Manila Standard - 2017 July 28 - Friday

‘Marawi kids idolize IS men’

By John Paolo Bencito

VOL. XXXI • NO. 164 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHILDREN displaced by the fighting in Marawi City consider members of the terrorist Islamic State as their heroes—and blame the government for its failure to address poverty in the country’s south, the chairman of the Philippine Sports

Commission said Thursday.

In a Palace briefing, PSC Chairman William Ramirez recounted how some of the young evacuees who joined the Children’s Games for Peace program in Iligan City last week gave unexpected answers when asked what they wanted to be Next page when they grow up.

‘Gorio’ shutters schools, offices in Metro

GORIO’S RAGE. A quintessential scene in the

metropolis (right), taken in low-lying Manila’s R. Papa St., with much of the capital submerged by floodwaters following Gorio’s flare-up, but failed to dampen the excitement of children dipping themselves in the filthy floodwaters (below), with the owner of a Toyota Vios sedan failing to notice warning signs in ironically named Barangay Laging Handa in Quezon City, with a fireman checking the crashed vehicle. Lino Santos/ Norman Cruz

By Joel E. Zurbano, Rio N. Araja and Macon RamosAraneta CLASSES in all levels in Metro Manila and government offices were suspended Thursday after heavy rains flooded the major streets, hours after tropical storm “Gorio” enhanced, weathermen said, the southwest monsoon.

“Gorio” (internationalo name “Noru”)—the seventh weather disturbance to lash the country that averages 21 per year—also affected provinces north and south of the capital, where more than 15 million of the 106-million nation’s population live.

Weathermen said the monsoon rain might trigger flash floods and landslides, expected over Metro Manila, the Ilocos, Central Luzon Next page

Duterte clarifies bomb-lumad bid Tells students to ‘go away’ Opposition gives up before bombs start to drop on martial law challenge

By John Paolo Bencito

Romualdez named ambassador to US

FORMER special envoy Jose Manuel Romualdez has been nominated as the Philippines’ ambassador to the United States, Malacañang said Thursday.

“We are confident that with Mr. Romualdez at the helm of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., we will further strengthen PH-US relations and promote stronger cooperation between the two countries,” Presidential SpokesNext page Jose Manuel Romualdez man Ernesto Abella said.

Military censures comedian THE military said Thursday appropriate legal action would be taken against actress-comedian “Juana Change”—Mae Paner in real life—for wearing a military uniform during one of the protest actions held during the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte last July 24.

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday maintained he would continue to “bomb” schools built for the Lumad or tribal minorities in Mindanao, but clarified he never intended to kill the children within them.

“I never said that I will bomb those Lumad schools if there is a person there. That’s why I said, ‘go away.’ I never intended to kill children,” Duterte said in a media interview at Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

“But I will destroy [the schools] because you’re using the schools to destroy the mental health of the children—they’ll go to war hating the government,” he added.

On Monday, Duterte linked several Lumad schools operating Next page

By Rio N. Araja OPPOSITION lawmakers will no longer challenge the extension of martial law in Mindanao before the Supreme Court, saying the current composition of the tribunal would make it an exercise in futility.

“The… opposition congressmen have decided not to file a petition challenging the constitutionality of the congressional extension of 150 days of the declaration of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ

of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao,” said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

The Court had earlier dismissed Lagman’s petition to nullify President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao after Islamic State-inspired terrorists overran Marawi City on May 23. The Court rejected Lagman’s argument that there was no factual basis for the declaration since no rebellion had taken place.

The Court also rejected separate petitions asking it to compel

Peza chief among Magsaysay awardees

By Joel E. Zurbano THE recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay awards for 2017 are the Philippine Educational Theater Association and former Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Lilia de Lima, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said Thursday.

Peta will be given the award for “their bold, collective contributions in shaping the theater arts as a force for social change, its impassioned, unwavering

work in empowering communities in the Philippines, and the shining example it has set as one of the leading organizations of its kind in Asia.”

De Lima is being recognized for “her unstinting, sustained leadership in building a credible and efficient Peza, proving that the honest, competent and dedicated work of public servants can, indeed, redound to real economic benefits to millions of Filipinos.”

The four other Ramon Magsaysay awardees are Japanese

professor Yoshiaki Ishizawa, former president of Sophia University and chief of the Sophia Angkor International Mission; Abdon Nababan of Indonesia, secretary-general of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago; Sri Lankan teacher Gethsie Shanmugam and Singapore “food-sharing” pioneer Tony Tay. The foundation recognized Ishizawa for “his selfless, steadfast service to the Cambodian Next page

KEEPING SAFE. In this July 22 dated photo, a Filipino soldier stands in front of a graffiti in a deserted neighborhood block in Marawi City. Western government have warned their nationals against travelling to nearly all of the southern third of Mindanao, citing the rising threats of terror attacks and kidnappings by Islamist militants. AFP

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without a permit to communist rebels, whom he earlier said deserved to be bullied.

“These schools are teaching subversion, communism, everything. So better stay away from them. I will tell the Lumad there, stay away [from those schools].

I will bomb them. I will include these structures,” he said.

One of the non-government organizations operating schools accused by Duterte of “teaching subversion and communism” on Thursday denied it was operating illegally, and presented certificates of government recognition from the Education Department itself to belie the claims.

“You are claiming that our Lumad schools are illegally operating so you can justify the attacks on our schools and threaten us to bomb our communities,” the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development Inc. which is operating several schools in the Caraga region, said in a Facebook post.

“We suggest you check first with your agencies we’ve coordinated with since time immemorial,” the group added.

During the Aquino administration, several schools built for the Lumad by NGOs, including ALCADEV, an award-winning Lumad school along with Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur and the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. were ordered closed and occupied, triggering protests against the military occupation of schools.

The plight of the Lumad was highlighted after the September 2015 killings of Emerito Samarca, ALCADEV’s head teacher in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, along with two others, Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo, allegedly by paramilitary forces.

Three days after Duterte’s threat, the Department of Education still remained mum on the incident—instead telling reporters to refer to Malacañang’s explanation, who sought to justify the President’s threats—saying they were necessary. “[President Duterte] warns them in the strongest terms to discontinue these actions; persistence will warrant appropriate government action,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Tuesday, saying that the bombings will continue.

‘Marawi...

Govt justifies ‘streamlining’

By John Paolo Bencito

M

ALACAÑANG on Thursday denied nitpicking on some government agencies after President Rodrigo Duterte and some members of his Cabinet considered abolishing the Commission on Human Rights and the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella tried to justify the administration’s plan on the two agencies in a news briefing.

“Let me stress, it’s not a political question; it’s a question of streamlining and being able to consolidate functions so that there will be no overlap,” Abella said of the PCGG, which is tasked to go after the ill-gotten wealth of the late

dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies. `“Regarding the CHR, it is basically the President simply expressing his frustration regarding the apparent biases of the commission.”

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the administration planned to abolish the PCGG, the agency tasked with recovering more than $10 billion in pub-

lic funds looted by the Marcoses, who were toppled by the bloodless People Power Revolution in 1986.

But the agency is still working to find more, including 200 pieces of art by the masters like Michelangelo and Picasso that were alleged to have been purchased by the Marcos family.

“They don’t do anything. What do they do?” Diokno said.

Diokno expressed confidence the rightsizing bill that would abolish agencies with overlapping functions would pass as the leaders of Congress allied with Duterte had declared their support for it.

He asked why the PCGG was still around after 30 years and said it should have been “an ad hoc agency.”

“They [the PCGG staff] enjoy things because they have so many

budget of around P100 million a year.

In reply, the Palace said the Office of the Solicitor General could do the PCGG’s functions.

As for the CHR, whom President Duterte himself threatened to abolish for allegedly interfering with his bloody drug war, Abella said the President was simply “stating his frustration” at the agency.

The CHR is tasked to investigate human rights violations perpetrated by state actors or the government itself.

But Abella insinuated that while the Palace might not abolish the agency, it would be possible for the President to fire Commissioner Jose Luis Martin Gascon, who had openly criticized his actions in the past.

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SPIES IN THE SKY. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim boards a Cessna-208B Grand Caravan Intelligence, Surveillance and

Reconnaissance aircraft acquired through grant programs by the US government to the Philippine Air Force during a formal turnover ceremony at the PAF headquarters in Manila on July 27, 2017. Two Cessna-208B Grand Caravan Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft were acquired through the grant programs. AFP

“Normally, in a poor community, they might say they want to be teachers, or police,” Ramirez said in Filipino. “But these children wanted to become members of ISIS.” The ISIS-inspired terrorists, they added, were able to provide their needs that the government could not.

“They said, they give us food, and they give our fathers a salary.

The government does not do that,” he added.

At the end of the five-day sports activity, however, officials noted a change in the children’s attitude, with most of them happy to be playing with Christian children of their own age.

“One of them said, coach, I thought we could not trust Christians,” he added.

The armed conflict in Marawi has entered its 65th day as the security forces continued to stage offensives against the Islamic State militants, who overran the city on May 23, aiming to establish a caliphate for Southeast Asian fighters.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended martial law until the end of the year in a bid to quell rebellion in the south.

Lanao del Sur, where Marawi City is located, is the the poorest province in the country with a 74.3- percent poverty incidence, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2015.

Most of the poorest provinces in the Philippines are found in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the region still has pockets that are in conflict.

A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the conflict in Marawi City has dis-

placed 351,168 people, 17,389 of them staying in refugee camps and the rest staying with friends and family.

About 100,000 of the displaced poeple are staying in Iligan City.

The same report said there is a lack of sanitation and drinking water in overcrowded evacuation centers, which has led to a significant rise in the incidence of waterborne diseases and upper respiratory tract infections. The need for shelter assistance is also a critical concern.

Ramirez raised the alarm to the possible effects of the war in Marawi and urged the government to address the root causes of the tensions in Mindanao, poverty and neglect.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said displaced workers will now have a source of income for their families as the government has set aside P30 million for emergency employment assistance in

the areas and cities affected by the armed conflict.

Bello said that through the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged, Displaced workers program, DoLE can immediately address displacement, unemployment and loss of income of residents in Marawi and neighboring areas.

The employment assistance, which was allocated by DoLE on the request of Senator Loren Legarda, will benefit 2,292 individuals with a budget amounting to P 30,897,288.53. The project will cover areas of Lanao Del Norte, Iligan and Cagayan De Oro where families from Marawi city had evacuated and took safety.

Workers under the short-term employment program will receive P338 a day.

On Wednesday, soldiers arrested two Abu Sayyaf bandits involved in a series of robberies in Tawi-Tawi Wednesday.

Opposition...

‘Gorio’...

cially rainfall warnings issued

by Pagasa through TV, radio and the social media,” he said.

In the Senate, Senator Grace Poe said she wanted to find out if the NDRRMC and the telecommunication companies were complying with the law in sending free mobile alerts to the people.

“Several reports have reached us that mobile subscribers have not received any alert about the storm since yesterday [Wednesday],” said Poe, chairman of the senate committee on public services.

She stressed that disasters need not be of epic proportions before the NDRRMC and the telcos make their move and alert the people.

“The law was primarily crafted as a preventive measure, so that the public can prepare and to avoid casualties,” said Poe, adding that Republic Act 10639 or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act mandated telcos in the country to send free mobile alerts to subscribers before disasters like typhoons happened.

The information for mobile alerts is supposed to come from government agencies such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanol-

ogy and Seismology and state weather bureau Pagasa. These will then be monitored by the NDRRMC. The NDRRMC, with its equipment and experts, should be able to determine the situation on the ground. At first instance, the NDRRMC should be able to draft a clear alert that the telcos would blast to their subscribers.

“These alerts should be taken seriously. Many rely on them to determine their course of action during disasters. Disaster alerts can save lives,” also said Poe. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said if flood and storm text alerts had been few and infrequent, the circuitous way that proposed messages were “processed and approved before they are sent out should be blamed.”

Recto said the process could be accelerated if the NDRRMC was taken out of the equation and agencies such Pagasa and Phivolcs were allowed to communicate directly with telcos.

“Under present rules, only the NDRRMC is the authorized generator of alerts,” Recto explained.

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perks,” he said.

Responding to Diokno’s claims, the PCGG questioned the administration’s motives in questioning its “performance, relevance and efficiency.”

“Aside from the fact that it was awarded as the best DOJ performing agency for three [3] straight years, what other government agency can effectively raise non-tax revenues similar to the numbers below?” the PCGG said in a statement.

“Why is there a question on its budget and relevance when PCGG’s cost to recovery ratio is exemplary as shown by these numbers? Of all agencies? Figures do not lie.”

In 2014, the PCGG was able to recover P1.57 billion followed by P14.01 billion in 2015 and P481.95 million in 2016―despite its small

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Congress to hold a joint session to review Duterte’s declaration of martial law.

In a special session on July 22, both chambers of Congress voted to grant President Duterte’s request to extend martial law until the end of the year, after the original 60-day period had expired.

Lagman said he and his colleagues would not longer purse a petition against the extension because “the composition of the Supreme Court may not be disposed to favorably act on the petition after it refused to exercise jurisdiction against the legislature in two mandamus cases.”

“With the current temperament of the Supreme Court, it may be an exercise in futility to press for the declaration of nullity of the congressional extension,” he added.

Lagman said, however, that he would launch another legal challenge if there are abuses under martial law.

and Calabarzon regions as well as Mindoro and Palawan provinc es.

The storm’s center was estimated at 595 kms east of Tuguegarao in Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of up to 90 kms per hour near the center and gustiness up to 115 kms per hour while moving northwest at 13 kms per hour.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, through the Office of Civil Defense, has ordered the dissemination of severe weather bulletins and general flood advisories to all regions and monitor the effects of the bad weather.

Residents in low-lying areas are alerted against possible landslides and flash floods.

NDRRMC chairman Ricardo Jalad also instructed all regional and local disaster response management councils to continue monitoring the bad weather and take the necessary precautionary actions.

“The public is advised to monitor weather updates espe-

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, identified the ASG militants as Merson Arak and Ruston, both surnamed Garim, were intercepted by members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-9.

Petinglay said the arrest of the bandits came after civilians reported the presence of ASG armed with M16 and caliber .30 rifles in Panglima Sugala Tuesday.

The ASG extremists were reportedly behind a series of robberies against fishermen and farmers.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, told police to protect the capital from terrorists who might escape from pursuing troops in Marawi City.

“Our government is doing all it can to end the crisis in Marawi but until hostilities have ceased, we should continue to protect our city in any way we can,” he also said. With Francisco Tuyay, Vito Barcelo and Sandy Araneta

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“Ms. Mae Paner, popularly known as ‘Juana Change,’ has inappropriately used our military uniform and disrespected it since she is not a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines nor a part of our Reservists Corps,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Thursday.

“Her act of illegally using an AFP uniform is in violation of Article 179 of the RPC [Revised Penal Code] and RA [Republic Act] 493. We will take the necessary legal action to hold Ms. Paner accountable,” he added.

people, his inspiring leadership in empowering Cambodians to be proud stewards of their heritage, and his wisdom in reminding us all that cultural monuments like the Angkor Wat are shared treasures whose preservation is thus also our shared global responsibility.”

Nababan was cited for “his brave, self-sacrificing advocacy to give voice and face to his country’s IP communities, his principled, relentless yet pragmatic leadership of the world’s largest IP rights movement, and the farreaching impact of his work on the lives of millions of Indonesians.”

Shanmugam is being recognized for “her compassion and courage in working under extreme conditions to rebuild warscarred lives, her tireless efforts over four decades in building Sri Lanka’s capacity for psychosocial support, and her deep, inspiring humanity in caring for women and children, war’s most vulnerable victims.”

Tay was cited for “his quiet, abiding dedication to a simple act of kindness-sharing food with others—and his inspiring influence in enlarging this simple kindness into a collective, inclusive, vibrant volunteer movement that is nurturing the lives of many in Singapore.”

“The Ramon Magsaysay Awardees of 2017 are all transforming their societies through their manifest commitment to the larger good,” said foundation president Carmencita Abella.

“Each one has addressed real and complex issues, taking bold and innovative action that has engaged others to do likewise. The results of their leadership are palpable, generating both individual efficacy and collective hope,” Abella said all awardees were unafraid to take on large causes.

“All have refused to give up despite meager resources, daunting adversity and strong opposition. Their approaches are all deeply anchored on a respect for human dignity and a faith in the power of collective endeavor.

We have much to learn from the 2017 Magsaysay awardees and much to celebrate about their greatness of spirit.”

Article 179 states that the penalty of “arresto mayor” shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons.

Under existing jurisprudence, arresto mayor means imprisonment of one month and one day minimum to six months maximum.

Padilla added each appearance of “Juana Change” in public wearing a military uniform was counted as one violation.

He stopped short of saying when the military would file the criminal charge. PNA

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President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier appointed Romualdez as his special envoy to the United States last year.

Romualdez, a columnist of The Philippine Star, was unable to assume the post after undergoing an emergency operation for an eye ailment in January. He was reappointed as special envoy earlier this month.

Romualdez is also the president of the Manila Overseas Press Club and vice president of Rotary Club of Manila.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim welcomed Romualdez’s appointment.

“Warm congratulations to my good friend on his nomination to be ambassador to the US,” Kim said in a tweet.

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IN BRIEF Manila Water shares best water practices “GUARANTEEING water quality in every drop strikes at the heart of the mission of water utilities which is to safeguard and promote public health as well as to ensure public trust.”

This was stressed by Manila Water Corp. president Ferdinand M. dela Cruz at the plenary session of the Singapore International Water Week last July 17-19 attended by select water executives from various countries including Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco.

Serving as one of the featured panelists in the Singapore water conference with theme “Forging Alliance Amongs Water Utility Leaders,” Dela Cruz cited the case of Manila Water regarding updating its risk-based “Water Safety Plans from Source to Tap” and working with the Department of Health and the World Health Organization.

“We have also streamlined and updated the process and parameters working closely with our regulator, MWSS. We update our Capex Investment Plan every five years through a Rate Rebasing exercise which takes into account priority investments related to water quality,” the Manila Water CEO added.

Dela Cruz noted that the key imperative for all water utilities and regulators is to act resolutely in reviewing the adequacy of their current plans and programs around water quality—from water source to distribution.

He cited some important attributes that water utilities must have from having comprehensive program to a clear set of prioritized projects in their respective Capex plan to address most common critical water quality issues both in normal times and in times of emergency—breakouts, typhoons, earthquakes—to respond effectively and efficiently in case of a water quality crisis.

Seniors, PWDs to enjoy 20% off on flights SENIOR citizens and persons with disabilities will now enjoy a 20 percent discount on their online bookings for domestic flights, the Palace said Thursday.

This was made possible after the Department of Transportation-Civil Aeronautics Board approved a resolution on the matter on July 13.

The full implementation, however, for discounts on domestic flights will be in effect after two months, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

“Airlines are expected to fully implement a virtual system, which should apply discount on online transactions. Meanwhile, a summary of amount indicating the 20 percent discount should be presented to the senior citizens before the completion of transaction. In return, necessary IDs are expected to be presented,” Abella said.

Meanwhile, Abella added that motorists traversing the Skyway connecting to the Naia Expressway won’t have to pay toll fees for a month.

John Paolo Bencito

PRISON SEARCH. Members of the Special Action Force and operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conduct Oplan Galugad inside the New Bilibid Prison on Thursday. Norman Cruz

‘Rightsizing bill may cause loss of government jobs’

By Rio N. Araja

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CT Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Thursday that 225,300 government workers stand to lose their jobs if the Government Rightsizing Bill, which has been approved on the third and final reading on Wednesday, is enacted into law.

“In its first year of imple- employees will be affected, or mentation, 255,295 government 16 percent of the total govern-

ment bureaucracy,” he said.

Castro’s sentiments were shared by Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, who said that the bill could result into poor service to the public due to the reduction in the number of government workers.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, author of the bill, had said that his proposal was designed to improve and make the delivery of services more efficient.

Nograles, the House committee on appropriations chairman, said the proposed rightsizing law could give the government a chance to reshape it into a “lean and mean” bureaucracy.

“This measure would correct the overlapping and duplication of functions of our government offices and their staff. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of our government service through resource mobilization

JV tells Marcos: Go on leave

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR JV Ejercito on Thursday said Supt. Marvin Marcos should just go on a voluntary leave “out of delicadeza” as he has become a liability for the Philippine National Police.

“I hope out of delicadeza, he [Marcos] should take a voluntary leave.

Ejercito said that Marcos had become “too hot to handle.”

Senator Grace Poe, however, said she does not expect delicadeza from Marcos because the said police officer who was re-assigned as head of the PNP-CIDG in Region 12 [Socksargen] “does not even tell thetruth.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, wondered if it was possible that a Department of Justice [DoJ] circular may nullify the resolution that downgraded the murder charges against Marcos and his co-accussed in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another drug suspect last year.

Lacson presented in last Wednesday’s hearing two circulars issued by Justice Secretary

Vitaliano Aguirre II. One of them is Circular 003 dated Jan. 4, 2017, which transfers the power to handle petitions for review from state prosecutors to DoJ undersecretaries.

In consonance with this circular, Undersecretary Reynante Orceo lowered to homicide the murder charge recommended by a DoJ panel of prosecutors led by Sr. Asst. State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo of the DoJ National Prosecution Service.

In downgrading the charge, Orceo insisted that there was no evident premeditation in the killing of Espinosa and drug suspect Raul Yap, while both were detained inside a subprovincial jail in Baybay, Leyte.

In defending his decision, which was contrary to the findings of the NAPROS, National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Section and the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, Orceo said his office had a different “apprecation of the facts of the case.”

But except for Orceo, all the other bodies that investigated the killings stood their ground

that Marcos and his co-accused committed murder and not homicide.

Orceo also admitted that he was not privy to the details and circumstances in the killings of Espinosa and Yap. Lacson also said Aguirre also issued Circular 19, which set the implementing guidelines for Circular 003, stating that the guidelines shall cover petition for review filed from July 1, 2016, until Dec. 31, 2016—all Motion for Reconsiderations filed during the same period regardless of the date of petition for review, and all cases under automatic review only.

Since Marcos and the other respondents filed their petition for review only on April 5, 2017, Lacson asked Orceo if this circular would invalidate his resolution downgrading murder to homicide.

Orceo replied by citing a subparagraph of Circular 19 which provides that “for purposes of existing petitions for review, covered by these guidelines, existing Department Orders and other assignments made by the Secretary are applicable unless the same is revoked.

Senate urged to tackle bills on TNVS concerns

By Macon Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Thursday urged for an immediate Senate discussions on pending measures related to transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) in the country, citing the need for legislative action to end the worsening blame-game between the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and ride-hailing companies and operators.

Gatchalian said the ongoing squabble between the LTFRB and ride-hailing companies Uber and Grab over the continued services of TNVS operators and drivers without the necessary government permits could have been prevented if regulatory mechanisms, as proposed under SBN 1001, had

already been in place.

“The proposal has long been awaiting committee action, but nothing has been done. Now, the Senate should fast-track action to address the concerns that have been highlighted by the LTFRB-TNVS rift,” Gatchalian said.

He cited recent developments, which saw LTFRB officials and Uber and Grab operators and drivers resorting to traditional and social media networks for their ‘don’t-blame-us-blame-them’ squabble.

Gatchalian has filed proposed Senate Bill No. 1001, or the Transportation Network Services Act, which lays down the operational guidelines for the development and regulation of the TNVS sector.

NO MORE PCGG? This file photo taken on Nov. 27, 2015 shows an official from the Presidential

Commission on Good Government showing a piece of jewelry seized by the Philippine government from former first lady Imelda Marcos at the Central Bank headquarters in Manila. President Rodrigo Duterte’s government plans to abolish the agency tasked with recovering the billions of dollars plundered by Marcos and his allies, a Cabinet member said on July 26, 2017. AFP (Related story on A2)

and cost effective public expenditure management.”

Nograles added that the measure would cover all agencies of the executive branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils, and all other entities attached to or under their administrative supervisions, government-owned or -controlled corporations not covered by Republic Act No. 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.

TRO on implants beyond SC —Sereno

By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may have not been properly abreast of the legal status of the temporary restraining order issued by Supreme Court against the distribution of two contraceptive implants by the Department of Health when he criticized the 15-member bench on the matter during his State of the Nation Address.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno on Thursday said that the lifting of the TRO on Implanon and Implanon NXT is now beyond the control of the SC as it now actually depends on the action of the Food and Drug Administration, an agency under the Office of the President.

“The TRO has a sunset provision—as soon as the FDA certifies as provided by law that they are not abortifacient, the TRO is lifted. The reason why the TRO has not been lifted yet is not within the Court but with the DFA,” Sereno said.

In a ruling last April, the high court has turned down the DoH’s appeal on the TRO issued in June 2015 but also made clarifications on its coverage.

The SC held that it cannot lift the TRO prior to the summary hearing to be conducted by the FDA on the safety, efficacy, purity, quality, and nonabortiveness of the two contraceptive products.

This means that the determination of the safety of Implanon and Implanon NXT is now with the FDA, an agency under the DoH.

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EDITORIAL

Duterte’s budget

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HE yearly budget proposed by the executive branch of the government aims to generally improve the lot of the people through sustained economic development and increased services. Through individual allocations to line agencies of the government, the budget will assume a persona that will reflect what the government of President Rodrigo Duterte wants to achieve in a given year and over his full term.

President Duterte in his budget message to Congress stressed the need for “reducing in-

Adelle Chua, Editor

equality, maintaining the foundation for sustainable development, increasing the growth

potential and enhancing the social fabric.”

Reducing inequality essentially refers to poverty alleviation and the task to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. It is the biggest challenge faced by the administration, one that must be addressed forcefully to bring about real change. Every president of the Philippines has tried to lick the poverty problem and no one, so far, has even come close to doing it.

The Philippine econ-

omy has expanded impressively over the last 10 years but growth has not created a spillover effect to the marginal sector. President Duterte’s proposed 2018 budget will try to produce an inclusive economic growth, one that will reduce poverty and sustain the gains of the past.

The proposed P3.767trillion expenditure program is allocating the largest sums to the education sector and the infrastructure de-

velopment program Build, Build, Build. A total of P691.1 billion makes up the combined budgets of the Department of Education with P613.1 billion, the Commission on Higher Education with P13.5 billion and the State Universities and Colleges with P64.6 billion.

The government is also earmarking P1.097 trillion or over a quarter of the budget to support the Build, Build, Build Program. The amount is an

increase of 27.8 percent from the 2017 adjusted level of P858.1 billion and puts the infrastructure budget at 6.3 percent of the gross domestic product next year.

Drawing up the budget and finding the money to finance it, however, is a complicated task.

Raising revenues, for one, could be unpopular, especially if it involves increasing gasoline taxes and the value added tax. But real change is often painful and is never easy.

EVERYMAN

Climate change in the year of Duterte

By Renee Juliene Karunungan

The avenging speaker LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES HELL hath no fury like a Speaker scorned. Even your Facebook posts can and will be used against you by the tooeasily-offended fourth-highest official of the land.

To the many misguided acts committed by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as head of the current Congress, add one more: He does not consider it beneath him to go after a lowly government employee using his great powers, if he cannot get his way.

Reliable informants have told me that, to keep the peace, Customs Commissioner Nic Faeldon will let go of his head executive assistant, Mandy Mercado Anderson. This after Anderson, a topnotcher in the 2015 bar examinations, was accused by Alvarez and some

of his Congress lackeys of being r ude to the House leader by calling him an “imbecile” in a Facebook post.

Anderson revealed that the trouble started when Alvarez asked Faeldon to promote an unnamed protege of the s p e a ke r’s i n t he bu reau.

Faeldon, a ccording to Anderson, tossed the matter to her, as his chief aide.

Anderson said that she evaluated Alvarez’s recommendation and decided that the person was not qualified for promotion; she told Faeldon as much, she said.

The matter should have ended there. After all, many lawmakers make similar endorsements to officials in the Executive branch, seeking favors for people they know, all the time; not all of them are accommodated and most congressmen let it go at that.

But Alvarez, according to Anderson, summoned her to his office, where he berated

Alvarez does not consider it beneath him to go after a lowly government employee, if he cannot get his way. her for not acting favorably on his request. Anderson said she stood her ground because she was convinced that she did the right thing.

Then, this week, Alvarez and some of his minions in Congress, led by his chief sidekick, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte, found Anderson seated in front of them during a House ways and means

committee hearing, which she attended with her boss, Faeldon.

Fariñas brought up a Facebook post written by Anderson this month, in which she castigated Alvarez for being an imbecile for calling for the abolition of the Court of Appeals.

Fariñas, in high dudgeon, accused Anderson of, among other things, implying that all members of the House were imbeciles, because they elected an imbecile like Alvarez to be their speaker. Anderson acknowledged writing the post, which she said she thought was seen only by a small group of friends because she had restricted access to her accou nt; ap pa rently she was wrong.

Now, I understand that people working in government shouldn’t go around calling people in high office imbeciles, never mind if they really are.

Anderson, perhaps because she truly thought that Alvarez would not stoop so low as to go after a “nobody” (as she described

herself) for posting what she thought was a limited-access social media rant, may have been a bit indiscreet.

I agree that Anderson was within her rights to call out the speaker for his imbecilic crusade against three justices of the appellate court. But Alvarez is apparently a man who never forgets a slight, as many have already concluded after he went after the family of his former bosom buddy and fellow Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo.

Now, Anderson will have to be sacrificed by Faeldon, who must be worried about all the terrible things an angry Alvarez-led House majority can do to make his life miserable.

(I’m told that while Anderson will lose her job as chief aide of the commissioner, she will be kept on as a consultant; but to Faeldon’s credit, he still will not promote the speaker’s protege, who caused the entire controversy.)

Turn to A5

IN HIS State of the Nation Address this year, President Duterte seemingly put importance on environmental issues, mentioning climate change, mining, adaptation, and disasters in his more than two-hour long speech.

The President specifically mentioned “drought and long dry spells affecting food production in Mindanao” and asked “all agencies involved in food production to look into this and act accordingly.”

He also said, “Responsible, regulated and sustainable development is what we advocate and require. The protection of the environment must be made a priority..” and called on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management to work on undertaking disaster measures.

To be fair, this is the first in many years that environment and climate change was mentioned more than just in passing. Former Department of Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez might have done a good job in giving more importance to environmental issues than any of her predecessors.

It was during Lopez’s brief stint as environment secretary that climate change and mining issues were put forward as urgent and important.

While Duterte claims that he supports sustainable development and protection of the environment, let’s take a look at what he has actually done in his one year as president of the country.

First, Duterte signed the Paris Agreement, but not after a strong lobby by environmental groups, senators, and his cabinet. The President has yo-yoed on his stand about the said international agreement, where he once said that the agreement will impede the Philippines’ economic growth and industrialization. He even once said he wanted to kick an ambassador to the Philippines for talking him into signing the agreement.

In the end, however, the President listened to his cabinet who saw it necessary for the Philippines to ratify the agreement and continue to be actively engaged in the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which happens on a yearly basis.

Second, Duterte appointed Gina Lopez as his environmental secretary, but has failed to get the approval of the Commission on Appointments after her relentless fight against irresponsible mining. Lopez also supported the community in Bataan who complained of diseases brought about Turn to A5

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Opinion FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

Can-do

LAST time I called out certain transportation agencies for missing their cues on service issues important to the riding public, e.g. renewing license plates and driver’s licenses, keeping transport vehicle networks like Uber and Grab on the streets for riders’ benefit while they thresh out their issues with the TVN operators.

Nonetheless, I also cited DOTr Secretary Art Tugade for his “obvious sincerity and take-charge manner,” and I would like to think that it was he who decided to come down on the side of commuters when the TVNs were finally allowed, for the meantime, to continue operation.

Tugade’s competence and sincerity are immensely important to the public, because it is his Cabinet department that ultimately bears the brunt of the infrastructure ambitions that underlie the Build Build Build philosophy of Dutertenomics.

Unlike DPWH whose portfolio almost exclusively comprises the cement and steel of civil works— roads, bridges, flood control embankments—the DOTr portfolio manages more complicated transport systems with lots of moving parts: Land vehicles, airports and planes, seaports and ships, railways and trains, subways (soon to come), and all the variants thereof.

And unlike DPWH head Mark Villar, a quiet-mannered, US-educated billionaire’s son, DOTr’s Tugade, a lawyer and self-made billionaire, is a voluble man who can talk up a storm. Put them beside each other behind microphones, and the contrast couldn’t be more striking.

Amid all this excitement over new projects, here’s a piece of unsolicited advice: Let’s try to keep the employees happy about this move. The department reportedly already suffers from a deficit of engineers and other technical people, a legacy from the unlamented likes of Roxas and Abaya under PNoy; it doesn’t need to lose more of them.

If it will take almost under the end of Duterte’s term (by DOTr’s own projections) to complete the Manilato-Clark railway link that used to be called Northrail, it may be worth it to try and devise an interim solution to make life easier for employees commuting to and from Manila. *** Not to be outdone on can-do, Angeles City mayor Ed Pamintuan has also rolled out a package of 14 road and bridge projects intended to help his city cope with the heavier traffic expected there after the completion of the Manila-Clark railway link and expansion of Clark airport.

Pamintuan was coincidentally the last chairman of Northrail during the term of former President Arroyo. But despite what must have been a frustrating experience for him there, he hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for the ability of such ambitious infra projects to spur the growth of his city and the rest of the surrounding Central Luzon region (one which, post-Federalism, may become the second most advanced new “state” after Metro Manila).

Pamintuan’s projects are very much meat-and-potatoes: a new link between NLEX and SCTEX to be called the Abacan expressway; new circumferential and bypass roads; more tollway exits, interchanges, and flyovers; bridges; even dikes and watershed improvements to further stanch chronic flooding around the city.

These projects will be proposed to DPWH’s Villar, who’s busy with his own infrastructure portfolio. Let’s hope that the mayor can be accommodated, for the sake of his millions of cabalens here and abroad. *** All this talk about infrastructure and engineers reminds me to congratulate Dr. Rey Vea, a former neighbor and elementary schoolmate, comrade and fellow political detainee, and co-employee at the iconic Howard Johnson’s Inn on the Charles River in Boston midway between our respective schools at Harvard and MIT. Under President Vea’s leadership, the former Mapua Institute of Technology was recently granted university status by CHED. Mapua also received a three-star overall rating from London’s Quacquerelli Symonds, with five stars each for employability of graduates (good news for alumni!), facilities, and social responsibility; and four stars for inclusiveness and teaching.

Among the areas that still need more work: research, internationalization, and others. But I’ve no doubt that these are also well within Rey’s reach, and soon. The Yuchengco family is lucky to have him as one of their senior executives.

*** But Tugade’s flamboyance may disguise a fundamental can-do philosophy learned over a lifetime, which now seems to be jelling into his new responsibilities a year after he started climbing the learning curve.

Today he leads the first batch of DOTr employees who will be transferring from their rented offices on Ortigas Avenue in QC, all the way to Clark Freeport, at a newly refurbished building also to be rented. The transfer of all 750 employees is expected to be completed by year-end.

But why even bother to move so far away, thereby subjecting employees to additional commuting inconvenience about which some of them have in fact already begun muttering?

Being the first national agency to set up shop in Clark, the stated reason is for DOTr to take the lead in building up a new national government center in Clark, as well as in decongesting Metro Manila, a favorite item on Presidential 10-point agendas including the current one.

But Tugade’s unstated reason is just as important: To show everyone that he puts his money where his mouth is. It’s a ballsy message intended to inspire public confidence in his ability to deliver on far more difficult promises: from completing the abortive Northrail project, through converting Clark airport into the country’s second premier international gateway, Readers can write me at gboliand even to building our first subvar1952@yahoo.com. way system.

The avenging...

From A4 As I write this, I really don’t know how long Alvarez can keep treating the House as his own personal kingdom. I’m just glad that I don’t have a government job to lose, in case I criticize the speaker once too often and he decides that it’s time to say “Off with his head!” *** When it rains, it sometimes pours indignation. Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte learned that the hard way.

As a longtime “Kyusi” resident, I watched with interest as Belmonte, who is widely believed to be waiting in the wings to become mayor in 2019 when Mayor Herbert Bautista steps down, was pilloried for not calling off classes early enough yesterday. Belmonte, as acting mayor in the absence of Bautista, who is abroad, drew

flak for waiting until around noontime to suspend classes in local schools—never mind if nearly all of Metro Manila and other nearby areas had already done so after the rains brought about by Typhoon “Gorio” started to fall.

Online, Belmonte was also criticized for saying that she relied on government weather forecasters when she decided that classes should still be held. She later apologized for the inconvenience she caused the students and parents of local schools, who were forced to go to school in the rain, only to be told later that classes had been suspended.

Even as she was apologizing, Belmonte insisted that she believed she “did the right thing” by not suspending classes. I really wonder how she arrived at that conclusion, especially since the right thing under similar circumstances would have been to err on the side of caution.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Locked out BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO FINALLY, our legislators will know the meaning of public service and the responsibility that comes with the high salary paid them from taxpayers money. It’s not all about perks, privilege and power.

Five members of Congress found themselves locked out of the House session hall for being late after the roll call . The five —Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Castillo Angara, Batangas Rep. Mario Brittorio Marino, Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Suharto Mangundato, and Quezon Rep. Katrina Enverga.

Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza who heads the House watchdog committee on attendance welcomed the House rule that Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas enforced to discipline late and absent lawmakers. The Ilocos Norte representative issued an order five days earlier that session hall doors will be locked after the roll call.

There are legal opinions, however, that the late legislators cannot be locked out as its is against the law to do so. Nonetheless, the new House rule had an instant effect on attendance as 226 out of 293 showed up on time for the

roll call. Anyone who comes late is considered absent. So Angara et al were considered absent and hopefully learned their lesson like tardy schoolchildren.

But they are not school kids, and they cannot blame Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic problem. Every commuter has to deal with traffic and the five lawmakers cannot claim exemption.

They, after all, have No. 8 plated cars that can weave in and out of traffic without the use of sirens.

The House session hall doors remain locked during deliberations to preclude the slipping out of some solons on the pretext of going to the cafeteria or meeting some constituents at their Batasan offices. More often than not, these congressmen leave and do not come back after the roll call. Meeting their constituents during session is no excuse.

These legislators have full-time staff who can help them with time management and scheduling of appointments.

Joma, Digong word war The word war between President Rodrigo Duterte and Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison has escalated. Although oceans apart, the vitriolic verbal exchange between two has darkened clouds on whatever hope there is for the settlement of the longest-running communist insurgency in the world.

Duterte, in his trademark tough-

guy demeanor, called off the peace talks with a parting shot of “I’m done talking, let’s fight.”

While Sison did not exactly dare Digong to bring it on, the search for enduring peace being held in Oslo, Norway was aborted again after a Presidential Security Guard convoy was attacked in Agusan by the communist New People’s Army.

“You want to kill me? Have mercy on Norway and kill yourself instead,” said Duterte, adding Sison is suffering from colon cancer.

Sison denied he has cancer.

Not to be outdone, he suggested Duterte get the professional help of a psychiatrist.

The current GRP-CPP/National Democratic Front peace parley in Oslo is being held under the auspices of the Norwegian government which has been patiently brokering the on-and-off talks.

Sison, in turn, said it’s Digong who is sick and should come clean before the Filipino people by showing a medical certificate attesting to his health. He also explained that the attack on the PSG convoy was provoked when local government officials did not inform the NPA checkpoint that a government convoy was passing through NPA-held territory.

So it has come to that point the insurgents control a segment of Philippine territory and even have checkpoints for government to secure permission to pass

through. Relying on government propaganda, we thought all along the communist movement was already a spent force and ready to fold tent.

But the reality on the ground is that the country is facing a war on three fronts. Aside from the recalcitrant NPA rebels, there is the Maute group reinforced by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Abu Sayyaf axis backed by global terrorist ISIS sowing fear in Mindanao.

Then, there is the bigger external threat posed by China which covets the whole South China Sea , including the still-undeclared intent to take over the West Philippine Sea through a proposal for joint exploration of possible gas and mineral resources.

The Duterte administration it seems, is willing to placate China as long as financial aid and loans come in for its ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects.

The Chinese, meanwhile, are matching the foreign loans to Manila with their own Build, Build, Build of military installations in the Spratlys even as visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned countries outside the region not to meddle in the South China Sea territorial dispute.

Is this the government’s idea of peace ? Not to be confrontational with our giant neighbor is adopting a policy similar to the silence of the lamb while being led to the slaughterhouse.

8 things Duterte is angry about VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ HIS second State of the Nation Address, delivered on July 24, was classic Rodrigo Roa Duterte—the President, the mayor of 23 years, the earnest public servant, and an angry, sometimes cranky if largely a warm and humorous senior citizen.

The speech sprawled over two hours and six minutes and over 12,000 words. It was applauded at least 71 times.

The Sona was shorn of lofty and elegant language and visioning that is more talk than walk. Duterte more than made up for that with plenty of expletives, ribald jokes, plainly spoken down-to-earth wisdom, and a warning to everyone and anyone who got his goat.

Two themes dominated the speech: War. Against illegal drugs.

Against Muslim rebels and communist guerrillas. Against corruption in government.

And peace. As in peace and order. “I have learned that economy surges only when there is peace and order prevailing in places where investors can pour [in] their capital and expertise,” the President declared.

Duterte is angry at many things.

He wants action done of them, pronto. They include: Illegal drugs. Illegal drugs, he said, are “the root cause of so much evil and so much suffering that weaken the social fabric and deters foreign investments from pouring in. The fight will be unremitting as it will be unrelenting.” He gives drug dealers “either jail or hell.”

He will reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes like illegal drugs, kidnapping, and rape.

The New People’s Army and the Muslim rebels. “I will persist in our goal of attaining peace [up] to the

Climate...

From A4 the coal fired power plants of San

Miguel Corporation.

After Lopez, Roy Cimatu was appointed as the DENR secretary, who, after barely 2 months in office, has allowed regional and local officers to process environmental compliance certificates. Lopez earlier ordered that all ECC’s must be processed in the office of the secretary. ECCs are given to certify that new projects will not cause significant negative environmental impact. Projects such as coal-fired power plants, for example, need an ECC to operate.

In the past, ECCs were issued by local and regional offices, which made it easier for any project to get approved.

The reason is quite obvious: it’s easier for corruption to happen at the local

last day of this administration and maybe even beyond although in a different capacity,” he said.

To the communist guerrillas, he fumed: “You do anarchy, I will order the soldiers and the police to shoot. Even if I have to bury thousands of Filipinos.”

Duterte told Jose Maria Sison (founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines) who he said is sick of colon cancer (Sison denies it) to come home and talk peace.

“There is rebellion in Mindanao,” Duterte insisted. “The extremists have declared it their purpose to establish a caliphate within Philippine territory along the teachings and beliefs of [the] Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or otherwise known as ISIS. The battle of Marawi has dealt a terrible blow to our quest for peace especially now that an alien ideology and a radical shift in purpose have been injected into the local setting.”

Duterte declared martial law against the Muslim rebels and terrorists in Marawi “to prevent them from spreading their gospel of hate and violence in the rest of Mindanao.” To the police and army fighting them, he assured, “I have your backs.”

Miners. “If possible, we shall put a stop to the extraction and exportation of our mineral resources to foreign nations [applause] for processing abroad and importing them back to the Philippines in the form of consumer goods at prices twice or thrice the value of the original raw materials foreign corporations pay for them,” he said.

He added: “I am warning all mining operations and contractors to refrain from the unbridled and irresponsible destruction of our watersheds, forests, and aquatic resources. You have gained much from mining, we only get about P70 billion a year, but you have considerably neglected your responsibility to protect and preserve —and even the tax, it’s about five percent—environment for posterity.”

“Declare your correct income [and] pay your correct taxes,” he told the miners.

The Americans. For not returning the Church bells of Balangiga town Eastern Samar which in 1901 US soldiers turned into “a howling wilderness” killing anyone moving and above 10 years old. They seized the parish church’s three bells as spoils of the war after Filipino guerrillas, many dressed as women servants at breakfast, and armed with nothing more than bolos, dealt the Americans one of their biggest battlefield setbacks ever—48 men dead in a single attack.

One bell is with the US 9th Infantry Regiment in South Korea.

Two are with the 11th Infantry Regiment in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The Americans stole the bells as proof that they, not the Filipinos, won the Battle of Balangiga. West Point-trained President Fidel V. Ramos tried to get back at least one of the bells. Bill Clinton refused.

“Those bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears who resisted the American colonizers and sacrificed their lives in the process,” said Duterte.

A day later, the US embassy promised to do something about the President’s demand to “give us back those Balangiga bells.”

Corruption in government. “Corruption persists like a fishbone stuck in the throat; it pains and it is disconcerting,” he conceded.

“We need to pry corruption from government corpus which is deeply embedded and we also need to put an end to squabbles and bickering with all agencies focused truly on speedy provision of quality public services to our people,” Duterte said.

“I will never tolerate corruption in my administration, not even a whiff of it,” Duterte reminded bureaucrats.

He launched Hotline 8888 so citizens can complain and give feedback on corruption in government.

Duterte gives bureau directors to act on permits 15 days max.

He told them to eat lunch in their offices.

Saying people’s and his patience are wearing thin, Duterte said “We want to ensure that our people receive the quality services that they deserve, minus the delays caused by bureaucratic red tape. I expect speedy reforms along this line.”

The Supreme Court and temporary restraining orders.

Duterte said an SC TRO stymied the Reproductive Health Law which has lasted two years and made medicines like subdermal implants for birth control expire.

LGUs. For red tape in processing permits and for LGUs in Metro Manila for not removing traffic obstructions in their streets to ease traffic flow.

By the way, China, Duterte acknowledged, “has committed to build two bridges to span Pasig River free of charge.”

The Senate. For holding up funds intended to solve traffic at Edsa and delaying his Tax Reform Law. Addressing himself to Senator Grace Poe, who is holding hearings on Transportation Secretary Art Tugade’s transport modernization program, the President seems to blame the Senate now for gridlock at Metro Manila’s main highway.

“I call on the Senate so support my tax reform in full and to pass it without haste,” he pleaded. Looking at Sonny Angara, the Senate Ways and Means Committee chair winnowing the tax bill, which will impose hefty increases on consumer goods like soft drinks and diesel, and on personal income, Duterte wondered why the London-educated senator was not clapping.

“The poor and vulnerable are at the heart of my tax reform. Your support would ensure that the benefits of the tax reform can be felt immediately by them,” he said.

and regional level and businesses can easily take advantage of this.

So while Duterte has given his support to Gina Lopez, it is confounding that during the decision of the Commission of Appointments, he did not seem to use his influence and left everything to the discretion of the commission.

In Duterte’s one year in office, it seems that the President has been on the fence about the environment. He says one thing and does another thing, which isn’t surprising given his record in all other issues.

What is good about the President is that he is open to listening to his advisers, which is better than having a concrete stand about something one does not fully understand. It is better, for example, than when Aquino outrightly criticized renewable energy in his 2013 Sona.

The challenge remains, however,

for the President. The Paris Agreement has now been ratified by the Philippines. He has already pronounced his support for sustainable development, and has very strongly said he will be stricter with mining corporations.

There will be expectations of him and his administration.

As one of the signatories of the Paris Agreement, the Philippines has committed to reduce carbon emissions. What will Mr. Duterte and his government do about it? Will we expect our transition to renewable energy and move away from fossil fuel like coal? And what about our adaptation strategies, how will his government ensure that the Philippines will be prepared for climate change impacts?

As a president who has committed to sustainable development and environmental protection, can we expect that communities affected by big

mining and coal corporations be put as a priority instead of the money that these companies make? Can we expect that when communities fight for their rights to a clean and healthy environment that their voices will be heard and actions will be taken?

Duterte still has five years in office. What he will do in the next years will weigh more than his words. More importantly, his actions will determine how much the Philippines can withstand climate change impacts. The sincerity of what he said in his Sona will either help protect Filipinos’ lives and livelihood, or put Filipinos more at risk. One thing is for sure, he will be held accountable for whatever he does— or doesn’t do.

biznewsasia@gmail.com

Renee Karunungan is a climate advocate and has been tracking the UN climate negotiations.

News

A6

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Aguirre takes direct hand at Corrections

By Rey E. Requejo

J

USTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday announced that he will be taking over the supervision and management of Bureau of Corrections following the resurgence of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

In Department Order No. 505, Aguirre said he “shall directly supervise the management and operations of the BuCor, which are not within the ministerial powers of its officer-in-charge.” ”The concerned officials and employees of BuCor are directed to submit and bring the undersigned’s attention all matters that are beyond the authority of the BuCor officerin-charge,” the directive said.

Aguirre exercises administrative supervision of BuCor, an attached agency of the Department of Justice.

His decision came following the irrevocable resignation of BuCor chief Benjamin delos Santos last July 13 and the recent appoint-

ment of Rey Ragaas as officerin-charge of the bureau that supervises the NBP and other penal colonies nationwide.

The order is effective immediately and remains in force until further orders or until a new BuCor director general is appointed.

Upon assuming the duties of the top BuCor post, Aguirre led another surprise inspection at NBP Thursday morning that again led to the confiscation of various contrabands.

The Philippine National Police Special Action Force has also replaced its contingency that has guarded the national penitentiary since last year.

In an interview, Aguirre also

cited the issue involving BuCor's contract with Mang Kiko, the food supplier for inmates in NBP. “When the previous administration here in BuCor under director general Ben delos Santos disqualified Mang Kiko as supplier in NBP, there should be public bidding for the replacement,” he said.

“For me, the process for selection of new supplier and the bidding should have been pursued. If only Ben delos Santos did not resign, then that should have been completed,” Aguirre lamented.

Aguirre and Delos Santos are brothers in the Lex Taliones fraternity in San Beda College law school, along with President Duterte.

Delos Santos, a retired police general who served the BuCor for eight months since his appointment in November last year, resigned from his post saying the resurgence of drug trade has made him irrelevant.

Aguirre directed NBI Director Dante Gierran to determine how the illegal drug trade returned and file the appropriate administrative

and criminal cases against those responsible.

The Department of Justice chief has confirmed the resurgence of illegal drug trade in the NBP and bared plans to replace the contingency of the SAF guarding the national penitentiary.

Aguirre cited the possibility that some members of SAF have been tainted by the huge amount of money involved, adding that he would seek an investigation on the matter.

Aguirre said a high-profile inmate continued his illegal drug trade operations despite a crackdown by the BuCor and that there are “new leaders” who joined the trade.

At the same time, Aguirre has turned down the request of some high-profile inmates in New Bilibid Prison who testified against detained Senator Leila de Lima to remain in the medium security compound.

Aguirre also downplayed reports that the witnesses had threatened to recant their testimonies in the drug cases against De Lima.

“The transfer of the high-profile

inmates back to the maximum security compound will push through. I already issued the department order where I said they should be transferred immediately, but apparently the officers here did not abide by my order,” Aguirre said, after a surprise inspection.

Aguirre's order covered inmates earlier transferred to the medium security compound, including Vicente Sy, Jojo Baligad, and Peter Co, who all testified against Sen. De Lima before the House of Representatives inquiry on proliferation of illegal drugs in the NBP. The Justice Secretary said that he does not believe the reported threat from the inmates that they would retract their statements against De Lima.

“That is a misinformation campaign in the media by the other camp,” he said.

Francis Acejas III, who introduced himself as lawyer of Sy, Baligad, and Co in a press conference in Manila last Wednesday, said there is a possibility of the witnesses recanting their statements.

BoC OVERSIGHT. Photo shows (from left) Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara (left), chairman of the Senate panel of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Customs and Tariff, Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon and House Panel member Rep. Reynaldo Umali during the Organizational Meeting held at the Senate in Pasay City on Thursday, July 27. PNA

BoC seizes ‘misdeclared’ steel pipes

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs confiscated a shipment of steel pipes worth P1.5 million at the Port of Davao in Mindanao.

The steel pipes were declared as 2,060 packages of square tubes from Xiamen, China, and consigned to Yagnas 8 Importation Trading in Davao City, according to BoC Enforcement and Security Service chief Capt. Jerry Arizabal The shipper was identified as Shenzhen Chuangfufeixiang Commerce Co. Ltd. with office address at South Wing Fu Bldg. 23A Building State-owned Enterprises, Step Futian District in Shenzhen, China.

The bureau said the importers had no import clearance from the Department of Trade and Industry's Bureau of Product Standards.

The shipment is now at the container yard of Sasa Wharf holding area to preserve the value and quality of the seized steel pipes. It will be available for auction proceedings and are expected to contribute to the revenues of the government.

BoC-ESS Director Isabelo Tibayan reminded the transacting public that the Bureau will not tolerate acts by private entities which aim to deceive the government of its lawful revenues.

Recto leads inquiry into underspending SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said senators would cross party lines to ask agencies during the 2018 national budget hearings if they are on track in spending their current year allocations to find out if underspending still plagues budget utilization as it had in the past administration.

Officials of the Duterte administration have been quoted as saying that the Aquino administration failed to spend or delayed the spending of an estimated P1 trillion in appropriations, a charge denied by the previous set of economic managers.

“Now that the shoe is on the other foot, it is time to ask this question: Have you solved the problem you have accused your predecessors of doing?” Recto said.

“It’s a valid question because budget hearings are sessions where they’ll be asking for fund replenishment. So before we replenish, we should ask if they’ve been prompt in disbursing,” he said.

Recto said he was given a preliminary estimate that unreleased appropriations reached P185.8 billion in 2016, on top of unobligated allotments of P410.8 billion.

“Of these amounts, how much was due to the election ban on public works and other expenditures, and how much can be pinned on inefficiency, to transition, to

Sweepstakes tickets deal up for upgrade THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will be introducing changes to enhance the operation of its Sweepstakes ticket sales to cope with market demands and help raise more funds for the agency’s charity services for health and institutional development, general manager Alexander Balutan said Thursday.

“As approved by the Board, there are a lot of changes that will be introduced to this particular instant lottery game.

Definitely, part of this enhancement strategy is for new players to come in with better and more advantageous offer to the government,” he said.

The board is led by chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz.

The contract for the lottery ticket gaming known as “kaskas” (scratch) was separately awarded to the Kaskas Marketing Corp. owned by the president of the Philippine Gaming Management Corp., a subsidiary of Malaysia-based Berjaya, and Pacific Online System Corp.

Both firms were awarded a sevenyear contract.

But POSC’s contract expired on Nov. 30, 2016 and PGMC’s expired in April this year.

PGMC is in lock-horns with PCSO over a temporary restraining order issued by a Makati court last Monday against the bidding process to modernize the agency’s National Online Lottery System.

The contract up for bid is worth P10.9 billion.

Presiding Judge Maximo M. de Leon of Regional Trial Court, Branch 143 issued the TRO on the same day President Rodrigo Duterte was delivering his State of the Nation Address during the joint session of Congress and part of his speech was requesting the Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno for the courts to stop issuing TROs against priority government projects that are above board and follows public bidding procedures.

lack of plans?" he said.

Recto said the agencies’ “fund absorptive capacity” would also impact on the Senate debates on the administration’s mixed bag of proposed tax cuts and increases.

“We will be looking at both ledgers.

Income and spending. Bakit ka hihingi ng ganito kalaking bagong revenues kung hindi mo naman nagagasta?” Recto said.

Recto said examining “spending problem areas” would not only pinpoint “slowmoving” programs, but the “fat in the budget and in the bureaucracy as well."

“Ito naman ang matagal na naming sinasabi sa kanila. Can we not cut the frivolous expenses first so that we can reduce the number of new taxes you are asking for?” he said.

“For example, if we can cut overhead, can we not trim the rates in the new taxes you are proposing? Halimbawa, the hotel industry earns billions from government seminars. Hindi ba pwede in-office na lang, hindi na sa beach resorts na mag-e-eroplano ka pa? Ano ang alternatives?" he said.

Recto said taxation should be the last recourse. “Can we attack the problems first from the appropriations side? It can be a joint exercise by the

legislature and the executive.”

Recto said measuring the government’s “spending velocity” would lead to the discovery of bottlenecks in the implementation of projects.

“Procurement ba? Kung ganun, malalaman natin kung saan ang problema and the corresponding legislative or administrative remedies can be applied,” he said.

“Meron bang technical deficit, meaning the lack of qualified people with specialized skills to plan, procure and implement programs with engineering designs?

If this is where the hiccups are, then how can we tweak personnel recruitment policies so we can hire skilled professionals?” Recto said.

“The bottomline is, how can we build, build, build, if we cannot bid, bid, bid?”

Among the government’s infrastructure targets this year include the construction of 47,492 and repair of 20,000 classrooms, building of P38-billion worth of irrigation facilities, P29.030 billion allocated for Health Facilities Enhancement Program to finance the construction of 1,497 barangay health stations and the improvement of facilities of 353 hospitals, paving of the thousands of kilometers of road, and P1.179 billion worth of Department of Transportation capital outlays.

WARM WELCOME.

Philippine Constitution Association president and Cornell Club of the Philippines Alumni Association president Martin Romualdez (left) warmly welcomes new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. during the membership meeting of the Cornell Club of the Philippines at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City. Espenilla Jr. was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte replacing former BSP governor Amando Tetangco Jr. Ver Noveno

‘Hunger level’ is down —SWS

By John Paolo Bencito THE number of Filipino families who experienced involuntary hunger has gone down to singledigit levels for the first time in 13 years, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed.

The latest poll, conducted among 1,200 respondents, noted that hunger levels went down to 9.5 percent for the second quarter of 2017, or 2.2-million families—the lowest since March 2004’s 7.4 percent.

While the latest reading was the lowest in more than a decade, it generally steadied from the preceding month and from a year ago, specifically: 2.4 points below the 11.9 percent or an estimated 2.7-million families recorded in March 2017 and 5.7 points lower than June 2016’s 15.2 percent or 3.4-million families when Duterte took office.

Moderate hunger slipped to 7.9 percent or an estimated 1.8-million families in June, while severe hunger is at 1.6 percent, or an estimated 374,000 families.

The latest involuntary hunger readings coincide with the sixpoint fall in self-rated poverty and the three-point drop in self-rated food poverty between March and June, the SWS said.

From March to June, hunger rate slipped by 3.5 points to 13.6 percent among self-rated poor, and by 3.6 points to 17.1 percent among the self-rated food-poor.

Malacañang welcomed the latest survey as they vowed to make good of the President’s vow for a “Comfortable Life for All.” “It’s the first time since 2004 that Filipino families experiencing hunger fell to a single digit,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.

“We have certainly made significant headways in alleviating poverty and bringing prosperity in our first year in office. Much needs to be done but with the support of all sectors, we can make a comfortable life for all a reality,” he said.

The survey, which was conducted from June 24 to 27, has a margin of error of ±3 points nationwide.

‘NGO not linked to terrorism’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR JV Ejercito on Thursday rejected the claim of a Turkish ambassador that a nongovernment organization, which runs an international school based in San Juan Ciy, has links to terrorism.

He said that the NGO—the Integrative Center for Alternative Development Foundation Inc. and its Fountain International School in San Juan have proven to be steady partners of the city’s educational and socio-civic programs.

“In my experience, the school here in San Juan is run well. They are also cooperative with the community,” said Ejercito, a former San Juan City mayor.

Ejercito joined religious organizations and the San Juan City government in expressing support to the NGO and the school.

The senator's mother, incumbent San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, also issued a statement in support of the Filipino-Turkish NGO. “It is but worthy to extend our gratitude and support to the ICAD and Fountain International School with its hardworking officials, faculty and staff,” said Mayor Gomez.

Gomez noted that the San Juan government had partnered with the two institutions “on countless programs” to benefit the people of San Juan, including scholarships and tie-ups with the city-funded Polytechnic University of the Philippines—San Juan and outreach projects for the less privileged sector.

Ejercito and his mother issued the statements following support aired by religious officials in San Juan for ICAD and its sister NGO —the Pacific Dialogue Foundation Inc. (PDF), which runs the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga City.

Sports

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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sun, Ledecky suffer shock defeats B

UDAPEST—Chinese superstar Sun Yang and American sensation Katie Ledecky suffered surprise defeats at the world championship on Wednesday while the USA twice broke the mixed medley relay world record.

Italy’s Gabriele Detti was the surprise winner of the men’s 800m freestyle -- the event Sun had dominated for the last three world championships -- as the 25-year-old Chinese flopped and trailed home in fifth.

Sun, a winner in the 200m and 400m freestyle already in Budapest, produced an uncharacteristically poor performance and was

never in contention as he finished 8.10 seconds off Detti’s winning time of 7:40.77.

“I was too tired towards the end, my arms and legs were very tired,” said Sun. “I spent 70 percent of my energy on the 200m and 400m and I didn’t have enough left, when I go back home I will reflect on whether to keep doing the 800m.”

Ledecky made history on Tuesday as the first woman to claim 12 world championship titles, but the 20-year-old was pipped to gold in the women’s 200m freestyle by Italy’s Federica Pellegrini.

Ledecky, a gold medallist in the 400m, 1500m and 4x100m freestyle in Hungary, was forced into a share of second place, but vowed that losing will motivate her for years.

Former Olympic champion Pellegrini snatched gold on the wall, winning in 1:54.73, as Ledecky and Australia’s Emma McKeon both clocked 1:55.18 to take silver.

“I knew it was going to be a tough field, but I can’t complain about the

silver,” said Ledecky. “That will light some fire under me for the next couple of years.”

Victory for Pellegrini sparked a good night in the pool for Italy, with Gregorio Paltrinieri earning bronze alongside his compatriot Detti’s triumph in the 800m freestyle.

- Peaty completes double Britain’s Adam Peaty continued his domination of the men’s breaststroke sprint events by backing up his victory in the 100m final with gold over 50 metres.

The 22-year-old only narrowly missed breaking his own world record again as he won 50m gold.

Peaty clocked 25.99 seconds in the

final, just 0.04sec short of his record time in Tuesday’s semi-finals.

“I know I can do faster than that, maybe in a few years I can come back and actually do it, but for now I’m more than over the moon,” said Peaty.

South Africa’s Chad le Clos avenged his defeat in the 200m butterfly final from the 2015 world championships, beating Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh on his home patch.

Le Clos, the 2012 Olympic champion, clocked one minute 53.33 seconds with Hungary’s Cseh, 0.39sec behind.

“It was an emotional race, before, during and after it,” said Le Clos, who had braced himself for

a raucous atmosphere at the Duna Arena.

The noise was near-deafening as the crowd roared on Cseh and Tamas Kenderesi, who finished fourth.

“I knew it was going to be difficult with everyone cheering for the two Hungarians,” said Le Clos.

“I’m very humbled to have come out on top and reclaim the gold medal that I lost last year,” he added, referring to his fourth-placed finish in the 2016 Olympic final.

The United States quartet ended the night by smashing the world record in the mixed 4x100m medley relay for the second time in the space of a few hours. AFP

Filipino cyclists join London bike festival

By Patricia Bianca S. Taculao THE Philippine delegation knows no limits as it rides off to London to join the Prudential RideLondon—an international cycling festival.

Included in this year’s delegation are professional riders Ismael Grospe Jr., the second-best young rider in Ronda Pilipinas 2017, and Ronnel Hualda, who has represented the country and won in several local and international tournaments since 2001.

Grospe Jr., a rising 18-year-old cyclist from Nueva Ecija, has won various amateur cycling events in the country.

Presently, he is a member of the Junior Development Team for Go for Gold Philippines.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Hualda from Tarlac has been a member of the Philippine National Team for five years and a professional rider for LPGMA-American Vinyl for four years.

Completing the delegation are Pru Life UK employees and cycling employees Franco Amian and Marvin Pacis.

“We have a set of four cyclists, who all have strength, skill and spirit necessary to overcome the challenges of the 100-mile marathon. But more importantly, we have a set of four advocates who forward not only the cause of the charities but also the vision of creating an environment that encourages safe cycling,” said Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

Prudential RideLondon, one of the world’s greatest cycling festivals, is appropriately themed #ReasonToRide as parts of its proceeds will be donated to Bloodwise, UK’s leading blood cancer research charity, and Save the Children, along with several other charity organizations.

British life insurer Pru Life UK bannered this advocacy when it organized PRUride to London, a cycling festival featuring criterium races for seasoned cyclists and various biking activities held the previous year.

Prudential RideLondon 2017 will be Filipino cyclists joining the Prudential RideLondon are introduced to the media. Noelle Adriene M. Castellano held from July 28 to 30 in London.

Quintara banners age-group tennis at Orchard LAURENZ Quitara hopes to bring his winning act to the Orchard leg of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala age group tennis tournament, which gets going today (Friday, July 28) at the Orchard Golf and Country Club tennis courts in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Quitara racked up three victories in last week’s PPS-PEPP stop in Sta. Rosa, winning the

boys 16- and 18-and-under crowns. The Imus, Cavite find also teamed up with Tim Gumban to nail the 18-U doubles title.

But Quitara faces a different set of rivals this week with EJ Geluz and Gabriel Tiamson tipped to crowd him in the 18-U side and Marcus del Rosario, Stefano Gurria, and Martin Buenaventura expected to foil his bid in the 16-U sec-

tion of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Denise Bernardo, on the other hand, looms as the player to beat in the girls’ 16- and 18-U divisions that also drew the likes of Gabby Sandejas, Bea Acena and Nina Sandejas.

Elise Geluz and Melody Dizon headline the girls’ 14-U field with Diego Dayrit, JT

Bernardo, Nicos Ison and Keno Enriquez gaining the top four spots in the boys’ category of the same age division of the country’s premier age-grouper presented by Slazenger.

Siblings Samuel and Sherwin Nuguit, Tristan Japay and JT Bernardo are the players to beat in the boys’ class and Dizon and Alecs Ilano in the girls’ category of the 12-U division of the tournament backed by

Asiatraders Corp. and the new Unified tennis group, led by PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s and B-Meg. Keen competition is also seen in the 10-unisex group led by Kean Enriquez, siblings Frank and France Dilao and Tim Tayer.

For details, call, call PPSPEPP sports program development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Kenyan, Filipina soldier top Manila Bay Run 21k

Winners of the Manila Bay Clean-Up Run, led by Erick Kibiwott Chepsiror and Allene Tolentino, are shown during the awarding ceremonies.

ERICK Kibiwott Chepsiror successfully defended his title in the 21k Men’s Category at the Manila Bay Clean-Up Run, even as soldier Allene Tolentino won the women’s category.

Chepsiror was joined by fellow Kenyans Alex Melly and Jackson Chirchir, who placed second and third in the 21k Men’s Category respectively, while Lanny Cardona grabbed second place and Jho-An BanayagVillarma placed third in the women’s category.

Top finishers in the 10K men’s division were Junel Gobotia (1st), Reynold Villafrancia (2nd), and Rowel Galveto (3rd); 10K women’s division: Luisa

Raterta (1st), April Rose Diaz (2nd), and Lorely Magalona (3rd).

Placing in the top three for the 5K races were : Kurt Jomar Lamparas (1st), James Orduna (2nd), and Gilbert Rotaque (3rd) for the men’s division, while the women’s race was dominated

by Maria Lyca Sarmiento (1st), Joice Gagnao (2nd), and Rica Moreno (3rd).

In the 3K race, Aris Afrila emerged champion, followed by Nicko Cortez in second place, and Michael Icao in third.

For the women, Luvelyn Pamatian took the top spot, followed by Marisol Amarga in second, and Mary Ann Perez in third.

Triple Crown at Santa Ana on Sunday THE third and final leg of this year’s Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown Stakes slated this Sunday at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite promises to be the most thrilling race of the year as Sepfourteen appears poised to capture a sweep of the premier stakes race after winning the first two legs of the series.

Nine runners will compete in the 2000-meter race, namely Batang Poblacion, Brilliance, Golden Kingdom, Greatwall, Hiway One, Mount Pulag, Pangalusian Island, Sepfourteen and Smokin Saturday.

A breeder’s purse of P100,000 will be awarded to the breeder of the winning horse.

A sweep by Sepfourteen of this year’s Triple Crown means an additional prize money of P500,000 coming to his owner SC Stockfarm, Inc. Guaranteed prizes for the race are 1st–P600,000; 2nd–P225,000; 3rd– P125,000 and; 4th–P50,000.

Breeder’s purse for the breeder of the winning horse is P30,000.

Entries are Battle Chacha, Caloocan Zap, Kingship, Lemonada, Oceanside, Puerto Prinsesa, Salt and Pepper, Sikat, Stravinsky and Temecula.

Prizes for this race are as follows: 1st– P300,000; 2nd–P112,500; 3rd–P62,500, and 4th–P25,000.

Breeder’s purse is P15,000.

Volley Bolt built for crown? PH golfers bow out of US Girls’ match play MEGA Builders didn’t expect much when it joined the men’s division of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference. But into the Final Four and nearing a sweep of the elims, the Volley Bolt now just couldn’t help but hope for the best.

Backstopped by the National University aces, the Volley Bolt have defied the odds and racked up six straight wins, including a shock victory over the heavily favored and reigning Reinforced Conference champion Cignal HD Spikers, 26-24, 26-24, 2517, last July 19.

The solid start netted the newcomers an outright spot in the Final Four and could complete a sweep of the elims of the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision with another victory over defending champion Air Force tomorrow.

Cignal is currently at second with a 5-1 record while Air Force totes a 4-2 slate for third.

Unlike the star-studded Cignal and Air Force sides, Mega Builders relies

on cohesion.

“The key for us is that we play as a team and family,” said Mega Builders coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Fauzi Ismael, Francis Philip Saura, Kim Malabunga, Bryan Bagunas, Ricky Marcos and Kim Harold Dayandante have been dishing out one big game after the other to steer the Volley Bolt to the top of the heap.

Alinsunurin said initially, they just wanted to compete and gain experience as part of their buildup for the UAAP wars, scheduled early next year.

“We just want to just compete and get the experience here to prepare us for the UAAP competition,” said Alinsunurin. “We didn’t really expect to beat almost everyone because we know we’re facing strong teams with experience and talented players.”

Now they are the ones being chased.

Alinsunurin said they might as well dream bigger.

“Nothing to celebrate yet but if we get the chance to win the title, we might as well go for it,” he said.

LOIS Kaye Go and Mikha Fortuna groped for form in one-on-one matches and lost to lowerranked rivals to drop out of the US Girls’ Junior Championship at the Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Missouri Wednesday.

Go, who placed 18th in the 36-hole stroke play elims, failed to sustain her fightback against No. 47 Ellie Szeryk of Canada, 2&1, while the 22ndranked Fortuna, yielded a thrilling duel to No. 43 Stephanie Carras of Michigan on the 20th hole.

It was a sorry setback for The Country Club bet, who rallied from 2-down to force an extra hole by winning Nos. 17 and 18. But after both parred the first extra hole, Fortuna stumbled with a double-bogey on the 20th, enabling Carras to steal the win on a bogey finish.

Those were just two of a number of reversals posted in the first day of the knockout matches with No. 48 So Whi Kang of Korea upending No. 17 Yealimi Noh, 1-up, and No.

NSBA-R-TAGS bags bowling title NSBA-R-TAGS and the pair of Joey Arevalo-Belerubin Silbol of D’Friendly emerged champions in the recent PHIDBC (Philippine Duckpin Bowling Council) national anniversary tournament at the Marketplace in Mandaluyong City.

Composed of Ricky Tagulinao, Marlon Calilim and Mhel Intal, NSBA-T. Tags beat BIDBA-RNA II, 322 to 314, to bag the team title, a trophy and gift certificates worth P30,000.

Arevalo and Silbol steadied throughout the match to subdue Alex Lopez and Shaina Reyes, also of D’Friendly, 222 to 198, to

win the mixed doubles crown, a trophy and P10,000 gift checks.

Raymond Certeza, Alfie Tinido and Nora Certeza saw action for runnerup BIDBARNAII while Joseph Carino, Hermie Dejan and Ruby Villamil played for third-placer INCIRBA. Mong Moises and Maa Aregla checked in third in the mixed doubles event.

PHIDBC president Inez G. Magbual congratulated the winners as well as the top mixed doubles qualifiers Laarni Cunanan and Alfie Tinido of BIDBA.

57 Annick Haczkiewicz pulling off a win over No. 8 Rachel Kuehn on the 19th hole.

No. 61 Izzy Pellot of Florida came away with the day’s biggest win by upending fourth seed Caroline Hodge of New York, 3&1.

Top seed Lucy Li, however, lived up to her billing and routed Belinda Hu, 7&6, while No. 2 Paphangkon Tavatanakit of Thailand also posted a 7&6 romp over Aussie Emily Mahar in the event ruled by Princess Superal in 2014.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

Hotshots fight ailing Aces, seek 2nd-place tie Games today (Ynares Center) 4:15 p.m. – TNT vs KIA 7 p.m. Star vs Alaska

By Jeric Lopez STAR shoots for a second-place tie, while three others seek for a first win as action in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup continues.

The Hotshots (1-0) will renew their rivalry with ailing Alaska (0-2) in the main event at 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City tonight.

In the appetizer, Commissioner’s Cup runner-up TNT KaTropa will make its debut as it takes on winless Kia Picanto (0-2) at 4:15 p.m.

Continuing from its momentum last conference, Star opened its campaign with a solid showing, emphatically winning its first assignment against Blackwater last Sunday, 103-86.

Despite winning its first assignment, Star wasn’t hardly impressed with its original import Cinmeon Bowers, forcing the team to gamble and change its reinforcement.

Bowers was sent packing and in his place, former Illionois Illini standout Malcolm Hill will now take over to backstop the Hotshots.

While Star is tasting success as of late, the same can’t be said of the Aces.

Alaska has lost 10 in a row, dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup and its last setback was a heartbreaking one to take.

The Aces dropped a tough 93-95 decision to Phoenix in their last game last Saturday after Eugene Phelps’ gamewinner at the buzzer.

They are hoping to finally end their long misery against Star.

After their tough loss to San Miguel Beer in the Commissioner’s Cup finals, the Tropang Texters will now start their road to redemption and they will parade newbie Michael Craig as their import.

Welcoming them is Markeith Cummings and the Picanto, who is also yet to win a game in two outings, losing its last one to NLEX, 100-93.

Team Manila–Philippines’ standout pitcher Alma Tauli in action during their game against East Hemet–California in the 2017 PONY International 18-U Girls Softball World Series at the Diamond Valley Park in Hemet, California, USA. Norman Macasaet

Manila Softbelles blank host East Hemet Eagles

H

EMET, CALIFORNIA—Team Manila–Philippines needed only five innings as it blanked host East Hemet, 8-0, to serve notice that it means business in the 2017 PONY International 18-Under Girls Softball World Series at the jam-packed Diamond Valley Park inside the 36–acre Valley–Wide Recreation District here.

Standout pitcher Alma Tauli delivered a sterling performance with a total of eight strike outs, including five no run innings and a couple of skillful defensive stops to lead the Manila Batters to their first win in this World Series.

With two outs, an RBI by

2nd baseman Mary Nicole Padasas paved the way for two runs courtesy of right fielder Jojielyn Lim and short stop Angelu Gabriel, which jump-started the Big City softbelles’ scoring spree at the bottom of the third inning.

mance with three more strike outs that had the Californians winded and awed.

Two runs at the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of Padasas off a hit by Bautista and then Bautista off a catching error gave Manila an 8 – 0 lead at the end of the fourth.

The East Hemet Screaming Eagles, one of two host teams, came back strong at the top of the fifth, but another impressive strike out by Tauli and two fine defensive stops by the Softbelles ended the game via fifth inning regulation.

“Focus lang tayo lalo na sa next three games natin at hindi dapat sobrang kumpiyansa dahil hindi naman sila magiging

traveling teams dito sa US ng ganu’n lang, siyempre meron din ang mga ‘yan,” said head coach Anna Santiago.”

“I think they (East Hemet) played quite well, but the breaks of the game were on our side.

They are also fast-developing and could still be a contender in the semi-finals,” said Manila Softball President Rafael “Che” Borromeo, who was obviously delighted with how the team played.

The Manila Batters, who only utilized winning pitcher Tauli throughout the game, will face Redlands South California, which lost to the Valley-Wide Heavy Hitters, today at 7 p.m.

(Friday 10 a.m. Manila time).

Arevalo shocks Del Rosario, captures LPGT Riviera crown

Blu Girls shut out Turkey, S Africa THE Philippine Junior Blu Girls came away with backto-back shutout victories over Turkey, 10-0, and South Africa, 3-0, Wednesday to bolter their bid in the XII Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Clearwater, California.

The twin romps thus extended the Pinays’ streak to three for 4-1 overall although they stood behind unbeaten Chinese Taipei and USA, toting identical 4-0 cards.

Kaith Jalandoni hurled a nohitter and struck out seven and issued one walk to lift Phl past winless Turkey in four innings.

The Filipinas, whose campaign is sanctioned and supported by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines, led by president Jean Henri Lhuillier, broke the game open with an eight-run spree in the first frame.

Juliet Omul opened the floodgates by batting in two runners and reaching the plate on a wild pitch.

A few hours later, it was the turn of Sierra Lange to lead the Junior Blu Girls past the South Africans.

Fil-Am Lange hurled a onehitter over seven innings while fanning out 13 batters and walking only one.

Czara Galapon grounded out to short stop, scoring Reese Gueverra for a 1-0 headstart in the first.

Lyca Blanco and Omul pounced on back-to-back errors to make it 3-0 in the seventh.

Four more runs by center fielder Christine Bautista, designated player Shaina Camacho, left fielder Khrisha Cantor, and third pitcher Shirlette Maygay gave Team Manila, whose trip here is backed

by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., and the Adamson Alumni Association of Southern California, led by Lilli Khan and Lucy Sakamoto, a commanding 6–0 lead at the end of the third.

At the top of the fourth inning, Tauli, the 16-year-old native of Norzagaray, Bulacan and daughter of a retired security guard and a housekeeper, capped her dazzling perfor-

Abby Arevalo beams as she holds two trophies after sweeping the ICTSI Riviera Ladies crown and the low amateur honours.

SILANG, Cavite—Amateur Abby Arevalo birdied the tough closing hole and stunned Pauline del Rosario by one to snare the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Championship at Riviera’s Langer course here yesterday.

The winning birdie came off a brilliant 6-iron approach shot from 150 yards off a divot lie, the ball sailing over the overcast skies before landing 10 feet at back of the pin on No. 18.

“I couldn’t believe I won,” said the 18-year-old Arevalo, groping for words while trying to savor her biggest victory in a young amateur career.

“I never expected the putt would be for the win. But I really made a good read of it,” added Arevalo, who has also posted a number of victories abroad as member of Team ICTSI. That birdie capped Arevalo’s closing 70 for a one-over 214 aggregate, frustrating Del Rosario no end after the back-to-back Ladies Philippine Golf Tour winner braced for a play-

PSC: Still a no go for SEAG hosting

By John Pablo Bencito THE Philippine Sports Commission on Thursday remained firm on its decision not to push through with the hosting of the 30th South East Asian Games, despite calls from the Philippine Olympic Committee to proceed but with private sector support.

In a Palace news briefing on Thursday, PSC Chairman William Ramirez said that they would still make the “same recommendations” even if the POC, led by Jose Peping Cojuangco makes an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte for him to let the Games still be held in the country two years from now.

“I have to respect our partner.

Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Zubiri, and myself have made a recommendation to the President and we made… Through the President, ES Medialdea instructed me to—not to push through the Southeast Asian Games,” Ramirez said.

Aside from the Marawi relief efforts, Ramirez stressed that the POC needs to answer for its P27 million in disallowances from the Commission on Audit when the country last hosted the SEA Games in 2005.

“I think we have things that needs to get fixed in the POC, when we last organized [the games] in 2005, they have disallowances from COA—that for us

to do a 2019 and it’s not resolved, it would be bad … There is still P27 million disallowance [that is unliquidated],” Ramirez said.

He added that during their visits to provinces affected by the Marawi crisis, among those that alarmed government officials is the sympathy expressed by the children to members of the Islamic State, whom they consider as “heroes.”

Ramirez said that “instead of spending 500 million to 700 million” to host such a big event, the government would “instead spread out the money and use for sports facilities, for sports feeding, sports program, but a special focus for Marawi.”

off after drawing level at two-over overall following Arevalo’s flubbed three-footer for par on the 17th.

But Arevalo had other things in mind.

Unleashing a power drive off the 18th mound, Arevalo bucked the gnawing pressure and followed it up with a solid approach shot despite hitting it over a bad spot.

Del Rosario also hit a good drive and made it in two but missed her birdie putt from 15 feet. She wound up with a 72 and finished second at 215 although she still pocketed the top purse of P150,000.

With erstwhile joint leader Thai Saruttaya Ngam-usan failing to recover from a double-bogey mishap on No. 2, Arevalo took the challenger’s role—and the lead—with an impressive 34 start, moving 2-up as del Rosario fumbled with a 37.

An Arevalo bogey on the 11th and a del Rosario birdie on the next tied the duo at one-over overall but regained the lead on the latter’s bo-

gey on No. 14. A missed par putt by Arevalo from close range on the 17th, however, enabled del Rosario to gain a share of the lead again.

Arevalo thus became the first amateur to win on the circuit this year after three players in the ranks racked up victories last year, including teammate Bernice Ilas-Olivarez (Beverly Place), Yuka Saso (Eagle Ridge) and Harmie Constantino (Mt. Malarayat).

Thai Chatprapa Siriprakob matched par 71 and finished third at 217 worth P95,000 while reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion Bianca Pagdanganan finally broke par at the par-71 ravine-laced layout, closing out with a 70 and snaring fourth place at 220.

Thai Saruttaya Ngam-usan, tied with Del Rosario after 36 holes, succumbed to pressure and tough condition early and never recovered from a double-bogey on No. 2, limping with a backside 43 and an 80. She tumbled to fifth at 223.

NCAA games reset THE NCAA has postin San Juan City, however, poned its pair of games Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan) are still on schedule.

8 a.m.- EAC vs Perpetual Help (jrs) today featuring both Lyceum of the 10 a.m.- LPU vs Mapua (jrs) the juniors’ and seniors’ 12 noon- EAC vs Perpetual Help (srs) Philippines University 2 p.m.- LPU vs Mapua (srs) teams of San Sebastian is eyeing to extend its 4 p.m.- St. Benilde vs Arellano (srs) College and Jose Rizal amazing streak to five 6 p.m.- St. Benilde vs Arellano (srs) at the San Sebastian as it clashes with Mapua Gym in Mendiola, MaUniversity (1-3) at 2 p.m., nila due to inclement weather caused by while University of Perpetual Help-SysTyphoon Gorio. tem Dalta (1-2) and Emilio Aguinaldo “Due to bad weather and suspen- College (2-2) collide at 12 noon. sion of classes, the NCAA games today Arellano University (2-2) and College of St. (yesterday), July 27, are cancelled,” said Benilde (1-2), for their part, tangle at 4 p.m.

NCAA management committee chairThe Pirates are off to their best start man Fr. Glyn Ortega, OAR, of Season since joining the league six seasons ago 93 host San Sebastian. after stringing together four straight wins, Ortega said the postponed games will all the expense of title-contending teams be rescheduled late in the first round of like Jose Rizal, San Sebastian, last year’s elimination. runner-up Arellano University and deThe six games today at the Filoil Arena fending champion San Beda.

Stock index tops 8,100; GT Capital up B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

B1

Big Taiwan firm to build new plant

By Othel V. Campos

K

INPO Electronics (Philippines) Inc., the largest Taiwanese investor in the country, plans to put up another manufacturing facility to expand the range of consumer electronics it produces.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcleon said New Kinpo Group, the parent company of Kinpo Electronics, conveyed its

plan to expand its presence in the Philippine manufacturing and export sector during a recent meeting between PCCI and a 20-man Taiwanese business delegation.

Kinpo Electronics Philippines, a subsidiary of New Kinpo Group of Companies, has three factories in Laguna and Batangas employing 7,000 people to produce appliances and consumer electronics such as calculators and electronic keyboard.

“Kinpo supplies electronic parts to major electronic brands in the world. The plan to expand is a welcome news for us. This is the kind of business we would like to have in the country,” Barcleon said at the sidelines of the

two-day Metro Manila Business Conference 2017.

Kinpo is a major supplier for the Chinese smartphone maker Xiomi Inc. and Japanese watch makers.

Kinpo’s new investment in the Philippines is expected to double its employment in the country to 15,000 people from the current workforce of 7,000.

Kinpo also expressed interest to explore opportunities in agroindustrial and pharmaceutical sectors, he said. The group plans an inbound trade mission in September.

Taiwan is currently one of the Philippines’ top trading partners and investment sources.

The New Kinpo Group is a leading global original design manufacturer and electronics manufacturing services partner. The group has 96,000 employees worldwide in over 23 subsidiaries.

The group produces a wide range of consumer electronics products such as calculators, printers, 3D printers, external hard disc drives, modems, and motherboards for brands like HP, Toshi-

ba, Western Digital and Casio.

Among New Kinpo’s investments in the Philippines are the P293-million project of AcBel Polytech Inc. and P377-million investment of CalComp Electronics and Communications Co. AcBel produces light-emitting diode lighting and smart grid solutions while CalComp manufactures handsets, printers and liquidcrystal-display televisions.

New Kinpo’s subsidiaries also include contract notebook and PC maker Compal Electronics Inc.

Excise tax, ethanol blend to hike fuel prices in 2019

MALL OF THE YEAR.

SM City Naga is awarded the Shopping Center of the Year (medium category) during the 20th Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Centers of the Year Awards Night of the Philippine Retailers Association at Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City.

Shown receiving the award are (from third left) SM Supermalls senior vice president for operations Steven Tan, SM City Naga mall Manager Christian Wesley Villanueva, regional leasing manager for South 5 Dolly Bana and assistant vice president for South 4 and 5 John Jason Terrenal from PRA president Paul Santos (left), PRA chairman Lorenzo Formoso (second left) and PRA vice chairman Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco (right).

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association on Thursday warned that gasoline prices could go up by P7.65 a liter by 2019 because of the mandated monthly utilization of local ethanol in gasoline and the impending increase in excise taxes.

IPPCA warned that the increase in excise taxes and the mandate to acquire locally sourced ethanol would result in an increase of P7.65 per liter for gasoline by 2019.

“With the increase in excise taxes compounded by the increase in prices brought about by the requirement of exhausting locallyproduced bioethanol, the general public bears the burden of the astronomical rise in gasoline price amounting to P7.65 by the year 2019 for gasoline,” it said.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Busan blames MRT’s poor system design for glitches

By Darwin G Amojelar BUSAN Universal Rail Inc., the maintenance provider of MRT Line 3, said Thursday it will continue to purchase spare parts to maintain and overhaul trains, despite the inadequate payment it received for its services.

Redentor Roque, legal counsel of Busan, assured the Commission on Audit that the maintenance of MRT 3 trains would continue “despite not receiving the full remuneration for our services, as required our contract with DOTr [Department of Transportation].”

Busan was only partially paid for its September to December maintenance service and was largely unpaid for rendered service since then. It has a pending billing of more than P200 million.

Roque said in a letter to COA that the inherent design and quality concerns on the MRT- 3 system had substantially been causing technical glitches and stoppages from the very start of its operations almost 20 years ago.

Busan said the glitches, stoppages, among others that started plaguing the MRT-3 system since its inception were not caused by normal wear and tear or poor maintenance works.

“Serious issues with the system’s design and quality should be considered relative to train reliability, as they directly affect the system’s current performance and further aggravate the system’s already deteriorating condition,” Roque said.

“These issues substantially caused technical glitches since the beginning of its operations,” Busan said in its letter to COA. It said that “even diligent and regular preventive and corrective maintenance cannot completely eliminate glitches brought about by design and quality issues.”

Busan attributed to the trains’ substandard design and quality critical issues that beset the train’s performance right from its initial operations.

These issues, compounded by overloading and excessive vibrations, lead to failure of electronic, electrical and mechanical parts, it said.

Data showed that in MRT-3’s first year of operation in 2000, a total of 1,492 glitches were already recorded. By 2008 the glitches reached 1,927, and in 2009 it climbed to 2,199.

Roque said Busan also submitted to COA its position on matter and explained that “the re-scheduling of the execution and delivery of overhauled LRV’s has been recognized through meetings and discussions with the DOTr-MRT3.”

IN BRIEF PSALM to collect P37b from consumers THE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. on Thursday welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the move to collect P37 billion from power users.

“Early recovery of said charges will partially infuse the needed monetary source to pay maturing obligations without resorting to refinancing. Contracting further loans is only a palliative solution that further widens PSALM’s stranded debts in the long run because of refinancing charges,” said PSALM officer-in-charge Lourdes Alzona.

PSALM said in a statement that the stranded debt and stranded contract cost charges were purposely intended to pay the remaining financial obligations that the government incurred when new power plants were constructed to end the power crisis that engulfed the whole country particularly in the 1990s and early 2000.

“The collection of UC-SD and SCC should be appreciated for its social inclusion value.

Let’s look at it as a necessary contribution for the stable and quality supply of electricity we had enjoyed in the past and continue to enjoy nowadays,” Alzona, said.

ERC, in two separate orders allowed the recovery by PSALM of P24.198 billion for universal charge for stranded debt covering 2011 and 2012 true-up adjustments. The collection will be spread over a nine-year period with a rate of P0.0265/kilowatt hour and will be reflected in

the consumers’ power bill starting next billing period. ERC also ordered PSALM to extend its collection for another 10 months providing the agency with P12.878 billion recoveries covering calendar years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sy’s gaming unit earns P1-b profit PREMIUM Leisure Corp., the listed gaming company of tycoon Henry Sy, said Thursday net income surged 123 percent in the first half from a year ago, boosted by sustained growth of revenues from City of Dreams Manila and the overall improvement in the Philippine gaming market.

PLC said in a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange first-half income after tax hit P1.027 billion, up from P461 million in the same period last year, as revenues went up 58 percent to P2.5 billion from P1.59 billion.

Gaming share revenue stood at P1.5 billion, which was more than double the P704 million recorded a year ago.

PLC, formerly Sinophil Corp., has an operating agreement with Melco Crown that entitles the company to a share in gaming revenues in City of Dreams Manila, an integrated resort and gaming facility in Parañaque City.

Revenues from equipment lease rentals, commission and distribution income through its 50.1-percent owned subsidiary Pacific Online Systems Corp. reached P1.05 billion in January to June. Jenniffer B. Austria

The Biofuels Act, particularly Section 5, requires that all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the Philippines shall contain locally-sourced biofuels components.

IPPCA said gasoline prices went up by P2 a liter under the government’s mandated monthly utilization of local ethanol in gasoline.

“In a study by IPPCA, it shows that under the current Biofuels Act of 2006 and guidelines and the LMA [local monthly allocation] imposed by the DOE [Department of Energy], there is a P2 impact on the price per liter of gasoline due to the combined effect of the price and local demand,” said IPPCA lawyers Rodolf Britanico and Maria Samantha David of Britanico of Sarmiento and Ringler law firm in a draft letter to Congress.

CITIBANK N.A. Balance Sheet (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2017 LIST OF OFFICERS ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS

Current Quarter 1,359,324,337.64 60,355,710,983.48 1,017,668,002.86 29,952,367,207.16 16,150,695,399.38 13,149,000.00 198,940,836,700.11 13,374,550,000.00 102,780,156,529.23 84,504,677,542.33 1,718,547,371.45 1,218,271,254.49 227,434,200.00 842,275,138.47 4,551,398,807.66 314,629,131,031.25

Previous Quarter 1,214,091,857.65 68,230,345,914.62 793,042,119.56 27,127,572,464.93 13,121,252,204.73 13,149,000.00 189,003,390,064.39 11,686,000,000.00 91,278,943,885.08 87,799,131,336.18 1,760,685,156.87 1,034,338,932.06 227,434,200.00 1,190,433,430.67 4,362,650,161.39 306,317,700,350.00

AFTAB AHMED Citi Country Officer PAUL RAYMOND FAVILA Markets Head ABHIJIT KUMTA Country Operations & Technology Head MARTIN JOHN MCLEOD Country Chief Financial Officer VIKRAM SINGH Corporate and Investment Banking Head SARAB SINGH Country Human Resources Officer ARNOLD SAN GABRIEL ICG Risk Manager ERWIN WIRIADI GCG Risk Manager

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES

540,207,697.83 195,133,088,508.97 27,790,846,147.30 7,208,461,168.66 7,200,000,000.00 8,461,168.66 8,371,963,132.70 16,045,751,216.61 43,601,618,964.53 298,691,936,836.60

550,263,598.03 200,432,018,313.60 30,949,446,113.18 2,506,653,272.49 2,500,000,000.00 6,653,272.49 8,835,401,720.01 9,836,185,937.43 39,112,489,295.82 292,222,458,250.56

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

2,679,167,114.05 98,179,589.48 13,159,847,491.12 15,937,194,194.65 314,629,131,031.25

837,224,670.35 98,169,937.97 13,159,847,491.12 14,095,242,099.44 306,317,700,350.00

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

167,910,598.04 2,571,137,369.38 778,330,379.46 565,487,036.52 128,109,364,643.00 11,328,594,754.45 333,214,338,346.58 48,879,626.82 48,879,626.82 87,200,674,202.39 328,804,354.86 564,313,521,311.50

129,057,638.82 2,434,708,312.74 837,643,516.94 654,927,169.38 122,470,434,990.00 13,510,501,783.64 318,087,818,902.45 210,442,217.51 210,442,217.51 91,273,106,461.50 424,837,966.58 550,033,478,959.56

202,718,403,105.17 2,059,019,033.61

192,932,389,729.81 2,168,314,508.55

865,034,706.52 0.43 (1,193,984,327.09) (0.59) 4,306,474,708.57 95,538,646.55 0.05 -

850,812,713.59 0.44 (1,317,501,794.96) (0.68) 3,640,116,299.87 93,900,503.52 0.05 96,429.23 0.00

10.51 0.03 20.97

10.25 0.03 17.39

17.94 17.21 17.21 -

19.58 18.85 18.85 -

ARLENE NETHERCOTT Treasury & Trade Solutions Head

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 ratio (%) Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

ANGELICA PIA LACSON Country Legal Counsel JEANETTE LIM Public Affairs Officer MARIA JUDITH CASTILLO Country Compliance Officer DOM MARK RANCES Country Controller EDITH FADUL Country ORM Head FELICIA PAMELA BENGZON Market Risk Manager NASIR KHAN Chief Internal Auditor

Republic of the Philippines) MAKATI CITY ) s.s.

We, Don Mark Rances and Martin John McLeod of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD) DON MARK RANCES Country Controller

(SGD) MARTIN JOHN McLEOD Country Chief Financial Officer

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24th day of July 2017 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their Driver License No. E04-04-066348 issued in Makati valid until October 7, 2018 and Passport ID No. M8728214 issued in Australia valid until, June 02, 2018 respectively.

Doc No. 149 Book No. VI Page No.31 Series of 2017

NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. THOMAS J.T.F. DE CASTRO Notary Public for Makati City Appt. No. M-159 until December 31, 2018 7th Floor Citibank Center Paseo de Roxas Makati City IBP No. 1057289, 1/5/2017 Makati Chapter PTR No. 5913949, 1/5/2017 Makati City Roll No. 57068 MCLE Compliance No. V-0019955 valid 04/15/16 to 04/14/2019

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index tops 8,100; GT Capital up

S

TOCKS rose for a third day, sending the benchmark index above the 8,100-point mark before closing lower at the end of the trading day, as most Asian markets advanced.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, hit an intra-day high of 8,106.74 before settling at 8,045.78 Thursday, up 8 points, or 0.1 percent, from the previous day. The bellwether was also up 17.6 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, picked up 1 point to settle at 4,781.58, on a value turnover of P7.1 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 115 to 94, while 53 issues were unchanged.

Ten of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc. which climbed 2.2 percent to

P1,257 and Security Bank Corp. which rose 1.8 percent to P232. SM Investments Corp. went up 1.5 percent to P800.

Meanwhile, Asian shares rose the highest level since December 2007 after strong earnings from some of the region’s key companies and the Federal Reserve’s signal that inflation remains persistently below its target.

Major Asian markets gained but the dollar struggled after the previous day’s losses when the Federal Reserve’s tepid inflation outlook fueled speculation it will hold off further US rate hikes this year.

Regional traders tracked fresh Wall Street records on optimism about corporate earnings as a host of big names disclosed results.

Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney all rose while Seoul was boosted by Samsung Electronics forecast-beating, record-breaking profits that were fueled by sales of its new Galaxy S8 smartphone and memory chips.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates Wednesday and confirmed plans to begin winding in its massive bond holdings “rela-

tively soon”, as expected.

But the central bank statement also noted that inflation continues to run below its two percent target, which traders took as a negative for the dollar and raised questions about any possible further rate hikes this year.

“Any chance of a September rate hike seems to have disappeared while the Fed’s statement balance sheet reduction will begin ‘relatively soon’ could mean that too has been pushed out,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at CFD and FX provider AxiTrader.

“The US dollar has come under intense pressure once again, rates eased a little, and stocks can focus on the continued earnings surprises.”

McKenna added there was little chance of a US dollar recovery in the near term.

The greenback fell sharply against its major peers following the Fed statement, with the euro climbing to its highest level in more than two years, although the US unit staged a modest recovery in late Asian trade. With AFP, Bloomberg

PetroEnergy plans P1-b rights offering

By Alena Mae S. Flores LISTED PetroEnergy Resources Corp. said Thursday it will raise P1 billion from a stock rights offering to help finance its capital expenditures over the next two years.

“The company expects to raise gross proceeds of approximately P1 billion. The offer price and other details of the offer will be announced as soon as determined,” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

PetroEnergy said the proceeds of the stock rights offering would be used for “renewable energy projects

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

NAME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4 22,000 59.8 96,480 106.6 1,027,920 4.04 7,000 122.9 2,202,680 1.39 72,000 36.55 134,200 10 100 16.06 3,500 32.05 492,800 8.29 200 0.66 74,000 1.64 24,000 960 470 0.69 1,432,000 86.4 3,734,860 0.84 418,000 16 59,500 25 300 67.65 261,340 241.6 350 110.5 1,490 89.9 510 57.85 18,270 232 523,430 1,690 1,140 86.35 62,260 1.37 437,000

84,550 5,752,899.50 110,166,956 28,230 271,564,206 97,230 4,902,610 1,000 56,320 15,838,460 1,658 48,910 39,400 448,000 988,630 323,317,749 346,230 952,000 7,500 17,695,683 84,578 174,810 45,834 1,055,999.50 121,744,616 1,927,150 5,373,636.50 600,650

3,297,142.50 64,142,728 24,846,456 3,489,825.00 -465,785 103,500.00 -61,244,788.50 -34,860 -65,590.50 651,994.50 73,124,018 -40,500

39.8 8.83 0.84 1.41 29.9 0.26 164 6.3 18.64 165.4 30 14.8 71.1 76 1.95 5.29 11.46 12.24 14.76 12.36 7.36 5.9 1.76 17.86 66.2 14.88 13.38 13.8 1.83 216.6 3.9 3.47 20.5 32.4 19.8 18.12 281.8 0.24 9.5 3.16 8.02 9.52 7.01 10.2 1.92 11.9 66 6.6 305 4.51 2.32 4.18 2.58 13.12 5 0.145 1.34 156.8 3.94 2.09 1.05

INDUSTRIAL 40 1,229,100 8.83 894,200 0.84 4,127,000 1.42 497,000 30.05 120,800 0.265 2,340,000 168 290 6.3 40,442,100 18.66 8,470,500 165.5 40 31.6 721,400 14.98 8,300 74 6,010 76 10 1.96 160,000 5.35 31,000 11.56 82,400 12.3 4,660,300 14.98 10,604,300 12.78 5,369,400 7.5 4,243,900 5.9 12,779,900 1.76 13,000 17.9 1,505,700 66.35 58,210 14.88 44,900 13.46 428,600 14.3 1,665,500 1.85 741,000 219 429,420 3.91 23,000 3.56 54,000 21.45 2,200 32.5 594,600 19.9 307,200 18.14 1,559,400 282.8 266,290 0.243 1,380,000 9.5 2,100 3.18 4,622,000 8.11 3,512,800 9.52 1,223,200 7.01 7,200 10.2 203,400 1.94 662,000 12.1 2,720,800 66.05 1,024,140 6.62 251,200 307.4 12,760 4.51 548,000 2.34 14,000 4.26 282,000 2.68 5,016,000 13.16 470,900 5 148,900 0.145 810,000 1.34 135,000 159.9 2,149,460 4.07 3,000 2.11 11,058,000 1.05 10,000

49,250,805 7,942,992 3,474,650 705,620 3,642,145 620,900 48,947 262,314,134 158,709,644 6,618 23,242,415 123,872 443,530.50 760 312,130 165,470 952,920 57,332,138 158,207,510 68,071,590 31,723,120 76,119,327 22,880 27,035,238 3,860,834 668,692 5,752,100 23,733,798 1,372,160 94,135,510 89,960 189,030 45,340 19,297,995 6,104,016 28,301,318 75,349,134 332,420 20,528 14,703,350 30,050,411 11,722,357 50,757 2,074,690 1,273,860 33,451,108 67,714,882.50 1,672,462 3,926,236 2,493,060 32,660 1,194,190 13,491,080 6,193,006 748,620 117,460 181,840 342,565,446 11,950 23,672,520 10,500

8,580,360 433,174 84,000 15,950 -122,531,545 4,548,006 -2,465,435 330,672.50 35,685,930 37,057,378 -10,396,878 354,897 31,263,850 -3,444,448 -2,470,829 1,813,370 -2,864,130 -185,000 56,984,438 6,970 17,036,570 4,582,954 -23,412,058 34,587,230 12,000 -772,740 25,788.00 2,942,250.00 -1,022 193,000 -5,114,262 -6,643,585 272,912 354,764 -2,406,950 419,080 -1,823,730 4,832,936 160,682 14,500 -30,342,589 7,880 1,761,640 -

0.385 75.75 14.54 1.18 7.04 0.325 0.335 895 7.8 15.98 7.62 6.01 0.27 1,268 8.45 79.7 4.65 5.42 6 1.01 6.91 18.9 0.455 6.93 3.23 0.049 2.15 2.67 103 2.75 803.5 0.88 1.61 305 0.29 0.255 0.245

0.375 74.8 14.22 1.12 6.7 0.32 0.33 889 7.68 15.78 7.52 6 0.235 1,236 8.15 78.3 4.6 5.42 5.38 0.99 6.82 18.3 0.43 6.8 3.22 0.046 2.11 2.67 100.5 2.7 793 0.87 1.57 302 0.285 0.235 0.242

HOLDING FIRMS 0.38 3,300,000 75.6 783,120 14.36 7,922,400 1.13 179,000 7.03 119,300 0.32 910,000 0.33 570,000 889 250,250 7.75 330,400 15.84 12,543,800 7.52 67,500 6 10,000 0.246 6,710,000 1,257 239,780 8.15 273,800 78.5 1,311,110 4.6 10,000 5.42 1,000 6 500 0.99 612,000 6.86 353,000 18.48 2,489,900 0.455 430,000 6.8 30,297,500 3.22 7,000 0.049 42,400,000 2.14 660,000 2.67 10,000 100.5 136,220 2.75 114,000 800 482,720 0.87 103,000 1.58 749,000 305 10,910 0.285 630,000 0.235 960,000 0.242 1,460,000

1,254,300 59,166,242 114,312,360 201,920 819,307 294,800 189,600 222,924,425 2,554,835 199,241,414 509,192 60,019 1,620,220 301,399,480 2,239,528 103,231,775 46,100 5,420 2,752 609,550 2,421,484 46,242,306 193,000 208,613,030 22,580 2,007,100 1,410,700 26,700 13,798,444 309,490 386,165,990 89,810 1,187,330 3,316,382 180,050 230,810 354,390

-57,000 25,392,449 -25,400,510 -123,350 79,820,290 -584,288 102,133,882 208,205,755 326,600 25,805,656.50 -1,386,677 4,432,442 39,093,698 9,600 49,067 -39,666,340 221,570 -545,772 116,850 121,000

5.9 1.46 6.02 2.35 1.09 44.6 3.75 4.95 5.34 5.99 0.56 1.24 1.58 0.19 0.52 46 0.74 0.177 1.86 1.5

5.89 1.38 6.02 2.31 1.03 43.3 3.67 4.62 5.3 5.72 0.54 1.21 1.51 0.189 0.51 45.3 0.72 0.169 1.82 1.42

1,203,455 12,464,570 3,612 183,130 5,110,410 413,206,945 7,823,740 42,993,840 72,910 9,179 19,729,580 642,120 465,660 778,100 1,609,570 9,161,960 1,715,240 376,440 26,536,110 42,001,050

-576,344 -20,040 -175,350 -73,562,575 -4,147,740 3,283,100 530 -2,553,150 49,600 2,550 2,252,970 10,749,990 -255,340

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.77 59.8 107.2 4.03 123.5 1.34 36.55 10 16.2 32.4 8.29 0.67 1.64 940 0.69 86 0.81 16 25 67.85 240 120 88.4 57.55 228 1,700 86.3 1.45

4 59.8 108.1 4.04 124.3 1.39 36.6 10 16.2 32.5 8.29 0.67 1.65 960 0.7 87.5 0.84 16 25 68.1 242 120 89.9 57.9 234.4 1,700 86.4 1.45

3.77 58.9 106.6 4.03 122.6 1.34 36.5 10 16.06 32 8.29 0.66 1.63 940 0.69 85.7 0.81 16 25 67.5 240 110.5 88.4 57.55 228 1,690 86 1.34

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL 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 LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

39.8 8.9 0.85 1.42 30.5 0.265 164 6.99 18.98 165.4 32.5 14.94 74 76 1.95 5.29 11.7 12.3 15.42 12.98 7.36 5.95 1.76 17.9 66.2 14.92 13.42 13.8 1.83 216.8 3.9 3.47 20.5 32.5 19.98 18.2 283.8 0.241 9.88 3.17 8.75 9.53 7.2 10.22 1.93 12.6 66.2 6.6 305 4.55 2.32 4.26 2.77 13.12 5 0.145 1.36 159.1 3.94 2.21 1.05

40.3 8.94 0.86 1.43 30.65 0.27 185 6.99 18.98 165.5 32.8 14.98 74.45 76 1.96 5.35 11.7 12.32 15.44 13.06 7.55 5.99 1.76 18.08 66.4 15 13.5 14.5 1.88 221 4 3.56 21.45 32.5 19.98 18.24 284.6 0.243 9.88 3.2 9.1 9.65 7.2 10.22 1.94 12.74 66.3 6.74 308 4.55 2.34 4.28 2.82 13.2 5.09 0.146 1.36 160.5 4.07 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 FJ PRINCE B FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.38 75 14.34 1.18 7 0.325 0.335 890 7.75 15.78 7.62 6.01 0.265 1,236 8.19 79 4.65 5.42 5.38 1.01 6.84 18.52 0.43 6.92 3.23 0.048 2.11 2.67 102 2.71 793 0.88 1.57 304 0.29 0.248 0.245

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

5.9 1.46 6.02 2.35 1.04 44.4 3.7 4.92 5.3 5.72 0.54 1.23 1.51 0.19 0.52 46 0.74 0.17 1.82 1.5

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

1.05 4.12 4.98 0.335 0.57 0.58 4.53 30.65 25.3 1.77 3.23 35.1 1.01 6.55 0.89 5.86

1.05 4.12 5.05 0.355 0.6 0.59 4.67 30.65 25.3 1.78 3.24 35.1 1.02 7 0.9 5.99

1.02 4.12 4.96 0.335 0.56 0.57 4.53 30.1 25.05 1.75 3.23 34.65 1.01 6.55 0.89 5.75

1.03 4.12 4.99 0.345 0.56 0.58 4.65 30.2 25.1 1.77 3.23 34.65 1.01 7 0.89 5.98

195,000 4,000 68,328,000 62,750,000 18,095,000 9,936,000 408,000 1,900 2,310,300 677,000 15,000 10,528,300 2,028,000 400 214,000 1,354,800

201,080 16,480 341,419,330 21,738,600 10,323,180 5,726,490 1,872,690 58,035 58,051,885 1,191,900 48,510 367,213,130 2,051,110 2,665 190,560 8,028,360

-7,321,780 -18,250.00 -680,930.00 51,410.00 490,870 19,623,825 335,300 84,053,235 -1,965 804,364

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM 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 RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

23.1 43 1.78 0.54 0.044 11.18 5.35 9.12 0.079 97.9 9.62 10.5 3.21 2,100 6.27 15.16 2.92 3.35 110 12 8.6 0.181 1.42 15.96 4.81 2 10.9 0.56 2.27 9 3.99 16.3 2.42 11.46 5.18 8.26 179 10 1,709 1.6 0.44 46 87.1 6.05 4.24 1.51 3.48 1.25 8.98

23.5 43.05 1.86 0.6 0.044 11.18 5.35 9.23 0.08 97.9 9.62 11.18 3.21 2,126 6.27 15.68 2.94 3.36 110 12.56 8.6 0.186 1.42 15.96 4.86 2.17 11.32 0.57 2.35 9.03 4.05 18 2.44 11.46 5.18 8.26 179 10.2 1,719 1.63 0.44 47.75 88 6.07 4.6 1.52 3.59 1.27 9.15

22.5 42.85 1.75 0.51 0.043 11.18 5.35 9.11 0.077 97.4 9.48 10.4 3.21 2,080 6.23 15.16 2.9 3.33 106 12 8.57 0.175 1.36 15.5 4.76 1.96 10.74 0.56 2.25 8.75 3.96 16.3 2.32 11.44 5.17 8.25 170 9.7 1,696 1.59 0.42 46 87.05 6.05 4.21 1.48 3.48 1.14 8.75

SERVICES 23 43.05 1.79 0.55 0.044 11.18 5.35 9.14 0.08 97.6 9.48 10.9 3.21 2,080 6.27 15.64 2.91 3.34 106 12.56 8.57 0.175 1.36 15.96 4.78 2.05 10.98 0.56 2.35 9.03 4.01 18 2.32 11.46 5.18 8.25 177.8 9.75 1,696 1.63 0.42 47.3 87.1 6.06 4.6 1.5 3.54 1.15 9

128,900 19,400 245,000 18,666,000 20,500,000 400 2,300 7,794,200 15,330,000 498,140 342,100 950,000 2,000 28,690 118,700 40,300 817,000 39,000 810,320 3,000 277,000 42,240,000 301,000 300 457,000 5,634,000 3,137,600 67,000 20,000 1,819,800 3,379,000 1,000 2,588,000 38,900 6,400 6,900 1,460 1,193,300 88,310 48,972,000 4,290,000 1,874,700 945,810 143,900 15,794,000 20,642,000 286,000 22,875,000 8,330,700

2,972,515 834,170 443,010 10,661,690 893,800 4,472 12,305 71,348,158 1,200,130 48,622,215 3,251,190 10,350,846 6,420 60,493,440 741,693 626,304 2,382,070 130,440 87,183,470 36,672 2,381,881 7,518,450 412,890 4,742 2,200,330 11,653,570 34,616,882 37,660 46,220 16,385,520 13,506,860 16,490 6,093,780 445,634 33,107 56,935 256,324 11,730,523 150,256,900 79,265,830 1,837,150 88,700,680 82,386,349.50 872,143 70,826,070 30,855,590 1,012,980 27,261,240 74,870,694

2,250 -702,860 -1,134,205.00 8,646,084 140,508 14,415,290 -1,403,397 15,072 196,500 13,700 -4,800 -143,210 2,974,318 -1,158,144 -1,550,250 14,100 -74,560 -2,452,720 -23,868,575 -297,710 38,201,620 -34,697,990.50 -7,643,380.00 8,161,510 531,810 -430,600 -9,597,522

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

0.0029 1.65 5.08 13.1 1.92 1.94 1.13 0.385 8.46 2.59 0.31 0.18 0.186 0.011 1.9 6 1.98 0.61 1.12 0.011 0.012 2.56 8.81 3.58 174.5 0.0083

0.003 1.65 5.29 14.66 1.92 1.95 1.19 0.4 8.67 2.59 0.31 0.181 0.186 0.011 1.91 6.08 1.98 0.64 1.14 0.011 0.013 2.56 9.1 3.8 175.3 0.0083

0.0029 1.6 5.08 13.1 1.91 1.92 1.11 0.385 8.42 2.52 0.3 0.18 0.186 0.01 1.85 5.9 1.88 0.61 1.07 0.01 0.012 2.5 8.81 3.45 174 0.0083

MINING & OIL 0.0029 915,000,000 1.61 3,669,000 5.25 185,800 14.66 4,100 1.91 40,000 1.92 66,000 1.17 3,995,000 0.385 2,290,000 8.55 21,400 2.59 896,000 0.3 6,140,000 0.18 5,480,000 0.186 900,000 0.01 2,100,000 1.89 644,000 6 4,629,700 1.93 423,000 0.62 349,000 1.12 1,157,000 0.01 17,100,000 0.012 132,200,000 2.5 347,000 8.99 1,226,500 3.56 18,405,000 174.7 671,760 0.0083 4,000,000

2,655,300 5,909,470 974,339 53,866 76,640 128,130 4,618,930 901,050 181,080 2,304,070 1,842,800 986,500 167,400 23,000 1,210,180 27,762,999 808,780 215,510 1,261,730 187,700 1,586,500 879,860 10,975,627 67,967,470 117,351,485 33,200

-37,700 1,809,630 -50,508 -73,530 14,170.00 30,000 35,340 7,400 83,126 3,600 3,326,989 11,527,730 37,086,731 -

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

43.15 515 106 104.8 112 110.9 6.05 1,011 1,024 1.04 108 1,036 76.5 80.5 77 79 78.9 79

43.15 515 106 105.5 112 110.9 6.05 1,011 1,024 1.04 108 1,036 76.5 80.5 77 79 78.9 79

42 515 106 104.8 112 110.7 6 1,011 1,024 1.04 106 1,036 76.4 80 77 78.8 78.9 78.5

PREFERRED 42.5 316,000 515 2,000 106 2,700 105.5 23,670 112 10 110.7 8,850 6.05 3,653,500 1,011 100 1,024 2,450 1.04 5,000 108 5,150 1,036 555 76.4 12,910 80 62,330 77 3,500 79 45,560 78.9 67,000 78.9 85,030

13,633,235 1,030,000 286,200 2,487,996 1,120 980,455 22,102,876 101,100 2,508,800 5,200 546,200 574,980 987,600 4,989,690 269,500 3,599,120 5,286,300 6,701,345

-58,700 -576,129 -

LR WARRANT

2.94

2.98

2.8

WARRANTS 2.88 677,000

1,929,800

-

276,860 92,970 206,356 16,519,106

0 -1,704,661

1,559,965

-

146,790

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 5.89 1.43 6.02 2.32 1.05 43.3 3.68 4.75 5.34 5.99 0.55 1.24 1.55 0.189 0.51 45.4 0.73 0.172 1.82 1.42

204,100 8,884,000 600 79,000 4,799,000 9,426,600 2,108,000 8,998,000 13,700 1,600 35,949,000 525,000 303,000 4,100,000 3,156,000 201,500 2,360,000 2,210,000 14,421,000 28,940,000

SME

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.9 3 5.84 7.63

3.92 3.01 5.84 7.75

3.87 2.99 5.55 7.62

FIRST METRO ETF

121.6

122.2

121.6

3.91 3 5.79 7.62

71,000 31,000 36,000 2,152,400

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 121.9 12,800 DDS

USD DMPL A1

10.5

TRADING SUMMARY

10.5

SHARES

FINANCIAL

11,109,293

INDUSTRIAL

141,584,555

HOLDING FIRMS

117,793,306

PROPERTY

303,596,771

SERVICES

256,552,123

MINING & OIL

1,122,642,607

GRAND TOTAL

1,955,581,989

10.5

10.5

13,980

VALUE 8,045.78 (UP) 8.27 883,374,773.47 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,157.77 (UP) 39.87 1,809,455,132.43 HOLDING FIRMS 8,011.78 (UP) 45.16 1,702,807,143.4 PROPERTY 3,837.43 (DOWN) 26.62 1,696.17 (DOWN) 6.58 1,407,210,042.92 SERVICES MINING & OIL 13,049.57 (UP) 69.07 1,055,484,807.25 PSEI 8,045.78 (UP) 8.27 251,132,977.0066 All Shares Index 4,781.58 (UP) 1.78 7,128,124,160.73 Gainers: 94; Losers: 115; Unchanged: 53; Total: 262

and for general corporate purposes.”

PetroEnergy vice president Francisco Delfin Jr. said the P1-billion offering would represent the equity portion of the company’s capex program amounting to P6 billion to P7 billion. The balance will be financed by loans.

“Our project lineup requires between P6 billion and P7 billion. Our equity portion for that project is about P1 billion, the balance of that will obviously come from loans for all the projects . It’s the equity side of the P1 billion that we are trying to generate from the capital market by [rights] offering…

We hope to finish that may be around third quarter this year,” Delfin said.

The company plans to expand its 36-megawatt Nabas wind project by 14 MW and its 50-MW Tarlac solar facility by 49 MW. It also plans a 10-MW solar plant in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The existing Tarlac solar project, completed in 2016 by subsidiary PetroGreen Corp. and EEI Power Corp. is located in an economic zone. The proposed expansion called Tarlac-2 solar power project is set for completion by the first quarter of 2018 at a cost of P2.4 billion.

PetroEnergy is looking at a 33-percent growth in net income this year on the back of higher electricity sales from renewable energy operations.

“Our forecast is upbeat for 2017 since our first half performance already showed a marked improvement in revenues and net income compared to the same period last year. If this efficiency is maintained, we project a 33-percent increase in our net intone at the end of this year,” PetroEnergy president Milagros Reyes said.

Cemex’s profit fell 69% in Q2

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEMENT manufacturer Cemex Holding Philippines Inc. said net income plunged 69 percent in the second quarter to P136.5 million from P436.1 million in the same period last year, on weak demand and lower cement prices.

CHP said in a disclosure to the stock exchange, secondquarter sales declined 12 percent to P5.6 billion, while cost of sales dropped 3 percent to P3.3 billion. As a result, gross profit went down 22 percent to P2.3 billion.

The cement firm said sales volume declined 3 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, while prices also went down 9 percent on heightened competitive conditions and the continued presence of imports in the markets.

The longer-than-expected shutdown of its Apo cement plant in Cebu in the second quarter temporarily affected the company’s cement output.

First-half net income also declined 46 percent to P486 million from P896 million in the same period last year, as sales dropped 14 percent to P10.98 billion.

Financial expenses in the first half declined 34 percent year-on-year, as a result of the refinancing of the company’s US dollar-denominated loan with local debt.

“I am confident that the company’s resilience and proven operational excellence, demonstrated throughout the years, will allow us to strengthen our current position. Together with the Philippine government’s positive outlook for construction activity, we remain optimistic for the second half of 2017,” newly elected CHP president and chief executive Ignacio Mijares said.

Motoring FASTLANE Phoenix promo blitz FUEL up at Phoenix Petroleum stations to win cool gadgets such as a Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime, a JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, a Lenovo Yoga 510 Laptop, or a trendy GoPro HERO5 Session.

Every P300 single or accumulated fuel purchase at any participating Phoenix stations nationwide entitles customers to one scratch coupon for a chance to win the gadgets as major prizes or the minor prizes of P30, P50, or P100 worth of fuel, one liter worth of lubricant product, or a Phoenix Power Bank.

Customers must present their receipt/s to the forecourt attendant to collect their scratch coupon. Receipts can only be used once. Any excess amount on the receipt/s shall be void and cannot be used in the next redemption. Receipts for accumulation are valid only at the branch where the transaction was made. Only receipts within the promo period are valid for redemption. Lost or damaged receipt/s will not be accepted or replaced.

Minor prize winners may immediately claim their prize at the Phoenix station where they earned the coupon. Major prize winners must call the Phoenix Petroleum hotline 1-800-10-PNX FUEL (7693835) or visit http://www.phoenixfuels. ph/ScratchAPrizePromo for details verification prior to claiming their prize. The gadgets will be awarded within a month from the verification. The coupons may be redeemed up to 60 days from end of promo period.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

B3

Hundai icons of biodiversity H yundai Asia Resources, Inc. through its corporate social responsibility arm HARI Foundation, Inc. has partnered with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversit to take its advocacy for education in environmental stewardship on a regional scale as the Philippine auto industry’s champion for biodiversity in the ASEAN region.

The foundation will present the Hyundai Icon for Biodiversity award to ten (10) biodiversity heroes on August 7, 2017, at the New World Hotel Manila Bay; while HARI has assigned the Hyundai luxe van H350 to be the awardees’ official transport during their stay in Manila.

According to HFI President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, “We want to give the ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes a total experience of Filipino hospitality. By providing them a premium ride around the

Metro, we take our ‘Mabuhay’ a notch higher.”

The ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes will serve as ambassadors of biodiversity conservation in the region and will be engaged in a series of public engagements aimed to inspire people to support and promote ACB’s advocacy. By recognizing and supporting the work of the ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes, HFI and ACB aim to spark a regional movement for government and businesses to shift strategies in order to support the

global movement to save our planet.

“Proactive concern for Man and Planet is in the DNA of Hyundai, so our support for ACB’s noble cause is certainly in-sync with HARI’s thrust to connect better with the hearts of our customers. Do you want a cleaner and greener environment? Join our cause.

Let’s do it together! Gusto natin. Kaya natin. Sama tayo, tungo sa isang mas magandang kinabukasan para sa lahat,” declared Ms. Agudo.

The ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes

is a program designed to recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation and advocacy efforts in their respective countries. Ten winners, representing the 10 ASEAN Member States—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—will be proclaimed.

The ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes is also supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the European Union (EU). ACB, an inter-governmental organization created by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address the challenge of biodiversity loss in the region, serves as the awards secretariat.

Why is Octane important?

Petron Corp. has always been a trailblazer. When its Petron Blaze gasoline launched in August 2000, it was the only premium unleaded gasoline with the Research Octane Number (RON) of 98, the highest in the country. In 2010, Petron Blaze was re-launched to become the first and only gasoline with an octane rating of 100. Four years later, it became the first gasoline in the country to be certified Euro 4. Just this year, Petron Blaze was certified by leading global laboratories as passing the Euro 6 standard – the most advanced standard in the world. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is the first and only Euro 6 fuel in the country.

Locally produced and formulated at Petron’s Bataan refinery—the most advanced in the Asean region—Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 has been rigorously tested and certified by leading global laboratories and engine rating experts. It was subjected to testing by SGS, a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification at their laboratories in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines. Further tests were also conducted by ISP-The Testing Institute (Germany), one of the world’s top testing laboratories for automotive fuels and lubricants, as well as the Millbrook Proving Ground (UK), one of Europe’s largest vehicle testing centers.

In the Philippines, the mandated Euro 4 fuels have a sulfur content of up to 50ppm (parts per million). Globally, the most stringent Euro 6 standard allows sulfur content of up to only 10-ppm. The sulfur content of Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is less than 3-ppm, far exceeding these standards.

To qualify for Euro 6, currently the most stringent global emission standard, a fuel should have significantly reduced particle numbers, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons in vehicle emissions. The Particle Number (PN) is the additional criterion that separates Euro 5 and Euro 6 fuel standards. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 surpassed the PN tests, being 3x cleaner than the limit.

Research Octane Number (RON) determines a fuel’s resistance to detonating. This resistance is more commonly referred to as “anti-knock” quality; the higher the RON, the higher its resistance. You want your engine to burn your gasoline smoothly. If you’re feeding your car a lower RON than it requires, you risk engine knocking and engine failure in the long run. Which RON is right for you? It’s best to check your car’s manual for the recommended minimum RON. Keep in mind that the older the car, the higher the risk of engine knocking.

A show of force for the environment. HARI Foundation, Inc. President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Director Roberto Oliva commit to intensify efforts at conserving the ASEAN region’s rich but threatened biodiversity.

Express link: 10 minutes from Nlex to Harbor PUBLIC Works Secretary Mark A. Villar has directed his team to speed up right-of-way acquisitions for Segment 10 of the North Luzon Expressway, forming task forces and negotiations with the Philippine National Railways to expedite clearing of structures.

At least 65% of spaces for the Segment 10 alignment have already been cleared for construction, and only 35% remain to complete roadway construction set for December this year.

Segment 10 is using the PNR that traverses Karuhatan in Valenzuela City, Governor Pascual Avenue in Malabon City, and C3 road in Caloocan City.

“We at DPWH unceasingly are speeding up the delivery of needed right-of-way spaces for the smooth implementation of big-ticket infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration such as the Segment 10,” Secretary Villar said.

The 10.5 billion NLEX Harbor

Link Segment 10 is a 5.7-kilometer all-elevated expressway aimed at providing direct access between the port area to the northern provinces of Luzon through NLEX. Featured in the government’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure program, NLEX Harbor Link will decongest Metro Manila by providing an alternative entry to NLEX, bypassing EDSA and other busy streets of Manila.

Once opened, travel time from the Manila Port to the NLEX will

take only 10 minutes.

Secretary Villar and his team have coordinated with the PNR management to allow and expedite the clearing of structures, particularly the public market, along the PNR ROW in Caloocan City.

“The space occupied by the public market, once cleared, will enable our contractors to continue construction works and complete the expressway as scheduled,” said NLEX Corporation President

Rodrigo E. Franco.

The expressway company has constructed a new public market beside the existing public market on 10th Avenue, Caloocan City to facilitate the transfer of the Caloocan City Public Market tenants.

The newly constructed establishment includes market stalls and comfort rooms.

Installation of crossheads and columns will be undertaken in the area as soon as the remaining obstacles are cleared.

Hino joins PhilBus 2017 in accelerating progress for PH

Motul sponsors Blancpain GT Series Asia THROUGHOUT the years, Motul has gained experience as an official supplier to many racing teams and manufacturers and contributes with them to further technological development in motorsports.

About SRO Motorsports Group.

Since 1995 SRO has specialised in the promotion and organisation of motorsport series. Inextricably linked with GT racing’s revival, SRO predominantly promotes categories that adhere to its successful GT3 and GT4 regulations. Indeed, these rules - a common framework allowing manufacturers, teams and drivers to compete equally with one another - has helped establish SRO as the global leader in customer GT racing.

Today, SRO’s influence and organisation can be seen around the world.

SRO’s flagship is the European-based Blancpain GT Series, which combines the Sprint and Endurance Cups, of which the iconic Total 24 Hours of Spa is the highlight.

SRO Motorsports Group is chaired by company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel and has offices in London, Paris and Liège.

“Four-wheeled racing has always had a strong following in Asia, and it is our pleasure to be associated with Blancpain GT Series Asia. We look forward to working closely with SRO to share our motorsport passion with racing enthusiasts in the region,” says Claire Lim, Chief Marketing Officer (APAC), HighTech Lubricants AP Pte Ltd. Motul is supporting those teams in international competitions such

as: 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTechSportsCar Championship, Super GT, Drift, Pikes Peak, Japanese championship Super Formula, Blancpain Endurance Series, Dakar, Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, FIM Endurance World Championship, IOM TT, MOTUL FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship, Roof of Africa and score of others.

In the Philippines, Motul is distributed by Autoplus Sportzentrium. For details, you may get in touch with them at 726-0399 log on to www.motul.com.ph. Motul oil and lubricants are also available in select dealers nationwide.

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive local distributor of Hino trucks and buses, cemented its unique position as one of the major truck and bus manufacturers in the country at the recently held PhilBus & Truck 2017.

Hino showcased two of its popular products — the Commuter Bus and the SS2P Tractor Head — during the trade expo, which ran from July 14 to 16, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center. The Hino Commuter Bus, which has a light but sturdy body structure and a seating capacity of 22 people, is designed to offer safety, reliability and comfort in travel. The SS2P Tractor Head, the newest addition to the Heavy-Duty 700 series, features a heavy-duty body powered by a Hino P11C engine with 16-speed transmission. The Euro 3-compliant unit boasts power steering, 400-liter tank capacity and up to 60,000kg of truck load.

PhilBus, the Philippines’ leading international bus and truck exhibit, aims to respond to the government’s call to address the nation’s fast-growing transport and logistics needs resulting from the increased infrastructure budget*. The exhibit brought together top Philippine truck and bus manufacturers, parts and accessories distributors, and service center operators.

“Transport operators are in constant need of buses and trucks that meet their requirements. HMP, with our legacy as a reliable transport provider, offers not only quality buses and trucks but chassis and truck body customization as well. HMP offers end-to-end services to our clients — from design, production to assembly of units and customized maintenance services. HMP has produced various customized vehicle bodies, including mobile hospitals, mobile libraries, mobile trial courts, and even Outdoor Broadcast vans. With its experience and expertise, HMP aims to be the “one-stop shop” every transport operator and businessman needs,” shares HMP Chairman Mr. Vicente T. Mills, Jr.

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

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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

Many accidents involving trucks and bus units are caused by speed/ brake loss. Right panel: Autokontrol electronically limits the speed of a vehicle.

Motoring

Controlling

speed is key to safety Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

T

HE numbers involving accidents or deaths caused by speeding trucks and buses are just too many to ignore. Just the other day, a 17-car pile up along C5 was caused by a speeding cargo truck, which killed and injured scores of people. A few weeks ago in Cainta, Rizal, a speeding cargo truck plowed into a crowded and busy intersection killing at least two persons and injuring dozens more. A month before that incident, a bus ferrying students to a campsite in Tanay, Rizal also had an accident due to uncontrolled speed and brake loss that catastrophically resulted in the deaths of 15 students. These are just examples of critical accidents caused by speeding trucks and buses which contribute to 365 road accidents per year. The Philippine National Police also reported that there are 10 bus accidents in Metro Manila alone. Majority of which were caused by speed or failure of the braking system, because 95 percent of trucks and buses plying the streets of Metro Manila are surplus/reconditioned vehicles which are at least 20 to 30 years old.

Relative to this problem, the Government has enacted into law R.A. No. 10916 requiring the mandatory installation of speed limiters in public utility and certain types of vehicles, otherwise known as the “Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016”.

Despite the presence of the law, implementation seems to have hit a speed bump. Under Section 3 of R.A. No. 10916, vehicles to covered and should be equipped with speed limiters are closed vans, covered vehicles, hauler/cargo trailers, and shuttle services such as the UV Express vans we see on the road.

Pioneer Truck Parts and Equipment Corporation, local distributors of Autokontrol is a company on a mission of safety. Their

product is a device that electronically controls the top speed of vehicles, either to comply with government legislation or the vehicle owner’s requirements without affecting any other aspect of the vehicle’s operation. “Aside from reducing road accidents due to controlling of the vehicle’s speed, Autokontrol also helps improve fuel consumption and emissions,” explains Benedict Go of Pioneer.

The device works by way of controlling the fuel flow system (for vehicles without engine managements) or by a drive by wire system. “The ECU is connected to a speed signal (electronic speedometer, ABS or mechanical sensor) and receives frequency signals while the vehicle is moving. At a pre set frequency, say 80kph, the ECU transmits a signal to the engine management system which then holds the vehicle’s speed.

The operator/owner can pre set the maximum speed of the truck or van as he wishes,” explains Go. Aside from preserving the ve-

hicle’s engine because of rev and speed control, the Autokontrol speed limiter will stop erring drivers from over revving and immediately equate to cutting down on fuel costs. This rev control system ensures to correct driver behavior and driving style which is crucial in an urban environment. “Our objective is for all fleet owners to extend vehicle life, improve economy, reduce maintenance costs and promote public commuter safety,” adds Go. Autokontrol is a Romatic Speed Control System designed and developed since 1980 and currently used in Europe, Middle East and Asia as a standard equipment for truck, bus and commercial vehicle fleet operations. The system have received numerous approvals from truck manufacturing such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz, Isuzu, Leyland, DAF, GM General Motors, Peugeot, Renault, FUSO, Land Rover, ERF, and approval from the British Ministry of Defence for Land Rover and Pinzgauer Vehicles.

Car accessories galore AS the country’s largest automotive accessories retail chain, Blade is regarded as the country’s largest car accessories company.

With 50 stores nationwide situated in top consumer destinations such as SM, Robinsons and Ayala Malls, Blade has carved a niche in the aftermarket industry with its extensive line of affordable automotive accessories and car care products that ranges from car audiovideo down to air fresheners and even Tamiya products.

All of their stores carry globally recognized brands such as Sparco, OMP, Goodyear, Polaroid and Chupa Chups. “The brands we carry are all licensed and Blade is an official distributor of the aforementioned brands.

All branded merchandise that we carry are

original and licensed,” explains Albert Go of Blade. For brands such as Sparco, OMP and Goodyear, Blade caters to the consumer line of automotive products such as air compressors, seat belt pads, and car floor mats. They also offer a complete line of car care products such as Blade signature products, Sonax, Mother’s, Meguiar’s and Wurth among others.

Blade Auto Center’s line of car accessories and gadgets are reasonably priced due to its high purchase volume. “Savings are passed on to the customers. With our network of 50 locations, Blade is able to negotiate for the lowest cost,” adds Go. Trained personnel are on hand to assist and answer any inquiries, plus installation of accessories is also an option for consumers.

LGUs

‘Yolanda’ housing remains a mess

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

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By Ronald Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—Storm survivors in Eastern Visayas continue to demand full accountability over the sorry condition of their shelter rehabilitation after the 2013 super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

“During President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, nothing came out of the promised build back better.

In the current administration, the campaign promise for us survivors with one foot inside Malacañang seems to translate now into our feet going to the grave instead?” said “Yolanda” survivor Marife Juana.

Joli A. Torella, shelter leader of the Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners, urged Duterte for the full audit of the relocation and resettlement sites, along with the existing and ongoing construction in Eastern Samar.

“The audit should not just focus on the structural integrity, but must also focus on the whole process of shelter rehabilitation including whether survivors will have sources of livelihoods and adequate access to social services. The housing units being constructed today are unfortunately without such provisions,” Torella said in a statement.

“This is the primary reason why survivors are refusing the houses. We fear that the National Housing Authority is constructing ghost towns or houses without occupants if the government will continue to ignore the demands for genuine consultation and participation of survivors,” she added.

According to Torella, they are holding Duterte administration responsible for the slow moving and botched housing program.

“Will inadequate housing remain a never-ending issue?” she asked.

Tessie Elacion, of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, added that for years, locals have been trying to raise their concerns to the government agencies tasked to provide housing for Yolanda survivors.

Mayors, Minda to lead rehab M

By Randy Caluag

AYOR Majul Gandamra of the beleaguered city of Marawi in Mindanao made an emotional appeal for more help to his constituents, who were displaced by armed conflict between the Maute group of terrorists and the military.

“Right now, a lot are helping, but still that’s not enough. We are trying to alleviate the conditions of our constituents in various evacuation centers [in Iligan City],” Gandamra said during the 3rd Asean Mayor’s Forum Thursday at the Shangri-la Hotel in Taguig City.

Gandamra took the occasion to meet with city chief executives from cities in Southeast Asia led by League of Cities of the Philippines president and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

“This is not a problem of Marawi alone or Lanao del Sur,

this is a problem for all of us in the face of the ideology of extremism and terrorism. This [Marawi siege] is one effect, and we are one of the victims.

Let’s continue to help Marawi City,” Gandamra added.

The mayor from Pampanga assured Gandamra of the league’s full support to sustain the needs of Marawi evacuees, numbering close to 400,000, and help Marawi’s rebuilding efforts.

“We will be discussing in further expanding our help, either individually or collectively to Marawi. We assure 100 percent priority our assistance to them,” said Pamintuan, who was with officials of the Mindanao De-

velopment Authority (MinDa), Chief of Staff Abul Khayr Amalon Alonto II and Chairman Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto.

Gandamra said he is trying to fulfill his duties at a satellite office in the neighboring city of Iligan, which is some 30 kilometers from Marawi.

“All of us want to go back to Marawi but because of some security concerns, especially that there’s still ongoing military offensive against the terrorists, we cannot allow our people now to go back to Marawi City.”

The resilient mayor said he goes to Marawi City Hall, on a convoy and with heavy security,

UNITED AGAINST FAKE NEWS. A total of 320 students, teachers, and media practitioners from South Cotabato, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and

General Santos City make the thumbs-down gesture and sign the covenant during the one-day seminar on “Let’s Get Real on Fake News” held at SM GenSan Mega Trade Hall. This is the second wave of the campaign against fake news organized by the Philippine Press Institute supported by Nickel Asia Corp. in collaboration with Mindanao Media Services and Philippines Communication Society under the institute’s scholastic press program. Next stop for Mindanao is Dipolog City on Aug. 18.

SBMA sees revenue from Subic ICT sector up 15%

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is projecting a 15-percent increase in revenue from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector this year after posting an average monthly income of P6 million from it over the past five months.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma T. Eisma said the agency’s Business and Investment Depart-

ment for ICT made the forecast after a consistent growth that has eclipsed 2017 revenue targets.

She said that with the average monthly collection of P6 million, the agency’s BID-ICT is expecting to generate around P76.4 million at the end of the year.

“This figure would be higher by 15.64 percent than the revenue we posted for ICT in 2016,” Eisma said.

The BID-ICT, which handles locators engaged in business pro-

cess outsourcing (BPO), business process management (BPM), and other related industries, has collected a total of P68,314,258 in revenue for 2016, said Cleofe Espineli, who heads the department.

At last count, there are 95 locators engaged in ICT inside the Subic Freeport, said Espineli.

These are infusing more than P32.17 billion worth of investments and employing nearly 2,000 Filipinos.

Espineli added that as of May this

year, BID-ICT has already recorded a total revenue of P29,902,215, which is 35.15 percent higher than its 2017 revenue target.

She also said that BID-ICT is currently processing the expansions of some existing locators that will result in additional committed investments of P273 million and additional 608 personnel.

When completed, the expansion projects will generate additional revenue of P15.1 million for the SBMA.

“With my team’s commitment, determination and malasakit (compassion) for SBMA, we will deliver the best that we can. We wanted to be part of the SBMA team that keeps winning,” Espineli said.

Earlier, Eisma reported that in terms of over-all financial performance, SBMA posted P1.25 billion in revenue for January to May of 2017, which is 7.7 percent higher than the P1.16 billion in the same period last year.

‘Beauty for Better Life’ grads praised FIFTEEN women from Barangay Sto. Niño in Marikina City have successfully completed their three-month training and will graduate from L’Oréal Philippines’ “Beauty For a Better Life” program.

The program is developed to gift underprivileged communities with a free, international and high-quality training, equipping them with skills as they create a better livelihood for them and their families.

Led by the L’Oréal Foundation and implemented in different countries, “Beauty For a Better Life” is one of the Foundation’s key programs to help women in difficult situations regain their dignity, humanity, and femininity and help them reintegrate into society.

After officially launching in the Philippines last April 19, L’Oréal Philippines took the first batch of trainees through three months of classes capped by a

on Mondays and Wednesdays to perform the flag ceremony—his powerful display of affirming allegiance to the Philippine republic—and to check on the security situation in affected areas.

The LCP and MinDa officials presented a memorandum of cooperation with Gandamra to formalize their support.

Immediately after the formal proceeding, Gandamra was approached by a representative from Taipei, Taiwan and handed him a “token of encouragement.” The lady representative also asked the mayor for further discussion on how Taipei can provide more help for the Marawi people.

one-week internship at a Metro Manila salon.

The students underwent daily classroom sessions for twelve weeks wherein they were taught different hairdressing skills such as blow drying, hair coloring, haircutting, and application of hair treatments—all under the tutelage of L’Oréal Philippines hair professionals.

Before graduation, each student underwent a one-week internship in L’Oréal’s partner salons to expose them to actual hairdressing jobs and potentially further their career options.

One of the very first graduates of “Beauty For a Better Life” is Mary Rose De Guzman. With the desire to provide for her family, Mary Rose managed to finish the program while attending classes as a fourth-year college student.

De Guzman’s story is one of dedication, as despite coming from a financially-challenged

Batch 1 of the ‘Beauty For a Better Life’ program graduates, all from Marikina City, hold their beauty kits as they pose with officials of L’Oreal Philippines and Philippine Business for Social Progress. Teddy Pelaez

background, she did not let this get in the way of her education—making her the first in her family to finish college and at the same time graduate as the valedictorian of the first batch of the program.

Ultimately, the goal of “Beau-

ty For a Better Life” is to ensure that education can break social barriers and create a more inclusive society. Through this livelihood program, the foundation is uplifting the lives of Filipinos and opening new doors in the beauty sector.

During their graduation, each graduate received a hairdressing starter set from L’Oréal Philippines, which will allow them to either pursue a career in salons in Metro Manila, or to become micro-entrepreneurs within their barangay.

Parañaque hailed as kid-friendly with ‘Seal’ THE Parañaque City government was among local government units in Metro Manila recently conferred with the Seal of Child-friendly Local Governance award by the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children in the annual event spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Interior and Local Government held at Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City.

City public information chief Mar Jimenez, who represented the city government in the event, received the plaque of recognition from Jovian Ingeniero, assistant to the regional director of DILG-NCR, Lawyer Mari Joy Segui, CESO III and deputy executive director CWC, and Lucia Brono, RCWC-RAC chairperson.

The recognition was based on the results of the childfriendly local governance audit conducted on Metro Manila’s cities and municipalities by the Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force as validated and endorsed by the RCWC, which is being chaired by the DSWD-NCR. Segui said the seal is given to LGUs that managed to generate positive programs and services for the welfare of the children based on their performance from the previous year of 2016.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

LGUs

TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

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Kalinga chiefs back suspended Baac T

By Dexter A. See

ABUK CITY, Kalinga—Dozens of barangay chiefs in the province have expressed their full and unconditional support to Gov. Jocel C. Baac, who is serving a six-month suspension from the Office of the Ombudsman stemming from a case where he allegedly manhandled a provincial official inside his office.

In a statement of support furnished the Manila Standard, the barangay officials view Baac’s suspension as “suspicious.” They believe the penalty meted him was too much and that something was not clear about the decision.

izing as urgent the Kalinga Gabriela Mija Kim Medical Center as an extension of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, so that funds and personnel for its operation from the Kalinga Provincial Hospital can be justified, because the Health Department required a li-

cense to operate and PhilHealth accreditation,” the barangay officials stated in their position paper.

The statement claimed information is spreading through social media that Baac was suspended because of graft. The barangay officials said there is no

truth “to such false report” and that the governor was suspended “for his ardent desire to promote health services to the people.”

The barangay officials stressed Baac was suspend for “simple misconduct” when he allegedly scolded provincial board secre-

SCHOLARS. Laguna 1st District Rep. Arlene Arcillas (center), together with Santa Rosa City Mayor Dan Fernandez, Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas, and Sanggunian Bayan members, presents a check for P30 million to select students of partner schools in the City of Santa Rosa under the ‘Libreng Paaral sa Pribadong Paaralan’ program at the Santa Rosa City Sports Complex. The program started during the term of Arcillas when she was Santa Rosa’s mayor.

Roy Tomandao

“We know health services is a priority concern of the provincial government of Kalinga, thus, the provincial health board passed a resolution requesting the Provincial Board for the corresponding authority from the latter author-

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU

DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: (632) 927-1517, (632) 920-2258 Website: http://www.emb.gov.ph / Email: mail@emb.gov.ph

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of the 2 x150 MW COALFIRED POWER PLANT PROJECT of MERBAU CORPORATION to be located in the CITY OF BATANGAS. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the 2 X 150 MW COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT to attend a Public Hearing on 08 AUGUST 2017 (TUESDA Y) at 9:00 am (registration starts at 8:00 am) at the BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY - GOV. FELICIANO SANOY LEVISTE MEMORIAL AND MULTI-PURPOSE GYMNASIUM, RIZAL A VENUE EXTENSION, BATANGAS CITY. The Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIS of the aforementioned project by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Merbau Corp. is proposing to develop the 2 x 150 MW COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT PROJECT to meet the growing electricity requirements of the JG Summit Petrochemical Complex and also to sell surplus power to the Luzon Grid. The twofold purpose of the Project is therefore energy se lf-sufficiency for the JG Summit Petrochemical Complex and energy security for the country in response to the call of the National Government to address the shortfall of electricity.

The key information about project is as follows: Project name Project location and area Nature of project Production capacity Process/Technology Components

2 x 150 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Batangas Brgy. Pinamucan Ibaba, Batangas City, with a total land area of almost 40 has.

Thermal power plant Power generation with a total gross capacity of 300 MW (2 x 150 MW) Circulating fluidized bed combustion Main power components are: boiler, turbines, generators, control system, electrostatic precipitators, auxiliary systems, switchyard, wastewater treatment facility, coal handling and storage system, jetty, ash handling system and ash pond

All interested parties who wish to attend or participate in this Public Hearing should preferably confirm their attendance/participation and may give their opinion(s) in a concise position paper to the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION (EIAMD) of this Office through mail or through email at eiamd.emb.co@gmail.com three (3) days before the Public Hearing schedule.

Those who will not be able to register or submit written positions may be given the 0PPOltunity to share their issues on the day of the hearing itself.

The project’s EIS and Executive Summary for the Public (ESP) are down loadable at our website: www.emb.gov.ph (kindly access the Notice of Public Hearing/Consultation link found in the lower right portion of our website) while the hard copies will be available in this Office and in the following offices: 1)

2)

EMB Region IVA (CALABARZON) Office Address: 6th Fir. DENR by the Bay Bldg., 1515 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila

Batangas kids get free meals at school TAYSAN, Batangas—Over a thousand students from four different barangays in Batangas will benefit from free nutritious lunch meals every day for one school year, as part of

a campaign against hunger and malnutrition by Republic Cement in partnership with Gawad Kalinga.

Republic Cement’s Kusina ng Kalinga is the first fully-equipped

Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY (CvSU) Don Severino De Alas Campus Cavite, Philippines (046-4150010-012) www.cvsu.edu.ph

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID (INFRASTRUCTURE/CIVIL WORKS) The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites all interested bidders/contractors with size range of Medium A to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project Location Brief Description

: CONSTRUCTION OF 3-STOREY GS-OLC BUILDING : GRADUATE SCHOOL–OPEN LEARNING COLLEGE CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, INDANG, CAVITE : CONSTRUCTION OF 3-STOREY BUILDING

Contract Duration

: 240 CALENDAR DAYS

Approved Budget For the Contract

: P 20,000,000.00

Prospective bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the projects. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Opening of Bids

Schedule July 27, 2017 to August 16, 2017; 8:00AM – 5:00PM August 3, 2017; 1:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite August 17, 2017; 1:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

City Environmental and Natural Resources Office Office Address: Batangas City Hall Complex P. Burgos Street, Brgy. Poblacion 17, Batangas City

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 25,000.00) to the CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY Cashier.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Office address: Capitol Site, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City

Pre-bid conference shall be open only to all interested bidders. Bids must be delivered to the Office of the BAC Chairman, Administration Bldg., CvSU, Indang, Cavite on or before the abovementioned date and time. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend the bidding. Late bids shall not be accepted.

For more details, please contact the EIAM Division of this Office at telephone number (02) 920-2240.

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY (CvSU) assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. CvSU also reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to Contract Award without incurring any liability to the affected bidders, waive any required formality therein, and to award the Contract to the bidder whose bid proposal as evaluated is most advantageous to the University.

3)

Approved by: (sgd) CAMILO A. POLINGA, PhD BAC Chairman

Protect the environment ... Protect life ...

(MS-JULY 28, 2017)

(MS-JULY 28, 2017)

R epubl i c of the Phi l i ppi nes

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIENTAL MINDORO C am i l m i l , C al apan C i ty 5200, Or i ental M i n d o ro

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

In accordance with Section 3 (q) of R.A. 8752 (Anti-dumping Act of 1999), the Tariff Commission hereby gives notice that the Formal Investigation on the Application of the AGC Flat Glass Philippines, Inc. for the Imposition of Definitive Anti-Dumping Measure Against Importations of Clear Float Glass (2012 AHTN Subheading No. 7005.29.90) and Bronze Float Glass (2012 AHTN Subheading No. 7005.21.90) from the People’s Republic of China (PROC) [Investigation No. AD-2016-OCFloatGlassCN] was concluded on 14 July 2017, the date of receipt by the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Commission’s Final Report (confidential and public versions).The Commission also hereby causes the publication of its conclusions on the investigation, to wit: 1.

2.

Applicant AGPH is the only manufacturer of clear float glass and bronze float glass in the Philippines during the POI and thus satisfies the domestic industry requirement.

and Upgrading of Abitan Road, Baco, Oriental Mindoro

July 28, 2017 1.

The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro (PGOM) through the FY 2017 General Appropriation Act under the Local Government Support Fund-Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces intends to apply the sum of the amounts being the approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contracts for Upgrading of Sta. Cruz-Carmundo-Sigange-Malitbog Road, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro and Upgrading of Abitan Road, Baco, Oriental Mindoro. Indicated in the table below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The PGOM now invites bids for Upgrading of Sta. Cruz-Carmundo-Sigange-Malitbog Road, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro and Upgrading of Abitan Road, Baco, Oriental Mindoro. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single completed contract similar to the Project worth at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Approved Budget Completion Bid for the Contract Document of Works (ABC) Fee IB-NO. CW-2017-103 Upgrading of Sta. Cruz-Carmundo- Php104,600,212.00 362 days Php50,000.00 Sigange-Malitbog Road, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro IB NO. CW-2017-104 Upgrading of Abitan Road, Baco, Php 89,194,672.00 437 days Php50,000.00 Oriental Mindoro

3.

The locally produced clear and bronze float glass and the clear and bronze float glass imported from PROC are like products. Both products fall under the same tariff classifications, undergo the same manufacturing process, use the same raw materials, possess the same physical characteristics, and generally have the same uses and applications.

3.

Clear and bronze float glass originating from PROC were imported into, or sold in the Philippines, at a price less than its normal value during the POI (2015).

4.

The volume of dumped clear and bronze float glass imports from PROC exceeded the de minimis threshold and hence are not in negligible quantity.

5.

Price undercutting is significant as dumped clear and bronze float glass from PROC were priced very much lower than locally-produced float glass.

6.

Price suppression was evident during the POI as AGPH did not raise prices despite increases in COPS in order to remain price-competitive with dumped imports and maintain its share of the market.

7.

Affecting negatively both volume and price of locally-produced clear and bronze float glass, there is evidence that the domestic industry was materially injured by dumped clear and bronze float glass from PROC as reflected in the declines in sales, both in volume and value, production, capacity utilization, market share, and profitability. Despite an increase in demand, AGPH’s market position weakenedbecause of dumped imports. Losses from operation were incurred indicating the weakening financial position of the domestic industry, attributed to the dumped imports.

8.

Upgrading of Sta. Cruz-Carmundo-Sigange-Malitbog Road, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro

Solicitation No.

In view of the foregoing, the Commission, having established that dumped imports from PROC caused material injury to the domestic industry, hereby orders that anti-dumping duties be imposed on imports of clear float glass (2012 AHTN Subheading No. 7005.29.90) and bronze float glass (2012 AHTN Subheading No. 7005.21.90) originating and exported from PROC for a period of five (5) years.

Issued this 25thday of July 2017, Quezon City.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson ERNESTO L. ALBANO Commissioner

(MS- JULY 28, 2017)

Title of Contract

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee of the PGOM and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. of Mondays to Fridays.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders from July 30, 2017 to October 02, 2017 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount indicated in the table above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Electronic Procurement System (Philgeps) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The PGOM will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on September 01, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol Complex, Camilmil, Calapan City, which shall be open to prospective bidders and interested parties.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Complex, Camilmil, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on or before October 02, 2017 at 9:30 A.M. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Claus 18.

While there are other factors that contributed to the impairment in the overall position of domestic industry, the Commission finds that the results, when taken together, show that dumped clear and bronze float glass from PROC in 2015 caused material injury to the domestic industry.

Bid opening shall be on October 02, 2017 at 10:00 AM at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol Complex, Camilmil, Calapan city, Oriental Mindoro. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address stated.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The PGOM 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 in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information. Please refer to : ENGR. ELMER V. DILAY BAC Chairperson Provincial Capitol Complex, Camilmil Calapan City, Mindoro (043) 286-7144

(MS-JULY 28, 2017)

kitchen to be set up in Batangas.

The kitchen will produce daily nutritious lunch meals for students from levels Kinder to Grade 3 in four sponsored Batangas elementary schools.

Beneficiary schools include Taysan Central School, Mapulo Elementary School, Bilogo Elementary School, and Pag-asa Elementary School.

“We partnered with GK because we saw the model of the Kusina as a sustainable solution to an age-old problem, with scalable results in terms of health improvement by end of the school year,” said PV Aquino, Republic’s Director of Public Affairs and Communications.

“Our mission at Republic Cement has always been to strengthen and empower communities. Complemented with GK’s vision of addressing hunger among the young, we see this program as a step towards strengthening the future movers and shakers of the community,” she added.

The kitchen will produce a wide menu of nutritious food selections to ensure that students can enjoy different lunch meals per day. The food served is aligned with the prescribed daily dietary requirements set by the Food Nutrition Research Institute for the identified age group.

Launched in July to coincide with Nutrition Month, the campaign seeks to address the common effects of severe hunger and malnutrition in Filipino children.

Under the program, equal importance is placed on caring for children who are ‘moderately malnourished’ or ‘stunted’ under the range of child growth standards set by the World Health Organization.

WHO findings revealed that “children with moderate malnutrition have an increased risk of mortality and that most nutrition-related deaths among children are highly associated with moderate malnutrition.”

TRO on implants is boon for clinics

greater demand for family planning services provided by private CORDON, Isabela—The two- birthing clinics. year-old temporary restraining Midwife Imelda C. Domingo, order on birth-control implants a returning overseas worker who mentioned in the 2017 State of the toiled in Jordan, told the Manila Nation Address of President Rod- Standard that her clinic has rigo Duterte has already opened a been accommodating more married women who are seeking birth control the petition should not be granted.

Republic of the Philippines options compared to Let this Order be published once a Regional Trial Court week for three (3) consecutive weeks, past years.

National Capital Judicial Region a newspaper of daily circulation in the Philippines before the hearing to Quezon City, Metro Manila “More women are be selected by raffle pursuant to PD Branch 223 1907, at the expense of the petitioner. coming to us because Let also copies of this Order be IN RE: PETITION FOR posted at the lobby of (1) Quezon City RECOGNITION OF DIVORCE there are certain serJustice Hall, (2) Quezon City Hall and AND DECLARATION OF LEGAL (3) Local Civil Registrar of Quezon CAPACITY TO REMARRY City, at least twenty (20) days prior vices that they use R-QZN-16-12573 to the scheduled hearing. to get from RHUs Let copies of this Order be JERRRAMY ALBERGA PREMIA, furnished to Jerramy Alberga Premia at his last known addresses, the Petitioner, [rural health units], Office of the Local Civil Registrar of -versusQuezon City, the National Statistics which were covered Office, the Civil Registrar of Manila, SHINOBI SHINOZAWA, THE the Office of the Solicitor General, LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY by a ban. It is good and the Office of the City Prosecutor.

OF QUEZON CITY AND THE The petitioner is directed to furnish PHILIPPINE STATISTICS we found a United the said government offices with a AUTHORITY (PSA), copy of the petition and its annexes Respondents. within five (5) days from receipt of Nations Population x----------------------------------------x this Order and manifest to this ORDER Court their compliance herewith.

Fu n d - r e c og n i z e d A verified petition was filed by It appearing on the petition that petitioner, through counsel, praying the respondent Shinobu Shinozawa, partner, the nongovdeclaring and recognizing the divorce is a resident of No. 180-3, Yukisaku, or the dissolution of marriage between Yuki City, Inbaraki Prefecture, Japan, ernment organization the petitioner and the respondent, and let a copy of this Order be furnished ordering the registration of the divorce to said respondent by way of personal called BITE. They or the dissolution of marriage between service through the Department of the petitioner and the respondent which Foreign Affairs all at the expense of have access to birthwas celebrated in Quezon City on April petitioner.

18, 2012. The petition dated November Let a copy of this Order together 4, 2016 alleges that the petitioner is control implants not of legal age, Filipino, married to the with complaint and annexes be respondent, and a resident of Armel furnished the Office of the Legal covered by the TRO, Affairs of the Department of Foreign 2 Subd., Belong Compound, Banaba, San Mateo, Rizal; that the respondent Affairs, who is directed to personally and they are sharing is likewise of legal age, Japanese, serve copies of the same to divorced, and a resident of 180-3 respondent Shinobu Shinozawa, at it with us,” she said. resident of No. 180-3, Yukisaku, Yuki Yukisaki, Yuki City, Inbaraki Prefecture, Japan and has no known residence City, Inbaraki Prefecture, Japan. The Domingo, better in the Philippines; that the petitioner said office is also directed to make a married the respondent in Quezon return to this Court, within thirty (30) City, Philippines on April 18, 2012; that days from receipt of this Order. known as “Komadthe married couple cohabited in the SO ORDERED. Philippines by staying in the petitioner’s Quezon City, Philippines, April 21, rona Kilbang” (Kilpresent residence in San Mateo, Rizal 2017. for a week after the celebration of the bang the midwife) marriage, and both migrated to Japan (Sgd.) HON. CARIDAD M. WALSELUTERO thereafter, and lived together in the here, has opened the Presiding Judge residence of the respondent in Yuki City, Japan; that unfortunately, the marriage new building for a failed due to irreconcilable differences, Atty. Robert Natividad hence, the parties by agreement filed Counsel for the Petitioner for divorce in Japan to dissolve their 15 V. Hilario Street, Sta. San Mateo fully furnished Kelmarriage in accordance with Japanese Jerramy Alberga Premia laws, and it was granted on December Armel ly’s Birthing Home 2 Subdivision, Belong 16, 2015 with in Philippine court for the Compound,Banaba, San Mateo, Rizal recognition of the divorce from Japan two months ago. She The Office of the Solicitor General so she could have legal capacity to 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village remarry under Article 26 of the Family Makati City personally mans the Code of the Philippines; that the petitioner has to prove as a fact before The Local Civil Registrar clinic with two young a competent court in the Philippines; Quezon City that the petitioner has to prove as a The Local Civil Registrar fact before a competent court in the Manila midwives she hired Philippines that the dissolution of the The Civil Registrar of Manila marriage decreed by a foreign country The City Prosecutor’s Office as assistants. The oldis valid and indeed allowed under the Department of Justice Building foreign laws of that country. er birthing clinic she Quezon City Hall Compound, Elliptical Road, Philippine Statistics Office WHEREFORE, finding the Petition (formerly National Statistics Office) used was the renosufficient in form and in substance, Solicarel Bldg., I & II R. Magsaysay the same is given due course. Set the Blvd.,Sta. Mesa, Manila vated basement of her hearing of this case on September 15, Office of the Legal Affairs 2017 at 8:30 in the morning, on which Department of Foreign Affairs date and time, any interested person 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City ancestral home. may appear and show cause, if any, why

By Abe Almirol

INVITATION TO BID IB-NO. CW-2017-103 and IB NO. CW-2017-104

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION NOTICE OF CONCLUSION AND DECISIONOF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION BY THE TARIFF COMMISSION ON THE APPLICATION OF AGC FLAT GLASS PHILIPPINES, INC. FOR THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURE AGAINST IMPORTATIONS OF CLEAR FLOAT GLASS (2012 AHTN SUBHEADING NO. 7005.29.90) AND BRONZE FLOAT GLASS (2012 AHTN SUBHEADING NO. 7005.21.90) FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PROC) [INVESTIGATION NO. AD-2016-OC-FLOATGLASSCN]

tary Mathew Matbagan.

Matbagan and Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, the former vice governor, had signed a resolution not in accordance with the recommendations of the provincial health board, the barangay chairmen said.

(SGD) ELMER V. DILAY Provincial Engineer BAC Chairperson

(MS-July 14, 21 & 28, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

Maduro slams US sanctions C

ARACAS― Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro branded the US sanctions leveled at his regime on Wednesday as “insolent,” as pressure piled up on him abroad and at home over his controversial plan to elect a new body to rewrite the constitution.

The US measures came as Venezuela’s opposition began a two-day nationwide strike aimed at ousting the president through early elections.

The deadliness of four months of violent anti-Maduro protests was further confirmed with the death by gunfire of a 30-year-old man in a demonstration in the west of the country.

Prosecutors said a 16-year-old boy also was killed in Wednesday’s disturbances in Caracas. The deaths raised to 105 the number of people killed since April 1 in clashes with security forces.

In Washington, the US Treasury unveiled a list of 13 current and former officials, including the interior minister, senior military brass, the president of the electoral council, and the finance chief of state oil company PDVSA, whose US assets would be frozen.

The opposition and US moves are to force Maduro to give up his plan to have a 545-member “Constituent Assembly” elected on Sunday.

Critics say the body is a step towards a dictatorship, by bypassing or dissolving the opposition-held National Assembly.

Maduro called the US punishment “illegal, insolent and unprecedented.”

“Who do these imperialists in the United States think they are? The government of the world?” he said in a speech.

But in his country, where there are widespread shortages of basic goods and soaring inflation, protesters are showing their discontent with Maduro’s leadership. Organizers claimed 92-percent support for the walkout.

“No more dictatorship!” read signs on road barricades in eastern Caracas.

Maduro accuses the US of fomenting the unrest against him and his government, with the help of the conservative opposition. AFP

ONSTAGE. Maddie Marlow of Maddie & Tae performs during Country Thunder-Day 4 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. AFP

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Ex-Georgia president stripped of citizenship KIEV-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has stripped former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship, paving the way for his possible extradition to Georgia, Saakashvilli confirmed on Thursday.

The charismatic reformer took over after Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution, but then fell from grace and is now wanted by Georgian prosecutors on charges of abuse of office during his nine-year rule that, he insists, are politically motivated.

In a Facebook post early on Thursday Saakashvili confirmed the decision, following an indirectly worded statement on Wednesday by Ukraine’s migration service.

“Today I am being subjected to the same approaches that are used by Ukraine’s prosecutors or bureaucrats against regular Ukrainians, whose rights are spat upon,” Saakashvili said.

“Poroshenko decided to deprive me of my citizenship in an underhanded way, while I am out of the country!”

Ukraine’s migration service said Wednesday that Georgia had provided “materials on Mikheil Saakashvili” to Ukrainian prosecutors that were then studied by the migration service and a presidential commission on questions of citizenship.

It said Poroshenko has the right to strip people of citizenship when they submit untrue information or fake documents.

Poroshenko’s official website has not yet published any decree.

The statement came after Poroshenko met Georgian prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Tbilisi last week.

Saakashvili wrote on Facebook on Monday that he had information that Poroshenko had also visited billionaire exPM Bidzina Ivanishvili, who leads the ruling party behind the scenes. AFP

Ceasefire reached on Lebanon-Syria border, reports say Officials’ jobs on line over scandal BEIRUT―The fighting between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and a former Al-Qaeda affiliate on the Syria-Lebanon border halted Thursday after a ceasefire was reached, Lebanese media and Hezbollah outlets reported.

The ceasefire comes a week after the powerful Shiite militant group launched an offensive against the jihadists in the mountainous Jurud Arsal border region.

Hezbollah’s “War Media” outlet said “a ceasefire that began at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) is in effect on all the front in Jurud Arsal.”

Lebanon’s official National News Agency said the ceasefire

was part of a deal brokered by the country’s general security agency chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

Under the deal, remaining fighters from the former Al-Qaeda affiliate once known as AlNusra Front will withdraw from the region.

Al-Nusra Front was previously Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, before renouncing that status last year and rebranding itself Fateh al-Sham Front.

“The Al-Nusra fighters and their families will go to Idlib,” a province in northwestern Syria largely under the control of the jihadists, NNA said.

It said Ibrahim was expected to release a statement on the deal later on Thursday.

In a speech on Wednesday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said “serious” negotiations were underway to secure the withdrawal of Al-Nusra militants.

“There are two paths: the battlefield and the negotiations.

Both are open,” he said.

He had said his fighters were on the cusp of “a great military victory”, and had surrounded remaining Al-Nusra fighters in a small pocket of territory.

Security in Jurud Arsal has been a concern for many years.

The barren and mountainous

border area has served as a hideout for militants, who in 2014 clashed with Lebanese security forces in the area.

Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees live in the town of Arsal, adjacent to the border region, while an unknown number are also thought to have been sheltering in the surrounding mountains.

Lebanon’s army has not officially declared its participation in the operation, but has shelled “terrorists” in the area.

It has also been involved in operations to transport civilians out of the battle zone and into the town of Arsal.

In his speech on Wednesday,

Nasrallah said his fighters were willing to hand over the territory they have secured to Lebanese troops.

But the group’s fighters told journalists in Jurud Arsal on Wednesday that the next phase of the battle to secure the region was still ahead.

They said Islamic State group fighters still hold parts of Jurud Arsal and the area around two border towns, but anticipated an easy victory.

“It won’t be a difficult task. Its fighters are only a few hundred and spread out in this vast territory,” one commander said confidently. AFP

‘VICTORY DAY’. Students walk through the rain to pay their respects to late North Korean leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il as the country marks ‘Victory Day’ in Pyongyang. AFP

STOCKHOLM―The jobs of Sweden’s defense and interior ministers were on the line Thursday over a huge leak of sensitive data that has rocked the fragile center-left government.

Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist and Interior Minister Anders Ygeman face claims that they knew the leak from the national transport agency had made the private data of millions of citizens accessible abroad but had failed to inform Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.

Ahead of a press conference by Lofven at 0830 GMT, Infrastructure Minister Anna Johansson was also coming under pressure in the media for her role in the scandal, though she has insisted she found out about the leak only later.

The scandal has blown up in recent weeks after it emerged that an entire database on Swedish drivers’ licenses was made available to technicians in the Czech Republic and Romania, with media reporting that the identities of intelligence agents may have been jeopardized.

The Swedish military also said information on its personnel, vehicles and defense and contingency planning could have been included in the leak, although the transport agency denied having a register on military vehicles and said there was no indication the data had been “spread in an improper way”.

The leak stems from the transport agency’s hiring of IBM in 2015 to take over its IT operations.

IBM in turn used subcontractors in the Czech Republic and Romania -- making the sensitive information accessible by foreign technicians who did not have security clearance. AFP

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

BEEKEEPER. French beekeeper Audric de Campeau checks the beehives set on the roof the Monnaie de Paris on July 16, 2017 in Paris. AFP

Britain plans bigger role in Asia SYDNEY-Britain plans to play a bigger role in Asia after Brexit, including deploying aircraft carriers to the region, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday.

Johnson backed the campaign to quit the EU and said the decision had given his country the opportunity to “think afresh” about its international role, while maintaining close ties with its European partners.

“One of the purposes of my trip is to get over the message that we are now going to be more committed to the AsiaPacific region and more committed to Australia,” he told The Australian newspaper in a Sydney interview.

“People want the involvement of a country that sticks up for a rules-based international system, that is prepared to deploy its military in the area, as we are.”

After attending annual talks in Sydney between the British and Australian foreign and defense ministers, Johnson added that one way his nation would be “stepping up” in the region would be through supporting freedom of navigation.

“You will have seen last year how we sent a squadron of typhoons to Korea and Japan,” he told reporters later Thursday.

“One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers that we have just built is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area.”

The comments came as British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon made a pitch to build Australia’s next fleet of warships, with Spain and Italy also in the running for the lucrative deal to construct nine frigates.

Australia earlier this year detailed a massive A$89-billion (US$70.4- billion) shipbuilding strategy in the nation’s largest peacetime naval investment.

The big increase in defense spending follows Beijing’s assertion of its regional power status through a military build-up in the contested South China Sea. China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the resourcerich waters despite rival claims from Southeast Asian neighbors and has rapidly built reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes. AFP

China, India in high-stakes, high-altitude border quarrel BEIJING―A border standoff between Chinese and Indian troops on a remote Himalayan plateau has heightened long-standing tensions while ensnaring a tiny kingdom, Bhutan, between the two nuclear-armed powers.

The row has festered for more than a month as India and China refuse to back down in the distant but strategically key territory, reflecting the historic mistrust between the Asian giants.

The area is disputed between China and Bhutan but India’s decision to jump into the fray reflects its concerns about Beijing’s growing military might and ambitions in the region, analysts say.

The border trouble began in mid-June when Chinese soldiers started to extend a road through the Doklam territory―known as “Donglang” in Chinese.

India, a close ally of Bhutan, then deployed troops to stop the construction project, prompting Beijing to accuse India of trespassing on Chinese soil.

China, which warned this week that it would step up its deployment, insists that India must withdraw its troops before any proper negotiation takes place. India says both sides should withdraw their forces.

“The solution to this issue is simple, which is that the Indian troops back out honestly,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said this week.

While the deadlock may be broached during Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s visit to Beijing on Thursday, there are no signs that either side is ready to back down.

“It’s easier to shake a mountain than to shake the People’s Liberation Army,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian boasted at a press conference Monday.

Sarath Chand, India’s vice army chief, said on Tuesday: “China is expanding its influence across the Himalayas into our neighbourhood despite being an economy five times the size (of India), with such a large standing army... it is bound to be a threat for us in the years ahead.” AFP

Historians race to preserve memories of the Partition K

ARACHI―Sitting in her Karachi home, Jamshed Jahan Ara looks straight into the camera as she explains in a trembling voice how her family fled India during Partition in 1947.

Just six years old when she boarded an overcrowded train bound for the newly-created Muslim state of Pakistan, Ara recalls watching armed Sikhs approach―then hearing her father tell her brother to kill the women of the family if the convoy was attacked.

“One is my wife, another is my sister and one is my daughter,” she recalls him saying. “So, dear, be a man. I can’t shoot them. You must kill all three and we will fight [the Sikhs] till the last before we surrender.’

“I asked, ‘Why would Neeam kill me. I have done nothing wrong,’” the 76-year-old tells the camera, emotion flooding her face as she remembered her father’s reply: “A bullet is better [than being captured]”.

On both sides of the border that divided the subcontinent 70 years ago, historians are racing to record the accounts of the last living witnesses to one of the largest, deadliest human migrations of all time.

In August 1947 the British Raj was dismantled, creating a newly independent India―though with chunks of its western and eastern regions hurriedly amputated to create Pakistan.

Partition etched a deep fissure in the region and threw millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs on the road to their new homeland.

Six thousand kilometers of new borders were drawn in just five weeks. Fifteen million people uprooted. Entire villages massacred. Tens of thousands of women kidnapped and raped. Possibly as many as two million lives lost.

But behind those statistics are

the stories of the men and women who lived through that historic moment, the legacy of which still defines relations in South Asia.

In Pakistan’s southern metropolis of Karachi, students and volunteers are transcribing fragments of oral history collected across the country by the Citizen Archives of Pakistan.

“History for the longest amount of time has been limited to the people who were the rulers or the winners but history has a larger scope. It has individuals who get affected. It has cultures that get affected,” said Aliya Tayyabi, director of the archives.

Sukhwant Kaur, 78, had always struggled to find the words to explain her family’s terrifying escape to the Indian side of the border.

Sitting in her home in Amritsar in north India, the grandmother can still recall with startling clarity the horrors she witnessed as a child of eight.

A mother asking her son to drown her in a river. A small pond with corpses floating in it that was the only place to find water. A woman cutting the umbilical cord of her newborn child with the only thing she could find-a stick of sugar cane.

“I feel much lighter inside having dared to explain all this,” said Kaur.

It is stories like Kaur’s that, for several years now, organizations on both sides of the border including the Citizen Archives of Pakistan, the Amritsar Partition Museum and the 1947 Partition Archive have been hurrying to record and digitize. AFP

PREMIERE. Actress Maggie Grace attends the ‘Wind River’ Premiere at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. AFP

All security measures removed from holy site JERUSALEM―Israeli police said on Thursday all new security measures installed at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a July 14 attack and which sparked deadly unrest had been removed.

“The police returned the security measures to how they were before the terrorist attack at the Haram al-Sharif, before July 14,” police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP in a statement.

Muslim authorities were meeting on

Thursday morning to decide whether to end a boycott of the site over the new security measures and re-enter for prayers.

A tense standoff has been underway between Israel and Muslim worshipers at the holy site for nearly two weeks despite the removal of metal detectors on Tuesday, with concerns of major unrest surrounding Friday prayers if no resolution is found.

Newly installed railings and scaffolding

where cameras were previously mounted were also removed early on Thursday from the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The compound encompasses the revered Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

The removal of the installations overnight prompted Palestinian crowds to celebrate in the streets near the site.

Israel installed the new security measures after an attack nearby that killed two police-

men on July 14.

Muslims have refused to enter the site and have prayed in the streets outside for more than a week after Israel installed the new security measures.

Palestinians view the move as Israel asserting further control.

Israeli authorities said the metal detectors were needed because the July 14 attackers smuggled guns into the compound and emerged from it to attack the officers. AFP

Life

Crocband clog makes waves in Navy

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

D1

Drew Barrymore, John Cena in Crocs’ ‘Come As You Are’ campaign

C

ROCS recently launched its Come As You Are campaign celebrating the uniqueness of individuals and inspiring people to be comfortable in their own shoes with Drew Barrymore and John Cena leading the way together with YOONA and Henry Lau.

“Crocs has never wavered from its identity: optimistic, versatile, comfortable and not afraid to poke holes in convention. Come As You Are is an invitation for people to share their identity, their one-of-a-kindness, which is so important in today’s world,” said Terence Reilly, Crocs’ chief marketing officer.

A world leader in casual footwear known for its iconic classic clog and sandals, Crocs will deploy the campaign throughout 2017 via a mix of digital advertising, social media, and public relations, incorporating the hashtag #ComeAsYouAre featuring its core clogs and sandal styles.

Barrymore, who is currently producing and starring in the Netf lix series Santa Clarita Diet, cites being herself – and being true to herself – as important factors in her drive and success as an actress, director, producer, entrepreneur, author, and mother.

“I am who I am. I don’t know how to pretend to be someone else. I only know how to be myself,” said Barrymore. “I think more people should look in the mirror, stop scrutinizing and start recognizing. As the mother of two young children, I believe that is so important.

It’s what Come As You Are means to me and the main reason I’m thrilled to be partnering with Crocs.”

Experiencing failure made John Cena comfortable in his own skin

Drew Barrymore is featured in Croc’s 'Come As You Are' campaign wearing the brand’s new Isabella sandals From humble beginnings to WrestleMania, appearing in major motion pictures and hosting the ESPY Awards, Teen Choice, and Nickeldeon Kids’ Choice Awards, Cena has spread his “Never Give Up” message to millions of people around

Sfera Casual’s latest collection draws inspiration from AfroCuban essence and life

Afro-Cuban at Sfera POPULAR Spanish brand Sfera continues to bring fashion excitement with its latest collection inspired by the Afro-Cuban trend, with a touch of luxe and sporty.

Afro-Cuban essence and life is reflected in every detail of the collection. Unique garments draw inspiration from Cuba’s cultural richness through color and embroidery. Mustard is the main color, with details of multi-colored embroidery and tassels.

Still dominant, however, are the practical and relaxed items of Sfera’s Casual Collection that form the new sporty style, merging with modern items that give the look a futuristic attraction.

See a fun and stylish mix of bright colors, energetic shades of purple, yellow and blue, and use of sheer and light materials cut in generous proportions. Pieces like cords, zips and classic stripe prints stand out.

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 one hundred 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 on Instagram: @sfera_ ph, on Facebook: SFERA Philippines, and on its international website: www. sfera.eu.

the world. The record 16-time WWE World Champion feels a personal connection to Come As You Are. “The biggest factor in me becoming comfortable in my own skin was to experience failure,” Cena said. “A

lot of times, it hasn’t been popular to have ‘Never Give Up’ plastered all over me, but that’s how I live. It helps a lot of people. The message Come As You Are comes from folks who have been through that struggle, and have

found themselves, and feel comfortable in their own skin.”

In the Philippines, Crocs operates under its new distributor Walk EZ Retail Corporation, in partnership with the SM Retail, Inc.

Fun kiddie crew adventures at Toy Kingdom KIDS had a chance to become part of the Toy Kingdom family during the recent TK Kiddie Crew workshops held at their stores at the SM Megamall, SM Makati, SM Southmall, and SM North Edsa.

TK Kiddie Crew is a five-day workshop for little participants, ages seven to 10. They were chosen from a pool of applicants and trained in different areas around the store. These included customer service, giftwrapping, store welcoming, cashier and demo.

Aside from the in-store training, fun and interactive group activities were also prepared for the Kiddie Crews.

Visit Toy Kingdom in most SM Supermalls and Toy Kingdom Express in The SM Store.

Go to www.toykingdom.ph; ToyKingdomPH at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information Yshiad and JR warmly welcome the customers with their bright smiles and enthusiastic greetings

Xander learns how to giftwrap toys

Cute little cashier boy and girl, Miggy and Erich

Life

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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

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The new look of Montblanc

HE new Montblanc store concept was recently unveiled at Rustan’s Makati. The newly renovated layout boasts an elevated sense of elegance – embodying all that makes Montblanc truly iconic – with dynamic lines, handsome details and an ambiance of true luxury.

“Rustan’s is constantly planning improvements for our stores, to make them even stronger luxury brand destinations. Montblanc Rustan’s Makati is the first concept boutique of the brand in the entire Southeast Asian region, and we’re proud to be its partners in realizing its new global vision,” shares Michael Huang, vice president for Store Planning and Expansions.

From the original 78-sqm floor plan, Montblanc has grown its presence to an impressive 110-sqm luxury retail space. The larger store gives space to more choices for Montblanc customers, offering a bigger selection of leather goods, writing instruments, and of course, beautiful timepieces. “In this new, immersive environment, clients can more fully enjoy the Montblanc experience, which honors contemporary design and the traditions of craftsmanship,” Huang adds.

For more than a century, Montblanc has impressed patrons with its pioneering spirit that honors tradition, excellence in craftsmanship and a passion for innovation. And as it pushes forth into a new decade, Montblanc wants its boutiques to embody that unique optimism and vision of the company.

Taking inspiration from the signature elements of Montblanc, the new concept boutique becomes an immersive retail environment that will encourage people to stay in. Designer Noé DuchaufourLawrance communicates that this will be a space that is pure and which boasts an uncluttered aesthetic.

A powerful palette of black, white and wood, and strong, refined lines

Montblanc Southeast Asia president Matthiew Dupont

build a fitting backdrop on which each Montblanc writing instrument, timepiece, jewelry and leather product can be highlighted and appreciated.

“Montblanc, as a leader and style purveyor, has built a name for itself, crafting pens and watches that are the epitome of quality and luxury. Since Montblanc entered the Philippine market years ago, it has garnered a strong following, endearing its clients with

its highest standards of perfection. As Montblanc evolves, it is only expected that their retail presence also reflects that their new direction,” shares Anton Huang, president of The SSI Group Inc. “Montblanc is more than just a heritage brand, it embodies a unique vision and aesthetic. It is the symbol of the highest standards of perfection. Over the decades, it has become a trusted and well-loved brand because of its open-

ness to evolve through innovation. And as it grows, adapting to the times and changing markets, Montblanc can be assured to find a partner in Rustan’s in realizing its vision. We are very proud to present the new flagship-sized store.

It is truly a wonderful place to experience the essence of the brand and interact with products of impeccable make,” shares Donnie Tantoco, president of the Rustan Commercial Corporation.

With Montblanc’s new concept boutique, rediscover the legacy of luxury and revel in the true Montblanc experience.

Visit the New Montblanc Boutique in Rustan’s Makati, first floor.

Montblanc is exclusively available in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s ShangriLa, Rustan’s Cebu, Greenbelt 5, City of Dreams Manila and Newport Mall, Resorts World.

STOCK UP

on back-to-school pantry essentials WITH summer over and the kids are back in school, it’s time to start thinking about how to help the young ones start off on the right side of the morning, sustain energy well throughout the day, and end on a high note in the evening.

Rustan’s Supermarket helps parents stock up for those school days with nutritious and delicious meals and essentials.

Make sure that the kids are ready for their day with a good, hearty breakfast. Oatmeal is a healthy, fiber-rich option that you can mix with their favorite fruits. You can cook up a breakfast classic like pancakes or waffles with many of the easy-to-make mixes available in the supermarket.

When you’re grappling with time and need to prepare a quick yet nourishing morning meal, cereal and milk is the answer. There are whole-wheat choices that come in sweet flavors for the kids to enjoy. Fruit juices are also easy to pour and will give them a boost of vitamins.

For their baon, create different yummy sandwiches with the supermarket’s wide selection of breads, cheeses, and deli meats. Why not pack them a bagel with cream cheese spread, or surprise them

MyDiamond offers 45 percent discount on all bridal jewelry

Be a brilliantly shining bride with MyDiamond MYDIAMOND offers 45 percent discount on all bridal jewelry for brilliantly shining brides-to-be. Choose from a beautiful collection of engagement rings, wedding rings, and bridal jewelry that will surely bedazzle guests and family.

MyDiamond will make it even more special as they can customize and modify the design of an existing ready-towear item to a different size or color of stone.

As an added service, MyDiamond in-house workshop also accepts madeto-order designs, specific to every customer’s needs and requests.

Complete with in-house certificates, rest assured of the authenticity of MyDiamond products. Be a bride who chooses not only a partner for a lifetime but also diamonds which last forever.

To know more, visit MyDiamond concept stores at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival Supermall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Ayala Fairview Terraces, SM Lanag Premier Davao, or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/MyDiamondPH/ and on Instagram @mydiamondph.

Rustan's Supermarket boasts of a wide selection of pantry essentials to help parents prepare healthy snacks and baon for their kids

with a sweet peanut butter and banana sandwich? You can also easily make their favorite filling meals such as mac n’ cheese or spaghetti and meatballs with pastas and ready-made sauces you can stock in your pantry.

It’s also a good idea to include snacks in their lunchbox that they can easily eat.

Fruit cups, nuts, and oatmeal bars now come in enticing flavors that the kids will be excited to try. Treat them to some cookies — every kid will be excited to see that when they open their bag. Pick out

snacks that are fuss-free and can be eaten even in the bus or car.

At dinnertime, reward the kids with a homemade meal prepared with love.

Make pizza-making a fun activity at home that the kids can join in on. Just buy pita bread or ready-made dough and top with tomato sauce and cheeses. The kids can get creative with the toppings.

For more info, visit www.rustansfresh. com, follow and like rustansfresh on Facebook, and @rustansfresh on Instagram and Twitter.

Mentoring students for the 2017 International Trade Challenge

FEDEX Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, collaborates with the Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines to train 222 high school students from 24 schools in preparation for the FedEx-JA 2017 International Trade Challenge.

With the goal of promoting entrepreneurial interest in the youth, FedEx and JA will provide these young aspirants with training sessions and mentorships from its own experts in market research, logistics, and economics. Through the International Trade Challenge workshop, participants will be equipped with a better understanding of the fundamentals and the importance of entrepreneurship in the economic development of the country.

The workshop will have students develop a business plan as a team, empowered by their new knowledge in market segmentation, pricing, promotion and distribution.

Participants of FedEx-JA International Trade Challenge 2017 workshop

The Top 3 teams will be selected to represent the country in the 2017 International Trade Challenge to be held in Singapore, Aug. 20 - 23. They will compete with the winning teams of other participating countries including Malay-

sia, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Australia. Currently in its 11th year, the program aims to continue fostering the entrepreneurial potential and aspirations of the youth.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

PEOPLE ...are talking about Kita Kita A big movie star could drive a film’s box office performance, but not in this film. The rom-com starring the unlikely pair of Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez is the hottest thing in the local cinema this month based on rave reviews not from paid movie critics but from the moviegoers who have already seen the film. Piolo Pascual, the producer of Kita Kita, is stoked for the positive reviews the film is getting. It reinforces his belief that innovative films that follow a decent plot can win the hearts of film enthusiasts. The film has raked in more than P90 million on its first week.

Dennis Trillo as Felix Manalo in the historical-biopic dramatizing the life of INC's first Executive Minister

‘FELIX MANALO’

Sarah Geronimo The pop star was lauded for her professionalism, and quick thinking, after she continued with her production number following an onstage slip while performing live in ASAP last Sunday. Singing and dancing on high heels, the birthday girl accidentally fell out of balance in the middle of her performance. Sarah G just got up and continued with her fierce number as if nothing happened. What would you do if you were in here shoes?

grand premiere on PBO

MORE people can finally watch the Guinness World Record holder movie, Felix Manalo, as PBO, one of the most widely distributed pay TV channels all over the country, has acquired the rights to broadcast it starting this month.

The acquisition of this remarkable film is just but fitting since PBO has been home to countless blockbuster movies for the past 13 years.

Winner of the Best Picture Award at the FAMAS, and hailed as Movie of the Year at the 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies, Felix Manalo takes a closer look at the life of Iglesia Ni Cristo’s highly esteemed founder.

The challenges he encountered while on a spiritual quest, his romance and marriage with Honorata de Guzman, everything that led to the ultimate foundation of INC in 1914, and even beyond –this epic film reveals them all.

For his portrayal of the title

Cinemalaya It’s that time of the year again where indie films enthusiasts feast over the numbers of fresh productions that give life to local cinema. Every year, emerging filmmakers and their unconventional stories rule Cinemalaya giving audiences alternative options when it comes to big screen entertainment. And with MMFF under fire for being the worst film festival in the country, Cinemalaya starts to position itself as the most important film event in the land.

...are not talking about Nadine Lustre We heard that a big brand has just cut its ties with this year’s FHM’s sexiest woman.

Reason being, the rumor circulating that she’s “living in” with her beau James Reid didn’t sit well with big bosses of the “big brand.” They prefer someone who has a wholesome image and apparently, Nadine doesn’t fit the bill anymore. People notice that the other half of JaDine is confronted by bad publicity of late. Is it because popularity has gone into her head already? Or she has too many detractors who want to pin her down?

Michael Pangilinan He felt relieved that he’s no longer part of Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag The Musical. And his reasons are very strange. He lives in Quezon City and the rehearsals are in Makati, his manager didn’t want said he would be late during rehearsal, which might infuriate the director. Although they consider it as a big career move for Michael, they thought that backing out from the project is more professional. Perhaps, that kind of mindset tells us why Michael remains minuscule star even up to day.

Jessy Mendiola She’s no longer part of Banana Sundae and there are so many speculations as to why she’s out of the show. Just like some of the goodlooking stars out there, Jessy has been at the center of bad rumors, which directly hurt her career. And these rumors have something to do with her attitude and her being unprofessional. Maybe there’s truth in this rumors. Well, you’re guess is just as good as ours.

Contestants try to survive in new reality show

Dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger, and extreme weather, these are the hurdles amateurs need to overcome in AXN's newest series, "Kicking & Screaming"

THE most unlikely couples find their hands full in taking in more than they can handle in the new reality series Kicking & Screaming, which premieres in August on AXN. Ten survival experts are paired with hapless amateurs who have no experience in living outdoors as they fight their way through a series of challenges in a remote jungle of a South Pacific island where they must overcome dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger, and extreme weather.

While the experts are used to surviving in the wilderness, their privileged partners are not, resulting in lots of arguing, bickering, and swearing.

With a cash prize of $500,000 at stake, the

mismatched teammates realize that in order to win, they must work together to thrive in the wilderness and to survive the toughest challenge of their lives.

The show, from Fear Factor executive producer Matt Kunitz, is hosted by New Girl actress Hannah Simone.

Kicking & Screaming premieres on Aug. 7 and airs every Monday at 9:45pm first and exclusive on AXN. AXN is available on SKYCable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38.

AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, July 28, 2017

ACROSS 1 Pizza crust option 5 Narcissist’s concern 9 Racetrack shape 13 Lacking refinement 14 Final tally 15 Go by bus 16 Beside oneself 17 Get acclimated 18 Source of feta cheese 19 Took a sampling of opinions 21 Family man 22 Beggar’s cry 23 Slur words 25 Thug’s piece 27 Tow truck 30 Car or bus 34 To the — (fully) 35 Bone-dry 37 Barracuda habitat 38 Sherbet 39 Loyal 41 Banned bug spray 42 Doctrine 44 Woodlands grazer 45 Not tanned 46 Pencil ends 48 More anxious 50 Audit ace 51 Pistol-packing

52 Broad bean 55 Crocodile feature 57 Rang out 61 Now! 62 Bowie’s last stand 64 Winter Olympics event 65 Descartes’ first name 66 Long-legged bird 67 Verve 68 Make less difficult 69 Sunflower product 70 Fizzled fireworks DOWN 1 Golf hazard 2 Quasimodo’s creator 3 Adored one 4 Forget to do 5 Family member 6 Piano exercise 7 Superman’s mother 8 Grow plumage 9 Pesticide-free 10 Strad 11 “Waterboy” Sandler 12 Certain Wimbledon

calls 14 Neatest 20 Horned bugler 24 Is frightened of 26 Oops! (hyph.)

27 Chess side 28 Kitchen gadget 29 “Maria —” 30 Facade 31 Hot-tub material 32 King-sized spoon 33 PC key 36 Reproach oneself for

39 Porch adjunct 40 Mountain climber’s aid 43 Fugitive 45 Rode a bike 47 Ranis’ spouses 49 200 fins 51 Not in a fog 52 Ticket price 53 Aboard ship 54 UPS trucks 56 Toward shelter 58 Corker 59 Victorian oath 60 Cozy rooms 63 Trendy

role, Dennis Trillo won Best Actor at the FAMAS Awards, and Movie Actor of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies.

Bela Padilla received a FAMAS Best Actress nomination for her role as the wife, Honorata.

The cast is filled with character actors, such as Gabby Concepcion, Mylene Dizon, Jaclyn Jose, Lorna Tolentino, Joel Torre, Phillip Salvador, Alice Dixson, Snooky Serna, Heart Evangelista, and many more.

Felix Manalo also won the following awards: FAMAS Best Director and PMPC Movie Director of the Year (Joel Lamangan), FAMAS Best Screenplay (Bienvenido Santiago), FAMAS Best Theme Song and PMPC Movie Original Theme Song of the Year, (“Ang Sugo ng Diyos sa mga Huling Araw”), and PMPC Movie Designer of the Year (Edgar Martin Littaua, Joel Bilbao, and Danny Red).

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

NO MORE TEASING.

GMA Network has just revealed Heart Evangelista's Korean leading man in the much anticipated primetime series, "My Korean Jagiya."

K-POP STAR ALEXANDER LEE IS

Heart Evangelista’s

Dingdong Dantes is back on the boob tube reprising his role as the vigilante Alyas Robinhood

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Senator Chiz Escudero’s daughter Chesi wanted to go with her Tita Heart to Seoul but wasn’t able to for some reasons. She is a fan of K-Pop and K-drama.

The Korean word “jagiya” (DYA-gya) is “darling” in English.

ISAH V. RED From what her fans saw in Heart’s Instagram posts, the actress has been to a lot of beautiful places that many K-Drama fans have seen when watching the shows. That’s why they say they are excited to watch the show, not only for the stars, but also for the places that Heart had gone to while shooting the series.

Straight from Paris, Heart flew to Seoul, Korea, a couple of days after she went to attend Paris Fashion week upon the invitation of a designer friend that works in the House It didn’t surprise a lot of people as Alexander Lee or Xander of Hermes.

Lee used to be a member of the K-Pop group U-Kiss, which has *** performed a couple of times in the Philippines, therefore, a lot of Dingdong Dantes returns to GMA Telebabad as young Manilans hooked on K-Pop are familiar with him. the pinaka-astig at pinaka-swabeng tagapagtanggol in During the interview, Xander, as most of his fans call him, said the sequel to Alyas Robin Hood, reprising the role he was surprised when he was offered to be in a drama with Heart of Pepe, a former vigilante dubbed as Robin Hood who Evangelista because for quite a time he had been associated with is now a full -fledged lawyer.

K-Pop. In an interview, Dingdong said he feels very much at Several other professional Korean actors will also play important home with the show and treats the cast and crew like his own roles in the original romantic soap opera. That’s apart from Xander family, which is why he’s excited to work with everyone again.

Lee. The first Alyas Robin Hood, a consistent top-rater in the primetime Also in My Korean Jagiya are Janice de Belen, Ricky Davao, block, surprised everyone by ending with an an unexpected cliff Iya Villania, Edgar Allan Guzman, Valeen Montenegro, Frances hanger.

Makil, Jinri Park, and Myke Salomon.

Jaclyn Jose, who plays Pepe’s mother, is kidnapped. This time, Did you know that Heart Evangelista studied how to speak viewers can expect more action-packed scenes coupled with drama, Korean? And she did that specifically when she learned she’d be comedy and a bit of romance. starring in a drama series to be shot in Korea and would have a Also in the cast again are Jaclyn Jose, Andrea Torres, Paolo Korean actor for a leading man.

Contis, Gary Estrada, Rey PJ Abellana, Gio Alvarez, Dave The series will start airing on Aug. 21.

Bornea, Lindsay de Vera, Rob Moya, Anne Garcia, and Luri Before the revelation of Heart’s leading man, she was asked Vincent Nalus. Joining them are Solenn Heussaff and Ruru who her favorite Korean stars are. Her a n s w e r , Madrid.

Rain and Song Hye Kyo.” “Rain Playing a very special role in the series is Edu Manzano.

HE long wait is over as GMA Network finally revealed the identity of the Korean actor who is Heart Evangelista’s leading man in the upcoming primetime series My Korean Jagiya. In the news show, 24 Oras, last Tuesday, showbiz segment host Iya Villania introduced the actor.

Donita Rose whips up some healthy recipes in GMA 7's "Heart Mate Kitchen"

Donita Rose is in

‘HEART MATE KITCHEN’ DONITA Rose takes over the prime time once more as she shares her easy-to-follow and heart-friendly Filipino recipes courtesy of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. Beginning August until October, Chef Donita invades the Kapuso Network with her cooking capsule show entitled Heart Mate Kitchen where she will share with the viewer’s her esteemed recipes that are guaranteed delicious and healthy for the whole family.

The must-watch recipe sequels that will air in between commercial gaps of Unang Hirit, Kapuso Festival, and Sarap Diva are set to inspire a lifetime of enjoyment in healthy cooking. As one of the country’s well-trained celebrity chefs who has honed her skills abroad, Donita had these goals in mind during the recipe planning: to share some of her personal all-time favorite Pinoy comfort food dishes with a gourmet twist and to showcase the versatility of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. “The various recipes I’ve featured in each episode also speaks about simple Filipino recipes that anyone can whip up at home, especially if there’s a Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil that perfectly suits all kinds of cooking techniques.

From sautéing to deep fry, from desserts to sauces and dressing-- the possibilities are endless!” said the Heart Mate Kitchen chef.

The episodes are also filled with hearty conversation and

excitement, as Chef Donita will be sharing her meals with some of the country’s favorite Kapuso stars. Each recipe is bound to set up your kitchen goals for success with Chef Donita’s inventive and encouraging cooking tips!

From the success of last year’s regional festival tour, Chef Donita, with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil and GMA 7, is set to continue visiting the country’s top festivals this year, Cagayan de Oro’s Higala-ay and Vigan’s Raniag Festival. Surely, her can’t-miss cooking demos will point to the direction of whipping up healthy home-cooked meals using the province’s local ingredients.

“The launch of the Heart Mate Kitchen and continued regional festival tour with Chef Donita marks her third year of being the Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil brand ambassador. It is also our way of educating food lovers and passionate home cooks about the value of using a heart-healthy cooking oil in every day cooking. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil does not only make dishes healthy and delicious, it is also budget friendly,” said Fly Ace Corporation Group Product Manager for Edible Oils Zen Prudentino.

An ideal kitchen staple that possesses chock-full of benefits such as Omega 3 and 6 for heart health and Vitamin A for eye sight, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil also has one of the highest cooking points that make it ideal for deep frying. It is also low in saturated fat or bad fats that’s why it’s a favourite brand of every health-conscious chef and home cooks.