing.

But there was one thing that a deterministic theory like Marx’s did not get quite right: The ability of even the most rigid form of capitalism to correct itself. But when we have capitalists practices like the wastefulness and heartlessness of fast-food chains dumping their excess rather than feeding the poor and giving away their products for free, then it is helpful—and respectful— to render Marx one profound bow, in respect and acknowledgment. He did not get it all wrong! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

I WROTE too soon. In my article last Wednesday on this space, I wrote about how the American president was hexed

by Russia-gate while ours was off to Russia to hug the Bear in friendly embrace.

It turned out that the Maute group and the followers of IS were going to have a deadly rendezvous in Marawi just as President Rodrigo Duterte was about to start a four-day state visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Talk about raining on our parade, with live bullets.

So the President canceled the rest of his sojourn and flew back, but declared martial law in Mindanao, from Moscow.

And from there, grim and determined, he said he would be harsh.

Harsh may sound too much to the peace-niks here in Luzon, but harsh it must indeed be. To quote from Cicero, “how long must our patience be abused?” *** I used to take long trips from our adopted hometown, Butuan in Caraga every time I and my family had the chance. We would drive from Butuan to the Surigao provinces. Or to Cagayan de Oro, and beyond, south to Bukidnon and Davao, west all the way to Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, stopping by several scenic spots, sometimes sleep overnight along the way.

On one such occasion, I asked the driver to detour from Iligan City to Marawi, so the kids could see beautiful Lake Lanao from the sprawling campus of the Mindanao State University.

Our driver had a quizzical look on his face and muttered why I would even want to go to Marawi. We had just had a fried chicken lunch in Iligan and were supposed to drive back to Cagayan where we would sleep overnight. But I wanted the kids to see Lake Lanao first.

It was around 4:30 in the afternoon when we were winding down the zig-zag back to Iligan from Marawi and I noticed how the driver was doing a fast clip.

I berated him, but he answered back. “We are in Muslim territory,” he said.

“So what? We might have an accident with your speed driving,” I shot back.

He riposted, “Sir, we can’t trust the people here.”

I was saddened by the driver’s remark, which showed an Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

A5

Ruling without being unruly IN MY last column, I praised President Rodrigo Duterte for being a hands-on, take-charge leader. He cut short his official visit in Russia and fly home to deal with the invasion of Marawi City by the terrorist Maute group.

His declaration of martial law throughout Mindanao was well received by a great majority of the people but with a little apprehension by some.

Addressing government troops in Iligan City where Marawi residents fled, Duterte spoiled it all by being his usual offensive self.

“If you rape up to three, I’ll take responsibility and take care of the rest,” Duterte told the troops.

The insensitive remark drew the rebuke and ire of former presidential daughter Chelsea Clinton who called the Philippine president “a murderous thug.” Digong’s statement was also met with derision by the women’s group Gabriela who said “rape is not a joke and it heightens the vulnerability of women and children to soldiers’ abuse that it brings during martial law.”

Duterte’s joke about rape recalls the same insensitive remark he made about an Australian missionary who was gang-raped in Davao. “As a ranking official (he was then Davao city mayor), I should

have been first in line,” he said. The Australian government protested the crude remark.

Someone has to tell the President that he can rule without being unruly himself. That he visited the wounded soldiers in a hospital in Iligan is commendable.

But to redeem himself, President Duterte should perhaps be with his troops at the forefront of the battle against the Maute terrorist group still holed out in Marawi. He’s fond of saying “I’ll kill you” every instance when he’s delivering a speech.

Now is the time for him to prove his macho self—by joining the government troops fighting the Mautes.

The Maute group has identified itself with the international terrorist group ISIS whose black flag was hoisted in a captured government building in Marawi. Some foreign fighters with the Mautes were spotted by government troops. Some of the foreigners were reported to be from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and of Middle Eastern origin.

Risks of rejecting EU aid President Duterte’s quarrel with the European Union and his statement he does not need or would not accept EU aid has

drawn negative reactions from certain quarters.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed concern that Mr. Duterte’s decision to reject 250 million euros in EU aid puts at risk the Philippines’ duty-free privileges with several European countries. This has alarmed Filipino exporters because of its adverse effect on Philippine products.

Duterte slammed the EU for its criticism of his war on illegal drugs and the extrajudicial killings surrounding the government campaign.

“Rejecting EU aid might trigger the removal of the Philippines from the Generalized System of Preferences Plus [GSP],” warned Drilon.

Business Monitor International, a unit of Fitch Group, said President Duterte’s unpredictability and the political uncertainties prevailing in the Philippines could affect the country’s economic growth target.

“Political infighting could cause policy gridlock while Duterte’s unpredictable temperament could upset existing trade relations with major economic partners like the US and the EU,” BMI stated.

Peace talks with Reds suspended While President Duterte offered to talk peace with local terrorists, he suspended negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines / National Democratic Front. The peace talks in Oslo, Norway was ordered suspended by the President because the CPP/ NDF armed wing, the New People’s Army, continues to wage war against government troops.

Luis Jalandoni, a ranking official of the communist group in exile in The Netherlands, defended the NPA’s continued attacks on government troops.

He also cited continued military operations against the dissidents.

The government is fighting a war on several fronts. Even as it battles the ISIS-aligned Maute group, our soldiers are also ambushed by NPA rebels.

This, even as the government has temporarily kept at bay the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front. The situation could become serious if both the MILF and the MNLF join the MauteISIS group in fighting for a breakaway independent state in Mindanao. A difference in ideology with ISIS is forestalling that move for a unified rebellion.

Mindanao martial law in perspective THE series of events last week happened fast. On May 23, government troops reportedly raided a house in Marawi City to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon; forces protecting Hapilon fought back and called on reinforcement from their ally, the Maute Group, leading to hours-long gun fight. Some parts of the city, including a school and a hospital, allegedly came in control of the rebel groups.

Informed of the events, President Rodrigo Duterte cut short his trip to Russia and placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law for 60 days. The declaration understandably alarmed many, reminded of a dark chapter of Philippine history.

Others aver that it was a necessary precaution to contain what some fear was the increasing inf luence of radical Islam in the Philippines and even Southeast Asia.

To some experts, the incident in Marawi is far from unexpected to a certain extent. In a paper for independent think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, former defense analyst Mark Davis Pablo noted the persistence of splinter groups in Mindanao, like the notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, that continue to reject any peaceful dialogue with Manila. Particularly alarming, he said, is Hapilon pledging allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The consol-

for all proidation of these open spective fedterror groups thoughts eral states, the into a single Manila-based force, some orlando central govwarn, may oxales ernment must serve as the strengthen prelude to the declaration of an ISIS wilayat the administrative capacity of its envisioned decentralized in the region.

For his part, Duterte’s much state agencies, put in place new publicized pivot to Mindanao systems of transparency and strategy promised a decisive accountability, and curb corand long overdue solution to ruption and financial mismanthe decades-long Mindanao agement by provincial bureauproblem. His approach was cratic elites. These should go two-pronged: Uphold the exist- hand-in-hand with boosting the ing peace processes in prepara- local economy, from agricultion for the establishment of a ture to industry, and integratnew autonomous Bangsamoro ing the region into the greater region and escalate the govern- national economy.

Addressing these socioecoment’s war against the Islamist terrorists, in particular the Abu nomic underpinnings of insurgency in Mindanao, in particuSayyaf Group.

To some, this plan still does lar the structural inequality little to address the root cause embedded in the Philippines of the insurgency: Underde- as a nation-state vis-à-vis the velopment. Pablo wrote: “As broader capitalist world-syslong as Mindanao remains a tem, thus represents a new— for peripheral region devoid of nonmilitary—challenge employment-generating and Duterte and government polihigh-value-added industries cymakers.

This is the backdrop of the and loosely integrated into the dynamic global economy, en- latest incarnation of martial demic poverty and economic law. Necessary or not, it is underdevelopment will persist critical to scrutinize the safein the region… the insurgency guards put in place in the 1987 problem will remain and mere- Constitution, crafted with the ly undergo a series of revivals experience of Marcos’ Martial Law fresh in people’s and permutations.”

As such, the paper noted, consciousness. Under Article development should constitute VII, Section 18, the president the bulk of any long-term re- may place the country or any form agenda for a historically part of it under martial law neglected region like Mindan- for a period not exceeding 60 ao. To ensure inclusive growth days, calling out the armed

We shall...

From A4 utter lack of trust in our brother Muslims.

I even told him his forebears were Tausugs who migrated from Sulu to the kingdom of Mazaua, which is now Butuan, pointing out similarities in their language but he was unconvinced. Soon we were down by Iligan Bay, and he had become relaxed.

I recall the incident as I monitored the events in Marawi from Taipei last Thursday.

Senator Gringo Honasan rued, and rightly so, that there must have been a lack of coordination between the military who tried to capture Isnilon Hapilon and the local government units in the area.

Ground intelligence, he said, requires that the soldiers and peace-keeping forces get advanced information from the people in the area. True.

But then again, I would surmise that the military did not, like my driver from Butuan, trust the LGU’s such as the barangay leaders enough. That absence of trust between soldiers and the Muslim community proved to be a costly mistake.

For just as soon as their companystrength forces had opened fire, thinking they had cornered a few Maute gang terrorists, scores swept down from out of the woodwork in four other barangays, and fought them. Then the pillage began. In retreat, they captured several buildings and took hostages, setting fire to many establishments along the way. The theater of battle enlarged.

This is the version of a Muslim friend who lives in Iligan and who had relatives in Marawi.

Absence of trust. *** Rather than generalize, though, we must isolate the terrorist elements like the Abu Sayyaf, the Maute, even the BIFF, from the entire Muslim community who simply want to live in peace and have in fact peacefully co-existed with the Christians who predominate in the Mindanao population.

And this Rodrigo Duterte, who as mayor of Davao has treated the Muslim community and the lumads with brotherly respect, fully understands.

But draw the line he must, and to borrow

forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion. Within 48 hours, he is required to submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress, which, voting jointly, by a majority vote, may revoke the proclamation. The Supreme Court may also review the proclamation; the declaration also does not suspend the operation of the Constitution nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies.

This time, Congress is extending its plenary session days until Friday this week to review the martial law declaration, deviating from the normal Monday to Wednesday schedule.

The government may also want to take advantage of the declaration to neutralize all security threats in the region, from the Muslim extremists to the communist New People’s Army. All in all, Duterte faces an even great challenge a year into his term. Success means a surge in political capital across key sectors, and failure may weaken his already controversy-laden presidency.

The President’s political forces from the Cabinet to the online supporters have already towed the communications line but they will have little influence in the way the country’s international economic stakeholders will perceive the Mindanao martial law as a serious disruption of stability.

the Tagalog expression of the late Fernando Poe Jr., “kapag puno na ang salop, kinakalos.”

These lawless elements have sundered Rodrigo Duterte’s patience.

And to show he is determined to end the terrorism spawned by these lawless elements who prey on innocents, he declared martial law, and even threatened to expand its scope should the terrorists cross over to the Visayan islands, as they did in Bohol two months back.

The pessimists need not worry. They should just wait, watch, and support. They should pray.

For a while there is an absence of trust that yet pervades the Christian community in the other parts of Mindanao, our Mindanao-bred President fully understands the situation and the culture, even the historic roots of conflict.

He knows whose word he can trust. He can isolate terrorism from legitimate opposition. To the latter, he will offer his brotherly embrace, as he has shown in Davao and elsewhere. To the former, he will be harsh.

We shall overcome.

Rebellion in Marawi WHEN terrorists started their siege and occupation of Marawi City on May 23, torching a school and the city’s jail, killing civilians and taking some clerics hostage, messages quickly spread on social media. What struck me were the clearly uninformed comments in a Viber group composed of—ironically—lawyers. A number criticized the declaration of martial law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, saying he was worse than Marcos who declared martial law in 1972; others said why martial law, “Maute group lang naman pala yan? [It’s just the Maute group].” Still some said “Anong rebellion dyan? [What makes that a rebellion?]”

I was appalled, to say the least, at their refusal to recognize the seriousness of the problem in Marawi City that drove nearly all its residents to flee, either by motorized transport or foot, braving the danger of being taken hostage or killed as was the fate of nine civilians who were ordered to get off their vehicle in a checkpoint manned by the Maute terrorists and mercilessly peppered with bullets. While I understood that because they were safely in Manila, they did not feel what the residents of Marawi and nearby cities or municipalities felt, I was shocked nonetheless that though they are lawyers they did not see that the rising and taking up of arms by these terrorists and the planting of the ISIS flags all over the city in order to remove it from its allegiance to the Philippine government and its laws constituted what rebellion is. If they could not see the intensity of the danger to the lives of the people The in Marawi and that Marawi siege their fear was real, I was hoping that they has led many would at least analyze the situation from the Muslims to point of view of the come out and law rather than blindly associating Presideclare that dent Duterte’s martial their faith law with the excesses of martial law in the has extensive Marcos regime. teachings on Their noises somewhat toned down fraternalism, when former Associlove, and ate Justice of the Supreme Court, Vicente tolerance in V. Mendoza who is religion. recognized as a Constitutional Law expert, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Bar Association issued statements in support of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Justice VV Mendoza said that the President’s decision to impose martial law in Mindanao was justified and needed. He also said that the government cannot be accused of violating the Bill of Rights during martial law and when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. He explained that one has to look at the situation from the military’s point of view, that is, when arrests need to be made, exigencies justify not having to go to the courts to obtain warrants of arrest.

He added that it is not for anyone to say that the President’s judgment in declaring martial law is right or wrong because that is the President’s sole prerogative. The presumption is that the President acted correctly, he said. For its part, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said that the Constitution is clear on the authority of the President to declare martial law, the extent of the authority and remedies and safeguards against the abuse of authority. The Philippine Bar Association too expressed its support for the President’s decision saying that the declaration of martial law is a power given to the President by the Constitution which he may use to protect our democracy, to ensure the return of peace and order, and to defend the rule of law. *** The violent attempt by the Maute terror group to occupy Marawi City and remove it from its allegiance to the Philippine government brought to light facts that Filipinos in general, especially those living in Metro Manila, did not know about.

For one, with the attacks on mostly civilian populations carried out by Islamic radicals all over the world, most have come to believe that the Islamic faith teaches them violence. But, truth be told, the Marawi siege has led many Muslims to come out and declare that their faith has extensive teachings on fraternalism, love, and tolerance in religion. They say that their prophet, Mohammad, extended friendship to the Catholic, Jewish and pagan communities in ancient Mediterranean communities that later became countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Among the first official acts of Mohammad after he established the first ever Muslim community in what is now Saudi Arabia, they say, was to send a letter to Catholics in a monastery in Mt. Sinai in Egypt assuring them of respect of their religion and protection in case of persecution by any feudal group. This letter is intact in a religious museum in Turkey, according to officials of government accredited Islamic schools in Mindanao.

It is my belief that for as long as the majority of Muslims and Moros still believe in the teachings of Mohammad and live them faithfully, there is hope, no matter how remote, that radical Islamism will in time be decimated.

Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

Manila

Standard A6 MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017 TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

High Court favors STL expansion THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Sunday welcomed a Supreme Court en banc decision dismissing a petition by a local gaming corporation in Batangas that questioned the constitutionality of a provision in the guidelines covering Small Town Lottery operations in the country.

“The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the expansion of STL operations in the country,” PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said.

“We will continue to expand and defend the only legal numbers game in the country to help in the generation of funds for the medical needs of our countrymen,” he added.

The high court dismissed the petition of local gaming operator Taal Balisong Gaming Corp. against PCSO. The court upheld the questioned being provision by the TBGC, which allows STL Authorized Agent Company the “right to match” the Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipts offered by other interested applicants in the event that PCSO opens the same area to other applicants.

TRI-COLOR PRIDE. A female member of the Philippine Navy and two Scouts walk under a huge flag during a ceremony to mark the Philippine Flag Day on Sunday in Imus, Cavite.

Norman Cruz Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Panay & Guimaras Areas) 3rd Floor LANDBANK Building, Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City Telefax No. (033) 335-1006

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Panay & Guimaras Areas), invites Rural Banks, Cooperatives and Other Financial Institutions/Entity to bid for the hereunder projects: ITB No. 2017-004 Services of Rural Banks, Cooperatives and other Financial Institutions/Entity in the Distribution of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program Cash Grants to beneficiaries for CY 2017 payouts for Panay & Guimaras which shall commence in May, July, September, November 2017 up to January, March 2018 Payouts, Regional Coverage “A” (Very Difficult, Difficult and Easy Areas).

Lot No.

Province and Municipality

Number of Households

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Service Fee

Number of Payouts

OFFSITE - REGULAR CCT AKLAN 1

Lezo Malinao Sub-Total ANTIQUE

2

3

4

5

Belison Caluya Culasi Libertad Sub-Total CAPIZ Jamindan Sub Total GUIMARAS Buenavista Jordan Nueva Valencia Sibunag Sub Total ILOILO Ajuy Bingawan Concepcion Estancia Lemery Maasin San Rafael Sara Sub Total TOTAL

547 1,454 2,001

PhP 38.00 38.00

434 1,045 225 832 2,536

PhP 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00

76 76 1,418 180 1,879 57 3,534 3,385 774 3,387 2,505 1,822 1,576 686 194 14,329 22,476

Php Php Php

124,716.00 331,512.00 456,228.00

Php

98,952.00 238,260.00 51,300.00 189,696.00 578,208.00

PhP 38.00

Php Php

17,328.00 17,328.00

PhP 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00

Php

323,304.00 41,040.00 428,412.00 12,996.00 805,752.00

Php

771,780.00 176,472.00 772,236.00 571,140.00 415,416.00 359,328.00 156,408.00 44,232.00 Php 3,267,012.00 Php 5,124,528.00

Six (6) Payouts

Six (6) Payouts

Six (6) Payouts Six (6) Payouts

Php

PhP 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00

Six (6) Payouts

‘Pass stricter laws vs cyber-bullying’ A LAWMAKER is pushing for stronger legislation against cyber bullying, including threats made through social media posts.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has filed House Bill 4795 which seeks to reinforce the existing provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Revised Penal Code against online harassment.

“We have to protect all individuals, regardless of gender, against all forms of electronic violence, including those that are not necessarily sexual in nature, but may be due to the victim’s race or religion, or even political affiliation,” Pimentel said.

“Our bill basically recognizes that anybody may possibly be tormented over the Internet for any reason, and this is what we seek to counteract,”

he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier filed a bill seeking to criminalize the gender-based electronic violence against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.

The Senate bill was in answer to the online shaming of a female student of the University of Asia and the Pacific who joined a rally against the burial of the late President Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The student was “mobbed” online by Marcos loyalists with threats of sexual assault.

Under Pimentel’s House bill, the following acts shall be punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to P500,000, or both: – Threatening a person via text messaging, social media posts or other electronic media; – Placing a person in fear of imminent physical harm through text messaging, social media

–

–

–

–

posts or other electronic media; Engaging in willful, reckless or malevolent conduct that causes substantial emotional or psychological distress to a person by way of electronic media; Sharing via social media posts indecent, obscene, lewd and abusive remarks with sexual contents harassing the person of the victim; Posting remarks that induce, abet or incite others into threatening or harassing a person by means of text messaging, social posts or other electronic media; and Using fictitious social media accounts in the commission of the preceding acts.

Under the bill, if the offender is “a person in authority and/or an agent,” he or she shall suffer the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, profession or calling.

ONSITE - REGULAR CCT AKLAN 1

2

3

4

Kalibo Sub Total ANTIQUE Barbaza Bugasong Pandan San Jose Sebaste Sub Total CAPIZ Pres. Roxas Roxas City (Capital) Sub Total ILOILO Barotac Nuevo Cabatuan Calinog City of Passi Dingle Dumangas Iloilo City (Capital) Leganes Miag-ao Mina New Lucena Zarraga Sub Total TOTAL

255 255

PhP 23.00

109 162 1,506 228 808 2,813

PhP 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50

69 336 405

PhP 23.00 23.00

2,449 1,825 3,068 451 1,763 2,206 777 679 112 659 460 1007 15,456 18,929

PhP 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00

Php Php Php

Php Php Php

35,190.00 28,920.00 15,369.00 22,842.00 212,346.00 32,148.00 113,928.00 396,633.00 9,522.00 46,368.00 55,890.00

337,962.00 251,850.00 423,384.00 62,238.00 243,294.00 304,428.00 107,226.00 93,702.00 15,456.00 90,942.00 63,480.00 138,966.00 Php 2,132,928.00 Php 2,620,641.00

Six (6) Payouts Six (6) Payouts

Six (6) Payouts

Php

Six (6) Payouts

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

The payout service shall cover for May 2017 to March 2018 only.

Each set of bidding documents shall cost a non-refundable fee, in accordance with Section 17.4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of R.A. 9184.

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

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

3. Submission / Opening of Bids 4. Post Qualification / Pilot Testing 5. Issuance of Notice of Award

SCHEDULE May 29 to June 5, 2017 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM) June 6, 2017 - 10:00 A.M., 3rd Floor, LANDBANK Building Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City June 21, 2017 - 10:00 A.M., 3rd Floor, LANDBANK Building Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City Deadline of Submission: June 21, 2017 - 9:30 A.M. June 22 to 28, 2017 June 30, 2017

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

REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region VI (Panay and Guimaras)

BARGAIN HUNTING. With only a week before the opening of classes, buyers hunt for cheap school supplies and uniforms at makeshift stalls along Redemptorist Road in Baclaran. Ey Acasio

Ciudad de Victoria hosts 500K visitors CLOSE to half a million visitors trooped to the Ciudad de Victoria grounds in Bocaue, Bulacan in a two-day event from May 20 to 21 as they enjoyed music, giant water slides, bazaars, and exciting rides at the third edition of the Maligaya Summer Blast.

Maligaya Development Corp. chief operating officer Glicerio Santos IV said they were overwhelmed by the surge of participants, which topped the attendance records of

previous years.

“Over 200,000 people per day packed the different venues here in Ciudad de Victoria, which include the Philippine Sports Stadium and the Philippine Arena, both of which hosted concerts headlined by the most recognizable names in Original Pilipino Music like Pilita Corales, Rico J. Puno, Victor Wood, Eva Eugenio, and Rey Valera,” Santos said.

Together with Morissette Amon

and the 70s Superband, these icons of Filipino music staged a fitting climax for the Maligaya Summer Blast as they serenaded thousands of fans at the Philippine Arena.

On the first day of the event, 50,000 fans quickly filled the Philippine Sports Stadium Track Oval and bleachers as they sang and danced to the songs of talents from INCPC, Silent Sanctuary, Brownman Revival, Itchyworms, Jumanji, and Part 3.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Local coaches give PSI program high marks LAOAG CITY—Local coaches and trainors admitted that the Philippine Sports Institute Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (PSI-Smart ID) “Grassroots Coaching Program” served as an eye opener as far as their knowledge in coaching is concerned.

The program, which allowed team coaches of different sports to share their knowledge to locals, is currently on Day 2.

Participants said the sessions were enriching and motivating.

“Mayroon na akong knowledge sa coaching pero nu’ng nagsimula ang lecture mas dumami pa ang kaalaman ko especially about sa rules ng laro,” said Harley Manayag, sports coordinator of Dinglas National High School “Sila kasi nagtuturo ng basic,

tang gagayahan,” he said. “Sana magtuloy-tuloy itong proyekto ng Philippine Sports Commission lalo na itong Grassroots Program.

Napakalaking bagay para sa mga manlalaro natin.”

Marlon Daquioag, a PE teacher from Gabo National High School, said he thought amateur boxing hindi diretso agad ng actually. was easy.

But he was surprised when he ‘Yung basic talaga ang makakatulong sa mga estudyante at player tried out what national coaches have been teaching. par umangat.”

“Akala ko ganu’n lang kadali Nestor Calip, Region 1 sepak takraw coach and former national ang boxing, ang hirap pala ng bateam member who represented the sic niya. Pero ‘pag natutunan ang Philippines in 1981 SEA Games, basic, doon lumalabas ang potensaid today’s coaching methods tial ng manlalaro ng boxing,” he were a lot different compared to said.

Region 1 technical official his heydays as an athlete.

“Natutuwa ako kasi not like Jerevic Tiano, for his part, thanked nu’ng time namin sariling sikap the PSC-PSI for bringing in the lang kami, wala kaming nakiki- sports experts.

“Maganda ito dahil inilalapit na ng PSI at PSC ang technical expertise sa amin lalong-lalo na ‘yung malayo sa Maynila para malaman namin ang proper training, pagcoach sa mga estudyante,” he said.

At least 80 participants from all over Ilocos Norte took part in the 4-day event that started on Saturday.

Among the national team coaches who shared their expertise to the locals are former long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas and Linda Bando of athletics, Vicente Mademo and Ronaldo Balotaolo of arnis, 2-time Olympian Romeo Brin and Patricio Gaspi of boxing, Alfredo Estacion and Jose Maria Aberatsuri of football, Jose Jardin and Ronald Magnaye of badminton and Gene Mark Saadvera of sepak takraw.

Arcilla, Clarice banner Albay cast JOHNNY Arcilla and Clarice Patrimonio set out for another pair of Open titles as they head the elite cast in the first Albay National Open unfolding Wednesday (May 31) at the Lignon and DPWH tennis courts in Bicol.

Arcilla and Patrimonio stamped their class in their respective sides and dominated the PPS-PEPP Brookside Open in Cainta last April with the duo all primed up for another crack in the upcoming event hosted by Gov. Al Francis Bichara through Lignon Hills Tennis Club president Nards Gonzales.

The Open tournament, backed by local sponsor Davies Paints, is also held as part of the province’s Magayon Festival celebrations.

Joining the title hunt in the men’s Open are Leander Lazaro, Fritz Verdad and USbased Eric Jed Olivarez along with Noel Damian, Jose Maria Pague, John Altiche and Roel Capampangan.

Out to foil Patrimonio’s bid in the women’s side are some of the best players in the fold, including Khim Iglupas, Shaira Rivera, Frances Santiago, Melanie Faye Dizon, Aileen Rogan, Elsie Abarquez and Chloe Saraza.

“We expect another weeklong showcase of top-notch tennis from among the country’s leading players. While Arcilla and Patrimonio enjoy the momentum and the confidence, they remain wary of their rivals, who are all raring to pull off surprises and fuel their respective bids,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

The Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Padala Legazpi leg regional age-grouper actually ushered in the Albay Open which got under way yesterday with close to 200 entries clashing in various divisions.

RANIDEL de Ocampo is relishing his role as one of the “elder brothers” in the TNT KaTropa Texters.

The 35-year-old de Ocampo is among the four veteran players of the team and because of this, the younger set of players of the squad look up to him and the likes of Harvey Carey, Danny Seigle and Kelly Williams as role models.

“Nakikita ko na iyung mas bata na papalit sa pagtagal. At dahil gusto naming nasa tamang direksyon ang team, gina-guide din namin sila,” said de Ocampo.

De Ocampo talked about the

World Slasher Cup 2 at Big Dome begins THE three-day finals of 2017 World Slasher Cup 2 Invitational 9-Cock Derby kick off today (Monday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Known as the Olympics of Cockfighting, the World Slasher Cup, which began in the early 1960s and became an international phenomenon starting in 1988, had been attracting sabong fans in droves. This year’s fights have seen record numbers of attendees since it opened last Thursday.

“For the last four days, I met many cockers who are familiar faces in provincial cockpits.

Foreigners and OFWs are also present,” said WSC media partner Manny Berbano of Pitgames Media.

The WSC’s main backers are Thunderbird and Petron, as well as Filipino-owned company Excellence Poultry and Livestock Specialists.

More than 40 qualifiers out of 100 with 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5 points clash in today’s 4-cock finals.

The final round continues tomorrow and on Wednesday (for those with 4, 4.5 and 5 points).

The frontrunners over the weekend with 5-0 (win–loss) card so far: Tonton Lim (Lucban), Rep. Patrick Antonio (Sagupaan T2S 500), Aurelio Yee and John Gutierrez (Casa Juan Resort), and Rep. Khulit Alcala (VJA Khulit CC Combine 2 ).

Aside from these, noted entries with 4 points headed for the finals are Sebastian NEJ (owned by this year’s WSC 1 champion Frank Berin); JMC Fortuna (Mark Calixto); Balete Eco Farm (Emong, Peter Alsosa, Mang Nick); Phoenix BMJ (Mario Villamor, Boy Gamilla); Roan AMV Diamond (Jun Bacolod, Alex Macariola); J.U. San Jose (James Uy, Reymond Calderon); LNF/RCN Power Pack June 17 Cauayan Isabela; Blue Angels (Bel Almojera); Temecula Creek (Arnold Mendoza); and Eman-Akiboy BCP (671 Firebird Uppercut (Carlos Camacho, Jorge Goita).

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

PERPETUAL TROPHY. Clyde Mondilla (right) shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina AFP,

Commanding General, PAF, as he receives the perpetual Philippine Masters trophy after ruling the revival of one of the past Philippine majors at its home at Villamor Golf Club last Saturday.

IronKids ushers in 5150 weekend KIDS aged 6-to-14 showcase their stuff ahead of the Regent 5150 Triathlon when the Alaska Ironkids Aquathlon is held next weekend (June 3) at the WOW Recreation and Activity Center/Remy Field in Subic Bay. The top finishers in the Ironkids Aquathlon I at the Manila Polo Club last April are expected to banner this weekend’s cast, including 6-8 yrs old titlist Rylee Marasigan and Kyle Toledana, 9-10 yrs old winners Michael Lozada and Aubrey Tom, 11-12 yrs old rulers Zedrick Borja and Katrina Salazar and 13-14 yrs old champions Juan Francisco Baniqued and Emmanuelle Joves.

The event, tipped to draw some 300 youngsters, serves as the aperitif to the Regent 5150 Triathlon on June 4 where Aussie ace Sam Betten is eyeing a record three-peat in the men’s pro side.

Also up for grabs in the Alaska Ironkids Aquathlon II are the relay long and short titles with the regular campaigners expected to dominate and a slew of newcomers out to pull off some surprises.

The event, produced and organized

by Sunrise Events, Inc. and sponsored

by Alaska Milk Corp., also serves as the third of a four-stage Ironkids circuit which will culminate in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon in Mactan, Cebu in August.

The public is hereby notified that CORTEXPH INC., a corporation organized and existing under Philippine laws, with registered address at 15/F Enterprise Center Tower I 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo de Roxas Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati City, Philippines, will be DISSOLVED through shortening of corporate term in accordance with Section 120 of the Corporation Code.

The corporation’s dissolution will take effect upon approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the amendment made on the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation to shorten its corporate term.

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

(MS-MAY 29, JUNE 5 & 12, 2017)

All category winners will be given free entry to the Cebu IronKids with free flights and accommodations, all courtesy of Alaska.

The Alaska IronKids, the junior version of the Ironman, is held to promote a well-balanced lifestyle for kids and at the same time serving as a perfect venue for family bonding.

Meanwhile, organizers of the third Regent 5150 Triathlon, a 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run event sponsored by the country’s leading snack manufacturing company, see a record field clashing for top honors in the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series.

PSL-Manila takes on tough Thailand UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan — A newly recharged Rebisco PSL-Manila gears up for a tough game against Supreme of Thailand on Monday at the start of the classification phase of the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships here.

Game time is 2 p.m. (4 p.m.

Manila time).

National team head coach

Francis Vicente exhorted his wards to put the results of the group stage behind them and be motivated in putting up a gallant fight against the unbeaten Thai club.

“Let’s be motivated by those negative comments we get from people, let’s use it positively,” said Vicente in reference to the criticisms they got over the internet. “We will fight. Be positive

and optimistic.”

Led by superstar middle blocker Pleumjit Thinkaow, Thailand swept Group A beating host Altay, Taiwan Power and Sarmayeh Bank of Iran.

The team had a bull session after its 25-8, 25-10, 25-9 beating from Tianjin Bohai Bank of China Saturday where players voiced out their thoughts and feelings.

De Ocampo, Baguio, Reavies are TCL ambassadors

By Peter Atencio

The early crowd at this year’s World Slasher Cup2

Texters after TCL, the official TV partner of the Philippine Basketball Association, named him as a brand ambassador with Cyrus Baguio and Raffy Reavis.

He expressed his thoughts during TCL Philippines’ launch of their new products on Thursday evening at the PBA Café in the Metrowalk, Pasig City.

The 6’6” de Ocampo added that the team is now complete following the return of Gilas Pilipinas national team members RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Jason Castro.

With them around, the Texters were able to pull off a 119110 beating of the Alaska Aces last May 20 at the Ibalong

Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City.

Their seventh win in 10 games put the Texters in a tie for third spot with the Meralco Bolts in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup. During the launch, TCL unveiled the Cityline Series, C2.

C2 is an Android M-powered TV that grants users with access to a broad range of content on the internet, through apps like Google Play Store, games, music, movie, Chomecast and voice search.

C2 has 75, 55 and 49 inch models.

They also unveiled a new line of inverter air condititioners, the KE series which has mosquito repellent function.

“It’s packed with a lot of technologies and features for our consumers.

And it’s easy to use. The products promote family bonding moments.

We think that this it the right product for the Filipino family,” said TCL Philippines brand manager Amor Golifardo.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to apply the amount of Eighty Nine Million Fifty Four Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Four Philippine Pesos (PhP89,054,374.00) for the project listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: IB No.

Name of Contract

ABC (PHP)

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

Single Largest Completed Contract

IB No. 2017-256

Procurement of Insulin Syringes

54,054,374.00

50,000.00

At least Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

IB No. 2017-255

Procurement of Service Provider for the Temperature-Controlled Packaging and Transport of Vaccines and Laboratory Specimen TOTAL

35,000,000.00

50,000.00

At least Twenty Fifty Percent (50%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

89,054,374.00

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 29 May 2017 to 20 June 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: Activity (Date & Time) Name of Contract

Pre-bidding Conference

Submission and Opening of Bids

IB No. 2017-256

Procurement of Insulin Syringes

IB No. 2017-255

Procurement of Service Provider for the Temperature-Controlled Packaging and Transport of Vaccines and Laboratory Specimen

06 June 2017; 10:00 AM

20 June 2017; 09:00 AM

IB No.

7.

Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security Cash, Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank.

Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank.

Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security.

Bid Securing Declaration

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC) Two percent (2%) Five percent (5%) No percentage required

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

9.

The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-MAY 29, 2017)

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

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

A8

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Sports

Fil-American swimmer is games’ darling

Talk ‘N Text KaTropa’s Ryan Reyes (center) splits the defense of Rain or Shine’s Jewel Ponferada (right) and James Yap.

TNT boosts bid for Top 2

By Jeric Lopez

T

NT KaTropa still has a shot at a Top 2 finish.

After squandering a double-digit lead, the Tropang Texters were able to grind it out in crunch time to hold off pesky Rain or Shine, 105-102, and stay in good shape in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City yesterday.

Joshua Smith led TNT with a solid double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Ranidel De Ocampo likewise had a splendid game, scoring 21 points of his own.

TNT KaTropa, which led for most part of the game, finished its campaign at 8-3 and still has an outside shot of ending up in the Top 2 depending on the results of the final games of the other top teams.

PVL, Pocari hit volleyball body over transfer delay Games tomorrow 1 p.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Elena (men’s) 4 p.m. – Creamline vs Pocari Sweat (women’s) 6:30 p.m. – Air Force vs Perlas (women’s) THE Premier Volleyball League and Pocari Sweat yesterday blasted the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc, for its failure to act on the Lady Warriors’ request for the ITC (International Transfer Certificate) of their import replacement as they fight for one of the last two semifinal berths in the ongoing PVL Reinforced Conference.

Pocari Sweat team manager Eric Ty said that Krystal Rivers has been in town ready to take over Edina Selimovic, who is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring tear. But without the ITC, Rivers could not suit up for the defending champions one game into the single round quarterfinal phase.

“Our new import is here but to the person withholding access to our team’s FIVB account, please act with decency and register our import,” said Pocari team manager Eric Ty. The same ITC woes forced the league, which revived the once dormant sport in 2004, to play all Filipino majority of the elims.

“I am really dismayed with LVPI and how it has been handling the ITC problems. The Premier Volleyball League has been encountering these problems the last three years. It just shows the weakness of the LVPI leadership,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

The loss was devastating throws to stretch TNT’s lead to for Rain or Shine as it could’ve The scores: three, 105-102 with 3.6 ticks left. sealed the No. 6 seed and TNT 105 - Smith 23, De Ocampo 21, avoided a dangerous situation.

With one more shot left, the Rosario 11, Reyes 10, Pogoy 10, Tautuaa 9, Painters planned on either goong Instead, the Painters ended up with a 5-6 card and will Garcia 9, Rosales 5, Castro 3, Williams 3, Se- to Yap or Jeff Chan but the latter wait and see where they will merad 1, Carey 0. threw up a wild potential-tying RAIN OR SHINE 102 - Yap 23, Chan 18, finish after the dust settles.

Belga 13, Cruz 9, Crews 9, Ponferada 6, Trol- triple that went for naught.

Should they fall to either lano 6, Almazan 6, Washington 5, Tolomia 4, The Texters led by doubleNo. 7 or 8, they will face a Ahanmisi 3, Norwood 0, Robles 0. digits for most of the way but twice-to-beat disdvantage in the Painters rallied back in the 22-16, 51-39, 78-71, 105-102. the quarters. fourth, making it anyone’s game Rookie Roger Pogoy once in the final minutes. again struck down the stretch, hitting the go-ahead Yap led the Painters with 23 points. jumper with 26.8 seconds remaining to put TNT The ejection of import Duke Crews also hurt the KaTropa up, 103-101.

Elasto Painters.

On the other end, Rain or Shine had multiple atAfter commiting a flagrant foul 1 in the first half, tempts but all of them went astray. Still, James Yap Crews was then whistled for a technical foul midway had a shot to tie it up but he only managed a split of in the third after using profane language in protesting his freebies with 5.2 seconds left, making the count a call, automatically throwing him out of the contest 103-102 for TNT. and leaving his team with a handicap the rest of the After getting fouled, De Ocampo sank two free way.

PUERTO Princesa City, Palawan -- A Filipino-American stunner who grew up in this island paradise easily emerged as the darling of the 2017 Pilipinas International Beach Sports Festival, which opened at the Baywalk here Sunday.

Courtney Melissa Tan-Gray of Palawan used her familiarity and wide experience to clinch top honors in the women’s 10-k open water swimming competition.

Gray, the 19-year-old daughter of a retired American soldier now based in Florida and a Filipina mother, clocked two hours, 38 minutes and 02 seconds to rule the event to the delight of a big crowd which included her mom Vivian and relatives.

Erika Kristy Lukang finished second with a time of 2:42.57.

“I’m so happy to win this event at home.

It was fun,” said Gray, who graduated at the British International School in Phuket, Thailand only a few weeks agon Before transferring to Phuket, Gray studied at Hope Christian School-Palawan and moved to Trace College-Laguna upon the initiative of former national coach Carlos “Pinky” Brosas in 2010 and St. Paul’s Pasig in 2013.

“With my performance today, I think I’m ready to compete in another level. I really hope to represent the country in the coming SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” she said.

Princesa City Mayor Luis M. Marcaida III awarded the trophy to Gray and congratulated her for making “Palawenos proud in this three-day international competition, which also attracted foreign participants in the accompanying beach water polo competition.

Mayor Marcaida also personally invited Gray to attend Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the Puerto Princesa City Hall where she will be introduced as the newest pride of Palawan.

Overshadowed by Gray’s smashing performance were national team members Teodoro Roy Canete, Mico Anota and Jyan Carlos Abad, who finished 1-2-3 in the men’s division.

Canete, the pride of General Santos City clocked 2:13.38 to clinch first place Anota timed 2:17.57 for second place and Abad clocked 2:26.14 for third place.

Women’s champion Courtney Melissa Tan-Gray and men’s winner Teodoro Roy Canete are joined

by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Luis M. Marcaida III and organizer Dale Evangelista.

Dubs’ deputy coach Brown downplays Cleveland connections LOS ANGELES—Mike Brown, standing in for Golden State coach Steve Kerr as the Warriors head into an unprecedented NBA championship rubber match with Cleveland, is downplaying his complicated Cavaliers connections.

Brown has been at the helm as the Warriors stormed unbeaten through the first three rounds of the playoffs with Kerr sidelined by debilitating symptoms stemming from back surgery two years ago.

Brown coached Cavaliers superstar LeB-

run James for five years in Cleveland before Cavs owner Dan Gilbert sacked him for the first time.

By the time Gilbert hired Brown back before the 2013-14 season James had already migrated to Miami.

An injury-ravaged Cleveland team went 33-49 before Brown was fired again in May of 2014 -- shortly before James returned to Cleveland as a free agent and two-time NBA champion with the Heat.

“It’s all over the place. It’s not something

that I can hide from or run from,” Brown said of his connection with the Cavs.

“It’s a little ironic that things happen in life this way. I was just talking to my boys about it. It’s like ‘The Lion King.’ It’s the ‘Circle of Life.’”

Golden State forward Kevin Durant is another newcomer to the third installment of Warriors-Cavs who has history with James.

Durant’s only prior appearance in the championship series was with Oklahoma City in 2012 -- when the Thunder fell to the

Miami Heat in the Finals that gave James his first title.

“It’s a little different, definitely,” Durant said of heading into the title showdown with the favored Warriors after controversially departing Oklahoma City as a free agent before this season.

“I can’t lie. I went when I was 23 years old and it felt like the Western Conference Finals was almost like the championship,” he said. “So it’s a little different now, obviously. We have a bigger goal in mind.” AFP

Jacq Buncio: Fastest lady on 2 wheels

Total Hi-Perf ambassador Jacq Buncio (left) races with the big boys.

THERE is a familiar name turning heads and making waves in the local motorsports scene.

Jacq “The Lady” Buncio, 16-year-old motosports prodigy and youngest sister of the late racing legend Maico, is dominating the superbikes’ scene with her victories and innate talent for racing.

Buncio was crowned champion

of the recent 2017 Pirelli Philippine Superbike Championships at the Batangas Racing Circuit, where she bested 14 other participants with a winning clocking of 1:47.35 to further fortify her status as motorsports’ newest darling, who wants to extend her dominance in the 2017 season against all odds.

What made the feat more im-

pressive was the fact that she was the grid’s youngest participant, and its lone female rider at that.

Jacq is unfazed as she recently became the newest ambassador of TOTAL Hi-Perf, the leading line of motorcycle and scooter engine oils by Total.

“Racing is not a cheap sport, and everyone is aware of that.

Having a huge dream won’t be in reach without sponsors. I’m lucky that Total has trusted me to be their sponsored rider. Even though I know the expectations are huge, but I ‘ll do my best to make my new family proud. For me, each race is important. Each victory brings me closer to my dream. One day, I will bring the Philippines and the name Buncio to moto GP,” said Buncio.

Buncio, who was slated to compete in the Middleweight division but moved up to the Heavyweight Category B, did it using her YAMAHA R-6 600cc 2006 model against the 1,000cc to 1,300cc race bikes of her seasoned male rivals.

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the win,” said Jacq.

“They (my competitors) were older and more experienced, but I think my advantage over them

is that matapang ako (I’m brave and determined ). That’s how I am.”

At the awards ceremony held after the race, Jacq was recognized as the “Fastest Lady on Two Wheels,” an honor that her

Jacq Buncio before the race late brother, would have been very proud of.

“My brother said never stop riding. I offer my every race to you. I will make you very proud of me,” said Jacq, who also won the All-Ladies’ Category of the

2017 National Super Motorcycle Race of Champions at Robinsons Novaliches.

Despite her youth, the superbikes prodigy has already carved a niche for herself with a slew of titles. At the Golden Wheel Awards Nights alone at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, BGC last March 18, Buncio was named the Highest Ranked Novice Rider; Overall Champion, Lightweight A 300-400cc using the only YAMAHA R3 in its Class; 2nd Overall Champion in the 115 Novice Class and Overall and 130 Automatic Scooter Class winner.

After a relatively fast qualifying time of 1:48.233 in the Pirelli event, Buncio improved further with her 1:47.354 during race 1, almost the same time as Gab Valenciano’s 1:47.302 using a 2016 1000cc R-1. It was Jacq’s first race on a 600cc sports bike after being crowned overall champion of the 2016 Pirelli Superbike Championship’s Lightweight A Category using her dependable Yamaha 320cc R-3. Her impressive showing last season spilled over last weekend to the 2017 season of the racing tournament in a bigger category at that.

Infra spending slowed in April B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

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SMC warns vs higher govt debt IN BRIEF C

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. expressed concern over the government’s decision to skip public-private partnership projects in favor of official development assistance loans to finance infrastructure, saying this could result in higher state debt.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in a recent interview the strategy could increase government borrowings and subsequently affect the good fiscal standing of the Philippines.

“We now have a good balance sheet, but we if borrow again for infrastructure, then we will be back in

the dark [where debt would be a big burden],” said Ang, whose company is a major investor in buildoperate-transfer projects.

Ang said the government, in shunning privatization and public bidding, would need to raise its own fund or tap bilateral loans to implement key projects.

“The thrust of good governance in government is privatization and public bidding, then all of a sudden, [it would turn] about face?” Ang said.

The Duterte administration recently introduced a ‘hybrid’ system in implementing infrastructure projects to ensure the projects are completed within the next six years.

Under the ‘hybrid’ system, the proposed projects would go through ODA funding, given the loan facility’s lower interest rates and long repayment period.

Once the project is completed, the government may then bid out the project to the private sector for operation and maintenance contract.

Ang, who earlier expressed interest to bid for all

infrastructure projects that the government may bid out, said government-to-government borrowings to finance the administration’s infrastructure buildup would also be prone to corruption and could be more expensive.

Ang cited as example the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway which was funded by Japan’s ODA, which he said, was three times more expensive on per kilometer basis compared with the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, which was built by a unit of San Miguel.

San Miguel is also the builder of NAIA Expressway, the extension of Skyway to Quezon City and Metro Rail Transit Line 7. It also proposed to build an international airport in Bulacan province.

The Transportation Department cancelled last week the auction of five regional airports worth P108 billion under the PPP program.

Instead of conducting a public bidding, the government said it would pursue the development of airports “through other modes.”

Alsons eyes power plant in Indonesia

ALSONS Consolidated Resources Corp. plans to invest in power generation in Sulawesi, Indonesia as a part of the company’s international expansion, an executive said over the weekend.

“We are looking at Celebes, Sulawesi area because of its proximity to Mindanao and because of the literature that we have read on the plans of Indonesia to encourage infrastructure and economic development in the eastern part of Indonesia,” Alsons chairman and president Tomas Alcantara told reporters.

He said Sulawesi is only 45 minutes away from Davao City. Alsons previously had a presence in south Sulawesi under PT Makassar Corp.

Alcantara said the government of Indonesia was now encouraging migration to Sulawei Borneo because of the growing population in the Java Sumatra area. “The Borneo-SulawesiNew Guinea are all both forgotten. But there is a lot of potential there, it’s highly mineralized but it is underpopulated and underdeveloped for infrastructure so for Indonesia to be able to solve the high density and overpopulation in the Sumatra Java area, their strategy is to encourage migration to the Sulawesi Borneo area,” Alcantara said. Alena Mae S. Flores

DBP ready to hike infrastructure loans

STEELASIA DEALS. Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp. signs supply and technology cooperation agreements with Russian steel makers East Metals Evraz Moscow and Kurganstalmost JSC. Shown during the Philippines-Russia Business Forum in Moscow are (from left) SteelAsia director Antonio Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, East Metals Evraz Moscow head Olga Bogacheva, Kurganstalmost director for international projects Dr. Sergey Malichenko and SteelAsia chairman and chief executive Benjamin Yao.

STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines expects lending for infrastructure projects to account for as high as 90 percent of its total loan portfolio in the next five years, once the bank is transformed into an infrastructure bank, the bank’s chief executive told reporters over the weekend.

“It will contribute in terms of loan portfolio.... The priority sectors of DBP capture about 80 percent of the total loan portfolio.

That is how big the priority sectors are,” DBP president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said in an interview.

She said the bank was supporting the establishment of farm-to-market roads, highways and the social services sector such as schools, hospitals, water districts and even bulk water projects.

“So we are pretty confident that even if we grow the loan portfolio by 50 percent, the share of the infra will be at least 80 percent... and it is possible to reach 90 percent in the next five years,” she said.

“We will be more deliberate in hiring more engineers and young professionals who can understand the lingo of the layers in the various infra sectors like renewable energy, projects that support social services like hospitals and schools. We already support them but we want to do it better,” Borromeo said. Julito G. Rada

Federal Land, Japanese firms PAL expects to get new investor this year building P10-b Taguig tower By Darwin G. Amojelar FEDERAL Land Inc., the real estate unit of tycoon George Ty, teamed up with Japanese companies Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings and Nomura Real Estate Holdings to build a luxurious mixed-used tower worth more than P10 billion in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Federal Land president Alfred Ty said the partnership agreement with the Japanese companies would be one of the projects that would be presented during President Rodrigo Duterte’s upcoming visit to Japan in June.

“This project is worth more than P10 billion,” Ty told reporters.

Ty said because of foreign restriction in land ownership, the Japanese partners would only have a 40-percent stake in the project.

He said the planned mixed-use development, which would rise beside the soonto-be-completed Grand Hyatt Tower in the group’s 11-hectare property in Taguig,

would offer luxurious residential units and high-end retail development.

The retail component located at the lower floor of the building will be operated by Isetan, a well-known high-end department store operator in Japan. This will be the first project of Isetan in the Philippines.

Other Japanese retailers and convenience store operators that have operations in the Philippines are Ministop, Lawson and Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo clothing chain.

This will be the second joint venture partnership of Federal Land with a Japanese firm. The property firm earlier teamed up with Orix Corp. to develop the 66-story Grand Hyatt Hotel.

GT Capital Inc., the listed holdings company of the Ty group, also has several Japanese partners in various businesses including automotive and insurance via Toyota Motor Philippines Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE Airlines expects to close a deal with a strategic investor within the year despite the declaration of martial law in Mindanao which can affect the flag carrier’s domestic flights, a top executive said.

PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said the martial law in Mindanao could be an issue to the potential strategic investor.

“This is an issue that will be addressed. If you are an investor, you will think twice. We will explain this to them,” Bautista said.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao to suppress violence and restore order in Marawi City.

Bautista said the airline was currently in talks with possible inves-

Fuel marking to plug P27-b leakage

By Julito G. Rada THE mandatory fuel marking system under the proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program is expected to plug P27 billion in annual losses incurred from oil smuggling, a Finance Department official said.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the system was designed to curb smuggling and misdeclaration of petroleum products that was costing the government P26.9 billion to P43.8 billion in foregone revenues each year.

Fuel marking uses advanced technology molecular markers and sophisticated management system that analyzes each stage of the supply chain, beginning with refineries or fuel depots, and extending to the eventual sale of fuel products at the retail level.

Under package one of CTRP, which the DoF endorsed for congressional approval, the fuel marking plan would be implemented beginning next year by the Bureau of Customs, with the assistance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The procurement process, which the BOC plans to start in the coming months, will be done through competitive bidding, Chua said at the 5th General Executive Council meeting of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

Chua said DoF was expecting the award of the contract by the third quarter so that the successful bidder would have enough time to roll out the system by ‪Jan. 1, 2018.

Implementing a fuel marking system is among the provisions under the substitute House Bill No. 5636 approved last May 3 by the House ways and means committee covering the first package of the CTRP. The bill, sponsored by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Qua on second reading, is now undergoing plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives.

“The project cost for a five-year implementation is expected to be fully recoverable as early as the first year of implementation as the unit cost of fuel marking is as low as 9 centavos per liter based on past pilots,” Chua said.

tors. “We’re hoping we can close the deal within the year,” he said.

PAL Holdings Inc., the parent company of PAL, announced a equity restructuring ahead of the expected entry of a strategic investor this year.

The investor is expected to acquire up to 40 percent of the flag carrier.

PAL Holdings, which controls both Philippine Airlines and PAL Express, earlier secured an approval from its board to reduce its authorized capital stock from P30 billion, divided into 30 billion common shares with a par value of P1 to P18 billion divided into 30 billion common shares with a par value of P0.60 per share, without returning any portion of the capital to stockholders.

PAL tapped Morgan Stanley as financial advisor for the transaction.

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 Lucio 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 non-stop 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 P2.71-billion income last year.

KING SISIG EXPANSION. King

Sisig Royal Foods Corp., the owner and operator of King Sisig chain of restaurants, opens its 33rd outlet at the ground floor of SM Muntinlupa along National Road in Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City as a part of the company’s aggressive expansion this year. At the opening of the new restaurant are (from left) marketing manager Junie Rizalyn Macawili, kitchen manager Vhenson Dela Cruz, general manager Irish Camingao, assistant kitchen manager Jian Gerald Ladignon, dining manager Lovely Sheryll Tadefa, assistant kitchen manager Mercletto Altaraguerre, assistant dining manager Stephanie Bumaat and kitchen manager-opening team Mark Amistoso.

B2

Business

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to stay above 7,800

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

TOCKS are expected to move sideways this week with the benchmark index staying above the 7,800-point level, as the expected increase in US interest rate likely to temper the positive outlook on the domestic economy.

F.Yap Securities said investors would monitor the release of latest jobs data from the US, with better-than-expected employment data supporting the US Fed’s intention to raise interest rates in its June meeting.

Philippine equities may also attract foreign fund inflows going out of Shanghai, as

a result of Moody’s recent move to downgrade China’s rating.

Meanwhile, the upcoming initial public offerings of Eagle Cement Corp. and Cebu Landmasters Inc. are expected to boost liquidity in the stock market. The month-end window dressing could also help push the market to stay above the 7,800 level.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 1.3 percent to close at 7,867.49 on May 26, while the all-share index climbed 1.2 percent to P4,689.88, despite the security problems in Mindanao and the declaration of martial law in the region.

Four sectors ended in the green, while mining and holding firm indices declined 0.2 percent percent, each.

Foreign investors were net buyers of P1.28 billion worth of stocks last week, when the daily turnover averaged P7.9 bil-

lion.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said market players positively responded to President Rodrgio Duterte’s decisiveness to act swiftly to end the security crisis in Mindanao.

“The government reassured investors that it has enough buffers to withstand the effects of the martial law in Mindanao,” Ravelas said.

Top gainers were PLDT Inc. which advanced 8.3 percent to P1,744, Ayala Land Inc. which rose 7 percent to P40 and China Banking Corp. which went up 5.7 percent to P37.35.

Heavy losers included Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. which declined 8.4 percent to P10.22, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. which dipped 5.3 percent to P64.20 and GT Capital Holdings Inc. which shed 4.8 percent to P1,189.

MPIC raising P47b to finance toll roads

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE tollway unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is raising P47 billion in the second half to finance toll road projects in Cebu and south of Manila.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said the company was in talks with local banks to partially finance the Cavite Laguna Expressway, Cebu Cordova Bridge project and C5 Link Express-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

MAY 22-26, 2017 Close Volume

Value

Close

MAY 15-19, 2017 Volume Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

4.12 50 120.90 105.40 4.05 1.48 37.35 8.99 16.3 25.7 7.75 0.67 1.65 820.00 0.700 88.85 0.72 15.4 25.00 68.00 89 113.9 242 62.75 217.6 1600.00 84.45 1.16

766,000 160,420 6,700,260 8,759,940 76,000 1,419,000 5,140,300 1,100 451,200 16,433,900 1,100 30,000 78,000 490 26,604,000 11,594,200 863,000 659,300 22,000 5,739,450 5,070 2,240 5,040 4,989,490 2,111,770 260 102,310 169,000

FINANCIAL 3,111,930.00 7,971,879.00 810,445,884 925,477,358.00 306,280.00 2,128,820.00 189,243,220.00 9,846.00 7,313,416.00 404,770,380.00 8,583 20,100 131,850.00 389,850.00 18,818,460.00 1,032,018,321.50 626,340.00 10,179,404.00 550,890.00 390,859,373.00 448,861.50 251,733.00 1,200,680.00 300,332,517 457,707,890.00 423,170 8,708,682.50 198,070.00

4.12 49.55 121.20 106.10 4.02 1.50 35.35

2,809,000 115,300 9,078,190 6,614,270 64,000 4,953,000 3,493,500

11,109,940.00 5,666,320.00 1,103,387,732 701,689,225.00 254,010.00 7,166,940.00 122,357,090.00

16.4 23.35 7.73 0.68 1.64 785.00 0.690 89 0.72 15.4 26.50 67.00 89 111 242 55.9 215.6 1605.00 84.00 1.2

440,900 9,014,700 25,100 19,000 45,000 280 20,052,000 13,424,490 642,000 562,500 1,600 541,400 3,360 400 3,350 3,212,470 3,581,400 450 407,940 2,488,000

7,200,226.00 205,035,015.00 204,218 12,780 76,060.00 225,500.00 13,926,480.00 1,190,139,523.50 455,980.00 8,731,080.00 42,400.00 36,311,082.50 294,830.00 44,000.00 809,766.00 176,298,989 772,821,538.00 734,625 34,076,835.00 3,216,550.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

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

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

39.6 7.4 0.84 1.67 23.95 0.270 115 14.72 7.4 17.7 165.3 23.3 79.8 73.9 1.99 5.8 11.54 12.720 10.30 6.85 6.01 19.6 71.35 14.40 14.86 9.8 1.850 201.40 4.37 3.66 25.65 32.1 19.42 19 0.246 270.20 6.20 3.38 10.76 3.51 11.48 2.10 10.22 1.94 64.2 5.98 4.66 2.34 3.48 299.6 13.08 4.5 0.150 1.41 166 4.28 2.09 31.50 1.06

7,699,000 26,389,100 4,763,000 18,699,000 302,500 54,160,000 160 53,700 33,892,500 7,429,700 230 1,458,400 3,710 2,699,050 11,734,000 279,900 170,600 20,404,100 15,162,400 8,130,200 34,005,400 12,057,700 560,890 235,900 2,356,300 14,018,700 26,256,000 2,076,380 1,570,000 57,000 10,800 6,718,200 7,773,700 11,397,800 4,417,000 1,719,890 1,121,900 365,000 35,277,911 30,000 91,900 3,242,000 54,734,500 3,022,000 11,007,040 5,862,300 660,000 23,000 918,000 14,160 4,222,800 188,000 1,730,000 944,000 6,583,260 64,000 215,010,000 1,700 267,000

INDUSTRIAL 305,395,455.00 171,603,984.00 3,989,010.00 30,275,030.00 7,096,490.00 14,490,300.00 17,471.00 772,846.00 254,061,005.00 129,517,458 39,797.00 33,664,035.00 297,258.00 199,729,103 22,955,410.00 1,597,515.00 1,963,720.00 260,488,502.00 159,142,424.00 56,003,163.00 204,191,822.00 236,356,922.00 39,764,160.50 3,167,630.00 34,972,444.00 134,966,892.00 45,560,870.00 422,219,658.00 7,024,040.00 207,160.00 264,410.00 214,171,710.00 152,969,228.00 221,645,018.00 1,350,860.00 875,591,612.00 7,049,324.00 1,234,210.00 505,330,452.00 105,050.00 1,054,088.00 6,791,520.00 541,704,948.00 5,909,440.00 730,730,254.50 34,606,966.00 3,115,280.00 52,560.00 3,104,750.00 4,207,742.00 56,120,742.00 846,000.00 254,360.00 1,315,620.00 1,099,348,265 265,880.00 410,591,340.00 53,260.00 288,040.00

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

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

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

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.365 75.95 15.30 1.17 6.10 0.355 0.355 866 8.19 13.40 6.1 6.15 7.74 0.198 1189 7.50 83.00 4.16 1.03 7.2 16.22 6.49 3.24 0.0590 2.060 108.50 2.84 777.00 1.44 0.89 308.000 210.00 0.2800 0.2020 0.245

10,940,000 9,805,040 62,612,100 1,467,000 113,400 69,200,000 10,760,000 1,313,740 6,528,500 46,831,400 32,900 200 368,600 1,110,000 928,890 792,100 8,552,130 2,000 20,169,000 2,812,800 10,262,700 99,735,200 5,000 242,400,000 2,362,000 1,003,820 3,097,000 1,234,010 5,016,000 150,000 29,950 10 1,270,000 2,210,000 430,000

HOLDING FIRMS 3,995,100.00 745,819,612.50 948,662,924.00 1,721,380.00 690,094.00 24,122,650.00 3,748,500.00 1,141,746,580 53,320,857.00 629,624,312.00 191,577.00 1,221.00 2,858,924.00 218,760.00 1,117,941,660.00 5,769,895.00 710,809,050.50 8,660.00 21,122,490.00 20,045,854.00 164,825,598.00 652,701,204.00 16,230.00 14,105,260.00 4,884,850.00 109,182,541.00 9,311,650.00 962,676,570.00 7,128,870.00 129,900.00 9,214,506.00 2,100.00 360,450.00 438,900.00 105,350.00

0.365 75.80 14.90 1.15 6.20 0.340 0.335 864.5 8.14 13.24 5.7

2,060,000 6,655,870 102,582,300 5,086,000 74,600 69,940,000 25,360,000 1,254,540 6,151,600 41,840,500 52,000

758,200.00 504,725,148.00 1,531,161,454.00 6,179,770.00 454,713.00 24,041,500.00 8,756,750.00 1,085,167,055 50,261,348.00 552,657,708.00 305,873.00

7.85 0.199 1249 6.75 83.00 4.5 1 7.18 16.24 6.6 3.3 0.0590 2.100 109.00 2.9 775.00 1.39 0.92 310.000 210.00 0.2950 0.2050 0.247

178,000 4,860,000 612,825 898,100 13,308,940 17,000 6,782,000 7,300,100 12,877,300 106,504,400 8,000 827,410,000 15,060,000 880,110 456,000 2,202,950 2,230,000 30,000 17,890 430 7,810,000 600,000 1,740,000

1,392,557.00 974,610.00 763,018,055.00 6,031,725.00 1,100,890,480.50 72,060.00 6,769,890.00 52,549,393.00 209,164,818.00 705,014,058.00 26,350.00 50,649,000.00 30,203,830.00 95,551,754.00 1,294,000.00 1,706,921,035.00 3,157,310.00 27,600.00 5,521,356.00 86,620.00 2,247,100.00 130,140.00 430,550.00

3,229,700 37,052,000 2,561,000 744,000 49,168,000 57,751,600 14,861,000 249,200 900 69,482,000 165,000 4,101,000 8,980,000 18,156,000 1,258,030 15,812,000 4,160,000 29,917,000 36,943,000 1,715,000 61,000 372,349,000 364,450,000 8,980,000 123,028,000 2,500 1,253,000

PROPERTY 20,932,512.00 44,897,990.00 5,966,620.00 1,696,630.00 63,128,230.00 2,245,966,100.00 62,337,350.00 1,316,064.00 5,400.00 35,654,995.00 179,340.00 5,842,350.00 1,404,490.00 9,553,280.00 61,759,844.00 10,764,750.00 659,340.00 49,440,470.00 38,622,400.00 1,757,120.00 251,020.00 1,663,786,640.00 136,256,900.00 3,030,150.00 90,495,250.00 69,880.00 4,925,850.00

6.600 1.21 2.250

1,643,000 46,876,000 2,517,000

11,038,945.00 56,279,170.00 5,614,920.00

1.340 37.400 4.14 5.31

34,847,000 64,325,400 24,820,000 261,800

46,539,060.00 2,461,749,235.00 103,355,970.00 1,387,263.00

0.500 1.06 1.380 0.157 0.540 50.5 0.700 0.158 1.60 1.04 1.03 4.12 4.24 0.370 0.3650 0.750 31.00 4.1

26,431,000 240,000 913,000 20,970,000 44,350,000 1,462,730 439,000 10,840,000 43,416,000 44,043,000 4,505,000 17,000 119,353,000 611,120,000 13,350,000 213,796,000 2,700 4,829,000

13,117,850.00 258,660.00 1,254,200.00 3,301,250.00 23,018,950.00 73,908,834.00 300,390.00 1,749,810.00 71,359,940.00 45,086,340.00 4,748,960.00 70,100.00 503,307,850.00 217,363,200.00 4,788,170.00 157,837,560.00 82,125.00 19,515,810.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Araneta Prop `B’ Arthaland Corp.

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

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

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

6.480 1.21 2.400 2.29 1.260 40.000 4.2 5.3 6 0.510 1.09 1.460 0.157 0.510 48.75 0.680 0.156 1.68 1.05 1.04 4.12 4.62 0.360 0.3350 0.750 28.90 3.88

STOCKS

MAY 22-26, 2017 Close Volume

Value

Close

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

24.90 1.75 3.29 3.29 32.80 1.02 7 0.880 5.410

7,327,500 1,514,000 1,342,000 180,000 32,210,900 33,499,000 18,100 762,000 55,421,500

177,163,680.00 2,590,570.00 4,397,910.00 589,250.00 1,058,170,105.00 33,302,240.00 126,330.00 686,910.00 300,029,180.00

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

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

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

Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

19.7 43.25 1.59 0.510 0.045 11.96 5.61 10.20 0.0890 2.1 100 10.08 8.80 2.42 3.50 970 2096 6.09 16.20 13.50 3.07 102 3.65 12.66 8.90 0.181 1.3300 3.69 17.18 4.08 0.92 4.41 16.00 2.42 9.7 3.61 2.580 11.52 5.35 2.98 172.00 10.06 1744.00 0.400 1.620 43.30 85.00 5.90 2.66 1.070 2.1 3.51 0.670 5.420

4,974,000 168,000 93,000 21,442,000 151,100,000 22,400 180,000 57,073,200 410,200,000 23,082,000 1,140,150 35,000 381,600 54,000 8,000 2,500 201,400 1,748,600 337,600 1,000 11,606,000 8,007,130 537,000 47,300 1,629,400 23,870,000 3,571,000 255,000 70,000 5,241,000 126,000 3,066,000 4,400 197,000 58,229,300 19,167,000 6,187,000 17,200 23,300 6,000 5,060 33,041,000 574,805 7,510,000 84,457,000 13,022,600 6,800,550 1,270,200 44,185,000 29,859,000 10,000 9,966,000 29,891,000 44,709,400

SERVICES 92,902,768.00 7,301,210.00 149,640.00 10,986,790.00 6,806,400.00 249,946.00 1,028,731 561,614,571.00 36,394,730.00 47,945,220.00 113,193,530.50 341,192.00 3,287,951.00 131,910 28,030.00 2,426,200.00 412,009,860 10,684,686.00 5,475,756.00 13,500 33,950,740.00 806,026,536.00 1,952,030 578,772.00 14,530,791.00 4,329,910.00 4,786,250.00 915,190.00 1,165,646.00 21,126,560 116,660.00 13,279,650.00 70,404 459,940.00 527,274,329.00 70,802,480.00 15,971,410.00 197,844.00 124,475 18,480.00 868,760.00 305,900,797.00 961,719,775.00 3,011,400.00 134,682,880.00 561,644,995.00 569,399,111.00 7,361,564.00 115,720,260.00 33,017,850.00 21,030.00 35,341,610.00 19,508,840.00 241,327,396.00

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0033 1.88 5.12 13.00 2.1000 2.2600 0.88 0.410 8.88 2.450 0.285 0.191 0.200 0.011 0.0110 1.72 6.39 2.25 0.4750 1.0300 0.0110 0.0110 5.98 9.08 3.34 0.0130 157.80 2.63 0.0086

221,000,000 36,877,000 719,800 21,400 56,000 4,000 27,756,000 1,390,000 30,700 14,238,000 17,780,000 13,090,000 3,680,000 823,200,000 170,200,000 1,975,000 10,767,800 706,000 327,000 3,597,000 69,200,000 26,000,000 7,009,200 3,207,600 20,652,000 337,200,000 5,586,190 178,000 26,000,000

708,700.00 70,105,240.00 3,631,277.00 359,588.00 117,340.00 8,880.00 23,881,310.00 554,650.00 262,245.00 34,768,820.00 4,909,270.00 2,496,120.00 721,400.00 9,088,400.00 1,914,300.00 3,577,030.00 68,559,883.00 1,564,880.00 158,265.00 3,614,220.00 733,900.00 286,000.00 41,607,031.00 28,711,975.00 70,603,280.00 4,158,000.00 887,765,330.00 472,990.00 225,100.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

43.5 106 516.5 520 105 112.3 115 510 512 5.8 1008 1022 1.07 108 1029 1100 1016 105 110 77.2 81.2 76.25 78.2 80.8 77.2 78.5 78.5

52,200 45,640 26,940 18,430 62,990 1,200 55,300 4,000 3,800 1,506,700 250 1,505 230,000 4,170 3,160 2,000 1,505 14,120 5,200 53,110 134,420 121,910 104,480 50,000 43,010 419,530 250,100

LR Warrant

2.260

835,000

Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

4.25 6.27 8.19

939,000 506,200 11,934,000

First Metro ETF

130.5

USD DMPL A1

10

MAY 15-19, 2017 Volume Value

24.20 1.7 3.25

7,997,800 1,781,000 1,254,000

194,670,230.00 3,036,300.00 4,116,390.00

32.50 1 6.98 0.880 5.200

49,659,800 16,856,000 48,800 1,348,000 12,883,900

1,614,405,095.00 16,779,400.00 322,118.00 1,190,860.00 66,699,520.00

17.24 43.65 1.55 0.520 0.046 11.1 5.75 9.60 0.0870 1.99 97.7 9.8 8.95 2.6 3.51 970 2014 6.13 16.32

4,525,900 170,700 27,000 23,316,000 193,700,000 42,200 36,167,300 68,375,800 159,710,000 17,001,000 812,120 22,100 690,600 3,000 10,000 490 375,945 1,613,700 479,500

78,413,268.00 7,474,940.00 42,640.00 12,260,550.00 8,981,600.00 500,054.00 242,915,146 666,677,468.00 13,853,260.00 32,791,970.00 80,038,433.00 217,000.00 6,191,819.00 7,430 35,140.00 475,300.00 750,640,075 9,870,562.00 7,831,678.00

2.91 99 3.50 12.66 8.90 0.182 1.3600 3.69 16.54 4.11 0.94 4.35

15,154,000 12,500,790 656,000 114,900 1,632,100 14,210,000 2,528,000 236,000 176,200 9,576,000 103,000 7,641,000

43,796,790.00 1,226,055,202.50 2,315,400 1,435,836.00 14,632,213.00 2,585,520.00 3,426,750.00 855,840.00 2,914,980.00 37,539,580 98,470.00 33,290,570.00

2.38 8.5 3.84 2.640 11.54 5.33 2.98 180.00 8.20 1610.00 0.400 1.530 43.35 83.65 5.89 2.62 1.110 2.13 3.41 0.680 5.390

2,065,000 45,252,700 22,827,000 4,447,000 23,200 79,400 30,000 529,460 15,663,400 751,765 10,660,000 32,387,000 5,216,400 5,778,520 1,242,800 63,381,000 24,317,000 64,000 17,970,000 111,715,000 67,962,700

4,950,200.00 369,739,015.00 88,415,040.00 11,536,190.00 274,200.00 423,922 90,720.00 90,008,970.00 130,308,289.00 1,236,147,375.00 4,281,600.00 49,191,380.00 226,382,740.00 474,052,634.00 7,333,509.00 159,643,350.00 27,029,300.00 137,410.00 62,921,610.00 76,419,980.00 367,638,507.00

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

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

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

43.1 106 517 510 104.5 112.5 115

29,400 142,220 5,630 12,200 209,000 12,260 10,000

1,274,510.00 15,052,558 2,916,310.00 6,225,000 21,874,995.00 1,379,335.00 1,150,000.00

520 5.82 1010 1022 1.1 109.7 1060 1120 1019 107.9 110 77.2 81 76.2 78.2 79.3 79 78.3 79

20,830 2,798,400 305 3,380 364,000 14,340 5 315 3,060 8,270 6,710 123,740 316,130 223,430 139,600 160,910 60,900 511,700 4,180

10,839,800.00 16,252,917.00 309,075.00 3,455,255.00 399,440 1,549,081.00 5,300.00 346,500.00 3,122,340.00 876,751.00 738,110.00 9,498,191.50 25,447,771.00 17,037,369.00 10,921,495.00 12,801,137.00 4,813,200.00 40,122,910.50 330,222.50

2.290

1,189,000

2,608,150.00

4.1 6.3 8.41

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

8,712,930.00 4,031,891.00 162,804,526.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 30,260 3,927,100.00

128.8

21,070

2,719,756.00

DDOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 30,500 315,663.20

10.5

40,460

426,228.00

PREFERRED 2,261,915.00 4,838,035 13,820,880.00 9,536,190 6,613,286.00 134,860.00 6,349,500.00 2,040,000.00 1,946,250.00 8,743,809.00 252,000.00 1,537,725.00 248,960 450,632.00 3,251,600.00 2,200,000.00 1,532,845.00 1,482,405.00 572,184.00 4,091,298.00 10,887,643.00 9,305,274.50 8,170,336.00 4,030,958.50 3,356,870.00 32,883,829.00 19,646,121.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,874,670.00 SME 3,910,780.00 3,163,671.00 98,471,387.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Manila Mining `A’ Boulevard Holdings Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Philodrill Corp. `A’ Pacifica `A’ Abra Mining Vitarich Corp.

Manila Mining `B’ Apollo Global

VOLUME 823,200,000 410,200,000 372,349,000 364,450,000 337,200,000 242,400,000 221,000,000 215,010,000 170,200,000 151,100,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Megaworld Ayala Corp `A’ GT Capital Universal Robina SM Prime Holdings Metrobank SM Investments Inc. PLDT Common Alliance Global Inc.

VALUE 2,245,966,100.00 1,663,786,640.00 1,141,746,580 1,117,941,660.00 1,099,348,265 1,058,170,105.00 1,032,018,321.50 962,676,570.00 961,719,775.00 948,662,924.00

way.

Franco said MPTC planned to borrow P20 billion for Calax, P20 billion for Cebu Cordova Bridge and P7 billion for C5 Link.

Franco said the company tapped Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. as adviser and arranger for Calax, and Maybank as arranger for Cebu Cordova Bridge.

MPCala Holdings Inc. earlier tapped DMCI Consunj Inc. to construct the Laguna side of Calax and Leighton Holdings of Australia to build the Cavite side.

Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of the year and completion is seen by 2019.

Operations and maintenance would be from 2020 until 2050.

Calax involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a four-lane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.

MPTC is also constructing Cavitex C5 South Expressway, linking C5 and Merville, Parañaque by way of a flyover, while the second phase will connect Merville and Cavitex.

The company is also building the P27.9-billion Cebu-Cordova Bridge project, a 8.25-km bridge project that will connect Cebu City to Mactan Island via Cordova. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.

Maynilad to upgrade 3 pumping facilities

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is spending P146 million to rehabilitate and upgrade three pumping stations in Manila to ensure water service reliability in the area.

Maynilad said the project would involve the refurbishment of several old and defective pumps, which would allow Maynilad to maintain a strong water pressure of 16 psi (pounds per square inch) for more than 53,000 households in Sampaloc, Tondo and Ermita. At 16 psi, water can reach the third story of a home or establishment.

Maynilad said it would install variable frequency drives on the refurbished pumps during the rehabilitation of the facilities.

VFDs regulate pump operating speed depending on the customers’ level of water consumption, thus making the pumping stations more energy efficient.

Maynilad said project completion was expected by end of 2017, at which point all three pumping stations would be fully automated.

“By implementing these facility enhancements, we are able to meet our customers’ increasing water demand while keeping our energy consumption low,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.

Maynilad currently has 28 pumping stations spread throughout its west concession area.

The company is also investing another P170 million this year to build one more pumping station in Cavite.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

Business Aleco readies P1.87-b capex

By Alena Mae S. Flores ALBAY Electric Cooperative and concessionaire Albay Power and Energy Corp., controlled by San Miguel Corp., has asked the Energy Regulatory Board to approve capital expenditures amounting to P1.87 billion until 2010.

Aleco and APEC filed an application with the regulator to clear capex projects “intended to improve the safety and reliability of the power system, power quality and system efficiency.”

The companies said the capex would be initially funded through advances from APEC’s parent company, SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., which are payable at an interest equivalent to the prevailing Philippine Dealing System rate, It said the amortizations would be taken from the cooperative’s Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures after approval of the capex.

All assets acquired by APEC, meanwhile, will be transferred to Aleco in good condition at the end of the concession period.

“Implementation of the project is expected to have an indicative rate impact of P0.6095 per kilowatt-hour for a total of P0.8273 per kWh over the period of its implementation,” the parties said.

Aleco and APEC sought ERC’s approval to implement the rate impact over a sevenyear period.

The parties noted that Aleco had no approved capital expenditure program since 2010, which negatively impacted on its aging substation transformers and other distribution utilities.

“Under the circumstances, Aleco could not implement big ticket capex projects such as replacement or upgrading of its aging substation transformers and other distribution facilities,” Aleco and APEC said.

B3

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Infra spending slowed in April

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE infrastructure spending and other capital outlays of the government in April 2017 declined 21 percent to P33.5 billion from P42.5 billion a year ago, data from the Department of Budget and Management over the weekend show.

The April figure was also 30 percent than the P47.9 billion actual infrastructure spending and other capital outlays in March 2017. Despite the April decline, infra and other capital outlays in the first four months were still up 2.6 percent to P151 billion from P147.2 billion in the same period last year.

“This is largely on account of the absence of big-ticket capital

expenditures in the DND-AFPMP such as the purchase of FA50 aircraft and anti-submarine helicopters which contributed to around P3.7 billion disbursements for the same month in the 2016,” the DBM said in a statement.

“Likewise, disbursements of the DPWH were lower year- onyear. As explained earlier, the acceleration of implementation

and completion of capital outlay projects prior the conduct of elections resulted to high disbursements in the DPWH in April 2016. For this year, however, implementation of projects under its road network services which include road widening, repair and rehabilitation, and flood control projects, among others are still underway,” the DBM said.

The agency said the growth of disbursements was expected to normalize in the coming months after the moderate out-turns early this year, partly because of the effect of election spending. It said the spending trend this year was similar to that of 2015 where growth was low during the first four months but gradually picked up toward the

latter part of the second quarter, before maintaining a two-digit expansion up to the end of the year. “... The programming of bigticket expenditures in the second semester... as well as the grant of mid- year bonus this May and the payments for completed Asean activities could lead to higher spending growth in the coming months,” the DBM said.

The government last week reported that it posted posted a fiscal surplus of P52.8 billion in April, a reversal of the deficit of P61.5 billion a month ago, as expenditures declined 4 percent to P183.1 billion from P191.6 billion a year ago. The April surplus was, however, 4 percent lower than the P55-billion

surplus in the same month last year.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a comment a slower pace of spending performance in the second quarter would result in a slower economic growth in the April-to-June period. The economy grew 7 percent in the second quarter of 2016.

“Base effects would remain negative in the second quarter of 2017—especially April and May. June 2016 spending growth dropped YoY. The 2Q 2016 headline and core spending growth rates slowed to 11 percent and 13 percent, respectively, from 1Q 2016 headline and core spending growth rates of 17.4 percent and 21.3 percent,” Cuyegkeng said.

GUANGXI INVESTORS.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez (center) welcomes delegates of Guang Xi Investment Group from China headed by Zhou Lian, who made a courtesy call at the city hall Friday.

The Chinese businessmen informed city hall officials that they are planning to invest and put up trade and commerce corporations as soon as the city council passed a resolution on their business proposal, specifically at the world-class Entertainment City.

Manila

Share ‘hapee-ness’ responsibility. He is not only focused on generating profit, but his SCHUBERT SEIR push is also to contribute QUILINQUIN to the environment and REEN IGHT community. I think they IT all started with a are the first corporation young boy’s passion and willpower to create change in the who employs people with hearing community. Cecilio Kwok Pedro, the disability. With this gesture, hope was founder and president of Lamoiyan restored to these hearing-impaired Corp., did not build his empire overnight. employees.

The reality is people with disability He endured failures and disappointments along the way that made him the person are given unequal opportunities in the society, which in effect, destroy their he is today.

Blossoming entrepreneurial mindset moral and self-importance. As much When he was still studying, he used as possible, he really wants to help by to sell ball pens to his classmates. leading by example. His main intention Surprisingly, the pens ran out fast, but is to encourage other businessmen to most if not all were purchased in credit. also be socially active in helping the At this stage of his life, we can already community.

Making the dream a reality see an entrepreneurial mindset waiting The entry and involvement of deaf to blossom. The journey continued right after college; he opened a hardware store people in the daily operations was not in Alonzo, Manila. The area is known as easy for the company. A lot of adjustments the hub for hardware stores and a new were made in order to achieve a peaceful entrant will have difficulty in penetrating and productive working environment. the market arena. The competition was The management and its employees were so stiff that he ended up closing his also taught sign languages in order to communicate with them. business.

I admire how he integrated Corporate In the mid 1970s, he once again ventured in a new investment. This time Social Responsibility to the company’s he opened Aluminum Container Inc. The thrusts. If you come to think of it, hiring company was one the suppliers of the someone with an impairment may be aluminum toothpaste packaging to large a big challenge. But he followed his fast moving consumer goods companies heart and made his dream of making a such as Procter and Gamble, Unilever difference a reality. As future Lasallian and Colgate-Palmolive. During that business leaders, this is something time, aluminum was the most trusted raw that we can emulate from Lamoiyan’s material for that item. The performance founder so we can be that change in our of the business was driving smoothly own communities. until his clients opted to change the The author is an MBA student at material they used from aluminum to plastic. It was an end of an era that the Ramon V. del Rosario College of forced suppliers to eventually close their Business. This essay is part of a journal company. This hiccup did not allow he kept in fulfillment of the requirements Cecilio Pedro to lose hope; in fact, he of the course, Lasallian Business once again took the risk. This decision Leadership with Corporate Social led to the birth of one of the largest Responsibility and Ethics. Visit his blog Filipino-owned fast moving consumer at https://thegreenchatterbox.wordpress. goods companies, known as Lamoiyan com/.

Corp., maker of Hapee toothpase.

The views expressed here are the Leading by example True to its tagline of “Making the author’s and do not necessarily reflect difference for the glory of God,” Cecilio the official position of DLSU, its faculty, Pedro is a strong believer of social and its administrators.

“You have to be innovative in the business.

That’s how you survive.”

– Cecilio Pedro

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NOTICE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF PHILWEB CORPORATION

To All Retail and/or Non-Strategic Shareholders of PhilWeb Corporation: Please be advised that Gregorio Araneta, Incorporated (the “Bidder”) filed on 25 May 2017 an Amended Tender Offer Report in SEC Form 19-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (the “PSE”) pursuant to Section 19 of the Securities Regulation Code in connection with its intention to acquire 663,803,284 common shares (the “Shares”) of PhilWeb Corporation (“PhilWeb”).

The offer price for the acquisition of the Shares is Two Pesos Sixty Centavos, Philippine Currency, (P2.60) per share or a total consideration of One Billion Seven Hundred Twenty Five Million Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Eight Pesos and Forty Centavos (P1,725,888,538.40) and will be payable in cash.

The Bidder shall acquire the Shares that may be tendered by any stockholder of PhilWeb in response to the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer shall commence on 19 May 2017 at 9:30 A.M. and shall end on 28 June 2017 at 1:00 P.M. (the “Tender Offer Period”). The Tender Offer Period may be shortened or extended by the Bidder subject to prior approval of the Commission. The Shares to be tendered are intended to be crossed at the PSE on 06 July 2017 (the “Cross Date”).

Settlement Date shall be 12 July 2017.

Stockholders who wish to offer all or a portion of their Shares for sale to the Bidder may do so by securing an Application to Tender Shares form (the “Application Form”) from, and submitting a duly accomplished Application Form together with the documentary requirements to the Transaction Broker, PLATINUM SECURITIES, INC. The Transaction Broker reserves the right to require the tendering stockholder to present additional documents for purposes of determining the validity, eligibility and acceptability of the Shares being tendered by the stockholder pursuant to the Offer.

The Shares being tendered for sale to the Bidder must be received by the Transaction Broker in scripless form not later than 1:00 PM of 28 June 2017. Shares received thereafter or without the required documents shall be rejected by the Bidder.

The Shares tendered may be withdrawn by the stockholder of record at any time during the tender offer period by submitting a written request for the tendered Shares to the Transaction Broker and surrendering the original Securities In-Receipt issued by the Transaction Broker. The last day to withdraw tendered Shares shall be on 28 June 2017 at 1:00 PM. The Shares shall be deemed accepted by the Bidder for payment on 05 June 2017 at 1:00 PM (the “Closing Date”) subject to the condition that the Bidder shall have obtained all corporate, contractual and regulatory approvals, consents and authorizations for the purchase by the Bidder of the Shares.

Stockholders are advised to read the Application Form, the Terms of the Tender Offer, and the SEC Form 19-1 filed by the Bidder with the SEC. For queries, please call the Transaction Broker at contact details set forth below. Copies of the Application Form and the SEC Form 19-1 may be obtained by the stockholders of PhilWeb, free of charge, from: Broker Contact person Address Telephone Email

: PLATINUM SECURITIES, INC. : Mr. William O. Go : Unit 801 Antel 2000 Corporate Center, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City : (02) 887-1179 / (02) 8866414 : plasec223@yahoo.com (MS-MAY 29,30 & 31, 2017)

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

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MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Business

HK questions Moody’s over rating downgrade M OODY’S Investors Service’s decision to downgrade Hong Kong’s debt rating last week was based on “shallow” evidence, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in a blog on Sunday.

“The evidence on which the ratings company mechanically downgraded Hong Kong’s debt rating based on the very close economic relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland is shallow,” Chan wrote in a blog on the official website of the financial secretary. Enhancing cooperation with the mainland cannot be considered negative as China is the main growth engine for the global economy, he added.

Moody’s cut its rating on China’s debt for the first time since 1989 on Wednesday, a challenge to the view that the country’s leaders can rein in leverage while maintaining

the pace of economic growth. Hours later, the company cut the rating on Hong Kong’s local- and foreign-currency issuances to Aa2 from Aa1, and changed the outlook to stable from negative. It was the territory’s first cut in ranking by Moody’s since the Asian financial crisis in 1998.

“Credit trends in China will continue to have a significant impact on Hong Kong’s credit profile due to close and tightening economic, financial and political linkages with the mainland,” Moody’s said in its statement.

Closer financial ties “risk introducing more direct contagion channels between China’s and Hong Kong’s financial markets.”

Hong Kong’s government said in a statement on its website shortly afterward that it disagreed with the decision by Moody’s, citing Chan. The ratings company overlooked Hong Kong’s “sound economic fundamentals, robust financial regulatory regime, resilient banking sector and strong fiscal position,” the government said.

Chan, who was appointed Hong Kong’s financial secretary in January, expanded on that argument with his blog post on Sun-

day. He said Moody’s concern for China’s economy lacked objective evidence because growth and exports this year have improved, while steel and coal oversupply have eased.

In response to Moody’s “contagion channels” worry, Chan said Hong Kong’s financial system is very stable and it has policies in place to improve risk management for mainland-related loans.

The rating firm’s outlook cut in March 2016 has proven to be “exaggerated” based on economic growth since then, Chan also wrote. Moody’s cut Hong Kong’s outlook to negative from stable last year because it said the city’s credit profile tracked China’s. Days earlier, it lowered China’s credit-rating outlook, highlighting the country’s surging debt burden and questioning the government’s ability to enact reforms.

China’s currency and stocks rallied despite last week’s debt-rating downgrade.

The onshore yuan strengthened 0.5 percent, the biggest weekly gain since July 2016.

Shanghai’s benchmark gauge climbed 0.6 percent last week, the most since the week ended April 7. Bloomberg

STRANDED. Travelers wait stranded at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 after British Airways flights where canceled at Heathrow Airport in west London on May 27, 2017. British Airways said May 27 that it had cancelled all its flights out of major London airports Heathrow and Gatwick after an IT systems failure, warning people not to travel to the congested hubs. AFP

Young Chinese in the red as easy credit drives up debt

By Allison Jackson BEIJING, China―When Wu Qi and her husband traded in their Mazda 3 for a more expensive Mercedes Benz sedan, they applied for a 200,000 yuan ($29,000) bank loan to help pay for it.

They got the money within minutes.

Quick and easy access to credit has encouraged many young Chinese to go into the red to buy cars and apartments they could not otherwise afford.

They are the faces of China’s growing addiction to debt, which along with government and corporate borrowing, has raised fears of a looming crisis and prompted Moody’s ratings agency to slash the country’s credit score last week for the first time in nearly three decades.

“It is very easy―the car company encourages you to borrow the money and enjoy the car,” said Wu, 39, adding the couple is also paying off a one million yuan mortgage for a three-bedroom flat in Beijing.

Since Chinese leaders turned on the credit taps in late 2008 to shield the country from the global recession, household borrowing has soared and pushed China’s overall debt liabilities above 260 percent of gross domestic product―compared with about 140 percent before the crisis hit.

But slowing growth in the world’s second-largest economy has raised concerns that years of risky lending could lead to a disaster worse than the US sub-prime collapse.

“While such debt levels are not uncommon in highly rated countries, they tend to be seen in countries which have much higher per

This picture taken on May 27, 2017 shows Charlie Liu preparing to pose for a photograph in her apartment in Beijing. Quick and easy access to credit has seen many young Chinese go into the red to buy cars and apartments they could not otherwise afford. They are the faces of China’s growing addiction to debt. AFP

capita incomes, deeper financial markets and stronger institutions than China’s,” Moody’s said.

Rapid rise Household debt has become the major driver of China’s credit growth, expanding by an average of 19 percent a year since 2011, said Chen Long, an economist at Gavekal Dragonomics.

If it continues to grow at this pace, household debt would reach roughly 66 trillion yuan by 2020― more than double the current level―and potentially 70 percent of GDP versus 30 percent back in 2013.

“Other countries have usually taken decades to complete such an increase,” said Chen.

“For bank lending to households to rise very rapidly usually means

lending standards are loosened so credit is extended to both more and less creditworthy consumers.”

Mortgages make up the bulk of household debt.

Chinese have long favored putting their savings into bricks and mortar due to the low bank deposit rates on offer, volatility in the stock market and strict rules that make it difficult to invest money abroad.

“It’s a safe choice,” said homeowner Charlie Liu, 26, who also rents out her flat on Airbnb to help cover the repayments on her 1.4 million yuan mortgage.

But as apartment prices have soared―often doubling within a few years, particularly in major cities―fears of a real estate bubble have mounted.

The government has responded by periodically tightening restrictions on property purchases and hiking minimum down payments― up to 80 percent for a second home in Beijing, according to state media―to stabilize the market.

But prices continue to rise, forcing young homebuyers deeper into debt.

Wang Yuchen, 28, borrowed three million yuan from the bank in August to buy a 4.75 million yuan apartment in Beijing.

Lacking enough cash, Wang turned to his parents and friends to help pay the deposit.

“In 2012 I could have bought the same apartment for 1.5 million yuan,” Wang said.

“I’m a little bit worried but there’s nothing I can do. Last year I was getting married and it’s tradition in China that you have to have your own house to get married.”

Cheap loans Borrowing money for a car is also becoming more popular as consumers, particularly millennials, take advantage of very low interest rates.

Auto financing has been soaring by 40 percent a year and high-speed growth in the sector is expected to continue, said Ron Zheng, an automotive expert at Roland Berger consultancy.

“Before I bought this new car I never thought I would change my old car because nowadays you can hire a car using (ride-hailing app) Didi and Uber which is quite convenient,” said Wu. “And then I found that a new car is not that expensive.”

Facing dire warnings, Chinese policymakers are taking action to tighten balance sheets, halt risky lending and dispose of bad loans. AFP

President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE PEOPLE in the know would recognize the title from a James Bond film, the second-ever in the series, released in 1964 and starring Sean Connery. James Bond came to mind with the recent death of Sir Roger Moore who was the James Bond of my generation. But, I digress.

Last week, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte set off on what was aptly described as a “landmark four-day visit” to Russia as part of efforts to re-direct Philippine foreign policy and to seek more investments. Most of the cabinet came along, save for the ones who composed the caretaker committee while he was gone; namely, Budget Secretary Ben Diokno and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.

I was part of the 300-strong business delegation representing the MVP group of Companies and, while there, was also requested to host and moderate the Philippines —Russia Business Forum.

It was a successful trip on both the political and business front.

Our congratulations to DTI Sec. Mon Lopez and his able team composed of Usec. Rowel Barba, Usec. Nora K. Terrado, and Usec.

Ruth B. Castelo. To Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, our thanks and appreciation for the relentless support for MSMEs. Kudos as well to new DFA Sec. Allan Peter Cayetano who met with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Victorovich Lavrov, and affirmed their commitment for cooperation on several matters which included the war on drugs and terrorism.

But, of course, we all know that while in Russia, a situation broke out in Marawi City which necessitated the President’s immediate return to the Philippines. Prior to his departure, he declared Martial Law while in Moscow.

US President Teddy Roosevelt once said, and this is also one of my favorite quotes, that “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

We have a situation in our country right now and there is

an urgent need to get rid of the menace that has caused much havoc, death and destruction.

These animals have, with impunity and utter disregard of the sanctity of life, caused the death of innocent lives. A decision at the highest level needed to be made immediately. Whether it be the right decision or the wrong one, well, that is something to be determined. But, by God, there had to be a decision, and the President has decided.

We need to support him on this one. We need to rally behind him to see this situation through. It is understandable that there are those who fear that abuses might be committed. They can take comfort in the thought that the present constitution has built-in safeguards to ensure that will not happen. The President himself was unequivocal: he will not tolerate abuses, especially by the military, while under martial rule.

Admittedly, more business leaders would have attended the Philippines—Russia Business Forum had the President stayed, even for an extra day. He is very popular among Russian businessmen and they would have wanted to see him and hear what he had to say.

During the forum, I took the liberty of thanking the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin for their hospitality and for the condolences and expression of grief. We are also grateful that President Putin, despite the short notice, met with our President, knowing that he needed to be back with his people.

The lyrics to the Matt Monro main theme of the Bond movie haunt me as I ponder on these thoughts, in this, my last day here in Moscow: “From Russia, with love, I fly to you, much wiser since my goodbye to you; I’ve travelled the world to learn, I must return, from Russia with love…”

Dosvedanya.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte inspects the Russian Guards of Honor before singing the Philippine National Anthem upon his arrival at Vnukovo-2 Airport in Moscow. Joining the President is Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Vladimirovich Morgulov.

During the business forum in Moscow on 25th May, as part of the PH’s official visit to Russia with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (fourthfrom left) who led the PH delegation with Science & Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (third from left), Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion (second from left) and other trade officials. Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy (center) and CCIRF President Sergey Katyrin (second from right) led the Russian delegation.

With DFA Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano

With CATS Motors president Felix Ang, Justice Secretart Vitaliano Aguirre , DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, Senator Win Gatchalian, and Ausphil Tollways Corp.’s CEO Ricardo Penson

LGUs

QC ready for class opening on June 5

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista said on Sunday the city is well prepared for the June 5 school opening, with police, barangays and various frontline city government offices already mobilized to ensure the safety and security of all city students, especially those enrolled in public schools.

He called for heightened police visibility to ensure the orderly opening of classes a week from now, saying the security of the students must continue to be a priority of the city government.

He tasked Quezon City Police District’s Chief Supt.

Guillermo Eleazar to deploy more cops on the streets for foot and mobile patrol duties to thwart any untoward incidents during the school opening.

Elmo San Diego of the Department of Public Order and Security said traffic plans are all set for the first day of classes of the students.

Traffic enforcers will be fielded near schools, especially at intersections and pedestrian lanes, to assist students in crossing the streets.

San Diego said pedestrian markings are being repainted in preparation for the school opening.

Apart from the city’s security and traffic plans, Bautista assured the city would have enough classrooms to accommodate students enrolled in the different public elementary and secondary schools.

The city government, on orders of Bautista, is rushing the construction of 20 new school buildings with 322 additional classrooms in preparation for the increase in student population and influx of students for the K-to-12 program.

The new classrooms, if completed, would bring to 640 the total number of classrooms built by the city government since Bautista’s assumption into office in 2010.

“Hopefully, with the completion of these additional school buildings, we can reduce the student-to-classroom ratio in a more manageable proportion, especially in schools located in the city’s second district,” Bautista said.

VEHICLE DONATION. The Parañaque City government distributed new fire and rescue trucks worth P6 million to three barangays to improve their delivery of services. Mayor Edwin

Olivarez personally handed the symbolic keys over to the barangay chairmen and emergency response teams of Barangay Vitalez, Merville, and Don Bosco during a simple ceremony at city hall. Last month, Olivarez also distributed mini dump trucks intended for hauling garbage from the barangays to the dumpsite.

‘Manila strongly behind Du30’

By Sandy Araneta

M

ANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has reassured President Rodrigo Duterte that the city government is behind his continuing campaign against illegal drugs and corruption.

During the launch of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (Masa Masid) program at City Hall last Thursday, Estrada reiterated his unflinching support to Duterte’s programs.

Duterte, he said, has been do-

ing an excellent job fighting drug traffickers and making public service “a truly honorable and honest profession,” working to rid the government of corrupt officials and employees that the mayor said “bring shame to its ranks.”

“The City of Manila stands strongly behind the President in these twin objectives,” Estrada

said. “Like our President, I also believe that ridding the country of illegal drugs and corruption is the key to Philippine development.”

Citing figures from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Estrada said the numbers are “disturbing” as 92 percent or 1,709 barangays in the National Capital Region are drug affected. Likewise, he said 92 percent of crimes committed in Metro Manila are drug-related.

“In the past months, our whole country was shocked by the extent of the drug problem in the Philippines,” Estrada pointed out. “Until such time that the PDEA updates these statistics, we must work on the premise

that they remain the same and therefore the fight against illegal drugs must continue with the same intensity.”

As to the Masa Masid, the mayor said he hopes this program will give new strength and purpose “to our goal of restoring Manila’s former glory.”

Masa Masid is a communitybased program of the DILG for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality in barangays. It is aimed to heighten community involvement by mobilizing the support of local stakeholders, volunteers, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

DILG City Director for Ma-

nila Rolyne Javier said the program seeks to forge closer ties between City Hall and barangays in the implementation of various programs related to illegal drugs and corruption.

“At the city level, there will be a technical working group that would come up with programs and policies about good governance and anti-illegal drugs, which will then be implemented down to the barangays,” Javier explained.

Manila is divided into 100 zones covering all its 896 barangays, with each zone headed by a zone chairman. Each zone comprises a certain number of barangays, according to Javier.

IN BRIEF IP Day assures NV cultural preservation BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Cultural preservation in the province is now gaining ground with the participation of young indigenous peoples in the recent IP Day. Various tribes in their cultural attire recently performed their cultural and traditional songs, dances and rituals through the young members of the Isinai, Gaddang, Ifugao, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalanguya and Bugkalot tribes, among others.

The IP children also performed the singing of the National Anthem and the Vizcaya Hymn in their own dialect.

These are the ”Bendian” Dance of the Kankanaeys, “Tagem” dance of the ”Ayangan” sub-tribe of the Ifugaos, war dance of the Bugkalots, ”Isinai” song that reiterates respect, humbleness and love, courtship and marriage ritual of Ibalois, Gaddang tribe’s songs and dances, and ritual for good blessings of the ”Tuwali” sub-tribe of the Ifugaos, among others. Ben Moses Ebreo

Valenzuela remains vigilant vs illegal drugs

RUSSIAN ENTOURAGE. Philippine International Trading Corp. president and CEO Dave M. Almarinez (left) makes the fist symbol of the Duterte administration with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (center), Department of Trade and Industry key officials and the Philippine business delegation to Moscow, Russia during their official visit there. Roy Tomandao

Solon bats for Talisay hospital expansion CEBU Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. has called for the upgrading of the Talisay District Hospital into a full-grown 500-bed medical center so it can provide a full range of highly specialized treatment services to a greater number of people in the Visayas.

“We are absolutely committed to transforming our district hospital in Talisay City, Cebu into a medical center under the supervision of the Department of Health. Besides the increase in bed capacity, we envision the hospital to be fully

departmentalized and completely equipped,” Gullas said.

Gullas has filed House Bill 5140, which seeks to elevate the district hospital into the Talisay Medical Center, with extra specialties as a hub of Trauma and Emergency Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Sports and Exercise Medicine in the Visayas.

“Once the hospital achieves medical center status, it will be able to provide emergency services and care for patients suffering from traumatic injuries

due to falls, car accidents and gunshot wounds,” Gullas said.

“Right now, due to limited capabilities in terms of staff, facilities and equipment, many trauma cases initially received by the hospital are simply referred to the much larger Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City,” Gullas pointed out.

In pushing for the swift passage of his bill, Gullas invoked the mandate of the Constitution for the State to provide essential health services, including hospitalization, to all the people at af-

fordable cost, and to extend free medical care to the needy.

“Our target is to initially raise the hospital’s bed capacity to 150, then increase it further by 50 every year until we have 500 beds. We also intend to add certified specialists to the hospital’s existing staff of licensed physicians,” Gullas said At present, the hospital is still constructing a second, four-level building to be able to put up a new Philippine Health Insurance Corp. ward, an operating room, maternity labor and delivery rooms as well as recovery rooms.

FOLLOWING a foiled attempt to disperse more than P6 billion worth of shabu in Valenzuela City last Friday, Mayor Rex Gatchalian assured the city’s heightened vigilance against dubious elements to prevent them from making the city a transit point for the illegal goods.

The mayor said the city government shall be headstrong in fighting these society nuisances by working closely with the agencies tasked to fight illegal drug activities such as Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police as drug syndicates become more sophisticated in transporting prohibited substances.

“The LGU will remain alert and active in employing measures to see to it that our numerous industrial establishments and warehouses are only used for legal purposes,” the mayor said.Jun David

Navotas HOPE Caravan kicks off NAVOTAS City Mayor John Rey Tiangco led the formation of the first Health Outreach for People Empowerment or HOPE Caravan in the city.

A kickoff program was held in Barangay Tanza attended by children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and those in need of medical assistance.

Among the services given were blood typing, blood sugar testing, blood pressure monitoring, physical and risk assessment, and pneumococcal vaccination for senior citizens.

Tiangco acknowledged the assistance of the national government through the Department of Health in cooperation with the city health office and local social welfare office.Jun David

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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TODAY MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES, P.O BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES TEL. NO. (0632) 527-8356, FAX NO. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES, P.O BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES TEL. NO. (0632) 527-8356, FAX NO. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES, P.O BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES TEL. NO. (0632) 527-8356, FAX NO. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE PROPOSED ABRA DE ILOG PORT EXPANSION PROJECT, PORT OF ABRA DE ILOG, BRGY. MATABANG, ABRA DE ILOG, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BACK-UP AREA WITH RORO RAMP ON FILL, ILOILO COMMERCIAL PORT COMPLEX, ILOILO CITY

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 77,064,149.36 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Abra de Ilog Port Expansion Project, Port of Abra de Ilog, Brgy. Matabang, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro (LFP MDO No. 010-2017). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 160,961,325.71 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Back-up Area With RoRo Ramp on Fill, Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, Iloilo City, (LFP PNG NO. 011-2017). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of R.C. Pier (Area = 81m. x 9m. = 729 sq. m.) B. Construction of RoRo Ramp (Area = 2 pcs.

– 11m. x 9m. = 198 sq. m.) C. Construction of Access Trestle (Area = 775.90 sq. m.) Completion of the Works is required in 360 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Demolition and Removal Works B. Construction of Back-up Area with RoRo Ramp on Fill. Completion of the Works is required in 420 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Demolition, Removal & Excavation Works B. Upgrading and Expansion of Existing Back-up Area.

Completion of the Works is required in 540 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 1:00 p.m. of 20 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 21 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 20 June 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bid opening shall be on 21 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 20 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 20 June 2017, 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

For further information, please refer to:

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 508,046,410.18 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Malalag Port Development Project, Port of Malalag, Davao del Sur, (LFP DVO 013-2017).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of R.C. Wharf (Area = 2,475 sq. m.) B. Construction of Access Trestle (Area = 540 sq. m.) C. Construction of Back-up Area (Area = 705.65 sq. m.) D. Upgrading of Existing Back-up Area (Area = 1,202.15 sq. m.) E. Port Lighting System. Completion of the Works is required in 600 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 75,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 1:00 p.m. of 21 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 21 June 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539 PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

Required PCAB Registration: Large B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539

ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) Standard – May 29, 2017

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID

Standard – May 29, 2017

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATION OF AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION AT DAVAO ENTRANCE CHANNEL, DAVAO PORT, DAVAO CITY The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 185,446,621.82 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Construction and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation at Davao Entrance Channel, Davao Port, Davao City, (LFP DVO No. 014-2017). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction, Delivery and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation System B. Supply, Construct and Delivery at Staging Area of Solar-Powered Lighted Buoy Assembly C. Offshore Commissioning, Testing and Observation of Aids to Marine Navigation. Completion of the Works is required in 120 calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 22 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 22 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE PROPOSED DREDGING OF GUIUAN PORT, GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 35,110,026.17 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Dredging of Guiuan Port, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, (LFP ELS No. 015-2017). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Dredging along the berths and maneuvering areas of the Port to a designed depth of 5.00 meters below Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) (Total Volume to be dredged = 60,000.00 cu. m.) B. Disposal of dredged/excavated soil materials 16.00 kms. away from the project site. Completion of the Works is required in 90 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 29 May 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 25,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 07 June 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 1:00 p.m. of 22 June 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 22 June 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539 PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

Required PCAB Registration: Large A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

For further information, please refer to:

Standard – May 29, 2017

FOR THE PROPOSED MALALAG PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, PORT OF MALALAG, MALALAG, DAVAO DEL SUR

•

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of P 236,339,767.43 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Masao Port Improvement Project, Port of Masao, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, (LFP AGS NO. 012-2017). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539 PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 to 83 loc. 539 PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

FOR THE MASAO PORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, PORT OF MASAO, BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTE

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

ATTY. ELMER NONNATUS A. CADANO Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – May 29, 2017

M. Standard – May 29, 2017

M. Standard – May 29, 2017

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

TODAY

IN BRIEF China says intercept of US plane safe BEIJING―China Sunday denied the Pentagon’s charge that an encounter between Chinese fighters and a US surveillance plane over the South China Sea was “unsafe and unprofessional”.

Tensions between the two economic superpowers have risen in recent years over the disputed waterway, which China claims almost in full despite counter-claims from other Asian nations.

Chinese J-10 warplanes intercepted a US Navy P-3 that was operating in international airspace Wednesday, according to Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross.

The US deemed the move “unsafe and unprofessional” and pledged to convey its concerns to the Chinese government.

But the Chinese defense ministry on Sunday said the Pentagon’s account of the incident “was not in accordance with the facts”.

“On May 25, a US patrol plane carried out reconnaissance activities in the airspace southeast of Hong Kong, China,” it said in a statement on its website.

“The Chinese military aircraft carried out identification in accordance with law. The operations were professional and safe.” AFP

World

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Drug trafficker Corby home B

RISBANE―Australian Schapelle Corby battled a media storm as she returned home from Bali Sunday 12 years after her conviction for drug trafficking, in a dramatic end to a saga that captivated her homeland.

The beauty school dropout hit Australian headlines when she was arrested in 2004 at Bali airport aged 27 with several kilos of hashish stashed in her surfing gear, and was jailed the following year for 20 years.

Her sentence was cut due to regular remissions and after an appeal to the president, and she served nine years behind bars.

She was released early in 2014 but was required to remain on Bali for three years under the conditions of her parole.

Corby and her sister Mercedes concocted an elaborate plan to avoid the cameras after they touched down in the eastern city of Brisbane early Sunday morning, using multiple vehicle convoys to confuse the media when they departed the airport.

A member of her security team read out a family statement at the airport, where they expressed their “gratefulness and relief that this morning we mark Schapelle Corby’s return to Australia”.

“We would like to say thank you to Schapelle’s supporters for all the faith, love and support they have shown over the years...

Priority of focus will now be on healing and moving forward.”

Corby, now 39, has maintained her innocence, insisting the drugs had been planted, and received

FESTIVAL. A general view at Tree Town Music Festival on May 27, 2017, in Heritage Park, Iowa. AFP

Singer, songwriter Allman dead at 69 WASHINGTON―Gregg Allman, the powerfully bluesy and hard-jamming singer and songwriter who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and emerged as a pioneer of Southern rock, has died at the age of 69.

Allman died peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia, according to a statement posted Saturday on his website.

No cause of death was immediately given, but the statement said he had “struggled with many health issues over the past several years.”

Allman, who played keyboard and guitar and sang with a rich, growling voice, was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999 and underwent a liver transplant in 2010, Billboard reported on its website.

Allman’s older brother Duane, a co-founder of the group and legendary guitar player, died in a motorcycle accident in 1971 at the age of 24, just as the band was enjoying its first big taste of success.

The group’s music merged blues, jazz, country and rock with a meandering improvisational style that made jamming at con-

C3

certs one of their trademarks.

Rolling Stone magazine said the Allman Brothers style created “a template for countless subsequent jam bands.”

The Allman Brothers Band’s southern rock sound is also credited with inspiring later groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Gregg Allman, known for his gentle manner and long blond hair parted in the center, went on to front the band on his own for decades after his brother’s death.

The group was popular particularly in the 1970s.

Billboard said that since Nielsen Music began tracking point-of-sale music purchases in 1991, the Allman Brothers Band has sold 9.3 million albums in the United States.

The group’s best-known hits include “Whipping Post,” “Midnight Rider,” “Melissa” and “Ramblin’ Man.” A 22-minute version of “Whipping Post” was a highlight of the group’s popular 1971 live album “At Fillmore East.” AFP

much support back home where some believed she had been set up or was the victim of a supposedly corrupt justice system.

Her final day on the Indonesian resort island was a blaze of media attention, as she was hustled out of a villa with her face hidden under a scarf and chased by a huge pack of journalists before boarding a flight home.

She managed to outsmart the media by heading back to Brisbane on a different flight than had been widely expected, apparently to avoid traveling with a large contingent of reporters.

Shortly after landing in Australia, live television broadcasts followed one of the vehicle convoys believed to be carrying Corby and Mercedes.

It was not clear where Corby was headed, with media camped out outside her mother Rosleigh Rose’s home in Loganlea, south of Brisbane.

In bizarre scenes, her sister, other family members and friends―two wearing ghoulish masks―gathered at the house, while further south at Mercedes’ home on the Gold Coast, reporters waiting outside said a Corbylookalike had turned up.

“I do not know where she is,” a woman at the Gold Coast home who called herself ‘Aunty Jen’ told Brisbane’s Courier Mail. AFP

Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Panay & Guimaras Areas) 3rd Floor LANDBANK Building, Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City Telefax No. (033) 335-1006

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Panay Area), invites Rural Banks, Cooperatives and Other Financial Institutions/Entity to bid for the hereunder projects: ITB No. 2017-005 Service of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program Cash Grants to Beneficiaries for CY 2017 for Panay and Guimaras for six (6) payouts which shall commence in May 2017 up to March 2018 payouts, Regional Coverage “B”.

REGULAR CCT - OFFSITE Province and Municipality

Number of Households

Service Fee

1,408 1,924 879 306 2,575 307 1,460 33 1,534 10,426

PhP 32.50 32.00 30.50 45.00 32.50 50.00 34.00 45.00 30.50

274,560.00 369,408.00 160,857.00 82,620.00 502,125.00 92,100.00 297,840.00 8,910.00 280,722.00 Php 2,069,142.00

1,497 1,646 988 1,593 1,122 4,998 1,237 2,711 3,806 1,849 2,553 1,690 2,201 917 28,808

PhP 22.00 20.00 25.00 15.00 17.00 38.00 19.50 18.00 18.00 24.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.50

Php

AKLAN Altavas Balete Buruanga Libacao (MCCT IP) Libacao Madalag (MCCT IP) Madalag Malay (MCCT IP) Malay Sub Total ILOILO Alimodian Anilao Badiangan Balasan Batad Carles Igbaras Janiuay Lambunao Leon San Dionisio San Enrique San Joaquin Tubungan Sub Total TOTAL AMOUNT

--

Amount

Province and Municipality

Php

197,604.00 197,520.00 148,200.00 143,370.00 114,444.00 1,139,544.00 144,729.00 292,788.00 411,048.00 266,256.00 291,042.00 192,660.00 250,914.00 107,289.00 Php 3,897,408.00

PhP 13,121,325.00;

ANTIQUE Hamtic Laua-an Patnongon San Remegio Tibiao Tobias Fornier (Dao Valderrama (MCCT IP) Valderrama Sub Total CAPIZ Cuartero Dao Dumalag Dumarao Ivisan Jamindan Ma-ayon Panit-an Pilar Pontevedra Sigma Tapas Sub Total GUIMARAS San Lorenzo Sibunag Sub Total

79,332

--

Number of Households

Amount

Service Fee

2,658 1,485 2,124 2,525 1,442 1,304 341 1,391 13,270

PhP 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 19.00 42.50 22.00

Php

350,856.00 196,020.00 280,368.00 333,300.00 190,344.00 148,656.00 86,955.00 183,612.00 Php 1,770,111.00

1,331 1,331 1,092 2,514 1,229 1,383 2,726 1,698 3,037 2,107 1,459 4,085 23,992

PhP 35.75 33.00 35.75 33.00 33.00 35.75 37.00 25.00 26.00 27.00 33.00 37.50

Php

1,770 1,066 2,836

PhP 40.00 40.00

Php

Number of Households

Service Fee

285,499.50 263,538.00 234,234.00 497,772.00 243,342.00 296,653.50 605,172.00 254,700.00 473,772.00 341,334.00 288,882.00 919,125.00 Php 4,704,024.00

Php

424,800.00 255,840.00 680,640.00

Households

REGULAR CCT - ONSITE Province and Municipality Anini-y Sibalom

Number of Households

ANTIQUE Sub Total ILOILO

Banate Barotac Nuevo Dueñas Guimbal Oton Pavia Pototan San Miguel Sta. Barbara Tigbauan Sub Total TOTAL AMOUNT

Amount

Service Fee

1,051 3,059 4,110

PhP 18.00 19.25

Php

1,743 2,552 1,237 729 1,979 744 2,443 607 1,481 2,038 15,553

PhP 18.00 15.00 18.00 18.90 21.50 18.50 18.50 21.00 18.50 18.90

Php

--

PhP 4,851,282.30

Php

Province and Municipality

113,508.00 353,314.50 466,822.50

188,244.00 229,680.00 133,596.00 82,668.60 255,291.00 82,584.00 271,173.00 76,482.00 164,391.00 231,109.20 Php 1,715,218.80

AKLAN Banga Batan Ibajay Makato Nabas New Washington Numancia Tangalan Sub Total CAPIZ Mambusao Panay Sapi-an Sub Total

39,423

--

Amount

1,523 1,936 2,613 1,691 1,568 2,243 1,054 1,307 13,935

PhP 23.00 23.00 22.50 23.00 22.50 22.50 21.00 23.00

Php

210,174.00 267,168.00 352,755.00 233,358.00 211,680.00 302,805.00 132,804.00 180,366.00 Php 1,891,110.00

1,767 2,217 1,841 5,825

PhP 20.00 23.25 23.25

Php Php

212,040.00 309,271.50 256,819.50 778,131.00

Households

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

The payout service shall cover May 2017 up to March 2018 only.

Each set of bidding documents shall cost a non-refundable fee, in accordance with Section 17.4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of R.A. 9184.

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

The schedule of activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

3. Submission / Opening of Bids 4. Post Qualification 5. Notice of Award

MEMORIAL DAY. Victoria Moran and JeMe Cioppa-Mosca attend the Hamptons Magazine Memorial Day Celebration With Cover Star Hilary Swank Presented by Bespoke Real Estate on May 27, 2017 in Southampton, New York. AFP

SCHEDULE May 29 to June 5, 2017 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM) June 6, 2017 - 10:00 A.M., 3rd Floor, LANDBANK Building Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City June 21, 2017 - 10:00 A.M., 3rd Floor, LANDBANK Building Corner Iznart and Solis Streets, Iloilo City Deadline of Submission: June 21, 2017 - 9:30 A.M. June 22, 2017 June 30, 2017

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

REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region VI

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Sri Lanka death toll rises to 146

World

DISASTER AREA. Sri Lankan villagers cross a landslide site as military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors in Athweltota village in Kalutara on May 28, 2017. Emergency teams rushed to distribute aid on May 28 to half a million Sri Lankans displaced after the island’s worst flooding in more than a decade claimed 146 lives and left scores more missing. AFP

3 films tipped to win in Cannes CANNES―The Cannes film festival ends Sunday with a movie about a hammer-wielding hitman, a rousing story of AIDS activists and a parable of Putin’s Russia among the favorites to lift its top prize, the Palme d’Or. After 12 days of screenings and starry celebrations of the festival’s 70th anniversary― which were somewhat muted by the Manchester bombing―it is now up to the nine-member celebrity jury led by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar to decide which movie will triumph.

The jury began its deliberations on Sunday morning, festival director Thierry Fremaux told AFP. Rarely has the race looked so open, with many critics complaining there was no standout film to get behind among the 19 in the official competition.

That shifted Saturday when the final film, Lynne Ramsay’s “You Were Never Really Here”, had many reaching for superlatives.

Two critics told the Scottish director at a post-screening news conference that her film about a traumatized hitman who saves a young girl from a prostitution ring was a “masterpiece”.

Its star Joaquin Phoenix was also being talked of as a contender for best actor.

If Ramsay were to win she would be only the second woman director ever to take home the Palme d’Or. New Zealander Jane Campion won for “The Piano” in 1993.

But as Hollywood star Salma Hayek pointed out Tuesday in Cannes, Campion “only got half the Palme d’Or, not even a full one”, having to share it with Chinese director Chen Kaige for “Farewell My Concubine”.

With US star and Cannes jury member Jessica Chastain sporting a Dior “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirt, and the lack of women directors dominating debate at the festival, a Ramsay win would send a strong signal.

The Glasgow-born director’s main competition comes from the stirring French drama about AIDS activists “120 Beats Per Minute”

by Robin Campillo, who co-wrote the script for the Palme d’Or-winning “The Class” in 2008.

“Loveless”, a harrowing tale of a Russian couple who want rid of their child from “Leviathan” director Andrey Zvyagintsev, is also thought to be in the reckoning. AFP

COLOMBO―Emergency teams rushed to distribute aid Sunday to half a million Sri Lankans displaced after the island’s worst flooding in more than a decade, as authorities upgraded the death toll to 146.

The official Disaster Management Center said 112 people were still missing, with 50 injured in hospital, since torrential rain and landslides swept away entire villages.

Floodwaters were receding in some areas after a break in the rain, giving authorities a chance to deliver much-needed supplies to victims who lost everything in the deluge.

Heavy rains on Friday triggered the worst flooding and landslides in 14 years in the southern and western parts of the island.

Many villages were still underwater Sunday, officials said.

Nearly 2,000 houses were damaged or completely destroyed.

Almost half a million Sri Lankans had been forced from their homes, with most moving into temporary shelters.

The charity Save the Children said about a tenth of those displaced were children below the age of five years.

It said raised fears of stagnant flood waters becoming breeding grounds for dengue spreading mosquitoes and noted that young children were more vulnerable.

Medical teams were dispatched to the worst-affected areas to help prevent an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

“We have the expertise to deal with this situation,” Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said, adding cholera and diarrhea had been successfully prevented in past floods.

The government withdrew an evacuation order for thousands of

residents in the southern district of Matara as water levels subsided.

“The threat of floods around the [river] Nilvala has subsided,” irrigation department director M. Thuraisingham said.

“The flood levels near Colombo have also gone down because we did not have rain in the past 24 hours.”

Water levels in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem district east of Colombo, subsided but many villages in Kalutara, south of the capital, were still under water, officials said.

The military has deployed helicopters, boats as well as amphibious vehicles to distribute aid pouring in from residents in areas unaffected by the floods.

The government appealed for bottled water, new clothes and dry rations for those displaced.

Sri Lanka has also sought international assistance, with India rushing a naval ship equipped with a medical team and other supplies Saturday.

A second Indian vessel was due to arrive in Colombo on Sunday, with a third expected Monday, the government said.

The United Nations said it will give water containers, water purification tablets and tarpaulin sheets while the World Health Organization will support medical teams in affected areas.

Pakistan said it was in talks with Colombo to send relief supplies. Islamabad recently gave 10,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka to help drought victims.

The meteorological department said the rains ended a prolonged drought that had threatened agriculture as well as hydropower generation. AFP

Russia investigation pierces Donald Trump’s inner circle W

ASHINGTON― Donald Trump, just back from his first international trip as US president, geared up to combat concerns Sunday over his aides’ ties to Russia― including explosive reports that his son-in-law sought a secret communications line with Moscow.

HARVEST TIME. This picture taken on May 26, 2017, shows a farmer collecting dried paddy on a rice field on the outskirts of Hanoi. AFP

Britain’s legacy resonates in Hong Kong HONG KONG―From its rattling trams and racecourses to its legal system and the ubiquitous consumption of Spam, Britain’s colonial legacy still resonates through Hong Kong.

But almost 20 years since the city was handed back to China under a deal that made it semiautonomous, colonial emblems have become a symbol of protest.

The old Hong Kong flag, emblazoned with the Union Jack and a dragon and lion motif, is waved by anti-China activists and local football supporters alike in the face of what many see as growing Beijing interference in politics, education and media.

Some angry young campaigners are promoting independence for Hong Kong―

but activist Alice Lai says she would rather rejoin Britain.

The 39-year-old artist and designer regularly flies the colonial flag at political rallies and heads a small protest group called HK-UK Reunification Campaign.

“Hong Kong and the UK coexisted in a proven, well-functioning system for close to two centuries,” says Lai. “China is simply unfit to be governing Hong Kong―it’s a different way of thinking, a different way of life.”

Discontent is fueled by a yawning wealth gap and lack of affordable housing as mainland investors drive up prices.

Retired bank worker Sarah Ng says she felt life was “fairer” before.

“During the past 20 years things have gradually changed.

Living standards, people’s liberties―it’s a disaster,” she said.

Britain raised the flag over Hong Kong Island in 1841 during the first Opium War against China, which was pushing back against the destructive trade.

It was ceded the Kowloon peninsula in 1860 after a second Opium War and extended north into the rural New Territories in 1898, leasing the area for 99 years.

In 1997 that lease expired and Britain returned Hong Kong in its entirety to China under a 50year agreement designed to protect its semi-autonomous status, freedoms and way of life.

Historian John Carroll says British rule in the city, for the most part, “avoided the kind of excesses” seen in other parts of the empire.

He believes much of the cur-

rent nostalgia is because people focus on recent history.

The 1980s and 1990s in Hong Kong were a time of prosperity, democratic reform and global interest in its culture: Bruce Lee’s kung fu movies or the works of film directors such as John Woo and Wong Kar-wai.

But there were darker times earlier on.

Violent anti-colonial riots in 1967 in an era of poverty and corruption led to widespread arrests and censoring of the Chinese press. Activists were beaten by police and jailed.

Carroll also points out that democratic reforms were partial and came very late.

“I do think it ironic that some people are calling for a return to the UK, given that it deprived Hong Kong people of these rights for so long,” he says. AFP

The latest furor was stirred up after The Washington Post reported late Friday that Jared Kushner―arguably Trump’s closest White House aide, and husband to the president’s eldest daughter Ivanka―made a pre-inauguration proposal to the Russian ambassador to set up a secret, bug-proof link with the Kremlin.

Kushner, 36, even suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States to protect such a channel from monitoring, The Post said, quoting US officials briefed on intelligence reports.

The report, if confirmed, would raise new questions about the Trump team’s relationship with the Russians, who US intelligence agencies say tried to sway the November election in Trump’s favor.

News reports said the White House, reeling from the explosive developments in the long-running Russia saga, is creating a new rapid-fire communications unit to respond to the controversy, led by Kushner, senior presidential adviser Steve Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.

After some delay, a senior Trump administration official en route back to Washington briefed reporters for almost 25 minutes, on matters from anti-terror cooperation to the administration’s view that the summit had been a smashing success―despite huge differences on climate change.

Trump plans to make an announcement within the week on his climate position, the official said.

But the said official did not address the Kushner reports Saturday.

Trump then returned to Washington Saturday night from his first overseas trip, to the Middle East and Europe. Accompanied by first lady Melania, Trump waved to reporters as he made his way into the White House but made no comment.

National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster refused to talk about the allegations. But he said that in general, “We have back-channel communication with a number of countries. What that allows you to do is communicate in a discrete manner.” AFP

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

D1

A taste of ‘paella gigante’ PAELLA PARTY. The country’s top chefs and restaurateurs, led by Mikel Arriet of Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay, cooked up and dished out to the crowd over 1,000 servings of paella during the annual Festival de la Paella Gigante.

I

T WAS a celebration of color, delicious flavors, spices and exotic aromas at Greenbelt 3 Park when Ayala Malls rolled out the red carpet for the highly anticipated annual Festival de la Paella Gigante. Just like in previous years, tempting the mall-growing crowds was the obra maestra of the festival.

A team of over 20 chefs worked together to present the larger-than-life paella, which could feed a thousand.

In its colorful display, the paella was a complete feast for the senses. To make it, the chefs used over 100 kilograms of rice, 13 liters of olive oil, and 365 kilograms of chicken, chorizo, shrimp, prawns, squid, and mussels. Over 660 kilos of ingredients were also painstakingly prepared by the country’s top chefs and team from the LTB Philippines Chefs Association and Philippine Young Chefs to create this masterpiece.

It was an incredible feat and a feast that awed the hundreds of guests.

Celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, like Rolando Laudico of Guevarra’s, Mikel Arrieta of Anya Resort & Residences Tagaytay, Fernando Aracama of Aracama Filipino Cuisine, J Gamboa of Cirkulo and MilkyWay, Gilbert Pangilinan of Kai and Cerveseria, Carlo Miguel of Draft and the Brew-

The country’s top chefs and restaurateurs from Ltb Philippines Chefs Association with the help of the Philippine Young Chefs Club who painstakingly prepared the giant paella

ery, and James Antolin of Tochi Bakery and Ikomai Kushi-Age Restaurant lent their masterful touch to create this culinary masterpiece.

While the guests feasted on the paella, Emma Estrada and the dancer of Fundacion Centro Flamenco moved audiences with their rhythmic beats and graceful interpretations of traditional folk dances. It was a true celebration of our shared Filipino-Spanish heritage.

“The Paella Gigante has become one

of the most awaited culinary events at Ayala Malls, and it is our great pleasure to host it here for the third time This event is not only one that we look forward to for the food, friends and fun, but also for the chance to give back and help out,” shares Mina Domingo, Ayala Malls Greenbelt general manager. Proceeds of the event support the programs of Sociedad Espanola de Beneficencia, for elderly in need. “Ayala Malls is a supporter and partner in all cultural ini-

Host Angel Jacob

tiatives, and it is our honor to celebrate with you life, culture and heritage in all its forms,” Joining Domingo to toast the success of the third Paella Gigante were Lally Hidalgo-San Jose, Sociedad Espanola de Beneficencia executive director, Pablo Garcia Morera, Sociedad Espanola de Beneficencia president , and Verna Covar-Buensuceso, Department of Tourism Representative Director and OIC for Market Development Group of

the Tourism Development Sector.

Paella Gigante 2017 was held in cooperation with Instituto Cervantes, Spain Tourism Board, LTB Philippines Chefs Association, and Philippine Young Chefs Club with support from Alternatives Food Corp., Mt. Fuji 100% Japanese Rice, Midas Food, The Seafood Specialist, Toscana Farms, Terry’s Selection, The Art of Food, ESV International Corporation, Molinera, EspaFil and Premier Wines & Spirits Inc.

Cool down

with the new FamilyMart

SuperFreeze

Grab a refreshing cup of Calamansi Zing at FamilyMart

A cup of Starbucks’s Teavana, including Emperor Cloud & Mist (left) and Hibiscus Herbal Blend (right) can now be enjoyed at home

Tea time in comfort

THESE days, we all need a little down time at home to recharge from our hectic work schedule. With everything going at a fast pace, sometimes we need to just stop and reflect on how we should go about our day and our responsibilities. Good thing, one of the most refreshing and soothing drinks from Starbucks, the Starbucks Teavana™, can also be enjoyed at home.

Immerse yourself in a modern tea experience in the comfort of your own home with Starbucks® Teavana™ Full Leaf Tea Sachets. Here are some of Teavana variants perfect for every mood: When you need a refreshing drink.

Hibiscus Herbal Blend’s bright tropical notes of juicy papaya and mango combined with citrus lemongrass makes for a refreshing naturally caffeine-free blend. Aside from being an invigorating drink with a slight tartness, it also

has extraordinarily deep fuschia color coming from the Hibiscus flowers that makes it more exciting.

When you need to slow down and unwind. Emperor’s Cloud & Mist™ is not your ordinary green tea. It is exclusively harvested during the month of April and grown 3,500ft above sea level on the steep, windy slopes of Huangshan Mountain in China. With a rich body and a naturally sweet flavor, this drink is pleasant to the palate and perfect for those moments when you just want to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

When you need a renewed sense of purpose. Sometimes, life gets the best of us. With all of the things that we need to do at the office or at home we often find ourselves worn out. For times like these, Starbucks Teavana™ white tea

blend, the Youthberry™ is perfect. Inspired by super fruits, this drink blends acai fruit with tropical pineapple and mango flavors with high quality white tea, this refreshingly delicious drink is perfect for moments of contemplation and relaxation.

For those perfect mornings. If you want to start the day right, the English Breakfast Black Tea is the one to pick.

A handcrafted blend of Indian Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon and Chinese black tea, this full-bodied tea with rich and malty undertones is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty breakfast and can be taken with or without milk.

Enjoy a modern tea experience for every mood in the comfort of your home. Starbucks® Teavana™ Full Leaf Tea Sachets are available in boxes of 12 in all Starbucks stores nationwide.

THE summer heat has surely got you thirsting for anything cool.

Luckily, a trip to your nearest FamilyMart will grant you something even better.

The world’s second largest convenience store chain, FamilyMart is geared up for the sweltering summer season with a delicious new offering to quench your coolness craving. SuperFreeze is a f lavored shake drink perfect as a sweet treat or refreshment.

At FamilyMart stores across Luzon, you can savor Filipinos flavors of Calamansi Zing and Taro Slush. Get them in 12oz for P27, 16oz for P35 and a whopping 22oz for just P45.

FamilyMart is the second largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across Asia.

In the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City, San Juan, Manila, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Tagaytay, Laguna, and Cebu.

Life

D2

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Why Filipinos

LOVE GIN

F

ILIPINOS have had their own version of hard liquor, like lambanog, tuba, and basi, all believed to have been influenced by liquors available from neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

These native drinks were handcrafted – from harvesting base ingredients such as coconut, rice and sugarcane; to fermentation and distillation, everything was traditionally made.

The British, in the 1700s during their brief occupation of Manila, brought the first bottle of gin to the Philippines. It would eventually become a popular dink among Spanish settlers and Filipino elite.

To meet the growing demand for the distilled spirit, the first gin distillery opened in Quiapo, Manila in 1834.

Technological advancements in gin production also made the drink more affordable to the general populace. Gin became a sought-after commodity and eventually made the Philippines the world’s largest gin market.

Here are three reasons why gin turned into such a phenomenon in the Philippines: Tagay Culture The tagay concept of drinking is deeply embedded in Philippine culture.

The designated pourer or tanggero is the one who pours the drink in a glass, and passes it around to everyone. Traditionally, the first pour is often offered to the drinkers’ ancestor as a sign of respect. Drinkers take turns drinking from one glass and expected to drink all of it in one shot.

The availability of gin made it a convenient replacement to native hard liquors. Filipinos are known to drink gin in volumes, that’s why the Philippine market alone consumes over 20 million cases a year – or about half of the world’s gin consumption – according to a 2013 report by International Wine and Spirit Research.

Medicinal Properties Gin was believed to be produced in the early 17th century by Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius and was used to treat stomach ailments, gout, and gallstones among others, because of the antiseptic properties of juniper berries

Just like many Filipinos, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team also loves a glass or two of the popular local gin label

Gin is known as a great base for many cocktails, from the classics like martini and red snapper to the local concoctions such as GinPom or gin pomelo

– a key ingredient of gin.

Since then, the aroma and taste of juniper berries became the signature note of gin that drinkers have grown accustomed to enjoy and love. From the 20-liter demijohns or damajuana bottles, Filipinos now consume the first Philippine-made gin brand Ginebra San Miguel in Angelito, Bilog, Frasquito, and Frasco bottles. In its improved bottle label, aside from the indicated prod-

uct ingredients, Ginebra San Miguel also prominently displays its iconic logo – St. Michael vanquishing Lucifer, created by no less than the first National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

Versatility While gin can be enjoyed on its own, it is also known to be a great base for cocktails. Classic cocktails like the martini and the red snapper

are made with gin because of its neutral flavor. In the Philippines, one of the most popular gin concoctions is the GinPom – a mixture of gin and pomelo flavored juice drink. With a resurgence of handcrafted cocktails, Ginebra San Miguel launched its Premium Gin Cart and the Gin Nation Roving Caravan. These mobile bar services serve unique cocktail drinks prepared on site, using fresh ingredi-

ents to add new flavors and dimensions to the gin we all know and love.

Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, is the producer of the world’s no.

1 selling gin Ginebra San Miguel and other quality distilled spirits including Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Antonov Vodka, Vino Kulafu and Primera Light Brandy.

Reinventing Filipino food

Locavore, which recently opened its second branch in Bonifacio Global City, offers popular Filipino food with a twist, such as Sizzling Sinigang

SIZZLING Sinigang, Lechon Oyster Sisig, and KareKare Wings are fondly remembered and often recreated by many in the metro.

These dishes are but just some of the tributes to Filipino cuisine you will find in Locavore in Kapitolyo and now in Bonifacio Global City.

Locavore is the brainchild of four couples (including power couple Speedy and Alta Lyttle) with the help of a daring, young chef by the name of Kel Zagguire. Their plan was to take the essence of homecooked Filipino food and reinvent classic staples to a broader, more diverse palate.

Speedy and Alta Lyttle intimate, “We have a group of friends and we’re always eating out, and decided, ‘let’s put up a restaurant!’ We just wanted to have fun and that’s what happened.”

Take one step through its doors in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, and one is greeted with the familiar aroma of home-cooked meals, of food that speaks to the soul.

But even then, with sight of kitchen staples spread across every table, there’s still something different, something that’s unidentifiable until the first bite.

Within months, Locavore’s Kapitolyo branch developed a steady clientele of people looking for a welcome addition to their community bistros. From office workers in the middle of their lunch breaks, to foodies on the hunt, or even a barkada unwinding from a long, adventurous night, there’s always something for everyone in Locavore.

“We are the Filipino restaurant (with food) you wouldn’t be able to eat at home”, says head chef Zagguire. “Our menu is playful and different, but does not forget the essence of straightforward Filipino flavors.”

True to its name, one Locavore’s most defining

Duck lugaw with foie gras Champorado ni Speedy

qualities is their dedication to serving dishes with nothing but fresh and locally grown and raised ingredients. Their commitment to offering organic fare to customers extends to the relationship they foster with farmers and growers. This ensures that every bite from each dish tantalizes the senses with a taste that’s not only daring but organic and sustainable.

“It’s our way of giving back and helping farmers and their businesses”, says Speedy Lyttle.

Word over this fresh, ambitious approach to Filipino cuisine has spread through the metro. For the restaurant to cope with demands, Locavore opened a second branch in Bonifacio Global City. The launch of Locavore’s second branch opened the restaurant to a new, bigger market that proved that Filipino cuisine can have an incredible presence to a bigger, global pallet.

“We want to introduce Locavore to everyone”, says Speedy Lyttle. “Its Filipino food that caters to the foreign palate – everyone can appreciate Filipino food.”

World wine authority awards Filipino educators THE Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), considered one of the world’s best educational programs that offer professional oenology training, recently awarded Level 2 Certification to the faculty members and professors of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

The organization, founded in 1969, has recognized over 9,000 individuals worldwide who earned their Diploma in Wines and Spirits.

The intensive training focuses on the major wine-producing regions of the world, their known wine varieties, production processes and distinct sen-

sory characteristics.

Alongside lectures by distinguished sommeliers, who are experts and lovers of wine, a total of 51 bottles of reds, whites, rosés, and selected spirits were taste tested, alongside rigid exercises on description and evaluation.

This culminates in a written and blind-tasting examinations. All completed assessments are sent to London and individually checked and verified by wine experts. SHRIM faculty, namely, Loren Alcala, Kim Castillo, Aldrin Laygo, Chris Lee, and Novena Lopez, underwent training at the Wine Story Academy in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City prior to the assessment.

Successful participants were awarded the much-coveted internationally recognized certificate and lapel pin.

They can also use with permission the logo “WSET Certified” in their letterheads and business cards.

Faculty members, 15 of them who teach food and beverage and culinary arts subjects, have previously received this training experience, as part of the college’s commitment to continuously assist its staff in the pursuit of academic excellence in their fields of expertise. Students in Garde Manger, Bar Management, and Wine Appreciation will likewise benefit from a mentor’s increased proficiency.

(From left) De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) Dean Angelo Lacson, SHRIM Faculty Jerwin Pineda, Aldrin Laygo, Loren Alcala, Kim Castillo, and Jade Lee, along with International Hospitality Management Program Chair Marie Castro, and Travel and Tourism Management Program Chair Victor Vibal.

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Kris has number of suitors KRIS Bernal confirms that she has male co-workers who are expressing interest to court her but doesn’t want to reveal the identities of said guys.

“No need since I don’t want to give the impression that I’m giving them hope.

Ha-ha-ha! Let’s respect their privacy,” she avers.

“Some are really persistent. They would call but I won’t answer back or reply. Sometimes, I get to know them because we’ve gone out once. If we didn’t hit it off well from the start, I immediately cut it so that the guy would not hope. I’m kind of choosy and careful when it comes to matters of the heart.”

According to the pretty Kapuso star who just turned 28, she has a long-range plan for her love life.

“I don’t want short-lived relationships!

For me, that’s just a waste of time. I go for the type that is serious and long-lasting.”

Speaking of romantic relationship, the grapevine has it that at present, she has a suitor who is non-showbiz.

“That’s true!” admits Kris. “We’re close but we’re not yet a couple. But honestly, it has potential since he possesses many qualities which I look for in a boyfriend.

Still, it’s too early to tell. I’m not settling down that soon.”

For the Impostora lead star, her obligation to her family remains to be her top priority at this point.

“I have lots of good plans for my folks and siblings. In fact, I’m saving a lot to ensure a better future for them. I support them until now so I like a partner who will understand me when it comes to this.”

Kris is not only responsible to her family but wants to be financially independent as well before she finally ties the knot.

“I don’t want to rely totally on my future husband for money. That’s why I’m saving a lot now. Five years from now, who knows, I’ll get married so, I also need to have my own money, right?”

The StarStruck alumna reveals she has become smart when it comes to money matters.

“Over the years, I’ve learned how to value my hard-earned-dough, so to speak.

I can proudly say that I’ve become wiser in handling my finances,” Kris ends. ******** According to Martin del Rosario, he’s happy for his friend Kylie Padilla who is on the family way.

“My friendship with Kylie dates back to 2015 when we did the afternoon soap Buena Familia. I’m really happy for her now that she will become a mother. We’ve seen each other lately at a function for a common friend and she’s glowing. I congratulated her and I saw that inner happiness within her,” he avers.

Is he also close to Kylie’s boyfriend, Aljur Abrenica?

“Not really! We weren’t given the chance yet to work together in a project.

But we exchange pleasantries whenever we bump into each other.”

When it comes to his career, the competent actor is happy to be with GMA for quite some time now.

“Oh yes! In fact, I still have another three years with them. I only have good words for the management. I’m happy with the projects they give me. Like now, I am included in the grand production Mulawin vs. Ravena as Aramis,” Martin states.

I

N AN unprecedented turn of events, long time buddies and celebrity colleagues, Derek Ramsay and John Estrada won in the National Finals of the Jack Nicklaus International Invitational (JNII) golf tournament. After qualifying into the finals at Sta Elena Golf Club, Estrada and Ramsay had no inkling that they would win the National Finals at all.

In fact, Estrada was not sure of playing in the finals because of his prior commitments.

Estrada managed to fix his schedule, played true to form with his partner and finished with a 69 in the Peoria format and beat 33 other two-man teams vying to compete in the International Championship in Ohio this May. “I was dreaming of winning here at least once because it’s an open secret that all of the best amateur golfers are here. We were kind of happy when we were told that there’s a new scoring system, which I think suited our games,” Estrada noted.

Ramsay added, “When we got through the first qualifying day, we were excited because we really had a fun day at the Sta. Elena golf course.”

“We had a little game strategy before the first hole but later on we decided to just play our game. And we played decent golf as we only had one bogey. Honestly we played good, we played better really, today,” he also said.

“You know it’s a good thing Derek told me, let’s just play our game then bahala na!,” Estrada chimed in.

Their strategy worked to perfection. But more than the victory, the thrill will become even more exciting since part of the winnings are the chance to watch live the Memorial Tournament in the US as well as meet and greet, mingle and jingle with golf’s living legend, the “Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus.

“Most definitely no.1 is to meet Jack Nicklaus, shake his hand and have a picture,” Ramsay said with enthusiasm. “I saw Jack Nicklaus as a teenager, from afar and a long time ago and I always looked up to him.”

“I’m really, really excited to meet him, I have to

DEREK RAMSAY, JOHN ESTRADA

win Jack Nicklaus International Invitational make so many adjustments in my schedule but since this a once in a lifetime chance to meet the best golfer who ever lived, then we gotta move things around.”

Ramsay added.

This winning pair will represent the country in the JNII culminating event where they will battle the other winners from other countries worldwide.

“With any sport, luck is part of it, and we’re very lucky to have this opportunity to represent the Philippines and to meet the best golfer in the world,” Estrada added.

Other celebrities who qualified for the finals were Anthony Suntay, Tonton Gutierrez, Glydel Mercado, Monsour del Rosario, Chad Borja, Coach Tim Cone and Vince Hizon.

Since 2006, the Jack Nicklaus International

Invitational has been giving recreational golfers a chance to play tournament golf on world-class courses.

Open to all who love the game, men and women of any skill level are invited to enter this enjoyable, social event that promotes camaraderie as much as it lights the competitive fire. Winners of qualifying tournaments advance to the international final Tournament of Champions held annually in Ohio USA concurrently with the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament hosted

by Jack Nicklaus. Teams get a chance of a lifetime to play for their country while being Jack’s guests at The Memorial where they watch the world’s best.

Learn more at www.jniigolf.com, and follow JackNicklausph on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.

Pinoy ‘Spartan’ Team proves no obstacle is too tough WHAT one can achieve, a team can do better.

Meet TeamBato, a band of fearless iron men and women from the Philippines who’ve come together to conquer some of history’s toughest races in true Filipino style.

The team first formed when a number of Filipinos in Singapore joined the Lion City’s inaugural Spartan Race in 2015. The first of the race’s Trifecta Series, the Spartan Sprint was difficult enough to push them past their limits as they ploughed through 20 to 23 obstacles on a three- to five-mile course.

From climbing steep ramps to crossing mud and even fire, TeamBato quickly realized that on top of having to prepare physically and mentally for the race, they also needed to rely on one another to emerge victorious. After completing the Spartan Sprint, the group started training in weekly workouts to better prepare for succeeding events. It was then that the Filipino spirit of friendship and community awakened in each member.

TeamBato soon progressed to the Trifecta’s more arduous races—the eight- to ten-mile Spartan Super composed of 24 to 29 obstacles, and the 12- to 14-mile Spartan Beast covering 30 to 35 obstacles set on unpredictable terrain.

As they advanced from one race to the next, the same values they formed during their Spartan workouts continued to inspire them to support each other as well as fellow runners so everyone can complete the challenge at hand.

“We prepared to run without help, to conquer our personal goals and test our physical capabilities. However, the bayanihan spirit held on,” team leader Xenos Soto said. Bayanihan is a core Filipino value where fellow neighbors work together as a community to achieve a common goal. “Not

only did we strategize throughout the race, we also offered ourselves to aid other athletes and pull them across the fiery finish line. In the end, our team managed to finish strong,” Xenos added.

As one big barkada or group of friends with over 30 members, TeamBato recognizes the importance of everyone’s support to individual success. Albert Barba, who’s fondly called tatay or father by the team for being the eldest, believes he owes a huge part of his personal wins—including a Spartan Trifecta—to the encouragement given by fellow members.

“Every Spartan Race was challenging for me, but our team would always cheer me on, pushing me to the finish line,” Barba explained.

Now 48 years old, Barba says he joins the Spartan Race to challenge himself physically.

He is currently looking forward to finishing another trifecta with TeamBato as well as participating in the Hurricane Heat—a unique Spartan event designed to break individuals down over and over again through a series of obstacles and missions until they form into a single solid team.

TeamBato’s dedication to the group is no different from what contenders must learn to do in the American competition series Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge. Described as the world’s most brutal obstacle race, the one-mile run not only tests the physical and mental limits of participating teams, it also pushes each five-member group to help and motivate one another so everyone can work together as a single unit—all the way to the final hurdle.

Catch the finale of Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge on June 3, 9:35 p.m., first and exclusive on RTL CBS Extreme.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, May 29, 2017

ACROSS 1 FDR project 4 Hoax 8 Blossoms-to-be 12 Panorama 13 Soprano’s piece 14 Hill or Loos 16 — fixe 17 Doofus 19 Countless 21 Wing-tip tip 22 — Stanley Gardner 23 Guzzle 25 Faint praise 27 Delicious fungus 31 Fragrant shrubs 35 Resistance unit 36 Globe substitute 38 Perry’s secretary 39 Membership fees 41 Ricochets 43 Regard as 44 Muse of poetry 46 Take in a stray 48 Beret 49 What the Vikings did 51 Isolated 53 Tells tales 55 Lalique or Descartes 56 In a frenzy 59 Gym iteration 61 Dryads

Qualifier Monsour del Rosario (center) flanked by the winning team Derek Ramsay and John Estrada

65 Like a pipette 68 Jetty 69 Helen, in Spain 70 Astrologers of yore 71 What the walls have?

72 Starfleet journals 73 Did a smith’s job 74 P.O. service DOWN 1 A — sum 2 Go off course 3 Off bottom, as an anchor 4 Playgrounds 5 Dernier — 6 “— Misbehavin” 7 Little Richard’s hometown 8 Comic-book thud 9 With the skin on 10 Fashion name 11 Mil. plane 12 Vigor’s partner 15 Cheetah, actually 18 Eye, to Pierre 20 Mystique 24 Welk offering 26 El — Campeador 27 Internet hookup 28 Lieutenant under Kirk

29 Political ploy 30 Motel staffers 32 Comic-strip queen 33 Lucid 34 “Swing and Sway” Kaye 37 Bwana’s track 40 Pursuing prey 42 Dazzling 45 Yes, to Miss Piggy 47 Minuscule 50 Earl — Biggers 52 It may be lost

54 Beds of coal 56 Crack pilot 57 Indoor bazaar 58 Dairy-case buy 60 Pharaoh’s creator god 62 Singer Edith — 63 Collies do it 64 Almost-grads 66 — -relief 67 Id companion

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

‘MY LOVE FROM THE STAR’ lands tonight on GMA Telebabad

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EGINNING tonight, GMA Network’s adaptation of the hit ISAH V. RED and internationally acclaimed Korean series, My Love From The Star, will thrill those who had seen the original Korean version when it was shown on the network.

The Kapuso Network proves it is the Heart of Asia with Filipino adaptation of the mala- aso’t pusa and abot-langit kilig story of Steffi and Matteo.

Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado breathes life to Steffi Chavez, a strikingly beautiful, sophisticated, and overly confident popular actress who is senseless and careless at times.

Meanwhile, newest Kapuso heartthrob Gil Cuerva steps into the shoes of Matteo Domingo, a highly intelligent, aloof, but cold and often distant extraterrestrial being forced to live his days here on Earth.

The story begins over 400 years ago when Matteo’s spaceship crash-landed on Earth. Since then, he has lived many lives and eagerly awaits the return of beings from his planet to take him home.

He starts counting down the days and has about three months left of waiting when he meets and encounters Steffi. Steffi, being the popular actress, is used to people literally and figuratively falling for her and giving her everything she wants, but Matteo doesn’t even know who she is and this comes as a shock to her.

Initially, they won’t get along, but will later on come to discover that they have feelings for one another and fall in love. But how can two different beings from two separate worlds – a human and an alien – be together?

Talented Gabby Eigenmann plays Jackson Libredo, older brother of Winston, CEO and heir of the family’s companyand wealth. On the outside, he’s responsible and a gentleman, but inside, he is cold, scheming, and will do anything to get what he wants.

Christian Bautista is Winston Libredo, younger brother of Jackson, who is charming and happy- go-lucky.

He is also Steffi’s childhood friend and he has been in love with her ever since.

Glydel Mercado is Lynelle Chavez, Steffi’s gold-digging and social climbing mother who constantly mooches moolah from her daughter.

Renz Fernandez is Peter Yuzon, Lucy’s brother and the new prosecutor who comes in to investigate the death of Rachel.

Jackie Rice is Lucy Yuzon, Steffi’s friend from high school. She’s nice, sweet, and often quiet. Like Steffi, she is also an actress but all she gets are supporting roles.

Migo Adecer is Yuan Chavez, Steffi’s reckless brother who rarely goes home and would rather stay at computer shops.

Melissa Mendez is Doris Yuzon, Lucy’s mother who persistently pushes her to be a lead actress like Steffi.

Spanky Manikan is Mr. Jang, Matteo’s only friend and the only person who knows his secret..

Playing a very special role in the remake is Kapuso leading lady Rhian Ramos as Rachel Andrada, another sought-after actress and Steffi’s no.1 rival in the industry. *** Comedienne AiAi de las Alas is playing godmother to newcomer Jelai Espino who wants to be in show business, like her idol. The young Jelai is a singer and has released a single on CD titled “Huwag Mong Biruin” written and produced by Vehnee Saturno.

AiAi delas Alas and newcomer Jelai Espino are the brand ambassadors of Natural blend coffee.

Espino, (14) aspires to make it big in the entertainment industry. She dreams of becoming a good actress someday. She has been attending acting workshops, including the star magic acting workshops at ABS-CBN. Aside from natural blend coffee, she is also the endorser of natural organics dear teen collections and color cosmetics.

Jelai is currently a high school student at San Beda.

Comedienne AiAi delas Alas with showbiz newbie Jelai Espino

Model-turned-actor Gil Cuerva teams up with TV and movie star Jennylyn Mercado in the much awaited local adaptation of the Korean TV series

Katrina Velarde: Diva on the rise IT HAS been a very fruitful and eventful year so far for Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde.

Katrina opened 2017 by scoring another mega viral hit in her standout performance on Wish 107.5 where she gave a powerful and heartfelt rendition of Michael Bolton’s anthemic ballad “Go The Distance,” the theme song of the 1997 Disney movie Hercules.

Katrina’s live performance, which she performed on DJ Robin Nievera’s highly popular The Roadshow, was uploaded on Wish FM’s official YouTube channel and breached the three million mark in terms of views and 5,000 plus online comments and engagements.

“I am very thankful to everyone who viewed the video and to all those who gave positive and encouraging comments,” says Katrina, who first gained mainstream popularity as the vocal arranger and choreographer of the all-girl vocal group AKA JAM, who were in the Top Ten slot of the first season of X-Factor Philippines and later on became more famous as she was dubbed as Suklay Diva (The Comb Diva) after several videos of her singing covers of popular songs using a purple comb as a makeshift microphone became a worldwide viral phenomenon. “I am very grateful to Wish FM for giving me the platform to showcase my craft as a singer. I am truly overwhelmed.”

Prior to X-Factor Philippines, Katrina was a regular figure in local singing competitions as singing was truly her passion and first love. She uploaded a cover version of Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” two years before she joined XFactor Philippines. The video catapulted to mainstream prominence when Beyonce’s guitarist Bibi McGil shared it on her social media platforms and after international R&B superstar Chris Brown Tweeted her video to his millions of followers after he picked it up from www.worldhiphop.com where she was named Best Female Artist of the Week in 2013.

Today, as a solo artist, Katrina recently had a back-to-back jampacked show with fellow belter and diva Dessa at Historia Bar in Quezon

City and a repeat performance of the said show in a bigger venue is now in the works. She was also the featured artist in Music Hall’s Pop Variety Night where she also performed before a full house crowd.

Katrina is also part of the amazing ensemble cast of singers that headlines the season finale of Gary Valenciano’s Gary V Presents concert franchise series. The young singer wowed the press in the thanksgiving party of Gary V Presents with her powerful live rendition of “And I Am Telling You” from Broadway’s Dreamgirls. During the opening weekend of Gary V Presents on May 12 and 13, Katrina blew the audiences away with her show-stopping duet with Gary as they interpreted the Al Jarreau classic, “Spain.”

As a recording artist, Katrina signed with Viva Records and her first solo single, composed and arranged by Vehnee Saturno, is the hugely popular “Lason Mong Halik.” The single’s music video is directed by Roe Pajemma and it premiered on Viva Records’ YouTube channel in December.

On TV, Katrina was recently in GMA7’s Superstar Duets as the singing partner of the show’s grand champion Nar Cabico.

Katrina is also the grand winner of #Like – a singing contest featuring some of the country’s best male and female vocalists. Katrina also wowed Willie Revillame in her recent live guesting in his top-rating afternoon variety show on GMA-7, Wowowin” with her stirring version of the classic Pinoy ballad “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin” and her own version of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”

“I am so grateful for the blessings that have come my way. I treasure every opportunity that comes my way and of course, I am thrilled with the projects that Manila Genesis and Viva are planning for me. I just hope that we all continue to support OPM and all our singers here in the Philippines,” says Katrina.

Katrina will also be one of the featured artists in Gary Valenciano’s upcoming North American Tour, which kickedoff on May 27 in M Resort, Henderson, Nevada. The tour will then be staged at Pechanga Resort And Casino on June 3 with Katrina and another special guest Kiana Valenciano; and in Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 10 with special guests Sam Concepcion, and Kiana Valenciano.