Manila Standard - 2017 August 01 - Tuesday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 168 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Police vow more raids a´ la Ozamiz

By Francisco Tuyay and Rey E. Requejo

M

ORE drug suspects on President Rodrigo Duterte’s list will fall in the coming days, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Monday.

“There will be more. Just wait,” Dela Rosa said, one day after Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his wife Susan and 10 others were killed in a police raid on their property. Police said the mayor’s men opened fire on them, triggering a two-hour long shootout that left 12 people, including the mayor, dead.

But a man claiming to be a survivor of the raid told ABS-CBN News that nobody on the mayor’s side had opened fire, and that the police had started the raid by hurling a grenade into the mayor’s house.

Duterte last year said Parojinog

Slain mayor’s daughter (who is also Ozamiz vice mayor) and his son Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., detained at Camp Crame, are to be charged with illegal possession of drugs, firearms, according to the Department of Justice. was among the mayors on his list that were involved in the illegal drug trade.

The mayor’s daughter, Nova Princess Echavez and his son Reynaldo Jr., who were arrested, were flown to Manila and brought

to Camp Crame Sunday and detained at the PNP’s Custodial Center after being booked.

Dela Rosa said they were doing an extensive case build-up against the drug suspects on Duterte’s list of narco-politicians.

He said the death of Parojinog and the 11 others “should serve as a warning to everyone.”

“The PNP will not be cowed by a person’s status when it comes to law enforcement,” he said. “As far as law enforcement is concerned, we have no fear or favor.”

Since November last year, two other mayors on Duterte’s list have been killed.

They were Samsudin Dimaukon of Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, who was killed as he and his men were reportedly transporting illegal drugs in Makilala, North Cotabato, and Rolando Espinosa, who was killed in his jail cell in a Next page

Drug raps on Cebu trader, 7 others

By Rey E. Requejo CEBU businessman Peter Lim, and seven other suspected drug lords have been charged before the Justice Department for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The complaint filed by the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier this month, also charged Kerwin Espinosa, inmate Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Max Miro, Lovely Adam Impal, Ruel

Malindangan and Jun Pepito for the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

A department task force on illegal drugs is set to conduct a preliminary investigation of the charges.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has issued a lookout bulletin order against Lim and other respondents, alerting the Bureau of Immigration to monitor their possible flight.

“In view of the gravity of the offense filed against the abovenamed individuals, there is like-

lihood that they might leave the country to place themselves beyond the reach of the lawful processes of the concerned offices,” Aguirre said in his order.

Espinosa, a confessed drug dealer and son of slain mayor Rolando Espinosa, is currently under the government’s witness protection program after he testified against Senator Leila de Lima, who is detained on drug charges.

Co is a high-profile inmate in the New Bilibid Prison recently transferred back to the maximum secuNext page rity compound.

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS. Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez (left) and her brother

Reynaldo Jr. (in red bull cap, right) arrive at the Naia Terminal 3 Monday guarded by security authorities, a day after police raided the house of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and two other areas, with the mayor and at least 14 others dead in the hail of bullets. Norman Cruz

DoJ exec faces graft over case ‘downgrading’

By Macon R. Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Monday called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Justice Undersecretary Reynante Orceo for downgrading the charges against Supt.

Marvin Marcos and his group, who were involved in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap inside a

AT THE READY. Marine troops Monday walk past a graffiti scrawled on shopfronts during one of their daily patrols along a deserted street in the battle frontlines of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. On July 22, Congress voted to extend President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao until yearend. AFP

Marawi still danger zone for evacuees, AFP warns

By John Paolo Bencito THE residents of Marawi City have not yet been cleared to return to their war-ravaged homes, the military said Monday even “transitional shelters” are being planned for them instead of the “tent cities” as earlier planned.

Military spokesman Restituto

Padilla said those allowed to return to their homes were the residents of the municipalities outside Marawi or those within the vicinity of Lake Lanao.

“We would like to correct recent news regarding the return of IDPs [internally displaced people] to their areas, and we would Next page

Asean, China ministers draw up code of conduct

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

of conduct that will halt any unilateral actions in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

THE foreign secretaries of the Foreign Affairs spokesman Association of Southeast Asian Robespierre Bolivar also said the Nations and China are set to en- COC’s framework was expected dorse the framework for a code Next page

jail in Leyte.

He said Marcos and the other former members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 should be investigated for “manifest partiality, evident bad faith and inexcusable negligence.”

“It is very clear that officials led

by Undersecretary Orceo colluded in order for the charges against Marcos and his men to be down-

graded from murder to homicide, so that they could post bail and be freed,” said Drilon.

Drilon said there was a clear violation of the anti-graft law on the part of Orceo, who claimed at a Senate hearing that he acted on his own when he downgraded the charges against Marcos and his men.

“His action caused undue injury to the republic and to our justice system. What they did is a mock-

ery of our justice system,” Drilon said.

“That is the very reason why faith in our justice system remains low despite everything that we’ve done to ensure a fair and efficient justice system,” he added.

The minority leader said he will recommend to the committee of public order and committee on justice that a case be filed against Next page Orceo.

7 loggers beheaded

by Sayyaf

By Francisco Tuyay ABU Sayyaf bandits beheaded their seven victims whose bodies were found on the outskirts of Maluso town in Basilan on Sunday afternoon, an official said Monday.

In a statement, Chief Supt.

Reuben Theodore Sindac, regional director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the decomposing bodies of the seven victims were recovered separately in Basilan’s forested areas.

Sindac identified the victims as Nestor de Venagracia and his son Ely, both residents of Lower Mahayahay village in Maluso town; Berto Lacastesantos, 48, Hernando Sally, 53, Renato Casiple Jr., 36 and Rene Sanson, 28, all residents of Campo Barn in Switch Yakal, Lantawan; and Mamerto Falcasantos, 55, of Next page

PHASEOUT CONDEMNED. Members of the Truckers Association cause a traffic gridlock Monday while

staging a protest rally in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Quezon City to condemn the phaseout of trucks aged 15 years from the date of their manufacture. Lino Santos

Priest entrapped with minor at Cainta motel

By Vito Barcelo THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has stripped Monsignor Arnel Lagajeros of his duties after he was caught in what police said was an

entrapment operation at the lobby of an unidentified motel with a 13-year-old girl in Marikina City.

Police sources said the priest was also removed from his post as president of Cainta Catholic College, which is operated by the

Cainta Church, ecclesiastically known as the Our Lady of Light Parish Church, one of the oldest churches established in Rizal.

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, head of the CBCP’s legal Next page

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

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Wage hike a pittance, says labor

By Vito Barcelo THE Associated Labor Unions has rejected the P16 wage increase offered by the wage board it described as way below the P184 pay raise filed by the labor group before the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region last month.

Last year, the labor group sought P154 wage increase but the wage board granted only P10.

The P16 is on top of the current P491 daily minimum wage the 6 million minimum wage earners working in 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila are receiving.

“The wage board [members] announced they are amenable to grant P16 in view of the P184 wage increase petition filed by ALU on June 6—a year after the effectivity period of the current P491 daily minimum wage rate had lapsed on June 2, 2017,” ALU spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said Monday.

The ALU filed a P184 wage increase petition to restore the real value of P491 which had been eroded by 27 percent in May 2017.

Records from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and National Wages and Productivity Commission as of May 25, 2017 show the purchasing power of P491 is P357.

Tanjusay said: “We reject the P16 wage hike being offered by the wage board. We rather urge the wage board to be relevant and responsive to the needs of workers and their families by raising the workers’ daily pay to P675.

“The workers who helped built the country’s consistent high economy growth through their toil and sweat does not deserve P16.”

He added: “A sinking purchasing power of workers’ daily wage means lowering of the quality and quantity of nutritious food that is so vital to workers’ productivity at his work and to his family.

“A lowered purchasing power will also affect the health of the children.”

The ALU is the biggest labor federation in the country.

It has large union members in services, manufacturing, and agriculture plantations working in both public and private sectors.

Tanjusay said they expected the wage board to announce its final decision on the wage petition next week which is composed of two representatives from employers’ group, two from labor organizations, and one each from Department of Labor and Employment, National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Priest...

Palace: Leftists stay in Cabinet

By John Paolo Bencito

L

EFTIST members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet are bound to stay, Malacañang said Monday despite calls from a top critic to kick them out already after they allegedly encroached all branches of government.

“As far as the Office of the President is concerned, we see no reason why the three so-called leftist members of the Cabinet will have to be removed. The President continues to repose trust in them,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra told a Palace news briefing.

Guevarra said that with the re-

peal of the Anti-Subversion Law, there was no reason that those espousing ideals of the left should be outlawed, or kicked out from government. “...the very purpose of that repeal of the Anti-Subversion Law is to ensure that people who advocate Communism, Socialism, Marxism, Maoism, et cetera, will not go underground and that

Police...

Crame instead.

Police said about P1.4 million in cash, half a kilo of what appeared to be shabu and firearms were taken from the vice mayor’s home.

Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for the vice mayor, said they will seek the dismissal of the charges, and questioned the legality of the police raid.

Topacio questioned why the raid was conducted at 2:30 a.m., when rules require that search warrants be served in the daytime.

He also said his client should be released because the PNP failed to file a complaint within the 36hour period prescribed by law.

The lawyer of the Parojinogs disputed police claims that the raiders were met with a volley of gunfire from the mayor’s security personnel when they were about to serve the search warrants for the alleged presence of illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms.

Documents showed that six search warrants were signed by Executive Judge Cecilyn BurgosVillavert of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89.

The warrants specified that authorities were allowed to conduct searches at “any time” during day or night.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, a critic of the administration, said the predawn police raid on Sunday was “highly suspicious” but acknowledged that Parojinog was a “big fish in the war on drugs.”

“I was there in Ozamiz in 2013, I campaigned there. Almost everybody was afraid of the Parojinogs,” Alejano said.

“It is only right that the law caught up with them, they should pay for what they did in the past,” he added, saying the Parojinogs have been linked to kidnapping.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said any doubt on the legality of the killings arising from the police anti-drug raids against the Parojinog political clan should be resolved by an impartial investigation to be carried out by the Justice Department.

Senator Francis Escudero on Monday said a search warrant should not be a “death warrant” and said the Senate could investigate the Ozamiz City killings.

Escudero, a member of the majority bloc in the Senate, said he

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Leyte jail by a police raiding team that said he had fired on them first.

Dela Rosa defended the police raid on Parojinog, whom he said was involved in a bank robbery and kidnapping case in Metro Manila, and who had links to the Martilyo Gang and the Kuratong Baleleng Group.

“It is a legitimate operation,” he said.

But doubts were cast on the operation when it was learned that the raiding team had disabled the CCTV cameras in the house of Nova Princess while the raid was going on.

Dela Rosa said this was improper, and that he would have Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, police chief of Ozamiz City, investigated.

“That is not right. That is the reason we are inviting the media, barangay officials each time there is an operation, so we can be transparent. The CCTV forms part of that transparency,” Dela Rosa said.

Director Roel Obusan of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said the raiding team had no intention of killing anyone.

“It just happened that they engaged our men,” Obusan said, adding that one of their men was slightly injured as a result of the volley of shots that met them as they approached the mayor’s house.

He cited the arrest of Nova Princess and brother Reynaldo Jr. as proof that they were not sent to liquidate the mayor and his family.

Dela Rosa said if he would have his way, he would have wanted Parojinog alive to answer the charges against him, but said he wanted his men to be alive even more.

“After the smoke clears, it should be the good man standing and the bad man lying on the pavement,” he said.

Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr., the two children of slain Parojinog, were to be charged Tuesday before the Justice Department.

Inquest proceedings were scheduled on Monday, but the CIDG asked that they be held at 1.p.m. Tuesday in Camp

they join the legitimate organizations, so that they can espouse whatever they want to espouse,” he said.

Guevarra added: “That’s why we have these groups also in Congress. So if we have these groups in Congress, why don’t we have them as well in the President’s Cabinet?”

On Sunday, Senator Antonio Trillanes III claimed he had received information from the military that hundreds of cadres from the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA were now officially employed in various government agencies.

The National Democratic Front had earlier nominated Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, National Antiwould not be surprised if one of his colleagues would file a resolution to investigate what happened.

Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan cited the suspicious circumstances behind the raid: a search warrant being served past 2 a.m., and the disabling of CCTV cameras.

He also said there were no injuries to the police.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said “whatever are the circumstances of the deaths, at least this time, the mayor and the others killed were not under detention in a government facility.”

Lacson, a former police chief, was referring to the killing of Espinosa inside his jail cell last year.

A Palace official said the Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Ombudsman need not secure the permission of the President to investigate the Ozamiz City raid.

“There is a presumption of regularity in all this. If there is anyone who will complain that something irregular happened, then an investigation will have to be done.

For now, we presume regularity,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said of Parojinog’s case.

The statement ran counter to the President’s earlier statements warning the CHR and the Office of the Ombudsman to stop investigating his war on drugs.

The Palace official said that while Duterte instructed the police to hunt down all names in his narco-list, this does not mean that he is aware of the details of all police operations.

“The President need not be involved in things like this. These are police matters and the police will have to take care of that.

They have their own internal procedures for dealing with matters like this,” Guevarra said.

“As far as I know, aside from his general instruction to eliminate drugs and all people who supported the illegal drug trade, he has no particular or specific participation in any of the actual police operations,” he added.

He also told administration critics to file charges if they believed there were irregularities in the way the raid was conducted. With Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and John Paolo Bencito

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department, is expected to lead a separate investigation of Lagarejos’ attempt to have sex with a minor.

Lagajeros, who holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology, was not available for comment, and is facing human trafficking and child abuse charges filed by the police.

“If the Church found that there was wrongdoing, the priest must be punished. We will send our investigation [result] to Rome,” Cruz said, short of giving out other details.

Antipolo Bishop Francis de Leon said the priest was caught in an entrapment Friday night conducted supposedly to apprehend minors involved in prostitution which police said was facilitated by an unidentified 16-year-old pimp.

Police did not say if charges would also be filed against the pimp.

Bishop De Leon appealed to the public to “refrain from issuing unnecessary comments that might worsen the situation” and instead asked the faithful to pray that the truth might be uncovered.

No other details were available.

DoJ...

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“I would ask the committees handling this case that the Senate stand by its finding that Mayor Espinosa was murdered and that we must recommend the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative charges against Orceo and whoever colluded with him,” Drilon said.

Asean,...

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to be approved by the Asean and China on Aug. 6.

“We expect the Asean-China foreign ministers to endorse the Framework of the COC at their meeting on Sunday,” Bolivar said, adding that would show the strong “commitment” of the two parties to reach the goal for a more binding COC. Bolivar said the framework would be one of the major agreements that will happen during this week’s Asean ministerial meeting to be hosted by the Philippines, the bloc’s chairman this year.

This week, the Asean ministerial meeting and post-ministerial conference meetings, includ-

A former Justice secretary, Drilon said Orceo violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by “causing any undue injury to any party, including the government in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

Earlier, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II supported the DoJ resolution to downgrade the charges against all those involved in the killings.

ing the Asean Regional Forum, will be held from Aug. 2 to 8 in Manila.

Bolivar said US secretary of State Rex Tillerson may attend the forum, the world’s largest security gathering among the 10 Asean foreign ministers and their counterparts from 17 regional partners including the US, Japan, China, Australia, Russia, South Korea and North Korea.

“Yes, Secretary Rex Tillerson is confirmed to attend the Asean-US, EAS and ARF Ministerial Meetings,” Bolivar said.

The Declaration of Conduct was signed in 2002 between China and the Asean, a nonbinding edict aimed at reducing the tensions in the region and preventing the claimant-coun-

tries China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan from aggressively pursuing their claims.

The Code of Conduct, on the other hand, is a more binding edict that was enshrined in the DOC. It hopes to further promote peace and stability in the economically vital sea lane.

The creation of the COC, the Asean said, must be “legally binding” to put a stop to the “unilateral actions” in the South China Sea. But Bolivar said it would be unlikely for the Asean to make the framework of the COC available before the public.

He said the Asean and China were able to finish the framework in May, a month earlier than the deadline set in June.

Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza, and Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor chairperson Secretary James Mark Terry Ridon to join Duterte’s Cabinet—as part of his efforts to seek better ties with the left.

However, recent developments led to the scrapping of peace talks, with Duterte branding the Communist Party of the Philippines as “enemies of the state.”

Military spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla reiterated calls for communists to lay down their arms before talking peace with the government.

In the same news briefing, Guevarra played down as “colorful language” Duterte’s apparent threat for the police to finish the communist armed wing New Peo-

Drug...

From A1

In a Senate hearing last year, Espinosa tagged Lim as top illegal drugs supplier in Central Visayas.

An earlier National Bureau of Investigation report to the Justice Department said that Lim, who met with Duterte a year ago to deny that he was a drug dealer, is the same personality in the drug matrix released by the President last year.

However, the bureau said the involvement of Lim in the illegal drug trade was a matter yet to be investigated.

Also on Monday, the Dohabased news network Al-Jazeera said fishermen claim they have been dumping bodies of alleged victims of the bloody war on drugs near Manila Bay on orders of the police, but the Palace dismissed the report as hearsay.

A local fisherman who goes by the name of “Manuel” claimed that he has personally disposed of 20 bodies that authorities called “trash.”

“We usually throw them out in Manila Bay,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Sometimes we put weights on it, so it doesn’t float up.

One of the dumped corpses, the report claimed, was known to the police as a drug pusher.

Responding to the report, Malacañang said that critics better present proof that the alleged killings were taking place.

“As far as we are concerned, those are mere allegations, if there are no evidence to back up that. Then that remains hearsay,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a Palace news briefing.

Shortly after winning the presidency, Duterte warned that

Marawi...

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like to set the record straight that current plans to allow the return of residents to their places of residence applies to IDPs who are residents outside the City of Marawi,” Padilla told reporters in Malacañang.

He made his statement even as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday the number of Maute group members left in Marawi City was down to 30 to 40 fighters as government forces continued to track them down.

“They are just a handful. I think they are down to only 30 to 40 fighters but don’t discount them as these are good fighters and we are still taking casualties,” Lorenzana said.

“In fact, we had one killed and nine wounded some three days ago and yesterday. Clearing operations are still ongoing.”

The displaced residents of Marawi City who may want to stay with their relatives in the municipalities along Lake Lanao could do so, Padilla said.

But he said they must register with the municipality for accounting purposes and distribu-

ples’ Army “within five years”— or before he steps out of office.

“As to the statement of the President to wipe out the NPA, I guess that’s just colorful language, all right to mean actually ‘let’s go and deal with this long standing problem.’ All right, this has been going on for long, long time and it’s just a matter of priorities. We now have the Marawi problem, so we deal with that first. We focus our attention on that. Then after that, well, the government will just continue with what it has been doing before,” he said.

Padilla likewise described communist attacks as “very treacherously planned,” as he justified the cancellation of the peace negotiations out of Duterte’s apparent anger amid the lack of sincerity from the communists. the 1,000 persons summarily executed since 1990 as claimed by the New York-based Human Rights Watch will reach 100,000 if he becomes the country’s president.

“You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out,” he said in May 2015.

“Because I’d kill you. I’ll dump all of you into Manila Bay, and fatten all the fish there.”

Thousands of people have died since President Rodrigo Duterte took office last year and ordered an unprecedented crackdown on drug-related crimes that has drawn global criticism and allegations of widespread human rights abuses.

The Duterte administration defended its drug war against critics, saying reported figures-from 7,000 to 9,000--were overblown.

As soon as he got into office, Duterte waged his controversial drug war resulting in more than 3,151 deaths from July 1, 2016 to June 13, 2016 alone, according to government statistics.

Official data from the Philippine National Police have also pegged the total number of homicide cases at 9,432 from July 2016 to March 2017.

Of this number, 1,847 deaths were said to be drug-related, while 1,894 were not. The remaining 5,691 cases, or about 60 percent of the total figure, were still under investigation.

Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive has also resulted in a 26.45 percent drop in the estimated total drug market, and 28.57 percent reduction in index crime, PNP data shows.

Government data showed that authorities have facilitated the surrender of 1,304,795 drug suspects from July 1, 2016 to June 6, 2017. tion of relief goods.

The three-month siege in Marawi has displaced, more than 104,000 families who now live in more than 70 evacuation centers all over Marawi.

Transitional shelters and not tent cities will be built for residents affected by the ongoing siege.

Padilla said a resident who returned to Marawi was hurt after being hit by a stray bullet.

Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima said they had yet to build shelters since government agencies like the National Housing Authority must first decide where those should be built.

He said his office was coordinating with the displaced residents of Marawi and asking them whether they preferred to live in tents or in transitional shelters.

But Padilla said the priority was still the clearing of Marawi City and other affected localities of unexploded ordnance before the government could start a full-blown recovery and rehabilitation.

Some 40 to 60 terrorists are believed to be holding 80 to 100 hostages, Padilla said.

With PNA

7 loggers...

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Santo Niño in Matarling village in Lantawan town.

All seven were said to be loggers who were kidnapped in separate occasions on July 20.

Sindac said the bodies of the victims were turned over to their respective families while their case was still being investigated.

In February this year and in November last year, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded German national Jurgen Kantner and Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel after their families failed to pay ransom.

The bandits are still holding dozens of kidnapped Asians and Europeans while the military continues to look for them.

News

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte’s budget for 2018 lower by 70%

Faeldon slams ‘smear campaign’ on raid photo

By John Paolo Bencito

By Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s 2018 budget gets a 70-percent decrease from its record-high expenses in the past year, the proposed P3.767trillion budget showed. From a high of P20.030-billion budget in 2017—the Office of the President gets to spend a budget of around P6.031 billion for 2018, but still much higher than the P2.82 billion in the last year under the previous administration.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra attributed the decrease with the country finishing off with the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year—wherein more than P15.5 billion were allotted.

For 2018, the OP’s traveling expenses will be down to more than P884-million from P2.1 billion in the last year. Confidential and intelligence expenses will remain the same at P1.25 billion, while extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses rose to P19.8 million from 12.06 million the past year.

Professional services, meanwhile, will amount to P302-million, down from P2.1-billion while representation expenses likewise lowered to 8.9-million from 10.09-million in 2017. On the other hand, the OP’s other expenditures are communications expense (P103 million from P1.3 billion in 2017); professional expenses (P302 million from P2.1 billion in 2017); and rent/lease (P111 million from P2.3 billion in 2017). Salaries for OP personnel amount to P1.035 billion while capital outlay is at P370-million.

Palace communications meanwhile, are being handled by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which has a separate budget.

With the changes on how the budget is being presented —presidential oversight programs get more than P3.69 billion; presidential advisory programs is at P56.39 million; some P34.44 million will be allocated for presidential legal and legislative services; and presidential executive staff services programs will amount to P1.119 billion.

As part of the President’s oversight programs—the Office of the Cabinet Secretary gets a new line item in the 2018 budget with more than P4.68million appropriation, allocated for “locally funded project(s).”

C

USTOMS Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has denounced the circulation of a photo on social media which showed him in the company of the owner of the warehouse where P6.5 billion worth of shabu was seized and described it as a smear campaign against him.

The photo, which is making its rounds on the internet, maliciously implies that it was taken before the raid was conducted

by Bureau of Customs operatives last May 26, the BoC chief said.

Raw photos of the raid from the Office of the Commissioner indicated that a similar photo was indeed taken on the day the Hongfei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela was raided.

Faeldon said he reluctantly agreed to the request of Richard Chen, the warehouse owner, to have a photo with him out of courtesy.

“This attempt to link me in the apprehended shabu is outrageous. The photos themselves will prove that I only met Mr.

Chen on the day of the raid itself,” Faeldon said. “The people behind this malicious attack only proved that I had crossed big names in the illegal drugs trade. However, this will not slow down our fight against drugs,” he said.

Meanwhile, some P2.7 million worth of smuggled iPhones 7 Plus and charges were intercepted from a Chinese passenger who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The foreign passenger identified as Wen Congkai from Xiamen, China, failed to produce import documents, including a permit from the National Telecommunications Commission.

As this developed, Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep.

Raneo Abu said that the “scandalous” P6.4 billion worth of shabu allegedly smuggled at the Bureau of Customs has negated the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and the National Police, some of whose members died during anti-illegal drugs operations.

Abu said the alleged shabu smuggling at the BoC headed by Faeldon undermined President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

“It is scandalous that P6.4 billion worth of imported shabu was mysteriously released by BoC while a great number of AFP and the PNP have sacrificed their lives in their effort to stop the local production and proliferation of illegal drugs,” Abu said.

Abu made the statement even as the House committee on dangerous drugs, chaired by Surigao Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, is set to conduct a congressional probe as to why the large shipment of shabu passed through the express lane of BoC over which Faeldon and his chief of staff have directsupervision.

Abu also cited a recent Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency data which showed that methamphetamine imports into the Philippines rose to 2,495 kilograms

THE country’s oil firms raised pump prices by P0.50 per liter for diesel, P0.40 per liter for kerosene and P0.35 per liter for gasoline due to the movement of world oil prices.

“Effective August 1, 2017, 12:01am, Flying V will implement the following price hikes, gasoline by P0.35 per liter, biodiesel by P0.50 per liter and

Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Anthony Estrella, Customs Deputy Commissioner, Capt. Gerardo Gambala and Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon take their oath before testifying at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Monday, July 31, 2017, on the seized P6.4 billion worth of smuggled shabu from China. At left, Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba II takes his turn to testify in the same hearing as Senators Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III listen intently. Ey Acasio

kerosene by P0.40 per liter,” the company said in its advisory.

Eastern Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines also issued separate advisories on the oil price increase while other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

Last July 25, the oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.90 per liter, kerosene by P0.80 per liter and diesel by P0.65 per

liter due to “increase in demand from US and China.”

Domestic pump prices follow the movement of world oil prices on a weekly basis as more than 90 percent of the country’s fuel requirements are imported.

World oil prices have been going up due to rising demand amid falling supply.

Energy Department director Melita Obillo said factors that had an impact on pump prices

last week includes higher consumption from China and India, slowdown in US drilling and “US threat of sanctions against Venezuela’s vital oil sector in response to Sunday’s election of a constitutional super-body.”

Analysts are predicting that world oil prices will stay at the $60 per barrel due to continued demand as US crude inched closer to $50 per barrel last week.

DoJ ends SMC’s estafa case vs Indonesian

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has terminated its preliminary investigation into the P50 million estafa complaint filed by the infrastructure unit of San Miguel Corp. against Indonesian businessman Shadik Wahono and his company.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victoria said that Wahono, through his counsel, filed a counter-affidavit during Monday’s preliminary investigation on the case filed by San Miguel Holdings Corp.

Victoria said the case is

The two lawmakers said the President could not assume command responsibility in the embarrassing incident that happened at the BoC. “President Duterte has no inkling about the issue. Clearly there is no command responsibility there,” Acop, the House committee on public order and safety chairperson, said.

“In fact, the incident has insulted his intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.”

Barbers said “the President is the victim here because what is ironic and strange here is that this shabu smuggling happened right under the very noses of BoC.” Even as the House gets ready to conduct its own probe, Faeldon and other officials of the BOC got a “dressing down” from the senators for allowing the large shipment of shabu from China which is owned

by EMT Trading to pass through the Super Green Lane.

“Either you are incompetent or you are corrupt!” said Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon as he interrupted Senator Panfilo Lacson who was then grilling Custom officials on the Custom’s selectivity system in the use of SGLs.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Photo shows (from left), Customs

PH oil firms hike prices anew

By Alena Mae S. Flores

in 2016, more than four times the amount in 2015.

“I cannot reconcile how the present BoC leadership can claim to be supportive of President Duterte’s top agenda while the said illegal drugs shipments were released under their watch,” Abu added.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, House special committee on Metro Manila development chairperson, said the government should ensure that the perpetrators are punished.

“We should bring to justice culprits so we can send a strong message to the public about the unrelenting campaign of the President against drugs transporters. Let the ax fall to whoever is guilty without fear or favor,” Castelo said.

Abu also agreed with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez when the latter said the controversy involving Faeldon and lawyer Mandy Therese Anderson, Faeldon’s chief of staff, is all about illegal drugs and not related to the Speaker’s recommendation to promote a BoC officer.

Reps. Romeo Acop of Antipolo City and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte said the buck must stop with Faeldon.

deemed submitted for resolution after SMHC manifested during the hearing that it would no longer file its rejoinder to Wahono’s counter-affidavit.

“It’s already submitted for resolution,” Victoria said, in an interview.

In its complaint, SMHC accused Wahono of misrepresenting his company, PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada, as the legal owner of Citra Central Expressway Corp shares that it acquired.

SMHC argued that CLGP cannot be the legal and beneficial owner of such shares since the

subscription price was actually paid for by Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. funds of which SMHC was also a beneficial owner at that time.

Aside from estafa, Wahono is also facing a qualified theft case before the Regional Trial Court of Marikina City for allegedly causing CMMTC, which was jointly owned then by the SMHC and Wahono, to make an unauthorized disbursement, which he then used to incorporate another company called CCEC. SMHC alleged that the transfer of money was listed as a loan

from CMMTC to Wahono’s PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada, for the incorporation of CCEC. Subsequently, the accused entered into a separate partnership with SMHC for CCEC, to undertake the Skyway Stage 3 project. But SMHC said it did not know that Wahono got the money from the jointly owned CMMTC to fund the establishment of CCEC. According to SMHC, Wahono and his co-accused did not notify the CMMTC board and shareholders about the loan, which, consequently, did not have board approval.

‘Budget ready to rebuild hospitals’

By Macon Araneta A TOTAL of P2.5 billion from the P164-billion proposed budget of the Department of Health will be allocated to rebuilding and reconstructing health facilities destroyed in Marawi when the terrorists from the Maute group invaded the city.

Speaking in a forum sponsored by FOCAP and the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines on “Public Health Impact of Armed Conflicts,” DoH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said they are constantly meeting with other sectors for a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction plan for Marawi.

She said they had estimated P2.7 billion for the rebuilding of damaged health facilities on the aftermath of the war between government forces and the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists in Marawi.

She said the DoH plans to rebuild Marawi into an ideal health system to copy the Cuban model for healthcare system.

The goal, she said, is to build one health station in each of Marawi’s 96 barangays, one rural health center for every 20,000 people, one lying-in facility and polyclinic for every 50,000 people, and one hospital bed for every 800 people.

She said that the DOH-run Amay Pakpak Medical Center, which can serve up to 320 patients, is the only hospital in Marawi.

“So it’s overstretched, but they have about 114 doctors, so they are coping. And they’re hiring contractual nurses and other personnel,” said Ubial, adding that the DOH has trained the staff of Amay Pakpak Medical Center on mental health to address the concerns of the evacuees.

She added that they have deployed over 300 medical and nursing personnel to Marawi and gave medicines to evacuees.

“We provide all the medicines, so none of the evacuees are asked to buy the medicines they need. Everything is provided by the Department of Health.”

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Endorsement power

A

COPY of a letter from House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, sent to Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, has made the rounds of social media.

In the letter, Alvarez endorsed the appointment of one Sandy Sacluti as Customs Operations Officer V at the Formal Entry Division of the Port of Manila. He highlighted Sacluti’s masters’ degree in customs administration, his 15-year experience in the commission and his exemplary performance in exceeding

Adelle Chua, Editor

the collection target for January 2017.

Alvarez did not only recommend the appointment; he “strongly recommended” it. As a parting line, he told Faeldon: “Your favorable action on this matter would be highly appreciated.”

We now know that the request had not been favorably acted upon, and

that the head of Faeldon’s Customs staff did not take too well to being pressured by an emissary of Alvarez. She called him “imbecile” on social media.

We trust they could sort their bickering and name-calling themselves, but the incident reminds us how commonplace the practice is in public service—even the fourth highest official of the land, a seasoned politician, does not believe he was doing anything out of the ordinary.

Referrals do serve a purpose. They are used even by hiring officers of companies to vet the qualifications and background of an employee.

It makes sense for an organization to rely on the word of a third party to establish if an individual is fit for the role he or she is aiming for.

Unfortunately in the Philippines, endorsement has become a currency of power.

Many employees are hired, transferred or fired on account of their affili-

ation with prominent officials. It does not necessarily mean that that candidates are dumb; it just highlights that they have an edge over their competitors.

The practice becomes dangerous because it opens up opportunities for payback. How can you say no to the person who was responsible for putting you where you are, to begin with?

It’s culture, all right.

Filipinos are big on relationships and gratefulness. Those in powerful

positions revel at their opportunity to do somebody a favor—perhaps it boosts their sense of importance.

When the endorsement is rejected, even for sound reason, they take it as a personal affront. It’s ego, first and foremost.

It rankles, and just because it is common practice does not been we have to accept it. We should aim, instead, for a culture of merit. It will be a long, uphill battle, but it is the only way patronage—and all the ills that come with it—can be defeated.

A second chance for the BBL

Congress probes will be conducted by the opposition in aid of the continuing effort to remove Duterte on this specific matter will die out quicker than most. The Parojinogs, with their criminal record, their illgotten political clout and even the Hermes bags favored by one family member, are simply not the sort of people that would look good in a Pieta-like posed photograph of EJK victims.

Even Senators Franklin Drilon and Francis Pangilinan, who have already made noises about alleged irregularities in the assault, should understand that. At the very least, they should know that they have to pick their battles against Duterte’s very popular war on drugs very carefully, unless they are willing to pay the high political price. *** What the citizens should learn, in turn, from what happened in Ozamiz last Sunday is

IN THE next few months, Congress will have another change to cement peace in Mindanao by passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law, a draft of which was submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte last July 17, 2017. The new BBL draft is slightly different, better crafted in my view, from the version submitted in 2014. President Benigno Aquino III had certified the 2014 draft urgent, but that become controversial, and was ultimately derailed by the Mamasapano tragedy.

Similar to the older draft, the 2017 version was prepared by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, a joint panel composed of representatives from the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, joined this time by a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front.

As I earlier wrote in Mindanews, the urgency of establishing a Bangsamoro homeland acceptable to the people, especially to our Muslim brothers, cannot be underestimated. I pointed that the Marawi siege illustrated the critical importance of preventing extremist ideology from taking hold among our Muslim brothers. Disillusionment and despair are the instruments which will push moderate Muslims from going over to the side of Islamic extremism. If the Bangsamoro was created in 2015, with the MILF installed during the transition as the caretaker government, I am sure they would have been able to stop the Maute group from escalating their terrorist activities.

The BBL, as drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, is designed to supplant the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It remains an autonomous region but one endowed with the highest form of self-governance short of sovereignty.

The Bangsamoro will enjoy political and fiscal autonomy within the context of the Philippine government. By political autonomy, it means the Bangsamoro will have less interference by the central government and the Bangsamoro people given a greater latitude in governing themselves. Fiscal autonomy on the other hand means that the Bangsamoro shall be given the freedom to generate their own income and revenue which will make it more self-reliant and self-sustaining.

When the BBL is created, it will have an asymmetrical relationship with the Central government, meaning it will not have the same relationship that the national government has with national agencies or even with local governments. That is consistent with the Constitution where autonomous regions are in

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

That bloody Sunday LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES THREE mayors linked to the illegal drug trade have already been killed. Perhaps it’s time for those still involved in this nefarious activity—as well as those critical of the campaign against them—to rethink their position.

Naturally, I expect those opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs to use the killing of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Parojinog Sr. for political reasons to look to ratchet up their criticism after last Sunday’s events. But I do not expect them to gain any more adherents to their cause, mainly because the members of the Parojinog clan do not fit the profile of poor, powerless and innocent victims of Duterte’s drug war that his critics like to rhapsodize about.

The Parojinogs of Ozamiz, after all, founded the notorious Kuratong Baleleng gang, which started as an anti-communist movement before it embarked on a nationwide crime rampage.

Though the family may have “diversified” to local politics, employing a strategy of Robin Hood-style patronage and oldfashioned fear to keep the people of a sleepy provincial capital in its iron grip, it apparently still considered the drug trade as an important part of its investment portfolio.

Of course, the usual investigations that follow such sensational incidents can be expected to commence soon, focusing on such things as the ill-timed service of the search warrants and the disconnecting of the closedcircuit television cameras by the members of the police raiding team. But I expect a quick end to such efforts, which will mostly be initiated (especially in Congress) by people who wish to make political capital

out of the raid.

There will be little mileage that can be gained from the bloody assault, anyway.

The pre-dawn arrival of the

What’s to stop some other criminal ringleader in some other Ozamiz from following the Parojinog template? cops was necessary, after all, because the Parojinogs had enlisted the local populace in their defense, through “vigils” con-

ducted nightly outside their compound to protect the clan from inconvenient arrivals of police teams. If the police had to deal with the “people power” shield employed by the Parojinogs, the body count would have been a lot bigger and the suspects could have easily escaped.

The disconnection of the CCTV cameras was required because they would have telegraphed the arrival of the police at the compound. The Parojinogs did not have to know what they were up against, the better to elude their captors.

As Senator Panfilo Lacson implied, the police seem to have learned from the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and have now followed procedure in the assault on the Parojinog compound. And Lacson knows not only how badly the police bungled the Espinosa case, but also how the Kuratong Baleleng syndicate that the family founded operates.

I suspect that whatever

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Opinion

The Customs broker has conRELI German, a well-known public relations guru, used to tacts among other Customs peobe my student at Ateneo High ple, like those in charge of entry School. He called me a few and examination. If a problem weeks ago to tell me that the ensues, the broker goes up to class of 1955, which I taught higher Customs officials who English and History, would be demand more money. Sometimes, the importer has to fork honoring their class teachers.

I would be honored with over millions when the smugOnofre Pagsanghan and Greg gling entails millions more.

This has not changed. CusBrillantes, Reli said.

But the date came and only toms people can easily be bribed Pagsi and I were able to make despite the automation of the it to the High School batch 1955 process.

Another method is through event.

The testimonial had the head- influential politicians who have ing “To Sir With Love.” The text succeeded in making their prosaid: “A testament of apprecia- teges hold sensitive and powertion and gratitude to our teacher, ful positions at the agency.

Even if you put St. Michael as Emil P. Jurado, in grateful acknowledgment of all that he has Customs commissioner, smuggling won’t stop because the done for us.”

To all my former students, my system promotes it.

Other countries have already heartfelt thanks.

Truth to tell, those were the privatized their Customs funcmost momentous days of my tions. Perhaps we should conlife. At one point or another I sider that. *** interacted with my students who One would think that the Sulater on became successful in preme Court is farthest from their fields.

I brushed aside their youth- having justices involved in a ful follies, frailties and inad- controversy over the purchase of equacies, the lack of attention bullet-proof luxury vehicles.

The Chief Justice complains and concentration. They were about the insufficiency of fund 13-year-old kids at that time. for the Supreme Curt, and yet *** she is accused Reports that of purchasing smuggling of a P5.1-million contraband Toyota land goods and Cruiser. even the entry Many of them Of the 15 of P6.4 billion it worth of shabu became successful justices, looks like CJ through the exMaria Lourdes press or green in their fields.

Sereno is the lane without exception. The inspection do other justices not surprise me continue to at all.

I was business editor of the use the old vehicles assigned to Philippines Herald in the 50s them.

Aside from this issue, Sereno and 60s and I covered Customs for years. I can tell you that no has been accused of other things. amount of congressional inves- Justice Teresita Leonardo-de tigation or reshuffle from top Castro said she had violated to bottom will end smuggling at the collegial rule that orders —appointments and travel that agency.

Take that report of shabu that allowances, for instance—must ended up at a Valenzuela City be approved by the Court en warehouse. The importer whose banc when they go abroad.

If these accusations are provname was attached to it had so many other imports to his name. en, Sereno should be impeached That should have alerted Cus- for betrayal of public trust. *** toms officials.

President Rodrigo Duterte If shabu smuggling is being done at the Port of Manila, we should no longer engage Comcan imagine how it goes in other munist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison in a ports.

I have said it before—so long word war. This will only make as there is demand for illegal the communist insurgents bedrugs, there will always be syn- come newsworthy.

Mr. Duterte has already made dicates ready to supply it.

My gulay, even the United his point—after Marawi, he will States has a $50-billion cocaine concentrate on going after the communists. Thus, he should problem!

It is also reported that smug- say no more.

Talking with the rebels is an gling of vegetables, fruits and meat continues at Customs. exercise in futility. From the What is being done about them? start, I have warned the PresiPerhaps we should ask Customs dent and the entire government Commissioner Nick Faeldon, a panel that the insurgents really do not want peace. They resort Duterte appointee.

Smuggling and corruption at to banditry and extortion in the Customs is not difficult to un- countryside. They are no longer derstand. You just have to have ideologues!

So, yes, Mr. President. Go afa dishonest Customs broker and corrupt personnel to take a ter them with the full force of the law! bribe.

That bloody...

From A4 not to sell their votes to their local warlords, especially the sort that have a history of violence and criminality like the family that founded the Kuratong Baleleng. The rise of the political fortunes of the Parojinogs, after all, is a textbook case of a criminal syndicate that expanded into the political realm in order to expand its influence and to protect itself.

Of course, you can also say that voters, especially those living in impoverished communities all over the country, have routinely come to expect the sort of patronage that local political warlord clans like the Parojinogs dispense. At the same time, I know of so many politicians who say that, even if they are not running a criminal syndicate, they are practically being forced into a life of crime just so they can pay their way to office or to counteract the same strategy when it is

employed against them.

That the Parojinogs have so effortlessly transformed themselves from criminals to local political warlords is something that Duterte must address.

Surely, killing off the members of such a notorious political clan can give pause to people of similar intent; but the root causes of such political anomalies must be address, as well, if we are ever to rid ourselves of unsavory characters who have decided that they also need to become elected leaders of their localities.

The Parojinog family may have been stopped in its tracks in Ozamiz after Sunday’s bloody events. But what’s to stop some other criminal ringleader in some other Ozamiz—or even in the same Ozamiz, for that matter—from following the same template?

I don’t really know. But for the moment, at least, I am comforted that such scandalous political aberrations don’t always end up the way they were so cynically planned.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sereno-ty

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

A testimonial from my students

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR OUR good friend lawyer Larry Gadon, who belonged to a very small circle of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo supporters who gave her moral, media, and legal support throughout her years of detention, is charging yet again into another political fray. This time he’s threatening to file an impeachment case against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

Larry famously made it into the top 24 senatorial circle last year on a shoestring budget of a couple hundred thousand pesos.

A gourmet cook, part-time lounge singer, and regular guest on kapihans and radio-TV, he currently presides over PDu30 CoRe, the oldest of the federalism advocacy groups that have mushroomed under the president from Mindanao. *** In his latest outturn, Larry says he will charge the CJ with failure to disclose all her assets in her annual SALN as required from all public servants. He refers to what he says were her multi-million peso fees earned when she privately lawyered for the Philippine government in the Piatco case contested years ago before an international court.

Ordinarily, such non-disclosure would simply be an administrative offense easily resolved by

correcting and refiling one’s SALN. But it was the same charge that was used to impeach, try, and convict Sereno’s hapless predecessor, the late CJ Renato Corona—an epic public lynching that was liberally greased, we now know, by hundreds of millions of pesos in misappropriated DAP moneys paid as bribes to congressmen and senators.

There are other alleged irregularities he plans to bring up against Sereno: Purchase of a luxury SUV worth over P5 million, plus another P3 million for bullet-proofing, with Supreme Court funds at a time when Duterte has called for austerity; Delays in approving and releasing survivorship benefits to as many as 200 relatives of justices and judges who’ve passed away; Other instances of delay—such as in the change of venue for the Maute trial from Marawi to Manila—for which Larry says he’s still gathering his evidence.

If Corona had to go down for an erroneous SALN, so too should his successor. “Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander,” Larry exclaims. And if Sereno survives this challenge, it can only be credited to the sole difference between the situations of both chief justices: Corona’s targeting by a vindictive, bribe-paying, law-breaking, Asperger’d BS who couldn’t resist parlaying his misplaced filial affections into an executive-legislative conspiracy to misuse the justice system for the destruction of a

decent man.

*** And now for an update from the administration of a president who is as transparent with the BSs that regularly fly out of his mouth, as he is about the Filipino heart that he unabashedly always wears on his sleeve: Early last Sunday, Ozamiz City mayor “Aldong” Parojinog and his wife were killed in a gunfight with PNP-CIDG troopers who raided their house armed with search warrants issued against alleged drug personalities in Misamis Occidental. Firearms and drug paraphernalia were found in the mayor’s house and those of his relatives who were also raided.

The Parojinogs had gained notoriety as a powerful dynasty in Mindanao, even before their names were included in a long list of drug-linked politicians that Duterte brandished before TV cameras in the early months of his administration. It’s safe to say that any tears shed for them by most people will be, at best, reptilian.

Aldong in death claimed the dubious honor of becoming the third mayor to meet his maker because of drugs. Last November 5, Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte was killed inside his jail cell by policemen led by a Supt. Marvin Marcos, who has since been reassigned to head the PNP CIDG in Central Mindanao, where it’s possible that Aldong was also attended by his Marcosian ministrations.

And a week before that, on October 28, “first to fall” honors

were claimed by Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao, who was killed with nine of his bodyguards while traveling in a convoy in North Cotabato.

There are many more high and mighty names in that druggie list held by Duterte. If you consider the revolving door through which dynastic politicians regularly transit—today a mayor, tomorrow a congressman, back to mayor the day after, sometimes even a senator if they do really well—you can imagine how high up the drug influence can reach.

Those cash bundles totaling P78 million that the soldiers stumbled across in Marawi give you a good idea of what we’re up against. And that kind of cash falling into ISIS hands gives you an even better idea of how much worse it could still get. *** If you ask any of the 85 percent of Filipinos who supported Duterte in the latest surveys what they think should be done with those blue-chip names in his druggie list, it’s safe to say that the consensus reply might make the do-gooders in the US Congress and EU Parliament throw up their hands in horror.

“Kailangan ding sampulan ang mga talagang drug lord.” Enough with the small fry, now let’s go after the big fish. It’s rough justice, to be sure—but justice all the same.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

Jeepneys must be phased out HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA IT IS called the king of the road, not because of a royal pedigree, which it does not have, but because its driver behaves like an absolute monarch, who has no regard for the law and for other motorists.

The jeepney has come a long way since it was created out of surplus and scrap left by the United States military in the Philippines in the aftermath of World War II, to address the post-war shortage of land transportation.

Today, instead of being a solution to the land transportation problem, the jeepney has become the land transportation problem in the country.

For starters, there is no truth to the claim that the jeepney is an original creation, one made right after the war. It is merely a remake of the pre-war era Austin cab, better known by elderly Filipinos and historians as the auto-calesa.

The jeepney is also an impractical means of land transportation.

It occupies road space approximately half of that of a regular passenger bus, but it accommodates only about 20 percent of what half of an entire passenger bus can accommodate. That means more road space is used up for less people—impractical by any road engineering standard.

It is a very unsafe means of transportation as well. Many jeepney drivers today move their vehicles at reckless, breakneck

A second...

From A4 fact granted more powers than ordinary local governments.

The BBL delineates the powersharing arrangement between the national government and the Bangsamoro. It also defines the functions of a ministerial system of government, the sharing of powers and wealth from its natural resources, the process of normalization, provisions for transition and modalities, and fiscal autonomy. In my view, some more work is needed to refine the sharing of powers so that the BBL is not declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Definitely, as drafted, the Bangsamoro is a big improvement over ARMM in its grant of powers.

Certainly, it is faithful to the spirit and letter of the CAB. I welcome the establishment of a ministerial government in the Bangsamoro, with the Bangsamoro Assembly exercising legislative and executive powers. The cabinet will be composed of the Chief Minister who is elected by majority vote from among the members of the assembly, two Deputy Chief Ministers, and such other ministers necessary to perform the functions of government. This is a good experiment in governance, especially because the Bangsamoro Parliament is designed

speed, unmindful of the possibility of messing up in a road collisions.

Many jeepneys have worn-out tires which can easily make the vehicle skid on wet roads. Those tires are also likely candidates for blowing out, which can make the driver lose control over the vehicle. In those instances, the safety of the riding public is threatened.

There is pronounced threat, too, to pedestrians who may be struck by a jeepney the tires of which have blown out, or which skated on the wet road, thanks to its worn-out tires.

Many jeepneys are a collective threat to public health. Because they are often improperly maintained, they belch smoke, often thick enough to impair road visibility for other motorists. Their diesel engines also produce an invisible, noxious gas that, if inhaled over long intervals, causes lung cancer.

Metropolitan motorists will readily attest that almost all jeepney drivers do not use their headlights when traversing the roads at night. Whether this practice is prompted by a miserly attempt to save up on battery power, or because the headlights no longer function in the first place, is anybody’s guess.

One thing is for certain. Like the proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the sand, the jeepney driver assumes that if he can see another vehicle at nighttime, the driver of that vehicle can see his jeepney. Good grief!

Another thing is certain.

The jeepneys that do not use their headlights at night make

nighttime motoring a dangerous activity.

It will be readily observed by anybody in the metropolis that jeepneys stop whenever and wherever they please, even at nonloading zones, oblivious to the inconvenience they cause to other motorists. This practice also contributes to the traffic mess in the metropolis.

A jeepney driver will comply with traffic rules only when there is a policeman or traffic enforcer within his visual range.

In areas where police visibility does not exist, the jeepney driver will readily violate traffic rules with impunity.

When a jeepney driver is accosted by cops for breaching traffic rules, he behaves like a docile lamb and sports a hypocritical smile in the hope that he can talk or bribe his way out of the mess.

In those instances when a jeepney driver is involved in a collision and it is evident that he was in violation of traffic rules, his typical, impertinent remark is “naghahanap-buhay lang naman ako” (I am just trying to earn a living). Huh? Since when was poverty a license to disregard the law?

The jeepney driver may be a docile lamb in the presence of a policeman or a traffic enforcer, but he is bold as a lion in their absence.

Check out the area where the jeepney driver sits. He keeps a hidden arsenal of sharp stones, ready to throw at private motorists who shout invectives at him for his disregard for traffic rules. When he is asked what the stones are for, he feigns ignorance.

The new law prohibiting distracted driving has overlooked the jeepney driver who receives fares with one hand, while the other hand is on the steering wheel. That act is clearly an instance of distracted driving. If a driver of a vehicle is prohibited from using a mobile phone while he is driving, a jeepney driver should be prohibited from making financial transactions while driving. Obviously, driving and collecting fares do not mix. That is why buses have conductors who collect passenger fare. That way, the driver of the bus is not needlessly distracted.

Bus drivers in America cannot be cited as an excuse. These drivers collect fares from each boarding passenger the moment the passenger steps inside the bus.

Moreover, the bus driver collects fares when the bus is motionless, and is at a bus stop.

Many jeepney drivers do not carry driver’s licenses, and yet they are on the public roads.

That’s lawlessness.

In past administrations, attempts to phase-out jeepneys were met with threats from organized jeepney groups. They conduct crippling transport strikes and hold traffic-causing rallies at major roadways. That kind of behavior is unacceptable in a country where the rule of law is purported to prevail.

President Rodrigo Duterte should go ahead with the phase out of this anachronistic vehicle which has become a public nuisance. The sooner they are gone from the roads, the better it will be for the public interest.

to be party-driven rather than personality or family dominated.

In the Bangsamoro, the competence of the Shari’ah justice system will established under the jurisdiction of the Shariah courts. However, Shari’ah shall only be made applicable to Muslims. Aggrieved parties residing in the Bangsamoro may have recourse to the local courts, or among Muslims to the Shari’ah district or circuit courts.

Both the 2014 and 2017 drafts of the BBL vow to protect vested and inherent rights including civil and proprietary rights. Included in the guarantees are the human and proprietary rights, customary rights and traditions of indigenous peoples. In my view, these provisions can still be improved, including through an explicit reference to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. Otherwise, IP groups will again oppose the BBL. As it was in the 2014 version, the current draft of the BBL provides the sharing arrangement in taxes of the Central Government in taxes, fees, and charges collected in the Bangsamoro, other than tariff and customs duties. Twenty-five percent will go to the Central Government; and seventy-five percent to the Bangsamoro. However, under the new draft, the annual block grant, which is the share of the Bangsamoro in the national revenue of the central government,

was increased from 4 percent to 6 percent. This is good as it will provide the Bangsamoro with a solid financial base.

The BBL provides that government revenues generated from the exploration, development and utilization of all natural resources in the Bangsamoro, inclusive of mines and minerals, shall pertain fully to the Bangsamoro government. In the case of fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) and uranium, the same shall be comanaged and the revenues shared equally between the Central and Bangsamoro governments.

The BBL proposes both core and expanded territory for the Bangsamoro. Unfortunately, the plebiscite for areas (municipalities and barangays) included in the core and expanded territory of the BBL should exclude their current home provinces. In my view, that is constitutionally flawed and the BBL could be declared unconstitutional just because of this. These provisions should be written in a way that they are separable from the rest of the BBL. This way, most of the law will be saved in the event that these provisions on territory and plebiscite are nullified by the Supreme Court.

Although I think it can and should still be improved, I support the enactment of the BBL. I am hopeful that we are now prepared to move

forward on the Mindanao conflict, with a president from Mindanao and who understands the problem, a super majority in Congress, and with the two major armed groups in Mindanao, the MILF and the MNLF, committed to peace.

The government, the MILF, and the BTC are to be applauded for bringing us to this point. Aside from President Duterte, MILF Chair Ibrahim Murad, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, and Peace Adviser and Secretary Jesus Dureza, I congratulate and praise the two chairs of the implementation panels of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Irene Santiago and Mohagher Iqbal, and the members of the BTC. Of course, Chairman Ghazali Jaafar and the members of the BTC should also be praised for their good work.

I expected the President to make a strong pitch for the BBL and for federalism in the State of the Nation address he delivered last week.

To my surprise, he mentioned both only in passing. I hope this did not mean the President is not committed to get the BBL enacted. That would be so terrible. If this second chance fails, we will have more Marawi sieges in the future. God help us all when that happens.

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News

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DDB called out on irregular spending

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has identified the six highest officials of the Dangerous Drugs Board involved in “irregular and irrelevant” spending of agency funds in 2016 totaling P1.486 million.

In its audit report, CoA said 98 percent or P1,485,800.63 out of P1,513,246.50 total claims for representation expenses were invalid as these were incurred “for personal purposes,” were not supported by receipts and other required documents, used credit cards not in the name of persons claiming reimbursement, and include gasoline claims even if the person who filed was not eligible after receiving transportation allowances.

The irregular reimbursement claims were filed by the following officials of the DDB: Executive Director—P410,075.91, Deputy Executive Director—P119,253.20, Deputy Executive Director for Administration—P189,592.31, Permanent Board Member—P412,113.72, and Chief, Legal Affairs Division—P119,412.08 “The nature of the expenses incurred and the lack/absence of supporting documents attached to the DVs [disbursement vouchers] cast doubt on the regularity and propriety

of the claimed representation expenses,” auditors said.

The DDB officials were questioned for the reimbursement due to the absence of documents to support/justify the legality or validity of the claim— P1.046 million petty expenses that should not be considered expended for official meetings—P113,321.61 items/services that were “glaringly personal in nature—P92,305.21, tape receipt or original receipt not readable—P75,179.15, expenses incurred during weekends and holidays—P62,251.58, fuel expenses —P61,486.03, paid with credit cards not in the name of person claiming reimbursement—P31,600.01 and purchases made away from the venue of an official meeting—P3,651.37 The CoA said the expenditures were in violation of several existing rules including the Government Accounting Manual for National Government Agencies which limits claims for representation expenses for official meetings or conferences; COA Circular No. 2012-001 which lists documentary requirements for valid claims of reimbursements; and CoA Circular No. 2012-003 which defines policies on the prevention of “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures.”

Plug tax leaks, group asks BIR

By Bill Casas AS THE Duterte administration pushes the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion, a series of amendments to the country’s taxation system, members of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino on Monday staged a picket in front of the Bureau of Internal Revenue main office in Agham Road in Quezon City to call for a pro-labor, pro-poor version of the tax reform bill.

BMP also asked the BIR and Congress to stop corruption by punishing corrupt BIR officials, to plug tax leaks caused by legal but immoral tax avoidance, and to remove incentives enjoyed by multinational corporations.

“The proposed TRAIN is antipoor and anti-labor. Its proposed increase in personal tax exemptions would only benefit less than 30 percent of the population since minimum wage workers—who are at the 7th decile of family income distribution—are already exempt from withholding taxes,” said Leody de Guzman, BMP national president, in a statement.

“Worse, it would make up for the loss revenue in increasing income tax exemptions by imposing higher excise taxes on goods that are directly and indirectly consumed by the public such as sugared beverages and petroleum products, while lowering taxes that weighs down the privileged elite such as estate taxes. It is a train that is not only on the wrong track but also run over the workers and the poor,” De Guzman said.

De Guzman said President Rodrigo Duterte must be reminded of the Constitutional mandate for a progressive taxation system.

He said taxes on consumption, such as excise and the VAT, are generally regressive. Even if the majority poor consume less that the affluent few, higher consumption taxes would mean a bigger portion of their low income would go to taxes, especially because most, if not all, of their income are spent and have no propensity for savings.

PARTNERSHIP AGAINST CORRUPTION. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu (left) and Dante Jimenez, founding chairperson and president of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption display the memorandum of agreement formalizing their partnership in combating corruption and environmental crimes during a ceremony at the DENR office in Quezon City on Monday, July 31, 2017. Under the MoA, the VACC will assist in gathering, reporting, referring and submitting names or evidence to the DENR pertaining to its officials and employees who are involved in anomalies, corruption and crimes. The VACC also agreed to assist victims and witnesses against erring DENR personnel. PNA

DOTr, Customs agree on proposed draft CAO

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Department of Transportation has ironed out its differences with the Bureau of Customs over the proposed provisions in the draft Customs Administrative Order on the jurisdiction over container yards and facilitation of permits within the South Harbor and the Manila International Container Port.

“The PPA [Philippine Ports Authority] and BoC have discussed each other’s requirements and are working together to address the need of Customs for an area where they can secure seized and abandoned cargoes, among other concerns.

The free-flowing of containers in and out of the port is essential to prevent another port conges-

tion,” DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Fernando Perez said.

“We don’t want a repeat of 2014. Therefore, it is necessary for all agencies to work together in crafting this CAO,” he added.

The issue stemmed from several provisions in the draft CAO allowing BoC to establish temporary storage for overstaying and

abandoned cargoes within container port terminals that are under the jurisdiction of the PPA. BoC commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, PPA general manager Jay Santiago, BoC’s lawyer Althea Acas, and other DOTr ranking officials had a meeting last July 17 to discuss the provisions of the Customs order and settle the issue.

“After our discussion with the Bureau of Customs, we were able to sort the differences in so far as interpretation of the CAO is concerned,” Santiago said.

He added that the BoC has the mandate to regulate bonded container yards outside port terminals. However, those inside port terminals, whether operated

by PPA or by private operators, should be regarded as components of the entire terminals.

Hence, these fall under the supervision of PPA and should not

be treated separately.

The collection of fees and permits, as well as licensing within port terminals, shall be under the supervision of the PPA, while those outside shall be handled by the BoC. “As far as port terminals are concerned, that should still remain with the PPA but doon sa container yards outside of the ports, that will be under the supervision of the BoC,” Santiago said.

Atty. Acas, project manager of BoC’s Project Management Office, for her part, said she welcomed the development “as we continue to improve our system of storage and facilitation of trading goods in partnership with the PPA and our stakeholders.”

At present, the draft CAO is being presented to stakeholders for further fine-tuning and amendments, and is pending approval

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has suspended an Aquino administration order which mandates the implementation of a compensation and position classification system and the index of occupational services as part of efforts “to eliminate any excessive, unauthorized, illegal and/or unconscionable allowances, incentives and benefits” for state-owned corporations.

In his Executive Order No. 36 signed Friday, July 28 but released only on Monday, July 31, Duterte suspended the implementation of Executive Order No. 203, which adjusted compensations for employees of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) issued by former President Benigno Aquino III in March 22, 2016.

“When the new administration came,

With PNA

‘More jobs to open for nurses, teachers’

BOOKS AND TOYS. Media relations officers of senators donate books and toys to the children affected by the ongoing conflict in Marawi City on Monday, July 31, 2017. Ey Acasio

Duterte issues EO suspending Aquino’s order

By John Paolo Bencito

from the Finance Department.

A draft CAO seeks to implement Section 307 of Republic Act 10863 by imposing rates for storage services in identified customs facilities and warehouses.

PPA assistant general manager Hector Miole said Section 804 of RA 10863 allows the BoC to impose an annual supervision fee on operators of CFWs and customs bonded warehouses, but not for warehousing and storage services.

He said the draft order must be amended to clarify that it is the PPA and not the BoC that has the duty to provide warehousing and storage services and impose fees.

Miole also rejected the BOC’s plan to declare CFWs as part of the BoC’s premises since these facilities are under the PPA.

there was a felt need to review this so that any excessive bonuses and allowances will have to go. And it appears that some government agencies also could not comply with the requirements under EO 203, maybe for some requirements like rationalization or the budgetary requirements and so forth and so on,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a Palace news briefing.

In the interim, the compensation framework of GOCCs, including their subsidiaries, will be covered by the new measures under EO 36, subject to the approval of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG)—the central policy-making and regulatory body that monitors and oversees GOCCs' operations.

For GOCCs covered under the Salary Standardization Law, the GOCC will adopt the Modified Salary Schedule

and authorized benefits.

But for those SSL-covered GOCCs who have insufficient funds, partial implementation of the Modified Salary Schedule and authorized benefits will be allowed provided that it will be at uniformed percentage across all positions for every GOCC. Meanwhile, GOCCs exempted in the SSL may maintain their current compensation framework or adopt the Modified Salary Schedule.

SSL-exempt GOCCs which adopted the Modified Salary Schedule have limited benefits and allowances, their compensation framework subject to conversion or revision (i.e., from job grade to salary grade), and their midyear and year-end bonuses subject to GCG guidelines.

However, authorized salaries of incumbent officers and employees and

collective bargaining or negotiation agreements in the GOCC sector will not be affected.

The interim measure will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017.

During his State of the Nation Address last week, Duterte said that he would not approve requests to raise salaries, allowances and benefits in government companies, calling them “excessive.”

“I am not inclined to give increases right now, maybe 7 years from now,” Duterte said in his annual address to Congress.

“I expect speedy reforms along this line. We will rightsize the government.

Let’s trim the excess fat and add more muscle through the expeditious passage of the act rightsizing the national government to improve public service” he said.

MORE than 105,000 job openings will be available at the Department of Education and the Department of Health next year, Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr., deputy majority leader, said Monday.

“Besides the 81,100 new teaching positions that will be filled up by DepEd, the DoH will also be hiring another 24,415 allied health professionals, mainly for deployment to rural districts,” Gullas said.

In the proposed P3.767trillion General Appropriations Act for 2018, the DOH has a P9.7-billion allocation to take on an additional 20,527 nurses, 3,108 midwives, 446 physicians and 324 dentists, according to Gullas.

“These job vacancies at the two departments augur well for our newly licensed teachers and nurses who are still looking for gainful employment,” Gullas said.

In the last 15 months alone, Gullas said the country produced a total of 109,732 new professional teachers.

He added that in the last 12 months, the country also produced a total of 16,901 new registered nurses.

Both figures were based on new licenses issued by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Gullas is the author of bills seeking to upgrade the entry-level basic remuneration of teachers and nurses in

the public sector from Salary Grade (SG) 11 to SG 15.

At present, at SG 11, teachers and nurses in government receive a starting monthly salary of P19,620, which will increase to P20,179 by Jan. 1, 2018, and then to P20,754 by Jan. 1, 2019, under Executive Order 201 of 2016.

Under Gullas’ proposal, at SG 15, the two groups of licensed professionals in the public sector will get an entry-level monthly pay of P27,565, which will rise to P29,010

by Jan. 1, 2018, and then to P30,531 by Jan. 1, 2019.

This developed as a total of 3,572 Philippine-educated nurses took the US licensure examination for the first time from January to June this year, in the hope of practicing their profession in America.

The figure is up 22.7 percent compared to the 2,910 Filipino nurses that took the US NCLEX for the first time (excluding repeaters) in the first semester of 2016.

The number of Filipino nurses taking the NCLEX for the first time is considered a reliable indicator as to how many of them are trying to obtain US licenses and seek employment in America.

A total of 6,322 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time in the whole of 2016, up 18.8 percent from 5,320 in 2015.

Sports

A7

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sweet sweep for Sepfourteen S EPFOURTEEN entered the history books with his biggest, most dominant win yet as he pulled off a sweep of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Triple Crown Series on Sunday at the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park, in Naic, Cavite.

Jockey John Alvin Guce and the three-year-old chestnut colt delivered the emphatic win for SC Stockfarm--a seven-meter triumph against a fading bunch, led by eventual second placer Hiway One and third placer Smokin’ Saturday.

More importantly, Sepfourteen clinched horseracing immortality as the 11th member of the legendary list of earlier Triple Crown winners such as Fair and Square in 1981, Skywalker (1983), Time Master (1987), Magic Showtime (1988), Sun Dancer (1989), Strong Material (1996), Real Top

(1998), Silver Story (2001), Hagdang Bato (2012) and Kid Molave (2014), who, interestingly was also ridden by Guce.

Sepfourteen used his staying power in the 2,000-meter race, the longest in the three-leg series, to frustrate the nine-horse field as he caught up with the pack, led for most of the way by Smokin’ Saturday, at the final 600 meters.

“Striking distance lang, mga third to place lang muna kami.

Then, pa-half mile, doon kami kumilos. Naramdaman ko na po na malaki ang chance, kaya pag-

dating ng homestretch binigay ko na,” said Guce.

The three-year-old colt sired

by Consolidator and Regal Boom then charged home with a final burst of speed to claim the win, which was worth P1.8 million for owner Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez, who counting his P500,000 bonus for the sweep and their first two wins, earned a whopping P5.9 million in the series for Sepfourteen alone.

“Masaya, hindi ko ma-explain ang feeling. From the second leg, more than a month ang preparasyon, kaya sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan this time, convincing. And convincing naman,” said Velasquez. “Pahinga lang muna siya, then sasalihan namin ‘yung malalaking yearend races.”

One of those big races is the Presidential Gold Cup in December.

Meanwhile, Metamorphosis, who raced instead in Philra-

com’s Hopeful Stakes after two forgettable finishes in the Triple Crown’s first two legs, beat Bossa Nova (second) and Cerveza Rosas (third) to win the P600,000 prize for owner Hermie Esguerra, whose Salt and Pepper also topped Philracom’s Locally-Bred Stakes Race, with Battle Chacha and Caloocan Zap in second and third place, respectively.

The three-leg series is patterned after the United States’ Triple Crown, with its three legs comprised of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, also with progressively longer distances.

Also on Sunday, the Philracom began its random drug-testing protocols on horses, starting with Stony Road Horse’s Oceanside, who ran in the 3YO Locally-Bred Stakes Race.

“Drug-testing is a sign that we are already a world-class racing

authority,” said Philracom’s Executive Director Dr. Andrew Rovie Buencamino, who added that the drug-testing will initially be a six-month dry run in order for the horse-racing body to perfect the entire procedure.

“We are giving this drug testing six months na trial run in order to perfect and find the loopholes. We don’t want to immediately impose it na hindi namin napapag-aralan nang maigi kung ano ‘yung mga dapat naming gawin. Kaya we are also studying the protocols abroad, kasama ako, si Dr. Jojo Kambay, who is the head of our laboratory here,” he said. “The results of our tests will be confidential. During the six-month dry run, we won’t impose penalties yet. Kasi hindi pa nga namin sigurado kung perfect na ‘yung program. Maaring may chance na may mali pa kami.”

Blu Girls end up 10th in world tilt THE Philippine Junior Blu Girls split their final matches, repeating over Dominican Republic, 2-0, before bowing to Mexico, 3-5, again to finish 10th in a field of 16 in the 2017 WBSC Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Clearwater, Florida.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls shut out the Dominicans behind the heroics of pitcher Sierra Lange, who allowed only three hits to strike out the opponents.

Juliet Omul, Mary Maguad and Erika Fernandez also combined for two runs in the fifth and sixth.

The Blu Girls, however, yielding to Mexico in their next game, suffering back-to-back losses in the last two days.

“The Junior Blu Girls did an excellent job in this tournament, finishing strong against some of the best teams in the world. Our players delivered and I know that, with the experience they gained from this competition, they will do even better in future matches,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier.

He also expressed hopes that the team can still improve their skills in time for upcoming competitions.

Yeraldin Carrion earned the win for Mexico, pitching a onehitter and giving up one run and walking one in a closeout job over two innings. Royevel Palma, who gave up two hits and three runs in the last 3.2 innings, took the loss.

The Philracom, through drugtesting firm Neogen, began its drugtesting protocol on Sunday during the final leg of the Triple Crown Series.

Here, a Neogen agent secures a urine sample from a participant horse.

Lino Santos

Acena, Del Rosario share PPS net honors MARCUS del Rosario romped off with victories in singles and doubles while Bea Acena pulled off two singles wins and one doubles feat as the NCR bets dominated the Orchard leg of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala age group tennis tournament in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday.

Del Rosario went through some anxious moments in the semis, thwarting EJ Geluz, 6-4, 6-4, before trouncing Stefano Gurria, 6-0, 6-3, to claim the boys’ 16-and-under crown in the Group 2 tournament sponsored

by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

The Alabang ace later teamed up with Lorenz Quitara to crush Geluz and Gurria, 8-2, and pocket the 18-U doubles plum at the Orchard Golf and Country Club tennis courts.

The third ranked Acena upended No. 2 Gabby Sandejas, 6-1, 6-3, in the semis then the Valle Verde Country Club bet overpowered sibling Renee Acena twice, 6-2, 6-2, in the girls’ 16-U finals, and 6-1, 6-0, in the 18-U championship.

The Acenas later routed Elise Geluz and Denise Bernardo, 8-0, to run away with the 18-U doubles title in the four-day event backed by Asiatraders Corp. and the new Unified tennis group, led by PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s and B-Meg. Other winners were Cavite’s Kean Enriquez, Samuel Nuguit from Las Piñas, Diego Dayrit and Gabriel Tiamson, both from Alabang, Melody Dizon from Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Elise Geluz from Imus, Cavite.

Enriquez swept Frank Dilao, 4-0, 4-0, for the 10-unisex plum; Nuguit whipped JT Bernardo, 6-1, 6-2, for the boys’ 12-U crown; Dayrit blasted Joaquin De Leon, 6-0, 6-0, for the 14-U title; and Tiamson held off Gurria, 6-3, 6-0, for the 18-U diadem.

Celebrities gear up for Cobra Ironman in Lapu-Lapu A PACK of local celebrities take time out from their busy schedules to test their skills on the sporting stage as they compete in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines this Sunday in Cebu.

Matteo Guidicelli, Paul Jake Castillo, Bubbles Paraiso, Dyan Castillejo and Kim Atienza will be vying in the individual competitions of the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event while Piolo Pascual (bike), Gerald Anderson (bike), Jake Cuenca (bike), Gretchen Fulido (swim), Enchong Dee (swim) and Kim Chiu (run) likewise

take a break from the numerous commitments to join in the relay team event of the top-level endurance race set to start and end at Shangrila-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Their presence will not only add glamour and excitement to the event but also provide the competitive spirit that has marked their stints in a number of triathlons that they had competed in as part of their healthy lifestyle despite their hectic commitments and endorsements.

They will be among the more than 2,600

triathletes from a record 51 countries set to see action in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink and presentor Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and Summit Natural Drinking Water, also the official hydration partner.

Aussies Tim Reed and Dimity-Lee Duke, meanwhile, banner the elite pro side which stakes a top purse of $5,000 each in the men’s and women’s divisions of the event that will also feature the likes of Aussie Tim Van Berkel, Mauri-

cio Mendez of Mexico, Brent McMahon of Canada, Kiwi Cameron Brown and another Aussie ace Sam Betten, winner of the recent Regent 5150 in Subic.

Also in the fold are Braden Currie, Eddie Rawles and Callum Millward of New Zealand, David Mainwaring, Alexander Polizzi and Luke Bell of Australia, Americans Brad Williams and Iain Alexandridis, Czech Jakub Langhammer, Johan Stofberg of South Africa, Italian Jonathan Ciavatella and Eric Watson of Bahrain, all raring to beat Reed’s 3:51:46 clocking last year.

Pole vaulter Obiena shatters PH record at German tourney

Malabanan is top volleybelle

LEBERKUSEN, Germany—Ernest John Obiena continued his sensational quest for the pole vault Olympic standard of 5.70m with a remarkable performance of 5.61m at the Stabhochsprung Classic, shattering the Philippine record of 5.55m he himself set during the last UAAP Athletics Championships.

Obiena cleared the height in just his first attempt, winding up 4th at the closeout of the competition behind Menno Vloon of the Netherlands, 1st; Shawn Barber from Canada, 2nd; and, Arnaud Art of Belgium, 3rd.

He previously made an outstanding feat when he bagged the bronze at the recent Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, India with his 5.50m performance.

Obiena has now solidified his juggernaut hold of the top spot in the Southeast Asian region ranking for the pole vault. He is setting his

BALIPURE’S Jerrili Malabanan earned the Philips Gold-PVL Press Corps Player of the Week for games played from July 26-30.

The Water Defenders bagged a fourth straight Top 4 appearance in the league, thanks to the splendid showing of Malabanan.

In BaliPure’s 25-21, 25-16, 25-23 conquest of fancied Pocari Sweat Sunday, Malabanan took the scoring mantle with 14 points and collected eight digs.

Malabanan became the Water Defenders’ third offensive option after Grethcel Soltones and Risa Sato in the Open Conference, scoring 86 points on 73 spikes, 10 service aces and three blocks.

BaliPure finished fourth with a 4-3 card in the eliminations and will take on unbeaten Creamline in the best-of-three semifinals starting on Saturday.

Malabanan credited coach Roger Gorayeb for keeping the Water Defenders’ emotions in check.

“When we enjoy ourselves, coach (Roger Gorayeb) always tells us that it’s good we’re enjoying but we have to stay calm and focused. He’s the one that calms us down,” said Malabanan in an online interview.

sights on getting the gold medal in the coming SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“I believe all the hard work that we have put in is now slowly showing results. I just hope I will be able to maintain or even improve on this level of performance at the SEA Games,” said the 21-year old Filipino vaulter.

Athletics’ chief Philip Juico, meanwhile, is upbeat about the chances of the Philippines in the biennial games.

“We are hoping to equal or surpass our medal harvest from the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. God willing and with the right strategy and discipline, we can do it,”Juico added.

The SEA Games’ buildup of the national athletics’ team is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, and in part by the Ayala Corporation, UCPB Gen, and Cherrylume Corrugated Sheets and in cooperation with

EJ Obiena in action at the Stabhochsprung Classic in Leberkusen in Germany

Soleus, L TimeStudio, and Lily’s peanut butter.

The Philippines finished 4th place overall in athletics at the Singapore

edition of the biennial games in 2015 behind Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, respectively, by bagging 5 golds, 7 silvers, and 9 bronze medals.

3rd Plaridel Cup tees off Aug. 4 at Wack Wack Golf CC THE 3rd Plaridel Cup golf tournament of the Association of Philippine Journalists (Samahang Plaridel) tees off this Aug. 4 at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club.

Golfers among the country’s veteran journalists—and their friends—will be vying for bragging rights as they pit skills at the 18-hole, par-70 Wack Wack golf course in Mandaluyong City.

Tee off time is 8 a.m.

Prize for a hole-in-one on no. 11 is a golf cart.

Special prizes (such as round-trip PAL tickets, etc.) await winners and participants when the friendly but highly competitive tournament winds down for the awarding program.

The 3rd Plaridel Cup is sponsored

by San Miguel Corporation, Oriental

Group, Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR, Social Security System, Stradcom, Philex Mining Corp., GMA Network, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Ayala Land, Cherrylum, SM Investment, International Container Terminal Services Inc., Globe Telecom, Manila Water, Emperador Deluxe, Vitamax, South Forbes and The Turf Company Media partners include Manila

Standard, Market Monitor and Business Mirror.

Last-minute registrants may get in touch with Nelly Lumbaca at the Samahang Plaridel secretariat through mobile number 0920-9286498 or email apjsamahangplaridel@gmail.com.

The P3,500 registration fee covers green fees, lunch, give-aways and raffle prizes.

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

P0 M+ P0 M

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

A8

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

Sports

Pirates try to extend streak Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan) 8 a.m.- CSB vs LPU (jrs) 10 a.m.- AU vs Letran (jrs) 12 noon CSB vs LPU (srs) 2 p.m.- AU vs Letran (srs) 4 p.m.- Perpetual vs SSC (srs) 6 p.m- Perpetual vs SSC (jrs)

AFTER two postponements due to Typhoon Gorio, the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament resumes today with Lyceum of the Philippines University seeking to extend its amazing streak to five when it plays College of St. Benilde at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Led by CJ Perez, Mer Ayaay and the Marcelino twins Jaycee and Jayvee, the Pirates routed the Arellano University Chiefs, last year’s losing finalists, 99-65, last week to post their fourth win in row while keeping their stranglehold on the lead.

Perez and Ayaay, the team captain, fired 16 and 13 points, respectively, while the Marcelino siblings took turns in holding down Arellano standout Kent Salado to just 11 points, while combining for 21 points to help LPU get off to its best start since joining the league six years ago.

And expect the same group to run over St. Benilde, a team still finding its way after starting the season with a 1-2 (winloss) record.

Gametime is set at 12 noon.

“The championship is there but it’s not yet within our grasps. What we can do now is try to win as many games as we can and try to get closer to it,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.

Arellano University, for its part, will be eyeing to bounce back from its disappointing setback to LPU and improve its 2-2 slate as it faces off with Letran at 2 p.m.

The Knights are also coming off a defeat, a heartbreaking 74-81 loss to their archrivals, the San Beda Lions, a week back and skidded to 2-2.

The winner jumps to No. 3.

Perpetual Help and San Sebastian collide at 4 p.m. with an eye on improving their 1-2 card.

The Altas edged the Mapua Cardinals, 63-60, on July 20 at the Mapua University Gym, while the Stags fell to the Pirates, 73-78, the next day.

TRIPLE CROWN SWEEP. Jockey John Alvin Guce flashes the no. 1 sign after steering Sepfourteen to a sweep of the Triple Crown Series at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite Sunday. (Story on A7) Lino Santos

Manila Softbelles make history, win world series H

EMET, CALIFORNIA—Team Manila–Philippines showed its true form as it beat 2016 defending champion Central Hemet Xplozion, 7-1, to win the 2017 PONY International 18-U Girls’ Softball World Series crown, the first-ever by the Philippines or Asia, at the packed Diamond Valley Park in the Valley-Wide Recreation District here.

Standout pitcher Alma Tauli, the 16-yearold native of Norzagaray, Bulacan and daughter of a retired security guard and a housekeeper, pummeled the defending champions and capped her dazzling performance with five strike outs and six no run innings that had the Californians winded and awed.

The Big City Softbelles’ scoring assault started at the top of the first inning with centerfield Christine Bautista and desig-

nated player Shaina Camacho scoring two runs off an RBI by right fielder Khrisha Cantor to complete a two-run hit play.

But it was short stop Nichole Padasas, the 18-year-old veteran from Adamson and member of Team Manila-Philippines to the 2015 Big League World Series, who silenced the host crowd after blasting a huge homerun, her second homer in the Series, to put Team Manila ahead, 3-0 at the top of

the second inning.

At the top of the fourth, Bautista hit another big homerun and was followed by an impressive three–run hit play by Cantor, the 18-year-old student of Adamson and daughter of a farmer and teacher from Ivana, Batanes, which gave Bautista, Camacho and third baseman Madaelene Dumaog runs each to give the Manila Batters, backed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., with support from Mike and Lilli Khan and Larry Sy of Sunspring, a commanding 6-0 lead.

The defending champions came back strong at the bottom of the fourth with a big homerun of their own, but pitcher Alma Tauli was quick to respond and delivered a stinging blow to the Xplozion’s surge with a couple

of strike outs and a number of fine defensive stops by the Softbelles up to the end of the seventh to hose down a fiery comeback by the Xplozion, who also made excellent defensive plays to close the game at 7-1.

“The girls deserve the win because we were able to keep our composure and were not intimidated by the defending champions so our errors were limited,” said head coach Ana Santiago.

According to Manila Softball President Rafael “Che” Borromeo, Team Manila is being invited by the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

“We express our heartfelt thanks to the Filipino community in South California for their support and hospitality, and also to Mayor Joseph Estrada and the ICTSI for their untiring support.”

Djokovic drops to 5th in ATP rankings PARIS—Novak Djokovic dropped one place to fifth with Stanislas Wawrinka moving up to fourth in the ATP rankings published on Monday.

Former world number one Djokovic will likely fall further by the end of the year as he has already announced he will not play again this season due to an elbow injury.

The main move saw German Alexander Zverev climb three places to a career high eighth.

Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer was the biggest mover, up 89 places to 49th following his victory in the Hamburg Open.

And there was consolation for German beaten finalist Florian Mayer, who still moved up 45 spots to 56th.

Briton Andy Murray ramins top ahead of Rafael Nadal with Roger Federer third.

ATP rankings as of July 31: 1. Andy Murray (GBR) 7,750pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,465; 3.

Roger Federer (SUI) 6,545; 4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5,780 (+1); \5. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 5,325 (-1); 6.

Marin Cilic (CRO) 5,155; 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,065; 8. Alexander Zverev (GER) 3,150 (+3); 9. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3,140 (-1); 10. Milos Raonic (CAN) 3,130 (-1); 11. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3,070 (-1); 12. JoWilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2,805; 13.

David Goffin (BEL) 2,560; 14. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2,480; 15. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2,350; 16. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,335 (+2); 17. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2,255; 18. John Isner (USA) 2,250 (+2); 19. Jack Sock (USA) 2,200; 20. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 1,930 (+1) AFP

Track king Bolt seeks final hurrah in London

Members of Team Manila–Philippines pose after winning the 2017 PONY International 18-U Girls Softball World Series Championship at the Diamond Valley Park in Hemet, California USA. Norman Macasaet

St. Joseph, St. Paul jins top martial arts tilt TEEN jins from St. Joseph College and St. Paul Pasig took center stage in the sparring matches of the taekwondo competitions of the Philippine Sports Commission-organized 4th Women’s Martial Arts Festival at the Harrison Plaza Annex last Thursday in Malate, Manila.

Olivia Geramins of St. Joseph College claimed the gold in the cadet’s flyweight class after beating Mitz Tagaan of St. Bernadette’s School in the

Kyorugi (sparring) events.

St. Paul-Pasig’s Mikael Ramos fought off Al Saira Gardoce of New Prodon Academy in the bantamweight action.

Gerianne Pineda outclassed Baguio’s Rain Ramon for the featherweight honors, while Andrea Caranza ruled the lightweight section.

A total of 847 female athletes and 55 coaches took part in the two-day meet organized by the PSC, through

of the office of Commissioner Celia Kiram.

Laeia Soria led a 1-2-3 finish of Baguio City bets at the start of the Martial Arts Festival.

The 13-year-old Soria bested her teammate Xaphrene Rivera for the gold medal in the individual cadet division of the poomsae events.

Scoring 8.035 points, she had a better than Rivera, who had 7.865 points.

LONDON—Sprint superstar Usain Bolt will seek a final golden hurrah when he takes to the track at the IAAF World Championships in London this week.

Bolt has dominated sprinting since taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, going on to win a further six Olympic golds and also picking up 11 world titles.

World records of 9.58 and 19.19sec in the 100 and 200m when winning in the 2009 Berlin worlds were followed by the towering Jamaican winning consecutive world golds in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay in 2011, 2013 and 2015, with the exception of a false start in the 100m in Daegu in 2011.

The 30-year-old scored triple gold at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in London and Rio, his sole hiccup being stripped of his 2008 Olympic relay gold after teammate Nesta Carter failed a drugs test.

It is a staggering tally for a track athlete who has admitted he wants to go out on a high as athletics seeks to turn a new

page.

“My main aim is just to win (in London). I just want to retire on a winning note,” Bolt said recently in Monaco, where he won the 100m in 9.95sec, dipping under the 10sec barrier after two sluggish outings in Kingston and Ostrava.

Bolt has opted not to defend his 200m world title, meaning he will not race against South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, the athlete Bolt has tipped to take over as the next track and field superstar.

“That’s one of the most disappointing things in my career now,” he said. “He came along at this late stage and I didn’t get to compete against him, because I think he’s one of the best now.”

World and Olympic 400m champion Van Niekerk, who will attempt an audacious 200-400m double in London, added: “Usain has been a massive inspiration.

“But I’ve still got quite a long way to go before I even get close to the heights that Usain has reached.” AFP

PBA to donate to Marawi victims; Blackwater brings Walker back THE Philippine Basketball Association will donate a portion of its ticket sales for the duration of the elimination round of the seasonending Governor’s Cup to the victims of the Marawi City conflict.

The league also announced that general admission tickets will be sold at discounted price over the same span.

“The PBA family sympathizes with the victims of the ongoing

conflict in Marawi City,” offered league commissioner Chito Narvasa.

“The PBA has a huge fan base in that city and it pains us deeply to know that many lives were lost and many families displaced. On behalf of the PBA Board of Governors, we are setting aside a portion of our ticket sales in the elimination round to help them in their recovery.”

Narvasa said discounted rates on general admission tickets will take effect on Aug. 2.

General admission tickets will be sold only at P30 for the entire elimination round on games played on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena.

Meanwhile, in its bid to turn its early woes around, Blackwater called upon a familiar face to

backstop the franchise.

The Elite tapped returning import Henry Walker to take the place of mediocre and injured Trevis Simpson for its campaign in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Simpson hurt his groin against Star last week, prompting the Elite to find a replacement.

Walker will have tons of load to carry for Blackwater as he is ex-

pected to be the team’s go-to guy.

He will have to do a lot in order to turn Blackwater’s fortunes around.

The Elite have lost their first three games and is still in search of a first victory.

Walker, a former NBA player, known as a burly scorer, has proven himself to the league in the past. He is set to arrive in the country today. Jeric Lopez

DoE pushes Malampaya funding

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Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

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BDO earned P13.3b in first half

By Julito G. Rada

GEORGE TY’S AWARD. Metrobank Group chairman and founder Dr. George Ty (third from right) receives the 2017 Ramon V. Del Rosario Award for Nation-Building from retired

chief justice Artemio Panganiban, chairman of the board of judges (second from left). The are joined by Phinma president and chief executive Ramon del Rosario (second from right), Junior Chamber International president Nino Namoco (right), Asian Institute of Management president Jikyeong Kang (left) and Ty’s wife Mary during the awarding ceremony at the Taipan Room of the Tower Club in Makati City.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, July 31, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

50.5820

Japan

Yen

0.009037

0.4571

UK

Pound

1.313000

66.4142

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128054

6.4772

Switzerland

Franc

1.032418

52.2218

Canada

Dollar

0.804117

40.6738

Singapore

Dollar

0.736703

37.2639

Australia

Dollar

0.798000

40.3644

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651816

134.1342

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

13.4882

Brunei

Dollar

0.733999

37.1271

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030030

1.5190

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.7717

Euro

Euro

1.175100

59.4389

Korea

Won

0.000890

0.0450

China

Yuan

0.148456

7.5092

India

Rupee

0.015598

0.7890

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233672

11.8196

New Zealand

Dollar

0.749800

37.9264

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033025

1.6705 Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF PetroGreen receives ECC for solar facility PETROGREEN Energy Corp. said it received two vital environmental clearances necessary to start the construction and development of a 10-megawatt solar power project in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

PetroGreen, a subsidiary of PetroEnergy Resources Corp., said it received on July 28 the environmental compliance certificate for the solar project from the Environment and Natural Resources Department – Environmental Management Bureau Region 4B. PetroGreen also received a strategic environmental plan clearance for the solar project from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development on June 9, 2017.

The local government units of Puerto Princesa earlier formalized their support for the project.

“PGEC’s planned 10-MW solar facility is expected to be the first green and renewable energy-sourced power facility in the city and the province,” PetroEnergy said.

Puerto Princesa, and province of Palawan, known as the country’s nature frontier, currently derives its power from diesel and bunker plants.

Alena Mae S. Flores

July inflation likely eased to 2.7%—DoF THE Finance Department said inflation rate in July likely eased further, amid stable food prices and lower electricity rates.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in DOF’s Economic Bulletin dated July 26 that inflation was seen slowing down to 2.7 percent in July from 2.8 percent in June. However, it was still faster than 1.9 percent logged in the same month last year.

Beltran said the rate of index heavyweights food and non-alcoholic beverages remained steady last month.

Beltran, who is also the DoF’s chief economist, said power costs also dropped during the month.

Power distributor Manila Electric Co.’s cost per kilowatt hour declined to P8.25 in June from P8.61 a year ago, but higher than P8.18 in June.

“Inflation rate this month [July] is likely to moderate to 2.7 percent on the back of stable food prices. Yearon-year, power rates also declined,” Beltran said.

“Continuing benign inflation will enable the economy to sustain rapid economic growth and hurdle volatilities in the world economy with relative ease,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Open pit mining ban still in effect—Cimatu

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

E

nvironment Secretary Roy Cimatu said Monday the ban on open pit mining remains in effect in the country.

Cimatu said the ban, first imposed by his predecessor, Regina Lopez, would stay until the Cabinet came out with a more definitive policy.

“Open pit (ban) is still in effect. It is still the subject of discussion in the Mining Industry Coordinating Council because there are pros and cons. It’s a policy issue and these are being discussed in the MICC,” said Cimatu.

Former environment secretary Regina Lopez earlier issued an order banning prospective open-pit mines. She blamed openpit mines for the serious degradation of the environment.

Mines affected by the order included the $5.8-billion Tampakan copper-gold project of Sagittarius Mines Inc., the $1.2-billion Silangan mine project of Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. and the $2-billion King-king copper-gold project of St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. “I brought this [open-pit mining] up during the last MICC meeting. We will be meeting again several weeks from now,” said Cimatu said.

Cimatu earlier said the Environment Department would release this month the results of the assessment of mining companies. He said the agency was reviewing the appeals made by mining companies which Lopez ordered to be shut down.

“I’m afraid we cannot yet release it [results] today. In due time we will announce it. The documents submitted by the mining companies are very voluminous. I thought it was just several pieces of paper,” Cimatu said.

Lopez earlier ordered a review on the op-

erations of all operating metallic mines in the country. Following the audit, Lopez announced that 23 mining operations would be up for closure and five more would be suspended. Twelve mining companies passed the audit.

She also announced that the government would cancel the contracts of 75 mining projects which were found within or near watersheds.

Mining companies questioned the decision and filed their appeal with the Environment Department. Some companies also opted to file their appeal with the Office of the President.

“I don’t want to rush because this is really an exhaustive review. This is reconsideration, not an initial case so I have to get all evidences submitted by the companies. There are responsible mining companies but there are also those who are irresponsible. If they cannot improve their operations, then get out of the business,” Cimatu said.

BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s biggest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, said net income in the first half rose slightly to P13.3 billion from P13.2 billion a year ago.

BDO said in a statement the first-half performance was driven by the expansion in loan portfolio, growth in low-cost deposits and higher recurring fee-based service income.

“Excluding the extraordinary items from the consolidation of newly-acquired subsidiary BDO Life last year, this represents a strong 16-percent growth in core earnings,” the bank said.

Customer loans increased 17 percent to P1.6 trillion, while total deposits rose to almost P2 trillion, supported by the 17-percent jump in low-cost current and savings account deposits, now comprising 73 percent of total deposits. Net interest income went up 22 percent to P38.6 billion.

Meanwhile, non-interest income amounted to P23.2 billion, driven by fee-based service income which rose 13 percent.

Insurance premiums advanced 17 percent to P4.6 billion, while trading and forex gains declined 21 percent to P2.6 billion from P3.2 billion a year-ago.

Operating expenses increased 20 percent on aggressive drive to grow its core business along with investments in new markets. “Excluding extraordinary items and the consolidation effects of ONB and BDO Life, operating expenses would have risen by only 14 percent,” it said.

BDO set aside provisions of P2.9 billion even as asset quality remained benign with gross nonperforming loan ratio steady at 1.3 percent and non-performing loan cover at 137 percent.

Following a successful P60 billion ($1.2 billion) stock rights offer in January 2017 and retained earnings from profitable operations, the bank’s capital base expanded to P289 billion, with capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 ratio at 15.7 percent and 14.0 percent, respectively.

Bank loans, money supply posted robust growth in June BOTH money supply and bank loans posted faster growth in June compared to the previous month, amid the strong domestic demand, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

Bangko Sentral said Monday liquidity or the money supply in the financial system grew 13.2 percent in June to about P9.9 trillion from a year ago, driven largely by demand for credit from the domestic economy.

“The expansion in M3 [liquidity] continues to be manageable

and consistent with the BSP’s current outlook for inflation and economic activity,” the bank said.

“Moving forward, BSP will continue to monitor monetary conditions closely to ensure that overall domestic liquidity dynamics stay in line with the BSP’s price and financial stability objectives.

The June liquidity expansion was faster than the 11.3-percent growth recorded in May. On a month-on-month basis, liquidity

also increased 1.8 percent.

Domestic claims grew 15.4 percent in June, faster than the 14.3-percent growth in May due largely to sustained growth in credit to the private sector.

Meanwhile, outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, grew by 19 percent in June, faster than the 18.7-percent rise in May. Bank lending inclusive of RRPs expanded 18.3 percent in June, accelerating from the

17.4-percent expansion a month ago.

Data showed that loans for production activities comprised 88.5 percent of banks’ aggregate loan portfolio and grew 17.9 percent in June, faster than 17.6 percent in May. The growth in production loans was driven primarily by increased lending to real estate activities, which was up 17.8 percent; electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply, 24.9 percent; manufacturing, 11.6

percent; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 11.6 percent; and information and communication, 35.5 percent.

Loans for household consumption increased 22.5 percent in June, slightly slower than 23.6 percent in May. Household loans were led by the expansion in credit card loans and other types of household loans as well as sustained growth in auto loans and salary-based general purpose loans. Julito G. Rada

Govt to hold bidding for longest expressway

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Public Works Department plans to hold a bidding for the construction of what will be the country’s longest expressway connecting Quezon province and Bicol region.

“We are finishing planning within the year. This is a major project that we are going to bid before the end of the term of our president,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

The Quezon-Bicol Expressway is a 180-kilometer toll road that will start in Pagbilao, Quezon and end at the existing Maharlika Highway in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. The project cost has yet to be determined. Once completed, it will be longer than the 94-km Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the 89km Tarlac, Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and the 84-km North Luzon Expressway.

The project aims to provide a safe and direct route to the provinces of Bicol, in place of the existing route that traverses through the mountainside and other fragmentary roads.

The Quezon-Bicol Expressway will be connected to the P13.10billion South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4, a 56.87-kilometer expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Tayabas/Lucena in Quezon.

1M MAN HOURS. Aboitiz Power Corp.’s subsidiary Therma South Inc. celebrates the achievement of 1 million safe man-hours without lost time injury on July 18, 2017. The achievement is a significant milestone in upholding workplace safety as TSI currently has more than 400 people working inside the power plant. The celebration was highlighted with a thanksgiving mass and a program attended by representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment-XI, the Bureau of Fire Protection, TSI team members and several TSI contractors.

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Business

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; DMCI rises S TOCKS retreated Monday, as investors took profit after a four-day gain that brought the benchmark index near a record high last week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, dropped 53 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 8,018.05, as five of the six major sectors declined.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 23 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,766.86, on a value turnover of P7.9 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 129 to 74, while 53 issues were unchanged.

Six of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by aviation company MacroAsia

Corp. which jumped 6.2 percent to P11.68. DMCI Holdings Inc., the investment company of the Consunji family, gained 1.8 percent to P16.30, while budget carrier Cebu Air Inc. rose 1.4 percent to P100.80.

Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks closed lower on Monday as the yen rose, with investors wary after below-expectation US economic growth data and renewed tensions over North Korea’s ballistic missile program.

Investors are also assessing economic numbers from the

world’s top three economies.

China’s official factory gauge, the manufacturing purchasing managers index, slipped to 51.4 in July, compared to the 51.5 median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists and 51.7 in June, amid government efforts to curb financial risks.

The US economy expanded 2.6 percent in the second quarter, indicating the world’s largest economy is growing steadily. Meanwhile, Japan’s industrial output for June rose 1.6 percent from the previous month, rebounding amid solid global demand.

Asian stocks have rallied this year as evidence emerged of a resilient global economy. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index is set for a 3.7 percent gain in June, the biggest since January.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 in-

dex edged down 0.17 percent, or 34.66 points, to 19,925.18, while the Topix index of all first-section issues was down 0.16 percent, or 2.61 points, at 1,618.61.

Shanghai edged up, shrugging off slightly lower than expected purchasing managers’ index data, a gauge of factory conditions.

Hong Kong advanced sharply in afternoon trade to cap a strong month which has seen the Hang Seng set for its biggest gain since January.

Asia-focused banking giant HSBC was one of the index’s strongest movers after it announced forecast-beating profits.

Analysts said a host of factors was pushing investors’ newfound optimism in oil.

“Inventories are showing massive drawdowns, Saudi Arabia seems intent on playing its role

as the world’s swing producer ahead of the Aramco IPO, impending sanctions on Venezuela by the US will almost certainly be oil price supportive with a weaker US dollar and conflict within Washington DC all lending a hand,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at Oanda.

“There also appears to be less urgency by shale producers to hedge forward production for now which has snuffed out previous rallies.”

The yen’s rise came as the dollar was earlier dragged down by increasing uncertainty in the US capital after another failed attempt at healthcare reform, while the currency also took a hit from US GDP data Friday which cast further doubt on any early interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve.With AFP, Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, JULY 31, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.7 22,000 59.5 46,430 104.6 2,639,930 125.9 1,961,840 1.3 286,000 36.45 374,800 16.06 1,300 31.95 606,300 8.07 1,600 0.68 31,000 1.68 47,000 960 190 0.68 2,339,000 87 1,908,080 0.84 469,000 16 95,600 25 1,000 67 374,510 240 134,970 119 160 88.2 350 57 52,420 234 603,210 1,700 110 86.25 258,430 1.4 60,000

81,530 2,772,623 276,354,191 245,262,155 366,940 13,669,805 20,920 19,474,740 12,902 20,560 77,810 182,400 1,600,400 166,066,795 389,780 1,534,046 25,000 25,091,775 32,392,324 19,032 31,104 2,979,790 141,241,846 187,000 22,288,163 83,980

2,141,003.50 -145,629,104 97,654,871 -102,870 8,543,140 -508,655 -69,000 -44,201,178.50 3,418,403 1,826,231 70,349,428 -102,000 -

38.8 8.78 0.83 1.4 29.95 0.26 170.2 5.95 18.34 14.86 73 70.05 1.92 5.28 11.5 12.24 14.86 12.7 7.35 5.85 1.7 17.3 65.8 14.52 12.88 13.2 1.87 217.6 61.9 3.72 22.2 31.8 19.68 17.54 277.8 0.241 9.3 3.15 7.82 9.42 7 10.34 1.91 12.1 66 6.68 305 4.42 4.1 2.7 13.12 4.86 0.144 1.34 158.3 4.05 2.13 1.05

INDUSTRIAL 39 1,764,000 8.88 1,746,800 0.83 2,299,000 1.4 1,094,000 30.45 383,800 0.26 2,950,000 177 120 6.08 43,953,700 18.46 999,500 15 300 73.05 205,500 70.05 3,280 1.94 331,000 5.28 54,500 11.5 63,300 12.26 3,829,700 14.94 2,124,800 12.7 925,600 7.49 1,342,400 5.97 7,936,200 1.76 3,000 17.3 1,791,800 66 76,340 14.52 2,400 12.9 74,300 13.2 1,986,000 1.91 1,588,000 225 829,900 61.9 150 3.85 47,000 22.25 1,100 32 1,386,500 19.8 260,700 17.54 5,271,900 279 162,610 0.242 330,000 9.65 42,300 3.2 19,106,000 7.88 430,300 9.46 1,876,700 7.19 8,500 10.34 1,500 1.91 401,000 12.18 704,700 66.2 661,420 6.69 28,100 308 9,020 4.5 42,000 4.11 18,000 2.75 1,474,000 13.12 214,700 5 61,600 0.145 540,000 1.34 313,000 161 1,043,460 4.05 2,000 2.17 9,294,000 1.05 5,000

68,795,485 15,479,740 1,926,240 1,533,650 11,518,255 778,250 21,180 268,027,203 18,473,204 4,472 15,026,151 238,133.50 641,960 288,478 728,914 47,010,202 31,714,994 11,796,310 10,099,763 47,280,491 5,220 31,175,120 5,036,478 34,856 958,916 27,018,352 3,018,670 185,802,842 9,285 176,550 24,470 44,410,435 5,156,892 94,444,026 45,373,470 79,790 406,075 61,137,730 3,405,695 17,737,246 60,731 15,510 766,200 8,629,594 43,776,466 188,345 2,777,796 187,170 73,830 4,061,150 2,831,856 305,392 78,360 421,760 166,357,568 8,100 20,243,280 5,250

2,715,850 -621,600 -32,608,264 14,239,810 2,559,879 1,587 12,398,578 3,227,212 -3,359,996 -3,515,838 11,611,180 -4,138,348 1,906,400 -60,636 4,916,646 51,304,668 -1,091,685.00 2,897,862 -24,522,340.00 314,878 2,146,660 1,582 5,319,363 607,248 5,311,840 36,232 -348,040 -44,480 1,354,122 109,960 29,100.00 -16,249,047 -1,602,980 -

0.395 73.5 14.2 1.13 6.95 0.32 0.325 865 7.73 16.04 7.5 6 6 0.22 1,206 8 77.5 5.61 5.95 0.99 6.74 17.6 0.45 6.69 0.047 1 2.08 101.3 2.67 785 0.87 1.6 301 0.285 0.224 0.236

HOLDING FIRMS 0.405 45,660,000 75.95 1,377,840 14.36 7,602,800 1.16 44,000 6.95 40,100 0.32 1,920,000 0.325 1,210,000 865 520,210 7.73 766,700 16.1 24,120,800 7.65 38,500 6 8,400 6 5,000 0.22 990,000 1,213 106,470 8 224,200 79.5 2,074,040 6.11 37,900 5.95 22,200 1 3,140,000 7 3,480,800 17.6 7,287,500 0.475 270,000 6.79 26,044,800 0.049 13,900,000 1 50,000 2.09 887,000 101.6 238,870 2.7 88,000 807 310,380 0.87 1,000 1.66 2,868,000 305 21,830 0.285 160,000 0.224 2,190,000 0.239 570,000

18,682,050 103,800,728 108,765,802 50,550 279,805 621,900 393,350 453,051,555 5,932,967 389,470,730 288,780 50,400 30,000 217,920 129,516,780 1,802,454 163,693,548 230,746 133,217 3,136,950 24,287,998 129,689,630 127,050 176,172,171 674,300 50,000 1,863,630 24,265,954 237,230 249,744,870 870 4,724,670 6,626,422 45,600 504,300 136,800

123,000 7,462,365 22,930,838 -160,004,415 2,455,331 197,966,138 2,200 19,845,580 -34,525,855.50 -1,156,488 165,484 37,042,491 20,900 -162,447 -64,800 -23,956,870 1,240,040 -1,219,452 25,650.00 -46,070 -96,200

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK 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

3.79 59.85 106 125.1 1.35 36.5 16.16 32.4 8.06 0.66 1.65 960 0.69 86.15 0.83 16.1 25 67 242 119 90 57 234.8 1,700 86 1.4

3.79 59.85 106 125.9 1.35 36.55 16.16 32.5 8.07 0.68 1.69 960 0.7 87.35 0.84 16.16 25 67.2 242 119 90 57 236 1,700 86.25 1.42

3.6 58.6 104 123.8 1.26 36.3 16.06 31.85 8.05 0.66 1.63 960 0.68 86.15 0.82 16 25 66.8 237.8 118.8 88.2 56.5 232 1,700 86 1.37

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS 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 HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

39 8.9 0.85 1.41 30.25 0.265 170.2 6.01 18.5 14.86 73.3 74 1.96 5.33 11.6 12.3 14.92 13 7.47 5.96 1.7 17.62 66 14.6 12.9 13.86 1.88 221.8 61.9 3.9 22.3 32.45 19.9 18.22 282.8 0.241 9.5 3.2 7.88 9.42 7 10.34 1.92 12.28 66.05 6.75 308 4.5 4.1 2.7 13.24 5.1 0.148 1.37 160 4.05 2.15 1.05

39.6 8.95 0.86 1.42 30.5 0.265 177.8 6.21 18.5 15 73.8 74.05 1.98 5.33 11.6 12.32 14.98 13.06 7.63 6 1.76 17.62 66.5 14.6 13.1 14 1.94 227.6 61.9 3.9 22.3 32.45 19.9 18.22 282.8 0.243 9.8 3.2 8 9.5 7.2 10.34 1.92 12.48 66.35 6.75 308 4.5 4.11 2.79 13.24 5.1 0.148 1.37 161 4.05 2.21 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 A FJ PRINCE B FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.4 75 14.3 1.13 7.05 0.325 0.335 888 7.79 16.1 7.5 6 6 0.22 1,251 8.35 79.95 5.99 5.98 1.01 6.81 18.1 0.46 6.81 0.048 1 2.11 101.8 2.7 805 0.87 1.6 305 0.285 0.232 0.24

0.42 75.95 14.36 1.16 7.05 0.33 0.335 888 7.79 16.38 7.65 6 6 0.227 1,251 8.35 79.95 6.22 6.08 1.02 7 18.26 0.48 6.87 0.049 1 2.11 101.8 2.75 807 0.87 1.69 305 0.285 0.241 0.241

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

5.89 1.46 6.77 2.37 1.06 42.85 3.81 4.7 5.35 5.6 0.54 1.2 1.52 0.19 0.51 45.7 0.72 0.17 1.83 1.56 1.02

5.91 1.47 6.77 2.37 1.06 43 3.81 4.76 5.36 5.6 0.55 1.24 1.58 0.19 0.51 46 0.75 0.172 1.83 1.57 1.02

5.83 1.42 6.77 2.35 1.02 41.8 3.78 4.61 5.35 5.41 0.52 1.19 1.52 0.189 0.51 44.5 0.72 0.16 1.77 1.47 1.02

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.93 0.345 0.62 0.58 4.67 30.1 25.5 1.78 3.21 34.95 1.01 7.3 0.89 5.99

5.07 0.345 0.65 0.58 4.75 30.1 25.85 1.8 3.24 35 1.02 7.5 0.9 5.99

4.8 0.335 0.58 0.56 4.67 30.1 25.4 1.77 3.21 34.45 1 7.3 0.88 5.84

4.8 0.335 0.59 0.56 4.7 30.1 25.7 1.77 3.24 34.9 1 7.5 0.9 5.99

60,330,000 19,110,000 83,697,000 10,353,000 335,000 100 3,118,300 260,000 77,000 9,470,900 6,201,000 1,700 24,000 2,317,500

296,233,350 6,476,250 52,209,400 5,830,980 1,574,220 3,010 79,968,160 465,040 247,300 329,404,775 6,240,620 12,596 21,300 13,757,130

-35,438,090 -34,000 -2,453,430 63,840.00 0 22,159,660 221,490 8,930,650 -135,906

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD 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 NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

23 43 1.79 0.63 0.043 5.32 9.26 0.078 100 9.8 10.66 2.22 2,122 6.22 15.78 2.86 3.46 108.4 11.02 8.55 0.177 1.35 15.98 4.94 1.9 11 0.6 2.38 9.05 4.05 2.34 11.4 5.2 2.93 172 9.81 1,701 1.61 0.415 47.2 87 6.09 4.62 1.49 3.5 1.19 9

23.45 43.15 1.79 0.65 0.044 5.48 9.26 0.08 101 9.8 10.94 2.22 2,126 6.25 15.78 2.89 3.46 109 12.56 8.6 0.177 1.37 15.98 4.94 1.95 11.88 0.6 2.39 9.05 4.05 2.34 11.46 5.2 2.93 172 9.81 1,701 1.62 0.425 47.2 87 6.09 4.64 1.49 3.5 1.24 9

22.8 42.85 1.72 0.6 0.042 5.31 8.78 0.077 99.45 9.4 10.66 2.22 2,050 6.18 15.22 2.85 3.31 105 11 8.5 0.17 1.32 15.98 4.48 1.68 10.98 0.57 2.28 8.75 3.93 2.28 11.38 5.15 2.93 170 9.37 1,620 1.58 0.405 46.85 86.6 6.05 4.3 1.47 3.37 1.16 8.88

SERVICES 22.8 43.05 1.75 0.61 0.043 5.48 8.8 0.078 101 9.4 10.7 2.22 2,116 6.19 15.22 2.87 3.31 106.8 12.56 8.6 0.172 1.34 15.98 4.5 1.68 11.66 0.57 2.31 9 3.96 2.28 11.46 5.2 2.93 170 9.38 1,637 1.6 0.405 47.15 86.6 6.05 4.35 1.48 3.37 1.2 8.91

194,700 41,600 357,000 10,282,000 6,700,000 12,900 13,900,500 7,530,000 1,300,850 15,500 795,600 13,000 50,650 106,800 51,900 1,091,000 29,000 1,192,750 1,500 372,000 11,530,000 1,747,000 400 6,641,000 7,180,000 7,964,300 355,000 71,000 3,596,400 3,792,000 2,119,000 11,200 21,700 1,000 367,350 947,200 277,745 14,751,000 7,130,000 728,400 328,560 160,900 14,777,000 9,222,000 601,000 15,330,000 3,976,900

4,476,750 1,791,045 626,630 6,357,280 287,500 69,530 124,772,335 587,490 130,649,204.50 146,009 8,546,180 28,860 106,483,470 663,808 795,754 3,128,430 96,280 127,032,049 17,296 3,163,700 1,979,190 2,329,800 6,392 30,244,170 12,858,530 92,498,094 204,960 163,940 32,177,389 15,007,840 4,856,800 127,650 111,935 2,930 62,495,232 8,989,931 455,096,440 23,584,870 2,920,100 34,270,870 28,459,755 976,693 64,672,200 13,651,150 2,046,940 18,482,290 35,499,287

-292,400 -52,255,850 53,662,461.50 -4,705,850 -57,200 19,295,086 950,300 125,500 5,849,968 -3,818,455 -4,876,900 -4,580 21,768 -1,078,020.00 -125,559,740 1,053,670 16,046,680 -11,016,100.50 -514,490 5,159,380 230,700 -178,800 -4,298,022

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 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0029 1.61 5.15 12.82 1.85 1.9 1.18 0.39 8.41 2.59 0.305 0.18 0.19 0.011 1.86 5.98 1.97 0.63 1.07 0.01 0.012 0.013 2.52 8.76 3.44 173.7 0.0082

0.003 1.61 5.48 14.66 1.9 1.9 1.25 0.39 8.6 2.65 0.335 0.19 0.207 0.011 1.9 6.1 1.97 0.64 1.07 0.01 0.012 0.013 2.52 9.05 3.44 173.7 0.0082

0.0029 1.57 5.15 12.8 1.85 1.9 1.15 0.39 8.41 2.57 0.3 0.179 0.19 0.01 1.82 5.95 1.89 0.62 1 0.01 0.011 0.012 2.5 8.76 3.2 169.5 0.0081

MINING & OIL 0.0029 207,000,000 1.59 2,382,000 5.4 606,500 14.66 6,600 1.9 48,000 1.9 20,000 1.21 4,474,000 0.39 20,000 8.6 5,700 2.64 1,711,000 0.335 17,720,000 0.186 15,510,000 0.191 17,790,000 0.011 269,800,000 1.89 319,000 6 2,324,000 1.95 39,000 0.64 674,000 1.02 594,000 0.01 45,900,000 0.011 8,700,000 0.012 6,200,000 2.5 29,000 8.84 701,700 3.2 8,597,000 169.5 680,820 0.0081 32,000,000

601,000 3,793,570 3,238,722 84,894 89,300 38,000 5,411,560 7,800 48,594 4,477,050 5,690,650 2,893,420 3,666,100 2,916,800 591,210 13,968,814 74,920 428,450 617,030 459,000 96,100 75,500 72,690 6,286,384 28,347,150 116,215,107 260,600

-624,498 656,580 323,850 3,658,440 2,337,174 60,000 198,102 -5,586,250 4,749,942 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

43.2 516 520 105 112 110.8 6.05 1,011 1,010 1.06 107 1,012 2 76.4 80.1 77 78.05 81 78.9 78.5 79

44.5 516.5 520 105 112 110.8 6.07 1,011 1,010 1.06 108 1,012 2 76.4 80.6 77 78.05 81 78.9 78.5 79

43.2 516 520 105 112 110.6 6.05 1,011 1,010 1.04 107 1,010 2 76.4 80.1 77 78.05 80.55 78.9 78.5 79

PREFERRED 43.75 313,400 516 6,840 520 10 105 10,000 112 90 110.6 5,000 6.05 1,262,600 1,011 50 1,010 65 1.04 22,000 108 130 1,010 2,710 2 14,000 76.4 2,930 80.6 20,010 77 5,000 78.05 900 81 64,850 78.9 980 78.5 13,900 79 650

13,676,115 3,532,335 5,200 1,050,000 10,080 553,500 7,642,530 50,550 65,650 23,170 14,010 2,737,130 28,000 223,852 1,602,806 385,000 70,245 5,248,980 77,322 1,091,150 51,350

5,551,465 1,093,844 -

LR WARRANT

2.9

2.9

2.5

WARRANTS 2.51 2,122,000

5,570,530

-

425,340 18,100 223,522 50,905,214

1,939,381

2,727,243

-

MS

PROPERTY 5.85 1.42 6.77 2.35 1.02 42 3.79 4.61 5.36 5.5 0.52 1.22 1.53 0.189 0.51 46 0.75 0.16 1.77 1.47 1.02

649,000 2,108,000 3,000 33,000 2,708,000 12,685,700 768,000 1,867,000 52,500 31,000 59,275,000 392,000 158,000 4,020,000 2,292,000 469,800 292,000 3,020,000 10,503,000 12,093,000 419,000

3,801,586 3,019,510 20,310 78,170 2,802,250 534,084,925 2,912,900 8,760,870 280,948 169,733 31,037,330 473,960 246,220 760,940 1,168,920 21,364,660 214,050 490,520 18,685,770 18,158,620 427,380

-1,155,965 14,400 -173,214,175 -410,410 2,390,080 -4,293,250 38,720 238,140 255,000 9,568,640 -1,466,580 -1,577,730 -

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.85 3.01 5.51 7.5

3.93 3.02 5.76 7.5

3.85 3.01 5.5 7.12

FIRST METRO ETF

122

122.3

120.9

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,136,585

INDUSTRIAL

122,270,265

HOLDING FIRMS

148,493,964

PROPERTY SERVICES

311,299,135 165,909,649

MINING & OIL

644,600,135

GRAND TOTAL

1,412,868,725

3.89 3.02 5.55 7.3

SME

110,000 6,000 40,200 6,980,400

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 121.1 22,390

Atencio to retire as 8990 president

By Jenniffer B. Austria REAL estate executive Januario Jesus Atencio III is stepping down as president of mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. by the end of 2017, after 13 years at the helm of the company.

Atencio made the announcement during the annual stockholders’ meeting of the company at Metropolitan Club in Makati City, saying he planned to pursue other ventures.

Atencio, who will be turning 56 years old in January 2018, will stay as a director of the company.

“As early as two years ago, I started telling everyone, my partners, relatives, family of my intention to retire at 55. Next year, I would be celebrating 25 years in the housing industry. Realizing that I am at the homestretch of my life and wanting to do something else, my partners and the board have agreed with my wish to retire on Dec. 31 this year,” Atencio said.

The company is set to announce Atencio’s replacement in December. It plans to give 8990 Holdings chief operating officer Willibaldo Uy a more active role in the company’s day-to-day operations.

Atencio, who holds a Psychology degree from Ateneo de Manila University, has been responsible for 8990 Holdings’ significant growth over the past 13 years and the successful listing of the company with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The mass housing developer targets a net income of P5.4 billion and revenues of P10 billion in 2017.

VALUE 1,969.05 (down) 5.48 1,077,953,696.59 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,146.20 (up) 21.62 1,353,260,683.88 HOLDING FIRMS 7,993.88 (down) 33.88 2,043,232,573.20 PROPERTY 3,798.97 (down) 47.10 1,676.47 (down) 30.61 1,521,701,091.52 SERVICES MINING & OIL 12,875.78 (down) 60.43 1,682,681,774.454 PSEI 8,018.05 (down) 53.42 200,478,473.14 All Shares Index 4,766.86 (down) 23.74 7,933,607,969.58 Gainers: 74; Losers: 129; Unchanged: 53; Total: 256

Cirtek expects $125-m revenues TECHNOLOGY company Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. on Monday upgraded its 2017 revenue forecast to $125 million from an initial estimate of $100 million, following the acquisition of US-based Quintel.

Cirtek chief finance officer Anthony Buyawe said the company would start consolidating Quintel’s operations into the company starting August, adding $20 million to $25 million in revenues for the company.

The company expects higher sales contribution from Quintel in 2018, reaching about $100 million.

Cirtek said it also planned to expand existing capacities with the Quintel acquisition.

It plans to market Quintel’s high-performance antenna solution in Asia after it received an inquiry from Singapore’s Singtel.

The technology firm said over the weekend it would acquire a 100-percent stake in Quintel for $77 million.

Quintel is a leading innovator of spectrum and space-efficient base station antennas for wireless networks. Among Quintel’s major customers are two of the top five telecom carriers in North America.

Cirtek chairman Jerry Liu said the Quintel acquisition would also provide an opportunity to further grow its operations in other related businesses.

Cirtek also plans to make one of two more acquisitions in line with its thrust to venture into high-growth and high-profit margin technology business.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

B3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

DoE pushes Malampaya funding T Malampaya Fund.

“We are studying how we can avoid further increases in the HE Energy Department is still hoping universal charge,” Fuentebella said. to tap the Malampaya Fund to pay the The department failed to tap the obligations of state-run Power Sector fund PSALM’s stranded debt and stranded contract cost recoveries Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. and amounting to P37 billion starting avoid future electricity rate increases.

July.

“We need laws. We have not Energy Undersecretary coordinating with Congress on finished talking with Congress (on Felix William Fuentebella said the passage of laws that would the use of the fund,” Fuentebella the department was closely allow the department to tap the said.

The official last year said the government was considering tapping into a portion of the P228billion Malampaya Fund to bring down power costs.

Fuentebella earlier said previous disbursements were made from the fund through Presidential Decree 910 allowing the President to use the Malampaya Fund. The Supreme Court, however, invalidated the arrangement in 2013.

The Malampaya Fund consists of proceeds from the Malampaya gas

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Fujitsu appoints new lawyers in estafa case FUJITSU Philippines board members Shiro Ogata, Hiroshi Nakamura and Tomoji Sato acquired the services of the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and De Los Angeles Law Firm to represent them in an estafa case.

Other respondents in the case are Fujitsu directors Junichi Sato, Ernesto Espinosa, Socorro Silva and Wilfredo Pantig. Also facing charges are real-estate brokerage firm CB Richard Ellis, its chairman and president Frederick Santos and agent Joey Radovan.

Berny Realty and Development Corp. filed the case after Fujitsu, through CBRE, sold a 20-hectare property at The First Philippine Industrial Park II in Tanauan, Batangas for P150 million.

The sale was first settled through a handshake agreement between Ogata and BRDC representative Necisto Sytengco as witnessed by Santos and Radovan, before being formalized in writing days later through a letter signed by Sato.

BDRC issued checks amount-

ing to P30 million as downpayment based on the terms of the sale.

Trusting that it was now the rightful owner of the property, BRDC then spent another P5 million for repairs and assessment and secured all the necessary permits from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in support of its business plans.

The problem began when Fujitsu and CBRE refused to execute a deed of absolute sale, despite follow-ups from BRDC and an offer to pay the remaining balance for the property. The Japanese company claimed that it needed to “obtain the approval of FPIP” before completing the sale because Fujitsu “did not want to offend them.”

Fujitsu later sold the property to FPIP at a lower price of P110 million. FPIP then re-sold six out of the 20 hectares of the property to another company for P896 million, thereby earning a profit of P786 million while retaining ownership of the 14 remaining hectares.

PH credit rating upgrade not likely FOREIGN credit rating analysts are among the most sensitive people in the world and they revise their ratings of individualcountry creditworthiness only after the most rigorous analysis of their institutions, policies and governances. A bestowal of investment-grade status by the foreign credit rating agencies is something that countries strive for because of the access to reduced-cost foreign credit that such a status opens up.

I am saying all of this after having read a newspaper business story titled “Tax Reform to Upgrade Philippine Credit Rating— Diokno.” The story was based on an interview given recently to reporters by the Secretary of Budget and Management.

The following is what Secretary Benjamin Diokno said to the interviewers: “(T)he approval of the substitute tax reform bill by the Congress, despite the watered-down provisions, will put the Philippines in a good fiscal position and increase the chances for a (Philippine) credit rating upgrade. I think that the tax reform will actually strengthen our position. If we pass (it), we might even get an upgrade in credit ratings. I’m optimistic that we might get an upgrade.”

Mr. Diokno then proceeded to advert to the latest Department of Finance estimate of the additional revenue that the Duterte administration expected from its tax reform bill, which is called TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion).

Said Mr. Diokno: “According to the latest estimate of the Department of Finance, the substitute tax reform bill deliberated in the House of Representatives could yield P82.3 billion in additional revenue to the government. This is lower by almost half the P157.2 billion in revenue projected in the original proposal of DoF, augmented by proceeds from complementary measures.

Despite the lower-than-expected revenue, the government will be able to (keep) the fiscal deficit at around three percent of the GDP.” From the foregoing it would appear (1) that the Duterte administration is aiming for a further credit-rating upgrade in the near future and (2) that its hopes are founded on the tax reform bill currently undergoing scrutiny by Congress. Those hopes can be said to rest on a weak foundation if the bill is the only additionalrevenue source that it is looking to.

By Secretary Diokno’s admission, the House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Duterte administration’s socalled super-majority, has watered down the original DoF bill. By the time the Senate’s vested interests are done with it, a lot more projected-additional-revenue will have fallen by the wayside. The Duterte administration’s P9-trillion Build Build Build infrastructure program is going to have such a voracious appetite for funds that the budget deficit is bound to run away from the 3 percent of GDP so optimistically projected by Mr. Diokno.

A time of sharply scaled-up spending with weak budgetary support is not a good time for any country—let alone the Philippines—to aspire for a credit rating upgrade. Having to deal with Congressional vested interests and an inefficient (read: corrupt) institutional structure is bad enough for the DoF; being part of a government whose good relations with the international community are being eroded by an erratic Chief Executive makes the jobs of the DoF and the DBM doubly difficult.

Until your operating circumstances improve, a credit-rating upgrade for the Philippines is a forlorn hope, Secretary Ben. Put it aside and do your best trying to achieve what is achievable. Saying and doing things that are unachievable are not good for your professional reputation.

E-mail: romero.business.class@gmail.com

project in northwest Palawan and other oil and gas producing assets in the country.

The Energy Regulatory Commission last week allowed PSALM to recover P37.068 billion from consumers under the universal charge item of the electric bill.

Consumers will feel only a slight increase in the universal charge, as only the approved P0.0265 per kilowatt-hour increase will be reflected under the stranded debt of

National Power Corp. starting July.

The regulator approved PSALM’s stranded debt recovery of P24.198 billion equivalent to P0.0265 per kWh covering the period 2011 to 2012.

“All distribution utilities and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines are hereby directed to collect the amount of P0.265 per kWh from the consumers starting the next billing period and remit the same to PSALM,” ERC said in a decision dated June 27.

MEGAWORLD AS SPONSOR. Megaworld

Corp., represented by Lifestyle Malls senior assistant vice president and head of marketing and business development Tefel Pesigan-Valentino (center), signs up as co-presenter of the Philippine School of Interior Design graduation exhibit “GOLD.” Valentino signed the sponsorship deal with PSID Advanced Class of 2017 publicity and promotions committee adviser Nicky Jardenil (left) and Advanced Class of 2017 president Joseph Goyenechea.

Slated in October at the Uptown Mall in Megaworld’s township development Uptown Bonifacio in Taguig City, GOLD”will showcase 24 exquisitely curated designed spaces that also celebrate comfort, functionality, opulence and cost-efficiency.

DTI urged to monitor substandard steel

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute called on the government to monitor unmarked and substandard steel products that may have entered the market.

PISI in a letter to the Consum-

visited Kananga, Palo, Ormoc City and Tacloban City in Leyte, and the town of Basey in Samar to check on the concrete reinforcing steel bars used in the damaged structures and conducted random test buys in hardware stores.

“In the interest of public safe-

er Protection Group of the Department of Trade and Industry said a monitoring activity conducted after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake on July 6, 2017 in the Visayas showed that many of the damaged structures used uncertified rebars.

The PISI monitoring team

ty, PISI strongly recommends that the DTI-CPG immediately launch a regular market monitoring enforcement in Leyte and Samar as rebuilding activities are now starting in these earthquake-affected areas,” said PISI president Roberto Cola.

Manila

Standard

TODAY HEAD OFFICE: PBCom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, 1226 Makati City Customer Care: (02) 777-2266 or 1-800-10-777-2266 (Domestic Toll Free)*Email: customercare@pbcom.com.ph*Website: www.pbcom.com.ph

BALANCE SHEET (Bank and Financial Subsidiaries)

BALANCE SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2017

As of June 30, 2017

As of March 31, 2017

As of March 31, 2017

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ASSETS

ASSETS Cash and Cash Items P 919,455,724.20 Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 14,453,625,029.83 Due from Other Banks 1,873,992,263.69 Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 3,943,167,486.54 Available-for-Sale Financial Assets - Net 52,242,432.50 Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net 13,495,225,884.08 Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans - Net 3,510,764,114.62 Loans and Receivables - Net 41,574,216,550.68 Interbank Loans Receivable 302,820,000.00 Loans and Receivables - Others 41,675,279,604.00 Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision 403,883,053.32 Other Financial Assets 505,896,850.25 Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net 984,942,082.90 Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture & Equipment - Net 1,777,614,752.09 Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net 535,889,806.48 Other Assets - Net 5,526,130,941.91

P

TOTAL ASSETS

P 84,707,663,850.87

P 89,153,163,919.77

839,237,328.57 12,413,695,532.29 2,428,162,761.36 1,311,139,813.21 44,452,432.50 13,502,683,292.24 3,550,373,136.14 40,792,018,274.37 50,160,000.00 41,142,041,327.69 400,183,053.32 449,330,272.13 964,912,765.81 1,835,627,892.14 510,268,234.86 6,065,762,115.25

Cash and Cash Items P 952,398,030.89 Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 14,522,004,677.23 Due from Other Banks 2,178,918,407.60 Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 3,943,167,486.54 Available-for-Sale Financial Assets - Net 52,242,432.50 Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net 13,495,225,884.08 Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans - Net 3,510,764,114.62 Loans and Receivables - Net 43,294,938,960.97 Interbank Loans Receivable 302,820,000.00 Loans and Receivables - Others 43,413,329,446.43 General Loan Loss Provision 421,210,485.46 Other Financial Assets 540,030,922.21 Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net 27,000,537.54 Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture & Equipment - Net 1,885,243,360.38 Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net 599,483,871.49 Other Assets - Net 6,132,837,087.53

P

TOTAL ASSETS

P 86,690,985,819.11

P 91,134,255,773.58

LIABILITIES

871,447,798.87 12,483,188,238.00 2,729,839,687.81 1,311,139,813.21 44,452,432.50 13,502,683,292.24 3,550,373,136.14 42,494,434,423.45 50,160,000.00 42,861,238,349.98 416,963,926.53 483,535,912.71 27,237,243.68 1,945,625,646.19 574,218,034.10 6,672,810,160.21

LIABILITIES

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable: BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) Other Deposit Substitutes Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

P

2,956,032.44 62,041,813,959.71 13,789,507,987.38 4,250,000,000.00 9,539,507,987.38 742,417,679.17 2,098,371,683.82

P 2,022,247.55 P 61,644,673,525.08 9,917,472,563.36

TOTAL LIABILITIES

P 78,675,067,342.52

P 74,429,313,083.45

9,917,472,563.36 6,400,321.05 704,609,751.46 2,154,134,674.95

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable: BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) Other Deposit Substitutes Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

P

TOTAL LIABILITIES

P 80,714,044,126.43

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

2,956,032.44 63,956,621,122.88 13,789,507,987.38 4,250,000,000.00 9,539,507,987.38 760,387,276.63 2,204,571,707.10

P

2,022,247.55 63,555,479,572.15 9,917,472,563.36 9,917,472,563.36 6,400,321.05 727,875,616.71 2,258,501,367.11

P 76,467,751,687.93

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

12,884,054,099.96 1,685,431,610.11 -4,091,389,132.82

12,884,054,099.96 1,475,694,061.21 -4,081,397,393.75

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

12,883,805,224.89 1,699,365,018.11 -4,153,438,868.62 -9,519,727.24

12,883,805,224.89 1,489,021,659.22 -4,140,077,751.54 -9,515,001.39

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

10,478,096,577.25

10,278,350,767.42

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

10,420,211,647.15

10,223,234,131.18

P 89,153,163,919.77

P 84,707,663,850.87

P 91,134,255,773.58

P 86,690,985,819.11

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts Agency Accounts Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

P 1,654,415,900.05 743,066,614.46 1,037,763,464.96 2,852,327,561.40 5,276,564,808.88 1,115,878,642.15 4,160,686,166.73 171,815,997.39

P

1,039,547,239.55 407,887,842.22 892,123,050.79 2,051,571,449.54 5,838,256,005.80 1,093,395,801.28 4,744,860,204.52 159,077,081.43

P 11,735,954,347.14

P 10,388,462,669.33

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit P 1,654,415,900.05 Commercial Letters of Credit 743,066,614.46 Trade Related Guarantees 1,037,763,464.96 Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts 2,852,327,561.40 Trust Department Accounts 5,276,564,808.88 Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts 1,115,878,642.15 Agency Accounts 4,160,686,166.73 Others 171,821,823.39 TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS P 11,735,960,173.14

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 43,666,737,720.78 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 1,688,638,116.78 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 2,211,964,696.92 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 5.07% c. Net NPLs 523,326,580.14 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.20% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 1,281,238,293.70 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses 15,711,692.42 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance f or credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 0.04% Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables 22,536.22 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 1.74% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 12.47% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 3.01% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) 14.83% b. Tier 1 CAR (%) 11.70% c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ 11.70% 1/

Common Equity Tier 1 is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

1,039,547,239.55 407,887,842.22 892,123,050.79 2,051,571,449.54 5,838,256,005.80 1,093,395,801.28 4,744,860,204.52 159,082,965.43 P 10,388,468,553.33

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 42,941,852,188.24 1,749,650,860.55 2,279,691,946.18 5.31% 530,041,085.63 1.23% 1,208,974,290.46 15,284,113.23 0.04% 22,438.33 0.00% 1.46% 10.45% 1.87% 14.62% 11.48% 11.48%

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) City of Makati )S.S. We, Arlene M. Datu and John Howard D. Medina, 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.) ARLENE M. DATU (SGD.) JOHN HOWARD D. MEDINA Controller, SVP Chief Operating Officer, EVP SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24thday of July 2017 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their SSS nos. 0356633451 and 3318179251, respectively.

Doc. No. 41 Page No. 10 Book No. XXXV Series of 2017.

P

1. List of Financial Allied Subsidiaries (excluding Subsidiary Insurance Companies) 1. Rural Bank of Nagcarlan, Inc. 2. Banco Dipolog, Inc. a Rural Bank 2. List of Subsidiary Insurance Companies 1. PBCom Insurance Services Agency, Inc. 3. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Consolidated Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) 14.83% 14.60% b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) 11.78% 11.55% 11.78% 11.55% c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ 1/ Common Equity Tier 1 is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) City of Makati )S.S. We, Arlene M. Datu and John Howard D. Medina, 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.) ARLENE M. DATU Controller, SVP

(SGD.) JOHN HOWARD D. MEDINA Chief Operating Officer, EVP

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24th day of July 2017 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their SSS nos. 0356633451 and 3318179251, respectively..

Doc. No. 42 Page No. 10 Book No. XXXV Series of 2017.

(SGD.) ATTY. GERVACIO B. ORTIZ JR. NOTARY PUBLIC City of Makati until December 31, 2018 IBP no. 656155 - Lifetime Member MCLE Compliance No. V-0006934 Appointment no. M-104 -(2017-2018) PTR no. 5909514 Jan. 3, 2017 Makati City Roll no. 40091 101 Urban Ave., Campos Rueda Bldg. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City

(SGD.) ATTY. GERVACIO B. ORTIZ JR. NOTARY PUBLIC City of Makati until December 31, 2018 IBP no. 656155 - Lifetime Member MCLE Compliance No. V-0006934 Appointment no. M-104 -(2017-2018) PTR no. 5909514 Jan. 3, 2017 Makati City Roll no. 40091 101 Urban Ave., Campos Rueda Bldg. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Maximum Deposit Insurance for each Deposit P500,000.00

ERIC O. RECTO Chairman LEONARDO B. DAYAO Vice Chairman Members PATRICIA MAY T. SIY CARMEN G. HUANG BUNSIT CARLOS G. CHUNG LUCIO L. CO SUSAN P. CO RALPH C. NUBLA, JR. LEVI B. LABRA GREGORIO T. YU DAVID L. BALANGUE JESUS S. JALANDONI, JR. EMMANUEL Y. MENDOZA ROBERTO Z. LORAYES GILDA E. PICO PRINCIPAL OFFICERS PATRICIA MAY T. SIY President & Chief Executive Officer CARMEN G. HUANG Executive Director JAIME VALENTIN L. ARANETA EVP-Retail Business ERIBERTO LUIS S. ELIZAGA EVP-Commercial & Corporate Banking MANUEL ANDRES D. GOSECO EVP - Treasury JOHN HOWARD D. MEDINA EVP-Chief Operating Officer ANGELO PATRICK F. ADVINCULA Corporate Secretary

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

B4

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

Business

JAL posted Q2 net income of $177m TOKYO―Japan Airlines on Monday reported a jump in quarterly net profit thanks to brisk sales at home and overseas, and revised its full-year forecast upward.

JAL, once a symbol of Japan’s rise from the ashes of defeat in World War II as it ferried the country’s newly rich tourists around the world, received a government bailout after a high-profile bankruptcy restructuring in 2010.

After slashing routes and cutting costs, the carrier re-listed on the Tokyo bourse two years later and has continued a steady ascent.

JAL said its net profit rose 32.9 percent to 19.6 billion yen ($177 million) for the three months to June.

Revenue for the April-June period increased 5.9 percent to 314.8 billion yen.

“In international passenger operations, inbound demand from overseas remained robust and outbound demand has been buoyant, resulting in higher load factors than the year before,” JAL said in a statement.

The company upgraded its full-year forecast, projecting 108 billion yen in net profit for the fiscal year to March 2018, up from 100 billion yen forecast earlier.

Annual sales are now seen at 1.348 trillion yen compared with 1.339 trillion yen forecast before.

“Full-year consolidated revenues are expected to increase... as international passenger unit revenue, domestic passenger demand, and cargo demand outperformed their respective forecasts for the first quarter,” it said.

The upward revision was also due to “lower-than-expected fuel prices during the reporting period and continuous efforts to increase cost-effectiveness throughout the year”, JAL added.

Rival carrier All Nippon Airways is scheduled to announce its quarterly earnings on Wednesday. AFP

PARIS GLITCH. People wait at the Montparnasse train station in Paris on July 30, 2017 after traffic was interrupted due to technical reasons. The weekend is particularly busy due to vacation traffic. AFP

Oil advances above $50 a barrel

By Stephen Stapczynski and Heesu Lee

O

IL in New York briefly rose above $50 for the first time since May after Opec said the group and its partners will meet next week to discuss why some nations are falling behind on their pledge to cut production.

Futures gained as much as 0.7 percent after surging 8.6 percent last week. The Abu Dhabi meeting, co-chaired by Kuwait and Russia, is set to take place after Saudi Arabia said last week it would step up pressure on countries that aren’t complying. The

US is said to be considering increasing sanctions against Venezuela’s oil industry, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing two people familiar with the deliberations.

Oil gained last week to rise above its 200-day moving aver-

age for the first time since May as concerns eased that efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to curb output will be offset by rising production elsewhere. US rigs targeting crude inched higher last week, rising by two to 766, Baker Hughes Inc. data showed Friday.

“The market is closely watching the adherence to those cuts,” said Daniel Hynes, a Sydneybased analyst at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. “We estimate that the market is fairly balanced at the moment, so any small swing from output, particularly from Opec, can push

the market either into surplus or deficit.”

West Texas Intermediate for September delivery rose as much as 35 cents to $50.06 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $49.89 at 4:12 p.m. in Tokyo. Total volume traded was 61 percent above the 100-day average. Prices gained $3.94 last week to close at $49.71 on Friday, the highest settlement since May 26. Front-month futures have advanced 8.4 percent in July, the biggest monthly gain this year.

Brent for September settlement, which expires Monday, added as much as 40 cents, or

0.8 percent, to $52.92 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract added 9.3 percent last week.

The global benchmark traded at a premium of $2.84 to WTI. The more-actively traded October contract climbed as much as 33 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $52.55.

Representatives of some Opec and non-Opec nations will meet in the United Arab Emirates capital on Aug. 7-8 to discuss why some of them aren’t fully implementing their cuts, according to an Opec statement. Some will argue that the independent sources used by Opec to assess compli-

Economic rebound bypasses Spain’s poorest neighborhood

By Diego Urdaneta SEVILLE, Spain―Elvira Montadas pushes her neighbor in a wheelchair along a badly paved sidewalk, past crumbling buildings, in return for some pocket change.

This is one of the odd jobs allowing her to survive in Spain’s poorest neighborhood―Los Pajaritos in Seville, the country’s fourth largest city famous for its Alcazar palace.

A divorced mother of two teenage daughters, 49-year-old Montadas has not held a steady job for years. So she helps her disabled neighbor, cleans homes or irons clothes whenever she can to earn some cash.

If she runs low on food, she turns to charities like the Red Cross.

“My life right now is screwed,” Montadas told AFP as she pushed the wheelchair through Los Pajaritos, her long hair tied in a ponytail.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday applauded data that showed Spain’s economic activity is on the verge of recovering pre-crisis levels and the jobless rate has dropped to 17.2 percent, its lowest level in eight years.

But in Los Pajaritos, a neighborhood of around 21,000 residents located just a few kilometers (miles) from Seville landmarks such as the Giralda tower, the good economic data contrasts sharply with the reality of daily life.

The average annual income per household in Los Pajaritos

Elvira Montadas, 49, steps out of her house with a garbage bag in “Los Pajaritos” housing project in Sevilla on July 12, 2017. The Pajaritos housing project is the poorest in Spain, according to the urban indicators from the National Institute of statistics. AFP

is 12,307 euros ($14,349). By comparison in Spain’s richest neighborhood, El Viso in Madrid, it is 113,001 euros.

The unemployment rate in the area is 56 percent.

“My daughters are well fed, we have never gone hungry, but that is because I am knocking on doors and thank God the doors open, but I am tired of calling on people all day,” Montadas said at her sparsely decorated apartment.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood are illegally hooked up to the electricity network.

Montadas receives a monthly state unemployment benefit of 312 euros.

She spends 110 euros on the

mortgage on her apartment, 40 euros for the building’s common expenses, another 40 euros for insurance and ten euros for her mobile phone. The rest goes towards food, leaving four euros a day for the family’s remaining expenses.

“I don’t have enough to even start to live, but I make a living,” she said.

‘I am the pillar’ Montadas said she uses a lot of peas and chickpeas. Sometimes there is meat which she gets from charities or neighbors.

Fish is “a luxury” as are yoghurts which her daughters, Andrea, 18, and Maria Luisa, 14, frequently ask for, she added.

Last Christmas there were no

gifts.

“They don’t understand, how shoes or a dress are a huge expense,” said Montadas, her eyes tearing up.

“I feel bad, I get down, but what can I do, if I break down, the house will come down because I am the pillar.”

The family’s problems are mounting. Maria Luisa suffers from developmental delays while Andrea, the oldest daughter, has dropped out of high school.

“She says she wants to live,” said Montadas.

Maria Jose Herranz, a coordinator with a charity called Candelaria which distributes aid in the neighborhood, said she

believes the unemployment rate in Los Pajaritos is much higher than the official rate and “easily” stands at around 80 percent.

“There are households where nobody is working, there are many single parent homes, grandmothers who have to look after their grandchildren because their children are in jail or addicted to drugs,” she said.

‘Crisis was a tsunami’ The neighborhood was badly affected by the heroin epidemic that swept Spain in the 1980s.

Already in decline, it suffered another blow when Spain was hit by an economic crisis in 2008 in part due to the collapse of a decade-long property bubble.

That left construction workers, many of them in the southern region of Andalucia, out of job.

“The crisis was like a tsunami that swept away those who were already struggling,” said Mariano Perez de Ayala, the director of the Seville branch of Caritas, a global charity run by the Catholic Church.

About 70 percent of Spanish households have not noticed the benefits of Spain’s economic recovery, according to a Caritas study.

“There are areas of Los Pajaritos that you can’t imagine are in a neighborhood in the European Union,” said Perez de Ayala.

“We have a system in which the boom times correct inequality very slowly.”

When asked about Spain’s economic recovery, Montadas laughs.

“Yes, of course, everything is great,” she said. AFP

ance overestimate their production, according to two people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the discussions aren’t public.

Iran is optimistic that crude stockpiles will reach a “more favorable” level, the nation’s oil ministry news service Shana reports, citing Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh after meeting with his Iraq counterpart in Tehran.

Money managers increased their bullish WTI oil crude bets to a three-month high, according to weekly U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data.

Bloomberg

Japan’s factory output in June up TOKYO―Japan’s factory output for June ticked up on carmakers, chemical companies and others, government data showed Monday, in the latest sign that the economy is gathering steam.

Industrial production in June grew 1.6 percent monthon-month, rebounding from a drop of a revised 3.6 percent in May, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

Production rose at automakers, steelmakers and chemicals companies among others while output of cellphones, petroleum products and devices to make flat-panel displays and microchips fell.

The production data came after separate figures on Friday that showed household spending picked up in June after 15 months of decline.

Both reports are good news for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who swept to power in late 2012 on a pledge to reignite Japan’s once-booming economy with a policy blitz comprising massive monetary easing, stimulus spending and structural reforms.

“Demand for information technology investment and a recovery in global capital investment are supporting production in Japan,” said Masaki Kuwahara, senior economist at Nomura Securities Co. in Tokyo. “The economy itself is stronger than I had expected.”

“Production will likely remain strong throughout the summer,” Kuwahara said.

AFP, Bloomberg

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

C1

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

NEW PRECINCT. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan looks on as city police chief Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna hands the symbolical key to precinct supervisor Chief Insp. Timothy Aniway during the ceremonial turnover of Police Community Precinct 4 in Barangay Amparo, which forms part of 10 villages—Barangays 179 to 188—that comprise Zone 16. Malapitan thanked Amparo Village Homeowners Association Inc. for accommodating PCP4 in their building. Also in photo are Councilor Jay Africa, barangay chairman Marlon Palmere, AVHAI president Renato Montenegro, and city administrator Engr. Oliver Hernandez. Jun David

DoF commits to fund rehab of Ormoc City

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Finance Department has committed to assist the rehabilitation of Ormoc City, which was devastated by a magnitude-6.5 earthquake early in July.

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, executive director Helen Habulan of the department’s Municipal Development Fund Office said an initial estimate provided by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez placed the amount needed for the rehabilitation efforts at P1 billion.

Habulan said the DOF will finance the reconstruction of Ormoc City’s water source and main pipes that were damaged during the quake, the evacuation efforts and the resettlement of three barangays affected by

the landslides and aftershocks.

“Mayor Gomez will ask the city council to convene for the required resolution, then we will proceed immediately for appraisal to establish the final amount of loan assistance,” Habulan said.

“Included in the financing are the acquisition of heavy equipment which the city needs for its extensive rehabilitation and acquisition of the necessary materials for the resettlement of affected families,” she said.

Habulan said MDFO and Ormoc officials led by Gomez

were already validating and finalizing details on the amount covered by the loan and its amortization schedule.

She said the MDFO would also send a team to Ormoc to conduct a field validation after the office receives the resolution of the City Council on the loan request.

Habulan said the MDFO has placed Ormoc City’s net borrowing capacity at P3.2 billion with no existing loans on record, which makes the city fully capable of repaying its obligations.

The MDFO administers the Municipal Development Fund, a special revolving fund established for re-lending to local government units to enable them to tap funds from local and international sources for the implementation of their respective development projects.

A magnitude-6.5 quake hit

Ormoc last July 6, with close to 300 aftershocks recorded. It was the strongest to hit Ormoc in recent years, killing two persons and injuring about 100 others.

The quake also destroyed over 500 houses and damaged 62 others in 12 mountain barangays of the city. The supply of water and electricity to the city were also cut off and are now being fully restored.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited Ormoc last July 14 and assured residents that the government has a rehabilitation plan in place for the city and other areas in Leyte devastated by the tremor.

In another development, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is offering emergency employment to the displaced workers in Ormoc after the damaging earthquake. With PNA

Kadayawan forges ahead despite ML

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The 32nd Kadayawan sa Davao festival will push on despite the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

City Tourism officer Regina Rosa Tecson said the Kadayawan will continue as scheduled, and there will be no cancellation of activities.

“Ever since we started planning we are already working hand in hand with the security sector,” Tecson said. “They help us in the planning stage to ensure the safety and security of all our events.”

Tecson said the city is intensifying the promotion to encourage tourists to come to the city and witness the touted “King of All Festivals.”

The Kadayawan is a celebration of the bountiful harvest of the 11 indigenous tribes in the city.

Tecson said the city is confident enough that despite martial law tourists will still come and visit the city to witness the event.

Earlier, Mayor Sara Duterte said

QC sets hearing on casino ordinance

Manila protecting seniors from abuse

By Bill Casas MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Monday directed the concerned City Hall offices to craft rules that would ensure the protection of the city’s senior citizens from all types of abuse.

Estrada is seeking the strict implementation of Ordinance No. 8488 approved by the city council last year that protects the physical, mental, and social well-being of 132,000 registered senior citizens in Manila.

“Respect for our elders has been an integral part of our Filipino culture but unfortunately we still hear of incidents of abuse, exploitation, and neglect of senior citizens. These must be stopped,” Estrada said.

Citing a study conducted by the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), Estrada noted that children and elders rank highest in number in terms of perpetrating the abuse, followed by spouses and grandchildren.

While there have been no documented cases of elder maltreatment in the city in recent years, the mayor said this does not mean the city government will not do anything to protect the senior citizens from physical abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation.

“They are very frail and vulnerable to any ill treatment, and making them suffer, for me, is such a horrible act,” Estrada stressed.

By Rio N. Araja

PARTNERSHIP. The Navotas City Government and Meralco have officially sealed their partnership to mutually promote their respective projects and programs for the benefit and greater interest of the city residents. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (center) and Meralco vice president Ferdinand Alejandro (second from right) seal partnership with a handshake. Looking on is Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo (left). Jun David

Makati DES clears 292 streets in seven months

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government has cleaned up 292 streets in 28 barangays in line with its continuing sidewalk-clearing operations to maintain its reputation as a city with walkable streets and an environmentallyprogressive community in Metro Manila.

The operations—conducted from January to July by personnel from the city’s Department of Environment Ser-

the Kadayawan events will continue as planned despite the extension of martial law to the end of the year after an initial 60-day period by Congress, following a proclamation by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mayor Duterte previously said that it would be interesting to celebrate Kadayawan under martial law and still showcase the festivity of the city.

Public Safety and Security Command Center chief Benito de Leon said authorities are now prepared for the 32nd Kadayawan sa Davao slated on August 14 to 20.

De Leon said troops coming from Task Force Davao, Joint Task Force Haribon, Davao City Police Office, and some coming from the Police Regional Office XI and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division will be fully deployed in the city during the entire celebration.

CCTV cameras are also installed in strategic places to ensure the safety of Davaoeños and local and foreign tourists who will join the celebration.

vices (DES)—also saw 87 individuals and two establishments apprehended for violating the Makati Solid Waste Management Code.

Mayor Abigail Binay reiterated her call to residents to cooperate with their respective barangays and report those who dump wastes on sidewalks or encroach on them in deliberate disregard of the law.

“It would be in the best interest of city residents to help us maintain clean, safe

and walkable streets. Please do your part by keeping your own frontage clear of any kind of obstruction or encroachment on public domain. I also encourage you to report those who deliberately disregard the law and cause unsafe and unsanitary conditions on our streets,” she said.

DES head Leopoldo Parumog reported that as of July 24, its Solid Waste Management Division had conducted sidewalk clearing operations in 183 streets

in District I and 109 streets in District II this year.

For the same period, a total of 15 individuals and two establishments had been apprehended in District I for violating the “Maintenance of Sidewalk” provision under City Ordinance No. ‪2003-095, the Makati Solid Waste Management Code. In District II, 72 individual violators of the regulation had been apprehended.

THE 36-member Quezon City council has invited various stakeholders and the public to attend today’s final public hearing for the proposed Quezon City Responsible Gambling Ordinance.

District 1 Ivy Councilor Xenia Lagman said the hearing aims to thresh out concerns of the stakeholders and gather input regarding the implementation of the measure to ensure responsible gambling, or the Ordinance Regulating the Operation of Games of Chance within the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon City, Establishing the Code of Practice for Responsible Gambling and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.

In 2014, the city council passed Ordinance No. SP-2285 regulating the operation of games of chance in the city.

To further strengthen its regulations, Proposed Ordinance 20CC247 introduces `affirmative action like the requirements of special permits covering casinos, bingo, cockfighting, on-line sports betting, e-games, and the like and the establishment the special procedures for applying for these special permits.

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LGUs

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

NV, Benguet to protect Mt. Ugo K

“Above other issues, this meeting will positively lead to the creation of a management plan AYAPA, Nueva Vizcaya—Barangay for Mt. Ugo as climbing attracofficials of Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet tion for both local and foreign mountain hikers,” said Genaro provinces and their local tourism Jr., community affairs representatives are meeting this month to address Basilio, officer of the Nueva Vizcaya issues and concerns regarding the protection and provincial government.

He said that based on police promotion of Mt. Ugo, an emerging attraction for records, an average of 5,000 mountaineers and tourists. mountaineers climb Mt. Ugo each year, bringing income to The summit of Mt. Ugo is lo- tination by mountaineers using the local government units at cated at the boundary of Itogon, the routes from barangay Tinon- P50 per person as entrance fee.

Basilio said former Nueva Benguet and Kayapa, Nueva gdan in Itogon or through baranVizcaya governor Ruth PaVizcaya, which a favorite des- gay Kayapa Central in Kayapa.

By Ben Moses Ebreo

dilla and Kayapa town mayor Paul Ligmayo learned of the growing number of local and foreign tourists.

“The problem here is that there are no guides and uniform amount of standard fees to be collected by local government units,” he said.

Basilio said Barangay Tinongdan, for instance, has recorded the same number of visitors climbing Mt. Ugo, regularly complying with its management scheme and policy of exacting fees, including the provision of paid guides for the hikers pass-

ing within their jurisdiction.

He said Itogon councilor Norberto Pacio, in a preliminary dialogue, bared that the town already made a Mt. Ugo management policy when he was still the barangay captain of Tinongdan, but they experienced lapses when he left the office.

That dialogue, Basilio said, was attended by Pacio and Nueva Vizcaya’s Sharen Bonayon, Tourism Operations Officer I, and Robert Corpuz, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer.

The Nueva Vizcaya Provin-

cial Tourism Office also said climbers coming from Kayapa town register with the Philippine National Police Office and are charged P50 each, but as soon as they pass through Sitio Dimolpos of barangay Tinongdan at the foot of the summit, they are forced to pay additional fees without receipts.

Climbers also reported that at the summit of the mountain, where a Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya cadastral boundary marker is mounted on the ground, another marker has been put up bearing “Mt. Ugo—Itogon, Benguet.”

Masons foot bill for kids’ insurance

SYMBOLIC KID. Three-

year-old Jharley Ang (center) of Barangay Tuao North, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, is one of the six 100 Millionth Symbolic Babies in Cagayan Valley region who was awarded with a gift pack by the Commission on Population recently. Ang was born on July 27, 2017 at 12:06 a.m.. The symbolic babies project promotes the importance of maternal and neonatal health, responsible parenthood and family planning.

Ben Moses Ebreo

IN BRIEF

New building for Carig school

Mariveles to create anti-smoking group MARIVELES, Bataan—The municipality of Mariveles through the leadership of Mayor AJ Concepcion and Vice Mayor Lito Rubia will create a task force for its anti-smoking and anti-littering drive.

“We will finalize the members of the task force this week,” said Councilor Tito Catipon. “They will responsible for catching violators.

“There will be enough members of the task force to catch violators,” Catipon said.

Mariveles recently adopted an anti-smoking and anti-littering ordinance in sync with the national and provincial governments’ thrust.

Prior to the recent issuance of President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order on a smoking ban, the provincial government had already adopted an anti-smoking ordinance. Butch Gunio

TUGUEGARAO CITY―Two sections each of Grade 3 and 6 students will occupy the new classrooms donated by SM Foundation to the Carig Elementary School here.

The two-story, four-classroom school building is the first donated structure constructed within the campus as a result of a publicprivate partnership between the Department of Education and SM Prime Holdings through the SM Foundation.

SM Foundation is an active member of the Adopt-a-School Program of the Department of Education. The Foundation has

so far constructed 82 school buildings with a total of 256 classrooms nationwide.

According to School Principal Emely Tango, the building was a “welcome donation after the eight school buildings in the campus were damaged by typhoon ‘Lawin’ in October 2016.”

Tango says the school lost two buildings, while the roofs of the other buildings were blown away.

The donated building comes complete with chairs, tables, blackboards, wall clocks, electric fans and washrooms with water closets.

PTA president Jennalyn Defensor and other parents are working on improving the water system so there will be an abundant supply of water within the campus, Tango said. Funds from PTA campaigns are enabling them to connect the campus pipes to the main source along the highway.

The school, which sits on a 1,000-sq m property donated by Conchita Guliao, has a student population of 500 coming from Carig Sur and Carig Norte. They now have 14 classrooms with a teacher-complement of 18, including the principal.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—More than 130 schoolers and their teachers here were given medical insurance recently by the officers and members of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines Magat Lodge No. 68 and Sierra Madre Court No. 43.

Gilieou Michael Dimoloy, Magat Lodge worshipful master, said the assistance is part of the annual benefits given to the Dr. Candido Rosario Jr. Elementary School in barangay Upper Magsaysay in this town, being an adopted school of the organization for many years.

“These schoolers and their teachers walk through dangerous terrains and upland pathways daily just to attend their classes and this insurance is a fitting help in case they will meet accidents and emergencies along the way,” he said.

The F & AMP and Sierra Madre Court No. 43 members also conducted a feeding program for the schoolers, who are mostly members of Kalanguya and Kankanaey tribes.

Two TV Monitors were also given to the DCRES to further boost the quality of education among upland school children.

Dimoloy said more projects and activities are lined up for the school to improve its educational services for the upland schoolers.

Ben Moses Ebreo

Fishlanding center to benefit Balanga BALANGA CITY—Fisherfolk here are seen to benefit from the establishment of Community Fishlanding Center here.

City Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon recently led city officials, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources officers, and fisherfolks the ground breaking of the construction of the center in Barangay Puerto Rivas Ibaba.

“Fisherfolks in the coastal villages of the city will hugely benefit in the project,” said Councilor Benjie Merino.

He said BFAR is funding the construction of the center.

During the ground breaking ceremony, BFAR official turned over the ceremonial check to Garcia and Venzon-Gozon for the project.

The tandem of Garcia and Venzon-Gozon is committed to improve the plight of the fisherfolk in the city. Butch Gunio CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard NOTICE OF DECREASE OF AUTHORIZED TODAY

CAPITAL STOCK

Notice is hereby given that in a Joint Special Meeting of the stockholders and members of the Board of Directors of DUPINGA MINI HYDRO CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) held on September 29, 2016, it was resolved by the majority of the Board of Directors and ratified by at least 2/3 of all the stockholders of the Corporation that the authorized capital stock of the Corporation will be decreased from Four Hundred Six Thousand Pesos (PhP406,000.00) to Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP400,000.00) which shall be divided into Four Hundred Thousand (400,000) shares, divided into Three Hundred Sixty Thousand (360,000) Class A common shares (“Class A Common Shares”) with a par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) each and a minimum subscription price of One Thousand Pesos (PhP1,000.00) each, and Forty Thousand Class B common shares (“Class B Common Shares” ) with a par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) each and a subscription price of One Peso (PhP1.00) each. Hence, an application for decrease of the Corporation’s authorized capital stock will be submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval.

All persons having a claim against the Corporation are requested to submit the same to Mr. Luisito Pangilinan at the Corporation’s principal office address.

This Announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the decrease of the capital stock of the Corporation.

(MS-AUG. 1, 2017)

BIKE PATROL. Carmona, Cavite Chief of Police Chief Insp. Jonathan A. Asnan (third from left) and Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola (fourth from left) led the ‘Padyak Kontra Droga at Kriminalidad’ (Pedaling Against Drugs and Criminality), a program attended by 1,200 different bikers from throughout the province. Carmona PNP reported over 500 drug surrenderers in its recent anti-drug campaign. Roy Tomandao

Pinoys invited to Israel to learn farming ON THE 60th year of Philippine-Israeli diplomatic relations, Larry’s Classic Tours Inc. participates jubilantly by arranging the opening of doors of Israeli entities to encourage Filipinos from all walks of life to pick up the challenge that when it comes to food production, man will crack his God-given talent to help alleviate hunger.

The “curriculum” of this “Grow, Glow, Go!—Growing Vegetables The Israeli Way Study Tour” was designed in such a way as to deliver the strong message that if man puts his mind to a problem, he will find a solution.

“Thus, every morning after breakfast, the tour delegates will traverse harsh, arid ‘wadis’ (val-

leys), but at the end of the road, the destination is a paradise of succulents whose colors are as varied as Joseph’s amazing technicolor dream coat,” said Rene S. Ocampo, president of Larry’s Classic Tours.

“This tour is a live course on how to respond to the demand for healthy, fresh salads among the Europeans and the locals out of an arid, dry, forsaken region,”

Ocampo said.

“Experience the process of solving such an impossible task.

You may even get that spark of an idea of how to solve the challenges and opportunities your enterprise is facing you now,” he added.

For details, you may call +632 8696050, +632 8003867, +632 9040187, or email travelinquiry@larrysclassictours.com.

World

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

South Korea starts review of ‘comfort women’ deal S EOUL―South Korea on Monday began an official review of a controversial agreement with Japan over Second World War sex slaves, formally reopening an issue that still strains ties between the US allies.

Mainstream historians say up to 200,000 women, mostly from Korea but also other parts of Asia including China, were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II. The plight of the so-called “comfort women” is a hugely emotional issue that has marred the relations between the Asian neighbors for decades. For many

South Koreans it epitomizes the abuses of Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula.

South Korea and Japan reached a “final and irreversible” agreement in December 2015, under which Tokyo offered an apology and one billion yen (now $9 million) to open a foundation for the dwindling number of comfort

women who are still alive.

The deal, reached by the previous Seoul administration of Park Geun-Hye, was condemned by some of the women and South Korean activists, who took issue with Japan’s refusal to accept formal legal responsibility and questioned the sincerity of its apology.

A government-appointed task force was launched Monday to investigate the deal, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.

“Our task is to thoroughly review the problems in the negotiations and in the agreement itself,” its head Oh Tai-Kyu told reporters after its first meeting, adding the task force will consider “whether

the opinions of the victims have been fully reflected in the agreement”.

New President Moon Jae-In had promised a review on the campaign trail.

But the move threatens to complicate the relations with Tokyo, even as the two countries, both of them security allies of Washington, face threats from nucleararmed North Korea.

Japan maintains that the two countries must abide by the agreement.

Since its signing it has pressed Seoul to remove a statue of a girl erected in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul by activists to

symbolize the victims of sex slavery.

They have since put up more statues―including one outside the Japanese consulate in Busan― which led to Tokyo recalling its ambassador for three months earlier this year.

Several of the surviving South Korean comfort women―currently numbering 37―refused to accept the final compensation provided by Japan.

A group of 12 comfort women filed a lawsuit against Seoul last year for signing the agreement without their consent and despite Tokyo’s refusal to take legal responsibility. AFP

PERFORMING ‘AIDA’. From left, Argentinian tenor Marcelo Alvarez as Radames, Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, US soprano Elena O’Connor as Aida, and Spanish bass JosÈ Antonio Garcia as Il Re di Eggito perform during the opera ‘Aida’ by Giuseppe Verdi, directed by Paul-Emile Fourny and conducted by Paolo Arrivabeni, on July 30, 2017 in Orange, southern France, during the Choregies d’Orange festival, which is dedicated to opera, lyrical art and symphonic concert. AFP

Hindus in Pakistan find little refuge in India JODHPUR, India―For decades, Jogdas dreamed of moving to India to escape the persecution he suffered as a Hindu in Muslim Pakistan. But the reality of life over the border is a far cry from those dreams.

Seventy years after partition unleashed the largest mass migration in human history, Hindus are still moving from Pakistan to India, where tens of thousands languish in makeshift camps near the border with no legal right to work.

Many have no choice but to toil illegally in the stone quarries near where they live because their movements are strictly controlled

by the authorities, suspicious of anyone from across the border.

It is not the welcome most of them expected in Hindu-majority India.

“No job, no house, no money, no food. There, we were working in the fields, we were farmers. But here people like us are forced to break rocks to earn a living,” said 81-year-old Jogdas, who goes by just one name.

“For us the partition is still not over. Hindus are still trying to come back to their country. And when they come here, they have nothing,” he told AFP from the camp on the outskirts of the west-

ern city of Jodhpur where he lives.

More than 15 million people were uprooted following India’s independence from Britain in 1947, which triggered months of violence in which at least a million people were killed for their faith.

Amid the bloody chaos, Hindus and Sikhs fled the newly formed Pakistan, as Muslims moved in the opposite direction.

Despite the exodus, Hindus remain one of Pakistan’s largest religious minorities. Estimates vary, but they are believed to account for around 1.6 percent of the population of roughly 200 million.

Many say they face discrimina-

tion and even risk abduction, rape and forced marriage.

“Soon after partition, the harassment started,” said Jogdas, whose family had only moved to what is now Pakistan a few months before partition to escape a devastating drought.

“There was not even a single day when we could live in peace.

I wanted to come back to live with my Hindu brothers.”

Most of the migrants to India come from Pakistan’s Sindh province, taking a four-hour train journey through the Thar desert to Jodhpur in the arid western state of Rajasthan.

That they share the culture, food and language of Rajasthan should make it easy for them to assimilate in their adopted homeland.

In reality, they live in isolated camps, far from local communities and are treated with suspicion by authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government has said it wants to make it easier for persecuted adherents of the faith to find refuge in India.

Last year it changed the rules to allow immigrants to apply for citizenship in the state where they live, rather than having to go through the central government. AFP

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Economic rebound bypasses poor city SEVILLE―Elvira Montadas pushes her neighbor in a wheelchair along a badly paved sidewalk, past crumbling buildings, in return for some pocket change.

This is one of the odd jobs allowing her to survive in Spain’s poorest neighborhood―Los Pajaritos in Seville, the country’s fourth largest city famous for its Alcazar palace.

A divorced mother of two teenage daughters, 49-year-old Montadas has not held a steady job for years. So she helps her disabled neighbor, cleans homes or irons clothes whenever she can to earn some cash.

If she runs low on food, she turns to charities like the Red Cross.

“My life right now is screwed,” Montadas told AFP as she pushed the wheelchair through Los Pajaritos, her long hair tied in a ponytail.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday applauded data that showed Spain’s economic activity is on the verge of recovering pre-crisis levels and the jobless rate has dropped to 17.2 percent, its lowest level in eight years.

But in Los Pajaritos, a neighborhood of around 21,000 residents located just a few kilometers from Seville landmarks such as the Giralda tower, the good economic data contrasts sharply with the reality of daily life.

The average annual income per household in Los Pajaritos is 12,307 euros ($14,349). By comparison in Spain’s richest neighborhood, El Viso in Madrid, it is 113,001 euros.

The unemployment rate in the area is 56 percent.

“My daughters are well fed, we have never gone hungry, but that is because I am knocking on doors and thank God the doors open, but I am tired of calling on people all day,” Montadas said at her sparsely decorated apartment.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood are illegally hooked up to the electricity network.

Montadas receives a monthly state unemployment benefit of 312 euros.

She spends 110 euros on the mortgage on her apartment, 40 euros for the building’s common expenses, another 40 euros for insurance and ten euros for her mobile phone. The rest goes towards food, leaving four euros a day for the family’s remaining expenses.

“I don’t have enough to even start to live, but I make a living,” she said.

Montadas said she uses a lot of peas and chickpeas. Sometimes there is meat which she gets from charities or neighbors.

Fish is “a luxury” as are yoghurts which her daughters, Andrea, 18, and Maria Luisa, 14, frequently ask for, she added.

Last Christmas there were no gifts. AFP

Hong Kong democracy activist cleared HONG KONG―A pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker who was recently removed from parliament after a Beijing intervention was cleared Monday of misconduct in a case he described as politically motivated.

Leung Kwok-hung―known locally as “Long Hair”―is a veteran activist from the League of Social Democrats, and had been charged by the city’s corruption bureau over a payment received while in public office from a high-profile anti-Beijing media tycoon.

He was accused of “willfully and intentionally” failing to declare HK$250,000 ($32,000) from the founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai between 2012 and 2016. The paper is highly critical of Beijing.

Judge Alex Lee acquitted him “on benefit of doubt” Monday, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the money was a personal payment to Leung in his capacity as lawmaker, rather than a payment to his party.

Leung had received the payment into his personal bank account but the defense argued

it was a party donation, which meant it would not need to be declared.

“Despite the suspicions I have of the defendant’s conduct, I am not satisfied that the prosecution has proven its case against him beyond reasonable doubt,” Lee said in the judgment.

Leung’s trial came at a time when many fear semi-autonomous Hong Kong’s freedoms are under threat from Chinese authorities.

Two weeks ago, he was one of four pro-democracy legislators disqualified from parliament by the High Court over changing their oaths of office to reflect their frustrations with Chinese authorities last year.

Their removal came after an unprecedented intervention from Beijing demanding oaths be taken in a “solemn and sincere” manner.

A number of leading democracy campaigners are currently facing court cases, including over their participation in 2014’s mass pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies.

After his acquittal, Leung, 61,

raised his arms outside the district court as supporters gathered round him.

“I hope the democracy camp will continue to stand firm in the coming years,” said Leung, wearing a T-shirt bearing the words “civil disobedience”.

However, he said the ruling did not convince him the city’s judiciary was safe, describing it as “under attack” by political forces.

Leung’s activism has landed him in jail several times.

In 2014, he spent four weeks behind bars for criminal damage and disorderly behavior during a political protest, and in 2002, he was jailed for two weeks after protesting inside the legislative council chambers before he became a lawmaker.

Hong Kong was returned to China by Britain in 1997 and is ruled under a “one country, two systems” deal which allows it much greater liberties than seen on the mainland.

But there are serious concerns that an ever more assertive Beijing is trampling over the agreement. AFP

PARTY. Lottie Moss, Vittoria Ceretti, Chanel Iman, Rose Bertram and Heidy De La Rosa pose for a photo during the Velocity Black party on July 29, 2017 in Mykonos, Greece. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

Worm brings medical miracles

World

Maduro claims vote victory C ARACAS―Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory Monday in an internationally criticized election for an assembly to rewrite the constitution, but the opposition cried fraud and vowed to keep protesting despite a deadly crackdown.

Ten people were killed in a wave of bloodshed that swept Venezuela Sunday as Maduro defied an opposition boycott and international condemnation―including the threat of new US sanctions―to hold elections for a powerful new “Constituent Assembly.”

Protesters attacked polling stations and barricaded streets around the country, drawing a bloody response from security forces, who opened fire with live ammunition in some cases.

Despite the boycott and the unrest, the head of the National Electoral Council, Tibisay Lucena― one of 13 Maduro allies already slapped with sanctions by US President Donald Trump’s administration―said there had been “extraordinary turnout” of more than eight million voters, 41.5 percent of the electorate.

Dressed in bright red, his fist clenched and face beaming, Maduro hailed it as a win in a speech to hundreds of cheering supporters in central Caracas.

“It is the biggest vote the revolution has ever scored in its 18-year history,” he said, referring to the year his late mentor, Hugo Chavez, came to power.

“What the hell do we care what Trump says?”

Members of the new assembly will include his wife Cilia Flores, his pugnacious right-hand man Diosdado Cabello, and other staunch allies.

The socialist president is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member assembly, which will be empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and rewrite the constitution.

In his speech, he encouraged the assembly to scrap opposition lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution as one of its first acts.

There was blistering international condemnation of the vote, led by Washington.

The constituent assembly aims to “undermine the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination,” US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement, threatening further “strong and swift” sanctions on Maduro’s government.

The election was also condemned by the European Union, Canada and Latin American powers including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

Senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on Venezuelans to continue defying the deeply unpopular Maduro with new protests against the election and the “massacre” he said accompanied it.

“We do not recognize this fraudulent process,” he said, calling for nationwide marches Monday and a mass protest in Caracas Wednesday, the day the new assembly is due to be installed.

Maduro has banned protests over the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years.

Prosecutors said 10 people were killed in violence around the vote, bringing the death toll in four months of protests to more than 120 people.

Those killed included a candidate for the new assembly, a regional opposition leader, two teenage protesters and a soldier in the western state of Tachira, which saw some of the worst violence.

In eastern Caracas, seven police were wounded when an improvised explosive targeted their motorcycle convoy.

National guard troops used armored vehicles, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads in the capital and other cities. AFP

IN THE PANEL. Tomi Lahren at the ‘Now What, Republicans?’ panel during Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. AFP

Lightning bolts kill 11 in eastern India NEW DELHI―Lightning killed at least 11 people in eastern India as large swathes of the country reeled under the worst floods in years that have left hundreds dead and millions displaced, officials said Monday.

The victims were working in fields in Odisha state when lightning bolts struck them, the state’s top disaster management official said. Fifteen people were injured on top of the 11 dead.

“The death toll is likely to rise as many were critically injured,” A.K. Das, head of the authority, told AFP. The state has also been badly hit by floods and another three bodies were found in Jajpur district, taking the region’s toll from the deluge to seven in

48 hours.

Torrential rains have wreaked havoc across several other Indian states, damaging roads and electricity networks, with nearly 700 dead reported across the country.

As many as 20 states have suffered in the current monsoon season that began in June.

In the western state of Gujarat, 213 people have been killed in weeks of flooding, state disaster management said.

The deaths almost doubled to its present level at the weekend with about 100 bodies found after water started receding.

Suresh Kumar, West Bengal’s top disaster management official, said at least 31 deaths were reported in a week of

flooding in the state.

“Heavy rains have caused massive damage in several districts,” Kumar told AFP. Landslides and flash floods in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam since April have left dozens dead, while the eastern states of Jharkhand and Bihar have also been badly hit, with nearly 140 lightning deaths reported in Bihar since May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a radio address on Sunday that necessary help was being provided.

Lightning kills thousands of Indians every year, especially during the JuneOctober monsoon, with most of them farmers working the fields. AFP

PLOEMEUR, France―For centuries, the only use humans found for the lugworm―dark pink, slimy and inedible―was on the end of a fish hook.

But the invertebrates’ unappreciated status is about to change.

Their blood, say French researchers, has an extraordinary ability to load up with life-giving oxygen.

Harnessing it for human needs could transform medicine, providing a blood substitute that could save lives, speed recovery after surgery and help transplant patients, they say.

“The hemoglobin of the lugworm can transport 40 times more oxygen from the lungs to tissues than human hemoglobin,” says Gregory Raymond, a biologist at Aquastream, a fishfarming facility on the Brittany coastline.

“It also has the advantage of being compatible with all blood types.”

Raymond and his team, which specializes in fish egg production, joined forces with biotech firm Hemarina in 2015 in the hope of securing a reliable means of lugworm production.

The facility now churns out more than 1.3 million of the creatures each year, each providing tiny amounts of the precious hemoglobin.

“We started basically from zero. Since the worm had never been studied, all parameters needed inventing from scratch, from feeding to water temperature,” says project researcher Gwen Herault.

Medical interest in the lugworm―Arenicola marina―dates back to 2003, when the outbreak of mad-cow disease in Europe and the worldwide HIV epidemic began to affect blood supplies.

The problem was that animal hemoglobins, as a substitute for the human equivalent, can cause allergic reaction, potentially damaging the kidneys.

In lugworms, though, hemoglobin dissolves in the blood and is not contained within red blood cells as in humans -- in other words, blood type is not an issue -- and its structure is almost the same as human hemoglobin.

In 2006, the worm’s potential was validated in a major study.

Scientists at Roscoff, close to Plomeur, extracted and purified hemoglobin from local-caught lugworms and tested it on lab mice. The rodents were fine and showed no sign of the immune response that dogged other animal substitutes.

If proven safe for humans, the researchers said, the worms’ oxygen-rich blood could tackle septic shock―a crash in blood pressure that can cause fatal multiple organ failure―and help to conserve organs for transplantation.

Clinical trials of the blood product began in 2015. Lugworm hemoglobin was used last year in 10 human kidney transplants at a hospital in the western French city of Brest and 60 patients are currently enrolled in tests of the blood product across France. AFP

30 arrested over pyramid scheme

RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED. Ricky Nelson Remembered staring his twin sons Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson perform at City Winery Nashville on July 30, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. AFP

BEIJING―Chinese police have arrested 230 members of a suspected pyramid scheme, a week after a rare demonstration in Beijing protesting a crackdown on the group.

The scheme, known as Shanxinhui or “philanthropic exchange”, is under investigation and the group’s founder Zhang Tianming, along with several employees, was arrested earlier this month.

But in an unusual display of public disobedience, hundreds of protesters affiliated with the scheme gathered in the capital Beijing last Monday and 67 of them were detained.

Photos and videos on social media showed a large group chanting slogans and holding red banners urging President Xi Jinping to stop the investigation into the group, which they described as a legitimate platform being “persecuted”.

Protests of such size are rare in Beijing, where the ruling Communist party has little tolerance for public demonstrations and is

particularly sensitive to activity in the country’s capital.

On Sunday, the Guangdong public security bureau said on its official social media account that 230 members of the scheme had been arrested, with 142 facing criminal charges.

It added that 55 companies suspected of involvement in the scheme have been put under investigation, and pledged to “maintain the high pressure crackdown”.

Shanxinhui is “the Falun Gong of a new era,” one social media user said Monday, referring to the banned religious group that has been brutally suppressed by the Chinese government for nearly two decades after it staged a major protest in Beijing’s centre.

Shanxinhui registered as a business partaking in “cultural activities” in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen in 2013, Chinese language publication The Paper cited government records as stating.

Its official Weibo microblog account has blank since last

week, with no posts shown, and its website is not accessible.

A cached version of the website described the organization as an equity investment group founded in 2013 that promotes causes such as forestry conservation and poverty alleviation.

As of June, as many as 2.3 million participants had not received a pay-out in the scheme involving billions of yuan, according to Chinese state broadcaster China National Radio.

Founder Zhang and the employees were arrested on charges of defrauding “a huge amount of property” from victims “under the guise of ‘helping the poor and achieving common wealth’”, according to a police statement.

Pyramid schemes have become increasingly popular in China in recent years, with promotional material spreading rapidly on social media networks.

Police investigated 2,826 pyramid scheme cases in 2016, nearly 20 percent more than in 2015, according to the Ministry of Public Security. AFP

Life

A

RMED with a mission of training children to think creatively while providing the best environment for artistic expression, Global Art Philippines held the 2017 Global Art Students’ Exhibition at the upper ground atrium of SM Aura.

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

CULTURE & MEDIA

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

The exciting and fun activity took place in partnership with SM Aura as part of the mall’s Art in Aura event.

Similar to previous years, the annual exhibition put together a carefully curated display of unique and original works by Global Art students rendered in various media including oil pastel and color pencil, poster color paint on paper, canvas and acrylic paints, and clay.

A portion of the exhibit area featured some students’ pencil sketch on paper.

“Each year, we and our students and their families look forward to this event which provides the perfect venue to display their artworks that they had worked so hard on during the program. It’s also an opportunity for our students from different branches to come together and admire each other’s artworks, be inspired, and learn from each other,” said Yenny Saw, country manager of Global Art Philippines. “We are thankful to SM Aura who generously provided a free venue for this event and for their commitment to promoting the arts and young, budding artists like our students.”

The exhibit is in a way a prelude to the much-anticipated National Level Art Competition which will be held on Sept. 24 at SMX Aura, and prepares students in terms of working START THEM YOUNG. Global Art Philippines helps develop creativity among its students, young and old. independently, managing their time, and giving it their best.

Over 200 students joined by their families and friends participated in the whole day affair that started from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. These budding artists and illustrators came from different Global Art schools in Metro Manila including Ortigas (Greenhills), Katipunan, Fun Ranch Tiendesitas, Makati, Serendra, Alabang, Del Monte-QC, Binondo and New Manila.

“We are very much elated on the turnout of participants and the genuine interest of the public to know more about Global Art. We received a lot of inquiries from people asking about our programs,” Saw shared.

Established in 1999 in Malaysia, Global Art opened its first branch in the Philippines in 2008 and currently has 15 locations found in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga and General Santos. The art school is also operating in 16 different countries such as USA, Australia, China, India and all of the Southeast Asia.

Its programs are open to students of all ages—from three to 60—and include Creative Drawing, Acrylic Painting, Cartoon and Comic, Clay, Sketching, Poster Making and Cultural Program (creating icons of difGlobal Art gives students the chance to develop their creativity and love for the arts ferent countries using clay).

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YOUNG ARTISTS at 2017 Global Art Students’ Exhibition

Art of Durer 2017 launched

Scan and win

with SM City Fairview’s

Q-Art Exhibit

MALLGOERS had the rare opportunity to have a glimpse of an exciting interactive digital art format during the recent Q-Art exhibit at SM City Fairview. This is the first exhibit to feature different life size QR codes that could be scanned and would turn into different images of mall discounts, surprise videos, promos of dining tenants, dis-

counts, exciting freebies with cool images and informative contents as well.

During the launch, the mall atrium was transformed into a gallery of QR codes, executed artistically in 3D cube boxes that are hanged in colorful frames. The QR code (Quick Response Code) is an image, which consists of black squares organized on a square

Mallgoers scan QR codes at SM City Fairview’s Q-Art Gallery

Participating winners claim their discounts and freebies

Beautiful artwork by students of Global Art

grid using a white background which can be used for entertainment and commercial promotion. It can be processed and read using an imaging device or a QR scanner.

Shoppers were able to experience a whole new level of shopping and dining treats by scanning over a hundred of different QR codes located in different Q-Art installations found within the mall. They were able to avail and claim their discounts and freebies at their favorite participating mall tenants by showing a screenshot of their scanned QR code or image.

ART workshops and activities continue to be at the forefront of the education programs of Faber-Castell here in the Philippines. Aimed at offering art appreciation more accessible to a wider audience, art programs and activities are regularly held in public venues nationwide.

From July 29 to 31, Faber Castell launched #Artof Durer2017 on the second level of The Podium in Ortigas Center. An art exhibition, art installation, and other art activities were presented for free.

Inspired by the art of Albrecht Durer, a 16th century German artist popularly known for his prints, participants were treated to a line-up of art activities that allowed discovery of use of watercolor pencils as a medium for creativity. Durer made watercolor sketches during one of his sojourns to Italy from 1494-1495, in his early life as an artist. He was also known to execute precision drawing.

Durer sketched his self-portrait at an early age of 13.

On July 30, a Decorative Lettering Workshop was conducted by Abbey Sy from 1 to 3 p.m.. Sy is an artist and author based in Manila, best known for her hand lettering and illustration style. Her work is inspired by her love for analog, writing, and

travel. She has written and illustrated best-selling books on lettering and journal making.

This was followed by an Art Talk

by Salvador “Buds” Convocar, a Filipino printmaker with a track record of 20 years of teaching art subjects at the University of the East, St. Scholastica’s College, Far Eastern University, and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. He has participated in group exhibitions, both here and abroad. He shared his processes as a mixed media artist.

From 4 to 6 p.m., a workshop on portrait sketching with Tippy Go of Googly Gooeys as facilitator was also held. She demonstrated how to sketch portraits using Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils. Go is an illustrator, designer, blogger and photographer. Her blog, googlygooeys.com is where she has been sharing her love for all things fun and colorful for almost eight years now. Their blog has been featured in local TV shows and international books and blogs.

It is the aim of Faber-Castell to continue to promote art appreciation and provide platforms for developing skills in drawing, calligraphy, lettering, painting for art aficionados, students, children, and as a venue for shared family experiences.

Life

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Ayala Malls

The 30th champions Filipino artistry O FFERING more than just excellent shopping and dining experiences, Ayala Malls The 30th brings to the forefront local culture and the arts through showcases that support and draw attention to the brilliance of Filipino artists.

Ayala Malls The 30th champions impeccable taste and positions itself as a home and haven for Filipino creativity.

As it continues to boost awareness and appreciation for craftsmanship, Ayala Malls The 30th also celebrates Filipino artistry with special exhibi-

tions on events pioneer Robert Blancaflor Group Inc. (RBG) and renowned sculptural artist and designer Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan.

RBG is a pioneer and well-respected creative force in the industry, designing and styling more than 2,000

events both here and abroad. Coinciding with the group’s 20th year in the business, RBG Managing Director Robert Blancaflor showcased his artistic prowess in FRESH: a Floral Installation Show, transforming the Ayala Malls The 30th complex into a flower wonderland. Blancaflor designed especially breathtaking floral art pieces for the three-day exhibit, which reflected his signature style: understated elegance, timelessness, and love for fresh florals.

Pamintuan, on the other hand, is the first Asian female designer to be These metal Carabao sculptures

by Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan are currently displayed at the Corte in Ayala Malls The 30th

Robert Blancaflor showcases his artistic prowess in ‘FRESH: A Floral Installation Show’

Panther

On its 50th year, Shell Art is now accepting entries NOW celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) is again expected to draw more student-participants this year as it continues to encourage and recognize young talents from different schools all over the country.

After almost five decades, global power and gas technology leader Shell has leveled the playing field in the Philippine art scene by shining a spotlight on budding Filipino talents and by propelling them to make their distinctive mark as upcoming artists to watch for. As part of its future energy visions, the innovative competition is Shell’s social investment program for youth development and nation-building that spurs young artists to realize their dream.

The Shell NSAC is open to all Filipino college students who are currently enrolled this year with at least 12 units in a duly recognized Philippine school. The theme for this year is “The Golden Voyage, 50 years of powering students’ artistry.” Cash prizes await this year’s winners in each category, namely, oil and acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, and digital fine arts.

Past winners of the Shell NSAC include a number of contemporary Fili-

pino art masters such as National Artists Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, just to name a few.

Submission of entries is now ongoing.

For provincial contestants, acceptance of entries will be until Aug. 18 at any Shell provincial depot and installations, or in any of the following receiving centers: Gallery Orange, Bacolod City and Museo Iloilo, Iloilo City.

Metro Manila-based contestants, on the other hand, may submit their entries to Shell House, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.

Those interested to join the contest may visit www.shell.com.ph/shell_ art for more details. Students may also inquire with the fine arts department or the students’ affairs office of their respective colleges and universities.

For more than 100 years, Shell in the Philippines continues to pioneer innovative social programs as well as energy efficiency initiatives to address the energy challenge of powering the country’s growth sustainably. The Shell NSAC, for one, aims to hone Philippine art and culture by helping young Filipinos explore who they are as artists.

The Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) theme this year is ‘The Golden Voyage, 50 years of powering students’ artistry’

US high school exchange program open for Filipinos STUDENTS who want to be intellectually and academically prepared before embarking on a collegiate or university course can realize their goal with the opening of applications for a high school exchange program in the United States being offered by International Education Specialists (Inter-Ed 8191001/0918-9041282).

Through the exchange program, Inter-Ed, in partnership with various high schools in America, seeks to affirm its continuing commitment not only to help Filipino students enhance their career development path but to promote global understanding, unity and peace through education.

Helen U. Bartholomew, Inter-Ed founder, said that by crossing borders to pursue their ambitions, participants will

have the opportunity to experience a big transformation in their personal lives and careers as they build bridges by studying and interacting with people of diverse colors, nationalities, and beliefs.

The program will likewise provide qualified students the chance to live in cities and towns across America that will allow them to immerse in the daily life and culture of the community by living and sharing experiences with their host families.

For international students, including those from the Philippines, the gradual but evident change in perspective normally takes place in the high school level either through a semester-long or a year-long exchange program.

According to Bartholomew, Filipino high school students who participate

in the exchange program return to the country with a dramatic transformation in their perspective and attitude—as mature, independent-minded individuals with an entirely different outlook in life.

Participants in the program are usually in their senior year in high school.

Since it launched its high school exchange program in the 1980s, Inter-Ed, in cooperation with its partner-institutions in the US, has placed more than 80,000 Filipino students in various American high schools..

For more information on the US high school exchange program, applicants may contact Inter-Ed at 819-1001 or 0918-9041282 or online at intl_edu_ specialists@pldtdsl.net or log on to www.inter-ed.com.

included in the prestigious International Design Yearbook and is a pioneering member of the Movement 8 design Alliance.

Today, Pamintuan has achieved esteemed status as one of the pillars of the country’s design industry. In her exhibit, Simplicity and Elegance, Pamintuan showcases her excellent craftsmanship and unique design sensibility that’s translated into stunning pieces of fur-

niture, home accessories and sculptural jewelry. Her famed metal pieces of animals will be displayed at the Corte for the next six months.

These two amazing artists epitomize what Ayala Malls The 30th stands for—excellence in industry, overflowing passion, and an innovative take to engaging the community.

Ayala Malls The 30th is located at 30th Meralco Avenue.

ART NOTES Michelle Lopez’s Invisible Object, 2016

Emerging art forms at MCAD

THE Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) tackles non-traditional and emerging art forms in Re-Enactments, its latest exhibition, which opened on July 13 and will be on display until Sept. 10.

Presenting the works of Erick Beltran, Yason Banal, Liz Magic Lazer, Silvana and Gabriella Mangano, Michelle Lopez and Francis Alys, the show takes up the issue of situations— whether constructed, instruction-based, document-orientated, or those positioned as gestures within the parameters of a traditional exhibition format.

The featured works move away from the centrality of the artist, questions the role of body and language, as well as blur and momentarily merge the live act with its medi-

ating instrument, whether these be through video, sound or hired performers.

Benilde’s MCAD is the only exhibit space in the Philippines that approximates an international contemporary art museum and gallery space. Its programs are molded in line with the college’s courses: film, fashion design, animation, multimedia art, photography, arts management, production design, technical theater, architecture, and music production.

The MCAD is located at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus, Dominga St., Malate, Manila. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 pm., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit mcadmanila.org.ph or its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages at MCADManila.

New gallery opens MICHEL Yves Art Gallery is a purpose-built gallery showcasing the digital rendition works of art by Michel Yves Tetrault, a Manila-based artist.

By using art as a tool for a much bigger advocacy, the gallery’s profits will raise funds for a national public health campaign for Spinal Health and its related health benefits.

“Positioning itself as a pioneer in combining Art with Heart.”

With its primary role of exhibiting new media artworks, Michel Yves Art Gallery doubles as a venue for public health promotion: a corporate responsibility by Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics as its civic duty to inform and educate the public about the importance of spinal health through conservative methods of achieving a painless life.

Michel Yves Art Gallery is on its mission of being a vital platform for the

promotion of health; through funding campaigns towards public awareness and acceptance, removing skepticism and misinformation of natural alternative methods specifically Chiropractic Care, positioning itself as a pioneer of combining Art with Heart.

Tetrault is a Canadian-born artist. He is a former professional photographer that has transitioned to a digital artist when he moved permanently to Manila in 2006.

He undertook his studies into Chiropractic graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1979 from Life Chiropractic College. He retired from active practice in March after 38 years of service as a Chiropractor in the Unites States and Philippines. His involvement in both fields is merged into what is now the Michel Yves Art Gallery and the advocacy it stands for.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

T

BA Studios, the independent film company behind acclaimed movies, like the blockbuster Heneral Luna, the Urian-winning and MMFF Best Picture Sunday Beauty Queen, I’m Drunk, I Love You, and Bliss, was launched on July 26 at the Marquee Tent of EDSA Shangri-la.

TBA Studios executive producers E.A. Rocha and Fernando Ortigas opened the event with major announcements on the company’s most recent partnership deals.

The group has entered into a strategic partnership with the country’s leading telecommunications company, Globe Telecom.

TBA Studios and Globe Studios are co-producing several projects including Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, the muchawaited follow-up to Jerrold Tarog’s Heneral Luna. Globe is also going to provide marketing support for Birdshot, an official entry to the forthcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, to ensure that the critically acclaimed film will reach more audience when it opens on Aug. 16.

Other exciting film projects announced during the launch

Paulo Avelino as the young general Gregorio del Pilar in the "Heneral Luna" sequel, "Goyo"

"Women of the Weeping River" is a story of two women in a remote Muslim community confronted by an escalating blood feud

TBA Studios unveils BIG MOVIE PROJECTS, PARTNERSHIP DEALS

included Carlo Obispo’s 1-2-3, a family drama, which opened last year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, and Women of the Weeping River. which took home top prizes in the recently concluded 40th Gawad Urian Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Mindanaoan filmmaker Sheron Dayoc. Another highly anticipated project is the crime thriller Smaller and Smaller

Circles, directed by Raya Martin, based on the best selling novel of F.H. Batacan.

TBA Studios also confirmed that the film adaptation of the popular graphic novel, The Mythology Class, is now in development.

Arnold Arre and Tarog, who would helm the project, made the official announcement.

Aside from producing quality films, the company continues to expand its reach and scope

by creating various distribution platforms that will promote and enrich the local movie industry. In 2016, the company launched Cinetropa, a Filipinomovie streaming site created exclusively to give Filipino films more exposure on a global scale, and Cinema ’76, a micro-cinema dedicated solely to regularly playing independent films. With the success of Cinema ’76, Vincent Nebrida, TBA President

Gabbi’s take on rivalry with other GMA female stars GABBI Garcia has reacted to the observation that she is one of the current favorites of GMA Artist Center, considering how the management strongly drumbeats her showbiz commitments compared to other talents.

“You know, as a talent arm, it is expected that GMA supports its artists at all times.

Right now, I have lots of activities, like photo shoots so it’s understandable if the management promotes them to the hilt,” she avers.

Due to her rising popularity, the Encantadia star is being pitted against Barbie Forteza at this point.

“Oh no! There is no competition between us.

For one, I look up to Barbie because she’s already an award-winning actress. This season, she also snatched acting nomination both from the Urian and EDDYs. It’s quite a feat.

“I believe we have different fortes and GMA knows how to further

enhance them.

All of us in the talent pool have our own time to shine.

We are fielded in the area where we’re strong at. So that competition angle is out of the frame.”

Asked how she handles bashers, Gabbi reveals, “It’s a process actually. It didn’t happen overnight. Through time, I guess. Admittedly, when I was just starting, I also got affected and hurt. It was not really an encouraging stage.

“I’m grateful that through the help of people close to me, I felt more secure with myself as days went by.

I became confident with what I can offer as an artist.

Fortunately, it came to a point that I could already ignore them. But of course, it would be a different story if their attack is already belowthe-belt. I would definitely answer back.”

T h e r e is a rumor circulating that with her present success, she has allegedly an attitude

developed problem.

“I’m not surprised at all. That’s normal in show business. Whatever you do, people will always have something to say about you.

As the old adage goes, you can’t please everybody. As long as I know my true self and my family, friends and manager assure that I haven’t changed, others’ opinion won’t really matter anymore,” ends Gabbi. *** Asked about Liza Soberano being the latest Darna, Marian Rivera has only good words to say about the ABSCBN star.

“I give my thumbs up to her!” she avers. “I think she’s perfect for the iconic super heroine role. For one, she’s

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

ACROSS 1 AutoZone competitor 5 Turbaned seer 10 Cuts short 14 Indistinct shape 15 Bucket of song 16 Mental picture 17 Eros, in Rome 18 Existing at the very beginning 20 Hone 22 Gnawing animal 23 Rostrum 24 Adams or McClurg 25 Glossy fabric 28 Yea, to a matador 29 Takes at gunpoint 33 Coagulated milk 34 Succeed (2 wds.)

36 Bang 37 Ms. Hagen 38 Behind, at sea 39 Forensic science tool 40 Soft French cheese 42 Knight’s transport 44 Wedding-cake layer 45 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine

Indie actress Mary Joy Apostol as Maya in the feature film, “Birdshot”

46 Poetic contraction 47 Least experienced 49 Posterior 51 Tour de France, e.g.

52 Sings heartily 55 Bivouac shelter (2 wds.)

58 Likeness 60 Peacock’s pride 62 Corncake 63 Prevent 64 Fish-eating flier 65 Use a spoon 66 List item 67 Did a salon job DOWN 1 Bulls’ org.

2 Poor-box donations 3 Hogwash!

4 Chafed 5 Dripping wet 6 Items for sale 7 Similar 8 Hebrew letter 9 Tidy (2 wds.)

10 Auction-goers 11 Garfield’s housemate 12 Pinto or fava 13 Pretzel coating 19 Louis XIV, e.g.

21 Funny Charlotte

— 24 Overjoy 25 Diver’s gear 26 Film cowboy Gene — 27 Fall behind 28 Volunteer 30 Any Elvis recording 31 Nuisances 32 Quick to learn 35 Cisco Kid movie 41 Previous 42 Oceanfront 43 Window covering

44 Chirped 48 Statute 50 Architect’s wing 51 Less refined 52 Recipe qtys.

53 Mob scene 54 Former Atlanta stadium 55 Miniature-golf shot 56 Zilch 57 Pointed part 59 Dice throw 61 Was in front

pretty.”

Has she met Liza personally?

“No, not yet. But I find her beauty arresting on screen, not to mention her sexy figure. She would be a very charismatic Darna for sure.

This early, I want to wish her the best of luck. The majority wants her for the part so that’s a good head start. She’ll be more confident in playing the character.”

Interestingly, in her next grand soap opera, she will breathe life to a character which can also be considered a “superhero.”

“That’sright! The title of my new show is Super Ma’m in which I portray a teacher.

Did you know that my childhood dream was to become a teacher so I’m glad that in my new project for GMA, I will have the opportunity to play such just even for the small screen. I will be the saviour of the oppressed. I hope viewers will support my new offering,” Marian states.

and Cinema ’76 co-founder, announced that the popular micro-cinema would open a new and bigger branch very soon.

Cinema ’76 will also continue to hold series of master classes and workshops to hone multi-faceted skills in filmmaking.

It’s only been three years since TBA Studios has been established.

Comprised of three movie outfits, Tuko Film Productions under Fernando

Ortigas, E.A Rocha’s Buchi Boy Entertainment, and Artikulo Uno Productions, which produces Jerrold Tarog’s films, TBA Studios as a brand is fairly new.

But despite being rookies in the industry, the group has made its mark in the Philippine film industry for pushing the envelope towards high quality filmmaking.

“Despite our age, Nando and I are the oldest babies in the industry,” Rocha quipped. “But we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. They call us ‘game changers’, but really, it’s because the audience owned our vision. We want to make films that the Filipinos deserve.”

“We want to produce movies that Filipinos will remember,” Ortigas added. “We would like that everybody that goes to the movie theaters and sees the TBA branding would know that once they see it, they will enjoy the movie and come out happy with it.”

Know more about TBA Studios and its projects. Visit www.tba. ph for a comprehensive guide to the company’s portfolio and TBAStudiosPh on Facebook.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

S

O, AI-AI de las Alas isn’t moving back to the Kapamilya network even if Kris Aquino is no longer there and occasionally appears on the Kapuso screen.

Some weeks before the news that the De las Alas, known among the entertainment press as the Philippine comedy queen, there were speculations that she might just return to being a Kapamilya. But on July 24, before the southwest monsoon made more intense by a tropical storm in the eastern coast of the islands named locally as Gorio and a low pressure area in the South China Sea, dumped rains all throughout the archipelago, Ai-Ai de las Alas sealed her future, again, as Kapuso.

“God is so great and good. Ako pa rin po ay isang Kapuso. Binigyan ako ng chance ni Lord na maging Kapuso ulit. So nandito po ulit ako. Thank you sa lahat ng bosses namin sa GMA,” shared De las Alas at the contract renewal with the network’s top executives.

She revealed that she is thankful to GMA for its continuous trust and support all these years, “Kasi di ba dito naman talaga ako nag start. Parang coming home ulit.

Siyempre mahal nila ako at binibigyan nila ako ng work,” she added.

Apart from Sunday Pinasaya, the comedienne said she will have a new show with Vic Sotto plus a soap opera to make her year busier than ever.

Meanwhile, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman and CEO of the network, said he is delighted that De las Ala has remained with GMA 7, “Si Ai-Ai ay tinatawag natin na balikbayan. Alam naman niya kung nasaan ang puso niya ngayon. Para sa atin, she is always welcome. I for one, talagang pinapanood ko ang mga shows ni Ai-Ai.” *** Following the sold-out Upsurge concert, Alden Richards donated a portion of the event’s proceeds to GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF).

Alden’s donation will help fund GMAKF’s bridge construction project for the residents, especially the children, of Barangays Iraya and San Ramon in Buhi, Camarines Sur. The initiative, Kapuso Tulay para sa Kaunlaran, will replace typhoon-damaged hanging bridges to enable school children and residents to easily get to learning and market centers.

The Pambansang Bae, together with GMA Records General Manager Rene

ISAH V. RED

Salta,, personally handed the concert proceeds to GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco and GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog.

Richards said the donation is his way of giving back for the blessings he has received. “This is my simple way of paying it forward since very successful yung concert na Alden Upsurge.

Maganda ‘yung projects ng Kapuso Foundation lalo na ‘yung paggawa ng mga tulay na nasira nung bagyo sa Camarines. Tumatawid lang ‘yung kids sa mga naiwang steel ropes na napaka-delikado at ang reason nila for crossing the bridge is to go to school.

You really get inspired with the stories of people you want to help especially those who are in need,” Alden said.

GMAKF held its groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Iraya Steel Hanging Bridge in Buhi, Camarines Sur on July 21. ** * It’s another intense basketball battle of Kapamilya stars in “Star Magic Oppo All-Star Game” with teams headed by Daniel Padilla and Gerald Anderson happening at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 13.

Presented by ABS-CBN Events and Star Events, the “All-Star Game” features an exhibition basketball match between the two teams composed of Star Magic’s male artists ready to shoot, assist and control the boards.

Defending champion Team Daniel is comprised of Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco, Ronnie Alonte, Vin Abrenica, Zeus Collins, Anjo Damiles, Marco Gumabao, Patrick Sugui, Jon Lucas, Paolo Angeles, and last year’s MVP, Axel Torres.

Meanwhile, Team Gerald,

AI-AI DE LAS ALAS still a

SOLID KAPUSO.

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consisting of Rayver Cruz, JC de Vera, Ejay Falcon, Jason Abalos, Matt Evans, Diego Loyzaga, Miko Raval, Young JV Kapunan, Jimboy Martin, Gerhard Acao, and Joe Vargas Vargas, is all set to face Team Daniel with the determination of stealing away their title.

Last year’s “AllStar Basketball Game: Kapamilya Playoffs” mythical five consisted of both team captains Daniel and Gerald, along with Axel, Young JV, and Ronnie.

Will Team Gerald be able to win the competition this year? Or will Team Daniel keep their throne?

Which star will join this year’s mythical five?

Aside from the much-awaited allstar battle, fans and supporters will enjoy various treats – games, surprise appearances and performances from other Star Magic and Star Music artists during the half time.

Cheer for your favorite team at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug.13, 3 p.m..

Tickets at P1,315 (courtside), P1,000 (patron), P790 (lower box), P420 (upper box), and P265 (general admission are available at Ticketnet (911-5555 or ticketnet.com.ph.).

Kapamilya shows and concerts at ABS-CBN Vertis Tent

ABS-CBN top guns Bobby Barreiro, Carissa Enerio, Nandy Villar, Paolo Pineda, Cory Vidanes, with AyalaLand Malls, Inc. executives led by its president Rowena Tomeldan

THERE is a new place to watch and experience Kapamilya events and shows.

ABS-CBN announced on July 24 that it is launching the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent, a venue within the newly opened Ayala Malls Ventris in Quezon City.

Before the year ends, the venue will be opened for special events, live shows, product launches, exhibits, and concerts.

Head of Business Development Paolo Pineda revealed that ABS-CBN has a lineup of shows – featuring local and international artists – in the tent, which has a seating capacity of 1,200 people.

Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN COO of broadcast, and Pineda, together with AyalaLand Malls, Inc. president Rowena Tomeldan and AyalaLand, Inc. Chief Finance Officer Ruby Chiong signed the agreement for the project on July 24 at ABS-CBN. Also present were ABS-CBN top

honchos – Head Of Integrated Events and Customer Engagement Bobby Barreiro, Legal Counsel Carissa Enerio, Head of integrated marketing Nandy Villar –and AyalaLand Malls, Inc. officers –Synergies General Manager for Entertainment Gabby Katigbak, Senior Associate For Business Development Sheena Chua, and Head Of Marketing Maricris Bernardino.

Pineda said the network welcomes this new venture with Ayala Malls, which has been a partner of ABS-CBN in bringing its content and its stars closer to the public.

“Ayala Malls has been one of our strongest partners for our events, programs, and movies. Our events in selected Ayala Malls have always generated thousands of attendees. Last year, we also signed a lease agreement with Trinoma, an Ayala Mall, for our first ever experience store. This tent is another

first for ABS-CBN, thus strengthening our partnership even more,” said Pineda.

The Ayala Malls Group also expressed its excitement with this new project with ABS-CBN. “We are pleased to be able to provide the Filipino consumers a place to meet their favorite stars and celebrities. The ABS-CBN Vertis Tent will also be open to private functions for individuals who need a big venue north of Metro Manila.

We are excited to be a part of wonderful memories created by this new venue,” said Tomeldan.

Pineda added ABS-CBN and Ayala Malls hope to deliver many meaningful experiences to Filipino families through the events that will be staged in the ABSCBN Vertis Tent.

For inquiries and reservations on the ABSCBN Vertis Tent, you may email santosgail. atmi@ayalamalls.com.ph.