Manila Standard - 2017 July 05 - Wednesday

AFP told: Wipe out Maute

By Sandy Araneta

VOL. XXXI • NO. 141 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

HOW THE JUSTICES VOTED IN FAVOR OF ML IN MINDANAO

Presbitero J. Velasco Jr.

Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro

Diosdado M. Peralta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to continue attacking the terrorist Maute group until it is wiped out.

“I am commending our troops… on the ground for your relentless effort and determination in our goal to retake the city of Marawi from the Maute group and the

other local terrorist groups,” said Duterte in a message delivered from Malacañang Monday night.

“I enjoin the operating troops to carry on until our objective of wiping out these enemies of the state and the people has been achieved,” said the President.

“I urge you to remain steadfast and alert as martial law in Mindanao will remain in Next page

It’s 11-3-1 for martial law

SC says Rody’s edict legal, dismisses opposition

By Rey E. Requejo

Lucas P. Bersamin

Mariano C. Del Castillo

Jose C. Mendoza

T

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao and his suspension of the writ of habeas corpus there after Maute group terrorists overran Marawi City on May 23.

Voting 11-3-1, the justices makers led by Albay Rep. Edcel voted to dismiss the consolidated Lagman, local Mindanao leadpetitions filed by opposition law- ers led by lumad leader Eufemia

Bienvenido L. Reyes

Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe

Samuel R. Martires

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Duterte, allies, foes give mixed reactions

Noel G. Tijam

Antonio Carpio

The Court provided no other details of the decision.

The decision came within the 30-day period required by the Constitution to resolve petitions against a martial law proclamation.

The ruling affirms that Duterte’s Proclamation 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao complied with Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution, which provides that the President may declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus only “in case of

Francis H. Jardeleza

IN FAVOR OF ML ONLY IN MARAWI AND NEARBY AREAS

Maria Lourdes Sereno

Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad for lack of merit.

“The Court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members; three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant the petitions,” Court spokesman Theodore Te said.

“All 15 Justices have circulated their respective opinions, whether concurring or dissenting. All opinions will be finalized and submitted by tomorrow,” he added.

Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa

NOT IN FAVOR

Marvic Leonen

By Sandy Araneta, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he respects the opinions of the justices of the Supreme Court, including those who dissented, after they voted in favor of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“Well, I really would give due respect to the opinions, [including] the dissenting [ones] questioning the martial law power of the President,” said Duterte during a visit to the family of the massacre victims in Bulacan.

Duterte, who had not received a copy of the Court decision yet, said he declared martial law over the entire Mindanao island, and not only in Marawi, because the crisis could easily spill over to other areas.

“When you declare martial law, you have to use your coconut.

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P500-m loot stored in mosque

By Florante S. Solmerin and Francisco Tuyay MAUTE and Abu Sayyaf terrorists are using a mosque to store their loot, estimated at P500 million in cash, gold and jewelry, Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi said Tuesday.

“The looted items are brought to a central storage in a mosque and received by designated Maute members who were keeping a list for accounting,” Bautista said in a statement released to the media.

Bautista, who is also com-

mander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, also reported that government troops have overrun Dansalan College, one of the terrorists’ strongholds.

“The school is host to some high-rise structures that served as a machine gun nest and snipers’ vantage position for terrorist elements,” Bautista said.

Dansalan College was one of the establishments taken over and partially burned by Maute and ASG terrorists in the early part of the crisis.

“This is the same school where the Maute brothers had their ear-

lier education,” Bautista said.

“A cadaver of a foreign-looking individual was also recovered by our troops. It is believed that it is one of the reported foreign fighters from Singapore. A total of 11 suspected foreign fighters have been reportedly killed so far,” he added.

Bautista said the news about the massive lootings by the terrorists were personal accounts of seven hostages who escaped from the terrorists’ lair.

“Seven hostages who were able to reach government forces two weeks ago, followed by another Next page

JUDICIAL ENDORSEMENT. Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te fields media questions during a news

briefing at the high court in Manila Tuesday. The Court has endorsed President Rodrigo Duterte’s imposition of martial law in Mindanao which he said was necessary to defeat Islamic State group-backed militants. AFP

High court backs CA on ‘Ilocos 6’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court is supporting the Court of Appeals in its clash with the House of Representatives over the habeas corpus case of six Ilocos Norte provincial officials who have been detained for more

than a month now by lawmakers for contempt.

Court spokesman Theodore Te said the joint statement earlier issued by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. represents the position of other magistrates and the

Napolcom drops 139 local execs

JV seeks ethics probe of Trillanes’ rude word

By Macon R. Araneta A SENATOR said Tuesday he wanted his colleague Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to face the Senate’s ethics committee for his “disrespectful” remarks about the Senate being a “lapdog” of the Duterte administration.

“Maybe it is high time that we referred to the Senate Ethics Committee Senator Trillanes’ actions since he is becoming damaging to the institution and becoming destructive to the country,” Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said in a statement.

He said he found Trillanes’ comments “disrespectful and

unparliamentary,” and that he should be reminded that the Senate was a democratic institution.

“We in the Senate debate issues instead of hurling insults.

We vote instead of calling each other names when we disagree,” Ejercito said.

During Samahang Plaridel’s breakfast forum at the Manila Hotel on Monday, Trillanes said his colleagues in the Senate were acting like “puppets” of President Rodrigo Duterfe.

He also took potshots at his colleagues whom he said would rather be Duterte allies because Next page

Supreme Court as an institution.

“Yes,” Te said, when asked if the Supreme Court backs the Court of Appeals after the House of Representatives threatened to detain CA justices for ordering the House to release the six Ilocos Norte employees.

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GRIM REAPER.

Soldiers carry a body pouch containing the body of an unidentified colleague killed in action Monday during fighting between government troops and Islamist militants in Marawi City where gunmen from the latter still control about 1,500 buildings following weeks of ferocious fighting that has left hundreds dead. AFP

By Florante S. Solmerin SEVEN governors and 132 mayors in Mindanao were stripped of their deputation by the National Police Commission for their alleged involvement in illegal activities, Napolcom Vice Chairman Rogelio Casurao said Tuesday.

He said the officials were relieved for engaging in acts inimical to national security or negate the effectiveness of the government’s peace-and-order campaign.

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News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EU donates P49-m aid to Mindanao evacuees

By Sara Susanne Fabunan

T

HE European Union on Tuesday donated 850,000 euros or P49 million in emergency assistance to the civilians who fled the fighting between government forces and terrorists in Marawi City.

In a statement, the EU said the aid will directly benefit more than 50,000 people affected by the fighting.

“The unprecedented violence in Marawi has caused tens of thousands of families to flee, leaving everything behind,” the EU’s Pedro-Luis Royo said in a statement.

“This has triggered a sharp increase in humanitarian needs as many of the displaced people are currently deprived of fundamental means to sustain their day-today lives.”

Rojo made his statement even as Senator Juan Edgardo Angara called on government authorities to ensure enough medical

aid and mental health services were provided the rescued civilians and displaced residents of Marawi City following reports that some 2,500 evacuees had shown early symptoms of schizophrenia “The shattered dignity of the Maranaos is more difficult to relieve. It takes more than food or water or even shelter. It needs much more than that to be restored,” Angara said.

“Let’s aggressively address the well-being of the evacuees.

It is more important to rebuild their souls than the buildings downtown.”

Meanwhile, seven trucks filled with relief goods arrived in Mara-

It’s...

devices (IED), harassment and kidnappings.

“In faithful compliance with this duty, President Duterte saw it fit to exercise his constitutional power to declare martial law,” he said.

During oral arguments from June 13 to 15, petitioners asked the Supreme Court to void the martial law declaration and argued that there was no sufficient factual basis to justify military rule.

The petitioners branded as “inaccurate, simulated, false and hyperbolic” the facts contained in Proclamation No. 216 and the report submitted by the President to the Senate and House of Representatives justifying the imposition of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

They also claimed that Proclamation No. 216 was “flawed” as it was imposed without consultation and recommendation from officials of the Department of National Defense or the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In their petition to the court, the opposition lawmakers warned martial law would open the door to repression and atrocities seen during the 20-year rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos that ended with a “People Power” revolution in 1986.

During the Marcos dictatorship, thousands of suspected communist and Muslim insurgents, as well as his critics, were jailed, tortured or killed, according to historians.

When Duterte announced martial law, he praised Marcos’ version while vowing his own would be “harsh.”

Under the Constitution drawn up to prevent a repeat of Marcos-era abuses, the President is allowed to declare martial law only to prevent “invasion or rebellion.”

It is limited initially to 60 days. If Duterte wants to extend, he must get congressional approval. With AFP

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invasion or rebellion, when public safety requires it.”

Solicitor General Jose Calida, who spoke on behalf of the government during the oral arguments, lauded the ruling, saying that it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion” in Mindanao.

“I am grateful to the magistrates of the honorable Supreme Court for allowing President Duterte to perform his prime duty of protecting the Filipino people. As the conscience of our nation, the Supreme Court did not sit idly to watch our country get dismembered,” Calida said.

He added that the decision showed the Court was one with the President in protecting and defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In seeking the dismissal of the petitions, Calida asked the Court to give Duterte the chance to perform his constitutional mandate of protecting the people.

“The Constitution declares in no uncertain terms that the prime duty of the government is to protect the people,” Calida said in a memo submitted to the Court.

Calida argued that the magnitude and scope of the rebellion, and how it has endangered public safety in the entire Mindanao region, validates the need for the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

He said that 20 terrorist groups in Mindanao with similar ties with the Islamic State (ISIS) apart from the Maute group have already launched attacks in Basilan, Sulu, TawiTawi, Zamboanga and Davao and its main objective is to remove the whole Mindanao from its allegiance to the Philippine government.

Calida also revealed that there were already 43 violent attacks by the terror cells consisting mostly of improvised explosive

AFP...

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effect to counter the persistent threat of terrorism and insurgency,” he said.

Duterte said the people of Marawi will also need the AFP’s assistance as they rebuild their lives and homes once the military operations come to a conclusion.

“By fulfilling this, we must not let our guard down against the emergence of terrorism and banditry in the area,” said Duterte.

“Let us also honor and remember our fallen comrades.

May their courage and bravery remind us of the sacrifices asked of us as we go about the task of building a peaceful nation,” he said.

He said the government has assured all the wounded and all the

bereaved families that their needs will be attended to. “The nation will never neglect the heroes of our republic,” Duterte said.

“Let us all continue to strive to build a stable, orderly, and progressive society, continue to work to make our shared dream a genuine and lasting peace a reality, continue to serve our country and the Filipinos,” the President said.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Australian help by way of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight started on June 30.

An AP-3C Orion surveillance plane began flying Friday and will be here for two weeks, Loenzana said.

Earlier, the Australian Defense Forces pledged the use of two AP3Cs to help the Philippines in its ongoing anti-terror operations in Marawi City. With PNA

Digong reappoints four Cabinet execs PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has reappointed Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu pending their confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

Duterte signed their ad-interim appointment letters on June 1 but Malacañang released the documents only on Tuesday, or over a month after.

The four were not confirmed by the Congress before it closed its session on May 31.

Meanwhile, Duterte has appointed new officials and they are the following: Sarah Arriola as undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, vice Jesus Yabes; Jose Luis Montales as undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, vice Ariel Abadilla; Abdulgani Macatoman as assistant secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Antonio Abadan Jr. as a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,

vice Armando Suratos, and for a term expiring on July 2, 2023; Felipe Medalla as a member of the Monetary Board for a term expiring on July 2, 2023.

Nestor Espenilla as a member of the Monetary Board, vice Amando Tetangco Jr. and for a term expiring on July 2, 2023; Peter Favila as a member of the Monetary Board, vice Alfredo Antonio, and for a term expiring on July 2, 2023; Erwin Enad as a member, in an ex-officio capacity, of the Career Executive Service Board; Robert Sy Tan as a member of the board of Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Police Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares was promoted to the rank of police chief superintendent; Police Superintendent Joselio Imperial to police senior superintendent, and Police Supt. Nelson Aganon to police senior superintendent.

The others who were promoted to the rank of police chief superintendent were Police Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, Edgardo Pamittan, Froilan Quidilla, Ramon Rafael, Gerardo Rosales and Israel Dickson.

Another Duterte ally, Senator Richard Gordon, said the decision shows there was a strong factual basis for the declaration of martial law.

He said now is the time to fix the situation not only in Marawi but in the whole of Mindanao.

“Now that the President has the support of the Court and Congress, he should use that support, not to be over confident, but certainly because we believe that there is situation occuring in the country that must be solved.”

Senator Miguel Zubiri said he was relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“This is a welcome development so that the government’s security forces can continue their pursuit and clearing operations against these Maute terrorists and their affiliates, without a cloud of doubt on their mandate to do so,” said the Mindanao lawmaker. with Rio N. Araja

By Sandy Araneta

wi on Tuesday for distribution to Marawi’s displaced civilians.

As the trucks pulled up inside the grounds of the municipal capitol that has been converted into an evacuation center, personnel of the International Committee of the Red Cross unloaded hundreds of boxes containing foldable jerry cans, mosquito nets, blankets, mats and kitchenware.

The relief packages were systematically distributed to the more than 2,600 families who have been displaced by the fighting.

Despite the bristling heat, the faces of the evacuees―most of them women with children in tow―lit up as they received the relief packs.

Rojo said the EU grant will support the delivery of immediate life-saving assistance to those most in need and contribute to the increased protection of the people affected by the conflict.

According to the latest available data, more than 400 people

have been killed and more than 400, 000 others have been displaced in Marawi.

The priority concerns for those recently displaced are access to food, clean water, sanitation facilities and proper hygiene in the evacuation centers.

The EU funding which will be channeled through the commission’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

The aid, delivered through an ECHO partner, will focus on the provision of crucial support including food, water, health care, hygiene kits, sanitation facilities and essential household items.

The fighting broke out in Marawi when the Maute Islamist group took parts of the city on May 23.

The city has witnessed ground and air assaults including gunfire exchanges, bomb explosions and air strikes leaving large parts of the town destroyed.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

Duterte,...

deployed in Mindanao, especially those battling the Maute terrorists in Marawi.

“The troops in the field together with the ground commanders will be very happy to hear about this. To all those operating in the rest of Mindanao, their actions are affirmed,” he told the ANC news channel Tuesday.

Asked if the military was keen on extending martial law, Padilla said they were still assessing the situation, but added that even if they win the battle for Marawi, the threat of extremism remains.

“We still have the whole Mindanao to attend to,” he said.

In a statement, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said the Supreme Court ruling was “a vote of confidence” that what they were doing was right and necessary to restore the rule of law, and peace and order in the whole island of Mindanao.

“The mission is not yet done but we can assure our citizens that we are focused and determined to carry on the fight till peace and or-

der in Mindanao is fully restored and the liberation of Marawi is achieved at the soonest time possible,” Año said.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Tuesday he had no doubt about the validity of the President’s martial law declaration.

“Nothing surprising with the Supreme Court decision,” he said. “The Court was just doing its job.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson said factual basis for the proclamation was clear enough, and that there could not have been any other ruling as overwhelmingly decisive as the one rendered by the Court.

“I knew we did right in supporting the martial law proclamation in Mindanao when we debated on it in caucus and in plenary. I can only hope that none of our Senate colleagues will call the magistrates lapdogs and cowards of the administration,” said Lacson, a member of the majority bloc in the Senate.

households and business establishments,” he added.

“They believe that the amount of cash and valuable items looted could be worth more as there were several other groups being forced by terrorists to loot and steal for them.”

Bautista said the hostages were forced at gunpoint into a daily routine of looting and stealing scheduled from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and returned for lunch then back to looting-stealing after lunch, up to 3 p.m.

He said some of these reports have been validated.

“JTF Marawi will share more information with the public as more of it comes in and as soon as these are ascertained,” he said.

Soldiers who overran Dansa-

lan College said they found a .50 heavy machine gun and 14 other high-powered firearms.

A total of 410 firearms have been taken from the terrorists.

A total of 1,717 trapped civilians have so far been rescued from the war zone.

Bautista said some 300 to 500 civilians are still trapped in the conflict area from the original estimate of 2,000 to 2,500 in the early days of the conflict.

A leader of a gunrunning syndicate and three of his cohorts that authorities claimed were selling high-powered firearms to criminal groups and unscrupulous politicians in Mindanao were arrested parallel to the seizure of cache of assorted weapons in Batangas Monday. With PNA

ernance and public accountability to recall its show cause order on Associate Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina Antonio of the CA special fourth division that ordered the release of the so-called “Ilocos Six.” Citing “implications on separation of powers and judicial independence” of the House order, the heads of the judiciary suggested that the lawmakers instead avail of remedies under the Rules of Court in questioning the CA orders.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Philippine Bar Association and constitutional law experts and law deans Pacifico

Agabin and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino have also made similar calls for the House to recall the show cause order.

The show cause order required the CA justices to explain why they should not be cited for contempt for ordering the release of six Ilocos Norte provincial officials being detained for contempt in connection to their probe on alleged misuse of P66.45 million in tobacco funds to buy motor vehicles.

On Monday, retiring Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes has called on his colleagues in the SC to continue the fight for judicial independence.

they would not admit that they were scared.

“I can see in this Senate the senators who are cowards,” Trillanes said.

Ejercito, a member of the majority bloc in the Senate, said Trillanes appeared to be rabidly against the Duterte administration.

“We have 23 independent minds duly elected in the Senate. But even when we disagree on a number of issues, we maintain our respect for one another. I hope Senator Trillanes would do the same,” Ejercito said.

When questioned if he would initiate the filing of an ethics complaint against Trillanes, Ejercito said he must first consult his colleagues.

“It is really difficult to do this against a colleague. Even with Senator [Leila] De Lima, I sympathized. Senators need to respect their colleagues,” he said Trillanes said he would welcome any ethics complaint filed against him in the Senate.

“But here’s the thing, if Senator Ejercito believes that my statement that the Senate is becoming a lapdog of the Duterte administration is highly offensive yet sees nothing wrong with Duterte’s rape comments to the soldiers, then we really have a problem,” he said. With PNA

Stripped of their deputation were Governor Esmael G. Mangudadatu and 28 mayors in Maguindanao; Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and 37 Mayors in Lanao del Sur; Governor Imelda D.C. QuibranzaDimaporo and 22 mayors in Lanao del Norte; Governor Datu Pax S. Pakung Mangudadatu and 12 mayors in Sultan Kudarat; Governor Abdusakar A. Tan II and 13 mayors in Sulu; Governor Hadjiman Sal-

liman and 10 mayors in Basilan; Governor Nurbert Sahali and nine mayors in Tawi-tawi; and Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi of Cotabato City.

“Their deputation as Napolcom representatives in their respective areas of jurisdiction was suspended for their failure to impose measures to suppress terroristic acts and prevent lawless violence in their territories, which is inimi-

cal to national security and poses a serious threat to the lives and security of their constituents,” Casurao said.

“There were also reports of local chief executives in Mindanao being involved in the illegal drug trade, which is tantamount to providing support, in one way or another, to the Maute terrorist group or other criminal elements in their jurisdiction, an act which negates

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The gray matter between your ears,” he said. “They [the terrorists] can go anywhere and [there will be] a spillover.”

Duterte said neither the military nor the police had urged him to declare martial law after the Maute group attack.

“They never said, ‘President, declare martial law.’ I was given the feedback of what was happening in Marawi, and I asked them, ‘What’s the situation?’. And they said, ‘Critical’,” the President said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm the declaration of martial law in Mindanao proves that there is a “real and present” rebellion in Mindanao.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also hailed the decision.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the ruling would boost the morale of troops

P500-m...

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who escaped a few days later and by another two several days ago, made these disturbing revelations, thus corroborating earlier information received by JTF Marawi headquarters,” Bautista said.

“All these hostages revealed that they were forced to convert to Islam or be killed. According to them, they were initially tasked to loot and steal from the houses and establishments for ammunition, firearms, cash, gold and jewelry. They estimate that their group alone was able to loot or steal at least P500 million in cash not to include other items they had taken from

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“The statement [dated June 21] says it all,” Te said in a text message.

House leaders earlier threatened to find the CA justices in contempt and order them detained like the six Ilocos Norte employees.

The House has defied orders from the CA several times, including the order to release the Ilocos provincial employees.

In the statement issued last June 21, Sereno and Reyes asked the House committee on good gov-

Napolcom...

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“The other two grounds for the suspension or withdrawal of the deputation of a local government executive are frequent unauthorized absences and abuse of authority,” Casurao said.

The officials’ relief was approved on June 8 this year.

JV...

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

MARAWI GUNS?

US approves entry of PH products THE United States government has approved the entry of goods from the Philippines to America which will generate some P5 billion in revenues, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

This was revealed by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella during a press briefing in Malacañang following the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US Ambassador Sung Kim. “Ambassador Kim also conveyed to the President the US government’s approval of the duty-free entry of travel goods from the Philippines to the United States, which will generate 70,000 new domestic jobs and an additional P5 billion in revenues annually,” said Abella.

Abella said the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, had revealed the information on the President’s meeting with Kim of the United States of America.

“They had a very productive and fruitful meeting.”

Abella said the Ambassador reiterated the US government’s full support for the Philippine government operations in Marawi as well as in its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for the Islamic city.

Sandy Araneta

Anti-skimming, anti-fraud bill filed A HOUSE leader on Tuesday filed a bill declaring as economic sabotage the skimming of ATM cards, hacking a bank system, and unauthorized access to online bank applications, and other fraudulent activities.

In filing House Bill 5943, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, declares as a crime of economic sabotage the skimming of at least 50 ATM cards, hacking of a bank system, or unauthorized access to at least 50 bank applications and accounts, regardless of clients’ monetary loss even as he proposes a penalty of life imprisonment and fine ranging from 1 to 5 million pesos.

Evardone’s bill defines skimming as “a type of fraud which occurs when an ATM is compromised by a skimming device, a card reader which can be disguised to look like a part of the ATM machine and which saves the users’ card number and pin code.

“With the fast advancement of technology came a new way of stealing one’s money. Criminals and criminal syndicates were able to illegally access the various electronic medium of transactions and they were able to unlawfully appropriate to themselves the hard earned money of others,” Evardone said in the bill’s explanatory note.

Evardone said that these acts erodes the “trust and confidence on the financial system in general and on the banking sector in particular.” Maricel V. Cruz

Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa presents illegally manufactured firearms seized by the police during a press conference at the PNP Headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Romel Litan, alleged leader of a gunrunning syndicate, has reportedly sold 671 heavy firearms, some of which made their way to Marawi City. Manny Palmero

Govt, NDF to resume peace talks in August, says Bello

By Sandy Araneta

G

OVERNMENT peace panel chief negotiator Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Tuesday that the fifth round of peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front will resume in August.

Bello, who broke the news during a press briefing in Malacañang, said that he had talked with NDF peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili last Sunday and they agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations next month.

“Chairman [Fidel] Agcaoili and I talked last Sunday evening. We have an initial understanding that we will probably have the fifth round [and it] will probably be realized second or third week of August,” said Bel-

lo, also the Labor Secretary.

“But before that, this time we will have a good result, there will be an informal meeting between the panel.”

Bello also said the peace talks has the blessing of President Rodrigo Duterte. He said the meeting may be in Asia or in the Philippines.

“Although the NDF would like to have it somewhere in—they were mentioning Japan. My worry is Japan is too far, and maybe talks could be held in Hong Kong or the Philippines. Especially so that Joma Sison will not be attending, it will only be their panel, so there’s no problem there,” said Bello.

Bello said he expects that there

will be an informal meeting and they will discuss mainly the issue of socioeconomic reforms and possible interim unilateral ceasefire.

He added that they will have initial meeting so by August, the talks will be clear.

“And it will only before submission to the panel for formal approval by the panels,” he said.

Bello also said the informal talks will be held within the third or last week of July. “Actually, the cancellation of the fifth round was not attributed to the attacks. Because the reality is that there is an existing armed conflict. That is the reason why we are talking to end the armed conflict. So while we are talking, you expect some skirmish-

es once in a while.”

Bello also said that before they left for The Netherlands, the Communist Party of the Philippines issued a statement saying—“We will accelerate and intensify our attacks against government.”

“This is no longer in keeping with the provisions of The Hague Joint Declaration, which says that both parties should provide an atmosphere conducive to the conduct of a peace negotiation.”

“You are violating the basic framework of our process and that is The Hague Joint Declaration,” Bello had told the CPP. Bello said it is possible there will be a truce while the talks are held.

SAF contingent at NBP to be replaced P3.77-t

By Rey E. Requejo THE Special Action Force contingent deployed last year to secure the maximum-security compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City where most of the high profile and hardened inmates are detained will be replaced by the end of this month.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the statement after admitting the possibility that some of the SAF personnel might have been tempted by the huge amount of money involved in the illegal drugs trade that resulted to the resurgence of illegal drug trade inside the NBP. “We have already made a request to the leadership of the SAF less than a month ago,” Aguirre said.

He added that the replacement of the SAF contingent by a new team will probably take place by the end of July.

Aguirre, however, said that the illegal drugs trade inside the national penitentiary was small compared to the previous years.

He said that the authorities were able to neu-

tralize the narcotics trade inside the national penitentiary to a large extent and that the resurgence of the illegal activity is only about five to 10 percent.

President Rodrigo Duterte last year had said that 75 percent of the illegal drugs in the country came from the national penitentiary, prompting him to deploy the SAF to replace the BuCor jail guards securing the NBP’s maximum security compound.

Duterte accused former Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima of being behind the illegal drugs activity, an accusation the latter has denied.

Aguirre said he will order a probe on some members of the SAF who may have been involved in the resurgence of the illegal drug trade inside the NBP “I have received reports that there were some reactivation, we are doing something about this, we are going to end this resurgence, some sort of resurgence by some inmates. I talked to [Bureau of Corrections] Director General Benjamin delos Santos last Saturday, and we know what we are going to

do,” he said.

He noted that some members of the police’s elite force may have been involved due to their familiarity with the inmates.

“We have successfully curbed 75 percent of the illegal drug trade. If ever, the resurgence is about five to 10 percent only and we are going to clip it again,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said charges would be filed against any SAF personnel who would be found involved in illegal drug activities inside the NBP. Aguirre said that he considered the neutralization of drug syndicates inside the NBP as one of his biggest accomplishments during his one year term in office, and a resurgence of such groups inside the facility should be dealt with immediately.

Aguirre noted that 70 to 75 percent of illegal drugs in the country were being trafficked from inside the NBP prior to the assumption of the Duterte administration.

Delos Santos, meanwhile, said that any narcotics trade inside the NBP was small and that they are doing everything to prevent a resurgence of the illegal drugs trade. With PNA

JBC grills nominees for another SC vacancy

By Rey E. Requejo

4TH OF JULY PROTEST. Militant groups mark the US Independence Day, also known as the Fourth

of July with a protest rally along United Nations Avenue in Manila and calls for the end to US military intervention in Marawi and Mindanao, claiming that it will do more harm than good, as they cited US interventions in countries like Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. Norman Cruz

THE Judicial and Bar Council has started vetting candidates for another vacancy in the Supreme Court to be left by the retirement of Associate Justice Jose Mendoza in August.

The seven-man JBC concurrently chaired by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno grilled on Tuesday three of the 13 nominees, namely: Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera, Court of Appeals Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

Gaerlan was asked about the decision of his CA division acquitting pork barrel queen Janet Lim Napoles in the case involving the serious illegal detention of witness Benhur Luy.

“Upon review, there was no serious illegal detention because Benhur Luy was free to go out and contact family,” he said, adding that there was “public pressure” for the CA to affirm the conviction of Napoles.

When asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law declaration, the CA magistrate said he believes there was sufficient basis for the proclamation, particularly the existence of rebellion and invasion by terrorist groups in Mindanao.

Gesmundo was asked about the low disposition of cases in the Sandiganbayan. “Cases in Sandiganbayan are peculiar,” he said, also citing as reasons the use of defendants of “multiple lawyers with different strategies” and the “difficulty bringing witnesses to the court.”

budget for 2018 proposed THE administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is proposing a P3.767-trillion national budget for 2018, Malacañang revealed on Tuesday.

During a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the 2018 national budget was tackled during the Cabinet meeting on Monday night, as presented by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

“I’d like to go now to the report of the DBM. Very interesting, they said, it’s a budget that reforms and transforms. It covers medium-term macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal targets, key budget dimensions, expenditure priorities,” he said.

The 2018 budget amounts to 3.767 trillion or 12.4 percent more than the 2017 budget and 21.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Abella enumerated the allocation by expense class—LGUs receives 16 percent; GOCCs receive 4.5 percent; infra and capital outlays receive 25.4 percent; personnel services receive 29.4 percent; maintenance receive 14.5 percent; debt burden, 9.8.

The biggest chunks will go to the following departments—first, the Department of Education, state universities and colleges and Commission on Higher Education; second, Department of Public Works and Highways; third, Department of the Interior and Local Government; fourth, Department of Health; fifth, Department of Social Wefare and Development; sixth, Department of Agriculture; seventh, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; and eighth Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Hubris in the House

B

Y HIS words and deeds, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez seems to believe that he is the most powerful man in the country.

While President Rodrigo Duterte pays lip service, at least, to the Supreme Court’s role as the final arbiter in all legal matters brought before it, Speaker Alvarez observes no such niceties.

When petitioners asked the Supreme Court to compel Congress to convene a joint session to debate the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the Speaker declared he would tear up any such order from the tribunal.

The Speaker correctly observes that the legislature and the judiciary are coequal branches of government, and that the Court cannot dictate upon Congress

what it may or may not do. But like the pigs in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Speaker Alvarez apparently believes that some animals are more equal than others.

In the latest manifestation of this superior attitude, Alvarez has threatened to cite three Court of Appeals justices for contempt for ordering the House to free six employees of the Ilocos Norte provincial government, who have been detained since May 29, purportedly for refusing to tell the truth over the alleged misuse of tobacco excise tax funds some five years ago. In his remarks to the press, the Speaker has also threatened to dissolve the Court of Appeals, which he says is not even a co-equal body, and move to have the three justices disbarred for “ignorance of the law.”

“They are merely a creation of Congress. We can dissolve them any time,” Alvarez declared.

In ordering the release of the six Ilocos Norte employees, the Court of Appeals special fourth division was merely responding to their petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, a basic human right that protects citizens against arbitrary detention.

Not content with bullying the appellate court justices, the House is also threatening to detain Ilocos Notre Gov. Imee Marcos, along with her brother, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., if she snubs the July 25 meeting of the House committee on good government and public accountability.

To drive home the point, the chairman of that committee, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, even showed

journalists the “detention chamber” to hold those who defy his panel—including Marcos and the three justices of the Court of Appeals.

Playing at being magnanimous, Pimentel added that Marcos would not be treated like a prisoner, as she would be allowed to go around hin her detention cell at the Batasan Complex, could use her cell phone and access the internet.

But the real message was not lost on those who saw Pimentel and the House sergeant-at-arms, smiling at the cameras while standing over a cot where they would detain anyone who had the temerity to defy their will.

This Congress, more than any before it perhaps, seems mad with power. But in their hubris, they should remember that those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

A central bank for the poor

did—though he proclaimed that he would respect and abide by any decision of the court on this suddenly important issue.

Of course, to answer my original question, I don’t really know if the enemies of Duterte will be silenced by the ruling yesterday of the Supreme Court, which used to be the final arbiter of any legal question. After all, these are the people who, in their never-ending bid to bring down the president, think nothing of going to venues like the International Criminal Court once they’ve run out of local forums for their interminable campaign to thwart the will of both the president and the people. *** An unholy alliance of militant groups and big business interests heavily invested in renewable energy has been working to force the government and consumers to continue giving incentives to so-called “green” power sources, even if the Duterte administration

FINALLY, a central bank governor for the poor.

Nestor “Nesting” Espenilla Jr., 58, is the 11th governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or central bank. He took over July 2, Monday, to begin a sixyear term.

A product of Ateneo (economics), UP (MBA), and Japan’s Institute of Policy Science (masters), he is a veteran banking regulator and an economist. He is a devoted husband and father of three. He is expected to be different from the mold of previous governors.

In the past, the Bangko Sentral allowed only four to five families to have exclusive control of the banking industry.

The result has been an oligopoly of banking. The top banks have the same banking hours—9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (although this practice was later broken by Henry Sy’s BDO, which is open even on Sundays).

The banks charge the same fees and slap the same penalties. Their credit cards have uniformly onerous practices— high interest rates (3 to 3.5 percent per month) and penalties (5 percent); the use of average daily balance (meaning if you miss the cutoff date for paying the previous month’s bill, you are slapped 8.5 percent monthly interest applied not only on the amount that was due last month but also on purchases you just did this morning). How can something that you bought today be penalized, also today?

Only Philippine credit cards.

The BSP has required only one-day clearing for checks, meaning you deposit your check today, you use the cash that goes with it—today. However, the top three commercial banks have refused to comply, claiming their system cannot handle one-day check clearing. As a result, you are denied, for three days, the free use of your own money. How much is three-day money? Well, the banks have easily P3 trillion (3,000 billion pesos) in checking accounts. Divide that by 365 days. It’s P8.2 billion a day. Multiply that by three days—P24.6 billion—the amount of free money, your money, the banks help themselves with every three days. No wonder, eight of the 10 richest Filipinos are bankers.

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

The final word?

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES THE Supreme Court has spoken.

Now I wonder if those opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation covering the whole of Mindanao will shut up on this matter already.

In a largely expected 11-3-1 vote, the high court found factual basis for Duterte’s Proclamation 216, signed last May 23 in the Russian Federation, of all places.

The four dissenters to the majority opinion written by Justice Mariano del Castillo were, also expectedly, sympathizers and/or appointees of former President Noynoy Aquino.

On hindsight, there was no other way for the court to have decided the question of the legality of the martial law proclamation, which has been given to the court to resolve for the very

first time since the review function was given to it by the 1987 Constitution. If the Supreme Court had found no factual basis, it would have sparked a real constitutional crisis, because both Houses of Congress had already agreed that Duterte was justified in issuing the decree in the wake of the attempted terrorist takeover of Marawi City.

Of course, it’s not really the first time that martial law was declared under the 1987 basic law. In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proclaimed martial law in Maguindanao, in the aftermath of the bloody massacre of dozens of people, most of them journalists, in that province.

But Arroyo lifted martial law even before the court could decide on petitions brought before it. The Supreme Court at the time, probably relieved that it did not have to decide either way, simply declared that the lifting had made the issue moot, thus ensuring that it would have to be

decided sometime in the future.

That was yesterday, when the court, for all intents and purposes, admitted that it had no authority to gather evidence

The court left the door open for a rethinking of a political question best left to the executive and the legislature to decide. like a prosecutor’s office or a lower court. And the tribunal also left the door wide open for Congress to finally rethink what

is now perceived to be a purely political question best left to the executive and the legislature to decide, put in by the framers of the Constitution to prevent a return of Marcos-style totalitarian military rule.

Most legal experts and legislators agree that judicial review of a martial law proclamation was intended as another layer to check a return to military-backed autocracy, which why it was included in the constitution. But the framers never imagined the rise of a new virulent terrorism that would require martial law —or that a sitting Court would actually pass judgment on the issue of whether or not a president should be allowed to declare it.

All we know is that despite the animosity that the framers generally felt towards the Marcos regime, they chose to give an incumbent president the option of imposing military rule, albeit severely hampered by constitutional restrictions. And that was exactly what Duterte

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Opinion TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Why Pacquiao must retire THERE were many reasons why Manny Pacquiao lost to that unheralded Australian boxer, Jeff Horn.

Manny is 38 years old. He is no longer the Pacman of long ago— focused, with the killer instinct.

I am not a fan of boxing, just an onlooker. I think even the nationwide excitement about his fights has gone.

Pacquiao claims he was robbed of his victory by the judges who voted for Horn. Was he, really? Perhaps we should remind him that the vote was unanimous and not split.

I think this is just another example of Filipinos not being able to accept defeat. We always say we are cheated when we don’t get our way.

There is consensus, though, about the fact that he should retire. He has already experienced being on top of the world and having seven titles to his name.

By retiring now, he will forever be the people’s boxing icon.

As I see it, Pacquiao’s problem is that he is not satisfied with his billions, his mansion at Forbes Park, his airplane in Los Angeles.

He became greedy. He lusted after more money. If he does not retire now, people will remember him losing to Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather.

Am I right to observe that Pacquiao seems to believe he is unbeatable?

As a senator, Pacquiao has an obligation to those who voted him into office. But no, he wanted more money and adulation. And then, an unheralded boxer from Australia beat him. I think this is God’s way of telling him: “Hey, you have had enough glory, and it’s time for you to quit while quitting is good.”

It was reported that the Games and Amusements Board will review the fight, not necessarily to overturn the decision of the judges but to find out what really happened in that fight. But Bob Arum himself, promoter of the fight, said the decision of the judges was right.

Pacquiao’s biggest fight is to prove to those who voted for him that they made the right decision. *** The siege of Marawi City by the combined forces of the Maute, Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has been going on for several weeks.

President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Marawi is just a test case for the IS-inspired terrorists.

If that is true, there could be other attacks on Mindanao cities like Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato and Zamboanga.

Note also that there are reports that foreign jihadists are joining the Mautes and the Abus in the Marawi siege. This can only mean

more firearms and ammunition. It could prolong the war in that city.

To me, the entry of foreign jihadists supports the idea that the IS really intends to establish a caliphate in the Philippines.

As for the situation in Marawi, I think it will get worse before it gets better. *** Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was out of line when he described his fellow senators as cowards and as puppets of the Duterte administration.

Obviously, Trillanes was referring to the majority of the Senate, especially Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson said he did not know where Trillanes was coming from. He is not even sure Trillanes thinks rationally!

For me, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III gave the best reply.

“Why revive it just for him to be in the news?”

Trillanes seems desperate because nobody is taking him seriously.

Indeed in a democracy, there is need for check and balance. But Trillanes is just too much. *** President Duterte faces the problem of housing backlog, to the tune of 500,000 homes for poverty-stricken families. It is actually a social volcano in the making. Not addressing it now only makes it worse.

We have already seen how Kadamay, an association identified with the Left, took over the housing projects aimed at giving them to families of policemen.

It was anarchy!

This proves how the poor can be desperate to have a house. I just don’t know why families of policemen did not want to live in those units.

Beggars cannot be choosers.

Even the illegal drug problem is caused by poverty. *** Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II claims there is a resurgence of illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

That’s nothing new so long as there security guards and Bureau of Correction officials to be bribed.

For so long, I have been writing in this column that the only lasting solution to the problem is to decongest the national penitentiary. It was built for 2,400 inmates but now houses over 24,000.

The NBP must be relocated to a new venue like in Laur, Nueva Ecija. In fact, Aguirre is aware that three consortia—San Miguel, DMCI and Megawide —have already prequalified to build a P50billion facility for both the NBP and the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong. But Secretary Aguirre keeps postponing the final bidding.

So what is he complaining about when he knows what the solution is?

He has already experienced being on top of the world and having seven titles to his name.

The final...

From A4 wants to end these unconscionable de facto subsidies. The campaign to coerce the state, through the Energy Regulatory Commission, to continue giving feed-in tariff (FIT) incentives is cleverly hidden as a “climate justice” issue, even if it only benefits the Lopez business empire that has a lock on natural gas and other RE sources, without regard for the additional cost on the consumer and despite the availability of more reliable and more economical sources like coal.

The move to besmirch the ERC for entering into supposed “midnight deals,” seen in this light, is nothing but a ploy to force the regulator to allow FIT charges on all power consumers, who will have to shoulder the additional burden on their power bills. The leftist groups involved in the campaign such as Sanlakas, Freedom from Debt Coalition and the Philippine Movement for Climate

Justice are thus allowing themselves to be used to batter the ERC in order to push the Lopez companies’ drive for costly, intermittent RE sources.

When the Lopezes lost their chief campaigner inside the government in the person of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez, they have turned to these groups to push their agenda. And while no one is against clean energy, the people who pay the obligatory tariffs must be made to understand where exactly the subsidies are going—and they’re going straight to the Lopez group.

Right now, when the Philippines needs all the cheap and reliable energy that is can use to push infrastructure and economic growth, the people selling us expensive, unsustainable RE sources must be exposed. These people are not for climate justice, really, but agents of a family that wants to get subsidies for their expensive, uncompetitive products.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Our splayed-legs foreign policy BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO I HOPE my editor does not get squeamish about my language.

But the strongest words must be used to point out our splayedlegs foreign policy on China.

On the pretext the Philippines is charting an independent foreign policy, the country is being sold and bought lock, stock and barrel by our giant neighbor.

In a way, this is no different from the bar girls in Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base during the wild and wooly days when the US had a decades-long lease on the two vital Philippine military installations. For those old enough to remember, the images of scantily-clad bar girls enticing GIs to come in and have some fun are again conjured. What other services they offered American servicemen we shall leave to the imagination of the reader. The going rate, according to some old codger reminiscing about those day Subic and Clark days, was $50 for short time, $100 overnight.

That is retail in the law of supply and demand.

These days, China grants the Philippines billions in pesos to fund big-ticket infrastructure projects in line with the Duterte

administration’s Build, Build, Build program. Fine, it’s good to see government having a vision of building roads and bridges and planting on idle agricultural lands.

The downside to all this generous infusion of funds to finance public expenditure is that the country could be giving away our sovereignty to China.

This we have seen in how complacent the government is on the people’s concern the Chinese are building more military facilities in the Spratlys and other parts of the disputed South China Sea. The Asian Maritime Transparency Initiatives, a Washington-based think tank, has raised the red flag that China’s unabated military build-up is escalating tension in the region. The AMTI is part of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies. Sure, it is a US think tank which could just be stirring things to drive a wedge between China and the Philippines. But the red flag concern is based on recent satellite images showing missile shelters, radar and communications facilities being set up in Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Mischief Reef (Panganiban) and Subi Reef (Zamora) in the Spratly group of islands.

Do we have to wait for the Chinese invaders to be at our front door before we shout enough is enough? Some say the Chinese are already past the Pal-

ace gates with Duterte showing them inside Malacañang.

But where will the government source the funds for its massive infrastructure projects including the ambitious Tutuban, Manila to Clark airport railway project? Let me say at the outset this is an idea whose time has come. Former President Noynoy Aquino should have undertaken this project because it would benefit the people of Central Luzon, including his home province of Tarlac.

But then Noynoy’s world, as everyone knows, is limited to Hacienda Luisita and the Cojuangco-Aquino family continued hold on these vast landholding that should have been awarded to farmers a long time ago.

At least P305 billion would be needed to finance 11 infrastructure projects the Duterte administration is planning. But do we have to source most of them from China? In the same manner Duterte claims to be charting an independent foreign policy, it should also diversify government borrowing and sourcing of funds. Already embedded with China, Digong is now also flirting with Russia.

What will happen if the US unleashed its full military force to enforce and ensure freedom of navigation in the vital international shipping lanes in the South China Sea? Won’t the Philippines get caught in the crossfire?

How we choose our friends has a bearing on the country’s security and well-being.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines wants to wipe out the Maute terrorists and free Marawi City in time for President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress on July 24.

Why put pressure on military operations to finish the job just so the President can have bragging rights in his Sona of having freed Marawi from the ISISaligned Mautes?

There is a chance the Marawi siege would still be raging as the President delivers his Sona. It would give his delivery a somber note and justify his imposition of martial law in Mindanao. The people acknowledge the President is doing his best in the battle against terrorism that has been linked to illegal drugs money.

Horror stories of civilian survivors are coming out of Marawi. The Mautes are reportedly looting houses they have taken over. Valuables are stolen and the houses are then set on fire. Worse, females captives are raped and made into sex slaves.

These vicious terrorists can’t wait to get to that promised place in Muslim myth where their crimes against humanity would be rewarded with pleasure from seven virgins. It’s just incredible how these fanatics can believe such a yarn.

Unsolicited advice SO I SEE LITO BANAYO I DON’T really know him that much. Except for a single perfunctory introduction when he was yet a congressman, I cannot cite the slightest affinity to the person as to be able to give him unsolicited advice.

But Manny Pacquiao, the “Pacman,” the “best poundfor-pound fighter in the world,” the honorable member of the august Senate of the realm, the gentleman from Sarangani and General Santos, the “national treasure”—all these encomiums, and more, is a very public person, and I suppose that gives this writer the freedom to advise, effrontery forgivable.

It’s time to hang up the gloves, sir.

Not because you lost to that upstart “hornet” from the continent down under, by what many consider a hometown decision.

Far from it.

Even Malacañang speaking for the Filipino nation, said very proudly, you are a national treasure, win or lose, fairly or unfairly.

I shall not comment on the fight itself. I have no expertise whatsoever in this art of pugilism which you have honed into a science over the past two decades of fighting in the square arena.

Neither shall I relate to your

A central...

From A4 In his inaugural speech Monday, Espenilla used rather high-sounding words to describe his mission of making the central bank relevant. He said: “Yes, the Philippines’ continues to experience strong economic performance amidst a stable macroeconomic and financial environment. But such growth, to be truly meaningful, needs to be inclusive, to create jobs, and to improve welfare.”

“The BSP has been promoting reforms in the macroeconomic and financial sectors, but we know that these are not enough. We have to push the envelope further. This is why the BSP has been passionate in its pursuit of its financial inclusion advocacy.”

“We need to work on bringing central banking operations closer to the people. This would entail strengthening our commitment to advance our financial inclusion, financial education, and consumer protection agenda to ensure that no one is left behind.”

In 2015, the BSP, Espenilla recalled, “embarked on an ambitious

age, and the effects of years of willing punishment upon your body. I am not a physician nor a therapist of anything.

I write this as an ordinary Filipino grateful to you for having placed our country in the world map, so much so that when I travel to some foreign land, immigration clerks down to cab drivers exclaim “Pacquiao!” whenever they learn where I am from.

It’s time to hang up the gloves, sir, and be truly serious about your chosen second career.

Our people elected you to the Senate more as reward for the pride you have elicited for a nation so parched for it. Do not rest on the laurels of your public reward even if you deserve it far more than others who merely parlayed movie fame to high office.

Think of it as a means to serve them better. This time, sir, for you to reward them back with genuine concern and sincere service.

Make the most of your five more years in the Senate. Participate in its deliberations, whether in plenary or in its committees. Come prepared, not to read scripts written by half-hearted staffers, but on the basis of diligent self-study.

You can do it, sir.

Enroll at the University of the Philippines, which through its College of Public Administration (NCPAG), can equip you with the right knowledge to refine your street-smarts and

arm your desire for public service with the templates of good governance.

And then, if you are sufficiently prepared, go for the vice presidency, in tandem with whoever President Rodrigo Duterte, like you a son of Mindanao, will endorse as his successor, the better to continue the reforms that genuine change will require. Because change cannot be done in a mere six years.

Think of it, Senator Pacquiao. Help the anointed next president as the voice of the marginalized in the next six years. Cooperate with him in undertaking Part Two of Duterte’s reforms towards a better Philippines.

And prepare yourself for Part Three.

Three continuous terms.

Eighteen years, almost a generation. Enough to push this twelfth most populous country in the world to the ranks of the First World with visionary and purposive leadership. From perennially developing to finally developed.

Distract yourself no longer with the gore and glory of the ring. Disturb yourself no longer with the desire to exact revenge upon the Horn of kangaroo-land.

Be a good senator of the Republic now; be a cooperative vice president come 2022; and by the grace of God and a people who will have confidence in your abilities and self-preparation, be a good president come

2028.

Heed this unsolicited advice from one who cannot promote you like a Bob Arum can, neither train you like the inimitable Freddie Roach, but who has had enough experience in “spotting” future presidents. *** I end on a sad note. I learned from my foreign post that a good family friend, Tita Saling, Rizalina Bautista Boncan passed away recently, and I was unable to personally convey my condolences to her grieving loved ones. To Riz and Gina, Kelly, Boom, Palito, Ricky Dicky, Becky and former Monetary Board member Raul Boncan: the sense of loss can only be assuaged by the realization that Tita Saling lived a full and meaningful life, not only because she raised a great family, but because she actively contributed towards making our nation worthy of bequeathing to generations next.

For all our travails as a nation and all our shortcomings as a people, and even during the dark last days of the rule of authoritarianism, she never lost hope that things would turn out for the better. Ever the cheerful optimist, Tita Saling was the epitome of the true Filipina, clinging to the good values she grew up with, yet ready to embrace the changes that modernity brought.

Speaking for myself and our college barkada who trooped quite often to her Makati home, she will be sorely missed.

journey towards modernizing the retail payment system in the country. The National Retail Payment System project defines the principles and critical elements to bring about a safe and efficient digital payment system. “This can potentially transform our economy by enabling greater access to financial services. A well-designed payment system serves as a key pillar of an inclusive and expansive digital finance ecosystem—one that is able to meet the diverse needs of all users in a manner that is convenient, sustainable, affordable, and reliable.”

He declared: “Our policy agenda is therefore geared towards a truly inclusive, strong and dynamic financial system that is fully responsive to the needs of the domestic economy in line with the Government’s medium-term development plan and the AmBisyon Natin 2040.”

How does Espenilla intend to achieve financial inclusion?

About 577 towns have no banks and 80 million Filipinos have no bank accounts. The governor wants to ease the requirements for opening a bank branch in missionary areas. He will also lower, if not remove, the maintaining

balance for deposits kept by ordinary mortals. He will remove penalties for maintaining deposits below the amount the banks want.

The know-your-client (KYC) rules will be eased for small borrowers and depositors. So-called dormant accounts will not be allowed by BSP—meaning if a depositor does not make any transactions in his bank account for a year, the bank cannot penalize the depositor for allegedly maintaining a “dormant account”. “There is no such thing as a dormant account,” says Espenilla.

For small and medium businesses, heavy penalties will be slapped on banks who fail to meet their quota of loans for SMEs. Espenilla says he will push for legislation for a Financial Inclusion Consumer Protection Law. He will also strengthen the BSP’s consumer protection bureau headed by Pia Roman Tayag.

As for loan documents, a borrower cannot be forced to sign documents without dates and with blank entries. A borrower will have to be told the exact and effective interest he must pay for his loan.

Under BSP rules, banks must ensure that “offering documents of products and services contain

the information necessary for customers to be able to make an informed judgment of the product or service and, in particular, meet the full disclosure requirements specified under existing laws or regulations.”

“All key features and risks of the products should be highlighted prominently in a succinct manner.

Where a product is being offered on a continuous basis, its offering documents should be updated in accordance with the requirements set out in the regulations.”

Banks must readily and consistently “make available to the customer a written copy of the Terms and Conditions (T&C) that apply to a product or service.

The contents of the T&C must be fully disclosed and explained to financial customers before initiating a transaction. Where and when warranted, reference to the T&C should be made while transacting with the consumer and before consummating the transaction, if such reference is material to the understanding of the consumer of the nature of the product or service, as well as its benefits and risks.” biznewsasia@gmail.com

A6

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Spurious passport gets Malaysian A MALAYSIAN was barred by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from entering the country for using a spurious passport with a different name.

The foreigner, identified as Paul Daniel Lim, was intercepted at the Naia 3 terminal aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Kota Kinabalu.

Lim was excluded for using a spurious travel document and confessed that he only assumed the identity of the person in the passport to travel to Manila.

“His apprehension is a product of the extra vigilance that our immigration officers were told to exercise amid reports that some foreign jihadists have managed to slip into our country through our airports,” BI commissioner Jaime Morente said.

Morente instructed immigration officers to be stricter in assessing foreign travelers from countries where the said jihadists usually come from, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East.

BI port operations division chief Marc Red Marias said immigration officers noticed that his facial appearance did not match the picture in the biopage of the passport that he presented.

His passport was in the name of a certain Arry Bin Jong, a 37-year-old who in the picture looked different and younger than the passenger.

Mariñas said it was during questioning that Lim gave his real name and confessed that the passport he used was fraudulently acquired.

He alleged he was forced to hide his real identity because he is wanted in Malaysia for estafa after he reneged on paying the car loan of a friend that he had guaranteed.

Mariñas also said Lim named his Filipino contact who resides in Quezon City and where he allegedly intended to stay. Vito Barcelo

News

Duterte wants Bulacan massacre suspects dead

By Sandy Araneta

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he wanted all suspects in the Bulacan massacre dead, but quick to clarify he did not order anyone to kill them.

“For me, I said, I will kill them. [But] I did not order anyone [to kill them],” said Duterte in Filipino, during his visit to the family of the massacre victims in Bulacan.

“When the time comes, you’re dead. Whatever human rights would do, let them take care of it. Maybe they [human rights groups] would like to

handle anti-drug [campaign], I am willing to let go all together my particular duty in reference to drugs. I can give it to them and they are afraid, you enforce it. Not all criminals would live,” said Duterte.

“These killers. I understand one was found dead today. As I have told you, this in an organization, a loose organization of criminals

and syndicates,” he said.

“And I will repeat my warning, I told everybody since the beginning that if you destroy my country, I will kill you. And if you destroy the young of this country…it happened here which is more…” said Duterte.

Duterte said he did not give a timeframe for the police to solve the case, “but it should be as soon as possible.”

He said wherever the suspects would hide, “I will catch up with you.”

“I don’t give a shit about human rights...And my job is to see to it—I will repeat—to preserve and defend the Filipino nation.

That’s about it,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Duterte said the National Housing Authority offered a housing unit for the family of the victims.

“I gave something like P255,000 and P20,000 and gave him cellphone. I told him that if there is anything that he would need and if he think I can help ‘call me,’” said Duterte.

Duterte condoled with the family’s patriarch, bank security guard Dexter Carlos, who arrived home on June 27 to find his entire family, including his wife Estrella; three children Donnie, Ella and Dexter Jr.; and motherin-law Auring, dead from multiple stab wounds.

Among those who were at the

Meralco denies PSAs ‘midnight contracts’

By Maricel V. Cruz

Driver, conductor of bus detained THE Metro Manila Development Authority has asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to penalize the operator of MM Bus Corp. whose driver and conductor mauled two enforcers who apprehended them for violating traffic rules in Cubao, Quezon City last Monday.

The driver, identified as Eddie Magangcong Jr., 38, and his conductor Kim Lester Padilla, 22, are now detained at the Quezon City Police Station 7 jail and were slapped with criminal charges before the city prosecutor’s office.

The MMDA traffic enforcer Roberto Supan suffered neck injury while his companion Rodel Abanil sustained hand injury.

MMDA officer-in-charge for planning Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the Office of the Chairman (Danilo Lim) requested that the LTFRB impose appropriate sanctions against the operator of the bus firm and its two personnel.

“We’ve learned that they [LTFRB] already invited concerned parties. It is up to them now to decide what would they do, but they must consider our traffic enforcers were mauled, suffered injuries and brought to a hospital,” said Garcia.

Initial investigation conducted

by Cubao Police Station showed the traffic enforcers, manning the area of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue near P. Tuazon Boulevard, stopped the (SM FairviewBaclaran bound) bus around 3 p.m. on Monday after it off loaded passengers in a “No Loading and Unloading Zone.” Joel Zurbano

wake were the family’s relatives who traveled from Baggao, Cagayan and Tagum, Davao Del Norte and who wore white ribbons around their heads.

Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, along with local officials, accompanied Duterte during the visit.

Suspect Carmelino “Miling” Navarro Ibañes, a 26-year-old construction worker, already admitted to raping Auring and Estrella and to stabbing the family to death.

Ibañes also admitted to using illegal drugs before committing the crime with two other people although he tested negative for drug use.

SAN JUAN FIRE. Members of the Bureau of Fire protection battle Tuesday the fourth alarm mid-afternoon fire which gutted a three-story commercial building along A. Lake Street in Barangay Salapan in San Juan City, the ‘rising city of excellence in the metropolis.’ No one was reported hurt. Manny Palmero

Napoles pleads not guilty to graft, malversation DETAINED businesswoman and alleged Priority Development Assistance Fund scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to all counts of graft and malversation charges filed against her at the Sandiganbayan regarding the multi-billion peso scheme.

Napoles attended her arraignment before the anti-graft court’s Second Division for three counts of graft and three counts of malversation of public funds.

The case is in connection with the alleged misuse of former Davao del Norte Rep. Arrel Olaño’s congressional allotment worth more than P7.7 million in 2007.

In a related development, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Tuesday the filing of direct bribery and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards

for Public Officials and Employees before the Sandiganbayan against two revenue officials.

Nora Halamani, group supervisor, and Abolais Ampa, revenue officer 3, have been accused of demanding P400,000 “for the boys” in exchange for approved and signed Bureau of Internal Revenue payment forms.

The duo were assigned in Manila’s Revenue District Office 29.

Based on its June 30 resolution, the Ombudsman said it conducted inquest proceedings against the two BIR officials right after their entrapment by the National Bureau of Investigation operatives on June 29.

Halamani and Ampa were tasked to handle the tax liabilities of Dealco Farms Inc. They demanded the payment of money in exchange for the forms which the taxpayer needed to submit to a bank.

They were caught red-handed by the NBI after receiving the bribe money “for the boys” inside the third floor of the BIR office in Intramuros, Manila.

Halamani received the brown envelope containing the marked money consisting of four bundles amounting to P350,000.

Based on the case information, Olaño chose the bogus nongovernment organizations of Napoles as “project partners” and the Technology Resource Center as implementing agency.

Investigations, however, proved the projects of the NGOs were non-existent.

Former Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary for Operations Mario Relampagos is also a respondent in the case for allegedly facilitating the special allotment and release order of Olaño’s PDAF.

For his part, Olaño’s camp said the former lawmaker should not be penalized in the case, saying “there is no law penalizing members of the House of Representatives by nominating a particular NGO.” Olaño was also present at the arraignment but had not entered a plea since his legal counsel would file a motion for reconsideration.

Relampagos and then-DBM employees Rosario Nuñez, Marilou Bare, and Lalaine Paule also have pending motions for reconsideration.

The court set the preliminary conference of the case on Aug. 7 and 8, while the arraignment of Napoles’ co-accused was reset to Sept. 4.

Aside from this case, Napoles is facing other PDAF scam-related plunder and graft charges at the Sandiganbayan. Rio N. Araja

THE Manila Electric Co. on Tuesday responded to allegations of certain interest groups which questioned the seven power supply agreements (PSAs) pending with the Energy Regulatory Commission since April 2016.

At a hearing conducted by the House committee on energy, presided by 1-Care party-list Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta, the country’s power distributor denied these PSAs were “midnight contracts” and would result in “costlier and dirtier energy from coal.”

Lawyer William Pamintuan, Meralco vice president and head of legal and corporate governance, told lawmakers the allegations were baseless and totally unsubstantiated.

The House energy committee conducted the probe as Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate sought a congressional probe into the decision of the ERC to approve the construction of a P1.7-billion transmission line for a power plant project of a subsidiary of Meralco.

“Does the decision to approve the transmission line project for the 1,200-megawatt project of Atimonan One Energy Inc. [Atimonan One] mean that ERC has already approved the supply agreements not only between Meralco and Atimonan One, but, also between Meralco and six other Meralco-controlled generation companies?” Zarate asked.

Zarate said the seven PSAs that Meralco awarded without bidding to Meralco-controlled generation companies would oblige Meralco customers to pay at least P91 billion in generation charges every year.

But Pamintuan said these PSAs were legally filed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ERC with the objective of ensuring adequate and reliable power supply at least cost to Meralco’s more than six million customers.

“Each of these PSAs had undergone a very rigorous, lengthy and, at times, contentious negotiation process with the Generation Companies which actually took many months and years before these agreements were signed and filed with the ERC,” Pamintuan said.

DoLE to replace OFWs’ certificates

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment said on Tuesday it would replace the overseas employment certificates for overseas Filipino workers with a government IDs which would also serve as their license to go abroad and come back.

“The department will launch the new ID—named i-DoLE next week,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, adding “the bona fide OFWs need not apply for the ID and will be issued free for OFWs.” “If you’re an OFW, there’s no need to apply because you are already in the roster, so an ID will be made for you and then

they will send it to you. You will be asked if you want it sent to your workplace or your residence,” he said.

The new ID will serve as the OFWs’ OECs and they need no longer go to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration every time they leave and return home, he said.

“All they have to do is show their ID and this will serve as their license to go abroad and come back here,” he said.

OFWs are required to get OECs from the POEA before they are allowed to leave the country.

“With an OEC or the new ID, the OFW will not be required to pay a travel tax or the terminal fee at the Ninoy Aquino

International Airport.

“This is the best gift of our President to OFWs. The President has seen to it their life is more comfortable and more secure,” Bello said.

The Labor chief also said the new ID can be used for their Social Security System, Pag-IBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund), and PhilHealth transactions.

The department will conduct an inventory of the list of legitimate OFWs to determine who should get an i-DoLE and where to send it to.

“The OFW will just have to wait and he will be given an ID. If he’s abroad, the labor attache could give the ID,” he added.

NEW EVANGELIZATION. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle leads a news conference Tuesday on

the New Evangelization with professor Giovanna Fontanila and New Evangelization Office of Promotion Fr. Jason Laguerta. The youth gathering will be held from July 28 to 30 at the UST grounds. Norman Cruz

Sports

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

La Salle raises funds for Lariba

By Randy Caluag

A

COLLECTIBLE pair of basketball shoes used by the champion team Green Archers in the 2014 Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s caging tournament was the top draw in a charity online auction put up by the Office Development Office of the De La Salle University.

The white and gold Nike Leb- P5,000 and eventually went to ron model, donated by La Salle Camilla Saguin, who posted the alumni association official Ed- highest bid of P15,100. win Reyes, had a starting bid of The shoes come with a glass

casing plus the UAAP medal and championship shirt.

Items like DLSU basketball, vollyball jerseys from La Salle lady spikers and even from non-La Salle alumni have been auctioned off by DLSU Sports through its social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter, to help raise funds for La Salle alumni and table tennis Olympian Ian Larriba.

Larriba, who was undefeated in her five years of playing for DLSU in the UAAP table tennis competitions and the only Filipino table netter ever to

qualify in the Olympics, was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. She needs longterm medical attention.

Other items sold in the online auction were Kim Fajardo’s F2 Logistics jersey in the Philippine Super Liga that went to a certain Alyana Claire Gumboc Dancel with the highest bid of P6,200 and Nicole Tiamzon’s UP Lady Maroons jersey that went to the winning bid of P5,100 by Jehan Roselle C. Santos.

A used basketball from the Green Archers’ team was won

by Vicente Sy, who posted the

highest bid of P3,500.

Administrators of DLSU Sports promised that more items will be put on auction to help Larriba for her medical treatment.

The Philippine Sports Commission had initially funded Larriba’s hospital bills and more private entities like the La Salle groups are putting more efforts to pitch in.

The DLSU alumni have put up a continuous campaign with the hash tag #kayamoyan to help Larriba cope with the rising costs of her treatment.

Royal Manila wins QBL Adela Cup ROYAL Manila cagebelles dominated arch rival Team Kengs, 2-0, to capture the championship of the Queens Basketball League [QBL]-Adela SDK Cup held recently at the Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City.

The Sports Apparel Specialists of team manager Conrado Gicanal downed Kengs in Game 1, 80-74, powered by the offensive prowess of Finals’ MVP Carmina Reyes.

They followed this up with a Game 2 comefrom-behind 72-69 victory to sweep their bestof-three finals of the tournament presented by Adela SDK, organized

by QBL and sanctioned

by BBL of founder Erick Kirong.

“Our Royal cagebelles are determined to sweep the finals to avoid a pressure-laden rubbermatch and they did it,”said winning coach Rene Boy Banzali. who steered Royal Manila to its second major women caging title this year.

The same intact team won the King of the Courts [KOTC] women’s division last summer.

CEREMONIAL DRIVE. Businessman Lucio Tan hits the ceremonial drive during the golf competition in celebration of the 116th Filipino-Chinese

Friendship Day on Thursday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Looking on are officers and members of the organizing Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation, headed by William Gosiaco (center) and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., led by Domingo Yap (second from right). The FCAAF also organized friendship games in basketball, badminton, cycling and table tennis.

South seeks 3rd straight The Duel crown BAGUIO—Team South hopes to cash in on its edge in personnel as it tries to seize early control in the opening Foursomes of the The Duel—North vs South—at the Camp John Hay Golf Club here today.

South coach Charles Hong boasts of the leading players in the current ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit, including the top four—Tony Lascuña, Clyde Mondilla, Zanieboy Gialon and Jhonnel Ababa— who are expected to lead the

team’s drive for a third straight championship in this biennial event, the local version of the Ryder Cup. Hong pits Lascuña and the Orlan Sumcad against North’s top gun Miguel Tabuena and Randy Garalde in the opening of the alternate shot format with brothers Jay and Rufino Bayron squaring off with Mars Pucay and rookie pro Ira Alido in the next match.

Mondilla, winner of two legs like Lascuña in this year’s PGT, will have Rene Menor as partner as they take on a pair of young

North rivals in Keanu Jahns and Justin Quiban, while Gialon and Cassius Casas mix it up with Michael Bibat and Benjie Magada.

Ababa and buddy Jerson Balasabas will next face Joenard Rates and James Ryan Lam while Mhark Fernando and Elmer Salvador collide with Gerald Rosales and Jobim Carlos in the last of the six-pair opening event sponsored by ICTSI also held to foster camaraderie among the country’s leading players from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Team South trailed in the first two days when the last Duel was held at Wack Wack in 2015 but won nine of the 12 singles matches in the final day to beat North, 12 1/2-11 1/2, and complete a back-to-back feat.

The top players in the OOM rankings make up the two teams, including two alternates from each side, with Marvin Dumandan serving as Hong’s assistant and Temyong Murakami handling Team North with assistant Miko Alejandro.

New AU Chiefs bound to rise A NEW batch of talented players are expected to rise up from the ranks of the Arellano University Chiefs.

Now that four key players, led by Jiovani Jalalon, are no longer around, coach Jerry Codinera is turning to the team’s other veterans.

These veterans—led by Kent Salado, Allen Enriquez, Brylle Meca, Elie OngoloOngolo, Lervin Flores and the returning Renzil Rivera—will carry the fight for the Chiefs in the coming 93rd season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

Nadal...

From A8

“We have addressed the adjustments that we needed to do after my seniors graduated,” said Codinera.

The graduates include Jalalon, Julius Cadavis and Donald Gumaru.

On the other hand, Fil-American Zach Nicholls decided to forego his final year, and opted to go to Guam instead.

One major adjustments involves 5’9” point guard Kent Salado.

Last season, Salado played a supporting role to Jalalon, who was the Chiefs’ main offensive and director of plays on court.

Swiss fifth seed and French Open runner-up Stan Wawrinka was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev on Monday, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

World number 49 Medvedev, making his Wimbledon debut, goes on to face Belgian quali-

With the two around, the Chiefs had little trouble reaching the finals of the Season 92 tournament.

With the two combining on court, the Chiefs were able to stand their ground against the San Beda Red Lions.

Team B players like Marvin Taywan, Levi de la Cruz and Arnie Padilla, a big man who gained residency, will also be around to help out.

As the coming season progresses, it will be up to the coaches to find out who their go-to scorers can be to help Salado shoulder the scoring load. Peter Atencio

fier Ruben Bemelmans for a place in the last 32.

It was Wawrinka’s sixth first round loss at the All England Club, although his efforts were hampered by a left knee injury which required an ice pack at the changeovers.

It also meant that 33-year-old Wawrinka’s hopes of becoming just the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam were ended for another year. AFP

A FIVE-DAY basketball coaches clinic for the Philippines and other Asian countries is currently ongoing. It is a project of the Basketball Association of the Philippines and Athletes in Action, in coordination with the Sports Coalition of the Philippines. The clinic is being conducted by AIA general manager and head coach Morris Michalski, who is also the Chaplain of the USA Men’s Basketball Team. It began last Monday at the Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ Center in Quezon City, moved to the TIP courts in Manila and will end at the Canyon Cove in Batangas on Friday. Among the speakers in the clinic during its first day was two-time PBA Grand Slam winner and current Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, the winningest coach in PBA history, and BCAP President Alfrancis Chua. Foreign coaches from Thailand, Indonesia and Mongolia, and aspiring Filipino coaches from as far as Benguet in the north and Tagum City in the south, joined the clinic which was supported by Higer Bus.

PH eyes better showing in ASEAN School Games

By Patricia Bianca Taculao DepEd Asec.

Tonisito Umali (left) and DepEd Chief School Sports Division Cesar Abalon brief sportswriters about the coming ASEAN School Games at the PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel.

Ey Acasio

DEPARTMENT of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali invoked balance in experience and ambition of the athletes that will represent the Philippines in the 2017 ASEAN School Games.

The assistant secretary said that glory can be achieved by winning medals but honor comes from the way you play in the game.

He also said that it was improper for the Department of Education to pursue the players to perform well just for the reason of winning medals and titles.

Umali, along with Director Rizalano Rosales and Chief of the School Sports Division, Cesar Abalon, were the first

speakers of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held at Golden Phoenix Hotel, located at Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Sunrise Drive, Pasay City.

Still, the aim for this year is to land a ranking higher than the previous year and the 2014 ASG where the Philippines ranked 4th and bagged a total of 47 medals in the event.

In preparation for the 9th ASG, the Department of Education collaborated with the Philippine Sports Commission for a 10-day training period for the athletes.

The 159 athletes, aged 18 years old and below, were chosen through their victories in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa.

A 224-member Philippine delegation will depart to Singapore for the Asean School Games set from July 13 to 21.

PH wind surfer expected to shine

By Peter Atencio TWO-TIME world champion Geylord Coveta is seeing action in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

The 5-foot Coveta— who hails from the small seaside barangay of Anilao, Batangas—is expected to dominate his windsurfing event after he took the RS-1 at the 2017 World Championships in Hoi An, Vietnam.

During the competition, Coveta proved himself by beating his 14 rivals in 13 races.

His coach Raul Lazo said Coveta will show how tough he is in the biennial meet since one of his opponent in the Vietnam event included Asian champion Natthapong Phonnophrat of Thailand.

The 36-year-old Coveta is making a comeback after he missed the podium in last month’s Pattaya Open.

Lazo said Coveta will be back in the Philippine Sports Commission’s list of priority athletes after he became inactive and did not join international meets.

The Windsurfing Association of the Philippines is currently requesting for a Korean training partner for Coveta.

This will help Coveta simulate the tough race that he will confront in Malaysia.

Creamline, BaliPure aim for PVL lead Games today

10 a.m. – Café Lupe vs Megabuilders 1 p.m. – Sta. Elena vs Air Force 4 p.m. – Pocari Sweat vs Perlas-BanKo 6:30 p.m. – BaliPure vs Creamline

CREAMLINE and BaliPure tangle today in an early clash of the fancied teams while Pocari Sweat seeks a share of the lead against Perlas-BanKo in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers hurdled the Akari-Adamson side in four, 25-17, 18-25, 25-15, 25-22, in last Saturday’s opener but Alyssa Valdez and company will need to toughen up, particularly in service receives, when they face the Water Defenders in the featured 6:30 p.m. encounter.

BaliPure actually had a tougher opening game stint in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision, needing to fight back from 1-2 down before dominating the fifth to foil the Power Smashers, 25-15, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-6, late Sunday.

But the Water Defenders are expected to have settled down as they try to re-assert their mastery over the Cool Smashers who they dominated in the recent Reinforced Conference.

The match will also feature the face-off of two of the league’s power-hitters—Grethcel Soltones and Valdez—with each team’s bench out to provide added firepower and spunk in pursuit of a second straight victory in the single round robin elims of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Soltones, a three-time NCAA MVP, fired 22 hits and drew solid backup from Risa Sato (18), Jerrili Malabanan (16) and Aiko Urdas (15) as they rallied past the Power Smashers.

Valdez and veteran Rosemarie Vargas, on the other hand, each hammered in 18 hits and teamed up with Pau Soriano and ace setter Jia Morado to turn back the tough-fighting Lady Falcons.

Pocari, meanwhile, shook off a poor first set stint and disposed of University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, late Sunday with the Lady Warriors hoping to improve as they square off with the Perlas-Banko Spikers at 4 p.m.

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

P0 M+ P0 M

Nadal tallies 850th victory

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

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Sports Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3. AFP

Pacquiao ponders retirement after disappointing defeat E IGHT-TIME world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has said he will “think hard” about retiring after his stunning and controversial defeat to unheralded Australian challenger Jeff Horn.

Arriving home in the Philippines a day after losing his World Boxing Organization welterweight title in a major upset in Brisbane on Sunday, the 38-yearold Pacquiao said he was thinking about hanging up his gloves for good.

PSC approves SEAG budget THE Philippine Sports Commission has approved the budget of P86.777 million to cover the trip of the 773-strong delegation to the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

The board, in a meeting held at the PSC main office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, gave its approval to the national contingent’s final budget.

A 70-member support group, which includes medical, secretariat and 13 technical officials, will join 498 athletes that’s listed to go the Games.

“Lahat ito magtatrabaho. That’s how we love our NSAs. We took care of their plane tickets. And we were generous with their requests a few months ago,” said PSC chairman William “Butch Ramirez.

The budget will cover the air fare, accommodation, uniforms and allowances of the contingent.

A big chunk of the cost is for the billeting expense of the national team.

The delegations of football and athletics make up the most number of delegates in the national contingent.

There will be 20 players in the national under-23 men’s football squad, and an equal number in the women’s team.

On the other hand, athletics will have 25 in the men’s division and 13 in the distaff side.

Ramirez earlier said they have earmarked a total of P350-million for the participation of the Philippines in the Games.

The Philippines will be competing in 37 out of 38 sports disciplines for the 405 total.

Peter Atencio

“I am also considering the opinion of people, the opinion of my family and my body,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN television on Monday night when asked about retirement.

“I plan to relax first and recover from the pains in my

body and then after that, when I have already relaxed, that’s when I will think hard about it.”

Immediately after the fight, Pacquiao had said he wanted a rematch with Horn.

Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, and his trainer, Freddie Roach, had said they would advise him to quit boxing after a phenomenal 22year professional career in which he won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.

Pacquiao briefly retired from boxing last year to pursue his long-

held political ambitions and was elected senator. But he quickly made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in November, saying he still felt like a youngster.

The 29-year-old Horn’s ultraaggressive style proved too much for Pacquiao, with the three judges scoring the fight 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 to the Australian after 12 rounds.

On Monday, Pacquiao made disparaging comments about his opponent.

“He’s not really good but he’s re-

ally strong,” Pacquiao said of Horn, as he questioned the decisions of American referee Mark Nelson.

“There is no problem with the style of Jeff Horn if he plays dirty, because there is a referee,” Pacquiao said.

“The problem here is that the referee, I don’t know if he did it deliberately or he just did not have experience, he just allowed it and did not even give any warning for how many times. It’s as if the referee wanted to help my opponent.” AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom— Rafael Nadal stormed into the Wimbledon second round as the world number two secured his 850th career victory with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Australia’s John Millman on Monday.

Fresh from winning his 10th French Open title last month, Nadal marked his 50th match at Wimbledon by crushing Millman in one hour and 46 minutes on Court One. The two-time Wimbledon champion is just the seventh player to reach the 850-win mark, joining Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Guillermo Villas.

With 217 Grand Slam match victories, Nadal is now in sixth place on the all-time list at the majors.

Nadal, seeded to face defending champion Andy Murray in the semifinals, will play Donald Young for a place in the last 32 as he bids to win Wimbledon for the first time since 2010.

“I haven’t had many matches on grass for the last few years, but I had some positive feelings,” Nadal said.

“For all the players it’s so special to play here, especially for me with all the history I have here.

It’s very emotional to be back.

“I’m happy with the way I started. I’ve been playing well since the beginning of the season.

“The clay-court season was special for me and now I have an opportunity to compete on grass.”

Having won the French Open without dropping a single set, Nadal has made a rare smooth transition to the grass of southwest London.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, beset by chronic knee problems, has struggled to adapt to the low bounce on grass in the latter stages of his career.

He hasn’t been past the fourth round at Wimbledon since 2011, losing to players ranked outside the top 100 on each of his last four visits.

But after missing Wimbledon due to a wrist injury last season and opting against playing a grass-court event after Roland Garros, Nadal had the ideal opponent to get up and running.

Millman, ranked 137th, was playing only his second Tour-level match this year after missing five months with a hip injury.

He was no match for a rampant Nadal and the 15time Grand Slam champion blitzed his way to victory with a barrage of his trademark top-spin forehands.

Turn to A7

Cabagnot shone brightest during PBA Finals

By Jeric Lopez ALEX Cabagnot may have missed out on being the Best Player of the Conference but the consistent gunner exceeded all expectations when he shepherded the Beermen to the promised land.

The seasoned veteran showcased his steady play in the championship to lead San Miguel Beer to yet another parade by winning the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup to earn another crown in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Already recognized for his fine play throughout the recently concluded tournament, Cabagnot shone best when the stakes were highest. The SMB guard provided the Beermen the needed

NCAA Deputy Commissioner for Basketball, Atty. Revo Saguisag, left, and San Beda Seniors’ Assistant Coach, JB Singson discuss the coming 93rd season of the NCAA during yesterday’s PSA forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

Ey Acasio

spark in their finals win to gain the highest individual award thus far in his career, a Finals Most Valuable Player recognition.

Still emotional from all the accomplishments that he and his team were savoring, the spitfire known as the “Crunch Man” expressed his gratitude for the success that he’s experiencing.

“I’m just thankful for everything that we’ve accomplished.

This team is really special and it’s just amazing how far we’ve come,” said Cabagnot.

San Miguel won its fifth championship over the last eight conferences and its second straight, putting it in a position to be an all-time great team when it shoots for a Grand Slam in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.

Consistency is definitely Cabagnot’s strong suit as his team depended on his steady play every time to lead them to victory.

“Before the start of the conference, I just promised the management that I’ll be consistent with my play throughout and help the team as much as I can.

Thankfully, we were able to get the championship. That’s everyone’s goal but I was also blessed with the Finals MVP. It just feels really good,” said Cabagnot.

Prior to all these recent accolades, Cabagnot was also able to bag an All-Star MVP last year.

After 13 years and counting, Cabagnot is at his peak and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

San Miguel Beer point guard Alex Cabagnot (5) tries to dribble past TNT KaTropa defender Anthony Semerad while teammate June Mar Fajardo (15) sets a pick. Cabagnot was named Finals MVP after leading the Beermen to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup throne.

NCAA will use possession arrow

By Peter Atencio JUMP BALLS will no longer be called whenever possession cannot be clearly established in the last two minutes of a game.

Instead, the possession arrow will determine which team is awarded the ball.

In the past, a jump ball is called whenever possession is not clearly established. This time the team with the possession arrow, which alternates after every possession, will inbound the ball.

In the next possession, when the arrow is flipped to the opposite direction, the other team team will be

awarded the ball if there is another situation when possession is not clearly established.

The rule is used by FIBA in many levels of competition and it is currently being deliberated on by the management committee.

And it will most likely be implemented this Saturday at the start of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We have agreed on this in principle. And this proposal is now with the Mancom,” said Deputy Commissioner Rebo Saguisag, who was commissioner of the UAAP in its

last two seasons Saguisag, who is assisting commissioner Bai Cristobal in the technical side of running the basketball matches, said this is the only change in the rules that they are implementing.

Saguisag also talked about the officiating in the league during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

The San Beda Red Lions open their title defense when they clash with host San Sebastian in the 2 p.m. opener.

Then, the Mapua Cardinals and the Arellano University Chiefs will collide at 4 p.m.

ING Bank: 7% growth possible

B3

PSE C OMPOSITE

Business

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

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,833.96 32.56

PESO-DOLLAR RATE Closing July 4, 2017

45.00 46.50 48.00

P50.520 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P50.480 LOW P50.580 AVERAGE P50.539 VOLUME 540.300M

P435.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.95-P51.01 Unleaded Gasoline P27.35-P31.46 Diesel

O

IL PRICES TODAY

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

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, July 4, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.5170

Japan

Yen

0.008821

0.4456

UK

Pound

1.293800

65.3589

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128025

6.4674

Switzerland

Franc

1.038098

52.4416

Canada

Dollar

0.768935

38.8443

Singapore

Dollar

0.723327

36.5403

Australia

Dollar

0.766000

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652098

133.9760

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

13.4709

Brunei

Dollar

0.720721

36.4087

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.029429

1.4867

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.7551

Euro

Euro

1.136800

57.4277

Korea

Won

0.000870

0.0439

China

Yuan

0.147080

7.4300

India

NEW BMW 5. Asian Carmakers Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, unveils the all-new BMW 5 Series at BGC Arts Center in Taguig City. The seventh generation of the BMW 5 Series cuts a sporty, elegant and stylish figure and boasts of aesthetic athleticism and driving pleasure with state-of-the-art technology. Shown during the launching are ACC president Maricar CristobalParco (left) and marketing director Karl Magsuci. Sonny Espiritu

38.6960

Rupee

0.015423

0.7791

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.232748

11.7577

New Zealand

Dollar

0.729200

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032766

36.8370 1.6552 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF PLDT adds 70,000 fiber-to-home lines PLDT Inc. expanded its fiber-to-thehome services in eastern part of Metro Manila by adding over 70,000 lines.

PLDT’s FTTH roll-out covered the cities of Antipolo, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Caloocan and the towns of Taytay, Cainta, and Pateros, enabling residents from villages like Barangay Kaunlaran in Caloocan, Antipolo Hills Subdivision, Greenbreeze Phase 2 and 2A in Marikina and Greenwoods Executive Village in Pasig.

“PLDT Home continues its efforts to create Fibr-powered PLDT Smart Cities nationwide to enrich the lives of more Filipinos through our innovative digital services and connectivity solutions,” PLDT first vice president and Home Business head Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr. said.

Reyes said the network rollout in East Metro Manila would provide powerful connections and top-of-the-line services to benefit both residents and businesses.

“Our vision is to make Fibr-fast internet available to 4.4 million homes by the end of the year and we are working very hard to realize this vision,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PH banks among most stable in Asia THE banking system in the Philippines is one of the most stable in Asia Pacific region, according to global debt watcher Moody’s Investor Service.

The domestic banking system got stable outlooks in the areas of operating environment, asset quality, capital, funding and liquidity, profitability and efficiency and government support.

“Our outlooks for APAC banks are increasingly stable amid supportive operating conditions. Seventy-seven percent of bank rating outlooks in APAC are now stable, up from 64 percent at end-2016,” Moody’s said.

“Macroeconomic conditions have stabilized in most APAC countries and improved in some parts of the region, easing asset quality risks,” Moody’s said.

Overall, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and India got stable outlooks. Indonesia got positive outlook while China had negative outlook. “China’s small and medium-sized banks face increasing funding pressure due to their high, and rising, levels of reliance on market funding,” Moody’s said.

Julito G. Rada

Cimatu to enforce Clean Air Act ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Tuesday assured his department would continue to ensure air quality amid concerns about the impact of coal-fired power plants on the environment and public health.

Environmental advocates led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice earlier petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the Environment and Energy Departments to strictly regulate the operations of coal-fired power plants in the country.

Cimatu said a part of the DENR’s mandate was to make sure that environmental laws, including Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, were fully implemented.

“Intensive enforcement will continue to be a tool used by the DENR to carry out its mandate from the people to improve the quality of air we breathe,” Cimatu said. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

B1

Govt creates energy council

INDEX

Closing July 4, 2017

49.50

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Meralco denies ‘midnight contracts’ with 7 suppliers

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

ower retailer Manila Electric Co. on Tuesday denied it forged “midnight contracts” with seven power plants that will allegedly result in “costlier and dirtier energy from coal.”

Meralco said in a statement such allegations were baseless and totally unsubstantiated as the power supply agreements were legally filed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

It said the objective of the power supply agreements was to ensure adequate and reliable power supply at the least cost to Meralco’s more than six million customers.

“Each of these PSAs had undergone a very rigorous, lengthy and, at times, contentious negotiation process with the generation com-

panies which actually took many months and years before these agreements were signed and filed with the ERC,” Meralco first vice president and head of legal and corporate governance William Pamintuan said.

Meralco signed 3,551 megawatts of power supply agreements with seven power generators, capturing 81 percent of the 4,384-MW combined capacity of their power projects in April 2016.

The agreements were signed before the the implementation of the competitive selection process or CSP which required the distributors to hold bidding for their supply requirements.

“In order to sustain the growth trajectory of the Philippine economy and promote inclusive growth, it is very critical to note the importance of building more power plants in a timely manner to ensure the country’s energy security especially as we support the ‘Build, Build, Build’ agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Pamintuan said.

He said the Philippines would need power to support the government’s infrastructure

projects.

“We need power if we want to build. Otherwise, economic growth cannot be supported or sustained. The Luzon power crisis in the early 1990s, and the Mindanao power crisis in 2012 are testaments to the pernicious effect that widespread and extended power outages wreaks to our economy and our people as businesses close down and unemployment goes up,” he said.

Pamintuan said the negotiation for one PSA alone started way back in 2012 and was only concluded and signed in 2016.

“There is therefore absolutely no factual basis to claim that these are midnight contracts. Meralco negotiated these PSAs in utmost good faith and the resulting rates and other terms and conditions that were filed before the ERC are very competitive and favorable to the consumers,” the official said.

Pamintuan said more than 90 power supply agreements were filed by different distribution utilities and electric cooperatives following the ERC resolution restating the effectivity of the CSP.

MALACAÑANG has ordered the creation of the Energy Investment Coordinating Council to draw up the guidelines for the declaration of “projects of national significance.”

The EICC, headed by the Energy Department, was directed to streamline regulatory processes for energy projects to speed up the provision of stable and affordable energy throughout the country.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi lauded the signing of Executive Order No. 30 on June 30 creating the EICC that would spearhead and coordinate national government efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline regulatory processes, requirements and forms relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.

Cusi was pushing for a sound policy to ensure energy projects were carried out on time. Under the EO, the council will maintain a database of information and a web-based monitoring system for information exchange and updates to uphold transparency and accountability.

“The council will guide the various agencies in speeding up their regulatory processes for the fast realization of energy projects to be tagged as ‘projects of national significance’ under the Philippine Energy Plan,” Cusi said in a statement.

The EO states that energy projects of national significance needed to be endorsed by the department.

These projects should also have significant capital investment of at least P3.5 billion, significant contribution to economic development, significant consequential economic impact, significant contribution to the country’s balance of payments, significant impact on the environment, complex technical processes and engineering designs and significant infrastructure requirements.

“The longer the processing of energy projects gets, the more expensive it becomes, which could also impact on the delivery of energy services and their affordability,” Cusi said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Jollibee loses trademark case vs night club owner Jolliville

By Othel V. Campos FASTFOOD chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. lost a longrunning trademark case against Jolliville Holdings Corp., a publicly listed real estate management company controlled by night club operator and ‘entertainment king’ Jolly Ting.

Jolliville said in a statement Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines director-general Josephine Santiago reversed the 2014 decision of the agency’s

bureau of legal affairs and granted Jolliville’s appeal for the registration of its corporate name.

“The decision of the BLA director [in September 2014] is incorrect and the appeal is meritorious. The appellant’s [Jolliville] mark is not confusingly similar to appellee’s [Jollibee] marks,” IPOPHL said in a decision issued on June 8, 2017.

“In the absence of the likelihood of confusion between the Jolliville and the appellee’s [Jollibee] registered trademarks,

there is no ground to prohibit the registration of Jolliville in the name of the appellant,” IPOPHL said.

Jollibee filed a notice of opposition in January 2013 against the application of Jolliville Holdings Corp. for the registration of its corporate name and logo “Jolliville.” IPOPHL bureau of legal affairs director Nathaniel Arevalo ruled in favor of Jollibee in September 2014, forcing Jollivile to file an appeal.

Jolliville said in its appeal

that the use of “Jolli” was a tribute to its founder Jolly Ting and that Jollibee could not claim exclusive and immediate association of ‘Jolli’ or ‘Jolly’ as there were other registered corporations and trademarks using the same name.

Jolliville also argued that its name was not confusingly similar to Jollibee and its other registered marks. Jolliville also presented Securities and Exchange Commission certificates of registration showing that Jolly Ting

started using the “Jolli’ prefix in the mid-1980s.

“The appellant has proven its ownership and continuous use of Jolliville since 1986. It has secured trademark registration for Jolliville as early as 2004,” IPOPHL said in its decision.

Jolliville said its name was a trademark formed in combination of Jolly Ting’s first name and ‘ville’, resulting in a coined word suggestive of the kind of business he was into, which was real estate.

MICT expects to handle record volume in 2nd half

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Manila International Container Terminal, the flagship operation of global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc., said Tuesday it is ready to handle the expected increase in cargo volume in the second half of the year.

“Yard utilization at the terminal remains optimal. The mechanisms we developed together with the Philippine government and other stakeholders in 2014 continue to work, resulting in the easing of traffic in Metro Manila despite inadequate trade infrastructure,” said Christian Gonzalez, senior vice president of ICTSI and head of Asia Pacific region and MICT. MICT achieved record volume and productivity with two million TEU (twenty-foot

equivalent units) move last year.

The company said that as of May, yard utilization was at 61 percent or well below the 70 percent ideal percentage. During the same month, average crane productivity hovered at 32 moves per hour. These numbers underscore the terminal’s strong performance despite the uptick in container volume as global trade continues to rebound, it said.

“Global container traffic is slowly recovering. As a matter of fact, Southeast Asia and North America have posted the highest average growth at seven percent during the final quarter of last year. While we remain optimistic that this trend will continue, I am confident that we will be able to keep up with the pace and accommodate the projected increase,” Gonzales said.

CSR EXPO. The League of Corporate Foundations holds a press launch for the 16th LCF CSR Expo themed ‘Disrupting for Social Good’ which will be held on July 19 at Mayuree Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. The CSR exhibit will be on July 19 to 20 at Glorietta Mall. Shown during the launch are (from left) National Youth Commission chairperson Aiza Seguerra and LCF officials (from left) Uygongco Foundation executive director Pia Paz Uygongco, SM Foundation Inc. executive director for education Carmen Linda Atayde, BPI Foundation Inc. executive director Fidelina Corcuera, TeaM Energy Foundation Inc. executive director Roderick De Castro, QBO Innovation Hub director Katrina Chan, Ronald McDonald House Charities executive director Maricar Angeles, Cemex Foundation Inc. executive director Chito Maniago and Zuellig Family Foundation Inc. vice president Ramon Emmanuel Derige.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; STI tops gainers Metrobank raising S TOCKS retreated Tuesday, in line with the movement of Asian markets, as a selloff in technology shares overshadowed a record close on Wall Street and a rally in energy firms.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 32 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,833.96, as four of the six major sectors declined.

The broader all-share index also tumbled 8 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,696.90, on a value turnover of P4.7 billion.

Advancers outnumbered losers, 109 to 94, while 41 issues were unchanged.

Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green,

led by STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. which surged 11 percent to P1.62 and East West Banking Corp. which jumped 8.9 percent to P30.65.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. advanced 4.3 percent to P9.65.

Meanwhile, Asian markets reversed early gains Tuesday to sit mostly down in the afternoon.

After surging on years of low borrowing costs, the tech sector is suffering selling pressure from profit-taking around the world and increasing talk among central

banks that the age of cheap money is coming to an end.

With big-name firms such as Apple and Google parent Alphabet suffering in recent weeks, their Asian counterparts are also feeling the pinch.

In Hong Kong, internet giant Tencent sank 3.5 percent and speaker-maker AAC Technologies dived 2.9 percent, Tokyo-listed Sony lost 1.7 percent and Sharp dived 1.9 percent. Samsung Electronics retreated 0.5 percent in Seoul.

And those fed through to broader markets, while traders have also been spooked by news that North Korea had tested its first missile that could reach the United States.

Tokyo ended down 0.1 percent, Seoul slipped 0.6 percent and while Singapore gave back 0.5 percent and Taipei 0.6 percent.

Shanghai was off 0.4 percent.

Hong Kong plunged 1.5 percent, with Kenny Wen, a strategist at Sun Hung Kai Financial in Hong Kong, telling Bloomberg News: “Many investors were betting 25,500 was the supporting level for the Hang Seng Index and have bought lots of futures on it.

“As the index fell below that level this morning, some people got panicked and chose to sell their holdings.”

However, Sydney ended 1.8 percent higher after a more the two percent dive in the previous two days and as Australia’s central bank held off raising interest rates.

The losses came despite a positive lead from Wall Street where the Dow chalked up another record high ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

With Bloomberg, AFP

P5b for expansion

By Julito G. Rada METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the country’s second largest lender in terms of assets, said Tuesday it will issue P5 billion worth of long-term negotiable certificates of time deposits to fund business expansion.

Metrobank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the notes would mature in seven years with an interest rate of 3.87 percent per annum, payable quarterly.

“The offer period for the LTNCDs

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.99 9,000 56.2 69,810 104 754,790 4.05 26,000 123 1,023,130 1.27 49,000 36.65 227,400 16.1 600 30.65 5,967,800 8.25 1,100 0.67 87,000 1.82 337,000 830 700 0.7 770,000 87.2 706,440 0.9 480,000 15.5 29,000 65.85 249,170 252 10,540 127 620 88.95 1,670 58 66,320 221.2 58,710 85.15 15,270 1.39 333,000

35,930 3,900,259.50 78,487,628 104,500 126,453,522 63,160 8,325,670 9,660 179,277,325 9,075 57,500 614,240 581,250 532,960 61,593,515.50 433,600 449,508 16,289,759 2,602,416 78,710 148,274 3,839,439.50 13,013,132 1,300,313 454,840

3,148,431.50 -12,546,471 20,600,819 14,655 -36,381,525 54,600 4,459,202 40,500 -704,001 8,805 -2,415,479.50 4,018,406 157,600 -

38.6 8.68 0.82 1.43 31 0.275 7.11 18.2 27.55 14.22 84.5 73.5 1.92 5.38 11.8 12.2 15.86 10.1 7.58 6 1.7 18.56 70 15.02 13.22 13.74 1.64 207 60 3.4 3.5 31.7 19.1 18.26 263 0.241 7.13 3.19 9.71 6.48 10.54 1.91 9.87 67.55 7 311 4.4 5 2.28 13.1 4.5 0.145 1.35 161 2.06 1.02

INDUSTRIAL 38.9 1,556,700 8.89 3,909,000 0.82 3,279,000 1.46 301,000 31.4 122,100 0.275 75,450,000 7.11 1,402,400 18.2 1,021,700 28 1,011,900 14.22 3,400 85 18,680 74.5 300 1.95 830,000 5.38 5,400 11.98 90,200 12.24 246,000 15.9 3,286,300 10.2 957,700 7.72 3,991,000 6.05 2,458,100 1.7 1,000 18.56 960,100 70.1 13,190 15.04 27,100 13.28 136,600 14.16 6,517,200 1.65 778,000 208 671,650 60 700 3.66 232,000 3.66 13,000 31.9 1,154,200 19.12 153,700 18.26 1,139,400 267.4 1,137,860 0.242 910,000 7.34 36,300 3.19 79,000 9.9 1,627,100 6.7 1,289,600 10.54 2,200 1.91 596,000 10.06 2,504,400 67.55 48,660 7.04 29,900 312 560 4.4 765,000 5 434,000 2.3 5,503,000 13.8 3,247,400 4.5 1,281,500 0.145 300,000 1.35 327,000 162 870,470 2.06 18,879,000 1.05 58,000

60,633,120 34,500,892 2,697,930 437,100 3,829,970 21,538,450 9,998,895 18,595,280 28,412,330 48,356 1,588,191 22,150 1,603,280 29,060 1,067,954 3,011,410 52,390,574 9,832,474 30,686,364 14,855,038 1,700 17,894,518 924,079.50 407,652 1,813,426 91,509,720 1,289,790 139,654,922 42,000 832,600 45,660 36,781,580 2,954,164 20,907,672 303,361,312 220,290 262,961 252,680 16,077,833 8,678,259 23,216 1,140,420 25,294,573 ( 3,311,027 210,097 174,562 3,366,120 2,236,200 12,709,900(4, 44,342,504 5,807,299 43,550 445,710 140,968,814 40,801,410 60,660

-53,165,545 5,895,163 44,820 -313,050 -4,651,228 18,420,320 72,020 -943,273 76,800 -231,466 1,283,778 -9,058,142 -1,532,234 8,526,653 6,006,028 -3,181,926 164,738 -82,610 -699,842 8,157,200 99,000 -10,262,608 -29,020 -35,000 31,703,690 566,622 -4,933,338 -112,259,940 -35,220 1,473,839 -217 -380,110 867,170.0001) 1,609,203.50 -15,558 39,600 693,640.0001) 1,259,462 138,770 70,232,603 -167,020 -

0.365 75.1 14.3 1.23 6.4 0.335 0.34 849 7.91 14.28 7.66 0.194 1,200 7.5 80.05 6 5.4 0.98 7.02 14.8 6.37 0.053 0.96 2.19 2.7 103 2.63 790.5 0.89 1.42 302 0.208

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 110,000 75.85 632,010 14.32 2,800,300 1.28 648,000 6.55 22,800 0.335 2,900,000 0.34 190,000 850 147,630 7.94 834,900 14.5 12,848,700 7.78 64,000 0.194 410,000 1,203 16,970 7.74 16,000 80.25 1,105,220 6.16 52,300 5.98 10,900 0.99 1,092,000 7.17 491,400 15.1 5,714,700 6.39 9,045,800 0.054 18,490,000 1.27 2,020,000 2.19 2,817,000 2.7 13,000 103.2 49,950 2.7 38,000 792 168,020 0.9 100,000 1.46 690,000 303.8 1,530 0.225 20,000

40,750 47,940,080.50 40,144,032 811,440 148,170 983,050 64,900 125,486,585 6,642,848 186,222,524 497,390 79,650 20,423,390 124,668 88,738,972.50 317,176 59,270 1,076,380 3,477,228 85,830,344 57,820,430 982,910 2,416,890 6,205,940 35,100 5,158,811 102,460 133,063,955 89,500 985,540 464,140 4,330

3,700 -8,003,132.50 -1,792,814 40,869,885 -1,985,756 -42,076,034 2,050 3,296,755 -26,990,415 -143,080 -2,330,435 23,937,362 -6,031,407 -44,200 -948,178 -26,553,455 -33,150 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

4 55.8 103.7 4.01 124 1.3 36.6 16.1 28.15 8.25 0.66 1.76 835 0.69 87.7 0.9 15.5 66.5 245 127 88.1 57.4 223 85.15 1.41

4 56.2 104.5 4.05 124.2 1.3 36.7 16.1 31.05 8.25 0.67 1.83 835 0.7 87.85 0.92 15.6 66.5 252 127 88.95 58.2 223 85.2 1.41

3.99 55.1 103.6 4.01 123 1.27 36.55 16.1 28.15 8.25 0.66 1.76 830 0.69 86 0.9 15.48 65 245 124 88.05 57.4 221 85.15 1.35

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

39.5 8.77 0.83 1.45 31.3 0.275 7.19 18.2 28.4 14.22 85.3 73.5 1.96 5.4 11.92 12.2 15.9 10.22 7.58 6 1.7 18.76 70 15.02 13.22 13.76 1.69 207 60 3.4 3.5 31.8 19.3 18.5 263 0.241 7.24 3.2 9.78 6.48 10.56 1.91 10.04 68 7 312 4.43 5.1 2.38 13.1 5.1 0.146 1.35 162.9 2.22 1.02

39.5 8.95 0.84 1.49 31.85 0.3 7.2 18.34 28.45 14.24 85.3 74.5 1.96 5.4 12 12.3 16 10.34 7.73 6.05 1.7 18.76 70.45 15.32 13.3 14.3 1.69 208.8 60 3.69 3.66 32 19.38 18.5 268 0.245 7.34 3.2 9.93 6.95 10.56 1.92 10.2 68.5 7.05 312 4.43 5.35 2.38 13.8 5.1 0.146 1.41 163 2.23 1.05

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

0.375 75.9 14.4 1.23 6.4 0.34 0.34 851 7.91 14.34 7.8 0.205 1,202 7.8 81.45 6 5.41 1 7.04 14.8 6.45 0.054 0.96 2.2 2.7 104 2.63 793 0.89 1.43 303.6 0.208

0.375 75.9 14.4 1.3 6.55 0.35 0.35 856 8.01 14.54 7.8 0.205 1,208 7.86 81.5 6.16 5.98 1 7.17 15.38 6.45 0.054 1.32 2.22 2.7 104 2.7 795 0.9 1.46 303.8 0.225

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

6.3 1.36 6.79 2.48 1.2 40.15 3.92 5.47 5.27 0.55 1.14 1.55 0.186 0.51 47.85 0.71 0.155 1.69 1.25 1.05 4.5 0.415 0.35 0.62

6.3 1.36 6.8 2.53 1.2 40.15 3.98 5.48 5.27 0.57 1.14 1.55 0.19 0.51 47.95 0.71 0.155 1.7 1.29 1.06 4.62 0.415 0.375 0.65

6.14 1.32 6.79 2.48 1.14 39.75 3.88 5.41 5.27 0.55 1.11 1.5 0.185 0.5 47.7 0.7 0.155 1.67 1.25 1.04 4.45 0.39 0.35 0.62

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.03 24.65 1.73 3.23 33.2 1.01 7 0.88 6.03

4.09 24.65 1.77 3.24 33.2 1.02 7.28 0.9 6.03

4.02 24.2 1.73 3.21 32.9 1.01 6.51 0.88 5.97

4.07 24.2 1.73 3.21 32.95 1.01 6.51 0.89 6

579,000 2,966,500 314,000 34,000 4,661,000 1,788,000 1,900 71,000 1,223,200

2,345,300 72,372,280 545,400 109,740 153,673,065 1,808,910 13,349 63,060 7,332,981

-2,307,710 -6,061,160 -1,933,542

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

23.4 42.4 1.55 0.495 0.045 11 5.36 9.25 0.089 96.5 10.02 8.6 970 2,062 6.2 15.7 2.95 3.38 97.6 12.06 8.75 0.184 1.44 3.52 15.64 4.26 1.85 7.35 0.59 2.27 8.95 4.8 14 2.6 11.4 5.2 183 11.02 1,768 1.55 0.39 44.5 87.9 6.18 4.1 1.49 3.52 0.84 7.73

25.5 42.5 1.72 0.495 0.045 11 5.36 9.69 0.089 97 10.02 8.75 970 2,078 6.22 15.98 3.03 3.4 99 12.66 8.78 0.186 1.46 3.52 15.7 4.41 2.02 7.7 0.62 2.35 9.09 5.08 14 2.64 11.5 5.2 183 11.54 1,796 1.56 0.39 45 88 6.18 4.3 1.62 3.59 0.91 8

23.4 42.3 1.54 0.495 0.043 11 5.36 9.21 0.086 94.9 10 8.6 970 2,038 6.2 15.66 2.93 3.38 96.05 12.06 8.75 0.183 1.41 3.52 15.64 4.24 1.8 7.35 0.59 2.27 8.88 4.79 14 2.6 11.4 5.16 178.5 10.82 1,768 1.55 0.39 44.1 87 6.1 4.09 1.48 3.51 0.84 7.73

SERVICES 24.9 42.35 1.6 0.495 0.044 11 5.36 9.65 0.086 95.05 10 8.6 970 2,050 6.21 15.66 2.99 3.4 96.95 12.66 8.75 0.185 1.46 3.52 15.7 4.4 1.84 7.52 0.6 2.35 8.95 4.97 14 2.63 11.48 5.19 180 10.88 1,770 1.56 0.39 45 87.8 6.15 4.12 1.62 3.59 0.86 7.99

1,368,900 17,000 1,237,000 240,000 20,700,000 100 100 10,277,900 54,390,000 301,470 800 200,000 200 30,420 158,000 27,600 999,000 35,000 1,774,620 6,500 311,100 5,160,000 419,000 1,000 500 841,000 7,375,000 2,687,000 173,000 12,000 5,228,100 19,123,000 3,000 591,000 5,400 1,900 90,730 5,874,600 13,085 4,051,000 490,000 624,200 910,550 860,200 16,711,000 53,202,000 6,235,000 36,539,000 12,808,600

33,323,115 720,730 2,024,710 118,800 914,900 1,100 536 98,266,415 4,707,190 28,735,446.50 8,002 1,733,152 194,000 62,366,780 980,512 432,766 2,977,700 118,360 171,760,074 ( 80,370 2,722,275 948,670 606,260 3,520 7,826 3,670,020 14,181,180 20,249,035 103,360 27,520 46,936,412 95,438,420 42,000 1,555,330 61,940 9,845 16,338,730 66,074,150 23,204,325 6,312,980 191,100 28,045,270 80,017,213 ( 5,284,971 69,993,610 83,007,780 22,103,670 31,984,110 101,499,719

105,940 73,350.00 -90,000 18,714,682 3,170,549.50 -26,023,830 -71,980 98,527,854.5) 41,778 -76,800 831,480 -18,704,984 -4,241,700 520 -222,525 -7,280,820 -5,630,305 -6,200 -15,614,870 10,386,302.5) -17,016,240 -13,416,190 2,722,490 179,910 441,131

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

0.003 1.72 5.54 14.78 0.93 0.39 8.5 2.63 0.295 0.18 0.188 0.011 2.03 6.71 2.05 0.66 1.01 0.011 7.1 0.013 2.65 9.06 3 160.3 0.0088

0.003 1.73 5.55 14.78 0.96 0.39 8.89 2.66 0.295 0.18 0.188 0.011 2.03 6.88 2.05 0.69 1.05 0.011 7.54 0.013 2.74 9.06 3 161 0.0088

0.0028 1.7 5.25 14.3 0.9 0.39 8.5 2.58 0.29 0.178 0.188 0.011 1.95 6.6 2 0.64 1.01 0.01 7.1 0.013 2.6 8.88 2.97 159.8 0.0088

MINING & OIL 0.0029 708,000,000 1.71 3,726,000 5.3 515,600 14.76 700 0.95 1,204,000 0.39 210,000 8.6 1,900 2.6 2,617,000 0.29 40,000 0.178 1,820,000 0.188 120,000 0.011 100,000 1.99 561,000 6.6 6,189,000 2.04 133,000 0.66 2,727,000 1.02 302,000 0.011 23,000,000 7.25 413,900 0.013 100,000 2.7 245,000 9.05 865,300 2.99 786,000 160.2 1,061,800 0.0088 2,000,000

2,051,900 6,372,680 2,759,774 10,248 1,141,590 81,900 16,199 6,832,070 11,650 325,880 22,560 1,100 1,112,570 41,211,004 266,760 1,799,780 310,470 242,700 3,042,965 1,300 647,770 7,786,365 2,352,790 170,062,739 17,600

87,000 362,720 -1,607,874 -535,000 8,700 -2,478,577 -4,080 -112,527 1,438,600 -203,180 -77,427,212 -

AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

515 523 104.9 112.5 115 520 6.05 1.07 105.7 1,017 105 110.2 2 76.1 81.1 78.9 78.7

515 523 105 112.5 116 520 6.06 1.07 108.5 1,017 105.5 110.2 2 76.1 81.1 78.9 78.7

515 515 104.9 112.5 115 520 6.04 1.06 105.7 1,016 105 105 2 76.1 81.1 78.9 78.7

PREFERRED 515 30 515 2,020 105 24,110 112.5 10 116 35,000 520 200 6.05 7,296,700 1.06 5,000 108.5 40,310 1,016 165 105.5 12,910 105 12,670 2 1,000 76.1 340 81.1 1,140 78.9 3,200 78.7 9,650

15,450 1,041,130 2,531,040 1,125 4,058,680 104,000 44,144,402 5,340 4,260,795 167,755 1,361,955 1,341,270 2,000 25,874 92,454 252,480 759,455

-2,110,558 -

LR WARRANT

2.26

2.37

2.25

WARRANTS 2.34 210,000

484,720

-

MAKATI FINANCE ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

2.95 3.97 5.94 8.54

2.95 3.99 5.99 8.88

2.95 3.9 5.82 8.54

2.95 3.97 5.93 8.77

5,900 329,910 400,612 45,316,878

-7,731,002

FIRST METRO ETF

118.2

118.2

118.1

664,036

2

101,270

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.14 1.33 6.8 2.53 1.17 39.95 3.92 5.41 5.27 0.57 1.14 1.5 0.185 0.5 47.7 0.71 0.155 1.7 1.27 1.04 4.6 0.395 0.36 0.64

656,100 8,400,000 1,100 18,000 28,125,000 3,895,800 985,000 2,656,200 243,000 36,542,000 148,000 2,506,000 16,480,000 2,780,000 52,900 2,219,000 10,000 1,823,000 10,422,000 331,000 24,549,000 80,980,000 2,710,000 20,107,000

4,050,278 11,271,060 7,476 44,840 32,592,860(21 155,774,060 3,873,380 14,422,415 1,280,610(1, 20,658,020 164,750 3,789,850 3,055,280 1,410,130 2,525,465 1,555,880 1,550 3,087,830 13,249,650 345,960 112,325,290 32,376,300 990,600 12,735,770

-3,275,708 2,700 ,664,600.0001) -74,975,280 -223,760 -826,593 280,609.9997) -5,611,500 36,000 -546,650 -710,605 124,130 507,120 16,809,250 50,650 -5,110,670

USD DMPL A1

10.66

TRADING SUMMARY

10.66

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,025,423

INDUSTRIAL

156,791,099

HOLDING FIRMS

63,579,337

PROPERTY

258,331,861

SERVICES

279,630,136

MINING & OIL

756,793,947

GRAND TOTAL

1,532,481,007

10.66

SME

2,000 84,000 68,200 5,168,700

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.2 5,620 DDS 10.66

9,500

VALUE 1,937.32 (down) 8.61 518,763,581.55 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,045.19 (up) 7.13 1,258,965,062.841 HOLDING FIRMS 7,851.85 (down) 25.70 818,642,674.04 PROPERTY 3,629.85 (down) 24.80 SERVICES 1,687.95 (up) 6.44 672,458,261.13 MINING & OIL 12,639.56 (down) 66.71 1,174,878,259.366 PSEI 7,833.96 (down) 32.56 248,493,229.824 All Shares Index 4,696.90 (down) 8.11 4,738,923,067.24 Gainers: 109; Losers: 94; Unchanged: 41; Total: 244

will be from July 3 to July 14, 2017. Issue date is on July 20, 2017,” the bank said. “Note that Metrobank and its arranger reserve the right to adjust the offer period as necessary,” it said.

Metrobank tapped ING Bank as the sole arranger, bookrunner and selling agent.

Other selling agents are Metrobank and First Metro Investment Corp., the investment arm of the Metrobank Group.

Other features of the LTNCD are tax exemption on interest income for individual investors if held for at least five years; quarterly interest payments; deposit insurance coverage with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. up to a maximum of P500,000 per depositor; and negotiability subject to market conditions.

Metrobank posted a consolidated net income of P5.6 billion in the first quarter, up from P5.25 billion recorded in the same period in 2016, mainly on the strength of its core businesses.

Metrobank’s total deposits grew 16 percent to P1.4 trillion in January to March, while its current account, savings account deposits surged 19 percent.

Total loan portfolio grew 26 percent to P1.1 trillion year-on-year. Metrobank’s commercial segment went up 30 percent year-on-year while consumer business saw a 17-percent volume growth, led by auto loans.

Non-interest income increased to P5.4 billion by end-March, on the back of an 18-percent rise in service fees and commissions and income from trust operations that amounted to P3 billion.

Energy firm eyes P775-m offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria GREEN Power Panay Philippines Inc., a company engaged in developing renewable energy resources, increased the size of its initial public offering to P775 million.

GPPPI said in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would offer 155 million common shares at an offer price of up to P5 apiece.

The offer shares represent 20 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock.

Net proceeds from the company’s maiden share offering will be used for the development of a 35-megawatt biomass power plant in Iloilo and the operation of biomass feedstock.

The company tapped Abacus Capital and Investments Corp. as issue manager and underwriter for the offering.

GPPPI said it planned to build a biomass collection, transportation, densification, storage and distribution facility by the third quarter of 2017. This facility will enable the company to generate cash-flow by selling densified biomass field to the domestic and international markets.

It will also initially construct a 17.5-MW biomass power plant, which is slated to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2018. The power plant plans to sell its generated electricity to the national grid under the feedin tariff scheme and potentially to Iloilo electricity cooperatives.

Business

B3

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

GMA-7, ABS-CBN bare own TV ratings

PARTNER BANKS. Manila Water Co. Inc. holds first ever Bankers’ Appreciation Night to express gratitude to key partner banks and forge closer relationship and build trust with its financial stakeholders.

The event, attended by top executives of major local and foreign banks, including multilateral agencies, speaks of the good relationship the company has with its banking partners.

Leading the ceremonial toast are (from left) Manila Water chief operating officer Geodino Carpio, new President and CEO Ferdinand Dela Cruz, outgoing president and CEO Gerardo Ablaza Jr. and Manila Water CFO and treasurer Luis Juan Oreta. They are joined by officers from Citi, ING, Mizuho, RCBC, BTMU and BPI Capital.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ING Bank: 7% growth possible

By Julito G. Rada

I

NG Bank Manila said a 7-percent GDP growth this year is possible, especially if the government can implement its economic reforms.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng, in a forum held at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City, said the Philippines remained in a “sweet spot” of relatively fast growth and low to moderate inflation He also maintained his growth forecast this year for the Philippine gross domestic product at 6.5 percent to be driven by higher fiscal spending, robust domestic demand and investments.

Cuyegkeng said the more broadbased economic activity, household consumption, investment, higher fiscal spending (targeted at around 3 percent of GDP), and the so-called “Golden Age of Infrastructure” would push the economy to sustained high growth trajectory.

“The first four months of the year is a little bit disappointing due to lower spending,” Cuyegkeng said. “ But a 7-percent growth remains a possibility, depending on whether the government could implement its programs... ,” Cuyegkeng said.

“As long as reforms could be implemented, the 6.5 percent economic growth could be easy,” he said.

The economy expanded 6.4 percent in the first quarter, slower than 6.9 percent a year ago and 6.6 percent a quarter ago, weighed down by sluggish spending that was robust in the same period last year in

the run-up to the presidential elections.

But Cuyegkeng cited the government’s peace initiatives with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines, along with the eradication of illegal drugs in the country as positives for the economy.

Other initiatives that could contribute to economic growth would be the government’s push to cut poverty incidence, enhancing competition and removing rent-seeking, and agricultural development.

Cuyegkeng, however, said the “lawlessness” associated with the extrajudicial killings of those suspected of using or peddling drugs could be negative for the economy.

He described as “rocky” the recent new set of local political developments and concerns that might affect economic growth

going forward. These are the return of Marcos and Arroyo to mainstream politics, the electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo, the prevalence of corruption, mining closures and threats of terrorism.

He said remittances from overseas Filipino workers and revenues from business process outsourcing would remain supportive of the economy, although he cited the risks threatening the BPO sector that could emanate from the proposed comprehensive tax reform program of the government.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines earlier said the removal of fiscal incentives would hit call centers.

The group said maintaining the current benefits that BPO’s had been accustomed to for the last 15 years was key to maintaining the competitiveness of the industry.

Three DOTr agencies remit P6b in dividends THE Transportation Department said on Tuesday its three stateowned agencies have remitted P6 billon to the national government coffers in May. The Manila International Airport Authority remitted P2.26 billion, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines sent P1.98 billion while and the Philippine Ports Authority paid P1.95 billion worth of dividends.

The three government-owned and controlled corporations are among the top five state-owned companies to remit the highest dividends to the National Treasury, making up the bulk of the total P14.02 billion turned over to the government for 2016.

The figure is around seven times higher than 2015 remitted dividends.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed CAAP to remit under his term, after not turning over P6.31 billion worth of dividends to the National Treasury from 2011 to 2015.

Other transportation agencies

among the top GOCCs that remitted dividends are the Cebu Port Authority (P295 million) and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (P170 million).

The Department of Finance, in a bid to enhance transparency and increase revenue, earlier revised the implementing rules and regulations of the Dividend Law. Under the new rules, corporate income tax returns filed with the Bureau of Internal Revenue should be used for the dividend computation.

The transparency measure is line with Tugade’s anticorruption efforts. He also directed revenue-generating agencies under the DOTr to improve collection in order to contribute to government funds.

“We are not just a policymaking agency. We are also generating revenue contributing to the National Treasury in order to help fund projects and programs of the administration,” Tugade said. Darwin G. Amojelar

BCDA taps AFP to build road in Clark

GLOBAL BRAND. The Department of Trade and Industry is urging more local brands to seek overseas

market as Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado (left) graces the opening ceremony for the 1,000th store of Filipino and now global brand Jollibee in Bonifacio Global City on July 3, 2017. Jollibee Foods Corp. is now one of the leading companies in the quick service restaurant industry, with presence worldwide Southeast Asia, China, the United States and Middle East. With Terrado are (fromleft) Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Jollibee president JJ Alano and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.

North Cotabato cooperative ships organic rice to UAE, US

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales after he met Justin Garrido, a so- the towns of M’lang, Tulunan, THE Don Bosco Multipurpose Cooperative based in M’lang, North Cotabato shipped 13.5 metric tons of organic pigmented rice to United Arab Emirates and the United States on June 30.

The 10-metric ton shipment was bound for Dubai, UAE, while 3.5 MT of black rice was intended for the US market.

Romano Laurilla, general manager of Don Bosco MPC, said the opportunity to export organic black rice to the US came

cial entrepreneur and co-founder of the Social Project.PH. Laurilla said Garrido was the coop’s distributor in the US. The co-op in November 2014 and February 2015 exported two tons to Los Angeles, California, while shipments to the UAE started in 2012.

“The additional 10 MT organic rice shipment is the product of the Dubai OFW Reintegration Program,” Laurilla said.

Don Bosco MPC’s organic black, red and brown rice are grown in over 500 hectares in

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. on Tuesday separately announced higher television ratings for the month of June.

Lopez-led ABS-CBN said it maintained its nationwide ratings lead with an average audience share of 46 percent in June or 12 points higher than GMA’s 34 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN’s primetime block also kept half of the country’s households tuned in as it gained an average audience share of 50 percent, higher by 18 points compared with GMA’s 32 percent.

In the morning block, ABSCBN posted an average audience share of 43 percent in June compared to GMA’s 31 percent in June.

ABS-CBN also prevailed in the noontime block and afternoon block with 43 percent and 44 percent, respectively, versus GMA’s 39 percent and 38 percent.

ABS-CBN continued to lead in other areas such as Total Balance Luzon where it recorded an average audience share of 47 percent compared to GMA’s 37 percent.

In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN had an average audience share of 42 percent versus GMA’s 37 percent and in Total Visayas with 55 percent versus GMA’s 28 percent.

In Total Mindanao, ABSCBN posted an audience share of 55 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent.

GMA, meanwhile, said it remained the most watched television station in the country based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the industry’s widely trusted ratings service provider.

From June 1 to 30, GMA led competition across all time blocks in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average total day people audience share of 42.3 percent; besting ABS-CBN’s 37.6 percent by 4.7 points.

Midsayap, President Roxas and city of Kidapawan in North Cotabato and Surallah in South Cotabato.

The co-op is also expanding production areas in Sultan Kudarat province.

Don Bosco MPC holds a certification from the Organic Certifying Center of the Philippines. It is the first coop in the Philippines to receive international certification from Certification of Environmental Standards (Ceres), a Europeanbased certifying body.

It has been certified by the National Organic program of the US Department of Agriculture.

In support to the co-op’s export bid, DA 12 Regional executive director Milagros Casis said the agency poured numerous interventions such as double chamber vacuum packing machine, seed trading center, rice transplanter, seed cleaner and rice color sorter worth P3 million in 2012.

The co-op also received P1.9 million worth of rice combine harvester in 2016.

“We are also bringing Don

Bosco MPC to local and international trade fairs and expo,” Casis said.

She said the agency would continue to assist and provide the necessary assistance that the co-op needs for them to sustain the exportation of organic pigmented rice.

“I believe that our partnership will get even stronger after this another export breakthrough and I hope that we will continue to be partners in helping each other towards better and more holistic agriculture sector,” Casis said.

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority and subsidiary Clark International Airport Corp. signed a memorandum of agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to build an 11.8-kilometer patrol road in Clark Air Base.

The BCDA said the infrastructure was in preparation for the 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings.

Under the agreement, the AFP through the AFP Corps of Engineers will provide the manpower, labor and the general construction equipment and tools for the project that will be situated at the Patrol Road in Clark International Airport, Clark Air Base.

Meanwhile, Clark International Airport will be in charge of the detailed engineering design andwill determine the period of completion of the project.

BCDA will ensure the proper, smooth, and timely implementation of the project.

It will also procure materials, supplies, and services, including petroleum, oil and lubricants from the nearest gasoline station to the construction site, and all other equipment, spare parts and services needed in the implementation of the project.

The patrol road will serve as a long-term solution to strengthen security measures in the Clark International Airport.

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Business

Samsung investing $18b in chips S

EOUL―Samsung Electronics will invest nearly $18 billion in its chip business, the South Korean firm said Tuesday, as it seeks to expand its lead in the global memory chip and smartphone markets.

STILL RECORD-LOW. Models promotes sunglasses and costumes of various brands during an open air fashion walk in the central business district of Sydney on July 4, 2017. Australia’s central bank kept interest rates on hold at a record-low amid a soft period of economic and wages growth as it shunned moves by global peers to hike rates. AFP

Japan, EU to hold summit on free trade deal BRUSSELS, Belgium―The European Union and Japan will hold a summit meeting Thursday expecting to reach a “political agreement” on a trade deal after four years of negotiations, the EU announced Tuesday.

“EU-Japan Summit on Thursday. Ambitious free and fair trade deal in the making,” European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted.

“At the summit, leaders are expected to announce a political agreement on the EU-Japan free trade agreement and the EU-Japan strategic partnership agreement,” a statement said separately.

The meeting will be attended

US car sales fall for sixth month WASHINGTON―US car sales continue to ebb in June, marking the sixth straight monthly decline, even as appetite for larger SUVs and light trucks persisted, according to industry figures released Monday.

General Motors, the country’s largest automaker, and Ford reported total sales down about five percent for the month, with GM down for the second month in a row as the slowdown from 2016’s record sales continued.

The US division of Fiat Chrysler fell 7.4 percent for the month.

Japanese automakers, however, eked out increases, with Toyota rebounding to post a monthly gain of 2.1 percent, but still below the pace in May of last year.

“June sales numbers reaffirm we’re in what we call a postpeak phase,” Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Autotrader, told reporters.

“We still think the market’s on track for a pretty strong year but certainly below the past.”

The shifting composition of the market was again clear: midsize vehicle sales fell 18 percent, and compact cars dropped six percent.

But full-size pickups gained four percent and SUVs and crossover vehicles rose as much as 10 percent, according to Alec Gutierrez of Kelley Blue Book.AFP

by Tusk, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After four years of negotiations, the two sides are working toward inking a deal ahead of the G20 in Hamburg at the weekend, hoping to send a “strong signal” in favor of freetrade agreements that contrasts with US President Donald Trump’s protectionist “America First” stance.

Trump, who will also attend the G20, pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year, dealing a possibly fatal blow to the mooted 12-nation deal.

At this stage, the EU and Japan are expected to reach only a “political agreement” on the trade deal, which would then be formally signed at the end of the autumn.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan visited Tokyo last week for two days of urgent talks with Japanese officials, while Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is expected in Brussels for final negotiations on Wednesday.

He described the talks as “very tough” but expressed his “firm determination” to reach an overall agreement.

Last week, Malmstroem said the package would “tear down almost all customs duties between us that are worth a lot of money, billions actually.”

EU exports to Japan overall “could be boosted by one third” and a deal would send a “strong signal to the rest of the world that the EU and Japan believe in free trade,” she said.

Tariffs on European cheese have been a key sticking point in the talks.

Brussels wants Japan to eliminate its 30 percent tariffs on some EU-made cheese, while Tokyo wants duties cut on cars which it exports to the 28-member bloc.AFP

The world’s top maker of smartphones and memory chips will invest 20.4 trillion won ($17.7 billion) by 2021 to expand and upgrade its chip plants in the South Korean cities of Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong, it said in a statement.

The factory in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Seoul, is the world’s biggest and has recently started production after Samsung Electronics spent 15.6 trillion won over the past two years to build it.

The company also plans to expand its NAND chip plant in the Chinese city of Xian to meet booming demand for the chips used in high-end storage products, it said.

It did not elaborate on when and how much money it plans to invest there.

In smartphones, Samsung has been increasingly sandwiched by smaller Chinese rivals in the low and mid-end markets, and

by Apple’s iPhone in the highend segment.

It also suffered a blow to its reputation after a humiliating mass recall last year of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone over faulty, exploding batteries.

But the firm managed to post stellar profits partly thanks to the robust chip business, which supplies not only to its own handset unit but also other electronics giants including Apple.

Samsung―which accounted for more than 40 percent of global memory chip sales in the first quarter of this year―posted in April its biggest quarterly net profit in more than three years.

“Our clients are having difficulty securing enough semiconductor chips due to growing global demand for high-tech gadgets,” it said.

“We plan to actively respond

to those demands by making aggressive investments on our production lines at home and abroad,” it said.

Analysts say a global shortage of chips may persist throughout 2017, driving prices higher and benefiting major suppliers such as Samsung and another South Korean chipmaker, SK Hynix.

Average prices for DRAM chips used in PCs and servers, and NAND flash chips used in handsets are expected to jump 53 percent and 28 percent respectively this year, according to market researcher IC Insights.

The announcement also came after newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-In set tackling rising unemployment as his top priority.

Samsung said its investment would eventually help create as many as 440,000 jobs through 2021, including indirectly, and help bolster Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Samsung announced the spending plans as it started mass production of chips from the Pyeongtaek facility just over two years after breaking ground on the plant. The company is building capacity to cater to an expected surge in demand from Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and automotive technologies.

While known to consumers for its smartphones and televisions, Samsung’s chip business is its biggest contributor to earnings, supplying to makers of mobiles, computers and other devices. In 2016, semiconductors generated 46.5 percent of operating income at the company, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg.

Shares of Samsung were unchanged at 2.361 million won as of 11:48 a.m. in Seoul.

AFP, Bloomberg

Brexit winner Frankfurt gets another shot at finance stardom

By Steven Arons and Gavin Finch AND the Brexit winner is...

Frankfurt? Could it really be?

The city on the banks of the river Main had ambitions for decades to establish itself on a global map. It wanted to become West Germany’s new capital after World War II, only to lose out to provincial Bonn. After the introduction of the euro, it tried to rival London as Europe’s financial center, but never made it into the same league.

With Britain turning its back on the continent and banks scrambling to ensure continued access to the single market, this town of about 700,000 is getting another shot at climbing the ranks. In recent weeks, more banks have said they’re leaning toward “Mainhattan,” as the locals call their banking district, for their new EU hub.

Standard Chartered Plc, Nomura Holdings Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. and Daiwa Securities Group Inc. have picked the city. Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley are weighing a similar move.

“Frankfurt has become the leading candidate for bank operations leaving London,” said Hubertus Vaeth, managing director of Frankfurt Main Finance, a lobby organization. “Frankfurt and the whole region are reaping clear benefits.”

While the excitement is understandable, even backers of Frankfurt admit that the real impact will be limited. The Brexit relocation will probably turn out to be a trickle, not a torrent, with each bank moving a few hundred jobs at the most. The moves won’t happen at once but over time, said

Skyscrapers stand beyond the River Main in Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, June 12, 2017. The European Union is pushing ahead with plans to assert control over the clearing of euro-denominated derivatives, a politically charged step that could force firms to move from London to the EU after Brexit. Bloomberg

Oliver Wagner, managing director of the Association of Foreign Banks in Germany, which has been promoting Frankfurt.

“Only a few hundred people will actually relocate from London to Frankfurt over the next couple of years,” he said. In total, Frankfurt could add as much as 5,000 jobs because of Brexit, Wagner estimates.

That’s barely enough to move the needle on the Global Financial Centres Index, a frequently cited list ranking the world’s financial hubs. Frankfurt is a distant 23rd, behind Shenzhen, and barely edging out Seoul. London is first, before New York.

“Frankfurt doesn’t have breadth in a whole variety of areas, such as insurance, reinsurance, asset management, legal services, trade finance and so on,” said Michael Mainelli,

co-founder of Z/Yen Group, the think tank that compiles the index. “Frankfurt has always been basically just a finance center for two large investment banks, neither of which are particularly healthy.”

The city is home to Deutsche Bank AG, once an ambitious global player that has been stymied by embarrassing losses and a series of costly legal disputes.

Commerzbank AG, the other large bank in the city, is cutting thousands of jobs and refocusing on retail and corporate clients after being forced to seek a bailout in the financial crisis.

The main advantage for the city is that it’s the headquarters of the European Central Bank, the euro region’s central bank and, increasingly, the regulator for much of its financial system.

In June, the ECB sought the le-

gal power to oversee clearing of euro-denominated financial instruments, a play for power that could herald the relocation of more jobs from London’s lucrative clearing industry to the EU and possibly Frankfurt.

On Monday, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Japan’s secondbiggest lender by market value, said it decided to set up banking and securities units in Frankfurt to maintain business in the EU after Brexit. That’s less than a week after Nomura, Japan’s biggest securities firms, said it applied for a license to operate a new entity out of Frankfurt.

On Wall Street, Goldman Sachs plans to more than double its number of staff in Frankfurt to 400 as it begins withdrawing personnel from London, and Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein has publicly said the

bank has shelved plans to move more key operations to the UK. Morgan Stanley is close to picking Frankfurt for its enlarged EU hub, people with knowledge the matter said June 22.

Many bankers acknowledge that the specter of moving to a city that is more than ten times smaller than London feels a bit like being sent off to a desert outpost. One bank executive, speaking in private, said he expects that many jobs being relocated to Frankfurt will be filled with new hires and won’t necessarily involve people moving from London.

“When was the last time you took your partner off for a weekend in Frankfurt?” Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, scoffed at a press conference earlier this year. “If you want to live somewhere you look at all the qualities of the cultural life, of cooking, of health care, children’s care, and in this aspect Paris rates first in continental Europe.” Paris is among the cities competing with Frankfurt for bankers. The French capital ranks 29th on the list of financial centers.

While Frankfurt’s nightlife isn’t a match for cities like Paris or London, it does have a cultural scene that’s bigger and livelier than you would expect for its size, with well-known museums and theaters. It has a quaint old town that witnessed the coronation of kings and emperors. It has the Taunus, a mid-sized mountain range half an hour north that’s popular with hikers and mountain bikers. And then, of course, there’s the airport, from where you can get to London, Paris, Berlin, Rome or Madrid in just a few hours. Bloomberg

‘Politics, drugs cause of attacks’

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Sandy Araneta

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

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MILF, govt sign anti-drug pact

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Tuesday directed the Manila Police District to thoroughly investigate the spate of attacks against incumbent barangay chairmen in the city, as authorities see illegal drugs and politics as the motives.

Estrada said he wants to know the reason behind the incidents, as the city government is amid its anti-drug campaign that targets local barangay officials.

The mayor took keen interest in the recent shooting of two barangay chairmen in Ermita and Baseco districts.

“While we go after the barangay officials that are involved in drugs, we should protect the innocent ones. We cannot let those thugs sow fear among our barangay officials who serve as our front liners in our war against drugs and criminality,” Estrada said.

Citing an MPD report, Estrada said police investigators see drugs and politics as the principal motives in the shooting of Chairman Dante Gonzalo of Barangay 670, Zone 72 and Chairman Kristo Hispano of Barangay 649, Zone 88.

Hispano, 37, was shot on June 21 after attending Estrada’s awarding of outstanding barangay officials for the 446th Araw ng Maynila celebration at the Manila Hotel. He survived.

On June 26, unknown assailants shot Gonzalo in front of his bar at the corner of Mabini and Flores streets in Ermita. He died from gunshots to the head and back.

“In the case of Chairman Hispano, we are investigating a suspect. The motive, angle, is related to drugs and politics at the Baseco area,” MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said.

Because of the city’s serious anti-drug operations, Coronel said drug syndicates appear to be blaming the barangay officials in Baseco.

Unverified reports said the attack on Hispano was revenge for the ambush-slaying of a retired soldier, a certain Master Sgt. Jugie Omandac, the day before along Bonifacio Drive in Intramuros, Coronel said.

The victim was reportedly running against an ally of Hispano in the upcoming barangay elections.

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

T

HE government of the Philippines has signed a protocol of cooperation on anti-illegal drug operations and related activities in Moro Islamic Liberation Front controlled areas.

The protocol of cooperation was signed by Catalino Cuy, Assistant Secretary of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Isidro Lapeña, National In-

telligence Coordinating Agency Director Alex Paul Monteagudo, Ad Hoc Joint Action Group chair lawyer Abdul Dataya, and Sammy Al Mansoor, Chief of Staff of the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic

Armed Forces.

The protocol of cooperation includes the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations and related activities in MILF areas through a ceasefire agreement, with the end goal of filing drug cases against arrested drug personalities.

According to Cuy, the cooperation has been discussed four times before its finalization and eventual signing.

“On December 16, 2016, another meeting between the GPH and the MILF was conducted and it was agreed to have anti-

illegal drug protocol that will clearly define the roles of GPH and MILF in various anti-illegal drug activities,” Cuy said.

On March 27, the final draft of the protocol was discussed and agreed to by the two parties.

Cuy said the protocol cooperation with the MILF shows that the entire country can unite against the illegal drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The commitment of the MILF in addressing the drug problem in their areas or communities, will greatly help the war on drugs waged

by President Duterte,” he said.

Even before Duterte took the presidency, the MILF already recognized the effects of illegal drugs and the rampant trading of shabu in Bangsamoro areas.

On Oct. 21, 2015, the MILF declared the usage and selling of shabu as “haram” and prohibited in Islam.

PDEA 11 Director Adzhar Albani previously said the supply of illegal drugs here in the city came from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or the Bangsamoro area.

PCR AWARDS. The 22nd Police Community Relations Month celebration’s guest on Monday, Dr. Flordeliza C. Gecobe, OIC Division Superintendent of the Department of Education,

and top Nueva Vizcaya cops led by Provincial Director Police Senior Supt. Leumar Abugan awarded certificates of commendation to the six best performing PCR units during the kick-off ceremony at Camp Saturnino Dumlao in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. The most notable innovation is the use of Facebook and Twitter in disseminating information to the public and the free brewed coffee and blood pressure monitoring services offered by Villaverde Police Station, headed by Police Senior Inspector John Y. Ricomano, to its constituents. Many active police officers in the province are graduates of nursing, and some are even licensed nurses. Other awardees are PSI Ariel M. Gabuya of Santa Fe as the Best Performing Station, PCI Jenefer G. Flores of Bagabag station, PCI Ignacio Layugan D. Layugan of Solano station, PCI Rafael R. Cabonitalla of Bambang station, and PCI Alexander C. Cabang of Diadi station. Abe Almirol

System for QC senior citizen listup set Navotas opens 15 art scholarships

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved a measure establishing a registration system for all senior citizen’s groups.

He approved City Ordinance 2577 introduced by District 6 Councilor Roger Juan, requiring the formal registration of organizations, associations or chapters of all senior citizen groups for better distribution of services, benefits and programs.

Through this registration, the 142 barangays would have a record of all existing senior citizens organizations and associations, which will be essential in easier determination of the

recipients of the programs and services for senior citizens.

“This ordinance seeks to establish a system of registration in all barangays of Quezon City to enlist any senior citizen group, organization, association, and/or chapters established and operating within their respective territorial jurisdiction upon the latter’s compliance with the necessary registration requirements,” Section 3 of the measure reads.

“This is to ensure that the barangays being the basic local political unit will efficiently deliver the basic services to our elderly through these bodies. Likewise,

through this registration, the barangays will have a record of all existing senior citizens organizations and associations, which will be essential in easier determination of the recipients of the programs and services for senior citizens,” the ordinance added.

An applicant must submit their organization’s profile and bylaws, list and profile of their registered members, certificate of accreditation or registration issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, and other requirements determined by their barangays that are covered in the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance.

All barangays in Quezon City are enjoined to issue a certificate of registration to all senior citizens groups, organization, associations, and/ or chapters of senior citizens if they have successfully satisfied all the requirements set forth in the provisions and Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Ordinance.

Upon the enactment of the measure, all senior citizen groups, organizations, associations, and/or chapters are hereby required to secure the said registration from their barangays before applying for registration with OSCA.

By Jun David FIFTEEN young Navoteños with exemplary talents in arts may now study for free following the launching of the Navotas city government’s art scholarship program.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco led the launching during the 2nd Navoteño Film Festival, held in celebration of the 10th cityhood anniversary of Navotas.

“We want the youth of Navotas to explore and hone their talents and be able to excel in

their chosen field. This is why we constantly seek for programs that will empower them and help fulfill their potential,” Tiangco said in his speech.

Under the revised executive order on the NavotaAs Scholarship Program, three high school or college students will be chosen for each category including visual arts, music, dancing, theatre arts, and creative writing or journalism.

Those who want to avail the scholarship will undergo screening set by the NavotaAs Scholarship Program Committee.

Taguig SPES summer workers get salaries

By Joel E. Zurbano SOME 1,000 students and out-ofschool residents in Taguig City earned cash and learned skills by participating in the Special Program for Employment of Students initiated by the city government during the school break this year.

Beneficiaries were tasked to work for 20 days with the local government, or 45 days with the city’s private sector partners.

The city government on June 13 deployed the third and last batch of young earners, composed of 150 beneficiaries, who are expected to finish the program on July 11.

On June 15, the Public Employment Services Office distributed the salaries of the first batch of summer workers at the City Hall auditorium. The 456 beneficiaries all finished work on May 29.

“We consider SPES as one of the most relevant programs of our government because it helps the out-of-school youth to pursue their studies and to help their parents in their day-to-day needs,” said PESO officer-in-charge Norman Mirabel.

Mirabel noted that 40 percent of the beneficiaries’ salary was released by the Department of Labor and Employment, while the local government and private employers provided the remaining 60 percent.

Taguig City also distributed free Tshirts to the youth.

“The importance of this program to our city is that it serves as a bridge for Taguigeño students and out-ofschool youth who need financial assistance. Through this program, our youth gain work experience and knowledge working with different kinds of people,” he said.

RTU ALUMNI. The new set of officers of the Rizal Technological University Grand Alumni Association, headed by its re-elected

president, Mark Boado, takes their oath of office as officiated by Science and Technology secretary Fortunato de la Peña. The new officers will serve for another two years. In photo (from left) are De la Peña, Boado, Dr. Julius Meneses, engineer Ariel Duran, professor Jun Ducut, professor Reydora Flordeliza, lawyer Bryan Barte, professor Patrick Plandiano, professor John Peter de Leon, Dennis Mallanao, professor Nilmar Moreno, and engineer Cesar Cortez. Norman Cruz

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

LGUs

Standard

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TODAY WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Davao stalls Cebu firm’s new mall LGUs D Tacloban unites for Sang T Manila

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TODAY opment did not secure a permit dential to a commercial zone.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017 from their office and just proFollowing the process, the manceeded with the construction agement of the two-story mall AVAO CITY—Cebu-based Taipan without their knowledge. should have asked the approval Development Inc. faces charges for “They have not secured our of the City Council for a reclasviolating the city’s comprehensive zoning clearance at all,” Rigor said. sification before they could get if they asked for one clearance from the zoning office. ordinance for constructing the Gaisano Capitol “Besides, from our office we won’t give it However, Taipan bypassed all the Catalunan Pequiño mall here without securing a to them, since the location is a processes and proceeded with the residential zone.” construction, Rigor said. permit from the city government.

Rigor said that since the location Without the zoning clearance, is under a right-side tail zone, the Taipan Development cannot seCity once The zoning ordinance board City Ordinance 546 series of 2013. company ACLOBAN must seek the approval cure a again building celebrates permit from the filed the charges on June 28 Zoning committee chief Roy of the City Council for the reclascity building office.in the Sangyaw Festival of Lights against the firm for violation of Ryan Rigor said Taipan Devel- sification honor of the area a resi-Sto.“The Citykicking Engineer’soff Office offrom Señor Niño,

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By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Vizcaya dads support bill vs power charges

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— Local lawmakers have expressed their support to a proposed bill amending the law that allows power distributors to claim their systems losses and stolen electricity from power consumers.

Vice Gov. Lambert Galima Jr. said the Provincial Board’s move was in support of the proposed bill filed by Senator Manny Pacquiao and Rep. Tobias Tiangco of Malabon City.

“We have expressed our support to this initiative and asked

Congress to prioritize this bill to unburden our consumers,” said Galima, who presides over the provincial board.

Galima said the amendatory bill is timely “so that the practice of charging consumers for stolen and lost power will be stopped.”

The bill requires private electric companies to refrain from imposing systems loss charges, except for rural electric cooperatives, which can collect not more than 5 percent of recoverable system losses arising from “design fault and technical loss” as defined by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Republic of the Philippines PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA (University of the City of Manila) General Luna Street corner Muralla Street Intramuros, Manila, Philippines PLM-BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (PLM-BAC) INVITATION FOR NEGOTIATED PROCUREMENT PURCHASE OF OSCILLATING FANS AND VENTILATING FANS INCLUDING DUCTING AND ELECTRICAL MATERIALS In view of the two (2) failed public bidding, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites interested bidders to participate in the Negotiated Procurement for the Purchase of Oscillating Fans and Ventilating Fans Including Ducting and Electrical Materials with an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of One Million Fourteen Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Pesos and 87/100 (Php1,014,997.87) in accordance with Section 53.1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No.9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.” For more details on this project, please refer to Section VI Schedule of Requirements and Section VII Technical Specifications.

The following eligibility and technical documents as well as the Financial Proposal Form shall be submitted on or before July 19,2017, 1:00 pm at the Procurement Section Room 101-A, Ground Floor, Gusaling Corazon Aquino Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Gen. Luna corner Muralla Streets. Intramuros, Manila: TECHNICAL ENVELOPE Eligibility Documents Class “A” Documents a) Authority of Signatory/ Secretary Certificate b) PhilGEPS Certificate of Registration and membership (Platinum) in accordance with Section 8.5.2 of the IRR. c) Statement of prospective bidder of all its government and private contracts within the last three (3) years, including on-going contracts and contracts awarded but not yet started whether similar or not similar in nature to the contract to be bid using GPPB Standard Forms. d) Statement of Bidders Single Largest Completed similar to the contract to be bid within the last three (3) years using GPPB Standard Forms. (Copy of Purchase Order or Contract/ Notice of Award to be attached). e) Bid security in the prescribed form, amount and validity period; f) NFCC Computation or committed Line of Credit; Class “B” Documents a) JVA or the Duly Notarized Statement in accordance with Section 23.1(b) of this IRR, if applicable; Technical Documents a) After sales service/parts; b) Warranty Certificate; c) Conformity with the Schedule of Requirements and Technical Specifications as specified in Sections VI and VII of the Bidding Documents (duly signed by company representative)and d) Omnibus Sworn Statement in accordance with Section 25.3 of the IRR; FINANCIAL ENVELOPE a) Financial Bid (using the prescribed Bid Form) b) Schedule of Prices An initial meeting for the Negotiated Procurement with interested suppliers will be conducted on July12, 2017 1:30 pm. The Opening of the eligibility documents, technical documents and financial proposal will be on July19, 2017 1:30 pm.

For Further information, please refer to the PLM-BAC Secretariat, Room 101-A, Ground Floor, Gusaling Corazon Aquino Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Gen. Luna corner Muralla Streets. Intramuros, Manila at 528-4592 www.plm.edu.ph from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The PLM-BAC reserves the right to accept or reject any offer, to annul the negotiation process, and to reject all offers at any time prior to contract award, without hereby incurring any liability to affected firms.

(Sgd.) Atty. RUFINO V. ABUDA PLM-BAC Chairperson

(MS-JULY 5, 2017)

Republic of the Philippines Mariano Marcos State University Batac City, Ilocos Norte 2906

1. The MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY (MMSU) invites bidders to participate in the following projects funded by the General Appropriations ACT of 2017:

2

PROJECT ABC Construction of Student Dormitory at MMSU P9,999,447.12 Batac Campus Construction of TwoStoreyTechnology Building at MMSU-CIT P30,000,000.00 Laoag Campus

WORK PERIOD

BID FEE

150 DAYS

P9,500.00

360 DAYS

25,000.00

2. Bids in excess of the ABC will be automatically rejected.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion in accordance with Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act, and the 2016 RA 9184, Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).”

4. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships, or organizations where at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock, belongs to citizens of the Philippines.

5. Interested bidders may obtain further information from MMSUand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address below anytime during work hours.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be secured starting July 7, 2017 at the address below, upon payment of the corresponding fee as above indicated. Bid Documents may also be downloadedfrom the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and at the website of MMSU, provided the corresponding Bid Fee are paid prior to the submission of the bid.

7. Pre-Bid Conference for the above project/s is scheduled at the Conference Room, FEM Hall, MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte on July 18, 2017, at 2:00 PM. 8. Bids must be received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 2:00 PM, August 1, 2017, including a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated inClause18, in the Instruction to Bidders.

9. Bid opening shall be at 2:00 PM, on August 1, 2017, at the FEM Hall, MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, in the presence of the bidder or any authorized representative, and other interested parties.No late submission of bid is allowed.

10. MMSU reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award,as provided by Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR. 11. For further information, please refer to: AGNES L GABRIEL Office of the MMSU BAC Secretariat FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University City of Batac, Ilocos Norte Tel. No. 077-6000-0461 Email: aslgabriel@yahoo.com (SGD) RAMON A LEAÑO Chairman (MS-JULY 5, 2017)

The highlight of the 128th Tacloban Fiesta is the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29, which features decorated floats bright with LED (light-emitting diodes) lights and street dancers partying

to the upbeat “Sangyaw Theme.”

Tacloban Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez led the motorcade on June 9 joined by the festival sponsors, city government employees and the

nifies economic significance” and it should be approved by at least three-fourths of the City Council.

“We talked with the management, they are blaming their constructor, however it is not for us to find out whether there was negligence on the part of the constructor, our issue here is that they have violated our city ordinance,” Rigor said.

Taipan Development was the first also held a Job and Business Fair company charged for violating the on June 12 at the Astrodome, cozoning ordinance since it was eninciding with the City Charter acted four years ago, he added.

Day A nniversary.

Events to look forward to include the Battle of the Bands at the Sangyawan Park on June 15; the Balyuan Rites on June 20 at the Balyuan Amphitheater, a reenactment of the historical exchange of the Sto. Niño image between Tacloban and Basey Town; the Golf Tournament and the National Jet Ski Competition, as well as the Miss

Taclo June on Ju tivity Foun Th be he venti and t Riza ditio sions held Ci Irene

P3.2b earmarked for Benguet works

By Dexter A. See

million for the improvement of farm to market roads.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—Some Another P50 million has been P3.2 billion worth of infrastruc- earmarked for the construction ture projects are currently being of school buildings, while other implemented in the province to funds were sourced from variimprove its links with its neigh- ous government agencies for soft bors and spur socio-economic and hard infrastructure projects growth, Benguet Rep. Ronald M. provincewide.

Cosalan said Monday.

We continue to get more than Some projects are being read- the province’s share of the availied for implementation this year able resources of the national to help improve inter-municipal, government,” Cosalan stressed. inter-provincial and inter-re“ We believe almost all of gional linkages, and spur growth our national roads will be fully in Benguet’s remote villages, paved within the next several Cosalan added. years because of the substantial The lawmaker said P2.95 bil- funds being infused by conlion have been programmed for cerned government agencies prithe rehabilitation, upgrading, marily to improve the condition and development of various na- Carolino of roads leading the countryFEDERALISM TALK. Mayor Tony of Sta. Maria,to Laguna, who is president of the Laguna chapter of the League of Municipalities of the tional roads,discusses and more than P100 added.

Philippines, federalism to hisside,” fellowhe mayors and barangay officials from across the province at the Cultural Center of the Provincial

Government in Sta. Cruz. Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Prospero E. de Vera III was the keynote speaker of the event. Roy Tomandao

‘BASIL’ PROGRAM. Senator Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on

P70-m Asean patrol road to be built in Clark airport Cagayan fishermen ge NOTICE OF LOSS

NOTICE OF CLOSURE Notice is hereby given that on 15January 2016, Conergy Asia & ME Pte. Ltd. (the “Corporation”) authorized the closure of its Philippine Representative Office, effective immediately.

All persons having claims against the Corporation are requested to contact its Resident Agent, Mr. Judah Z. Hirsch at Level 12, Robinsons Summit Center, 6783 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned regarding the closure of the Philippine Representative Office of the Corporation.

Piñol and fishermen from across the Calabarzon region who received certificates fo

Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa’ (BASIL) program at Barangay Baybayin, Los Baños, Laguna. Join I am Joseph Pagadora chief Eduardo Gongona, Laguna Lake Development Authority general manager Jaim Balbada, Filipino citizen a bonafide of Philippine Passport bearing no.

EB6477154 have been reported lost as of 5 June 2017.

If any persons found regarding these lost Pampanga—The Bases Armed Forces of the Philippines for the conCLARK FIELD, passport as of said Conversion and Development Authority struction of and an 11.8-kilometer patrol director road at i nco BFAR national date and thereafter will its not subsidiary be honoredClark International Air- the Clark Air and Base in Gongona preparation for thedistri31st econ Eduardo led the any transaction by the port Corp. has signed an agreement with the Asean Summit and Related Meetings.

TUGUEGARAO CITY—To bution of 1,000 fiber reinforced the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Under3,990 the agreeboost local fishermen’s income, plastic fishing boats, fishing f ishe

By Brenda Jocson

ment, the 48 AFP the Bureau of Fisheries and gear and paraphernalia, chest through its Corps Aquatic Resources has turned freezers, 128 fish stalls, an air byRepublic the Certification by the Republic of the Philippines of issued the Philippines Republic of the Philippines Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ofand Engineers, the over more OF than P147 million blast freezer, 16 community REGIONAL TRIAL COURT hereto attached as Annexof “C”;Bataan Province DEPARTMENT FINANCE 12.Thereafter, petitioner further Third Judicial Region Roxas Boulevard Corner Ocampo,equipment Sr. Street worth of Pablo fisheries fish landing51st centers. EngineerCity of found Balanga inquired from PSA and out that BRANCH 45 Manila 1004 respondent first married Ma. Eden ingMorales, Brigade BFA andR BIDS AND COMMITTEE OFFICE City of San Fernando, Pampanga and livelihood projects in ClaveM ilagros Rojo AWARDS on August 21, 1978 in Manila InvItatIon to BId for the as evinced by their Marriage Contract the 355th Aviation Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture/Fixtures/ hereto as Annex “D”; ria town.

Region 2 di rector, said the SHERRYL MIRANDA LACSINA, attached 13.Then, respondent married Workstations for the DOF 7 Floor Offices INVITATION TO BID Petitioner, Engineer of Cristeta T. Viernes on October 27, Agriculture Undersecretary projects i ntend to Wing generate NO. INFRA -051-2017 1992 in Manila as evinced by their 1.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the The Government of the Philippines -versusContract attached hereto as the Philippine Air 51 under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2017 intends to apply the sum FC CIVIL CASE NO. 381 Marriage Annex “E”; The Provincial of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the For: Declaration Government of Nullity of 14.These various marriages were Force, will provide LOT No. Description ABC below listed project w/ corresponding Approved Marriage concealed by the respondent Budget from the of the Contract (ABC). Bids 1 Customized Wooden Furniture PhP 1,703,150.00 petitioner and automatically was only inadvertently received in excess of the ABC shall be rejected a bid opening. the manpower, laLIBERATO LACSINA discovered by the latter after their 2 Customized Metal Furniture Php 1,567,690.00 Respondent. marriage; (GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE 3 Modular Tables and Partitions PhP28,892,780.00 bor, andSYSTEM) the general 15.

Thus, when petitioner married Name of Project Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) x----------------------------------------x Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308 the respondent, the latter has two 4 Chairs PhP 7,533,085.00 ALIAS SUMMONS construction equipvalid and subsisting marriages as his Total PhP 39,696,705.00 1. BY Labors & Materials for the two Dredging/ aforesaid wives were still alive.

PUBLICATION of the Negative Certificate of InvItatIon to BId ment and tools in Improvement of BataanCopies Rivers =P=19,999,929.76 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for WHEREAS, on June 16, 2017, Death of Ma. Eden Rojo and Cristeta (Morong Provincewide each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC forOF each shall be automatically the Hon. ROBERT River) ALEXANDER R. T. Viernes are hereto attached as the implementation REINSURANCE THE lot PROTECTION AND INDEMNITY INSURANCE OF THE Annex “F” and “G”, respectively; 2. Labors Materials for the Dredging/ MALIG, Presiding & Judge of this Court, rejected at bid opening.

NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION 16.Under Article 35, paragraph 4 of issued Improvement an Order in the above-entitled of Bataan Rivers =P=19,999,990.70 of the P70-million case, stating that an alias summons the Family Code of the Philippines, a 2. The DOF now invites bids for Supply. Delivery of the Goods is required within Sixty (Caulaman Provincewide be issued, the same toRiver) be served by bigamous or polygamous marriage is 1. theThe Government ServiceBidders Insuranceshould Systemhave (GSIS), through the GSIS Corporate Budget for CY 2017 days (60) days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. completed, Patrol at the voidDredging/ from the beginning. publication once & a week for two for (2) the 3. Labors Materials wishes to receive bids for the Reinsurance of theProtection and Indemnity InsuranceRoad of the NATIONAL within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to 17.Pursuant to A.M. No. 02-11consecutive weeks in a newspaper of POWER bidder CORPORATION for the period 31July 2017 to 31July 2018, Clark withaTotal Sum Insured of Two of Bataan10-SC, Rivers =P=19,999,995.94 International the petitioner undertakes to generalImprovement circulation in the Philippines. the Project. The description of an eligible is contained in the Bidding Documents, Billion One Hundred Fifty Three Million One Hundred Seventy Seven Thousand Fifty Seven Pesos and furnish copies of this Petition to the (Talisay River) Provincewide particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

31/100(PHP2,153,177,057.31) with an Approved Budget for the ContractAirport.

(ABC) of Two Million Five HunOffice of the Provincial Prosecutor dated April 12, 2017 is the 4.The Petition Labors & Materials for Dredging/ of Pampanga and the Office of the hereunder quoted, to wit: dred Ninety Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Four Pesos and 71/100 (PHP2,598,884.71), with 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nonImprovement of BataanSolicitor RiversGeneral within five days from =P=29,999,956.56 thespecified following particulars: Meanwhile, discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules “PETITION River) Provincewide filing thereof.

(Pangulisanin and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known ABC as the “Government Petitioner, SHERRYL MIRANDA Retention Facultative PRAYER CIAC will oversee Coverage Procurement Reform Act”.

LACSINA, through the assistance of (inclusive of 20% GSIS Commission) (%) Reinsurance (%) premises The Provincial Government Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Projects. the Public Attorney’s Office and unto ofWHEREFORE, the detailed considered, it is most respectfully Protection and PHP2,598,884.71 10% 90% engiBidding ison restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations this Honorable Court respectfully Completion of most works is required on or before the maturity date stipulated contract. prayed unto this Honorable Court states: with attoleast percent (60%) interestIndemnity or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens Bidders should have completed, at least (1) contract the sixty contract that after notice one and trial, judgment that is similar neering design and of the Philippines, and to citizensBids or organizations of of a the country the be laws or regulations to1. be bid. The description anrendered; eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, received in excess ABC shall automatically rejectedofat bid opening Petitioner is of legal age, married,of be which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183. shall determine 1.

Declaring the marriage of Filipino and resident of #122 Saba St., particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Brgy. Saguin, City of San Fernando, petitioner and respondent on January Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years the date of submission and receipt of bids, a 4. Interested bidders may obtain2.further information from the BAC Secretariat andfrom inspect Pampanga while respondent Liberato 11, 2011 as void ab initio pursuant to the period of comcontract similar to the Project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, the Bidding Documents given below during office hours.

Article 35, open paragraph 3 and 4 of the Lacsina is will likewise legal age, through Bidding be of conducted competitive bidding procedures using non- at the address particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Code of the Philippines; married, Filipino and with last criterion known Family pletion of the said discretionary pass/fail specified in the Implementing and Regulations 5.Rules A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on 2.asOrdering the dissolution of the residence at Purok 2, San Pedro, (IRR)Pampanga of Republic 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise the5, 2017 “Government parties’ system of absolute community known asJuly Minalin where heAct may be EDPCbidding Building, up to July 25, 2017 the BAC Secretariat through Office, open 8 Floor, 3. atBidding will beconducted competitive procedures project. using a non-discretionary BCDA “pass/ will served with summons, orders and of property regime with each party to Procurement Reform Act”. specified in theManila revisedand Implementing Rules and BSP Complex , Pablo Ocampo St. fail” cor.criterion Roxas as Blvd., Malate, upon payment of Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) other processes of this Honorable own his/her present properties as well otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. ensure the proper, a non-refundable fee in the amount9184, as follows as properties to be acquired by each Court; Bidding is open to all2007, interested whether local or foreign, subject to the of them inbidders, the future; and 2. Sometime in June No. Description Bidding is open to allABC Amount smooth, andfor timely conditions eligibilitystarted provided in the Implementing Rules andLOT Regulations (IRR) of interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions eligibility 3. Granting the custody of the petitioner and for respondent minor children, John Greggy living together at Brgy.

Madapdap, 1 Customized Php 5,000.00 provided in thePhP IRR 1,703,150.00 of RA 9184.

Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the Lacsina “Government Procurement ReformWooden Furniture to petitioner.

Mabalacat City, Pampanga. implementation of 2 Customized Metal Furniture 1,567,690.00 5,000.00 Act”.

3. Petitioner and respondent were Other reliefs that are just and 4.

Interested bidders 28,892,780.00 may obtain further information and inspect the Bidding Documents at the GSIS Bids and 3 Modular Tables and Partitions 25,000.00 blessed with a child name John equitable under the circumstances theC,project.

Awards Committee (GBAC) Secretariat Project Coordinators, Level 3 Core GSIS Building, Financial Interested bidders information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Greggy Miranda Lacsina may who obtain was arefurther likewise prayed for.

4 Office Chairs 7,533,085.00 10,000.00 Center, Macapagal Ave., Pasay City, during office hours. born on November 26,inspect 2007. Copy Committeeand theofBidding 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same Total BCDA will also City ofDocuments San Fernando from Pampanga, PhP 36,696,705.00 PhP 25,000.00 his Certificate of Live Birth issued by office. the PSA is hereto attached as Annex 12 April 2017.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the date of materipublication procure “A”; It may also be downloaded free of of charge from the website of the Philippine Government PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE this ITB at the above address and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in Bid documents will (3) beyears available only toPetitioner eligible bidders upon Electronic payment of a non- System (PhilGEPS) 4. After more than three Counsel for the Procurement and the website of the Procuring Entity, the amount of Php5,000.00 als, supplies, and ofrefundable living togetheramount or on 11 of January 3 Floor, Hallrates of Justice Building, by GPPBprovided using standard approved as stated their shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later thaton Bidders 2011, petitioner and respondent were Compound, Resolution No. listedCapitol below. than the submission of their bids. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website services, married at Manila City04-2012 Hall and said includof the Philippine Government City of San Fernando, Pampanga marriage was solemnized by Rev. Telephone Number: (045) 961-3296 Electronic Procurement System andConference the website of the Procuring Entity. However, the The DOF will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on July 13, 2017, 10:00(PhilGEPS) a.m. at DFG Approved Budget for the Contract Maximum Cost of6.

Bidding Documents Roberto C. Nacianceno as evidenced ing petroleum, UnderwritingInformation shall only be available to Bidders who have paid the non-refundable fee of by their Certificate of Marriage issued shall be open to prospective bidders.

By: (in PhilippineRoom, Peso)4 Floor, DOF Building, which Php5,000.00 not later than the submission of their bids. by the Philippine Statistics Authority oil and lubricants 500,000 andof below 500.00 (PSA), a copy which is hereto 7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before MARCO POLO E. CUNANAN attached as Annex “B” and series; GSIS hold a Pre-Bidby Conference on 28June 2017 the GIBACthe Conference Room, Public Attorney 1 9:30 a.m., July 25, 2017. All 5.

Bids The must be will accompanied a bid security in any of(09:30 the am) atfrom More than 500,000 up to 1 Million 1,000.00 nearest 5. Petitioner and respondent did ROLL NO. 66223 Core C, Level 3, GSIS Building, acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City which shall be open to not secure a marriage license.

After More than 1 Million up to 5 Million 5,000.00 IBP O.R. No. 1051866, 01-03-17; all prospective bidders. gasoline station to said marriage, petitioner learned that Pampanga BAC Secretariat, General Services Division More than 5 Million up to 10 10,000.00 respondent forged her signature in Million MCLE Compliance Sr.list St.of preferred lead market accordingly ranked must be delivered 8 Floor EDPC Building, Pablo 6. Ocampo The short by the construction potential bidders on the Affidavit of 10 Cohabitation which the More than Million up to 50 Million 25,000.00 was submitted in lieu of said marriage Cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila or before 10 July 2017 (8:30 am) at the GBAC Secretariat (for GIBAC), Level 3, Core C, GSIS Building, Noted by: More than 50 Million up to 500 Million 50,000.00 license; site, all Theother Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. Late submission shall not beand accepted. lead 6. Petitioner exerted diligent effort 8. Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m., July 25, 2017, at on the10DFG 4th Conference Room, Core C, Level 3, SOCRATES A. PADUA More than 500 Million 75,000.00 markets will be allocated July Conference 2017 (9:30 am)Room, at the GIBAC to secure a copy of said Affidavit of Public Attorney II Floor DOF Building, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

Bids will be opened inAvenue, the presence of in the equipment, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Pasay City, presence of the Bidders spare or their Cohabitation but to no avail; Roll of Attorney’s No. 52280 theon bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the address Late bids shall issue the corresponding certificates of The Provincial Government Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference June 27, 2017 representatives whoatchoose to attend.below.

The GSIS shall thereafter 7. Under Article 35, paragraph 3 of IBP O.R. No. 1051864/01-03-17 parts and services not be accepted. ofatthe FamilyA.M Codeat of Provincial the Philippines, exclusive Lead Market allocation (Annex A) which shall be posted in the GSIS and Philippine Government 10:00 BACMCLECompliance Office, PEO No. Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. a marriage solemnized without V-0006344/23-2-15 Electronic Procurement System (Philgeps) websites.

Potential prohibited from needed in approaching the im9. The DOF reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or notbidders are license, except those covered by the Bids must be delivered on or before July 10, 2017 at 1:30 P.M. at Provincial BAC Office, retrocessionaires who have been allocated to other potential bidders for the purpose of securing quotations exemptions provided for by law is void award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 NOW THEREFORE, respondent for the submission of bids. Previous market allocations are deemed superseded.

PEO Bataan.

All bids must be accompanied by aitsbid from the Capitol beginning;Compound, Balanga plementation of the LiberatoCity, Lacsina is hereby summoned of RA 9184 and IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or 8. During intheir the and required file with the Regional security any ofmarriage, the acceptable formstoand in the amount stated onbidders.

IRR of RA 9184 or parties have no existing real or Trial Court, Branch 45, City of San Potential bidders who did not participate in the market allocation activity are not disqualified from submitting project.

Bid Securing Declaration in standard form. personal properties of substantial Fernando, Pampanga, his verified 10. For further information, please refertheir to:bids. However, they are likewise prohibited from approaching retrocessionaires who have been value; answer to the petition within thirty patrol allocated to other potential bidders for the purpose of securing quotations for The the submission of bids.road Bids will be opened in the presence of the thedate bidders’ representatives choose to 9. Petitioner and respondent (30) days from of the last BACwho SECRETARIAT have been separated in fact since publication of this summons, serving a attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not beDepartment accepted. of Finance also serve as 7.

Bids must be delivered on or before 24July 2017(8:30 am) at the GBAC will Secretariat (for GIBAC), Level 3, September 2016, when the latter copy thereof upon the petitioner, thru abandoned without any EDPCitBuilding, BSP Complex 8 Floor Core C, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. All Bids must be accompanied by her counsel, Atty. Tristan Lampa, atNon-Working In case the of former the above dates is declared a D. special Holidays, will a long-term soluvalid cause; his above-stated address. a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street cor. Roxas Boulevard automatically on the 10.On Novemberreset 15, 2016, uponnext working days.

Malate, Manila advise of petitioner’s parents, the tion to strengthen City of San Fernando, Pampanga, 8.

Bid opening shall be on 24July 2017(9:00 am) at the GIBAC Conference Room, Core C, Level 3, GSIS former inquired before the Philippine June 16, 2017.

Telephone No. 526-8475 Other necessary information of Bataan Building, Financial Center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. Bids will besecurity opened in the presence of the Statistics Authority (PSA) about the deemed relevant by the Provincial Government measures Email address:mepajuelas@gmail.com true civil status of the respondent prior Bidders representatives who chose to attend.

Late bids shall not be accepted.After the Bid Opening, a (Sgd.) ATTY. MICHELLE ANN to their marriage; Activities S. BELTRAN detailed evaluation of the (SGD) financialGIL. component of the eligible bid/s shallin be conducted to determine the the Clark InterSchedule 11.Petitioner then found out that L. MORELOS Single or Lowest Calculated Bid (SCB or LCB). Onlyand the bidder with the SCB or LCB shall be notified Undersecretary 1. Advertisement/Posting to Clerk Bid of Court June 20 - 26, 2017 respondent was already married of to Invitation Branch national Airport. within seven (7) calendar days to submit post-qualification documents.

BAC Chairman two (2) other women namely Ma. Eden 2. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids Rojo and Cristeta T. Viernes, as shown (MS-July 5 & 12, 2017) 3. Issuance and availability of Dexter 9.

A sixty (60) day cover note effecting the insurance coverage on its inception date, 31A. July See 2017, will be (MS-JUNE 21, 2017)

(MS-JUNE 21,28 & JULY 5, 2017

th

INVITATION TO BID 2017-08

1

with a motorcade through the city’s main streets to signal the opening of the monthlong festivities.

and our office issued a notice of violation to them when we found out about their case,” Rigor said.

He said the mall was preparing for their grand opening, but the city stopped them from operating since they did not secure their permits.

Rigor said Taipan Development filed for additional allowable use before the City Council, but the council denied it.

2017 Miss Tacloban candidates.

Under the zoning ordinance, The Sangyawan Park at the one can file for additional allowBalyuan Grounds was also inauable use “provided the project siggurated and opened to the public after the motorcade. “ In Waray-Waray, Sangyaw means ‘ to announce’ or ‘herald.’ This Sangyaw Festival is Tacloban’s way of announcing or heralding to the whole country that we are here, strong and proud, and united towards progress. This year’s theme is ‘Unity for Progress,’” said the mayor.

The 2017 Sangyaw Festival

harv suf f “T work and of fi BFA

GSIS

1.

Indu Hull Sa

2.

th

3.

4.

RD

th

th

5.

6.

7.

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8.

(MS-JULY 5, 2017)

Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

June 20 – July 10, 2017 June 30, 2017 July 10, 2017

The Provincial Government of Bataan 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,

required by the GSIS from the bidder with the LCB to be submitted within five (5) calendar days from receipt of the notice to submit the post-qualification documents.

9.

10.

The GSIS encourages that the eligibility requirements be submitted before the deadline of submission of bids.

10.

11.

The GSIS reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids

11.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF Putin and Xi to discuss trade, N. Korea MOSCOW―Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were due to hold formal talks Tuesday against a backdrop of mounting tensions over North Korea ahead of G20 summit talks with Donald Trump.

The meeting in Moscow comes as North Korea claimed the launch of its first inter-continental ballistic missile, and US President Trump urged China to “end this nonsense once and for all”.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported Putin and Xi “agreed to jointly push for a proper settlement of the peninsula issue via dialogue and negotiation” at a closed Kremlin meeting Monday evening on the eve of the official talks.

Beijing―North Korea’s closest diplomatic ally―and Moscow have called repeatedly for calm on all sides, but Trump has warned Washington’s patience with Pyongyang is nearing an end.

Xi and Putin once again slammed the US THAAD missile system installed in South Korea to protect against the North, Xinhua said. Both leaders argue that it threatens the strategic balance in the region.

The Kremlin gave no details on what was discussed at the “informal” tete-a-tete Monday.

While the latest tensions over North Korea figured high on the agenda the main focus of the Putin-Xi meeting was set to remain boosting growing trade and political ties between the two increasingly close partners.

The giant neighbors are expected to oversee the inking of a raft of deals worth billions of dollars as Moscow continues a pivot towards China it has ramped up since its ties with the West slumped over Ukraine.

Ahead of his arrival in Moscow Xi said that relations with Russia were currently enjoying their “best time in history” as he and Putin have struck up a close relationship. AFP

Japan typhoon grounds flights, injures three TOKYO―A typhoon slammed into Japan on Tuesday, grounding dozens of flights, injuring at least three people and prompting authorities to issue evacuation warnings on fears of landslides and floods.

Typhoon Nanmadol made landfall in Nagasaki on the southwestern main island of Kyushu, packing winds of up to 144 kilometers per hour, Japan’s meteorological agency said.

At least 47 domestic flights were canceled, affecting around 3,000 passengers, airline companies said, as transport across Kyushu temporarily came to a standstill Tuesday.

Public broadcaster NHK said at least three people were injured in storm-related accidents.

The storm was moving east at a speed of 55 kph and was expected to cut across eastern Japan, including in the areas surrounding Tokyo, late Tuesday or early Wednesday while losing strength, the agency said.

Television footage from NHK and a report in the Asahi newspaper showed a downed power pole, collapsed scaffolding and an overturned truck.

Local officials issued evacuation advisories that affected more than 20,000 people, news reports said.

Big storms regularly strike Japan, with 22 people killed when Typhoon Lionrock pounded the country last September. AFP

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

C3

Forces breach IS stronghold W

ASHINGTON―USbacked forces in Syria have entered the most heavily fortified area of Raqa, the de facto capital of the Islamic State group, in what a US official says is a “key milestone” in the war against the jihadist force.

51 YEARS AGO. French actor Jean-Claude Brialy welcomes French actress Brigitte Bardot during the French artists Union Gala event at the Opera Garnier in Paris on March 19, 1966. AFP

Indian Jews in Israel welcome Modi’s visit RAMLA, Israel―At a curry house in central Israel, a poster welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets patrons even before they encounter the rich scent of spices wafting from the kitchen.

Modi’s three-day visit beginning Tuesday―the first ever by an Indian premier to Israel―is a landmark moment for the Jewish state, a country seeking the friendship of powerful allies and customers for its advanced military equipment.

But for members of the small Jewish Indian community in Israel, the trip is a cause of genuine excitement and a unique opportunity to increase their visibility.

“There’s not a single (Indian) household that’s not talking about it. This is all people are talking about,” said Elazar Ashtivker, owner of the Maharaja restaurant in the city of Ramla, south of Tel Aviv.

“It’s historic,” he said.

The fast-talking 33-year-old’s parents, who were born in India, opened the restaurant in its first incarnation in the 1980s because they felt “the community was in decline”.

Initially, the restaurant served the Indian community nearly exclusively.

But in the 1990s the trend of Israelis traveling to Asia after completing their

military service became wildly popular, and many returned home with a taste for the Maharaja’s spicy delicacies.

The restaurant serves what Ashtivker calls “mainstream Indian food” but also sells peppers, vegetables and imported spices.

The wording on the poster is in the colors of the Indian flag and invites members of the Indian community, in Hebrew and English, to a July 5 meeting with Modi in Tel Aviv.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Ashtivker said. “Everyone has signed up and everyone is going.”

“If you looked for Indians in Israel on the 5th you won’t find any. They’ll all be at the convention center,” he said with a laugh.

Estimates put the number of Jews of Indian origin in Israel at about 100,000, according to Eliaz Dandeker, a historian and author documenting the community.

Even those of Indian origin born in Israel maintain a “deep connection” to their ancestral homeland, said Dandeker, including through music, cinema, food and cultural events.

Events in Israel have featured appearances by Indian actors.

Jews made their way to India over the

course of the last 3,000 years, and by and large have not suffered religious and racist persecution in the country.

They began coming to Israel en masse in the late 1940s and early 1950s for religious and other reasons.

Many of them settled in rural communities to become farmers, while others moved to peripheral towns throughout the country.

In the first years following the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, many Indian immigrants abandoned their names and traditions as part of the era’s “melting pot” ideal.

“There’s more openness today” to Indian culture, the 34-year-old Dandeker said.

“The younger generations want to know more.”

In his spice shop near the Maharaja, Shaul Divekar, who emigrated from India as a child, scoops red lentils from a sack into a plastic bag, chatting from behind his counter with two customers.

The conversation fluctuates between the goods that arrived from India and the prime minister who is about to.

Divekar proudly notes he is in charge of one of the seven buses taking Indian Israelis from Ramla to Wednesday’s meeting with Modi. AFP

Success in Raqa and major advances by USbacked forces in Mosul, a second IS stronghold in Iraq, represent a powerful double blow to the violent extremist group.

The US Central Command said in a statement dated Tuesday that coalition forces supported an advance by Syrian Democratic Forces fighters “into the most heavily fortified portion of Raqa by opening two small gaps in the Rafiqah Wall that surrounds the Old City.”

The SDF faced heavy resistance, as the IS fighters used the wall as a combat position and planted mines and improvised explosive devices against advancing fighters.

“Conducting targeted strikes on two small portions of the wall allowed coalition and partner forces to breach the Old City at a locations of their choosing,” the statement read.

This prevented IS from using “pre-positioned mines, IED and VBIEDs, protected SDF and civilian lives, and preserved the integrity of the greatest portion of the wall.”

A 25-meter (80-foot) section of the wall was targeted, which “will help preserve the remainder of the overall 2,500-meter wall,” it added.

Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy for the coalition to defeat IS, said on Twitter that breaching the wall in Raqa was a “key milestone in campaign to liberate the city.”

The US-backed fighters entered Raqa from the south for the first time on Sunday, crossing the Euphrates River to enter a new part of the Syrian city, a monitor said.

The SDF have spent months closing in on the IS bastion and entered the city’s east and west for the first time last month.

According to the coalition, some 2,500 IS jihadists are defending the city.

IS overran Raqa in 2014, turning it into the de facto capital of its self-declared “caliphate.”

The city was the scene of some of the group’s worst atrocities, including public beheadings.

The United Nations warn that up to 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the city.

McGurk earlier tweeted: “#ISIS terrorists down to less than one square kilometer in #Mosul and totally surrounded in #Raqqa, #SDF advancing from four directions.”

In Mosul, Iraqi forces face stiff fighting and a rising number of suicide attacks, including some by female bombers, as they enter the final stages of the battle.

More than eight months since the start of the operation to retake Mosul, IS fighters have gone from fully controlling the northern Iraqi city to holding a limited area on its western side.

Iraqi forces have been closing in on the Old City in west Mosul for months, but the terrain combined with a large civilian population has made for an extremely difficult fight.

IS overran large areas in Iraq north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed

by US-led coalition air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost.

The Iraqi military believes that there are just a few hundred jihadists left in Mosul. AFP

Report: Burundi turning into violent dictatorship NAIROBI―Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza and his ruling party have moved the country toward violent dictatorship, rights groups said Tuesday in a report that slams the international community for inaction.

A “purge” of ethnic Tutsis from the army, a crackdown on opposition and media and a bid to change the constitution to allow unlimited presidential terms are signs of an “increasingly violent dictatorial regime”, it said.

The tiny central African state was plunged into political crisis in April 2015 when Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a third term that he went on to win.

At least 500 people have been killed in the ensuing violence, according to the UN―although rights groups put the figure at over 1,000―and more than 400,000 have fled the country since the crisis began.

In their report the International Federation for Human Rights (known by its French acronym, FIDH) and partner groups describe how the ruling party has tightened its stranglehold during a two-year conflict.

It said the ruling CNDD-FDD has become the sole state party, with monuments glorifying it

erected, party flags placed at entrances to public schools and violent propaganda broadcast urging Burundians to be ready to fight and eliminate opponents.

“In a matter of two years, almost all the heads and activists of the political opposition have been silenced and hunted down by the Burundian authorities,” it said.

The report details accounts of Tutsi soldiers who have disappeared, been arrested or brutally tortured or found dead.

It warns that without international intervention Nkurunziza could succeed in reversing history and establishing a Hutu-controlled regime based on a monoethnical army under the control of the authorities.

In Burundi, which has a long history of violence between Hutu and Tutsi communities, “this would represent a major risk for peace in the country, as in the region.”

The report singles out the ruling party youth wing, the Imbonerakure, which it describes as a militia characterized by “ideological radicalization” that has been recorded singing songs encouraging the rape of opposition women and is widely accused of human rights violations, including murder, rape and torture. AFP

CONFERENCE. Maria Vello, chief operating officer of the Cyber Defense Alliance, speaks at the Interpol

World Congress in Singapore on July 4, 2017. The three-day conference on fostering innovation for future security challenges is taking place from July 4 to 6. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

World

N. Korea’s first ICBM test is called a breakthrough S EOUL―North Korea said Tuesday it had successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile―a watershed moment in its push to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the mainland United States.

US experts said the device could reach Alaska, and the launch, which came as Americans prepared to mark Independence Day, triggered a Twitter outburst from President Donald Trump who urged China to “end this nonsense once and for all”.

The North’s possession of a working ICBM―something that Trump has vowed “won’t happen”―would force a fundamental recalculation of the strategic threat posed by the isolated, impoverished state.

The “landmark” test of a Hwasong-14 missile was overseen by leader Kim Jong-Un, an emotional female announcer said on state Korean Central Television.

The broadcaster showed his handwritten order to carry out the launch, and pictures of him grinning in celebration, clenching his fist.

The rocket was “a very powerful ICBM that can strike any place in the world”, the announcer said, and “a major breakthrough in the history of our republic”.

In a statement the North’s Academy of Defense Science, which developed the missile, said it reached an altitude of 2,802 kilometers and flew 933 kilometers, calling it the “final gate to rounding off the state nuclear force”.

There are still doubts whether the North can miniaturize a nuclear weapon sufficiently to fit it onto a missile nose cone, or if it has mastered the technology needed for it to survive the difficult re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

But the country has made great progress in its missile capabilities since the ascension to power of Kim, who has overseen three nuclear tests and multiple rocket launches.

In response to the launch but before the announcement, Trump asked on Twitter: “Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?”

The United Nations has imposed multiple sets of sanctions on Pyongyang, which retorts that it needs nuclear arms to defend itself against the threat of invasion. AFP

SHORT VISIT. Saudi Arabian royal Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud looks on during a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign

Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Colombo on July 4, 2017. Saudi Arabian royal Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud is on a short visit to hold talks with Sri Lankan leaders. AFP

Call for decisive action against Pyongyang WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump said it was time for China to take decisive action against North Korea after Pyongyang’s latest ballistic missile launch, urging Beijing to “end this nonsense once and for all”.

“Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?” Trump said late Monday, referring to his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un after South Korea’s military reported that a ballistic missile had come down in the Sea of Japan. The US military also confirmed the launch.

“Hard to believe that South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”

The missile launch, which authorities in Seoul said was fired from a site near Panghyon in North Phyongan province,

came only days after Trump hosted South Korea’s new leader Moon Jae-In at the White House.

Trump has been urging China―North Korea’s closest diplomatic ally―to pressure the Pyongyang regime to put the brakes on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

But he recently declared that China’s efforts had “not worked out,” without spelling out what his administration planned to do as a result.

Trump, however, told Chinese President Xi Jinping in an earlier phone call that the US military was prepared to take unilateral action against North Korea, the New York Times reported late Monday.

The Times, quoting unnamed senior administration officials, said the warning was delivered late Sunday in what the newspaper described as “a cordial but

blunt” phone call.

Trump no longer believes that China will dramatically change its policy towards North Korea, officials told The Times.

A series of US moves and China’s angry responses have marked a reversal from the friendly tone the two leaders struck when they met at Trump’s Mar-aLago resort in Florida in April.

Trump infuriated Beijing last week by approving a $1.3 billion arms sales to Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing considers a breakaway province awaiting reunification.

The US administration also imposed sanctions on a Chinese bank accused of laundering North Korean cash, voiced concern about freedom in semi-autonomous Hong Kong and placed the country on a list of the world’s worst human trafficking offenders. AFP

Children flee brutal war in South Sudan REFUGEE CAMP, Ethiopia―Her feet bare and her hometown in flames, Nyadet walked east alone, eating food given to her by strangers and following THE trails left by others escaping war in South Sudan.

She is 12 years old.

Nine days after she fled bloodshed in the flashpoint town of Malakal last November, Nyadet reached the country’s border with Ethiopia, and crossed over to safety.

“Maybe they are safe,” is all she can say of her mother, father, sister and two brothers, whom she lost track of when the streets of her hometown transformed into a war zone.

South Sudan’s civil war has raged on for the past three years with such viciousness that parts of the country are bereft of food and a third of the population has fled their homes, but few refugees present as vexing a problem as children like Nyadet who escape the conflict alone.

“They are fleeing definitely life-threatening situations,” said Daniel Abate of THE aid group Save the Children, which helps reunite lost children with their families.

At the Nguenyyiel refugee camp near Ethiopia’s lush western frontier, boys and girls who crossed the border unaccompanied tell tales of murdered families and childhoods shattered by the unremitting violence in South Sudan.

“War happened” is the description Nyakung, 11, gives for the atrocities she witnessed in the capital Juba, where her mother was left to die inside a blazing hut and three of her brothers were gunned down on a road while running for the safety of a UN base.

Aid agencies are trying to get children like Nyakung back with their families, but humanitarians admit that with the conflict still raging in South Sudan, the odds of these children seeing their loved ones again are slim.

South Sudan’s war, sparked when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup in 2013, has been marked by numerous atrocities against civilians despite the presence of thousands of UN peacekeeping troops.

Around 1.8 million South Sudanese have fled the country, making it the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.

One million of those refugees are children, the UN says, and of that number about 75,000 were either separated from their parents or without any family at all.

Aid workers say they regularly see South Sudanese children straggling across the border, often with an adult stranger, but sometimes by themselves.

“You can tell they are very tired, their clothes [are] worn-out on them, they have not been showered for some time. So, you can see that they’re destitute,” Daniel said.

Nguenyyiel is home to nearly 2,900 children that arrived without any family, who pass their days attending school and playing in a tree-shaded jungle gym.

Chan, 13, escaped Malakal late last year when fighting erupted and the grass hut he lived in was torched.

He then walked for a month until he crossed into Ethiopia.

“I just go the direction where I see a safe place,” he said.

Some, like Nyadet, hope to one day reunite with their families.

Others hold no such hope.

Chan says he doesn’t know where his parents are but believes they must be dead.

With neither the government nor the rebels honoring a peace deal made two years ago, locating family members of lost children in the chaos of South Sudan is difficult, says Hiwotie Simachew, emergency response manager for aid group Plan International.

Some parents have also likely joined the exodus that has distributed hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees to Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and beyond.

Parents, if they are still alive, could be in refugee camps in any of these countries, or in other settlements in Ethiopia, Hiwotie said.

Plan International and Save the Children have managed to reunite hundreds of youths with their families, but that’s just a fraction of the around 31,500 children Ethiopia’s Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs says have arrived without their parents.

Even when family members are located, some don’t want to take custody of the children.

In one case, aid workers found the uncle of three unaccompanied minors in Australia, but he declined to adopt them, Hiwotie said. AFP

Cutouts removed over groping KUALA LUMPUR—Energy giant Shell said it is removing life-sized cutouts of a Malaysian woman in a headscarf from its gas stations in the Muslim-majority country after photos of men groping the figure started circulating online.

The ads featuring a female employee, wearing a red T-shirt with a Shell logo, black trousers and a black headscarf, smiling and with her thumb raised in the air, had been placed at Royal Dutch Shell’s stations in Malaysia.

But images of men kissing the cardboard cutouts, holding her hand and grabbing her chest and crotch started circulating on Facebook in recent days, in what Shell blasted as “distasteful and suggestive acts”.

The woman, named in local reports as 25-year-old Nor Shafila Khairusalleh, who worked at a Shell station, criticized the “extreme behavior” of the men in the images.

“They may just be joking, but I feel humiliated because that is still myself although it is just an image,” she told news portal mStar.

The Anglo-Dutch group said in a statement that “we do not condone this disrespectful act, which is completely against the culture of

Malaysians and Shell’s core values. We urge netizens and members of the public to refrain from sharing these images further.

“The standee [cutout] will be removed from all our sites with immediate effect.”

An AFP journalist at a Shell station in Bentong, just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, said two of the cutouts had been removed from the forecourt and placed inside the site’s shop. A staff member said the cutouts were removed Monday and were going to be placed in storage.

Shell did not say how many cutouts were removed and which stations were affected.

The oil giant has a network of over 950 stations across Malaysia and serves nearly one million customers a day, according to its website.

More than 60 percent of Malaysia’s population of over 30 million people are Muslim and social attitudes―particularly outside cities -- can be conservative.

Religious conservatism has also been rising in Malaysia in recent years, chipping away at a one-time reputation for moderation and tolerance. AFP

SPECIAL GATHERING. French President Emmanuel Macron walks through the Galerie des Bustes (Busts Gallery) to gain access to the Versailles Palace’s hemicycle for a special congress gathering both houses of parliament (National Assembly and Senate) in the palace of Versailles, outside Paris, on July 3, 2017. AFP

Life

P

OPULAR Spanish fashion brand Sfera makes a splash with its Pool Side Edit collection, drawing inspiration from the tropics, the past, and the East.

Tropical Affair blooms with botanical tropical with white for blouses and pareos; as well as dark florals with colorful lime and orange on minimal tops and pants. Black and white striped sequins, small flounces with a sophisticated Cuban flow, and cutout works in bright lime make the look perfect for sultry summer nights.

The Pool Side Edit’s Asian Retro Collection, on the other hand, highlights retro shapes, double fabrics, and geometric prints in a magenta, toffee, yellow, and pink color palette.

Sfera, under Spain’s renowned El Corte Ingles Group, focuses on quality, constant renewal, variety in its collections, and customer service. The brand offers clothing for Men, Women, Kids and Babies, and also includes smaller lines for Accessories, Confidentials, and Swimwear.

Sfera started in the year 2000 and has more than 100 retail outlets across Spain, Europe, and Mexico. The brand opened its first store in Asia in 2014 in the heart of Metro Manila, at The SM Store Makati.

Sfera is located at the 2/F of The SM Store Makati, 2L Mega B SM Megamall, UG/F SM Seaside City Cebu, and The SM Store at SM Aura Premier. You can follow the latest from Sfera @sfera_ ph on Instagram, SFERA Philippines on Facebook, and on its international website www.sfera.eu.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

D1

Sfera’s Pool Side Edit

POOLSIDE CHIC.

These red sleeveless top and mini skirt are perfect to wear by the pool and beyond.

Fashion built around innovative fits and styles

BEFORE combining their talents to launch Onia in 2009, co-founders Carl Cunow and Nathan Romano independently forged successful careers in the fashion industry.

Cunow’s background as a Steven Alan executive gave him a meticulous eye for detail and a knowledge of superior construction. Working with factories in places such as Peru, India and China, Cunow developed lasting relationships with manufacturers and honed in on the creative design and production side of the business.

Romano’s experience as the director of sales for a leading fashion licensing firm helped him solidify strong relationships domestically and abroad. His extensive experience working in all facets of the business— from launching sales and marketing initiatives to web development and company branding—thoroughly prepared him as an entrepreneur.

Onia was built around innovative fits and styles that appeal to the guy who is inspired by the importance of quality and attention to detail. Onia’s sharp and technical garments build upon the brand’s core philosophy—to develop clean silhouettes crafted from the finest materials available.

Onia is exclusively available in Rustan’s Makati.

White balloon-sleeves cropped top worn with a draped metallic skirt and halter metallic mini dress

Onia Danni Cobalt White Top features a clean silhouette made of the finest material available

Life

D2

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Larger than life accessories

A

LTHOUGH accessories are the elements of style that come in small packages, they are actually larger than life in their visual impact and ability to make a strong statement. This is evident in the latest campaign of SM Accessories, which features larger than life accessories floating against a backdrop of smaller people images.

Here, neckpieces dazzle, hats say hello in a big way, and eyewear pieces electrify not only with their size, but their great style. And to be sure, you’ll feel their elegance and energy as you navigate the office, home, weekend, and party circuit.

There are statement necklaces with leaf accents; floppy wide brimmed straw hats and classic fedoras; and retro inspired sunnies with modern updates—from tinted lenses to classic everyday frames.

SM Accessories is available at all SM Stores nationwide. Get connected with SM Accessories through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat: @ smaccessories.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES. SM Accessories showcases its neckpieces, hats, and sunglasses flowing against a backdrop of smaller people.

New sense of freedom and excitement

WOMEN feel the desire to step out with a new sense of freedom and excitement.

Paris Premier celebrates rue SaintHonoré and Paris’s famous fashion district by showing off its graphic and structured lines in a look that’s both chic and elegant.

This emblematic bag breaks all the rules: it’s both an intimate object of luxury made from the highest quality leather, and a must-have bag to grace the arm of the busy cosmopolitan city dweller.

The Paris Premier offers totally contemporary refinement, boasting fine details, hand finishing and touches of

The Paris Premier bag features graphic and structured lines, fine details, touches of brass, and lambskin-lined interior

brass, a discreet signature embossed, and its lambskin-lined interior.

Now available in two new colors: subtle Ivory and bold Red Lacquer. It even comes in a daring two-tone version, in a refined combination of warm shades—Cognac and Burnt Red—or in deeper Navy and Chocolate.

A timeless accessory and the perfect mix of style and Longchamp savoirfaire that in just a few months the Paris Premier bag has become a key piece for the distinctly elegant woman.

Discover the Paris Premier at Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu and Greenbelt 5.

Paris Premier in its new Ivory color

HAIR CARE

Piandré continues to be at the forefront of hair coloring with Lakmé STARTING out in 1987, Piandré has established itself as a leading brand in the salon industry, spawning 13 branches, including one in Cebu. Catering to the country’s most discerning clientele, the biggest single-owned salon chain in the Philippines uses only top quality products and employs expert-approved hair care techniques. In fact, Piandré, for nearly 30 years now, has been constantly committed to giving their clients the best services.

In 2012, the Piandré salon group brought Lakmé, a professional hair color brand from Barcelona, to its salons. Lakmé has received widespread recognition from professionals in over 90 countries because of its excellent quality and selection of products that nurture the hair as well as its highly pigmented and vibrant colors that do not turn rusty and are long-wearing.

“Hair coloring is a huge part of the salon industry in the Philippines.

We Filipinos are very conscious of our looks and take care of ourselves very well. After the haircut, the most requested service in a salon is the hair color,” says Lakmé Philippines President Aina Valencia. “The primary thing is having hair that looks healthy and neat. Lakmé’s signature ash colors perfectly neutralize the

natural warm tones in Asian hair, which makes it suited for the hair and skin tone of Filipinos.”

As an established name in the industry, Piandré not only seeks to continually improve its own expertise, but it also contributes to the progress of the salon industry in the Philippines.

Piandré and Lakmé Philippines also collaborate on providing value-adding skills training for stylists, and not just those of Piandré, because they believe that the superior quality of products should be partnered with quality continuing education.

In its search for the best and brightest salon educators, Piandré has teamed up with Edwards and Co., winner of Australia’s Best Salon Business 2017, to share their hair coloring expertise with all stylists. The highly acclaimed Edwards and Co. is the home of Sydney’s most innovative stylists, and through its amazing services, the trusted salon of many Australian celebrities.

Led by founder and owner Jaye Edwards, their team of colorists and stylists are known for balayage techniques and the natural sun-kissed, lived-in color look. Edwards and Michael Kelly recently gave a threeday seminar where they shared their

full process of coloring with Piandré and other top salons in Manila.

“We teach people how to do lowmaintenance, lived-in color because it’s actually kind of hard to do, especially with darker hair,” says Edwards. “With Piandré taking us here, a lot of opportunities will open up for other people as well, and hopefully we can come back here and make it a regular thing.”

Valencia also discloses, “A lot of people ask us to send in trainers so they can learn about what’s the latest.

With our workshops, we hope they will be able to absorb and learn more.”

Through paving the way for continuous training, sharing of knowledge and expertise, Piandré and Lakmé Philippines add value to the lives of professionals and elevate the country’s salon industry to greater heights.

Piandre’s branches are located inMakati Area: Greenbelt, Salcedo Village; Taguig Area: Two Parkade, BGC; North Area: Timog Ave., Ayala 30th, Promenade Mall, Katipunan, San Juan, Trinoma, Del Monte; South Area: Alabang; and Visayas Area: Cebu.

For more information, visit piandre.com, follow and like piandresalon on Facebook, and @piandresa- Edwards and Co., led by Jaye Edwards and Michael Kelly, and Lakme Philippines lon on Instagram. training team

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Is there such thing as worst film festival?

T

HE Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the most popular film fest in the country because of two things: it runs during the Christmas season; and it is the only film event anticipated by the biggest production outfits and the biggest names in the industry.

Given MMFF’s schedule, moviegoers see the lineup for each edition mainly out of curiosity. Basically, they don’t have much of a choice since Tagalog films are the only available big screen entertainment from Christmas until the first week of the New Year, unless of course one is willing to fork out additional hundreds from his pocket to watch on Imax because it’s the only place where Tagalog films are not fit to be screened.

Tagalog films are literally shoved into everyone’s mouth, to put it simply.

And since it’s Christmas season, people are generally forgiving. Hence, even the worst films in the festival are given favorable reception.

Then, we have the big names, the big stars. Every year is like a royal affair.

The queens, the kings, the princes, and princesses of this and that, the ultimate and the prime stars, the multimedia celebrities, and we can have a long list of those stars that grace the annual film event because it is where these people

get most of their validation. And the masses, for all we know, are crazy over popular actors, and by crazy I mean, it’s more of blind patriotism.

The MMFF sees this as a glaring opportunity to push Tagalog films forward regardless of their quality (talk about commercial interest). At the end of the day, it’s the films’ box office performance that matters. And this makes MMFF the worst film festival we know.

On Saturday, film director Erik Matti posted an intriguing item of Facebook.

He said, in what he called “a breaking news,’’ that three members of the MMFF Executive Committee — namely UP Professor Rolando Tolentino, scriptwriter Ricky Lee, and broadcast journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala — turned in their resignations on Friday, the same day the first four entries of this year’s MMFF were announced.

Among the “ex” MMFF ExeCom members, it’s Tolentino who first aired his side about the resignation. He even

Vice Ganda the returns to MMFF

Coco Martin stars in the latest installment of "Ang Panday"

Vic Sotto in his cyborg costume playing MMFF regular Enteng Kabisote

announced it on Facebook saying, “As of this morning, I sent my resignation as Chair of the Rules Committee and as member of the 2017 MMFF Execom.

I’ll leave it at that.”

His post was followed by a series of tweets that talked about the selection process for this year’s MMFF. “Patunay ang MMFF script selections na tunay ang hidwaan ng komersyal at kalidad, tunay din may kapangyarihan ang komersyal interes,” he said in his SocMed post.

The following day, Ricky Lee also explained his decision.

“Sa mga nagtataka at nagtatanong kung bakit ako nag-resign bilang miyembro ng Execom ng MMFF, simple lang naman ang sagot. Noong una pa man nang pumayag akong sumali, nagdecide na ako na mag-i-stay lang ako kung ipagpapatuloy nito ang nasimulan nang reforms ng 2016. Sa nagiging takbo ng mga pangyayari ngayon ay mukhang malabo na iyong mangyari.

Kaya wala na ring dahilan para magstay pa ako,” the acclaimed screenwriter said in his Facebook post.

In 2016, it was announced that there would be major changes from the previous editions such as the criteria of choosing the final eight films to be shown, and the awarding. And it did happen, but apparently, since last year’s MMFF was not successful as the previous editions, and the “big stars” were protesting that their films had to be commercially exhibited alongside indie movies, MMFF decided to go back to its old ways.

The four films initially selected by the MMFF selection committee are Ang Panday (starring Coco Martin), Almost Is Not Enough (Jennylyn Mercado, and Jericho Rosales), The Revengers (Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, and Pia Wurtzbach), and Love Traps #Family Goals (Vic Sotto, and Dawn Zulueta).

And looking at this initial lineup, it’s easy to understand why Tolentino, Lee, and Magsanoc-Alikpala resigned. These are the same people, most of them, who give us the kinds of films that make us cringe and throw up.

Turn up the heat this July with Lifetime’s new reality shows and seasons ON JULY 3, MasterChef Australia started serving up a whole new batch of fresh talent, seasoned international guest chefs, and exciting challenges sure to spice up evenings. Catch Season 9 of the greatest cooking show on earth from Monday to Friday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m..

They say to start ‘em young, and it seems like these moms from Chicago got the memo.

In Lifetime’s new docuseries Bringing Up Ballers, six savvy mothers are stopping at nothing to ensure their sons, the city’s most elite youth basketball players, get into the NBA. At the same time, they’re also trying to keep a steady hand on their growing businesses.

Watch these powerful ladies navigate the busy life of a coach and a girl boss, premiering tomorrow and airs Thursdays at 10 p.m..

The quest for greatness continues in Frontline Fashion as 10 emerging designers from Europe and Asia set out to revamp the fashion industry into an eco-friendly one in the

world’s biggest sustainable fashion design competition, The EcoChic Design Award. Watch these aspiring artists tackle one challenge at a time on the road to the prestigious Hong Kong Fashion Week runway starting July 13, airingThursdays at 9 p.m..

Divorcees get another shot at finding their soul mates in Married

at First Sight: Second Chances.

In this follow-up to Married at First Sight, season three viewer favorites David Norton and Vanessa Nelson are taking the plunge again as they seek out lifelong love. Tune in to find out whether David and Vanessa finally get their happily-ever-after airing Mondays at 9:30 p.m..

Season 3 of My Haunted House

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, July 5, 2017

ACROSS 1 Had a bug 6 Political group 10 Rip off 14 Abbot’s secondin-command 15 Ugh! 16 Dappled horse 17 Redhead’s dye 18 Londoner’s farewell (hyph.)

19 As to (2 wds.)

20 Not Dem. or Rep. 21 Exclusive right to decide 24 Stuns with noise 26 Mischief-maker 27 Kind of agent 28 Yves’ eve 30 Suitably 33 Nib 38 Cad 39 Puts up with 41 Tooth problem 42 Cotton and wool 44 Facility 45 Still 46 Whopper 47 Lone Star nine 51 Activities outlines 55 Punctuation marks 58 Fuse word

59 Terrible czar 60 Counting rhyme starter 61 More docile 63 Knot 64 “Big Mouth” Martha 65 Solitary 66 Developed 67 GNP or RBI 68 Perceive DOWN 1 Orchard pest 2 “The Forsyte Saga” heroine 3 Actress — Hunt 4 Geological period 5 Window covering 6 Data storage units 7 Nonsense verse writer 8 Prefix for pod 9 Mortifies 10 Londoners 11 Column type 12 Cocoon dweller 13 Genuflect 22 Med. personnel 23 Seniors’ PAC 25 — mignon 28 Charley horse 29 Above, to a bard

30 Louvre display 31 “The Raven” poet 32 Wedding rental 34 Bucket of song 35 Here, to Pierre 36 Stanley Cup org.

37 Util. bill 39 Sci-fi weapons 40 Sushi morsel 43 Mouse target?

44 Brief snoozes 46 Size above med.

47 Imitating 48 Relish

49 Commerce 50 Freshen 51 Up till now (2 wds.)

52 Writer — Runyon 53 Prayer finales 54 Buying frenzy 56 Spiciness 57 “Watermark” chanteuse 62 Pub pint

is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with a new set of blood-curling stories. From a teenage girl’s footage of her night in one of America’s most haunted locations, to a man grappling with his growing fear that his job is tailing him home, don’t miss these thrillers starting July 21, an airing Fridays at 9 p.m..

The mysteries continue with new episodes of Zoo Season 3 where in the year 2027, the human population faces extinction following a global sterility crisis.

But another threat soon presents itself with the rise of the “hybrids”, an army of unstoppable labmade creatures hell-bent on destroying Mankind.

Will humanity endure?

Find out starting July 7, and airing Fridays at 10 p.m..

Lifetime™ is available on SKYCable Ch 65 and Lifetime™ HD Ch 199; Cable Link Ch. 223; Dream Satellite Ch 28; Destiny Ch 44.

Animax brings back all the comedy and action

“Assassination Classroom” follows the daily lives of an extremely powerful octopus-like teacher and his students dedicated to the task of assassinating him.

GET ready for another semester filled with studying, intense training, and new ways to kill the teacher in the latest season of the highly popular anime series Assassination Classroom, which premieres on July 10 and airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on Animax.

The second semester is about to begin at the Kunugigaoka Junior High School.

While some things have changed, the assignment of Class 3-E remains the same: to kill Koro-sensei, their smileyfaced teacher, before the school year is over.

Nagisa Shiota and his classmates take another chance at redemption as they devise more ingenious plans in killing their alien teacher.

But Koro-sensei has become the class’ favorite teacher as more and more lessons are learned, and the skills and confidence of the students are developed.

In the end, their loyalty will be put to the test as they are faced with a dilemma more challenging than any final exam they have ever encountered: Will they choose to save the world? Or will they choose to save the world’s greatest teacher?

Animax is available on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Channel 73, Dream Satellite TV Channel 07, Destiny Digital Channel 46 and G Sat Channel 24.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Andoy Ranay

Ernie Garcia

Lou veloso

Garry Lim

Paul Sy

Beverly Salviejo

‘Ang Sikreto Ng Piso’ director still hopeful for MMFF 2017 T

Andoy Ranay (stage, television, and theater actor and director) will also play a character along with actor Ernie ISAH V. RED Garcia (who is also the supervising producer the film.

Other cast members of the cast include Dexter Doria, Garry Lim, Joanna Marie Tan, and Akihiro Blanco.

Yet, Perry Escaño, director of the upcoming film The production Ang Sikreto Ng Piso (The Secret of the Philippine is also looking at Peso Coin), a family-oriented comedy and historical McCoy de Leon film inspired by actual events on the smuggle of the to play Alfred’s Philippine peso coin in 2006, remains hopeful that it c h a r a c t e r ’ s will make it among the last four films to be chosen. brother in the “We have submitted the script for the first batch story, and of films to be chosen, but we are also starting to film Elisse Joson because we will submit this film as a final product as the beautiful for the next selection,” he told members of the press daughter of during a press conference last week.

Joey’s character in According to him, the film will be wholesome, the film. charming, and interesting story for the Filipino They are also family during Christmas season. negotiating with “The plot is about love of family and supporting Judy Ann Santos to one another whenever trials in life happen,” he said. play the role of the wife The film is on the heels of Ang Guro of Alfred’s character in Kong Di Marunong Magbasa, one film. of the nine finalists in the main M P J competition of full-length films at Entertainment the 13th Cinemalaya Philippine Productions Independent Film Festival. and JPP Escaño announced the actors Entertainment who will play important roles (company of in the film, like Quezon City beauty queen Congressman Alfred Vargas and fashion (who also plays the lead in designer Joyce Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Peña Pilarsky, who Magbasa). is playing Joey’s strict “It’s a breather for me as actor to do wife in the movie) a family comedy film this time. We are are cohopeful to get a slot to this year’s MMFF with this comedy movie. It’s our gift for all Filipino families during Christmas season,” Alfred said.

Also considered to play important roles are Joey Marquez and Wendell Ramos.

Child actor Yuan Francisco is also in the movie, said Escaño.

Also in the cast are comedians Paul Sy, Long Mejia, Beverly Salviejo, and Lou Velsoso.

SOLID KAPUSO. Actor Tom Rodriguez renews his ties with GMA Network

HE Metro Manila Film Festival selection committee has announced the four films chosen as the first batch of entries to this year’s MMFF.

producing the film that starts shooting this month.

The film tells what you can and can’t do with the Philippine peso, as Ronnie discovers. In order to build wealth effectively, Ronnie (Alfred Vargas) has to make sacrifices to save up for the future of his wife and only son Taballero (Yuan Francisco).

He is forced to accept an odd job that promises higher income—one that requires him to gather as much one-peso coins has he could.

It is only a matter of time when he discovers why he is collecting peso coins.

Can the secret of the Philippine peso be the film’s ticket to the Metro Manila Film Festival in December?

We will find out in October. *** Tom Rodriguez remains a loyal Kapuso. The actor renewed contract with GMA Network, Inc. on June 27.

“I am very excited and very happy.

I feel very, very much at home here. I do really feel that it’s the right

fit for me. I am very happy that I am given another opportunity and cement my place here, my new home,” Rodriguez said.

The actor also added that he is grateful for the continuous trust GMA Network gives him, “Every single time I say it, I mean it. I am very thankful dahil ang dami talagang trusted projects that GMA has been giving me consistently na it forces me to stretch and grow not just as a person but as an actor trying to hone his craft.”

Tom is in the rom-com I Heart Davao with Carla Abellana. The program, which premiered on June 26, has been getting rave reviews on social media.

“We are very happy to see the reactions ng mga tao na nasundan namin sa Internet right after.

Masaya kami dahil nagustuhan nila from the cinematography to the rapport of the cast and crew,” he said.

Actor-politician Alfred Vargas leads the cast of MMFF hopeful and family-oriented comedy "Ang Sikreto ng Piso"

Showbiz newbie Akihiro Blanco

Showing love thru food

Actress and homemaker Helen Gamboa debuts as a cook in the new show, "From Helen's Kitchen"

FOR a lot of people, cooking is not just a chore, but a commitment to create meals with love and passion. One such person is esteemed singer-actress-wife-mother Helen Gamboa-Sotto.

Known to her friends as the ultimate Queen of the Kitchen, every recipe she dishes out for her family and friends are thought of and cared for. This is how she shows her love. And this caring for food, family and friends is what viewers will get to see as we take a peek and get a special taste of life…From Helen’s Kitchen.

In this special TV series airing on Colours on CignalTV every Saturday 8 p.m., viewers will get a chance to see Helen Gamboa-Sotto create dishes beyond comfort food.

She will share recipes passed on from generations of her family, plus those that she herself has concocted that have been tried and tested by her loved ones.

The series, shot in the very kitchen that she herself designed for her own home, reveals her culinary passion.

In every episode, she shares her kitchen know-how with celebrity guests who actually jumped at the chance to be

with her and taste her cooking once more – among them, Maricel Soriano, Carmina Villaroel, Eric Quizon, Pops Fernandez, Albert Martinez, Raymart Santiago, Ruby Rodriguez, Gladys Reyes, Donita Rose, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, and Pops Fernandez.

In the course of cooking, Helen Gamboa Sotto helps us get to know little bits of trivia about her guests in their candid conversations.

At the end of the show, she prepares her signature pabaon. This is a unique Filipino tradition where the host of the party always gives the guest a specialty dish to bring home. Helen Gamboa-Sotto takes this very seriously, preparing the packaging meticulously so that nothing spills and the freshness of the dish is well preserved.

This is truly a cooking show with a very sincere and genuine charm -- delicious dishes with a heart, from a woman who has perfected the art of showing her love through food.

From Helen’s Kitchen airs Saturdays, 8 p.m. on Colours exclusively on Cignal TV.