Manila Standard - 2017 June 15 - Thursday

Rebellion raps filed vs Maute matriarch

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Justice department has filed rebellion charges against 11 people, including the mother of the Maute brothers who are behind the attack on Marawi City.

Liberate Marawi takes time —military

By John Paolo Bencito AFTER missing several deadlines to clear Marawi City of Maute group terrorists, the military on Wednesday admitted that it may take some time to rid the war-torn city of extremist groups.

“For now, we will not set deadlines,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Restituto Padilla. “We will ensure that we will be able to Next page

VOL. XXXI • NO. 121 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

LONDON’S ‘TOWERING INFERNO’ KILLS 6

State prosecutors on Tuesday indicted Ominta Romato Maute, a.k.a. Farhana, mother of Omar and Abdullah Maute; the former mayor of Marawi, Fajad Salic; and nine others before the Misamis Oriental regional trial court.

The charges were filed after prosecutors found probable cause that the accused had connived with the Maute group “actively engaged in an armed rebellion against the government,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the martial law administrator of Mindanao, has described Farhana as the Maute group’s adviser and financier, given her “vast financial resources drawn locally and abroad.”

Farhana is the first wife of Cayamora Maute, who was arrested at a checkpoint in Davao City on June 6. On Friday, she was arrested in Masiu, Lanao del Sur, along with two wounded Maute group members.

On May 23, Maute group terrorists went on a rampage in Marawi City, flying the black Islamic State flag over parts of the city, killing civilians, taking hostages and occupying buildings. In response, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao, saying that the Maute group wants to establish a province for the terrorist Islamic State (ISIS) group.

The government has ordered the arrest of more than 300 Maute group and Abu Sayyaf members and sympathizers.

On Wednesday, the Misamis Oriental chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines expressed alarm that the regional trial court in Cagayan de Oro has been designated to handle the Maute rebellion cases.

The group supported a Justice department appeal to the Supreme Court to transfer the cases to another venue because of the proximity of Cagayan de Oro to Marawi City, where fighting between Maute group terrorists and government troopers has raged into the third week.

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SLIM MISSION POSSIBLE. Philippine National

Police Chief Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa accepts the challenge from members of the Fit Filipino Movement who led a physical fitness workout with thousands of PNP members at the PNP grandstand in Camp Crame. Dubbed as ‘Slim Mission Possible’ challenge, the target is for the PNP members to lose 500,000 pounds. Manny Palmero

HIGH-RISE BLAZE. This handout image received by local resident Natalie Oxford early on June 14, 2017 shows flames and smoke coming from a 27-story block of flats after a fire broke out in west London. At least six were killed and 74 hurt in the fire that hit the 120-flat Grenfell Tower, which resembles ‘The Towering Inferno,’ an American action-drama film that won 5 Academy awards in 1974. ( Related stories on C4). AFP

US Navy visit reaffirms strong ties with AFP Aviation

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

PH open to Russia, China aid

By John Paolo Bencito THE military is not closing its doors to possible military aid from President Rodrigo Duterte’s new friends Moscow and Beijing as it tries to combat terrorism in Mindanao, Armed Forces spokesman Restituto Padilla said Wednesday.

He said it would take time to get military assistance from other countries.

“The government and its armed forces is open to any help because it is a worldwide battle against terrorists,” Padilla said.

“It will take time. You have to allot time to organize and transfer all the weapons here.” Next page

THE commander of the US Pacific Fleet visited Manila on Wednesday to reaffirm long-standing ties between the American Navy and the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, a few days after the United States provided technical support in the ongoing campaign to rid Marawi City of Maute group terrorists.

During a closed-door meeting

with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, US Pacific Fleet Commander Scott Swift said they remained committed to combating terrorism in the region.

“The Philippine Navy is a val-

ued and enduring ally of the US Navy and a close partner of the Pacific Fleet,” Swift, who is the chief of the Hawaii-based fleet, the world’s largest fleet command, Next page said in a statement.

Martial law an extra measure to stop terror—SolGen

By Rey E. Requejo

tion of martial law in Mindanao Thursday, saying that President THE government asked the Su- Rodrigo Duterte needed “expreme Court to throw out peti- traordinary measures” to fight tions questioning the declara- local terrorists who want to es-

tablish a province or “wilayah” under an Islamic State caliphate.

In oral arguments for petitions asking the Court to junk Duterte’s martial law declara-

tion, Solicitor General Jose Calida said the government could not “sit idly by and watch as the country is dismembered.”

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Police, RW security hit for slow response to attack

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Wednesday blamed the police and security officers for failing to respond early to the June 2 Resorts World attack, saying the death of 37 casino employees and guests could have been prevented.

Fariñas said he was able to obtain copy of a Facebook Live video of the incident that showed the SWAT

arriving at 12:36 a.m.

In the video, people said the lone gunman, Jessie Carlos, had exited the area but the police did not know it.

“The 37 [who died from suffocation because of the fires set by Carlos] could have been saved because the threat was no longer there,” Fariñas said in Filipino.

The wife of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Mrs. Elizabeth PanlilioGonzales, was among the 37 people died in the arson attack.

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OFF-GUARD. Resorts World security guards (from left) Jeffrey Majam, Geffrey Malinao and Mary Grace Rayala (who was on duty during the attack on the hotel-casino complex) testify at the continuation of the inquiry into the RW incident conducted by the House of Representatives on June 14, 2017. Manny Palmero

policemen ‘gunless’

By Joel E. Zurbano SOME 200 members of the Police-Aviation Security Group deployed in the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are not armed, making both local and foreign air travelers feel unsafe.

A police officer assigned at Naia Terminal 3, who asked not to be named, told reporters they were vulnerable because they were in full police uniform but were not carrying a service firearm.

“We all know that with the war against illegal drugs and criminality we put our lives in great danger because we are not armed,” the policeman said.

The Philippine National Police is experiencing a shortage of service firearms, so that thousands of policemen are not armed.

It appeared that the budget to acquire 12,268 caliber 9-millimeter pistols was used to buy police patrol jeeps and other equipment by the previous administration.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

No need for extra budget on Marawi BUDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday there was no need for Congress to pass a P10-billion supplemental budget that would help rebuild wartorn Marawi City despite Malacañang’s apparent support for it.

On Tuesday, Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry Roque filed House Bill 5874 or the Tindig Marawi Bill appropriating a P10-billion supplemental budget to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the siege in Marawi by the Maute terrorists.

“We’re now halfway through the 2017 budget, so we are actually finalizing the 2018 budget and factoring in whatever is happening right now,” Diokno told CNN Philippines.

“Six months from now we will have a new budget, so I don’t see the need for a supplemental budget at this time.”

Diokno said the government had yet to see the full extent of the damage as a result of the ongoing siege in Marawi City.

But Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the supplemental bill would complement President Rodrigo Duterte’s planned executive order that would allot another P10 billion to help Marawi recover from the armed conflict there.

“In anticipation of the rehabilitation of Marawi, Congress has proposed a P10-billion supplemental budget to rebuild Marawi through House Bill 5874 or the Tindig Marawi Bill,” Abella told reporters.

“It is therefore a very welcome development and this complements an executive order for Bangon Marawi, which is awaiting PRRD’s approval.”

Roque said the proposed budget would likewise be used to rehabilitate destroyed infrastructure, properties and businesses.

He said the measure would supplement the “declared intention of the Executive department” to allot P10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi.

The appropriated amount would be released to the Department of National Defense, Department of Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Housing Authority.

“While many efforts have been successful in properly evacuating innocent civilians from the zone of conflict, the government must plan and appropriate funds towards the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the restoration of peace and order within the area,” Roque says in his explanatory note.

John Paolo Bencito, with PNA

PH...

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On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry expressed support to the Philippine government’s “antiterrorism” operations against the Islamists.

“Terrorism is the common enemy of mankind. China understands and firmly supports Duterte’s leadership and his government in fighting terrorism,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters.

“We support these anti-terrorism operations.”

Lu was asked about China’s views on the assistance provided

by Washington to the Philippine military.

“On the operations launched by the Philippine government on their territory, in principle we welcome the constructive support of the international community on the basis of the respect of the Philippine government’s own will, and of the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Lu said.

Duterte had earlier expressed “surprise” over the presence of American special forces aiding the Philippine military in its fight against the ISIS, but ruled out asking support from Russia and China in ending the ongoing siege by the Islamic State-inspired groups who started attacking Marawi City last month.

Padilla, who maintains that the American troops in the area are simply providing “technical assistance” to soldiers, said the US forces already here in the country are the ones who were tapped to aid the troops in the ongoing siege.

Joint patrols begin Monday T

By John Paolo Bencito

HE military on Wednesday confirmed that joint naval patrols by the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia will begin on June 19 to curb cross-border kidnappings for ransom by extremist groups in the high seas.

Armed Forces spokesman Restituto Padilla Jr. said the joint naval patrols would be officially launched in Tarakan, Indonesia, with the country’s top defense officials in attendance.

“The necessary protocols have

been set and agreed and those will be the guiding regulations,” Padilla told reporters.

Malaysia likewise said joint air patrols between Indonesia and the Philippines might be launched in the future amid the

increasing threats by the Islamic State group in the region.

“The Asean-level defense ministries are committed in dealing with the threats,” Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told state news agency Bernama.

“For that, we will launch the joint air patrols in Malaysian airspace after launching the joint sea patrols. This joint plan was proven a success when Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia were dealing with the piracy threat and other crimes in the Straits of Malaka at one point.”

The three countries are on high alert since ISIS-inspired groups

Rebellion...

Liberate...

The lawyers said Cagayan De Oro has no facility to effectively handle the cases, since the courts are still temporarily housed in the City Tourism Hall, after the Hall of Justice was gutted by fire in January 2015.

The IBP chapter also revealed that there are relatives and families of Maute Group members in the city “which might add outside pressure” on the courts.

Earlier, Aguirre had asked the Supreme Court to designate special courts in Luzon or the Visayas to hear the cases due to security threats in Mindanao.

But the Court designated the Cagayan de Oro regional trial courts to try the cases instead.

The Court also assigned the military’s Camp Evangelista in the same city to serve as the detention center for the arrested suspects.

On Monday, the DoJ started inquest proceedings for rebellion against Maute clan matriach Ominta Romato-Maute, alias Farhana, and 11 others in connection with the Marawi City siege.

clear [Marawi City] of any armed element that still exists, and it may take some time.”

The military also condemned calls by the Islamic State for its followers to launch more attacks in the Philippines and other countries during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

“We are calling for the whole country to unite and not let this happen,” Padilla said. “We see the violence happening right now in Marawi. If they will be doing this [to other parts of the country], we need to really watch their movement closely.”

In a briefing in Malacañang, Padilla admitted that the military was having problems with urban warfare, where civilians are trapped in the conflict area and may be used by the terrorists as human shields.

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Martial...

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“We are at war with an enemy that does not respect the laws and principles we live by. We are at war with an enemy that seeks to destroy our way of life and force its twisted ideology upon our people,” Calida said. “These are extraordinary times, they require extraordinary measures.”

Three groups have asked the court to nullify Duterte’s declaration of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, arguing that there was not enough factual basis to put the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.

But Calida said the President needed “a more expansive authority” to quell the rebellion by the Maute group. He claimed the group had joined forces with the Ansarul Khilafah Philippines, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The solicitor general also warned against tying the President’s hands, saying this would hurt the government’s ability to end the rebellion in Mindanao.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio questioned Calida on whether there was indeed rebellion elsewhere in Mindanao. Carpio said terrorism could not automatically be considered an act of rebellion, but could lead to it.

Calida told the justices of the Supreme Court that the Marawi City attack was part of a bigger plot to establish an Islamic State in the Philippines.

“The crisis in Marawi is not an isolated incident; it is part of a

Police,...

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Fariñas lamented the inability of the Philippine National Police to do what the Facebook user did to inform the public about what was happening inside the hotel and casino.

“That was very early. The whole world knew what was happening because they saw it on Facebook,” he added.

The Bureau of Fire Protection officer-in-charge Bobby Baruelo said the victims died in less than five minutes due to suffocation during the arson attack, but could have found their way to safety if they looked for nearby fire exits.

“It only takes two to three minutes for a person to become unconscious,” Baruelo said.

Baruelo was responding to the query of Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat, who said that toxic fumes containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide were produced by Carlos’ torching of casino tables.

“With continued inhalation of these gases, a person might die of suffocation or asphyxia after four to five minutes,” Baruelo said, defining suffocation as “the absence of oxy-

From A1

bigger plot to establish an Islamic State. This is not only a display of Maute’s force but a siege of power,” Calida said.

“The rebels seized Marawi not just with the intention of striking fear. They wanted to establish a caliphate and dismember Marawi,” Calida added.

According to Calida, elements of rebellion—raising arms against the government and culpable purpose of removing allegiance from the government—were present in the crisis that required the President to use his power to declare martial law.

“When he [Duterte] saw gravity of rebellion, he had to act swiftly and decisively to save Marawi...

Were it not for the President’s swift action, the rebels would’ve established a stronghold in the heart of Mindanao,” he said.

Asked why the entire Mindanao had to be covered by the martial law declaration, Calida said the Maute group had links with other rebel groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Abu Sayyaf.

“The seeds of rebellion were already planted in different parts of Mindanao. Public safety requires the declaration of martial and suspension of privilege of habeas corpus not just in Marawi but in entire Mindanao,” Calida said.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno inquired why was there need to declare martial law when the President already has power to call out the military to stop the siege.

Calida said the President wanted a stronger action to stop the rebellion.

“That’s the judgment call of the President; he alone was vested with such power,” Calida said. “When gen in the brain.”

Baruelo said the fatalities could have lived had they managed to look for fire exits immediately.

“The location of the victims is quite near to the available exits based on CCTV [closed-circuit television] footages. We had a walkthrough in the area and the room where the bodies were found.

There were two available exits near them,” Baruelo said.

“You can reach the exits in less than one minute,” Baruelo said.

“It is unfortunate that the victims were trapped there for 20 minutes when the first fire broke out, when the baccarat tables were burned,” he said.

But RWM president Kingson Sian told lawmakers that Carlos made the fatalities believe that his attack was massive, and so they hid until they died of suffocation.

Lawmakers probing the incident spared Resorts World Manila owner Andrew Tan from testifying at the congressional hearing.

“The highest official of the corporation [Traveller’s Hotel Group Inc.] that owns RWM is its chairman of the board, David Chua Ming Huat. The committee will issue a subpoena to him. Mr. Andrew Tan is not an officer nor a member of the BoD [Board of Di-

in the country attempted to seize Marawi City.

Indonesia’s military chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo, warned that the ISIS threat in Southeast Asia might spread if the violence in Mindanao was not contained.

“It’s easy to jump from Marawi to Indonesia and we must all beware of sleeper cells being activated in Indonesia,” Nurmantyo said.

Said Army Major General Ganip Warsito: “If the Philippines wins, Indonesia would get a spill-over effect from the retreating militants, but if the Philippines loses, Mindanao would be a strong regional ISIS base that threatens Indonesia,

“Our rules of engagement are very different in urban terrain. We have to be very careful, we have to be very judicious, we have to be very deliberate so as to avoid [taking] innocent lives,” he added.

“And this is where the slow process of liberating Marawi is currently happening. Of the 96 barangays of Marawi, four remain problematic areas where forces of the Maute... group still remain,” Padilla said.

Another hindrance is that the terrorists were using Islamic schools and mosques as staging areas and safe havens.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez said Tuesday that some 10 barangays were still affected by the conflict that has entered its third week.

On Wednesday, Padilla said four or five barangays was the more accurate assessment.

Padilla also said the military

he [President] saw the gravity of the rebellion he had to act decisively and therefore he chose martial law [as a] tool to save Marawi from total capture by the rebels. I do not understand why petitioners are afraid of martial law.”

“The Constitution bestows full authority to declare [martial law] on the President and no one else.

The President is only expected to make decisions based on information given to him before decision is made,” he added.

Calida also disparaged alleged human rights abuses raised by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Lanao del Sur chapter.

“President Duterte’s order of martial law is markedly different from that issued by President Marcos,” he said, referring to the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Calida also said the petitions had defects, citing their failure to specify the remedy being invoked for the Supreme Court to review the factual bases of the martial law proclamation.

During Wednesday’s continuation of interpellation of the petitioners, Associate Justice Noel Tijam said that there is nothing reprehensible with the power of martial law under the 1987 Constitution.

But lawmaker-petitioner Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman told the justices that it is President Duterte who they do not trust to follow and respect the law and Constitution.

Lagman also said constitutional safeguards against abuse “will only be good in the hands of a President that respects the law and the Constitution.”

Lagman insisted that martial law should only be the last resort in curbing violence in the country. rectors] of the corporation. Upon this information being relayed to the Speaker, he approved my recommendation that Mr. Chua will have to be the one to appear for the hearing,” Fariñas said.

Tan is reportedly the owner of the holding firm Alliance Global Inc., which entered in a joint venture for Resorts World Manila.

Also on Wednesday, Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop said he did not believe that security guards at the hotel had a shootout with Carlos because only three shots were fired, and only one was fired by hotel security.

The Resorts World Manila’s management had earlier said security team members engaged and wounded Carlos in the shootout.

During Acop’s questioning, Resorts World Manila’s chief legal officer Maria Regina Angeles said that CCTV footage would prove that there was an encounter between the security personnel and Carlos.

Sian also said during the hearing that another encounter transpired between the Lanting security team members and Carlos at the back of the hotel-casino.

After setting fire to the casino area, Carlos went up to the fifth floor of Maxims Hotel, set himself on fire then shot himself.

among others.”

In early 2016, several Malaysians and Indonesians were captured in the Sulu Sea by the Abu Sayyaf group, which has strongholds in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier asked the neighboring countries to help stop the Abu Sayyaf.

“We have to do something about this now and I need your help,” Duterte told Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Indonesian President Joko Widodo during their meeting last month.

would not bomb mosques in the ongoing effort to neutralize the Maute group terrorists.

“The Armed Forces leadership is firm in its commitment to use other options that would flush out this Maute... group from these places of worship that they have converted into machine gun and sniper nests, defensive positions, and arsenals for their war activities,” he added.

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of the 1st Infantry Division, earlier said Tuesday that as long as terrorists use mosques as snipers’ nest, the mosques would be targeted in order to save lives.

Padilla, however, noted that the military may hit the high areas of mosques if the terrorists use them for snipers.

“If the enemy uses the parapets of the mosque as sniper lairs, we may hit those areas alone but we will not bomb the mosque itself,” the military spokesman said.

“If we read the Constitution, the action, the response of the President would be calibrated: call the Armed Forces of the Philippines to subdue lawless violence, invasion and rebellion, if it fails, next is suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus,” Lagman said, adding that if the two measures fail, only then can the President declare martial law.

The three-day oral arguments will continue today when Calida returns for more questioning by the justices.

The Court ordered Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año to attend the continuation of oral arguments Thursday.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno issued the directive after Lagman moved that the Court require their presence in Thursday’s hearing.

Sereno also required Solicitor General Jose Calida to submit pertinent documents, which she enumerated during the oral arguments.

Lorenzana is the martial law administrator while Año is the martial law implementor.

Sereno said the Court was open to having Lorenzana and Año in an executive session in deferenece to the sensitive information they may share.

The military said it was ready to participate in the ongoing oral arguments.

“We support whatever process that is currently ongoing and if we need to be resource persons elsewhere, including the Supreme Court, we will be there,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said in a Palace briefing.

Aviation...

From A1 Last year, Senator Ralph Recto pushed to include provisions in the 2017 National Budget that would finance the purchase of firearms for the more than 16,000 policemen without guns.

Recto said the 2017 national budget should help the Duterte administration improve the government’s campaign against crime.

He cited a Commission on Audit report on the Philippine National Police that says there are 16,140 cops who have yet to be issued their service pistols.

He also said at least 623 police officers were using “donated” guns while 3,654 policemen had not been issued their service pistols.

“The PNP has not attained a 100-percent issuance of short firearms to uniformed personnel,” Recto said citing the CoA report.

US...

From A1 “We continue to build on the strong relationship we have and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to face shared challenges,” Swift added.

His visit may signal a revival of a former vibrant diplomatic relationship between Manila and Washington, despite the anti-American rhetoric from President Rodrigo Duterte in his first months in office.

Both Cayetano and Swift noted the 70-year-old alliance between the Philippines and the US. Swift said the long-standing alliance has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.

“As part of the security partnership, the United States supports the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen national defense, and improve its ability to respond to natural disasters, terror threats, piracy, and other transnational crimes,” Swift said.

Aside from Cayetano, Swift also met AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in-Command Vice Adm. Ronald Mercado.

He stayed in the country from June 11 to 14.

The 50-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty says that each country will “act to meet the common dangers” if one is attacked.

The relationship between the Philippines and the US turned sour after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, calling US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore” for criticizing the President’s bloody war on drugs.

Duterte has said many times that he wants to shift the Philippines away from Washington and closer to Beijing and Moscow.

In September 2016, Duterte ordered a halt to regular wargames between the Philippines and the United States, saying that they angered China.

In the same month he also told the American troops to leave Mindanao as Duterte blamed Washington for the conflict and security threats in the South.

Duterte said American troops in Mindanao should leave because they are in danger of being abducted

by US-hating terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

“The Special Forces [in Mindanao], they have to go,” he said.

But the US Embassy in Manila and military officials confirmed over the weekend that American Special Forces were providing technical assistance to the Philippine troops trying to retake Marawi City from terrorists.

During his visit, Swift expressed his command’s support for the antiterrorist actions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Marawi.

He also expressed his condolences to the families of 13 Marines killed in close combat in Barangay Lilot Madaya outside Marawi City on May 9. With Francisco Tuyay

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THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DoLE slams recruitment of kids

by Maute

SHOT DEAD. Scene of the Crime Operatives from the Quezon City Police check the body of Alberto Enriquez, chief assessment officer of BIR District 38 along West Avenue who was lying down beside his SUV with plate no. ZLN 827, after he was shot dead by unidentified motorcycleriding suspects right in front of his office.

Enriquez was alighting from his car to report for work when he was shot. Manny Palmero

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja THE Department of Labor and Employment has expressed alarm over the rising exploitation of children being recruited to join armed groups in Mindanao as it urged parents and communities to be responsible in providing moral and proper guidance to their children.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he was disturbed by reports that children are forced into armed conflict in Marawi either as combatants or spies.

The labor chief also called on other agencies of government and civic organizations to jointly intensify efforts in combating child labor in conflict areas following reports that children were embroiled in forced labor and exploitation.

“Conflicts cause the destruction of livelihood, which results in mass displacement. Most of the children engage in hard labor to help their families survive.

This issue is a real challenge that requires collective action and close cooperation with our different partner agencies and organizations,” he said.

“The recruitment of children for use in armed conflict is one of the worst forms of child labor based on the International Labor Organization [ILO] Convention No. 182,” Bello said.

“Child labor is a violation of children’s human rights. It is a major hindrance to achieving sustainable and decent work.

Eradicating it is possible with the close cooperation among government agencies, civil society organizations, LGUs, media, parents and also the children themselves,” Bello said.

The urgent call to prevent child labor in areas affected by conflicts also came in the light of the global celebration of World Day against Child Labor this week.

“In Conflicts and Disasters, Protect Children from Child Labor” is the theme of this year’s observance. From 2012, the United States Department of Labor [USDOL] has recognized the significant advancement of the Philippines in combating the worst forms of child labor. However, there are still 2.1 million child laborers in the Philippines according to the 2011 Survey on Children done by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the elimination of it calls for a convergence approach of services provided by various government and non-government organizations.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights condemned the atrocities perpetrated by the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City.

“The commission salutes our fallen soldiers who dedicated their lives to ensure the safety of our sisters and brothers in Northern Mindanao as well as in the rest of our country. We stand with the Maranaos and others who have been victimized in this conflict in their pleas for peace as our government forces engage and neutralize the Maute group,” Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

House defies CA order to free ‘Ilocos Norte 6’ for third time

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE House of Representatives has again defied the Court of Appeals order for the immediate release of the six employees of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte who were earlier detained by a committee inquiring into the local government’s purchase of motor vehicles amounting to P66.45 million, which was sourced from its share of tobacco excise taxes.

Former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza said that the House leadership, the committee on Good Government and Accountability and the House of Sergeant-At-Arms rejected the third bid of the CA sheriff to serve the order for the immediate release of the so-called “Ilocos Six” employees.

The House leaders defied the third bid of the appellate court’s

process server to implement the release order for the “Ilocos Six” following earlier refusals to comply w ith i t on J une 9 a nd 10.

In refusing to implement the release order for the third time, House officials insisted that the CA’s order is invalid.

Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas admitted in a media interview in Ilocos Norte that the writ of habeas corpus

could not do anything, citing the position of the Solicitor General.

He said that it was House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who instructed the House Sergeantat-Arms Lt. Gen. Roland M. Detabali (ret.) to disregard the CA’s order.

As a result, the CA’s Special Fourth Division has started its contempt of court proceedings against Speaker Pantaleon and the House SAA, serving them show cause orders to explain why they refused to present the six detained employees before the appellate court.

Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and lawyer Vicentito Lazo urged the House leaders to adhere to the “rule of law.”

Lazo, also serves as counsel for the Ilocos 6, said that in the existing International law, or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the Philippines adheres, had ruled that “Philippine authorities are under obliga-

tion to make available to every person detained all remedies that will safeguard his fundamental right to liberty, these remedies includes the right to bail.”

“So it’s not true that the writ of habeas corpus is meaningless.

We adhere to the rules of law, thus the six detained employees believe that they have the right to avail for anything that will secure their right to liberty, hence availing the right to bail,” he said.

“Ang problema, sabi ni Cong.

Fariñas wala daw magagawa ‘yung habeas corpus. Walang nangyayari kasi nga they are defying the court order,” he added, citing that the CA has granted them the order for the House to “immediately” release the ‘Ilocos Six;’ Earlier, Mendoza argued that the CA has the jurisdiction over the case of the Ilocos Six because it is “a matter of habeas corpus case.”

The Supreme Court, the

Court of Appeals, and the Regional Trial Court can serve it because they have “concurrent” jurisdiction when it comes to habeas corpus cases, he said.

Mendoza explained that even if the House files for an motion for reconsideration, it will not suspend the effectivity of the release order, saying “it is merely interlocutory and an incident to the main petition of habeas corpus.”

Lazo also cited instances of “mental torture” that the “Ilocos Six” underwent during the Congressional hearing into PGIN’s purchase of motor vehicles worth a total of P66.45 million and sourced from Ilocos Norte’s tobacco excise taxes under Republic Act 7171.

“Mula sa umpisa sa imbestigasyon ng kaso hanggang ngayon, torture na ‘yang ginagawa nila sa anim na dinetain,” [Even from the start of the case until now, their detention amounts to torture.] he said.

‘Morong 43’ trial to proceed—Sandiganbayan 5th round

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has said that the trial of seven active and retired high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for allegedly denying legal rights to the so-called“Morong 43” will proceed.

The anti-graft court also scheduled on June 29 the arraignment of accused retired Lt. Gen. Jorge Segovia, retired Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Brig. Gen. Joselito Reyes, Col. Cristobal Zaragoza, Police Supt. Marion Balonglong, Police Supt. Allan Nobleza, and Police Chief

Insp. Jovily Cabading.

In a six-page ruling, the anti-graft court said it found no reason to grant the motion to dismiss the accused who had questioned the validity of the information that stemmed from the alleged torture of “Morong 43” or the health workers believed to be members of the New People’s Army and were accused of undergoing explosive training in Morong, Rizal in February 2010.

But the accused said the eight counts of violation of Republic Act 7438, the law governing the rights of persons under detention or custodial investigation, espe-

cially in reading the Miranda Law, were invalid after they were charged for more than one offense.

The Sandiganbayan maintained that it found probable cause to proceed with the trial of their charges even as it rejected the assertion of those accused that the Office of the Ombudsman took time in conducting preliminary investigation until the charges were filed.

“This Court does not deem vexatious or oppressive the length of time it took for the Office of the Ombudsman to complete preliminary investigation and to file the information,” the Sandiganbayan ruling said.

Binay: Penalize ad firms plagiarizing other works

By Macon Araneta and Sandy Araneta

BUSY ROAD. Sidewalks intended for pedestrians and churchgoers are occupied by private vehicles and ambulant vendors along the stretch of the Baclaran service road in Parañaque City. Ey Acasio

THE Department of Tourism should start penalizing advertising and creative agencies giving “unoriginal” works, said Senator Nancy Binay.

“We should start penalizing ad agencies for giving our departments, especially the DoT, ripped off creative handles or not-so-original work. It compromises the integrity of the government agency, as well as the ad agency itself,” Binay, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Tourism, Binay said.

Binay said that in 2010, the DoT and ad agency Campaigns and Grey were also criticized for its “Pilipinas kay Ganda” logo, which netizens said was lifted from Poland’s tourism logo.

“The “It’s more fun in the Philippines’” tagline also became controversial in 2012 when it was said to resemble the “It’s more fun in Switzerland” tagline made in 1951,” said Binay. “It would appear that we have not yet learned from past experiences wherein the logo, slogan, or design were not original.”

She noted that this is not the first time that the DoT and its agencies on record became controversial.

She said advertising contracts between the DoT, including its attached agencies, and the promo/ad/ media/marketing agencies should have a legal clause or a disclaimer which stipulates that the agency handling a particular campaign would either be penalized or not be paid if the ad copy, concept, or peg was found to be copied.

of talks to resume —Sison

By John Paolo Bencito COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison on Wednesday said that the fifth round of talks between communist rebels and the government may resume “in two months” after getting stalled due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the country.

“It’s only a matter of time na pagkasunduan ang paggawa ng fifth round of talks... In 2 months, possible na,” Sison said in an ANC television interview.

Sison added that back channel talks have been sustained and continued to show “common determination” to end the nearly five-decade long insurgency.

“The two sides are showing common determination for the talks. We should not be surprised if in a short time, both sides will announce that in principle, the peace negotiations have not been cancelled but merely held back,” he said.

Peace Process chief Jesus Dureza has yet to respond to Sison’s announcement as of press time.

Following President Duterte’s declaration of martial law, leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines called on its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to ramp up operations and intensify recruitment.

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

The view to here

T

HE advertising agency that produced the latest tourism campaign for the Philippines has denied its work was a copy of another country’s.

The commercial, Sights, follows an elderly Japanese tourist as he explores the many famous spots in the country. It is only at the end, where he brings out his walking cane, that his blindness is revealed.

McCann Worldgroup Philippines said the campaign was inspired by the touching stories of visiting foreigners, and is not a copy of a 2014 campaign video from South Africa.

That one also featured a blind man experiencing South Africa’s people and places despite his inability to see.

This controversy reminds us of yet another tourism campaign—Pilipinas Kay Ganda from 2010—bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Polska tourism poster from Poland. There were glaring similarities in font, color and even the images used. This short-lived campaign was supposed to replace the Wow Philippines campaign that had attained respectable success since 2002.

On this latest allegation of the Tourism Department’s plagiarism, McCann said it merely highlighted the testimonial of a retiree even as claimed full responsibility for the ideas and storyboards it had conceptualized.

“There has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work,” it said. “We stand by the integrity with which this campaign was developed.”

Strangely, though, we have not heard anything from the Tourism Department

itself. If there is an entity that bore greater responsibility for the controversial campaign than the creative agency that did it, it would be the government unit that supposedly commissioned the campaign—and gave final approving authority.

Then again, perhaps the department would be inclined to approve anything given its desperation to sell the Philippines amid the blows we have received in the past few months.

The most recent episode is that of a gambling addict setting ablaze casino tables at Resorts World Manila. But there are many others: Terrorism and banditry, not only in Mindanao but in many parts of the country, the prevalence of drugs and the questionable ways in which the government is addressing the menace, and the lack of infrastructure that fuels sustainable economic activity.

In fact, the Secretary of Tourism was quoted a few months ago warning the media against reporting so harshly on conditions here so as not to scare tourists away. This did not sit well with journalists, of course. “We do our work,” we told her. “As you should do yours.”

Now we don’t only have problems in tourism. We also have problems with the tourism campaign. Pathetic, really, as if we did not have enough trouble to begin with. Tourism officials should strike a balance between extending an invitation and being upfront to potential guests.

Tourists are not blind to what is happening here and elsewhere. Advances in technology make everyone aware of what is going on anywhere at any given time. The trick is to assure them it is still worth visiting despite these risks—real and imagined.

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

The jeepney will stay

Presumption of irregularity LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I SOMETIMES wonder if the political opposition would not have jumped on President Rodrigo Duterte like it did if he had not declared martial law in Mindanao.

Then I think about how, instead of helping unite the nation against the common threat posed by the bloodthirsty Maute terror gang, the opposition seems fixated on finding fault in how Duterte’s government is responding to the crisis, and I wonder no more.

I think that because the opposition to Duterte seems hard-wired to oppose anything he does, for good or for ill, they will still be raking him over the coals if he did not declare martial law. Maybe it’s just me, but I can actually imagine Edcel Lagman and the rest of the opposition taunting Duterte for “going soft” on terrorists if he had not declared military rule.

But all of this is a mere prelude to introducing one of my favorite

legal analysts, Jemy Gatdula, the Cambridge-trained lecturer on international law at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Gatdula’s occasional Facebook posts are always notable for their brilliance, which cuts through the toxic smog that usually envelops most social media discourse on current affairs like a laser beam.

Yesterday, Gatdula said the current kerfuffle in the Supreme Court was really the unnecessary result of Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, something that he really didn’t need to do. Simply by exercising his powers as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Gatdula argued, Duterte could have done all that he needed to do to put down the uprising of the IS-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City. “[Duterte] could have employed the full force of the military without need of a martial law declaration and without need of admitting partial loss of control that a martial law declaration [conditioned on the presence of invasion or rebellion] naturally brings,” Gatdula wrote. “Unless of course the intention was to dramatically pre-

sent an environment of local or national crisis to the public.”

Congress, Gatdula explained, also erred in not convening in joint session to give its stamp of approval to Duterte’s Proclama-

The citizenry should call out political opportunists who cannot seem to find anything right in what Duterte does. tion 216. “[When] Congress did not conduct a joint session... the Supreme Court [was given] the opening to conduct the ongoing proceedings, creating an impression of conflicting institutions

precisely at a time when national unity and focus should be on eliminating urgent problems,” he said.

Gatdula does not spare the Supreme Court, either, because it “is not designed to look into facts but only [into] issues of law.” If Congress conducted the review of the factual basis by way of joint session after Duterte issued the proclamation, “then the Supreme Court’s mandate and its sense of judicial restraint should have limited it to only reviewing procedural requirements,” he wrote.

There was error all around. The bottomline, according to Gatdula, is that “these Supreme Court proceedings would have been unnecessary had Congress conducted the joint session and [the] joint session would have been unnecessary had the President not invoked martial law and instead relied on his commander-in-chief powers to suppress lawless violence.” *** Of course, Gatdula’s excellent treatise is anchored on the presumption that the critics of Duterte are really concerned about what errors—legal or otherwise —that he may have committed

in addressing the Marawi situation, instead of just finding fault in whatever he does, wherever and whenever he does it. My own reading of the opposition is that it will even risk the easy and perfectly logical conclusion that it is in bed with the terrorists, if it will be afforded the opportunity to lash out at the president.

(Having been a consistent critic of the previous administration, I know exactly what it’s like to be on the wrong side of the government in power. But I always tried not to fall off the deep end of criticism, which I defined as finding fault in everything that Noynoy Aquino did, even when he was doing something right; that Aquino didn’t do a lot of things right —or that he didn’t do a lot of needful things at all—is no longer my fault, I think.)

For instance, speaking of Lagman, who is leading the charge in the Supreme Court to have Duterte’s Proclamation 216 voided, I really wonder why he has gone before the tribunal instead of doing his thing in the Batasang Pambansa. Why didn’t Lagman even author a resolution in the Turn to A5

ABOUT a year ago, transport authorities led by both the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation announced their intention to phase out jeepneys from the streets of the National Capital Region.

The idea was to get rid of jeepneys that are 15 years old or older. The meaning of the 15-yearold policy was unclear, though.

Was it for engines, the body or both? Be that as it may, the jeepney associations led by the left- leaning Piston led several transport strikes that eventually stopped the proposed phaseout program dead on its tracks.

For the next several months, everything was quiet until a few days ago when two broadsheets reported that Mitsubishi, the vehicle manufacturer is studying the possibility of coming up with a new chassis design for a jeepney that could accommodate between 19 and 35 passengers. If this idea is being encouraged by the government, it would mean that the jeepney will be around the streets of Metro Manila for a long time. This will be catastrophic to metro traffic.

What a shame. From the way our transport authorities reacted to the series of strikes mounted by the jeepney association, it is apparent that not enough research was done. No preparation was prepared to counter the strikes which should have been expected. The best that was done was to suspend classes. It should have been an opportunity for the government to reallocate bus routes to other areas instead of just leaving thousands of buses running along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

It is unthinkable that a few jeepney operators can hold the government hostage when their authority to operate can easily be cancelled for violating the conditions of their authority to operate public conveyance. But the government appear to have been paralyzed into inaction because agencies did not know what action to take. Right at this time, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or the Department of Transportation should study reallocating bus routes to other areas so that if there will be future jeepney strikes as the operators are threatening, the buses can easily take over vacated jeepney routes.

This way, we hit two birds with one stone. Decongest Edsa and be able to provide transport to other areas using buses. But it seems the LTFRB and DOTr do not have the imagination to think Turn to A5

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Opinion

He was also a great swimIT IS Father’s Day this Sunday, June 18. This affords families mer. I recall those days when the Abra river welled from continuanother chance to bond.

As the occasion approaches, I ous rain. Quite a storyteller, too. am reminded of my own father, He regaled me with tales of his Emiliano Cortes Jurado Sr. He travels. One story I cannot forget was the Igorot custom of having was my idol. My superhero.

He was not a celebrity or a the remains of the chieftain sit politician. He was a simple pub- on his throne even after he had lic servant—a district supervisor died. All the members of the of public schools, a job where he tribe would fall in line, holding earned P250 a month. That was a cup of Ilocano wine and dipquite a small fortune in the 30s ping the finger of the remains in it. Yuck, I said. and 40s.

He also talked about Igorot At that time, Abra, was a subprovince of Ilocos Sur. It was lat- headhunters coming down every er made an independent provin- summer to chop off the head of cial unit during the reign of the Christians, a sign of adulthood late strongman Quintin Paredes. and courage.

My father was a great cook, an My father used to tell me that he had difficulty courting my expert in making kilawin.

And he was not bad-looking. mother, Margarita Pacis, because he grew up a mere farmer. He had mestizo features he got The Pacis family discriminated from his forebears. I remember against him because he was a my mother always got jealous humble farmer. In those days, if when he showed us his photos your house was just beside the with female teachers.

My father was indeed the town hall, you belonged.

But my father was persistent. pillar of our family, just as my mother was its anchor. He was He eloped with my mother.

Family legend has it that my strict—he was a disciplinarian. father was a descendant of the He hit my bottom when I misbefirst Jurado, whose first name haved.

But there is another thing I rewas Abdon. He came from Malaga, Spain, and was brought by member him for/ I never learned Governor General Juan Salcedo, to swim because my mother was making Vigan, Ilocos Sur the overprotective. But he threw me into the wacapital of the ter—much to Philippines. my mother’s Abdon Jurascolding. do was reportwas only edly assigned He was my idol, in It1947 when to the sub-port my father got of Magsin- my superhero. his diploma. gal whose *** fortress, alThose who though in utare against ter ruins, still stands. Abdon President soon had his brother join him in Duterte’s Proclamation 216 imposing martial law throughout Magsingal.

My father did not have a Bach- Mindanao claim that rebellion elor of Education degree at that does not exist in Marawi City. time. He was a mere high school But hundreds are now dead, ingraduate. But he had the patience cluding civilians.

They also say that the procto go to Baguio every summer to attend seminars in education to lamation was too expansive beearn credit equivalent to a degree. cause there are still peaceful arThis is why I grew up in moun- eas in Mindanao.

If it is not rebellion that the IStain towns. He was assigned to different school districts every inspired Maute Group is doing in Marawi, I don’t know what is. two years.

This is exactly why I support It was actually my mother, a strong-willed woman, who took the proclamation of martial law care of the family when my fa- in Mindanao. The military and police need to stop terrorism. ther was not around.

My father was respected and This is also why I cannot underadmired by his colleagues. In stand why all these organizations those days, priests, judges and are criticizing the participation teachers were the most respected of US forces in Mindanao. It is the Americans who are providmembers of the community.

He was a superhero in my ing AFP the satellite feeds it eyes because I once saw him needs.

Of course there is rebellion wrestling with a horse. He was an expert at making his horses going on in Mindanao.

Besides, martial law under the pace, which made horse riding more comfortable. Horse lovers present Constitution is toothless.

If we lift martial law in from all over Abra and beyond used to visit him because of his Mindanao, terrorists will have a field day. expertise.

The jeepney...

From A4

beyond the length of their proboscis.

We all know how the jeepney came about after the Second World War. I saw a video of Manila in the first half of 1946 and saw the very crude converted military jeeps and weapon carriers that provided the basic transport system in Manila after the destruction of the old tram lines that were never rebuilt. The jeepney of course, went on to dictate the way the land use of Metro Manila developed. The jeepneys are still all over the place somewhat different perhaps but basically the same—made from surplus equipment. The popularity of the jeepney is based solely on the fact that it is the closest thing to a door to door transport. But the very strength of the jeepney as a public transport mode is also the very thing that justifies its gradual phase out from highly urbanized cities like Metro Manila.

The jeepneys are dirty, unsafe and operated in a way that is disadvantageous to paying passengers.

It is not also efficient as a mass transport system. It cannot carry many passengers like the bus and rail but occupies a lot of road space.

In addition, the jeepney contributes in a big way to air pollution.

Since the jeepneys do not have off street parking, many roads are used as jeepney stations. Our transport authorities should be able to come up with a scientific justification whether in the light of the limited road system in Metro Manila, the jeepney as currently designed and operated is still viable for a bur-

geoning and modernizing city like the National Capital Region. The phasewout program of government should have been gradual starting from main thoroughfares like Edsa, C5 and Roxas Boulevard.

From there, additional roads can be added until such time that other modes can take over like rail. A better distribution of bus routes can also be undertaken to eventually replace the jeepneys.

And the jeepney? Move it to lessurbanized cities where it can still be useful. All these however, can only be done with competent people in transport agencies. Unfortunately, we sorely lack people in transport agencies who truly understand land use and transport interaction because that in essence is what traffic management is all about. We have a long way to go in order to arrive at a tolerable traffic situation. Right now, we all have to experience the daily punishing gridlock whether a passenger or car owner.

Traffic management even in less populated and chaotic cities is already difficult. This is because traffic is one of the most dynamic of all activities. A simple vehicular accident in an underpass along Edsa could easily stop traffic for hours. Unfortunately, even this very basic traffic truism is not understood by some people in transport agencies.

Lastly, the challenge to drastically improve traffic in Metro Manila may just remain like what the song says—an elusive dream. Why? Everyone seems to think that the way to improve traffic is to put an enforcer on every intersection and street corner.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The fight against terrorism

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Remembering my late father

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THE government’s battle against the Maute terror group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur has been going on for more than three weeks. Fifty-eight soldiers, more than 190 terrorists, and several civilians were killed during this period. There are severe damages to public and private properties.

Several countries expressed support to the Philippine government on its anti-terrorism operations against IS militants. China, through a statement by Chinese

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang, expressed its support to the leadership of President Duterte and the government’s fight against terrorists.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim confirmed that the United States of America sent special forces to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Marawi City. These US Armed Forces were seen flying drones over Marawi City as they assisted in the surveillance and intelligence gathering. These drones helped in identifying the location of the terrorists.

Their P3 Orion surveillance aircraft was also spotted flying

over the city.

It was not clear who exactly from the Philippine government sought support from the United States, but US Ambassador Kim clarified that US special operations forces, through the years, have been providing assistance in response to Philippine government’s requests. He specified that the US assistance is limited to technical assistance and that there were “no boots on the ground.” US State Secretary Rex Tillerson stated that day-to-day technical advice was part of the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. While President Duterte admitted not seeking America’s

help, he still thanked them for their assistance.

I welcome the American support in the fight against terrorism. This is for our country’s benefit. The support and capabilities, particularly in the use of the drones by the US special operations forces, help in pinpointing the location of the terrorists and will prevent unnecessary damage to property and loss of lives.

An allied relationship between the Philippines and United States in the fight against terrorism is crucial. As long as the protocols established in the VFA and Edca are maintained and observed, we appreciate their assistance in the ongoing battle against the Maute group.

Towards post-disaster resilience THE other day, a fire in London razed a residential tower and a landslide in Bangladesh destroyed several communities.

Scores of fatalities were logged in both incidents, but with no final tally as of presstime.

In the first incident, a fire of unknown origin burned the 24-story Grenfell Tower, a building with 120 units that is part of the Lancaster West Estate, an inner-city social housing complex.

Built in 1974, the building had been refurbished last year but the local Grenfell Action Group claimed it was a fire risk.

Torrential rains caused the landslide in Bangladesh, which buried some residents in their homes and claimed the lives of at least 107 people. Telecommunication links are down in most of the affected areas and heavy rains are hampering rescue operations.

These two disasters occurring close to each other in a tight timeframe bring to mind the issue of vulnerability and how different social classes

experience risk and disaster in different ways.

Grenfell Tower was socialized housing; the local counterpart would be the Bliss buildings for low-income folk. Most of the landslide victims were from tribal communities in Rangamati, a remote hill district. If we look back at the history of disasters, both natural and manmade, we are likely to find that it is the people in the lower socio-economic strata who are both more vulnerable to risk and more affected by the effects of a disaster.

However, most approaches of vulnerability reduction strategies, says development scientist Bernard Manyena (2006), “are often orientated towards the creation of a human coping environment.

“Yet we have learned that people want more than simply to attain the minimum standards associated with coping, meaning that there is a need to adopt resilience thinking that goes beyond vulnerability reduction.”

Vulnerability reduction that focuses on risk assessments and negative reactions, Manyena says, is less effective than building local knowledge and augmenting existing capacity. This observation takes off

from the definition of resilience by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR): “The capacity of a system, community, or society potentially exposed to hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure.

“This is determined by the degree to which the social system is capable of organizing itself to increase this capacity for learning from past disasters for better future protection and to improve risk reduction measures.”

“Local knowledge” or indigenous knowledge is based on the local culture and environment and on experience garnered by the people of a community over many years, even centuries. The concept also embraces “traditional technology” that often works when modern methods are inapplicable or inappropriate.

The local knowledge gained about the risks threatening residential areas often comes at a huge price and the cost of many lives, but will allow the communities to strengthen their capacities for resilience.

Filipinos well know this, having coped with many disasters

stemming from typhoons. An example of a community learning from past disasters to improve risk reduction measures is Albay, which, under governor Joey Sarte Salceda, showed the rest of the country how efficiently and effectively disaster management can be conducted.

However, we must continually find ways to improve our disaster precautions and responses as well, in order to reduce the impact on those most vulnerable— those from lower-income groups.

If the risk is something unknown, everyone will potentially suffer, even the wealthy. But when the risk is something that can be reduced or eliminated by resources—for instance, having a well-built house in a safe location —this leaves the less fortunate to bear the worst brunt of disasters.

Meanwhile, as I wrap up this piece, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center shares news of a 7-magnitude earthquake striking off the coast of Mexico near Chiapas. The risk of disasters is one that we face daily, and we will never know when or where the next one will hit.

Dr. Ortuoste is a Californiabased writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, IG: @artuoste

China rethinks its global role in the age of Trump

By David Shambaugh IN HIS short time in office, President Donald Trump has done a good job of making China great again. His isolationist rhetoric and unilateral actions—such as pulling out of the Paris climate accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership—have made it much easier for China to advance its claim to global leadership, as dismayed US allies and partners proclaim that the US can no longer be “completely depended on,” as German Chancellor Angela Merkel put it. In stark contrast to Trump, China has reaffirmed its commitments to free trade, globalization and the battle against climate change.

China’s case is made more plausible by its markedly increased involvement in what is known as “global governance.” China is no longer the free-rider on the Western-built global system that it had long been. President Xi Jinping has received numerous expert briefings and has convened Politburo meetings on global governance. As a result, China has substantially increased involvement in areas such as climate change, global health, international peacekeeping, antipiracy, anti-corruption, disaster relief, economic governance, development aid, energy security and multilateralism.

In part, this reflects Xi’s own “China Dream” for his nation’s place in the world.

Xi expertly staked out China’s leadership potential at the World Economic Forum in Davos in February in a speech that attracted much international attention. China’s new activism is also due to its sensitivity to foreign criticism for not acting like a true great power (it has a psychological obsession with being seen as one), as well as China’s huge financial wherewithal and the increased professionalism of Chinese bureaucracies.

These actions do suggest that China may be ready to fill some of the void in global

Presumption...

From A4

House questioning the legality of the proclamation, like some senators did when the martial law edict was brought before

governance left by an increasingly isolationist America. But there are at least four reasons to question whether China can be an effective global leader.

First, while China has been an enormous beneficiary of the Western-dominated global system since the country began its economic reforms in 1978, its leaders have for six decades expressed discontent with the system’s inherent “inequality.” While not seeking to overthrow or replace the existing system, Chinese leaders do want to decrease the outsized role of the West and North, while increasing the representation and decisionmaking clout of the East and South. Where existing institutions cannot accommodate such changes, China has spearheaded a set of alternative ones such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

China is thus a “revisionist” power: It seeks not to defend, but to revise the structures and procedures of global governance to reflect what it sees as the real distribution of power in today’s world, although still upholding the existing system in the main.

Second, China is neither willing nor able to dispatch military forces to quell threats to global security. China has an extreme aversion to the use of force and to transgressing state sovereignty. Thus the world should not look to Beijing for help in overturning distasteful regimes or countering transnational aggression, at least not outside the United Nations system (China is a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and endorses the UN’s “Right to Protect” statute for preventing crimes against humanity.)

Third, China’s soft power is seriously lacking. It is far from certain that the country possesses the moral leadership, based on universal values, to become a truly global leader. To be sure, China deserves admiration for its economic and social development, as well as for its 3,000-year civilization. China’s stunning economic growth is

the Senate for voting?

The inescapable conclusion, I think, is that Lagman and his fellow remnants of the Yellow regime frame everything Duterte does on a presumption of irregularity. And that it is high time for the citizenry to call out

the envy of the world, and its urban planning, public health and education systems are all commendable.

But does Beijing possess the moral standing and messages to inspire and lead a diverse world? Its human-rights record and political system only inspire other autocrats.

At its root, China’s problem is that it is sui generis—a unique country whose domestic attributes do not travel well beyond its borders.

Until China develops values that appeal universally, it will lack one of the core features of global leadership. It also needs to heed its own admonitions about equality and treat its neighbors and other states without coercion or intimidation.

Finally, for a nation to be a global leader, it must view the world in positive-sum terms.

It must truly believe that the well-being of others is in one’s own national interests and that contributing to “public goods” enhances one’s own strength. This is what Trump blatantly rejects in his Hobbesian “America First” vision. Until very recently, China had also long practiced a “China First” global policy.

One senses that China is now in the midst of this conceptual transition. But centuries of isolation, as well as many deeply rooted domestic forces, inhibit its thinking and actions in the world.

On balance, China’s role as a global power very much remains a work-in-progress.

The country isn’t necessarily ready for prime time; the vacuum Trump has created is forcing it into the spotlight sooner than its leaders had anticipated or planned for.

Sometimes nations rise to the occasion, as the US did following World War II. Unless China can overcome its limitations, however, it isn’t likely to become the world’s preeminent power, leaving instead its longsought preference: A multipolar world.

Bloomberg

these political opportunists who cannot seem to find anything right in what Duterte does.

In the case of the Marawi crisis, I will repeat my challenge to Lagman and the rest: Come up with a better, workable alternative on how to best deal with

the depredations of the Maute Gang, then we’ll talk.

If they can’t, then they really have no business parsing definitions of rebellion and invasion and forcing the Supreme Court to rule on facts that it does not have in its possession. It’s really that simple.

News

A6

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bucor, Tadeco begin talks on increased govt share

N Ecija’s ex-solon indicted for graft

By Rey E. Requejo

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Bureau of Corrections and the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. have started discussions on increased production sharing early this year even before questions on the 25-year joint venture agreement arose.

This was disclosed by BuCor director Benjamin delos Santos, even as it said that it would wait for the final recommendations of the Department of Justice as well as the House of Representatives, which initiated a probe on its joint venture agreement with Tadeco after a lawmaker questioned the BuCor-Tadeco JVA, such as the firm’s annual payments for both lease and profit sharing for being only a fraction of the prevailing market rate.

“The joint management committee started discussions on increased production sharing and income as early as January,” Delos Santos said in a text message.

Delos Santos’ statement came after the Department of Justice’s fact-finding committee earlier said it found infirmities in some provisions of the BuCor-Tadeco land deal during a review of the JVA. The DoJ exercises administrative supervision over BuCor.

Based on the joint venture agreement, the government would get a guaranteed payment of P26.542 million annually from Tadeco for using the Davao Penal Colony’s 5,308 hectares of land, or at P5,000 per hectare.

The rent is based on the “guaranteed production share” of the BuCor, and the contract has mandated a 10-percent automatic increase every five years.

In 2016, the government, without spending a single centavo, earned a total of P142.72 million from the deal, representing a 45-percent share, Tadeco president and chief executive officer Alex Valoria said. Tadeco is owned by the family of Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. He said that as provided

by the JVA, Tadeco paid the government P438.179 million in taxes and fees in 2016. The firm also shelled out P2.8 billion in wages, benefits, and incentives to its 12,000 employees, 1,000 of them are inmates of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.

“I challenge you to find an agricultural operation that provides these level of benefits to the country,” Valoria told lawmakers during a congressional inquiry.

The contract also provides that in case of a dispute between the parties, the monitoring committee is mandated to “exhaust all efforts” and solve the problem amicably.

The joint venture agreement also barred both parties from instituting legal action

without going first through the monitoring committee.

Delos Santos said in the event that the JVA is struck down, BuCor would have to take over the plantation and secure its premises.

“We have to secure the Tadeco premises to prevent looting,” he said, but nonetheless admitted “we do not have the capability and expertise to manage the plantation.”

The JVA dates back to the Marcos administration when the first joint venture agreement was signed in July 1969 and consolidated into a fresh 25-year contract in September 1979.

A year before its expiry, the contract was renewed in May 1, 2003 between Floirendo’s father, Antonio Floirendo Sr. and then BuCor chief Ramon Liwag.

Customs topped May revenue goal

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs has collected P38.28 billion for the month of May, exceeding its collection target by as much 3.4 percent set by the Department of Finance for the period.

The BoC Financial Service said the bureau collected P39.6 billion in revenue, or P1.3 billion higher from its collection goal for the month.

Also, the May collection was 23.5 percent higher, or P7.52 billion more than the figures reported during the same period last year.

From January to May this year, the BoC collected P176 billion, 1.5 percent short of the year-to-date target of P179.08 billion. The amount, however, was 13.6 percent higher than the P155.26 billion reported during the same period in 2016.

The BoC said the improved collection performance was largely due to higher oil prices in 2017, and increase in volume and value of imports by 19.7 percent and 28.3 percent respectively.

Likewise, foreign exchange rate has increased from P47.05 in 2016 to P49.9 in 2017, thereby resulting in higher revenue yields.

The BoC attributed last month’s good revenue performance to improved collections by the bureau’s 11 district ports.

The Port of San Fernando collected P248 million, up by 26.8 percent from the P195.8 million target revenue; while the Port of Manila collected P6.135 billion, up by 0.6 percent from the P6.101 billion target revenue and the Manila International Container Port collected P12.08 billion, up by 2.4 percent from the P11.80 billion target revenue.

Other ports that exceeded its collections are Ninoy Aquino International Port, which collected P3.35 billion, up by 3.2 percent from the P3.24 billion target revenue; Port of Batangas collected P9.05 billion, up by 5.5 percent from the P8.58 billion target; Port of Tacloban collected P22.8 million, up by 22.5 percent from the P18.6 million target; Port of Cagayan de Oro collected P1.46 billion, up by 52.9 percent from the P953.2 million target; Port of Zamboanga collected P22.3 million, up by 14.7 percent from the P19.4 million target; Port of Davao collected P1.572 billion, up by 37.4 percent from the PP1.143 billion target and Port of Subic collected P1.370 billion, up by 2.7 percent from the P1.334 billion target.

The Port of Clark collected P128.8 million, up by 16.5 percent from the P110.6 million target while the ports of Cebu and Limay, which posted P1.83 billion and P2.28 billion, respectively are about to meet their collection targets.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has expressed confidence that the growth in government revenue will continue up to the end of the year.

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday upheld the indictment of a former representative of Nueva Ecija for alleged involvement in a P15-million pork barrel fund scam.

Ombudsman Conchita MoralesCarpio affirmed the filing of graft and malversation raps against Rodolfo Antonino of the province’s District for the anomalous utilization of his P15,000,000 Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2007.

Antonino is facing two counts of malversation and two counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019.

Also included in the charge sheet were former Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap, and Alan Javellana, Rhodora Mendoza, Encarnita Cristina Munsod andMaria Ninez Guañizo from the National AgriBusiness Corp.

Also indicted were Marilou Antonio of Buhay Mo Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. (BMMKFI) and Carmelita Barredo of C.C. Barredo Publishing House.

In a January 2007 letter, Antonino requested and directly endorsed NabCor and BMMKFI to the Department of Agriculture as implementors of his livelihood training kits project.

On March 22, 2007, BMMKFI through Antonino, exclusively procured from C.C. Barredo 7,275 sets of kits worth P2,000 each or a total of P14.55 million.

A day after, the supplier allegedly delivered the kits on Roxas Boulevard which were accepted and acknowledged by Antonino.

Upon actual field verification, it was found that these were ghost projects as several local officials of Nueva Ecija denied ever receiving any of the LTKs. The project was not even supported by any project proposal, physical and audited financial reports, monitoring reports or due diligence conducted in the supplier and NGO-selection process, neither was there a public bidding.

School feeding program bill okayed

By Maricel V. Cruz

FOUNTAIN OF HEROES. Streetchildren enjoy swimming at a fountain in the shrine that serves as marker for the martyred 19th century Catholic priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as Gomburza. Lino Santos

Dominguez condemns killing of BIR official

By Julito G. Rada

OFFICIAL LAUNCH. Government officials led by (from left) Dr. Alejandro Ibañez assistant school division superintendent, Secretary of Department of Health Paulyn Jean Ubial, Dr. Benjamin Yson, acting city health officer, gather during the launch of the ‘NO TO TOBACCO’ Campaign at Felipe Calderon High School in Manila in observance of the National No Smoking Month. Norman Cruz

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Wednesday condemned the killing of another Bureau of Internal Revenue official and asked law enforcement and investigative agencies to find the culprits of the murder.

Albert Enriquez, chief of the assessment division of the BIR Revenue District Office No. 28, was shot dead early Tuesday by an unidentified man after he got out of his car on West Avenue in Quezon City around 7:30 a.m. near his office.

Reports said the assailant and another man both sped off on a motorcycle after the incident.

“To the family of Mr. Enriquez, my deepest condolences on their loss,” Dominguez said. “We strongly condemn the killing of Mr. Enriquez and call on the Philippine

National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to find the perpetrators behind this heinous act and bring them to justice soon enough.”

Earlier, a BIR director and an official of the Bureau of Customs were also killed by unknown assailants in separate incidents.

Jonas Amora, who was the bureau’s regional director of Revenue Region 8-Makati City, was killed in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City by unidentified men onboard a motorcycle last Nov. 21.

Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica, on the other hand, was on his way home last Nov. 17 to Caloocan City onboard his Toyota Altis with two BoC contractual employees—his driver Romulo Dumaua and bodyguard Ramon Hernandez—when attacked by a suspect wearing a face mask.

CONGRESS will soon enact a measure that will institutionalize the national school feeding program for public kindergarten and elementary school pupils.

This came after the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 5269 which aims to mitigate malnourishment among schoolchildren, thus ensuring that they will be adequately prepared for the formal learning system.

One of the bill’s authors, Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate, said the measure shall establish a system for early identification, prevention, referral, and intervention of developmental disorders and disabilities in early childhood.

“The bill establishes the National School Feeding Program which shall serve as an alternative approach for providing free supplementary meals, including fresh milk and fresh milk-based food products, through a program menu particularly for all children studying in public kindergarten and elementary schools nationwide,” Zarate said.

The bill provides the Department of Education to lead the NSFP administration and implementation.

Several national government agencies, in coordination with the DepEd, shall be tasked to make available such resources as may be necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the NSFP. They include the Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, National Dairy Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, National Nutrition Council and Food and Nutrition Research Center.

The bill states that aside from its consultative and inter-departmental coordinative functions, the DepEd shall also administer the NSFP in coordination with concerned government institutions.

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

S+A airs PVL finals AN explosive showdown awaits fans of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference as the BaliPure Water Defenders and defending champion Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors are locked in a door-die match this Thursday (June 15) at 6 p.m. to determine the Reinforced Conference champions in the inaugural PVL season.

The match will air live from the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan on S+A, S+A HD on cable TV, and via livestreaming on premiervolleyballleague.com.

The Water Defenders kept their championship hopes alive as they staved off elimination beating the Lady Warriors last night 25-15, 26-24, 24-26, 24-26, 15-13 to force Thursday’s rubber match. Pocari Sweat took the series opener last June 10 in four sets, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24.

Expected to lead the fight for the Lady Warriors in their quest to keep the crown is new import Krystal Rivers, along with compatriot Michelle Strizak, and Pocari’s local ace, Myla Pablo. For the Water Defenders, leading their charge to defeat their rivals are Grethcel Soltones and imports Jennifer Keddy and fan-favor-

Castro pads lead to 9 in golf meet LUIS Castro stumbled with a three-over 71 but pulled away by nine strokes over new pursuer Paolo Wong in the third round of the Aguinaldo Junior Open Championship at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club in QC yesterday.

Wong shot the day’s best of 70, including four birdies against two bogeys and two double bogeys, but hardly gained on Castro, who moved 18 holes away from ruling the inaugural staging of the event hosted by the CAGC with a 209 aggregate that included back-to-back 69s.

Castro, a member of the national pool, gunned down three birdies but fumbled with four bogeys and a double bogey for a 36-35 and stayed unassailably ahead of the boys’ Championship Division.

Wong pooled a 218 while Kim Sang Jin limped with a 74 and slid to third at 221. Richnell Albano had a 233 after a 73 for fourth while Riggs Illescas carded a 74 for a 225 for fifth and Santino Gatmaytan also shot a 74 to join Pierre Ticzon, hobbling with a 76, at sixth at 230.

Harmie Constantino bogeyed the last hole and settled for an even par 68 as the national team mainstay assembled a 54-hole total of 200 that featured a solid three-under 65 in the first day in the girls’ side of the event, which offers a Red Jacket plus a one-year membership at CAGC and a round trip ticket to US for the Championship Division winners.

Meanwhile, Martin Alindogan shot 46 Molave points to seize a four-point lead over Zedi Lagman, who had 42, at the start of the Class A (15-18) competition of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Joa Chim Yu fired 29 points to open a five-point lead over Andrei Gahol in Class B (13-14) while Zachary Castro took charge in Class C (11-12) with 42 points, 17 points clear of Theresa dela Paz, who scored a 25.

ite Jaroensri Bualee.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers swept the Power Smashers in two games to finish with a bronze medal. Prior to the game, Valdez was crowned the conference MVP, giving her a boost as she towed the Cool Smashers to a great finish in their maiden conference with the help of imports Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt.

In the Men’s Division, the Cignal HD Spikers overpowered the Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers in a masterful sweep of the championship series in two games. Mark Alfafara and Rex Intal scored 17 points apiece in the deciding match to stave off Bryan Bagunas’ 23-point output for the Jet Spikers.

Joining Valdez, also the league’s 1st Best Open Spiker, in PVL’s first batch of individual awardees are Grethcel Soltones (BaliPure, 2nd Best Open Spiker), Risa Sato (BaliPure, 1st Best Middle Blocker), Jeanette Panaga (Pocari Sweat, 2nd Best Middle Blocker), Melissa Gohing (Pocari Sweat, Best Libero) Dimdim Pacres (Power Smashers, Best Opposite Spiker), and Jasmine Nabor (BaliPure, Best Setter).

Pocari Sweat’s Myla Pablo’s power and BaliPure’s Risa Sato and Jasmine Nabor’s defensive skills will be put into a severe test in tonight’s sudden death.

BaliPure, Pocari dispute PVL volley title in sudden death P OCARI Sweat and BaliPure face off for the third straight time tonight in what promises to be a fitting ending to what had been a thrilling series for the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference crown.

Action shifts back to the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan at 6 p.m. with both teams bracing for another back-and-forth duel that has marked the first two games of the best-of-three series.

The match will be aired live on S+A Channel 23 and can be viewed via livestream on www.sports.abscbn/com/livestream/pvl.

The Lady Warriors hacked out a 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 2624 victory in the series opener last Saturday but the Water Defenders blew hot and cold then hot again when it mattered

most to eke out a 25-15, 26-24, 24-26, 24-26, 15-13 decision late Tuesday to force a winnertake-all in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

It will be a question of desire with Pocari Sweat raring to stay perfect in its three finals stints in the league, including victories in the Reinforced and Open Conferences in its maiden season last year and BaliPure out to nail its first championship in the country’s longest-running women’s volley league backed

by Mikasa and Asics.

It will also be about poise with the Water Defenders proving steadier in a pressure-packed stretch in Game Two where momentum tilted from one side to the other on a mishit, miscue or converted spike.

“We have that tendency to struggle closing out a set,” said BaliPure coach Roger Gorayeb. “We’re up by two sets in Game Two and we lost the third and fourth. In the fifth, I was at a loss as to what should be done. It was tough.”

But the veteran mentor said he was still proud of his wards for pulling off the win to force a sudden death.

It will also be a duel of imports with Pocari’s Michelle Strizak and Krystal Rivers going up against the equally power-hitting pair of Jang Bualee and Jennifer Keddy of BaliPure.

Games today

(Filoil Flying V Center, San Juan) 6 p.m. – BaliPure vs Pocari Sweat

Only in her second game, Rivers rattled off 26 hits in Game Two after a 20-point performance in her debut, including four of Pocari’s seven-hit binge against BaliPure’s three that gave the defending champions a 9-6 lead in the fifth frame.

But the former US NCAA Division I player from Univ. of Alabama struggled for just one hit the rest of the way and was foiled by Keddy in the stretch that shoved the Water Defenders to a 14-12 lead en route to victory.

But Rivers is expected to step up even more tonight together with Strizak, who holds the league-record of 40 hits in the elims, as they

Sato lifts Azkals past Tajikistan

At the MOA signing are (from left) Zamboanga City councilor and Philippine Weightlifting Association vice president Elbert Atilano, Hidilyn Diaz, and Alsons Power executive vice president Tirso G. Santillan.

Alsons Power, Diaz sign pact for scholarship program ALSONS Power Group subsidiaries San Ramon Power Inc. and the Western Mindanao Power Corporation signed a memorandum of agreement with 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and the Philippine Weightlifting Association Inc. to launch the “Alsons Power Hidilyn Diaz Scholarship Program for Aspiring Weightlifters.”

Alsons Power—the first and most experienced independent power producer in Mindanao—created the scholarship program to support Diaz’s aspiration to train Zamboanga City-based aspiring competi-

tive weightlifters with the potential to become world-class champions who could bring honor to the Philippines and serve as inspiration to other Filipinos.

Under the agreement, five scholars initially will be chosen from the pool of aspiring weightlifters under the Hidilyn Diaz training facility in Mampang, Zamboanga City.

Selection of the scholars will depend on the recommendations of Diaz, the incumbent coach of the Philippine national weightlifting team, and the National Weightlifting Association. Additional criteria include the potential scholar’s

desire to complete his/her education and the income level of the family.

The program will initially cover the current school year 2017-2018. Each scholar will receive a subsidy worth P40,000.00 that will cover the provision of school uniforms, shoes, a bag and school supplies, and a monthly stipend for transportation and food allowances covering the 10 months of the school year. Scholars who are also national athletes are already entitled to free tuition.

To remain in the program, the scholars must continue to be active trainees in good standing with the Hidilyn Diaz Training

program in Zamboanga City and/or qualify or remain active at the national weightlifting team. They should have no failing grades in any subject at any time of the school year, must not have any unexcused absence and disciplinary cases during the school year.

According to Diaz, herself a native of Zamboanga City, the Alsons PowerHidilyn Diaz scholarship program is a great opportunity for children to harness their potential as weightlifters while at the same time providing them with the means to continue with their education.

Tabal asks Patafa to let her continue training in Tuscany

By Peter Atencio MARY Joy Tabal is asking authorities to let her continue training in Tuscany, Italy.

Tabal made this appeal as she made effor ts to fulf ill the conditions set by the lippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

slug it out upfront with Bualee and Keddy, who combined for 40 hits in Game Two, including a solid six kill block effort from Keddy, who also put in four aces.

Focus will also be on the locals with Pocari’s Myla Pablo, Jessey de Leon, Jeanette Panaga, Cai Nepomuceno and Desiree Dadang hoping to hold their own against BaliPure’s Soltones, Risa Sato, Jerrili Malabanan, Aiko Urdas and Macy Mendiola.

Jasmine Nabor of BaliPure rebounded from a so-so Game One performance with a 49-excellent set effort in Game Two, eight more than her Pocari counterpart Gyzelle Sy, with the two aces also bracing for a duel of their playmaking prowess along with their respective liberos Melissa Gohing (Pocari) and Ann Pantone (BaliPure).

The 27-year-old Tabal is making an effort to be reinstated in the national team and see action in the coming Southeast Asian Games.

Her main supporter, businessman-sportsman Jonel Borromeo relayed Tabal’s message on Tuesday evening to PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico in a

meeting.

Juico informed Borromeo that the PATAFA Reinstatement Committee will review Tabal’s request once they get it.

“We discussed the requirements of PATAFA. In principle, we agreed that to continue. Her training format is important but it has to be pre-

sented to the panel formed to handle this issue,” said Borromeo in an interview with Manila Standard.

While Tabal is in Italy, Borromeo is mediating on her behalf with the PATAFA. Last Saturday, the PATAFA set its conditions for Tabal’s reinstatement that will allow

her to join the national team that will see action in the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the conditions imposed on Tabal was that she “shall sign a written undertaking committing herself to abide by the PATAFA rules and regulations for all national athletes.”

THE Philippines banked on the heroics of Daisuke Sato to win their second straight match late Tuesday evening in group F of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Sato struck from outside of the box in the 79th minute to lead the Philippine Azkals to a 4-3 win over Tajikistan at the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe.

This put the Azkals on top of Group F and ahead of Yemen, which will be their next rival.

The Azkals improved their chances of reaching the 2019 AFC Asian Cup if they beat Yemen in their Sept. 5 encounter at the Panaad field in Bacolod.

Yemen earlier played Nepal to a scoreless draw at the Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu.

Phil Younghusband struck first for the Azkals.

He silenced the loud Dushanbe crowd with a curling free kick past Abduaziz Makhkamov in the 27th minute.

Then, Javier Patiño made it 2-0 with just four minutes before half time when he converted Mike Ott’s pass.

They tripled their lead three minutes after the restart when Patino braced with a net strike after receiving Ott’s pass.

Tajikistan fought back with two goals in a four-minute span, with Tajik captain Parvizjon Umarboev scoring from the spot in the 57th minute.

Four minutes later, substitute Dilshov Vosiev rocked the crowd after scoring on a counterattack. Peter Atencio

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

A8

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

Sports

Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball over Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

Expect to see more of the Warriors and Cavaliers in the big stage. AFP

Dubs are just getting started O AKLAND—Stephen Curry was still smiling and laughing about Golden State’s second NBA title in three seasons when he made it clear the Warriors think they are just getting started hoisting trophies.

“We’re obviously just getting started,” the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player said. “This is something that we want to continue to do.”

The Golden State juggernaut rolled over Cleveland four games to one in the best-of-seven championship series, which ended with a 129-120 Warriors home triumph Monday that brought NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant his first championship.

“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,” Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving said. “You just pick

F2, Sta. Lucia face off at Strike Gym Games Today (Strike Gym, Bacoor City) 5 pm – Generika-Ayala vs Cherrylume 7 pm – F2 Logistics vs Sta. Lucia

BACOOR CITY—F2 Logistics and Sta. Lucia Realty seek to end their first-round campaign on a high note when they tangle in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference today at the Strike Gym along Molino Drive here.

Game time is at 7 p.m. with both the Cargo Movers and the Lady Realtors looking to book the elusive first victory that would boost their morale in the second round of this club tourney bankrolled by Belo, Rebisco and Gold’s Gym with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Prior to that, Generika-Ayala will try to formalize its entry to Pool C when it clashes with struggling Cherrylume in the 5 p.m. appetizer of the league’s first offering of “Spike on Tour” this conference through the hosting of Cavite vice governor Jolo Revilla and Bacoor City mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Based on the league format, the top two finishers in Pools A and B will collide in Pool C, while the bottom two from both pools will be bunched in Pool D for another round of action to determine their quarterfinal ranking.

So far, Cignal, Foton and Petron are already assured of slots in Pool C, while F2 Logistics and Sta. Lucia are waiting for the outcome of the match between Generika-Ayala and Cherrylume to determine who would join them in Pool D. Things, however, are not looking good for the reigning champions— the Cargo Movers—after bowing to Petron in their first match and to Cignal last Tuesday.

yourself back up and you keep pushing and you keep going.”

It was an unprecedented third consecutive meeting between the clubs in the finals and both appear ready to continue their domination of conference rivals on the way to an annual showdown for the crown.

“As far as that team, they’re going to be here for a while,” Cleveland superstar LeBron James said of the Warriors. “Pretty much all their big-name guys are in their 20s and they don’t show any signs of slowing down. From my eyes, they’re built to last a few years.”

Curry, Durant, 3-point sharp-

shooter Klay Thompson and forward Draymond Green are all under 30 and formidable starters.

“It’s encouraging. Quite encouraging,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s fun to be part of this. It has been great three-year run, but we feel like we can carry this forward. We’ll see how long.”

The Cavaliers will be searching for answers in the off-season after being dethroned, the Warriors avenging last year’s loss when they squandered a 3-1 finals lead.

Does Cavaliers general manager David Griffin look to star free agents or trade deals? Will he bring in more role players as he did with 3-point ace Kyle Korver in order to build a better challenge for the Warriors in the finals? How does he not compromise the squad needed to fight past rivals to reach the finals?

“I know our front office is going to continue to try to put our ball

club, put our franchise, in a position where we can compete for a championship year in and year out,” James said.

“Teams and franchises are going to be trying to figure out ways that they can put personnel together, the right group of guys together to be able to hopefully compete against this team. So we will see, but I will get away from the game a little bit.”

“As far as being back on the basketball court, I’m going to take a while,” he added. “I need to get off of my feet and let my joints and let my body kind of recover from being out on the floor for 14 straight years.”

‘Beat him to the gym’ James could opt out of his contract after next season, so he will want to see some progress. That could involve moving forward Kevin Love, who was only 2-for-8 for six points in the final game.

The Warriors figure to sign Curry to a five-year deal for about

$205 million since he has taken less money in recent years to help finance a strong supporting cast.

Durant might be asked to do the same—take less than he might command elsewhere to allow Golden State to keep Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston without salary cap issues. It’s such unselfish nature that has helped the Warriors flourish.

“We don’t even have to speak about it,” Iguodala said. “That’s the culture that we built and it’s an amazing thing to see.”

And Durant knows James will soon be working on new ways to dethrone the Warriors.

“He’ll probably be back in the gym the start of July getting ready for next season, so I’ve probably got to beat him to the gym,” Durant said. “I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him and I can’t wait to compete against him again next season.” AFP

Patafa’s potential gold hopefuls growing THE Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association’s (Patafa) list of gold medal potentials continues to grow with still two months left before the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Decathlete Janry Ubas registered 7.78 meters to rule the men’s long jump event of the Thailand Open Track and Field Championship recently in Bangkok.

A UAAP Most Valuable Player for Far Eastern University, Ubas booked the golden finish just a few days after tallying 7.88 meters in the Patafa time trial at Philsports track oval that shattered the SEA Games record of 7.87 meters etched by Henry Dagmil in the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

It also broke the SEA Games gold standard of 7.75 meters registered by Supanara Sukhasvasti of Thailand in the previous biennial meet in Singapore.

“This achievement is one of the effects of building community and focusing on the SEA Games with these young men and women as role models,” said Patafa president Philip Ella Juico, adding that Ubas and 11 other members of the team will fly straight to Hong Kong to train in the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) for four weeks before embarking on their SEA Games journey in August.

“If this trend continues, we will certainly surpass our output in Singapore and we still have to train in HKSI.” Aside from Ubas, Patafa is also banking on FilipinoAmericans Eric Cray (400m hurdles and 100m dash), Kayla Richardson (100m dash), EJ Obiena (pole vault), Harry Diones (triple jump) and Patrick Unso (110m hurdles) to deliver the gold medals.

Unso, in fact, registered a new national record of 13.91 seconds to claim the bronze medal in the men’s 110m hurdles of the Thailand Open.

The previous national record is 14.12 seconds, which he also tallied in the last SEA Games in Singapore.

TNT shoots for finals seat; Ginebra tries to stay alive

By Jeric Lopez TNT KaTropa is thinking about a return trip to the finals as it looks to close out its best-of-five semifinal showdown against Barangay Ginebra in the resumption of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. Leading 2-0, the Tropang Texters can finish of the Gin Kings and book the first ticket to the finals in Game 3 of their series today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

An unlikely hero rose to the occasion to put TNT KaTropa in the advantageous position that it is in now.

Anthony Semerad, who is primarily tasked to contain Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, suddenly had an outburst in Game 2, scoring 12 of his 14 points, including the go-ahead triple with over a minute left, in the payoff period to save his squad.

With that, TNT KaTropa was able to pull off a 107103 Game 2 triumph over Ginebra Tuesday night to tighten its grip on the series further.

With opportunity at hand, Texters’ coach Nash Racela is looking to capitalize on this and end it the soonest, knowing Ginebra’s capabilities of climbing back.

“We should look to end it.

Or else, we’ll put ourselves in more danger. It will be tough, but I’m hoping we can get one more,” said Racela.

Ginebra was actually leading for most part of Game 2. Still, it was unable to hold on.

Actually, the Gin Kings seemed prime to equalize down the stretch before Semerad’s heroics happened.

As of press time, San Miguel and Star are continuing their intense semis series of their own with their Game 3 battle.

The victor of that one will get an important 2-1 series lead and likewise move a step closer to the finals.

STILL THE PH’S PRIDE. Multi-titled equestrienne Toni Leviste of the Philippines

competes at the Baltica Tour in Cieckocinco, Poland with her stallion Maximmillian, now 17 years old last June 4.

POC rejects SEA Games’ roster of ‘new Philta’

By Randy Caluag THE Philippine Tennis Association submitted a line-up of athletes to the office of the Chef de Mission to the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games but it will not be recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The line-up includes Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon for the men’s team, while Kathrina Lehnert, Anna Clarice Patrimonio, Kim Iglupas and Denise Dy make up the women’s squad.

The document, received by

Southeast Asian Games Chef de Mission Cynthia Carrion, was signed by lawyer Tony Cablitas, who purportedly ascended to the Philta presidency in an election called by board member Romeo Magat.

POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros, however said that the list submitted by Cablitas will not be honored because the POC only recognizes Edwin Olivares, mayor of Parañaque City, as Philta president.

“It should be Mr. Olivarez who should sign all the documents because he is the recognized president by the POC. If Philta wants to change leader-

ship, it should go through the right process,” said Hontiveros.

Carrion also told media that she will just receive the line-up, but it doesn’t mean that it will be an official document.

It was not known if the players in the line-up were aware of their inclusion in the team.

The last time their names were submitted for participation in the Davis Cup, Huey and Alcantara begged off.

Before the supposed Philta election took place on Friday last week, POC president Joey Romasanta said they will not send a represen-

tative because the requirements for holding the elections were not met.

First, the elections should be called by Olivares and not Romeo Magat.

Secondly, the Philta board should send the POC a formal resolution declaring the additional names in the board of trustees.

Cablitas, Jean Henri Lhuillier, Gerardo Maronilla and Martin Misa were not included in the original voting board members of Philta.

“Everything should be validated, including the names of all those who will vote in the elections. If the requirements are met, by all means,

we will send our representative and make the elections valid,” said Hontiveros.

Magat’s group proceeded with the elections however, even without a duly recognized POC representative.

The results of the elections also drew flak from a group composed of active stakeholders in tennis.

“We did not participate in the recent election because it violated several rules. Even the Philippine Olympic Committee did not participate and is not recognizing the results,” said Lhuillier, a long-time tennis patron and who is being groomed to be the next Philta president.

Business

Investors steer clear of BSP auction B3

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

B1

68 firms required to increase public float

By Jenniffer B. Austria SIXTY EIGHT listed companies must sell more shares to the public to comply with the planned imposition of a 20-percent minimum public ownership.

Securities and Exchange Commission director for market securities and regulations Vicente Graciano Felizmenio said in a presentation during a public consultation that 39 companies would be affected by the imposition of a 15-percent public float by end-2018, while 68 firms must comply with the 20-percent requirement by end-2020.

Among the listed companies whose public ownership are currently below 20 percent are San Miguel Corp., San Miguel Purefoods Co. Inc., Filinvest Development Corp., Eagle Cement Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and PAL Holdings Inc. The SEC said if all 39 companies would comply with the 15-percent public float requirement by end-2018, a total of P37.23 billion worth of funds would be raised in the market, while another P112.5 billion would be raised by 68 listed companies by end-2020 to meet the 20-percent float.

The SEC said assuming that all affected companies decided to raise their public float to 20 percent by end-2018, a total of P130.1 billion would be raised from the stock market.

Felizmenio said the P130.1billion capital raising could be easily absorbed by the market given the ample liquidity in the financial system. He said assets under management of mutual funds, insurance sector and unit investment trust funds now reached P1.24 trillion.

More funds would be available for investments with the proposed tax reform agenda of the Duterte administration.

Fund Managers Association of the Philippines board adviser Michael Ferrer expressed support to the move of the SEC to increase the minimum public ownership as this was seen to boost liquidity in the stock market.

GO LOKAL! IN MAKATI. Go Lokal! Opens at Rustan’s Department Store in Makati City, following the store’s successful launches in other shopping malls. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (second from right) and Rustan’s SuperCenters president Donnie Tantoco (left) lead the ceremonial launching of Go Lokal!, an all-Filipino concept store that offers the best products from Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises. Also shown are Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado (right) and Rustan’s Commercial Corp. president Zenaida Tantoco (second from left).

PLDT sells entire stake in Meralco, power unit

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Alena Mae S. Flores

P

LDT Inc. said Wednesday it sold its remaining stake in power retailer Manila Electric Co. and Global Business Power Corp. to sister company Metro Pacific Investments Corp. for P21.8 billion.

PLDT said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that unit PLDT Communications and Energy Ventures Inc. signed a share purchase agreement with Metro Pacific covering the sale of its remaining 25-percent equity interest in Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc..

Beacon is a special purpose company jointly owned by PCEV and MPIC that holds a 35-percent interest in Meralco and a 56-percent interest in power producer Global Business Power Corp. PCEV’s interest in

Meralco was 8.7 percent.

Under the agreement, MPIC will pay P12 billion in cash on closing, which is anticipated to occur within the month. The balance of P9.8 billion will be paid over the next four years.

Metro Pacific will purchase 645,756,250 common shares constituting 25 percent of the outstanding shares of Beacon at P24.798 per share and 458,370,086 Class “A” preferred shares at P12.62 per share constituting 25 percent of the total economic rights on the outstanding Class “A” preferred shares.

Metro Pacific said that upon completion of the transaction, it would continue to own a direct 10.5 percent interest in Meralco and, through its 100-percent interest in Beacon, a further 35 percent, thereby taking its effective ownership in Meralco to 45.5 percent, up from 41.2 percent and in Global Power to 56 percent directly and 6.4 percent indirectly, through Meralco.

PCEV will no longer have any direct interest in Beacon and indirect interest in Meralco and Global Power.

“The divestment of our Beacon investment

will help the PLDT group focus on the key priorities in its core businesses. While the investment is now viewed as no longer strategic, it has nonetheless been a very financially satisfying one,” PLDT and PCEV chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

“Proceeds from the sale will be used principally to reduce debt and to fund the ongoing network upgrade and expansion,” he said.

PCEV has invested in Meralco and Beacon since 2009 an aggregate amount of about P24 billion. Over the years, PCEV received P14.7 billion in cash dividends and completed its divestment for an aggregate consideration of P51.6 billion.

“The acquisition of PCEV’s remaining 25 percent in Beacon, at what I consider to be a very attractive entry price, means that for the first time we have no minority partner in our power portfolio holding company,” MPIC chief executive Jose Ma. Lim said.

“We are now free to accelerate our rate of participation in the Philippine power sector building on our nationwide presence as we embrace distribution, thermal generation, renewables and energy from waste,” he said.

Dutch bank sees peso rising to 48.80 a dollar

By Julito G. Rada

VXI RECRUITMENT HUB. VXI Philippines, recently recognized as BPO Company of the Year, opens a new recruitment hub at the ground floor of Panorama Techno Center building in Quezon City. VXI Philippines executive vice President Jared Morrison (second from left) poses for a ‘selfie,’ along with the company’s officers and employees at the newly opened facility.

ING Bank Manila expects the peso to strengthen to 48.80 against the US dollar by yearend, up from the Dutch bank’s previous estimate of 49.50 a dollar.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said strong macroeconomic fundamentals would continue to shield the local currency from volatility mostly emanating from the external environment.

“We further expect a strong Philippine peso environment in the second half. Volatility will remain as market reacts to developments offshore and onshore… We expect the peso at 48.80 by yearend from our previous forecast last week of 49.50,” Cuyegkeng said in a report Wednesday.

He said a weak US dollar environment together with steady Chinese yuan would offset a steady monetary policy view and keep the peso probing the strongest level year-to-date at 49.36 a dollar.

The peso closed at 49.505 a dollar Wednesday.

“We have turned bullish for the peso and expect the peso to strengthen to P48.80 by yearend after some amount of volatility.

Other reasons are the belated return to pre-reflation trade in November 2016, favorable reception of the tax reform program, stronger-than-expected structural inflows and portfolio flows and a more modest trade deficit coupled with a recovery in OFW remittances,” Cuyegkeng said.

Cuyegkeng said while there were headwinds, these could be temporary as investors would eventually look beyond these issues. He said the tax reform program could see a hit on household consumption in 2018.

He said economic growth would likely accelerate in the second half as consumers front-load spending ahead of the tax impact starting in January 2018. “We continue to expect that political impact on the financial markets is likely to remain low,” Cuyegkeng said.

Travel group slams Customs order on airport staff overtime fees

By Othel V. Campos A travel industry group is opposing an order by the Bureau of Customs requiring airlines to shoulder the overtime fees of the agency’s airport officers.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association said a draft Customs administrative order would soon become a part of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

PTAA president Marlene Jante said overtime pay for customs officials should be shouldered by the government and not by the airlines.

“If the Bureau of Customs wants to implement an overtime system instead of the 24/7 shifting schedule that was specified under CAO 7-2011, then airlines under any circumstances should not be ordered to provide service fees, dues and other charges,” Jante said.

Former PTAA president Aileen Clemente said it was unacceptable for the government, especially in a globalized economy, to only provide customs services during working hours.

“It is not right for tourists, investors and Filipinos coming back into the country to not be cleared by the BOC for entry unless the airlines pay for it,” Clemente said.

Both Jante and Clemente said that enforcement of Customs

laws was an obligation of the government that should be provided all the time.

Under Section 3 of the draft CAO, customs services shall not be less than eight hours work per day for five days a week exclusive of lunch time or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Under the general provisions of Section 4, Customs can charge aircraft supervision fee of P30,000 from airlines or their

agents for every aircraft engaged in foreign commerce that landed and departed from an international airport of entry and where customs services are rendered.

Section 4.2 states that all fees collected shall be placed in a trust fund and will be used for overtime fees and those for meal, transportation and accommodation allowances for employees who need to travel outside their worksite to render customs services.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, June 14, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

49.5580

Japan

0.009087

0.4503

Yen

UK

Pound

1.275600

63.2162

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128253

6.3560

Switzerland

Franc

1.032418

51.1646

Canada

Dollar

0.755287

37.4305

Singapore

Dollar

0.724270

35.8934

Australia

Dollar

0.753500

37.3420

Bahrain

Dinar

2.662265

131.9365

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266695

13.2169

Brunei

Dollar

0.721657

35.7639

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029481

1.4610

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

13.4947

Euro

Euro

1.121700

55.5892

Korea

Won

0.000888

0.0440

China

Yuan

0.147083

7.2891

India

Rupee

0.015547

0.7705

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234687

11.6306

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721900

35.7759

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033108

1.6408 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF Twitter expands exposure in PH

MOBILE app Twitter is expanding its exposure in the Philippines to reach more Filipino users in remote islands and provinces with the launch of Twitter Lite, a more accessible, datafriendly mobile news and social media engagement tool.

Twitter head of business development for Southeast Asia and Australia Dwi Adriansah said Twitter Lite aimed to “attract more Twitter users from all parts of the Philippines.”

“We’re focused on expanding our reach to more people. We noticed that in the emerging markets, we see people still connecting to 3G when data is slow. But having Twitter Lite, they don’t have to worry about slow connection because Twitter Lite is built on the PWA, a progressive wed app,” he said.

The Philippines became the third country in Asia with access to Twitter Lite, after India in April and Indonesia in May. Twitter also reinforced its strategic partnership with Smart Communications and Globe Telecom to reach and recruit more users. “The Philippines is one of the important and largest audience for us. Even in the Asia Pacific region, the Philippines is one of our growth drivers. It is one of the most exciting markets in the region where almost everyday something is trending on Twitter―whether it is a celebrity or a drama program,” Adriansah said.

Othel V. Campos

BSP set to release bank glitch report

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will soon come out with a report on its own investigation into the electronic glitch that hit Bank of the Philippine Islands last week.

“I have not gotten the report yet, but it is being prepared by our examination team,” Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said at the sidelines of an event Wednesday.

BPI, the fourth-largest bank in terms of assets, said it suspended access to its electronic services on June 7, after an internal processing error that resulted in transactions from April 27 to May 2 to be double-posted.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., who will succeed Tetangco as the next governor on July 3, said the investigation would take time. “We are not done yet. A thorough inquiry requires time,” Espenilla, who also heads the supervision and examination sector, said in a text message.

Senate President Aquilino Pimental III filed a resolution asking for an investigation on the BPI mess. He said that “considering that the banking system has become an indispensable institution…that plays a vital role in the economic life of every civilized society, a probe by the Senate should be held to look into the safeguards against injury to the banking public attributable to the negligence of banks which need to be studied and enacted into legislation.”

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PAL spending $80m to upgrade 8 aircraft

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines said it will spend $80 million this year to reconfigure eight A330 aircraft as a part of its strategy to achieve a five-star rating by 2020.

“So for us to be able to compete, we have to shape up. We have to be at par with the competition. This is the reason why we are reconfiguring our planes,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters.

“This is an important ingredient for us to get the four-star this year,” he said.

PAL is targeting to have a five-star rating by 2020 from the current three-star rating based on the latest audit by Skytrax.

The airline already converted one of its eight mono-class 414-seater A330-300s into a

309-seater tri-class model with business, premium economy and economy class sections.

Bautista said the company is spending $10 million per aircraft for the makeover.

“By December, the remaining seven A330s will be completed,” he said.

The reconfigured A330 will be utilized for the Manila-HonoluluManila route starting this month.

Other A330 tri-class planes will be unveiled in July for Melbourne, in August for Sydney, in September for Singapore, in October for Haneda, in November for Narita and in December for Osaka.

The airline led by tycoon Lucio Tan expects the delivery of two Boeing 777-300 ERs in December and five next-generation Bombardier Q400s in July to November.

Stock market rebounds; PLDT, DMCI lead gainers

S

TOCKS rose Wednesday, following another record close on Wall Street as investors awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, hoping for guidance on its monetary policy plans.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, climbed 48 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 7,966.01, as five of the six major sectors advanced.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 21 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,729.05, on a value turnover

of P18.3 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 97 to 85, while 50 issues were unchanged.

Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led

by PLDT Inc., the largest telecom company, which climbed 3 percent to P1,905 after it announced its divestment from Manila Electric Co. and Global

Business Power Corp.

DMCI Holdings Inc., the investment company of the Consunji family, went up 2.8 percent to P14.90, while conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of tycoon John Gokongwei added 2.2 percent to close at P80.80.

Local stocks followed the gains in the US. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a high of 21,332.77 Tuesday and closed 0.4 percent higher. The S&P 500 Index added 0.5 percent to settle at a new record high.

The US Federal Reserve is all but certain to raise interest rates after its meeting ends later in the day but the main focus will be on chair Janet Yellen’s comments afterwards.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.43 46,000 50.2 63,440 106.3 1,254,630 3.92 28,000 123.8 1,378,380 1.36 95,000 37 152,300 16.28 61,100 27.6 266,300 0.7 5,000 1.64 158,000 850 170 0.73 3,172,000 88 1,871,100 0.99 5,141,000 15.5 5,200 67.5 162,700 239 610 88 13,000 60.65 154,070 220 527,890 1,630 110 85.2 37,570 1.25 15,000

202,730 3,175,201 132,760,379 108,840 170,351,203 129,760 5,639,145 995,598 7,319,010 3,500 259,710 143,750 2,289,560 164,449,258 5,181,970 80,600 10,963,070 145,790 1,144,154.50 9,355,997 116,227,456 178,250 3,200,783 18,650

2,449,734 34,201,124 33,205,370 1,236,295 -798,700 3,914,285 -9,121,445 59,920 -5,112,712.50 -1,064,909.50 -744,988 -52,614,368 -170,150 696,975.50 -

38.4 7.94 0.81 1.52 29.3 0.265 115.8 7.28 17.9 23.95 14.22 75 2.02 5.1 11.62 12.12 15.58 9.8 6.94 6.06 18.66 71 14.5 13.96 11.9 1.69 211.6 3.99 3.5 31.5 19.26 19 254 0.255 6.6 3.16 9.64 5.05 10.22 1.96 9.4 70 6.41 295 4.5 2.01 5.21 2.46 13.48 4.91 0.147 1.36 160 4.1 2.01 35.45

INDUSTRIAL 38.55 930,600 7.95 2,024,700 0.82 208,000 1.52 9,322,000 29.5 233,000 0.27 6,840,000 116 110 7.34 5,417,800 17.9 2,421,400 24.2 650,900 14.26 6,000 75 1,050 2.04 486,000 5.2 22,500 11.7 1,800 12.16 9,245,800 15.6 1,367,400 9.84 358,100 6.94 807,200 6.15 13,593,000 18.74 1,254,300 71.85 29,810 15.28 42,700 13.98 263,200 12.6 1,875,200 1.7 373,000 215.4 386,160 4.1 55,000 3.5 6,000 31.8 1,534,800 19.56 1,924,200 19.42 2,555,000 257.8 5,660,220 0.26 48,450,000 6.61 48,900 3.38 168,000 9.69 11,883,300 5.5 1,609,000 10.22 900 1.97 667,000 9.61 2,912,500 71.2 3,009,850 6.5 237,800 298.8 2,090 4.5 58,000 2.02 47,000 5.21 455,400 2.55 2,530,000 13.52 324,900 4.91 600 0.15 3,050,000 1.37 49,000 162 734,070 4.1 5,000 2.04 4,101,000 35.5 2,700

35,885,600 16,119,069 169,250 14,262,990 7,019,750 1,842,250 12,746 39,695,289 44,185,002 15,641,705 85,496 78,750 997,310 116,800 21,136 112,704,938 21,345,704 3,518,072 5,624,123 83,123,478 23,492,122 2,132,876 633,920 3,684,678 23,315,332 632,680 82,550,674 224,690 21,160 48,733,495 37,652,596 49,367,868 1,457,610,460 13,289,800 324,284 561,230 115,445,401 8,679,777 9,198 1,312,120 27,816,821 212,904,676.50 1,550,515 618,682 264,550 95,120 2,447,654 6,426,230 4,387,172 2,963 450,870 67,110 118,426,243 20,500 8,377,770 96,265

2,674,225 208,417 -13,140,570 11,858,449 13,028,662.00 -25 20,400 -653,164 5,310,136 -1,688,756 -1,566,784 60,882,866 -9,548,102 1,337,036.00 3,056 -1,387,598 -2,597,136 -11,476,746 -8,220 5,207,250 -6,979,374 11,552,602 -885,943,252 -163,750 -175,410 -1,187,546 930 -5,910 -190,000 11,380,092.50 227,500 -86,150 10,700 2,131,130 4,135,914 47,532,108 483,140 -

0.385 75.9 14.4 1.2 6.16 0.35 0.34 870 8.1 15.04 7.6 6.17 0.202 1,232 7.46 81.15 4.93 1.04 7.7 15.78 6.34 0.056 0.94 2.07 2.6 105.8 2.78 798 0.87 1.39 306.8 0.29 0.245

0.37 75.05 13.78 1.16 6.13 0.34 0.34 859 7.85 14.6 7.59 6.1 0.202 1,210 7.28 79.15 4.7 1 7.47 15.62 6.22 0.054 0.93 2.02 2.6 104.4 2.68 788 0.86 1.38 304 0.285 0.244

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 9,020,000 75.9 1,323,060 14.4 6,735,100 1.16 119,000 6.16 25,900 0.34 1,490,000 0.34 10,000 867.5 244,880 7.85 2,064,800 14.9 12,344,500 7.59 4,300 6.17 3,000 0.202 10,000 1,220 221,650 7.3 25,100 80.8 1,679,670 4.93 13,000 1.01 2,287,000 7.7 562,800 15.62 3,326,700 6.25 21,586,000 0.054 46,470,000 0.93 200,000 2.03 44,000 2.6 3,000 105.5 208,030 2.7 20,000 792.5 299,910 0.86 100,000 1.39 278,000 306 3,600 0.29 80,000 0.244 60,000

3,374,050 100,372,901 95,497,548 138,080 159,517 512,300 3,400 211,677,135 16,441,900 182,600,696 32,640 18,307 2,020 269,713,140 184,331 134,580,621.50 63,360 2,316,750 4,300,849 52,147,394 135,702,595 2,523,010 186,840 90,450 7,800 21,915,998 53,970 237,425,740 86,020 386,110 1,100,586 23,100 14,650

40,700 9,370,428 18,224,008 -8,634,565 521,784 82,289,068 -25,328,890 30,419,745.50 10,100 1,808,379 -12,937,152 23,807,839 35,700 11,566,697 156,680,760 2,760 9,760

6.05 1.54 2.62 1.24 41.2 3.96 5.44 5.31 0.52 1.15 1.5 0.171 0.52 48.5 0.7 0.16 1.69 1.15 0.97 4.52 0.435 0.37 0.65 3.86

5.98 1.45 2.5 1.21 40.1 3.89 5.31 5.28 0.5 1.12 1.46 0.169 0.51 46.5 0.68 0.155 1.64 1.13 0.96 4.42 0.41 0.355 0.63 3.85

7,045,486 23,561,510 632,020 1,995,670 844,586,140 5,807,200 18,741,896 234,723 2,672,300 78,280 995,420 852,470 1,080,720 21,023,515 381,780 116,930 6,269,050 9,514,590 442,400 136,768,810 53,626,550 149,700 4,380,540 405,250

-6,136,788 288,420 156,240 -40,514,670 2,189,610 -2,400,458 -306,000 -544,170 -9,777,220 -340,900 3,120 -2,777,540 63,834,240 -292,800 49,280 -

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE 4.5 ASIA UNITED 50 BANK PH ISLANDS 105.2 BDO LEASING 3.9 BDO UNIBANK 123.4 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.38 CHINABANK 36.95 COL FINANCIAL 16.2 EAST WEST BANK 27.3 FIRST ABACUS 0.7 IREMIT 1.65 MANULIFE 845 MEDCO HLDG 0.73 METROBANK 87.2 NTL REINSURANCE 1.03 PB BANK 15.5 PHIL NATL BANK 67.35 PHIL STOCK EXCH 239 PSBANK 88.1 RCBC 61.1 SECURITY BANK 222 SUN LIFE 1,620 UNION BANK 85.15 VANTAGE 1.24

4.5 50.2 106.3 3.92 124.2 1.38 37.2 16.3 27.65 0.7 1.7 850 0.73 88.15 1.04 15.5 67.5 239 88.1 61.1 222 1,630 85.25 1.25

4.2 48.35 105.2 3.85 123.2 1.36 36.9 16.2 27.3 0.7 1.64 845 0.71 86.7 0.99 15.5 67.2 239 88 60.5 216.6 1,620 85.15 1.24

ABOITIZ POWER 38.5 AGRINURTURE 7.99 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.81 ALSONS CONS 1.55 ASIABEST GROUP 31.1 BASIC ENERGY 0.27 BOGO MEDELLIN 116 CEMEX HLDG 7.3 CENTURY FOOD 18.6 CIRTEK HLDG 24.05 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.24 CONCEPCION 75 CROWN ASIA 2.02 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.1 DEL MONTE 11.62 DNL INDUS 12.28 EAGLE CEMENT 15.6 EEI CORP 9.9 EMPERADOR 6.95 ENERGY DEVT 6.12 FIRST GEN 18.66 FIRST PHIL HLDG 71.85 GINEBRA 14.8 HOLCIM 14.08 INTEGRATED MICR 12.24 IONICS 1.7 JOLLIBEE 214.2 LMG CHEMICALS 3.99 MABUHAY VINYL 3.66 MANILA WATER 31.5 MAXS GROUP 19.26 MEGAWIDE 19.36 MERALCO 256.6 MG HLDG 0.33 PANASONIC 6.82 PEPSI COLA 3.16 PETRON 9.65 PHIL H2O 5.06 PHINMA 10.22 PHINMA ENERGY 1.97 PHX PETROLEUM 9.4 PILIPINAS SHELL 70 PRYCE CORP 6.68 PUREFOODS 296.2 RFM CORP 4.6 ROXAS AND CO 2.01 ROXAS HLDG 5.48 SFA SEMICON 2.55 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.5 SPC POWER 5 SWIFT FOODS 0.15 TKC METALS 1.37 UNIV ROBINA 160 VICTORIAS 4.1 VITARICH 2.06 VIVANT 35.95

38.8 7.99 0.82 1.59 31.25 0.275 116 7.36 18.6 24.2 14.26 75 2.07 5.2 11.8 12.28 15.66 9.94 6.99 6.15 18.88 71.85 15.28 14.08 12.7 1.71 215.4 4.11 3.66 32.15 19.94 19.42 263.2 0.33 6.82 3.43 9.78 5.61 10.22 1.99 9.76 71.4 6.68 298.8 4.6 2.06 5.55 2.58 13.54 5 0.15 1.37 162 4.1 2.09 35.95

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 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 ZEUS HLDG

0.38 75.8 13.96 1.16 6.13 0.34 0.34 860 8.04 14.62 7.6 6.1 0.202 1,232 7.32 80 4.7 1.01 7.47 15.72 6.28 0.055 0.94 2.07 2.6 105 2.78 798 0.87 1.39 306.8 0.285 0.244

8990 HLDG 6.05 A BROWN 1.48 ARANETA PROP 2.5 ARTHALAND CORP 1.21 AYALA LAND 41 BELLE CORP 3.89 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.34 CEBU HLDG 5.29 CENTURY PROP 0.52 CITY AND LAND 1.15 CITYLAND DEVT 1.46 CROWN EQUITIES 0.17 CYBER BAY 0.52 DOUBLEDRAGON 47.85 EMPIRE EAST 0.7 EVER GOTESCO 0.156 FILINVEST LAND 1.66 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.15 IRC PROP 0.97 MEGAWORLD 4.46 MRC ALLIED 0.43 PHIL ESTATES 0.37 PHIL REALTY 0.64 PRIMEX CORP 3.86

VOLUME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PTFC REDEV CORP 27.75 ROBINSONS LAND 24.65 ROCKWELL 1.77 SHANG PROP 3.27 SM PRIME HLDG 34 STA LUCIA LAND 1.03 STARMALLS 7.29 SUNTRUST HOME 0.89 VISTA LAND 5.66

27.8 25.45 1.77 3.27 34.55 1.05 7.29 0.89 5.71

27.75 24.4 1.74 3.27 33.3 1.02 7.29 0.88 5.65

27.8 25.45 1.75 3.27 34.5 1.03 7.29 0.89 5.65

1,000 898,400 213,000 71,000 10,545,200 6,510,000 1,000 128,000 5,133,600

27,795 22,344,895 373,100 232,170 360,669,285 6,722,690 7,290 113,880 29,066,789

-124,395 65,400 12,506,125 12,035,331

2GO GROUP 23.45 ABS CBN 43.4 ACESITE HOTEL 1.65 APC GROUP 0.51 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.045 ASIAN TERMINALS 11.3 BERJAYA 5.52 BLOOMBERRY 9.65 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.097 CALATA CORP 2.1 CEBU AIR 98.25 DFNN INC 8.45 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.56 FAR EASTERN U 970 GLOBE TELECOM 2,136 GMA NETWORK 6.12 GOLDEN HAVEN 16 GRAND PLAZA 13.2 HARBOR STAR 2.87 IMPERIAL 3.53 INTL CONTAINER 106.2 IPEOPLE 12.68 IPM HLDG 8.9 ISLAND INFO 0.183 ISM COMM 1.48 JACKSTONES 3.5 LBC EXPRESS 15.56 LEISURE AND RES 4.56 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.92 MACROASIA 4.83 MANILA JOCKEY 2.44 MELCO RESORTS 8.65 METRO RETAIL 3.85 MLA BRDCASTING 15.7 NOW CORP 2.7 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.5 PAL HLDG 5.3 PHILWEB 10 PLDT 1,856 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.57 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.39 PUREGOLD 44.7 ROBINSONS RTL 88.5 SBS PHIL CORP 5.95 SSI GROUP 3.1 STI HLDG 1.28 TRAVELLERS 3 WATERFRONT 0.83 WILCON DEPOT 6.58

26.95 43.5 1.74 0.52 0.045 11.4 5.67 9.96 0.098 2.13 99 8.58 2.56 970 2,196 6.19 16 13.2 2.87 3.53 107 12.68 8.9 0.184 1.48 3.61 15.56 4.56 0.92 4.83 2.44 9.15 3.95 15.7 2.75 11.5 5.3 10.32 1,915 1.58 0.395 45 88.5 6.1 3.15 1.33 3.1 0.85 6.6

23.45 43 1.62 0.5 0.043 11.3 5.52 9.47 0.089 2.07 96.5 8.44 2.56 970 2,114 6.12 16 13.2 2.8 3.43 102.7 12.68 8.85 0.182 1.36 3.45 15.4 4.25 0.9 4.75 2.21 8.6 3.77 15.54 2.66 11.5 5.03 9.92 1,847 1.56 0.385 44.25 87.6 5.95 3.05 1.24 2.96 0.81 6.32

SERVICES 26.85 2,816,400 43.35 30,000 1.69 493,000 0.52 404,000 0.044 13,600,000 11.3 17,400 5.66 600 9.51 12,868,500 0.09 212,510,000 2.1 6,684,000 99 562,500 8.58 97,400 2.56 2,000 970 500 2,178 54,950 6.16 251,600 16 10,600 13.2 4,100 2.84 381,000 3.44 23,000 105 2,766,500 12.68 100 8.9 347,000 0.182 2,730,000 1.4 501,000 3.5 219,000 15.4 2,000 4.26 2,038,000 0.9 145,000 4.76 565,000 2.23 393,000 8.99 12,543,200 3.77 6,389,000 15.54 2,200 2.68 974,000 11.5 900 5.05 4,500 10.28 929,700 1,905 232,695 1.58 3,713,000 0.395 1,280,000 44.8 2,034,400 87.8 621,360 6.1 516,400 3.06 4,693,000 1.31 19,643,000 3.02 3,058,000 0.85 11,363,000 6.47 9,017,700

73,160,195 1,297,720 809,550 202,600 598,600 197,140 3,371 124,289,221 19,640,020 13,978,870 55,227,546.50 827,340 5,120 485,000 119,003,660 1,548,244 169,600 54,120 1,074,210 79,950 289,262,229 1,268 3,081,300 498,690 698,120 768,660 30,970 8,937,760 132,400 2,709,990 877,550 112,021,260 24,555,560 34,508 2,623,460 10,350 23,078 9,419,254 439,579,000 5,859,670 498,650 90,770,910 54,608,527 3,133,932 14,461,720 25,436,340 9,260,270 9,503,400 58,538,406

1,237,940 2,418,730 150,230 207,910 -40,088,492.50 -485,000 21,613,380 2,348,834 -27,600 70,000 103,950 -26,208,730 -3,246,220 27,000 -614,816 93,016,410 -800,090 50,960,810 11,480,208 -2,124,500 1,145,820 2,136,190 130,380 -830 2,119,538

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

0.0031 1.67 5 16 2.3 0.93 0.39 9.3 2.35 0.295 0.182 0.196 0.011 0.011 2.02 6.18 2.06 0.45 0.97 0.01 6.18 0.012 9.01 3.04 159.5 2.87 0.0083

0.0031 1.7 5.09 16 2.3 0.93 0.39 9.35 2.4 0.31 0.187 0.197 0.012 0.011 2.08 6.19 2.06 0.55 1.02 0.011 6.3 0.013 9.01 3.06 160.5 2.9 0.0083

0.003 1.65 5 16 2.3 0.92 0.385 9.2 2.34 0.295 0.18 0.195 0.011 0.011 1.99 6.15 2.01 0.45 0.96 0.01 6.16 0.012 8.93 2.96 159.2 2.75 0.0082

MINING & OIL 0.003 828,000,000 1.7 3,576,000 5 73,500 16 100 2.3 2,000 0.92 24,000 0.39 240,000 9.21 11,800 2.35 1,631,000 0.3 1,380,000 0.183 4,900,000 0.195 1,100,000 0.011 31,200,000 0.011 12,100,000 2 314,000 6.17 428,300 2.01 103,000 0.53 1,500,000 0.98 148,000 0.01 30,500,000 6.25 92,000 0.013 222,600,000 9 266,400 3.05 1,651,000 160 711,000 2.83 71,000 0.0082 22,000,000

2,496,300 6,023,140 367,680 1,600 4,600 22,280 93,550 109,581 3,849,750 422,050 890,410 214,850 346,800 133,100 630,750 2,640,440 207,360 783,550 146,280 320,000 569,846 2,768,400 2,389,234 4,975,620 113,788,822 203,200 180,600

6,000 997,610 -11,171 -18,600 47,000 175,500 -501,477 9,800 -453,567 -1,347,800 2,893,725 -11,440 -

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

43.7 105.5 104.6 110.5 115.5 512 5.84 1,018 107.4 1,030 1,011 77.7 82.1 77.4 80.45 81.2 79.45 78.05 79

43.7 105.5 106 110.5 115.5 512 5.85 1,021 107.4 1,035 1,011 77.7 82.1 77.4 80.45 81.2 79.5 78.05 79.5

43.5 105.5 104.6 110.5 115.5 512 5.82 1,018 107.4 1,030 1,009 77.7 81.1 77.4 80.45 81.15 79.45 78.05 79

PREFERRED 43.5 117,600 105.5 6,300 106 20,070 110.5 150 115.5 880 512 40 5.83 249,800 1,021 3,950 107.4 70 1,035 760 1,009 1,400 77.7 20 81.1 281,780 77.4 500 80.45 6,490 81.2 116,050 79.5 7,500 78.05 300 79.5 8,290

5,117,255 664,650 2,126,010 16,575 101,640 20,480 1,457,999 4,030,750 7,518 784,800 1,413,735 1,554 23,105,455 38,700 522,120.50 9,422,760 595,975 23,415 657,460

3,537,970 -1,002,219 60,825.00 -

LR WARRANT

2.4

2.4

2.28

WARRANTS 2.29 280,000

645,670

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.91 6 7.62

3.92 6 7.99

3.89 5.95 7.4

SME 3.9 5.96 7.85

347,330 423,976 21,712,283

-2,330,233

FIRST METRO ETF 120

120

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.5 120 4,380

524,412

-

USD DMPL A1

10.5

10.16

DDS 10.5

99,608

-

NAME

OPEN

MS

PROPERTY 5.99 1,174,900 1.46 15,781,000 2.58 247,000 1.23 1,635,000 40.45 20,821,200 3.93 1,480,000 5.41 3,472,800 5.31 44,300 0.51 5,248,000 1.14 69,000 1.48 670,000 0.17 5,040,000 0.52 2,119,000 48.2 441,000 0.7 546,000 0.156 750,000 1.66 3,755,000 1.15 8,345,000 0.96 457,000 4.42 30,696,000 0.425 127,250,000 0.355 420,000 0.64 6,851,000 3.86 105,000

10.16

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

VALUE

FINANCIAL

14,801,146

654,534,184.97

INDUSTRIAL

285,956,375

17,081,994,255.09

HOLDING FIRMS

121,271,294

1,721,032,119.59

PROPERTY

260,967,560

1,563,784,996.20

SERVICES

338,735,968

1,669,834,250.686

MINING & OIL

1,164,936,747

144,604,683.389

GRAND TOTAL

2,189,648,496

22,858,792,683.32

89,000 71,000 2,815,000

9,570

FINANCIAL 1,953.19 (UP) 8.13 INDUSTRIAL 11,029.02 (UP) 7.95 HOLDING FIRMS 7,907.09 (UP) 51.28 PROPERTY 3,703.53 (UP) 9.26 SERVICES 1,756.94 (UP) 21.28 MINING & OIL 12,482.37 (DOWN) 9.14 PSEI 7,966.01 (UP) 48.12 All Shares Index 4,729.05 (UP) 21.63 Gainers: 106; Losers: 94; Unchanged: 47; Total: 247

Some analysts suggest the rise could be the Fed’s last this year as traders fret over tepid inflation and the future of Donald Trump’s big-spending, tax-cutting agenda.

Hopes for those policies had fueled expectations of a surge in prices—and a jump in borrowing costs—but the agenda is now in trouble as the tycoon faces political crises.

“With the rate hike now 96 percent priced in, focus will fall on the Fed’s forward guidance and importantly their views surrounding low inflation,” Stephen Innes, senior trader at Oanda, said in a note.

The dollar moved in a tight range against the yen in Asia ahead of the Fed announcement. Equity markets were mostly down despite a strong lead from Wall Street, where the Dow and S&P 500 ended at record highs.

Tokyo ended 0.1 percent lower, while Hong Kong gave up 0.2 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai closed down 0.7 percent. Seoul was off 0.1 percent and Singapore gave up 0.2 percent.

Taipei fell 0.6 percent.

However, Sydney climbed more than one percent.

The pound extended its gains after bouncing on news Tuesday that British consumer inflation rose to a near fouryear high of 2.9 percent in June. With Bloomberg, AFP

Phoenix raising P1.1b to pay loans

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. said it will re-issue P1.121 billion worth of shortterm commercial papers on Thursday to fund short-term loans and other working capital requirements.

Phoenix said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the re-issued SCTP would have a maturity of 180 days or until Dec. 13, 2017 and would have an interest rate of 3.25 percent.

The company informed the stock exchange that its P1.121-billion SCTP previously issued already matured on July 12, 2016.

“It will fund day to day working capital and augment existing short-term bank lines,” Phoenix vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorrilla said when asked for comment.

The company earlier bared plans to spend P10 billion over the next three years for expansion, including possible acquisitions, to ramp up its aggressive growth plans.

Phoenix allocated P2 billion for capital expenditures this year as it continues to increase its retail network, storage and logistic capacities.

Phoenix is engaged in the nationwide trading and marketing of refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, hauling and into-plane services.

It has over 500 retail stations across the country, selling high-quality fuel and lubricant products.

The company announced this week that it would donate P25 million worth of fuels, lubricants and technical services for M/V Amazing Grace, the country’s first and biggest humanitarian vessel, in support of safety and disaster relief.

M/V Amazing Grace will serve as a hospital ship, relief supply transport ship, sea rescue vessel, mobile command center, cargo transport for trucks and ambulances and mass evacuation ship.

Business

B3

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Manila considering Samurai bond mart

GLOBE-NESTLE PARTNERSHIP. As part of its environmental sustainability program, Nestle’ Philippines joins Globe Telecom Inc.’s Project

1 Phone electronic waste recycling initiative that promotes proper disposal of broken and discarded electrical and electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers and printers. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) Globe Business vice president for enterprise sales Dion Asencio, Globe senior VP for corporate communications Yoly Crisanto, Nestle’ Philippines SVP for corporate affairs Ernie Mascenon and Nestle’ Philippines technical director Peter Winter.

THE Samurai bond market may be getting a little ninja-like appetite for risk.

After a dearth of higher-grade yen-denominated securities earlier this year, investors snapped up lower-rated bonds sold by Credit Agricole SA and Indonesia in recent weeks. The Philippines is also considering a return to the market for the first time since 2010.

A lot’s changed since the Philippines last came to this market.

For one thing, it’s now on the investment-grade ladder, two steps above junk―back in 2010, it sold its Samurais with a state-owned Japanese bank guarantee. And with rock-bottom yields from domestic issuers, Japanese investors are hungrier for marginal returns.

Another benefit for the Southeast Asian nation: interest rates for the strongest European banks are so low at home that selling in Samurais doesn’t make much sense –something that’s left a supply gap for buyers.

“Japanese investors used to be very conservative in terms of the credit ratings they buy,” said Akihiro Igarashi, an executive

director at Nomura Securities Co.’s syndication department in Tokyo.

“In this negative yield environment, they have to change their investment style, by for example widening their credit horizon.”

Indonesia sold 100 billion yen ($908 million) of Samurai bonds May 31 after S&P Global Ratings upgraded the nation to investment grade from junk. The Philippines is examining a return to the Samurai market among “cost-efficient financing options” to diversify its investor base and meet funding needs, Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said last week.

While Indonesia paid premium over its US dollar curve, it was the price that the sovereign was willing to pay in return for diversification, the Ministry of Finance said in an emailed response. “We like to diversify our funding sources to serve our natural hedging strategy for our yen exposure. Given the low yield environment, we understand that premium is needed to satisfy these investors and we were happy with the pricing we have achieved this time,” the email said. Bloomberg

Investors steer clear of BSP auction

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE P180 billion worth of term deposits offered by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday was undersubscribed by almost P20 billion due to investors’ weak demand for the month-long instruments that offset the strong appetite for week-long deposits.

Data showed that total tenders for the weekly auction reached P160.37 billion, or P19.63 billion short of the weekly volume of P180 billion.

The seven-day deposits worth P40 billion lured total

tenders of P64.7 billion and fetched a weighted average accepted yield of 3.06 percent. The month-long deposits worth P140 billion, meanwhile, attracted total bids of just P95.67 billion and had a weighted average accepted

yield of 3.48 percent.

Bangko Sentral made a full award of the weekly volume of P40 billion for the seven-day deposits, but awarded just P95.27 billion of the total tender of P95.67 billion for the 28day instruments.

“The auction results show banks’ continued preference to stay at the shorter end of the curve in anticipation of the Fed meeting this week, with the oversubscription of the 7-day term deposits,” Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a statement sent to reporters.

“Demand for the 28-day

term deposits, however, decreased due to the non-participation of trust units as the June 30 deadline nears.

Overall system liquidity appears adequate,” Tetangco said.

The US Federal Reserve is widely seen to increase interest rates this week. The last time it raised rates was in early March 2017.

Bangko Sentral officials earlier noted a strong demand for the week-long instruments as banks found their relatively high rate more attractive.

They cited the successful issuance of retail treasury bonds by the Bureau of

the Treasury recently as the main reason for investors’ less appetite for the monthlong term deposits.

The Bureau of the Treasury in April raised P175 billion from its latest issuance of three-year retail treasury bonds, including those generated from roadshows conducted nationwide.

Tetangco also cited reports that banks were setting aside funds for their reserve requirement compliance.

Previous over-subscriptions in 2016 prompted the regulator to increase by P50 billion the weekly volume from the previous P130 billion to P180

Two coconut levy cases going to trial finally ANYONE who writes a treatise on the efficacy and operational soundness of the Philippine judicial system must present as Exhibit A the legal battle between the Philippine government and the public officials who allegedly misappropriated the proceeds of the levy mandated by the Presidential decree creating the Coconut Industry Development Fund. I say this because around three decades have elapsed since the Supreme Court, in one of the four coconut levy-related cases elevated to it shortly after the EDSA Revolution, declared that the coconut levy funds were “imbued with a public character.”

Finally, after all that time, the civil cases filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) against former Minister of National Defense (and former Senator) Juan Ponce Enrile, former San Miguel Corporation chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and a number of coconut-industry-related individuals – Cases No. 33-B and 33-D – will be going to trial.

On May 9, 2017, in a 13-page resolution, the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan affirmed its June 7, 2016 decision calling for full trials of the two cases.

Addressing the PCGG-OSG prayer for a partial summary judgment – there are six other coconut levy cases awaiting its consideration, the Sandiganbayan said: “(T)he remedies of summary judgment and/or judgment on the pleadings are improper because the defendants raised several arguments that tender issues that can be resolved only in a full-blown trial ….. A summary judgment can be rendered only when there are no questions of fact in issue or where the material allegations of the pleading are not disputed.”

PCGG and OSG had petitioned for automatic reconveyance to the government of the companies involved – Cocofed Marketing Corporation (covered by Case No. 33-B) and United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation (covered by Case No. 33-D) – on the basis of the Supreme Court declaration that the two corporations were established with coconut levy funds, i.e., public funds.

“Even if the coconut levy funds are classified as public funds,” said the Sandiganbayan, “this will not automatically result in the reconveyance of the subject companies to the government (because) the defendants made denials of the plaintiff’s material allegations and correspondingly raised genuine issues on the matter.”

The six other coconut-levy-related cases pending before the Sandiganbayan involve allegations with coconut levy funds of acquisition of equity interests in a number of major companies, including San Miguel Corporation and United Coconut Planters Bank.

Should the government appeal the latest Sandiganbayan ruling? The Supreme Court declaration that the coconut levy funds are public in character, coupled with the fact that these coconut levy cases have been outstanding for far too long, dictate a negative answer. Let the cases finally go to trial.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

billion starting Dec. 1, 2016 to more effectively siphon off excess liquidity in the financial system.

The amount of week-long deposits was increased by P20 billion to P30 billion from P10 billion, while the monthlong deposits were raised by P30 billion to P150 billion from P120 billion.

The adjustment on Dec. 1 was the sixth time that Bangko Sentral increased the volume. From the original volume of P30 billion, it was raised to P50 billion, P70 billion, P90 billion, P110 billion and P130 billion.

Navasero resigns as chairman of Philab

LOWER ELECTRICITY RATES. Manila Electric Co. is reducing electricity in June by P1.43 per kWh,

following a PP0.29 per kWh rate decline in May. This brings down this month’s overall rate to P8.17 per kWh, and translates into a P285 decrease in the total bill of a typical residential household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco utility economics head Larry Fernandez said the June rate reflects the refund from past years’ over-recovery on pass-through charges, translating into a P0.79 per kWh drop in residential bill.

Govt urged to weigh infra funding shift

By Othel V. Campos Top executives in the country said the government should re-prioritize infrastructure projects to have a better chance of achieving economic success.

AC Energy Holdings Inc. president and chief executive John Eric Francia said during the Oxford Business Group launch of the 2017 Report on Philippine Growth Wednesday the government should pick out programs and projects critical to inclusive growth.

“This administration should prioritize (infrastructure programs). It can’t do all,” he said.

Also in the launch were Hewlett Packard Enterprise country general manager Hans Bayaborda, Global Gateway Development Corp. president Michael Russell and City Savings Bank and Union Bank head of retail and corporate banking Eu-

gene Acevedo.

Francia said the government should allow the private sector to take the lead in infrastructure development as well as in manufacturing.

The government has virtually abandoned the public-private partnership mode in building infrastructure projects in favor of official development assistance loans.

Francia said he also had reservations on the capacity of the government to carry out the “manufacturing renaissance” Power and manufacturing formed part of the recent OBG report that also include the Philippines’ tourism industry, which is benefiting from a high-profile, aggressive marketing campaign.

Based on the report, the new government remains steadfast to overhaul the country’s transport infrastructure as it moves to improve connectivity and address

gridlock issues.

OBG’s CEO Andrew Jeffreys said the Philippines’ strategic location in a fast growing region and well-educated, relatively low-cost workforce has given it an advantage over several other investment destinations.

“Years of sound GDP growth and FDI have put the Philippines on a firm footing as it adjusts to a change in leadership. With a raft of reforms in the pipeline aimed at further sharpening the economy’s competitive edge, the country is well placed to build on its solid foundations,” he said.

OBG managing editor for Asia Paulius Kuncinas noted that rising consumer incomes were adding to the Philippines’ attractions.

“The nation’s regions are attracting both domestic and international interest, buoyed by their labor market potential and decentralization efforts,” he said.

TOM Navasero is stepping down as executive chairman of Philab Holdings Corp. effective immediately, citing health reasons.

Navasero was recently advised by his doctors to take an extended rest to give due attention to his health. The board accepted his resignation and will soon announce his replacement.

Navasero, who took over the leadership in 2013, steered the reverse takeover of Philab, the holding company which was previously known as Alterra Capital Partners, in 2016.

Philab, through unit Philab Industries Inc., is one of the pioneer local companies that provides life science and laboratory equipment and services. Philab Industries has been in business for almost 60 years. The company grew by supplying health and life science equipment and services to both public and private institutions.

Recently, Philab introduced an In-vitro diagnostics early screening kit for dengue fever through the brand name LABit. It plans to expand its business in the field of in-vitro diagnostics and genomics.

It is actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions prospects in the healthcare sector for the balance of the year targeting the pharma, diagnostics and genetics healthcare sectors.

Navasero will take the time as an opportunity for him to support his advocacy of curbing the spread of NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases).

He will still oversee the international business developments of his projects MedX and Genomics, health permitting. He remains as the majority shareholder of Philab Holdings.

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

Business

IMF lifts China growth goal to 6.7%

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HE International Monetary Fund raised its growth estimate for China for the second time this year while also cautioning that deep reforms are still needed to break away from debt-fueled expansion.

JAPAN FOOD EXPO. People attend the International Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition in Tokyo on June 14, 2017. The four-day annual expo will run until June 16. AFP

US Fed poised to hike despite weak inflation WASHINGTON―The US Federal Reserve on Tuesday began a two-day review of monetary policy, with the second interest rate increase of 2017 seen as a near certain result.

Any increase, however, would come in the face of persistent signs of weakness in the world’s largest economy, which in recent months has seen slowing job growth and persistently low inflation.

In the latest data released Tuesday, the Producer Price Index, which measures input costs for sellers, was flat in May, albeit largely due to sharp declines in the costs for food and fuel.

At its most recent meeting last month, the Fed’s policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee left the target range for its benchmark interest rate at between

0.75 and one percent.

Members said economic weakness was likely only “transitory,” and a rate hike was likely to be needed “soon,” although they said they would wait to see evidence the economic recovery had resumed before taking the next step.

Futures markets on Tuesday indicated a near 100 percent probability the Fed would increase the key lending rate at the conclusion of its meeting on Wednesday.

Jared Bernstein of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities told AFP the Fed is likely to increase rates to ensure it will have room to maneuver and lower rates again in the event of a negative shock to the economy.

“That’s a somewhat unfortunate way of thinking about it

Yahoo completes sale to Verizon; CEO quits WASHINGTON―Internet pioneer Yahoo ended its two-decade run as an independent company on Tuesday, completing the sale of its core online assets to telecom giant Verizon.

Yahoo’s chief executive Marissa Mayer resigned as expected, as Verizon finalized the $4.48-billion deal integrating the Yahoo internet operations into a new unit called Oath, which includes another former sector leader, AOL. Tim Armstrong, former CEO of AOL, now holds the same title at Oath, a division in Verizon’s Media and Telematics organization.

“We’re building the future of brands using powerful technology, trusted content and differentiated data,” Armstrong said in a statement.

“We have dominating consumer brands in news, sports, finance, tech, and entertainment and lifestyle coupled with our market leading advertising technology platforms. Now that the deal is closed, we are excited to set our focus on being the best company for consumer media, and the best partner to our advertising, content and publisher partners.”

Oath includes a number

of other digital media operations including HuffPost, formerly known as the Huffington Post.

Verizon has made no indication of how it will use the Yahoo brand―which is used by over a billion people worldwide―but indicated it is keeping the names Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Mail and more.

Some reports have said more than 1,000 jobs would be eliminated as a result of the merger, but statements from Yahoo and Verizon on Tuesday made no mention of any cuts.

Yahoo’s sale caps a long decline from when it had a peak market value of some $125 billion in 2000.

The original Yahoo group now becomes a holding company with stakes in Chinese internet giant Alibaba and Yahoo Japan.

On Friday, it will change its name to Altaba Inc. and on Monday begin trading under the ticker symbol “AABA.” Mayer, who was unable to stem the decline of the iconic Silicon Valley company, is getting a departure package worth an estimated $186 million, according to regulatory filings. AFP

because you risk slowing the economy down in order to avoid an economic slowdown,” Bernstein said.

But the weak recent economic data have left the course of interest rate policy for the rest of the year in doubt. The FOMC’s forecasts projected a total of three rate increases this year, but that could change in the new quarterly projections released on Wednesday.

Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen will hold her quarterly press conference after the meeting and her comments will be scrutinized for any hints on whether a third rate hike is likely this year, and whether it would happen in September or be pushed back to December.

Joseph Gagnon of the Peterson Institute for Interna-

tional Economics told AFP the economy is strong enough to justify this week’s expected rate hike, but the Fed might hold off from making another move.

“The more dovish thing that might hold them back is that core inflation is not really continuing to rise and wage pressures are pretty weak.”

Observers also will be watching the FOMC statement and Yellen’s briefing for more details about the Fed’s plans for drawing down its $4 trillion in securities holdings acquired during the global financial crisis.

The Fed last month announced the outlines of a plan to reduce its balance sheet in a gradual and clearly-telegraphed way to avoid roiling financial markets. AFP

The world’s second-largest economy will expand by 6.7 percent in 2017, the Washington-based fund said in its annual report on Article IV consultations published Wednesday.

That’s up from a 6.6-percent estimate in the economic outlook released in April and 6.5 percent forecast in January.

It’s unusual for the IMF to update forecasts outside of its scheduled global economic outlook series, though officials have signaled that a strong first quarter hadn’t fully been reflected in earlier releases. IMF First Deputy Managing Director David Lipton said in a statement Wednesday that China should use its current momentum to push reforms through.

“While some near-term risks have receded, reform progress needs to accelerate to secure medium-term stability and address the risk that the current trajectory of the economy could eventually lead to a sharp adjustment,” Lipton said in Beijing after meetings with top policy makers. “It is critical to start now while growth is strong and buffers sufficient to ease the transition.”

China has proved doubters wrong this year with the first back-to-back growth acceleration in seven years in the first quarter, though economists project slower expansion in the second half while still meeting the government’s 6.5-percent full-year growth objective. Policy makers also have been clamping down on frothy property markets with new curbs, which was reflected in data Wednesday showing property development investment slowed.

IMF staff warned last year that China’s medium-term outlook is clouded by ongoing resource misallocation, high and rising corporate debt, deep-seated excess capacity, and opaque risks in the financial sector. The Article IV report said the authorities are responding to these challenges.

The IMF’s policy prescriptions include: “switching faster from investment to consumption; increasing the role of market forces; implementing a more sustainable macro policies mix, continuing the regulatory tightening; tackling non-financial sector debt; and further improving policy frameworks.”

Meanwhile, output by Chinese factories and workshops topped expectations in May, but officials warned on Wednesday of lingering “unstable and uncertain factors” at home and abroad that could pose a threat to the Asian giant.

The reading on industrial production, a key engine of growth, comes as Beijing wrestles with huge debt and excess capacity left over from massive government-backed infrastructure spending at the height of the global financial crisis.

There have been renewed concerns about the strength of the world’s number-two economy following a mixed bag of indicators in recent months and US President Donald Trump’s protectionist rhetoric.

But forecast-beating trade figures last week and signs of a pick-up in the global outlook have raised hopes that China will be able to sustain its momentum. Bloomberg, AFP

Unless you’re a tycoon, HK life is harder than ever

By Prudence Ho and Matthew Campbell MRS. LAU can’t help but glance nervously at the calendar. Her next paycheck isn’t for a week, and she doesn’t have enough money to feed her family of four crammed into her small, governmentsubsidized Hong Kong apartment.

Her husband can’t work, and the kids don’t understand why their mother keeps buying stale food.

“We’ll eat rice soup for all three meals,” said the 42-yearold, a cashier at the Wellcome supermarket chain controlled by the Jardine Matheson group.

Lau, who asked that only her surname be used, has been the sole provider for her 7-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son since her husband injured his back. She makes the equivalent of $5.40 an hour, nowhere near the $15-an-hour minimum wage in cities like Seattle, where the cost of living is cheaper.

It’s an increasingly familiar tale in Hong Kong, a city of soaring skyscrapers and glittering luxury boutiques that’s become perhaps the epitome of income inequality in the developed world. Two decades after Britain handed the former colony over to China, its richest citizens―billionaires such as Li Ka-shing and Lee Shau Kee―are thriving, thanks to surging real estate prices and their oligopolistic control over the city’s retail outlets, utilities, telecommunications and ports.

But not people like Lau. “Hong Kong is an incredibly extreme case of unmitigated inequality, with very little in place to stop it,” said Richard Florida, author of “The New Urban Crisis” and a director at the Martin Prosperity Institute in Toronto. “I don’t see it as being sustainable.

It’s not the economics, it’s the political backlash. It generates a backlash, and people just get angry eventually.”

Hong Kong’s struggle to help its citizens improve their lives may represent the greatest challenge to its unique economic model. The city has been lionized for decades by some economists as the closest thing to a free economy, with few regulations of any kind, and no retail sales or capital gains taxes.

More than half of Hong Kong’s working population, including Lau, live below the level at which they must pay income tax―and for the minority who do, the standard rate is a low 15 percent.

But wages have failed to keep up with costs, leaving hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong people barely able to get by. A common measure of inequality, the Gini coefficient, in which 0 is absolute equality and 1 is all money in a single person’s hands, illustrates the problem: The latest figure out last week puts Hong Kong at a record 0.539, the highest since data started being kept in the 1970s. It’s the biggest disparity in Asia, greater than places like Papua New Guinea and Brazil.

“Hong Kong is a very interesting case study, where profits are sheltered from competition while labor cannot easily organize,” said Emmanuel Saez, an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who often collaborates with Thomas Piketty, the French economist who wrote “Capital in the Twenty-First Century.” “This leads to very high inequality.”

In some respects, Hong Kong is experiencing a turbo-charged version of the growing divide evident elsewhere. Formerly remunerative manufacturing jobs―Hong Kong used to be the world’s toy-making capital―have vanished, replaced at one end of the spectrum by highly paid bankers and at the other by lowwage waiters and floor sweepers.

Perverse Effect Originally intended to stimulate entrepreneurial dynamism, the hands-off approach may have ended up having a perverse effect, allowing a few large companies to entrench their positions and ultimately stifle competition.

Charges of collusion between business and government have felled several officials and led to

public discontent.

“The earlier generations have managed to entrench themselves so effectively, it becomes much more difficult for a new upstart,” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

Even deep-pocketed foreign companies have trouble breaking in. French supermarket giant Carrefour SA spent four years trying to build a Hong Kong footprint before abandoning the city in 2000, citing the difficulty of obtaining store locations.

That’s not a problem for the two dominant supermarket chains, Wellcome and ParknShop, which are backed by their parent companies: Jardines and CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. Debates about Hong Kong’s rich and poor tend to come back to one word: land. Housing is the least affordable in the world, according to housingpolicy think tank Demographia, with median prices relative to incomes far outstripping those of Sydney, London and San Francisco. Home prices have risen nearly 400 percent since a real estate slump ended 14 years ago.

That’s created an unpleasant lexicon for living conditions unknown in other cities. “Cage homes,” as the name suggests, are compartments of wire mesh barely large enough to hold a single bed, often stacked on open-plan tenement floors. “Coffin home” berths are slightly larger and offer a modicum of privacy thanks to walls made of wood or plaster.

For the middle class, developers have been building an increasing number of micro-apartments, the smallest just 128 square feet, with price tags of more than $400,000.

Bloomberg

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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UCC BUILDING. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan (seated) signs the official documents for the building project as he leads the groundbreaking for the construction of the third four-story University of Caloocan City campus in the Camarin district on Tuesday. Malapitan is surrounded by city executives and UCC officials. Jun David

‘Secure power for Marawi’ T

By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE National Electrification Administration has directed the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. or Lasureco to ensure adequate power supply in temporary shelters areas for residents affected by the Marawi City siege.

“While Lasureco is waiting for the normalization of the security situation before it can repair its facilities in Marawi City, they must ensure that electricity

services are unhampered in localities hosting the evacuees,” NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said in a statement.

Masongsong said Lasureco

should focus on providing electricity to Marawi’s neighboring areas such as Iligan City, where displaced residents are staying in evacuation centers.

Masongsong also expressed dismay over the outbreak of hostilities in Marawi as it occurred at a time when the Task Force Duterte-Lanao Sur Power has “hit the ground running” to revive the ailing electric cooperative.

“Lasureco was on its way to full rehabilitation when this unfortunate event happened,” he said.

Lasureco acting general manager Nordjiana Ducol said a satellite of-

fice has been set up in Iligan to address the concerns of their employees and member-consumers who are displaced by the fighting.

Last May 24, Masongsong issued an advisory directing all electric cooperatives across the island of Mindanao to increase security of their facilities, especially the offices and power substations, in view of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao for 60 days.

The Energy department. for its part, convened the inter-agency task force to secure all the energy facilities, such as power plants, transmission tower, dis-

tribution facilities and oil depots, in Mindanao.

An inter-agency group has also been created to rehabilitate the energy facilities damaged by clashes in Marawi.

The siege in Marawi has entered its third week since terrorists of the ISIS-allied Maute Group occupied the center of the city on May 23.

Meanwhile, following a request from Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman, investors in the ARMM donated funds and Turn to C2

Mega cookfest brings out provinces’ best Globe, DICT eye 13,000 hot spots GOWIFI, Globe Telecom’s premium public Wi-Fi service, has expanded to 1,000 more new locations and 10,000 access points in the Philippines to give more customers access to fast and reliable hot spots in high-traffic locations around the country.

This developed as Globe partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the Edsa WI-FI project, which aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity throughout the 24-kilometer stretch of Edsa.

DICT is aiming to reach over 13,000 public places across 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities nationwide.

GoWIFI was first deployed in Metro Rail Transit stations a year ago as part of the initial 126 hotspots and 2,500 access points opened by Globe for public use.

Apart from the MRT 3, GoWIFI is also available in other major transportation hubs such as select stations of the Light Rail Transit system and key airports around the country—those in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, as well as in top tourist destinations like Boracay and Lio in El Nido, Palawan.

The service is also available in hospitals such as St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Davao Doctors Hospital, Cardinal Santos Hospital, and Philippine General Hospital; local government units in Makati, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Caloocan, and Batangas; and some of the schools and universities like Far Eastern University and Bulacan State University.

MEGA Global Corp., a leading manufacturer of high-quality canned goods, recently launched a cooking competition with representatives from several key provincial cities.

The program was part of its nationwide corporate social responsibility program, where company employees visited several barangays to spend a day of fun-filled activities and to distribute goodies to the communities.

Last year, the company conducted several activities highlighted by a series of cooking competitions nationwide. The cookfests culminated in the One Mega National Cooking Competition that saw three representatives from ten provinces showing off their prowess in the kitchen at the Mega Fishing Cawit office in Zamboanga City.

Melinda De Leon and Erna Laroza, representing Isabela, won the first prize with their winning recipe, “Mega Menudo Pasta Con Molo.”

Merilene Penolio and Carina Elloso from Nueva Ecija won the second prize with their “Mega Bicol Express Pinangat sa Gata.” Placing third for their “Mega Pasta Ala Mega Balls” recipe were Angelica Deslate and Ruby Idiosolo from Bacolod.

“We are proud of the success of our CSR endeavor. As a responsible corporate citizen, we have always labored to give back through our company’s core expertise, which is food,” said lawyer Girlie Real, Mega Global Corporation’s HR Director.

“We are happy at the turnout and the eagerness of the participation. This is our way of also strengthening the ties we have created among the local communities,” Real added.

Among the many activities the contestants participated in was an immersion session at the Mega Global fishing site. This activity was intended to showcase the company’s

One Mega National Cooking Competition winners Melinda De Leon and Erna Laroza of Isabela Province (with aprons) are flanked by (from left) Malcolm Tiu Lim, Mega Global Vice President for Zamboanga Operations; Marvin Tiu Lim, Mega Global Vice President for Sales and Marketing; Atty. Girlie Real, Mega Global HR Director; Chef Niño Logarta; Mark Ludovico, Sales; and Fred Salazar, Regional Sales Manager for North Central Luzon.

12-hour-catching-to-canning process.

The highlight of the event was the cooking competition, and gave the 30 participants a chance to showcase the culinary skills. The cook-off was held in Zamboanga, the site of Mega Global’s canning facility.

Each team had to cook their special recipe using ingredients sourced from the local market together with any of Mega Global’s products, namely, Mega Sardines, Mega Tuna, and Mega Prime Canned Vegetables.

The prepared dishes must be enough for all the audience in attendance to sample during the event. Furthermore, all finished dishes must be properly plated before being served to the judges.

The cook off was presided over by Mega Global’s resident corporate chef, Niño Logarta, who was also the chairman of the panel of judges.

As an added treat, chef Niño conducted a cooking demo where he prepared a special dish using Mega Sardines.

“As the leading canning company, we do more than just make canned products. We want to teach mothers out there in the local communities how to prepare affordable, nutritious and delicious meals for their families.” said Marvin Tiu Lim, Mega Global vice president for Sales and Marketing.

“For us it is about involving every employee to positively impact communities through programs that empower the public,” Lim added.

Davao enlists more Cafgus

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday said she expects there will be no more terror acts in the city after the graduation of 85 Cafgu (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units) Active Auxiliary 2 trainees under the command of Task Force Davao.

Duterte said the main job of the new graduates is to ensure the city is safe from any terror attack.

She said she understands the new graduates “will have to sacrifice a lot of things” to make sure that Davao City is free from any form of terrorism, including their own families.

“Your role is very difficult, you have to stay under the sun and pouring rain, you may even skip your meals sometimes, and sometimes you cannot sleep, but you have to do it for our children, for your children, so that they can reach their schools peacefully,” the mayor said.

Duterte said she appreciates every Task Force Davao member who does their best to make the Davaoeños live peacefully.

“In exchange for your lack of sleep and skipping some meals, every Davaoeño can sleep soundly at night, and I want you to know that we appreciate what you do for our city,” she said.

The new members of Task Force Davao will be deployed in the three major points in and out of the city, providing additional manpower and stricter checkpoint operation.

Task Force Davao Commander Col. Erwin Bernard Neri said the new graduates will carry the same mandate of Task Force Davao since it was created—to secure Davao City.

“They will be deployed in the major entry and exit points of the city to further strengthen our checkpoint operations, since the City has been practicing stricter implementation of checkpoints,” Neri said.

Manila to spend P200m on PhilHealth for poor

By Sandy Araneta MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has allocated P200 million to fund the health insurance coverage of up to 27,000 marginalized residents this year, prioritizing the health of the

city’s 1.7-million constituents.

Estrada said he wants all poor Manileños enrolled to PhilHealth, citing the high cost of hospitalization in the country, including medicines, laboratory fees, and other medical expenses.

“I believe everyone should have

health insurance, more so the poor ones. This is a basic necessity, something underprivileged residents can depend on in times of need,” Estrada said.

The mayor led the ceremonial distribution of PhilHealth ID cards to the

first batch of 1,278 beneficiaries at city hall on Tuesday.

Estrada has answered the challege of the national government for universal health care, especially for indigents of all ages, since assuming office in 2013.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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TODAY THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

P437-m Isabela bridge OKd

By Vito Barcelo and Jessica Bacud

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HE Department of Public Works and Highways will construct a new P437million bridge in Cagayan province to connect rural communities in Isabela province to the rest of the region, hasten the delivery of their agricultural products, and boost economic productivity.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the new Pigalo Bridge will increase mobility in Cagayan and Isabela as soon as it is constructed.

“The project, together with the approaches, will cross the Cagay-

an River. It will have a carriageway width of 7.32 meters, wherein both abutments and nine piers rest on bored piles,” Villar said.

“Construction of approaches along the Alicia-AngadananSan Guilermo Provincial Road

‘Secure...

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drive, since “more are pledges from traders inside and outside the region.”

Earlier, Hataman called on investors and business leaders in the region to assist in the relief operations “to ease the sufferings of around 235,580 internally displaced persons caused by the armed conflict between the terrorist Maute group and government forces.” ”This a crucial time for all Bangsamoro people to unite and help,” Mastura said.

goods for families displaced by the Marawi crisis.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman of the ARMM Regional Board of Investments, said businesses donated cash and goods to the region that will cushion the impact of hostilities on residents of Marawi and its nearby towns.

Mastura did not disclose the amount raised by the fund

PAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Notice is hereby given that at separate meetings held on 27 March 2017 and on 25 May 2017, the Board of Directors of PAL HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”), by majority vote, and the Stockholders, by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, respectively, approved the decrease of the Corporation’s authorized capital stock from Thirty Billion Pesos (PhP30,000,000,000.00) divided into Thirty Billion (30,000,000,000) shares with a par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) per share to Thirteen Billion Five Hundred Million Pesos (PhP13,500,000,00.00) divided into Thirty Billion (30,000,000,000) shares with a par value of Forty-Five Centavos (PhP0.45) per share.

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published.

We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

This announcement serves as notice to all concerned of the decrease in the authorized capital stock of the aforesaid Corporation.

MA. CECILIA L. PESAYCO Corporate Secretary (MS-JUNE 15, 2017)

(GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM) Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308 InvItatIon to BId

REINSURANCE OF THE DIRECTORS AND LIABILITY INSURANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES 1.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), through the GSIS Corporate Budget forCY 2017wishes to receive bids for the Reinsurance of the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance of the DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES for the period 21August 2017 to 21August 2018, with a Total Sum Insured of Five Hundred Million Pesos (PHP500,000,000.00) with an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of Three Million Eight Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (PHP3,825,000.00), with the following particulars: Coverage

ABC (inclusive of 20% GSIS Commission)

Retention (%)

Facultative Reinsurance (%)

Directors and Officers Liability

PHP3,825,000.00

10%

90%

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

Interested bidders may obtain further information and inspect the Bidding Documents at the GSIS Bids and Awards Committee (GBAC) Secretariat Project Coordinators, Level 3 Core C, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Ave., Pasay City, during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the date of publication of this ITB at the above address and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php5,000.00.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity. However, the Underwriting Information shall only be available to Bidders who have paid the non-refundable fee of Php5,000.00 not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

6.

7.

Jon’ Ferrer IV (6th District), AA Advincula (3rd District), Roy Loyola (5th District, from left) their common goals for the province during the 119th Independence Day rites at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Monday.

Guinness mark for Kidapawan KIDAPAWAN CITY—The Guinness Book of World Records has officially confirmed the city of Kidapawan as the new title holder for the largest number of dancers dancing the cha-cha simultaneously, besting the current holder Singapore.

Joey Recimilla, Kidapawan City tourism and promotion officer, said Guinness has sent an email and even posted on its website confirming that Kidapawan has set a new record for simultaneous cha-cha dancers in

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION Date Project Title

: :

June 14, 2017 LEASE OF OFFICE SPACE FOR PAGCOR CORPORATE OFFICE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS

ITB No.

:

NPLRP17-001COR-05a-06

Approved Budget : for the Contract Pre-Screening of : Documents Deadline of Submission of Quotation

Opening of Quotation

VALIDITY OF OFFER: TERM OF LEASE:

NOTES:

:

9.

The GSIS reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. For further information, please refer to: GBAC Secretariat Project Coordinators GSIS Insurance Bids and Awards Committee (GIBAC) Level 3Core C, GSIS Building,Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City Contact no. 479-3600 loc. 3306 / 976-4655 Email: gbac_secretariat@gsis.gov.ph (Sgd.)Valerie K. Marquez Chairperson GSIS Insurance Bids and Awards Committee

Venue: Procurement Department (PD), Room 203, 2nd Floor PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila June 21, 2017, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., (Sealed Quotation) Venue:

:

Corporate Lounge, Sixth (6th) Floor PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino, 1588 M.H. del Pilar corner Pedro Gil Streets, Malate, Manila.

Please address the envelope containing the accomplished RFQ form and required documents to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 1.

The envelope shall bear the following information in capital letters: 1. Title and reference number for the project, and 2. Name, address and contact details (telephone/cellphone number and/or email address).

June 21, 2017, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. onwards, (Sealed Quotation) Venue: Corporate Lounge, Sixth (6th) Floor PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino, 1588 M.H. del Pilar corner Pedro Gil Streets, Malate, Manila.

Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the date of opening of quotations The delivery/required turn-over of the bare Corporate Office Space (leased premises) should be turned over within One (1) month from the date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

The lease contract shall be for a period of three (3) years but shall commence only upon PAGCOR’s acceptance.

1. Lessor shall submit their offer/quotation through their duly authorized representatives using this form only. This form must be completed without any alterations to their format and no substitute form shall be accepted. All blank spaces shall be filled in with the correct and accurate information as required.

3. The prices quoted are to be paid in Philippine Currency VAT-Exclusive, Zero-Rated transaction.

4. All prices quoted are subject to all Philippine Tax Statutes, but should be VAT-Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction.

Bid opening shall be on 04July 2017(9:00 am) at the GIBAC Conference Room, Core C, Level 3, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders representatives who chose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted. After the Bid Opening, a detailed evaluation of the financial component of the eligible bid/s shall be conducted to determine the Single or Lowest Calculated Bid (SCB or LCB). Only the bidder with the SCB or LCB shall be notified within seven (7) calendar days to submit post-qualification documents.

The GSIS encourages that the eligibility requirements be submitted before the deadline of submission of bids.

The ABC for the project for the first (1st) year is Sixty-Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP63,900,000.00) or ONE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE MILLIONN FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED PESOS (PhP199,495,800.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction, for a period of three (3) years.

June 19, 2017, Monday, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2. Offers/quotations submitted exceeding the Approved Budget for the Contract shall be rejected.

Bids must be delivered on or before 04July 2017(8:30 am) at the GBAC Secretariat (for GIBAC), Level 3, Core C, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

8.

August last year.

Some 14,275 participated in the dance show, composed mostly of elementary, high school and college students, government employees. and senior citizens who flooded the three-kilometer stretch of the city highway for the cha-cha dance that lasted five minutes.

The numbers, according to Recimilla, were higher by more than 10,000 to beat the current holder, Edgefield Primary

School in Singapore, which had 3,379 participants.

“The long wait is over. We got the title and we owed this to the participants who sweated it out for a purpose—to bring back the good image of Kidapawan City, after the bloody rally dispersal in April 1 last year,” Recimilla said.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista thanked the support of all dancers “who made a significant contribution for the record.” PNA

PILIPINAS Shell Foundation Inc., the social arm of Shell companies in the Philippines, has just launched the Pasacao Typhoon “Nina” Livelihood Support Program in partnership with the local government of Pasacao in Camarines Sur. Pasacao is one of the municipalities severely hit by “Nina” last December, with 5,611 households reported affected. The local government pooled its resources to provide immediate relief to those affected.

Realizing the impact of the typhoon, Pilipinas Shell designed the program to contribute to the restoration and improvement of living standards and well-being of affected families in the municipality.

The program will enable families affected by “Nina” to augment their livelihood through the conduct of Integrated Farming Bio-Systems sessions, goat dispersal for farmers, and boat rehabilitation subsidy for fishermen.

Pasacao Mayor Niño Tayco expressed his gratitude to PSFI for giving the beneficiaries an opportunity to start all over again.

Vice President Leni Robredo was also present in the program launching and MoA signing. Sharing how happy she is to work with the Pasacao LGU and PSFI, Robredo said: “Helping one another matters because we have a common goal for our countrymen.”

PSFI executive director Edgardo Veron Cruz, in his message to the beneficiaries, said: “Shell is helping you to help yourselves. Make use of what’s given to you and develop it further.”

Of the total affected in Pasacao, 1,526 households were recorded as totally damaged and 4,085 households were partially damaged.

Bicol Region, which was hit hardest by the typhoon, also suffered in terms of agriculture, with about 87,800 hectares of rice areas and 6,000 hectares of corn areas destroyed.

IN BRIEF

The GSIS will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 22June 2017 (09:00 am) at the GIBAC Conference Room, Core C, Level 3, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

(MS-JUNE 15, 2017)

dured hardships in crossing the [broken] bridge,” the mayor said.

“They make their way through motorcycles and bicycles, which was highly risky. The folks have also been using small boats to transport people and goods across the bridge. During the rainy season, these boats are prohibited from plying the river,” she added.

Now, the realization of the project “will advance the economy in the locality and help our farmers transport their commodities easily,” Panganiban said.

Briosos said the reconstruction project took so long to start because the DPWH had to process the conversion of roads classified as provincial roads to national roads.

CAVITE LEADERS. Cavite Gov. Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla (left) discusses with Cavite Congressmen Luis ‘Jon

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184.

4.

quarter of 2019. It had been destroyed by two successive typhoons in 2011, Angadanan Mayor Lourdes Panganiban said.

DPWH Region 2 Director Melanio Briosos said the initial work on the bridge has begun.

“The reconstruction of the 450-meter bridge will restore the regular routine of the residents and is expected to boost the economy of Angadanan and nearby towns by easing the transport of goods and services,” Briosos said.

Panganiban stressed the reconstruction of the bridge “is finally a dream come true for our municipality” since typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” wrecked it six years ago.

“The townspeople have en-

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

NOTICE OF DECREASE OF AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK

GSIS

in Angadanan, Isabela shall also be done in order to complement the proposed bridge,” he added.

Villar said the Pigalo Bridge project is geared toward attracting legitimate and productive local and foreign investments, which will create employment opportunities for the populace who also benefited from the Community Based Employment Program of the department.

“DPWH has been providing services to the community that will allow them acquire and develop skills in carpentry and other construction-related activities,” Villar said.

The Pigalo Bridge is expected to be completed by the first

Shell arm aids LGU in ‘Nina’ recovery

5.

For the purpose of standardization of offers/quotations, this RFQ Form will prevail over all kinds and forms of quotation. In case of price discrepancy over the amounts in words and in figures, the amount in words will prevail.

6.

Award of contract shall be made to the lowest calculated offer which complies with the minimum technical specifications and other terms and conditions stated in the contract of lease.

7. Any interlineations, erasures or overwriting shall be valid only if they are signed or initiated by you or any of your duly authorized representative/s.

Tie-Breaking Methods

8. PAGCOR shall have the right to inspect and/or to test the real property to confirm their conformity to the technical specifications.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - TieBreaking Method, the BAC 1 shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more lessors have been post-qualified and determined as the lessor having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Quotation (LCRQ) to determine the final LCRQ, based on the following procedures: a. In alphabetical order, the lessors shall pick one rolled paper. b. The lucky lessor who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final lessor having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

Sir/Madame: In accordance with the Technical Specifications, Scope of Work and General Conditions for the aforementioned project stated herewith, kindly fill up and submit your lowest proposal on the requirements stated in the parameters stated in this Request for Quotation (RFQ).

For any inquiries or clarifications, please contact the Procurement Department (PD) at telephone numbers (02) 336-6906, (02) 524-3911 or (02) 521-1542 local 617 and 223 and look for Mr. Krisbert S. Malanay.

Thank you.

SGD RODERICK R. CONSOLACION CHAIRPERSON BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC) 1

GSIS scholarship listup ‘til June 23 THE Government Service Insurance System is currently accepting applications for its enhanced GSIS Scholarship Program for academic year 2017-2018. The deadline for submission of application is extended until June 23.

This year, GSIS is offering a total of 400 scholarship slots to children or dependents of active members and permanent total disability pensioners with the lowest annual basic salary.

Of the 400 slots, 40 or 10 percent are allotted for dependents of persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and solo or single parents.

Active members may nominate their children or dependents if they are permanent government employees, have at least threeyear government service, have a salary grade of 24 or below (or its equivalent job level), and have paid premium contributions for the last six months. PTD pensioners who are below 60 years old are eligible to nominate their children as scholars. Jun David

Suspension of FPIC for Coheco asked KIBUNGAN, Benguet—Concerned indigenous people leaders here have petitioned the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to suspend the scheduled free and prior informed consent or FPIC proceedings for the 500-megawatt pump storage hydro project in Barangay Badeo.

The IP leaders are questioning the competence of the people behind the feasibility study, and the experts commissioned to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the project.

In a 27-page petition, the IPs demanded that project proponent Coheco Badeo Corp. present documents for the appreciation of the concerned parties during the hearing to be scheduled. They want to see the complete and final feasibility study of the project, signed and sealed by the person who prepared it, and essential plans and specifications of the project.

They also want to see the actual survey showing the exact location of the proposed project, showing the names of landowners, sitios, and barangays that will be affected, as well as indicative maps showing the route of transmission lines from sub-station to grid, among other requirements. Dexter A. See

(MS-JUNE 15, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

Asylum seekers win payout S

YDNEY―Detainees at an Australian asylum-seeker camp in Papua New Guinea won millions of dollars in compensation for “degrading and cruel” treatment Wednesday, in a decision hailed as an important human rights victory.

WOMEN IN FILM. Presenter and Max Mara Ownership and Brand Ambassador Nicola Maramotti, wearing Max Mara (R), attends the Women In Film 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented By Max Mara and BMW at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 13, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Abuse, self-harm and mental health problems are reportedly rife in offshore processing centers, with detainees resorting to desperate protests like sewing their own lips together to raise awareness of their plight.

Wednesday’s AUS$70 million (US$53 million) conditional settlement, to be shared by 1,905 people who have been held on Manus Island since 2012, averted a public trial against the government and security providers Transfield and G4S. A class action had sought damages for what claimants said was suffering due to the harsh conditions in which they were held.

It also called for a payout for false imprisonment after the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court ruled last year that holding asylum-seekers on Manus Island was unconstitutional and illegal.

Law firm Slater and Gordon said they believed it was the largest human rights class action settlement in Australian history, with the defendants also agreeing to pay more than Aus$20 million in costs.

“The people detained on Manus Island have endured extremely hostile conditions, but they will no longer suffer in silence,” said the firm’s Andrew Baker.

“While no amount of money could fully recognize the terrible conditions the detainees endured, we hope today’s settlement can begin to provide them with an opportunity to help put this dark chapter of their lives behind them.”

The Manus detention facility opened in 2012 to hold people trying to enter Australia by boat, under a tough immigration policy that sends them offshore to be processed.

They are blocked from resettling in Australia even if found to be refugees.

Conditions in the camp, and another one on Nauru in the Pacific, have been widely criticized by refugee advocates and medical professionals, with reports of maltreatment and neglect, leading to serious health problems.

Amnesty International called the decision “historic” and “a major crack in the Australian government’s crumbling system of abuse”.

“It must be a turning point towards a better solution for refugees―one that is grounded in protection, not abuse,” said Amnesty Pacific researcher Kate Schuetze.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the payout was not an admission of liability, but to avoid a costly sixmonth trial.

“In such circumstances a settlement was considered a prudent outcome for Australian taxpayers,” he said in a statement. AFP

Colombian surgeon helps rebuild acid victims’ lives BOGOTA―Angeles Borda ignored the cat calls as she walked past the building site.

But she couldn’t ignore the nitric acid that her tormentor then threw in her face.

A decade on she is still disfigured. But help is at hand.

In Colombia, said by authorities to be one of the countries worst affected by acid attacks, a campaigning plastic surgeon is helping―for free―to rebuild victims’ faces and lives.

Borda, a 32-year-old mother of three, has had the ninth operation on her face at Alan Gonzalez’s

pristine surgical clinic.

“I know that in a few months I will look better,” she says.

She has never been sure who was behind the attack, though an ex-boyfriend has been suspected.

Previously used to treating soldiers wounded in conflict, Gonzalez, 46, has since 2010 specialized in helping women disfigured by acid.

“Plastic surgery is not the surgery of vanity, but of life. The challenge is to give them back their hopes and dreams-and above all, their smiles,” he says.

“We don’t just rebuild faces, we rebuild lives.”

Official figures indicate that about 100 women get disfigured in acid attacks every year in Colombia, most of them in romantic disputes.

The country last year passed a law specifically targeting such crimes.

Struck by the “ignorance and intolerance” of such violence, Gonzalez helped set up Rebuilding Faces, an organization to help victims.

Since late 2010 he has rebuilt the faces of 15 women in some

300 separate operations.

Victims typically contemplate suicide, Gonzalez says.

On top of the trauma of the attack, they suffer discrimination and struggle to find work.

Borda works selling sweets on buses.

“I had two choices: sit there crying or go out and be seen the way I am,” she says.

“What happened to me is very sad, but it is possible to live with the consequences. I have dreams, I have goals, and I have the strength to move forward.”

Another patient, Luz Nidia

Mendoza, 37, says she has not worked since suffering an acid attack in 2011.

She was blinded and is missing seeing her children grow up.

“I hear them, I feel them, I touch them. But I cannot see them,” she says.

Like Borda she says she would have killed herself if it had not been for her children.

“It is because of them that I am here.”

She has had 25 operations, with more yet to come, to rebuild her cheeks, forehead, mouth and nose. AFP

C3

IN BRIEF Mumbai’s Padminis near end of the road MUMBAI-They were named after a legendary Indian queen and were synonymous with Mumbai for half a century, but the last Premier Padmini taxis will soon embark on their final journey―to the scrapyard.

The compact black-and-yellow cabs, based on an Italian Fiat and often boasting elaborately patterned interiors, were once ubiquitous across the congested roads of India’s financial capital and have featured in countless Bollywood movies.

Around 65,000 Padminis plied Mumbai at their peak in the mid-1990s but a gradual phasing out in favor of newer, more environmentally friendly vehicles has meant that today only some 300 splutter around and officials predict they will disappear completely next year.

For many the passing of the Indian-built vehicle, a product of the Asian giant’s closed economy of the 1960s and a classic, albeit now rusting, car which continues to enthrall foreign tourists, will be the end of an unforgettable chapter in Mumbai’s history. AFP

Flying turkey once roamed Australia SYDNEY―A giant, flying turkey as tall as a kangaroo once roamed Australia, palaeontologists said Wednesday, after an analysis of fossils and bones from around the country revealed five extinct bird species.

A team from Flinders University in South Australia said they were all chunky relatives of today’s malleefowl and brush-turkeys.

The megapode birds lived during the Pleistocene era, between 1.6 million and 10,000 years ago, alongside other giant Australian animals like diprotodons, marsupial lions and short-faced kangaroos.

Scientists had initially thought the fossils, first found in the 1880s, represented a single ancient bird, but fresh examination has led them to conclude they belong to five different species.

Among them was a turkey weighing up to eight kilograms (17 pounds) and standing taller than a gray kangaroo, which can reach 1.3 4ft 3ins―four times the size of modern fowl.

“These discoveries are quite remarkable because they tell us that more than half of Australia’s megapodes went extinct during the Pleistocene, and we didn’t even realize it until now,” said researcher Elen Shute. AFP

Released student flown home to US

BY THE SEA. Palestinians lead horses out of the sea after cleaning them in the water in Gaza City on June 13, 2017. AFP

WASHINGTON―An American student who fell into a coma while imprisoned in a North Korean labor camp returned to the United States late Tuesday after Pyongyang allowed him to be flown home, US media reported.

A military airplane carrying Otto Warmbier landed in his hometown of Cincinnati shortly before 10:20 pm (0220 GMT Wednesday), CBS News reported.

The release of Warmbier, 18 months into a 15-year sentence, came as US President Donald Trump invited South Korea’s new leader Moon Jae-In to Washington for talks on the escalating standoff over the North’s nuclear program.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said earlier in the day that his agency had “secured” the 22-year-old’s release in talks with North Korea and is pushing for three more Americans to be freed. It was not immediately clear if he had made any concessions.

The news surfaced after the flamboyant retired NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman―a former contestant on Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” reality show―flew to Pyongyang to resume his quixotic quest to broker detente between his US homeland and Kim Jong-Un’s authoritarian regime.

But State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the visit “had nothing to do with the release”.

Warmbier’s parents Fred and Cindy announced his release in a statement to CNN on Tuesday.

“Sadly, he is in a coma and we have been told he has been in that condition since March of 2016,” they said.

“We learned of this only one week ago.”

On arriving in Cincinnatti’s Lunken Airport, Warmbier was transferred to a waiting ambulance that rushed him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for urgent treatment, Fox News reported.

Warmbier’s parents were told their son was given a sleeping pill soon after his trial in March last year and never woke. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

Blaze traps dwellers in a night of horror

World

Massive fire consumes tower block in London L ONDON―A massive fire ripped through a 27-story apartment block in west London before dawn on Wednesday, killing several people and injuring dozens more after residents were left trapped inside.

London Fire Brigade chief Dany Cotton said there had been “a number of fatalities” and 30 people had been hospitalized after what she called an “unprecedented” blaze.

Eyewitnesses said they had seen some people fall or jump from the stricken building and at least one resident waving a piece of white cloth from one of the upper floors as flames ravaged the tower.

Seven hours after the alarm was raised, flames could still be seen inside the charred building as a thick plume of black smoke marred the west London skyline.

Large pieces of debris could be seen falling from Grenfell Tower, a 1970s council block in the working-class north Kensington area―a short distance from chic Notting Hill.

Witnesses said they heard screaming from the upper floors as the flames rose in the night.

“They were trapped. They couldn’t come

downstairs, especially from the top floor ... people have been burned,” a witness identified as Daniel told BBC Radio London.

“I have seen it with my own eyes. And I have seen people jump.”

Hanan Wahabi, 39, told AFP she escaped with her husband and son, 16, and daughter, 8, but feared for her brother and his family who live on the 21st floor.

“Last time I saw him they were waving out the window, his wife and children,” she said, sitting outside the Rugby Portobello community center.

“I’ve not heard from them since, the phone is not going through, the land line isn’t going through. That was about 2:00 am (0100 GMT), she said.

Eddie, 55, who lives on the 16th floor, said he ran out of his house with a wet towel wrapped around his head as smoke engulfed the flat.

“You couldn’t see anything. I just ran

down the stairs... Loads of people haven’t got out of the building,” he said.

Another witness named as Jody Martin told the BBC that he battled his way his way to the second floor only to encounter choking smoke.

“I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window... hearing screams, I was yelling everyone to get down and they were saying ‘We can’t leave our apartments, the smoke is too bad on the corridors’,” he said.

By early morning, most of the block was a smoldering hulk as firefighters sprayed water onto floors within reach of appliances on the ground.

Frantic families at the scene attempted to call their loved ones, fearing they could be stuck inside, and were being directed by police to a nearby restaurant where some of the injured were being treated.

The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the blaze at Grenfell Tower, which has 120 flats.

“Fire is from second to top floor of 27 story building,” the fire service said on Twitter.

Firefighters said they had managed to evacuate residents up to the 11th floor. AFP

LONDON―Shaken survivors of a blaze that ravaged a west London tower block told Wednesday of seeing people trapped or jump to their doom as flames raced towards the building’s upper floors and smoke filled the corridors.

Hanan Wahabi, 39, who lives on the ninth floor of the 27-story Grenfell Tower, said she was awoken around 1:00am (0000 GMT) by smoke.

“I could see there was ash coming through the window in the living room, which was partially open,” she said, sitting with her husband and son, 16, and daughter, eight, outside a local community centre.

“I looked out and I could see the fire traveling up the block.

It was literally by my window,” she said. “I slammed the window shut and got out.”

After the family escaped, she called her brother, who lives on the 21st floor, to see if he was all right.

“The fire hadn’t reached the top of the block at that point,” Wahabi said.

“He said he had been told to stay inside, stay in one room together and put towels under the door. I told him to leave. He said he was going to come. Then I called him and he said there was too much smoke.”

She added: “The last time I saw him they were waving out the window, his wife and children. The last time I spoke to his wife, he was on the phone to the fire brigade. I’ve not heard from them since, the phone is not going through, the land line isn’t going through. That was about 2:00am.”

A witness identified as Daniel

told BBC Radio London that people on the upper floors were trapped as the flames rose higher and higher.

“People have been burned,” he said. “I have seen it with my own eyes. And I have seen people jump.”

Another witness named as Jody Martin said he battled his way his way to the second floor only to encounter choking smoke.

“I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window... hearing screams, I was yelling everyone to get down and they were saying ‘We can’t leave our apartments, the smoke is too bad on the corridors’,” he said.

Another survivor at the community center, wearing shorts, a T-shirts and trainers and with a blanket draped around his shoulders, said he saved his own life with just moments to spare.

“My neighbor’s smoke alarm went off and I thought he might have done some cooking,” he said, giving only his first name of Eddie, 55.

“I was in bed and I heard people shout fire, fire, I opened my door and loads of smoke came in. Then two seconds later my neighbor [on the fifth floor] called and said, ‘Get the fuck out the building’!”

“I went into the bathroom and I got the towel and wet it and wrapped it around my head. I run out into the hallway, close the door behind me and ran for where I thought the fire exit was.

I didn’t find it. It was a matter of life and death―I thought, ‘If I’m in this for another five seconds, I’m a goner’.” AFP

Rescue workers battle to reach landslide victims CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh―Rescue workers battled Wednesday to reach the victims of the worst landslides ever to hit Bangladesh, as the death toll rose to 145, with dozens more missing.

Television footage from some of the worst-hit areas showed villagers using shovels to try to dig bodies out of the mud that engulfed their homes as they slept in the early hours of Tuesday.

Authorities say hundreds of hillside homes were buried by landslides in the southeast of the country after heavy monsoon rains, with 13.5 inches of rain falling on the area on Monday.

The head of the Disaster Management Department Reaz Ahmed said the landslides were the worst in the country’s history and warned the toll would rise as rescuers reached cut-off areas.

Firefighters in the worst-hit district of Rangamati said they had pulled 18 people out from under the mud on Tuesday, but did not have the manpower to reach all the affected areas.

“People called us from several places saying people had been buried. But we did not have enough men to send,” said Didarul Alam, fire services chief for Rangamati district.

“We have been unable to reach some of the more remote places due to the rain.

Even in those places we have reached, we have been unable to recover all the bodies.”

The army said thousands of troops stationed in the affected districts as part of efforts to quell a long-running tribal insurgency had joined the rescue efforts.

“Our soldiers based in all parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have participated in the rescue operations,” armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hasan told AFP. AFP

ARTWORK. People swim under an artwork ‘Museum of the Moon’ by British artist Luke Jerram at the Saint-Georges swimming pool in Rennes, western France. AFP

Driven to distraction in Pyongyang

FLOODS IN INDIA. An Indian rickshaw puller transports customers through floodwaters in Guwahati on June 14, 2017. AFP

PYONGYANG―Snapping their heads from side to side, marching into the roads in close-fitting blue uniforms and black heels, the “traffic ladies” who marshal vehicles at the intersections of Pyongyang are an emblematic image of the North Korean capital.

Officially known as traffic security officers but universally referred to as traffic ladies, they are chosen for their looks in a society that remains traditionalist in many respects.

They must leave the role if they marry, and have a finite shelf-life, with compulsory retirement looming at just 26.

The 300-odd ladies are unique to Pyongyang, which North Korean authorities are always keen to present in the best possible light despite their nuclear-armed country’s impoverished status, and ensure a steady supply of photogenic young women who are the favorite subject of visiting tourists and journalists.

“They are representing the capital city,” explained a senior officer of the ministry of public security, which supervises traffic regulation. “That’s why they are selected based on their appearance and physique.”

No age limit applies to their roughly 400 male counterparts―who tend to be stationed at roundabouts.

The rules were because “normally, the women in our country marry at the age of 26 or 27”, explained the officer, who did not want to be named.

“Because the role is tough and difficult, they can only do the job when they are single.”

The traffic ladies were originally introduced in the 1980s, when vehicles were a rarity on the streets of Pyongyang and remained so for decades, giving rise to the surreal sight of them directing―with precision and energy―non-existent cars on wide but deserted boulevards.

As part of North Korea’s security

forces they hold officer ranks, and Senior Captain Ri Myong-Sim, 24, said: “I have to carry out each and every action with discipline and spirit.”

A seven-year veteran, she cuts an imposing presence in her high-peaked cap and white gloves.

Her “tough training” had involved “exhausting repetition” of the moves, she told AFP. “But every time I felt that, the thing that kept me going and drove me was the thought that our leader, who cares for only the happiness of our people all year long, was watching us work,” she said, standing ramrod-straight at the Changjon crossroads in central Pyongyang.

“So I could practice throughout the night and keep going on the next day without feeling tired at all.”

Ordinary North Koreans normally only express officially approved sentiments when questioned by foreign media. AFP

W

HAT is your lifestyle?

When was the last time you exercised properly?

Do you watch what you eat? Do you take vitamins and food supplements? Do you smoke or drink? Or are you just so tired from work and your daily schedule that you just want to rest in front of the TV and enjoy a precooked meal?

A century ago, infectious diseases caused by invading microorganisms were the no. 1 cause of death. Today, a recent study showed that the most common cause of death is chronic diseases, caused by a variety of lifestyle and other factors.

The scary part is that we might not even be aware that your daily routines may be putting you at risk. Watching TV may help you relax, but spending too much time in front of the screen may become habitual and lead to a sedentary lifestyle. You might not smoke or drink, but too much sugar and soft drink can also cause problems in the future.

The research was done by Watsons Insights on Shoppers Experience (WISE), a division of the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group.

The study showed that while 66 percent of Filipinos believe they have good knowledge on health, more than half or 57 percent do not exercise regularly to stay healthy. This shows that while majority of Filipinos are interested on health, there are a lot of factors that get in their way from staying healthy. Either they get too busy or too tired from work, have a lot of family obligations or spend more time being stuck in traffic.

To help Filipinos jumpstart their way to a healthier lifestyle, Watsons launched its #GetActive campaign. It aims to inspire Filipinos to be healthy through small, everyday active changes in their routine that will help improve their health.

“Watsons #GetActive campaign is one of our continuous efforts and part of our commitment to improve the lives and health of Filipinos by inspiring them to take small steps to improve their health,” says Watsons Marketing director Viki Encarnacion. “Small steps such as drinking more water, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, taking deep breaths in between work e-mails, walking from one building to another instead of riding a car or taxi if it’s just in the same area, walking your dog during weekends, and smiling more often can go a long way for our health. The list of small steps which we can do is endless, our days are full of opportunities to do these and Watsons can be their partner to improve their health” adds Encarnacion.

“We want our customers to know that being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean doing major changes and adjustments in our lives like starting to train as a tri-athlete, spend two hours in the gym three to five times a week, own a fancy health equipment at home, spend thousands of pesos on healthy meals or cook difficult or time-consuming healthy recipes, adds Krista Tan, Watsons Marketing manager.

At the media launch held at SquareOne at the Bonifacio Global City, Watsons invited celebrity chef Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck, who gave several cooking tips and taught guests a couple of easy and, more importantly, healthy recipes which they can quickly prepare.

First, the co-owner of the Sexy Chef prepared Greek salad with chickpeas,

IN CELEBRATION of World Oceans Day, multi-awarded photographers Anna Varona and Danny Ocampo unveiled on June 8 captivating underwater photos to highlight the beauty of the Philippine oceans and the urgent need to protect them.

The exhibit showcases a visual spectacle that will allow the public to see the beauty of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) such as the Marine Sanctuary in Tingloy, Batangas, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Cagayancillo and Tubbataha in Palawan, and Tañon Strait in the Visayas.

Varona, who is a responsible tourism advocate and a marine warrior on top of being a professional photographer, believes that this endeavor is very much aligned with the 2017 World Oceans Day’s theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Future’ because it aims to spread awareness on the role of MPAs in long-term food security.

“MPAs ensure that our coastal resources are given the chance to regenerate and provide us food now and in the future. Aside from that, our fishermen are given much more stable and sustainable livelihood,” she said.

Ocampo, who also campaigns for ethical and responsible diving and photography, hopes to influence tourists to be more responsible when they visit MPAs, especially since Apo Island has been instrumental in his journey towards marine conservation work. “Apo Island continues to inspire not only me but hundreds of in-

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

D1

EASY BEING HEALTHY. Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani demonstrates a few exercise routines people can do almost anywhere, at home or in the office.

Live healthier, easier and

#GetActive

Sexy Chef Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck prepares her healthy and easy-to-do mason jar recipes

violet cabbage, cucumber, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black olives; and feta cheese. The mix of ingredients has vitamin C; contains cancerfighting lycopenes; and can even help lower cholesterol. Another recipe Rennebeck taught guests was how to make a healthier dessert with banana with rolled oats, strawberries and chocolate.

The rolled oats, contains omega-3 fatty acids that prevent the storage of belly fat, bananas are rich in Potassium and strawberries for vitamin C. To serve as a “fitspiration,” Mr. World Philippines 2016, Sam Ajdani demonstrated a few exercise routines you can do almost anywhere. The Iranian-Filipino model and aspiring fitness trainer showed how to do the classic cardio workouts such as skipping rope, body weight exercises and weight resistance using water bottle and doing arm dips and sit-ups on a chair. Adjani, who is one of the endorsers of Cosmo Body, says taking the supplement before his workout has increased his energy and helped him shed off some fat.

“To get you started, you need to find a group of people who share your goals. When your friends are pushing themselves, this will also inspire and encourage you to do your best to pursue your goal. People think exercise is hard, but if you develop it as a habit, say do it for a few weeks, then months, over time, you see results, and this will get you even more motivated,” shares Ajdani.

Nutritionist and pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Mitzi Reodica, then took the stage to share a few more tips such as eating five to six kinds of fruits and vegetables and staying hydrated by drinking 2.5 liters of water daily (3.3 liters for men).

“The harsh truth is that we don’t get enough of the essential nutrients solely from the food that we eat, she said.

There are different types of vitamins available and formulated to fulfill different nutritional needs. Some of them are: Turn to D2

Photo exhibit for marine conservation at Solaire

UNDERWATER WONDERS. Photographers Anna Varona and Danny Ocampo exhibit captivating photos showcasing the beauty of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Tingloy in Batangas, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Cagayancillo and Tubbataha in Palawan, and Tanon Strait in the Visayas dividuals, organizations and policy makers here and abroad who have been there. Sadly, its popularity is beginning to be its bane and measures have to be taken to ensure that tourism and conservation complement each other,” he stated.

Canon Philippines sponsored the printing of all portraits including the postcard versions of select photos that will be sold to help the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines in their continuous efforts to conserve

Philippine oceans and the communities that greatly depend on them. WWFPhilippines’ work in protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park inspired the declaration of a one million hectare of MPA by the Municipal Government of

Cagayancillo through a municipal ordinance covering its entire municipal waters and surrounding open sea.

The exhibit, which is supported by the Department of Tourism, is open to the public until July 31.

Life

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THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

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ANY consider the skin on our face as one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and yet it is one of the most exposed. Our face is exposed daily to harmful UV rays from the sun, pollution from different sources in our surroundings, and can even be affected by internal factors such as stress.

Because of its inherent sensitivity, many beauty experts are deeply concerned about whatever product goes on their face. It really pays to know what ingredients go on our skin to keep our face looking young and revitalized. Because using strong chemicals can be very detrimental to our skin and may do us more harm than good in the long run.

This has led more people to search for natural beauty products that are made from food material or organic sources to ensure that it does not negatively impact those who use it. One of the materials that is gaining popularity with the beauty-conscious is peptides.

Peptides are a type of amino acids, often regarded as the building block of protein, which makes up our skin. Peptides, specifically, are short chain amino acids. And because peptides are smaller and shorter they are perfect to be applied directly on our skin because it can go down to the deeper layers of the skin and aid in skin rejuvenation and regeneration.

Different types of peptides can help in addressing some of the most common skin problems, from effectively smoothing out wrinkles, increasing firmness and hydration, to repairing the skin’s natural barrier functions—peptide is a very potent ingredient.

This regenerative power of a proprietary blend of advanced peptides is now available here in the country through DERMAX Professional.

DERMAX Professional comes in an airless injection packaging in two variants: anti-aging and whitening.

DERMAX Advanced Peptide Whitening Serum lightens the skin through a proprietary blend of advanced peptide complex with whitening and antioxidant ingredients that promise to even out skin tone while enhancing protection of the skin. Meanwhile, DERMAX Advanced Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Serum has advanced peptide complex partnered with protective ingredients that help in regaining skin elasticity and boost the natural production of collagen.

For more information regarding DERMAX Professional, visit SkinStation or DERMAX Laser Center branches nationwide.

Rejuvenate, regenerate skin

with peptides

POWER OF PEPTIDES.

Dermax Professional offers two variants of peptides (whitening and anti-aging) in an airless injection packaging.

It’s not too late to start year right STAYING healthy and fit has always been one of our top resolutions at the start of every year. That is why most of us put in more effort in keeping ourselves healthy and in good shape by eating right and exercising.

However, while these plans are a good start, getting an annual health check-up is important to make sure that you are in the pink of health.

“An annual physical exam is a way for making yourself aware of the general status of your health. Knowing your numbers will allow you to better take care of yourself,” said Carmie de Leon, VP of Sales and Marketing of Healthway Medical. “If you know your numbers, then you will be aware of what you need to do or avoid to stay as healthy as you can.”

During an annual physical exam, you are subjected to a thorough check of your body’s many vital functions like your heart, blood, eyesight, hearing, and oth-

ers. By checking them, you will be able to know how healthy you are and in case there are issues, your doctor can advise you on what steps to take to prevent these health issues from getting worse.

For instance, during the check-up, you will be put through an ECG where the stress levels of your heart will be checked. Should there be any abnormal signals, the doctor will let you know what medications to take and what foods to avoid so that the condition will not lead to heart disease.

To make it easier for you to get your annual physical exam, Healthway Medical offers HealthcheQ. It is a premium brand of executive check-up designed for individuals who value both their health and time. It is also in line with the clinic’s long-standing commitment to promoting preventive healthcare and access to quality health and wellness.

HealthCheQ includes a comprehensive physical evaluation with complete

laboratory, imaging studies, diagnostics and special examinations. The results of the check-up are released within 24 hours after the completion of all the necessary tests.

Healthway’s HealthcheQ package also makes the experience of a physical check-up something to look forward to. It can be considered as a wellness retreat because it comes with an overnight stay in a five-star hotel of their choice so they can enjoy a moment of relaxation with their loved ones.

De Leon further said, “An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. An annual check-up isn’t something that one would run away from; it is something to embrace to keep a healthy life.”

For more information, visit Healthway Medical’s website at www.healthway. com.ph and follow Healthway Medical on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healthwaymedical.

Know how healthy is your Lifestyle HEALTH and wellness trends in food, diet, and various fitness regimens among Filipinos show that, more than ever, we are more conscious about our health. Sales of fitness monitors and running shoes are on the rise. More people will be eating their vegetables and start exercising more and more often in the days leading up to the summer season. We can expect that we will become even increasingly health conscious as people start working on their beach bodies.

However, despite the rising healthconsciousness, why is not everyone successful in achieving and maintaining their good health?

According to Dr. Zoe Arugay of LifeScience Center for Health & Wellness, one of the reasons why we don’t achieve our health goals is that we often forget to look at our wellbeing as a whole picture.

We fail to see that our overall wellbeing is greatly influenced by factors, such as nutrition, sleep and relaxation, exercise and movement, stress, and detoxification. It’s how we are able to manage these factors will reflect in the quality of our health.

Since each person is unique, so is his wellbeing, LifeScience Center for Health and Wellness has

LifeScience’s Lifestyle Sensor captures precise data on how a person’s body reacts to daily activities and environmental factors through heart rate variability, which in turn can help practitioners determine the best way to manage one’s different stress he encounters daily

the Lifestyle sensor to help individuals understand how their lifestyle affects their health. The Lifestyle Sensor captures precise data on how the body is reacting to daily activities and environmental factors through heart rate variability. Our heart continuously adjusts to meet the demands of our activities, resulting in variations in time between each heartbeat. For health practitioners, heartbeat variations can tell a lot about a person’s health, they are able to see the

whole picture, and be able to identify the best way to manage the different stress you encounter in your daily life; and determine better means of recovery from exhaustion. It also helps your physician to design the right exercise program that would optimize your body’s functionality, hence help achieve the specific health goal during summer—beach ready body, and sustained energy for all the activities and getaways.

Through the sensor, patients are able to clearly understand the link between good health and lifestyle. “The LifeScience Lifestyle Sensor uses and analyzes data from the patient. There is no guess-

ing. What will go in a client’s program is based on what the patient’s body told us through the advanced medical tool, Firstbeat,” said Dr. Arugay. “LifeScience is here to coach and guide our patients’ journey to good health. We are able to advance it through a technology that allow us see what is exactly happening in our patient’s body, and use that information to help them overcome a health issue and achieve a specific health goal.”

For more information on the Lifestyle Assessment Sensor or to book an appointment for a consultation, visit lifescience.ph or call 848-LIFE (5433).

Daylong sunscreen provides broad protection against UVA, UVB, and IR

Complete your skincare regimen with sun protection A GOLDEN, even tan is the best accessory this summer. But in the quest to look chic, your health should still be top priority. Remember these important ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of sun exposure.

Stay in the shade and out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the rays are at their harshest.

You don’t have to be directly under the sun to be exposed to its rays. Water and sand reflect sunlight. So as much as possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Most importantly, use a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen. Apply all over 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and if you’re going swimming or sweating a lot, reapply every hour.

From the makers of Cetaphil, Daylong provides real sun protection that goes deep—beyond your skin’s surface and down to your cells and DNA. It also provides very broad protection against UVA, UVB, and IR. The full range of Daylong products is very water resistant and can be used for the face and body. Each is non-sticky and feels great on skin, and moisturizes with skin-nourishing vitamin E for healthy, fair skin. The entire range is non-comedogenic, paraben-free and fragrance-free. Most importantly, Daylong is dermatologically-tested and hypoallergenic.

Daylong Gel SPF 50+ provides maximum protection for oily or sun-sensitive skin in a light and oil-free form.

Daylong Spray Lotion SPF 30 is a liposomal sunscreen spray-lotion for sun-sensitive skin.

Daylong Kids Lotion SPF 50+ is specially designed for sensitive kids’ skin.

For your and your family’s overall protection, stock up on your daily supply of Daylong at leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets nationwide.

Live...

From D1

• Vitamin A for immunity, vision and healthy skin • Vitamin B complex for energy production • Vitamin C for immunity and protection against diseases • Vitamin E for cell damage repair or prevention and for healthy skin.

The good news is you can easily get these from vitamins and supplements.

At Watsons, there are different brands and products available to fulfill every individual’s nutritional needs depending on age, gender and preferred form—such as Enervon, Conzace, Ceelin, Revicon, Myra E, Centrum, Stresstabs, Berocca, Rogin E, Fern C, and Watsons Generics.

To further encourage its shoppers, Watsons is offering up to 20 percent off on select vitamins at select period of time in stores. And for its loyal members, Watsons is offering customers a chance to win trips to Bali, Guam or Sydney, or win an iPhone 7 or iPad for a minimum P500 single-receipt purchase of select vitamins and health products.

Promo runs until June 28, 2017 and is exclusive to SM Advantage, SM Prestige, PRiMO and BDO Rewards Card holders. Promo is in partnership with Hutchgo.com and Philippine Airlines.

Visit any Watsons store nationwide. Visit www.watsonshealth.com.ph or www. facebook.com/WatsonsPH.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

ABS-CBN

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HE Kapamilya network picked up its eighth Best TV Station Award for 2017 and hauled a total of 25 trophies for its entertainment and news shows, journalists, and stars at the 25th Golden Dove Awards of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

is Golden Dove

The Kapamilya network also took home another Best TV Station Award (Provincial) for ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro, one of its regional stations across the country.

Meanwhile, Karen Davila was honored with the Best TV Public Service Program Host for My Puhunan, while Atom Araullo was named Best Public Affairs Host for Red Alert.

Kapamilya stars also dominated the Golden Dove Awards including Coco Martin who won Best Actor for a Drama Program and Sylvia Sanchez, Best Actress for a Drama Program.

The Greatest Love was also recognized as the Best Drama Program.

Team YeY!, a children’s program aired on ABS-CBN TVplus’ YeY! channel on weekdays, picked up its third award for the year as it was named Best TV Children’s Program for its “Sound Check” segment.

Bayani Agbayani won Best

Awards Best Station

The cast of ABS-CBN TVplus's original production "Team YeY!" accepts the Best Children's Program award

TV Actor for a Comedy Program for his performance in CineMo’s Funny Ka, Pare Ko, while Angelica Panganiban won Best TV Actress for a Comedy Program for her work in Banana Sundae.

Other winners include ASAP (Best TV Variety Program), Home Sweetie

Home (Best TV Comedy Program), Matanglawin (Best TV Science and Technology Program), Tapatan ni Tunying’s “Trono” episode (Best TV Public Affairs Program), TV Patrol Central Mindanao (Best TV Newscast-Provincial), ABS-CBN Iloilo’s Derecho (Best TV Public Affairs

Program-Provincial), and ABS-CBN’s Isang Pamilya Tayo Ngayong Pasko (Best TV Station Promotional Material), FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano Ligtas Tips (Best Television PSA), DZMM’s Fastbreak (Best Radio Sports Program), DZMM Radyo Negosyo (Best Public Service Program), DZMM’s Pasada

McCoy and Elisse double the fun as MYX CELEBRITY VJS EXPECT delight in twofold on the number one music channel in the country as the McLisse tandem, composed of McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, takes on the role of MYX Celebrity VJs for June.

McLisse welcomes this month’s challenge to host various MYX shows, barely a week after releasing their first joint single “If We Fall In Love.”

Meanwhile, Pinoy heavy metal band Slapshock pumps up the channel with their metalcore style as the “MYX Headliner,” while soul & funk band Banna Harbera will relax viewers with their subtle, laid-back sound in “MYX Spotlight.”

MYX also gets into a pop frenzy in “MYX Presents!” pop icon Britney Spears in The Femme Fatale Tour Parts 1 & 2 on June 15 and 22, and VJ Sunny’s adventure in the land of K-Pop “Sunny in Seoul” on June 29.

Catch the kilig pair of McLisse in Pinoy MYX until June 17, Mellow MYX on June 18 to 24, and My MYX on June 25 to 30.

Watch MYX on Skycable channel 23. For more information on MYX programming and the 2nd MYX Moves Street Dance Competition, log on to www.myxph.com, follow MYX on Instagram (@myxph) and Twitter (@MYXPhilippines).

The call for entries for MYX Moves is extended until June 16.

Love team McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, otherwise known as McLisse, headline Myx Channel programs as celebrity VJs for the month of June

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, June 15, 2017

ACROSS 1 Place for dudes 6 Blueprint, briefly 10 206, classically 14 January, to Juan 15 E. — bacteria 16 Wished undone 17 Nerdy 18 Actor — Baldwin 19 Medea sailed on her 20 Dried-up 21 Widely accepted 23 Ooze 25 Flemish painter 26 Mantra chants 27 Maui tourist, often 29 Fleet 32 Swiss capital (var.)

33 Good buddy 36 Car top 37 Vestige 38 Actor — Kaplan 39 Wayfarer’s refuge 40 Goes way up 41 Takes cover 42 Small harbor 43 Whey-faced 44 Kafka’s birthplace 47 Mendicants 51 Gloomy

54 Muddy the waters 55 On board ship 56 With skill 57 About that time 58 Dollywood loc.

59 Pharaoh’s river 60 Four duos 61 Como — usted?

62 1917 abdicator 63 Hue, but not cry DOWN 1 Get more out of 2 Wing 3 Kind of jacket 4 Reneged (2 wds.)

5 Gym dance 6 Kind of tactics 7 Game with mallets 8 Mountain pass info 9 Tour guide 10 Flash Gordon portrayer Buster — 11 Radium discoverer 12 Meat avoider 13 Artifacts 21 Qt. parts 22 Be in control 24 Invoice no.

27 Genuine warmth 28 Parts of ovals

29 Herr in Madras 30 Checkmated 31 Lightning byproduct 32 Hillside, to Angus 33 Cushion 34 “Honest” nickname 35 Brown the bandleader 37 Easygoing 38 Newt of politics 40 Cold-shoulder 41 Old crone

42 Oft-eaten lizard 43 — Craven of horror flicks 44 Batter’s place 45 Tricks 46 Insurance worker 47 Customer 48 Major artery 49 Sieved potatoes 50 Metamorphic rock 52 Heron kin 53 Earthen pot 57 Romaine

"FJP's Ang Probinsyano" star Coco Martin is named Best Actor for a Drama Program

Sylvia Sanchez wins Best Actress for a Drama Program for her portrayal of Gloria in "The Greatest Love"

Bayani Agbayani is named Best Actor for a Comedy Program for his performance in the ABSCBN TVplus original production "Funny Ka, Pare Ko"

"Matanglawin" host Kuya Kim receives the trophy for Best Science and Technology Program

Sais Trenta (Best Public Affairs Program), DZMM’s Dr. Love Hugot (Best Radio Station Promotional Material), Zhander Cayabyab (Best Field Reporter), DYAB Radyo Patrol Balita Alas Dose (Best Radio Newscast-Provincial), DZMM Radyo Patrol Balita Alas Siyete and (Best Newscast-

Metro Manila).

The KBP is the premier broadcast media organization in the country composed of owners and operators of radio and TV stations that organizes the Golden Dove Awards, which aims to recognize excellent practice of broadcasting in the Philippines.

Jennylyn Mercado with her alien lover played by Gil Cuerva in "My Love from the Star"

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

The cast of the primetime romcom "Meant to Be," led by Barbie Forteza, in a shoot Singapore

GMA Network’s

new primetime

shows

ISAH V. RED

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grown impatient in the search for Almiro and returns to Tierra Fuego after seven years to look for the savior himself.

Undeniable kilig from Steffi Chavez (Jennylyn Mercado) and Matteo Domingo (Gil Cuerva) follows in GMA’s local adaptation of My Love From The Star. The two are still constantly bickering over everything but it seems that Matteo is finding it difficult to resist Steffi’s charm and goes out of his way to keep her safe.

Slowly, he is freeing his heart that he shielded for centuries. Steffi, on the other hand, constantly depends on Matteo wherever she goes.

The top-rating series Meant To Be keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the boys— Jai Patel (Addy Raj), Ethan SpencerHughes (Ivan Dorschner), Yuan Lee (Ken Chan), Andoy de la Cruz (Jak Roberto) - go all out in trying to win Billie’s (Barbie Forteza) heart.

GMA will determine the ultimate Ka-Meant To Be of Billie from the combined results of online poll and the final discussion of the show’s producers for the series’ finale on June 23.

Meant To Be also features Manilyn Reynes, Sheryl Cruz, Tina Paner, Keempee De Leon, Janno Gibbs, Ronaldo Valdez, Sef Cadayona, Mika de la Cruz, Zymic Jaranilla and the Queen of Philippine Cinema, Gloria Romero. *** What’s Derrick Monasterio’s love language?

He is a sweet gentleman and loves to kid around.

When he throws a punch line, you won’t know if he’s serious or just kidding.

Yet, his perennial love team, Bea Binene, says for the long time that they have been working together as a

Baniqued with race winners Clifford Pusing (second placer), and Russel Mikolai Villaraza (third placer)

By Nickie Wang

HE Kapuso networks is proud to say that it has been creating quality, compelling, and highly entertaining shows for prime time, citing Mulawin Vs. Ravena, My Love From The Star, and Meant To Be— shows currently on the air weeknights that continue to be the talk of the town.

The hottest Kapuso love teams and teen stars – Bea Binene as Anya, Derrick Monasterio as Almiro/ Rodrigo, Kiko Estrada as Rafael, Bianca Umali as Lawiswis and Miguel Tanfelix as Pagaspas - have made their much-awaited debut in Mulawin Vs. Ravena. After witnessing an unjust punishment to a fellow Mulawin named Libero (Kristoffer Martin) who wanted to escape Avila, Pagaspas, Anya and Malik (David Licauco) together with Panabon (Ariel Rivera) decide that it was time to make a move and regain the freedom their race once had.

Meanwhile, the King of Halconia, Gabriel (Dennis Trillo), has

Training young athletes for sport success

Derrick Monasterio as Almiro in "Mulawin vs Ravena"

pair, she has been able to decode the cryptic language of Monasterio. She can tell when he is serious and when he is only joking.

But she admits she feels the thrill in her spine when she tries to say something about “having a relationship with her.”

Monasterio also pampers her with gifts and most of the time treats her to a café or restaurant. Perhaps this is his non-verbal way to express her feelings for someone he has some deep affection for. And Binene, as they say in show business, ang haba talaga ng hair. Does she also feel haba ng hair in Mulawin vs Ravena in which they are paired as a future couple of the specie of birdmen?

Meanwhile, Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali went on an unusual date.

This TV pair is really adventurous.

Both share the same taste in most everything in life, one of which is their recent escapade in Batangas.

The two share with their followers on Instagaram photos of their scuba-diving trip at Dive & Trek Resort and Marine Sanctuary.

Their chemistry on and off screen is undeniable. According to their fans, the resort became very romantic, especially when they swam with the various colorful fishes and other sea creatures.

The two are now seen as birdmen in Mulawin vs Ravena where a new sport was introduced last week. It’s like soccer in the air. Both Tanfelix and Umali learned the stunts they needed in shooting the sport for the episode.

WHILE there are many amazing stories about athletes considered late bloomers, the athletic potential of some of the most revered sport personalities was discovered early. Kobe Bryant, for instance, started playing basketball at age 3, Tiger Woods became a golfer at age 2, and Serena Williams picked up her first tennis racket at age 4.

According to coach Ani de LeonBrown, race director of Alaska IronKids, which was held early this summer in Subic, training young kids enable sport coaches like her to discover young talents “who can absolutely compete internationally.”

As the first Filipino woman to compete in Ironman World Championship, coach Ani oversees the safety of the facility and ensures that races run smoothly, bearing in mind that it’s still a kids race, which means, it has to be challenging and yet still fun for the participants while making the entire event also a good venue for families and friends to enjoy camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Now on its 6th year, Alaska Ironkids is back to help develop the values of discipline, determination, hard work and sportsmanship and persistence through a series of races. And coach Ani is optimistic that this category of Ironman will see bigger races as it continues to grow each year.

“The Ironkids participation level has increased throughout the year.

I remember the very first Ironkids in CamSur, we had around 50 to 60 participants, now we average around 200 per race and we don’t even have to do too much promotion for that,” she told Manila Standard.

She furthered that Alaska Ironkids is the local junior version of the international triathlon series and is open for children 6 to 14 years old. The program simply aims to promote a wellbalanced lifestyle for kids of today by allowing them to join at a young age and participate in at least one of the races.

“Most of them start with swimming; some of them have running and cycling backgrounds. Then eventually, they participate in other sports until they become triathlon athletes,” she added.

“Because of the Ironkids program, a lot of our graduates have continued on to be part of the national triathlon

team. I’m part of the national triathlon team coaching staff as well but because of the Ironkids program, we’ve seen that the talent pool is much deeper now,” she shared.

According to the triathlon champion, the national team right now aims for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics “sincerely” believing on the talent and determination of the athletes that have been training for the highly competitive and grueling sport.

“I trust the crop of athletes we have right now. They are highly skilled and have technical knowledge of the sport.

If we keep training them properly and with the correct support in coaching we can definitely produce athletes who can perform at par with the international standards,” she said.

And she said, the IronKids can be a good start for young athletes to hone their skill and eventually discover their potential on the triathlon arena.

One prime example of the talents coach Ani was referring to is Juan Francisco Baniqued who dominated the Boys 13-14 Years Old category in the Alaska IronKids tournament in Subic held on March 11. Baniqued started joining the same race when he was just 7.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t consider this very seriously. For me it was just for fun. I didn’t really think it would be something that I would take seriously until my third year in the competition when I won third place. The next year I won first,” he told us in an interview after reaching the finish line.

Starting as an aquathlon participant, the student from Colegio San Agustin in Biñan Laguna now joins national competitions and aims to participate outside the Philippines. He trusts that his coaches and training will help him achieve this goal.

“I train in the afternoon after school, and the entire weekends if I don’t have any engagements. In this competition, I think I won because of my game plan. I always reserve my energy. I don’t use all my energy on swimming since swimming is my strength. And it’s really good that you always listen to your coach,” he ended.

Alaska IronKids Triathlon 2017 staged in Subic began at the Wow Pools, then to the roads of SBMA, and ended at Remy Field. The event kicked off year-long calendar of triathlon activities for young athletes. The second and final leg of Alaska IronKids Triathlon will happen on Aug. 5 in Cebu.