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VOL. XXXI • NO. 122 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Martial law extension eyed amid terror hits By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

SILENT WORKER. President Rodrigo Duterte is back in harness as shown in this June 15, 2017 photo released by Special Assistant to the President, Bong Go.

‘Du30 not sick, just needs to rejuvenate’ By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn from public duties this week because he is tired and needs to “rejuvenate,” his spokesman said Thursday as government forces battled Islamist militants in the biggest crisis of his rule. Duterte, 72, has not been seen in public since Sunday and missed a scheduled appearance the following day at annual Independence Day celebrations in Manila, sparking speculation about the state of his health.

“He’s just taking some time off to rejuvenate,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. Abella said there was no date for when Duterte would resume his ofﬁcial duties, although he insisted the President was healthy. “I’m saying that there’s nothing to worry about in terms of sickness,” he said. “The President is well.” Pressed by journalists to state whether Duterte had visited a doctor this week, Abella said: Next page

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday that House leaders were open to extending the 60day martial law period in Mindanao following the continued terrorist attacks by the Maute group. Alvarez, secretary-general of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, said the House may approve the martial law extension “if necessary” as the Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to gain full control of the situation in Marawi City. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao on May 23. It will lapse on July 23. Alvarez reiterated that if the Supreme Court, in response to several petitions, orders Congress to convene a joint session to debate martial law, he would ignore

By Florante S. Solmerin and John Paolo Bencito

OVERNMENT forces arrested a Maute group bomb expert in his hideout in Cagayan de Oro City, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, martial law spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command said Thursday.

By Vito Barcelo

Hold order issued vs Romero

WOUNDED, ARRESTED. Australian journalist Adam Harvey wears a neckbrace after he was hit by a stray bullet in Marawi City. Right panel shows a police ﬁle photo of suspected Maute bomb expert Mohammad Noaim Maute alias Abu Jadid who was arrested in Cagayan de Oro City on June 15, 2017. AFP/ PNP

Desperate search goes on for trapped civilians MARAWI—Camalia Baunto keeps a desperate vigil for news of her husband, trapped just a short walk away in brutal ﬁghting between Islamist militants and government forces that has ruined the city. The husband is among hundreds of civilians pinned down in pockets of Marawi that are controlled by the militants, and they are facing an onslaught of deadly threats including bombs, sniper ﬁre, hunger and a lack of

medical care. Some have made a two-kilometer sprint to safety during the three weeks of conﬂict, risking being shot at by the militants, and Camalia waits every day at a secured government building nearby hoping her husband will run into her arms. “It’s really painful for me. I’m always scared he’ll be hit,” Camalia, 43, said Wednesday in a soft voice as she held back

tears and anxiously fixed her hijab. “He is too traumatized to escape. Even we on the outside are afraid because you don’t know which direction the bullets are coming from.” The fighting began on May 23 when hundreds of militants rampaged through Marawi, the most important Muslim city in the mainly Catholic Philippines, waving the black flags of the Islamic State group. Next page

Gapay identiﬁed the suspect as Mohammad Noaim Maute alias Abu Jadid, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Butig, Lanao del Sur. “He was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated May 29, 2017 issued by martial law administrator Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana,” Gapay said. He was one of the more than 100 suspects that Lorenzana had ordered arrested for their alleged role in the attack on Marawi City by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror groups. Gapay said the suspect, who used a fake ID from the Mindanao State University, denied he was a Maute and went by the name of Alfaiz P. Mamintal. According to an intelligence report, a copy of which was obtained by the Manila Standard, Cagayan de Oro was among several cities in Mindanao that the Maute group had intended to bomb. The others were Cotabato, Pagadian, Iligan, and El Salvador. Also included in their plan were some areas in Maguindanao. The report said the targets were government forces and civilians, especially Next page

Tourism scraps ad deal over ‘copycat’ charges

By Sandy Araneta A COURT in Manila has issued a hold-departure order against fugitive billionaire and 1-Pacman Party-List Rep. Michael Romero for allegedly stealing P3.4 million from his familyowned Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. Manila RTC Branch 11 Judge Cicero Jurado Jr. issued the order against Romero and one of his two co-accused, Edwin Jeremillo. According to court records, Jurado also ordered the Foreign Affairs and Immigration to put Romero and Jeremillo in their hold-departure lists. “Furnish the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration a copy of this

Maute ‘bomb maker’ nabbed

Placement ban lifted on Qatar, sans war THE Labor department lifted the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Qatar after Foreign Affairs found there was no war, conﬂict or political strife in that country that would endanger the lives of the workers, an ofﬁcial said Thursday. “This decision was arrived at on the advice of Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano and upon the recommendation of Qatar POLO following their assessment of the situation in the Gulf state,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. Labor Attaché David Des Dicang and the Philippine Embassy said the deployment of newly hired workers to Qatar was now also open, particularly to the Philippine School Doha and Philippine International SchoolQatar. “We respectfully requested to allow the deployment so as not

the order. “Just read the Constitution, what does it say? It says the President has to report to Congress—he will be the one to report and we will listen. It doesn’t say he’ll report and listen to us,” Alvarez said. Opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman questioned President Duterte’s martial law declaration before the Supreme Court and the House leadership’s refusal to convene a joint session with senators to debate the proclamation. The House, in plenary session, earlier adopted a resolution supporting President Duterte’s declaration of martial law. The Senate has adopted a similar resolution. President Duterte’s administrator and implementor of martial law on Thursday appeared before the Supreme Court to present the

By Sandy Araneta

RESCUE PLEA. Rebecca Tagab, at an evacuation center in Iligan City, begs for the authorities to rescue her

husband Crisanto Tagab, during an AFP interview on June 15, 2017. The ﬁghting began on May 23 when hundreds of militants rampaged through Marawi, the most important Muslim city in the mainly Catholic Philippines, waving the black ﬂags of the Islamic State group. AFP

THE Department of Tourism said Thursday it has canceled its contract with McCann Worldwide Philippines after its “Experience the Philippines” ad campaign became the center of plagiarism allegations. “After a diligent review of the ad materials in question, the Department of Tourism [DoT] has decided to discontinue its partnership with McCann Worldgroup Philippines,” the department said in a Twitter post. “In the midst of this controversy, the DoT expects a public apology from McCann over the negative feedback that the department has been receiving, owing

to the glaring similarities between McCann’s ‘Sights’ ad and South Africa’s ad released in 2014,” the DoT said. “We also wish to announce that we will reopen the procurement process for the production of a new advertising material which will be consistent with the current slogan… ‘It’s More Fun In The Philippines’,” they said. “Thus, we encourage those with fresh and original ideas that will showcase our diverselyrich tourist destinations and the unique Filipino hospitality to join this venture,” the DoT also said. The DoT added that they are exploring all legal remedies that will be discussed with the professional team of McCann. Next page

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Christians, Muslims vs terror’ C By Nash B. Maulana

OTABATO CITY―Residents and ofﬁcials see civilian defense strength in a scenario in which Muslims and Christians thwart any attempts by terrorists to put the city under siege. It is like a situation repeated from the stories of cooperation between Muslims and Christians during World War II, according to an octogenarian. On an unusual people’s address on Thursday, City Mayor Cynthia Guani-Sayadi asked officials and residents of 37 villages to turn themselves into an internal security

force to thwart terrorists. Authorities earlier heightened security alerts amid reports of sightings of extremists in at least three villages here. Guiani-Sayadi says the city has a good number of residents with valid permits-to-carry firearms to lead or be part of a community defense and, in effect, beefing up Barangay

Filipino missing in wake of Grenfell Tower inferno By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THERE are no Filipino fatalities from the huge fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower in London, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Thursday. But at least one was reported missing. In a text message to the Standard, DFA spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said there were Filipinos “who were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.” “Embassy representatives have already visited them. Filipinos living near the Tower have also been advised not to go back to their homes until the situation stabilizes,” Bolivar said. He said the embassy is still closely monitoring the situation there. Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva appealed for information on the whereabouts of a Filipino who went missing after the massive blaze engulfed the 21-storey housing block in central London. “We’re looking for her, Mrs. Ligaya Moore. She lives there. I don’t know how old she is, but most likely she is more than 60 years old,” Villanueva told reporters. “I was informed she lives alone there, somewhere on the 17th or 21st floor,” the senator added.

Martial... From A1 factual bases for Proclamation 216 placing entire Mindanao under martial law. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, martial law administrator, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año, its implementor, briefed the magistrates on the justification for the proclamation during a closed-door session. Court spokesman Theodore Te said Lorenzana and Año, both respondents in the petitions against Proclamation 216, made a presentation before the justices. However, Te did not provide information on the presentation as it involved matters of national security. “After the presentation was made, the justices continued with the interpellation of the parties. After satisfying itself with the answers, the Court decided to conclude the oral arguments,” he said. The justices continued interpellation on Solicitor General Jose Calida and Lagman, who represented the respondents and petitioners respectively during the closed-door session. In an interview afterward, Calida said Lorenzana and Año presented intelligence information that bolstered the justification for Proclamation No. 216, but also did not reveal the details. “It was a Powerpoint presentation. Materials were given and they answered questions from the justices,” he said.

Moore is a member of the religious sect Jesus is Lord, which is led by Villanueva’s father, Eddie Villanueva. She attends religious services at a church near her apartment at the Grenfell Tower, the senator said. Moore’s relatives were still unable to contact her a day after Grenfell burned down, killing at least 17 people, Villanueva said. Philippine embassy data revealed there are 5,000 Filipinos living and working in the Royal Borough of Kensington, where the Grenfell Tower is located. The Philippine Embassy in London is also helping locate Moore. In a Facebook post, the embassy posted a photo of Moore, asking anyone who might have any information about her whereabouts to immediately contact the embassy. Bolivar said the Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom is calling on all Filipinos in London to send assistance to their countrymen who may have been affected by the fire. “A number of fatalities have been reported. At the moment, however, there is no report of Filipino fatalities,” the embassy statement said. The identities of the fatalities will only be known once authorities in London release the details, it added. The chief state lawyer said that they were able to prove that elements of rebellion—raising arms against the government and culpable purpose of removing allegiance from the government—were present in the Marawi crisis that required the President to use his power of declaring martial law under Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution. He said the officials were able to show that Maute and other rebel groups in Mindanao like Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter and Abu Sayyaf have already established links to establish an Islamic State in Mindanao. He also denied the alleged human rights abuses raised by the Integrated Bar of the Philippine Lanao del Sur chapter. The case involves three consolidated petitions filed by opposition lawmakers led by Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad. Two other petitions were filed by separate groups led by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada both seeking issuance of a mandamus that would compel Senate and the House of Representatives to convene jointly to review the declaration. Te said the SC has decided to require the Palace to answer these two other petitions, which were not consolidated with the first three. Malacañang expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will side with the government. With John Paolo Bencito

Hold... From A1 Order together with the pertinent pictures and documents for their information and guidance,’’ Jurado said in an order issued on May 10, 2017. In January, Jurado issued an arrest warrant against Romero, Jeremillo and Felicia Aquino for qualiﬁed theft. Romero has been evading arrest for close to six months. Public and private prosecutors earlier tagged Romero as a “ﬂight risk.” Before the arrest warrant was issued against him, Romero had been very active in the House of Representatives and was a member of at least 15 committees. Earlier, House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the Congress leadership could not guarantee parliamentary immunity to Romero as it would have to respect the orders of the court. “The immunity from arrest applies only while the Congress is in session in all offenses punishable by not more than six years’ imprisonment,” Fariñas said. “Since [the order] stated that no bail has been recommended, it is obviously for an offense not covered by the immunity.” The Court of Appeals has also already upheld the validity of the arrest order against Romero, Jeremillo and Aquino. Romero had been embroiled in a legal battle with his own father, businessman Reghis Romero II, for the control of HCPTI that operates the Manila North Harbor terminal. Jerome Canlas, the corporate secretary of Romero’s father, has accused the lawmaker of conspiring with Jeremillo and Aquino in stealing corporate funds by issuing 18 checks on April 27, 2007 to non-existent payees. Each check bore the amount of P200,000 for a total of P3.4 million― supposedly for “marketing expenses” and payable to the “National Food Authority and/or Felicia Aquino.”

DFA asked to cancel ‘hitman’s’ passport

Patrol Auxiliary Teams and the Cotabato Task Force of regular Army officers and personnel. “Cotabato’s history of a unified Muslim-Christian resistance force against a common enemy in World War II could be repeated,” said 82-year-old Butil Ali, a retired boat captain. Earlier, residents of Barangay Rosary Heights 10 were awakened by shouts of “God is Great!” in Arabic by men in white aboard a cargo truck. On social media, Muslim residents promptly alerted the community of the early morning sighting on Monday. They added, however, that some of the men were seen smoking while shouting “Allahu Akbar!,” which

Muslims do not do during the fasting days of Ramadan. Bhoy Enderez Ismael, one of the barangay officials said: “It is our shared responsibility to help and protect one another. The Almighty Creator is always with those who aspire for greater good.” “If only they [the men] were in the company of Muslims or local Christians, they could have been told that even smokers among Muslims do not smoke on a Ramadan morning. That showed they were impostors,” said Amakandi Uday, a government employee. “Two or three of them alighted and urinated like dogs on a roadside wall of one of the houses [along

Pansacala Street] while smoking,” resident Bai Ali Cubato said of the men. She added that Muslims do not normally do that. Again, on Thursday, residents received reports that Isis-inspired armed men in black had plotted to enter the city through two adjacent communities, the Notre Dame Village and Zenaida Subdivision, which is right next to the government facilities complex of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. On Wednesday night, state security forces kept a tight watch on the gates of the ARMM complex of government offices, causing heavy traffic along Governor Dionisio Gutierrez Avenue.

Maute...

Adam Harvey, a reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, wrote on Twitter: “Lucky,” alongside an image of an X-ray showing the bullet lodged in his neck, close to his spine. “Thanks everyone—I’m okay. Bullet is still in my neck, but it missed everything important,” he said in another Twitter post. Harvey was inside the provincial capitol compound where local and foreign journalists have congregated during the more than three weeks of ﬁghting, the government’s crisis management committee spokesman, Zia Alonto Adiong,said. Although the compound is secured by the military, it is only about two kilometers from the pockets of the city that the Maute gunmen control. “I want to appeal to everyone you should be very careful because in our assessment the vicinity of the 103rd [military camp], the vicinity of the capitol is within the line of sight of the enemy,” local military spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera told reporters in the compound after the shooting incident. Harvey was taken to the nearby city of Iligan for medical treatment, Adiong said. At least 26 civilians and 58 security forces have died in the conﬂict, ac-

cording to authorities. They say more than 200 militants have been killed. The city of 200,000 people has been largely abandoned due to the fighting, which has seen the military relentlessly bomb the areas held by the militants, with residents fleeing to nearby towns. However hundreds of civilians are trapped in the militant-controlled areas with some being used as human shields, according to the military. News of Harvey’s injury seemed to take the Palace spokesman by surprise. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella first used the incident to score foreign media, telling them to be “more objective.” But in a statement issued hours later, Abella urged journalists covering the clashes in Marawi City to “stay safe.” “While I understand that you would not shirk your duty in the pursuit of any story, bear in mind that there’s no story more valuable than one’s life. Take the necessary precautions and stay safe while covering conflicts,” Abella said. He also lauded the media who were “courageously covering the situation in Marawi” and told them to “remain true to your profession in delivering timely, accurate and relevant news to our people.” With AFP

THE Justice department has asked Foreign Affairs to cancel the passport of retired policeman Arturo Lascañas, the self-confessed member of the so-called Davao Death Squad who has implicated President Rodrigo Duterte in the killings. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the request as part of the government’s efforts to bring Lascañas back to the country and face murder and attemptedmurder charges over the killing of broadcaster Juan “Jun” Pala in 2003. “Mr. Lascañas has three warrants of arrest issued against him,” Aguirre said in a statement. “Since he is abroad and since there is no indication that he will return, we are constrained to request the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel his passport. Aguirre said Lascañas should return to the country if he wanted to clear his name. Immigration records showed that Lascañas left the country for Singapore in April. But the Davao City regional trial court branch 10 ordered his arrest last week. Earlier this week, Aguirre ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to coordinate with the Interpol to hunt down Lascañas. The Davao city prosecutor’s office approved his indictment on the complaint filed by Tala’s wife Louise, citing his extrajudicial confession of the crime in his testimony during the Senate investigation in February where he admitted his involvement in the killing. In his testimony before the Senate, Lascañas tagged President Duterte as the mastermind behind the attacks on Pala when he was mayor of Davao City.

trapped in the militant-held areas. Camalia’s family was visiting a nearby town when the clashes began but her husband, Nixon, returned to check on their home and their hardware store. Since then Nixon has been able to call her occasionally and report terrifying snippets of survival. “He hasn’t eaten. He hasn’t slept. A bomb here, an explosion there. He is getting weak,” she said at the provincial government office’s entrance, from where she could see military helicopters bomb militant-controlled areas. Twenty-six civilians have been confirmed killed in the fighting. But local officials and aid workers believe dozens more have likely died, with their corpses rotting in the militant-held areas, and that conditions are growing increasingly dire as food runs out. “Some residents are eating [cardboard] boxes. They just dip it in water

to soften the material and eat it,” provincial crisis management committee spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong said, recounting testimonies from people who escaped. “It’s heartbreaking. It’s almost unbelievable to think that people are living this way.” The military has also reported that the militants are using some civilians as slaves, making them cook and carry munitions. Disaster officials said that as of June 14, some 324,406 people had been displaced by the fighting in Marawi. Only five percent of them were staying at 79 evacuation centers, while most went to live with realtives and friends. One survivor who escaped on Tuesday, Christian housepainter Nick Andeleg, 26, said he and his colleagues decided to flee after coming to the realization that waiting any longer

would certainly lead to death. “We thought we were the only ones left trapped. We felt it was better to try escaping. If we died outside our house, at least we tried to save ourselves,” Andeleg said as he recounted watching bombs destroy houses around him. “We hid anywhere we could. We’d go under all kinds of furniture: Beds, cabinets, in the toilet. We were like rats hiding under anything we could ﬁnd.” Camalia, who has left her six children with her in-laws outside of Marawi, said she was determined to wait for her husband. She appeared tormented by the wait though, mumbling to herself while sitting alone sometimes, and asking unanswerable questions to others at the government building. “When is this crisis going to end? When will this chaos be over?” AFP, with John Paolo Bencito

The militants remain holed up in pockets of Marawi alongside hundreds of trapped civilians being used as hostages or human shields. Duterte imposed martial law over Marawi and the rest of Mindanao, home to 20-million people, on the day the ﬁghting erupted to head off what he said was an attempt by IS to carve out its own territory there. Abella said Duterte was taking time off because of a punishing schedule since then, which included regular visits to military camps and hospitals to support troops. “It has been really brutal, so it is important to allow him this kind of rest,” Abella said. Duterte had repeatedly denied during last year’s presidential election campaign that he suffered from cancer. However, he said last December that he used to take fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid, to ease the pain of a spinal injury that he suffered in motorcycle accidents many years earlier. Duterte said then his doctor made

him stop using it on learning he was “abusing the drug” by using more than the prescribed amount. Duterte’s fentanyl comments attracted controversy as he has led a war on drugs in which thousands of addicts and users have been killed. Two opposition lawmakers on Thursday demanded an explanation on President Duterte’s real health status as they took note of his “unusual” absence from public functions since Sunday. Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano said there must be something about the absence of the President from the public in the wake of the continued ﬁghting in Marawi City. Alejano said the President’s health was a matter of public interest and a “national security issue,” and Malacañang must tell the truth about it. Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, echoed Alejano’s view. “The President’s health is a national concern. Transparency is a must,” he said. With AFP and Maricel V. Cruz

From A1

in crowded places such as malls, public markets and terminals, and places of worship. In a radio interview with dzMM Thursday morning, Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz said military and police intelligence detected the entry of Maute members in the city. “They came in the city unarmed,” he said, noting that they might have stashed armaments in undisclosed areas of the city, as they did in Marawi. The intelligence report said the Maute group had planned to form an Iligan City cell, which would later be joined by terrorists from the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. “Prior to the May 23 clashes in Marawi City, the Maute group had in their plans to bomb the Marawi city hall,” the report said. It said the group planned to use stolen vehicles for their car-bombing operations in Marawi. In Marawi, an Australian television journalist was shot in the neck on Thursday as he reported from the war-torn city, but he did not suffer major injuries.

Desperate... From A1 They have since withstood a relentless bombing campaign and intense ground battles with government troops that have left large parts of Marawi resembling devastated cities in war-torn Syria and Iraq. One of the keys to their survival has been the trapped civilians, who are acting as human shields in stopping the military from destroying the small areas controlled by the gunmen. Even so, entire streets are now just full of rubble and the military’s bombs have not always hit their targets—with one strike going astray and killing 10 soldiers. Most of the city’s 200,000 residents ﬂed during the early stages of the ﬁghting. Authorities say anywhere between 300 and 1,700 civilians remain

‘Du30... From A1 “I’m not privy to those matters but I’m sure he’s checked with his own experts.” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte could be back to accepting courtesy calls on Monday, June 19. Panelo, who said he talked with Duterte Wednesday night, said the President was “f---ing strong.” He said on rumors that he was sick. “That is wild speculation,” he said. “Let me disappoint those who may think that he’s sick and may want him sick. He’s not. Definitely.” Duterte was last seen in Cagayan de Oro City, visiting soldiers wounded in nearby fighting with Islamic State group-styled gunmen that is now on its fourth week. Fifty-eight soldiers and police officers have died in the clashes in Marawi City, while at least 26 civilians have also been confirmed killed.

Tourism... From A1

This was the second time the Tourism Department was caught up in plagiarism allegations. In 2010, its “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” logo appeared to be lifted from a Polish tourism logo, and was swiftly dropped after the similarities were highlighted on social media. McCann Worldgroup Philippines on Tuesday denied they committed plagiarism in their “Sights” tourism campaign. “In working with the Department of Tourism [DoT], we have been inspired by the many stories we have seen and heard, about why foreigners choose to visit the Philippines,” said McCann Worldgroup Philippines in a statement. “Many of them have spoken about our innate warmth, the genuine friendships they have developed here, our hospitality that extends to a sense of family, and the many reasons why it is the Filipino people that truly make it ‘more fun in the Philippines’,” the agency said. “Our research has also shown that, of the millions of visitors who visit the Philippines, thousands of foreigners from over 100 countries have chosen to live and retire here,” the statement read.

“Our latest ﬁlm, ‘Sights’, was particularly inspired by the story of a visually-impaired foreigner who has made the Philippines his home and who has come to experience the Philippines in different ways,” they said. “We acknowledge the feedback that the way this story was told may have similarities with the South African tourism campaign,” the statement read. “It is unfortunate that the DoT has been called out and accused of plagiarism, for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of a real retiree,” they also said. “We take full responsibility as ALL ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized by McCann Worldgroup Philippines,” they said. “However, we underscore that there has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work. McCann Worldgroup Philippines has always strived to adhere to our guiding principle, ‘Truth Well Told’, in everything we do,” McCann Worldgroup Philippines said. “We stand by the integrity with which this campaign was developed,” they also said. According to the posts on social media, both the Philippines’ and South Africa’s videos featured a blind man who experienced the world through their other senses. It is the second in a series of promotional ads to support the new “Experience the Philippines” campaign.

By Rey E. Requejo

Placement... From A1 to hamper the operations of our Philippine schools and to allay fears of the revocation of their school permits issued by the Qatar government,” Dicang said. A total of 28 new teachers and 20 bus drivers of PSD and 51 new teachers of PISQ have pending applications with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. The Philippine Embassy and POLO also recommended the deployment of an Assessment Team composed of the Labor department, POEA, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of Foreign Affairs to Qatar to meet with the government authorities and companies providing employment to Filipino workers. POLO is also continuously coordinating with the Qatari authorities to discuss possible difficulties regarding the repatriation of distressed Filipino workers temporarily accommodated at the Migrant Workers and other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center and are looking into the possible situation of Household Service Worker of non-Qatari employers who will be left in the country or will be forced to travel with their employers. Bello said the Qatari government had guaranteed the safety of around 240,000 Filipinos in Qatar and affirmed that they had the ability to withstand any possible economic shocks out of the diplomatic impasse with its neighboring Arab countries. Meanwhile, the Filipinos in Qatar have expressed confidence in their safety with the strengthened efforts of the Labor department and other concerned government agencies in ensuring their basic welfare and security amid the diplomatic crisis. Bello ordered the temporary suspension in the deployment of Filipinos to Qatar last week to secure their welfare and security in case of any eventuality after some neighboring Arab states cut diplomatic ties with the Gulf state.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

500-plus Immigration officers reshuffled By Vito Barcelo

TAX MATTERS. Lawyer Adel Tamano (left) of Coca-Cola Philippines answers questions from Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito (right) with lawyer Roman Romulo (center) Executive Director-BIAP during the Senate public hearing on the DoF Tax Reform Package on Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax held at the Senate ofﬁce in Pasay City. Lino Santos

‘Probe missing Indonesian Navy men’ By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice on Thursday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the disappearance of four Indonesian Navy personnel who went missing after escorting Filipino fishermen near the border between the two countries last December 2016. In Department Order No. 399, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the NBI to “conduct investigation and case buildup” over the disappearance of the said Indonesian Navy personnel, adding that there is a need to get to the bottom of the incident. “People do not just disappear. When people suddenly disappear without any explanation it becomes a serious matter that should be investigated. If a crime is committed relative to such disappearances, the responsible persons must be held accountable,” Aguirre said. Indonesians Faisal Dwi Andarta, Dian Mahenda, Badnur Rohim and Rizky Dwi Zeptiano were last seen escorting the Filipino fishing boat Nurhana to Taluad island near the border area of the two countries after the latter was apprehended by Indonesian authorities for encroaching into their territorial waters in the North Sulawesi area. The fishing boat was reportedly owned by the father of General Santos City mayor Ronnel Rivera. On board the fishing boat when it was escorted by the four Indonesian Navy personnel were the boat captain identified as Hermilito Apura and his crew Cleaford Apura and Entoy Lopez. While the Navy personnel went missing, Apura and the two crew were sighted in General Santos City. Earlier reports said Indonesian officials managed to interrogate Apura and the two crew members, but were told that the boat caught fire and sank along with the four Navy personnel.

Marcos Jr. vows to find ways to free Imee aides By Maricel V. Cruz

ORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said his camp will exhaust all legal means to release the six Ilocos Norte officials who have been detained at the House of Representatives since May 29. Marcos, who visited the socalled “Ilocos Six” at the Batasan Complex, said their detention was “cruel and unusual.” “We are pursuing every legal recourse that will be available to us for them to be released. Whatever case that needs to be filed then we will answer that in court. This is cruel and unusual,” Marcos said, saying that the detainees are not criminals and terrorists. Marcos lamented that the detained employees and officials of the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte were his and Rudy Fariñas’ employees also during their stints

as governor of Ilocos Norte. He said some of the employees are now experiencing health problems because of their age and detention for almost three weeks. Marcos also said he sent a letter to the ofﬁce of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez appealing for the release of the detained local employees and ofﬁcials of Ilocos Norte. “Kaya nakaka-awa naman pinuntahan ko at makita ko naman kasi mga tao ko ito. Actually they were also employees of Rudy Fariñas when he was governor of Ilocos Norte. Mga

tao rin nya iyan, now presently staff in the governor’s ofﬁce under Gov. Imee,” Marcos said. He said he tried to reach out to Fariñas on the matter but failed. He also questioned the position of the House of Representatives not to honor the ruling of the CA by invoking the separation of powers. “We are separate branches of government. It is very rare that any branch deﬁes the order of the judiciary which is exactly what is happening now,” Marcos said. It was Fariñas, political rival of Governor Imee Marcos, who moved for the detention of the Ilocos Six during a congressional hearing after they allegedly failed to explain the alleged irregularity in the purchase of P66.45-million motor vehicles using tobacco funds of the province. Governor Marcos explained that the vehicles bought from the tobacco funds, which is guaranteed under Republic Act 7171 where 15 percent of excise tax collected from cigarette products

should go to tobacco farmers, will help farmers for the quick transport of their agricultural products. This developed as two administration lawmakers defended Alvarez from the Court of Appeal’s decision to cite him in contempt over the House of Representatives’ continued detention of the so-called “Ilocos Six.” Reps. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur and Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela said Alvarez did not commit any abuse of authority as he was just exercising the powers of the House. The CA’s Special Fourth Division had earlier issued a release order for the Ilocos 6. But the House asserted its power being a co-equal branch with the judiciary and so ignored the release order. “The power of contempt of Congress is not subject to judicial review, hence the Speaker does not recognize the jurisdiction of CA,” Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said.

MORE than 500 Immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were reshuffled as part of the Bureau of Immigration’s continuing program to curb corruption among its personnel and improve immigration service. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Immigration officers manning the arrival and departure counters at the Naia were transferred to different immigration counters of the three Naia terminals. “No one was exempted from the personnel movement. The scheme to randomly rotate the terminal assignments of BI-Naia personnel was aimed at preventing fraternization among the employees,” he said. “Fraternization has long been pinpointed as a major source of corruption among employees in government. It is this familiarization that we are trying to prevent by implementing this scheme,” the BI chief said. The last time the terminal assignments of Naia’s immigration officers were rotated was in December last year. Morente instructed BI port operations chief Marc Red Mariñas to implement the rotation scheme every four months instead of every six months. He observed that six months is more than enough time for the employees to fraternize or familiarize with one another, thus increasing the likelihood of them engaging in corruption. Meanwhile, Mariñas said that the long passenger queues at Naia’s immigration counters have dissipated with the deployment of additional immigration officers to the airport. He added that the number of immigration officers who were absent from work have significantly lessened, apparently due to Malacañang assurances that it will address the BI workers’ demand for higher salaries. Mariñas also said that as soon as the next batch of new immigration officers are appointed and trained, the public can expect better service in time for the Christmas season.

I won’t file bill prohibiting ‘unli rice’ on restos—Villar By Macon Araeta SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Thursday said she merely aired her concerns on the health risks of eating too much rice and assured the public that she does not plan to file a bill to ban the serving of unlimited rice (unli rice) in restaurants and other food establishments. “I just voiced out my concern that eating too much rice is one of the main causes of high blood sugar that leads to diabetes,” said Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food. Villar conceded that it would really be difficult to stop Filipinos from eating rice as the Philippines is a nation of rice eaters. But to decrease health risks, cutting down on rice is still a good idea.

“But, of course, I cannot prevent people from eating unlimited amount of rice. It is their choice. It was just a genuine expression of concern on my part,” Villar said. The senator said that a study indicated that eating one plate of white rice everyday increases the risk of developing diabetes by 11 percent. She said health experts also recommend adding 20 percent of brown rice to the daily white rice consumption because it can help reduce the risk of diabetes by around 16 percent. Rice cause an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, which makes pancreas produce more insulin and cause frequent spikes in blood sugar level leading to diabetes. “When not managed, diabe-

tes may cause organ malfunction leading to death,” warned Villar. She said that other countries promote a balanced diet consisting of small portions of rice and a generous amount of vegetables. “In schools in Japan, the students even discuss the nutritional value of their meals for the day before they eat. They also harvest the vegetables they eat from the garden in their school. Of course, we want our children and children’s children to grow up healthy,” added Villar. She earlier urged the government departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health to align their programs in order to promote better nutrition and health among young Filipinos.

PCSO is gaming, not gambling—Balutan THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to responsible gaming to ensure that people are protected from the adverse consequences of high-stakes gambling that may lead people into addiction, according to general manager Alexander Balutan. “Our gaming products are into responsible gaming. It has charity and I think no one will get into a mess because of a P20

bet” Balutan said. Balutan was reacting to the call of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, an antiillegal gambling advocate who renewed his campaign to stop casinos and other forms of gambling in the country, even comparing gambling to addictive drugs. “PCSO is different from the usual casino operation where proﬁt is the main driver. From the beginning, our purpose of being is

to do charity work. We used to do it through our different game products, like Lotto, KENO, Sweepstakes and Small Town Lottery (STL). Our objective is to help Filipinos,” Balutan emphasized. Balutan said Filipinos, particularly those in the countryside, have always been into gaming and they will likely continue to play games, like “jueteng” or “masiao,” even if the PCSO stops all its gaming operations but betting on jueteng and

other illegal games proﬁt no one except the illegal gambling lords and their protectors. “Illegal gambling lords will continue to operate in connivance with their protectors. They do not pay taxes. They underpay their employees. They contribute nothing to national development. If we stop PCSO gaming operations, illegal gambling lords will return with a vengeance,” Balutan said.

POP ROYALTY. Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop

icon Britney Spears arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport general aviation complex aboard a private jet from Kaohsiung, Taiwan at 11:32 a.m. Thursday, June 15. Spears is scheduled to perform Thursday night at the Mall of Asia Arena for her ﬁrst-ever and much-awaited concert in the Philippines. Eric Apolonio

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Tourism concerns

ROMOTING the Philippines to foreign tourists will not be an easy task if the government does not address the basic concerns bedeviling the country’s tourism sector. No amount of promotional gimmicks can attract droves of tourists here until they feel safe to roam the country.

The government’s attempt to resell the Philippines to the world as a tourist haven through a new advertising campaign will surely not achieve its desired results. The Philippines

Adelle Chua, Editor

remains a high-risk country for foreign travelers and lacks the infrastructure support to make the stay of tourists worthwhile. The Philippines, sadly, is the 11th most dan-

Honduras and Ukraine. The report noted that the country’s tourism and travel sector continued to “develop on the back of the country’s rich natural resources and high price competitiveness, and arrivals have continued to grow so far.” But the Philippines attained a lower competitiveness performance this year because of a more restrictive visa policy that reduced its openness performance, a

gerous country to visit in the world, according to the 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum. The report, prepared before President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao and the storming of Resorts World Manila by a demented gunman that killed 37 people, ranked the Philippines just above Colombia, Yemen, El Salvador, Pakistan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Egypt, Kenya,

decreased budget to develop the sector and lower efficiency of ground transport. These factors, according to the report, may not have had their full effect yet, and may reduce tourism activity in the future, adding that security concerns remain high. “Although the Philippines’ (tourism and travel) potential remains high, there are several areas where policy interventions could help to regain competitiveness,”

it said. The Philippines’ drawback, thus, is more fundamental and one that cannot be cracked by a costly advertising campaign. The government must secure major tourism destinations first by beefing up police presence to deter crime and violence. Bigger and modern airports and a more efficient transportation system will also help in making Philippine tourism competitive in the world.

The old are eating the young By Satyajit Das

Chill, guys LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES REGARDING the supposed disappearance of President Rodrigo Duterte, one of the most laughable of statements was made yesterday by detained Senator Leila de Lima. The senator said Malacañan Palace has “a moral obligation” to tell the public about the true state of the health of Duterte, who has not been seen in public since Sunday. The words “moral” and “De Lima,” of course, have not been seen in one sentence in a long time, either. Among the many accusations hurled against the senator, after all, concerns her having relations with her longtime driver-bodyguard, the much-married Ronnie Dayan. But I would caution the opposition not to be too shrill in its demand for Duterte to show

himself. They are only revealing how much they want to believe the fantasy they created about Duterte being sick and probably dying, in order for Vice President Leni Robredo to take over the reins of the government. Indeed, there has been no evidence so far that Duterte is dead or about to die, no matter how much such a situation appeals to his critics. Until there is a real reason for anyone to worry, I suggest that the anti-Dutertes calm down and chill. Duterte’s predecessor, after all, also disappeared for extended periods, giving no explanation upon his return apart from requiring some “private time.” Of course, Noynoy Aquino is not nearly as old as Duterte, who, at 72, is the oldest president we’ve had; and Noynoy was only suspected of fooling around with his PlayStation game console for days on end when he would suddenly disappear from public view. Since his election to the presidency last year, Duterte has

proven to be as work-obsessed as he was when he was still the do-everything mayor of Davao City. He has not given any inkling that he would be engaged

In all likelihood, Duterte has decided to stay away from the public eye to quietly resolve the Marawi crisis. in some extended goofing off on the job like Noynoy used to do. In all likelihood, Duterte has merely decided to stay away from the public eye in order to

quietly resolve the Marawi City crisis once and for all. I would not be surprised if the president reappears with some excellent news in that regard, since he has always declared that he will not allow Marawi or any part of the country to fall into the hands of terrorists like those who attacked the city. Of course, when Duterte does show himself once again, the people who wished he had fallen seriously ill or died will only look for something else to intrigue him with. And Duterte will once again thumb his nose at them by making them look like the power-hungry fools that they really are. *** Meanwhile, the squabbling over the national budget late last year has borne fruit in an unlikely way, in the form of free tuition for medical-school students in eight state universities and colleges. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the schools that will offer cash grants to students en-

rolled in their medicine programs this year are the University of Northern Philippines, Mariano Marcos State University, Cagayan State University, Bicol University, Western Visayas State University, University of the Philippines-Leyte, Mindanao State University and the University of the Philippines-Manila. The financial assistance is “intended for new and continuing medical students who will be enrolling for academic year 2017 to 2018,” Abella said. The program will be funded through P317.1 million “built-in appropriations” totaling P39 million for each school. The windfall for medical school students in public universities was the result of the diversion of P8.3 billion in funds allocated by the House to the Department of Public Works and Highways to provide for development projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Senate protested

Turn to A5

EDMUND Burke saw society as a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are yet to be born. A failure to understand this relationship underlies a disturbing global tendency in recent decades, in which the appropriation of future wealth and resources for current consumption is increasingly disadvantaging future generations. Without a commitment to addressing this inequity, social tensions in many societies will rise sharply. Central to the issue is that the rapid rise in living standards and prosperity of the past 50 years has been largely based on rising debt levels, ignoring the costs of environmental damage and misallocation of scarce resources. A significant proportion of recent economic growth has relied on borrowed money—today standing at a dizzying 325 percent of global gross domestic product. Debt allows society to accelerate consumption, as borrowings are used to purchase something today against the promise of future repayment. Unfunded entitlements to social services, health care and pensions increase those liabilities. The bill for these commitments will soon become unsustainable, as demographic changes make it more difficult to meet. Degradation of the environment results in future costs, too: either rehabilitation expenses or irreversible changes that affect living standards or quality of life. Profligate use of mispriced non-renewable natural resources denies these commodities to future generations or increases their cost. The prevailing approach to dealing with these problems exacerbates generational tensions. The central strategy is “kicking the can down the road” or “extend and pretend,” avoiding crucial decisions that would reduce current living standards, eschewing necessary sacrifices, and deferring problems with associated costs into the future. Rather than reducing high borrowing levels, policy makers use financial engineering, such as quantitative easing and ultra-low or negative interest rates, to maintain them, hoping that a return to growth and just the right amount of inflation will lead to a recovery and allow the debt to be reduced. Rather than acknowledging that the planet simply can’t support more than 10 billion people all aspiring to American or European lifestyles, they have made only limited efforts to reduce resource intensity. Even modest attempts to deal with environmental damage are resisted, as evidenced by the recent fracas over the Paris climate agreement. Short-term Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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ManilaStandard

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Opinion VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

ISIS now in PH (2) THE Supreme Court is in a fix. Its members will have to put their life or limb where their mouths are. If they say there is no need for martial law, either in Marawi or in the rest of Mindanao, they could be challenged and told why don’t you go to central Marawi and check if you have no fear of Maute snipers. Of course, a sensible person would not dare stroll along Marawi’s balmy streets. Here is the balance of Solicitor General Joe Calida’s report to the SC justifying martial law in Mindanao: The government has noted the increased occurrences of military encounters with these ISISinspired local rebel groups. One of these battles occurred on Aug. 29, 2016 when members of the ASG ambushed and killed fifteen (15) army soldiers in Patikul, Sulu. Moreover, there was a notable increase in terror attacks against the civilian population. On the night of Sept. 2, 2016, Davao City was rocked with a fatal bombing incident in a populous night market. Fifteen (15) civilians were killed and sixtyseven (67) others were injured. According to military intelligence reports, the ASG perpetrated the Davao bombing. Due to the then-increasing concerted attacks against the military and the populace, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Proclamation No. 55 entitled, “Declaring a State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao‚ on Sept. 4, 2016.” He acted pursuant to Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution which authorized him to call out the armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence. But the ISISinspired local rebel groups continued to wreak havoc in Mindanao. The following incidents are confirmed by the military to have been perpetrated by these rebel groups: • On Nov. 5, 2016, the ASG abducted a German national, Juergen Kantner, and killed his wife, Sabine Merz; • On Dec. 28, 2016, the Maute group bombed the town plaza of Hilongos, Leyte injuring 34 people; • On Dec. 28, 2016, the members of BIFF lobbed two (2) grenades at the provincial office of Shariff Maguindanao; • On Jan. 13, 2017, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Barangay Campo Uno, Basilan thereby killing one (1) civilian and injuring another; • On Jan. 19, 2017, the ASG kidnapped three (3) Indonesian crew members near Bakungan Island, Tawi-Tawi; • On Jan. 29, 2017, the ASG detonated an IED in Barangay Danapah, Basilan resulting in the death of two (2) children and the wounding of three (3) others; • On Feb. 16, 2017, the Maute Group ambushed and killed two (2) military officers; From February to May 2017, there were eleven (11) separate instances of IED explosions by the BIFF in Mindanao. This resulted in the death and wounding of several personalities; • On Feb. 26, 2017, the ASG beheaded its German kidnap victim, Juergen Kantner in Sulu;On April 11, 2017, the ASG infiltrated Inabanga, Bohol leading to firefights between the rebels and government troops; • On April 13, 2017, the ASG beheaded Filipino kidnap victim, Noel Besconde; and • On April 20, 2017, the ASG kidnapped SSg. Anni Siraji and beheaded him three (3) days later. AFP intelligence reports claim as early as April 18, April 2017, Abdullah Maute had dispatched his followers to the cities of Marawi, Iligan, and Cagayan de Oro to conduct bombing operations, carnapping, and liquidation of AFP and PNP personnel in the said areas. On April 22 to 25, 2017, the

rebel group, led by Hapilon, engaged in armed offensives against the military in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. The government offensives, which involved a combination of ground assaults and airstrikes, forced the rebel group to flee to Marawi City. Military forces spotted Hapilon in Marawi City sometime in early May 2017. Specifically, on May 18, 2017, intelligence reports revealed that the ISISinspired local rebel groups were planning to occupy Marawi City, and to raise the ISIS flag at the provincial capitol. This intelligence report was confirmed through a video recovered by government forces in the lairs of the Maute group during the course of their military operation on 23 May 2017. The video shows the ASG and Maute Group leaders planning their attack of Marawi City. On May 23, 2017, Hapilon was seen at the safe house of the ISISinspired local rebel groups in Barangay Basak Malutlut, Marawi City. A joint military and police operation to serve a warrant of arrest and to capture Hapilon and the Maute group operational leaders for kidnapping for ransom was initiated. The focused military operation started with an encounter at 1:30 in the afternoon between government forces and ISIS-inspired local rebel group members. This was followed by a series of encounters throughout the day in different parts of Marawi City. The ISIS-inspired local rebel groups had intended to burn down the entire city of Marawi on the day of Ramadan, or on May 26, 2017. The attack would have been the precursor for other rebel groups to stage their own uprisings across Mindanao to simultaneously establish a wilayah in the region. However, the attack was foiled when government troops attempted to serve the warrant on May 23, 2017 on Hapilon. This forced the ISIS-inspired local rebel groups to prematurely execute their planned siege of Marawi. About 500 armed men marched down Marawi’s main streets and swiftly occupied strategic positions throughout the city. Snipers positioned themselves atop buildings and began shooting at government troops. The rebel groups were equipped with rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition for high-powered assault rifles. They occupied the PhilHealth Office and Salam Hospital in Barangay Lilod. They burned three (3) buildings: The Marawi City Jail, Landbank Moncado Branch, and Senator Ninoy Aquino Foundation College. They also kidnapped and killed innocent civilians. In their rampage, the rebel groups brandished the black ISIS flag and hoisted it in the locations that they occupied. The attacks resulted in the shutdown of stations of local courts. From May 23, 2017 to June 1, 2017, one hundred twenty (120) rebels were neutralized, while thirty-eight (38) government troops were killed in action. Government troops had rescued 1,453 civilians as of 1 June 2017. By June 11, 2017, there were 191 casualties. Over 20,000 or over 100,000 people were affected by the armed conflict. At least 3,000 or 14,000 people are in evacuation centers. The rest are staying outside evacuation centers with relatives in nearby areas. Upon being informed of the crisis in Marawi, President Duterte, on the night of May 23, 2017, Philippine time, issued Proclamation No. 216, pursuant to Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. More than two weeks after Proclamation No. 216 was issued, government troops have yet to fully secure Marawi City.

Here is the balance of Solicitor General Joe Calida’s report to the SC.

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Of jingoists and leftist militants BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO LEFTIST militants are at it again.This time they are questioning the US role in the Armed Forces operations to rid Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute terrorists. What is wrong with the US providing technical assistance to our AFP and PNP forces? I’m quite sure this piece is not going to endear me to the usual crowd at the US Embassy demonstrating against “American imperialism.” They will probably call me a rightist “Amboy.” But as the old saying goes— “sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but names will never do.” I cannot understand how those leftist protesters gather in front of the US Embassy at every whim and perception of American interference in our internal affairs.Yet this same crowd is not as passionate enough to demonstrate at the embassy of China which is clearly violating our territorial waters and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. This is a double standard, the height of hypocrisy. If the Left does not want US meddling in Marawi, then by all means they should volunteer to augment Philippine troops . The

fighting has not eased despite pronouncements by Philippine officials they will free the beleaguered city by Independence Day, June 12. Realizing their folly, Philippine military officials have stop giving self-imposed deadlines on when Marawi can be cleared of the Mautes. The US is providing technical information on where the Maute terrorists and their snipers are located. With its advanced technological equipment, the US is able to pinpoint for the AFP the exact concentration of the Maute gunmen. This assistance would help preclude the repeat of Philippine air strikes that killed 11 government troops by what its known as the familiar “friendly fire.” Is there really such a thing as friendly fire? Bombs unleashed by planes are never friendly. Ask the grieving relatives of the soldiers who died from from the fatal mistake of our own planes. For the information of our misguided militants, the US role in the Marawi military operations is in accordance with and within the scope of the PHL-US Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951. While the US has not put boots on the ground it can provide technical assistance to our troops.and minimize our casualties. So far 57 government soldiers have been killed in the three-week old siege of Marawi

by the Mautes. The US is involved in Marawi since it is a signatory like the Philippines in the United Nations global war declaration against terrorism. After the 911 attack on New York’s World Trade Center twin towers by Al Qaida terrorists, the US has vowed to fight terrorism in every part of the world. In case the leftists are too young to remember , the US liberated the Philippines from the Japanese occupation forces during World War II. This is not to say Filipinos should lick American boots in gratitude. Let us put in proper perspective this chapter in the Pacific War . “You are history if you are not current with global events,” so goes a relevant axiom. DoT borrows a slogan anew What is it about the Department of Tourism? Does it not have enough creative people to concoct more original slogans, or at least make sure the advertising agencies it hires do due diligence to avoid criticisms of plagiarism? The ad agencies, after all, are paid good money to come up with catchy and original tourism slogans. For the third time, the DoT is accused of plagiarizing a tourism slogan from another country. This time, the DoT is under fire for borrowing (to put it mildly) South Africa’s “Experience the Philippines”—unmis-

takably taken from “Experience South Africa. In 2010, the DoT and its advertising agency Campaigns and Grey were criticized for lifting Poland’s tourism slogan. The “Pilipinas Kay ganda” artwork and message closely resembled that of Poland’s tourism logo. “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” which the DoT launched as slogan in 2012, was taken from a 1951 Swiss slogan, “It’s more fun in Switzerland.” “Experience the Philippines” is not exactly a tourist comeon. With the siege in Marawi, the attack on the Resorts World Manila casino and the brutal war on illegal drugs, we cannot blame prospective tourists if they stay away. They might conjure in their minds a horrible experience when visiting the country. All they have to do is read the scary headlines of daily killings, kidnappings and robbery in broad daylight. The fact that the World Economic Forum Philippines listed the Philippines as the 11th most dangerous place for tourists in its 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report makes things worse. The distance and flying time from the US and Europe to the Philippine are daunting enough. If you add that to the prospect of being a crime victim, it negates the promise of having a fun and memorable visit to the Philippines.

Can China really rein in credit? By Michael Pettis CHINA’S regulators, it seems, are on the attack. Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, announced recently that he’d resign if he wasn’t able to discipline the banking system. Under his leadership, the CBRC is stepping up scrutiny of the role of trust companies and other financial institutions in helping China’s banks circumvent lending restrictions. The People’s Bank of China has also been on the offensive. It has recently raised the cost of liquidity, attacked riskier funding structures among smaller banks, and discontinued a program that effectively monetized one-fifth of last year’s increase in lending. Are the regulators finally getting serious about reining in credit creation? The answer is an easy one: Yes if they’re willing to allow economic growth to slow substantially, probably to 3 percent or less, and no if they aren’t. This is because there’s a big difference between China’s sustainable growth rate, based on rising demand driven by household consumption and productive investment, and its actual GDP growth rate, which is boosted by massive lending to fund investment projects that are driven by the need to generate economic activity and

The old... From A4 gains are pursued at the expense of costs which aren’t evident immediately but will emerge later. This growing burden on future generations can be measured. Rising dependency ratios—or the number of retirees per employed worker—provide one useful metric. In 1970, in the US, there were 5.3 workers for every retired person. By 2010 this had fallen to 4.5, and it’s expected to decline to 2.6 by 2050. In Germany, the number of workers per retiree will decrease to 1.6 in 2050, down from 4.1 in 1970. In Japan, the oldest society to have ever existed, the ratio will decrease to 1.2 in 2050, from 8.5 in 1970. Even as spending commitments grow, in other words, there will be fewer and fewer productive adults around to fund them. Budgetary analysis presents a

Chill,... From A4 the outlay, accusing the House of attempting to use the money as a pork-barrel fund, and insisted that it be given to the Commission on Higher Education instead. It was pointed out to the House that the ARMM, as an autonomous region, already had its own public works budget and did not need ad-

employment. Economists find it very difficult to formally acknowledge the difference between the two rates, and many don’t even seem to recognize that it exists. Yet this only shows how confused economists are about gross domestic product more generally. The confusion arises because a country’s GDP is not a measure of the value of goods and services it creates but rather a measure of economic activity. In a market economy, investment must create enough additional productive capacity to justify the expenditure. If it doesn’t, it must be written down to its true economic value. This is why GDP is a reasonable proxy in a market economy for the value of goods and services produced. But in a command economy, investment can be driven by factors other than the need to increase productivity, such as boosting employment or local tax revenue. What’s more, lossmaking investments can be carried for decades before they’re amortized, and insolvency can be ignored. This means that GDP growth can overstate value creation for decades. That’s what has happened in China. In the first quarter of 2017, China added debt equal to more than 40 percentage points of GDP—an amount that has

been growing year after year. In 2011, the World Economic Forum predicted that China’s debt would increase by a worrying $20 trillion by 2020. By 2016, it had already increased by $22 trillion, according to the most conservative estimates, and at current rates it will increase by as much as $50 trillion by 2020. These numbers probably understate the reality. If all this debt hasn’t boosted China’s GDP growth to substantially more than its potential growth rate, then what was the point? And why has it proven so difficult for the government to rein it in? It has promised to do so since 2012, yet credit growth has only accelerated, reaching some of the highest levels ever seen for a developing country. The answer is that credit creation had to accelerate to boost GDP growth above the growth rate of productive capacity. Much, if not most, of China’s 6.5percent GDP growth is simply an artificial boost in economic activity with no commensurate increase in the capacity to create goods and services. It must be fully reversed once credit stops growing. To make matters worse, if high debt levels generate financial distress costs for the economy—as already seems to be happening—the amount that must be reversed will substan-

tially exceed the original boost. Once credit is under control, China will have lower but healthier GDP growth rates. If the economy rebalances, most Chinese might not even notice: It would require that household income—which has grown much more slowly than GDP for nearly three decades—now grow faster, so that the sharp slowdown in economic growth won’t be matched by an equivalent slowdown in wage growth. But to manage this rebalancing requires substantial transfers of wealth from local governments to ordinary households to boost consumption. This is why China hasn’t been able to control credit growth in the past. The central government has had to fight off provincial “vested interests,” who oppose any substantial transfer of wealth. Without these transfers, slower GDP growth would mean higher unemployment. Whether regulators can succeed in reining in credit creation this time is ultimately a political question, and depends on the central government’s ability to force through necessary reforms. Until then, as long as China has the debt capacity, GDP growth rates will remain high. But to see that as healthy is to miss the point completely.

Bloomberg

similarly dire outlook. In a 2010 their capacity to easily repay. for future generations is negative research paper, entitled “Ask Not A final revealing measure is (benefits received will be less Whether Governments Will De- the concept of lifetime net tax than taxes paid), meaning they’ll fault, But How,” Arnaud Mares benefit, which measures the have to meet the obligations of of Morgan Stanley analyzed na- benefits received over a person’s their elders. tional solvency, or the difference life by calculating the difference Such measurements probably between actual and potential gov- between all taxes paid and all understate the shortfall, as they ernment revenue, on one hand, the government transfers that fail to account for the cost of enand existing debt levels and future he or she has received and will vironmental damage or higher commitments on the other. The receive. A 2010 study from the commodity prices resulting from study found that by this measure International Monetary Fund resource shortages. Future generthe net worth of the US was nega- found that in the US the lifetime ations will bear the ultimate cost tive 800 percent of its GDP; that tax burden was positive (tax paid of present decisions or inaction. is, its future tax revenue was less was less than benefits received) As in Francisco Goya’s famous than committed obligations by an for all age cohorts above 18 years, painting, “Saturn Devouring His amount equivalent to eight times with the largest benefit accruing Son,” today, the old are eating the value of all goods and services to those over age 50. But the figure their children. Bloomberg America produces in a year. The net worth of European countries ranged from about negative 250 PENSEES percent (Italy) to negative 1,800 FORMATION percent (Greece). For Germany, FR. RANHILIO GARY France and the UK, the approxiCALLANGAN mate figures were negative 500 OLIVAR AQUINO percent, negative 600 percent and negative 1,000 percent of Fr. Aquino’s column will Mr. Olivar’s column will GDP. In effect, these states have resume next week. resume next week. mortgaged themselves beyond ditional funding for infrastructure from the national government. During the bicameral conference committee hearings on the 2017 budget, the first full-year outlay of the Duterte administration, congressmen eventually agreed to use the money to fund a free tuition scheme in state universities and colleges. A joint memorandum signed between the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Budget and Management said the

assistance program will give a student-grantee a 100-percent tuition subsidy with few strings attached, specifying only that the student must be currently enrolled, maintain passing grades and carry a full academic load for the year. Beneficiaries must also sign an agreement that binds them to serve as doctors in national or local government hospitals or as “doctors to the barrios” equivalent to one year for every year that they receive a subsidy.

Of course, there’s no telling if the program will continue in the years to come, or even just for next year. Congress will have to decide whether the subsidy will become a permanent program when deliberations on the next national budget start. But at least the ARMM infrastructure funds didn’t end up lining some congressmen’s pockets. That’s already a huge improvement, right

there.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House okays early voting for PWDs, senior citizens By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and ﬁnal reading a bill providing for early voting of qualiﬁed senior citizens and persons with disabilities in national and local elections to make the voting process more comfortable and convenient for them. The Lower House approved House Bill 5661 before Congress adjourned sine die last May 29. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the bill aims to enhance the voting process to make it more comfortable and convenient for the voters, particularly PWDs and senior citizens, by giving them the option to vote earlier

than the date set for election. Section 2 of the bill provides that for the national and local elections, there shall be early voting for qualified senior citizens or PWDs who may choose to cast his ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections within seven working days before the date

set for the election. The bill also provides for nationwide registration for senior citizens and PWDs who wish to avail of their early voting privileges. Those who are not registered under the Act shall vote on election day itself. The Comelec shall be mandated to keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters. It will also coordinate with local government units, the National Council for Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Health, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to design a registration system that will allow senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting in order to im-

prove their voting experience in national and local elections. Alvarez said the poll body should ensure the full implementation of Republic Act 10366, entitled “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens,” such that polling places for senior citizens and PWDs are safe, highly accessible and fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, and other forms of assistance where senior citizens and PWDs may be able to cast their votes with ease. Lastly, the Comelec shall mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

Bong seeks court’s nod to visit ailing pa

Alvarez said the amount necessary to fund implementation of the Act will be included in the General Appropriations Act for the corresponding fiscal year. The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act 7166, entitled “An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefore, and for Other Purposes,” and other election laws not inconsistent with the new measure will be applied to facilitate the early voting of senior citizens and PWDs. The bill was a substitute to several measures filed on the subject matter, including that of Alvarez’s HB 5019.

Water agency marks 140th year with million-trees challenge IN LINE with its advocacy on water security and protection of the environment, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System will launch a noble reforestation project in six critical watershed areas on June 23, 2017 that aims to plant one million trees every year for five years or until the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. Known as the “Annual Million Tree Challenge,” the location of the tree planting project launching is at the Ipo Dam in Bulacan, which is downstream of the Angat Dam, considered to be the major source of water for Metro Manila residents and some nearby provinces. The Annual Million Tree Challenge serves asthe launching activity in preparation of the 140 years of MWSS on February 18, 2018. “Conservation of water sources and the protection of the environment have always been a part of the mandate of the MWSS,” says MWSS Administrator General Reynaldo V.Velasco in a press conference the other day. “Together with ourconcessionaires—Maynilad, Manila Water, Bulacan Bulk Water Project—we seek to ensure clean and potable water for all our residents. This project is to guarantee that we are also protected of natural calamities such as floods.” He adds, “This is just the start and we hope that this Annual Million Tree Challenge will also be carried on by the next leaders who will come after us. I am elated that in a short period of time, we have gathered more than enough support to launch this Annual Million Tree Challenge.” Aside from the Ipo Dam, five other targeted watershed areas are Umiray, Angat, La Mesa, Marikina and Laguna Lake watersheds which are all vital to Metro Manila’s sources of drinking water. After the trees are planted, the MWSS chief assured the public that these are going to be maintained, nurtured, and protected. He says, “Long term, we look at the integrated watershed management plan that sustains the protection of these watersheds. It is important to note that these watersheds are crucial because they directly link to our use of clean and potable water.” Present during the Annual Million Tree Challenge press conference iare: Norie Garcia, Director for Partnership & Advocacy, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya; Lourdes Wagan, Director, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR; Geodino Carpio, Chief Operating Officer, Manila Water Company Inc; Joel Yu, Chief Regulator, MWSSRO, lawyer Roel Espiritu, Head, Corp. Quality, Environment, Safety & Health, Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI); Joel Palma President & CEO, Worldwide Fund (WWF); Winfred Paler, President of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP); Eduvides Huang, President of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF), representatives from the Philippine Water Works Association, Department of Education, UP Mountaineers, local Government Units of General Nakar, Quezon and Bulacan, Rotary, Philippine Jaycees, Kiwanis, and other civic organizations.

MILLION TREES FOR WATERSHEDS. MWSS Administrator General Reynaldo Velasco (2nd from left) discusses the mechanics of Annual Million

Tree Challenge whose aim is to have one-million tree planted in six critical watersheds affecting the water supply sources of Metro Manila. Velasco is ﬂanked by Joel Yu, MWSS Regulatory Ofﬁce chief (left) and Geodino Carpio, CEO of Manila Water. The Annual Million Tree Challenge kicks off at the Ipo Dam watershed on June 23, 2017.

DETAINED former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to visit his ailing 90-year-old father, former senator Ramon Revilla Sr., who will undergo a heart procedure on June 19 at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. In a four-page motion, Revilla said he wants to visit his father from six in the morning to 12 in the afternoon of June 19 and from two in the afternoon to eight in the evening of June 20. Revilla, Sr. will undergo a Percutaneous Mitral Clip for his heart ailment. “He [Revilla Sr.] is currently being treated for valvular heart disease, severe mitral regurgitation, congestive heart failure and NYHA FC II and will undergo percutaneous mitral clip on 19 June 2017, a medical procedure which involves considerable risk to a frail 90-yearold man,” Revilla said in his motion. Revilla Jr. is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The young Revilla said he must visit his father whose condition is “delicate.” “Accused Revilla feels obliged to come to the aid of his father, who is ver y close to him, even by his mere presence, and cannot disregard a son’s natural urge and desire to visit and be with his ailing and weak father, and spend a few moments together,” Revilla said. Revilla was accused of pocketing P224.5 million in alleged commissions by allegedly downloading his pork barrel funds to bogus non-government organizations of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. The anti-graft court earlier allowed the younger Revilla to visit his father at the hospital on Dec. 16, 28, and 29, 2016, Feb. 7 and March 18, 2017. Maricel V. Cruz

Ombudsman convicts former high-ranking PNP official for graft By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman announced on Thursday the conviction of a former high-ranking official of the Philippine National Police for graft in connection with a land deal anomaly of a P1.5 million lot in 2001. Chief Supt. Dionisio Coloma Jr., former deputy director of the Philippine National Training Institute and Philippine Public Safety College, was sentenced to a jail term of six to 10 years after he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019. The Ombudsman said Coloma facilitated the purchase of a one-hectare lot in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi at P1,500,000 for the site of a regional training school. The Ombudsman prosecutors presented witnesses and documents to pin down Coloma, who was proven to have brokered the deal with close

friends Rolando Lim and Albia Lim in 2001. The Commission on Audit found that there were no documents, such as disbursement vouchers, to support the project, and that the purchase price was exorbitant as the prevailing market price in 2001 was pegged at only P9,730.00 per hectare. “The purchase of property caused damage to the purchaser, not only because it was exorbitantly overpriced, but also because there is no authority or basis for the purchase of the lot in the first place,” the Sandiganbayan’s resolution read. “Bad faith was manifestly shown by Coloma when he orchestrated the immediate transfer of the funds to the bank accounts of the contractors, to prevent these funds from reverting back to the national treasur y. This was done without a single disbursement voucher being approved or any supporting document being submitted.” Apart from imprisonment, Coloma

was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. Meanwhile, the Ombudsman also ordered the filing of a separate graft case against three former local executives of Tigbauan in Iloilo City for their involvement in the anomalous procurement of second-hand tractors in 2009. Those charged with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were former mayor Excelsior Torres, former municipal agriculturist Eugenia Sayson and former market supervisor George Tinguban before the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman also ordered the two-month suspension of Sayson and Tinguban after they were found guilty of misconduct. The investigation conducted by the Ombudsman revealed the municipality of Tigbauan purchased two second-hand Ford tractors worth P1,873,928.58 in 2009. Respondents accepted and facilitated

the full payment for the machines without testing the hydraulic spool valves, the Ombudsman said. “The tractors turned out to be defective and had to be repaired in order to be functional and serviceable,” it added. Torres and company claimed the defense of good faith when they performed their respective duties. “The facts are all too glaring that respondents committed gross inexcusable negligence when they hastily certified the delivery of the tractors as complete and conforming to the quantity and specification, conveniently overlooking the deficiencies of the units,” the Ombudsman said. “The sole fact that the tractors were second hand units, whose date of original acquisition was not disclosed in the sales invoice, is reason enough for respondents to insist on adequate testing of all the component parts to determine their operability, in order to safeguard the government from being shortchanged.”

Quick-thinking pilot saves lives of crew, passengers By Joel E. Zurbano

GUNLESS POLICE. Some 200 newly recruited policemen assigned to secure the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals still do not have government issued side ﬁrearms. Photo shows a policeman watching the departing passengers at Naia terminal 1. Eric Apolonio

A QUICK-THINKING pilot of a commercial flight from Davao saved the lives of 159 passengers and six crew members after he decided to execute emergency landing protocols and land the aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after the plane developed engine trouble before noon Thursday. Capt. Allan Roque of Air Asia flight Z2-612 immediately made an emergency landing and the plane landed safely at the Naia Main Runway after one of its engines was damaged. Officials of the Manila International Airport AuthorityMedia Affairs Division (MIAA-MAD) said the pilot requested the Manila Control Tower at the airport for an emergency landing PLAN 2 with all available rescue teams on the ground at 10:47 a.m. The Airbus 320 was scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m. in Manila but because of the emergency situation, the flight was given priority to land first than the others and landed safely at Naia Runway 24.

Sports Tabal gets green light to join PH’s SEAG team By Peter Atencio MARATHON runner Mary Joy Tabal will be able to rejoin the Philippine Athletics’ team to the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games this August. The 27-year-old Cebuana got the green light after the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association granted her request to be reinstated, but with several conditions. Tabal, who is currently training in Tuscany, Italy, will be back with the national team for the third time. PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico said Tabal’s letter requesting for reinstatement indicated a commitment to comply with all of PATAFA’s rules and regulations. She agreed to have five-time SEA Games gold-medalist and now national coach Rene Herrera as her official mentor. John Philip Duenas, a coach who dabbles into triathlon, has been handling her training for many years. Tabal also agreed to report to the PATAFA office upon her arrival from her overseas training and do this regularly. Juico added that Tabal made it clear that she never spoke negatively about PATAFA in public and in social media. She also agreed to withdraw her February 17, 2017 letter of complaint to the Philippine Sports Commission on the PATAFA. “Ms. Tabal continues with her training program designed by her present technical staff and will submit the same to PATAFA and PSC, through PATAFA, in accordance with long-standing rules,” sais Juico in a statement. He added that Tabal will be allowed to bring her own technical staff to the SEA Games competitions. And that’s in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEA Games organizing committee and the Philippine Olympic Committee. “We look forward to Ms. Tabal working with the entire PATAFA team as a positive contributor to the victories that the 33 other members of the Athletics’ team are well on their way to achieving for the country and the Filipino people,” said Juico.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Super-fight is on! Floyd vs McGregor on Aug. 26

OS ANGELES—Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts icon Conor McGregor conﬁrmed plans for a longawaited showdown on Wednesday, triggering both criticism and anticipation for what is set to be one of the richest ﬁghts in history. Mayweather and McGregor— kingpins of their sports—will climb into a boxing ring to face each other at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 26. The 40-year-old Mayweather will be aiming to reach the 50-0 milestone while McGregor is a heavy underdog in the 12-round boxing match. A victory for the Irishman

would be a monumental upset. “Floyd is the greatest of all time and Conor is the master of our sport,” MMA promoter Dana White said. “I thought it would be an impossible deal to do, but it was the right fight at the right time and we got it done.” Leonard Ellerbe, chief executive of Mayweather Promotions, said

the boxer’s team decided to end his 23-month retirement because the clamor for the 154-pound showdown had been impossible to ignore. “There is not one place I go to with Floyd where he doesn’t get asked the question, ‘Floyd are you going to fight Conor McGregor?’ All Floyd thinks about is fighting Conor McGregor and whipping his ass,” Ellerbe said. Mayweather announced the fight on his Instagram account with a graphic saying “IT’S OFFICIAL!!!” showing pictures of both fighters and listing Las Vegas as the location while McGregor sent out an earlier tweet stating

“THE FIGHT IS ON.” “Floyd said ‘154 is no problem, I don’t want a catchweight,’” Ellerbe said. McGregor is the top pay-per-view draw in UFC while Mayweather had been the money-spinner in some of boxing’s biggest bouts, including matchups with Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and US star Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather earned $250 million for his fight against Pacquiao. “There is a different feel from the Pacquiao fight, Ellerbe said. “It is the unknown factor (of fighting a MMA star).” Neither Mayweather nor McGregor have competed this year.

Mayweather retired from pro boxing in 2015 after defeating Andre Berto, while McGregor (21-3) defeated Eddie Alvarez in November 2016. White said the key to finalizing the fight was luring Mayweather out of retirement. “Everybody is happy with this deal,” he said. “Nobody is bummed out.” The boxing format heavily favors the undefeated Mayweather (49-0, 26 KOs), whom many consider to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. McGregor, 28, will be entering unknown territory as he has not stepped into a boxing ring since he was a teenager. AFP

Dragons rip Knights to reach cage finals

Shell National Active Chess marks milestone season THE Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships, the country’s longest-running talent-search, gears up for its 25th edition with a new breed of talents expected to emerge from a vast pool that has marked every SNYACC staging. Veering away from its annual opening calendar, this year’s SNYACC will kick off in Batangas on June 17 to 18 for the Southern Luzon elims with a full field of 400 participants expected to clash for top honors in three age-group divisions at SM City Batangas. The NCR stage, which used to be the first leg of past SNYACCs, will now be the second stop and will be held from July 8 to 9 at SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall. Cagayan

de Oro will be hosting the third leg from August 12 to13 for the Northern Mindanao qualifying leg at SM City. Davao will host the fourth elims from September 2 to 3 for the Southern Mindanao stage, also at SM City, before the regional elims winds up in Cebu from September 16 to 17 for the Visayas qualifying leg at SM City. Except for the NCR elims, the top two players in each division in the four other regional qualifying legs—kiddies, juniors and seniors —along with the top female player will advance to the grand finals slated from October 7 to 8, also at SM MOA. Organizers said the top three in the NCR leg, along with the top female player, will gain berths in the national

finals for a total of 48 entries. The circuit, put up by Pilipinas Shell to discover fresh talents, especially in the countryside, and develop them to become members of future national teams, has produced top grandmasters, including GMs Wesley So, Mark Paragua and Nelson Mariano II. List up for the Batangas elims is ongoing with slots limited to 400 on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, contact tournament coordinator Alex Dinoy at 09228288510 or (02) 4003248 or Ronald Berdera at (0946) 6538080. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.shell.com.ph/shell_ chess. Fee is pegged at P100. Events on tap are the kiddies for players

aged 7 to 12 (born between 2004 to 2009), juniors for 13 to 16 years old (born between 2000 to 2003) and seniors for 17 to 20 (born between 1996 to 1999) for boys and girls. The event, which is backed up by Shell Fuels, Shell Helix, Shell Rimula, Shell Advance and McDonald’s in cooperation with SM Supermalls, is open to all Filipinos, non-titled players who are bona fide students certified by their respective schools and registrars. Each leg will be played over nine rounds under the Swiss system format with time control of 20 minutes with five time-delayed mode. Previous grand final winners are allowed to compete again in their respective categories provided they are still within the age limit.

THE Diliman College Blue Dragons prevailed over the Letran Knights, 91-85, in the semifinals last Monday in the ongoing 23rd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball tournament. Adama Diakhite fired 28 points, while Rickson Gerrero added 27 for the Rensy Bajarcoached Blue Dragons at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda Manila campus in Mendiola. This is the first time that the Blue Dragons made it to the championship round, where they will meet either the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals or the Centro Escolar University Scorpions. The Generals and the Scorpions are disputing the other finals berth as of presstime. Gerrero scored two of the Blue Dragons’ last seven charities in the remaining 21 seconds to bail his squad out of trouble. In the women’s division, National University won over University of Santo Tomas, 60-56, to arrange a finals showdown with the La Salle Lady Archers. Ria Nabalan shot 12 points for the NU Lady Bulldogs. Camille Claro delivered 20 points for the Lady Archers in their 64-61 win over Enderun College. In junior action, the Letran Squires put away Chiang Kai Shek College, 84-79, to figure in the finals with the San Sebastian Staglets. The Staglets, led by Damie Cuntapay and Raymund Umayao with 21 points, eased out the San Beda-Rizal Red Cubs, 95-85.

Castro romps to 6-shot Agui Open win LUIS Castro turned in his worst round in four days—a four-over 72—but still won by six over Paolo Wong as he dominated the Aguinaldo Junior Open Championship at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club in QC yesterday. Castro, who rode on back-to-back 69s to take control halfway through the 72-hold event, gunned down three birdies but made five bogeys and a double-bogey to close out with a 3735 card for a nine-over 281 aggregate at the par-68 military layout. Wong, who moved to second in the third round but fell nine shots off Castro, tried to give chase with a birdie opening but stumbled with a double-bogey on No. 4 and ended up

with a 69 for runner-up honors at 287 while Kim Sang Jin placed a distant third at 294 after a 73. Pierre Ticzon shot a 71 and wound up fourth at 301, Riggs Illescas skied to a 77 and placed fifth at 302 while Richnell Albano faded with an 80 and tumbled to sixth at 303. Rounding out the Top 10 in the inaugural event hosted by CAGC and organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines are Matthew Abalos (77-309), Joaquin Velez (79-312), Santino Gatmaytan (83-313) and Rald Sarmiento (78-316). Harmie Constantino also ran away with the girls’ crown in the Championship Division with a two-over 70

for 270 as she and Castro won the Red Jacket, a one-year membership at CAGC and a round trip ticket to US for their feats. Meanwhile, Martin Alindogan scored 47 Molave points for a 93 as he took the Class A (15-18) crown with a 93, seven points up on Zedi Lagman, who pooled an 86 after a 44. Other division winners were Joa Chim Yu (Class B), Zachary Castro (Class C), Dylan Castillo (Class D) and Jacob Taruc (Class E). Yu shot a 32 for a 61 and beat Andrei Gahol, who had a 24 for 48 points, by 13; Castro assembled a 47 for an 89, Castillo finished with an 84 after a 44 while Taruc pooled a 79 after a 40.

The San Sebastian Staglets put up a double-teaming play against a cager from the San Beda Red Cubs in a junior division semiﬁnals game.

Veteran-laden FEU frustrates Diliman College in MBL cagefest DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill threw the full weight of its veteran-laden lineup to frustrate Diliman College-JPA Freight Logistics, 79-68, and clinch top seed in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the FEU gym in Fairview. Last year’s runaway MVP awardee Clay Crellin scattered a team-high 21 points in limited minutes as the Tamaraws buried the Dragons with inspired performance on both ends of the floor. Crellin, the 6’6” Fil-Canadian hit a flurry of baskets from inside and out in the

first period to set the tone of the rout. Aris Gumabay, Japs Bautista, Erwin Sta. Maria, Christian Manalo and ex-PBA star Jerwin Gaco also played well for the Tamaraws of owner Nino Reyes and coach Pido Jarencio. Overall, FEU finished in a three-way tie for the top spot with Philippine Christian University and Colegio de San Lorenzo-V Hotel9 with 6-1 win-loss records. The Tamaraws finished first, followed by the Dolphins in second and the Griffins in third after the FIBA tiebreak. FEU and PCU now hold twice-to-beat

advantages in the semis. CdSL,which swept its first six games, dropped to third place. “I hope the boys will keep their focus and continue to play well.The next two games —semis and final—will be challenging,” said Jarencio, known as the “Fireman” during his playing days with Barangay Ginebra in the PBA. It was the second straight win for FEU since the death of team manager Ricky Simpao due to a heart attack last Saturday and the Tamaraws surely gave everything to honor him.

Led by Crellin and Fil-German Glenn Gravengard, the Tamaraws swept their last two elimination round assignments against the Griffins and the Dragons by an average winning margin of 22.5 points. The Fairview, Quezon City-based team used a blinding start to surprise their opponents and win both matches pulling way. Arvin Angeles finished with 26 points for Diliman-JPS, which played minus top African import Alex Diakhite and local gunners Kris Torrado and Rickson Gerero. The Rensy Bajar-mentored Dragons dropped to 3-3.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Curry won’t go to White House if invited

Paul Lee of the Star Hotshots is hounded by a triple-team put up by San Miguel Beer’s JuneMar Fajardo, Chris Ross and Charles Rhodes in a PBA game won by the Beermen, 111-110.

SMB eyes berth in finals; Star shoots for equalizer By Jeric Lopez

AN Miguel Beer is staring at a return trip to the finals when it attempts to finish off Star in the continuation of their highly competitive best-of-five semifinals series in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. On the brink of yet another in Pasay City. finals’ appearance, the BeerOn the other hand, the Hotmen, leading 2-1, can wrap shots are aiming to extend the things up in Game 4 today at 7 series and live for another day. p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena With control of the series on

the line in Game 3, San Miguel Beer, particularly sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter, stepped up to the occasion. Lassiter came to the Beermen’s rescue, knocking down the clutch game-winning triple with a second left to give San Miguel a thrilling 111-110 squeaker over Star in Game 3 Wednesday night. More importantly, the winning play gave the Beermen a 2-1 series lead. San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria expressed his gratitude for that shot that gave their team

fight and we expect another tough game,” Austria said. Star’s sensational import Ricardo Ratliffe scored a conference-high 44 points, but once again, it went for naught as his squad still fell short. Looking forward, Ratcliffe would need more help from his pals if Star is to force a knockout Game 5. As of this report, TNT KaTropa, leading 2-0, is trying to finish off Barangay Ginebra as they figure in Game 3 of their own best-of-five semis tango.

Que hopes to make most of rare PH Golf Tour stint

So drops to share of 4th spot THE presence of opposite colored bishops compelled Wesley So to accept a draw offered by grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in 66 moves last Wednesday in the Altibox Norway Chess 2017 at the Clarion Hotel Energy in Stavanger, Norway. So’s seventh draw in as many rounds saw him moving down to a share of fourth spot with three others. Playing the classical lines of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the white-playing So forced Caruana to an early queen exchange. After that, the game simplified when So gained a pawn advantage with his bishop d4 move on the 40th push. It was an interesting round after GM Levon Aronian overtook Hikaru Nakamura for the solo lead. Aronian won over Sergei Karjakin in 41 moves of a Guioco Piano to snatch f irst place with five points. Analysts talked much about Aronian’s game, which saw him gain an advantage he when sacrificed a pawn for the initiative. Karjakin held on to his pawn edge before time pressure caught up with him and he blundered with a d5 move on the 31st. The fate of Nakamura changed when he drew with Indian GM Viswanathan Anand in 48 moves of a Guico Piano. Nakamura dropped to lone second with 4.5 points. Anish Giri advanced to a tie for third with Vladmir Kramnik after he defeated Maxime Vachier Lagrave in 33 moves of a Sicilian. Kramnik held his ground with his stunning 40-move upset of world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Peter Atencio

the vital upperhand. “We were lucky for that shot by Marcio [Lassiter]. That gave us the lead in the series,” said Austria. Just like in the first two games, the two teams fought tooth and nail the last time out and Austria doesn’t expect that to change moving forward, especially now that the Beermen are looking to move to the big stage and the Hotshots looking to force a deciding Game 5. “This is a very tough series. Star is giving us a really hard

LOS ANGELES—Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said Wednesday that if the team is invited to visit the White House after winning the NBA championship then he probably won’t go. “Somebody asked me about it a couple months ago, a hypothetical, if a championship were to happen, what would I do,” Curry said. “I answered I wouldn’t go. I still feel that way today.” Curry’s comment came two days after Golden State defeated Cleveland 129-120 to wrap up their series in five games and earn their second NBA championship in three years. It is a tradition in the United States that professional sports teams visit the White House as the Chicago Cubs did in January when they spent time with President Barack Obama after capturing their 2016 Major League Baseball title. But controversial policies and outlandish statements by President Donald Trump have upset many US professional athletes, including players from the predominantly African American NBA. Curry expects the issue to eventually be discussed as a group. “I’m sure as a team we’re gonna have a conversation [about a potential visit],” he said. “This is a moment we all need to enjoy together and nothing should distract from what we were able to accomplish together. And the different kind of ceremonies and traditions that have happened around championship-winning teams, we don’t want that to taint what we’ve accomplished this year. “We’ll handle that accordingly and responsibly, and do the right thing for us individually and as a group.” Curry is not the only member of the Warriors organization opposed to the views of President Trump. “Trump couldn’t be more illsuited to be president, because he’s a blowhard,” coach Steve Kerr said back in May. “You don’t see some of the qualities you talk about, the resilience, the ability to communicate, the compassion. None of that. ... To be a great leader, there have to be some qualities in there. Has anyone ever thought that Donald Trump was a great leader?” AFP

Angelo Que will be seeking a second leg victory on the local circuit.

ANGELO Que takes a break from the Japan PGA Tour to join the title hunt in the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship, seeking a second leg victory on the local circuit, which resumes next week at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo. Que routed the field to win the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational for the second time in three years before he moved to Japan to campaign against some of the world’s best. The long-hitting shotmaker turned in two Top 10 finishes in nine tournaments, including a joint fifth place effort at the JGT Championship Mori Cup in Ibaraki two weeks ago. That should prime up the former three-time Asian Tour winner for the P3 million event sponsored by ICTSI set June 21-24 where he is expected to slug it out with two-leg winner Clyde Mondilla, Manila Masters champion Tony Lascuña and recent Calatagan leg titlist Zanieboy Gialon, among others. Also in the fold are Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Mars Pucay, Jhonnel Ababa, Cassius Casas, Ferdie Aunzo, Jerson Balasabas, Jun Bernis, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Anthony Fernando, Mhark Fernando, Rey Pagunsan, Joenard Rates and Orlan Sumcad. Jobim Carlos, Ira Alido, Keanu Jahns, John Kier Abdon and Justin Quiban, meanwhile, make up the young guns cast out to topple the veteran campaigners in the event organized by Pilipinas

Golf Tournaments Inc. A slew of foreign players are also in the early roster of 73 players chasing the top P550,000 purse, including Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Macedonian Peter Stojanovski, Japanese Yuta Sudo, Korean Park Jun Sung, American Nicolas Paez and Aussie Jason Dawes. Van der Valk, Stojanovski and Paez have contended for the crown with strong starts in previous legs but couldn’t pull it off with shaky finishes although they hope to finally unleash one next week at the rolling, wind-swept Forest Hills layout. But focus will be on Que, who is expected to make the most of his rare stint in the local circuit backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf and score a follow-up to his nine-stroke romp over Japanese Toru Nakajima at Anvaya last February. With his skills and talent honed up in the tough Japan PGA, Que looms as the player to beat this early although the other local aces will all be coming into the event battle ready, guaranteeing another wild finish in the 72-hole championship. The event, the eighth leg of this year’s circuit, also serves as a prelude to the fifth staging of The Duel, which pits the top players from the North and South in a Ryder Cup-style format set July 5-7 at Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio.

Podium finish for Mapua THE Cheerping Cardinals, Mapúa Institute of Technology’s official cheerleading team, nabbed a podium finish at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Cheerleading Competition. The team closed the contest at third place after going head to head against seven other teams. After the team’s first championship stint in 2004, the Cheerping Cardinals have continually swept awards in the succeeding years. Ian Diamante, the team’s coach, attributed

their victories in the past years to several factors, such as maintaining school traditions as a foundation for the team and spacing out training with breaks throughout the school year. The cheerleaders have also enjoyed the suppor t of the Institute and its graduates. “Mapúa has always been supportive of our dream in reclaiming glory,” he said. He also shared an unlikely key to the team’s success— the cheerleaders’ expertise in the field of engineering. “Most of my cheerleaders

are in engineering courses or have taken engineering subjects. Concepts like force distribution, mass or momentum transfer and other ‘engineering stuff’ are thrown into the mix when we practice stunts and formation, even to everyday training,” he said. Founded in 2004, the NCAA Cheerleading Competition is an annual oneday event. The Institute has been competing in the event since its inception, and was the first team to emerge as champions.

The Cheerping Cardinals team closed the contest at third place after going head to head against seven other teams.

F. Balfour gets P1.7-b power line contract B2 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, June 15, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

49.4950

Japan

Yen

0.009127

0.4517

Pound

1.275300

63.1210

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128248

6.3476

Switzerland

Franc

1.030184

50.9890

Canada

Dollar

0.755002

37.3688

Singapore

Dollar

0.727114

35.9885

Australia

Dollar

0.758500

37.5420

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654069

131.3631

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266695

13.2001

Brunei

Dollar

0.724480

35.8581

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029485

1.4594

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

13.4775

Euro

1.121900

55.5284

Korea

Won

0.000894

0.0442

China

Yuan

0.147182

7.2848

India

Rupee

0.015569

0.7706

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234962

11.6294

New Zealand

Dollar

0.726500

35.9581

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033153

1.6409 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF

Business

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

By Julito G. Rada

ONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas fell 5.9 percent in April from a year ago, representing the biggest drop in 17 months, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday. Data from Bangko Sentral showed that remittances declined to $2.083 billion in April from $2.213 billion in the same month last year because of the movement of foreign exchange. This was the biggest drop in the value of remittances since the 6.2-percent decline registered in November 2015, data

showed. “This was attributed to the 7.6-percent drop in cash remittances from land-based workers which offset the marginal increase [0.3 percent] in transfers from sea-based workers. The top countries that registered declines in cash remittances in April were Saudi

Arabia [partly as a result of repatriation of workers under the Saudi Arabian Amnesty program], followed by Singapore, Australia, and United Kingdom,” Bangko Sentral said. “Aside from recorded declines in cash remittances [in original currency] in these countries, the lower US dollar value of remittances in April could be partly due to the depreciation of major host countries’ currencies visà-vis the US dollar, such as the Singaporean dollar, Australian dollar, pound sterling and the euro,” it said. Bangko Sentral said despite the lower inﬂows in April, total cash remittances in the ﬁrst four

months of 2017 still increased 4.2 percent to $9.036 billion from $8.670 billion in the same four-month period a year ago. It said the decrease in remittances in April could also be attributed to the lesser number of banking days during the month compared to the same period a year ago. Cash remittances from the US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan, UK, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Canada comprised about 80 percent of total cash remittances in the ﬁrst four months. Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, reached $2.317 billion in April, or 5.2

By Alena Mae S. Flores

H&WB, French ﬁrm to pursue tidal project

THE Insurance Commission said it issued a show cause order against Caritas Health Shield, a health maintenance organization, to explain the numerous complaints filed by customers on alleged fraudulent swiping of credit or debit cards. The commission said in the show cause order that Caritas Health Shield should cease and desist from engaging in the activity, pending the conduct of an investigation. Based on the complaints filed before the commission, agents of Caritas Health Shield would resort to different marketing strategies including offering of freebies in order to entice an individual to surrender his/her credit or debit card without disclosing that the same would be used to enroll him/her as member of Caritas Health Shield and to pay for the premiums. The complainants alleged that it was never their intention to purchase any HMO products and thus requested for the cancellation of their contracts and return of the premiums paid through and charged to their credit or debit cards. Insurance commissioner Dennis Funa said Thursday that any marketing activity which misleads or tends to mislead consumers into buying HMO products without proper disclosure of the transaction was not tolerated by the commission. “Under present regulations, all complaints filed against HMOs received by the IC will be endorsed to the grievance machinery of the Association of Health Maintenance Organizations of the Philippines, Inc., an umbrella organization of HMOs,” Funa said. Julito G. Rada

percent lower than $2.44 billion a year ago. This was personal remittances’ biggest drop on a monthly basis in nine months since it fell 5.4 percent decline in July 2016. Personal remittances in the ﬁrst four months reached $10.026 billion, up 4.7 percent from $9.57 billion a year ago. DBS Bank of Singapore said in a note Thursday that remittances remained strong this year despite earlier concerns about domestic policiesin key host countries such as the US and Saudi Arabia. “At the current pace, total foreign remittances are going to reach a new record of circa $28 billion this year,” DBS said.

PH wind projects halted due to policy

SSI Group Inc., the country’s largest specialty store retailer, said Thursday it plans to close a few more stores this year as a part of a network rationalization. SSI Group president Anthony Huang said at the sidelines of the annual shareholders’ meeting the company would close down non-performing stores while expanding its restaurant and e-commerce business. Huang said the company’s existing restaurant business under TWG and SaladStop! stores in Philippines was expanding “quite nicely, prompting the company to evaluate some opportunities in sector.” SSI Group also plans to expand its e-commerce business, which currently accounts for less than 5 percent of sales. “It’s something we know that once it reaches its inﬂection point, it’s just gonna go. We’re ready for it and we’re expanding accordingly,” Huang said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Govt starts probe on HMO provider

Remittances sank 6% in April

SSI Group plans to close more stores

SAN Bernardino Ocean Power Co. will push through with a tidal power project in San Bernardino Strait off Capul Island, Northern Samar and Matnog, Sorsogon at a cost of $25 million, officials said Thursday. The joint venture of local firm H&WB Asia Pacific (Pte Ltd) Corp. and Sabella SAS of France, with ownership of 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively, expects to start raising project financing for the initial 1.5-megawatt tidal power project next year. “We intend to fund the project on a 30-percent equity and 70-percent debt. Right now, we are reaching out to financial institutions and in talks on how they could come either on equity or debt. Meantime, they are waiting for us to give them our financial model which we are working on right now,” Kit Buenaventura, H&WB general manager for renewable energy projects, said at the sidelines of a tidal energy forum. Buenaventura said the investment cost would cover the entire project which includes three turbines, the transmission and the storage systems. The official said the project companies were now in talks with Northern Samar Electric Cooperative for a possible power supply agreement. Alena Mae S. Flores

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

P.A. Properties Development Corp. chairman Romarico Alvarez (left) shakes hands with Hankyu Realty Co. Ltd. president Ryuichi Morotomi after signing a joint venture agreement at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City for the development of a township project in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Sonny Espiritu

PA Properties, Japan firm unveil Cavite township By Othel V. Campos LOCAL real estate developer P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corp. signed Wednesday a joint venture agreement with Hankyu Realty Co. Ltd. of Japan to develop an 11-hectare residential project as a part of a 37-hectare township in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. P.A. Properties chairman Romarico Alvarez said a vehicle company would be formed and called P.A. Properties Hankyu One, with a 60-40 ownership arrangement in favor of the former, to build the ﬁrst phase of the project covering 11 hectares in Barangay San Agustin, Dasmariñas City. The ﬁrst phase of the project is estimated to cost 2.7 billion yen or P1.2 billion.

“This signing is the highlight of nearly two years of hard work and relationship-building between Hankyu Realty and P.A. Properties. Their interest to partner with us as they expand in the Southeast Asian region is not only about ﬁnding a strategic business partner, but having a partner company that espouses the same values as they have—transparency, trust, reputation, and care for our workforce,” Alvarez said. Hankyu president and chief executive Ryuchi Morotomi said the Osaka-based developer was deeply impressed by P.A. Properties’ commitment to help address the 5.7 million housing unit backlog in the Philippines. “We hope to create new value in the real estate in the Philippines and provide good housing

for Filipino communities with our long term relation with P.A. Properties,” he said. The ﬁrst phase of the project will entail the construction of 868 units with 403 single detached units and 465 town houses. Construction will start in October 2017 and will take ﬁve years to complete. “Under the policy of Hankyu Hanshin holdings, Hankyu Realty will expand our house development overseas. So through this project, we will get the knowledge and know-how of the house development sector in the Philippines, and we want to continue the house development in this country,” said Morotomi. Each unit will have an average price of P2.7 million to P3.1 million for detached houses and

P1.7 million for the townhouses. “Both Hankyu Realty and P.A Properties share the same vision of enabling people achieve their dreams to live in a place they fully want to live in [and] we are humbled that Hankyu Realty, a well-respected real estate company in Asia and the world, chose us to be their partner in the PH,” said Alvarez. “Their interest in partnering with us as they expand in the Southeast Asian region is not only about ﬁnding a strategic partner but having a partner company that espouses the same values as they have like transparency, trust, reputation and above-all, care for our people― our workforce―the key to both of our company’s’ continued growth and success,” he said. With Jamie Andrea Turalba

WIND power development has come to a near halt in the Philippines in the absence of an operational wind regulatory framework, an official of Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas said Thursday. Clive Turton, Vestas Asia Pacific president expressed concern over the near-term outlook for wind projects in the country in the absence of a new and clear government policy on renewable energy. Vestas is servicing 183 megawatts of wind projects in the Philippines, including the 150-megawatt Burgos wind power plant in Ilocos Norte, one of the largest wind energy projects in Southeast Asia. “Since the FiT2 [feed in tariff 2] came to an end, and until other policies come into effect, there is no operational wind regulatory framework. As a result, wind development has come to a near halt while conventional fossil fuel generation continues to grow significantly,” Turton said in a statement. FIT is a policy mechanism that promotes the rapid deployment of renewable energy by offering developers a guaranteed rate for the electricity they produce. FITs have been the main drivers of additional renewable energy capacity in the Philippines. FIT guaranteed a rate of P8.53 and P9.68 for every kWh produced by a qualified wind and solar project, respectively. FIT was later revised downwards for the second round to P7.40 per kWh for wind and P8.69 per kWh for solar to reflect technology improvements and cost reductions. “A wind energy pipeline of several hundreds of megawatts stands to be unlocked with clear policy in place. Vestas is committed to help write the next chapter of wind energy deployment in The Philippines, and work with all government and private sector partners to that effect,” Turton said.

Banks given deadline to replace ATM cards THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas gave banks a ‘hard deadline’ of June 30, 2018 to fully comply with the migration of ATM, debit and credit cards from the current magnetic stripe to the more secure Europay Mastercard Visa or EMV chip cards. Bangko Sentral on Thursday issued the supplemental guidelines to speed up the EMV migration of ﬁnancial institutions. “BSFIs [Bangko Sentral-supervised ﬁnancial institutions] are given until 30 June 2018 to fully comply with the EMV requirement. Failure to do so will subject BSFIs to monetary sanctions provided under relevant

provisions in the Manual of Regulations for Banks and Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions,” the regulator said. It said non- or partially-compliant BSFIs were mandated to book provisions for probable fraud losses starting Sept. 30, 2017 until full compliance was achieved. “To raise awareness as well as manage customers’ expectations on the replacement of their payment cards, BSFIs should intensify their public awareness programs leveraging on all available communication channels,” it said. Julito G. Rada

STABLE PRICES. An inter-agency meeting led by National Price Coordinating Council chairman and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) looks into the impacts of martial law on the supply and prices of basic and prime commodities in Mindanao. Lopez said prices in Mindanao by and large remain stable, based on a situationer provided by Agriculture, Health and Agriculture Departments. Also shown are (from left) Trade assistant director for consumer protection and advocacy bureau Lilian Salonga (left) and Trade Undersecretary for consumer protection Teodoro Pascua.

Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; Wilcon advances SMC, Pure Foods set S to boost public ﬂoat TOCKS closed ﬂat Thursday, in line with the movement of regional markets, after the US Federal Reserve showed resolve to continue tightening its monetary policy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, lost 1 point to close at 7,964.49, as three of the six major sectors declined. The heavier index, representing all shares, also lost 1 point to settle at 4,727.56, on a value turnover of P8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 96 to 90, while 58 issues were unchanged. Nine of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Wilcon Depot Inc. which climbed 3.4 percent to P6.69 and developer Megaworld Corp. which went up 2.9 percent to P4.55. Puregold Price Club Inc. gained 2.2 percent to P45.80. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor

Amando Tetangco Jr. said the latest move by the US Fed to raise interest rates for the second time this year would be good for the global economy, including emerging market economies such as the Philippines. The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point over the last two years, after leaving the rate close to zero from late 2008 to late 2015. “The Fed’s action was broadly anticipated by the market and reﬂects the positive outlook of the Fed on the US economy and labor conditions. It also laid plans for shrinking its balance sheet, which gives the market another glimpse on the normalization process,” Tetangco said in a text message. “In medium term, the positive outlook on US economy should be good for global economy including emerging market economies,” Tetangco said. Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly sank Thursday with energy ﬁrms swiped by a dive in oil prices, while traders were also spooked by a report that President Donald Trump was being

investigated for possible obstruction of justice. Crude tanked three percent on data Wednesday showing a smaller-than-forecast drop in US stockpiles and an International Energy Agency warning that global output will increase faster than demand next year as US production ramps up. The news followed the OPEC cartel’s warning that higher US output was hurting its drive to address a long-running supply glut, which has hammered the oil market. Both main contracts barely moved in Asian trade. “Energy stocks will have a tough day at the ofﬁce, with oil getting smashed 3.5 percent on higher gasoline inventory and we see US crude trading into the May lows now,” Chris Weston, Australia-based chief market strategist at IG Markets, said. Hong Kong-listed CNOOC sank 1.6 percent and PetroChina was 1.2 percent off while in Sydney Woodside Petroleum shed 1.7 percent and Rio Tinto was down 3.7 percent. Inpex lost 0.8 percent in Tokyo. With Bloomberg, AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. and food manufacturing unit San Miguel Pure Foods Inc. are ready to comply with the planned 20-percent minimum public ownership being proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, a top executive said Thursday. San Miguel president and chief operating ofﬁcer Ramon Ang said the conglomerate and unit SMPFC would sell some shares to comply with the public ﬂoat requirement. “Yes [we] will comply. But it will only be small because we are almost at 20 percent,” Ang said.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.2 41,000 50.25 32,330 105 1,317,040 3.92 20,000 123.7 1,273,170 1.36 577,000 36.9 151,900 8.61 500 16.28 35,100 27.7 2,038,700 8.28 800 0.66 20,000 1.72 293,000 0.73 4,072,000 86.2 2,538,160 1.01 4,290,000 15.5 41,400 26 800 67.9 75,630 238.8 3,740 110 1,510 60 337,810 220.8 422,080 1,620 100 85.15 199,360 1.24 7,000

172,800 1,621,745.50 138,491,694 78,340 158,222,047 788,240 5,604,990 4,293 571,898 56,752,420 6,482 13,300 502,490 2,974,940 220,834,230 4,384,040 643,736 20,740 5,106,131 890,142 166,100 20,268,848 93,253,650 162,000 16,975,927.50 8,660

1,260,656 7,108,746 20,074,726 125,585 -374,900 15,504,330 35,600 -19,972,196 -25,600 1,910,920.50 -689,594 -166,100 8,936,549.50 -28,107,594 -162,000 197,594 -

38.55 7.95 0.81 1.52 29 0.265 114.9 7.2 17.92 165.2 23.6 14.26 73.75 78.6 2.05 5.15 11.6 12.2 15.6 9.84 6.94 6.1 1.72 18.74 71 14.8 13.6 12.6 1.7 215 4.1 3.4 31 19.2 19.04 256.4 0.25 6.63 3.25 9.63 5.51 10.68 1.92 9.52 70 6.45 298 4.5 2.04 5.1 2.55 13.48 4.91 0.147 1.36 163.4 4.1 2.04 1.08

INDUSTRIAL 38.7 890,500 8.1 2,988,000 0.81 363,000 1.53 1,873,000 29.55 272,600 0.27 9,090,000 114.9 160 7.23 2,695,000 17.98 456,000 165.2 100 24.15 1,441,600 14.26 2,200 73.75 5,550 80 2,200 2.07 278,000 5.25 53,000 11.7 3,200 12.24 1,437,200 15.66 3,639,300 10 1,188,400 6.95 866,100 6.1 11,591,200 1.72 16,000 18.74 5,824,800 71.5 18,480 15.18 10,000 13.6 532,800 12.9 1,765,200 1.72 1,725,000 215.2 238,320 4.2 231,000 3.4 84,000 31 3,339,600 19.2 2,382,600 19.44 789,000 261.8 2,432,760 0.26 9,420,000 6.63 5,000 3.25 65,000 9.66 4,821,100 5.88 1,148,400 10.68 1,800 1.95 2,539,000 9.52 659,000 70.6 907,140 6.45 82,900 298 300 4.5 15,000 2.04 8,000 5.1 299,400 2.55 4,154,000 13.5 1,419,700 5 31,000 0.149 100,000 1.37 143,000 165 1,579,460 4.1 10,000 2.1 4,400,000 1.08 164,000

34,484,275(10 24,034,614 294,920 2,863,490 8,066,370 2,435,450 18,384 19,529,235 8,199,434 16,526 34,351,865 31,372 412,260.50 176,348.50 571,450 277,525 37,262 17,612,888 57,131,730 11,718,043 6,022,583 71,031,978 27,630 109,227,594(12 1,315,551 151,386 7,284,588 22,685,108 ( 2,998,260 51,337,256 972,620 285,720 105,434,165 45,977,020 15,286,118 632,615,000 2,384,900 33,150 216,790 46,653,931(23 6,730,602 19,224 4,926,040 6,321,299 64,129,097 535,425 89,560 67,710 16,320 1,543,321 10,850,200 19,227,060 153,860 14,800 194,580 260,103,444 41,000 9,164,970 177,790

,098,619.9999) -1,473,420 -1,724,800 24,200 413,812 -1,997,526 -11,017,875 -116,920 -2,050 1,170 3,069,810 -1,083,262 10,246,993 -615,651 11,742,452 ,470,979.9999) 106,813 -4,457,878 566,367.9998) 86,000 -11,782,330 -12,650 170,000 -21,187,640 -13,198,042 -317,994 -412,393,322 26,000 -203,790 ,231,873.9996) -15,000 -238,879 10,873,233.50 -85,150 89,560 -49,560 -655,710 11,084,924 119,386,197 -1,699,710 -

0.38 75.95 14.38 1.17 0.345 0.345 879 8.05 15.1 7.6 0.205 1,245 7.46 82.05 5.7 5.19 1.04 7.7 15.66 6.37 3.25 0.055 0.93 2.03 107 2.75 805 1.42 306.6 0.29 0.217 0.244

0.365 75.05 14.18 1.16 0.335 0.34 866.5 7.86 14.4 7.59 0.199 1,220 7.42 79.8 5 4.83 1 7.54 15.52 6.24 3.25 0.053 0.91 2.02 105.5 2.66 798 1.4 304 0.28 0.217 0.244

HOLDING FIRMS 0.38 1,530,000 75.8 923,040 14.2 3,666,700 1.17 30,000 0.34 2,270,000 0.34 250,000 867 151,380 7.96 860,900 14.54 13,822,700 7.6 18,600 0.205 230,000 1,239 249,300 7.46 95,000 79.8 766,060 5.59 48,000 4.83 2,000 1.01 5,261,000 7.7 825,800 15.58 1,315,100 6.24 19,750,200 3.25 23,000 0.055 47,510,000 0.91 221,000 2.02 241,000 105.5 303,580 2.68 77,000 799.5 386,880 1.42 71,000 306 7,120 0.28 800,000 0.217 180,000 0.244 280,000

572,650 69,990,271 52,106,214 34,900 762,900 85,250 131,701,570 6,892,439 202,446,096 141,353 46,780 307,700,640 708,070 62,008,888.50 261,160 10,020 5,303,680 6,342,822 20,489,944 124,488,602 74,750 2,566,130 202,650 487,850 32,357,977 205,090 309,505,270 99,420 2,176,992 224,800 39,060 68,320

-3,378,980.50 -31,071,904 -6,662,340 115,951 39,929,950 45,046,415 3,913,919 58,080 -1,595,048 4,314,158 2,290,301 6,480 -915,682 192,536,190 1,420 -449,754 63,440

6.05 1.48 2.62 1.24 41.45 3.99 5.56 0.52 1.14 1.48 0.179 0.52 48.5 0.71 0.161 1.67 1.17 0.98

5.98 1.42 2.53 1.19 40.45 3.93 5.41 0.5 1.08 1.44 0.169 0.51 47.8 0.69 0.155 1.64 1.14 0.96

PROPERTY 6 2,560,200 1.46 8,438,000 2.58 228,000 1.2 5,737,000 40.95 16,356,100 3.99 1,356,000 5.46 8,792,000 0.51 2,024,000 1.1 189,000 1.48 441,000 0.178 66,320,000 0.52 1,617,000 48 190,400 0.71 462,000 0.155 160,000 1.66 5,359,000 1.17 14,029,000 0.97 154,000

15,361,206 12,171,950 587,390 6,926,400 672,319,535 5,389,110 48,270,667 1,031,050 209,100 642,950 11,613,130 826,270 9,141,970 321,700 25,340 8,873,660 16,246,270 149,140

-14,773,021 -215,500 105,300 55,045,385 401,930 -1,890,594 -163,200 2,280 -178,000 -406,180 429.9998 -1,918,180 -

HIGH

LOW

AG FINANCE 4.43 ASIA UNITED 50.2 BANK PH ISLANDS 106.3 BDO LEASING 3.86 BDO UNIBANK 123.2 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.39 CHINABANK 36.9 CITYSTATE BANK 8.57 COL FINANCIAL 16.28 EAST WEST BANK 27.6 FILIPINO FUND 8.29 FIRST ABACUS 0.67 IREMIT 1.71 MEDCO HLDG 0.73 METROBANK 88 NTL REINSURANCE 0.99 PB BANK 15.68 PBCOM 25.8 PHIL NATL BANK 67.5 PHIL STOCK EXCH 239 PHILTRUST 110 RCBC 60.45 SECURITY BANK 220 SUN LIFE 1,620 UNION BANK 85.15 VANTAGE 1.23

4.43 50.25 106.3 3.92 125 1.39 36.95 8.61 16.3 28.05 8.29 0.67 1.72 0.74 88.5 1.07 15.7 26 68 239 110 60.45 221.4 1,620 85.2 1.24

4.17 48.45 104.4 3.86 123.2 1.36 36.8 8.57 16.28 27.3 7.8 0.66 1.71 0.72 86.2 0.98 15.5 25.8 67.5 237.6 110 59.8 219 1,620 85.15 1.23

ABOITIZ POWER 38.55 AGRINURTURE 7.95 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.81 ALSONS CONS 1.53 ASIABEST GROUP 29.9 BASIC ENERGY 0.27 BOGO MEDELLIN 114.9 CEMEX HLDG 7.35 CENTURY FOOD 17.98 CHEMPHIL 165.3 CIRTEK HLDG 23.95 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.26 CONCEPCION 75 CONCRETE A 81 CROWN ASIA 2.05 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.2 DEL MONTE 11.82 DNL INDUS 12.24 EAGLE CEMENT 15.68 EEI CORP 9.84 EMPERADOR 6.95 ENERGY DEVT 6.15 EUROMED 1.8 FIRST GEN 18.74 FIRST PHIL HLDG 71 GINEBRA 15.3 HOLCIM 13.96 INTEGRATED MICR 12.6 IONICS 1.7 JOLLIBEE 215 LMG CHEMICALS 4.1 MABUHAY VINYL 3.41 MANILA WATER 31.95 MAXS GROUP 19.62 MEGAWIDE 19.38 MERALCO 258.4 MG HLDG 0.26 PANASONIC 6.63 PEPSI COLA 3.38 PETRON 9.68 PHIL H2O 5.64 PHINMA 10.68 PHINMA ENERGY 1.98 PHX PETROLEUM 9.7 PILIPINAS SHELL 71.2 PRYCE CORP 6.5 PUREFOODS 298.8 RFM CORP 4.59 ROXAS AND CO 2.04 ROXAS HLDG 5.21 SFA SEMICON 2.56 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.5 SPC POWER 4.91 SWIFT FOODS 0.147 TKC METALS 1.37 UNIV ROBINA 163.4 VICTORIAS 4.1 VITARICH 2.04 VULCAN INDL 1.09

38.8 8.1 0.83 1.55 30.35 0.27 114.9 7.36 18.04 165.3 24.15 14.26 75.05 81.5 2.07 5.25 11.82 12.28 15.8 10.22 6.98 6.18 1.8 18.9 71.9 15.3 13.96 12.92 1.77 216 4.24 3.42 32.8 19.8 19.44 262 0.265 6.63 3.38 9.72 6.1 10.68 1.98 9.73 71.4 6.5 298.8 4.59 2.04 5.3 2.69 13.64 5.1 0.149 1.37 165.4 4.1 2.11 1.12

ABACORE CAPITAL 0.375 ABOITIZ EQUITY 75.9 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 14.38 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 1.16 ATN HLDG A 0.34 ATN HLDG B 0.34 AYALA CORP 869.5 COSCO CAPITAL 7.86 DMCI HLDG 14.9 FILINVEST DEV 7.59 FORUM PACIFIC 0.2 GT CAPITAL 1,229 HOUSE OF INV 7.42 JG SUMMIT 81.2 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5 KEPPEL HLDG A 5.19 LODESTAR 1.01 LOPEZ HLDG 7.7 LT GROUP 15.6 METRO PAC INV 6.34 MJC INVESTMENTS 3.25 PACIFICA 0.054 PRIME MEDIA 0.93 PRIME ORION 2.03 SAN MIGUEL CORP 105.7 SEAFRONT RES 2.75 SM INVESTMENTS 800 SOLID GROUP 1.4 TOP FRONTIER 305 UNIOIL HLDG 0.29 WELLEX INDUS 0.217 ZEUS HLDG 0.244 8990 HLDG 6 A BROWN 1.47 ARANETA PROP 2.57 ARTHALAND CORP 1.24 AYALA LAND 40.45 BELLE CORP 3.93 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.42 CENTURY PROP 0.51 CITY AND LAND 1.14 CITYLAND DEVT 1.46 CROWN EQUITIES 0.169 CYBER BAY 0.51 DOUBLEDRAGON 48.2 EMPIRE EAST 0.7 EVER GOTESCO 0.161 FILINVEST LAND 1.66 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.15 IRC PROP 0.98

VOLUME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

4.44 0.425 0.355 0.64 3.88 24.95 1.75 3.25 34.5 1.02 0.88 5.68

4.65 0.445 0.375 0.65 3.9 25.5 1.75 3.25 35 1.04 0.89 5.7

4.44 0.415 0.355 0.63 3.88 24.5 1.72 3.25 34.1 1.01 0.88 5.65

4.55 0.445 0.375 0.64 3.88 24.5 1.72 3.25 34.3 1.03 0.88 5.7

41,315,000 159,070,000 840,000 5,890,000 165,000 1,679,900 281,000 550,000 7,478,500 10,997,000 43,000 12,558,000

189,112,570 69,186,900 312,550 3,775,700 642,370 41,634,525 486,250 1,787,500 258,417,565 11,247,810 38,160 71,379,426

42,819,820 -186,750 -28,700 -2,648,815 14,372,325 239,050 -11,570 13,530,739

2GO GROUP 27.3 ABS CBN 43.4 ACESITE HOTEL 1.73 APC GROUP 0.51 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.044 BERJAYA 5.63 BLOOMBERRY 9.53 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.09 CALATA CORP 2.11 CEBU AIR 99 DFNN INC 8.56 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.54 GLOBE TELECOM 2,150 GMA NETWORK 6.16 GOLDEN HAVEN 15.68 HARBOR STAR 2.83 IMPERIAL 3.53 INTL CONTAINER 105 IPM HLDG 8.9 ISLAND INFO 0.182 ISM COMM 1.43 JACKSTONES 3.48 LBC EXPRESS 15.44 LEISURE AND RES 4.26 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.92 MACROASIA 4.77 MANILA JOCKEY 2.24 MELCO RESORTS 9 METRO RETAIL 3.78 MLA BRDCASTING 16 NOW CORP 2.67 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.5 PAL HLDG 5.08 PHIL SEVEN CORP 168 PHILWEB 10.44 PLDT 1,892 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.58 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.395 PUREGOLD 45.2 ROBINSONS RTL 87.8 SBS PHIL CORP 5.95 SSI GROUP 3.06 STI HLDG 1.32 TRAVELLERS 3.02 WATERFRONT 0.86 WILCON DEPOT 6.5

28 43.5 1.82 0.51 0.044 5.63 9.7 0.091 2.12 101.2 8.56 2.54 2,218 6.19 16 2.87 3.53 105.5 8.9 0.185 1.43 3.58 15.5 4.31 0.92 4.84 2.38 9.15 3.9 16 2.69 11.5 5.3 168 11.3 1,944 1.59 0.4 45.8 88 6.08 3.25 1.33 3.15 0.94 6.8

26 43.3 1.69 0.5 0.042 5.51 9.4 0.088 2.09 98.95 8.56 2.32 2,140 6.16 15.68 2.83 3.44 103.3 8.86 0.182 1.38 3.48 14.32 4.15 0.92 4.7 2.24 8.88 3.75 16 2.66 11.5 5.08 160 10.44 1,892 1.57 0.39 45 87.7 5.95 3.06 1.28 3 0.86 6.5

SERVICES 26.2 1,579,600 43.3 23,600 1.69 667,000 0.51 2,273,000 0.043 140,000,000 5.51 8,900 9.49 8,935,500 0.088 104,500,000 2.1 1,078,000 101.1 296,760 8.56 2,800 2.5 4,000 2,150 124,190 6.17 182,100 15.94 36,400 2.84 460,000 3.48 75,000 103.4 3,792,190 8.87 325,000 0.183 3,670,000 1.42 17,000 3.57 52,000 15.38 18,700 4.21 1,670,000 0.92 4,000 4.81 751,000 2.37 139,000 8.98 6,960,500 3.88 2,563,000 16 100 2.68 5,024,000 11.5 14,000 5.3 36,000 160 250 11.18 5,391,500 1,920 372,515 1.58 2,543,000 0.39 870,000 45.8 3,043,900 87.95 561,120 6.08 57,000 3.2 26,076,000 1.31 21,837,000 3.15 4,842,000 0.91 57,182,000 6.69 17,899,700

42,949,050 1,024,110 1,167,110 1,138,380 6,023,600 49,216 85,305,397(5, 9,260,770 2,266,650 29,735,195.50 23,968 9,900 269,563,850 1,123,986 576,398 1,307,340 262,490 393,993,520 2,887,760 671,930 23,620 183,980 285,760 7,041,830 3,680 3,603,510 326,390 62,888,339 9,831,170 1,600 13,401,040 161,000 184,132 40,780 59,366,456 717,064,615 4,017,310 346,200 138,459,390 49,289,816 344,484 83,266,680 28,705,240 14,971,900 51,556,200 120,205,563

-5,080,385 73,100 700,309.0002) 89,000 -8,440 3,575,424.50 5,986,330 -35,996,367 17,720 -914,200 -8,558,127 -2,584,110 -2,660 -19,610 -5,030 -413,672 230,778,575 -304,850 -52,000 85,140,925 4,790,653.50 -17,102,080 5,139,670 1,335,380 243,950 22,664,483

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

0.0031 1.68 5.01 13.52 2.04 2.16 0.88 0.385 9.21 2.35 0.295 0.183 0.197 0.011 0.011 2 6.17 2.05 0.53 0.98 0.01 0.01 6.17 0.013 8.89 3.06 160 2.84

0.0031 1.7 5.01 14.5 2.2 2.16 0.92 0.39 9.22 2.38 0.305 0.183 0.197 0.011 0.011 2.01 6.19 2.07 0.53 0.98 0.011 0.011 6.18 0.013 9 3.14 161.5 2.88

0.0029 1.66 5 13.5 2.04 2.16 0.88 0.385 9.03 2.3 0.295 0.178 0.195 0.011 0.011 1.99 6.1 2.03 0.48 0.97 0.01 0.01 6.15 0.012 8.8 3.03 157.8 2.84

MINING & OIL 0.0031 380,000,000 1.66 3,461,000 5 96,100 14.48 24,800 2.16 12,000 2.16 8,000 0.89 366,000 0.39 1,280,000 9.03 25,000 2.38 2,242,000 0.3 580,000 0.179 46,190,000 0.195 220,000 0.011 7,800,000 0.011 100,000 2 272,000 6.17 1,537,100 2.05 24,000 0.52 491,000 0.97 38,000 0.01 18,300,000 0.011 10,000,000 6.16 103,900 0.012 49,100,000 9 1,360,300 3.07 1,554,000 157.8 969,560 2.88 12,000

1,144,600 5,777,490 480,520 342,342 25,480 17,280 324,450 492,950 227,881 5,222,580 173,300 8,297,170 43,040 85,800 1,100 543,740 9,428,061 49,290 241,610 37,060 187,400 105,000 640,178 631,400 12,129,983 4,774,600 154,084,428 23 34,120

-4,500 81,100 13,790 1,096,033 17,460 863,477 -1,429,020 ,346,211.0004 -

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

43.65 513 105.5 104.8 5.82 1,007 1.05 107.4 1,030 1,011 104.7 114 77.9 82 80.45 81.2 78 78

43.65 516 105.5 106 5.84 1,007 1.05 107.4 1,030 1,011 104.7 114 78 82.05 80.45 81.3 79.5 78

42.1 512 105.5 104.8 5.82 1,007 1.05 107.4 1,030 1,009 104.5 114 77.9 82 80.45 81.2 77 78

PREFERRED 43.5 65,100 516 25,140 105.5 79,650 106 720 5.83 137,900 1,007 150 1.05 5,000 107.4 50 1,030 1,000 1,010 790 104.5 5,240 114 80 78 950 82 92,130 80.45 43,360 81.2 52,480 79.3 202,700 78 33,000

2,831,585 12,884,440 8,403,075 75,490 803,887 151,050 5,250 5,370 1,030,000 798,445 547,610 9,120 74,038 7,555,265 3,488,312 4,262,167.50 15,750,456 2,574,000

2,823,165 -209,297 -547,610 -712,936 1,054,900 -

LR WARRANT

2.34

2.39

2.25

WARRANTS 2.37 273,000

638,400

4.1 6.05 7.94

3.9 5.9 7.79

SME 4.08 5.9 7.8

1,070,530 439,107 10,545,490

-470,043

121

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.4 120.5 2,130

256,828

NAME

OPEN

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

MS ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.9 5.95 7.85

FIRST METRO ETF 120.4

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

18,270,926

INDUSTRIAL

90,531,100

HOLDING FIRMS

111,555,190

PROPERTY

386,546,425

SERVICES

427,528,425

MINING & OIL

526,900,398

GRAND TOTAL

1,563,017,634

265,000 73,600 1,343,700

VALUE 1,940.27 (DOWN) 12.92 787,803,327.25 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,062.92 (UP) 33.90 1,730,941,208.82 HOLDING FIRMS 7,906.64 (DOWN) 0.45 1,455,239,744.49 PROPERTY 3,713.78 (UP) 10.25 SERVICES 1,758.89 (UP) 1.95 2,300,678,746.42 MINING & OIL 12,387.11 (DOWN) 95.26 2,300,678,746.42 PSEI 7,964.49 (DOWN) 1.52 205,570,194.4748 All Shares Index 4,727.56 (DOWN) 1.49 8,051,447,555.73 Gainers: 90; Losers: 96; Unchanged: 58; Total: 244

San Miguel’s public float is currently at 15.27 percent, while public ownership of SMPFC is 14.61 percent. Meanwhile, San Miguel formed a wholly-owned subsidiary to engage in the business of buying and selling securities. The conglomerate said unit SMC Stock Transfer Service Corp. would acquire an existing trading right to participate in the trading of listed securities at the local bourse. San Miguel chief finance officer Ferdinand Constantino said the venture would benefit the San Miguel group which had many listed companies. Aside from San Miguel and SMPFC, the group also owns listed firm Ginebra San Miguel Inc. San Miguel also plans to list before the end of the year power generating unit San Miguel Global Holdings Inc. “We are planning it before the end of the year,” Ang told reporters. The SEC in a public consultation conducted Wednesday listed 68 listed companies that needed to sell shares to comply with the 200percent public ownership requirement by 2020. Aside from San Miguel and SMPFC, other listed companies with public float of less than 20 percent werev Filinvest Development Corp., PAL Holdings Inc., Eagle Cement Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Berjaya Philippines Inc. Empire East Land Holdings Inc., Global Estate Resorts Inc., Golden Haven Memorial Park Inc., Macay Holdings Inc., Integrated Microelectronics Inc. and Holcim Philippines Inc..

F. Balfour gets P1.7-b power line contract NATIONAL Grid Corporation of the Philippines awarded to First Balfour Inc. a P1.699-billion contract to construct the Hermosa-San Jose 500-kiloVolt transmission line project. The contract, which is the ﬁrst partnership between NGCP and First Balfour, calls for the construction of an additional network of transmission line towers in Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan as a part of NGCP’s Luzon 500kV Backbone. First Balfour is the engineering and construction unit of the Lopez group, NGCP is undertaking a number of new backbone projects to assure the longterm adequacy and reliability of connection between the NGCP grid and power plants that will go online in the future. The First Balfour contract for the Hermosa-San Jose 500-kV transmission line project covers the construction of 230 steel towers over an 83-kilometer stretch between the New Hermosa 500-kV substation in Hermosa, Bataan and the San Jose substation in San Jose, Bulacan. The Hermosa-San Jose project, which is targeted for completion within 18 months, aims to meet the transmission requirements of Metro Manila and Central Luzon. First Balfour is one of the country’s leading contractors in the power and energy construction market, wherein it has built power plants, transmission lines and substations around the country. Over the past 48 years, it has played a role in building other infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, and expressways; along with hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities.

Motoring

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

New tax reform law seen firing up hybrids

64-lane expansion Govt order prompts NLEX to expand tollway

HE government order for tollways expansion by builders prompted the NLEX Corporation to build new 64 lane-kilometers in the Bulacan and Pampanga portions, according to NLEX Corp’s President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco . “It is also a major step to decongest traffic in urban areas and boost socio-economic growth with infrastructures that facilitate more efficient transport of goods and services,” Franco added. As early as 2013, the government, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), called on expressway operators in the country to submit their expansion programs, adding that said concessionaires would be allowed to recover the cost of the expansion projects. The NLEX Corporation, for-

merly Manila North Tollways Corporation, proposed to expand certain portions of the expressway where traffic usually builds up. NLEX Corp. proceeded to implement the project, upon approval by the TRB in 2016. “The expansion of NLEX is our proactive response to address capacity concerns and to maintain the quality service we deliver to motorists and other expressway users,” Franco pointed out. The tollway company started the construction of the P2.9 bil-

lion expansion project in February 2016. The project consists of 56-new lane kilometers in Segment 2 from Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan to San Fernando City, Pampanga and 8-new lane kilometers including two new bridges in Segment 3 from Dau to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Segment 3 was completed in December 2016 while Segment 2 was opened to motorists in March 2017. The company has filed the petition for the approval of add-on toll rates, based on the project approval of TRB and validation of Department of Finance, for the Bocaue to Sta. Ines stretch of NLEX to recoup the said investments. It initially sought rate adjustments of P0.3250 per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles; P0.8125 for Class 2 vehicles; and P0.9750 for Class 3 vehicles but adjusted

the petitioned rates downward to P0.2650, P0.6625, and P0.7950 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively. “The NLEX tollway has been operated and maintained in accordance with the highest performance and safety standards. The toll rates, even when increased, will deliver value for money and guarantee continuance of the same standards of safety, performance, and motorist convenience,” Franco pointed out. The new expressway lanes are built to ensure the sustainability and viability of the NLEX thus better provide safe and convenient travel to motorists. Aside from constructing new lanes, NLEX Corp. also invested in the installation of 800 expressway-standard LED road lighting between the Balagtas section all the way to San Fernando City.

FASTLANE MAZDA ZOOMFEST IS BACK

Bigger, better and more to offer THIS coming Father’s Day weekend, celebrate driving with MAZDA PHILIPPines as it brings back ZOOMFEST, the most comprehensive display of the latest Mazda offerings to date. Featuring Mazda’s stunning Kodo-designed and SKYACTIV Technology-engineered lineup, the three-day showcase willhappen from June 16 to 18, 2017 at theBig Bear strip ofBonifacio High Street in BGC, Taguig City. ZOOMFEST will also highlight test drive opportunities for the public with the latest Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6 and BT-50, along with the CX-3,the all-new CX-5 and CX-9 crossovers,and the MX-5 RF, all available for a spin. “ZOOMFEST is Mazda’s way of connecting to the motoring public,” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of Bermaz Auto Philippines, the official distributors of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country. Tan adds,

“TheMazda models to be displayed in ZOOMFEST not only feature the most eye-catching car designs, but they are also engineered to be some of the safest and most fun to drive cars on the road today. And with such an appealing and engaging presence, we believe car buyers will find ZOOMFEST as the most convenient destination to truly experience Mazda’s Jinba Ittai, or horse and rider as one,DNA.” Visitors and guests to the Mazda ZOOMFESTpavilion will also see first hand the new Mazda2subcompact hatchback and sedan. With a host of styling and safety improvements, the 2015 Car of the Year Philippines awardee has been upgraded with more value-added features that further cement its status as the premium sub-compact of choice. To make the ZOOMFEST experience even more compelling, Mazda Philippines, in cooperation

Subaru renews partnership with Motul LAST May the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in the Eifel region of Germany echoed to the sight and sounds of the Subaru WRX STI, with Motul powering the Impreza STI (Subaru Tecnica International) team for every kilometer. This year marks a milestone year for STI as it will be its 10th consecutive participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and the team already chalked up four class wins to its name, most recently in 2015/16.

with EastWest Bank, is launching a special all-in, low down payment promotionthis June for the Mazda 2 V+, the Mazda3 R, the CX-3 Frontwheel Drive Sport and the BT-50 2.2-liter 4x2 Manual Transmission. A zero percent interest scheme willalso be available for the Mazda 6 Sports Wagon. “We are excited to be Mazda’s exclusive auto financing partner for this new promotion,” says Jacqueline Fernandez, EastWest EVP and Consumer Lending Head. She adds, “Through this collaboration, owning their dream Mazda vehicle is easier and more affordable for more customers. EastWest Auto Loans will continue to serve customers’ needs by providing affordable packages, flexible payment terms, and a fast and easy application process.” The ZOOMFESTpromotions will also rollout this month to the 19 Mazda dealerships located across

WHILE Congress has already approved House Bill 5636, the Senate is now deliberating on Senate Bill 1408. Both bills cover the comprehensive tax reform package and include provisions for excise tax for automobiles. Both bills also exempt electric and hybrid vehicles from excise tax. Rommel Juan, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) expressed optimism this week after attending the consultative meeting organized by the Senate Ways and Means Committee regarding the proposed amendments to the provisions on the excise tax on automobiles. In a letter given to the Senate committee, EVAP expressed its gratitude and utmost appreciation to the both Houses for proposing the exemption from excise tax both electric and hybrid vehicles. Juan says that finally, there will be some form of incentive for the electric and hybrid vehicles which have long been enjoying various forms of incentives in many other countries such as the USA, Norway, China and even our neighbors Thailand and Malaysia. EVAP VP Edmund Araga who was also present in the public hearing adds that the EV industry needs this incentive to finally drive and promote the use of these low or even zero carbon emission alternatives nationwide. “The Philippine automotive industry is enjoying an unprecedented boom and we want more and more EVs and hybrids to take a slice of the automotive pie”. In the proposed law, hybrid vehi-

cles are also exempted as long as “its drive system consists of an efficient combustion engine and a powerful electric motor which can run at least 30 kms under one full charge”, which is not going to be a problem for any mainstream hybrid vehicle. Recently, the Japanese government turned over 24 units of hybrid Toyota Prius cars to the Philippine government. “This is very timely so that we will be able to see more hybrid vehicles on the road, thus helping in our advocacy of promoting the use of alternativefueled vehicles nationwide”, says Juan. “Thus, EVAP also supports the suggestion of Director Patrick Aquino of the Department of Energy that other alternative-fueled vehicles such as those using LPG and CNG be included in the exemption in excise tax as well”. “Finally, we join the rest of the world in promoting low or zero carbon emission vehicles not only to help protect our environment but also to save on oil importations”, says Juan. “This development is increasingly relevant as the Philippines is set to host the very first ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit on June 29 to 30, 2017 at the World Trade Center. This will be co-organized by EVAP, the Board of Investments, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and Meralco”. Various major car manufacturers under CAMPI with EV and hybrid models will display their EV and hybrid vehicless alongside the locally-made EVs of EVAP member companies.

Hybrid vehicles like the Prius may be incentivized under the proposed law.

the country. Each showroom will have exciting in-house deals ready for all buyers. With ZOOMFEST, driving home a Mazda has never been so easy. Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. Its current product line-up now includes the Mazda2 sub-compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda6 full-size executive sedan and sports wagon, the CX-3 freestyle crossover, the all-new CX-5 five-seater and the all-new CX-9 seven-seater premium crossovers, the MX-5 2-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck. Mazda Philippines ranks first in the 2016 J.D. Power Philippines Customer Service Index Study which states that Mazda is among the best in the country when it comes to service quality, service initiation, vehicle pick-up, service facility, and service advisor performance. There are 19 Mazda 3S dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Pasig, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda North EDSA, Mazda Makati, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Otis, Mazda Cavite, Mazda Sta. Rosa, Mazda Pulilan, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Negros, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Iloilo, Mazda Cagayan De Oro and Mazda Davao.

STI will enter the SP3T class with a new lightweight car for 2017, fitted with a paddle shift gear system, and benefiting from Motul’s products, including 300V engine oil and specialist brake fluids. The same winning driver line up from 2016 has been retained, Hideki Yamauchi, Tim Schrick, Marcel Lasse and Carlo Van Dam, and the car was shaken down ready for the season at Fuji Speedway last March. The partnership with STI strengthens the collaboration with Subaru Europe which began in 2011. The technical experts from Motul and Subaru together developed and engineered a co-branded oil (5W30 available in 1L & 5L) to offer optimum performance and reliability for Subaru vehicles.

Your third eye on the road WITH the number of “cheap” dash cams that offer substandard video quality and poor construction out in the market, having a dependable full high definition dash cam is the way to go. With the number of road rage cases and aggressive drivers that you encounter in everyday traffic, having a “third eye” is an essential equipment to have in your vehicle. Blaupunkt, a byword in the audio/ video industry is introducing the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 FHD. Aside from its design and construction associated with German quality and reliability, the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 FHD is worth considering due to its affordability of just P3,150 for the entry level BP 2.0. Blaupunkt dash cams are sleek and compact in design; and it weighs only only 50 grams. Measuring at just 63 x 58 x 30 mm, both the the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 are discreet but still manages to record in full crystal clear 1080p HD. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker. The Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD also has a superb 120 degree ultra wide viewing angle; making it ideal for capturing large amounts of action from the road ahead. Storing the footage is easy as the camera accepts micro SD cards up to 32GB and with this units excellent loop recording facility it will allow for continuous recording so you’ll never have to worry about missing that all important video evidence. Another important feature of the Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD is its internal G-sensor, this sensor is fully adjustable and can be set at a high, medium or low level. This will ensure that in the event of a collision or harsh braking the motion G-shock sensor will automatically activate the cameras emergency recording mode. These video files are then fully protected and saved and can’t be overwritten by the loop recording function and can therefore be watched back at a later date and possibly used as evidence against another driver. Blaupunkt dashcams are available in dealers nationwide.

Motoring

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Subaru launches all-new

XV Crossover

The all-new XV Crossover is ﬂanked by (from left) Motor Image Brand Ambassador Cesar Milan and Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tanchong Corporation

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

AIPEI—More people are shifting their interest to Crossover vehicles due to their practicality and ease of use. In the domestic market, the Subaru XV has carved a proﬁtable niche due to its looks, dependability and affordability. Recently, Motor Image, the exclusive distributors of the Subaru brand in the country, invited a select group of motoring journalists to put the new Subaru XV through its paces. “The All-New Subaru XV is a unique crossover vehicle that combines practicality with aesthetics and performance. It is a bold car suited for drivers to Unpark their lives and go on activities that they love,” said Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan

Chong International Ltd. We are thrilled to launch this new vehicle built on the new Subaru Global Platform, with improved interior and exterior styling. With this, we are confident that the All-New Subaru XV will exceed expectations and deliver a driving experi-

The cabin sports a new dashboard design with orange stitching for a sporty feel.

ence that is second to none.” Held in busy Taipei, event organizers transformed a spacious parking lot into a challenging test drive venue where participants drove the XV in simulated road conditions. The first track allowed us to test the XV’s Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system that comes with an X-Mode feature. With the aid of a co-driver, media participants experienced an exemplary driving performance as we drove through a customized steel platform which tested the Hill Descent Control setting, which gave drivers greater confidence by maintaining low speeds on downhill slopes without the driver stepping on the brakes. One can feel the XV braking itself and descending at a safe and controlled speed thanks to a genius integrated control of the engine that controls the all-wheel drive system, brakes and other functions as well. According to

Slipping and sliding on a wet track Text and photo by Genevieve Tiu IT WAS an exciting weekend at the Round Two of this year’s Toyota Vios Cup as 52 racers, composed of 46 individual teams and

six celebrity drivers traded paint and jostled each other at the corners for precious championship points. Held at the Clark International Speedway last June 10, the competitors raced in three main categories— the Super Sporting

A challenging wet race for participants

Class, Sporting Class, and Celebrity & Promotional Class. While the round was expected to garner the same level of competitiveness as the opening leg last April, what racers and spectators did not anticipate for a summer run, hap-

Gerry Hernandez, President of Motor Image Pilipinas, “The Subaru Global Platform dramatically increased the All-New Subaru XV’s rigidity throughout the body and chassis by over 70 per cent compared to previous models. The All-New Subaru XV features a distinctive rugged and sporty design that incorporates the company’s new DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy,” he explains. The next phase of the drive event was testing the XV’s new global platform and the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine on a twisty and muddy portion of the venue. This allowed this writer to appreciate the all new dashboard and cabin design. The spacious design flow in the All-New Subaru XV gives

a sporty, yet refined interior that surpasses its class. In addition, functionalities such as all-round visibility, cabin space and cargo room have been improved. With a Mazda CX3 as the baseline performance counterpart, participants gunned the accelerator and took the sweeping corners and roundabout with gusto as we drifted and slid all over the muddy track. The 2.0 liter boxer engine hummed with authority as I pushed the accelerator for more speed down a short straight before the roundabout. The new platform reduced the vibrations and body roll, which results in a quiet, smooth ride. A quicker steering gear ratio and lower centre of gravity has also been achieved which empow-

ers drivers with highly responsive steering and straight line stability. Getting off the XV, I stepped back a bit to see the beauty of this Crossover. The exterior features Subaru’s iconic hexagonal grille with C-shaped headlights, matteblack cladding on the front bumper and a new aluminium wheel design. The new vehicle sits in a wide and low stance, underlining the rugged character of the All-New Subaru XV, while combining advanced styling with superior aerodynamics while retaining the high ground clearance of 220mm. The all-new Subaru XV 2.0i and 2.0i-S are scheduled to be launched in the domestic market in September and will be available in Subaru’s 12 dealers nationwide.

Participants tested the XV’s limit on three separate tracks.

pened — it rained. A day before the actual race, Clark was enveloped in darkness as the province experienced one of the most intense showers of the season, making race day a very wet one. Rainfall meant a wet race and there was nothing more exciting than a more challenging track. Suddenly, there was skirmish between drivers, race cars skidding along the track at tight corners, and turns that became visibly harder to control. Not only did these elements keep spectators at the edge of their seats, but for the champions, it made winning even sweeter. To loosely quote Vios Cup co-host Gaby Dela Merced, “This is one of the most exciting rounds so far that even we were on the edge while watching from the sidelines.” 20-year old Daniel Miranda of the Obengers was crowned champion in the Super Sport-

ing Class, a position that he sustained from the first round of this year’s Vios Cup. Senator JV Ejercito took the top spot of the Sporting Class — his first time to claim the crown at Vios Cup in four years. Actor and TV host Dominique Roque won as Celebrity Class champion, being one of the most assertive drivers on the track that day. And Red Diwa of Toyota Isabela came out in first place of the Promotional Class. This race also highlighted the participation of more women drivers. It was girl power at its finest. Two of the most notable were Aira Medrano, who was awarded the Denso Fastest Lap in the Sporting Class, and Evelyn Coseteng, who took home the Motul Slingshot award in the Sporting Class. Both drivers represented Toyota Alabang. In the Celebrity Class, the spotlight was on Jasmine Curtis Smith as the AVT Overall Best

Female Celebrity Driver and Ella Cruz as the Brembo Most Improved Celebrity Driver. As with any Vios Cup, Toyota has always designed it to be a family affair. While the track was the main attraction, there was an activity area composed of sponsors’ booths that featured games and attraction for teens and young children. This included a mini bumper car track just in front of the stage for kids to enjoy a “race” of their own. This area made the Vios Cup experience more holistic and engaging. For veteran attendees, it may have been just another day on the track, cheering on their favourite racers. But for first-timers, it was the race that would likely make them consider marking Round 3 as a destination in September — and this time, rounding up the rest of the gang and making it a barkada affair.

LGUs

Baguio donating P300k to Marawi

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—Baguio will donate P300,000 as its contribution for the relief operations in Marawi City, which is being devastated by terrorists aligned with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan announced Thursday. Domogan said the funds will be sourced from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management or any available sources to help the government’s efforts to bring back the robust economic activities in Marawi after government forces regain control of the ravaged city. “We were able to source out available funds that we could extend as our counterpart for the relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts that will be undertaken in Marawi City,” Domogan said. He said Marawi’s recovery “will surely take some time” because of the extent of damage it sustained from the series of encounters between government and the members of the Maute terrorist group. “That is why other local governments will surely pool their resources to augment whatever available resources will be infused by the national government to bring back the economic activities in Marawi City,” the mayor added. Baguio City has always extended financial assistance to different local governments around the country that were devastated by natural or manmade calamities “to help in their smooth recovery and rehabilitation and bring back the vibrance of their economy that will contribute in uplifting the living condition of their residents,” he said. Domogan said what happened to Marawi should be a wakeup call to local residents to be vigilant of the suspicious activities of their neighbors, especially for those who are new in their places. “Thus, they must immediately report to the police whatever doubtful activities that are being undertaken or those suspicious-looking individuals in their places,” he said. The mayor called on the local police force to strengthen their intelligence network to help deter the occurrence of untoward incidents that could compromise the peace and order in the city.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Scholarships for Marawi kids T By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government announced Thursday it will accept and grant full scholarship to students displaced by the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City and children of soldiers who died in combat.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the incoming students will be considered full scholars of the University of Makati (UMak). “At a time when communities in Marawi face uncertainty, the city government wants to help young Filipinos affected by this situation whose dreams for higher education are put on hold be-

cause of the crisis,” said Binay. “We are also extending support to children of our fallen soldiers, whose sacrifice of life saved many of our fellow Filipinos but also left their children without fathers,” she added. Binay said a Help Desk has been set up at UMak through its Admissions Office to assist

displaced students who wish to continue their college education as they wait for conditions in their communities to get back to normal. “We hope that this will, in some way, help our young Filipinos affected by the situation in Marawi and reflect the essence of what public service in our city has always been—one that responds to the needs and dreams of its constituents,” she said. On June 9, UMak president Tomas Lopez through Elyxzur Ramos, vice president for academic affairs, issued a memorandum directing the university’s Center for Guidance, Admission, Testing and Scholarships (CGATS)

to set up a help desk answering inquiries and facilitating the transfer of students from besieged Marawi City who wish to continue their college education. According to CGATS director Annaliza Arcega, the university will accommodate them even after June 19, when classes start at the university. Arcega noted that although it would be ideal if the students could present their report card from the previous semester, they will not be required to provide their school credentials right away. “Given their special circumstance, we understand that their school credentials may

QUEZON City has opened its door to displaced students from war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. Mayor Herbert Bautista said 78 students displaced from the ongoing armed conflict in several parts of Mindanao have been accommodated in different pub-

Bulgarian ATM skimmer nabbed AUTHORITIES have nabbed a Bulgarian for automated teller machine fraud in Quezon City late Wednesday. Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar announced the arrest of Orlin Grozdanov Stoev, 38, by patrol policemen of Station 11, led by Supt. Christian dela Cruz, near a bank on Kitanlad Street in Barangay Tatalon. He yielded 15 cloned black ATM cards, P51,000 cash, a pocket Wi-Fi, a Samsung android phone, nine assorted plastic cards and a Honda Click motorcycle. A police report showed at 1 a.m. yesterday, a roving security guard of a bank saw the suspect making prolonged and multiple ATM transactions while wearing a mask and helmet. Stoev then left on a motorcycle. Rio N. Araja

ARTIST-PARS sets 4-day youth camp MISS MANILA. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Viva Films producer Vic del Rosario present the 30 candidates for the Miss Manila 2017 pageant at the Manila Hotel. Norman Cruz

lic schools. Student-transferees from Marawi will still be accepted until June 30, he said. Of the total student-transferees, 73 were from Marawi City, while five came from different parts of Lanao del Sur, Quezon City schools superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Quesada said. Based on a report submitted to Bautista, majority of the trans-

ferees were accommodated in the public elementary and high schools in Districts 5 and 6, which host majority of the city’s Muslim communities, including Novaliches and Culiat. The Culiat Elementary School and Culiat High School in District 5 have the most number of enrolled student-transferees. According to city schools’ divi-

sion special program supervisor Nimfa Gabertan, Quezon City public schools are still open to accept displaced learners from Marawi and other conflict areas in Mindanao until the end of June. “We do not see any problem to accept transferees since we have enough classrooms,” she said. Based on the instruction of Education Secretary Leonor Bri-

ones, the division of city schools has temporarily relaxed the requirements for admission for the Marawi enrollees. “Asatidz,” the Arabic word for teacher, have already been providing madrasah classes to the displaced students, Gabertan said. “Because of the language barrier, we need the help of the asatidz,” she added.

Erap: No regrets quitting smoking By Sandy Araneta AS HE started what he described as his “second life,” 80-year-old Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said he has no regrets stopping his lifelong vice of smoking. In his message during the launching of the No Smoking Month at the City Hall on Thursday, Estrada said it was “torture” to abruptly quit his nicotine habit. “About six months ago, I made an important decision that changed my life: After 60 years, I finally decided to stop smoking,” Estrada said. “It has been six months…and I have no regrets,” he stressed. “Quitting smoking is not a joke. Anyone who ever quits smoking will tell you the first few days is torture,” Estrada said. But he made it though, he said, for the sake of his health and his family and to be able to set a good example to Manileños, especially the youth. Last December, Estrada, a

have been left behind and likely destroyed along with their other belongings and homes,” Arcega said. “In the meantime, an endorsement from their local government or any documents attesting that they studied or came from Marawi will suffice,” she added. Applicants will be interviewed at the Admissions Office and will be endorsed to the University Registrar for validation of their school documents if they have any. They will also be asked to go over course syllabi to determine the subjects they had already taken, or will be given the option to shift courses if necessary.

IN BRIEF

QC absorbs 78 pupils from Marawi, Lanao Sur By Rio N. Araja

former actor, was briefly hospitalized due to asthma attacks. It was then, he recounted, that he made “that important decision.” Last February, he ordered a citywide smoking ban and prodded the city council to enact a new ordinance that imposes higher fines and penalties to irresponsible smokers to serve as a deterrent. June is the nationwide celebration of the National No Smoking Month in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 183, series of 1993. The proclamation extends the international observance of May 31 World No Tobacco Day to a whole month in order to intensify the campaign against smoking and raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit. The Department of Health is urging partner agencies, schools, universities, colleges and parents to religiously enforce a “100-percent smoke-free” school facilities nationwide.

IN CELEBRATION of its 15th year of providing arts services through documentation and promotion of locally available art production technology and resources, ARTIST Production Accessories and Resource Services Association Inc. (ARTIST-PARS) will launch a four-day camp in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The camp, entitled “Sa Aking Kabata: Youth Camp on Arts, Heritage and Environment” will be held on Aug. 2 to 5, 2017 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The gathering aims to enrich the youth’s knowledge of preserving the environment and addressing concerns in natural disasters, while honing their creative skills and capability to produce new works by utilizing locally available arts resources and cultural practices. Included components of the camp are heritage tours, workshops, lecture-forums, and community and heritage-site interactions. Interested individuals aged 18 to 30 years old may apply and join. For more details, you may visit Sa Aking Kabata Facebook page or e-mail saakingkabata2017@gmail.com or contact Ms. Lois Zurbano via telefax (049-5366680) or mobile (0995-756-7311).

CPLA factions gain unity breakthrough

BACK TO SCHOOL. Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Ejercito and Councilor John Paul Jet Ejercito lead municipal

social welfare officials in handing out school items to children in an event sponsored by GMA Network at the Liwasang Don Manuel Soriano Town Plaza in Pagsanjan, Laguna. The cast of the GMA show ‘Bubble Gang’ was also present at the event. Roy Tomandao

TABUK CITY, Kalinga—The various factions of the fragmented Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army were able to reach a breakthrough in the ongoing reunification process. Engineer Andres Ngao-i, president of the Cordillera Bodong Administration, said the different leaders of the various CPLA factions held informal meetings in Makati. Dexter A. See

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Manila

Standard

LGUs

Standard

TODAY

TODAY FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch Real Street, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Telefax No. (035) 422-9055

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Negros Oriental and Siquijor Areas), invites Rural Banks and Cooperatives to bid for the hereunder projects: ITB No. 2017-002 Service of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program (Coverage B) for the period May 2017 to March 2018 in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Areas for the number of payouts as indicated: Lot No.

Province and Municipality

Number of Households

Service Fee

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Number of Payouts

REGULAR CCT (OFFSITE) 1

NEGROS ORIENTAL Santa Catalina Total

3,198 3,198

PhP 40.00

Php Php

767,520.00 767,520.00

Php Php

96,624.00 96,624.00

Php Php Php

69,900.00 69,900.00 934,044.00

Six (6) Payouts

REGULAR CCT (ONSITE) 671 671

PhP 24.00

Six (6) Payouts

MCCT IP (OFFSITE) 1

NEGROS ORIENTAL Santa Catalina Total GRAND TOTAL

233 233 4,102

PhP 50.00

Six (6) Payouts

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use the non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted. All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Awarding of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs). The schedule of activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE

1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Submission / Opening of Bids 4. Post Qualification / Pilot Testing 5. Notice of Award

June 15, 2017 June 23, 2017 - 9:00 AM 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch, Real Street, Dumaguete City July 3, 2017 - 9:00 AM 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch, Real Street, Dumaguete City July 3, 2017 July 5, 2017

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable non-refundable amount of One Thousand Pesos Only (P1,000.00), a standard rate indicated in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9184. LANDBANK reserves the right to (a) reject any and all bids at any time prior to the award of the contract; (b) waive any minor formal requirements in the bid documents; (c) accept such bids, it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region VI (Negros Oriental & Siquijor Areas)

Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch Real Street, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Telefax No. (035) 422-9055

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI (Negros Oriental and Siquijor Areas), invites Rural Banks and Cooperatives to bid for the hereunder projects: ITB No. 2017-001 Service of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program (Coverage A) for the period May 2017 to March 2018 in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Areas for the number of payouts as indicated: Lot No.

Province and Municipality

Number of Households

Service Fee

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Number of Payouts

REGULAR CCT (OFFSITE) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

1 2 3 4 5 6

NEGROS ORIENTAL Amlan Ayungon Bacong Bais City Basay Bindoy Canlaon City of Bayawan City of Guihulngan City of Tanjay Dauin Jimalalud La Libertad Mabinay Manjuyod Pamplona San Jose Siaton Sibulan Tayasan Valencia (Luzurriaga) Vallehermoso Zamboanguita Total SIQUIJOR Enrique Villanueva Larena Lazi Maria San Juan Siquijor (Capital) Total

984 3,135 1,023 96 1,982 3,210 2,322 771 188 2,064 991 2,682 2,933 6,502 2,566 1,908 811 4,943 961 1,928 761 1,895 877 45,533

PhP 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50

Php

197,784.00 630,135.00 205,623.00 19,296.00 398,282.00 645,210.00 466,722.00 154,971.00 37,788.00 414,864.00 199,191.00 539,082.00 589,533.00 1,306,902.00 515,766.00 383,508.00 163,011.00 993,543.00 193,161.00 387,528.00 152,961.00 380,895.00 176,277.00 Php 9,152,133.00

54 15 125 171 92 187 644

PhP 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50 33.50

Php

Six (6) Payouts

10,854.00 3,015.00 25,125.00 34,371.00 18,492.00 37587.00 129,444.00

REGULAR CCT (ONSITE) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

NEGROS ORIENTAL Amlan Ayungon Bais City Basay Canlaon City City Bayawan City of Guihulngan City of Tanjay Dauin Dumaguete City (Capital) Jimamalud La Libertad Siaton Sibulan Tayasan Zamboanguita Total

50 282 1 216 11 45 21 276 76 101 88 70 268 39 98 30 1,672

PhP 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50

Php

7,050.00 39,762.00 141.00 30,456.00 1,551.00 6,345.00 2,961.00 38,916.00 10,716.00 14,241.00 12,408.00 9,870.00 37,788.00 5,499.00 13,818.00 4,230.00 235,752.00

Six (6) Payouts

MCCT IP (OFFSITE) 1 2 3 4 5 6

NEGROS ORIENTAL Bais City Basay City of Bayawan City of Tanjay Mabinay Pamplona Total GRAND TOTAL

273 330 870 12 475 29 1,989 49,838

PhP 49.50 49.50 49.50 49.50 49.50 49.50 49.50

Php

81,081.00 98,010.00 258,390.00 3,564.00 141,075.00 8,613.00 Php 590,733.00 Php 10,108,062.00

Six (6) Payouts

SCHEDULE June 15, 2017 June 23, 2017 - 9:00 AM 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch, Real Street, Dumaguete City July 3, 2017 - 9:00 AM 2nd Floor, LANDBANK Dumaguete Branch, Real Street, Dumaguete City July 3, 2017 July 5, 2017

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable non-refundable amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P25,000.00), a standard rate indicated in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9184. LANDBANK reserves the right to (a) reject any and all bids at any time prior to the award of the contract; (b) waive any minor formal requirements in the bid documents; (c) accept such bids, it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region VI (Negros Oriental & Siquijor Areas)

PDC endorses P1.1-b Pangasinan projects The plan was formulated based on objectives, targets, budget policies and strategies for the budget INGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Pangasinan year, and is likewise a vital comprovincial government has lined up various ponent of a wider strategic framework that covers achieving both development programs and projects worth local and national development P1.1 billion next year as stipulated in the Annual objectives. Investment Program for 2018 and approved by the “As such, all programs and projects on deck were based on members of the Provincial Development Council the 10-point development thrusts chaired by Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III. of the provincial government, as follows: Peace and order; quality In the PDC meeting held June for the incoming year are then em- and affordable healthcare; ad14 at the Pangasinan Training and bodied in the proposed Provincial equate and high quality educaDevelopment Center, the governor Development Council Resolution tion; increased agricultural productivity; better jobs and income thanked all mayors and local gov- No. 01, Series of 2017. ernment unit representatives for The resolution, titled “Endors- opportunities; youth and sports manifesting their support by way of ing to the Sangguniang Panla- development; “Tourism development, culattending the event. lawigan the Approval of CY 2018 He said the presence of local ex- Annual Investment Program ture, arts and investment promoecutives aptly proved their support (AIP) of the Province of Pangasi- tion; affordable and cozy socialbeing the provincial government’s nan,” will be submitted to the pro- ized housing and other social partners in development. vincial board for review, adoption welfare services; environmental protection and rehabilitation, The new budget is almost 30 and approval. percent more from the total anDuring the meeting, Provincial disaster risk reduction and clinual development fund of P848 Planning and Development Officer mate change adaptation; inframillion in 2017. Benita Pizarro presented the sum- structure and other special projects development,” he said. Identified programs and projects mary of the proposed 2018 AIP. The AIP of the Province of Pangasinan for CY I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral SCN FORM NO. 1 turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from (R.A. NO. 9139) 2018 captures priany incurable contagious disease. The country of which I 001413 ority programs, am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens projects and acor subjects thereof. tivities that address 13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen categorically the of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, four basic services state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to CHINA of which at REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES of development— this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition General Public Serup to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship. vices, Social SerIN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF 14. My character witnesses are SHERWIN MACALINO RACHEL ANN TAN LIM vices, Economic GARCIA and MA. TEODERICA B. CUE both Filipino to be naturalized as Filipino citizen citizens, of legal age, and residing at 608 ZONE 5 pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. Services, and Other MALIWALO, TARLAC CITY and b13 WHITE LILY ST., Purposes. VICTONETA, MALABON CITY respectively, who have SCN CASE NO. executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of x------------------ x The Developmy instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates ment Projects they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial funded by the acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as 20-percent Develcharacter witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. PETITION opment Fund and 15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, Investment Priority petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to this petition are the duplicate originals or certified Areas, when implebecome a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): respectfully declares: mented, would have [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate 1. My full name is RACHEL ANN TAN LIM, but I have also great impact on the [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) been known since childhood as N/A or I have been judicially economy and on [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence N/A . authorized to use the alias name(s) (NBCR) the lives of the Pan[ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married 2. My present place of residence is No. 237 CALACHUCHI gasinenses, particu[ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed ST., VILLA PERPETUA SUBD. City/Municipality of TARLAC [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting CITY Province of TARLAC and all my former places of larly the poor and legal separation, if such was the fact residence are (please indicate periods of residence) [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children the marginalized [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children NO. 84 C. CORDERO ST., 6TH AVENUE, CALOOCAN CITY FROM sector, Espino said. [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children BIRTH TO JUNE 2003 [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly Meanwhile, the supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock 3. I was born on 3 APRIL 1990, in MANILA, Philippines. I DTI-DPWH Concertificates, or proof of ownership of other properties have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses I am a citizen or subject of CHINA. vergence Program who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence on Road Connec4. My father's name is ERNESTO LIM and he was born [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital on 13 JUNE 1944, in CHINA. He is a citizen or subject of tivity for Industry stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental CHINA. My mother's name is MARY ROANNA ANG TAN alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise and she was born on 17 SEPT 1965 in CEBU CITY. She is and Trade known a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted a citizen or subject of CHINA. as “Roads Leverwith acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation aging Linkages of [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the is EMPLOYEE and from which I derive an average annual petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in Industry and Trade income of P 210,440.00 , inclusive of bonuses, commissions the Philippines and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, (ROLL IT) Pro[ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she are enrolled in public schools or private educational derives an average annual income of P N/A . gram,” was also institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where presented to the Philippine history, government and civics are taught (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt and prescribed as part of the school curriculum from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and LGU heads. and where enrollment is not limited to any race or from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) nationality ROLL IT is a years because I am a college degree holder [please state [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three (1) degree obtained:BS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, five-year program years (2) name of school: AMA COMPUTER COLLEGE and (3) [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for years graduated: 2007] who cannot practice my profession starting in 2018 the past three years (the practice of which requires a government licensure to be funded by examination) by reason of my citizenship. 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in the United States support of his/her petition: 6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. Agency for InternaMy wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on NBI, POLICE, PROSECUTOR, RTC, MTC AND BARANGAY in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently tional Development CLEARANCE resides N/A or USAID. PRAYER 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage LGU heads who was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular were present durcourt which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139. ing the PDC meetmy spouse died on N/A in N/A. ing include the Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 20 day of 8. I have NO child/children, whose names, dates and MARCH, 2017. places of birth and residences are as follows: mayors of AlamiName Date of Place of Residence nos City, Alcala, Birth Birth Anda, Basista, N/A Binmaley, Burgos, RACHEL ANN TAN LIM 9. I received my primary and secondary education from Name and Signature of Petitioner the following public schools or private educational institutions Laoac, Mapandan, Address: 237 CALACHUCHI ST., VILLA duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture PERPETUA SUBD., TARLAC CITY San Jacinto, San and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government Telephone Number: 0927-4310077 and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school Nicolas, Urbizcurriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race tondo, Urdaneta, or nationality: Asingan, and CaName of School Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed lasiao. RepresentaRight Thumbmark of Petitioner N O R T H E R N R I Z A L CALOOCAN 1997 to 2004 ELEMENTARY tives of the LGUs YORKLIN SCHOOL CITY of San Manuel, N O R T H E R N R I Z A L CALOOCAN 2004 to 2008 HIGH SCHOOL YORKLIN SCHOOL CITY Bugallon, Sison Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark A M A C O M P U T E R TARLAC CITY 2008-2014 COLLEGE DEGREE and San Carlos COLLEGE City also attended. 10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any Also present of the following dialects of the Philippines: was Board Mem11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) following public schools or private educational institutions CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF MANILA) S.S. ber Raul P. Sison, duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture Provincial Adminand Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government I, RACHEL ANN TAN LIM of legal age and a resident of and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school istrator Nimrod curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race ____________________________________after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that Camba, various or nationality: I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing department heads Name of Child Name and Place of Date of petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same School Enrollment is true of my own knowledge. and chiefs of hosN/A N/A N/A pitals, and some represent atives RACHEL ANN TAN LIM 12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good Name and Signature of Petitioner moral character. I believe in the principles underlying of different nonthe Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a government orproper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the ganizations, womSUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at MANILA, constituted government as well as with the community en associations, in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and this 20 day of MARCH 2017. have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the tribal associations, customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have PWDs, Pangasinan all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139. Visitors Bureau I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated and the Office of with any association or group of persons who uphold and 4th District Repreteach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety sentative Christoof violence, personal assault or assassination for the pher George Marsuccess and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. tin De Venecia.

By Dexter A. See

(MS-JUNE 2,9 & 16, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Manila

World

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

18 killed in bombing, assault in Mogadishu M OGADISHU―A suicide car bombing and armed assault by six Shabaab militants on two neighboring restaurants in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu ended Thursday morning with at least 18 dead, the government said.

“The operation is over now and the gunmen were killed by the security forces,” said Mohamed Ahmed Arab, spokesman for Somalia’s security ministry. He said the six attackers―one suicide bomber and ﬁve gunmen―”attacked business places and killed innocent civilians: 18 civilians were killed, including a Syrian national, and more than 10 others were wounded.” The attack began around 8pm (1700GMT) on Wednesday evening with a suicide car bombing at the Posh Treats restaurant and club, after which gunmen stormed inside the nearby Pizza

House restaurant. The Syrian national is believed to have been a chef at Pizza House. Both venues are popular with afﬂuent, young and diaspora Somalis and were busy as customers broke the Ramadan fast. Islamist attacks often increase in tempo during the holy month but Wednesday’s was the ﬁrst major assault by the Shabaab this Ramadan. The gunmen spent the night roaming the restaurant killing those they found trapped before they were eventually killed by security forces whose operation had been slowed by the darkness.

Turnbull takes swipe at Trump in recording SYDNEY-Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken a comical swipe at Donald Trump, mimicking the US president’s mannerisms and even making reference to the Russia scandal. In a leaked audio recording that comes just months after a tetchy phone call between the two leaders rattled ties soon after Trump took power, Turnbull is heard making fun of the US president’s idiosyncratic speaking style. “The Donald and I, we are winning and winning in the polls,” Turnbull said in a closed event for journalists in Canberra on Wednesday. “We are winning so much. We are winning like we have never won before. “We are. We are. Not the fake polls. Not the fake polls. They’re the ones we are not winning in,” he said to laughs from the audience at the Mid-Winter Ball, where politicians and Canberra journalists let their hair down. “We are winning in the real polls. You know, the online polls. They are so easy to win.”

Typically, the event is offthe-record, meaning journalists would not report on what was said, but a recording was leaked to the political editor at commercial broadcaster Channel Nine, who did not attend the soiree and decided to report it. Last month, Turnbull met the US president in New York to mend bridges, after the badtempered call early in Trump’s his White House tenure. Trump reportedly exploded and cut short the call when he was told about a Barack Obamaera deal to move refugees from Australia to America. The Australian leader appeared to make light of that icy conversation in the leaked recording. “It was beautiful. It was the most beautiful putting-me-atease ever,” he said. In another leaked clip, Turnbull poked fun at the ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s ties to Russia. “I have this Russian guy. Believe me, it is true. It is true,” Turnbull said. AFP

Anti-terror law passed despite critics’ protests TOKYO―Japan passed a controversial anti-terror law Thursday that critics warned would stomp on privacy rights and lead to overthe-top police surveillance. Thousands protested outside the legislature after a full night of debate by sleepy parliamentarians and unsuccessful efforts by Japan’s weak opposition to block the law’s passage. The government said the law, which criminalizes the planning of serious offenses, is necessary to prevent terrorism ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It doesn’t give police new powers, but critics say the legislation could be abused to allow wiretapping of innocent citizens and threaten privacy and freedom of expression guarantees in the constitution. Terrorism “won’t disappear because of this law,” said 29-yearold demonstrator Yohei Sakano outside parliament. “It’s mostly designed to crack down on citizens’ movements, not terrorism.” Retired government worker Toshiaki Noguchi added: “We’re turning into a society of censorship.” US surveillance whistle blower Edward Snowden and Joseph Cannataci, UN special rapporteur on the right to privacy, have both criticized the law, and polls show the public is divided on its merits. The bill’s passage overcame a no-conﬁdence motion against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet and a censure bid aimed at Justice Minister Katsutoshi

Kaneda. Tokyo insists the law―which calls for a prison term of up to five years for planning serious crimes―is a prerequisite for implementing a UN treaty against transnational organised crime which Japan signed in 2000. “We will uphold the law in an appropriate and effective way to protect people’s lives,” Abe told reporters after the legislation passed. “Three years ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, we hope to cooperate with the international community to prevent terror,” he added. - ‘Forced vote’ The bill was revised several times over the years as earlier versions met with fierce resistance and never made it through parliament. The latest version reduced the number of targeted crimes to around 270 offences and narrowed the definition of terrorist and criminal organizations. Earlier versions encompassed more than 600 crimes, many unrelated to terrorism or crime syndicates. The opposition has warned that petty crimes could fall under the scope of the law, and mocked Japan’s justice minister when he earlier conceded that, hypothetically, mushroom hunting could be targeted if the fungi were stolen to raise money to fund terrorism. But even the slimmed-down legislation gives police and investigators too much leeway, some said. AFP

Survivors and witnesses described chaos after the bomb went off. “I was about to have dinner when the blast threw me to the ground,” said Abdikarim Ahmed, a customer at Posh Treats. “I rushed to the nearby exit and went out. I could see the chaos caused by the blast and shrapnel everywhere.” Abdukadir Mohamed, who was close by, said it was the loudest blast he had ever heard in years living in Mogadishu. “It was very close. I could see the huge fire it caused, the dust, destruction, everything. Both Pizza House and Posh Treats were on fire. The whole area looked like a different place,” he said. Others spoke of finding dead relatives and friends. “One of my neighbors was among the dead, a young innocent girl. When I saw her body this morning I could not stop my tears,” said Abdiwahid Ali. Worshipers in a neighboring mosque were thrown to the ground and felt the walls shake and windows shatter. “You cannot recognize this area,” said Hawa Ahmed, a local resident and a regular at Pizza House, who had opted not to visit last night. “Where there were two beau-

tiful restaurants, this morning there is complete devastation and death, blood and body parts everywhere.” The Shabaab, an al-Qaeda aligned militant group that carries out regular suicide bombings and raids in the capital against civilian, government and military targets, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had targeted a “nightclub” frequented by “foreigners, government and intelligence ofﬁcials”. Pizza House, where most of the civilian victims were killed, is a popular outdoor spot for iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast. Posh Treats in a converted villa across the road is a liberal hangout with shisha pipes and a disco, a rarity in Mogadishu. The austere Shabaab group, which wants to impose a Taliban-style rule on Somalia, has been ﬁghting for the last decade to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Mogadishu and has also launched attacks in Kenya and Uganda, both contributors to a 22,000-strong African Union force in the country. Although pushed out of the capital in 2011 the group still controls parts of the countryside, where a drought threatens to tip into famine this year. AFP

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF CABUGAO Ilocos Sur

1. The Local Government Unit of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, through R.A.7171 under Resolution No. 33 intends to apply the sum of Ten Million, Eighty One Thousand, One Hundred Sixty Pesos (Php. 10,081,160.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of the projects to payments under the contract for Contract No. 1707-001. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2. The Local Government Unit of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur now invites bids for Supply & Delivery of Fertilizers. Duration of the project is required for 30 calendar Days. Bidders should have completed at least 50% of the approved budget which is similar to the project to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. 4. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on June 14, 2017 – July 3, 2017 until 10:00 a.m from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php. 25,000.00). 5. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before July 3, 2017 until 10:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. 6. Bid opening shall be on July 3, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Brgy. Hall, Brgy. Rizal, Cabugao Ilocos Sur. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

Bid Evaluation Post Qualification Notice of Award Signing of Contract Notice to Proceed

June 14, 2017 – July 3, 2017 until 10:00 a.m June 21, 2017, 10:00 a.m @ Brgy. Hall, Rizal July 3, 2017 @ 02:00 p.m @ Brgy. Hall, Rizal, Cabugao, I. Sur July 4, 2017 July 7, 2017 July 10, 2017 July 11, 2017 July 12, 2017

7. For further information, please refer to: SGD. ENGR. HERMES A. ASIT LGU- BAC- Secretariat Tel No. 077-728-5128, Fax No. 077-728-5565

TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VlSAYAS-MINDANAO INTERCONNECTION PROJECT, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, ERC CASE NO. 2017-034 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 22 April 2017, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application seeking the Commission’s approval of its Visayas - Mindanao interconnection project, including therein a prayer for provisional authority. In the said Application, Applicant alleged the following: THE APPLICANT 1. NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANS CO) pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPlRA). NGCP was also granted by Congress the franchise under R.A. No. 9511 to operate, manage, and maintain the nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines. STATEMENT OF THE CASE 2. One of NGCP’s functions and responsibilities enumerated in Section 9 of the EPIRA is to improve and expand its transmission facilities, consistent with the Philippine Grid Code and the Transmission Development Plan (TDP), to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system: Provided, That NGCP shall submit any plan for expansion or improvement of its facilities for approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission. Also, pursuant to its franchise, NGCP is authorized to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system. 3. Pursuant thereto, on 13 November 2015, NGCP filed an Application before the Honorable Commission, docketed as ERC Case No. 2015-201RC, seeking authority to conduct a desktop study and hydrographic survey for the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project via the western route. With the provisional authority issued by the Honorable Commission through its Order dated 21 January 2016, NGCP conducted the survey that confirmed a feasible interconnection route. 4. To finally complete the interconnection of Visayas and Mindanao Grids that: (i) will allow excess generation in one grid to be exported to another; (ii) promote competition in the electricity market nationwide through the electricity market; and (iii) aid the Visayas Grid during peak intervals when the solar plants are not delivering power, NGCP seeks the immediate approval of this application to implement the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project (VMIP). STATEMENT OF FACTS 5. The interconnection of the Visayas and Mindanao Grids was first conceptualized in the early 1980s through the study conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Its primary purpose is to ensure reliable power supply among the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids through exporting excess power to areas with deficiency; and maximize the potential generating production capacity of the three grids. 6. In March 2011, the Department of Energy directed NGCP to lead the conduct of the assessment of the interconnection of the Visayas and Mindanao Grids. In 2015, NGCP considered an interconnection through the western route via Zamboanga del Norte to Cebu Island or to Negros Island. 7. The result of the survey shows a favorable route along the Zamboanga del Norte to Cebu Island route because it has low to moderate gradients and mild seawater current. A comprehensive detail of the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project is discussed in the Detailed Project Discussion attached as Annex “A.” 8. In addition to the survey, NGCP also examined the supply outlook to determine the capacity that can be exported by the Luzon and Mindanao grids to ease the power deficiency in Visayas. The results are as follows: a. the Luzon Grid will have generation surplus with the committed power plants until 2023 and with the indicative power plants beyond 2030; b. the Visayas Grid will have a generation deficiency during times where Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) and diesel plants are not generating; c. the Mindanao Grid will have excess generation even during dry season until 2030 with the indicative plants. 9. The deficiency of capacity in Visayas may be supplied by importing power from Luzon and Mindanao. The following are the scenarios simulated until 2025, consistent with the planning horizon of the Transmission Development Plan: 2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

(206)

(278)

(352)

(430)

(510)

(615)

Luzon Maximum Export

100

105

115

140

160

180

Supply Shortfall/Potential Import from Mindanao

106

173

237

290

350

435

Visayas Deficiency

Note: All values In the above table are m MW unit .

Invitation to Bid for the Supply & Delivery of Farm Inputs to Subsidize the Fertilizer of Tobacco Farmers of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur

Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Opening of Bids

Republic of the Philippines StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

SGD. CRESCENCIO MARCOS C. FORMOSO BAC-Chairman

10. Based on the simulation results, a maximum of 435 MW may be drawn from Mindanao to supply the deficiency in Visayas. Hence, a 450 MW Visayas - Mindanao interconnection capacity is required to provide sufficient supply to Visayas within the planning horizon. 11. With this favorable outcome of the desktop study and hydrographic survey, NGCP evaluated several channels for the interconnection wherein the Cebu (Magdugo Substation) and Zamboanga del Sur (Aurora Substation) with converter stations located in Sibonga, Cebu (Visayas side) and Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur (Mindanao side) option has emerged as the most technically feasible option. Also, the VMIP includes a provision for expansion of up to 900 MW to ensure that its ultimate capacity can be accommodated and integrated with the long term vision for the unification of the Philippine Grid. THE PROJECT 12. The Project involves the interconnection of Visayas and Mindanao grids via Cebu and Zamboanga. The converter stations in Visayas and Mindanao will be located in Sibonga, Cebu and Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, respectively. The High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system will be linked to the existing Alternating Current CAC) system via Magdugo Substation (SS) in Visayas and direct connection to the New Aurora SS in Mindanao. 13. The Project will have the following major project components: a. converter stations (CS), including associated electrode stations and electrode lines in Sibonga, Cebu and Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur; b. cable terminal stations (CTS) in Santander, Cebu and Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte; c.expansions in Magdugo SS and New Aurora SS; d. 92-kilometer ±350kV HVDC submarine cable between Santander CTS and Dapitan CTS; e. 50-kilometer ±350 kV HVDC Over Head Transmission Line (OHTL) from Santander CTS to Sibonga CS/SS; f.135-kilometer ±350kV HVDC OHTL from Dapitan CTS to New Aurora CS/SS; and g. new substation in Umapad, Cebu including associated transmission line extensions from Cebu- Lapu Lapu transmission lines; 14. The estimated cost of the project is Fifty One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety six and 70/100 Million Pesos (PhP51,696.70Mn) and is estimated to be completed in forty six (46) months. Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Approval 15. The Project is aimed to support the government’s undertaking to establish the unified electricity market in the country. 16. Without the link between the Visayas and Mindanao Grids, the potential energy resources optimization will not be realized and there will be no flexibility in sharing of reserve capacity between major grids. With the establishment of the unified electricity market, the implementation of Project would create a more liberalized, robust, and competitive market for the country. 17. Both the installed capacity mix and energy mix of each major grid as shown in the attachments of the Detailed Project Description, respectively, shows that: Luzon is a coal and natural gas dependent grid; Visayas is a coal and renewable energy dependent grid; while Mindanao is a coal and hydro dependent grid. The differences in the installed capacity mix and in the gross generation mix would provide optimization opportunities in the electricity market in supplying the loads. 18. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Fernando S. Javier, Head of the Mindanao System Planning Division, Transmission Planning Department of NGCP, is hereto attached as Annex “B.”

(MS-JUNE 16, 2017)

PRAYER

PASEGURUHAN NG MGA NAGLILINGKOD SA PAMAHALAAN (GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM) Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308 Section I. Invitation to Bid SUPPLY, DELIVERY, CONFIGURATION, TESTING, AND DEPLOYMENT OF PC DESKTOPS IN GSIS HOME OFFICE AND BRANCH OFFICE 1. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) through the GSIS Corporate Operating Budget for CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of Twenty Million Pesos (Php20,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments for the contract for the Supply, Delivery, Configuration, Testing, and Deployment of PC Desktops in GSIS Home Office and Branch Office. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2. The GSIS now invites bids for the Supply, Delivery, Configuration, Testing, and Deployment of PC Desktops in GSIS Home Office and Branch Office. Delivery of the Goods should be within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within the past three (3) years prior to the deadline for the submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose amount is at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184 and in ITB Clause 5.2 of the Bid Data Sheet in the Bidding Documents. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the GSIS Bids and Awards Committee (GBAC) Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00AM to GBAC Secretariat, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Pasay City A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on 16 June 2017, from 8:00AM to 3:00PM and upon payment of a fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php25,000.00. 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, provided that Bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 5. The GSIS Bids and Awards Committee will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 27 June 2017, 10:00AM at the GBAC Conference Room, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Building, Financial Center Pasay City. The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open to all interested parties. 6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 14 July 2017, 9:00AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted. Bid opening shall be on 14 July 2017, 9:30AM at the GBAC Conference Room, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Building, Financial Center Pasay City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the given address. 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. 7. 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, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. 8. For further information, please refer to: GBAC Secretariat GSIS Bids and Awards Committee Level 2 Core G, GSIS Building, Financial Center Pasay City Tel No. : (02)976-4961/ 976-4945 / Fax No. : (02) 859-0373 GBAC_Secretariat@gsis.gov.ph / www.gsis.gov.ph (SGD) EDUARDO V. FERNANDEZ Chairperson GBAC for Infrastructure and Information Technology (MS-JUNE 16, 2017)

WHEREFORE, premises considered, NGCP most respectfully prays that this Honorable Commission: 1. Immediately ISSUE an Order provisionally authorizing the implementation of the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project; and 2. APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the Application for the implementation of the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project. NGCP prays for other equitable relief. The Commission has set the said Application for hearing on the following dates: DATE AND TIME

VENUE

PURPOSE

7 July 2017 1:00 P.M.

ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive Banilad, Cebu City

Determination of compliance with jurisdictional requirements and expository presentation

13 July 2017 1:00 P.M.

ERC Mindanao Field Office Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Avenue corner Sales Street, Davao City

Expository presentation

20 July 2017 1:00 P.M.

ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case lnay become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i. The petitioner’s name and address; ii. The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and iii. A statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Officer-in-Charge of ERC ALFREDO J. NON, and Commissioners GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 5th day of June 2017 at Pasig City. FORAND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION: JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Commissioner (MS-JUNE 16/24, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Living in fear of MS-13 in Suburbia BRENTWOOD―The town of Brentwood on New York’s Long Island may look like an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. But behind its timber homes and neat front yards, terror lurks. In this middle-class town 70 kilometers from New York and about the same distance from the glitzy Hamptons summer retreat for Manhattan’s millionaires, the Latino street gang MS-13 exerts a brutal grip. Nearly 70 percent of the 60,000 residents here are Hispanic, mostly from Central America, and fear of the street gang―born on the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980s and exported back to El Salvador―runs deep. “I don’t know the gang members, I don’t get along with them,” says a 15-year-old girl outside the public high school, speaking hurriedly in Spanish and refusing to give her name. But everyone knows the names Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas―teenage classmates hacked and beaten to death by machetes and baseball bats last September. Their names and faces remain tacked to a tree just outside the school nearly a year later, staring out of police wanted posters looking for their killers. Accused of committing 17 savage murders in the last two years, MS-13 is believed to have 400 members in the surrounding Suffolk County on Long Island, with Brentwood and the neighboring suburb of Central Islip the worst-hit. Open mention of the gang prompts nervous looks, especially among immigrants, many of whom are undocumented. Like school students, the school administration and Suffolk County police decline to talk to AFP. One of the few brave enough to speak out is Nisa’s father, Robert Mickens. “I am not afraid,” the 40-yearold nursing-home carer says. “I’ve been through my biggest fear― that was losing my daughter.” His living room, its curtains drawn tight in the afternoon, has been transformed into an altar to his youngest daughter, murdered the day before she turned 16. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, targeted simply because she was friends with Kayla, who had fallen afoul of the gang. AFP

VISIT. In this photo taken on June 14, 2017 Morocco’s King Mohammed VI (C, R) his wife Princess Lalla Salma, (background L), French President Emmanuel Macron, (C, L) and his wife Brigitte Trogneux attend an Iftar meal, the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset, at the King Palace in Rabat as part of Macron’s 24-hour visit. AFP

Anti-Trump gunman shoots at lawmakers A LEXANDRIA―A rifle-wielding critic of President Donald Trump opened fire Wednesday on US lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game, seriously wounding a top Republican congressman and three others before he was killed by police.

The 66-year-old gunman was identiﬁed as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, an ardent supporter of liberal Senator Bernie Sanders―who said he was “sickened” by the “despicable act.” The attack provoked a wave of emotion on Capitol Hill, where Republicans and Democrats expressed concern over a possible rise in verbal or physical violence amid a bitterly partisan political atmosphere in the aftermath of a vitriol-ﬁlled 2016 election. In a national address, Trump appealed for unity following the morning assault in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, Vir-

ginia. “We are strongest when we are uniﬁed and when we work together for the common good,” the president said. Congressman Steve Scalise― the number-three Republican in the House of Representatives and a strong supporter of gun rights― underwent surgery after being shot in the left hip. He needed several blood transfusions, remains in critical condition and will require more operations, MedStar Washington Hospital Center said late Wednesday. “The bullet traveled across his pelvis, fracturing bones, injuring internal organs, and causing se-

vere bleeding,” a statement said. The others shot and wounded were a congressional aide, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, and a US Capitol Police officer. A second Capitol police officer suffered non-gunshot injuries, the FBI said. Two congressman said they had sustained minor injuries while trying to take cover. The president and First Lady Melania Trump later visited Scalise, bringing flowers. “Just left hospital. Rep. Steve Scalise, one of the truly great people, is in very tough shape―but he is a real fighter. Pray for Steve!” Trump tweeted. The first couple also visited Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner. The FBI said it had recovered and was attempting to trace two weapons, a rifle and a handgun, and was actively investigating Hodgkinson’s “associates, whereabouts, social media impressions, and potential motivations.”

According to his Facebook page, Hodgkinson was a fervent supporter of Sanders, the feisty independent who battled Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination last year. The gunman’s social media posts displayed strong anti-Trump sentiment. “I know he wasn’t happy with the way things were going, the election results and stuff,” his brother, Michael Hodgkinson, told The New York Times. Sanders swiftly responded to reports the suspect had volunteered on his presidential campaign. “I am sickened by this despicable act,” he said. “Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.” Despite the shooting, the annual congressional baseball game will go ahead Thursday as planned at Nationals Park. AFP

Trump being probed for justice obstruction

FRAGRANCE FOUNDATION AWARDS. Elsa Hosk poses backstage at the 2017 Fragrance Foundation Awards Presented By Hearst Magazines at Alice Tully Hall on June 14, 2017 in New York City. AFP

WASHINGTON―The special counsel overseeing the probe into Russia’s alleged meddling in the US election is looking at whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing unnamed officials. In a pivotal shift in the investigation that has riveted Americans like no other in decades, senior intelligence officials have agreed to be interviewed by investigators working for the special counsel, Robert Mueller, the Post said. It quoted five people briefed on the requests and said those who have agreed to be interviewed are Daniel Coats, the director of national intelligence, Admiral Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency, and his recently departed deputy, Richard Ledgett. The interviews could come as early as this week, the Post said. The newspaper’s story was met with a furious reaction from Trump’s personal lawyer and the Republican National Committee. The shift toward investigating the US president began days after Trump fired James Comey as FBI director on May 9, the Post said.

The stated focus has been Russia’s alleged efforts to tilt last November’s presidential election Trump’s way, and whether the winner’s campaign was involved in any way. Trump vehemently denies any collusion between himself or any of his associates and Russia. Mueller, himself a widely respected former head of the FBI, has now taken up the angle of possible efforts by Trump to obstruct justice in the investigation, the Post said. Quoting ofﬁcials, the newspaper said one event of interest to Mueller is an exchange on March 22, when Coats told associates that Trump had asked him to intervene with Comey to get him to back off the focus on Trump’s former national security advisor Mike Flynn as part of the FBI probe of the Russia affair. A few days after the March 22 meeting, Trump spoke separately with Coats and Rogers and asked them to issue public statements to the effect that there was no evidence of coordination between his campaign and Russia. The Post said both men refused the president’s request. AFP

Money from Europe a lifeline BENIN CITY―Grace and Sunday Otoide’s house is the last one standing on Bata Road in Benin City, southern Nigeria. All the neighbors have left and the retired couple hope to do the same. With the money their two children send from Italy, they want to build a new house. Dozens of lorries used to pass along the road to get to the local shoe factory, once one of Benin City’s industrial jewels. But it’s now no more than a track swallowed by swamps. At the turn of the century, the leading shoe manufacturer that gave the road its name relocated its factory to Ghana, frustrated by constant power cuts. About 3,000 employees, most of them young people, lost their jobs. Since then, the flood barriers surrounding the area have fallen into disrepair and the water has reclaimed the earth, flooding every dwelling and the factory. “We have no nothing. No chop [food], not’in,” says Grace in pidgin English from a large sofa that has seen better days. Her husband’s pension has also been hurt by the devaluation of Nigeria’s naira currency. Two of the couple’s six children were smuggled into Italy several years ago. They send back what they can, when they can, to help their parents build a new home. The current one threatens to fall down at any moment. “I don’t know what kind of job she do. But she dey work, she dey abroad, she’s the one who must worry for me. If I dey young again, I go travel overseas,” says Grace. More than 37,500 Nigerians arrived on the Italian coast by boat in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration. Most of them came from Benin City. The city is riddled with human trafficking networks. Often the Nigerian women who end up in Italy become sex workers, while men are pushed into Italian mafia networks around the trade. The phenomenon can be traced back to the time of the region’s industrial collapse in the late 1980s, military rule and the structural adjustment programs that killed the economy. For nearly 30 years, Edo state, of which Benin City is the capital, has survived on the money sent back from across the Mediterranean. AFP

Life

ANCE was only four years old when his father, Army Sgt. Narciso Lawrence Layug died. He remembers how his mom broke the news to him, “Anak, si dad nandun na sa heaven.” (Son, daddy’s in heaven.) To which he gave an innocent answer, “Sundan natin, bisitahin natin siya. Malapit lang naman yun, at may pamasahe tayo.” (Let’s visit him. It’s not that far a place, and we have money for the commute.)

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

SHOPPING

MAKING

DREAMS

Years later, the family left the province for Manila. As they rebuild their lives in the city, mother-and-son became best of friends, and helped each other in running their household. Lance is only one of the many children supported by HERO (Help Educate and Rear Orphans) Foundation—a nonprofit organization that provides educational assistance in the form of stipends to children of fallen soldiers. To help support military families, Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Inc. (FBDFI), BGC’s social responsibility arm, and the Bonifacio Global City Estate Association recently turned over P1-million and P200,000.00 worth of cash donations, respectively to HERO Foundation. “Wars, insurgencies, and natural disasters keep military families apart. When an unfortunate incident leaves servicemen killed or incapacitated in the line of duty, their families are equally left impaired. The surviving parent and children are left to deal with bouts of emotional and financial stress and their future suddenly becomes unstable. This is why we have partnered with HERO Foundation to help some of the children have a more secure tomorrow through education,” says Aileen Zosa, EVP of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and vice chairman of FBDFI. Zosa explains that HERO Foundation’s cause is so close to home because BGC, now a vibrant business and lifestyle district, was once a military base. “While BGC has evolved by leaps and bounds through the years, we acknowledge that what once stood here is an integral part of the city’s history. We feel that by assisting HERO Foundation, we BGC GIVES BACK. FBDFI and BGCEA officials with the HERO scholars after the turnover ceremony at BGC Arts Center. are honoring this side of our past.”

COME TRUE for children of military heroes

Two of the teens that will benefit from BGC’s donation are Lance Kelly Layug and Danica Joy Talania, residents of Taguig who manage to ace their studies while enjoying every bit of their student life. Lance, an outspoken ninth grade student, makes sure that all his grades are above the 85 mark. In a recent inter-school competition, he emerged as a champion of “Biglaang Talumpati,” an impromptu speech contest in Tagalog. He even writes stories in his spare time, or when he’s inspired, and hopes to get published someday. When asked what he wants to study in college, he says, “I want to enter law school. But sometimes, I kid my mom, ‘Ma, pwede ba akong mag-sundalo?’” (Can I enter the military?) His surprised mom would reply, “’Nak, tama na yung kay dad lang!” (Son, it’s

HERO scholars (from left) Leomhar Padaoan, Lance Kelly Layug, and Danica Joy Talania are grateful for the support sponsors give and have given them to help them fulfill their dreams

enough that your dad did it!) Tenth grade student Danica, on the other hand, is a bubbly, music-lover who is part of her school’s Glee Club. She also plays the guitar in a band and is into sports. The energetic youngster is a track-and-field player who bested other runners in a 50-meterdash in her school’s intramurals.

Danica was only a year old when her father, Army Sgt. James Fabellan passed on in battle. While she longed to know her father, it seemed that she’s able to connect with him through music. “Kwento ni mama, nasa combo raw po si papa. Kaya pinagsikapan ko rin pong mag-play ng instrument.” (Mama

says, papa played in a combo. That’s why I tried hard to play an instrument.)

Giving back

organization provides complements the scholarship offered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System Office (AFP EBSO). Leomhar Padaoan, now an engineer, was one of the AFP EBSO’s scholars that received a regular allowance from HERO Foundation in college. He was barely a year old when his father died in combat. Since then, he—an only son— and her mother faced life’s struggles together in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. “My mother was a housewife. We managed to get by through my father’s pension and my HERO stipend,” Padaoan shares. “Naranasan kong pumasok ng eskwelahan noon nang walang pera, pang-kain lang,” he recalled. (I experienced how it’s like to go to school with no money to spend, except for food.) When he was much older, he sometimes worked as a helper for a construction site to make ends meet. Padaoan described himself as an average student. And he took pride in his diligence and efforts to pass subjects for his mechanical engineering course. “Hindi ako nagpabaya sa pag-aaral. Responsable lang ako,” he shared. (I didn’t take my studies for granted. I was a responsible student.) HERO Foundation’s assistance does not end with providing allowances. It helps scholars like Padaoan find a suitable company for his on-the-job training. The organization even recommended major companies to apply for as soon as he graduated. “Malaki talaga ang naging tulong ng HERO sa akin. Kaya ngayong nagtatrabaho na ako, hindi pa rin nawala yung communication ko sa kanila. As much as possible, I try to help spread the word and invite companies to support the foundation by making donations,” he explained. (HERO Foundation provided a big help to me. Now that I am already working, I still keep in touch with them...)

Words of gratitude

Helping kids fulfill their dreams

It’s been 28 years since HERO Foundation was formed to support the education of children orphaned by their military parents. The stipend that the

Padaoan, Layug, and Fabellan have nothing but words of gratitude for HERO’s sponsors. “When there are people who support you (by providing your needs), you can’t help but appreciate them,” Padaoan remarks. Layug says, “We’re grateful for our sponsors, blessed even. Through them, we feel that we are supported both in our studies and in our dreams.” Fabellan asserts, “To give back, magaaral kami nang mabuti. Yung diploma namin, yun lang po ang tanging maibibigay namin sa kanila bilang pasasalamat.” (We will study hard. We have nothing but our future diplomas to show our gratefulness for their support.) Zosa explains that BGC, through FBDFI, fully intends to continue supporting HERO Foundation. “At the turnover ceremony, we saw how much these scholars value their education. We were moved by their desire and passion to learn. We will work closely with the foundation to help these families as best as we can.”

Toys for the Big Boys at Shangri-La Plaza IT’S time for the guys to shop and play as Shangri-La Plaza hosts the Toys for the Big Boys Lifestyle Fair until June 25 at the East Atrium and Level 1 Shaw side. From sports, entertainment, gaming and more, Shang’s lifestyle fair features a fantastic roster of brands especially for the boys. Adventure and sports junkies can find their running, basketball, mountaineering, hiking and camping needs in Columbia, Forged, Dainese, Wellness Concepts by Sport Fit, Inc., The North Face, Timberland, Toby’s Arena and Camera Haus. If you’re the family’s handyman, True Value is a helpful haven of tools for quick car fixes or DIY projects, or furniture restorations. The guys who love to chill out and relax at home with state-of-the art home theater and sound systems, television sets, and comfy sofas to match Mountaineering and hiking items from Columbia

North Face offers a variety of products for camping

will enjoy Audio-Visual Driver, Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Digital Walker, Egghead Audiohub, Gadgets in Style, Ingka, Listening in Style, Blims and La-Z-Boy. For the ultimate gamers—from board games to computer games—Shang’s lifestyle fair features brands like Alter Ego, Coby’s Gear and Gadgets, Cutting Edge, Hobbes and Landes, Q Power Station, Pacsports and Toys R’ Us. Demos and talks about DIY building and repairing projects for the home and more will also be featured during the fair. There’s always something for everyone at Shangri-La Plaza, and yes, that includes the guys. For inquiries, call 370-2500 loc. 597 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow the Shang on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial. Columbia hoodies and parkas

Quality speakers available at Bose

Timberland's durable footwear

Life

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Father steers company’s growth T

HEY say running a business with family members can be tricky—not only does it blur the line between what’s personal and professional, but it also has the potential to bring out the worst in you and your relatives.

ily was encouraged to be very hands-on with the business—from knowing the products by heart to studying routes of their delivery trucks. Their immersion in the business is part of the reason why the familial relationship extends to their employees. For the owners of Fabson Inc., a fam- ston Santos, who is also a former Shell With the “we care” core value, emily-owned corporation that distributes executive, Fabson officially became a ployee retention grew, and each staff Solane LPG in Iloilo City, working with corporation in 1994, bringing with it members treated as an extension of close relatives has brought out the best the core value of Shellane (now Solane), their family. Eric adds that every employee is in each of them. Eric Santos, head of “We care.” Under the management of marketing—and son of the owners— Winston, the company became a more trained to provide topnotch service to shared, “It’s a family-owned company organized entity with different depart- customers, including the seven-point safety check, Hatid Bahay, and 24-hour but we strive to be professionals. And ments in place. it comes naturally since we grew up “Before my dad took over the business, service. He notes that these after-sales working together. It’s an environment it was like a mom and pop store. There initiatives are factors that help minithat we are used to.” were no retail outlets and there was no mize the number of consumers who Looking at the company’s consist- formal organizational structure. It was would buy at independently refilled ent growth in the past 48 years, it re- ran sari-sari store style, and we couldn’t outlets as they realize that the quality ally looks like working with fam- grow as much,” said Eric, who also works of genuine Solane products and the service they get makes it more cost-effiily is something that Fabson employees with his sister, Pien, the COO. thrive in. Pioneered by Eric’s aunt as a According to Eric, his dad applied eve- cient in the long run. Without a doubt, these business pracsingle proprietorship in April 1968, it rything he learned from Shell, one of the was then handed over to their mother, top petroleum companies. He deployed tices have made it possible for Fabson Loreta Santos, who managed to keep retail sales executives and commercial to become the longest running Solane the company afloat with her prowess sales executives to cover designated are- distributor in Iloilo. Adds Eric, “This for finance and treasury. However, de- as. “From handling a network of 10 retail kind of business is something you have spite enjoying many years of success as outlets, it grew to 20, and now we have to immerse in because if you just leave a single proprietorship, they thought it around 600 outlets covering the whole it there, it can grow but you will not appreciate it as much. You have to sacricould benefit more if it was turned into area of our network,” he said. a corporation. In addition to Winston re-engineering fice a lot, and you have to know your Spearheaded by their father, Win- the company, each member of the fam- products very well.”

IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY. Fabson founder Loreta Santos and head of marketing Eric

Santos (second and third from left) with ISLA LPG Corp. communications manager Marco 'Mico' Cruz and account manager Kyle Yulo

Hope in a shirt

Honestbee's grocery store delivery service delivers the items listed on the app from its chosen partner merchants

Honestbee app is an on-demand lifestyle platform that handles chores such as grocery shopping and laundry pickup/delivery

Hassle-free food, grocery, and laundry services THE city lifestyle is exciting as it is challenging. Within the Metro, there is no lack of things to see or places to be, but the modern lifestyle is also always full of time-consuming chores that need to be done. Whether it is stocking up on groceries, doing the laundry, or simply sitting down to a meal at the end of a long day at work, these tasks take up time, effort, and energy. These cosmopolitan challenges have been successfully addressed by honestbee, an app that acts as your personal concierge. honestbee is an all-in-one, ondemand lifestyle platform that saves you time by handling your chores for you, so you have time for what matters. The app is available in nine countries and key cities including Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Niseko, Tokyo, and has now started offering its grocery service in Metro Manila, where their trained grocery concierge handpicks the freshest produce at in-store prices, while looking out

for expiration dates and suggesting the most suitable substitutes. Unlike grocery store delivery services, which transport items from only one shop or inventory, honestbee does not stockpile goods in a warehouse. Instead, it delivers the items listed on the app from their chosen partner merchants such as Robinsons Supermarket, Solo Meat Group, Fresh Options Meat Shop, G-stuff, Foodsource, AWC and Boozy PH. Customers can even shop from multiple stores in one order and still get their items delivered in two hours. Deliveries are from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, subject to store operating hours, including weekends and public holidays. There is a P150 concierge or shopper fee. Free delivery is offered for a minimum spend of ₱1,500. Otherwise, a delivery fee of ₱99 applies. honestbee also launched its additional concierge services for laundry pick-up and delivery (including dry-cleaning) and soon set to have delivery from its premium partner restaurants in order

to address more city living needs. The app is very user-friendly, so one does not have to be a techie to enjoy its conveniences. All that the customer has to do is to download the app on the Apple or Play Store, register and click on the confirmation email, tag location, pick out the items or services they need, and wait for the delivery within two hours. The app can be used on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, over mobile or Wi-Fi connections. Desktop is also available for Groceries. honestbee offers a unique integrated service, as it houses your favorite premium brands and ensures top-of-the-line services to give city dwellers more time to ‘Bee’. The time saved from doing chores gives you more time to be a spouse, a parent, or a friend, as the easy-to-use app gives convenience at a click, with safe, reliable, and convenient grocery, delivery and laundry services through your smartphone. For more information about honestbee visit honestbee.ph.

THAT there is a severe shortage of classrooms in the country is a sad reality that needs to be addressed. And the government simply cannot do it alone. It was towards this end that a social enterprise aimed towards the building of public school classrooms was formed by GenerationHOPE founder and president Nanette Medved-Po, who graduated with degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Babson College in Boston. From the initial success of Hope in a Bottle Purified Drinking Water—the full profits of which go towards the advocacy, wherein 37 classrooms have already been built—the team realized the growing interest among Filipinos in buying socially and environmentally responsible brands. Thus, as an offshoot, Hope in a Shirt was born. But these aren’t just any ordinary shirts: they are unbelievably soft custom printed shirts made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. These shirts became an instant hit among Nanette’s friends and soon word spread. Taking this concept further, MedvedPo turned to Solenn Heussaf with the idea of creating custom designs for an exclusive Hope in a Shirt collection. With the help from the good guys at Globis, Inc., every one of Heussaf’s brush and pencil strokes were transformed into high quality textile prints —resulting in shirts that are unique, artsy, and stylish. And for yet another first, the collection will be sold in a special Hopebranded vending machine—an idea inspired by New York fashion week. The result is a disruptive and desirable product that celebrates art, innovative sustainability, and a worthwhile cause. Hope vendo will pop up in three surprise locations, for only two to three days each. Just 200 shirts will be produced and sold, so excited shoppers can keep tabs on Hope’s Facebook and Instagram pages to find out where they’ll pop up. Thereafter, the shirts will be available exclusively through Zalora.

GenerationHOPE founder Nanette Medved-Po and Solenn Heussaf

Chris Po and Rob de Courcy Hughes

Issa Litton, Alexi Bautista and Isha Andaya-Valles

The HOPE Vendo will pop up in three locations for only two to three days each

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

‘Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience’

at Marriott Grand Ballroom Director and ﬁlm instructor Mark Meily

Award-winning director on audience growth

Members of the Chicago tribute band to play the greatest hits of the legendary hit-making group

OLLOWING the tragic incident at Resorts World Manila (RWM), Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience, considered to be the premier tribute band of the original Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, has decided to donate the entire proceeds of their concert at RWM tonight to families of the victims.

“Our prayers are with you and we hope that this will help you all in some way as you recover from the incident,” it said. The group further reassured fans that the benefit concert is indeed 100 percent pushing through. “To all Chicago fans in the Philippines, see you at the benefit concert on Friday,” the group said. Kenny Cetera is the brother of original Chicago front man Peter Cetera. Now with his own group of seasoned musicians, Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience performs live for the first time in the country featuring new takes on Chicago’s greatest hits including “Hard Habit to Break”, “You’re the Inspiration”, “Colour My World”, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, and many more. Organizers also confirmed that the benefit concert will push through on Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience live at the Marriott Grand Ballroom is said date, with a new venue at RWM’s Marriott Grand Ballroom in presented by RWM in cooperation with Steve O’Neal productions. Newport City, Pasay. Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld outlets. For inquiries, In a statement, the group expressed their sadness over the tragedy. call (632) 891-9999.

PEOPLE

…are not talking about

…are talking about

Department of Tourism Ad It doesn’t take a genius to point out similarities between the new DOT ad and the tourism ad of South Africa in 2014. And yet, people at the DOT including the ad agency that conceptualized the tourism promo lack the balls to admit their incompetence. In fact, they are very ﬁrm on their belief that their work was a product of creativity and originality. While it is still more fun in the Philippines, it wouldn’t be any more fun for the people behind this ad; they should be ﬁling their resignation by now, that is, if delicadeza is part of their vocabulary.

Angel Locsin The actress headed to Marawi with a volunteer group to visit evacuation centers and distribute relief goods. She has documented this effort through Instagram while calling for peace and aid. Yet, Angel still got trolled by people who hide behind their computer screens and mobile devices calling her publicity hungry. As fas as we know, Angel is one of the only few stars in showbiz who make genuine efforts to help our countrymen during troubled times. She’s done so many efforts before even without the press around.

Diether Ocampo The 43-year-old actor has not given any ofﬁcial statement whether he’s signing up as a Kapuso talent or not. Diether is going to appear in the latest episode of Magpakailanman opposite Megan Young. Though it’s nice to see him making a guest appearance once in a while, it is actually better than doing showbiz full-time. Even Piolo Pascual hardly gets TV projects these days, and when he gets one, the reception isn’t that good. It should be a wake up call for Diether. Maine Mendoza The phenomenal TV star is the favorite topic of gossipmongers these days. And yet, people in her camp are not doing anything to do any damage control. They know for a fact that her popularity depends on her million fans, mostly netizens. They should have done something by now unless they are ﬁne with Maine and her perennial partner suffering more from bad publicity.

Anne Curtis The Kapamilya star who has been recently named as the most inﬂuential millennial by a fashion magazine visited the wake of a fan who succumbed to cancer early last week. For the actress, it was just a small gesture but for the family of the deceased she provided more than just comfort. How many big stars who are supposedly busy with their daily schedule still do something like this? Rachelle Ann Go The singer’s decision to leave local showbiz and try her luck as a stage actress was a good career move after all. Rachelle Ann continues to bring pride and honor to the country after she recently won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical award at the 2017 Theater Fans’ Choice Awards for her role as the strong and provocative Gigi in the West End production of Miss Saigon. It’s her third recognition for the same role.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, June 16, 2017

ACROSS 1 Medicinal plants 6 Bulbous flowers 11 Dark brew 14 Just right 15 Wheel spokes 16 Item for a cook 17 — Cristo 18 Iowa commune 19 Cabin 20 1899 Gold Rush town 22 Watered silk 24 Chafes 28 Hard cheese 30 Unfair 31 Seemingly 32 In re (2 wds.) 33 Cry uncle 37 Foldaway bed 38 Sheer fabric 39 Bullfight cheer 40 Signs a yearbook 43 Put the finger on 45 Turn back the clock 46 Keep safe 47 Ocean crosser 50 Rumor 51 Prickly flora 52 Battery word 53 Web addr. 54 Microwaves 57 Eastwood’s “The — Sanction”

62 Jungle crusher 63 Bagpipe sound 64 Winter wear 65 Part of DA 66 Airliner capacity 67 Installed ceramic DOWN 1 Not her 2 Tokyo, to shoguns 3 Cartoon Chihuahua 4 It flies by night 5 Willowy 6 Metric units 7 Weak, as an excuse 8 Oklahoma town 9 Racket 10 Chatty feline 11 Orchard pest 12 Dern of “Jurassic Park” 13 PC key 21 U.K. lexicon 23 Norse Zeus 24 Ancient calculators 25 Humped beast 26 Rides the rapids 27 Huge Japanese volcano 28 Twists 29 Jackrabbit 31 Hushed

33 Very serious 34 Cupolas 35 Ms. Verdugo 36 “Angie Baby” performer 38 Carpenter’s jaws 41 Ending for bureau 42 Prompts 43 Grooviest 44 It’s south of Eur. 46 Tierra — Fuego 47 Cousteau invention

48 Seer’s card 49 Brilliance 50 Yard tools 52 Porthole 55 Suffix for forfeit 56 RV haven 58 Here, to Henri 59 Hoedown partner 60 Previous to 61 Country addr.

A FREE master class for independent filmmakers, producers, and media practitioners will be conducted by award winning film director Mark Meily. Titled “How to Grow Your Audience,” it will be held on Monday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at the School of Design and Arts Cinema of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB). Meily is the Chairman of the college’s Film Program. A recipient of the Best Director Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival for his movies Crying Ladies and Baler, his films have been presented at film festivals in various cities such as Brussels, Busan, Deauville, Fukuoka, Gothenborg, Honolulu, Marrakech, Montreal, and Seattle. He has likewise directed marketing and promotional campaigns for Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, DocuSign and FICO. Register early, for admission to this lecture is limited. For registration and other inquiries, email mark@ kindredmindxd.com. The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts and Design is at 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

The cast of the much anticipated fantasy series "La Luna Sangre" led by Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla with Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin

All-star cast

‘LA LUNA SANGRE’ on Kapamilya soon A

BS-CBN once again enters the world of werewolves and vampires as the much-awaited epic saga La Luna Sangre premieres soon on primetime television. The series stars the undisputed no. 1 love team in the country – Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla – with Angel Locsin, John Lloyd Cruz, and Richard Gutierrez. The series, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, marks the return of KathNiel to television after their successful series Pangako Sa Yo and their box-ofﬁce hit Can’t Help Falling in Love, which paved the way for them to be labeled the “P1 billion love team.” Meanwhile, making his debut in an ABS-CBN teleserye is newest Kapamilya Richard Gutierrez, who plays the role of Sandrino, the king of the vampires who will stand in the way of Malia (Kathryn) and Tristan (Daniel). Apart from KathNiel and Richard, fans are also eagerly anticipating the special participation of Locsin and Cruz, who will open the epic story and reprise their well-loved characters Lia and Mateo. The series revolves around the prophecy called “La Luna Sangre,” which says that the child of the most

The "P1 billion love team" a.k.a. KathNiel

iPhoto Anton and Andeng ﬁnally say ‘I do’

EVERYONE is invited to witness the most awaited union of Anton (Ian Veneracion) and Andeng (Bea Alonzo) in A Love to Last. No one can’t stop the love birds from promising each other forever, after they successfully convinced Mameng (Perla Bautista) and Lucas (JK Labajo) to give their relationship blessing. What kilig moments await avid viewers? What will be their vows to each other? Will the wedding go smoothly as planned or will Grace (Iza Calzado) ruin the occasion? A Love to Last airs after My Dear Heart on ABS-CBN and ABSCBN HD (Sky Cable ch.167). Catch up on the show’s past episodes via IWanTV or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

powerful vampire and the chosen wolf will end the evilness of the vampire imprinted with the cursed ink. Already living their simple lives as mortals, Mateo (John Lloyd) and Lia (Angel) are unaware that the said prophecy will haunt them. When Sandrino suddenly comes to kill them and their daughter Malia, who is believed to be the chosen one, Mateo and Lia do everything they can to protect Malia even if they no longer possess supernatural powers. But, in the end, evil prevailed and Malia is left an orphan under the care of other vampires and werewolves. Hoping that she is indeed the chosen one to save the vampires and werewolves from great peril, they hold on to their faith in her. However, they begin to doubt Malia when she fails to show her powers after turning 21 years old – a signiﬁcant change that will prove that she is the chosen one. Out of shame, Malia chooses to leave her responsibility and bravely faces the world of mortals. There, she meets Tristan, a young man who is hunting the vampire who killed his father. As their bond grows closer, will Malia be the key to the justice Tristan yearns for? Will Malia return to the world she left behind and re-embrace her destiny to end Santino’s life? How will the prophecy affect the budding romance between Malia and Tristan? La Luna Sangre is produced by Star Creatives, the production group behind successful series Lobo, Imortal, Got to Believe, Pangako Sa Yo, Forevermore, Dolce Amore, Pusong Ligaw, and A Love to Last. It is airing very soon on ABS-CBN. For more updates, follow @starcreatives on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

KZ Tandingan’s new album is more SOULFUL than before

ONE of today’s hottest and most versatile singers, Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan, is back in recording and is now launching her highly anticipated second album Soul Supremacy for Star Music. This new song compilation follows the success of KZ’s recent milestone – the ﬁrst digital concert of the gifted artist, which was also called Soul Supremacy on April 23. The “ASAP” Soul Sessionista’s new album features 11 songs with three additional tracks as bonus for her fans eagerly waiting for her latest offering. Just like in her debut compilation, the OPM soul singer has ventured into songwriting for this new album. She wrote and composed the song “Halik Na Lang” and also wrote the lyrics for the “Intro Lude” song. Other songs in this much-awaited album of The X Factor Philippines season 1 winner are “Labo” by Jungee Marcelo, “Nag-iisa Na Naman” by Kiko Salazar, “Dapithapon” by Rox Santos and “Imposible” by Gabriel Tagadtad. Also in this collection are the tracks “Afraid” by KidWolf, “With You” by Shorya Sharma, “Siya’y Darating” by Edwin Marollano, “Sayang” by Arlen Mandangan and “Sa

AKing Mga Kamay” by Aristotle Pollisco. The album’s additional tracks include “Sayo” which is the Tagalog version of “With You” written by Jonathan Manalo and the hit song “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako” with words and music by Marollano, winner of Himig Handog PPop Love Songs 2014. Completing the bonus tracks is the song “Ikaw at Ako Pa Rin,” the “We Love OPM” mentor’s duet with her boyfriend, singersongwriter TJ Monterde, courtesy of Polyeast Records. Malou Santos and Roxy Liquigan are the executive producers of Soul Supremacy, while Manalo serves as the over-all album producer. KZ’s sophomore album is out now in all digital stores worldwide. The album will soon be available at record bars nationwide for only P250. For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s ofﬁcial social media accounts at Facebook. com/starrecordsphil, Tw i t t e r. c o m / starrecordsph and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph.

KIM DOMINGO

wows crowd in Viral Fest Asia 2017 Kapuso Kim Domingo was one of the guest artists of Viral Fest Asia 2017 on June 2 and 3 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event is an international music festival that promotes and celebrates the talent of different Asians around the world. Joined by several famous acts both in the showbiz industry and online media platforms, Domingo stood out with her wit and charm as she joined a panel discussion that talked about the significance of new technology in business. Entitled “Selling to Millennials: Influencer Marketing and Commerce,” Domingo discussed how social media can help her reach more fans and followers. She also shared how the new technology can engage her in different brands, making way for various opportunities and advertisement offers. After the discussion, the Kapuso star joined the crowd and enjoyed the performances of Asian acts, like Korean superstar Rain and Japanese Pop girl group AKB48. Domingo briefly shared her experience during the festival, “It was nice to see all these talented people gather together and enjoy what they do. For me naman, I am honored to be invited here. I got to share my thoughts and meet new people. I’m thankful for the opportunity.” The event’s objective to promote different Asian artists has been successful for Kim as she recently gained more followers on social media after Raditya Dika, an Indonesian multimedia star, posted a photo with Kim on his Instagram account. The photo now has 300,000 likes. After conquering Philippine showbiz as the new “Pantasya ng Bayan”, could she be the next Asian sexy fantasy?