Manila Standard - 2017 June 14 - Wednesday

WARRIORS DUMP CAVALIERS, 129-120 OAKLAND—Capturing a second title in three seasons in historic fashion has put the Golden State Warriors among some of the NBA’s greatest championship squads, overcoming a heartbreaking setback to become even better.

The Warriors, powered by 39 points from Kevin Durant and 34 from Stephen Curry, beat defending champions Cleveland 129-120 Monday to win the best-of-seven NBA Finals four games to one, avenging their loss to the Cavaliers in last year’s final.

“We’re going down as one of the best teams ever and that’s a special thing you cannot take away from us,” Warriors reserve Andre Iguodala said.

The Warriors followed up their 2015 title by winning a record 73 regular-season games in the 2015-16 campaign, but stumbled with a 3-1 finals lead and fell victim to the greatest comeback in finals history by Cleveland.

That pushed Golden State to add Durant as a free agent last July and the results have been devastating. A 67-win season followed by a record 15-0 start to the playoffs, dropping game four in Cleveland to miss being the first unbeaten playoff champion.

Which all set the stage for Monday’s home victory, the first of the club’s five titles won in front of loyal San Francisco Bay Next page area supporters.

VOL. XXXI • NO. 120 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHAMP ANEW. Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors holds up the trophy after winning the NBA Championship by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

IS calls for more jihadist attacks T

HE Islamic State on Tuesday called on its followers all over the world to launch more attacks during the holy month of Ramadan as it praised jihadist attacks in the Philippines, claiming that its fighters had spread through two-thirds of Marawi City.

By John Paolo Bencito ARREST orders will soon be served against several individuals who have committed “cyber sedition,” the Department of Information and Communications Technology said Tuesday.

In a news briefing, ICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima said that those spreading propaganda over social media to promote acts of terror will be arrested.

“There are persons who will be arrested for cyber sedition.

We are not going to name the persons. We were able to track more than one last night,” Salalima told Palace reporters without naming names.

Salalima said the DICT is “involved” in tracking social media users who purportedly share activities perpetrated by terrorists groups Next page in the Philippines.

Military officials on Tuesday admitted that ISIS-inspired groups remained in control of 10 out of the 96 barangays in Marawi City.

In an audio message purportedly from ISIS spokesman Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer, the group called for more jihadist attacks in the United States, Europe, Russia, Australia, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and the Philippines.

“Children of the caliphate in Next page

ON PATROL. Philippine soldiers patrol a deserted street in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao

yesterday. Thousands of Philippine soldiers, advised by US special forces, are locked in fierce combat with hundreds of insurgents who overran Marawi City on May 23. AFP

Congress score card: Only four laws enacted

By Maricel V. Cruz CONGRESS enacted only four laws out of the hundreds of proposed measures filed during the first year of the Duterte administration.

This was based on the data on the measures that were deliber-

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By John Paolo Bencito

Govt set to arrest persons for cyber sedition

ated and approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate during the First Regular Session of the 17th Congress covering the period July 25, 2016 to May 31, 2017.

The four laws were Republic Act 10923 or the postponement

of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, R.A. 10924 or the General Appropriations Act of 2017, R.A. 10925 or the renewal of the franchise of GMA Network Inc., and R.A. 10926 or the renewal of Smart Communications’ franchise.

The data also showed that the House and the Senate ratified six measures awaiting the President’s signature to become law.

Those include the 10-year passport validity, free internet access in public places, stiffer penalties Next page

Petitioners tell justices martial law ‘no basis’ PETITIONERS told the Supreme Court Tuesday that it should nullify President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law, not only because it was unconstitutional but because it was based on falsehoods and “a litany of facts that turned out to be inaccurate.”

During the oral arguments on the three petitions seeking to strike down Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law, petitioners led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman told magistrates that there was no sufficient factual basis to justify martial law as some of the information cited in the proclamation was “false, inaccurate and contrived.”

Lagman cited inaccurate pronouncements made by the government, including a supposed beheading of the Marawi City police chief, who was later interviewed by the press, as well as a report that a hospital and a school were taken over by terrorists, which also turned out to be false.

President Duterte, who cut short his trip to Russia when the fighting broke out on May 23, should have validated the situation on the ground upon arriving home, and exercised due discretion, Lagman said.

Next page

Aguirre orders NBI to hunt down Lascañas

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE National Bureau of Investigation has been tasked to hunt down and arrest retired policeman Arturo Lascañas, the selfconfessed leader of the so-called Davao Death Squad who implicated President Rodrigo Duterte in the alleged summary killings in the city when he was its mayor.

In a memorandum, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered NBI

Director Dante Gierran to coordinate with Interpol “to gather information on the location and whereabouts of Arturo Lascañas and to coordinate with the proper authorities for the apprehension of the latter.”

Aguirre’s order came after the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 issued an arrest warrant against Lasca’s last week over the cases of murder and attempted murder, including the killing of broadcaster Juan “Jun” Pala in 2003.

Next page

New tourism drive hits a snag

By Sandy Araneta M C C A N N Worldgroup Philippines, the advertising agency that produced the Tourism department’s new campaign for the Duterte administration, on Tuesday denied the allegations it committed plagiarism with its “Sights” tourism campaign.

“In working with the Department of Tourism, we have been inspired by the many stories we have seen and heard about why foreigners choose to visit the Philippines,” the agency said in a statement.

“Many of them have spoken about our innate warmth, the genuine friendships they have developed here, our

hospitality that extends to a sense of family, and the many reasons why it is the Filipino people that truly make it ‘more fun in the Philippines’.”

“Our research has also shown that, of the millions of visitors who visit the Philippines, thousands of foreigners from over 100 countries have chosen to live and PLAGIARIZED? The new promotion campaign of the Department of Tourism titled ‘Sight’ (left photo) is strikingly similar to a South Africa’s retire here.

Next page tourism video (right). MCCANN Worldwide Group Philippines, the producer of the local campaign, denied it has committed plagiarism.

News

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

RW officer used different name

By Joel E. Zurbano

A

RMENIO Gomez, the real name of the chief security officer of Resorts World Manila, appears to be using the name of his older brother Armeen Gomez, a lawyer.

That surfaced after documents obtained from the Philippine Military Academy showed that the brothers entered the academy but were both discharged.

The one claiming to be Armeen Gomez of Resorts World Manila, who appeared during the recent congressional hearing, belonged to PMA Class of 1999 before he was discharged while the real one, whose complete name is Armeen Alain Gomez, entered the academy in 1997.

Meanwhile, the joint committees probing the Resorts World tragedy excluded the hotel-casino owner

‘Duterte in excellent health’ —Palace

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte remains in excellent health despite having a “brutal schedule” that led him to miss the Independence Day celebrations, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“The President is actually in excellent health except for the fact that his schedules have been brutal. I mean, you have to credit the President considering everything, that he has been actually honoring the military dead, civilian dead, and he has been actually going around,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a news briefing.

Abella said Duterte’s hectic schedule was why he was forced to take a break.

“In fact he would have wanted to be at the symbolic [flag] raising and honoring of the dead. However, the fact is he was already doing it for the rest of the week. So I think we need to allow him [to] rest. He was actually on top of the situation but he also needs rest,” he added.

Abella said that Duterte was taking some “private time” as he denied that the President took a leave as a result of medical advice.

It was Vice President Leni Robredo who led the Independence Day rites in Manila after Duterte got “too tired for staying up late.”

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano assured the public that there was nothing to worry about the President’s health.

Govt...

From A1 “To the extent that they effect or they commit cyber crimes, then DICT takes over,” he said.

“Remember: rebellion, sedition are crimes under the old Penal Code.

You do sedition, you incite people via the internet. I call it, there is cyber rebellion. In rebellion, there must be a taking up of arms, so if it’s done online, it could amount to cyber sedition,” Salalima added.

The military had earlier requested Facebook to take down about 63 accounts allegedly being used by the Maute terror group and their sympathizers to spread “malicious information and misinformation that affect the mindset of Filipinos.”

The Justice Department, meanwhile, asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its order designating the Cagayan de Oro Regional Trial Court to hear cases against arrested members and supporters of the Maute terrorist group.

“In the interest of the safety of our personnel, to provide proper detention facilities to apprehended members of the Maute Group and to serve the ends of justice, may we request the regional trial court in Taguig City be designated as the court to try and decide all cases and incidents arising from the Maute Group takeover of Marawi City,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said in a letter to the Court.

Aguirre said he personally inspected the detention facility in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City and found several problems.

“Camp Evangelista does not have proper detention facilities to accommodate apprehended members of the Maute group,” he said, adding that the Armed Forces did not have the proper training to provide proper jail management or the funds for food and other provisions for the detainees. With Rey E. Requejo

Andrew Tan from at least 33 invited resource persons during the resumption of its hearing on Tuesday.

Lawmakers led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez have stressed the need for Tan to appear in the hearing to shed light on the incident in which gambling addict Jessie Javier Carlos barged into the hotel with a rifle on June 2 and torched the casino tables, killing 37 before he locked himself in a room and killed himself.

Armenio and Armeen hail from Camarines Sur and their middle name is Basister. The real Armeen was born on Jan. 22, 1976 while Ar-

IS...

From A1 eastern Asia, we congratulate you for taking Marawi,” Al-Mouhajer said in an audio clip distributed over Islamic State’s channel on Telegram.

He also made a general appeal to “caliphate soldiers” around the world to launch attacks against “rejectionists.”

“To the brethren of faith and belief in Europe, America, Russia, Australia, and others. Your brothers in your land have done well so take them as role models and do as they have done.”

Thousands of government troops are battling hundreds of insurgents who overran Marawi on May 23, flying black ISIS flags and using up to 2,000 civilians as human shields.

Fierce fighting in the city has left a total of 58 soldiers and police and more than 20 civilians dead, according to the military which estimates that almost 200 jihadists have been killed.

The ISIS spokesman also congratulated the perpetrators of last week’s

Petitioners...

From A1

He also said the imposition of martial law went against the government’s pronouncements that the situation was under control.

“National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. categorically said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines was in full control of the situation,” Lagman said.

“Except for self-serving conclusions of fact and law, neither Proclamation 216 nor the President’s report to Congress laid down the factual basis for the need to secure public safety,” Lagman said.

In the hours before martial law was declared, officials such as Esperon, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año and Col. Eduardo Arevalo said they were in control or that the situation in Marawi had stabilized, Lagman said.

The petitioner also said a key element in the act of rebellion—the culpable purpose of removing allegiance from the Philippines and preventing the President and Congress from exercising their functions—was not present in the Marawi siege.

Lawyer Marlon Manuel, representing another group of petitioners com-

Solons seek probe on US role in Marawi

menio was born on March 11, 1978.

Armeen Alain passed the Bar examination in 2007 and is now the City Legal Officer of Naga.

Social media accounts showed that Armenio or “Mr. Armeen Basister Gomez” serves as Chief Safety and Security Officer of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. “Mr. [Armeen] Gomez has over 10 years of management and leadership experience in asset protection, fraud control, safety administration, investigation and related functions.

“Beginning in 2005, he worked for De La Salle Philippines’ Center for Safety and Security where Mr. Gomez was promoted from Head to Director in 2008. From 2000 to 2005, he worked for PhilHealth...”

Armenio is one of the key officials of Resorts World Manila that are being investigated by Congress and the National Police in connection with the attack at the casino.

Manila Standard tried to get

a comment from officials of the Southern Police District but failed.

During a recent congressional hearing, lawmakers questioned the hotel’s chief security officer over security lapses, including posting a lone guard who failed to stop Carlos at the main entrance.

Armenio also got into trouble for claiming he was a college graduate, only to retract this under questioning by the lawmakers led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

A separate investigation is also being conducted by the Southern Police District in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office.

NCRPO chief Oscar Albayalde said security officers of the hotel were invited for questioning to shed light on why their personnel abandoned the establishment when the 42-year-old Carlos barged-in, fired a long firearm repeatedly before burning the gaming area, leaving at

least 37 hotel guests and employees dead from suffocation.

The police found that the security men also abandoned the Closed-Circuit Television Camera monitoring room during the incident.

Albayalde said hotel officials and their security managers would be held criminally liable for their lapses.

Footage captured by hotel security cameras showed that the gunman, wearing a black suit and a bonnet, entered the gaming area, fired at the televisions and torched tables and slot machines, and stole gambling chips worth P113 million before committing suicide at the fifth floor of the hotel.

It also showed that the gunman casually walked into the gaming area from the second floor parking lot, bypassing the metal detectors at the inspection area.

A female security employee also tried to prevent the gunman but to no avail. With Maricel V. Cruz

attacks in Iran.

Seventeen people were killed and dozens were wounded when armed men and suicide bombers attacked Tehran’s parliament complex and the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on June 7, the first strikes claimed by the group in Iran.

The five attackers were killed.

Despite assurances that the government would soon take back all of Marawi City, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez said that extremists were still in control of 10 of the city’s 96 barangays.

In a video report, the IS news agency Amaq said the military had “completely failed” in a first effort to regain the city.

“Islamic State fighters are spread in more than two-thirds of Marawi and tighten the chokehold on the Philippine Army that is incapable of maintaining control of the situation,” it said.

The same video report obtained

by Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group showed a clip of the execution of six Christians who were

shot in the head.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla slammed the report as “pure propaganda.”

“Should we take their word that they control two-thirds of Marawi?

With 202 confirmed terrorists killed why should we even give them the chance of airing their lies?” he said.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella added that “enemy resistance continues to dwindle and enemyheld areas are getting smaller” as the troops try to advance in rebelcontrolled areas. “[Our] troops continue to gain important footholds [into] the inner areas of terrorist held areas,” Abella said.

After the military missed several deadlines to retake Marawi, Abella said a new timeline would be followed.

Earlier, Solicitor-General Jose Calida said the government already received information that the Maute group had planned to raze Marawi City and hoist the ISIS flag over it and declare the city an Islamic territory on May 26.

Abella said the situation in Marawi could have been worse had government forces not acted decisively, “There were details of the plot, yes, that’s exactly why they started to take action,” he said.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial on Tuesday said some P37.82 million worth of logistics and financial assistance has been given to hospitals and evacuation centers in Marawi City.

She said the department would continue to provide essential health services even in conflict areas.

In Marawi, 4,317 families or 20,754 people are staying in 64 evacuation centers, and 42,672 families or 207,622 people are staying with relatives or friends in nearby regions.

Also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the flag flown at halfstaff in all courts nationwide to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers in the ongoing clash between government troops and members of the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City. With Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and AFP

LEFTIST lawmakers filed a resolution Monday seeking a congressional investigation into the participation of US military personnel in operations against the Maute group terrorists in Marawi City.

The group, led by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, filed House Resolution 1075 asking the committees on foreign affairs and on national defense to verify what Molly Koscina, spokesperson of the US Embassy in Manila, confirmed that the US was involved in the Marawi operations following news reports of a US P-3 Orion surveillance plane flying over Marawi.

The media also circulated photos showing US special forces with surveillance drones inside the military headquarters in Marawi.

Zarate siad Koscina had said it was the Philippines that asked for US assistance in Marawi, but that President Rodrigo Duterte did not even know about the American involvement.

“It is very alarming that the commander in chief himself does not know that his military and security officials like Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Año have already asked assistance from a country that he has continually hit as a hypocrite and is only looking out for its own self-interest,” Zarate said.

He said Congress needs to dig deeper into the role of the United States government and the Central Intelligence Agency in the reported activities and the “merger” of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups, which he said was created by the Americans.

posed of women from Marawi, said the military could have addressed the Marawi siege without martial law.

“Under the 1987 Constitution, martial law must be an instrument of last resort. If there is a remedy less severe than martial law, such less severe remedy must be resorted to. Only when there is a showing that the situation cannot be contained unless martial law is declared, can the use of such extraordinary power of the President be justifiable,” he said.

On these grounds, the petitioners asked the Court to strike down the proclamation.

Solicitor General Jose Calida rebutted the allegations and insisted that an actual rebellion by the Maute group exists.

“Who would ever believe that what is happening now in Marawi is not rebellion? All the elements of rebellion are there—armed public uprising and allegiance to ISIS,” Calida said in an interview.

During interpellation, Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo asked Lagman if he personally witnessed the situation in Marawi to claim that there is no rebellion.

“You have not been there on the ground; you don’t know what the situation is there. So how can you dispute now the findings of the sufficiency of

the factual basis for the declaration?” the magistrate asked.

Lagman said he did not have to personally fly to Marawi since the basis of their questions could be found in the mandatory report submitted by the President to Congress.

Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin and Estela Perlas-Bernabe cited the presumption of validity of the declaration by the President, who should be given deference on the matter as the commander-in-chief, and both put on petitioners the burden to prove the grave abuse of discretion on the part of the President.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio asked why the declaration covered the entire Mindanao.

“Under the present Constitution, there must be actual rebellion,” Carpio stressed, citing the absence of rebellion in other provinces covered by the proclamation.

Lagman agreed and said imminent danger in the other provinces in Mindanao cannot be basis for their coverage in the martial law declaration.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said martial law needs to “have clear operational guidelines because it’s not simple declaration but, rather, it has real effects.”

Leonen added that the Supreme

Court has the power to review the declaration and should not give full deference to the chief executive and dismiss the petitions on technicalities.

The oral arguments will continue at 10 a.m. Wednesday with the continuation of interpellation by the justices on the petitioners.

Two other petitions were filed by separate groups led by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada both seeking issuance of a mandamus that would compel Senate and the House of Representatives to convene jointly to review the declaration. The Court has consolidated the cases and ordered the solicitor general to also answer them.

Reacting to the petitions, Senator Francis Escudero said what is happening in Marawi “complies with all the elements of rebellion” under the Revised Penal Code and the 1987 Constitution.

He said the continuous fighting in Marawi was the best proof of the gravity of the situation, contrary to the view of those opposing martial law.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the Maute group was “using terrorism to foster rebellion.”

He said those seeking to nullify the declaration of martial law in Mindanao should be sent to Marawi City.

Senator JV Ejercito also dismissed

Lagman’s arguments that there was no rebellion.

“I don’t know how it will be called since the Maute group took over Marawi and it came out in the video that they planned it,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade ordered the Coast Guard to take control and supervision of security operations in all seaports nationwide, given the security threat posed by the Maute group terrorists.

The order allows the Coast Guard to arrest, seize and detain persons, cargo and vessels found violating maritime security and other pertinent laws and to file the necessary charges against them.

The Department of Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, said Agusan del Norte may soon implement curfew hours from midnight to 4 a.m. for the duration of martial law in Mindanao.

DILG regional director Lilibeth Famacion said the Agusan del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council passed a resolution recommending the curfew hours to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, even though Agusan del Norte is about six hours and 30 minutes away from Marawi City, where Maute group terrorists have been battling government troops since May 23.

Aguirre...

New...

From A1

In the Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday bewailed what he called the harassment of the witnesses who had testified against President Rodrigo Duterte on his alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad whose members executed suspected criminals in Davao City.

Retired SPO3 Lascañas and PO3 Edgard Matobato had confessed before a Senate panel that they were former hitmen of the DDS, which was allegedly created by Duterte when he was Davao City mayor.

They also told the Senate hearings that they were ordered by Duterte to kill suspected drug suspects and even political opponents.

The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office approved the indictment of Lascañas following the complaint filed by Pala’s wife Louise, citing his confession of the crime in his testimony during the Senate investigation in February where he admitted his involvement in the killing.

However, before the arrest warrant was issued by the court, Lascañas was able to leave the country in April. He flew to Singapore claiming there were threats against his life after his testimony against the President.

In his testimony before the Senate, Lascañas tagged Duterte as the mastermind behind the attacks on Pala when he was mayor of Davao City.

The confessed killer had also implicated fellow policeman Sonny Buenaventura and Duterte’s driver-bodyguard Jim Tan in the killing of Pala and the other summary executions in the city by the DDS during Duterte’s tenure as mayor.

But Buenaventura, Tan and the other people Lascañas had implicated have not been charged.

“Our latest film ‘Sights’ was particularly inspired by the story of a visually-impaired foreigner who has made the Philippines his home and who has come to experience the Philippines in different ways.

“We acknowledge the feedback that the way this story was told may have similarities with the South African tourism campaign.

“It is unfortunate that the DOT has been called out and accused of plagiarism for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of a real retiree.

“We take full responsibility as all ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized by McCann Worldgroup Philippines.

“However, we underscore that there has never been any intention

From A1

Warriors...

From A1

“It was unbelievable.

The energy in this building from the time we stepped foot on the floor was on 12 out of 10. It was just ridiculous,” Curry said.

“And that last three minutes was a blur just of pure emotion and energy. So for us to be able to do it in front of our home crowd, something I’ll remember for a very long time.”

As unforgettable for the

to copy others’ creative work. McCann Worldgroup Philippines has always [strove] to adhere to our guiding principle ‘Truth Well Told’ in everything we do.

“We stand by the integrity with which this campaign was developed.”

According to the posts on social media, both the Philippines’ and South Africa’s videos featured a blind man who experienced the world through senses other than sight.

The man’s disability is not revealed until the end of both the Philippines’ and South Africa’s videos when he pulls out a walking cane.

The striking similarities on both videos sparked questions among social media users.

Just hours after the DoT launched a promotional video in a new tourism campaign on Monday, several netizens on social media slammed

rest of the NBA was the way the Warriors attacked the season, blending Durant’s inside power with Curry and Klay Thompson’s outside shooting to create a deadly combination and potentially long-lasting one.

“We’re obviously just getting started,” Curry said. “This is something we want to continue to do.”

Beating Cleveland two out of three in the first rivalry to be featured in three consecutive finals didn’t hurt the sense of drama

By Maricel V. Cruz

the DoT saying it had plagiarized a foreign country’s tourism campaign, citing its resemblance to the one released by South Africa in 2014 that went viral.

The new Philippine tourism video features blind Japanese retiree named M. Uchimura, who explored some of the country’s best known tourist spots.

The DoT has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations of plagiarism.

Similarly, in 2016 Tourism Quebec in Canada released a tourism video also featuring a blind man.

Quebec’s video also went viral.

However, unlike the Philippines and South Africa’s promotional videos, the blind man’s disability was revealed early in video.

The makers of Quebec’s video were also accused of plagiarism, but the ad agency that handled the video denied the allegations.

the Warriors aroused all season.

“I wouldn’t call it revenge,” Iguodala said. “It’s just making the most of the opportunity that was in front of us. You learn from your disappointing times. I feel like we’ve grown from that.”

It makes the latest crown much different than the 2015 title, the first in 40 years for the club and in the careers of most of the players.

“It’s hard to compare to what that feeling was the

first time, but it’s pretty darn close,” Curry said.

“It’s different just because of what happened last year.”

“We went through, for lack of a better term, basketball hell, just being so close to getting the job done and not realizing that goal and having to think about that for an entire year and compartmentalize and just try and keep the right perspective about this season and learn the lessons we learned,” he added. AFP

Congress...

From A1 against hospitals that refuse to accept patients with no deposits, free tuition in state colleges and universities, and the fiveyear driver’s license extension.

But as far as the records are concerned, the House under the stewardship of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez passed 194 bills on third and final reading during the first regular session.

Of the total, 53 were national bills, 140 were local bills and one was a joint resolution on both chamber’s support to President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao caused by the Marawi siege.

The Senate and the House were allotted a P13.5-billion budget in 2016 and P14.97 billion in 2017.

This developed as Reps.

Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela and Harry Roque of Kabayan party-list believed Congress was still productive despite the records.

“Congress is in the process of reviewing all the outdated laws and will begin to refine and attune them to our times,” Albano, majority leader of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, said.

Roque said Congress could do more but there were other things that needed attention.

News Govt-to-govt scheme out —Palace

By John Paolo Bencito THE government will do away with the old government-to-government (G2G) scheme and shift to government-to-private scheme (G2P) to allow more competition and lessen corruption in the government’s importation of rice in the country, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco said Tuesday.

“It has decided to shift from the old government to government scheme to an open tender scheme, otherwise known as government to private scheme or G2P,” Evasco said in a news briefing. “This year’s government-to-private importation seeks to do away with the old G2G that lacks transparency and competition,” he added, saying that the policy shift “is consistent with President Duterte’s call for change.”

Evasco likewise announced that the Subic Freeport Zone will no longer be used as port of entry for future government-toprivate importations.

“The council has also agreed to remove Subic Freeport Zone as port of entry for G2P and to include Zamboanga City as port of entry instead,” he said, without explaining further.

The government is set to import 250,000 metric tons of rice when it activates its standby authority for importation this year.

With the new scheme, imported rice should be delivered to Philippine ports in tranches with at least 30 percent of the volume of import quotas should arrive between August 2017 and September 2017.

The rest, meanwhile, should arrive between December 2017 to February 2018.

“Under the G2P, the NFA council, per recommendation of the National Food Security Committee and Imports Committee, shall divide the 250,000 MT import authority into several tranches of arrival and will be putting a cap on each lot, to ensure competition and fair trade,” Evasco said.

Terms of payment to traders will also be shortened to 15 days from the original 365 days “since small-time rice trade importers can’t wait an entire year before receiving payment,” he added.

Under the new policy, the National Food Authority administrator must release import permits within a day, adding that his duty was “purely ministerial or mandatory.”

In the same briefing, Evasco assured that the rice buffer stock in the country remains comfortable after it fell short last month.

“Our domestic rice index situation, as of June 7, 2017, shows that the household and commercial stocks are in comfortable status, with household stocks at 44 days and with commercial stocks at 28 days,” he said.

Ex-governor Ampatuan says ‘not guilty’ on graft raps

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan on Tuesday entered a not guilty plea to 36 corruption cases that the prosecution filed against him at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in connection with the alleged anomalous disbursement of P16,317,559 to a food supplier.

Ampatuan entered the plea during his supposed arraignment at the anti-graft division as the prosecution said the food supplier Henry Merchandising—the recipient of the P16,317,559 payment—was allegedly “fictitious and/or nonexistent.”

Ampatuan is facing one count of malversation of public funds, one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and 34 counts of falsification of public documents. He is also facing 145 charges at the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division for 137 counts of falsification of public documents, four counts of malversation of public funds and four counts of graft in connection with an allegedly anomalous P72-million school building project. His arraignment on these cases that was scheduled Monday, June 13, 2017 at the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division was reset to Sept. 4, 2017.

Ampatuan is the son of the late former Maguindanao governor and clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., who was released from jail on March 9, 2015 after posting an P11.6-million bail. Ampatuan earlier posted an P11.6-million bail in connection with the Maguindanao massacre. He posted bail two months after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 granted his appeal in January 2015 for temporary liberty and set his bail at P200,000 per murder count, or a total of P11.6 million for the 58 counts filed before the court.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pimentel sets probe on BPI computer ‘glitch’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATE President Aquilino Pimentel lll yesterday filed a resolution seeking a legislative inquiry into the alleged computer glitch that hit the financial system of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, causing inconvenience and panic among several bank clients.

“This is demanded by constituents vulnerable to whatever struck BPI,” who are not satisfied with the public Pimentel said. statements of the bank. And also to He said the Senate probe will look make sure the banking system is not into the “safeguards against injury to

the banking public attributable to the negligence of banks.’’

Pimentel’s Senate Resolution 403 mandates the Senate Committee on Banks and other appropriate committees to conduct an inquiry on the alleged “internal data processing error” of the BPI. He said the bank’s image was “tainted” following the glitch that caused unauthorized credit and debit transactions from the bank accounts of its clients.

“A number of BPI account holders find the public statements of the bank concerning this particular is-

sue of incorrect balances to be unsatisfactory, lacking in details, and shrouded in mysterious technical terms like ‘internal data processing error’ and are looking forward to be enlightened about this incident from a public hearing on the matter,” said Pimentel.

“Although this inquiry has been prompted by the experience of only one bank, there is a need to find out if other banks and our entire banking system are vulnerable to the same phenomenon as what struck BPI this early June 2017,” he added.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

A gift horse

L

IKE clockwork, leftist groups this week denounced the involvement of American troops in the ongoing battle against terrorist groups that overran Marawi City on May 23. The knee-jerk reaction from the Left is expected, but not particularly helpful.

Three weeks after the Maute group and its allies rampaged through the city, the death toll has breached 200, including 134 terrorists, 38 government troops and 30 civilians. Using tunnels, hiding in mosques, using civilians as shields and sniping at soldiers from fortified positions, the terrorists have thus far managed to fight off a government offensive that includes punishing airstrikes.

The problem isn’t the lack of force or

firepower; it is the inability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to pinpoint enemy targets in an urban battleground that includes hostages and civilians trapped in the fighting.

This is where American unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, can make the difference.

Drones can provide 24-hour “eye-in-thesky” capabilities, loitering over an area and sending back real-time images of activities on the ground.

They can be used for a variety of battlefield uses, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. They can also be used to check for roadside bombs, listen to mobile phone conversations, provide close air support, or follow or attack insurgents.

Any one of these activities could reduce the number of casualties among our soldiers, improve the effectiveness of their

attacks, and shorten the time it takes to clear Marawi City of its terrorist occupiers.

Which of these outcomes, we wonder, do the activists in leftist groups such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) specifically oppose?

If we are to go by their statements, none.

Instead, they oppose US involvement on an ideological basis as a form of meddling, and trot out the considerable sins of our American colonizers in Mindanao more than a century ago. The leftist group also points out that the involvement of American troops in the Marawi operation runs counter to President Rodrigo Duterte’s direction to shift away from dependence on Washington toward a more independent foreign policy.

Bayan also asks whether it was US intelligence on Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute group that government forces used for a raid in

Marawi City on May 23 that triggered the terrorist rampage there.

“Did the US urge the AFP to carry out the arrest of Hapilon at the exact time Duterte was in Russia, with the knowledge that things may get out of hand and affect Duterte’s Russia trip?” Bayan asks, exhibiting a suspicion that borders on the paranoid.

Mr. Duterte, who has minced no words in criticizing Washington, has been more pragmatic, thanking the US for its help, albeit half-heartedly.

Certainly, he too realizes that the American assistance can save soldiers’ lives, speed up the campaign to rid Marawi City of its terrorist occupiers, and get on with our lives. This isn’t the time to look a gift horse in the mouth; it’s time to finish the job that began when the Maute group terrorists overran one of our cities and tried, with extreme violence, to make it its own.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

ISIS is here (1)

Just the facts, please LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES AS FAR as I can tell, the people who are against the imposition of martial law in Mindanao fear two things: the past and the future. What they don’t seem to understand is that military rule is necessary on the island at the current time, when it is most needed, and as allowed by the present Constitution, which put in so many safeguards to prevent the abuses of the past.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard the first of the oral arguments of the people who filed the three petitions calling for the tribunal to order the lifting of martial law in Mindanao. The petitioners could not help but explain that they went to the court prospectively, because they feared a repeat of the abuses of Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law,

which was imposed in 1972.

One lawyer purportedly representing residents of Marawi City, where the fighting against the terrorist Maute group continues to rage, pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte’s admiration of Marcos’ imposition of military rule made his Proclamation 216 suspect. Another petitioner, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, continued on the same line, saying that Duterte described what Marcos did as “very good” and vowing to replicate it “with equal harshness.”

Therein lies the entire problem, I think. While it is perfectly legal, according to the 1987 Constitution, for any citizen to go to the Supreme Court for relief against the imposition of martial law by any president, I cannot be convinced that this should be done without any proof of abuse by the government.

According to the charter, the high court should determine if there is a factual basis for declaring martial law. And the facts

that we have so far definitely do not support the prospective or backward-looking fears raised by the petitioners.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo pointed this out to Lagman in this

The factfree petitions filed before the Supreme Court must be viewed in their purely partisan light. manner: “The military casualty count as of last Sunday is already 58 soldiers, Congressman. Dead soldiers of ours. And there are 25,000 evacuees now in Iligan

City. So for you the situation is still not that serious for martial law. With all the safeguards, I don’t know why you are so worried.”

Indeed, the 1987 charter’s provisions on martial law were drafted precisely to prevent the abuses that happened under Marcos beginning in 1972. This is why military rule is limited to only 60 days and will require congressional approval to be extended after that.

It’s not the same martial law that Marcos declared, definitely.

And yet, the post-1972 charter still allows martial law, in all likelihood because its framers foresaw the need for it—albeit in a new, less malevolent and abuse-prone form—at some future date.

All the same, the facts that the Supreme Court must appreciate are not in the past or in the future, but in the present time.

And a lot of them are probably not even available for public consumption, given the sensitivity of

the operation to get the terrorists out of Marawi City.

As far as abuses by the military in Marawi and in all other parts of Mindanao are concerned, Lagman and his fellow petitioners cannot point to any that have taken place. Even the discovery of the huge stash of cash and checks left behind by the terrorists in a Marawi house, untouched by the Marines who found it, belies this claim.

Just the facts, please. Your unfounded fears of a repeat of the past in the future are not what the Supreme Court needs to hear. *** As for the petitioners’ argument that not all of Mindanao needed to be placed under temporary military rule, I beg to disagree with that allegation, as well. The recent arrests, in quick succession, of the father and mother of the brothers Maute, Omarkhayyam and Abdullah, as security measures were tightened Turn to A5

THE Supreme Court yesterday heard oral arguments for and against the proclamation

by President Duterte of martial law in Mindanao. Four groups have questioned martial law before the highest court. They are led by six opposition congressmen.

In his answer to the petition of the oppositors to martial law, the President’s lawyer, Solicitor General Jose Calida, has amply acquitted himself.

Against the speculative arguments of the oppositors, Calida has cited facts and figures to bolster the necessity of martial law in Mindanao. His narration of facts is so compelling it sends chills down the spine of one reading it.

We are in perilous times, thanks to ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which is seeking to establish a base in Mindanao and to eventually convert the Philippines into its caliphate and from there, expand to Southeast Asia.

After 20 days of fighting in Marawi, the toll has been 191 militants killed, including eight foreigners; nine militants captured, 58 government forces killed (including 10 by friendly fire), more than 110 government forces wounded, and up to 38 civilians killed. The toll will rise.

The war in the south shows no signs of waning; the ISIS atrocities show no signs of stopping.

“The siege of Marawi City on May 23, 2017 is a pivotal event in a grander scheme to dismember Mindanao from the rest of the Philippine territory and pledge its allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” writes the SolGen in his 3,400-word reply to the antimartial law petitioners. Here is his narration: ISIS was formed sometime in 2014 by the members of the Al Qaeda terrorist group in Iraq. In the ongoing Syrian conflict, Al Qaeda in Iraq moved to Syria and broke away from Al Qaeda to form ISIS, also known as DAESH. Leading the ISIS is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who now claims to be the caliph, or head of ISIS. He has successfully and rapidly established the Islamic State or Khalifa in Syria and Iraq. To be part of the Khalifa or caliphate, mujahideen or Muslims who proclaim themselves as warriors for the faith, pledge their bay’ah or allegiance to the caliph al-Bagh-

dadi.Through their bay’ah to the Turn to A5

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Opinion

SOMEBODY asked me whether terrorism in Mindanao or anywhere else in the country would end once the government forces kill the last of the Maute/ Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

Not by a long shot, I said.

In fact, I think terrorism will remain the biggest challenge to President Rodrigo Duterte for the rest of his term.

Because of the war in the Middle East against ISIS-led terrorism, the ISIS has to find other regions in the world where it can extend its areas of conflict.

Southeast Asia is the most logical hub they can think of, since there are already terrorists in the Philippines like the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Maute group. Indonesia already has the Jemaah Islamiyah.

These two countries already have ready-made terrorists to assist the ISIS. This has been happening, not only now with the siege of Marawi (formerly Dansalan) but for some years now. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has been in a state of denial for so long a time.

Santa Banana, the terrorists are already getting financial and material aid, not only from some narco-politicians in the Philippines but the ISIS in the Middle East! Just note how the Maute and ASG terrorists have been using sophisticated firepower.

Indeed the IS has already considered the Philippines as its hub in this part of the world, with long-wanted terrorist head Isnilon Hapilon as its “emir.”

Sources say that before the siege of Marawi City, there had been plans to attack other cities in Mindanao. This was brought to fore by no less than Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Even the President’s home city, Davao, was targeted, and so were other places like Cotabato City and Zamboanga City.

In other words, terrorism in the Philippines can only expand to the Visayas, more particularly in Palawan, Bohol and Cebu, and even into Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila.

This is why I expect that martial law in Mindanao will be extended with the concurrence of Congress. The terrorists have been recruiting young Muslims all over Mindanao. The possession of a gun means power and money so long as poverty exists in among the Muslims.

Some Filipino Muslims, who have gone to the Middle East, are now coming home to help their fellow terrorists. This will fan extremism and radicalism in Mindanao. *** Today is the 72nd anniversary of a heroic battle between the Ilocanos and Igorots in that historic battle of Bessang Pass.

No less than 1,400 of them died in an effort to destroy the last stronghold of the retreating Japanese Imperial army lead by Yamashita, otherwise known as the terror of Malaya.

For no less than three months, Filipino guerrillas and Igorots, members of the 121st infantry led by Col. Russel Volkmann, of the USAFIP-NL fought an uphill battle with the Japanese who were then at a stronghold in the Cordilleras, after retreating in Manila, which was soon

liberated by the US forces.

Sad to say, no President, except Ferdinand Marcos and Fidel Ramos, honored this day as one of glorious moment in history. Marcos himself was with the 14th Infantry USAFIP-NL. Ramos, for his part constructed a shrine to commemorate the event in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, not far away from Bessang Pass.

I recall this day because my two elder brothers, Lieutenants Desiderio P. Jurado and Guillermo P. Jurado, were in that battle.

In fact, it was my brother Desi who led his platoon of Ilocano and Igorot guerrillas as the assault team to win that battle.

My late brother Desi became a justice of the Court of Appeals.

His assault team was under Major Conrado Rigo of the 121st Infantry of the USAFIP-NL. In the annals of the AFP, that battle was romantically called Battle Among the Clouds.

My other brother Willie was among the recipient of Purple Heart, having been wounded in that battle.

What saddens me is that despite the victory of Filipinos in that historic battle, the defense department and the AFP have not marked it at all.

We commemorate Araw ng Kagitingan or National Heroes Day, but nobody else remembers that one glorious moment at the Battle of Bessang Pass.

Yamashita was hanged three months after that battle for war atrocities. *** The technical assistance provided by the United States to the AFP in its fight against the combined forces of the Maute group and the ASG shows that the US stands with the Philippines in our fight against terrorism.

It’s rather ironic that more than once, President Duterte hurled expletives against Washington, particularly against former US President Barack Obama for interfering in his war against illegal drugs, and even accusing the Duterte administration of violation of human right.

US state secretary Rex Tillerson said that the United States will continue to honor its alliance with the Philippines on shared democratic values, commerce and strong people-to-people ties.

Echoing Tillerson’s statement, US Ambassador Sug Kim said that the United States would continue to assist the Philippines with the knowledge of the government and the armed forces. President Duterte had earlier stated that he was unaware of the American technical assistance in the Marawi siege.

It is with the technical assistance of the Americans that the armed forces are able to find out where the terrorists are holed in or hiding with the use of modern technology like satellite feeds. *** The Duterte administration will face another challenge after stopping the conflict in Marawi.

It is said P10 billion has been earmarked for rehabilitation of the city.

How can, I wonder, be the people rehabilitated when they have lost loved ones, their livelihood, their homes? This will require more than a commitment of money.

It is sad we seem to have forgotten this heroic battle.

Just...

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outside of Marawi, would not have happened if martial law was limited only to the besieged city.

And if the petitioners would only take the time to go to Mindanao and to talk to some of its

21 million residents, they will find—as factual reporting on the ground already has—that the people are actually thankful that the measures in place have kept the terrorists from spreading their particularly bloodthirsty form of Islamic militancy outside of Marawi.

The lack of reports of abuse by the military and the

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Resorts World revisited

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Bessang Pass remembered

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE troubles of Resorts World Manila casino is far from over.

A few days after a lone gunman attacked and torched the casino killing 37 people, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation suspended RWM’s license to operate.. The shutdown is costing Resort World billions of pesos in lost revenues since the June 2 attack.

Now the future for RWM looks even bleaker if the proposal of Rep. Lito Atienza to shut down the casino is passed by the House of Representatives.

Atienza supports the plan of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for Congress to take over from Pagcor the granting of license, franchise and regulation of the country’s gambling establishments.

Atienza cited Resorts World’s security lapses that let armed in-

truder Jessie Carlos brush aside unarmed security guards at the casino’s front entrance. Atienza said the main entrance should have been the first line of defense against a menacing intruder. Video footage from a close circuit television camera showed two female and unarmed security guards running away from Carlos who was in a black commando outfit with a long firearm.

Another male security guard was also shown on CCTV camera scampering away from the gunman who was emerging from a door in the second floor.

Atienza, the former Manila mayor and one-time Environment secretary, was one of the first to seek a House hearing on RWM’s security lapses.

“Can you imagine how many more lives would have been lost if it was a real ISIS terrorist attack? Three suicide bombers working in concert could have tripled the 37 number of casualties,” said Atienza. The gunman who merely fired shots at the ceiling did not shoot at random in his deadly rampage.

But 37 people died from smoke inhalation when he set fire to several gaming tables on the second floor. He then took his own life in Room 510 in the casino’s hotel.

The fire spread so quickly because the water sprinklers were not working. If they were, they would automatically turn on; the blaze and the suffocating smoke would have been doused outright, claimed Atienza.

Atienza said he wants a total shutdown order instead of a mere suspension of license by Pagcor.

This would serve as a lesson and a warning for other gaming establishments to tighten their security for the safety of the 24/7 crowd that frequents casinos.

Control and regulation of casinos as suggested by Speaker Alvarez is welcomed by Atienza.

He said that the position of Pagcor chairman is co-terminus with that of whoever is the current president. Too often, this sixyear term of the Pagcor chief has given rise to calls for a lifestyle check. Aside from the huge salary and other perks, the Pagcor

boss is suspected of enriching himself while in office. While the Commission on Audit is supposed to check the revenue share of the government from casino earnings, there’s really no way of curbing abuses and suspicion of skimming gambling profits.

The attack on the Resorts World casino has proven that a bigger target can be pulled by terrorists. The IS, under siege in Iraq and Syria, needs a diversionary theater. What could be a bigger prize than an attack on a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines? Setting off explosives in shopping malls located in Makati’s central business district would have the impact to make international headlines.

We hope our military and Philippine National Police forces do not preoccupy themselves with liberating Marawi from the Maute/IS terrorists and leave Metro Manila vulnerable. The citizenry, too must do its part in exercising utmost vigilance as we are all dealing with a cunning and ruthless enemy.

Deciphering Trump but at the end of the day, he conceded that it had some real use in a world confronted by terrorism, but demanded that European nations pay for the huge costs of the military alliance.

A more mature, or more informed head of state of a nation such as the US of A would have been more discreet in his avowed message of collection.

He likewise threatened to cut off military assistance to Japan and South Korea, until he realized that first, these countries pay. In the case of Japan, with two billion dollars annually.

And if American soldiers were to leave these countries, what jobs would Trump give them back home?

So he praised the military alliance, especially in the light of the deranged antics of North Korea’s boy-king.

He quickly dissolved the Trans-Pacific Partnership that countries like Mexico, Taiwan and Vietnam enthusiastically joined, swallowing its conditions (as usual in the American paradigm) and now left their expectant economies in the lurch. He prefers bilateralism, but how would this sit with Asean, which has been trying to promote centrality and consensus among its ten member nations?

In the campaign of 2016, Trump called China all the “bad” descriptives he could muster.

When Pres. Xi visited him at his fabulous Mar-a-Lago, he called the Chinese supremo a “good guy.” And then, as an aside after their friendly meeting, he informs Xi, matter-of-factly, that he had just ordered the bombing of Assad’s Syria.

There is a pattern of Unpredictability plus Uncertainty which

leads to Insecurity that pervades nations around the globe who have to deal with the United States under a Trump presidency.

And these observations reinforced by Trump’s pronouncements and actions of the last six months seem to consign the US of A as Unreliable.

Unpredictability plus Uncertainty plus Insecurity equals Unreliability.

At the end of the discussions, what everyone agreed upon was that for the American president, “everything is a transaction.”

He would lie; he would bluster; he would hustle, just so he would get what he thinks is the “best bargain” for his “America First and America Only” core policy.

So what will happen to AseanUS relations, or for that matter all of Southeast Asia vis-à-vis their major politico-military ally and traditional economic market for the next three and a half-years of America under the Donald?

“In the end, China will win”, as they say. By default. *** At present though, the United States is in the throes of another possible impeachment scenario, much like what happened to Richard Milhous Nixon who opted to resign rather than face impeachment trial. And it is not a peccadillo or liaison dangereuse as Bill Clinton faced in the wake of Monica Lewinsky’s accusations.

It is something more serious, because it involves the possibility that Trump and his boys “consorted” with the Russian “enemy.” The parallelism with Nixon’s predicament lies on whether or not there were tape recordings of the conversation

between POTUS and his dismissed FBI Director, and what actually transpired during that fateful meeting. James Comey and most Democrats think it was damning, leading to possible obstruction of justice. Trump meanwhile pooh-poohs.

The denouement could lead to a very short-lived presidency for the man the world finds too difficult to decipher. And if it does lead to the end of Trump’s political career, there would be no need for anybody to try deciphering the Donald. *** Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the man who trumped everyone else in French politics just about a month ago, is on the way to winning close to a clear majority of Parliament for his confederates in a new party, La Republique en Marche.

Emmanuel Macron, who won by proudly trumpeting his centrism, his belief in the European Union, in the free market, as against those who cling to the outmoded and failed policies of the Left, or those who wrap themselves up in the colors of the flag to proclaim a closeted sense of nationalism, is fast becoming what the BBC calls “the anti-Trump.”

France, one recalls, sided and aided the revolutionaries in America who fought for liberation from the English sovereign in 1776.

Now, will France with its new leader, step up to the plate and continually denounce, perhaps begin to “un-make” the leadership of it’s historic ally whose descendants seem to have made the gargantuan mistake of electing Donald Trump their president?

We live in interesting times.

caliph, they oblige themselves to unify under the banner of one caliphate.

ISIS has propagated its plan to impose its will and influence worldwide.

To do so, it captures and administers territories. These conquered territories are collectively referred to as a caliphate. The caliphate is divided into different wilayah or provinces led by a wali. Each wali has a complete bureaucracy in place to exercise control over areas they occupy. A wali is provided a specific amount of financial support from the ISIS core to enable the wilayah to operate.

The success of ISIS in conquering territories means, too, that it has the capacity to acquire fighters and modern weaponry. The United Nations has labeled ISIS as the world’s “wealthiest organization.”

ISIS derives its income from operating seized oil fields, obtaining protection money from businesses, and profits from black market transactions. In 2015 alone, ISIS made $500 million.

The wealth and power of ISIS not

only enabled the rapid expansion of its caliphate, but also inspired other radical Islamic groups worldwide. These groups commit atrocities in the name of the Islamic State in order to seek recognition and support—financial or otherwise—from ISIS. The notoriety of the ISIS in Middle East has attracted the attention of extremist groups in the Philippines.

The AFP has obtained ISIS’ propaganda material, Dabiq, which reports that as early as November 2014, a number of groups in the Philippines had already pledged their allegiance to the caliphate.

Four ISIS-inspired groups operate in different parts of Mindanao.

These groups have formed alliances for the purpose of establishing a wilayah in Mindanao. They are: 1.

The Abu-Sayyaf Group (“ASG”) from Basilan, led by Isnilon Hapilon (“Hapilon”); 2. Ansarul Khilafah Philippines (“AKP”) from Saranggani and Sultan Kudarat. The group is led by Mohammad Jaafar Maguid; 3. The Maute Group from Lanao del Sur led by Omar Maute; and, 4. Bangsamoro Islamic Free-

dom Fighters (“BIFF”), based in the Liguasan Marsh, Maguindanao.

These groups are notorious for committing numerous bombings, assassinations, and extortion activities in the country, especially in Mindanao. In the past, these groups had been operating separately and independently. Due to their uniform pledge of allegiance to ISIS and their support for the establishment of a caliphate, an alliance has been formed between and among these groups (the ISIS-inspired local rebel groups).

On April 2016, the ISIS’ weekly newsletter, Al Naba, announced the appointment of Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon as the emir or leader of all ISIS forces in the Philippines. A June 21, 2016 video by ISIS entitled “The Solid Structure” hails Hapilon as “the mujahid” authorized to lead the soldiers of the Islamic State in the Philippines.”

On Dec. 31, 2016, Hapilon and about 30 of his followers, including eight foreign terrorists, were surveilled in Lanao del Sur. According to military intelligence, Hapilon performed a symbolic hijra or pilgrim-

age to unite with the ISIS-inspired groups in mainland Mindanao.

This was geared towards realizing the five-step process of establishing a wilayah, which are: first, the pledging of allegiance to the Islamic State; second, the unification of all terrorist groups who have given bay’ah or their pledge of allegiance; third, the holding of consultations to nominate a wali or a governor of a province; fourth, the achievement of consolidation for the caliphate through the conduct of widespread atrocities and uprisings all across Mindanao; and finally,the presentation of all of these to the ISIS leadership for approval or recognition.

After the ISIS appointment of Hapilon as emir, he and the ISIS-inspired local rebel groups committed multiple atrocities resulting in the wounding and killing of military and civilian personalities. These atrocities came in the wake of the consolidation of forces of around one hundred five (105) rebel members of the combined groups of the Abu Sayyaf, the Maute Group, the BIFF, and foreign terrorists.

police in Mindanao is by far the strongest argument that the government can make to defend the proclamation and its coverage. Even the New People’s Army, which has made Mindanao business and industry easy marks for their extortionist activities, has preferred to lie low there, perhaps because they fear quick retaliation from a military

that is on its toes throughout the island.

But perhaps the real reason for the opposition to Duterte’s martial law can be found in the political leanings of the people that are against it: These are the politicians like Lagman and their sympathizers, including some benighted lawyers and even members of the Catholic

hierarchy, who will not find anything good in what Duterte does—even if he is just doing everything he can to stop the terrorists from taking over Marawi.

The fact-free petitions filed before the Supreme Court must finally be viewed in this purely partisan light, never mind if, at this late date, none of his

critics have come forward with a workable alternative to swift and relentless military action in Marawi and elsewhere. The court must throw out these petitions and tell the people who filed them to go home and return when they have more than just their unfounded fears and clear biases to present as facts.

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO LAST week, we sat for a couple of hours in a symposium sponsored by the Taiwan Asean Studies Center which had a curiously interesting topic: “US-Southeast Asia Relations in a New Administration: A Return to Benign Neglect?”

The main speaker was John Brandon, senior director of the International Relations Program of the Asia Foundation. Two discussants were Prof. ChenDong Tso of National Taiwan University and Ms. Christy Hsu, directress of the Taiwan Asean Studies Center at the Chu-Hua Institute for Economic Research.

Chair and moderator of the program was retired Taiwanese diplomat Ambassador Benjamin Jyh-Yuan Lo. Ambassador Lo prefaced the symposium by saying that Donald Trump is a president “different” from all others before him.

No past president has been as unpredictable as Mr. Trump, and he hoped the invited speaker would make us understand what the sixmonth-old POTUS is all about.

Well, Brandon failed to give an apropos description of the man 63 million Americans elected as their president. Deciphering the Donald is indeed well nigh impossible.

He embarrassed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by demanding that the member countries “pay-up” for the costs of securing Europe. Before that, he declared from Washington DC that Nato was “obsolete,”

ISIS...

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A6

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF BI deploys 37 more immigration officers THE Bureau of Immigration deployed an additional 37 immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which is expected to reduce long queues and hasten the processing of travel papers of passengers at the country’s premier airport.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the immediate deployment of the new employees to the three terminals of the Naia last week to augment the bureau’s workforce at the airport.

He said the immigration officers were deployed to the Naia right after completing their training on immigration laws, rules and procedures.

Long passenger queues at the Naia’s immigration counter became a subject of controversy in recent months as some immigration officers resigned or went on indefinite leave as a result of the discontinuance of their overtime pay from the express lane fund.

This has forced the BI management to reassign to the Naia immigration employees stationed at its main office in Manila and other field offices in the provinces.

Morente said the long lines have been minimized in recent days as fewer immigration officers have been skipping work since the Palace assured that steps will be undertaken to upgrade the takehome pay of BI employees.The BI chief said the lack of manpower at the Naia and other airports will soon be addressed with the impending recruitment of more than 200 new immigration officers within the next two months.

“We have started the process of selecting these new personnel by administering written tests and interviewing thousands of applicants who hail from different places, including the Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

Morente also said that several lawmakers have assured the BI that a new Philippine immigration law will be passed during the present Congress.

He reiterated that only the enactment of a new immigration law can provide a feasible and lasting solution to the decades-old problem of lack of manpower in the BI and the low salary scales of its workers. Vito Barcelo

News

House okays bill on free irrigation for farmers, co-ops

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to strengthen assistance to all farmers by providing them with free irrigation services to boost their productivity.

The proposed “Free Irrigation Services Act” embodied in House Bill 5670 declares that the State shall pursue a genuine agricultural development strategy by providing support services to all farmers, including their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives, with the end in view of raising their productivity and improving their access to markets.

More particularly, the government shall promote and institutionalize irrigation systems that are free, effective, suitable, applicable and efficient as a key strategy to achieve genuine agricultural development, Nueva Ecija Rep.

Estrellita Suansing, one of the bill’s authors, said.

She said the bill provides that qualified beneficiaries of the free irrigation program shall include farmers, irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives.

Under the measure, owners or operators of corporate farms, plantations, fishponds and other nonagricultural crop users drawing water or using the drainage facilities of the National Irrigation Administration irrigation systems are not qualified beneficiaries of the program.

The government, together with the farmers’ and irriga-

tors’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives, shall endeavor to build and operationalize an effective grassroots-based management of irrigation systems, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, Suansing said.

For purposes of ensuring construction, she said repair and maintenance of irrigation systems administered by the NIA, the required amount for such shall be included in the annual GAA. The bill also states that the NIA shall provide technical and financial assistance to local government units and all farmers, including their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives with respect to irrigation systems located, utilized, and managed in their respective jurisdiction, including all functional equipment and facilities appurtenant thereto.

The amounts necessary to

cover the requirement of the NIA for payment of salaries and maintenance and other operating expenses shall be funded under the GAA, it adds.

Suansing said the NIA, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, farmers and their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives and other stakeholders, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the effectivity of the Act. This developed as CamSur Rep. LRay Villafuerte has called anew for a makeover of the NIA by instituting reforms that would make the agency financially viable in providing free irrigation to farmers at this time when this agency is getting a lion’s share of government subsidies.

Villafuerte noted that each year, the NIA has been requesting for higher and higher allocations under the national budget, and continues to receive

Caterer sues NBP official for graft

By Rio N. Araja

Artists to paint murals along Pasig River THE Metro Manila Development Authority, in partnership with British Council and the private sector, has commissioned international and local artists to mount murals on the agency’s pumping stations along the Pasig River.

The project aimed to inspire residents of Metro Manila to explore the river while riding the Pasig River Ferry where they can appreciate the river’s potential and also be made aware of the challenges such as cleanliness that affect its rehabilitation.

The artists will be painting murals on eight different pumping stations along the Pasig River beginning this month up to July this year.

The MMDA and its private partners namely—Davies Paints, San Miguel Holdings, and OneReDesign Manila—will organize an art cruise as soon as all of the murals are finished.

MMDA assistant general manager for Operations Julia Nebrija said the artists were chosen to take part under the agency’s Pasig River Art for Urban Change project after careful evaluation and screening.

An Advisory Group, headed by Nebrija, composed of artist Leeroy New; Patrick Flores, UP Vargas Museum curator; and Lai del Rosario of the British Council head of Arts and Creative Industries selected the finalists from 75 artists who submitted proposals through an open call.

The finalists include Archie Oclos, Cristina Lina, Ged Alangui, Julius Sebastian, Kris Abrigo, Luigi Almuena, Malarko Hernandez, Ralph Eya and Team Manila. Joel E. Zurbano

humungous subsidies from the national government to maintain irrigation systems nationwide and fund its free irrigation program.

“The NIA, despite being a state-owned firm, has been bleeding the government dry. It has even requested a higher budgetary allocation for next year as it has been doing so in the previous years, although its accomplishment rate is far from impressive,” Villafuerte, vice chairperson of the House committee on appropriations, said.

Villafuerte cited Bureau of Treasury reports showing that the NIA got P11.08 billion in subsidies in the first quarter— or more than five-fold the P2.06 billion acquired by the agency in the same quarter in 2016—that accounts for over half the P19.7 billion subsidies to governmentowned and controlled corporations over that January to March 2017 period.

FREE VACCINES. Grade 6 pupils of Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo, Manila get free vaccination of Dengvaxia, an anti-dengue vaccine in time for the rainy season when mosquito-carrying diseases are rampant. Norman Cruz

Conduct inventory on PH Rise—Legarda

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Loren Legarda has underscored the need to conduct an inventory of marine resources in the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) to give the country a clearer view of the importance of this undersea feature and the needed interventions to preserve, protect and sustainably manage these resources.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said that relevant government agencies must ensure that funding requirements for the exploration and protection of the Philippine Rise are included in the proposed 2018 budget.

“Based on initial explorations,

100 percent coral cover was observed in several sites and the area brings bright promises in terms of energy, mineral and other biological marine resources,” said Legarda.

She said this means there are opportunities to tap the area as food and energy resource, but it should be done in a sustainable manner.

For now, she said an inventory would help determine the next steps that the government should take immediately.

Legarda said that for 2017, there is an appropriation of P38 million for assessment and baseline activities in the Philippine Rise.

For 2018, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

is proposing P60 million for the Philippine Rise wtih P30 million to be spent for geologic and offshore mapping under the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the other P30 million for scientific expedition and management of coastal habitat under the Biodiversity Management Bureau.

The senator noted that in a recent expedition to the Philippine Rise led by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, it was estimated that the government would need an initial budget of P5 billion to start efforts to protect the undersea feature, which has an area approximately 24 million hectares in size.

“All government agencies concerned in the protection of the

Philippine Rise should include initial programs and respective funding needs in their proposed budget for 2018. Meanwhile, the current P38 million budget for assessment and baseline activities should be fully utilized within the year,” Legarda said.

In 2011, Legarda was part of the Philippine delegation that met with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in New York regarding the country’s ter ritorial claim over the Philippine Rise.

In 2012, the CLCS ruled that under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Benham Rise is located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

THE caterer for the 40,000 inmates of the National Bilibid Prison, Correctional Institute for Women and four other penal colonies filed on Tuesday a graft complaint against a Bureau of Corrections official before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged irregularities in the bidding process of food supply.

Alvin Navarro, Mang Kiko Catering Services Inc. lawyerpresident, accused Dr. Cynthia Andrada, BuCor Reception and Diagnostic Center head and bid and awards committee chairperson, of “illegality” for nullifying a December 2016 bid and ordering a rebid of the food supply for the 40,000 inmates of national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City; CIW in Mandaluyong City; Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte; San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, and Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte.

In a 24-page complaint, Navarro said Andrada must be held liable for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987, and Section 5 of RA 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“Respondent must be preventively suspended,” the complaint read.

“Andrada disregarded the single largest contract,” Navarro told reporters.

“Why did she allow a rebid when Mang Kiko was awarded to supply food for the other half of the year during last December’s bidding?” he asked.

Customs warned vs car smuggling

DELICATE JOB. Workers clean the glass windows using a hanging crane in a building located along Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. Lino Santos

SENATOR Win Gatchalian has warned the Bureau of Customs to be prepared to combat the higher incidence of car smuggling when additional excise taxes are imposed on the sale of luxury vehicles.

Gatchalian said shrewd stakeholders in the automobile industry are likely to engage in the underground trading of highend vehicles to dodge paying exorbitant excise taxes.

“In my view, the incidence of smuggling will also go up when higher excise taxes are imposed on luxury cars,” said Gatchalian.

If this happens, Gatchalian said it should not be ‘businessas-usual’ for the Bureau of Cus-

toms. He said the BoC should be ready to deal with these smugglers.

Importers and distributors of high-end ultra-luxury vehicles had earlier told senators that an estimated 20 percent of cars sold in the market are smuggled by unscrupulous traders through the country’s various ports.

The estimate, Gatchalian said, could grow bigger when car dealers and traders use backdoor channels to bring in their products to elude paying proper duties and taxes.

“The Bureau of Customs needs to have a strong strategy to make sure that the increase in the tax on luxury vehicles will

not result in unabated smuggling,” he stressed.

He also warned that, “only smugglers will earn money if the new excise tax on high-end cars turns out to be too expensive.”

Under the proposed new excise tax scheme for vehicles, cars costing more than P2.1 million would be taxed P1.22 million (up from P512,000) plus 200 percent (up from 60 percent) of the amount in excess of P2.1 million.

Luxury cars in the country include automotive brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Santa Ana hosts Triple Crown T HE Philippine Racing Commission and the Philippine Racing Club Inc. are set to deliver an action-crammed Sunday (June 18) at the latter’s Santa Ana Park racetrack in Naic, Cavite, featuring the second legs of three series events— the Philippine Triple Crown, the Hopeful Stakes and the 3YO Locally-Bred Stakes.

“We are pleased to hold these races at Santa Ana Park knowing that PRCI’s administration do their utmost to provide an exciting experience for fans and a safe venue for participants,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel on Tuesday.

Sanchez was joined at the Forum by Philracom Commissioner Bienvenido Niles Jr., executive director Dr. Andrew Rovie Buencamino, PRCI Racing Manager Antonio Alcasid Jr., facilities manager Shirley Balaong and executive secretary Joanna Goli to promote the star-studded Philracom events and showcase the talents of the

country’s elite local-bred 3YO Thoroughbreds.

Philracom has provided prize money of P3 million for this race, with P1.8 million to the winner, and P675,000, P375,000, and P150,000 respectively for the second, third, and fourth placers. The breeder of the winning horse will receive a purse of P100,000.

SC Stockfarm fields Brilliance, the lone filly in the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown championships, coupled with Sepfourteen, who won the first leg held May 21 at San Lazaro Leisure Park. Brilliance won the first leg of the Hopeful Stakes. Their tandem here poses a formidable challenge to their foes.

“Malaki ang chance ni Sepfour-

teen to win the second leg matapos ang kanyang dominanteng panalo sa first leg,” said Niles in the forum sponsored by San Miguel Corp, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Accel and Golden Phoenix Hotel. “Sepfourteen is the favorite but we’re not discounting the possibility of an upset.”

Also nominated in the 1,800-meter race are Lamberto Aimeda’s Golden Kingdom, Joseph Dyhengco’s Hiway One, Herminio Esguerra’s Metamorphosis, and Wilbert Tan’s Pangalusian Island (who placed second in the first leg).

The Philracom Hopeful Stakes is considered to be an auxiliary race to the Triple Crown and features an equally talented cast con-

tending over 1,800 meters.

In the running are Stony Road Horse Farm’s colt Biglang Buhos, Ruben Dimacuha’s filly Bossa Nova, Aristeo Puyat’s colt Breaking News, Joseph Dyhengco’s colt Great Wall, Leonardo Javier Jr/s Lemonada, Herminio Esguerra’s colt Metamorphosis, Wilbert Tan’s colt Mount Pulag, and Robert Inigo’s filly Smoking Saturday.

The winner will take home the P600,000 prize, while the second, third, and fourth placers will earn P225,000, P125,000, and P50,000 respectively. The breeder’s purse is P30,000.

The Philracom 3YO LocallyBred Stakes will also be run over 1,800 meters and will showcase the efforts of 12 entries.

Cavaliers, Sentinels, Responders win in UNTV THE AFP Cavaliers now lead the team standings of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off after defeating the Judiciary Magis, 82-68, in the main game of the triple-header on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

“The players were rattled even though we practiced. Maybe because of fatigue, too,” said Coach Joey Yabut of the Judiciary Magis, which have a 2-2 record.

“I know my players have a good stamina, so the game plan was to surprise them with our trapping defense in the last quarter. That is our strategy,” said AFP Cavaliers’ Head Coach Corporal Cornelio “Sonny” Manucat III. Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara led the Senate Sentinels to an 82-67 win over the still winless BOC Transformers.

“Medyo maganda ‘yung nilaro ng Customs sa first quarter, pero humabol tayo. Nag-adjustment ng kaunti si coach, medyo nakakuha kami ng rebounds. Doon nakakuha kami ng kaunti at namaintain naman namin, talagang team effort,” said Angara.

Director Lino Ong was hailed as the Best Player of the Game.

In the PNP-DOJ battle, the Responders toppled the Justice Boosters, 88-82, to claim the top spot of the team standings, alongside the AFP Cavaliers.

PNP Responders Assistant Coach SPO2 Alfred Suarez said: “Sipagan lang sa depensa, ‘yun lang kailangan naming gawin.”

Another triple header is on Sunday in the UNTV Cup Off Season games Executive Face Off.

Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez announces the staging of the second leg of the Triple Crown Series at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite during his guesting at the PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel. Sanchez was joined at the forum by Commissioner Bienvenido Niles Jr. (center) and executive director Dr. Andrew Rovie Buencamino. Lino Santos

By Peter Atencio DAVAO City will also get a cash bonus for bagging third place overall place in the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships.

The Philippine Sports Commission is releasing P150,000 in cash through Chairman William Ramirez’s Sr. Executive Assistant Ronnel Abrenica, who said the incentives offered to winners may not be a lot, but it shows the PSC’s recognition of the local government unit’s efforts to become partners in sports development.

“Most importantly, it shows appreciation for the hard work the children put into preparing and participating in the Games,” said Abrenica.

Atty. Zuleika Lopez City Administrator and Michael Denton Aportadera, Officerin-Charge of City Sports Development Division and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, recently received the award on behalf of Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.

The PSC had earlier offered cash incentives for the top-winning LGUs in the Games.

The cities of Baguio and Cebu took first and second overall places in the event held in Tagum City.

Batang Pinoy is a national multi-sports event for children 17 years old and below.

The 2016 edition gathered around 14,000 children from across the nation.

PH ice hockey team gears up for SEA Games Bigdash THE Philippine ice hockey team gears up for yet another test starting Wednesday ay as it looks forward to the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur in August.

For the next few days until Saturday, SM Skating will hold the Philippine Ice Hockey tournament at the SM Megamall rink with six teams, including those from Singapore, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and New York slugging it out in the international open category.

Tournament director Francois Gautier told the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City that four teams, including visitors from Canada, are vying in

the 35-above category, a contact but nonhitting tournament.

Also appearing in the weekly forum were young figure skaters Skye Chua and Gabby Panlilio, winners in the recent SEA Challenge at SM Skating Seaside City in Cebu, and Stephanie Henares-Dela Pena, head of business development of the SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. Chua and Panlilio, barely in their teens, bagged the gold medals in the Basic Novice B and Advanced Novice, respectively, in the event for figure skaters from Southeast Asia.

“Hosting an event like this is our way of training our future athletes to compete in the next level, develop camaraderie with

other countries, and see how they train then compare it with ours. It’s great training ground for our athletes,” said Henares-Dela Pena in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Golden Phoenix Hotel, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Gautier said the twin event that follows the International Hockey Federation rules and regulations with specific alternations will give the Philippine team to the SEA Games a needed tune-up, and help boost the popularity of the sport in the country.

The ice hockey official said the host teams are going all out in the tournaments kicking off today and hopes to gain momentum heading to the SEA Games in August.

13 Filipino jins vie in World Taekwondo Championships

Pauline Louise Lopez (left), one of the Filipino fighters in the world event, delivers a roundhouse kick against Korean Ah Reum Lee in a match during last year’s Asian championship.

THIRTEEN crack Filipino jins—eight men and five women—will vie for honors in the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships on June 24-30 in Muju, South Korea.

The Filipino fighters, who are seeing action against tough competitors from 169 other countries including Korea, China, France, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese-Taipei and the United States, will carry the colors of SMART/ MVP Sports Foundation, according to the Philippine Taekwondo Association.

The Filipino entries are:

Male—Jenar Torillos (-54 kg), Francis Aaron Agojo (-58 kg), Joaquin Mendoza Jr. (-63 kg), Arven Alcantara (-68 kg), Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-74 kg), Christian Al Dela Cruz (-80 kg), Abram Lance Cuvinar (-87 kg) and Kristopher Robert Uy (+87 kg); Female—Karen Celis (-46 kg), Rheza Aragon (-49 kg), Rhezie Aragon (-53 kg), Pauline Louise Lopez (-57 kg) and Kirstie Elaine Alora (-73 kg).

Accompanying the athletes are delegation head Tem Igor Mella, male team coach Dindo Simpao and

female team coach John Paul Lizardo.

Aside from seeking medals, the Filipino jins will use the world competition as part of their preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia this August.

The Philippines has always been considered among the top contenders in international events like the World Championships, Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine participation is supported by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

All eyes on Sepfourteen, Brilliance SEPFOURTEEN, winner of the first leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown, will attempt to reprise his victory in the second leg on Sunday, June 18.

The race will be held at the Philippine Racing Club Inc.’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

On the same day, the track will also play host to the second legs of two other Philracom series, the Hopeful Stakes and the 3YO Locally-Bred S. All three races will be held over a distance of 1,800 meters.

“We are pleased to hold these events at Santa Ana Park,” said Phil-

Davao City gets PSC incentive as 3rd place

racom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, “knowing that PRCI’s administration do their utmost to provide an exciting experience for fans and a safe venue for participants.”

Sepfourteen, guided by jockey John Alvin Guce, won the 1st leg Triple Crown last May 21 at San Lazaro Leisure Park, clocking 1:40.8 (24-24-25’-27) for the mile race.

On Sunday, the colt owned by SC Stockfarm will be coupled with filly Brilliance, who won the first leg of the Hopeful with a time of 1:42.4 for the same distance.

Their tandem will prove a formidable challenge for their opponents: Lamberto Almeda’s Golden Kingdom, Joseph Dyhengco’s Hiway One, Herminio Esguerra’s Metamorphosis, and Wilbert Tan’s

Pangalusian Island (who placed second in the first leg).

Nominated for the second leg of the Hopeful are Stony Road Horse Farm’s colt Biglang Buhos, Ruben Dimacuha’s filly Bossa Nova, Aristeo Puyat’s colt Breaking News, Joseph Dyhengco’s colt Great Wall, Leonardo Javier Jr.’s Lemonada, Wilbert Tan’s colt Mount Pulag, and Robert Iñigo’s filly Smoking Saturday.

The Philracom 3YO Locally-Bred S. features 12 runners, among them Benhur Abalos’s filly Cerveza Rosas, who won the first leg of this series.

In all these races, colts will carry 54 kgs. and the fillies 52 kgs handicap weight. *** Tapwrit made history by winning the 149th Belmont Stakes last

June 10 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

According to Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman in a tweet, “Tapwrit is [trainer Todd] Pletcher’s [third] Belmont winner. He becomes [the] ninth horse in [the] last 18 Belmonts to run in [the Kentucky] Derby, then skip Preakness, then win Belmont.”

Tapwrit with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard staged a rally from behind the fading favorite, frontrunner Irish War Cry, to win the race by a length.

Irish War Cry settled for second and one-eyed colt Patch third. The latter finished 14th in the KY Derby.

Out of 8 starts, Tapwrit (Tapit x Appealing Zophie) has logged a 4-10 record for $1.143 million in earnings so far. He won the Pulpit S. at two;

what’s interesting about this is Pulpit (A.P. Indy x Preach) was his grandsire! At three, he won the Belmont and Tampa Bay Derby, and placed second in the Sam F. Davis. S. This stellar victory of a Tapit son should give more impetus to the the Tapit progeny that are in the Philippines courtesy of Retap, the stallion owned by former Tarlac representative Jeci Lapus.

The Belmont is the oldest of the U.S. Triple Crown events and was first held in 1867. The Preakness S. was first run in 1873 and the KY Derby in 1875. *** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Jenny Ortuoste; Twitter: @gogirlracing, @jennyortuoste; IG: @jensdecember, @artuoste

defends ONE middle title ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash will defend his title against hometown hero “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang in the main event at ONE: Light of a Nation at Yangon, Myanmar on June 30.

Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has proven to be one of the most talented martial artists in the world. Making his ONE Championship debut in 2015, Bigdash captured the middleweight title with a resounding technical knockout victory over Igor Svirid, in one of the most action-packed contests in ONE Championship history.

In his last bout, Bigdash successfully defended his world title for the first time against Aung La N Sang, winning by unanimous decision. With an unblemished professional record of nine wins and no losses, Bigdash is set to return to the ONE Championship cage in a rematch against the Myanmar hero.

“Aung La N Sang is one of the toughest fighters I have ever faced, and it will be an honor to come into his hometown to perform.

I am not worried about the hometown advantage, because a true champion can fight anywhere and under any circumstance. I am excited to get back inside the cage and expect nothing less than a spectacular showing in Myanmar. Although I respect Aung La N Sang and what he brings to the table, I am returning home victorious, and with my belt still over my shoulder,” said Bigdash.

Top middleweight contender Aung La N Sang is one of the world’s most renowned athletes from Myanmar, whose constricting style has earned him the moniker of ”The Burmese Python.” Born in Myitkyina in the mountainous Kachin State, he belongs to an ethnic minority known as the Kachin.

In his most recent outing, Aung La N Sang lost to Bigdash via decision. This time, the Myanmar national hero believes he can produce a different result with better preparation in a highly-anticipated rematch.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

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

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

So saves draw against GM Giri

By Peter Atencio RUSSIAN-born Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri bungled a winning opportunity and settled for a draw against Filipino GM Wesley So last Monday in the ongoing Altibox Norway Chess 2017 at the Clarion Hotel Energy in Stavanger, Norway.

Giri drew by repetition of moves with So in 55 moves of an English Opening in their sixth round encounter.

The draw was So’s sixth in as many matches. This allowed him to move up to a share of second spot with three others.

According to analysts, Giri gained the upper hand with a good h6 pawn move in the 26th push.

The black-playing Giri was able to support his rook d7, which was pressuring the queen side back rank.

But a rook a7 push on the 30th proved to be his undoing.

That move threatened to capture a passed pawn at a4.

This allowed So to force a queen exchange and gain control of the king side.

So went on to attack Giri’s back rank with a rook c1 move in the 41st.

A draw resulted when Giri pushed his rook to a7 twice to check the black king.

The 23-year-old So now shares second place with Giri, Sergey Karjakin and Vladmimir Kramnik.

GM Hikaru Nakamura played to a draw in 54 moves of a Nimzo Indian Defense with Karjakin to keep the lead.

He shares the top spot with Levon Aronian with four points.

Aronian climbed to the top of the standings after he won over Kramnik in 34 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined, semi-Tarrasch variation.

Meanwhile, Nakamura’s game transitioned into an endgame after he developed a bishop pair against Karjakin’s knight and bishop.

But the position he had did not allow him to carry out an effective attack against his opponent and they eventually settled for a draw.

Sports Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors counterpart Kevin Durant (35) reach out to shake hands after the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12 in Oakland, California. AFP

LeBron’s NBA finals triple double average not enough O AKLAND, United States—Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James said his emotions were “all over the place” as he tried to deal with losing the NBA Finals despite another Herculean individual effort.

He averaged 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists—the first triple double average in NBA Finals history—but the Cavs dropped the best-of-seven series 4-1 to Golden State with a 129-120 loss Monday.

“I just try to do everything to help this team win and more,” James said.

“I just try to put in the work, in the film room, in my mind, my body every single day to prepare myself for whatever obstacle that this ball club entails.”

“Does it always result in us winning? No,” he added. “But like I’ve always told myself, if you put in the work and you leave it on the floor, then you can always push forward and not look backwards.”

That’s what the Cavaliers must do after falling to the Warriors in the

final for the second time in three seasons, having rallied from 3-1 down last year to win the crown when James led the series in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks—another unprecedented feat.

“I left everything on the floor every game, so I have no reason to put my head down,” said James, who scored a game-high 41 points Monday. “It’s just not my time.”

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said there were tears in the locker room after the final defeat, including his own.

“I broke down so I couldn’t really finish my speech,” he said. “A lot of guys cried because they wanted it bad. And that’s all you can ask. If you give all your effort and all the fight and all the heart you got, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re

going to win. That’s what’s tough about sports. They gave everything they had.

We fought, we competed, and we never gave in, but they beat us.”

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who scored 26 points, was already turning the pain into passion for another run at the finals.

“You feel obviously the disappointment of losing, a lot of decisions that you’ll replay over the summer,” he said.

“The next thing that I’m looking forward to is getting these couple weeks off and then get right back to it. They have an incredible team. They beat us, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be back and we’ll be ready to battle again.”

“It’s fueling me inside right now,” he added. “I can feel it... there are a few things you can take away from the series, but the only way to go is to grow from here.”

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue lamented a game-ending 11-0 Golden State run to win game three.

“I don’t see a big gap. I thought we played well, got better each game, but against good teams you can’t give away games,” he said. “When you have them beat, you have to beat them. You can’t go

back and forth or teeter on the fence.”

“It’s over,” he added. “Nothing you can look back on and now we just got to prepare and get ready again.”

James shook his head over injuries that kept the team from hitting full stride until just before the playoffs.

“It would have been great to see us at a full unit throughout the whole season so we can continue to build the camaraderie and chemistry out on the floor so you don’t have to wait until April to see what you’re capable of doing,” he said.

“We were able to hit the switch, but those games in January, November, games people think aren’t important, they’re important to me and they would have been important to our ball club.”

“We weren’t able to get over the hump and accomplish what we ultimately wanted to do,” he added. “But no such thing as a failed season when you put in as much work as we’ve done.”

Irving looks forward to joining James for a possible fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

“He’s freaking awesome,” Irving said of James. “That’s the type of guy that I want to be with every single time.” AFP

Unso resets hurdles record

Beermen, Hotshots break deadlock

By Jeric Lopez WHO will move a step closer to the finals?

Both San Miguel Beer and the Star Hotshots want to be that team as they battle again at the resumption of their bestof-five semifinals series in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Tied at 1-1, the Beermen and the Hotshots figure in a vital Game 3 tonight at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to see who gets the upper hand.

The two teams have been battling back-and-forth through the series’ first two games with no team seizing clear advantage.

Facing a must-win situation, San Miguel rose to the occasion

in Game 2 by pulling through in the clutch to sneak in a tough 7776 escape Sunday night over Star to even things out.

Despite foul trouble, Charles Rhodes still finished with 21 points, some of them in the crucial juncture, to help San Miguel avoid an 0-2 hole.

Now, San Miguel coach Leo Austria looks forward to Game 3 as his teams seeks to grasp the series lead.

“This series is really tough for both teams. Nakikita naman natin. For us, Game 3 is very important since this is just a bestof-five series. We need to take it to have a good chance,” said Austria.

As of this report, TNT KaTropa is currently shooting for its own 2-0 series lead over its

own semis showdown against Barangay Ginebra.

The Beermen beat the Hotshots despite the monster numbers put up by Star import Ricardo Ratliffe who pulled down 35 rebounds. The effort is the fourth best all-time in league history, and second most in the playoffs behind Ginebra’s Michael Hackett, who collared 45 rebounds for his team way back in 1985.

In all the Hotshots outrebounded the Beermen in Game Two, 58-45, but it wasn’t enough to turn back SMB. Austria said what’s more important is for the Beermen to put the clamps on Star’s local hotshots, including Allein Maliksi who was held to five points on 2-of-7 shooting in Game Two.

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo (15) fires a jumper over the blocking hands of Star Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe (20) while Star’s Ian Sangalang (10) and SMB import Charles Rhodes (0) look on.

Cignal subdues F2 Logistics

Cignal’s open spiker Rachel Anne Daquis (13) celebrates after scoring a point against the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. Cignal took advantage of F2 Logistics’s faulty reception to post a convincing victory during their PSL match. Roman Prospero

CIGNAL took advantage of F2 Logistics’ faulty reception in the fourth set to pull off a 27-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19 victory yesterday in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The HD Spikers uncorked four of their nine service aces in the deciding set to seal their third straight win and enter the second round as the unbeaten top seed in Pool A of this prestigious club league bankrolled by Belo, Rebisco and Gold’s Gym with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Jovelyn Gonzaga spearheaded the assault with 17 kills for a total of 18 points, but it was Rachel Anne Daquis and Royse Tubino who car-

Games Thursday

(Bacoor City Strike Gym) 5 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Cherrylume 7 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Sta. Lucia Realty

ried the fight in the fourth set as they torched the Cargo Movers’ defense from the open position.

Daquis emerged with 16 points while Tubino submitted 15 markers for Cignal, who will join the top two finishers in Pool B composed of Foton, Generika-Ayala, Cocolife and Cherrylume in Round 2.

“All of the strong teams are in our bracket, so there will be little adjustment for us in Round 2,” said Pascua, whose wards downed competitive teams like Petron, Sta. Lucia and the reigning champions

in Cargo Movers.

“The chemistry of our team, especially our setter (Chie Saet), is starting to take place. They already know what to do by just observing the body language of each other. We also had a (training) camp (in Japan) so we had a little bonding. I think that’s our biggest advantage.”

But against F2 Logistics, a squad led by reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion De La Salle University, Cignal was at its best.

The HD Spikers jumped the gun early to win the first two sets in impressive fashion before slowing down in the third after committing seven service errors.

NATIONAL standouts Patrick Unso and Janry Ubas showed they are ready for the 2017 SEA Games Unso broke his own Philippine record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.91 seconds in the ongoing Thailand Open Athletics meet.

He eclipsed the previous record of 14.12 seconds that he himself set during the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

This made Unso the first and only Filipino who has done a sub-14 second performance in the 110m hurdles.

His good showing came after the 24-year-old underwent a delicate spine surgery last year.

On the other hand, Ubas kept his hold at the top of the Southeast Asian ranking for long jump.

He had a leap of 7.78m, which was a centimeter short of 7.88 meter performance last June 3.

American consultant coach Rohsaan Griffin said he is upbeat about the national squad’s chances at the SEA Games.

“You haven’t seen the best yet. Janry could possibly hit eight meters anytime soon and we’re not yet talking about the SEA Games,” said Griffin.

Griffin believes that members of the team “have never been this strong. And they are getting stronger.” Peter Atencio

Govt ready to build Kaliwa dam B3

Business

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

Closing June 13, 2017

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,917.89 72.35

PESO-DOLLAR RATE Closing June 13, 2017

45.00 46.50 48.00

P49.535 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P49.530 LOW P49.580 AVERAGE P49.558 VOLUME 297.200M

P435.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.40-P49.21 Unleaded Gasoline P28.05-P40.95 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P32.85-P41.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, June 13, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.4900

Japan

Yen

0.009098

0.4503

UK

Pound

1.265800

62.6444

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128222

6.3457

Switzerland

Franc

1.032418

51.0944

Canada

Dollar

0.750638

37.1491

Singapore

Dollar

0.722596

35.7613

Australia

Dollar

0.753900

37.3105

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653787

131.3359

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

13.1977

Brunei

Dollar

0.719994

35.6325

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029351

1.4526

UAE

Dirham

0.272294

13.4758

Euro

Euro

1.120600

55.4585

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0438

China

Yuan

0.147085

7.2792

India

Rupee

0.015511

0.7676

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234549

11.6078

New Zealand

Dollar

0.719800

35.6229

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033160

1.6411 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF IP Converge boosts cyber attack solutions

IP CONVERGE Data Services Inc. said Tuesday it teamed up with Continent 8 Technologies, a global ICT firm with offices in Europe and North America, to further strengthen its suite of web security solutions against cyber attacks.

“With Continent 8’s industry-leading services spanning the globe, and IPC’s local market coverage and expertise in cloud, data center, and DDoS mitigation services, this partnership will offer Philippine enterprises highly sophisticated yet easy to deploy security solutions with truly localized support,” IPC chief operating officer David de Leon said.

DDoS is a type of cyber attack that “denies” service or renders a company’s website and servers inaccessible to users by flooding it with large volumes of malicious traffic.

IPC has been in the forefront of DDoS mitigation in the country, offering protection since 2007. “By partnering with IPC, we bring to the table advanced DDoS Mitigation services to Philippine enterprises especially now that cybercriminals are becoming bolder in their attacks,” Continent 8 Technologies co-founder and chief executive Michael Tobin said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

CebuPac expands domestic capacity

CEBU Pacific said it will deploy bigger aircraft to key domestic routes to expand capacity amid a strong demand.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei group said the Manila to Cauayan, Legazpi and Virac services would utilize the 180-seater Airbus A320 starting July 4.

This would translate into over 130 percent growth in capacity or about 102 additional seats, from its original 78-seater ATR 72-600.

Cebu Pacific is the only carrier with regular, commercial air service in Cauayan, Isabela and Virac, Catanduanes.

The freed-up ATR aircraft from these three routes will then be used to service five new inter-island routes Cebgo recently announced, including CebuMasbate; Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga; Davao-Dumaguete; Davao-Tacloban; and Cotabato-Zamboanga.

The five new routes are set to commence operations in late July. “Utilizing larger aircraft will not only help meet demand for passenger air travel and logistics to move cargo across the country, but also allow more travellers to avail our year-round lowest fares,” Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B1

SMC to triple income by 2020

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX

49.50

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

GIFTS SHOW. Event organizer World Expos & Concepts Inc. opens the Corporate Giveaways 2017 Annual Buyers Show on Business Gifts, Premiums, Promotional Ideas & Merchandise Incentives at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Shown cutting the ribbon for the opening of the country’s No. 1 expo for business gifts are (from left) Worldexco marketing manager Bogee Romero, Worldexco president and general manager Raquel Romero, Prestige 88 (Rudy Project) chief operating officer Jack Wang and Worldexco chairman Lyn Romero. Lino Santos

Resorts World working to restore casino license

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

ravellers International Hotel Group Inc., the operator of Resorts World Manila, said Tuesday it will exert all efforts to “preserve and defend its provisional gaming license,” following the suspension order issued by state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. on Friday.

Travellers said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received the order issued

by Pagcor suspending its provisional license pending the investigation and final determination by Pagcor of the company’s alleged liability for the June 2, 2017 robbery/

arson incident.

“The company confirms that it is fully committed to abide by the said order and shall fully cooperate with the authorities on all investigations relevant to the incident,” Travellers said.

“The company assures its stakeholders that all efforts shall be exerted to preserve and defend the company’s provisional license,” it said.

Pagcor issued an order on June 9, suspending the provisional license granted to Travellers to operate casinos and other gaming facilities under the business name of Resorts World Manila after an arson attack there left 38 people dead, including the armed suspect, and 54 individuals wounded.

With the suspension, Pagcor said Resorts World Manila should cease and desist all gaming operations while the investigation on its liability regarding the June 2 incident was ongoing.

The gaming regulator said non-compliance with the order would force it to impose other sanctions warranted under existing laws.

Pagcor said the incident in Resorts World Manila caused not only the loss of lives and damaged properties, but also placed the Philippine gaming, tourism and hospitality industries in the bad light.

Following the disclosure, the share price of Travellers dropped 1.6 percent Tuesday to P3 from P3.05 on Friday.

Resorts World Manila is a 11.5-hectare development that opened in 2009. It was the first Pagcor licensee to operate an integrated resort and casino in the country.

Aside from Resorts World Manila, Travellers is also building another integrated resort and casino called Bayshore City Resorts World in Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

Bayshore City Resorts World is targeted to be completed by the end of 2020.

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. expects to triple net income by 2020, when investments in toll roads and other infrastructure projects start contributing to the company’s bottomline, a top executive said Tuesday.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said during the annual stockholders’ meeting the company’s P52-billion net income in 2016 came mostly from traditional businesses, such as food, beverage and oil refinery.

Ang said by 2020, most of infrastructure projects would be completed and start contributing significantly to the company’s profitability.

Among these projects are Mass Rail Transit Line 7, Skyway Stage 3 Connector Road, Boracay Airport, the Star Tollway extension to Lucena City and the Tarlac-Panganisan-La Union Expressway.

Ang said the conglomerate would also book higher income once it paid off its obligations with state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. for the three power plants it acquired, including Sual, Ilijan and San Roque.

“I think if we are lucky, by year 2020 and up, our income should triple by then,” Ang said.

Ang said this year, the conglomerate was on track to hit P65 billion in net income. He said the beer business was poised to deliver P20 billion in profit, while Petron Corp., which was posting P2 billion profit a month, was also expected to deliver P20 billion this year.

San Miguel posted a net income of P13.8 billion in the first quarter, up by 2 percent from the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Ang said San Miguel would break ground over the next six months for a new integrated petrochemical plant worth up to $20 billion or about P1 trillion. He said the company was now in talks with two foreign groups as joint venture partners for the planned venture. Jenniffer B. Austria

Foreign direct investments climbed 17% $1.6b in 1st quarter

By Julito G. Rada NET inflows of foreign direct investments climbed 16.6 percent in the first quarter to $1.6 billion from $1.3 billion a year ago, reflecting the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors and its strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

“The sustained FDI inflows reflect investors’ confidence in the country’s economy on account of

continued growth prospects and strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

Equity capital investments posted net inflows of $101 million in January to March, lower than $550 million a year ago, but net investments of debt instruments more than doubled to $1.3 billion.

Equity capital infusions came from Japan, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and Germany.

These investments went to real estate; wholesale and retail trade; manufacturing; financial and insurance; and information and communication activities.

Reinvestment of earnings grew 6.7 percent to $193 million in the three-month period.

Data showed that in March alone, FDI net inflows grew 30.6 percent to $509 million from $390 million in the same month last year.

“Investments in debt instruments, or lending by parent com-

panies abroad to their local affiliates to fund existing operations and business expansion, contributed largely to FDI net inflows during the period, registering an increase of 75.1 percent to $445 million [in March] from $254 million last year,” the regulator said.

Equity capital placements in March mostly came from the United States, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

These were largely placed in real estate; manufacturing; financial

and insurance; wholesale and retail trade; and professional, scientific and technical activities.

Also, reinvestment of earnings grew 16.1 percent to $56 million in March.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo earlier said the FDI net inflow target of $7 billion this year might be revised upward during the review of economic data middle of the year. Last year, the FDI figure reached a record $7.9 billion.

PLDT expects to save P7b in manpower cut

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said Tuesday it expects to save P7 billion over the next five years from the planned manpower reduction of its IT department.

“It’s progressing reasonably well and we aim to sign the relevant agreements with IBM by the end of June,” PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan told reporters at the sidelines of the stockholders’ meeting in Makati City.

“Not all of the IT people will move to IBM, some will be retained. We have to retain the socalled brains of the IT organization,” he said. PLDT has over 1,000 IT personnel.

“We estimate over P7 billion [in savings]. It’s quite substantial.

It will not happen in one year but

several years, at least five years,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said besides manpower reduction, the company would also cut expenses on travel, seminars, symposia, foreign trips and essential entertainment.

PLDT also implemented a salary increase freeze in the last two years.

“Everybody is pitching in, in terms of helping out in the opex [operation expense] reduction ,” he said.

PLDT put a new leadership team in place at the start of 2017 to ensure its continued income recovery.

“This new team has brought new ideas, new ways of working, fresh perspectives and a variety of skill sets and experiences. We’ll continue to develop our people, to ensure that we’re constantly poised to deliver on innovative growth,” Pangilinan said.

SHOE INDUSTRY REVIVAL. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) assures Marikina shoemakers that the government will support the revival of the shoe industry, in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction. The trade chief visited production sites in Marikina, including Gibi Shoes, Bristol and small shoemakers like Ruperta Enterprises and Rolando “Tatay Oly” Santos, a Marikina shoemaker who gave the president a pair of shoes as a gift. He also visited the Philippine Footwear Academy, which is considered the first and only footwear school in the Southeast Asia.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; GT Capital rises S SBS planning P5-b TOCKS fell Tuesday, after a three-day break, following the selloff in US technology shares last week and as the armed conflict in Marawi City dragged on for a fourth week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 72 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,917.89, as all six major sectors declined.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 41 points, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 4,707.42, on a value turnover of P11.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 132 to 68, while 43 issues were unchanged.

Two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, including conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc. which climbed 3.5 percent to P1,240 and port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. which rose 0.2

percent to P106.

Heavy losers included restaurant chain operator Max’s Group Inc. which sank 9.7 percent to P19.20 and Melco Resorts which fell 8 percent to P8.60.

The rebellion in Marawi City led by terror groups Abu Sayyaf and Maute group entered its fourth week, forcing the Philippine military to ask for technical assistance from the US. President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the US assistance.

The president declared Mindanao under martial law to quell the rebellion, but this caused tour groups to cancel trips to southern Philippines, affecting tourism, airline and hospitality sectors.

On global equity markets, technology firms failed to bounce back from the previous day’s sell-off that was sparked by a rout in the sector on Wall Street Friday. Sony and Sharp were both down in Tokyo while Tencent was marginally up in Hong Kong after Monday’s tumble. Samsung was flat in Seoul.

The losses came after the Nasdaq suffered an-

other slump as Apple and Amazon took a beating, with analysts wondering whether the selling is down to profit-taking or the start of a broad retreat after all US indices hit records last week.

Broader markets fared slightly better after Monday’s steep losses. Tokyo finished marginally lower but Shanghai closed up 0.4 percent and Hong Kong gained 0.3 percent in the afternoon.

Sydney gained 1.7 percent and Seoul jumped 0.7 percent, while Wellington and Taipei were also up.

Traders are now awaiting the end of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting.

While another interest rate hike is widely expected, the bank’s post-meeting statement will be scanned for some forward guidance and clues about future movements.

Also, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is due to testify Tuesday to the Senate Intelligence Committee as it probes Russian meddling in last year’s election and Moscow’s links to under-fire President Donald Trump.

With Bloomberg, AFP

stock rights offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria CHEMICAL trader SBS Philippines Corp. said Tuesday it plans to conduct a stock rights offering that could raise more than P5 billion in proceeds.

SBS said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board of directors approved the stock rights offering of up to 845.487 million common shares to existing shareholders.

Based on the stock’s market

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.3 102,000 50.05 7,580 105.7 621,270 3.9 20,000 123.4 3,065,260 1.39 269,000 37 496,500 16.2 27,000 27.55 1,307,500 1.64 6,000 836.5 930 0.72 19,255,000 86.55 2,583,790 1.04 8,689,000 67.5 307,350 239 130 88.05 1,100 61.1 276,590 221.6 1,142,850 1,610 245 85.15 22,600 1.21 309,000

439,780 379,110.50 65,566,296 78,200 378,509,036 378,970 18,429,965 438,552 35,839,500 10,140 759,945 14,061,210 223,958,196 8,726,660 20,825,960.50 31,038 96,905.50 16,834,988.50 253,610,690 394,400 1,923,115 373,890

371,639.50 -390,711 201,118,731 4,520 11,849,365 -16,340 6,878,295 146,290 14,200,319 -247,560 -90,407.50 3,018,950.50 47,440,036 137,040.50 -

38.35 7.9 0.82 1.54 30.35 0.265 7.2 18.44 24 14.24 75.95 81.3 2.03 5.1 11.6 12.1 15.58 9.87 6.88 6.04 1.74 18.66 71.8 14.68 13.98 12.1 1.69 212.6 69.75 3.94 3.65 31.5 19.2 19.3 265.8 6.56 3.16 9.59 5.01 10.66 1.96 9.24 69.5 6.5 298.6 4.6 2.35 5.07 2.45 13.44 5 0.149 1.35 159.5 4.07 2.05 1.09

INDUSTRIAL 38.5 987,100 7.97 1,837,700 0.82 113,000 1.56 1,500,000 31 206,700 0.27 22,390,000 7.26 4,050,700 18.56 6,385,700 24.2 644,500 14.24 3,200 75.95 1,890 81.5 410 2.03 274,000 5.1 480,800 11.62 7,500 12.2 4,185,500 15.58 5,172,900 9.9 4,340,700 6.98 1,431,500 6.12 17,947,400 1.74 1,000 18.7 9,840,000 71.9 30,880 14.8 306,900 14 158,800 12.3 10,086,200 1.7 524,000 214.2 452,430 69.75 380 4 92,000 3.66 3,000 31.8 2,725,200 19.2 13,342,700 19.38 1,075,100 267.4 539,420 6.63 57,400 3.16 168,000 9.59 16,715,800 5.1 52,000 10.68 11,700 1.96 558,000 9.4 711,100 69.95 2,107,430 6.68 34,700 299 27,730 4.6 13,000 2.35 26,000 5.48 1,278,500 2.53 2,740,000 13.52 397,000 5 131,000 0.15 350,000 1.37 215,000 160 2,574,200 4.24 88,000 2.06 7,623,000 1.09 95,000

37,997,010 14,650,256 92,660 2,347,340 6,452,370 6,108,450 29,518,836 118,596,440,115 15,498,145 46,390 143,608.50 33,373 560,480 2,474,142 88,724 50,928,694 80,724,518 43,263,669 9,999,991 109,511,292 1,740 184,242,270 2,222,353.50 4,621,450 2,227,460 125,328,038 889,610 96,862,862 26,572.50 367,080 10,970 86,867,250 267,565,938 20,849,312 144,157,406 382,305 538,570 163,462,919 266,653 124,928 1,103,510 6,662,178 147,142,963.50 231,414 8,290,676 59,860 62,300 6,941,454 6,930,900 5,360,878 655,010 52,430 290,530 412,059,944 358,330 15,843,560 104,070

-14,303,965 564,687 41,000 -12,600 -30,650 153,750 271,128 ,712,791.9998 1,440 33,406 -6,060.50 24,360.00 8,912,310 -725,710 -179,839 647,985 79,628,424 -31,391,086 1,029,467.50 329,970 -694,900 7,039,736 21,635,992 -19,351,060 -11,108,104 -3,962,054 -22,499,086 -412,700 -30,236,316 20,768 18,254,285.50 905,422 -4,660 533,435 614,710 4,192,478 600,000 20 48,791,297 733,000.00 -

0.375 75.9 14.4 1.21 6.13 0.35 0.34 873 8.1 15.2 7.6 0.204 1,240 7.45 81.7 1.04 7.58 16 6.32 0.056 0.94 2.07 2.6 104.3 2.8 800 0.9 1.42 307 0.29 0.236 0.25

0.365 75.3 13.66 1.17 6.13 0.335 0.34 858 8 14.36 7.6 0.198 1,197 7.23 79 1 7.48 15.8 6.19 0.054 0.94 2.04 2.49 103 2.71 788 0.87 1.39 304 0.28 0.216 0.245

HOLDING FIRMS 0.375 1,660,000 75.9 832,390 13.66 9,750,600 1.21 161,000 6.13 100 0.345 2,670,000 0.34 160,000 860 448,690 8.04 1,109,700 14.5 18,789,900 7.6 4,600 0.198 110,000 1,240 358,250 7.4 19,300 79.1 1,202,950 1.02 2,075,000 7.55 37,873,400 16 742,800 6.27 24,980,100 0.055 41,200,000 0.94 1,000 2.07 61,000 2.6 43,000 104.3 59,600 2.78 9,000 790 447,030 0.9 3,000 1.4 200,000 306.8 145,860 0.29 230,000 0.217 600,000 0.245 20,000

619,700 63,093,323 136,331,736 189,170 613 907,450 54,400 387,185,410 8,914,819 278,396,560 34,960 21,920 434,596,625 143,100 95,283,175 2,110,840 285,240,915 11,860,258 156,691,014 2,267,730 940 125,970 111,040 6,201,539 24,810 353,216,265 2,650 278,620 44,633,046 64,500 134,480 4,950

-7,500 12,506,100.50 -10,435,528 -41,752,015 -2,007,690 123,893,172 59.9999 -77,476,585 -3,859,746 335,630 5,517,188 36,310,602 13,760 4,026,781 7,912,085 -616,128 4,700 50

6.03 1.49 2.65 1.25 41.9 4.06 5.5 5.31 0.52 1.14 1.47 0.173 0.52 49.5 0.71 0.162 1.68 1.16 1.01 4.14 4.7 0.445 0.375 0.67

5.93 1.4 2.51 1.21 40.55 3.89 5.31 5.29 0.51 1.12 1.4 0.171 0.51 47.8 0.68 0.156 1.66 1.13 0.98 4.14 4.35 0.425 0.355 0.63

8,981,333 15,026,060 2,626,050 4,344,350 825,984,900 61,006,740 33,335,529 2,036,549 6,582,290 42,980 529,260 976,090 935,290 208,675,345 618,180 128,910 5,201,860 9,378,960 ( 337,910 4,140 256,312,730 97,266,050 153,350 11,840,640

-8,341,576 24,580 -225,900 5,970 938,720 414,430 -1,054,571 -51,880 -4,092,795 40 -1,300,070 171,499.9998) 56,539,210 4,383,450 7,500 2,570,180

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

4.34 50.05 105.2 3.9 123.8 1.49 37.4 16.34 27.3 1.7 800.5 0.72 87.1 0.96 68.5 238.2 88.7 61.2 224.8 1,605 85.15 1.21

4.35 50.05 105.9 3.92 123.8 1.49 37.5 16.34 27.8 1.7 836.5 0.75 87.5 1.08 68.5 239 88.7 61.5 224.8 1,610 85.15 1.21

4.28 49.75 104.8 3.9 122.4 1.39 37 16.2 27.2 1.64 800.5 0.71 86 0.91 67.4 238.2 88.05 60.5 221.4 1,605 85 1.21

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

38.9 8 0.82 1.61 30.9 0.29 7.34 18.64 24 14.48 76 81.3 2.07 5.22 11.84 12.3 15.8 9.98 6.88 6.04 1.74 19.02 72.3 14.68 14 12.84 1.7 215.8 70.45 4 3.65 32.6 21.25 19.3 266 6.88 3.27 10.1 5.19 10.66 2 9.44 69.6 6.7 298.8 4.66 2.4 5.12 2.56 13.62 5.01 0.153 1.37 163.8 4.07 2.17 1.1

38.9 8 0.82 1.61 32.2 0.29 7.37 18.64 24.2 14.62 76 81.5 2.07 5.3 11.86 12.32 15.86 9.98 7.04 6.12 1.74 19.26 72.3 15.38 14.1 12.94 1.71 215.8 70.45 4.08 3.66 32.8 21.25 19.48 268.8 6.88 3.27 10.12 5.19 10.68 2 9.44 69.95 6.7 299 4.66 2.4 5.54 2.6 13.62 5.01 0.153 1.37 163.8 4.24 2.17 1.1

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

0.365 75.3 14.4 1.17 6.13 0.35 0.34 873 8.1 14.74 7.6 0.204 1,210 7.37 80 1.04 7.5 15.8 6.19 0.056 0.94 2.07 2.49 104 2.8 800 0.88 1.42 306.6 0.28 0.235 0.25

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

6 1.43 2.59 1.25 41.9 3.99 5.43 5.29 0.52 1.12 1.45 0.173 0.51 49.4 0.69 0.162 1.68 1.15 1.01 4.14 4.68 0.425 0.375 0.66

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3.95 24.8 1.76 3.25 34.55 1.1 0.91 5.72

3.99 24.8 1.77 3.28 34.85 1.1 0.91 5.72

3.9 24.4 1.75 3.25 33.9 1.02 0.88 5.66

3.9 24.45 1.75 3.28 34.2 1.03 0.88 5.69

108,000 570,700 338,000 256,000 10,943,900 24,369,000 310,000 2,223,100

424,420 13,961,335 595,550 832,050 375,235,295 25,649,740 273,100 12,634,603

-1,502,370 -40,673,340 73,700 9,100 1,469,449

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

25.4 42.7 1.8 0.5 0.044 11.28 5.5 10 0.092 2.12 98.3 10 8.73 970 2,150 6.08 15.74 13.16 2.88 3.45 107 12.5 8.9 0.187 1.45 3.63 15.64 4.61 0.93 4.72 2.45 9.38 3.69 2.79 11.52 5.3 168 10.26 1,878 1.59 0.395 44.4 87.65 5.91 3.16 1.31 2.9 0.83 6.59

25.4 43.5 1.8 0.5 0.045 11.28 5.68 10.08 0.098 2.15 99 10 8.73 970 2,152 6.15 16.18 13.16 2.91 3.5 107.2 12.5 8.91 0.187 1.45 3.64 15.64 4.7 0.93 4.82 2.45 9.49 3.91 2.84 11.6 5.35 168 10.42 1,878 1.59 0.395 44.9 88.15 6.1 3.21 1.34 3 0.84 6.6

22.6 42.7 1.65 0.5 0.044 11.28 5.5 9.56 0.09 2.08 98 10 8.44 970 2,108 6.07 15.7 13.14 2.85 3.45 105.9 12.5 8.85 0.183 1.45 3.5 15 4.52 0.93 4.7 2.43 8.48 3.69 2.7 11.52 5.3 168 10 1,821 1.56 0.39 44.3 87.65 5.91 3.06 1.27 2.86 0.81 6.5

SERVICES 23.25 43.4 1.65 0.5 0.044 11.28 5.68 9.65 0.096 2.09 98.5 10 8.44 970 2,136 6.09 16.08 13.14 2.85 3.5 106 12.5 8.9 0.183 1.45 3.5 15.6 4.56 0.93 4.8 2.44 8.6 3.85 2.7 11.6 5.3 168 10.1 1,850 1.58 0.395 44.7 87.95 5.95 3.1 1.28 3 0.82 6.58

1,907,700 44,000 1,078,000 54,000 27,000,000 500 9,000 38,068,400 285,940,000 1,163,000 375,280 2,000 9,600 130 57,240 1,209,900 54,600 400 749,000 20,000 3,192,930 2,000 345,500 1,510,000 84,000 530,000 21,900 2,429,000 10,000 791,000 7,000 43,266,400 34,519,000 1,740,000 6,900 6,100 150 975,900 216,885 170,665,000 520,000 873,000 1,133,780 451,900 23,137,000 32,082,000 5,880,000 6,910,000 13,151,800

44,816,810 1,893,570 1,811,300 27,000 1,189,800 5,640 50,328 368,223,339 27,230,250 2,450,020 36,934,695 20,000 82,474 126,100 122,284,890 7,392,616 877,664 5,258 2,156,260 69,350 339,030,621 25,000 3,069,878 279,210 121,800 1,868,200 336,874 11,192,200 9,300 3,783,080 17,080 390,371,614 131,258,280 4,804,490 79,788 32,345 25,200 9,893,220 401,668,090 269,839,370 205,050 38,924,320 99,766,142 2,723,036 73,008,830 41,806,700 17,153,360 5,666,370 86,460,641

126,705 -210 5,049,146 -35,120 220,290 -9,059,372.50 15,083,560 -11,580 83,901,684 30,000 83,510 -570,840 5,307,119 -6,801,150 -80,270 1,680 326,014 -97,650,265 3,170 18,202,300 41,656,856 -30,400 -1,828,170 6,095,100 -987,890 4,100 42,239,117

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

0.0032 1.69 5 15.98 2.25 2.24 0.91 0.39 9.54 2.37 0.3 0.184 0.011 2.1 6.22 2.05 0.99 0.01 0.01 6.33 0.013 9 3.09 160.5 2.91 0.0083

0.0032 1.69 5.04 16 2.25 2.24 0.92 0.39 9.54 2.38 0.305 0.184 0.011 2.1 6.22 2.06 0.99 0.011 0.011 6.36 0.013 9.1 3.1 161 2.91 0.0083

0.0031 1.64 5 15.98 2.25 2.24 0.89 0.39 9.2 2.34 0.295 0.182 0.011 2.01 6.13 2 0.98 0.01 0.01 6.16 0.012 8.95 3 159 2.78 0.0083

MINING & OIL 0.0031 96,000,000 1.67 6,733,000 5 311,400 16 2,500 2.25 30,000 2.24 1,000 0.91 206,000 0.39 490,000 9.2 11,000 2.38 1,314,000 0.295 700,000 0.182 750,000 0.011 19,000,000 2.08 366,000 6.14 23,572,200 2.01 50,000 0.99 31,000 0.011 29,200,000 0.011 800,000 6.18 205,900 0.013 14,700,000 9.01 19,063,300 3.04 3,906,000 160 1,110,400 2.78 190,000 0.0083 3,000,000

299,100 11,170,240 1,557,543 39,984 67,500 2,240 184,990 191,100 103,142 3,094,770 207,850 136,940 209,000 756,930 144,743,064 101,960 30,420 306,100 8,100 1,282,414 177,500 172,028,270 11,799,260 177,973,225 532,310 24,900

3,200 -1,484,660 -22,504 -67,230 50 16,720 1,344,922 7,860 -77,570 100 -18,557 -8,541,280 -18,579,204 -

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

42.9 509.5 515 105.6 104.7 515 5.83 1,007 1,016 1.08 107.5 1,110 1,012 82 77.4 80.5 81.15 78.25 79.1

43.75 509.5 515 106 104.7 515 5.86 1,007 1,016 1.08 107.5 1,110 1,012 83 77.4 80.5 81.2 78.25 79.2

42.9 509.5 515 105.5 104.6 512 5.8 1,007 1,016 1.08 107 1,110 1,010 82 77.4 80.45 81.15 78 79

PREFERRED 43.7 13,300 509.5 2,330 515 3,740 105.5 28,010 104.6 3,330 512 2,200 5.83 386,000 1,007 250 1,016 100 1.08 5,000 107 5,810 1,110 10 1,010 3,815 83 11,000 77.4 65,060 80.45 10,700 81.2 23,780 78 102,200 79.2 15,700

573,460 1,187,135 1,926,100 2,968,420 348,365 1,129,520 2,252,684 251,750 101,600 5,400 622,335 11,100 3,856,750 903,929 5,035,644 861,193 1,930,247 7,981,800 1,242,990

573,460 31,660 -819,674 -

LR WARRANT

2.44

2.48

2.4

WARRANTS 2.4 530,000

1,290,090

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.03 6 7.87

4.03 6 7.87

3.88 5.95 7.58

3.96 5.95 7.62

2,102,670 464,765 64,586,904

233,220 29,750 -9,929,445

FIRST METRO ETF

121

121

119.5

1,209,386

11,950

USD DMPL A1

10.16

10.16

10.16

39,116

-

MS

PROPERTY 5.97 1.46 2.51 1.21 40.85 3.89 5.33 5.3 0.52 1.14 1.44 0.172 0.52 47.95 0.71 0.156 1.68 1.15 0.99 4.14 4.35 0.43 0.37 0.64

1,502,600 10,417,000 1,022,000 3,563,000 20,088,800 15,307,000 6,188,600 384,300 12,903,000 38,000 368,000 5,680,000 1,803,000 4,260,200 904,000 820,000 3,114,000 8,195,000 342,000 1,000 57,440,000 222,920,000 420,000 18,344,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

38,511,996

INDUSTRIAL

151,409,998

HOLDING FIRMS

148,063,029

PROPERTY

452,649,217

SERVICES

708,242,794

MINING & OIL

221,762,605

GRAND TOTAL

1,729,691,517

SME

538,000 78,000 8,425,500

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.5 10,070 DDS 10.16

3,850

VALUE 1,945.06 (down) 5.67 1,041,691,350.70 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,021.07 (down) 122.26 2,428,535,287.47 HOLDING FIRMS 7,855.81 (down) 29.07 2,447,453,047.55 PROPERTY 3,694.27 (down) 93.54 SERVICES 1,735.66 (down) 18.52 2,067,372,325.10 MINING & OIL 12,491.51 (down) 59.23 2,650,265,391.59 PSEI 7,917.89 (down) 72.35 527,048,506.191 All Shares Index 4,707.42 (down) 41.71 11,230,731,838.09 Gainers: 68; Losers: 132; Unchanged: 43; Total: 243

price of P5.95 per share as of Monday, the company could raise as much as P5 billion in proceeds.

Net proceeds from the offering will be used to support the capital requirements of subsidiary SBS Holdings and Enterprises Corp., prepay a term loan, expand its distribution network and provide for general working capital requirements.

The rights offer shares will come from the proposed increase in the company’s authorized capital stock to P5.5 billion from P1.55 billion.

The offer shares will be listed in two tranches, comprising of existing unissued common shares to be subscribed by the public and common shares to be created from the proposed increase in the authorized capital stock.

SBS said controlling shareholder Anesy Holdings Corp. committed to subscribe to its entitlement and any unsubscribed rights shares after the mandatory second round of the stock rights offer.

SBS is an importer, wholesaler and distributor of a wide range of chemical products serving a diverse set of industries which include food and beverage, industrial and detergents, feeds and agriculture, water treatment, pharmaceuticals and personal care, building and constructions and mining and minerals.

Hyundai’s auto sales rose 6% in 5 months

By Othel V. Campos HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, said vehicle sales in the first five months increased 6 percent to 14,163 units from 13,410 units it delivered a year ago, despite slower sales in May. The company said sales in May dropped 6 percent to 2,801 units from 2,993 units in the same month last year.

Hari president and chief executive Ma. Fe PerezAgudo said the company would continue to deliver best-in-class products and services to customers.

The company said the passenger car segment sold 9,770 units in the five-month period, up by 6 percent from 9,193 units sold in the same period in 2016.

Accent remained the company’s top-selling nameplate, with 6,299 units sold, representing a 39-percent increase from a year earlier.

Elantra also performed with a 31-percent sales growth to 559 units.

Demand for light commercial vehicles went up 4 percent to 4,393 units from 4,217 units delivered a year ago, driven by demand for Grand Starex which sold 1,672 units.

Agudo said the confluence of strong economic growth, competitive auto loan rates and low inflation would continue to drive consumer appetite for vehicles.

Business

B3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

BSP’s lending window unified

ACER’S VISION.

Acer Philippines sales and marketing director Sue Ong-Lim discusses Acer’s vision and some of the company’s key product offerings at the Taiwan Excellence press conference at the Fairmont Makati.

Acer Philippines, a leading hardware, software, and services company, joins Taiwan Excellence 2017, an exhibition of Taiwanese products, which have received the “Taiwan Excellence Award.”

By Julito G. Rada

Govt ready to build Kaliwa dam

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

M

ETROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System administrator Reynaldo Velasco said Tuesday the government may start the construction of the P18.75-billion Kaliwa dam project next year.

The dam project is situated at Barangay Pagsangahan, General Nakar and Barangay Magsaysay, Infanta, in Quezon province.

The project involves the construction of a dam with a discharge capacity of 600 million liters per day and a 27.7-kilometer raw water conveyance tunnel with a design capacity of 2.4 million liters per day.

Velasco said the funding proposal for the first phase of the project—the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project—was submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority on Jan. 17.

The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee on March 21 confirmed the funding shift of the project from the public-private partnership

mode to official development assistance.

“The papers are now in the Neda. I think they are just waiting for the endorsement of (the Department of Finance) to China.

In the meantime, we are already doing our homework preparing for the papers of the bidding so that the moment the funding will come ,we can start the bidding,” Velasco said.

“We hope that the bidding will be done this year and hopefully the construction will start next year. We hope that the bidders will be good enough to finish the construction in four to four-anda-half months. If we will be able to finish the Kaliwa project, that will assure us already of (water over) the next 20 years.”

Velasco said the government was also planning the Laiban

dam project, which is three times bigger than the Kaliwa dam.

Kaliwa and Laiban dam are the two flagship dam projects proposed by MWSS under the New Centennial Water Project.

The Laiban dam will act as a catch basin as well as flood control mechanism to moderate the flow of runoff surface water and prevent sudden flooding in Metro Manila’s lower reaches and environs.

Laiban Dam is a bulk water supply project that has been approved, deferred, canceled and re-approved since it was first proposed in the late 1970s.

It was suspended in 1989 during the administration of President Corazon Aquino.

Following the privatization of the MWSS during the time of

Asian central banks rebuild FX reserves ASIA’S central banks are stacking the sandbags.

Foreign-exchange reserves are being rebuilt as monetary authorities brace for the Federal Reserve’s third rate hike in six months. While the expected move has been well telegraphed, prolonged periods of Fed tightening can cause jitters for emerging markets. Asia was slammed in 2013 when then-Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s hint of an end to quantitative easing sparked the “taper tantrum.”

The turnaround is being led

by China’s resumed purchases of US Treasuries, after it cut holdings last year by the most since 2000. The world’s biggest reserves pile grew by $24.03 billion to $3.054 trillion in May― the biggest increase since April 2014―as a stronger yuan and an easing of capital outflows help authorities in Beijing to shore up their buffer.

There have also been sizable gains in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. India’s foreignexchange reserves are at record highs, buoyed by strong inflows into the stock market.

“Asia is strengthening its defenses,” said Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian economic research at HSBC Holdings Plc in Hong Kong. “This will give re-

former President Filder Ramos, the implementation of the Laiban Dam Project was left hanging as Maynilad and Manila Water Services Inc. took over the west and east water sectors of Metro Manila.

Laiban was approved for funding under a China loan during the administration of former President Gloria Arroyo in April 2007, but was ordered canceled again in 2008.

The project was repackaged under the Water Security Legacy Plan of MWSS as an integrated dam system under former President Benigno Aquino III. Now called New Centennial Water Source Project, the integrated dam system consists of Kaliwa Dam and Laiban Dam with a hydropower component.

AYALA VOLUNTEERS.

Ayala Land Inc. volunteers repaint and decorate classrooms at the Buklod Bahayan Child Development Center in Cavite.

Ayala Land volunteers again participated in this year’s Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s annual volunteerism program to prepare public schools for the opening of classes. Ever since the program was established by the DepEd, Ayala Land has been mobilizing volunteers to ensure that schools are safe and conducive for learning by cleaning the school premises, repainting walls and blackboards, refurbishing classroom facilities, and repairing fences.

gional central bankers a stronger hand to counter any potential volatility in the coming months, should the Fed tap the brakes more firmly than expected.”

Fed rate hikes can reverberate through Asia as capital is lured to rising yields in America, sparking financial market volatility and driving up borrowing costs for the region.

Southeast Asia in particular is often vulnerable because of dollar-denominated debt serviced in local currencies, an arrangement dubbed “Original Sin” by economists Barry Eichengreen and Ricardo Hausmann after the region’s 1997-98 meltdown.

This time around, calmer markets, a dollar that’s yet to sustain a break higher and a steady flow of money into Asia is giving central banks a window to top up their foreign currency holdings.

Improving fundamentals help explain the reserves build-up. Growth across the region remains solid due in large part to China’s economy continuing to defy predictions of a sharp slowdown. Buoyed also by US and European demand, exports from countries such as South Korea and India are at multi-year highs, even amid worries over rising protectionism. Bloomberg

Lenovo reinvents Moto mobile brand, launches new line-ups

By Othel V. Campos ICONIC mobile brand Moto, a mobile unit of the Lenovo Group Holdings, plans to be the third biggest mobile phone supplier in the Philippines with the introduction of a perky new line-up of entry level units.

“Our brand used to be the second biggest mobile phone company in the Philippines. What we want is not to be a retailer but a product manufacturer that brings

innovation. We want to bring premium phone to the entry segment,” said Lenovo executive director for Asean Agustin Becquet in a briefing Tuesday at Okada, Manila.

Within the course of eight months after the mother company launched the rebranded Motorola line as Moto, Lenovo now is driving innovation in a more affordable smartphone portfolio.

Revenue worldwide hit $45 billion in 2016 with the mo-

bile business group accounting for almost 20 percent of the total.

Becquet said the Philippines was a fast-moving market and drawing more smartphone users as handsets become not only affordable but also packed with strong value propositions.

The entry of the affordable handsets was expected to drive sales of Moto units in the Philippines, said Moto country manager Juan Armando Rojo.

The Moto C, Moto C Plus and Moto E4 Plus will hit the shelves of Moto stores in about two and a half weeks, with arrangement for postpaid plans with Globe Telecom Inc. Moto is also set to introduce the premium Moto Z line in 2018, which is estimated to hit sales of 3 million units worldwide.

“The Philippines is an important market for Motorola.

We are committed to growing the business in the country by

increasing retail footprint and creating consumer engagement through experiential activities and communications that will set Motorola apart as a global iconic brand,” said John Rojo, country manager of Lenovo Philippines MBG. Moto stores will be seen in major and key cities in the country in the next two years as the company is putting in more money in marketing and visibility programs.

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the termination of the sunset provision for thrift, rural and cooperative banks as these lenders are no longer dependent on the funding offered by the regulator.

The board said in a statement Tuesday the move resulted in a unified rediscounting window for all types of banks.

Reforms in 2013 were made to bring the BSP peso rediscounting policies in line with its lender-of-last resort function through circular 806 dated Aug. 15, 2013. The circular established, for a prescribed period, two separate rediscounting windows namely RW I for universal and commercial banks, and RW II for thrift, rural and cooperative banks.

Thrift banks were given a sunset period of five years or until Nov. 15, 2018 while rural banks and coop banks were given 10 years or until Nov. 15, 2023 to access the window number two at the then existing terms.

These banks were expected to use the transition period to improve their deposit mobilization capacities and increase the utilization of other funding sources, thus reducing their dependence on BSP funding over time.

“The Monetary Board noted that based on the statistical data of thrift, rural and cooperative banks, these banks are no longer dependent on BSP funds, warranting the shortening of the sunset period.

This was validated by the results of a conducted survey of rediscounting banks and through consultative meetings with banking groups,” the board said.

Cusi seeks upgrade of coal plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department wants coal plants to upgrade their facilities and move towards cleaner technologies to secure the country’s long-tern power requirements.

“We’d like the latest technologies to be adopted by the existing plants,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Many of the country’s coal power plants were built in the past two to three decades.

Some of the new power plants have invested in new technologies but the Philippines has yet to see its first ultra supercritical power plant, touted to be one of the most efficient clean coal technologies today.

“They have to improve their efficiencies, they have to improve carbon emissions. That’s what we’re trying to implement,” Cusi said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said it would be difficult to legislate the use of new technologies for power plants.

“When we talk about technologies, it’s difficult to legislate that because it’s moving so fast. My recommendation for policymakers is to really come up with a gold standard for coal-fired power plants,” Gatchalian said, “There are a lot of new technologies coming in and so fast—supercritical... this is a great balancing role wherein at the end, consumers should not be overburdened by heavy pricing. This balancing role can be equipped with a higher standard in terms of coal technology,” the senator said.

Cusi last week said the country needed an additional 43,765 megawatts by 2040 from 21,423 MW in 2016, with the bulk coming from base load power plants such as coal.

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Business

Overhaul of Wall Street rules starts

T

HE Trump administration laid out its highly anticipated plan for overhauling bank rules, calling on the government to ease, though not eliminate, many of the strictures that were imposed on Wall Street after the financial crisis.

The changes, outlined in a report released Monday evening by the Treasury Department, urge federal agencies to re-write scores of regulations that bankers have frequently complained about in the seven years since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. They include adjusting the annual stress

tests that assess whether lenders can endure economic downturns, loosening some trading rules and paring back the powers of the watchdog that polices consumer finance.

The Treasury said its plan was designed to spur lending and job growth by making regulation “more

efficient” and less burdensome. Unlike the bill passed last week by House Republicans, the report consistently calls for most Obama-era rules to be dialed back, not scrapped.

“Properly structuring regulation of the US financial system is critical to achieve the administration’s goal of sustained economic growth and to create opportunities for all Americans,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

The Treasury review, which President Donald Trump requested in an executive order in February, opens a new front in the administration’s deregulatory push. While Mnuchin said

the administration backs congressional efforts to roll back Dodd-Frank, the study focuses heavily on changes that can be made without legislation.

The House bill passed June 8 isn’t expected to go through the Senate without major revisions because of the need for Democratic support.

Democrats, who say DoddFrank is vital for keeping Wall Street in check after its risky trading helped bring the US economy to near collapse in 2008, were quick to criticize the Treasury report as a big bankinspired wish list.

“Too many hardworking

Americans still haven’t fully recovered from the financial crisis, and Washington should be focused on protecting them by holding Wall Street accountable, not doing its bidding,” Senator Sherrod Brown, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, said in a statement.

Representatives of the banking industry generally applauded the report and said they hoped it would spur action.

“We urge regulators and Congress to take up these recommendations expeditiously, and to consider additional changes so banks can continue to play their important role in accelerating

economic growth,” Rob Nichols, president of the American Bankers Association, said in a statement.

It is not clear how quickly regulators can act on many of the recommendations in the Treasury’s 150-page report.

Key positions at the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. are either unfilled or held by Obama appointees. Also, the byzantine process for approving regulations doesn’t lend itself to quick fixes.

Rules must be written, offered for public comment for several months and then deliberated internally before a final vote. Bloomberg

Pound still struggles in election aftermath HONG KONG―The pound wallowed near two-month lows Tuesday, unable to make a strong recovery from last week’s shock election that saw Britain’s ruling Conservatives lose their majority, throwing the country into uncertainty days before key Brexit talks.

While Prime Minister Theresa May looked to counter anger within her party by apologizing and telling MPs “I got us into this mess, and I’m going to get us out, there are doubts about her future in Downing Street.

May had called the vote in a bid to strengthen her majority, and her bargaining power, before going into the EU exit talks set to start on June 19. Now she must rely on the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.

Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, said: “The political uncertainty is unhelpful given Brexit talks are about to begin in the next week.”

He added that “sterling came under renewed pressure as a result” of the newly formed government’s refusal to soften its approach to the discussions. “Why the government wouldn’t use the election for a reset I just don’t know.”

In Asian trade the pound bought $1.2690, up from New York trade but well off levels around $1.29 seen before the election.

The currency’s “near-term direction will continue to be driven by the post-election fallout,” but the prospects look increasingly gloomy as the possibility of another Tory leadership vacuum enters the picture at precisely the wrong time for the UK,” said Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA. On equity markets, technology firms were unable to bounce back from the previous day’s sell-off that was sparked by a rout in the sector on Wall Street Friday.

Sony and Sharp were both down in Tokyo while Samsung was flat in Seoul after Monday’s tumble. However, Tencent and Lenovo were in positive territory in Hong Kong.

The Nasdaq suffered another slump Monday as Apple and Amazon took a beating, with analysts wondering whether the selling is down to profit-taking or the start of a broad retreat after all US indices hit records last week.

Broader Asian markets fared slightly better after Monday’s steep losses. Tokyo finished marginally lower but Shanghai closed up 0.4 percent and Hong Kong gained 0.6 percent. AFP

EU weighs relocating London finance hubs BRUSSELS, Belgium―The EU on Tuesday is to unveil new rules that could require a huge slice of London’s banking business to leave after Brexit in a blow to the city’s supremacy as a global financial hub.

If confirmed, the rules would be seen as a hostile move against Britain ahead of coming Brexit negotiations only days after Prime Minister Theresa May embarrassingly lost her majority in British elections.

The draft law to be unveiled by European Commission vicepresident Valdis Dombrovskis could deny post-Brexit London the right to host financial market “clearing houses” that deal in euros, the EU’s single currency.

Clearing houses are a key part of the financial system’s plumbing, with trillions of euros being handled every year, mostly out of London.

The issue of whether euro clearing houses can remain in the British capital is set to be one of the most contentious issues when Britain negotiates its future trade relationship with the EU after its departure.

Britain has jealously guarded dominance of the clearing house sector in Europe and won an EU court decision in 2015 against the European Central Bank in order to keep hosting the euro deals.

Amid the heated lobbying, the EU last month said it was exploring several options on the issue including the possibility that Britain maintain euro-clearing, while accepting strict Brussels oversight.

The London Stock Exchange has bitterly objected to relocation in a sign that any forced move out of the UK could be highly damaging to its business.

“It’s going to be complete chaos. This has not been properly thought through,” LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet told the Sunday Telegraph.

In a letter to Dombrovskis, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association said any move to an EU country would drive up costs for the financial sector.

A relocation could “heighten financial stability concerns,” the powerful lobby added, with traders and banks struggling to find new homes for their operations.

Last week the Futures Industry Association, a US and UK-linked lobby, warned that forced relocation to the EU would require a near doubling of the $83 billion finance companies set aside in case of contract defaults.

This figure however has been dismissed by Frankfurt-based Eurex Clearing, owned by Deutsche Boerse.

London lobbyists also argue in the event of an EU ordered exile from Britain, only Wall Street or Asia would benefit. AFP

QATAR AVIATION ROW. Passengers wait at the Hamad International Airport in the Qatari capital Doha on June 12, 2017. Qatar Airways called on the UN’s aviation body to declare a Gulf boycott against the carrier “illegal” and a violation of a 1944 convention on international air transport. AFP

Sony fires at Xbox with arsenal of big PS4 games heroine in place of the “Nathan Drake” hero, a “God of War” sequel with a mighty father-son theme, and a pulse-pounding title starring “Spiderman” of Marvel Comics fame.

The event also unveiled a version of the hit fantasy roleplaying game “Skyrim” tailored for play on PlayStation virtual reality gear.

“It’s all about gaming,” Layden said.

“Every year, we continue to push the envelope of imagination, storytelling, and technology.”

PlayStation has had success in keeping the focus on gamers and what they like. PS4 models include a “Pro” console for powering ultra-high definition 4K graphics, and the entire line of consoles syncs with PlayStation VR gear.

Sony has sold more than 60.4 million PS4 consoles since they hit the market in November of

2013, the company revealed on Monday.

More virtual reality A PlayStation ‘ecosystem’ that includes online game communities, content and services had more than 70 million monthly active users as of the end of March, according to Sony.

“The PS4 platform is in its prime, with the industry’s best lineup of exclusive and partner titles slated to release this year, taking full advantage of the power of the PS4 system,” Sony Interactive Entertainment global chief executive Andrew House said.

PlayStation plans to expand services, software, and virtual reality offerings, he said.

Microsoft unveiled its Xbox One X on Sunday, billing it as the most powerful video console ever made, and escalating a battle with market king PlayStation.

The $499 product was built with the muscle for seamless play on ultra-high definition 4K LOS ANGELES―Sony on televisions and will be available Monday showed off rich, actionworldwide on November 7, packed new PlayStation 4 video according to Xbox team leader games, some for virtual reality, Phil Spencer. as it defended its crown as the Meanwhile, PS4 Pro is priced top-selling new-generation at $399 and other models of the console. console can be bought for less.

The company focused Microsoft also showed on blockbuster games and off coming games, an array intriguing new titles for PS4 at tailored for exclusive play a press event on the eve of the on Xbox One consoles, but it opening of the major Electronic remained to be seen if there Entertainment Expo here. is enough unique content to There was no mention of the get lots of people to buy the Xbox One X console unveiled a higher-priced hardware. day earlier by rival Microsoft in Independent publishers tend to a heightened challenge to PS4. make blockbuster titles available “PlayStation is home to all the for play on Xbox, PlayStation biggest and best game franchises and personal computer hardware in the world,” Sony Interactive in an effort to sell creations to as Entertainment worldwide broad an audience as possible. studios chairman Shawn Game play on 4K screens, Layden said during a rapid-fire whether on televisions or presentation of video trailers. personal computer monitors, is The line-up included the first expected to be among themes at “Uncharted” game to feature a E3 this week.

Sony PlayStation 4 has dominated the latest generation of consoles, outselling Xbox One two to one, according to industry trackers.

PlayStation has also become the prime driver of revenue and profit at the Japan-based entertainment giant Sony, executives say.

Nintendo’s recently launched Switch has been a winner, with fans snapping up the console and a “Legend of Zelda” game that has become a must-play title for fans.

Demand for Switch consoles has been so intense since its launch early this year that the consoles are tough to find in stores and Nintendo has reportedly doubled production.

Switch launched at the start of March and some 2.74 Jean Guesdon introduces Assassin’s Creed Origins at the Microsoft Xbox E3 2017 Briefing, June 11, 2017 at the million were sold by the end Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which focuses on new products of that month, according to and technologies in electronic gaming systems and interactive entertainment, takes places June 13-15 at the Los Nintendo. AFP

By Glenn Chapman

Angeles Convention Center. AFP

LGUs

P100,000 for widow who was homeless

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Sandy Araneta

C1

A FORMERLY homeless centenarian who has been living away from her children received on Tuesday a P100,000 cash gift from Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Estrada personally handed the check to Maria Pancho, the 31st centenarian in Manila to receive the P100,000 gift under the program.

“I wish Lola Maria more years of happy and healthy life,” Estrada said, as he welcomed the centenarian in his City Hall office.

Estrada said Lola Maria and all the other 100-year-old Manileños deserve such a simple token from the city government for being the nation’s role models, having led long, distinguished, healthy, and disciplined lives.

Pancho was born on Nov. 15, 1916, the eldest in a brood of seven. A widow, she has six children, all of whom now have their own families in their hometown in Bicol.

She had been roaming around the city in a wooden cart until a concerned resident in Binondo took her in. She earns a living by being a community “hilot” (massage therapist).

“I only eat vegetables and fish,” Pancho said, when asked how she made it to 100 in good physical condition.

She could not contain her excitement when she met Estra- Maria Pancho hugs Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada after receiving a P100,000 cash gift under the city government’s incentive program for centenarians. ‘Lola Maria; is the 31st centenarian in Manila to be given the cash gift since Estrada started the program in March 2016. da, her long-time movie idol.

Asked what she would do with the money, Pancho said she will deposit it in a bank.

Estrada started the P100,000 award program in March 2016 as his special gift to bonafide elderly residents who have reached the age of 100.

“Living to a hundred years month ends,” he said.

“If you left your bag or pack- people who have acquired fake

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera old, about three decades past the Duterte said all violators of age in any public place, you identification cards. life expectancy, is extremely rare this ordinance will be fined must return immediately to get Last week, the National BuAVAO CITY—The City Council is today,” the mayor said, citing a P5,000 and imprisoned for it, because if you arrive after the reau of Investigation in Region creating an ordinance that will strengthen one year. report from the World Health Orbomb squad finished checking 11 raided a mall here that was ganization that shows life expec“We might also ask the BJMP your things, you will be penal- known as the lair of forgers, the security measures of Davao against tancy in the Philippines is 65.4 for [Bureau of Jail Management and ized,” the vice mayor said. “This leading to the apprehension of terrorist groups. men and 72.5 for women.

Penology] to isolate those who is to prevent panic, and to re- Mark Anthony M. Pasion.

The P100,000 cash gift prowill be caught, to prevent them mind everyone to be always cauPasion was caught in the act gram has been authorized by The council wants to punish Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte from recruiting further,” he said. tious with their things.” forging one Bureau of Internal Ordinance No. 8483 approved the act of recruiting members said the draft ordinance is now The vice mayor said the counHe said the ordinance will Revenue Taxpayers’ Identificaby Estrada on March 17, 2016. to ISIS and to their allied local undergoing committee hearing cil is also drafting an ordinance also mandate people to put their tion Number and PhilHealth ID. Under the ordinance, authored terrorist groups, including those for its finalization, and he plans penalizing the owners of unat- names, address and contact numLast month, Davao City Poby then-councilor and now 3rd professing their support. Coun- to present it to the City Council tended bags and packages, which bers on all packages that will enter lice Director Sr. Supt. AlexDistrict Rep. Yul Servo, every livcilors also want to penalize the within the month. are often mistaken for bombs. transport terminals, sea and air ander Tagum said police had ing centenarian shall, within 30 manufacture and distribution of “We are now creating comDuterte said the penalty ports, and other public places to monitored around 1,000 indidays from his or her 100th birthpropaganda materials and fail- mittee hearings for the said ordi- will come after the local bomb easily trace the owner of the item. viduals who acquired fake IDs day, receive a cash gift of P100,000 ure to report ISIS-related activi- nance, and hope to have it within squad finishes checking the The council is also studying days after the declaration of from the city government. ties to law enforcement agencies. two to three weeks or before the unattended items. penalties they could impose on martial law in Mindanao.

More measures vs terrorists D

Luzon Masons cite brothers in Marawi

By Abe Almirol BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Brotherhood of Free and Accepted Masons coming from different lodges in Southern Region 02 offered flowers, prayers and poetry to the Philippine flag at the hero’s park here to commemorate the 119th Independence Day on Monday.

“The history of masonry is closely woven with the fight for Philippine Independence,” said Gerald Mart Gamboa, the District Deputy Grand Master of the masonic district Region II-A Nueva Vizcaya South.

The brotherhood honored the long list of Filipino Masons who fought the Spanish and American colonizers. Among the heroes mentioned were Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo, and Apolinario Mabini, among others.

They also prayed for those in the battlefield in Marawi City,

as many able-bodied men in the Army and other branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are Masons, Gamboa noted.

In his opening prayer, Brother Edmar D. Suguitan of the Magat Lodge No. 68 invoked the “Supreme Grand Master, the creator of heavens and the earth, to grant wisdom to President Rodrigo R. Duterte that he may always discharge his duties according to the needs of the times.”

A poem filled with verses inspiring loyalty to the Philippine flag and love of country was recited by Zaldy Magno, a brother representing the Guillermo E. Bongolan Memorial Lodge here.

Other allied organizations present during the Independence Day rites were the Sierra Madre Court No. 43 of the Order of the Amaranth, Job’s Daughter Bethel No. 9 and the Order of Demolay-Villaverde chapter.

Navotas launches ‘Type ng Bayan’

Businessman Gerald Mart Gamboa, a Mason who became a District Deputy Grand Master at age 42, is considered the youngest to have held the brotherhood’s leadership in his district.

QC workers gain disaster management training

By Rio N. Araja OFFICIALS and staff of the Quezon City government have completed intensive training on disaster management, giving the city a deeper pool of emergency managers.

About 60 staff members from various departments and offices attached to the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office or DRRMO underwent week-long training

courses on rapid earthquake damage assessment system or Redas and level 2 of the incident command system.

The two training courses were conducted separately in Antipolo City, Rizal by trainers from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Office of Civil Defense.

“Conducting drills and raising public awareness on the need to be ready for the ‘Big One’ is

just one part of the equation. The training courses are meant to equip the DRRM structure with professionals who know how to assess and act should the inevitable comes,” DRRMO chief Karl Michael Marasigan said.

“The Big One” refers to a powerful earthquake that is expected to hit Luzon, including wide areas in Quezon City, should the West Valley Fault move. At least nine QC barangays sit on the fault line.

One of the resource speakers was Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum, also undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology, who discussed how to handle the rapid earthquake damage assessment system.

The system is a computer simulation software that can give a rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards should a large and potentially damaging earthquake occur. Phivolcs developed the software through a grant

from DoST. “Redas aims to provide quick earthquake hazard information to disaster managers which will help them in assessing the impact of a strong earthquake. This could help DRRM managers decide and prioritize the deployment of timely rescue and relief operations,” Marasigan said.

The city government also conducted a training on level 2 incident command system.

NAVOTAS welcomed the launching of the Type ng Bayan, a free blood typing program spearheaded by the Duterte Cabinet Spouses Association.

A total of 694 Navoteños had their blood types determined during the event, including Mayor John Rey Tiangco. Of the total, 332 were O+, 145 were A+, one was A-, 180 were B+, and 36 were AB+.

In his speech, Tiangco expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to make Navotas constituents aware of the importance of knowing their blood type.

He said the Type ng Bayan also helped Navoteños determine who among their neighbors could serve as blood donors and fostered the spirit of “bayanihan,” especially during emergencies.

“There is no dearth of good men or women. Given the opportunity, many of us would like to lend a hand to help others, especially if a situation is an emergency or could mean someone’s life,” Tiangco said.

He noted that dengue cases have increased over the past few years, and so is the need for blood transfusions.

“While there is no dearth of good men and women willing to help, there is scant knowledge among Filipinos about their blood type, thus hindering them from reaching out to patients in need and vice versa,” he said. Jun David

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

LGUs

Standard

C2

TODAY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

House looking into John Hay tiff B

By Dexter A. See

AGUIO CITY—House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said relevant House committees will try to mend the ruptured relationship between the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Sobrepeña-owned Camp John Hay Development Corp. over the government-owned Camp John Hay property here.

Alvarez said the government tween the two firms over the sta“has already lost so much” in the tus of the lease of the 247-hecmutually-restituted contract be- tare John Hay Special Economic

Zone to the Fil-Estate Penta Capital consortium and CJHDevCo, which started sometime in October 1997.

The Speaker and dozens of lawmakers who joined the Central and Northern Luzon caravan were briefed by officials of the John Hay Management Corp., a BCDA subsidiary, over the status of the lease in the former American military base.

Alvarez said the House committees will also invite CJHDevCo officials to brief the lawmakers so they can have a clear picture of the current situation of

the lease area, and on the possible recommendations for the resolution of the existing impasse to make sure that government will get its fair share from the business activities in the property.

“We have to listen to everyone because government already lost so much over the unpaid rentals, and the city’s development has also been stalled by the inability of the developer to pursue the agreed development of the leased area,” the Speaker stressed.

Earlier, the Makati-based Philippine Dispute Resolution Center recommended the mu-

tual restitution of the contract entered into by the BCDA and the CJHDevCo because of the reported violations committed by both parties to the agreement.

The PDRC also directed the BCDA to pay the developer P1.4 billion and for CJHDevCo to turn over to the state firm the leased area “in tenantable condition.”

However, CJHDevCo appealed the ruling of a local court for the ejection of third party lessees of the properties who were not part of the lease agreement, and was able to secure a favorable decision from the Court of Appeals that or-

dered BCDA to exclude the third parties from the coverage of the eviction order.

Subsequently, BCDA elevated the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that the existence of the third parties emanates from the developer. The issue is still pending with the High Court.

Alvarez said lawmakers want to intervene in the dispute because they are after the realization of “win-win solutions’ that are fair to all parties, especially the government, which needs the funds for development projects in the countryside.

‘Pinangat’ makes it to WSFC Top 50 list LEGAZPI CITY—“Pinangat,” one of Albay’s outstanding ethnic cuisines that has been making waves in world food expos, has bagged the 22nd spot in the Top 50 World Street Food Masters list at the recent World Street Food Congress 2017 in Manila.

Pinangat is a fish or pork stew wrapped in taro or “gabi” leaves and cooked with chili and coconut milk.

Zeny’s Pinangat of Camalig town in Albay made it to the Top 50 cuisines on the WSFC list that included the Hill Street Hwa Pork Noodle of Singapore, Franklin’s BBQ of Austin, Texas, and Che Paek Pu Ob Voon Sen of Bangkok.

Apart from its intrinsic deliciousness, pinangat’s success internationally is partly credited to the aggressive push by the office of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda of its “2D Culinaria” tourism promotions initiative.

The project focuses on food and travel and aims to support ethnic cuisines and local food producers.

The 2D Culinaria Albay program was derived from the original Culinaria Albay pioneered by Salceda when he was governor, which significantly enhanced the local food industry and opened new avenues for small and medium food producers and entrepreneurs in the province.

On account of its successful participations in past international food expos, the Department of Tourism has tasked 2D Culinaria Albay to represent the Bicol Region during the WSFC held May 31 to June 4 at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Two native Albay dishes were presented during the WSFC— the Bicol Express Risotto and the Pinangat Burger. Both merited good reviews and were included in the “10 things to try at WSFC” by Spot.ph; the “8 must-try dishes” by interaksyon.com; and the “7 local food picks” by ABS-CBN. 2D Culinaria Albay’s success at the WSFC followed its equally outstanding presentation last month at the IFEX Philippines.

IFEX is one of the country’s biggest international trade exhibitions and Asia’s ethnic food, tropical fruits, vegetables, seafood, beverages, bakery and confectionery products, meat and poultry, halalcertified products, and natural, organic, and healthy food products.

The WSFC featured 28 of the world’s best Street Food Masters from 12 countries who dished out authentic mouth-watering heritage street food for five days.

Present during the congress were world-class chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain and WSF organizer Kf Seetoh, a photojournalist-entrepreneur and founder of Makansutra in Singapore.

Albay’s 2D Culinaria team included Oriental Legazpi’s executive chef Andhei Nacion and two sous chefs.

Salceda has sustained his support for his province’s food industry via the Culinaria Albay brand, which he pioneered. He has continuously promoted his province’s culinary tourism, urging Albayanos to patronize local products to support the native industry, and the global promotion of their chefs and homegrown restaurateurs.

ORIE NTA L MINDORO E LEC TRIC COOPE R ATIV E , INC. (O R M E C O) Simaron, Calapan Cit y

INVITATION TO BID All interested bidders are invited to participate in the actual bidding for these four (4) LOTs detailed as follows: LOT - I

Supply of Bill Forms for Tellering Approved Budget Cost: Php 1,782,000.00 Source of Funding: General Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

LOT - II

Supply of KWH Meter, Single Phase, Electronic, 5(60)A or 10(60)A, 240V, 2-wire, 60Hz Bottom Connected, w/ Back-up Battery and Digital Display.

Approved Budget Cost: Php10,440,000.00 Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

LOT - III

Supply of Conductor Duplex #6, Photo Switch, Plastic Security Wire Seal, LED Street Light and Fuselinks Approved Budget Cost: Php12,210,000.00 Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-qualification proper.

LOT - IV

Supply of Service Vehicle, SUV, 4x2, Diesel, M/T Approved Budget Cost: Php1,400,000.00 Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-qualification proper.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1.

Interested bidders may secure BID DOCUMENTS and obtain further INFORMATIONS from the ORMECO, Inc. Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/ Procurement Section, ORMECO, Inc., Simaron, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

A non-refundable fee in the amount of Php5,000.00 for LOT - I, Php20,000.00 for LOT - II, Php20,000.00 for LOT - III and Php5,000.00 for LOT - IV and shall be collected as payment for BID DOCUMENTS.

2.

Interested bidders must be accredited as contractor/supplier before joining the pre-bidding conference and accreditation will start on June 19, 2017 at 8:00am until 5:00p.m. of June 23, 2017. You can call at telephone number 0432882349/043-2869375 or send an email at ormeco_coop@yahoo.com.

3.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at ORMECO, Inc. Board Room, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 2:00 p.m. of June 26, 2017 for LOT I, 2:00 p.m. of June 27, 2017 for LOT - II, 3:00p.m. of June 27, 2017 for LOT - III and 2:00p.m. of June 28, 2017 for LOT - IV.

4.

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at 2:00 p.m. of July 11, 2017 for LOT - I, 2:00 p.m. of July 12, 2017 for LOT - II, 3:00p.m. of July 12, 2017 for LOT - III and 2:00p.m. of July 13, 2017 for LOT - IV, immediately after which, the said proposals will be opened during the actual bidding in the presence of the attending bidders.

5.

ALL BIDS must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to ORMECO, Inc. in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT issued by a reputable bank equivalent to TWO PERCENT (2%) of the Approved Budget Cost (ABC). No Bid Bond in the form of Surety Bond shall be accepted. The bidder with the lowest calculated bid will be considered the winning bidder.

6.

The winning bidder shall issue FIVE PERCENT (5%) in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT from a reputable bank, representing the PERFORMANCE BOND.

7.

If the bidder who submitted the best offer refuses to push through with his / her proposed BID during and after the bidding, his / her Bid Bond shall be forfeited, and failure of bidding shall be declared.

8.

ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any Bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, Inc. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

ORMECO, INC. (SND)

(MS-JUNE 14, 2017)

MR. RONIE T. MORALES BAC CHAIRMAN

Local tourists exit the Capissaan Cave system in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The cave is one of the major ecotourism potentials of the province that need protection from the villagers, provincial officials said. Ben Moses Ebreo

More ecotourism sites in NV

IN BRIEF

ly destroyed,” Gines said.

He brought forth his advocacy to the provincial board, proposing a measure that will involve the participation of barangay officials in identifying potential ecotourism attractions in their communities.

Initially, barangay officials of Cabuaan in Bayombong, Ocapon in Villaverde town and Maddiangat in Quezon town responded to his call for ecotourism advocacy, preservation and promotion.

Three caves have been visited and inspected in Bayombong and Villaverde towns, while a waterfall has been reported in Quezon town.

Gines, along with the members of the Provincial Tourism Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and several media men inspected the ecotourism sites.

Ombudsman sacks Kalinga town mayor

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A visit to the Bangan Hill National Park in Barangay Magsaysay here sparked an advocacy to involve barangays in the development, preservation and promotion of ecotourism sites in the province.

For provincial board member Victor Gines, also the Liga ng mga Barangay president, exploring other potential tourism sites in the province, and the needed protection and preservation efforts to do so, demands the help of the barangays.

“I came to realize the importance of starting ecotourism awareness and preservation in the barangays after I saw this grim reality, where potential tourism sites are indiscriminate-

The DENR, he said, came into the picture to document the potential ecotourism attractions.

Gines said these spots and other attractions in the province will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the crafting of corresponding measures for their protection and preservation.

“This will not only involve and cover caves and waterfalls but also other potential tourism spots that need such action,” he added.

Initial exploration of ecotourism spots and attractions is now being undertaken by Gines in collaboration with the barangay officials to find out more of Nueva Vizcaya’s hidden gems.

He said the move intends to lay down the basics in the protection, preservation and promotion of the province’s ecotourism sites.

‘Kusina ng Kalinga’ unveiled REPUBLIC Cement, in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga, has established a socially responsible program named “Kusina ng Kalinga” or KnK (Kitchen of Care) in Taysan, Batangas.

KnK aims to provide nutritious meals for the students of

Taysan Central School, Pagasa Elementary School, Bilogo Elementary School, and Mapulo Elementary School, with the cooperation of the Department of Education.

In line with Gawad Kalinga’s goal of addressing undernourishment and malnutrition among public school children, PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC. Republic Cement NOTICE OF DECREASE OF has funded the reAUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK furbishment of a Notice is hereby given that at separate room in Taysan meetings held on 28 March 2017 and Central School into 25 May 2017, respectively, the Board of a kitchen in order to Directors of PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC fulfill the partner(the “Corporation”), by majority vote, and the Stockholders, by a vote of at least twoship’s vision. thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, “We believe this approved the decrease of the Corporation’s partnership with authorized capital stock from Twenty Billion Pesos (PhP20,000,000,000.00) divided GK concretizes into One Hundred Billion (100,000,000,000) our commitment shares with a par value of Twenty Centavos to positively im(PhP0.20) per share to Thirteen Billion Pesos (PhP13,000,00,000.00) divided into pact the commuOne Hundred Billion (100,000,000,000) nities we operate shares with a par value of Thirteen Centavos in, as a responsible (PhP0.13) per share. corporate citizen.

This announcement serves as notice to all We are not only concerned of the decrease in the authorized feeding schoolcapital stock of the aforesaid Corporation. children, we are feeding our future movers and shakMARIVIC T. MOYA ers, we are nourCorporate Secretary ishing dreams,” (MS-JUNE 14, 2017)

said Renato Sunico, president of Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. Jose Emilio Oquinena, Movement Building head of Gawad Kalinga, expressed his appreciation to the company for spearheading Kusina ng Kalinga’s operation in the province.

“This is the realization of ‘bayanihan’ [communal unity], the coming together of the government and private sector. We thank Republic Cement for leading the charge in showing what a kitchen can offer in Taysan and what we can achieve when we work hand in hand,” he said.

Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas and Taysan Mayor Grande Gutierrez extended their support to the partnership, and commended Republic Cement’s strong sense of corporate social responsibility toward helping the community and for the extensive role it plays, being the only cement manufacturing plant in South Luzon.

“We are very fortunate because we have partners like Republic Cement and Gawad Kalinga to address the nutritional needs of our children in Taysan,” Gutierrez said.

RIZAL, Kalinga—The Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of this town’s Mayor Marcelo dela Cruz Jr. for 90 days without pay after finding him liable for simple misconduct.

In an eight-page decision penned by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II John Paul P. Galang and approved by Ombudsman Concita Carpio-Morales, it found the complaint filed

by Sangguniang Bayan Members Rogelio D. Lawad, Robert R. Echalar, Frank Wad-asen, Colin T. Dalanao and Ponz Anthony L. Orodio as meritorious.

Records show that Dela Cruz authorized the disbursement of funds from the savings of the municipality in 2014 for the grant of cash gifts and incentives to municipal casual employees and barangay officials, barangay tanods, barangay health workers, day care workers and barangay nutrition scholars. Dexter A. See

Pampanga jail bans gambling, games SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Pool and billiard tables and other forms of games and gambling are now banned inside the crowded Pampanga provincial jail to avoid further violence, destruction, and even death among the inmates, authorities said Tuesday.

The jail warden also stopped the operation of a mini-store that is causing complaints and disenchantment among prisoners due to the exorbitant prices of its goods sold inside the jail.

The twin measures were adopted by the provincial authorities to stop or prevent riots among the inmates housed inside provincial jail. There are now about 2,146 prisoners as of May 2017.

Lawyer Andres S. Pangilinan, provincial administrator, said removing the games and the closure of the mini-store will calm the situation inside the crowded provincial jail, which is only few steps away from the provincial capital in Barangay Sto. Niño in this city. Romeo Dizon

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF Nurse denies running illegal surrogacy PHNOM PENH―An Australian nurse denied running an illegal surrogacy service in Cambodia when her trial began Tuesday, the first case of its kind in the country that recently banned the practice.

Tammy Davis-Charles, 49, was arrested in late November with two Cambodians and accused of recruiting foreign couples and Cambodian surrogate mothers to a clinic in the capital Phnom Penh.

The detentions came just two weeks after Cambodia moved to outlaw the surrogacy industry, which critics say exploits poor women, after a similar ban in neighboring Thailand pushed the business across its borders.

The trio were also charged with faking documents to obtain birth certificates for the newborns.

In court on Tuesday Davis-Charles said she played no part in arranging surrogacies. AFP

C3

Hamas is 10 years in power G

AZA CITY―Hamas this week marks 10 years since taking power in Gaza with the Palestinian enclave at risk of conflict and facing electricity blackouts, poverty and Israel’s blockade, analysts and officials say.

PARTY. Actress

Maemae Renfrow arrives to the Alienware and Dell Gaming E3 kick-off party on June 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

The situation is likely to be further complicated by the Saudi-led diplomatic row with Qatar, which has been a major donor to the Gaza Strip but may be forced to reduce its support due to the dispute.

The divisions remain deep between the Islamist movement Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah, based in the occupied West Bank, with reconciliation between the two rivals seemingly a long way off.

“It’s the Gazans who pay the price,” said rights activist Hamdi Shaqura, with nearly half of the population unemployed and more than three-quarters dependent on humanitarian aid.

Hamas has run Gaza since June 15, 2007, having seized it in a near civil war from Fatah following a dispute over parliamentary elections won by the Islamist movement.

Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have since fought three wars with Israel.

Israel’s blockade of the strip, now more than a decade old, has heavily damaged Gaza’s economy, while the enclave’s crossing with Egypt has remained largely closed in recent years as well.

Egypt has also destroyed most of the tunnels Gazans used for smuggling to and from the Sinai peninsula.

Adding to those woes, Abbas’s Palestinian Authority has taken steps many analysts say are designed to pressure Hamas, including salary cuts for PA employees in Gaza and slashed electricity payments, further worsening an already severe power shortage.

Those moves have come as Gazans observe the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and as the summer heat sets in.

“People can no longer buy or sell,” said Nahed Abu Salem, who runs a candy shop in the Jabalia refugee camp, with cuts to civil servants’ salaries taking a hit on the economy.

Ayed Hassouna, a 34-year-old coffee seller, says he spends 300 shekels ($85, 75 euros) every day on a generator to operate a bean-grinding machine, making his business unprofitable.

“In any case, we can’t produce anything without electricity,” he said.

Many analysts say the situation could further worsen in the enclave of some two million people squeezed between Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. In the past, Hamas backer Qatar has regularly stepped in with financial assistance.

But Qatar now faces a diplomatic crisis, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others cutting ties after accusing it of supporting extremist groups.

“The big loser is us,” said Ahmed Yousef, a senior Hamas member who has been a pragmatic voice within the Islamist movement labeled a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union. AFP

Heavy rain kills at least 35 in Bangladesh DHAKA―Heavy monsoon rain has killed at least 46 people in southeast Bangladesh, most of them buried under landslides, authorities said Tuesday.

Police warned that the death toll would likely rise as emergency workers reached remote parts of the affected area, where telephone and transport links had been cut.

“The recovery work is still going on. The death toll could rise as many areas still remained cut off,” the head of the Department of Disaster Management Reaz Ahmed told AFP. Ahmed said disaster response teams had been deployed to the affected areas to reinforce recovery work.

“We have not been able to reach many of the affected places. Once the rains are over, we’ll get a full picture of the damage and get the recovery work in full swing,” he said.

Many of the victims were from tribal communities in the remote hill district of Rangamati, close to the Indian border, where 24 people were killed when mudslides buried their homes.

“Some of them were sleeping in their houses on hillsides when the landslides occurred,” district police chief Sayed Tariqul Hasan told AFP. Six were killed in the nearby district of Bandarban, among them three children, siblings who were buried by a landslide as they slept in their home. AFP

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Kabul becomes a protected site for migratory birds KABUL―A rare Afghan marsh that was once a royal hunting ground is set to come under the official protection of the UN environment agency, with the aim of saving hundreds of migratory bird species.

On the long, arid journey to the Caucasus and Siberia, across the Hindu Kush massif, the Kol-eHashmat Khan wetlands outside Kabul provide sanctuary for the thousands of storks, egrets, pelicans and flamingos that head north every spring from southern India.

But after 40 years of conflict and neglect, their habitat is being threatened by the growth in new homes, irrigation systems, rub-

bish and global warming which is gradually changing the local environment.

Now the UN has designated the wetlands a conservation site, the Afghan government said on Sunday, as it also looks to help preserve the water supply of the capital.

“There are probably more than 300 or 400 species that pass through, though without an accurate count it is hard to be sure,” says Andrew Scanlon, head of the United Nations Environment Program in Afghanistan.

They are migratory birds and “tourists” who stay for a very short period of time to find food,

he adds.

At daybreak, the marsh comes alive with the morning chatter of the birds hungry for breakfast.

Binoculars in hand, Scanlon stands atop a tower that dominates the landscape.

In the distance is the silhouette of Bala Hissar, an ancient fortress that defended the city for centuries.

Opposite, mud houses and sturdier dwellings made from bricks seem to spring up at random, hastily erected during wars for tides of refugees and displaced people.

It was once a favored place for royals to go hunting, though Scanlon stresses any activity would have been carried out “in a sustain-

able way”.

But with the invasion of the Soviet army in 1979 and the succession of conflicts afterwards, including the civil war in the early 1990s, Afghans were preoccupied by their own survival and the environment suffered.

War saw the marshes more or less abandoned until 2005, Scanlon explains.

Scanlon says that land grabbing was common in the chaos of the 90s as Afghans fought for survival.

The marshes became a sanctuary, providing safe haven and water.

As Afghanistan’s population swelled with the return of refugees after the Taliban were toppled in

2001, he says the situation became a “tragedy of the commons”.

The phrase refers to an economic theory in which individuals act in their own self-interest towards a shared resource but against the common good.

“Everyone is taking a piece to survive but all together this is a tragedy, it’s no one’s fault but everybody is guilty,” he says.

Taking advantage of the chaos, factional and party leaders built houses on the water’s edge. According to the UN, about 50 hectares of wild land were taken over, which the Afghan environmental protection agency, created in 2005, is now trying to recover. AFP

Mattis: US military readiness appalling PENTAGON chief Jim Mattis told lawmakers Monday he was “shocked” by the state of the US military’s readiness, blaming legal budget caps and the grind of 16 years of constant war.

The defense secretary also warned that North Korea has become the most urgent threat to peace and security, and said -- without giving details -- that America must do things differently in Afghanistan.

Pointing to Obama-era budget caps known as sequestration, Mattis said limits on military spending have left troops at greater risk and blocked important new programs -- even though the defense budget is already greater than that of the next seven countries combined.

“I retired from military service three months after sequestration took effect,” Mattis, a former Marine general, told the House Armed Services Committee.

“Four years later, I returned to the Department (of Defense), and I have been shocked by what I’ve seen about our readiness to fight... No enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of our military than sequestration.”

Mattis was addressing lawmakers seeking additional information about President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 budget.

He wants to slash State Department spending but give a significant boost to the Pentagon’s vast budget, although it falls short of the historic spending bonanza sought by more hawkish Republicans.

The Pentagon has called for $574 billion in general defense funding, with an additional $65 billion for supplemental wartime spending―for a total of $639 billion.

That represents a more than $50 billion increase― about 10 percent―over 2017 funding levels for the base budget, although it amounts to only about three percent over projections previously envisioned by the Obama administration. AFP

MUSEUM OF THE MOON. This picture taken on June 12, 2017 shows an artwork ‘Museum of the Moon’ by British artist Luke Jerram at the Saint-Georges swimming pool in Rennes, western France. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

World

Panama cuts ties with Taipei PANAMA CITY―Panama broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and switched to Beijing, accepting its One-China policy, the countries announced Monday.

“In light of the interests and wishes of both peoples, the Republic of Panama and People’s Republic of China have decided to grant each other, from the date of this document’s signing, mutual recognition, establishment of diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level,” the note said.

After decades of siding with Taiwan in the disagreement, Panama now “recognizes that there is only one China in the world” and that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.

The new relationship with Beijing was starting Monday, and the previous one with Taiwan ending, the note added.

The announcement comes after Beijing began construction last week of a container port, with natural gas facilities, in Panama’s northern province of Colon.

Taiwan, considered a rebel province by Beijing, is recognized by around 20 countries worldwide and the issue of its status has risen again with the election of US President Donald Trump.

Panama long had stressed it had diplomatic ties with Taipei and commercial ones with Beijing.

Today, Chinese ships are the number two users of the Panama Canal, the Central American country’s main source of budget revenue.

Panama over the years received generous aid, millions of dollars in cooperation funds from Taipei. But it was simultaneously pressed for decades by Beijing to adopt its stand. AFP

News bulletins acted live in bus FLOWER POWER. Visitors view lotus flowers at a park in Tongling in China’s eastern Anhui province. AFP

Attorney general to face Russia queries in Senate W

ASHINGTON―The eyes of Washington turn again to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, where embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces questions over his Russia contacts and role in the firing of FBI director James Comey.

It will be the first sworn public testimony from Sessions, a longtime former senator, since he was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement officer in February.

It comes as political intrigue pulses through the US capital following explosive testimony by Comey before the same panel last week, and as Trump has expressed frustrations with Sessions, one of his earliest high-profile campaign backers.

In his riveting appearance Thursday, Comey said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was aware of information that would have made it “problematic” for Sessions to be involved in investigations into alleged Russian meddling in

last year’s election.

Comey said he could address the details only in a classified setting―heightening the suspense about what might be asked and answered on Tuesday.

The president sacked Comey in early May. Given that as FBI director Comey was overseeing the probe into Russia and its possible collusion with the Trump team, the firing has led to questions about potential obstruction of justice.

But Sessions, who recommended in a signed memo that Comey be fired, may end up claiming executive privilege as a means of limiting the breadth of his testimony.

Whether executive privilege is invoked “depends on the scope of the

questions,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Monday.

“To get to a hypothetical at this point would be premature,” he added.

Although Sessions, a genteel 70-yearold from the southern state of Alabama, backed Trump’s campaign, he was also one of the first administration officials to fly into turbulence.

During his January confirmation hearing, he failed to disclose meetings he held with Russian officials.

On March 1, The Washington Post reported that he met twice with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign.

Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe the next day.

“He didn’t tell us the truth,” Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy told MSNBC Monday.

There are now “things that indicate he had a third meeting,” Leahy added.

“Let’s find out under oath what it was.”

Sessions may be under a further cloud after Comey suggested the attorney gen-

eral may have failed to take appropriate steps to protect the FBI chief.

At the conclusion of a February 14 meeting, Comey testified, Trump urged everyone else but Comey to leave the Oval Office, including Sessions.

Comey recalled that he felt “something big” was about to happen, and “my sense was the attorney general knew he shouldn’t be leaving.”

Sessions heads to Capitol Hill in a perilous position with his boss, with US media reporting Trump has grown displeased with his attorney general, notably for his recusal on the Russia probe.

Trump made his frustration known publicly on Twitter on June 5, when he criticized Sessions’s office for the way it acted on the president’s travel ban on visitors from some Muslim-majority countries.

During a White House meeting Monday, cabinet members including Sessions offered a chorus of flattery for the president despite the crises buffeting the administration. AFP

CARACAS―Short of newspapers, Venezuelans are getting updates about their country’s deadly political crisis live―acted out by reporters on the bus to work.

Maria Gabriela Fernandez and Dereck Blanco stand on board inside a black frame.

“El Bus TV,” reads a sign over their heads.

“Good morning everyone. First, the news.”

It’s less comfortable than a TV studio― they have to hold onto the rail with one hand to stop themselves from falling when the dilapidated bus brakes. But it’s one way of escaping government censorship.

“The idea came from the need to break away from the news circus in this country,” the group’s creative editor Claudia Lizardo told AFP. “To bring people truthful news through a mass transport system: the bus.”

In three minutes, Fernandez and Blanco deliver news on health, safety, sports, entertainment and, naturally, economics and politics in a country stricken by food shortages and deadly riots.

The clashes at the daily protests by demonstrators calling for President Nicolas Maduro to quit have left 66 people dead since April 1, prosecutors say. Police fire tear gas and water cannons at protesters who hurl rocks and petrol bombs.

The Bus TV team digs out original angles to bring home the drama of the protests, which are not broadcast on state television.

“Each tear gas canister costs $40. At the black market exchange rate, that is 200,000 bolivars, or a whole month’s salary,” Blanco tells the audience of passengers.

“Economic news now: a kilo of chicken wings costs 9,700 bolivars. A Venezuelan on a minimum wage must work a day and a half to buy it.” AFP

Nigeria girls lured into sex slavery BENIN CITY―In Benin City, Nigeria’s capital of illegal migration, no one says the word “prostitution”. The word on the street for the young girls who leave for Italy or France is “hustling”.

About 37,500 Nigerians arrived in Italy by boat in 2016, more than from any other African country, and most of them were from the southern city, the capital of Edo state.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded an explosion in the number of Nigerian women trafficked into Europe.

In 2013, there were 433 but the following year, it rose to nearly 5,000. There was a “substantial increase” in “more easily-manipulated” under-age victims, the IOM says.

Most are destined for sexual slavery.

“Why Edo? Why Benin City? I am trying to understand and it gives me a headache,” says Sister Bibiana, who helps young women when they return from Europe, voluntarily or otherwise.

“But they’re itching to go back.”

The benevolent smile of Jesus radiates down on the meeting room of Sister Bibiana’s small charity in Benin City.

“In Europe, people are good people. They are like Jesus,” says one woman, Miracle, explaining why she left Nigeria in 2012.

“I pray to God every day. I ask him to find me a way to go back.”

Miracle returned from Italy two years ago.

The story she tells is sketchy. She claims only to have been a sex worker for a few weeks before being rescued.

But the nun who knows her background insists Miracle was a prostitute from when she arrived in Europe until the time she left. AFP

KATY PERRY IN CONCERT. Katy Perry performs during the’Katy Perry-Witness World Wid’e exclusive YouTube Livestream Concert at the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts on June 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Arida is flanked

by Bargn founders Nino Bautista and Red Gatus

Life

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

FASHION & BEAUTY

‘Wowowin’ co-host

D1

FIT AND PRETTY.

Miss Universe third runner-up Ariella Arida maintains her active, outdoorsy lifestyle while keeping her skin protected from the damages of too much sun exposure.

ARIELLA ARIDA

new face of CosmoSkin T

HE journey of every consumer to wellness continues as Bargn Pharmaceuticals relaunches CosmoSkin Grapeseed Extract (GSE) and FiberMaxx Daily Fiber Supplement—two of its top products that will hasten the way for a fitter, better lifestyle.

Bargn is at the forefront of innovation in the health and wellness industry, creating products that address a myriad of needs, which include cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Established in 2006 by Nino Bautista and John Redentor Gatus Jr., Bargn has rapidly emerged as the premier integrated neutraceutical, beauty, and vitamin company in the Philippines with a vastly strong presence in 10 other countries worldwide.

With CosmoSkin Grapeseed Extract, Bargn provides a definitive solution to a common skin ailment called Melasma – a condition that creates dark patches of skin usually found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead, and it affects almost 90 percent of women all over the world. The condition is aggravated by sun exposure, and therefore women who live active, outdoorsy lifestyles are more

likely to produce more dark pigments than others.

This is especially true for Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up Ariella Arida. Apart from her continuous hosting stints in Bb. Pilipinas’ much-talked about coronation nights; acting jobs in various roles in GMA-7 series, such as Juan Happy Love Story and Dear Uge, plus her duties as one of Willie Revillame’s co-hosts on the afternoon game show Wowowin, as well as appearances in ABS-CBN’s top-rating programs such as Minute To Win It and Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal, 28-year-old Arida loves to run and swim regularly as part of her fitness regimen.

“Keeping fit is very important to me.

With the schedule I keep, I always find the time to run and swim, because it allows me to have a balanced life. But, of course, these activities also take a toll on my skin. No one is immune to sun exposure, and sunscreen alone is not

enough. That’s why I’m so happy to have found the CosmoSkin Grapeseed Extract,” explains Arida. Through the CosmoSkin GSE, she has managed to keep Melasma at bay, as evidenced by her flawless complexion on her TV appearances and hosting engagements.

But going beyond skin deep is as important to Bargn in its continued pursuit of health and wellness for all. And so, FiberMaxx Daily Fiber Supplement was created to promote good digestive health, assist in lowering cholesterol and fats, and help maintain healthy sugar levels. FiberMaxx is the perfect supplement for those who are actively perfecting their form and figure, as it

provides whole body health with proper diet and regular exercise.

FiberMaxx is the ideal workout companion as it helps fitness buffs stay nourished while doing their fitness routines. “Despite anyone’s busy schedule, every person should make it a point to go to the gym as often as possible,” says Bargn founder Bautista. “Any person with a busy lifestyle must keep fit all the time. But sometimes, a person’s diet suffers because it is such a challenge to have the proper nutrition with a very active lifestyle, so it’s good that FiberMaxx already does that job for everyone,” adds co-founder Gatus as the allnatural ingredients of FiberMaxx takes

care of the waistline, the heart, and the colon in one, easy solution.

Achieving inner and outer beauty is now made possible by these two amazing products and now, everyone can start a total wellness journey with Bargn and look good on the outside. CosmoSkin Grapeseed Extract and Fibermaxx Daily Fiber Supplement are available at all Watson’s branches nationwide.

For more information like CosmoSkin’s fan page on Facebook, follow @ cosmoskin on Twitter and Instagram, like FiberMaxx on Facebook, follow @ fibermaxx on Twitter and Instagram, and visit www.cosmo-skin.com.

Cetaphil: 70 years of gentle skin care

Cetaphil has a range of cleansers, moisturizers, and a variety of skin solutions

WHEN talking about living a healthy lifestyle, people often focus on two things—eating right and living an active lifestyle. What we often overlook though, that just like regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, maintaining healthy skin is just as essential for our overall well-being.

Remember that our skin is the largest organ of the body. It not only serves as our main protection from microbes and the elements, our skin also helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Maintaining a healthy skin completes our overall healthy lifestyle goals and when it comes to skin protection, one brand has remained consistent in its promise to deliver the most gentle skin care products for the past 70 years.

Platinum Anniversary

Galderma Philippines senior brand manager Catherine Palma-Dilanco, general manager Raghavendra Sadashiva, and consumer business unit head Jade Silva Netto-Ponoc

In an industry ruled by trends and constant changes, 70 years is simply no easy feat, an accomplishment Cetaphil shares with other icons such as Ferrari, the House of Dior, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John as well as the prestigious Tony Awards.

Invented in 1947 by a pioneering pharmacist in Texas, the first product— “Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion” known today as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser— still uses the same formula. Customers soon recognized its gentle cleansing power and from then on, the Cetaphil range of products started to grow.

Now, 70 years later, Cetaphil is available in more than 70 countries worldwide and offers a wide range of everyday products from, cleansers, moisturizers, sun protection to baby products and

solutions for sensitive skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea.

Specifically formulated to provide effective skin care for a variety of skin types and conditions, Cetaphil has become one of the top skin care brands recommended by dermatologists and other healthcare professionals across the world.

To celebrate this milestone, Galderma held a two-day anniversary celebration at the Makati Shangri-la Cetaphil for the media and its loyal trade partners.

“Maintaining a healthy skin completes our overall healthy lifestyle goals and for several generations, Cetaphil has been at the heart of their skin care regimen, says Raghavendra “Raghu” Sadashiva, general manager of Galderma Philippines.

Cetaphil gives every skin type an effective product that completes their overall health routine. Cetaphil promises healthy skin and for 70 years, it never fails in delivering exactly just that.

“It’s the very reason why Galderma has devoted the last seven decades to working closely with medical experts in better understanding people’s skin care needs.

Having to develop a wide range of everyday Cetaphil products from cleansers, moisturizers, sun protection, baby products and even solutions for compromised skin conditions,” adds Raghu.

The science of gentle

Did you know that Cetaphil is actually even gentler than water?

Our skin has a natural pH balance of 5.5-6 that is why we need to be using products in this range because anything higher will make our skin dry, or worse,

break out. Skin cleansers should be below 6 and the standard water pH is actually at 6.5-9.5 whereas Cetaphil is at 5.5 making it even gentler than water and safe even for newborns.

The essence of Cetaphil is in the name: the ‘phil’ at the end means ‘love’, while the ‘Cet’ comes from the fatty alcohol which is used as an emollient— Cetyl alcohol. ‘Cetaphil’, therefore, is the love of softening and soothing skin.

“With its gentle and clinically proven formulas, Cetaphil reinforces and protects the structure of the skin—even in people with the most sensitive and delicate skin,” explained Dr. Eszter Baltas, dermatologist who contributed to developing Cetaphil products and now Associate Professor at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology in Szeged, Hungary. “Thanks to its long heritage, based on in-depth understanding of dermatology, Cetaphil offers reliable, scientifically-tested solutions.”

The Cetaphil range has become the trusted brand by experts and most prescribed by doctors across the world because it has an effective product for every skin type--dry, sensitive, oily, combination and normal skin.

“Our moisturizers provide 24 hours of moisturizing and has the complete key ingredients to make us more effective than others in the market. With one application, we can sustain the moisturizing of the skin up to 24 hours making it really convenient for our users to regularly moisturize, says Galderma Consumer Business Unit Head Jade Silva-Netto Ponoc.

“So our Cleansers and Moisturizers Turn to D2

Life

D2

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

RETRO REIGNS SUPREME

Conquer

the rainy season with

SYNE’s

Jewel Toned Collection T

HE rainy season is here, but don’t be depressed.

Let SYNE luxuriate you with jewel hued pieces to match up the somber mood brought by the nature’s course.

NOTHING SOMBER WITH THIS NUMBER.

Syne’s latest collection is composed of jewel hued pieces, ideal for the boardroom and the dance hall

The pieces feature wide leg bottoms and bohemian ruffles, taking inspiration from the ‘70s

This time, SYNE designed wardrobe that are essential to your daily statement wear, from boardroom to your favorite dance hall. Drawing inspirations from the ‘70s, SYNE never shies away from the era’s iconic wideleg bell bottoms and bohemian ruffles elevated with a tailor fit structure.

SYNE’s second collection this year focuses on easy formal dressing that fits any body types. With its key pieces like wrap tops, t-shirt robing, and oversized vest, they accentuate the wearer’s curves and make them feel beautiful and svelte.

Zeroing in with its feminine side, we also played with ruffles and wide-leg trousers. As you move along, the ruffles playfully reveal your softer side.

For women that loves upgrading their fashion, slip dresses, skirts, and sleeveless tops are given a richer treat with silk and ribbon accents. This collection upgrades the basic casual looks and turn it into a regal power wardrobe. “This collection’s goal is to explore casual wear through non-tradional designs and to step up a person’s style game,” stated by SYNE owner Patricia Baligod.

This collection is the young designer’s homage to 70’s fashion and making it modern for Filipinas. “It is emphasized in the silhouettes, its warm color story & fabric manipulation techniques,” added Baligod. The SYNE Second collection is priced from P1,500 to P2,000.

P60,000 worth of cosmetics and prizes at Make-Up Mania BUY more and win big as Ever Bilena, the country’s leading cosmetics brand, invites you to join Make-Up Mania—a raffle contest open to all Ever Bilena customers and ongoing exclusively at all Watsons Stores nationwide.

Joining is easy.

Simply purchase two items or more from any of the following participating Ever Bilena products: Ever Bilena Matte Two Way Cake, Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer, Ever Bilena Eyebrow Palette Pink and Brown, Ever Bilena Matic Brow and Eyeliner, Ever Bilena Matte Lipsticks, Ever Bilena Lip and Cheek Stain in Splash Red, EB Kleopatra Magic Lipstick, Evera Face Powder, Ever Bilena Luxe Lipstick, and EB Blend Me Sponge. Be sure to place all purchases in a single receipt.

Make sure to “like” Ever Bilena’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics, and

Cetaphil...

From D1

go hand in hand to deliver one of the moist powerful skin care regimen you can ever have,” she adds.

“The Baby line is the latest innovation of Cetaphil and was launched in 2015,” notes Catherine Palma-Dilanco, Senior Brand manager for Cetaphil.

“For neonatal use there’s Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Moisturizing Lotion; for babies with delicate normal skin, there’s Cetaphil Baby, for those diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema there’s Cetaphil Restoraderm and for acne prone skin, Cetaphil Oily skin cleanser.”

Cetaphil Baby It is the very first line specifically made for babies with normal skin. It has a mild fragrance and provides tear-free bath time for mom and baby. It comes in complete range of Shampoo, Bath and Wash, Moist Wash and Shampoo, lotion and Massage oil.

Specifically formulated for Atopic Skin, there’s Cetaphil Restoraderm. It has an advance Dermo Restoration system that helps restore and repair the barrier of the skin that is highly compromised when patients are diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis or even Eczema.

“Cetaphil has been used by people with sensitive skin for more than three generations” said Neil Popplewell, vice president Consumer Business, Nestlé Skin Health. “Over the last 70 years, we have worked closely with medical experts to better understand people’s skin needs. This has allowed us to provide different solutions adapted to these needs, and to make the Cetaphil range what it is today.

send them a personal message with a photo of your proof of purchase. Include your name, address, contact number, and Facebook account with the photo.

Proof of purchase should be readable and clear.

Once sent, you will receive a notification from an Ever Bilena representative indicating that your entry is valid. The more entries you submit, the more chances you have of winning.

One lucky winner will take home a total of P60,000 worth Ever Bilena products, two nights hotel accommodation at Luxent Hotel, and two domestic roundtrip Get a chance to win Ever Bilena cosmetics when you join tickets from Air Asia. Two winners will receive Make-Up Mania P20,000 worth of Ever Bilena products with two buffet dinner at Luxent Hotel and shopping spree from so start shopping for your favorite Ever Bilena Jewels. Ten winners will win P3,000 worth of Ever make-up today!

Bilena products.

To learn more, visit www.everbilena.com.ph and Entries will only be accepted until July 31, 2017, follow www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.

Relax with ‘Zach’

DADS are always on their feet, juggling between being a provider and making sure that quality time is spent with the family. How dads manage through their day exhausts one of the most hard working parts of the body— his feet. Wearing comfortable footwear is essential in making everyday tasks easier. Being in comfortable footwear enables you to do more of what is important, and what you enjoy the most.

However, we easily neglect the importance of wearing proper footwear all the time. Poorly designed footwear can harm far more than your feet. They can cause pain throughout your body such as back pain and joint problems.

You can avoid these, by picking the right footwear. The quality, style and fit must be all considered.

The quality used for your footwear should not irritate your skin. It should make your feet comfortable. More importantly, good quality footwear doesn’t easily get worn out.

In considering the style, you must look at how the arch support is shaped and how deep the heel cup is—in order to support you properly and have proper stability as you move.

And lastly you must highly consider the fit. Just like a car, you need to “test drive” the shoe by walking in them to see how they feel while moving.

Zach flip flops are layered with EVA insoles and rubber outsoles

Just in time for Father’s day, Banana Peel introduces its new collection “Zach Ebony” collection. These flip flops are layered with high-density EVA insoles and rubber outsoles to create a foot-bed that’s firm on the ground but comforting for hardworking feet. This is perfect for fathers who put a premium in good footwear.

Zach goes beyond the usual man flip flops as it offer more benefits like:

Arch support

Easy on-and-off means it’s convenient to wear at any point

More breathability than slippers

Affordable, fashionable, and functional ‘Zach’ is the perfect flip flop gift you can give your father this Father’s day. After all, don’t they just want comfy footwear after a long and productive day, just like everybody else?

To know more about Banana Peel, go to www.facebook.com/bananapeelflipflops

UP Visayas student team wins L’Oreal business competition FACED with a battle of skill and talent to create the most innovate new product and integrated marketing campaign against over 400 teams from across the country, Team Maxim from the University of the Philippines Visayas emerged as the Philippine champion at the L’Oréal Brandstorm National Finals winning the Best Marketing Communication Plan Special Award as well. The event was held at the L’Oréal Academie on April 18. Team Hustle from Ateneo de Manila University came in a close second, followed by Team Champs from University of the Philippines Diliman in third place.

This year’s National Winners take home a P50,000 cash, P20,000 worth of products for their mentor Tessa Albaña, and P3,000 worth of products for the team. They moved onto the L’Oreal Brandstorm Asia-Pacific Regional Finals.

Winning the National Finals is just half the winning team’s Brandstorm journey as they represent the Philippines at the Asia-Pacific Regional Finals, and hopefully move on to the international competition in Paris, France. Beyond competing with teams all over the world for the coveted title of Brandstorm International Champions and a cash prize of 10,000 Euros, the International Finals will be an avenue for the students to immerse themselves in L’Oréal’s culture right where it begins – at the L’Oréal Headquarters. At the International Finals, an innovation fair will also be hosted by L’Oréal to give

Team Maxim from the University of the Philippines Visayas with L’Oreal executives

both students and professors a chance to exchange ideas with all the teams coming in from across the globe.

Five other student teams also saw action in the April 18 National Finals: Team L’OLreal and Team Y3 from the University of the Philippines Diliman , Team iWill from San Beda College – Mendiola, Team 16°C from Saint Louis University Baguio, and Team Stormbusters from University of the Philippines Visayas.

Now on its 25th year, L’Oreal Brandstorm is the Company’s signature innovation competition that gives students across the world the opportunity become innovation leaders.

With this year’s partner brand, L’Oréal Men Expert, the World’s No. 1 Skincare

Brand for Men, this year’s young fire starters were challenged to recruit millennial men through a new product and breakthrough service that leveraged digital solutions and connected technologies. From the field of 421 teams, eight Finalists were chosen to battle it out and present their groundbreaking pitches on disrupting the men’s grooming industry.

From 421 teams joining the competition, the 8 finalists comprised of three teams from the University of the Philippines Diliman, two teams from the University of the Philippines Visayas, and one team each from Ateneo de Manila University, San Beda College – Mendiola and Saint Louis University battled it out and presented their groundbreaking

pitches on disrupting the men’s grooming industry.

“We did not expect this and it’s like all our hard work just paid off. We really wanted to show what we can do.

Coming to Manila and as one of the Top 8 was already a really amazing experience, and winning this competition is more than we had ever hoped,” explains Team Maxim’s Genevieve Millan.

The team’s winning idea focused on giving men more time and more confidence through a liquor-inspired product line, which responded to consumer insights. With four innovative products introduced to the market in various channels such as event activations, social media engagement, and mobile application integration, the team presented an integrated marketing campaign that the judges felt best responded to what millennial men need ‘to stay ahead of the game’ while staying true to the spirit of L’Oréal Men Expert.

“Brandstorm is more than just an instrument to spot young talents.

It’s also a great avenue to incubate ideas of young talents who can be future leaders of the beauty business,” shared Jake Bustos, Brandstorm Project manager and Campus manager of L’Oreal Philippines. “This year, Brandstorm Philippines expanded its reach to partner over 20 schools, securing registrations of over 1,520 student players. This year’s Brandstorm competition in the Philippines is the biggest in Southeast Asia to date.”

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

O

Pinoy kids are changing the world

UR definition of sexy has changed over the years. Beautiful women who have whistle bait bodies may be viewed physically attractive but they can’t automatically be called sexy.

In our generation, sexiness is still subjective, as everyone has different ideas of what makes a woman attractive and desirable, but we now tend to look beyond the person’s physical appearance. It’s no longer just the clothes, makeup, or hairstyle. A woman’s attitude, talent, accomplishments, and popularity are now being taken into consideration.

Case in point, popular magazine FHM lists down the sexiest women via an online poll.

The more popular someone is, the higher her ranking is going to be. Though it definitely looks like more of a popularity contest, FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women list is the only sexiest ranking people excitingly anticipate especially that the poll culminates in a victory party, a general men’s interest exposition called brocon (brother conference) where fans can see the women they voted for…in the flesh.

FHM’s sexiest poll is not just popular.

It’s also controversial in many ways. While feminists see the ranking as something that makes women commodities (well, it actually does), many female celebrities, whether they admit it or not, still eagerly wait for their names to be on the list. It’s some kind of validation for them.

Leading this year’s partial poll is Kapamilya Nadine Lustre. The other half of the popular JaDine love team has remained the frontrunner since “FHM Philippines 100 Sexiest Women in the World” poll began this year.

The latest partial tally from FHM, released last Friday, indicates a surge of votes for a few Kapuso stars as there have been significant movements since the last update. In second place is Kapuso sexy comedian Kim Domingo who jumped from 5th to 2nd.

The model-turned-actor edged out Angel Locsin who has slid down to fourth place.

Meanwhile, The Dubsmash Queen, Maine Mendoza, makes a strong bid for the sexiest woman in the world title as she enters the Top 10 based on the latest partial result. She could surprise everyone with a come-from-behind win after a series of Instagram posts showing her curves.

Joining Mendoza as new entrants in the Top 10 are Maja Salvador (#8) and Andrea Torres (#9). The three new faces meant that Marian Rivera, who has won the title a record three times, Arci Munoz, and last year’s winner Jessy Mendiola exit the list.

After getting booted out of the top 10, Mendiola instantly got trolled for not being

Battle of the sexiest

heats up FHM Philippines' "Sexiest Women in the World" frontrunners (from top) Nadine Lustre, Kim Domingo, and Rhian Ramos

able to make a strong bid to retain the title.

“I am not going to die if I don’t become part of the FHM sexiest list,” she told bashers in vernacular.

Probably, one of the most controversial FHM sexiest winner, Mendiola has been popular among bashers ever since she dominated the sexiest poll last year garnering almost half-a-million votes from FHM fans and readers.

Other names in the Top 10 are Rhian Ramos (#3), Ellen Adarna (#5), Jennylyn Mercado (#6), and Solenn Heussaff.

‘Team Yey!’ ‘Funny Ka, Pare Ko’ win Golden Dove, Gandingan YEY channel’s Team YeY and CineMo’s Funny Ka, Pare Ko won recognition from the 25th Golden Dove Awards and the Gandingan Awards.

Team YeY was awarded Best TV Children’s Program at Golden Dove Awards of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). The show also bagged the Most Development-Oriented Children’s Program at Gandingan Awards given by U.P. Los Baños.

Hosts Sam Shoaf, AJ Urquia, Hannah Vito, Luke Alford, Mitch Naco, and Raven Cajuguiran were also hailed Best Children’s Program Hosts at Gandingan Awards.

Team YeY Season 2 brings in more fun with the introduction of new friends. Each day tackles a different theme led by our kiddie hosts: “Galaw Go!” with Urquia and Nhikzy Calma; “Snacks Naman” with Mitch Naco and Sophie Reola; “Artstig” with Jana Agoncillo and Althea Guanzon; “Game Play” with Shoaf and JM Canlas,; “StorYey” with Cajuguiran and Yesha Camile; Sound Check with Alford and Noel Comia Jr.; and Sunday Funday with all the hosts.

Meanwhile, Funny Ka, Pare Ko on CineMo won Best Comedy

Show at Gawad Tanglaw Awards in April.

Bayani Agbayani, who co-stars with Karla Estrada, also won a Golden Dove award as Best TV Actor in a Comedy Program for the show.

Funny Ka, Pare Ko! is a sitcom airing on the all-male entertainment channel CineMo. The show focuses on making laughter as the best solution to dealing with daily issues about the Filipino family and community. The story revolves around the Delyon family of Bigboy (Agbayani) and Carla (Estrada), who are working hard to live debt-free while running a humble eatery. They deal with their financial troubles with their signature humor, as they help their extended family achieve their dreams.

YeY and CineMo are free and exclusive channels on ABS-CBN TVPlus, which you can get for a one-time payment of P1,499.

ABS-CBN TVplus signal coverage is available in Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, and Cavite.

Team YeY airs every day at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN TVplus’ Channel YeY, while Funny Ka, Pare Ko! every Sunday at 5 p.m. on CineMo.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, June 14, 2017

ACROSS 1 Posh 7 Chess piece 10 Leap in a tutu 14 Make bubbly 15 Wyo. neighbor 16 Mystique 17 Genghis Khan was one 18 Detergent brand 19 Crow 20 Home made of glass (2 wds.)

23 Plant firmly 26 Above, in verse 27 Bridal path?

28 Tamper with dice 29 Recipe word 30 Horse color 31 Morticia’s hairy cousin 32 River craft 33 Domain 37 Aah’s companion 38 Lemon cooler 39 Colony member 40 Sapporo sash 41 Honeysuckle aid 43 — -relief 44 Library abbr.

45 Elev.

46 Absent-minded murmur 47 Scallion kin

48 Usual weather 51 — choy 52 Smart-mouthed 53 Uncertainties 56 John, in Siberia 57 Museum contents 58 Glib speech 62 Scored more 63 Not sm. or med.

64 Peace maker 65 Jiffies 66 Always, to the bard 67 Play the siren DOWN 1 Trippet 2 Zodiac lion 3 Prince Val’s eldest 4 Declined 5 Put up with 6 Bellow 7 Upset 8 Robin of balladry 9 Makes a collar 10 Punching 11 They replaced the franc 12 Fishnet 13 Ancient Rome’s emblem 21 Leaps aside 22 Familiar places 23 George who

was a she 24 Drive 25 Enjoy the beach 29 Thorough check 30 Alice’s cat 32 Harder to believe 33 Japanese theater 34 Cote dwellers 35 Reed instruments 36 Cloudy-looking 42 Rues loudly 46 Not as bland

47 Endured 48 Corn holders 49 Flood barrier 50 Physicist — Newton 51 — in (interrupt) 52 Kind of drum 54 Goodbye, to Gaius 55 Chooses 59 Frat letter 60 Handy abbr.

61 Deli loaf

BUBBLES, Blossom, and Buttercup – collectively known as The Powerpuff Girls – have been saving the world and fighting crime through unfailing kindness, selfless leadership, and unparalleled strength. Though Pinoy children are not made from sugar, spice and everything nice, many of them are proving to the world that they can also help change the world and make it a better place with their Powfactor.

Powfactor is a global initiative from Cartoon Network that aims to identify every individual’s “special ingredient” – just like Chemical X which makes The Powerpuff Girls super – that helps them stand out as well as contribute to their own communities.

Cartoon Network has recognized some gifted individuals to inspire young ones to identify, explore, and develop their own Powfactor. These kids, who are certified gamechangers in the fields of culinary arts, and visual arts, are some of the most promising individuals in their chosen professions.

Representing the field of visual arts is 15-year-old Hamzah Marbella, a prodigious painter whose incredible technique and eye for color has brought him global acclaim. While supporting his family through his art, he has also shared and donated paintings to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Hamzah has the kindness Powfactor, he shares his talent to improve the lives of unfortunate children, helping them draw a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Louise Mabulo is a culinary genius. At her young age, she has been feted with various culinary awards recognizing her talent for whipping up sumptuous dishes. She was also a finalist in Junior MasterChef, a culinary reality show. At her age and with her leadership Powfactor, she is now the proud owner and executive chef of the Culinary Lounge which is helping shape the next generation of culinary innovation in her home province of Camarines Sur and inspiring kids with a passion for cooking to dedicate their lives to perfecting their craft.

Hamzah and Louise are representatives of a new generation of kids who are out to transform the world and redefine how we look at children in our society today. These kids, with the loving support of their parents, have nurtured their Powfactor and are now shining examples of how anyone can excel as long as they set their mind to it!

For more information about Powfactor, visit Facebook.com/ asia.cartoonnetwork and tunein to the latest episodes of The Powerpuff Girls on weekdays, 8:15am and on weekends at 10:15 a.m.

Cartoon Network is available on SKYCable Channel 43, SKYCable HD Channel 178, Cignal Channel 35, Cignal HD Channel 110, Destiny Cable (Digital) Channel 43, Destiny Cable (Analog) Channel 51 and Cable Link Channel 26, Dream Satellite Channel 15.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

iPhoto

LIZQUEN in San Francisco JOIN LIZA Soberano and Enrique Gil on their San Francisco journey, Metro Loves LizQuen, on Lifestyle TV (SkyCable ch.

52).

This television special featuring Metro Magazine’s June cover shoot will show the love team’s tour around some of the Golden City’s amazing sights—the Golden Gate Bridge, the Embarcadero, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Witness how the two enjoy these must-see spots while enjoying each other’s company in the city by the bay. Catch their adventure on June 14 at 9 p.m. and June 16 at 6:30 p.m..

Lifestyle is available on SkyCable channel 52, Destiny Cable channel 52 and Sky Direct channel 31.

For updates, follow Lifestyle on Facebook (facebook.com/ lifestyletvph), Instagram and Twitter (@lifestyletvph).

Noontime show

helps students realize their

DREAMS

Almira Bless Amorado

Angel Bert Baguhin

F

Melvin Dugan

Maria Myka Barbilla

OR nearly four decades and for many Filipinos here and overseas, Eat, Bulaga has been part of their daily viewing habits.

For them, it just doesn’t allow them to experience the fun but also gives them entertainment. More importantly, the noontime show has stayed true to its commitment of changing and inspiring lives.

One of the people the show has touched over the years is 21-year-old Melvin Dugan. The second of three siblings of an impoverished family from Taguig City, his parents used to own a small dress shop that eventually closed down when he was still in elementary school.

With no source of income while the bills were piling up, his education was compromised.

“Bata pa lang ramdam ko na yung kahirapan kasi wala kaming bahay,” he recalled. “Nangungupahan lang kami. Hindi din sapat yung kinikita ng magulang ko. Akala ko hindi na ako makakapag-aral noon.”

Then, Eat, Bulaga came into the picture.

Dugan, a consistent honor student, was chosen as one of the recipients of the show’s scholarship program “Eat, Bulaga! Excellent Student Awards” or EBest.

The television show gave him a fouryear high school and four-year college scholarship grant, a monthly allowance, and annual cash assistance for his other educational needs.

“Masaya ako kasi nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na matapaos ng pag-aaral. Kung wala yung Eat Bulaga, mahihirapan kaming maka-survive at makatapos ako ng kolehiyo. Very thankful ako sa tulong nila,” he said.

On March 31, Dugan graduated cum laude at Jose Rizal University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration major in Accounting.

He said he is one step closer to reaching his dream of providing a better life for his family.

“Nakakatuwa na may isang programa sa telebisyon na binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang kabataan na makapagtapos, na matulungan ang kanilang pamilya at umahon sa hirap

ng buhay,” he said.

Down south, Hanelyn Mae Milca had gone through a tough childhood as well.

Born to a poor family in Davao, she initially thought she will not be able to attend high school much more pursue a career in teaching. It was her sixth grade adviser from Tugbok Central Elementary School who nominated her for the scholarship as she’s one of the top students of her batch.

“Ilang taon din ako na nag-aral na walang kuryente. May mga days na kailangan talagang lumiban sa klase kasi walang pera para sa pamasahe,” she said.

“Hindi sinabi agad sa akin ng teacher ko.

Sabi lang niya pupuntahanan ako ng staff ng Eat, Bulaga! Nagtaka ako kung ano yun. Nung panahon na yun wala kaming ilaw. Hirap talaga ang buhay.”

After finishing high school, she took up education at the University of Mindanao and graduated on April 25.

Milca stressed the importance of education especially to someone who doesn’t have the means to support his or her own studies.

“Edukasyon ang tanging hindi maaagaw ng kahit na sino man sa isang tao. Iyun lang din ang tanging maipamamana sa akin ng aking mga magulang. It’s a privileged and a blessing na naging part ako ng EBest program dahil kakaunting tao lang ang nabibigyan ng ganitong oportunidad na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” she said.

Angel Bert Baguhin from Cagayan de Oro was also in the same boat. His father who used to sell empanada and lumpia for a living could not finance his education.

When the staff of Eat, Bulaga came to his elementary school some eight years ago, he made the most of the opportunity and was eventually chosen as one of the EBest scholars.

“Malaking tulong yung scholarship kasi hindi na iisipin ng mga magulang ko yung bayarin sa eskwela. Kung wala ang Eat, Bulaga! wala yung tulong nila, hindi ako makakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Wala akong diploma

ngayon,” he said.

Baguhin now holds a degree in Chemistry from Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan. He dedicated his diploma to his late father who passed away in November 2015.

As a way of paying forward, he also plans to grant a young student the same opportunity afforded to him by the noontime variety program.

“Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng hindi makapag-aral dahil kapos sa pera.

Napakaganda ng ganitong programa na maraming tao ang natutulungan,” he said. “Pag pinalad ako na magkatrabaho at makaluwag-luwag sa buhay, plano ko na mag sponsor din ng isang estudyante na kapos ngunit nagnanais na makatapos ng pag-aaral at umahon sa hirap. Gusto ko ibahagi yung blessing at tiwala na binigay ng programa sa tulad ko.”

Baguhin, Milca and Dugan are three of the six Eat Bulaga scholars that graduated from March to May this year.

Joining the EBest graduates list are Cebu native Almira Bless Amorado, Ma. Myka Barbilla from Bacolod and Yllor Sedol of Quezon City.

Amorado and Barbilla are both graduates (magna cum laude) with a degree in Management Accounting and Medical Technology at Cebu Institute of Technology-University and Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, respectively.

Sedol finished Bachelor of Science in Physics at Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Apart from the six new graduates, eight more are marching in June and July this year.

Launched in 2009 in celebration of the show’s 30th year anniversary, EBest Awards was established to provide scholarships to outstanding elementary school students all over the country who does not have the means to continue their education.

Eat Bulaga still has 35 college scholars from Sulu, Batanes, Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Bulacan, Manila, Mandaluyong, Batangas, and other remote parts of the country.

Aside from EBest Awards, the longest running noontime variety show also launched campaigns such as EB Classroom Project, EB Heroes, Isang Lapis Isang Papel Project and the construction of 10 AlDub public libraries nationwide.

Hanelyn Mae Milca

Yllor Sedol

‘Innocent Defendant’ to edge in thrilling mystery GMA Heart of Asia launches 2017’s critically acclaimed Korean thriller drama, Innocent Defendant, which stars Ji Sung as Julius Park, Uhm Ki Joon as twins Reggie Cha and Ronnie Cha, Kwon Yuri as Courtney, Uhm Hyun Kyung as Sandy, and Oh Chang Suk as Norman.

Premiering last Monday, Kapuso fans will witness how a virtuous prosecutor finds himself on the wrong side of prison bars.

In the story, Julius Park is at the top of his game as a prosecutor for being fiercely dedicated to his job and keen to implement strict punishment. At home, he transforms into a loving father and affectionate husband. When his family is murdered, he wakes up in a cell four months after and is charged with the crime. As he nurses his temporary amnesia, Julius must prove his innocence and seek justice for his wife and daughter.

However, his pursuit for justice lies futile as Chamyoung Group successor Ronnie Cha takes control.

When Ronnie killed a woman, Julius went after him and his twin brother Reggie kept pressuring him to surrender.

Ronnie, acting on emotions, kills his brother and assumes his identity to escape punishment. To keep his charade, he must do everything to keep

Julius out of his radar.

Joining the narrative are Courtney, the righteous yet incompetent lawyer who will take over Julius’s case; Norman, a best friend to Julius who took his case and sentenced him with death penalty; and Sandy, a woman who was orphaned due to Chamyoung Group’s abuse of power and eventually marrying into its family through Reggie Cha. How will their past tie up with the present?

Whose secrets are crucial to Julius’s freedom?

Will Julius find out who is behind all his misfortunes?

Innocent Defendant airs Mondays to Thursdays after Meant to Be on GMA