Manila Standard - 2017 October 21 - Saturday

Cops: Frat out to cover up hazing

By Bill Casas

VOL. XXXI • NO. 249 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

MANILA Police District District Director Chief Supt.

Joel Coronel said Friday the Aegis Juris Fraternity, tagged as the one involved in the hazing death of a neophyte University of Santo

Tomas law student, had no intention of cooperating with the police, based on their online messaging logs.

“Despite the fact that they have already met on September 17, hours after [Horacio] Castillo was brought to the hospital dead, it appears that

there was no such intention.

They had no intention of cooperating, but to cover up this incident,” Coronel said.

Coronel was referring to the chat logs presented at the Senate inquiry on the death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, Next page

Lone wolf attacks feared Military raises IS threat as terror network grows

PULLOUT BEGINS.

Marines flash the victory sign as they begin pulling out from the main battle area in Marawi City Thursday. The battle to liberate the southern city lasted over four months, beginning May 23. AFP

By John Paolo Bencito Philippines,” Padilla said.

T

HE military warned the public Friday against lone wolf attacks that might arise despite the fall of Islamic State strongholds in Iraq and in Southeast Asia.

In a Palace news briefing, military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said threats posed by the IS remain as its network is “increasingly becoming better.”

“The most dangerous thing that may come out is [is that] their remaining network… may still [pose] a… threat in many parts of the world, not only in the

“You have seen things happening in Europe.. [involving] lone wolf type attacks. And these are the kind of threats that may come out. So it is imperative that we all still continue to work together,” he added.

The IS or Daesh are known to use propaganda to recruit lone wolves, to retaliate against counterterrorism measures implemented by states and security services.

Individuals without any clear, organic or hierarchical connection with a group or faction carry out the attacks unilaterally.

Experts say lone wolves represent an extremely difficult challenge for security and intelligence services, since they are relatively unpredictable, undetectable and effectively unstoppable. Next page

High prices top concern Palace: No of Pinoys—Pulse Asia to‘tied’EU

By John Paolo Bencito national concern that the CONTROLLING inflation remains the leading urgent national concern among Filipinos that the Duterte administration should immediately address, along with the poor state of roads, flooding and illegal drugs, the September 2017 Ulat ng Bayan survey from Pulse Asia showed.

One out of every two Filipinos, or half of the survey’s 1,200 respondents, considers the need to control the rise in prices as the

administration should act on immediately.

A second group of urgent national concerns includes increasing the pay of workers (42 percent) and fighting criminality (36 percent).

Across geographical regions, most of those in the Visayas (51 percent), Mindanao (51 percent), and the rest of Luzon (52 percent) expressed concern about the need to control the spiraling cost of goods.

But in Metro Manila, Next page

Survey says unequal law application frowned upon MORE Filipinos do not see the Duterte administration enforcing the law equally, the latest Pulse Asia survey released Friday showed.

From June to September, the national approval rating for “enforcing the law on all, whether infuential or ordinary people” fell from 74 percent to 67 percent, or a drop of seven percentage points.

This was the steepest decline in approval ratings among 12 national issues that Pulse Asia addressed through faceto-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide from Sept. 24 to 30.

“For the period June to September 2017, the only significant change in the national administration’s performance

Next page

aid, yes to open trade

By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan TRADE still remains important between the Philippines and the 28-nation European Union, but aid and grants with conditions are a no, Malacañang said Friday.

We are very, very open to trade. And not so much to aid and grants with conditions,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

Meaning to say, if it’s tied to and if certain conditions are tied to the aid and grant, we must respectfully decline as we do not wish to subject ourselves to monitoring or be dictated to,” he said.

That is apparently the position of the President at this stage.”

Amid the President’s threats, Abella said that the Philippines will not compromise sovereignty by receivNext page ing foreign aid.

Trillanes insists US trip ‘factual info’ roadshow

By Macon RamosAraneta OPPOSITION Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Friday he did not dissuade US President Donald Trump from visiting the Philippines but merely presented “factual information” on the country to senior American officials during his recent trip to the United States.

The White House earlier confirmed that Trump will arrive in Manila on Nov. 12 to attend the special gala celebration dinner for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He is also set to attend the US-Asean Summit on Nov. 13.

“To be clear, I did not try to stop the state visit of President Trump since these

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things are carefully planned and cannot be stopped on the mere say-so of a Philippine senator,” Trillanes said in a statement.

Asked to comment on the reports Trillanes had visited the US to convince lawmakers to discourage Trump from visiting the Philippines, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III replied: Next page

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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RUSSIAN VESSELS.Three Russian Navy vessels docked at the Manila South Harbor Friday for a six-day goodwill visit.The

three vessels, Adm. Panteleyev (548), Adm. Vinogradov (572), and Boris Butoma (large sea tanker) were escorted by BRP Rajah Humabon (PS11) at Corregidor before securing anchors at Pier 15. Deputy Commander of Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Eduard Mikhailov (inset) says the visit aims to enhance bilateral naval cooperation. AFP

Losing bet claims 2013 ballots used in 2016 Budget chief names exec fired for graft

FORMER Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino on Friday claimed several ballot boxes in pilot precincts in Calbayog City, Samar contained ballots during the 2013 midterm elections.

“As per revision [there were ballots used in the] 2013 elections; we are referring to the 2016 elections. So we were questioning why some contents were those of the 2013 elections,” Tolentino, now presidential political adviser, said in an interview outside the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

The SET started the manual recount of more Next page

manilastandard.net

CHRISTMAS TREE. Only 26

days to the start of the Midnight Masses, workers rush putting the finishing touches on a giant Christmas tree in front of the 436-year-old Manila Cathedral in the old walled city of Intramuros in Manila. People visit the area nightly to snap photos and take a moment to bask in the flickering lights of the elevated lantern, which stands over seven feet tall.

Lino Santos

By Julito G. Rada BUDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Friday confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte sacked the department’s undersecretary for Legal and Liaison Group Gertrudo de Leon but refused to give additional details on the official’s dismissal.

Reached for comment

by Manila Standard, Diokno said thru a text message that the firing of the official was “true.”

But when pressed to give Next page

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Xi's drive vs corruption nets 1.54-m members

By Rey E. Requejo BEIJING―Under President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign dubbed “catching the tigers and flies,” the Communist Party of China has penalized 1.54-million party members―including 440 centrally administered officials―over the past five years.

This development prompted Xi, also the party’s general secretary, to sustain his anti-graft campaign to “take out tigers,” “swat flies” and “hunt down foxes” among party officials, low-ranking party members and those who went on exile with their loot.

In his report to the party’s 19th National Congress at the Great Hall of the People here, Xi stressed his campaign to rid the party of corrupt members to ensure compliance with party discipline and adopt the eightpoint decision to improve the party and the conduct of the government.

“We have taken tough action against the practice of formalities for formalities’ sake, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance, and have staunchly opposed privilege-seeking,” Xi said.

“The disciplinary inspections have cut like a blade through corruption and misconduct, they have covered every party committee in all departments at the central and provincial levels.

No place has been out of bounds, no ground left unturned, and no tolerance shown in the fight against corruption. We have taken firm action to take out tigers, swat flies and hunt down foxes.”

Xi said the goal of creating a deterrent against corruption had been initially attained, the cage of institutions that prevents corruption had been strengthened, and moral defenses against corruption were in the making.

“With firm resolve, we have tightened discipline and improved party conduct, fought corruption and punished wrongdoing, and removed serious potential dangers in the party and the country,” the CPC declared.

While gains have been attained in the party’s anticorruption campaign, Xi admitted that the drive must be sustained to secure “a sweeping victory in the fight against corruption.”

Yang Xiaodu, deputy secretary of the CPC’s Central Commission for CCDI, said its disciplinary inspection and supervision departments across the country had received about 1.55 million cases of corruption in the past five years, and some 58,000 people had been endorsed to judicial departments for corruption.

The CPC Central Committee implemented its major anti-corruption campaign in 2012, targeting socalled high-ranking “tigers” and low –level “flies.”

“A total of 440 officials at or above provincial or corps level have been investigated, including 43 members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as nine members of the CCDI,” Yang told reporters at the sidelines of the party's 19th National Congress.

Koko allows De Lima case monitor

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

B

EFORE adjourning in St. Petersburg on Oct. 18, the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s General Assembly adopted the Human Rights Committee’s report and recommendation for IPU to send a trial observer to monitor the case of detained Senator Leila de Lima.

The meeting was attended

by Philippine senators led

by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

In its 16-page report on

July 27, the IPU had also expressed concern over the alleged trumped-up charges against De Lima, which it said were based on dubious evidence and relied heavily on the testimonies of convict-

Lone...

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they are still searching for Commander Baku, one of the group’s leaders.

Padilla said greater knowledge of the IS would help nations deal with them better.

In the same briefing, Padilla welcomed the move of some relatives of Hapilon and Maute to surrender to the government.

He also announced the successful rescue of 10 more hostages.

“With the number of hostages that have been rescued in the last 24 hours, we look forward to getting the rest of the hostages and [to] addressing the armed threat that still

Recently, American-backed forces were able to retake the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State, a major blow to the militant group, which had long used the city as the de facto capital of its selfdeclared caliphate.

In the Philippines, the military liberate Marawi City from IS-inspired terrorists and killed three of their top leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute and their Malaysian financier Mahmud Ahmad.

Padilla, however, said that

High...

From A1 practically the same percentages of residents consider workers’ pay (45 percent), inflation (38 percent), jobs (36 percent), and criminality (34 percent) as urgent national concerns.

Creating more jobs (32 percent), fighting corruption in government (28 percent), and reducing poverty (28 percent) comprise a third set of national concerns identified as urgent.

The fourth group of issues mentioned by Filipinos includes peace promotion (21 percent) and enforcement of the rule of law (16 percent).

Filipinos are least concerned about environmental degradation (14 percent), reducing the amount of taxes paid by citizens (9 percent), controlling rapid population growth (8 percent), protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (6 percent), preparing to successfully deal with terrorism (5 percent), defending national territorial integrity (4 percent), and amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution (2 percent).

Among local concerns, Filipinos said that the Duterte administration should immediately address the poor state of roads (15.9) percent, fflooding (11.2 percent) and illegal drugs (10.2

Losing...

From A1 than 600 ballot boxes on Wednesday as part of Tolentino’s electoral protest against the victory of detained Senator Leila de Lima.

Tolentino, who ran as an independent candidate, lost to then-candidate De Lima of the Liberal Party by more than 1.2-million votes for a spot in “Magic 12” winning candidates.

Tolentino said De Lima’s lead was already doubtful since the gap between the 12th and 13th candidate was only around 40,000 votes.

Tolentino also questioned why he received zero votes in several areas of Basilan (Isabela City, Sumisip, and Tabuan-Lasa) and Maguindanao (Datu Sinsuat, Parang, and Matanog.)

Trillanes...

From A1 “Please direct questions to Senator Trillanes since I am abroad trying my best to develop enhance and strengthen PH relations with various countries.”

Trillanes said he met with US officials, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio, to talk about improving PhilippineUS relations and how to address the is-

percent).

Other local issues mentioned by at least 1 percent of Filipinos are waste management (7.5 percent); unemployment or lack of livelihood opportunities (6.5 percent); absence of water services or irrigation facilities (5.1 percent); youth-related concerns such as loitering and riots (3.7 percent); drinking sessions or the presence of so-called “tambay” along the streets (2.3 percent); lack of health care services (1.9 percent); incidences of robbery or theft (1.9 percent); lack or absence of street lights (1.7 percent); lack of public transportation (1.7 percent); lack or absence of housing projects (1.3 percent); presence of corrupt, inefficient or incapable barangay officials (1.1 percent); illegal gambling (1.1 percent); and concerns related to electricity such as absence of power services, illegal connections, and high cost of electricity (1.1 percent).

On the other hand, some 17.2 percent of Filipinos did not mention any local concern that they think should be given priority.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to 30 using faceto-face interviews of 1,200 respondents, had sampling error margins of ±3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

“For instance in Maguindanao, provincewide I won so statistically it was improbable that there are towns where I got zero when I won in the entire province,” Tolentino said.

The former MMDA chief added no votes were tallied either for him in Turtle Island, Tawi-Tawi.

Tolentino said at least one polling precinct in Bocaue, Bulacan showed he led De Lima, who is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center on drug charges, by at least 30 votes after the recount.

There was no immediate available comment from De Lima’s camp.

Tolentino said the government should implement a hybrid election system where the vote counting at the precinct level would be done manually.

sues of corruption and human-rights situation in the Philippines.

“Unlike the officials of the Duterte administration, I presented only factual information,” Trillanes said.

“Besides, you cannot fool the US government; they know what’s happening in our country.”

Trillanes had asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Duterte over the allegations he had billions of pesos in undeclared wealth.

responsibility to help ensure that concerns about due process regarding one of its members are effectively addressed,” the report says.

“The delegation therefore calls on the Senate, through its President, to do everything possible in this regard and thus help ensure that Senator De Lima can participate again in its work as soon as possible.”

De Lima has been detaned at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame since kast year over drug-related charges. She is accused of receiving drug money from convicted drug lords detained at the New Bilbid

Prison to bankroll her senatorial campaign for the May 2016 elections.

The IPU tasked representatives to monitor De Lima’s legal proceedings as it reiterated its call for her release from detention.

De Lima on Thursday welcomed the IPU’s decision to send its representatives.

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte administration, said she was grateful for the IPU’s resolve to get a clearer and unbiased view of the trumped-up cases of illegal drug trade filed against her.

Despite the Duterte ad-

ministration’s efforts to intimidate and silence her through her continued unjust detention, De Lima said, she was grateful that the InterParliamentary Union had vowed to fight for her right to a fair trial.

“I thank the IPU for defending my causes and vouching for my integrity,” De Lima said.

“I know that my fight is not my fight alone as this is the fight for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. I will never be cowed until this government decides to value democratic principles and respect for human rights.”

exists,” Padilla assured.

Padilla said with the threat in Marawi reduced, some forces would be moved to other areas.

“They will also be going back to Luzon for a muchneeded break and for their long-delayed training in Fort Magsaysay and in other camps of the Philippine Army to enhance their skills and prepare them for their next mission,” Padilla said.

Other units would remain in Marawi to ensure the security of the residents during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, he said.

Padilla asked for patience and understanding from Marawi

residents who have been wanting to return to their homes.

He said evacuees are still not allowed to enter the inner parts of the city until the military’s clearing operations are completed.

He emphasized the need to clear all areas of possible hazards, such as makeshift bombs and booby traps, and unexploded ordnance.

The Palace said Friday that martial law would remain in effect over the entire island of Mindanao despite the gains in Marawi City.

In a Palace news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said that rem-

nants of the networks supporting the Maute local terror group led by Maute, Hapilon and Mahmud remained intact.

“The death of the ringleaders of the Marawi rebellion… does not automatically result in the lifting of martial law,” Abella said.

“There are remnants including networks supporting the Maute cause within Mindanao. The President is dutybound not to compromise public safety,” he added.

Abella said however, that Duterte will confer with the members of his Cabinet, particularly Defense Secretary and Martial Law Administra-

tor Delfin Lorenzana and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who is the designated Martial Law Implementor, “on the necessary action to be taken.”

Earlier, the military expressed the need to continue martial law amid possible threats involving other parts of Mindanao, including retaliatory threats posed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which operates in Maguindanao and Cotabato.

Earlier, Duterte warned that the violence in Marawi could spread to areas controlled by the BIFF, which also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Survey...

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ernment actions to fight corruption also declined, falling to 70 percent in September from 76 percent in June.

The Duterte administration received majority approval ratings for its actions on 10 of 12 national issues covered by the survey, and fell short only in poverty reduction and inflation control.

The approval ratings of the 12 selected national issues were: Responding to the needs of areas affected by calamities-78 percent; Fighting criminality-78 percent; Protecting the welfare of

OFWs-76 percent; Fighting graft and corruption in government-70 percent: Stopping the destruction and abuse of our environment-68 percent; Enforcing the law on all, whether influential or ordinary people-67 percent; Increasing peace in the country-67 percent; Defending the integrity of Philippine territory against foreigners-65 percent; Creating more jobs-63 percent; Improving/ increasing the pay of workers-58 percent; Reducing the poverty of many Filipinos-49 percent; and Controlling inflation- 45 percent.

Respondents were asked if they approved, disapproved, or were undecided on the national government’s fulfillment of its duties on the 12 issues.

During the survey period, the Senate investigated the smuggling in of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China through the Bureau of Customs. Other key events during the survey period was the sacking of Caloocan police after the deaths of minors Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Gusman, the 45th anniversary of martial law and the hazing death of law student Horacio Castillo III.

gency Council Against Trafficking in Persons to combat online sexual exploitation of children and child labor trafficking in Metro Manila and Central Visayas.

The US embassy in Manila through the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons also provided $3.5 million or P175 million to two implementing partners, the International Justice Mission and The Salvation Army World Service Office.

“This Partnership represents a unique opportu-

nity for the United States to partner with the government of the Philippines on an issue of the highest importance--building a better future for vulnerable Filipino children,” US Ambassador Sung Kim said.

The partnership agreement was signed in 2016

by US Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. “The TIP Office will continue to work with IACAT and other participating departments during the partnership’s four-year implementation period,” the

embassy said.

The Department of Justice’s IACAT executive director prosecutor Darlene Pajarito said the country is committed with the US in fighting child trafficking in Metro Manila and Central Visayas.

“Ending the threat of child trafficking is a priority for our government and we are committed to further enhancing interagency coordination to investigate and prosecute this crime and expand comprehensive services for child trafficking victims through this partnership,” Pajarito said.

Budget...

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Cops:...

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additional details, especially on the grounds of the dismissal, Diokno said he could not “comment further” on the issue. He also refused to say if an investigation on the official’s activities was conducted.

In a Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry event in Manila on Thursday, President Duterte said he fired an undersecretary of the Budget department amid allegations of corruption.

The Chief Executive said “I wanted to slap him. I wanted to kick him. I fired him for corruption,” without naming the official in a speech.

Duterte said he would not publicize the name of the official because he did not want to “shame the family.”

In the same speech, Duterte also said he fired three employees from his office who were “influence peddling.”

Last March, Duterte gave signs of sacking National Irrigation Administration head Peter Tiu Laviña, who later resigned.

He also fired Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno in April for the questionable purchase of Austrian firetrucks.

Two days after, he said he fired Undersecretary Maia Chiara Valdez of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization over rice importation issues.

In May, the Chief Executive publicly fired Benjamin Reyes of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Last month, Duterte told Information and Communications Secretary Rodolfo Salalima to resign.

This month, Duterte fired Energy Regulatory Commission chief Jose Vicente Salazar on charges of misconduct, neglect of duty, and other anomalies.

Later, he also dismissed from office Police Director Joel Pagdilao and Chief Supt, Edgardo Tinio whom, he said, had links to drug lords.

During the campaign period in the run-up to the presidential elections in May 2016, Duterte vowed to run a corruption-free government to win back the trust and confidence of the people.

during the hazing rights of Aegis Juris Fraternity, which showed members apparently were planning to cover up the crime and planning their next actions after the tragedy.

Coronel said these included clearing the site of the hazing event of evidence and hiding frat members present in the hazing, despite Aegis promising to present suspects to the police two days later.

Coronel said MPD’s information and communications group was working to restore the hard drives of CCTV cameras around the hazing site—outside the frat library— while officers gather first-hand accounts.

“Second, we have a witness who has been helping us by providing information, including those involved in the hazing incident,” Coronel said.

For his part, Supt. Erwin Margarejo, MPD spokesperson, said they might charge several members of Aegis for obstruction of justice while Senator Francis Escudero said the lawyer alumni of the fraternity might be disbarred.

“Especially the lawyers

who swore an oath, in the bar exam, and to the people that they shall not, in any manner, engage in any immoral, unlawful or dishonest conduct,” Coronel said, in a mix of English and Tagalog.

“And they should not, in any manner, contempt or abet any action that will defeat the administration of justice. This is their lawyers’ code,” he said, adding they had criminal liability for the act as well.

Several members were identified to have been at the scene when Castillo died.

Their names have been submitted to the Department of Justice investigation panel while the MPD is still trying to identify three sorority sisters seen at the site during the hazing event.

Coronel said they would follow the rules for electronic evidence and have their anti-cybercrime unit verify the chat logs and the persons identified in their conversation.

“We have to document it and verify it, and that’s why we’re waiting for the response of the internet service provider, Facebook Philippines... we have to validate it again through the different profiles of the different persons who were mentioned in those messages,” he explained.

ed drug inmates.

“In each of the three cases, there are serious questions and doubts about the evidence,” the report says.

“There are general concerns about the over-reliance on THE testimonies by convicted drug lords, not only because they are proven criminals but because these individuals have an ax to grind against Senator De Lima.”

The report also called on Pimentel to take up the cudgels for De Lima to ensure her rights were not violated as she faced trumped-up charges.

“The Senate has a special

ratings is the decline in the level of appreciation for its efforts to enforce the law equally on all citizens [-7 percentage points],” Pulse Asia said.

Approval for government action to fight criminality fell six percentage points to 78 percent in September, but this was not considered significant because it fell within the survey’s overall error of margin of +/- 3 percentage points, the survey company said.

Approval rating for the gov-

Palace:...

From A1 Certainly we have a lot of needs. The nation is quite challenged in many areas,” he said. ‘‘However, the President has again and again underlined that this is not… we are not to be mendicants and that we are not to compromise the sovereignty of the nation,” he added.

As the Palace was turning down EU aid, the Justice Department announced $784,000 or P40 million in assistance from the United States through the Intera-

News Malaysia needs foreign workers MALAYSIA is in need of hundreds of foreign workers, including Filipinos, to fill up companies who lack manpower for their expansion, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

The DoLE received a report the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which reported that the Malaysian government has decided to ease limits on foreign workers to address the problem of companies who lack manpower for their expansion.

It said that export-oriented manufacturers can apply for 100-percent foreign workforce to fill low-level jobs in line with the government’s aim to maintain Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global supply chain.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said priority to hire foreign workers would be given to manufacturing companies that export their products, but for production workers only.

Vito Barcelo

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CHR urges carbon producers: Face probe

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

HE Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines have called on 47 carbon producers to attend a preliminary meeting in its investigation into their corporate responsibility for climate-related human rights abuses.

The companies include ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, Total, BHP Billiton, Suncor, and ConocoPhillips.

“This is the first opportunity for the Filipino petitioners to meet representatives of the fossil fuel companies face-to-face,” the CHR said.

The CHR said that even if carbon producers choose to ignore the request for their attendance, the preliminary conference is still set to take place on Dec. 11, in which the petitioners and companies need to

discuss and agree to evidence submission and witness testimonies.

“This is an unprecedented moment in the climate justice movement and especially for the thousands of typhoon survivors who are living with the impacts of climate change,” Desiree Llanos Dee, Climate Justice campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia in the Philippines, said, Filipino typhoon survivors, other communities suffering the impacts of climate

change, and civil society organizations, including Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines), initially petitioned the Commission for the investigation in 2015, two years after Super Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ (‘‘Haiyan’’) claimed the lives of more than 6,300 people and affected millions who have yet to fully recover.

The Commission has full authority, based on its mandate under the Philippine Constitution, to investigate human rights harms in the Philippines, including impacts resulting from the companies’ global activities.

So far, the companies have been using ‘courtroom tactics’ in an effort to avoid public scrutiny of their business activities that are contributing to human rights abuses.

Failure to attend the Dec. 11 preliminary meeting would be a reflection of its lack of commitment to its corporate responsibility, the

group said.

“All the recent extreme weather events—from hurricanes in the US to monsoon flooding in South Asia—is not a coincidence. It’s the result of climate change,” Dee said.

“A wave of climate justice cases are happening around the world, so while fossil fuel companies may try to run, they can’t hide. The science is clear: Pollution from fossil fuel companies drives climate change, and this move by the Commission sends a strong signal around the world that those responsible for climate change will be held accountable,” Dee added.

The group said that despite knowing the severe risks posed by climate change for decades, fossil fuel industries continue to drive climate change.

“The trend towards renewable energy is growing and, with the Paris Agreement

in force, a move towards an era free from fossil fuels is inevitable, along with a just transition for workers and communities affected by the industry’s downfall,” it said.

“The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, and the petitioners will not back down,” AG Saño said, a visual artist, activist, and one of the petitioners who survived SuperTyphoon ‘‘Yolanda.’’

He urged the CEOs of these major carbon producers to participate in the said investigation.

“We urge the CEOs of these major carbon producers to fully participate in the investigation, publicize their plans for stopping the use of fossil fuels, and explain how they intend to eliminate, remedy, or prevent human rights harms from climate change. Fossil fuels need to stay in the ground. After all we want is to thrive and not just survive,” Saño said.

Anti-Elder Abuse Act gets funding THE proposed measure seeking to protect senior citizens from any form of cruelty and violence has been given funding support from the House of Representatives.

This came after the House committee on appropriations, chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, approved the funding provision of a substitute bill that seeks to address all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts deleterious to their personal safety, security, dignity or any discriminatory act committed against senior citizens.

The approved Section 27 of the unnumbered substitute bill provides that the amount necessary to implement the provisions of the “Anti-Elder Abuse Act” shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The bill, which was referred to the Nograles panel by the House committee on population and family relations chaired

by Rep. Sol Aragones of Laguna, will now be endorsed to the plenary for approval.

Maricel V Cruz

Study in Europe, EU tells Pinoys THERE is a need for “welleducated” young Filipinos in the country, European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen said as he invited all teenagers to consider studying in Europe to obtain knowledge and eventually help contribute to the Philippine economy.

In his speech during the European Higher Education Fair 2017 this week, Jessen said pursuing further studies in Europe would allow an individual to open himself or herself a new perspective in life.

“Studying in Europe allows one to get a different perspective, which can be incredibly useful especially for the youth,” Jessen said.

“You have a great need for well-educated, young Filipinos here. They can use the knowledge that they have obtained [in Europe] to develop your [the Philippines’] own economy,” he added. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

SIGNATURE POSE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does his signature pose with Government of the Republic of the Philippines Peace Panel Member

Rene Sarmiento, Peace Panel Adviser Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Peace Panel Ponsultant Antonio Arellano, Peace Panel Chairman and Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Peace Panel Adviser Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista following a meeting at the Malago Clubhouse inside the Presidential Security Group Compound in Manila on Oct.19, 2017. Presidential Photo

Eight face probe on P6.4-b shabu smuggling case THE preliminary investigation on the P6.4-billion drug shipment from China started Friday, with the Department of Justice filing cases against eight individuals.

In the complaint filed by the Bureau of Customs for violations of Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) and Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) it identified the respondents as Hongfei Logistics Group of Companies chairman Chen Ju

Long (alias Richard Tan or Richard Chen), detained businessman Dong Yi Shen alias Kenneth Dong, Eirene May Tatad, owner of EMT Trading, consignee of the drug shipment, and Taiwanese nationals Chen Min and Jhu Ming Jyun.

Also facing charges are customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba, customs broker Teejay Marcellana, businessman Li Guang Feng alias Manny Li, and unidentified individuals whom the BoC believed to have been involved in the

shabu shipment.

“The subject shipment was willfully, knowingly and unlawfully imported into the country through the use of false/falsified/ spurious Inward Foreign Manifests and Bill of Lading by falsely making it appear that the subject shipment has the proper importation documents and clearances, for the purpose of intentionally concealing its actual contents, but the truth was the shipment is composed of

prohibited articles whose importation is expressly prohibited by pertinent laws,” the complaint said.

Dong, Li and Tatad appeared at the hearing called

by Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit to receive copies of the complaint filed by the BoC Action Team Against Smugglers Group on September 15.

Taguba and Marcellana, meanwhile, were represented by their counsel.

Guhit set the filing of counter affidavits for

Nov. 20.

The drug shipment was discovered on May 26 when the BOC and the NBI raided Chen’s Hongfei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City based on a tip from Chinese authorities.

The bust compelled the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct separate inquiries, which prompted then-Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to resign amid allegations he pocketed grease money while in office.

Bill on affordable cancer treatment and care filed CITING a study that shows that seven Filipinos die from cancer every hour, Senator Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill which seeks to make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all Filipinos.

“Every hour, at least seven Filipinos die from cancer, according to the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines,” said Angara.

Angara said the group also reported that many of the preventable and premature deaths from cancer can be attributed to: Low awareness of signs and symptoms; delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis; poor access to health facilities; limited health systems infrastructure for treatment

and care; lack of trained health professionals for cancer-related services, among others.

He also cited a recent Philippine Statistical Authority report which estimated that one in every 10 registered deaths in the country is attributable to cancer.

He acknowledged that cancer pushes Filipino families deeper into poverty. He said its treatment costs are catastrophic and the economic burden is overwhelming.

Furthermore, Angara said social safety nets for cancer cases are limited, with patients and their families often paying for laboratory tests, medicines, medical supplies, nutritional supplements out of their own pockets. Macon Araneta

NOT GUILTY? Detained suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa pleads not guilty to illegal drug trading charges filed against him during his arraignment at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26 on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Norman Cruz

Eco group weighs in on jeep ‘program’

By Macon Araneta AN ENVIRONMENTAL group yesterday appealed to Garbriela party-list representative Emmi de Jesus to be more circumspect and to understand deeper where President Rodrigo Duterte is coming from when he made his recent remarks on the jeepney modernization program that the government and even environmental groups are pushing for.

Clean Air Philippines Movement Inc. president Manuel Galvez said that as president of all Filipinos, Duterte is duty-bound to protect the rights of everybody most especially the poor.

Galvez said studies made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources clearly points out that more than 80 percent of deadly air pollution in Metro Manila and in urban centers nationwide comes from unabated toxic emissions of the tailpipes of motor vehicles (smoke belchers like most of public utility vehicles nationwide).

“These dangerous emissions causes fatal respiratory and cardiovascular diseases [asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cancer, heart attack, stroke and even sudden death],” he said.

Other credible studies also shows that majority of road accidents/deaths involving public utility vehicles in the country are due to the very poor conditions of these aging fleet of commuter vehicles which is worsened by its nonmaintenance or the lack of a regular mandatory maintenance.

‘Centenarian pensions included in 2018 budget’ SENATOR Loren Legarda on Friday said that the proposed 2018 national budget includes funding for the pension of centenarians and the full payment of the pension arrears for surviving spouses of deceased World War II veterans.

Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said, “For the second year in a row, we are funding the Centenarians Act by allocating P189.5 million for a one-time cash grant of P100,000 each to 1,895 senior citizens aged 100 years and over.”

Under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarian Law, Filipino citizens who are 100 years old and above will receive P100,000 centenarian gift from the government.

The law was first funded under the 2017 budget, wherein P100 million was allocated to provide the cash grant to 1,000 centenarians.

Legarda added that the Senate has also allocated funds for the full payment of total administrative disability arrears for the surviving spouses of World War II veterans.

“Our war veterans have served our country well.

It is unfortunate that they were not able to receive the benefits due them.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Opinion

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

T

Adelle Chua, Editor

Shaming the profession

HE law is an esteemed profession. Lawyers are respected individuals. The public recognizes the hard work and discipline they put into their studies, the preparation for the difficult Bar exams, and the rigorous practice afterward.

The reverence accorded to lawyers comes from the knowledge that they know better. The rest of us go about our routines with a vague notion of the rules gov-

erning our land. Lawyers, for their part, studied these rules and know exactly what to do when there is an infraction. Don’t we all feel a semblance of security when we are in the company of our lawyer friends—as if nobody can slight us or do us wrong?

They are defenders. They know what to do and they would not let evil prevail; there is always the law to set things right.

Because of this, they are measured against higher standards.

They could be disbarred and disgraced if found living beneath what they know to be the correct way.

This is exactly why the law students and the lawyers involved in the death of freshman law student Horacio Tomas del Castillo III and who participated in its coverup do not deserve an ounce of our esteem.

Reading the messages exchanged among the members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity is downright sickening. These men can no longer claim that it was an accident and that they had nothing to do with it. The frantic conversation among the members betrayed their misplaced loyalties—to an organization, a so-called brotherhood, over the

truth. Some of the participants chided the others for leaving the conversation. The purported leader was held in contempt at the Senate where he refused to answer the plainest and most evident of questions.

Where, in all their talk, was the basic acknowledgment of right over wrong?

It makes us cringe that this is the kind of lawyers who will one day craft or implement our laws, handle our cases and settle our disputes. Their elders are not any less free from responsibility.

These lawyers and would-be lawyers are an abomination.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Before the jeepney is phased out (Part 1)

this is outrageously high for a “jeepney” no matter if government will subsidize it with P80,000 per unit.

It is impossible for drivers to acquire these vehicles without substantial support from government.

If this administration really wants to phase jeepneys out, this should be done in phases. Begin with units that are no longer road-worthy as these even puts passengers’ lives at risk. This should not be difficult as road-worthiness can easily be determined.

There should be a program for drivers who would like and DESERVE to own a new unit. The prices and terms of payment should be affordable and only drivers who pass strict tests on driving skills and knowledge on rules should qualify. Road-worthiness must

THE Philippine jeepney has come a long way.

It began as a makeshift vehicle put together from spare parts of the military service “jeep” left

by American troops who left the Philippines after the end of World War II in 1945. Because the jeeps were too expensive to ship back to the United States, the American military authorities disposed of them locally by selling those in poor running condition, and giving away those engines of which have seen better times.

Enterprising Filipinos took the jeeps, overhauled their engines, painted them in a range of colors, and converted them to limited space transportation vehicles. Since there was an acute shortage in public transportation in Manila and its suburbs during the months following the end of the war, local commuters welcomed the makeshift vehicles as temporary solutions to the public transportation problem.

Alas! What was meant to be a temporary remedy became more or less a permanent one. The early individual manufacturers of the converted jeeps were replaced by a cottage industry that manufactured sturdier models with bodies made from galvanized iron sheets, roofs made from army surplus canvas, windshields from scrap safety glass taken from abandoned cars, and second hand diesel engines from junk shops.

An innovation was introduced—the passenger entrance was located at the rear of the vehicle.

The jeep had limited seating capacity—four at the back, and one in the front.

A passenger can also take the front seat beside the driver, unless the wife of the driver happens to be riding beside her husband, or more specifically, keeping a watchful eye on him. When she’s on board,

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Addressing transport woes POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO BOTH sides in the ongoing debate on the modernization of public utility vehicles (PUVs) known as “jeepneys” have both positive and negative points.

These need to be thoroughly looked into to be able to come up with a reasonable and acceptable alternative plan that will equally be pro-commuter and -driver.

Jeepneys started to be used as a means of public transportation post World War II using left over US military vehicles from the war. Eventually, local manufacturers produced jeepneys and these evolved as the most popular means of inland travel in the country. There was a time when the units were taken

cared of, dressed up, and heavily decorated. Owning a jeepney became a source of pride for families so much so that it was common for the family name to be colorfully emblazoned on the vehicle’s body. The “Philippine jeepney” also became one of the country’s symbols because for the longest time, they could only be found in the Philippines.

I come from a family of jeepney drivers. On my mother’s side, Lolo Pilo and two of my uncles, Tito Rody and Tito Nardo were all jeepney drivers. They all plied the San JuanDivisoria, and San JuanQuiapo routes. I have very fond memories of riding the vehicles they drove.

As a girl, I liked riding with them when there was no school. We used them during Christmas time to see holiday displays and

lights, to go to Luneta, and during the rare times when our family would go on outings to Antipolo and Matabungkay.

Their families’ livelihood depended on earnings from driving jeepneys. Even dur-

The overall objective is commuter welfare.

ing my younger years as it is now, a lot of poor families depended on jeepneys to earn. Indeed, there are sentimental and very practical reasons why jeepneys should remain on our roads.

However, times have

changed and we are at a point when the daily horrendous traffic has ruined the quality of life of the millions living in Metro Manila and major urban areas. Spending an average of four hours daily in traffic leaves one physically drained and psychologically stressed. Productivity at work suffers, and time for family and other pursuits is drastically reduced.

There has been no study yet on traffic’s impact on people’s health but I think it is safe to assume that certain health problems may be caused by traffic.

Of course these problems should not and cannot be blamed on jeepneys and their drivers alone. While it is true that many of the units no longer appear to be road-worthy and many drivers do not even follow traffic rules, the problem is

really more complex.

Modernization of PUVs is one solution. But it is only one and must be carried out as part of a comprehensive plan to address our transport woes. This administration wants to phase out the present jeepneys and replace them with modern ones. The absence of an acceptable blueprint on how such modernization is to be done has, as expected created jitters and opposition among those who will be affected, such as the drivers.

The limited information being floated around does not help. It is said that the modern units will cost around PhP1.6 million per jeepney. This is way beyond the means of ordinary drivers, maybe even the small operators. This cost is about the same as the amount one would pay for a brand new SUV and

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Opinion China’s toughest job?

Addressing...

From A4

apply to both the vehicle, and the driver.

As said, PUV modernization should just be one of the steps in a comprehensive plan to address the transportation problems we are in. I am not in a position to prescribe solutions but during my many travels, I have had the opportunity to observe and “study” how other countries do things.

In many countries, the transportation industry is highly regulated and heavily subsidized by government because they consider this as a vital service to the people.

The overall objective is commuter-welfare.

In these countries, profit is not the overriding factor and thus, drivers and others who work in the industry are also protected and paid better.

They are strict when it comes to vehicles’ roadworthiness because the possibility of accidents in using “defective” vehicles is higher.

Their drivers are real professionals who underwent and passed strict training and testing. In some countries, drivers even have first aid training so they can address minor mishaps. Drivers must be neat and presentable. Here, PUV drivers hold professional licenses but many do not even understand street signs. In actual terms, commuters’ lives are in the hands of drivers and therefore, only the fittest must be issued licenses.

Roads in other countries are very good and rarely need repairs. Good roads make trips easier. When repairs are done, they do this at nights when there are fewer vehicles and commuters on the road. This way, such repairs do not contribute to traffic as much as they do here where roads are forever repaired because the quality is below standards.

Buses and trains in other countries are well-maintained and service is efficient. It is very rare for trains to malfunction. They follow their schedules to the minute. As far as buses go, their designated stops are strictly followed both by drivers and commuters. The latter do not complain when they need to walk from bus stops to their destinations. Because of the efficiency and reliability of public transport, even those with cars take the bus and trains regularly.

There are dedicated bike lanes for those who use bicycles more than motorized vehicles. Thus, people have more options in terms of their mode of transportation.

Some would sneer and say that these are in other countries. But I believe that with political will, the correct vision, and a comprehensive, long-term plan, the Philippines can also achieve what others have. Inferiority is not one of our traits. However, we must begin now. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The grossest injustice

By Christopher Balding ZHOU Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, has guided his country’s monetary policy for most of the 21st century. He was appointed in 2002, shortly after China joined the World Trade Organization, and helped steer its economy through the global financial crisis. In the process, he gained widespread respect at home and a reputation for prudent liberalism abroad.

Lately, Zhou has been circulating widely. At a forum in June, he criticized protectionism in China’s financial sector. In an interview this month, he called for liberalizing the yuan. At a recent meeting in Washington, he warned about excessive corporate debt growth. Zhou, who will reach the typical retirement age of 70 next year, certainly sounds like a man on his way out the door.

“People retire eventually,” he told reporters yesterday, at an event at the 19th Communist Party Congress.

So what might be in store for his successor?

Whoever is picked as the next head of the PBOC, the policy path is fraught with risk. Despite China’s muchhyped goal of making the yuan a global currency, it can’t easily reform its foreign-exchange policy or ease capital controls without triggering a flood of outflows.

A deceptive period of calm for the yuan this year was the result of a weakening US dollar, which propped up foreign-exchange reserves. Any reversal for the dollar— a likely outcome of the Federal Reserve’s plan to tighten its balance sheet—will bring the yuan under significant pressure once again.

The picture isn’t much brighter on interest rates. To maintain the yuan’s soft peg to the dollar, the PBOC’s monetary policy generally follows the Fed’s. But the two countries are now in very different places economically.

China needs relatively low interest rates and abundant liquidity, while the US risks overheating if the Fed doesn’t boost rates and reduce its balance sheet. If the PBOC does follow the Fed—with rates rising and liquidity falling— it will place China’s over-indebted economy under enormous pressure; if it doesn’t follow the Fed, it risks breaking the yuan’s peg to the dollar.

A more serious challenge is debt. The PBOC is attempting a very difficult balancing act, spearheading China’s deleveraging efforts while also providing huge amounts of liquidity to the financial system. Through a combination of lending facilities, it has made net capital injections of 3.2 trillion yuan over the past year. Zhou’s talk of restraining corporate debt was sensible, but at odds with current policy: New debt has risen by 16.4 percent so far this year.

At the heart of all these challenges are the conflicting goals of China’s political leadership, which wants both reform and stability. China can’t internationalize the yuan while simultaneously cracking down on outflows.

It can’t deleverage while ordering the central bank to increase lending by trillions of yuan.

And this suggests the biggest problem for the next governor. Unlike most central banks, the PBOC has no fundamental insulation from politics, and lacks a transparent, predictable, rules-based framework for setting monetary policy and priorities. Instead, the Communist Party dictates policy minutiae to the PBOC across a range of areas, from interest rates to foreign exchange.

So whether the next PBOC chief ends up being Deputy Governor Yi Gang, with a Ph.D. from Indiana University, or Jiang Chaoliang, the party secretary of Hubei Province, ultimately will have little bearing on monetary and foreign-exchange policy.

A better framework for understanding how the PBOC will act is to follow the direction of policy in the second term of President Xi Jinping. So far, there’s little evidence that Xi is willing to yield control or accept the costs of addressing China’s significant economic imbalances. Absent a change of heart, that means the prioritization of growth over reform will likely continue and risk will continue to grow.

The PBOC governor is the public face of China’s economic policy. Ultimately, though, he answers to the Party. That makes at least one aspect of his job predictable: The next governor may or may not oversee the liberalization of the yuan or significant deleveraging.

But he will undoubtedly try to remain in good standing with Beijing. Bloomberg

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

IN A 39-page dissent, contrary to the ruling by the majority, Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio presents his arguments on why Senator Laila de Lima’s petition to annul the Order dated 23 February 2017 and the Warrant of Arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero should be granted Essentially, Justice Carpio says that first, the information does not allege any of the essential elements of the crime of illegal sale or illegal trade of drugs under section 5 of R.A. No. 9165; second, the exclusive original jurisdiction over bribery, the offense actually alleged in the information lies with the Sandiganbayan; and third, in the Memorandum of Agreement dated 29 March 2012 between the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman, the former expressly recognizes the Ombudsman’s primary jurisdiction to conduct preliminary investigation to conduct primary investigations in complaints for crimes cognizable by the Sandiganbayan; hence, the

DoJ Panel has no authority to file the information.

In support of the first argument, Carpio explains that the allegations in the information do not constitute any offenses under RA No. 9165, prescribing the elements and penalties of illegal sale or illegal trade of drugs. Recall that the information as worded contains allegation that petitioner “De Lima and Ragos, with the use of their power, position and authority, demand, solicit and extort money from the high profile inmates x x x” and, “by reason of which, the inmates x x x willfully and unlawfully trade and traffic dangerous drugs, and thereafter gave and deliver to De Lima, through Ragos and Dayan, the proceeds of illegal drug trading x x x.”

According to Carpio, the information does not specify the elements of illegal sale of drugs. It does not identify the buyer, the seller, the object, or the consideration of the illegal sale or trade. It does not also make any allegation of the delivery of the drugs illegally sold or traded nor of their payment. It does not state the quantity and the kind of the drugs subject of the illegal sale. Without these elements, the actual illegal sale cannot be estab-

lished, Carpio added. He further stressed that failure to allege these essential elements means that probable cause cannot be determined on the basis of the information, which the judge, in this case, cannot do on the basis alone of the same information. He points out that the circumstance of “use of electronic device,” a phrase found in the information, is not an essential element; as such, there is no provision of law that make this a separate crime or a qualifying crime of illegal sale or trade.

Justice Carpio also points out that P.D. No. 1606 as amended by RA No. 10660, which took out the jurisdiction of the RTC cases involving public officials with salary grade 27 or higher where there is allegation of damage to the government or bribery in an amount exceeding P1,000,000.00 and these cases now fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. Thus, the Sandiganbayan has exclusive original jurisdiction in “all cases” of bribery where the accused is a public official with a salary grade 27 or higher and the amount involve exceeds one million. Further the Sandiganbayan also exercises exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases involving other offenses or felonies committed in relation to their office.

This is applicable to the case of Senator De Lima.

Carpio further stressed that what is alleged in the information is the crime of direct bribery, not illegal sale or illegal trade. He reasons that while the majority opinion insists that petitioner is liable for the acts of her co-principals and co-conspirators, the information does not identify the actual “illegal traffickers” of drugs who are supposedly the unnamed high profile inmates of the New Bilibid Prison. How can petitioner be made liable as co-principal or coconspirator when there is no allegation what act she committed constituting the illegal sale or trade? Carpio asks.

On the third and final argument that the Ombudsman has primary jurisdiction over complaints for crimes cognizable by the Sandiganbayan, Justice Carpio says that the MOA dated 29 March 2012 signed by the DoJ and the Office of the Ombudsman stated that the Ombudsman has “primary jurisdiction in the conduct of preliminary investigation and inquest proceedings over complaints cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.”

Based on the MOA, according to Carpio, the DoJ

panel should have turned over the preliminary investigation to the Ombudsman. Carpio cites the reason why this should be, namely: First, there is an allegation of bribery; second, the offense charged was allegedly committed in relation to the office of the public official; third, the public officer has a salary grade 27 or higher, which is the case of the petitioner; and there is an allegation of corruption of the public official, as alleged in the information as committed by unnamed high profile inmates.

As a final word, Carpio notes that based on the information itself, the charges against petitioner is blatantly a pure invention; indeed, the information is laughable if not for the non-bailable detention of the accused. Because of this, we have, according to the eminent Justice, one of the grossest injustices in recent memory. Unfortunately, and I say this with regret and due respect, the Supreme Court has now perpetuated this injustice. I will explain why at the end of this series, after I have summarized the other dissents and concurrences.

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The price of US economic embargo BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN IF THE US will only reexamine its policy of using trade sanctions as a political weapon, it will realize that either it is completely ignorant or is reminiscing the past when it was the leading economic superpower, having enormous leverage to compel others to abide its political decisions. US policy makers refuse to acknowledge that economic embargo is a self-defeating proposition.

During the golden age of Pax Americana, no country would dare challenge its economic power. Both its economic and military power held sway to intimidate or influence other countries. US economic decisions have a biting effect on the economies of countries wholly dependent on imported manufactured goods and even on basic items as food products.

Such was the situation because the decades following the end of the Second World War, the US was the only country that emerged unscathed from the ravages of war to become the mightiest economic power leading the rest in the export of manufactured goods and food products. As an economic powerhouse, the US virtually had a monopoly of the world economy, and the rest of the world had to follow.

Before...

From A4

she takes over the driver’s task of collecting passenger fares.

More often than not, she holds on to the box containing the money.

Since a jeepney driver is a daily wage earner, the driver turns over his days’ earnings to his wife, leaving nothing for the morrow, not even coins for change. As a result, one would often see a sign prominently displayed inside the jeepney with the phrase “barya lang po sa umaga” [pay your fare in coins].

Even as these converted jeeps were somehow already getting “mass produced,” each one was still individually painted, with no two vehicles painted alike. The traditional paint job was eventually accompanied by tacky decorations ranging from feathers to plastic triangular ornaments, to animal-shaped hood orna-

Since most were dependent on the US for the export of their raw materials and on imports of manufactured goods, food stuff and medicines, nobody would question that international economic order one could rightly say “the US globalization of the world economy.” Most countries do not have much choice because their own economic survival depended on the continued US economic support. It also controlled the international financial institutions to dictate all development plans including the terms and conditions on how they should be funded.

Nonetheless, even if the US experienced a near monopoly in the export of manufactured goods, and the leading producer of wheat and meat products, it had to enunciate the Marshall Plan. It was a plan to rehabilitate the European economy with the US playing the dominant role in confronting the unexpected emergence of the then Soviet Union as a colossal military power and China with its teeming population poise to overrun the rest of its outposts in Asia. Surplus capital has to be converted to working capital churning out manufactured goods to boost the global economy.

Aside from Great Britain and France, it allowed the rehabilitation of Germany, Japan and Italy to supplement the cost of the Cold War competition.

For the first time the US had to use its economic

leverage to temper the cry of the newly independent states for self-determination and economic independence. Even if in the 60s there was an ideological contradiction between the Soviet Union and China, their enmity was quickly restored and relations between them became much warmer. Instead of the US adjusting to the changing political realities, it pursued an even more vigorous policy of political domination backed up by enormous defense budget which calls for the complete destruction of the socialist monolith and in instigating separatist movements in Russia and China.

The US never anticipated that the economic rebirth of its allies and former enemies to become industrial powerhouses would compete instead of supplement its interest. The US economic sanction of Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria and lately Venezuela has become a big folly. It also failed to secure a comprehensive economic strategy with its Western Europe partners on the issue of economic embargo just as the European Union is reeling from an unprecedented crisis of breaking apart like what Great Britain did.

With China now ranking as the second biggest economy, surpassing the US in the export of manufactured products, newcomers like India, Brazil, Russia and Korea are racing to increase their share

in the export market. US traditional partners like Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy could hardly cope with supporting its economic grip. This is adding pressure to question the rationale of the trade embargo which many see as sometimes a policy embedded to apply to countries hostile to Israel.

Because of the diminished share of the US in the world economy many countries now ignore its trade embargo. Some do not even see their action as defiance but a chance to expand their trade ties. Members reason out that unless the embargo is formally adopted by the trade organization, like the European Union, there is no compelling reason why they should join the US in its political decision.

Since most countries anticipate that the US embargo could readily be filled up by others, and considering that most of the banned item could now be produced in many countries, they would rather maintain a status quo in their trade ties. Even countries identified as Nato allies ignore them because they realize that economic decisions cannot be mixed with political decisions to affect the alliance. Such is a losing proposition that hampers the expansion of trade opportunities, not to say their unity.

Thus, in the last 30 years the US position as an economic power has sharply declined. The situation is

compounded by its constant attempt to mix economic policies to political decisions to countries that refuse to follow the discarded Cold War political demarcation.

Most noticeable, it has substituted its role as a leading trading nation to one of arms trader. The paranoia of keeping itself militarily on top has allowed China to overtake the US as the world’s leading exporter of manufactured goods and enjoying unprecedented trade surplus never before experienced by any country. Political analysts have pointed this as the reason why the US economy has shrunk. Its involvement in foreign wars has drained much of its resources that it now stands as the biggest debtor nation on earth.

While there is always an attempt by the US to make obligatory its sponsored trade sanction, such will never prosper because it requires the approval of the UN Security Council.

Others see it as a violation of the UN Charter. The US has become an unstable partner in international trade exemplified by the rant of President Donald Trump against Canada, Mexico and China over trade deals fairly negotiated by both parties. Thus, if the US is contemplating of trade sanctions, it could only push itself deeper into the abyss of economic isolation.

ments made from coated aluminum.

Small metal signboards the size of a pencil box, which indicate the route taken by the vehicles, were displayed on the windshield, wedged between the inside of the windshield and what appears to be its weather strip.

On rainy days and nights, a long translucent roll of industrial grade plastic mounted at the top of both sides of the jeep are untied and rolled down to serve as protective curtains.

There was nothing to cover the rear entrance, though. Only one side of the windshield, the one infront of the driver, had a windshield wiper.

A sort of dashboard can be seen in most jeeps, although the speedometer was more of a decoration than anything else, and the driver measured his fuel supply by inserting a long stick into the fuel tank beside him. Depending on how high the wet mark on the stick is located, the driver

is able to calculate when he needs to gas up.

By the 1950s, the jeeps were called “auto-calesas” and they carried license plates bearing the letters “AC” on them.

Despite their exposure to dust and street dirt, the auto-calesas were generally tidy inside and outside.

The 1960s saw assembly lines producing bigger versions of the auto-calesa, and these expanded versions were officially called “public utility jeepneys” as seen in their license plates indicating the letters “PUJ”for all to see. These larger versions could accommodate ten passengers at the back, and two in front.

During rush hours, many jeepney drivers allowed passengers to hang on to a handrail at the rear of the jeepney and stand at the entrance steps of the vehicle while the jeep is in motion. These passengers, referred to as “sabit” [attachment], were still required to pay the full fare.

Sarao Motors was the leading assembly plant of jeepneys in the 1960s and the 1970s. Later on, stiff competition came from a company called Mel-Ford, which operated an assembly plant northeast of Manila.

In time, these PUJs were simply called “jeepneys” or “jeeps,” an obvious derivative from the American military jeepney.

Although the 1960s jeepney no longer retained the original features of its predecessor, its radiator grill still looked like the one found in its old. mechanical ancestor.

When the jeepney is to be used by its owner or driver for a private family trip or similar journey, a small, metal door is affixed to the rear entrance of the jeepney and kept closed. The door is about two feet high. Painted on the door are the words “private” and the name of the family which owns the jeepney. It was widely believed that displaying the family name any-

where on the jeep discouraged married jeepney drivers from flirting with women.

Prior to the martial law era, the jeepney competed with public utility buses, taxicabs, tricycles, and even calesas, for passengers.

The monetary aspect of the jeepney business is quite simple. An investor buys a jeepney. After he obtains a franchise from the government transportation office, he becomes an “operator.” A driver is designated to drive the jeepney for a specified number of hours. At the end of the day’s driving, the driver pays the operator a fixed sum of money called a “boundary.”

Expenses for fuel are for the account of the driver. A barker at a predesignated jeepney stands coax passengers to board the jeepneys, which wait for their turn in a line. The barker is paid the equivalent of a passenger’s full fare for each filled jeepney he dispatches.

(To be continued)

rpkapunan@gmail.com

Y

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘OFBank to ease OFW burdens’

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Overseas Filipino Bank, which will open next year, will ease the financial burden of millions of Filipinos working abroad with low remittance service rates and profitable investment offers, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Bello said Filipinos in other countries would be able to transact with the new OFB in January next year, with the intention to cover not just overseas Filipino workers but all Filipinos elsewhere.

“Our OFWs and overseas Filipi-

For fast ad results, please call

47

s

JONATHAN S. LAXAMANA, Respondent. x-------------------------------X SUMMONS TO: JONATHAN S. LAXAMANA 45 Zone 3 Balagbag Milaor Camarines Sur

(MS-OCT. 21, 2017)

GREETINGS: You are hereby required within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you, to file this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defense in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed. The plaintiff will make judgment by default and maybe granted the relief prayed for in the complaint.

WITNESS MY HAND under the seal of the Court, this 25th day of May, 2017.

(Sgd.) MARISSA G. MANILAY OIC Branch Clerk of Court Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 30 San Pablo City

remittances. We are also able to get the consent of Land Bank president Alex Buenaventura that the interest rate in the loan packages will only be at 2.5 percent per annum. This is beneficial compared to other banks.

This will give our OFWs the venue for their investment,” Bello added.

The bank, which is not limited to OFWs, is dedicated to providing financial products and services tailored to the requirements of all overseas Filipinos, and focused on delivering quality and efficient foreign remittances services pursuant to Executive Order 44

current LBP president as chairman, LBP-designated president as vice chairperson, four LBPdesignated directors or officers as members, and members representing the Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and a private sector member representing overseas Filipinos.

Bello encouraged OFWs to invest in the bank and take advantage of its services and offers, as it is partly owned by them.

“It will be wise for them to invest in the bank because they

signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the justice secretary said.

Through EO 44, the Philippine Postal Savings Bank will be acquired by the Land Bank of the Philippines and converted into the OFB. The bank will provide priority support to the growing financial needs of overseas-based Filipinos, “who contribute to the country’s foreign exchange income, currency stability, employment, and overall economic growth through their remittances,” Bello said.

The bank will be managed by a board of directors headed by the

ORDER

By Bill Casas

SARAH MARJORIE GARCIALAXAMANA, Petitioner, - versus CIVIL CASE NO. SP-7453 (17) (Sgd.) AMY MELBA S. BELULIA Judge JONATHAN S. LAXAMANA, Respondent.

(MS-Oct. 14, 21 & 28, 2017) x-------------------------------X

Republic of the Philippines Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 InvItatIon to BId for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture/Fixtures/ Workstations for the DOF Building (Ground, Third, Fourth and Fifth Floor Offices) 1.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2017 intends to apply the sum Description Wooden Furniture Metal Furniture Modular Tables and Partitions Chairs Total

LOT No. 1 2 3 4

3.

PhP 970,860.00 Php 1,428,184.00 PhP41,144,841.00 PhP 11,241,740.00 PhP 54,785,625.00

The DOF now invites bids for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture/ Fixtures/Workstations for the DOF Building (Ground, Third, Fourth and Fifth Floor Offices) is required within Sixty (60) days upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on October 23, 2017 up to November 13, 2017 at the BAC Secretariat Office, 8th Floor, EDPC Building, BSP Complex , Pablo Ocampo St. cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount as follows

LOT No. 1 2 3 4

Description ABC Amount Wooden Furniture PhP 970,860.00 Php 5,000.00 Metal Furniture Php 1,428,184.00 5,000.00 Modular Tables and Partitions PhP41,144,841.00 25,000.00 Office Chairs PhP 11,241,740.00 25,000.00 Total PhP 54,785,625.00 PhP 60,000.00

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

6.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

BAC Secretariat, Procurement Management Division 8th Floor EDPC Building, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St. Cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila

7.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m., November 13, 2017, at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Schedule of Activities

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE 1. Advertisement and Posting of Invitation to Bid October 21, 2017 2. Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents October 23, 2017 3. Pre-bid Conference October 30, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

DFG Conference Room 4th Flr, DOF Building 4. Request for Clarification November 3, 2017 (by email) 5. Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin November 6, 2017 6.Deadline for Submission of Bids November 13, 2017, 9:45 a.m.

BAC Secretariat 8th Floor, EDPC Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd.

Malate Manila 7. Opening of Bids November 13, 2017,10:00 a.m.

DFG Conference Room 4th Floor, DOF Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd.

Malate Manila 8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: BAC SECRETARIAT Procurement Management Division 8th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street cor. Roxas Boulevard Malate, Manila Telephone No. 526-4786 Email address: lte@dof.gov.ph (SGD) GIL. S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and BAC Chairman

(MS-OCT. 21, 2017)

WHANG-OD ‘LIVE.’ Apo Whang-Od, the oldest known ‘mambabatok’ or traditional tattoo artist from Banaue, graced the Manila Fame 2017 event and tattooed some of her fans at the World Trade Center in Pasay City ion Friday. Norman Cruz

UNLESS they secure health and sanitary permits, food vendors at the so-called “hepa lane” in Morayta, Manila will not be allowed to resume operation, Mayor Joseph Estrada said Friday.

Describing the serious health risks the recently shuttered yet popular street food hub poses to the public as “an accident waiting to happen,” Estrada stressed he could not wait for an epidemic to break out before doing something decisive.

“We have nothing against them having business. But in the interest of public health, we won’t allow them to return until after they have secured the necessary permits,” Estrada said, amid some opposition to the city government’s move to dismantle and drive away the food carts that many students at the University Belt patronize.

“There were reports from the past about people getting sick.

This [food business] cannot be allowed. It is illegal,” Estrada added.

The so-called “hepa lane” lane owes its name to stories that

the food sold there is unclean or not prepared properly, and thus could cause hepatitis and other diseases.

The mayor also warned the concerned barangay officials that he will file administrative charges against them if they will allow the return of the food stalls.

“They can be administratively charged before DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government]. They could be suspended. Anything illegal in their area, they are liable for it,” he said.

In compliance with Estrada’s directives, members of the city’s Department of Public Services and Manila Police District have been stationed since Thursday morning along R. Papa Street in Morayta to drive away food vendors attempting to return.

In coordination with the concerned barangays, Task Force Manila Cleanup chief Che Borromeo said Estrada has ordered them to continuously monitor and guard the University Belt at all costs.

“We will ensure that no illegal food vendors will be able to go back, that’s what the mayor wants,” he pointed out.

ABC

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

actually own the bank. As the secretary of labor and under the executive order, I can nominate one to represent DoLE, another one to OWWA, and the other one is for the overseas-based Filipinos.

We will increase the representation of the OFWs by buying more shares that will entitle them to two or three board seats,” he added.

The labor secretary also said OFB branches will be put up in all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to reach more Filipinos abroad and provide them with quality and efficient foreign remittance services.

Get permits, ‘hepa lane’ Manila vendors ordered

This is a verified petition for Declaration of Nullity Of Marriage filed by the above-named petitioner against the respondent anchored on Articles 36f the Family Code of the Philippines.

The petition alleges that petitioner and respondent got married on July 23, 2008 in Bay, Laguna. The married life of the parties did not get well because of their respective psychological incapacity. As per psychological report, petitioner was diagnosed as suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder while respondent is suffering from Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder.

Petitioner prays that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered declaring her marriage with the respondent as null and void.

Let copy of this Order be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Further let summons and copy of the complaint and its annexes be served upon the respondent by registered mail at his last known address.

Pursuant to Sec. 6, (2) (e) of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC, the respondent is hereby directed within thirty (30) days from last issue of publication, to file with the Court and serve upon petitioner his answer to the petition.

Respondent is hereby reminded of Sec. 7 of the said Administrative Matter to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead raised the grounds thereof as an affirmative defense in the Answer.

If respondent fails to answer within the time fixed, the Court will grant the relief prayed for in the petition.

SO ORDERED. San Pablo City, September 18, 20 17.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

@

d.net

CIVIL CASE NO. SP-7453 (17) FOR: DECLARATION OF NULLITY OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC BE IT KNOWN THAT SOGECOA PHILIPPINES I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONSTRUCTION AND TRADING COMPANY INC. has changed its business name & address on July 25, 2017 and is now JQ I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONSTRUCTION INC. with principal address at Unit 9-10, 2nd Floor BTTC Center #288 Ortigas Avenue corner Roosevelt Street, Greenhills, San Juan City.

ng

ent

nos contributed a lot to Philippine economy, with cash remittances of around US$16.1 billion from January to July this year,” he said.

“The bank will provide our overseas Filipinos the most effective and cheapest or free transfer of their

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 30 San Pablo City SARAH MARJORIE GARCIALAXAMANA, Petitioner, - versus -

Advertising Department 832-5547

s,

e

News

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SBMA waives $200 fee to stimulate port use 44 lotto

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has waived the $200 accreditation fee for all port-related businesses for a limited period as part of its efforts to turn Subic into a major transshipment center.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said port users could avail of the free accreditation program if they will guarantee to bring in at least one container within one month from filing of application or renewal of accreditation certificate.

The offer is good from Oct. 18 to Dec. 31, 2017 only.

SBMA Seaport Promotions Manager Ronnie Yambao said that under the SBMA’s open window access program, the agency will waive the $200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.

The promotion covers ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services related to container movement.

Yambao stressed, however, that failure by applicants to guarantee the entry of at least one container would cause the Port of Subic to require the payment of the $200 accreditation fee.

With the hashtag #GoSubicBay,

the SBMA began offering its openwindow access initiative for container port-related businesses during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Exposition at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.

Eisma said the agency’s port marketing program aims to showcase and broaden industry awareness of the use of the container terminal at the Port of Subic, as well as increase container port traffic and utilization rate.

“Subic Freeport has a faster turnaround time, there’s no red tape, has reduced processing time, no congestion, no traffic and no truck ban,” she told prospective port users during the program launch.

Plane stalls, blocks Tacloban airport

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Tacloban City Airport was shut down for three hours on Friday morning after an Air Asia aircraft from Manila stalled at the runway upon landing.

The sudden closure of Daniel Romualdez Airport from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. also resulted in the cancellation of Philippines Airlines flights to and from Cebu City and the delay of arrival and departure of Cebu Pacific Air flights.

Reports from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines showed that the incident happened while the Airbus A320 Air Asia flight Z2-321 was about to turn to the airport’s taxiway.

Aviation reports stated the airport’s control tower received a call from the pilot, saying the plane’s nose wheel steering was not functioning.

Air Asia management said that airline ground personnel immediately responded to the site and transferred the 164 passengers and four crew members to safety.

CAAP chief information officer Eric Apolonio said an arriving Cebu Pacific Air flight from Manila was also unable to land. while its departing flight plane had to wait until airport authorities cleared the disabled Air Asia plane from the runway.

PAL spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said that airport resumed normal operation around 11:14 a.m.

The flag carrier earlier cancelled flights PR 2236 and 2237 (Cebu-Tacloban-Cebu) as a result of the closure.

CEMETERY CLEANUP. The Quezon City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, through its personnel from the Riverways Cleaning Operations Group, start the cleanup of city-owned public cemeteries, such as those in Bagbag, Baesa and Novaliches, in preparation for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day. Manny Palmero

winners get P2.2b

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has produced 44 millionaires nationwide in the first three quarters of 2017, claiming more than P2.2 billion in lotto jackpot prizes, general manager Alexander Balutan said on Friday.

From January to September, 44 lucky bettors from different parts of the country who placed bets on PCSO’s popular lotto games correctly guessed winning six-number combinations.

The Lotto 6/42 was on the top of the list, producing 16 winners with a total of P319 million in prizes.

The Mega Lotto 6/45 had nine winners taking a combined P460 million, Super Lotto 6/49 had eight winners worth P495 million, Grand Lotto 6/55 six winners worth P444 million, while Ultra Lotto 6/58 —the biggest lottery game offered by PCSO—produced five winners taking home P542 million.

“For every bet you make, for every P20 worth of lotto ticket you spend, P6 from that ticket price goes to charitable services of the agency, which helps people in need,” Balutan said.

DoT lauds lifting of ban on college field trips THE Department of Tourism on Friday welcomed the lifting of the moratorium on educational tours and fields trips for college students imposed by the Commission on Higher Education, in the aftermath of a bus accident in Tanay, Rizal sometime in February.

“Educational tours and field trips provide the experiential learning that complements the subjects taught in the classroom setting,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said.

DoT recently initiated a na-

tional education forum summit, inviting all stakeholders from the academe, local government units, travel and tour sector, transport sector and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to discuss measures that will enable quality educational tours while providing a safe and secure environment for the students.

This summit held in the Calabarzon region resulted in the signing of a call to action for cooperation and eventually led to CHED’s lifting of

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

the moratorium.

“A continued suspension of such activity will take away the opportunity of the students to see for themselves the culture, history and natural attractions that make them appreciate their being Filipinos,” Teo pointed out.

This series of regional educational tourism forums was also held in General Santos for the Mindanao regions, in Bicol for both Regions 4-B (Mimaropa) and 5 and in Baguio City for Regions 1, 2 and 3. Bill Casas

Sports Dragons, Lions fight for crown THE Diliman College Blue Dragons advanced to the finals with the San Beda Red Lions after turning back their rivals last Sunday in the 15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.

This will be the third time that the Blue Dragons will be in a winnertake-all championship round this year in the cagefest’s series of tournaments after they repulsed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 82-79.

The Red Lions earlier stopped the Adamson Falcons, 75-72, to arrange a showdown with the Blue Dragons in the cagefest supported by Slick Tight Hair Pomade.

Kristoffer Torrado’s assist to Adama Diakhite, his layup and his two charities in the last 12.5 seconds provided the Blue Dragons a 82-76 cushion at the endgame.

Diakhite led the Blue Dragons with 27 points, while Justin Gutang and Robert Ocampo made 27 and 14 points, respectively for the Blazers.

The Blue Dragons reached the semis after stopping the Letran Knights, 75-73, in the quarterfinals, while the Blazers got past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 9187, in overtime in a second playoff encounter.

Alfred Sedillo chipped in a game-high 16 points for the Red Lions, with his basket in the last 2:54 giving them a 70-61 cushion at endgame.

In the junior division, the National University Bullpups prevailed over the San Beda-Rizal Red Cubs, 75-72, while the Manila Patriotic School Patriots won over the Diliman Preparatory School Baby Blue Dragons, 9691, to earn tickets to the finals.

Dominic Dayrit, who had 16 points, drove in to break a 65-all tie in the last 55 seconds, and made a steal at the buzzer to preserve the Bullpups’ slim advantage at endgame.

French cyclist killed during race NOUMEA, France—A young French professional cyclist was killed in a collision with an ambulance at a race in New Caledonia, organisers said Friday, a crash that also broke the leg of his teammate.

Mathieu Riebel, 20, was killed instantly in the horror smash at the Tour de Nouvelle-Caledonie— an annual 870 kilometer (540 mile) race across the French pacific territory.

His teammate Erwan Brenterch, 31, also suffered a broken leg in the accident, which occurred during a descent section on the western edge of the main island.

“The race has been stopped and I don’t know if we will resume tomorrow,” Gerard Salaun, president of New Caledonia’s regional cycling committee said.

The exact cause of the crash was still to be determined, Salaun said.

But he added that one of the cyclists is believed to have cut a corner.

The accident took place on the f irst stage of the tour which began on Oct. 13 with 62 riders. AFP

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

App for para athletes launched

By Nathanielle Punay

T

HE Philippine Paralynpic Committee/ Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PPC-PHILSPADA) has launched a new donation system that will help the Filipino Para-athletes in their coming competitions.

This donation campaign, “Alay PARA Atleta”, aims not only to help Filipino para athletes, but also expands the reach of the national paralympic movement as it has been made easier and more accessible since the donors will only have to use their

mobile phones.

For this to be possible, PPC-PHILSPADA has partnered with the mobile content and service company, Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc., that will be activated on Globe and Smart networks.

The minimum amount

that can be donated is P10 to a maximum of P500. The process can be done just by texting the amount to the access code 3456.

Last September 1, PPCPHILSPADA has also partnered with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines as their students and athletes will be volunteering as support staff and crew at the ASEAN Para Games in 2019 that will be held in the Philippines.

Their partnership with UAAP will also enable students to be aware and participate in the campaign for the athletes with

disabilities.

After the Filipino para athletes’ outstanding performance at the last PARA Games in Kuala Lumpur, PPC-PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo saw this as an opportunity to further push the limits of the athletes.

“Our showing in KL validated our long range plan: to implement a grassroots development program that will help discover new talents and harness our existing ones in order to create a bigger pool of para athletes that will be ready to compete in the next 2018 Indonesia Asian Para Games,

the ASEAN Para Games in Manila in 2019, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and other international para sport competitions,” Barredo said.

“The Alay PARA Atleta Program is our response to the colorful performance of our para athletes in the recent Para Games.

Funds raised through this program will help provide our para athletes with equipment and basic needs that will support them in their quest to transcend their personal barriers to achieve excellence and excite the world. Above all, it will inspire them to

know that the whole country is behind them in their dream to excel and bring honor to the country,” he continued.

At the PARA Games last Sept. 17 to 23 in Malaysia, the Philippines bagged a total of 69 medals (20 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze).

The country’s ranking also rose to the 5th place, from 7th spot.

The Philippines made an impression as rookies such as Ma. Cielo Honasan, Gary Bejino and Claire Calizo, who joined their first international competition, won a series of medals.

ABS-CBN S+A’s Heroes Camp brings kids closer to volley dream

Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists in the recent ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia flank PPC-PHILSPADA President Michael Barredo at the launch of Alay PARA Atleta, a mobile donation service that will raise funds for our para athletes in their coming international competitions.

Ronda qualifying round set today in Danao THE second and last qualifying race to the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2018 race proper in March next year unfolds today with 170 of the participating 200 cyclists seeking for the remaining 38 spots today at the Danao City Hall and ending at the Plaza Rizal in Danao, Cebu.

The last 38 qualifiers in this one-day race will join 20 seeded riders from last year and the 38 others who made it through the

grueling first qualifier in Tarlac City last month to the main, 11-stage race staking a cool P1 million to the champion.

Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jan Paul Morales, last year’s champion, and former Ronda kings Santy Barnachea and Irish Valenzuela are spicing up the race and competing even though they have already made it the cut.

The 41-year-old Barnachea, who won this annual race

twice, and Valenzuela, who topped the second edition in 2013, were among the first qualifiers in Tarlac and both are using this race for their respective preparations.

LBC Ronda project director Moe Chulani said they remain focused on producing future champions.

“Our thrust is still the same, to give aspiring young riders a chance to pursue their cycling dreams,” said Chulani.

The stage covers 161 kilometers of relatively flat roads with some assets in the early part and will pass through Carmen, Catmon, Borbon, Bogo, San Remigio, Tabulan before retyrning to Borobon, Catmon, Carmen and eventually, Danao City.

The champion here will receive P30,000 while the second and third placers get to take home P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, courtesy of LBC.

Green’s knee scan negative, Golden State says SAN FRANCISCO—Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green suffered no serious damage to his strained left knee according to a scan, his team said on Thursday.

The Warriors said that

Green, who hobbled out of Tuesday’s season-opener against Houston, underwent an MRI scan on Wednesday which revealed “no new structural damage.”

Green would travel with

the team on its three-game road trip but is “doubtful” to be fit for Friday’s game with the New Orleans Pelicans, the statement said.

Green, a two-time All-Star and reigning NBA Defensive

Player of the Year, was injured in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game with Houston.

“I’ll be good. I’m fine,” Green told ESPN following the game, which ended in a 122-121 loss for Golden State.

THE journey to volleyball greatness has begun for over 200 budding Filipino athletes who participated in the six legs of the Heroes Camp Volleyball Clinic of ABS-CBN S+A. Aged seven to 16, the young volleyball heroes-in-the-making learned proper warm up and cool down, volleyball fundamentals, and the importance of teamwork, discipline, and hard work in the Heroes Camp, which was held in barangay covered courts in Mandaluyong, Marikina, Taguig, Malabon, Las Piñas, and Quezon City starting last August.

A project of S+A in partnership with ABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya, Heroes Volleyball Program, Creamline ice cream, and Premier Volleyball League, the Heroes Camp is part of ABS-CBN Sports’ advocacy of promoting sports development in the country. Last year, it also organized a series of basketball clinics in different communities, giving underprivileged children an opportunity to get quality sports training for free.

ABS-CBN S+A channel head Vince Rodriguez said the network sees the potential of sports as a vehicle to make a positive impact in the lives of young Filipinos.

“Sports is fun to watch, that is a given. But we in ABS-CBN believe that more than that, sports can teach kids valuable lessons like hard work, excellence, and teamwork that they can apply outside the court—at home or in school, and live by for the rest of their lives,” he explained.

Similar to how the leading sports channel puts emphasis on the inspiring stories of athletes, the Heroes Camp also featured motivational talks by PVL players who shared with the kids just what it takes to become a winner and a champion.

They include Isa Molde and Diana Carlos of the UP Lady Fighting Maroons, Iari Yongco and Josemer Tapic of Philippine Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, Gyzelle Sy and Kai Nepomuceno of the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, Grethcel Soltones of Bali Pure Water Defenders, Kath Villegas of Power Smashers, and Aeriel Patnongon and Coleen Bravo of Creamline Cool Smashers.

UP team captain Carlos told the kids, “We won’t just get whatever we want. We have to work hard for it every day.” She even shared with them that she continues to improve herself because she aspires to be like volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez someday.

Graftbusters intensify practice sessions

By Jospher de Leon DESPITE absorbing a loss from the DA Food Masters last Sunday, Ombudsman head coach Richard Alcantara believes his side still has a shot in the UNTV Cup, the league of public servants.

“Maganda ang potential ng team, even though karamihan puro attorney.

Pero nakikita ko ang potential namin as a team, especially sa depensa,” coach Alcantara said.

The Ombudsman coach

Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. NHA vs. Ombudsman 3:30 p.m. Judiciary vs. DOJ 5 p.m. DOH vs. BFP

said the team is taking advantage of a two-week break by doubling their efforts during practice sessions, before taking on NHA Builders this coming Sunday.

“First ang consistency namin, depensa, then sa opensa namin. Medyo talagang magulo kami, kailangan lahat in one place

kami,” said Alcantara.

Attendance of players in practices is another challenge the Graftbusters are facing.

“Talagang wala pa kaming masabi na one complete practice na lahat naroon, na lahat naiintindihan ang nangyayari, siguro iyon ang dapat ayusin,” he said.

The Ombudsman Graftbusters are at the bottom of Group B, still searching for their first win to snap a two-game losing skid.

Defenders of the Ombudsman Graft Busters gang up on Judiciary’s Frederick Salamat during their UNTV Cup game at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Manila Brotherhood Basketball League opens today JUNIOR basketball teams from various schools, colleges and universities in Metro Manila will see action in six division games as the Manila Brotherhood Basketball League Athletic Incorporated opens today at the Trinity University of Asia Gym in Quezon City.

Fourty-one teams with

their respective muses will parade their colors during the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m., to be graced by sports celebrities, led by Philippine Basketball Association superstar Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer, according to league top brass and Brotherhood Basketball founder Erick Kirong of Macway.

Kid basketeers from San Beda College and De La Salle Zobel will show their wares in the opening salvo at 10 a.m. in 13-under division followed by RP Elite vs San Beda Taytay in the 12-under.

Dragon Five will test the Mendiola dribblers of San Beda College in the 17-un-

der at 12 noon, while Arandia College vs SBC Mendiola will follow in the 19- under.

Powerhouse teams DLSU Antipolo and Trinity University of Asia will collide at 2 p.m., capping the action-filled opening games of the event organized by BBL and managed by basketball operations head Ray Alao.

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

A8

Sports

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

Duterte backs PH bid for World Cup ‘23

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte greets the officials of the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Manila Hotel. With them are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go.

Fajardo a cut above rest

By Jeric Lopez

A

PLAYER entering his prime already winning his fourth Most Valuable Player award. Let that sink in.

JuneMar Fajardo, the 27-year-old San Miguel Beer stalwart, was once again the biggest individual winner, taking home his record fourth straight Most Valuable Player award for the season in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Associa-

Knights stun Chiefs, stay alive Games Tuesday

(MOA Arena, Pasay) 1 p.m.- SSC-R vs CSB (jrs) 3:30 p.m.- SSC-R vs Letran (srs)

JEO Ambohot came through with the biggest shot of his young life as he lifted Letran to a 7068 victory over Arellano University yesterday as the Knights stayed in the semifinal hunt in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

With the Knights trailing by a point and facing the prospect of elimination, the 6’6” Ambohot was in the right place and at the right time as he made a put back off a blown layup by teammate Rey Nambatac to give Letran the marginal lead and eventually the win.

JP Calvo hit a free throw and the Knights watched the Chiefs blew a couple of opportunities to seal the win and set another knockout game against the San Sebastian Stags on Tuesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

“The boys just refused the lose,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.

Nambatac, playing his final season as he has applied for this year’s PBA rookie draft, exploded for 25 points, but he was shut down in the last nine minutes, allowing AU to turn things around and even lead, 68-67, with 7.2 ticks to go.

Good thing Ambohot was there to save the day.

And Letran lived for another day. It plays San Sebastian next for the fourth and last berth to the stepladder semis and the right to face off with the Jose Rizal Bombers, the No. 3 seed, where the winner clashes with the secondseeded San Beda on Nov. 7 also at the MOA Arena.

tion Leo Awards yesterday.

The scary thing is that a couple more MVP awards in the future, barring major injuries, are a possibility.

Head and shoulders above his closest competition, the San Miguel Beer star capped off another

stellar season by being named the MVP again after leading the Beermen to championships in the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup. It was a runaway win for Fajardo as he topped teammates Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross by a wide margin.

With this fourth MVP trophy, Fajardo joined icons Alvin Patrimonio and Mon Fernandez as the players with the most recognition all-

time. However, Fajardo is the only one among them who have won four in succession, showing how he is dominating this current era.

“Sobrang blessed talaga ako. Hindi ko inakala noong una na aabot ako dito sa PBA tapos ngayon narating ko pa ito. Wala akong masabi. Sobrang nagpapa-salamat talaga ako sa lahat ng tumulong sa akin at sa team ko,” said Fajardo, who could shatter the record in the future.

The Mythical First Team

is composed of four Beermen, led by Fajardo. Along with him, the other four members are his teammates Ross, Cabagnot and Arwind Santos and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar.

Composing the Mythical Second Team are TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams, Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio and Joe Devance and Meralco’s Cliff Hodge.

For the All-Defensive Team, players recognized

were Fajardo, Aguilar, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Ross and Jio Jalalon of Star.

Roger Pogoy of TNT KaTropa took Rookie of the Year honors in a tight race with Phoenix’s Matthew Wright.

Ross was likewise the winner of the Most Improved Player award, edging Meralco’s Baser Amer, after a stellar season wherein he won his first Best Player of the Conference award in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Hernandez carries Dodgers to World Series CHICAGO—Enrique Hernandez smashed three home runs, including a grand slam, and the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to their first World Series since 1988 by defeating the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Dodgers leftfielder, who has helped hurricane relief efforts in his native Puerto Rico, smacked a solo blast in the second inning, a four-run roundtripper in the third and a two-run shot in the ninth in a record-setting effort.

“People back home are having a really bad time right now,” Hernandez said. “To do something like this is really special. To do something like this on this stage to get us to the World Series, it’s incredible.”

The Dodgers dethroned Major League Baseball’s defending champions by capturing the bestof-seven National League Championship Series 4-1 and will play for their first World Series crown in 29 years starting Tuesday in Los Angeles.

“It feels good to hear World Series,” said Dodgers winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw. “It has been a long time coming for this team.

I never thought I would play in a World Series. It’s tough to sink in right now.”

They will face the American League winner, either the New York Yankees or Houston Astros, in the best-of-seven final.

The Yankees lead that series The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate defeating the Chicago Cubs 11-1 in Game 5 of 3-2 entering game six Friday in the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Dodgers advance to the 2017 World Series. AFP Houston. AFP

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the three-man FIBA Evaluation Commission upon their arrival Thursday night to inspect facilities which will be used should the Philippines, which is bidding to co-host the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, get the nod from the FIBA Central Board this December.

FIBA Central Board and Commission president Hamane Niang of Mali, FIBA Central Board member and treasurer Ingo Weiss of Germany and advisor to the FIBA secretarygeneral Lubomir Kotleba of Slovak Republic, accompanied by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, paid Duterte a courtesy call at the Mahogany Room of the Manila Hotel. The group then embarked on a two-day ocular inspection of the Philippine International Convention Center, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippine Arena.

Present, among others, were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, SBP president Al Panlilio, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and SBP deputy executive director for international affairs Butch Antonio.

The Philippines, along with Japan and Indonesia, is pulling out all stops to gain a favorable decision from the world governing body for amateur basketball to be able to house the most prestigious international tournament in the sport, featuring the best 32 teams from 32 countries all over the world.

The 2023 World Cup is also the qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Foton kicks off PSL title-retention bid, duels with Cignal FOUR powerhouse squads—bolstered by talented imports—march to the warpath to raise the curtain of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today (Saturday) at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Two-time champion Foton kicks off its title-retention bid when it clashes with Cignal at 6 p.m., while Generika-Ayala tests the met-

tle of heavyweight Petron in the 4 p.m. opener of this prestigious women’s volleyball tourney bankrolled

by Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller, Grand Sport, Rebisco, Island Rose, Cloudfone, UCPB Gen and Asics.

Both matches will be shown live on ESPN5, the league’s official broadcast partner.

The formal opening

ceremonies, however, is set next Saturday at the same venue where incumbent United States national women’s volleyball team head coach and FIVB Hall of Famer Karsh Kiraly will serve as guest of honor.

After ruling the past two editions of this season-ending conference, the Tornadoes are again coming in as heavy favorites due to the recruitment

Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Petron 6 p.m. – Cignal vs Foton

of prolific Serbians Sara Klisura and Katarina Vukamanovic as well as Montenegrin Dragana Perunicnic.

Foton also brought in the solid core of Jen Reyes, EJ Laure, CJ Rosario and last

year’s Most Valuable Player Jaja Santiago, who gained massive international experience following a 17-day training in Japan and competing in the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

“We are prepared,” said Foton coach Moro Branislav, adding that Klisura and Vukamanovic are his former players in a club league in

Belgrade while Perunicnic is a personal choice.

“In my opinion, the Grand Prix is a very important tournament. So, we might as well assemble the strongest possible team. I like our preparation and I believe that our team will make it all the way to the championship.”

But the Tornadoes’ road to an unprecedented GP threepeat would never be easy.

Malaysia completes wire-to-wire ASEAN Seniors’ romp

Idris Ngah’s closing 72 anchors Malaysia’s triumph.

GENERAL TRIAS—Malaysia dislodged Philippines as kings of the centerpiece Stroke Play Team Gross competition, cruising to a six-stroke victory over the hosts in the 34th ASEAN Senior Amateur Golf Championships at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

After back-to-back 236s, the Malaysians closed out with a 230 back at the Aoki course for a winning 702 total in the 54-hole championship hosted by the Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers, Inc. and also held at the Norman layout of the sprawling ERGCC.

Top gun Idris Ngah matched par 72, Dato Dzaamoddin Salleh posted a 75 while Datuk A.S. Khamis carded an 83 for the Malaysians, who wrested the prestigious Tun Sir H.S. Lee Trophy.

The Filipinos, who trailed by three after two rounds, failed to come up with a strong finishing kick, finishing with a 233 for a 708. Rodel Mangulabnan led the way for the hosts with 76 with Eddy Jose Manzanares, a non-factor in the first two days, counting with a 77 and Edgar Quiao turning in an 80.

“They really came prepared to win it,” said Mangulabnan of the Malaysians. “I have played with at least two

ex-pros and they’re really good.”

Ngah romped off with the Sultan Salahuddin Challenge plum for topping the Individual Gross play with a 219 total, beating retired Gen. Don Montenegro of Phl, who had rounds of 77-71-74, by three.

Tournament debutant Montenegro, however, defeated Ngah for the Mondonedo Challenge trophy (Individual Net) with a 207 versus the Malaysian ace’s 208.

Malaysia also came home with the Stroke Play Team Net diadem, logging 636 after three rounds for a two-shot win over Singapore in the event backed

by Pagcor, Life Oil Pure Malunggay Oil Extract, Gardenia, R.d. Interior Junior Construction General Engineering and General Building, Genetron International Marketing, Philippine Navy Golf Seniors, Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers Inc. (FPASGI), Senior Golfers of Veterans Inc., RCBC, Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club Seniors, Club Intramuros Senior Golfers Association, Capitol Senior Golfers Inc., Ambassador Vidal Erfe Querol, The Bayleaf Cavite, Summit Ridge Tagaytay, Clean Masters Inc.—Fernando “Randy” Reyla, Golf Info Network, and Camp Aguinaldo Seniors Club.

PH clears Udenna’s acquisition of GDDC B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

B1

DOTr ending MRT3 contract

By Darwin G Amojelar

T

HE Department of Transportation issued a notice to terminate the three-year contract of Busan Universal Rail Inc. to maintain the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 due to poor performance.

The DOTr said in a statement it gave BURI seven days to respond and submit a verified position paper stating why its contract should not be terminated.

“After which, the DOTr shall have 10 days, upon receipt of BURI’s response, to decide whether or not it will issue an order to terminate the entire con-

tract,” the agency said.

The DOTr sent the notice to terminate to BURI on October 17.

Besides poor performance, the DOTr cited BURI’s failure to put service and subsequently ensure the availability of contractually obligated number of trains, and put reliable and efficient trains.

The company also failed to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts. The department said BURI failed to procure and store the required volume of spare parts, which affected its ability to effect immediate repairs on defective trains and other facilities of the MRT-3 system.

BURI also failed to comply with the contractual requirements of a complete and up-to-date computerized maintenance management system.

The DOTr in January 2016 signed a P3.8-billion three-year contract with the joint venture of Busan Transportation Corp., Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile Inc., TMICorp. and Castan Corp. to do maintenance works on the rolling stock and signaling system, the most critical maintenance component of MRT 3.

In a separate statement, BURI said it was confident it would be vindicated from the process of contract termination formally initiated by the DOTr. BURI expressed confidence that through the process of arbitration that would start between the company and the DOTr, and other judicial remedies, the grounds raised by DOTr in its notice to terminate the contract would be proven to be with-

TEAM ENERGY DONATION. A

resident of Barangay Tulay Buhangin, Padre Burgos, Quezon, receives a solar home system from TeaM Energy Foundation Inc. TEFI, the social development arm of TeaM Energy Corp., donated 187 solar home lighting systems to the residents of the off-grid barangay.

Shown during the distribution ceremony are (from left) Melben Diokno, chairman, Barangay Tulay Buhangin; Techie Lopez, assistance vice president for corporate Affairs, TEC; Ted Gener, president, Kaisahan ng Manggagawa sa Pagbilao Power Station; Rafael Toda, representative of Go Gridless; Jay Gaspar, coordinator, TEC; and Dianne Maningding, program manager, TEFI.

Bloomberry to push through with QC casino project

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. said it will proceed with a planned hotel and casino development in Quezon City despite opposition from residents.

Bloomberry chairman Enrique Razon Jr. said in an interview at the sidelines of the 43rd Philippine Business Conference the company would start constructing its second casino project by next year.

“It will push through.

We will start construction sometime next year and for completion after two years,” Razon said.

The planned mixed-use development with hotel and casino will sit on a 1.5-hectare property on Vertis North that Bloomberry acquired from the National Housing Authority in 2014.

Concerned residents of Quezon City in an open letter published in some newspapers appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop casino developments

in the city, citing the risk posed by gambling on local youths.

Meanwhile, Razon said he had no plans to sell more Bloomberry shares after the company recently raised P3.8 billion from the overnight placement of 350 million shares priced at P10.85 apiece.

Prime Metroline Holdings Inc., the holding company and controlling shareholder of Bloombery, sold 350 million shares representing 3.18 percent of the gaming company that owns

and operates Solaire Resort & Casino. The shares were placed sold international institutional investors Prime Metroline remains as the largest shareholder with a 65.58 percent stake after the transaction.

Bloomberry’s net income in the first six months of 2017 surged 24-fold to a record P4.1 billion from just P174 million year-on-year on all-time high gaming revenues.

Bloomberry’s net net income in the second quarter

jumped 47 percent to P1.95 billion from P1.33 billion in the same quarter last year due to a 34 percent increase in profitability in its Philippine operations and lower losses from Korean gaming operations under Jeju Hotel & Casino.

Gross gaming revenues rose 16 percent year-on-year and 14 percent quarter-onquarter to P12.22 billion— the highest since opening Solaire in March 2013—on better relations between the Philippines and China.

IN BRIEF NGCP places Luzon on red alert

THE Luzon grid was plunged into red alert power supply status for a few hours on Friday due to the isolation of power plants arising from the tripping of a transmission line, officials said.

System operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid on red alert from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. after available capacity reached 9,083 MW against the peak demand of 9,051 MW. “Luzon grid is on red alert due to the unexpected shutdown of some power plants,” National Grid said.

Red alert refers to the system condition where the contingency reserve is zero or a generation deficiency exists.

“NGCP’s Pagbilao-Tayabas 230 kV line tripped at 8:38 a.m. causing the isolation of power plants with a combined capacity of 947 MW,” NGCP said.

NGCP said the loss of power prompted the grid operator to put the Luzon grid on red alert from 11 to 12:30 p.m. and yellow alert from 12:31 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“The said line was restored at 9:24 a.m.. Line personnel are already on line patrol to investigate the root cause of the incident,” it said.

Manila Electric Co. spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said the red alert in the company’s Meralco franchise area lasted from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. when demand was expected to be at its peak.

Meralco initially attributed the generation deficiency on Friday to the sudden outage of the Pagbilao and Quezon Power Philippines power plants. Alena Mae S. Flores

‘Great Wall of Leyte’ ready by 2020

THE Department of Public Works and Highways said it expects to complete by 2020 the construction of the P7.95-billion road project also known as the “Great Wall of Leyte.”

Th Road Heightening and Tide Embankment Project is a 27.3-kilometer stretch, four-meter high seawall structure that will be implemented by DPWH in six phases until 2020. It is part of government’s program on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The DPWH said it completed 45 percent of Section 4 of the RHTE Project, which runs through coastal barangays from Barangay 89 of Tacloban City to Palo, Leyte.

Upon completion, the great wall will intensify safety of coastal communities during typhoons or storm surges, protecting Yolanda-affected areas in Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan from future similar calamities.

With a bike lane component, the wall is also seen to provide tourism opportunities in the province, as it can showcase a view of the sunset as well as mangrove forest along the coastal areas, thus, generating economic benefits to local residents.

Darwin G. Amojelar

ASEAN SWAP DEAL. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, through Governor Nestor Espenilla (above), and other member central banks of the Association of Southeast Asian nations sign the 6th Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding renewing the Asean Swap Arrangement for another two years starting on November 17, 2017. The ASA involves the provision of $2 billion in short-term foreign exchange liquidity support for Asean membercountries that experience balance of payments difficulties. The principal agreement came into force on November 17, 2005 and has been renewed six times.

out legal basis.

Regional Trial Court of Quezon City Branch 105 Rosa Samson on October 13 directed the DOTr and BURI to proceed with the arbitration proceedings as stated in the MRT3 contract.

“The allegation of poor performance against the service company will be met by evidence that BURI has delivered even more than what is required under its contract, together with its early accomplishment of fixing 26 cars to raise the number of running trains from 13 in January 2016, when it started servicing the system, to about 22 running trains at present,” BURI said.

The company added it met train availability requirements that served as the contract’s key performance indicators.

BoP swung to surplus of $24m in September

By Julito G. Rada THE country’s balance of payments position in September swung to a surplus of $24 million from a deficit of $7 million a month ago, driven primarily by the foreign exchange operations and investment income from abroad of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo said Friday.

The September surplus was, however, lower than the $117-million surplus recorded a year ago. This trimmed the BoP deficit in the first nine months to $1.367 billion from a $1.391-billion gap a month ago.

“The modest BoP surplus [was] derived directly from the BSP’s foreign exchange [operations and] investment income from abroad but moderated by the national government’s debt servicing requirements,” Guinigundo said in a statement.

Espenilla: Inflation rate manageable despite risks BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said inflation will remain manageable in the coming months despite the developments in both domestic and external fronts that may present risks to the path of consumer prices.

“Our latest forecast show that inflation will continue to track the midpoint of target range in 2017 to 2019 (of 2 to 4 percent). However, the inflation path has also shifted higher due to recent increases in crude prices and the depreciation of the peso,” Espenilla said in a briefing on the thirdquarter inflation.

Espenilla said the inflation outlook might still adjust upward owing in part to possible adjustment in electricity rates as well as the potential short-term impact of the government’s planned tax reform.

“Such developments, however, are not expected to breach the inflation target.

Moreover, lingering uncertainty in global economic conditions may still temper

Unpaid FIT to renewable firms piling up—TransCo

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN National Transmission Corp. has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to act on its pending applications, saying the renewable energy payment backlog is expected to reach P8 billion by the end of the year.

TransCo president Melvin Matibag said the company’s pending applications with the ERC for the feed-in tariff allowance adjustment covered 2017 and 2018.

“It’s already with them... we expect backlog to reach P8 billion this year,” Matibag said.

TransCo manages the FITAll rate that is used to pay the eligible renewable energy developers under the FIT system, an incentive scheme that, among others, gives priority connections to grid, purchase and transmission of, and payment for generated power.

TransCo has a pending application to increase the feedin tariff allowance by another

P0.1051 per kWh for 2017, which is now under final consultations with the regulator.

TransCo also filed for a feed-in tariff allowance rate of P0.2932 per kilowatt-hour equivalent to P24.9 billion as payment to renewable energy developers mandated under the Renewable Energy Law of 2008 for 2018.

“After due notice and hearing, a FIT-All rate of P0.2932 per kWh for 2018 computed for RE projects with at least a nomination from DOE (Department of Energy) for

He said economic fundamentals were encouraging, citing that exports had begun to recover in the last eight months while import growth decelerated.

“Cash remittances continue to be robust while BPO revenues have been reported to be resilient at around 10 percent growth.

We hope we can keep the BoP shortfall at modest volume given the good outturn in portfolio investment in August and small overhang in September,” Guinigundo said.

Latest data showed cash remittances by Filipinos working overseas accelerated to a five-month high of 7.8 percent in August 2017 to $2.499 billion from $2.319 billion a year ago, driven mainly by sustained demand for local skilled workers abroad. This brought cash remittances in the first eight months to $18.595 billion, up 5.4 percent from $17.642 billion in the same period last year.

eligibility under the FIT system (should) be approved,” TransCo said in its petition to the ERC. The FIT guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement to the applicable FITs for a period of 20 years.

ERC granted the following tariff rates for solar 1 at P9.68 per kWh, solar 2 at P8.69 per kWh, wind 1 at P8.53 per kWh, wind 2 at P7.40 per kWh, biomass at P6.63 per kWh and hydro at P5.90 per kWh.

further the inflationary pressures,” Espenilla said.

Data showed that inflation averaged 3.1 percent in the third quarter, unchanged from the quarter ago level but higher than the 2 percent average in the same period last year.

This brought the average since the start of the year to 3.1 percent, slightly higher than the midpoint of the target range of 2 to 4 percent.

Food inflation eased with slower increases in the prices of rice, meat, and fruits and vegetables. By contrast, non-food inflation rose due to the uptick in transportation fares and domestic fuel prices.

Espenilla said prospects for global economic growth had improved further since July this year. He said indicators of activity suggested a firmer recovery across advanced and emerging economies alike driven by improved investment and trade flows, solid industrial production and stronger business and consumer confidence. Julito G. Rada Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, October 20, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.4630

Japan

Yen

0.008887

0.4574

UK

Pound

1.316100

67.7305

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128200

6.5976

Switzerland

Franc

1.024485

52.7231

Canada

Dollar

0.801025

41.2231

Singapore

Dollar

0.737246

37.9409

Australia

Dollar

0.787900

40.5477

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651395

136.4487

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.7227

Brunei

Dollar

0.734538

37.8015

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030202

1.5543

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

14.0134

Euro

Euro

1.185400

61.0042

Korea

Won

0.000887

0.0456

China

Yuan

0.151126

7.7774

India

Rupee

0.015387

0.7919

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236855

12.1893

New Zealand

Dollar

0.703000

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033103

36.1785 1.7036 Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; Ayala declines T HE stock market retreated Friday on profit-taking, with investors lightening up their load as they weigh prospects of third quarter earnings.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 66.42 points, or 0.8 percent, to 8,420.95 on a value turnover of P10.2 billion. Losers beat gainers, 124 to 72, with 49 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 4.1 percent to P1,070 after closing at an all-time high of P1,116 Thursday, while Universal Robina Corp. dropped 2.2 percent to P137.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., the smaller of the two oil refineries, tumbled 3.5 percent to P62.60, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty fell 2.1 percent to P1,190.

The rest of Asian and European

markets rose on Friday, with Japan’s Nikkei clocking up a record-equalling 14 straight wins, while the dollar also rallied on hopes for Donald Trump’s tax cut plans.

A succession of strong earnings and economic indicators has fueled optimism on trading floors in recent weeks, with Wall Street’s three main indexes continuously hitting records.

Tokyo ended marginally higher as a weaker yen helped reverse early losses to see the Nikkei to its 14th straight gain, matching its best run since 1961.

Hong Kong jumped one percent after sinking almost two percent Thursday on profit-taking, while Sydney gained 0.2 percent and Seoul jumped 0.7 percent.

Shanghai rose 0.3 percent.

Singapore gained 0.1 percent while Wellington and Jakarta were also up.

However, there is chatter that it might be time to take a breather after a global

rally in recent months with a number of key issues on the horizon including the choice of a new Federal Reserve boss, Brexit talks and the Catalan crisis.

Treasury chief Steven Mnuchin said this week that markets could see a correction if US lawmakers fail to pass the president’s tax-cut measures, while People’s Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan warned of “excessive optimism” and a possible plunge in prices.

But Trump’s promise to pass the legislation moved a step closer late Thursday when senators agreed a budget resolution that unlocks a procedure allowing Republicans to push through such measures without the need for Democrat help.

Trump hailed the vote as “an important step in advancing the administration’s pro-growth and pro-jobs legislative agenda.”

Expectations the tycoon’s tax cuts and big spending plans would boost the economy were one of the drivers of a months-long global markets rally that kicked off after his November election, though a series of White House crises and legislative setbacks pared those gains.

While the controversial proposals still have a long way to go before being passed, the news spurred Asian markets to life after a plodding start to the day, while the dollar strengthened against the yen, euro and pound.

“The budget still has to also pass the House, but near term, it should be supportive for the dollar,” Shinichiro Kadota, a senior foreign-exchange strategist at Barclays Securities Japan in Tokyo, told Bloomberg News.

“Senate passage of budget was a step required for budget reconciliation to advance tax reform.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.46 20,000 59.2 810 98 1,832,680 3.91 14,000 143 3,283,680 2.27 6,958,000 33.4 425,500 15.9 7,800 31.05 855,000 8.25 300 1.71 70,000 960 20 0.66 1,937,000 92.75 2,556,380 0.82 474,000 12.8 8,100 58.6 2,408,100 238 760 59.8 2,019,040 263.2 261,180 1,935 200 86.8 17,160 1.27 16,000

89,220 48,257 179,610,504.50 54,590 474,497,025 16,204,360 14,234,705 123,878 26,678,595 2,475 118,580 18,800 1,273,420 237,327,974.50 389,620 103,680 140,739,945.50 182,170 124,386,575.50 68,841,110 387,000 1,487,447 20,250

47,660 -40,209,837.50 19,400 50,705,639 -159,810 4,135,455 -12,491,970 -66,000 61,030,934 8,200 -2,560 -28,002,029 64,800 -26,128,787 -3,072,822 164,776 -

41.6 10.94 0.74 1.36 19 0.213 108 5.06 15.12 180 44.5 18.5 63 1.9 6.31 11.5 10 14.8 13.1 6.97 5.65 1.61 16.88 62 16.5 12.36 18.8 1.75 245 5.06 3.25 31.7 19.02 16.22 286 0.212 10.9 2.91 6.2 9.75 5.8 9.9 1.73 11 62.6 6.8 307.4 4.75 4.6 2.09 13.2 0.14 1.2 137 3.29 2.12 27 0.97

INDUSTRIAL 42.65 462,400 11.16 2,241,800 0.74 594,000 1.38 169,000 19.5 109,100 0.214 510,000 108 20 5.11 6,472,900 15.14 2,934,000 180 20 44.85 1,684,500 19.38 2,600 63.2 1,008,620 1.92 183,000 6.51 103,000 11.5 334,300 10 5,999,200 14.88 295,200 13.6 1,632,800 7 839,200 5.65 39,092,900 1.61 40,000 16.88 4,786,700 64 960,910 16.8 35,000 12.36 16,200 18.8 2,552,500 1.8 274,000 246 273,440 5.12 1,712,100 3.25 3,000 31.7 2,207,400 19.02 438,200 16.36 1,820,600 290.6 1,274,530 0.214 1,250,000 10.9 189,100 2.94 65,000 6.28 99,400 9.84 3,946,500 5.84 112,600 9.9 4,600 1.75 573,000 11.4 396,000 62.6 2,381,740 6.8 13,300 310 8,790 4.8 167,000 4.6 61,000 2.27 3,229,000 13.3 74,100 0.14 150,000 1.2 259,000 137 2,826,160 3.29 17,000 2.12 1,847,000 27.95 1,400 0.98 602,000

19,642,460 24,796,320 441,390 231,650 2,134,702 109,780 2,210 33,357,172 44,473,668 3,600 75,691,995 49,406 65,546,060 348,410 667,353 3,849,188 60,089,760 4,388,170 22,139,300 5,868,068 221,073,794 64,400 83,074,558 61,640,777 584,356 200,442 48,427,134 491,090 67,405,538 8,941,185 9,750 70,241,940 8,390,450 29,766,082 369,943,814 268,530 2,136,136 189,710 624,279 38,824,600 653,654 45,540 998,700 4,485,276 150,486,060 90,440 2,722,220 798,050 280,600 7,280,460 982,190 21,000 318,100 393,127,600 56,070 3,962,460 37,895 589,050

361,850 207,886 10,650 -12,998,877 22,234,346 754,710 20,000,440 -52,791,814 674,378 -925,190 -4,577,376 -61,234,565 -63,460,074 -28,559,486.00 13,200 -8,155,614.00 18,040 -8,920,786 -18,252 21,259,030 -1,262,132.00 -25,529,892 -40,942,328 5,850 -15,468,009 -45,540 -194,120 -513,000 -5,346,715 23,800 -1,653,296 -81,580 -2,090,950 171,442 1,200 -120,826,971 -56,070 -28,550 -

0.335 74.5 15.18 1.03 6.9 0.405 0.41 1,070 8.45 15.54 7.57 4.9 5.1 0.198 1,190 7.9 74.5 4.4 5.48 0.83 5.64 17.64 0.385 6.85 0.051 1.45 2.07 102.5 957 0.85 1.45 289 0.265 0.207

HOLDING FIRMS 0.335 1,080,000 75 312,670 15.26 7,368,500 1.1 81,000 7.01 221,500 0.42 21,590,000 0.415 3,990,000 1,070 891,080 8.49 2,764,700 15.6 6,849,800 7.57 700 4.9 5,000 5.1 2,300 0.198 430,000 1,190 121,670 7.98 13,700 76.2 332,400 4.4 14,000 5.48 1,100 0.85 1,985,000 5.86 22,761,600 17.78 128,000 0.385 10,000 6.89 3,143,300 0.053 27,640,000 1.52 2,052,000 2.07 200,000 102.5 583,580 979.5 180,010 0.85 5,000 1.48 581,000 299 2,070 0.265 180,000 0.209 80,000

364,500 23,441,063 112,873,970 84,900 1,537,909 9,096,100 1,666,550 975,203,305 23,531,205 106,853,516 5,409 24,500 11,730 85,140 145,869,545 109,266 25,282,953.50 61,820 6,042 1,688,150 132,255,028 2,277,950 3,850 21,652,953 1,451,920 3,113,650 416,000 60,412,926 176,466,180 4,250 852,530 610,782 47,700 16,600

9,588,470.50 -24,907,304 43,902,355 1,366,013 -51,702,868 -83,874,545 -1,620,185.50 -6,661,297 -106,450.00 8,995,025 93,150 2,576,003 78,811,875 2,090

12,313,920 5,704,250 25,704 11,850 3,140,910 380,460,940 1,732,760 7,098,530 45,150 2,305,830 433,000 120,890 3,603,770 407,150 6,849,735 206,530 40,907,280 10,394,460 5,147,070 62,849,755

-10,981,550 21,400 -41,381,065 -256,910 2,351,220 -57,240 1,400,690 -21,010,840 13,860 -3,896,040

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

4.46 59.7 98 3.88 145.2 2.45 33.45 15.88 31.55 8.25 1.7 920 0.66 92.5 0.85 12.8 58.3 240 62 265 1,935 86.6 1.26

4.47 59.7 98.25 3.91 146 2.55 33.5 15.9 31.6 8.25 1.71 960 0.67 93.25 0.85 12.8 60 240 63.3 265 1,935 86.9 1.27

4.46 59.2 97.75 3.88 142 2.26 33.4 15.88 31.05 8.25 1.69 920 0.65 92.5 0.82 12.8 58.25 238 59.75 262 1,935 86.6 1.26

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION 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 MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

42.4 11.14 0.75 1.37 19.2 0.213 113 5.07 15.24 180 44.9 18.5 65 1.91 6.5 11.52 10.2 14.9 13.44 7.06 5.69 1.61 17.98 66 16.72 12.38 19.4 1.8 247 5.06 3.25 32 19.5 16.32 287.8 0.212 11.3 2.93 6.25 10.08 5.8 9.9 1.74 11.04 64.85 6.8 307.8 4.75 4.6 2.09 13.4 0.14 1.3 140 3.31 2.14 27 0.97

42.7 11.2 0.76 1.38 20.65 0.226 113 5.2 15.24 180 45.5 19.4 65 1.94 6.51 11.6 10.28 14.9 13.62 7.06 5.71 1.61 18 66 16.8 12.38 19.4 1.82 248 5.3 3.25 32.4 19.5 16.48 292.4 0.219 11.68 2.94 6.32 10.1 5.84 9.9 1.75 11.48 66 6.8 310 4.85 4.6 2.39 13.4 0.14 1.3 141.1 3.31 2.17 27.95 0.98

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

0.345 75.4 15.48 1.03 6.9 0.415 0.415 1,110 8.47 15.8 7.79 4.9 5.1 0.198 1,234 8 75.95 4.5 5.57 0.83 5.84 18.08 0.385 6.9 0.055 1.52 2.09 104.3 957 0.85 1.5 289 0.265 0.208

0.345 75.4 15.54 1.1 7.01 0.435 0.425 1,110 8.56 15.8 7.79 4.9 5.1 0.198 1,234 8 76.2 4.5 5.57 0.87 5.86 18.08 0.385 6.9 0.055 1.6 2.09 104.3 990 0.85 1.5 299 0.265 0.209

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 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD

4.97 1.09 8.59 2.37 1.02 43.35 3.77 4.91 5.25 0.51 1.21 1.25 0.205 0.465 41.1 0.69 1.98 1.54 0.88 5.4

5.15 1.1 8.59 2.37 1.02 43.35 3.77 4.91 5.25 0.52 1.27 1.26 0.215 0.47 42 0.7 1.98 1.58 0.88 5.42

4.93 1.06 8.53 2.37 0.98 42.7 3.72 4.81 5.25 0.51 1.21 1.22 0.205 0.465 40.2 0.68 1.94 1.53 0.8 5.3

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.32 0.42 0.495 6.54 26.6 1.81 3.14 36.3 1.03 6.92 0.85 6.1

0.32 0.42 0.51 6.58 26.8 1.84 3.16 36.6 1.05 6.92 0.87 6.1

0.315 0.415 0.495 6.42 25.45 1.81 3.14 36.1 1.02 6.92 0.85 5.83

0.315 0.415 0.51 6.56 25.45 1.84 3.16 36.5 1.05 6.92 0.87 5.89

12,600,000 3,190,000 3,890,000 2,216,400 1,537,600 275,000 13,000 8,690,800 1,327,000 2,100 6,000 11,533,400

4,003,150 1,325,100 1,947,800 14,496,410 39,572,840 500,670 40,980 316,143,410 1,375,380 14,532 5,120 67,927,310

-105,000 -101,636 -4,255,590 181,000 -30,860,220.00 -99,750 -34,749,021

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

19.76 38.95 1.63 0.55 0.051 5.05 10.2 0.07 112.5 9.49 7.07 2,036 6 19 2.58 2.78 104 8.4 0.155 1.39 3.21 16.04 4.1 1.44 19.24 0.56 2.93 6.95 4.17 17 2.28 10.98 5.04 2.86 171 8.56 1,710 1.43 0.395 51.75 93.7 6.22 4.3 1.57 1.88 3.98 1.04 8.6

20 39 1.63 0.55 0.052 5.05 10.38 0.071 112.7 10.08 7.55 2,036 6 19 2.68 2.78 104 8.4 0.158 1.4 3.28 16.04 4.1 1.51 20.1 0.58 2.99 7 4.17 17.02 2.28 10.98 5.08 2.86 176 8.56 1,710 1.46 0.4 51.75 93.75 6.24 4.3 1.58 2.13 4 1.04 8.62

19.7 38.9 1.6 0.53 0.05 5.05 10.08 0.07 112.2 9.3 7.07 1,982 5.95 18.32 2.52 2.72 102 8.35 0.154 1.35 3.06 15 4.02 1.35 19 0.56 2.86 6.83 4.05 16.9 2.21 10.92 5.04 2.86 171 8.4 1,670 1.33 0.395 50.9 91.5 6.08 4.09 1.56 1.88 3.85 1.01 8.45

SERVICES 19.9 39 1.63 0.54 0.052 5.05 10.38 0.07 112.2 10 7.55 2,000 5.98 18.98 2.56 2.72 103.4 8.39 0.158 1.39 3.25 16.04 4.04 1.47 19.04 0.56 2.95 7 4.15 16.9 2.22 10.92 5.08 2.86 175 8.56 1,708 1.34 0.395 50.9 91.5 6.08 4.3 1.57 2.07 3.86 1.02 8.62

76,900 26,100 320,000 96,000 41,460,000 200 11,706,300 4,920,000 630,200 8,504,500 1,160,400 152,625 406,600 29,800 11,106,000 41,000 334,850 600,000 1,420,000 232,000 250,000 28,000 614,000 8,239,000 10,863,300 336,000 303,000 12,336,800 530,000 2,400 2,467,000 6,900 16,000 4,000 1,580 67,900 274,700 37,629,000 960,000 2,620,460 1,297,990 1,061,500 2,984,000 2,273,000 16,000 4,643,000 6,631,000 2,151,100

1,529,178 1,016,570 519,860 51,190 2,099,160 1,010 119,929,136 345,020 70,821,125 83,915,041 8,205,361 304,948,690 2,429,255 562,170 28,625,520 112,670 34,604,829 5,032,746 219,990 315,650 787,110 442,918 2,485,860 11,848,190 213,704,063 188,200 888,590 86,214,211 2,198,190 40,776 5,512,770 75,622 80,680 11,440 276,290 576,384 465,869,360 50,824,890 379,300 134,209,519.50 119,539,305.50 6,594,952 12,569,480 3,563,430 31,320 18,073,910 6,764,780 18,456,238

-19,860 7,036,848 19,524,780 12,480,000 -121,919,190 453,110 27,500 340,920 -255,340.00 -81,950 -24,865,069 -88,280 -373,609 -87,050 71,100 1,098 62,970 -60,870,415 -22,516,280 -75,733,581.50 -99,338,816 3,256,260 -3,595,400 1,740,710 4,748,340 66,770 9,534,254

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

0.0026 1.75 4.98 15.62 1.84 1.87 1.58 0.385 8.21 2.63 0.265 0.189 0.196 0.01 0.011 1.86 6.8 1.73 0.5 1.02 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.45 7.52 9.03 42 0.0075

0.0026 1.75 4.98 16.28 1.96 2.1 1.61 0.39 8.25 2.63 0.265 0.192 0.196 0.011 0.011 1.9 6.9 1.73 0.5 1.02 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.45 7.59 9.08 42 0.0076

0.0024 1.7 4.85 15.5 1.84 1.87 1.56 0.38 8.11 2.58 0.255 0.185 0.196 0.01 0.011 1.84 6.66 1.67 0.5 1.01 0.013 0.013 0.011 2.43 7.45 8.71 41.1 0.0075

MINING & OIL 0.0025 76,000,000 1.72 4,352,000 4.87 139,000 16.28 6,900 1.86 10,000 1.88 1,265,000 1.6 3,329,000 0.38 560,000 8.21 84,200 2.58 545,000 0.26 130,000 0.185 11,980,000 0.196 800,000 0.01 37,300,000 0.011 800,000 1.87 459,000 6.66 6,935,600 1.7 108,000 0.5 130,000 1.01 136,000 0.013 400,000 0.013 500,000 0.012 24,800,000 2.43 36,000 7.56 821,600 8.86 6,353,400 41.1 3,664,300 0.0076 20,000,000

191,000 7,471,760 682,080 107,610 19,040 2,437,730 5,310,370 215,550 683,105 1,412,000 33,350 2,242,540 156,800 387,700 8,800 854,260 46,597,588 181,250 65,000 137,440 5,200 6,500 279,900 88,000 6,153,877 56,859,024 152,181,295 150,300

34,000 -4,850 -1,251,030 12,940 -25,336,086 -1,033,582 703,808 -97,309,300 -

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

38.1 532 105.3 5.68 1.06 1,065 1,146 1,012 105.2 75.9 81.25 78.1 82 77.8 79.5 79.15

38.5 532 107.5 5.69 1.06 1,065 1,146 1,013 106 75.95 81.25 78.1 82.7 77.8 79.5 79.5

38.1 532 105.3 5.66 1.06 1,065 1,146 1,012 105.2 75.9 81.25 78.1 82 77.15 79.5 79.15

PREFERRED 38.5 1,300 532 40 107.5 54,750 5.66 508,500 1.06 6,000 1,065 1,000 1,146 800 1,013 850 106 170 75.95 4,360 81.25 14,000 78.1 500 82.7 23,000 77.15 89,450 79.5 40,330 79.5 39,300

49,890 21,280 5,801,332 2,885,358 6,360 1,065,000 916,800 860,550 17,940 331,107 1,137,500 39,050 1,894,875 6,904,317.50 3,206,235 3,121,527

-3,770 -2,885,358 -657,200 -

LR WARRANT

2.41

2.44

2.4

WARRANTS 2.4 59,000

141,820

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.85 4.5 5.59

5.95 4.5 5.59

5.44 4.3 5.5

5.55 4.35 5.52

9,398,846 726,770 1,508,668

-303,322 -205,269

FIRST METRO ETF

128.6

128.6

127.5

452,408

-

USD DMPL A1

10.5

10.5

10.5

46,725

-

MS

PROPERTY 4.93 1.08 8.53 2.37 1 43.15 3.77 4.84 5.25 0.51 1.26 1.22 0.211 0.465 42 0.68 1.94 1.53 0.82 5.3

2,449,000 5,303,000 3,000 5,000 3,146,000 8,833,500 463,000 1,465,000 8,600 4,520,000 356,000 98,000 17,070,000 870,000 167,200 302,000 21,019,000 6,723,000 6,291,000 11,729,100

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL

SME

1,661,700 167,000 273,500

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.6 3,540 10.5

DDS

SHARES

VALUE

23,166,933

1,286,849,888.90

INDUSTRIAL

103,898,957

2,156,219,678.57

HOLDING FIRMS

106,490,764

2,589,053,402.405

PROPERTY

279,703,159

1,678,703,339.095

SERVICES

189,010,000

2,157,612,064.71

MINING & OIL

201,915,667

284,960,219.582

GRAND TOTAL

906,291,460

10,165,486,314.86

4,450

FINANCIAL 2,067.90 (DOWN) 19.36 INDUSTRIAL 10,820.63 (DOWN) 110.78 HOLDING FIRMS 8,683.79 (DOWN) 53.12 PROPERTY 3,920.68 (DOWN) 31.89 SERVICES 1,698.01 (DOWN) 1.97 MINING & OIL 12,932.01 (DOWN) 240.33 PSEI 8,420.95 (DOWN) 66.42 All Shares Index 4,913.79 (DOWN) 36.68 Gainers: 72; Losers: 124; Unchanged: 49; Total: 245

PH clears Udenna’s purchase of GGDC

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition of the entire capital stock of GGDC Holdings Inc.

by Clark Global City Corp.

The PCC said the acquisition did not show any signs of anti-competitive behavior nor posed any harm to similar businesses and to business in general.

Clark Global is an affiliate of Udenna Corp. while GDCC is the majority shareholder of Global Gateway Development Corp. based in Cayman Islands. Udenna is the parent of listed Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., both owned by businessman Dennis Uy. Global Gateway is leaseholder to the rights of the 177-hectare land within Clark Freeport Zone where its gateway Logistics City is located.

GGDC Holdings is wholly owned by The Port Fund L.P., while Clark Global is wholly owned by Udenna Development Corp., a wholly owned unit of Udenna.

“The transaction does not result in the substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market since the parties do not appear to be operating in the same market in the Philippines,” the decision read.

The PCC, the country’s anti-trust body, is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure the deals will not harm the interest of consumers.

PCC records show 127 merger filings by local and international companies worth a combined P2.016 trillion in terms of notifications, and P1.996 trillion in terms of transaction value.

Of the total number of filings, 36 involve global deals.

CEB bares new hub in Mindanao

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific on Friday announced that Laguindingan Airport will serve as its seventh hub in the country as it strengthens domestic route network and air connections to and from Mindanao.

Cebu Pacific also launched two new routes that link Northern Mindanao to Caticlan (Boracay) and Dumaguete City.

Cagayan de Oro was among the first domestic destinations launched by Cebu Pacific when it started operations in 1996.

The Cebu Pacific network, including inter-island routes of subsidiary Cebgo, boasts of a total of nine connections to and from the Laguindingan Airport—Manila, Bacolod, Caticlan, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Davao and Zamboanga.

“What was originally the 4th destination launched back in 1996, is now a hub. It follows the path of Manila, Cebu and Iloilo, also hubs. Today is a testament to our long-standing commitment to contribute to nation-building, and make air travel more accessible to Filipinos,” Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of Cebu Pacific, said.

“We look forward to the effect our low fares and direct flights will have on Northern Mindanao,” he added.

The expansion of the Cebu Pacific domestic route network is expected to increase the carrier’s capacity and reach for cargo service. This will mean faster and more efficient movement of goods across the country.

World

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Uphill struggle to rebuild Raqa B EIRUT―The Islamic State group’s former Syrian stronghold Raqa has been captured, but it lies ruined, littered with explosives, and lacking electricity or running water for the residents desperate to return.

Aid groups and the United Nations say clearing and rebuilding what was once the jihadist group’s de facto Syrian capital will be a massive, expensive effort, and it could be months before life resumes.

Four months of fierce fighting including heavy US-led coalition air strikes has collapsed multi-story buildings and left others torn apart by heavy artillery and gunfire.

The United Nations esti-

mated in September that up to 80 percent of the city could be uninhabitable, and Raqa’s basic infrastructure is now virtually non-existent.

“In the previous months, local sources reported... a severe shortage of food, medicine, electricity, safe drinking water and basic commodities,” said Linda Tom, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The presence of waterborne diseases and of unburied corpses were also re-

ported, posing a grave public health risk,” she told AFP. Running water has been out for months, and just a few water boreholes remained in use before the last phase of the battle for the city.

There is no electricity supply at all, with the grid damaged by fighting and the generators that had provided two hours of power a day out of fuel.

There are also no functioning medical facilities in the city, and schools have long since closed, non-governmental organizations say.

“Substantial investment will be required to reconstruct the city’s destroyed homes, health facilities and schools, and to remove unexploded mines, before people can safely go home,” said aid group Save the Children.

“The military offensive in Raqa may be coming to an end, but the humanitarian crisis is greater than ever,” the group’s Syria director Sonia Khush said in a statement.

Before Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011, some 220,000 people lived in Raqa, a population that

swelled in the early years of the war as people displaced from elsewhere settled there.

But the city has been gradually emptied of its population, with some fleeing during IS rule and others escaping as the attacking Syrian Democratic Forces battled to capture the city.

Around 270,000 people have been displaced by the fight for Raqa, but they will be unable to return until the city is cleared of explosives, which IS has regularly laid across territory under its control. AFP

Obama criticizes ‘politics of division’ RICHMOND―Barack Obama is returning to the political arena for the first time in months after keeping a low profile and avoiding direct confrontation with his White House successor.

The 56-year-old former president is scheduled to attend campaign rallies in New Jersey and Virginia on Thursday to support Democratic party candidates for governor.

Voters in both states will decide the gubernatorial contests on November 7, one year after Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton and stormed into the White House on a wave of antiestablishment fury.

The races are a potential indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, which will be a major test for Trump and his Republican party.

“There are only two big elections this year, for governor in NJ and VA,” political science professor Larry Sabato told AFP. “What’s at stake is bragging rights headed into the 2018 midterm elections,” Sabato said.

It is unclear what Obama’s message will be. The former US leader has remained largely detached from the political debate since leaving office on January 20, in keeping with presidential tradition.

Trump has meanwhile used his first nine months in the White House to methodically demolish key Obama administration policies.

After three months of vacation Obama began writing his memoirs. He has said little in public and granted almost no interviews.

The few times Obama broke his silence was to comment on issues of national importance, such as immigration, health care and climate change.

But the 44th president may be tempted on Thursday to take aim at Trump, who has frequently and publicly excoriated his predecessor. AFP

SUMMIT. Spain’s Prime minister Mariano Rajoy arrives on the second day of a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels. The EU leaders are expected to say that they will start internal preparatory work on a post-Brexit transition period and a future trade deal with Britain. AFP

Puerto Rican mayor a fighter who took on Trump SAN JUAN―As Puerto Rico grapples with the destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria, it boasts a pint-sized, in-yourface advocate in San Juan’s mayor―a woman feisty enough to lock horns with President Donald Trump.

Meet Carmen Yulin Cruz, 54, who took on Trump angrily, emotionally and very publicly about what she called the slow pace of aid―or the utter lack of it― arriving to the island of 3.4 million US citizens after the

September 20 storm.

One of her nicknames comes from that of a tiny bird known to be a fierce fighter when attacked by a predator.

“Power is about getting things done,” Yulin Cruz, who prefers people to call her simply Yulin, not even Carmen, told AFP as she viewed the rubble of a park blasted by the storm.

“And I prefer to get things done, with the priority being people, not the political consequences,” said Yulin, who

wore heavy boots, a baseball cap and trademark eyeglasses the shade of ivory.

The park is deserted―no kids are playing on the swings, and the fountains normally bubbling with water are now dry as a bone.

Yulin is a non-fussy, downto-earth kind of person. At one point she sits down on some steps in the park, reaches into her backpack and pulls out stuff to make a sandwich right therewith a Puerto Rican mash of ham, cheese and red pepper.

“Why should I feel embarrassed about making a sandwich if I am hungry?” she asks.

Yulin shot to international fame through her spat with Trump.

The island was hit by not one but two hurricanes: Irma, and then two weeks later, Maria. A month after the latter, the island is still largely a wasteland, with 81 percent of the population without electricity and clean water scarce.

Yulin waged the final of a

series of tweet battles with Trump last week after he warned that federal aid to the Spanish-speaking island was not open- ended.

“It is not that you do not get it; you are incapable of fulfilling the moral imperative to help the people of PR. Shame on you!,” she wrote.

Her husband, psychiatrist Alfredo Carrasquillo, said Yulin “can be really tough when people are trying to besmirch human dignity.” AFP

Delhi chokes on toxic haze despite ban on fireworks NEW DELHI―New Delhi was shrouded in a thick toxic haze Friday after a night of frenzied Diwali fireworks sent the air quality plummeting despite a ban on the sale of fireworks aimed at thwarting a repeat of an ‘airpocalypse’.

India’s Supreme Court had banned the sale of firecrackers ahead of the Hindu festival of lights to prevent a repeat of last year’s post-Diwali air pollution crises that left Delhi’s 20 million residents gasping for weeks.

But late Thursday the readings for the pollutants hovered around 1,100 microgram per cubic meter in some parts of the city―11 times above the prescribed air quality levels of the World Health Organization.

Air quality data from Delhi Pollution Control Committee showed pollution levels in a crowded neighborhood hit 1,179 around midnight as firework displays reached a crescendo.

Residents of Delhi, rated the most polluted city by WHO in 2014,

showed little consideration for the ban, purchasing crackers illegally or using those bought earlier.

The levels had subsided through the night but were still “hazardous” in several districts across the capital Friday morning.

Levels of PM2.5-the fine particles linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease―have soared since the beginning of October when millions of farmers in the city’s north burn post-

harvest crop residue.

The city’s quality steadily worsens at the onset of winter, a consequence of rapid urbanization that brings pollution from diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, industrial emissions and atmospheric dust.

The court on October 9 had banned sale of firecrackers across the city in anticipation of last year’s catastrophic levels of pollution. But it did not put any restrictions on bursting of fireworks. AFP

Tillerson returns to try to resolve Gulf crisis WASHINGTON―The United States will again try to resolve a Gulf crisis that Washington has alternatively fueled or tried to soothe, as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson heads back to the region.

The top US diplomat did not himself hold out much hope of an immediate breakthrough in the stand-off between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but the trip may clarify the issues at stake.

“I do not have a lot of expectations for it being resolved anytime soon,” Tillerson admitted on Thursday, in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency.

“There seems to be a real unwillingness on the part of

some of the parties to want to engage.”

Nevertheless, President Donald Trump’s chief envoy is to leave Washington this weekend for Saudi Arabia and from there head on to Qatar, to talk through a breakdown in ties.

Trump, having initially exacerbated the split by siding with Riyadh and denouncing Qatar for supporting terrorism at a “high level,” has predicted the conflict will be resolved.

Tillerson, a former chief executive of energy giant ExxonMobil, knows the region well, having dealt with its royal rulers while negotiating oil and gas deals.

But the latest diplomatic spat is a tricky one, pitching

US allies against one another even as Washington is trying to coordinate opposition to Iran and to Islamist violence.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and cozying up to Iran.

The sides have been at an impasse since then, despite efforts

by Kuwait―and a previous unsuccessful trip by Tillerson in July―to mediate the crisis.

The blockade has had an impact on Qatar’s gas-rich economy, and created a new rift in an already unstable Middle East, with Turkey siding with Qatar and Egypt with the Gulf. AFP

ATMOSPHERE. A general view of the atmosphere during the launch of Albert Watson’s “KAOS” at TASCHEN Gallery at the TASCHEN Gallery in Los Angeles, California. AFP

B3

Poor kids to receive ‘dog food’ SAO PAULO―Nicknamed “dog food” and made from nearly expired left-overs, a new product designed to fight hunger among school kids in Brazil’s largest city has sparked controversy.

Sao Paulo mayor Joao Doria this week presented the dry pellets at a press conference and promised they will reduce hunger among the city’s poorest school children, while also slashing food waste.

In some of its forms, such as the pellets, the recycled food―officially known as “farinata”―can be eaten on its own, but it can also be added to other meals, such as spaghetti or cakes.

Despite the public outcry over its dystopian appearance and unappealing provenance, the mayor―from the conservative PSDB party, and tipped as a potential presidential candidate in 2018―said he had already authorized the food to be distributed to some of the city’s schools this month, without specifying how many children would receive it.

“The ministry of education has been authorized to use it in school meals, in a complementary form,” said Doria.

Human Rights secretary Eloísa Arruda said the move had been taken before a full study on the nutritional needs of underprivileged students had been carried out in Sao Paulo, the largest metropolis in South America.

Doria described the pellets as a “blessed food” when he presented them, and defended their immediate distribution to children from lower income families.

“Starting in October, we will have a gradual rollout... to offer it to people who are hungry,” he said.

But a lack of transparency over farinata’s production and exact usage have only sharpened the controversy in a society already plagued by vast disparities between rich and poor. AFP

Doubts over rising nationalism SHANGHAI―The Shanghai site of the first Chinese Communist congress 96 years ago might be expected to draw admiring crowds as the party gathers in Beijing for its 19th such meeting.

But despite a nationwide propaganda blitz for China’s most important political gathering, only a few scattered elderly comprise the noon rush at what is now a small museum, and visitor Cai Tian thinks he knows why.

“These days, most people don’t pay much attention to this, just the older ones,” said Cai, a 46-year-old Shanghai accountant.

“Today’s people aren’t so nationalist. They are thinking more about their jobs or personal lives.”

The twice-a-decade meeting in Beijing will further enshrine the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who has launched an unprecedented push for a stronger China since taking over in 2012, stirring worries over resurgent nationalism.

His rallying cry has inspired patriotic rappers, filmmakers and state-run media.

But analyses of Chinese public opinion suggest nationalist rhetoric has only limited appeal among today’s more educated and informed citizens, while stability-obsessed authorities are wary of stoking nativist flames that could burn the party itself. AFP

Trucks &Buses

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

B4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

Isuzu executives flank the latest NLR refrigerated trucks with Blue Power technology

Iconic jeepney gets Centro’s eco-friendly touch

FORTIFYING its position as the country’s leading truck body builder, Centro Manufacturing Corporation showed its full force when it fielded seven of the sixteen prototypes of the modern jeepney for the government’s PUV Modernization Program at the recent Eco PUV Showcase of the Department of Industry. The showcase was a side event at the 1st Philippine Auto Parts Exhibit of the Philippine Parts Makers Association at the Philippine Trade Training Center at Pasay City.

The DTI has branded the modern PUV as Eco PUV for two reasons. Eco for ecological reason since to get into the program, the PUV powerdrive must either be the less-polluting Euro 4 compliant diesel engine or electric motor or hybrid.

Eco also for economic reasons since the PUV must be locally assembled, thus providing more employment and business opportunities for the SMEs. Centro displayed five Euro 4 models and the only two electric PUV models.

All models complied with the new Bureau of Philippine Standards PNS 2126:2017 coveringr the modern PUV. The platforms were supplied by leading truck manufacturing brands such as Isuzu, Fuso/Mitsubishi, Tata, Foton and electric jeepney maker PhUV Inc. Centro COO Jerryme Garcia says that Centro is in full support of the government’s Eco PUV Program which aims to use the third slot in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program for the fiscal incentives. ”We are glad that the DTI is pushing for local manufacturing resurgence. We need this large demand to increase our production volumes and enjoy economies of scale to bring down our costs and consequently, our prices”.

During his speech at the PhilAPEX opening, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez joked that the third slot which amounts to nine billion pesos in incentives is bigger than the DTI’s own annual budget.

“We look forward to supplying the demand for the PUV Modernization Program and bringing the country closer to having a world class and modern mass transport system that the Filipino people deserve. Let us all support the modern Eco PUVs since they are made in the Philippines.Gawang Pilipino para sa Pilipino”, Garcia concludes.

Blue Power trucks

HINO Motors Philippines expands its footprint in Metro Manila with a new dealership, One Alliance Motor Source Inc. under the Broadway Motor Group. At the grand opening of the dealership are (from left): VICENTE T. MILLS, JR., Chairman - HMP, WILLARD KENG, EVP & COO Broadway Motors Group, LEONCIO LEI YEE, JR., President and CEO - Broadway Motors Group, HIROSHI AOKI, President - HMP, TAKETO NAKANE, Director, Senior Managing Officer - Hino Motors Limited Japan and SUSUMU MYOKAN, VP for Business Planning - HMP.

During the two-day activity, Isuzu lined-up the new NLR 77 with Aluminum Van, FVM34 with Fruehauf Wing Van and EXZ52 Tractor Head as the test vehicle, while the new NLR85 Refrigerated Van and NQR75 Dropside were displayed for customer inspection.

“Our new lineup of trucks also had a major make-over with a new and improved Hexa-pod cab design that is solid, clean, and emotional. This new aerodynamic design is roomier and allows easier entry and exit for the driver and passenger. Power windows and door locks are standard features,” Koso said.

After the test drive and the truck inspection, IPC officials explained the MIMAMORI system, a vehicle fleet management system that analyzes and examines various vehicle operations data such as fuel consumption in aid for logistics, especially to companies that handles fleet accounts.

The system developed by Isuzu was programmed to provide driving and fuel-efficiency tips to fleet managers and drivers based on actual driving conditions.

Aside from fuel saving, companies who availed the MIMAMORI can take advantage of safer drive, such as measuring sudden braking and acceleration, thereby reducing repair cost.

Further, the IPC chief executive expressed his confidence that their latest engine offerings for trucks will be the main catalyst in contributing for commercial vehicle sales.

“I am so happy that fleet customers and the motoring media were able to test and drive the capability of our ‘Blue Power’ technology trucks. Today, they will not only learn the advantages of these trucks, but also help them address how this could help them in their daily operations in the business,” he explained.

Text and photo

by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A

FTER the glitzy 20th Anniversary celebration and the launch of its Blue Power technology lineup, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently staged a two-day test drive event to highlight and experience the innovation of its fleet of Blue Power equipped trucks.

With its President Hajime Koso leading the two-day test drive event, members of the media and dealer principals put the N-Series, F-Series and their workhorses C&E Series trucks through its paces at the Honda Driving facility in Paranaque City. “As mentioned, recently our company introduced its most advanced truck lineup ever introduced in the Philippine market, carrying Euro IV to Euro-V compliant engines, which we call ‘Blue Power’ engines,” Koso said in his welcome remarks. Also present at the event were Isuzu Global CV Engineering Center Limited Chief Engineer Yuichi Ishida, and Manager Tetsuya Fujimoto.Koso said that the company developed Blue Power Technology as part of their global commitment for cleaner environment.

“With its new design and technology, our ‘Blue Power’ engines promise to give better engine performance, higher fuel efficiency and lower carbon emission which will lessen the harmful effects on the environment,” he shared.

Metal FRESH

Give your truck some ‘alloy attitude’

Centro's take on the modern jeep

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 produc-

tion 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

Life

WellneSS WarriorS.

Nico Bolzico, Solenn Heussaff, and Raymond Gutierrez take advantage of Philam Life’s financial products to take care of their well-being

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

HealtH and environment

satuRday, octoBeR 21, 2017

C1

Mond, Nico, and Solenn

share iMportaNce A

of LiviNg better

T A certain point in our lives, we begin to think of what matters most for us. We start defining our priorities and focus our efforts on achieving them – whether it may be spending more time with family, saving up for travel, or pursuing various passion projects.

But do we realize that to be able to enjoy all these, one must learn to live better and maintain a healthy lifestyle? This is one lesson that Raymond Gutierrez, Nico Bolzico, and Solenn Heussaff hope to share with everyone, together with Philam Life.

“Living better is all about creating that balance in your life. I know we’re all busy with our careers, our families, but to give more of ourselves to whatever our passions are, we must make a conscious effort to lead healthy lives,” shares Nico.

Mond adds, “For me it’s important to work towards the best lifestyle that I can have because I still want to do many things that I’m really passionate about. And to pursue all these, the first step is to live a better life – whether it be eating right, working on your fitness, or taking care of your finances for your future.”

This year, Philam Life strengthens its commitment to empower Filipinos to live longer, healthier, and better lives with the launch of three products under the Active Series: Active Health Invest Plus, Active

MoneyWorks, and Active Family Provider.

The Active Series is ideal for everyone.

“We know that as they age, our customers’ needs change. As such, we developed products that support their needs for each phase in their lives, keeping in mind their total wellness needs,” said Timothy marriott, Philam Life chief marketing officer.

“Philam Life has been such a huge help because it gives me the boost I need to live longer, healthier, and better. It keeps me on track with my fitness and wellness goals and it made me realize the importance of investing and preparing for whatever life may bring,” shares Solenn.

Active Health Invest Plus (AHIP) provides customers with comprehensive health and accident coverage while building funds for future healthcare needs. At the same time, it has a life insurance coverage that

ensures protection for loved ones in case something untoward happens.

For those who want to grow their investment for retirement or address other longterm financial goals, Philam Life has Active MoneyWorks to offer. It’s a savings and wellness product with a high growth potential, coupled with life insurance coverage.

The Active Family Provider is ideal for young couples about to start a family, who now have more responsibilities as they transition to a new life stage. It is a protection and wellness product that helps customers protect themselves and their family’s future without worrying about paying for a long period of time as their life insurance benefit grows.

To further empower customers to improve their health, Philam Vitality, the science-backed wellness program that al-

lows customers to earn points for knowing and improving their health, powers the Active Series. Depending on the points accumulated or their Philam Vitality Status, customers can earn rewards in the form of discounts with health and wellness partners.

In addition to discounts, the most rewarding aspect of the program is the 20 percent upfront additional coverage on life insurance upon purchase, with the potential to increase to up to 50 percent based on membership status, or how active they are in the Philam Vitality program.

Talk to a Philam Life Financial Adviser, like PhilamLifeAIA on Facebook, visit www.philamlife.com, or call (02) 528-2000 to learn how you can start living a longer, healthier, and better life.

SM Markets reaches milestone in

autism inclusion

RHav LomBoy, is a handsome young guy who comes across as shy to anyone who meets him for the first time. He loves riding his bike with his friends; and he plays a mean game of bowling. He loves to sing and is passionate about the drums. He even performed with his schoolmates for 25,000 spectators at the MOA Arena in Pasay for a huge advocacy event early this year. He balances his hobbies and vocational training with his duties at Savemore Market Light Residences. Beneath his fun, cool exterior, Rhav lives with a developmental condition called autism.

Autism is a lifelong developmental exceptionality, challenging an individual’s ability to communicate, socialize and adapt to the world around him. It is a spectrum condition, which manifests in different ways in different people. While some will need help with daily living, many persons with autism (PWAs) have abilities and talents—like good memory, extraordinary spatial and organizational skills—that are easily trans-

lated to desirable qualities in the workplace.

Over the last year, Rhav joined 11 other PWAs in showing the world that young adults on the spectrum are productive contributors in a workplace, such as a supermarket. This is all thanks to “AutiSM at Work”, a disability workplace inclusion program, inspired by best practices in community-based rehabilitation, championed by SM Markets and the Autism Society Philippines (ASP).

This pioneering partnership was piloted at Savemore Market Light Residences last year, immersing three persons with autism, who were assigned various tasks in the supermarket selling area, such as returning stray items, organizing carts and baskets, as well as assisting customers. Simultaneously, there was an in-store advocacy campaign to help educate customers on how to deal respectfully with their workers with autism. The impact study proved the business, employee culture, and social benefits of the PWA workplace inclusion effort.

“We want to extend it; and we have to challenge ourselves on how can we make the program better. There are other opportunities for PWAs to explore and we are glad that we were able to be the first to open our doors to them,” said Savemore Market president Jojo Tagbo.

As the program celebrated its first year in July, SM Markets expanded the “AutiSM at Work” program to several branches, spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The program has been rolled out in Savemore Market Berkley (Quezon City), Savemore Market M. Place (Quezon City), Savemore Market Mezza Residences (Quezon City), Savemore Market Light Residences (Mandaluyong), Savemore Market Acacia (Taguig), Savemore Market Jaro (Iloilo), Savemore Market Basak (Cebu), Savemore Market Bangkal (Davao), SM Supermarket Aura (Taguig), SM Supermarket Calamba (Laguna), SM Supermarket BF Homes (Paranaque), SM Supermarket Cebu (Cebu), SM Turn to C2

Malungai LifeOil Kids Stuff food supplement provides children the health benefits of malunggay

Kids love malunggay

Savemore Market president Jojo Tagbo and SM Hypermarket senior vice president for Operations Arnold Daluz with participants and stakeholders of AutiSM at Work

CHILDReN these days have unhealthy habits. They do not get enough sleep, they lack physical exercise, they eat junk food and fast food, and are overloaded with TV and gadgets. eating green leafy vegetables is a simple way of maintaining a healthy diet, but kids do not like eating their greens. One wonder plant that is abundant in our country is malunggay. Malunggay (moringa oleifera) is known as the Tree of Life with the healing properties of its leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits. It is one of the complete sources of essential amino acids, providing the body with three times more vitamin e than almonds, three times more iron than spinach, three times more potassium than banana, and over four times more calcium than milk.

“Moringa is a strong antioxidant, so it may fight cancer-causing free radicals in the body. It also has been long used for energy supply and treating numerous conditions—from anemia to epilepsy, and so

on. Moreover, it also supplies the body with usable proteins that are being used for building muscles and supporting the brain function through the creation of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body,” explains andy Lugtu, president of Manila Nature’s Link, creator of Malungai LifeOil. Imagine being able to get all the benefits of malunggay in a sweet, liquid form for your children. Malungai LifeOil Kids Stuff is a fruit-flavored natural food supplement containing the oil from both malunggay seeds and leaf extract. Since it is in oil form, it is easily absorbed by the body. LifeOil Kids Stuff is a good source for optimal health and well-being.

For children 2 to 12 years old, LifeOil Kids Stuff is available in Guimaras Mango Flavor. For more information, visit www.malungailifeoil.ph or call Manila Nature’s Link at (02) 531-7395.

Life

C2

saturday, october 21, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

F

EDERaL Land, Inc., one of the country’s leading real estate developers, together with Gawad kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (Gk) recently turned over 60 more new homes to families in Las Piñas City, Calbayog City, and Del Carmen, Siargao in the first quarter of the year.

This brings to 340 the total number of homes that Federal Land, Inc. has completed since it partnered with Gk in 2013.

The company previously turned over 280 homes in 11 villages in Cavite, Iloilo, Capiz, Maguindanao, Tarlac, Laguna, and Zambales.

Six more villages will be turned over in Bukidnon, Rizal, Iloilo, Davao, northern Samar, and Metro Manila this year.

“Federal Land, Inc. is a testament to GT Capital Holdings founder Dr. George S.K. Ty’s vision to promote better lives for Filipinos by providing them with better homes,” said Federal Land, Inc. vice president for Marketing Catherine Advincula. “In line with this vision, our partnership with Gk has enabled Federal Land, Inc. to respond to this growing need of Filipinos, especially the underprivileged.”

In Calbayog City, where 20 homes were turned over at the Dinagan Gk site in February, grateful beneficiaries joined Federal Land, Inc. and Gk officers.

“I am very thankful for this chance to own a house,” shared Marilou Abarte, one of the new homeowners. “as a single mother of four, I am now assured of a good home for years to come where I can live with my children in comfort and safety.”

Michaela Monforte, another beneficiary, expressed her happiness for this opportunity, “It’s truly a dream come true to have a house I can call my own.”

“What we give to these new homeowners are not just homes,” shared Gk provincial head for Samar Edward Baltazar. “We also provide these families consistent presence, friendship, and strong values formation and mentoring programs for sustainable transformation.”

Federal Land, Inc. president Pascual M. Garcia III said the company would continue to partner with Gawad kalinga to support the Board of Investment’s Investments Priority Plan.

“We invest in our country as we have made a commitment to make it a beautiful place – a home not just for ourselves but for our countrymen,” he shared.

60 new homes to families

Federal Land Inc., in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, built 60 new homes in Las Piñas, samar, and surigao del Norte.

Federal Land Inc. vice president for Marketing catherine advincula (second from left) turns over the houses to beneficiaries

the new residents in GK Las Piñas are ready to occupy their houses

How to make work matter more for the LGBTQ+ community In a diverse work environment, fostering pride in the workplace is key to ensure that everyone is included and has strong opportunities for personal and professional growth. OutFront Philippines, the LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group of Capital One Philippines Support Services Corp., highlights four initiatives that helped them grow their group to hundreds of members since its launch in March.

Developing leadership skills

outFront Philippines serves as the LGbtQ+ business resource Group of capital one Philippines

“a workplace must be an avenue for individual growth,” says Pete Hayden, GM, Capital One Philippines. Development encompasses different programs for LGBTQ+ associates in the community with the aim of providing additional resources to help them in their journey and career. For OutFront Philippines, this includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) seminars which highlight the importance of self-awareness among members. Monthly coffee chats are also held to give OutFront members opportunity to meet and listen to the stories and advice of the senior leadership team as well as discuss topics that can help in their development. Some of these include perception management and gender diversity in the workplace.

Creating a sense of belonging

“We hope not only to provide the best environment for our current associates who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, but also to show anyone considering working here that we are truly committed to serving and supporting all of our associates,” Hayden shares. OutFront joins job fairs to showcase its commitment to include and develop individuals who are part of the community. Members are also part of all appreciation and welcoming programs in place, helping both tenured and newly hired LGBTQ+ associates feel and see that there is a workplace with a strong support system where they can flourish.

Promoting an open environment

Fostering understanding enables openness and this is done through educational sessions and conversations around topics relevant to LGBTQ+ individuals. OutFront Philippines just recently held HIV awareness sessions and is planning to be part of other initiatives in the future to further its strategic goals. Partnerships with other groups, such as Capital One Philippines’ Women’s Business Resource

Mobile phone powers ABS-CBN’S Bantay Bata modernization efforts TO MaRk its 20th year as one of the leading child rescue, protection, and welfare organizations in the Philippines, aBS-CBn Lingkod kapamilya Foundation, Inc.’s (aLkFI) Bantay Bata 163 partnered with Filipino technology brand Starmobile to power its modernization initiatives. as part of the partnership, Starmobile equipped Bantay Bata’s team with the best-selling PLaY Series android smartphones that social workers can use for stakeholder coordination and digital storytelling.

These devices are bundled with SIMs that will give them free monthly data allocation to access the most used social media and instant messaging sites in the country.

“Bantay Bata 163 continues to evolve as it celebrates its 20th anniversary,” said Jing Castañeda-Velasco, program director, Bantay Bata 163. “We are embracing technological innovations that can help us become more effective in our core mandate of providing a nationwide network of social services to protect disadvantaged and atrisk children, as well as enable us to defend them from new forms of abuse and exploitation, including those that happen online.”

“This partnership with Bantay Bata is proof of Starmobile’s commitment to bring the latest technologies which can be used to empower Filipinos,” said Starmobile spokesperson Elijah Mendoza. “We support Bantay Bata’s mission of creating a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where future generations of Filipinos can develop their full potential and reach for the stars.”

bantay bata 163 program director Jing castañeda-Velasco receives a PLay series android smartphone from starmobile spokesperson elijah Mendoza

Group, also help OutFront widen its reach and identify allies.

Integrating with the local community

Integrating OutFront with the broader local community creates more meaningful impact, like when the group joined the organization’s Investing for Good initiative in Don Bosco Calauan where OutFront members partnered with associates to host sports workshops. The members also engaged the LGBTQ+ youth in Calauan to understand their struggles and find ways to support them in the future. another important milestone is its affiliation with the Philippine Financial Industry Pride, the first interbank organization promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace for global financial organizations in the Philippines. OutFront represented Capital One in the nationwide Pride March held on June 24 in Marikina City.

“Capital One Philippines invests in all of its associates, including those who are members of the LGBTQ+ group. We want them to feel a true sense of belonging and know that they have a safe place here in Capital One,” says Hayden.

SM...

From C1

Supermarket Seaside (Cebu), SM Supermarket Delgado (Iloilo), SM Supermarket Lanang Premiere (Davao), SM Supermarket Seaside (Davao), and SM Hypermarket Pasig (Pasig). Training partners such as Independent Living and Learning Center (Mandaluyong and Cebu), The Learning Center (Paranaque) and Workabilities (Iloilo) provide critical support to employers and workers with autism.

Candidates for the “autiSM at Work” program undergo interviews and assessments to ensure job-ready skills and behaviors. The UP College of Education administers an occupational aptitude and interest test to properly match the candidates to the job requirements.

The aSP also meets with the candidate’s family to ensure the PWas will receive relevant support towards job success. The shortlist is then endorsed to SM Markets where the candidates go through the standard recruitment and training process. aSP orients participating SM Markets branches to help them understand autism and appreciate how PWas can contribute to the workplace. SM Markets works closely with aSP to determine the appropriate tasks to assign PWas and to make necessary adjustments based on their day-to-day learning and observations. “autiSM at Work is a great ‘foot in the door,” said Mona Magno-Veluz, aSP national president. “It really gave these young men the opportunity to show what they can do. PWas are very diverse and are capable of contributing to the business. SM was able to help us prove it.”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

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Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

Acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza (right) with French actress Isabelle Huppert (left), lead star of the drama film, “Captive”

“My Brother Simple” main characters Ben and Simpel played by David Kross and Frederick Lau

German films at SM Malls A

CAREFULLY selected lineup of contemporary German Cinema, many of which are already receiving numerous awards in international film festivals, highlights the 2017 German Film Week at the SM Supermalls.

Organized by the Goethe-Institut Philippinen in partnership with SM Retail, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc., SM Cinema and with support of Film Development Council of the Philippines, the German Film Week offered a diverse selection of films for audiences, with the goal of promoting German language and Culture.

“We are truly excited to unveil this year’s film and new voices to Philippine audiences,” said GoetheIntistitut Philippinen director and head of Cultural Programs Dr. Ulrich Nowak. “Whether mainstream, romantic comedies, or micro-budget indies, we made sure our festival attendees will be entertained and pleased.

The German Film Week opened at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema 4

with German filmmaker Markus Goller as special guest. Goller, director of My Brother Simple/ Simpel, the opening film, was at the Q & A session after the film’s screening. The succeeding films screened at cinemas at the SM Mall of Asia and SM City North EDSA for Metro Manila.

Aside from the Manila leg, the German Film Week moves on to other Philippine locations: at SM City Clark from Oct 8 to 12; SM City Cebu from Oct 14 to 18; and SM City Davao from Oct 20-24.

The festival will screen 12 films that tackles issues of family, romance, journey, society, terrorism, German history and more.

The opening film My Brother Simple / Simpel directed by Markus Goller, a film based on French bestseller about

Multi-awarded romantic comedy “The Bloom of Yesterday” top billed by German actors Lars Eidinger and Adèle Haenel

two brothers – one mentally handicapped – who try to find their long-lost father.

Other family related films include Toni Erdmann directed by Maren Ade follows the story of Winfried and his career woman daughter Ines; and Daniel Levy’s The World of Wunderlichs about a single mother accompanied by her family on her casting

journey.

There are also films about modern romance. Karoline Herfurth’s You’ve Got a Message / SMS für Dich is about love in the digital age; while The Bloom of Yesterday / Die Blumen von gestern by director Chris Kraus is a love story set in the world of academic discipline. Return to Montauk directed by

Volker Schlöndorff relives a great but failed love affair.

The German Film Week also brings us to the world of punk rocker Fussel as he struggles between therapy and real life in Happy Burnout; and Marija, a young woman who fights to live a freer, self-determined life. On the other hand, Mark Rothemond’s My

Blind Date with Life, on the other hand shows how Saliya Kahawatte loses his eyesight, yet succeeds in his career.

There are also films that we can say are ripped from the world headlines.

Robert Thalheim’s Old Agent Men / Kundschafter des Friedens is about how Jochen Falk and two further former Stasi agents embark

on a dangerous mission to rescue the kidnapped president of Katschekistan; while Welcome to Germany / Willkommen bei den Hartmanns tells the story of Diallo, a Nigerian asylum seeker who is taken in by a family in a posh district of Munich.

German Film Week also presents the screening of Captive directed

by Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza.

Captive was screened during the week-long festival in SM Mall of Asia and SM City North EDSA. The film was screened in competition during the prestigious 62nd Berlin International Film festival, the prestigious Berlinale.

This will be followed by a film appreciation video.

“The Brillante Mendoza screening is an addition to this year’s program,” said Dr. Nowak. “Our goal at the institute has always been to promote cultural exchange between Germany and the countries we support.

And this is one way to achieve that goal—to share German features and highlight Filipino creativity.”

‘The Voice Teens Ph’ releases album THE No. 1 music company in the Philippines, MCA Music, has just released the firstever album from The Voice Teens in the Philippines featuring finalists from the show.

Jona Soquite, 13, was the champion at the Grand Finals on July 30, garnering an impressive 44.78 percent of the votes, followed by fellow finalists Isabela Vinzon, Mica Becerro, and Jeremy Glinoga, with 22.42, 17.79, and 15.01 percent of the votes, respectively.

Top 4 finisher Glinoga from Team Sharon, describes the recording process as a “surreal” experience but also a great opportunity to be able to “showcase who I am as an artist.” Grand Champ Soquite, who recorded the Whitney Houston classic “The Greatest Love of All” for the album, says, “Ang pinaka-importanteng bagay na nagawa ko sa pag-record ng kantang ‘yon ay ang makanta siya na galing sa puso ko (The

most important thing that I was able to do with recording the song – was to sing it from my heart).”

First runner-up Isabela Vinzon, from Team Bamboo, dedicates her cover of Lady Gaga’s “You and I” to her father, saying that the song was “key” to her getting to be part of the Grand Finals and that she is able to relate to the song’s message.

Although releasing a set of covers for their debut album after The Voice Teens, the youngsters assure that their

renditions put a new spin on well-loved songs.

While nothing will ever beats the original, Team Sarah’s Soquite says, ““Siguro ang iba sa version ko ay mas naging bago ang kanta dahil sa panahon at henerasyon natin na kailangang bagayan para mas maintindihan at magustuhan ng mga kabataan.” kabataan.

The first The Voice Teens in the Philippines aired from April 16 to July 30 with coaches Lea Salonga, Sharon Bamboo, and Cuneta, Bamboo Sarah Geronimo.

The Voice Teens The Album is available through digital downloads via Spinnr and iTunes and streaming at Spinnr, Apple Music, and Spotify.

For bookings and inquiries, contact MCA Music Artist Management at +639989741162 or email mcabooking@umusic. com.

For more updates and information on The Voice Teens finalists, log on to the following pages: FacebookMCA Music (Universal Music Philippines), Instagram- mca_ music, Twitter- @mcamusic.

ABS-CBN’s head of Integrated Corporate Communications Kane Choa (third from left) accepted one of the trophies Comguild awarded to the network

Advertiser’s friendly network

ABS-CBN proves that it is home to exemplary Filipino endorsers, entrepreneur shows, and hosts as it earned 11 accolades including the award for Advertiser’s Friendly Network at the Comguild Academe’s Choice Awards.

The public affairs show My Puhunan took home the award for Best Entrepreneurial/Business Show, while Karen Davila was honored as the Best Entrepreneurial/Business Show Host.

Kapamilya artists were also recognized at the event led by Robi Domingo (Advertisers Friendly Male Host) and Simon “Onyok” Pineda (Most Admired Child Endorser). Other winners include the King of Primetime Coco Martin

(Male Endorser of the Year), Pop Royalty Sarah Geronimo (Female Endorser of the Year), Liza Soberano (Most Loved Female Teen Endorser), Anne Curtis (Advertisers Friendly Female Host), and momshies Karla Estrada, Melai Cantiveros, and Jolina Magdangal (Advertisers Friendly Morning Show).

Magandang Buhay, on the other hand, won as the Advertisers Friendly Morning Show.

The Comguild Academe’s Choice Awards commends the significant contribution of Filipino endorsers, entrepreneur shows, and hosts in the field of entrepreneurship, business, marketing, and advertising.

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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SATURDAY,OCTOBER 21, 2017

Flow of living

Big hit THE Lamudi Housing Fair opened last week at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, gathering the biggest names in the real estate industry, as well as thousands of attendees who flocked to to the comprehensive real estate program on tap.

The second edition of the Lamudi-organized event put together a comprehensive lineup of seminars and talks from distinguished personalities in the industry.

The event was inaugurated by key officials from the government’s key shelter agencies led by Asec.

Leira Buan, deputy secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Council (HUDCC);

H

ansgrohe, one of the leading makers of cutting edge water fixtures recently released products in the Philippine market that allow users to easily choose their options, and enjoy care-free wash and shower experiences.

Hansgrohe is known for its functional select water control, and extra-large showerheads known as the XXL feel-good shower collections.

Following the flow of big and premium

Elmer Tugade, department manager at the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund); Norman

J.P Doral of the Housing Land Use and Regulatory Board (HLURB); Marcelino Mendoza, president of

OSHDP; and Robert Leyretana, deputy administrator of the Land Registration Authority (LRA).

shower pieces are the rainmaker select, the raindance E, the unica E, and some new releases from the Axor collections (Seen here).

The unica E shower set is a flexible handheld piece with a flat and round showerhead, plus a glassy finish. Rainmaker select are multi-jet overhead showers which uses both air and water pressure to produce bath rain.

Hansgrohe products are distributed by Kuysen enterprises, importer of over global bathroom and kitchen brands.

‘Stayventures’ on tap ORTIGAS & Company recently partnered with serviced residences operator Hospitality Innovators, Inc. (HII) to set up The Cirque in Mandaluyong City.

The project combines both staycation and adventure for a unique experience. The Cirque’s 55 units are

spread across the Ibiza and Seville towers of Ortigas & Company’s Circulo Verde.

Each unit is tailor-made for brief staycations and extended stays for families, corporate business travelers, and leisure travelers. The one-bedroom flat, one-bedroom loft, and two-

bedroom units were designed by K. Benitez Designs, while Kibu Design Concepts curated each unit’s furnishing. The use of distinct materials such as Ecocarat Japanese tiles that absorb humidity and odor, and Daiken’s textile walls that absorb sound, were at the forefront of the design process.

Community fiesta

BOLD DESIGNS. Kohler recently launched its first KOHLER Bold Design Awards

(KBDA) in the Philippines, honoring the region’s most outstanding projects in the design industry. The design competition, open to hotel operators, hospital and residential development property professionals, architects, and designers from the local market, showcases the best talents in the field of innovation and design. “The Philippines is one of our fast-growing markets in the region, so holding the awards here was an easy decision,” said Angel Yang, president of Kohler Kitchen and Bath Asia Pacific. Starting with the Philippines this 2017, the KBDA is set to rotate in the different countries in Asia Pacific every year. Interested participants may submit their entries at the Kohler Bold Design Awards website: https://kbda-ap.com/ until November 19.

The winners will be announced at the gala award ceremony in January 2018. At the launch were Kohler executives’ Jonathan Kwong , Adam Quek and Annie Sim; together with its media partners, Philip Annetta of Design Anthology and Monica Herrera of ABS-CBN Publishing; as well as KBDA judges Carmelo Casas , Budji Layug , and Royal Pineda.

Sleep with peace of mind CANADIAN Beddings— a manufacturer of bed sheets, comforters, pillowcases, and towels in the country—recently unveiled its new line of products that promote sustainable sourcing of cotton worldwide. The company showcased its new products from various brands through a tradeshow that targets the movement dubbed, #ImCotton, in the Philippines. “The majority of our merchandise are made of 100% Cotton. It is known to be the best material when it comes to bed linens, towels, and pillows,” said managing director Ravi Daryanani. “We value comfort, while taking into account responsible sourcing,” he added. Canadian Beddings has expanded its collections over the years, acquiring several international licenses which began in 1996 upon the acquisition of a Disney license (Seen in photo is the ‘Frozen Magnificent’ bedding). The company has strong relationships with Warner Bros., NBA, Hot Wheels, Barbie, Marvel, Justice League, and Sanrio, as well..

DMCI Homes recently held its first its first community fiesta at its Acacia Estates township development in Taguig City. Acacia Estates is DMCI Homes’ 150-hectare township development in that city, where it hosts 25,000 residents of various condominium communities.

“We want to preserve Filipino traditions in our communities for the benefit of our residents, especially the younger generation,” said DMCI Homes Property Management Corporation

(DPMC) senior vice president Enrico C. Wong.

Serving as the highlight of the fiesta were the first Little Miss Acacia pageant, and a fashion show for the pet dogs of residents. Businessman David Chua, said the fiesta gave unit owners a chance to meet new friends from the community.

“It brings the community together. You get to meet a lot of your neighbors that you don’t get to meet in a regular scenario,” he explained.

‘Bigger-than-usual’ condos ROCKWELL Primaries, the newest subsidiary of Rockwell Land, is offering a choice between 53 Benitez, its flagship project near New Manila, and The Vantage at Kapitolyo, its first high-rise development in Pasig.

Both properties are situated in strategic locations close to major thoroughfares and business districts, making it easier for homeowners to live in communities just minutes away from the city.

53 Benitez is two-tower mid-rise residential condominium, while The Vantage at Kapitolyo offers young professionals and families access to leisure and shopping establishments, and a podium strip with a plethora of dining and retail stores.

Shown here is one of the ‘bigger-thanusual’ units at 53 Benitez.