Manila Standard - 2017 September 16 - Saturday by Manila Standard

Joma tags P1k outlay as ‘killing budget’

VOL. XXXI • NO. 214 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Fund free tuition law than CHR ---Alvarez

By John Paolo Bencito

By Maricel V. Cruz

COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison denounced President Rodrigo Duterte Friday as the “worst kind of president” after authorizing a budget of only P1,000 for the Commission on Human Rights and billions of pesos for law enforcement. “I think I have a lot of criticisms to make of previous presidents, but this is the worst kind of president,” Sison said in an ANC television interview. “I would say that Duterte is very well on the way to proclaiming a fascist dictatorship. He’s preparing for martial law and to impose a fascist dictatorship in the Philippines,” he added. Sison slammed Congress’ move to allocate only P1,000 to the CHR, which supports his statement that Duterte is heading towards dictatorship. Next page

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday backed a proposal to reallocate the Commission on Human Rights’ proposed P678-million budget for 2018 to finance the implementation of the free college education law. He said he would rather finance President Rodrigo Duterte’s recently signed Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act than give the CHR a big budget when it had failed to carry out its mandate to protect the Filipinos’ human rights. “Why does the government allocate millions of pesos for an agency that does not fulfill its mandate when it can better provide enough budget for a scholarship program of the state to help the poor and deserving students?” Alvarez said. “We will rather fund the free tuition law to ensure its implementation. The CHR does not serve its purpose anyway.” Next page

REPLACEMENT. New trainees from the National Capital Region Police Office stand at attention while getting a briefing Friday from their seniors after the Philippine National Police sacked 297 policemen from three precincts in Caloocan City, with plans to kick out the entire 1,000-member contingent of the Northern Police District after city cops were implicated in the killing of three minors in August. Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said all police personnel in Caloocan would undergo retraining and reorientation before being reassigned to other police units, not necessarily in Manila. Andrew Rabulan

Entire Caloocan police force fired By Francisco Tuyay

HE Philippine National Police on Friday sacked 297 policemen from three precincts in Caloocan City and plans to kick out the entire 1,000-member contingent of the Northern Police District after city cops were implicated in the killing of three minors in August

The 297 sacked personnel were assigned at Police Community Precinct (PCP) 7, which was home to three of the men tagged in the killing of Grade

11 student Kian delos Santos; PCP-2, where members of the force shot and killed Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19; and PCP4, where members forced their way into

the house of an old woman. Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said all police personnel in Caloocan would undergo retraining and reorientation before being reassigned to other police units, not necessarily in Manila. Albayalde did not say how long the retraining would last and how long it would take for the entire police force in Caloocan to be replaced. “Their relief will be done via batches. Eventually we will reshuffle the whole Caloocan City Police,” Albayalde said. On Wednesday, 11 members of

the NPD-District Public Safety Battalion were seen on CCTV taking valuables from a house during a supposed drug operation, forcing the National Capital Region Police Ofﬁce to take prompt action. Albayalde said the 11 members of the unit that took part in robbery have been kicked out. The Metro Manila police chief said those relieved will be temporarily replaced by members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the NCRPO and District Safety Battalion of the Next page NPD.

Pledges swamp lawyers’ group kitty drive for CHR By Joel E. Zurbano THE fund drive for the Commission on Human Rights initiated by Artikulo 3, a group of human rights lawyers, has been swamped by pledges, with at least one individual pledging a personal donation of P100,000. A total of 119 congressmen gave the CHR, which had a budget of more than P600 million this year, a 1,000-peso budget for next year over its criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs, which has killed thousands. “We are thankful for the numerous queries and pledges received by Artikulo 3 from groups and individuals

interested in donating to the CHR. One individual even pledged a personal donation of P100,000 for the agency,” Artikulo 3 president Hilda Clave said. She refused to identify the generous donor. But as the protests mounted after the House of Representatives approved a P1,000 budget for the CHR for 2018, social media went abuzz with reactions from celebrities and ordinary netizens who have initiated a fund-raising campaign for the agency. Actress Agot Isidro, a vocal critic of Duterte, in her Twitter account lashed out at the 119 who approved the measure on Next page Tuesday.

Defense chief: Nationwide martial law ‘very remote’ By John Paolo Bencito weakened state of militant DEFENSE Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana on Friday played down President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats of declaring martial law nationwide, saying this was a “very remote” possibility, given the

groups. “He said if the left launches massive protests and they set ﬁres on the streets and disrupt the country, then I might declare martial law,” Lorenzana said in Filipino at a Palace brieﬁng.

“In my estimate, that’s a very remote chance that will happen.” In his speech before troops at Cagayan de Oro City, Duterte said that “he will not hesitate to impose martial law throughout the country and order the ar-

rest of everybody” if communists stage a rebellion against the government. Lorenzana said the President was only concerned that a leftist rebellion that might get out of hand and disrupt public order, but Next page

PH condemns N. Korea’s London train incident ‘farthest’ missile launch city’s 5th terror attack SEOUL―North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Friday, responding to the new UN sanctions with its farthest-ever missile flight in what analysts called a demonstration of its ability to target Guam.

The launch, from near Pyongyang, came after the United Nations Security Council imposed an eighth set of measures on the isolated country following its sixth nuclear test earlier this Next page month.

PASSENGERS were seen badly burned and covered in blood after what police described as a “terrorist incident” on a London Underground train on Friday. Witnesses reported seeing passengers with facial burns

and hair coming off at Parsons Green station and seeing a ﬁre or hearing an explosion on the train. Police said “a number of people” were injured as Prime Minister Theresa May’s office Next page

LIBERATING MARAWI. Members of the Philippine Marines 1st Brigade conduct clearing operations Thursday at the main battle zone to liberate the ruined city of Marawi from the presence of Islamic State-inspired terrorists still in some portions of the lakeshore capital. The government has suffered 148 fatalities and 660 on the enemy side, with 45 civilian deaths blamed on the militants. Mark Navales

President: Trillanes wealth came from Chinese By John Paolo Bencito and Macon RamosAraneta

CONTINUING PROVOCATION. A woman watches Friday a screen showing file footage of a North Korean missile launch. Pyongyang, in a major show of defiance to the international community, fired a ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido Friday, the second to fly over Japan in less than a month, and the first since North Korea’s sixth nuclear test and new United Nations sanctions on the country. AFP twitter.com/ MlaStandard

LONDON BLAST. Several people are injured Friday after witnesses reported a blast on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London, with police saying they are treating it as a terrorism incident. Passengers on board a train heading into the capital fled as fire engulfed a carriage at Parsons Green underground station in West London at 8.20 a.m. (3.20 pm in Manila), with some suffering burns and other injuries in a stampede to escape, according to witnesses. AFP facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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THE loss of the Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese has led to the accumulation of alleged ill-gotten wealth of Senator Antonio Trillanes in his supposed off-shore bank accounts, President Rodrigo Duterte insinuated Friday. In a television interview, Duterte once again questioned Trillanes’ role as back-channel negotiator for

the Philippines in its claims involving Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal—saying the opposition senator “had earned” from his talks with the Chinese. “He was going back and forth, eight or nine times in China and his money had accumulated—that’s the time we lost the Scarborough Shoal,” the President said in an interview aired over staterun television PTV4. Soon after winning the presidency, Duterte said

that Trillanes could have committed treason in his backchannel talks with Chinese ofﬁcials over the West Philippine sea claims, as he reiterated someone should answer for the loss of the Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese. In an interview last May, Duterte said Trillanes had initiated secret “back-channel” talks with the Chinese government that could have only put in jeopardy the Philippine interest over the shoal. Next page

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

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Aussies lead Marawi donors By John Paolo Bencito

OREIGN donations for the rehabilitation and repair of the besieged city of Marawi continue to outpour with Australia as the biggest source of foreign aid, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday. In a Palace news briefing, Lorenzana said more than P2.1 billion had been pledged by foreign governments for the wartorn city, while more than P50 billion would be needed for the city’s complete rehabilitation. In a related development, the governments of the Philippines and the United States will embark on a bilateral, interagency counterterrorism drill, Tempest Wind, in mid-September intended to test and improve the ability of both nations to rapidly plan, coordinate, and conduct counterterrorism operations. The whole-of-government drill will be augmented by additional military assessments, national level engagement, and subject matter expert exchanges,

Philippine official sources said. These events will take place in the Philippines and Hawaii and are designed to create a realistic environment to exercise counterterrorism strategy, including senior decision-making and tactical responses, while deepening the bilateral partnership. In addition to important information exchanges, Tempest Wind is recognized as a way to test force readiness and exercise interoperability. These assessments will help to focus future bilateral training efforts to enhance the crisis response capabilities of both nations, the sources said. The Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board approved Tempest Wind

Naia Customs agents seize kilo of shabu in guitar amp CUSTOMS authorities seized a one-kilo package of shabu worth P5 million at the Federal Express warehouse at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The shipment, declared as a guitar amplifier, was intercepted after Customs agents noticed an irregularity in the x-ray monitor of the FedEx warehouse. Customs examiners on duty immediately conducted a physical examination of the shipment in the presence of agents from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and discovered the illegal drugs, said Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa of the BoC X-ray Inspection Project. “Concealed in the shipment was a plastic wrapper containing white crystalline substance.

The said shipment, to be exported by a certain Che Che Cruz of Philippine Electronics, New Zaniga Mandaluyong, was consigned to a certain Jerry Yu allegedly from Shenton Avenue, Banktown, Sidney, Australia,” he said. Tests conducted confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine chloride or shabu. The parcel was seized and turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposal. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña commended the combined efforts of government authorities for this successful apprehension, adding that he will not tolerate syndicates using the bureau for the illegal drug trade. Vito Barcelo

Defense chief...

Lorenzana said that when he and the President last talked, Duterte had raised the possibility of suspending work in government offices as well as all classes so as not to inconvenience the public. He did not mention a holiday, Lorenzana added. A coalition of groups calling themselves “Movement Against Tyranny” announced it was planning protests on Sept. 21. The protests, to be held at a park in the capital of Manila, would voice opposition to Duterte’s war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives, as well as the President’s attacks on democratic institutions. The coalition also voiced outrage at Duterte’s public support for Marcos, who was overthrown in the “People Power” revolution in 1986 and died in US exile three years later. The announcement for the protest said its theme was: “Stop the Killings! Never Again to Tyranny and Dictatorship!” Duterte, who imposed martial law across Mindanao in May after Islamic State group supporters occupied Marawi City, leading to a conflict that has claimed more than 800 lives. With Bill Casas

From A1

their intelligence people have seen no indication that the militant groups could gather the same strength they showed during the Marcos administration. The Defense chief also made it clear that Duterte would not declare martial law simply because of street protests. Militant groups are expected to mount protests on Thursday, Sept. 21, the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Duterte said he is considering suspending government work and classes in Metro Manila on that day. “This early, I am announcing that I am ordering a holiday so that no one gets hurt if there is a demonstration there and it gets messy,” Duterte said in an interview on state-run PTV that aired Friday night, transcripts of which were made available much earlier. “Government will have no work that day and classes will be suspended. All public places that you want to occupy, take them,” he added.

London... From A1

said she would be chairing an emergency cabinet meeting later on Friday. Emergency services said they were called at 8:20 a.m. (0720 GMT). Armed police and sniffer dogs were seen on the train and around the station, which is set in a leafy suburb of southwest London popular with well-off commuters and filled with chic cafés. “Terrorist incident declared at Parsons Green Underground Station,” police said in a statement. “It is too early to confirm the cause of the fire, which will be subject to the investigation that is now underway by the Met’s Counter

Terrorism Command,” it said. Twitter user @Rrigs, who posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train, said: “Explosion on Parsons Green District Line train. Fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door.” The bucket looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it. The station was closed, as well as an entire section of the District Line where it is located and police urged people to stay away from the area. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that some passengers were “really badly burned” and their “hair was coming off.” AFP

Entire... From A1

The Justice department, meanwhile, has placed the parents of 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman under the government’s witness protection program. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II announced that Eduardo and Lina De GuzmanDimaganti have been admitted to the WPP after meeting them on Friday. Aguirre said he promptly acted on their request for protection and ordered Justice Undersecretary Raymundo L. Mecate to process their application. “This afternoon they were admitted into the WPP...We want the parents of Kulot to know that they can trust the government’s WPP,” Aguirre said. “The WPP is the only entity empowered under the law to secure witnesses to a crime and to take care of them,” Aguirre added. Kulot’s parents, together with the parents of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz have filed a double murder complaint against two police officers and the cab driver allegedly robbed by Arnaiz. Carl and Kulot disappeared early last month. Arnaiz’ body was found in Caloocan while Kulot’s body was recovered in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan welcomed the police reshuffle. “We know that there are still many good Caloocan cops but there is a need for a drastic change to rid the roster of the rotten ones who continuously taint the image and name of the city,” Malapitan said in Filipino, in a message he sent to the media. With Rey E. Requejo and Jun David

in November 2016, highlighting the enduring commitment of both countries to the USPhilippine alliance. The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines and will continue to provide support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts and work jointly to address shared threats to the peace and security of both countries, the sources said.‎ Australia is already contributing two Orion spy planes for intelligence gathering. In his recent visit to the country, Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne committed to sending small contingents of Australian soldiers to train Philippine troops. Data from the Foreign Affairs Department stressed that education, health and peacebuilding programs in Mindanao accounted for more than a third of Australian aid to the Philippines. Coming next is the United States, which also announced a P730-million humanitarian assistance.

Washington, which is also helping troops in form of “technical assistance,” had earlier donated 1,040 rocket motors and 992 rockets to the Philippine Air Force, while 1,000 grenade launchers and 250 rocket-propelled grenade launchers were given to the Philippine Army. The country’s closest neighbors in the region, Japan and Thailand, have both donated P100 million. The President’s new found friend, China comes off at fifth with P85 million in assistance, which consists of P70 million for wounded soldiers and P15 million for the rehabilitation. Lorenzana, however, did not include in the list China’s donation of P370 million worth of rifles and ammunition—although intended for use in Marawi, all the firearms were given to the Philippine National Police instead. “It was the decision of the President because he knows the police lack long firearms. And another thing is, we have sufficient firearms in the Armed

Forces,” said Lorenzana. Some of the Chinese-made rifles may have been used in Marawi by “two companies or a battalion” of the police’s Special Action Force deployed to the besieged city, he added. The 28-member European Union, meanwhile, has pledged P49 million for Marawi efforts, Lorenzana added. With the depleted funds of the military because of the Marawi crisis, Lorenzana said they had already requested a supplemental budget of P2.5 billion before the Budget Department. Congress also has pledged to allocate additional funds if needed, Lorenzana added. On the 116th day of the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City, Lorenzana expressed confidence the war was nearing its end, with only less than two barangays left with Maute terrorists still there. He said the military had not set a deadline but assured that government troops were “doing their best.” With Sara Susanne Fabunan and Rio Araja

Pledges...

fund drive for the CHR. “We intend to open an account in a private bank for donations, and the amount donated will be turned over to the CHR for its programs and operations,” she said. Her group, whose member include former Vice President Jejomar Binay and former senator Rene Saguisag, earlier urged the public to join a fund drive for the embattled CHR. They also slammed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the 119 congressmen who voted to allocate P1,000 for the agency,

saying their action violated the Constitution since the agency was a constitutional body. The majority of the House of Representatives voted 119-32 to reject the CHR’s proposed P649.484 million. They instead complied with the wishes of Alvarez who earlier expressed his desire to give the commission a measly budget for being critical of the administration’s war on illegal drugs, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 13,000 suspected illegal drug dealers and users.

ances in government. “That’s how... our checks and balances works under the Constitution. Until that is changed, we have to respect it,” he added. On Tuesday, 119 lawmakers voted to slash the 2018 budget of the CHR to only P1,000, while only 32 voted against the proposal. Senators said they are hopeful they can find a middle ground to resolve their conflict with the House over the CHR budget. Senator Panfilo Lacson, vice chairman of the Senate finance committee, has vowed to call for the restoration of the CHR budget, but said the Senate is not imposing its will on the House. “Hopefully we can find some middle ground to resolve the disagreeing provisions of the 2018 budget bill,” he said. He added that the senators would listen to the House members’ arguments during the bicameral conference committee meetings. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the Senate will stand firm on its decision to restore the CHR budget. “Yes. Majority of the senators will stand by Senate’s decision to maintain the CHR budget,” said Drilon, who warned that a deadlock would result in a reenacted budget. Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, slammed the Du-

terte administration for cutting the CHR budget down to P1,000, while allocating P1.35 billion for the Presidential Communication Operations Office. “There’s money for fake news but not for human rights,” Hontiveros said. “It seems that this government is willing to use taxpayer’s money to reward lies and incompetence rather than allow a constitutionally-created body to fulfill its mandate to protect the human rights of Filipinos.” The PCOO, and the Philippine News Agency under its management, have made several embarrassing mistakes and factual errors in the last few months. In May of this year, the PNA ran a story saying that 95 countries were convinced that there were no extrajudicial killings in the country. The claim was immediately contradicted by the United Nations Periodic Review. In the same month, a photo depicting Vietnamese soldiers was used to show Philippine soldiers fighting in Marawi. It was later revealed that the same photo was sourced from Wikimedia commons. Last August, the government’s news agency posted an article calling the historic ruling won by the Philippines against China an “ill-founded award.”

sels anchored in the disputed Scarborough Shoal were apprehended by the Philippine Navy for illegally collecting corals, giant clams and live sharks—only to be blocked by Chinese maritime surveillance ships, China Marine Surveillance 75 (Zhongguo Haijian 75) and China Marine Surveillance 84 (Zhongguo Haijian 84). Since then, tensions have continued between the two countries that led to cyber attack exchanges, banning of Philippine fruit exports and suspension of tours to the country.

At that time, President Benigno Aquino III revealed Trillanes called and offered to be the country’s backroom negotiator to China at the height of the shoal standoff—only recalling that there seemed to be “belligerence” on the side of Beijing, where talks through diplomatic channels apparently bogged down, prompting him to avail the presidency of Trillanes’ offer. Citing sources from a “foreign country,” Duterte said Trillanes had several currency accounts in Shanghai, Zurich, Geneva and

Singapore—all “flagged as having international transactions.” Aside from these, the opposition solon allegedly had savings accounts in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands. “Our provider suggested that we focus on the Zurich bank accounts, and Singapore bank accounts since all of these are single bank accounts without co-depositors. Additionally, the information that we provided has existing slips as evidence of these two accounts and were acknowledged to be in existence,” the President said.

those missiles up without any reason except to scare us here, the neighboring countries. “Even the President [Rodrigo Duterte] is very much concerned about these missiles from North Korea. We fear them. [It’s] very concerning.”. In New York, the Security Council called an emergency meeting for later Friday. The US Pacific Command confirmed Friday’s rocket was an intermediate range ballistic missile and said it did not pose a threat

to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened to bracket with “enveloping fire”. Seoul’s defense ministry said it probably traveled around 3,700 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers. It was “the farthest overground any of their ballistic missiles has ever traveled,” Joseph Dempsey of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said on Twitter. Physicist David Wright, of the Union of Concerned Scientists,

added: “North Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile, although the payload the missile was carrying is not known” and its accuracy was in doubt. The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under leader Kim Jong-Un, who is closely associated with the program and regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities. AFP with John Paolo Bencito

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Isidro initially posted a photo of the House members with a hashtagged caption “#HouseOfRepresentaTHIEVES” in the evening of Sept. 12, the day the CHR budget was approved. While he expressed his indignation, Dingdong Dantes praised the 32 congressmen who voted against the P1,000 budget. Clave said her group was now finalizing the mechanics of its

Joma... From A1

“The way the budget is made, it’s a killing budget, a budget for killing people, and a budget for expressing contempt for human rights.” “Reducing budget of the CHR to just P1,000 and then giving ‘tokhang’ this scheme of mass murder, P900 million plus other funds of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and a huge intelligence fund of Duterte—this is a budget for fascist dictatorship and for killing more people,” he said. He added that Duterte is preparing for massacres in the Philippines. “We are looking forward to despotic regime of widespread death and destruction. That is already well demonstrated in the destruction of Marawi,” he added. The Palace on Friday said that they are still hopeful that the P3.35-trillion budget submitted before Congress would be approved in whole, after the House of Representatives slashed the budget of at least three agencies to P1,000. Communications Assistant Secretary Michael Kristian Ablan said the decision of the House to give the CHR only P1,000 was simply part of the checks and bal-

President... From A1

“Trillanes went [to China] there 16 times,” Duterte said. “After the 16th visit, we have lost the Scarborough Shoal,” he added. “To me, it’s treason,” he said. “Somebody has to answer for that, it means livelihood for the Philippines, for the Filipinos, our fishermen will be deprived,” he said. On April 8, 2012—eight mainland Chinese fishing ves-

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The blast was by far its largest to date and Pyongyang said it was a hydrogen bomb small enough to fit onto a missile. The Philippines condemned the latest launch. “That is a very dangerous act by the North Koreans,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters in Manila. “First, they keep sending

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Alvarez made his statement in response to the proposal of Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, to use the P2.4589-billion aggregate budget of the CHR, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and Energy Regulatory Commission to finance college education. Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, provides free tuition and other fees for students in state universities and colleges and technical and vocational institutions. Experts estimate that the law will require P16 billion to P30 billion to finance the free college education of students. Voting 119-34 on Tuesday, the House moved to allocate a 1,000-peso budget each to the CHR, NCIP and ERC under the 2018 P3.767-trillion General Appropriations Bill which was approved on second reading also on Tuesday. Nograles earlier said his panel was able to identify P37.5 billion as stand-by funds for the free college program, which will be rolled out beginning next year.

News Indigenous people rally vs US, Du30 TENSIONS rose between the Manila Police District and hundreds of members of various indigenous and militant groups, after protesters marched toward the United States Embassy to mark the 26th anniversary of the bases treaty rejection on Friday. The rallyists also protested the violent dispersal that happened in 2016 when a police utility vehicle plowed into a group of protesters injuring at least 50 of them. This is the second attempt by the groups to reach the US Embassy. Sandugo, Bayan, and Tindeg Ranao were among the groups who marched from Plaza Salamanca, located at Taft Avenue corner Kalaw, towards the US Embassy. An efﬁgy of US President Donald Trump riding a missile with an embossed image of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was set to be burned in front of the US embassy as part of their plan to show their displeasure against the US government. Bill Casas

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sereno impeachment case will fail—CJ spokesman By Rey E. Requejo

HE impeachment complaint filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will

fail.

Lawyer Carlo L. Cruz, spokesman of the beleaguered chief magistrate, expressed confidence that the impeachment complaint will not prosper. “In her answer, she will explain why the complaint must fail. Chief Justice Sereno has always been a staunch defender of the Judiciary and our democracy, and has always exercised

utmost competence, integrity, probity, and independence in her official conduct and in the performance of her functions,” Cruz said, in a statement. Sereno’s camp made the statement even as he confirmed that they have officially received the copy of the impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Lorenzo Gadon. The Chief Justice has

10 days to respond to the complaint. Nonetheless, the camp of the chief magistrate assured that despite the impeachment process, Sereno remains committed to her duties at the Supreme Court. “The public may rest assured that the Chief Justice remains committed to her duties at the Supreme Court, and continues to pursue the judicial reform agenda even as the impeachment process unfolds,” Cruz said. “We confirm that the Secretary General of the House Committee on Justice has served a copy of the impeachment

complaint to the Office of the Chief Justice. We now have 10 days to formally respond to this complaint,” he added. On Wednesday, the House committee on justice voted that the impeachment complaint was sufficient in form. Gadon’s complaint, which was endorsed by 25 House members, accused Sereno of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust. Gadon stated that Sereno did not declare in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth the “exorbitant lawyer’s fees” of $745,000 or

P37 million which she received from the Philippine government. Gadon said the issue of SALN declaration is the strongest case presented against the Chief Justice. The complaint alleged that Sereno committed corruption when she, among other things, used public funds to finance her extravagant and lavish lifestyle by ordering the purchase of a brand-new luxurious Toyota Land Cruiser 2017 model as her personal vehicle, amounting to more than P5 million; and stay in opulent hotels when attending conferences in the country and abroad.

MMDA to train mall guards on traffic work MALL operators in Metro Manila agreed to the proposal of the government to place their security personnel under training and be deputized to manage traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, particularly in the areas near shopping centers. Officials of the Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday met representatives of shopping malls and commercial establishments at the agency’s main office in Makati City where they discussed and finalized the plan to lessen the traffic problem during the Yuletide season. MMDA assistant general manager for planning Jose Arturo Garcia said the mall owners will start sending to the MMDA the list of security guards who will be deputized and help the agency in managing traffic. Joel Zurbano

House okays Natl Students Day bill THE House of Representatives has approved on third and ﬁnal reading this week House Bill 6283 which seeks to declare Nov. 17 of every year as National Students’ Day in recognition of the contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy. The bill, authored by congressmen Evelina Escudero of Sorsogon and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna Party-List, seeks to acknowledge the value of inculcating love of country and social responsibility among the youth, and support the observance of International Students’ Day which was spearheaded by the International Students’ Council in 1941 to commemorate the execution of nine Czechoslovakian students who fought against the Nazi occupation. “In accord with the observance of International Students’ Day and in recognition of the invaluable contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy for initiating efforts to foster leadership among Filipino students, November 17 of every year is hereby declared as National Students’ Day,” the bill states. Maricel V. Cruz

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE. Leyte (1st District) Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (2nd from right) huddle with (from left) Rep. Sol Aragones, Rep. Helen Tan and Rep. Lorna Silverio during the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians of AIPA at the 38th AIPA General Assembly held at Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. Ver Noveno

Alvarez downplays Makabayan leaving coalition By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday shrugged off the decision of the seven members of the socalled Makabayan Bloc to severe their ties with the pro-administration coalition in the House of Representatives. Alvarez said every House member is free to choose whether he or she wants to

be a part of the majority or the minority bloc. “We have no problem with that. We do not force any member of the House to be part of the majority coalition, or if they wish to be a member of the minority bloc,” Alvarez said in an interview. Alvarez added that joining the majority coalition is not compulsory.. “Anyone who can help in the legislative agenda of

the President is welcome,” Alvarez said. “But anybody who feels he or she cannot help promote the legislative agenda of the President is free to leave the coalition,” he said. Since they bolted the majority coalition, Alvarez said members of the Makabayan Bloc, namely Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro of the ACT Teachers Party-List, Emmi de Jesus and Arlene

Brosas of ACT Teachers, Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis and Sarah Elago of Kabataan, will now be considered as opposition members. Tinio, Zarate and De Jesus were among the lawmakers allied with the majority bloc who were stripped off their posts for not supporting the death penalty bill. Tinio then led the

House committee on public information, Zarate was head of the House committee on environment and natural resources, and De Jesus was head of the poverty alleviation committee. The lawmakers said they had decided to join the majority bloc in support of President Duterte and his administration’s “promise of change.”

OFWs in M.E. warned: No sex for singles By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment on Friday warned overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates not to engage in sex outside marriage while in that country since it is considered as a crime and is punishable by imprisonment. The department said that the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority issued the advisory following reports that many foreign workers in UAE were jailed because of committing illicit acts. The POEA said that single women and men who are in a relationship and have plans to live together should ﬁrst get married so they can live in the Emirates as husband and wife. Being a Muslim country governed by the Sharia Law, the UAE considers living together without the beneﬁt of marriage as illegal and is punishable by three to six

months imprisonment and eventual deportation. The Philippine Consulate in Dubai reported that a number of expatriate couples, including Filipinos, are now behind bars for violations of this nature. The Consulate has received numerous requests for repatriation from Filipinos in Dubai and Northern Emirates who have children out of wedlock. They believe that the Consulate can simply endorse them to Dubai Immigration without having them detained. Unfortunately, immorality is not negotiable under the UAE penal system. Pregnancies and childbirth outside marriage carry a punishment of six months in jail, deportation, and a lifetime ban. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has a legal assistance fund to help overseas Filipinos in distress for their litigation expenses, court fees, and bail bond.

NO TO PLASTICS. A group of environmental organizations in the Philippines have

launched a massive coastal cleanup in Freedom Island in Parañaque to highlight the role of companies responsible for low-value non-recyclable packaging and single-use disposable plastic products that end up in oceans and beaches. Lino Santos

‘Repairs at Pag-asa to go on’ ByJohnPaoloBencito DESPITE the expected adversarial stance coming from Beijing, the construction of new facilities and repairs of the dilapidated runway in the Philippine-controlled Pag-asa Island or Thitu Island in the disputed West Philippine Sea waters will soon start after more than P1.6 billion have already been earmarked, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday. In a Palace news briefing, Lorenzana announced that they have already awarded the contracts for the construction of new facilities and repairs of facilities following President Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions to push through with the improvement of the Philippine-owned island. “It will be done in stages. The first stage is to construct a beaching ramp for our ship to dock so that we can bring in construction materials and heavy equipment. After that is finished, they will bring in the construction materials. Then, they will repair the runway,” the Defense secretary said. “And then later on, they will extend for another 55 meters to make it viable for bigger aircrafts. Our timetable is maybe 18 months, [repairs will be finished],” he added. Also to be constructed were desalination facilities, the Defense chief said. He added that they are confident that China would not carry out “violent actions” against the Philippines, since both countries already established “good working relationship.” Beijing had earlier deemed as “illegal” the Philippine government’s plan to overhaul the structures in the disputed isles. “I don’t think they will do any violent action. They will protest. I was told by [Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua] that anything we do there, they are going to protest. It’s okay. Anyway, whatever you do there, they also protest,” Lorenzana said. “What we are doing is improving our own, the islands that we are occupying. We have occupied since 1969, the first time we occupied those islands there in the Kalayaan Island Group. So that’s the status quo now. I’m sure that the repair of Pagasa will go on smoothly,” he added. The disputed island recently became a point of contention after “extraordinary activities” of Chinese vessels were earlier observed in unoccupied sandbars. Thitu Island, with an area of 37.2 hectares (92 acres) and lies about 480 kilometers (300 mi) west of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, is the second largest of the naturally occurring islands in the Spratly Island chain and the largest of the Philippineadministered islands.

SC voids 4 sections of PNoy’s EO on coco levy fund By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court on Friday nulliﬁed four provisions of former President Benigno Aquino III’s Executive Order No. 180, effectively stopping the government from disbursing the disputed multi-

billion-peso coconut levy funds. In a 21-page en banc decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, the SC partially granted the petition of Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organization of the

Philippines Inc. and instead ruled that President Aquino “went beyond the authority delegated by law in the disbursement of the coconut levy funds.” In particular, the high court declared “that Sections 6, Section 7, Section 8 and Sec-

tion 9 of Executive Order No. 180, series of 2015, are not in conformity with law.” EO 180 mandates the reconveyance and utilization of coconut levy assets for the beneﬁt of coconut farmers and the development of the coconut industry.

Opinion

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Feeling employees’ pain

E COMMEND the Department of Labor and Employment for issuing an order banning companies from requiring their employees to wear high-heeled shoes to work. Department Order no. 178 also covers private-sector employees who are required by their employers or establishments to stand at work for long periods, and those who have jobs which require frequent walking. They must be given time to rest— specifically, through sitting breaks. Aside from the discomfort, there are health issues that can result from prolonged

standing especially when wearing high-heeled shoes, according to the director of the Bureau of Working Conditions. “If the muscles have been overloaded because of the prolonged standing position, there will be a burden on our back as well as on our legs. There will be pain because of fatigue. What will be affected here are the joints, the musculoskeletal system. It

can cause some problems in the spine, in the lower legs, and in the end, if this is not properly corrected, one can have arthritis and other related musculoskeletal disorders,” said Teresita Cocueco. The order was signed August 25, published September 9 and will take effect September 26. Following this, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello is also considering requiring companies to provide standing breaks for their employees who spend most of their time sitting down. There are also attendant health complica-

tions that may arise from sedentary behavior. Among these are obesity, diabetes, and some types of cancer. It slows the metabolism and renders the body less able to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure and break down fat. The department order shows the sensitivity of government to the plight of workers who must endure prolonged discomfort, even pain, while performing their jobs—as though they did not have to worry about stretching their meager salaries to make ends meet.

One wonders, then, how some employers can be callous, indifferent—even cruel—enough to have to be reminded of their duty to provide timely remuneration and basic benefits to the people without whom their enterprises will not run. The absence of decency and compassion is astounding; the hypocrisy, as they package themselves as good corporate citizens, even more so. It is good that the government and the law can always step in to ensure lowly, hardworking workers are given their due. HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

The ‘presidential‘ adjective

when convenient for them like what the JUSTICE secretary does, but ignore it when the same Constitution is applied to their ‘enemies.’ Just look at what the House of Representatives did to the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Defunding this Constitutional body is a direct affront to the Constitution. Giving it a P1,000 budget is the biggest insult to people’s rights. This means that the so-called 119 representatives who voted for this DO NOT represent the interests of their constituents who elected them. These politicians should remember that the people they are ignoring are the same ones who will vote for their next representatives. The HOR’s action against the CHR may also mean that the administration does not

THE dictionary defines the word “presidential” as an adjective which, among others, pertains to the president in his official capacity, and regardless of whoever is the incumbent president. Thus, Malacañang is properly called “the presidential Palace,” irrespective of who the incumbent president is. It’s the presidential Palace under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, and it will be the presidential Palace in subsequent administrations. The official vehicles used by President Duterte are properly called “the presidential limousine,” “the presidential helicopter,” etc. During the Commonwealth era, President Manuel L. Quezon had an official yacht which the press of the period correctly called “the presidential yacht.” Official acts of the president are “presidential” in character. Thus, when the president exercises his constitutional power of executive clemency, that is his “presidential prerogative.” Under the 1973 Constitution, President Ferdinand Marcos was empowered to issue executive decrees which had the force and effect of legislation. Because Marcos issued such decrees in his official capacity, his edicts were aptly called “presidential decrees.” Sites and structures established exclusively in honor of the nation’s presidents can rightfully use the adjective, as in “the presidential museum” at Malacañang. HAIL TO THE CHAIR Any infrastructure, private or public, that is named in honor of a past president cannot be described as “presidential” because it has nothing to do with the officialdom associated with a president. For instance, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue in Santa Mesa, Manila, a public road

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A country under attack POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO I AM not a big fan of conspiracy theories unless in movies. But the things that are happening in the country are good materials that can make for a blockbuster movies or series, and I wish what is unfolding before our very eyes were just make believe. The thing is, films usually have feelgood endings where the bad is always defeated and justice, served. What the Filipino people face is not a product of an imagination running wild. This is real and affects the lives of the around 105 million citizens of the country in ways we can only nervously imagine. From the looks of it, we

are a country under attack. On all fronts, our hardearned democracy, our human rights, our territorial sovereignty, and our very lives are under serious threat. Our Constitution is blatantly disrespected and observed only when it suits those who attack us. Our laws are disregarded upon the say-so of the man in Malacanang Palace. Our police force, despite knowing that there are honorable ones, is now looked at as a group of monsters who kill people in the most brutal and barbaric ways. The culture of violence has never been this strong that one cannot feel safe even inside our homes. Most of us are scared that our sons and daughters might end up as collateral damage like Kian and Carl in this bloody war on drugs. As a mother, I have never

been this nervous when my kids are out. We worry that we cannot even have a few hours of good time with friends without the possibility of the police interrupting to inspect our personal be-

I wish what is unfolding before our eyes were make-believe. longings. This recently happened to Ateneo de Manila students in a Katipunan bar and can very well happen again to people who just want to have some clean fun together. We feel jittery that even as our family is resting in

our home, people will come knocking to do “tokhang.” With the Philippine National Police having a budget of P900 million for this kind of activity, we can expect a more intensified, widespread tokhang operation in 2018. Wherever we are, we always need to be on guard, aware of possible trouble happening around us. Peace of mind has become elusive. We no longer feel safe because the people who are supposed to protect us, citizens, are the ones we fear might abuse and hurt, even murder us. The uncertainty, stress, and tension in the kind of lives we live cannot be denied. The more than 13,000 lives, mostly of the poor, snuffed out in the name of their war on drugs, do not, and cannot lie. Our attackers bend, disre-

gard, ignore, and even violate laws meant to protect us. The more than 13,000 killed, many by those in uniform, were not afforded the due process they all deserved. They were all suspects, not convicted criminals. Some were outright innocent. But look at how the ‘authorities’ use and abuse due process when it comes to those close to them. Policemen involved in killings have been protected by no less than the biggest of the big bosses. Presidential son Paolo Duterte is given all the courtesies despite his alleged involvement in big time smuggling of drugs. Due process, they say. Our human rights are protected by the Constitution. Yet even this most important framework of the country’s very existence is mocked by the powers that be. They quote and use it

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

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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 Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Night Editor Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion Report on PNOC and IFC agreement is premature

Kindly see the statement from IFC on the subject: IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is in talks with the PNOC to learn about its LNG sector plans to determine how IFC can assist the Philippine government to achieve a balanced, sustainable and climate responsive energy mix. IFC has helped catalyze LNG to power projects globally with recently signed projects in Panama and Bangladesh. However, we want to clarify that recent reports of an agreement between PNOC and IFC being finalized is premature. If you would like to attribute the statement to someone, please indicate “IFC Spokesperson.” RACHEL NALUS QUINTOS Communications Officer The Philippines and Thailand International Finance Corp.

The ‘presidential’... From A4

named in honor of President Ramon Magsaysay, the third president of the third republic, should not be called a “presidential” road. In the same light, it will be absurd to hear of a “presidential building,” a “presidential bridge,” or a “presidential hospital.” The same may be said of cities and provinces named after past presidents. Quezon City and Quezon Province, for instance, cannot be referred to as a “presidential city” and a “presidential province,” respectively. How can a city or a province be presidential? Places or facilities attended with extra-ordinary stature and amenities undoubtedly fit for the use of a head of state may be described as “presidential.” That is why the best suite in a five-star hotel is “the presidential suite.” There are, of course, lower-grade hotels and inns that each claim to have a “presidential suite” but it does not deserve the adjective. The best room in an ordinary hotel may be the best the place can offer, but is should not be called a “presidential” suite. Surprisingly, the adjective is used indiscriminately by the news media when reporting on the president, his activities, and even his family. Take for example Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, who happens to be the son of President Duterte, and Mr. Manases Carpio, who is the president’s son-in-law. After they appeared at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation a week ago, the news media referred to them as the “presidential son” and “presidential son-in-law.” That type of description is, to say the least, inappropriate use of language. The vice mayor and Mr. Carpio should have been described as “the president’s son” and “the president’s son-in-law,” respectively. The use of the adjective “presidential” is inappropriate because the relationship between the two young men and President Duterte is not something official or created by law. Simply stated, there is nothing “presidential” about being the son or sonin-law of the president. To illustrate the point further, the family of the president is not called “the presidential family” but “the first family.” The wife of the president is not referred to as the “presidential spouse” but as “the first lady.” Why? The relationship between and among the members of the president’s family has

been there long before the president was elected to the presidency. Their ties are hardly presidential. When Jejomar Binay was the vice president, none of his children were referred to as either “the vice presidential son” or “vice presidential daughter.” There may be “vice presidential privileges,” which are privileges only a sitting vice president is entitled to, but there is are no such entities as “vice presidential son” or “vice presidential son-in-law.” It has been said that language is dynamic, and that its words evolve as the language gets older. That may be true, but then again, if the rules on language are indiscriminately changed to suit what is convenient, then advance English-language courses in Philippine universities out to be dispensed with, and Filipinos should be satisfied with a basic or intermediate level appreciation and understanding of the language. That may not be a good idea for the Filipino people in a world where English has become the dominant language for international trade and diplomacy, and even in international education. The sooner this language malady is corrected, the better it will be for Filipinos who want to speak and write in English properly. An excellent command of the language will certainly be an advantage for the Filipino. Since language is the subject of discussion in this essay anyway, attention is also invited to other words that are often used inappropriately by the news media. The word “verdict” should not be used in refering to a court judgment, ruling, or decision. A verdict is the finding made by a jury after it has deliberated on the merits of a criminal case. Since there is no jury system obtaining in the Philippines, the use of the term in the coverage of court cases in the country is certainly misplaced. “Presently” is synonymous to the word “later” and it should not be mixed up with the phrase “at present.” Thus, one should say, “I am indisposed at present, but I can join you presently.” English has been in use in the Philippines since the dawn of the twentieth century. For this reason, Filipinos should not find it difficult to master the language to the level of world class usage. That will definitely be to one’s personal advantage, as well as that of the nation.

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The coming impeachment battle

MAIL MATTERS

WE WRITE in response to the story written by Alena Mae Flores last Sept. 11, 2017, titled “PNOC, World Bank Unit in talks over liquefied natural gas terminal.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

IT LOOKS like that impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will move forward. Earlier this week, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice ignored their own rules and ruled that the impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Larry Gadon against Sereno was sufficient in form and substance. Earlier in the impeachment complaint against President Duterte filed by Representative Gary Alejano, the same Committee required personal knowledge. This rule was conveniently ignored and disregarded in the case of Sereno where the charges are based on hearsay and on newspaper clippings. As pointed out by Sereno spokesperson, Prof. Carlo Cruz, “We . . . understand that the determinations of the House Committee appear to be inconsistent with its findings and actions in similar proceedings in the past. These shall be addressed as well in the answer to be filed.” Cruz, a prominent constitutional scholar and professor, criticized the impeachment complaint for being based on newspaper reports which, in a court proceeding, are regarded as hearsay. I have written about this before and repeat it again here - impeachment has been and misused in our

country, becoming now a means of first resort rather than the ultimate remedy against impeachable officials. Unfortunately, it has replaced policy debates or legal forums as the place where differences in approaches to governance should in fact be settled. As I have also written, impeachment is indeed a political process but it is not supposed to be a political circus. And while political, impeachment does not mean you set aside legal rules. Let’s begin with the grounds. Culpable violation of the Constitution means a specific constitutional provision was intentionally transgressed upon by the impeachable official. Betrayal of public trust, even if it has a broader scope, implies a seriousness that rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors that are also grounds for impeachment. Mistakes of judgements, especially on administrative matters and management decisions, do not rise to being impeachable. Such grounds must be read in conjunction with the element of deliberate, malice and evil intent. They are not magic words that can be invoked at a drop of the hat to make a public official, irritating he or she might be to some, disappear. In other words, there must be prima facie showing that the act to be considered as betrayal of trust or culpably violative of the Constitution is done with deliberate or malicious intent. A liberal

construction of the grounds would expose most public officials, who because of wrong judgment or adaption of wrongful policies that result in unintended negative consequences, to sanctions, if not by impeachment but in administrative penalties or worse. In the statement issued by Cruz, Sereno denied all of Gadon’s allegations. Cruz also said: “We remain hopeful that our Congress will decide based on the merits of the case, and affirm their commitment to our democracy over partisan or parochial interests. In the meantime, the Chief Justice continues to discharge her duties with fairness, integrity and humility.” He continued: “We maintain that Chief Justice Sereno has always lived a modest, god-fearing lifestyle. She has followed her oath of office and conducted herself with strict faithfulness to that oath. She has been among the foremost proponents of establishing a culture of modesty and respect for public funds in the Supreme Court.” A few weeks ago, Chief Justice Sereno herself said: “I have always lived a life of modesty. I have been prudent in the use of court resources, all the expenses for judicial reforms, my travels, my security and vehicle requirement are all regular and aboveboard. Public documents, the record will speak for itself, I have not objected to the public release of the same.”

Having known the Chief Justice for four decades, since we were first year students in the Ateneo de Manila University in 1976 and as my professor and later fellow professor in the UP College of Law in the 1990s, I can affirm that Meilou Sereno is a woman of integrity, who lives simply. Yes, she is strong willed and assertive but she is not arbitrary and whimsical. The prosecution will only embarrass itself when this goes to trial and they will never be able to able to convince 16 senators to convict her. The filing of an impeachment complaint may not be based on popular passion, whim and caprice. Nor can be used as a tool by the government. Because of the seriousness of its purpose, the complainant must file his complaint after utmost consideration of its merits; after all, the public reputation as well as the proper performance of official functions are at stake. This is the reason why the framers of the Constitution thought it wise to put in clear safeguards and guidelines to be followed by Congress to ensure that it does not act arbitrarily and oppressively. Among these are—specifying the grounds for impeachment, the periods within which an impeachment complaint should be acted on, the voting requirements, the one year bar on initiating an impeachment process, and the promulgation of the impeachment rules. Im-

plicitly, it is also required that the guaranteed individual rights of the individual must absolutely be respected. As her friend, I am glad that the Chief Justice enlisted Professor Cruz as her spokesman. A son of the great Justice and constitutionalist and the most literary jurist in our history Isagani Cruz, Professor Cruz is a man of renowned intelligence, probity, and integrity. He is also non-partisan and independent. I am also glad that Alex Poblador will be representing Sereno in the impeachment proceedings. I do not exaggerate when I say Alex is the number one lawyer for the most challenging and high level cases litigated in this country. His work in the case of Grace Poe was astounding, excellent to the extreme. And on this case, I suppose he will be backed up by the Poblador Bautista & Reyes law firm, including especially the brilliant Ayo Bautista who was the principal private prosecutor in the Corona impeachment. This is not of course just about Chief Justice Sereno’s constitutional rights. Make no mistake about it; her refusal to serve political ends and independence is the reason why she is being impeached. It is the independence of the judiciary that is at stake. She loses in the senate; we all lose, the country loses. Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

EJK is not human rights violation BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN WHENEVER the issue about Marcos crops up, political pundits are all in agog, for never before have they seen political affiliations from both extremes of the political spectrum coagulate as if to form a new ideology. This kind of political phenomenon is strange, which reason why some cynics refer to it as “only in the Philippines.” It is unusual because the Left represented by the communists and the rightists represented by oligarchy converge to chant the same anti-Marcos slogans. In other countries, political affiliation is determined by their ideological orientation, and theoreticians would instantaneously point to their class origin as the driving force why they converge as a group. Many political analysts are baffled that they venture out to ask whether being anti-Marcos has become an ideology where the issue has in what Marx would say “become their synthesizing point.” Admittedly, the issue of human rights remains an effective political tool, and the yellow opposition still finds it applicable to anybody who would attempt to disrupt the political order they want to institutionalize. This explains why the issue of human rights violation has reference to abuses and violations committed by the State against the people. They never

A country... From A4

want the CHR to do its work which is to check government abuses and violations of the Filipino people’s human rights. How can people feel secure under a government that does not give a hoot about their rights? Lastly, who is protecting our territory? We had

thought of it as applicable to other crimes, for rightly there are existing specific laws that deal on people who violate our penal system. Precisely, rebellion is not harshly treated because it is considered a political offense dealing on the right to voice out one’s grievances against the government. In our case, the oligarchy and their ever-loyal accomplice, the Catholic Church, remains committed to keeping the status quo in the name of peace and tranquillity for as long as the government would stick to its commitment of maintaining their privileges. They would not say a word about violence or equate it as state-sponsored violence to validate human rights violation. To the opposition, human rights violation can only happen if the elected President does not come to terms with them or would dare entertain the idea of reforming society. Thus, when the idea of reforming society, seen in the clamor to impose a revolutionary government, that automatically heightens the people’s expectations but creates fear in the ranks of the oligarchy and the clerics. As opposition, they would then start looking for issues to attack the government like corruption, human rights violation and dictatorship. On the other hand, the Left takes the situation as an opportunity to intensity their campaign to overthrow the government with an added issue of grave economic inequality. The net result a significant victory in our claims against China in the disputed West Philippine Sea. But how is this administration asserting our territorial sovereignty? The Chinese are building structures where they should not. They are seen occupying territories that we have exclusive economic rights to. Are parts of the country being given away to China? If not, how does this govern-

is a misguided increase in violence. Calling President Duterte a dictator or giving him the namesake of another Marcos gives them nostalgia of their past adventurism. It is noteworthy to observe that the Left, from the communists to the socalled national democrats, seek to introduce structural changes in our society. However, change must be based on their ideological interpretation. The rightists, on the other hand, remain consistent with their position of wanting to prevent any reform that will

tend to diminish their privileges. As a compromise, they agree to support each other but only for the limited purpose of overthrowing the elected President. As opposition to the government intensifies, the latter is accused of human rights violation. This explains why the Liberal Party, the Catholic Church, and elite/oligarchy had to enter into an alliance with the Left and the issue of human rights has become their freeway to attack the government. Historically, the creation of the CHR came about after the fall of the Marcos administration. In fact, human rights violation is the favorite issue of the US State Department and the CIA against countries targeted for regime

change. Those who were detained were encouraged to file charges against the Marcoses, his officials and military officers responsible for the enforcement of martial law. Whether the former detainees wanted to see the Marcoses criminally prosecuted or were just interested in seeking monetary compensation for their incarceration, sufferings or for the death of their relatives, the cases they filed fall under the category of political offenses, and the complainants, if falsely accused, can claim as human rights victims. In haste of the Cory Aquino government to “endear” herself to the people, she issued Executive Order No. 163 on May 5, 1987 creating the Commission on Human Rights to specifically investigate cases involving the killings, torture, and detention during the marital law period. To make sure her revenge would continue beyond her mortal life, E.O. No. 163 was incorporated in the 1987 Constitution provided for in Article e XIII, Sections 17 to 19. However, many luminaries and even constitutionalists failed to realize that cases involving extrajudicial killings of drug lords and pushers, even if allegedly supported by President Duterte, do not constitute human rights violation. Rather, our law enforcement authorities who executed that illegal assignment committed a criminal offense of either murder or homicide. Even if there is truth to the allegation of

EJKs, still it was the suspects’ right that were violated, and the relatives can readily file a case of physical injuries, or if killed, a corresponding case of murder or homicide. This explains why others oppose the interventionist attitude of the CHR in investigating cases involving criminal offenses. The public knows that once the CHR enters the picture, the issue becomes politicized that it loses both its credibility and objectivity. Besides, it is not for Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon to arbitrarily classify murder as human rights violation. We have appropriate laws that distinguish criminal cases from human rights violation, and agencies like the NBI that can handle them where the aggrieved parties can have their cases litigated by our regular judicial courts. If Gascon only re-examined his role, he and his confederates in the opposition would realize that their brouhaha of human rights violation is maliciously intended to generate political noise. Effectively, when Congress reacted to reduce the budget of the CHR to mere Php1,000.00, that decision was meant to point out that its original budget of more than P500 million is inappropriate for a commission that is not doing its job. Worst, it continues to allow itself to be used as a tool by foreign agencies and organizations to mouth propaganda against the very government that feeds it.

ment make sure that China does not encroach in areas that rightfully belong to us? Indeed, the country is under attack. We are under attack by those who are sworn to govern us, protect our people, and see to it that our welfare is being addressed. We are in a very dark phase in our country’s life. We, as citizens need to be involved so the country and our people are not de-

stroyed any more than it is now. We need to speak up, take action, and look after one another’s rights and welfare. The kind of country we will leave behind for our children to live in depends on the actions we will take now. We should strive to make things better for the succeeding generations of Filipinos. We, the people, are paying the salaries and all the

perks these abusive officials enjoy. We must assert our being sovereign. We are under attack but as we have shown before, the people will act. I have faith in the people. Those who abuse us will not succeed. Just like in the movies.

It’s murder.

rpkapunan@gmail.com

bethangsioco@g mail. com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

World

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Typhoon pounds central Vietnam NGHE AN, Vietnam―Heavy rain and wind lashed Vietnam’s central coast Friday as Typhoon “Doksuri” made landfall, prompting mass evacuations as ofﬁcials predicted it could be the most powerful storm in a decade. Trees were torn down and local authorities cut power in some areas to avoid accidents as the residents who remained in their homes hunkered down. “The kids stayed at home and there’s not much in the markets. I bought enough instant noodles for the family, so I think we’re good,” Nghe An resident Nguyen Thi Hue, 58, told AFP. The storm clocked 165-kilometers-perhour winds before it reached the coast Friday morning, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, which classiﬁed Doksuri as a “severe typhoon”. One person died in Hue province when he was swept away in a river following heavy rains in the area, according to the local government’s website. A three-year-old child was also injured after the roof blew off her house, the website added. More than 79,000 people were evacuated across four provinces expected to be hardest hit, the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority said. It earlier predicted the storm could be the worst to hit Vietnam in a decade. AFP

All eyes on Trump at UN U

NITED NATIONS― Donald Trump takes center stage at the United Nations next week when world leaders gather in New York, anxious to hear the US president outline how he is reshaping Washington’s role in global affairs. The nuclear crisis with North Korea, the future of the Iran nuclear deal and Myanmar’s military crackdown against Rohingya Muslims are expected to top the agenda at the world’s biggest diplomatic gathering. Trump will deliver his ﬁrst address to the annual General Assembly high-level debate, which kicks off Tuesday with 129 heads of state and government set to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will also make his debut, as will UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, now nine months in the job. But all eyes will be on Trump, whose election last year was described as a political earthquake by UN diplomats now struggling with unclear US policies on global crises, from Syria to South Sudan. Washington’s friends and foes have been grappling with the implications of Trump’s “America-First” policy and his address will be closely-watched for signs of what’s in store. While Trump is expected to play to a domestic audience by reasserting the themes that have made him popular at home, diplomats are not ruling out some signs of a shift, on climate change, for instance. AFP

Grad student jailed for recruiting spies TAIPEI—A Chinese graduate from one of Taiwan’s top universities accused of recruiting spies for Beijing was jailed Friday for one year and two months. The verdict comes amid tense cross-strait relations and just days after China put on trial a Taiwanese democracy activist who was held incommunicado since March. Zhou Hongxu, who graduated from Taiwan’s National Chengchi University last year, was found guilty of violating the National Security Act, the Taipei district court said Friday. The maximum sentence he was subject to was five years, but the court said he was given a lighter sentence as his attempt was unsuccessful. The former student was approached by a mainland official in Shanghai in July 2014, who instructed him to recruit “Taiwanese government personnel and other people of influence” while he was studying and working in Taiwan. “Zhou Hongxu knew that the cross-strait relationship is an unusual one and the two are considered rivals on the international stage,” the court said. His actions “cause not insignificant harm to our national security”, it said. Zhou appeared in court Friday with a shaven head and wearing a black turtleneck sweater. He sat calmly with his hands cuffed and back straight as he was handed his sentence. Between August 2016 and March this year, Zhou had attempted to recruit a man working in the Taiwanese government, telling him he could be offered $10,000 a quarter. AFP Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

TODAY

SUMMONS DANIEL ALEXANDRE LIMA SANTOS

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION

BRANCH 113, PASAY CITY CHERRY ANN ABARQUEZ SANTOS, Petitioner, -versusCIVIL CASE NO. R-PSY-17-27138 CV FOR: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage DANIEL ALEXANDRE LIMA SANTOS, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

ORDER An Ex-Parte Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons through Publication was filed by the petitioner thru counsel, copy of which was furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Trial Prosecutor. Allegedly, the summons to the respondent cannot be served personally on the ground that the respondent is no longer residing in the Philippines and his present whereabouts unknown. WHEREFORE, as prayed for, let the service of Summons in the above-entitled case be served through publication chosen by raffle in a newspaper of general circulation chosen by raffle at least once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks. SO ORDERED. Pasay City, August 30, 2017. (Sgd.) CARIDAD H. GRECIA-CUERDO JUDGE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

Avenida Comandante Matoso 8650-357 Sagres, Portugal

Minister: N. Korea had Guam in mind TOKYO―Japan’s defense minister said Friday he believed North Korea “has Guam in mind” after its most recent missile launch, noting it had sufficient range to hit the US territory. Pyongyang has threatened the US Pacific PARIS IN 2024. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo carries a national flag as she walks with Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chairman Tony territory with “enveloping fire,” sparking dire Estanguet and others after disembarking from an aircraft at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport on the outskirts of Paris on warnings from US President Donald Trump. September 15, 2017, as the delegation returns from the International Olympic Committee meeting in Lima. AFP Itsunori Onodera told reporters that Friday’s missile, which overflew Japanese territory, flew 3,700 kilometers―”long enough to cover Guam”, which is 3,400 kilometers from North Korea. WASHINGTON―The United States came after the United Nations Security briefed. “We cannot assume North Korea’s intenThe UN Security Council will hold Thursday called on China and Russia Council imposed an eighth set of sanction, but given what it has said, I think it has to take “direct actions” to rein in North tions on the country over its ballistic a closed-door emergency meeting FriGuam in mind,” Onodera said. Korea after it fired a ballistic missile missile and atomic weapons programs. day at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) at the reHe warned that “similar actions” by the over Japan into the Pacific. Tillerson called those fresh punitive quest of the United States and Japan. North would continue as Pyongyang apTillerson’s call for action came “China supplies North Korea with measures “the floor, not the ceiling, peared to have shrugged off UN sanctions most of its oil. Russia is the largest em- of the actions we should take. We call hours after the US military’s regional agreed earlier this week. ployer of North Korean forced labor,” on all nations to take new measures command confirmed North Korea had The US Pacific Command confirmed the fired the intermediate range ballistic Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in against the Kim regime.” launch was an intermediate range ballistic a statement. “These continued provocations only missile over Japan and into the Pacific missile but said it posed no threat to Guam or “China and Russia must indicate deepen North Korea’s diplomatic and Ocean, noting it had not posed a threat to the American mainland. to North America. their intolerance for these reckless economic isolation.” It was “the farthest overground any of their It is the second time in less than aCYANballistic missile launches by taking direct acUS President Donald Trump has missiles has everBLACK traveled”, Joseph MAGENTA YELLOW tions of their own.” yet to comment on the launch but ac- month that North Korea launched a Dempsey of the International Institute for The launch, from near Pyongyang, cording to the White House has been missile that flew over Japan. AFP Strategic Studies said on Twitter. AFP

China, Russia urged to act after missile launching

Felowship invitation revoked

GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within thirty (30) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your Answer to the Complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes and a Civil Case Information Statement. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the Complaint. Moreover, pursuant to the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy guidelines, dated March 12, 2002, you are expected not to file a Motion to Dismiss but instead, you are requested to allege the grounds of such Motion as defenses in your answer. Likewise, you are expected to utilize the deposition-recovery measures under Rules 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Failure to resort to deposition by written interrogatories under Rule 25 and the request for admission of facts under Rule 27 may be prejudicial to your interest. WITNESS may hand under the seal of the Court, this 30th day of August, 2017. (Sgd.) RENATO C. OCZON (OFFICER-IN-CHARGE/L.R.) (MS-Sep.16 & 23, 2017)

SUMMONS

BLAINE PERCY WILLOUGHBY No. 37 Silverstone Drive, Stony Plain T7ZOEB Canada BRANCH 113, PASAY CITY GREETINGS: You are hereby required, RASCHEL M. BAUTISTAwithin thirty (30) days after WILLOUGHBY, service of this summons upon Petitioner, you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your -versusAnswer to the Complaint, copy CIVIL CASE NO. R-PSY-17-26313 CV of which is attached, together FOR: Declaration of with the annexes and a Civil Case Information Statement. Nullity of Marriage If you fail to answer within the BLAINE PERCY WILLOUGHBY, time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may Respondent. be granted the relief applied for x---------------------------------------x in the Complaint. ORDER Moreover, pursuant to A Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication the IBP-OCA Memorandum was filed by the petitioner thru on Policy guidelines, dated counsel, copy of which was March 12, 2002, you are furnished to the Office of the expected not to file a Motion Solicitor General and the Trial to Dismiss but instead, you are requested to allege the Prosecutor. grounds of such Motion as Allegedly, the present defenses in your answer. whereabout of the respondent is Likewise, you are expected to utilize the deposition-recovery unknown. measures under Rules 23, 25, WHEREFORE, as prayed 26, 27 and 28 of the Rules of for, let the service of Summons Civil Procedure. Failure to in the above-entitled case be resort to deposition by written served through publication in a interrogatories under Rule 25 newspaper of general circulation and the request for admission at least, once a week for two (2) of facts under Rule 27 may be prejudicial to your interest. consecutive weeks. WITNESS may hand under SO ORDERED. the seal of the Court, this 30th Pasay City, August 30, 2017. day of August, 2017. (Sgd.) CARIDAD H. GRECIA(Sgd.) RENATO C. OCZON CUERDO (OFFICER-IN-CHARGE/L.R.) JUDGE (MS-Sep. 16 & 23, 2017) NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION

WATERWORLD. Bangladeshi walk in water in an area submerged by flood in Kurigram, northern Bangladesh, on August 14, 2017. At least 175 people have died and thousands have fled their homes as monsoon floods swept across Nepal, India and Bangladesh, officials said on August 14, warning the toll could rise as the extent of the damage becomes clear. AFP

Bangladesh troops to deliver aid to desperate Rohingya refugees COX’S BAZAR―Bangladesh will use troops to deliver foreign aid to the border town that has been overwhelmed by Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar, authorities announced. The move follows criticism of the chaotic conditions in which relief supplies have been handed out at the huge camps around Cox’s Bazar, where about 389,000 Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine state have arrived since August 25. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told parliament late Thursday that the army would

handle relief aid that several nations have sent in recent days. “I have given the army responsibility to make sure the relief goods properly reach them [Rohingya] and to oversee what’s in the relief materials,” she said. Initially, the army will be responsible for taking the aid to Cox’s Bazar. “We’ve got the directive that the army would receive relief materials sent by foreign nations at the airport and take it to Cox’s Bazar,” Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hasan told AFP on Friday.

It was not clear whether there would be a change in the way aid is distributed at the Rohingya camps. Relief workers are struggling to cope with the huge numbers, with 10,00020,000 people crossing the border each day. The United Nations has warned of a looming “worst case scenario” with all of the Muslim minority group trying to leave Buddhist-dominated Myanmar’s Rakhine state where a military crackdown was launched on August 25. AFP

WASHINGTON―A Harvard dean on Friday revoked an invitation for convicted US intelligence leaker Chelsea Manning to be a visiting fellow at the prestigious university following sharp criticism over the invitation. Manning, however, will still speak to Harvard students but will not be considered a visiting fellow, the dean of the Harvard Kennedy School said in a statement. “I see more clearly now that many people view a Visiting Fellow title as an honoriﬁc,” Dean Douglas Elmendorf wrote. “Therefore, we are withdrawing the invitation to her to serve as a Visiting Fellow-and the perceived honor that it implies to some people―while maintaining the invitation for her to spend a day at the Kennedy School and speak in the [School] Forum.” CIA director Mike Pompeo pulled out of a Harvard forum and former acting director Mike Morrell quit the university Thursday to protest Manning’s appointment as a visiting fellow. Pompeo, who was scheduled to speak late Thursday at the Kennedy School of Government, canceled at the last minute following news of Manning’s speaking engagement. AFP

Sports

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

San Lazaro Park new football hub Visitors dominate Cebuana tennis tilt VISITING players, mostly familiar names, dominated the recent Cebuana Age Group Tennis Championship series leg in Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, with local bet Abdel Qadzri Matarul the only one to salvage honor for the hosts by winning the 10-under unisex age-group title, beating Lanao del Norte’s Vinz AJ Bering, 5-4, 4-1. Iligan City’s Rovie Baulete continued her winning ways in ruling both the girls’ 16-under and 18-under age groups against the same opponent Annamae Mendoza, also from Iligan. She posted a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Mendoza in the finals of the 16-under and repeated, 6-3, 6-0 for the 18-under crown in the tournament hosted by the Tabak Tennis Club and supported by Dunlop Sports as the official ball. The event attracted more than 200 entries. Jose Maria Pague also added his nth title in the year-round series sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier as a grassroots tennis developmental program now on its 11th year, as he made short work of Dapitan City’s Jason Saavedra, 6-3, 6-2 for the boys’ 18-under crown, while Dipolog City bet Stephen Zion Guia retired Lanao del Norte’s Andrei Cuevas, leading, 6-4, in the finals of the boys’ 16-under. “It is good to see that number of entries in an age-group tennis tournament in the Mindanao area. It shows how big the base of provincial players is as a source of future tennis champions,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/ CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.. Casey Padilla won the most titles, winning two individual age groups and sharing in a doubles’ crown.

Cangolf golf set THE country’s top amateur and rising stars in both the men’s and women’s sides gear up for another spirited duel as they clash in the 17th Canlubang Amateur Open set Oct. 4-6 at the North and South courses of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna. Registration is ongoing with the organizing Cangolf expecting another banner field, including those from the national pool and team and the top players from the country’s leading golf clubs. Jolo Magcalayo and Yuka Saso topped last year’s edition of the tournament held annually by the host club and the Yulo family as part of their continuing effort to help develop the sport and provide the young players a venue where they could hone their talent and skills. Fee is pegged at P3,000 for the men’s championship, P2,800 for the ladies division and Classes A, B and C and P1,000 for CGCC members, inclusive of one practice round. Deadline for listup is on Sept. 29. For details, call CGCC at (049) 543-2670 (Fely Anillo/Ann Dublado) or Makati office at (02) 897-6887 (Tony Francisco/ Maite Tengco) or fax (02) 890-9321 or email cgcc. golfandsports@gmail.com and cgcc.makatioffice@ gmail.com.

ANILA Jockey Club Inc., the country’s premier horse racing club and one of Asia’s oldest, hosted the inauguration and turnover ceremonies of the FIFA Football Turf Project at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park last Saturday. The project, formalized in April 2014, was made in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation. In attendance were executives from the Asian Football Confederation, Asean Football Federation, PFF Board of Governors, Philippine Olympic Committee, Manila Jockey Club, and the Municipality of Carmona represented by Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola. MJC Chairman and CEO,

Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno Jr., together with FIFA Council Member and PFF president, Mariano V. Araneta Jr. and PFF General Secretary, Atty. Edwin Gastanes, led the official turnover ceremonies of the FIFA Football Turf, which will serve as the main pitch of the National Football Center, soon to be developed at SLLBP. “We thank the Manila Jockey Club for their support in the creation of this new football turf, and their mag-

nificent generosity in making the site available to us. We hope that in the future, this center will be the place where we can train and develop the next generation of football players, coaches, referees and administrators who will lift Philippine football to greater heights,” Araneta said. The pitch was constructed by ACT Global, a FIFA preferred producer of artificial turf from the United States. It is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide, the recommended size of the international body for its top level & international matches, with a present seating capacity for 1,000 to 1,200 people. It also features a prestigious FIFA certified 2-Star rating, which is the highest FIFA rat-

ing for artificial turf fields. “The pitch is one of the best artificial turfs available in the country today,” Gastanes said. The groundbreaking ceremony for the PFF House of Football, one of the ongoing infrastructure projects of the National Football Center, was also held earlier in the day. The 4-storey building will serve as the official headquarters of the PFF which will include its corporate offices, training center and dormitories for members of the national teams attending their training camps. Future developments include two natural grass turfs, two mini artificial pitches, locker and shower rooms, gym, and a rehabilitation center avail-

able for injured and recovering players. “The Manila Jockey Club is proud to partner with the PFF and FIFA in building these facilities that will help raise our stature in world football. With other developments in the pipeline for Philippine football in the area, the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park is proud to take its place as a mecca of football in this country. Rest assured that MJC will continue to support and create programs in cooperation with the PFF toward a bigger and brighter future for Philippine football,” Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, President of MJC said. After the launch, the first football matches were held on

the pitch; a women’s football friendly between the University of the Philippines and the De La Salle University, and an official Ang Liga men’s football match dominated by NCAA Champions, San Beda College against the UAAP Champions, Ateneo de Manila University. The event coincided with Manila Jockey Club’s 150th Anniversary celebration this year. Its partnership with the PFF pays tribute to its heritage as one of the earliest football clubs in the country. In the early 1900s, MJC had its own football club formed after the PhilippineAmerican War which competed with local teams such as the Manila Sporting Club, Paris Club, Sandow Athletic Club and the Bohemian Sporting Club.

Last-hole bogey drops Ilas off lead

MJC President Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III (left), MJC Chairman and CEO Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno Jr. (center) and PFF president Mariano V. Araneta are shown during the inauguration and turnover ceremonies of the FIFA Football Turf Project at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park last Saturday.

Archers’ big men step up in Ben’s absence EXPERIENCE is teaching members of the defending champion La Salle Green Archers how to get by without big man Ben Mbala. And the Green Archers’ four other big men will show what they have been learning when they face the National University Bulldogs at 4 p.m. today in the UAAP basketball competitions at the Araneta Coliseum. In their clash with the Bull-

Games Today (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. La Salle vs NU 4 p.m. Adamson vs UST

dogs, the Green Archers will seek their second straight win and a share of the lead with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. “Maganda rin ang nangyari na wala si Ben. Maganda rin ang nilaro ng apat na malalaki namin,” said Green Archers coach Aldin Ayo.

He took note of the adjustments that inside operators Abu Tratter, Leonard Santillan, Prince Rivero and Justine Baltazar have been going through in Mbala’s absence. Mbala is back home in Cameroon after he was tapped to be part of the Cameroonian national team. He is expected to return next week. The Bulldogs are coming off an 86-69 win over University of the East Red

Warriors last Saturday, with Dave Wilson Yu having 14 points, 8 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Later, the Adamson Falcons will try to rebound from a loss to Ateneo in their 4 p.m. showdown with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers. When they took a 6585 loss to Ateneo, Kurt Lojera led Adamson University with 11 markers. Peter Atencio

HONG KONG—Bernice Olivarez-Ilas fumbled with a bogey on the 18th for a 72 and missed grabbing a share of the lead in the second round of the Esprit Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling late Thursday. Catching Lin Jie-en of Taiwan in the lead heading to the final hole, Olivarez-Ilas sliced her drive into the rough, missed the green and failed to get up and down from 20 feet, enabling Lin to seize the solo lead with a second straight 72 and a 144 heading to the final round of the 54-hole tournament won by Princess Superal last year. “The important thing is we have a good chance to repeat as champion. I just have to be more consistent in the last day,” said the 15-yearold Oilvarez-Ilas of Team The Country Club, who pooled a 145, including an opening 73. The two other Filipina bets also stayed in the title hunt with young Annyka Cayabyan also matching par 72 to move with two at 146 in a tie with erstwhile joint Taiwanese leaders Hou Yu-sang and Huang Yu-ping, who fumbled with identical 75s. Local ace Isabella Leung carded a 73 to assemble a 147

while the other TCC mainstay Sofia Chabon turned in a second 74 for a 148. “The key is to hit it straight and through since there are so many trouble spots around. Putting will also be the key here,” added Olivarez-Ilas, who has won a pro tournament in the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour last year.

Ilas

‘Ripe for stardom’ Melindo defends title for 1st time in Pinoy Pride 42

Melindo

STARDOM is ripe for the taking for IBF world light flyweight division lynchpin Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (36-2; 13KOs), according to boxing analyst and boxing historian Atty. Ed Tolentino. “The country is looking for a new boxing hero and I think Milan, even if he’s a little guy, he can fill this void,” said Tolentino. This is the reason why, Tolentino said, it is important for Melindo to score the big victory in “Pinoy Pride 42: Clash

For Glory” this Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, which will be airing on ABS-CBN this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and on primetime on S+A at 6:30 p.m. “El Metodico” will be defending his title for the first time after decking Akira Yaegashi against his toughest opponent to date in South African Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler (31-2; 10KOs), the current ruler in the IBF light flyweight division. Tolentino said Melindo

must stay true to his moniker of “El Metodico” if he wants to win against his formidable opponent. “Budler is a pocket rocket, he is the one that’s going to instigate the hostilities. It is for Milan to stay in cruise control and not have this fight dictated by emotions. Keep it tactical, avoid the brutality that Budler will bring into this fight, which Milan has already proven that he can do.” Meanwhile, the “Pinoy Pride 42” fight card itself packs quite a punch with Ja-

son “El Nino” Pagara (40-2; 25KOs) also facing James Onyango (23-11-1; 19KOs) of Kenya in his continued quest to earn a title fight, while looking for his 14-straight win dating back to 2011. Dyan Castillejo, who will be joining Tolentino in Saturday’s panel, said Pagara is poised to go for a knockout victory as he badly needs to make a mark in the welterweight division he currently plies in. “He might score a knock-

out this time as he has so much to prove and I heard that he really has been training hard. He wants to get in a world title fight already but his weight division is very competitive so he needs to step up his game,” said Castillejo, who has been covering the sport of boxing for more than 15 years. Another thing to look forward in this edition of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN’s boxing series are the showdowns between fellow Filipi-

PSC, Koreans tie up for lecture series

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez thanks the KISS delegates during the Opening of the PSI Lecture Series.

THE Philippine Sports Institute of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Korea Institute of Sports Science once again collaborate for the conduct of the PSI-KISS-UNESCO Sports Science Lecture Series II, with officers and Sports Science researchers from Korea, providing the lecture to almost 60 National Coaches. PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez expressed his gratitude to the KISS delegates in his speech during the Opening

Program of the Lecture Series held at Dorm G, Multi-purpose hall of Philsports in Pasig City on Thursday. Dr. Yong Koo-Noh, KISS Senior Researcher said, that KISS is very willing to help in the projects of the PSC and PSI for the development of Philippine Sports and for the continuing coaches’ education. The two-day event covered topics on Sports Physiology (lecture and practicum),

Letran whips La Consolacion, 72-67, in Fr. Martin cage tourney THE Letran Knights drew big baskets from Coy Galvelo to stop La Consolacion College, 72-67, in the senior division of the 15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament over the weekend at the LCC gymnasium in Mendiola, Manila.

Galvelo came up with 25 points to lead the Knights to their second win in three games in Group A. Scoring thrice in the last 1:23, Galvelo’s efforts helped the Knights keep their hopes alive in getting a seat in the quarterfinals of this cagefest

supported by Slick Tight Hair Pomade. In another senior encounter, Conrad Catapusan shot 21 points as the Adamson Falcons prevailed over Arellano University, 76-71. The Falcons went on to post their fourth victory in five outings in Group B.

Thy had earlier put away National UniversityB, 88-73. In the junior division, Carl Barreiro hit 18 points, including a triple in the last 46 seconds, helping the San BedaManila B Red Kittens score a 69-65 win over

the Philippine Cultural College Seagulls. It was the Red Kittens’ first triumph in three games in Group A. Lloyd Oliva shot 17 points for the Mapua Red Robins in their 77-72 win over the San Beda-Manila A Red Kittens.

Sports Psychology (lecture) and Sports Policy (lecture). This is already the second time KISS delegates visited the Philippines for a Sports Science Lecture. The first one was conducted last December 2016 in Philsports. KISS delegates are Senior Researchers Dr. Noh and Hong-Sun Song, Researchers Hyun-Joo Cho and Seung-Hyun Hwang and Eon-Ho Kim and Directors Ik-Whan Kim and Joo-Phil Kim.

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

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Pirates claim 12 straight triumph

Sports

By Peter Atencio JASPER Ayaay’s putback with 7.4 seconds left and Jaycee Marcelino’s free throw nearly two seconds later steered Lyceum to its 12th straight win, a 94-92 win over ArelGames Tuesday (The Arena in San Juan) lano University Friday in the 12 nn EAC vs JRU (jrs) 93rd National Collegiate Ath2 p.m. EAC vs JRU (srs) letic Association men’s bas4 p.m. Arellano vs Letran (srs) 6 p.m. Arellano vs Letran (jrs) ketball tournament. Ayaay led the Pirates with 20 points, including a follow-up off his own miss giving Lyceum a 93-91 lead. The Chiefs were still alive at 92-93 after Kent Salado’s freebie with 6.5 seconds left, before Marcelino gave the Pirates a safer lead of 94-92, with 4.6 seconds left off Salado’s foul. This proved enough for the Pirates to remain unbeaten after 12 games as they zeroed in on the first slot in the Final Four. The win also kept them on track for an outright finals berth if they go on to sweep the double-round elimination. “Kalma lang ako. Kailangan talagang mai-shoot ito kasi kailangan talagang manalo. Huminga lang ako nang malalim para mawala lahat ng bigat,” said the 19-year-old Marcelino, who is older than his twin Jayvee by three minutes. He finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Chiefs, with Salado firing a game-high 24 points, were in charge for most of the afternoon after they moved away in the third period at 60-50 behind two triples from Levi de la Cruz and Zach Nichols. They later grabbed a 13-point spread, 87-74, off Salado’s three-pointer. It took a scorching 14-0 run in the final period to get the Pirates back into the lead at 88-87 in the last 2:22 of the fourth. Meanwhile, Edward Dixon eked out 27 points for the College of St. Benilde Blazers as they downed the Perpetual Help Altas, 83-65. In the junior division, Joshua Marcos knocked in 22 points as La Salle Greenhills smashed the Perpertual Help Junior Altas, 82-69, to join the Malayan Red Robins in the lead with their 10-2 card.

Alaska’s Jayvee Casio splits the middle and scores on a layup, defying the defense of Meralco’s Cliff Hodge in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Bolts, 106-78.

Meralco routs Alaska, regains share of lead By Jeric Lopez

ERALCO regained share of ﬁrst place as it emphatically dismantled Alaska, 106-78, to stay hot and further improve its stand in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. Once again, Allen Durham was his usual dominant self, leading the Bolts with another solid double-double of 26 points and 18 rebounds on top of six assists and three blocks in a wellrounded showing. However, rookie Mike Tolomia stole some thunder as well, scoring a careerhigh 24 points for Meralco, while having a sensational

Medina tries to extend Asean streak KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Paralympic table tennis medallist Josephine Medina has won a gold in each of every Asean Para Games she participated in starting in 2003. She is making sure her golden reign continues. Medina, who is riding high on her bronze medal effort in last year’s Paralympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, is looking to add another gold to her collection as she competes in the singles’ event as well as the team event with Minnie de Ramos-Cadag. All in all, Medina, who has zoomed to No. 6 in the world rankings, has hauled a total of 12 golds in the biennial event including a four-gold haul in the 2008 edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. And No. 13 could be coming soon. Medina, however, isn’t taking the opposition lightly. “In all my years competing, I never thought of winning the gold first. I just give it my best and let things happen,” said the 47-year-old Medina in Filipino. “Good thing for me, I always end up winning the gold medal anyway.” Thanks to her feats, Medina has gained fame and fortune and, in fact, has received an incentive amounting to P1 million, while becoming a priority athlete with a monthly salary of P40,000 from the Philippine Sports Commission.

shooting night, hitting a perfect 6-of-6 clip from downtown. Already safely in the quarterfinals, the Bolts improved their chances of ending in the Top 4, improving to 7-2 to tie Barangay Ginebra at the top. On the other hand, the loss was a big blow to the Aces as they fell to 3-7 while also getting their

three-game winning streak snapped. As a result, the fate of Alaska is not entirely in its hands now with only a game left in its schedule. It needs to win that and then wait and see whether it will gain at least a playoff for a spot in the quarters or it will have an early vacation. Through an early surge, Meralco was able to seize command right away. After carving a 28-22 lead at the end of one, the Bolts completely broke the game wide open in the second quarter. A blistering 22-7 blast midway the second suddenly gave Meralco a whopping 21-point advantage, 50-29, late in the period. At the half, its cushion

stood at 23 points, 58-35. There was no looking back for the Bolts as they cruised the rest of the way for the victory. Ranidel De Ocampo, after getting shipped by TNT KaTropa after nine years of stay there, made his Meralco debut. Action continues today as well with yet another doubleheader at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City this time around. In the main course, coleague leader Barangay Ginebra (7-2) aims on getting back on track and securing a top four finish as it locks horns with tough customer Rain or Shine (5-3) at 5:15 p.m. The Gin Kings can secure a top four finish and a twice-

to-beat incentive in the quarters should they score their eighth win. In the opener, streaking San Miguel Beer (5-3) is heavily favored in its encounter with winless cellar-dweller Kia (09) in their 3 p.m. encounter. The scores: MERALCO 106—Durham 26, Tolomia 24, Amer 17, Newsome 10, De Ocampo 10, Hodge 8, Lanete 5, Nabong 3, Caram 2, Atkins 0, Yeo 0, Sedurifa 0, Hugnatan 0, Faundo 0. ALASKA 78—Henton 23, Casio 18, Manuel 10, Abueva 8, Racal 8, Enciso 3, Banchero 3, Exciminiano 2, Pascual 2, Mendoza 1, Thoss 0, Baclao 0, Galliguez 0. Quarters: 28-22, 58-35, 78-59, 106-78.

Unbeaten NU, FEU dispute volley lead NATIONAL University and Far Eastern University brace for a fierce showdown for at least a playoff for the other semifinal berth even as Adamson presses its own Final Four drive in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today (Saturday). Unbeaten in two starts, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Tams square off at 6:30 p.m. not only for the lead but also for a crack at one of the semis seats in Group A of the twodivision tournament organized by Sports Vision. The Lady Falcons are also raring to chalk up their third straight win and move closer to the Final Four in Group B as they take on the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady Engineers, winless in two starts, at 1 p.m. A busy three-game bill in the women’s side of the season-ending conference of the league backed by Mikasa and Asics is actually on tap with Ateneo tangling with Lyceum in the other

Games today

8 a.m. – San Beda vs La Salle (men’s) 10 a.m. – Ateneo vs UP (men’s) 1 p.m. – TIP vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. – Ateneo vs Lyceum (women’s) 6:30 p.m. – NU vs FEU (women’s)

Group A match at 4 p.m. The Lady Eagles have split their first two games, sweeping the Jose Rizal U Lady Bombers but dropping a 1-3 setback to the surging Lady Tams. The Lady Pirates also tote a 1-1 card, bowing to the Lady Bulldogs in three but thumping the Lady Bombers in four, making their clash with the Lady Eagles crucial in their respective semis bids. The top two from each side after the single round elims will advance to the crossover semis with the winners disputing the crown in another best-of-three affair in the event serving as part of the teams’ buildup for their upcoming respective leagues. All matches can be viewed via streaming on www.sports.abs-cbn.com/ livestream/pvl.

Korean amateur grabs lead

SILANG, Cavite—Korean amateur Tom Kim proved steadier than the elite pros who wavered at the finish coming off another hour-long weather delay, birdying two of the last four holes for a 67 and a two-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday. Kim bogeyed the 18th at resumption of his second round play early morning for a 69 but fought back from three shots down with a five-birdie, onebogey stint in the pivotal round to find himself the bewildered leader at seven-under 206. That was two strokes clear off Mondilla, who matched par 71 at the completion of his second round play late Thursday and kept his two-shot lead intact with a frontside 34 before limping at the resumption of third round play with three

bogeys against a birdie in the last eight holes. He wound up with a 72 and dropped to second at 208 while Michael Bibat, who threatened with two off Mondilla with a solid second round 65, also bogeyed the par-5 16th and slid to third at 209 with the two pros expected to gang up on the young Kim in today’s final round for a shot at the top $17,500 purse. Marvin Dumandan shot his third straight 70 and stayed in contention at 210 although the former club pro stood four strokes behind Kim, winner of last year’s Philippine Junior Amateur Open crown. Charles Hong also followed up his second round 68 with a 69 as the former ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour winner tied Dumandan at fourth while Dutch Guido Van der Valk fired the round’s best 66 to gain solo sixth at 212 heading to the last

18 holes of the $100,000 championship serving as the third leg of the inaugural PGT Asia Tour sponsored by ICTSI. Tony Lascuña carded a second 71 for joint seventh with Erwin Arcillas, who shot a 69, at 214 while erstwhile contender Ira Alido stumbled with a five-over card for a running two-over overall with two to play. Jhonnel Ababa turned in a 70 after a 71 for a 215 in a tie with Jerson Balasabas and American James Bowen, who carded a 70 and 71, respectively. The rest of the 53 players who made the cut lay too far behind the leaders although four locals remained within striking distance of Kim for a crack at the top $17,500 purse in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Tom Kim lines up his birdie putt on No. 5.

La Salle Greenies, Zobel junior archers in NCR finals

A slambang championship encounter looms between the Greenies and the Jr Archers.

SBP-Passerelle’s two-time defending SBP division champion La Salle Greenhills is all set to defend its title at the national level of the twin tournaments’ 32nd season. But La Salle Greenhills will have to secure its slot in the nationals by facing off with sister school De La Salle Santiago-Zobelin the National Capital Region finals on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University. Also much-awaited is the battle between two of NCR’s top

teams in the Passerelle division, Nazareth School of National University and San Beda College. The winners of the tournaments will face regional winners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao at the national championship game in December. Third and fourth placers will also be determined in the upcoming regional finals. Competing for third place are Ateneo de Manila University and San Sebastian Recoletos in the SBP Division. La Salle Greenhills and

Ateneo de Manila will battle it out in the Passerelle division. Organized by the Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training Center, the country’s premier sports clinic, the 32nd SBPPasserelle Twin Tournaments are supported by MILO, in cooperation with Rain or Shine Elasto Paints, Chris Sports, and SKLZ. They provide a venue for young cagers to apply what they learned in basketball training and showcase their skills. BEST Center is a Hall of

Famer of the Philippine Sportswriters Association for Grassroots Development and the only corporate recipient of the Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee. For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 4116260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail. com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-CenterSports-Inc/66172039922.

Aboitiz prepares Vietnam expansion

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Moody’s warns of PH risks By Julito G. Rada

LOBAL debt watchdog Moody’s Investors Service said the Philippines’ growth story is likely to be sustained in the years ahead but warned the Duterte administration’s war on drugs is a rising risk that needs to be watched out for. In a report Friday, Moody’s said the credit proﬁle of the Philippines balanced sound economic and ﬁscal fundamentals against structural challenges to competitiveness and rising political risks. “We expect robust economic

growth to be sustained over the next few years, aided by the government’s focus on infrastructure development, buoyant private sector investment, and the recovery in external demand,” Moody’s said.

But Moody’s was quick to add the re-emergence of conﬂict in the southern Philippines, as well as the Duterte administration’s focus on the eradication of illegal drugs “represents a rising but unlikely risk of a deterioration in economic performance and institutional strength.” Moody’s conclusions are contained in a just-released annual credit analysis titled “Government of the Philippines—Baa2 Stable”. “We project real GDP growth to be broadly stable in the remainder of 2017 and to aver-

age 6.5 percent for the year as a whole, which is at the lower end of the government’s forecast range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent,” Moody’s said. Moody’s also retained its projection for 2018 at 6.8 percent, below the government’s target of 7.0 percent to 8.0 percent given the uncertainties on the proposed comprehensive tax reform program, which is currently being considered by the upper house of Congress. Aside from the war on drugs, Moody’s also said the worsening

of the Islamist insurgency in Mindanao could lead to an expansion of martial law, undermine both foreign and domestic business confidence, and disrupt economic activity in other parts of the country. It said fiscal deficits were also widening, but ongoing debt consolidation and improving debt affordability give the government fiscal space to accommodate higher infrastructure spending and wider budget deficits. “Further improvement in fiscal metrics will largely depend on whether the proposed tax reforms

can effectively bolster revenue generation. Administrative reforms have led to higher government revenue in recent years, but revenue remains low as a share of GDP compared to peers, which in turn constrains room for greater spending,” it said. However, ﬁscal strength remains weak compared with similarly rated peers. The Philippines currently enjoys a “Baa2” credit rating from Moody’s, a notch higher than the speculative investment grade, with a stable outlook.

Remittances advance 7.1% to $2.3b in July

BPI BRIEFING. Bank of the Philippine Islands Asset Management and Trust Corporation’s (BPI AMTC) Infrastructure organizes a briefing that brought together key executives and decision makers from the private sector, highlighting solutions to modernize the transport system, reduce disaster risk and fund these priority projects to completion. Shown (from left) are Antonio Jose Periquet, chairman of BPI Asset; Cezar Consing, president and CEO of BPI; Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III; Vivencio Dizon, president and CEO of Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade; Public Work Secretary Mark Villar; and Mario Miranda, president of BPI Asset.

Water rates to rise further after peso weakens vs dollar By Anna Leah E. Gonzales WATER rates of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. will increase further starting next month after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System approved the fourth quarter foreign currency differential adjustments of both companies. The increase in water tariff for Maynilad customers is due to an upward adjustment in the FCDA by P0.11 per cubic meter from the previous quarter following the depreciation of the Philippine peso.

The adjustment for Maynilad customers is equivalent to 1.09 percent of the average basic charge of P34.51 per cubic meter, or P0.38 per cu.m. Maynilad customers consuming 10 cubic meters or less every month will see their water bill increase by P0.34 from P118.61 to P118.95, while those consuming 20 cubic meters every month will see their water bill rise from P444.29 to P445.56, a difference of P1.54. Households consuming 30 cubic meters a month will note an increase of

P2.60 in their water bill from the current P906.94 to P909.54. Manila Water customers, meanwhile, will have an FCDA of P0.24. Manila Water customers who consume up to 10 cu.m. per month will have an increase of P1.22 while those consuming an average of 20 cu.m. will have a P2.72 adjustment in their bill. MWSS said customers will have an increase of P5.55 per month for those consuming 30 cubic meters. The concession agreements of Manila Water and

Maynilad with MWSS provides the FCDA as a tariff mechanism to recover or compensate for fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The foreign currency adjustment follows the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City ordering the immediate implementation of Maynilad’s final award in an arbitration case. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., parent company of Maynilad, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that the Regional Trial Court Branch 93 of Quezon City in a decision dated August 30 granted its

petition to enforce the arbitration award following the refusal of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to implement it. The final award upheld the 13.41 percent rebasing adjustment that Maynilad proposed from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. Metro Pacific said once the RTC decision becomes final and executory, Maynilad’s 2017 average basic charge would increase by 9.89 percent, or an average of P3.41 percent per cubic meter of the 2017 average basic charge of P34.51 per cubic meter.

IN BRIEF ERC reaffirms NGCP’s capex THE Energy Regulatory Commission reaffirmed its decision granting provisional authority to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to implement 58 capital expenditure projects costing P5.5 billion. The ERC, in a decision posted September 4, said while the commission had already deliberated and resolved NGCP’s petition in February, the decision had to undergo reaffirmation. “However, due to supervening events, the order could no longer be promulgated without undergoing reconfirmation by the Commission en banc,” it said. The regulator referred to the suspension of ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar in May. The ERC re-approved NGCP’s application, saying the projects “would ensure the quality, reliability, and security of the country’s transmission system.” The ERC also directed NGCP to undertake competitive selection process in the bidding of materials for the projects. NGCP’s application covered 2017 to 2020 with a proposed total cost of some PP113.4 billion, but the ERC only provisionally approved the capex amounting to P5.5 billion for this year. Alena Mae S. Flores

Meralco offers cargo rail extension MRAIL Inc., a unit of Manila Electric Co., has proposed to extend its cargo rail project from Manila up to Batangas port. MRAIL said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the local government of Batangas to carry out a feasibility study on the extension of its freight train project from Calamba, Laguna to Batangas International Port. The feasibility study will look into the alignment of tracks as well as the viability of PNR’s right-of-way. The extension to Batangas port is part of MRAIL’s vision to interconnect the major ports in Luzon including Manila and Subic. MRAIL has a proposal with the Philippine National Railways to operate a freight train from Tutuban to the Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba and eventually to Batangas. The project aims to provide a seamless transportation of containerized cargoes by moving them via railway instead of the roads. This will help improve trafﬁc ﬂow by reducing the number of cargo trucks by at least 300 to 600 daily. Darwin G Amojelar

PH-RUSSIA RELATIONS. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez convenes (left panel) convenes a bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexey Gruzdev on September 11 in Pasay City at the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings hosted by the Philippines. Both sides discussed measures for enhancing bilateral economic relations arising from the successful visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Russia and the inaugural meeting of the Philippine-Russia Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation.

MONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers increased 7.1 percent in July to $2.283 billion from $2.131 billion a year ago on sustained demand for local skilled workers abroad, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday. The July expansion was faster than the 5.7-percent growth a month ago. The figure brought cash remittances in the first seven months to $16.095 billion, up 5 percent from $15.323 billion a year ago. “The sustained increase in remittances was supported by stable demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement. Cash remittances from land-based workers (at $1.8 billion) and from sea-based workers (at $0.5 billion), posted 6.8 percent and 8.4 percent growth, respectively compared to the levels a year ago. The primary sources of cash remittances during the month are the United States (with 3.3 percentage points contribution), United Arab Emirates (1.1 percentage points), Singapore (0.8 percentage point), and Japan (0.6 percentage point). Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, grew 8.7 percent in July to $2.559 billion from $2.355 billion a year ago. This brought personal remittances in the first seven months to $17.923 billion, up 5.9 percent from the $16.923 billion on year. Current account, one of the main components of the balance of payments, meanwhile, posted a lower deficit of $234 million in the first half from $424 million in the same period last year. The deficit accounted for around 0.2 percent of gross domestic product, lower than the 0.3 percent of GDP a year ago. Bangko Sentral deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a briefing the improvement in the current account was driven by “increased net receipts in the trade-in services, and secondary and primary income accounts which partly negated the widening deficit in the trade-in-goods account.” Julito G. Rada

Automotive sales grew 8.7% in first 8 months By Othel V. Campos VEHICLE sales increased 8.7 percent in the ﬁrst eight months of 2107 to 268,424 units from 229,919 units year-on-year despite a weaker turnout in August. Ofﬁcials of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association attributed the slight decline in sales in August to the “ghost month” when buyers postpone their business decisions. Total year-to-date passenger car sales hit 91,191 units, up 7.3 percent from 84,926 units in 2016, while commercial vehicle sales reached 177,295 units, 22.3 percent higher than the previous year’s 144,993 units. Sales of Asian Utility Vehicle jumped 29.6 percent to 53,743 units, while those of light commercial vehicle sales grew 19.4 percent to

DOTr: Metro Pacific gets original proponent status By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said Metro Paciﬁc Investments Corp. obtained an original proponent status for the rehabilitation and takeover of the operations and maintenance (O&M) of MRT3 system. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tuagade, however, said getting an original proponent status did not mean MPIC’s proposal was automatically approved. “There will be discussion and agreement, then it will be submitted to Neda. If Neda and the Presi-

dent approved it, there will be Swiss Challenge,” Tugade said, referring to the National Economic and Development Authority. “We have created a platform to explore possibilities, including privatization to address the issues in MRT,” he added. The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corp. earlier 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 balance 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-Ayala Group earlier said it expects to take over the O&M of MRT3 in six months from the submission of its application as the original proponent to the government in July.

112,827 units. Sales of light truck and trucks and buses category IV also increased 19.1 percent and 36 percent to 6,414 units and 2,978 units, respectively. Toyota Motor Philippine, Corp. remained the market leader with a market share of 44.1 percent while Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. was in second with a share of 17.68 percent. Rounding up the rest of the top ﬁve car companies were Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc. with 8.51 percent share; Isuzu Philippines Corp. with 6.84 percent; and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 6.71 percent. Meanwhile, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. said August sales reached 3,273 units, 17 percent up from 2,798 units on year. The ﬁgure propelled Hyundai’s January to August year-to-date sales to 24,233 units, up 9 percent from 22,134 units on year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, September 15, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.1430

Japan

Yen

0.009073

0.4640

Pound

1.339900

68.5265

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127993

6.5459

Switzerland

Franc

1.038422

53.1080

Canada

Dollar

0.822233

42.0515

Singapore

Dollar

0.742611

37.9794

Australia

Dollar

0.800500

40.9400

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654491

135.7586

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.6374

Brunei

Dollar

0.739864

37.8389

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030211

1.5451

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.9248

Euro

1.192000

60.9625

Korea

Won

0.000882

0.0451

China

Yuan

0.152579

7.8033

India

Rupee

0.015596

0.7976

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237869

12.1653

New Zealand

Dollar

0.722000

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033235

36.9252 1.6997 Source: PDS Bridge

Business

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb to new record

HE stock market gained Friday as traders brushed off initial concerns over North Korea’s latest missile launch, with the benchmark index registering another record high. The Philippine Stock Exchange added 35.94 points, or 0.4 percent, to a new all-time high of 8,180.85 on a value turnover of P11.2 billion. Losers, however, edged gainers, 101 to 98, with 48 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, rose 2.4 percent to P108.80 on increased trade prospects, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp. increased 2.1 percent to P48. Ayala Land Inc., a major property developer advanced

1.9 percent to P45, while SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. climbed 1.2 percent to P835. Most other Asian markets, meanwhile, managed to pare their losses. Pyongyang ﬁred its second rocket over Japan’s Hokkaido in less than a month, just days after the UN Security Council imposed sanctions in response to its nuclear test. Analysts said the rocket travelled further than any other it has ﬁred, adding to fears about

the North’s ability to strike the US mainland with an atomic bomb. The news rattled regional markets, which had started to enjoy a return to optimism after last week’s global sell-off sparked by the nuclear test that fanned fears of a regional conflict. However, by the end of the day the losses had either been sharply cut back or reversed. Seoul bounced back to end 0.4 percent higher while the Korean won also made a U-turn to sit 0.1 percent up. Tokyo maintained its gains through the day, rising 0.5 percent as the yen weakened against the dollar on a strong US inflation report. The greenback briefly broke 111 yen for the first time since early August before easing

back. And Hong Kong rose 0.1 percent but Shanghai shed 0.5 percent, Singapore lost 0.2 percent and Sydney was 0.8 percent off. Wellington was lower but Taipei rose. In early European trade, London fell 0.3 percent, while Paris and Frankfurt were each 0.1 percent off. “I wouldn’t necessarily say this is an escalation,” James Soutter, portfolio manager at K2 Asset Management in Melbourne, told Bloomberg News. “This is more of a continuance of provocation. Hence markets won’t like it, but I don’t think it’s necessarily the precursor to a sustained market pullback.” The pound built on gains against the dollar after the Bank

of England (BoE) Thursday surprised everyone with a hawkish statement in its latest policy meeting. While it left borrowing costs unchanged, its governor Mark Carney hinted at a lift next month by saying the “possibility is deﬁnitely increased.” His comments came after data this week showed inﬂation surged last month to 2.9 percent, well up from the BoE’s two percent target, as the weaker pound made goods more expensive. On the day the new ten-pound note went into circulation, sterling soared to just above $1.34 Thursday, from close to $1.32 earlier. And on Friday it extended its run to $1.3437, its highest since mid-2016. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.64 214,000 59.8 8,630 101 4,149,740 3.88 39,000 128.9 4,545,760 1.75 7,247,000 35.95 145,900 15.9 45,200 32.15 2,470,200 8.3 4,800 0.68 20,000 910 1,360 0.71 844,000 88 3,029,380 0.91 147,000 13.12 4,000 25.5 500 60.5 108,550 237.6 2,090 114.6 40 88 900 50.55 203,500 247.4 1,942,920 86.8 13,890 1.4 29,000

986,520 515,632.50 419,214,156 153,690 585,974,430 12,410,940 5,256,025 721,732 78,310,705 39,698 13,600 1,237,600 595,270 266,185,890.50 132,460 52,480 12,750 6,548,482 496,584 4,482 79,200 10,369,527 481,034,410 1,205,603.50 39,360

239,100 -161,681,223 59,240 -19,346,791 -41,540 -1,482,760 1,592 -10,727,395 -11,123,721 71,085 46,640 593,516 -6,837,122 -163,173 -2,640

40.05 8.79 0.8 1.44 21.4 0.237 5.76 17.3 36.5 20.3 64 80 1.92 5.85 11.24 10.2 15.28 14.62 7.11 6.75 1.8 18.52 68 13.9 12.64 16.54 1.78 242.6 4.12 3.26 23.1 30.6 19.54 17.02 269.2 0.229 10.8 2.93 6.77 10.36 7.27 1.79 12.42 67 6.5 309 4.3 2 4.38 2.71 12.7 4.5 1.22 151 3.71 2.25 28.05 0.98

INDUSTRIAL 40.9 2,484,700 9.2 1,935,600 0.8 1,546,000 1.47 1,036,000 23.05 109,900 0.238 1,350,000 5.8 6,571,600 17.4 353,400 36.7 912,200 22.2 97,400 64 10,360 80 200 1.94 250,000 6 571,600 11.56 13,300 10.4 2,804,300 15.36 2,019,900 14.66 863,100 7.2 740,200 7 16,139,800 1.8 13,000 19 3,358,700 68.5 234,930 13.9 2,000 12.78 76,000 16.54 3,011,400 1.91 3,623,000 243 1,245,630 4.45 3,298,000 3.35 28,000 23.2 1,000 31.4 3,061,600 20.5 1,759,700 17.02 4,255,400 276 727,510 0.231 1,360,000 11.78 223,400 3.05 304,000 6.8 142,200 10.62 5,693,100 7.27 28,200 1.8 812,000 12.5 640,100 68.35 391,350 6.5 507,300 310 18,630 4.3 2,000 2 30,000 4.38 26,000 2.75 1,156,000 12.72 994,700 4.5 39,000 1.22 9,000 153.9 1,732,700 3.71 7,000 2.29 5,824,000 28.05 300 0.99 111,000

101,121,410 17,334,823 1,237,000 1,510,660 2,444,235 320,820 38,223,237 6,143,696 33,587,040 2,072,365 663,049 16,000 483,470 3,406,397 150,258 28,801,320 31,044,160 12,767,648 5,360,252 112,810,924 23,460 62,793,648 16,048,000 27,800 973,324 50,854,188 6,848,070 303,032,634 14,729,050 92,020 23,150 95,446,660 35,728,219 73,050,188 199,213,224 312,160 2,564,066 924,700 969,419 60,002,194 206,055 1,462,070 8,015,512 26,521,970.50 3,307,072 5,775,262 8,600 60,000 113,880 3,164,940 12,651,068 175,590 11,060 265,176,968 25,990 13,228,550 8,415 109,790

-23,417,410 599,346 80,000 -5,413,239 1,875,866.00 7,554,050 -79,650 24,320 -7,800 5,980 -5,334,138 13,013,138 -1,850,822 1,640,696 63,008,007 13,641,046 -1,620,023.50 -307,326 1,685,712 -624,540 -61,792,080 2,142,040 11,996,480 6,269,947 -5,789,020 107,021,246 306,090 41,348,054.00 46,800 1,190,778 9,286,437 -1,514,316 -3,841,300 60,000 865,220 -2,406,358 -32,646,336 186,980 -

0.36 74 14.96 1.12 7.05 0.335 0.335 934 8.16 16.7 7.73 6 1,208 7.99 76 0.91 7.14 17.68 0.41 6.85 0.052 0.97 2.12 97.9 2.65 835 1.47 300 0.28 0.198 0.229

0.355 72.75 14.58 1.12 6.8 0.32 0.325 926 8.06 16.46 7.53 6 1,174 7.68 74 0.88 6.95 17.22 0.41 6.71 0.05 0.94 2.06 97.35 2.65 817 1.45 298.6 0.28 0.196 0.225

HOLDING FIRMS 0.355 280,000 74 2,763,280 14.58 14,939,700 1.12 60,000 6.8 17,200 0.33 3,710,000 0.335 500,000 928.5 536,370 8.06 898,700 16.52 10,917,200 7.73 52,100 6 500 1,174 297,490 7.68 178,300 75.3 3,891,980 0.9 2,058,000 7.12 260,000 17.5 3,553,800 0.41 20,000 6.79 33,145,600 0.052 8,710,000 0.97 15,000 2.06 2,131,000 97.5 706,700 2.65 12,000 835 823,510 1.46 790,000 300 4,490 0.28 240,000 0.198 360,000 0.225 220,000

99,550 204,170,327 218,693,728 67,200 117,683 1,218,850 164,550 498,361,880 7,272,066 180,444,988 392,365 3,000 352,048,865 1,400,437 292,735,918 1,832,670 1,842,223 61,965,210 8,200 224,749,477 446,520 14,370 4,465,760 68,878,488.50 31,800 681,800,965 1,148,320 1,342,780 67,200 71,220 49,950

30,241,469.50 -99,293,146 -18,256,865 1,440,825 20,007,362 28,965,880 -34,160,107 1,208,123 -6,846,724 8,200 8,963,930 -2,110 -201,387 176,162,705 -367,968 -16,030

5.1 1.21 7.9 2.4 1.12 45 3.85 5.12 5.25 0.52 1.45 1.58 0.242 0.49 41 0.7 0.156 2.06 1.51 0.98 5.4 0.39 0.54

5.08 1.17 7.8 2.36 1.09 44.1 3.74 5 5.25 0.5 1.31 1.54 0.233 0.48 38.9 0.68 0.15 1.98 1.47 0.94 5.36 0.365 0.51

1,660,656 19,585,280 116,910 55,000 2,910,610 963,209,480 8,015,680 17,778,550 47,775 15,804,120 7,229,400 598,760 10,372,240 799,900 97,223,290 706,860 26,290 174,786,990 17,258,450 1,542,110 296,065,664 63,593,450 5,477,580

-158,150.00 126,520 75,840 228,491,840 6,069,790 10,597,859.00 166,270 194,580.00 16,660 -13,638,410 -650,670.00 35,768,010.00 232,400 44,018,077 -581,500 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

4.57 59.8 102 4.1 129.8 1.69 35.95 15.9 30.75 8.26 0.68 910 0.71 88 0.9 13.12 25.5 60.4 237.6 109.5 88 52 249 86.7 1.32

4.8 59.8 102 4.1 129.8 1.77 36.1 16.1 32.35 8.3 0.68 910 0.71 88.05 0.91 13.12 25.5 60.5 237.6 114.6 88 52 249.2 86.85 1.4

4.55 59.5 100.6 3.88 128.5 1.61 35.95 15.9 30.7 8.26 0.68 910 0.7 87.45 0.9 13.12 25.5 60.2 237.6 109.5 88 50.55 245.2 86.7 1.32

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

40.5 8.84 0.8 1.49 21.55 0.24 5.88 17.3 37.4 22.2 64 80 1.92 5.98 11.5 10.28 15.36 15.18 7.11 6.88 1.82 18.6 68 13.9 12.9 16.8 1.82 245 4.12 3.3 23.1 30.6 19.54 17.28 269.6 0.229 11 3.05 6.8 10.44 7.4 1.8 12.54 67.15 6.6 313.8 4.3 2 4.38 2.8 12.72 4.5 1.23 153.8 3.72 2.33 28.05 0.98

40.9 9.2 0.81 1.49 23.4 0.24 5.88 17.46 37.4 22.3 64.9 80 1.95 6 11.56 10.4 15.42 15.18 7.31 7 1.82 19 68.6 13.9 12.9 17.18 1.93 245 4.58 3.35 23.2 31.45 20.9 17.28 276 0.232 11.8 3.06 6.9 10.62 7.4 1.82 12.66 68.35 6.6 313.8 4.3 2 4.38 2.8 12.74 4.53 1.23 153.9 3.72 2.34 28.05 0.99

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG 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 73.6 14.9 1.12 7.05 0.32 0.325 926 8.16 16.66 7.53 6 1,199 7.99 76 0.9 7.14 17.68 0.41 6.78 0.051 0.94 2.12 97.4 2.65 821 1.46 299.8 0.28 0.196 0.229

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

5.08 1.19 7.9 2.36 1.12 44.25 3.79 5.09 5.25 0.51 1.32 1.56 0.238 0.49 39.85 0.7 0.15 1.99 1.51 0.95 5.39 0.38 0.53

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.5 5.93 28.65 25.25 1.8 3.16 34.1 1.02 6.75 0.88 6.24

0.51 6.2 28.65 25.4 1.8 3.25 34.8 1.05 7.3 0.88 6.38

0.495 5.85 28.65 24.95 1.78 3.15 33.9 1.01 6.75 0.87 6.23

0.5 6.14 28.65 25.35 1.8 3.15 34.8 1.03 7.3 0.87 6.37

2,293,000 5,718,100 400 4,029,100 468,000 1,526,000 20,397,300 8,724,000 2,500 87,000 5,428,500

1,140,545 34,878,607 11,460 101,942,405 838,540 4,813,900 706,517,855 8,965,290 18,085 75,750 34,420,632

-1,107,974 9,617,790 0 31,322,210 9,791,008

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

20.6 40.8 1.63 0.59 0.04 5.12 10.94 0.074 111.7 9.25 10.6 7.7 2,010 6.11 20 2.37 3.03 105.1 12.02 8.44 0.171 1.33 15.44 4.53 1.48 13 0.56 2.37 8.5 4.2 18.8 2.63 5.18 3.09 8.01 170 9.88 1,684 1.64 0.415 51.6 95.9 5.86 4.34 1.55 1.94 3.59 1.24 9.5

20.65 40.85 1.66 0.6 0.04 5.29 11 0.075 113 9.25 10.62 7.7 2,040 6.16 20.3 2.39 3.03 108.8 12.28 8.44 0.172 1.33 15.96 4.54 1.49 13 0.58 2.41 8.5 4.2 18.8 2.72 5.18 3.11 8.01 170 9.99 1,705 1.64 0.42 51.6 95.9 5.96 4.34 1.55 1.95 3.6 1.24 9.5

20.35 40.6 1.57 0.58 0.039 5.12 10.86 0.073 111 9.22 10.28 7.5 1,996 6.09 20 2.31 2.93 105.1 12.02 8.4 0.168 1.31 15.44 4.47 1.45 12.7 0.56 2.37 8.18 4.12 18.8 2.63 5.18 3.09 8.01 170 9.8 1,681 1.62 0.405 50.9 95 5.84 4.28 1.51 1.94 3.59 1.21 9.3

SERVICES 20.35 40.7 1.66 0.6 0.039 5.29 11 0.075 112 9.22 10.34 7.6 2,040 6.13 20 2.33 3.03 108.8 12.28 8.4 0.171 1.33 15.96 4.47 1.46 12.7 0.57 2.38 8.5 4.2 18.8 2.7 5.18 3.11 8.01 170 9.84 1,690 1.62 0.42 51.25 95.4 5.85 4.3 1.54 1.95 3.6 1.22 9.4

55,100 29,800 487,000 5,630,000 7,900,000 2,200 30,689,000 7,370,000 479,580 1,400 3,426,700 169,900 64,610 649,300 223,400 3,672,000 94,000 2,179,350 9,100 252,500 2,070,000 920,000 21,800 559,000 1,233,000 2,856,600 42,000 34,000 9,609,700 901,000 1,700 5,663,000 2,100 24,000 5,000 3,190 701,300 206,080 2,641,000 1,550,000 1,533,930 388,530 71,900 922,000 15,022,000 25,000 1,218,000 9,546,000 1,638,200

1,127,305 1,212,430 805,780 3,352,160 310,000 11,468 336,452,428 546,230 53,791,058 12,911 35,598,706 1,287,095 130,996,605 3,981,405 4,485,625 8,579,630 282,130 233,011,372 109,642 2,121,170 349,990 1,211,930 347,758 2,516,720 1,806,120 36,778,020 23,570 80,940 80,321,967 3,759,630 31,960 15,212,560 10,878 74,620 40,050 542,300 6,916,860 348,257,595 4,292,210 633,600 78,816,769.50 37,077,393.50 420,502 3,963,240 23,111,300 48,620 4,373,470 11,686,750 15,350,104

247,925 -202,800 -38,034,544 14,060 1,123,533 2,573,860 -55,930 23,600,115 -210,075 224,660 3,020 -17,069,899 11,172 -4,520 -2,009,902 -2,819,622 -383,720 -127,820 74,620 -287,300 27,896,855 455,800 255,150 6,943,369 7,495,027.50 -878,200 -821,930 308,550 -1,555,500 732,396

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

0.0027 1.71 5.11 1.86 1.93 1.41 0.395 8.36 2.63 0.27 0.181 0.193 0.011 0.012 2.08 7.64 1.81 0.52 1.08 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.43 8.63 5.42 47.9 0.008

0.0027 1.72 5.11 1.86 1.93 1.52 0.4 8.5 2.65 0.27 0.183 0.198 0.011 0.012 2.1 7.73 1.84 0.53 1.08 0.013 0.013 0.013 2.52 8.69 5.43 48.4 0.0082

0.0026 1.67 5.01 1.83 1.81 1.38 0.395 8.36 2.6 0.25 0.181 0.192 0.01 0.012 2.07 7.46 1.8 0.52 1.03 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.43 8.6 5.08 47.8 0.008

MINING & OIL 0.0027 52,000,000 1.68 3,414,000 5.03 480,900 1.83 72,000 1.81 112,000 1.48 6,348,000 0.395 2,250,000 8.4 17,300 2.63 9,689,000 0.27 44,300,000 0.182 3,330,000 0.198 260,000 0.011 7,000,000 0.012 1,300,000 2.1 531,000 7.73 4,225,500 1.83 103,000 0.53 21,000 1.05 236,000 0.012 84,500,000 0.013 26,000,000 0.013 61,300,000 2.52 9,000 8.69 439,900 5.3 11,364,500 48 6,290,300 0.0082 7,000,000

139,300 5,758,100 2,425,339 132,620 207,740 9,337,310 888,800 145,366 25,422,230 11,091,000 605,490 50,220 73,700 15,600 1,108,720 32,006,491 187,520 11,110 247,330 1,036,000 337,400 786,500 22,040 3,795,715 59,336,860 302,033,465 56,800

8,500 12,715 30,640 283,130.00 3,346,980 15,600 -107,040 19,574,615 45,750 16,900 6,000 695,756 802,765 39,819,910 -

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF PF PREF 2 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

40.65 105.3 109.9 112.5 516 5.8 1,011 1.06 1,020 2.1 76.5 81 77.2 79.95 82 78.6 80.9

40.65 105.3 109.9 112.5 516 5.8 1,011 1.06 1,025 2.29 76.5 81 77.2 79.95 82 79.6 80.9

40.6 105.3 109.9 112.3 516 5.7 1,011 1.06 1,020 2 76.5 80.6 77.05 79.95 82 78.6 80.9

PREFERRED 40.65 267,000 105.3 100 109.9 450 112.3 3,100 516 12,100 5.74 895,300 1,011 800 1.06 14,000 1,025 2,000 2 7,000 76.5 4,530 80.7 25,000 77.05 28,200 79.95 140 82 110 79.6 54,170 80.9 6,000

10,853,235 10,530 49,455 348,290 6,243,600 5,166,113 808,800 14,840 2,047,500 14,780 346,545 2,019,575 2,174,176.50 11,193 9,020 4,307,932 485,400

2,044,680 -4,931,434 -6,000 -346,545 -

LR WARRANT

2.53

2.59

2.53

WARRANTS 2.55 92,000

233,680

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

4.51 4.76 5.87

4.62 4.89 5.9

4.44 4.76 5.8

4.51 4.84 5.8

2,963,040 120,340 8,753,930

-94,450 -2,308,901

FIRST METRO ETF

122.1

123.2

122.1

838,886

USD DMPL A1

10.8

20,736

NAME

PROPERTY 5.08 1.19 7.9 2.4 1.11 45 3.85 5.12 5.25 0.5 1.36 1.54 0.234 0.49 40 0.69 0.156 2.02 1.48 0.98 5.37 0.37 0.53

326,400 16,513,000 14,800 23,000 2,633,000 21,489,600 2,096,000 3,490,400 9,100 31,060,000 5,219,000 385,000 44,130,000 1,640,000 2,441,700 1,025,000 170,000 86,224,000 11,623,000 1,630,000 55,074,900 167,560,000 10,472,000

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL

SME

651,000 25,000 1,499,400

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.2 6,840 10.8

DDS

VALUE

25,218,066

1,871,615,036.43

INDUSTRIAL

86,964,360

1,772,996,308.73

HOLDING FIRMS

96,801,853

2,847,326,314.59

PROPERTY

515,303,296

2,657,103,466.495

SERVICES

124,108,734

1,564,826,413.40

MINING & OIL

332,977,362

457,296,293.603

GRAND TOTAL

1,183,558,720

11,183,852,857.15

1,920

FINANCIAL 1,970.92 (up) 2.16 INDUSTRIAL 11,226.99 (down) 16.32 HOLDING FIRMS 7,890.98 (up) 9.67 PROPERTY 3,785.31 (up) 3.86 SERVICES 1,736.73 (down) 9.67 MINING & OIL 13,814.62 (up) 159.91 PSEI 8,022.75 (down) 0.23 All Shares Index 4,763.30 (up) 0.46 Gainers: 98; Losers: 101; Unchanged: 48; Total: 247

Aboitiz prepares Vietnam expansion By Jenniffer B. Austria ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. may to expand its animal feeds business in Vietnam. AEV executive vice president and chief operating officer Sabin Aboitiz said the company through unit Pilmico International planned to increase the capacity of the firm’s animal feeds business in Vietnam. The company is looking for more acquisitions after recently acquiring a 70-percent stake in Europe Nutrition Joint Stock Co. (Eurofeed) for $5.3 million. “We would double the capacity of that animal feed business next year for Southern Vietnam and Cambodia,” Aboitiz said. Pilmico last year purchased 100 percent of Pilmico Viet Nam Trading Company Limited (Pilmico Vietnam Trading) for 800 million Viatnamese dong. Pilmico Vietnam Trading is a limited liability company operating in Vietnam. The company is engaged in the wholesale of food products, beverages, agricultural and forestry raw materials. Pilmico Vietnam Trading will be the vehicle used for the importation and distribution of Pilmico products in the Vietnam market. Aboitiz said the group would also expand its feeds business in the Philippines. The company earlier said it planned to spend P4 billion to expand the production capacity of Pilmico from 2017 to 2020. The group broke ground on several projects, including the expansion of meat processing and feed mill plants and a grains storage facility in Tarlac province. Aboitiz said the company recently incorporated a trading office in Indonesia as part of the thrust to expand within Southeast Asia.

Water firm signs aqueduct contract By Anna Leah E. Gonzales EAST zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. recently signed a contract for the P5.3-billion NovalichesBalara Aqueduct 4 Project. Manila Water said in a statement the project, one of the largest water supply infrastructure undertaken by Manila Water, entails the construction of a fourth aqueduct from the La Mesa Reservoir to the Balara Treatment Plants (BTP) 1 and 2 to improve the reliability and security of the raw water transmission system. Representatives of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Manila Water, Arup as project management consultant, and NOVABALA joint venture, the project’s design and build contractor composed of CMC di Ravenna (Italy), First Balfour Inc. (Philippines) and Chun Wo Engineering (Hong Kong), joined in the contract signing ceremony MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said the project was part of the agency’s water security program under the new administration.. “Part of this is coming up with interim and long-term water source projects to approximate at least 4,000 million liters per day (MLD) in the next 10 or 25 or, hopefully, 50 years,” Velasco said.

LGUs

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

‘Baguio not a marijuana producer’ By Dexter A. See

UNA, Apayao—The Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council requested the regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to correct the report of its central office that pinpointed Baguio City as a marijuana producer. The resolution request- port was unanimously aping the PDEA-CAR to proved by the RPOC-CAR immediately rectify the re- during the joint meeting

of the region’s peace and order council and the Regional Development Council hosted by the provincial government of Apayao here Thursday. PDEA-CAR assistant regional director Allan Lloyd Lleaño belied reports that the regional office had provided the information to its central office that Baguio is a producer of marijuana. He said he will refer the RPOC’s request to higher authorities for them to correct the report

being provided to key local officials from different parts of the country. Baguio Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, who chairs both the RPOC and RDC in the Cordillera, said he was surprised to learn about the PDEA central office report that his city has been tagged as a marijuana producer during their Luzon RDC meeting held in Manila last month, reason why the PDEA-CAR should initiate the appropriate steps

to correct the said report. Domogan admitted that if the PDEA central office report pointed to Baguio City as a transshipment of marijuana from the marijuanaproducing communities in some parts of Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao, then it would have been acceptable on his part “because the city is really the transshipment area of marijuana being supplied to the lowlands and shabu from the lowlands be-

ing brought to the different parts of the region.” PDEA-CAR officials claimed the primary sources of shabu being circulated regionwide is from Cavite, the National Capital Region, and even from the National Bilibid Prison. Domogan expressed optimism that the PDEA central office will be immediately corrected to prevent creating a bad image for the city among those who will be able to get hold

of the report, which will greatly affect Baguio’s image from other local officials in the different parts of the archipelago. According to him, there is nothing wrong with Baguio being listed as a transshipment area for marijuana and shabu because it is what is happening, although government agencies and local officials are addressing the problem and contributing to efforts to curb illegal drugs in the city.

NV, power firm to fund health workers’ training By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya —Nutrition workers here are set to receive funds for their additional training and livelihood, to inspire their ranks in working for the reduction of malnutrition incidents in the province. Governor Carlos Padilla said that through the Provincial Nutrition Office, a partnership with the SN Aboitiz Power Magat, Inc. has been forged to fund the training and livelihood project for the members of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Team formed in the 15 towns of the province. SNAP-Magat has vowed P600,000 in assistance after the IYCF completes refresher training for their enhancement. The IYCF, composed mostly of Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Health Workers, midwives and mother leaders, is set to start training in October at the Nueva Vizcaya

State University here. Padilla said the provincial government will also pitch in P100,000 for the organizational management structure development of the IYCF, and another P300,000 for training and capacity building, which will be sourced from the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development. “This project aims to enhance capability of the IYCF in terms of knowledge, awareness, technical and management skills of target implementers, clientele, and other volunteers on health and nutrition,” he said. The governor said the project will provide stakeholders greater access to alternative choices in decision making to improve practices on healthy lifestyle, utilization of functional foods available in the community, as well as fortification of foods to be used in supplementary and complimentary feeding programs for the targeted sectors.

ANTI-FLU SHOT. Police Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, Chief of the Police Regional Public Information Office 4A, is one of the 500 police officers given the anti-flu vaccine for free during the Asean Summit sendoff ceremony at the PNP Calabarzon Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna. Roy Tomandao

Lantud hits cousin Dimaporo over Lanao del Norte road network Village council bats for Subic power project ELEANOR Dimaporo-Lantud, the former mayor of Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte, has protested her cousin Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo’s seeming obstruction to the completion of a major infrastructure project. Lantud says Dimaporo has been telling the Department of Public Works and Highways to discontinue the Lanao del Norte Interior Circumferential Road. She said that during her

term, the project was classified as a provincial road. Dimaporo then authored a bill, which later became a law, that converted the project into a 29.8-kilometer national road during the Arroyo administration. Estimated to cost P420.3 million, the circumferential road was envisioned as the main access of inland communities to the markets in the town center to accelerate Lanao del Norte’s economic growth. The road was

designed to start from Iligan National Highway in Iligan to Malabang Tukuran National Highway in Sultan Naga Dimaporo. The road was meant to span 10 municipalities. However, only the first three towns, including Pantao Raga were covered. Lantud contends that only a fraction of the projects was done in her hometown of Pantao Raga. “I may not hold office any

more, but the people look up to me as their mother. I also want to help my husband, Lacson Lantud, who is now mayor of Pantao Ragat. I feel sorry when the farmers work very hard to harvest vegetables. Many perish along the way because of the bad roads,” she says. Lantud recalls that the rift with Dimaporo began several years ago when the Lantuds and the Dimaporos clashed over political loyalties during

the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada in 2000. When Lantud was mayor, Dimaporo tried to block a couple of her projects: the construction of a school and of farm-to-market roads in Pantao Ragat. Despite the lack of financial support from the national and provincial government during her three terms, Lantud was able improve the road networks in Pantao Ragat and won her battle in finishing the school.

IN BRIEF Militants to probe ‘evacuations’ in Kasibu BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A peasant group called SAMANA-NV has announced its plan to conduct a fact-finding mission in five villages of Kasibu town where reports of mass evacuations took place after the military clashed with NPA guerillas on Sept. 1. “Together with human rights organizations, a fact-finding mission will be conducted in barangays Catarawan, Dine, Kakidugen, Pao and Biyoy in the town of Kasibu to investigate incidents of evacuations [‘bakwit’],” reads an open letter written in Filipino. It was signed by an Alfonso Shog-uy in behalf of SAMANA-NV. The letter also invited the public, especially trained paralegals, to take an active part in human rights education. The group aims to conduct a Basic Human Rights Orientation during its planned visit on Sept. 16-17, 2017. Abe Almirol

Tanauan kids feted for int’l bronze medals TANAUAN, Batangas—Two young Tanaueño who brought honor to the country from an international competition received more recognition from the Sangguniang Panglungsod on Monday. Through a resolution filed by City Councilor Herman G. Trinidad, the City Government praised Dalton Emanuel D. Mojica and Veronica G. Ocampo, residents of Tanauan City, for winning bronze medals in the International Math Open for Young Achievers (IMOYA) from Sept. 1 to 4 at the United World College Dover Campus in Singapore. Both Mojica and Ocampo are Grade 10 students of De La Salle University in Lipa City. They were part of the team from the Philippines in Mathematics, Science and Sudoku Competitions and were assisted by the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines. Roy Tomandao

By Butch Gunio SUBIC, Zambales—The local government of Barangay Balaybay has issued a resolution of support to the pending application of Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. for its long-delayed power project in Zambales. During a regular session of the Barangay Balaybay Council a week ago, barangay chairman Arturo P. Manzano and the seven Sangguniang Barangay members signed Resolution No. 09 expressing support to RP Energy “in seeking approval of their Power Supply Agreement from the Energy Regulatory Commission.” RP Energy’s PSA, which was submitted in April 2016, is a crucial document needed before the company proceeds with the construction of its 2x300 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Subic, Zambales. According to the resolution, RP Energy will construct a 23-kilometer transmission facility that includes nine towers to be built in Barangay Balaybay. Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES sufficient in form and substance, Standard notice is hereby given that said REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

TODAY

STRIKE A POSE. Lawmakers are caught smiling to photographers during the budget deliberation for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the House of Representatives. Photo shows Bacoor, Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla (right) with (from left) Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos, Cavite 6th District Rep. Jonjon Ferrer, and Quezon City 1st District Rep. Anna Enverga. Inset shows Rep. Revilla and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu discussing plans for the City of Bacoor. Lino Santos

Pangasinan to launch POGI training truck LINGAYEN, Pangasinan— The provincial government under Gov. Amado I. Espino III, through the Provincial Employment Services Office, is set to launch the Pangkabuhayan On-wheels, Gulong sa Patuloy na Ikauunlad ng Kanayunan (POGI) truck at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center. POGI truck is intended for the Mobile Skills Training Project, a manpower entrepreneurship development project of the

provincial government in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Pangasinan and the Association of Barangay Chairmen Federation. According to PESO manager Alex F. Ferrer, the objectives of the project include provision of equity and access to the poor and underprivileged to obtain necessary skills relevant to industry needs, and help out-ofschool youth and unemployed adults obtain the necessary

knowledge, skills, and attitude to get a decent job. Invited by the organizers to the launch are Tesda director Joel M. Pilotin, ABC president BM Jeanne Jinky C. Zaplan, provincial board members led by Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr., Hytec president, DOLE regional director, LGU Bugallon led by Mayor Jumel Anthony I. Espino, Bugallon ABC president, Bugallon PESO manager and Bugallon OFW president.

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL petition is hereby set for hearing on October 30, 2017 at 8:30 in REGION BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY the morning before this Court located at Room 238, Second Floor, Hall of Justice, Diliman, MARNE GELACIO, Quezon City at which place and Petitioner, on which date and time, any -versusperson who has objections to CIVIL CASE NO. the petition may appear and file R-QZN-17-07570-CV his opposition thereto. For: Recognition of Let a copy of this Order Foreign Divorce and the entire publication be SEONGMAN HAN AND/OR CIVIL published at the expense of REGISTRAR GENERAL AND/OR the petitioner, once a week for THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR three (3) consecutive weeks in OF QUEZON CITY, The Standard, a newspaper of Respondents. general circulation throughout x---------------------------------------x the Philippines. Likewise, let ORDER a copy of the petition with its This is a verified petition filed annexes and this Order be by Marne Gelacio praying for furnished to the Office of the the judicial recognition of foreign Solicitor General, and be posted judgment of divorce obtained in in the Bulletin Board of the Office Republic of Korea and direct the of the Clerk of Court, Regional Civil Registrar General and the Trial Court, Quezon City. Local Civil Registry of Quezon City to record the divorce in the SO ORDERED Quezon City, Philippines, marriage certificate. Petitioner alleges that she got August 22, 2017. married to Seongman Han on June 24, 2008 at the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple, New Era, Quezon City; that petitioner and private respondent have no children; that in 2016, the parties filed for divorce at Incheon in the Republic of Korea; that on December 1, 2016, a divorce decree was issued by the Family Court at the Incheon in the Republic of Korea dissolving the marriage between Seongman Han and Marne Gelacio; that petitioner is now seeking that the foreign divorce decree obtained by Seongman Han in the Republic of Korea be judicially recognized. Finding the petition to be

(Sgd.) SANTIAGO M. ARENAS Judge Cc: BRITANICO & BRITANICO LAW OFFICES Atty. Francesco C. Britanico Counsel for the Petitioner G/F 4 Matiwasay Street, U.P. Village, Diliman, Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General Makati City Office of the City Prosecutor Quezon City Office of the Civil Registrar General Quezon City Office of the Local Civil Registrar Quezon City (MS-Sep. 16, 23 & 30, 2017)

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

LGUs

Stricter Las Piñas curfew on minors

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Free meds for 290k in Makati M By Joel E. Zurbano

ORE than 290,000 people have benefited from the free medicines program of the city government of Makati in the last eight months, city health officials announced on Friday. Makati Health Department chief Bernard Sese said from January to August, the program’s authorized distributor, Planet Drugstore, has dispensed free medicines, vitamins and other pharmaceuti-

cal products to a total of 294,412 patients through its eight outlets which cater to their respective clusters. During the period, the city government spent around P358.7 million for the program dubbed

as Libreng Gamot Para sa Mamamayan, which has benefited active members of the Makati Health Program (Yellow Card) and their qualified dependents. These include Ospital ng Makati patients, city government employees, selected Makati-based national government personnel, and residents from the 33 barangays of the city. The program covers medicines for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular diseases, dyslipidemia, enlarged prostate, gout, cough and

colds, sexually transmitted infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seizure disorder, allergy, ulcer, vertigo, gastro-intestinal problems, and more. It also provides free multivitamins for children, adults and pregnant patients, as well as oral and injectable contraceptives. Under the program, senior citizens aged 70 and above are entitled to receive the full dose of their monthly prescription of maintenance medicines. For August alone, the

Makati Action Center has made door-to-door deliveries of medicines worth around P7.8 million to over 4,300 recipients. These include seniors in the said age group and bed-ridden beneficiaries identified by the MHD for the special service. More than free medicines and vitamins, Yellow Card beneficiaries enjoy free outpatient consultations and subsidized hospitalization for emergency and in-patient care at the city-run Ospital ng Makati. Primary health

23 neglected cadavers at Manila funeral home By Bill Casas MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered city health inspectors to look into the possible criminal liability of a funeral home for its alleged improper handling and storage of decomposing corpses. Estrada warned he will not hesitate to order the permanent closure of Archangel Funeral Homes on Vicente G. Cruz St. in Sampaloc if the city hall finds cause to formally charge its owners with violations of Presidential Decree 856 or the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines. “There could be serious violations of the Sanitation Code. Aside from posing grave health risks, I believe that is not the humane way of handling human corpses,” the mayor said After receiving the initial report of Boyet San Gabriel, chief of the city’s Sanitation Division who led an inspection of Archangel last Tuesday, Estrada

HEIRLOOM REVISITED.

Thirty members of the Kalinga Indigenous Weavers Association (Kinwa Etnika) successfully completed a five-day Basic Handloom Weaving Training on Friday. The skills development drive was sponsored by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, as part of its corporate initiatives for host communities traversed by its transmission facilities. Abe Almirol

said he was aghast by the horrible condition of at least 23 unclaimed bodies found at the funeral home, many of whom are already in advance state of decomposition. He directed San Gabriel to compel the management of the funeral parlor to correct their violations in six days, otherwise, he will shut down the establishment and revoke its permits San Gabriel said Archangel has no proper storage for cadavers, a clear violation of PD 856. “The highlight of their violation was care and handling (of the corpses). These were not properly stored. There was a violation,” he pointed out, adding they inspected the establishment after receiving several complaints. San Gabriel recounted that when they conducted an inspection, they saw about 23 to 25 bodies dumped on the floor, totally exposed to the elements and with no cover

Quezon City cops to take psych tests, stress debriefing By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Police District Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Friday ordered mandatory stress debriefing and neuro-psychiatric tests on the local police force to determine if they are fit to conduct anti-drug operations and fit as gun holders. The tests will start with those

assigned to the drug enforcement units at Camp Karingal and the 12 police stations. “There is a need for the QCPD to conduct stress debriefing and neuro-psychiatric tests for all its rank and file, but initially with those assigned with drug enforcement units,” Eleazar said. “No doubt, the government’s policy to combat drugs

care is also being provided by the city’s 26 barangay health centers, while its three lying-in clinics provide subsidized services for normal deliveries. The city government has increased this year’s budget for its Free Medicines Program from P600 million to P900 million to help defray the cost of medications. The project first started in 2013 with an initial budget of P59 million. For the convenience of patients, Planet Drugstore has eight outlets in strategic locations.

has increased not only the workload of frontline policemen, but also the pace by which they move, work and operate. There is more challenge and pressure now versus the recent past,” he added. The QC police just want to make sure that their personnel are given the chance to cope with any stress that they may be experiencing,

Eleazar said. He warned those who would be found unfit would be transferred. “That’s why we have stress debriefing. On the other hand, the neuro-psychiatric tests will help ensure that we have well-poised and well- composed cops in the frontline,” he added. “We are simply going back

to basics here. The ordinary civilian has to take a neuropsychiatric test to qualify as a licensed gun holder. Well, so does your policeman.” The police concerned shall go through a series of tests, psychosocial profiling, stress and anger management, pharmacological management, and group dynamics/ team building if the need

Muntinlupa debuts new SWiT-MBOSS biz system

FIESTA MOOD. Parishioners walk out under the colorful banderitas in front of the historic St.

Francis of Assisi Parish Church in General Trias City, as the locality prepares to celebrate its fiesta on October 4. The feast day of the patron saint of animals will coincides with the city’s Pet Baptismal and Free Anti-Rabies vaccine program to all pets of city residents.

AIMING to be one of the frontrunners in innovation, Muntinlupa’s initiative in government efficiency has been recognized by the Development Academy of the Philippines as one of the best practices in the country. The Single Window Transaction-Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop (SWiT-MBOSS) is among the initiatives showcased in the Compendium of Innovation and Productivity Initiatives of DAP’s Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity under the Innovation Leadership and Service Quality categories. DAP is the focal organization and implementing institution of the Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity under the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) which aim to promote innovation and productivity in public sec-

tor organizations in Asia and the Pacific region. The SWiT-MBOSS, implemented by Muntinlupa Business Permits and Licensing Office, is an innovative single-interface business registration process consisting of three simple steps with one and the same staff from start to end of the transaction. With this initiative, total processing time of transactions is shortened to around 15 minutes for applications with complete set of requirements. It continues to be the subject of many benchmarking activities, both local and international. Prior to the recognition, the SWiT-MBOSS also qualified as Runner Up in the 4th International Best Practice Competition by the Asian Productivity Organization.

LAS Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar has ordered police and barangay officials to enforce the city’s curfew ordinance, particularly on minors to ensure their protection and promote social order. Aguilar’s directive came in the wake of rape incidents and killing of minors across Metro Manila. “We must not compromise the welfare and safety of our children since it is our obligation as parents and public servants to protect them from any threat or harm,” the mayor said. She instructed City Chief of Police, Senior Superintendent Marlon D. Balonglong, to intensify its enforcement of the ordinance in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office to guarantee the safety of the children and minors. Likewise, the mayor urged barangay officials to strengthen its drive against minors on the streets during the prescribe curfew hours, with caution to deal with them appropriately when accosting them. Aguilar urged parents to cooperate with law enforcers and barangay officials in keeping order in the community by making sure that their children are in their homes after school and not on the streets, particularly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., which is the curfew period. “As a mother, my heart goes for children and minors being victimized or perpetrators of crimes themselves. I believe, these heinous incidents will not happen if we as parents and adults, as well as law enforcers, do our part in giving them love and guidance,” the mayor said. The city ordinance is not meant to threaten the youths but aimed to protect them from falling prey to criminal elements and prevent them from committing the crime.

240 ‘4Ps’ farmers gain KSK Training in Ormoc ORMOC CITY—About 240 farmers and beneficiaries of the government’s 4Ps program attended the 146th Rural Farmers’ Training Project launched by SM Foundation in Barangay San Pablo here. The 12-week training program started on August 4 and will continue until the scheduled Harvest Festival and graduation Ceremony on Oct. 24 and 25. The demo farm is a 5,000 sq. m lot owned by the family of Ormoc Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin, located across the City Agriculturist Office and lent to the KSK Training Program administration. An orientation held a week earlier gave the participants an overview of the program.

Present during the orientation were Aliver Idano, Community Driven Enterprise Development DSWD Field Office Region 8; Francisco Dayap, OIC Regional Department of Agriculture; Jason Fabillar, Agri II, APCO FO8; Maria Elena Mendoza, Acting City Agriculturist; Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona, president, HarBest Agribusiness Corp.; Jovel Grand Marquez and Easter Ann Alorro, Field Instructors; Vice Mayor Locsin; City Councilor Jun Tomas, Committee Chair on Agriculture and Fisheries; Rod Robles, SM Savemore Tacloban Store Manager; and Marlon Tan, SM Savemore Tacloban Mall Manager.

Ormoc City Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin addresses participants of the Rural Farmers’ Training Project.

Life

SHOP TILL YOU DROP.

Compulsive buying disorder is a type of addiction characterized by using shopping as a solution to help a person get over an emotionally trying moment.

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

HE word “addiction” is often associated with “drugs” or “illegal substances.” But it’s not just illegal substances that people get addicted to. While it can be confusing and sometimes frustrating trying to understand why some people continue to engage in harmful behavior, Makati Medical Center explains that addiction is more of a health condition than a lifestyle choice. And, with some of these strange behavioral addictions, you might understand just how hard it is to control an addiction. But first, what does “addiction” mean? “Addiction is a condition in which a person has a need to ingest a substance or engage in an activity to the point that it becomes compulsive and interferes with the person’s daily life, including his or her work, relationships, or health,” says Luzviminda Katigbak, MD, of the Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurological Sciences.

Shopping

Everyone loves to shop, but what differentiates a compulsive shopper? Compulsive buying disorder or CBD is characterized by using shopping as a solution to help you get over an emotionally trying moment, such as moments when you are sad, angry, or frustrated. Persons suffering from CBD experience euphoria, or a high after every purchase. But he or she feels guilty after experiencing this rush. This is because persons with CBD spend so much time and money on shopping at the expense of their jobs or their loved ones’ needs. Some even go as far as hiding their purchases or lying about their shopping habits and recent shopping finds. Oftentimes, items bought remain unopened or unused. Dr. Katigbak says it is important to first identify possible triggers to help sufferers get to the root of the problem.

Cosmetic Surgery

People with body dysmorphia, a disorder that causes a person to obsess about and imagine flaws in their appearance, are often prone to getting excessive plastic surgery to the point of addiction.

‘Pica’

4 STRANGE ADDICTIONS

From hoarding animals to eating paint

This non-food cravings eating disorder can be found in 10 to 32 percent of children between the ages of one and six (US statistics). In adults, it can start during the first trimester of pregnancy. “Pica” (from the Latin word for magpie, a bird that is known to eat anything) involves the consumption of non-nutritional objects. It could be snacking on ice, but it could also manifest in eating various objects not considered food, such as cigarette ashes, chalk, stones, or dried paint. “This is one of those addictions that need close monitoring to treat, due to the possibility of serious medical complications,” says Dr. Katigbak. Stones or plastic toys, when eaten, can block the digestive track. Dirt, when eaten, could bring bacteria and parasites to the body.

Animal hoarding

Popularized by a TV show, hoarding is already a wellknown addiction whose horrors have become known to many viewers. But there’s a specific type of hoarding that affects not just people involved with the hoarder. Animal hoarding is when a hoarder compulsively collects animals to care for, but unintentionally neglects them. The behavior also usually starts after a tragic or difficult life event. They cling on to the animals both for a source and a receptacle of love, although misguided. Eventually, some, if not most, of the animals end up dying due to neglect. If the person is also an object hoarder, then it may be that the dead animals stay in the house, under a pile of untouched collected items. “Although it’s just a small percentage of people who suffer from really strange compulsions, they should show us just how hard it is to make sense of an addiction,” says Dr. Katigbak. Whether dirt eating or drug dependence, it’s important to treat every kind of addiction with the right mindset, medications, and tools. Counseling, therapy, structured recovery programs, and rehabilitation centers can help. Of course, the type of addiction treatment program you need will depend on your specific addiction. But it always helps, especially when experiencing withdrawals, to receive care and support from experts and specialists. For more information, please contact MakatiMed OnCall at (02) 8888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph.

World-class medicine at an affordable price RHEA Generics celebrated its partnerships with some of the biggest names in the drug industry at a recent trade launch series held at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Libis, Quezon City. With its mission to provide world-class quality medicine at affordable prices, Philusa Corporation partnered with some of the most respected names in the pharmaceutical industry including Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka and Merck. “It was a strategic, innovative, and noble partnership and we hope to enhance the life of the Filipino patients by ensuring that these high-quality medicines are within their reach,” Philusa President and General Manager Neogin A. Evangelista said. Aside from the already available products of RHEA Generics in the market, like over-the-counter vitamins, it ventured into providing medication that addresses some of the most prevalent diseases, like diabetes and hypertension, and life-saving antibiotic medicines. “These are medications that can help im-

prove the quality of life of Filipinos. We are proud that together with our partners, we are able to bring to Filipinos drugs that are of world-class quality and at prices that they can afford,” Evangelista added. Even Mel Tiangco, news anchor, and actor Angel Locsin joined and supported RHEA Generics being the brand’s two newest endorsers. “I like RHEA Generics because of their world-class quality medicines. Yes, we need more affordable medicines, but we also want to make sure that these are safe and of the best quality. Rhea Generics provides that,” Tiangco said. It is expected that more products will be added in the future to provide more options for patients, championing their mission of giving accessible and world-class quality generics medicines to all Filipinos. RHEA Generics medicine are available in the country’s leading and most trusted drugstore, Mercury Drug while other products of RHEA Generics like the OTC vitamins are available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide Thetahealing is a powerful healing modality that clears negative feelings and limiting beliefs in the subconscious and replaces them with positive thoughts

Achieve greater levels of health and happiness

Angel Locsin and Mel Tiangco swear by the safety and quality of RHEA Generics medicines

WITH growing scientific evidence that negative and toxic emotions and experiences have a significant bearing on our physical health and wellbeing, there is increasing interest in how the mind influences the body to create optimum health. Thetahealing is a powerful healing modality that utilizes natural Theta brainwaves. It clears negative feelings and limiting beliefs in the subconscious and replaces them with positive thoughts.

Fear, pain, anxiety, tiredness, uncertainty and other challenging physical and mental concerns are released and then reprogramed with empowering beliefs and emotions, producing instantaneous physical and emotional healing. It brings science and spirituality together for anyone committed to move forward and create positive change in all areas of their lives such as health, relationships, spiritual growth, wealth, career and much more.

Thetahealing is a meditative technique and spiritual philosophy. It is an invaluable tool to thrive and serve one’s highest purpose and is used for healing sicknesses, resolving trauma and generally achieving a greater level of health and happiness. Thetahealing is being offered at White Space Wellness located on the 6/F of Regis Center along Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. For more information or to book a session, please call 0920 9148175 or 557 0345.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

MA Network joins this year’s celebration of the Peñafrancia Festival by bringing the lead stars of My Korean Jagiya to Naga City today.

Philippine TV’s Sweetheart Heart Evangelista-Escudero, who plays Guadalupe Immaculada Asuncion or “Gia” in the series, will be in the lead of the Kapuso Mall Show, 6 p.m. in SM City Naga. Sure to make every Bicolano’s heartbeat racing is Heart’s leading man, newest Kapuso oppa Alexander Lee, who is Kim Jun Ho in the series. Bringing added kilig to their fans is returning Kapuso actor Edgar Allan Guzman. The ﬁrst-ever FilipinoKorean romantic comedy series, My Korean Jagiya charmed both netizens and viewers with its unique storyline and the cast members’ performances weeknights. “GMA Network is one with the Kapusong Bicolanos as they welcome not only locals but pilgrims and tourists alike in paying homage to Our Lady of Peñafrancia,” says Oliver Amoroso, vice president and head of GMA Regional TV Department. To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV atwww. facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram

ABS-CBN, Knowledge Channel, and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators Foundation, Inc. (PACE) recently launched “Class Project: An Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition” that will give college students a chance to have their documentaries shown on television. Class Project, a weekly program that airs studentproduced documentaries on Knowledge Channel, aims to harness the creativity of students in making broadcast-quality documentaries. Eligible college students from PACE-member schools can now submit videos produced within Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, with total running time of 12 to 15 minutes each. Deadline of submission is on Nov. 30.

via @GMARegionalTV. *** Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid will serve perfect lunch with guest Kris Bernal. And then, who might probably survive in “Joke Battle” with Layla D. Velma, and for the ﬁrst time on GMA, Kaladkaren Davila? After which Songbird and her guests will feast on Binusog na Manok that she prepared for them specially for this episode, whether her guests are “impostora” or not. Sarap Diva comes after Maynila and before Eat Bulaga, Saturdays on the Kapuso network. *** Childhaus, in its home for the last two years (and now 12 years in Quezon City) on Agoncillo St. in Paco Manila, marked its 14th anniversary with a simple celebration that started with a Holy Mass. Performers were also invited to entertain the children, as there was an overﬂow of food brought in by generous sponsors. Most of the donors happily graced the simple yet very meaningful celebration of the institution sharing the happy day with the children who performed for their “Kuya Hans” and presented him with a birthday cake as well. Twelve-year old Joyjoy Patilan, who has three months to go to complete her treatment, couldn’t contain her gratitude for the improvement of her condition. From a high-risk level leukemia, Joyjoy is now on maintenance as her condition is now down to 8 percent risk level. She even sang a song for the audience. In the last 14 years, from Quezon City to Manila, Childhaus has grown and now has a wide variety of compassionate care and guidance. As Childhaus is celebrating its 14th successful year, TWGRR host and Childhaus founder Ricky Reyes and the whole team is now looking to celebrate and promote the charity further-for another 14 years and beyond. Watch the full celebration 9-10 a.m on GMA NewsTV today.

CROSS-CULTURAL. Heart Evangelista in

hanbok (Korean traditional dress for women) and her “My Korean Jagiya” leading man Alexander Lee in barong. The two stars headline the Kapuso mall show in Naga City today.

‘MY KOREAN JAGIYA’ adds fun to

Naga’s Peñafrancia Festival Luis Manzano hosts locally adapted Korean game show

“Sarap Diva” host Regine Velasquez welcomes “Impostora” lead star Kris Bernal to her show

“Class Project” is an intercollegiate mini-documentary competition that aims to showcase college students and their works on national television

The documentaries will go through a three-level judging process conducted by ABS-CBN to choose the Top 10 entries, which will win cash prizes on top of having their documentaries aired on “Class Project Winners’ Festival” on Knowledge Channel, which is currently avail-

able on ABS-CBN TVplus and SKYcable. The winners will be awarded during ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Media Congress Year 12” (PMC) on February 2018. A partnership with PACE, PMC gathers communication professors and students from all over the country to learn the

latest trends and issues in media and communication. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN will also hold a “Docu Caravan” together with Knowledge Channel and ABS-CBN Integrated News & Current Affairs this September to teach and inspire students to create informative and relevant documentaries. ABS-CBN journalist Jeff Canoy headlines the ﬁrst leg in University of Santo Tomas on Sept. 20, where he will share the documentary they made on the Marawi siege. For more information on the rules, mechanics, and prizes for the “Class Project: Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition,” visit www.pinoymediacongress.com. Inquiries can also be sent to classproject@knowledgechannel.org.

WEEKEND family bonding will be more fun and exciting as ABS-CBN ﬁnally premieres the local adaptation of South Korea’s hit mystery music game show I Can See Your Voice today. With the country’s most sought after and award-winning host Luis Manzano, I Can See Your Voice is the ﬁrst Korean game format localized by the Kapamilya network in partnership with Korea’s CJ E&M. “What sets us apart is our (brand of) humor that only we Filipinos have. This show is very casual and relaxed. We just want to create an atmosphere wherein you can laugh. There’s no much tension in this show,” says Luis. Despite the fact that Luis is now a seasoned host, he admitted that he still felt the pressure, especially when the representative of the Korean franchise visited the country. “He said, ‘In Korea, we have three hosts. Here, we have only you.’ Apparently, in Korea, there’s one host, one comedian, and a singer. Well at least I have done two out of three,” he adds in jest. I Can See Your Voice features six secret “songers” and a guest star who must guess who among the contestants is a “SEEnger” (one who can sing) and who among

them is a “SEE-ntunado” (one who is tone deaf). To help the guest star make the cut, a group of “SINGvestigators” (Angeline Quinto, Alex Gonzaga, Kean Cipriano, Wacky Kiray and Andrew E) will comment on the performances and give their opinions every round. For the ﬁrst round called “Stop, LOOKs and Listen,” the guest star must eliminate one secret “songer” based on how he or she looks. To help the guest star decide, a video proﬁle showing the lives of the secret “songers” plus a very quick preview of their actual singing voice will also be played. At the end of the round, the eliminated secret “songer” must step on the “Stage of Truth” and sing live to reveal if he or she is a “SEE-nger” or a “SEEntunado.” The eliminated secret “songer” will receive a consolation

prize of P5,000. The game gets tougher in the second round called “The Voice is SYNCHING,” where the ﬁve remaining secret “songers” must lipsynch a song. If the secret “songer” is a “SEE-nger,” he/she will lipsynch to his/her own voice and if he/she is a “SEE-ntunado,” he/she will sing along to someone else’s voice. Two contestants must bid goodbye at the end of the round and will receive P10,000 each. In the ﬁnal round called “I Like to PROVE it, PROVE it”, the last three secret “songers” will have their last chance to convince the guest star to pick them as the winner. Each one will present a piece of evidence, such as a photograph or a medal, to prove that they can really sing. The guest star again picks two contestant to eliminate, who will go home with P15,000 each. The last secret “songer” standing will be named winner and gets P25,000 cash, and sing a duet with the guest star. If the winner is a “SEE-nger,” he or she will automatically get to compete Showtime’s in It’s Showtime “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” This week, Gary Valenand ciano Lea Salonga try their luck at guessing who the SEEnger is. I Can See Your Voice is a big hit in Korea and has been distributed in many countries worldwide and premieres today and tomorrow on ABS-CBN.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 Joel D. Lacsamana,, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

GARDEN LIVING IN TAGUIG

BOUTIQUE CBD. An expansive

Arbor Lane canopy suite (featuring a double height ceiling in the living and dining areas) may just be what the doctor ordered. ALP puts a P22 billion value on the five blocks of condominium and mall developments it is building inside the 74-hectare ARCA South district.

IVING spaces that invite in nature have proven to be a big draw for Ayala Land Premier’s clients. Investors have driven sales for the developer’s Arbor Lanes, a five-block residential property in Arca South in Taguig. The first three of the is now 74% sold out. five residential blocks The property is cur-

rently the biggest seller among ALP’s residential condominium projects. Arbor Lanes is ALP’s flagship development in Arca South. The district built on the former Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) is touted as

the new southern gateway to Metro Manila. The sprawling estate is minutes away from the Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City, as well as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Arca South will feature six corporate towers stacked on an Ayala Mall development with retail and dining options, plus a 265-room Seda Hotel. The office and commercial area will be linked by

DAVAO RISING. A subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. recently signed a joint venture agreement with Davao- based W2JP2 Corp., to build Hotel 101 – Davao City. To be located in a 5,300 sqm. prime commercial lot at Eco West Drive at the side of SM City – Davao, the hotel will be the largest one of its kind n Mindanao with 519 rooms, a commercial and retail strip, and facilities to cater to conventions. The project is scheduled to start construction on the last quarter of this year with a target completion by 2020. Hotel 101 – Davao is an addition to Hotel 101 – Manila near Mall of Asia, and Hotel 101 – Fort which is under construction. The company aims to have a total of 5,000 hotel room portfolio by 2020. Hotel 101 is a brand of Hotel of Asia Inc., a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

landscapes and wide green spaces. Ayala Land’s three residential brands are present with ALP taking up almost 35,000 sqm of the ARCA South development. Residences in Arbor

Lanes are priced between P11 million to P85 million. ALP currently diplays Arbor Lanes’ features, and location, at its interactive showroom at the fourth ﬂoor of Greenbelt 5 mall in Makati City..

Sustainable performance

Community-building in Negros Island

PROPERTY developer Sta. Lucia Land recently launched its latest community lake development in the historic City of Silay. La Alegria—a 67-hectare lake residential community, will rise in what has been dubbed as the “Paris of Negros”, offering1,101 residential lots with cuts ranging from 150 sqm to 300sqm, and 83 commercial lots, whose sizes will range from 500 sqm to 1,000 sqm. Prices of lots start at around P4,000 to P5,000 per sqm. “We are aware of the Negrenses’ love for knowledge and appreciation for the arts and thus, what we aim to bring them is a development that would pay homage to the city’s heritage and culture,” said Sta. Lucia president Exequiel Robles. La Alegria is expected to be completed within a year.

Clear lines and minimalist design

GERMAN kitchen cabinet brand SieMatic recently celebrated its 15th year anniversary in the Philippines. The brand, distributed by Focus Global Inc., has come a long way in the Philippine market. It started off with a single showroom in 2002 and today, SieMatic has three showrooms in the country – one is housed in a 1,000sqm area in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, another is in Pioneer, Mandaluyong, while the other is in Cebu to cater the southern part of the country. SieMatic has three distinct lifestyle collections, pure, classic and urban. Each one of the themes provides people with a toolbox to create more stylish and functional designs that reﬂect the way they want to live in today’s kitchen. SieMatic was awarded with the German brand award 2016 in gold, and the SieMatic 29 solitaire piece received the German design award 2016 in gold.

OFFICE space developer Daiichi Properties Incorporated (DPI) recently bagged its fourth international real estate award when it won the Five-Star Best Developer Website Philippines plum at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Property Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand. The award is Daiichi’s fourth in five years, after winning the Best Office Development Philippines plum for three of its newest corporate office buildings at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. The website award was for “http://daiichiproperties.com”. Accepting the award for DPI were DPI research manager and main website content contributor Jessica Go and Sarah Gabriel, graphic artist and in charge of the company website (second and third from left, respectively). On stage with them were International Property Awards president Stuart Shield (left), and judging panel chairman Lord Best.

CHANGING LIVES. In 2016, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), together with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and municipality of Catbalogan, Samar, recently launched the Banca ng Buhay program. The initiative provided fiberglass fishing boats to 38 fisherfolks and their wives in communities impacted by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and Typhoon Ruby in 2014. The communities were also given capability training and seed money by SCB to start a small business. “The uniqueness of the Banca ng Buhay program does not only improve the family income but it also addresses the needs of the students,” said DepEd Catbalogan superintendent Cris Eco said: “This school year, we saw an increase in the rate of high school enrolment and zero drop-out rate.” Added SCB corporate affairs head Mai Sangalang: “it is very humbling to see a simple act of kindness – 38 boats will have these much impact not only to these 38 families but also be instrumental in fulfilling these students’ dreams.”

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Trucks &Buses

Isuzu officials lead the turnover ceremony (from left) Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) Division Head of Sales Joseph Bautista; Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc President and COO Manny Aligada; IPC VP for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama; Ever Consumer Sales Inc President and CEO Brandon Derick Sy; President Global Pacific Distribution Network Corporation Peter Limquiaco, Isuzu Cebu Inc. GM Steve Gingco

Isuzu’s Mandaue dealership is one of the biggest in the region

Isuzu celebrates milestone

250,000th unit sales

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

ISUZU Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s diesel authority, recently chalked up another milestone in their corporate history with the sale of their 250,000th truck unit in the commercial vehicle segment. Held in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary celebration of Isuzu Mandaue where the truck sale was consummated, IPC flew in select members of the motoring media to cover the historic event. In attendance were Ayala Corporation and IPC executives led by Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc. President and COO Manny Aligada and VP for Sales of IPC Yasuhiko Oyama. The N-Series NHR light duty truck was officially turned over to Cebu-based fleet distributor Ever Consumer Sales Inc. The newly acquired N-series NHR truck will be used by Ever Consumer Sales Inc in distributing quality consumer products in the entire island of Cebu. Designed to cater to every type of entrepreneurial needs, the Isuzu N-Series NHR provides durable, powerful, and efficient performance to keep up with the pace of the daily transportation needs of a business.

“With the growing trust and conﬁdence of our consumers on Isuzu vehicles, we are very positive that we can further surpass our 250,000 unit sales milestone and look forward to celebrating another milestone in the years to come”, Oyama proudly stated. The youthful IPC executive also revealed that the Isuzu NHR is part of the N-Series model line-up, which consistently holds the number one position in the Category III truck segment. “Since 1999, IPC already manufactured 36,378 units of the NSeries and we are very proud that the 250,000th unit sold is an Isuzu NHR as it currently our best-selling light truck variant,” explains Oyama. , “The partnership between IPC and Ever Consumer Sales is a proof of conﬁdence that Cebu is considered

as one of the important market for Isuzu in Central Visayas, he added. Isuzu’s ceremonial turnover of the 250,000th unit was followed by an Anniversary Kick-Off Party for Isuzu Cebu, Inc (ICI)—a company wholly-owned by Ayala Corporation and franchised dealer of Isuzu Commercial Vehicles. Isuzu Cebu Inc has branches strategically spread around the Southern archipelago with dealerships in Cebu, Mandaue, Bohol, Iloilo, and Talisay. The company celebrates 19 years of doing business in the auto industry this year, and continues to provide Cebuanos with an excellent premium service, both in products and after-sales. Also in attendance during the ofﬁcial turnover ceremony of the NHR

unit were Isuzu Philippines Division Head of Sales Joseph Bautista, and Isuzu Cebu Inc. General Manager Steve Gingco, who handed over the ceremonial key of the Isuzu NHR unit to Ever Consumer Sales Inc President and CEO Brandon Derick Sy and Peter Limquiaco. Gingco also recognized loyal workers of the dealership by giving out plaques of recognition and a video presentation highlighting key moments of Isuzu Mandaue’s 20th year of service in Cebu. “We are happy with the turnout of special guests and visitors from Manila. With the efforts of our sales and technical personnel, plus the support of the Ayala Corporation and IPC, we are looking forward to 20 more years in the domestic automotive industry,” says Gingco.

Metal FRESH

Give your truck some attitude with alloy wheels

ALCOA, the inventor and global leader of forged aluminum wheels, rolled out the most advanced aluminum wheel alloy in 45 years. The new material opens the door for lighter weight wheels at increased strength with the same corrosion-resistant characteristics as the industry standard, also made by Alcoa. “Alcoa is making truck wheel history with our innovative aluminum material,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “No manufacturer has produced a wheel with an alloy superior to Alcoa’s 6061 material. Our MagnaForce alloy wheels open

the door to production of the strongest, lightest wheels to increase ﬂeet payload, improve fuel efﬁciency and enhance sustainability.” Alcoa has been the industry leader since inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948 using an alloy it had developed for the aerospace industry. In 1968, Alcoa set the industry standard again when it launched its 6061 alloy for forged aluminum wheels. Alcoa’s 6061 material provided a strong, durable alloy, resistant to corrosion that is used to this day by all major forged aluminum wheel manufacturers. During that time, Alcoa’s experts have continually

met increasing demands for lighter weight wheels, engineering products that today are 10 pounds lighter than wheels from 20 years ago, using the same alloy. About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright®, DuraFlange®, LvL ONE® and M-Series™ medium duty truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and reﬁner

of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 125 years. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. It employs 1,500 people at 13 locations worldwide. In the Philippines, Alcoa is exclusively distributed by Pioneer Truck Parts and Equipment Corporation. Its showroom is located at 341 G. Araneta Avenue, Bgy. Santol, Quezon City. For inquiries you may call (02) 713-1898; 788-2190 or you may log on to www.pioneertrucks.ph

Tesla to launch electric truck

ELON Musk, CEO and chairman of Tesla Motors, shared a glimpse of the company’s planned electric truck, which he said will be launched this month. Musk spoke about the company’s planned e-truck during the 2017 TED conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Badged as the “Nikola”, Tesla’s SemiTruck is a heavy duty all-electric truck that has a range of 200-300 miles on a full charge. Musk also revealed that compared to conventional trucks, the “Nikola” is 70 percent cheaper to maintain. “This truck will have the highest weight capability with long range capabilities,” adds Musk. The Semi Truck will be powered by an innovative battery that can handle an increased load bearing capacity and has the power to outrun any big rig in the market today. While there have been advances in electric technologies in recent years, it generally has been aimed for smaller vehicles traveling shorter ranges. A tweet from Musk about the electric Class 8 earlier this month drew a mix

of praise, curiosity and criticism from analysts and motoring journalists. At the TED conference, Musk did not reveal too many details, based on the ofﬁcial blog posting from the conference. However, that did not stop the renegade inventor from making a bold prediction that his electric truck can “out-torque any diesel semi” while be driven around “like a sports car.” Musk also said Tesla is on track for completing a fully autonomous car trip from Los Angeles to New York before the end of 2017. While that ambition could run afoul of federal and state laws, he said “we should be able to go from a parking lot in California to a parking lot in New York, no controls touched at any point during the entire journey.” He said the Tesla Model 3, expected this summer, will offer autopilot using passive optical cameras and GPS, but not light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology.-Dino Ray V. Directo III