The Standard - 2015 March 26 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 42  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  THURSDAY : MARCH 26, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Miriam knows why PNoy won’t apologize

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Makati councilors’ pay delayed

COMELEC: POLLS TO GO MANUAL

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On to college. A total of 1,090 high school students graduated at the Araullo High School on United Nations Avenue in Manila on Wednesday wearing only their school uniforms. They were the last batch to graduate before the implementation of the government’s K-12 program. DANNY PATA

Floyd has become more dangerous

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What’s in cinemas this week

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Miriam roots for ‘MVP’ in ‘16 election

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER saying she would run for President once she won her battle with stage 4 lung cancer, Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago on Wednesday endorsed tycoon Manny Pangilinan for president in 2016.

Speaking during the Maynilad water company leadership forum at the UP Toyota GT Center in Quezon City, Santiago told her audience, “I want you to think about Mr. Manny Pangilinan as president of the Philippines.”

In a press briefing afterwards, Santiago confirmed she was endorsing Pangilinanan, saying that people like him, and not celebrities from the entertainment industry, should be in positions of power.

“In movies, presidential candidates always play the role as defending the abused.

We have to distinguish between what is real, and what is not,” she said.

Santiago said while a person’s honesty was the no. 1 qualification, professional excellence and academic excellence were also important.

She said she hoped the Constitution could be amended to require candidates for public office to have at least a college degree.

Right now, she said, a person must have a college degree before becoming a policeman, but can run for president without graduating even from high school.

“Imagine, a policeman must be a college graduate but a president or senator must only know how to read and write,” Santiago said.

Asked about her own presidential ambitions, Santiago said running was still an option.

“I’m just saying, thinking aloud, to the young people what type of candidate I have in mind,” said Santiago.

She said educating the masses was a requisite to improving the quality of public officials.

Santiago also took potshots at President Benigno Aquino III, who has seen his approval and trust ratings decline.

“That’s the problem with presidents of the Philippines; they become obsolete.

In their first year, enjoy. They think they are so intelligent, they are boastful. That’s why the popularity of all presidents goes down towards the end of their term because they believe their aides, and get mad when they are criticized. It shouldn’t be that way,” Santiago said.

She also attacked her nemesis, former senator Panfilo Lacson for a full-page ad in a national broadsheet in which former generals endorsed him and Senator Grace Poe as their presidential and vice presidential bets in 2016.

“The ad comes from them,” she said, referring to Lacson and Poe. “Iin practical terms, you cannot think of any person or persons who will come together and say let’s spend our money on a full-page ad. It’s too expensive to express casual opinion. And number two, they did not present any strong case why they should pick these two people together. It’s not like they have experience working together. It makes you suspicious. These are just the rrumblings of the clash of tectonic plates that will occur in 2016. This is just the start of the campaign,” said Santiago.

Pangilinan, who listened to the speech, later told reporters he was not sure if the senator was just joking.

“I thank her for that but I’m not sure if she was totally serious. I respect her opinion. Her opinion counts a lot but I’m not a politician,” Pangilinan said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay had earlier said he wanted Pangilinan to run as his vice presidential candidate in the 2016 elections.

Pangilinan is chief executive of Hong Kong-listed First Pacific, which owns PLDT; TV5 and the Manila Electric Co. He is also chairman of Philex Mining Corp.

The Vice President earlier met Pangilinan and asked the businessman to consider his offer, but the latter said he would rather focus on social concerns like providing assistance to victims of calamities.

Also on Wednesday, the political advisor of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the “Dirty Harry of Davao” would either run for president or seek reelection as mayor, indicating he would not consider running instead for vice president.

World TB Day. Health Secretary Janette Garin (center) shares a light moment with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto and Vice Gov. Mark Leviste during World TB Day on Monday afternoon in Batangas City. PNA

Comelec: Manual polls if PCOs deal is shelved

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THERE is a possibility that the 2016 elections may revert to the old manual system if the Supreme Court rejects the use of the 82,000 Precinct Count Optical Scan machines that were used in previous elections.

“Manual elections remain in the realm of possibilities,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said on Wednesday, a day after the SC stopped the controversial P268-million diagnostic and repair deal the Comelec awarded to the Smartmatic-TIM consortium.

“We’re not just talking about one time line. We’re talking about parallel.

This is on a parallel track. The rest of preparations are unaffected,” Jimenez said.

Although the probability of returning to manual elections is “low,” Jimenez said the poll body is not discounting the possibility and the Comelec was preparing contingencies. “[The SC decision] is a significant development [because] that constitutes the bulk of the machines that will be used in 2016,” he said.

“You have to understand that machines are the bulk of machines we will be using. Look at how long we planned the diagnostic. The whole project will last 5 months if we can get TRO lifted [so] early resolution of this TRO would mean we have time to finish the program within the year,’’ he said.

Although the Comelec is also contracting the acquisition of 23,000 more voting machines, that can only cover “a small section of the Philippines,” Jimenez said.

He said the Comelec is considering the possibility of allowing its own computer experts to refurbish the old machines instead of commissioning

Smartmatic.

“I believe that we have technical competence to do it. That’s something we can include in the planning. The Comelec is not discounting the possibility of doing that itself,” Jimenez said.

Even retired Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., who was severely criticized for pushing the Smartmatic contract although he was already set to retire, is concerned at the possibility that the 2016 elections will revert to the manual system ‘’The possibility of going manual is growing stronger and stronger,” Brillantes said. “The longer it takes to resolve the issue, the more possibility of manual elections coming in.”

The former Comelec chief explained that the election automation law, or Republic Act 9369, specifies that if there is no settlement to the voting machine issue, the poll body has to go back to the manual system.

But another former Comelec commissioner, Gus Lagman, said the Comelec should just diagnose and repair the old PCOS machines itself and discard of those that that are unrepairable.

“It’s the most logical approach to make Comelec & some pro-Smartmatic-TIM congressmen happy. Use the still running PCOS units,” Lagman said. “At the same time try out the more transparent and less expensive technology.

Lagman proposed the so-called transparent and credible election

system (TCrES) that “will only use laptops, servers, printers, projectors that Comelec can buy directly from computer shops. Don’t buy any new PCOS.” The Citizens for Clean and Credible Elections (C3E), which was among the groups that asked the SC to stop the deal, called on the Comelec to abandon its negotiated contract with Smartmatic-TIM. “Abandon the negotiated contract with Smartmatic. Waste no more time justifying before the Supreme Court a patently unlawful act,” said C3E in a statement.

A TRO, the group said, only proves that they have been right in their opposition to the extended warranty agreement on the repair contract of the PCOS machines.

Instead of insisting its position, C3E said the Comelec should view the SC TRO as a wake-up call for them on how to better handle the electoral system.

“See the SC decision as an opportunity for Comelec to rectify errors and to redeem itself. Be the guardian of people’s vote and the protector of Philippine democracy,” said C3E. But Jimenez said C3E’s position is premature because the TRO is not yet a final decision on the merits of the case but just an opportunity for the Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM to explain further the details of the deal.

“It does not prove anything to that effect. Again, the TRO is not a decision to the merit. It is just the expression of the SC’s prudence... Please don’t break out the champagne just yet,” said Jimenez.

Smartmatic-TIM President Cesar Flores on the other hand expressed confidence that the firm will be able to surpass a legal hurdle in its P268million deal with Comelec.

Flores said Smartmatic-TIM is confident that the SC will declare valid its

contract with the Comelec. ‘’We respect the ruling of the Supreme Court. We understand that in issuing the TRO, the Court wants to be enlightened on some matters regarding the contract, something we are always more than willing to do,’’ Flores said. ‘’This calls to mind the year 2012 when the Court issued a TRO against the option to purchase. After the oral arguments, the Supreme Court upheld with finality the validity of the contract. Similarly, we are confident that after the Court hears our arguments, it will eventually decide for the soundness and validity of this contract.”

The Comelec-Smartmatic contract was signed on January 30, 2015, three days before the retirement of Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines earlier assailed the deal for not undergoing public bidding. The deal was sealed via direct contracting or single source procurement.

The IBP said the Comelec’s use of “tight time schedule” to justify the deal should not be allowed as it is “not a ground to dispense with the conduct of the public bidding under the law.”

Meanwhile, Smartmatic-TIM welcomes the decision of the SC to dismiss the petition to stop the Comelec from proceeding with the public bidding for the supply, lease, or purchase of Optical Mark Readers and Direct Recording Electronic Machines. ‘’In its judiciousness, the High Court has rightly decided that the Comelec is well within its rights to procure more machines to ensure an even smoother conduct of elections in 2016,’’ Flores said.

The high court said the petition is premature. It noted that Comelec and its Bids and Awards Committee did not have the opportunity to pass upon the matter.

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Napeñas: Moro group can’t escape blame for massacre

By Francisco Tuyay SACKED Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napeñas assailed the Moro Islamic Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for trying to escape liability in the Mamasapano incident after they exonerated their fighters and blamed the Philippine National Police for the bloody Jan. 25 clash in which 44 police commandos were killed.

He also denied the MILF claim that the PNP had violated the ceasefire agreement between the government and the Muslim rebels, when they went after Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir and Filipino bomber Abdul Basit Usman.

“The MILF are trying to cover up what they have done in this incident. Simple.

Saying they do not know Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman was in their territory is totally absurd and unbelievable,” Napeñas said in a TV interview.

Napeñas said police and military intelligence reported Marwan had sought sanctuary in MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) areas and was the target of numerous failed operations until the SAF commandos cornered him in Pidsandawan village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

On Tuesday, the MILF submitted the results of its own investigation to the Senate, insisting that its fighters acted in self defense, and that the police were to blame for not coordinating their movements with the MILF. The MILF also said it would not surrender its fighters who were involved in the killings but would impose its own disciplinary actions.

Napeñas also defended PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone SAF survivor who the MILF accused of killing four of its members who were sleeping in a makeshift mosque.

But Napeñas said Lalan knew he was outnumbered and would not have fired first.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo dared the MILF to prove that Lalan had killed its members while they were sleeping that day, and challenged them to file charges against the police commando if they believed he committed a crime.

The PNP, Cerbo said, would provide legal assistance to Lalan should there be a complaint filed against him.

Cerbo said the PNP board of inquiry gave weight to the testimony of Lalan that he just acted in self defense contrary to the MILF’s claims.

Training program. President Benigno Aquino III chats with TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva during the TESDA-Coke Store Training and Access to Resources Program at the Mall of Asia. Malacañang PhoTo Bureau

DOJ vows action on MILF raps By rey e. requejo

Santiago knows why PNoy won’t apologize

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday said she would look into the findings of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which blamed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the Mamasapano incident in which 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were killed on Jan. 25.

By Macon ramos-araneta PRESIDENT Simeon Benigno Aquino III is refusing to apologize over the Mamasapano debacle that led to the “massacre” of 44 SAF troopers because he is dodging culpability for the deadly operation after his term ends in 2016, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago explained Wednesday.

But Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma insisted that there is nothing shameful in apologizing for the failed Mamasapano mission and the courage to apologize showed a great man and a real statesman, a point Santiago disputed because of the legal implications.

“Remember that when he is no longer President, he becomes liable to all manner of suits,” Santiago said, adding that apologizing for the disastrous operation could be considered a confession admissible in court.

“That is why he does not want to apologize. He wants to evade any criminal or even civil liability after 2016,” said Santiago, a former regional trial court judge.

The important hindsight question, she said would be “how should he have handled the situation?”

“It should have started at the very beginning. The truth should have been revealed immediately. The moment that the crisis began brewing, immediately the President should have, by himself, told the truth to the Filipino public,” said Santiago.

“Now, there is a question of, ‘Well if that is the truth, why are you not apologizing?’” Santiago asked.

Palma echoed Santiago’s point and advised Aquino to apologize because there is nothing shameful in admitting mistakes or lapses in judgement.

“For me, it’s also a sign of a great man to be sorry if we feel we are remiss so I leave that to him. For me, there is nothing to be ashamed of if you have done something wrong,” Palma said.

Palma is one of the many individuals who have been urging Aquino to apologize after the PNP Board of Inquiry found that the President may have bypassed the PNP chain of command.

Palma also urged the House of the Representatives to push through with the probe so the public may know the truth last Jan. 25.

Plea. Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chairman of the MILF’s Central Committee, asks government

leaders to lead the MILF to a peaceful Mindanao to pave the way for a better Philippines during a forum at the Adriatico Circle in Malate, Manila. Danny PaTa

De Lima also said she granted the request of the Justice Department task force to move the deadline for the submission of its findings from April 2 to April 16.

She said this would enable the task force to evaluate the sources of the MILF findings, particularly those that said the SAF commandos were liable.

She also said she would look into the MILF’s claim that a survivor among the SAF commandos had killed four MILF fighters who were sleeping in a makeshift mosque.

“That will be part of the verification in our investigation. That’s a question of fact so we have to determine if that is true or not. That should really be part of the investigation,” De Lima said.

Apart from the MIlF report, the Justice Department task force will also validate the factual findings of the police board of inquiry as well as the Senate.

The Senate report branded the killing of the SAF commandos as a “massacre” and said President Benigno Aquino III was ultimately responsible for the debacle.

The police board, on the other hand, said President Aquino violated the chain of command when he dealt with his good friend, then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima, who was serving a suspension at the time on corruption charges.

De Lima said her team was particularly intersted in the Senate’s recommendation that murder charges be brought against MILF fighters involved in the incident.

De Lima declined to confirm reports that their key witness was able to identify members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who killed the SAF commandos, many of whom were shot in the head at close range.

De Lima insisted that there would be no piecemeal disclosure of of the

task force findings, since these could lead to premature conclusions.

The Justice Department probe is aimed at determining the criminal liabilities of people involved in the clash.

The Palace on Wednesday said it would leave it to the Justice Department what to do with the MIlF report.

“This report, as well as those of the PNP board of inquiry and the Senate, provide different views and perspectives on the incident that would hopefully contribute to the process of determining responsibility and accountability, such that the ends of justice may be served,” said Communications Secretary Hermino Coloma, in a statement.

“The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation and will take appropriate legal action. We also note that the MILF report alludes to certain ceasefire violations which may be handled by the third party arbiter, the international monitoring team,” Coloma added.

Also on Wednesday, a police official based in Mindanao debunked allegations that he duped some military commanders by inviting them to a “drinking spree” in a resort in Koronadal City on Jan. 24 to distract them from the Mamasapano operation the next day.

Senior Supt. Manolo Ozaeta, commander of the PNP Intelligence Group, told his superiors in Camp Crame that the party he threw for the officers of the 601st Infantry Battalion was a gesture of gratitude for their help in previous successful joint operations, and had nothing to do with Operation Exodus the next day.

Ozaeta explained his side after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV revealed that military officials were treated to a drinking spree the night before Operation Exodus. – With Sandy araneta, Francisco Tuyay and Florante S. Solmerin

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No pay day for Makati dads

Palace lawyer is Vice Mayor Peña declines to sign pay vouchers for execs new CoA chairman

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government said Wednesday 8,000 city hall officials and employees had started receiving their salaries for the period March 16 to 31 as the leadership dispute between Mayor Junjun Binay and Vice Mayor Romulo Peña Jr. entered its second week.

But the release of the salaries and allowances of 17 city councilors and 83 regular personnel of the city council for the same period was put on hold following Peña’s refusal to sign their checks so those could be cashed.

The Ombudsman suspended Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and

replaced him with Peña, but the Court of Appeals has stopped the Ombudsman from suspending him.

Councilor Marie Alethea Casal-Uy said the officials and employees affected by the leadership dispute at city hall might be in for a long wait because Peña had also returned unsigned the payrolls for their salaries for

April 1 to 15.

As vice mayor, Peña signs the payrolls and checks for the city councilors and their staff.

“We appeal to Vice Mayor Peña to consider the welfare of the employees,”Uy said.

“Why is he doing this when all along he has been saying he will not hamper the release of salaries to City Hall employees?”

All the incumbent councilors ran and won under Binay’s political party in the 2013 midterm polls.

Some employees under the Sangguniang Panlungsod also expressed dismay over the indefinite delay in their salaries. They said aside from the coming Lenten break next week, many of them had children graduat-

ing at the end of this month and in April.

“We are saddened that even our families are suffering because of the situation at City Hall. This is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, especially for parents like me whose children are about to graduate,” said Mila Pilar, one of the affected employees.

“We are hoping that the vice mayor will be enlightened soon so that our families need not suffer much longer from financial difficulties caused by the delay in the release of our salaries.”

Peña has returned unsigned two checks to the Treasury Department, one amounting to P927,545.20 for the salaries and allow-

ances of councilors and staff, and the other for P144,500 in allowances for councilors.

Peña also refused to sign the payroll for the salaries of officials and personnel covering April 1 to April 15, which amounts to P620,410.90.

Meanwhile, Mayor Binay rejected Pena’s offer for them to sit down and discuss the issue about the employees’ salaries.

He said there was nothing to talk about because it was normal and business as usual in city hall, adding that more than 8,000 city hall employees had started receiving their March 31 salaries.

Binay also said he had already signed all the vouchers for the next payroll.

Protest smarts. High school students joined members of the League of Filipino Students from various universities in calling for the abolition of the K-12 program at a protest rally at the Plaridel Hall of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has appointed Deputy Executive Secretary Michael Aguinaldo as chairman of the Commission on Audit, presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Wednesday.

He is the deputy of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. “We are pleased to announce that President Aquino has appointed Attorney Michael G. Aguinaldo as chairman of the Commission on Audit,” Valte said in a statement.

“The appointment was made yesterday, March 24, 2015.”

The post of COA chairman became vacant after the term of COA Chairwoman Grace Pulido-Tan expired in February.

Tan was appointed in February 2011 to serve the unfinished term of then COA Chairman Reynaldo Villar, who resigned from the post.

Before he worked for the government, Aguinaldo was a partner at the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles law office, a faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila Law School and the Far Eastern University-De La Salle University J.D.-M.B.A. Joint Degree Program.

His practice area was mainly special projects, particularly the infrastructure and telecommunications sectors and other public utility work.

He provided legal counsel in mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, contract negotiations, and labor and human resources integration. He also handled litigation and arbitration for Philippine and foreign clients and was a member of the law firm’s executive committee.

He was a consultant of the Asian Development Bank from 1998 to 2005.

The COA chairman serves for seven years.

Rosales admits Akbayan divided over support for administration

By Rio N. Araja THE Akbayan party-list group is not solidly behind President Benigno Aquino III because some of its members are critical of him, Commission on Human Rights Chairwoman Loretta Ann Rosales said on Wednesday.

“A number is critical of the President,” such as those from the workers’ groups and the Freedom from Debt Coalition,” Rosales said in a television interview.

“I can say that some probably feel that [the president]…made mistakes.”

Former FDC president and resigned Akbayan representative Walden Bello

was very critical of Aquino over his refusal to apologize over the firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that resulted in the killing of 44 police commandos, she said.

Bello also slammed the President for not removing Budget Secretary Florencio Abad over his creation of the Disbursement Allocation Program, which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional, under the Office of the President.

But Rosales said she believed Abad had been doing a good job introducing reforms in his department.

Bello’s resignation had been a test of loyalty for the organization, Rosales said.

But she said there were

prominent Akbayan leaders who were still supportive of the President.

She said Aquino still enjoyed the backing of partylist stalwarts such as Ronald Llamas and Joel Rocamora.

When asked about the President’s biggest mistake, Rosales said: “It has been said over and over again.

I guess we should learn to distance ourselves from the rest of the crowd. It’s a lonely post being President, but it’s necessary.”

Rosales said the issue was Aquino’s decision to include former Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima in the botched Mamasapano operation despite his suspension.

Schools not war camps. Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman (right) and Major General Edmundo R. Pangilinan of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division (2nd from right) lead the launching of the repair of three school buildings of the Hadji Salik Kalaing National High School in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. ARMM’s Department of Public Works and Highways will construct nine school buildings and eight water and sanitation projects costing approximately P50 million, and the Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division will construct a mosque and a steel footbridge amounting to approximately P11 million. OMAR MANGORSI

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Seoul hikes labor quota for Manila

Anti-TB drive. Health Secretary Janette Garin (left) receives donations from Gloria Steele, Mission Director-USAID Philippines and Asia Pacific and Dr. Roberto Salvino, Medical Director of Johnson/Jannsen during the World TB Day 2015 Monday March 23, 2015 at the Batangas Provincial Auditorium, Batangas City. Health officials mark the day to campaign against the dreaded disease. PNA

ERC chief was Napoles’ escort—whistleblower

By Rio N. Araja

ONE of the whistleblowers in the pork barrel fund scam on Wednesday linked Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Zenaida Ducut to alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

Merlina Sunas, after her absence from last Monday’s bail hearing due to over-fatigue, was able to take the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division and testified that Ducut accompanied Napoles in her series of visits at the House of Representatives.

Sunas said she personally witnessed how Ducut would escort Napoles during those rounds of visits.

Suñas also claimed she was with Napoles and Ducut when they went to the offices of some lawmakers whose surnames were Estrella and Romualdo as two of Napoles’ clients

to fund several of her foundations’ ghost projects.

Associate Justice Amparao Cabotaje Tang, Third Division chairperson, questioned the witness if the word “rounds” would mean to transfer from one office to another.

“Yes, she (Napoles) was with Congresswoman Ducut, but I was not allowed to go inside (the office),” Suñas told the anti-graft court.

She, however, said she was not allowed to listen to the discussions between Napoles and the lawmakers.

Napoles, who was present during the bail hearing, through her

counsel denied the On Feb. 11, the witness’ testimony.

Dangwas posted a In another develP530,000 bail each for opement, former lawtheir provisional libmaker Samuel Danerty. gwa of Benguet on The elder Dangwa Wednesday pleaded was among the second not guilty to charges of batch of lawmakers graft and malversation sued by the Office of filed against him with the Ombudsman bethe Sandiganbayan’s fore the Sandiganbayan Third Division. for their His son—Erwin alleged involvement Dangwa, former ERC chief Zenaida Ducut in the multibillion-peso chief of staff—and pork barrel scam. alleged pork barrel fund scam masThe other lawmakers were fortermind Janet Lim Napoles also mer Masbate representative and pleaded not guilty to the charges. incumbent Masbate Gov. Rizalina The ex legislator is facing six counts Seachon-Lanete, former APEC of graft case, six counts of malversa- party-list representative Edgar Valtion and five counts of bribery for dez, former Cagayan de Oro repreallegedly receiving P26.7 million in sentative Constantino Jaraula and kickbacks from his Priority Develop- former Agusan del Sur representament Assistance Fund. tive Rodolfo Plaza.

Stradcom row: CA rules in favor of Quiambao group

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has overturned the order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court of Quezon City mandating the accounting of the P1 billion payment made by the Land Transportation Office to its information-technology provider Stradcom Corporation.

In a 17-page decision, the CA’s Special Sixth Division through Associate Justice Francisco Acosta granted the petition filed by the group of Cezar Quiambao seeking to set aside the order issued by QC RTC, Branch 93, Presiding Judge Arthur Malabaguio

giving the group of Bonifacio Sumbilla the right to inspect Stradcom’s bank accounts, corporate books and other records to account for the P1 billion released to Quiambao’s group.

The Quiambao and Sumbilla groups are fighting for control of Stradcom and are still locked in an interpleader case that was initiated by the government in order to settle Stradcom’s ownership issue.

Interpleader refers to a proceeding to enable a person to compel parties making the same claims against him to litigate the matter between themselves.

In its interpleader case, the gov-

ernment noted that the ownership issue over Stradcom has caused confusion among the officers and personnel of the LTO as they are “at a loss as to who it will recognize as the rightful representative of Stradcom Corporation.”

In its decision, the appellate court stressed that the Sumbilla’s group has yet to prove it has right over Stradcom.

It said that such order for accounting of the P1-billion would entail the inspection of the corporation’s books and records including the list of all banks, financial institutions, prisons and entities that it transacted with re-

gard the said amount.

According to the appellate court, such right to inspect corporate books and records is given only to a stockholder.

“As such we cannot just give license to the said group to sail in such fishing expedition allowed by the Rules without giving us an iota of evidence that, indeed, they also have legitimate interests over Stradcom,” the appellate court ruled.

Instead, the CA sustained an order denying Sumbilla’s group motion for production of documents, which it claimed were necessary to prove its interest over Stradcom.

SOuTH Korea is in need of thousands of Filipino workers in the manufacturing industry as it has increased its 2015 labor quota for the Philippines, according to the Department of Labor and employment.

“This 2015 quota shows sustained demand for OFWs in the last three years in the Korean manufacturing sector,” said DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor of South Korea has set this year’s ceiling of 4,600 for the Philippines in terms of new workers who will be allowed to work in the country’s manufacturing sector under the Employment Permit System.

She said that there is no ceiling for newcomer-workers for all industries in South Korea other than manufacturing.

Baldoz said South Korea’s overall foreign workers quota in the manufacturing sector this 2015 is set at 42,400 for foreign workers.

The Philippines captured the 13.98 percent of the quota for new entrants allocated by the MOEL in the manufacturing sector.

“If we go by the total number, there was an increase in demand for OFWs. Last year, the quota for the Philippines was at 12.71 percent. In 2013, out of the 42,600 quota, we were given a total of 4,400 slots, or at 9.86 percent of the workforce allowed in the manufacturing industry,” she said.

Vito Barcelo

Don’t let prejudices derail BBL, solons told COTABATO Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo on Wednesday urged legislators not to allow biases and prejudices derail the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which he described as “the most significant hope for a just and lasting peace in Southern Philippines.”

Quevedo issued a statement through the Peace Process Media Bureau as both chambers of Congress were set to resume hearings on the draft BBL. “The search for truth and the pursuit of justice must be done with objectivity and without prejudgment,” the first Roman Catholic Church cardinal from Mindanao, also known as the “Cardinal of Peace” said in an open letter addressed to legislators, in reference to the Mamasapano incident, which led to misinformation and unfair judgment on the BBL. “These judgments have misinformed the public about the nature of the BBL and raised public opinion against a document that is the most significant hope for far of a just and lasting peace in southern Philippines,” Quevedo noted.

Sandy Araneta

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‘Harassed’ lawyer gets court writ

Charity on wheels. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office officials led by Vice-Chairman and General Manager lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II (right) joins Cebu municipal mayors during the turnover of brand-new PCSO ambulances donated to the 12 towns of Cebu, held at the charity agency’s branch office in Osmena St, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. With them are (from left) Mayor Butch Sepalveda of Borbon, PCSO Assistant GM for Charity Sector Dr. Larry Cedro and Director Betty Nantes, Aly Arguillano of San Francisco, Camotes, PCSO Visayas Manager Federico Damole, Mayor Lissa Marie Streegan of Sogod, Mayor Ronald Cesante of Dalaguete, PCSO Director lawyer Mabel V. Mamba, and PCSO AGM Remeliza Gabuyo. JOSEPH MUEGO

Bills on builders trigger feud Two proposed measures in Congress have proved to be highly contentious, with architects and engineers locking horns over their roles once the proposals are enacted into law.

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) urged civil engineers in the construction and building sector to respect the role of the architectural profession in the area of architectural drawings of all types, and “not to encroach into clearly defined areas of professional practice.”

UAP National President Ma. Benita Ochoa-Regala noted that engineers have been “acting as architects, and such action transgresses professional delineation of their respective practices. A case in point is the signing by engineers of architectural plans when securing building permits in clear violation of the National Building Code.”

“That’s why we are pushing

two bills in both the house of Representatives and the Senate, which will more clearly delineate our respective areas of professional practice,” Regala pointed out.

Two bills now pending in the two houses of Congress are house Bill 5127 and Senate Bill 2623.

The house bill is jointly authored by Reps. Susan Yap of Tarlac and Gary Alejano of Magdalo while the Senate version is authored by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV. The house version has been scheduled for second reading.

UAP President Regala, a respected architect, stressed: “We at UAP maintain that architectural plans and documents of buildings

Rep. Susan Yap

and structures are the exclusive domain of the architect based on law, academic training, professional competencies and government licenses issued to enable one to practice.”

Specifically addressing civil engineers, Regala declared: “We respect the professional competence of civil engineers with regard to the civil and structural design of buildings and structures.”

“In turn, we expect the

civil engineers to accord the same respect for our profession,” she said, adding: “With due respect to all civil engineers in the country, we wish to emphasize one legal and professional point: “The architectural practice must be limited to architects” The passage of the two bills will see “the dawning of a new era of mutual respect between and among architectural and engineering professions,” Regala pointed out. The law will establish professional accountabilities based on each of the disciplines involved in the construction and building industry, in the interest of public safety and welfare.

“We should put our house in order before the implementation of the Asean integration by the end of this year, so our foreign counterparts may now practice in our country without any ambiguity in any of our pro-

fessional laws, Regala said.

The bill will make the UAP compliant with the provisions of the ASeAN Mutual Recognition Agreement.

Both pieces of proposed legislation seek to amend Republic Act 9266, otherwise known as the Architecture Act of 2004, in a bid to more clearly delineate the practice of architecture, and distinguish it from other professions.

The UAP, which is also recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission as the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects, has under its umbrella 35,000 architects all over the country.

The existing law, RA 9266, already explicitly provides that only registered licensed architects shall practice architecture and as such shall exclusively prepare, sign and seal architectural plans and documents. Maricel Cruz

Pinoys in HK, visitors warned vs ‘winter flu’

By Vito Barcelo The Philippine Consulate General in hong Kong on Wednesday warned the Filipino Community and visiting Filipino nationals of “winter influenza” which has already claimed 118 since January 2015.

The Centre for health Protection of hK’s Department of health reported the deaths in its latest surveillance data for the winter influenza season.

It urged the local residence in

hong Kong to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza, the PCG said in its website.

“It is an infection caused by various influenza viruses and it is usually more common in periods from January to March and from July to August in hong Kong,” the Philippine consulate said in its report.

“There are two types of influenza viruses that were recognized namely: Influenza A (h1 N1 ) virus which has now become one of the seasonal

influenza strains in hong Kong and the (h3N2) which is the winter’s dominant virus strain,” according to the Philippine consulate.

The Consulate said it continues to monitor developments and will resume advisories to Filipino communities.

There are about 180,000 Filipinos in hong Kong, mostly working as domestic helpers, according to the Philippine Overseas employment Administration.

Patients with influenza usually

experience fever, a sore throat and coughing. They may also have headache, muscle pain, runny nose, redness, loose stool and vomiting.

The disease usually improves in 2 two 7 days, but it may cause serious complications such as infection of the lungs or inflammation of the airways.

The influenza mainly spreads through droplets and contact with the respiratory tract secretions of patients. Good personal hygiene prevents spread of the disease.

The Court of Appeals has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to identify its personnel allegedly involved in harassing a human rights lawyer, and file appropriate charges against them.

In a 22-page decision penned by Associate Justice hakim Abdulwahid, the CA’s Former Special Sixth Division also ordered the military to produce before the Court for possible destruction all information, records, photographs and dossiers gathered by the military on lawyer Maria Catherine Dannug-Salucon, a member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers in Isabela.

The lawyer was able to prove her allegations that she was subjected to surveillance and harassment by individuals working under the command of the respondents, the CA ruled.

Rey Requejo

Pemberton plea bid legit—DOJ

TheRe is nothing wrong with the reported P21-million settlement offer to the family of slain transgender woman Jennifer Laude for a plea bargain deal in their murder case against US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

“We have to remember that in preliminary conference or pre-trial, plea bargaining is allowed – subject to agreement of parties,” De Lima told reporters.

Nonetheless, De Lima vowed to study the allegation made by the Laude family against Olongapo City Prosecutor emilie delos Santos for excluding them in the negotiations with Pemberton’s camp on the plea bargain deal.

De Lima disclosed that she already the Olongapo City prosecutor to answer the protest filed by Laude’s mother Julita and sister Malou earlier this week. Rey Requejo

Obituary

Evangelista, 87 Sergio A. Evangelista, 87, died at UERM hospital in Sta., Mesa, Manila on Tuesday (3:25 am), March 24, 2015. The cause was cardiac arrest.

His remains now lie in state at the St. Peter Chapels, Araneta Ave, Quezon City (near Funeraria Nacional). Services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 1 p.m.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria, sons Romie and Roy, and daughter Lita.

The family requests relatives and friends to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

T h u r s d ay : m a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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a Ph oTo es say

28

The new Standard. Officers and senior staff members of The Standard take centerstage with Chairman Philip Romualdez and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

th anniversary

office blessing and launch ParTy of Tuesday, march 24, 2015 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Main Ballroom, New World Makati Hotel, Esperanza Street, Makati City

The new office. Key officers and staff pray during the blessing of the new Standard offices in Legazpi Village, Makati.

A8

T h u r s d ay : m a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Publisher Rollie Estabillo lights his candle.

Father Manny Domingo chats with Standard President Arnold Liong, Babe Romualdez, board member Pepe Rodriguez and Life Editor Bambina Olivares-Wise during the office blessing.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez stresses a point in the boardroom.

The Romualdezes discuss the paper’s direction with Liong.

Chairman Romualdez throws coins for good luck after the blessing.

The chairman spends some quality time with the editorial staff.

Babe Romualdez, Rollie Estabillo, Rep. Martin Romualdez, Chairman Philip Romualdez, President Liong, Board Member Pepe Rodriguez and Corporate Secretary Atty. Jordan Pizzaras pose in front of the logo in the new office lobby.

Operations head Jocelyn Domingo has her office blessed.

T h u r s d ay : m a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A9

CJ Sereno talks to Chairman Romualdez and Lutz Kunack.

Chairman Romualdez invites the guests at the New World launch to check out the changes at the paper.

President Liong goes into deeper detail about his plans for The Standard.

Businessman Macario Te, Ambassador Tony Cabangon Chua and Rep. Martin Romualdez huddle.

Rep. Martin greets Shell’s Ed Chua.

Philex’s Mike Toledo buttonholes Liong.

Rodriguez and Chairman Romualdez talk to the Spanish ambassador.

Iran Ambassador Ali Asghar Mohammadi discusses the local scene with Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa.

Perry Pe and Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo engage in small talk.

Jo Bautista, Joy Cabrillos, Carl Cuevas and Isa Romualdez of Weber Shandwick man the reception desk.

Hans Sy and Felix Ang meet as Babe Romualdez looks on.

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editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Argentina Ambassador Roberto Bosch, Mexican Ambassador Julio Camarena, CJ Sereno, Panama Ambassador Rolando Guevarra and Tony Rufino strike a pose.

The Romualdezes discuss current affairs with Ambassadors Camarena and Guevarra.

Hans Sy and Macario Te catch up with Babe and Philip Romualdez.

Guevarra welcomes Senator Nancy Binay to the party.

Kurt Hoyer of the US Embassy talks to Chairman Romualdez.

The staff gets a “groupie� with the Chairman.

Chairman Romualdez explains his plans for The Standard to RCBC president Lorenzo Tan and his wife.

Editor-in-Chief Jojo Robles catches up with Life Editor Bambina Olivares-Wise.

Photos by Lino SanToS, Sonny ESpiriTu and ramon JoSEph ruiz

ADELLE chuA T h u R S D AY : M A R c h 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

eDiToR

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opinion

Telling all, seeing noThing

[ EDI TORI A L ]

President Aquino is expected to face the new batch of graduates of the Philippine national Police Academy today, the same school that produced six of the 44 members of the special Action Force who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao two months ago.

Mr. Aquino has told some media organizations that this would be the last time he would ever speak on the controversial police operation that killed a Malaysian terrorist but claimed the lives of the sAF commandoes and five civilians as well as some members of the Moro islamic Liberation Front. the focus of his speech, Mr. Aquino said, would be his own questions regarding what happened in Mamasapano, given the information available to him at that time. “that’s how i want to be judged,” he added. some anticipate that he would

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“tell all” about Mamasapano – although we have learned from experience that “all” eventually turned out to be only “some” as the President’s version of events evolved as he went along. in fact, a survey said that eight out of 10 Filipinos felt that the President’s explanation of Mamasapano was not enough.

The President’s address also comes on the heels of the release of yet another survey—Pulse Asia’s survey on Urgent national Concerns. Mr. Aquino, who won the 2010 elections on a platform of good governance and reform, failed to obtain majority approval ratings on his performance in 12 key issues—responding to the needs of those affected by calamities (net 31%), stopping the destruction and abuse of our environment (net 26%), defending the integrity of Philippine territory against foreigners (net 20%),

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fighting criminality (net 20%), enforcing the law on all, whether influential or ordinary people (net 12%), increasing peace in the country (net 11%), fighting graft and corruption in government (net 9%), creating more jobs (net 7%), improving/increasing the pay of workers (0). significantly, on two urgent issues—reducing the poverty of many Filipinos and controlling inflation—President Aquino registered negative approval ratings of both -12% We wonder whether he would at all refer to this latest finding, explaining away and bashing critics anew, or whether he would dismiss these numbers as he normally plays down issues that paint him in a bad light. All he said was that he would push governance, create jobs and fight poverty in the last 15 months of his presidency.

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

Philippine Press Institute

Philippine Press Institute The National Association The National Association of Philippine Newspapers of Philippine Newspapers

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

in fact, at an investors’ forum held tuesday in Makati City, Mr. Aquino appeared jolly and upbeat, recounting the supposed economic gains realized under his administration and tracing “the success story that is the Philippine economy.”

Promising more economic gains, the President told the forum participants: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

For once, we tend to agree with the President. Given the paucity of his concrete achievements in the last fou years, we really haven’t seen anything yet.

lowDown jojo a.

Robles Mr. Robles’ column will resume tomorrow.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Jojo Estabillo Publisher A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A.L.Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/RayJoel S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor Francis Lagniton CityCity Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Arman Armero Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Roberto Cabrera Chief Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A12

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Defying the law SEVERAL Camp John Hay unit owners, locators emIl p. and sub-lessees jurADo I know have expressed concern over what would happen next with the Bases Conversion Development Authority. The agency issued a statement that as a result of the threeman Arbitration Tribunal’s decision on the decades-old controversy between itself and John Sobrepena’s Camp John Hay Development Corp., they may have to be ejected from the Camp.

BCDA president Arnel Casanova and lawyers have been saying that as a result of the Arbitration Board’s decision terminating the 1996 Original Lease Agreement for CJHDevco to develop the former US naval reservation in Baguio City, all contracts should now go to the BCDA. This will help them seek a refund from CJHDevco.

The developer was also rewarded approximately P1.42 billion in rentals it had paid since 1998.

Failure to do so, Casanova and BCDA lawyers say, would force BCDA to take over their units and other structures built.

BCDA also claims that CJHDevco is authorized to lease Camp John Hay properties and units for only 25 years. Thus, the 50-year leases are illegal. �I don’t know where Casanova and his lawyers are coming from in wanting to eject the Sobrepena group out of the camp. Didn’t they study civil law or read the Civil Code or the Constitution?

Possessors in good faith have vested rights, and no man can be deprived of his property without having his day in court.

Besides, Section 1385 of the Civil Code expressly states that an order of mutual restitution cannot include properties currently in the possession of third persons who acted in good faith.

More importantly, my gulay, locators, unit owners and sub-lessees are not parties to the arbitration case.

Contrary to BCDA’s assertions, the final award of the Arbitral Tribunal is not executory since under the law, CJHDevco cannot be required to turn over the Camp until and unless the arbitration award is confirmed by the Regional Trial Court of Baguio, which ordered the arbitration.

Under the law, BCDA cannot repudiate contracts entered into by the Camp developer since BCDA has expressly consented to the same. Both the BCDA and CJHDevco have been found to have committed mutual breaches.

An examination of the 2008 Restructuring Memorandum Agreement between the BCDA and CJHDevco will lead to no other conclusion other than that the state agency expressly consented to the subletting of real estate developments found within the Camp. This is but logical as the main obligation of the developer is precisely to develop the leased property and sublet it to third parties.

Now, take note of this. From 2009 to 2011, the BCDA had four nominees in the CJHDevco board. Thus, the Limited Warranty Deeds issued by the developer confirming the existence of subleases until October 2046 were approved with the participation of BCDA’s nominees.

Thus, BCDA was fully aware of the LWD. It could have objected if some issues were unacceptable to its representatives. It never did. Under the circumstances, BCDA cannot now disclaim knowledge of the sublease contracts nor claim that it never consented to subletting the properties. Otherwise, BCDA would be allowed

to the poInt

too many investigations simply exposed her bias and true color THERE are too many investigations Duty with her report. being conducted on the MamasaCAlls The CHR has also intruded into an area pano encounter. The results of four that it is not competent. It declared that have now been released. Well, five, florenCIo the firefight was a misencounter. Does the if the President’s own investigafIAnzA CHR even know the meaning of the word? tion which he reported during that What the CHR should have limited itself to was esprayer rally meeting in Malacañang is included.

The trouble with that investigation, however, is that tablishing whether there were any human rights violathe President keeps on adding to his findings. First, it tions in the Mamasapano encounter and if there were, was the fault of Napeñas. Then Purisima did not fol- who were responsible.

This report has zero value. There are still three inlow his explicit order to inform PNP OIC Espina. The story keeps on changing. The public does not know vestigations going on. The Department of Justice, the what to believe or whether more revelations are forth- Office of the Ombudsman, and the House of Representatives. We can almost predict the outcome of the coming.

The public has a chance to find out when he speaks DOJ investigations. One of the findings will almost during the Philippine National Police Academy grad- certainly exonerate the President of any culpability uation. It was reported that the President would tell because there is no violation of chain of command, all in that speech. Let us hope that he will finally say the PNP being a civilian organization. This is what we everything that has to be said so that perhaps the na- call the De Lima Doctrine.

Thankfully, this will only last for 14 months, after tion can start to move on.

It has been two months that the nation’s attention which it will be swept into the dustbin of history. The has been focused mainly on Mamasapano and the tra- Ombudsman investigation is more intriguing. Unlike vails of the President. We have to start thinking of the Secretary of the DOJ who has always something to say, the office of the Ombudsman has kept to itself. tackling other important issues.

For instance, the Smartmatic issue with the Com- We therefore do not know the scope of the investigaelec has to be dealt with. Otherwise, the elections in tion and is hard to predict what it will come up with.

2016 will be manipulated by syndicates who have part- There might be a chance that it will be less partisan nered with Smartmatic. This would be catastrophic to and come up with more objective findings.

The House investigation will be more raucous; I our electoral process.

Another issue that has just emerged is the press re- hope it does not turn into a circus. And being conlease by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that the na- trolled by the President’s allies, it will most probably tional debt of the country is now $20 billion more the attempt to shield the President. But there are many $57B that has always been maintained by the BSP over good lawyers in the opposition who will try to prevent the years – and no one seems to be asking questions. this and come out with more credible findings. Still, I Where did the $20B in debt come from and how did am being optimistic here.

The outcome of these numerous investigations will we accumulate this additional debt out of the blue? It is as if the BSP took advantage of the preoccupation of prove immaterial because the public has already made the public on the Mamasapano incident to sneak the their own conclusions. These have already been reannouncement in the hope that no one is paying at- flected in opinion surveys. It is doubtful therefore that the public would still change its mind and be more tention. If this is so, it seems to have worked.

The Commission on Human Rights report is now forgiving to the President as the Palace would want.

What may be crucial now is what the President says out together with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front report. The MILF findings did not come as a surprise during the PNPA graduation rites. If he comes out sinto many. The findings were predictable. It is not their cere and humble, it will go a long way in assuaging the fault but the fault of the PNP SAF. They only fought hurt feelings of the public who have grown tired of the back. Never mind if Zulkifli bin Hir was photographed way he has been handling the Mamasapano crisis. But in MILF- and BIFF-controlled areas. The MILF find- if he continues to stand his ground and blame others and not accept his own shortcomings, then his speech ings, I can understand and I expected as much.

What blew my mind was the findings of the Com- will be useless.

I do not think that the public is blaming him for mission on Human Rights. By what right or authority does CHR have to find fault on the findings of the all that has happened. But what they want is for him other investigative bodies like the Senate report? This to accept his part of the blame and not keep on passis not its business and the CHR is way out of line. The ing them to others. Clearly, being a direct participant, CHR arrogated unto itself to be the agency that can he made bad decisions in handling the Mamasapano pass judgment on the report of others. Etta Rosales operation.

to reward itself for its breaches, or worse, enrich itself at the expense of the people who patronized the project.

It is an elementary rule of fairness that no man shall be affected by a proceeding in which he is a stranger. Since locators, unit owners and subleases are not a party to the arbitration case, BCDA cannot by any stretch of the imagination now include them.

The Camp John Hay development is a PPP (private-public project) gone haywire because of Casanova’s obsession to eject the Sobrepena group and award it to some other party he likes.

If Casanova and BCDA lawyers do what they intend to do in violation of existing laws, he may end up like his boss, the President when a new administration is installed— in jail.

*** There was nothing new in the investigation findings of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that its leaders and its peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal have not already said in their press releases. That is, if the MILF ever made an investigation at all about what happened in Mamasapano.

Note that the MILF remained steadfast in its version that it was the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force that violated the ceasefire agreement. The first shot, killing MILF members, came from the police commandos who failed to coordinate with the MILF when they entered the latter’s territory.

Note also that the MILF said they had casualties, including some civilians and an eight-yearContinued on A13

I don’t know where BCDA’s Casanova and his lawyers are coming from.

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OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

mInORITy REpORT DanIlO suaREz

A13

The welfare of our coconuT farmers

CoConuts are one of the most important crops in the Philippines. With about 27 percent of total national agricultural land planted with coconuts and some 3.5 million coconut farmers, we are the second-largest coconut producer in the world, accounting for 26.6 percent of global production.

Moreover, 25 million Filipinos, or nearly onefourth of the population, are directly or indirectly dependent on the coconut industry. Ironically due to years of neglect and ineptitude of those leading the government agencies who are supposed to look after their welfare, our coconut farmers are considered among the poorest of the poor. they remain one of the most vulnerable segments of the population compared to their counterparts in the agricultural sector. In comparison with the average farmer who earns a meager P23,000 a year, coconut farmers earn an even more deplorable P15,000 an average per year.

Coco farmers have also been burdened with both natural and politically motivated storms that have doubly made their plight more difficult. unlike farmers of other agricultural products like sugarcane, rice, and tobacco farmers who have been afforded the necessary legislation (like like RA 7171 for tobacco farmers) relative to their interests and welfare, coco farmers have

none of the sort. one of the most long drawn-out issues that has affected our farmers is the coco levy issue. the controversial funds came from taxes that were collected from coconut farmers during the martial law years, when then President Marcos issued Presidential Decree no. 755, authorizing the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to use the levy funds to acquire 72.2 percent of First united Bank (FuB), which was later renamed uCPB. uCPB became the administrator of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund, which consequently acquired numerous assets including the shares in san Miguel Corp. When the Marcos administration was deposed, the government sequestered the fund and a lengthy court battle ensued. Coconut farmer groups have long lobbied for the funds to uplift their lot and help them improve their livelihood.

Last week, President noynoy Aquino signed two executive orders (Eos) relating to the controversial Coco Levy Fund. the first, Eo 179, directs the Presidential Commission on Good Government to coordinate with other government agencies to identify all known coco levy assets within 60 days from the effectivity of the order. the second, Eo 180, requires government agen-

cies to protect and recover the government’s rights and interests in coco levy assets. Accordingly, both Eos are in line with the supreme Court decision on the issue. this should help facilitate the transfer and re-conveyance of the coco levy assets to the government together with the shares of stock of uCPB, the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) companies and CIIF holding companies, san Miguel Corp. (sMC) and those named to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) --“solely and exclusively for the benefit of all the coconut farmers, and development of coconut industry.” under the Eos signed by the President, however, control rests solely on the government and our coco farmers will only be engaged and consulted when the “would-be” government program (whatever shape or variety this would take) is already being implemented. this means our coco farmers will not have any voice on the type of program the government would undertake.

I therefore believe that we should heavily scrutinize these new Eos to fully determine and safeguard the welfare of our farmers. If we are not careful, instead of improving the lives of coconut farmers, the entire exercise might end up benefiting unscrupulous parties.

advice To Krisel HIGH school salutatorian Krisel Mallari gave connections over test rankings. pOp gOEs a speech not heard around the world, for the If you want to be successful, learn how to ThE wORlD reason that she was cut off midstream by the hobnob, press the flesh, kiss babies – in short, member of the faculty. the traditional politician shtick. jEnny Instead of delivering welcome remarks, Grow a strong stomach for rich food and ORTuOsTE she discussed the alleged unfairness of the liquor. Much relationship-building with sto. niño Parochial school in not considerprincipals and suppliers takes place over lateing her for valedictorian honors and the need for the school night inuman. Know your wines and whiskies, your fine to revisit their systems. dining and private hang-outs.

A video of school officials preventing Krisel from finobserve your boss’s habits and find out how you can ishing her speech went viral. netizens stormed cyberspace serve her with “extras.” Competence as a requirement for to support her, saying under the principle of freedom of the job is a given. set yourself apart from the herd by speech, she should have been allowed to finish. performing those little attentions that mean so much – school officials said Krisel’s message was not appropri- checking in her luggage when you go on official travel, ate. the valedictorian told Krisel, on a tV interview, to ac- getting her a glass of water at meals before she asks, drivcept that she did not get the top place, and that her speech ing her around when her driver is off duty. “tarnish[ed] the school’s reputation.”

Develop your networks. As I was told by a classmate in the Department of Education is investigating the matter. MBA school, “We’re not here to study – we’re here to make Was Krisel really cheated out of the top spot? We do not connections.” Befriend everyone - judges, mayors, celebriknow that for a fact. Were any of her rights violated when ties; the lady in accounting who issues the checks, the guy she was not allowed to complete her speech? that’s for law- who signs the licenses. that way, when you need a favor for yers to say. yourself or for your boss, you have contacts who can help.

What is clear is that Krisel was moved by strong emoYou don’t need to be a salutatorian – much less a valediction – disappointment, frustration, anger, bitterness, torian – to do these things. which may have been justified. However, she was asked In the real world, no one really looks at your school to give welcome remarks, which she did not do, and thus grades or awards, Krisel. In the end, that’s just information failed to consider the thoughts and feelings of the other on your resume or personnel data sheet that goes into a filattendees at the graduation ceremony, while focusing on ing cabinet. Earn them, enjoy them, use them to gain what her own. points you can, but in the end, what matters is that you can Krisel believed she should have graduated as class vale- deliver the goods and the “extras” if need be. Be resourceful, dictorian. she worked hard and sacrificed much to achieve make do with what you have. Work with grace under presthat goal, as all other honor recipients have. But not being sure and by golly deliver on time or even earlier. valedictorian is not the end of the world. If she was cheated so let it go, Krisel. You may have a right to be aggrieved. out of what was rightfully hers, that is not her burden to But you won’t carry the burden of having done an injustice. bear, but that of those who did.

You can hold your head high and move on. there is much As someone who’s been in similar situations, here’s my more to life than school and grades. advice to Krisel – take “Frozen” as your peg. Let it go.

Krisel, those much-vaunted honors will not guarantee *** success or happiness. Academic awards, even intelligence, are not always highly valued IRL - in real life. our society Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, values social skills more than knowledge, relationships and Blog: http://jennyo.net

Defying... From A12 old girl. And they denied coddling the two known terrorists. they also denied that the killing of a helpless and wounded sAF commando was done by the MILF. so, according to the MILF, the Mamasapano slaughter was all the fault of the police commandos, adding insult to injury and most of all pain, anguish and indignation to a nation now undergoing turbulent times.

If the President and his peace negotiators headed by Miriam CoronelFerrer and peace adviser teresita Deles would still push for the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law knowing the duplicity of the MILF leaders, they would be selling the country down the river. *** President Aquino needs a big dose of reality check.

His acceptance and trust ratings among the people, his bosses, have declined to a new low – the lowest since he assumed office. Majority of the people no longer trust him and even doubt all his explanations about what happened in Mamasapano.

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

One bull’s-eye at a time for Aya

By Arman Armero

THEY don’t call her “Bulls Aya” for nothing.

Amaya “Aya’ Paz-Cojuangco, arguably the country’s finest female archer of her generation, was again on target after winning two gold medals in the recent Asia Archery Cup held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aya led the women’s compound team event in a difficult, but rousing victory over powerhouse India, 224-223, with teammates Jennifer Chan and newcomer Andrea Robles, and won another gold after pairing with Jeff Adriano in the mixed team event. She also settled for a silver in the individual compound.

The 29-year-old Aya has been hitting her target since she picked her first arrow at a young age of 15, when she first tried the sport one summer after dabbling with swimming and football for a time.

“My father was watching the Olympics one time and was watching archery, and he said, ‘yan, kaya ng mga Pilipino ‘yan.

Then one summer, I just de-

cided to try the sport kasi ‘yung archery range sa UP (University of the Philippines) nadadaanan namin ‘yun.

Asked whether how many gold medals she had won over the years, Aya admitted she had already lost count.

“Hindi ko na maalala, siguro mga more than 20 na. Meron ding mga silver and bronze medals,” she said.

Aya won her first gold medals (compound individual and compound team) in the Vietnam Grand Prix (now the Asia Archery Cup) and had since been on a roll in the tournament, where only the best Asian archers compete.

As of last count, Aya had won

six gold medals in the Asian tournament, and is looking forward to add to her burgeoning gold-medal collection in the coming 25th Southeast Asian Games in June.

Aya last won in the SEAG in the 2007, but stopped joining competitive archery after marrying her teammate Kit Cojuangco (now the vice-governor of Tarlac) and giving birth to a baby boy they named Alfonso, who is now three years old.

Kit, being a former archer himself , is Aya’s number one supporter.

“He really pushes me. He’s very supportive,” said Aya of her husband. She laughingly admitted, though, that “she’s now better than him” as an archer.

Aya is confident that she can deliver the gold medal in the SEAG. After all, she is ranked among the Top 10 in Asia, and no one among the SEAG countries could come close to her level.

“Sa tingin ko kaya naman, basta maganda ang conditions,” Aya said.

For the veteran archer, a perfect condition for shooting arrows is a weather that is not too windy and not too sunny.

“Kailangan medyo mahina lang ang hangin at medyo makulimlim para hindi mainit,” she said.

Aya also debunked the popular notion that archers need to have 20-20 vision to accurately hit their marks.

“Dati, nagsasalamin ako, pero nagpa-laser lang ako. It’s not actually kailangan na 20-20 ang vision, kasi yung ‘feel’ mo sa distance ang mas importante.”

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who was one of the guests in the presentation of the winners in the Asia Cup, said that he sees archery as the sport that could give the country its first gold medal.

And with “Bulls Aya” constantly hitting her marks, the first gold medals look possible in the horizon, one bull’s-eye at a time.

Paz-Cojuangco

Lady Falcons gun for crown Game Today (Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium) 9 a.m. • UP vs AdU (softball finals)

ADAMSON University guns for a fifth straight championship when it clashes with University of the Philippines today in the UAAP Season 77 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Lady Falcons coach Ana Santiago hopes to get the job done and douse any hopes of a Lady Maroons’ fightback in Game 2 scheduled at 9 a.m.

“We will make some adjustments,” said Santiago, whose players are mostly came from Bacolod.

Toting a remarkable 61-0 slate since 2011, the thrice-to-beat Lady Falcons are gunning for their 14th crown overall since the sport was reinserted in the league’s calendar of events in 1995.

With reigning MVP Annalie Benjamen striking out 12 batters, Adamson dominated UP, 6-0, in last Tuesday’s Finals opener.

Facing an enormous task of beating the Lady Falcons three straight times, the Lady Maroons will take things one inning at a time. “We will bounce back, that’s the plan,” said UP coach Kiko Diaz.

Aside from its impressive pitching from Benjamen, Adamson’s hitting also clicked as Queenie Sabobo and Krina Paguican also delivered in Game 1.

For the Lady Maroons to extend the season, pitcher Cochise Diolata needs to elevate her game to frustrate the Lady Falcons, along with their sluggers Isabelle Mendoza and Chantel Bongat.

“Siyempre, championship na ito, ibang level na,” said Santiago.

Bucks win thriller. The Milwaukee Bucks celebrate after winning the game against the Miami Heat at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton’s 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the host Bucks an 89-88 victory. In other NBA games, Monta Ellis scored 38 points on 16-of-27 shooting to spark Dallas over visiting San Antonio, 101-94, while NBA scoring leader Russell Westbrook had 27 points and 11 assists to lead Oklahoma City over the Los Angeles Lakers 127-117. AFP

Juico elected athletics’ chief, gets POC nod

By Peter Atencio FULL recognition has been formally granted to the leadership of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

The Philippine Olympic Committee General Assembly welcomed newly elected athletics’ president Philip Ella Juico following a meeting yesterday afternoon at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.

Earlier, the former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman laid out his priorities after he was

formally elected as president of the athletics’ body.

Juico talked about his plans for the association, after the morning election, which was attended by POC first vice president Joey Romasanta as an observer.

“We are now setting up the different committees required. And we will have to appoint the vice presidents and the regional directors, so that we will have a national presence,” said Juico.

Juico discussed plans to overhaul the structural setup of the association during the board meeting and general assembly held yesterday

morning at the Orchid Suites in Vito Cruz, Manila.

Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez was named Chairman, while Nicanor Sering was voted the vice president and Lucy Artiaga, treasurer. Maricor Pacheco took the post as treasurer and Jeanette Obiena was named as auditor.

Go Teng Kok, who Juico succeeded as president, was named in the nine-man board of directors, with Benjamin Espiritu, Agapito Capistrano, Dato Yusuph Nana, Felix Tiukinhoy, Cai Yong Bang, Chan Teng Young, Chua Pio and Misamis

Oriental Cong. Rufus Rodriguez.

Later, Renato Unso was retained as secretary general, while Atty. Aldrin Cabiles took the post as legal counsel.

Edward Kho was tasked with the PR and marketing affairs.

Juico also discussed the proposal to change the name of the association from Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association. He said they plan to drop the word amateur, since the PATAFA will not just deal with collegiate athletes, but with professional and semipro athletes as well.

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

SYLVIA LOPEZ ALEJANDRO

Lavazza wins the Vanderbilt!

Blackwater Elite end conference with a win

2015 Vanderbilt Knockout Teams Final LAVAZZA (Giorgio Duboin, Zia Mahmooad, Norberto Bocchi, Agustin Madala) vs. Diamond (John Diamond, Brian Platnick, Eric Grecco, Geoff Hampson, Marc Jacobus, Eddie Wold).

At the start of segment 3 the Diamond Team was leading 65IMPs against Lavazza by 34IMPs. Then Lavazza in board 9 bid the slam by Zia and Duboin. From then on as Lavazza took the lead in segment 4, Lavazza bid two other slams and to never relinquish the lead.

Board 9

West Duboin ♠A74 ♥K9 ♦92 ♣K107542

West Duboin 4♥ 5♥

North PASS PASS PASS

North Jacobus ♠932 ♥653 ♦AQ654 ♣J6

South Wold ♠J105 ♥Q42 ♦10873 ♣983

By Jeric Lopez

EVEN with another early exit, Blackwater is starting to evidently see some progress, at the very least.

The Elite ended their campaign with a bang, pulling off an upset win by routing quarterfinal-bound Meralco, 84-72, in the final elimination round playdate of the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Marcus Douthit was stellar in the game as he produced another double-double of a gamehigh 27 points and 14 rebounds to spearhead Blackwater, while fellow big men JP Erram and Reil Cervantes, who played his first game for

his new team, provided assistance by chipping in 21 and 13 points, respectively.

This was actually a non-bearing game for both squads. Meralco is already guaranteed to either be in fourth or fifth place and is already locked up to face sister team NLEX, in a best-of-three affair in the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, the Elite were already eliminated since last week.

For Blackwater, however, it certainly is a huge victory as it continued its development as an expansion team. ‘’Regardless of being eliminated already, we came into this game to gain experience and give our 100 percent as part of the building process we’re undergoing,’’ said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. ‘’We wanted to end this second conference on a high note.’’

The loss sent the Bolts to the fifth seed at

6-5, while the Elite gathered a 3-8 card for its run, three more victories compared to its winless run in its initial tournament in the Philippine Cup, finishing in last place.

The cast of the quarterfinals is almost complete at this point with seven of the eight seats in the bus already occupied.

Top seed Rain or Shine, Talk ‘N Text, Purefoods Star, Meralco, NLEX, Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull are all safely in the next phase already.

GlobalPort, which finished at 4-7, and Alaska (4-6) are the two teams battling it out for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth. The Aces are currently playing the Gin Kings and a win automatically gives them the last slot. On the other hand, a loss will cost them a lot as the Batang Pier will instead take the last spot due to a superior quotient as they will end up tied.

Net winners. Gaby Zoleta (left)

and Magnus Gnilo display their twin trophies after ruling their respective divisions in the Lucena leg of the Palawan Pawnshop regional age group tennis in Lucena.

East Zia ♠KQ86 ♥AJ1087 ♦KJ ♣AQ

East Zia 2NT 4♠ 6♣

South PASS PASS PASS

Results of Alejandro Duplicate Game last March 17, 2015: Harumi Ieda-Salma Nugent Sylvia Alejandro-Ayesha Fuschs Isabel Maloles-Joli Kansil Results at Manila Peninsula last March 18, 2015: Joli Kansil-Paul Potassy Susan Kwee-Salma Lall Jopet Maliwat-Margaret Kwok Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo.com/sylgen717@gmail.com

Arum: Fight income unbelievable Heavyweights TOP Rank promoter Bob Arum said the income from the Fight of the Century between eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 2 is “terrific, unbelievable.”

He said the sale of everything, which includes television rights around the world, continues to bring in the big bucks even as the wait of almost five years to get the fight done is paying huge dividends.

Solar Sports which reportedly paid a massive $10 million

for the Philippine rights, will hold a news conference on Thursday at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino after the much-awaited press conference of “Pinoy Pride 30,” the blockbuster fight card of ALA Promotions and its partner ABS-CBN at the same venue.

Solar Sports’ top executives are expected to announce details of the telecast as well as the networks that will air the fight in response to a request by Pacquiao himself that he wished to bring the networks together for the telecast of his showdown with Mayweather.

Solar Sports, which has telecast Pacquiao’s fights beginning with his November 2003 battle with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas, is certain to telecast the fight.

However, there have been reports that TV 5 and ABS-CBN have also been involved in hectic negotiations to carry the fight, with The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN which has regularly telecast the Pacquiao fights in the middle east in particular, expected to win the rights to air the fight on its widely watched TFC network. Ronnie Nathanielsz

All set for inaugural men’s volley tourney—Spiker’s Turf A BATTLE royale for top honors looms in the inaugural men’s volleyball tournament, named Spikers’ Turf, set to open simultaneously with the 12th season of the Shakey’s V League at the Arena in San Juan City.

Organized by the Sports Vision, the same outfit that put up the popular women’s competition—Shakey’s V league—the Spikers’ Turf is regarded as the biggest and only men’s tournament in the country today.

The league opens with an eight-team field led by Team IEM, which topped the fourteam, mini tournament inserted in the third conference of the Shakey’s V-League last year.

IEM will again parade its champion core led by Jason Canlas, Karl Ian dela Calzada and Carlo Almario, making itself “the team to reckon with”, according to Sports Vision president Ricky Palou.

“But other teams like Cagayan and Ultera will surely give IEM a run for its money,” said Palou during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association at the Shakey’s in Malate.

Sharing the same sentiment were coaches Ness Pamilar of Cagayan Valley and Ultera’s Roger Gorayeb, who joined Palou and Sports Vision chairman Moying Martelino in forum, sponsored by Accel, San Miguel, Shakey’s and Pagcor.

Cagayan Valley will be anchored by Marck Espejo, the Most Valuable Player of the recent UAAP men’s volley competition, with back-ups Rex Intal, Rudy Gatdula and Eden Canlas.

Leading the Ultera squad is Howard Mojica, who powered Emilio Aguinaldo College to its first-ever NCAA crown, and St. Benilde powerhitter John Vic de Guzman.

The other teams are Cignal, which will be backstopped by Reyson Fuentes, member of the UAAP champion National University; Fourbees, Airforce, Army and Champion Infinity, which will parade actor-sportsman Richard Gomez. Randy Caluag

Petron, Foton clash in Biñan

TWO heavyweights Petron and Foton will fight for the early lead when the 2015 Philippine Superliga women’s volleyball tournament All-Filipino Conference goes to Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna today.

The Blaze Spikers will go for their second consecutive triumph when they meet the Tornadoes at 4:15 p.m.

Veteran open spiker Rachel Anne Daquis will rejoin the Petron Blaze Spikers, with Abby Marano, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Frances Molina and rookie Alexa Micek.

This will make the Blaze Spikers a rock-solid unit expected to give the young Tornadoes a tough challenge.

In their opening game against Philips Gold, Petron unleashed a well-balanced assault to essay a masterful 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 conquest despite the absence of Daquis.

Rookies Angeli Araneta, Pamela Lastimosa, Nicole Tiamzon and Patty Orendain, will banner Foton, which finished with a game-high 18 points in the Tornadoes’ 25-18, 26-24, 25-23 win over Cignal over the weekend. Peter Atencio

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 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

Triple team. Marcus Douthit of Blackwater (light) loses the ball to the triple-team put up by Meralco’s Josh Davis, Danny Ildefonso and Mike Cortez in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Elite, 84-72. Story on A15 NUKI SABIO

Floyd more dangerous now

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pacquiao ripped into two sparring partners, going four rounds with each at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach yesterday.

According to publicist Fred Sternberg, Pacquiao went eight “vigorous rounds and looked tremendous.”

He said Roach had to hold him back, because Pacquiao wanted to do more even after a full schedule of punching the heavy bag, working on the speed ball and the punch-mitts.

Meantime, longtime poundfor-pound king and four-division

world champion Roy Jones Jr. has dismissed claims by Roach that age has taken its toll on Mayweather and that his legs are gone.

According to featured columnist Matt Jones in a piece on Bleacher Report, Jones warned Pacquiao that Mayweather “is capable of doing things now that he wasn’t doing a decade ago and that Pacman should be careful of underestimating the American’s power.”

Floyd Mayweather: Deep in training

From Jones’ point of view, the fact that Floyd “can’t do things at 38 that he did at 28 makes him

more dangerous.”

“Mayweather has always been a great puncher, but he’s never had

to use it because he was so much better than everyone skillfully, and he had so much athleticism that he hasn’t had to depend on his punching power,” Jones said.

Mayweather appears hell-bent on focusing on his punching power.

“Pacquiao may think he’ll be able to outwork him and not worry about (Mayweather’s) power because he hasn’t had to use it. Now that he’s gotten older, he will use his power, and that’s going to be a bigger problem for Pacquiao.”

Meanwhile, the United States Anti Doping Agency has acquired Pacquiao’s urine sample for the fourth time, the same number as Mayweather’s, and is expected to yield out another negative doping result.

One LOTTO RESULTS bull’s-eye 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ at a time 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M for Aya TURN TO A14

Bucks win thriller TURN TO A14

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY: MARCH 26, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1

PSe comPoSite index Closing March 25, 2015

8000 7500 6840 7500 6180

7000

5520

PLDT awards.

6500

4860

6000 4200 3860 5500

7,836.34 7.40

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing MARCH 25, 2015 45

P44.755

44

CLOSE

43 42 41

HIGH P44.735 LOW P44.805 AVERAGE P44.772 VOLUME 551.700M

P508.00-P728.00 LPG/11-kg tank P37.27-P42.82 Unleaded Gasoline P27.40-P31.70 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene

Telecom and multimedia service provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. through corporate enterprise arm PLDT Alpha Enterprise received five awards for communication campaigns during the awarding ceremonies at the 2014 Philippine Quill organized by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines. Shown receiving the awards are (from left) Smart Enterprise assistant vice president Chet Alviz, PLDT head of corporate customer engagement Mikey Smyth, PLDT category head for enterprise voice Fay Ocampo and Smart Enterprise product manager Gio Abaquin.

Imports plunge 14%

By Jennifer Ambanta

IMPORTS plunged 14.2 percent in January from a year ago, pulled down by lower cost of petroleum products, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

The PSA said merchandise imports fell to $5.1 billion in January from $6 billion in the same month last year, as payments for mineral fuels and lubricants, capital and consumer goods contracted in the period.

“Lower oil prices primarily caused the imports bill to decline

significantly in January 2015.

Over the medium term, payments for imported crude oil may remain lower, tempering the total value of Philippine merchandise imports in 2015,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Data showed petroleum

imports fell 43.4 percent in January to $723.63 million from $1.28 billion in January 2014.

Balisacan said to offset the reduction in government customs revenue from lower oil prices, the government should consider increasing the excise taxes on petroleum products.

“This should be designed in a way that the benefits of declining oil prices are shared between the government and the private sector, while moderating the impact on the environment,” he said.

“Also, there should be

New rail ticket system starts May

P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, March 25, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.6900

Japan

Yen

0.008354

0.3733

UK

Pound

1.484700

66.3512

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128942

5.7624

Switzerland

Franc

1.043623

46.6395

Canada

Dollar

0.800000

35.7520

Singapore

Dollar

0.732064

32.7159

Australia

Dollar

0.787712

35.2028

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

118.5380

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

11.9164

Brunei

Dollar

0.729395

32.5967

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000078

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030788

1.3759

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

12.1675

Euro

Euro

1.092200

48.8104

Korea

Won

0.000906

0.0405

China

Yuan

0.161153

7.2019

India

Rupee

0.016024

0.7161

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.274198

12.2539

New Zealand

Dollar

0.762718

34.0859

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032009

1.4305 Source: PDS Bridge

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

THE group of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. expect to implement the common ticketing system for Metro Manila’s three overhead train services as early as May. “We are going live in the next two months. We will start at LRT 2 by May, then move to MRT3 in

B3

June and finally, in LRT Line 1 by July,” said Peter Maher, president and chief executive of AF Payments Inc., the joint venture of Ayala and MPIC. Maher said the company would start with LRT Line 2, which was “the least busy” compared to other lines.

He said all three railway lines would fully transition into the new system by the third quarter

Megaworld posts P22-b profit

of 2015.

“We are on track to formally turn over the project to the government by September,” Maher said.

He said the work had been in full swing to replace ticketing infrastructure at LRT Line 2 since January and at MRT very recently, where new gates were being installed starting at the Santolan station.

B4

continuing efforts in making the country more conducive to investments to complement the benefits of lower oil prices, as this would be a good opportunity for major industry players to lower costs, boost profits, and ramp up expansion in investments,” he said.

The 14.2-percent imports contraction in January was a reversal from the 0.4-percent year-on-year growth in December 2014 and 24.7-percent expansion in January last year.

Balisacan said the 4.3-percent increase in the purchase of raw materials and intermediate goods, which accounted for 48.4 percent of the country’s total imports, was not able to pull up the reduced payments for mineral fuels and lubricants, capital goods and consumer goods in January 2015.

“With oil inventories remaining at high levels and with moderate global growth projections continuing to limit energy demand, it may take time for crude oil prices to fully recover to the more than $100 per barrel annual average price in 2011-2013,” he said.

Govt to require use of Euro 4 fuel in July

THURSDAY: MARCH 26, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Wednesday, March 25, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

2.7 75.3 99.4 105.2 63 2.3 4.2 19.6 31.6 22.5 890 1.01 92.9 1.65 30.5 75 99 392 59 146.8 130

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. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Union Bank

6.03 70.4 120.00 101.50 46.75 2.26 2.32 16.6 24.15 8.48 740.00 0.440 96.35 0.95 18.50 31.00 77.95 339.6 45.85 168.3 69.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Lafarge Rep LMG Chemicals Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ 4.88 RFM Corporation 2.28 Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 210 1.7 Splash Corporation 0.102 Swift Foods, Inc. 1.6 TKC Steel Corp.

1.37 Trans-Asia Oil 111.3 Universal Robina 1.58 Victorias Milling 0.550 Vitarich Corp.

1.33 Vulcan Ind’l.

45.3 1.65 1.1 2.13 8.23 58 85.00 19.5 24.7 62.1 1.8 11.8 20.050 11.36 8.30 9.82 1.3 24 29.05 101.5 14.10 0.4700 14.70 6.74 0.620 216.00 9.6 2.92 49.00 26.35 28.5 7.840 269.00 4.06 4.14 9.95 5.25 11.30 3.99 2.88 3.95 5.66 6.47 205 1.7 0.175 1.44 2.22 216 4.5 0.71 1.51

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 5.4 5.35 0.0550 2.31 0.84 2.9 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 4.06 4.5 0.027 1.23 0.355 2.36 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 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.475 56.95 26.80 1.42 7.06 2.86 2.8 769 9.04 15.44 4.60 0.330 1296 6.28 70.00 8.8 0.78 15.72 4.96 5 0.0410 1.600 0.680 2.43 68.30 2.85 899.00 1.29 0.97 100.00 0.4650 0.2400

9.03 1.99 2.07 0.375 35.3 6.15 6.1 5.6

5.51 0.99 1 0.185 23.7 4.41 5 2.8

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

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

9.070 0.93 1.300 0.245 37.15 4.26 5.2 5.6

42.6 6.1 1.66 2.3 17.98 113 148 17.2 15.8 56.8 4.57 39.5 14 12.98 8.15 12.34 2.5 17 27.1 90.5 27 0.014 15.74 9.4 0.98 199.8 10.98 5.2 45.45 30 90 14.7 317 6.49 5.37 14.48 7.5 14.5 7.03 6.68 8.1 275 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 6.84 625 0.175 69.35 1.2 20.45 58 76 276 41.5 105.1 116

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 6.1 5.76 70.45 69.7 123.00 120.00 102.00 101.00 46.85 46.7 2.29 2.28 2.33 2.31 16.8 16.5 24.4 24.15 8.50 8.47 746.00 740.00 0.455 0.440 97.05 96 0.95 0.95 18.50 18.34 31.00 31.00 78.45 77.95 340 336 45.8 45.7 174.5 167.2 69.20 69.00 INDUSTRIAL 45.75 45.1 1.65 1.61 1.1 1.08 2.13 2.08 10.68 8.5 55.9 53 90.00 90.00 20.05 19.5 27.3 24.55 62.9 61.5 1.86 1.78 11.86 11.62 20.600 19.92 11.46 11.22 8.30 8.19 10.02 9.80 1.44 1.32 24.5 22.4 29.2 28.75 101.4 101 14.70 14.06 0.4700 0.4600 14.60 14.52 6.8 6.7 0.620 0.620 217.20 215.40 9.63 9.55 3.45 2.83 52.00 48.95 26.95 26.55 29 28.65 7.860 7.840 271.80 268.00 4.18 4.18 4.17 4.13 10.10 9.94 5.2 3.7 11.60 11.10 3.98 3.93 2.92 2.88 4.5 3.38 5.65 5.30 6.48 6.25 205 204.8 1.7 1.68 0.179 0.171 1.37 1.37 2.23 2.20 218.8 214.6 4.65 4.65 0.72 0.7 1.54 1.50 HOLDING FIRMS 0.475 0.475 56.95 55.05 27.40 26.30 1.47 1.34 7.06 7.06 3.08 2.70 3.01 2.8 774 765 9.11 9.01 15.44 15.30 4.63 4.63 0.330 0.310 1330 1300 6.39 6.30 70.10 69.00 8.83 8.65 0.78 0.76 16.52 15.72 4.93 4.89 5 4.98 0.0410 0.0400 1.500 1.500 0.730 0.710 2.41 2.4 68.90 68.00 2.85 2.80 900.00 882.50 1.29 1.23 0.96 0.95 102.10 99.00 0.4750 0.4500 0.2400 0.2400 PROPERTY 9.240 9.090 0.97 0.92 1.380 1.310 0.250 0.250 37.25 36.65 4.26 4.23 5.26 5.17 5.6 5.6

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

6 70.45 121.50 101.70 46.85 2.28 2.33 16.78 24.15 8.50 746.00 0.450 97 0.95 18.50 31.00 78.05 336 45.8 172.4 69.10

-0.50 0.07 1.25 0.20 0.21 0.88 0.43 1.08 0.00 0.24 0.81 2.27 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 -1.06 -0.11 2.44 0.14

17,900 24,720 3,980,380 2,329,870 25,600 30,000 48,000 7,100 916,700 26,100 40 1,240,000 5,435,580 6,000 12,700 13,000 203,490 1,670 236,100 637,080 15,680

45.4 1.61 1.1 2.13 10.68 55.9 90.00 20 27.3 62.85 1.86 11.7 20.150 11.46 8.27 10.00 1.32 22.9 28.95 101 14.06 0.4600 14.52 6.74 0.620 217.00 9.63 3.18 52.00 26.8 28.7 7.850 268.20 4.18 4.14 9.96 5.2 11.60 3.93 2.92 3.6 5.40 6.48 205 1.68 0.170 1.37 2.21 216 4.65 0.71 1.50

0.22 -2.42 0.00 0.00 29.77 -3.62 5.88 2.56 10.53 1.21 3.33 -0.85 0.50 0.88 -0.36 1.83 1.54 -4.58 -0.34 -0.49 -0.28 -2.13 -1.22 0.00 0.00 0.46 0.31 8.90 6.12 1.71 0.70 0.13 -0.30 2.96 0.00 0.10 -0.95 2.65 -1.50 1.39 -8.86 -4.59 0.15 0.00 -1.18 -2.86 -4.86 -0.45 0.00 3.33 0.00 -0.66

2,276,900 4,000 200,000 5,543,000 274,700 1,190 10 1,697,600 1,234,100 74,580 295,000 132,300 5,168,200 2,220,600 33,314,900 116,700 65,000 432,700 3,059,300 505,250 14,300 50,000 10,500 361,900 212,000 518,770 519,900 3,165,000 700 2,597,400 673,600 84,300 222,910 7,000 5,983,000 1,015,200 14,500 96,700 411,000 1,648,000 12,593,000 291,000 4,000 2,930 593,000 6,030,000 9,000 1,269,000 1,489,260 71,000 131,000 324,000

0.475 56.90 27.30 1.44 7.06 2.85 2.8 770 9.05 15.40 4.63 0.315 1320 6.39 69.35 8.8 0.76 16.44 4.9 5 0.0410 1.500 0.710 2.4 68.15 2.85 888.00 1.23 0.95 102.00 0.4550 0.2400

0.00 -0.09 1.87 1.41 0.00 -0.35 0.00 0.13 0.11 -0.26 0.65 -4.55 1.85 1.75 -0.93 0.00 -2.56 4.58 -1.21 0.00 0.00 -6.25 4.41 -1.23 -0.22 0.00 -1.22 -4.65 -2.06 2.00 -2.15 0.00

20,000 957,910 12,195,300 458,000 100 4,927,000 174,000 380,420 10,368,200 5,536,100 1,000 3,650,000 231,995 21,800 2,503,040 4,511,400 754,000 8,100,100 40,825,000 149,000 4,000,000 11,000 400,000 17,000 447,640 52,000 682,620 8,000 100,000 29,590 4,800,000 160,000

9.170 0.96 1.370 0.250 36.95 4.25 5.25 5.6

1.10 3.23 5.38 2.04 -0.54 -0.23 0.96 0.00

5,532,400 199,000 44,000 50,000 14,214,600 2,430,000 2,994,900 29,800

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

2 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.370 2.25 1.77 1.6 5.3 0.180 0.470 0.74 4.45 24.8 2.06 3.6 19.62 1.02 6.66 1.96 6.5

1.22 0.068 0.47 0.87 0.175 1.22 1.18 1.19 3.12 0.070 0.325 0.4 2.5 18.72 1.45 2.9 14.1 0.58 3.05 0.87 4.37

Century Property Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

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 0.017 0.0653 2.2800 6.99 9.67 2.85 2.2 4.32 1.97 2.45 14.46 0.62 22.8 6.6 2.85 107 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 0.012 0.026 1.560 1.95 5.82 1.15 1.1 1.9 0.485 1.42 10.14 0.35 14.54 5.2 1.85 81 4.39 2572 0.250 0.26 32.2 48

0.87 2.95 11.46 1.6

0.59 1.68 7.78 1.04

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’ 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 Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Yehey

0.0086 5.45 17.24 25 0.325 12.8 12.7 1.2 1.73 10.98

0.0028 1.72 11.48 9.43 0.225 6.2 6 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 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 0.0087

102,500.00 15,000.00

44.1

26.3

-12,636,010.50

118 116 511 9.04 9.67

101 102 480 6.76 5.82

77.3 78.95 81.85

74.2 74.5 75

2.42

0.0010 LR Warrant

10.96 35

2.4 7.74

Double Dragon IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

119.6

94

First Metro ETF

1,466,606.50 162,867,820.00 -9,280,346.00

45,374.00 -18,463,590.00

169,667,126.50 5,700.00

High

Low

Close

0.96 0.151 0.460 0.900 0.200 1.49 1.80 1.52 5.5 0.128 0.3550 0.4700 7.38 30.40 1.78 3.20 20.20 0.84 7.25 1.100 7.700

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.96 0.94 0.95 0.156 0.147 0.155 0.460 0.460 0.460 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.213 0.212 0.212 1.50 1.48 1.49 1.82 1.80 1.80 1.50 1.50 1.50 5.54 5.48 5.53 0.127 0.122 0.124 0.3550 0.3400 0.3550 0.4900 0.4500 0.4800 7.55 7.35 7.49 30.40 29.95 30.00 1.78 1.77 1.78 3.20 3.15 3.20 20.35 19.94 20.20 0.86 0.83 0.85 7.26 7.25 7.26 1.110 1.050 1.050 7.680 7.620 7.660 SERVICES 6.95 7.3 6.68 6.73 62.5 63.15 62.5 63 1.07 1.15 1 1.15 0.690 0.710 0.680 0.690 14.3 14.4 14 14.4 10.36 10.50 10.18 10.38 0.1100 0.1110 0.1100 0.1110 3.94 3.88 3.76 3.88 87 87.5 84.95 85.25 10.5 10.6 10.6 10.6 7.20 7.28 7.12 7.18 1000 1000 1000 1000 1984 2020 1984 2010 6.58 6.55 6.50 6.53 1.57 1.62 1.55 1.55 111.5 111.1 110.1 110.6 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.270 0.270 0.250 0.250 1.3000 1.2900 1.2800 1.2900 2.68 2.72 2.52 2.72 8.69 8.69 8.43 8.50 2.02 2.10 1.98 2.00 1.32 1.45 1.34 1.44 2.30 2.30 2.30 2.30 0.660 0.690 0.660 0.670 1.99 1.97 1.86 1.97 8.96 9.2 8.94 9 0.355 0.360 0.350 0.360 18.04 18.06 18.06 18.06 4.69 4.67 4.44 4.66 3.65 3.95 3.22 3.3 107.60 107.00 106.50 107.00 13.70 13.58 13.30 13.58 2828.00 2860.00 2830.00 2838.00 0.590 0.600 0.590 0.590 1.520 1.520 1.460 1.470 40.05 40.85 39.85 40.50 84.95 85.60 84.60 84.80 10.50 10.68 10.26 10.32 0.72 0.73 0.70 0.73 1.85 2 2 2 7.02 7.1 6.97 6.98 1.390 1.450 1.450 1.500 MINING & OIL 0.0056 0.0060 0.0057 0.0060 2.84 3.00 2.84 3.00 9.01 9.10 8.89 8.90 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.80 0.260 0.260 0.260 0.260 7.1200 6.9700 6.97 6.9700 6.9800 7.0000 7 7.0000 1.13 1.15 1.11 1.11 0.89 0.98 0.92 0.94 8.30 8.79 8.31 8.75 2.31 2.33 2.3 2.31 0.415 0.440 0.395 0.435 0.237 0.239 0.230 0.232 0.244 0.244 0.238 0.238 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 5.19 5.19 5 5 28.25 28.35 27.45 27.45 3.9 4 3.74 4 0.7400 0.7500 0.7500 0.7500 2.130 2.140 2.090 2.100 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 5.85 5.85 5.80 5.85 7.63 7.62 7.6 7.6 2.5 2.65 2.5 2.59 0.016 0.016 0.015 0.016 158.10 160.00 158.10 159.50 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 PREFERRED 63.2 65.5 63 65.3 510 510.5 510 510 110.5 110.5 110.5 110.5 114.2 115 114.5 115 508 506 506 506 6.23 6.39 6.35 6.38 1.07 1.07 1.06 1.06 108.8 110 109 110 1080 1085 1080 1080 1041 1042 1042 1042 76.05 76.1 76 76.1 80.2 80.5 80.5 80.5 84 84.4 84 84 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.910 3.930 3.810 3.860 SME 7.79 8.11 7.77 8.05 79.65 76.95 66.8 76.95 10.58 10.78 10.52 10.56 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127 127.4 126.9 127.4

-1.04 2.65 0.00 0.00 6.00 0.00 0.00 -1.32 0.55 -3.13 0.00 2.13 1.49 -1.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.19 0.14 -4.55 -0.52

387,000 36,590,000 1,110,000 323,000 150,000 621,000 24,063,000 93,000 30,696,600 1,180,000 610,000 400,000 178,500 3,859,600 110,000 61,000 7,341,300 2,156,000 4,100 530,000 10,610,900

-75,860.00

-3.17 0.80 7.48 0.00 0.70 0.19 0.91 -1.52 -2.01 0.95 -0.28 0.00 1.31 -0.76 -1.27 -0.81 0.00 0.00 -7.41 -0.77 1.49 -2.19 -0.99 9.09 0.00 1.52 -1.01 0.45 1.41 0.11 -0.64 -9.59 -0.56 -0.88 0.35 0.00 -3.29 1.12 -0.18 -1.71 1.39 8.11 -0.57 -3.33

799,300 7,140 1,892,000 262,000 11,800 5,227,200 24,880,000 193,000 747,230 800 451,600 480 126,215 126,400 364,000 788,750 6,000 6,400,000 50,120,000 392,000 11,000 1,865,800 45,000 10,000 51,000 292,000 39,000 13,031,200 30,000 2,400 50,000 349,000 18,820 193,100 178,250 2,044,000 30,299,000 4,134,700 3,607,850 4,069,000 4,069,000 18,000 3,328,900 88,000

7.14 5.63 -1.22 0.00 0.00 -2.11 0.29 -1.77 5.62 5.42 0.00 4.82 -2.11 -2.46 0.00 0.00 -3.66 -2.83 2.56 1.35 -1.41 0.00 0.00 -0.39 3.60 0.00 0.89 0.00

1,070,000,000100,900.00 141,000 -150,000.00 1,897,300 705,781.00 1,300 50,000 3,000 16,500 1,478,000 10,177,000 474,800 173,717.00 3,565,000 -1,830,600.00 17,160,000 34,320,000 13,990,000 49,000,000 50,800,000 544,500 15,000.00 2,527,800 -25,801,180.00 5,817,000 214,000.00 166,000 1,542,000 1,300,000 26,200 620,800 -3,192,176.00 1,246,000 15,500,000 357,830 30,701,672.00 11,300,000

3.32 0.00 0.00 0.70 -0.39 2.41 -0.93 1.10 0.00 0.10 0.07 0.37 0.00

178,280 11,030 10,000 13,150 8,700 22,700 63,000 70,000 10,305 8,230 369,410 40 103,590

-1.28

166,000

3.34 -3.39 -0.19

2,622,100 1,430 1,241,500

0.31

2,880

2,010.00 -537,980.00 13,827,610.00 86,671,953.00

224,700.00 6,738,430.00

MST 31.75 2.51 0.88 1.25 9.58 40.2 15 14.6 9.82 21.5 0.82 17.3 5.98 9.05 4.25 8.68 1.01 8.61 12.2 48.9 16 0.0097 12.8 2.05 0.32 150.8 8.55 2.8 16 20.35 12 10.1 246 3.37 4 11.56 5 9.94 4.33

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

SHARES 21,263,403 107,373,585 107,153,382 150,664,343 215,070,297 1,374,169,211 1,979,562,131

-12,827,443.50

7,587,365.00 253,445.00 -69,035.50

68,008,635.00

165,937.00

29,837,056.00

1,990,871.00

-1,007,604.00 -7,358,336.00 1,686,194.00 -144,201,188.00 -3,388,307.00

69,000.00 -18,011,010.00 -28,688,761.00 -95,880.00 9,200.00

-15,676,872.00 -2,080,510.00 83,280.00

39,135,675.00 -16,172,330.00 -39,986.00 -4,930,314.00

17,027,460.00 -2,782,287.00 -4,250.00 592,980.00 57,800.00 -47,600.00 -792,370.00 118,794.00 117,210.00

139,430,044.00 85,500.00

-5,354,560.50 -29,942,575.00

-59,300.00 138,000,150.00 -54,486,999.00 10,446,116.00

18,600.00 13,127,125.00 42,277.00 1,595,426.50 -28,017,640.00

48,585,568.00 833,950.00

50,431,875.00 22,488.00

-3,663,746.00

-138,759,325.00 4,215,590.00 -10,062,410.00

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ 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.

United Paragon ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,998,180,550.70 1,756,896,760.29 2,526,183,780.244 1,203,249,642.937 2,341,190,205.98 327,387,978.991 10,187,721,787.144

97,200.00 -14,124,938.00 177,181.00

165,680.00 -20,245,200.00 -17,931,940.50

100,473,775.00

-968,209.00

-43,400.00 -3,000.00

-10,754,611.00

-41,400.00 -9,850.00 -246,092.00

410,112.00 410,112.00 -23,681,390.00

-9,255,110.00 -40,119,660.00 5,135,132.00 794,810.00 794,810.00

-13,801,247.00 -1,450.00

1,169,772.00

-5,400,000.00 76,050.00

318,936.00 4,557,780.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,861.85 (up) 14.34 INDUSTRIAL 12,610.94 (up) 10.09 HOLDING FIRMS 6,978.02 (down) 2.78 PROPERTY 3,131.51 (down) 8.68 SERVICES 2,102.25 (up) 1.79 MINING & OIL 15,755.95 (down) 98.14 PSEI 7,836.34 (up) 7.40 All Shares Index 4,532.56 (up) 5.74 Gainers: 95; Losers: 79; Unchanged: 50; Total: 224

9,436,479.00

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Asiabest Group

10.68

29.77

Paxys Inc.

3.3

-9.59

Cirtek Holdings (Chips)

27.3

10.53

Pryce Corp. `A'

3.6

-8.86

Lorenzo Shipping

1.44

9.09

Island Info

0.250

-7.41

LMG Chemicals

3.18

8.90

Prime Media Hldg

1.500

-6.25

Transpacific Broadcast

2

8.11

TKC Steel Corp.

1.37

-4.86

Acesite Hotel

1.15

7.48

Solid Group Inc.

1.23

-4.65

Abra Mining

0.0060

7.14

RFM Corporation

5.40

-4.59

Macay Holdings

52.00

6.12

Federal Res. Inv. Group

22.9

-4.58

Ever Gotesco

0.212

6.00

Forum Pacific

0.315

-4.55

C. Azuc De Tarlac

90.00

5.88

Suntrust Home Dev. Inc.

1.050

-4.55

THURSDAY: MARCH 26, 2015

B3

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

Megaworld posts P22-b profit

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces in the Philippines, booked a net income of P21.6 billion in 2014, up 139 percent from a year ago, boosted by a one-time gain from the consolidation of the group’s property units.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday the profit included P12.1 billion in non-recurring gain from the consolidation of Global Estate Resources Inc., Empire East Land Holdings Inc. and Suntrust

Stocks rise in listless trading

STOCKS rose slightly Wednesday in listless trading, with gains capped by a healthy batch of US data that revived the prospect of an early interest rate hike.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 7.40 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,836.34 on a value turnover of P10.1 billion.

Gainers beat losers, 95 to 79, with 50 issues unchanged.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty climbed 2.2 percent to P1,325, while LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan advanced 4.2 percent to P16.38.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, gained 0.8 percent to P121, while Alliance Global Group Inc., which is into liquor production, property, hotel and casino and fastfood rose 1.7 percent to P27.25.

SM Investments Corp. declined 1.7 percent to P884, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution and hospitals, lost 1 percent to P4.91.

Shanghai stocks, meanwhile, retreated for the first time in 11 sessions on profit-taking Wednesday but other Asian equity markets were mixed.

The euro edged up marginally as investors were cheered by warmer relations between Greece and Germany as eurozone leaders try to hammer out a reformed bailout deal for Athens.

Shanghai, which surged to a near seven-year high over the past 10 sessions, fell 0.83 percent, or 30.68 points, to 3,660.73.

Hong Kong gained 0.53 percent, or 128.63 points, to 24,528.23. The index was boosted by a rally in Hutchison Whampoa after it said it had agreed to buy British telecom giant O2 for more than US$15 billion. With AFP

Properties Inc. into the parent firm.

Without the non-recurring gain, Megaworld’s income rose 14 percent to P9.4 billion last year.

Consolidated revenues, excluding non-recurring gain, climbed 15 percent to P41 billion with real estate sales increasing 16 percent to P24.6 billion from

a year ago while rental income grew 17 percent to P7 billion.

“Our income growth last year was driven by both real estate sales and rental income. We have a more diversified real estate sales mix that is propelled by our integrated urban township developments in Metro Manila, Cebu and Iloilo as well as tourism-related projects in Tagaytay and Boracay,” said Megaworld chairman and chief executive Andrew Tan. “In the meantime, our rental income is growing in line with our expectations. Continued growth in our office and mall leasable space will provide the catalyst for exceeding P10 billion

in rental income in 2016. Last year also saw the consolidation of Global-Estate Resorts, Inc., Empire East Land Holdings, Inc., and Suntrust Properties, Inc. under Megaworld. This enabled us to strengthen our land bank nationwide,” he added.

Tan expects the company to maintain a double-digit net income growth every year starting in 2015 on the back of a stronger and bigger township portfolio.

Megaworld plans to launch five new township projects in 2015. Two are located in Bacolod, namely the 34-hectare property that used to be BacolodMurcia Milling Co,. and the 50-hectare property along the

new Circumferential Road on the boundary of Talisay City and Bacolod City.

Megaworld in 2014 launched five townships, namely the Woodside City in Pasig City (12.3 hectares); Southwoods City in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna (561 hectares); Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City (11 hectares); Alabang West in Las Piñas City (62 hectares); and Suntrust Ecotown in Tanza, Cavite (350 hectares).

The company is launching at least 20 new malls and commercial centers in its existing and new townships over the next five to eight years to boost rental income.

Manila Water awards. Manila Water received seven awards in the 13th Philippine Quill Awards for its various programs and initiatives in the communication skills and management divisions at the Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. Shown at the awarding ceremony are Manila Water corporate strategy and development group director Virgilio Rivera Jr. (seventh from left), along with director for operations services Estelita Orodio (seventh from right), financial planning and investor relations director Rosenni Basilio (fourth from right) and department heads Jeric Sevilla of corporate communications (fourth from left), William Alcantara of energy management (rightmost) and other managers.

Spain’s Telefonica sells O2 to Hutchison for $15b MADRID—Spain’s Telefonica said Tuesday it would sell British telecom giant O2 to Hong Kong group Hutchison Whampoa for £10.25 billion in a deal that could create Britain’s biggest mobile phone firm.

“A definitive agreement has been reached after the finalization of the process of due diligence on O2 UK,” the Spanish firm said in a statement, adding the deal was worth the equivalent of 14 billion euros ($15.2 billion).

Subject to regulatory approval, Hutchison Whampoa will make an initial payment of £9.250 billion and a further £1.0 billion later once O2 reaches an agreed cash flow level, it said.

It hopes to wrap up the deal by June 30, 2016—a deadline that may be pushed back to September 30, 2016 in certain circumstances.

It is the latest purchase in a spending spree by Hutchison’s owner, Hong Kong investment tycoon Li Ka-shing, one of Asia’s richest men.

Li, 86, who is worth $30.6 billion according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, announced a sweeping re-arrangement of his business empire in January.

Hutchison already owns Britain’s Three mobile phone network--if he merged O2 with that company, he would reduce to three the number of players in Britain’s fast-consolidating wireless telecoms sector.

A statement from Hutchison said the agreement to buy O2 “will create the number one mobile operator in the UK.” Hutchison’s group managing director Canning Fok described the deal as a “major milestone”.

“The combination of Three UK and O2 UK will create a business with unmatched scale and strength that will allow us to better compete against other operators in the marketplace,” Fok said.

But some analysts have warned that a merger could lead to price hikes, owing to less competition.

Deal could create Britain’s biggest mobile phone firm Hutchison could “drive a lot of synergies” with the takeover, James Britton, a London-based analyst at Nomura Holdings Inc, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News.

“Whether that really equips them to be fully competitive in a converged UK market remains to be seen.”

It was the latest in a series of shake-ups in Britain’s telecom sector.

British telecoms and TV firm BT had said in November that it was in preliminary talks to buy back O2--its former domestic mobile phone division--from Telefonica.

Instead BT ended up buying another British mobile phone operator, EE, for £12.5 billion.

British telecom giant Vodafone took over Spanish cable firm Ono on July 24 for 7.2 billion euros.

Telefonica, with operations across Europe and Latin America, is meanwhile looking to turn around its fortunes.

It reported a 35-percent plunge in net profits to 3.0 billion euros in 2014. Its debt stood at 45 billion euros at the end of 2014.

It said last month it plans to step up its value-added activities such as fiber optic cable, pay TV and smartphones, and to focus on its main markets in Spain, Germany and Brazil.

The Spanish group wants to pull out of the British market where it has been present since 2005, when it bought O2 for 26 billion euros.

Telefonica has already sold its operations in the Czech Republic and Ireland. AFP

B4

BUSINESS

JG Summit spending P35b in ’15

By Jenniffer B. Austria

JG SUMMIT Holdings Inc., the holding company of tycoon John Gokongwei, said Wednesday it plans to spend P35 billion this year to fund the expansion of its airline, real estate, food manufacturing and banking businesses.

JG Summit chief finance officer Bach Johann Sebastian said in an interview the 2015 capital spending was lower than the P50 billion earmarked in 2014, as the conglomerate had already completed the construction of the naphtha cracker facility in Batangas province.

“Its going to be around P35 billion this year, mainly for airline, property and Universal Robina Corp.,” Sebastian said.

The naphtha cracker facility recently started operations and is expected to start contributing around $800 million to $1 billion in annual revenues to JG Summit next year.

URC, the food manufacturing unit of JG Summit, earlier said it planned to spend P9 billion this year primarily to expand its domestic and international businesses.

The group’s property firm, Robinsons Land Corp. earmarked P17 billion for 2015 capital expenditures, as it plans to build new malls as well as office and residential projects.

JG Summit raised P8.8 billion through overnight placement of shares in January. It raised the amount from the sale of 145.65 million common shares via top-up offering at a price of P61 apiece.

Proceeds from the fund raising activity will be used to finance various projects, as the company plans to actively bid for the bundled airports the government may bid out under the publicprivate partnership scheme this year.

JG Summit plans to use the amount to expand airline, real estate, food manufacturing and banking businesses.

JG Summit has substantial business interests in food, agroindustrial and commodities, real estate and hotel, air transportation, banking and petrochemicals.

Its airline unit, Cebu Pacific Air, reported an P853-million profit in 2014, up from P511.95 million in 2013.

The conglomerate also holds an 8-percent interest in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and 27.1-percent stake in power retailer Manila Electric Co.

Britain’s biggest. A file picture taken on February 5, 2010 shows people walking past a Spanish Telefonica store in Madrid. Spain’s Telefonica said on March 24, 2015 it will sell British telecom giant O2 to Hong Kong group Hutchison Whampoa for £10 billion in a deal that could create Britain’s biggest mobile phone firm.

AFP (Related story on B3).

Cebu Pacific’s 2014 profit rose to P853m

By Darwin G. Amojelar The operator of Cebu Pacific said Wednesday net income in 2014 jumped 67 percent from a year ago, on higher passenger revenue as well as cheaper jet fuel prices.

Cebu Air Inc. said net income last year reached P853.5 million, up from P511.95 million registered in 2013.

Revenues grew 26.8 percent to P52 billion in 2014 from P41

billion in 2013, as the passenger business earned P40.19 billion last year, higher by 26.9 percent than P31.66 billion in the previous year.

The airline company said the increase was led by the 17.5-percent growth in passenger volume to 16.9 million from 14.4 million in 2013, driven by the increased number of flights.

The number of flights increased 6.9 percent year-onyear, as the group added more

aircraft to its fleet, following the acquisition of wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, with a configuration of more than 400 all-economy class seats. The airline had 52 aircraft as of end-2014.

Cargo revenue grew 20.6 percent to P3.15 billion in 2014 from P2.61 billion in 2013.

Cebu Pacific incurred operating expenses of P47.843 billion last year, or 23.9 percent higher than P38.6 billion in 2013, as the airline expanded its long-haul

operations and seat capacity.

Flying operations expenses grew 20.4 percent to P26.152 billion last year from P21.721 billion charged in 2013.

Aviation fuel expenses rose 18.9 percent to P23.210 billion, due to higher volume of fuel consumed as a result of the increased number of flights and increased block hours from the launch of long-haul flights to Dubai, Kuwait, Sydney, Riyadh and Dammam.

PLDT, Bloomberg team up to launch television channel THE pay television unit of the PLDT Group is set to air the country’s first 24-hour business news channel in June this year.

Cignal TV Inc. and Bloomberg Television on Wednesday announced a partnership to create Bloomberg Television Philippines, which is scheduled to launch in June this year.

“This partnership with Bloom-

berg Television heralds a new era in Philippine television, in which business information is set to be in the front and center of a rising Philippine economy,” PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

“This also comes at the time when we are expecting to become the country’s biggest pay-TV service provider with more than one million subscribers by the end of

this year,” he said.

Cignal TV chief operating officer Oscar Reyes Jr. said the partnership with Bloomberg would help the company increase its subscribers.

“We are targeting over one million users by end of the year,” he said.

The country’s direct-to-home pay TV provider had 844,000

subscribers as of end-2014, or 13 percent more than 630,000 in 2013.

The end-2014 subscriber count surpassed Skycable’s 800,000.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Bloomberg and believe their global experience will be invaluable in taking business television programming to the next level,” said Noel Lorenzana,

president and chief executive of MediaQuest, the media arm of PLDT. “Our financial markets are rapidly growing in size and sophistication and we saw room for a premier business channel that can inform, educate and showcase the best of business and finance in the Philippines,” Lorenzana said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

B5

Customs IT project facing more woes THE auction for the computerization of RAY S. EÑANO the Bureau of Customs’ system is mired in more controversies.

Customs watchers are raising questions over the capability of the lone remaining bidder in the P650-million computerization project, Omni Prime Marketing and foreign partner Intrasoft of Greece.

Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commision show that the Philippine partner, who will enjoy 60 percent of the contract revenue, has maintained only three employees during the past few years. How, thus, can a P650-million government contract be executed by a company with only three employees and no creditble track record to speak of?

The computerization calls for the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of an Integrated Customs Processing System and the bureau’s National Single Window. The project aims to achieve a fully electronic, paperless, man contact-free processing of Customs transactions and a single decision-making point for Customs release and clearance of cargo.

More damning are reports that the board chairman of Omni Prime Marketing belongs to a powerful business family, who is reportedly among the chief fund raisers of President Benigno Aquino III during the last presidential elections.

“Omni Prime is the power behind a group within BoC and its Bids & Awards Committee that are pulling strings behind the Customs computerization bidding to ensure that the lone bidder is awarded the contract,” a source claimed.

The forthcoming contract awarding has already produced a buzz in the agency and the IT industry itself, after the bid and awards committee disqualified four legitimate and experienced IT consortia that count some of the country’s premier conglomerates. Omni Prime was the only company that was shortlisted by the BAC. But how powerful is the family of the Omni Prime chairman?

Aside from allegedly being a generous campaign contributor to Mr. Aquino, one of its members is closely related to one of the most trusted Cabinet officials in Malacañang.

The initials of this family member, in fact, are the same as those of a presidential team official who holds office at the President’s Tower in Timog Avenue, where the headquarters of the corporate empire of the powerful family is located.

Strong connections The Cabinet member is a prime mover of the so-called “Samar House” and is at loggerheads with the “Balay House” camp of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas since day one of Aquino’s tenure.

Should the government decide to award the contract to the lone bidder, the smuggling activities of the chairman will, to paraphrase the aim of the consolidated project, turn into “fully electronic, paperless, man contact-free processing with a single decision-making point for its Customs release and clearance of cargo.”

A victory by this lone bidder will mock the objective of the computerization project and make it more difficult for Customs to get rid of its tag as one of the country’s most corrupt agencies.

Customs earlier short-listed five groups in computerization and modernization project, which seeks to curb smuggling and nefarious activities within the bureau. The five submitted eligibility documents to qualify for the project, including the requirement for at least 60 percent Filipino ownership, if the entities form themselves into a joint venture.

Aside from Omni Prime, the other bidders were local partners eKonek Pilipinas and Alliance Mansols and foreign partners French-based Bureau Veritas, Korea Trade and Cupia; local partner Tera Systems and foreign partners Indra Sistemas S.A. of Spain, Fritz & Macziol and FPT Group; ePLDT and Webb Fontaine; and Innove Communications of Globe Telecom Inc. and foreign partner Crimson Logic.

After a “stringent bidding process” in November, the awards committee, acting on orders of the Budget Department and Finance Department, disqualified four bidders and named Omni Prime and its foreign partner Intrasoft as the lone bidder.

The Customs body disqualified the four on grounds mostly pertaining to the tax declaration documents that foreign partners must submit, even if they do not have any operations or presence in the Philippines.

The source said the awards committee seemed content with the sole bidder, and requested nothing more than a technical submission from Omni Prime.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@thestandard.com. ph or extrastory2000@gmail.com

Enhanced relations. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (left) and Canadian Minister of International

Trade Ed Fast recent met in Manila to discuss the potential for enhanced bilateral trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Canada. Minister Fast was in the country for a mission following the visit by Prime Minister Harper to the Philippines in November 2012 and the meeting between the two leaders on the margins of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November 2014.

Govt to require use of Euro 4 fuel in July

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE Environment Department issued a directive requiring the use of cleaner fuel and imposing stricter emissions standards for all vehicles starting July 2015.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said under DENR Administrative Order No. 2015-14, the new emission standards should comply with Euro 4 standards, instead of the current Euro 2 standards.

Under the Euro 4 standards, the sulfur content of diesel and gasoline is 50 parts per million instead of 500 ppm for Euro 2 fuel. Benzene in gasoline is 1 percent by volume compared with 5 percent for Euro 2 fuel.

For aromatics, Euro 4 fuel contains only 35 percent by volume, compared with Euro 2 fuel, which prescribes no limit.

Paje said the planned shift to

Euro 4 standards was made possible through the support of oil companies, car manufacturers and transport groups, who were doing their share to curb air pollution and reduce its impacts.

“Low sulfur fuels will lead to reduced emissions of particulate matter. This particulate matter, along with other pollutants, can penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can worsen existing respiratory and heart diseases,” Paje said.

DENR AO 2015-14 also provides more stringent emission standards for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter to be com-

plied with by new passenger, and light- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Paje said the order set an average CO emissions limit of 2 grams per kilometer for gasoline-fed passenger and light-duty vehicles instead of 2.2 g/km and 0.9 g/km for those using diesel instead of 1.0 g/km.

All new vehicles to be used or introduced into the Philippine market by January 2016 shall be equipped with Euro 4 engine and compliant with Euro 4 emission standards.

The DENR Environmental Management Bureau shall issue certificates of conformity only to Euro 4/IV vehicles starting January 2016.

COC is issued to new vehicles that complied with the emissions standards prescribed by the Environment Department. It is a requirement for initial registration of vehicles with the Land Transportation Office.

Aklan wind farm starts power dispatch

By Alena Mae S. Flores PETROWIND Energy Inc. has started dispatching power from the first phase of its 50-megawatt wind farm in Nabas, Aklan to the Visayas grid early this week.

PetroWind said in a statement the move followed the issuance of a provisional certificate of approval from National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to connect the wind project to generate power for purposes of testing and commissioning.

The Energy Regulatory Com-

mission earlier allowed PetroWind to conduct testing and commissioning for two months for the first eight wind turbines.

ERC allowed PetroWind to commission the tests for two months from Jan. 17 to March 17, 2015.

The approval brought the 50MW Nabas wind power project closer to commercial operations.

PetroWind is currently developing the 36-MW phase one of the Nabas wind power project. The dispatch to the grid on March 24 was made from the first batch of wind generators consist-

ing of the eight generators with a gross capacity of 16 MW. PetroWind president Milagros Reyes said the first dispatch of power to the Visayas grid was a big milestone for the company and Aklan province.

“This is the first export of power from the province of Aklan that is sourced from renewable energy. Thus far, the Nabas wind power project is the single investment in renewable energy in Aklan province that has been able to successfully dispatch power to the grid,” Reyes said.

THURSDAY: MARCH 26, 2015

B6

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

Asian pension funds shun bonds THE biggest state pension funds in Thailand and the Philippines are shifting money from bonds to stocks, which could push up the cost of government stimulus programs.

The Social Security Office and Government Service Insurance System said they were increasing holdings of shares, while the head of Indonesia’s BPJS Ketenagakerjaan said he saw the nation’s stock index rising 14 percent by year-end. Rupiah, baht and peso notes have lost money since the end of January, after handing investors respective returns of 13 percent, 9.9 percent and 6.6 percent last year, Bloomberg indexes show.

“There has been frustration among domestic institutional investors about the falling returns on bonds,” Win Phromphaet, who manages 1.2 trillion baht ($37 billion) as Social Security Office’s head of investment

in Bangkok, said in a March 19 interview. “Large investors including SSO must quickly expand our investments in other riskier assets.”

Appetite for sovereign debt is cooling just as Southeast Asian governments speed up construction plans in response to slowing growth in China and stuttering recoveries in Europe and Japan.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has added 100 trillion rupiah ($7.7 billion) of spending on projects including ports and power plants in his 2015 budget, Thailand’s military rulers are accelerating outlays on rail and roads and Philippine President Benigno Aquino is relying on

news infrastructure to increase growth to 8 percent in his last two years in office.

Pension fund assets in AsiaPacific are forecast to increase 9.5 percent annually to reach $6.5 trillion by 2020 from $3.2 trillion in 2012, according to a February 2014 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Aging populations in Japan and Singapore are forcing those countries’ pension funds to chase higher returns. Japanese public funds bought an unprecedented 2.39 trillion yen ($20 billion) of foreign stocks and bonds in the fourth quarter, while selling 5.56 trillion yen of domestic sovereign debt, Bank of Japan data show. GIC Pte, the city-state’s sovereign wealth fund, has been increasingly taking stakes in foreign real estate including New York’s Time Warner Center.

Bloomberg

Smart Selfie.

Talk ‘N Text endorser Robin Padilla takes a selfie with Smart co-founder and chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea, PLDT and Smart chairman Manuel Pangilinan, Facebook director for global operator partnerships Markku Makelainen, Facebook head of international growth and partnerships Lior Tal, PLDT president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno and Smart executive vice president and wireless consumer business head Charles Lim during the launch of Facebook’s Internet.Org app in the Philippines with Smart as partner, through budget brand Talk ‘N Text.

BCDA readies Clark rail bidding terms

By Othel V. Campos STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority said Wednesday it is preparing the terms of reference for the bidding of the 82-kilometer Clark Rail Transit System that will run from Malolos City in Bulacan to Tarlac City.

BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Paciano Casanova said the joint venture project would link with the North-South Commuter Railway project of the Transportation Department.

“Offhand, BCDA will provide the land needed including substantial areas for commercial

development at every station.

The private JV partner will plan, design, finance, build, operate and maintain the Clark Rail,” Casanova said.

He said Clark Rail was envisioned be an electricpowered transit system in an 82-kilometer double-back track between Malolos and Tarlac City, with 13 stations. The JV partner will conduct the final alignment study.

“We are considering to put Clark Rail on a new alignment that would allow us to provide the area needed for the commercial development at every station.

The Clark Rail will serve as the backbone for the movement of

goods, services and people to and from Manila, Clark Green City, Clark International Airport, Clark Special Economic Zone and Tarlac City,” Casanova said.

BCDA will provide 100 hectares of Clark Green City land for use as transport hub and to house the Clark Rail depot. The bidding is expected to be conducted before the end of the year.

The National Economic and Development Authority board approved in February two projects under the North-South Railway masterplan - phase 1 of the North-South Commuter Railway Project and the NorthSouth Railway Project – South Line.

LBP-DBP merger an unsound move THE most seductive arguments that can be advanced in support of RUDY ROMERO mergers of corporate organizations are those that relate to functions and staffing. Mergers of companies are absolutely necessary, it is argued, where duplication of functions exist and where savings on staff can be effected.

These arguments become even more alluring when the institutions involved are government-owned. Government planners and budget makers salivate at the thought of being able to bring down costs and effect operational savings.

It is with these cost reductions and savings increases in mind that the Governance Commission for Government-owned or Controlled Corporations has drafted, for presidential approval, an executive order mandating the merger of Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, with LBP as the surviving institution. The merger, if approved by President Aquino, will produce a financial institution with approximately P1.32 trillion in assets, which is higher than the assets of the two largest commercial banks in this country (Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. and Bank of the Philippine Islands).

The proposed merger would result in payroll savings from the termination of a total of 390 employees (LBP 220 and DBP 170) and the closure of branches in places served by both institutions. These measures will put an end, the draft order said, to “overlapping functions.”

I have no doubt that the GCG commissions were motivated by the best of intentions in preparing the draft executive order. They doubtless believe that a LBP-DBP merger is the best route toward an institution that will be more efficient and more “competitive in the rapidly changing financial sector here and in the region.”

However, I say, with all due respect, that the proposed merger would not be in the best interest of the government or of the nation at large. It is one of those ideas that sound good but in reality are not. I offer several reasons for the setting aside of the draft order and the continued separate operation of LBP and DBP. In one breath, GCG speaks of LBP and DBP being two of the most profitable financial institutions in this country. Then in the next breath it speaks of wanting to create a “more financially viable” financial institution.

The truth is that both LBP and DBP are profitable and functionally viable institutions.

Second, LBP and DBP are two different types of financial institutions.

One is a commercial bank. Without sounding insulting, I dare say that the GCG commissioners do not have a full understanding of the nature and functions of a development bank.

As its name suggests, the business of a development bank is development. Development banking is not the same thing as commercial banking. When the government changed the name of the Rehabilitation Finance Corp. to Development Bank of the Philippines in 1958, it knew what it was doing. It wanted the renamed RFC to be a developmentoriented financial institution, not another commercial bank to operate alongside the Philippine National Bank.

A government needs a development-oriented financial institution.

There are numerous financial functions that a commercial bank cannot or should not perform. Indeed, I am prepared to say that if DBP were removed from the scenes, there would, sooner or later, be a clamor for the establishment of a financial institution akin in function and structure to DBP. A commercial bank is by nature a conservative financial institution.

This is due to the fact that a commercial bank deals with depositors’ funds and must therefore operate like a fiduciary. In contrast, a development bank finances its operation with government equity funds and therefore has leeway to undertake activities that blaze new developmental trails and involve a greater degree of risk.

In the 1970s, the monetary authorities introduced the concept of universal banking, which allowed commercial banks to engage in a broader range of financial-type operations. But the new universal banks did not bring their varied new operations into one structure. They allowed their investment banking, insurance, stock brokerage, warehousing and other universal-banking operations to maintain separate identities and stay under separate roofs. For instance, Metrobank has allowed First Metro Investment Corp. to remain a separate identity. And the numerous components of YGC have not been merged into Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

There are 390 LBP and DBP employees who are superfluous? Find a legal way to terminate their employment. The two banks operate in the same locality? Then put an end to the duplication of services by relocating some LBP and some DBP to the underbanked cities and towns of this country. These operational benefits can be obtained without a merger of the two institutions.

A final point. Is GCG confident that the government will be in a position to quickly bring the equity capital of a merged LBP-DBP up to a level proportionate to a P1.35 trillion asset base? Considering how long it took the government to put additional capital into the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, I wouldn’t be at all confident.

BUSINESS CLASS

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Rescuers search for crash bodies SEYNE, France-French rescuers resumed the search Wednesday for the remains of the 150 people, including 16 school children, killed when a Germanwings Airbus slammed into the side of a nearly inaccessible mountain in the Alps.

Helicopters took off from a nearby improvised base, heading for the rugged area where flight 4U9525 crashed Tuesday, spreading debris and body parts of the mostly German and Spanish victims over a wide area.

Officials are hunting for clues to why the plane, operated by German flag carrier Lufthansa’s budget subsidiary, entered a fatal eight-minute descent on its route between Barcelona and Duesseldorf.

No distress signal was sent and the crew failed to respond to desperate attempts at contact from ground control.

The cockpit voice recorder recov-

ered from the wreckage has been found damaged and has been taken to Paris for analysis, a source close to the inquiry said Wednesday.

“The black box that was found is the CVR,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The cockpit voice recorder [CVR] “was damaged. It has been transferred to Paris this morning.”

A second so-called black box, in this case recording flight data, has yet to be found.

Video images from a government helicopter Tuesday showed a desolate snow-flecked moonscape, with steep ravines covered in scree.

Debris was strewn across the mountainside, pieces of twisted metal smashed into tiny bits.

Debris was believed to be scattered over four acres of remote and inaccessible mountainous terrain, hampering rescue efforts.

The plane was “totally destroyed”, a local member of parliament who flew over the site said, describing the scene as “horrendous”.

“The biggest body parts we identified are not bigger than a briefcase,” one investigator said.

More than 300 policemen and 380 firefighters have been mobilized for the grisly task of searching the site.

Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Marc Menichini said a squad of 30 moun-

tain rescue police would resume attempts to reach the crash site by helicopter at dawn Wednesday, while a further 65 police were seeking access on foot. Five investigators had spent the night camped at the site.

It would take “at least a week” to search the remote site, he said.

“Ground access is horrible...It’s a very high mountainous area, very steep and it’s terrible to get there except from the air during winter,” local resident Francoise Pie said.

Family members of the dead were to arrive Wednesday at the rescuers’ logistics base in a village near the crash site.

French President Francois Hollande, his German counterpart Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy were also expected to arrive in the area around 2:00 pm (1300 GMT).

The dead included six crew and 144 passengers, a majority of them German and Spanish. They included 16 German teenagers returning home from a school trip.

Their high school in the small German town of Haltern was to hold a memorial event Wednesday to honor the victims.

“This is certainly the darkest day in the history of our city,” said a tearful Bodo Klimpel, the town’s mayor. “It is the worst thing you can imagine.”AFP

Ready for blastoff. The Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft is transported to a

launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 25. Russia’s Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station crew of US astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Mikhail Kornienko is scheduled to blast off to the ISS from Baikonur early on March 28, Kazakh time. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE INVITATION TO BID NO. GOODS-030-2015 The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund30 intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess ofthe ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project

Activists warned over HK protests HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s leader warned activists Wednesday that the public would “not be sympathetic” to more prodemocracy protests as the city prepares for the next phase of controversial political reforms.

Parts of the Asian financial center were brought to a standstill by mass street blockades at the end of last year, sparked by restrictions from Beijing on how Hong Kong’s next leader will be chosen.

China announced in August that candidates running to become chief executive in 2017—hoped to be the first ever public vote for the city’s leader— would be vetted by a proBeijing committee.

“I can say that the public, if Occupy happens again, will not be sympathetic,” chief executive Leung Chun-ying said, referring to the pro-democracy protest movement known as “Occupy Central”.

Leung, who was speaking at an investment conference in Hong Kong, added that the Chinese government had “confidence” in Hong Kong’s handling of the protests, which lasted for more than two months before rally sites were cleared in December. AFP

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

1.

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

InvItatIon to BId for SUPPLY, dELIvErY, InStaLLatIon and ConfIGUratIon of It EQUIPMEnt 1.

2.

3.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2015, intends to apply the sum of Five Million Nine Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,994,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Configuration of IT Equipment (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Configuration of IT Equipment. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/ fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

4.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens, sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. St. Roxas Boulevard, Manila starting March 26, 2015 during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 26, 2015 at the General Services Division, 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Roxas Blvd., Manila upon payment of a non-refundable fee provided as follows: Lot No. 1 2

6.

Particulars Laptop Computer, workstation, set

ABC PhP 3,000,000.00 PhP 2,994,000.00

=P= 2,300,450.60

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, within Ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section ll. Instructions to Bidders Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specific in the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract

500,000 and below More than 500.000 up to 1 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00

More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

5.000.00

More than 5 Million up to 10 Million

10.000.00

More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

25.000.00

More than 50 Million up to 500 Million

50,000.00

More than 500 Million

75.000.00

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS and the website of the DOF, provided that the Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 1, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

Bids must be delivered on or before April 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. At Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184.

ACTIVITIES Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Request for Clarification Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission of Bids Opening of Bids 7.

Non-refundable fee PhP 5,000.00 PhP 5,000.00

Supply & Delivery of Medical, Laboratory, Dental & X-ray Supplies for the use of Jose C. Payumo Jr. Memorial Hospital, Orani District Hospital and Bagac Community and Medicare Hospital

SCHEDULE March 26, 2015 Starting March 26, 2015 April 6, 2015, 10:00 am April 10, 2015 April 13, 2015 April 20, 2015, 9:45 am April 20, 2015, 10:00 am

Bids must be delivered at the 7th Floor, EDPC Building cor. P. Ocampo Sr. St., Manila on or before April 20, 2015, 9:45 am. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address.

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

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.”

8.

The DOF reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: Lilia R. Tan, Head - BAC Secretariat Department of Finance BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo, Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone No.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: ltan@dof.gov.ph

(TS-Mar. 26, 2015)

(SGD.) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan l.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activities Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid Eligibility Check Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents Request for Clarification Opening of Bids

Schedule March 25-31, 2015 Refer to date of Opening of Bids March 25- April 13, 2015 April 6, 2015 April 13, 2015

The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (Sgd). ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman (TS-MAR. 26, 2015)

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

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CeSAR bARRioqUinTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

US mulls air strikes on Tikrit B AG H DA D —Wa s h ington is considering launching air strikes, possibly within days, to back up Iraqi and Shiite forces battling to recapture Tikrit from the Islamic State jihadist group, US officials said.

Hard work no fairy tale in Turkey’s soap operas ISTANBUL—Featuring heartthrob heroes, emancipated heroines and picturesque scenery, Turkish television drama series have taken the world by storm, gaining faithful audiences in dozens of countries across Europe, the Middle East and even the Americas.

But life on the sets of the dramas— with episodes that can last up to three hours in series of up to 50 parts—is not all glitz and glamor.

It is fraught with grueling work, with crews routinely clocking 15 to 18-hour days at the expense of their families, their health, and even their lives.

“The worst day I ever worked on a show was 27 hours, “ young Turkish actress Elif Nur Kerkuk told AFP. “It was like going back to slavery.”

Kerkuk recalled how last year after 24 hours of shooting in central Turkey, the whole crew was piled on a bus and taken to Istanbul for another day of filming, with neither time to sleep nor prepare.

“I asked myself, is this it?... Is this going to be my life?” she asked. “But I stay in because I love it.”

A number of fatal accidents have prompted unions and actors to organize an industry-wide movement to put pressure on production companies and government to improve standards.

Selin Erden, a 26-year-old video assistant for the hit teen drama “Arka Siradakiler” (Those at the Back Row), died tragically when the set’s sleepdeprived truck driver hit her during a cigarette break.

In September last year, Engin Kucuktopuz, a set worker for “Kacak Gelinler” (Runaway Brides), died of a heart attack after working 45 hours in three days.

“Everything that your mother ever told you not to do when you were growing up, in our industry you crumple it up and throw it out the window,” said Tilbe Saran, actress and secretary general of Turkish Actors’ Union. AFP

In competition. Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete in the Ice dance short dance event in the 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai on March 25. AFP

The statement came Tuesday after an official said the US was already providing reconnaissance support for Iraqi forces there, the first confirmation of American involvement in the operation.

Such assistance could help Iraqi forces move forward with their largest operation against IS jihadists to date, which enjoyed initial success but has since stalled into a siege, with the city surrounded but not retaken.

A US-led coalition has targeted IS with air strikes and provided training and equipment to Iraqi forces, but had not previously announced direct assistance for the Tikrit operation, in which Iran has played a major role.

Possible air strikes near Tikrit are “being discussed at a high level” and could be days or weeks away, a US official told AFP. The delicate diplomatic and military aspects of such an option are still being worked out, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a shift, the coalition as of March 21 began providing intelligence from surveillance flights for the Tikrit assault, a senior coalition military official said earlier in Baghdad.

US officials in Washington confirmed the account of “an eye in the sky” for the Iraqi troops and Iranianbacked Shiite militia.

President Barack Obama’s administration has insisted it does not coordinate military operations directly with Iran.

But the surveillance flights and discussions on possible US air raids in Tikrit illustrate how Washington is moving towards greater indirect collaboration with Tehran, despite the intense distrust between the two arch-foes.

IS led a sweeping offensive last June that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad, including Tikrit, the capital of Salaheddin province and executed dictator Saddam Hussein’s home town. AFP

‘China behind Internet security violation’

Last respects. Members of the public line up to pay their respects to Singapore’s late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew near Parliament House, where he will lie in state for public viewing ahead of his funeral in Singapore on March 25. Lee, Singapore’s first prime minister and one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died at the age of 91 on March 23. AFP

BEIJING—China’s cyberspace administration is “complicit” in attacks on major Internet companies including Google, an anti-censorship group said Wednesday, calling on firms worldwide to step up their defenses.

GreatFire.org, which operates websites seeking to circumvent China’s vast censorship apparatus, pointed to statements by Google, Microsoft and Mozilla as showing the Chinese government was involved in so-called “man-in-the-middle” operations.

Such attacks involve an unauthorized intermediary inserting themselves between computer users and their online destinations, usually undetected, putting them in a position to harvest data traffic, including passwords.

GreatFire.org said the firms’ statements amounted to “concrete evidence” the Cyberspace Administration of China or CAC authority and the China Internet Network Information Center or CNNIC administrator were “behind these malicious actions and are endangering safety and security on the Internet for everyone”.

China’s ruling Communist Party maintains tight controls over the Internet, blocking websites it deems politically sensitive in a system dubbed the “Great Firewall of China” and obliging social media companies to censor user-generated content.

At the same time, Washington and Beijing regularly trade accusations of hacking, with FBI Director James

Comey declaring last October that China was at the “top of the list” of countries launching cyberattacks on US firms.

Beijing has also drawn criticism for a recent draft law that would require foreign companies to hand over their encryption keys and other sensitive data in order to do business in China.

China regularly cites cybersecurity as a growing concern of its own, with Beijing frequently describing itself as a victim of hacking.

A Google security engineer on Monday posted on the company’s online security blog that CNNIC and a firm called MCS Holdings had been found to have issued “unauthorized digital certificates for several Google domains”. AFP

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 : 2 0 1 5

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BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LIFE

C U LT U R E

A SENSE OF MEMORY Stills and Spills: Memory Stains by Jay Yao for Celestina

BY K.A. MONTINOLA

T

here is a Korean ad for life insurance firm AIA that plays like a docu-film: they invite several young overseas workers in Australia to have a Korean meal. Each of them eats with curiosity and pleasant surprise—the food tastes an awful lot like their mothers’ cooking. And the set up is, of course, that the mothers had actually been flown in to cook these meals for their children. But even before the mothers get to reveal themselves, you can see it on their faces: nostalgia and wistfulness, emotions triggered by the taste of the food.

If you had to name the icons of panlasang Pinoy, likely one or more of four bottles comes to mind: Mang Tomas, Datu Puti, Silver Swan, and UFC (banana!) ketchup. In the couple of years I spent time abroad, I’ve found that it is really difficult to explain each taste to someone unfamiliar with it. Saying ‘it’s a strong, sour vinegar’ or ‘it’s a sauce made with liver’ is just insufficient; vague statements like these really fail to capture just how distinct each taste is, and how strongly we feel about them. In time I realised that every place and every culture has a distinct sense of taste, sometimes inaccessible to anyone else outside of it because of taste’s relationship with memory.

For Filipinos the relationship is particularly poignant.

We send a great number of people abroad to work for long periods under a great variety of circumstances. We also have an incredibly meal-centric culture. We love to eat, and not in solitude. We love to share meals, to spend time together eating tasty food. Food is something we have an affinity for, because we associate it with time well spent together. It’s no wonder even the smell can trigger an emotional response.

‘Memory Stains’ is an attempt to visually capture that essence. The premise is simply that taste is identity, which in turn answers to memory. Jay Yao makes use of photography, acrylic, and the condiments themselves to produce four evocative images, digitally blown and printed. Atmospheric and compelling, the images present an abstracted reality: they appear to be stills of the moments where the condiments best react to being painted and best interact with the rest of the media. Moreover, memory has shifted sense and catalogued visually, providing a different avenue to reminiscence.

Continued on C2

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THURSDAY : M ARCH 26 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

DRUMROLL, PLEASE The Manila Symphony Orchestra Brings Music Everywhere

W A SENSE OF MEMORY From C1

Here, ‘memory’ is not specific instances of experience but a sum of collective emotional recall. The exhibit space at Celestina is installed with a bounty of bottles of each of the brands. The four brands, like the four elements that are essential to the matter and substance of Filipino home cooking, are practically the fundamentals of our popular taste.

So the exhibit speaks to something universal within the collective Filipino memory, and yet looking at it your personal memories add to the mix of sentiment. I remember making the trek to the nearest Filipino restaurant I could find while at school in Rhode Island, and this happened to be in the next state over—Massachusetts. I made the commute to eat there at least once a semester. It was always worth the trip, not just for a Pinoy meal, but because there was a Filipino store right next to it. I always bought as much as I could carry from there, to later try as well as I could to cook something resembling home. I was (still am) a poor cook, but it amazed me even then how Mang Tomas helped to make the taste a much closer approximation.

‘Memory Stains’ is a group effort, with close collaboration by design brands B+C and Celestina, and Nutri-Asia happy to contribute their products to the project. More than that, it’s a pop-up art collaboration that takes a small statement and states it well. The exhibit space is installed with a bounty of bottles, framing another by-product of the collaboration: the images are transposed onto a bayong, the original Filipino ‘shopping bag’ and quintessential market companion.

The art-to-bag transition is nothing new, and yet these are not your modern art museum totes; they’re products of a seamless crossing of fashion and contemporary art, carefully considered from the first whiff.

‘Memory Stains’ is available for viewing at Celestina, G/F Greenbelt 5 Makati. Part of the proceeds will benefit teachers at social enterprise Teach For The Philippines

ith President Maan Hontiveros at the helm, and Jeff Solares as Executive Director, the Manila Symphony Orchestra one of the oldest, and most storied orchestras in Asia - is determined, more than ever, to bring music to every corner of the country, in places unlikely and unexpected, like shopping malls, as well as traditional venues, such as concert halls and grand theaters.

“The arts are marginalized in this country,” lamented Solares at a kick-off ceremony introducing the MSO’s planned activities for the summer. Thus, the MSO has teamed up with several partners, most notably Ayala Malls, to bring the once-reserved world of classical music closer to the everyday mallgoer, with intimate peeks at musical practices, seasoned summer workshops, as well as vibrant galas.

Last March 21st, in celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 300th birthday, the MSO simultaneously paid musical tribute to the German composer’s enduring hymns, bringing his richly layered canons

and fugues to life in hour-long performances in various sites in the Metro: at the Greenbelt’s The Gallery, Alabang Town Center’s Corte de las Palmas, Trinoma’s Park Level, and the Atrium at Glorietta 5.

Another new and enthusiastic partner is Solaire Resort & Casino.

Entertainment Director Audie Gemora and the MSO are offering a free concert with the sun and stars on Saturday, March 28. The public is invited to attend what promises to be “a scintillating Saturday night,” as “Showcase” is presented at The Theater at Solaire.

It begins with an overture by the MSO, featuring Professor Arturo Molina and a four-string concerto by the beneficiaries of the Basilio Manalo Scholarship.

Special guests for the evening are Bituin Escalante and Christian Yu; ardent supporter of the MSO and classical music devotee Ingrid Sala Santamaria will play a classic concerto.

Admission is free.

For more information, email info@ manilasymphony.com

MSO SUMMER WORKSHOPS In partnership with Ayala Malls, the MSO will be conducting three-hour training sessions for children with the orchestra’s finest masters absolutely free, throughout the months of April and May. Kids and teens get the chance to learn to play the violin under the tutelage of the orchestra’s greatest musicians, hoping to impart a lasting love for classical music to a younger generation.

APRIL 12 UP TOWN CENTER

The Manila Symphony Orchestra

APRIL 19 FAIRVIEW TERRACES MALL APRIL 26 MARKET! MARKET! MAY 3 ALABANG TOWN CENTER MAY 17 SOLENAD

Ayala Malls’ Joseph Reyes, Rowena Tomeldan, Ms. Maan Hontiveros, President, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Jeff Solares, Executive Director, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Ayala Malls Junie Jalandoni, Pivi Diaz, Myrna Fernandez and Maricris Bernardino

TWEETING HISTORY Filipinas Heritage Library presents LMG 100: 1915-2015 Leon Ma. Guerrero Centennial An Exhibition of History in 100 Tweets March 25 - April 12, 2015 2nd Floor, Ayala Museum Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero (1915 - 1982) translated Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo ‘for the modern reader’ in the early 1960s, and wrote the award-winning biography of Rizal, The First Filipino, around the same time. His fluency in English and Spanish was underlined by being awarded the Premio Zobel for his collection of essays, El Si y El No. This exhibit imagines how he may have tried to reach today’s generation, and distills some of his writing into the 140-character platform we have become so familiar with. In doing so, much of the context is lost. But we aim to provide visitors with the chance to discover, share, and discuss the topics raised, and to go further into his writings to find out more. @wefilipinos #lmg100tweets ADMISSION IS FREE. For inquiries: CALL: 759 82 88 local 36 EMAIL: asklibrarian@filipinaslibrary.org.ph

THURSDAY : M ARCH 26 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

C3

C U LT U R E

PETA’S SUMMER THEATER ARTS PROGRAM

T

he Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) leading educational theater company in the Philippines since 1967, opens fifteen intensive theater arts classes for its annual summer workshop starting April 7-May 20.

PETA’s seven theater courses which range from basic to advanced, taps into the limitless creative potential of each participant, allowing students to fully express themselves and shine under the limelight of a legitimate stage.

Taught by some of the country’s most outstanding thespians and theater practitioners, PETA attracts a lot of applicants every year because of its unique, comprehensive and student-centered programs.

and experience music, movement and dance, visual arts, storytelling, drama improvisation, poetry and short story writing. Coupled with lots of fun and games, PETA’s creative processes aim to develop and enrich the child’s creativity, imagination and self-confidence.

PETA’s Teen Theater course, for ages 13-16, hopes to challenge the experimental and adventurous nature of the youth. The course mixes creative drama, creative sounds and music, creative writing, creative body movements and dance, visual arts as well as improvisational theater and new media wherein teens get to express their talents and articulate youth power as they mount their own original piece on relevant youth concerns as part of their recital.

INTEGRATED THEATER ARTS

ACTING FOR ADULTS

Following the Basic Integrated Theater Arts Workshop (BITAW) process, PETA’s highly experienced artist-teachers combine group dynamics, creative dance and movement, creative sound and music, visual arts and creative writing in all of its theater workshops.

Throughout PETA’s 47 years of experience in educational theater and cultural work, BITAW has been the company’s main foundation in all of its trainings including those conducted in the provinces of the Philippines, regional coverage in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

CHILDREN’S THEATER AND TEEN THEATER COURSES

PETA’s intensive theater courses are open for children as young as six. PETA believes that performing for a live audience builds confidence, inspires creativity, and encourages teamwork no matter one’s age, and for youngsters it can plant a seed that will grow into a lifelong passion.

Its Children’s Theater courses, for ages 6-8 and 9-12, enable children to explore

SABEL THE STAR

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEW MUSICAL BASED ON BENCAB'S ICONIC SUBJECT

Young aspiring actors, from 17 years old and up, can also plunge into a unique artistic experience by acquiring fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes in improvisational theater production, theater history, theater appreciation, aesthetics and criticism in the Theater Arts course.

The course is focused on building a background for theater newbies; teaching them to learn and appreciate the art of theater production and history.

For those who have basic theater experience, PETA offers a foundation course on acting. PETA’s Basic Acting course allows participants to have a series of dialogues with seasoned theater artists coupled with motivated acting exercises that can turn anyone into a budding stage actor. The course provides its students the chance to apply the elements of the arts and composition in executing a good performance through their body, voice, and imagination in acting while also tackling techniques on improvisation and text analysis.

Inspired by the beloved subject of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, SABEL, LOVE AND PASSION essays the story of a dynamic young woman who loved, above all, to dance. From the depths of her depression to the glory of her personal triumph, it was dance that helped hold her life together and ultimately regain her soul.

SABEL, LOVE AND PASSION is a highlight of BenCab: 50 Creative Years,

ADVANCED ACTING WITH NONON PADILLA

The Advanced Acting course offers a tougher challenge as it is about the mastery of different acting techniques. This course is designed for students with strong backgrounds in performance that wish to pursue a career as professional actors. In this course, participants will study a variety of acting materials ranging from contemporary to classic texts.

The Advanced Acting course will be taught by no less than Nonon Padilla, a celebrated theater director known for his many contributions in the theater and art industry.

MUSICAL THEATER COURSE

The Creative Musical Theater course provides students the chance to study the principles of composition and organization in performing for musical theater that is geared towards developing the enrollees’ musical theater skills. The course has sessions on voice, composition, performance and various music explorations.

WORKSHOP VENUES

The PETA Summer Program will be held at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City and in the Meridian International College (MINT) in Taguig City. The MINT College, just like PETA, is a cultural and creative hub situated at the heart of a thriving city. Its environment encourages its students to think outside the box and produce ingenious ideas for art and music.

HOW TO ENROLL

Interested enrollees may drop by the PETA Theater Center at No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City between Tuesdays to Saturdays or contact PETA at (02) 725 6244 or 0905-3696003. PETA also accepts online inquiries at petatheater@ gmail.com or www.petatheater.com.

a year-long celebration of BenCab’s artistic milestone.

This historic new musical theater production features music and musical direction by Louie Ocampo, direction, book and lyrics by Freddie Santos, and stars Iza Calzado and the Philippine Ballet Theater, with the special participation of Audie Gemora. The World Premiere Gala is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th at The Theater at Solaire.

SPOKEN WORD IN MANILA

BY ED BIADO Sev’s Cafe, a small restaurant at the basement of the Legaspi Towers on Roxas Blvd., was brimming with twentysomethings last Saturday evening. Everyone was intently watching performances on the stage. The performers, after all, were their friends and others, friends of friends. Still others were cult personalities they knew about through social media and maybe have seen perform once or twice before.

It was poetry and open mic night at the cafe; and every kind of poet and musician was welcome to share their talent with the packed house. The monthly event is organized by the very young spoken-word group, Words Anonymous, which celebrates its first anniversary next month.

Sev’s, owned by Howie Severino, is one of the few places that embrace the

decidedly under-the-radar art known as spoken word, as evidenced by its willingness to lend its space to these young poets at least once a month. In fact, it was at that quaint cafe where the members of Words Anonymous found one another, which led them to form the group.

For five hours, the audience listened— intently, as this writer observed—to acoustic covers of both well-known and obscure songs sang with the passion of angsty post-teenagers, and original poems for the heartbroken, the ones who are moving on and everyone in between. While romance or lack thereof was most explored subject of the evening (as it usually is at these kinds of events because we all know how much we love our #hugot), there were a few performances that tackled other issues like self-worth, disease and societal ills.

Severo

Sev’s Cafe

Musical open mic nights are commonplace here in the city. What’s uncommon is the inclusion of poetry, and specifically, poetry’s performance-based form, spoken word. The craft has been slowly gaining traction among Filipino millennials over the years and it’s getting even more popular.

“The thing about spoken word poetry is that it makes poetry accessible for everyone,” my friend Juan Miguel Severo, a member of Words Anonymous, tells me. “Performers don’t need a degree in literature or creative writing to be called up on stage, or

have a valid story to tell. It acknowledges everyone’s right to tell their story.”

And for many, using spoken word to tell their personal story is a form of catharsis and validation. Severo, whose pieces are mostly in the vernacular, adds, “It’s the medium of the underdogs. And you know how Filipinos have always loved underdogs.”

(There’s a lot more to The Gist’s conversation with Severo about all things spoken word. Watch this space next week for more.)

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

NOW SHOWING A GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON AT THE CINEMA THIS WEEK

CINDERELLA

Relive the fairy tale about Ella/ Cinderella (Lily James) who finds herself at the mercy of her wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera) after her father (Ben Chaplin) passed away. But her fortune will change when she meets her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) who will help her win the heart of Prince Charming (Richard Madden)

SCAN THE ICON TO CONNECT TO SURESEATS.COM AND CLICK THE CITY

PG

CLOWN

R-13 Real Estate agent and loving father Kent McCoy (Andy Powers) discovers an old clown costume in one of the houses he’s overseeing and uses on his son’s, Jack (Christian Distefano), birthday party only to later find out that anyone who wears it becomes a killer.

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL YOU

A spoiled and rebellious young girl, Jackie (Kathryn Bernardo) is forced to tag along with her mom on a medical mission in Tarlac where she meets Kiko (Daniel Padilla) who shows her the other side of life.

PG

DESECRATED

R-13 Rich heiress Allie McClean (Haylie Duff) spends the weekend at her isolated ranch house in the middle of no man’s land with her friends where they meet the caretaker whose dark past has taken him down a killing spree.

DRAGON NEST: WARRIORS’ DAWN

An animated adventure fantasy romance film--a first of the trilogy-based on the Dragon Nest video game, it tells the story of Lambert, who will become the unlikely human hero, as he joins the Dragon Slayers’ League to fight the evil force Black Dragon which seeks to destroy all humans and elves in the enchanted land Altera.

G

FROM VEGAS TO MACAU

R-13 A Hong Kong-Chinese crime comedy film that tells the story of legendary gambler Ken (Chow Yun-fat) who is brought out of retirement to take down the ruthless leader (Gao Hu) of a large criminal syndicate by challenging him to a gambling match.

HOME

G A banished member of the alien race Boov, Oh (Jim Parsons) lands on Earth, which his race has invaded, to find a home where he meets the resourceful and adventurous teenage girl named Tip Tucci (Rihanna) who is looking for her missing mother Lucy (Jennifer Lopez).

The two team up both on a quest of their own, one is on the run while the other is looking for someone.

INDIGENOUS

R-13 Five friends from America meet in Panama for a vacation. As they venture deep in the jungle to find a beautiful waterfalls, they instead encounter a chupacabra that has developed a taste for humans.

INSURGENT

PG In this second installment in The Divergent trilogy, Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) race against time to find answers while being hunted down by Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), the leader of the Erudite faction. Tris faces one challenge after another as she unlocks the truth about the past and ultimately, the future of her society.

ROBOT OVERLORDS

PG Robots from a distant galaxy has conquered the Earth ruling over humans who now have to wear electronic implants to confine them in their houses. Four friends temporarily disable their tracking implants to venture outside and fight the android invaders.

RUN ALL NIGHT

R-16 In one night, aging hitman and mobster Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) is forced to take on his long-time best friend and former boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris) to protect his estranged son Mike (Joel Kinnaman) and his family.

SONG ONE

PG A drama film that tells the story of Franny Ellis (Anne Hathaway) who goes on a mission to find his estranged brother Henry’s (Ben Rosenfield) favorite musician in hopes to repair their relationship and revive him from coma after a car accident. She then finds James Forrester (Johnny Flynn), the musician she’s looking for and falls in love with him.

THE GUNMAN

R-16 Special Forces soldier and military contractor Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) wants out of the game to settle down with his longtime love, but before he is allowed to be released, the organization he works for forced him to go on the run across Europe.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

PG A group of British retirees (Maggie Smith, Richard Gere, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup) finds love in a hotel in India, a companion to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, while Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) juggles his business interests and upcoming wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai).

THE ZERO THEOREM (R-13)

R-13 A science fiction film that tells the story of Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz), a reclusive computer genius, as he works on a mysterious formula, the Zero Theorem, to determine if life holds any meaning.

COMPILED BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos speaks before students of her alma mater about Philippine mass media

CHARO UNDERSCORES

GOOD VALUES

Kapamilya inspires media congress delegates

Over 1,000 communication students gathered at St Paul University Manila for the Pinoy Media Congress

PMC delegates hold dialogue with Head of Free TV Cory Vidanes

AIJC president Ramon Tuazon, ABS-CBN News correspondent Atom Araullo, and MTRCB chairman Atty. Eugenio Villareal

Kapamilya stars Alex, Nash, Alexa, Liosa, Joshua, Rayver and JM entertained Pinoy Media Congress delegates with special production numbers

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BS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio reminded over 1,000 communication students on the importance of having good values. She emphasized this in her keynote address at the Pinoy Media Congress (PMC) Year 9, held recently at St. Paul University Manila.

After discussing how technology has changed the way media content is created and consumed, Santos-Concio advised the next generation of mass communicators to be responsible and to use media not to destroy but to inspire.

“Your talent may win you your dream.

But only your good values that will make you feel proud of yourself,” she said.

Santos-Concio was one of the speakers who shared wisdom and inspiration at the event organized by ABS-CBN and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators Foundation (PACEF) to help prepare communication students for their future roles in the media.

Students indeed gained understanding of the industry they are about to enter as they learned how digital television works, found out how the radio, film, and publishing outfits can use technology to push their platforms, and also how to create and distribute content based on the audiences behavior, and many more.

Resource speakers included ABSCBN executives Fernando Villar, Maria Concepcion Alcedo, March Ventosa, Marah Faner-Capuyan, Roxy Liquigan, Ging Reyes, Donald Lim, Leo Katigbak, Enrico Santos, Vivian Tin, and Laurenti Dyogi. Asian Insti-

Among the speakers at the event organised by PACE include ABS-CBN executives Fernando Villar, Maria Concepcion Alcedo, March Ventosa, Marah Faner-Capuyan, and Roxy Liquigan

tute of Journalism and Communication president Prof. Ramon Tuazon, ABS-CBN News correspondent Atom Araullo, and Movie and Television Review & Classification Board chairman Atty. Eugenio Villareal.

Among the congress’ panelists were ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. president Ernie Lopez, ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (AFPI) creative director Vanessa Valdez, AFPI consultant Angie YuPineda, and ABS-CBN business units heads Linggit Tan-Marasigan, Deo Endrinal, Julie Ann Benitez, Ginny Ocampo, Lui Andrada, Joyce Liquicia, and Reily Santiago.

After learning about the current and future trends and practices in the industry, the students also had a dialogue with the ABS-CBN bosses led by head of Free TV Cory Vidanes. Apart from answering the delegates’ questions, they also gave them advice on how to make it in the industry.

Vidanes said balancing media work and one’s personal life requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Reyes said

Your talent may win you your dream. But only your good values that will make you feel proud of yourself –Charo Santos-Concio

critical-thinking and passion is a must.

Tin said it is a combination of having great skills and a good disposition and spirit. Dyogi, meanwhile, urged them to learn to tell good stories, which they can practice in their own families.

The delegates, some of them coming from as far as Baguio, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro, took to social media to express their satisfaction with the event, which also featured surprise performances from Kapamilya stars.

On Twitter, Ysabel Bonifacio tweeted “It was the best congress I have attended for this school year, while Majji Porcalla posted I feel so honored to be a part of the event. I learned a lot!”

Via Instagram, Jonah Garcia said “It was nice to hear it all from the professionals of the Communication Industry,” while Angelica Gallardo posted “We got the chance to hear the insights and experiences of the prominent people in the industry and we also got the chance to see artists perform.”

With another successful staging of the PMC, ABS-CBN Integrated Corporate Communications Division officer in charge Kane Errol Choa said the best is yet to come for Pinoy Media Congress.

“We are very happy to say that there’s a rise in the number of delegates every year. Were also honored that other institutions have come up with events similar to the PMC. With the partnership, ABS-CBN will continue to engage and educate students in the years to come to ensure a better and brighter media in the future for all of us.

Other ABS-CBN executives – Ging Reyes, Donald Lim, Leo Katigbak, Enrico Santos, Vivian Tin and Laurenti Dyogi are also among the speakers

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

TOURISM HEROES AT TRAVEL TOUR EXPO 2015 It was a day unlike any other, when the country’s stakeholders in the tourism industry joined forces at the Travel Tour Expo 2015 recently held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

All were united with the same mantra, “Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015,” the year-long invitation from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) for everyone to discover and experience the country’s must-visit destinations and events.

Organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTTA), this year’s Travel Tour Expo is by far the biggest in its 22-year history, with nearly 300 exhibitors from hotels, airlines, resorts, domestic tour operators and travel agencies.

As a symbol of their unity, Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon and TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Ene-

rio III led the ribbon cutting with the Travel Tour Expo 2015 Organizing Committee, PTAA Board of Trustees and other guests.

In his speech, Bengzon praised PTAA’s efforts in opening new gateways in the country to promote domestic tourism.

The spirit of fun was alive throughout the expo’s opening, ignited by the cultural performance of San Pablo Dance Troupe.

The guests were the first ones to enjoy visiting the booths at the country’s biggest convergence of stakeholders in the tourism industry.

During the expo, TPB presented VPY 2015 with an eye-catching booth, featuring tasty treats and images that showcased the country’s colorful festivals and mustsee events. Several exhibitors also signed up to support the campaign through the Visit the Philippines Year 2015 microsite: www.visitph2015.com

RUN-BY-ANYMEANS FUN RUN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Run-by-any-means fun run for the environment

Supporters of the fun run include Dr. Bilyo, singer Noel Cabangon, and architect Paulo Alcazaren

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ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 In — — (stuck) 5 Really likes 9 Fruit or bird 13 Mutual of — 14 Woolly animals 15 Not bumpy 16 Praline nut 17 “A Visit From the Goon Squad” author 18 Lemonade color 19 Chiding sound

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Pyromaniac’s work Iditarod vehicles Magicians’ tools Speculate Diva’s performances Musical group Actress Jessica — Flannel item Aberdeen kid Eye in space (2 wds.)

— Nimitz

Best possible Polite cough Gripping device Border town Take a powder From Havana Type of poem Libra neighbor Sea dog Greek war god Bleach out Posh hotel lobbies Ruminate Between ports Hobo’s ride Bldg. units Office furnishing Gainsay

DOWN 1 Iowa State city 2 Belonging to Friday (2 wds.)

3 “Caught ya!”

4 Tomorrow, amigo 5 Go formal 6 Shakespeare villain 7 Fed. agent (hyph.)

8 FICA number 9 Early astronomer 10 Dorm climbers 11 Makes one’s way 12 Calligraphy fluids 13 Make a choice

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

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Hwys.

Looks good on Desert dweller Singer Leslie — Kauai neighbor Fringe benefit Economical Mound Mushroom part Wagner opera Mimicked DJ’s mixtape Fragrant shrub Red-waxed cheese Irene of “Fame” Major emergencies Drag along On the train Waffle topping Wave feature Spooky noise Dalai — Bouquet holder “Et tu” time Slick Undergrad degs.

Passing craze — kwon do

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5 6 7 1 DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez 2 DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon and PTAA president Ma. Michelle Victoria 3 Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III 4 L-R: PAL’s Ria Domingo and Jaime Bautista with MasterCard’s Ailea Zialcita 5 L-R: TPB’s Nedalin Miranda, Margie Moran-Floirendo, Arnold Gonzales, Geraldine Gentozala and Ochie Cruz 6 Sandara Park 7 Miss Philippines-Earth Angelee Delos Reyes

ultiple Intelligence International School, an advocate for sustainable schools and the multiple intelligence framework implemented in the United States and other countries, recently hosted a run-by-any-means fun run at the University of the Philippines Diliman Academic Oval.

Part of the “Green MOVEment #4GreenPH” campaign, the run-byany-means activity attracted almost 2000 participants including whole families with grandparents in wheelchairs, environment advocates, and running enthusiasts. All for fun and the environment, the participants ran, walked, or were pushed thru their wheelchairs towards the finished line. Kids also paraded their ingenious costumes made of recycled or upcycled materials.

“We wanted to encourage everyone to make a stand to ensure a green future for today’s kids. The activity also serves as an awareness campaign on the environment’s vulnerability for which we should be responsible,” says Joy Abaquin, founding directress at MIIS. Multiple Intelligence International School has been at the forefront of advocating environmental sustainability and protection, teaching their students

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to have a heart for the environment while training them to be global leaders.

For instance, the student curriculum includes subjects about environment preservation and conservation, combining theory with practice. Stepping up its game, the school is set to build the first LEED-certified campus along Katipunan Road in Quezon City. The 3,000-sqm establishment highlights innovative wastewater technology and water management facility to reduce water consumption and waste, noise and air pollution barriers for better indoor atmosphere, the use of low emitting furnishing and furniture materials, composite wood, and agrifibers; and thermal comfort lighting systems and technologies to improve indoor environment quality.

The structure’s most significant feature is that it has been overdesigned to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake.

More important, the classrooms, basketball court, and football field are designed to be safe and large enough to accommodate people from surrounding areas should disaster strike.

“The school will serve as a laboratory for environmental technology and innovations that can positively impact and serve as a model for other schools and

buildings in the country,” Abaquin says.

She adds, “The safety and protection of our children, the concern for their future, and thus the environment, should be everyone’s responsibility.”

Abaquin says the run-by-any-means activity is just one of their tiny steps to achieving their goal of a sustainable environment.

The fun run or fun walk gave certificates, cash prizes and medals to kids with the best “green” costume as well as the fastest, youngest, oldest runners and the family with the most number of participants.

Other activities included a performance by MIIS students using indigenous instruments. In cooperation with Smart Communications, the school recognized the 2015 Multiple Intelligence awardees. These are personalities who have changed the lives of Filipinos through their particular intelligence in the area of sustainable development.

The Green MOVEment benefits the Cambantoc Reforestation Project, a sixyear-old MIIS endeavor that helps in the replanting and maintenance of trees in the Laguna watershed, promote environmental literacy in public schools, and fund the school community’s Green School Movement projects.

T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 : 2 0 1 5

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com Actress Iza Calzado shares her secrets to her winning smile

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LEE KUAN YEW’S LIFE ON DISCOVERY

IZA CALZADO JOINS CAMPAIGN FOR WINNING SMILE

f you got a healthy, perfect set of teeth, there is no way you can’t flash a smile to everyone around you, all the time. But in order to have a healthy smile, one must have good oral hygiene practices.

Unfortunately, majority of Filipinos are not aware of the importance of good oral habits in one’s overall health.

In fact, reports revealed that nine out of 10 Filipinos suffer from dental caries and, worse, the Philippines has the second worst rate of decayed, missing and filled teeth in all of Asia. Because of this, Oral-B, in collaboration with UP Dental Alumni Association (UPDAA) launched Smile Pilipinas to uplift oral health in the country.

Joining the Smile Pilipinas campaign is fitness enthusiast, top actress and now brand ambassador of Oral-B, Iza Calzado, who shared her personal dental care tips behind her winning smile.

“Taking good care of our teeth should always be a priority because it greatly affects our overall health.

For me, on top of the list is to brush my teeth regularly with a trusted oral care brand that I have been using for many years,” the actress says.

Oral health shapes the quality of one’s life. According to World Health Organization (WHO), oral health affects people physically and psychologically and influences how they grow, enjoy life, look, speak, chew, taste food and socialize, as well as their feelings of social well-being. If oral health is taken for granted, oral diseases may occur.

To prevent this from happening, practice good oral health care habits regularly. Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Eat food low in fat like raw vegetables and fresh fruits

that can help prevent tooth decay. Keep a healthy, balanced diet for better oral health.

Brush and floss regularly. Plaque is one of the biggest causes of various oral care diseases that is why daily brushing is important. Brushing, preferably three times a day, makes your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. It removes plaque bacteria in your teeth and gums that may cause cavity and gum disease. Brush your teeth with a trusted, superior brand that’s tough on plaque but gentle on enamel and gums like the Oral-B CrossAction toothbrush. It has perfectly angled CrissCross bristles that remove 90% of plaque and helps clean hard-toreach places with its Power Tip bristles.

To remove plaque and food debris stuck in areas that can’t be reached by your brush—in between teeth and under the gum line—daily flossing is highly recommended.

Visit your dentist every six months. Have your teeth professionally cleaned and checked to prevent possible oral health problems from occurring. Maximize your dental visits by keeping your dentist informed about dental symptoms like pain or sensitivity in the teeth and gums, difficulty in chewing or swallowing, or possible cavity formation in your teeth.

“Despite my busy schedule, I make it a point to have regular dental visits every six months or more often than that, so I can maintain my healthy teeth and gums,” Iza Calzado added.

Good oral hygiene is key to a healthy, winning smile.

By seeing your dentist on a regular basis and following daily good oral hygiene practices at home, you are more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy

FOOD NETWORK TO PIT LOCAL ASIAN RESTAURANTS AGAINST EACH OTHER

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ood Network will premiere its latest origi- a local version that resonates with our audience in nal series, Food Wars Asia, which promises Asia. I am also thrilled to see Michele transform to end disputes on which restaurants make from the first Food Hero winner for Food Network, the best local dishes across Asia once and to become a key face of the channel. I look forward to discovering and nurturing for all at 8 p.m. on April 7. more Asian talents with Food The 6 episode, 30-minute Hero in 2015.” series is hosted by Food Hero Lean said, “Hosting winner, Michele Lean, and Food Wars Asia was such an follows her as she visits popuincredible experience for me. lar food establishments in SinThe program is filled with susgapore or Malaysia where she pense, drama and excitement, learns how they make their and features real people who signature dishes. She then have a real passion for their pits the two local restaurants food. I learned so much from against each other in a blind Lean with CheeK, Scripps creative, content, and marketing head all of the stalls and restaurants taste test, in which fans of the food establishment, the general public and celebrity that I visited, and I can’t wait to share my journey guest judges will decide who is the “Best of the Best”. with Food Network viewers. Winning Food Hero has Fans may also visit the Food Network Facebook brought me one step closer to living my dream as a page (www.facebook.com/foodnetworkasia) to view television host, and I can’t wait to see what other adexclusive online videos featuring Michele as she visit ventures await me!” local food stalls in Singapore and Malaysia and reMichele Lean is the 2014 winner of Food Hero, an Asia-wide talent search for fresh new on-air talent, views their signature dishes.

CheeK, Head of Creative, Content and Market- as hosted by two popular food and lifestyle channels ing, Scripps Networks Interactive, Asia Pacific said, – Asian Food Channel and Food Network. Look out “Food Wars Asia is in line with our commitment to for the return of Food Hero in May 2015 – those bring localized and relevant content to our viewers. keen on becoming the next face of Food Network or Food Wars is one of our most popular programs on the Asian Food Channel may submit their video enFood Network, and we are glad to be able to offer tries via www.foodhero.asia from 11 May onwards.

On March 23, Singapore marked the end of an era with the passing of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Discovery Channel pays tribute to the man who is regarded as the founding father of modern Singapore in Father Of A Nation: Lee Kuan Yew, a one-hour special that celebrates his life and chronicles some of his greatest achievements.

In a matter of decades, Singapore has emerged from a rural backwater island and evolved into a bustling economic powerhouse. Despite its lack of natural resources, the country now stands proud as one of Asia’s Tigers and this leap from third world to first can be attributed to one man - Lee Kuan Yew. Lee Kuan Yew was the first prime minister of Singapore, governing for three decades. He is also one of history’s longest-serving ministers, holding successive ministerial positions spanning more than 50 years. Known for his foresight and leadership, the eloquent and outspoken politician is hailed as one of Asia’s most influential figures and has been praised by other world leaders such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Father Of A Nation: Lee Kuan Yew documents the story of how one man survived World War 2, took on the British Empire, struggled for independence and fought for the people and country that he loved.

Watch the program on the following dates and times: March 27 at 11p.m.; March 28 at 10 p.m.; and March 29 at 9 p.m.on Discovery.

Singapore’s Lee Kway Yew passed on and Discovery is airing a documentary special on his life

The former Prime Minister when he was younger

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T H U R S D AY : M A R C H 2 6 : 2 0 1 5

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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KPOP IDOL MEETS KPOP CHICKEN Kyochon lives by its frying. For the best taste, three promises: “First, Kyochon sticks to the SIMPLY we won’t make fast standard recipe on manRED food. Second, we only ual at clean kitchens. use natural ingredi“Double-frying and ISAH V. RED ents and third, we only piece-by-piece sauce coatmake healthy chicken ing are time-consuming, with honesty,” says Chanky Tiangco, but these are necessary processes for our Marketing manager of KyoChon Philip- hearty nutritious chicken,” says Tiangco. pines. “But now its time to fulfill a fourth “This distinguishes us from other fastpromise we made last year—and that is food restaurants. Because we value qualto let fans of KyoChon meet one of Kyo- ity ingredients and customers’ health, we Chon’s biggest fan—Lee Min Ho!” only serve honest, healthy chicken and In the last several months, KyoChon use all natural ingredients,” she added. held a promo that gave fans a chance to According to her, you wont find any meet the Korean Superstar in person. frozen chicken in their kitchen, and it Thousands of fans joined the contest post- will be cooked only after you order. In ing their pictures on Facebook hoping for addition, KyoChon only uses domestithe chance to be part of Lee Min Ho’s Fun cally grown, natural ingredients and Meet, which was held during the grand their chicken contains the lowest amount opening of its KyoChon’s newest branch of sodium among the industry, by natuat the Greenhills Theater Mall on Feb. 24. rally aged meat without curing.

Lee Minho’s break-through success came in 2009 with the Korean version of WHICH KYOCHON CHICKEN ARE YOU? Boys Over Flowers as Gu Jun-pyo. The role Kyochon’s menu came to perfection won him several awards, including the Best through the combination of good ingreNew Actor award in the category of televi- dients grown by the wind, sunlight and sion at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards and soil, state-of-the-art facilities and their made him a household name in the Phil- specialists’ endless research and passion. ippines. He further cemented his status Kyochon is proud of the best, unrivaled as the leading-man with the success City taste, made from all natural ingredients.

Hunter and The Heirs, which earned him The Kyochon Chicken comes in four another nomination for Most Popular Ac- (4) variant series – Original (Kyochon tor at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards. series), Honey (Honey series), Spicy (Red He visited the Philippines twice, first to series), and the Soonsal series. promote a local clothing brand and for The Original series is light and slightly an Asian Tour to promote his first album. salty with the crunchy and crispy chickMinho nabbed his first movie lead en coated in Kyochon’s exclusive soy garrole as an impoverished orphan-turned- lic glaze. mobster in Gangnam Blues, a noir action Sweet and sticky, but never runny, the film depicting the tumultuous history of Honey Series is marinated for 24 hours real estate development behind Seoul‘s in a special seasoning, the then fried to now most famous district. perfection and coated with natural honMinho’s visit to Manila, preceded the ey sauce. screening of the film a week later.

Some like it hot, and for them there’s the KyoChon Red Series. Glazed with EMBRACING KOREAN CULTURE the original hot sauce made from Korea’s If there’s one culture Filipinos had em- hottest red chili peppers, this one is recbraced with open arms, it would be the ommended only for the brave ones.

Korean culture. From television dramas Looking for something that is truly to pop music and KPop idols, Filipinos unique? Try the KyoChon Soonsal seriesare totally crazy about anything Korean. -boneless chicken breast strips coated in It comes as no surprise that when Kyo- special rice batter it comes with a choice Chon, Korea’s leading chicken restaurant of 3 dipping sauces. You can order it in chain, finally opened its doors, Filipinos soy Soonsal, Soonsal Rice Bowl, and for a were more than excited to line up and truly healthy meal there’s Soonsal Salad. taste Korea’s acclaimed best fried chicken.

Besides its trademark chicken, KyoKyochon started the entire Korean Chon also serves Green Salad with fried chicken craze in the region when it Grilled Chicken (with the Choice of began serving its signature chicken dish- Blueberry or Orange Dressing) side es in 1991. It has since gone worldwide dishes like Wedge Potato, Pickled Radwith almost a thousand branches in the ish and rice cake soup and an assortment US, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malay- of drinks like the Kyochon Special Cold sia, China and the Philippines.

Tea, Plum Sparkling Tea, Yuza Sparkling Tea, as well as barley, corn, and green tea LIGHT AND HEARTY RECIPE that goes well with any meal.

Unlike ordinary fried chicken, KoreanKyoChon has branches located at style fried chicken is fried twice mak- the Greenhills Theatre Mall, Greenhills ing the skin crunchier and less greasy. Shopping Center; Upper Ground Floor, Kyochon’s thin batter and double frying SM Megamall Building B, SM Megamethod also remove excess oil, offers a mall, EDSA corner Julia Vargas Ave., Manclean and light taste. daluyong City; Sm City Fairview Ground The secret of crispy but moist chicken Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, is Kyochon’s 20-year know-how, and Quezon City, Ground Level,; and soon at Kyochon’s oil is exclusively for deep- the Eastwood Citywalk, Eastwood City.

Continued on C7

Lee Minho delights hordes of KPop fans that filled the parking area fronting Greenhills Theater

Kyochon, the Korean restaurant that introduced Filipinos to Chicken like they’ve never had before, now brings fans an experience they’ve never had before

Minho with KyoChon executives from Korea

A standee of Korean superstar Lee Minho welcomes guests to the Greenhills branch of KyoChon