Manila Standard - 2017 August 26 - Saturday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 193 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WAKE-UP CALL. Three suspects (above) in the killing of 17-year-old Kian

Loyd delos Santos—PO1 Jeremias Pereda, PO1 Jerwin Cruz, and PO3 Arnel Oares from the Caloocan Police—during the public hearing Friday by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs. The three face murder and torture raps. Priests, classmates and friends (below) offer prayers at Sta. Quiteria Parish in Caloocan City. Lino Santos/Andrew Rabulan

‘It was murder’ Kian’s kin sue 3 cops, chief for criminal acts

By Rey E. Requejo, John Paolo Bencito, Francisco Tuyay and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE family of slain 17-year-old student Kian Loyd delos Santos filed murder and torture complaints against Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and Police Officers 1 Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz before the Justice Department Friday.

With the help of the Public Attorney’s Office, the family also included the policemen’s supervisor, Caloocan City Precinct 7 commander Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo, and several unidentified individuals in their complaint.

Kian, a Grade 11 student, was killed Aug. 16 in a city-wide anti-drug operation, with the policemen claiming the teenager had fired at them first, prompting them to shoot back and kill the boy.

But CCTV footage that showed Kian being dragged by two policemen, and eyewitnesses contradicted their account, and a police crime laboratory report said Kian had no gunpowder residue on either hand, indicating he had not fired a gun before he died.

In his complaint affidavit, Kian’s father Saldy said he had asked his son to clean their sari-

Du30: Faeldon honest man; Lacson fumes

By John Paolo Bencito, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte once again expressed support for resigned Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, saying that he is honest, despite fresh accusations being hurled at him.

“I still believe that Faeldon is honest. I have known the guy,” Duterte told troops in Marawi City.

Duterte’s pronouncement came

a day after Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed that there were rumors that the former BoC chief received P100 million as a “welcome gift” from suspected smugglers.

Faeldon on Thursday denied Lacson’s accusations, and said instead that the senator’s son and namesake, Panfilo Lacson Jr., was guilty of smuggling in cement worth billions of pesos.

Faeldon accused Lacson’s son of smuggling after the senator, in a privilege speech, said the former Customs

chief had received P100 million as a “welcome gift” when he became Customs commissioner.

Lacson also claimed Faeldon and several high-ranking Customs officials received weekly payola or “tara” from big importers for the trouble-free release of their shipments.

On Friday, Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, called on Faeldon to submit documents to support his accusations against

Lacson’s son.

Gordon also criticized Faeldon for exposing the alleged smuggling only now, after Lacson’s exposé before the Senate. He added that if Faledon had evidence against Lacson’s son, he should have filed charges against him.

Faeldon said he did not immediately reveal what he knew about Lacson’s son so as not to divert attention away from the probe into the P64 billion worth of shabu that slipped through Customs in May. Next page

PCGG’s heyday: Plush hotels, restos the norm

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon RamosAraneta LUXURIOUS hotels and restaurants became the preference of the Presidential Commission on Good Government officials during the Aquino administration for 56 board and stockholders’ meetings of its sequestered companies, the agency said Friday.

Terrorists escape, no signs of hostages

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Responding to allegations of abuse of resources that came up during the term of its former chairman, the embattled poll chief Andres Bautista—the PCGG assured the public that they have already discontinued past practices that are considered as “excessive and unnecessary.”

“During the previous administration, around 56 times, the board Next page

‘Comelec has to foot protest bill’

By Rey E. Requejo FORMER Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court to order the Commission on Elections to pay rent or storage fees to preserve the materials used in the 2016 national elections.

“The Comelec is mandated by the Constitution to act as the primary guardian of the sanctity of the ballots and other paraphernalia...in the conduct of the election,”

By John Paolo Bencito DESPITE the successful recapture of two vital installations in the main battle zone of Marawi City, the military on Friday admitted that Islamic State-inspired extremists might have escaped already amid the hot pursuit operations against terrorists.

As military operations in Marawi City entered its fourth month, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said state forces who retook the Marawi grand mosque and police station within Marawi’s commercial district found no signs of hostages taken by jihadist rebels, who laid siege last May. In related developments: • President Rodrigo Duterte fired a rifle towards Islamic State-inspired militants during a visit to the battle zone in Marawi City, the military claimed Friday.

Duterte, who visited the wartorn city Thursday night, “tried a sniper rifle and fired twice toward the direction of the terrorists” while clad in combat uniform inside the main battle area, the military said in a statement.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, however, claimed the President only visited the area for a

sari store at 7 p.m. of Aug. 16, because he had to go out to buy supplies for their store. On his way home an hour later, a fruit vendor told him his son had been taken by the police.

He went to the Precinct 7 and was told nobody by Kian’s name had been arrested, so he went back home with his brother Randy. Upon arriving there, many people were already waiting outside and told them that his son was by the creek, dead.

Attached to the complaint were the testimony of witnesses, the final autopsy report, and photos from the autopsy.

PAO chief Persida RuedaAcosta said they have five witnesses, including those who saw Kian being dragged, choked and punched. The five witnesses are different from the three under the custody of Senator Risa Next page Hontiveros.

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‘Jolina’ fast, furious may hit Aurora

By Rio N. Araja

Ubial said there had been no confirmed human case of bird flu since its outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga, on the first week of August.

She renewed her reminder to all those who had direct contact with

TROPICAL storm “Jolina” maintained its strength Friday, and threatened to pound Aurora province with moderate to heavy rainfall and as it approached land Friday night.

At a news conference, forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said “Jolina” was moving fast due to a high-pressure area spotted over west of the storm.

“The HPA is well-behaved, and because of this, the storm will not be stationary,” he said.

As “Jolina” is forecast to

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NOT CHICKENING OUT. Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial and two friends eat chicken and chicken products, hoping to persuade the consuming public that avian flu cannot be transmitted via eating chicken meat—a similar tour de force as that done days earlier by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol during a visit to one of the towns in Pampanga. Norman Cruz

Bird-flu hit fowl safe to eat, Health chief affirms IT IS safe to eat poultry products despite the bird flu outbreak in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija as the H5N6 virus could not be transmitted by eating fowl eggs or meat, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said Friday.

She said the virus could not twitter.com/ MlaStandard

be transmitted by eating poultry products as it only enters the body through the respiratory system.

She said cases of the virus being transmitted to humans in the Philippines had yet to be reported.

The prices of chicken have dropped to P25 per kilogram from

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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a high of P90 after the government confirmed the presence of bird flu in Central Luzon.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to travel to Pampanga next week to eat duck eggs and chicken barbecue to assure the public those are safe to consume.

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No China flag on sandbar, says AFP T

HERE is no truth to a lawmaker’s claim that a Chinese flag has been planted on a sand cay near Kota island within the disputed West Philippine Sea, the military said Friday.

“It’s not true. He may have got the wrong information,” Armed Forces spokesman Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla said in response to the claim made by Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano.

Alejano, a fierce administration critic, earlier said a Chinese flag was found planted on a sand cay seven nautical miles

northeast off Kota Island.

That triggered fresh concerns over China’s activities in the waters claimed by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. Meanwhile, a spate of deadly collisions involving US Navy warships in Asian waters has provided a propaganda windfall

Bonjourno or Buon Giorno? It's getting curioser and curioser LEWIS Carroll of Alice in Wonderland might exclaim yet again the phrase it’s getting “curioser and curioser.”

The other day, resigned Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon shot back at fellow Philippine Military Academy alumnus Senator Panfilo Lacson, accusing the latter’s son and namesake of smuggling in cement worth billions of pesos.

This followed the expose of Senator Lacson in his privilege speech that Faeldon received P100 million as welcome gift when he assumed the post last year.

Faeldon had identified what he called Lacson son’s company—Bonjour no —which was able to import billions of pesos worth of cement in 67 shiploads.

There is a Bon Journo (two words) Trading, listed at the Department of Trade under a single proprietorship, appears to be a legitimate importer of cement with office in Molino, Cavite.

The firm, which appears to be owned by one Florencio del Rosario, is said to have an office warehouse in Subic, based from

Terrorists...

From A1 “photo opportunity.”

“Let me correct that, he was not engaging, he was simply handling this particular piece of firearm and the President is very conversant with weapons like this and he knows the limits of what he should do. Basically, as far as we can see, he was simply getting a view of that particular firearm,” Abella told reporters in a news briefing Friday.

If proven true, Duterte’s visit would be the first time for a Philippine head of state directly “engaging” inside a battle area.

• The military establishment told the police to return the favor and be professional after calling for a thorough probe on the death of an army soldier, who was shot dead by policemen in Zamboanga del Sur soon after fighting with terrorists in Marawi City.

Armed Forces spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla told a Palace news briefing the military would be waiting if there were “procedural lapses” on the part of the police, following the death of Private First Class Rodillo Bartolome, at the time in civilian clothes waiting for a ride to visit his family, at a junction in Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur. “Even if the emotions are high on the part of his colleagues, including those from the Armed Forces because of this incident, the Armed Forces will remain as a professional organization,” Padilla said.

“We remain in control of our troops but promise to us that you can give due process and investigate this thoroughly. This is the same that we expect from the police,” he added.

At the same time, Padilla said about 200 civilians, out of the 2,000 civilians reported unaccounted for and believed to have been hostaged by the terrorists, remained missing.

Padilla said those unaccounted for included civilians taken hostage by terrorists, those still trapped in the main battle area, and those whose bodies have yet to be claimed by their relatives.

“We will seek to rescue the hostages and we will do our best to quell the remaining resistance,” Padilla said in a news conference in Malacañang.

• The Western Mindanao Command, meanwhile, said it would not issue yet any reaction as regards the killing of the Army soldier.

“While we are all in mourning for the death of one of our Marawi heroes, we call for prayers and sobriety, as we seek for (sic) immediate resolution to this case,” Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom spokesperson, said in a statement.

“We would like to solicit your

reports by field verifiers of the Trade Department, as of July 27, 2017.

But a quick check with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed no company under the corporate name Bonjourno is registered with the corporate regulator.

However SEC documents showed a certain Eduard S. Tayson of Caloocan City has filed an application to reserve the name Bonjourno Corp. last July 28, 2017.

The company will be engaged in wholesale of construction materials, hardware, plumbing and heating materials.

To date Bonjourno Corp. has not filed its incorporation documents with the SEC. The name Bonjourno Corp. will be reserved to Tayson only until Aug. 27, 2017.

However, the Consumer Protection Group of the Trade Department said it received a request from the Senate to register a firm called Buon Giorno.

The group is still verifying if the two companies are related or if they are one and the same. Othel V. Campos

understanding if we cannot divulge more information to you right now since this is a sensitive matter and we wish to give due consideration to the family’s privacy,” she added.

Padilla gave assurances the military was already on the lookout for possible areas where extremists might have fled.

The military spokesperson said the retaking of the mosque and police station Thursday was a welcome development to the ongoing operations.

Padilla said: “There were two very important operational achievements our troops were able to achieve over the last few days during this week.

“One was the retaking of Marawi City Police Station, a significant development, a symbol of authority over the city, and it was located in the strategic point. And the retaking of this installation was part of our priorities.

“The second is the retaking of Marawi City’s grand mosque or the Islamic Center, an operation that allowed us to reach at this stage but took us almost a month before this was achieved. The clearing is still ongoing.”

Padilla said that the military carried out an “envelopmental approach,” not a frontal attack, on retaking the mosque as a fulfillment of the government’s earlier vow not to destroy any Muslim place of worship.

“We did not conduct a frontal attack because we wanted to preserve the grand mosque, owing to the promise of our commander-in-chief, the President, and our Chief-of-Staff, who strongly provided guidance not to destroy any place of worship, even if international protocols would allow us to do that,” said the military spokesperson.

Troops are exhausting all efforts to finish the battle “as soon as possible,” Padilla said, with the movement of the Jihadist gunmen constricted to just a “half a kilometer grid.”

“We continue to clear the other parts of the city and press on to the inner sanctum of the enemy,” he said.

On Thursday, Duterte was able to visit the main battle zone 20 days after his second visit and 94 days after the conflict started, where he repeatedly said being with his soldiers on the ground was one of his utmost concerns right now, even if it would compromise his security.

“I will be happy to die for my country.

I need to be with you to show my solidarity,” he told the soldiers during his visit.

In a Palace release, Duterte was able to stop outside the safe zone to inspect the devastation near ground zero and talked to the soldiers guarding the buildings used by the members of the Maute group during the early days of the fighting.

With Florante Solmerin

to rivals like China and given already rattled regional allies further reason to fret, analysts say.

Four accidents this year alone, including two fatal ones in two months, resulted in the dismissal this week of the commander of the iconic US Seventh Fleet― the centerpiece of the American military presence in Asia.

The timing could hardly be worse, with the Japan-based fleet at the heart of ongoing US efforts to project an image of military strength and effectiveness in the face of threats from nuclear-armed North Korea and an increasingly assertive China.

‘It was...

From A1 Acosta said they could dispense with the 13- and 16-year-old witnesses under Hontiveros’ custody because they already have witnesses with the same testimony.

But they are still working out to get a third witness who saw the police give Kian a gun and told him to run.

Justice Secretary Vitalliano Aguirre II on Friday said the evidence showed that there was foul play involved.

“Very clear, based on evidence, that there was foul play on the part of the policemen,” Aguirre said, in an interview.

Aguirre said the Justice Department condemns such acts by the police.

The Palace on Friday said Kian’s death at the hands of the police should spur reform in the corruption-laden agency.

“Kian’s case is a wake-up call for the need to reform government institutions, even law enforcement agencies—a challenge that the President voiced from the beginning of his campaign for the presidency,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

The Palace official also reminded the police to consistently follow operational procedures as the war against drugs “is not a license to break the law.”

But the Philippine National Police asked the public to withhold judgment and allow due process to take its course in the case, after the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions Agnes Callamard condemned the killing as murder.

“Let us allow the formal criminal investigations to proceed and not rush [to] conclusion[s] or judgment,” said PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos.

Despite the public outrage of Kian’s killing, Abella said the war on drugs would continue.

“This incident, however, [will] not deter the administration from the task of reducing criminality and illegal drugs. The campaign against illegal

PCGG’s...

From A1 and stockholders’ meetings were held in luxurious hotels like Edsa Shangri-La, Makati Shangri-La, Manila Peninsula, and Cru Steakhouse Marriott,” the PCGG said in a statement Friday.

Excerpts of the meeting venues showed Bautista, who was PCGG chairman from August 2010 to April 2015, frequented either at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati or nearby Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

From November 2012 to August 2013, the Salonga Room at the PCGG’s offices in Mandaluyong was used only three times, PCGG records showed.

Bautista’s successors, meanwhile, had more flexible choices for their board meetings. From November 2016 to June 2017, board meetings were held either at Edsa Shangri-Lla

Bird-flu...

From A1 infected poultry and had developed any flu symptoms to report to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units of her department’s regional offices and seek immediate consultation.

She also called on everyone to be vigilant, follow the advisories issued by government agencies and to know the right information about the disease.

Thirty-four people who took part in bird-culling operations in Pampanga had been given a clean bill of health after been quarantined for exhibiting flu-like symptoms, Ubial said.

“They were promptly placed in isolation as part of precautionary measures to avert any possible human-to-human transmission of infection,” Ubial said.

“They were also started on the antiviral Oseltamivir while awaiting for the laboratory results from RITM. As of Aug. 24, all were negative for Influenza A H5N6.”

Of the 34, 30 are in Pampanga and four are in Nueva Ecija. They were part of the 258 persons involved in culling 470,640 birds in Pampanga.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

The latest incident left the guided-missile destroyer, USS John McCain, limping into port in Singapore on Monday with a gaping gash in its hull following a pre-dawn collision with an oil tanker that left 10 of its crew feared dead.

Just days before, the same ship had taken part in a “freedom of navigation exercise”―sailing close to a contested island in the South China Sea in a show of strength to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims there.

The incident, and a similar collision involving another warship off Japan in June that left seven dead,

has been seized on by China as an illustration of US military overreach and incompetence.

“It’s a lot of good propaganda for the Chinese,” James Char, a regional security specialist at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, told AFP. It comes as “China is trying to tell the region, ‘you cannot count on the US for your security needs’,” he said.

The Chinese foreign ministry voiced concern that US warships posed a “security threat” to civilian vessels in the South China Sea―a criticism echoed in the state media.

Warning that the US Navy was “becoming a hazard in Asian waters,” a China Daily editorial questioned why such sophisticated warships were unable to avoid other vessels.

And the nationalist Global Times said the collisions reflected how the US Navy’s combat readiness and military management levels “have both declined.”

The tabloid claimed there was “applause from Chinese netizens about the latest accident” on the internet, reflecting public anger over American operations in the maritime region. John Paolo Bencito, with AFP

drugs [will] continue. As the President has declared time and again, it will be pursued relentlessly,” he said. “[The President] has already directed a fair and impartial investigation on the death of Kian delos Santos as he assures the public that he would not tolerate any illegal act or wrongdoing committed by erring policemen. Those found responsible would be held accountable before the law,” he said.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service, meanwhile, said it had a strong case against the policemen involved in Kian’s killing.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said the four policemen tagged had no legal basis to arrest Kian because by their own admission before the Senate, Kian was not the target of their anti-drug operation.

Triambulo said the lawmen also violated the police operational procedures when they accosted Kian when he was not committing any crime.

Triambulo said if there was any case against Kian, the policemen should have brought him to a waiting mobile patrol car at Barangay 160 and have him transported to Precinct 7.

The UN’s Callamard called for an investigation of “all unlawful deaths” in the Philippines’ war on drugs.

On her Twitter account, she wrote: “Yes, Pres. Duterte, this is murder.

All unlawful deaths must be investigated.”

In another tweet, Callamard said that the autopsy results represent “a massive, government-led, human rights crisis.”

Callamard has been highly critical of the Duterte administration’s antidrug war, which has claimed thousands of lives of suspected drug users and pushers.

Responding to the UN expert’s call, Communications Assistant Secretary Omar Alexander Romero said that Malacañang will let the ongoing investigation on Kian’s death proceed before they brand his death as “murder.”

“There is an ongoing investigation, so we will have to wait for the results,” Romero said.

“Until there is a finding by a competent court that it is murder, then we

can agree. But, we look forward to the results of the impartial investigation on this incident,” he added.

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson has begun an investigation into the killing.

But testifying before the Senate earlier this week, the police officers involved said it was not Kian that they were seen dragging in the CCTV footage, but an informant who did not want to have his cover blown.

Amnesty International said the Senate hearing Thursday exposed the “abysmal failings of the police” to protect children from the deadly consequences of the bloody war on drugs.

“Kian’s death has rightly sparked a national outcry and public trust in the police is at an all-time low. The only way to address this is for the Philippine authorities to end all deadly drug operations, and return to an approach anchored on due process and rule of law,” said James Gomez, Amnesty International’s director of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

“Past Senate hearings on the ‘war on drugs’ have led to little meaningful action by police or Philippine authorities. Today’s session cannot become just another talking shop, it must be the first step towards genuine change,” he added.

The rights group likewise slammed Aguirre’s pronouncements calling Kian’s death an “isolated case” and that “collateral damage” was inevitable in the bloody drug war.

“Secretary Aguirre’s comments are not only callous and cynical, they are simply untrue. There is no question that many children have paid the ultimate price for the police’s ‘shootto-kill’ approach—and many more will unless the ‘war on drugs’ is ended,” Gomez said.

“Those suspected to be responsible for Kian’s death must be brought to justice. We urge the government to allow for a prompt and thorough investigation by an independent body, such as the Office of the Ombudsman. But investigation into one death is not enough, there must be the same level of accountability for all police killings,” he added.

Carlos, the PNP spokesman, said the police involved in the case are considered innocent until proven otherwise in court.

He also said Kian’s case did “not represent the entire anti-drug campaign of the PNP.” Also on Friday, Hontiveros refused to turn over witnesses under her custody to the Justice Department’s Witness Protection Program, and called instead for Aguirre to inhibit himself from investigating the case.

Aguirre had earlier said that the witnesses under Hontiveros’ custody were no longer credible because of the senator’s anti-government bias.

Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon agreed that Aguirre had shown he was not impartial in his handling of the case.

He also said Aguirre’s statements criticizing groups or individuals for expressing outrage of the death of Kian while not doing the same for the victims of drug addicts showed he was biased. With Vito Barcelo

Hotel, the Hatsune Restaurant at the Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, Man-Ho Restaurant at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay, Cru Steakhouse at Marriott Hotel in Pasay, Canton Road Restaurant at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig, and Chef Jessie Restaurant in Makati.

Bautista came under fire after his estranged wife Patricia Paz said he had 35 bank accounts with the Luzon Development Bank worth P329 million that was not declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. She said this was part of almost P1 billion in undeclared, illgotten wealth.

Bautista has denied the accusations.

In the same statement, the PCGG claimed that there were some consultants during Bautista’s term who were allowed to claim their salaries using a Special Power of Attorney.

“We noticed that several supposed consultants during the previous ad-

ministration have executed SPAs allowing an employee from the office of Chairman Bautista to receive their salaries,” the agency said.

The previous practice of the concerned sequestered and surrendered corporations of “purchasing millions of pesos worth of gift checks and gift cards for distribution to its officers, and even to members of the media,” during the previous administration was already immediately terminated.

On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered the PCGG to investigate allegations of ill-gotten wealth against its former chairman, Bautista.

Senator Francis Escudero on Friday said if Bautista decides to quit his post, this will not affect the ongoing investigation of the Senate committee on banks and other financial institutions, which he chairs, into the close to P1 billion in ill-gotten wealth he allegedly accumulated.

‘Jolina’...

From A1 leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday, Aurelio said, another typhoon was expected to lash the country next week.

“We are expecting another low pressure to develop potentially into another tropical depression,” he added.

Another forecaster, Shelly Ignacio, said should the cloud cluster over the eastern part of Luzon develop into an LPA and eventually into a depression, it would be named “Kiko.”

As of Friday tropical cyclone warning Signal no. 2 was raised in the following areas, where winds of 61 to 120 kph may be expected in the next 24 hours: • Isabela, • Aurora, • Quirino, • Kalinga, • Mountain Province, • Ifugao, • Ilocos Sur, • Benguet, • Abra, • La Union, and • Nueva Vizcaya.

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone warning Signal no. 1 was up in the following areas, where winds of 30 to 60

kph may be expected in the next 36 hours: • Cagayan including Babuyan group of islands, • Apayao, • Ilocos Norte, • Nueva Ecija, • Pangasinan, • Northern Quezon including Polillo island, • Catanduanes, and • Camarines Norte.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, “Jolina” was estimated at 110 kilometers south southeast of Casiguran, Aurora packing maximum sustained winds of up to 80 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph.

It was moving west northwest at 19 kph.

Expect moderate to heavy rains in Northern and Central Luzon that could trigger floods and landslides, Aurelio said.

Metro Manila will continue to experience rains not because of “Jolina,” but because of an enhanced southwest monsoon, he added.

According to Pagasa’s Hydrometeorology Division, incessant rains contributed to an increase in the water elevation of the six major dams—Angat in Bulacan, Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet, San Roque in Pangasinan, Magat in Isabela and Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija.

Du30:...

From A1

Lacson, meanwhile, expressed irritation at Faeldon’s suggestion that he was somehow behind his son’s smuggling activities.

“Smuggler? I’m absolutely sure I never called Faeldon or any Customs official to intercede for my son in any of his transactions with BoC [Bureau of Customs],” Lacson said.

“Any assault on my integrity irritates me, to say the least. And I won’t take it sitting down, maybe not now, but I will definitely take action sooner or later,” he added.

In a privilege speech, Lacson accused Faeldon of being on the take. He also said Faeldon allegedly received P100-million “pasalubong” or welcome gift when he assumed the post at the BOC. Incoming Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, who will assume the post next week, will carry out a major revamp at the bureau to get rid of the agency’s rotten system, a close aide of the former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Friday.

The aide, who asked not to be named, said a revamp is needed to revitalize the bureau and take in new people to stop corruption.

He said the President had ordered Lapeña to reorganize the bureau, which will affect all personnel, down from the examiners to district collectors.

Lapeña, forrmer chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said his mission is to rally the 3,031 employees of the second biggest revenue earner to hit their assigned collection target of P468 billion this year.

“Many customs officials in juicy posts will be dislodged from their comfort zones,” the source said.

“Many of the personnel have been in their assignments and positions for many years and a massive rotation would affect more than 80 percent of total personnel,” he said.

‘Comelec...

From A1 Marcos said through his lawyer George Erwin Garcia.

He made the plea following a letter sent by Maria Lea Alarkon, director III of the Comelec’s Office for Overseas Voting seeking payment from Marcos for the expenses her office had incurred for safekeeping the ballots overseas.

Marcos also said he received the tribunal’s resolution requiring him to pay the same, but he said an election protest was a mere incident in the conduct of the elections.

He said it was the Comelec’s function to safeguard the integrity of the ballots and other election materials.

“This is precisely why the Precautionary Protection Order issued by the Honorable Tribunal in this case was directed to the Comelec and its concerned officials and employees,” Marcos said.

“Consequently, all the costs and expenses necessary and incidental to the safekeeping of the ballot boxes and its contents and other election paraphernalia should be assumed by the Comelec.”

In his protest, Marcos assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts―36,465 of which he paid for the conduct of manual counting and judicial revision. The asked that the results of the remaining 2,756 be annulled.

Based on the Comelec data, the 39,221 clustered precincts are composed of 132,446 precincts.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Red tide alert up on Samar island

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

SITE INSPECTION. Leyte (1st District) Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (center), assisted by National Maritime Polytechnic Training Center Director Romulo Bernardez (right) and

Tacloban City Rescue Unit Chief Lutgarda Barredo-Raagas (2nd from right) conducted a site inspection of the proposed construction of viewing deck, board walk, and comfort rooms in Barangay 97 in Tacloban City for thousands of tourists who often visit the famous San Juanico Bridge that connects Leyte and Samar provinces. Ver Noveno

DOTr to end BURI contract

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Transportation has committed to terminate the maintenance service contract of Busan Universal Rail Inc. with the Metro Rail Transit 3 after its officials were confronted by a party-list lawmaker of the various anomalies surrounding the deal.

In its budget presentation before the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations, chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, DOTr Secretary Arturo Tugade and DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez told lawmakers they would be terminating BURI’s P3.81-billion maintenance contract for MRT 3.

This came after Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles came out with a series of exposé on the sloppy work of BURI including the installation of fake spare parts on the train’s safety equipment for its signaling system.

During the hearing, Nograles confronted the DOTr officials with a presentation detailing the various anomalies that he said should already prompt the immediate termination of BURI’s service contract.

“BURI is not a joint venture. I’d like to emphasize on that. I asked so many cooperate lawyers. Why am I emphasizing that? Because the contract is supposed to be with joint venture,” Nograles said in front of Transportation officials headed by Secretary Arthur Tugade.

“The one that won the contract, the negotiated contract was supposed to be commonly known as the ‘Joint Venture of Busan.’ When in fact, the government, the outside contract was the DOTC [the forerunner of the DOTr] and these guys. I don’t see Busan Universal Rail Inc. there. Therefore, BURI is receiving taxpayers’ money without having any legal standing,” Nograles said.

By “these guys,” the PBA lawmaker meant the four corporations that comprise BURI. “None of these four corporations have any train experience,” Nograles said.

Worse, Nograles said that BURI has already collected P750 million in taxpayers’ money from this contract.

Earlier, Nograles established that neither former Transportation secretary Jun Abaya nor Tugade signed the P3.8 billion, but a mere undersecretary in Edwin Lopez.

Senators support use of body cams for cops

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A

MID the growing public uproar over the spate of killings and police abuses during operations in the administration’s war against illegal drugs, four senators want police operatives to wear body cameras in their operations.

The senators issued the call following the suspected murder of 17-year-old Kian Loyd “Ian” delos Santos at the hands of police anti-illegal drugs operatives.

The four senators are Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan and Senators Grace Poe, Richard Gordon and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill 1564 in order to have valuable information and objective evidence of actual events of police operations during investiga-

tions and civil or criminal litigation, including drug raids.

“It will put an end to the radically divergent accounts of these police encounters and will protect the public from police abuses and misconducts. Most importantly, it will hold police officers accountable for their actions,” said Pangilinan.

“This will also serve as an effective remedial measure to restore public trust on our law enforcement officers and protect them from wrongful accusations

of abuse or crime as a result of their lawful discharge of their functions,” he said.

At present, he said, 7,080 killings of drug suspects have been recorded since the beginning of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs in July 2016. Most of these killings were justified by police officers as lawful police operations due to the alleged armed resistance of drug suspects.

He said 32 other people were killed in an overnight “drug sweep” in Bulacan on the third week of August 2017.

During the same week, 49 more died within a span of four days in a series of police operations conducted in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Manila.

The most recent was Delos Santos, a Grade 11 student from Caloocan City, which had sparked public outrage.

“If not for the CCTV footage showing Kian being dragged by

policemen towards an alley and other witnesses to the alleged incident, Delos Santos would have been reduced to a mere statistic and labelled as a drug suspect killed because he resisted arrest and shot at police officers,” Pangilinan said.

The senator said that while media personnel are allowed to witness police operations, none of them have so far recorded these killings during operations. There are no CCTV cameras at the scenes of these operations or if there are, these are either defective or intentionally turned off for allegedly security purposes.

“There is, thus, a lingering doubt as to what actually transpires during police operations; the worn-out narrative is that most of those who died resisted arrest or, in the usual police alibi, ‘nanlaban.’ It is therefore imperative to put in place mechanisms that will ensure transparent police operations.”

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Friday raised the red tide alert over the coastal waters of Daram Island in Western Samar.

In its recent shellfish bulletin, BFAR said that based on the latest laboratory results, the coastal waters of Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Carigara Bay in Leyte, and Balite Bay, Mati in Davao Oriental showed positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

BFAR officer-in-charge Wilfredo M. Cruz said Tamboboy Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental, Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay and Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, the coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo, and coastal waters of Mandaon and Placer in Masbate also tested positive for red tide.

Cruz said all types of shellfish and “alamang” gathered from these coastal areas are still not safe for human consumption.

“Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” Cruz said.

Areas which continue to be free from toxic red tide include the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, Bataan, Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, Wawa and Bani in Pangasinan, Masinloc Bay in Zambales, Mandaon in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, and Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Other areas include coastal waters of Pilar, Panay, President Roxas, Roxas City in Capiz and Sapian Bay, Alvatas, Batan, and New Washington in Aklan.

Cruz said the coastal areas of Capiz, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Cambatutay Bay in Western Samar, Calbayog City in Samar, Leyte, Biliran Province, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Camiguin Island.

DoLE signs order on high-heeled shoes MMDA arrests 14,500

By Vito Barcelo THE Philippines becomes the first country in Asia to ban the mandatory wearing of high heels in the workplace, after the Department of Labor and Employment signed an order not to require female employees to wear high heels at work.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed the department order following a call from the Alliance of Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines against the mandatory wearing of high-heeled shoes that puts at risk the occupational safety of working women.

“We commend the DoLE for acting swiftly on our request to ban in the country the mandatory wearing of high heels in all workplaces because it causes them pain and exposes them to risks and

dangers in performing their jobs,” ALU-TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

High heels, as defined under the order, are shoes with narrow, pointed heels higher than an inch.

“As far as we know, the Philippines is the first country in Asia to ban the mandatory wearing of high heels in workplace. We hope that the regulation will also be copied and applied for the benefit of workers in the entire Asian region,” Tanjusay said.

He said that “with this regulation, millions of Filipina salesladies, promodizers, waitresses, lady guards, receptionists and those women working in factory assembly lines will now be freed from the bondage of unsafe and dangerous working conditions.”

WATCHING JOLINA. Weather forecaster Nikos Victor Penaranda, a Pagasa weather specialist, monitors the incoming Tropical Storm ‘Jolina’ that has intensified further as it moves closer to Isabela-Aurora.

Manny Palmero

traffic violators in NCR

By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta MORE than 14,500 erring motorists were cited for various traffic violations via the Metro Manila Development Authority’s no contact apprehension system in the last four months, MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said.

The series of apprehensions from May 24 to Aug. 18 made through the scheme, where traffic violations are recorded using CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras strategically placed along Metro Manila roads.

The agency also used the No Contact Apprehension policy in apprehending violators of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, a law prohibiting public utility and private vehicles drivers to use their phones and other mobile devices while on the road.

Most of those caught by the CCTV were drivers who violated speed limit, illegal parking, disregarding the no-loading and unloading zone, beating the red light, swerving, blocking intersections, disregarding traffic signs, making illegal turns, illegal overtaking, entering the yellow lane, defying the closed door policy and bus segregation scheme, motorcycle lane, among others.

Lim said under the policy, the MMDA will send summons or notice to the vehicle’s owner or

operator to identify the driver of the vehicle during the time the traffic violation was captured by the CCTV camera.

The notice, which will be sent to the owner or operator, contains the date, time, location and traffic violation. It also contains a statement that the motorist has the right to contest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division within seven days upon receipt of the summons.

Within 15 days from receipt of the adverse TAD resolution, the driver may still file a motion for reconsideration. If the MR is denied, the driver may file an appeal before the Office of the Chairman where the decision shall be final and executory.

“The drivers will not be able to renew the vehicle registration until the fines are settled,” said Lim. The MMDA hired deaf and mute individuals to assist Metro Base personnel in manning the monitors of CCTV cameras installed on major thoroughfares used in the policy.

The MMDA has a total of 45 personnel manning the Metro Base—five persons per shift in charge of monitoring footbridges for vendors, road incidents, traffic video wall operations while 10 persons per shift in charge of monitoring the operations of the No Contact policy.

At present, there are 250 CCTV cameras installed in strategic areas in Metro Manila.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Injustice secretary

T

HE death of Kian Loyd delos Santos is not about President Duterte or Ronald dela Rosa or Benigno Aquino III or Chito Gascon or Risa Hontiveros.

Most certainly it is not about Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who this week attempted—but failed —to play down the public outrage over the death of the 17-year-old boy killed by policemen on Aug. 16.

Aguirre said the witnesses who gave statements on what they saw during the alleged police operations that night had been polluted, or brainwashed by Senator Hon-

tiveros, whom he tagged as the witnesses’ handler.

But the witnesses could only corroborate the physical evidence culled from the boy’s autopsy and from footage from the barangay CCTV. For example, experts established that the boy was kneeling and bent on the ground when he was killed.

This, as well as the location of the gunshot wounds make

it difficult to imagine that Kian resisted arrest or try to attack the cops who were pursuing him.

Police said the boy and his father were known drug suspects even as they only came out with this statement after the killing. Pressed for the source of this intelligence, the not-so-intelligent chief of the Caloocan police said: “social media.”

It is a puzzle why Aguirre, equally indiscriminate in consuming what he sees on social media, remains the top Justice executive after he alleged that leaders of the

opposition were in Marawi City, meeting with some of the most prominent families there, a few days before the siege broke out in May. The statement reeked of innuendo and malicious attribution.

It was later on proven that the photo that Aguirre released was from another occasion completely unrelated to the Marawi crisis.

Kian’s death is about him and all the others who have been killed in the name of the so-called war against drugs. It is about a government whose mandate is to protect the citizenry and

make us all feel safe, but who in blind and zealous pursuit of a campaign that respects neither reason nor life makes us all feel insecure, even terrified, instead.

We struggle to make sense why clowns like the Justice secretary continue to be allowed to speak on matters whose gravity far outweighs their comprehension. In our valiant effort to get to the bottom of what really happened to the boy and to all others whose lives were snuffed out senselessly, voices like Aguirre’s merely add to the noise.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Do justice to RM and his award

the people as well.

When Saripah and a few others came to me in Cagayan de Oro, it was not only to receive the relief goods and talk (I thought they also needed to express their frustrations) but also in search of whatever possibilities there may be for the families of our members. I was jolted by the very miserable life they now live.

They told me stories of those who used to be rich in Marawi who lost everything and are now homeless and without money.

They spoke of women seemingly losing their minds because of what happened to them and their families, and the lack of food now.

One woman they know is often seen in Gaisano mall, dirty and disheveled, endlessly walking and mumbling to herself. Some IDPs have resorted to begging, knocking on doors in Iligan and asking for anything, especially food that may be spared them.

There were pregnant women who gave birth in other people’s

THE awarding ceremony of the annual Ramon Magsaysay Award is set for August 31 this year, the 110th birth anniversary of the great Ramon Magsaysay, third president of the third Republic of the Philippines. It started in 1957 and it is named in honor of President Magsaysay, who was known for his unimpeachable integrity in public office. One of the most popular leaders in modern Philippine history, Magsaysay served as president from December 1953 to March 1957.

Magsaysay was a guerilla leader during the war. He served two terms as congressman representing Zambales Province under President Elpidio Quirino’s Liberal Party (LP). As Quirino’s new defense secretary in September 1950, Magsaysay destroyed the communist insurgency based in central Luzon which, at that time, had become strong enough to threaten the country’s fledgling democracy. This made Magsaysay very popular among the electorate. Envious of his defense secretary’s popular appeal, Quirino sacked Magsaysay in February 1953, months before the presidential election set for November that year.

By the end of 1952, however, the opposition Nacionalista Party (NP) was set to field Jose P. Laurel against the reelectionist Quirino. The Laurel versus Quirino presidential contest anticipated in November 1953 was seen as a rematch since Laurel lost his 1949 presidential bid to Quirino in an election which political observers criticized as dirty and questionable.

When news of Magsaysay’s departure from Quirino’s good graces and, ultimately, from the LP nest, reached Laurel, the latter invited Magsaysay to join the NP. Realizing that only a very popular candidate like Magsaysay can overcome Quirino’s well-oiled and well-financed campaign machinery, Laurel yielded his quest to return to Malacañang and gave way to Magsaysay as the NP’s presidential candidate in November 1953.

Turn to A5

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Remember #Marawi POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO THE Marawi problem is not over yet. Latest reports said that the military was preparing for its final assault against the remaining members of Maute group who remain holed up in the city.

There are, however, less news updates now. It appears that interest in this very important issue is waning.

It is not surprising given the many other problems we face as a nation. The brutal murder by the police of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos in the guise of a legitimate anti-drugs operation, the more than 13 thousand victims of Duterte’s “war on drugs,” the P6.4 billion worth of drugs smuggled through the Bureau of Customs, the accusation that the President’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo’s involvement in smuggling; and the

alleged widespread corruption in the BOC are but some. Indeed, it’s more fun in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the victims of Marawi siege, the more than 300,000 largely Maranao internally displaced persons more than 80 percent of which are outside of evacuation centers, live miserable lives.

More than 500 families of my organization’s members are among those displaced and are staying in Iligan City.

Our Maranao leaders headed

by Saripah Ansao-Lomondot urgently sought our help because many of the people were already going hungry. Most of our members are not in evacuation centers, and thus, hardly reached by “official” assistance. We try to help by soliciting relief goods but have been stumped because we could not find an economical way to bring the goods to them. Unlike during the Ondoy and Yolanda crises when courier companies offered their services for free, this time, there seems to be nothing. Thus, helping has

become more difficult.

My team had to go to Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro for activities. We decided to just send the almost 30 big boxes of relief goods via cargo so they would

Many remain missing up to this day and their relatives can only hope that they are still alive.

arrive CDO the same with us.

Saripah was there to pick them up and bring them to Iligan City.

It was a bittersweet reunion because I knew it was a difficult time for her and the rest of our members BUT I had no

idea how difficult things have been, and are.

Saripah was in Manila on Day One of the Marawi siege. She was scheduled to go home the following day but was told by relatives to just proceed to Iligan because Marawi was already burning. Her youngest daughter was the only one home when the trouble began. She was on her way to school but got lucky because classmates had the presence of mind to message her to not proceed anymore as they, her classmates, were already being taken hostage by ISIS. The young woman was taken by her cousins and they sought refuge in a relative’s house. A few days after, they were able to get out and went to Iligan. Saripah’s only son remains in Marawi assisting rescue operations there.

The Maranao people is a proud and brave people. I know because I have worked with them for many years. What happened to Marawi devastated not only their home city but

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Opinion BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Impunity has reference to criminals IT IS not the impunity to kill criminals that should bother us, but the impunity of those criminals to commit crime.

The State can only violate the right of the suspect to due process of law, and the police that violate that right can be charged of the crime consequent to that violation.

If there is a visible color of political vendetta carried out by the arresting officers, both the police and the state can be held liable for human rights violation. Impunity therefore has reference to criminals who brazenly violate the law to commit crimes, and they are no longer deterred by the punishment imposed by law.

There is a culture of violence because crimes have somewhat become a day-to-day occurrence.

Notably, people commit crimes for various reasons.

One, because of corruption.

When corruption becomes pervasive, society is eventually affected, and this has a debilitating effect on the ability of our law enforcement authorities to maintain the peace and order in society. Second, because of acute economic inequality. If the wedge of disparity becomes wide, our law enforcement officers are demoralized that no sooner they too become part of the problem. Third, because of our Christian orientation catalyzed in our decision to abolish death penalty.

Because of our ambivalent approaches to resolving criminality, President D u t e r t e’s war on drugs has become a bloody fracas. Since all involved from the importation, manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are confronted with the possibility of being killed, the killing itself has become an incentive that nobody now knows whom to blame. Some drug lords and their protectors kill those who might squeal or purposely liquidate them and point the blame on the policemen. On the part of some law enforcers, the extrajudicial killing of suspects has become an incentive because that will promote them. Worst, the offer of reward has instantly turned many of them to become bounty hunters driven not for patriotic duty but for monetary consideration.

The Church for its part also failed to anticipate that the abolition of death penalty will blow out of proportion the campaign against criminality.

As President Duterte bluntly put it, drugs have all the ingredients to destroy society and our people. The absence of death penalty has made the country the hub of international drug syndicates. We cannot keep on blaming other countries for our failure to cope up with the menace. As the drug menace spreads, many of our politicians are tempted to poke their fingers into this illegal but lucrative business just to keep up with the costly democratic practice, viz. to keep themselves in power.

Indeed, narco politics has overwhelmed us because of the huge profit generated from the sale and distribution of drugs. It has become a big enterprise for the drug lords and some politicians, and a cottage industry for the small fry like Kian Loyd de los Santos.

To begin with, Kian Loyd de los Santos was killed in the process of police operations. The teenage boy was not wholly innocent as portrayed by the opposition. He was a confirmed drug courier. Most worrisome, the opposition are trying to dramatize the issue beyond proportion even projecting him as wholly innocent and worthy of being made a martyr like Ninoy to generate public indignation against the government. At this point, we must not forget that President Duterte has incurred the ire of the US because of his anti-American rhetoric and for bridging closer our relations with China.

The drifting of the Philippines towards China is one issue why the US has become active and vocal once again on the issue of human rights hoping to use the same strategy to agitate the local opposition against the government.

The convergence of issues like the killing of Kian came at a time after that hypocrite Andres Bautista was exposed as a corrupt persona of gargantuan proportion and as their lackey in rigging our election. Kian’s death seems like manna that fell from heaven.

It could be clearly deciphered that both the opposition and their principal broker have been trying to sort out one effective issue that could bring the Duterte a d m i n ist r ation to its knees. The hype about Kian’s killing is all intended to generate frenzy and hatred against the government, and they are proving to be good political ammunition for the yellow Liberal Party, militant Left, the oligarchy, so-called human rights crusaders and even to the opportunistic Church. The US ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, is seeking “full accountability” that if found guilty, the US now has their reason to move for the ouster of Duterte. In effect, the US now stands as the conductor of the band to bring down the Duterte administration.

Exploiting the death of Kian is a wise and calibrated move to sway public opinion to their favor. Isolating Digong, the US hopes to create an atmosphere that could possibly scuttle the $36 billion economic development package offered by China.

Of course, nobody in his right mind would say that the arresting officers could not be held liable for Kian’s death.

But an objective judgment of what happened would lead us to see that the arresting officers could only be held liable for homicide. The case cannot be elevated to one of murder, much that it was not a premeditated plan to liquidate a teenage boy. It was an ordinary police operations that turned bloody. Neither can the opposition elevate the case as another human rights violation because anybody who indulges in any criminal activity opens himself to possible retribution.

Nobody really knows what could have happened if Kian meekly surrendered just as nobody knows if the arresting officers would kill an unarmed youthful offender if he surrendered peacefully. In other words, only an objective investigation of what happened

Nobody in his right mind would say that the arresting officers could not be held liable for Kian’s death, but...

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mixed, unfinished legacy of PNoy IN MY last two columns, I wrote about the legacies of Ninoy and Cory Aquino. There is no doubt in my mind that both deserve to be honored as national heroes. The contributions of this couple to nation building is beyond reproach. There are of course Aquino haters, blinded by their loyalty to Ferdinand Marcos. There are also those who are looking for perfection in our politicians and find that the Aquino couple had faults and therefore feet of clay. If I adhered to such standard, I would not find anyone in our history to extol—not Rizal, nor Bonifacio, Mabini, Luna, Del Pilar, etc. If perfection is our standard, let’s just abolish National Heroes’ Day and go to work this coming Monday.

The legacy of Noynoy Aquino, the son of Ninoy and Cory and the predecessor of President Rodrigo Duterte, is another matter. For now, and as long as he is alive and well, his legacy is unfinished. For sure, from today’s standpoint (it could change in the future as distance gives fresh perspectives), it is a mixed legacy.

A scion of a family of prominent politicians, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino never really had much choice but to follow in the footsteps of his parents. He had the misfortune of growing up as an adult during the Marcos years where his father, Senator Ninoy, was in the thick of the fight against his erstwhile nemesis, President Marcos. But it was also his fortune—or is it?—to be the political beneficiary of his parents’ political legacy. Had her mother, beloved by the masses for her sacrifices to the country, not died when she did, Noynoy could have remained in the Senate and ended his political career in the political shadows. Following the death and funeral of President Cory, many people began clamoring for Noynoy to

Do justice...

From A4 As expected, Magsaysay won the election.

Upon assuming office, President Magsaysay opened Malacañang to the general public, and by his example, urged everyone in public service to lead honest and modest lives.

Although he was perceived as a staunch supporter of American interests in the Philippines, Magsaysay disliked the parity rights ordinance in the 1935 Constitution which gave Americans in the Philippines the same rights and privileges in commerce and industry in the country, without the corresponding reciprocity for Filipino businessmen in the United States. Accordingly, Magsaysay sent Laurel to Washington, D.C. to put an end to this lopsided arrangement. Laurel succeeded and brought home the Laurel-Langley Agreement which set 1974 as the expiration date for what would have otherwise been permanent parity rights for Americans in the Philippines.

On March 17, 1957, Magsaysay was killed in an airplane crash in Cebu. Thus, the Filipinos lost

Remember...

From A4

homes and now having problems nourishing their babies since food is quite scarce. They heard of infants dying without the benefit of medical help. Not a few are getting sick, both young and old.

Many remain missing up to this day and their relatives can only hope that they are still alive.

Even those in evacuation centers suffer a lot. Some go out to find any kind of work, washing clothes, cleaning homes, just so they can earn some and buy food. Saripah was told that it has been ten days

could help guide the President.

For now, it will be difficult for President Duterte to rashly order the prosecution of the arresting policemen. It is not

run for presidency. Senator Mar Roxas, then the Liberal Party standard bearer in the presidential elections, heeded the public clamor to give in to Noynoy.

And the rest is history.

Noynoy belong to a family who has seen many struggles.

Imagine going into self-exile with his mother and siblings, going through the agony of seeing his father being persecuted, seeing his father emaciated after a hunger strike as a gesture of protest, and seeing him assassinated. Even when his mother was president of the Philippines, he had to risk his life when he was shot by mutinous military trying to storm Malacañang. He was shot five times but survived.

To this day a bullet is lodged in his neck.

His presidency was also tumultuous. Eight months into office, the Manila hostage crisis erupted. Eight Hong Kong hostages died. The political backlash was compounded when he was seen smiling on national television hours after the hostage crisis. His apparent insensitivity would dog him for the rest of his term.

But for all his faults and shortcomings, PNoy was never blinded by the glitter of corruption.

Just like his mother, Cory, no one could honestly accuse him of using power to aggrandize himself. He presided over a burgeoning economy, which posted record growth rates during his term. He introduced the K-12 program which despite kinks, ushered the Philippine educational system to follow international standards. He presided over a successful peace process with the MILF, derailed however by Mamasapano, although his administration did not make progress in the peace talks with the communists. The expansion of the Conditional Cash Transfer (its beginning in the GMA administration must be recognized), the institutionalization of a universal health care program, and the passage of the reproductive health and sin tax laws are also notable achievements.

However, in spite the economic gains of his administration, ena-

bled by excellent stewardship by Aquino’s world-class economic managers, some would belittle them as the poor did not benefit from the economic gains.

Despite also progress in the gains in economic front, crises and scandals hounded PNoy’s administration, the most serious being the destruction wrought by Typhoon Yolanda of Leyte and nearby provinces and the Mamasapano incident with the massacre of 44 Special Action Force policemen. Even as the nation was mourning for the death of the SAF 44, to the chagrin of many, he chose to attend the opening of a new automotive factory.

The most serious failure of the Aquino administration was its failure to institute political reforms. I would have thought that its budgetary innovations and its commitment to social accountability would have enabled radical change in our politics. But it did not. Instead, traditional politics became even more entrenched by the end of PNoy’s term, including using impeachment improperly for political reasons.

The same characters that went after Corona are now also doing the same thing but this time the targets are perceived enemies of President Duterte.

Worse, the Aquino presidency consolidated power in the presidency and in imperial Manila, setting the country up for the strongman president that we now have. Finally, the disgraceful way the Liberal Party tried to secure victory in the 2016 elections, by viciously and immorally attacking the stronger opponents (VP Jojo Binay and Senator Grace Poe) of its weak candidate, directly led to the election of Duterte. As a Liberal friend of mine once told me, that strategy which included a soft gloves treatment with Duterte on the belief that his strength in Mindanao would weaken the LP candidate’s opponents, backfired and resulted in where we are now. To my friend, those responsible for that strategy have blood in their hands.

All of these shortcomings are of course water under the bridge.

The good things the PNoy administration has done will hopefully last; the bad things can still be corrected.

I am happy for example with the latest developments in the Liberal Party. With VP Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan now undisputedly at the head of the party as Chair and President respectively, and with the recent appointments of Ifugao Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat and former Quezon City 4th District Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada were as Vice Presidents of the Party, the LP is now in very good hands. I know these politicians very well (Pangilinan was my student in UP Law and all four are colleagues in the Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance). I have great trust in them, that they have learned the lessons from the 2016 electoral debacle among others. I believe that they will be able to rebuild the Liberal Party which, with good strategy, will benefit immensely from the mass defections of traditional politicians who have moved to the ruling party. This defection is the best thing that has happened to the party so it can undergo an authentic purification process.

As for PNoy, he will hopefully have many years ahead of him.

I hope he will rise to the stature of his mother and former President Fidel V. Ramos. We need statesmen in this country, those who will rise above the politics of both trivial issues and hate, speak truth to power constructively, and unite us. PNoy as president divided the country by his style of governance and obsession with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; hopefully, PNoy as retired president will have seen the light that divisive politics has terrible consequences. If PNoy learns to do this, become a statesman, we will have a grateful nation and he will occupy and join the same place of honor that are now permanently occupied by his parents.

one of their greatest presidents.

His funeral cortege attracted one of the biggest crowds in Philippine history.

According to the website of the foundation behind it, the Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation to perpetuate Magsaysay’s sterling example of integrity in public service. The first awards were given in 1958.

Conceived as a continental award, the Magsaysay Award is conferred only on Asians.

Winners of the award are given a specially designed medal bearing the image of the late president, and a substantial cash prize.

Considering the exacting requirements for one to even be considered for this laurel, and taking into account the names of past awardees, many of whom are Filipinos, the Magsaysay Award is undoubtedly very prestigious.

Sadly, the Magsaysay Award is always compared by news reporters and commentators to the famous Nobel Prize of Sweden, which is named in honor of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite.

In fact, the Magsaysay Award is always referred to as “the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.”

That derisive comparison is not only uncalled for; it is also an

insult to the memory of the great Philippine president.

Calling the Magsaysay Award the Asian equivalent of the Nobel seems to suggest that the Magsaysay is less renown than the Nobel and is, therefore, less prestigious.

That tag also implies that anything Asian is inferior to its counterpart from the West. Good grief! The derogatory tag is manifestly uncalled for.

When Filipinos refer to the Magsaysay Award as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel, they inadvertently insult the memory of President Magsaysay by downgrading him to a status that is a notch lower than an international reputation. Good grief! Magsaysay may have been unknown to the rest of the world during his incumbency as president, but he and the ideals he represents are now known to the community of civilized nations, thanks to the foundation that established the award.

It’s time Filipinos did justice to President Magsaysay and the Magsaysay Award by putting an end to the nauseating practice of describing the award by that derogatory label.

The awarding ceremony is just around the corner and the news media are definitely going to cover the event. Despite the event’s

proximity, there is still time to stop the decades-long insult to a great leader. As the saying goes—better late than never. *** This also seems like an opportune time to point out other unnoticed but nonetheless uncalled for remarks about Filipinos and the Philippines.

Take for instance narratives about Manila when the city was liberated in March 1945 from Japanese military occupation forces by American troops under General Douglas MacArthur.

Almost all of the narratives share a common description of Manila as the most devastated city in World War II, “next only to Warsaw,” the capital city of Poland in Europe.

Why does Warsaw have to be included in the statement? Was Manila not devastated enough that its conditions have to be compared to a European city liberated from Nazi occupation?

Comparing Manila to Warsaw even suggests that Manila can’t excel in anything, even in the passive act of getting devastated in a war. Why can’t Manila in March 1945 be simply described as the most devastated city in the aftermath of the Pacific Theater of World War II?

since the last help was received by those in one of the centers.

The most common food supplied to those in evacuation centers is canned sardines. Thus, people there have been eating sardines continuously for many, many days. Some IDPs have developed skin diseases they attribute to too much sardines.

The more entrepreneurial ones trade the sardines for other things they need. Cans of sardines become the currency. Two cans for some ‘good’ rice, a pack of instant noodles, a bar of soap, or toothpaste.

Victims of the Marawi siege are at a quandary as regards rebuilding their lives. Most of those who

escaped the war-torn city have not been able to go back even just to check their homes. One of our leaders was able to sneak back one day and the news she brought to other IDPs devastated them more. Most of the structures, buildings, homes, businesses, even mosques have been destroyed. Those left have been mercilessly looted.

Saripah’s home, she heard, still stands but there is nothing there now. Also, the small building she and her kids put up for their livelihood has been bombed and completely destroyed. She asked, what are we to do now? Even if this war stops, there is no more Marawi. If

we go back, what are we going back to? How are our people going to rebuild our lives?

I have no answers to my Maranao sisters’ questions. Marawi was their home. And now, according to them, it is no more. And sadly, many of us easily forget. Even if the military defeats Maute, hundreds of thousands of families need to be helped get their lives back.

We must help. Please, we have a lot of other problems but let us remember and help #Marawi.

so much that the President is against their being prosecuted but of the demoralizing effect to our law enforcement officers.

To judge them for a crime they

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/deantonylavs/ Twitter: tonylavs

bethangsioco@gmail.com @ bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

did not intend to commit would his firmness that will serve as equally result in an injustice for his defining moment as a leader those who have sworn to uphold of our country. the law. The President has proven himself to be firm, and it is rpkapunan@gmail.com

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LGUs

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

Ormeco GM defies NEA firing C

By Robert A. Evora

ALAPAN CITY—The National Electrification Administration has replaced the general manager of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc. or Ormeco in the wake of its alleged failure to provide quality service despite repeated complaints from member-consumers.

NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong designated, effective Aug. 16, Orlando M. Andres as Ormeco acting GM and project supervisor in lieu of Patrocinio M. Panagsagan Jr. Panagsagan, however, defied the order to vacate his office.

Unidentified persons, backed by some Ormeco officials and employees loyal to the outgoing general manager, barricaded the cooperative’s office in Barangay Sta. Isabel, preventing Andres from assuming office.

In his office order, Masongsong directed Andres to “manage the day-to-day operations of Ormeco to ensure the efficient delivery of electric service to member-consumers” and “perform other tasks for the purpose of operational efficiency.”

Panagsagan’s non-compliance “only exacerbates the nagging power problem in Oriental Mindoro especially in Puerto Galera,” some Ormeco member-consumers told the Manila Standard, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue.

Ormeco and Panagsagan have been criticized for saying the

area faces a total blackout for 300 days if generators are not installed in Puerto Galera’s Barangay San Isidro (White Beach) on time.

The National Power Corp., as grid owner, will shut down the transmission line going from Calapan City to Puerto Galera until the end of December this year to start the full rehabilitation of its 69-kv power transmission line, Panagsagan said last week.

Tourists in Puerto Galera, a major resort town, were preparing to leave while visitors who booked in advance have canceled their reservations in anticipation of the blackout.

The NEA earlier issued show cause orders to Ormeco and Palawan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Paleco) asking their respective officials why they should not be sanctioned or be hailed to the

proper courts for gross negligence or gross neglect of their duties to their member-consumers.

“We need to ensure that ECs [electric cooperatives] are responsive and always on the lookout for the best interest of their consumers. In this case, we are in receipt of numerous complaints against the two cooperatives,” Masongsong said in a statement.

HISTORIC MACHINES. The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center has scored historic double first with its newly acquired machines, the world’s first Koelis Trinity fusion biopsy technology, BK 5000/3000 ultrasound systems, now at the hospital’s Institute of Urology. Unveiling the machines are (from right) CGHMC chairman Dr. Benito Goyokpin, Institute of Urulogy director Dr. Jason Letran, president, CEO and administrator Dr. James G. Dy, medical director Dr. Modesto Llamas, associate medical director Dr. Tan King King, Department of OB-Gyn chairman Dr. Elizabeth Go, and director Antonio Dino. Lino Santos

‘We didn’t dump S. Korean trash in Cebu landfill’

By Junex Doronio CEBU CITY—Mayor Tomas Osmeña has castigated Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino for his purported failure to check the truth behind the allegation that the mayor agreed to dump 5,000 metric tons of garbage from South Korea at the landfill in Barangay Inayawan here.

Osmeña described as a “blatant lie” the allegation of a certain Felix S. Lopez Jr. who wrote to President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the

mayor agreed that the garbage be dumped at Inayawan.

Rep. Gwen Garcia, the former Cebu governor, had led a hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday on how the mixed trash from South Korea “sneaked out” of the Bureau of Customs in Cebu and to look into allegations that local government officials colluded to have the shipment dumped at Inayawan.

But Osmeña said the House committee on ecology, chaired by Garcia, should also ask Dino if his

office “conducted due diligence in checking the veracity of the contents starting with the identity of the letter sender, before forwarding this to the higher offices concerned.”

“After all, Dino is supposedly the assistant of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Visayas. Is it not his job to conduct due diligence before anything gets forwarded to Malacañang?” Osmeña said.

Elvira Cruz, Customs Port of Cebu district collector, has strongly denied involvement in the release of the shipment that arrived

in Cebu from Jeju Port in South Korea on Jan. 20.

Cruz assumed office as district collector of the Port of Cebu on Jan. 19. On Feb. 8, she issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment for intentional misdeclaration.

The shipment was delivered to a warehouse in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City and the trash was eventually dumped in an open dumpsite in Barangay Tingub, not in Barangay Inayawan.

Of the five million kilos of trash,

250,000 kilos was shipped back to South Korea last March, while the remaining 250,000 kilos stored at the Guizo warehouse was declared abandoned by BOC-Cebu.

Port of Cebu Customs examiner Dennis Adisas admitted not examining the shipment physically.

He said he only examined the shipment documents and relied on the Port Load of Survey Report from the port of origin. The Port Load of Survey Report stated the shipment contained recyclable plastic resins and wood chips.

‘Report erring police to PLEB’

By Bill Casas TO CLEANSE the city police of “bad eggs,” Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Friday urged Manileños to report abusive members of the Manila Police District to the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board.

Estrada said the City of Manila has an efficient and wellfunctioning PLEB under the able leadership of anti-crime advocate Teresita Ang See, who serves as the board’s executive chairwoman.

“We are fortunate to have Madam Teresita in our PLEB. With her, we are assured of fair and speedy resolution of all complaints filed against erring law enforcers,” Estrada said.

“The people can complain to PLEB. Next time you encountered an abusive cop, file a complaint before the board. You will be heard and adequately protected,” Estrada said.

Manila, he said, has a PLEB in each of the city’s six districts, with the main office located at the 5th floor of the City Hall.

Section 43 of Republic Act 6975 provides for the creation of PLEBs in every city and municipality to hear and adjudicate citizens’ complaints against uniformed members of the Philippine National Police.

Under the law, the establishment of PLEBs is mandated to the local government units that have the primary responsibility of making sure the Boards are functioning in their areas of jurisdictions.

PLEBs are authorized to impose corresponding penalties that ranges from the withholding of the privileges, restriction to specified limits, suspension or forfeiture of salary or fine, demotion in rank of not more than one rank or dismissal from the service of the erring police personnel.

See said her office welcomes any complaint and grievance against MPD lawmen and with sufficient basis they will initiate a series of hearings in soonest possible time.

QC adds Asean Mayors Forum unveils Taguig Action Agenda P1 to movie tickets

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government will impose a P1 increase per admission ticket in cinemas in October to support the Boy Scout and Girl Scouts of the Philippines-Quezon City Council.

The increase is embodied in City Ordinances 2595 and 2596 authored by District Councilor Elizabeth Delarmente.

The funds will go to the BSP and GSP fund to support their programs and activities.

Under the regulation, all cinema owners and operators are required to transmit and turn over to the BSP and GSP-Quezon City Council the collected proceeds, and report to the city treasurer that shall submit a corresponding report to the council.

The BSP and GSP-QC Council have been involved in promoting character development, providing adequate citizenship training and leadership among the Filipino youth of the city aside from inculcating love of country, civic consciousness and responsibility, courage and discipline, and other similar moral virtues and values, the ordinances say.

Meanwhile, Quezon City’s Barangay Sto. Cristo clinched the best barangay disaster risk reduction and management council award in the 18th Regional Gawad Kalasag, an acronym for “Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.”

Local chief executives from various cities across Southeast Asia join hands to mark the adoption of the Taguig Action Agenda during the recent Asean Mayors Forum in Taguig City.

THE recent 3rd Asean Mayors Forum saw the introduction and signing of the Taguig Action Agenda, an action plan for cities in Southeast Asia, which will serve as the reference document for future collaboration among local governments in the Asean to ensure the regional bloc’s inclusivity and sustainability.

Signing the communiqué were Asean local chief executives who attended the two-day forum held in Taguig City.

The event, organized by the League of Cities of the Philippines, the City of Taguig, and UCLG-ASPAC, aimed to bring the Asean Connectivity Roadmap, Asean Vision 2025, and other global landmark commitments at a local level.

PLDT, the country’s largest telecommunications and digital service company, has given its full support as the Diamond Sponsor of this year’s Forum.

“PLDT is proud to partner with the LCP for the 3rd Asean Mayor’s Forum,” said Dennis Magbatoc, PLDT Enterprise AVP and head of Public Sector.

“The AMF is an innovative platform that will bring to the fore the League of Cities of the Philippines and Taguig City’s capability to unite Asean cities towards connectivity and empowerment,” he added.

Other groups supporting the event include Uber, the Official Ridesharing Partner of the ASEAN Mayors Forum; Silver Sponsors such as Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., and CityNet; and Bronze Sponsors such as Foton, KonradAdenauer-Stiftung, Alro Construction & Development Corp., and Huawei Technologies Philippines.

Cleanfuel unwraps new Batangas station in Lipa NOW, there is one more reason for residents of Southern Luzon, especially Batanguenos, to say “Ala eh, ka gandang balita nire!” (“Ah, this is good news!”).

That is because Cleanfuel, the country’s leading supplier of environment-friendly fuels, is opening its newest branch in JP Laurel Ave., Brgy. Marawoy, Lipa City in Batangas.

Cleanfuel is a full-service gasoline station, offering not only AutoLPG but also high quality Euro 4 Diesel, Unleaded 91, and Premium 95 octane gasoline, for less. It has a customer rewards

program, credit card facility, canteen, spacious and clean airconditioned restrooms, which are ready to serve you 24/7.

This new branch strengthens Cleanfuel’s presence in southern Tagalog, bringing quality fuel and services closer to residents and businesses in Batangas.

For more information about Cleanfuel and its other stations, please call (02) 655-6407; (02) 655-9219 or visit its website at www.cleanfuel.ph. Cleanfuel – Your Fuel for the Environment!

Quality Fuel for Less!

Sports

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Hype meets reality as Floyd battles McGregor on Sunday L AS VEGAS—Hype will collide with reality here Saturday as boxing legend Floyd Mayweather takes on mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor in a battle of combat sport kings tipped to be the richest fight in history.

A little over two months after the fight was confirmed in June, Mayweather and McGregor will touch gloves at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena in a 12-round boxing contest which will be beamed to more than 200 countries and territories.

Fight promoters have breathlessly talked about the bout surpassing the $600 million (508 million euros) generated by Mayweather’s 2015 fight with Manny Pacquiao, insisting that interest has been off chart.

Millions of fans across the United States meanwhile are expected to shell out $99.95 to watch the fight on pay-per-view television, the most important economic engine of the spectacle.

Freakshow or fight?

The sense of anticipation has endured despite an unrelenting chorus of disparagement across the boxing world.

Farce. Freakshow. Circus. Mismatch. Rip-off. Bad for boxing.

It has been impossible to follow the build-up to the fight without being made aware of the near-universal tide of derision.

A cursory glance at the tale of the tape explains the cynicism.

Mayweather, 40, is one of the most skilled boxers of his generation, a master of ringcraft

“This is the biggest event that has ever happened in combat sports,” said Dana White, the chief executive of MMA’s Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“This fight will reach over a billion homes worldwide.”

Ringside seats were being offered on secondary ticket markets for an eye-watering $100,250 apiece as of Thursday, even though some 1,700 seats in the 20,000-capacity venue remained unsold.

who retired in 2015 after a glittering 21-year career with a perfect 49-0 record.

McGregor, a two-time world champion in UFC, has never boxed professionally and has looked awkward and ungainly during training camp sparring sessions.

He has demonstrated punching power in the UFC, but has never faced an opponent as elusive as Mayweather.

Anything other than a convincing Mayweather win will be regarded as a surprise; a McGregor victory a monumental upset.

Yet the millions who will gladly part with their cash to watch the fight in the arena or on television do not appear to be bothered by the possibility that they may be taken for an expensive ride.

‘Something incredible’ Stephen Espinoza, the head of cable network Showtime Sports which is selling the fight on pay-perview in the US, said many would tune in on the off-chance of witnessing “something incredible.”

“We did some focus group testing, and the casual fans were absolutely adamant,” Espinoza said.

“Their response almost universally was ‘We don’t care if it’s a mismatch. We don’t care if it’s noncompetitive—if there’s a .01 chance that something incredible could happen, we need to watch it.’

“And that’s why they’re going to watch it.”

Irrespective of the outcome, the two men at the centre of the action will be laughing all the way to the bank.

Spurs sign up Ginobili for 2 years LOS ANGELES—San Antonio legend Manu Ginobili re-signed with the Spurs on Thursday in a deal that should see him play all of a 16-year NBA career with the same team.

The Spurs did not announce terms of the deal but Ginobili reportedly was re-signed to a two-year deal worth $5 million.

The Argentine veteran Ginobili will join Tim Duncan and Tony Parker as the third player in San Antonio history to play at least 16 seasons with the club.

The others to spend an entire career of that length with one outfit are Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, John Stockton, Reggie Miller and John Havlicek.

Ginobili, 40, appeared in 69 games last season and averaged 7.5 points. He also shot 39 percent from the floor in 18.7 minutes per game.

Since making his debut for the Spurs in 2002, Ginobili has averages of 13.6 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds a game, in 992 games.

He is also San Antonio’s alltime leader in three-pointers (1,431), ranks second in steals (1,349) and third in games played.

He is a two-time All-Star and also won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2008.

In 213 postseason games, Ginobili has averaged 14.1 points a game.

Ginobili and LeBron James are the only two players in NBA postseason history with at least 3,000 points and 300 three-pointers. Ginobili is a veteran of four NBA title-winning Spurs teams.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor face off during a news conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two will meet in a super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 26 (Sunday in the Philippines) in Las Vegas. AFP

Chua, 70 others make BWC finals YOUTHFUL national athlete Kenneth Chua rolled a 12game series of 2771 pinfalls to lead 70 other pintopplers who made it to the 2017 Bowling World Cup recently.

Playing at Superbowl, Chua posted the highest score in the second center finals to emerge as one of the favorites in the fight for the right to represent the Philippines in the International Bowling World Cup slated on November 4-12, this year in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Thirty-nine other male aspirants and 31 female bidders made it to the national finals.

Among them are Sammy Say Sy, who topped last year’s eliminations but failed to

make it to the international finals; Paulo Valdez, Benshir Layoso, Kevin Cu, Lara Posadas, Krizziah Tabora, Liza Clutario,Liza del Rosario, Mades Arles, Alexis Sy and Dyan Coronacion.

Also making it to the national finals after the second center event are: Men—George Manoso, Joebert Buenafe, James Fajardo, Allan Ablang, Simple Villajin, BJ Aganus, Rodel Tungala, June Seculles, Jay R. Tan, Ronald Cruz, Dumo G. Bejara, Lando M. Galbey, Eric Luciano Aranez, Manny Layson, Erwin Cabaneros, Wilson Sua, Jomar Jumapao, Anton Alcazaren, Don Evan-

gelista, Merwin Tan, JP Macatula, Scott Uy, Boy Roman, Arvin Ragas, Nichole Jimeno, Ted Convogar, Lorenz Tugade, Francis de Leon, Rico Luga, Lito Mondragon, Eugene Suarez, Vincent Rhom, Orlando Palco, Joel Guevarra and RJ Magana.

Ladies—Lorna Misa, Ofelia San Jose, Marivic Monzones, Myrna Bautista, Jane Bonifacio, Jinky Imura, Yolly Floralde, Rowena Cabas, Sherry Ann Cruz, Liza Pabico, Melody Bangsi-il, Winifred Kilito, Crystal Chavez, Farah Onasa, Gina Varilla, Abbie Gan, Cindy Edquilane, Silva Yap, Wanda Teer, Mildred Estrellado, Mier Aguinaldo,

Ophie Iriberri, Olive Destura and Nancy Frianeza.

Raoul Miranda and Lara Posadas carried the Philippine colors in last year’s BWC international finals in Shanghai, China.

The winners of the national finals, including those who qualified in the first center finals, will make it to the Hermosillo international competition.

The national finals will be played on Sept. 9 (men) and 10 (ladies) at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes), Sept. 11 (men) and 12 (ladies) at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl in Ermita and Sept. 13 (men and ladies) at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl.

Bad weather not a hindrance to Trikini Tough AIBA stints for Filipino boxers THE unpredictable weather did not stop Trikini from kicking off last Saturday at McKinley West Park, BGC, Taguig.

With a number of activities, the event went off with an incredible start.

A fitness party right in the heart of the city, Trikini combined three basic elements—run, bike, and party—in a safe and exclusive venue that allowed attendees to experience and enjoy the great outdoors.

Presented by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, the event was divided into zones that provided different activities for the festival goers. The Active Zone hosted a 5K fun run and 15K bike race. Top finishers received prizes and tokens from ON Shoes and Colnago while cash prizes were donated to S.O.S Children’s Villages Philippines, the beneficiary of the said event.

The winners for the friendly 5K run and 15K bike race were: Men’s 5K: 1.Samuel Montero; 2.

Ralph Becker; 3.Ralph Angeles Women’s 5K: 1. Phoebe Quimio; 2. Michelle Ann Rosimo; 3. Rosalyn Molinas Bike Ride 15K: 1. Custer Sadornas; 2. Alex Paguirigan; 3.Age Escarte At the Fest Zone, festival goers

Bike participants of the Trikini answer the starting gun.

got their party fix from a number of exciting activities, including fire dancing, poi spinning, and hoop workshops, which paved the way for the highly anticipated performance from Extrapolation.

SinoSiKat and Sanya Smith were scheduled to perform, but due to uncontrollable weather conditions, organizers ended the event early with the safety of the participants in mind.

Despite the unexpected downpour, Trikini came out successful

with attendees in their active/sports wear and beach wear ran, biked, and partied for a worthy cause.

The event is the first of its kind to raise donations for the benefit of S.O.S Children’s Villages Philippines.

For 50 years, the organization has been providing healthcare, housing, and education to underprivileged children and families in the Philippines. The S.O.S. Youth performed a special dance number in Trikini as a token of appreciation to attendees.

HAMBURG, Germany—Flyweight Dannel Maamo found himself in the same bracket with Cuban top seed Yosvany Veitia after getting drawn with Botswana’s Mahomed Otukile in the first round of eliminations in the 17th AIBA World Championship that begins Friday at the Sporthalle.

But Maamo’s clash with the African entry takes place 2 p.m. Saturday (8 p.m, Manila time).

If victorious, Maamo will have to deal with the veteran Veitia, the 2015 world championships silver medalist at fly and 2013 worlds bronze medal winner at light-fly, in the Round-of-16 after Veitia drew a bye.

Light-fly Rogen Ladon makes his debut Sunday after getting a first-round bye being the division’s No. 5 seed and meets the winner of the duel between Kazakhstan’s Zhomart Yerzhan and Michael Tello of Guatemala that takes lace during opening day.

Like Maamo, Ladon, the 2015 worlds bronze medalist, will also have to go through another top seed in Cuban Joahnys Argilagos, the defending champion, in the event he makes it to the semifinals.

The official draw, held at the Rathaus (Town Hall), a historic building of Neo-Renaissance style completed in 1897, was attended by national coach Nolito ‘Boy’ Velasco.

As soon as the draw was over, Velasco relayed the pairings to Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and executive director Ed Picson told the fighters to focus on the task at hand.

“One fight at a time,” said Picson from Kuala Lumpur, site of the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

Pirates sweep first round

By Peter Atencio NINE straight wins and nine more to go.

Coach Topex Robinson said this after the Lyceum Pirates smothered the Mapua University Cardinals, 97-74, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

CJ Perez struck with 19 points for the Pirates as they ended the first round with a nine gamesweep in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

The sweep, according to Robinson, is not yet a cause for celebration for the team, as they need to work on many things in order to reach the finals.

“As much as it’s okay, we still have nine games to play. So, it’s something we should work on,” said Robinson, who is back from a one-game suspension.

Perez struck with seven points as the Pirates coasted to a 22-8 advantage in the first period.

He joined hands for 16 points with Wilson Baltazar in the second period to lead the Pirates to a 52-34 halftime edge.

Then, Perez gave way to Jeffrey Santos who hit six of nine points in the third, including a pair of driving shots in the closing minutes to give Lyceum their biggest edge, 78-46, with 1:49 left.

Meanwhile, point guard Levi de la Cruz provided the needed support to a struggling teammate as the Arellano Chiefs defeated the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 87-81.

Topscoring for 24 points, De la Cruz proved to be an effective backup to main guard Kent Salado, unloading three of his four triples in the last 2:57.

His heroics allowed the Chiefs to overtake the Blazers and move away, 78-71.

Lervin Flores and Salado added 14 and nine points for the Chiefs, who earned their fourth win in five games.

“I told them to hang in there.

Dikit lang at huwag tayong matambakan,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera, after the team fought their way out of 10-point deficit in the third period.

S+A to air 2 mixed martial arts events FILIPINO fight fans will get to relive twodivision URCC world champion Chris Hoffman’s domination of Canadian challenger Robert Sothmann for another successful title defense, and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon’s demolition job against Fil-Australian Reece McLaren to climb into title contention as ABS-CBN delivers mixed martial arts events “URCC XXX” and ONE Championship’s “Quest For Greatness” this weekend on S+A and S+A HD. Witness how Hoffman dropped Sothmann in their middleweight division bout and improve to 7-1 in his career as S+A airs the fightcard on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. Apart from Hoffman, three other champions also defended their titles with Derrick Easterling retaining his flyweight title, South Korean favorite Do Gyeom Lee brutally submitting Jojo Orao in featherweight title match, while Fritz Biagtan disposing Solomon Dultra in three rounds to keep his strawweight belt.

On Sunday at 8 p.m., catch Belingon (16-5, 7 KOs) make quick work of McLaren (9-2), needing only one round to set up a dream title match a Brazilian bantamweight lynchpin Bibiano Fernandes.

Viewers will also be treated to an awesome brawl in the featherweight division, with Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen’s (91, 6KOs) emerging as the new champion after a surprise technical knockout win against then-unbeaten champion and submission expert Marat Gafurov (15-1, 11 Submissions).

Ev “E.T.” Ting (14-4), who lost to ONE lightweight champ Eduard Folayang in his last fight, also put on a show with a crushing victory over Japanese knockout artist Nobutatsu Suzuki (11-3, 10 KOs).

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

Sports

Gilas books ticket to finals

Trenten Beram is shown after winning the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter run event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games athletics competition Thursday night at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. PSC Media

Slow, unproductive day for Team PH in SEA Games

K

UALA LUMPUR—The fancied athletics’ team got torched by the opposition, prompting it to settle for four bronze medals to underscore the country’s sorry performance in the 29th Southeast Asian Games Friday at the Nationals Stadium inside the KL Sports City here.

With Eric Shawn Cray ailing from a strained left foot and Trenten Beram still reeling from fatigue, the men’s team just couldn’t keep up witMavh the speedy Thai quartet, which took the gold medal in a new SEA Games record of 38.90 seconds in the men’s 4x100-meter run.

The Filipinos, with Beram as anchor man, settled for bronze in 39.11 seconds as the last Indonesian runner came from behind in the last five meters to snatch the

KaTropa wallops Phoenix

silver in 39.05 seconds.

Still, it wasn’t a total loss for the Philippine men’s relay squad as it booked a new national record, surpassing the old mark of 39.95 seconds of Patrick Unso, Beram, Anfernee Lopena and Archand Bagsit at the Hong Kong Inter City meet last June.

Lopena was the opening runner while Bagsit, a 2015 Singapore SEA Games silver medalist, ran the second leg.

Minutes earlier, the women’s

squad of Zion Rose Nelson, Kayla Richardson, Kyla Richardson and Eloisa Luzon was left eating dust by the Vietnam squad powered by speedster Le Cu Tinh, who had already won the women’s 100 and 200-meter runs.

The Vietnamese sprint star anchored her team to a recordbreaking win in 43.88 seconds, Thailand took silver in 44.2 seconds while the Philippines got the bronze In 44.81 seconds.

Like their male counterparts, the women’s team also reset the national mark, shattering the 26-year-old record of 45.29 set by Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Edna Punelas, Elena Ganosa and Rhoda Sinoro in the 1981 Manila SEA Games.

Melvin Calano gave the country its third bronze in athletics for the day, placing third in the men’s javelin throw after throwing the spear to a distance of 65.94 meters.

“My form was off and my legs were heavy,” said Beram, who had been running for his third consecutive day and barely less than 18 hours after he had annexed the men’s 400-meter title.

On the other hand, Cray revealed that he tweaked his left foot since racing in the men’s 400-meter hurdles and century dash on the same day last Tuesday.

“Today was my first day of practice since Tuesday since I couldn’t run on my left foot,” said the Rio Games veteran, who decided to skip the 4x400-meter relays at the close of athletics Saturday.

Beram also disclosed whether he would still run the same event considering that it would be his fourth consecutive day on the track since Wednesday.

National coach Jojo Posadas said if Beram and Cray are unavailable, SEA Games decathlon

Billiards bet gives PH Universiade team a boost

By Jeric Lopez WITH more firepower, TNT KaTropa leaned on a strong third-quarter finish and a steady fourth period to wallop ailing Phoenix, 110-103, to improve its stand in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

After a disappointing debut game last week, TNT import Glan Rice Jr. finally proved his worth, exploding for a game-high 38 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a complete game.

Kelly Williams had 18 points off the bench for more support for TNT. The victory improved the Tropang Texters to 3-2 in the middle of the pack while the woes continued for the Fuel Masters as they lost their sixth straight game after winning their first two, falling further down with a 2-6 slate with only three games remaining in their schedule.

Following a nip-and-tuck affair for most of the first three cantos, the Tropang Texters finally got themselves going late in the third period, where they erected a key run to grasp control.

TNT KaTropa ended the period on a 15-5 run to turn a three-point deficit into an 86-79 advantage heading into the payoff frame.

From that point, the Commissioner’s Cup runner-up maintained its distance from Phoenix, keeping the Fuel Masters at bay before finally securing the win.

Phoenix was unable to put up a threatening run in the fourth, allowing TNT to get out of the woods.

Aside from Troy Rosario, who is still serving the country for the South East Asian Games in Malaysia, other National team mainstays already made their return to their respective teams for this game.

champion Aries Toledo and Isidro del Prado Jr., son of the great middle-distance runner Isidro del Prado Sr., would take their place.

Asian long jump queen Marestella Torres-Sunang settled for bronze after tallying 6.45 meters in women’s long jump, while compatriot Katherine Khay Santos registered only 6.18 meters for fifth place.

Melvin Calano also settled for bronze after notching a heave of 65.94 meters in men’s javelin throw competition.

Katharina Lehnert and Denise Dy also ended their campaign on a sorry note as they settled for bronze in lawn tennis’ women’s doubles— an event which they ruled in the previous SEA Games in Singapore.

On the other hand, turning in silver medals are Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcantara, who bowed to Thailand in the finals of the men’s doubles event of lawn tennis.

KUALA LUMPUR—Gilas Pilipinas flirted with disaster before booking a scary 68-60 victory over Singapore to punch a ticket to the finals of the 29th Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball competition Friday at the MABA gymnasium here.

With the scrappy Singaporeans making a gallant stand in the crucial stretch, the Nationals banked on Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger and Mike Tolomia to spark a rally in the final fiveminute mark.

It was Gilas Pilipinas’ fourth consecutive win, giving it one of the two slots in the gold-medal match on Saturday.

They will face the survivor in the other semifinal battle between Thailand and Indonesia in the sudden-death finals.

The Thais and the Indonesians are still clashing as of press time.

Meanwhile, prized cue artists Cheska Centeno and Rubilen Amit inched closer to the elusive gold medal as they made it to the semifinals of the women’s 9-ball singles event of the billiards competition Friday at the KL Convention Center here.

Centeno and Amit crushed their respective foes to move a win shy of booking an all-Filipino finals encounter on Saturday.

After drawing a bye in the first round via the virtue of her gold medal finish in the previous SEA Games, Centeno toppled Angeli Ticoalu of Indonesia, 7-4, to march into the semifinals.

On the other hand, two-time world 10-ball queen Amit bested Indonesia’s Silviana Lu, 7-3, to avenge the unexpected setback of Francisco dela Cruz in the men’s English singles and Jeffrey Roda in the quarterfinals of the men’s snookers singles.

“Gagawin namin ang lahat para makuha ulit ang gold at silver medal par sa Pilipinas,” Centeno said.

In the men’s Round of 8, Carlo Biado prevailed over Amnuayporn Chotipong of Thailand, 9-3, to advance to the next round.

So far, the star-studded billiards and snookers squad has yet to produce a gold medal.

Its only medal—a bronze— came from Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco in the doubles event, far cry from its campaign in the previous SEA Games in Singapore where it pocketed three gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

NBA 3X 2017 Philippines champs awarded. NBA star Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, former Sacramento Kings head coach Reggie Theus, and the Laker Girls together with AXA Philippines chief marketing officer Amor Balagtas, led the awarding ceremonies for the champions of the NBA 3X Philippines held recently at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The exciting basketball tourney saw TeamRocan from Valenzuela, Bulacan win the Men’s Open Division while the Women’s Open Division was won by the National University. Other thrilling event highlights include the finals for the AXA Division, the AXA Three-Point Shootout and the AXA “Shoot For A Cause” Challenge. Photo shows (second row, from left) AXA Philippines agency head, Geoffrey Tan; NBA star player, Steven Adams; NBA former top coach, Reggie Theus; and NBA Philippines Managing Director, Carlo Singson; with (foreground, L-R) AXA Philippines chief customer officer, Amor Balagtas and Bulacan State University winners Cindi Joyce Gonzales, Jubileah Zuniga and Thalia Burgos. Flanking them are the LA Lakers Girls.

TAIPEI—Cue artists gave Team Philippines a muchneeded boost in the 29th Summer Universiade.

John Rodlin Bautista bucked tremendous pressure to bring down M. Soronzonbold of Mongolia, 11-10, in their roundof-16 men’s 9-ball singles’ match at the Taipei Expo Dome.

The 22-year-old campaigner from Trinity University of Asia kept his composure to edge Soronzonbold and advance to a quarterfinal showdown against Eirik Riisnaes of Norway.

Riisnaes whipped Takayuki Shishido of Japan, 114, in another round-of-16 encounter.

The Bautista-Riisnaes quarterfinal duel is scheduled at 11 a.m.

Saturday (Aug. 26).

“Good luck to John. I hope he’ll continue to perform well ang bring honor to the country,” said Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines president

David Ong. The Filipinos’ campaign in Taipei is supported by San Miguel Corp., Bestank and Garfield Sportswear.

Another Filipino entry, James Lim of Far Eastern University, was not as lucky.

Lim dropped a close 9-11 decision to Baasandorj Odsuren of Mongolia earlier Friday.

Tennis also produced some bright moments with Wilmer Sabas putting up a strong challenge before losing to Sunil Kumar of India, two sets to one in their men’s singles encounter.

Sabas, the 20-year-old campaigner from Arellano University was at his best in the second set, where he defeated Kumar, 6-1.

Justin Villaluz of Mapta fell to Matthew Alexander of New Zealand in straight sets.

Over at the Taipei Stadium, the 15-man athletics’ team faltered in the face of world-class opposition.

Felyn Dolloso of La

Tabal ain’t done yet, eyes Tokyo Olympics

By Peter Atencio AFTER winning the country’s first gold medal in the women’s marathon of the 29th Southeast Asian Games, Mary Joy Tabal said she is not done yet.

The 28-year-old Tabal now has plans to seek a slot to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and improve on her showing there.

This time, she plans to do more intensive training regimens in Italy.

Tabal will now seek out the expertise of Olympic legend Akiro Ozami and top Italian coach Giusseppe Giambrone in her next

training stint there.

“Target namin ang 2020 Olympics. We need certain competitions to qualify,” said Tabal’s coach John Philip Duenas.

Duenas was with Tabal when she went straight from the airport to the office of Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez yesterday to pay a courtesy call.

Tabal said that her dream to make it back to the Olympics is once again alive.

“This gold gave me confidence, yes, but I am open to learning more. I still have a lot to learn,” said the 4’11” Tabal after she pre-

sented her medal to Ramirez, who assured her of the PSC’s support.

“We shall support Joy, we shall support athletes who have a chance to win in the Olympics. This is not only a promise, this is a commitment,” said Ramirez.

For Tabal, the road to her SEA Games gold medal win was marked with heartaches and challenges which almost denied her the chance to participate.

“I faced a lot of challenges, but I am here.

Thanks to all those who stayed by my side and helped me reach for my goals, dumami ang tatay ko” said Tabal.

Tabal

Salle-Dasmarinas failed to qualify in the women’s triple jump with her 12.25.

The 24-year-old campaigner finished 11th in the qualifying heat topped

by Neele Eckhardt of Germany in 13.52.

In the women’s 200m, Jeremiah Angela Malonzo of the University of the Philippines and Karen Janario of the University of Santo Tomas were both eliminated in the qualifying heats.

Malonzo finished sixth in Heat 5/6 with 26.11, while Janario wound up sixth in Heat 6/6 with 27.37.

Table tennis and swimming also did not get the desired results.

Losing their men’s singles matches were Mapta student Aaron Paul Chicano, who fell to Chuluudai Ganbat of Mongolia; University of Cebu bet Roblyn Kyle Veloso, who lost to Gints Eihmans of Latvia; and UC mainstay Fausto Zeus Comaingking, who succumed to Hermann Muelbach of Germany.

Globe obtains $155m in loan

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Business

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

LEYTE INDUSTRIAL ZONE.

IN BRIEF

The Board of Investments signs a memorandum of cooperation for the tender documents on the development of the master plan and feasibility study for the Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone with the Visayas State University at the sidelines of the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan Regional Roadshow on August 24, 2017 in Tacloban City, Leyte. BoI executive director Raul Angeles (second from left) signed the documents on behalf of the agency along with VSU representative Buenaventura Dargantes (second from right).

With them are Department of Trade and Industry Region 8 Director Cynthia Nierras (left) and Oliver Cam of the Leyte Chamber of Commerce. The master plan will cover the development of Isabel, Merida, Palompon, Ormoc, Villaba and Tacloban taking into consideration existing industrial zones and port facilities.

BSP not alarmed by weak currency

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday said the Philippines will not likely face a currency crisis despite the weakening of the peso.

“Definitely we are not in a foreign exchange crisis. We allowed the peso to adjust moderately and gradually,” Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told reporters during an economic forum organized by Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

“But I can assure that the BSP is in full control of the exchange rate. And this is consistent in an investment- and export-led strategy,” he added.

Espenilla said the Philippine economy’s fundamentals were very strong and the government expects a stable peso in the medium term.

“We’ve always said that while the peso is market-determined, the BSP is carefully monitoring developments and will take necessary actions when things go out of hand. We’re always watching the market,” he said.

Espenilla said the peso depreciation had been relatively moderate—about two-and-a-half percent depreciation year-to-date from the beginning of the year.

“It’s gradual but it’s also consistent since the government is also pushing for investments and export-led economic growth, which is actually sustainable,” he said.

“A moderate weakening of the peso is actually is supportive of exporters, of overseas workers, BPO, (and) tourism. So there are positive things there. At the same time, a moderate weakening of the peso also helps dampen consumption,” Espenilla said, adding the country’s strong economic growth was driven by consumption.

Chelsea’s income surges to P400m NEWLY-LISTED logistics and shipping firm Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. said net income in the first six months of the year jumped 93 percent to P400 million from P207 million year-on-year.

Chelsea said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half revenues climbed nine percent to P1.53 billion from P1.4 billion a year ago as the company benefitted from the deployment of vessels acquired in late 2016 and those previously dry docked, as well as earnings from 2GO Group Inc. “We are delighted to report the strong performance of our businesses to our investors and partners who continue to guide us through our growth path,” Chelsea chairman Dennis Uy said.

“The bright prospects of the shipping and logistics industry amid increased trade opportunities within and outside the country alongside our efforts to make our operations more efficient and better keep us on track of our growth trajectory,” he added.

Jenniffer B. Austria

3 cement firms agree to shipment inspection

By Othel V. Campos

T

HREE big cement manufacturers have offered to waive their exemptions from import inspection procedures as a sign of cooperation, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) said Friday.

A letter forwarded by the group to the Department of Trade and Industry dated August 24, 2017 cited the conciliatory positions of the three companies on import procedures that have caused a running feud between cement manufacturers and importers.

“In essence, Taiheiyo (Cement Philippines Inc.), Cemex (Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc.) and Republic (Cement Group) are willing to undergo the same shipment inspection

procedures as the traders,” the letter said.

CeMAP president Ernesto Ordoñez said the three companies decided to forego the privilege as a sign of goodwill to all stakeholders in the cement industry.

“I emphasize here that though they are allowed to be treated differently because of their lower risk category consistent with the World Trade Organization rules, and even if it is the DTI position... the three companies are very willing to forego this justified different treatment. They are willing to go through the same import procedures that the traders undergo,” he said.

He added the gesture would contribute to harmony in promoting consumer welfare.

While Taiheiyo, Cemex and Republic decided to forego the privilege, their individual positions do not reflect the entire association’s views, Ordoñez said.

The cement group is still responsible to directly inform the Trade Department of any development.

Ordoñez reiterated in the letter that the sampling and testing of imports by the three cement companies should be conducted in the Philippines either at the point of entry area, the importer’s declared warehouse, or silo.

The test results should conform to Philippine National Standards before releasing the imported cement to the market.

Ordoñez stressed the need for local testing and not rely only on pre-shipment quality inspection done in the cement’s point of origin because of concerns over the integrity of such inspection and testing.

He noted that the conversion of testing results using standards in other countries to local standards might not be accurate.

The DTI commissioned studies and consultations on import procedures to ensure cement from overseas sources were of high quality to protect consumers amid the reported proliferation of expired, substandard and mislabelled cement in the local market.

Businessmen less optimistic in Q3—BSP survey

By Darwin G. Amojelar BUSINESSMEN are less optimistic in the third quarter of the year mostly due to the weak peso and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, a survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shows.

The Third Quarter Business Expectations Survey showed the business confidence index fell to 37.9 percent in the third quarter from 43 percent a quarter ago.

Reasons cited for the drop were seasonal factors such as slowdown of business activities during the rainy season,

slack in demand during the planting and closed milling season, as well as the closed fishing season in Davao Gulf, Marawi crisis and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, weakening peso, increasing prices, stiffer competition and damages and power outages caused by the July earthquake in the Visayas.

“The sentiment of business in the Philippines mirrored the less buoyant business outlook in the US, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and Thailand but was contrast to more more bullish views of those in Germany and Hong Kong and steady out-

look in France.

The business outlook turned more positive in the fourth quarter as the next quarter confidence index rose to 51.3 percent from 42.7 percent in the previous quarter’s survey results.

The Bangko Sentral attributed the respondents’ more positive outlook for the fourth quarter to the uptick in consumer demand during the holiday, harvest and milling seasons, continued rollout of government infrastructure and other development projects and increase in orders and projects translating into higher volume of production.

“The sentiment of business involved in international commodity trading was broadly less favorable for the third quarter as importers and domestic-oriented firms expected lower consumer demand during the rainy season,” the central bank said.

The outlook of exporters, meanwhile, was more optimistic for the current quarter, while that for imports and domesticoriented firms turned more robust compared to that of the previous quarters.

The Bangko Sentral conducted the survey from July 3 to August 18, covering 1,480 companies nationwide.

SM completes 3 more solar rooftop projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores SM SUPERMALLS completed new solar rooftop projects this month in three malls—SM City Cauayan, SM City Cabanatuan and SM City Iloilo—in its quest to deliver clean and cheaper power to its shopping stores nationwide.

SM is slated to launch in the coming months five more solar powered malls in SM City Trece Martires, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Olongapo and the upcoming SM City Tuguegarao Downtown.

The company said SM by the end of this phase will have approximately 33,000 solar panels capable of producing 8.9 megawatts of electricity—enough to fully charge around 1.3 million cellphones, light up 890,000 10watt LED lamps and run 297,000 30-watt electric fans, or provide power to almost 6,000 households.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

“SM Prime has always been committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and maximize energy efficiency in our malls. This is just one of the many renewable projects we have been doing and we will continue with finding ways on how to make our operations more environmentally sound and sustainable,” said SM Prime Holdings Inc. executive committee chairman Hans Sy during a signing ceremony with Solar Philippines.

As SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country, Solar Philippines is the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia.

The rooftop format uses previously unused space that now provides “green” roofs for the malls.

SM launched its first solar rooftop project in the country at SM City North Edsa, the first mall in the Philippines to become solar powered in 2014.

BSP speeding up debt mart reforms THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it is accelerating reforms to develop the country’s local currency debt market.

“We are unveiling soon with partner government agencies a definite plan to accelerate the development of the local currency debt market,” Bangko Sentral Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. told reporters during an economic forum organized by Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

He said the central bank, Bureau of Treasury, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Finance were jointly proposing three major operational priorities for the development of the local debt market.

Espenilla said the government planned to deepen the local bond market by adopting reforms in the Government Securities Eligible Dealer system, increasing supply of short-term securities and developing an effective regular framework on derivatives and repo markets. Darwin G. Amojelar

Dominguez pushes revenue package FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has pushed for the passage of the proposed comprehensive tax reform program of the Duterte administration to enable the government to pursue its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program consisting of some 75 major flagship projects.

“It is important, to be sure, that the tax reform program be passed as soon as possible. Tax reform will give us the fiscal space to pursue the expansionary measures,” Dominugez said in a videotaped message to the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines during the group’s forum.

“Without the additional revenues the reform package will bring, we cannot fully pursue the infrastructure program,” the Finance chief said. Alena Mae S. Flores

P450.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.40-P49.40 Unleaded Gasoline P32.98-P39.10 Diesel

O

IL PRICES TODAY

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

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, August 25, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

ROTARY CONCERT. The Rotary Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas holds a musical concert on August

22 entitled “An Enchanting Evening: celebrating Mervyn,” to raise funds for its various projects. Shown (from left) are the past club presidents Jo Yap (fifth), Junjun Abcede (sixth), Milet Belicena (eighth), Fred Tumacder (12th), Kiko Josef (14th), Ceto Dideles (15th), Vic Yap (16th), Sugus Legaspi (17th) and Herman Cervantes (18th). With them are Georgina Encanto (11th), current president Romy Joseph (seventh) and special guest, Senator Franklin Drilon (center).

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

Japan

Yen

0.009129

51.0500 0.4660

UK

Pound

1.280100

65.3491

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127836

6.5260

Switzerland

Franc

1.036055

52.8906

Canada

Dollar

0.798977

40.7878

Singapore

Dollar

0.734322

37.4871

Australia

Dollar

0.790000

40.3295

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654985

135.5370

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

13.6134

Brunei

Dollar

0.731636

37.3500

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.029994

1.5312

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

13.8998

Euro

Euro

1.180100

60.2441

Korea

Won

0.000887

0.0453

China

Yuan

0.150060

7.6606

India

Rupee

0.015615

0.7971

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233754

11.9331

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721300

36.8224

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033068

1.6881 Source: PDS Bridge

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks up; casino issues climb

S

TOCKS rose Friday ahead of a muchanticipated central bankers’ meeting, joining the rest of the regional market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 10.21 points, or 0.1 percent, to 8,015.14 on value turnover of P6.2 billion.

Gainers and losers were even at 97 each, with 48 issues unchanged.

Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp. climbed 2.6 percent to P8.98, while Bloomberry Resorts Corp. advanced 3.4 percent to P10.94. The two casino resort operators registered hefty profits in the second quarter.

Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. surged 3.8 percent to P6.37, while Nickel Asia Corp., the biggest nickel miner, gained 3 percent to P7.30.

The rest of equity markets in Asia,

meanwhile, advanced at the end of a broadly upbeat week.

The rises came despite ongoing ructions in Washington where President Donald Trump on Thursday berated top members of his Republican party, days after threatening to shut down the government and rip up a key trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

His ongoing battle with Capitol Hill has fanned fears the tycoon will not be able to push through his promised tax cuts, deregulation and infrastructure spending program, which many believe would help fire up the US economy.

Tokyo’s Nikkei ended 0.5 percent higher thanks to a weaker yen.

Hong Kong rose 1.2 percent, marking a fourth-straight day of gains, while Shanghai added 1.8 percent. Energy firms in both cities were lifted by news that PetroChina’s net profit jumped more than 2,000 percent to $1.9 billion in the

first half and that it would distribute the cash among shareholders in the form of dividends. The move fueled hopes of similar moves by other energy companies.

Seoul rose 0.1 percent, with market heavyweight Samsung Electronics losing more than one percent after company heir Lee Jae-Yong was jailed for five years for bribery, perjury and other crimes linked to the corruption scandal that brought down ousted president Park Geun-Hye. However, Singapore shed 0.3 percent and Sydney was flat.

In early European trade London, Paris and Frankfurt each rose 0.2 percent.

Heads of central banks from around the world are descending on Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for their annual symposium but investors are focusing on Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen and European Central Bank (ECB) head Mario Draghi.

While not expecting any major

announcements from either, their remarks will be pored over for clues about their plans for monetary policy in two of the world’s biggest economies.

“With announcements expected from both in the coming months, investors will be looking to their speeches at Jackson Hole―a platform used to prepare markets for policy changes by previous Fed Chairs Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke―for similar policy signals,” said OANDA senior market analyst Craig Erlam.

The euro has rallied in recent weeks on speculation the ECB will begin to wind down its crisis-era stimulus measures as the eurozone continues to improve, while still-soft US inflation has dented expectations of further Fed interest rate hikes this year.

However, the single currency has dipped back slightly this week as dealers steel themselves for the weekend’s meeting.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.64 329,000 59.5 70,800 104.5 3,418,610 127.1 3,615,740 1.3 1,000 35.35 233,500 15.96 10,100 32.15 941,100 7.95 35,000 1.65 25,000 905 100 0.71 1,507,000 89.2 3,346,490 0.99 909,000 13.16 10,500 60.65 54,850 240 30 88.2 340 51.25 18,370 254 573,270 1,800 160 86.5 33,950 1.39 57,000

1,481,280 4,204,383 358,028,334 459,327,493 1,300 8,324,730 161,244 30,361,535 278,745 41,250 90,750 1,071,290 297,912,730 897,660 138,222 3,326,749.50 7,200 30,261 943,684.50 145,854,936 289,500 2,936,582.50 76,950

3,502,072 -203,621,215 -32,633,538 -1,300 -6,259,875.00 -90,750 18,539,544.50 147,500 -126,129 267,534 66,561,734 1,337,225.50 -

39.7 9.34 0.8 1.36 22 0.237 150 6.16 17.24 165 32.2 22.8 62 80.5 1.93 5.35 11.18 10.56 15.1 13.02 7.1 6.85 16.84 67.7 13.96 12.4 14.4 1.8 238.4 3.59 30.9 18.84 17.7 269 0.23 10.5 2.86 7.02 9.41 7.5 1.83 11.9 65.8 6.65 310 4.32 4.3 2.49 12.6 4.5 0.144 1.23 151.3 3.72 2.07 0.99

INDUSTRIALS 39.9 495,100 9.37 1,398,200 0.82 328,000 1.38 273,000 23.8 90,900 0.24 2,370,000 150 650 6.37 26,817,400 17.28 666,200 165 80 32.6 699,200 23.25 23,900 64 60 80.5 20 1.93 350,000 5.39 86,300 11.18 63,600 10.68 4,201,500 15.6 7,502,100 13.12 435,500 7.11 2,298,300 6.86 4,429,200 16.84 2,084,000 67.7 21,360 14 11,200 12.44 586,400 14.8 2,551,900 1.82 235,000 239 644,400 3.64 19,000 30.9 222,700 18.9 259,800 17.78 936,500 270.6 259,290 0.24 8,110,000 10.8 131,700 2.99 1,419,000 7.04 340,600 9.41 2,487,100 7.69 22,400 1.86 878,000 12.2 47,987,900 65.95 65,130 6.71 120,600 310 3,190 4.32 11,000 4.3 16,000 2.52 179,000 12.7 355,200 4.5 89,000 0.144 90,000 1.23 2,000 152.9 1,460,590 3.74 9,000 2.09 4,958,000 0.99 43,000

19,740,980 13,126,280 267,650 374,330 2,134,360 564,650 98,688 169,577,727 11,510,014 13,228 22,746,035 554,505 3,740 1,610 683,840 462,541 711,260 44,836,686 116,083,118 5,768,774 16,349,531 30,438,545 35,175,358 1,451,966.50 156,720 7,286,082 37,518,596 426,150 154,096,544 68,810 6,934,135 4,932,398 16,624,564 70,105,514 1,930,560 1,412,672 4,136,810 2,406,442 23,517,407 171,197 1,626,430 576,092,400 4,296,763 809,511 995,120 47,520 68,800 450,500 4,534,694 401,100 12,960 2,460 223,392,408 33,540 10,358,010 42,840

7,469,485 1,182,367 13,780 -14,550 -31,502 -46,064,698 -168,160 23,520 4,717,728 32,067,438 -2,292,254 -8,575,463 -15,208,846 -17,790,480 -269,654.50 -27,920 1,348,592 8,483,402 145,000 102,830,548 1,606,700 1,668,370 2,468,766.00 10,187,696 -26,520 3,500,780 -21,180 -4,098,189 -74,400 -1,152,330 1,000,833.50 -486,057 -171,600 51,600 -100,800 -98,436 7,200 -36,567,562 -18,600 10,500 -9,160

0.35 73.55 13.6 1.1 6.95 0.305 0.32 898.5 7.89 15.64 7.5 6.2 0.198 1,128 7.7 71.5 5 5.43 0.9 7.16 17.52 6.5 0.044 0.94 2.07 99 2.68 815 1.52 300.4 0.28 0.2 0.228

HOLDING FIRMS 0.355 1,180,000 74.05 752,500 13.7 2,183,500 1.1 114,000 7 88,500 0.32 1,080,000 0.32 200,000 899 283,200 7.97 6,841,500 15.66 6,207,900 7.7 61,900 6.2 2,000 0.209 2,220,000 1,128 110,965 7.91 2,800 72.8 797,280 5 700 5.43 300 0.91 399,000 7.3 839,700 17.96 2,613,900 6.6 11,887,600 0.045 10,500,000 0.94 10,000 2.07 27,000 100.5 80,210 2.72 31,000 821 97,390 1.54 2,055,000 303 6,380 0.28 90,000 0.2 1,060,000 0.23 40,000

418,100 55,783,771 29,844,236 126,040 617,755 344,400 64,000 254,692,490 54,403,481 97,407,130 474,532 12,400 458,080 125,594,265 21,644 57,710,382.50 3,500 1,629 362,480 6,097,114 46,928,884 78,107,151 467,100 9,400 55,990 8,034,334.50 83,810 79,814,920 3,155,550 1,930,574 25,900 213,490 9,160

-8,007,328 5,133,494 18,637,110 6,056,940 23,669,338 -387,310 -1,980 -41,213,675 17,266,747 -37,336 -1,778,890 -43,030,834 -22,000 -523,584 -22,508,730 25,860 -2,020 -6,880

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE 4.49 ASIA UNITED 59.35 BANK PH ISLANDS 105 BDO UNIBANK 127.4 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.3 CHINABANK 35.8 COL FINANCIAL 16 EAST WEST BANK 32.55 FILIPINO FUND 7.98 IREMIT 1.65 MANULIFE 910 MEDCO HLDG 0.72 METROBANK 89 NTL REINSURANCE 1 PB BANK 13.18 PHIL NATL BANK 60.6 PHIL STOCK EXCH 240 PSBANK 90 RCBC 51.6 SECURITY BANK 254.2 SUN LIFE 1,810 UNION BANK 86.45 VANTAGE 1.37

4.65 59.5 105 127.4 1.3 36 16 32.55 7.98 1.65 910 0.72 89.2 1.01 13.2 61.05 240 90 51.6 258 1,810 86.55 1.39

4.3 59.1 104.5 126.7 1.3 35.25 15.96 32.05 7.95 1.65 905 0.7 88.9 0.97 13.16 60.4 240 88.2 51.1 252.2 1,800 86.45 1.34

ABOITIZ POWER 39.95 AGRINURTURE 9.34 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.8 ALSONS CONS 1.4 ASIABEST GROUP 24.9 BASIC ENERGY 0.239 BOGO MEDELLIN 150.1 CEMEX HLDG 6.16 CENTURY FOOD 17.3 CHEMPHIL 165.4 CIRTEK HLDG 32.85 CNTRL AZUCARERA23 CONCEPCION 62 CONCRETE A 80.5 CROWN ASIA 1.95 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.37 DEL MONTE 11.28 DNL INDUS 10.76 EAGLE CEMENT 15.1 EEI CORP 13.1 EMPERADOR 7.12 ENERGY DEVT 6.92 FIRST GEN 16.86 FIRST PHIL HLDG 68 GINEBRA 14 HOLCIM 12.42 INTEGRATED MICR 14.72 IONICS 1.85 JOLLIBEE 239.8 LMG CHEMICALS 3.59 MANILA WATER 31.7 MAXS GROUP 19.3 MEGAWIDE 17.9 MERALCO 270 MG HLDG 0.232 PANASONIC 10.8 PEPSI COLA 2.99 PETROENERGY 7.27 PETRON 9.51 PHIL H2O 7.5 PHINMA ENERGY 1.86 PHX PETROLEUM 12 PILIPINAS SHELL 66.2 PRYCE CORP 6.7 PUREFOODS 310 RFM CORP 4.32 ROXAS HLDG 4.3 SFA SEMICON 2.49 SHAKEYS PIZZA 12.82 SPC POWER 4.53 SWIFT FOODS 0.144 TKC METALS 1.23 UNIV ROBINA 152 VICTORIAS 3.72 VITARICH 2.1 VULCAN INDL 1

40 9.41 0.83 1.4 24.95 0.24 159.9 6.39 17.5 165.4 32.85 23.95 64 80.5 1.97 5.39 11.28 10.76 15.66 13.5 7.17 6.92 17.08 68.2 14 12.46 14.86 1.85 241 3.64 31.95 19.48 17.9 270.8 0.242 11.18 2.99 7.27 9.51 7.78 1.86 12.3 66.25 6.92 312 4.32 4.3 2.54 12.96 4.53 0.144 1.23 154.2 3.74 2.12 1

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

0.36 74.25 13.72 1.11 7.05 0.32 0.32 900 7.97 15.9 7.7 6.2 0.215 1,149 7.91 72.8 5 5.43 0.92 7.3 18 6.6 0.045 0.94 2.12 100.5 2.72 828 1.57 303 0.29 0.211 0.23

0.355 74.25 13.72 1.11 7.05 0.305 0.32 900 7.89 15.9 7.5 6.2 0.198 1,148 7.7 71.95 5 5.43 0.9 7.17 17.68 6.51 0.045 0.94 2.07 99.5 2.68 815 1.53 301.6 0.29 0.202 0.228

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

5.3 23.4 1.78 3.19 34.5 1.01 0.86 5.92

5.32 23.4 1.81 3.23 34.7 1.01 0.89 5.95

5.25 23 1.78 3.19 34 1 0.86 5.85

5.27 23.25 1.79 3.19 34 1.01 0.88 5.95

1,533,700 2,248,500 153,000 517,000 3,778,200 697,000 180,000 1,411,700

8,088,223 52,373,950 275,280 1,649,270 129,246,105 700,820 158,230 8,368,983

-292,857.00 -14,792,250 15,950 -34,753,060 -6,468,008

2GO GROUP 19.2 ABS CBN 41.95 ACESITE HOTEL 1.62 APC GROUP 0.62 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.039 ASIAN TERMINALS 10.84 BLOOMBERRY 10.66 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.074 CEBU AIR 108 CHELSEA 10.5 DFNN INC 8 GLOBE TELECOM 2,064 GMA NETWORK 6.14 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.2 GRAND PLAZA 13.28 HARBOR STAR 2.36 IMPERIAL 3.1 INTL CONTAINER 105.8 IPEOPLE 11.24 IPM HLDG 8.55 ISLAND INFO 0.175 ISM COMM 1.36 JACKSTONES 3.08 LBC EXPRESS 15.7 LEISURE AND RES 4.5 LORENZO SHIPPNG 1.63 MACROASIA 10.5 MANILA JOCKEY 2.42 MELCO RESORTS 8.77 METRO RETAIL 4.25 MLA BRDCASTING 23 NOW CORP 2.34 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.08 PAL HLDG 5.16 PHIL SEVEN CORP 175 PHILWEB 10.62 PLDT 1,734 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.6 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.395 PUREGOLD 48.1 ROBINSONS RTL 90 SBS PHIL CORP 5.91 SSI GROUP 4.23 STI HLDG 1.46 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.81 TRAVELLERS 3.41 WATERFRONT 1.2 WILCON DEPOT 8.54

19.64 41.95 1.7 0.62 0.039 10.84 10.98 0.076 108.5 10.76 8.44 2,064 6.16 16.42 13.28 2.43 3.13 105.8 12.4 8.6 0.175 1.36 3.08 15.9 4.57 1.65 10.58 2.45 9.2 4.25 23 2.34 11.08 5.16 179 10.8 1,745 1.61 0.4 48.1 90.1 5.92 4.23 1.46 1.9 3.42 1.22 8.77

19 41.9 1.62 0.59 0.039 10.84 10.64 0.073 106.5 10.38 7.71 2,030 6.08 16.18 13.28 2.36 3.01 103.5 11.24 8.54 0.174 1.33 3.05 15.5 4.47 1.55 10.3 2.42 8.77 4.21 20.4 2.3 11.08 5.1 174 10.48 1,734 1.58 0.395 47.8 89.6 5.91 4.17 1.43 1.81 3.38 1.19 8.52

SERVICES 19.3 129,200 41.95 22,900 1.67 29,000 0.59 6,057,000 0.039 4,000,000 10.84 16,000 10.94 18,458,700 0.076 30,950,000 108.5 351,280 10.72 10,080,500 8.44 522,900 2,050 16,355 6.12 623,500 16.42 182,500 13.28 300 2.37 213,000 3.01 43,000 104.2 1,852,050 12.38 28,700 8.54 264,200 0.175 1,250,000 1.36 99,000 3.08 3,000 15.5 1,000 4.55 573,000 1.55 2,638,000 10.58 784,200 2.42 103,000 8.98 25,928,900 4.22 1,496,000 22.5 12,800 2.3 361,000 11.08 14,000 5.1 2,200 179 200 10.78 6,764,400 1,743 21,405 1.61 8,838,000 0.395 140,000 48 307,800 90 176,270 5.91 63,400 4.23 1,200,000 1.44 12,041,000 1.9 5,000 3.42 655,000 1.19 5,911,000 8.76 831,600

2,486,768 959,840 48,030 3,642,250 156,000 173,440 200,788,456 2,319,670 37,823,310 107,422,412 4,267,419 33,483,050 3,801,313 2,980,114 3,984 509,090 130,460 193,558,789 355,484 2,259,146 217,720 134,200 9,210 15,720 2,590,710 4,192,050 8,133,526 250,760 233,473,188 6,319,930 275,350 834,640 155,120 11,339 35,580 72,811,756 37,261,510 14,167,720 55,400 14,771,670 15,863,148.50 374,696 5,055,460 17,333,320 9,140 2,227,580 7,068,460 7,216,683

104,832,896 -740 19,399,337 -13,503,714 -1,543,792 -14,575,670 -16,400 -121,610 9,130 -90,040,636 354,360 -9,520 180,400 48,000 -453,380 -85,400 55,054,294 1,093,870 9,200 14,320 -62,538,014 -293,235 628,430 -1,333,805 2,311,667 -58,509 -531,190 6,964,510 622,030 -732,000 669,773.00

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A MANILA MINING B 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

0.0028 1.62 4.8 13.78 1.83 1.8 1.26 0.39 8.38 2.56 0.275 0.183 0.011 2 7.1 1.93 0.52 1.14 0.012 0.014 0.012 2.42 8.43 3.91 170 0.0082

0.0029 1.63 5 13.78 1.83 1.9 1.27 0.39 8.84 2.6 0.28 0.183 0.011 2 7.3 1.96 0.54 1.15 0.013 0.015 0.013 2.7 8.6 4.14 170 0.0082

0.0027 1.61 4.79 13.76 1.83 1.8 1.19 0.385 8.31 2.55 0.275 0.18 0.011 1.93 7.1 1.87 0.52 1.08 0.012 0.014 0.012 2.42 8.43 3.88 169.5 0.0082

MINING & OIL 0.0029 208,000,000 1.62 1,513,000 4.9 520,000 13.76 400 1.83 3,000 1.9 16,000 1.2 1,428,000 0.385 370,000 8.38 12,400 2.56 7,694,000 0.275 350,000 0.18 3,640,000 0.011 1,000,000 1.96 279,000 7.3 17,735,500 1.95 9,000 0.54 72,000 1.1 983,000 0.012 544,400,000 0.014 142,800,000 0.012 127,200,000 2.7 139,000 8.6 363,800 4.12 8,910,000 169.7 303,800 0.0082 1,000,000

579,500 2,445,480 2,530,510 5,508 5,490 29,200 1,747,950 144,250 103,981 19,777,410 96,300 656,880 11,000 553,300 127,993,711 17,440 37,780 1,078,430 6,918,700 2,003,000 1,536,400 369,270 3,096,871 36,023,730 51,577,214 8,200

-2,800 -14,510 -21,600 -3,850 2,300 -8,250 -11,000 294,520 828,243 -1,200 -97,826 -431,960 14,272,630 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

41.3 516.5 520 106 105.9 517 5.82 1,010 1,023 106 1,119 107.2 108.1 81.1 78.65 82 79.9 79.3 80.3

41.8 516.5 525 106 106 517 5.82 1,010 1,023 106 1,119 107.2 108.1 81.1 78.65 82 79.9 79.5 80.3

41.3 516.5 520 106 105.9 517 5.8 1,010 1,023 106 1,119 104.1 108.1 81 78.65 81.8 79.9 78.65 80.3

PREFERRED 41.55 321,800 516.5 50 525 4,500 106 500 106 1,740 517 110 5.82 701,000 1,010 140 1,023 5 106 100 1,119 10 104.1 2,060 108.1 500 81 60,000 78.65 40,600 81.8 15,000 79.9 20 79.5 66,700 80.3 1,980

13,329,530 25,825 2,350,000 53,000 184,430 56,870 4,079,620 141,400 5,115 10,600 11,190 215,167 54,050 4,861,100 3,193,190 1,229,000 1,598 5,281,055 158,994

-87,370 -3,905,220 -4,861,100 -

LR WARRANT

2.62

2.62

2.55

WARRANTS 2.56 315,000

809,990

-

4.18 5.07 5.82

4.06 4.95 5.6

SME 4.18 5.07 5.74

5,521,170 59,379 8,515,328

-309,460 -1,760,105

121.3

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.8 121.3 2,240

271,250

-

10.58

DDS 10.58

19,784.60

-

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

MS ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.06 4.96 5.6

FIRST METRO ETF 120.8 8990 HLDG 5.34 A BROWN 1.24 ARANETA PROP 2.2 ARTHALAND CORP 0.94 AYALA LAND 42.6 BELLE CORP 3.62 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.18 CEBU HLDG 5.32 CENTURY PROP 0.53 CITY AND LAND 1.3 CITYLAND DEVT 1.61 CROWN EQUITIES 0.24 CYBER BAY 0.5 DOUBLEDRAGON 44.25 EMPIRE EAST 0.7 EVER GOTESCO 0.16 FILINVEST LAND 1.9 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.62 IRC PROP 0.98 MEGAWORLD 4.9 MRC ALLIED 0.28 PHIL ESTATES 0.59 PHIL REALTY 0.52

5.35 1.24 2.2 0.94 42.8 3.84 5.2 5.32 0.56 1.3 1.61 0.249 0.5 44.45 0.7 0.16 1.93 1.68 0.99 4.95 0.295 0.59 0.52

5.33 1.18 2.2 0.92 42.3 3.58 5.08 5.25 0.53 1.27 1.56 0.235 0.5 44.2 0.69 0.15 1.89 1.62 0.98 4.86 0.275 0.56 0.51

PROPERTY 5.35 602,600 1.2 19,895,000 2.2 44,000 0.94 574,000 42.6 4,569,600 3.58 3,990,000 5.08 4,586,200 5.28 10,600 0.55 61,148,000 1.3 353,000 1.56 1,342,000 0.238 122,890,000 0.5 805,000 44.35 93,800 0.69 551,000 0.159 2,270,000 1.89 11,637,000 1.65 12,519,000 0.99 140,000 4.94 30,723,000 0.29 34,970,000 0.57 15,997,000 0.51 1,722,000

3,220,575 23,811,730 96,800 531,400 194,766,075 14,710,420 23,557,704 55,660 33,618,480 453,390 2,106,010 29,769,390 402,500 4,158,135 382,940 345,780 22,129,370 20,772,300 137,210 151,076,180 10,065,950 9,220,560 879,920

-2,757,269.00 -38,080 37,279,860.00 915,250 16,401 -4,486,480 -90,630 -4,420,930 1,161,815 -192,500 16,934,870 181,570 104,475,390 554,950 -56,260.00 -

USD DMPL A1

10.58

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,508,386

INDUSTRIAL

139,298,525

HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES

52,071,381 350,471,405 145,500,853

MINING & OIL

1,068,814,050

GRAND TOTAL

1,774,497,440

10.58

1,336,000 11,800 1,482,800

1,870

VALUE 1,991.49 (down) 5.66 1,395,737,337.90 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,128.73 (down) 8.34 1,778,210,849.39 HOLDING FIRMS 7,879.24 (up) 33.04 920,542,859.166 PROPERTY 3,766.26 (up) 1.55 SERVICES 1,723.93 (up) 4.71 816,346,614.37 MINING & OIL 13,056.70 (up) 40.62 1,066,340,705.45 PSEI 8,015.14 (up) 10.21 259,396,803.548 All Shares Index 4,749.06 (up) 9.26 6,250,942,296.82 Gainers: 97; Losers: 97; Unchanged: 48; Total: 242

Stock broker probed

by SEC

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it will conduct an investigation on DW Capital Inc. after the brokerage company allegedly engaged in unauthorized trading of securities worth P2.6 billion.

The SEC said in a statement it would make the probe after Capital Markets Integrity Corp., the watchdog unit of the Philippine Stock Exchange, sought the corporate regulator’s nod to take over DWCI. The SEC in a subpoena ordered DWCI to submit various records that would establish the financial condition of the brokerage firm.

The records include customer master list, stock position report detail per customer, stock and location, portfolio reports, transaction reports, account ledgers, statement of accounts, confirmation invoices and customer account information forms.

The SEC set a hearing on August 29.

SEC sources said officials of DWCI were willing to submit the required documents.

The PSE on August 10 issued a memorandum implementing a preventive suspension on DWCI. The PSE issued the order after lawyers of DWCI clients asked the CMIC to prohibit DWCI from trading their shares of stock and direct DWCI to preserve the records of transactions.

DWCI clients also complained to the CMIC that shares of stocks had not been delivered to them and demanded the immediate delivery of these securities.

The SEC under the Securities Regulation Code may order an exchange or a self regulatory organization to take over the operation of a failed trading participant to preserve and protect the books, records, customer accounts and traderelated assets.

The CMIC is an SRO and the primary regulator of the trading participants of the PSE.

Globe obtains $155m in loan

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it borrowed again from Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. to finance part of capital expenditures this year.

The telecom unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp. said in a disclosure it signed a sevenyear and 10-year, $155-million term loan facility with Metrobank.

Globe earlier signed a 10year, P8-billion term loan facility and an 8-year, P7-billion term loan facility with BDO Unibank Inc. The company also signed a six-year, P7-billion term loan with Development Bank of the Philippines.

Globe’s capex guidance for 2017 stands at $750 million, but the company is looking at the possibility of raising the level by $50 million to continue addressing the growing demand for quality data services in the country.

Globe as of the end of the first half of the year spent around $550 million in capital expenditures, primarily to support the group demand for data across its mobile, broadband and enterprise segments.

Globe earlier reported a consolidated net income of P8.1 billion in the first six months, down 10 percent from P9 billion last year.

Globe’s net profit was weighed down by the impact of increased interest expenses, depreciation charges and its share in equity losses and spectrum amortization related to the San Miguel telecom asset acquisition. Globe and PLDT Inc. jointly acquired 100-percent equity interest in San Miguel’s Vega Telecom Inc. for P52.08 billion and assumed around P17.02 billion of liabilities.

World Amazon’s opening to mining criticized RIO DE JANEIRO―When most of the world talks about the riches of the Amazon they mean the unique rain forest and so-called lungs of the planet.

But Brazilian President Michel Temer has given the nod to a more literal sense of riches― mineral extraction―leaving environmentalists and activists including Gisele Bundchen up in arms.

Temer’s decision issued Wednesday scrapped a national reserve in the northern Para and Amapa states that had protected a 46,000 square kilometer area since 1984, when Brazil was still run by a military dictatorship.

The Reserva Nacional del Cobre y Asociados is bigger than Denmark and home to virgin forest, as well as indigenous territories of the Aparai, Wayana and Wajapi tribes.

But it also contains important reserves of gold, manganese, iron and copper―and Temer believes cash-strapped Brazil should start digging.

Until now, state-owned companies had a right to exploit the resources, but rarely did.

Temer’s measure will open the door to private business.

Temer’s aim with the decree is not just to boost the industry but to bring control over activity that is already being performed by illegal miners who use destructive methods that poison the rivers with mercury.

In addition, Temer promises that the mining will not take place in special conservation areas, only outside. “Our promise is to bring sustainable development in the Amazon, uniting environmental protection with revenue generating for the local population,” he said.

But analysts are skeptical that much good can come from a president who leans increasingly on the powerful agro-industrial lobby for his political survival amid swirling corruption scandals. AFP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

B3

Samsung heir jailed 5 years S ONSTAGE. Sydney Sierota of Echosmith performs onstage during MTV Presents’ ‘VMA Weekend’ at Avalon on August 24, 2017, in Hollywood, California. AFP

US mother wins $758-million jackpot, quits her job NEW YORK―A 53-year-old Massachusetts mother of two who scooped the largest single jackpot in US history―$758.7 million―said it was a dream come true Thursday and immediately quit her hospital job of 32 years.

Mavis Wanczyk said she had played the lottery as a “pipe dream,” never believing that it would one day be possible for her to retire early from the Mercy Medical Center, where she worked in patient care.

On Thursday that dream came true.

“I’ve called them and told them I will not be coming back,” she said to laughter at a news conference hosted by the Massachusetts State Lottery.

“I’m going to go hide in my bed!” she added when asked how she planned to celebrate, wearing black-framed glasses, a zip-up hooded black sweater over a gray lace top, necklace and shoulderlength thick auburn hair.

Wanczyk selected the winning numbers―which included family birthdays―and bought the ticket from a convenience store in Chicopee, a small town 160 kilometers west of Boston, calling it “a chance I had to take.”

“I was just there to buy it for luck,” she explained, chewing gum and grinning.

Accompanied to the news conference by her mother and two sisters, she was still dazed after her monumental win.

It came nine months after the father of

her children, William Wanczyk, a former firefighter, was killed on November 6 by a hit-and-run driver while waiting at a bus shelter in the Massachusetts town of Amherst, US media reported.

A local man, accused of driving a pickup truck at high speed, was subsequently charged with offenses including motor vehicle homicide, manslaughter while under the influence and leaving the scene.

Powerball called Wednesday’s draw “the highest jackpot won on a single ticket and the biggest lottery prize ever awarded to one single person.”

The $758.7 million jackpot is Powerball’s highest since a January 2016 world record of $1.6 billion, which was

split between three ticket holders from California, Florida and Tennessee. Each took home $528.8 million.

The winning numbers were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, from five white balls, and 4 as the so-called Powerball number on a red ball.

The retailer that sold the winning ticket is to receive $50,000, which he has committed to local charities.

Wanczyk now has the choice of taking the jackpot as an annuity spread over 30 years or a one-off cash lump sum―reportedly $336 million after taxes.

“The first thing I want to do? I just want to sit back and relax. I had a pipe dream and my pipe dream has finally come true,” Wanczyk said. AFP

EOUL―The heir to the Samsung business empire, which includes the world’s biggest smartphone maker, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for bribery and other offenses in connection with the scandal that brought down South Korean president Park Geun-Hye.

Lee Jae-Yong’s penalty could leave the giant firm rudderless for years and hamper its ability to make key investment decisions.

The vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, 49, arrived at Seoul Central District Court on a justice ministry bus handcuffed, bound with white rope around his dark jacket, and carrying an envelope of documents.

Lee was found guilty of bribery, embezzlement, perjury and other charges centered on payments and promises by Samsung totaling 43.3 billion won (around $40 million) to Park’s secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil. The court found the money was in return for policy favors, including government support for Lee’s hereditary succession at the group, after his father was left bedridden by a heart attack in 2014.

The defense had denied the charges, saying Samsung was pressured by Park to make the donations under duress―and that Lee was not aware of them and did not approve them. Four other top Samsung executives were also convicted and received sentences of up to four years.

Lee’s lawyers said he would appeal.

The demonstrators who mounted giant candlelit protests against Park last year also targeted Lee and other chiefs of the chaebols, as the family-controlled conglomerates that dominate Asia’s fourth-largest economy are known.

South Korea’s GDP is still growing but social and economic frustrations have mounted over the benefits not being equally shared.

Around 800 riot police were deployed around the court to prevent possible clashes between rival sets of demonstrators, Yonhap said.

It was deluged with hundreds of applications for the 30 seats in courtroom 417 available to members of the public, which were allocated by lottery.

Park’s own trial began in the same room in May, and it also saw Lee’s father Lee KunHee convicted of tax and other offenses in 2008, receiving a suspended sentence.

The verdict could add impetus to new President Moon Jae-In’s campaign pledges to reform the chaebols.

The firms have long had murky connections with political authorities in South Korea, and past trials of their leaders have often ended with light or suspended sentences, with courts citing their contributions to the economy.

The Lee clan directly owns about five percent of Samsung Electronics shares, but maintains its grip on the wider group through a byzantine web of cross-ownership stakes involving dozens of companies.

The court said Park was aware that Lee wanted state approval for a controversial merger of two Samsung units in 2015, seen as a key step to ensuring his accession.

The deal was opposed by shareholders who said it willfully undervalued shares of one of the firms. But it eventually went through after the national pension fund―a major Samsung shareholder―approved it.

Analysts differ on the potential impact of the verdict and sentence on Samsung. AFP

32 dead in Rakhine violence

AZNAVOUR HONORED. Singer Charles Aznavour responds to questions at his Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony, where he was the recepient of the 2,618th Star in the category of Live Performance on August 24, 2017,y in Hollywood, California. AFP

YANGON―At least 32 people, including 11 security forces, were killed as Rohingya militants besieged border posts in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar’s army chief said Friday, in the worst violence in months in the febrile zone.

The state is bisected by religious hatred focused on the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority, who are reviled by many Buddhists and perceived as illegal immigrants.

Recent weeks have seen tensions surge with near daily killings by shadowy groups operating in remote villages, while Myanmar’s army has poured more troops into the area.

In the early hours of Friday more than 20 police posts came under attack by an estimated 150 insurgents, some carrying guns and using homemade explosives.

“One soldier and 10 police sacrificed their lives for the country,” Commanderin-Chief Min Aung Hlaing said in a statement circulated on Facebook, adding 21 militants also died although others made away with guns.

“Fighting is ongoing at police posts in

Kyar Gaung Taung and Nat Chaung villages. The military and police members are fighting back together against extremist Bengali terrorists.”

“Bengali terrorists” is the state’s description of the Rohingya militants.

They emerged as a force last October under the banner of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claims to be leading an insurgency based in the remote May Yu mountain range bordering Bangladesh.

Confirming the unrest, an unnamed police officer in Buthidaung town, close to the worst violence, said border posts remained surrounded by militants as day broke in a fluid, dangerous and “complicated situation”.

The flare up follows a milestone report on the conditions inside Rakhine by a commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan.

It urged immediate action to heal the divide including scrapping the restrictions of movement and citizenship imposed on the roughly one million-strong Rohingya community in Rakhine. AFP

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

B4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

Diesel authority Isuzu PH highlighted the versatility of their heavy trucks.

Trucks &Buses

Spotlight on the transport and logistics industry

Pioneer trucks had the JOST Fifth wheel product on display, an essential part of trailer trucks

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

T

HE domestic transport and logistics industry was recently put on the spotlight with the recent staging of the Fifth Transport and Logistics show. Held at the sprawling SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia, and organized by Global Ling MP Events International Inc., the threeday show was attended by truck manufacturers, truck parts and accessories suppliers, commercial vehicle and supply chain solutions companies. “We made the synergy of transport, manufacturing and emerging technologies possible, and this has been the goal since we started; to empower businesses in bringing solutions that work best,” shared Patrick Lawrence Tan, CEO of Global-Link MP Events International, Inc.

Major players in the logistics and transport industry highlighted their products with display booths spread across the massive SMX Convention Hall. A few weeks after its re-launch, Pilipinas Taj, the exclusive distributors of Tata commercial vehicles in the country had one of the impressive display areas of the show. Tata displayed their line-up of commercial vehicles such as the new Prima Heavy duty truck, light commercial trucks and the Tata Xenon pick-up truck. “Our presence here indicates our commitment to be a major player in the local transport and logistics industry. Our build quality and affordability will be our strong selling points,” states Art Balmadrid, VP and GM of Pilipinas Taj. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) showcased its FUSO product line-up including the best in class truck models. Visitors had a chance to see the Canter, FI, and FV Tractor, which are known for their reliability and versatility.

“FUSO guarantees that it is a trustworthy partner for your business whether it be construction, logistics, transport, utilities provider, and many more,” adds Leo Samonte of MMPC’s Truck Division.

Not to be outdone by its main rival, events sponsor and truck industry dominator Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) took center stage and showcased their line-up of diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks and utility vehicles such as the FVM34 with 32-feet Fruehauf Wing Van body, the EXR5IF tractor head and their EXZ5IK tractor head. Isuzu has been a part of the annual supply hub in the country in 2015.

Since then, they have consistently participated in the event aimed to tap the transport and logistics sector, which is the market for their light, medium and up to heavy-duty trucks.This year, IPC participated as one of the major sponsors for the expo, making it their second time to extend partnership since started joining the event in 2015. IPC President Hajime Koso underscored the growth of economy in the increasing numbers of industry players. “The rise of both the conventional market and e-commerce has produced exciting numbers for budding and established industry players,” Koso said.

Alongside truck manufacturers were the accessories and parts suppliers such as Pioneer Trucks who had on display their JOST product truck trailer axles,JOST Modul landing gears, Fifth Wheel and Rockinger Tow Hitches. As an established brand in Germany and in Europe, JOST’s display line of truck parts was well received during the three-day show.

Alongside its diverse product range of components

Pilipinas Taj featured their full line up with the Primo heavy duty truck front and center.

and systems for truck and trailer, Pioneer’s display booth featured the ultra-light JSK 34 cast fifth wheel coupling which is designed for two-inch kingpins and can reduce the system weight by up to 40 kg in some series. It is especially suitable for all weight-sensitive transports, such as tanker and silo transports.

JOST has equipped the JSK 34 with a newlydeveloped hybrid bearing to increase driving comfort and service life while also reducing the dynamic load on the vehicle’s frame. This type of bearing combines the robustness and shock absorbing performance of a rubber bearing with the frame-friendly properties of a plastic bearing.

“”The new, ultralight JSK 34 fifth wheel coupling is now also available in a lowmaintenance version featuring JOST’s own LubeTronic1Point for automatic lockjaw lubrication, which has proven itself time and time again. With this automatic system, reliable lubrication is guaranteed for three years,” adds Aaron Go of Pioneer trucks, exclusive distributor of JOST parts and accessories in the country.

Other major players which participated during the three-day truck show were MAN, Volvo, HINO and Sobida and 300 more truck spare parts and accessories and machinery firms.

Fuso’s display was a crowd drawer

Tollways break payment barrier, go digital CLARK, Pampanga—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lauds efforts of private sector partners to make travel experience of motorists more seamless and convenient.

Following the launch of the “Digital Tollways” program of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) yesterday, the DOTr said that giving motorists more payment options will bring about

a new level of convenience, and generally improve the services of toll systems.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said that digitizing payment schemes is seen as a step closer to the DOTr’s goal to ultimately make all toll systems in the country interoperable.

“This goes to show that we can do so much with technology. We

want to unify all toll systems so that motorists only have to pay once and will not have to queue at toll plazas several times. If you want to go to Baguio, for example, you pay only when you exit at your destination and that’s it.

It’s simpler, it’s faster, and more convenient,” said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. “We are grateful to the private sector for the

support they have been giving us,” he added.

The Digital Tollways program of the MPTC, the tollways arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., allows motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and the SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to pay toll via different elec-

tronic options. Depending on what suits their lifestyle and personal preferences, motorists can pay via Easy Trip Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Mastercard and Visa contactless debit cards, beep cards, pre-paid cards and credit cards, including the Smart Mastercard powered by PayMaya.

Beep cards may also be used at railway systems in Metro Manila

and P2P premium bus services.

The initiative to digitize toll payments is aligned with the National Retail Payment System program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which seeks to shift 20% of the country’s payment transactions to electronic by 2020, as the Philippines moves toward boosting its place in the region’s digital global economy.

8TH SOWING

Manila Standard’s 8th Sowing Adopt A Tree project takes root

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

C1

Manila

Standard

TODAYTelecom certifies 25 public school teachers in Batanes Globe as Digital Thumbprint Program ambassadors

By Jan Darnel E. Domalanta and Meryll Isis F. Rocha

T

HE Philippines is a country known for its rich natural resources. But due to irresponsible logging, the country’s trees are depleting fast and forests are rapidly becoming denuded. It’s clear Mother Nature needs our help. Turn to C2

The new Digital Thumbprint Ambassadors from the province of Batanes

Twenty-five public school teachers from the province of Batanes were certified recently as ambassadors under the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), an award-winning program by Globe Telecom, Optus, and Singtel created to turn the youth into responsible online citizens.

As ambassadors, the teachers are tasked with transferring the knowledge they learned from DTP facilitators and experts to co-teachers from other schools in the province.

“The manner we think, say and do leave remarkable thumbprints in the lives of others. In this digital era, everyone should be extra careful in getting along with people through social media by adhering to moral norms of conduct and cyber education. As teachers, we are duty-bound to teach and model cyber values to our youth. This could be achieved via the Digital Thumbprint Program of Globe Telecom so we want to grab this opportunity to make a difference in how the youth interact online,” said Reynante Caliguiran, Schools Division Superintendent of Batanes, during simple ceremonies held at the Basco Central School in Basco, Batanes.

“About half of Internet users in our country are adolescents aged 17 years old and below according to the Philippine National Police, showing how vital the Internet is in molding the lives of the Filipino youth. As a purveyor of digital lifestyle, Globe wants the youth to not just embrace the internet to learn, play, and socialize but also to be safe whenever they are online. Thus, we are glad that DepEd and our teachers and the province of Batanes support us in this undertaking,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications.

Thus, Globe’s Digital Thumbprint program was born, with the desire to educate the Filipino youth on responsible use of the Internet. Globe worked with Optus and Singtel on the program, which was also co-designed by the Karrikins Group, in order to promote responsible digital citizenship and cyberwellness. This workshop series, which includes safety and security, responsibility and etiquette, and leadership and empowerment when online as prime elements, was modelled with that of the successful Optus Digital Thumbprint program in Australia.

It offers three learning modules that will make learning exciting for students in private and public schools nationwide, such as “Digital Insight,” mainly recommended for Grade 7-10 students, that features activities to help students discern proper online behavior; “Digital Impact,” which is tailored also for Grade 7-10 students, that will tackle issues on technology’s impact on students’ social activities; and “Digital Ambition” for Grade 11-12 students to equip them with skills on using technology to help achieve their lives’ goals.

Every module was conceptualized and designed to increase students’ knowledge of digital citizenship and cybersafety.

It involved taking a careful and critical look at kids’ online behavior and helping them develop insights as to how the online world can influence them in making choices. It is seen as a more fun and interactive alternative learning module to the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao or EP class.

Standing, from left: Lucy Manahan (DMO 3 DENR CENRO-Tabang), Edgar M. Valmorida, Manila Standard circulations manager, Baldwin R. Felipe, OIC, Manila Standard advertising, Roy Gulane, DENR Central Office. Seated, from left: Jorge P. Pasagdan, Briquetors Association of the Philippines president; Julita A. Mustapha, DENR Central development management officer; Isagani M. Navalta CENRO-Tabang NGP focal person; Roger V. Encarnacion, of CENRO DENR Tabang; Anita F. Grefal, Manila Standard OIC for Operations; and Rolando G. Estabillo, Manila Standard Publisher.

At present, the program already reached more than 10,000 public and private high school students while over 1,000 public high school teachers were already empowered to cascade the program to their students. DTP is also part of Globe Telecom’s #makeITsafePH campaign which promotes cybersecurity and cyberwellness among consumers and businesses.

As of 2016, there are already 44 million Internet users in the country based on figures culled from www.internetlivestats. com with connectivity pegged at 43.5 percent. Filipinos also spend the most amount of hours on social media, averaging a global-leading 4 hours and 17 minutes per day average, based on figures in the “Digital in 2017” report of social media management platform Hootsuite and We Are Social, Ltd. as of January this year.

C2

8TH SOWING

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

C3

Saving Mother Nature one tree at a time.

Manila Standard CSR Champions together with DMO 3 DENR CENRO-Tabang, DENR Central Office, Briquetors Association of the Phils. and NGP Focal Person CENRO-Tabang

Manila...

From C1 With this in mind, the Manila Standard adopted two hectares of land at Barangay Pamusuan, Norzagaray, Bulacan in line with their Corporate Social Responsibility and 8th Sowing - Adopt A Tree project.

According to Edgar Valmorida, the project is a collaboration among the Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc.,the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Briquetors Association of the Philippines Inc. (BAP).

These lands were National Greening Program (NGP) established sites under the Community Environment and Natural Resources Tabang (CENRO Tabang) in Guiguinto, Bulacan, wherein 1.5 billion trees are to be planted within the area. This project is expected to increase the forest cover by 12 percent.

Close to 4,000 trees and mangrove seedlings have been planted throughout the eight sowing activities mounted by the publication.

In fact, in their latest sowing activity, the Manila Standard CSR Champions were able to plant 250 Narra trees last August 19.

In addition to that, Valmorida claims public interest spiked in between these activities.

“More and more clients are interested and engaged to support our Adopt A Tree project compared before,î he noted. “Especially when they see how big the trees are now from the time we planted way back eight years ago.î Valmorida noted the increase of Manila Standard employees who are willing to participate and volunteer their efforts to the CSR project. For them, the tree planting activity is a great instrument to foster camaraderie amongst themselves while saving the environment. ‘‘This CSR project is a unique opportunity for us to work together and help save our planet. We aim to contribute and lessen the effects of climate change in the country since trees help prevent a number of natural disasters such as flooding and landslides,’’ he added.

Helping the environment does not stop there. To maintain upleep for the planted seeds, Valmorida disclosed they need to visit planting sites at least every six months to replace seedlings that did not survive. In addition, they must ensure there is no introduction or construction of permanent structures in the area.

In November, the Manila Standard will revisit Calatagan, Batangas to plant additional mangrove seedlings and for maintenance and protection activities of the environment.

This movement to save the environment was co-presented by San Miguel Corporation along with the generous aid of Megaworld Corporation and Globe Telecoms.

ON THE WAY: Manila Standard CSR champions making their way to the tree planting site.

Valmorida, left, and wife Elizabeth planted Narra trees on site.

From left: Manila Standard Circulation Manager Edgar M. Valmorida, Manila Standard OIC Operations Anita F. Grefal, San Miguel Representative Francene Callueng, (receiving an award acknowledging SMB as co-presentors of the 8th Sowing Adopt a Tree project) and Advertising OIC Baldwin Felipe.

Having fun while saving the planet.

All in a day’s work: Manila Standard CSR champions rest after their morning planting activities. The youngest tree planting participant, Ryan Vince R. Coronado

C2

8TH SOWING

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 advertise@thestandard.com.ph

C3

Saving Mother Nature one tree at a time.

Manila Standard CSR Champions together with DMO 3 DENR CENRO-Tabang, DENR Central Office, Briquetors Association of the Phils. and NGP Focal Person CENRO-Tabang

Manila...

From C1 With this in mind, the Manila Standard adopted two hectares of land at Barangay Pamusuan, Norzagaray, Bulacan in line with their Corporate Social Responsibility and 8th Sowing - Adopt A Tree project.

According to Edgar Valmorida, the project is a collaboration among the Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc.,the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Briquetors Association of the Philippines Inc. (BAP).

These lands were National Greening Program (NGP) established sites under the Community Environment and Natural Resources Tabang (CENRO Tabang) in Guiguinto, Bulacan, wherein 1.5 billion trees are to be planted within the area. This project is expected to increase the forest cover by 12 percent.

Close to 4,000 trees and mangrove seedlings have been planted throughout the eight sowing activities mounted by the publication.

In fact, in their latest sowing activity, the Manila Standard CSR Champions were able to plant 250 Narra trees last August 19.

In addition to that, Valmorida claims public interest spiked in between these activities.

“More and more clients are interested and engaged to support our Adopt A Tree project compared before,î he noted. “Especially when they see how big the trees are now from the time we planted way back eight years ago.î Valmorida noted the increase of Manila Standard employees who are willing to participate and volunteer their efforts to the CSR project. For them, the tree planting activity is a great instrument to foster camaraderie amongst themselves while saving the environment. ‘‘This CSR project is a unique opportunity for us to work together and help save our planet. We aim to contribute and lessen the effects of climate change in the country since trees help prevent a number of natural disasters such as flooding and landslides,’’ he added.

Helping the environment does not stop there. To maintain upleep for the planted seeds, Valmorida disclosed they need to visit planting sites at least every six months to replace seedlings that did not survive. In addition, they must ensure there is no introduction or construction of permanent structures in the area.

In November, the Manila Standard will revisit Calatagan, Batangas to plant additional mangrove seedlings and for maintenance and protection activities of the environment.

This movement to save the environment was co-presented by San Miguel Corporation along with the generous aid of Megaworld Corporation and Globe Telecoms.

ON THE WAY: Manila Standard CSR champions making their way to the tree planting site.

Valmorida, left, and wife Elizabeth planted Narra trees on site.

From left: Manila Standard Circulation Manager Edgar M. Valmorida, Manila Standard OIC Operations Anita F. Grefal, San Miguel Representative Francene Callueng, (receiving an award acknowledging SMB as co-presentors of the 8th Sowing Adopt a Tree project) and Advertising OIC Baldwin Felipe.

Having fun while saving the planet.

All in a day’s work: Manila Standard CSR champions rest after their morning planting activities. The youngest tree planting participant, Ryan Vince R. Coronado

T

HE modest water lily took center stage anew at the 12th Las Piñas Water lily Festival that bloomed with pomp pageantry and colorful street dances held at the Villar SIPAG Grounds.

Hajer Ashraf of Barangay Talon Dos bested 15 other candidates from Las Piñas’ different barangays to wear the Miss Las Piñas Water Lily 2017 crown and bring home the P25,000 cash prize.

Jeanne Talania of Baranga Manuyo Dos was first runner up and won a crown as well and P15,000 cash prize. Crowned second runner-up was Charmaine Louise Peralta of Barangay Zapote who went home with a cash prize of P10,000.

A celebration of beauty and nature, the Miss Las Piñas Water Lily beauty pageant is the first of its kind where the biggest criteria for judging (40 percent) was the uniqueness and creativity of the contestants’ mestiza ternos made of 100 percent water lily. It should also reflect the natural color of this lovely aquatic plant. Other criteria for judging are physical beauty (30 percent) and intelligence and wit (30 percent).

Meanwhile, several schools in Las Piñas battled it out in the colorful and water lilyinspired street dancing competition that was eventually won by representatives of Group 1 (Golden Acres National HS, TS Cruz National HS and Las Piñas National HS), Grand Champion, taking home a trophy plus P50,000 cash prize.

Other winners were Group 3 (Las Piñas East National HS, Las Piñas East National HS Talon 4 – Annex and Las Piñas East National HS Equitable Village), first runner-up, receiving a trophy plus P30,000 cash and Group 4 (Las Piñas North National HS, Las Piñas Science High School and Rizal Experimental Station & Pilot School of Cottage Industries (RESPCI)), second runner-up and brought home a trophy and P20,000 cash prize.

Apart from the grand champion and the two runners-up, other schools that competed in the street dance competition were the Las Pinas National High School - LPNHS Gatchalian Annex and CAA National High School - CAA National High School Annex.

Participating groups, with maximum of 50 members each, were required to submit their unique concept synopsis with water lily as its main component in the costume and props.

Beautifully woven in these twin competitions was the water lily product exhibit and weaving demonstration, participated in by the Water Lily Arts & Crafts Center, Sta. Rosa Livelihood Organization, Inc., Laguna Water Hyacinth Organization, Cardona Livelihood Products, Kabuhayan sa Water Lily, Joneg Foundation, Pililla Waterlily Weavers, Maynilad Waterlily Weavers and one of the youth awardees in this year’s festival, Project Lily PH. The Water lily Festival is a brainchild of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar and was launched

Life TRAVEL AND LEISURE

isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

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The City of Las Piñas celebrates the Water Lily Festival to showcase its love for the environment as a giver of life and livelihood

WATER LILY BLOOMS

with beauty and color in Las Piñas in 2005 to showcase the city’s love for the environment as a giver of life and livelihood.

“Through the years, we are pleased that our homegrown Waterlily Festival continues to attract visitors and tourists to the city because of the unique attribute of our festival, and because it pays homage to our Mother Nature and to our culture,” Villar said.

It would be recalled that during her term as representative of Las Piñas, Villar started the Sagip Ilog Program rehabilitating the Las Piñas-Zapote River, which for many years was swamped with water lilies causing flooding in many areas. Villar transformed the water lily problem into a beautiful solution by turning these lovely blooms baskets, trays, mats, hampers, slippers, chests, lampshades, and other products, thus creating livelihood opportunities for the residents and helping reduce flooding incidents.

Pugad Café at EK FOLLOWING the successful launch of Enchanted Kingdom’s flying theater AGILA: The EKsperience in December 2016, a new facet of the “Agila” attraction opens—the Pugad Café, an outdoor coffee shop with a sense of purpose.

Located outside the Agila building, this brand new concoction blends perfectly well with Pugad, Agila’s very own merchandise store. The new hangout is in keeping with EK’s Retail-tainment concept, which essentially entices guests to spend more time in the Agila building and get more from the attraction.

Enchanted Kingdom’s Merchandise Division Head Cheri Consunji says, “Adding entertainment and experiences to the retail mix at Pugad Store will drive Agila park guests feeling like they had the full Agila experience. We are building a brand experience, that of Pinoy Pride, that’s enriching enough in its own right, but also amplifies that experience even after leaving the park.”

Everything about the Pugad Café is interesting. Its outdoor location is open and airy, and much of what’s there to see are products of upcycling, a practice of creatively reusing seemingly useless, often discarded materials to give them new

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer

life and purpose.

Consunji explains, “Everything old is new again and this is Enchanted Kingdom’s way of giving back to the environment. Pugad Café is furnished using upcycled materials from the building of Agila, and scraps from the EK Fun Kart attraction. Cable spools were turned into tables, tires were used as café chairs, and wood crates (which served as shipping containers for the Agila Theater equipment) were utilized to create the coffee shop counter.”

She adds, “We are turning the entire experience into a conscious consumer’s dream, from the Agila attraction to the Pugad Store & Café.”

More than upcycling the design elements, sourcing the food items offered at the Café also follow EK’s clear advocacy for the Agila attraction.

It offers Philippine-made products like freshly brewed Arabica coffee and Kapeng Barako, healthy fruit juices, Bayani Brew tea drinks, fruit tarts, banana bread, cheese rolls, cookie and bread sticks.

There will also be featured products each month, like the queso de bola ensaymada and the artisanal bibingka and puto bumbong in December.

Pugad Café offers a relaxing place where EK guests can enjoy locally-sourced food and beverages

Senator Cynthia Villar poses with the winners of Ms. Las Piñas Water Lily 2017 pageant. The winners are (from left) Paula Lim of Brgy. Talon 5, People’s Choice Award; Charmaine Louise Peralta of Brgy.

Zapote, 2nd runnerup; Hajer Ashraf of Brgy. Talon Dos, Ms. Water Lily 2017; and Jeanne Talania of Brgy. Manuyo Dos, 1st runner-up; they are joined by Ms. Water Lily 2016 Patricia Erika Louise De Leon of Brgy. Pamplona 3.

Life

D2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

S

EVERAL decades ago, the country’s tagline was “Uniquely Singapore,” but, in 2010, the Singapore Tourism Board decided to rebrand and use “YourSingapore” (no space in between) because “it’s simple, inviting and can be understood everywhere.”

The Tourism body says that the new tagline expresses what is unique about the country and conveys what tourists look for—a personal travel experience.

Officially known as the Republic of Singapore, it is also called The Lion City, and is closer to the equator than the Philippines is, which means, sweltering heat pervades longer there than it does here in our country.

Composed of 63 small islands, including the main island, the country covers an area of only 225 square miles, making it the smallest country among the ASEAN member nations, earning for itself an unofficial moniker, “The Red Dot,” among some global travelers.

But in spite of its size, Singapore received approximately 16.5 million tourists last year, way ahead of our less-than-six million arrivals for the same period, even if our country’s size is more than 2000 times bigger.

So what draws people to The Lion City?

Its bustling business community brings people from all over the world to attend all kinds of conferences, trade expositions, conventions and all other MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) activities, the most lucrative sector of any country’s tourism trade.

The nation’s continuously expanding business networking with international partners has made it a glowing paragon of financial success in the region’s economic landscape. Such leadership is best visually symbolized by that humongous edifice that has replaced the Merlion as the country’s new tourism icon---the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Opened seven years ago, this 2,561room, 20-hectare resort casino has a very large convention and exhibition center, a shopping mall with 170 premium brand

Your Singapore

The dazzling Marina Bay Sands Resort Casino dominates the island nation’s skyline

stores, 80 restaurants and bars, a museVery near the Marina Bay Sands is give it its unique charm. There’s Clarke um, two large theaters, a skating rink and the 101-hectare nature park, Gardens Quay, a riverside colony of bars, resthe world’s largest atrium casino.

By The Bay, part of the government’s taurants, boutiques, and nightclubs that What gives this structure its iconic sta- strategy to make Singapore, not just a continuously attract the nation’s party tus is the design. Resting on top of the Garden City, but a “City In A Garden.” animals. Of course, there’s also the 130three tall buildings lined up in a row is This beautifully designed green section year old colonial-style Raffles Hotel, a 340-meter-long SkyPark, which has a in Central Singapore aims to improve the chosen home of Queen Elizabeth, 150-meter-wide infinity swimming pool the quality of life for the residents, as Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, and a recreation area that can hold close they enjoy the calming effect of the vi- and many other celebrities, when they to 4000 people. The view from visited. It has the best Singaup there is the most spectacular pore Sling. After all, it is where in the city, just as breathtaking this cocktail drink was inventYOUR SATURDAY CHUCKLE as the view of the resort casino ed, and they have 130 years of complex from the ground, the experience in mixing it.

A mailman meets a boy and a huge dog. ‘Does reason why Marina Bay Sands For those who prefer the beach your dog bite?’ asks the mailman. ‘No,’ replies the has easily become the new symlife, there’s Sentosa, an island boy. And the dog bites the mailman’s leg. ‘You said bol of Singapore. off the southern tip of the cityhe doesn’t bite!’ yells the mailman. ‘That’s not my Moving on to another tourist state. Here you will find beaches dog,’ replies the boy. attraction, it’s hard to believe glistening in the daytime sun, that a firehouse could also be theme parks, dining, golf, and, of interesting for visitors. The course, shopping. The cable car 100-year-old Central Fire Station in Sin- brant plant life, giving them a respite ride is exhilarating and is a must. gapore, the oldest in the city, attracts from the hustle and bustle of a progresAll these and many more explain them because it houses the Civil Defense sive urban environment. why this small nation continues to atHeritage Gallery, the official museum of The awesome attractions inside Gardens tract hordes of visitors from all over the the country’s Civil Defense Force. What By The Bay are the Supertree Grove, which world. And the best part about it is that adds charm to the building is its façade- is a cluster of futuristic, environmentally they are all within easily accessible dis--red bricks with white plaster bands, a sustainable structures, and the Cloud Forest tance from each. It’s like being offered style that was very popular in the United Dome, which has the world’s tallest indoor a tray of various delicacies, so many Kingdom during the time of King Ed- waterfall. A visit to Singapore will not be dazzling choices, yet, they’re all in one ward. This type of architecture is hard complete without a stopover at this relative- tray…and that is YourSingapore. to come by these days, making this an- ly new tourist destination. tique structure an interesting destination There are many other interesting For feedback, I’m at for curious tourists. places in Singapore, attractions that bobzozobrado@gmail.com

The Merlion is Singapore’s popular icon

Hotel suppliers show goes all out for its 8th year HOTEL Suppliers Show, considered the Philippines’ biggest hospitality trade fair, will take place on Sept. 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila, Mall of Asia Complex. The show is now on its 8th year and is set to feature even more of the industry’s leading manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers looking to meet buyers and distributors in the Philippines’ growing market of hotels, restaurants, and resorts.

“We’re very excited to hold the eight year of the show,” says Patrick-Lawrence Tan, CEO of Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist. Inc. “Since we launched it in 2010, this has slowly but surely gained a reputation as an ideal platform for hospitality operators to source quality products from leading suppliers and network with some of the top industry players in the country. Building on the success of previous years, we are looking forward to presenting fresh programming and new developments from the product and service sectors for hospitality.”

Five engaging symposiums will also be happening alongside the show this year, making it truly an industry event not to be missed.

For a start, the highly influential trend forecaster Cécile Poignant, editor of Trend Tablet, will be presenting The Future of Travel and Hospitality exclusively to participants of the show. The presentation will highlight major lifestyle trends that will shape travel for years to come. As a trend forecaster, Poignant has worked and consulted with many international brands including Nissan, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, Philips, Estée Lauder, L’oréal, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts for market studies that have influenced their strategic product developments and innovation processes. When she is not travelling the world to speak at

The fourth edition of PATA’s Pinoy Chikka will feature Matthew Zatto, Claude Tayag, and Gabby Roxas

PATA hosts biggest travel forum Hospitality market expert Matteo Grigolini

Trend Tablet editor Cecile Poignant

international conferences in front of experienced professionals, Poignant teaches Innovation at Parsons Paris, and Trend Forecasting at ESCP Europe and Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) Paris.

Happening at the same time will be the National Building and Property Management Summit, a conference for business and trade professionals from the property and construction sector; the World Hospitality Market featuring Matteo Grigolini, an Italian hospitality market expert, will tackle the latest trends in the furniture and furnishing aspect of the industry; Management Essentials for Hotels and Resorts: Purchasing, Labor, and Finance by Y&S 1847 Hotel Investment and Development, featuring speakers such as Albert Cailao, Coleen Ordoña, and Jim Wilkinson, as well as a Continuing Professional Development conference by the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers.

From the front desk to back of the house services, F&B to housekeeping, design and décor to technology, the

all-encompassing event will feature a comprehensive showcase segmented into the three areas including Design & Décor Philippines, Food & Beverage Suppliers Show and Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment Philippines.

This event is sponsored by Hafele Philippines, Inc., Harle Philippines, Inc., Globalinens and Sun Cellular.

For more information on the Hotel Suppliers Show 2017, follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @HotelSuppliersShow or register at http://gesi.com.ph/hotelshow to get your visitor pass to the show.

The Hotel Suppliers Show is organized by Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist, Inc. in partnership with the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) and is a must for hotel and restaurant operators, property developers, specialists in retail, F&B and spa, as well as architects and designers seeking a dynamic showcase of the highest quality hospitality products, technology, and services.

THE Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter will host the fourth edition of its highly successful annual Pinoy Chikka Travel Forum at 1 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center.

Based on its yearly average attendance of approximately 3000, Pinoy Chikka is the biggest Travel Forum hosted locally and will once again feature a stellar line-up of experts from various sectors of the Tourism Industry.

Matthew Zatto, manager, Destination Marketing for Southeast Asia, of Trip Advisor, will discuss “Tourism In The Age of Technology.” Artist, food writer, chef and TV host Claude Tayag will expound on “Culinary Tourism,” while Gabby Roxas, marketing director of Google Philippines, will share with the audience “How Google Powers Up Tourism.”

PATA, the biggest travel organization in the world, was founded

in Hawaii in 1951 and counts over 40,000 members from governments, destinations, transport, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, educational institutions, financial and consultancy services and media. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific.

The Philippine Chapter helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Tickets are affordably priced and will include a Certificate of Attendance and a raffle stub, which could win valuable airline, hotel, resort and restaurant prizes. These may be purchased from the PATA Secretariat at 459-5200 local 524, care of April Gayle Valencia. Students’ tickets are also available at a discount and may be purchased through 527-8251 local 173, care of Guia Valerie Uson.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

MYRTLE

SARROSA’s

Rapper Abra collaborates with Gracenote in a landmark music project for Coke Studio

Musical worlds collide at Coke Studio

dreams come true

F

ROM graduating cum laude in college to playing a dream role and starring in a rom-com episode, Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners endorser Myrtle Sarrosa believes dreams do come true.

Myrtle has just fulfilled her dream to graduate cum laude at the UP Diliman. She majored in broadcast communication. She also received good vibes from her graduation Facebook post as evident from more than 700,000 likes, 60,000 shares and 16,000 comments.

Some were able to relate with her struggles and also wanted to pursue education. Others were touched and even cried while reading her post. All seemed to agree that her journey is empowering and inspiring.

Myrtle feels that her graduation story opened new opportunities and paved the way for her other dreams to come true.

Her dream role of playing a fantasy-like character in a teleserye came true when she was given the role of Therine, the right hand vampire of supremo in La Luna Sangre.

Another dream came true for this hopeless romantic when she starred in the rom-com episode of Wattpad Presents Afgitmolfm, where she became Ianne, the girl in the middle of a love triangle.

With her recent Sisters contract renewal, Myrtle will continue to live her dream of being part of an advocacy– the school is cool campaign of Megasoft Hygienic Products, makers of Sisters.

Again, they will be visiting public schools around the country, giving recognition to outstanding students and providing talks about menstrual hygiene management awareness.

“I’m very thankful to my big sis, Ms. Aileen, for believing in me, her love, encouraging words and support. Her hard work and passion are contagious. She never rests from coming up with new ways and products to better the lives of the Flipino family,” Myrtle shares.

She is referring to Aileen Choi-Go, Megasoft VP for marketing.

“I’m just so happy for my little sis. She is a dreamer. She is a fighter. Nothing is given to her easily. She knows that she needs to work hard for things to happen for her. And i think these are what achievers are made of. She is being showered with all the blessings she deserves. Congratulations and we are so proud of you,” Aileen says.

Myrtle recently performed with fellow Megasoft ambassadors - Cherub endorser Kristof Garcia and Super Twins endorser Jolina Magdangal at the successful Super Twins and Sisters Day celebration in Starmall Alabang.

On Sept. 16, Myrtle will be in Cebu, 10 a.m. at the Megasoft warehouse in Mandaue City, which will be aired on Facebook live.

ROLE MODEL. Cosplayer and actress Myrtle Sarrosa graduated with flying colors while meeting the demands of her showbiz career Together with Kristof, she will also visit Gaisano Grand Dumanjug activity center for a meet and greet at 4 p.m., and will proceed to Gaisano Grand Moalboal activity center mall show at 6 p.m.

Kristof and the Ctguyz will be in Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan on sept. 26 and Isetan Recto Manila on Sept. 29, 3 p.m.

Other activities and events are posted on Facebook @sistersph and Instagram @megasoft_ph.

“Dreams do come true. Kailangan sabayan ng hardwork, discipline, and faith in God. All these dreams have been happening while I am part of my Sisters family. So with my renewal, I’m looking forward to more dreams coming true this year,” Myrtle says.

This means she is already claiming to do an indie film, rom-com teleserye, and playing more challenging characters.

“In pursuit of education, career or ways of helping others, never stop learning, evolving and improving. Continue dreaming because everything starts with a dream,” she says smiling.

GMA Network is VACC Outstanding TV and Radio Station MEDIA giant GMA Network is the top choice of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) both for television and radio as it bagged seven of the nine major awards in both categories, winning this year’s Outstanding TV Station award for GMA-7 and Outstanding Radio Station award for DZBB. VACC upheld the Kapuso Network’s commitment to deliver credible and quality television and radio programming that champions campaigns against crime and corruption. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was the guest of honor and speaker during the awarding ceremonies at Malacañang Palace, which also commemorated VACC’s 19th Founding Anniversary.

Kapuso Network’s flagship primetime newscast 24 Oras took home the Outstanding TV News Program award. Its anchors, Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, and Vicky Morales, were honored as Outstanding

“24 Oras” anchors (from left) Vicky Morales, Mike Enriquez, and Mel Tiangco

TV News Anchors anew. With this award, Enriquez was already elevated to VACC’s Hall of Fame.

Senior reporter Susan Enriquez, meanwhile, was chosen as Television Reporter of

the Year.

Leading local news channel GMA News TV also emerged as a big winner this year.

Dobol B sa News TV’s Dobol A sa Dobol B segment was awarded as Best Teleradio Program, while

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

ACROSS 1 Noisy birds 5 Closes violently 10 Molasses-based drinks 14 Thermometer type 15 Column type 16 Where India is 17 Garr of “Tootsie” 18 AM/FM device 19 Volcano fissure 20 Bless 22 Rock band crew member 24 Item in a poker pot 25 Obstacle 26 Has one’s say 29 Influences 33 Sharp pains 34 Bolivia neighbor 36 401(k) cousin 37 Conger 38 Fish basket 39 Set up 40 “The Facts of Life” star 41 Swindle 42 Quiz-show host 44 Digestive aid 47 Bakery items 48 Contends 49 Female principle 50 Overseas

53 Soothed 58 Farm implement 59 “— vincit amor” 61 — of honor 62 Alleviate 63 Printers’ options 64 Kuwaiti leader 65 Upstream spawner 66 Pays, as the bill 67 Not hidden DOWN 1 Makes a note 2 Region 3 Knitter’s supply 4 Deli worker’s job 5 It follows Orion 6 Idle away time 7 Warhol or Rooney 8 Caesar’s 1002 9 Haughty 10 Maraud 11 Secondhand 12 1960s fashion 13 Satisfy fully 21 Sock tips 23 Lout 25 Mr. Spock’s father 26 Verdi output 27 Song of triumph 28 Bay 30 About that time

31 Endeavored 32 Profoundly wise persons 34 Urges along 35 Want-ad letters 38 Withdrew from an undertaking (2 wds.)

42 Canal of song 43 Threatens 45 Asserted 46 Undercover org.

47 Ignore 50 Chest-beaters 51 Lacking panache

52 Santa —, Calif.

53 Part of A.D. 54 Brad of the movies 55 Vague amount 56 McClurg or Brickell 57 “Silent Running” star 60 Meadow plaint

anchors Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto won as Best Teleradio Anchors.

On top of the major awards, VACC also conferred special citations to various GMA programs and personalities.

For GMA-7, the special awardees include Reporter’s Notebook (Television Program category); Jiggy Manicad (TV Program anchors category); and Marisol Abdurahman (TV reporters category).

GMA News TV also received special awards for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (TV News Program) and Jessica Soho (TV News Program Anchor).

In addition to winning the Outstanding Radio Station award, DZBB was also given special awards for Bangon na Bayan (Radio Program category) and Joel Reyes Zobel (Radio Anchor category).

GMA-7 also took home the Outstanding TV Station award last year.

THE distinct sound of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) thrives.

Coke Studio, an OPM rap icon, and a fast-rising rock band push the boundaries of music by combining two contrasting genres to create a unified sound that showcases each of their musical mastery, yet brings to light a fresh, new take on OPM, such as Abra’s striking flow and wordplay fused with Gracenote’s haunting and melodic lyrical tunes.

Abra (a play on his surname “Abracosa”) is famous for his collaborative works with Parokya ni Edgar’s Chito Miranda, Maja Salvador, Reese Lansangan, Loonie, and Ron Henley, to name a few. The witty, fast-talking veteran emcee has made a name for himself as one of the most important wordsmiths on the local hip-hop scene with his significant, unapologetic, and poetic lyrics channeled through a unique rap flow. “That’s [Abra] what people really call me and it also fits because it can be short for ‘abracadabra’, which is not only a magic word, but is old Aramaic for ‘I create words’ and that’s what I do,” said Abra.

As a part of the line-up of refreshing collaborative musical acts of Coke Studio, the syncopop-punk-electro-rock trio of Gracenote—Eunice and Jazz Jorge, and EJ Picha—is paired with Abra, where the rapper’s energetic and aggressive style will

be complemented by Gracenote’s classical rock background to send shivers down the spines of every listener. “The grace note is not the biggest note; it is a small note which makes an impact. If you remove it from the song, it will be really felt,” said Gracenote lead vocalist Eunice on the band’s important musical quality.

Unusual but full of possibilities, the collaboration between the two different artists is a surprise for many, but it brings forth a new, exciting dimension for OPM. “We are always looking for something fresh,” said Eunice.

Indeed, fans can only imagine Gracenote’s playful piano and violin tunes, catchy beats, and haunting vocals, overlaid with Abra’s stinging wordplay on life and important social issues, as it brings the house down. For now, Filipinos can only look forward to the new episodes coming up.

With different perspectives coming in from a variety of sources, the stage for groundbreaking new music is set, fresh tunes produced by local Filipino artists are in the works, and OPM continues to evolve with Coke Studio’s flair for collaboration.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Abra and Gracenote collaborate for Coke Studio today, at 7 p.m. on TV5 or on www.youtube.com/ CokeStudioPH

From a SocMed personality to one of the brightest stars of her generation, Maine Mendoza is one proud “Eat Bulaga!’s” homegrown talent

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

Child wonder Baeby Baste (left) and child actressTV host Ryza Mae Dizon

‘EAT, BULAGA!’

produces top-notch home grown talents O VER the years, longest running noontime variety show Eat, Bulaga! has introduced a number of the biggest and brightest names in local show business. The show has also launched hundreds of careers through its backdrop of providing limitless fun and entertainment to millions of Filipinos worldwide.

And, one talent famously associated with the program since her early days on television, it is former child star Aiza Seguerra.

Seguerra was only three years old when she joined the show’s “Little Miss Philippines” segment in 1987.

While she was not crowned the winner, the now singer/ songwriter was eventually called back for a coveted stint in the program.

“The show has been my foundation,” Seguerra said recalling her younger years. She said Eat, Bulaga! had become her second home for over 10 years.

She also went to play the daughter to Vic in several of the Enteng Kabisote movies before she eventually launched her career in music.

Seguerra said she owes much of her success to the noontime variety program as it allowed her to do what

she loves best – entertaining people and inspiring them through her music.

“How I am now, how I work, I owe that to Eat, Bulaga!. Every time I work with people, I always look for that familiar environment. Eat, Bulaga! will always be a safe place for me.”

Apart from Seguerra, dancer-turned-actress Rochelle Pangilinan traces her showbiz roots to the program.

It was in 1997 when she joined the show as one of its house dancers. A few years later, SexBomb Girls was formed. The all-girl dance group went on from performing daily in Eat, Bulaga! to appearing in their own teleserye on GMA-7 entitled Daisy Siete.

Pangilinan later on pursued a solo acting career.

“They are the reason why I was able to provide a better life for my family. They gave me an opportunity I never thought I’d get,” she said. “They taught me to be professional and to always be ready for everything.”

She added that being part of Eat, Bulaga! made her love her craft more and truly appreciate the viewers.

“This is not like work for them. They treat everyone as part of a family. You will feel that you belong… that you are one of them. They have always been my family.”

At present, Eat Bulaga! still trains the biggest stars of today.

Apart from child stars Ryzza Mae Dizon and Sebastian Benedict, popularly known as Baeby Baste, the show is also home to Maine Mendoza, one of the most successful stars of her generation.

The program is also grooming Kenneth Medrano, Miggy Tolentino, Kim Last, Tommy Penaflor, Jon

Timmons, Joel Palencia, collectively known as That’s My Bae, as industry’s next hosts and leading men.

Jeny Ferre, creative head of Eat, Bulaga! said it is such a big honor to be part of the careers of these talents.

She also said that Mendoza, Dizon, Baeby Baste and the That’s My Baes have come a long way. “You feel proud because you see them from what they were before. Now, they star on their own television series.

If they have dreams, we have bigger dreams for them.

We are happy to see that all their dreams are coming true.”

Ferre believes the show has been effective in producing new artists as Eat, Bulaga! gave them a venue to hone their skills and discover their inner talents without losing the fun in what they do.

“We look for their strengths and focus on that. Let the child do what he or she likes to do. If Ryzza loves to dance, we’ll let her do that.”

As for the unprecedented success of Mendoza, Ferre said she had known that something was special with the former when her dubsmash videos became viral hit online, but she never thought it would turn this big.

Ferre said it gives the show the validation that they are doing things right.

“You just have to gamble. You just have to try to look for new talents. If you will not try, nothing will happen.

You have to take that risk. And we love to invest in people and create new stars because there are a lot of dreamers. You just have to give them the opportunity and let them bloom to their full potential,” she ended.

Tony Labrusca kicks off music career with debut single ‘Tanging Ikaw’ Beauty guru Ricky Reyes, host of “TWGRR”

Sweet stories of success in ‘TWGRR’ TODAY The World of Gandang Ricky Reyes (TWGRR) tells the stories of successful entrepreneurs and the sweetness of their products.

Don Benito’s of Elisa Roselle Cruz became a byword in cassava cakes, the special recipe of which was handed down to her by her grandmother.

So what’s your flan? Princess de la Cruz’ online leche flan is a big success that she now has several flavors to choose from aside from the original.

Joel Mendiola, a grade-12 student at University of the East sells sweet corn to help him with his school needs and requirements.

Designer Lanny Liwag from Laguna boasts his creations from what we call the “Tree of Life.” He makes beautiful indigenous gowns from coconut husks and leaves. Also in Laguna is “Coconut Nut House”, you can find different dishes made with coconut.

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 from the 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) today, 9 to10 a.m. on GMA News TV.

THERE’S no stopping breakout actor-model Tony Labrusca from spreading his wings as he launches his much awaited debut single “Tanging Ikaw” and its official music video on various digital media platforms.

“Tanging Ikaw,” which Labrusca himself wrote in collaboration with Urie Tesorio and Bryan Lotho, speaks of a young man’s infatuation for a girl that he’s been admiring from a distance—and his yearning to express his feelings to her.

“Tanging ikaw lamang ang laging nasa isip, bawat pagtulog ay ikaw panaginip / Tanging ikaw lang ang laging nasa isip ko / Ang ngiti at ‘yong tingin, pa’no ba maaangkin,” the song goes.

The official music video directed by Callalily front man and actor Kean Ciprano shows how Labrusca musters the courage to pursue this girl (played

by Ysabel Ortega) and how their relationship eventually evolves.

Fans and music lovers will have to find out for themselves how the young lovers’ budding romance turns out.

Presented by McJim Classic Leather under its Dreams Get Real OPM Advocacy Campaign and arranged by Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Audio Studio, “Tanging Ikaw” is now on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, Amazon Music, and other music platforms in over 240 countries.

The music video, produced by public relations and marketing expert and filmmaker Chris Cahilig, was shot by Patrick Ferrer in the beautiful community of Camella Provence in Malolos, Bulacan.

“Tanging Ikaw” reveals a different side of Labrusca that audiences and even his most loyal legion of fans have yet to see or hear.

The son of actor Boom Labrusca and

singer Angel Jones of the popular ‘90s hiphop group Kulay, Tony caught the fancy of local music fans following his stint at ABS-CBN’s talent search Pinoy Boyband Superstar and in a series of viral videos for McDonald’s. He was likewise a revelation as he wields fine acting skills in the same network’s hit primetime series La Luna Sangre alongside Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

“Tanging Ikaw” explores the familiar yet riveting tale of an infatuation that grows into romance—and of strangers becoming lovers,” Cirpriano points out.

“Through the use of modern techniques, the lyrics and the music video let an old and universal story of love and romance unfold in a way that millennials can easily relate to.”

Cipriano further states that there is no better way to revitalize the state of OPM than to bring it closer to the new generation. And for him, “there’s no better talent for bringing this about than the unique sound that is Tony Labrusca.”

The industry should watch this rising star closely. “Tanging Ikaw” is just the start of bigger things for him.

McJim Classic Leather aims to help uplifting the state of the local music industry through the years by discovering promising talents through its Dreams Get Real campaign. For more information, like the official McJim Facebook page at www. facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM or visit http://www.mcjimleather.com.

For 40 years McJIM has been recognized as a leading brand of quality leather goods in the Philippines.