Issuu

LAWYERS’ GROUP SLAMS DRUG KILLINGS Murder raps filed vs cops in Kian slay

DEMAND FOR JUSTICE. More than 2,000 who joined

By Rey E. Requejo and John Paolo Bencito

the Pambansang Lakbayan from different regions arrive at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila Thursday for a protest action to condemn the Duterte administration and demand justice in the escalating attacks against communities in the countryside, tribes, schools, extrajudicial killings—with the group lighting a torch before continuing their march to Mendiola, about two kilometers away. Manny Palmero

THE national organization of lawyers urged the Duterte administration to be more transparent in its anti-drug campaign following the killing of 17-year-old student Kian Loyd delos Santos in a police operation on Aug. 16. “In this frenzied ﬁght against prohibited drugs, the nation stands witness to a series of killings, summary executions, and cold-blooded murder,” the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said in a strongly worded statement. The 55,000-strong IBP said that apart from Kian, 91 others were reported dead as a result of police operations dubbed “Operation One Time Big Time” in the National Capital Region and in the provinces of Bulacan and Cavite from Aug. 13 to 20. “We thus urge the national police forces to release information such as pre-operation and spot reports on the aforesaid “Operation One Time Big Next page

THE National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed murder charges against the Caloocan City policemen involved in the killing of teenager Kian delos Santos in an anti-drug operation. The NBI said the killing, which Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II described as “which appears illegal,” has sparked public outrage and calls to end killings under the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Charged were former Caloocan City Police Station 7 commander Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo and the three officers directly tagged in the shooting—Police Officer 3 Next page

Unity, harmony urged amid IS threat

VOL. XXXI • NO. 199 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Du30 gives AFP free hand to rid Marawi of holdouts By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has given the military a free hand to rid Marawi of the remaining Islamic State-inspired terrorists who overran the city on May 23. In a speech Wednesday night in Taguig City, Duterte said the ongoing stalemate in Marawi City, which would enter its

101st day Thursday, would have to come to an end soon. “The last time I was there, that would be around ﬁve, six days ago, I ﬁnally said that: The option is already yours because we cannot have a stalemate for over one year,” Duterte said during the 23rd anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Next page

Palace: It’s up to Congress to rule on CJ impeachment MALACAÑANG on Thursday distanced itself from the move of some 25 lawmakers allied with the administration to endorse the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, amid supposed corruption allegations against her. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella

maintained that veriﬁed complaint for impeachment “may be ﬁled by any citizen upon a resolution or endorsement by any member of the House of Representatives.” Abella stressed that only the House of Representatives had “exclusive power” to initiate all cases of impeachment. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged the Filipinos to become “catalysts of unity and harmony” in the face of the extremist threats in the country’s south. He also called on the Muslims to “reafﬁrm their devotion to the virtues of Islam” as they celebrate Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacriﬁce today, Sept. 1. “With the adversities we face as a nation, let us bring forth the spirit of solidarity in our

shared hope of attaining genuine and lasting peace,” Duterte said. “May this occasion invigorate you to remain steadfast in our task of ensuring triumph against the elements that perpetuate discord and violence.” Duterte earlier declared Sept. 1, or Eid alAdha, as a regular holiday. It commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacriﬁce his Next page

‘Davao group got P8-m’ Taguba: P5-m enrollment fee to facilitate shipment

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

USTOMS broker and self-confessed “fixer” Mark Ruben Taguba, told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Thursday he paid a total of P8 million to the Davao Group, in which Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio were alleged to be in. Taguba said he was referred to a certain “Tita Nanie,” alleg-

edly a member of the Davao group, by Jojo Bacud, a friend

of Taguba’s father, who was formerly with the Customs police. According to Taguba, he paid an initial P1 million to a certain “Jack,” the supposed “handler” of Duterte, before he went to Davao City to meet with “Small” last January. As a sidelight to Taguba’s statement, tension erupted as staunch allies of President Rodrigo Duterte and opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV traded barbs over the “invite” to Paolo

Duterte and Carpio in the P6.4billion shabu shipment hearing by the Blue Ribbon committee, referred to by Trillanes as “commite de absuelto.” Trillanes later identiﬁed “Small” as Davao City councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. Taguba also identiﬁed Abellera as “Small” during the hearing. Taguba said he was fetched by “Jack” upon his arrival at the Davao City airport and brought to a Davao resto-bar where they

HEARING CHARACTERS. (from left) Self-confessed Customs ‘fixers’ Mark Ruben Taguba and Kenneth Dong,

Duterte.

Davao City Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo

Customs abolition, charges vs Faeldon pressed JOY TO THE WORLD. With the ‘ber’ months starting to roll today, a commercial establishment began Thursday rolling out inventories of sparkling Christmas decorations and trinkets at the capital’s busy Tayuman district—way ahead of the holiday season shopping spree. Norman Cruz

Rody duns Lopez firm for debt By John Paolo Bencito government money. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to go after the Lopez-owned Benpres Holdings, which has been renamed Lopez Holdings, and six other companies that allegedly owes the

He also accused the company’s owners of beneﬁting from the corruption in the government. But Lopez Holdings on Thursday said that, contrary to Duterte’s claims, it did not Next page

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, to increase revenue collection.” By Maricel V. Cruz and and called for the prosecution of The new agency, he said, Macon Ramos-Araneta former Customs commissioner chairman of the committee on A HOUSE panel has recommended the abolition of the Bureau of Customs and its replacement with a new agency with no history of corruption,

Nicanor Faeldon for allegedly protecting a suspected drug lord during an anti-drug operation in Valenzuela City in May that led to the seizure of 604 kilos of shabu worth P6.4 billion.

dangerous drugs, said his panel’s recommendation was for Congress to pass legislation to replace the Bureau of Customs with a new revenue collection agency “to avoid corruption and

would “strengthen border control function while providing for utmost convenience in the ﬂow of goods.” “The system may consider Next page

PH, other Asean members hammer out sea code of conduct By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Philippines and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

China are meeting in Manila to start discussions on a code of conduct in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the COC would be taken up during the 22nd meet-

manilastandard.net

ing of the Asean-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties that was convened Wednesday. “The meeting in Manila will

met Abellera and personally handed to him the P5-million “enrollment fee” to facilitate his shipment at the BoC. According to Taguba, his shipment was put on alert at the BoC after his father Rudy had a ﬁght with a certain Mike Sabban, technical consultant of former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. After the meeting, Taguba said he was brought by Jack Next page

build upon the positive momentum that Asean and China have achieved in implementing the DOC and in moving forward with the talks on the COC,” Next page

Ex-MRT head dismissed, says appellate court By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has afﬁrmed the dismissal of former Metro Rail Transit Authority general manager Al Vitangcol III in connection with his extortion attempt on a Czech company. The CA’s Eighth Division sustained the order of the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman in Next page

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Congress urged to enact new immigration law By Vito Barcelo

FFICIALS and rank and file employees of the Bureau of Immigration has urged Congress to pass a new immigration law that will replace the “antiquated” immigration act under which the agency still operates.

Morente said that the 1940 immigration act is no longer attuned to present realities as the said law was passed during the Commonwealth period when the country was still a colony of the United States. “In those days we were not yet confronted with the problems of terrorism and human trafficking. And ideas such as globalization, borderless economies and free trade were not yet practiced,”

“We appeal to our lawmakers in Congress to prioritize the passage of a new Philippine Immigration Act. This

law is long overdue and now is the time to pass it,” Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Lawyers‘...

in its wake―whether direct or collateral.” Amid mounting pressure against the killings, President Rodrigo Duterte said he can defend his call to kill people involved in the illegal drug trade, even to Jesus Christ. “They keep on hankering on my statement that, ‘If you destroy my country, I will kill you.’ That is a very legitimate statement of a leader of a nation. And when I say that I will kill you if you destroy the young of this country, nobody can argue with that statement, even if I face Jesus Christ,” Duterte said in a speech before star-rank ofﬁcers at Malacañang on Wednesday. “I keep on saying, ‘Do not ruin the lives of Filipinos.’ These stupid [critics], since they

are already rich, do not understand that it [drug war] is really a fight for life,” he added. The President had earlier branded as “bullsh*t” calls by his European critics, including UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, to stop the killings in the wake of the Delos Santos case. But Duterte said if he stops fighting drugs, more families will become “dysfunctional.” He added that those who criticize his bloody drug war would lead the country into great perdition. “Today, we have a great opportunity to finally rid of our nation of its many problems and usher in real, lasting and meaningful change,” the President said. “But some people don’t get that.” With Vito Barcelo

that he shot at pursuing ofﬁcers, prompting them to ﬁre back. Delos Santos was laid to rest on Aug. 26 at the La Loma Cemetery in a ceremony attended by hundreds who called for justice for his death, and demanded an end to the drug-related killings. The Grade 11 student’s killing has also prompted a Senate inquiry President Rodrigo Duterte has promised justice for Delos Santos’ death, even meeting Kian’s parents this week, but said his anti-drug campaign would continue. According to reports, a

CCTV footage and witness accounts of Kian’s shooting have cast doubt on the ofﬁcers’ version of the events. Surveillance footage showed two ofﬁcers dragging Delos Santos to the spot where the boy was killed Witnesses also alleged that the police beat up the victim, gave him a gun by force, and told Delos Santos to run for his life. Two of the policemen admitted they were the men shown in a CCTV footage with their arms around Delos Santos shortly before he was shot. Bill Casas and Joel

From A4

Time,” in line with Executive Order No. 02, series of 2016,” the IBP said, citing the right to information under Article III, Section 7 of the Constitution. While the IBP voiced its support for the administration’s goal to address the “growing menace” of illegal drugs, the group also said that “the underground business behind it has gained protection from certain unscrupulous public officers and law enforcers who continue to benefit from its profit.” The IBP also noted how the need to act “has led to the mistaken collective sense that there must be actual physical casualty

Murder... From A4

Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz The policemen have been relieved from their posts and, according to National Capital Region Police Ofﬁce chief Director Oscar Albayalde, are temporarily under the care of the Metro Manila police headquarters support service in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. Delos Santos, 17, was killed in an anti-drug operation on Aug. 16, with police alleging

Unity,...

Rody...

son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, although God intervened and provided him with a sheep to sacriﬁce instead. Muslims all over the world will troop early today to designated places of congregational prayers and vow vigilance against the threats by extremists who may unsuspectingly merge with legitimate religious crowds on Eidl Adha, the Feast of Sacriﬁce. Malacañang has declared Friday as a non-working holiday pursuant to Republic Act 9849, the law providing for the inclusion of two Muslim festivities as part of the country’s national holidays. The Eid’l Adha on Sept. 1 marks the culmination of the Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam, which will be joined this year by 1.8 million Muslims from all over the world. Hajj is the Fifth of the Five Pillars of Islam. John Paolo

have unpaid debts with the Development Bank of the Philippines or any other government institution. In a statement posted on the official news website of its media arm, broadcast giant ABS-CBN, the company said Duterte might have been referring to the debt paper that the DBP sold to a special- purpose vehicle, a financial entity that manages debt. “Lopez Holdings Corp. does not have any unpaid obligations to the Development Bank of the Philippines or other government financial institutions,” the company said. “All debt papers, including those sold by DBP to the SPV were eventually settled by the company.” On Wednesday, Duterte accused the Lopez group of having unsettled debts with the government that were “condoned” due to corruption. “I would go after the elite. I will not name the person but their companies then,” Duterte

From A4

Bencito and Nash B. Maulana

Customs... From A4

privatization of non-sovereign functions which will be part of an extensive study to be conducted by the Department of Finance,” the panel said. Barbers said that based on the results of its investigation, Faeldon could have violated the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 by knowingly, willfully and deliberately shielding, harboring and screening alleged drug lord Chen Ju

Palace:... From A4

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo also stressed it was up to Congress to decide whether Sereno, an appointee of the previous administration, had committed “culpable” violations of the constitution and other high crimes. “It’s the House of Representatives which will decide. They will proceed with the Impeachment and the Senate will hold a trial for her,” the President’s lawyer told state radio dzRB.

From A4

Long, general manager of Hong Fei Logistics, located at No. 5510 Aster St., De Casto Subd., Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City. Chen Ju Long, a.k.a Richard Tan and Richard Chen, is a Chinese businessman who reportedly tipped off the BoC officials led by BoC Intelligence Officer Niel Estrella about the huge shabu shipment, led authorities to his warehouse, and allowed the opening and of five cylindrical metal containers where 604 kilos of shabu were found. The shipment came from China. At least 25 members of the House of Representatives endorsed Wednesday impeachment raps against Sereno, citing her alleged failure to be truthful in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, tax misdeclarations, and unauthorized expenses. Lawyer Larry Gadon likewise raised Sereno’s travel expenses and allowances she had supposedly given her staff. He also cited Supreme Court resolutions that were questioned by its justices because they did not go through the en banc. John Paolo Bencito

Zurbano

said in his speech during the 23rd anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. “Benpres and about six other companies, they have debts to the [Development Bank of the Philippines]… They used the money of the people to finance their business but they will keep the revenues. “And yet, they were not able to pay and it was condoned by government… I said I would go after the elite in this country because they are the ones really who’s benefiting from all of these things.” Listed-company Lopez Holdings Corp. is a major player in the country’s public service and utilities sector, with interests in media, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, manufacturing and property development. Duterte likewise took a swipe against ABS-CBN for its alleged biased reporting. “They can criticize vigorously, they have the media outlets and all. But they are benefiting from the corruption in government,” Duterte said.

Du30... From A4

Duterte admitted that the siege lasted long because he turned down the military plan to bomb the mosque where the terrorists were holed up with their hostages. “So if you ask why it took us so long to ﬁnish that siege? It’s because I copped out,” he said in Filipino. “I could not accept it.” He said bombing the remaining areas where the terrorists were hiding would “just create more animosity and outright hostility against the government.” “The Maranaos will not forgive us. My instructions before were to slow down,” the President said. In the same speech, Duterte also revealed that he sent an emissary to talk to the terrorists about releasing their remaining hostages. Earlier in the week, Duterte told Maranao youngsters that he would end the Marawi siege in the next three to four days, as he gave the military a deadline to wind up its operations.

Morente said. “It’s about time that we enact a new immigration law that will cater to our national interest in these modern times,” he added. According to the BI chief, a new immigration law should be crafted to address the ever growing threat of international trafficking and the scourge of human trafficking that has victimized many Filipinos. He said the same law should

plug loopholes in the BI’s systems and practices that are prone to corrupt practices. Morente also stressed that the corruption can be curbed if the law upgrades the salary scales of BI employees which he described as very low compared to the take-home pay that their counterparts in other Asian countries get. It was on Sept. 3, 1940 that then US President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law

Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act, which created the BI under the supervision of the Office of the President. Afterwards, it was attached to the Department of Justice and again to the Office of the President and later the Department of Labor. It was in 1948 that the BI reverted to the supervision of the Justice department where it remains up to the present.

SPARRING PARTNERS. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, engages in a heated argument with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who referred to Gordon's panel as ‘commitee de absuwelto' during the Senate inquiry on the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China. Gordon later said an ethics probe on the former renegade soldier might be forthcoming. Ey Acasio

‘Davao... From A4

to Marco Polo Hotel where he stayed overnight and waited for the call from Jack who informed him that Abellera had apprehensions about dealing with him. “[He said he would just facilitate the release. He said I would just add P2 million and then he would just call me up when I could return,]” he said in Filipino. Taguba said he gave Jack P2 million. “They were saying it’s for Pulong. They’re saying Pulong is Paolo Duterte,” but admitted he never met the vice mayor. During the committee hearing chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, Trillanes stressed there was “enough information” to warrant the invitation to both Duterte and Carpio to the hearing, adding the two should not be treated “sacred cows.” Paolo is eldest son of the President while Carpio, a nephew of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, is the husband of Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte, daughter of the president. Trillanes said, “I heard the majority floor leader [Tito Sotto say] that it’s hearsay. This is not a court. This is an investigative body. We’re just establishing the truth. Find―ferret out the truth. Let them defend themselves. Let us not first lawyer for them.” Sotto interjected he was not lawyering for Duterte and Carpio but merely suggesting to the committee to first study Trillanes’ proposal for an invite since (linking Duterte and Carpio) was mere hearsay. “It doesn’t mean [no, we should not invite them]. Do not accuse me,” Sotto said in a mix of English and Filipino. But Trillanes noted that invit-

Ex-MRT... From A4

February last year ﬁnding Vitangcol guilty of administrative charges for his attempt to extort $30 million from the Czech company Inekon that supplies light rail vehicles. The appellate court dumped the petition of Vitangcol seek-

PH,... From A4

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said. “We expect a candid and productive dialogue aimed at conﬁdence-building and identifying practical areas for cooperation in the South China Sea,” Cayetano said, adding that ofﬁcials

Imee denies negotiations on Marcos deal By Maricel V. Cruz ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said Thursday there were no negotiations yet between the government and the Marcos family on the possible return of the Marcos’ socalled stolen wealth. But she expressed hope the Duterte administration would be able to put an end to the controversy. “Wala pa [negotiations], wala pa. Tiwala kami sa President (Duterte) na s’ya ang makakapagtapos ng deka-dekadang kaso at ‘yung pamilya nag-uusap pa pero nasa kamay ng mga abogado,” Marcos, sister of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., told reporters at the House of Representatives. She attended a congressional probe into the alleged irregularities on the purchase of motor vehicles worth P66.5 million by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte using the province’s excise tax collection. Marcos said their lawyers were now discussing the details on the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte about the possibility of returning the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. “Pag-uusapan na lang ng mga abogado,” Marcos said. Duterte earlier said a spokesman for the Marcoses had told him that the family was willing to “open everything” and to return the wealth supposedly accumulated during the 20-year rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Duterte also admitted that he would have wanted to abolish the PCGG but decided not to do so as it would create speculation.

ing Duterte and Carpio would give the two the opportunity to clear their names after they were both implicated as behind the so-called Davao Group, allegedly involved in the smuggling of shipments at the Bureau of Customs. Duterte and Carpio were tagged in the smuggling case after Taguba read text messages mentioning the two names as part of the Davao Group, which has strong connection inside the BoC. In a previous hearing, Duterte and Carpio were said to have been spotted on separate occasions visiting the ofﬁce of former BoC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. But Carpio said he went there to represent some clients. Trillanes asked Taguba about a text message he got from a certain Tita Nanie on March 17. The text message mentioned a certain “Mance.” “Who is Mance?” Trillanes asked Taguba, who responded: “That Mance is the husband of Mayor Sara. When asked if Mance was also behind the Davao Group, Taguba answered “Yes.” Because of this, Trillanes renewed his call to invite the presidential son and son-in- law to a hearing. But Gordon interrupted which prompted Trillanes to question why they were so “jittery” and badgered the witness (Taguba). Gordon asked if Trillanes was referring to him or to Sotto. “Well, if you feel alluded to,” said Trillanes. Gordon told Trillanes: “You know, you’re so fond of making names here. If you’re making general statements, you better prove it. This is not a cockpit of chismis [gossips]. Don’t blabber.” Trillanes was still speaking

when Gordon said: “You’re out of order. Session suspended.” Despite tne suspension, Trillanes went on to say that the committee was being used to clear President Duterte and his family of charges. He also slammed Gordon for turning the blue ribbon into a “comite de absuelto.” At this juncture, Gordon ﬂared up and in a loud voice, moved to hold Trillanes in contempt for continuing to speak even if the session had been temporarily halted. Trillanes objected and stressed Gordon’s panel was not a “one-man committee.” He resumed the session and ignored Trillanes, but the latter raised it again: “I made the objection.” “No, no no,” said Gordon, as he reminded Trillanes his statement was on record but the latter said the session was suspended. “This gentleman has been accusing everyone in the Senate with everything,” Gordon said. But Trillanes interupted: “Only you!” Gordon also threatened to personally ﬁle an ethics case against Trillanes and, at one point, turned off Trillanes’ microphone. “Please do so, I welcome that,” said Trillanes, describing as irrational Gordon’s behavior and ruling. He also accused Gordon of holding a “one-man show” and monopolizing hearings. “You’ve been doing a oneman show, a monologue for several hours and you think that’s normal?” said Trillanes. Gordon’s response was: “The trouble with this gentleman, every time he does not like something, he will conduct a coup, he will be forgiven, and he will conduct another coup.” Strongly reacting to his remarks, Trillanes called Gordon “pathetic,” saying that he

(Gordon) barricaded in Subic to “maintain” his position. when he was Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman. Gordon then warned Trillanes to behave and even threatened to have the Senate sergeant-atarms by his side. Trillanes earlier called for the removal of Gordon as blue ribbon committee chairman. “Now you know why I wanted him removed as panel chair,” Trillanes told reporters when the hearing was suspended. Sotto then intervened and pacified the two warring senators. He told Trillanes: “What’s happening is very unparliamentary. This is Gordon’s committee, just let him be.” This led to the suspension of the hearing but resumed after a few minutes. While he said he was sure the payments were for Paolo, Taguba said he never met the vice mayor. He also said he gave weekly payments for the group, depending on the number of containers that he needed to pass through the BoC without being alerted. Abellera, who attended the hearing for the first time, denied being a member of the Davao Group. He said he does not know if the said group existed. But he confirmed he met with Jack and Taguba at a restaurant bar in Davao City. He also denied receiving P5 million from Taguba since he was in the meeting at the restaurant for only five to 10 minutes. He said Jack asked him to introduce Taguba to Paolo Duterte. “I told Jack I could not arrange such meeting. Meanwhile, Sotto said the blue ribbon committee should focus the probe on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that slipped past the BoC last May.

ing to overturn the Ombudsman order. The Ombudsman also ordered his perpetual disqualification to hold public office and the forfeiture of his retirement benefits. The CA ruled that the Ombudsman was correct in finding Vitangcol guilty of two counts each of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and

unlawful solicitation. “Atty. Vitangcol’s liability for grave misconduct is also beyond doubt. His failed attempts to extort money from Inekon’s representatives... constitute willful intent to violate the law,” says the decision written by Associate Justice Pedro Corales. The Ombudsman’s investigation showed that Vitang-

col asked Inekon to pay him $30 million, which was later reduced to $2.5 million, and enter into a joint venture with a group of his choice to award the contracts for the supply of additional light rail vehicles and the maintenance of the MRT3 line in connection with the P3.7-billion MRT3 expansion project in 2012.

will also prepare the groundwork for the negotiations of the COC, which the leaders of Asean and China are expected to announce at their Summit in Manila in November. Cayetano said practical cooperation between Asean and China in the South China Sea has been steadily improving over the last year. “Since the last ministerial

meeting in Vientiane in July 2016, we’ve been able to operationalize the foreign ministry-toforeign ministry communication hotlines to allow our relevant ofﬁcials to address any incidents in the region,” Cayetano said. “We have also agreed to explore how to apply the principles of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea

area,” Cayetano added. The hosting of the 22nd meeting of the JWG-DOC in Manila comes two weeks after the foreign ministers of Asean and China adopted the Framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at their meeting on Aug. 6. The framework is an outline that will serve as a basis for negotiations of the Code.

News IN BRIEF Natl ID system bill passed on 2nd reading THE proposed measure establishing a national identification system was approved on second reading at the House of Representatives Wednesday night. The House approved House Bill 6221, which substituted HB 12, 107, 171, 317, 368, 512, 523, 597, 696, 1267, 1687, 1711, 2001, 2167, 2338, 3425, 3448 and 4167, or the proposed “Philippine Identification System or FilSys.” Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, chairman of the House committee on population and family relations, and Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves defended the bill in plenary session. Aragones and Teves allayed the concerns of the leftist lawmakers on its supposed invasion of privacy and redundancy saying it will help address terrorism because it would help prevent the use of false identities, fraudulent transactions, and misrepresentations. Aragones pointed out that FilSys will also simplify processes in public services, reduce redundancy and delay in government services and transactions, eliminate multiple government identification system, bring down administrative costs and expenses, promote greater convenience to the public and facilitate private business, among others. Maricel V. Cruz

Stiffer penalty for treason, sedition set STIFFER penalties will be given to persons who committed treason, sedition, rebellion and other high crimes after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10951 last Tuesday, amending the amount of penalties under the Revised Penal Code. With the new law, those who commit treason shall be punished with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment and a fine not exceeding P4 million from the previous P20,000. An alien residing in the Philippines, who commits acts of treason “shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not exceeding P4 million.” Reclusion temporal involves imprisonment of 12 years and 1 day to 20 years. Those who conspire to commit treason, shall be punished respectively by prision mayor and a fine not exceeding P2 million and prison correctional and a fine not exceeding P1 million. Those committing conspiracy to commit coup d’etat, rebellion or insurrection shall be punished by prision mayor in its minimum period with a fine not exceeding P1 million from the previous P8,000. The conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection shall be punished respectively, by prision correctional in its maximum and a fine of no more than P1 million and prision correctional in its medium period with a fine not exceeding P400,000. John Paolo Bencito

‘Most agencies have low FOI compliance’ MOST government agencies under the executive department have low compliance with the creation and validation of the Freedom of Information manuals despite the Duterte administration’s push for greater transparency, data from the Presidential Communications Operations Ofﬁce showed Thursday. Only 150 of the 195 national government agencies, or 76.92 percent have so far complied with a recent memorandum circular by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring, Information and Reporting Systems or Task Force AO No. 25, for agencies to upload their Freedom of Information People’s Manuals to their respective Transparency Seal pages and validate them before the PCOO. Only 53 out of the 142 government owned and controlled corporations have so far complied with the MC as of Aug. 31 while only four out of the 113 state universities and colleges have submitted their FOI manuals. Under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 2— all executive departments, agencies, bureaus, and ofﬁces to make public records, contracts, transactions and any information requested by a member of the public, except for matters affecting national security. John Paolo Bencito

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House to unify bills on disaster readiness By Maricel V. Cruz

PANEL in the House of Representatives has formed a technical working group that will study and harmonize eight bills seeking to create an independent agency that will handle the country’s disaster preparedness and emergency management.

The House committees on government reorganization and national defense and security created the TWG headed by Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay will harmonize House Bill 108, 344, 596, 2638, 3093, 4203, 4648 and 6075 authored, respectively, by Reps. Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list, Yedda Marie Romualdez of Leyte, Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur, Wes Gatchalian of Valenzuela

Observe road courtesy, discipline, motorists told By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday urged motorists to observe discipline and courtesy while driving to prevent road accidents. Based on the MMDA’s latest Road Crash Statistics Report, the agency recorded 52,872 road accidents in the National Capital Region during the first half of the year. Of this number listed from January to June, 214 were described as fatal; 7,670 non-fatal and 44,988 resulted in damage to properties. Yesterday, the MMDA recorded seven accidents, four of these road crashes which happened along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, two on Circumferential Road - 5 (C-5 Road) and another along Imelda Avenue. These accidents, which were recorded between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., involved public utility buses, a public utility jeep, private trucks, van and a taxi cab. Roy Taguinod, head of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office, cited the lack of discipline and disobedience to traffic rules of the drivers and pedestrians as a major factor on road accidents. “We advised drivers to observe road policies and courtesy for us to have a safe and orderly flow of traffic,” said Taguinod. The MMDA identified more than 50 main roads as accident prone areas in Metro Manila. Based on the 2016 Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System program report, road accidents occur mostly in the City of Manila along President Sergio Osmeña Highway, Radial Road 10 (R-10) and Roxas Boulevard; and on Commonwealth Avenue, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Quirino Highway, Quezon Avenue and Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

Heavy rains to affect Metro —Pagasa By Rio N. Araja METRO Manila should brace for heavy rainfall until Saturday due to the intensiﬁcation of the southwest monsoon. Shelly Ignacio, weather bureau forecaster, said a low pressure area spotted over extreme Northern Luzon developed into a tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Despite its location, the tropical depression will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and spawn heavy rains in the National Capital Region. “However, there is no chance for the tropical depression to re-enter PAR,” she said. “If it does not change its direction, it is moving toward China or Vietnam.” It was estimated at 270 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte “or outside PAR” with maximum sustained winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph. Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s sypnosis, the southwest monsoon is affecting the western section of Luzon.

City, Winnie Castelo of Quezon City, Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon party-list, Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro and Salceda. The bills include measures on recovery and reconstruction plan led by Phivolcs; drills (earthquake, ﬁre, etc.); ﬁsherfolk as auxiliary response team during disasters; accounting/administration of disaster aid or donations; creating operational

assessment of hazard centers; climate change adaptation linkages; providing for emergency warehouses and establishing disaster and emergency centers, among others. Agencies which have expressed their support for the bills are the National Economic Development Authority, Ofﬁce of Civil Defense, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Civil Service Commission, Center for Disaster Preparedness, Armed Forces of the Philippines and World Vision Philippines. During the hearing, Rep. Ron Salo of Kabayan Party-List, who acted as the chairman of the committee on government reorganization, said the joint committee will initially deliberate on the bills relating to disasters. Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil of

Pangasinan, who acted as cochairperson of the joint committee, read the opening speech of Rep. Amado Espino of Pangasinan, chairperson of the national defense and security body. He said the panel will discuss the issue of creation of a body or agency to handle the disaster risk reduction and management program of the government. “We have a total of 43 measures all related to each other. Although certain measures provide for the creation of the agency, it is comprehensive enough to include a myriad of provisions on the other aspects of disaster preparedness that we saw it proper to include all of the measures on the topic,” Bataoil said Bataoil said the committees will be briefed on how the new ofﬁce

will be better than the present setup. “And we have to consider the transition from the present system to the new setup because we are aware that when a disaster happens it will have to be addressed with utmost urgency and handled with the best capability that this government can offer,” he said. Herrera-Dy said the 2015 World Risk Report Index, which evaluates a country’s risk of exposure to natural hazards and vulnerability from impacts, showed the Philippines was in the top three. “Out of 171 countries, we are third most exposed and most vulnerable to natural disasters. Likewise in the Climate Change Vulnerability Index we are ranked 13th. Current government procedures require a revamp,” she said.

Opinion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Nuclear plant options

HE government should, once and for all, make a clear policy statement now on the future of nuclear energy in the Philippines. Local and foreign investors as well as the public deserve to know the country’s policy direction to guide them beforehand and elicit a dispassionate discourse from all parties.

Nuclear power plant experts from Russia and other countries visited the mothballed 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Wednesday to start a study on the possible re-powering of the fa-

Adelle Chua, Editor

cility. The Energy Department hosted experts from Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp. of Russia, Slovenia’s Gen Enerjia and Australia’s Worley Parsons during a tour of the controversial

power plant. The Energy Department is clearly leaning on reviving the power plant, which the late President Corazon Aquino and her nervous Cabinet mothballed 31 years ago after the catastrophic nuclear accident in Ukraine. The tour, according to the department, would “define the scope of work for the pre-feasibility study of the possible rehabilitation of BNPP.” Russia’s

Rosatom is funding the two-month study for free as a part of the cooperation between the Philippines and Russia. Harnessing nuclear power as a source of energy per se is not bad. Japan and other Asian countries are operating the cheaper source of power. Taiwan, for one, operates three plants and six reactors, including one at its most southern tip and very close to the northernmost part of

Luzon island. Operating one in the Philippines, however, should be weighed carefully because of the many active seismic faults in the Philippines. Like Japan and Taiwan, the Philippines sits on very high seismic hazards and along the so-called Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions could easily destabilize the locations of prospective nuclear power plants

in the Philippines. Authorities, thus, should consider the geological nature of the Philippines and people preparedness before venturing into nuclear energy. A magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami disabled a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan on March 11, 2011, resulting in a nuclear meltdown and radiation leaks. The Philippines may not be prepared to deal with such a nuclear tragedy. FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

What a week that was!

else less insane and more diligent in doing opposition work to do it, so the antiDutertes can have someone they can really be proud of. If Trillanes is the best that the political opposition can offer by way of criticism to Duterte, then the administration will have nothing to fear. Even if, in some really crazy moment, Trillanes decides to take up arms once again. *** Senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, also indulged in a temporary leave of his senses at the Senate yesterday, when he demanded to know from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre during a budget hearing if Aguirre was the source of my report that an offer of P2 million was made to Saldy and Lorenza delos Santos by people who wanted to bring down

SOMETIMES a particular week comes along when everything seems to happen in a rush, within a telescoped period of time. It’s almost enough to make up for the lethargy that afflicts this country much of the rest of the year. And it’s always welcomed by lazy columnists like me who keep running out of things worth writing about twice a week. This week was one such week, a fitting intro to the incoming -ber months when Christmas carols start being played at the malls. The rush of events impressed upon me just how quickly this administration is moving along, even without having to rule by revolutionary government. *** Last Wednesday my good friend lawyer Larry Gadon made some kind of history by formally filing his impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Sereno at the House of Representatives. Contrary to predictions from the yellow crowd, Larry was able to garner 25 congressional endorsements for his complaint, including four deputy speakers of the House by my count. This was his reward for taking the time and trouble to meticulously document all 28 of the impeachment grounds he cited before filing them, instead of just relying on news stories, hearsay, and outright fabrications. Unlike in the impeachment of the late CJ Corona, Larry knew he couldn’t rely on a vindictive President, backed by a legislature either cowed or bribed into compliance, and a braying horde of compromised media people, to topple an official as senior as a Supreme Court chief justice. He knew he’d have to lawyer the heck out of his impeachment complaint. To her credit, Sereno has moved preemptively to win public support. In what she calls a judicial reform roadshow, she’s gone even to shopping malls to tout the reforms she’s introduced, e.g. template forms to expedite small claims processing, “continuous trial

Turn to A5

Trillanes’ insanity LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I ACTUALLY sympathize with Senator Antonio Trillanes, up to a point. But only up to a point. Someone has to do the job of being in the opposition in a democracy, which, last I checked, we still are. Someone has to stand up to Malacañang and the majority in Congress, to point out what they are doing wrong, with a view to correcting them. As someone who has made a living observing the government and criticizing it, I understand what Trillanes is doing and why it is necessary. What I don’t understand is why Trillanes can’t even be good at being a critic, de-

spite his regular practice. If I may hazard a comparison, Trillanes is about as good a critic as he is a coup plotter. He makes a lot of noise and threatens a lot of people, but in the end, he only knows one way of doing things, which is why he keeps failing. The problem with Trillanes is that he has fallen into the trap of insanity, as defined by no less than Albert Einstein. “The definition of insanity,” according to the quote attributed to the man hailed as one of the greatest minds of the previous century, “is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” From the very beginning of his positioning as the arch-critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, Trillanes has always used the same modus operandi: He will pounce on

anything that will, no matter how remotely, link Duterte, his administration or even his kin, to scandal—but he never produces anything approaching proof or even

campaign that Duterte kept billions of pesos in an Ortigas-area bank branch (a claim that he could not even back up with one bank account number by way of proof), all the way to yesterday, when he accused his own colleagues of absolving Duterte when they would not summon witHis record nesses on the basis of hearas a crusading say in the Customs invessenator has not tigation, Trillanes has not his ways. And, in been marred by a changed all likelihood, he will consingle victory, just tinue to stick to his strategy in the future, never mind like his record if no one actually believes as a military him any more than they do Santa Claus and the tooth putschist. fairy. I think Trillanes is still stuck in the past, specifically his one “successful” use reliable witnesses not named of his strategy of bullying Matobato. and shaming without provAs it was when he de- ing anything—when he was clared during last year’s able to make the late former

Armed Forces chief General Angelo Reyes kill himself in February 2011. Trillanes embarrassed Reyes so badly at a Senate hearing earlier that the former military chief and multiple Cabinet-level office-holder went to his mother’s grave and shot himself in the heart. But since then, Trillanes’ record as a crusading senator has not been marred by a single victory, just like his record as a military putschist involved in not one but two failed uprisings. And yet he continues to soldier on, considering each debacle an unqualified victory, like his universally acknowledged meltdown in a BBC interview, which he described as one of the greatest moments of his life. Trillanes’ job is indispensable in a democracy, as I’ve already said. I only wish there were someone

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE MEMBER

PPI

Chairman Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager OIC-Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors City Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

TO THE whole world’s consternation, North Korea sent a missile flying across Japan. Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s young, unpredictable and arrogant leader, has threatened to make of Guam a target for his dangerous games. And while threats have flown fast and thick and the rhetoric has been upped several notches with the likes of Trump threatening nothing less than a reprisal of apocalyptic proportions, it seems that not very much can be done to rein in the mischief of Kim Jong Un. And that, too many, is the impertinence as well as the impotence of international law. In fact, some go so far as to wonder whether international law is really law, given that enforcement mechanisms are close to nil. And that, of course, is not true only of North Korea but even of the United States. The American government has, on several occasions, blatantly transgressed international law. The capture of Noriega immediately comes to mind, and its withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, just as the Court was all poised to pass upon Nicaragua’s complaint provide ready examples. In the first place, thinking of international law as some globalized form of domestic law is a terrible mistake. It is law, but law of a different species. It remains law insofar as it is normative of conduct and prescriptive of state behavior. The very hypocrisy by which recalcitrant states justify their violation of international law by some principle of law is proof of its currency, for if it did not exist, there would be no point to looking for some title by which to justify state misconduct. While there is an undeniable trend towards suprastate unities such as international organizations with s t a t e - a n a logo u s features, there is, like some counterforce, a trend towards tribalism of which Brexit and the furor that ignited it are good instances. Shortly after Britons voted to leave the Union, there was talk of Frexit and other exits that, fortunately for the world, have not gotten off the ground. And with the British Prime Minister’s utter cluelessness about the future of the United Kingdom outside the European Union, I do not think that too many will be following suit anytime soon. Asean integration put more grit into the union of Southeast Asian Nations but has not come anywhere near the European Union. One thing is that the economies are so diverse as to allow for the degree of integration that was possible for Europe. To be sure, we in this part of the world have taken great strides, but each country remains jealous about claims to “sovereignty.” Since there can be no such thing as an international police force (the slow progress taken by the International Criminal Court in establishing an international criminal law regime is only one facet of resistance to international vertical enforcement), the most effective enforcement mechanism in the world scene remains “horizontal”—enforcement by States themselves. And that is why, law that is not enacted by a supra-national legislature or universal parliament can be more effective if arrived at by the consensus of states, and that is just what the nature of conventional law and customary law is. But “horizontal enforcement” presupposes a common resolve of states to live by law and to be governed by law. And while all realize at some time or the other that it does not pay to be outside the fold of the law, it belongs to the nature of international relations hat politics and law cannot be divorced from each other, nor is it practicable, really, to draw a strict line of demarcation between the two. Somehow, the application of law will consider political realities. But it will not do to sideline the law nor to allow for its transgression by acquiescing to violations, for laxity in this regard only weakens that essential network of collective resolve by which lone international law is enforced. The world has to find a way of making clear to Kim Jong Un that it does not pay to be dangerously naughty! And treating him seriously rather than dealing with him like some spoiled brat might just be a step in the appropriate direction!

Thinking of international law as some globalized form of domestic law is a terrible mistake.

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

Trillanes’... From A4

the president. Aguirre explained to Drilon, as I already have in multiple platforms, that he merely confirmed to me

that he had indeed heard of such reports, but was in no way its source. I have nothing really new to add to this story, just like the people who once shouted to the high heavens demanding justice of the couple’s slain son, Kian, but who have suddenly taken a vow of silence. I only wish to say that neither Aguirre nor I have ever said that people identified with Drilon’s Liberal Party made the offer of money to the boy’s family. It is only the LP that has concluded that the justice secretary had linked the party to the alleged bribery attempt. Now, as the Filipino saying goes, they have apparently decided to become terrified of a ghost of their own own making. I don’t know if Drilon really wanted to pursue his line of questioning, and nobody probably ever will. That’s because Trillanes once again took the opportunity to harangue Aguirre about controversial statements made by the Justice secretary on other occasions previously, thereby hijacking what could have been a more through probe of the bribe report. That’s just how Trillanes rolls, after all. And I really don’t know if his handlers and confederates have already decided if they will continue supporting him or simply die of shame on the spot.

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte most powerful president since Marcos

PENSEES

North Korea and international law

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

WE MAY be seeing the emergence of the most powerful Philippine president since Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. There are some disquieting signs on the horizon that may seem just par-for-the-course political developments. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has not even declared martial law nationwide although he may have given hints of what was to come when he proclaimed martial law in Mindanao because of the Maute-ISIS invasion of Marawi. Marcos ruled the country for nearly 20 years with his vast and awesome powers under martial law, declared because of rebellion and lawlessness. He served two four-year terms when presidents were then allowed to seek reelection. Marcos imposed a draconian martial law nationwide on September 21, 1972. In February 1986, he was toppled by the People Power uprising.

To those who think the former Davao City mayor may have overreached his competence, they are mistaken. Duterte is cunning and unpredictable in his political moves. After appointing Gina Lopez of the wealthy and influential Lopez family as Environment and Natural Resources Secretary, Duterte last Wednesday vowed to go after the Lopezes and their various companies. The President said he would do this because the Lopez companies were not paying the right taxes and the huge debts they owed the government. Two political developments bear watching and need the citizenry’s vigilance. These are two impeachment moves in the House of Representatives. The first, against Commission on Elections chief Andres Bautista, has the better prospect of succeeding. The second, against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, may hurdle the House. Still, its denouement in the Senate which will have to convene itself into an impeachment

court is more unpredictable. Members of the House are easier to herd as members of the super coalition majority. All President Rodrigo Duterte has to do is snap his fingers and the Palace lackeys move with the docility of lambs. This is done through House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who brings selected solons to the Palace for the customary dinner and the order on how to vote in impeachment cases and other priority bills certified by The Boss. The President, of course has denied any hand in the two impeachment cases. Still, Filipinos, being suspicious by nature, think he may be using proxies to carry out the charges. The case against Sereno includes betrayal of public trust, corruption for the purchase of a luxury bullet proof car and other expenditures that was done without the concurrence of the justices sitting en banc. The 200- plus members of the House are simply too overwhelming for the small group of independent mi-

nority and party-list representatives. In the Senate, the PDPLaban numbers are more nebulous and no one can tell how each senator will cast his/her vote. Senators Richard Gordon and Ping Lacson apparently have their eyes on the presidency in 2022 and want to be perceived as independent and not a Malacanang vassal. We are now seeing this in the current Senate committee hearings where Gordon and Lacson try to outdo each other in the inquiry on extrajudicial killings of drug suspects and the endemic corruption at the Bureau of Customs. The Gordon-Lacson display of investigative skill and probing questions will be taken by critics as grandstanding but it is also a projection of leadership for the 2022 presidential race. Both Gordon and Lacson have already run for the presidency and lost. There are, however, rumors of a rift within the ruling PDP-Laban Party. Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Alvarez deny there is dissension within the party. They claim these talks are

fueled by those who want to see the ruling PDP-Laban Party fragmented and weak. We may, however, be witnessing the emergence of Duterte as the most powerful president since Marcos. The impeachment cases against Sereno and Bautista, if successful, would give Duterte control of the Supreme Court and the Comelec when he appoints their replacements. He also wants to abolish the Commission on Human Rights even as he already controls Congress, the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police. The heads of the AFP and the PNP are appointed by the president. In the impeachment case against former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, three senators— Bongbong Marcos and the late senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Joker Arroyo cast the dissenting votes against 20 other senators who convicted Corona for betrayal of public trust and not disclosing his true Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Duterte survives turmoil VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

RODRIGO Roa Duterte appears to have survived his greatest challenge yet in 14 months to his presidency, thanks to a number of savvy and strategic moves to fortify his tenure in Malacañang, the presidential palace, and continue his violent war against illegal drugs, as of now, his centerpiece program of government. In quick succession, he unloaded excess baggage. First, he fired the incompetent and corrupt former coup plotter Nicanor Faeldon as chief of the notorious Bureau of Customs even while repeatedly declaring his faith in the man’s honesty. A P6.4-billion importation of illegal drugs that cleared Customs last May without an x-ray procedure and a single signature is damning evidence of largescale incompetence and corruption at the country’s main port of entry. The shabu shipment also betrayed that the biggest source of illegal drugs is not internal, but China, a country that has professed to help modernize our infrastructure and our economy even while occupying, illegally, a number of strategic reefs and islets belonging to the Philippines,

What... From A4

guidelines” to shorten trial periods, mandatory service for new lawyers, even newfangled innovations like mobile apps and “eCourts.” Unfortunately for her, none of this has anything at all to do with the 28 impeachable actions she’s accused of, most of them on account of her alleged overspending, the most serious one being her failure to disclose on her SALN the substantial fees she earned from her Piatco case involvement. Ordinarily, such a misdeclaration on her SALN could be corrected simply by filing a revised new one. But after what happened to Corona under PNoy, that sin of omission is now considered serious enough for someone, even a chief justice, to be kicked out of office. The honorable panjandrums of the Senate at that time so ruled, and so it ought to and shall be.

by law and by court dictum, in the South China Sea. Second, Duterte ordered the arrest and detention of the three Caloocan policemen named in the abduction and merciless killing on a busy night on August 16 of 17-year-old senior high school student, Kian delos Santos. The impunity with which the police tortured and shot from behind Kian while kneeling helplessly, his knees badly wounded and bleeding from apparent torture, has outraged a nation that once thought Duterte’s illegal drugs war was good for the country and ordinary citizens. Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa joined his commander-inchief in denouncing the Kian killing and placed the three erring policemen in “restricted custody.” It appears between six and 17 policemen were involved in the killing. So the trail of responsibility could reach up to Bato, if he is not careful. “There is no justification for shooting somebody who is already kneeling. It is criminal!” Bato told the senators at their August 24 hearing on the Kian killing. To make it clear to undesirable policemen where his true sentiments lie in terms of human values, Duterte spent a good two hours dining with the parents of Kian, in a Malacañang clubhouse across the Pasig River, last

Monday, August 28. The mother, Lorenza, who had previously denounced the President for her son’s senseless murder, asked to give him a tight abrazo. So much for anti-Duterte sentiment exploding into waves and waves of protest rallies and marches to destabilize him over the next few months. Third, Duterte denounced the corruption, inefficiency and partiality at the Office of the Ombudsman, which is headed by retired Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the aunt of his son-in-law, lawyer Mans Carpio, husband of Sara Duterte, the incumbent Davao City mayor. Fourth, Duterte tried to clear his relatives from possible involvement in smuggling and other nefarious activities at Customs. At the August 28 induction of newly appointed government officials, the President defended his sonin-law Mans Carpio’s lawyering for well-heeled clients which have business at Customs, including Mighty Corp. which was slapped by Duterte with a huge tax bill, a record P25 billion. In another speech, on August 30, Duterte again stressed nothing was irregular with Mans Carpio’s visits to the BOC, since he was representing clients with dealings with the agency, particularly Mighty Corp. “Lawyering is nev-

er and would never be a wrong,” the President said. As for his son, the Davao City vice mayor, Paulo “Pulong” Duterte, the President had declared he needed an affidavit to convince him his son was involved in smuggling. Duterte said on August 28: “At ang sinabi ko naman sa inyo, if any of my children, si Mayor Sara, si Pulong, pati si Sebastian—kung ‘yan ang pumasok doon sa—may hiningi na illegal or graft and corruption, I told you before, I am ready to step down as President.” “I will not hesitate and cling to power when it is no longer productive of me as a human being,” the President added. In his August 28 speech, Duterte cut Ombudsman Carpio-Morales down to size, heaving sarcasm and bile at the retired jurist. Reading from the prepared portion of his speech, Duterte said of Ombudsman Carpio: “The wheels of justice grind to a halt when those tasked to dispense it have friends to serve and debts of gratitude to pay, no matter what.” “The lack of moral courage to do what is right and act beyond those twin failings, ends up in inequitable decisions. Scratch my back and I will scratch yours, is how some people describe it. It is to me, detestable.” Everyone calls for “due

process” and the [dispensation] of justice without fear or favor.” “But sad to say, recent events show that no less than the Office of the Ombudsman, which is supposedly the embodiment of everything that is just, fair and reasonable, has not exactly lived up to its constitutional mandate.” “And may I add, your hold to the office is very, very precarious. You are supposed to serve the remaining terms of the guy who resigned, not to a full term. That is very clear under the law. But it has not been questioned until now. I do not know why.” “The Office of the Ombudsman rightly stresses the importance of ‘due process of law.’ Yet it cannot act on complaints with the cold neutrality of an impartial tribunal, which is basically required in due process. It seems that the Office of the Ombudsman has mastered the art of selective justice.” “Harsh on some, soft on others even when they all suffer from similar or analogous circumstances. Slow to act on complaints against the ‘friendly’ but quick to decide against perceived ‘hostiles’.” “The enemy of the Ombudsman’s friend is the Ombudsman’s enemy, too, so it seems. That is how I see it from where I stand.”

*** Earlier in the week, my favorite congresswoman, former President Arroyo, introduced a bill to establish a national ID system. This takes off from an executive order she issued as President in 2005 to streamline all existing government ID systems. The usual gang of reds and yellows challenged her back then, but ended up being kicked out by the Supreme Court no less. The new ID card will be nothing like the torn and faded cardboard IDs we may still carry around in our wallets. It will be made of tamper-proof material and carry your fingerprint, iris retinal scan, and similar biometric information in an embedded smart chip. Fingerprintbased biometric machines will thus have to be set up in all government offices. There are at least three reasons we ought to welcome this new program: It’s much more convenient to have just one ID card for all government services

(except for your passport which still has to conform to international protocols). And it should make government services more efficient and responsive in turn. It’s more secure and accurate to have your identity information stored in just one place. The entire system and database will be managed by the professional statisticians and IT experts in PSA and DICT, under the watchful eye of the National Privacy Commission. It’s an additional layer of security for our citizens against criminals and terrorists. There is nothing sinister about all of this. Over a hundred countries already have national ID systems, including democracies like Spain, France, Belgium, Greece, Germany and Portugal. We can count this latest bill from Mrs. Arroyo as another move towards bringing us closer to the global mainstream. *** Going now to the present

occupant of the Palace, it’s interesting to see how much was accomplished in what was effectively just a threeday workweek: At the behest of the Marcos family, Duterte is now in a position to arrange a final settlement of the festering issue of the Marcoses’ “hidden wealth.” He may set up a three-man team, headed by a former chief justice, to negotiate the return of some portion of that wealth. He wants to do a deal, regardless of whether or not the family’s explanation of their wealth is true. This is the mayor at his best, dispensing with ideology and simply doing what is most practical for the people. Duterte has finalized the list of 25 men and women who will comprise his Constitutional Commission to oversee the drafting of a new charter, presumably by the congressmen and senators convened as a Constituent Assembly. We hear that the major reforms will involve the eventual creation of various states under a new fed-

eral republic; possibly a shift to parliamentary government where executive and legislative powers are fused, but under a strong presidency; and dispensing with restrictive economic provisions to make us a more competitive destination for foreign investment, credit, and trade. In a survey conducted March-April, the public’s trust in government rated at 80 percent, or fully 30 points higher than the 50 percent registered two years ago. More recently, in its June survey, SWS polled Duterte’s net satisfaction rating at +64 percent, still “very good”. Even on the sticky issue of human rights protection, he polled net +55 percent, also “very good.” *** All in all, it was a good week for the administration and for the country. Let’s hope our fortunes hold up as the weather turns colder and another Christmas comes closer.

biznewsasia@gmail.com

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

World

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Beijing slams new calls for sanctions

IN BRIEF Toll in Texas mounts as Harvey menaces east HOUSTON―Storm-battered Houston began limping towards recovery Thursday as Harvey’s floodwaters started receding there, though the historic storm was still wreaking havoc further east. While clouds parted at last in America’s fourthlargest city, rural areas of Texas were drenched as Harvey headed eastwards, with the city of Port Arthur especially hard hit. Authorities in Louisiana scrambled to safeguard their state from Harvey, whose onslaught evoked painful memories of Hurricane Katrina’s deadly strike 12 years ago―but New Orleans escaped with minimal rain. Vice President Mike Pence was to visit Texas Thursday to meet victims of the torrential rains and assess damage. Though some areas had finally caught a glimpse of blue sky, dangers remained for the US Gulf Coast, not least the threat of explosion at a chemical plant near Houston. Also in Houston rescuers had recovered bodies of six family members from a van swept away by floods over the weekend. “Our worst fears have been realized,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told journalists, confirming the bodies of Manuel and Belia Saldivar and four of their great-grandchildren had been discovered. Officials believe at least 33 people have been killed in the storm. There is little doubt the toll will rise further―although many of those unaccounted for may simply have no phone or power access. AFP

Celebrities raise millions to help storm victims NEW YORK―Celebrities led by Sandra Bullock on Wednesday poured millions of dollars into relief efforts after monster storm Harvey ravaged Houston. Bullock, who maintains homes in nearby Austin and New Orleans, donated $1 million through the American Red Cross, the organization said. “I’m just grateful I can do it,” Bullock, the star of Hollywood hits such as “Gravity” and “The Blind Side,” said in a statement. Socialite Khloe Kardashian said that her celebrity clan was donating $500,000 to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. She was responding to a challenge set by the comedian Kevin Hart, who on Tuesday said he was donating $25,000 and named celebrities whom he urged to follow suit. In response, pop star Jennifer Lopez and her boyfriend, baseball legend Alex Rodriguez, in a joint Instagram post said that they were each donating $25,000. “Seeing these pictures of children and all the footage, it’s just devastating, and we just want to do our part to help,” Lopez said. Rapper Nicki Minaj, hip-producer DJ Khaled and actor and wrestler The Rock were among other celebrities to respond to Hart’s challenge and donate $25,000. AFP

BEIJING―China condemned the “destructive” calls for new sanctions on North Korea Thursday, warning Japan, the US and Britain that diplomacy was needed to avert the crisis days after nuclear-armed Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said sanctions alone “cannot fundamentally resolve the issue”, amid reports the three countries were pushing for new restrictions on North Korean oil imports and foreign workers. “It is a pity that some countries selectively ignore the reOFFICIAL VISIT. British Prime Minister Theresa May (third, right) talks with her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe (third, left) during their meeting at the Akasaka Palace state guesthouse in Tokyo on August 31, 2017. May arrived in Japan on an official visit on August 30 with an eye on soothing Brexit fears quirements for dialogue in the and pushing ahead on early free-trade talks with the world’s number-three economy. AFP resolutions―they only emphasize sanctions,” she told a regular press briefing, adding “these words and deeds play a destructive role instead of a constructive role in solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue”. “The current situation on the Korean peninsula is not a screenplay, it’s not a computer game. It is a real situation that directly bears on the security of the people on the peninsula and the whole regional peace and tranquility,” she said. Her comments came as JapOX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh―Bangladesh children lined up on the ground, Dhaka has made clear it does not anese Foreign Minister Taro want more to come in. covered in sheets. coastguards on Thursday found the bodies Kono told reporters ThursOn Wednesday Prime Minister One survivor told AFP the small, of 17 Rohingya, many of them children, day that Japan and the United overcrowded boat he was traveling Sheikh Hasina asked the United States would seek fresh sancon had been tipped over by huge States to put pressure on Myanmar who drowned when their boats capsized as they tions to stop the North’s misto stem the fl ow. waves near where the Naf river fled violence in Myanmar that has forced at least opens out into the sea. sile and nuclear tests. “We have given shelter to a 18,500 to seek refuge across the border. Tokyo planned to enhance “Nobody knew how to navigate huge number of Rohingya refugees efforts with Washington to the sea waters. When huge waves in Bangladesh on humanitarian persuade China and Russia to Officials in Bangladesh say asked not to be named said the mi- tilted the boat, we panicked,” said grounds and it’s a big problem for change their positions against growing numbers of Rohingya are grants were traveling on “rickety Shah Karim. us,” she said, according to the statean envisaged oil embargo with trying to cross the Naf river that di- inland fishing boats” unsuitable The Naf river that divides the two run BSS news agency. a new UN Security Council vides the two countries in rickety for the choppy seas around Ban- countries is narrow in places, but the The latest clashes in Myanmar resolution, Japan’s Jiji news boats ill-equipped for the rough gladesh. Rohingya are increasingly crossing began on Friday when Rohingya agency reported Thursday, citOn Wednesday, the bodies of where the river is wider, or even militants staged deadly attacks on waters as they become increasingly ing informed sources. two Rohingya women and two venturing out to sea, after Bangla- police posts, prompting raids on the desperate to escape. Britain, whose Prime MinThe International Organiza- children washed up in Bangladesh deshi authorities intensified border community and searches by troops ister Theresa May is visiting tion for Migration said Wednes- after their boat capsized. and police. patrols. Japan, has called for new UN Officials said two more boats day that at least 18,500 Rohingya An estimated 6,000 more RoBangladesh is already home to sanctions against North Korea had crossed into Bangladesh since capsized on Thursday, killing at an estimated 400,000 Rohingya, a hingya are massed on the border, that would target guest workfighting erupted in Myanmar’s least 17 people, many of them chil- mainly Muslim stateless minority. having fled villages in Myanmar ers sent mostly to Russia and neighboring Rakhine state six days dren. Most live in squalid and increas- that they say were set on fire by China, and whose wages are a Photographs from the scene ingly overcrowded camps in the police, troops and Buddhist mobs. earlier. source of revenue for PyongOne coast guard official who showed the bodies of several small coastal area of Cox’s Bazar, and AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW yang. AFP BLACK

Rohingyas drown fleeing fierce battles in Myanmar

UN Security Council meets on Myanmar

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF PANIQUI Province of Tarlac Gomez St., Brgy. Poblacion Norte Telephone No. (045) 931-0303 Webpage: http://www.facebook.com/lgupaniqui

INVITATION TO BID The Municipality of Paniqui, Tarlac now invites interested bidders to participate in the bidding of the herein described project as follows: Name of Contract

: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING

Location

: Gomez, St., Brgy. Poblacion Norte, Paniqui, Tarlac

Brief Description

: The work covers the design and construction of Multi-Purpose Building consisting of: (1) detailed design in structural/civil, arc hitectural,mechanical,electrical, sanitary/plumbing, with quantity calculations, detailed estimates and technical specifications of the multi-purpose building using an entire land area of forty-four (44) by forty-six (46) square meters; (2) demolition of affected existing structures such as the basketball and tennis courts; (3) construction of indoor basketball court; (4) provision of commercial stalls; (5) provision for parking area; (6) construction of bleachers with one-thousand two-hundred (1,200) seating capacity; (7) provision of dressing rooms; (8) construction of stage; (9) provision of public toilets; (10) andsupply and furnishing of all labor, materials and equipment necessary for the operation, commissioning and occupancy of the building.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Thirty Million Pesos Only (Php 30,000,000.00) Contract Duration

: 270Calendar Days

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “ Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interested or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Bidders should have at least completed one similarproject, both in design and construction, with a value of at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC; for this purpose, similar project is Design and Construction of Multi-Purpose Building. Interested Bidders should have a valid license duly issued by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). The required license and registration particulars are as follows: Classification Category Respective Size Range

: General Building : B(Minimum Requirement) : Medium A

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from September 1, 2017 to September 21, 2017 from the address given below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee in the amount of twenty-five thousand pesos (Php 25,000.00) only. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the Facebook page of the Municipality of Paniqui, provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Municipality of Paniqui, Tarlac will hold a Pre-Bid ConferenceonSeptember 8, 2017(9:00AM) at BAC Office, Municipal Hall, Municipality of Paniqui, Tarlac., which shall be open to all interested parties Bid shall contain, among others, a Preliminary Conceptual Design Plans to the degree of details as specified in the Bid Data Sheet [Clause12.1(b)(ii.5)] of the Bidding Documents. Opening of Bids is on September 21, 2017 (9:00AM) at BAC Office, Municipal Hall, Municipality of Paniqui, Tarlac. Bids must be submitted to the address given below: The BAC Chairperson Municipality of Paniqui, Tarlac Gomez St., Brgy. Poblacion Norte Telephone No. (045) 931-0303 Webpage:http://www.facebook.com/lgupaniqui All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in Instruction to Bidders (ITB) Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representative. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Municipality of Paniqui reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. For further information, interested bidders may inspect the Bidding Documents or inquire from the BAC Secretariat (Mr. Danilo D. Pazcoguin) at the address and contract numbers stated above from 8:00AM -5:00PM, Monday to Friday. THE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE LGU-PANIQUI, TARLAC (MS-SEPT. 1, 2017)

UNITED NATIONS―The UN Security Council on Wednesday discussed the violence in Myanmar where clashes and a security crackdown by the military in Rakhine state have sent 18,500 Rohingya ﬂeeing across the border into Bangladesh. There was no formal statement from the 15-member council following the closed-door meeting, but British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said there were calls from council members for de-escalation. “We all condemned the violence, we all called on all the parties to de-escalate,” Rycroft told reporters. The clashes began on Friday after militants from the Rohingya Muslim minority staged deadly surprise raids on police posts. The violence has left at least 110 people, including 11 state ofﬁcials, dead and thousands of Rohingya have poured across the border to Bangladesh despite Dhaka’s attempts to stop them. Myanmar’s military has been carrying out sweeps for militants, with residents reporting that security forces were torching villages. Britain requested the meeting on Myanmar, but diplomats said China was resisting stronger involvement by the UN council in addressing the crisis. It remained unclear whether further action was planned, but the issue is expected to be discussed during the annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly in September. Rycroft said the council still supports Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel prize laureate and democracy icon who now leads the government in Yangon. AFP

Pope to visit Colombia to aid in reconciliation VATICAN CITY―Pope Francis launches an emotionally charged visit next week to Colombia, to call for reconciliation as the country emerges from Latin America’s longest civil war in a contested peace process. In his fourth visit to his native region of the world since becoming pope four years ago, the 80-year-old Argentine now heads to one of Latin America’s most troubled countries. On a ﬁve-day tour starting Tuesday, he will meet with victims of the war at a delicate time as the country gradually turns the page on more than half a century of conﬂict. Colombia’s biggest guerrilla group, the FARC, has disarmed under a historic peace accord, though critics say the rebels are getting off too lightly. “It is true that the pope is coming to a very polarized country, but he knows that all Colombians desire peace, in the spirit of unity and justice,” said Monsignor Octavio Ruiz, a member of the papal delegation. “Such a peace is only possible if the causes of social injustice, inequality and oppression are tackled.” Francis’s visit comes at a key moment in the peace process, which he has supported. The FARC is transforming into a political party. AFP

MILITARY DRILL. This handout photo taken on August 29, 2017, and provided by the South Korean

Defense Ministry in Seoul shows South Korean fighter jets F-15K dropping bombs at a shooting range in Gangwon Province, east of Seoul, during a military drill aimed at countering North Koreaís missile tests. Nuclear-armed North Korea said on August 30 that it had fired a missile over Japan the previous day, the first time it had ever acknowledged doing so. AFP

Military seeks record budget after missile TOKYO-Japan’s defense ministry said Thursday it will request its largest-ever annual budget, and just days after nuclear-armed North Korea fired a rocket over the country in a provocation that drew global condemnation. The ministry announced it is asking for 5.26 trillion yen ($47.9 billion) for the fiscal year through March 2019 to beef up its missile defense. That follows on five straight years of budgetary increases as the territorial tensions with China also aggravate Japan’s security concerns. The current proposal calls for spending on new SM-3 Block

IIA interceptors―developed jointly with the US―to counter potential attacks by simultaneous missile launches, as well as a next-generation early-warning and radar system. Adopting a land-based Aegis missile defense scheme to complement Japan’s sea-based system is also included in the multibillion-dollar budget request. The proposal comes two days after the North ﬁred a ballistic missile over Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe―who has been pushing to expand the role of his paciﬁst country’s Self-Defense Forces―denounced the launch as an “unprecedented, serious

and grave threat”. He agreed with US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on North Korea -- which has so far been mainly through sanctions -- to abandon its nuclear weapon and missile development programs. The two leaders had a telephone call early Thursday, their second this week, while Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera spoke with his US counterpart Jim Mattis. Japan is closely allied with the US on security issues and hosts American bases and tens of thousands of troops on its territory, which North Korea considers a threat. AFP

Sports

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Del Rosario rules ICTSI Ladies Classic

AIBA feud boils over

UBAO, Pampanga—Pauline del Rosario shrugged off Princess Superal’s early challenge and bucked the day-long gale-force wind to rule the ICTSI Pradera Verde Ladies Classic in emphatic fashion at the Pradera Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland —Punches are flying in and outside the ring at the amateur boxing world championships in Germany this week as a bitter power struggle rages for control of the historic Olympic sport. In one corner in Hamburg is Wu Ching-Kuo, the embattled Taiwanese president of ruling body the AIBA and an influential member of the International Olympic Committee. The opposite corner is crowded with the majority of the governing body’s executive committee who have joined forces to establish a temporary administration. They are out to KO Wu, who has led the Lausannebased AIBA since 2006. Wu’s opponents want to oust him from power, and seize control of the organization in what the current AIBA boss has compared to “a military coup”. Their main gripe is that Wu has lef t the spor t facing bankruptcy, placing the AIBA in peril. They claim the “AIBA is not in a position to repay” debts totaling 15 million Swiss francs (13 million euros). “Wrong!” says Wu, who contests that the AIBA’s finances are in fact “healthy” with “16mn Swiss francs in the bank”. The rebels, led by Italian Franco Falcinelli and Pat Fiacco of Canada, attempted to force through an urgent management shake-up in the Swiss courts. A ruling this month rejected their request, saying the matter would have to wait for a proper hearing in September. The legal action came after Wu’s executive committee passed a motion of no-confidence in him at a meeting in Moscow in July. Wu claims he is being targeted because of his attempt to reform the AIBA and specifically singled out former executive director Ho Kim of South Korea for seeking “revenge” after his ousting over allegations of financial wrongdoing. AFP

Del Rosario nearly blew a threestroke lead with an early bogey and a Superal birdie on No. 4 but recovered in time with gutsy play in severe condition, pouncing on her chief rival’s backside meltdown with back-toback birdies from No. 15 to shoot a 71 and post a whopping seven-stroke victory over Superal and Thai Tirapan Yoopan. “I knew Ces can win at any

given day, even at the last minute. But the wind was my toughest challenge, it’s too strong,” said Del Rosario, whose closing one-under card gave her a 54-hole total of nine-under 209. “I told myself that if I could play through it (wind), I could win so I took it one shot at a time and went for the fairway and the green.” The ploy worked as Del Rosario

rebounded from a 37 start with a slew of pars before hitting two late birdies to secure the win, her third in her rookie year after dominating the Orchard and Baguio stops of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. Superal, who assumed the challenger’s role with a 67 in the second round, pulled to within one with a birdie on No. 4 and after Del Rosario dropped a stroke on the third. But she failed to sustain her charge in the wind, bogeying No. 6 then falling farther behind with another bogey on No. 14 before yielding the crown with a double-bogey on the par-3 15th. Taking the cue, Del Rosario bird-

ied Nos. 15 and 16 inside six feet, turning what was expected to be a down-to-the-wire finish into a runaway triumph worth another P150,000. Superal wound up with a 75 for a 214 and settled for joint runner-up with Yoopan, who missed snatching solo second with a double-bogey on the final hole for a 74. Cyna Rodriguez, on a break from the Symetra Tour with Superal, fired the day’s only other 71 to claim fourth place at 215 while former leg winner Chihiro Ikeda carded a 74 for a 222 and ended up fifth in the seventh leg of the eighth-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf

Tournaments Inc. Sofia Chabon skied to a 77 but her 226 netted The Country Club ace the low amateur honors as teammate and last year’s LPGT Beverly Place leg champion Bernice Olivarez-Ilas limped with an 82 and dropped to seventh at 229. Apple Fudolin made a 78 for a 231 for eighth while Korean Euna Koh, who beat Del Rosario for the Luisita leg title last April, shot a 76 for 234 for ninth and Gretchen Villacencio hobbled with an 85 for a 237 for 10th in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.

PH stint developed Kadestam’s prowess ONE Championship welterweight contender Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam might have been born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, but he found his second home 5,792 miles away from his birthplace. With a professional record of nine wins and three losses, Kadestam believes that the well-established mixed martial arts scene in the Philippines played a pivotal role in his career and to where he is presently. Kadestam is one of the few foreign nationals who opted to make a run for the money and compete professionally in the country, joining the industry’s household names such as Pete Brooks, Hideo Morikawa, Nicholas Mann, and fellow ONE Championship competitor Igor Subora. The 26-year-old Swedish striker raised his stock as a cage combatant in the Philippines, training out of Legacy Gym in Boracay, Aklan under the tutelage of decorated kickboxer Ole Laursen since 2012. Kadestam had four exciting bouts in the Philippines, including an 11-second stoppage of Finnish rival Glenn Sparv in April 2016 to capture the welterweight championship of a regional promotion. Kadestam’s impressive run in the local mixed martial arts circuit served as his footstool to be noticed by ONE Championship, which is widely regarded as the premier organization of the sport in Asia. When asked if the Philippines had a big contribution to his success, Kadestam said, “Definitely, I would not have come to this country if I were not certain of having a career here.” “The Philippines is my home away from home. It’s a beautiful country. My stay in the Philippines for four years sparkplugged my professional career in the sport. I am grateful for everything that this country has given me,” he added. A late withdrawal opened up an opportunity for Kadestam to jump to the upper echelon of ONE Championship’s welterweight division.

Zebastian Kadestam runs off to celebrate his ONE Championship victory after knocking out Luis Santos with a knee to the head during their bout. ONE Championship

UAAP, NCAA teams clash in PVL collegiate conference Hamilton hunts SOME of the country’s top collegiate volleyball squads led by NCAA Season 92 champion Arellano University (AU) and UAAP Season 79 runner-up Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) will vie for the inaugural Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference title which will open on Saturday, September 2, on ABSCBN S+A on free TV, S+A HD on cable TV, and via livestreaming on premiervolleyballleague.com. The conference serves as a preview of the upcoming NCAA

and UAAP volleyball wars and features the brightest young stars of the volleyball scene such as National University’s (NU) Jaja Santiago, ADMU’s Jho Maraguinot, and Jerrili Malabanan of FEU. Others raring to make their mark are Ces Racraquin of San Beda College (SBC), Isa Molde of UP, Jovelyn Prado of AU, and Jema Galanza for Adamson. Firing off the contention for the championship are NCAA champs AU Lady Chiefs going against College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady

Blazers at 4pm followed by the main event featuring UAAP runner-up, the ADMU Lady Eagles and Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers at 6:30pm at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan City. The twelve teams will be split into two groups. Group A is composed of the NU Lady Bulldogs, along with San Sebastian (SSC-R) Lady Stags, Lyceum Lady Pirates (LPU), FEU Lady Tamaraws, JRU Lady Bombers, and ADMU Lady Eagles. While Group B has the UP Lady Maroons, AU Lady Chiefs,

CSB Lady Blazers, SBC Red Lionsesses, Adamson Lady Falcons, and the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP). The girls will be guided by their school coaches namely Tai Bundit (ADMU), Roger Gorayeb (SSC-R), Raymond Castillo (NU), Airess Padda (Adamson), Roberto Javier (AU), Mia Tioseco (JRU), Emil Lontoc (LPU), George Pascua (FEU), Achilles “Boy” Paril (TIP), Michael Carino (CSB), Nemesio Gavino (SBC), and Jerry Yee (UP).

Second generation cagers win SEAG gold medals By Peter Atencio FOR retired cager Benjie Paras and his son Kobe, the title conquest of Gilas Cadets in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal means many things to them and their family. This is a double celebration for both of them and their family. That’s because, like Bong Ravena and his son Kiefer, both have experienced winning a gold medal in the SEA Games. That’s because the elder Benjie was a member of a national cage team that won the gold medal in 1987. “It made me happy (to know) na kami ni Kiefer are like the next generations of our dads (in the SEA Games),” said the 19-year-old Paras.

Paras was with members of the national team, their coaches Chot Reyes and Jong Uichico, along with officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas during a victory lunch at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. Bounty Fresh and Chooks to Go president and CEO Ronald Mascarinas hosted a lunch for Gilas Pilipinas and triathlon champion Nikko Huelgas for the gold medal victories in the biennial meet. Gilas Cadets reasserted its dominance in the Southeast Asian region when they ruled the 29th SEA Games men’s basketball after beating Indonesia, 94-55, last Saturday. Immediately after the game, Kobe’s dad Benjie texted Kobe, informing him that he and Team Pilipinas won the gold 30 years, and also when he was 19.

“This is 2 generations (of players) na naka-gold sa SEA Games. Parang si Bong nung 1991, at ngayon, si Kiefer,” said the elder Paras, who had Ronnie Magsanoc, Nelson Asaytono, Joey Guanio and Bong Alvarez as his teammates at that time. Now that the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang is just around the corner, the elder Paras hopes that his son will still be part of Gilas. Back in 1990, Benjie was part of the national squad that won the silver. “If he’s there, and we win, that’s another trivia for the Paras family,” added Benjie. For now, Gilas Pilipinas is now getting ready to join the qualifiers for the FIBA Asia through its home and away games. In getting ready, the coaching staff, led by Chot Reyes, are thinking of joining tournaments in Japan, Australia and Taipei to get in shape.

Filipino-Chinese hoopsters defend seniors crowns

OFFICIALS of the FilipinoChinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) are hoping to defend three of four titles it won last year when the 26th ASEAN Veterans Basketball Championships starts on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “It’s going to be tough defending our titles considering Malaysia is coming off a dominant show in the SEA Games,” said Ironcon Builders boss Jimi Lim. “But we will try our best. This is basketball, so we have to live up to everybody’s expectations.” Aside from Lim, also the playing-coach of the 65-andabove team, other godfathers of the FCVBA are Rain or Shine’s Terry Que, Freego’s Eduard Tio and Tanduay’s Bong Tan. Tio is handling the 60s while

Tan heads the 50s in the annual event which the FCVBA dominated last year. FCVBA, however, will not be defending its crown in the 40s for lack of available players. Aside from Lim and Que, also playing for the 65-years are former MICAA players Bong dela Cruz and Zotico Tan, Sunny Co, Achit Kaw, Antonio Go, Lee Ching Ka, William Lao, Johnson Lao and Lee Chin Sun. Edsters Sy will call the shots for the 60-years that will be bannered by former PBA player Kenneth Yap, Noli Banate, Elmer Reyes, and Aries Franco. Also playing for the 60s are Andrew Ongteco, Danny Ching, James Chua, Danny Co, Jose Lao, and Conrad Siy. Tan, on the other hand, will lead the 50-years squad.

for F1 records, championship

MONZA, Italy—Lewis Hamilton will aim to establish a new outright record for career pole positions and leapfrog Sebastian Vettel to take the lead in this year’s world championship at the Italian Grand Prix. As four-time champion Vettel goes in search of his first win on Ferrari’s home track in Sunday’s classic high-speed charge, his nearest rival will be hunting a third victory in four years at the Autodromo Nazionale. Hamilton has won the Italian race three times overall and secured pole each of the last three years, a record that has encouraged him to believe he can secure another vital victory. He will attempt to extend that to four and, after equaling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 68 in Belgium, deliver his 69th pole. If he succeeds, and wins, the Briton will close the seven-point gap between him and the German and lead the title race for the first time this year. He currently has five wins to Vettel’s four, but knows, after last weekend’s hard-fought victory, that nothing can be taken for granted. “Ferrari have the better car and we have to do all we can to stay in front this time,” said Hamilton. Following Vettel’s decision to sign a new threedeal with Ferrari, Hamilton appears poised to remain with Mercedes, but the team have made clear ahead of Monza that they intend to delay contract talks until this year’s championship is decided. Hamilton is committed to Mercedes until the end of next year, but has suggested he is ready to make a long-term commitment to the team. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said he wants to retain Hamilton, but will wait until the championship is settled before any talks resume. “Our relationship is very good and I think each of us appreciates what he has in the other one,” said Wolff. “But this is not a topic we want to tackle now over the last remaining races of the season. It’s an intense last third of the year and we’ll get that over the line and then we’ll pick up a discussion.”

LOTTO RESULTS

Members of the 65-and-above team of the Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) pose prior to their recent training. They are (from left) Johnson Lao, Lee Ching Ka, Sunny Co, Bong dela Cruz, Antonio Go, William Lao, playing coach Jimi Lim and Zotico Tan.

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

Sports

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Russia’s Maria Sharapova returns the ball to Hungary’s Timea Babos during their 2017 US Open Women’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on August 30, 2017. AFP

National ice hockey team celebrates SEA Games gold By Peter Atencio IT was a challenging finals showdown for the Philippine national ice hockey team when they won the first ever gold in the sport in the 29th Southeast Asian Games. Skipper Steven Fuglister said this after Team Pilipinas was feted yesterday by their supporters at the Skating Ring of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. “We had to fight back to clinch the victory. And now the celebration was even better,” said Fuglister, a Swiss-Filipino. He was not able to play in the finals against Thailand, whom they beat, 5-4. Fuglister was suspended for an illegal hit on a Malaysian player during the semifinals. The Philippines led at 5-1 early in the game, and they had to hang on till the end to win. “It was fantastic for a tropical country to win a gold in this sport in the SEA Games,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William

Eagles tame Bulldogs THE Ateneo Blue Eagles, led by transferees William Navarro and Marco Sario, won over the National University Bulldogs-A, 97-85, last Sunday in the 15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola. Navarro, an aspirant from San Beda College, drilled in 23 points for the Blue Eagles, who picked up their first win in three games. Sario, who came from University of Santo Tomas, added 20 points for the Blue Eagles, who moved away in the first period, 30-13. The Blue Eagles moved away by 17 points mainly off Rodney Manuel, who shot 10 of his points in the opening minutes. The Bulldogs, with Darrell Menina shooting 15 points, took their first setback after three matches in Group A. In the junior division, the Rich Golden Shower Montessori School Spartans drew 28 points from Joel Ospeg as they turned back La Salle Greenhills, 80-68, for win no. 3. The San Beda-Rizal Red Cubs-A, with Justine Sanchez making 23 points, downed San BedaManila B, 137-68, to improve at 2-1. The San Beda-Manila Red Kittens-A put away San Beda-Rizal-B, 81-40, while the Mapua Red Robins crushed St. Michael School, 81-56. Peter Atencio

Ramirez, who was around with Philippine Skating Union president Chris Sy. Organizers also celebrated the silver medal win of figure skater Michael Martinez in the men’s division, along with that of Jules Alpe, and Alisson Perticheto in the women’s side. Sy said Team Pilipinas will now prepare for the staging of the Challenge Cup in March, where the best ice hockey teams in the region will compete for honors. The athletes were congratulated by SM Lifestyle Entertainment president Edgar Tejerero. Coached by Daniel Brodad, the squad is is composed of Benjamin Imperial Carl Montano, Daniel Pastrana, Francois Gautier, Javier Cadiz, Gianpetro Iseppi, Jan Regencia, Georgino Orda, Jorell Crisostomo, Inigo Cadiz, Joshua Carino and Julius Santiago. They also have Lenard Lancero, Miguel Relampagos, Miguel Serrano, Paolo Spafford, Patrick Syquiatco and Carlo Tenedero.

Sharapova advances while Zverev, Kyrgios stumble N

EW YORK—Former world number one Maria Sharapova battled back Wednesday to reach the third round of the US Open while next-generation rising stars Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios crashed out.

Sharapova, who downed second-ranked Simona Halep in her first Grand Slam match after a 15-month doping ban, defeated Hungary’s 59th-ranked Timea Babos 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “It wasn’t my best tennis,” Sharapova said. “It was scrappy tennis but sometimes those kind of matches are a lot of fun and this was one of those days.” The 30-year-old Russian, who next faces Russian-born US teen Sofia Kenin, tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, her most recent Grand Slam appearance until this week. “Every day I have the chance I have to play at the US Open is a special day and I’ll look forward to the next one,” 146th-ranked Sharapova said. Sharapova, whose five Grand

Slam titles include the 2006 US Open, played only one Open tuneup match after a forearm injury but wore down Halep and Babos to prove she’s a threat for a deep run, with Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova her top-ranked potential semifinal obstacle. Fourth seed Zverev, whose five ATP titles this year include a win over Roger Federer in this month’s Montreal final, fell to 61st-ranked Croatian Borna Coric 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/4). The 20-year-old German had been the highest-ranked player in his half of an injury-hit Open draw. “It’s upsetting because the draw is pretty open in the bottom part,” Zverev said. “I felt like I should have been the favorite there. I just played a very, very bad match, so it’s unfortunate.” Coric, who faces South Afri-

can Kevin Anderson for a last-16 berth, was one point from a fifth set before winning five in a row to force the deciding tie-breaker. “I was just thinking to keep the points shorter,” Coric said. “And yeah, I was a little bit lucky.” Zverev’s ouster left US 10th seed John Isner the top-ranked player in his draw quarter and Croatian fifth seed Marin Cilic the best in his half of the draw. Wimbledon runner-up Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner, reached the third round by beating Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Kyrgios, the 14th seed and former top-rated obstacle in Federer’s quarter-final path, hurt his right shoulder in a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 first-round loss to 235th-ranked fellow Aussie John Millman. “Early in the third set I hit one serve and I never felt the same after that,” Kyrgios said. “Something didn’t feel right in my arm.” Kyrgios, 22, dropped eight of the last nine games.

“Nick’s shoulder deteriorated as the match went on,” Millman said after his first US Open triumph. “It’s a victory but slightly hollow.” Austrian sixth seed Dominic Thiem ousted Aussie Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. Thiem is the highest-ranked rival on the Federer and Nadal side of the draw. Canadian 18-year-old qualifier Denis Shapovalov defeated French eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to book a third-round date with Britain’s Kyle Edmund. “It’s a dream come true for me,” Shapovalov said. Shapovalov became the youngest man in the third round of a Grand Slam since Bernard Tomic at the 2011 Australian Open and at the US Open since American Donald Young in 2007. Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza reached the US Open third round for the first time by beating China’s 92ndranked Duan Ying-Ying 6-4, 6-0. AFP

Surging TNT KaTropa takes on GlobalPort Batang Pier By Jeric Lopez

GlobalPort Batang Pier guard Terrence Romeo (7) tries to dribble past TNT KaTropa defender Ryan Reyes. TNT and GlobalPort once again cross paths tonight in PBA action.

FINALLY finding its groove, TNT KaTropa looks to continue rolling as it aims on keeping its climb up the standings in the resumption of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Winners of two straight, the Tropang Texters (4-2) shoot for a third straight win as they will get tested by unpredictable GlobalPort (2-3) at 7 p.m. as the scene shifts to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. In the appetizer, Blackwater (3-4) looks to bounce back as it faces winless and desperate cellar-dweller Kia (0-7) at 4:15 p.m. TNT KaTropa started its campaign on a rollercoaster ride, alternating wins and losses, but has since found its mark to slowly but surely move up the ladder. The Tropang Texters are on a twogame winning streak and should they keep their surge, they will gain solo fifth place and stay in step with the teams above them. The last time out, TNT dealt the Elite a resounding 117-96 beat down just last Wednesday night as it showed its sharpness.

On the other hand, the inconsistent Batang Pier wasn’t as fortunate in its last outing, bowing to San Miguel Beer, 115112, in a closely contested battle. GlobalPort is in a must-win situation as it can’t afford to lose at this juncture if it wants to break into the top eight. After racking up its franchise-best three-game winning streak, the Elite was sent crashing back to earth by the Tropang Texters. Still, Blackwater is in a fair position but it needs to get back on track to remain in a strong hunt for a spot in the playoffs. The Picanto is in desperation mode as it is on a tail-end of a seven-game losing streak as it hasn’t won a single game in the tournament up to this stage. Its fate is no longer in its hands completely but if it wins its remaining assignments and the stars align, it can still have a distant shot at cracking the top eight. Kia last lost to GlobalPort, 102-90, last Aug. 20. Meanwhile, rivals San Miguel Beermen (3-2) and the lowly Alaska Aces (0-6) face each other tomorrow at the Angeles Sports Arena in Pampanga at 5 p.m.

Tagaytay Highlands widens advantage TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS made the most of its WGAP Circuit hosting, coming away with two victories and a one third-place finish to pull away again in the overall race after six legs at the Midlands and Lucky Nine courses in Tagaytay recently. But the Highlanders went through some anxious moments before nipping a hardfighting Forest Hills side and snaring the Class A via countback after both teams finished with identical 140 points. Tagaytay’s Class C squad, however, stamped its class and pooled a 150 to post an eight-point romp over Villamor before settling for third in Class B won by Sta. Elena over Camp Aguinaldo. The huge seven-point output hiked Tagaytay’s total to 26 points, now five points clear off Villamor (21) and six ahead of Forest Hills (20) with Sta. Elena and Alabang toting 12 and 11 points, respectively. Heading to the sixth stop, Tagaytay held on to a onepoint lead over joint secondrunning Villamor and Forest Hills but cashed in on the proverbial home-court edge to build another big cushion heading to the last two legs of the annual eight-stage circuit organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines. Sharing the spotlight were individual winners Abigail Lapid of Orchard (40 pointsClass A), Wack Wack’s Isable de Jesus (42 points-Class B) and Villamor’s Angela Castro (47 points-Class C). Canlubang will host the penultimate leg on Sept. 11 at the North course before the circuit winds up at Sta. Elena on Oct. 9.

Malaysia dismisses SEAG judging concerns KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia— Malaysia dismissed concerns over judging at the Southeast Asian Games as the hosts finished the competition with a record 145 gold medals on Wednesday, more than twice the number of second-placed Thailand. The home team won five of the seven titles on the final day, a typically dominant performance as they ended the Games with more than one-third of the 406 gold medals handed out. Later on Wednesday, the tournament was declared closed in a colourful ceremony at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, where the Games flag was passed to 2019

hosts the Philippines. “Kuala Lumpur 2017 has been truly magnificent, memorable and majestic,” said SEA Games Federation president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar. Malaysia, who won 62 gold medals at the last SEA Games in 2015, topped the table for the first time since 2001—when they also hosted the mini-Olympics. Thailand had 72 golds and Vietnam 58. Thai and Indonesian officials have hit out at the judging standards, and there have been a welter of complaints and videos online, many under the #ShameOnYouMalaysia hashtag. But Ahmad Shapawi Ismail,

director-general of Malaysia’s National Sports Council, said none of the 10 visiting teams had registered an official complaint. “We have a technical delegate appointed by the international (SEA Games) federation,” he told reporters. “We have procedures on whatever protests or dissatisfaction (there is) from the teams and until now if I’m not mistaken we haven’t received any official complaints.” He added: “The bottom line is, there are rules, there are procedures. There is a technical delegate appointed by the international sports federation, and we have to trust those people to deliver the competition properly.” AFP

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano waves the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag after receiving it from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and outgoing SEA Games Federation president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar of Malaysia during the closing ceremonies of the 29th Southeast Asian Games Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Cayetano will serve as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee. AFP

Megaworld set to open 14th mall in Laguna B2

Business

United States Dollar

1.000000

51.1660

Japan

Yen

0.009073

0.4642

Pound

1.292700

66.1423

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127796

6.5388

Switzerland

Franc

1.037990

53.1098

Canada

Dollar

0.792456

40.5468

Singapore

Dollar

0.736214

37.6691

Australia

Dollar

0.790400

40.4416

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

135.8558

Saudi Arabia Rial

0.266667

13.6443

Brunei

Dollar

0.733514

Indonesia

Rupiah 0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

1.5411

UAE

Dirham 0.272287

13.9318

Euro

1.188500

60.8108

Korea

Won

0.000890

0.0455

China

Yuan

0.151593

7.7564

India

Rupee

0.015629

0.7997

Malaysia

Ringgit 0.234247

Taiwan

0.033184

Dollar

MONEY supply rose 13.5 percent in July to P10 trillion from a year ago on the back of strong demand for credit, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday. “Demand for credit remains the principal driver of money supply growth,” Bangko Sentral said. Domestic claims grew 15.7 percent in July, faster than the 15.4-percent increase in June on sustained growth in credit to the private sector. “The growth in M3 remains in line with BSP’s prevailing outlook for inﬂation and economic activity. Going forward, the BSP will continue to closely monitor monetary conditions in order to ensure that domestic liquidity stays adequate to support the BSP’s price and ﬁnancial stability objectives,” Bangko Sentral said. Outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the Bangko Sentral, also went up 19.7 percent in July. Inclusive of RRPs, loans expanded 18.7 parent during the month. Loans for production activities expanded 18.9 percent while loans for household consumption increased 22.3 percent in July. Darwin G. Amojelar

Currency Unit US Dollar Peso

0.720100

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Money supply, bank loans grow

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE

New Zealand Dollar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 31, 2017

0.030120

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

37.5310

11.9855 36.8446 1.6979 Source: PDS Bridge

AIA, Philam Life mark milestones

DBP LOAN. State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines approves a P100-million omnibus line to engineering and construction company Goldridge Construction & Development Corp. to finance the latter’s infrastructure projects. Shown during the signing of the loan agreement are (seated, from left) GCDC corporate secretary Diana Jeanne Cajucom, treasurer and vice president for administration and finance Annette Del Rosario and president and chief executive Ronnie Del Rosario, DBP vice president and middle market group-Luzon head Rox Morales and assistant vice president and regional marketing center-Central Luzon head Francis Rivera.

Sugar tax threatening Coca-Cola’s investment By Othel V. Campos

oca-Cola Femsa said Thursday it may revisit its investment plan in the Philippines, if Congress approves the proposed tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in its original form.

Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines director of legal and corporate affairs Juan Lorenzo Tañada said while the company was still committed to deliver $1 biĺlion worth of investments until 2020, the proposed tax would have an impact on its decision. “It will have an impact on business. The industry is very concerned about the bill. We are evaluating every possible risk in the sense that we are strong believers

in the Philippine economy,” Tañada said in a forum hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines in Pasay City. Beverage industry players expressed concern over the proposed tax measure and asked the government to delay by at least a year the imposition of taxes, or once the issues on health concerns and revenue generation were

resolved. Tañada said the industry wanted to have all the facts collected to help legislators move forward on the tax measure. He said the bill, in its present form, would not really address health issues but would hurt the poor. Coca-Cola Femsa said its market was mainly composed of the C, D and E income groups. Imposing the tax in its original text would be tantamount to depriving the public of their democratic right to drinking/food preference, it said. “As investors in this country, I’d like to believe that our contribution to the economy will be taken into consideration. The P10-perliter tax is quite dangerous for us and the consuming

public. We need something sustainable. We need to ensure that investors will have a fair return in their investments. We’re not against taxation per se, but we are against discriminatory taxation,” Tañada said. ECCP president Gunther Taus said the taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages under House Bill No. 5636 or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion would render the prices of powdered juices, 3-in-1 coffee, iced tea, energy drinks and soft drinks prohibitive to low-income families. Taus said the bill would not guarantee that people would stop consuming sugarsweetened beverages nor would it solve the problem of obesity.

“It’s in the lifestyle and not the taxes the government plans to impose. As long as we don’t advertise more for proper nutrition and proper lifestyle, we’ll never rid of obesity. Is it necessary to impose tax on sugar to make up for the shortfall in tax collection. Really, the tax on sugar is something that should not be imposed,” he said. Among the members of BIAP are Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc., Coca-Cola Philippines, CocaCola Femsa, San Miguel Corp., Mondelez Philippines, Universal Robina Corp., Asia Brewery, Nestle Philippines, Liwayway Corp., Kopiko, Del Monte Philippines, Asiawide Refreshment Corp. and Zest-O Corp.

LRT 1 operator seeks P300m in govt subsidy LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is demanding P300 million in subsidy from the government for the latter’s failure to implement fare adjustment at Light Rail Transit Line 1. “That’s still pending claims against the grantor [Department of Transportation] so we continue to discuss with the grantor,” LRMC president and chief executive Rogelio Singson said. “We have suggested that the government will subsidize the P300 million, instead of passing it to the commuters,” he said, adding that the Light Rail Transit Authority was amenable to the proposal. Singson, however, said the company was still waiting for the decision of the Transportation Department on whether it would subsidize the commuter fares. Under the concession agreement, a 10-percent fare adjustment was due in August 2016. LRMC won the bidding for the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015. The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran station and run in a generally southerly direction to Niyog, Cavite. It will consist of elevated guideways throughout most of the alignment, except for the guideway section at Zapote which will be located at grade level. It will consist of the satellite depot and new station. Eight new stations will be provided with three intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Cavite. The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Pinas, Zapote and Niyog. The intermodal facilities shall be located at Dr. Santos, Zapote and Niyog. LRMC said in less than two years since works began to upgrade Manila’s oldest light rail system, it received the certification of its management systems to global standards by international certification body TÜV Rheinland. “This achievement sends a clear message to our employees, customers and trade partners that LRMC is committed to setting the gold standard in Philippine public transport,” Singson said. LRMC is certified compliant for international standards in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015), following a two-year companywide program to improve operational efficiencies in the 32-year old LRT-1. Darwin G. Amojelar

CAMPAIGN VS SUGAR TAX. The Philippine Association of Store and Carinderia Owners leads a signature drive against the proposed Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax which will increase the prices of instant coffee, powdered juices, energy drinks, soft drinks and other beverage products sold in sari-sari stores. At Barangay 176 in Caloocan City, sari-sari store owner and Pasco member Mary Joy Bueno assists fellow members in signing the petition. Pasco encourages the public to sign the online petition at www. pambansangpalista.org.

Ayala completes Zalora acquisition By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said Thursday it completed the acquisition of a 49-percent stake in Zalora Philippines, the country’s largest online fashion and lifestyle retailing platform. Ayala Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the group subscribed to shares in BF Jade E-Services Inc., the company that owns and operates Zalora Philippines, after it complied with all the closing conditions. Under the agreement, Ayala Corp. subscribed to a 43.3-percent stake in BF-Jade while property unit Ayala Land Inc. acquired a 1.91-percent interest. BPI Capital Corp., a unit of Bank of the Philippine Islands and Kickstart Ventures Inc., a unit of Globe Telecom, also agreed to buy stakes in BF-Jade, boosting the group’s total stake in Zalora Philippines to 49 percent. The deal allows the conglomerate to capture the growing opportunities in e-commerce. “Through this transaction, Ayala aims to capture the growing opportunities in e-commerce

amid a robust domestic consumer market and an increasingly digital environment. Moreover, with businesses in real estate, banking, and telecommunications, this investment provides opportunities for Ayala to create synergies across the e-commerce value chain,” Ayala Corp said. The partnership is also expected to strengthen the leadership of Zalora Philippines. Zalora Philippines was established in 2012 as a part of the global network of the Zalora Group, which was 100-percent owned by Global Fashion Group, the world’s largest online fashion platform for emerging markets. It is currently the Philippines’ largest online fashion destination, offering over 120,000 products across more than 1,000 brands in accessories, beauty, clothing, shoes and sports. Zalora’s online fashion business is complemented by a proprietary, robust and scalable logistics platform that utilizes online channels and technology. Share price of Ayala Corp. closed higher by 2.3 percent to P920 Thursday.

AIA Group Limited, the largest independent publicly listed panAsian life insurance group, said Thursday it became the only company in the world to have achieved the largest number of Million Dollar Round Table members for three consecutive years. A record total of 8,324 AIA agents and agency leaders were registered as MDRT members as of July 2, 2017, representing an increase of 46 percent in members from 2016 and a 460 percent growth since the company’s IPO in 2010. Philam Life, AIA’s subsidiary in the Philippines, also showed consistent growth in the total number of MDRT qualifiers, with an increase of 33 percent members from the previous year, and 86 percent in the last five years. “At Philam Life, we remain committed to fully engaging and strengthening our premier agency force so that we may continue helping Filipinos live better. We are pleased with this achievement which provides us with a professional distribution platform to continue to focus on raising the bar and surpassing the standard of excellence that our agency force has achieved. Our agents can count on us to provide the tools they need to deliver exceptional service to our customers,” said Philam Life chief executive Aibee Cantos. MDRT is internationally recognized as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. Its members are required to generate a certain level of premium, commission and income, and demonstrate professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service.

BSP sees faster August inflation

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation to settle within a range of 2.6 percent to 3.4 percent range in August, compared to the actual 2.8-percent increase in consumer prices in July. Increases in domestic petroleum prices, electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas and rice prices along with the depreciation of the peso could contribute to upward price pressures, it said. “Moving forward, the BSP will continue to assess domestic and external factors that affect the balance of risks surrounding the inflation outlook in line with its mandate of delivering price stability conducive to a balanced and sustained economic growth,” it said. The July inflation was also faster than 1.9-percent registered in the same month last year. This brought the average inflation in the first seven months to 3.1 percent, slightly higher than the mid-point of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year. “Inflation is projected to remain close to the mid-point of the national government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent in 2017 to 2019,” Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla said earlier. Darwin G. Amojelar

Metro Pacific, Ayala eye MRT 3 takeover By Darwin G. Amojelar existing rules that they have THE consortium of Metro Paciﬁc Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp. proposed to take over the assets, operations and maintenance of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 in six months under an application it submitted as the original proponent to the government in July. “MPIC, Ayala Corp. and Macquarie have submitted a proposal to the government last July 14. The unsolicited proposal is the total complete package with contract provisions because we were just lifting the same provisions of the concession agreement under LRT Line 1,” Rogelio Singson, president and chief executive of Light Rail Manila Corp., said. “Our offer is lock, stock and barrel. We’ll take over just like Line 1. We will operate and maintain,” Singson said. LRMC, a joint venture company of MPIC, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. in September 2014 secured a 32-year concession to operate and maintain LRT 1 including the Cavite extension. Singson said the consortium’s MRT 3 proposal was presented to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “The offer is there. It makes a lot of sense to government. We will take out the responsibility from government. The offer is for us to take over and for another 32 years or 30 years of concession. We’re hoping the government will give the proposal a serious evaluation and give the proponent what is referred to as original proponent status,” Singson said. “Once you’re given OPS, government can go through a Swiss challenge. Whoever wants to offer a similar proposal, there is a period, 90 days or maybe 120 days under

to go through a challenge and hopefully, if there is a challenge and there is a decision, hopefully, the best proposal comes out by the first quarter of next year. It could be as soon as four to six months that we have a new operator,” he said. The MPIC-Ayala Group submitted an unsolicited proposal to Transportation Department to upgrade and rehabilitate MRT 3 system for P12.5 billion. The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3. The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3, while the remaining stake is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp. MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of LBP and DBP in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion. MPIC signed a cooperation agreement in 2011 with various groups holding rights and interests in MRT 3, including MRTC, Metro Rail Transit Holdings Inc., Metro Rail Transit 2 Inc. and Monumento Rail Transit Corp., giving the company led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan an option to acquire 48 percent. Metro Pacific has not exercised the option. MPIC submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation in 2011 to invest $524 million to rehabilitate and upgrade MRT 3. The Aquino administration, however, rejected Metro Pacific’s offer that would involve raising commuter fares. MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves over 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000. The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.

Business

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market flat; Ayala, Manila Water climb

tocks closed ﬂat Thursday, ahead of a long weekend as strong US growth and jobs data helped traders move past concerns over North Korea’s missile test. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, picked up 1 point to close at 7,958.57, as three of the six major sectors advanced. The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 1 point to settle at 4,723.27, on a value turnover of P11.3 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 101 to 84, while 63 issues were unchanged. Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Manila Water Company Inc. which climbed 2.5 percent to P30.95 and Bank of the Philippine Islands which rose 2.3 percent to P105.90. Ayala Corp. advanced

2.3 percent to P920. Meanwhile, markets across Asia rallied Wednesday after the previous day’s North Korea-fuelled losses as US President Donald Trump’s apparently measured response soothed fears about possible conﬂict in the region. The gains extended into Europe and New York later in the day after the US Commerce Department reported the world’s largest economy expanded a forecast-beating three percent in the second quarter. That came as a closely watched private jobs creation reading also broke expectations.

New York’s three main indexes ended in positive territory and the dollar, which has recently come under pressure, jumped to life. The greenback rallied against the euro and yen―considered a safe bet in times of crisis―as the strong readings revived speculation the Federal Reserve could consider lifting interest rates for a third time this year. Eyes will now turn to the release of key ofﬁcial ﬁgures on Friday. Having broken above $1.20 soon after Pyongyang’s missile launch the euro was well down and struggling to claw its way back to $1.19 in Asia on Thursday. Also, the dollar was sitting at a two-week high of 110.57 yen, compared with levels below 108.50 yen seen Tuesday. “The dollar thundered back to life augmented by startlingly posi-

tive US [growth] and labour market data,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at Oanda. “Also, investors were quick to put the recent North Korean flare up in the rear view mirror as haven assets lost their endearment and US equity markets rebounded.” The weak yen supported Japanese exporters, with Tokyo’s Nikkei ending 0.7 percent higher, while Sydney added 0.8 percent and Singapore gained 0.5 percent. Wellington and Taipei were also higher. However, Shanghai dipped 0.1 percent as official figures showed a rise in Chinese factory activity in August but not strong enough to ease concerns about the world’s number two economy, which is growing at its slowest pace in more than a quarter of a century. Hong Kong eased 0.4 percent,

with profit-takers also moving in after enjoying six days of gains in the previous seven trading days. In early European trade London rose 0.3 percent while Paris and Frankfurt each added 0.5 percent. On oil markets both main contracts edged down and continue to be buffeted by worries over Harvey, which has seen dozens of refineries shut down in the cruderich Gulf and dented demand for the commodity. With refineries shut down there is no demand for crude to be processed but the storm has led to a rise in petrol prices across the United States. Analysts said the release next week of US inventory data could reveal a big jump in stockpiles as there are fewer place for the oil that has been pumped to be refined. With AFP, Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.41 348,000 59.45 11,620 105.9 1,786,860 3.96 1,000 127.1 2,402,130 1.35 54,000 36.05 252,900 10 1,000 16.1 900 30.4 1,968,600 0.68 10,000 895 50 0.71 2,485,000 87.6 3,711,120 0.98 684,000 13.16 20,000 25.5 600 60.5 7,640 238 240,510 117.7 130 88.5 1,710 51.3 53,760 250 7,855,370 1,800 60 86.55 75,090 1.37 170,000

1,593,000 690,339 185,788,095 3,960 305,511,281 71,850 9,104,710 9,959 14,490 60,059,480 6,800 44,750 1,783,230 324,124,488 674,290 263,200 15,300 462,709 57,433,394 15,320 151,335 2,760,448 1,963,153,746 108,000 6,508,403.50 229,340

621,427 -64,117,152 -54,271,884 3,474,000 -10,068,530 -44,750 -72,000 -38,735,978 -149,010 -242,200 704,189 617,708,650 1,964,074 -

39.1 9.1 0.8 1.37 21.5 0.237 145 6 17.28 34 23.5 64 79.6 1.91 5.35 11.22 10.3 15 13 7.02 6.76 1.8 16.8 67 14.36 12.24 15.2 1.8 236.2 3.35 30.5 19.7 17.4 270.6 0.236 11.32 2.97 6.52 9.59 7 10.1 1.8 11.88 65.55 6.69 303.4 4.25 4.3 2.46 12.54 4.5 0.143 1.2 146.1 2.14 28.5 1

INDUSTRIAL 39.5 1,235,400 9.1 1,927,500 0.81 727,000 1.4 241,000 22.3 99,500 0.24 840,000 145 800 6 4,167,200 17.28 2,505,000 35 749,800 24 30,000 64 300 81.5 4,590 1.92 317,000 5.4 120,700 11.68 16,800 10.34 4,258,200 15.18 481,900 13.3 1,278,200 7.02 685,700 6.78 34,625,500 1.8 15,000 16.82 1,597,000 67 115,270 14.36 100 12.24 173,000 15.22 1,383,300 1.81 218,000 238.2 502,640 3.45 131,000 30.95 4,813,900 19.86 141,800 17.5 750,300 271 161,150 0.237 1,380,000 11.8 51,900 2.97 1,650,000 6.85 189,400 9.8 21,400,200 7.15 469,100 10.1 22,600 1.81 353,000 11.88 143,900 65.95 125,530 6.71 15,500 307.8 5,690 4.33 15,037,000 4.36 75,000 2.55 290,000 12.7 83,200 4.5 108,000 0.143 70,000 1.2 79,000 146.1 1,570,440 2.19 17,122,000 28.5 100 1 2,000

48,740,880 17,688,313(1, 587,520 338,880 2,196,080 199,980 120,200 25,084,349 43,301,018 26,167,535 711,385 19,200 379,775 608,380 646,115 189,754 44,200,580 7,276,694 16,970,312 4,827,656 235,368,525 27,000 26,878,242(8, 7,750,176 1,436 2,120,730 21,246,392 392,560 119,470,200 439,310 148,849,180 2,813,008 13,135,012 ( 43,671,088 327,270 600,742 4,933,440 1,274,393 208,779,143 3,307,418 228,260 640,270 1,716,132 8,238,176 104,801 1,731,984 64,810,350 325,900 725,460 1,050,708 486,400 10,010 95,380 232,812,816 37,424,660 2,850 2,000

3,296,810 183,334.9997) 39,390 4,600 -105,700 -9,468,833 11,715,018 -53,225 19,200 86,400 13,337,398 2,146,592 -632,012 -1,592,235 -81,854,714 097,633.9999) 580,093.50 -687,244 2,855,648 31,057,160 348,400 26,419,835 563,530 907,257.9997) 13,204,928 -143,660 1,370 159,344,470 49,000 5,430 309,726 8,957 -1,470,024 0 239,500 172,484.00 -67,500 726,686 2,185,100 -

0.36 74.45 14.02 1.15 7 0.32 0.31 920 8.08 15.7 7.7 0.206 1,130 71.8 5 5.43 0.97 7.14 17.74 6.5 0.045 0.94 2.07 100 2.77 827.5 1.55 302.4 0.28 0.21 0.225

0.35 73.2 13.72 1.1 6.92 0.305 0.31 899.5 7.84 15.3 7.45 0.206 1,117 70.8 5 5.43 0.91 6.76 17.5 6.35 0.044 0.92 2.05 99.45 2.62 810.5 1.47 300 0.28 0.2 0.225

HOLDING FIRMS 0.355 2,230,000 74.45 27,631,690 13.9 16,829,100 1.15 69,000 7 23,400 0.32 440,000 0.31 60,000 920 330,710 7.84 2,919,700 15.7 7,911,300 7.6 1,001,700 0.206 50,000 1,118 158,235 71.8 1,624,550 5 9,000 5.43 1,500 0.93 3,465,000 6.76 2,339,300 17.72 1,127,600 6.35 15,745,300 0.044 4,000,000 0.94 15,000 2.06 374,000 100 55,520 2.63 8,000 810.5 464,080 1.53 1,143,000 300 4,660 0.28 140,000 0.21 20,000 0.225 210,000

791,700 2,025,198,183 (2 233,834,824 76,430 163,613 136,900 18,600 302,266,825 22,968,285 123,776,362 7,613,790 10,300 177,392,760 116,310,915.50 45,000 8,145 3,258,710 15,903,414 19,949,826 100,528,445 177,000 13,900 770,550 5,550,029.50 21,560 377,300,565 1,722,310 1,399,410 39,200 4,100 47,250

19,222,260.5) 112,888,474 67,437,305 4,374,062 -21,608,412 -3,800,000 -19,240,870 -12,587,730 -46,000 -4,461,801 9,260,868 -65,197,190 -2,423,247 -181,691,165 -240,234 -

5.45 1.23 6.55 2.43 1.09 42.9 3.75 5.04 5.35 5.94 0.54 1.36 1.62 0.239 0.51 44.45 0.7 0.159 1.93 1.66 4.97 0.295 0.6

5.34 1.19 6.14 2.38 1.02 42 3.67 4.93 5.25 5.3 0.52 1.3 1.53 0.228 0.495 43.6 0.69 0.15 1.89 1.62 4.86 0.285 0.57

1,926,661 9,427,810 5,012 3,304,710 13,594,340 403,054,360 4,534,050 13,932,611 1,912,544 467,780 4,909,230 603,450 2,427,600 6,383,880 679,115 7,683,195 90,400 207,110 35,959,610 9,201,000 128,310,250 3,406,350 12,204,150

-829,055 58,880 4,820 -1,046,860 -35,584,635 1,976,410 -2,694,150 13,000 -728,100 5,100 1,402,725 21,948,020 -198,000 59,430,270 116,000 -57,540

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

4.35 59.4 103.2 3.96 128 1.35 36 9.94 16.1 30.45 0.68 895 0.71 87 1 13.16 25.5 60.55 238.8 118 88.5 51.5 250 1,800 86.85 1.33

4.6 59.45 105.9 3.96 128.1 1.35 36.05 10 16.1 30.9 0.68 895 0.73 87.95 1 13.16 25.5 61.1 238.8 118 88.5 51.5 252.2 1,800 86.9 1.37

4.35 59.2 102.5 3.96 127 1.32 35.95 9.94 16.1 30.3 0.68 895 0.71 87 0.98 13.16 25.5 60.4 238 117.7 88.5 51.2 248 1,800 86.55 1.32

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

39.4 9.32 0.8 1.42 23.4 0.239 151 6.06 17.3 34.2 24.2 64 84 1.92 5.35 11.22 10.46 15.12 13.26 7.04 6.76 1.8 16.9 67.35 14.36 12.28 15.2 1.82 238 3.36 30.5 19.88 17.68 271.8 0.24 11.34 3.01 6.6 9.69 7.2 10.1 1.84 12.08 66 6.69 304.2 4.25 4.3 2.5 12.56 4.5 0.143 1.24 148.9 2.15 28.5 1

39.5 9.34 0.82 1.42 23.4 0.24 151 6.09 17.32 35.55 24.8 64 84.8 1.94 5.4 11.74 10.46 15.18 13.3 7.08 6.86 1.8 16.9 68 14.36 12.3 15.62 1.82 238.8 3.45 31 19.88 17.78 271.8 0.24 11.88 3.01 6.9 9.92 7.35 10.1 1.85 12.1 66 6.95 307.8 4.35 4.36 2.55 12.76 4.52 0.143 1.24 151 2.21 28.5 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 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 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

0.355 74.3 14.02 1.11 6.92 0.31 0.31 902 8.03 15.3 7.45 0.206 1,130 71.8 5 5.43 0.91 7.14 17.5 6.45 0.045 0.92 2.05 100 2.62 827.5 1.49 302 0.28 0.2 0.225

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

5.34 1.21 6.55 2.38 1.08 42.4 3.75 5.04 5.32 5.4 0.53 1.36 1.61 0.232 0.5 44.35 0.69 0.153 1.91 1.65 4.91 0.295 0.58

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.54 5.25 23.4 1.81 3.25 33.75 1.01 0.87 5.86

0.54 5.25 23.4 1.81 3.25 33.9 1.02 0.9 5.95

0.52 5.12 23 1.78 3.25 33.2 1.01 0.87 5.84

0.53 5.22 23.2 1.78 3.25 33.4 1.02 0.9 5.95

1,223,000 2,267,300 2,703,000 129,000 146,000 8,539,300 742,000 10,000 7,313,800

646,820 11,795,403 62,714,490 230,730 474,500 285,692,205 749,440 8,730 43,083,072

1,188,135 -2,951,685 -111,852,435 -11,544,319

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

19.6 41.5 1.74 0.59 0.039 10.84 5.11 11.16 0.077 108 10.18 8 2.17 2,000 6.09 17.78 13.32 2.36 3.03 105.5 11.46 8.51 0.172 1.36 2.95 15.8 4.64 1.47 10.5 0.56 2.4 9.1 4.3 23 2.35 11.06 5.2 170 10.4 1,710 1.6 0.4 48.3 90 5.94 4.73 1.43 1.84 3.41 1.25 8.74

19.6 41.5 1.74 0.6 0.041 10.84 5.3 11.42 0.077 108.8 10.32 8 2.17 2,028 6.1 17.86 13.32 2.36 3.03 105.5 11.46 8.51 0.172 1.38 3 15.8 4.7 1.5 10.7 0.56 2.44 9.36 4.33 23.5 2.45 11.06 5.2 170 10.4 1,730 1.62 0.4 48.4 91.5 5.94 4.9 1.49 1.84 3.42 1.29 8.88

19.1 41.05 1.69 0.59 0.039 10.84 5.11 11.16 0.075 106.8 10.08 7.9 2.17 1,996 6.08 17.7 13.32 2.32 3.03 103.3 11.46 8.3 0.171 1.33 2.95 15.8 4.58 1.4 10.5 0.56 2.39 8.78 4.25 19 2.33 11.06 5.19 170 10.1 1,691 1.59 0.4 47.9 90 5.74 4.7 1.43 1.84 3.41 1.24 8.66

SERVICES 19.1 41.4 1.7 0.59 0.04 10.84 5.3 11.22 0.076 108.3 10.24 7.9 2.17 2,000 6.09 17.78 13.32 2.32 3.03 104.4 11.46 8.51 0.171 1.38 3 15.8 4.6 1.47 10.6 0.56 2.4 8.89 4.29 21.15 2.4 11.06 5.19 170 10.12 1,730 1.62 0.4 48.05 90.75 5.91 4.78 1.49 1.84 3.41 1.29 8.87

79,500 32,300 154,000 1,624,000 23,900,000 200 13,000 25,074,800 6,290,000 269,140 2,659,300 14,900 5,000 46,965 73,900 297,700 100 320,000 6,000 2,178,970 100 320,200 1,050,000 83,000 25,000 700 2,405,000 2,987,000 110,500 34,000 67,000 14,030,700 2,006,000 22,500 1,004,000 1,000 21,800 160 811,000 71,795 3,846,000 370,000 205,900 916,350 1,277,200 14,606,000 10,511,000 5,000 213,000 21,764,000 5,173,200

1,528,536 1,331,005 262,420 959,070 955,300 2,168 68,710 283,322,372 473,960 29,163,152 27,187,288 118,150 10,850 93,916,770 449,982 5,291,458 1,332 748,380 18,180 227,417,002 1,146 2,713,347 179,990 113,450 74,750 11,060 11,085,440 4,331,710 1,170,378 19,040 160,780 127,127,424 8,611,190 456,340 2,412,520 11,060 113,331 27,200 8,237,032 123,740,435 6,219,330 148,000 9,895,180 83,030,548.50 7,577,808 69,835,070 15,441,790 9,200 726,340 27,622,390 45,606,206

1,920 -295,000 -237,000 190,545,296 6,407,801 102,100 -14,400 -55,952,515 -373,550 -415,290 -15,390,655 177,310 188,070 -19,673,511 -691,470 28,517,915 -470,970 3,172,035 70,176,145 -2,199,280 2,070,850 150,040 161,840 7,598,201

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

0.0028 1.68 5.08 13.7 1.83 1.2 0.4 8.77 2.6 0.275 0.184 0.193 0.01 1.98 7.2 1.93 0.54 1.13 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.51 8.6 4.28 172 0.0082

0.0029 1.68 5.15 13.72 1.83 1.23 0.405 8.85 2.62 0.28 0.184 0.193 0.011 1.98 7.49 1.93 0.58 1.14 0.013 0.014 0.013 2.51 8.62 4.37 175 0.0082

0.0028 1.65 5.08 13.68 1.83 1.19 0.395 8.61 2.55 0.275 0.182 0.193 0.01 1.93 7.2 1.89 0.54 1.1 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.51 8.6 4.19 170 0.0082

MINING & OIL 0.0029 345,000,000 1.66 2,388,000 5.14 455,700 13.68 1,300 1.83 2,000 1.23 487,000 0.4 1,590,000 8.7 7,900 2.57 4,035,000 0.275 1,470,000 0.183 2,210,000 0.193 240,000 0.011 18,000,000 1.97 157,000 7.22 10,415,700 1.89 5,000 0.56 823,000 1.13 1,019,000 0.013 37,000,000 0.014 1,400,000 0.013 24,200,000 2.51 1,000 8.61 110,400 4.26 4,761,000 173.6 3,915,820 0.0082 3,000,000

966,400 3,969,920 2,338,992 17,808 3,660 592,430 634,350 69,407 10,413,580 404,800 406,010 46,320 188,600 306,120 76,535,834 9,530 456,890 1,150,330 476,000 18,900 314,500 2,510 951,149 20,312,820 679,871,182 24,600

518,000 29,880 -870,716 1,220 -391,830 3,511,257 49,800.00 -25,860.00 -3,788,430 -24,232,491 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

41.25 516.5 106 106 107.2 5.82 1,020 1.06 106 1,065 1,016 104.1 77 81.5 79.95 81.75 79.8 79.5

41.3 516.5 106 106 107.2 5.82 1,020 1.06 108 1,065 1,016 104.1 77 81.5 79.95 81.75 79.8 79.5

39.9 516.5 106 105.7 107.2 5.82 1,020 1.06 106 1,060 1,016 104 77 80.05 79.95 81.75 79.8 79.5

PREFERRED 40 2,854,200 516.5 10 106 9,400 105.7 14,500 107.2 50 5.82 28,600 1,020 100 1.06 220,000 108 690 1,065 3,890 1,016 965 104 7,090 77 11,550 80.1 64,170 79.95 7,100 81.75 5,000 79.8 250 79.5 16,000

114,570,920 5,165 996,400 1,532,662 5,360 166,452 102,000 233,200 74,340 4,142,300 980,440 737,419 889,350 5,190,842 567,645 408,750 19,950 1,272,000

-29,094,895 -166,452 212,000 770,000 -79,870 -

LR WARRANT

2.67

2.73

2.63

WARRANTS 2.63 473,000

1,268,400

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.02 2.7 5.09 5.6

4.1 2.7 5.09 5.85

4 2.7 5.09 5.59

4.09 2.7 5.09 5.79

909,860 2,700 2,036 24,470,405

8,140 -2,675,290

FIRST METRO ETF

119.6

120.7

119.6

561,549

24,060

USD DMPL A1

10.58

10.6

10.58

19,919.40

PROPERTY 5.35 1.2 6.2 2.43 1.03 42 3.68 5.04 5.35 5.94 0.53 1.33 1.53 0.228 0.51 43.6 0.69 0.156 1.91 1.63 4.94 0.285 0.6

360,300 7,857,000 800 1,367,000 12,927,000 9,539,600 1,229,000 2,785,000 358,700 87,000 9,284,000 461,000 1,571,000 27,580,000 1,360,000 175,200 131,000 1,360,000 18,817,000 5,604,000 26,087,000 11,830,000 20,633,000

T RADING S UMMARY

SME

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.2 4,670 10.6

DDS

VALUE

FINANCIAL

22,887,157

3,029,418,636.85

INDUSTRIAL

124,576,748

1,439,035,243.17

90,505,770

3,545,794,066.67

HOLDING FIRMS

224,000 1,000 400 4,245,500

PROPERTY

184,509,355

1,072,209,016.87

SERVICES

150,674,097

1,346,261,886.56

MINING & OIL

462,711,682

800,503,707.135

GRAND TOTAL

1,040,340,719

11,259,170,488.46

1,880

FINANCIAL 1,988.64 (up) 10.22 INDUSTRIAL 10,995,17 (down0 29.96 HOLDING FIRMS 7,838.11 (down) 14.04 PROPERTY 3,720.80 (down) 7.49 SERVICES 1,721.09 (up) 6.20 MINING & OIL 13,253.94 (up) 101.15 PSEI 7,958.57 (up) 1.84 All Shares Index 4,723.27 (up) 1.27 Gainers: 101; Losers: 84; Unchanged: 63; Total: 248

Megaworld set to open 14th mall in Laguna By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Thursday it will open the P2-billion Southwoods Mall within the 561-hectare Southwoods City project in Laguna province in October. Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the three-level Southwoods Mall, its 14th lifestyle mall, would have 58,000 square meters of shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure space. “Southwoods Mall will be easily accessible to those living in the south. It is actually the first big mall along SLEx [South Luzon Expressway] that you can go to after Alabang. We are excited to open the doors of our first full-scale lifestyle mall in the south,” Megaworld Lifestyle Malls head and senior vice president Kevin Tan said. “We envision this mall to be a major dining destination as we welcome some global dining brands and homegrown restaurant concepts. This will be another showcase of how we want our next lifestyle malls will look like, keeping in mind the distinct character of every township that we build,” Tan said. Southwoods Mall is strategically located in the rapidly growing communities of Cavite, Laguna, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas. Aside from its close proximity to SLEx’s Southwoods exit, the mall is surrounded by schools, places of worship, hospitals, government offices and recreational facilities such as the Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Southwoods Sports Club and Splash Island. “We build our malls and commercial properties to primarily cater to those who live, work and play in our townships. This is what makes our lifestyle malls unique and sustainable,” Tan said. Southwoods Mall features a food hall, four state-of-the-art cinemas, a department store, supermarket, hardware store, toy store and a transport hub.

BDO raises $700m from notes issue By Darwin G. Amojelar BDO Unibank Inc. said Thursday it raised $700 million from the sale of fixed-rate senior notes under its medium term note program. “The senior note issue is part of the bank’s liability management initiatives to tap longerterm funding sources to support BDO’s lending operations and general corporate purposes,” BDO said. This will be the second drawdown under the program following the $300-million notes issued in October last year. The notes will have a coupon of 2.950 percent and will be issued at a price of 99.909 per 100, with a maturity of 5 and 1/2 years. The transaction was overwhelmingly oversubscribed, with orders reaching $2.2 billion. Settlement will be on Sept. 6, 2017. With a wide distribution across Asia Pacific and Europe, the transaction represents the largest single issuance by a Philippine bank to date. BofA Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Wells Fargo Securities acted as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners, while Mizuho Securities and MUFG acted as co-managers for the transaction. BDO has one of the largest distribution networks, with more than 1,100 operating branches and over 3,800 ATMs nationwide. It also has a full-service branch in Hong Kong and 26 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

LGUs

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Vizcaya expects P160-m tourism infra assistance B By Ben Moses Ebreo

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— This province is expected to receive funding assistance next year to boost its ecotourism potential.

Gov. Carlos Padilla said P160.7 million is expected to be included in the 2018 Gener-

al Appropriations Act for the development of various ecotourism attractions in Nueva

Vizcaya, particularly in the upland towns of Kasibu, Ambaguio and Diadi. Kasibu hosts the world-class Capissaan Cave System, Ambaguio offers an alternative trail to Mt. Pulag in Benguet province, while Diadi prides its Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park for local and foreign tourists. Padilla said the tourism fund for the province will be

sourced through the Tourism Roads Infrastructure Prioritization Program of the Department of Tourism and Department of Public Works and Highways, also known as the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program. “We are elated because we were able to push and include this fund through the GAA for 2018. We expect that this will be approved for our province

to further develop the access roads for our tourism sites and attractions,” he said. According to Padilla, parts of the fund will be allocated to improve access roads that will lead the tourists comfortably to the Capissaan Tourist Village in Kasibu town and inside the Lower Magat Park, while the bulk of the fund will be poured into Ambaguio to develop

the provincial road leading to Mt. Pulag through the Ambangeg-Akiki road. The governor said Ambaguio has been the choice of several mountaineers and eco-tourists because of its exciting trails and “heavenly” sceneries. “This road developments will further attract more tourists to savor the rural life in our province coupled with their

cultural immersion among our indigenous peoples. This will further promote learning and understanding on the cultural treasures that our province offers through our IPs,” said Padilla, who also chairs the Regional Development Council’s Economic Development Committee. He said the tourism fund was earlier proposed before the RDC in Cagayan Valley.

NCIP stops Kibungan FPIC work for 20 days By Dexter A. See KBUNGAN, Benguet—The Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples ordered a 20day suspension of the free and prior informed consent or FPIC process for the proposed 500-megawatt pump storage hydro project of the Coheco Badeo Corp. The agency found initial merits to the numerous complaints lodged by concerned indigenous peoples leaders regarding the alleged actuations of some FPIC team members that seem to favor the proponents. Lawyer Roland Calde, NCIP-CAR regional director, said the 20-day suspension which took effect last Aug. 23, 2017 could be extended depending on the merits of the complaints by the IP leaders and the company’s offer to the IPs as benefits once the project will push through. Pending before the NCIPCAR are various petitions from concerned IPs in Badeo that questioned the legitimacy of the consensus building that was done in their place considering that the written opposition of the landowners was set aside, and the resolution of

the landowners opposing the pump storage hydro project. They also have the manifesto that declared NCIP FPIC team leaders lawyer Severino Lumiked as persona non grata for his alleged manipulation of the FPIC process that saw the votes of the council of elders favoring the project admits the opposition of the IPs. Calde added the agency also wants to know from the proponent the royalty and other benefits which it will provide the IPs considering that the issue was never discussed during the community consultative assemblies. The company has not been transparent in presenting to the IPs their supposed benefits that could have served as the minimum offer before proceeding to the negotiation proper, Calde said. “We do not want that the IPs will be again left in limbo on what will be their minimum benefits once the project will be realized. The matter was never discussed during the organized assemblies that is why we want to make sure that the IPs stand to benefit from the project or else we will not allow the company to proceed with the negotiation process ,” he stressed.

MEDICAL MISSION. Doctors from the Jeju Korean Medical Association operate on a child with a cleft lip as part of their free medical and dental mission in the town of Sta. Maria, Laguna. Later, the volunteer doctors sit with Sta. Maria Mayor Tony Carolino, League of Municipalities president (inset, seated center), with the support of the Sta. Maria municipal health office and Sangguniang Bayan members. The three-day event with the theme ‘Heart to Heart: Sharing Smiles in the Philippines’ benefited 1,860 patients. Roy Tomandao

Cawag leaders issue resolution of support for Zambales power project By Butch Gunio SUBIC, Zambales—Cawag local government officials and other stakeholders recently visited the office of the Energy Regulatory Commission in Pasig City to submit a resolution of support for Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. or RP Energy. The firm is the developer of the long-delayed 2x300 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Cawag, Subic. The local government of Ba-

rangay Cawag, represented by Councilors Abner Bais, Aida Turing and Marvin Martinez, were welcomed by ERC Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana. “We are very grateful for the time that Commissioner Sta. Ana allotted to have a short conversation with us,” Bais said. “We have expressed our support to RP Energy’s project that we have been waiting for a long time.” The power plant has been in the works since 2011 and

approval of the power supply agreement of RP Energy is very crucial for the project to move forward to construction, company officials said. The PSA has been pending with the ERC since April 2016, they added. “We also submitted a resolution for the project of support signed by Barangay Chairman Arthur P. Garcia all the seven councilors of Barangay Cawag,” said Bais. In the letter of support, the

local government of Barangay Cawag said it has been a longtime partner of RP Energy in social development. It mentioned that RP Energy’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs including renovation of health center and schools, donations, and medical missions, have been very beneficial to the residents of Barangay Cawag. “RP Energy also provides employment to local residents of Cawag and other

nearby barangays in Subic,” the letter said. The local government likewise said RP Energy’s success will also redound to the progress of the local community. During the visit to the ERC, the Barangay Cawag local government was joined by sitio leaders and representatives from the women’s association, fisher folk and tribal association. Other stakeholders of RP Energy’s project have like-

wise expressed their support on the project. In August, the Cawag Tribal Association, composed of over 100 members of Aytas from Zambales, also urged the ERC to act on PSA. Tribal Chieftain Juanito Balosbalos, in his letter to the ERC, emphasized the importance of the project to the community. He added that he even represented the Cawag Tribal Association in the hearing for the PSA in November last year.

IN BRIEF Vizcaya dads laud young scientist BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial board here has praised a young scientist who brought home a gold medal in the 2017 International Young Scientists Conference and Exhibit recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Cyril Francis Torres Wakit of barangay Darapidap in Aritao town, an incoming Grade 12 student of the Philippine Science High School Cagayan Valley campus in this town, received the honor and congratulatory resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan after his thesis bagged the gold medal in the science event. Entitled “Invitro Bio-Efficacy of the Mycelial-Cell-Free Extract of Beauveria Bassiana Against Bacterial Soft Rot Disease (Erwinia Carotova),” Wakit’s thesis caught the attention of the exhibit judges. “He brought honor to the country, especially in our province and the PSHS-CV campus when he was awarded the Gold Medal in the category he participated in, one of the few won by the Philippine Team,” Vice Governor Lambert Galima Jr. said. Wakit, a consistent Dean’s Lister, is one of the ten qualifiers for the Philippine Young Scientist Team that represented the country in the International Junior Scientists Exhibit held at the Royal Military College in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia last July 10 to 15. Ben Moses Ebreo

Orani District Hospital holds fun run ORANI, Bataan—In celebration of its 45th anniversary, the Orani District Hospital held a fun run that saw hundreds of runners on Saturday. “Our celebration is actually during the whole month of August with many activities, and this fun run is just one of them,” said hospital head Dr. Hector Santos. “We will go to Orion for a feeding program later.” “Despite the not-so-good weather we will go on with the fun run, and there will be 3km, 5km, and 10km distances,” Santos added. Orani Councilor Maya Bongco, the chairperson of the municipal council’s Committee on Health, joined the 3k run. “The Orani District Hospital through the leadership of Dr. Santos is very supportive to the health initiatives of the municipal government of Orani,” Bongco said. “The complaints to the hospital are a thing of the past since Dr. Santos took the helm a year ago.” Hospital Administrator Anacel Ramos said Orani Runners helped conduct the fun run. Butch Gunio

MALABON AWARD. Malabon Mayor Antolin ‘Lenlen’ Oreta III and City Nutrition Action officer chef Melissa Sison-Oreta (3rd and 4th from left) receive the ‘Very Satisfactory Performance in Nutrition Program Management’ award from the National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region. Others in photo are (from left) NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Milagros Eliza Federizo, NNC deputy executive director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, City Health Department officer in charge Dr. Robert Romero, Commission on Population-NCR director Lydio Español Jr., and Department of Education NCR director Ponciano Menguito.

Tacloban couples get free wedding, license fees TACLOBAN City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez recently officiated the wedding of 48 couples from 20 barangays at the City Training Center. The couples from barangays 6-A, 17, 39, 42-A, 43-A, 44, 48-A, 48-B, 49, 50, 57, 59-A, 60, 63, 65, 80,83-C, 88, 92 and 95 enjoyed the free Kasalan ng Bayan, a regular program of the City Government through the City Civil

Registrar’s Office. Fees for marriage applications and marriage licenses are waived by the CCRO, and the city government also sponsored an event for the newlyweds. The City Government of Tacloban sponsored the free mass civil wedding with reception. Among the beneficiaries was the 68-year-old couple Fausto and Rosita Ab-

rogar. Rosita said they were unable to hold a wedding because of poverty. “Remain steadfast in your relationships as this is not only a covenant among yourselves, but also with God,” Romualdez told the couples prior to the ceremony. The mayor also officiated another free mass wedding organized by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

and the CCRO for 25 couples at the Tacloban City Jail. “The Kasalang Bayan is an initiative of the City Government provided free to indigent Taclobanons who want to legitimize their relationship status, to minimize the number of illegitimate children and establish a strong foundation of couple and family life,” CCRO Chief Imelda Roa said. Robbie Pangilinan

Road via Bataan Natl Park opposed ORANI, Bataan—Citizens here are opposing a plan to build a road traversing Bataan National Park. “We are alarmed by the negative impact on the biodiversity that exist in the protected area,” resident Daniel Magsalin, one of the complainants, said in a letter to Department of Public Works and Highways First District Engineer Erlindo Flores in opposing the proposed 40-kilometer OraniMorong Access Road. “We are registering our great alarm on the negative effect on the protected area of the Bataan national forest,” Magsalin said, pointing out that Bataan National Park is the only remaining closed canopy dipterocarp forest in Central Luzon “We see no benefit in constructing the road because there are already alternative highways going to Orani, Hermosa, Dinalupihan, Subic, and Morong via the SCTEX and the PilarBagac-Morong highway in the south,” he added. Magsalin asked whether the DPWH has already conducted an environmental impact study of the project. He also asked for a copy of the cost-benefit study done on the project A Bataan government career official, who asked not to be named, told Manila Standard: “The Bataan National Park is the last environment frontier of the province. You destroy it, and you’re virtually destroying the whole province.” Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman is pushing the road project. Butch Gunio

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Electric tricycles deployed in Malate

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

QC gambling measure set for review

By Bill Casas

By Rio N. Araja

MID mixed reactions on the proposed responsible gambling ordinance in Quezon City, the 37-member City Council has endorsed the measure to another committee to review and fine-tune it.

District 1 Councilor Ivy Xenia Lagman said her committee on games and amusement chairperson has already endorsed the proposal to the committee on laws, and that a public hearing has been set on Sept. 6. “We have already calendared the next hearing,” she told Manila Standard. Earlier, Lagman said the city council would look into the suggestion of the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo religious group to change the language of responsible gambling. INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, in a previous public hearing, said “there was no such [this as] responsible gambling.” “We will consider their recommendation,” Lagman said. In 2014, the city council passed Ordinance No. SP-2285 regulating the operation of games of chance in Quezon City. To strengthen the regulation, the council is pushing for the approval of the Proposed Ordinance 20CC-247 to formulate proactive measures to address the negative effects of gambling on health and welfare of its residents. “We have to amend too many things in the proposed measure,” Lagman said The city lawmakers are introducing a regulatory system on the operation of games of chance, including casino games, a year before the construction of

a P20-billion hotel and casino in 2018. Casino mogul Enrique Razon, Bloomberry Resorts Corp. chairman and founder, will put up the P20-billion hotel and casino that will rise on a P1.9billion 15,676-square meter lot on the Vertis North development along Agham Road that may start mid-2018 and could be finished in 2019. The Quezon City council has given Mayor Herbert Bautista the green light to sign and accept a deed of donation from a private developer. Resolution 7132 introduced by Councilors Alexis Herrera (District 1), Franz Pumaren (District 3) and Karl Edgar Castelo (District 5) noted the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board’s issuance of a certificate of completion stating that the First Optima Realty Corp. had already subdivided and developed the subdivision. The developer has donated open spaces Lot 6 Block 6, and Lot 7 Block 6 as well as road lots from Road Lot 1 to Road Lot 22. “The board of directors of First Optima Realty Corp. through Board Resolution No. 2016-14 approved the deed of donation of 22 road lots and two open spaces located inside Cresta Verde Executive Homes Subdivision, Barangay Sta. Monica, Quezon City,” the resolution read.

PLARIDEL’S 167th BIRTHDAY. A journalism student ponders the relevance of Marcelo H. del Pilar, father of Philippine journalists, at the foot of the national hero’s statue. The 167th birthday of the writer, lawyer, reformist, and freemason—who took the pen name ‘Plaridel’ while in exile in Spain—was celebrated on Aug. 30 by the Association of Philippine JournalistsSamahang Plaridel, the association of veteran media practitioners who advocates the national hero’s high professional conduct among journalists. Del Pilar was a leading Filipino propagandist who exposed the Spaniards’ abuses that led to the 1896-98 Philippine revolution.

Teo praises CNN plum for Subterranean River

Tacloban cops gain service awards THE Tacloban City Police Office brought home awards from the 116th Philippine National Police Service Anniversary on Aug. 22 at the Police Regional 8, Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte. “On behalf of the people of Tacloban, I congratulate the entire Tacloban City Police Office under the leadership of City Director Rolando Bade for a job well done,” said Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez. “Their accomplishments on anti-illegal drugs operations, illegal gambling and implementation of other Special Laws made them get these awards. They deserve the recognition and we are proud of them,” she added. The awards were given by guest of honor, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, assisted by Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar. Senior Supt. Bade received the TCPO’s awards for “Best City Police Office” for outstanding accomplishments on police administration and operations in Eastern Visayas and “Best Police Strategy Management Unit” in Eastern Visayas for service and dedication, visionary guidance and stellar accomplishments in the effective execution of the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L Plan 2030. Robbie Pangilinan

RESHUFFLE. Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca shakes the hands of regional police officers for their new assignment during the PRO4A Reshuffle Ceremony in Camp Vicente Lim Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna. Roy Tomandao

Corpus replaces Aquino as Region 3 police chief By Romeo Dizon CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Chief Supt. Amador Corpus is the next director of the Police Regional Office III here, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has announced. Dela Rosa made the announcement during the 116th Police Service Anniversary Celebration of PRO III

here. Corpus will assume his new post next week upon the retirement of Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino on Sept. 6 upon reaching the mandatory age of 56 years old. Aquino was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, while his predecessor Isidro Lapena was appointed as Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. Dela Rosa and Corpus, who is

now chief of the PNP Directorate for Logistics at Camp Crame, belong to Philippine Military Academy class of 1986. During his stint as director of PRO III, Aquino said they were validating the involvement of narco-politicians in the illegal drug operation in Central Luzon, which included two congressmen, three city and two municipal mayors, and a vice governor. Aquino refused to identify

the suspect politicians, saying they are still undergoing further investigation. However, he said he will identify the politicians to the incoming director for his guidance and information during the turnover ceremony next week. Aquino is retiring from police service with solid accomplishments in Central Luzon, especially on a campaign against illegal drugs and criminality.

Manotoc, Ilocos Norte hand out stipends to athletic scholars THE Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through Senior Provincial Board Member Matthew Joseph Manatoc and the Provincial Education Office led by Matilde Neri will distribute stipends to 52 athletic scholars on September 4.

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada is set to introduce electric tricycles or E-trikes to Malate, the district that’s part of the city’s tourist belt, with the distribution of 80 more units of the environment-friendly public transport vehicles to another batch of beneficiaries. Estrada said this is a testament of his administration’s earnest desire to help Manila’s “poorest of the poor” have their own source of livelihood while at the same time take part in the national government’s efforts to fight pollution. “As I have promised before, more indigent Manileños, particularly those poor tricycle and ‘kuliglig’ drivers, will benefit from this Etrike program,” Estrada said “They cannot just be drivers forever, now have their own new tricycles. With no daily boundary to pay to the operator, they’ll earn more for their families,” he added. The Estrada administration launched its E-trike project last April as a means to combat air pollution and improve the livelihood of some 1,500 legally franchised tricycle drivers in the city and 25,000 others “colorum” drivers of tricycles and kuliglig or motorized bicycles. Last April, Estrada gave away 50 brand-new E-trikes to the first batch of driverbeneficiaries in Binondo. The distribution of E-trikes to the second group of beneficiaries in Malate will be held next week, according to 4thDistrict Councilor Eduardo “Bimbo” Quintos XVI. All the beneficiaries are indigents, or those who earn less than P12,000 a month with three or more dependents, and are legitimate residents of Manila, Quintos added. The E-trikes will be financed through the “boundary-hulog” system, where the driver-owners will only pay the city government P150 to P250 a day for four years at zero interest. Each unit costs around P400,000.

The scholars, half of them from the cities of Laoag and Batac, will be receiving their stipend next week, Neri said. Each of the beneficiaries shall be given P1,000 as uniform allowance, and P500 per month throughout the first semester.

Manotoc, also a sports enthusiast, has been very aggressive in implementing programs prioritizing the youth involvement in sports, thus initiating the scholarship and stipend distribution. He expects more youth ath-

letes to vie for the scholarship. “We hope we can fully make health and sports a lifestyle, not just a seasonal thing. Of course, we want to compete and excel in the different sports event like the Region One Athletic Association meet, and even Palarong

Pambansa.” Earlier, Manotoc authored an ordinance creating a Summer Youth Sports Program that aims to instill discipline, proper hygiene orientation, as well as talent development among the youth.

PALAWAN is truly blessed with many natural wonders for all the world to see, said Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Thursday as she welcomed yet another international recognition for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. “We welcome these citations for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, which is just one of Palawan’s stunning natural sceneries. We invite the world to see the other sights in the paradise that is Palawan,” said Teo. Teo noted that the province’s newly opened Puerto Princesa International Airport can now accommodate more visitors, while road connections are being upgraded with the expanded six-lane superhighway project spanning the entire length of Palawan island at 600 kilometers by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Hotels are also on the rise as investors discover the potential of the region. Already listed among

the Unesco World Heritage sites, the underground river was ranked 30th among the “50 Works of Art” named by Bija Knowles, editor of Cable News Network Travel site. “Nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River runs for 8.2 kilometers underground and boasts limestone karst formations, stalactites and stalagmites,” said Knowles in her “ultimate list of scenic splendor.” In addition to the subterranean River, Teo noted Palawan has been adjudged as the “World’s Best Island” consecutively for two years and by the Travel+Leisure magazine owing to its breath-taking attractions, such as Coron and El Nido island resorts. CN N Travel is the travel ver tical site of CN N, an American basic cable and satellite television news channel with its local version CN N Philippines. Bill Casas

Mamondiong: Tesda free of corruption, drugs THE leadership of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority declared in the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte that the agency is corruption- and illegal drug-free, during its 23rd anniversary celebration. Tesda director general Guiling Mamondiong said the agency’s declaration is in support of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and corruption. “We want the President and the whole country to know that Tesda fully upholds this administration’s stance

against drugs and corruption. We will not tolerate these cancers of society, and will exert all efforts to help eradicate them,” Mamondiong said. Upon the President’s arrival at Tesda, he was welcomed by Mamondiong, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco. Duterte toured the exhibit area before he proceeded to the program proper. Later, Mamondiong presented to Duterte the major accomplishments of Tesda during his term. Jun David

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Store’s new look WOWS CUSTOMERS

NEW LOOK. The newly designed SM Appliance Center at SM City Pampanga offers a new dynamic way of showcasing the most innovative products in a warm and inviting store.

HOPPERS will be #wowed@smappliance for its new look, which is now showcased at the newly designed SM Appliance Center at SM City Pampanga. The new look is a dynamic way of highlighting the most innovative products to help each Filipino transition into a digital home. The 2,300-square meter store located on the ground floor of SM City Pampanga welcomes customers with two entrances, creating a store environment with attractive focal points that ease navigation and encourage discovery along the shopper journey. Here are six ways shoppers will be wowed by the SM Appliance Center’s new look: Wood + Greens = A modern yet homey ambiance. In a departure from the usual industrial feel associated with appliance stores, the new SM Appliance Center’s use of warm timber slatted finishes in its sloping ceiling at the entrance creates a warm and inviting feeling, much like that of arriving home. The slatted timber ceiling and suspended pendant lights work to guide shoppers into the main display areas. The point of sale counters, on the other hand, provide a warm and natural environment with integrated greenery to further emphasize the familiarity of the home. An easy and exciting customer journey. The main display area, with a striking and illuminated geometric ceiling draws the shoppers into the main display area. Here, the custom-designed displays and consistent stylish illuminated signage make it easy for customers to navigate and

find the product they are looking for. The best and most trusted brands plus great service. In the store, customers can find the best and most trusted brands in the industry as well as the latest and greatest gadgets and appliances fresh from the manufacturers. SM Appliance Center has long been known not only for great value, but also for its great service. Innovative showcases. The unique circular display units with cell phones and small devices are a welcoming break along the customer journey, offering discovery and access to the latest gadgets and devices. Lifestyle kitchen counters. Filipinos are known to be foodies, especially in Pampanga, the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. The new look of the store features lifestyle kitchen counter set-ups with refrigerators, ovens, cooking ranges and chimney and range hoods—giving shoppers ideas on how these will look in their homes, and how they can build their dream kitchens. A cool, colorful mini lounge. Shoppers can take a short break at the store’s mini-lounge with a vibrant yellow finish that creates a high contrast from the appliances.

Clockwise: Vibrant yellow-themed lounge area at the television section, unique circular display units for cell phones and small devices, striking illuminated and geometric ceiling at the main display area, and the kitchen area showcases refrigerator, gas ranges, and built-in ovens among others

NBA’s Matthew Dellavedova at The SM Store in Mall Of Asia

Citi offers 0 percent PayLite and other freebies to cardholders shopping at Rustan's

Shop at your leisure

MILWAUKEE Bucks’ Matthew Dellavedova, popularly known as Delly, recently stopped by The SM Store at the SM Mall of Asia to meet and greet fans. The visit was part of the launch and promotion of the Australian Olympian and NBA star’s signature basketball shoes from Peak, the Delly1, in the Philippines. And Delly fans will be happy to know that The SM Store has an exclusive color, the Delly1 Glacier at the PEAK section of the SM Store’s Men’s Shoes Department. During the event, he gladly shared his Peak experience while collaborating for the Delly1 basketball shoes “It’s been a great process working together to build something that I’m really proud to wear on my feet and I’m happy with my partnership with Peak,” he shared, adding that he is proud of the finished product. Tech features on the shoe include the forefoot rebounding modules with different densities (PEAK R-pad and PEAK

S- pad) embedded into the front sole according to pressure distribution. This provides quicker starts and a higher bounce. Two more rebounding modules in the heel absorb shock and protect either ends of the feet. Three different materials appear on the midsole to create Cushion 3 that provides bounce and support. A herringbone pattern also appears on the outsole. A herringbone pattern also appears on the outsole.

Peak’s Delly 1 collection, including its exclusive Glacier colorway, is available at the SM Store’s Men’s Shoes Department. The Delly 1 signature basketball shoes from Peak

in Rustan’s with Citi PayLite DROP by the nearest Rustan’s Department Store and enjoy 0 percent Citi PayLite up to 12 months – plus get free P2,500 worth of gift certificates with single-receipt purchases starting at P50,000. This easy-on-the-pocket promotion is available at participating Rustan’s Department Stores: Makati, Shangri-la Plaza, Alabang Town Center, Gateway in Araneta Center, Ayala Center Cebu, and Rustan’s brand boutiques in Newport Mall and City of Dreams. No need to rush as this exclusive offer runs until Jan. 31, 2018, but then again why wait? When you make the qualifying spend, be sure to redeem your complimentary checks by March 31, 2018. Citi is also giving away a free 16GB flash drive when you spend a single-re-

ceipt purchase worth at least P20,000 at 0 percent Citi PayLite for six months at Villman, and a free lens cleaning kit for a minimum single-receipt transaction of P25,000 at 0 percent Citi PayLite up to 24 months at Henry’s Camera. If sounds are more your thing, get a free Scosche Boomcan when you avail of 0 percent Citi PayLite up to 24 months for a single-receipt purchase of P50,000 at Beyond the Box or free Schoshe Thudbuds when you spend a minimum single-receipt purchase of P25,000 at 0 percent Citi PayLite for the same period at Digital Walker. Also note that availing of 0 percent Citi PayLite installment plans gets you FREE dishes from some of the top restaurants such as Pound, Mesa, Hook, Foo’D or Todd English Food Hall until Oct. 31.

Delly holds a signed shoe for his fans

Lucky fans got a chance to meet and greet Matthew Dellavedova, also known as Delly

C2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer

PEOPLE ...are talking about

...are not talking bout

Die Beautiful Jun Robles Lana’s approach to making this film different from the way studio films are made is to write and direct it with an underlying mission to share a fascinating story with the audience. As a result, Die Beautiful continues to win the hearts of moviegoers and critics alike. A year since it premiered at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival, and many awards along the way, Lana’s opus again dominated an award show, this time staged by the Film Academy of the Philippines.

Woke Up Like This Sometimes it is hard to keep your expectations high especially when it’s very obvious that even the most trusted movie critics are being paid to embellish their movie reviews with absolute lies. But don’t take our word for it. Go out and watch the film to know what we are talking about. Just keep in mind though that you have been warned. We didn’t say that this film is one of the worst films of this year and we didn’t say that it’s corny, too. Jake Zyrus It’s so unfortunate that his struggle as a transman was aired the same time most viewers were watching and cheering for Gilas Pilipina’s dribbling for a gold medal at SEA Games. Nonetheless, Twitter was there to generate some buzz on how Jake put her mother on a very bad light. It’s just sad to see how this kind of story unfolds before our eyes. No, it’s not about Jake’s crumbling career but a family being destroyed in favor of ratings. We don’t think it’s worth it.

Bela Padilla From starring in films and TV series, Bela has added another feather on her cap as a scriptwriter. She is behind the Piolo

Alyas Robin Hood

Pascual and Toni Gonzaga reunion film, Last Night. It’s her third script after Luck At First Sight and 10,000 Hours. Obviously, she is enjoying her new career behind the camera. Not only she has proven that she has other talents besides acting; she also busted another stereotype that pretty faces are only good before the camera. Bayani Agbayani Did you know he was previously appointed as board member at MTRCB? In a recent interview, the comedian said that he declined the offer because he couldn’t serve two masters at the same time and he didn’t want to get paid with people’s taxes yet unable to dedicate his time to fulfill the job. That’s actually his conscience talking right there. We only wish we had more Bayani Agabayanis in showbiz, you know, people who know the difference between greed and working hard.

Do folks at GMA Network even learn their lessons? Apparently, they like committing the same mistakes twice. We don’t understand why they had to come up with a second season when it was already showing poor ratings performance the first time it aired on primetime. And it’s like déjà vu, Alyas Robin Hood is eating the dusts of its competition.

Filipino blogger Kryz Uy joins TLC’s ‘A Taste of Hong Kong’

The International 2017 is the seventh iteration of The International, an annual Dota 2 eSports championship tournament

Team Liquid makes esports history at The International 2017 SEATTLE—Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today celebrated Team Liquid’s Dota two first place finish at The International 2017. Team Liquid, the premier esports franchise sponsored by Team Razer, won $10.8 million from the largest prize pool ever amassed in global esports history. With a crowd sourced record $24.5 million prize purse, The International continues to stand as the most prestigious esports event for the fourth consecutive year. Matches were held in front of a soldout audience for the fourth successive time at Seattle’s KeyArena. Over 4.7 million fans watched the competition unfold online

on over 10 different live streams around the world. Razer and Team Liquid share the longest running partnership in esports over six consecutive years. “Team Liquid continues to show the world what unwavering focus, teamwork and dedication can lead to at the highest level of competitive gaming,” says Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “As the only western team to have entered the world stage and then made history at The International, Team Liquid stands as trailblazers in the world of esports.” “Today was a monumental day in Team Liquid history, and like any great accomplishment it did not happen out of the blue. Our TI7 win was the fruits

of many years of labor and support from our partners such as Razer,” said Team Liquid co-CEO Victor Goossens. “These partnerships have allowed us to continuously improve our roster and performance. Razer has been with us since the beginning and our work together has gotten us all the way to the massive success we saw today, their second time as partner of a TI championshipwinning team.” Team Liquid began play as one of six invited professional teams before scoring 13-3 and finishing first in its group stage. The team beat similarly invited team, Virtus. Pro and qualified teams Team Empire, LGD and Team Secret on the main

competition stage before advancing to the final top three. Team Liquid moved into the final three as the last remaining western team against eastern teams LGD.Forever Young and Newbee before taking the championship. With this win, Team Razer further entrenches itself as the world’s leading esports brand. Team Razer also comprises of other top global teams such as SK Telecom T1 (League of Legends) and SK Gaming (CS:GO). Event video footage can be found here: https:// youtu.be/jIrcdNu5h1g. For more information about Team Razer, visit the official Team Razer Facebook page and webpage.

SEE Asia’s Word City in a whole new light as TLC Southeast Asia, in partnership with Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), presents an all-new season of A Taste of Hong Kong on TLC. Now on its fourth season, A Taste of Hong Kong, hosted by singeractress Josie Ho joined by wellfollowed travelers from around the region in each episode, shows an insider tour of the city. The audience gets to know her favorite spots, and discovers an eclectic mix of rustic and modern oriental that Hong Kong has to offer. Among them is Cebu-based Filipino travel and lifestyle blogger,

Kryz Uy. With close to 500K followers on Instagram and a wellread life, style and travel blog, Kryz is one of the more notable influencers of her generation. She appears alongside Daphne Charice, an upcoming singer and party and lifestyle blogger from Malaysia, in the first episode of A Taste of Hong Kong. Together with Josie, the trio went on a unique 24-hour tour of Hong Kong, with stops in the city’s most iconic and Instagram-worthy destinations, and visits to its most interesting food haunts. On her unforgettable experience with the crew, Kryz shares, “Being able to work with Josie Ho was

such an incredible opportunity.” She adds, “Getting to explore Hong Kong from a local’s perspective was so refreshing, and definitely makes me want discover more hidden gems in the city.” In A Taste of Hong Kong Season 4, TLC gives viewers a glimpse of Hong Kong’s visually stimulating locations such as Old Town Central, a contrasting neighborhood and amazing landmark destination revealing over 100 years of Hong Kong history. Kryz enthuses, “If Old Town Central alone already has so many things to offer, I can’t imagine what else the rest of Hong Kong awaits me!”

Blogger Kryz Uy (rightmost) joined by Josie Ho and Daphne Charice in a touristy pose in Hong Kong

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CLASSIFIEDS

Manila

Standard

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

TODAY

Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

TODAY GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM

GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

GSIS ACQUIRED ASSETS FOR DISPOSITION

PROVINCE District /Subdivision

City /Municipality

Property Location

TCT/CCT No.

Lot Area (sqm)

Minimum Acceptable Offer / CMV ( ₱ )

Property Occupancy Bidding Date Place of Bidding Classification Status

Pampanga EL ROSARIO I

Mabalacat

B003 L015

141362 R

192

614,400.00

Lot Only

Unoccupied

06-Nov-17

GSIS Pampanga Branch Office

Pampanga EL ROSARIO I

Mabalacat

B005 L038

141966 R

193

656,200.00

Lot Only

Unoccupied

06-Nov-17

CSF Pampanga

717,400.00

Pampanga EL ROSARIO I

Mabalacat

B009 L028

141972-R

211

Lot Only

Unoccupied

06-Nov-17

Pampanga DIAMOND SUBD., Bo. Balibago

Angeles City

B014 L020 Doña Gemang St.

57239

437.5 7,426,500.00

House & Lot

Occupied

06-Nov-17

Bulacan

FRANCISCO HOMES III, Muzon

San Jose Del Monte City

B009 L018

T-368322 (M)

100

568,333.33

House & Lot

Unoccupied

17-Oct-17

Level 8, Narra Room, GSIS Building,

Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B149 L011 Ph 5A (A214) 4th/12th St.

T-146441 (M)

140

1,938,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard,

Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B151 L012 Ph 5A (A317) 6th/12th St.

T-157738 (M)

153

1,175,700.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Pasay City

Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B152 L004 Ph 5A 8th St.

T-157740 (M)

120

1,044,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B152 L012 Ph 5A #A225 12th/8th St.

T-157744 (M)

166

1,775,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

10 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B156 L029 Ph 5A (A300) 12th St.

T-165402 (M)

120

1,232,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B161 L004 Ph 5A

T-145128 (M)

145

1,630,500.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

12 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B162 L003 Ph 5A (A178) 9th St.

T-156391 (M)

110

1,093,500.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

13 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B162 L007 Ph 5A 7th cor. 9th St.

T-145129 (M)

122

980,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

14 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B163 L003 Ph 5A 33rd St.

T-156392 (M)

130

1,236,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

15 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B164 L004 Ph 5A (A118) 11th St.

T-145136 (M)

129

1,292,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

16 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B167 L011 Ph 5C (C424) 32nd St.

T-14653P (M)

120

1,716,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

17 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B169 L003 Ph 5C 30th St.

T-14655P (M)

145

1,175,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

18 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B171 L007 Ph 5C (C637) 26th St.

T-16574P (M)

134

1,031,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

19 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B171 L010 Ph 5C (C623) 24th St.

T-14663P (M)

134

1,164,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

20 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B179 L003 Ph 5C (C437) 20th St.

T-16671P (M)

120

1,305,333.33

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

21 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B179 L012 Ph 5C 18th St.

T-14710P (M)

120

1,305,333.33

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

22 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B182 L005 Ph 5B (B392) 32nd St.

T-174335 (M)

210

2,296,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17 17-Oct-17

23 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B182 L010 Ph 5B 32nd St.

T-187821 (M)

145

1,576,666.67

House & Lot

Occupied

24 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B182 L016 Ph 5B (B402) 32nd St.

T-179437 (M)

155

1,595,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

25 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B184 L001 Ph 5B (B554) 32nd cor. 31st St.

T-187823 (M)

121

1,338,900.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

26 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B185 L001 Ph 5B (B556) 29th cor. 32nd St.

T-182577 (M)

136

3,233,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

27 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B189 L002 Ph 5C 32nd/21st St.

T-183046 (M)

120

1,260,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

B191 L004 Ph 5B #B610 19th St.

T-174355 (M)

139

1,372,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

T-182584 (M)

145

2,260,500.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Level 8, Narra Room, GSIS Building,

30 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B193 L011 Ph 5B Main St.

T-174360 (M)

120

1,261,333.33

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard,

31 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B193 L017 Ph 5B (B49) Main St.

T-182589 (M)

120

1,156,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Pasay City

B193 L021 Ph 5B (B53) Main St.

T-179456 (M)

120

968,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

T-182593 (M)

120

1,233,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

34 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B194 L012 Ph 5B Main St.

T-179458 (M)

120

1,023,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

35 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B195 L003 Ph 5C (C494) 16th St.

T-186881 (M)

120

1,331,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

36 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B195 L010 Ph 5B #B502 16th St.

T-179460 (M)

120

943,200.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

37 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bahay Pare Meycauayan

B203 L005 Ph 7A Purity St.

T-190751 (M)

120

1,356,666.67

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

38 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bahay Pare Meycauayan

B209 L013 Ph 7A Love/Peace St.

T-190776 (M)

122

1,009,800.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17 17-Oct-17

39 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Pantok

Meycauayan

B006 L005 Ph 2A (7) Neptune St.

T-54.363 (M)

180

1,631,666.67

House & Lot

Occupied

40 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Pantok

Meycauayan

B009 L002 Ph 2A Jupiter St.

T-54.379 (M)

203

1,540,700.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

41 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B001B L013 Ph 3B (47) Aquarius St.

T-70.756 (M)

240

4,056,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

42 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B004A L006 Ph 3A (12)

T-59.959 (M)

201

2,170,900.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

43 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B004B L010 Ph 3B (27) Capricorn St.

T-70.770 (M)

204

2,138,400.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

44 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B005 L004 Ph 3D #12 King St.

T-108418 (M)

120

846,600.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B008 L016 Ph 3D Isaiah St.

T-126856 (M)

116

901,200.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

46 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B016B L002 Ph 3B St. Jude St.

T-66.224 (M)

192

1,324,800.00

Lot Only

Unoccupied

17-Oct-17

47 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B031 L001&L003 Ph 3C Aries St.

T-94.739 (M)

467

3,726,300.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

48 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B128 L013 Ph 4D (29) Economics St.

T-126867 (M)

120

1,198,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17 17-Oct-17

49 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B129 L004 Ph 4D

T-126870 (M)

120

868,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

50 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B130 L007 Ph 4D (7) Geology St.

T-127889 (M)

120

1,163,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

51 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B130 L015 Ph 4D (15) Geology St.

T-129284 (M)

130

1,331,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

52 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B140 L025 Ph 4D (25) Calculus St.

T-134211 (M)

126

1,293,600.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

53 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez

Meycauayan

B143 L021 Ph 4D (35) Botany St.

T-134250 (M)

126

1,251,600.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

54 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B152 L007 Ph 5A

T-157742 (M)

120

1,019,500.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

55 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B155 L008 Ph 5A (A159) 11th St.

T-168570 (M)

130

1,299,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

56 Bulacan

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

Meycauayan

B158 L001 Ph 5A Barangay Rd. cor. 1st St.

T-186864 (M)

160

1,888,000.00

House & Lot

Occupied

17-Oct-17

Venue

September 16, 2017

Covered Gym, Barangay San Jose, Tapaz, Capiz

September 18, 2017

San Antonio Resort, Roxas City, Capiz

The public hearing aims to achieve efficient exchange of information and views between and among the project proponent, the EMB-DENR, relevant agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders on the environmental impacts of the proposed project currently applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

: The development project will include the following:

Brief Description

Proposed Location

Proponent

• Construction of High Dam and appurtenant structures; • Construction of Afterbay Dam • Construction of irrigation and drainage facilities that will serve 26,800 ha of riceland; • Construction of road networks that shall provide easy access for delivery of agricultural products. : Municipalities of Tapaz, Jamindan, Mambusao, Sapian, Sigma, Roxas City, Panay, Panitan, Pontevedra, Ma-ayon, Dao, Cuartero, Dumarao, Dumalag, all in the Province of Capiz and Municipality of Bingawan in the Province of Iloilo : National Irrigation Administration VI

All interested parties who wish to participate and be prioritized in the open forum during the Public Hearing may pre-register in person with the EMB at EMB Bldg., DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City and submit a position paper to the EMB Central Office with address at DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City or EMB VI on or before September 13, 2017. Full copies of the EIS can be accessed at the EMB website and EMB VI Office, while copies of the EIS Summary for the Public are available at Municipalities of Tapaz, Jamindan, Mambusao, Sapian, Sigma, Roxas City, Panay, Panitan, Pontevedra, Maayon, Dao, Cuartero, Dumarao, Dumalag, all in the Province of Capiz, and Municipality of Bingawan in the Province of Iloilo and in the EMB Website. For more details, please contact the EIA and Management Division of EMB through Engr. Regina Paula Eugenio or Engr. Joel Polintan at telephone numbers (02) 9202240 to 41. (MS-SEPT. 1, 2017)

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offer shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

Dropping of bid envelopes inside the designated bid box will be on the date of auction from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Opening of Bids will immediately follow.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on “As-Is Where-Is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he wants to buy, as long as, he posts a bidder’s deposit for each property in an amount provided below. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

Purchase offer may either be in Cash or through External Financing Institution.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. Name and complete address of the bidder b. Exact address of property you are interested to bid c. Transfer Certificate of Title No. d. Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) e. 10 % Bidder’s Deposit equivalent to 10% of the total amount of bid offer f. Signature of the bidder/representative

InvItatIon to BId for Supply, delIvery, InStallatIon, ConfIguratIon, teStIng and CommISSIonIng of data Center – ImuS Complex under ItB no. pB17-061Cor-08 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply, Delivery, Installation, Configuration, Testing and Commissioning of Data Center – Imus Complexunder ITB No. PB17-061COR-08. Approved Budget Contract (ABC) Location Delivery Schedule Source of Funds

for

the Twenty-Nine Million Five Hundred Forty-Five Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Three Pesos (PhP29,545,133.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction. PAGCOR Imus Complex, Bayan Luma VI, Imus, Cavite Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days commencing from the date of receipt by the winning contractor of the Notice to Proceed. Corporate Budget for CY 2017

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183. PAGCORwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference, which shall beopen to prospective bidders. All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of bidding activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and shall not be lower than the Minimum Bid Price of the property published in the newspaper or posted in the GSIS website. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System

The following shall be inserted on the sealed bid envelope: a. the properly accomplished downloadable bid form b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer c. the Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative d. pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable e. proofs of occupancy (see No. 12.c.1 and c.2)

10. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope) Address of Property you want to bid) Block No. ______ Lot. No. ______ Phase No.____ Name of Subdivision Address of Subdivision TCT NO. _______ Mode: __________ Cash __________ thru External Financing Institution

(

Name of Bidder: Mailing Address: 11. Interested bidders planning to purchase the GSIS property through External Financing Institution (EFI) shall first secure certification from accredited banks stating that he/she is qualified to avail of a loan from External Financing Institution and insert inside the bid envelope. 12. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1 Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding. 13. If the occupant will exercise his/her right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the equity in cash as stated in Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS). The equity shall be computed as the difference between the Letter of Guarantee from the bank and the offered bid amount. 14. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within the day of the actual bidding, the following documents: (a) duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (downloadable); (b) photocopies of two valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); (c) Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/partnership, if applicable; (d) Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; (e) current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable. 15. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. 16. In case the bid is in CASH, the 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension. 17. In case the bid is thru EFI, the equity shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of Letter of Guarantee (LOG) by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the LOG and the Offered Bid Amount. 18. Upon issuance of the NOAS to the highest/winning bidder, the Bidder’s Deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately. 19. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS shall result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s deposit. 20. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the GSIS shall write the second highest bidder to confirm if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS will require him/her to pay the non-refundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued NOAS. 21. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice. 22. For inquiries, you may call Real Property Accounts Management Department at telephone nos. 479-3536 or 976-4619.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 2nd day of July, 2014 at Romblon, Romblon. (SGD.) BEETHOVEN M. ALBAN Clerk of Court

The project aims to increase agricultural production, create employment opportunities and improve living environment through addressing the need for irrigation water, domestic water supply, flood control measures and other related activities for the development of areas in the Province of Capiz. The following briefly describes the Project

St. Peter/St. Bernadette St.

45 Bulacan

You are hereby required, within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and served on the plaintiffs your answer to the Complaint, copy of which and its annexes are attached. You are reminded to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof, if there is any in the answer. Failure on your part to file an answer within the time fixed by the Rules, plaintiff may take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for.

Date

B191 L009 Ph 5B (B525) 17th/21st St.

B194 L010 Ph 5A (B42) Main St.

GREETINGS:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Meycauayan

email us at advertise@ manilastandard.net or call us at 832-5547

Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to participate in the Public Hearing for the proposed PANAY RIVER BASIN ITEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT on the following dates, onsite registration is at 8:00am and the Public Hearing proper will promptly start at 9:00am.

Meycauayan

*****SUMMONS*****

PURA R. MAGDATO, MERLY A. DIOLA and RICHARD A. DIOLA Defendants. x-----------------------------------------------x TO: PURA R. MAGDATO MERLY A. DIOLA RICHARD A. DIOLA Barangay III-Poblacion Romblon, Romblon

DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: 925-47-93 to 97 Email:emb@emb.gov.ph Visit us at http://www.emb.gov.ph

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

CIVIL CASE NO. V-1988

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU

LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Bagbaguin

HEIRS OF SAMUEL R. MAGDATO Namely: ZHIRIL M. BAILE, SARAH M. MIRON, ARIEL F. MAGDATO, LENIE M. MANOZA and CYRIL F. MAGDATO Plaintiffs, -versus-

Republic of the Philippies Department of Environment and Natural Resources

28 Bulacan

32 Bulacan

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region BRANCH 81 Romblon, Romblon

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW!

(MS-SEPT. 1, 2017)

29 Bulacan

33 Bulacan

(MS-AUG. 30, 31/ SEPT. 1, 2017)

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids 4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

Date, Time and Venue September 1, 2017 to September 25, 2017 September 11, 2017 (Monday), 2:00 p.m. September 25, 2017 (Monday), 2:30 p.m. September 25, 2017 (Monday), 2:30 p.m. onwards

Interested bidders may obtain further information from theProcurement Department (PD), acting as the BAC Secretariat, of PAGCOR and/or inspect the Bidding Documents at Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila during office hours of PAGCOR from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 25,000.00) Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.phand www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay theapplicable fee of the Bidding Documents not later than the deadline for the submission and receipt of bids. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Fee Slip which may be secured from PD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. Bidders shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of his bid, and PAGCOR will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the bidding process. Bidders should note that PAGCOR will accept bids only from those that have paid the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the venue of the bid opening. Late bids shall not be accepted. PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two (2) or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: a) In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper. b) The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract. PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. Please address all communications to the BAC thru PD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 336-6906 and/or 521-1542 local 223 or 671. (SGD)RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson Bids and awards Committee (BaC) 2 /BSB/j (MS-SEPT. 1, 2017)

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Motoring

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

Subaru stages ‘17 Palm Challenge

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

The Starex for the masses

Opening side doors for easy ingress and egress .

Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

NTRODUCED early this year with an eye out on carving a profitable niche in the urban commuting express business, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc is throwing into the mix the Starex Super Express to lock horns with the Nissan Urvan and the Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter. This vehicle is Hyundai’s contribution to the fast-growing commuting requirements of mobile Filipinos. Based on the Grand Starex luxury van, Hyundai stripped off this variant of creature comforts and other luxury amenities and came up with this Spartan commuter express variant. “While the Grand Starex aims to give luxurious comfort to families on-the-go, the Starex Super Express was engineered with the Filipino com-

muters and drivers in mind, for Hyundai truly understands the daily stress of commuting in a cramped space, travelling in back- breaking seats

FASTLANE WITH its vast experience and knowledge of taking on the rugged terrain, Overland has been designing and engineering off-road products to protect your SUV from the harsh elements of Mother Nature, while maximizing your vehicle’s load. Overland’s line of off-road gears and equipment are designed to take on the punishment of trail driving. Their extensive line-up of 4x4 bumpers are designed to minimize vehicle damage and keep you moving. The standard Bull Bar replaces the front bumper completely

and embarking/disembarking to the inconvenience of other passengers,” states Pam PerezDacanay, marketing and communications chief of HARI. To experience how it is like to tackle the monstrous urban traffic jams on a basic Starex van, HARI gave me the keys to a low mileage unit and let me loose on a rainy weekend. For starters, this unit is equipped with a 2.5 liter TCi diesel engine matted to a five-speed manual transmission. It is not as spiffy as the luxury version, but this diesel unit gets the job and is fuel efficient, which is a plus for fuel price conscious owners who curse the high heavens every time fuel prices goes up a notch. The front seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, although I cannot recommend the folding bench type rear seats to my Grandmother.

Trail proof your rig with Overland

with a robust steel bumper designed specifically for each application. You won’t find a more thoroughly designed and manufactured vehicle protection system than Overland’s line of front, rear and side bumper protection. Engineering a bull bar requires careful consideration

perfect for hauling huge boxes and tall cargos such as bicycles and if you fold the rear bench type seats, it can accommodate a Vespa scooter with enough room for spare parts and mechanics. The massive rear door which swing upwards is makes hauling easy as loading an egg tray in your fridge. Designed to be passengerfriendly, the Hyundai Grand Starex Super Express stands out from the other 15- seaters in the market with its double sliding doors. These doors allow passengers to load and unload from both sides of the vehicle, making it a game-changer in the transport industry. Another plus factor for this variant is the powerful climate control system with A/C vents strategically placed around the cabin. Despite having not window tint and we were travelling with on

Despite being touted by HARI as being a 15-seater commuter, the second row leg room for the rear seats are uncomfortable, unless if you’re Peter Dinklage of the popular Game of Thrones franchise. The third row up to the rear have ample leg room, but does not have headrests, which could have been a plus for the rear seats of this variant. Did I mention that the audio system goes out once you’re driving under a skyway or an MRT overhead track? Replacing it would not break the bank of your personal finances anyway. Easy Ingress and Egress A plus factor of this commuter variant is the cavernous cabin which boasts of a high ceiling and plentiful of space for cargo and people who lugs around town with a knapsack or even a travel bag. It is also

a hot Sunday afternoon on our way to Quezon Province, we hardly felt the humid temperature outside. Suspension play is average, and it could be improved by bolting on a more pliant wheel and tire combination. Steering is precise and the engine is just right for this variant. Will it give its competitors a serious run for their money? Well, we’ll see at the sales report by the end of the year. The Hyundai Starex Super Express brings peace of mind with its 3-year or 100,000 kilometer warranty—a premium benefit for vehicles used for commercial purposes. With the Hyundai Starex Super Express, you can finally change the way you define “commute”. Suggested Retail Price is at P1,398,000.

Beast mode with Black Rhino

of a number of factors to ensure it properly serves its purpose. Factors such as vehicle design, crush rate, air bag deployment, approach angles, accessory fitment, strength, weight and aesthetics are taken into consideration. Overland steel bumpers are custom-fit for pick-up trucks such as the Toyota H-Lux, Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and D-Max, Ford Ranger and the Mazda BT-50. Prior to global distribution, Overland products were tested in the jungles of Thailand, Malaysia and Burma.

is for Trucks or SUV’s with negative offset that works perfectly for those wanting an Extreme lift stance. The second is for more street friendly vehicles that you want to give that stylish look to set it apart from all other vehicles. Black Rhinowheels come in a variety of 17”, 18”, 20”

WITH its rugged styling inspired by one of the toughest beasts in the African plains, Black Rhino wheels are designed with the off road truck and SUV enthusiast in mind. Each Black Rhino wheel is engineered to carry the heavy loads often associated with Trucks and SUV’s. All wheels are either hub-centric or supplied with centering rings to ensure a smooth vibration free ride. The Black Rhino truck and SUV wheels lineup is built with two types of vehicles in mind. The first set-up

and 22” sizes in a variety of finishes - Matte Black, Gloss Black with Machine, Matte Black with Matte Machine, 5,6 and 8 Lug, all depending on what perfectly suits your truck, lifted truck and SUV. So when it comes to choosing well built, tough looking wheels for your off road truck, lifted truck or sport utility vehicle, go on and give it horns with Black Rhino Wheels. Those who want to level up their game, Black Rhino wheels are available in dealers nationwide or log on to www. conceptonewheels.com

Motor Image Pilipinas, the official distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, opens its doors to the Palm Challenge recruitment this 2017. The Palm Challenge weekend is slated on September 9 and 10, 2017, at the 9th Street, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. At least 125 slots will be opened for challengers who are willing to slug it out to be able to qualify and represent the country. The Final 10 contestants to last in the Philippine leg will be flown to Singapore this October to serve as the Philippine Contingent in the Regional Palm Challenge. Should this finally be the year for the Philippines to win the Regional Palm Challenge, the lucky contestant will be taking home a brand new Subaru Impreza. September 10, Sunday, will also mark the 2nd year of the Collegiate Edition of the Subaru Palm Challenge, wherein students from different universities in Manila will undergo this test of endurance. The winning team will take home grand prizes for their home institution. For those who think they have the discipline, will and determination to outlast hundreds of others from several countries in Asia, it’s your time to prove yourselves by registering at www.subarupalmchallenge2017.com.ph About Tan Chong International Limited Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL) is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKSE:0693) and is a major motor, property and distribution company with operations in Singapore, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Since its inception in 1957, the Group has grown its assets substantially through continuous expansion of its existing diversified business portfolio in manufacturing, distribution and retail. Other businesses that TCIL engage in across Asia include automotive, commercial, manufacturing, trading and property investment businesses. About Motor Image Motor Image is a wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL and exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across nine countries in Asia. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Singapore, the company has since opened offices in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. As part of Motor Image’s growth strategy, the company has identified ASEAN as the key engine of the company’s future growth.

How SAFE is your car? ABS

ke System

Bra Anti-lock

STD

Dual Airbag

Low Downpayment

PHP 28K

Fu el Efficiency

based on 20% DP

Applicable for Bank Financing.

Total Effec

TECT

tive Contro l Te

SRP P 429.000.00 Promo period: August 03 — October 31, 2017

SAFE

Built

Suzuki Customer Care Hotline: (02) 462-5000 Like us @ facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPh | www.suzuki.com.ph/auto

ASC REF. NO. S090P081017S

Small car.

chnology Bo

BIG on safety. Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 9208 Series of 2017