Manila Standard - 2017 August 04 - Friday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 171 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ball players Slain mayor, 7 others in Customs’ ‘fired guns,’ PNP says pay named

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LAWMAKERS on Thursday called for an investigation into why Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon hired 28 professional basketball and volleyball players as “technical assistants” to play for the bureau’s team.

At a hearing Wednesday night, Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said he was in possession of Customs Special Order 58 series of 2016, which showed that Faeldon’s chief of staff, Mandy Therese M. Anderson, was authorized to sign the daily time record of the athletes.

Anderson had earlier called Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez an “imbecile” in a Facebook post Next page

OZAMIZ City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was killed in a police raid Sunday tested positive for gunpowder residue, indicating there was a shootout at his home, a spokesman for the Philippine National Police said Thursday.

PNP Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, quoting a partial report from the Crime Laboratory Region 10, said Parojinog suffered two gunshot wounds to his face and chest.

“The mayor and seven others with him tested positive in the paraffin test,” Carlos said in Filipino.

Fifteen people, including the mayor’s wife Susan, were killed in Sunday’s dawn raid. A 16th victim died in hospital.

Among those killed were the mayor’s brother, Provincial Board Member Octavio Parojinog and sister Mona.

Carlos said testing positive for paraffin means that a gun near a person’s hand had been fired, but admitted that this was not conclusive.

“It will show us that the firearms that were recovered in the premises were used and there was a gun battle, there was an exchange of gunfire and it will reinforce that there was an exchange of fire inside the premises,” he said.

Carlos said only eight of the 15 bodies were autopsied because the family had waived autopsies for the others.

Susan and Mona were not subject to paraffin tests because no guns were found near their bodies.

Carlos denied that the fatalities were shot at close range, saying the evidence showed that the shots were “delivered at a distance.”

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ASEAN LANTERN. Filipino workers place Thursday a big lantern near the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings venue in Manila, with diplomats from 27 countries gathering for the week-long conferences themed ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World’ to promote unity with and among Asean member states and their global partners. Norman Cruz

Rody sets tone vs Nokor Duterte adopts US, Asean trying to build hands-off policy ‘chorus of condemnation’ ORTH Korea is set to face a diplomatic on impeach-CJ barrage over its nuclear weapons program

By John Paolo Bencito

CHALLENGE TO FIREFIGHTERS. President Rodrigo Duterte joins the men and

women of the Bureau of Fire Protection on their 26th anniversary celebration Wednesday at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, with the theme ‘BFP at 26: Embracing the Challenge of Sustaining its Commitment Toward a FireSafe Community.’ Malacañang Photo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle in the impeachment bid against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, even though the complaint was filed by his allies.

“The President cannot control his allies who want to file a complaint,” Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Paz Banaag said in a Palace news briefing.

“He would respect any person or any individual who would file any case against an impeachable officer and would not really meddle with it,” she added.

Banaag said it was better for the executive branch to refrain from commenting on the impeachment process as it is the business of the legislature, but said that the filing of complaints against Sereno “was within the bounds of the law.”

“The President respects the separation of powers of each of the agencies. If the House of Representatives will endorse [the complaint], that is up to them,” she said.

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at a security forum in Manila starting this weekend, with the United States seeking to build a “chorus of condemnation.”

Foreign ministers from all the major powers involved in trying to curtail North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s atomic ambitions will be in the Philippine capital for the event, offering a rare chance for face-to-face talks on the crisis.

The United States and China have been wrestling with how best to respond to North Korea’s second intercontinental ballistic missile test last week, which deepened global fears over Kim’s nuclear weapons strike capabilities.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will seek to build diplomatic pressure on the North in Manila, with Washington pushing for another round of tough United Nations sanctions ona Pyongyang,

THE camp of former Vice President Jejomar Binay is hoping he and his son Junjun will be given a fair trial and be able to clear their names on the criminal case

filed against them by the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged rigged procurement processes of the Makati Science High School Building.

Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales has ordered the filing of

By Macon R. Araneta

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MILF battles IS-linked BIFF

By Nash Maulana and Florante Solmerin FORCES of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Maguindanao clashed Wednesday with a breakaway faction of Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters which had al-

lied itself with the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Initial reports by authorities said the MILF’s 118th Base Command under Ustadz Abdulwahid Tundok intercepted some 200 BIFF-ISIS men, all wearing Next page

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Grab, Uber defy rules —LTFRB

Binays seek fair trial on Ombudsman raps

By Joel Zurbano and Rio Araja

one of his top aides said.

“What we would expect to see this year at the meeting would be a general chorus of condemnation of North Korea’s provocative behavior,” Susan Thornton, the acting US assistant secretary of state, told reporters in Washington.

The annual forum, hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, brings together the top diplomats from 26 countries and the European Union for talks on political and security issues in Asia-Pacific.

This year they will express “grave concern” over North Korea’s missile tests, according to a draft copy of the chairman’s

FLOODED STREET. Motorists drive through an inundated city street fronting the Manila City Hall Thursday

morning following a thunderstorm which caused an obnoxiously tight traffic gridlock yet again in many parts of the capital. Norman Cruz

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AN OFFICIAL of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said Thursday Grab and Uber must comply with the law--like having a Certificate of Public Convenience franchise or provisional authority to operate, similar to what taxis, jeepneys, and buses do.

“That is what we are saying here. We want you to comply with the law the way we want the taxis, jeepneys, buses to comply.

We cannot bend so far to accommodate you,” said LTFRB Next page

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‘Defiant’ ERC chief suspended

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE Palace on Thursday confirmed suspending Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jose Vicente Salazar for another four months without pay after he was found guilty of insubordination.

“The Office of the Executive August 2, 2017 finds Energy RegSecretary in his decision dated ulatory Commission chairperson

and CEO Jose Vicente B. Salazar guilty of insubordination,” Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Paz Banaag told reporters.

“Mr. Salazar is meted out the penalty of suspension for a period of four months without pay.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday ordered Salazar suspended for four months without pay, which was separate from the earlier 90-day preventive suspension imposed on

him on May 2.

The latest suspension is also on top of the administrative charges filed against him and for which he is still being investigated.

The insubordination case against Salazar came after he named lawyer Ronaldo Gomez as the signing authority and chief executive in his place while he was on leave, and despite Malacañang’s order assigning Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana to serve as officer in charge during

Priest posted bail on his own —CBCP THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said Thursday the Church did not pay for the 120,000-peso bail of a suspended Catholic priest who was freed after coming up with the money.

Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos of the Diocese of Antipolo was accused of human trafficking after he was caught taking a 13-yearold girl to a motel but was freed after he posted bail, police said Wednesday.

Police said Lagarejos, 55, was accused of attempting to have sex with the teenager whom he met through a pimp, who was also a minor.

They said Lagarejos had already met the girl twice and had sex with her once.

Archbishop-emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, head of the Church’s clergy dispensation office, said any priest accused of any criminal offense must pay for their own legal costs. Vito Barcelo

Slain...

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The Justice department on Thursday indicted the two children of the mayor, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and Reynaldo Jr., charging them with violating drug and firearms laws.

Reynaldo Jr. was also charged with illegal possession of explosives after police seized a grenade from him.

The indictment came after the Justice Department panel of prosecutors found probable cause in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against the two.

Prosecutors said there were no licenses for the firearms in the house of the vice mayor, while the siblings were caught with sachets of shabu.

“The searching officers positively testified that they clearly saw in plain view the illegal drugs while they were searching for firearms which were both in the constructive custody of respondent Nova Princess Parojing. These is probable cause to separately charge respondent Nova Princess Parojinog for illegal possession of dangerous drugs,” the resolution said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said his committee would conduct an investigation into the Ozamiz raid if witnesses are willing to come forward and testify in a public hearing.

“I haven’t read the resolution yet. If witnesses are willing to face the Senate to testify on the probability of summary executions or excesses in the police operations conducted, I believe that an investigation is in order,” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

Lacson was referring to the resolution filed by detained Senator Leila de Lima , which asked the appropriate committee to conduct a probe, in aid of legislation, into the bloody Ozamiz raid.

Lacson had earlier said that 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.”

The remark was a reference to the killing last year of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who died in a police raid on his jail cell inside a sub-provincial prison. Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

his absence.

“This is the insubordination part.

This is the penalty because the Office of the President has jurisdiction over chair Salazar and for his disobedience,” Banaag said.

The corruption allegations hounding the ERC started after one of its commissioners, the late Francisco Villa Jr., took his own life in November 2016 after allegedly being pressured to approve procurement contracts and hiring consultants without bidding.

Duterte...

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Ride-sharing woes. Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the committee on public services, leads her

Senate colleagues JV Ejercito and Joel Villanueva (partly hidden) in asking question to LTO Asst.

Secretary Edgar Galvante (3rd from left) and Aileen Lizada LTFRB member during the public hearing on issues hounding Grab, Uber and Taxi Operators held at the Senate office in Pasay City. Lino Santos

Rody...

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statement obtained by the Agence France-Presse.

President Rodrigo Duterte also set the stage for the talks on Wednesday with a blistering critique of Kim. “He is playing with dangerous toys and this crazy man, do not be fooled by his face, that chubby face that looks nice,” Duterte said, as he warned Kim could trigger a nuclear war that would destroy Asia.

“That son-of-a-whore maniac, if he makes a mistake then the Far East will become an arid land.”

The draft of the chairman’s statement flagged the North, to be represented by Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho, will offer a typically defiant response to the diplomatic pressure.

“The DPRK [North Korea] claimed during the meeting that its nuclear weapons program is an act of self-defense against a hostile policy towards it,” said the statement, which is due to be released at the end of the meeting on Monday.

Tillerson will not hold direct talks with Ri in Manila, Thornton said.

But Tillerson is expected to meet with the top envoys from the other nations in stalled “six-party” negotiations aimed at reining in Pyongyang’s nuclear program:

Ball...

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for threatening to abolish the Court of Appeals, and later revealed that the House leader had lobbied to get a Customs employee promoted.

The document, which bore the signature of Faeldon, showed that of the 28 basketball and volleyball players, seven are assigned to the Office of the Commissioner, 19 to the Customs intelligence group, one to the assessment and operations coordinating group and another to the import and assessment service.

Those assigned to Faeldon’s office are Kenneth Duremdes, Marlo Aquino, Dave Arguelles, Dante Canaway, Parley Tupas, Sherwin Meneses and Allysa Valdez.

Others listed were Berzon Franco, Michael Anthony Sumalinog, Edward Joseph Feihl, Ronjay Enreli, Gherome Ejercito, Bong dela Cruz, Ed Bundoc, Mark Mabazza, Rizal Vonn Ignacio, Samuel Ignacio, Martin Llagoso, Carl Bryan Vitug, Danielle Michiko-

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board member lawyer Aileen Lizada.

Speaking during Senate public services committee hearing on proposals regulating transport network companies and transportation network vehicle services, Lizada also told the panel, chaired

China, Russia, Japan and South Korea.

Southeast Asian diplomatic sources said Tillerson had lobbied US allies to exclude North Korea from the Asean regional forum, which meets to discuss AsiaPacific security issues alongside Asean talks.

Thornton confirmed that Washington is seeking to further isolate Pyongyang, but admitted that there had not been time to convince its regional allies to update the guest list before the Manila talks.

“We’ve been going around talking to partners to talk about what more they can do to increase pressure on the regime and increase the diplomatic isolation of the regime,” she told reporters.

“We’ve been having a serious discussion about what it would take for a member to be suspended from this organization that is dedicated to conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy.

“We’ll see how that develops in the coming year. Of course it’s too late for us to have that conversation, since the meeting is upon us for this year,” she said.

The 10 Asean foreign ministers will first hold talks among themselves on Friday and Saturday, during which the region’s other major flashpoint issue--rival claims in the South China Sea and China’s growing presence there-will be a top agenda item.

China claims nearly all of the

strategically vital sea, including waters approaching the coasts of ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Beijing has in recent years expanded its presence in the sea by building artificial islands capable of holding military bases.

ASEAN will endorse a framework on a code of conduct for the sea, which has been brokered with China, and call for talks to create a formal pact to begin “as soon as possible,” according to a draft of their joint statement.

However, while the Philippines and China have been promoting the framework as an important development, analysts caution it is only a minor step that comes 15 years after negotiations began.

“Of course a code is only as good as its implementation and enforcement, and we are still a long way from seeing it in action,” said Ei Sun Oh, an adjunct senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

The Philippines, under previous president Benigo Aquino, had been a leading voice against China’s expansionism in the sea and used Asean events to pressure Beijing.

But Duterte, who took office last year, immediately reversed that policy. He has sought to play down the dispute in favor of building warmer ties with China and attracting billions of dollars worth of Chinese investments and aid.

AFP

Castañeda, Menchie Tubiera, Andrea Marzan, Rizza Jane Mandapat, Jonalyn Ibisa, Fenela Risha Emnas, Joshua Esguerra, Jonah Joy Corpuz and Cyrine Gonzaga.

Abu said Faeldon admitted before lawmakers Wednesday night that the athletes were indeed hired by the bureau as “intelligence officers” and “technical assistants.”

“I want to know what these people’s qualifications are, find out if they can help in our fight against graft and corruption,” Abu said Thursday.

Abu said lawmakers want to know if the appointees were really working for the bureau and how much they earn.

“We’re only pursuing what Commissioner Faeldon has been telling us when he said that politicians should not endorse or recommend appointees because it’s a form of corruption,” he said.

Earlier, Faeldon hit lawmakers for alleged influence peddling in the hiring and promotion of certain Customs employees, saying that this impairs his efforts to reform the agency and rid it of

corruption.

But Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said it was Faeldon who was hiring the unqualified.

“Look who’s talking! Faeldon tarnished the reputation of the entire House of Representatives by insinuating that lawmakers are endorsing promotions or employment to the bureau of certain personnel. Yet, it turned out he has employed sports people with dubious qualifications for their position,” Barbers said.

“Are these people qualified for their positions? How much are they paid? What kind of service are they performing for the BOC? Are they actually reporting for work? We will find out the real score in our next hearing,” said Barbers, whose committee on dangerous drugs is investigating how some P6.5 billion worth of shabu from China had slipped past Customs examiners in May. Barbers also insisted that there was nothing irregular about lawmakers recommending appointments or promotions.

by Senator Grace Poe, they would not allow Grab and Uber to just get an accreditation.

She gave assurances that as long as they were in authority, they would regulate the operations of Grab and Uber based on terms and conditions.

She also told the two TNCs that the LTRFB was authorized by Congress to issue a franchise.

She noted that both Grab and

Uber had allowed their partner-drivers to accept passengers even if majority of them had no CPC franchise or PA to operate.

The LTRFB had earlier imposed a fine of P5 million each for Grab and Uber due to violations of terms and conditions of the Certification of TNC accreditation under Memorandum Circular Number 2015-016.

The anti-crime watchdog Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno Wednesday. A lawyer, Lorenzo Gadon, was sent to file a second one.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, chairman of the committee on rules, said he told Gadon that his complaint must be based on his own personal knowledge or culled from authentic records, when the lawyer visited him at his office.

Gadon was supposed to file the second impeachment complaint Wednesday but held it back to give Fariñas time to read the 54-page document.

At a press conference last week, Gadon, president of the PDU30 Constitutional Reform to Federalism, said he planned to file a complaint against Sereno over the P5.1 million spent to buy a Toyota Land Cruiser for the Chief Justice.

“She used public funds to finance her extravagant and lavish lifestyle by ordering the purchase of a brand-new luxurious Toyota Land Cruiser 2017 model as her personal vehicle, amounting to more than P5 million,” Gadon said in his 54-page impeachment complaint.

Gadon also alleged that Sereno committed a culpable violation of the Constitution when she failed to truthfully disclose in her SALN the “exorbitant lawyer’s fees” of $745,000 or P37 million that she received from the government.

Gadon also accused Sereno of violating the Constitution when she manipulated the shortlist of the Judicial and Bar Council to exclude then Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza, for personal and political reasons, thereby disgracing… Jardeleza, and curtailing the President’s power to appoint him.”

Sereno also betrayed the public trust when she obstructed justice by prevailing upon a lower court judge not to issue a warrant of arrest against Senator Leila de Lima, who faced drug charges filed by the Justice department.

Sereno refused to comment on the impeachment complaints.

Fariñas said he would evaluate Gadon’s complaint the same way he did with the one filed against Duterte.

He said he noticed that some attachments were newspaper reports, and advised him instead to attach certified true copies of the Supreme Court orders or circulars that form the bases for his complaint.

He added that if the Supreme Court did not furnish him copies of the documents he required, the House committee on justice could subpoena them.

MILF...

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black under Abu Torrette in Barangay Pusaw, Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao, said a defense cooperation mechanism had been in place involving state security forces and the local MILF base commands against extremists in Moro communities.

President Rodrigo Duterte met with senators on the same day, and said he had shared with the lawmakers matters of national security concerns.

One senator said the security concerns the Chief Executive raised during the meeting included information that the extremists had plotted anew to attack three more target places which were not identified.

Abolish CHR only a joke— Duterte PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday backpedaled on his threats to abolish the Commission on Human Rights and on his admonition to the Ombudsman to seek clearance from him before investigating his officials, claiming he was simply joking.

In a speech during the 113th anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Duterte said he knew he would need Congress’ imprimatur before he could abolish the CHR, which has been criticizing his bloody war on illegal drugs.

“Itong human rights, sabi ko, biro lang naman yung sinabi kong I will abolish you. I need Congress to do that,” Duterte said.

He said he was not serious when he warned Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to inform him first before investigating security officials since he was their commander-in-chief.

“Yun namang biro ko kay Ombudsman. Sinabi ko huwag kayo mag-report kay Ombudsman kapag pinatawag kayo, that was really an offshoot of my remark.”

But Duterte once again defended his “kill” remarks in response to Morales’ statement before a Japanese television network NHK accusing him of “goading people to kill.”

John Paolo Bencito

Binays...

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multiple counts of Graft and Falsification charges against Binay and former Makati City mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. for allegedly conspiring to rig the procurement processes of the P1.3billion Science High School Building located along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

The Makati Science Building project for a 10-story building with a four-story dormitory was completed merely as a 10-story building, the Ombudsman said.

“The Ombudsman has time and again disregarded her agency’s internal rules, due process and Constitutional rights to pursue her witch hunt against former Vice President Binay and his family. Her recent move comes as no surprise,” said Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado.

Salgado said the allegations had been answered, but apparently disregarded by the Ombudsman.

“It once again underscores the selective prosecution of the Binays and the Ombudsman’s tendency to look the other way when other political personalities are involved. “ “Former vice president Jojo Binay and former mayor Junjun are confident that in a fair and impartial trial, they will be able to clear their names and dispute the baseless charges of a patently biased Ombudsman,” added Salgado.

In two separate Resolutions approved on Aug. 1, Morales indicted Binay Sr. on four counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) and three counts of falsification of public documents.

Key population centers not far from the clash area are Tacurong City and Isulan town, both in Sultan Kudarat, Buluan town in Maguindanao, and Cotabato City.

“We wanted to prevent [this ISIS-inspired] BIFF [faction] from initiating terroristic actions against peaceful communities,” Dela Vega said in a press statement.

In his statement, Dela Vega acknowledged the encounter as one resulting from the “MILF leadership’s commitment” to help quell the “consolidation of DaeshInspired group(s).”

Meanwhile, an unidentified philanthropist from the business sector has donated P1 million to each of the families of fallen soldiers in Marawi, with the military in the final stretch of battle to defeat the Maute and Abu Sayyaf with some foreign ISIS fighters, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said Thursday.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Catch the ‘big fish’

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AX collections in the Philippines will not be effective unless the government and the succeeding administrations correct the obvious systemic flaws in the agencies and start catching the big fish.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon this week separately discussed government’s efforts to improve tax collections amid the state’s difficulty in

Adelle Chua, Editor

meeting revenue targets. Dominguez gave marching orders to the heads of the two agencies to work closer together in catching more “big fish” who were cheating the government of billions of pesos in taxes.

Faeldon slammed unnamed politicians and some members of the Congress for influence peddling, saying they have contributed to corruption in Customs. Faeldon’s bombshell the other day is a truism in the agency, where influential persons, presidential relatives and politicians lobby for their protégés and choice assignments.

Customs, Faeldon noted, has allowed

politicians and government officials to recommend their choice personnel, while claiming that some local government officials own importing or forwarding companies that deal with the agency.

Dominguez, meanwhile, wants to make an impact on the tax collection efforts of the government. Following the initial success of the Bureau of Internal Revenue

in collaring Mighty Corp. for tax evasion, the finance chief wants the agency to go after other big tax cheats.

The government made a bonanza when Mighty offered P30 billion to settle its excise tax liabilities. “You better line up another big one.

Next year, if possible, catch somebody, another big fish,” Dominguez told BIR commissioner Caesar

Dulay and Faeldon at the recent Finance executive committee meeting.

Catching the big fish, however, is not an easy task and could be a complicated one. As Faeldon has correctly noted, the tax collections efforts of Customs could be deterred by some politicians or their business cronies who already have personnel or lookouts safely entrenched in the bureau.

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

No money for higher education?

tional budget, nearly caused the delay in the approval of the first full-year budget of the Duterte administration.

This year’s national outlay nearly didn’t get approved on time after Lacson discovered that Congress had set aside an infrastructure fund for a bunch of congressmen in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, even if the region already had such a fund. In the bicameral conference committee, lawmakers agreed to use the redundant fund for a one-time free-tuition program for SUCs—a windfall that not even the proponents of various versions of the same proposal in Congress expected at the time.

But the Duterte administration, while it set aside the biggest outlay in next year’s budget for public education, felt that this one-off bonanza was not worth funding again. The arguments put forward by President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic managers included, apart from the

SECRETARY Ben Diokno is someone I hold in high regard.

We were once on the same panel that took up the issue of the Priority Development Assistance Fund and Disbursement Acceleration Program when these were still the “disputed questions” of our fickle times. Secretary Leonor Briones was also on the panel— and, thankfully, we were all in agreement that we could not agree with “lump sum” appropriations for legislators’ purposes and for Executive distribution as largesse to favored legislators. Beware of lumps, warned the respected Leonor Briones—of whatever kind they might be! But I am disturbed now that our Budget Secretary tells the nation that there is no money for free tuition in higher education. I feel personally dismayed because I went through eight campuses of the Cagayan State University, at the behest of our University President, setting in place the mechanism for free tuition, even if we had earlier been warned that there was no guarantee that the program would outlive 2018. Now, it seems, it may even have a shorter life span! As my brother says, whenever he is disappointed: “How sad!”

Earlier, when the Legislature took up the issue of subsidizing higher education, one legislator attempted to justify serious budget cuts on state universities and colleges by forwarding a patently false dilemma: What would you rather spend on, he asked: Basic education or higher education? I told myself then, as I tell myself—and others now who might care for my thoughts: Why should we even have to make that choice? The expected answer is of course, because there is not enough money to go around. But that just begs the question about where the money goes—and then the whole, endless but important debate about budgetary priorities surfaces once again.

Without a doubt, basic education must be amply provided for. But it should never be a choice between basic and higher education. Public elementary and secondary schools are possible only when there are enough qualified and competent teachers,

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Welcome silence LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES AS EXPECTED, the usual skeptical noises have been made about the bloody police assault at the home of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. But I’m glad that Congress doesn’t seem too keen on giving the same old anti-government forces a forum to attack President Rodrigo Duterte and his campaign against illegal drugs based on last Sunday’s events.

The truth of the matter is, there isn’t a lot to go by yet to even start a congressional probe.

Apart from the questionable statement made by a supposed survivor and the predictable acoustic barrages from the regular critics of Duterte—to include former President Noynoy Aquino, this time—there’s really not much to look into.

The main reason why there’s no momentum is the unsavory reputation of the Parojinog family, which converted a militarysponsored anti-communist armed group into a broad-spectrum criminal syndicate that seems very much involved in the drug trade. It’s awfully hard to convince people that the Parojinogs were innocent, let alone defenseless.

If Congress is really made up of representatives of the people, then they will have to take into account the widespread belief that the Parojinogs got what was coming to them. That, and the facts that are coming out—like the new findings that the slain politician and his household have tested positive for firing guns—do not augur well for an investigation even by the most rabid, publicity-hungry critic of Duterte.

That doesn’t mean that no such headline-grabbing investigation (which Vice President Leni Robredo has already en-

dorsed) will be started. It’s just *** going to go nowhere fast and, if Senator Ralph Recto is at it it ever happens, will end quickly again, putting his reputation and in the usual whimpers. political career on the line for Let the real investigations, by a worthy cause. And just like when he campaigned for the value-added tax, which sounded scary but which saved us when the last financial crisis hit, Recto is still doing the right thing in the face of stiff opposition.

I agree with Recto that the government should move towards providing free tuition in all state universities and colleges. The cost is not as big as it has been bruited about to be—and the potential returns on this very important public “investment” are too great to put off.

The free public college tuition program, for those who have better memories than the average “netizen,” was actually the result of the excellent work of the police but not by the fame- another senator, Panfilo Lacson. whoring congressional opposi- Lacson, who has morphed from tion, continue. We can do very being one of the most feared powell without the noise this time, lice officers into one of the most thank you very much. feared scrutinizers of the na-

Let the real investigations, by the police but not by the fame-whoring congressional opposition, continue.

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Opinion

AS LONG as everything is going OK, I am happy with PLDT. Before Globe existed, PLDT made customers wait months just to install their phone. Competition is best for everyone because it forces standards up and prices down (unless there is peace between competitors so “everyone can make money”).

As an American, I know what PLDT does to its customers would be illegal in America but let me instead compare their “service” to Maynilad. Maynilad will probably love me for this.

Maynilad only charges for water used. They promise water everyday so if there is an interruption in service they offer free water shipped to your house at their expense, so service is not interrupted.

You actually pay less that month because you do not pay for delivered water.

Now, let’s look at PLDT. We are required to pay full price for half or no service. For the past two months my family has made more than 50 phone calls, waited at home for technicians that often do not arrive and I have made trips to the PLDT office. We also continually purchase prepaid services to get the services PLDT is not providing even though they send bills for the full amount ignoring their breech of contract.

If one side of the contract is being violated while the other side is being forced to maintain their end it is “unilateral change of contract” which is illegal. In plain language, PLDT may provide 20 percent service and demand 100 percent payment. Many of us have experienced this.

Before PLDT gets selfrighteous about their policy of crediting the account, I want to point out that this is not advertised, NOT automatic, and the majority never get it.

My “credit” off my P1690 X 2 months (P3380) given was P396.19 which almost covers my gas to the customer service 3 times. I have spent more than P1500 in prepaid services to get internet at my home via data. And honestly, if we got both months completely free, it does not begin to cover all our wasted time and inconvenience for no permanent repair.

What if Maynilad used PLDT method if your water service was continually interrupted for 2 months?

1. You must buy water from Maynilad or bottled water if you need it.

2. Maynilad sends a bill as if you used the same amount of water as when you had full service.

3. You must pay full bill for water because that is your agreement and you fear penalties.

4. You may receive a fractional credit if you make arrangements.

5. You cannot cancel their service without penalty.

I can be penalized for

quitting PLDT to replace with something working because it is a one-year contract. Only I am required to keep my end of the contract. They are not.

I know when PLDT service is working, it is truly a service, but this is a company who has permission to victimize their own customers.

How would you like it if PLDT took its legal contract seriously? Here’s my proposal.

If service is interrupted, PLDT will provide you with prepaid cards or credit until the interruption is repaired. PLDT understands intermittent ON/ OFF service is disservice and will render full credit.

If technician does not arrive as promised, PLDT will award you additional free prepaid cards as apology for making you wait and change your own schedule for and will have to do it again.

If you have a lack of dial tone or Internet, PLDT will automatically credit this to your account without your applying. It wants you paying only for service your receive.

You will enjoy free Internet while you wait at PLDT customer service centers.

Does this sound too generous or simply fair?

Would a grocery store make greater profit is you were forced to pay for 12 eggs even though 6 were broken? If it is more profitable to steal from PLDT customers without consequence, sadly it will continue.

If it is unprofitable to deal unethically, ethical behavior will appear.

In America, like most of the world, the only way to create a conscience with big business is kick them where it hurts … the money bag.

A big settlement can make other companies take notice and change before they are also slapped with a class action lawsuit. Some law firm can get rich legally while doing a great service for the country, IF the court is not bribed.

Some ambitious or idealistic law firm should see a class action lawsuit as opportunity for justice, righting a wrong.

Suddenly the company that “has no control” finds the ability to control. Large fines imposed by the government inspires resolve. Bribes kill that resolve, but that is another article.

When a nation can prosper with consistent rules, the standard of living goes up.

Everyone benefits. It may surprise some corrupt officials that penalizing corruption financially has great profit for the nation on multiple layers. A million little thieves stealing for themselves only hinders a nation’s wealth.

If we can kill drug dealers and bomb a city, surely we can command large companies from stealing on a weekly basis.

Honesty is the best policy.

Welcome...

From A4

program over six year. It can certainly spend a few hundred millions that were originally inserted in one region’s pork-like program to pay for a “Teach, Teach, Teach” college education scheme for tens of thousands of students in SUCs, Recto said.

I have no doubt that Duterte’s economic team means well, even if it seems to have overlooked this small item in an annual budget that is fast approaching P4 trillion for one year alone. And there’s still time to include Recto’s proposal in the General Appropriations Act of 2018, which was just submitted by Duterte to Congress right before his gave his State of the Nation Address last month.

It makes sense to fund the education of young Filipinos who have already been given the benefit of free elementary and high school education for decades now. The next step is really to help them go the last mile by letting them go to college with the help of the government.

cost of the program, their belief that only people who could send their children to college in the first place (who are not necessarily poor) would benefit from continuing on with their education on the government’s dime.

But Recto has countered that those who will benefit from the program—apart from welloff students who dominate the state-run University of the Philippines—actually need the program most. “The parents of these students in the SUCs are already paying the bulk of individual taxes, so there is justice in allowing their children to go through college with government help,” he told me in an interview yesterday.

And the government can very well afford the scheme because it has actually more money than ever before, which it intends to pay for its P8-trillion “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure

SAMUEL J ALIBRANDO writersword@gmail.com

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Confluence

MAIL MATTERS

How about this service method?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO A CONFLUENCE of certain events these past weeks is raising concern among some political observers and among the Fourth Estate. First, a definition of terms. Confluence in the Merriam Webster dictionary means the coming together or the joining of two rivers or streams to become one mighty river. The Fourth Estate, to those who are not members of it, is the other name for media or journalistic profession.

Journalists being suspicious in nature tend to see shadows where others do not. Thus, the press fears that President Rodrigo Duterte might adopt draconian measures to tighten his grip on government and the populace.

What are these recent events that have become worrisome to certain sectors like the press and the legal profession? The President’s supporters may dismiss these events outright as mere speculation.

Nevertheless, it’s better to acknowledge these red flags early

to warn those who are toying with the idea to think twice before embarking on it.

Foremost of these fears is that President Duterte could declare and form a revolutionary government. This step is more within his power than declaring martial law nationwide. As seen in recent events, the imposition of martial law

by Duterte up to the end of the year needed the approval of Congress. Any citizen could also elevate and question before the Supreme Court the legality of martial law particularly the extent of its coverage and period of imposition.

The precedent for the declaration of a revolutionary government was done by Cory Aquino when she was thrust to the presidency in the aftermath of Edsa People Power in 1986. This was immediately followed by a constitutional convention which drafted the 1987 Constitution that emasculated martial law so it won’t be subjected to abuse and prolonged imposition.

It won’t be far fetched that a Duterte revolutionary government could next amend the charter and push for federalism.

This is within the realm of the possible, particularly if a conscripted Congress itself is con-

vened into a constituent assembly instead of a constitutional convention with the delegates elected at large by the people.

The Supreme Court factor?

There is presently a move to impeach Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for betrayal of public trust for allegedly granting allowances to SC staff and herself without the approval of the Supreme Court justices meeting en banc.

The move was initiated by a citizens group led by Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

So far, no member of the House has stepped forward to endorse the complaint. But then of course a call from Malacañang is all it needs to get the impeachment case moving. There is no telling the President’s political allies are behind the ouster move against Sereno; once told by the Boss, they would jump to do his bidding.

A word of warning to the compliant Congress. Be careful. Diluting your power could embolden the man at the Palace to abolish Congress itself. Former President Ferdinand Marcos abolished Congress when he declared martial law and there was hardly any opposition from the people who saw the

lawmakers as the first to break the laws.

What are the other ominous dark clouds in the political horizon?

Aside from forming a revolutionary government and the ouster move against the Chief Justice, there is the recent report the government is hiring 30,000 military and police personnel. The President has asked Congress to allot funds for the recruitment of 20,000 soldiers and 10,000 policemen.

This, of course, can be justified as strengthening the country’s law enforcement to deal with the global threat of terrorism as shown by the inroads made

by ISIS in the Maute siege of Marawi. But this can also be seen as reinforcing the implementation of emergency rule.

Not martial law but emergency rule which is a shade shy of the former. Alarming portents of things to come is Digong’s repeated statements he wants to abolish the Commission on Human Rights and denigrate the Office of the Ombudsman, two independent constitutional bodies which are critical of the administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

Is this Duterte’s way of silencing his critics?

Personal income tax VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ IN PACKAGE 1 of now President Duterte’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, there are five major additional taxes or tax increases—the personal income tax (PIT), petroleum excise tax, the vehicle excise tax, the road users tax, and the broadening of the 12 percent value added tax (VAT).

Either the new taxes will make life miserable for you or help alleviate your current living conditions. Albay Congressman Joey Salceda says his Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion will transfer wealth to the poor at the greatest volume in our history, so that poverty will decline from 21 percent today to 14 percent in 2022 when Duterte leaves office.

Starting 2018, exempted from income tax are those earning P250,000 or less a year, or P20,833 a month. They used to pay P77,500 income tax a year. In practice, workers making P20,000 a month are slapped a 20 percent effective personal income tax rate, because of the withholding tax system. The tax is zero starting 2018.

Those earning from P250,000 to P400,000 will pay 20 percent of P150,000 or P30,000, down from P80,000 today.

The tax bill creates four new income brackets: • P400,000 to P800,000

No money...

From A4 and it is higher education that provides the teaching force for basic education. Starve higher education and you emaciate basic education as well. It is true of course that there are more private higher education institutes than there are state universities and colleges, but this only proves that the government has not been doing a very good job at fulfilling the Constitutional mandate to provide for a complete system of education. I am by no means advancing the patently controversial proposition that the state should bear the whole burden of higher education— although in countries such as Germany, Belgium and, for some time, I understand, even Spain, all higher education is state-funded education. (And so, the proposition is really not absurd at all!)

It bolsters the cause for higher education to remember that expertise in the “hard sciences”— physics, chemistry, biology (in all its permutations)—includ-

(which will be taxed P30,000 plus P100,000 or 25 percent of the excess over P400,000; • P800,000 to P2 million (P130,000 plus 30 percent of the excess over P800,000); • P2 million to P5 million (P490,000 tax plus 32 percent of the excess over P2 million); and • over P5 million (P1.3 million tax plus 35 percent of above P5 million). Previously, these people paid P125,000 tax plus 32 percent of the excess over P500,000.

In effect, the poor and low middle class (those earning P250,000 or less a year) will benefit. They will pay zero tax.

They are 83 percent of taxpayers.

The very rich (those earning P2 million or more) will benefit, too. Also reckoned as very rich are top government officials, those with the rank of cabinet undersecretary (who makes P1.722 million a year) up to the President (who makes P3.468 million a year). They will benefit, too by paying less taxes and getting higher take home pay. They will get an additional take home pay of P78,000 to P83,000 per year, the same additional take-home pay of an executive in a large Makati company under the proposed tax reform.

Contrary to the public perception, our top government officials are not underpaid.

Just ask the top Customs people who, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson, rake in P270 million daily in bribe money or P27 billion a year. Did you know the budget for state colleges and universities

(SUCs)? P34 billion. Eighty pesos of every P100 of SUC tuition could be funded—just with the bribe money given Customs. How is that for egalitarianism?

Maybe, if that bribe money were used to give Customs people a higher education (though many SUCs cannot be said to offer higher education), there would be fewer stupid Customs people who speak bad English.

How could you explain P6.5 billion worth of illegal drugs being allowed to pass through the Customs Super Green Lane, without requiring an x-ray and a single signature to release? As Senator Richard Gordon has told Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon “either you are incompetent or you are corrupt!”. In either case, the government and the people were the loser.

Thirty years ago, I attempted to work on the release of a 20foot container with the personal effects of my father-in-law who was coming home for good and therefore, his goods were not taxable. Despite the endorsement of the Customs commissioner then, I had to secure 45 signatures going into the Customs labyrinth and another 45 signatures going out. Every table had an open drawer where you could drop “gifts.” I was required to pay a minimum bribe at every stop, and indeed, all stops up to the Quezon City Welcome Rotunda.

Because of the seemingly lower personal income tax rates under the House-approved Bill No. 5636 (the TRAIN), the government stands to lose P141.4

billion in income tax revenues in 2018, P155.5 billion in 2019, P172.1 billion in 2020, and P227 billion in 2021.

How does the government intend to recoup the huge losses in personal income tax revenues?

On autos (and nearly everyone wants to buy a car to beat MMDA’s crazy car coding scheme), the excise tax will increase from 22 percent to as high as 90 percent. Your Land Cruiser will cost P1 million more, with taxes; your Vios, will cost P33,000 more.

On oil products like, the excise tax will rise from zero at present to P3 per liter in 2018, P5 in 2019, and P6 in 2020. On gasoline, the excise tax will more than double, from P4.35 per liter today, to P9 by 2019.

The VAT exemptions of certain products will be lifted— such as power transmission (which means higher electricity prices), low cost and socialized housing (which means higher home prices), lease of residential units (which means higher rentals), and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (will this mean we have fewer young scouts who are honest and brave?).

Since many columnists like me are senior citizens (including the Finance secretary), the VAT exemptions on their food and medicines will remain.

Remember the notorious road user’s tax? It will be doubled and collected from you when you register your car.

ing mathematics is the handiwork of higher education. And these disciplines, it has repeatedly been pointed out, offer a route to national advancement.

Sound policy making, whether in business or in government, will not be supplied by the craftsmanship that Grades 11 and 12 in some of their strands provide. Only higher education offers careers in sociology, economics and politics and it is the graduates of these programs that become policy-makers (or at least should be, were clowns not chosen in their stead!). And if both private enterprise and national economies are nurtured by high-level research in a data-driven world, then there is no way that we should beggar higher education.

Were the social divide narrower, then there would be force in the argument that quality education must be paid for. Undoubtedly, quality has its costs. The question is who picks the tab? Having been with a state university for a considerable span of my professional life, I know that many sit in our swelteringly hot classrooms and perform

experiments in our sometimes ramshackle laboratories who are really tremendously gifted people. (Without a doubt, a state university has its own generous share of crackpots and fools who waste the time and the resources of State).

And many of them would never be able to afford the costs of private higher education in universities or colleges that truly make a difference. It has often been pointed out—sometimes in an effort to discredit government-funded higher education—that it costs more to school a student in a state university than in an average private higher education. And to that my riposte will be a firm, unhesitating, unapologetic: Of course! The experts engaged by the University of the Philippines, for one, would be beyond the reach of even elitist universities and colleges—that have their doors shut tightly anyway to students whose parents have shallow treasure-chests (if any, at all!). Even a state university in the province pays its professors considerably more than its private counterparts—which is the reason that it will attract

more qualified members of its professorial corps.

I really have no ready answer to the admittedly complicated question of the wherewithal for free higher education. (By the way, what was under consideration was free tuition—which allowed state universities and colleges to collect miscellaneous fees.)

But I am sure that we should not have to make a choice between funding basic education and allowing the penniless into our state universities and colleges.

In fact, we should gradually be moving in the direction of studying vouchers for even private higher education where state education is unable to meet the need. Increasing allocations for “intelligence”, for one, should be looked into, because while there is no doubt that we do need effective and helpful intelligence, more fundamental a need is seeing to an intelligent nation by an ungrudging support of higher education!

biznewsasia@gmail.com

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News

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Probe on vs guard caught with shabu inside Bilibid D

By Rey E. Requejo

EPARTMENT of Justice Secretary ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe a prison guard at the New Bilibid Prison who was caught carrying a packet of shabu inside the national penitentiary on Thursday.

“My instruction is to investigate further and file the appropriate charges [against the NBP guard],” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said, in a text message.

“The DoJ will not tolerate

these acts of our people. If a crime has been committed, it will not go unpunished,” Aguirre added.

The prison guard, identified as Ernesto Dionglay, was arrested while entering the gate

of the maximum-security compound of NBP after Special Action Force operatives found a plastic sachet containing 100 grams of shabu.

Dionglay was immediately detained at the Muntinlupa City police station as authorities prepare charges of possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against him.

The Justice Secretary earlier confirmed the resurgence of illegal drug trade in the NBP and cited the possibility that some members of the Special

Action Force have been tainted by the huge amount of money involved, adding that he would seek an investigation on the matter.

The Department of Justice chief has revealed that a highprofile inmate continued his illegal drug trade operations despite a crackdown by the Bureau of Corrections and that there are “new leaders” who joined the trade.

Aguirre said the resurgence of illegal drug trade in NBP involves about five to 10 percent of the original operations, which were

successfully dismantled under the Duterte administration.

He ordered the NBI to conduct a probe and determine how the illegal drug trade returned and also file the appropriate administrative and criminal cases against those responsible.

The resurgence of the illegal drug trade in NBP led to the resignation of BuCor director Benjamin delos Santos last month and replacement of the contingency of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force guarding the national penitentiary.

P1.74b readied for ‘free Internet’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE newly signed Free Internet Access in Public Places Act has a proposed budget of P1.74 billion next year for the rollout of 5,308 new Wi-Fi hotspots, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said on Thursday.

He said there is also a proposed P1.2 billion to lay the groundwork for a national broadband system.

Both allocations are in the proposed 2018 budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology of P6.9 billion, almost double from this year’s P3.6 billion, the senator said.

“We will double check if work on these targets is sufficiently funded in next year’s budget,” Recto said.

To underscore the importance of these programs, President Rodrigo Duterte himself mentioned these in his 37-page “Budget Message” to Congress for fiscal year 2018, Recto said.

Recto authored and sponsored the law creating the DICT. He also successfully sponsored in 2014 the funding of the first Wi-Fi program, which is now institutionalized under RA 10929, a law based largely on Recto bill’s which was the first of its kind to be filed in Congress.

Recto said the enactment of RA 10929 creates a charter for a program, ensuring its sustained implementation.

The law mandates free Internet access in all national and local government offices; public schools, including state colleges and universities; public hospitals and health centers; public parks, plazas, and libraries; and airports, seaports, and transport terminals.

By the end of the year, it is projected that 13,024 sites covered by 18 “Points of Presence” in 1,489 towns and 145 under the Free Public Wi-Fi Project will be up and running.

Overall, the project aims to roll out 23,631 sites by 2018, expanding it four-fold to 100,349 by 2026.

The multiyear rollout program targets for coverage 1,880 public elementary schools, 2,688 public high schools, and 682 state and local public college campuses this year and in 2018.

RIBBON-CUTTING. James Dy (center), president of Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony, assisted by (from left) Antonio Tan, vice chairman, PCCAI, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, Cong. Conrad Estrella, and Florante Dy, chairman emeritus, PCCAI, owner and operator of Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center 140th founding anniversary and PCCAI photo exhibit/video held at Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila. Lino Santos

CHED chief upbeat Du30 will sign free tuition act

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta DESPITE opposition from the Department of Budget and Management, the Commission on Higher Education remains confident that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act into law that would provide free tuition for students in all state universities and colleges starting next year.

At a radio interview over dzMM, CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera dismissed the claim of the DBM that it would be difficult to absorb the P100-billion budget allocation to foot the free college education of SUCs students.

“We are hopeful the President will sign the measure,” he said.

He said that by CHED's appreciation, the bill, if enacted into law, would only need a P34.1-billion budget.

“Based on our estimate, the four core parts of the law, if implemented, would entail an additional budget of P34.1 billion, and not P100 billion,” he said.

The entire budget, he said, would cover the tuition, miscellaneous and living allowances of poor but deserving students.

He added that the budget department may opt to implement the law by phases to cushion the impact of the huge additional budget for free college tuition.

De Vera also said that the commission is optimistic that the law will be passed and enacted, saying that the House of Representatives was able to look for an P8-billion tuition in 2016 even if the initial proposed budget submitted did not include such budget item.

In the Senate, Senator Nancy Binay added her voice to the growing list of proponents for the passage of the proposed measure.

Binay called on the Department of Budget and Management to help the Senate find ways to initially subsidize tuition of students in state colleges and universities.

The DBM and Administration economic managers earlier said the government cannot afford to fund free college education because it would be too costly for government to shoulder.

But Binay assailed this stament as “obscure and out of sight” and expressed his belief that “DBM can help the Senate in finding a mathematical solution to kick start the Free Higher Education Act without affecting other priority programs of the Administration.”

“We, in the Senate, are seriously committed in realizing every Filipino family's aspiration of a free college education. We promise to find ways to allot P15 billion in the 2018 national budget,” Binay stressed.

She said Senate was able to find a way to allocate P8 billion in the 2017 budget.

“Huwag naman sanang gawing dead-end ang pagbibigay ng libreng matrikula sa mga estudyante ng SUCs dahil lamang sinabi ng DBM na walong pondo para dito,” Binay said.

She added that if P1.13 trillion outlines the government's ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program for 2018, “why can't we outline a measly P15 billion to initially subsidize tuition in SUCs?” “Let’s not further burden the parents of those poor but deserving students,” she said.

She likewise appealed to President Duterte not to veto Senate Bill No. 1304, or the Free Higher Education For All Act. “Every parent is praying that the President would finally sign the free higher education bill. I hope the President does not veto the measure. We can't just give up without giving it a try. Sayang naman ang nasimulan na natin,” Binay said.

Binay said “little sacrifices and small realignments” in the 2018 national budget can redound to huge positive steps towards the Administration’s goal of free tertiary education.

Binay is strongly pushing for the continued funding of free tuition in state universities and colleges nationwide.

Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino said he, along with the other legislators, has guaranteed to continue the fight for the enactment of the measure providing free tuition at all costs.

Aquino said that if the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is vetoed, there are alternative actions that the legislature can undertake to ensure that students still receive the support they need.

PCSO execs laud Congress for supporting expanded STL THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Thursday lauded the support expressed by lawmakers to its efforts to expand small-town lottery operations as a means to eradicate illegal numbers game in the country.

“There might be illegal activities on the ground, but with our efforts to strengthen and expand STL—lawmakers can be assured that we are gaining ground against the illegal gambling and numbers operations which deprive the government of its muchneeded revenue,” said PCSO general manager Alexander F. Balutan.

“We appreciate the efforts and the inputs provided by the House Committee on Appropriations for us to further improve our operations, particularly in STL—which is instrumental in killing jueteng and other forms of illegal numbers game in the country,” he added.

During a hearing conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P3.7-trillion na-

tional budget for 2018, PCSO chairperson Jose Jorge Corpuz told lawmakers that the expansion of STL operations was intended to turn gambling lords into “gaming lords.”

The government expects P18.32 billion in 2017 in revenues from 92 STL operators, or 183 percent higher from P6.46 billion last year.

Among those discussed by PCSO officials to lawmakers for the STL’s further improvement include: placing restrictions to stop the operations of other illegal number games, reviewing the law mandating PCSO to provide for contributions to at least 27 republic acts, and the centralization and computerization of STL operations.

Balutan likewise stressed that for the agency to fully realize its responsibility to eradicate all forms of illegal numbers in the country, law enforcement agencies should also do its part in protecting STL operations and its Authorized Agent Corporations based on a Memorandum of Agreement with the PCSO.

WAYWARD VAN. Heavy traffic builds up due to a tilted container van (PUL-662) loaded with paper in front of Arellano University in Legarda St., Sampaloc, Manila on Thursday. Norman Cruz

PNoy aide slams Duterte

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s tirade against his predecessor, exPresident Benigno Aquino III, was simply a reflection of his boorish behavior, a former presidential spokesperson said on Thursday.

“To call PNoy g*** is not a reflection on PNoy's argument. It is a reflection of your uncouthness.

Cursing never elevates public discourse,” Edwin Lacierda, a former presidential spokesperson for Aquino, said in a tweet.

Lacierda also said that Duterte never had a “memorable speech” because of his habitual off-script statements.

“You pride yourself in delivering impromptu speeches which PNoy has done on a number of events. No wonder none of your speeches are memorable,” he said.

On Wednesday, Duterte lashed out against Aquino who had questioned the effectiveness of his war on drugs which he the former president said has yet to produce results.

“Sabi ni PNoy, parang walang nangyari. Sige, pumasok ka sa droga PNoy, ‘pag hindi kita pinutulan ng ulo, buang ka. Anong walang nangyari? G*** ka,” the President said in his speech at the 113th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He added that many of top officials during Aquino's term, such as General Vicente Loot had links to the illegal drug trade.

“Mga generals mo, ‘yang aide mo, ‘yung aide ni Roxas puro nasa droga, konektado. Number one diyan ‘yung bata ninyo si General Loot, isa pa ‘yang u*** na ‘yan,” he added.

In a chance interview, Duterte scored Aquino for criticizing his anti-drug campaign, when he has done nothing to curb the drug menace during his term.

“Kasi sabi niya walang nangyari sa campaign. Tingnan naman niya. In all of his six years, he was only able to seize 3,045 kilos of shabu. Akin one year palang, I am nearing 3,000 [kilos],” the President said.

“Alam naman ng tao [kung anong nangyayari] nung panahon niya,” he added.

Aside from Lacierda, allies of the former president in the Senate also came to his defense.

NPA bomber captured

By Florante S. Solmerin A BOMB expert of the New People’s Army, along with another rebel companion with an identification card purportedly issued by the leftleaning party-list Anak Pawis of incumbent Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, was captured by authorities Wednesday in Quezon town in Bukidnon, the military said Thursday.

Colonel Eric Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, identified the bomber as Ruel Cololot and his companion as Ramil Cololot.

The military did not say if the two were brothers or relatives.

The five-minute firefight happened early morning in the outskirts of Purok 8 in Barangay Kiburiao.

Some of the rebels escaped but the Cololots were cornered and captured.

Vinoya said the soldiers confiscated from the Cololots a 57 RR , 24 pieces of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 2 caliber .38 revolvers, 10 meters safety fuse, 200 meters detonating cords, 5 blasting caps, switch boxes, 3 laptops, 51 rounds of cal. 30 ammunitions, other IED paraphernalia, and subversive documents.

“Our troops responded to verified intelligence reports about the presence of NPA rebels in the place,” Vinoya said.

He said the rebels were allegedly planning “to launch atrocities” but the arrest were able to foil their plans.

When searched, Ruel was found in possession of an Anak Pawis ID with Mariano’s signature. But other details of the ID were handwritten.

Vinoya said the Cololots are members of the NPA. “The arrested NPAs are now in the custody of the PNP for proper facilitation of case,” Vinoya said.

A notice of termination of the peace talks was reportedly up for signing by President Rodrgio Duterte upon the recommendation of the government negotiating panel.

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Neymar’s move worth record $260m

P

ARIS—Neymar is expected to arrive in Paris on Thursday to finalise his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, which will earn him around 30 million euros ($35.5 million) a year.

The summer’s longest-running transfer saga, which this week saw the 25-year-old tracked from the United States to China to the Middle East, back to Barcelona to say goodbye before a swift detour to Porto where he was thought to have undergone a medical, will end in the French capital with new teammates already queuing up to welcome him.

Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore is already set to surrender his symbolic number 10 shirt to his fellow South American at the Parc des Princes, where Neymar could be unveiled to fans on Saturday evening when PSG open their new Ligue 1 season against Amiens.

“I want him to feel comfortable and happy from day one,” Pastore told Cadena SER radio.

On Wednesday, Barcelona admitted defeat in convincing Neymar to stay at the Camp Nou where he has played since 2013.

The player travelled to Porto by private jet from Barcelona surrounded by his entourage, including his father and agent Neymar Sr, after saying goodbye to his Barca teammates.

Among that party was Wagner Ribeiro, an advisor to the player, who claimed PSG would pay his 222 million euro ($260 million) buyout clause in the “coming hours”.

That would more than double the current transfer record set by Paul Pogba’s 105.2 million euro ($111 million) move to Manchester United last year.

Media reports suggested that Neymar had gone to Porto, where PSG sporting director Antero Henrique had worked until recently, to undergo a pre-transfer medical.

Neymar has been tempted to Paris by an astronomical offer that would reportedly see his wages tripled to 30 million euros a year after tax.

However, on the field he also faces the challenge of stepping out of the shadow of five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to try and prove himself as the world’s best.

“It was a huge pleasure having shared all those years with you, my friend @neymarjr,” Messi posted on Instagram alongside a montage displaying some of the pair’s finest moments together. AFP

PH 3rd in Asian chess A COMPACT 12-strong Team Philippines amassed seven gold medals, 10 silver and a bronze to land close third overall in the recent Asian Schools Chess Championships in Panjin, Liaoning, China.

Allanney Jia Doroy, Nazareth School of National University 15year old student, emerged as the top Filipino performer as she reaped two golds (in standard and rapid) and silver (blitz) in the U17 years category.

Jerlyn San Diego (U13) of The First Uniting Christian School, and Al-Basher Buto (U7) of Faith Christian School, likewise, hauled two gilts apiece (both in rapid and blitz).

Daniel Quizon (U13) of Dasmariñas National High School, with his fine showing in blitz, rounded out the gold-medal haul of the squad sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission and added a

silver (standard).

Philippine Science High School’s Stephen Rome Pangilinan (U17), fresh from his podium finish in the inaugural East Asian Juniors Chess Championship, and Dasmariñas National High School’s Kylen Joy Mordido (U15) settled for the three silvers in their respective categories.

Vicente Villanueva Memorial School’s Daren de la Cruz (U9) contributed silver (standard) as did Marie Ernestine School’s Jerish John Velarde (U11 blitz). The only bronze (rapid) was courtesy of Makati Science High School’s Gal Brien Palasigue (U15).

Powerhouse China with 92 players competing in 36 events topped the medal board on 10-7-10 output, even as Uzbekistan with 8-6-4 nipped the Philippines. Indonesia (6-2-6,) and Mongolia (3-1-3) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Mega fightcard on S+A BRAZILIAN legend Bibiano Fernandes puts his ONE Championship Bantamweight title on the line, while Filipino fighters Joshua Pacio, Eric Kelly, and female newcomer Jomary Torres gun for emphatic wins for the country in the “Kings & Conquerors” mega mixed-martial arts fightcard, airing live from the Cotai Arena in Macao City, Macao Friday on S+A and S+A HD at 9:30 p.m.

Fernandes (20-3; 7 Submissions), currently the most dominant champion in ONE history, will take on challenger Andrew Leone (8-2; 2 Submissions) in his record seventh title defense. Leone, a former All-State wrestler in America with an advanced ground skillset, will try to wrench the belt from the Brazilian JiuJitsu expert’s waist and put a stop to his rampage in the Bantamweight division.

Meanwhile, ONE Featherweight champ Eduard Folayang’s stablemate Joshua “The Passion” Pacio (9-1) of Team Lakay leads the Philippine delegation in the undercard, facing upcoming Japanese warrior Hayato Suzuki (160; 5 KOs). Joining Joshua in being pride to the nation are Filipino MMA vet Eric “The Natural” Kelly (12-3; 9 Submissions), who is going up against Kotetsu “No Face” Boku (25-11-2 record; 12 Kos) and ONE newcomer Jomary Torres (1-0), who hopes to follow up her successful debut with a win against the “Tiny Doll,” Thai-Japanese fighter Rika Ishige (2-0).

Team Caguioa bags title PROVING that they have the never-say-die spirit running in their veins, Team Caguioa emerged as the champion of the Camarines Sur leg of the 2017 PBA Ginebra San Miguel 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in dramatic fashion, topping Team Slaughter, 15- 13, last Friday.

With the game tied at 13A-all with 11 seconds left, Gawyn Fernandez drained the game-winning two-pointer from the right corner to seal the victory for Team Caguioa, which earned a ticket to the National Finals.

The 6’3” Fernandez powered Team Caguioa with nine points, as he was joined by Dan Michael Martin, Daniell Martin Uy, and Raphael Jude De Vera in the squad.

The week prior, Team Aguilar lorded it over in Sariaya, Quezon as Kenneth Mercado, Jervin Deduyo, Virgilio VJ Serios, and Junmark Silvarez dominated Team Tenorio, 21-10, in the Finals at Computer Systems Technological College Gym. P0.0 M+ Those winning squads hiked the National Finalists to 12, with four more reP0.0 M+ gional tiffs set in La Union, Davao, Cebu, and Tacloban in August.

DIGITS Once the field of 16 “Ganado Sa Buhay” teams are complete, they will all move DIGITS on to the knockout National Finals on Sept. 1, to be held at SM Megamall Activity CenEZ2 ter with games and surprises.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 00-00-00 2 00-00

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

Knights rout Blazers for 3rd win in a row Games Today (The Arena in San Juan) 8 a.m. JRU vs San Beda (jrs) 10 a.m. Perpetual Help vs LPU (jrs) 12 nn JRU vs San Beda (srs) 2 p.m. UPHSD vs LPU (srs) 4 p.m. San Sebastian vs Mapua (srs) 6 p.m. San Sebastian vs Mapua (jrs)

By Peter Atencio TWO scoring runs in the fourth period gave the Letran Knights the finishing kick they needed to stop the College of St. Benilde Blazers’ repeated comebacks, 92-78, last night at their home-court in Intramuros.

Rey Nambatac led the Knights’ cause with 31 points and 11 rebounds and his efforts sent Letran to their third straight win in five games in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

This put the Knights in third spot behind leader Lyceum (5-0) and second-running defending champion San Beda(4-1).

With the count tied, 66-all, at the end of the third period, the Knights unloaded an 11-0 run behind a clutch hit from Bong Quinto and Nambatac’s basket off his rebound play.

Nambatac capped their explosive run with a triple that handed them an 11-point lead, 77-66, with 6:53 left.

Quinto and Nambatac struck with two treys during a 10-0 blast in the last 1:54 as Letran moved away by 13, 87-74.

Knights’ coach Jeff Napa said the big home crowd that came to watch and cheer the team on fired the squad up. But their excitement got to them and they needed time to finally get their rhythm.

“Ang Benilde, hindi bibigay ‘yan, Hindi basta basta susuko. Sa simula, gusto magpasikat ng mga bata dahil home-court namin ito. Pero, nu’ng nagregroup kami, du’n nila nakuha ang rhythm nila,” said Napa.

Unique Naboa made 17 points for the Blazers while Clement Lentchieu added 12.

Meanwhile, the La Salle Greenhills Junior Blazers held their ground in the closing seconds, and held off the Letran Squires, 64-64, to stretch their winning streak to five in the junior division.

They drew 14 points from former National University standout Albert Bordeos and 12 from Jacob Lao as LSGH went on to move ahead of the Mapua Red Robins in the lead.

Beermen, Hotshots part ways

By Jeric Lopez A BLOCKBUSTER Friday double-header is set to unfold in the resumption of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Undefeated teams San Miguel Beer and Star, both holding 2-0 slates, take centerstage when they face each other at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with both protagonists seeking a third straight win.

Another thriller is set three hours earlier as TNT KaTropa (1-1) duels ailing Alaska (0-3) at 4:15 p.m.

The Beermen and the Hotshots are also aiming at a second-place tie with Meralco, who sits at a 3-0 mark behind league-leader NLEX (4-0).

Both teams are off to a hot start once again just like last conference and now, they test each other to see who keeps an unblemished record.

The Grand slam-seeking Beermen are coming off an impressive 97-91 grinder off a victory over the Tropang Texters just the other night.

Reigning three-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo took charge, scoring a conference-high 27 points, to go with six rebounds and five blocks.

The Hotshots were equally as impressive, routing the Aces, 10192, last Friday.

While TNT KaTropa is looking to get back on track, Alaska is the team in desperation mode.

Dating back to last conference, the Aces have lost 11 straight games and are hoping they can finally get out pf their long dry spell.

They haven’t won a game since April.

However, Alaska will get a boost as star Calvin Abueva returns to action after a one-game absence.

Olympic equestrienne Toni Leviste hoists her 2-star Grand Prix of Samorin trophy Sunday during the awards rites. Aboard her 17-year-old chestnut stallion, Maximillian, Leviste bested 60 of the world’s best riders and for the first time in the history of Philippine Equestrian Sport, the Philippine National Anthem was played on European soil.

Toni stuns world’s best riders, wins Samorin GP O

LYMPIC equestrienne Toni Leviste won the 2-star Grand Prix of Samorin Sunday at the state-of-the-art sports complex X-Bionic Sphere in Slovakia.

Aboard her 17-year-old chestnut stallion, Maximillian, Leviste bested 60 of the world’s best riders and for the first time in the history of Philippine Equestrian Sport, the Philippine National Anthem was played on European soil.

When interviewed after two tough rounds, where there were no double clear rounds in a field of 60 competitors, Leviste who won with 1-time fault after the

second round of the event, commented that she never expected to win the Grand Prix, the top prize of the 2-star international jumping event.

“I came here to do my final training before flying to Malaysia for the Southeast Asian Games. Of course, I always give my best and try to ride a smooth, harmonious round with my horses when we go into the arena, but to win the Grand Prix feels like

a dream. And to hear our national anthem play on foreign soil with our flag flying proudly in this giant stadium literally brought me tears of joy,” Leviste said.

“Now I know why I continue to ride with passion, after all these years,” she added. “To ride and win for f lag and country is the ultimate motivation.”

Leviste and Maximillian also recently qualified for the World Equestrian Games, the ‘world championship of equestrian sport,’ last July 14 during the Nation Cup competition in Falsterbo, Sweden.

The WEG will be held in 2018 in Tryon, North Caro-

lina, USA. It is the second most prestigious equestrian event, next only to the Olympics. Leviste is the only Filipino equestrian, who has ever competed in this world event, her first participation was in 2002 World Championships in Jerez, Spain, aboard her Sydney Olympic mount, Ghandy.

Leviste will be taking her younger mount Loribri, an 8-year-old mare she campaigned with from January to April this year in the United States of America’s jumping league held in Wellington, Palm Beach and Miami.

The duo will see action in the SEA Games in Kuala

Lumpur from Aug. 20-30.

This will be the third SEA Games participation for Leviste riding for Team Philippines, together with her show jumping teammates Joker Arroyo, Colin Syquia and Chiara Amor.

Unlike any other sport where athletes usually peak in their 20s and finish their careers in their 30s, the longevity of equestrian riders has made Leviste one of the longestserving national athlete for Team Philippines, beginning with her international debut in 1990. Nearly three decades later, she is still representing the Philippine flag in sporting arenas around the world.

World berths at stake in Cobra Ironman 70.3 THIRTY berths in next year’s World Championship will be up for grabs in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, which fires off Sunday (Aug. 6) at Shangrila-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Over 2,600 triathletes from a record 51 countries are set to see action in the country’s premier triathlon, including the elite pros slugging it out not only for the top $5,000 purse in the men’s and women’s divisions but also for coveted slots in the world tilt slated in Mandela Bay, South Africa next year.

Meanwhile, the IronGirl gets under way today (Friday, Aug. 4), a 5k fun run for 12 years old and above, which serves as part of the number of side events ushering in the Cobra Ironman weekend following the Sunlife Bike Out Wednesday.

The ever-popular IronKids will be held tomorrow (Saturday) along with the competitions among Filipino elites, CEO tri racers and close to 2,000 age-groupers and mixed, all-male and all-female relay participants 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.

Hundreds take part in the Sunlife Bike Out Wednesday, a 75km fun ride from MactanMandaue-Cebu-Talisay City and backed by Sunrise Events, Inc., which serves as a kickoff to the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines set Aug. 6 at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

For details, visit sunriseevents.com.ph.

The IronGirl promises to be an exciting event with the 500 slots sold out in just two days, underscoring its growing popularity

Barbers, Jimenez, Abalos to open Plaridel golf meet THE 3rd Plaridel Cup golf tournament of the Association of Philippine Journalists (Samahang Plaridel) tees off today at the Wack Wack golf course in Mandaluyong, with Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez and Wack Wack Golf and Country Club president Benjamin Abalos doing the ceremonial tee-off.

Samahang Plaridel chairman Crispulo “Jun” Icban (of Manila Bulletin), president Rolando Estabillo (of Manila Standard) and other association officers will be welcoming the media-

golfers and their friends when the tournament tees off at 8 a.m.

More than 50 golfers have registered, vying for bragging rights and special prizes including round-trip Philippine Airlines tickets at the awarding ceremony. Last year’s overall champion Jun Aquino, who fired a net 69 at Wack Wack is expected to defend his title.

A hole-in-one on Hole no. 11 will win a brand-new golf cart.

The 18-hole friendly but highly competitive tournament seeks to foster camaraderie among the participants while raising funds for various Sama-

hang Plaridel projects.

Platinum sponsors are San Miguel Corporation and Oriental Group, while Silver sponsors are Philippine Airlines, Pagcor and Social Security System.

Bronze sponsors are Stradcom Corp. Philex Mining, GMA Network, PCSO, Ayala Land, Cherrylum, SM Investment ICTSI. Other sponsors are Manila Water, Globe Telecom, Emperador Deluxe, Vitamax, South Forbes and The Turf Co. Media partners include Manila Standard, Market Monitor and Business Mirror.

among female runners and fitness buffs.

Aussies Tim Reed and Dimity-Lee Duke, on the other hand, loom as the aces to beat in the elite pro side which also drew the likes of

Aussie Tim Van Berkel, Mauricio 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.

Out to crowd Duke for the women’s crown are compatriots Jacqueline Thisleton, Alise Selsmark, Kirra Seidel, Monica Juhart and Kerry Mulholland, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson and local bet Kim Kilgroe.

Other backers of the event are Asics, Gatorade, Prudential Guarantee, Philippine Airlines, Globe, Oakley, TYR and Active Network.

Other sponsors are Mactan Resort & Spa, Lapu-Lapu City, Megaworld, Sun Life Financial, David’s Salon, Intercare, Alaska, GU, Timex, DeVant, Regent, Omega Pain Killer, Sanicare, AlcoPlus, Bionic Cebu, Daylong and media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports + Action, AsiaTRI.com and Finisher Pix.

PH tossers edge Kansai U OSAKA, Japan—The national women’s volleyball team checked out of this enchanting city Tuesday with a 21-25, 25-16, 25-19, 2522 victory over Kansai University late Monday to end their grueling 17-day training.

The Nationals’ win came after they overcame the tough Kobe Shinwa Women’s University squad, 25-21, 23-25, 28-26, 24-26, 171, last Saturday to boost their morale as they enter the final phase of their buildup for the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the Southeast Asian Games.

Frances Molina led the charge with four kills, four blocks and three aces for 11 points while Jaja Santiago delivered six kills, two aces and a block to finish with nine points for the national squad, which closed the camp with impressive wins over Kobe Shinwa Women’s University, Osaka Superiors and Kansas University.

The results in the past three days are posi-

tive developments, especially since the Nationals appeared rusty in the first leg of the camp in Okayama City.

Noted Japanese coach Akiyoshi Kawamoto presided the first week of training and polished the blocking, floor defense and attack strategies of the Filipinos while scratching their “bad habits” on the court.

The Nationals lost five times to the elite Okayama Seagulls but those games gave them enough experiences on which to build their plays on.

But coach Francis Vicente emphasized that the job is still far from over.

“The latest results show that this training camp has been very productive,” Vicente said.

“But it’s still a long way to go. We still have to work hard in the next few days and prepare for the real battle—the Asian Seniors and the SEA Games. It’s a tough task, but we’ll try our best to live above expectations.”

Aboitiz consolidates water units under AIC

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Business

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

Apex bolts Chamber of Mines PEX Mining Corp. said Thursday it resigned from the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines.

“I do not agree that we should blame the illegal small-scale miners when the mining industry is put to task for perceived destruction of the environment,” Apex Mining president and chief executive Walter Brown said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

CoMP is the industry organization of large mining companies and businesses involved in the industry in the country. The group said it was preparing a proper response to Apex Mining’s statement.

The chamber, however, said earlier it would not tolerate wrongdoings within the mining industry.

CoMP said mining companies had a clear responsibility to manage their impact on the environment, guarantee the full and complete rehabilitation of mined-out areas and ensure that communities get their fair share in the benefits from mining.

“Strict regulation and monitoring by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau, especially of the small-scale mining sector, will be key to ensuring that the environment is adequately protected, and that more trees are planted in mining areas,” said Ronald Recidoro, vice president of CoMP. “The Chamber of Mines does not condone wrong-doing within the industry. Erring mines must be prosecuted and made accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Recidoro said.

Brown, the president of Apex Mining, said the chamber should regulate its own ranks and discipline its members that were not complying with existing mining

rules and regulations.

Apex is one of the 13 mines which passed the mining audit earlier conducted by the Environment Department under former secretary Regina Lopez. Apex is a gold producer that operates the underground mines in Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

Duterte in his second State of the Nation Address threatened to impose higher taxes on mining companies or shut them down if they failed to come up with ways to compensate the country for the damage on the environment.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier said the Environment Department would soon release 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]. 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 earlier.

“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.

“I am the DENR secretary and I am pro-environment. I am neither anti or pro [mining]. I should respect that mandate of the secretary,” said Cimatu.

MANILA Electric Co., the country’s largest power retailer, said Thursday net income declined 3 percent in the first half to P10.5 billion from P10.77 billion a year ago, despite a 9-percent increase in revenues.

Meralco said core income dropped 2 percent in January to June to P10.1 billion from P10.388 billion a year earlier. Core income in the second quarter also fell to P5.5 billion from P5.8 billion.

Meralco chief finance officer Betty Siy-Yap noted the lower contribution of subsidiaries’ projects. “Retail electricity income, which ushered in more competition, has been more intense. Retail electricity income is slightly lower,” Meralco chief finance officer Betty Siy-Yap said.

Non-electric revenues declined 10 percent to P3.6 billion from P4 billion in the same period last year, creating a drag on operating income.

Meralco attributed the lower non-elec-

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 3, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

United States Dollar

US Dollar Peso

1.000000

50.4220

Japan

Yen

0.009032

0.4554

UK

Pound

1.322500

66.6831

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127936

6.4508

Switzerland

Franc

1.030078

51.9386

Canada

Dollar

0.795862

40.1290

Singapore

Dollar

0.735943

37.1077

Australia

Dollar

0.796200

40.1460

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654350

133.8376

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

13.4455

Brunei

Dollar

0.733245

36.9717

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030048

1.5151

UAE

Dirham 0.272287

13.7293

Euro

Euro

1.185800

59.7904

Korea

Won

0.000891

0.0449

China

Yuan

0.148787

7.5021

India

Rupee

0.015716

0.7924

Malaysia

Ringgit 0.233427

11.7699

New Zealand Dollar

0.742700

37.4484

Taiwan

0.033081

1.6680

Dollar

Source: PDS Bridge

IN BRIEF China Bank’s profit rises 10% to P3.6b

Manila Water signs Pangasinan venture

MANILA Water Company Inc. said Thursday it signed a joint venture agreement with the Calasiao Water District for a 25-year project to improve and expand the provision of water supply in the municipality of Calasiao, Pangasinan province.

The public private partnership is set to undertake the development, financing, design, engineering, construction, upgrade, testing, commissioning, operation, management and maintenance of the water facilities within the service areas of the water district, with the first few years initially focusing on the rehabilitation of the water district’s existing water system.

Calasiao Mayor Joseph Arman Bauzon said the joint venture would serve more than 95,000 people of 24 barangays and would help boost the economic potential of Calasiao.

“We believe that with Manila Water as a partner, we will be able to realize our biggest dream of making Calasiao not just one of the premier municipalities, but maybe [even] one of the premiere cities in Pangasinan. This will not only provide more opportunities for livelihood but more importantly, ensure a better quality of life for our constituents with the provision of sustainable water supply,” said Bauzon. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

PH listed as 8th top target of cyber attacks

CUSI VISITS NGCP. National Grid Corporation of the Philippines welcomes Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to its National Control Center on Aug. 2. Cusi’s first visit to NCC included a brief presentation on the features, including the communications capabilities, of the control center. NGCP says it is important the secretary is kept up-to-date on grid operations. “We welcome this visit, and look forward to presenting an in-depth look not only for operations in Luzon, but also in Visayas and Mindanao,” NGCP said.

Meralco’s net profit fell 3% to P10.5b in six months

By Alena Mae S. Flores

B1

CHINA Banking Corp., the eighth largest lender in terms of assets, said net income in the first half rose 10 percent to P3.6 billion from a year ago, fueled by a strong growth in lending business and core-recurring income.

China Bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-half performance translated into a return on equity and return on assets of 10.44 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively.

“The results for the first half of the year is an encouraging indication of China Bank team’s ability to execute on our strategic direction of strengthening our core businesses while achieving revenue diversification,” China Bank president and chief executive Ricardo Chua said.

Net interest revenues grew 16 percent year-on-year to P9.2 billion, while non-interest revenues went up 6 percent to P3.1 billion as a drop in trading gains were offset by the growth in service charges, fees from bancassurance, investment banking and trust, as well as income from asset sales. Julito G. Rada

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

tric revenues to the net effect of the delayed award of projects and slow validation of work accomplishments of Meralco Energy Inc. and Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp.

The two project owners held back on proceeding with certain scheduled projects and also took longer in confirming work accomplishments.

This was partly offset by increased bills payment volumes from CIS Bayad Center Inc. as a result of an expanding customer base and high service reliability.

Consolidated revenues in the first half grew 9 percent to P141 billion from P128.8 billion in the same period in 2016 due to pass-through costs.

Meralco said the higher revenues resulted from the combined effect of a 3-percent increase in volume of energy sold; higher generation charge related to the 20-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas facilities, which required the use of higher cost liquid condensate for the Sta.

THE Philippines became more vulnerable to cyber attacks because of the popularity of cheaper android phones among Filipinos, according to a global cybersecurity company.

Vitaly Kamluk, director of the Global Research and Analysis Team at Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, said the Philippines ranked as the eighth most attacked country by mobile malware in 2016 given the popularity of Android phones among Filipinos.

“Unlike in US, most people use iOS. Android is more affordable but sometimes coming from not so reliable vendors in China. Affordable but they do not invest in security,” Kamluk said.

Data from Kaspersky Security Network showed over 34.97 percent Filipinos with smartphones were infected by malware in 2016. KSN is a complex, distributed infrastructure that processes depersonalized cybersecurity-related data streams from millions of voluntary Kaspersky Lab product users around the world.

“Our research and threat analysis has also uncovered four high-profile targeted attacks within a span of 12 months aimed against facilities and companies in the Philippines,” Kamluk said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Rita and San Lorenzo plants and bio-diesel ergy Solutions and Management, Inc. as a for the de-rated Ilijan plant; the extended result of the temporary disruption in commaintenance outages of certain coal-fired mercial operations of distribution utilities power plants; and the depreciation of the and electric cooperatives retail electricity peso versus the US dollar to P50.47 as of suppliers or RES and intensified competiJune 30, 2017 from P47.06 to the dollar on tion in the RES market.

June 30, 2016.

The average distribution rate of Meralco was P1.42 per kWh, or one centavo lower than in 2016, as the sales mix reflected a slightly higher share of the combined commercial MAyNIlA, PIlIPINAS and industrial volumes over residential volumes.

The increase was partly offset by the effect of lower BSP REMINDS THE PUBLIC ON DEADLINE FOR global prices of coal and oil; REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS lower top line contribution from non-electric subsidiarThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is reminding the public that under ies; and lower overall retail revenues of Meralco’s reCircular No. 918 dated 2 August 2016, the BSP has granted a final one (1) year tail electricity supply unit, grace period (from 1 September 2016 up to 1 September 2017) within which MPower, and Vantage Enapplications for registration of foreign direct investments (FDIs) may be filed with the BSP [through the International Operations Department (IOD)]. The grace period covers investments already existing/recorded in the investee firm’s books, regardless of the date when inward remittance of foreign exchange (FX)/actual transfer of assets to the Philippines was made. Registration of the investments by the BSP will be effected provided relevant requirements under the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions (FX Manual) are complied with.

BPI’s income declined 7.7% to P11.7b in first semester

By Julito G. Rada BANK of the Philippine Islands, the fourth largest bank in terms of assets, said Thursday net income in the first half declined 7.7 percent to P11.7 billion from a year ago, on lower trading gains.

“Comprehensive income was P11.8 billion, down 15.6 percent. Excluding one-off income from sale of HTM [heldto-maturity] securities in June 2016, net income is up 48 percent,” the bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Book value of equity after the declaration of P3.5 billion in dividends in June 2017 was P173.5 billion, an increase of 7.9 percent from the same period last year.

Total revenues were flat at P35.3 billion, but net interest income increased 13.6 percent to P23.5 billion, supported by a wider average net interest margin and a higher loan-to-deposit ratio.

“Non-interest income dropped 18.4 percent to P11.8 billion, attributable to lower securities trading gains,” it said.

The bank sold a portion of HTM securities in June 2016 to fund loan growth, reduce high cost deposits and enhance capital. It said the absence of one-off trading gains in the first half was partially offset by higher fee-based income, which grew at a robust pace of 17.8 percent, driven by cards and payments, service charges and investment banking.

Operating expenses increased 5.4 percent to P18.3 billion, on increased spending in technology and, to a lesser extent, higher regulatory costs.

Provisions stood at P2.5 billion, as originally budgeted. BPI anticipates continued discipline in managing operating expenses for the remainder of the year.

“The bank’s cost-to-income ratio in the first half stood at 51.6 percent, slightly higher than 49.2 percent for the same period last year. Return on equity was 13.7 percent and return on assets was 1.4 percent, lower by 2.66 and 0.28 percentage points, respectively, and reflecting the absence of one-off trading gains,” it said.

After said period, the general policy providing for a one (1) year prescriptive period shall apply. The policy provides that applications for registration of FDIs must be filed with the BSP not later than one (1) year from date of actual inward remittance of foreign exchange/transfer of assets to the Philippines which funded the investment.

Those with existing unregistered investments are, therefore, enjoined to file their requests early to avoid crowding of applications towards the end of the grace period. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The checklist of requirements may be found in Appendix 10 of the FX Manual, as amended and may be downloaded from the BSP website at http://www.bsp. gov.ph/downloads/Regulations/MORFXT/MORFXT.pdf.

The BSP wishes to clarify, however, that registration of foreign investments is optional, as this is only necessary if the foreign exchange for remittance of capital and earnings will be sourced from banks or their affiliate foreign exchange corporations.

For inquiries, please contact the International Operations Department: E-mail: iod@bsp.gov.ph • Web: www.bsp.gov.ph Telephone: (632) 708-7107 • Fax: (632) 306-3091

B2

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises slightly; DD, Meralco up

S

TOCKS rose slightly Thursday to end a three-day slump, on market consolidation and following overnight gains on Wall Street where the Dow smashed through 22,000 for the first time.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 7,876.66 The heavier index, representing all shares, also picked up 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 4,714.57, on a value turnover of P5.7 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 114 to 83, while 54 issues were unchanged.

Nine of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by developers DoubleDragon Properties Corp. which jumped 8.4 percent to P48.85 and Glob-

al-Estate Resorts Inc. which climbed 4.4 percent to P1.65.

Manila Electric Co., the country’s largest power retailer, advanced 2.2 percent to P279.60.

Meanwhile, strong Apple earnings propelled the Dow above the barrier to mark its sixth straight record close—but the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed marginally lower.

Trading screens across Asia were a sea of red, with Tokyo halting a two-day rally to close 0.3 percent lower, as several

tech companies fell following drops in their US peers.

Profit-taking also hit many of Apple’s Japanese suppliers which had risen the previous day on the US iPhone maker’s better-thanexpected results.

Hong Kong shares ended a strong rally that had seen prices record the biggest monthly advance in July since January, while Shanghai moved further off its 2017 high achieved Tuesday.

Analysts said despite euphoria over the Dow’s fresh record, investors were still watching the US Federal Reserve’s plan to unload its balance sheet following its vast quantitative easing program.

“Everyone is talking about the record close last night,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist

AxiTrader.

“But despite that, we received some further guidance from a number of Fed speakers overnight about a solid agreement that the balance sheet reduction will happen soon.”

McKenna warned: “If the growth in the balance sheet had stimulatory effects on the economy—and clearly stocks—then why [wouldn’t] the reduction in balance sheet size... act as a de facto tightening.”

US stocks have risen to new highs as second-quarter earnings have broadly exceeded expectations, even as the greenback has come under sustained pressure from political uncertainty in Washington with the Trump administration mired in controversy. With Bloomberg, AFP

Aboitiz consolidates water units under AIC

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. said it consolidated its water utility ventures under infrastructure unit Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the consolidation involved the acquisition by AIC of Lima Water Corp. in Batangas from affiliate Aboitiz Land Inc. AIC also acquired on Thursday an 11.14-percent stake in Balibago Waterworks System Inc. in

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

NAME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4 188,000 59.5 47,940 105.4 357,070 3.97 3,000 127 2,651,780 36.5 91,100 16.14 700 32.25 1,619,100 1.73 3,000 940 340 0.69 723,000 85.5 2,264,270 0.88 2,688,000 13.88 29,800 24.5 2,800 66.4 28,060 241 4,210 119 40 55.05 71,840 229 314,540 1,705 210 86.25 66,030 1.33 58,000

736,900 2,848,861.50 37,609,240 11,870 337,429,780 3,324,795 11,300 52,978,080 5,080 321,250 499,250 194,512,018.50 2,282,870 413,632 69,725 1,867,200 1,010,560 4,760 3,943,182.50 72,011,196 357,725 5,696,238 76,710

2,691,403 3,645,174 75,635,908 784,720 8,070 -16,351,200 6,124,317.50 -4,080 347,000 386,351.50 1,026,748 35,929,900 -164,769.50 -

39 9 0.82 1.36 30.4 0.25 151.3 5.9 18.36 29.05 14.86 70.05 69.4 82 1.94 5.2 11.4 12.16 14.9 13.54 7.47 5.95 17.1 65.55 14.58 13.2 13.86 1.85 216 59.05 3.62 20 31.5 19.4 18.02 274 0.241 12.12 3.15 7.2 9.36 7.8 10.2 1.86 11.9 66 6.79 306 4.45 2.06 4.4 2.85 12.9 4.86 0.144 1.26 152.8 3.91 2.23 29.45 1.03

INDUSTRIAL 39.7 1,473,800 9.15 4,574,100 0.83 1,339,000 1.36 286,000 30.7 41,600 0.26 5,250,000 168 200 5.97 15,158,200 18.58 132,400 30 1,023,700 15.12 2,700 70.05 600 70 5,730 82 100 1.95 237,000 5.2 208,400 11.4 161,600 12.2 3,392,100 14.94 1,235,500 13.54 3,117,700 7.65 421,200 5.95 470,300 17.3 137,300 68.9 326,760 14.58 200 13.2 81,900 13.96 3,759,600 1.92 1,932,000 216 547,200 61 6,800 3.62 116,000 21 14,500 31.95 1,002,900 19.4 207,800 18.02 1,395,500 279.6 658,630 0.241 750,000 12.12 1,294,000 3.15 1,671,000 7.5 702,800 9.4 2,071,300 9.24 4,657,000 10.2 13,600 1.88 982,000 12.08 811,500 66.15 90,560 7.5 3,715,300 308 8,760 4.48 65,000 2.06 4,000 4.4 29,000 2.88 945,000 13.06 134,800 4.86 51,000 0.144 230,000 1.28 129,000 154 973,590 3.92 11,000 2.28 11,148,000 29.45 300 1.03 25,000

58,405,330 41,824,830 1,099,950 389,690 1,282,075 1,326,050 33,369 90,322,436 2,452,192 30,692,530 40,508 42,030 398,077.50 8,200 465,000 1,089,480 1,848,236 41,388,194 18,458,230 43,270,396 3,210,027 2,804,837 2,350,022 22,328,105.50 2,916 1,082,620 53,762,892 3,703,040 118,769,916 414,860.50 426,940 300,765 32,088,240 4,037,356 25,253,048 183,587,976 181,030 17,870,844 5,296,050 5,184,192 19,497,629 40,325,977 138,726 1,844,690 9,803,436 5,988,469.50 26,613,519 2,694,080 289,940 8,240 127,600 2,733,720 1,758,980 249,190 33,220 165,240 149,943,957 43,120 25,363,950 8,835 25,750

7,930,570 37,455,712 -31,400 173,450 -13,826,527 1,808,640 -3,594,050 14,566 -539,788 -3,736,504 10,868,690 457,420 521,839 582,281 493,042 5,542,580.50 2,916 -128,952 -8,295,696 9,850 -22,414,172 54,000 -5,614,300 2,334,134 9,020,474 48,800,486 3,310 -50,960 -1,085,631 -3,737,000 434,380 -2,492,972 652,786 -1,356,453 368,740 -240,660 123,200 302,150 1,225,078 63,590 17,330 35,605,892 3,910 2,922,830 -

0.385 72.25 14.14 1.16 6.95 0.315 0.315 860 7.5 15.5 6.05 5.99 0.21 1,195 7.8 73.45 5.3 5.5 5.42 0.99 6.8 17.96 0.445 6.62 0.047 0.97 2.05 2.6 100 2.63 794 1.65 299 0.236

HOLDING FIRMS 0.39 8,030,000 72.5 1,165,140 14.28 7,681,900 1.16 4,000 6.96 10,300 0.32 1,950,000 0.32 60,000 863 210,010 7.6 516,600 15.6 4,931,600 6.05 5,000 5.99 5,000 0.227 1,420,000 1,195 91,400 8.34 12,900 73.7 2,006,930 5.7 7,000 5.5 16,000 5.42 3,900 0.99 552,000 7.2 6,802,500 18.22 1,321,500 0.46 580,000 6.68 10,230,900 0.048 37,100,000 0.97 42,000 2.06 1,037,000 2.6 30,000 101.3 59,370 2.64 23,000 801 185,710 1.68 1,263,000 302.8 4,210 0.236 730,000

3,108,500 84,558,458 109,626,440 4,640 71,603 622,900 18,950 181,265,500 3,931,073 77,006,280 30,250 29,950 302,220 109,591,650 102,741 148,084,930 38,500 88,318 21,138 547,110 49,453,508 24,094,098 265,150 68,320,859 1,774,500 41,020 2,139,620 78,000 5,967,157 61,160 148,361,105 2,138,020 1,271,656 174,880

312,000 -7,293,444 -18,395,398 -14,595 82,032,735 -667,112 27,409,226 -38,567,150 -8,946,342 -2,139,411 1,306,074 -411,824 20,600 354,479 -35,123,930 373,750 -302,216 -

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.8 59.45 106 3.95 127 36.5 16.16 33.2 1.65 950 0.69 86.95 0.81 13.9 24.5 67.5 240 119 55.05 230 1,705 86.2 1.31

4 59.5 106 3.97 129.1 36.5 16.16 33.4 1.73 950 0.7 86.95 0.88 13.9 24.95 67.5 241 119 55.1 232.8 1,710 86.35 1.33

3.8 58.6 104.7 3.95 126.9 36.4 16.14 32.25 1.65 940 0.69 85.4 0.8 13.88 24.5 66.35 240 119 54.6 227.6 1,700 86.2 1.31

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT 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 AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

39.4 9 0.84 1.38 30.75 0.255 151.3 6.05 18.6 30.5 14.86 70.05 69.5 82 1.94 5.26 11.48 12.22 14.94 13.66 7.61 5.96 17.1 65.7 14.58 13.2 14.26 1.97 219 65 3.74 20.7 31.5 19.5 18.2 274 0.242 13.2 3.16 7.54 9.36 8 10.2 1.86 12.16 66.2 6.9 308 4.45 2.06 4.4 2.98 12.9 4.99 0.145 1.3 155 3.91 2.3 29.45 1.03

39.75 9.15 0.84 1.38 31.5 0.26 169 6.05 18.6 31.5 15.12 70.05 70 82 1.98 5.28 11.48 12.26 14.96 14 7.66 5.98 17.44 69.9 14.58 13.26 14.7 1.99 220 65 3.74 21.85 32.4 19.5 18.2 279.6 0.242 14.9 3.17 7.54 9.45 9.4 10.22 1.89 12.28 66.2 7.5 308 4.48 2.06 4.4 2.98 13.2 4.99 0.147 1.31 155.3 3.93 2.32 29.45 1.03

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

0.395 72.5 14.36 1.16 6.95 0.325 0.315 876.5 7.7 15.5 6.05 5.99 0.21 1,220 7.8 74.7 5.3 5.52 5.42 1.01 6.8 17.96 0.485 6.69 0.048 0.99 2.08 2.6 100.3 2.63 800 1.75 302 0.245

0.395 74.3 14.48 1.16 6.98 0.325 0.32 876.5 7.7 15.8 6.05 5.99 0.227 1,223 8.34 75.15 5.8 5.53 5.42 1.01 7.49 18.48 0.485 6.7 0.049 0.99 2.12 2.6 101.3 2.7 807 1.76 304.2 0.245

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.56 4.76 24.7 1.77 3.2 33.9 1 6.8 0.89 5.98

0.57 4.79 25 1.8 3.24 34.25 1.01 7.48 0.91 5.98

0.53 4.76 24.1 1.77 3.2 33.4 0.99 6.8 0.89 5.92

0.57 4.78 24.3 1.77 3.2 33.6 1.01 7.48 0.89 5.97

13,356,000 170,000 2,052,500 343,000 51,000 8,113,300 2,691,000 400 99,000 1,604,800

7,355,160 811,590 49,942,990 610,840 163,420 272,623,875 2,693,200 2,866 88,150 9,570,640

-55,000 47,690.00 13,851,850 -126,490,220 -4,579,752

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

23 43.5 1.86 0.61 0.042 11.18 5.32 9.14 0.078 103 11.1 2.22 980 2,054 6.2 15.5 13.14 2.68 3.27 106 11.52 8.6 0.173 1.38 3.13 4.28 1.8 12 0.57 2.37 8.81 3.87 19.98 2.22 11.44 5.1 8.17 169 9.29 1,621 1.58 0.405 47.1 86.5 6.06 4.52 1.54 1.86 3.46 1.34 8.88

23.15 43.5 1.89 0.63 0.043 11.3 5.33 9.26 0.078 103 11.16 2.22 990 2,068 6.2 15.78 13.14 2.68 3.28 106 12.56 8.6 0.173 1.38 3.26 4.47 1.87 12.08 0.57 2.41 8.98 3.94 20.1 2.22 11.44 5.25 8.25 175 9.34 1,630 1.59 0.45 47.1 87.65 6.12 4.65 1.54 1.94 3.48 1.41 8.9

22.5 43.25 1.83 0.59 0.042 11.18 5.32 8.8 0.073 99.1 10.72 2.22 980 2,028 6.15 15.48 13.12 2.45 3.26 104 11.52 8.57 0.17 1.35 3.09 4.28 1.64 11.7 0.57 2.33 8.7 3.87 19.4 2.2 11.38 5.1 8.17 169 9.2 1,609 1.57 0.4 46.9 86.5 6.05 4.52 1.44 1.86 3.43 1.33 8.73

SERVICES 23 43.5 1.85 0.61 0.042 11.3 5.33 8.81 0.076 101.6 10.72 2.22 990 2,040 6.19 15.78 13.12 2.64 3.26 105.5 12.56 8.57 0.172 1.38 3.13 4.39 1.72 11.74 0.57 2.33 8.7 3.91 19.4 2.21 11.38 5.24 8.25 175 9.34 1,610 1.57 0.425 47.1 87 6.06 4.56 1.46 1.94 3.48 1.38 8.74

241,500 34,100 447,000 5,076,000 6,900,000 40,000 1,100 10,028,900 40,520,000 395,390 663,800 3,000 2,720 28,200 49,600 38,300 2,400 5,792,000 33,000 464,710 1,300 295,000 3,720,000 87,000 247,000 1,776,000 3,933,000 2,178,100 29,000 10,000 1,725,000 6,504,000 2,300 738,000 17,700 3,900 20,100 140 204,800 73,825 2,482,000 7,490,000 679,300 364,770 597,400 4,549,000 38,598,000 4,000 45,000 37,130,000 1,144,700

5,531,000 1,481,390 838,030 3,113,390 292,800 450,550 5,862 90,193,245 3,034,520 40,105,425.50 7,261,880 6,660 2,667,600 57,509,280 307,161 594,534 31,502 14,942,900 107,820 49,034,019 16,016 2,528,300 634,350 120,030 769,900 7,796,970 6,781,790 25,858,172 16,530 23,600 15,126,347 25,434,090 44,938 1,630,210 202,008 20,167 165,817 24,320 1,904,297 119,022,760 3,916,400 3,211,100 31,943,750 31,742,089 3,617,430 20,870,240 56,673,450 7,520 155,240 51,174,700 10,072,816

-2,300 -12,164,481 4,831,128 -3,559,504 -25,635,210 28,400 3,260 16,907,804 12,560 -8,280 2,916,490 4,217,424 -9,452,769 1,060,900 -5,070 186,000 -5,892,680 1,124,320 14,392,220 -5,381,826 1,116,130 12,611,440 10,400 450,730 794,692

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK 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

0.003 1.58 5.15 13.12 1.83 1.21 0.39 8.41 2.69 0.32 0.195 0.206 0.01 1.82 6.17 1.92 0.63 1.05 0.011 0.011 0.012 2.54 8.97 3.4 166.1 0.0081

0.003 1.65 5.3 14.64 1.83 1.27 0.39 8.59 2.69 0.33 0.195 0.206 0.011 1.87 6.18 1.96 0.63 1.05 0.011 0.011 0.012 2.54 8.97 3.51 169 0.0081

0.0029 1.56 5.11 13.1 1.83 1.19 0.385 8.41 2.55 0.305 0.185 0.206 0.01 1.73 6.01 1.91 0.6 1.03 0.01 0.011 0.012 2.52 8.86 3.33 166.1 0.0081

MINING & OIL 0.0029 58,000,000 1.57 6,548,000 5.29 45,600 14.64 4,100 1.83 8,000 1.21 4,421,000 0.385 220,000 8.42 2,400 2.6 5,223,000 0.305 5,600,000 0.186 4,380,000 0.206 200,000 0.011 9,000,000 1.82 649,000 6.15 895,500 1.96 56,000 0.6 2,349,000 1.05 253,000 0.011 24,900,000 0.011 100,000 0.012 22,300,000 2.53 33,000 8.86 67,500 3.46 2,107,000 166.9 911,350 0.0081 98,000,000

168,500 10,400,430 235,989 53,904 14,640 5,463,540 85,100 20,440 13,594,060 1,738,900 819,320 41,200 90,100 1,159,030 5,441,079 108,540 1,421,090 263,370 252,100 1,100 267,600 83,480 598,576 7,187,250 152,035,555 793,800

-3,625 803,610 46,500 -203,050 -1,118,376 -5,880 6,000 89,015 -568,300 35,988,211 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

44.2 516 520 105.4 5.95 1,011 1,020 1,013 105.4 113.4 76.55 80.05 77 81.5 79 78.65 79.95

44.2 516 520 105.4 5.98 1,011 1,022 1,013 105.5 113.4 77 80.05 77 81.5 79 78.95 80

43.5 516 515 105 5.95 1,011 1,020 1,013 105.4 113.4 76.55 80 77 81.5 79 78.65 79.95

PREFERRED 44.1 122,300 516 7,000 515 2,010 105.4 20,800 5.95 470,300 1,011 50 1,022 2,580 1,013 500 105.5 12,760 113.4 10,210 77 39,060 80 14,010 77 2,400 81.5 102,200 79 19,020 78.95 1,100 80 25,000

5,333,195 3,612,000 1,035,200 2,185,920 2,798,574 50,550 2,633,600 506,500 1,345,840 1,157,814 3,005,447.50 1,121,050 184,800 8,329,300 1,502,580 86,815 1,999,750

4,143,800 -886,550 -

LR WARRANT

2.43

2.54

2.34

WARRANTS 2.52 964,000

2,364,130

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.9 5.25 6.93

3.9 5.41 6.95

3.77 5.2 6.49

3.83 5.4 6.55

2,847,140 372,159 52,775,316

15,240 -11,824,067

FIRST METRO ETF

119.2

119.3

118.8

672,075

5,950

160,860

-

NAME

MS SME

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

5.63 1.47 6.77 2.26 1.02 41.9 3.86 4.75 5.34 0.54 1.19 1.52 0.189 0.51 45 0.72 0.165 1.79 1.6 1.01 4.71 0.34 0.61

5.7 1.5 6.78 2.31 1.03 42.25 3.88 4.9 5.34 0.55 1.23 1.55 0.189 0.51 48.85 0.73 0.165 1.87 1.66 1.01 4.85 0.345 0.63

5.38 1.42 6.77 2.25 1.02 41.55 3.73 4.75 5.34 0.53 1.19 1.52 0.188 0.5 44.2 0.71 0.155 1.79 1.58 0.99 4.71 0.335 0.59

1,210,800 7,404,000 1,600 59,000 760,000 5,505,000 9,038,000 1,321,000 600 7,359,000 186,000 289,000 2,700,000 631,000 1,734,800 3,604,000 4,480,000 30,432,000 50,944,000 1,154,000 59,935,000 16,060,000 23,706,000

6,675,061 10,678,130 10,845 134,160 776,590 230,325,320 34,147,620 6,395,850 3,204 3,967,680 224,130 441,990 509,090 321,400 82,096,090 2,571,810 701,970 56,158,730 82,915,190 1,153,020 287,333,300 5,438,750 14,573,090

-3,063,406 39,760 6,777.00 51,500 99,638,415 -2,059,010 1,600,600 -333,180 19,680 -23,970 -17,930,085 237,090 36,580,900 6,343,120 -18,180 -71,386,670 102,000 -9,300

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119 5,640 DDS

USD DMPL A1 PROPERTY 5.38 1.42 6.78 2.31 1.03 41.85 3.73 4.9 5.34 0.54 1.23 1.55 0.189 0.51 48.85 0.72 0.156 1.87 1.65 0.99 4.79 0.335 0.62

749,000 70,700 7,984,400

10.5

10.5

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

11,212,974

INDUSTRIAL

117,037,917

HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY

88,432,292 257,036,747

SERVICES

187,188,575

MINING & OIL

247,703,456

GRAND TOTAL

917,421,881

10.5

10.5

15,320

VALUE 1,965.55 (up) 7.30 718,050,620.15 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,025.92 (up) 50.51 1,739,307,017.68 HOLDING FIRMS 7,820.90 (down) 7.01 1,046,812,490.339 PROPERTY 3,737.93 (up) 0.22 SERVICES 1,657.75 (up) 0.15 1,173,714,178.45 MINING & OIL 12,828.91 (down) 19.01 762,658,624.10 PSEI 7,876.66 (up) 4.01 239,586,793.446 All Shares Index 4,714.57 (up) 6.83 5,736,798,779.28 Gainers: 83; Losers: 114; Unchanged: 54; Total: 251

Pampanga for P275 million.

The shares were previously held by San Fernando Electric Light & Power Co. “These acquisitions will enable AIC to establish its position as a provider of water and wastewater-related services to residential, commercial and industrial customers,” AEV president and chief executive Erramon Aboitiz said.

“These steps are key for AIC to achieve its goal of building franchises across the entire water value chain,” he said.

LWC provides industrial and potable water with a daily capacity of 8,700 cubic meters and a full capacity of 40,000 cubic meters from its own deep well sources and reservoirs and ensures the 24-hour availability and sufficiency of water supply.

BWSI provides running water to over 150,000 households in its franchise area.

AEV said through its investment in BWSI, AIC would team up with an established market player in the water sector operating over 50 water distribution franchise areas throughout the country.

The Aboitiz Group’s first infrastructure venture was Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., a bulk water project that will provide Davao City with 300 million liters per day.

Apo Agua, a joint venture between AEV and J.V. Angeles Construction Corp., previously signed an agreement with the Davao City Water District to build one of the country’s largest private bulk water supply projects.

Philex’s income drops 5% to P719m

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales PHILEX Mining Corp. said Thursday net income in the first half dropped 5 percent to P 719 million from P757 million in the same period last year on lower production.

Philex said in a statement core net income reached P748 million in January to June from P 774 million a year earlier, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased 7 percent to P1.821 billion from P1.697 billion.

The company’s Padcal mine milled 4.138 million tons of ore in the six-month period, down from 4.704 million tons a year earlier, on low mine delivery brought about by equipment availability issues, limited capacities.

Philex said consolidated revenues declined to P4.756 billion from P4.788 billion, given the lower metal production that negated the impact of improved copper prices and favorable exchange rates.

Revenue from copper reached P2.007 billion, up from P1.795 billion as average realized copper prices improved to $2.65 per pound from $2.14 per pound last year. This offset lower copper production of 14.992 million pounds, compared to 17.341 million pounds last year.

Gold revenue declined to P2.710 billion from P2.955 million, as production went down to 43,251 ounces from 49,589 ounces. Realized gold prices also dropped to $1,258 per ounce this year from $1,263 an ounce in the same period last year.

Motoring

VW chalks up robust sales, banks on Jetta

V

olkswagen Philippines posted sales increase of 133 percent for the first half of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

The exclusive Philippine importer and distributor of the German-based automaker sold a total of 566 Volkswagen vehicles to buyers from January to end-June this year, compared to the 243 units sold in the same period in 2016, further reinforcing its bid to become the number one European car brand for two consecutive years.

The more-than-double sales output of Volkswagen Philippines has been attributed to robust sales performances across its model lineup.

Volkswagen Philippines’ volume driver and its number-one selling vehicle in 2016, the Jetta, has contributed substantially. Among the world’s most successful sedans, with already 14 million units sold in its six generations, the Jetta in the Philippines is expected to create a bigger sales impact come second half of 2017, as Volkswagen Philippines has just announced that the newest versions of the Jetta, the Business Edition+ and Business Edition, are now available in all its eight dealerships nationwide.

The Jetta is dubbed as the sedan “Made for Everyday Driving” with its stylish looks, feature-packed amenities, and remarkable comfort features.

Being the only diesel model in the segment, its advanced technology and safety features reinforce the Jetta’s value-formoney proposition.

The Business Edition+ and Business Edition are equipped with Bi-Xenon headlights, Adaptive Front Lighting System, LED daytime running lights, 17” Lancaster alloy wheels and sunroof.

The interior features the Fender 8-speaker sound system, dual zone Climatronic air-conditioning, rain sensor, 6-way power driver seat plus lumbar adjust, leather seats, Keyless-Go with Push Start and the 5.8” Touchscreen Color Display Audio.

Safety highlights for the Business Edition+ include the Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Alert, and Front Assist with Forward Collision Warning.

The Jetta is powered by a 2.0-liter Turbo-charged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission system which generates 150Ps of power at 3,500-4,200 rpm and a classleading 340Nm of torque at 1,750-3,000 rpm.

Available exterior colors for the Jetta Business Edition+ and Business Edition are Black, Platinum Gray, Toffee Brown, Cardinal Red Metal-

lic, Reflex Silver, Blue Silk, Pure White, and Moon Rock Silver. Interior color options are Black (not available for Toffee Brown) and Beige (not available for Platinum Gray and Reflex Silver).

For all these features, the Jetta is priced at P1.25 million for the Business Edition and P1.3 million for the Business Edition+.

Along with the Jetta, the new Golf GTS (Grand Touring Sport) is also available at Volkswagen dealerships. In over seven generations of production, the Golf has sold over 30 million units. In the Philippines, the Golf GTS comes in as the only diesel model in its segment.

The Golf GTS wagon body style carries the DNA of the original Golf, but offers 350 liters more cargo space if rear seats are folded (220 liters if not folded), than its hatchback version. The GTS wagon style is ideal for those who love the power and performance the Golf has been known for over the years, yet still value the comfort and space of a wagon.

The Golf GTS has two variants, the Business Edition+ and Business Edition. Both are powered by the 2.0 TDI diesel engine mated to the 6-speed DSG transmission system, and generates 150 PS of power at 3,500-4,200 rpm, and class-leading maximum torque of 340 Nm at 1,7503,000 rpm.

The Golf GTS is available in eight exterior colors: Pure White, Reflex Silver, Tung-

sten Silver, Blue Silk, Tornado Red, Night Blue Metallic, Platinum Grey, and Black.

The Golf GTS Business Edition is priced at P1.35 million while the Business Edition+ is available at P1.4 million.

Much more than just exceeding sales goals, Volkswagen Philippines says it is fully committed to making every vehicle that rolls out of its dealerships exceed its owner’s expectations, because for Volkswagen, It’s More Than Just A Car. For more details on the Jetta and the Golf GTS, and to arrange a test drive, log on to www.volkswagen.com. ph, or visit any of the eight dealerships located at: Volkswagen BGC at 938 28th Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; Volkswagen Quezon Avenue at 1229 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; Volkswagen Alabang at Unit 4 Molito Lifestyle Building, Commerce corner Madrigal Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Volkswagen Greenfield District Service Center at 833 Sheridan Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City; Volkswagen Pampanga at McArthur Highway, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Volkswagen Cebu at A. Soriano Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City; Volkswagen Iloilo (upper ground level of SM Iloilo along Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue), and Volkswagen Bacolod (along Araneta Street, Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental).

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

B3

FASTLANE Wipe ‘em off with PIAA THE PIAA Si-Tech (Silicone Technology) Flat Wiper Blade, a modern, frameless design that delivers all-season performance, thanks to PIAA’s patented silicone impregnated rubber blades. The key to the PIAA Si-Tech’s performance is its frameless design that creates more pressure points across the entire length of the blade for streakfree wiping. Moreover, the design eliminates snow and ice build-up.

It is heat and ozone resistant, and its silicone rubber continually reapplies an active silicone coating on the windshield, assuring streakfree, quiet operation.

The PIAA Si-Tech (Silicone Technology) Flat Wiper Blade is an all-season, durable wiper blade that incorporates PIAA’s patented silicone rubber. Designed and engineered for all-weather and extreme humidity conditions, this wiper blade is a modern, frameless design that delivers all-season performance, thanks to PIAA’s patented

silicone impregnated rubber blades.

The key to the PIAA Si-Tech’s performance is its frameless design that creates more pressure points across the entire length of the blade for streak-free wiping.

The wiper design and blade compound ensure even greater visibility by coating the windshield with silicone to promote continuous water beading in inclement weather.

Water beads up into droplets at low speeds that are easily removed by ordinary wiping. And at higher speeds, wind pressure pushes the water off the windshield, often without even requiring wiper use.

The silicone coating also reduces drag and eliminates annoying and inefficient chattering and squeaking, regardless of the shape of the windshield, to provide greater comfort for both driver and passenger. And the best part: the PIAA Si-Tech Flat Wiper Blades reapply the silicone coating every time the wipers are used.

Maximize your assets PROPERTY owners and business establishments that have parking space have the edge in terms of customer service. Visitors and tenants need not worry about having their cars falling prey to towing companies, abusive traffic enforcers and criminal elements because of the safety and security provided

by Smart Parking.

Emicor, the company which innovated Smart Parking technology in the country and the premier supplier of automotive lifts to major car dealers is offering a solution to automotive dealers, automotive manufacturers, building operators and car collectors a parking solution to maximize the potential of their real estate.

Suitable for areas with existing structures and limited parking spaces, Smart Parking will only require a minimal space equivalent to two parking slots or 32 square meters. Ingress and egress is not a problem due to an optional electric turntable that can be installed in five days, which includes machine calibration, testing and personnel

operation training.

One of their practical parking solution is the Tripark/Quadpark technology which can accommodate three to four cars/SUV’s. With a lifting capacity of 3000kg, this Smart Parking unit has a hydraulic overload protection system; automatic shut off; manual lock release, space saver with adjacent units sharing two cars per post. “This is ideal for commercial areas, business centers and car dealerships which require lots of space. Lexus USA have installed this Smart Parking system in their dealers,” says Gilbert Pinuela, Head of Parking Solutions for Emicor Inc. “The unit itself is 100 percent made in Korea, apart from the motor which is made in Germany. Smart Parking carries a 10-year warranty with a lifespan of 25 years,” he adds.

Other advantages of Smart Parking include maximizing your limited space; security against theft; safety because the structure can withstand an M8 earthquake and 250kph winds; quick installation in a matter of days and environment friendly.

Ford Awards adds 3 new categories OPEN to all automotive and lifestyle journalists in the country, the 17th Henry Ford Awards is now accepting nominations for 16 categories.

Three new categories for the year introduced: Automotive Print Lifestyle Feature, Automotive Online Lifestyle Feature, and Automotive Industry Feature.

17th Henry Ford Awards (HFA), the only award-giving body in the country that recognizes the contribution of journalists in driving the growth of the automotive industry through excellent, extensive, and incisive reportage, continues to celebrate the roles of journalists in helping shape the ever-changing automotive industry as well as acknowledge excellence and professionalism in journalism in the online, print and broadcast media.

“The Henry Ford Awards is set in place to recognize the passion and dedication of media practitioners in continuously upping the ante of automotive journalism year after year. With the HFA, we want to extend our gratitude to them

for their exemplary work and the impact it created on the Philippine automotive industry in general,” said EJ Francisco, AVP for Communications, Ford Philippines.

This 2017, Ford is adding three new categories to the awards this year: Automotive Industry Feature, a story that showcases latest industry trends and issues affecting the Philippine automotive industry; Automotive Print Lifestyle Feature, a non-Ford exclusive feature story on print media that focuses on the relevance of a vehicle in today’s lifestyle; and Automotive Online Lifestyle Feature, a non-Ford exclusive feature story on online media that focuses on the relevance of a vehicle in today’s lifestyle.

Journalists can submit their work under these 16 categories: Regular categories (Automotive): Automotive Print Feature (print) Automotive Online Feature (online) Automotive Video Feature (TV/online video) Automotive Column (print/

online column) Automotive Road Safety Feature (print/online) Published Photograph (print/ online) Automotive Green Feature (print/online) Smart Technology Feature (print/online) Regular categories (Non-automotive): (NEW) Automotive Lifestyle Feature (print) (NEW) Automotive Lifestyle Feature (online) (NEW) Automotive Industry Feature (print/online) Special categories: Ford Automotive Feature (print/online) Ford Automotive Video Feature (TV/online video) Ford Published Photograph (print/online) Ford ‘Go Further’ Feature (print/online) Best Automotive Broadsheet (print) The winners under the Regular Categories will receive a cash prize of P25,000.00 with a trophy. A cash prize of P35,000

with a trophy will be awarded to the winners of the Special Categories. The winners will be announced and recognized during the awards night on January 23, 2018, Tuesday.

Entries may be nominated by editors, publishers, TV producers and fellow or participating journalists. In addition, participants now have the option to submit entries via hard copies or online to the Henry Ford Awards Secretariat. All entries must be published/posted/aired from October 1, 2016 to September 22, 2017.

Deadline for submission of entries is on September 22, 2017 by 5:00PM. Hard copy entries must be submitted to: The Henry Ford Awards Secretariat (c/o Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Manila) Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Manila 14th Floor, 8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City 1224 All online entries must be submitted to The Henry Ford Awards Secretariat: mavic.casas@ogilvy.com

Le Mans’ loss, Formula E’s gain PORSCHE on Friday announced they were pulling the plug on the World Endurance Championship’s top LMP1 category to focus on Formula E from 2019.

The German car manufacturer’s move comes weeks after they captured their 19th Le Mans 24 Hour title Porsche director Michael Steiner explained: “For us, Formula E is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency and sustainability.”

WEC’s French-based organisers ACO issued an emotional statement deploring the “sudden and brutal” decision to pull out taken by “a constructor crowned with endurance racing’s top titles”.

Porsche are following the route travelled by Audi, the 13-time Le Mans winners who turned their back on endurance racing for Formula E last October.

And on Monday, Mercedes an-

nounced they were ending their involvement in the DTM German touring car series next year to line up on the Formula E grid from 2019.

Porsche’s switch to the fledgling electric racing scene leaves Toyota, still seeking their first Le Mans win, as the only manufacturer in LMP1, placing its future in serious doubt.

Porsche said that although they were quitting LMP1 they would continue to compete their iconic 911 in the WEC’s GT category.

Last month Timo Bernhard, Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley steered Porsche to a third consecutive Le Mans victory and 19th in total.

Formula E, the world’s first electric racing series, was launched in 2014 and the technology is still evolving.

Even in a race that only lasts 50 minutes, drivers have to swap cars halfway because their batteries won’t go the distance.

Former F1 driver Sebastien Buemi is the defending champion. AFP

Motoring

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

B4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

Baguio

The driving event allowed participants to push the variants to their limits.

road trip

with Honda Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

T

O BETTER appreciate and highlight the features of its refreshed variants, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc, one of the major players in the domestic automotive industry, shepherded motoring writers for a road trip to the summer capital of the country, Baguio City. Joining the media contingent was newly minted HCPI president and GM Noriyuki Takakura, who gamely traded bottles of the bubbly with the motoring media.

The participants were strategically placed in six media units with driver and car changes done along the route. For the first leg of the trip, this writer was placed in a lunar metallic colored Jazz number three with my colleagues Eggay Quesada and Olson Camacho of Autocar Ph. Starting from Honda’s corporate headquarters at the BGC in Taguig, the 10-car convoy with the new City, Jazz and Mobilio, snaked its way through early morning traffic and drove up to the twisty roads of the Kennon road up to the City of Pines. “The stylish exterior, interior and feature upgrades, spacious and flexible interior, and advanced safety features of the New City, New Mobilio, and New Jazz aim to serve the needs of the Filipino Customers,” says Takakura, who presented the remodeled variants during a breakfast product briefing prior to our ride and drive event.

Being a sub-compact, the Jazz is a joy to drive in an urban environment. The light feel of the steering, the spacious cabin and

cool climate control allowed us to breeze through the traffic clogged EDSA, as we inched our way to the NLEX. The new audio-video seveninch touch screen system kept us entertained throughout the fivehour journey, as reminisced days gone by with some eighties and nineties music. The fun part began as we hit the NLEX and SCTEX, as we pushed the cars to the speed limit. It’s a good thing that the lead car was driven by a former race car driver George Ramirez, who kept a fast and comfortable pace for the convoy.

The rev-happy SCTEX road network allowed us to test the capability of the 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine that produces a maximum power of 120 ps and a maximum torque of 14.8 kg-m.

The engine of the three vehicles also proved capable of driving in different road conditions as the participants drove up and around the winding roads of Baguio City. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed

under Earth Dreams Technology provided a consistent delivery of power with uncompromised fuel efficiency which is ideal for traversing the twisty uphill roads of Kennon and Baguio city.

I particularly like the stylish exterior of the New Mobilio and the Jazz RS, with its aggressive front end and visually appealing body color of Phoenix Orange Pearl and blood red for the RS variants.

Passenger safety was further ensured with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) which now come standard in select variants of the New City, Jazz and Mobilio.

The day ended in true Honda fashion, a sumptuous dinner buffet and overflowing drinks and good camaderie. The test drive experience proved that the New City, New Mobilio, and New Jazz can be the perfect vehicle to any kind of driving situation with stylish aesthetics, a powerful yet fuel efficient engine, generous cargo space with class leading features to boot.

Motorsports gets a boost from Mazda-AAP IN AN effort to promote motorsports and train future race car drivers, Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, banded together with the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), to establish the Jinba Ittai Academy.

Held at the sprawling grounds of the Megatent facility in Libis, Quezon City, the motorsports development program not only aims to share Mazda’s philosophy of connecting the driver with his car to make driving fun and engaging, but to also correlate this with proven driving techniques and Mazda’s design and engineering innovations that together enhance car control and elevate driving pleasure.

The two-day event was also held in conjunction with the AAP’s Motor Sports Development Program Module One training exercises and the formal handover of five brand new Mazda2 S SKYACTIV hatchbacks for exclusive use in the training of future racing talents. Mazda Philippines president and CEO Steven Tan, reiterated Mazda’s commitment not only in discovering new racing talent but also in doing its share in educating the youth on the proper way to drive.

“It is really important to start out learning how to drive well,” shares Tan. “It is less useful to be criticizing driving on the road because we all have to do our part in teaching people the right way to drive. We are proud to be associated with the AAP in supporting MSDP. It started off small two years ago and now that the program has taken off, we are very encouraged with the results. And this is why we decided to give AAP

five fresh Mazda2 cars for them to use in the MSDP. This is one program that really works. “ Mandy Eduque, Chair of the AAP’s Motor Sports Committee, also affirmed AAP’s commitment in developing motor sports through the MSDP. “The objective of our Motor Sport Development Program is not only to get drivers interested in racing but more importantly, to make them learn how to drive properly on and off the track. The support of Mazda is very important to the MSDP. The partnership has worked very well for us these past three years.

So I’d like to take this occasion to really thank Mazda for the support and we hope to continue this relationship for a long time for the betterment of motor sports.”

As a highlight to Mazda’s three-year support for Philippine motor sports, Steven Tan likewise led the company in appreciating the extraordinary efforts of Edwin Rodriguez, its official race driver in the Philippine Touring Car Championship and the Philippine GT Championship, both top level national racing events.

Rodriguez formally accepted ownership of the championship-winning Mazda2 SKYACTIV racecar that he had been campaigning since 2015. “Thank you so much to Mazda Philippines for believing us as well as giving us this opportunity to compete at the top levels of Philippine motor sports, “ says Rodriquez, whose PTCC racing career with Mazda began in the 2013 season in Division 3, a class he handily won with an earlier model Mazda 2. Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

From left: Steven Tan, President of Mazda Ph, Mandy Eduque, Motorsports Commitee Chair (AAP) and Gus Lagman, President of AAP

Suzuki PH exceeds expectations, posts solid growth PIONEER compact car manufacturer Suzuki Philippines consistently breaks barriers with impressive sales performance for the first half of the year.

Reflective of last year’s strong market performance, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) continues to impress the industry with yet another record-breaking growth.

SPH posted strong sales for the first half of the year, achieving a 35 percent year-on-year increase on the back of effective brandbuilding efforts in numerous platforms, particularly in recent months.

Continuous sales growth, successive openings of new dealerships in the country’s key cities and the launch of products designed to cater to different emerging markets – all these contributed to the growth of the company during the first half of 2017.

SPH General Manager for Automobile Shuzo Hoshikura expresses his gratitude to the company’s loyal customers, “The milestones we have accomplished over the years, especially that of satisfying the need of Filipinos through our quality and fuel-efficient compact cars, indeed

bring us joy and fulfillment. This is why we are constantly innovating so we can continue to deliver more improvements in our products and make Suzuki drivers happy,” he shares.

Suzuki Ciaz still a strong performer, posts 400% sales growth Subcompact sedan Ciaz continues to be a popular choice among Filipinos, with sales growing by more than 400 percent compared with the first half of 2016. The vehicle features a stylish exterior and a powerful motor that make drivers feel a connection with their car. Its fuel efficiency ensures car owners of getting their money’s worth and having a driv-

ing experience unlike any other.

The Ciaz’s breakthrough sales were complemented by the strong performance of other Suzuki best-sellers to boost overall sales.

The 7-seater Ertiga and 4x4 Jimny models achieved 70 percent and 36 percent sales increase, respectively, over the first half of 2016.

Packed with a spacious yet cozy interior, the Ertiga life-utility vehicle serves as a great companion for trips with family and friends.

It features a three-row layout to accommodate up to seven people and has adjustable seat slides to further enhance the riding experience. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Jimny remains a consistent market

favorite. With its real 4x4 capabilities, drivers easily maneuver the Jimny no matter the terrain or weather condition.

Bringing ‘The Way of Life’ closer to Filipinos SPH continues its drive to bring the Filipino closer to the Suzuki ‘Way of Life’ with the opening of four new dealerships in the first half of 2017.

SPH further strengthened its presence in the Philippine market with its new 3S openings in Ormoc and Tarlac and several Satellite dealerships in key areas, which includes Bonifacio Global City, SM Consolacion, SM Valenzuela and Kalibo to better support

loyal Suzuki customers in these parts of the country.

With these new dealerships, SPH is poised to finish strong by the end of the year.

Growing the Suzuki partner communities Besides remaining firm in its commitment to offer consumerfriendly and fuel-efficient compact cars for Filipinos, SPH is keen to continue growing the Suzuki family. SPH celebrated its growing foothold in the Philippine market with the Suzuki Car Clubs Thanksgiving 2017. The fun-filled event was attended by many of its loyal customers, including 170 key representatives

from the Team Suzuki Philippines (TSP) Car Club, which continues to show steadfast support to their beloved car brand.

Established in 2015, TSP is a nonprofit organization convened to foster camaraderie and support among Suzuki car clubs.

The group now comprises nine car clubs — Team Alto Pilipinas, Team Celerio Philippines, Swift 1.2 Philippines, Team Swift Philippines, Team APV Philippines, Club Ertiga Philippines and Vitara Club of the Philippines, and the newly accredited Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny Club Philippines.

SPH complemented its expansion and community-building efforts with CSR initiatives. The company partnered with Gawad Kalinga (GK) during the first half of the year, donating items to the GK SipaG football program to convey its support for kids engaged in the sport. Together with SPH’s previous collaboration with GK Smokey Mountain for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 and meeting kids from other SipaG teams, this indeed marks a strengthening partnership with Gawad Kalinga.

Estrada eyes halt to Lawton extortions

By Bill Casas MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday ordered an extensive investigation into the alleged extortion activities at the Lawton area, allegedly being run by some members of the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit.

Estrada expressed outrage over the arrest of another MPD policeman for extortion—the third since July 7—by operatives of the Philippine National Police-CounterIntelligence Task Force based in Camp Crame.

“This unfortunate incident undermines our efforts to professionalize our city police force,” Estrada said. “So, I want to know how and why this criminal activity had been tolerated, and who are the people protecting it.”

Estrada has tasked MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel to dig deeper into the case and identify anyone who could be in cahoots with the suspect, PO2 Joseph Buan, and those benefiting from the reported collection of weekly payola from public utility buses operating out of Liwasang Bonifacio.

Buan, a member of MPDTEU, was arrested on July 28 in an entrapment operation set up by CITF operatives. He and some of his colleagues were reportedly collecting P500 to P2,000 each from bus operators of Viofel, EPL, and Yohan Bus Co. every week.

Following Estrada’s directive, Coronel relieved Buan and his superior, MPD TEU chief Supt. Lucile Faycho, while an investigation is underway.

Coronel clarified that Faycho’s relief was an “administrative remedy” to pave the way for an “impartial and objective investigation.”

“So, it’s not a penalty. Depending on the results of our investigation, if we find probable cause to charge them, then that’s the time they will have to be transferred or reassigned permanently,” Coronel explained.

Should Faycho be cleared of any criminal or administrative liability, she will be reinstated, Coronel stressed.

On July 7, CITF operatives arrested Chief Insp. Ramon Nazario, commander of the police community precinct at the University Belt, based on the extortion complaint filed by a group of vendors.

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

TREE PLANTING. The Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Cagayan (KBP-Cagayan) lead the ‘BroadcasTREEing’ tree planting activity in Solana town, a traditional event held annually. The Sonshine Philippines Movement Warriors joined the environmental event on Wednesday. Abe Almirol and Jimrey Biosa

P300m for Makati medicines BGC Bus rolls out T

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City Health Department has been given an additional P300 million for the Free Medicines Program of the city government, bringing to P900 million the total budget of the program for this year.

This after members of the City Council approved last April 26 Ordinance No. 2017059, increasing the previous P600-million fund allocated for the program.

The increase, according to Mayor Abigail Binay, was made to help defray the cost of medications needed by the beneficiaries of its Makati Health Plus Program, better known as Yellow Card.

Binay said she asked the Council to increase the budget for the program to ensure that it would be sustained with adequate funds throughout the year.

“We want our beloved Makatizens to worry less about expenses for maintenance medicines so

they could enjoy a better quality of life,” said Binay.

The Free Medicines Program, which was launched in 2013 with an initial budget of P59 million, currently benefits more than 230,000 patients which include senior citizens, persons with disability, city government employees, and other active MHP members.

The program covers medicines for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular diseases, dyslipidemia, enlarged prostate, gout, cough and colds, sexually transmitted infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seizure disorder, allergy, ulcer, vertigo, and gastrointestinal problems, and more.

It also provides free multivitamins for children, adults and pregnant patients, as well as oral and injectable contraceptives.

The city’s Health Department reports that the program has a total of 232,672 beneficiaries to date. These include 42,335 senior citizens and 171 PWDs, while the rest are other city residents, city government employees and selected national government workers based in Makati.

This July, the Makati Action Center has made door-to-door deliveries of free maintenance medicines and vitamins worth around P7.2 million to some 4,099 senior citizens aged 70 years and older and bed-ridden beneficiaries identified by the health department to be qualified for the special service.

Under the program, senior citizens aged 70 and above are entitled to receive the full dose of their monthly prescription of maintenance medicines.

To avail of the free medicines, registered members need to pre-

sent a valid prescription issued to them by medical personnel from Ospital ng Makati, Makati City Hall Employees’ Clinic, as well as any of the barangay health centers in the city.

The authorized distributor, Planet Drugstore, has eight outlets in strategic locations catering to their respective clusters.

More than free medicines and vitamins, Yellow Card beneficiaries enjoy free outpatient consultations and subsidized hospitalization for emergency and in-patient care at the premiere city-run Ospital ng Makati.

Primary health care is also being provided by the city’s 26 barangay health centers, while its three lying-in clinics provide subsidized services for normal deliveries.

Last month, the city government also came up with new guidelines for the Health Plus Program replacing the colorcoded payment scheme with a uniform rate and extending for three years the validity of the Yellow Card.

Parañaque 911 hotline center on THE city government of Parañaque, in partnership with Philippine Long Distance Telecommunication Co., has formally launched its 911 Emergency Hotline for emergency calls and public complaints citywide and for neighboring cities.

Parañaque is the first local government unit in Metro Manila to put up its own 911 command center that will connect the caller to emergency, rescue, police, or fire services.

“Starting this week, the Parañaque 911 center will be made operational 24/7,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez, after signing the memorandum of agreement with officials of the Department of Local Government and PLDT during a simple ceremony at City Hall Monday.

Currently, the 911 system is still in transition, meaning both 911 and 117 are still in service while the government is shifting all its resources to the former.

The local 911 response sys-

tem, modeled after Davao City’s Central 911, aims to make response time of emergency services much quicker.

Aided by a high-speed modern computerized system, the hotline connects the caller to the nearest emergency dispatch for faster response time.

Present during the MOA signing were Olivarez; PLDT senior VP Jovy Hernandez; PLDT VP and head Alpha Vic Tria; visiting senior council member of Carson City, USA, Elito Santarina; DILG director for creative services Edgar Allan Tabell; Parañaque Rep. Eric Olivarez; city disaster and risk reduction office (CDRRMO) head Ted Gonzales, and Councilors Binky Favis and Bong Benzon.

The city’s emergency operations, to be housed at the fourth floor of city hall, will also provide medical, fire, rescue and police assistance 24-hour, seven days a week starting Tuesday, Olivarez said.

AWARDS. Valenzuela City bagged four awards in the month of July, including the Gawad Kalasag 2017 for the Best Government Emergency Management Service in NCR (pictured here) awarded by the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for the Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Urban Search and Rescue Unit. The same office was recognized by the Office of the Civil Defense - National Capital Region. The city government was also recognized for the Best Public Employment Service Office in NCR for 2017, the Local Government Unit e-Readiness Leadership Award, and the Seal of ChildFriendly Local Governance. Jun David

QC sets trike rules 3 years after ordinance passed

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government is now ready to implement City Ordinance 2337 of 2014 or the Quezon City Tricycle Management Code, three years after its passages, after its implementing rules and regulations have been finalized.

C1

Peter Aumentado, Tricycle Franchising Board assistant head, said the city government has implemented the one-strike policy against colorum tricycles in violation of City Ordinance 2337.

He said while the ordinance was enacted in 2014, its IRR was finalized only last month. Its implementation has started on Aug.

1, he added.

The city’s Department of Public Order and Safety has seized over a hundred tricycle units during its anti-colorum operations.

Mayor Herbert Bautista directed the DPOS chief, retired police general Elmo San Diego, and Aumentado to strictly implement the tricycle manage-

ment code due to mounting complaints from the city’s residents and legitimate tricycle operators.

Under the one-strike policy, illegal tricycles shall be confiscated on the first offense and fined P3,000. They will be brought to the impounding area on Roces Avenue, while the sidecar will be crushed and destroyed.

Robert Manuel dela Cruz, TRU officer in charge, said the city government has decided to destroy the confiscated sidecars to prevent their further use.

According to the city government, the city has about 5,000 illegal tricycles, while 26,400 tricycles are franchised and registered.

improved routes

IF YOU’RE a regular commuter to the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, this one’s for you.

The BGC Express bus service recently announced improved bus routes and schedules that will help lessen passengers’ waiting time, developed based on historical data of foot traffic and travel time.

Starting August 7, Monday, Express buses plying different routes will be optimized with fewer stops so passengers can get to their destinations faster.

For instance, two new routes, the Upper West and Lower West Express buses, will only have two and three stops, respectively, while buses in the East Express route will carry passengers via a P2P (Point-to-Point) bus. In the meantime, buses driving the North Express route will have four stops.

Going home late won’t be a problem anymore, as each Express bus will now be accessible to the riding public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sean Luarca, BGC’s Marketing Manager, said: “The BGC Bus is considered the main transport system within BGC. We have the commuting public in mind when we decided to redesign the bus routes, stops, and schedules.

“By assessing historical data, we have come up with a system to help alleviate passenger wait time so ‘BGCitizens’ and guests can reach their destinations safely and conveniently within the shortest time possible,” Luarca added.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Standard FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 C2 TODAY Manila

Sara blasts Mega over project D

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte on Thursday lambasted Mega Harbour and Development Corp. and demand an apology from the firm after it called her decision to terminate the multibillion-peso Davao Coastline and Port Development project “reckless, callous and unethical.”

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published.

We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Aurora due to both parties’ psychological incapacities to perform the essential obligations of marriage and furnish a copy thereof to petitioner’s counsel.

ATTY. JOSEPHINE SAPLALAADELAIDA VERDE LARDIZABAL, ABADEJOS with address at PORMENTO ABADEJOS AND Petitioner, ASSOCIATES, 111 Pasedena St., Pasay City.

-versusREPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 109, PASAY CITY

CIVIL CASE NO. R-PSY-17-25917-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code JEROME LARDIZABAL, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO : MR. JEROME LARDIZABAL Cabog, Dingalan, Aurora

If you fail to answer within the time fixed, as per the Rules of Court, the petitioner shall take judgment against you and demand from this court the relief applied in this petition.

Moreover, you are reminded of the provision of the IBPOCA Memorandum on Policy guidelines dated March 12, 2002, to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead alleged the grounds thereof as defenses in the answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the Court shall order the Public Prosecutor to investigate whether or not collusion exist between the parties and intervene for the state to see to it that the evidence presented is not fabricated or suppressed.

GREETINGS: Your are hereby directed to enter your appearance in the above-entitled case within thirty (30) days from the last publication hereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks and answer the Petition filed Witness the HON. by petitioner Adelaida Verde TINGARAAN U. GUILING, Lardizabal wherein the petitioner Presiding Judge of this Court prays that judgment be rendered this 24th day of July 2017. declaring as NULL AND VOID (Sgd.) CLEOTILDE P. PAULO the marriage entered by the Petitioner and Respondent on Officer-In-Charge November 10, 1986 at Dingalan, (MS-Aug. 4 & 11, 2017)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE 1.

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of Four Billion Eight Hundred Forty Million Philippine Pesos (PhP4,840,000,000.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening:

IB No.

IB No. 2017283

IB No. 2017284

IB No. 2017285 IB No. 2017286 IB No. 2017287 IB No. 2017288

Name of Contract

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

ABC (PHP)

Design, Build, Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Hybrid SPECT/CT System400,000,000.00 Variable Angle Dual Detector Gamma Camera (3/8 “Crystal”) Design, Build, Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Medical Cyclotron with PET CT Scanner and Hybrid SPECT/ 1,100,000,000.00 CT System-Variable Angle Dual Detector Gamma Camera (3/8 “Crystal”) Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Digital Mammography System with 3D 425,000,000.00 Tomosynthesis & Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Linear Accelerator with CT Simulator 2,167,000,000.00 and Accessories Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of High Dose 330,000,000.00 Rate Brachytherapy Unit Procurement of Ambulance Type III Advance Life Support Vehicle

418,000,000.00

50,000.00

75,000.00

50,000.00

75,000.00

50,000.00

50,000.00

Largest Completed Contract a. At least two (2) similar contracts for local and/ or international contracts and the aggregate c o n t r a c t amounts should be equivalent to at least fifty (50%) of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet; and b. The largest of these similar contracts must be equivalent to at least half of the fifty percent (50%) of the (ABC) as required.

TOTAL 4,840,000,000.00

2.

3.

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the abovecaption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the abovecited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 04 August 2017 to 23 August 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184.

6.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2017283

Design, Build, Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Hybrid SPECT/CT SystemVariable Angle Dual Detector Gamma Camera (3/8 “Crystal”) Design, Build, Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Medical Cyclotron with PET CT Scanner and Hybrid SPECT/CT System-Variable Angle Dual Detector Gamma Camera (3/8 “Crystal”) Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Digital Mammography System with 3D Tomosynthesis & Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of Linear Accelerator with CT Simulator and Accessories

IB No. 2017284 IB No. 2017285 IB No. 2017286 IB No. 2017287 IB No. 2017288

7.

Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids

11 August 2017; 10:00 A.M.

23 August 2017; 09:00 A.M.

Two percent (2%) Five percent (5%) No percentage required

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Special COBAC Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-AUG. 4, 2017)

2. The EMB RXIII - BAC now invites bids for SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF MOTOR VEHICLES. Delivery of the goods is 60 calendar days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instructions to Bidders.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/ fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Environmental Management Bureau RXIII (EMB) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on August 4, 2017 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five thousand pesos (PhP5, 000.00). The Invitation to Bid may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and EMB Website at www.emb.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6. The EMB-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 14, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at Environmental Management Bureau RXIII Conference Room, Purok 5, Brgy. Ambago, Butuan City which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before August 22, 2017, 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on August 22, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at Environmental Management Bureau RXIII. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat c/o Ms. Daisiree E. Makilan at the Environmental Management Bureau RXIII from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting August 7, 2017 at Tel No. (085)342-1877. However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.

9. EMB RXIII reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at anytime prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Ms. Daisiree E. Makilan BAC Secretariat Purok 5, Brgy. Ambago Butuan City Tel No. (085)342-1877 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Units Brand New Motor Vehicles that will conform with the following Specification LOT 1 ITEM SPECIFICATION ENGINE Type: Direct Injection, Four - Stroke Common Rail Diesel Displacement 2,755 cc Transmission 5 - Speed MT CHASIS Seating Capacity Steering Type Suspension Front Rear Breaks Front Rear Tires & Wheels Color of Unit ACCESSORIES Air-conditing System Audio System Other Accessories

(SGD) HERMINIGILDO V. VALLE, MD, MPA Undersecretary of Health Chairperson, Special COBAC

8 Seaters Power Steering Independent, Coil Spring, Double Wishbone and Stabilizer/4-link, coil Spring

1. The Environmental Management Bureau R XIII, through the Fund 101 CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of Two Million Eight Hundred Ninety Pesos Only (Php 2,890,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Construction of eight (8) units Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to eight (8) LGU’s under Contract No. 2017-004. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The Environmental Management Bureau RXII now invites bids for Construction of Eight(8) Units Material Recovery Facility for Eight (8) LGU’s3 Completion of the Works is required 30 days. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Environmental Management Bureau R XII Procuring Entity and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from Monday to Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM. 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php 5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids.

6. The Environmental Management Bureau R XII will hold a PreBid Conference on August 14,2017 @ 2:00PM at Environmental Management Bureau R XII Conference Room, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Ventilated Discs/Leading-Trailing Drum Rack and Pinion with Power Steering To be advised by the end-user

Automatic Climate Control (front/rear) 2-DIN CD/Tuner/MP3 with USB and Auxillary input, Speaker SRS Airbag ,with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Matting , Tint (shade to be advised by the end-user) with extra seat cover and standard tools Scope of Coverage a. Materials Used b. Workmanship c. Roadworthiness Three (3) years LTO, Registration (red plate) One (1) year GSIS TPL, Insurance One (1) year GSIS Comprehensive Insurance The unit shall be registered under the name of the Environmental Management Bureau RXIII

Supply and Delivery of One (1) unit Brand New Motor Vehicles that will conform with the following Specification LOT 2 ITEM SPECIFICATION ENGINE Type: SOHC, Diesel Engine, Euro 2 Compliant Displacement 2,477 cc Transmission 5 - Speed MT CHASIS Seating Capacity Steering Type Suspension Front Rear Breaks Front Rear Brake Booster Tires & Wheels Color of Unit

Robinson’s Place Pala-Pala, and the sixth LTO branch after LTO Kawit, Imus, Dasma and Tagaytay City.

The LTO opened the branch “to bring the office to the people and to ease the processing of renewal of licenses and student permits,” Cabaldo said.

Also gracing the event are General Trias City Councilors Gary Grepo, Nanding Granados, Mario Amante, Vivencio Lozares Jr., Jowie Carampot, and Flor Ayos, City Treasurer Cecille Tan, and LEIPO head Romel Olimpo.

THE government of Noveleta, led by Mayor Dino Reyes Chua, was among the 10 Cavite local government units conferred with the Seal of ChildFriendly Local Governance award.

The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children, spearheaded by Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of the Interior and Local Government, conferred the award at the Laguna Capitol grounds in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Tuesday.

Chua received the plaque of recognition from Manuel Gotis, CESO III, DILG-R4-A and Leticia Diokno, regional director of DSWD-R4-A. The recognition was based on the results of the childfriendly local governance audit conducted on Region 4A’s cities and towns by the InterAgency Monitoring Task Force as validated by RCWC chaired

by DSWD-R4-A. Other cities and municipalities awarded from Cavite were Imus and Bacoor City, Magallanes, Amadeo, Maragondon, Indang, Naic, Rosario and Mendez.

Based on a DILG audit last year, 75.96 percent of municipalities and cities were eligible for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance.

Invitation to Bid for Construction of Eight (8) Units Material Recovery Facility to Eight (8) LGU’s

1. The Environmental Management Bureau RXIII (EMB), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply for Lot 1 Two Vehicles the sum of TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND PESOS(P 2,340,000.00) and Lot 2 One Vehicle with the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (P 860,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2018 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF MOTOR VEHICLES LOT 1 AND LOT 2. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening.

Inclusions

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)

together with Mrs. Anne Ferrer, wife of GenTri City Mayor Antonio Ferrer; Cheryl Prudente Basa, LTO investor proponent; Irving Wu, operations director for Luzon of Robinson’s Land Corp.; and GenTri Vice Mayor Morit Sison.

According to Jose Estrada, branch head of LTO-GenTri, the office is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday for the renewal only of license and student permit.

LTO GenTri is the second DLRO in Cavite after the one in

INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF MOTOR VEHICLES Contract. No. 2017-005

Procurement of Ambulance Type III Advance Life Support Vehicle

Cash, Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank.

Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank.

Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security.

Bid Securing Declaration

9.

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite—The Land Transportation Office Region 4A finally opened its second Driver’s License Renewal in Cavite and sixth LTO branch in the province on Monday at Robinson’s Business Center, on the third floor of Robinson’s Place General Trias in Barangay Tejero here.

LTO R-4A officials led by Regional Director Eric Leonard Cabaldo and Assistant Regional Director Francis Raches Jr. led the ribbon cutting of the new Driver’s License Renewal Office

Manufacturers Warranty

Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below:

agreement, because I expected a legal case from your end,” she said.

“What I did not expect from you is to call me out as a reckless, callous and unethical individual. You should be the last person to speak about ethics if you write letters such as the one I received.”

“Finally, it is utterly fiddling of you to threaten me with a legal suit, should I continue to fulfill my obligation to explain to the public why I terminated the agreement.

And you certainly do not have the right to tell me how and when I should do my job. I demand an apology,” the mayor added.

Earlier this week, Councilor Jimmy Dureza said one of the provisions of the joint venture agreement of Mega Harbour and the city government is that either party may terminate the agreement anytime “for the reason of breach of contract.”

LTO opens GenTri license office

Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Unit

Form of Bid Security

8.

In a letter to Mega Harbour, a copy of which the Manila Standard obtained from a reliable source, Duterte said she did not “put the company in a bad light” after she terminated the joint venture agreement a week ago.

This was after Mega Harbour stated in a letter that the mayor “put their company’s name in a bad light” and “tarnished, even blackened beyond repair, [Duterte’s] reputation” with the unilateral move.

The mayor said that ever since “she opened her mouth” about ending the P39-billion project—

which was an unsolicited proposal from Mega Harbour that Duterte’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, approved during his tenure as Davao mayor—she never did “immeasurable humiliation or ridiculed men and women from your company.”

“As local chief executive, I have the obligation to inform the public of my decision, after a year of telling them that I will review the project documents. The fulfillment of my obligation is not publicity, it is accountability,” she said.

Duterte said she “does not have any obligation to repeatedly sit down and listen” to the company’s proposal, and rather opted to review all the documents it had submitted, and even hired a consultant to help assess the project.

“I purposely did not disclose what information significantly formed part of my decision to terminate the

Noveleta earns seal as friendly to children

17 Seaters Power Steering Independent Wishbone and Coil Spring with Stabilizer Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring 10” Ventilated Discs 10” Leading and trailing Drums 9” Master Vacuum Steel Rims To be advised by the end-user

7. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before August 21, 2017 2:00PM at Environmental Management Bureau R XII, Purok 5, Brgy. Ambago, Butuan City. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. The Environmental Management Bureau R XII Procuring Entity reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Daisiree E. Makilan Environmental Management Bureau R XIII Purok 5, Brgy. Ambago, Butuan City (085) 342-1877 daisireemakilan4@gmail.com (085) 815-0890 caraga.emb.gov.ph SPECIFICATIONS The Site is located at different LGUs

ACCESSORIES Air-conditing System Audio System Other Accessories Manufacturers Warranty

Inclusions

cabin Air-Conditioning System (Dual Aircon) Single-in-dash CD Player and Am/FM with 2 speakers Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlamps, Bigger Rear Combination Lamps, Matting , Tint (shade to be advised by the end-user) with extra seat cover and standard tools Scope of Coverage a. Mateials Used b. Workmanship Three (3) years LTO, Registration (red plate) One (1) year GSIS TPL, Insurance One (1) year GSIS Comprehensive Insurance The unit shall be registered under the name of the Environmental Management Bureau RXIII (MS-AUG. 4, 2017)

RTR, Agusan del Norte Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur Claver, Surigao del Norte Cortes, Surigao del Sur Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte Tubod, Surigao del Norte Carmen, Surigao del Sur Brgy. TAguibo, Butuan City (MS-AUG. 4, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

C3

Russia slams US sanctions W

ASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump reluctantly signed off on the new sanctions against Russia Wednesday, bowing to domestic pressure and putting the efforts to improve US ties with the Kremlin in peril.

RAKSHA BANDHAN FESTIVAL. An Indian vendor arranges rakhi (sacred thread) for sale at his shop in New Delhi on August 3, 2017. The Raksha Bandhan festival is marked by sisters tying sacred threads known as rakhi on their brother’s wrists as a prayer for his prosperity and happiness. AFP

Brazil’s Temer defeats charges BRASILIA-Brazilian President Michel Temer hoped Thursday to turn a surprisingly easy victory in blocking his corruption trial into momentum for austerity reforms, but more turmoil could await the unpopular leader.

Temer needed a third of the lower house of Congress’ support to avoid being suspended from office and put on trial in the Supreme Court.

After hours of angry, often raucous debates he got 263 votes―more than half of the chamber. Another 21 deputies were either absent or abstained, deepening the defeat for anticorruption prosecutors.

Accused of agreeing to take millions of dollars in bribes, Temer was the first Brazilian president to face a criminal charge while in office.

Revelations from the “Car Wash” anti-graft operation― which has recently targeted Temer, eight of his ministers, a third of lower house lawmakers and many other senior politicians―have prompted disgust among Brazilians.

But Temer portrayed the “clear, indisputable” rejection of his trial as amounting to a fresh mandate.

Ever since coming to power a year ago following the impeachment of leftist president Dilma Rousseff, the center-right Temer has pursued austerity reforms which he says will revive Brazil after two years of deep recession.

The reforms are opposed by many ordinary Brazilians, but welcomed by the business community, which has seen Brazil fall from emerging market poster child to regional basket case.

Now Temer says he has new wind in his sails.

“We are pulling Brazil out of its worst economic crisis in our history,” Temer said after the vote. “I want to complete the biggest transformation ever done in our country.”

“The markets will be happy,” said Gesner Oliveira, at the Go Associados consultancy. “It suggests that continuing the reform agenda is possible.” AFP

Abe to launch new cabinet after scandals TOKYO―Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday was set to announce new defense and foreign ministers as part of a cabinet revamp he hopes will stem a decline in public support after a series of scandals and missteps.

Political blue-blood Abe, in office since late December 2012, has pushed a nationalist agenda alongside a massive policy effort to end years of on-off deflation and rejuvenate the world’s thirdlargest economy.

But he has seen public support rates plummet in the past few months over an array of political troubles, including allegations of favoritism to a friend in a business deal―which Abe strongly denies.

Abe will reportedly reappoint former defence minister Itsunori Onodera to the post after close political ally and fellow hawk Tomomi Inada resigned last week following a scandal at the ministry over the handling of military documents.

He is also set to tap as ministers some

who have opposed his policies, including Taro Kono, the son of a dovish former foreign minister known for issuing a 1993 apology as chief cabinet secretary over Japan’s use of “comfort women”―a euphemism for sex slavery―in World War II. US-educated Kono is set to replace Fumio Kishida, who served as foreign minister since Abe came to power. Kishida, often tapped as a future prime minister, is moving to a top post in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

“I deeply regret that my shortcomings have invited this situation,” a chastened Abe said ahead of the formal announcement of the cabinet changes.

Abe’s LDP suffered a drubbing in local Tokyo elections last month, which analysts and newspapers blamed on an increasing “arrogance” on the part of the prime minister.

Kono, 54, is known as an independentminded, anti-nuclear power advocate, in sharp contrast to Abe’s support for atom-

ic energy.

Meanwhile, Seiko Noda, 56, once hailed as Japan’s most likely first female prime minister and who once tried to challenge Abe for the party leadership, was expected to serve as internal affairs minister.

Returning defense chief Onodera, 57, held the post for nearly two years until September 2014, and has vowed to restore unity and confidence within the ministry.

His expected appointment also comes amid rising tensions surrounding North Korea’s missile development.

Pyongyang launched its latest missile late Friday, just hours after the US and Japan moved to step up sanctions against it following its earlier test of an ICBM capable of reaching parts of the US. Meanwhile, Abe was seen leaving some key posts, such as finance minister and chief cabinet secretary, unchanged.

AFP

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the sanctions amounted to “full-fledged economic war on Russia” and demonstrated Trump’s “total weakness... in the most humiliating way.”

“It ends hopes for improving our relations with the new US administration,” Medvedev declared on his Facebook page.

Trump signed the legislation behind closed doors, after the failed White House efforts to scupper or water down the bill.

Trump’s reluctance was on full display in an angry signing statement, in which he called the legislation “significantly flawed.”

“In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions,” he said, including curbs on the president’s ability to “negotiate” with Russia.

“I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress,” Trump claimed.

The legislation―which also includes measures against North Korea and Iran―targets the Russian energy sector, giving Washington the ability to sanction companies involved in developing Russian pipelines, and placing curbs on some Russian weapons exporters.

It also notably constrains Trump’s ability to waive the penalties, a statement of mistrust from the Republican-controlled Congress, which remains unsettled by Trump’s warm words for President Vladimir Putin.

“The framers of our constitution made the Congress and the President coequal branches of government. This bill has already proven the wisdom of that choice,” Senator John McCain said in a biting statement.

“I hope the president will be as vocal about Russia’s aggressive behavior as he was about his concerns with this legislation.”

The sanctions seek to penalize the Kremlin for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election―which Trump won― and Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Trump said he would “honor” some of the bill’s provisions, but stopped short of saying it would be fully implemented.

The White House said only that Trump would give Congress’s “preferences” mere “careful and respectful consideration.”

“I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States,” Trump said.

Trump received the legislation at 1:53 pm on Friday, but waited until Wednesday to sign it.

The nearly week-long delay in signing had raised speculation that Trump might veto or try to somehow shelve the sanctions, which were approved in a 98-2 Senate vote. AFP

Violence, chaos plague Rio one year after the Olympics RIO DE JANEIRO―Plagued by violence, white elephant sports facilities and corruption scandals, Rio de Janeiro today is unrecognizable from the feel-good city greeting the world at the Olympics exactly a year ago.

Rio was the first South American city to hold the Summer Games and organizers were credited with staging a successful show―from the moving opening ceremony to the exploits of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and US swimming superman Michael Phelps.

But as soon as the athletes packed their bags and cameras stopped rolling, barely hidden

problems erupted.

Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio during the Olympics, said he had made the city, boosted by the temporary deployment of 50,000 troops, “the safest place in the world.”

Last month, the army had to return, sending some 8,500 soldiers to support Rio’s cash-strapped police in their brutal fight against the narco gangs ruling with near impunity in swaths of the city’s favelas.

Muggings have rocketed in richer neighborhoods, parts of the favelas are like war zones, and stray bullets fired from high powered rifles mean that no one

is safe.

The last few weeks have seen gunfights spill several times onto the major highway passing the international airport, forcing drivers to stop and hide behind their cars.

Roberto Alzir, head of security strategy for the state of Rio, said the city wished it still had that Olympic-level support from the military.

“Today those reinforcements have left and we have trouble paying our police,” he said.

Despite promising there’d be no white elephants, authorities have struggled to find uses for the facilities built for the two week Olympics. AFP

Manila

ORIE NTA L MINDORO E LEC TRIC COOPE R ATIV E , INC. Standard (O R M E C O)

TODAY

INVITATION TO BID All interested bidders are invited to participate in the actual bidding for these three (3) LOTs detailed as follows: LOT - I

Supply of Materials for Correction of Lines Damaged by Typhoon Nina (Recloser, Steel Poles, Wood Poles, Steel Crossarm, Spool Insulators, Steel Ground Rod, and Conductor Bares) Approved Budget Cost: Php23,000,000.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: Typhoon Nina Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

LOT - II Supply of Wood Poles (Australian Hardwood), Steel Poles, Pole Line Materials and Distribution Transformer with Fuse Cut-out and Arrester.

Approved Budget Cost: Php52,585,000.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

LOT - III Supply of Service Motorcycle for Meter Readers Approved Budget Cost: Php3,920,000.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund

Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-qualification proper.

GENERAL GUIDELINES 1. Interested bidders may secure BID DOCUMENTS and obtain further INFORMATIONS from the ORMECO, Inc. Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/Procurement Section, ORMECO, Inc., Simaron, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. A non-refundable fee in the amount of Php25,000.00 for LOT - I, Php50,000.00 for LOT - II, and Php5,000.00 for LOT - III and shall be collected as payment for BID DOCUMENTS. 2. Interested bidders must be accredited as supplier before joining the pre-bidding conference and accreditation will start on August 7, 2017 at 8:00am until 5:00p.m. of August 11, 2017.

You can call at telephone numbers 043-2882349/043-2869375 or send an email at ormeco_ coop@yahoo.com.

3. PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at ORMECO, Inc. Board Room, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 2:00 p.m. of August 14, 2017 for LOT - I, 3:00 p.m. of August 14, 2017 for LOT - II, 2:00p.m. of August 15, 2017 for LOT - III. 4. SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at 2:00 p.m. of September 4, 2017 for LOT - I, 3:00 p.m. of September 4, 2017 for LOT - II, 2:00p.m. of September 5, 2017 for LOT - III, immediately after which, the said proposals will be opened during the actual bidding in the presence of the attending bidders.

5. ALL BIDS must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to ORMECO, Inc. in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT issued by a reputable bank equivalent to TWO PERCENT (2%) of the Approved Budget Cost (ABC). No Bid Bond in the form of Surety Bond shall be accepted. The bidder with the lowest calculated bid will be considered the winning bidder.

6. The winning bidder shall issue FIVE PERCENT (5%) in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT from a reputable bank, representing the PERFORMANCE BOND. 7. If the bidder who submitted the best offer refuses to push through with his / her proposed BID during and after the bidding, his / her Bid Bond shall be forfeited, and failure of bidding shall be declared.

8. ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any Bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

ORMECO, Inc. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

ORMECO, INC.

HIGHLY ACTIVE. Vehicles travel along an ash-covered road in North Sumatra on August 3, 2017, after the

Mount Sinabung volcano erupted. Sinabung roared back to life in 2010 for the first time in 400 years. After another period of inactivity it erupted once more in 2013, and has remained highly active since. AFP

Simaron, Calapan Cit y

(MS-AUG. 4, 2017)

(SGD) MR. RONIE T. MORALES BAC CHAIRMAN

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

World PRESS TOUR. Actors Christina Ochoa and Matt Barr of ‘Valor’ speak onstage during the CW portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 2, 2017. AFP

US bans tourist travel to N. Korea WASHINGTON―The United States issued a ban on Wednesday prohibiting its citizens traveling to North Korea, a move triggered by the death of a US student imprisoned by Pyongyang during a tourist visit.

The ban, which comes into effect September 1, was introduced after officials said the “serious risk” of arrest by Pyongyang officials during tourist travel presented an “imminent danger to the physical safety” of its citizens.

“All United States passports are declared invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel,” read the restriction in the US government’s Federal Register, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name.

Strict warnings against travel to the North were already in place before the ban was first announced last month following the death of American student Otto Warmbier.

Warmbier, 22, a student at the University of Virginia, died in June after being held by Pyongyang for more than a year on charges of stealing a propaganda poster from a North Korean hotel.

He had been sentenced to 15 years’ hard labor in the North, but was sent home in a mysterious coma in June and died soon afterwards.

US President Donald Trump slammed Warmbier’s detention and eventual death as “a total disgrace,” pledging to “prevent such tragedies from befalling innocent people at the hands of regimes that do not respect the rule of law or basic human decency”.

The new ban will remain in effect for one year, unless it is revoked sooner by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Exemptions will be allowed in specific cases for humanitarian travel and journalists.

Tour companies said the ban would significantly reduce the numbers of Western tourists to the impoverished country.

“Currently US citizens make up about 20 percent of the Western tourist market, so it will reduce the industry by at least that much -- plus the collateral damage of others who may not want to go as a result of this,” said Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, the market leader in Western tourism to North Korea. AFP

Nurse jailed over surrogacy clinic PHNOM PENH―A Cambodian court on Thursday sentenced an Australian nurse to 18 months in prison for sourcing clients for a surrogacy clinic in the impoverished kingdom, as authorities tackle ‘womb for rent’ businesses.

Tammy Davis-Charles, 49, has been in custody since her arrest in November last year, weeks after Cambodia abruptly banned commercial surrogacy.

Authorities moved to curb the trade in Cambodia after Thailand and India blocked foreigners paying poor local women to be surrogates, following a wave of scandals and allegations of exploitation.

Prospective parents, many from Australia, turned to Cambodian clinics.

Police said Davis-Charles moved from Thailand to take advantage of the continued demand for surrogates, charging Australian clients up to $50,000 for each request.

More than 20 Cambodian surrogates were brought into the trade and received around $10,000 each.

“Tammy Davis-Charles was an intermediary between intended

parents and Cambodian surrogate mothers,” Judge Sor Lina said delivering the ruling.

The Melbourne native was also convicted of falsifying documents.

“The court sentences Tammy Davis-Charles to one-and-a-halfyears in jail,” the judge added.

Two Cambodian colleagues were convicted of the same charges and also jailed for 18 months.

In her defense statement in July, Davis-Charles broke down in tears in front of the court appealing for mercy from the bench, saying she had already “lost everything” during her six months in custody.

Surrogacy agencies started springing up in the Southeast Asian nation in 2015.

With cheap medical costs, a large pool of poor young women and no laws excluding gay couples or single parents, Cambodia quickly absorbed much of the demand.

But in late 2016 authorities shuttered the trade and refused to recognize birth certificates for babies, leaving many foreign couples in limbo. AFP

Beijing unmoved over North Korea B

EIJING―Finger-pointing over North Korea’s flourishing weapons program has pushed the world’s two biggest economies towards a high-stakes impasse, but observers warn that Trump-style outbursts are no way to get China to bend to the United States’ will.

Washington and Beijing have long traded blame over the failure to rein in the North, but a breakthrough in missile technology has raised the specter of a strike by Pyongyang on American cities, escalating the rhetoric.

“I am very disappointed in China,” President Donald Trump tweeted after the North boasted last week that the entire mainland US was within range of its intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk.”

China, North Korea’s main trade partner and ally, has repeatedly countered that it does not hold the key to the crisis and rejected Trump’s attempts to link the issue to the trade relationship.

While China’s restrained of-

ficial responses have played the foil to Trump’s 140-character outbursts, state media has been less muted.

“Trump is quite a personality,” said an opinion piece published

by Xinhua state news agency Monday.

“But emotional venting cannot become a guiding policy for solving the nuclear issue... and even less should [the US] stab China in the back.”

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stepped in on Tuesday to warn that the relationship with China had reached “a pivot point”.

“Can we work through those differences in a way without it leading to open conflict and find the solutions that are necessary to serve us both?” he asked in a briefing to reporters.

Trump has repeatedly urged China to use its economic sway

over North Korea to curb the regime’s nuclear program, while Beijing insists dialogue is the only practical way forward.

Tillerson has derided China and Russia as “economic enablers” that bear “unique and special responsibility” for the growing threat posed by the North.

And US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley spurned a UN response to the latest ICBM launch in favor of bomber flights and missile defense system tests, saying the time for talk on North Korea was “over”.

Such admonishments will not change the way China operates, analysts say.

“Trump might be brash and have an ‘in your face’ blunt style, but Beijing’s approach to Washington stays relatively the same,” Xu Guoqi, a Sino-US relations expert at the University of Hong Kong, told AFP. “While Trump tweets his positions to the world, Beijing keeps its cards closer to its chest. [China] will never dance to Trump’s tune.”

And with “today’s America weaker and more isolated in the world,” China has even less reason to respond, he said.

China has reacted with caution to Trump’s unpredictable remarks, which have ranged from describing the country as a “currency manipulator” to calling President Xi Jinping “a very good man”.

Relations had warmed following Trump’s pledge to honor the key “One China” policy and Xi’s visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this April, but they have since soured again over North Korea.

If the US does not ease off against an implacable China, observers believe a deterioration is inevitable.

“If the Americans continue to blame China while shifting away from its own obligation to defuse the crisis, the two powers are likely to have more quarrels,” said Zhong Zhenming, a Sino-US relations expert at Shanghai’s Tongji University. “[This is] exactly the result Pyongyang hopes to see,” he told AFP. In June, the US slapped unprecedented sanctions on a Chinese bank accused of laundering North Korean cash after Trump tweeted that China’s efforts to curtail North Korea’s nuclear program had “not worked out”. AFP

Iran says US breaching nuclear deal TEHRAN―Iran said Thursday the new US sanctions were a violation of its nuclear deal with world powers, piling pressure on President Hassan Rouhani as he started his second term.

Rouhani vowed to continue his efforts to end the country’s isolation as he was sworn in by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following his re-election in May. But the ceremony came less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump confirmed fresh sanctions against Iran.

Tehran says the new measures violate its 2015 deal with world powers that eased sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, an agreement that Trump has repeatedly threatened to tear up.

“We believe that the nuclear deal has been violated and we will react appropriately,” deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi

said on state television.

“We will certainly not fall into the trap of US policy and Trump, and our reaction will be very carefully considered.”

The mounting crisis creates a difficult position for Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate who won re-election largely thanks to his efforts at repairing relations with the West.

“We will never accept isolation,” Rouhani said as he was sworn in in front of top political and military officials.

“The nuclear deal is a sign of Iran’s goodwill on the international stage,” he added.

Khamenei took a tougher line, saying Iran must not fall for Washington’s “tricks”.

“The enemy’s hostility has made us more resistant,” he said.

New US sanctions have emboldened Rouhani’s hardline opponents, who say he should never have trusted the United States.

“It’s unfortunate timing,” said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations.

“What will be absolutely critical is how the Europeans position themselves,” she said, pointing to the burgeoning trade ties with Europe and their continued backing of the nuclear deal.

Britain, France and Germanywho signed the deal along with Russia, China and the United States―remain firm backers of the agreement and have criticized the Trump administration for threatening to scrap it.

French energy giant Total defied US pressure in July by signing a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Iran.

“What Iranians are banking on at the moment, maybe overestimating, is that Europe will safeguard and build on the deal, and make it too politically costly for Trump to tear it up, or at least

show Washington that if it walks away, it will be doing so alone,” said Geranmayeh.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly certified that Iran is sticking by its commitments under the agreement -- a position that has been reluctantly accepted by the Trump White House.

But with Iran gaining the upper hand across the Middle East, through its support for proxies in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, US lawmakers appear determined to ratchet up tensions.

Meanwhile, Rouhani also faces challenges as he tries to impose civilian control over the economy.

Since the election, he has engaged in a war of words with the Revolutionary Guards over their outsized role in the economy -although they have since sought to bury the hatchet with a public show of unity. AFP

H h h h

Column-heeled ankle boots

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

D1

Neoprene sneakers

Pointed pumps

M

ANILA’S women are shoe crazy.

They pick up pairs every time they have a chance when they pass by a shoe store or boutique in a mall or even at stand-alone stores.

So, how many pairs can your shoe closet hold?

And before the new season (Fall/Winter 2017) comes with the new collections, why don’t you grab those that are in the shelves now of boutiques around town?

Salvatore Ferragamo celebrates a new chapter in its history with the debut of the Pre-Fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection— the first created by Paul Andrew, the category’s newly appointed design director.

In his first collection for the company, Andrew puts at center stage founder Salvatore Ferragamo’s lifelong obsession with craftsmanship, innovation, and fit. Andrew considers how to make these values significant to a consumer and unique to a luxury brand today.

Architect, engineer, and aesthete—the roles Salvatore Ferragamo assumed in building his shoe empire are as vital to the craft today as they were in 1927 at the brand’s founding.

High-tech meets high-craft in a series of sharply punctuated groups, where Andrew harnesses state-of-the-art technology and the savoir-faire of Italy’s finest artisans. Timeless Ferragamo icons and design gestures have been reimagined and recast, from the signature black and gold and a “column heel” from the late '30s to a reconceived ‘f’ wedge and the new flat: a sneaker in neoprene or technical stretch rib knit. Fit standards have been intensively studied and adjusted for today’s global client mix, motivated by the belief that the success of design is measured not only in its visual evidence but also in its experience.

Summing up his first effort, Andrew states, “My concept for the collection was simply to highlight the fundamentals that made Salvatore such a profound and groundbreaking presence in his field and to express those values through designs that are relevant to a new generation of strong, discerning women.”

“Salvatore Ferragamo had a history of daring and of revolution in shoes, says James Ferragamo, w&m shoes & leather goods director, “legitimately setting trends with inventions such as the platform, the wedge, and the metal arch. Paul’s revisiting of our archives and values with a focus on high tech and high craft have ensured that our women’s shoes can remain ahead of their time combining cutting edge design with comfort and grace.”

“This collection with Paul as our new designer, says CEO Eraldo Poletto, “underlines the focus that we are putting on our core women’s shoe category. Shoes represent more than 40 percent of our sales, and women’s shoes represent an important part of that total, whilst still offering disproportionate growth potential. By focusing on creativity, fit, and stylish innovation, we are going back to the roots established by our founder Salvatore Ferragamo, shoemaker

IF THE SHOE FITS…

Styles

you can choose from Sergio Rossi Resort 2017 collection's sandals combine elegant silhouettes and vibrant designs

is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 4, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Solaire Resort & Casino.

Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information. *** Meanwhile, the Sergio Rossi Resort 2017 Collection takes notes from the brand’s DNA and pays tribute to its most iconic and loved pieces, interpreting them in vivid summer shades.

The elegant silhouettes of pointed and rounded pumps shine in vibrant color combinations and the platform sandals find new life in exotic patterns and denim contrasts.

The juxtaposition of seasonal colors and materials with classic tones and shapes is perfect for a day-to-night look.

The sleek lines and essential details create a timeless balance within the collection, which stays true to the Maison’s heritage but takes a glimpse into the future.

Sergio Rossi is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati. —IVR

to the stars. The collection has been developed with a love of our customer, indeed of all shoe lovers in mind, allowing her to dress 'feet first' and knowing that she can proudly wear the best that’s made in Italy can offer.”

The Pre-Fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection are available to purchase both in stores and online at www.ferragamo.com.

In the Philippines, Salvatore Ferragamo

Hue of blue at SM Kids LITTLE girls are feeling blue – in the very best way as SM Kids highlights the Hue of Blue in its new collection of dresses. These are dream dresses in sea meets sky shades that play with fabrics, patterns, and prints.

Taking a page from their older sister’s fashion playbook, these are dresses that are pretty with floral prints, touches of lace, and bows; as well as trendy with off shoulder and striped looks. Denim dresses in chambray give a bit of edge; while boho touches have a free-spirited appeal.

The Hue of Blue collection is available at the SM Kids Department of The SM Store.

Salvatore Ferragamo's Prefall 2017-2018 collection features reimagined styles, such as these column heels redesigned for today's clients

Moccasins in gold finish

Apron dress in bloom

Knee-high denim jumper dress

Party dress with a storybook charm

Life

D2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

F

OR those who rely on the monthly “pera padala” from their working family members, every single peso counts.

That is why the recipients and even senders will easily sacrifice convenience for the sake of saving a few more pesos, even if that means going to a remittance center that is farther away.

Modern technology may have brought our archipelagic islands closer through communication, but that sad truth is that majority of Filipinos remain underserved when it comes to financial services.

Did you know that it actually takes an average of 21 minutes for Filipinos living in remote barangays to reach the nearest bank or financial access point?

TrueMoney, the latest entrant to the money remittance industry, is making a big impact since it started operation last year as it seeks to address the needs of millions of Filipinos who have limited access to banks by providing a fast, cheaper, and more convenient option.

“Our mission is to provide affordable and innovative financial services to those who are underbanked and underserved today,” says TrueMoney Philippines CEO Xavier Marzan. “That means going beyond a purely digital UI (user interface) and being present in the physical world where these segments are transacting today.”

In a short span of time, TrueMoney has already achieved a level of size and scale that some of the older players in the Financial Tech industry are still aspiring for. The company has grown from a small group into an organization with hundreds of employees across the country and with a distribution network comprised of 5,000 TrueMoney Centers, which they manage with a high standard.

TrueMoney Centers are currently capable of performing remittance transactions, bills payment, gaming credits, and even payments for e-commerce purchases.

TrueMoney also challenges the norm by offering the lowest transaction fee for money remittance. While the average rates for domestic remittances today

TrueMoney offers

lowest transaction fee

TrueMoney, a money remittance company, aims to provide affordable and innovative financial services to underbanked and unbanked individuals. (Inset) TrueMoney Philippines CEO Xavier Marzan

range from 3 percent to more than 10 percent for some providers, TrueMoney rates go as low as only 2 percent of the transaction amount—without any additional charges to the recipient.

“We are also constantly innovating our services and plan to offer more services in the future,” says Marzan.

The story of true “FinTech” (short for Financial Technology) is an extremely hot industry sector in business today. Talk to any tech investor or Venture Capitalist out there and they will tell you how investment into Fintech companies and startups has soared in the last two years.

In 2016 alone, according to data accumulated by investment bank Financial Technology Partners, FinTech companies globally raised a total of $36 billion

in funding.

FinTech is especially attractive in emerging markets like the Philippines because of the massive opportunity to serve those without access to efficient payments and banking services today.

And according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), this number of “underbanked” or “unbanked” Filipinos is still around 70 percent of working adults today.

TrueMoney started out in Thailand as part of the True Corp and CP Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Asia. Regionally, it is owned by the Ascend Group from Thailand and Alipay from China.

TrueMoney has been the payments and financial services business for more than 12 years and is the largest and fast-

est-growing financial service platform in SE Asia. From one market 18 months ago, TrueMoney is already present in six emerging markets across the region including Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia and most recently, the Philippines.

TrueMoney has the largest agent network with about 25,000 partner outlets in SEA and 5,000 in the Philippines alone supporting the ecosystem.

“We need to bring underserved customers who don’t even use banking services today along a customer journey. This requires us to be pervasive across the country and be able to serve customers even in farther-flung areas,” Marzan adds.

Currently, TrueMoney Centers in the Philippines already

Bring dapper back to the workplace IF YOU’RE like most of the men in Manila who are required to be in uniform or adhere to a dress code at work, an alternative for fashion self-expression is through accessories. And when accessories such as headphones are part of your job, you have to consider both quality and style, especially if there’s someone at work you want to impress.

Sennheiser, the German authority in consumer and professional audio equipment since 1945, has proven time and again its track record in quality workmanship while keeping updated on trends and even setting them. Whether you’re going wired or wireless, you can choose from a wide range of luxurious headphones and earphones equipped with patented technology for the best sound experiences. Each pair of Sennheiser headphones carves out every aural nuance in even finer detail, making sound a more brilliant experience.

Apart from the signature powerful bass and proprietary NoiseGard active noise cancellation features, the superior craftsmanship of Sennheiser headphones allow for crystal clear conversations via a built-in microphone, while remaining lightweight and portable for listening on the go.

The highly acclaimed Sennheiser Momentum product family revolutionizes the way professional-grade headphones look on real people with real jobs. Made from premium materials like stainless steel, genuine leather, and soft ear cushions, the Momentum family of headphones

and earphones makes any look instantly dapper, while providing long-wearing comfort for even the most hardworking and dedicated employee.

To prove this, Sennheiser amped up the runways of the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week. Its sleek and sophisticated audio accessories adorned the Holiday 2017 collection of designer Joel Rosales for EsAc Uniforms.

music lovers, our customers can always expect the Sennheiser name to stand for premium products – the ultimate in sound quality and luxurious listening enjoyment en vogue. Wherever people care passionately about recording, transmitting or playing sound, Sennheiser will be there,” said martin low, managing Director at Sennheiser Electronic Asia.

A household name in the global audio industry, Sennheiser is the choice for professionals who demand quality, reliability, and precision in their audio equipment. Among their stellar clients are Broadway in New York, London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios, and world famous artists like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Pink, and many more.

“Sennheiser has a long heritage of setting trends in the audio indusRotry in terms of technology. Its debut sales is in the Philippine Fashion Week just known proves that even in the fashion realm, f o r there’s no stopping it from achieving his elegant, greater heights. If Sennheiser headphones unique, and m i n i can make any uniform look dapper or chic, malist corporate uniforms. He it can make any style stand out,” said Power used wool, cotton, ramie linMac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez. en, and black floral Mikado for his Sennheiser products are available at select collection. The bold colors of his simple yet, Power Mac Center stores. More information chic-looking uniforms complement the blacks, may be obtained from Power Mac Center on browns, and ivories characteristic of Sennheiser Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@powerheadphones, bringing an unparalleled sense of maccenter) or Sennheiser on Facebook (@senunderstated elegance to the wearer. nheiserPH), Twitter (@SennheiserAsia), and “Be it musicians, DJs, sound engineers or Instagram (@sennheiser).

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Chinese Filipinos donate rehab center to Ormoc

FFCCCII president Domingo Yap turns over a replica of the new rehabilitation center donated to Ormoc City to Mayor Richard Gomez (center). With them are (from left) FFCCCII honorary presidents Angel Ngu, Jimmy Tang, and Ambassador Domingo Lee, FFCCCII Eastern Visayas director Alan Ong Cabigao, FFCCCII vice-presidents Mary Ng and David Chua.

THE Chinese Filipino community in Metro Manila, through the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by its president Domingo Yap, recently turned over a donation of a new drug rehabilitation center for Ormoc City in Leyte province through Mayor Richard Gomez who said there are thousands of illegal drug surrenders in the city.

FFCCCII has committed to donate 15 rehab centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to help in reforming illegal drug users and to support President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on il-

legal drugs.

Gomez is a top actor and athlete, whose advocacies include promoting public health and sports.

He said, “Thank you very much to the Chinese Filipino community for always supporting my anti-illegal drugs advocacy, ever since I started the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga (MAD) in 1998 during the time of President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada up to now with this new rehab center for Ormoc City. I also thank FFCCCII and the whole Chinese Filipino community for the help to Ormoc City and

our region during the typhoon Yolanda disaster.”

Upholding the local Chinese Filipino community’s centuries-old Confucian tradition of philanthropy in the Philippines, the FFCCCII has, for 63 years, mobilized donations from SMEs and big businesses to support charities in education, medical care, Chinese Filipino fire volunteer brigades, and disaster relief operations like typhoons or the Marawi crisis. FFCCCII believes that economic growth can be more sustainable if there is social progress and poverty alleviation.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

It’s A Man’s World In ‘TWGRR’ T

HE World of Gandang Ricky Reyes (TWGRR) tomorrow will literally rain men as you will get to know more of trending Pinoy Baes like the Carrot Man, Jeyrick Sigmaton, and Police Inspector Chriz Dulagan who recently joined the Man of the World competition.

Girls swoon and drool over them while some guys feel envious of these young hunks. TWGRR came up with a survey, so find out if your idol is in list of the 10 hottest Kapuso hunks of today.

A former hunk out of shape now wants to get back in the game to regain his six-pack abs.

With make over and intense work out, can he make it?

Catch the newest shoe brand in town that is great for your

Fun and laughter in ‘It’s Showtime’ VIEWERS and netizens cannot get enough of the fun and laughter in It’s Showtime’s “Cash-Ya” and “Ms. Q and A,” making both segments a hit among audiences

health. The revolutionary A-Plus Shoes stimulates blood circulations and all internal organs to a natural healing. It balances and aligns the entire angle of the bone and cure joint problem. It increases natural healing and maintain body balance and burns fat. It has magnets placed at corresponding reflex points on your feet to energize your health anywhere anytime and can even be worn in bed.

Meanwhile, whether you are a Team Mulawin or Team Ravena, you will surely enjoy watching them as they slug it out on the basketball court in their exhibition game.

Snail Serum and Hair Booster for hair are now available in all GRR Salons. To reconstruct and revitalize your hair, try Cryo Hair Therapy while SoftWave Treatment gives shine to dull hair and The Twist gives curly hair ends.

Open your own salon after graduating with the help of Ricky Reyes Learning Institute (RRLI) with branches in Anonas, Cubao, Quiapo, Fairview and San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.

Tune in to The World of Gandang Ricky Reyes (TWGRR) tomorrow, 9-10 a.m. on GMA News TV.

In "Ms. Q and A," the pageant-like segment in "It's Showtime," someone's poise, intelligence, and wit are required to win the competition.

nationwide and a consistent trending topic online.

The two segments not only generate thousands of tweets on Twitter and shares on Facebook,

but also millions of views on YouTube. Netizens also rave about “Cash-Ya” and “Ms Q and A” whenever they watch the segments and share their

thoughts on social media.

Twitter user @iddaidz said, “It’s Showtime relieves my stress! Especially ‘Cash-Ya’ and ‘Ms. Q and A!”

Bruce Willis and Hayden Christiensen’s ‘First Kill’ FIRST Kill” puts the audience at the edge of their seats, scene after scene.

The movie stars Hayden Christensen with iconic action star Bruce Willis.

When Will Beamon (Christensen), a successful Wall Street broker finds out that his 11-year-old son Danny (Ty Shelton) is being bullied in school, he takes him on a hunting trip in a small rural town to grow their father-son relationship.

While hunting they stumble upon the assassination of young criminal, Levi Barett (Gethin Anthony) who was involved in a bank heist.

Trying to save Barett, Will, takes him to their cabin, but after getting treatment, takes Danny hostage and uses him as leverage to retrieve the stolen money.

There he meets the town police chief, Howell (Willis) where they help each other by solving the kidnapping, finding out the truth about the botched murder

attempt and retrieve the money from the bank heist.

The film revolves around a father-son relationship that tests the limits of the two but also the relationship of the son and the criminal. Forcing all men to adapt to extreme circumstances in order to survive.

The Hollywood Reporter praises the performance of Gethin Anthony in the film saying, “A British actor who displays both a credible Southern accent and an entertaining relish for his intriguing character.”

Directed by Stephen C. Miller and screenplay by Nick Gordon. It co-stars Megan Leonard, Tyler Jon Olson, and Jesse Pruett.

From Octo Arts Films International First Kill is showing in cinemas.

Check the film’s trailer here: https://www.facebook. com/octoartsfilms.international/ videos/1460320890715523/

Senior actor Bruce Willis (left) and Hayden Christensen in a scene from the action thriller, "First Kill."

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, August 4, 2017

ACROSS 1 Latin 101 word 5 Fast-growing vine 10 “Free Willy” whale 14 Heart 15 Pungent veggie 16 Turns right 17 Travel preference 18 Curly coifs 19 Youngsters 20 Form the foundation of 22 Short-order fare 24 Nanny — 25 Bridge support 26 Prizes 29 Kind of lineup (hyph.)

33 Festivals 34 Headquartered 36 Popular cruise stop 37 Nature’s building block 38 — up (confessed) 39 Army wear 40 Permanent marker 41 Ties the score 42 To the point 43 Put up 45 Hammers 46 Handed-down

stories 47 “Brian’s Song” star 48 Be plentiful 51 Altar locales 55 Nickel or dime 56 Orchestra members 58 Medal recipient 59 Luxury fur 60 Moderator 61 “Blondie” kid 62 Broad-antlered deer 63 Excalibur, for example 64 Distance DOWN 1 Tan shade 2 Reddish-brown horse 3 Extra dry 4 Wire 5 Eucalyptus diners 6 Not qualified 7 Dreadful 8 Elephant quarters 9 Pristine 10 Gawkers 11 True 12 Yield, as territory 13 Off. aide 21 Retina cells

23 25 26 27

Beauty guru Ricky Reyes invites viewers' into his world in tomorrow's episode of TWGRR

Canasta play Canape toppers Wide open Mind the flowers 28 By oneself 30 Wedding gown feature 31 Faced the target 32 House toppers 34 Nobel or Garbo 35 Rural lodging 38 Works too hard 39 Tight situations 41 School near Windsor Castle

42 Male razorback 44 Thuds 45 Stopped for a moment 47 Shout hurrah 48 Pinnacle 49 Seethe 50 Sty noise 51 First name in perfume 52 Tide over 53 Ms. Bombeck 54 Before very long 57 Luxury car

Another fan @itsmelykalykz also posted, “Team Vice vs Team Nadine completes my noontime,” she said. @loudcas shared, “It’s Showtime gives us total entertainment. I like ‘Ms. Q and A’ so much! Winner!”

Launched this month, “Ms. Q and A” entertains viewers as it showcases its contestants’ elegant gowns, wit when answering questions, and banter with the hosts.

Meanwhile, the intense clash of hosts in “Cash-Ya,” where

two competing groups need to fit themselves into an object without breaking it, bring good vibes and excitement to viewers.

The hosts’ playful antics and tactics also take the noontime fun up a notch.

Aside from the two segments, competition is also intense in the vocal battle “Tawag ng Tanghalan’s” year two where dreams of aspiring singers nationwide come true.

It’s Showtime airs on ABSCBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167 Monday to Friday..

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

KOREAN

now a recording star, sings OPM I

’VE always wondered why Korean pop music has become so globally appreciated that even Filipino pop music aficionados are crazy about.

I have a couple of CDs of Korean music, some are of the K-Pop groups and one other a compilation of music from popular Korean TV series. And as always when I listen to them, I don’t understand a word of their lyrics but like their melodies. I sense a bit of similarity between Filipino sentimental songs and Korean ballads.

This is the reason, I think, why Yohan Wang, a Korean in the Philippines, easily took to OPM like ducks to water.

The Korean charmer and I Love OPM Grand Touristar has an album, a grand entry to the music industry. He is recording for Star Music and his debut is a great mix of OPM covers in their Korean versions. Some of the songs are a combination of Filipino and Korean.

The album, says producer Rox Santos, will be available through Melon, South Korea’s popular online music store.

Wang, who has made Philippines his home for the last three years, highlights his heartfelt renditions of three Tagalog songs

in his self-titled album. He also personally translated the lyrics to Korean and in his renditions he hopes both fellow Koreans and Filipinos would enjoy them.

The balladeer’s touching interpretation of “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana,” originally by Bituin Escalante, is the promotional single of his first album. Its Korean version is entitled “Nayotdamyon.”

The 21-year-old singer also includes his covers for Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw” with its Korean version “Noege,” and Regine Velasquez’s “You Made Me Stronger” or “Annyeong.”

“Noege” was the theme song of the recently aired Koreanovela Love In The Moonlight on ABSCBN. Apart from the OPM hits, the song “Du Sa Rang,” the Korean version of one of KZ Tandingan’s biggest hits, “Mahal ko o Mahal Ako,” is also on the tracklist.

Wang’s album is a milestone in Star Music’s history, as the leading record label taps the music portal Melon for the first time hoping to introduce OPM, translated

ISAH V. RED

OPPA YOHAN WANG. Grand Touristar Yohan gives OPM a K-Pop flavor in his debut record under Star Music

in Korean, to the South Korean market through Yohan’s songs.

The singer earlier rose to fame when he joined and eventually won ABS-CBN’s original singing competition I Love OPM in 2016, and got a Star Music recording contract as part of the prizes he received.

Rox Santos serves as the over-all producer of the Yohan Hwang album, which will soon be available for downloads through melon.com and other digital stores worldwide (Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, etc.), streaming via Spotify, and at record stores nationwide.

For more information on Yohan’s album, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ starrecordsphil, Tw i t t e r. c o m / starrecordsph and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph. *** Award-winning director, Brillante Mendoza, brings us yet another masterpiece with Amo, a crime miniseries that tackles one of today’s most controversial topics – the Philippine government’s war on drugs.

This 12-episode miniseries is set against the backdrop of the country’s war on drugs and depicts situations

including the rampant vigilantism against suspected illegal drug personalities.

It features the story of Joseph, a high school student peddling crystal meth or “shabu” initially to his fellow gang members and later on to a much bigger market in Metro Manila.

Amo also shows the controversies involving the Philippine National Police in the government’s campaign against

drugs as well as its role in rightfully enforcing it.

Leading the cast of this cinematic television creation is Vince Rillon who plays the role of Joseph the young drug peddler and one of the country’s leading actors – Derek Ramsay who plays the role of a good cop.

Joining the cast as well are Allen Dizon, Felix Roco, Apollo Abraham, Archie WINNER. First "The Voice Teen" champion Adamos with the Jona Soquite (left) with coach Sarah Geronimo special participation happy that I got to show them the of Baron Geisler. real Jona. Thank you very much Amo is yet another dauntless to everyone,” she said after being television masterpiece Mendoza, announced as the winner. which reflects TV5’s strong As the season’s winner, Jona commitment to provide quality won a fashion package, P1 million differentiated entertainment cash, P1 million trust fund, a content. business package, dental services, Amo premieres on Aug. 20, P2 million worth of life insurance, 9:30 p.m. and airs every Sunday a recording and management on TV5. contract, and a brand new house. *** Before impressing viewers with Team Sarah’s Jona Soquite her performance of her winning was declared the first-ever grand piece “I Believe I Can Fly,” Jona champion of The Voice Teens showcased her versatility in a duet in the country and in Asia after with coach Sarah in “Better Days” receiving 44.78 percent of the and in a solo performance of Lady public text and online votes in the Gaga’s “Just Dance.” program’s grand finale on July 30.

The first season of The Voice Teens Jona, Sarah’s third artist to win in the country and in Asia was a TV the top-rating singing competition, and online hit as viewers watched beat Team Bamboo’s Isabela the show and made it a trending Vinzon, who got 22.42 percent topic on Twitter every week. of the votes, Team Lea’s Mica They also tuned in to the grand Becerro (17.79 percent), and finalists’ performances as the show Team Sharon’s Jeremy Glinoga recorded national TV ratings of (15.01 percent).

38.2 percent on July 29 and 40.3 “I saw that almost half of the percent on July 30, based on data voters believed in me. I am so from Kantar Media.