Manila Standard - 2017 June 08 - Thursday

Prolonged war feared Military vows no letup on airstrikes vs Maute

VOL. XXXI • NO. 114 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

FISTS OF FURY. Philippine Army Scout Rangers peek from a school window during a mission to flush out Maute snipers in Marawi City on June 6, 2017. With bomb-proof tunnels, anti-tank weapons hidden in mosques, human shields and a ‘mastery’ of the terrain, Islamist militants holed up in the city are proving a far tougher opponent than military chiefs expected. At right, President Rodrigo R. Duterte and troopers of the 602nd infantry brigade flash the signature Duterte fist sign at Camp Robert Edward Lucero in Carmen, North Cotabato.

AFP and Presidential Photo Bureau

By John Paolo Bencito and Francisco Tuyay

Padilla said the airstrikes had to continue because government troops were facing stiff resistance in the “inner enclaves of the city.”

Military officials also said t hey would have to consider bombing mosques where the terrorists were hiding and launching attacks.

With bomb-proof tunnels, antitank weapons hidden in mosques, human shields and familiarity with the terrain, the Maute terrorists are proving a far tougher opponent than military chiefs expected.

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IRSTRIKES against Maute positions in Marawi City will continue despite calls from residents for the bombing runs to stop, military officials said Wednesday.

“We feel the pain, we feel the hurt of every member or every citizen or every resident of Marawi.

But let us remember that we did not start this,” said Armed Forces

of the Philippines spokesman Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla. “It was the armed group, the Maute Daesh ISIS...that entered your city to wreak havoc on it.”

Two weeks after gunmen waving black flags of the Islamic State group rampaged through Marawi, initial assertions from authorities that the conflict would be over in days have given way to warnings of a protracted battle.

“The advantage of the [enemy] is their mastery of the terrain. They know where even the smallest alleys lead to and they are free to go around,” Maj. Rowan Rimas, an operations officer for the Marines, Next page

Smartmatic, Comelec execs indicted

By Rey E. Requejo

Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

THE Justice department has recommended the criminal indictment of officials of the Commission on Elections and Smartmatic for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. In a resolution, Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco found probable cause to charge Smartmatic’s Marlon Garcia, head of the Technical Support Team, and his subordinates

Neil Baniqued and Mauricio Herrera as well as Comelec Information Technology experts Rouie Peñalba, Nelson Herrera and Frances Mae Gonzales for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesman of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., praised the resolution. ‘‘This is a most welcome development because the unauthorized change they introduced in the script

of the transparency server indeed undermined the credibility of the elections, Rodriguez said.

“This is a victory for the Filipino people―especially those whose votes were not counted on election day.”

The Presidential Electoral Tribunal gave due course to the election protest filed by Marcos’ camp on June 29 last year, claiming that the camp of Robredo cheated in the auNext page tomated polls.

BPI glitch stirs chaos; central bank weighs in

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A THIRD petition has been filed to prod the Supreme Court into compelling senators and congressmen to call a joint session of Congress to review President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

The petition filed by former

Ronald Llamas

By Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday suggested that political opponents of President Rodrigo Duterte were plotting to destabilize the government, but was forced to retract his allegation that they met with influential clans in Marawi City on May 2, three weeks before the Maute terrorist group overran the city.

In his earlier statement, Aguirre said Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary

By John Paolo Bencito and F. Pearl A. Gajunera FORMER Marawi mayor Fahad Salic was arrested for rebellion Wednesday evening at a checkpoint in Misamis Oriental in connection with the Marawi siege by the Maute terrorist group.

“He is in the list of people I ordered arrested,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told Manila Standard.

Asked how Salic was connected to the Maute group, Lorenzana said the former mayor was “related by affinity.”

DATA ERROR. BPI customers withdraw money from an ATM on United Nations Avenue, Manila on June 7, 2017. Many account holders are having issues with their account, with some complaining of unauthorized withdrawals. Norman Cruz

New petition seeks joint session on martial law

By Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano

Vitaliano Aguirre II

Paolo Benigno Aquino

Alejano and former presidential adviser on political affairs Ronald Llamas met with Moro families at a resort in Marawi City on May 2, and suggested the meeting could be part of a plot to destabilize the government.

But all the people named by Aguirre denied his allegations and could prove they were elsewhere on May 2.

“For the record, I am not involved in any way with the Maute group or the Marawi incident. I also did not have any meeting in Marawi in May 2 since I haven’t Next page

Marawi’s ex-mayor Salic nabbed for Maute links

By Julito G. Rada A WAVE of unauthorized transactions hit Bank of the Philippine Islands, triggering fears of hacking even as company officials said Wednesday it was an internal computer error.

BPI customers on Wednesday were unable to access their accounts online after many shocked to see unauthorized withdrawals and deposits.

BPI said in a statement the problem was caused by an “internal data processing error” that had been identified.

Efforts to fix the problem were “progressing well” and the glitch was expected to be resolved within the day, the bank added in a new statement.

Online transactions remained

Red-faced Aguirre retracts destab plot

senator Wigberto Tañada and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo was similar to one filed earlier by former senator Rene Saguisag, which questioned the decision of the Senate and the House of Representatives to issue separate resolutions expressing support for the martial law declaration.

Tañada and Pabillo said the de-

ficiency of not convening a joint session cannot be cured by separate briefings given by the Executive branch and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to both houses of Congress.

“A plain reading of the 1987 Constitution leads to the indubitable conclusion that a joint session of Congress to review a declaration of martial law by the Presi-

dent is mandatory and failure to do so deprives the public of transparent proceedings within which to be informed of the factual bases of the declaration of martial law,” the petition said.

The group also called for a transparent joint session of the two house of Congress.

“Given previous experiences Next page

Lorenzana said Salic’s wife, Rasmia, is a cousin of Maute brothers Omarkhayam and Abdullah.

Lorenzana, however, declined to give details as to how exactly Salic supported the Maute group.

“He is married to a Maute. I cannot say more as we are still in the process of apprehending others. We will disclose all in due time,” the Defense chief said.

“I do not want to talk more about this because it will divulge some confidential information that will compromise our efforts,” Lorenzana added.

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Pagcor chief: RW ignored order to beef up security

By Rio N. Araja RESORTS World Manila was ordered to boost security in the hotel and casino days before it was attacked, but it did not heed the advice, an official said Wednesday.

A lone gunman entered the casino on June 2 and set fire on the gaming tables, killing 37 guests who died of suffocation. He then locked himself in a room on the fifth floor and committed suicide by setting himself on fire and

then shooting himself.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairwoman Andrea Domingo told a House investigation a security advisory was issued to all gaming operators―including Resorts World Manila―on May 24 or nine days before the gunman attacked.

But House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas slammed Domingo for failing to order stopping the operation of Resorts World Manila following the attack.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Netizens told: Shun hate drive

By John Paolo Bencito

T

HE military on Wednesday appealed to netizens to refrain from sharing videos that could fan religious hatred as government forces continued to battle the extremists in Marawi City.

“May I appeal to our social me- destroying a church,” Brig. Gen. dia users and our netizens. There Restituto Padilla told reporters in are videos circulating around re- Malacañang. garding certain armed elements “We have requested that

Red-faced...

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visited Marawi for the past three years,” Trillanes said. “But don’t take my word for it. Simply check the Senate records for May 2. The incompetence of Aguirre is only matched by his stupidity. I would advise him to avoid getting his intel from Facebook conspiracy theorists.”

Aquino also denied being at a May 2 meeting in Marawi City.

“Is fake news enough for the head of our country’s Department of Justice to make these outrageous allegations?” the senator said.

Aquino said on May 2, he was the guest speaker during the commencement exercise of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. He added he also attended the Senate session that same day.

“My trip to Marawi was on May 19, 2017 to launch the first Negosyo Center in the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] and I had with me an AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] escort throughout my trip, which can easily be verified through the AFP,” Aquino said.

He also said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez confirmed he was in Marawi City for the Negosyo Center launch.

“These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth.

It would be prudent for Secretary Aguirre to clarify dates, seek evidence and request for official statements from legitimate government agencies before he makes yet another false accusation,” he said.

“This tragedy could have been an opportunity to unite the Philippines against a common enemy.

Instead, it’s being used to further political interests and further divide our country,” he added.

Alejano denied the May 2 meeting said Aguirre was a “peddler of lies and prosecutor of people” who oppose the administration.

“Such a statement is irresponsible considering that the government has all the resources and manpower to validate any information before blurting out names in public,” Alejano said.

“Aguirre’s objective is just to destroy our reputation by feeding these lies to our detractors and their paid trolls [on] social media.”

Llamas also branded Aguirre’s revelation as “fake news.”

“That’s very interesting. If not for the tragic events in Marawi that would even be very funny. But I no longer want to dignify fake news,” he said.

He added that a photo that Aguirre showed allegedly showing the May 2 meeting was actually taken at the Iloilo airport in 2015.

Llamas added that he wasn’t even in the country on May 2, and suggested that Aguirre check with the Bureau of Immigration.

At his press briefing, Aguirre said the anti-administration politicians met with members of the Lucman and Alonto clans, Aguirre said, but could not say if the Maute family was also at the meeting.

“They met with Moro families there. We don’t want to speculate, but two [sic] weeks after they went there, this siege happened,” Aguirre said.

He showed members of the press a photo supposedly of the meeting, but did not provide them copies of it.

Aguirre called on intelligence agencies of the military and the police to look into it, saying the link between the meeting was “possible” or even “probable.”

He said investigators should determine if money had been brought to the May 2 meeting—and if that ended in the P52.2 million in cash that had been seized from a Maute group house in Marawi City.

Also on Wednesday, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said studies showed that violent extremists around the world “often exploit the conditions brought about by poverty to recruit men who have very limited economic and employment prospects.”

He said the development of economy and infrastructure in Mindanao could prove to be the government’s most effective weapons against terrorism and extremism, as bringing jobs and economic opportunities can aid efforts to thwart attempts to radicalize youth in the region. With John Paolo Bencito and Rio N. Araja

Prolonged...

From A1 told reporters in Marawi this week.

“They know where the government forces are coming from and where they are taking cover. They have snipers and their positions are welldefended.”

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted at the start of the conflict that security forces were taken by surprise when dozens of gunmen appeared on the streets of Marawi following a failed raid to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

They emerged from homes in Marawi, the biggest Muslim city with 200,000 residents, and went on a rampage that included taking a Catholic priest hostage, opening up two jails and destroying many buildings.

Lorenzana and military leaders have since said they unexpectedly interrupted plans by the militants to take over Marawi in a spectacular event to

BPI...

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suspended but bank branches were open, although transactions took much longer.

“We wish to assure all clients that the integrity of their transactions and account balances will be maintained,” it said.

In a briefing, BPI Senior Vice President Catherine Santamaria assured bank clients that no money would be lost, despite what appeared to be unauthorized transactions on their accounts.

“We would like to apologize for all the clients who were affected by the current situation,” she said.

“We realized there was an internal...system issue [and] we are now addressing it. We have put down all our electronic channels so that we can immediately address the situation.”

She denied rumors of hacking, saying BPI had “the highest security standards.”

“It’s a system data error. It looks like your account balances either went up or down but the money is in the bank,” Santamaria said.

Nestor Espenilla, the incoming governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said they had accepted “for now” BPI’s explanation that no hacking was involved, but would still conduct its own probe.

“We have no reason to believe otherwise at this point of time, but as I said this is standard operating procedure, we always verify every incident that we are aware of,” Espenilla said in a radio interview.

“For now I think it’s important that BPI resolves it as quickly as possible. We take their assurance that this is not a hack and no money will be lost.”

The bank said the error had led to some transactions between April 27 and May 2 to be “double posted” starting on Tuesday.

Santamaria said that only a small portion of its clients was affected by the glitch and that most of them are in Metro Manila.

With AFP and Bloomberg

Pagcor...

From A1 He also slammed the National Capital Region Police Office for the lapses in security.

Domingo said the establishments were reminded to add precautionary security measures in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Marawi and the martial law declaration in Mindanao.

“We issued a security advisory to all of our licensees and all gaming site operators,” she said.

Pagcor is a government agency that regulates casinos and issues licenses to operate.

Domingo said Pagcor was unable to suspend Resorts World’s license immediately after the incident because the hotel voluntarily suspended all operations.

“The violation that we know now is they did not listen to our security advisory, which they are supposed to follow according to their provisional license conditions,” Domingo said.

She said it was clear in the security camera footage that the casino lacked security, especially in the mall entrance of the establishment.

these be pulled out because these may fan hatred. It is intended by these militants to induce other Christian elements to fight these armed elements or to sow hatred among Christians and Muslims.”

Padilla asked the public not to be swayed by the plan of the terror groups to inflame religious hatred that could eventually result to sectarian division.

“Right before us, in the last few days were clear examples of compassion, of help between Chris-

tians and Muslims, of assistance coming from all sectors. And we are very happy that these are coming out to debunk all these claims and attempts to make this a religious war,” Padilla said.

“This is not a religious war, this is a terror attack on the city of Marawi and we must be clear about it.”

In a propaganda video, extremists were seen destroying the Marawi Cathedral and demolishing Catholic iconography including a crucifix, a statue of St. Joseph

and the Risen Christ, as well as two Marian icons. Posters of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were also torn.

During the attack on May 23 the Maute group members also abducted a Catholic priest and parishioners.

With regard to the more than P52 million recovered in Marawi City, Padilla said an investigation was under way to determine the owner of the money through the help of the banking sector and government regulators.

show that IS had arrived in the Philippines and was intent on carving out a local territory.

They initially estimated there were about 100 gunmen but later said there were as many as 500, supplemented by foreign fighters including from Chechnya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The fighters have also had a surprisingly large arsenal of military hardware, including rocket-propelled grenades and a so-far inexhaustible amount of ammunition for high-powered assault rifles.

Authorities said two brothers from Marawi surnamed Maute were key leaders in the battle, giving the militants a crucial home-ground advantage that has allowed them to withstand a relentless air campaign of bombs and rocket strikes.

The roughly 10 percent of Marawi held by the militants has many tunnels and basements that can withstand 500-pound bombs, military spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.

“Even mosques here have tunnels,” Herrera said, adding the fighters were using them to escape the bombing as well as to store highpowered weapons.

“These are all part of the dynamics of the battlefield that makes it more difficult for us.”

Herrera said military protocol called for mosques and Islamic schools known as madrassas to be spared from airstrikes and artillery, a limitation exploited by the gunmen.

Residents built reinforced bunkers and tunnels underneath their houses

after a 1970 Muslim uprising led to large parts of the city being burnt, Norodin Alonto Lucman, a senior Marawi politician, said.

The Mautes are in partnership with Hapilon, the target of the initial raid whom the military regards as the IS “emir”, or its top leader in the Philippines. Military chiefs said they believed he was still in Marawi.

Adding to concerns that the militants were running a far more complex and extensive operation than authorities initially believed was the discovery on Monday in a house the gunmen had been using of P52.2 million ($1.05 million) in cash.

The gunmen have the added insurance of about 2,000 trapped civilians serving as virtual human shields, along with the priest and more than a dozen civilians kidnapped at the start of the crisis.

President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the entire island of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, within hours of the crisis erupting in a bid to quickly crush what he said was the fast-rising threat from IS. He set a target late last week of Tuesday to clear the city of the militants.

As that deadline passed, Duterte issued typically aggressive rhetoric to soldiers.

“I am ordering you to crush our enemy,” he said in a speech to troops in the south. “When I say crush them, you have to destroy everything, including lives.”

But a quick military victory looks

increasingly unlikely.

Lorenzana, who saw his own 10day target pass on the weekend, said battles in recent years with Islamist militants in the south typically led to them running away but that this time they were showing far more resolve.

“Normally in this kind of conflict the local fighters will just scamper away and maybe hide in the mountains,” he said while on a visit to Marawi on the weekend.

“But surprisingly this group has just holed up there and are just waiting to fight it out, maybe to the last.”

Government forces have sealed off key points leading to the financial district where the terrorists are holed up, to prevent supplies and ammunition from reaching them.

“At the rate that we are going, the troops are moving in strategic offensive on the enemy at the Bangolo district, the only remaining stronghold of the Maute group,” said Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command.

He said the financial district would most likely be the main battleground as the terrorists have fortified the area and stocked up on supplies there.

Galvez would not say how long it would take to liberate the city.

“We are very cautious because they are in the fortified areas,” he said.

Padilla put the number of dead terrorists at 134 and counted 39 casualties on the government side. Twenty civilians have also been killed since the Maute group went on a rampage on May 23. With AFP

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City, which broke out on May 23.

“Since the Armed Forces of the Philippines has already declassified the confiscated video showing how Maute planned the Marawi City rebellion, I think I can now disclose that this video footage, among other disclosures in the security briefing made by top security officials of the Duterte administration during our executive caucus, is what made me decide to vote in favor of the martial law proclamation in Mindanao,” Lacson said.

“Further, I conclude that our colleagues who still oppose the martial law proclamation either did not understand the gravity of the security threat posed by the rebellion in the South, or they are simply opposed to anything that President Duterte does or acts on,” he added.

The video, according to AFP chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año, shows how the bandits plotted to control Marawi City by blocking and occupying roads, as well as laying siege to a school and other structures.

“That video actually is a clear proof that the group of Maute, ISIS, had this intention of not only rebellion but actually dismembering a portion of the Philippine territory by occupying the whole of Marawi City and establishing their own Islamic State or government,” said Año in an interview with ABS-CBN. He added that the terrorists originally planned to attack Marawi City on May 26 at the start of Ramadan, but had to move it to an earlier date due to the military’s attempt to take out Abu Sayyaf leader and local IS chief Isnilon Hapilon.

The military said they discovered the video in a mobile phone seized during a May 23 raid of a Marawi safe house.

President Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao while he was attending an official meeting in Moscow, Russia.

He cut short his trip after learning what happened in Marawi City.

Fifteen out of the 23 senators then filed a resolution supporting the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao, saying there was no cause to revoke them.

Aside from Lacson, the 14 other senators who filed Senate Resolution No. 388 were Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The signatories are all part of the Senate majority bloc. Only two members from the majority group— Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero—did not sign the resolution.

Six senators belong to minority group also filed a separate resolution urging Congress to convene in a joint session and deliberate on the martial law declaration and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao.

The six minority members are Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Leila de Lima.

Smartmatic,...

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In his complaint filed last year, Dela Cruz accused the respondents of “intentionally altering the election data without any right or authority.”

He said that, shortly after the unauthorized alteration of the script of the transparency server, the lead of vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over his closest rival, Leni Robredo, started to taper at a uniform rate, which experts said was statistically impossible.

Marcos’ huge lead of over onemillion votes was eventually overtaken in the wee hours of the morning.

But the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed Dela Cruz’s complaint, prompting him to elevate his case to the Justice department through a petition for review.

In reversing the Manila City Prosecutor’s findings, the department ruled that the respondents failed to secure the required authorization from the Comelec en banc before changing the script in the transparency server.

The resolution said there was enough evidence to indict the accused for the unauthorized change in the system of the transparency server since Garcia himself admitted that he made the change in the script as advised by Herrera.

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with martial law, where proceedings were fraught with secrecy, a public, transparent and delibera-

tive process is necessary to quell the people’s fears against executive overreach,” they argued.

The petitioners also asked the Court to void House Resolution 1050 and Senate Resolution 388, which both expressed support for the declaration of martial law in response to the report submitted by the President as required by the Constitution.

The first petition, filed by lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, asked the Court to strike down Duterte’s martial law declaration. In its session Tuesday, the Court ordered the executive branch to answer the Lagman petition. Oral arguments have been set for June 13, 14 and 15.

The Constitution allows the Supreme Court to “review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson said lawmakers opposing martial law in Mindanao did not understand or simply were against what President Duterte is doing for the country.

Lacson issued this statement a day after the Armed Forces recovered a video showing how the terrorists planned the siege in Marawi Based on the video released by the casino, the lone gunman entered with two guns and liters of gasoline on June 2. He went past a security guard and a metal detector and brandished his firearm.

The gunman, Jessie Carlos, a former Finance department employee and a gambling addict according to his relatives, fired his M4 carbine inside the casino and set gambling tables on fire. He later on died when he set himself on fire inside a hotel room and shot himself in the head.

Resorts World Manila Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said the management “openly admits there were some lapses on security.”

The casino-hotel’s security chief, Armeen Gomez, said the company had 250 security personnel and an emergency reaction team that handles situations connected to fire, security and medical concerns.

Fariñas questioned the qualifications of Gomez. Gomez said he had 10 years of experience working in the security field. But Fariñas said Gomez was dismissed from the Philippine Military Academy for personal reasons and that he failed to graduate from college.

Robredo won the vice presidential race with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos who got 14,155,344 votes.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act penalizes the access to a computer system without any authority while Section 3 penalizes the intentional and reckless altering of computer data. Section 4, on the other hand, penalizes the act of hindering or interfering with the functions of a computer and computer network by inputting, deleting and altering computer data and programs without any right or authority.

But the department exonerated Smartmatic Project Director Elie Moreno for lack of evidence.

The case arose from the unauthorized alteration of the script of the transparency server during the canvassing of the votes during the May 9, 2016 national and local elections.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre overturned the Sept. 28, 2016 resolution issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila that dismissed the case that was initiated by former Abakada Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz.

De Lima ruling on fire code nullified

By Rey E. Requejo THE Justice department has invalidated a legal opinion issued by former Justice secretary Leila de Lima favoring the transfer of the authority to regulate fire security in the casinos to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

That opinion later led to the transfer of the authority to the Peza from the BFP. On Wednesday, however, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II returned to the BFP the jurisdiction over fire security at the casinos following the deaths of 37 casino guests and employees of Resorts World Manila in a fire set by gunman Jesse Carlos.

De Lima, now a senator, is being held in Camp Crame over drug-trafficking charges.

Aguirre said Peza had no authority to enforce Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines.

“It is clear that while the Peza may adopt the Fire Code of the Philippines and its implementing Rules and Regulations, it cannot by itself enforce the same within the boundaries of the ecozones as earlier explained,” Aguirre says in a legal opinion.

“Thus, it cannot conduct fire safety inspection on enterprises duly registered with it as well as those within the zones, [and] nor can it issue Fire Safety Inspection Certificates.”

Aguirre said Republic Act 7916 or the Peza Law allowed the agency to establish internal security and firefighting forces, but it could not supersede the authority of the BFP under R.A. 9514.

Earlier, Aguirre said De Lima’s opinion led to the transfer of the jurisdiction on fire safety regulation in the casinos from the BFP to the Peza, “a government agency without competence and experience in fire protection.”

He said that could be one of the reasons for the lapses seen in the fire safety measures in Resorts World Manila.

Marawi’s...

From A1 The father of the Maute brothers, Cayamora Maute, said he hopes for a lasting peace in Mindanao, particularly in Marawi City where his sons and their armed followers have wrought havoc.

Arrested Tuesday morning, Maute said he has not seen his sons for some time and had no idea what their plan for Marawi City was.

“Nothing can be compared to a lasting peace [in Marawi] there should be no conflicts,” he said. “I hope for a longer ceasefire. He refused to say if he would convince his sons to surrender, however.

Maute said he was suffering from diabetes and could barely walk.

“My medical checkup was canceled. I have difficulties in breathing and walking,” he said.

He also disavowed any participation or knowledge in the Maute terrorist group’s activities.

“I am not a member of the group, we just share the same family name,” he said.

Maute also said his sons shared President Rodrigo Duterte’s aim to rid the country of illegal drugs.

“They are one with President Duterte’s cleaning [effort against drugs],” he said.

Alain Salazar Ismael, the driver of the Maute patriarch’s group, said he has no idea that his passengers were members of a terrorist group.

He admitted that he knew Benzar Ali Tingao since they went to the same school.

“I fetched the group in La Filipino Hotel in Cotabato City, then we went to Sultan Kudarat to fetch Cayamora,” he said.

The commander of the 10th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Noel Clement said that they have increased security measures in the city to ensure the safety of the people.

“Our troops [are on] full alert, especially now that the patriarch of the Maute group is detained here,” he said.

Mayor Sara Duterte lauded the authorities for their alertness in identifying the Maute patriarch at their checkpoint in Sirawan Toril, on Tuesday morning.

Mayor Duterte also asked Davao residents to show their support for the police and military and to immediately report any suspiciouslooking individuals or packages.

The Palace on Wednesday welcomed news of the arrest of the Maute family patriarch, whose sons are currently fighting government forces in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. “The apprehension of the Maute patriarch is a significant step to prevent and suppress future terrorist acts, and we thank Task Force Davao for its quick response,” said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DoJ wants Maute trials outside Mindanao

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its earlier decision to hold the trial of members of the Maute terrorist group in Cagayan de Oro city because it is “dangerous’’ due to its proximity to the Lanao provinces and even Marawi City.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the SC’s decision “is not acceptable,” insisting on his earlier position that the trial of cases against the Mautes should be held either in Visayas or Luzon.

“If it will be held in Cagayan de Oro, I told my prosecutors that we are going to file a motion for reconsideration,” Aguirre said, noting that Cagayan de Oro is only three-hour drive away from Marawi where government forces are still locked in firefights with the Maute members.

According to Aguirre, the security problem is confounded by the arrest Tuesday of the Maute patriarch-Cayamura Maute.

The Justice secretary said that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told him that Marawi prosecutors admitted they are afraid for their lives if they handle the case against the Mautes.

Aguirre said this is why he decided to form four teams composed of three prosecutors from outside of Marawi for each team to handle the cases.

“Secretary Lorenzana told me that the prosecutors of Marawi refused to do their investigation for fear of retaliation so I formed the four teams to take over the investigation and inquest proceeding,’’ Aguirre said, adding the prosecutors came from Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities.

He added it is not farfetched that the Mautes would spring their members from jail just what they did when they attacked the Marawi jail.

Aguirre earlier asked Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to create special courts outside of Mindanao, which would handle cases against members of the Maute terrorist group. He also asked Sereno to take the necessary measures for the protection of the members of the judiciary who will hear the cases against the Maute group members who will be captured or who will surrender to the authorities.

In response, the SC designated the Cagayan de Oro RTC to handle the cases as well as for Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez to coordinate with the commanding general of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro to determine “appropriate security measures” for court personnel, prosecutors, lawyers and the accused.

The SC also designated the Court of Appeals Mindanao station also based in Cagayan de Oro as the station to hear and act on all incidents relative to the requirements of Republic Act 9372 or The Human Security Act.

HOT SEAT. Stephen James Reilly

(second from left), Chief Operating Officer, Traveller’s International Hotel Group-Resorts World Manila(RWM) and Kingson Sian (leftmost), president, Traveller’s International Hotel Group RWM, answer questions from three committees of the House of Representatives on Wednesday as they opened a probe on the attack in Resorts World Manila, carried out by a lone gunman which left 37 people dead, mostly from suffocation. The hearing was held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, just across the casino. Contributed Photo

UN urged to act on ‘smear campaign’ against Callamard

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

HE United Nation on Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council president Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli to make an action on smear campaign against it Special Rapporteur on Summary Execution Agnes Callamard, who condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs, and its two other investigators.

In his letter, which was pub- sioner for Human Rights Zeid licly posted in its official website, Ra’ad al-Hussein expressed his United Nations High Commis- great concern over a number

of “disgraceful incidents of personal threats and insults” directed against Callamard and two other Special Rapporteurs by different countries, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Iran.”

“They have recently been subjected to smear and hate campaigns, some involving incitement to violence: The Special Rapporteur on Myanmar; the Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions, in the context of discussions on the Philippines; and the Special Rapporteur on Iran,” Al-Hussein said.

“This is absolutely unacceptable. As Special Procedures are appointed by this Council, I call on you to consider what actions you may want to take to prevent these

sorts of campaigns,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano earlier questioned the facts, impartiality and fairness of Callamard, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

Cayetano led the Philippine delegation in Geneva last month in presenting a report at the universal periodic review of the Philippines before the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“The system of sending special rapporteurs has oftentimes been effective. But sometimes this could create more harm than good especially when human rights is politicized,” Cayetano said.

Duterte had also criticized Cal-

DFA to send ‘rapid response team’ to Qatar

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Department of Foreign Affairs is set to send a rapid response team (RRT) to Qatar, the agency’s Office of Migrant Workers Affairs acting executive director Raul Dado said Wednesday.

In an interview, Dado said the DFA is scheduled to deploy its RRT to coordinate with the embassy team in Qatar, a few days after other Arab countries have decided to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar due to interfering with its policies.

“I’m meeting my teams tomorrow to see if there’s an impending alert and should we recommend one,” Dado said when asked if the DFA plans to implement repatriation efforts in Qatar.

“Also we are sending an RRT soon,” he added.

Usually, Dado said, the DFA monitors back door diplomacy to address the situation.

“DFA monitors back door diplomacy that goes behind the scenes between the Arabs on whether there will be fence mending away from the public eye,” he said.

The DFA for Office of Public Diplomacy executive director Charmaine Aviquivil, meanwhile, said that the DFA and other concerned agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment, OWWA, POEA, Philippine embassies and Philippine Overseas Labor offices in the Gulf Region are continuously closely monitoring, reassessing, and coordinating the situation of the overseas Filipino workers in Qatar.

Aviquivil also clarified that individuals working in or who have “urgent business” in Qatar are free to return but should observe

usual precautions.

“The PH government continues to process documents for employment in Qatar. However new hires still in the Philippines will be covered by a temporary moratorium on deployment while the situation is being assessed,” she added.

The DFA also renewed its call for all Filipinos in the region to exercise prudence given the events of the past days. It also assured that the Philippine government is ready to assist them and provide all necessary assistance as the situation arose.

“The government renews its call for our “kababayans” in the region to exercise prudence given the events of the past days and reiterates its readiness to provide all necessary assistance as it remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of Overseas Filipinos in the region,” the DFA said.

Du30 to set up P50-b fund for soldiers’ kids

By John Paolo Bencito

CELEBRATORY MASKS. Workers rush the painting of giant masks to be used during the 119th Philippine Independence Day celebrations on June 12 at the Quirino Grandstand at the Luneta in Manila.

Lino Santos

A P50-BILLION fund for the education of the children of soldiers will be set up before his six-year term ends, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday as he also offered military jobs for New People’s Army rebels who would want to join the government.

“I’ve already seen P20 billion, I’ll just add them before the end of term. If I can just raise another P30 billion, then you’ll be okay. That 50 billion we can take care of the education of all of your children,” Duterte told the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade at Tacurong City.

“You won’t have any problem with the education of your kids. I promise you,” he added.

Duterte, who earlier assured the troops that he will look after their needs and those of

their children, did not however, specify where he would get such amounts.

In the same speech, Duterte offered military jobs for New People’s Army rebels who would want to join the government, but only if the communist movement signs a unilateral ceasefire for talks to continue.

“Kayong mga NPA, mga able-bodied, mga sundalo sa NPA, kung gusto niyo sumali sa gobyerno ko, I will take you in as soldiers of the country.

Ie-enlist ko kayo as soldiers.

Anytime, bumaba lang kayo,” Duterte said. “I am only willing to talk ... to the NPA, just give me the document that’s signed by the Norway—Norwegian government also because they offered the good offices for us to talk to them.

Give me that document then we’ll talk,” he said.

lamard, who had contradicted his opinion that shabu causes brain damage during her visit in the Philippines last month.

The Philippines had tried to prevent Callamard from visiting the Philippines to attend a forum on drug-related issues but Callamard said she was still open to undertaking an official visit to the Philippines.

In the same letter, Al-Hussein again emphasized his “very serious concern,” saying that when other officials of the UN-countrysignatories intimidate, arrest or harm these individuals, it is a clear message that “they are attacking a fundamental element of the work of this Council and the UN.”

Ex-solon’s beneficiaries in scam under fire

By Rio N. Araja OUT of the 80 listed beneficiaries of former lawmaker Edgar Valdez accused of involvement in the pork barrel fund scam, only four were registered voters, a Commission on Elections officer from Surigao del Norte said Tuesday.

Election officer Liborio Zamora, along with two other government officials, took the witness stand at the Sandiganbayan.

Zamora told the Sandiganbayan that the Office of the Ombudsman directed him to verify the names of those on the list who supposedly benefited from Valdez’s Priority Development Assistance Fund from Comelec’s voters registration system.

“Out of 80 [names], only four have existing records,” he told the anti-graft court.

Zamora was in charge of the voting records in Burgos town in Surigao del Norte.

He testified that majority of the supposed pork barrel fund scam beneficiaries were not included in the list of registered voters for 2013.

The camp of Apec lawyer representative Edgar Valdez said not all of the beneficiaries were registered voters.

The two other witnesses, agricultural technologist Dioscora Plandano and agricultural officer Oscar Domiños, maintained they were not aware of the list of the town mayor.

The Ombudsman charged Valdez with graft raps for misuse of his P95-million pork barrel in 2004 until 2010.

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Moving targets

T

HIS administration has a habit of setting deadlines for things that must be done. The problem is that the dates are never met, and all they think they have to do is move the targets.

Take the war against illegal drugs.

When President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, he promised that he would eradicate this menace in three months. He launched the campaign with a zeal that matched little else. Oplan Double Barrel, of which Oplan Tokhang was a component, gained notoriety here and abroad because of its methods. Many believed the basic rights of suspected drug addicts and pushers were being violated in the name of the campaign.

The President was—still is— dismissive of what the rest of the world thinks about his methods. The problem, however, was bigger than he had thought. It turns out he would need more time to eliminate drugs here, if that were indeed possible. He asked for another year.

These days, Filipinos grieve for what is happening in Marawi City, where the Maute group launched an attack on May 23. This prompted Mr. Duterte to cut short his trip to Russia and declare martial law in Mindanao.

The initial plan was to end the crisis on June 2. At that time, dozens from both sides had already died, thousands had fled and reports of wanton violence against Christians had been reported.

There was the misfortune of soldiers

being killed, not by the enemy but by friendly fire.

That deadline came and went.

National attention shifted to a man’s rampage at a casino back in Manila.

Two days later, the President committed to another deadline—he said the Maute group would be defeated in three days.

That deadline lapsed, yet again, and the people of Marawi are still on edge even if they had fled. Photos coming in reveal the severity of the loss of property, as well. It will take many years to rebuild what had been lost during the fighting of a few days.

We completely understand that these demands are not simple tasks that must be ticked off on schedule. Every Filipino knows lives are on the line,

and solutions—both strategies and tactics—must be carefully planned for best results. The consequences are grave, the stakes high.

We would be fine, really, without specific dates—especially if they are moved anyway because of a host of reasons. We acknowledge the significance of the job that must be done and the risks that must be taken in implementing such plans. Seeing one deadline lapse after another hardly inspires confidence, however, and only serves to erode the credibility of those whose task it is to ensure our safety.

We would be secure in the knowledge that the government is doing its best to combat these enemies. No fixed dates are required, just a promise to do the right things right.

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

Poor media management

Idiots and clowns LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES SUPPOSE you’re an opposition senator and suppose further that you’re an idiot. But, as Mark Twain would have said, I repeat myself.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is certainly no idiot, declared yesterday that he voted in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation in Mindanao after watching a video of homegrown terrorists plotting the takeover of Marawi City. This was the same video obtained by the Associated Press which formed the basis for an excellent report on the Marawi siege by that wire agency’s veteran Filipino reporter, Jim Gomez.

According to Lacson, the video was shown by top security officials of the Duterte administration to members of the Senate in an executive session prior to a vote on

the martial law proclamation. At the time, the senator related, the video—which showed elusive terrorist Isnilon Hapilon and his top wingmen, brothers Omarkhayyam and Abdullah Maute, and others planning the siege of Marawi on the back of a paper calendar using blue-ink markers—was classified information.

But now that the military has apparently decided to declassify the video by giving it to Gomez and AP, Lacson has spoken up.

And what he said was unflattering, to say the least, to his colleagues who did not approve of the martial law proclamation.

“This video footage, among other disclosures in the security briefing made by top security officials of the Duterte administration during our executive caucus, is what made me decide to vote in favor of the martial law proclamation in Mindanao,” Lacson said.

“Our colleagues who still oppose the martial law proclamation either did not understand the gravity of the security threat posed by the

rebellion in the south, or they are simply opposed to anything that President Duterte does.”

Fully 17 senators approved of Duterte’s martial law proclamation, by the way. The objectors were members of the Liberal

the imposition of military rule in Mindanao, made after Hapilon and the Mautes started destroying Marawi’s churches, hospitals and other vital facilities in a bid to claim it for the Islamic State, had the same information that he did. But still they voted against Duterte’s Proclamation 216, which he finds incomprehensible.

No rightSo these senators saw but did thinking Filipino not understand, or were so blinded by their opposition to Duterte would fail to that, according to Lacson, they really could not see. Either way, appreciate the according to Twain’s definition, importance that would make them idiots—or at the very least, totally, irrepaof the video in rably blind. making the case I must say that no right-thinking Filipino would fail to appreciate for a rebellion in the importance of the video in making the case that Hapilon, the Marawi.

Mautes and their fellow IS wannabes were planning a rebellion in Marawi. This single piece of inParty or allied with it. formation destroys the contention What Lacson is saying is that of some senators, most notably the senators who voted to reject Risa Hontiveros, that no rebellion

has taken place in the Muslimdominated city, thus making the imposition of martial law unnecessary.

But I doubt very much if Lacson’s sermon to his colleagues will make them change their ways, never mind if they have once again been unmasked as hopelessly partisan or even, no matter how unfairly, terrorist supporters. Apart from being blind, these senators have also earned a reputation for being deaf—to reason, to evidence and to everything else that is not in tune with their agenda.

But wait a second. What if we, the people and majority of the senators, are the idiots, because we fail to see what the Yellow senators, in their individual and collective perspicacity, do not?

You know what? I don’t think so. *** Speaking of the political opposition, a hilarious online meme showing Senator Antonio

NEWS coming out of the country the last few weeks have been dismal. In the middle of President Duterte’s trip to Russia and just when Ramadan was just starting, the Maute group with elements from Abu Sayyaf and other foreign jihadists took over the City of Marawi, an urban center of more than 200,000 people, mostly Muslim. The terrorists are still embedded in the city and the fighting has not diminished.

Then as if that were not enough, an addicted casino gambler, banned from all casino premises, flipped and vented all his anger on Resorts World Manila. He caused the death of 37 innocent people who were just out enjoying themselves. He then took his own life.

We will never know his exact motivation because Jesse Carlos is already dead but the way the police initially responded to the situation does leave much to be desired. It was in simple terms a demonstration of how not to do things.

Ordinarily, there are standard operating procedures that prescribe the way operations of this nature are conducted including media briefings. In this case, the commander of the area where the incident took place is the ground commander. Since the incident was located in the Southern Police District, Chief Superintendent Tom Apolinario Jr. should have been in charge.

This apparently was not the case. The operation appears to have been taken over by the Regional Office under Police Director Oscar Albayalde who was the one issuing bulletins as to the progress of what was happening. This was supplemented by statements coming from PNP Chief Bato dela Rosa who proceeded to the site in full battle fatigues, and gave a media briefing right in the middle of the street contributing to the impression that the incident was indeed a terrorist act by the ISIS. From the beginning, the police started to issue statements without verifying exactly what the accurate picture was. One was the initial statement of Police Director Albayalde that the perpetrator was Caucasian because he spoke English and was tall and big. I can understand that Albayalde did not want to label the incident as a terrorist act because it would be a black eye to our reputation and could jeopardize his professional future.

Also, both Generals dela Rosa and Albayalde were issuing separate statements in the morning of June 2, 2017 that were not accurate. This was before the public was informed about the identity of the perpetrator and the death of 37 people due to smoke inhalation.

When De la Rosa left the scene, Turn to A5

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Opinion

It is clear that Congress I REFER to the continued struggle for power at the Subic must vote jointly in such a Bay Metropolitan Author- case. Thus, when Congress arity, between SBMA Chairman gues that there is no need for a Martin Diño and OIC Ad- joint session, that would be in ministrator Wilma Eisma, ap- violation of the Constitution.

This is why I agree with pointed by Malacañang.

Ever ything in the former that the Supreme Court American base went well should compel Congress to during the time of its f irst vote jointly. The Constitution chairman and administra- is clear.

Other petitions claim that tor Richard Gordon, to Felicito Payumo. And then, there was no basis for the President Gloria Macapagal declaration of martial law Ar royo issued an executive and the suspension of the order separating the two privilege of habeas corpus. I think the President had suffunctions.

I recall saying at that time ficient reason to do as he did.

This rebellion becomes that the result might be turf battle between the chairman more alarming with reports and the administrator. Sure that some 1,200 “killing maenough, it happened with the chines” are now in the Philippines. As I said earlier, Mr. next set of SBMA officials.

Republic Act 7227, which Duterte had more compelling created the Bases Conversion reason to declare martial law Development Authority, is than Marcos did in 1972. clear that there should only be *** one person holding the post of Marines have recovered chairman and administrator.

This conf lict between the P79.2 million in cash and chairman and OIC-adminis- checks from a house in Marawi trator came to a head when City. The question is, where there was a quarrel over who did all these come from?

It is said the Maute Group should occupy the commander’s quarters at the Kalayaan raided branches of Land Bank and Philippine National area of SBMA. I was in Subic and I saw Bank in Marawi City. So why two armed groups in con- did they leave this money?

As for speculation that drug frontation. money is fiDuring a nancing the meeting of Maute and the special Abu Sayyaf com mitGroup, that tee on bases A mere still has to be c o nve r sio n , verified.

Speaker Pan- executive order taleon Al- cannot supersede *** varez said There is a mere ex- a republic act. this move at ecutive orthe House of der cannot Re p r e s e nt a supersede a tives to avoid republic act. an existing conflict of interI agree with the Speaker.

Last week, Diño issued Ad- est on the part of the Philipministrative Order 01-2017 pine Amusement and Gaming which created a task force Corp., which, aside from reguunder his office to inspect, lating casinos, also operates monitor and faithfully imple- some of them.

Nowhere else in the world ment the laws in the conflict of business and financial op- do we find this. I have been erations and collection. Con- talking about this conflict for sequently, he filled up the task years.

Pagcor’s casinos should be force with his personal staff.

Malacañang must order the privatized. reorganization of SBMA. *** Last April 17, there was *** The Constitution mandates supposed to be a public bidthat after the president pro- ding for the construction of a claims martial law, he must national penitentiary in Laur, submit to Congress, within Nueva Ecija. The New Bili48 hours, a report in per- bid Prison would be transson or in writing. President ferred here.

The plan was already apDuterte did this.

The next sentence of Sec- proved. In fact, three bidtion 18, Article VII provides ders have already prequalithat Congress, voting jointly, fied: San Miguel, DMCI and by a vote of at least a major- Megawide.

But a strange thing hapity of all its members in regular or special session, may pened: No bidding took revoke such proclamation, place. Is the government sewhich revocation shall not be rious about addressing this problem? set aside by the president.

Idiots...

From A4 Trillanes and his sidekick, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano holding up a piece of paper between them has gone viral. Various permutations of the caption allege that the two somber-looking, dark-suited lawmakers went to the Netherlands in order to be joined in a same-sex marriage, which the Dutch allow but which Filipinos don’t.

The scathingly witty meme is, of course, false. But its message resonates with those who believe that the opposition has become so thoroughly irrelevant, it has devolved into the object of derisive laughter.

Trillanes and Alejano did go to The Hague this week to file a supplemental complaint before the International Criminal Court, which they are asking to prosecute Duterte for high crimes. Why they thought that effort was important at a time like this, when terrorists are laying waste to Marawi and attacking innocent people all over the world, only Trillanes and Alejano can really explain.

You can’t fault the persistence of these former coup leaders who have since exchanged their fatigues for business suits, though. While the rest of the country has debunked their risible quest to remove Duterte based on their discredited complaints and witnesses and is now cowering in the infinitely more real fear of terrorism, Trillanes and Alejano soldier on, unmindful of how pathetically partisan they appear.

Move along now. Nothing to see here but two serious-looking political clowns reprising their tired old act in another country.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The cost of intelligence failure

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

There can only be one

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THE entire Mindanao has been under military control since President Duterte declared martial law on May 23 due to the Maute terror group’s attack on Marawi City.

Since then, our military troops have been in clashes with the terror group resulting in multiple casualties and displacement of numerous Marawi citizens.

It saddens me that these troubles have to happen. I can’t help but wonder why the Department of National Defense, together with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are not able to stop such terror attacks before they happen. These government forces should have been able to do preventive measures because

obviously, these assaults are a threat to our national security.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that the military failed to appreciate the intelligence reports with regard to the movement of the Maute group in Lanao del Sur. Unfortunately, they did not notice how the terror group reached Marawi City because they were focused on counter-attacking them in the mountains. Now which is worse, being totally clueless about the terror group’s movement or having intelligence reports in hand but doing nothing about them? Definitely, this has been a case of intelligence failure. Maybe it is the right time that we ask: How were the intelligence funds of the government being used?

Congress appropriated P137.2 billion for the Department of National Defense and P793.7 million for the National Intelligence

Coordinating Agency. A total of P5.8 billion of confidential and intelligence funds were also appropriated; P2.5 billion of which were under the Office of the President, which were claimed to be for the anti-drug campaign.

Confidential expenditures are not subject to the regular auditing rules of the Commission on Audit. Thus, agency heads are required to submit a certification to justify their use of these funds. With this, we trust that the agency heads use these funds properly. Clearly, that is not the case here.

A few months from now, the House will begin its 2018 National Budget deliberations. We in the Minority will be reviewing abovementioned agencies’ performance in 2017, to justify the amount of their proposed budget in 2018.

Another matter of concern is the actual knowledge and performance

of our government troops. Besides failing to appreciate intelligence reports, they have also recently committed a serious error after accidentally killing their own troops in an airstrike last week as they were battling against the Maute terror group.

Bombs that were supposedly aimed at the enemy unfortunately hit our own troops due to a miscommunication. I recently filed a House resolution calling for an investigation of the said incident.

I cannot emphasize the importance of responsible use of intelligence funds, particularly at this time when the security of our nation is vulnerable to terrorists, both local and foreign.

At the Minority, we will ensure that the intelligence funds are efficiently used, that our Armed Forces apply preventive and efficient attack and counterattack measures, and that martial law is properly implemented.

Trump, Duterte, and the Paris Accord PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s pullout of the United States from the Paris Climate Accord is the dumbest decision so far of his presidency.

It has proved so unpopular and outraged so many that so far 1,219 (as per wearestillin.com) states, cities, businesses, and institutes of higher education have promised to abide by the provisions of the accord on their own.

The participants “represent 120-million Americans and contribute $6.2 trillion to the US economy.” Among the widely recognized companies that support this move are Apple, eBay, Google, Intel, and Microsoft.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has often been compared to Trump, and in many ways their behavior and attitudes mirror each other’s, but at least Duterte has seen fit to finally sign the Paris Accord, despite threatening last year to repudiate the Philippines’ commitment to support it. (He claimed that the country needs to further industrialize and that checks on carbon dioxide emissions would stymie economic growth.)

The Philippines has vowed as its contribution to the Paris Agreement to bring its carbon emissions down by 70 percent by 2030, with carbon dioxide reductions to be made in the sectors of energy, forestry, industry, transport, and waste.

However, the implementation of national development targets and mitigation initiatives is contingent on many factors, including funding, external assistance, and the buildup of capacity, capability, and technology transfers to support adaptation, mitigation, and other risk management measures.

The question is, are we doing enough, fast enough?

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, is one of twenty countries most vulnerable to climate change. Climate trends including an increase in the global average temperature and a rise in sea level will have a significant impact on certain geographical areas such as coastal areas, which may experience flooding, changes in water temperature and acidity, and so on, impacting marine life and habitat.

The devastation wrought by the storm surges of Super Typhoon “Haiyan” (“Yolanda”) is only one of the many manifestations of this phenomenon and a harbinger of things to come, should the world fail in its efforts to stem global warming.

Climactic effects including an

increase in extreme local weather events, such as hurricanes, monsoons, typhoons, torrential rain, or longer dry periods and more frequent heat waves, are likely to be evident very quickly in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

The consequent negative consequences on farming are damage to crops, forestry stands, orchards, buildings and equipment, floods, loss of harvests, erosion, and human casualties. There will be a corresponding increase in the cost of food, forage, and biofuel crops as well as timber. Rising sea levels will cause flooding, forcing relocation of inhabitants and causing swamping of agricultural lands.

On the fisheries side, warmer waters contributed to the death of a quarter of the world’s coral reefs in the past few decades. Coral reefs are habitats of many kinds of fish and marine organisms, and many of these have died as a result of warmed waters.

Warming can also cause changes in the length of the season, and may impact mating habits of fish and other marine creatures. Seawater is becoming more acidic due to carbon dioxide dissolving in the oceans. This has impact on coral reefs, other marine habitats, and on marine life in general.

In developing countries such as the Philippines, where a significant number of the population derive their livelihood or food from

farming and fishing and its related activities, there are anticipated to be heavy negative effects due to climate change over the mediumand long-term.

Our commitment to the Paris Accord is a step in the right direction, but the urgency of the threats from climate change, in view of our country’s vulnerability, cannot be overemphasized. There are many ways that Filipinos can help the effort as individuals and communities.

For one, industrialization can still be ramped up, but with the responsible use of clean energy sources, particularly solar. Treeplanting movements popular during the 1970s should be brought back and efforts redoubled. To ensure food security, people should plant vegetables and fruit trees rather than ornamentals.

On this issue, Trump may have made the wrong decision, but some Americans are acting to save their country as best they can. We are more fortunate in that Duterte has seen the wisdom of partnering with the rest of the world to stem the threat of climate change.

But the important work is still ahead of us, and we are running out of time. *** Dr. Ortuoste is a Californiabased writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste / Twitter: @jennyortuoste

We’re not all geniuses

By Cathy O’Neil YOU don’t have to be a genius to become a mathematician. If you find this statement at all surprising, you’re an example of what’s wrong with the way our society identifies, encourages and rewards talent.

As a mathematician who studied at Berkeley, Harvard and Princeton, I’ve known geniuses.

I got to hang out with Andrew Wiles, who is credited with solving Fermat’s Last Theorem, and I met Grigori Perelman, who solved the Poincare Conjecture.

They’re great guys, but they didn’t do it on their own. For each certified genius, there are at least a hundred other great people who helped achieve such outstanding results.

Math requires altruism, hard work and fact-checking. Although presented as a platonic ideal of logical argument, a mathematical proof really passes muster only if it persuades a critical group of col-

leagues within the field. As such, it’s partly a social construction.

Long and difficult proofs require enormous—and unpaid—effort to find the flaws that in most cases exist. The mathematical community deserves more thanks than it gets for this selfless toil.

The same applies to society at large. The winners, be they CEOs, senators or Nobel laureates, owe much of their success to a functional system. I’m not the first to note that Steve Jobs likely would have been a subsistence farmer if he had been born in another time (if he survived childhood at all). Yet his achievements tend to be portrayed as entirely his own.

In short, we over-reward those at the top and dismiss the rest.

It’s an unhelpful and unnecessary bias that facilitates hero worship, undermines the goal of nurturing creativity and discourages valuable contributions to communities, worthy causes and scientific projects. It also influences the way we educate our children, on the

flawed premise—reflected in articles with titles like “How to Raise a Genius”—that standardized tests can identify potential geniuses, that the right upbringing can turn them into actual geniuses and that they will be compelled to solve the world’s problems.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have high hopes and standards for our children. But by focusing our attention on the kids who get the top SAT scores, we reinforce the fixation on genius to the detriment of everyone else—and particularly to the disadvantaged kids who don’t have the resources to compete. In such a system, math loses its playful and curious nature. It becomes a gatekeeper, intimidating instead of clarifying.

I speak from experience. When I won a math competition back in high school, the prize was Men of Mathematics, a book that profiled a bunch of dead white male geniuses.

Since I was a girl, the math team coach replaced it with Women in Mathematics, which did the same

thing with women in a uniquely depressing way. The coach undoubtedly meant well, but I didn’t need to know about a bunch of people who solved problems I couldn’t understand. A book of mathematical brain teasers would have done a lot more to send the right message: that math is fun!

To even imagine becoming a mathematician, I had to ignore the question of whether I was a genius, or whether I would need to be a genius. Had I been poked and prodded and measured to see how exceptional I was, I probably would have lost the nerve.

We do ourselves a disservice when we focus only on the exceptional, in math or in any other field.

We should instead strive toward literacy for all, added challenges for those who want them, and wellfunded research for the crazy few who are willing to devote themselves to it. We’re going to need a whole lot of smart and confident thinkers to take on the problems we’re creating. Bloomberg

of a system they call COBRA. This defines how emergencies are handled from the top down to the lowest operating element. Everyone’s duty is defined and if a higher authority goes to the site of an emergency and wants to take control of the operation, he signs a document stating that he or she is taking over from that specific time and date.

We tried to study and follow this system but as soon as the Aquino administration took over, the system was discarded.

As the Resort World incident showed us, the media handling which is very important was not up to par.

Many government officials have been issuing statements. Even the Speaker of the House joined the fray by insisting that the incident was an act of ter-

rorism by definition when the police was trying to down play the incident.

Other politicians also had a thing or two to say about the incident. This fueled more speculation. Government officials must at times avoid the temptation to plough into any emergency situation to offer opinions that might aggravate or add to speculations. The police should just have set a media center where accurate and timely information was released to the media and public instead of giving impromptu briefings that turned out to be inaccurate. The public will appreciate this more because they are not stupid.

Now that it is over, I hope that the authorities will not just leave it at that because there are a ton of questions begging to be answered. Was

the security adequate? How was it that Jessie Carlos simply walked in to the casino without even being accosted by security? Was the building compliant with the fire code? How was it that there appears to be no fire escapes other than the entrance doors? And for the government, what happened to that long standing order that government officials are strictly prohibited from entering casinos? Remember the late Land Transportation Office Director Virginia Torres who was spotted inside a casino and was forced her to resign? That order should be strictly enforced because there are many government workers out there like Carlos earning very little but can afford to bust millions in the casino.

Poor...

From A4 only then was the public informed of the number of casualties.

Although we can now agree that the incident was not perpetrated by the ISIS, this is no consolation to the families of those who lost their loved ones because of what a deranged individual did. If we contrast the way our police handled the media in the Resorts World incident and the way the United Kingdom Police handled the Manchester bombing and the London incident, we can see a big difference.

There, only the police spokesperson or the chief constable of the area issued statements. Also, the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, the equivalent of our Secretary of Interior and Local Government could issue statements. No other politician issued any statements. It was orderly because

News

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

APO’s ‘illegal’ printing contract to undergo review—Cayetano

PDEA declares Batanes ‘drug-free’

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE alleged illegal contract of APO Production Unit with the Department of Foreign Affairs over the manufacture of the country’s electronic passports has yet to undergo a thorough review, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said recently.

In an interview, Cayetano said that even as the department moves to facilitate faster processing of passports by adding more machines, APO-PU and UGEC’s future with the DFA is still uncertain.

“I have not stopped the review and I have not recommended anything yet,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also said that he has decided, for now, to separate the legal issue from the administrative.

“First, I will take care the ad-

ministrative side on how to speed up the processing and to upgrade the services for the Filipinos regardless of the findings of the legal department pertaining to the contact,” Cayetano said.

He also said that while he is focusing on the administrative side, he is also coordinating with the Office of the President and the Office of the Executive Secretary regarding the matter.

“Right now we are focused on the

administrative but I’m coordinating with the Office of the President and the Office of the Executive Secretary because they already started in the legal aspect there,” he said.

Earlier this week, Cayetano disclosed that he has met with the DFA’s legal department to discuss the fate of APO, a state-owned printing press company and its joint venture United Graphic Expression Corp., that bagged the 10-year contract to print the e-passport.

“They’re going to compare notes and start looking at the aspect of the contract, including whether it is beneficial to the government or kung hindi siya beneficial to APO,” he said.

Cayetano also vowed to review the contract to determine its legality.

Criticisms that the agreement between the DFA and APO is dubious surfaced recently especially

after the latter entered into a joint venture with a private entity to undertake the printing of passports.

According to Cayetano, to speed up the passport processing, they have added 15 machines used for data capture. This will result to the additional processing of 1,000 passports a day or 30 percent addition to the current capacity of 2,300 a day to 3,300.

He added that they have added two shifts for their personnel, the first at 7:30 a.m and the second shift in the afternoon.

Cayetano said they will be trying this approach for a week to see if it will substantially affect the processing of passports.

He added that by the end of June, the DFA will start the ePayment system wherein passports applicants can pay the passport fees online.

Earlier, Chief Presidential Legal

Counsel Salvador Panelo, in a legal opinion issued on the behest of former Foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., said APO-PU committed administrative and criminal offense in engaging the services of UGEC relative to the printing of the so-called e-passports.

Panelo said even a supplemental agreement would not legitimize the illegal subcontract between APOPU and UGEC because the transaction was consummated in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Administrative Code, and pertinent rules and regulations on government procurement.

Yasay disclosed that the move to take the BSP out of the passport equation was undertaken in October 2015 through the initiative of Coloma and Maria Montelibano, a close adviser of former President Benigno Aquino III.

FVR BOOK PROJECTS. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has supported two book projects of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation. Left photo shows FVR talking with Pagcor chairman Andrea Domingo witnessed by Pagcor director Carmen Pedrosa and during the book launch of Pagcor’s associate vice president Carmelita Valdez FVR XYZ Files: An Anthology of Controversies & Issues, Anecdotes & Trivia about Fidel Valdez Ramos at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City last Feb. 15, 2017. Right photo shows FVR doing the trademark Duterte fist sign with author and publisher Melandrew Velasco (seated, second from left) and Pagcor’s AVP Twinkle Valdez (seated, second from right) during the book launch of RPDEV@ 15: Our Continuing Voyage for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Quezon City last April 21, 2017. Others in the photo are National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Gen. Mitch Templo (ret), MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco (standing, second from right), FVR golf mate Mel Bergado and representatives from Pagcor.

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency declared on Wednesday Batanes as the country’s first drug-cleared province.

Director General Isidro Lapeña said Batanes, the northernmost province in Cagayan Valley, has passed the parameters of the Dangerous Drugs Board as provided in Section 9 of the DDB Board Regulation No. 3 of 2017, or the “Strengthening the Implementation of the Barnagay Drug Clearing Program.”

A certification that Batanes was drug-free was issued and awarded to Gov. Marilou Cayco and Batanes police’s Sr. Supt Agustin Tamangen.

“After a thorough and rigid scrutiny of the requirements, and verification and validation processes done by the oversight committee on barangay drug clearing operations, headed by its chairperson regional director Laurefel Gabales of PDEA Regional Office II, the province of Batanes was declared drug-free,” Lapeña said.

Batanes has six municipalities—Basco, Sabtang, Uyugan, Ivana, Itbayat and Mahatao with 29 barangays.

“We will make Batanes as a template for all provinces to emulate. Now that the province is free from illegal drug activities, the work does not end here. We need to continuously conduct drug-demand reduction activities in the province, leaving no room for illegal drugs to prevail again,” Lapeña said.

Meanwhile, four barangays in Maguindanao—Talisawa in Adbullah Sanki, Borongotan in Upi, Malamiton in Ampatuan and Idtig in General Salipada Pendatun—have also been declared cleared.

Lapeña said the four barangays were proclaimed drugcleared after a careful and thorough validation by different government agencies and the oversight committee on barangay drug clearing.

Smuggled DoT hands off on Nickelodeon theme park in Palawan

By Sandy Araneta shabu not mine —trader

By Vito Barcelo A CHINESE businessman who operates a forwarding company in the country categorically denied any link to the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu found in two warehouses in Valenzuela City recently, saying he was a victim of circumstances because his firm was only leased to transport shipments and other goods.

Junlung Chen, owner of Hong Fei forwarding company, said he even coordinated with the Chinese embassy and the Bureau of Customs upon learning that the shipment contained illegal drugs.

The BoC, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency filed charges of illegal drugs against the owner of the warehouse identified as Delfin Dee, Milagos Pilon, Milbert Pilon and Chen.

But Chen insisted that he has no knowledge that illegal drugs were inserted in a cylinder on the printing machine which came from China that his company delivered in a warehouse in Valenzuela City.

He said that as forwarding company, his firm did its job as well as the broker who only processed the payment of duties and taxes of the shipment at the BoC in order to facilitate the release of the shipment and eventually deliver the goods at a warehouse in Valenzuela City.

Chen claimed that he learned from Chinese authorities that the shipment contains illegal drugs upon the confession of an arrested drug personalities in China.

DEPARTMENT of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Wednesday said that the decision of approving permits for the construction of the controversial Nickelodeon theme park in Palawan will be under the authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, not the DoT. “At the end of the day, hindi naman kami ang mag-iissue ng permit [we are not the agency issuing the permit]. It’s the DENR and the local government unit,” Teo said during a press briefing.

Wanda’s clarification came after the tourism chief told a local television network that the widely protested project would push through after she was assured by the developers that they would “preserve the environment.”

The project will be built in Coron and would include a floating restaurant, hotel, and condominium building in the province.

Teo said developers of the project presented the concept to her last year and has not returned since then.

Teo said the concept was “one of a kind” and would open more job opportunities for Filipinos.

“For the people in Coron, they are the ones who will benefit,” she said.

Former Environment secretary Gina Lopez had opposed the idea of an underwater park in Coron, saying it would damage corals in the area.

The DENR regional office also maintained that it still “has to see pertinent papers of the resort.”

Teo earlier said the planned Nickelodeon theme park in Coron in northern Palawan is “pushing

through” and added that the developers guaranteed that the corals would not be destroyed.

Teo said the developers— Nickelodeon’s parent company, Viacom International Media Networks, and partner Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc.—personally assured her the project will not cause irreparable damage to the town’s marine ecosystem, particularly the coral reefs.

The executives met with Teo after various groups strongly opposed the controversial project when it was announced in January. She recalled the developers telling her: “We are not going to destroy the corals. The restaurant will be floating…and we will preserve the place.”

Teo said Palawan officials feared the environmental consequences of the project such as the destruction of the corals.

Conservation groups in the country are preparing to mount a campaign to counteract the Nickelodeon project.

In defending the project, Teo cited what the developers told her: “But this one, no. They would be on top of the water. It will be floating, like a floating hotel, a floating restaurant wherein you will see the corals.”

Teo said the developers will also build condominiums and had already identified a place for those structures. She was told the Philippines is “lucky” since it was picked over Indonesia for the project.

Teo said, the DoT, although “excited” about the project, would have to defer to “appropriate agencies” for the permits and approval that the project proponents needed to start construction.

“From a tourism perspective, the

DoT is excited about the idea,” she said.

The developer, Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., had clarified that the project was not an underwater theme park, but an undersea-themed project that would be land-based.

But Teo said they haven’t talked about when the project would begin.

The project would feature a floating restaurant designed to have transparent floors to allow patrons to see the coral reefs underneath.

“Underwater restaurants and lounges will be located about 20 feet below sea level with vivid views of the world beneath the ocean,” said Teo. Famous Nickelodeon characters, such as “Spongebob” and “Dora,” would be featured.

According to Teo, she only learned about the project when she read the news reports earlier this year.

P50-b Metro Cebu expressway project up

POE’S POINT. Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee

on Public Information and Mass Media and Public Services, stresses a point during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Media Forum on issues pertaining to the LRT and the MRT at Cafe Adriatico in Manila. Lino Santos

THE Department of Public Works and Highways will implement the P50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project, considered as one of the most expensive road projects to be undertaken by the department which is aimed at reducing travel time from Danao city to Naga city in Cebu province.

“We have already completed the feasibility study of the P50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project. It will be implemented in three segments,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

Villar said the agency is all geared to implement several strategic major infrastructure projects in Cebu as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s mandate to decongest major thorough-

fares and implement an integrated seamless transport system.

“Among the big-ticket projects to be implemented include the highly-anticipated 74 kilometers Metro Cebu Expressway Project, which will reduce travel from Naga City to Danao City from three hours to one hour and 25 minutes,” Villar said.

The P50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project is part of President Duterte’s infrastructure program, #BuildBuildBuild, which aims to increase the productive capacity of the economy and create jobs through the acceleration of massive infrastructure.

According to the International Monetary Fund, a sustained increase in public infrastructure spending to 5 percent of GDP

would add a total of 5 to 6 percent to GDP after 15 years.

Also expected to decongest traffic congestion in the progressive City of Cebu is the planned construction of four lanes Guadalupe-Lahug Bypass Road with a total length of 1.61 kilometers.

“The project with an estimated cost of P500 million will shorten travel time from Barangay Guadalupe to Barangay Lahug by 50 percent from one hour to only 30 minutes,” Villar said.

“In addition, feasibility study is now ongoing for the construction of Mandaue CityConsolacion-Liloan Bypass Road which is expected to bring down travel time from Cebu City to the Municipality of Liloan by 50 percent,” Villar added. Vito Barcelo

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Petron gets 1st major test in PH Superliga Generika-Ayala, 14HEAVYWEIGHT Games Today 25, 25-23, 15-25, 14Petron gets its first (Filoil Flying V Centre) 25, late Tuesday. major test when it 3 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs Cignal Captain Michele opens its campaign 5 p.m. – Cherrylume vs Cocolife 7 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Petron Gumabao was the against reigning lone bright spot as champion F2 Logistics in the Rebisco-Philippine Superliga she delivered 10 attacks to finish All-Filipino Conference Thursday at the with 12 points for the Asset Managers, who were obviously still adjustFiloil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Blaze Spikers battle the ing to the system of seasoned menCargo Movers in the 7 pm night- tor Kungfu Reyes.

On the other hand, Patty Jane Orencap of an explosive triple-header bankrolled by Belo and Gold’s Gym dain, Gen Casugod and Fiola Cebalwith Mueller, Grand Sport, Mikasa, los carried the scoring cudgels as they Mueller, Filoil Flying V Centre as finished with 12 points apiece while Angeli Araneta chipped in 11 marktechnical suppliers.

Sta. Lucia, meanwhile, displays ers for the Lifesavers of national team its re-tooled roster when it faces head coach Francis Vicente.

But all eyes will be on Petron.

Cignal at 3 p.m., while Cherrylume After falling short last year, the and Cocolife try to bounce back from sorry opening-day setbacks Blaze Spikers waged a massive rewhen they collide in 5 p.m. second cruiting coup and signed UAAP stars match of this tourney that also has Marivic Meneses, Cherry Rondina, Chin Basas and Ria Duremdes to join TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Bannered by the core of Univer- the powerhouse core of Mela Tunay, sity of the East, the Iron Lady War- Mina Aganon, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, riors suffered a straight-sets loss to Rhea Dimaculangan, Bang Pineda, Foton, 21-25, 16-25, 17-25, while the April Ross Hingpit, Ces Molina and Asset Managers were dominated by Mika Reyes.

Maroons get past Generals, 81 to 80 THE unbeaten University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons leaned on the heroics of Paolo Romero to get past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 81-80, in the ongoing 23rd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball tournament.

Romero scored back-to-back baskets in the last 4.4 seconds to power the Maroons to their fifth consecutive triumph at the San Beda-Manila gymnasium in Mendiola.

This sent the Fighting Maroons into the quarterfinals with the Generals in Group B of the senior division, along with the National University Bulldogs in this cagefest supported by Armor On Sportswear.

Romero’s timely baskets found their mark right after the Generals came charging back behind the three-pointers of Jethro Mendoza and Jerome Garcia.

AJ Espanola showed the way for the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, while Bright Akhuetie and Romero added 14 and 11 points.

Mendoza and Garcia made 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Generals, who entered the quarterfinals with a 4-1 record.

The La Salle Green Archers, the Letran Knights and the AMA Computer University Titans are already sure of quarterfinal seats in Group A. In women’s action, Enderun College drew 14 points each from Abi Manzanares and Joy Pangilinan in stopping University of the East, 60-42.

They finished the eliminations with a 4-3 slate and assured themselves of a semis berth.

Camille Claro and Angel Figueroa tallied 12 points for La Salle, which smothered College of St. Benilde, 77-29.

In junior action, Christian Pasuco made 23 points to lead Hope Christian School to a 100-43 blasting of Marian School, while Mclaude Guadana hit 18 points for the Lyceum Junior Pirates in their 103-60 smashing of Paco Citizens Academy Foundation.

SMASHED. Foton’s Roselyn Doria scores against Cherrylume’s Seth Rodriguez in a Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference game won by the Tornadoes, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17 Tuesday night at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Roman Prospero

Asia’s best riders in spotlight T

HE region’s best and brightest stars on two wheels pit guts and skills as sports tourism capital Puerto Princesa City hosts Rounds 3 and 4 of the FIM Asian Motocross Championship Series on June 9 to 11.

Led by 2016 FIM Asian Motocross Championship overall champion Chaiyan Romphan of Thailand, the motocross field is practically a who’s who of the best motocross aces in the Asian continental championship, which is one step away from the world championship level of the FIM competition program.

Standing in the way of

Romphan will be Guam’s motocross great Sean Lipanovich, who won Rounds 1 and 2 of the Asian series in Malaysia, and the Philippines’ very own reigning Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres.

Joining the fray for Asian supremacy bragging rights are national motocross champions from Japan, Indonesia, Guam, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand

and the USA. Also dubbed “Mayor Luis Marcaida III Cup,” the annual Asian motocross series will be be staged at the city’s world-class motocross race track and is organized by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association, the sole governing body for the sport in the Philippines.

“Once again, we turn to sports to flaunt the beauty of our country,” said Mayor Marcaida.

“Sports tourism not only boosts our image in the eyes of the world, it also fosters camaraderie, brotherhood and peace.”

Also held in collaboration with the City of Puerto Princesa, Asia

Brewery, Shakeys, Giligans, Summit Water, Foil a Fly, Globe Telecom, Foilacar, Filigans Hotel and Cobra Energy drink, the event is expected to draw an estimated 60,000 spectators, with TV broadcast coverage being provided by ESPN, Eurosports and Fox, showcasing the sights and sounds of Puerto Princesa City as the last frontier in southeast Asia and airing to 635 million households in seven continents in the past 10 years, including the 104 member nations of FIM. Overall champions of MX2, MX 85 and the MX veterans categories will be feted at the FIM Asia Gala to be held at the end of the year in Thailand, wherein

Pru Life UK President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio De Rosas (second from left) with National Cycling Coach Cesar Lombramonte (second from right) at the send-off for pro cyclists Oconer and Salamat

Pru Life sends top cyclists to SEA Games IN line with its commitment to advocate safe cycling, British life insurer Pru Life UK sends off seasoned cyclists Marella Salamat and George Oconer who are set to train for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games happening in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August.

Multi-sport athlete Salamat, who won a gold medal in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games, is

set to defend her crown in the 30-kilometer Individual Time Trial event. She will lead the three-member women’s Road team.

Oconer, multi-awarded Go for Gold squad member and the son of two-time Olympian Norberto Oconer, will join the men’s team.

Both Salamat and Oconer clinched the top grand prizes of

the Road Bike Male and Female Open categories of PRUride to London, the first-ever criterium race at the McKinley West in Taguig City.

PRUride to London is part of the celebration of Pru Life UK’s 20th anniversary in the Philippines. In 1996, the Insurance Commission granted the British subsidiary a license to oper-

ate and sell life insurance in this country. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 80 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force of mroe than 17,000 licensed agents, and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers.

Pru Life UK is headquartered in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Mastercard renews partnership with World Rugby PURCHASE, N.Y. and TOKYO—Mastercard renewed with World Rugby as a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, it was announced today.

The agreement continues a relationship originally kicked off in 2011, as the tournament makes its first-ever appearance in Asia.

“This ground-breaking event is a fantastic opportunity for us to engage cardholders and enable them to experience the energy of rugby in ways we have not yet imagined,” said Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer, Mastercard. “In 2015, we had a blast turning the world oval, and thrilled to be back again for Rugby World Cup 2019.”

Under the sponsorship agreement, Mastercard will serve as the preferred card and digital wallet for the tournament. This relationship will serve as a springboard—in conjunction with the Mastercard Priceless Japan and Priceless Surprises platforms— to curate some truly one-of-a-kind experiences for rugby fans ahead of and during the 2019 tournament.

“Rugby World Cup 2019 is set to be a very special event that will reach beyond our traditional audiences to inspire and attract new fans and participants, and our worldwide partners are at the heart of the story,” said Bill Beaumont, chairman, World Rugby.

“We are delighted to be renewing our highly-

successful relationship with Mastercard and look forward to generating many unforgettable experiences and moments for rugby fans worldwide. We know that Mastercard will make it priceless.”

Priceless Experiences and Benefits As part of the agreement, Mastercard will look to package ‘Priceless’ access and experiences such as Man of the Match, helping fans to get closer to the tournament and the athletes they love. Mastercard will also provide an exclusive incentive for cardholders to use their Mastercard when purchasing tickets.

Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is the ninth edition of rugby’s showcase global event and the first in Asia. The world’s top

20 national teams will play in 48 matches hosted across 12 match cities for the right to lift the iconic Webb Ellis Cup and be crowned world champions. Rugby World Cup is the sport’s financial engine, generating approximately 90 per cent of World Rugby’s revenues for reinvestment in the global game over the four-year cycle.

The record-breaking success of England 2015 is enabling World Rugby to invest £245.8 million in the sport by 2020, eclipsing the previous 2013-16 £201 million investment injection by 22 per cent. All the latest news can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com and via @rugbyworldcup across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Rousing show nets Malig Youth Masters’ bowling title NATIONAL junior team member Ivan Malig delivered a rousing performance to snatch the Youth Boys’ Masters crown of the 2017 Philippine International Open Bowling Championships recently at the Coronado Lanes in Starmall in Mandaluyong City.

Malig, 19, scored a huge 257

in frame eighth, closing out the game with a leading 1613, while Keith Tan of Singapore settled for second place with 1581 and compatriot Ahmad Safwan had 1580 for third place.

After a slow start and down by 62 pins in third frame, Malig came out strong in the next

frames, while his opponents —Tan and Ahmad—struggled with 163 and 165, respectively, in frame eighth to seize the country’s third title in the tournament.

“I missed the Open Masters finals due to an exam which took place the same day, but this win more than made up for the

disappointment,” said Malig of TBAM-Prima, who has never won an international youth title.

“My lucky break came in the eighth frame.”

Last week, Kenneth Chua and Lara Posadas won the men’s and ladies’ open masters’ titles, respectively.

The tournament is supported

by Partas Bus Co. Cubao, Governor Chavit Singson, Petron, Black Arrow, F.R. Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation, Prima Pasta, The Bowler, Sky Freight Middle East, Arnulfo’s Kitchen, Alan Rothe, Four M Travel and Tours and Fiorgelato.

they will receive their recognition awards with all Asian champions in the FIM Asian discipline of motorcycle sports racing.

NAMSSA President Stephan “Macky Carapiet, in his capacity as the FIM Asia Safety officer, will be overseeing the event together with the International Jury President Pie An Tan of Indonesia and Lai Keng if Malaysia. For more info on the event, call the NAMSSA secretariat at mobile no. 09178479785.

Riders from various parts of the country are also expected to join the event in their quest for individual supremacy and the trophies with cash prizes up for grabs.

Birdie-binge gives Dutch a 1-shot lead GUIDO Van der Valk unleashed a strong finishing kick to fire a three-under 69 and grab a one-stroke lead over Jhonnel Ababa and five others at the start of the ICTSI Calatagan Golf Challenge at the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas yesterday.

Stuck in the middle of the 81-player pack with an even par card with a bogey on No. 3 coming home, Van der Valk came away with back-to-back birdies from No. 4 then drilled in another on the par-3 eighth to rally with a 34 for that 69 in a big Day 1 finish and a big start for the Manila-based Dutchman still in search for his breakthrough win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

Meanwhile, Clyde Mondilla’s bid for a third straight victory suffered a snag with three bogeys in the first four holes at the back.

Though he fought back with three birdies in a seven-hole stretch from No. 15, the Southwoods and Phl Masters champion fumbled with another bogey on the sixth and ended up with a one-over 73.

Van der Valk’s windup actually stood out in a day when majority struggled at the finish at the frontside of the tight, rolling layout.

That included Ababa, who looked headed to backing up his pre-tournament claim of a successful campaign on a course he calls home when he rattled off four birdies and paced the elite field after 12 holes.

But he bogeyed the par-5 No. 4 on three putts then dropped another stroke on the closing par-4 ninth on a flubbed par putt from a club’s length.

He settled for a 70 and dropped into the big group of two-under par scorers, who included Rufino Bayron, who also blew a four-under card with bogeys on Nos. 5 and 8, and Zanieboy Gialon, who bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 11 with five birdies in the next seven holes, including four straight from No. 13.

Gialon birdied No. 4 to move on top with a four-under but bogeyed Nos. 7 and 8 while Gerald Rosales missed joining Van der Valk at the helm with a bogey on No. 9.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

A8

Sports

Star makes semis, fights SMB next

By Jeric Lopez

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors participate during practice and media availability as part of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

Dubs’ focus is on crown C

LEVELAND—A year after making history but falling one game short of an NBA title, the Golden State Warriors are focused on capturing the crown, not a possible unbeaten playoff run.

The Warriors remained perfect in the 2017 post-season by sweeping the first two games of the NBA Finals at home and enter game three Wednesday at Cleveland on a record 14-0 playoff win streak—two wins shy of the first undefeated run to a championship.

“We want 15-0. That’s what we want,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday, his version of taking one win at a time.

“We literally have never once mentioned 16-0. To me it’s a miracle that it’s even a possibility.

It’s so hard to do.”

PSC to relax rules on NSA liquidation

By Peter Atencio THE Philippine Sports Commission will put on hold its plans to suspend help to all national sports association with unliquidated financial assistance until after the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

Executive director Carlo Abarquez said this will be done to ensure the success of the Philippines’ campaign in the Games.

“To ensure the support of the PSC and the Philippine government, we will relax the rules until August,” said Abarquez in a press conference yesterday.

So far, requests for assistance from NSAs have reached P59.730 million, with archery, cycling and sailing seeking the most help.

Archery is asking for P11.425 million, while cycling athletes need P7.733 million. Sailing requests P6.59 million.

The agency is set to provide support to 733 athletes, coaches and officials who have been listed to go the Games.

From the list, there are 487 athletes, which is 25 percent of the delegation.

Chef de mission Cynthia Carrion believes that the Philippines can make it to no. 4 or at least no.

5 in the overall medal race.

“We cannot be kulelat anymore. I cannot accept it,” said Carrion.

So far, the joint Philippine Olympic Committee-PSC task force is 95 percent done in its effort to identify the athletes, who will go to the games.

The difference between making history and taking the title was put in clear perspective last year when the Warriors won an NBA record 73 regular-season games but lost the finals to Cleveland, squandering a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series and falling to the greatest comeback in finals history.

“We’re more focused on what happened last year in terms of we were up 2-0 and we came here and the series shifted,” Kerr said. “That’s the important lesson, not any historical benchmarks or anything like that. It’s

definitely not something we’re focused on.”

The Warriors, who won 11391 and 132-113 at home over the Cavaliers, swept Portland, Utah and San Antonio to reach the finals.

They surpassed the 13-win streaks of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers and the 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers to set the record, although “Showtime” Lakers star Magic Johnson claimed Monday his squad would have swept the Warriors in a series.

Hearing that, Warriors forward Draymond Green began a long period of laughter before saying, “That’s my thoughts.”

The best record for any champion in NBA playoff history belongs to the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers, who went 15-1 to claim the crown, their only loss in the

opening game of the finals.

‘A huge hurdle’ The Warriors know history can be bittersweet. There are four championship banners in the team’s practice facility and a much smaller one to commemorate 73 wins.

“We have a huge hurdle to get over tomorrow,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “To give ourselves a chance at even coming close to thinking about (160), we need to really just lock in on how hard this 48 minutes is going to be to really seize control of this series.

“We talked about it before —16-0 doesn’t matter in any stretch of the imagination unless that’s a closeout game. And that’s the opportunity in front of us, because all it is is just winning a championship and doing

what you need to do to get that done.

“Tomorrow is another step in that direction that we need to be ready for.”

Complacency will not be setting in for the Warriors, Green vowed.

“There’s no feeling of we’re almost there. You’ve got to play every game like you’re down.

If you can keep that mindset you’ll eventually reach the goal,” Green said. “But to say we’re up 2-0, we’re good, we still got two more games to win and those two will be way harder than the first two.”

Green had said that the effort to win 73 games might have taken focus on the title quest last year, but Curry said he had no regrets about how Golden State handled the situation. AFP

DIFFERENT script, same ending.

Star is through to the semifinals after pulling away in the clutch to eliminate and sweep Rain or Shine, 2-0, with an 8469 triumph in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Once again his usual dominant self, Ricardo Ratliffe powered his way to a monster 2020 game with game-highs 26 points and 24 rebounds to lead his Hotshots to the next round.

They will now face powerhouse San Miguel Beer in an exciting best-of-five clash in the semis with both teams playing exceptional basketball.

The Hotshots ended the game with an astonishing 21-6 blast to turn a tight game into a runaway heist in the waning minutes.

Unlike Game 1 where Star dominated from start to finish, Game 2 took a different path as the teams were neck-toneck all the way to the fourth quarter.

The game was up for grabs in the payoff period as the Hotshots and the Elasto Painters were tied at 63 with exactly eight minutes remaining.

Obviously, it was Star which came to the occasion to take the game emphatically in crunch time.

Paul Lee scored 13 more markers for Star, while Mark Barroca added 12.

Rain or Shine had a difficulty finding its offense with only Duke Crews managing to end up in twin-digits, scoring only 12 points for the Painters.

In the other quarters’ series, TNT KaTropa, ahead 1-0, is currently trying to finish off Meralco with the two teams figuring in a heated Game 2 as of this report.

The victor of this series will face top seed Barangay Ginebra in the next round.

The scores: STAR 84—Ratliffe 26, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Simon 9, Sangalang 8, Jalalon 8, Reavis 4, Ramos 2, Maliksi 2, Melton 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 69— Crews 12, Chan 9, Tiu 9, Belga 7, Washington 7, Norwood 6, Ahanmisi 6, Cruz 4, Ponferada 4, Yap 3, Almazan 2.

Quarterscores: 16-19, 33-37, 55-52, 84-69.

4 rubber matches up in PVL IT couldn’t get any better than this.

The Premier Volleyball League winds up its tight semifinal round with not just one or two rubber matches but four, guaranteeing high powered action in both the men’s and women’s sides at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today.

Creamline completed the rare semis blockbuster card with a tough 24-26, 25-18, 1825, 25-16, 16-14 win over top seed BaliPure late Tuesday, blowing a huge lead in the stretch in the fifth but fighting back from deuce points to stay in the hunt for a finals berth in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

They dispute the first final seat at 4 p.m.

Alyssa Valdez scored on an off-the-block hit and Pau Soriano swatted an attack by American Jennifer Keddy to shatter a 14-all count and enable the fourth-ranked Cool Smashers to salvage the match after squan-

dering a 12-8 lead.

American Laura Schaudt and Thai Kuttika Kaewpin kept Creamline’s bid majority of the way until Keddy charged back with five straight points as the Water Defenders seized the lead at 14-13.

But Kaewpin hammered in a kill to force a deadlock, fueling the Cool Smashers’ furious endgame fightback.

Kaewpin chalked up 23 points and 17 digs, Schaudt contributed 22 markers while Valdez wound up with 15 hits for Creamline, which negated the 13 blocks of BaliPure, including seven from Keddy, as against the Cool Smashers’ eight.

Alex Cabanos also kept Creamline’s play going as she dished out all but out of the team’s 41 excellent sets.

Keddy unloaded 23 points, Grethcel Soltones logged 16 markers and Jerrili Malabanan added 10 hits for the Water Defenders, who took Game One of their best-of-

Games today (Philsports Arena) 10 a.m. – Air Force vs Army (men’s) 1 p.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Elena (men’s) 4 p.m. – BaliPure vs Creamline (women’s) 6: 30 p.m. – Pocari vs Power Smashers (women’s)

three series in four.

Earlier, the Power Smashers rallied to stop the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13, to likewise send their own semis series into a decider. They clash at 6:30 p.m.

The Final Four in the men’s side of the league backed by Mikasa and Asics also goes down to a pair of deciding games as second seed Cignal HD got back at Sta. Elena and came up with a 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 victory and No. 1 Air Force stopped Army with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-20 romp.

Air Force and Army kick off the four-match thriller at 10 a.m. while Cignal HD and Sta. Elena dispute the other final seat at 1 p.m.

Pocari import Michelle Strizak goes one-on-one against the Power Smashers’ Kannika Tipachot, firing away a kill during their semifinal duel with the Power Smashers in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday. The Power Smashers won, 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13.

Morales stable notches record 5-race romp IN WHAT was regarded as a first in local racing history, the Narciso Morales stable won five straight races to highlight last Sunday’s 13-race program at the Metroturf in Malvar, Batangas.

Longshot Honeywersmypants, ridden by the veteran Kelvin Abobo, beat eight others including coupled entry Formidable Foe to capture a group race over 1400 meters and start an amazing victory run by the stable that had fans wondering if this feat would be achieved again.

“I thank the good Lord for this achievement. I’m surprised we were able to achieve the feat,” said Morales, named recently as the 2016 Horseowner of the

year by the Philippine Racing Commission.

Thirty-five minutes after Honeywersmypants’ win, Mandolin overwhelmed five others to rule Race 2, giving a good hint of what to expect from the Morales horses.

In the third race, underdog Hook’s Princess pulled off a wire-to-wire victory, before Pampangueno rallied to win Race 4 and top favorite Morales Taipan One ruled the fifth race to complete the perfect 5-for-5 achievement.

The magnificent show forced television

panelist Ira Herrera to comment that what the “Morales stable did this afternoon would go down as one of the greatest feats in local racing history.”

“I have seen a jockey win three, four or five races but not successively. But a stable winning five straight races?

Wala pa, wala pa” said Herrera, also a resident race caller of Metroturf.

The Morales stable was not done yet in the afternoon.

Later on, Ultimate Royal andTellma-

mailbelate topped Races 8 and 10, respectively, giving the stable seven victories, something which many believed is also a record.

Tr uly, the 2017 racing season is proving to be kind to the Morales stable.

The businessman-lawyer remains on target of becoming No. 1 in winnings and earnings for the third straight year and fourth in the last six years. As of May, the Morales stable has garnered 105 wins, ahead by the proverbial mile over the second placer.

Last year, the stable posted a whopping 223-win total which went down as another first in the industry.

Sy’s billionaire heirs rise with shift to China B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

B1

CebuPac acquiring 7 aircraft for $812m

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific Air said Wednesday it ordered an additional seven Airbus A321 current engine option aircraft for $812 million as a part of its domestic and regional expansion.

The acquisition of A321CEO aircraft, which is set to be delivered from March 2018, is on top of the existing oder for 32 Airbus A321 NEO aircraft.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei group said the new aircraft would meet the airline’s increased capacity requirements pending the start of delivery of 32 A321 NEO aircraft, which would begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The A321 NEO aircraft was scheduled for delivery beginning September until 2021, but it was pushed back for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2018 until 2022.

The airline chose to defer the A321 NEO deliveries due to delays with the Pratt & Whitney engines selected to power the aircraft.

“We have decided to take a conservative approach to the introduction of the A321 NEO into our operations. We remain confident that Pratt & Whitney will address all issues on the GTF [geared turbo fan) engine,” Cebu Pacific chief finance officer Andrew Huang said.

“There is, however, the need to increase our current capacity to meet growing domestic and regional network demand, thus the A321CEO order,” he said.

Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei said despite the delays in the delivery of A321 NEO, the A321 CEO aircraft would enable the airline to increase capacity on popular routes, while at the same time benefiting from the lowest operating costs in this size category.

“This will mean more low fares for more customers flying across our domestic and regional network,” he said.

TAIWANESE INVESTORS IN PH. Taiwanese businessmen remain upbeat on Philippine investment prospects as a 32-member delegation from Taiwan visits the country to further explore investment opportunities. The Taiwanese delegation, composed of top and senior level executives of various firms as well as key officials of the Taichung City government, expressed keen interest in setting up an industrial cluster in the country during an investment briefing with key officials of the Board of Investments. Shown during the briefing are (from left) BOI assistant secretary Felicitas Agoncillo-Reyes, Trade assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba, head of Taiwanese delegation Mark Ho, Taiwan Thinktank director of industry strategic development Angus Chen and BOI executive director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Neda unit endorses P531-b rail projects T

By Julito G. Rada

HE National Economic and Development Authority said Wednesday its Investment Coordination Committee endorsed three major rail projects with a combined cost of over P531 billion.

Neda said in a statement the three projects― Mindanao Railway Project’s Tagum-DavaoDigos segment, North South Railway Projects-South Line and Malolos-Clark Railway Project―were approved during a joint ICCtechnical board and Cabinet meeting on June 1, 2017. These projects will be elevated to the Neda board headed by the president for final confirmation.

Neda said in approving these projects, the ICC advised the Transportation Department to coordinate with the Neda secretariat to com-

plete the ICC approval requisites. ICC also approved an integrated flood risk management project in Cavite.

“The MRP-TDD [Mindanao Railway Project’s Tagum-Davao-Digos] aims to provide a more efficient, reliable, and affordable transportation to boost tourism, industry, and overall economic development in the area by connecting existing and emerging growth centers in the Davao region,” Neda said.

“It will form the first phase of the proposed 830-kilometer MRP loop, involving a 102.28-kilometer commuter railway that will run from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, to Digos City, Davao del Sur, with seven stations, one terminal in Davao City, and one depot in Tagum City,” it said. The estimated project cost is P35.26 billion and will be locally financed.

If confirmed by the Neda board, project construction is targeted to begin in the first quarter of 2018 and is expected to be finished by the third quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, the ICC also approved NSRPSouth Line, which will revive the Philippine National Railways south railway. It has an es-

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

timated project cost of P285 billion and will be financed through official development assistance.

NSRP-South Line will consist of three tracks that will run from Tutuban to Los Baños for the commuter line (72 km), and Los Baños to Sorsogon for the long haul (581 km), terminating at the Port of Manila―via FTI in Taguig― through the connecting third track.

Malolos-Clark Railway Project was likewise approved, which will connect with the ongoing Tutuban-Malolos portion of the North South Commuter Railway. MCRP will run from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark International Airport (Phase I), and from Clark International Airport to Clark Green City (Phase II).

The project has an estimated cost of P211.43 billion. Construction will be financed through ODA, while the operations and maintenance will be through public-private partnership. The construction for phase I will begin in the second quarter of 2019 and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2022. Phase II will be implemented from 2022 to 2024.

Korea offers $1-b ODA to finance infra projects

COMMUNITY BUILDER. Port operator Asian Terminals Inc., living up to its role as trade enabler and

community builder, along with its port employees dedicate a weekend for community work at neighboring Corazon Aquino High School in Baseco, Manila in support of the Education Department’s Brigada Eskwela. ATI volunteers refurbished two classrooms, painted 300 armchairs and outfitted the library with durable bookshelves, for a more conducive learning environment in time for school opening.

THE South Korean government offered to extend $1 billion in official development assistance loans to the Philippines to finance key infrastructure programs.

The National Economic and Development Authority said in a statement the offer for concessional loans would increase the prospects of successfully implementing the projects lined up under the Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022.

Officials of the Export-Import Bank of Korea met with selected agencies of the Philippine government on May 29 to June 1 to discuss possible projects that may form part of the Kexim pipeline in the medium term (2017-2022), given the bank’s willingness to allocate for the Philippines $1 billion in concessional loans over a six-year period.

Kexim identified transportation, ICT and energy infrastructure as priority areas in the pro-

posed cooperation considering Korea’s comparative advantage in these sectors.

Aside from concessional loans, Kexim is also offering support through its Knowledge Sharing Program facility, a knowledgedriven economic cooperation program that will enable Korea to share its successes and failures and propose applicable policy recommendations.

Kexim also expressed willingness to assist in the Philippines’ pre-investment activities, including project preparation and feasibility studies and plans formulation, through the bank’s Project Preparation Facility.

Neda Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan expressed appreciation for Korea’s offer of assistance, saying this would boost the Philippine government’s efforts to carry out its infrastructure program, which requires roughly P8.4-trillion. Julito G. Rada

Passage of tax reform program to support fiscal stability—Fitch GLOBAL debt watcher Fitch Ratings said Wednesday the passage of the first package of the government’s comprehensive tax reform program will boost government revenue, improve fiscal stability and support public investments.

“Low government revenue is currently a key weakness in the Philippines’ fiscal profile - general government revenue was equivalent to just 22 percent of GDP at end-2016, compared with a median 30 percent for ‘BBB’ rated countries. The potential passage of proposed tax re-

forms was listed as a positive rating sensitivity when we last affirmed the Philippines’ BBB-/Positive rating in March,” Fitch said.

“The tax package passed last week by the Philippines’ House of Representatives should widen the tax base and boost revenue... It also demonstrates the administration’s commitment to broader tax reforms that have the potential to improve fiscal stability and support an ambitious public investment program,” Fitch said in a report.

The package is the first com-

ponent of a planned overhaul of the tax system that aims to raise revenue and achieve a simpler, more equitable and efficient system. A key goal of the overall tax reforms is to lower personal and corporate tax rates while expanding the tax base, resulting in a net positive gain to government revenue.

The government estimated that the full set of tax reform packages would boost revenue by 2 percent of GDP by 2019 and it expected administrative measures that simplify

tax bureaucracy to add another 1 percent of GDP to revenue over the same period.

Among the areas to be covered in subsequent planned reform bills are corporate, property and capital income taxes. The corporate tax rate is set to be reduced from 30 percent to 25 percent, which would bring it more into line with regional standards, while corporate tax provisions will be simplified in an attempt to increase compliance.

“The speed with which this first bill passed through the House - and

President Duterte’s intervention to give it a push over the line - suggests that tax reform is a priority for government. Indeed, tax reform is crucial to the rest of the administration’s ‘10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda’ which includes plans to ramp up investment in infrastructure, health, education and social protection,” it said.

Fitch Ratings was the first major global credit rating agency that gave the Philippines an investment grade score in March 2013.

Julito G. Rada

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

49.4680

Japan

0.009141

0.4522

Yen

UK

Pound

1.291500

63.8879

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128307

6.3471

Switzerland

Franc

1.039609

51.4274

Canada

Dollar

0.743273

36.7682

Singapore

Dollar

0.725111

35.8698

Australia

Dollar

0.750600

37.1307

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651113

131.1453

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

13.1915

Brunei

Dollar

0.722491

35.7402

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029401

1.4544

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.4695

Euro

Euro

1.128000

55.7999

Korea

Won

0.000895

0.0443

China

Yuan

0.147178

7.2806

India

Rupee

0.015523

0.7679

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234467

11.5986

New Zealand

Dollar

0.718300

35.5329

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033252

1.6449 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF LRT firm restores 25 light rail vehicles LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said Wednesday it completed the rehabilitation of light rail vehicles at the LRT Line 1 system.

The restoration of 25 LRVs expanded the current fleet of LRT-1 from 77 when the company took over in 2015 to 102 LRVs as end-May this year.

“With the expanded fleet, a new train timetable will be implemented increasing the number of trips on weekdays from current 498 to 554 trips daily resulting to shorter queueing time and reduced headway for our passengers,” LRMC president and chief executive Rogelio Singson said.

The restoration program included the sourcing of spare parts from the original European manufacturers of the 32-year old Generation 1 trains and the 18-year old Generation 2 trains.

“Our engineers have successfully gained the confidence of European spare parts manufacturers such as Alstom, Gerkens, and Knorr Bremse, among others, for the supply of electromechanical parts that were essential to restore LRVs,” Singson said.

“With 102 LRVs available as of May 31, we can now serve the passengers better with increased capacity and shorter waiting time,” Singson said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Upgraded power plants to cut carbon TECHNOLOGY provider GE said the Philippines could achieve $10 billion in savings over a 25-year plant lifecycle and an estimated 16 million tons in carbon dioxide reduction annually if it maximizes the efficiency of existing and new power generation plants.

According to GE research, carbon emissions from existing coal and gas power plants could be cut by as much as 10 percent with digital upgrades. This is particularly relevant to the Philippines, which relies on coal for 42 percent of its electricity needs.

“As the Philippines continues to invest in renewables, it is important to review existing power sources like coal which are abundant and low-cost. Ultrasupercritical steam power technologies and digital applications are available to help lower carbon emissions, and make coal, and gas plants, more efficient,” GE Philippines chief operating officer Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios said.

De Dios said the Philippines was at a crossroads in energy sector development and was undergoing an unprecedented transformation and access to affordable and reliable energy was becoming increasingly challenging.

“Adopting the latest technologies will be critical in transforming the future of our energy landscape. If we enhance our energy assets and networks by deploying the most efficient gas turbines, ultrasuper critical coal technology, as well as upgrading existing plants and transmission and distribution networks, the country can achieve energy efficiency, reliability and sustainability,” De Dios said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Concepcion sees 15% profit growth this year

By Jenniffer B. Austria APPLIANCE maker Concepcion Industrial Corp. said it expects net income and sales to grow 15 percent each this year despite the weak second-quarter performance.

CIC chairman and president Raul Joseph Concepcion said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s annual stockholders meeting the secondquarter figures were weak compared to a year ago because of cooler weather and foreign exchange movement.

Concepcion, however, said he expected the company’s performance to improve in the second half.

“Second quarter is where we are tempering our projections to 5 to 10 percent because of a lot

of uncertainties, including political, foreign exchange and cost increases. But for the full year, we are affirming our guidance of 15 percent for top line and bottom line,” Concepcion said.

The company targets to sell 1.2 million units of appliances mostly refrigerators, ovens, freezers, washing machines and air-conditioning units this year.

Concepcion said the company was also on track with its target to grow sales and profits five times from 2013 to 2020.

Concepcion said to achieve the target, the company was looking for acquisitions as it aimed to become the leading appliance maker and building and industrial solutions provider in the country.

He said the acquisitions could take place in 2019 to 2020.

Stock market rebounds; Cebu Landmasters rises

S year.

TOCKS rebounded Wednesday, after the World Bank tagged the Philippines as the best performing economy in Asia this

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 49 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 8,002.32, the highest in nearly 10 months, as all six sectors advanced. It was up 17 percent this year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 19 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,760.27, on a value turnover of P10.3 billion. Gainers outnum-

bered losers, 120 to 86, while 42 issues were unchanged.

Fourteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by electronics company Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. which climbed 5.1 percent to P13.10 and newly listed developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. which went up 4 percent to P5.67. SM Investments Corp. rose 3.7 percent to P809.50.

Gains accelerated in the second quarter amid optimism President Rodrigo Duterte will be able to push through a delayed plan to lower and, also, raise some taxes to help fund projects. On the corporate profits front, more than half of the companies tracked by analysts beat projections.

“I don’t think we have seen the market’s peak yet for the year,” said Julian Tarrobago, head of equities at ATR Asset Management, which has $1.9 billion in assets under management. “Corporate earnings look encouraging” and “the tax reform bill passed a very important hurdle and is moving to final approval.”

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.5 264,000 49.95 196,600 106.6 1,291,950 3.87 59,000 124.5 1,397,220 1.49 113,000 37.3 163,200 16.2 110,100 27.5 3,292,100 1.66 8,000 0.7 5,218,000 88 1,261,760 1.22 19,346,000 25 700 68.95 566,710 239 630 90.5 940 62.1 633,290 222.8 276,510 1,645 170 84.55 93,910 1.25 264,000

1,172,950 9,777,230 136,075,740 227,100 173,962,627 165,070 6,098,280 1,791,004 91,495,930 13,160 3,653,410 111,494,878.50 22,311,970 18,200 39,285,964.50 150,506 84,451 39,539,851.50 61,463,866 280,270 7,940,236 328,910

9,384,245 -33,402,506 15,400 33,736,784 2,941,495 -163,000 -15,887,360 16,481,873.50 -35,550 -3,225,242 -59,268 4,513,604 14,208,350 -114,141 -

38.7 7.75 0.82 1.56 29.9 0.27 108 7.22 17.82 165.3 23 14.3 73.5 78.5 2.03 5.29 11.58 12.2 15.78 9.84 6.82 5.98 1.8 18.88 71.9 13.7 14.16 12.52 1.63 214.8 70.95 3.82 3.42 32.6 21.25 19.12 270.2 6.11 3.31 10.52 5 10.1 1.93 9 69.4 6.34 295.2 4.6 4.56 2.1 13.46 5.36 0.15 1.34 159.1 4.1 2 1.09

INDUSTRIAL 38.85 3,376,500 8.03 2,265,000 0.82 1,038,000 1.58 18,297,000 30 279,000 0.28 44,320,000 110 160 7.32 6,585,800 18.52 2,743,500 165.3 50 24 817,800 14.3 4,700 73.5 12,760 78.5 100 2.05 882,000 5.29 10,100 11.58 1,100 12.3 8,959,000 15.98 8,257,300 10.16 10,840,100 6.84 449,700 6.04 2,994,000 1.82 34,000 19.3 2,225,800 72.5 82,010 13.7 2,100 14.38 2,020,500 13.1 14,838,800 1.68 2,755,000 216.6 578,080 70.95 50 4.02 844,000 3.62 16,000 32.9 551,500 21.9 2,905,100 19.5 1,973,700 270.2 321,270 6.12 16,600 3.31 853,000 10.68 5,685,000 5 55,100 10.1 42,200 1.96 3,014,000 9.2 1,434,600 69.6 1,740,840 6.34 231,300 295.2 3,960 4.7 41,000 4.61 202,000 2.33 11,338,000 13.62 2,608,400 5.39 280,700 0.15 5,870,000 1.35 274,000 159.9 1,404,710 4.25 4,000 2.04 7,572,000 1.09 127,000

131,109,935 18,044,999 851,710 29,107,380 8,610,625 12,346,000 17,349 48,106,019 49,919,418 8,265 19,195,340 67,290 938,618 7,884 1,816,820 53,484 12,738 110,088,766 131,546,592 108,130,522 3,079,745 18,038,642 61,800 42,459,488 5,916,596.50 28,970 29,256,568 196,349,060 4,635,040 125,097,902 3,547.50 3,295,510 56,260 18,142,970 63,128,140 38,333,142 87,099,986 101,956 2,860,000 60,813,180 280,517 430,696 5,854,630 13,117,253 121,229,734.50 1,499,736 1,170,144 189,650 929,700 26,100,310 35,542,500 1,513,360 887,220 370,910 225,131,695 16,550 15,557,950 141,250

4,294,130 -20 474,610 -1,358,500 19,121,847 29,726,836 -2,709,420 -197,658 -58,040 5,790 -1,626,102 11,178,784 -5,790,862 1,082,888 1,922,580 26,987,400 4,459,885 -23,027,286 66,573,196 -167,560 93,149,980 -3,319,850 -6,723,720 -20,770,296 -10,155,314 -155,130 16,315,146 -4,566,250 -20,156,042 0 354,680 5,093,550 1,434,234 -4,806,293 70,210.00 -

0.39 76 14.68 1.2 6.23 0.36 0.35 893 8.22 14.72 7.7 5.9 0.21 1,235 7.38 82.3 5.15 1.03 7.56 16 0.4 6.29 0.06 0.96 2.04 104 2.75 809.5 0.9 1.42 209.8 306.6 0.29 0.23 0.25

0.38 73.9 14.4 1.17 6.1 0.34 0.34 870 8.09 14.16 7.6 5.9 0.2 1,185 7.1 79.55 5.12 1.01 7.3 15.88 0.4 6.07 0.06 0.95 2.03 103 2.65 783 0.87 1.4 174 304 0.29 0.23 0.25

HOLDING FIRMS 0.38 1,690,000 73.9 6,427,200 14.68 11,813,300 1.2 46,000 6.11 22,800 0.35 8,390,000 0.35 750,000 870 517,450 8.09 1,581,400 14.6 19,804,800 7.7 94,400 5.9 2,500 0.21 710,000 1,195 479,655 7.21 110,700 80 2,472,470 5.12 400 1.02 3,487,000 7.56 1,042,400 15.98 3,420,400 0.4 20,000 6.15 65,400,800 0.06 59,410,000 0.96 13,000 2.04 247,000 103.2 201,320 2.68 56,000 809.5 466,830 0.9 114,000 1.41 367,000 174 600 306.6 12,290 0.29 310,000 0.23 30,000 0.25 10,000

634,250 479,939,563 ( 171,680,548 54,000 140,796 2,897,200 255,900 453,745,085 12,937,046(4, 287,638,354 717,740 14,750 142,260 577,879,860 794,348 199,188,736.5 ( 2,054 3,556,700 7,863,944 54,658,122 7,900 403,018,542 3,318,720 12,410 502,190 20,802,567 150,100 372,214,355 99,210 514,820 105,810 3,763,436 89,700 6,940 2,450

50,855,896.5) 67,647,578 -58,265,920 671,748.9998) 71,542,882 -38,140 -15,214,015 521,950 58,017,941.5) -1,924,427 36,629,406 18,572,094 4,950 -60,900.00 -3,339,060 -5,210 171,216,105 175,000.00 -912,866 -

6.25 1.58 6.8 2.61 1.24 41.95 4.15 5.67 5.29 0.53 1.13 1.49 0.18 0.53 50.8 0.7 0.16 1.67 1.15 0.98 4.71 0.42

6.21 1.39 6.8 2.5 1.2 40.95 3.95 5.45 5.28 0.51 1.1 1.45 0.16 0.5 49.6 0.69 0.16 1.63 1.13 0.95 4.62 0.38

3,996,706 73,601,880 3,400 1,091,350 5,567,200 646,943,850 15,054,190 200,091,923 509,296 3,002,230 31,110 796,330 16,928,100 3,628,960 12,653,912.50 216,400 100,260 5,796,600 8,490,250 812,370 122,127,940 82,750,500

-3,387,232 -4,640,360 -18,130 -57,810 242,995,780 2,506,460 8,203,049 -416,000 -7,300 -2,980 68,070 -785,836.50 -8,400 -1,230,040 1,140 32,378,700 -808,200

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE 4.28 ASIA UNITED 49.95 BANK PH ISLANDS 103.3 BDO LEASING 3.81 BDO UNIBANK 124.3 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.45 CHINABANK 37.45 COL FINANCIAL 16.2 EAST WEST BANK 27.6 IREMIT 1.64 MEDCO HLDG 0.7 METROBANK 89 NTL REINSURANCE 0.93 PBCOM 26.4 PHIL NATL BANK 70.85 PHIL STOCK EXCH 238.6 PSBANK 89.8 RCBC 63.2 SECURITY BANK 224.2 SUN LIFE 1,649 UNION BANK 84.5 VANTAGE 1.24

4.55 50 106.6 3.87 124.8 1.5 37.45 16.32 28.25 1.66 0.71 89 1.29 26.4 71 239 90.5 63.25 225 1,649 85 1.25

4.12 49.3 103.3 3.81 124.1 1.45 37.25 16.18 27.45 1.64 0.69 87.75 0.93 25 68.7 238.6 89.8 61.95 221 1,645 84.5 1.23

ABOITIZ POWER 38.7 AGRINURTURE 7.99 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.84 ALSONS CONS 1.65 ASIABEST GROUP 31.65 BASIC ENERGY 0.27 BOGO MEDELLIN 110.9 CEMEX HLDG 7.23 CENTURY FOOD 17.86 CHEMPHIL 165.3 CIRTEK HLDG 24 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.3 CONCEPCION 74.5 CONCRETE A 81.9 CROWN ASIA 2.09 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.34 DEL MONTE 11.58 DNL INDUS 12.2 EAGLE CEMENT 16 EEI CORP 9.84 EMPERADOR 6.89 ENERGY DEVT 5.99 EUROMED 1.8 FIRST GEN 18.88 FIRST PHIL HLDG 72 GINEBRA 13.8 HOLCIM 14.8 INTEGRATED MICR 12.52 IONICS 1.68 JOLLIBEE 214.8 LIBERTY FLOUR 70.95 LMG CHEMICALS 4 MABUHAY VINYL 3.63 MANILA WATER 33.1 MAXS GROUP 21.35 MEGAWIDE 19.52 MERALCO 274 PANASONIC 6.34 PEPSI COLA 3.31 PETRON 10.52 PHIL H2O 5 PHINMA 10.22 PHINMA ENERGY 1.97 PHX PETROLEUM 9 PILIPINAS SHELL 69.6 PRYCE CORP 6.55 PUREFOODS 296 RFM CORP 4.6 ROXAS HLDG 4.62 SFA SEMICON 2.1 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.6 SPC POWER 5.42 SWIFT FOODS 0.15 TKC METALS 1.37 UNIV ROBINA 159.5 VICTORIAS 4.1 VITARICH 2.01 VULCAN INDL 1.15

39 8.03 0.84 1.68 32.3 0.29 110.9 7.37 18.52 165.3 24 14.4 74.5 81.9 2.09 5.34 11.58 12.32 16 10.44 6.89 6.08 1.82 19.3 72.5 13.8 14.8 13.58 1.72 218 70.95 4.02 3.63 33.1 22 19.7 274 6.34 3.38 10.84 5.23 10.22 1.97 9.31 69.8 6.74 297 4.7 4.62 2.42 13.92 5.46 0.15 1.38 161 4.25 2.1 1.15

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

0.38 75.95 14.4 1.17 6.23 0.34 0.34 882.5 8.2 14.16 7.61 5.9 0.21 1,220 7.38 82.3 5.15 1.02 7.3 15.88 0.4 6.24 0.06 0.96 2.03 104 2.72 783 0.87 1.4 209.8 306.6 0.29 0.23 0.25

8990 HLDG 6.25 A BROWN 1.48 ANCHOR LAND 6.8 ARANETA PROP 2.59 ARTHALAND CORP 1.24 AYALA LAND 41 BELLE CORP 4.15 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.45 CEBU HLDG 5.28 CENTURY PROP 0.52 CITY AND LAND 1.12 CITYLAND DEVT 1.47 CROWN EQUITIES 0.17 CYBER BAY 0.52 DOUBLEDRAGON 50.8 EMPIRE EAST 0.7 EVER GOTESCO 0.16 FILINVEST LAND 1.66 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.14 IRC PROP 0.95 MEGAWORLD 4.69 MRC ALLIED 0.41

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

0.36 0.66 3.97 25.6 1.7 3.29 34.3 1.06 0.88 5.71

0.37 0.68 3.99 25.65 1.73 3.29 34.7 1.06 0.91 5.73

0.35 0.65 3.93 25.1 1.7 3.25 34.1 1.03 0.88 5.66

0.36 0.67 3.93 25.1 1.71 3.29 34.45 1.04 0.89 5.73

2,800,000 29,216,000 249,000 2,283,800 61,000 59,000 8,439,700 5,835,000 242,000 2,608,900

994,700 19,426,550 985,430 58,094,290 103,900 193,250 289,762,855 6,092,170 213,880 14,885,982

1,005,000 -24,083,295 28,405,330 -273,637

2GO GROUP 28.9 ABS CBN 42.6 ACESITE HOTEL 1.84 APC GROUP 0.52 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.05 ASIAN TERMINALS 11.3 BERJAYA 5.51 BLOOMBERRY 9.59 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.09 CALATA CORP 2.02 CEBU AIR 99.45 CENTRO ESCOLAR 10.08 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.3 GLOBE TELECOM 2,194 GMA NETWORK 6.1 GOLDEN HAVEN 15.92 HARBOR STAR 2.82 IMPERIAL 3.43 INTL CONTAINER 101.9 IPM HLDG 8.9 ISLAND INFO 0.19 ISM COMM 1.38 JACKSTONES 3.64 LBC EXPRESS 16.38 LEISURE AND RES 4.28 MACROASIA 4.49 MANILA JOCKEY 2.28 MELCO RESORTS 9.87 METRO RETAIL 3.69 NOW CORP 2.78 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.48 PAL HLDG 5.3 PHIL SEVEN CORP 170 PHILWEB 10.3 PLDT 1,866 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.58 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.4 PUREGOLD 44.5 ROBINSONS RTL 88.3 SBS PHIL CORP 5.98 SSI GROUP 2.7 STI HLDG 1.17 TRAVELLERS 3.04 WATERFRONT 0.85 WILCON DEPOT 6.25

29 42.6 1.9 0.53 0.05 11.3 5.68 9.79 0.09 2.1 99.45 10.08 2.3 2,252 6.1 15.92 2.89 3.43 102.6 8.9 0.19 1.41 3.67 16.38 4.38 4.7 2.38 9.99 3.69 2.78 11.56 5.3 170 10.8 1,915 1.59 0.4 44.95 89 6.11 2.99 1.2 3.1 0.86 6.49

27.5 42.3 1.68 0.51 0.04 11.02 5.51 9.58 0.09 2.02 98.6 10 2.3 2,188 6.05 15.9 2.79 3.41 101.7 8.89 0.18 1.36 3.55 16.38 4.2 4.49 2.26 9.7 3.65 2.68 11.48 5.28 165 10.08 1,856 1.58 0.4 44.5 88.3 5.98 2.68 1.16 3.01 0.82 6.19

SERVICES 27.85 722,500 42.4 34,000 1.77 1,744,000 0.51 1,234,000 0.04 76,100,000 11.02 7,000 5.68 21,800 9.71 12,194,200 0.09 220,260,000 2.06 1,532,000 98.6 157,590 10 1,100 2.3 7,000 2,228 121,995 6.07 160,800 15.9 16,600 2.87 3,422,000 3.41 44,000 102 4,444,790 8.9 343,000 0.19 6,200,000 1.41 117,000 3.63 16,000 16.38 2,800 4.25 1,891,000 4.56 985,000 2.35 78,000 9.99 4,457,100 3.66 1,501,000 2.76 3,151,000 11.5 16,800 5.28 17,100 168 2,400 10.56 2,165,300 1,900 296,595 1.59 4,251,000 0.4 340,000 44.9 233,000 88.75 2,394,800 6.08 890,400 2.95 33,534,000 1.19 36,521,000 3.05 4,843,000 0.83 30,141,000 6.49 20,394,600

20,248,630 1,442,615 3,114,600 636,470 3,363,900 78,260 122,766 118,082,623 19,954,670 3,153,220 15,601,734 11,008 16,100 271,250,770 975,560 264,154 9,740,460 150,860 453,291,970 3,050,200 1,153,440 160,100 57,320 45,864 8,063,440 4,522,180 177,480 44,156,762(29 5,498,100 8,568,250 193,396 90,428 401,300 22,987,150 563,096,420 6,745,180 135,000 10,437,530 212,632,889 5,391,315 97,137,730 43,405,450 14,770,750 25,219,460 130,767,543

-245,475 50,510 358,000 -21,779,690 -29,970 -7,913,036 82,901,100 575,670 -14,177,609 -31,790 16,380 499,750 -88,160 ,946,993.9999) -1,723,990 22,270 386,220 -351,318 86,416,910 -540,600 -40,000 4,469,565 41,983,560.50 -650,530 -31,564,290 7,421,270 648,910.00 142,350 26,458,266

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

0 1.76 5 14 2.22 2.2 0.87 0.39 9.41 2.4 0.3 0.18 0.19 0.01 0.01 1.98 6.12 2.09 1 0.01 0.01 6.04 0.01 9.02 3.15 160.5 2.65 0.01

0 1.83 5 15.98 2.24 2.27 0.93 0.39 9.78 2.41 0.3 0.19 0.2 0.01 0.01 2.1 6.18 2.13 1 0.01 0.01 6.28 0.01 9.14 3.21 165 2.65 0.01

0 1.73 4.99 14 2.2 2.2 0.84 0.39 9.41 2.32 0.3 0.18 0.19 0.01 0.01 1.88 6.08 2.07 0.96 0.01 0.01 6.04 0.01 9.02 3.15 160.5 2.65 0.01

MINING & OIL 0 1,258,000,000 1.8 20,163,000 5 69,000 15.98 1,500 2.24 91,000 2.2 53,000 0.93 4,907,000 0.39 320,000 9.5 3,700 2.39 1,786,000 0.3 1,030,000 0.18 4,760,000 0.2 3,220,000 0.01 2,300,000 0.01 200,000 2.1 1,726,000 6.18 3,000,300 2.12 113,000 0.97 125,000 0.01 97,500,000 0.01 20,000,000 6.19 125,400 0.01 24,900,000 9.1 546,000 3.17 752,000 161.9 1,471,090 2.65 2,000 0.01 13,000,000

3,903,100 36,062,500 344,430 21,918 201,570 117,300 4,433,440 124,750 35,394 4,222,900 304,000 877,080 626,320 25,300 2,200 3,474,660 18,400,917 235,750 121,170 1,007,000 200,000 772,071 299,300 4,959,755 2,394,300 238,626,562 5,300 108,100

65,100 991,060 -5,000 -2,200 -117,000 2,993,197 -6,720 11,800 723,543 -19,200 45,788,249 -

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

42.1 516 520 106 105 116.5 5.83 1,010 1,020 1.1 109.2 1,102 1,015 105 1.93 77.7 82 76.5 80.45 80.95 77.55 78 79

43 516 520 106 105 116.5 5.83 1,010 1,029 1.1 109.2 1,102 1,015 105 1.93 77.7 82 77.45 80.45 80.95 79.4 79 79

42 508 518 106 105 116.5 5.8 1,010 1,015 1.1 109.2 1,100 1,012 105 1.93 77.6 82 76.5 80.45 80.95 77.45 78 79

PREFERRED 42.1 27,300 508 1,040 518 40 106 500 105 10,210 116.5 740 5.8 10,300 1,010 1,500 1,015 1,710 1.1 7,000 109.2 50 1,100 110 1,015 5,590 105 1,000 1.93 2,000 77.6 1,190 82 29,230 77.45 91,100 80.45 16,400 80.95 4,010 79.4 13,580 79 78,660 79 16,700

1,150,710 528,640 20,760 53,000 1,072,050 86,210 59,749 1,515,000 1,744,385 7,700 5,460 121,020 5,668,950 105,000 3,860 92,349 2,396,860 7,025,787 1,319,380 324,609.50 1,052,873.50 6,173,315 1,319,300

6,300 -58,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.28

2.29

2.2

WARRANTS 2.2 122,000

273,530

-

4.03 6.18 8.09

3.81 6 7.96

SME 3.96 6.11 7.98

5,086,630 409,305 12,581,372

247,240 -3,060 -1,817,992

122.4

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.5 120.8 8,240

996,065

7,244

NAME PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

MS

PROPERTY 6.21 642,100 1.48 49,122,000 6.8 500 2.58 424,000 1.23 4,576,000 41.95 15,505,600 4.11 3,720,000 5.67 35,915,800 5.29 96,400 0.52 5,774,000 1.13 28,000 1.49 539,000 0.17 98,710,000 0.5 7,138,000 50 253,360 0.7 310,000 0.16 630,000 1.66 3,524,000 1.14 7,448,000 0.98 839,000 4.7 26,055,000 0.39 206,310,000

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.02 6.03 7.99

FIRST METRO ETF 122.4

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

34,558,434

INDUSTRIAL

203,292,226

HOLDING FIRMS

189,973,976

PROPERTY

520,706,901

SERVICES

477,222,724

MINING & OIL

1,460,317,111

GRAND TOTAL

2,889,026,250

1,305,000 67,700 1,573,000

VALUE 1,963.65 (UP) 3.84 707,368,272.60 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,140.56 (UP) 70.59 2,264,729,013.51 HOLDING FIRMS 7,901.84 (UP) 6.60 3,224,223,905.85 PROPERTY 3,775.86 (UP) 49.80 1,756.86 (UP) 14.99 1,640,635,905.985 SERVICES MINING & OIL 12,633.25 (UP) 93.84 2,131,942,309.867 PSEI 8,002.32 (UP) 49.20 321,943,139.503 All Shares Index 4,760.27 (UP) 19.96 10,309,920,688.60 Gainers: 120; Losers: 86; Unchanged: 42; Total: 248

Tarrobago’s ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund has returned 28 percent in the past year, the most among the 220 peso-denominated funds covering all asset classes in the Philippines tracked by Bloomberg. He halved the fund’s cash holdings to 7 percent from end-2016 as he bought more stocks, favoring infrastructure, consumerrelated and bank shares. The three sectors comprise 67 percent of the fund, he said.

The lower house of Congress passed the tax bill on May 31, and lawmakers in the senate will take it up when they return next month.

Duterte has certified the bill as urgent.

That’s helped overseas investors reverse course and pour $399 million into Philippine stocks since April 1, pushing the stock benchmark near its 8,127.48 peak in 2015. In the previous six months, foreigners withdrew $1.02 billion.

Tarrobago expects the proposal, which promises lower personal income taxes and higher levies on oil, cars and sugary drinks, to become law this year and implemented in 2018. In its current form, the government expects an additional P130 billion ($2.62 billion).

The bill will boost economic growth by as much as 1.1 percentage points by 2022 as the government spends the proceeds on infrastructure projects, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said last month.

Still, there is a possibility the bill will be watered down in the senate, said James Lago, head of research at PCCI Securities Brokers Corp. That could affect foreign fund inflows and push stocks lower. “At this stage, it’s time to take profit on the winners,” Lago said.

With Bloomberg,AFP

Ford’s car sales rose 4% in April

By Othel V. Campos FORD Philippines said Wednesday vehicle sales grew 4 percent to 3,036 units in May from a year ago, on strong demand for the Everest, Ranger and EcoSport nameplates.

“Our most popular nameplates – Everest, Ranger and EcoSport – are continuing to drive our overall sales and helping us stay on track for another record year,” said Ford Philippines managing director Lance Mosley.

“Additionally, our Ford Island Conquest roadshow has so far been very successful in providing even more access to our brand in key locations around the country and a unique test drive experience with our Ford vehicles,” he said.

The company said it sold 1,061 units of Everest in May and 4,629 units in the first five months.

Sales of EcoSport compact SUV increased 7 percent in May 908 units and 20 percent in the first five months to 4,241 units.

Sales of Ranger rose 6 percent year-on-year to 832 units in May, helping drive its year-to-date sales by 11 percent to 3,716 units.

Meanwhile, Ford’s North American-built models contributed to the record sales of the premium Explorer SUV which increased 73 percent year-on-year to 126 units in May. The Mustang delivered monthly sales of 31 units.

Business

B3

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Govt to build P50-b expressway in Cebu

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Public Works Department said Wednesday it is ready to construct a 74-kilometer expressway in Cebu province to decongest its major thoroughfares.

“We have already completed the feasibility study of the P50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project. It will be implemented in three segments,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

The project will reduce travel time from Naga City to Danao City from three hours to one hour and 25 minutes. The project is expected to start construction next year and should be finished by 2022.

Metro Cebu Expressway is a part of the infrastructure program #BuildBuildBuild, which aims to increase the productive capacity of the economy and create jobs through the acceleration of massive infra-

structure.

The International Monetary Fund said a sustained increase in public infrastructure spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product would add 5 percent to 6 percent to GDP after 15 years.

The department also plans to construct the four-lane Guadalupe-Lahug By-Pass Road with a total length of 1.61 kilometers in Cebu.

“The project with an estimated cost of P500 million will shorten travel time from Barangay Guadalupe to Barangay Lahug by 50 percent from one hour to only 30 minutes,” Villar said.

“In addition, feasibility study is now ongoing for the construction of Mandaue CityConsolacion-Liloan Bypass Road which is expected to bring down travel time from Cebu City to the municipality of Liloan by 50 percent,” Villar said.

Telecom deal now a tricky transaction THE P69.91-billion mega telecom deal between conglomerates San Miguel Corp., PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. could go awry, with the Philippine Competition Commission out to ruin the purely sale and purchase transaction.

The PCC may also unwittingly open the acquisition deal to corruption with its ominous order to the two telecom players to stop paying the third and final tranche of the deal to San Miguel.

The PCC, to recall, asked the Supreme Court to lift the injunction on the review of the P69.1-billion deal. The Office of the Solicitor General filed on behalf of the PCC a petition before the Supreme Court to lift the preliminary injunction issued by the Court of Appeals, which halted the anti-trust body’s review of the acquisition of San Miguel’s telecom assets by PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom.

The PCC made the plea, invoking its responsibility to prevent monopoly and promote a level playing field in the Philippines.

“By this petition, we elevate the matter to the highest court of the land to finally allow us to fulfill our legal mandate in the interest of promoting competition in the telco market,” PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan said a news briefing in April .

“What we are asking [Supreme Court] is to issue order to PLDT in the meantime to discontinue its consummation of the last tranche because it’s more difficult to undo,” he says, adding the consummation of the P69.1-billion telco deal would be more costly and limit PCC’s remedies.

The last payment of PLDT for the acquisition of the 50-percent stake in Vega Telecom Inc., Bow Arken (the parent company of New Century Telecoms, Inc.) and Brightshare (the parent company of eTelco Inc.) was supposed to be on May 30. PLDT already paid San Miguel P19.8 billion as of December 2016.

The other 50 percent of the P52.8 billion, excluding the liabilities, would be settled by Globe.

But the PCC order for the two telcos not to pay the third and final tranche to San Miguel will trigger off a new issue to PCC’s attempt to kill the deal, as it now pries into the financial angle and not just into the anti-competition nature of the transaction.

PLDT and Globe may ignore the directive but a number of obstructions can still crop up.

Industry observers are asking what will the status of that third and final tranche of payment if the PCC is able to carry out its directive to hold the payments. Will it go into escrow? Will San Miguel demand a guarantee for the eventual payment of the last tranche of the deal?

Other financial questions will have to be addressed, such as possible interest charges arising while the payments are suspended. There is also a need to identify a third party that will be managing the third and final payment while it is held in escrow or while it is suspended.

The PCC, if it succeeds in its attempt to suspend the payment, will be effectively in control of the transaction legally and financially. Will handling money in private transactions be part of its mandate, or will it be again assuming more than what its role is all about?

The PCC’s order to suspend the final stage of the San Miguel deal will also eventually encroach into the area of the regulatory mission of the National Telecommunications Commission. If the deal is eventually be rescinded, what will happen to the 700 MHz frequency that is now being co-used by both telecom players? Will the whole bundle be returned, not to San Miguel, but to the NTC for the agency to eventually bid them out?

Will PLDT-Smart and Globe be refunded for what they have paid out? Will San Miguel keep the money and have a chance to get back the 700MHz frequency by bidding for it?

Whichever way the deal goes and PCC’s attempt to kill the deal, one can be sure that not only breadcrumbs are there for the taking, but also money to be had along the way to ‘perdition.’

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH-FRANCE PARTNERSHIP. Olivier Midiere (third from left), digital economy ambassador of the Mouvement des Enterprises de France, a topnotch business organization composed of more than 700,000 members in France, calls on Trade assistant secretary Rosvi Gaetos (fourth from left) to discuss interest of the MEDEF to explore partnerships in the digital economy between the Philippines and France. With them are (from left) Export Marketing Bureau director Senen Perlada, Philippine Embassy in Paris consul Rapunzel Acop, Foreign Trade Service Corps assistant secretary Ma. Cynthia Ricafort and Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris commercial attache Froilan Pamintuan.

Sy’s billionaire heirs rise with shift to China S

By Blake Schmidt

EVEN decades ago in Manila, one of Henry Sy’s first bonanzas was buying cigarettes off of American soldiers and selling them in the city plaza at a markup.

Now, heirs of the retail and property mogul behind Southeast Asia’s largest fortune may have found a jackpot of their own: They’re building a supermall in China that’s almost the size of the Pentagon.

The project signals increased exposure to the world’s biggest consumer market, in line with the foreign policy shift towards Beijing by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Investors have come around to the tough-talking populist since his election last May, supporting a rally for Philippine equities and a surge for the stocks owned by Sy’s SM Investments Corp as the company undergoes a generational shift. That’s made billionaires of his six children, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

“Henry Sy was one of the more forward-looking and canny tycoons in the Philippines in that he paid attention to succession issues probably better than most,” said Alejandro Reyes, a

Manila-born visiting professor at University of Hong Kong’s politics department.

“The Philippines is an oligarchy where you have a limited number of families who benefit when the economy is doing very well, and who control an inordinate amount of the economy,” said Reyes.

The heirs collectively have direct stakes of around 44 percent of SM, which has holdings in retail, property development, banking and logistics.

The siblings―Teresita, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert and Harley―have a combined net worth of $10.7 billion, according to the index. Henry Sy, 92, is credited with the remainder of the clan’s share of the conglomerate, held directly, with his wife and through family-owned holding companies.

The family’s $17.6 billion fortune amounts to more than 5 percent of the island nation’s annual GDP and has risen more than $3 billion since Duterte’s

victory, more than any in Southeast Asia, according to the Bloomberg index.

The conglomerate is viewed by investors as a proxy for the fast-growing Philippines economy, according to Frederic DyBuncio, who assumed the presidency of SM Investments in April. Indeed, logistics company 2Go Group Inc., which counts Sy’s group among its largest stakeholders, has tripled in the past year, while property company SM Prime Holdings Inc., lender BDO Unibank Inc. and holding company SM Investments are each up more than 19 percent.

Teresita Sy-Coson, the eldest of the heirs, lauded Duterte in a recent interview with CNBC or his laissez-faire approach to the economy, even as he faces scrutiny for thousands of drug war killings that watchdog Human Rights Watch has called a calamity. She declined to comment on the family’s net worth, and the family declined requests for additional comment sent through the holding company’s investor relations department.

Teresita and her brother Hans have been in delegations that went with Duterte to China for talks with President Xi Jinping, a sign that the descendants of the conglomerate’s China-born

founder are well-positioned to benefit from the detente, Reyes said. Visits from Chinese tourists grew by more than one-third last year, a boon for the Sys’ tenant at the City of Dreams Manila casino resort.

Seven of the group’s more than 60 malls are in China. The conglomerate is building a residential project in Chengdu, with plans for Xiamen and Jinjiang, the latter being the birthplace of Henry Sy, who spearheaded the group’s push into China. A supermall in the works in Tianjin would have more than 500,000 square meters of floor space, rivaling that of the Pentagon. It was designed like a blossoming flower to symbolize growth and new opportunities, according to the company’s website. Still, China only accounts for about 2 percent of the group’s total revenue.

The expansion in China brings the fortune back to the founder’s homeland, and comes as Henry Sy attempts to execute an orderly handover of his wealth to a new generation, which includes the appointing of professional managers from outside the family.

By involving all of his children as managers and giving them an ownership stake, he’s been more proactive than some -- even if he hasn’t publicly designated a successor. Bloomberg

Too many lawyers? Just a question of distribution

THE recent Supreme Court announcement of the results of the 2016 Bar examinations has thrown the spotlight once again on the lawyer component of this country’s population and the role played by Filipino lawyers in the life of the nation and the number of Filipinos engaged in ministering to the legal needs of their fellow-citizens.

There is a pervasive impression that, measured against the national population, there are far too many lawyers in this country. “We have lawyers coming out of our ears,” is how one commentator has put it. Is this a fact? Is there-are-too-many-lawyers the situation on the ground?

The answer to these questions depends on geography. There may be far too many lawyers or very few lawyers, depending on the geographical context of the discussion about over-abundance or paucity of lawyers. In the principal population centers of this country— Metro Manila and the immediately surrounding provinces, Metro Cebu and cities like Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Legazpi and Angeles—the “Attorney at Law” sign and shingle are indeed pervasive. Competition among lawyers in these parts of the

nation can be very intense.

But in the rest of this country the situation is different, sometimes very different. Most of the 1,443 municipalities have few legal practitioners—lawyers actively engaged in private law practice—and the smallest municipalities have only a handful of practicing lawyers in their midst. No lawyers-coming-out-of-ourears situation there.

Any fairly knowledgeable person knows why it is that many lawyers do not want to practice their profession in the small provinces and the municipalities. The need to have undergone a pre-law degree course and the four-year (now five years under the Juris Doctor program) law course to make legal training a very expensive proposition.

The major population centers are where the big fees are; elsewhere, fees are modest and are all too often paid in kind. And so we have the sad situation where the legal needs of the majority of Filipinos are served by a minority of the nation’s lawyers.

A factor that contributes to the imbalance between the supply of law practitioners in the metropolitan areas and the supply of “Attorneys at Law” in the rest of the nation is the reality that many of the signers of the Supreme Court’s Roll of Attorneys go into private law practice. There are several other options for those who are able to hurdle the Bar examinations. Not all of the 3,747 men

and women who passed the most recent Bar examinations will go into private law practice. Some will join the civil service and become government lawyers (in the judiciary and Executive offices). Some will join the corporate world. Some will go into business for themselves. Others, especially some of the newly minted companeras, will simply become housewives (the former term for the now more politically correct ‘homemakers’).

Thus, an economist will settle the question about excess or sufficiency of Filipino lawyers by pointing to the word ‘distribution’. The Philippine legal profession is badly distributed, with lawyers super-abundant in some places and grossly inadequate in many others. If Filipino lawyers are less unevenly distributed, there will be far less talk of ay excess of lawyers.

To the 3,747 men and women who have just joined the ranks of this country’s legal fraternity I say: If you intend to go into private law practice, don’t exacerbate the lawyers-coming-out-of-our-ears situation already prevailing in places like Metro Manila. Go to your hometowns and serve your townmates. You will be performing a real service to your chosen profession, and it will be better for your health too.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

US tourism reeling from Trump

By John Biers

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EW YORK― American tourism companies are seeing early signs that US President Donald Trump’s still-young administration is hitting foreign visits and fear “destination USA” could suffer further in the years to come.

Travel industry executives in particular expressed anguish over Trump’s proposed travel ban on visitors from seven predominately Muslim countries, an issue the US president raised anew this week in the

wake of the London attacks.

“When you hear words like ‘travel ban’ it puts a big chill” on business, James Murren, chief executive of MGM Resorts said Tuesday during a panel discussion at a travel industry conference hosted by New York University.

Industry insiders also see Trump’s tough “America first” talk as hostile to potential visitors.

“We need to address the Trump administration and its policies,” said Roger Dow, president of the US Travel Association in a news conference. “Many might be saying, ‘I’m wondering if the US even welcomes us anymore.”

Early figures suggest travel to the United States from all international markets is running about flat in 2017 compared with the year-ago period, said Marriott chief executive Arne Sorenson, adding that outcome is “not bad” considering the strong dollar.

But the data also suggest declines of about 20 percent in visitors from the Middle East and Mexico, which Trump has harshly criticized.

Sorenson, a critic of the travel ban, fears the US market will suffer in the next three to five years even as global travel continues to grow.

“The US share will decline because we’ll see more and more people go to Europe and other destinations where the reception seems to be warmer,” Sorenson said.

Jonathan Tisch, chief executive of Loews Hotel & Co., said one of Loews’ hotels in Miami has had groups cancel because they had attendees from a travel ban country.

Tisch also said Emirates airline has cut flights to some US cities and warned the US risked another “lost decade” of foreign visitors much as a visa crackdown

and other policies after 9/11 led to the loss of billions of dollars in revenues from overseas travelers.

Internationally known US tourist destinations include an array of spectacular national parks in the western part of the United States, amusement parks such as the Disney World in Orlando, and major cities like New York and Los Angeles, which are embedded in global popular culture from Hollywood movies and television.

International leisure travelers comprised 19.5 percent of the nearly $1 trillion US travel market in 2016, well below domestic leisure travelers which accounted for 50 percent of the total, according to a report by IBISWorld.

But growth is expected to be faster among international travelers in the years to come, in line with rising global income, particularly in countries in Asia and South America. AFP

Spanish bank to fail, says regulator FRANKFURT―Spanish bank Banco Popular is “failing or likely to fail” following a significant deterioration of its liquidity situation and would therefore be sold to Banco Santander, the European Central Bank said on Wednesday.

“On June 6, the ECB determined that Banco Popular Espanol was failing or likely to fail,” the central bank said in a short statement.

It was the first time the ECB has issued such a statement in its capacity as Europe’s banking supervisory authority.

“The significant deterioration of the liquidity situation of the bank in recent days led to a determination that the entity would have, in the near future, been unable to pay its debts or other liabilities as they fell due,” it explained.

“Consequently, the ECB determined that the bank was failing or likely to fail and duly informed the Single Resolution Board (SRB), which adopted a resolution scheme entailing the sale of Banco Popular Espanol to Banco Santander.”

Such a solution appeared to be the preferred option for Banco Popular’s chief, Emilio Saracho, even though a second bank, BBVA, had also been mooted as a possible buyer.

For its part, the SRB said in a separate statement that it had “transferred all shares and capital instruments” of Banco Popular to Banco Santander.

“This means that Banco Popular will operate under normal business conditions as a solvent and liquid member of the Santander Group with immediate effect,” it said.

Banco Popular is Spain’s seventh-biggest bank. It is still struggling under the crushing weight of the “toxic assets” accumulated since the 2008 crisis, comprising real estate seized from owners unable to pay back their loans and mortgages.

Compelled to re-sell them at a loss, Banco Popular was forced to set aside 5.7 billion euros ($6.4 billion) in provisions in 2016, pushing it into a net loss of 3.5 billion euros for the year.

Banco Popular has seen its market capitalization drop by more than half in just one week on the Madrid stock exchange.

On Tuesday, its shares had traded at as little as 0.32 euros apiece.

Banco Santander’s investors did not seem to be particularly happy about the announcement that the bank would take over Banco Popular. Santander shares plunged by more than two percent on the Madrid stock exchange on Wednesday to around 5.67 euros.

The overall market was showing a loss of around 0.9 percent. AFP

SUSPENDED. A picture taken on June 5, 2017 shows a man walking past the Qatar Airways branch in the Saudi capital Riyadh, after it had suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia following a severing of relations between major gulf states and gas-rich Qatar. AFP

Australia economy slowed in 1st quarter SYDNEY―Australia marked a world-record 26 years without a recession Wednesday after official figures showed another quarter of economic expansion, but analysts warned of uncertain times ahead as growth slows.

The reading beat expectations, with some analysts predicting a contraction following a category four cyclone in late March as well as weak trade figures and tepid wages growth.

The economy grew 0.3 percent in the three months to March for an annual rate of 1.7 percent, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

However, while the annual rate was above forecasts―lifting the Australian dollar―it was well down from 2.4 percent in the previous quarter.

“In the context of the past few years, it is still a fairly weak outcome,” JP Morgan economist Tom Kennedy told AFP of the latest figures. “The real issue is that consumption is still pretty soft even though the saving rate fell... and (capital expenditure) was flat, still not doing anything.

“That’s really important for the Australian economy so the domestic drivers of growth in Australia are still pretty underwhelming.”

Australia last recorded two negative quarters of economic growth in March and June 1991, before enjoying 103 quarters without a recession to equal the record run set by the Netherlands, which ended in 2008.

Economists said the resources-rich nation’s long stretch of expansion was supported by economic reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, such as the floating of the local currency, a flexible labor market, financial sector and capital markets deregulation and lower tariffs.

Australia has also benefited from China’s economic growth and hunger for natural resources, which led to an unprecedented mining investment boom and record commodity prices.

But experts have warned that growth in the next few years may not be as rosy, with the annual expansion rate of 1.7 percent the slowest since 2009. AFP

Apple wants to rock the market with HomePod, faces challenges

By Glenn Chapman SAN FRANCISCO―Apple’s new HomePod speaker may be music to the ears of its loyal fans, but how much it can crank up volume in the smart speaker market remains to be heard.

Apple unveiled its long-awaited HomePod at its annual developers conference taking place this week in the heart of Silicon Valley, enticing lovers of its products with a high-end offering in a market dominated by lowerpriced devices from Amazon and Google.

Analysts are yet to be convinced that HomePod will rock the smart speaker market the way iPhones came to rule the smartphone world and iPods dominated MP3 players.

“If we are comparing this to Apple’s past successes, it doesn’t fit that model,” said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group.

“This product is much more of a me-too offering.”

There was no overwhelming differentiation in HomePod, according to the analyst. But he saw a big negative―it is more expensive.

HomePod, infused with machine smarts by Siri digital assistant, will be priced at $349 when it begins shipping in December in the United States, Australia and Britain.

HomePod will take on Amazon Echo and Google Home, which have momentum in the arena of voice-controlled speakers capable of controlling smart appliances, fetching content from the internet and more.

Amazon sells Echo devices for $179, and smaller “Dot” versions for $50. Google sells Home for $180, promoting the smart speakers with discounts.

HomePod’s tune Apple played up the rich

Greg Joswiak, vice president of iPod, iPhone, and iOS product marketing for Apple speaks on stage at San Jose McEnery Convention Center during Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, on June 05, 2017. AFP

speaker quality of HomePod, and synched it with the company’s music service that boasts 27 million subscribers.

Apple vice president Phil Schiller said the company’s Siri team tuned the virtual assistant as a “musicologist” that learns the tastes of listeners and gets songs from the internet cloud.

The speaker has the “power to rock the house,” according to Schiller, and the aim is to make

HomePod a voice-commanded assistant for news, messages, weather, traffic, home controls and more.

“Apple’s base should like it, because they are committed to the ecosystem,” Enderle said of HomePod. “If you are paying the extra money because Apple is requiring you to do so to access your stuff, that is the Apple tax and it is the kind of thing that people don’t like.”

HomePod combined elements of Echo and Sonos smart speakers, known for rich sound quality, according to Reticle Research principal analyst Ross Rubin.

Apple lovers already tend to be “premium product buyers,” and may not flinch at paying more for what they believe is a superior quality product, said Gartner analyst Brian Blau.

Just a glimpse Blau suspected Apple only

gave a glimpse at its vision for HomePod, noting its potential to be a command center for smart houses and to mesh with iPhones, iPads, online services and more.

“We have to imagine there is going to be more there,” Blau said.

“Is it going to be an Echo killer? A Google Home killer?

We are going to have to wait and see.

Apple be saving some insights into HomePod for later this year when it is expected to unveil a tenth-anniversary edition of the iPhone.

Since HomePod will not hit the market until December, it is unlikely to catch much of the year-end holiday shopping wave and post big sales this year, according to Blau.

“I think, over time, they are going to do just fine in this category but it is going to take a while,” the analyst said.

“I don’t think it will be the next iPhone,” Blau said of HomePod, “but, Apple could gain share and be a leader.”

In a blog post Technalysis Research founder Bob O’Donnell depicted Apple’s latest product news as an affirmation that the company has not fallen behind competitors and is working to take advantage of potentially exciting new technologies.

But O’Donnell also expressed skepticism on Apple’s ability to dominate this new segment.

“Yes, some songs may sound pleasing, but for true audiophiles who actually want to hear what the artist and producer intended, Apple’s positioning of the HomePod as super highquality speaker is going to be a very tough sell,” O’Donnell said in a blog post. AFP

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

LGUs

ROAD REFUSE. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (left) walks with city officials and the police on Monday in inspecting a run-down vehicle body abandoned along Radial Road 10, one of the obstructions that have caused traffic along the major road in Tondo district. Norman Cruz

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Makati protocols for class suspensions set

By Joel E. Zurbano

tasked to initiate the suspension or cancellation of classes.

Under the ordinance, the city’s HE Makati City government announced Emergency Operation Center or on Wednesday it has adopted protocols the Command Control and Communication Center based at the in connection with the suspension or City Hall should regucancellation of classes during heavy rains in the Makati larly monitor weather advisories absence of a typhoon warning signal from the from Pagasa, including rainfall and low pressure areas, usually weather bureau. issued at 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., The move, according to May- when the situation calls for it in and 11 p.m.

Aside from Pagasa advisories, or Abigail Binay, aims to spare order to spare our students from Makati students from exposure being trapped in flash floods, the EOC must also closely monito possible dangers posed by in- among other risks posed by in- tor regular updates of weather forecasts, and flood water levels clement weather. clement weather,” she said.

Binay said the protocols, which Binay noted that classes are au- in schools and barangays.

For rainfall, the EOC should the City Council approved through tomatically suspended or canceled City Ordinance No. 2017-024, when the Philippine Atmospheric, monitor forecasts from Climate X aimed to ensure that “timely and Geophysical and Astronomical website of the Department of Sciinformed decisions” are made on Services Administration issues ence and Technology, which prowhether to suspend or cancel classes typhoon warning signals, but in vides area-specific forecast and in the city when the need arises. case of rains brought by the south- four-hour rainfall projection.

For flood water level monitor“The protocols will allow us west monsoon or “habagat,” it is to make timely announcements the local chief executive who is ing, the EOC should coordinate

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through radio or phone with their respective designated priority flood-prone barangays. These include Carmona, Olympia, Tejeros, Singkamas, La Paz, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio, Palanan, San Isidro, Pio del Pilar, Bangkal, Rizal, Comembo, and Guadalupe Viejo.

Subsequently, the EOC personnel on duty should submit a consolidated report to the city Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer. However, any critical observation made at any time during the monitoring must immediately be reported to the DRRM officer.

Crucial time of initial reporting to the city DRRM officer for the cancellation of the morning (AM) shift classes is at 1 a.m., and for afternoon (PM) shift classes, 6 a.m.

For final reporting, crucial time is 4 a.m. for AM shift classes, and 10 a.m. for PM shift classes.

Philam, LBC partner for provincial schools THE most impactful and sustainable corporate social initiatives are driven a company’s mission. This means every program implemented has to be informed by its vision and values to deliver meaningful results.

To that end, a new partnership between Philam Foundation Inc. and LBC Foundation Inc., the CSR arm of the country’s leading courier and express delivery company, LBC Express Inc., hopes to make its mark through the AngatBuhay program.

“AngatBuhay, which is an existing program under Vice President Leni Robredo, is a project that hopes to raise the quality of life of every Filipino family. One of the key advocacies is education—a key focus area of LBC Foundation,” says Nena Wuthrich, execu-

tive director, LBC Foundation, Inc. “Through this, we hope to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

As part of the initiative and in support of this program, a school rebuilding effort will be undertaken in Bote Integrated School, Bato, Catanduanes. The original structure, a run-down, sixclassroom building, was considered condemned after Typhoon “Nina” ravaged the municipality, completely blowing off the roof and doors of the school building.

Together with Philam Foundation Inc., a single story, two-classroom building intended for 579 elementary students for the community will now be built for the community; in addition to a singlestorey, three-classroom structure

Cavite gets serious for ‘Big One’ quake SILANG, Cavite—The Cavite Provincial Government, together with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy-Philippine Academy Center and the Adventist Relief and Development Agency, staged the “Big Preparedness, One Cavite” seminar on Tuesday at the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction compound here.

The event was a provincewide discussion on earthquake preparedness and heightened Cavite’s disaster readiness campaign in anticipation of the “Big One” or the projected 7.2-magnitude earthquake from the West Valley Fault.

Alarmed by the recent earthquakes that rocked the National Capital Region, Batangas, Cavite, Zambales, and areas in Mindanao, proponents of the event saw the pressing need to discuss plans and strengthen collaboration between local government units, non-government organizations and the private sector to raise the level

Vice President Leni Robredo (center) holds up a model school building the AngatBuhay Program build in Catanduanes in Bukidnod with the help of the Philam Foundation, represented by its president Max Ventura (left), and the LBC Foundation led by its executive director, Nena Wuthrich.

for Damilag Integrated School in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Barangay Damilag is recognized as one of the most populous barangays in the municipality, with no accessible high

school. The construction of the high school is a way to ensure that children within the district have easy access to education and continue attending school. he partnership was formal-

ized last April 2017 in the presence of Max Ventura, President of Philam Foundation, Inc., and witnessed with Vice-President Robredo and is slated for completion by July.

Artists to be feted in 446th Araw ng Maynila rites

By Sandy Araneta MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada will bestow special awards to exceptional Filipino artists who have excelled in the fields of architecture, painting, and other art forms and culture.

Estrada, himself a multiawarded actor, will lead the

conferment of the annual “Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Awards” during the weeklong celebrations of the 446th Araw ng Maynila starting June 24.

“It will be a great honor once again to recognize outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves in different fields of visual arts and have

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contributed to the development of Filipino traditional arts and culture,” Estrada said.

The Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Awards are handed out by the city government of Manila as part of the annual celebrations of the capital city’s foundation day.

Among the prominent personalities who were given such

honor by Estrada were actress Nora Aunor and actor-director Eddie Garcia.

The awards are in recognition of the Filipino artists “who have dedicated their talents and skills to promote and put into a different level their respective fields of artistic endeavor,” said Sofia Arboladura, chief of the Manila Tourism and

Cultural Affairs Bureau.

Arboladura said the awards have nine categories: Architecture, Sculpture, Dance, Theater, Painting, Music, New Art Form, Literature, and Cinema.

The 2017 Araw ng Maynila Executive Committee and MTCAB are now accepting nominations until June 15.

of preparedness of the whole province.

This dialogue is crucial, organizers said, since the “Big One” will not only affect Metro Manila but the entire Cavite as well, particularly the towns of Carmona, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, and Silang, which the West Valley Fault system traverses.

The event gathered provincial disaster risk reduction and management council members, municipal/city DRRM officers and LGU representatives, focal persons from NGOs and other stakeholders from the private sector.

They hope to come up with a common understanding and working ground on preparations and measures to mitigate the impact of the anticipated earthquake.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Cecil Miranda delivered the event rationale, and called on the participants’ involvement since their inputs will contribute to the provincial contingency plan.

QC eyes medical tourism windfall

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City is very ripe to take on the challenge of medical tourism, according to Mayor Herbert Bautista.

“Quezon City is truly a medical and wellness destination,” he told participants during Tuesday’s 1st Quezon City Medical Tourism Stakeholders Summit at the Seda Hotel Vertis North.

Some of the best hospitals in the country started in Quezon City, the mayor noted, like St. Luke’s Medical Center, Capitol Medical Center, University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, and even specialized hospitals like the Heart Center, Lung Center and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, among others.

“A good number of new hospitals, like the ones on Commonwealth and Mindanao avenues, serve as places to seek recovery and healing,” Bautista added.

Quezon City, the country’s premier highly urbanized city, is eyeing a slice of the world medical tourism market, which is projected to reach $143 billion by 2020.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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TODAY THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSALINDA ARRE SAN MATEO has been extrajudicially settled among her heirs as per Doc. No. 120, Page No. 25, Book No. 566, Series of 2017 of Notary Public Atty.

Ruben T.M. Ramirez with CY-2017. APPT No. M-23(Until Dec 31, 2017) of Makati City.

(MS-MAY 25, JUNE 1 & 8, 2017)

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.

In The Name Of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN BIDS AND AWARDSCOMMITTEE Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 InvItatIon to BId for SUPPLY and dELIvErY of ConStrUCtIon MatErIaLS for thE ConCrEtIng of BarangaY tUMahUBong –PUno dahIngan road ,SUMISIP and ConCrEtIng of PUno-dahIngan –SaMPInIt road, BaSILan and SUPPLY and dELIvErY of onE (1) UnIt MInI trUCk UndEr BaC PUBLICatIon 005-2017 1.The Provincial Government of Basilan intends to apply part of the total sum of TWO HUNDRED SIXTY NINE MILLION AND NINE HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED SIXTY SIX PESOS 100/10 (P269,901,366.10) ,being the approved Budget for the Contract for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS and ONE UNIT MINI TRUCK intended for the hereunder listed projects/purpose as stated below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project/Purpose a) Concreting of Barangay Tuamhubong-Puno Dahingan road, Sumisip Basilan b) Concreting of Barangay Puno Dahingan-Sampinit road, Basilan c) One (1) Mini Truck TOTAL

Approved Budget for the Contract

IBP-Lanao backs ‘ML’ T HE Lanao del Sur chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has declared its support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216, which imposed martial law in Mindanao following the siege of Marawi City by the terrorist Maute group.

In a statement, the IPB Lanao del Sur chapter said its memberlawyers support Proclamation No. 216 “to allow the Philippine government the opportunity to address the current Marawi crisis.”

The group “recognizes the constitutional prerogative of the President to declare martial law on the basis of rebellion or invasion... without conceding as to the sufficiency of the factual and legal basis of the declaration,” said incumbent chapter president lawyer Mino Macalandap.

“While we fervently pray and desire for the government to restore peace and order in the city and return to our homes as soon as possible, we also passionately appeal to the wisdom of the President to avoid turning our beloved Marawi into a city of ashes and embers,” the group’s statement added.

The IBP chapter noted that while residents of Marawi—the capital and largest city of Lanao del Sur province—are “relieved” the military has taken charge to

overcome the Maute group and make the city safe again, “there is growing concern about the military’s ‘surgical airstrikes’ which continue to destroy several buildings and homes of innocent civilians.”

Macalandap and the lawyers also noted reports of “callous military men who disregard human rights” and who “destroy or take away random properties of civilians” in conducting its house-to-house searches of the Maute terrorists.

“We call on the authorities to bring the Maute group to justice,” the local lawyers said, noting the bandits’ acts “caused immeasurable damage to Marawi City and terrorized the residents, to such a scale that a humanitarian crisis may be unfolding.”

“We categorically denounce

P135,091,115.30 P133,510,250.80 P 1,300,000.00 P 269,901,366.10

Laguna police launch SIPAG

2.The Provincial Government of Basilan now invites bids for Supply and Delivery of Construction Materials for the the concreting of barangay tumahubong –puno dahingan road, sumisip and concreting of puno-dahingan –sampinit road , being impLemented by the office of the provinciaL engineer, basiLan being funded by the department of pubLic WorKs and highWays armm thru memorandum of agreement With the provinciaL government of basiLan and SUPPLY and dELIvErY of onE (1) UnIt MInI trUCk IntEndEd for thE offICE of thE ProvInCIaL agrICULtUrISt UndEr ItS 20% dEvELoPMEnt fUnd. Bidders have completed within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipts of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders.

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

4.Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

5.Interested bidders may obtain further information from The Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5pm.

6.A complete set of Bidding Documents for EACH PROJECT for letter A and B may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fees for the Bidding Documents in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for Letter of Intent and another set of Bidding Documents for letter C may be purchased in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000,00) and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for letter of intent separately.

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

7.The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 9:30 am, June 20, 2017 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to all interested parties.

8.Bids must be delivered on Bid Opening to the address below on or before 10:00 am, July 7, 2017 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

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.

9.The Provincial Government of Basilan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10.For further information, please refer to: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Ground Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417 (SGD) INTAN GORDANA A. ABUBAKAR Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee (MS-JUNE 8, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE INVITATION TO BID NO. GOODS-040-2017 40

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

1.

Name of Project Purchase of New Equipment needed for various operation of Province of Bataan

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) =P=15,450,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement. Delivery of goods is requiredon or before the maturity date stipulated on contract.Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

INAUGURATION. Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Ubial and City Mayor Evelyn C. Diaz cut the ceremonial

ribbon to mark the formal opening of the DoH Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center located in Barangay San Antonio in the City of Ilagan, Isabela (see In Brief item below). Abe Almirol

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataanwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 15, 2017 at 10:00 A.M atProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

1598 M.H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets Malate, Manila Tel. Nos. 522-0000, 551-2200 connecting all departments

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites consultants/ suppliers/manufacturers/distributors/contractors to bid for the hereunder project: Items ITB - GS-20170206-01(2) Three Domain (3D) Secure Payment Platform Solution ITB - GS-20170522-02 One (1) Lot Event Management and Production Services for the Client Appreciation Events ITB - GS-20170601-01 One (1) Lot Supply, Delivery and Installation of Fraud Protection Service for Mobile and Web with Local Traffic Manager Chassis

Approved Budget Bidding for the Contract Documents Fee (ABC)

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule June 8 - 14, 2017 Refer to date of Opening of Bids June 8 - 28, 2017 June 16, 2017 June 28, 2017

The Provincial Government of Bataanreserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

(MS-JUNE 8, 2017)

Delivery Period

P 20,368,000.00

P

10,200.00

To be discussed during the Pre-Bid Conference

P 16,077,600.00

P

8,100.00

To be discussed during the Pre-Bid Conference

P 30,080,000.00

P

15,100.00

Delivery Period: Within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed Installation Period: Within ninety (90) calendar days to start seven (7) calendar days after delivery

Bids must be delivered on or before June 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity.

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 not less than 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Award 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

SCHEDULE June 8 to 29, 2017 June 15, 2017 - 2:00 PM Bidding Room, 25th Floor, LANDBANK Plaza Building 1598 M. H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets, Malate, Manila June 29, 2017 - 11:00 A.M. Procurement Department, 25th Floor, LANDBANK Plaza Building 1598 M. H. Del Pilar corner Dr. J. Quintos Streets, Malate, Manila June 30 to July 6, 2017 July 11, 2017

Bid documents will be available to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable Bidding Documents fee to the LANDBANK Cashier.

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 without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

STA. CRUZ, Laguna—The Laguna Provincial Police Office has launched the SIPAG (Simula ng Pag-Asa) Program, a faith-based initiative for surrendered drug dependents and their families, at Camp Gen. Paciano Rizal here.

Calabarzon police director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca said having a spiritual component to the government’s war against drugs was important not only for the surrenderers but for the police as well.

“Pagbabago [renewal] is also part of our internal cleansing program in the Philippine National Police called ‘Bless our Cops.’ Like the SIPAG program, this is one of our [personal] transformation initiatives in all of the region. In everything, we also need the guidance of God,” Aplasca added in his message.

Aplasca noted that SIPAG in Laguna started through a small group of pastor-leaders from Cavite led by Pastor Lawrence Tugaoen, SIPAG project head, who made the rounds in the police stations in the province and spread it throughout the CaviteLaguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon region. Roy Tomandao

IN BRIEF

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

Approved Budget for the Contract

their acts of lawlessness, their violent ideology, and their contemptuous disregard of innocent lives,” they added.

The lawyers called on the Duterte administration to ensure that constitutional safeguards are complied with, and to implement its military actions “in a manner that will minimize damage to property and with due consideration of the rights of innocent civilians caught in the war zone.”

They also appealed to the military and the police to avoid “unnecessary harassment” of civilians in implementing precautionary measures. “We remind our men in uniform that any person taken into custody for invasion or rebellion should be released after three days if no charge has been filed against him or her,” they said.

Ubial at opening of Ilagan rehab center ILAGAN, Isabela—Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Ubial surprised city officials and residents when she personally attended the ceremonial opening of a drug rehabilitation facility here on Tuesday.

While Ilagueños believe that sports is the No. 1 antidote to the drug menace, city officials realized there is still a need to provide rehabilitation to those who are already victims of addiction.

The city has spent millions to promote athletics by building a multimillion-peso sports complex and supporting the “sports track” in high school education. Mayor Evelyn C. Diaz also worked hard to bring international competitions here recently.

“The newly opened Treatment Rehabilitation Center is a partnership between the City Government of Ilagan and the Department of Health. The space where the building stands was provided by the city government, including a one-kilometer paved access road,” city information officer Paul Bacungan revealed. Abe Almirol

Brown paper a must for Balanga fish goods BALANGA CITY, Bataan—The city council here wants processed marine products like tuyo (dried fish) and tapa (smoked fish) to be wrapped in brown paper instead of newspaper when being sold in the market.

“There is already a proposed ordinance for the usage of brown paper instead of newspaper as wrapper for marine products when being sold in the market,” said Councilor Benjie Merino.

“Mayor Francis [Garcia] also wants this ordinance to be passed. We already hold a public hearing for this,” the councilor said. “It is not hygienic to use newspaper as wrapper, and sometimes ink taints the processed fish.” Butch Gunio CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF Hamas slams Saudi funding demand GAZA CITY―Hamas expressed shock on Wednesday over Saudi Arabia’s demand that Qatar end its support for the Palestinian Islamist movement as tensions flared between the Gulf Arab states.

Saudi Arabia and its allies cut off ties with Qatar on Monday after accusing the gas-rich state of supporting extremism across the region.

On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said that, to rebuild relations, Doha must cut its support for “extremist” groups, including Hamas.

He said Qatar-supported Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, “undermines the Palestinian Authority.”

In a statement on its website, Hamas said the party felt “deep regret and disapproval” at the Saudi statement.

“These statements are a shock to our Palestinian people and to our Arab and Islamic nation, which considers the Palestinian cause its central cause,” the statement said.

Hamas swept Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 but remains blacklisted as a terrorist group by the European Union and the United States.

The Islamist movement seized Gaza in a near civil war with forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007. The two factions have been at loggerheads ever since.

Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, and the Jewish state enforces a crippling blockade on Gaza.

Qatar has provided tens of millions of dollars for the reconstruction of Gaza since the last conflict with Israel in 2014. AFP

Curfew after farmer killings in India NEW DELHI―A round-theclock curfew was in force Wednesday in a central Indian district where five farmers were killed in clashes with police during protests to demand loan waivers and higher prices for their crops.

Mobile internet was cut off and thousands of police in riot gear patrolled the streets of the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh state after the violence on Tuesday.

Organizers say police opened fire after the protest turned violent on Tuesday, with some throwing rocks, torching vehicles and firing at riot police.

S K Singh, a senior government official in Mandsaur, told AFP the situation was broadly under control and the curfew would be lifted once the situation improved.

“There were few incidents of violation of the curfew orders but overall the situation is under control,” he said.

Thousands of farmers in the drought-ravaged region are demanding that authorities increase the minimum price for their crops and forgive bank loans.

India has nearly 260 million farmers and farm laborers, and agriculture accounts for 17 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

But a lack of irrigation facilities and years of erratic monsoon rains have led to a crisis in the sector, with thousands of farmers across the country reportedly killing themselves over crop failures and debt every year.

Madhya Pradesh is one of several states that have suffered disappointing rains and crop failures in recent years.

More than 1,600 farmers killed themselves in the state in 2016, according to official figures.

Farmers in neighboring Maharashtra state have held similar protests and have stopped supplies to urban areas, leading to a spike in the prices of vegetables and dairy products. AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

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‘Dreamer’ faces new threat W

ASHINGTON―She was once the face of the heated debate on immigration, the child of Mexicans who entered the United States illegally yet went on to became a promising student before a minor run-in with the police.

20 YEARS AGO. This file photo taken on June 30, 1997, shows Britain’s Prince Charles (3rd L) standing with Britain’s Foreign

Secretary Robin Cook (L), Britain’s First Lady Cherrie Blair (2nd L), outgoing Governor Chris Patten (3rd R), Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair (2rd R) and Lavender Patten (R) as they watch the handover farewell ceremonies at HMAS Tamar military base, a few hours prior to the return of Hong Kong to Chinese rule.

Bankrupt Puerto Rico faces hard times SAN JUAN―In San Juan, chants of “the debt is illegal” and “colonial dictatorship” fill the morning air, as students from the University of Puerto Rico block a palm-lined avenue.

Across the street, a board of overseers imposed by Washington is meeting with student representatives to hear their demands as they mull ever deeper cuts to pull this “Greece of the Caribbean” out of bankruptcy.

To some, it’s a necessary corrective to get a stumbling Puerto Rico back on its feet.

But to others like Mariana de Alba, a 27-year-old law student at the protest, it all smacks of colonial subjugation.

“What they’ve come to do is to cut back the public budget and the island’s public services to give it to the big bond holders, to pay off a debt that we don’t even know whether it is legitimate,” she says.

The Financial Oversight and Man-

agement Board for Puerto Rico―made up of seven members appointed by the US president and one by the island’s governor―is tasked with getting a handle on the territory’s crushing $74-billion debt.

But in an island proud of a cultural identity expressed in its language, food and music, the board is widely seen as having an intolerable stranglehold on Puerto Rican life.

As in Greece, where the arrival of the European “troika” repulsed much of the population, Puerto Rico had long shrugged off the dangers of unrestrained borrowing―until the crash.

But unlike its Mediterranean counterpart, Puerto Rico is not independent.

A former Spanish colony that became an American territory at the end of the 19th century, the island of 3.5 million has had its own government since 1952 when it became a “free associated state,”

or commonwealth, of the United States.

On Sunday, its inhabitants will vote on its relationship with the United States, in a non-binding referendum.

They can choose from three options―statehood, independence or another form of so-called “free association” or the status quo.

Even though Puerto Ricans are American citizens, they cannot vote in the US presidential elections.

And the Spanish-speaking island, with its white beaches and turquoise seas, can seem far away from Washington.

But its economic ties to the US are still very tight―too much so, some say.

Long a popular tourist destination, Puerto Rico also enjoyed an exemption from US federal taxes that led many US companies to set up manufacturing operations on the island, an arrangement that lasted for decades until the tax breaks were ended in 2006. AFP

With immigration once again at the center of US politics, 28-year-old Jessica Colotyl is now facing deportation to a country she knew only as a small child.

But she is determined to fight to the last.

Colotyl had spent most of her life in the United States when she was arrested seven years ago for the minor offense of driving without a license and put behind bars for 37 days. Her incarceration prompted protests on college campuses.

Eventually able to return to school in the southern state of Georgia, she graduated and began work as an assistant in a law firm.

She also became the country’s most prominent “Dreamer,” the informal name for undocumented migrants brought into the country as young children and protected by a program set up under former president Barack Obama.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, allowed immigrants’ children to obtain residence and work permits―covering some 750,000 people.

But with Donald Trump newly installed in the White House, Colotyl learned in early May that her DACA status had been revoked.

“It’s been an emotional roller-coaster between frustration, anguish, anxiety, fear and confusion because President Trump said the Dreamers could breathe easy,” she told AFP. A court hearing for her case is scheduled for Thursday. “I only have one choice,” she said, “to fight to the very end.”

Originally from Mexico’s southern Puebla region, Colotyl remembers her native country as “a very Catholic country, everything was centered on the Church.”

She crossed the border at age 11 unable to speak English.

“When I started school, it was really difficult because of the language barrier,” she said. “It was a culture shock. Little by little, I found my feet, though.”

Pursuing her dream of higher education, she eventually enrolled at Kennesaw State University near Atlanta.

But she was arrested for driving without a license in March 2010 a few months before her exams and sent to a detention center for foreigners, where the only way to communicate with loved ones was through a video screen.

“That was devastating because I had lost all hope of staying here and I had to give up on my dream of a university degree,” Colotyl said. “The conditions in the detention center were very bad. A lot of people were getting sick with no medical treatment.”

But her classmates mobilized by staging protests that spread thanks to action by sororities and fraternities.

Colotyl quickly became a national symbol in the immigration debate.

While some critics objected to the fact that she had received a tuition discount for local residents, Colotyl’s supporters believe she is anything but a candidate for deportation.

Released from detention, Colotyl tried to prove the nay-sayers wrong. She resumed her studies and paid the full tuition fee, graduated and joined a law firm in the Atlanta area. AFP

Two dead in gun attacks and bombing in Tehran TEHRAN―Gunmen and a suicide bomber have carried out apparently coordinated attacks on Iran’s parliament and the tomb of revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini, state media said Wednesday, with at least two people reported killed.

It was not immediately clear who could be behind the attacks but Iran is a key player in efforts against the Islamic State group in both Syria and Iraq.

A security guard was killed when four gunmen burst into Tehran’s parliament complex, while a gardener was reported dead when several armed assailants entered the grounds of Khomeini’s mausoleum in the south of the city, according to the ISNA news agency.

At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, according to the reports.

An official at Khomeini’s mausoleum in south Tehran said “three or four” people had entered via the western entrance and opened fire, killing the gardener and wounding several people, according to the Fars news agency.

Fars said a female suicide attacker blew herself up outside the shrine and published photos showing the explosion.

Four men armed with rifles and a pistol were reported to be inside the parliamentary complex, around 20 kilometers away in the center of the city.

Tasnim news agency said one of the men had later left the building and was firing in the street, but was forced back inside by police fire.

News agencies ISNA and Fars had earlier said three people had been shot after the gunmen entered via the north entrance, including at least one security guard.

The ILNA news agency said security forces were dismantling a bomb inside the Khomeini shrine and that firing was still going on around the site.

It was not clear if the assailants had been able to enter the actual mausoleum.

The city was on lockdown, with streets blocked and the metro closed, and journalists kept away from the shrine by police.

Interior Minister Abdolrahman Fazli told ISNA he had convened a special meeting of the country’s security council.

Iran has been singled out as a target by jihadist groups, including IS, but has largely escaped attacks within its urban centers.

Iran, the predominant Shiite power, has been helping both Iraq and President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria to battle the Sunni extremist group.

IS is under increasing pressure in both countries, having lost significant territory in the face of offensives now targeting its last two major urban bastions, Raqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq. AFP

GOLDEN TRAILER AWARDS. Actress Molly Quinn speaks on stage at the 18th Annual Golden Trailer Awards Hosted By Wayne Brady on June 6, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

US holds breath as fired FBI chief Comey testifies W ASHINGTON― The US capital will grind to a halt Thursday, glued to computer and television screens as sacked FBI chief James Comey testifies about whether President Donald Trump pressured him to halt a probe into an adviser’s links to Russia.

Trump, a ratings-obsessed former reality television star, may not appreciate the worldwide attention paid to Comey’s public testimony, which is being touted as the Super Bowl of high political drama.

Comey is the star witness in the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation of alleged Russian election meddling last year, with the possible collusion of the Trump campaign. The allegations have drawn comparison to the 1970s Watergate scandal that brought down president Richard Nixon.

Comey was given the go-ahead to deliver potentially explosive testimony after the White House announced it would not use its executive privilege to block his appearance, less than a month after he was controversially sacked by the president.

The former Federal Bureau of Investigation director is expected to dispute Trump’s claim that Comey told him multiple times that he was not under investigation by the FBI, CNN reported sources familiar with Comey’s thinking as saying.

Trump himself weighed in Tuesday, even as the revelations could spell more bad news for his troubled administration.

“I wish him luck,” Trump said, when asked in a meeting with Republican leaders whether he had a message for the former FBI chief.

With Capitol Hill abuzz, at least two Washington bars were set to open their doors before the hearing’s 10:00 am (1400 GMT) start to Washingtonians wanting to tune in live.

“Don’t you like the suspense?” Senate Republican Marco Rubio, who is on the intelligence panel, asked a scrum of reporters.

“Rather than relying on articles and third-hand information, we’re going to ask the director, and the American people are going to get to watch it.”

The Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, offered a more somber assessment of Comey’s testimony, which marks a moment of peril for the embattled president.

“I just hope he tells everything he can,” Schumer said. “The American people, on a subject as serious as this, are entitled to the whole truth and nothing but.”

A warm-up act of sorts comes Wednesday, when the same committee hears from Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Agency (NSA) head Mike Rogers, interim FBI director Andrew McCabe, and Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Adding to the drama, a top-secret NSA report leaked to online news outlet The Intercept shows that hackers from Russian military intelligence repeatedly tried to break into US voting systems before last year’s presidential election. AFP

PREMIERE. Singer Montana Tucker attends the premiere of Riveting Entertainment’s ‘Chris Brown: Welcome To My Life’ at L.A. LIVE on June 6, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Scandals engulfing Trump criticized SYDNEY―Watergate pales in comparison to the scandals engulfing Donald Trump and the Russia connection, former top US intelligence official James Clapper said Wednesday ahead of a key Senate hearing in Washington.

Clapper, who has worked in intelligence under every US leader from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, said his professional instincts had always been loyalty to the president, regardless of which party they come from.

But for Trump he is making an exception.

“Now as a private citizen, I am very concerned about the assault on our institutions coming from both an external source―read Russia―and an internal source, the president himself,” he said in Australia.

Asked at the National Press Club in

Canberra what he thought the critical differences were between Watergate, which brought down Richard Nixon, and Trump’s troubles, he replied: “Watergate pales really in my view compared to what we’re confronting now.”

The US administration is at the center of an ever-widening probe into Moscow’s meddling in last year’s election and possible collusion by the Trump team.

Clapper said he was at a loss to know why Trump’s team appeared so keen to court Moscow.

“I characterize it as inexplicable. I don’t understand that,” said the director of national intelligence under Obama.

“It is absolutely crucial for the United States, and for that matter for the world, for this presidency, for the Republicans, for the Democrats and for our nation at

large, that we get to the bottom of this.

“Is there a smoking gun with all the smoke? I don’t know the answer to that.”

Sacked FBI chief James Comey is set to testify Thursday as the star witness in the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation of alleged interference and whether Trump pressured him to halt a probe into an advisor’s links to Russia.

He is expected to dispute the president’s claim that he told the former reality television star multiple times that he was not under investigation by the FBI. AFP “I think it will be very significant to see both what he says and what he is asked about and doesn’t respond to,” Clapper said of Comey, who he described as “a distinguished public servant”. AFP

US intel chiefs will have say before Comey WASHINGTON―Top US intelligence officials will be grilled by lawmakers Wednesday about Russia’s election interference and possible coordination with Donald Trump’s campaign, ahead of a highly-anticipated appearance by sacked FBI director James Comey.

The former Federal Bureau of Investigation chief is expected to dispute Trump’s claim that Comey told him multiple times that he was not under investigation, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with Comey’s thinking.

That potential bombshell testimony―in which Comey also may address whether Trump urged him to halt or ease up on an investigation into former national security advisor Michael Flynn and his ties to Russia―comes Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

But on Wednesday the spotlight will be on three intelligence chiefs―Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Agency head Mike Rogers and interim FBI Director Andrew McCabe.

Members of the intelligence panel no doubt will question Coats, a former senator, about a Tuesday night Washington Post report.

Citing US officials, it said Coats had told associates that Trump asked him whether he could intervene with Comey to get the FBI to ease its probe of Flynn.

Coats reportedly discussed that March conversation with other officials and decided that interceding with Comey, as Trump had suggested, would be inappropriate.

Rogers is also known to have had discussions with Trump about the Russia investigations, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he looked forward to public, unclassified testimony Wednesday from Coats and Rogers.

“Classification shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to make things public that the public needs to hear,” Schumer told reporters Tuesday.

“And the conversations that the president had with each of them about investigations are not classified in any way.”

Adding to the drama, a top secret NSA report leaked to online news outlet The Intercept shows that hackers from Russian military intelligence repeatedly tried to break into US voting systems before last year’s presidential election.

Keen to crack down on leaks, the Trump administration quickly announced the arrest of a 25-year-old intelligence contractor on charges she violated the espionage act.

The interactions between Trump and his nowdismissed FBI chief will likely dominate Comey’s Senate appearance Thursday.

Observers will be closely watching to see whether the president, whose social media habits have been criticized even by his political allies, decides to respond via Twitter as Comey testifies.

No definitive evidence of collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia has come to light.

But the allegations have drawn comparison to the 1970s Watergate scandal that brought down president Richard Nixon.

Trump, a ratings-obsessed former reality television star, may not appreciate the worldwide attention paid to Comey’s public testimony, which is being touted as the height of political drama.

Trump weighed in Tuesday, even as the revelations could spell more bad news for his troubled administration.

“I wish him luck,” Trump said of Comey during a White House meeting with Republican congressional leaders.

With Capitol Hill abuzz, at least three Washington bars were set to open their doors before the Thursday hearing’s 10:00 am (1400 GMT) start.

“Don’t you like the suspense?” Senate Republican Marco Rubio, who is on the intelligence panel, asked a scrum of reporters.

Comey’s testimony will be his first public remarks since Trump abruptly fired him on May 9.

Comey is said to have written detailed notes about conversations he had with Trump, which reportedly document the president’s efforts to scuttle the FBI’s Flynn probe.

A direct request from Trump during a February 14 meeting left Comey so unnerved, the New York Times reported Tuesday, citing current and former officials, that on the following day he told Attorney General Jeff Sessions that he did not want to be left alone again with the president.

Any confirmation that Trump tried to press Comey would open the president to damaging allegations that he attempted to obstruct an ongoing FBI investigation -- which several Democrats have warned would propel the crisis into Watergate-like territory. AFP

Korean linked to ferry sinking held SEOUL―The daughter of the South Korean tycoon blamed for the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster arrived in Seoul Wednesday to face questioning over her own role in the affair, after being extradited from France.

Yoo Som-Na was detained in Paris in May 2014 and has been wanted in South Korea on suspicion of embezzling millions of dollars from the subsidiaries of her family’s company, Chonghaejin Marine Co. South Korean authorities believe the alleged embezzlement contributed to safety defects that led to the April 2014 sinking that claimed the lives of 304 people, most of them high school children.

Yoo denied the “outrageous” allegations after arriving at the Incheon Prosecutors’ Office for questioning.

“I’ve never embezzled anything from the company,” she told re-

porters, adding that the only money she had ever taken was “the pay I received for my service”.

Yoo, her wrists handcuffed in front of her and covered with a black cloth for privacy, wept when asked about the disaster.

“I cannot help crying whenever I think about the victims... no words can possibly console the relatives,” she said.

Yoo, 51, was detained for 13 months in France but released in the middle of 2015.

But in June last year, the thenPrime Minister Manuel Valls signed a decree for her extradition. Yoo appealed the decision but it was upheld.

Her father Yoo Byung-Eun was the target of a massive manhunt in South Korea after he refused to respond to a summons following the ferry disaster.

The tycoon, who in addition to his substantial business interests

also ran a religious group, was found dead in a plum orchard two months after the accident.

A post-mortem on his badly decomposed body failed to determine the cause of death.

Yoo is the first person to be returned to South Korea by France since an extradition treaty between the two countries took effect in 2008.

She will face questioning about suspected financial irregularities related to a company effectively owned by her father, which operated the ill-fated Sewol ferry.

The overloaded 6,825-tonne vessel was carrying 476 people when it capsized off the southern coast of South Korea.

Most of the victims were Danwon High School students on an excursion. The sinking and botched rescue efforts dealt a crushing blow to now-ousted president Park Geun-Hye.AFP

ROUND TABLE SUMMIT. Andrew Liveris (2nd L), CEO of Dow Chemicals, speaks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) during the representative members of the 5th Global CEO Council Round Table Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 7, 2017. AFP

Life

Celebrating Bantay Bata scholars’ achievements WHEN typhoon Yolanda devastated the Philippines in 2013, thousands of people were forced to flee their homes—among them were young Abegail and her siblings. But thanks to their relatives, they were able to survive the heartbreaking aftermath, and were given another chance at life. This experience has led Abegail to develop the values of resilience, responsibility, and determination at such a young age. Motivated to give back to those who helped her family, she is steadfast in pursuing her education and fulfilling her goals in life.

Abegail, one of the scholars of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Bantay Edukasyon, recently graduated from grade school. With the theme “Global competitiveness towards a better future,” the closing assembly recognized graduating scholars from Manila and Laguna, and awarded outstanding students from each region.

With SIA’s long-standing partnership with Bantay Edukasyon for 14 years now, SIA has supported a total of 1,536 students to date. Recognizing that the future belongs to the next generation, SIA understands the value of nurturing the youth, and thus the company has always been committed to education as its advocacy.

“It’s really humbling for us to be given the opportunity to touch the lives of these scholars in such an impactful way. These kids have so much potential and so much to contribute to society, and it is just proper to give them the assistance they need to start their journey,” said Aiza Soller-Garcia, SIA’s head of Marketing and PR. To help these kids take flight and realize their full potential, SIA extends them educational scholarships through school supplies, food and transport allowance, uniforms, and other forms of assistance. In addition to this, the company partners with Bantay Edukasyon’s campaigns, and regularly holds programs and activities in order to foster camaraderie and well-rounded development among the students.

As a message to the kids during the gathering, Soller-Garcia said: “I would like to congratulate this latest batch of Bantay Bata scholars for successfully embarking on and completed this journey. There is no greater reward than seeing all of you graduate, and we are very proud of your achievements. May you continue to inspire people of all ages and walks of life wherever you may go. We are looking forward to seeing you take flight in the pursuit of your dreams.”

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS

D1

NO BOUNDARIES FOR HER DREAMS. 13-year-old Elizabeth Laurio, sixth grade student at Sta. Ines Elementary School, works hard to continue her studies and become a teacher despite of unfavorable circumstances she has to face at a young age.

PENCILS without borders

O

UT of 30 high school graduates, only eight to 10 continue on to college, while the rest choose to become farmers, casual laborers, or decide to start a family at a very young age.

This is the reality faced by the youth of Sta. Ines in Tanay, Rizal.

It may be only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila, but it is worlds apart in opportunities. Situated in distant mountains of Tanay, one must cross nine rivers to be able to get to Sta. Ines Elementary School.

WOMEN TAKE CHARGE. OB-Gyn Faith Suluen lists down five annual medical exams women should take in order to prevent diseases.

5 annual medical exams

Out of the school’s 260 pupils, 40 represent the indigenous tribe called Dumagat with roots tracing from the Aetas.

They were sea gypsies: semi-nomadic people who made their homes along the coast of Quezon. Living in a remote area, the community has difficulty getting access to education. The mountains they live in may paint a beautiful landscape to the province but it serves as an obstacle wall to the community.

Thanks to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, the elementary school in Sta. Ines was able to establish satellite classrooms in Dumagat communities and worked closely with the Department of Education to create a customized curriculum for the tribe’s children. Teachers of Sta. Ines also learned Dumagat dialect for students to understand the lessons.

“We can’t do it alone,” shares Sta. Ines Elementary School Principal Adoracion Valdez. “We need stakeholders who can help us empower the children and show them that it is possible to graduate from the school and accomplish anything they want.”

Valdez, the seventh of 10 children, said her parents had always motivated her. Despite being simple farmers, they struggled to be able to send all their children to school. “That gift is immeasurable,” she said. “My parents believed that education is the only inheritance they could give us.”

This belief is shared by 13-year-old Elizabeth Laurio, a sixth-grade pupil at Sta. Ines Elementary School, who after her mother’s untimely death last year, became the “mother” to her five younger siblings. Many times, Elizabeth had to be absent from school to look after the children at home.

Elizabeth lets circumstances surrounding her motivate her, even more, to continue her studies and fulfill the dream of becoming a teacher to help her family and many more children in her village break out of the cycle of poverty.

“Dreams are free,” she said in Filipino. “So I will hold tight to my dream.”

The solution In order to help children like Elizabeth fulfill their dreams, MoneyGram, a global provider of innovative money transfer services, through the MoneyGram Foundation, donated P1 million to the Black Pencil Project, a civilian volunteer organization helping to promote primary education and welfare to remote and indigenous Philippine communities.

MoneyGram Foundation’s mission is firmly rooted in the belief that education is the key to better economic opportunities, healthier families, individual freedom, and empowerment.

The donation will benefit at least six barrio schools and provide at least 2,500 students from kindergarten to grade six with prescribed pencils, writing pads, notebooks, and art materials.

Aside from Sta. Ines, MoneyGram will provide supplies to the Ivatans and Ifugaos of Banawe from Cambulo Elementary School, the Dumagats of Rizal from Casili Elementary School, and the Aetas of Tarlac from Labney Elementary School in Mayantoc Tarlac.

Other communities that will benefit from this donation include the Ivatans of Batanes from Sabtang Central Elementary School, the Palawanons of Palawan from Cagayan Elementary School, and the Mangyans of Mindoro from Sablayan Elementary School.

“This is our way of reaching out to our brothers from the marginalized communities to let them know they are not alone in reaching their dreams,” said Alex Lim, MoneyGram Philippine country manager.

“We firmly believe that education is the key to a better tomorrow.” A belief shared

by Adoracion Valdez and Elizabeth Laurio.

“I know it’s possible. I’ve seen it happen in my life. I want to empower my students to do the same like my parents once did for me,” added Valdez.

every woman should take

WOMEN who want to take charge of their life should start with their health.

Considering there are several diseases to which females are more prone, it’s vital to get yourself checked before you get sick. As the old adage says, prevention is, and will always be, better than cure.

OB-Gyn Faith Suluen enumerates five annual medical exams that women should make time for.

Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam It’s the quick screening test/procedure that detects precancerous or cancerous cells from papillomavirus or HPV. Dr. Suluen therefore recommends this to women who are sexually active by age 21 or those with a family history of cervical cancer.

“If you haven’t had a cervical vaccination, don’t hesitate to talk to your OB-Gyn or employer or health card provider to check if it’s part of your package,” advises Dr. Suluen.

Transvaginal Ultrasound Highly recommended for checking irregularities or possible cysts, pelvic pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and more. The ultrasound probe allows the doctor to see a bird’s eye view of a

woman’s reproductive system’s organs, Blood Chemistry Test including uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaRegularly monitoring blood presries, cervix, and vagina, with more ac- sure and cholesterol helps in preventcurate results. ing stroke and heart disease. Dr. Suluen points out that women 20 years old and Mammogram and Breast above should maintain a biannual blood Ultrasound pressure monitoring and cholesterol Although breast cancer is one of checking every four to six years, “but the leading causes of death among perhaps more frequently if age, weight, women worldwide, it is curable and lifestyle habits, and family history are controllable with the help of early de- major factors of developing your risks.” tection and regular screening. Mammogram (for 40 years old and above) On top of these annual medical exand Breast Ultrasound (for 40 years aminations that care for women’s reold and below) are powerful tools to productive health, among others, Dr. help women determine their mamma- Suluen strongly advises the use of qualry health even before they experience ity sanitary pad, like Jeunesse Anion, any adverse symptom. during their period.

“Since its anion strip feature greatly Routine Urinalysis helps in reducing feminine discomforts It is considered one of the simplest like dysmenorrhea, cramps, and icky yet most powerful screening tests that odor, consider this to be one of your detects UTI, kidney disorders, liver most valuable essentials as a smart and problems, and diabetes, as well as di- wellness-conscious woman,” she avers. agnose specific disorders such as endoJeunesse is available in five variants: crine diseases and bladder cancer. panty liner, ultra day pad, ultra day non“Even if you don’t feel any ab- wing, ultra night pad, and all night pad. dominal or back pain and abnormalities in your urine, it’s a preventive Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and test that will keep your urinary sys- Liners are available in supermarkets, tem at the pink of its health,” em- department stores, drugstores, and phasizes Dr. Suluen. health and beauty stores nationwide.

A FedEx employee joins fellow volunteers in painting pedestrian lanes to promote road user safety among school children

Pedestrian lanes

for safer school zones FEDEX and Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines (SKWP) launched EducPaint, a program that promotes road user safety education and physical improvements to walking environments like designating pedestrian lanes and installing road signs in public schools.

Recently, FedEx ran the EducPaint pilot at San Dionisio Elementary

School, Parañaque Elementary SchoolCentral, and Parañaque School Unit II. To further ensure pedestrian safety, FedEx volunteers and Senior Young Road Safety Advocates conducted road safety lectures for community stakeholders such as parents, public utility vehicle drivers, and barangay enforcers.

Life

D2

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Good for the BODY, good for the ENVIRONMENT S

TART a habit of using all-natural products for your body this summer and help various communities sustain their livelihood.

GStuff is a social enterprise engaged in delivering healthy goods while protecting nature with wellness, food, beverage and household items beneficial to your wellbeing. They are environment-friendly sourced and produced using plant and animal products from communities in Palawan, Romblon, Laguna, Saranggani, Samar and Leyte, focusing on each location’s abundant resources.

This retail venture works with many micro-entrepreneurs—farmers, craftsmen, fishermen, housewives and even retirees—to bring their homegrown products to a bigger market. All profits go back to the communities to sustain livelihood while teaching members viable methods of farming and helping them rehabilitate their provinces for eco-tourism.

This summer, form healthy habits and choose good-for-you products to benefit you and your family.

Oil Pulling Line to reap the benefits of this ancient practice. G Stuff’s Virgin Coconut Oil Pulling uses raw coconut oil because it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic properties.

This has the added benefit of killing any unwanted bacteria that may be residing in the mouth, while leaving behind healthy probiotic strains.

Heal and cleanse with turmeric tea

The turmeric plant is known for its various anti-inflammatory and healing qualities, including regulating heartburn and digestion. GStuff’s Ginger and Turmeric Tea is a delicious blend of select herbs that effectively regularizes waste elimination: ginger, turmeric, ginseng, gotu kola, and banaba, with the subtle sweetness of GStuff Coconut Sugar. One teaspoon anytime of the day will help regulate your digestive and bowel movement. It helps lower sugar level and cholesterol, high in Make VCO your household staple anti-oxidants, and is a natural anti-inGStuff sources its virgin coconut flammatory remedy. The tea is sourced oil from a community of farmers in from micro-entrepreneurs in Odiongan, Brooke’s Point, Palawan. The natural Romblon. oil is harvested using the traditional method of cold-pressed extraction with- Relieve tired muscles with out deodorizing, refining, or bleaching natural oils it. VCO is known as “the oil of life,” Unwind and de-stress with your partner and it can be used in an infinite num- by treating each other to a massage using ber of ways—as a skin and hair mois- the natural Aromatherapy Massage Oils. turizer, as a medicinal ointment, and Made with cold-pressed VCO and other for cooking. It contains medium chain natural essential oils, this line harnesses fatty acids that are much better than any the unique anti-fungal and anti-bacterial other kind of cooking oil. power of VCO and provides a smooth Pull out toxins by oil pulling glide without a greasy feel. This line Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic comes in variants of Lemon Grass, Sampractice that is an effective method for paguita, Ylang-Ylang, Eucalyptus Rosedetoxing and rejuvenation. Use GStuff’s mary and Thyme, Coco Loco, and Hibis-

Social enterprise GStuff offers a variety of products, from taro chips to VCO-based goods, that are good for the body, the environment, and the community

cus. If you’re a new mama, you can also get the Baby Mama Massage Oil, infused with emu and calendula, which are known for their natural healing properties.

Nourish your body with good food Fill your body with whole foods and natural ingredients that are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers, and other nutrients. If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll love GStuff’s Coco Dolce, which are made from cacao from Davao and infused with malunggay extract and made with coconut sugar and virgin coconut oil. If you’re a snacker, you’ll love the

Taro Chips, which are made from various root crops from Sorsogon, farmed organically. They’re high in fiber and rich in Vitamin E, baked in coconut oil, and seasoned using sun-dried rock salt.

Other products include Salted Duck Eggs from farmers in Calauan, Laguna; woven bags, laptop cases, and table linen handmade by the craftsmen weavers in Basey, Samar-Leyte; VCObased bath soaps from the farmers and planters in Odiongan, Romblon; and even Sinamay roses from the weavers in Saranggani.

GStuff offers many more products

that are good for you, good for communities, and good for the environment, and every product goes back to helping the lives and livelihood of people from all over the country.

GStuff is available at Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati (0927-778 0006), Alabang Town Center (0975-494 1825), The Loop, G/F at ELJ ABSCBN, and the Warehouse Store (416-1828). Select products are also carried at Cinderella Glorietta.

Visit, like, and order online via Facebook at www.facebook.com/gstuffph, or at www.gstuff.ph.

Helping a child get a step closer to college education WITH living and household expenses escalating every year, the burden of saving for a child’s education becomes more and more challenging for parents. For homemaker Marisa Santillan, who has three kids currently in school, paying bills and shouldering daily expenses often leave little for living, let alone saving.

So, the windfall that she recently received—a P100,000 prize from Colgate Philippines’ Scholarship Promo—truly came as a big blessing. She is among the 25 grand-prize winners that each received the promo’s scholarship prize.

Marisa’s participation in Colgate’s scholarship program happened on a whim—she saw a poster on the Colgate Scholarship Promo in the grocery store

and she immediately joined, instinctively feeling she would win. “Malakas ang kutob ko na makukuha kami. At iyon nga ang nangyari, nakuha namin yung P100,000!” remarks Marisa.

Since her eldest son is now in college, Marisa nominated her 14-year old son Marken, currently in Grade 8. “Masipag mag-aral si Marken. Kasama rin siya sa top ng kanilang klase. Malaki talaga ang maitutulong ng scholarship na ito para sa pagpasok niya sa college,” shares Marisa.

Marisa only finished high school, yet she holds education in high regard, reminding her children to strive hard to finish school. “Ang gusto ko sa mga anak ko ay makapagtapos sila ng pagaaral, para mas maganda ang mag-

Grad school prof talks on family business success stories ATENEO Graduate School of Business Professor Enrique M. Soriano will talk on the Family Business Success Stories on June 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Barossa and Tuscany Rooms, 33rd Floor, Phil-Am Life Tower Club, 8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

Appointing a successor is just the beginning of a long journey. The talk/seminar is the Manila leg of W+B Family Business Series.

Professor Soriano is the author of two best-selling family business books: Ensuring the Family Business Legacy and Kite Runner Columns. He is also an ASEAN Family Business Coach, National Agora Awardee for Excellence in Marketing Education, executive director of W+B Strategic Advisory Group, Business TurnAround Advisor and former Marketing Cluster Chair of Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

Seminar investment is P8.900.

Register now. Limited seats available. Please call Cherryl at 556-9707 or 0915-9108686 or e-mail info@octopusbranding.net

Maria Jona Develos-Godoy, a Colgate scholar, has Colgate Philippines to thank for helping her become a dentist

Professor Enrique Soriano

ing buhay nila. Kung mag-aaral sila nang maayos, mas malaki ang chance na makatapos at makakuha ng trabaho,” she says.

While saving for her children’s education is a priority, the income from the family’s sari-sari store, together with what her husband’s income as factory worker, make both ends meet. And, although she strives to meet several other financial obligations, she still offers a helping hand to those in need.

Her son Marken, who wants to be either a doctor or a graphic artist, says that the scholarship prize will be of great help to his family, as this will cover his tuition and school materials. “Nakikita ko ang hirap ng aking magulang na magtrabaho para makapagbigay ng aming mga kailangan, kaya malaking bagay sa akin na nanalo kami ng P100,000 para sa pagkolehiyo ko,” says Marken.

Marisa says the scholarship prize from Colgate will provide them with the

start-up funds they need for Marken’s education. She will open a savings account and ensure that the money is used only when Marken goes to college.

“Education has always been a cornerstone of Colgate’s community service programs,” said Jay Custodio, associate director for Oral Care, ColgatePalmolive Philippines. “Through this initiative, we aim to provide more Filipino children access to education so they can take advantage of the opportunities it opens to achieve a brighter future that they can smile about.”

Extending its commitment to education, Colgate also provides financial assistance to select dentistry students and conducts dental symposia to partner dental schools (with Philippine Association of Dental Colleges), and drives oral health education among young students through the global Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program in partnership with the Department of Education.

Marisa Santillan receives a start-up fund to help send her son Marken to college

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

‘The Next Great Magician’ on Sony Monique Wilson

Arnell Ignacio

Leo Martinez

REP

marks

golden year

Joy Virata

Pinky Amador

T

HIS year marks Repertory Philippines’ 50th year anniversary. history.

REP’s 50 Years of Telling Stories is directed by Bart Guingona, Jaime Del Mundo, Miguel Faustmann, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Raymond Lauchengco, Freddie Santos, and Michael Williams, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco, and writing by

Luna Inocian.

For your tickets, callREP at 843 3570 or Ticketworld at 891 9999, or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram, and follow @repphils on Twitter.

Remote schools in CamNorte’s access to multimedia learning MORE than 2,000 students and almost 100 teachers in remote areas of Camarines Norte now have access to the innovative teaching and learning materials available on Knowledge Channel, as Rotary International, the Rotary Foundation, and Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) continue to pursue their 100 for 100 The Knowledge Channel Project, an outreach initiative that seeks to bring the renowned foundation’s modern and DepEd K-12 curriculum-based teaching tools to 100 schools nationwide.

The public schools supervised by the Jose Panganiban West and East districts of the Department of Education are expected to benefit from the Rotary groups’ donation of several kits of SKY’s direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service, SKYdirect, as well as from technical support provided

by TeleRed. Calogcog Elementary School, a mountainside school home to less than a dozen teachers and more than 400 learners was the first to receive the educational TV package.

It is the first time the school received a television, and according to Gloria Artana, one of the school’s longest-serving teachers, students are more active and motivated to learn when there are new and exciting materials.

Knowledge Channel’s learning materials are created in coordination with DepEd, and are designed to be fun, interactive, and creative. The award-winning programs cover the different subject matters and aims to put a wider range of rich, educational resources into the hands of students. In fact, MathDali, which aims to help students tackle the

difficult math topics, was recently recognized as UP ComBroadSoc’s Choice for the Most Development-Oriented Educational TV Program at the UP Los Banos Gandingan awards last April 2017.

“In my teaching experience, kids are more active and it’s easier to teach when there’s a TV. Knowledge Channel will make our job more manageable,” she said.

School Principal Richard Cayme also expressed his delight during the turnover ceremony. “We’re really glad because our students can now keep up with the challenges of 21st Century education. Our school no longer needs to stick to traditional teaching,” he said.

KCFI, along with the alumni of Jose Panganiban National High School Batch 1982, traveled more than 300 km to deliver and install six educational television systems to Calogcog Elementary School, Jose Panganiban Elementary School, Segundo Aguirre Elementary School, Sta. Milagrosa Elementary School, and Osmeña Elementary School.

The schools will also participate in KCFI’s teacher training program called LEEP or Learning Effectively through Enhanced and Evidencebased Pedagogies.

Founded in 1999, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc., is the only non-profit organization in the Philippines that offers curriculumbased, multimedia educational resources, and professional teacher training to improve teaching skills, helping audiences learn better through technology.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, June 8, 2017

55 “— never fly” 56 Sponge feature 57 Croc’s cousin 59 Trunk possessor 60 Long-active volcano 61 “Maria —” 62 Punch cattle 63 Care for a bed 64 Uses a howdah DOWN 1 Crown of the head 2 Comic — Sandler 3 Ethics 4 Cotton gin name 5 Memorize 6 Overpraised 7 Steady 8 Dweeb 9 Mach 3 flier 10 U and I 11 Posh hotel lobbies 12 Where Pisa is 13 Prunes a hedge 22 Fannie — 23 Hindu kingdom 25 Ger. or Fr. 26 Calm the fire 27 European capital 28 Chuck-wagon meal

after night, but only five will be chosen as the magicians judge each other to determine the winner in each episode and goes through the grand finale, where the finalists will perform a brand new illusion in the quest to be crowned The Next Great Magician!

The six-part series is hosted by professional magician Stephen Mulhern and singer Rochelle Humes.

The Next Great Magician airs weeknights at 7:55 p.m. on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on SKYCable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and Cablelink Channel 39.

Cara Barredo

To celebrate the milestone, the theater company’s stars and acclaimed alumni will #ComeHomeToREP for the grand one-night-only musical extravaganza REP’s 50 Years of Telling Stories on June 11 at The Theatre at Solaire.

It promises to be a great evening with REP actors, veterans, young actors, and alumni, including the likes of Monique Wilson, Leo Martinez, Arnell Ignacio, Joy Virata, Pinky Amador, and Cara Barredo pooling their talents to tell the story in song, dance and visual

ACROSS 1 KP tool 6 Party animals?

10 Skiing mecca 14 “Someone Like You” singer 15 Montand of film 16 Sgt. Snorkel’s dog 17 Unspoken 18 Jaunty 19 Outer garment 20 Rescue squad mem.

21 Improve upon 23 Sedaka and Simon 24 Old war story 26 Postpone 27 Gasoline rating 29 Wallops 31 Cold-shoulder 32 Jungian term 33 Width of a cir.

36 Beef (3 wds.)

40 Have a mortgage 41 Chief followers 42 Discreet summons 43 Molts 44 Sitting — 46 Chops fine 48 Madrid museum 49 Clutch, for one 50 Toucan’s toenail 52 Road map info

SONY Channel wants you to believe in magic like never before when some of the world’s best magicians compete against each other in the spellbinding contest The Next Great Magician, which starts fascinating audiences this June.

All kinds of magic are covered throughout the series – from illusions to comedy magic, from locations stunts to close-up performances, etc. - as magicians go head to head in a battle of spectacular magical displays that showcase their amazing talents in front of a studio audience and on location.

Six incredible acts will perform the impossible night

29 Haughty types 30 Margarita ingredient 32 It turns litmus red 33 Twisted the facts 34 Prof.

35 Courtroom fig.

37 Lionel’s sister 38 Aphrodite’s lover 39 Parroted 43 Climbed 44 Quid — quo

45 Wilderness cop 46 Raison — 47 Clock watcher 48 Entreat 49 — helmet (safari wear) 50 Schlep along 51 “Rosamond” composer 53 Firm up 54 Gaslight and Big Band 56 Hard bench 58 — Baba

"The Next Great Magician" is a weekly show that aims to showcase brand new acts performed by up-and-coming illusionists

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017

Pambansang Bae Alden Richards conquers The Kia Theater stage performing in a concert attended by more than 2,000 fans

‘UPSURGE’

a big success nila, laging may reasons why we meet people in life. It’s either you meet them for them to change your life or vice versa, you’re the one that would change theirs.”

The Pambansang Bae concluded the night by warming up the hearts of his fans and inviting the first 300 ticket buyers to the second floor of the concert venue to take group photos with him.

Produced by GMA Network and GMA Records, Alden Richards: Upsurge will soon air on GMA 7. *** Manilyn Reynes remains a loyal Kapuso, She renewed her contract with GMA Network, Inc. recently.

Manilyn said she is happy to continue her journey as a Kapuso. GMA Network has been her home network for many years, “Kasi po ang Kapuso talagang may puso ika nga. Hindi lamang sa kung ano pa man ang tinitingnan ng tao, it’s

is very grateful for the netizens and viewers’ overwhelming support since it premiered in January this year.

“Nakakatuwa talaga yung support at love na ipinapakita ng ating manonood.

Nakakaaliw sila pati na rin yung mga tweets at messages na ipinapadala nila. We are so happy dahil hindi lang pampakilig ang ginagawa natin gabigabi, kundi may lesson din tayo na naibabahagi tungkol sa pagmamahalan at tungkol sa family.” *** Can Katrina Halili, Valeen Montenegro, Archie Alemania, and Pekto Nacua survive living in an unfamiliar community where they have to build their own house and find their own food?

That’s what Kapuso host Heart Evangelista-Escudero tried to find out last Sunday in Follow Your Heart.

The episode featured the face-off

Alden Richards with his perennial onscreen partner Maine Mendoza

P

AMBANSANG Bae Alden Richards’ Upsurge was sold-out days before it’s scheduled performance at Kia Theater in Cubao on May 27.

During the show, Richards delighted his fans with his rendition of today’s top hits as he unleashed dance moves that sent the more than 2000 guests in a wild frenzy.

He opened his concert by showing off his sexy side and performed Justin Bieber’s “Cold Water” and Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like”.

He also did a rock number with Raymund Marasigan.

Sunday Pinasaya host Jerald Napoles amused the audience by singing an Aegis medley.

Richards later on dared Napoles to do a “ F l i p To p Challenge” a n d

ISAH V. RED

ended the segment with a comic dance number.

His close friends Kristoffer Martin, Rodjun Cruz, and Mark Herras reunited with the Pambansang Bae on the dance floor. After their energetic dance number, all of them hugged Richards and congratulated him for the success of his concert.

In one of the videos flashed on screen, Richards mentioned Janno Gibbs as one of his musical influences. He then shared that he’s extremely happy that Gibbs was one of his special guests that night. The two performed the latter’s classic hit “Pinakamagandang Lalaki”.

As a devoted Christian, he made sure that there’s a segment in the concert in which he could perform various worship songs. He even thanked the Lord for making his dreams come true. One of the songs he sang was “One Way,” which is included in his second album Say It Again (GMA Records).

One of the highlights of the concert was the kilig production number with Maine Mendoza.

The phenomenal love team performed an interpretative dance number to the tune of “Unsteady” by X Ambassadors and followed by a duet of Coldplay’s song “Yellow” that made the fans scream their hearts out.

Richards thanked Mendoza after their performance and said, “Maraming salamat.

Nabago ang buhay ko ng isang Maine Mendoza. Sabi nga

Richards onstage with OPM icon Janno Gibbs

because it’s true. Kaya nga po, nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon ulit na maging Kapuso, kaya sabi ko, magta-trabaho ako ng buong pagmamahal at buong puso dahil ako ay certified Kapuso.”

The actress added, “Actually yung first show na sinalihan ko nung 10-years-old ako, dito sa GMA. From that time on, every now and then, may show ako dito hanggang sa nag-That’s Entertainment ako, and the rest is history.”

Reynes is currently in Pepito Manaloto and Meant To Be. During the contract signing, Manilyn revealed that she really enjoys playing the role of Amelia ‘Mamay’ Bendiola in Meant To Be and she

"Follow Your Heart" host Heart Evangelista

between Katrina and Archie of the sexy dramedy series D’ Originals and Valeen and Pekto of the noontime show Sunday Pinasaya. The two teams stepped out of their comfort zones and immersed in a Dumagat Tribe in Norzagaray, Bulacan. They were only allowed to bring 10 personal items to use for two days. Even gadgets were not allowed.

The Torres and Castillo families guided the guest celebrities along the way as they battle not only for survival but to win a series of games where P50,000 is at stake.

Don’t miss the ultimate test of relationship goals, Follow Your Heart, every Sunday, 5 p.m. on GMA-7.

Best of both worlds in ABS-CBN’S NBA finals coverage FILIPINO basketball fans are in for a treat as ABS-CBN, the country’s leading media and entertainment company, is bringing the entire NBA Finals series LIVE on free TV and on SKYcable.

The Warriors cruised to a Game 1 victory with a 11391 win over the Cavs, behind Kevin Durant’s 38 points and 2016 MVP Stephen Curry’s six three-pointers while Lebron James’ double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds could not make up for his team’s 20 turnovers.

Filipino NBA fans caught the action with Filipino commentary on ABS-CBN ch.2 on free TV and on ABSCBN HD on SKYcable ch.

167, courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports’ Boom Gonzalez and TJ Manotoc, who are covering the Finals in the US. Meanwhile, NBA fans that prefer to watch the game with the original English commentary tuned to the game on S+A ch. 23 on free TV and on S+A SKYcable ch.

17 and S+A HD SKYcable ch. 166.

Viewers will continue to experience the best of both worlds as ABS-CBN’s NBA Finals coverage go on ABSCBN, ABS-CBN HD, S+A, and S+A HD. Those outside Metro Manila can also enjoy the games live and in the language of their choice. For Sky subscribers in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Baguio, General Santos, and Dumaguete, NBA Finals will be LIVE in Filipino on ABSCBN ch. 2 and ABS-CBN HD ch. 700, and in English on S+A ch. 8 and S+A HD ch.

701. Sky Direct subscribers can catch the games on ABSCBN HD ch. 2, S+A ch. 8, and S+A HD ch. 24.

Games 3 and 4 airs today and on June 10 at 9 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively.

If necessary, Game 5 will be on June 13 at 9 a.m., Game 6 on June 16 at 9 a.m., and Game 7 on June 19 at 8 a.m..

Replays are available on S+A, ABS-CBN’s free TV sports channel, on the same day at 8pm.

For more information and stories on the NBA, visit ABS-CBN’s sports hub sports.abs-cbn.com and follow @ABSCBNSports on Facebook and Twitter.