The Standard - 2015 March 21 - Saturday

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK VOL. XXIX  NO. 37  2 Sections 24 Pages P18  SATURDAY : MARCH 21, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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‘Open PCOS refurbishing to public’

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Government slammed at lawyers’ meet

PNOY ALLOWS HIS TEXTS TO BE READ Next page

The protest continues. Demonstrators march on Mendiola Bridge in Manila from the Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City to call for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III over the 44 police commandos killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25. DANNY PATA

Babying President Aquino

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Sparmate fights like ‘Money’

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Aquino OKs release of texts

By Sandy araneta, Maricel V. cruz, Florante S. Solmerin and Macon ramos-araneta

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has given his consent to release a transcript of the text messages between him and resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima during the Mamasapano operation on Jan. 25.

Shrine reopened. President Benigno Aquino III leads the signing of the national anthem during the opening of the renovated Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit, Cavite, on Friday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

“President Aquino has been unwavering in his support for truth-seeking regarding the Mamasapano incident, and encourages any action that would contribute to arriving at the truth at the soonest possible time,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in a statement released Friday.

“The President—through Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.—gave his consent to a request from the Senate concerning the release of transcriptions of SMS conversations between him and General Purisima in the early hours of Jan. 25, 2015. This is in keeping with upholding the dignity of the office and maintaining the principle of separation of powers and respect for a co-equal branch of government,” the statement added.

The Palace cautioned lawmakers to remain focused on the primary mission to uncover the truth and not let the process “be abused by those who might be inclined to take advantage of the occasion to advance personal motives.”

Asked if the President would testify before a congressional inquiry, Valte said it was up to the legislators to determine how best to get Mr. Aquino’s side, given that he was the head of a co-equal branch of government.

Radio dzMM on Friday said the House of Representatives would try to invite President Aquino to testify on the covert Mamasapano operation, in which 44 police commandos were killed by Muslim rebels, including fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with which the government is in peace talks.

Youth Against Corruption and Poverty party-list Rep. Carol Lopez said congressmen have already agreed to resume the Mamasapano inquiry on April 7 and 8.

Lopez said the House will strive to invite the President to the inquiry after the police baord of inquiry failed to interview the President.

But Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said that inviting the President to attend a congressional probe “does not sound realistic.”

Another House leader who asked not to be identified added: “They can always invite the President of the Republic. But the question is, will he attend? Can they compel him to attend the probe? He won’t apologize or take responsibility for the fiasco and you will ask him to go to Congress? What for?”

Lopez said it was imperative that the House resume its probe on the Mamasapano massacre because the police board of inquiry and the Senate investigation left many questions unanswered.

Among these were reports that some government forces were ordered to stand down when they were asked to reinforce the beleaguered police commandos in Mamasapano.

Other issues included the role of the United States in the botched operation and questins about the nationality of the chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Lieration Front, Mohagher Iqbal.

She said the House could adopt findings of the board of inquiry and the Senate that they found “acceptable.”

Earlier, 1–BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, a member of the House minority bloc, said the President should go to Congress to clarify issues raised against him.

“If I were the president I will go to the House. He should no longer wait for an invitation,” said Bello, a former peace negotiator.

Bello, a member of the Cabinet during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, Mr. Aquino’s mother, said a voluntary appearance before the House could defuse public anger over his mishandling of the Mamasapano operation.

“Whether we like it or not, the people have already made their verdict on the issue. The President may attempt to reverse the situation,” Bello said.

Bello said the Filipino people would want to know from the President what his exact orders to heads of the PNP-SAF were and to whom he issued the orders.

The military on Friday accused the MILF of violating its ceasefire agreement with the government by recruiting and training fighters at a government property they seized and converted into a training camp in Iligan City.

Local officials in Iligan City earlier expressed alarm over the influx of members of several indigenous tribes who were being recruited for military training by the MILF’s 103d Base Command.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the Armed Forces Public Affairs Office, said “inter-agency mediation and protocols” have been sought to resolve the issue peacefully.

A statement released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said it was already investigating the case.

Teresita Deles, the head of the office, and chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer have come under fire for defending the MILF in the Mamasapano incident and for giving away too many concessions in the negotiations with the Muslim rebels.

Col. Gilbert Gapay, commanding officer of Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the Higaonon chieftain, Deodato S. Abungan Sr., had filed a complaint about the training camp before the Iligan city council.

“They alleged that MILF fighters under Abdul Sango Amoran of the 305th Guerrilla Unit recruited 85 Higaonon tribesmen and Maranaws from Bukidnon and brought them to the camp from May 16 to 31 last year,” Cabunoc said.

The ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF prohibits such activities.

In the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said justice for the 44 police commandos slain should be the government’s highest priority.

“The families of the victims want no less than swift justice. They are not asking for anything else. They are not hoping for other things than to see the culprits behind bars,” he said.

Marcos said he agreed with the Senate committee report on the Mamasapano operation that said the commandos were murdered by fighters from the MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Congressmen protest viral SMS imputing bribery on BBL

By Francisco tuyay and Maricel V. cruz CONGRESSMEN scored on Friday supposed attempts to derail the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law by circulating a text message claiming that Malaysia has provided funds to bribe Filipino lawmakers and pass the controversial measure.

“There is no such thing,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said of a circulating text message claiming that Malaysia has provided funds to pay each senator P200 million and each congressman P50 million in exchange for their supporting

vote for the BBL. “Some rascals have invented it to derail the process,” Belmonte said, refusing to “dignify” the claim by elaborating on it.

Businessman Vicente Lao, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council, revealed the circulation of the text message after he was identified as the “bag man” who would purportedly be distributing the bribes.

The text message said in Filipino: “We should not allow the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Mindanao is for the whole country and for all Filipinos. There is an information of a pay off in Congress. Php 200 million for each senator

and Php 50 million for each Congressman for the passage of the BBL. The money comes from Malaysia through Vicente Lao, an AAA contractor in Mindanao and vice chairman of the Mindanao Dev Council.

Pls pass.”

“Although the claim is not only false but incredible to believe on its face, I am constrained to make this public denial to put to rest to this ridiculous imputation,” Lao said in his denial.

The businessman said he was taking steps to trace the source of the “scurrilous text message” circulating among businessmen.

Congressmen also issued denials of the supposed bribery attempt.

“I think it is totally untrue outrageous and absurd. I think it is part of a campaign to derail the passage of the BBL,” said Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone.

“No amount of political pressure will influence us legislators from passing or not passing the BBL,” said Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, senior member of the House minority bloc.

“This is unfortunate because if true it’s a sell out to foreign country; but I hope it’s not true. Let us be vigilant therefore,” said Magdalo Rep. Gary

Alejano.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, a staunch critic of the Aquino government and a Mindanaoan, shrugged off the alleged payoff.

“It only further muddles the already muddled peace process, which is now taking the brunt of the Mamasapano fallout,” Zarate said.

But an official of the Moro National Liberation Front said they have heard of that news since the signing of the Framework Agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

MNLF Spokesman Absalom Cerveza said Malaysia has

plowed in millions of dollars into Mindanao on the pretext of furthering the peace process so that it could secure the dropping of the Philippine claim on Sabah.

“Malaysia has no other recourse but to utilize its resources to influence legislators to rally behind the enactment of the BBL into law,” Cerveza said.

“Malaysia has so far invested so much money on the deal, from the start of the drafting of the Framework Agreement towards the formulation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and in the final stages of the BBL passage,” Cerveza said.

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No final candidates yet for vacant posts

By Sandy araneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Palace said Friday there is no definite information as yet who will fill up vacancies at the top posts of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Nothing on those posts yet.

As a matter of policy, we only announce appointments when we have the appointment papers from the Office of the Executive Secretary,” said deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte.

Reports said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. was being eyed for the top post at the CSC, and Deputy Executive Secretary Michael Aquinaldo would head the COA.

Former COA commissioner and mayor Rowena Guanzon was being eyed to head the Comelec.

The three agencies have been without their top officials following the retirement of Francisco Duque III from the CSC, Grace Pulido-Tan from the COA and Sixto Brillantes Jr. from the Comelec.

Coloma declined to comment on the reports or respond when asked if he would accept the position at the CSC, saying it would be premature to make any statement.

Acting Comelec Chairman Christian Rober Lim said he had not received any word as yet about a new chief at the poll body, but said he had heard Guanzon’s name mentioned.

Lim was reacting to an allegation from the opposition United Nationalist Alliance that Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the

presumptive Liberal Party presidential candidate for 2016, was pushing for Guanzon, a party ally.

Tiangco said Guanzon was part of the group that supposedly conspired to destroy Vice President Jejomar Binay by resurrecting issues during his term as Makati city mayor and her appointment to the Comelec was intended to hurt Binay’s candidacy in 2016.

“What is clear is the agenda to demolish the Vice President in 2016. It is clearer than the sun that Guanzon is part of the inner circle of the LP,” he added.

Lim said he did not know Guanzon and had met her only once, during a meeting with COA. In 2016, the Commission on Appointments rejected Guanzon’s appointment as COA commissioner.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who chairs the Joint Oversight Congressional Committee on the Automated Elections System, said he did not want to meddle in the issue.

Pimentel said there was nothing anyone could do if the President appoints a Liberal Party member to the top Comelec post.

However, he urged the President to preserve the credibility of the independent institution by appointing “credible, objective and non-partisan” individuals.

Three seats in the Comelec have been vacant since February when Brillantes and Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph retired.

Lim was then designated acting chairman to head the commission en banc.

Other remaining members are Commissioners Luie Guia, Al Parreno and Arthur Lim.

Carrere’s in town. American actress Tia Carrere is in Manila to shoot the film ‘Showdown in Manila’ with local actors. Carrere got her first break as a regular on the soap opera ‘General Hospital.’ Danny Pata

Cayetano rips into peace panel

By Macon Ramos-araneta

SENATE Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday assailed the peace panel led by chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for continually weakening the government’s position and endangering the people of Mindanao.

Inspection. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Comelec Acting Chairman Christian Robert Lim inspect the Comelec’s warehouse for its PCOS machines in Cabuyao, Laguna, on Friday. Danny Pata

Pimentel: Open PCOS refurbishing to public

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan CABUYAO, Laguna – A senator who witnessed the refurbishing of 80,000 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines urged the Commission on Elections Friday to open the process to observers, particularly local technology experts, to ensure transparency.

In an interview a walkthrough at the Comelec warehouse here, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the Joint Oversight Congressional Committee on the Automated Elections System (JOCC-AES), said the poll body should consider bringing in another batch of observers while 100 technicians hired by the Smartmatic and 25 Comelec supervisors inspect the old voting machine.

“I hope that the Comelec will open up the procedure, not only to lawmakers like me, but also to Filipino technicians,

who may be interested in seeing and knowing the details,” Pimentel said.

Although he praised the Comelec for checking each machine meticulously, he said other IT experts should have a chance to witness the procedures to see if Smartmatic was doing it right.

“I’m not a techie... I cae here as a lawmaker to observe as an oversight function if the Comelec is sensibly doing its job. But is what they are doing technically sound? Or are we just wasting our time and resources?” Pimentel said.

“That’s why let us show this procedures to all interested groups who have the technical capabilities [to understand the process] all in the name of transparency,” he added.

On March 18, the Comelec started checking and repairing the 80,000 PCOS machines that will be used during the 2016 national and local elections.

Since the kick-off, the Com-

elec and Smartmatic were able to check 1,456 machines --and out of these machines, 135 were in need of repair.

So far, there are only 100 Smartmatic technicians checking and cleaning the machines.

A Comelec IT expert supervises four Smartmatic technicians.

Pimentel also urged the technical provider Smartmatic to provide its own supervisor to work with the Comelec IT experts to ensure the quality of the repair work.

Comelec acting Chairman Christian Lim said the agency was open to Pimentel’s recommendation.

“We support the call of the senator for greater transparency.

We will, of course, accommodate if there are any other requests from Filipino technicians.

That’s not a problem,” Lim said.

During the walkthrough in the warehouse, Lim and Comelec spokesman James Jimenez presented the whole process to Pimentel and other representa-

tives of political parties.

Jimenez said that technicians were provided with a check-list of 10 parts that need to be checked.

This includes the memory, clock, compact flash, power, EEPROM, scanner, thermal printer, MTD modem port, LCD screen, and battery port.

After they check the machine, the Comelec IT expert will double check the report.

Every report is then printed on thermal paper and attached to the checklist.

Lim said they expect the entire refurbishing to last for five months starting with the diagnostics and cleaning of the machines.

The refurbishing, however, could be interrupted once the Comelec awards its project for a 30,000-square-meter warehouse to stor all the old PCOS machines as well as new Optical Mark Readers and Direct Recording Electronic machines to be leased for the 2016 polls.

In a media briefing, Cayetano said the “irresponsible, desperate and ridiculous” statements from Ferrer have endangered national security.

Ferrer’s remark that the recruitment and training of fighters by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “is not a prohibited act” put government troops and soldiers at risk, Cayetano said.

The senator said that under the implementing guidelines of the 1997 ceasefire agreement, the MILF committed to the joint interdiction of terrorists and criminal elements, and the prohibition of the entry of criminal and terrorist elements in their communities and controlled areas.

Another condition of the ceasefire was negotiation in good faith and the maintenance of the status quo, which meant there should be no arms buildup or recruitment of fighers, Cayetano said.

Had the MILF adhered to the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, they should have arrested and surrendered the terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir and Abdul Basit Usman, and there would not have been a Mamasapano massacre in which 44 police commandos were killed.

Cayetano has repeatedly called for the resignation of Ferrer and presidential assistant on the peace process Teresita Deles for their failure to protect the interests of the government in the negotiations with the MILF. Also on Friday, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denied allegations that he was against the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and was an “enemy of peace” in Mindanao.

In an interview on radio dwIZ, Marcos said he could not understand how he can

be portrayed as anti-peace or anti-BBL simply for defending the Constitution.

As a government official, he said, he took an oath to uphold the Constitution and all the laws and directives of duly constituted authorities.

Some Muslim groups have attacked Marcos for refusing to accede to the MILF insistence that the BBL be approved in its original form and that it should not be watered down.

Marcos said the Senate could not rubber stamp the BBL because of unconstitutional provisions that need to be fixed.

He added if the BBL in its current state is passed, it would be challenged before the Supreme Court.

Senate deliberations on the BBL, suspended after the Mamasapano massacre, are set to resume on April 13 but will examine ceasefire mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the Jan. 25 bloodbath.

Marcos said they were waiting for the peace and order conditions in Mindanao to improve before they hodl public hearings on the BBL in Jolo and Zamboanga.

At the same time, Marcos said he was still awaiting the MILF’s report on the incident before BBL hearings can resume.

Marcos acknowledged that passage of the BBL was no guarantee that peace would take hold in Mindanao, particularly since other armed groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters oppose the agreement.

Marcos said the government needs to lay down a massive development plan for Mindanao to curb poverty, which is one of the root causes of the rebellion in the south. If it fails to do this, Marcos added, there will be no peace in Mindanao.

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Govt slammed at IBP meet RESPECT for the rule of law became a key theme at the national convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Cebu City on Friday as Vice President Jejomar Binay criticized the Ombudsman and Departments of Interior and of Justice over the suspension of his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.

Binay said the three executive agencies are “brazenly ignoring the lawful court order” in a “stubborn display of political arrogance” when they insisted enforcing the suspension order against the Makati mayor despite an order from the Court of Appeals.

The executive department’s perceived disrespect and disregard for constitutional principles is also expected to be highlighted on Saturday when Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez speaks about protecting and preserving the integrity of the budgetary process in Congress.

On the opening yesterday, the keynote speaker was Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno discussing several reforms introduced in the judiciary for the speedy disposition of cases and she was joined by other speakers, like Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Arturo Brion.

But much of the attention was focused on Binay who disputed the arguments of the DILG, DOJ and Ombudsman on the suspension order against his son.

“Since when can an opinion and speculation overrule a court order?”

Binay said, echoing the position of several lawyers, including the the current IBP president, who said the CA’s TRO should have prevailed since it refers to the actual suspension and not just the serving of the suspension.

“The rule of law provides predictability in the outcome of conflicts arising from transactions in commerce and industry. That is why upholding the rule of law is actually a pre-requisite to progress,” Binay said.

“This heroic effort of the Bar assures society that there is an institution ready to stand up to defend the constitutionally mandated separation of powers,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CA ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Ombudsman Conchita Morales to explain their alleged defiance of its TRO stopping the mayor’s preventive suspension.

In a two-page resolution penned

by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., the CA’s Sixth Division ordered gave the three officials a non-extendible period of three days from notice to comply with the order. Rey E. Requejo

Ampatuan allowed to join witness protection scheme

Small catch. A sport fisherman shows off his catch at the shore of the polluted Manila Bay near the Philippine Navy headquarters in Pasay City. LINO SANTOS

FORMER Datu Salibo town mayor Akmad Ampatuan was admitted to the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program after he agreed to become a state witness against 50 new respondents in the Maguindanao massacre case, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Friday.

She said the new respondents included 14 Ampatuans, and that four of them were incumbent mayors in Maguindanao. She said Akmad was a close relative and a trusted man of Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the principal accused in the case.

“He [Akmad] is under the WPP. He is covered by the WPP,” De Lima said.

“He is one of the major witnesses in the second wave of complaints.

He is a crucial witness, so we admitted him under the WPP.”

The Maguindanao massacre took place in the town of Ampatuan on Nov. 23, 2009. While the 58 victims were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, the vice mayor of Buluan town, they were kidnapped and brutally killed.

Mangudadatu was challenging Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and a member of one of Maguindanao’s leading Muslim political clans, in the coming Maguindanao gubernatorial elections in 2010.

The people killed included Mangudadatu’s wife, his two sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides and motorists who were witnesses or mistakenly identified as part of the convoy. Rey E. Requejo

PNoy opens renovated Aguinaldo shrine PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III led the inauguration of the newly renovated Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit, Cavite, on Friday to pay tribute to General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines.

He also toured the museum that features artifacts, photographs and dioramas about Cavite province and Aguinaldo. He was not scheduled to deliver a speech during the event, and he reportedly left after the tour.

Aquino was joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairwoman Maria Serena Diokno, Armed Forces Chief Gregorio Cata-

pang, and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya during his tour of the museum.

A museum brief says the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine is a national landmark because Filipinos from all walks of life gathered outside the window of Gen. Aguinaldo’s home in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898, to witness the unfurling of the Philippine flag during the declaration of the Philippines’ independence from Spain.

The Proclamation of Independence was read by Ambrozio Rianzares Bautista, which was accompanied by Julian Felipe’s Marcha

Nacional Filipina played by the Banda de San Francisco de Malabon.

The house was first built in 1845 from wood and thatch materials by the couple Trinidad Valerio Famy and Carlos Jamir Aguinaldo. It was reconstructed in 1849, and then remodeled in early 1920s by Gen. Aguinaldo. He included symbols reflecting national pride.

Aguinaldo’s intent was to create a monument out of the 1,324-squaremeter house dedicated to the Philippine Revolution. On March 22, 1963, his 93rd birthday, he donated the estate to perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution. Sandy Araneta

Badjao mother. Sitti Jaohiya Jalkitri of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi her eighth child while mending a fishing net. She is one of the beneficiaries of a healthprogram of the Zuellig Family Foundation and the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi. REVOLI CORTEZ

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Tricycle traffic. A street in Tawi Tawi bustles with activity. REVOLI CORTEZ

Express Bus begins Monday QC workers in random drug tests EMplOyEES of the Quezon City government down to the officials of its 142 barangays will undergo random drug testing in a bid to address the drug menace in the city.

“In a recent survey, drugs have been identified as one of the city residents’ top three main issues and concerns,” according to Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte who heads the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council.

Guidelines for the drug-free workplace program will be consistent with the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act. The random testing is one of two resolutions recently passed by the anti-drug council. The National Reference laboratory for Environmental and Occupational Health, Toxicology and Micro-Nutrient Assay of East Avenue Medical Center will by the QC government’s partner in conducting the workplace tests.

The other resolution enables the council to team up with colleges and universities for drug prevention education seminars for students taking the National Service Training program. RIO ARAJA

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By Joel E. Zurbano

The Express Bus project of the Metro Manila Development Authority will begin its pilot phase Monday, March 23, along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).

Under the scheme, 50 passenger buses will traverse three routes without stopovers.

“These buses will be exempted from the number coding scheme and be allowed to pass through tunnels along the thoroughfare,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

The three routes are Express One (Fairview-Ortigas-Ayala), Express Two (Fairview-Ayala), and Express Three (FairviewAyala MRT-SM Mall of Asia). Tolentino said the destinations were chosen because most commuters using Edsa take these routes.

The air-conditioned express

buses will have a designated color or sticker for identification. They will also have WiFi, Global positioning System (GpS) and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

The MMDA collaborated with the lTFRB and the Department of Transportation and Communication for the project. The objectives are to shorten the travel time of commuters, lessen the volume of vehicles, and encourage employess to take buses instead of using their vehicles. land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Winston Ginez said

the fares would be the same as those indicated in the existing fare matrix.

He added that they have tapped 10 bus companies for the project. “These buses have existing franchises so they would not add to the traffic congestion.”

DOTC Assistant Secretary Sherielysse Bonifacio however expects “some bugs at the start, because drivers and commuters will be both new to the concept – but with the cooperation of the riding public, we can quickly address any start-up issues and develop a good public transport option.”

Napoles daughter back in RP

The moves. A firefighter prepares for the Fire Olympics to be held March 29 at Luneta. LINO SANTOS

JEANE Catherine Napoles, daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet lim Napoles, arrived in the philippines from the United States on Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed.

“She was allowed entry because there was no legal basis to prevent her from coming to the country,” said Immigration spokesman Elaine Tan. No details were given however as to the time of her arrival or the airline she flew with.

The young Napoles is facing a p17.88-million tax evasion case

before the Court of Tax Appeals.

The Justice Department found probable cause to indict her for tax deficiencies for a residential condominium in California and two farm lots in pangasinan.

Napoles is also facing a p32.06 million case filed against her by the Bureau of Internal revenue for “willful attempt to evade filing and paying income taxes for the years 2011 and 2012.”

Jeane was disparaged in social media after videos and blog posts of her lavish lifestyle circulated the Internet.

VITO BARCELO

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 22. In view of the foregoing, there is a need to realign its CAPEX projects to recover the cost incurred for the restoration, rehabilitation and repair of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities subject of this application;

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Computation of Force Majeure Event Pass-Through Amount

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (FM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR SABOTAGE INCIDENTS AND LANDSLIDE DUE TO CONTINUOUS HEAVY RAINS IN MINDANAO AND TYPHOONS SANTI AND VINTA IN LUZON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

23. It proposes the FM pass-through amount, in P/kW-month, as additional network charges in the following areas starting the billing period of October 2014 to December 2015, or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, computed as shown in the table below: Grid

ERC CASE NO. 2014-127 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant. x------------------------------------------------------------x

2015

0.0338

0.0083

Mindanao

0.2830

0.0703

24. Although this FME claim is not included in its 3rd Regulatory Reset Application, the same can be recovered during the 3rd Regulatory Period pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where it is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the restoration, repair and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of the FME. A copy of the FME Claim Computation is attached to the application as Annex “T;” 25. Further, the FME Claim under this application does not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA). A copy of the FMTA Computation is attached to the application as Annex “U;”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on August 29, 2014, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of Force Majeure (FM) event regulated FM pass through for sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon in accordance with the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

In the said application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following: 1.

2014

Luzon

It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA);1

2.

Under Republic Act No. 95112, it was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines;

3.

On January 15, 2009, it assumed transmission functions of TRANSCO including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid;

4.

Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, it is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the restoration, rehabilitation, repair of damage sustained by NGCP transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of a Force Majeure Event (FME), as defined in Article I of RTWR;

5.

On September 1 and 26, 2013, its transmission assets and other related facilities in the Provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato, respectively, were damaged due to the bombings perpetrated by lawless elements;

26. Also, considering that it is not included in the calculation of FM Pass-Through Amount, it should be allowed to recover in the Fourth (4th) Regulatory Period the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities which were damaged by the sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon, given that it would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these transmission assets and other related facilities not been damaged or destroyed by these FMEs; Justification for the Issuance of Provisional Authority 27. It moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FME claim pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. It needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. The occurrence of the aforementioned FME requires capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed to avoid putting financial strain in the transmission provider, and to allow it to continuously provide the necessary transmission service to the grid customers; 28. In addition, the timely implementation of the pass-through amount will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost; 29. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant application, is attached to the application as Annex “V;” and

Allegations on the Sabotage Incidents in Mindanao as FME

Prayer

6.

In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, it filed with the Commission an FME Notice regarding Sabotage Incident in Mindanao dated September 9, 2013 and October 7, 2013;

7.

Copies of the FME Notice regarding Sabotage Incident in Mindanao dated September 9, 2013 and October 7, 2013 are attached to the application as Annexes “A” and “B,” respectively;

8.

Further, copies of the Spot Report dated September 1, 2013, Progress Report dated September 2, 2013, and Blotter Report issued by the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station, Maguindanao are attached to the application as Annexes “C” to “C-2,” respectively. Also, copies of the Police Report dated September 27, 2013 issued by the Kabacan Municipal Police Station, Cotabato are attached to the application as Annexes “D” to “D-2,” respectively;

30. It most prays of the Commission that: a.

Grant provisional approval to implement and bill the FME Pass-Through Amounts to Luzon and Mindanao customers starting October 2014 billing month to December 2015 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

b.

Declare the sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon as Force Majeure Events (FME);

c.

Approve the CAPEX incurred for the restoration, rehabilitation and repair of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon as FMEs;

d.

Approve the proposed pass-through amount representing return on capital, return of capital and taxes associated with the emergency responses and the repair and rehabilitation of facilities damaged due to the said events, as shown in the table below:

Allegations on Landslide due to Continuous Heavy Rains in Mindanao Area as FME 9.

On October 8, 2013, due to continuous heavy rains in the Mindanao area, landslide occurred which damaged its transmission assets and other related facilities located in Zamboanga City;

10. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, it filed with the Commission an FME Notice regarding Landslide Due to Continuous Heavy Rains dated November 14, 2013;

0.0703

f.

Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amount from the side constraint calculation.

The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the following dates and venues: DATE

TIME

VENUE

PARTICULARS

April 29, 2015 (Wednesday)

Nine o’clock ERC Mindanao Field Expository Presentation for in the morning Office, Mezzanine Floor, Mindanao Stakeholders (9:00 A.M.) Mintrade Building, Monteverde corner Sales Sts., Davao City

16. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, it filed with the Commission an FME Notice regarding Typhoon Santi dated November 19, 2013;

May 6, 2015 (Wednesday)

17. Copies of the FME Notice regarding Typhoon Vinta dated November 19, 2013 and PAGASA Certification dated November 30, 2013 are attached to the application as Annexes “I” and “J,” respectively;

May 7, 2015 (Thursday)

Pre-Trial Conference and Nine o’clock Evidentiary Hearing in the morning ERC Hearing Room, 15th (9:00 A.M.) Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Continuation of Evidentiary Nine o’clock Avenue, Pasig City in the morning Hearing (9:00 A.M.)

Allegations on Typhoon Vinta as FME

Common Allegations 18. Immediately, after the sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon, it started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to continue serving its customers; 19. The cost of additional Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) that it incurred to complete the rehabilitation, repair and restoration of its transmission assets and other related facilities are, as follows: FME

Total (PhP)3

Sabotage Incident in Mindanao

3,289,941.00

Landslide due to Continuous Rain

2,605,302.50

Typhoon Santi

2,267,068.00

Typhoon Vinta

1,672,478.64

TOTAL

9,834,790.14

20. Copies of the Details of Activities of FMEs sabotage incidents in Mindanao, landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, Typhoon Santi in Luzon, and Typhoon Vinta in Luzon are attached to the application as Annexes “K,” “L,” “M,” “N,” and “O”, respectively; 21. The damaged transmission assets and other related facilities subject of the instant application are not covered by TRANSCO and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation’s Industrial All Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2013 and therefore not compensable. Copies of the Certifications in support of such allegation are hereto attached as Annexes “P,” “Q,” “R,” and “S;”

3

0.2830

Nine o’clock ERC Hearing Room, 15th Jurisdictional Hearing and Floor, Pacific Center Expository Presentation in the morning Building, San Miguel (9:00 A.M.) Avenue, Pasig City

15. On October 31, 2013, Typhoon Vinta entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with maximum winds of 130 kph and gustiness of 160 kph. Due to its intensity and heavy rainfall, its transmission assets and other related facilities in the North Luzon area were damaged;

2

Mindanao

April 22, 2015 (Wednesday)

14. Copies of the FME Notice regarding Typhoon Santi dated November 12, 2013 and PAGASA Certification dated November 20, 2013 are attached to the application as Annexes “G” and “H,” respectively;

1

2015 0.0083

Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the sabotage incidents and landslide due to continuous heavy rains in Mindanao, and Typhoons Santi and Vinta in Luzon, as FMEs during the Fourth (4th) Regulatory Period given that the said amount would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by said FMEs; and

Allegations on Typhoon Santi as FME

13. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, it filed with the Commission an FME Notice regarding Typhoon Santi dated November 12, 2013;

2014 0.0338

e.

11. Copies of the FME Notice regarding Landslide Due to Continuous Heavy Rains dated November 14, 2013 and PAGASA Certification dated February 24, 2014 are attached to the application as Annexes “E” and “F,” respectively; 12. On October 11 to 13, 2013, Typhoon Santi entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with maximum winds of 150 kph and gustiness of 185 kph. Due to its intensity and heavy rainfall, its transmission assets and other related facilities in the North Luzon area were damaged;

Grid Luzon

Repubiic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled, “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back- bone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes.”

Inclusive of the permit fees and Value Added Tax (VAT);

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence.

No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicant, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application.

The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, and JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 9th day of March, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III MST – March 14 & 21, 2015

A6 Solon wants ‘power’ firm for Mindanao

By A. Perez Rimando ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay— Second district Rep. Celso L. Lobregat has sought the creation of a Mindanao Power Corporation (MinPoCor) to help ensure longterm adequate power to support the economic development of the country’s second largest island region.

Lobregat’s proposal, under House Bill No. 2621—otherwise known as the proposed Mindanao Power Corporation— was deliberated recently by the Committees on Energy and Government Enterprises and Privatization chaired by Rep. Umali and Rep. Sacdalan, respectively.

Both committees decided to pass Lobregat’s bill for discussion to a Technical Working Group, headed by Rep. Masongsong, which will later report to the appropriate committee for approval after which the measure will be calendared for plenary discussion by last week of May or early June.

Lobregat’s measure seeks to non-privatize the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complexes in Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon which are considered the “Crown jewel of Mindanao power industry.”

Farmers fear price drop of palay LINGAYEN—Farmers here are worried as the buying price of palay dropped from P24 per kilogram last year to around P17-17.50 this month.

Oftociano Manalo, president of the Pangasinan and Region 1 irrigators associations, said in an interview that despite the bountiful harvest, the current low buying price of palay worries the farmers. “’Yan ang problema namin kung paano makakaahon ang madlang Pilipino,” he said as he expressed fears on the possibility of more imported rice once the ASEAN economic integration is put into place this year.

“By 2017, wala ng pakundangan ang pagpasok ng agricultural products sa atin…papaano kami makaka-compete to other countries in regard sa production ng bigas?” he asked.

Manalo noted that the price drop may be due to the supposed 1.5 million metric tons of rice imported by the Philippines from Vietnam and Thailand amid despite the bountiful in the country.

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IN BRIEF Mayor eyes merger of Baguio barangays

Restore And Refurbish. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) has provided financial assistance to refurbish the 246-year old St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. The historic church, also known as the Tuguegarao Cathedral, is a Baroque structure originally built from 1761 to 1767 by Dominican friars. WCKF heeded the call of Cathedral Rector Fr. Gerard P. Perez who requested assistance for the repair and re-polishing of the church’s marble flooring.

The foundation had earlier given donations for the restoration of the cathedral.

‘Lumads’ return home 54 days after fleeing tribal town due to militarization

By Alvin T. Guanzon

Barangay Balit, SAN LUIS, AGUSAN DEL SURAfter 54 days of making an abandoned NGObuild hospital here their temporary shelter after fleeing their homes last January 23, 2015, some 1,000 Banwaon tribe evacuees finally decided to return to their homes after Agusan del Sur Governor Eddie Bong Plaza and San Luis Mayor Ronald Corvera vowed to provide them with food rations and vehicles to guarantee their safety.

Governor Plaza and Mayor Corvera also assured the evacuees that they would provide lawyers, legal and other assistance in filing cases against

abuses by military and paramilitary groups which the they said had “militarized” their communities.

Plaza, Corvera, the tribal

chieftains, and leaders of the evacuees have set today, March 21, 2015 as the day where the 1,000 lumads will finally return home after nearly a twomonth stay at the abandoned, unfinished Religious of Good Shepherd donated supposedly 100-bed hospital now turned evacuation center.

The nuns from the Religious Good Shepherd had to stop the construction of the almost 70 percent completed hospital, due to the conflict on several issues between the nuns and military officials and personnel previously assigned here in Barangay Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Modern hospital equipment and facilities such as

X-rays, CT scan from donor European countries through the nuns’ efforts which were about to be shipped to the Philippines were suspended due some unresolved issues, including accusations by the military that the nuns were helping communist rebels.

The RGS nuns, however, denied the allegations saying they were only helping Banwaon tribes and their communities.

Reports said that communist rebels oftentimes take refuge in lumad communities, and sometimes recruit potential members from the lumads themselves, while the military does the same thing, thus creatingconflictamongthetribeshere.

During a peace dialogue be-

tween military and the tribes led

by Governor Plaza and Mayor Corvera held at the Multi-Purpose Building here on Friday, the provincial government officials and the tribal leaders agreed that starting today, all alleged military and paramilitary abuses will be documented and properly reported and recorded and presented before barangay and police officials.

“We will provide you lawyers and free paralegal assistance so that charges will be filed in court for criminal and administrative cases against these unenlightened soldiers and CAFGU members who are supposed to help you and not oppressed you,” Plaza said.

tions imposed was not enough to compensate for the loss of their daughter.

“Yanna could have been alive today had Butuan Doctors Hospital allowed admittance. however I would like to thank the DOH office in Manila for giving attention to our complaint filed last August 2014. This will set precedent to others who will experience the same problem in the future, that there is an office who will act,” Mrs Chan said.

Last August 15,, 2014, Gregory and Remedios Chan brought their daughter Yanna to Butuan Doctors Hospital aboard an ambulance for admittance. Yanna was previously confined at the San Francisco Doctors Hospital in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Alvin T. Guanzon

DoJ lauded for filing case vs solon, 3 more TUBA, Benguet March 20— Local and environment officials lauded the Department of Justice (DOJ) for coming out with a resolution finding probable cause on the filing of charges for violation of the provisions of Presidential Decree (PD) 705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines against Baguio City Rep. Nicasio Aliping and three property developers for their involvement in the illegal cutting of trees and illegal excavation work within portions of the Mount Sto. Tomas watershed and forest reservation.

Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan said the DOJ’s recommendation to endorse the charges to the environmental Ombudsman is a welcome development in the celebrated environmental case because this would send a strong message to everyone that the law does not distinguish influence and position when the issue involves the preservation and protection of the forested areas in the country. Dexter A. See

Armed men kill ‘landed’ couple

Hospital that refused to admit patient charged BUTUAN CITY- The parents of 10-year old Jannary “Yanna” Chan who died after the Butuan Doctors’ Hospital (BDH) allegedly rejected their plea for admission, on Friday said that they are setto file both civil and criminal charges against BDH and its officials.

The hospital had earlier been meted a one month suspension as ordered by the Bureau of Health Services and Facilities of the Department of Health central office in Manila.

In a phone interview Thursday morning, Jannary’s mother Mrs. Remedios Salarda Chan said she and her husband Gregory would file ccriminal and civil charges against Butuan Doctors’ Hospital, saying that although they were glad that the DOH central office acted on their complaints, the sanc-

BAGUIO CITY March 20— Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the ultimate solution to the lack of funds of the city’s 128 barangays to pay for the honorarium of their respective barangay tanods is for the merger of the barangays to comply with the minimum number of inhabitants pursuant to the provisions of the Local government Code of the Philippines.

Domogan said the merger of barangays would contribute in the realization of the increase in the funds of the barangays to cover their expenses, especially for the salaries and allowances of barangay tanods.

He cited as example Irisan, the city’s largest barangay, which, despite its rapidly growing population, has adequate funds to pay for their barangay officials, tanods and other services.

Domogan’s statement came after Councilor Michael Lawana, who is also the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), posed a challenge to city officials to help them raise funds to pay the salaries of their barangay tanods after the city council rejected a proposal of the AB to hold a trade fair for two months to raise funds purposely for their tanods. Dexter A. See

Going home. Photo shows members of a lumad community of Bunwaon tribe in Agusan del Sur, who are set to return home after more than a month after leaving their homes due to what they claim as massive militarization in their communities.

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte—A landowner-couple was killed in an ambush staged Wednesday morning by an armed group reportedly led by a certain Omar in Barangay Balas, Labason, this province, police said.

On the same day, a public secondary school teacher in Zamboanga City, was found dead inside the toilet of his parents’ house at Legazpi Compound in the urban barangay of Tetuan.

A belated report received at Camp Hamac here by Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt.

John E. Enguerra from Labason Municipal Police Office chief Senior Inspector Mohammad Sahidaini identified the slain couple as Elpidio Masibay, 50, and his wife Marelyn, 48.

Sahidaini said the Masibays were hiking on a rough road to visit their farm some two kilometers away when Omar and his armed followers, who were hiding behind a thick bush, fired at Elpidio and Marelyn hitting them on different parts of their bodies and killing them instantly.

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opinion

POWer POint eLiZaBeth angsiOCO

Radical solutions: the Road to systems change

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BaBying the President

(Conclusion)

POLICE Director Benjamin Magalong, Senator Grace Poe and their colleagues who stand by their respective reports on the Mamasapano tragedy deserve our commendation.

In this government where people’s feelings are easily hurt and leaders take professional criticism as a personal affront, it takes gumption to tell no less than the President of the country that he bears responsibility for the police operation that killed a Malaysian terrorist but also claimed the lives of 44 policemen from the Special Action Force. Specifically, the reports said Mr. Aquino broke the chain of command of the PNP by dealing directly with former SAF commander Getulio Napenas and by allowing his friend Alan Purisima to participate in the operation despite his suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman on charges of graft and corruption.

Eighteen fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and five civilians were also killed during the Jan. 25 encounter.

Magalong and Poe are not known critics of President Aquino. In fact, Magalong is one of those in the running to be named chief of the Philippine National Police. Poe, for her part, ran under the banner of the Liberal Party – chaired by Mr. Aquino himself – in the 2013 senatorial elections where she emerged first, surprising many. In some way, their career fortunes would be influenced on whether or not they keep the President happy.

Mr. Aquino was certainly not happy with the reports. Earlier this week, Magalong was summoned to the Palace presumably to discuss with the President the contents of the Board of Inquiry’s Mamasapano Report. While Magalong said the meeting was professional, he also described the President as “visibly hurt .”

Poor Mr. Aquino. This he gets, after vigorously defending himself, saying he was not to blame for the policemen’s deaths, on numerous occasions. On one such occasion, attended by religious leaders Mr. Aquino handpicked to pray over him, the President pinned the blame solely on Napenas who, he said made a fool out of him. Curiously, Mr. Aquino was silent about what his friend and loyal ally Purisima was doing getting involved in a crucial police operation.

Presidential apologists cannot be faulted for trying hard to kiss away Mr. Aquino’s hurt feelings and defend the indefensible. It’s their job. Spokesman Edwin Lacierda says there was nothing wrong with the President’s turning off his phone while he slept. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima insists that the principle of chain of command does not apply to the PNP because the organization is civilian in nature. While deputy spokesperson Abigail valte acknowledges that the President may be held responsible, she is adamant that he did not violate any laws and hence, there is nothing to apologize for.

Astoundingly, too, Secretary of the Interior Manuel Roxas is taking the blame for the President’s not being interviewed by the PNP Board of Inquiry for its report. The pitiful excuse is that Magalong coursed his invitation to interview the President through Roxas – but the latter was so swamped with work that he forgot.

Can we ever really forgive these Palace officials for trying to turn us into fools? If the President really wanted to cooperate with the BOI as it was piecing together its report, he could have called them and told them whatever he wanted to say. He did not have to wait for an official invitation coursed through any of his legmen. If Mr. Aquino had spoken to the investigating body, then he would have had no excuse to get “hurt” by the BOI’s findings.

Our President is a grown man. When he applied for – and got the part of – of chief executive, he should have been ready for anything, including humbling himself at appropriate times, facing his critics, and apologizing for mistakes while vowing to do better.

Then again, we remember that even his candidacy in 2010 was not a mature, deliberate decision.

Small wonder then that his group of caregivers are doing everything to coddle this boy of a president and make sure no harm comes to him.

PHL’s ricHest, Poorest BaCK ChanneL aLeJandrO deL rOsariO EvEN as Forbes Magazine listed an elite class of Filipino businessmen among the world’s billionaires, the New York-based publication also came out with an indicting report on why a quarter of the country’s 100 million population still live

in grinding poverty.

The magazine juxtaposed clusters of high rise condos dominating the Makati central business district skyline and the reality on the ground where pockets of impoverished families live hidden from view.

The reasons cited by Forbes is that while the economy continues to grow, most of the investments made by big business are in shopping malls and con-

dominium towers instead of in job-generating industries like railroads, shipping ports and electric power generation. Unemployment remained at 7 percent which would have risen to unmanageable levels had millions of Filipinos not left to work overseas.

Call centers and the foreign currency remittances by some 2 million Overseas Filipino Workers mostly in the Middle East prop up the Philippine economy, but they do not result in inclusive growth to sustain a meaningful middle class.

Then too, business outsourcing and labor export-

A9

Most of the investments made by big business are in shopping malls and condominium towers instead of in jobgenerating industries.

ing could have a shelf life as they depend on the health of other countries’ economies.

News of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew’s failing health

comes at a time when the Philippines is facing a presidential election next year without any clear choices as to who will and can lead the country. Lee, the founding father of Singapore who guided his country from a backwater economy to a vibrant world class nation, is 90 years old and in critical condition. Prime Minister Mahathir of Malaysia, although not as popular as Lee, steered his country and left a stable state to succeeding leaders.

Sadly, we are a nation bereft of true leaders. We are cursed by a turnstile succession of leaders without any legacy or

vision for the country’s future.

Why is President Aquino, whose popularity rating plunged from 70 percent to 36 percent, hated by so many? A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that one in four Filipinos dislikes Aquino. The same survey also reported that eight out of 10 Filipinos found the President’s explanation of his role in the bungled Mamasapano police operation unsatisfactory. That speaks volumes about the President’s gov-

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ernance and how he relates to the people. Aquino’s lack of humility to acknowledge mistakes and his dogged loyalty to friends and allies have not endeared him to a wide segment of the public who would like to see a president of all the people.

The Mamasapano, Maguindanao police raid that left 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos dead is the latest stain on the President who is leaving office on June 30,

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2016. The incident was further tweaked when Aquino failed to attend the arrival honors for the Fallen 44’s remains at the villamor Air Base. Acting on a twisted sense of priorities, the President went instead to the inauguration of the Mitsubishi car plant in Sta.Rosa, Laguna.

Still unresolved are issues involving the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program and Continued on A11

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer

Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

MY pieces on federalism and parliamentary system as radical solutions to the country’s continuing problems elicited a number of supportive and interesting responses. Undoubtedly, there is a growing group of Filipinos who are looking for more systemic changes.

Many are fed up with ineffective bandaid solutions employed to address deepseated problems that significantly have to do with the very system and form of government we stubbornly adhere to.

A number of letters I received were from individuals from organized groups that have for some time been seriously studying federalism and parliamentary system as these may apply to our country.

Many years ago, the political party I was with did countless discussions on the advantages, disadvantages, and relevance of federalism and parliamentary system on the situation obtaining then, and where we remain to be now.

I also remember formal discussions among different political groups, parties, and movements on the matter. Former University of the Philippines President Jose Abueva was among the most active leaders of initiatives particularly on federalism. Presently, some groups and personalities have come out calling for these big changes.

I do not claim that a federal form of government and the parliamentary system are ideal. Thus, there is need to thoroughly study these. The latter may be easier to achieve while the former will need to happen by stages because of the requisites of being a sub-state.

Beyond these however, one important question in people’s minds, even among those inclined to support the federal form and parliamentary system of government, is the question of how we may peacefully and credibly carry out the transition.

This question of how, though difficult to answer, is as important as the changes themselves if the country is to really move forward.

Allow me to share some thoughts on this.

We should strive for the process to be peaceful. While we can expect strong opposition against systems change particularly from those who benefit from the status quo, it is best that the process would result in the least disruption in terms of governance. This means that as much as possible, we need to work within established processes and institutions.

Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito Tomeldan Managing Editor Jojo A. L. Robles Editor-in-Chief Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor P. Palacios NewsEditors Editor Chin Wong/Ray Joel S. Eñano Associate Francis Lagniton Editor Francis Lagniton City City Editor Armero Senior Deskman ArmanArman Armero Senior Deskman A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J.Leo Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez Director Roberto Cabrera ChiefArt Photographer Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Cyan Magenta yeLLOW BLaCK S AT u R D AY : M A R c h 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA editOr

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

POWer POint eLiZaBeth angsiOCO

Radical solutions: the Road to systems change

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BaBying the President

(Conclusion)

POLICE Director Benjamin Magalong, Senator Grace Poe and their colleagues who stand by their respective reports on the Mamasapano tragedy deserve our commendation.

In this government where people’s feelings are easily hurt and leaders take professional criticism as a personal affront, it takes gumption to tell no less than the President of the country that he bears responsibility for the police operation that killed a Malaysian terrorist but also claimed the lives of 44 policemen from the Special Action Force. Specifically, the reports said Mr. Aquino broke the chain of command of the PNP by dealing directly with former SAF commander Getulio Napenas and by allowing his friend Alan Purisima to participate in the operation despite his suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman on charges of graft and corruption.

Eighteen fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and five civilians were also killed during the Jan. 25 encounter.

Magalong and Poe are not known critics of President Aquino. In fact, Magalong is one of those in the running to be named chief of the Philippine National Police. Poe, for her part, ran under the banner of the Liberal Party – chaired by Mr. Aquino himself – in the 2013 senatorial elections where she emerged first, surprising many. In some way, their career fortunes would be influenced on whether or not they keep the President happy.

Mr. Aquino was certainly not happy with the reports. Earlier this week, Magalong was summoned to the Palace presumably to discuss with the President the contents of the Board of Inquiry’s Mamasapano Report. While Magalong said the meeting was professional, he also described the President as “visibly hurt .”

Poor Mr. Aquino. This he gets, after vigorously defending himself, saying he was not to blame for the policemen’s deaths, on numerous occasions. On one such occasion, attended by religious leaders Mr. Aquino handpicked to pray over him, the President pinned the blame solely on Napenas who, he said made a fool out of him. Curiously, Mr. Aquino was silent about what his friend and loyal ally Purisima was doing getting involved in a crucial police operation.

Presidential apologists cannot be faulted for trying hard to kiss away Mr. Aquino’s hurt feelings and defend the indefensible. It’s their job. Spokesman Edwin Lacierda says there was nothing wrong with the President’s turning off his phone while he slept. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima insists that the principle of chain of command does not apply to the PNP because the organization is civilian in nature. While deputy spokesperson Abigail valte acknowledges that the President may be held responsible, she is adamant that he did not violate any laws and hence, there is nothing to apologize for.

Astoundingly, too, Secretary of the Interior Manuel Roxas is taking the blame for the President’s not being interviewed by the PNP Board of Inquiry for its report. The pitiful excuse is that Magalong coursed his invitation to interview the President through Roxas – but the latter was so swamped with work that he forgot.

Can we ever really forgive these Palace officials for trying to turn us into fools? If the President really wanted to cooperate with the BOI as it was piecing together its report, he could have called them and told them whatever he wanted to say. He did not have to wait for an official invitation coursed through any of his legmen. If Mr. Aquino had spoken to the investigating body, then he would have had no excuse to get “hurt” by the BOI’s findings.

Our President is a grown man. When he applied for – and got the part of – of chief executive, he should have been ready for anything, including humbling himself at appropriate times, facing his critics, and apologizing for mistakes while vowing to do better.

Then again, we remember that even his candidacy in 2010 was not a mature, deliberate decision.

Small wonder then that his group of caregivers are doing everything to coddle this boy of a president and make sure no harm comes to him.

PHL’s ricHest, Poorest BaCK ChanneL aLeJandrO deL rOsariO EvEN as Forbes Magazine listed an elite class of Filipino businessmen among the world’s billionaires, the New York-based publication also came out with an indicting report on why a quarter of the country’s 100 million population still live

in grinding poverty.

The magazine juxtaposed clusters of high rise condos dominating the Makati central business district skyline and the reality on the ground where pockets of impoverished families live hidden from view.

The reasons cited by Forbes is that while the economy continues to grow, most of the investments made by big business are in shopping malls and con-

dominium towers instead of in job-generating industries like railroads, shipping ports and electric power generation. Unemployment remained at 7 percent which would have risen to unmanageable levels had millions of Filipinos not left to work overseas.

Call centers and the foreign currency remittances by some 2 million Overseas Filipino Workers mostly in the Middle East prop up the Philippine economy, but they do not result in inclusive growth to sustain a meaningful middle class.

Then too, business outsourcing and labor export-

A9

Most of the investments made by big business are in shopping malls and condominium towers instead of in jobgenerating industries.

ing could have a shelf life as they depend on the health of other countries’ economies.

News of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew’s failing health

comes at a time when the Philippines is facing a presidential election next year without any clear choices as to who will and can lead the country. Lee, the founding father of Singapore who guided his country from a backwater economy to a vibrant world class nation, is 90 years old and in critical condition. Prime Minister Mahathir of Malaysia, although not as popular as Lee, steered his country and left a stable state to succeeding leaders.

Sadly, we are a nation bereft of true leaders. We are cursed by a turnstile succession of leaders without any legacy or

vision for the country’s future.

Why is President Aquino, whose popularity rating plunged from 70 percent to 36 percent, hated by so many? A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that one in four Filipinos dislikes Aquino. The same survey also reported that eight out of 10 Filipinos found the President’s explanation of his role in the bungled Mamasapano police operation unsatisfactory. That speaks volumes about the President’s gov-

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ernance and how he relates to the people. Aquino’s lack of humility to acknowledge mistakes and his dogged loyalty to friends and allies have not endeared him to a wide segment of the public who would like to see a president of all the people.

The Mamasapano, Maguindanao police raid that left 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos dead is the latest stain on the President who is leaving office on June 30,

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2016. The incident was further tweaked when Aquino failed to attend the arrival honors for the Fallen 44’s remains at the villamor Air Base. Acting on a twisted sense of priorities, the President went instead to the inauguration of the Mitsubishi car plant in Sta.Rosa, Laguna.

Still unresolved are issues involving the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program and Continued on A11

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MY pieces on federalism and parliamentary system as radical solutions to the country’s continuing problems elicited a number of supportive and interesting responses. Undoubtedly, there is a growing group of Filipinos who are looking for more systemic changes.

Many are fed up with ineffective bandaid solutions employed to address deepseated problems that significantly have to do with the very system and form of government we stubbornly adhere to.

A number of letters I received were from individuals from organized groups that have for some time been seriously studying federalism and parliamentary system as these may apply to our country.

Many years ago, the political party I was with did countless discussions on the advantages, disadvantages, and relevance of federalism and parliamentary system on the situation obtaining then, and where we remain to be now.

I also remember formal discussions among different political groups, parties, and movements on the matter. Former University of the Philippines President Jose Abueva was among the most active leaders of initiatives particularly on federalism. Presently, some groups and personalities have come out calling for these big changes.

I do not claim that a federal form of government and the parliamentary system are ideal. Thus, there is need to thoroughly study these. The latter may be easier to achieve while the former will need to happen by stages because of the requisites of being a sub-state.

Beyond these however, one important question in people’s minds, even among those inclined to support the federal form and parliamentary system of government, is the question of how we may peacefully and credibly carry out the transition.

This question of how, though difficult to answer, is as important as the changes themselves if the country is to really move forward.

Allow me to share some thoughts on this.

We should strive for the process to be peaceful. While we can expect strong opposition against systems change particularly from those who benefit from the status quo, it is best that the process would result in the least disruption in terms of governance. This means that as much as possible, we need to work within established processes and institutions.

Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito Tomeldan Managing Editor Jojo A. L. Robles Editor-in-Chief Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor P. Palacios NewsEditors Editor Chin Wong/Ray Joel S. Eñano Associate Francis Lagniton Editor Francis Lagniton City City Editor Armero Senior Deskman ArmanArman Armero Senior Deskman A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J.Leo Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez Director Roberto Cabrera ChiefArt Photographer Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

A10 Repudiate the BBL KNoWINg that we have been dealing with foreign nationals is more than enough for us to repudiate the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. This we have to bear in mind for while the government is willing to negotiate peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it cannot enter into an agreement with the parties who are citizens of other countries adversarial to our interest. To accede to that proposition could change altogether the parameter of the negotiations. It will no longer be one of how far the government is willing to grant autonomy to our Muslim brothers in Mindanao, but on the future status of the territory that will be demarcated as part of the Bangsamoro.

When the Philippines negotiated the proposed BBL with the chairman of the MILF, Al Hajj Mura Ebrahim and with its chief negotiator and spokesman Mohagher Iqbal, the government was made to believe they were negotiating with Filipinos. Even if at times they exhibited their disloyalty and were adamant in their demand for independence, it was understandable as they were acting pursuant to their spirited desire to maximize what they could exact from the Philippine panel. The thing that is important is that we are dealing with Filipinos, although in the category of rebels, even if they refuse to recognize the authority of the government. only by dealing with Filipinos – a Muslim secessionist rebel or a communist ideologue seeking to overthrow the government – can a government, worthy of its status as a sovereign state, achieve peace in the context of the conflict remaining an internal problem.

Every state battling an insurgency problem is doing everything to prevent the rebels from attaining the status of belligerency, thereby allowing it to claim that the fighting remains an internal war, and giving it the right to invoke the UN Charter of non-interference in its domestic affairs.

Thus, when the leaders that we have been negotiating with turn out to be Malaysian citizens, this is solid ground to repudiate the proposed BBL or for our panel to withdraw their signature. This automatically puts the issues of autonomy out of the question. Murad and Iqbal, strictly speaking, can no longer represent the Muslims in Mindanao.

This explains why all that has been coming out from their mouth is the interest of Malaysia, and their representation is a de facto intrusion into an otherwise our internal affairs which normally would be unacceptable to the other party. Most dangerous, once the BBL has been ratified, all that their proxies in the negotiating table would do is to submit the approved agreement to the Malaysian authorities, for it to either recognize the newly independent state or demand that it join the expanded federation of Malaysia.

In fact, it would seem that there is no way we could back out of the blunder committed by our negotiating panel because the Philippines did not reject, at the outset, the representation made by Mural and Iqbal. To arrest these people could only complicate the situation, for then Malaysia could intervene in the name of protecting its citizens and its rights and interests under the agreement. Maybe there was logic in the argument of Iqbal in refusing to submit their version of the report of the Mamapasano incident. They are, after all, not Filipino citizens who could be obligated to submit the report.

In a similar development, to divert our attention away from the Mamasapano massacre, people sympathetic to the cause of the MILF, like Anak Mindanao Representative Sitti Djalia Hataman, insists that the government accept the responsibility for the incident that happened in March 1968 where some of the Muslim trainees who staged a mutiny were killed. The incident was most unfortunate because the creation of a special squad known as “Jabida” was not meant to curtail the rights of the Muslims or commit genocide, as others would like to project it, but to liberate Sabah from Malaysia. Today, people in the mainstream media who have been styling themselves as investigative journalists continue to blame the Marcos government for the incident.

Maybe the incident gave Malaysia the opportunity to exploit our local Muslims by funding and arming the secessionist rebellion. It became an occasion to steer up the sentiments of the Muslims which led to the founding of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), headed by a Tausug named Nur Misuari. Sadly enough, the in-

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S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

Speaking tRuth to poweR

WITH the release this past week of the Senate and the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry reports on the events last January 25. 2015 in Mamasapano, we now have a better picture of what really happened in that remote Maguindanao town. It’s not yet the complete picture as there are still gaps to be filled and details that must be accounted for. But enough is known now to be able to discern what the path ahead should be for exacting accountability and moving forward on the peace process. Borrowing a phrase I heard last Tuesday evening from Teddy Locsin in his nightly ANC editorial, these two reports are as perfect as they can be.

There is really no other option but for the President to own up to what happened, to accept overall accountability without qualification. He could have done this the first time he spoke a few days after Mamasapano. He had another opportunity to do this when he accepted Alan Purisima’s resignation. In my view, if he did this then, with a promise to implement reforms that will make sure Mamasapano never happens again, the country could have moved on and the peace process would not have been imperiled.

With the release of the two reports, President Aquino is fortunate to have been given another chance. What is so difficult in saying: “These reports have been done well.

I accept their findings. I am taking the following steps to make sure that this never happens again.” In my view, an apology -- while welcome -- is not essential, but there must be unconditional acceptance of accountability and not fudging or passing on the blame and especially not to former SAF Commander getulio Napeñas while excusing or being silent on Purisima. of course, President Aquino’s die-hard critics will not be satisfied, but most citizens would accept it and frankly be more than happy to move on.

If the President did this, I certainly would welcome it and would be squarely behind him. That would be an act of putting leadership on the line – this country has not seen it for a long time; it will be appreciated. And if he then boldly calls on us to move forward with the peace process, I would line up quickly behind the President.

For now, however, I align myself with the Chairman and members of the Board of Inquiry and with Senator grace Poe and the Senate. I do not agree with everything in both reports, especially some of the conclusions on the peace process in the Senate report (a topic I will return to in another column next week). overall, however, their findings and recommendations point a way forward for our country.

Director Benjamin Magalong and the members of the Board of Inquiry should be praised for their courage, for risking their careers, and for correctly pointing to the lapses in judgment of the President. What is even more remarkable is that Magalong is in the running to become PNP Chief; still, he was not afraid to risk that in the pursuit of doing right.

The BoI report starts out in the right tone, recognizing that 67 Filipinos died in Mamasapano. In this respect, it is more accurate than the Senate report that labels the events in Mamasapano a massacre. In my view, Mamasapano started as a misencounter (with the MILF at least) that escalated into a battle that became lopsided in favor of the combined MILF and BIFF forces.

We can debate endlessly whether the President is legally the commander in chief or not of the PNP, or whether he violated the established chain in command within the PNP. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima correctly points to the landmark case of Carpio vs. Executive Secretary as the authority to guide us on this question. Having said that, we should take note that all our presidents since 1986 have considered themselves commanders in chief of the PNP. cident was exploited by then-Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and some of his accomplices in the opposition. They took turns in trying to discredit the incident without understanding that it was meant to recover what was historically and legally belongs to us.

No sooner did the secessionist rebellion intensify. It spread from the Sulu archipelago area to central Mindanao. When the MNLF realized that its cry for liberation of genocide and discrimination no longer rings a bell, much that it was used by Malaysia to effectively deny the Tausugs of their right to claim their ancestral homeland Sabah, things slowly began to move in favor of the government. The

That includes President Aquino who referred to himself as such during a Philippine National Police Academy graduation a few years ago. And even if the President were not commander in chief of the PNP, he does have control and supervision over it. As such, he can command it as he wills in accordance with laws, policies, and established procedures. In this regard, the controlling law is the executive order issued by President Fidel V. Ramos establishing a chain of command in the whole government.

In any case, whether as commander in chief or as the chief executive with the power of control over the PNP, that role does not preclude the President from directly dealing with lower subordinates bypassing others with a higher rank. Bypassing ranking officials in the chain of command and going directly to lower ranked subordinates are a prerogative of the President. It might be bad governance if done too frequently, but exigencies can justify such extraordinary measures. So on the issue of breaking the chain of command, the President cannot be held legally accountable for Mamasapano.

The problem is not that President Aquino dealt with Napeñas directly. The serious legal issue the President might be legally accountable for is his actions with respect to Purisima, then suspended-Chief of the PNP. Up to now, this is still the giant hole in the Mamasapano narrative.

All we know is that other than the meeting of Napeñas and the President, attended also by Purisima, the communication on the oplan Exodus had been mainly between the President and Purisima. There was very little interaction between the President and Napeñas, including on the day of the operation. That’s why it was strange for the President to accuse the latter of lying and to pin the blame for the failure of oplan Exodus on the SAF commander.

I suspect that the disclosure of all the relevant text messages the President and Purisima sent to each could also be a treasure trove that could complete the narrative and shed light on the legal liability of the President. According to the Senate, Purisima should be charged with the crime of usurpation of authority as he was clearly on top of the mission, commanding Napeñas. But what if the President authorized Purisima to act as such? Would that make the President a conspirator, a principal by indispensable cooperation, or an accomplice in Purisima’s crime?

The country should be grateful to Senator grace Poe, backed up clearly by a superb, world-class staff, for standing up and confronting a close ally. The Senate Report is absolutely correct in saying that the President is ultimately responsible for the deaths in Mamasapano. Indeed, its most damning finding is its observation that the President and the top security officials of the country, all together in Zamboanga City on that fateful day, did not even meet and employ all measures necessary to save lives that were being lost in neighboring Maguindanao.

Senator Poe also did a good job in communicating the Senate findings. She was firm but not angry; she was decisive but not judgmental; she was fair while not afraid to name names. As one friend observed, her being a woman and mother also came out in her demeanor - calm, patient, and assuring.

Twenty senators have so far signed on with the Poe report, a multi-partisan super majority bolted together by the neophyte senator. That’s an impressive job by any standards.

Magalong and Poe, and those who worked on the Mamasapano reports, model for us the modernist Filipino.

Like the boy in the fable “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” they spoke truth to power, without embellishment. They did it courageously, and the country is for the better because of it.

Facebook page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylav

There is no way we could back out of the blunder committed by our negotiating panel.

MNLF began to shift its attention to recovering Sabah from Malaysia, and the idea of independence lost much of its enthusiasm.

It was an agonizing re-examination of the objectives of the MNLF that while it was being urged to secede from the Philippines, it did not curtail its members’ obsession with being reunited with their fellow Sabahans living in Sabah. Many of the Tausugs in Sabah were deported. That policy of depopulating Sabah of its native inhabitants was carried out by deporting many of them as illegal Filipino immigrants.

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OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Wasting money given by donors

In November 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda caused so much destruction in Leyte, Tacloban City in particular. Thanks to the extensive news disseminated by the international media, and the numerous pleas for humanitarian assistance made by international celebrities through the Cable News Network, many foreign institutions donated cash through bank accounts opened by the government. Donations came in quickly because the typhoon victims needed help immediately. The donors were aware that any delay in the emergency assistance may result in dire consequences. By the end of December 2013, large sums of money had been sent in by kind donors.

The Commission on Audit (COA) reported that at the end of 2013, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) allowed P48.8 million in donations for Yolanda victims to remain dormant in several bank accounts instead of using the money to assist those in dire need of help in Leyte. The COA added that the sum remained unspent as of June 2014, or more than six months since the super typhoon devastated Leyte.

Thereafter, the OCD replied that the COA report was outdated because the money had been spent since then. An official of the OCD added that the delay was caused by a lack of documentation on the part of the typhoon victims. No elaboration on this excuse was given by the OCD. The excuse given by the OCD only underscores the incompetence and callousness of its officials. If it were a mere documentation problem, then the OCD should have sent the money to the local government in Tacloban City. City officials could have used the money to buy food and other essentials for the typhoon victims just when they needed the help most. By letting the P48.8 million mark time in banks instead of spending it on the intended beneficiaries, the OCD also confirmed the refusal of President Benigno Aquino III and his cabinet to provide needed assistance to cities and provinces led by officials who are not affiliated with the pro-administration Liberal Party. In the end, the typhoon victims suffered needlessly as a consequence of Malaca-

ñang politics.

By playing politics at the expense of the typhoon victims, the OCD and its masters in Malacañang did a great disservice to the people in Leyte. Moreover, institutional donors from here and abroad will start thinking twice before sending help to calamity victims in the Philippines. The Aquino regime created its own credibility problem, with dire consequences for future disaster victims in the country. It is simply inconceivable how and why this administration’s officials can allow this tragedy to take place.

Public interest advocates are considering filing anti-graft charges against the pertinent officials of the OCD for this anomaly. They should do so immediately. *** Like the OCD, the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is unaware of its priorities regarding the funds it receives from donors. Recall that months prior to the visit of Pope Francis in the country last January, the Church was soliciting donations for the papal visit. As to what specific aspects of the papal visit the solicited funds were to be spent on was not explained by Church leaders in Metropolitan Manila led by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. Nonetheless, the donations poured in. It appears that the donations exceeded Tagle’s expectations because not all of the funds were spent.

The unspent funds could have been put to good use by forwarding them, with the consent of the donors, to the disaster areas in Leyte, and having local church personnel help in allocating the money. That move would have been in accord with the concern demonstrated by Pope Francis to the people in Tacloban City during his visit. Instead of doing so, Church officials in Manila decided to donate the funds to the Vatican for the pope’s use, even though the Vatican obviously does not need the money.

When money is solicited from donors for use in a specific undertaking, spending it on something else other than the specific purpose it was solicited for requires the explicit consent of the donors. Did the donors consent to giving the money

to the Vatican?

By the way, top officials of the Church travel around the metropolis in late-model automobiles, complete with security escorts. * * * It was reported in the television news that Senator Sergio Osmeña III made a disturbing remark while he was interviewed by the media on the expected increase in electricity rates this summer. Osmeña said that the public ought to change their consumption habits in order to save on their bills.

Perhaps the good senator is unaware that the cost of electricity in this country has been so high over the past decade, and consumers have been trying their best to cut costs. Consumers have no choice. If they are unable to pay their bills even for just a month, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will summarily disconnect their homes from the power lines. Unlike the senators in this country, consumers cannot pass on their Meralco bills and other expenses to the government.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has not done anything about this problem which chronically ails Filipino consumers. The last time Meralco lost in a case involving electricity charges, Petilla advised Meralco to seek a reconsideration of the court ruling. Withal, consumers saw Petilla as an ally of private interest groups. Since Petilla’s sentiments seem to favor the private sector, consumers will not get any help from him.

President Benigno Aquino III has promised to do something about the looming electricity crisis this summer. He can begin by finding out what happened to the P136 billion in Malampaya natural gas revenues which went missing when he was already in office. His budget and finance secretaries, and the former national treasurer failed to properly account for this fund during a congressional investigation in 2013. The anti-graft case which a civic leader filed against these three officials back in January 2014 was referred by the Office of the Ombudsman to the Commission on Audit – where it is currently slumbering.

Radical... From A9

helm of a change process, things could possibly move faster. I dream of a president who, among other things, won with federalism and parliamentary system as his or her platform.

If this happens, we are assured that the change to federalism and parliamentary system is not lacking in constituency. Credibility of the elected president, as well as the initiative for change is there.

To ensure credibility, the Filipino people should be involved and must make the decision. For people to decide intelligently, there should be a defined period, say, a year or two, for massive education campaign. There should be open debates and as much public discussion as possible. Full media coverage is needed to reach every nook and cranny of the country.

Community-based information dissemination and education activities must be done particularly in poor communities. People need to understand how the changes will impact their lives.

We need to take to heart the lessons from the proposed Basic Bangsamoro Law which is presently heavily criticized for allegedly not involving other stakeholders in Mindanao, and for not doing enough information and education campaign so people fully understand its

merits. Whether true or not, this should not happen if or when we embark on changing our system and form of government.

While a pro-systems change president is best, this should be a real national project, owned and understood by the people. This cannot just be a project of the president and some trusted allies.

The lack of inclusivity, or the perception of this, perhaps, is one factor why the Bangsamoro project is now being assailed.

Working in tandem with a pro-change president, Congress should turn itself into a Constituent Assembly (or if the clamor is great, a Constitutional Convention may be convened) to craft a new Constitution that will reflect the changes. The draft Constitution should again be subjected to thorough public scrutiny and debate, and subjected to a plebiscite for ratification.

If ratified, the whole country should then prepare for the first elections under a new system with at least a few substates in place. Perhaps then, we will have a real shot at progress, development, and political stability.

A most desirable scenario is having a next president who believes in these changes and who will shepherd the whole country towards achieving them no matter if it means having a shorter term with no possible chance of becoming prime minster. The “disqualification” clause is a guarantee that this president does not have selfish, or ulterior motives in facilitating the big leap.

A peaceful process also means that the whole plan, including timetables, are made public. I am hoping that transparency will be key to preventing the various armed groups in the country from creating havoc.

Credibility of the process is important.

Given the present widespread distrust of politicians, the credibility factor for a systems change is crucial. This cannot be seen as another ploy to perpetuate those in positions of power.

Credibility is a major problem of those pushing for systems change at this point.

For one, some groups are seen as partisan political players perceived as allies of “enemies” of this administration. Others are seen as mostly cliques of organizations that want their groups to have a taste of power.

With the duly elected president at the

bethagsioco@gmail.com and @bethagsioco on Twitter

A11

PHL’s... From A8 the Priority Development Assistance Fund which, although ruled as illegal by the Supreme Court, continues to be dispensed as pork barrel in other forms.

A lack of compassion and the reluctance to say sorry for the tragic outcome of the Mamasapano police operation stoked the smoldering resentment the people for the President. A police Board of Inquiry and a Senate investigation report found President Aquino ultimately responsible for his key role in the PNP-SAF mission when he allowed suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima to execute the plan.

The Senate joint committee on public order and security chaired by Senator Grace Poe also held responsible Purisima and SAF ground commander Gen.Getulio Napenas answerable for the ill-fated mission to get international terrorist Marwan and local explosive expert Usman.

Best advice to Pacquiao Freddie Roach, the trainer of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, gave this advice to his ward for the May 2 megabuck welterweight fight with Floyd Mayweather: Don’t rely on God, He has better things to do,” Freddie told Manny, adding an expletive-laced one liner that “God doesn’t give a f..k who wins this fight.” Roach is concerned Paquiao’s Bible preaching distractions might sidetrack him from the business at hand-- which is primarily to rearrange Mayweather’s facial features and hand Floyd the first blemish in his undefeated ring record.

If at all, Roach reminded Pacquiao to forget his compassion about hurting his opponents and to unleash his old killer instinct. Manny has not scored a knockout or stoppage since 2009 when he TKO’d Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto in the 12th round.

Mayweather is 37 years old and Pacquiao pushing 36. The “fight of the century” could well end up as a bout between two spent fighters with diminished skills.

But I would still watch it on pay-per-view to see which fighter has enough gas left in his tank.

Repudiate... From A10 When that became clear to the Tausugs, whose loyalty remains with the Sultan of Sulu, many of the MNLF fighters began to abandon Misuari.

Coupled by the massive development projects undertaken by the Marcos administration, the success of then- First Lady Imelda Marcos to convince the Arab states that the government was doing all it can to alleviate the plight of our Muslim brothers, and that the Armed Forces was gaining the upper hand in the fighting, and with the government winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim population, Malaysia had to form a new secessionist group tasked to recruit Muslims from Central Mindanao, specifically coming from the Maranaw and Maguindanao tribes, to form the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This explains why in the BBL gave the final and only authority to the MILF leadership, and that includes their decision to drop our Sabah claim or not to consult the Sultan of Sulu.

Maybe the alleged “Jabida Massacre” became a watermark in the Marcos administration, but as we look back to reexamine the past, the truth is slowly coming out that the intention was for the recovery of Sabah and restoring it to the rightful owner, the Sultan of Sulu, who has sworn allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. rpkapunan@gmail.com

MONDAY: MARCH 16, 2015

sat urday : M a rch 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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Women’s aquathlon gets boost NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

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A LARGE field of close to 250 girls and ladies—including notable personalities— from around the nation are set to converge at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City this Sunday as the much-anticipated Atleta Ako Women’s Aquathlon fires off at 7 a.m.

The standard distance of 500 meter swimming and 6 kilometer running alone has attracted close to 150 participants aged 18 years old and higher. Among those listed in the event supported by Atleta Ako, Klean Kanteen, Certified Calm, Arena, Neutrogena, Robinsons Supermarket, Del Monte, Rexona, Comark, Merrel, Crayola, Gatorade, Peak Form Manila and David’s Salon, are PSC Commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevara, ITU Women’s Committee member Ting Joson, actress Angelika dela Cruz, singer Sitti and former national triathlon champion Sandra Araullo-Gonzalez.

Not to be outdone are grandmothers taking part in the relay category showing that sports has no age barrier, with the participation of 74-year-old Polly Joson, who will race with her grand daughter Isabella Pascual, while 70-year-old Charry Parpan is teamed up with daughter Lara Parpan.

Among the girls listed, the youngest participants racing are 7-yearolds Carissa Parco and Daphne Maliwat.

Behind it all, the race organized by BikeKing, headed by Raul Cuevas, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and supported

by Nike Women, Century Tuna, Gardenia, Nestle Temptations, Unilab Active Health, WeatherPhilippines, EZ Laces, Flipbelt, Watsons and media partners SBR.ph, RaceDay, Multisport and SPIN.ph, started as an advocacy to get women to be active through sports “I have been involved in sports for the last 35 years (in varying capacities) and I can honestly say sports has influenced my life for good and brought me where I am today. That’s the impact sports can have on a life,” PSC Commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevara said.

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Explosive PSL rookies in spotlight Games Today 1:30 p.m .• Opening Ceremony 2:30 p.m. • Cignal vs Foton 4:30 p.m. • Philips Gold vs Petron

A PAIR of explosive rookies in Iris Tolenada and Alexa Micek get their baptism of fire when the Philippine Superliga women’s volleyball tournament rolls out its seasonopening All-Filipino Conference today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Tolenada’s Philips Gold will face Micek’s Petron in the main encounter at 4:30 p.m., following the battle between Cignal and Foton at 2:30 p.m., where young guns Rica Jane Enclona and Angeli Araneta are expected to hog the spotlight.

A colorful, NFL-inspired opening ceremony is set at 1 p.m., which will be highlighted by the traditional parade of colors, where teams will flaunt their new ‘skorts’ uniform with their respective escorts and mascots in the opening salvo of this inter-club tournament organized

by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners..

Games will be broadcast live over TV 5 and Aksyon TV. Advertised as a smart and savvy setter with booming kills, Tolenada is expected to take the league by storm, especially after becoming the first San Francisco State University player to win the Most Valuable Player award in the highly-competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Aiding her are fellow rookies Desiree Dadang and Myla Pablo of National University, as well as fresh recruits like Michelle Gumabao and Melissa Gohing, who are both expected to set the court on fire with their volleyball skills and pretty faces.

“I think we already have a fighting team,” said team manager Anthony Ty, speaking on behalf of head coach Francis Vicente.

“We are one of the busiest teams during the off-season and we have been preparing hard for this conference. We have already re-tooled our roster and are continuing to work on improving our chemistry inside and outside the court. Fortunately, we have Iris, who is not just

a good setter, but also a leader.”

But the Lady Slammers are expected to have their hands full

against Petron, which is arguably the most powerful team on paper.

Shortly after winning the Grand Prix title, the

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Blaze Spikers immediately went back to the drawing board to chart their preparation for the All-Filipino Conference.

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They netted Aby Marano from Generika and Rachel Anne Daquis from the Philippine Army before drafting Micek, a 151808 151811 151833 151950 152559 152561 153293 153296 154309 154321 154331 154350 154368 154379 154443 154453 154470 154479 154483 154494 154851 154880 154894 154955 154966 154969 154978 154981 154996 155307 155313 155317 155321 155325 155328 155332 155337 155346 155350 155602 155634 155636 155641 155654 155660 155671 155675 155689 155847 155895 156264 156266 156269 156285 156289 156295 156300 156324 156335 156415 156430 156443 156454 156459 156467 156469 156475 156478 156483 156491 156651 156656 156658 156685 156687 156689 156692 157028 157030 157036 157044 157046 157055 157058 157076 157096 157100 157353 157358 157397 157400 157469 157744 157746 157836 158708 158719 158723 158724 158754 158768 158775 158788 158798 158817 158819 158879 158891 158897 158936 158957 158961 158964 158970 158973 158986 158999 159041 159043 159050 159054 159075 159081 159086 159097 159101 159124 159133 159148 159503 159517 159523 159525 159529 159533 159537 159564 159569 159571 159600 159637 159645 159656 159720 159724 159730 159735 159744 159753 159775 159790 159794 159962 159973 160666 160676

pretty gem of a spiker from North Carolina State.

Although Micek was picked sixth overall in the recent PSL Annual

PA - Personal Accident

Rookie Draft, Petron coach George Pascua said she has what it takes to lead the team back to the finals.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Cage champs. Team Cleofas finished strong to beat Team Lim and ruled the Open Division of the 2015 ABL Don Agacaoili cage tourney recently at the Blue Eagle Gym. The champion team is composed of Gelo Guerrero, Amborose Demaisip, Ali Antonio, Dennis Layug, Stan Suarez, Dindo Medina, Jong Vicencio, Jox Uy, Manolo Ramos, Air Urquiola Pat Ildefonso, Ben Solis, Alex Evangelista and Mon Tioseco.

Megafight tensions brewing LOS ANGELES—Tensions appeared to be rising around the long awaited welterweight world title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, with the fighters’ camps reportedly at odds over a proposed doping penalty.

Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that he was “a little puzzled and dismayed” that Mayweather wouldn’t agree to the $5 million penalty Pacquiao had proposed should either fighter test positive for a banned drug.

Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe, however, told the newspaper that the drug testing protocol for the May 2 fight in Las Vegas had been “rigorously negotiated” by Pacquiao promoters Top Rank.

In comments to ESPN.com,

Ellerbe called Koncz an “idiot.”

“If this moron didn’t convey his fighter’s wishes when the negotiation was going on that’s their problem,” Ellerbe said. “This is a lame-ass attempt to generate publicity.”

Drug testing was an issue in attempts to put a PacquiaoMayweather fight together in late 2009 and early 2010.

Mayweather wanted random Olympic-style blood and urine testing, but Pacquiao objected to some of the protocols and the deal disintegrated.

Mayweather later accused the Filipino ring icon of using

performance-enhancing drugs, a charge which Pacquiao denied.

Pacquiao sued Mayweather over the accusation and the two settled out of court.

Drug-testing differences have been just part of the long and winding road to the May 2 matchup between the two fighters widely considered the best pound-forpound fighters of their generation.

The bout has required rival telecasters Showtime and HBO to work together to produce a fight considered a lock to break all records for pay-per-view viewers and revenue.

De Jesus delays Foton stint in PH Super Liga

Three employees of wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. recently finished challenging ultramarathons held in different parts of Luzon. Network portfolio manager Ellen Solosod (in photo) and network planning senior supervisor Felipe Mascarenas conquered the 2nd Luneta to Tagaytay Ultramarathon, which spanned 60 kilometers.

Meanwhile, IT portfolio manager Arnel Distor finished the 42-kilometer King of the Mountains run in Nueva Vizcaya. The employee-runners are members of Samahang Mananakbo ng Smart, one of more than 20 internal clubs that encourage the company’s workforce to “Live More.

CITING the need to attend to both personal and school matters first, Ateneo player Ella de Jesus from the recently crowned University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball champion team, confirmed to Foton management that she will suit up for the next Philippine Super Liga conference instead, even as she will stay and can practice with the team to keep in tip-top condition.

De Jesus was drafted by Foton earlier, but the management respects the decision of the player.

“Definitely, this is a big loss for us as she would have been a big help to the team. The team, however, remains strong and

competitive with its present lineup, bolstered by new recruits Angeline Pauline Araneta, Pamela Tricia Lastimosa, Royce Estampa and May Jennifer Macatuno, plus the core of our regular players from last year’s team. The team also just underwent a teambuilding seminar and we can say it is now ready. It has both the heart and hustle,” said Foton team manager Alvin Lu, citing last conference’s team performance when it barely missed a Final 4 slot and fought to the end.

Going back to De Jesus, Lu added that that the player is looking forward to reuniting with their former Ateneo team mates Angeline Gervacio Bea Tan and Kara Acevedo.

Pacman’s sparmate is like Floyd

By Ronnie Nathanielsz EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pacquiao’s latest sparring partner, Haiti-born Dierry “All In” Jean, who has lived in Montreal, Canada since he was 10 years old and who fights very much like Floyd Mayweather Jr., sparred three rounds with the Filipino ring icon, who went two more rounds with another of his sparring partners yesterday.

Pacquiao’s longtime adviser Michael Koncz was clearly elated that Jean, whom he personally picked, didn’t let him down after he told the New Standard/Viva Sports that if the Canadian didn’t look good in his first sparring session, he would promptly send him home.

He doesn’t have to do that now.

Koncz said 32-year-old Jean, who has an impressive record of 28-1 with 20 knockouts, has a style very similar to that of Mayweather, who Pacquiao battles in what has been trumpeted as the Fight of the Century at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.

Jean’s only defeat was in an IBF super lightweight title fight against Lamont Peterson.

“When May 2 comes, if Floyd is the better man he’ll win. But I don’t think that will happen,” said Koncz.

The adviser, who has handled Pacquiao’s affairs for almost 10 years, also disclosed that after reports of a bidding war for the Philippine television rights of the fight.

Young ace Coseteng shows way in KF karting kickoff YOUNG aces wowed the crowd with their own brand of grueling, thrilling action, with Eduardo Coseteng Jr. of Eagle Cement showing the way recently in the kickoff of the 2015 KF Karting Super Series at the Carmona Racetrack.

Coseteng Jr., showing great potential to follow the footsteps of his father and multi-titled car racing champion Jody

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Coseteng, glittered among the talented “Future of RP Motorsports” as he stood out with two big victories in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.and sponsored

by Yokohama the official tyres.

He survived the tight, closely fought encounters, sweeping the Qualifying, Pre-Final and Final heats to emerge the KF Mini-ROK

champion. He later prevailed in Race 2 of the KF Restricted class to split the day’s honors with Race 1 winner Flynn Jackes of Team Kart Master Drakar-Singapore.

Rap Rap Gutierrez made it an exciting three-way battle in the Qualifying Heat, where he checked in just 0.060 of a second behind runnerup Jackes and winner Coseteng.

And just when they thought Coseteng will coast to an easy win as Jackes experienced engine problems in the Pre-Final and Final races, Gutierrez proved to be a worthy challenger as he stuck close behind throughout before winding up runner-up.

Coseteng completed the 15-lap Final race in 12 minutes and 15.070 seconds, narrowly escaping by just

0.129 of a second ahead of Gutierrez.

Jarred Kim also showed big improvement now under the umbrella of Formula-E Racing as he took third place, while Bobby Redpath of Team Kart Master Drakar-Singapore and 2014 Cadet Karter of the Year Zach David of Team Kart Master Drakar of Singapore ended fourth and fifth, respectively.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Painters edge Elite, grab share of lead

By Jeric Lopez

A KEY blitz in the third quarter propelled Rain or Shine to a 102-98 tripping of eliminated Blackwater, gaining a tie for first place and boosting its bid of finishing in the Top 2 in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite three early fouls in the first seven minutes of the contest, Wayne Chism calmly gathered himself and still produced the goods with a team-high 30 points, 13 rebounds and four assists to once again lead the Painters to another victory.

Rain or Shine, which notched its fifth win in its last six assignments, is now currently tied with Purefoods and Talk ‘N Text at the top of

the heap at 7-3.

The victory gave the Painters a better chance of finishing in the Top 2, with a game left in their schedule against giantslayer Kia Motors this Sunday. ‘’We still have to win on Sunday against Kia to get a better chance of finishing in the Top 2. We can’t be complacent now,’’ said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. ‘’We just took advantage of our import (Chism) playing fresher.’’

Ahead at 56-53, the Elasto Painters banked on their crisp execution, orchestrating a decisive 14-2 blast in the middle of the third to turn the tight game into their favor and grabbing a sizeable 70-55 cushion after TY Tang’s lay-up off a fastbreak play.

Heading into the fourth, Rain or Shine maintained its commanding at 78-65.

From there, it was just a

Game Saturday (Lucena City, Quezon) 5 p.m. • Barangay Ginebra vs. GlobalPort

matter of closing it out and the Painters did just that, preventing the lowly Elite to become a threat, though the final tally ended up respectable, with the latter making a push towards the end to trim the gap.

Paul Lee added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Beau Belga and Chris Tiu both came off the bench to contribute 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Rain or Shine’s cause.

Officially, Blackwater is now out of contention as it remained in the cellar with a 2-8 record, with a game to go.

Career game. James Harden of the Houston Rockets shoots against the Denver Nuggets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Harden scored a career-high 50 points and pulled down 10 rebounds on Thursday to lift the Rockets to a 118108 NBA victory over the Nuggets. AFP

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, March 14, 2015

ACROSS 1 Memsahib’s nanny 5 Toot 9 Unit of length 13 Haleakala’s isle 14 All, in combos 15 Mr. Hawke 17 “Cheerio!” (hyph.)

18 Great Lakes st.

19 Video game pioneer 20 Burn without flame 22 Pilot’s flap 24 Headphones 25 Rock layers 26 Hedge trimmers 29 Laughs loudly 31 Power 32 Type of market 33 Cooking spray brand 36 Foreign visitor?

37 Brave deeds 40 Bulldogs backer 41 PX frequenters 42 Great benefit 43 Prey grabber 45 Tiptoe’s opposite 47 Tested the weight 48 Out of sight 51 Laze around

52 54 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Sports-coverage features Funded Horses’ strides Key — pie Chariot race locale “Sesame Street” name Aphrodite’s child Rounded roof Jiffies Hunger for — dunk

DOWN 1 Qtys.

2 Lady’s honorific 3 “Graph” starter 4 Racetrack with flamingos 5 Shady nooks 6 Qatar rulers 7 Coast Guard off.

8 Bigger than elite 9 Vassal’s oath 10 Web-footed mammals 11 Maureen of the screen 12 Ouija alternative 16 La — (weather worry) 21 — Vader 23 Asimov or Hayes

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 35 38 39 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Complacent 53 Multitude LP player (hyph.)

55 Lanolin source Id companions 56 The avenging Mrs. Peel Pop fly 57 Judge as Harness part 60 A Gershwin Gift-tag word PREVIOUS PUZZLE SOLVED Leather-tobe Soothing herb — over matter Piano-key wood Place Has the means for Druid’s language Rents Upfront Strongly advise Comes closer Porcupine quill Tangy taste 3-21-15 © 2015 UFS, Dist. by Univ. Uclick for UFS

A continuing quest for glory iNsidE spOrTs rONNiE NAThANiELsz

THERE is no doubt at all that the incredible success of Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion has not only put our country on the international sporting scene and redeemed the respect for our nation and people at a time when the Philippines was down, but has also decidedly opened the doors for promising young Filipino fighters many of whom have emerged from the depths of poverty, seeking to follow the path laid before them by Manny.

Whenever a Pacquiao fight comes along, there is a sudden surge of interest in boxing and in our roster of promising young fighters eager to follow in Pacquiao’s footsteps no matter how hard it is.

With the “Fight of the Century” against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. set for May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, interest in the Mayweather fight and other events within this period has unquestionably zoomed.

The next week will showcase one of the biggest and most exciting fight cards in recent years, when the famed ALA Promotions and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN take their partnership one notch higher in presenting the 30th edition of the eminently successful “Pinoy Pride” series, which somehow meshed the vision of my good friend and the “Voice” of ABS-CBN—Peter Musngi and the drive and daring of youthful ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer—in giving rise to the Pinoy Pride concept which has surely been a knockout.

But even before “Pinoy Pride 30”—aptly titled D Day, probably in recognition of Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who will headline the card, we will celebrate what would have been the 80th birth anniversary of one of the greatest champions of our time and unquestionably one of the nicest, most decent gentleman-boxers of an era, which sparkles with glory.

On March 25, the 15th Annual Flash Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions will take place at the historic Manila Hotel, with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel as guest of honor and speaker.

In choosing Sen. Pimentel, we guess the indefatigable Liza Elorde and husband Johnny, who year after year put on a classy presentation, were encouraged by the senator’s efforts to legislate due recognition and compensation for the men and women who have

sacrificed much in order to bring pride and joy to our countrymen and honor and glory to our country in boxing and the various other sporting disciplines.

We often wonder how Liza and Johnny Elorde are able to put together an event that is full of class and is amazingly enhanced in its quality year after year. To us, it reflects their respect and love for “Flash” Elorde, a beloved friend of ours who to this day we remember with deep down affection for his gentleness and humility.

Indeed, as we penned years ago, “Flash” Elorde “feared no man, but was humble before all men.”

The awardees must surely be ennobled by the awards given them even though some may be questionable in our honest opinion. But that should not in any way diminish every single award given in the name of a man, who was a sterling example of goodness, decency and unsullied integrity— Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

Two remarkable fighters, WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest- reigning Filipino world champion, who surpassed the record of Elorde himself—a period of 7 years and 3 months—and five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, will be elevated into the prestigious ‘Flash” Elorde Hall of Fame and will join the first such honoree—the incredible Manny Pacquiao.

Significantly, Nietes and Donaire will headline “Pinoy Pride 30” some three days later, along with IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara, who will be honored on Wednesday as the “Most Promising Boxer,” while hardworking, talented and low key trainer Edmund Villamor will receive the award as “Trainer of the Year,” with Michael Aldeguer a runaway choice for “Promoter of the Year.”

While we will, as always, shed a tear in remembering “Flash” Elorde, we will additionally miss his charming eldest daughter Malou, who passed away recently in Las Vegas of the dreaded disease that took her father away from us, also in untimely fashion. We are sure that they will look down from the heavens in the embrace of each other and in the loving presence of a merciful God, and thank Liza and Johnny and all those present for their gracious attendance in a continuing tradition.

They will also surely bless our three champions—Nietes, Dinaire and Pagara in their continuing quest to bring honor and glory to our beloved country in a sport that has produced the heroes of our time.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

REUEL VIDAL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Marestella Torres leaps to the gold in her favorite long jump event in these series of photos during the Philippine National Open Invitational Championship.

Torres returns a winner

STA. CRUZ, Laguna—Two-time Olympian Marestella Torres turned the 2015 Philippine National Open Invitational Championship into her own comeback stage as she pulled off a golden conquest in the women’s long jump competition yesterday at the Laguna Sports Complex here.

Lost in the limelight for more than a year after giving birth, Torres announced her return with an amazing performance, registering 6.47 meters in the event which she started to rule when she dominated legendary Lerma Baluitan-Gabito in a dramatic jumpoff during the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2005.

United States-trained Katherine Khay Santos of University of Baguio, who is said to be Torres’ potential

successor, settled for the silver medal with 6.25 meters, while Felyn Delloso of Team Rio notched the bronze medal with 5.49 meters.

“My performance was just about 70 percent,” said Torres shortly after tallying the mark that fell shy of her personal-best 6.71 meters she posted in the Indonesia SEA Games in 2011.

“This is my first time to compete since the (Incheon) Asian Games and there’s still a little rust on my perform-

Pacman’s sparmate fights like Floyd TURN TO A14

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

ance. I’m working hard in training, watching my diet, optimistic to reach my peak condition just in time for the Singapore SEA Games this June.”

But against Santos and a handful of young guns threatening to take away her crown, Torres looked like a grizzled veteran ready for another shot at glory.

After committing fouls in her second and fourth jumps, Torres soared for a perfect leap in her 5th try. Although she committed another foul in her last jump, it didn’t matter as the victory was already within reach.

“I have a poor eyesight that’s why I committed all those fouls,” said Torres, who is working out with noted American fitness mentor Jim Lafferty.

“Fortunately, despite all those miscues, I still pulled it through. I now have to work on my confidence to prepare myself for the SEA Games.”

Torres will try to overcome her personal best again in the Singapore Open next week.

Sharing the limelight with Torres was Karen Janario, who became the second athlete to emerge with two gold medals in this tournament bankrolled by Laguna Water, Pacific Online Scratch It KaskaSwerte, Papa John’s Pizza, Foton Philippines, PCSO, Smart, PLDT, Summit Natural Drinking Water through the support of SSS, PAGCOR, Milo, Gatorade, L TimeStudio at Asics Watch .

A product of Leyte Sports Academy and who survived the wrath of typhoon Yolanda, Janario tallied 15.14 seconds in girls’ 100-meter hurdles before dominating the girls’ 400-meter run with 59.21 seconds, becoming the first athlete since Filipino-American Caleb Stuart to win a pair of gold medals on opening day.

Painters grab share of lead TURN TO A15

Also finishing in the gold-medal podium were Lealyn Sanita of Leyte Sports Academy-B in the girls’ 5,000m run; Ramil Aoy of La Union in the men’s masters 400m; Victoria Calma in the women’s master 400m; John Kenneth Nodos in the boys’ 400m and SEA Games gold medalist Archand Christian Bagsit in the men’s 400m.

Another SEA Games bet, Narcisa Atienza of Philippine Army, also won a gold medal as she dominated the women’s shot put competition, while Filipino-American Donobant Arriola of Air Force ruled the men’s long jump competition, Brandon Thomas emerged victorious in men’s 100m, Carlo Caong of Sain Benilde reigned supreme in boys’ discuss throw, Francis Medina won the boys 110m hurdles and Patrick Unso stood tall in the men’s 110m hurdles.

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B1

SATURDAY: MARCH 21, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

PSe comPoSite index

BUSINESS

Closing March 20, 2015

8000 7500 6840 7500 6180

7000

5520

6500

4860

6000 4200 3860 5500

7,818.38 3.83

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing MARCH 20, 2015 45

P44.815

44

CLOSE

43 42 41

HIGH P44.790 LOW P44.850 AVERAGE P44.831 VOLUME 655.200M

P508.00-P728.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.37-P43.92 Unleaded Gasoline

Peanut festival. Agriculture assistant secretary Leandro Gazmin (second from right) loads a bunch of newly-harvested peanuts to a peanut stripper at a village-level service station in Barangay Lanna, Enrile, Cagayan. The station, which also serves as a seed store, was inaugurated on March 17, 2015 and turned over to the members of the Lemu Norte Rural Improvement Club for daily operations and management. Gazmin visited Enrile, Cagayan to represent Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for the peanut harvest festival.

AYALA, ABOITIZ SNUB PRE-BID CONFERENCE

Calax gets 3 bidders

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THREE companies, including San Miguel Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and a new consortium, attended the pre-bid conference for the P35.4-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway on Friday.

Team Orion, the group of Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Land Inc., which was declared the highest bidder in the first bidding, did not participate in the prebid conference, Public Works undersecretary Rafael Yabut said.

“As expected the reps [representatives] of three bidders namely SMC, MPIC and the private firm were present in the pre-bid conference,” Yabut said.

The Public Works Department set the bid submission and opening of the pre-qualification documents for the Calax project on May 19.

The technical proposals will be opened on June 2 and financial proposals on June 15. The notice of award will be issued July 7.

Yabut said the prospective bidders raised minor issues which would be addressed by the issuance of a supplemental bid bulletin.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“The present third bidder is a new one which we do not know yet the composition. No Ayala and Alloy MTD. Only SMC and MPIC plus the new one,” he said.

The National Economic and Development Authority board approved a single-stage qualification and bidding for the Calax project, with a minimum bid price of P20.105 billion.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered a rebidding of the Calax project because of the issues raised by San Miguel.

San Miguel asked President Aquino to reconsider the decision of the Public Works Department to disqualify unit Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. from the bidding on technicality and accept its P20.1-billion bid for Calax, which was P8 billion higher than the P11.7-billion offer

by Team Orion of Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Land Inc., which was declared the highest bidder.

Metro Pacific, through MPCALA Holdings Inc., offered P11.33 billion for Calax, slightly

lower than Team Orion’s winning bid of P11.65 billion.

Malaysian-owned Alloy MTD Philippines offered P922 million.

San Miguel’s OIDI, which submitted an offer of P20.1 billion, was disqualified on technicality.

The Calax project involves a 35-year contract to finance, build and operate a 47-kilometer four-lane toll road between the end of Cavite Expressway in Kawit, Cavite and the South Luzon Expressway-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

P26.35-P32.65 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P36.75-P43.42 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, March 20, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.6610

Japan

Yen

0.008277

0.3697

UK

Pound

1.473800

65.8214

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128878

5.7558

Switzerland

Franc

1.009693

45.0939

Canada

Dollar

0.785793

35.0943

Singapore

Dollar

0.720929

32.1974

Australia

Dollar

0.763825

34.1132

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

118.4642

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266638

11.9083

Brunei

Dollar

0.718339

32.0817

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.030553

1.3645

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1593

Euro

Euro

1.065000

47.5640

Korea

Won

0.000892

0.0398

China

Yuan

0.161392

7.2079

India

Rupee

0.015985

0.7139

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.270088

12.0624

New Zealand

Dollar

0.738716

32.9918

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031773

1.4190 Source: PDS Bridge

Foreign debt accumulates $20b to $77.7b

By Julito G. Rada FOREIGN debt of the Philippines accumulated another $20 billion to hit $77.7 billion in 2014, under a new reporting system, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the figure was revised upward after the bank implemented a new framework for reporting the country’s external debt statistics, based on the latest external debt guide and the International Monetary Fund manual.

External debt refers to all

types of borrowings by the government and the private sector.

“Based on the new framework, outstanding Philippine external debt as of end-2014 stood at $77.7 billion, after inclusion of other accounts totaling $20 billion which were previously disclosed in footnotes to the official debt statistics,” Espenilla said.

Other accounts refer to interoffice accounts of foreign banks operating in the Philippines and private sector obligations that were obtained without Bangko Sentral’s approval or registration.

Under the old reporting

framework, the end-2014 foreign debt reached $57.6 billion, lower than $58.5 billion recorded in 2013.

Espenilla said under the new reporting system, the 2014 foreign debt also reflected a decline of $800 million from the revised end-2013 figure of $78.5 billion.

The new reporting framework was approved by the Monetary Board in the second half of 2014, considering changes in the regulatory treatment of inter-office accounts of foreign banks in the Philippines in 2013.

“Even with the higher debt level brought about by these

recent enhancements and modifications, debt indicators were observed to have remained at very prudent levels,” Bangko Sentral said.

Public sector external debt reached $39.3 billion in 2014 while private sector debt amounted to $38.3 billion.

Data show the country’s debt stock remained largely denominated in US dollars (64.6 percent), followed by the Japanese yen (12.1 percent); multi-currency loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank (10 percent) and other currencies (13.3 percent).

SATURDAY: MARCH 21, 2015

B2

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Friday, March 20, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

2.7 75.3 99.4 105.2 63 2.3 4.2 19.6 31.6 22.5 2.95 1.01 92.9 1.65 30.5 75 99 392 59 146.8 1700 130 2.8

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

42.6 6.1 1.66 2.3 17.98 113 17.2 15.8 56.8 4.57 39.5 14 12.98 8.15 12.34 17 27.1 90.5 0.014 15.74 9.4 0.98 199.8 10.98 79 4 45.45 30 90 14.7 317 6.49 5.37 14.48 7.5 14.5 7.03 6.68 275 2.25 0.191 2.5 2.68 188.6 5.5 1.3 2.17

1.55 63.5 67.5 82.5 50 1.9 1.1 14.5 23.2 6.84 1.75 0.175 69.35 1.2 20.45 58 76 276 41.5 105.1 1281 116 2.25

Close

High

6.35 70.1 117.50 101.00 46.8 2.26 2.40 16.72 24.9 8.34 1.68 0.510 93.6 0.94 18.40 31.05 81.35 347 45.9 169 1387.00 69.40 3.03

Low

FINANCIAL 6.35 5.86 70.1 70.1 117.80 116.40 101.00 100.00 46.95 46.7 2.27 2.27 2.44 2.44 16.7 16.54 25.4 24.9 8.30 8.26 1.68 1.68 0.510 0.455 95.15 92.5 0.94 0.94 18.38 18.38 31.05 31.00 81.35 79.10 343 340 46.2 45.75 174.8 169.6 1385.00 1385.00 69.40 69.00 3.03 3.03 INDUSTRIAL 45.2 44.25 1.66 1.66 1.1 1.08 2.14 2.07 8.24 8.1 60 45.45 19 18.7 22 21.65 65.8 63.25 1.96 1.88 12.8 12 21.600 20.5 11.56 11.38 8.31 8.08 9.90 9.71 24.5 22.8 29.9 29 103 101.5 0.4700 0.4600 14.70 14.70 6.7 6.62 0.620 0.620 214.40 211.20 9.9 9.58 35.10 35.00 2.41 2.41 53.00 52.00 26.6 25.95 29 28.5 7.970 7.850 272.00 268.00 4.20 4.06 4.2 4.15 10.10 9.85 5.25 5 11.60 11.10 3.99 3.80 2.90 2.86 1.98 1.46 5.96 5.90 206 205 1.73 1.69 0.175 0.172 1.52 1.48 2.26 2.21 222 214.4 4.5 4.5 0.72 0.71 1.55 1.51 HOLDING FIRMS 0.465 0.465 56.35 55.50 27.30 26.65 1.40 1.40 7.06 7.01 2.72 2.60 2.7 2.56 776 768.5 9.2 9.05 15.50 15.00 4.74 4.50 0.330 0.315 1320 1308 6.28 5.50 70.60 67.75 8.8 8.3 0.74 0.7 16 15.78 0.69 0.65 4.9 4.84 5.1 5 0.0400 0.0400 0.730 0.700 70.30 66.70 2.80 2.80 910.00 902.00 1.25 1.23 0.98 0.95 104.90 98.00 0.5100 0.4650 0.2460 0.2410 PROPERTY 9.000 8.880 0.98 0.94 0.270 0.245 37.90 37.25 4.39 4.29 5.19 5.1 6.2 5.6 6.2 6.2 0.97 0.95

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

6 70.1 117.20 100.50 46.95 2.27 2.44 16.7 25.05 8.30 1.68 0.475 95.15 0.94 18.38 31.05 79.95 340.8 46 173 1385.00 69.15 3.03

-5.51 0.00 -0.26 -0.50 0.32 0.44 1.67 -0.12 0.60 -0.48 0.00 -6.86 1.66 0.00 -0.11 0.00 -1.72 -1.79 0.22 2.37 -0.14 -0.36 0.00

138,104 18,230 2,656,630 1,905,950 16,400 16,000 16,000 12,000 2,397,100 6,100 1,000 4,137,000 2,812,670 6,000 900 22,500 690,380 3,610 280,900 2,119,180 70 16,460 2,000

45.2 1.66 1.08 2.11 8.15 56 19 22 65.8 1.89 12.2 20.900 11.38 8.19 9.90 23.4 29.1 102.5 0.4700 14.70 6.64 0.620 214.40 9.72 35.00 2.41 52.00 26.1 28.9 7.850 271.00 4.06 4.16 9.95 5.25 11.44 3.99 2.88 1.9 5.90 206 1.69 0.172 1.48 2.23 220 4.5 0.71 1.51

0.78 0.00 -1.82 -0.94 0.00 24.17 1.28 0.00 4.44 1.61 -2.87 2.20 -0.18 -1.44 1.02 -1.89 -0.68 0.69 2.17 0.00 0.30 1.64 1.13 -0.21 -0.14 0.00 -0.95 -1.88 0.35 -1.51 0.74 -3.33 -0.95 -0.70 -0.94 -0.52 4.72 0.70 35.71 -0.17 0.00 -2.31 -1.71 45.10 0.45 2.23 0.00 -1.39 -1.95

3,177,600 20,000 229,000 5,936,000 3,400 7,500 204,200 401,000 31,510 631,000 150,000 20,882,800 3,043,400 78,409,200 602,600 408,100 2,853,300 820,520 40,000 1,600 260,400 280,000 1,550,050 6,309,900 3,800 4,000 60 2,950,100 1,106,000 319,600 382,100 21,000 16,325,000 4,631,200 1,000 59,400 444,000 653,000 6,632,000 963,000 820 675,000 3,290,000 86,000 985,000 3,569,770 94,000 731,000 154,000

0.465 55.75 26.90 1.40 7.01 2.61 2.56 770 9.14 15.20 4.50 0.315 1308 6.28 70.25 8.8 0.73 16 0.68 4.86 5.1 0.0400 0.730 67.95 2.80 902.00 1.24 0.95 104.90 0.4650 0.2430

-1.06 -0.45 -1.28 -4.11 -1.27 -2.61 0.00 0.00 0.33 -0.78 -0.66 -7.35 -1.28 -2.48 1.01 6.02 2.82 1.14 1.49 -0.61 2.00 0.00 4.29 -3.34 0.00 -0.17 0.81 -4.04 5.53 -7.00 -1.22

20,000 2,099,210 10,235,900 8,000 15,300 103,000 17,000 456,810 1,224,900 8,226,600 11,000 4,140,000 230,340 47,900 5,022,940 9,001,800 671,000 3,174,100 2,733,000 28,535,000 25,000 3,600,000 2,823,000 16,518,400 50,000 581,890 129,000 110,000 33,000 38,306,000 2,710,000

8.880 0.94 0.245 37.85 4.3 5.18 5.6 6.2 0.96

0.00 -4.08 -7.55 -0.66 0.00 1.57 -8.20 -4.32 0.00

1,425,200 1,781,000 830,000 17,985,100 2,014,000 402,600 40,000 3,000 2,709,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

2.51 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.370 2.25 1.77 1.6 4.88 0.180 0.470 0.74 4.45 24.8 2.06 3.6 19.62 1.02 6.66 1.96 6.5

1.21 0.068 0.47 0.87 0.175 1.22 1.18 1.19 2.75 0.070 0.325 0.4 2.5 18.72 1.45 2.9 14.1 0.58 3.05 0.87 4.37

363,310.00

3.25 43.7 1.43 1.09 12.46 14 0.1640 4.05 71 12.3 9 1700 2008 9.04 2.02 118.9 18.4 12.5 0.017 0.0653 2.2800 6.99 9.67 2.85 2.2 4.32 1.97 2.45 14.46 0.62 1.040 6.6 2.85 18 11.3 3486 0.710 2.01 48.5 74

1.55 27 0.92 0.59 10 8.28 0.0960 2.97 44.8 10.14 4 1080 1580 7.12 1.2 94.4 5 8.72 0.012 0.026 1.560 1.95 5.82 1.15 1.1 1.9 0.485 1.42 10.14 0.35 0.36 5.2 1.85 8.8 4.39 2572 0.250 0.26 32.2 48

263,500.00 -222,913.00 0.00 1,690.00 17,200.00

0.87 2.95 11.46 0.435 1.6

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group 0.59 STI Holdings 1.68 Transpacific Broadcast 7.78 Travellers 0.305 Waterfront Phils.

1.04 Yehey

111,000.00 156,152,298.00 423,000.00 -280,730.00

0.0086 5.45 17.24 25 1.2 1.73 10.98

0.0028 1.72 11.48 9.43 0.5 0.76 4.93

0.46 0.455 0.730 0.024 0.026 8.2 48.85 3.35 1.030 3.06 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.042 420 9 0.016

0.385 0.3000 0.2950 0.012 0.014 1.960 14.22 1.47 0.220 1.24 0.016 4.02 7.8 6.5 0.031 123 4.3 0.0087

1,206,969.00 102,349,158.00 6,840,028.00 -56,280.00 172,056.00 2,307,585.00 22,000.00 200,737,830.50

City & Land Dev. Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld Corp.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

High

Low

Close

1.25 0.147 0.460 0.900 0.214 1.50 1.83 1.55 5.46 0.125 0.3400 0.4500 7.65 29.00 1.79 3.20 19.76 0.88 7.23 1.040 7.420

1.25 1.25 1.25 0.146 0.144 0.145 0.460 0.455 0.455 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.202 0.200 0.200 1.53 1.49 1.50 1.82 1.79 1.80 1.54 1.52 1.52 5.61 5.46 5.46 0.128 0.125 0.127 0.3500 0.3400 0.3400 0.4900 0.3900 0.4850 7.67 7.24 7.44 29.45 28.75 28.95 1.79 1.76 1.77 3.20 3.16 3.16 20.20 19.52 20.20 0.88 0.84 0.84 7.41 7.18 7.41 1.070 1.030 1.040 7.500 7.380 7.500 SERVICES 6.99 7.32 6.53 6.75 61 62 61.2 61.4 1.09 1.1 1.07 1.07 0.700 0.720 0.700 0.700 14 14.48 14 14.48 10.46 10.80 10.50 10.80 0.1100 0.1110 0.1090 0.1100 3.97 3.96 3.83 3.94 85.15 86.35 85.15 86.05 10.94 10.6 10.6 10.6 6.80 7.09 6.86 7.08 1000 995 995 995 1960 1970 1930 1940 6.70 6.81 6.64 6.66 1.58 1.62 1.57 1.57 112 112.6 111 112.6 6.12 7.00 6.50 7.00 11.86 11.84 11.32 11.84 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.290 0.295 0.285 0.295 1.3300 1.3300 1.2700 1.2800 2.64 2.68 2.55 2.68 8.88 8.98 8.70 8.70 2.00 2.10 2.00 2.00 1.47 1.47 1.3 1.47 2.28 2.29 2.29 2.29 0.690 0.700 0.680 0.680 1.95 1.99 1.95 1.99 9.28 9.38 9.2 9.3 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.36 0.500 0.500 0.500 0.500 4.70 4.70 4.70 4.70 3.18 3.2 3.12 3.12 9.5 9.01 9.01 9.01 13.86 13.86 13.30 13.76 2850.00 2840.00 2810.00 2810.00 0.600 0.610 0.600 0.600 1.500 1.560 1.500 1.560 40.10 40.85 40.05 40.20 87.00 90.10 87.00 89.00 10.14 10.48 10.14 10.40 0.72 0.74 0.73 0.74 1.9 1.9 1.85 1.85 7.08 7.3 7.06 7.04 0.350 0.360 0.345 0.360 1.450 1.480 1.400 1.480 MINING & OIL 0.0056 0.0057 0.0055 0.0056 3.00 3.00 2.84 2.98 9.10 9.11 9.06 9.06 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.80 1.1 1.16 1.09 1.14 0.9 0.89 0.88 0.88 8.53 8.82 8.55 8.76 2.3 2.43 2.3 2.41 0.345 0.365 0.345 0.360 0.238 0.240 0.236 0.236 0.246 0.250 0.244 0.244 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0160 0.0160 0.0160 5.4 5.4 5 5.14 28 27.95 27.25 27.5 3.83 4.18 3.85 4.17 0.7400 0.7300 0.7300 0.7300 2.160 2.200 2.070 2.150 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 5.85 5.85 5.85 5.85 7.7 7.82 7.56 7.62 2.55 2.68 2.48 2.49 0.016 0.016 0.015 0.016 157.20 167.00 158.00 159.50 4.16 4.15 4.08 4.08 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 62.4 66 63.45 65 512.5 510 510 510 520 523 520 520 115 115 114.2 114.2 506 506 506 506 6.5 6.45 6.35 6.35 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.08 108.2 109 108.3 108.9 1080 1070 1070 1070 1038 1040 1037 1040 76.1 76.1 76.05 76.05 84 84 83.5 84 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.950 3.980 3.900 3.940 SME 7.85 7.95 7.8 7.82 77.5 78.95 77 78.25 10.2 10.46 9.6 10 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127 127 126.8 127

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.00 -1.36 -1.09 0.00 -6.54 0.00 -1.64 -1.94 0.00 1.60 0.00 7.78 -2.75 -0.17 -1.12 -1.25 2.23 -4.55 2.49 0.00 1.08

20,000 2,960,000 550,000 62,000 2,140,000 1,535,000 17,465,000 378,000 202,116,100 570,000 1,340,000 530,000 859,800 1,820,500 102,000 11,000 15,911,000 10,993,000 17,149,600 107,000 11,465,400

-3.43 0.66 -1.83 0.00 3.43 3.25 0.00 -0.76 1.06 -3.11 4.12 -0.50 -1.02 -0.60 -0.63 0.54 14.38 -0.17 0.00 1.72 -3.76 1.52 -2.03 0.00 0.00 0.44 -1.45 2.05 0.22 -2.74 0.00 0.00 -1.89 -5.16 -0.72 -1.40 0.00 4.00 0.25 2.30 2.56 2.78 -2.63 0.57 2.86 2.07

1,512,700 34,180 302,000 706,000 4,100 27,257,100 10,850,000 429,000 543,550 1,500 205,500 40 49,880 327,500 47,000 2,127,420 11,900 27,300 5,000,000 18,030,000 1,342,000 53,000 217,200 42,000 66,000 1,000 213,000 42,000 19,569,700 630,000 23,000 3,000 36,000 600 5,545,100 308,630 1,558,000 30,549,000 1,843,400 2,878,580 5,343,500 4,735,000 20,000 4,654,700 1,760,000 53,000

0.00 -0.67 -0.44 0.00 3.64 -2.22 2.70 4.78 4.35 -0.84 -0.81 7.14 6.67 -4.81 -1.79 8.88 -1.35 -0.46 -7.69 0.00 -1.04 -2.35 0.00 1.46 -1.92 -9.09

602,000,000 210,000 -150,000.00 1,094,000 140,215.00 1,000 2,122,000 180,940.00 554,400 438,595.00 554,400 438,595.00 18,503,000 -546,270.00 2,460,000 6,540,000 2,170,000 1,100,000 1,700,000 2,067,500 -727,561.00 2,336,800 -49,505,030.00 21,510,000 138,430.00 1,000 1,588,000 -38,400.00 2,500,000 1,800 1,199,100 -6,680,006.00 1,521,000 6,300,000 4,678,170 118,993,046.00 34,000 12,900,000

4.17 -0.49 0.00 -0.70 0.00 -2.31 0.93 0.65 -0.93 0.19 -0.07 0.00

154,190 8,500 8,750 5,910 980 32,700 1,095,000 28,800 8,500 11,975 276,070 111,270

-1,427,850.00 -2,478,570.00 166,624,651.00

2,271,665.00 82,180.00 -28,440.00 53,632,434.00

MST 31.75 2.51 0.88 1.25 9.58 40.2 14.6 9.82 21.5 0.82 17.3 5.98 9.05 4.25 8.68 8.61 12.2 48.9 0.0097 12.8 2.05 0.32 150.8 8.55 48.5 1.63 16 20.35 12 10.1 246 3.37 4 11.56 5 9.94 4.33

Aboitiz Power Corp.

44.85 Agrinurture Inc. 1.66 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.1 Alsons Cons.

2.13 Asiabest Group 8.15 Bogo Medelin 45.1 Century Food 18.76 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 22 Concepcion 63 Da Vinci Capital 1.86 Del Monte 12.56 DNL Industries Inc. 20.450 Emperador 11.40 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 8.31 EEI 9.80 Federal Res. Inv. Group 23.85 First Gen Corp.

29.3 First Holdings ‘A’ 101.8 Greenergy 0.4600 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.70 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.62 Ionics Inc 0.610 Jollibee Foods Corp.

212.00 Lafarge Rep 9.74 Liberty Flour 35.05 Mabuhay Vinyl 2.41 Macay Holdings 52.50 Manila Water Co. Inc. 26.6 Maxs Group 28.8 Megawide 7.970 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 269.00 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.20 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.2 Petron Corporation 10.02 Phil H2O 5.3 Phinma Corporation 11.50 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.81 Phoenix Semiconductor 2.86 Pryce Corp. `A’ 1.4 4.88 RFM Corporation 5.91 210 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 206 1.7 Splash Corporation 1.73 0.102 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.175 TKC Steel Corp.

1.02 1.6 1.37 Trans-Asia Oil 2.22 111.3 Universal Robina 215.2 1.58 Victorias Milling 4.5 0.550 Vitarich Corp.

0.72 1.33 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.54

0.7 61.6 31.85 2.16 7.39 3.29 2.05 747 11.34 84 5.34 0.23 1060 7.1 59.8 6.55 0.9 19.9 0.75 5.4 5.35 0.0550 0.84 88 3.5 866 2.2 1.39 156 0.285 0.245

0.46 45.75 21.95 1.6 6.3 1.8 1.04 508 7.470 47.25 4 0.144 706 5.3 36.7 3.95 0.58 12.96 0.580 4.06 4.5 0.027 0.355 54.5 1.5 680 1.04 0.85 58.05 0.158 0.150

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries

0.470 56.00 27.25 1.46 7.10 2.68 2.56 770 9.11 15.32 4.53 0.340 1325 6.44 69.55 8.3 0.71 15.82 0.67 4.89 5 0.0400 0.700 70.30 2.80 903.50 1.23 0.99 99.40 0.5000 0.2460

9.03 1.99 0.375 35.3 6.15 6.1 5.6 7.1 2

5.51 0.99 0.185 23.7 4.41 5 2.8 4.6 1.22

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Cebu Prop. `B’ Century Property

8.880 0.98 0.265 38.10 4.3 5.1 6.1 6.48 0.96

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

SHARES 17496727 170393757 141446557 325291839 159386144 876519384 1701864448

16,542.00

-24,527,985.50 -217,610.00 -2,219,265.00 60,253,789.00 96,950.00 -24,157.50 33,000,745.00

1,392,176.00 -147,400.00 -224,774.00

303,437,545.00 4,714,298.00 -172,447,155.00 -599,409.00 -115,950.00 -9,382,860.00 -29,198,807.00 13,800.00 -66,982.00

-60,807,802.00 7,537,972.00

-6,892,750.00 -22,348,975.00 -139,283.00 81,858,412.00

-2,892,460.00 2,470,216.00

-8,921,480.00 -28,834,195.00

2,561,840.00 -2,085,570.00 -9,596,638.00

-71,375,475.00

89,723,999.00 21,103,506.00 7,000.00 8,911,480.00

43,492,710.00

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

44.1

26.3

60 116 511 9.04 9.67

30 102 480 6.76 5.82

-82,254,785.00

77.3 81.85

74.2 75

-150,476,045.00 5,034,930.00 -127,500.00

2.42

0.0010 LR Warrant

10.96 35

2.4 7.74

Double Dragon IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

2,436,980.00

119.6

94

First Metro ETF

-3,550.00 -128,672,205.50 -7,205,160.00

-2,682,883.50 -472,500.00 103,630.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred C

T op g ainerS VALUE 1310814068.33 3034409109.538 3656390400.63 2507697741.29 2882406355.25 1321710843.058 14831427843.60

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,834.73 (up) 6.24 INDUSTRIAL 12,673.06 (up) 86.93 HOLDING FIRMS 6,976.73 (down) 11.00 PROPERTY 3,147.77 (up) 6.83 SERVICES 2,107.13 (down) 3.86 MINING & OIL 15,862.82 (up) 25.68 PSEI 7,818.38 (up) 3.83 All Shares Index 4,529.31 (up) 8.53 Gainers: 76; Losers: 105; Unchanged: 41; Total: 222

18,672,569.00

383,919.00

4,392.00 144,846,772.00 1,765,006.50

137,200.00 -32,619,675.00

88,440,110.00

-1,089,560.00

-72,150.00 -19,983,334.00 21,000.00 6,500.00 -5,406.00 -1,501,400.00 -285,100,120.00 14,456,850.00 -21,147,015.00 71,105,171.50 -2,607,468.00 -1,101,050.00 -20,135,791.00

-1,890,205.50

678,922.00 -71,290.00

2,019,527.00 -1,671,000.00

-0.25

310,000

-0.38 0.97 -1.96

315,300 62,570 10,939,500 -3,990,664.00

0.00

12,670

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

TKC Steel Corp.

1.48

45.10

United Paragon

0.0100

Pryce Corp. `A'

1.9

35.71

Cebu Prop. `A'

5.6

-9.09 -8.20

Bogo Medelin

56

24.17

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0120

-7.69

Imperial Res. `A'

7.00

14.38

Arthaland Corp.

0.245

-7.55

Nihao Mineral Resources

4.17

8.88

Forum Pacific

0.315

-7.35

Phil. Realty `A'

0.4850

7.78

Unioil Res. & Hldgs

0.4650

-7.00

Manila Mining `A'

0.0150

7.14

MEDCO Holdings

0.475

-6.86

Manila Mining `B'

0.0160

6.67

Ever Gotesco

0.200

-6.54

Lopez Holdings Corp.

8.8

6.02

AG Finance

6

-5.51

Top Frontier

104.90

5.53

Phil. Racing Club

9.01

-5.16

SATURDAY: MARCH 21, 2015

B3

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

Travellers’ profit hits P5.4b Philex discovers more gold in Padcal

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales PHILEX Mining Corp. said Friday Padcal’s mine life may extend beyond 2020, after an additional 110.9 million tons of estimated mineral resources were discovered in the company’s main mining area in Benguet province.

Philex said in a statement the additional mineral resources were identified from the 800 to 600-meter levels in Padcal mine.

Philex currently operates in the 908 to 782-meter levels.

Philex said the completion of the new mineral resource estimate increased the total mineral resources of the Padcal gold and copper mine by 71 percent, or from 156.8 million tons to 267.7 million tons.

The identified mineral resources also raised the contained metals to 1.23 billion pounds of copper and 3.24 million ounces of gold, higher by 62 percent and 71 percent from the 758.4 million pounds of copper and 1.9 million ounces of gold earlier identified by the company.

Philex said the adjusted aggregate mineral resources of Padcal mine were at a cutoff grade of 0.314 percent copper equivalent, which was further based on metal prices of $2.75 per pound for copper and $1,275 per ounce for gold.

“The Padcal mine’s measured and indicated resources at 800 to 600 ML [meter level] is expected to augment the mineable inventory of the company and may likely extend the mine’s life beyond 2020,” said Philex Mining president Eulalio Austin Jr.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

TRAVELLERS International Hotel Group Inc., the owner and operator of integrated gaming and entertainment complex Resorts World Manila, said net income in 2014 doubled to P5.45 billion from P2.73 billion in 2013, despite the 5.4-percent decline in revenues.

Travellers said in a financial report with the stock exchange net revenues declined 5.8 percent to P29 billion in 2014 from P30.84 billion a year ago, as a result of lower gaming revenues and reduced contribution from hotel and food and beverage business.

Gross gaming revenues in 2014

reached P28.376. billion, down 5.4 percent from P30 billion it booked in 2013.

“The decline in gaming revenue is a function of the decline in volume, particularly in the VIP segment as there was a deliberate move in holding less tournaments and focus on growing the core

customer base,” Travellers said.

Revenues from hotel, food, beverage business fell 9.5 percent in 2014 to P2.26 billion from P2.502 billion in 2013.

All hotels in the Resort World complex registered higher occupancy rates in 2014. Maxims posted an occupancy rate of 89 percent; Remington, 91 percent and Marriott, 83 percent.

“Creating shareholder value was our main objective for 2014 which we achieved through quality earnings and operating efficiencies,” Travellers president Kingson Sian said in a statement.

The company’s financial condition, however, remained strong with total assets rising to P63.9 billion from P61.2 billion a year earlier while total liabilities

declined to P24.8 billion from P27.8 billion.

The company said it remained on a net cash position at P4.4 billion as of end-2014.

Travellers’ spent P5.9 billion in 2014 for the phase 2 and phase 3 of Resorts World Manila.

The Marriott Grand Ballroom is set to formally open in July this year, while the Marriott west wing, which will add 227 room keys, is due for delivery by the end of 2015.

Phase 3 is slated for turnover by the end of 2017.

Travellers also subscribed to 95 percent of the increased authorized capital stock of Resorts World Bayshore City Inc., the company that will build and operate the Bayshore City Resorts World in Entertainment City in Parañaque.

Bloomberg awards.

HealthJustice Philippines and the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance lauded the Health and Finance Departments for bagging the Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control during the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health held in Abu Dhabi. The award was given to the two agencies for the implementation of the sin tax law in 2013. Shown receiving the awards from Michael Bloomberg (left) are Health assistant secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial (center) and Finance undersecretary Jeremias Paul Jr.

Market rises slightly; Bloomberry advances

Industry roadmaps.

The Trade Department strengthens its partnership with the private sector in crafting and implementing industry roadmaps. In the gathering of industry champions organized by the Board of Investments, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (center) said the implementation of industry roadmaps is critical for the country to sustain strong economic performance and achieve inclusive growth. With Gregorio are (from left) Trade undersecretary Vic Dimagiba, Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika president Joey Marcalain, Trade undersecretary Nora Terrrado, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. vice president Armenia Ballesterros, Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines executive director Salvio Valenzuela, Philippine Die and Mold Association Inc. president Philip Ang, Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines president John Lee and Trade undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr.

STOCKS rose slightly Friday, as the US Federal Reserve indicated it was in no hurry to raise interest rates.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, picked up 3 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 7,818.38 Friday. The benchmark was up 8.1 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, gained 8 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,529.31 on value turnover of P14.8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 105 to 76, while 41 issues were unchanged.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which reported a P4-billion profit in 2014, was the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it climbed 3.3 percent to P10.80. Security Bank Corp. gained 2.4 percent to P173.

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. advanced 2.3 percent to P89, while Universal Robina Corp. added 2.2 percent to close at P220. SM Prime Holdings Inc. rose 2.2 percent to P20.20.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks retreated Friday. The dollar was slightly lower against the euro and yen, but analysts said they expected the currency to resume its advance as the Fed prepares for a rate hike while the Japanese and European central banks print more cash.

Providing support to the euro Friday was news that Greece agreed to give creditors a new list of reforms within days in order to secure bailout funds. With AFP, Bloomberg

SATURDAY: MARCH 21, 2015

B4

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

In BrIef

LT Group nets P4.2b

LT GROUP Inc., the listed holding company of tycoon Lucio Tan, said net income in 2014 dropped 51 percent to P4.22 billion from P8.66 billion in 2013 due to a sharp decline in the profit contribution of its tobacco business.

LT Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues amounted to P52.15 billion, down 6.5 percent from P55.79 billion in 2013.

LT Group said the net income contribution of its tobacco business amounted to just P99 million in 2014, a huge drop from P3.9 billion in 2013, as the business under PMFTC Inc. reeled from the illicit trade in the local cigarette market.

Meanwhile, LT Group’s banking unit Philippine National Bank accounted for 52 percent of group’s net income, followed by beer unit Asia Brewery Inc., which contributed 27 percent or P1.1 billion.

Eton Properties contributed P119 million while unit Tanduay Distillers Inc. shared P101 million. Jenniffer B. Austria

Emirates appeals

EMIRATES Airlines is still confident the Civil Aeronautics Board will reconsider a decision rejecting the extension of the airlines’ third daily Manila-Dubai flight after January 26, 2015.

“We encourage the honorable court to reconsider the decision to allow the resumption of our third flight as soon as possible for the sake of tourism and OFW market,” Abdalla Al Zamani Emirates country manager Philippines told reporters.

Al Zamani said passenger demand “is huge and it is growing” for the ManilaDubai flight.

“There’s a need for more flights to tourism and business. We are committed to the Philippine government to get more tourists,” he said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

SMIC redeems bonds

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. said Friday it will redeem $33.2 million in corporate bonds ahead of the 2017 maturity.

SM Investments said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it plans to redeem all the outstanding bonds as on April 19, 2015 at a redemption price equal to approximately 104.127 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption date is set on April 19, 2015 Bondholders who do not want their bonds redeemed may have them converted to common shares of the company.

“The company intends to compete any formalities in relation to the delisting of the bonds form the Singapore Stock Exchange as soon as possible following the redemption of the outstanding bonds on April 19, 2015,” SM Investments said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Best finance educators. The Education Department and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas honored the best finance educators for saving, money management and entrepreneurship in public elementary schools. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. (left, first row) leads the 2014 GURO ng PAG-ASA [Gantimpala para sa Ulirang PagtutuRO ng PAG-iimpok at Araling PanSAlapi] awarding ceremony. With him (second from left) are DepEd Director Lourdes Pantoja; and the 2014 GURO ng PAG-ASA National Winners Angelie Alvizo of Butuan City Special Education Center; Danilo Bambico of Baguio City SPED Center; Juana Nimfa Abrigo of Alaminos Elementary School, Laguna; and chairman of the board of judges former DepEd OIC Fe Hidalgo. In the second row (from left) are Deputy Governors Vicente Aquino and Nestor Espenilla Jr.; Monetary Board members Juan de Zuñiga Jr.; Armando Suratos; Alfredo Antonio; and Valentin Araneta.

Auto firms buck early Euro 4 implementation

By Othel V. Campos

AUTOMOTIVE companies are opposing the early implementation of the Euro 4 standards on engine and fuel in July 2015, instead of the original January 2016 schedule announced by the Environment Department.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. supported the industry’s position, citing the need to prepare allied sectors for the eventual transition to Euro 4 standards.

Euro 4 is part of the emission standards set by the European countries, which call for the reduction of the sulfur content of fuels.

Mitsubishi vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin said car makers preferred the original schedule in a briefing Thursday night at the launch of the New Mitsubishi Strada truck at the City of Dreams in Pasay City, “The automotive sector’s position is the keep the January timetable. We need the [Euro 4] fuel to run Euro 4 engines but some of the major [oil] players are yet

to bring in the fuel. If they [government] want to accelerate the timing, this is one of the areas they need to accelerate,” he said.

The Environment Department has not finalized the implementing rules and guidelines of the Euro 4 standards.

The Energy Department, meanwhile, backed the position of oil companies to keep to the original schedule.

Mitsubishi said it could not decide if it would produce or import Euro 4 cars into the Philippines due to the

uncertainty of government support to the automotive industry.

“It’s not only hindering [our plans]. It becomes more complicating because we can’t decide due to many implications on the preparations. It takes time to prepare importing the cars,” said Dytianquin.

He said Euro 4 fuel would be more expensive than Euro 2 fuel due to its efficiency and environmental sustainability features.

The vehicle and fuel will cost about 20 percent more expensive

with the migration from Euro 2 engines and fuel to Euro 4.

All automotive companies in the Euro 2 standards have only two years left to redesign their engines to make them compliant to the Euro 4 standards.

The Philippines is moving from the current Euro 2 standards to Euro 4. The current Euro 2 compliant fuels have acceptable limit of 500 parts per million for particulate matter. The limit under Euro IV will be reduced to 50 parts per million.

DMCI: Calaca power expansion ready

By Alena Mae S. Flores SOUTHWEST Luzon Power Generation Corp., a whollyowned unit of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. of the Consunji Group, plans to start operations of the first unit (150 megawatt) of its 300-MW Calaca power plant expansion by the end of April.

“We’re nearing start of operations,” Southwest Luzon chief executive Isidro Consunji told reporters in an interview.

He said full commercial operations would be known after the commissioning, or when technical issues were resolved.

He said the second 150-MW

First 150-MW unit to operate April

unit will be completed in June this year.

“We’re a bit delayed,” Consunji said, adding additional power supply from the plant will help address demand during the dry months.

Southwest Luzon is expanding the existing 600-MW Calaca

coal-fired power plant in Batangas in phases.

The current Calaca facility consists of two 300-MW generating units and is designed to utilize local coal from the Semirara mines in Antique.

DMCI Holdings Inc., the holding company of the Consunji Group, bought the Calaca plant from the government in July 2009 with a bid price of $361.7 million.

The first phase of the expansion involves the construction of two units of 150 MW each while the second stage will construct two single units of 350 MW each, bringing the total expansion to 1,000 MW.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

B5

CeSAR bARRioqUinTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Flower Show. School children draw flowers during the Hong Kong Flower Show on March 20. The show is held from March 20 to 29 and features more than 350,000 flowering plants. AFP

Student’s arrest sparks new debate WASHINGTON—The violent arrest of a black student trying to enter a bar in Virginia has prompted a probe and fueled yet more US debate on how white authorities treat black youths.

Martese Johnson, 20, a student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, was denied entry to an Irish pub early on Wednesday near the end of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

White officers from the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control then slammed him to the ground, leaving him with blood streaming down his face and stitches.

Photos of Johnson bleeding and footage of the arrest, showing officers holding him to the ground, spread quickly on social media.

Up to 300 people gathered at the university for a protest rally on Wednesday night. Students chanted and held a candlelight vigil.

“I’m shocked that my face was slammed into the brick pavement just across the street from where I attend school,” Johnson said through his attorney Daniel Watkins at a news conference Thursday, The Washington Post reported.

“As the officers held me down, one thought raced through my mind: ‘How could this happen?’” the student said standing next to his lawyer, the cuts clearly visible on his face.

Police charged Johnson with profane swearing and/or public intoxication and obstruction of justice without force.

Virginia State Police pledged to carry out an investigation into the arrest.

“Getting arrested shouldn’t involve getting stitches,” university president Teresa Sullivan told the Post.

Lawyer Watkins said the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding about the ID Johnson used to try to get into the bar, but that the student did not attempt to use a false one. AFP

Fashion week. Models showcase creations by designer Square Loop on the 3rd day of the Lakme Fashion Week summer/resort 2015 in Mumbai on March 205. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

IS claims deadly attack in Tunis TUNIS—The Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility for an attack on foreign tourists at Tunisia’s national museum that killed 21 people, as the security forces swooped on suspects.

Authorities said they had identified the two gunmen killed after the Wednesday assault, prompting calls for a show of national unity against extremism in the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

In an audio message posted online Thursday, IS said “two knights from the Is-

lamic State... heavily armed with automatic weapons and grenades, targeted the Bardo Museum” in the capital.

The group, which has hundreds of Tunisians among its ranks, threatened more attacks, saying: “What you have seen is only the start.”

Authorities say as many as 3,000 Tunisians have gone to Iraq, Syria and Libya to fight in jihadist ranks, raising fears of battle-hardened militants returning home to plot attacks.

The president’s office said security forces arrested “four people directly linked to the [terrorist] operation and five suspected of having ties to the cell”.

And a presidential source said soldiers were to be deployed in major cities follow-

ing the assault, while insisting “we are not under siege”.

As international outrage grew over Tunisia’s worst post-revolution attack, President Beji Caid Essebsi said his country would not be cowed by extremism.

“The process of implementing a democratic system is underway, well anchored,” he told France’s TF1 television. “We will never move backwards.”

The leader of the Islamist opposition party Ennahda, Rached Ghannouchi, said he was convinced that “the Tunisian people will stay united in the face of barbarity”.

The media also called for solidarity, with newspaper La Presse appealing for “total unity and a sense of responsibility shared by all”. AFP

Dope for sex in Nauru camp suspected SYDNEY—Guards at an Australian immigration processing center on the Pacific island of Nauru may have traded marijuana for sex with asylum-seekers, an inquiry found Friday.

The review said it was aware of three allegations of rape, including one against a minor, as well as others of “indecent assault, sexual harassment and physical assault occurring in the center”.

“In relation to the allegation ‘Nauruan guards have been trading marijuana with detainees in exchange for sexual favors’, the review concludes that this activity is possibly oc-

curring,” it said.

Canberra ordered the inquiry last year following allegations of sexual and physical assault at the Nauru camp, and claims that aid workers coached detainees to self-harm so they could be evacuated to Australia.

The review, conducted by former integrity commissioner Philip Moss, said there was no evidence aid workers had helped fabricate allegations to undermine the government’s immigration policies.

It found there was “no conclusive information” suggesting that Save the Children or other staff were assisting in the fabrica-

tion of abused claims or coached detainees to self-harm.

But the 86-page report found that many detainees were anxious about their personal safety and there had been an under-reporting of assaults among asylum-seekers.

“This under-reporting is generally for family or cultural reasons,” it said, but added that “transferees... were (also) concerned that making a complaint could result in a negative impact on the resolution of their asylum claims.”

In some cases, asylum-seekers told investigators they had stayed silent because they had

lost confidence that anything would be done about their complaints.

Australia has been under pressure over its hard-line asylum-seeker policies under which those arriving on people-smuggling boats are transferred to centers on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees last year slammed the facilities on PNG’s Manus Island and Nauru, saying they failed to meet international standards and amounted to arbitrary detention in breach of international law. AFP

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (FM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2014-163 RC

Applicant. x--------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on November 5, 2014, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of Force Majeure (FM) event regulated FM pass through for Typhoon Yolanda in accordance with the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

In the said application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following:

2.

It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA);1 Under Republic Act No. 95112, it was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines;

3.

On January 15, 2009, it assumed transmission functions of TRANSCO including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid;

4.

On or about 6 November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of 230 kph. On November 7, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda intensified at 235 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 275 kph;

6.

7.

On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda made its first landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4:40 a.m., its second landfall over Tolosa, Leyte around 7:00 a.m., its third landfall in Daanbantayan, Cebu around 9:40 am, its fourth landfall over Bantayan Island, Cebu around 10:40 a.m., its fifth landfall in Concepcion, lloilo around 12:00 nn., and its sixth landfall over Busuanga, Palawan around 8:00 p.m. On November 9, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda exited the PAR. A copy of the Certification dated February 4, 2014 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached to the application as Annex “A”;

Immediately, after the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, it started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore the transmission of electricity in the Visayas area. As a result, it incurred additional cost for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said transmission assets damaged by Typhoon Yolanda;

Pursuant to the Certification dated February 4, 2014, Yolanda is referred to by the PAGASA as “Typhoon Yolanda” and that it is one of the strongest and disastrous tropical cyclones that entered in the PAR. Thus, in relation to Section 1.3 of the RTWR, Typhoon Yolanda falls within the definition of a FME;

11. Therefore, within three (3) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Yolanda, it filed before the Commission an FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Yolanda dated January 21, 2014, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR. A copy of the FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Yolanda dated January 21, 2014 is attached to the application as Annex “B”; 12. Thereafter, the Commission issued its Letter dated March 7, 2014 acknowledging receipt of NGCP’s FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Yolanda dated January 21, 2014. A copy of the Commission’s Acknowledgment Letter dated March 7, 2014 is attached to the application as Annex “C”; 13. Within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Yolanda, it hereby files the instant FME Claim Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR; Force Majeure Event Computation 14. It must be noted that it has not recovered any amount from its Industrial All Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2013 as compensation for the damage and cost it incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda. Thus, it is but proper for it to file the instant application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda; 15. According to the PAGASA Certification dated February 4, 2014, the estimated total cost of damage caused by the FME Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines is EightyNine Billion Five Hundred Ninety-Eight Million Pesos (Php89.598Bn).3In relation to this, the cost NGCP incurred as additional Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda, including the recoverable values of the assets destroyed is Two Billion Five Hundred Sixty-Nine Million Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Three Hundred Twenty and 87/100 Pesos (PhP2,569,270,320.87) 4; 16. It proposes the FM Pass Through Amount, in P/kW-month, as additional network charges in the Visayas starting the billing period of January 2015 to December 2020 or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, computed as shown in the table below:

3

2020

Justification for the Issuance of Provisional Authority

22. It needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the occurrence of the aforementioned FME Typhoon Yolanda required massive capital infusion, thus, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in its operation and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers; 23. In addition, the timely implementation of the FM pass-through amount will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost; 24. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant application, is attached to the application as Annex “F”; and Prayer 25. It most prays of the Commission to: a.

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled, “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Backbone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes.”

Please see Annex “A” of the application.

Grant provisional approval to implement and bill the FM Pass-Through Amounts to Visayas customers starting January 2015 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered: Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2015

2016

2017

2018

84.3797 11.3429 10.6888 10.0732 0.1874

0.0257

0.0241 0.0227

2019

2020

9.5042 8.9608 0.0214 0.0201

b.

Declare the Typhoon Yolanda as Force Majeure Event (FME);

c.

Approve the CAPEX it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the FME Typhoon Yolanda;

d.

Approve, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM Pass Through Amount to be collected from the Visayas customers starting January 2015 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered as shown in the table below: Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2015

2016

84.3797 11.3429 0.1874

0.0257

2017

2018

2019

2020

10.6888 10.0732

9.5042 8.9608

0.0227

0.0214 0.0201

0.0241

e.

Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda in the amount of One Billion One Hundred Fourteen Million Six Hundred Seventy-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Two and 90/100 Pesos (PhP 1,114,677,282.90) as part of the FM Pass Through Amount given that the said amount would have been fully recovered by it if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda as FME; and

f.

Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amount from the side constraint calculation.

Under Section 1.3 of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), a Force Majeure Event (FME) is defined as follows:

10. In relation to the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Yolanda, pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the same RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda;

2

2019

21. It moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FME Claim pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure;

Due to the strong winds and heavy rainfall of Typhoon Yolanda, its transmission assets and other related facilitates in the Visayas area were severely damaged causing massive and widespread power interruption over the area;

“(a) A typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; x x x’:

1

2018

10.0732 9.5042 8.9608

20. Also, it considered the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Yolanda in the calculation of the FM Pass-Excluding Permit Fees Through Amount given that it would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by the FME Typhoon Yolanda;

“Force Majeure Event

9.

2017

19. Further, due to the extent of damage to its transmission assets and other related facilities which required massive repair and restoration activities in the Visayas, the FME Claim under this application breached the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0336/kWh. A copy of the FMTA Computation is attached to the application as Annex “E”;

Force Majeure Event Claim 8.

2016

P/kWh 0.1874 0.0257 0.0241 0.0227 0.0214 0.0201 17. It proposes the FM Pass Through Amounts for the years 2016 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Typhoon Yolanda should there be a delay in the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth (4th) Regulatory Period (RP);

Statement of facts and of the case

5.

2015

84.3797 11.3429 10.6888

18. Although the instant FME Claim is not included in its Third (3rd) Regulatory Reset Application, the same can be recovered during the 3rd RP pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where it is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of the FME. A copy of the FME Claim Computation is attached to the application as Annex “D”;

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP),

1.

Visayas P/kW-mo.

Finding the said application sufficient in form and substance with the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre- trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the following dates and venues: The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the following dates and venues: DATE

TIME

VENUE PARTICULARS ERC Visayas Field Jurisdictional Hearing April 22, 2015 Nine o’clock in the Office, St. Mary’s and (Wednesday) morning (9:00 A.M.) Drive, Banilad, Cebu Expository Presentation City Pre-Trial Conference May 13, 2015 Nine o’clock in the ERC Hearing Room, and Evidentiary Hearing (Wednesday) morning (9:00 A.M.) 15 th Floor, Pacific Center Building, May 14, 2015 Nine o’clock in the San Miguel Avenue, Continuation of (Thursday) morning (9:00 A.M.) Evidentiary Hearing Pasig City

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicant, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, and JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 9th day of March, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III

The New Standard – March 21 & 28, 2015

Worries about water in Vanuatu PORT VILA—The death toll from Cyclone Pam which devastated Vanuatu rose to 13 Friday, the UN said, as concerns mount about supplies of fresh water across the ravaged Pacific nation.

In a situation report, the world body raised the number of deaths from 11, and said priority needs across the sprawling archipelago, where crops have been destroyed and houses razed, were for potable water, food, shelter and health.

However confusion remains over how many died directly from the storm.

Early reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs or OCHA last week announced an unconfirmed 44 dead, which then dropped to 24, and was revised down again to 11.

Late Wednesday, the Vanuatu government said in fact only seven people were confirmed dead and that four others included in the UN toll were patients already in hospitals whose deaths were not directly related to the storm.

A week after the category five tempest slammed ashore, relief agencies Friday were due to finalize an assessment report with a more detailed overview of the situation on the ground, and hand it to the government.

The OCHA said the aim was “to reach a common understanding of the required scale of the response to Cyclone Pam and to target the response in a coordinated manner”.

On Wednesday, the Vanuatu government hit out at aid groups swarming the nation over what it perceived to be a lack of coordination, which it said cost precious time getting help to those in need.

Aid groups have been battling logistical challenges in assessing the extent of the damage, with a lack of landing strips and deep water ports hampering their efforts.

The UN said assessments had been completed for 15 islands in the 80-island nation, which found widespread devastation, with the government warning food will run out in the largely subsistence economy within days.

Access to drinkable water is a major worry, with ground water contaminated and a lack of power hindering piped supplies.

Save the Children said communities on some isolated islands faced a perilous situation, with at least 2,000 children at risk of potentially deadly illnesses such as diarrhea from drinking bad water.

“We are hearing reports that children are contracting waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and the longer these children have to drink contaminated water, the more likely it is they will become sick,” said country director Tom Skirrow.

“Some communities are reporting only having about a week’s supply of drinking water left, which could put lives at risk.”

Aid continues to flood in with a British military aircraft joining the effort along with a French frigate and helicopters, working alongside Australia and New Zealand.

The UN said China had offered tents, food, generators and other supplies, while Japan and Singapore had also mobilised support. AFP

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 2 1 : 2 0 1 5

PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

B7

ANYA OFFERS INVESTORS 5-YEAR ANNUAL YIELD

GEARING UP FOR GROWTH. Major developers are expanding projects outside Metro Manila into other cities which are also beneficiaries of strong growth backed by remittances and earnings from outsourcing firms.

MANILA’S BUILDING BOOM TRIGGERS GLUT CONCERN

Real estate developer Roxaco Land Corporation recently offered a guaranteed annual yield for 5 years to all resort unit buyers of Anya Resort and Residences its latest project in Tagaytay, Cavite.

“Investors usually buy into the traditional vacation home mindset, not realizing the hidden costs that come with the purchase, such as periodic maintenance costs,” said Santiago R. Elizalde, executive vice president of Roxaco. “With Roxaco’s business model, the unit is basically paying for its own upkeep.”

Each Anya unit comes with a Certified Condominium Title and earnings are paid out according to square meter ownership. Since the units are considered included in the resort hotel inventory, any additional earnings made are divided in a 45-55 split between the investor and the hotel owner, respectively.

The guaranteed yield program is spread across five years, with the payout pegged at 6% for the first year, 7% for the second year, and 8% each for the remaining three years. Roxaco also sees capital appreciation to reach 10%, compared to the regular rate of 5% to 7% per annum due to future cash inflows. One can buy into this unique investment program for as low as P7.85 million.

BY SIEGFRID ALEGADO AND IAN SAYSON (BLOOMBERG)

T

he capital Manila is in the grip of a building boom, led by developers such as Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Land Inc., that will add a record number of apartments over the next two years. It also threatens to lead to a glut that will weigh on returns for investors.

An estimated 55,000 residential units will come onto the market in Metro Manila this year, slowing growth in lease rates, according to broker CBRE Group Inc. Spending by property companies will rise 18 percent to more than 300 billion pesos ($6.8 billion) in 2015 from last year, according to broker Savills Plc. Philippine developers have been on a building spree as the nation’s biggest economic boom since the 1950s and rising remittances from Filipinos working abroad spur home purchases. The market may need more time to absorb the expected record supply of new units, according to Macquarie Group Ltd. “Some developers may have to slow down in starting new projects because there is a risk of overbuilding,” said RJ Aguirre, an analyst at Macquarie in Manila. “If developers don’t slow down and sales won’t move, we will see a build-up in inventory and receivables that will hurt earnings.”

As inventories increase, investors may find themselves holding assets that are yielding less, said Romeo Arahan, a Manila-based analyst with broker Colliers International UK Plc. Rental yields will be 3 percent to 4 percent in 2015, said Antton Nordberg, research manager with KMC MAG Group Inc., the local associate of Savills. Yields have averaged more than 5 percent since 2011, he said.

SPENDING FRENZY

Construction will begin this year on 130,000 condominiums across the Philippine capital, KMC MAG said.

The capital region includes 17 cities and municipalities spread across about 640 square kilometers (247 square miles) sandwiched between Manila Bay to the west, and Laguna Lake and the San Mateo Mountains to the east.

Prices of Metro Manila residential condominiums rose 5 percent to 110,000 pesos to 180,000 pesos per square meter last year from a year earlier, according to Colliers. They may rise as much as 6 percent this year, the broker estimates.

Ayala Land, which developed the Philippines’ main business district of

BULLISH ABOUT THE FUTURE. Roxaco executive vice president Santiago R. Elizalde believes the luxury hotel industry will continue to move upwards.

Makati, will spend a record 100 billion pesos this year. Robinsons Land Inc. is boosting capital spending by 20 percent in the current fiscal year to 17 billion pesos, while SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s 2015 budget is 70 billion pesos, 17 percent higher than last year.

OVERSEAS REMITTANCES

The number of residential units already on the market is equivalent to about two years of sales, said Aguirre at Macquarie. He maintains an overweight rating on developers because he said they can delay new projects to rein in the supply.

Aguirre prefers residential builders that are cutting or have cut inventory, and those with a relatively higher share of income from office and retail rents.

Megaworld, which is spending 230 billion pesos in the next four years to build townships across the country, hasn’t seen a demand slowdown, said Senior Vice President Jericho Go. “At least 70 percent of our projects are sold within the first year of pre-selling and that’s still the norm for us; there hasn’t been a change,” Go said.

The 10 million Filipinos working overseas, many of whom can now afford more expensive homes, are underpinning demand, Go said. More than half of the money they send home goes to real estaterelated spending, he said.

The Manila metropolitan region is home to 22 million people and the population is forecast to rise to 30 million by 2025, making it the world’s largest urban area after Tokyo and Jakarta, according to forecasts by Belleville, Illinois-based Demographia.

“Developers are spreading outside Metro Manila where they see a growing potential,” Colliers’s Arahan said.

PROPERTY MEASURES

Policy makers last year introduced measures to curb parts of the property market amid concerns prices were rising too fast. They ordered banks to cap the collateral value of real estate mortgages at 60 percent. Lenders were tested to determine if they have enough buffers against an asset price crash.

The central bank has held its benchmark interest rate at 4 percent since raising it by 25 basis points each in September and July last year. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday its current monetary policy stance is “appropriate.”

LUXURY AND STRENGTH. Capitol Commons will soon house two of Metro Manila’s safest residential towers, Royalton, and Imperium. Located at a 10-hectare Pasig property, both towers meet local code standards, and follows considerations of Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA). The structures can withstand strong wind and seismic forces after utilizing the Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) process. Ortigas& Co. is the developer of Capitol Commons.

MEET THE NEW LINDEN. Carlos Dominguez, chairman of The Linden Suites (left), and Ramon ‘Chicoy’ Enerio III, chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (right), recently unveiled the hotel’s new logo at rites marking the development’s 15th anniversary. To meet the demands of a growing business clientele in the Ortigas area, The Linden completed a full renovation of its rooms to give them a fresh, luxurious look.

B8

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 2 1 : 2 0 1 5

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

MEGAWORLD TO LAUNCH MAKATI CONDOS IN 2015 AVIDA P TARGETS roperty developer Megaworld recently announced that it sold 2,346 residential units from its six residential projects in the Makati Central Business District (CBD) over the past six months, namely, One Central, Two Central, Paseo Heights and SalcedoSkySuites in Salcedo Village; and Greenbelt Hamilton 1 and Greenbelt Madison in Legaspi Village.

It plans to launch three more residential projects until 2016. The new residential towers will be part of the company’s efforts to increase the portfolio of property developments in the country’s premier financial hub to more than 30 towers by 2016.

“The official reports the good economic condition since last year is largely felt in Makati CBD,” said Eugene Em Lozano, Megaworld’s vice president for sales and marketing. “The office spaces are getting filled up and the retail industry is on its all-time high. That is why our residential condominiums, all located in premium addresses, are also on high demand,” said Lozano.

Megaworld has around 27 office and residential towers in its portfolio in the country’s financial center.

This year, the company is completing Two Central, a 29-storey residential tower along Valero Street in Salcedo Village, with a total of 408 residential units.

To date, construction of the 30-storey Paseo Heights fronting the Salcedo Park and the 50-storey Three Central along Valero Street, which will house its own podium mall, is on full-swing. Both towers are expected for completion by 2017 with a total of 992 units.

The first tower of Greenbelt Hamilton, which is near Legazpi Park, is also under construction, and is scheduled for completion next year. The second tower, which is now almost sold out, is up for completion in 2019. Both towers will have a total of 601 units.

The 32-storey SalcedoSkySuites is scheduled for completion by 2018 with a total of 241 units.

“As Makati continues to establish itself as the top location for real estate investment, we are poised to expand its residential condominium portfolio in this premiere city,” said Lozano.

SMES WITH NEW BGC PROJECT MAKING ITS MARK IN A GROWING CITY Capital House, like several other Avida BGC office projects, is within walking distance of residential condominiums in the city. The large footprint embodies the company’s live-work-play balance of developments.

FAST TAKE-UP. Capital House units are good for about 6 to 20 employees. This attracts law firms, architectural studios, and creative agencies, which has jacked up the project’s take-up rate to 12 percent to date.

GOUGING FOR GOLD. High-end residential projects in Makati’s CBD have been offering the best return on investment to date.

Avida Land is drawing small and medium enterprises to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) with its second office development, the 26-storey Capital House. The project is valued at P4 billion, and was designed for professional firms, small agencies, and entrepreneurs seeking a BGC address.

Avida, a subsidiary of Ayala Land, Inc., is launching Capital House as a sequel to the One Park Drive office project also in BGC. One Park Drive, at 20 stories high, is also geared for SMEs, and sold out at a P2.5 billion value on its first year of selling alone.

“We see a good market for businesses seeking a sought-after address like BGC, as evidenced by the success of One Park Drive,” said JoJo Fabricante, Avida’s innovation and design group head. “Capital House positions movers into an area where offices are usually tailored for large-scale operations such as BPOs and multinational conglomerates.

Units are not smaller than 100 sqm. with modal offices at around 250 sqm.”

Capital House has 222 units with sizes ranging from 62 sqm to 159 sqm., with special whole floor units at 1,400 sqm. The project sells for P9.9 M to P25.6 M. “Right now, our buyers are a mix of investors and end-users,” said Herbert Herrero, Avida project development manager.

“As the Philippines becomes a booming real estate market, more and more investors are inclined to buy a mix of residential and office developments.”

The property is located in BGC’s “Active North” district, along 34th St. corner 9th Ave., near attractions such as the Turf BGC all-weather football field and Flying Trapeze Philippines. Soon to rise in the area are the BGC Sports Complex and Kidzania, a family “edutainment” center.