The Standard - 2015 March 27 - Friday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 43  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  FRIDAY : MARCH 27, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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DFA: No one believes China’s nine-dash line

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High court won’t act on Makati TRO

PNOY SLAMS BOI, SENATE REPORTS Next page

Commemoration. Japanese soldiers played by Talisay City College students take cover from an explosion to commemorate the arrival of American forces on the shores of Talisay 70 years ago to liberate the Philippines during World War II. RALPH PIEZAS

3 networks to broadcast Pacman bout

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New Strada unveiled

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f r i d ay : M a r C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Commencement exercises. President Benigno Aquino III sits with Vice President Jejomar Binay during the 36th commencement exercises at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite, on Thursday. Danny Pata

Lawmakers hit, laud President’s remarks

By Maricel V. Cruz THE leader of the independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives challenged President Benigno Aquino III Thursday to set an example for his much touted “straight path” in governance by admitting accountability and ending his blame game over the Jan. 25 Mamasapano bloodbath.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez expressed disappointment over what he said was the President’s continued attempts to wash his hands of responsibility in the Mamasapano operation in which 44 police commandos were killed.

“They should stop the script because that is not the straight path and the people are very tired of it,” Romualdez said.

“Still, the President evades accountability when he stops short of saying sorry by appealing for public understanding. I am not surprised. It’s the same speech to excuse himself and his men from the responsibility over the Mamasapano debacle,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said there was no way out for the President but to apologize and be humble enough to admit his lapses.

“As I said before, it’s not late to say sorry,” Romualdez said.

“The President should also understand the ill-feelings of the grieving widows and loved ones of SAF 44 who are still seeking justice,” he added.

Romualdez slammed the President for maintaining so many strategists to keep him out of trouble when his term ends.

“The Palace has so many spin masters, and they mastered evading accountability to save the President from a deeper hole and spare him from legal problems after his term,” Romualdez said.

The President’s allies in Congress, however, said the President had done enough to own responsibility for the Mamaspano operation.

“I am satisfied with his explanation. It is time to move on,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. told the Manila Standard in a text message.

Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal said it was unnecessary for the President to apologize.

His declaration that his speech Thursday would be the last time he

would speak on the issue was a signal to everybody to move on and work towards serving justice to the victims and to make the peace process work, Banal added.

Senator Grace Poe, who prepared the Senate report that the President attacked, said Aquino’s speech Thursday as a step in the right direction.

“The President’s appeal for understanding coupled by his affirmation that the whole incident rests on his shoulder as President is a welcome development to start the healing process particularly among the bereaved families of the fallen SAF,” she said.

Senator Francis Escudero, an administration ally, said the President had said enough.

“I hope the public will accept the President’s owning responsibility and showing of humility. It is now in the hands of the Justice Department and the Ombudsman to file charges against those responsible,” Escudero said.

But another administration ally, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, disputed the President’s statement that the Senate report was based on speculation, and was in fact based on the testimony and documents submitted to the investigating panel.

“That allegation of speculation is speculation,” Cayetano said. “I think the President is not the best person to criticize the police board of inquiry and the Senate reports precisely because we were not empowered.

The BOI was not empowered to do an exhaustive report, but was honest enough to do that by giving the limitations,” said Cayetano.

Cayetano added that the Senate panel was held back by claims by some top officials of national security concerns.

He added that the President’s appeal for understanding would have no effect until he gave justice to the families of the 44 slain police commandos.

Opposition Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the President’s speech was too little too late.

“The public and SAF families do not want excuses. They need to know the whole truth or the part they played in Oplan Exodus,” Marcos said, referring to the President and his men. – With Macon Ramos-araneta

PNoy slams Senate, BOI investigations

By Sandy araneta

IGNORING calls for a public apology, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday slammed the Senate and the police board of inquiry for basing their reports on the Mamasapano debacle on speculation.

Speaking to graduates of Philippine National Police Academy in Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, Aquino said it saddened him that those who prepared the reports chose to speculate on the events that led to deaths of 44 police commandos in the covert operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, instead of asking him questions.

Despite this criticism, Aquino said the two reports answered many of the questions in the minds of the public.

“Both reports agree with our initial statements about certain details of the operation. In fact, the two reports reaffirm the position we had taken from the very beginning: The lack of coordination with the AFP was a major mistake,” said Aquino.

But the draft of the joint committee report from the Senate also said the President was “ultimately responsible” for the Mamasapano incident after he allowed then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima to participate in Operation Exodus.

The police board of inquiry, on the other hand, said the President broke the chian of command when he went through Purisima, who was already suspended on corruption charges at the time of the operation.

“What saddens me is that

at times, in lieu of asking me questions, those who prepared the reports chose to speculate instead. This leads us to ask: How can guesswork, instead of facts, help clarify this issue?”

Aquino said.

At the same time, Aquino said, there were many other matters that needed his attention.

“I am responsible for the 100 million Filipinos here at home and abroad. Yes, I am the President, but I am also human. I cannot read the mind of every person in front of me, and I cannot personally monitor every situation. But as I have promised, I will continue to do what is right and just,” said Aquino.

“I will continue to exert every effort to serve all of you and to faithfully fulfill my sworn mandate. I am not saying that I am like God, who knows everything, but I have a duty to right whatever wrong I discover,” said Aquino, who promised that those responsible for the Mamasapano incident would be held accountable.

Aquino said this would be the last time he would speak on the Mamasapano case, except when those concerned needed clarification from him.

Aquino had given two national addresses on the Mamasapano debacle, but his critics said

each speech raised more questions and made matters worse.

“I hope you will allow me to share my own point of view to shedmlight on the context behind the decisions I made in relation to the incident in Mamasapano. It is your right to know the whole truth. After all, it is often said that the truth shall set us all free,” Aquino said.

He said perhaps the most important question he must answer is one that asked by a father of a slain police commando.

“Why did you allow my son to go there? Why did you let him die?” Aquino said.

But the President said words would not suffice to explain the deaths of the brave policemen, and no report or speech could reflect the entirety of what is felt by a parent who has lost a son.

“All I can do, after saying all that must be said, and after doing all that must be done, is to ask for your deep understanding,” said Aquino.

“To every Filipino who has felt failure or has been hurt because of the events related to this operation, it is with the abiding humility that I ask for your deepest understanding,” he said.

Regardless of his anger he felt when his orders were disregarded, or his regret for trusting people who concealed the truth from him, he can never erase the fact that the 44 SAF commandos died under his watch, Aquino said.

“I will bear this basic truth with me to my grave,” the embattled President said.

In defending his actions on previous occasions, the President blamed Purisima and

sacked PNP-SAF chief Getulio Napeñas for lying to him or giving him the wrong information, and for disregard his orders to coordinate with the Armed Forces.

“Today, I say this once more: As President, I am fully responsible for any result—any triumph, any suffering, and any tragedy—that may be borne of our desire for lasting security and peace,” he said.

The President said he is sad there are families who are now without a husband, a father, a brother, a son, because of what happened in Mamasapano.

The President said he is saddened that, despite his effort to give the families space to grieve, as they were to meet their fallen loved ones for the first time, some people criticized him for failing to attend the arrival rites of the bodies in Villamor Air Base.

The President said his intention in staying away was to help them heal.

“I wanted to have clear answers should I be asked: ‘What happened? Why did they die?

What will happen to us now?’

If my response was ‘I do not know,’ how could I help hasten the healing?” Aquino said.

The President said he is also sad that the peace process has been affected by the sentiments over the Mamasapano incident.

The deaths of the 44 police commandos at the hands of fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other armed groups has stalled congressional hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the lynchpin in the government’s peace agreement with the MILF.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE To c a r r y o u t n e c e s s a r y m a i n t e n a n c e a n d u p g r a d i n g w o r k s o n v a r i o u s M E R A LC O distribution facilities, electric ser vice will be temporarily interrupted on the following dates and places: M O N D AY T O T U E S D AY, M A R C H 3 0 – 31, 2 0 15 C AV I T E ( D A S M A R I Ñ A S C I T Y, G E N . T R I A S A N D TA N Z A ) B E T W E E N 11: 0 0 P M A N D 11: 5 9 P M ( M O N . , 0 3 / 3 0 /15 ) A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 6 : 0 0 A M A N D 7: 0 0 A M ( T U E . , 0 3 / 31/15 ) – T H E W H O L E O F C I R C U I T S A B U B OT 3 2 X Z , 3 7 X Z , 3 8 X Z A N D 3 9 X Z ; TA N Z A 3 2 Z W A N D 3 8 Z W ; A N D P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T T M C - I I 4 3 WA Por tion of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway from Salitran – Salawag Road to G over nor Dr ive inc luding Don Gregor io Heights Subd., V illa Remedios Subd., Fiest a South Homes Subd., Cresc ent Hills V illage, Southwood V illas, South Plains E xecutive V i l l a g e , V i a Ve r d e V i l l a g e a n d V i l l a g e P a r k S u b d .; M a g s a y s a y I n s t i t u t e o f S h i p p i n g a n d C a t i m b u h a n R i c e M i l l i n B g y s . B u r o l , S a l i t r a n 2 , S a m p a l o c 1, S a n A g u s t i n 1, 2 a n d 3 i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

A long Salitran – Salawag Road from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway to Molino Road inc luding Southplains Subd., The O rchard Subd., The O rchard G olf & C ountr y Club, Fiesta South Homes, Ivor y Crest Subd, Southwood Villas, Sunny Crest Village, Summer Meadow Subd., Summer wind Village, A ndreaville E xecutive Home Subd., Garden G rove I & II Subd., South Mer idian Homes and Mango V illage in Bgys. Salitran and Salawag in D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f G o v. D. M a n g u b a t Av e . ( P a s o n g L a w i n R o a d ) a n d S o u t h C o n g r e s s i o n a l R o a d ( D B B H i g h w a y) f r o m G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o a n d i n c l u d i n g V i c t o r i a R e y e s Proper t y Subd., Windsor Subd., Ac acia Homes, Dex ter ville Royale Subd., Summer wind IV S u b d . a n d S o u t h c r e s t V i l l a g e; S o u t h e r n L u z o n C o l l e g e o f B u s i n e s s ; B g y s . S a n Fr a n c i s c o I & I I , B u r o l I , I I & I I I , S a n A n d r e s I & I I , P a g - a s a , S a n N i c o l a s I I , Fa t i m a I a n d L u z v i m i n d a I I i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f G o v e r n o r D r i v e a n d C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . f r o m G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o n e a r G e n . Tr i a s N a t i o n a l R o a d i n c l u d i n g S i t i o D e Fu e g o; B e r l i t e I n d u s t r i e s , M o n t e r e y, A D C R e a d y M i x a n d R o o s M e t a l W o r k s ; B g y s . P i n a g t i p u n a n , Ta p i a , P a s o n g K a w a y a n 1 & 2 , B u e n a v i s t a 1, 2 & 3 , M a n g g a h a n a n d S a n Fr a n c i s c o i n G e n e r a l Tr i a s .

P o r t i o n o f D o n P l a c i d o C a m p o s R o a d a n d C a m e r i n o Av e . f r o m M a r y C r i s C o m p l e x t o a n d i n c l u d i n g G o l d e n v i l l e 1 S u b d . , D a s m a r i ñ a s To w n s v i l l e S u b d . , S u n n y d a l e S u b d . , G oldenville 2 Subd., Greensborough Subd., Dex ter ville Subd. and Par kplac e C ountr y H o m e s ; B g y. S a b a n g i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f A r n a l d o H i g h w a y f r o m S i t i o E l a n g t o n e a r C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . i n c l u d i n g A c a d e m y o f S t . J o h n , S a n G a b r i e l R i c e M i l l; S a n A n t o n i o S u b d . , P a r a m o u n t Homes, ACM Woodstock Homes, Grand River side Subd., Camachile Subd. and Par klane S u b d .; B g y s . N a v a r r o , S a n t i a g o , P a s o n g C a m a c h i l e 1 & 2 , S a n Fr a n c i s c o , S a n t i a g o a n d S t a . C l a r a i n G e n . Tr i a s .

Po r t i o n of G ove r n o r D r i ve an d A nte r o S o r i an o H i ghway f r o m J usto To r r e s S t . to and including Bgys. Julugan 1- 8, Mulawin, Amaya 1-3, Daang Amaya 1-3, Lambingan Halayhay, Calibuyo, Bagtas, Santol Bucal, Bunga and Sahud Ulan in Tanza.

REASON:

I n s t a l l a t i o n o f n e w t r a n s m i s s i o n p o l e s a l o n g D a s m a r i ñ a s – I m u s 115 k V t r a n s m i s s i o n l i n e s.

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 31, 2 0 15

C AV I T E ( D A S M A R I Ñ A S C I T Y, G E N . T R I A S A N D TA N Z A ) B E T W E E N 12 : 01A M A N D 5 : 0 0 A M – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S TA N Z A 3 2 Z W ; A N D T M C - I I 4 3 WA P o r t i o n o f A n t e r o S o r i a n o H i g h w a y f r o m n e a r M D M T i r e S u p p l y i n B g y. M u n t i n g Mapino, Naic to and including Garden Coast Beach Resor t, Garden Coast Subd. and S t o . N i ñ o B e a c h R e s o r t i n B g y. C a p i p i s a , Ta n z a ; R e t i r e e s V i l l a g e I I I ; B g y s . T i m a l a n Concepcion and Timalan Balsahan in Naic.

REASON:

Relocation of primar y facilities af fected by DPWH road widening project a l o n g A n t e r o S o r i a n o H i g h w a y i n B g y. T i m a l a n , N a i c , C a v i t e .

T U E S D AY T O W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 31 – A P R I L 1, 2 0 14 QUE ZON CIT Y AND SAN JUAN CIT Y B E T W E E N 11: 0 0 P M A N D 11: 3 0 P M ( W E D. , 0 3 / 31/15 ) A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 3 : 3 0 A M A N D 4: 0 0 A M ( T H U . , 0 4 / 01/15 ) – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T M A N D A L U YO N G 41V D P o r t i o n o f C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) f r o m J o s e A b a d S a n t o s S t . i n B g y. L i t t l e B a g u i o t o a n d i n c l u d i n g B u c h a n a n S t . i n N o r t h G r e e n h i l l s S u b d . , B g y.

G r e e n h i l l s i n c l u d i n g 2 0 5 S a n t o l a n – R o c k w e l l , V i l l a O r t i g a s I a n d I I To w n h o u s e s ; a n d D o n G o n z a l o S t . i n B g y. S a n J u a n C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f J o s e A b a d S a n t o s S t . f r o m C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) t o a n d i n c l u d i n g G e n . J u a n G u t i e r r e z , J . D e M e s a , M . A . R e y e s , C o l . M . Ve r, G e n . S e g u n d o , G e n . S . D e J e s u s , G e n . V i c e n t e L i m , G e n . M a s c a r d o , E . J a c i n t o a n d A l v i r S t s .; C r o w n e P o i n t e C o n d o m i n i u m , U n i t e d Ev a n g e l i c a l C h u r c h o f G r e e n h i l l s a n d S h i n n M a n n - H a n n C o r p . i n B g y. L i t t l e B a g u i o , S a n J u a n C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f M . P a t e r n o a n d L t . A r t i a g a S t s . f r o m C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) t o L e d e s m a S t . i n B g y. P a s a d e ñ a , S a n J u a n C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f P a s a d e ñ a S t . f r o m C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) t o a n d i n c l u d i n g I n t e r g r a p h P r i n t i n g P a p e r a n d Tr o j a n E n v e l o p e M f g . i n B g y. P a s a d e ñ a , S a n J u a n C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f O r t i g a s Av e . a n d G r a n a d a S t s . f r o m P L D T – S a n J u a n E x c h a n g e C e n t e r t o a n d i n c l u d i n g S a m p a g u i t a P i c t u r e s ; a n d G i l m o r e To w n h o m e s C o m p o u n d i n B g y.

G r e e n h i l l s W e s t , S a n J u a n C i t y ; a n d B g y. Va l e n c i a , Q u e z o n C i t y.

B E T W E E N 11: 0 0 P M ( W E D. , 0 3 / 31/15 ) A N D 4: 0 0 A M ( T H U . , 0 4 / 01/15 ) – P O R T I O N S O F C I R C U I T M A N D A L U YO N G 41V D P o r t i o n o f C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) a n d P i n a g l a b a n a n R o a d f r o m J o s e A b a d S a n t o s S t . t o i n B g y. L i t t l e B a g u i o t o a n d i n c l u d i n g D r. P. A . N a r c i s o S t . including San Juan Arena and Pinaglabanan Shrine Park in Bgys. Lit tle Baguio, Corazon D e J e s u s , S t . J o s e p h , I s a b e l i t a a n d P e d r o C r u z , S a n J u a n C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f P. G u e v a r r a S t . f r o m C o l . B o n n y S e r r a n o Av e . (S a n t o l a n R o a d ) t o a n d i n c l u d i n g F. S a l v a d o r, V. C r u z , P. V i c e n c i o , M o n s , M i r a n d a , L i o n s , E . S a n t o s , B . P a d i l l a , A . B o n i f a c i o , H a r d b o a r d , I b u n a , M a r n e , Ve r d u n , V. P. I b a ñ e z , M a n g g a , M . I n f a n t e , L o p e z J a e n a a n d F. C a l d e r o n S t s .; B g y s . L i t t l e B a g u i o , O n s e , S t . J o s e p h a n d S t a . L u c i a , S a n J u a n C i t y.

Por tion of Granada St. from near Sampaguita Pictures Compound to and including G i l m o r e H e i g h t s C o n d o m i n i u m a n d T h e X a v i e r H i l l s C o n d o m i n i u m; Va l e n c i a S t . i n B g y.

Va l e n c i a , Q u e z o n C i t y.

REASON:

C o m m i s s i o n i n g o f n e w 3 4 . 5 k V e l e c t r i c c i r c u i t f e e d e r Va l e n c i a 414 VA L .

C AV I T E ( D A S M A R I Ñ A S C I T Y, G E N . T R I A S A N D TA N Z A ) B E T W E E N 11: 0 0 P M A N D 11: 5 9 P M ( T U E . , 0 3 / 31/15 ) A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 6 : 0 0 A M A N D 7: 0 0 A M ( W E D. , 0 4 / 01/15 ) – T H E W H O L E O F C I R C U I T S A B U B OT 3 2 X Z , 3 7 X Z , 3 8 X Z A N D 3 9 X Z ; TA N Z A 3 2 Z W A N D 3 8 Z W ; A N D P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T T M C - I I 4 3 WA Por tion of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway from Salitran – Salawag Road to G over nor Dr ive inc luding Don Gregor io Heights Subd., V illa Remedios Subd., Fiest a South Homes Subd., Cresc ent Hills V illage, Southwood V illas, South Plains E xecutive V i l l a g e , V i a Ve r d e V i l l a g e a n d V i l l a g e P a r k S u b d .; M a g s a y s a y I n s t i t u t e o f S h i p p i n g a n d C a t i m b u h a n R i c e M i l l i n B g y s . B u r o l , S a l i t r a n 2 , S a m p a l o c 1, S a n A g u s t i n 1, 2 a n d 3 i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

A long Salitran – Salawag Road from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway to Molino Road inc luding Southplains Subd., The O rchard Subd., The O rchard G olf & C ountr y Club, Fiesta South Homes, Ivor y Crest Subd, Southwood Villas, Sunny Crest Village, Summer Meadow Subd., Summer wind Village, A ndreaville E xecutive Home Subd., Garden G rove I & II Subd., South Mer idian Homes and Mango V illage in Bgys. Salitran and Salawag in D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f G o v. D. M a n g u b a t Av e . ( P a s o n g L a w i n R o a d ) a n d S o u t h C o n g r e s s i o n a l R o a d ( D B B H i g h w a y) f r o m G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o a n d i n c l u d i n g V i c t o r i a R e y e s Proper t y Subd., Windsor Subd., Ac acia Homes, Dex ter ville Royale Subd., Summer wind IV S u b d . a n d S o u t h c r e s t V i l l a g e; S o u t h e r n L u z o n C o l l e g e o f B u s i n e s s ; B g y s . S a n Fr a n c i s c o I & I I , B u r o l I , I I & I I I , S a n A n d r e s I & I I , P a g - a s a , S a n N i c o l a s I I , Fa t i m a I a n d L u z v i m i n d a I I i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f G o v e r n o r D r i v e a n d C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . f r o m G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o n e a r G e n . Tr i a s N a t i o n a l R o a d i n c l u d i n g S i t i o D e Fu e g o; B e r l i t e I n d u s t r i e s , M o n t e r e y, A D C R e a d y M i x a n d R o o s M e t a l W o r k s ; B g y s . P i n a g t i p u n a n , Ta p i a , P a s o n g K a w a y a n 1 & 2 , B u e n a v i s t a 1, 2 & 3 , M a n g g a h a n a n d S a n Fr a n c i s c o i n G e n e r a l Tr i a s .

P o r t i o n o f D o n P l a c i d o C a m p o s R o a d a n d C a m e r i n o Av e . f r o m M a r y C r i s C o m p l e x t o a n d i n c l u d i n g G o l d e n v i l l e 1 S u b d . , D a s m a r i ñ a s To w n s v i l l e S u b d . , S u n n y d a l e S u b d . , G oldenville 2 Subd., Greensborough Subd., Dex ter ville Subd. and Par kplac e C ountr y H o m e s ; B g y. S a b a n g i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f A r n a l d o H i g h w a y f r o m S i t i o E l a n g t o n e a r C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . i n c l u d i n g A c a d e m y o f S t . J o h n , S a n G a b r i e l R i c e M i l l; S a n A n t o n i o S u b d . , P a r a m o u n t Homes, ACM Woodstock Homes, Grand River side Subd., Camachile Subd. and Par klane S u b d .; B g y s . N a v a r r o , S a n t i a g o , P a s o n g C a m a c h i l e 1 & 2 , S a n Fr a n c i s c o , S a n t i a g o a n d S t a . C l a r a i n G e n . Tr i a s .

P o r t i o n o f G o v e r n o r D r i v e a n d A n t e r o S o r i a n o H i g h w a y f r o m J u s t o To r r e s S t . t o and including Bgys. Julugan 1- 8, Mulawin, A maya 1- 3, Daang A maya 1- 3, Lambingan H a l a y h a y, C a l i b u y o , B a g t a s , S a n t o l B u c a l , B u n g a a n d S a h u d U l a n i n Ta n z a .

REASON:

I n s t a l l a t i o n o f n e w t r a n s m i s s i o n p o l e s a l o n g D a s m a r i ñ a s – I m u s 115 k V transmission lines.

W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 1, 2 0 15 C AV I T E ( D A S M A R I Ñ A S C I T Y A N D G E N . T R I A S) B E T W E E N 12 : 01A M A N D 12 : 3 0 A M A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 4: 3 0 A M A N D 5 : 0 0 A M – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T A B U B OT 3 8 X Z P o r t i o n o f G o v e r n o r D r i v e a n d C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . f r o m G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o n e a r G e n . Tr i a s N a t i o n a l R o a d i n c l u d i n g S i t i o D e Fu e g o; B e r l i t e I n d u s t r i e s , M o n t e r e y, A D C R e a d y M i x a n d R o o s M e t a l W o r k s ; B g y s . P i n a g t i p u n a n , Ta p i a , P a s o n g K a w a y a n 1 & 2 , B u e n a v i s t a 1, 2 & 3 , M a n g g a h a n a n d S a n Fr a n c i s c o i n G e n e r a l Tr i a s .

P o r t i o n o f A r n a l d o H i g h w a y f r o m S i t i o E l a n g t o n e a r C . M . D e l o s R e y e s Av e . i n c l u d i n g A c a d e m y o f S t . J o h n a n d S a n G a b r i e l R i c e M i l l; S a n A n t o n i o S u b d . , P a r a m o u n t Homes, ACM Woodstock Homes, Grand River side Subd., Camachile Subd. and Par klane S u b d .; B g y s . N a v a r r o , S a n t i a g o , P a s o n g C a m a c h i l e 1 & 2 , S a n Fr a n c i s c o , S a n t i a g o a n d S t a . C l a r a i n G e n . Tr i a s .

P o r t i o n o f G o v e r n o r D r i v e a n d A n t e r o S o r i a n o H i g h w a y f r o m J u s t o To r r e s S t . t o

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

and including Bgys. Julugan 1- 8, Mulawin, A maya 1- 3, Daang A maya 1- 3 and Sahud Ulan in Ta n z a .

B E T W E E N 12 : 01A M A N D 5 : 0 0 A M – T H E W H O L E O F C I R C U I T S A B U B OT 3 2 X Z A N D 3 7 X Z ; A N D D A S M A R I Ñ A S 4 0 D A ; A N D P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T A B U B OT 3 8 X Z P o r t i o n o f G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y f r o m G o l d e n C i t y S u b d . i n B g y. A n a b u I I , I m u s t o G o v e r n o r D r i v e i n c l u d i n g D o n G r e g o r i o H e i g h t s S u b d ., V i l l a R e m e d i o s S u b d ., F i e s t a South Homes Subd., Cresc ent Hills Village, Southwood Villas, South Plains E xecutive V i l l a g e , V i a Ve r d e V i l l a g e , V i l l a g e P a r k S u b d ., S a n L o r e n z o H e i g h t s V i l l a g e a n d A u g u s t i n e G r o v e S u b d .; To y o t a – D a s m a r i ñ a s , D i g i t e l , N a t i o n a l C o l l e g e o f S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n o l o g y, R e d R i b b o n B a ke s h o p, D a s m a r i ñ a s P u b l i c M a r ke t , M a g s a y s a y I n s t i t u t e o f S h i p p i n g a n d C a t i m b u h a n R i c e M i l l i n B g y s . B u r o l , S a l i t r a n 1 & 2 , S a m p a l o c 1, S a n A g u s t i n 1, 2 a n d 3 a n d S a n A g u s t i n I & I I I , D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

P o r t i o n o f D o n P l a c i d o C a m p o s R o a d a n d C a m e r i n o Av e . f r o m M a r y C r i s C o m p l e x t o t o n e a r G e n . E m i l i o A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y i n c l u d i n g G o l d e n v i l l e 1 S u b d ., D a s m a r i ñ a s To w n s v i l l e S u b d . , S u n n y d a l e S u b d ., G o l d e n v i l l e 2 S u b d ., G r e e n s b o r o u g h S u b d ., D e x t e r v i l l e S u b d . , P a r k p l a c e C o u n t r y H o m e s , S a i n t M a r y S u b d ., S a t e l l i t e H o m e s , V i l l a C a t a l i n a S u b d . a n d V i l l a L u i s a H o m e s ; C a m e r i n o Av e ., N . G u e v a r r a , D. M a n g u b a t , P. S . Av e n d a ñ o , S a n Juan, Tirona, Malihan and Mallari Sts. in Bgys. Sabang, San Jose, San Agustin III and D a s m a r i ñ a s c i t y p r o p e r.

P o r t i o n o f A m u n t a y R o a d f r o m D o n P l a c i d o C a m p o s Av e . t o a n d i n c l u d i n g S o l a r H o m e s I ; P h i l i p p i n e N a u t i c a l Tr a i n i n g , I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p c i o n A c a d e m y a n d D a l i s a y Fa r m s i n B g y. S a n A g u s t i n I .

P o r t i o n o f G o v. D. M a n g u b a t Av e . ( P a s o n g L a w i n R o a d ) a n d S o u t h C o n g r e s s i o n a l R o a d ( D B B H i g h w a y) f r o m G e n . E . A g u i n a l d o H i g h w a y t o a n d i n c l u d i n g V i c t o r i a R e y e s P r o p e r t y S u b d . , W i n d s o r S u b d ., A c a c i a H o m e s a n d D e x t e r v i l l e R o y a l e S u b d ., S u m m e r w i n d I V S u b d .; S o u t h c r e s t V i l l a g e a n d S o u t h e r n L u z o n C o l l e g e o f B u s i n e s s ; B g y s . S a n Fr a n c i s c o I & I I , B u r o l I , I I & I I I , S a n A n d r e s I & I I , P a g - a s a , S a n N i c o l a s I I , Fa t i m a I a n d L u z v i m i n d a I I i n D a s m a r i ñ a s C i t y.

REASON:

NGCP maintenance work inside NGCP Dasmariñas substation.

W E D N E S D AY T O T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 1 – 2 , 2 0 15 M A K AT I C I T Y B E T W E E N 11: 3 0 P M ( W E D., 0 4 / 01/15 ) A N D 4: 3 0 A M ( T H U ., 0 4 / 0 2 /15 ) – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T M A L I B AY 51VJ P o r t i o n o f A n t o n i o S . A r n a i z Av e . f r o m P. M e d i n a S t . t o D o n C h i n o R o c e s Av e . ( P a s o n g Ta m o) i n c l u d i n g E . R a m o s , J . V i c t o r, M . A n t o n i o , M . S a n t i l l a n , P. V i l l a r, P i e r c e a n d Ta y l o S t s .; A n d o k ’s R e s t a u r a n t , M a k a t i I n t e r n a t i o n a l I n n s , H e r a l d S u i t e s , E u r o t e l M a k a t i , N T T H o t e l , P i o D e l P i l a r B a r a n g a y H a l l a n d S a n t i l l a n B l d g . i n B g y. P i o D e l P i l a r.

REASON:

L i n e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k a l o n g A n t o n i o S . A r n a i z Av e . i n B g y. D e l P i l a r, M a k a t i C i t y.

T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 2 , 2 0 15 L AG U N A ( C A L A M B A ) BET WEEN 8:0 0A M A ND 9:0 0A M – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUITS CIP 2 325SD A ND 326SD; C I P 2 3 2 3 S D – C I P P 3 2 7C I P ; A N D C I P 2 3 2 4 S D – C I P P 312 C I P P S I Te c h n o l o g y, Fr a n ke F o o d S e r v i c e S y s t e m s , M i y o s h i , To t o k u , O P L , A u s t r i a M i c r o m e s y s t e m s , M i c r o - M e c h , A l i r o n P h i l s ., I o n i c s E M S , O P T I I S , A l c o a , S m a r t E l e c t r o n i c s , H K T P h i l s . a n d D a e h w a D i g i t a l Te c h . i n C a r m e l r a y I n d u s t r i a l P a r k I I i n B g y. Tu l o a n d P u n t a .

B E T W E E N 8 : 0 0 A M A N D 2 : 0 0 P M – T H E W H O L E O F C I R C U I T S C I P P 311C I P, 313 C I P, 315 C I P, 3 2 3 C I P A N D 3 2 6 C I P U n i v e r s a l H a r v e s t e r, M T E Te c h n o l o g y I n c ., N a n o s Te c h E l e c t r o n i c s C o r p ., A c c e n t u r e , I n c ., M o n d e M . Y. S a n B i s c u i t , A d v a n t e k I n c ., Te c h n o M o l d p l a s , P a n a s o n i c P r e c i s i o n D e v i c e s , D e l t a D e s i g n P h i l s . , K a n s a i C o r p ., K a n s a i P a i n t P h i l s , J o s C i r c u i t I n c ., A d a m p a k & P r i n t ( P h i l s .) , I t o - S e i s a k u s h o P h i l s ., O N S e m i c o n d u c t o r P h i l s ., S h e l l S h a r e d S e r v i c e s ( A s i a) , Te c h l o g C e n t e r, P h i l i p p i n e s To h b e C o r p ., C o n t a i n e r b o a r d & P a c k a g i n g , C a r m e l r a y – J T C I C o r p . , I LO L a n d , P h o t o c i r c u i t s P h i l s ., O P H I L , a n d K i n e r g y P h i l s . i n C a r m e l r a y I n d u s t r i a l P a r k I I i n B g y. Tu l o a n d P u n t a .

REASON:

Preventive maintenance and testing work inside Meralco CIPP and Meralco CIP 2 substations.

T H U R S D AY T O F R I D AY, A P R I L 2 – 3 , 2 0 15 M A N I L A ( T O N D O) B E T W E E N 12 : 01A M ( T H U ., 0 4 / 0 2 /15 ) A N D 3 : 0 0 P M ( F R I ., 0 4 / 0 3 /15 ) – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S T U T U B A N 4 5 V T A N D 5 3 V T Tu t u b a n C e n t e r C l u s t e r B l d g s . 1 & 2 a n d C e n t e r m a l l 1 & 2.

REASON:

P r e v e n t i v e m a i n t e n a n c e w o r k o f f a c i l i t i e s s e r v i n g Tu t u b a n P r o p e r t i e s .

PA S AY C I T Y B E T W E E N 8 : 0 0 A M A N D 8 : 3 0 A M ( T H U ., 0 4 / 0 2 /15 ) A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 7: 3 0 P M A N D 8 : 0 0 P M ( F R I . , 0 4 / 0 3 /15 ) – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S PA C O 414 V Y A N D 4 2 4 V Y P o r t i o n o f P r e s i d e n t M a n u e l A . R o x a s B l v d . f r o m M a n i l a Ya c h t C l u b t o a n d i n c l u d i n g P h i l i p p i n e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n C e n t e r, S o f i t e l , M a y b a n k , P h i l i p p i n e N a v y a n d Depar tment of Finance.

P o r t i o n o f F. B . H a r r i s o n Av e . f r o m S e n . G i l P u y a t Av e . ( B u e n d i a Av e .) t o a n d i n c l u d i n g Balagtas and Sinciego Sts. B E T W E E N 8 : 0 0 A M ( T H U . , 0 4 / 0 2 /15 ) A N D 8 : 0 0 P M ( F R I ., 0 4 / 0 3 /15 ) – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S PA C O 414 V Y A N D 4 2 4 V Y C u l t u r a l C e n t e r o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s (C C P) a l o n g P r e s i d e n t M a n u e l A . Roxas Blvd.

REASON:

Preventive maintenance work of facilities ser ving Cultural Center of t h e P h i l i p p i n e s ( C C P) i n P a s a y C i t y.

S AT U R D AY, A P R I L 4 , 2 0 15 PA S AY C I T Y B E T W E E N 9 : 0 0 A M A N D 9 : 3 0 A M A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 4: 3 0 P M A N D 5 : 0 0 P M – P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S PA C O 414 V Y A N D 4 2 4 V Y P o r t i o n o f P r e s i d e n t M a n u e l A . R o x a s B l v d . f r o m M a n i l a Ya c h t C l u b t o a n d i n c l u d i n g C u l t u r a l C e n t e r o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s (C C P) C o m p l e x , S o f i t e l , M a y b a n k , P h i l i p p i n e N a v y a n d Depar tment of Finance.

P o r t i o n o f F. B . H a r r i s o n Av e . f r o m S e n . G i l P u y a t Av e . ( B u e n d i a Av e .) t o a n d including Balagtas and Sinciego Sts. B E T W E E N 9 : 0 0 A M A N D 5 : 0 0 P M - P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T S PA C O 414 V Y A N D 4 2 4 V Y P h i l i p p i n e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n C e n t e r ( P I C C) a l o n g P r e s i d e n t M a n u e l A . R o x a s B l v d .

REASON:

Preventive maintenance work of facilities ser ving I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n C e n t e r ( P I C C) i n P a s a y C i t y.

Philippine

S U N D AY, A P R I L 5 , 2 0 15 L AG U N A A N D Q U E Z O N P R O V I N C E B E T W E E N 1: 0 0 A M A N D 2 : 0 0 A M A N D T H E N B E T W E E N 7: 0 0 A M A N D 8 : 0 0 A M – T H E W H O L E O F C I R C U I T S TAYA B A S 4 4 Z Y A N D 4 8 Z Y; A N D P O R T I O N O F C I R C U I T TAYA B A S 51Z Y P o r t i o n o f L u c e n a – Ta y a b a s – L u c b a n – M a j a y j a y – L u i s i a n a M u n i c i p a l R o a d f r o m Q u e z o n Av e . i n L u c e n a C i t y p r o p e r, Q u e z o n t o a n d i n c l u d i n g t h e w h o l e t o w n o f L u i s i a n a , L a g u n a ; B g y s . B a k i a , B o t o c a n , B u r g o s , G a g a l o t , P i i t , R i z a l a n d Ta y t a y i n M a j a y j a y, L a g u n a ; C a p i s t r a n o S u b d .; B g y s . I b a s , D a p d a p, C a m a y s a , L a l o , M a t e u n a , M a y a o C a s t i l l o a n d W a k a s i n Ta y a b a s ; H e r m a n o C a p i s t r a n o S u b d . I I , C a m p N a k a r, C a m p o S u b d ., P a g - i b i g P a r k S u b d . , A . O r g a s S u b d . , W e s t E m p l o y e e s V i l l a g e , M a r i l a g V i l l a g e , Z a b a l l e r o S u b d ., S o u t h E m p l o y e e s S u b d . , R e g i s S u b d . a n d M t . C a r m e l S u b d . i n B g y. G u l a n g - g u l a n g i n L u c e n a C i t y ; and the whole town of Lucban, Quezon.

P o r t i o n o f A l l a r e y S t . f r o m M t . C a r m e l H o s p i t a l t o a n d i n c l u d i n g G o v. L e o n G u i n t o , G r a n j a a n d M a l v a r S t s .; M a r y h i l l C o l l e g e , P a c i f i c M a l l a n d L u c e n a C i t y H a l l i n L u c e n a C i t y P r o p e r, Q u e z o n .

P o r t i o n o f Q u e z o n Av e . f r o m G o v. L e o n G u i n t o S t . t o a n d i n c l u d i n g L . F. Te a c h e r s V i l l a g e , S t . J u d e V i l l a g e , C a p i t o l H o m e s i t e S u b d . a n d S a n F e r n a n d o C p d .; Q u e z o n Convention Center and Quezon Provincial Capitol Compound in Bgys. Cot ta and Cit y proper i n L u c e n a C i t y, Q u e z o n .

Por tion of Mahar lika Highway from Sto. Rosario Subd. to and including the whole t o w n o f P a g b i l a o e x c e p t B g y s . I l a y a n g P o l o a n d I b a b a n g P o l o; C a l m a r H o m e s S u b d ., M a r v i l l e H o m e s S u b d . , M e t r o p o l i s H o m e S u b d ., A l p s v i l l e S u b d ., V i l l a g e o f S t . J u d e , H i l l s v i e w S u b d ., B l i s s S u b d . , Fa m i l y L a n d S u b d . a n d S t o . N i ñ o S u b d .; D a l a h i c a n R o a d; S M – L u c e n a C i t y ; B g y s . B a r r a , B o c o h a n , D a l a h i c a n , D o m o i t , I b a b a n g D u p a y, I l a y a n g D u p a y, I l a y a n g I y a m , M a r ke t V i e w, M a y a o C a s t i l l o , M a y a o C r o s s i n g , M a y a o K a n l u r a n , M a y a o P a r a d a , M a y a o S i l a n g a n a n d Ta l a o - t a l a o i n L u c e n a C i t y, Q u e z o n .

Por tion of Lucena Diversion Road from near Lucena – Pagbilao Municpal boundar y t o a n d i n c l u d i n g M e t r o p o l i s S u b d .; Q u e z o n P o u l t r y & L i v e s t o c k Fa r m i n B g y s . M a y a o K a n l u r a n a n d M a y a o S i l a n g a n , L u c e n a C i t y, Q u e z o n .

REASON:

P r e v e n t i v e a n d m a i n t e n a n c e w o r k i n s i d e M e r a l c o Ta y a b a s s u b s t a t i o n .

M E R A L C O e x e r t s a l l e f f o r t s t o r e s t o r e e l e c t r i c s e r v i c e a s s c h e d u l e d . H o w e v e r, t h e r e are instanc es when due to unavoidable circumstanc es, restoration may ex tend beyond the published schedule.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e c o n t a c t o u r C A L L C E N T E R a t t e l e p h o n e n o s . 16 211 / 6 31 1111, f a x n o s . 16 2 2 - 8 5 5 4 / 16 2 2 - 8 5 5 6 , o r e - m a i l a d d r e s s c a l l c e n t e r. t e c h . a s s i s t @ m e r a l c o . c o m . ph. For faster resolution of inquiries, please use the Bill ID Number or Ser vic e Identif ic ation N u m b e r (S I N ) i n d i c a t e d i n y o u r e l e c t r i c b i l l s .

F o r t h o s e w h o p r e f e r t o r e c e i v e t h i s s c h e d u l e v i a e - m a i l , p l e a s e w r i t e u s a t c a l l c e n t e r. t e c h . a s s i s t @ m e r a l c o . c o m . p h a n d t y p e i n t h e p h r a s e “ R e q u e s t f o r w e e k l y s c h e d u l e ”.

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F r i d ay : M a r C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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Pulse Asia: Top officials losing trust of people

Right is might. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario answers questions during a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila where he stressed that no country in the world recognizes China’s claim in the South China and West Philippine Seas. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

By Sandy Araneta

NOT one of the country’s top five government officials-President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno--have majority approval and trust ratings, the latest Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey showed.

‘China alone in claims to sea’

By Vito Barcelo NO nation in the world recognizes China’s nine-dash claim in the South China Sea and the weakness of its legal base is the reason Beijing is undertaking massive reclamation in disputed waters, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

“It reaffirms the belief that no country in the world recognizes that the nine-dash line is a valid claim on the part of China,” Del Rosario said at a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

Del Rosario accused China of accelerating its expansionist agenda by changing the size, structure and physical attributes of land features in the South China Sea and have even rammed Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea, endangering the lives of fishermen.

“China is aware it has to engage in a battle

of public opinion and shape the narrative in its favor given the weak legal case it is standing on,” Del Rosario said, adding that the Philippines chose to pursue international arbitration “to preserve a valued friendship” with China.

The DFA chief highlighted the international community’s significant support for the Philippines’ advocacy for a peaceful and rulesbased settlement of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

Del Rosario welcomed the growing international support after United States Senators John McCain, Bob Corker, Jack Reed and Bob Menendez warned that China’s land reclamation and construction in the region could be considered “a direct challenge, not only to the interests of the United States and

the region, but to the entire international community.”

The Pulse Asia survey also noted that Aquino is no longer the most trusted top government official as the President’s ratings dropped to a record low last week due to the Jan. 25 Mamasapano debacle in which 44 Special Action Force commandos were killed in an encounter with Muslim rebels.

Drilon, who had a trust rating of 44 percent, replaced Aquino at the top of the list.

Vice President Jejomar Binay came in second, with a 42 percent trust rating.

“The leading government officials of the country were unable to obtain majority approval and trust ratings for the first quarter of 2015,” the Pulse Asia survey said.

Aquino registered essentially the same approval and indecision ratings (38 percent versus 39 percent) as well as trust and indecision figures (36 percent versus 37 percent), the Pulse Asia survey said.

Appreciation and trust were the plurality sentiments toward Binay (46 percent and 42 percent, respectively), it also said.

Drilon enjoys a near majority approval score (49 percent) but obtained almost the same trust and

indecision ratings (44 percent versus 38 percent).

Near to small majorities expressed ambivalence toward the performance and trustworthiness of Belmonte (both at 53 perent) and Sereno (48 percent and 49 percent, respectively).

The disapproval ratings of these government officials range from 12 percent for Drilon to 23 percent for Aquino and Binay.

Distrust of them ranged from 18 percent for Drilon to 27 percent for Aquino and Binay.

Across geographic areas and socioeconomic classes, Aquino posted a near majority approval rating among the Class e (47 percent) while registering nearly the same approval and indecision ratings in the rest of Luzon, Mindanao and Class D (35 percent to 45 percent versus 39 percent to 43 percent).

In Metro Manila, almost the same percentages of residents are either critical of presidential performance or ambivalent on the matter (41 percent versus 33 percent) while in Class ABC, public opinion is split three-ways as 35 percent approved of the President’s quarterly performance, 35 percent could not say if they approved or disapproved, and 30 percent were critical.

Bets given five days to file bids

By Sandy Araneta The Commission on elections gave aspirants to elective posts in the May 2016 polls five days in October to file their certificates of candidacy.

The body, during its regular en banc meeting last week, set the filing of the COCs from October 12 to 16. existing party-list groups may file their manifestation of intent of participation on May 8.

On the other hand, new political parties, party-list organizations, and coalitions also have until May 8 to file their application for registration.

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law a measure postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan elections to October next year.

Republic Act No. 10656 will synchronize the SK polls with the barangay elections on October 26, 2016.

This is the second time the SK elections have been postponed after it was also deferred in 2013.

Comelec earlier scheduled the SK polls on April 25 pending the President’s approval of the postponement.

An offshoot of the Kabataang Barangay, the SKwas designed to engage the youth in community affairs

but critics have observed that it has become a breeding ground for political dynasties.

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already filed a measure seeking to prevent elected officials from having their children elected ex-officio members in the SK polls.

Marcos is also pushing to increase of age of the qualified SK applicants.

“Increasing the age of SK officials from 15-17 years of age to 18-24 years old would provide them with the necessary training to professionalize their skills and enable the youth to be more accountable for their actions,” the senator said.

In safe hands. A Filipino fisherman who got into trouble at the Philippine Sea is examined by doctors on board the USS Blue Ridge which is currently on patrol strengthening and fostering relationships within the Indo-Asian Pacific region. AFP PHOTO

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‘Sleepless’ San Beda grad tops bar exams A STUDENT of the San Beda College of Law scored 85.5 percent to top the bar examinations last year.

“It was hard. I almost did not sleep during the bar exams. It was all plain reading,” topnotcher Irene Mae Alcobilla, an intern at the Office of the Solicitor General, told the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“What I only wanted was to become a Bedan lawyer, to pass the bar. But while I was reviewing, I said to myself I needed to set standards for myself.”

Alcobilla was one of the 1,126 examinees who passed the bar exams in 2014 and who made up 18.82 percent of the total 5,984 examinees.

Christian Drilon, a nephew of Senator Franklin Drilon, placed second while the senator’s son Patrick also passed the exams.

Sandra Magalang, the class salutatorian of the UP College of Law class of 2014, finished third.

Magalang was a beneficiary of the Oplan Sagip Mata program of the late Health Secretary Juan Flavier for poor, visionimpaired Filipinos.

Rounding up the top 10 were Mark Leo Bejemino, Gil Garcia, and Reginald Laco, who were all tied at 4th place, and Michelle Liao, Jose Angelo David, Adrian Aumentado, Rhey David Daway, Fideliz Cardellie Diaz, Jamie Liz Yu and Tristan Matthew Delgado.

Alcobilla, Magalang, Bejemino, Daway and Yu are all legal interns at the Office of the Solicitor General.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, the chairman of the 2014 Committee on the bar examinations, said the oathtaking of the successful bar candidates will be on April 24 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Rey E. Requejo

Judgement day. An emotional examinee hugs a friend after finding out that she passed the 2014 Bar examination at the grounds of the Supreme Court in Manila on Thursday. DANNY PATA

High court refuses to meddle in Makati

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

THE Supreme Court did not act on the Ombudsman’s petition to stop the Court of Appeals from lifting the six-month suspension it imposed on Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay Jr. in connection with the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. The high court instead ordered the appellate court’s Sixth Division and Binay to comment on the Ombudsman’s petition not later than April 6, the start of the Court’s summer session in Baguio City, high court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters.

The Court also ordered the Ombudsman, Justice Secretary Leila

de Lima, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and several others to comment on the contempt of court raps that Binay filed against them for refusing to heed the Court of Appeals’ order stopping the mayor’s suspension.

In the Senate, meanwhile, Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago said the high court should

quickly resolve the case between Binay and Vice Mayor Kid Peña, who was designated by the Interior Department as acting mayor following Binay’s suspension by the Ombudsman.

She said the immediate issue now was which official the city hall employees would be following.

She said there were many reasons why the two wanted to be mayor, and the first was money.

Te announced the high court’s decision after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales asked the high court to stop the CA’s Sixth Division from conducting proceedings in connection with Binay’s plea against his suspension.

Morales argued that the

CA’s issuance of a TRO on the suspension order it issued against Binay had undermined the Ombudsman’s independence. She said the Office of the Ombudsman was an independent body created by the 1987 Constitution to curb corruption and abuse in the government, and it was “deliberately placed outside the ambit of the political branches of government to free it from the insidious tentacles of politics.”

The Ombudsman also argued that Binay’s continued access to documents and witnesses at the Makati City Hall was compromising and endangering the integrity of the pending administrative cases against him. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Cory not Gabriela Silang, group says

By Rio N. Araja

Lack of power. Members of the Freedom from Debt Coalition hold up signs in front of the Energy Regulatory Commission in Pasig City to protest policies in the power sector that make electricity the most expensive in Asia. MANNY PALMERO

A WOMEN’S group on Thursday criticized President Benigno Aquino III for comparing her mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, to Gabriela Silang, the first Filipino woman revolutionary leader.

Joan Mae Salvador, secretary general of the Gabriela National Alliance of Women, made the criticism following the women’s month celebration of women entrepreneurs at the Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority in Pasay City.

She said the comparison was not only an insult to their group, which is named after Silang, wife of the Ilocano revolutionary leader Diego Silang, but also to the heroine herself.

She called on women to call for Aquino’s resignation for his failure to look after the welfare of women.

“Only someone so out of touch with reality and desperate to raise his plummeting popularity rating could think of something as incredible as likening his mother to Gabriela Silang,” Salvador said in a statement.

“The difference between Gabriela and Cory Aquino is as wide as the Pacific Ocean. Cory Aquino may have succeeded in taking up the fight of her husband Ninoy [Benigno Aquino Jr.], but it was never a fight against foreign domination. Cory in fact continued the centuries-old subservience to US economic and political interests, something which his son Noynoy is carrying on up to this very day.”

Aquino met with Tesda’s women entrepreneurs at the Tesda-Coke Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources program, comparing her mother to Gabriela who, like her husband, fought the Spaniards.

“Other portions of Aquino’s speech on women’s empowerment also sent eyebrows raising and heads shaking in disbelief,” Salvador said.

“In his speech, Aquino lauded Tesda’s Coke STAR Program as empowering to women by being able to earn while also taking care of household chores. He also said that the program provides women with the opportunity to contribute in community development as well as in advancing the country’s economic development.”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Monsod: PNoy action questionable Cayetano won’t settle for 2nd best in 2016 election

Feeling threatened. Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday described as a “slap on the wrist” the recommendation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to sanction its erring commanders who figured in the firefight against the Special Action Force policemen in the Mamasapano incident. He also revealed a “threat” to his life because of his anti-MILF views and his opposition to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. EY ACASIO AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOP

1st Level Glorietta 3 Ayala, Makati and its branches in Mejalco Bldg., Buenavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L & R Bldg., Pasay Road, Makati auction sale on April 05, 2015, 2:00 pm Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas, Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave., Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City at 2:30 pm. All items pawned May to Nov 2014.

Notary Public

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

“If I do run, I’ll run for President and not for Vice President.”

Speaking at the “Kapihan sa Senado,” Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said he would not choose running for vice president because he cannot implement his vision for the country.

“I’m not the type of Vice President who would just keep quiet and ‘lick the ass’ of the President so that I can get his endorsement during the next elections,” said Cayetano.

The second term senator strongly believes that if one is going to run (in any elective position), he must spell the difference.

“But I’m not willing to be a President, not to win, if Mindanao will be lost or there will be war in Mindanao,” stressed Cayetano as he divulged receiving intelligence information that certain politicians “would have to be sacrificed” to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). His sources also informed him of a possible threat to his life.

Cayetano, who withdrew his authorship of the BBL, said his source told him “there are politicians, or a politician in particular and politicians in general that have to be sacrificed for the BBL to be passed.”

He said the information was contained in two separate reports —one containing the name of a specific politician.

“I really don’t want to talk about it, except that we are aware and I’m being informed, and let me just say that the authorities without saying what agency of government is doing their job, and I thank them for that despite the fact that I’m not towing the administration’s line, they informed me officially of a possible threat,” he said.

Christian Monsod, former member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, said the SAF illegally entered a ‘war zone’ for which President Aquino must be questioned.

But Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Jose Estrada said the policemen went to Mamasapano to serve a valid warrant of arrest against two terrorists.

Monsod, at a news forum in Manila, put the blame on President Noynoy Aquino, who he said, should be questioned why he allowed the SAF troopers to operate in a war zone.

Monsod, also former chairman of the Commission on Election, said the law is there but the President could have been unaware about it.

“I don’t know what exactly was his feelings about it at this point. But maybe, that’s a good question to ask him,” said Monsod while referring to the President’s approval of Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“Since it is an armed conflict area, which means there is a potential for combat, the SAF operation was unlawful,” stressed Monsod.

Asked on the possible liability of the President, Monsod said: “His approval of it (operation) does not make it legal if its against the law.”

Detained senator Estrada said the death of the police commandos belies the claims of the MILF that it did not use excessive force during the Mamasapano clash.

The Health Sciences Center BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE 3 2nd Floor, Damian Hall University of the Philippines Manila P.Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Manila Telefax # 525-43-22 / 526-22-76

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

National Irrigation Administration

INVITATION TO BID

(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 / 766-4142 / 766-0157 / 766-3524 niabaneimoafs@yahoo.com

A constitutionalist and two lawmakers took contrasting views on the January 25 firefight that led to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force policemen and 17 Moro combatants and several civilians in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

University of the Philippines Manila

(TS-MAR. 27, 2015)

Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Email Address:

By Macon Araneta

1.

The University of the Philippines Manila through its Bids and Awards Committee III (BAC 3), invites suppliers/manufacturer/distributors/contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder projects: Name of Project:

Supply of Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Cards

Requesting Unit/ Location:

Institute of Human Genetics

Approved Budget for the Contract:

Php16,500,000.00

Bid Documents

Php 25,000.00

ITB No.R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-9 Improvement of North Main Canal & Various Irrigation Facilities, Pulilan, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 12,508,399.42 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents is P 15,000.00.

Contract Duration:

Single Bid

PR No.:

NIH-IHG-14-346

ITB No.R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-10 Improvement of Lateral J & Various Irrigation Facilities, Pulilan, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 12,699,992.52 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents is P 15,000.00.

Source of Fund:

439-184-142

Telefax No. (044) 766-3888 TIN No. 000-578-009-000

INVITATION to BID March 24, 2015

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office (BANE), San Rafael, Bulacan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites Contractors to bid for:

ITB No.R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-11 Improvement of BUSPAN Main Canal, Bustos &Pandi, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 6,166,883.53 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents is P 10,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-SRIP-2015-BU-12 Improvement of Access Road, Bulo SRIP, San Miguel, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 2,458,885.96 with contract duration of 90 calendar days. Bid Documents is P 5,000.00.

2.

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated responsive bid shall be conducted.

3.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

4.

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last 3 years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding.

Activities 1

Any bid above the ABC as stated above each ITB shall be rejected outright.

Issuance of Bid Documents: (Uponpayment of non-refundable amountas stated above each ITB)

March 27, 2015 – 10:00AM NIA-BANE, San Rafael, Bulacan

Pre-Bid Conference for BU-9, BU-10, BU-11 for BU-12

April 7, 2015 – 10:00AM April 7, 2015 – 1:30 PM

Submission/Opening of Bids: R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-9 R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-10 R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-11 R3-BANE-SRIP-2015-BU-12

April 21, 2015 – 9:00AM April 21, 2015 – 10:30AM April 21, 2015 – 1:30 PM April 21, 2015 – 3:00 PM NIA-BANE, San Rafael, Bulacan

The NIA-BANE assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of bids. Also, NIA reserves the right to reject any or all bids at any time prior to award, waive any defects therein and to declare the bidding a failure for whatever reasons it may deem appropriate.

Starting - March 30, 2015

2

Pre-bid Conference

April 7, 2015, 1:30 p.m.

3

Opening of Bids

April 21, 2015 – 1:30 p.m.

4

Bid Evaluation

Within two (2) weeks after the opening

5

Post-qualification

Within one (1) week after the bid evaluation

6

Issuance of Notice of Award

Seven (7) days after Post-qualification

5.

Bid Documents will be made available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount stated above for each project to the U.P. Manila Cashier’s Office.

6.

UP Manila assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

7.

The University of the Philippines Manila reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any formality or defects therein, or to accept such as may be considered most advantageous to UP Manila.

8.

All inquiries shall be directed to the BAC III Secretariat at tel. no. 525-4322 / 5262275. This is also posted at the UP Manila Official Web: http://www.upm.edu.ph/ procurement.

(SGD.) ARLENE A. SAMANIEGO, MD Vice Chancellor for Administration

SGD. ROBERTO J. DELA CRUZ Chairman – BAC (TS-MAR. 27, 2015)

Schedule

Issuance of Bid Documents

(TS-MAR. 27, 2015)

Fiscals oppose Revilla leave

By Rio N. Araja

PROSECUTORS on Thursday posed objection to a motion filed

by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to allow him to go out of his detention cell at Camp Crame and attend his daughter’s high school graduation on March 28 at De La Salle in Muntinlupa City.

“If this Honorable Court accedes to Revilla’s request, it will grant him a special privilege that is not accorded to an ordinary prisoner and unduly create an impression to the public that accused Revilla, being a high-ranking public official, is a favored detainee,” their fourpage motion read.

The Ombudsman lawyers said to grant Revilla such privilege is tantamount to “special treatment.”

They questioned if Revilla’s daughter —Ma. Franzel Loudette Bautista,—is indeed to graduate from high school, citing the senator’s failure to attach supporting documents.

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War drums beating, but AFP says it’s prepared

By Florante S. Solmerin THE military is adhering to the line of the government’s road to peace with rebel groups, but said that in case peace talks bogs down, it is ready to eliminate armed resistance.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, Public Affairs

Office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said of military brass: “I believe they are fully committed to the peace process and that they wouldn’t allow the hawks in their ranks to push them back toward the days when their option was the use of violence. ”

On Wednesday, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar laid down their options and possible scenarios if Congress shoots down the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. Ghadzali said one option is for them to elevate their redress to the United Nations.

Another is the possibility that

their men go back to war against the government. Jaafar also feared their units may break away from the MILF and join the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad and chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said they could not accept a “watered-

down” BBL. But lawmakers, legal luminaries and constitutionalists saw dangers in the BBL if passed in its present form: Some of its provisions are unconstitutional, and endanger national security.

In 2008, the MILF split into two after the Memorandum

of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) was junked by the Supreme Court because the magistrates said the agreement was unconstitutional. This prompted some commanders of the MILF to launch attacks not only against government forces but also civilian communities.

CAAP turns 7. The Civil Aviation Author-

ity of the Philippines celebrates its 7th anniversary on Thursday with the inauguration and blessing of its newly renovated corporate offices, rooftop chapel and helipad attended by employees and officers headed

by Director General William K Hotchkiss lll.

P16-b Pasig property for sale Ex-agrarian chief cleared of malverse raps

By Rio N. Araja FORMER agrarian reform secretary Roberto Pagdanganan has been cleared of malversation and graft charges by the Sandiganbayan after the Office of the Ombudsman failed to resolve the complaint in its preliminary stage.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division absolved Pagdanganan, also former Bulacan governor, of having misused P30 million in coconut funds.

It blamed the Ombudsman’s delay in issuing a resolution indicting Pagdanganan for the construction of a coconut processing plant in Quezon.

The Ugnayan Kapatiran ng Nagsasariling Organisasyon sa Kanayunan (UNORKA) sued Pagdanganan for entering a memorandum of understanding with National Council on Food Security and Job Creation executive director Charles Avila for the latter to put up a private stock corporation —the Calauag, Quezon Province Integrated Coconut Processing Plant Inc.—registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PAgdANgANAN

The complainant said the P30million budget was utilized as DAR’s equity investment to a private firm, also implicating officials of the National Council on Food Security and Job Creation, Philippine Coconut Authority and the processing plant.

In July 2004, a complaint against Pagdanganan was filed with the Ombudsman. Seven years later, the Ombudsman issued a resolution finding probable cause to indict the former Department of Agrarian Reform chief. “(T)here appears to be no justifiable basis as to why the Office of the Ombudsman could not have earlier resolved the preliminary investiga-

tion proceedings… (T)he proceedings were terminated after about seven years after the filing of the complaint on July 15, 2004. Under the circumstances, the delay largely remains unjustified,” the court’s decision read.

“The Ombudsman has the inherent duty not only to go through the particulars of the case but also to resolve the same within the proper length of time. Its dutiful performance should not only be gauged by the quality of the assessment but by the reasonable promptness of its dispensation.”

The delay was “unacceptable,” the anti-graft said.

According to the Ombudsman, the delay in resolution of the complaint was caused by the “political environ” due to the impeachment and resignation of then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

“It is obvious that at the time the Resolution of the Ombudsman was made, Gutierrez was relatively new in her job and nothing appears to have prevented her from performing her job as Ombudsman with dis-

By Florante S. Solmerin

Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman andres Bautista on Thursday said the 18.5-hectare prime property known as “Payanig sa Pasig” with a current market value of P16,450,553,000 will be auctioned off sometime in June.

With the price offer, Bautista said the prime property is worth P89,461.10 per square meter.

“We have been given the green light by the government to sell the property. It’s about time to privatize the property,” Bautista said in news conference at the PCGG building in Mandaluyong City.

He said the Privatization Council of the Department of Finance gave the go-ahead as he dismissed speculations about the timing of the sale.

If plans don’t miscarry, the auction may be done in June after a prebidding briefing on April 17 at the PCGG office, Bautista said.

“Of course, some would say it is a midnight deal, but no it’s not. The government has to take advantage of the current business perspectives to dispose of this property on as ‘as-is-where-is’ basis. The proceeds of course would be remitted to the national trea-

sury,” Bautista said.

“This is not about timing because of politics or the coming 2016 elections, this is part of the PCGG’s plan of winding down,” he stressed.

Last year, Bautista’s leadership submitted a proposal to the Office of the President to wind down the operation of the PCGG which is under the egis of the Department of Justice.

PCGG was established in 1986 shortly after Marcos was toppled by the EDSA People Power Revolution whose mandate was to go after ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and cronies here and abroad.

According to Bautista, excluding the projected P16.4 billion proceeds from the Payanig property, the PCGG has already remitted to the government a total of P168.6 billion derived from either sequestered or surrendered illgotten assets.

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ADELLE chuA edItor F R I D AY, M A R c h 2 7, 2 0 1 5

opinion [ EDI TORI A L ]

Infrastructure Impact Infrastructure creates a significant impact on the economy and the people.

It is a game changer and improves the livelihood and the overall condition of any community. a private company plans to invest over P13 billion to extend the south Luzon expressway from sto. tomas, Batangas to Lucena in Quezon province. the 58-kilometer stage is expected to cut the travel time between the two places to just one hour from the usual four hours. conglomerate san Miguel corp. promised to start construction of the toll road in less than a year. Like any major road, this piece of infrastructure will speed up the flow of goods and give the produce of farmers in the province access to the urban market. san Miguel president and chief operating officer ramon ang views infrastructure as an opportunity to participate in the growth of the Philippines.

“Quality infrastructure will change and impact lives,” he said. “the tollway will help encourage new investments across these regions. Land values will appreciate; new businesses will emerge. Because of the new roads, progress will be brought to the towns and barangays. and we are happy that we are in a position to contribute.”

Major economies in asia recorded economic progress because of the numerous infrastructure projects they built.the construction of major roads, rails and bridges and modern airports and piers, for one, expanded the economies of Malaysia and thailand. foreign investments came in droves to these countries, attracted by the prospect of lower production and transportation costs. foreign tourists, a major source of foreign exchange, soon followed the investments because of the reduced travel time and modern airport facilities. the Philippines is playing catch-up in asia after its neighbors went ahead to build their infrastructure network. several toll roads and rail projects are in the pipeline, but the government must have a firmer resolve in speeding up the legal processes that slow down the implementation of projects.

Infrastructure projects produce economic rewards. More importantly, they quickly generate jobs and greatly reduce the poverty incidence.

Standard TODAY Manila

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NoyNoy’s iNsuraNce after his term expires for his involvement in the killing of 44 members of lowdown the elite special action force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. jojo a. at the very least, we now know that robles aquino is no John f. Kennedy or even a Jimmy carter, who both immediately admitted errors they committed in the I guess we should be glad that PresBay of Pigs assault and in the Iran hosident noynoy aquino is finally looktage rescue, respectively, which both ing beyond the end of his non-extendable term of office. On the other hand, it’s certainly disappointing that the President is only looking into the future in so far as he has to prevent an administration that his landing in jail. aquino gave what he promised was started out with such a his final speech on the matter of the loud bang of reform is Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre yesterday. and no, he’s still not asking for forending in a whimper of giveness or apologizing for anything. self-protection. apparently, aquino has taken to heart the advice of people like senators antonio trillanes and Bam aquino, who warned that if the President said he was sorry, he would fall into a trap. us Presidents spectacularly botched. as yet another senator, Miriam DeBoth Kennedy and carter were never fensor santiago, explained it, aquino haled to court for their errors and were doesn’t want any admission of error or later forgiven and even applauded by apology to be used as evidence against the public for being honest and for achim later on, when he is haled to court cepting responsibility.

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But, of course, this is the Philippines, where the last two Presidents both ended up in jail after they stepped down. naturally, aquino will do everything he can to avoid the same fate; and if that means that he will continue pretending that he had been deceived or that he cannot be held responsible because he is not on top of the chain of command, then, by all means, he can be expected to cover his behind with these legal strategies.

It is already, after all, the season for aquino to prepare his legal defenses. His appointment of Michael aguinaldo, formerly of the Office of the executive secretary, as chairman of the commission on audit, should also be seen in this light. aguinaldo, the top legal eagle of executive secretary Paquito Ochoa, was given the chief state auditor’s post in an apparent bid to ensure that any audit of aquino and his administration will be “friendly.” Because the cOa chairman’s position carries with it a fixed term of office, aguinaldo can be expected to be protect aquino and his top officials long after they have finally left Malacañang.

Continued on A11

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

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A10 EightEEn pErcEnt ImmedIately afPENSEES ter the Supreme Court released the results of FR. RANHILIO the 2014 Bar examinations, I received so CALLANGAN many “undeserved” AQUINO congratulatory text messages. a Bedan had topped the Bar, and tribute was due the College of law of which the venerable Virgilio Jara is dean. my deanship is not of that world!

On many counts, the results were not felicitous at all, although having placed no less than three people on the list of “topnotchers”, San Beda in mendiola has a lot to crow about! But an educator should be rightly disturbed. Bar Results have swung wildly from a whooping 35 percent to a miserly 18 percent. Schools long revered for their tradition of excellence were not so excellent, insofar as the number of successful examinees went. ateneo and San Beda hardly pulled themselves through the 55-percent mark and firsttimer la Salle barely made it to 60 percent. Once more, the issues beg closer and more critical examination. Not: What is wrong with the examinees? Rather: What is wrong with the examination, and with a system that relies on the results of a single, written examination? the stock answer given the question why we should keep the licensure examination at all is “the public good”: It is necessary to protect the public from hacks and charlatans holding themselves out as advocates. But have the Bar examinations really succeeded in keeping the doors of the profession shut against such obnoxious characters? Has the public in fact been protected, and are we not in fact constantly regaled by sobstories of hapless litigants bled dry by the most incom- What is wrong with petent of trial lawyers? So, the examination, the purported answer to the question of the reason for the and with a system Bar examinations is in fact that relies on a protuberant petitio printhe results of a cipii: do the examinations in fact protect the public single, written and admit only the worthies examination? within what its members have always flaunted as the most prestigious of professions?

Quite a different engagement altogether is what my domain at San Beda occupies: the Graduate School of law.

I have tried to set it in the direction of being a school of jurisconsults. Of the latter, merryman, in his classic on the civil law tradition, writes: “the preminence of the scholar in the civil law tradition is very old. the Roman jurisconsult -- who advised the praetor and the judge, was recognized as an expert of the law, but had no legislative or judicial responsibility -- is considered to be the founder of this scholarly tradition. His opinions had great weight, and during the second century a.d., the opinions of certain jurisconsults were binding on judges.” In fact, to enroll in the Graduate School of law at San Beda, membership in the Bar is immaterial. What is considered extremely material is proof of scholarship and intellectual acuity in the field of law. In the Philippines, we know the terms “bench” and “Bar”, but the european tradition, Zimmerman, the recognized authority in comparative law, mentions a third, by no means less important, institution: “the Chair”. Catedratico, chair-holder -- terms that bespoke not of a lucrative practice or a tremendous retinue of clients, but of recognized academic authority and prolific authorship! In the domain of which I am dean, we are unaffected by the wild swings between 18 to 40 percent, and the reviewers that, alas, have become the standard fare of many a law school that sets its sights no higher than getting its students to pass the Bar examinations, do not interest us. Journals of legal research do. Francis Gevers, a philosophy professor I had in college, once wrote: For the average college student, the textbook is the medium of learning. For the graduate student, the

F R I D AY, M A R C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Stick to your knitting IN my mindless analytical He has nobody to blame FILIPINO wanderings lately, I usually but himself for being in that PENSIONER sorry situation. He should end up asking why President aquino ever got himself inhave stuck to his basic duty HORACE volved in the planning and exof being over-all commandertEmPLO ecution of “Oplan exodus” to in chief who earns credits for arrest international terrorist Zulkifli abdhir successful accomplishments and puts blame alias marwan. on those who fail in their missions.

PNoy should not have kibitzed in it even Sadly, our country and people are the ulif it involved foreign criminals al Capone timate losers for it. and Osama bin laden or local gangsters *** asiong Salonga and Nardong Putik.

Pensioners of the Social Security System the police generals can perform their po- and the Government Service Insurance Syslice work much better without the president tem also end up as losers when these two inplaying hands-on police commander-in- stitutions pursue unnecessary projects that chief. after having spent a lifetime study- have not even been mentioned nor conteming and performing them, they should have plated in the laws that created these agenknown by now how to do their jobs. cies. these projects are a waste of money.

The President for his part had some remote take for instance, their issuance of soexperience as an executive in his family’s Ha- phisticated identification cards that have cienda luisita, having to deal with militant cost billions of scarce funds in the past 20 farmers and insurgents who belonged to Ka years. they have pursued this project while luis taruc’s Communist Party of the Philip- constantly professing the need to conserve pines and Kumander dante Buscayno’s New funds and by denying sensible clamor for People’s army. Perhaps he considered these pension adjustments. dealings regular police work.

Why must they issue these Id cards with maybe he thought involving himself in the latest biometrics technology used by the marwan’s arrest was part of his over-all re- more advanced countries? they are supsponsibility as president. posed to have multi-purpose uses, but try But it was a distraction from his duty as asking card-bearing members how they use chief executive of our country and people. them.

He is tasked to lead us every single moment they are used in transacting with SSS and in achieving our goals in nation building, GSIS – which are rare – but more often in economic growth, poverty alleviation, job proving their identity to their banks, remitcreation, social justice, and lasting peace tance centers, and reception counters. Overwith all muslim and Christian rebel broth- seas Filipino Workers value them as much as ers throughout our archipelago. these tasks their passports. require all of mr. aquino’s time, and should GSIS cards are used to withdraw pensions never be interrupted by any horseplay such from any automatic tellering machine but as playing cops and robbers.

SSS cards do not serve this purpose. their With 44 gallant policemen needlessly owners could use them, however, to gain enmassacred and the prospect of achieving trance in gated subdivisions. lasting peace and prosperity in mindanao the Id cards of SSS and GSIS have bedimmed again, he has wasted valuable pres- come our national Ids and they have unidential time appeasing our angry people necessarily assumed the role as their official after the mission he led in planning and ex- issuers. Isn’t the Commission on elections ecution faltered. a better choice?

He is now mired in a politically dangerthe educational assistance Fund Proous situation that threatens the completion gram is another program that SSS and GSIS of his term as president. even if he could are unnecessarily undertaking. Its impleextricate himself and survive from it, still menting guidelines were jointly issued by he would likely spend his remaining days at the department of Finance, department of malacanang as a lame duck and powerless Budget and management, SSS and GSIS. Continued on A11 president. journal is! a journal is the printed forum of scholarly exchange -- and that is the essence of graduate work.

What is a jurisconsult for? a typical question of a generation inebriated by technology.

It should be no wonder then that even legal education so easily reduces itself to tradeschool education (completely given to “howto” concerns) and makes impertinent the very issues of consequence that once upon a distant time marked out lawyers as profound thinkers! a legal scholar treats the law as a subject of academic investigation. He writes on the law, raises the critical questions that lead to changes in paradigm and revisions of the canonical. He proffers his views to judge and practitioner alike but does not seek approval from them, because he is judged not by the vagaries of a Bar examination, but by the recognition of his peers and the respect either accorded or denied him by academe. the lawyer is useful. you need him to stand by you when you murder, plunder or

slander! the legal scholar will, by contrast, ask what makes murder so repugnant and why it is that in war, we can plan with cold deliberateness, the slaughter of enemies, and then win accolade as “heroes” rather than face prosecution as criminals. the legal scholar will inquire into the construct that plunder is and will ask what sense it makes to distinguish between one act of malversing a hundred million pesos, and a “series” or “combination” of different acts that enrich the offender by at least fifty million pesos. the jurisconsult can write volumes on the fine line between slander and protected speech and will look at the telos of penal law and a social order that makes of slandering another a crime. theoretical, philosophical concerns to be sure -- but when ever did humankind do without theory? rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

F R I d aY, M a R c h 2 7, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Noynoy’s.. From A8 in this way, Aquino is turning out to be just like the predecessor whom he professes to hate. Aquino and other members of the opposition before the 2010 elections accused Gloria Arroyo of appointing Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and Chief Justice Renato Corona to their posts as “insurance” against suits that will be filed against her after she steps down; and when Aquino assumed the presidency, he immediately went after these two officials – who also had fixed terms, by the way – because he really wanted Arroyo in jail.

(Speaking of appointing people to offices with fixed terms, it seems that Secretary herminio Coloma is really headed for the Civil Service Commission. Coloma has been unusually quiet lately, like he’s no longer looking to invite controversy to himself as Aquino’s spokesman in preparation for retiring from his stressful job.) *** Of course, the danger of appointing officials who will outlast you is that, if it is done too early, they might get ideas of independence – something that is bad for the appointing power but ultimately good for the public that they serve. The best example of this, to my mind, is Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who has long proven that she is no mere lackey of the President who appointed her and who has also grown into her job as head of the judiciary in just a couple of years in office.

But i am still waiting for Aquino to appoint a chairman and two commissioners to the Commission on Elections, three people who are certainly being vetted not for their knowledge of the election law but for their ability to help make sure that only those favored by the President win in the 2016 polls. These appointments will bear close watching simply because Aquino needs to make sure that the right people are elected and the wrong ones are not.

Of course, Aquino cannot really predict what will happen to him after he steps down and loses his immunity from suit. But if he doesn’t implement the proper legal strategies and make the right appointments now, he risks placing himself at the mercy of impartial officials who could use his own statements against him and who are not indebted to him for having given them their posts. it’s just sad that, to paraphrase the poet, an administration that started out with such a loud bang of reform is ending in a whimper of self-protection. And that a President who promised to eradicate both poverty and corruption is turning out to be no different from the one that went before, as far as seeking only to stay out of jail is concerned.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

A11

In need of a legacy

With his job approval and trust ratings in record lows, President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino iii did the next best thing Monday, March 23. he attended an out-oftown briefing by giant San Miguel Corp. in tiaong, Quezon province, 98 kms south of Manila. There, he felt at home.

SMC President Ramon S. Ang welcomed Aquino, as did his friend and cabinet subaltern, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as well as Quezon province officials. The President was visibly in high spirits. he talked about the Santo tomas-tiaong toll Road (tR4) which connects Batangas to Quezon province through Laguna, through a toll road linked to the South Luzon Expressway owned by SMC. The SLEX tR4, the President said, will bring convenience and progress to millions, not just to the people of Quezon.

Then, he recited a litany of his achievements. in my more than four and a half years in office, he said in Pilipino, “we have gone very far”. “it’s true, we have made people accountable, we have restored the faith in government by the public, as well as by domestic and foreign investors, in our capacity for growth.”

“We have lifted the economy, giving us greater capacity to deliver basic services to our people. it’s true, we have wiped out the shortages in classrooms, chairs, and textbooks. it’s true, we have extended Pantawid Pamilya to more than 4 million. Just this February, the number of housing beneficiaries in Quezon alone has reached 96,101,” the President said, prefacing every sentence with the word “totoo” (it’s true).

A Pulse Asia survey in early March showed 79 percent of the people did not believe Aquino’s explanations on the Jan. 25 Mamasapano Massacre wherein 44 police commandos died. he repeated the same explanation before the graduation crowd of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Cavite yesterday – that he ordered the PNP SAF to coordinate with the military to ensure success but its commanders disobeyed him. Thus, the 44 commandos died needlessly. About 80 percent of the people, a survey showed, do not believe Aquino’s side of the Mamasapano story.

two days earlier, on March 24, the President continued bragging about his administration’s achievements, before a group of local and foreign businessmen.

“By nearly all available measures – be it GDP, global competitiveness rankings, or credit ratings – the Philippines is poised for even more success,” he enthused. Not sufficiently measured, he added, “is the limitless potential of our people who have been the lifeblood of our success.” “having been exposed to the skill, talent, loyalty, and resilience of so many of our countrymen, i know that we have only scratched the surface,” he said.

The Philippines will be the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) this year and next, thanks to its massive infrastructure spending and OFW remittances.

The economy will grow by 6.4 percent this year, and by 6.3 percent in 2016, slightly higher than the 6.1% growth last year in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or total output of goods and services.

During 2010 to 2013, under Aquino, the economy averaged 6.3 percent in growth, the highest in decades, but that’s including the 2010 GDP growth of 8.2 percent scored

by Gloria Arroyo which skewed the average upward.

At the Euromoney forum tuesday, Aquino disclosed that the Department of Public Works and highways’s budget has more than tripled, from P165 billion in 2010 to almost P570 billion in 2015. The government needs to ramp up infra spending to 5.1 percent of GDP to modernize the economy, deliver basic services to the people (like reliable roads and transportation), create jobs, and attract investments – currently the lowest level in ASEAN, as a ratio of GDP. “Factors that powered private consumption in 2014―growth in employment, modest inflation, and higher inflows of remittances― are expected to continue to support solid growth this year,” said Richard Bolt, country director for the Philippines of the Asian Development Bank. “While the economic outlook is bright there is a need to stimulate employment growth and continue efforts to address gaps in infrastructure.”

Growth is projected to accelerate this year

on buoyant private consumption, a solid outlook for investment and exports, and recovery in government spending.

ADB, however, sees downside risks should recovery in industrial countries stumble, and in potential power shortages in Luzon this summer.

Last year, the government cut back spending for two reasons: one, the Supreme Court declared pork barrel funds (PDAP) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (the President’s trillion-peso pork barrel) unconstitutional; and two, incompetence.

Meanwhile, typhoon haiyan and other storms pummeled agricultural output. The result: a much-lower 2014 growth of 6.1 percent, from 7.2 percent in 2013 and 6.8 percent in 2012. in the March Pulse Asia survey of 12 concerns by the people, Filipinos gave Aquino a uniform failing grade in all 12. So now, people think they have a President who not only lies, but is also one who does not deliver.

On issues like lowering prices of prime goods (inflation), higher pay for workers, combatting graft (a cornerstone program of Aquino’s government), reducing poverty, and providing jobs―the President failed miserably.

From 58 percent to 72 percent of the people do not think the President has done a good job.

Did Aquino reduce poverty? Only 28 percent said yes. Did Aquino curb consumer prices? Only 29 percent said yes. Did Aquino improve the pay of workers? Only 33 percent said yes.

For the other problems that Aquino must address, here are the approval scores (in percent), per the Pulse Asia survey: creating more jobs, 37 percent; controlling fast population growth, 37; improving peace, 41; enforcing the law equally, 41; fighting graft, 42; fighting criminality, 45; stopping abuse of the environment, 48; and responding to the needs of calamity victims, 49 percent.

Clearly, BS Aquino is in need of a legacy that defines his presidency. Otherwise, history will remember him as a lying, do-nothing president. Maybe, the President should go out more often with tycoons like Ramon Ang.

Stick..From A10

2012 but nothing on loan repayment yet.

Thereafter, SSS must admit and report its loan collection problems as what it had experienced in its previous student loan programs. hardly able to perform their functions as pension administrators, SSS and GSiS have taken another very demanding work as loan administrators. By lending at a low interest rate and collecting inefficiently, they are only jeopardizing their funds’ viability.

Are their miserable past performances in student loans not enough lesson to keep them

away from this activity?

There is no doubt that lending loans to struggling students – especially to vocational and technical students – is a noble activity, but neither SSS nor GSiS was created for it. instead, the Commission on higher Education and the technical Educational and Skills Development Authority could be tasked to implement it.

SSS and GSiS could then stick to providing social security benefits –in particular, pensions.

SSS and GSiS allocated P3.5 billion and P1.5 billion, respectively, for the program at 6 percent interest with DBM providing counterpart funds at zero percent interest.

SSS members can borrow of up to P15,000 for college degree courses and P7,500 for vocational-tech courses per semester or trimester. Surprisingly, GSiS lends P4,000 only.

SSS has proudly announced that it had already lent P1.1 billion to 72,451 students since

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f ri day : M a rch 2 7 , 2 0 1 5

A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Spurs thump Thunder SAN ANTONIO—NBA champions San Antonio brought Oklahoma City’s four-game NBA winning streak to an emphatic end on Wednesday with a 130-91 rout of the Thunder.

Tony Parker scored 21 points, handed out six assists and pulled down six rebounds for the Spurs, who bounced back from a 101-94 loss at Dallas on Tuesday.

Boris Diaw finished with 19 points, Tim Duncan scored 16 and Kawhi Leonard added 14 points with five rebounds and five assists in the victory.

Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter scored 16 points apiece for the Thunder. Westbrook also handed out seven assists and Kanter grabbed 10 rebounds.

Oklahoma City, holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, kept it close in the first quarter before San Antonio heated up to take a 71-50 halftime lead.

Diaw’s three-pointer with less than six minutes left in the third stretched the Spurs’ lead to 30 and the led 100-74 going into the final period.

San Antonio shot an impressive 58 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Thunder 50-36.

In New Orleans, the Houston Rockets capped a good-news, bad-news kind of day with a 9593 NBA victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

The Rockets welcomed Dwight Howard back from a two-month absence with swelling in his right knee.

The 29-year-old center, who missed 26 games, played just under 17 minutes, scoring four points and pulling down seven rebounds with one blocked shot.

“I felt pretty good,” Howard said. “It was kind of an adjustment period for me, but I’m happy to be back out there.”

In Toronto, Canada, the Chicago Bulls strengthened their grip on the NBA’s Eastern Conference third seed on Wednesday with a 116-103 come-from-behind triumph over Toronto, who nevertheless secured their own playoff berth.

Jimmy Butler, making his second start since missing 11 games with an elbow injury, had 23 points, Pau Gasol scored 18 and the Bulls rallied in the fourth quarter, sweeping the season series between the two teams.

Chicago, who clinched a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive year with Monday’s win over Charlotte, outscored Toronto 39-21 in the fourth quarter.

They took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game on Nikola Mirotic’s layup with 5:47 remaining, which followed Kirk Hinrich’s basket from the right corner.

Tony Snell scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth period for Chicago, who stretched their lead over the Raptors for third place in the East to 1 1/2 games.

The Raptors, who have now dropped 13 of their last 18, could have clinched the Atlantic Division with a win and a Boston loss to Miami.

They still locked up a playoff berth when the Celtics fell to the Heat 93-86 in Boston.

Goran Dragic had 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Heat, who moved two games in front of the Celtics for the seventh seed in the East. AFP

Boris Diaw (right) of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against an Oklahoma City Thunder defender at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The defending champion Spurs won, 130-91. AFP

Serena set to fight through knee pain MIAMI—World number one Serena Williams is prepared to fight through pain to get onto the court Friday and begin defending her title at the ATP and WTA Miami Open.

The 19-time Grand Slam singles champion, forced out before her Indian Wells semi-final last week against eventual champion Simona Halep, said Wednesday that she expects to “manage pain” when she opens in the second round against Romanian Monica Niculescu.

“I’m just managing where I am right now,” Williams said. “Just trying to stay out of as much pain as possible and see what

happens. I know I’m going to have to manage the pain.

“I think if I’m in that mental state, OK, you might be in a little pain. You just have to figure out the best way around it.”

The Niculescu match is a repeat of the second round a fortnight ago in Indian Wells, which Williams won in two difficult sets, and will probably bring her big pain test.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on it before,” she said. “I’m just here in Miami, so I’m just going to go for it and see what happens.”

The top seed will be bidding for a record

eighth trophy at her home event, capturing her seventh last year when she beat China’s Li Na in the final.

“I definitely don’t have low expectations,” Williams said. “I just definitely expect to do the best that I can.

“Whether that’s winning or just stepping out on the court, that’s what I’m going to have to do. I don’t feel any pressure because I have won this title a few times, so I feel good about being here.

“When I hit on the court today, I just feel so good out here in Miami. I’m just looking forward to just enjoying myself this year more than anything.” AFP

Top spikers join Nestea tourney

By Peter Atencio

Cage event backed. Joe Boxer is supporting the 3rd Barkadahan Basketbolista ni Senador Trillanes Men’s 5-on-5 slated from March to June.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes (center) and Benson Ong, president of Joe Boxer, seal the partnership with a handshake. They are joined here by David Ong, Project Manager of the nationwide cage event.

THE best spikers in the collegiate leagues will be around to seek the men’s and women’s crowns when the 18th Nestea Beach Intercollegiate Beach Volleyball competition gets underway from April 30 to May 2 in Boracay.

College of St. Benilde’s Marjun Alingasa and John Vic de Guzman, who retained the men’s crown in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, will make their presence felt, and so will San Sebastian’s Gretchell Soltones and new partner Camille Uy. La Salle will try to defend its women’s crown, with only Kim Fajardo coming back. Fajardo will team up with Cyd Demegillo, because partner Ara Galang is still recovering from injury.

“For the past 18 years, Nestea has been one of the most invaluable supporters of Philippine volleyball.

At the same time, this is a tournament where we can get national players and also provide platforms for the sport to grow,” said technical director Otie Camangian.

f ri day : M a rch 2 7 , 2 0 1 5

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

A13

Palaro host gets high marks TAGUM City—The cauldron for the 2015 Palarong Pambansa will be lit in 37 days yet, but host Davao del Norte has reaped flying A marks from no less than the Department of Education.

Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC (fifth from left) and Davao del Norte Rep. Anthony Rafael Del Rosario join (from left) Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali and Under Secretary Rizalino Rivera, Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. and DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Lorenzo Mateo during the ceremonial signing of the Palaro hosting between Luistro and Del Rosario, who represented the governor.

San Beda cage camp listup on REGISTRATION is still open, but slots are now limited for kids who are interested to attend the sessions of the 10th edition of the San Beda basketball camps.

Organizers said the camps will start on April 9 at the Mendiola campus in Manila, and on April 10 in Taytay, Rizal.

Interested parties may contact Oliver Quiambao at 735-6011, local 2104, or 09228536186, and through camps head, coach Edmundo “Ato” Badolato, at 09088624543.

The camps, supported by Gatorade and Molten, are open to boys and girls aged 5 years old and above, and will offer the fundamentals of the sport to first timers.

For those who attended the summer classes, a special advanced course will teach the skills they learned in the previous classes.

The sessions will be handled with the help of guest players from the Philippine Basketball Association.

Coaches of the multi-titled San Beda Red Cubs, as well as prominent instructors from other schools, are also in the camp.

A registration fee of P3,500 has been set, and this includes a T-shirt and a brand new Molten ball.

For those who will join both the April and May camps, a package of P6,000 is offered.

Classes in Mendiola will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The classes in Taytay are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Valdez, Gorayeb reunite ATENEO superstar Alyssa Valdez is reuniting with former coach Roger Gorayeb as they chase their second championship in the Shakey’s V-League firing off next week with the Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

Gorayeb said he is happy that Valdez has decidValdez ed to join his team, PLDT, in the coming tournament kicking off the country’s premier women’s volley league’s 12th season on April 5.

“She will be a vital part of this PLDT team,” said Gorayeb referring to Valdez, who powered the Lady Eagles to backto-back UAAP championships, including a historic 16-game sweep this year.

Gorayeb, who was coach of Ateneo before he resigned and replaced by Tai Bundit two years ago, and Valdez won a Shakey’s V-League title three years ago but lost to the National University Lady Bulldogs the following year.

They are, however, upbeat of their chances this time.

“Hopefully, with her around, we could win another championship just like the

old times,” said Gorayeb, who also boasts of the 6-4 spiker/blocker Jaja Santiago of National U. “Jaja is a key addition to this team,” said Gorayeb, also the current NU mentor and the national under-23 and Southeast Asian Games women’s teams coach.

Joining Valdez and Santiago in the team are Ateneo libero Denden Lazaro along with former teammate Cha Soriano, Ruby de Leon, Suzanne Roces, Gretchel Soltones, Amanda Villanueva, Jem Ferrer and Lizlee Ann Pantone.

Gorayeb said chemistry will not be a problem.

“I see no problem in the chemistry because Ruby (de Leon) and Alyssa know how to play with each other,” he said.

Gorayeb picks Cagayan Valley, last year’s import-laced Open titlist, and Philippine Army, the defending All-Filipino champion, as their toughest rivals for the crown in the league where it all started.

“I see all teams as strong but Cagayan and Army should have the slight edge having the most experienced teams,” he said.

DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said Davao del Norte looks bound to set a benchmark for all future editions of the annual Palaro.

“We were not harassed for this Palarong Pambansa 2015. Way ahead of schedule, there’s been no rushing on the part of the hosts,” Luistro said in Thursday’s official launch of the May 3 to 9 Palaro at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan of the Davao del Norte provincial capitol.

“We are looking at this year as the standard or benchmark for succeeding Palaro,” added Luistro, who was accompanied in the launch by top DepEd officials, including Palarong Pambansa secretary general Undersecratary Tony Umali.

Also officially launched in the well-attended ceremony were the DavNor Palaro website (www. davnorpalaro2015.com), the games’ official music video and a first-ever comprehensive 64-page guidebook that provides even the minutest details about the games—from specifics on billeting venues, transportation, medical assistance, communications, tourism, security, among others.

The DavNor Palaro 2015 guidebook—which could stand heads and shoulders even with Olympic and Asian Games guidebooks— will be the bible for this summer’s games.

“It is the privilege of our province to host the Palarong Pambansa 2015, an opportunity that we finally grasped after years of thorough planning and persistence,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said in his message in the launch. “This is our time to prove that we have the capacity to host a prestigious national event worthy of being called ‘The Best Palaro Ever.’”

“This Palaro speaks the language of the young generation,” del Rosario added. It is through these games that we will not only promote the youth and sports but also the province as the “Banana Capital of the Philippines.”

PH-Dubai friendly set on Sunday GLOBALPORT has partnered with the famed Belo Medical Group in staging the PhilippineDubai friendly polo showdown dubbed as “Battle of Titans” this Sunday in Makati.

The partnership was officially sealed Wednesday by Globalport owner Dr. Mikee Romero and Belo Medical Group CEO and founder Dr. Vicki Belo with polo players Rodrigo Bauzada, Andrian Garcia, Anthony Garcia and Tonio Veloso, and Belo’s daughter, Cristalle Henares, in attendance.

Romero was delighted with the support of Belo, whose company has long been acknowledged as the country’s No. 1 medical aesthetic ambulatory clinic.

“We are glad with the support of Dr. Belo because the tournament is the first-ever, 17goal tournament to be held in the country,”

said Romero, who just three weeks ago bankrolled the staging the Philippine Open Polo Championship won by Los Tamaraos.

Belo was equally excited in her first foray in the sporting world, saying the PhilippinesDubai friendly match is part of her many activities to highlight her clinics 25th anniversary.

The Belo Medical Group has been featured in the prestigious Time magazine being the spearhead of “Beauty Tourism” in the country.

Romero, however, said focus in the event will be on a pair of 7-goaler in Mariano Obregon and Mathias Zabaleta – both heavy hitters. Obregon is coming off a stellar performance in the US Open while Zabaleta was likewise impressive in the recent United Arab Emirates Cup.

Globalport owner Mikee Romero (seated, left) and Belo Medican Group CEO and founder Dr. Vicki Belo sign a contract making the famed beauty clinic the chief sponsor of the Philippine-Dubai polo friendly match. Also shown are (standing, from left) Rodrigo Bauzada, Adrian Garcia, Cristale Henares, Anthony Garcia and Tonio Veloso.

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A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Blaze Spikers tame Tornadoes

By Peter Atencio

BIÑAN, Laguna—Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s intimidating presence at the net in the fourth set powered the Petron Blaze Spikers to a 25-18, 26-24, 20-25, 25-19 triumph over the Foton Tornadoes yesterday at the Alonte Sports Complex here. widen their edge to She struck hard with a G a m e s S u n d ay five, 19-3, off a series kill and a block midway (M OA A r e na) of errors committed in the fourth, and led the 2:3 0 p. m . P hilip s by the Tornadoes.

Blaze Spikers to their secv s Sh o p inas 4:3 0 p. m . M an e N Tail Coach George Pasond straight win in the 2015 v s Cignal cua said the win helped Philippine Super Liga Allthe players become Filipino Conference. more cohesive.

Santiago-Manabat led “Kailangan mabuo pa ang coheall scorers with 23 points, including 20 sion ng team. Minsan, nagka-kanya scored on spikes.

The Blaze Spikers were slightly ahead, pa (We have to build the cohesion of 13-12, after Frances Molina unloaded a the team. Sometimes they don’t work jump spike from the left and Santiago- together). The chemistry needs to be Manabat contributed two big points in there,” said Pascua.

Nicole Tiamzon and Patty Orendain the ensuing play.

The Blaze Spikers put up a 15-12 proved to be the headaches of the Blaze Spikspread afterwards and then went to ers, delivering 22 and 21 points, respectively.

The Foton Lady Tornados opened their campaign in the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference with an impressive straight-set victory over Cignal at the Mall of Asia Arena. The team, under coach Villet Ponce de Leon, is aiming for a Final 4 berth this conference. Photo shows the team with escort Jeron Teng at the opening ceremonies last weekend.

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY CARAGA REGION BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Butuan City

Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila 1018, Philippines, P.O. Box 436, Manila, Philippines Tel No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax No. (0632) 527-4855, http://www.ppa.com.ph

March 18, 2015 PPA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. _____02________ - 2015 TO

:

FROM

:

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE SUPPLY OF SECURITY SERVICES

All Port Managers Private Port Owners/Operators Others Concerned Amendment to PPA Administrative Order No. 03-2013 Entitled “Simplification of Procedures in the Issuance of Private Port Permits”

Item 8 of the attached Omnibus Undertaking (Sworn Affidavit) Form, one of the forms prescribed in the abovementioned Order required to be submitted by an applicant for a Clearance to Develop, Permit to Construct and Certificate of Registration/Permit to Operate (COR/PTO), is hereby amended to read as follows: 8.

I hereby hold PPA free from all liens, encumbrances and liabilities resulting from non-compliance therewith.

All other provisions of PPA Administrative Order No. 03-2013 remain valid and enforceable.

This Order shall take effect immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) JUAN C. STA. ANA General Manager Enclosure: As stated OMNIBUS UNDERTAKING (SWORN AFFIDAVIT)

AFFIDAVIT (Name of Applicant/Port Owner/Operator), of legal age, (Civil Status), (Position/Title, (Name of Company/Address), after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state that; 1. I hereby apply for the Authority’s issuance of (type of Private Port Application) to be located at (Address of the Proposed Port Site).

2. As port applicant/port owner/operator /duly authorized representative of the company, I have full power and authority to do, execute and perform any and all acts necessary to represent it in seeking from PPA the corresponding (type of private port permit) being applied for.

3. I have complied and secured all the necessary government clearances/permits necessary to operate my business.

4. I hereby authorize your duly authorized official/employee to verify the statements/documents and information submitted herewith, to substantiate my eligibility as an applicant for a private port permit.

5. It is understood that I have complied with the requirements of other concerned government agencies prior to the operation of the private port and I am fully responsible and accountable in complying with said requirements.

6. I hereby acknowledge that I have full knowledge of pertinent law, regulation covering private port operation.

7. I hereby acknowledge that I have fully read the information supplied in the application and any false or misleading information provided therein shall be a ground for the cancellation of the clearance to develop, permit to construct and certificate of registration/permit to operate issued, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate administrative, civil and criminal against me and/or the company/entity I represent.

8. I hereby hold PPA free from all liens, encumbrances and liabilities resulting from noncompliance therewith.

9. I am executing this Omnibus Sworn Statement to attest to the veracity of the foregoing statements in support of the above-cited application.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ______ day of _______, ___, in the City of ________________, Philippines.

_____________________________ Private Port Owner/Operator SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this _______ day of _________.

(TS-MAR. 27, 2015)

FOR NFA CARAGA REGION FOR CY 2015

The National Food Authority (NFA), through its Corporate Operating Budget for CY 2015, intends to apply the sum of is TWELVE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THRITY-EIGHT PESOS & 9/100 (Php 12,106,938.09) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract of security services for NFA Caraga Region for CY 2015 as follows: LOCATION / NFA PROVINCIAL OFFICE TO BE SERVICED Regional Office Butuan City Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur

NUMBER OF SECURITY GUARDS REGULAR SPECIAL POSTING EVENTS 3 12 15 21

1 14

15

-

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT (ANNUAL)

Php 12,106,938.09

The scope of work, requirements and specifications of the Contracts include the provision and deployment of duly licensed security guards and firearms (including live ammunitions), vehicles and communication equipment and the design and implementation of security systems and procedures aimed at maximizing protection for NFA personnel, stakeholders and properties.

Bidders should have completed within the immediate last three years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder and the minimum qualification requirements are contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders (ITB).

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/failed” criteria as specified in the implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF _______ ) S.S.

Doc. No. _______ Page No. ______ Book No. ______ Series of ______

No weight problems for Nonito

________________________ (Notary Public)

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders on March 27, 2015 – April 20, 2015 (working days only) from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable bidding fee of Php 25,000.00.

The NFA Caraga Region Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) will hold a Pre-bid conference on April 7, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at 2nd Floor, Rudy Tiu VIII Bldg. J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bid must be delivered to the address below on or before April 20, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bid opening shall be on April 20, 2015 at 10:01 A.M. at 2nd Floor, Rudy Tiu VIII Bldg. J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representative who choose to attend.

The National Food Authority 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: .

Ms. Hyde Beth M. Pascual BAC Secretariat Head National Food Authority 2nd Floor Rudy Tiu Bldg. VIII J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City Tel No. (085) 815 3284 (085) 225 6701 Fax No. (085) 342 7898

(TS-Mar. 27, 2015)

(SGD) GIL B. IBARRA Assistant Regional Director and Chairperson, BAC

FIVE-DIVISION world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who initially struggled to reduce weight, said his body is “now adapting after doing it for quite a while and the weight is coming off easily.

Donaire, who is returning to the super bantamweight division, where he was named Fighter of the Year after four rousing victories over some of the best champions in the 122-pound division said in the beginning, his weight was a little bit difficult to shed.

“I’ve never gone down below 130 pounds a month before a fight as my body was reacting differently,” said Donaire.

But now that he’s been doing it for quite a while, it’s much easier, although Donaire conceded that there’s always a problem making the weight.

“I thought it was going to be hard in the beginning because my weight wouldn’t go down below 130, but now I’m walking around at 128 and I’m pretty good,” said Donaire.

From A16

Pacman...

In citing Tieng for arranging the multinetwork telecast for the benefit of the Filipino fans, Pacquiao, who spoke in Filipino, thanked Solar Sports.

The fight will be telecast on free television on a slightly delayed basis.

Solar Sports will show the fight on cable television through pay-perview, with Cignal and Sky Cable as the official pay-per-view providers, while SM Cinemas will show the bout in over 100 theaters nationwide.

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Chua, Millet steal spotlight from Manalo, Tiu at national drag-racing tilt

Members of the victorious Adamson Lady Falcons’ team display their championship trophy and medals after securing the UAAP softball championship at the expense of the University of the Philippines.

Mondilla grabs lead with a 68 CLYDE Mondilla sparkled in cloudy, windy conditions and grabbed a one-stroke lead with a 68, as erstwhile leader Miguel Tabuena wavered coming home off a late-off and slipped with a 73 halfway through the P3.5 million ICTSI Manila Masters at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal yesterday.

Mondilla, chasing a second title after scoring a breakthrough at ICTSI Canlubang late last year, leaned on a strong backside charge of 33 then hit one birdie at the front for that 68, finding himself the surprise leader at fiveunder 139 with 36 holes to play in the second leg of the 16-stage Philippine Golf Tour.

Tabuena, who opened a threestroke lead with a sterling 67 Wednesday, actually threatened to pull away with two birdies in the first nine holes for a seven-under total. But the 20-year-old defending champion turned cold and lost his touch on the putting surface on a hot afternoon finish, bogeying Nos. 10 and 12 before holing out with a double-bogey 6 on the 14th.

Lady Falcons extend reign ADAMSON University fashioned out another perfect campaign, hacking out a 10-0 victory over University of the Philippines for its fifth straight championship yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Stretching its unbeaten run to 62 matches, the Lady Falcons captured their 14th championship, and 11th under coach Ana Santiago.

“Ito ang bunga ng tuluy-tuloy na training at magandang programa.

Nandoon yu’ng will para manalo sa game. This is the first time we got a five-peat,” said Santiago.

Queeny Sabobo, who shared with University of Santo Tomas’ Cristy Joy Roa for the Most Homeruns awards, fired the game-clinching two-run homer in

the final inning had two RBIs and two hits for Adamson.

After fanning out 12 batters in the Lady Falcons’ 6-0 win in last Tuesday’s opener, Annalie Benjamen sustained her impressive play with four strikeouts, allowing only three hits.

Benjamen won her second straight MVP award and also bagged the Best Pitcher, Best Hitter and Most RBIs plums. “’Yung lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, nandoon lahat ‘yung kinalabasan,” said the 22-year-old

Benjamen, who is a pride from Bacolod City.

Santiago credited the Lady Maroons, who matched their secondplace finish in 2011, when the Lady Falcons began their softball dynasty.

“UP is a strong team. Hanga ako sa kanila, marami silang rookie, pero hindi sila bumitaw.

Mga fighter ang mga ‘yan. Ang sabi ko sa mga bata, if we want to win, kung anong lakas meron ang kalaban, higitan natin. If we want to be the winner, we have to play like a winner,” said Santiago.

Adamson got a huge chunk of the individual accolades, as Gelyn Lamata shared the award with Benjamen for the Most RBIs, while Lorna Adorable took the Most Stolen Bases honors and Florabelle Pabiana took the Rookie of the Year plum.

PBA quarterfinal wars begin

hottest team. They carry a four-game winning streak with them and hope that their momentum carries them past the peaking Aces, THE quarterfinals of the 2015 Philwho needed to win three of their last ippine Basketball Association ComGames Today four games to make the quarterfinals. missioner’s Cup kick off with a pair (Quarterfinals-Smart Araneta Purefoods import Denzel Bowles of explosive pairings as the two comColiseum) 4:15 p.m. - NLEX vs. Meralco has been sensational as he spearheadpetitive best-of-three affairs start to7 p.m. - Purefoods vs. Alaska ed his squad to four consecutive vicday. tories, but Hotshots coach Tim Cone Defending champion and No. 3 knows it’ll take a lot more than just seed Purefoods continues its title defense as it faces a stiff test against rival Alaska, his reinforcement’s remarkable play to beat Alaska. ‘’We just can’t rely on Denzel (Bowles) to win us which ended up at No. 6, in their series that opens at 7 p.m. in the main event at the Smart Araneta every game,’’ said Cone, who wants to see his locals to play better as the tournament continues. ‘’EveColiseum.

There will be no love lost when evenly matched ryone needs to step up and play well for us to have sister teams NLEX and Meralco, the fourth and a good chance against a tough team like Alaska.’’

For the Aces, making the playoffs is already an fifth seeds, respectively, start their own battle with achievement after their rocky trip to the quarterfitheir Game 1 slated at 4:15 p.m.

The Star Hotshots, who actually finished with nals. But now that they’re in a good position, they the best record of 8-3, along with Rain or Shine are looking to play better and make a run similar and Talk ‘N Text but fell to No. 3 due to inferior to the one that allowed them to reach the finals of quotient, are entering the playoffs as the league’s the Philippine Cup.

By Jeric Lopez

M&H Pro class champion Arvin Jay Millet raises his trophy.

VETERAN Sheldon Chua and young ace Arvin Jay Millet of TEMZ eclipsed the much-talked about Jonathan Tiu- Martin Manalo rivalry as they ruled separate classes recently in the second leg of the 2015 National Drag Racing Championship Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Chua emerged the Quick 8 champion, while the 22-year-old Millet captured his second M&H Pro class crown this season in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by M&H, Sparco, Aguila Auto Glass and GT Radials.

The rivalry between the two national champions went more intense. However, Tiu’s title quest for the first time in years, ended in an unusual back-to-back setback after losing to the American V8 muscle cars in the last race at Clark.

And this time, Manalo scored a big one as he knocked off Tiu from the finals’ picture in both classes to secure title showdowns with both Chua and Millet.

Unfortunately, Manalo’s hopes of sweeping both the Quick 8 and M&H Pro plums were spoiled by unexpected car problems.

Chua waylaid Tiu’s teammate Jonathan Young in the semifinals and completed the quarter-mile run, clocking 11.133 seconds in the final race to clinch the Quick 8 crown over Manalo, who ended with a time of 20.132 seconds.

Tiu prevailed in the sudden-death match against Young to claim third place.

Millet also turned back Young in the semis to seize the final match against Manalo for the M&H Pro title.

The duel ended in a double breakout, but Millet’s better time earned him the premier M&H Pro plum, his second after winning the same class in the second leg of the Northern Series, while Manalo wound up with his second runner-up finish for the day.I Tiu settled for third place anew as he reasserted his supremacy over Young.

Drag racers troop back to the Clark International Speedway for the third leg of the 2015 Philippine Drag Racing Championship Northern Series on March 28, while the third leg of the Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip will be staged on April 11 after the Holy Week.

For further details, interested parties may contact the Batangas Racing Circuit, c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 7295365 and mobile 0932-8604522; like the event on Facebook, www.facebook. com/ Batangas Racing Circuit or check out website www.batangasracingcircuit.org.

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7, 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

Angry smash. Aby Maraño penetrates Foton’s defense with a power smash as her Petron Blaze Spikers posted a 25-18, 2624, 20-25, 25-19 triumph over the Foton Tornadoes in the 2015 Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference at the Alonte Sports Complex in Biñan, Laguna.

Story on A14. ROMAN PROSPERO

ABS-CBN, GMA 7, TV 5 TO AIR PACQUIAO-FLOYD MEGAFIGHT

Pacman pulls off TV coup

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

MANNY Pacquiao yesterday pulled off a historic television coup by using his persuasive influence and negotiating skills to convince Solar Sports, which has the exclusive TV rights to his fights in the Philippines, to hammer out an agreement that would enable the three major networks--ABSCBN, GMA 7 and TV 5--as well as Cignal TV, PLDT Smart and Sky Cable, to telecast his Fight of the Century with Floyd Mayweather Jr. simultaneously on May 3.

GMA network radio station dzBB will also broadcast a blow-by- blow account of the fight live from the MGM Grand, thereby guaranteeing that a target audience of an estimated 100 million Filipi-

nos will be able to watch or listen to what promises to be an epic battle between two of the greatest welterweights of all time, in a bout that was five years in the making.

The agreement was an-

nounced in a press conference hosted by Solar Sports at the Solaire Resort and Casino, at which representatives of the three networks, together with Solar Sports TV and PLDT-Smart offi-

cials, were present.

In brief remarks through Skype to representatives of the three networks, as well as those of SkyCable, Cignal TV and PLDT Smart and the many other platforms that would carry the fight, Pacquiao expressed his gratitude to all who were involved in making this a reality. He made special mention of Solar Sports’ Chief Executive Officer Wilson Tieng, who confessed he spent “sleepless nights” to help Pacquiao’s dream of uniting the broadcast networks

in the interest of the Filipino people come true.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa GMA 7, ABS-CBN, TV5 at sa Solar Sports sa pagkakaisa nila para maipakita, maipalabas sa ating mga kababayan ang fight na ito,” said Pacquiao, overjoyed at the success of his unifying efforts.

“Natutuwa ako sa kanilang pagkakaisa, na ang hinahangad ay para sa ating mga kababayan. Salamat.”

Tieng said “it was tough for everyone” in reaching an agreement, even as he indicated added there is more

Turn to A14

LOTTO RESULTS

Lady Falcons extend reign TURN TO A15

work to be done in the weeks ahead to make this a truly magnificent example of how rivals can get together for a common cause.

ABS-CBN Integrated Sports chief Dino Laurena said the historic partnership between the networks will give local fans the chance to watch the most important fight of Pacquiao’s career.

“Everybody has to have an opportunity to watch Manny Pacquiao lay his claim that he is better than Mayweather,” Laurena said.

Spurs thump OKC Thunder TURN TO A12

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B1

FRIDAY: MARCH 27, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

New geothermal find bared

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines will have a new geothermal power plant, after Emerging Power Inc., a renewable energy company led by businessman Antonio Zamora, found an exploration site in Oriental Mindoro province capable of producing 40 megawatts of power.

EMI said contractor Quest Exploration Drilling Philippines Inc. successfully conducted exploration drilling of its well pads in the Montelago geothermal project in Oriental Mindoro.

EPI tapped the expertise of QED-Philippines to help in the initial drilling stage of the $185-million geothermal plant in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

VIP guest. The Standard chairman Philip Romualdez (left) chats with Philippine Airlines president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista during the launch party of The Standard at the main ballroom of New World Makati Hotel in Makati City. The Standard, formerly Manila Standard Today, now holds office at the sixth floor of Universal Re Building along Paseo de Roxas in Legaspi Village, Makati.

BDO raises P7.5b from debt offering

By Julito G. Rada

BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, said Thursday it raised P7.5 billion from the sale of long-term negotiable certificates of deposit amid strong demand among investors.

The bank said it shortened the offering period for the originally planned P5-billion LTNCD sale due to oversubscription. BDO closed the offer ing period on March 25, or two days ahead of schedule.

“With more than two times oversubscription following strong demand from both retail and institutional investors, the offer was upsized to P7.5 billion,” the bank said.

The latest tranche of LTNCDs has a term of five-and-one-half years with a final interest rate of 3.75 percent per annum. The issue date was set on April 6, 2015, while the maturity date is on Oct. 6, 2020.

Other features of the LTNCD include tax exemption on interest income for individual investors if held for at least five years; quarterly interest payments; deposit insurance coverage with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. up to a maximum of P500,000 per depositor; and negotiability subject to market conditions.

“The LTNCD issuance is intended to lengthen the maturity profile of the bank’s funding sources as well as support its medium-term growth plans,” the bank said.

ING Bank Manila branch and Standard Chartered Bank are the joint lead arrangers and selling agents for the issue while BDO and BDO Private Bank are the other selling agents.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“We are pleased by the success of our exploration drilling work in Nauhan. It shows we have the geothermal resources needed to produce close to our target of 40 MW power. With one more geothermal plant rising, the country is well on the way to becoming one of the world’s leading sources of clean geothermal power,” Zamora, EPI chairman, said in a statement.

Zamora said QED, working with the Iceland Geosurvey and the Magister Geothermal Program of the Institute Teknologi Bandung as geothermal consultants, undertook diggings of two small holes, with one 1,200 meters deep and another 1,250 meters deep, and measured at a temperature of 181 centigrade, or “more than the 170 C we originally estimated.”

“We were able to start flow testing last Wednesday. Because of this successful small hole drilling, EPI expects to award the production well drilling soon,” Zamora said.

Antonie de Wilde, the Dutch chief technical officer of EPI, said in a report to the company that based on “flow testing obtained during the last days, we are very pleased to confirm that our earlier assessment of a reservoir with the capacity to generate a minimum of 35 to 40 MW [net], is now confirmed with actual measured data.”

PSE ComPoSitE indEx Closing March 26, 2015

7,871.10 34.76

PESo-dollar ratE

Closing MARCH 26, 2015 45 44

P44.830 CLOSE

43 42 41

HIGH P44.780 LOW P44.845 AVERAGE P44.827 VOLUME 450.000M

P508.00-P728.00 LPG/11-kg tank P37.27-P42.82 Unleaded Gasoline P27.40-P31.70 Diesel P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

oPriCES il P today

FRIDAY: MARCH 27, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Thursday, March 26, 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 1.01 92.9 30.5 75 99 140 392 59 146.8 1700 130 2.8

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

42.6 6.1 1.66 2.3 17.98 113 17.2 15.8 56.8 4.57 39.5 14 12.98 8.15 12.34 2.5 17 27.1 90.5 0.014 15.74 9.4 0.98 199.8 10.98 79 5.2 45.45 30 90 14.7 317 5.37 14.48 7.5 14.5 7.03 6.68 275 2.25 0.191 2.5 2.68 188.6 5.5 1.3 26 2.17 0.7 61.6 31.85 2.16 7.39 3.29 747 11.34 84 5.34 0.23 1060 59.8 6.55 0.9 19.9 0.75 5.4 5.35 2.9 88 866 2.2 156 0.285 0.245 0.510 9.03 26.95 1.99 0.375 35.3 6.15 6.1 2 1.5

1.55 63.5 67.5 82.5 50 1.9 1.1 14.5 23.2 6.84 0.175 69.35 20.45 58 76 119 276 41.5 105.1 1281 116 2.25

Close

High

6.03 70.4 120.00 101.50 46.75 2.26 2.32 16.6 24.15 8.48 0.440 96.35 18.50 31.00 77.95 95.20 339.6 45.85 168.3 1405.00 69.00 3.03

Low

FINANCIAL 7.88 6.41 70.45 69.5 120.70 119.50 101.70 100.20 46.75 46.5 2.34 2.34 2.35 2.20 16.8 16.5 25 24.25 9.50 8.48 0.460 0.450 97.75 97.1 18.40 18.32 31.00 31.00 78.60 78.00 95.20 95.10 336 332.4 45.7 4.55 174 170 1385.00 1385.00 69.50 69.10 3.03 3.02 INDUSTRIAL 45.45 44.9 1.65 1.6 1.1 1.08 2.19 2.11 15.3 10.9 55.85 55.85 20.2 19.8 29.6 27.5 63.5 62 1.86 1.75 11.7 11.28 20.500 20.5 11.56 11.44 8.49 8.15 10.06 9.99 1.32 1.31 25.1 22.5 29.65 28.85 101.3 100.2 0.4600 0.4600 14.52 14.52 6.73 6.61 0.620 0.620 200.20 215.00 9.62 9.6 35.05 35.05 3.17 2.92 55.00 53.00 27 26.7 28.95 28.95 7.850 7.620 273.60 269.90 4.14 4.1 10.10 9.93 5 4.95 11.70 11.48 3.99 3.93 2.96 2.87 3.55 3.11 5.50 5.44 205 204 1.69 1.67 0.174 0.170 1.37 1.35 2.24 2.21 219.2 215 4.5 4.47 0.71 0.68 20.90 20.85 1.51 1.46 HOLDING FIRMS 0.475 0.475 57.00 55.60 27.25 26.60 1.44 1.35 7.00 7.00 2.83 2.72 780 765 9.09 9.02 15.50 15.22 4.60 4.50 0.335 0.315 1364 1310 72.00 68.90 8.78 8.74 0.83 0.77 16.92 16.12 0.67 0.65 4.96 4.9 5.25 5 2.45 2.45 68.50 67.50 892.50 882.00 1.25 1.18 100.00 99.15 0.4650 0.4450 0.2460 0.2380 0.315 0.315 PROPERTY 9.140 8.960 10.28 10.04 0.97 0.93 0.240 0.240 37.70 36.75 4.3 4.24 5.35 5.25 0.96 0.93 1.02 1.00

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.51 70.45 119.90 101.00 46.6 2.34 2.29 16.8 24.5 9.40 0.450 97.6 18.32 31.00 78.10 95.20 332.4 45.6 171.7 1385.00 69.25 3.02

24.54 0.07 -0.08 -0.49 -0.32 3.54 -1.29 1.20 1.45 10.85 2.27 1.30 -0.97 0.00 0.19 0.00 -2.12 -0.55 2.02 -1.42 0.36 -0.33

1,293,500 22,430 3,452,620 2,889,000 83,500 1,000 1,067,000 319,800 2,140,900 73,100 60,000 4,222,690 6,000 27,100 316,220 2,860 420 620,000 357,860 10 10,070 23,000

-80,451.00 534,923.00 -22,108,496.00 -10,356,407.00 -913,560.00

45.4 1.64 1.1 2.18 12.56 55.85 20.2 28.3 63 1.83 11.28 20.500 11.48 8.49 10.04 1.32 23.4 29.5 100.4 0.4600 14.52 6.7 0.620 218.20 9.62 35.05 2.92 54.00 27 28.95 7.660 270.20 4.13 9.95 5 11.62 3.99 2.96 3.28 5.48 204 1.68 0.172 1.35 2.23 218 4.5 0.69 20.85 1.51

0.22 -0.61 0.00 2.35 52.61 -3.71 3.59 14.57 1.45 1.67 -4.41 2.24 1.06 2.29 2.24 1.54 -2.50 1.55 -1.08 -2.13 -1.22 -0.59 0.00 1.02 0.21 0.14 0.00 10.20 2.47 1.58 -2.30 0.45 -0.24 0.00 -4.76 2.83 0.00 2.78 -16.96 -3.18 -0.49 -1.18 -1.71 -6.25 0.45 0.93 0.00 -2.82 -2.11 0.00

1,333,200 45,000 222,000 7,669,000 1,268,100 20 591,100 459,000 54,870 163,000 460,500 2,230,900 8,464,400 17,839,600 4,483,800 22,000 910,500 1,609,700 681,000 30,000 1,100 475,600 3,000 916,910 180,500 1,900 354,000 3,240 1,798,700 465,300 146,400 190,340 5,355,000 1,165,100 2,200 219,900 313,000 2,453,000 4,515,000 113,300 9,440 146,000 5,680,000 49,000 379,000 1,672,250 252,000 1,479,000 1,500 818,000

28,453,200.00 24,200.00 65,400.00

0.475 57.00 27.25 1.44 7.00 2.76 780 9.02 15.40 4.60 0.330 1331 71.70 8.75 0.78 16.38 0.65 4.95 5.2 2.45 67.65 888.50 1.25 99.15 0.4500 0.2380 0.315

0.00 0.09 1.68 1.41 -0.85 -3.50 1.43 -0.22 -0.26 0.00 0.00 2.70 2.43 -0.57 0.00 4.20 -2.99 -0.20 4.00 0.82 -0.95 -1.17 -3.10 -0.85 -3.23 -0.83 1.61

30,000 493,040 5,927,100 12,000 49,900 300,000 436,490 2,699,300 11,279,400 17,000 2,490,000 238,680 4,017,060 2,079,400 1,727,000 12,148,600 886,000 47,110,000 127,600 40,009,800 669,990 425,980 218,000 15,510 10,520,000 610,000 70,000

8.960 10.10 0.96 0.240 37.60 4.27 5.3 0.94 1.02

-1.21 1.00 3.23 -2.04 1.21 0.23 1.92 -2.08 0.99

2,958,900 9,000 135,000 350,000 6,841,100 1,509,000 3,139,800 1,362,000 27,000

4,867,500.00 -4,249,220.00 22,596 9,000.00 145,632,742.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

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

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

3.25 43.7 1.43 1.09 12.46 14 0.1640 4.05 71 9 1700 2008 9.04 2.02 118.9 18.4 12.5 0.017 0.0653 2.2800 6.99 9.67 2.85 1.97 14.46 0.62 1.040 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 4 1080 1580 7.12 1.2 94.4 5 8.72 0.012 0.026 1.560 1.95 5.82 1.15 0.485 10.14 0.35 0.36 5.2 1.85 81 4.39 2572 0.250 0.26 32.2 48

Close

Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.151 0.460 0.900 0.200 1.49 1.80 1.52 5.49 0.128 0.4700 7.38 30.40 1.78 3.20 20.20 0.84 7.25 1.100 7.700

0.159 0.153 0.156 0.465 0.460 0.465 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.201 0.200 0.200 1.51 1.49 1.49 1.80 1.78 1.80 1.51 1.44 1.47 5.53 5.5 5.53 0.127 0.122 0.122 0.6400 0.4800 0.5400 7.77 7.37 7.77 30.30 29.30 30.10 1.79 1.76 1.79 3.18 3.16 3.16 20.30 19.80 19.90 0.85 0.83 0.85 7.42 7.23 7.27 1.100 1.050 1.100 7.700 7.580 7.700 SERVICES 6.95 6.95 6.7 6.8 62.5 63.15 62.6 63 1.07 1.36 1.15 1.25 0.690 0.700 0.690 0.690 14.3 14.48 14 14 10.36 10.50 10.36 10.36 0.1100 0.1120 0.1100 0.1100 3.94 4.12 3.77 3.95 87 86.1 84.85 85.3 7.20 7.16 7.03 7.10 1000 1000 1000 1000 1984 2024 2000 2024 6.58 6.52 6.48 6.48 1.57 1.61 1.56 1.59 111.5 111.7 110.5 110.5 6.50 6.51 6.51 6.51 11.8 11.82 11.38 11.82 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.270 0.260 0.245 0.255 1.3000 1.2900 1.2800 1.2900 2.68 3.16 2.34 3.05 8.50 8.69 8.70 8.50 2.02 2.05 1.98 1.98 0.660 0.680 0.680 0.680 8.96 9.19 9.02 9.02 0.355 0.360 0.360 0.360 0.495 0.500 0.500 0.500 4.69 4.66 4.50 4.55 3.65 3.4 3.17 3.17 107.60 108.00 107.00 108.00 13.70 13.54 13.20 13.50 2828.00 2838.00 2812.00 2838.00 0.590 0.590 0.580 0.580 1.520 1.520 1.460 1.460 40.05 41.95 40.40 41.40 84.95 84.95 84.00 84.80 10.50 10.46 10.18 10.24 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 7.02 7.1 6.94 6.95 0.360 0.360 0.345 0.355 1.500 1.440 1.440 1.440 MINING & OIL 0.0056 0.0060 0.0058 0.0058 2.84 3.00 3.00 3.00 9.01 9.10 8.90 9.00 0.260 0.260 0.260 0.260 1.13 1.14 1.11 1.13 0.89 0.96 0.91 0.91 8.30 8.94 8.38 8.63 2.31 2.31 2.25 2.25 0.415 0.435 0.420 0.430 0.237 0.234 0.228 0.230 0.244 0.239 0.236 0.239 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 5.19 5 4.65 4.88 28.25 28.25 27.4 27.95 3.9 4.1 3.95 3.96 0.7400 0.7600 0.7400 0.7500 2.130 2.140 2.070 2.130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 7.63 7.67 7.5 7.5 2.5 2.62 2.55 2.59 0.016 0.016 0.015 0.016 161.50 158.10 162.50 159.50 4.15 4.23 4.06 4.18 0.0110 0.0120 0.0100 0.0120 PREFERRED 63.2 65 64.5 64.5 510 510 510 510 519 523 522 523 110.5 110 110 110 114.2 117 115 115 500 500 500 500 508 515 515 515 6.23 6.31 6.31 6.31 1.07 1.08 1.07 1.08 108.8 111 111 111 1070 1085 1085 1085 1080 1085 1085 1085 1041 1047 1042 1046 76.05 76.1 76 76.1 80.2 84 83.95 84 84 84.5 84.2 84.5 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.910 3.800 3.710 3.710 SME 7.79 9 8.05 9 79.65 77 68.15 74.4 10.58 10.82 10.32 10.74 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127 127.9 127 127.9

3.31 1.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -3.29 0.73 -4.69 14.89 5.28 -0.99 0.56 -1.25 -1.49 1.19 0.28 0.00 0.00

17,840,000 490,000 742,000 400,000 685,000 25,641,000 349,000 23,090,900 1,830,000 3,690,000 980,600 3,325,100 127,000 14,000 30,144,200 768,000 14,244,000 95,000 16,591,000

46,000.00

-2.16 0.80 16.82 0.00 -2.10 0.00 0.00 0.25 -1.95 -1.39 0.00 2.02 -1.52 1.27 -0.90 0.15 0.17 0.00 -5.56 -0.77 13.81 -2.19 -1.98 3.03 0.67 1.41 1.01 -2.99 -13.15 0.37 -1.46 0.35 -1.69 -3.95 3.37 -0.18 -2.48 0.00 -1.00 -1.39 -4.00

282,300 13,760 1,937,000 346,000 11,700 1,779,300 15,660,000 3,235,000 805,030 213,100 120 70,495 132,900 22,000 959,650 700 10,600 1,200,000 12,140,000 219,000 1,013,000 1,206,000 144,000 77,000 5,946,000 20,000 50,000 29,000 228,000 1,820 206,900 91,525 504,000 14,414,000 2,425,800 1,704,160 2,999,600 2,038,000 2,552,500 90,000 1,000

-20,400.00

3.57 5.63 -0.11 0.00 0.00 2.25 3.98 -2.60 3.61 -2.95 -2.05 7.14 -5.97 -1.06 1.54 1.35 0.00 0.00 -1.70 3.60 0.00 2.15 0.72 9.09

511,000,000 500 -9,000.00 192,200 142,808.00 480,000 445,000 153,310.00 2,086,000 473,300 -630,825.00 128,673,000 41,238,690.00 3,910,000 -8,700.00 17,180,000 1,740,000 -23,800.00 12,800,000 2,995,400 -5,629,978.00 4,723,000 -27,181,110.00 4,329,000 -59,290.00 438,000 164,000 134,700,000 1,395,900 -9,446,802.00 711,000 633,800.00 42,800,000 19,500.00 930,040 66,965,542.00 26,000 96,200,000

2.06 0.00 0.77 -0.45 0.70 0.00 1.38 1.28 0.93 2.02 1.40 0.46 0.48 0.07 4.74 0.60

50,240 4,020 10,700 110 46,700 2,000 2,000 1,900 1,329,000 20,000 110 165 20,975 350,300 12,000 70,450

-5.12

382,000

15.53 -6.59 1.51

17,644,900 -1,946,397.00 13,490 -410,014.00 1,921,500 7,981,182.00

0.71

4,880

6,030.00 -737,790.00 21,357,310.00 46,707,852.00 199,000.00 -3,457,045.00 -3,457,045.00

MST 31.75 2.51 0.88 1.25 9.58 40.2 14.6 9.82 21.5 0.82 17.3 5.98 9.05 4.25 8.68 1.01 8.61 12.2 48.9 0.0097 12.8 2.05 0.32 150.8 8.55 48.5 2.8 16 20.35 12 10.1 246 4 11.56 5 9.94 4.33

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medelin 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’ Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

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

9.01 Vivant Corp.

1.33 Vulcan Ind’l.

45.3 1.65 1.1 2.13 8.23 58 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 0.4700 14.70 6.74 0.620 216.00 9.6 35.00 2.92 49.00 26.35 28.5 7.840 269.00 4.14 9.95 5.25 11.30 3.99 2.88 3.95 5.66 205 1.7 0.175 1.44 2.22 216 4.5 0.71 21.30 1.51

0.46 45.75 21.95 1.6 6.3 1.8 508 7.470 47.25 4 0.144 706 36.7 3.95 0.58 12.96 0.580 4.06 4.5 2.36 54.5 680 1.04 58.05 0.158 0.150 0.295

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.475 56.95 26.80 1.42 7.06 2.86 769 9.04 15.44 4.60 0.330 1296 70.00 8.8 0.78 15.72 0.67 4.96 5 2.43 68.30 899.00 1.29 100.00 0.4650 0.2400 0.310

5.51 12 0.99 0.185 23.7 4.41 5 1.22 0.97

8990 HLDG 9.070 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.00 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.93 Arthaland Corp.

0.245 Ayala Land `B’ 37.15 Belle Corp. `A’ 4.26 Cebu Holdings 5.2 Century Property 0.96 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.01

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

SHARES 16,990,238 124,467,601 106,388,128 157,401,149 181,228,090 968,639,385 1,574,699,361

-22,160,183.00

-83,430.00 17,199,150.00 -6,874,836.00 13,850.00 -211,839.50

-58,918.00

8,615,890.00 188,218.00

-1,379,252.00 23,976,980.00 12,304,066.00 3,610,339.00 -2,350,574.00

69,300.00 -6,684,845.00 -1,121,204.00 9,200.00

424,008.00

-15,565,050.00 -645,764.00

60,410.00

20,613,970.00 -9,955,050.00 -506,303.00 10,471,572.00 246,400.00 586,118.00 -1,903,716.00 483,940.00 57,600.00 -469,144.00 -941,080.00

83,790.00

201,319,556.00 997,640.00 18,880.00 17,800.00

-116,984.00 67,805.00

190,317,745.00 -8,614,585.00 81,375,190.00 82,861,940.00 51,328,978.00 1,137,068.00

134,770,602.00

10,819,910.00

-19,274,535.50 57,817,600.00

-944,566.00 -323,500.00 14,280.00

-3,883,309.00 -15,420.00 112,840,575.00 3,822,870.00 -10,073,367.00 -751,190.00

0.87 11.46 0.435 1.6

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

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

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group 0.59 STI Holdings 7.78 Travellers 0.305 Waterfront Phils.

1.04 Yehey

0.0086 5.45 17.24 0.325 1.2 1.73 10.98

0.0028 1.72 11.48 0.225 0.5 0.76 4.93

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

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

44.1

26.3

60 118 116

30 101 102

511 9.04 9.67

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

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,309,921,940.46 1,939,912,643.25 2,337,363,045.73 1,427,310,398.842 1,680,152,023.25 641,487,086.738 9,508,984,721.27

-22,927,985.00

116,110.00 140,000.00 -6,054,186.00

-34,968,181.00 775,500.00 57,540,030.00

-23,350,798.00

-125,000.00

60,900.00 -10,005,205.00 -1,895,989.00

147,766.00 154,150.00 -2,939,410.00 -5,028,700.00 -12,003,365.00 28,169,361.50 -5,817,220.00

990,430.00

-694,180.50 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 -11,989.00 0.00 0.00

20,907,965.00 -396,481.00 -1,056,770.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,852.85 (DOWN) 9.00 INDUSTRIAL 12,709.14 (UP) 98.20 HOLDING FIRMS 7,029.35 (UP) 51.33 PROPERTY 3,142.56 (UP) 11.05 SERVICES 2,104.81 (UP) 2.56 MINING & OIL 15,882.56 (UP) 126.61 PSEI 7,871.10 (UP) 34.76 All Shares Index 4,546.20 (UP) 13.64 Gainers: 94; Losers: 79; Unchanged: 40; Total: 213

387,528,655.00

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Asiabest Group

12.56

52.61

Pryce Corp. `A'

3.28

-16.96

AG Finance

7.51

24.54

Paxys Inc.

3.17

-13.15

Acesite Hotel

1.25

16.82

IRipple E-Business Intl

74.4

-6.59

Double Dragon

9

15.53

TKC Steel Corp.

1.35

-6.25

Phil. Realty `A'

0.5400

14.89

Marcventures Hldgs., Inc.

4.88

-5.97

Cirtek Holdings (Chips)

28.3

14.57

Island Info

0.255

-5.56

Jackstones

3.05

13.81

LR Warrant

3.710

-5.12

Filipino Fund Inc.

9.40

10.85

Phil H2O

5

-4.76

Macay Holdings

54.00

10.20

MRC Allied Ind.

0.122

-4.69

United Paragon

0.0120

9.09

Del Monte

11.28

-4.41

FRIDAY: MARCH 27, 2015

B3

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

GT Capital’s profit hits P9.2b What is your truth?

THE Lenten season is near its end. So too are the academic calendars of MAYA BALTAZAR most Philippine schools.

HERRERA This week is a time for reflection and recollection.

Island An entirely different sort of reflection and recollection occupied me in the past week. My high school batch had decided to hold a reunion in Palawan, Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice for best island in the world in 2014.

Like Boracay, the other Philippine island with a global profile, images of Palawan include pristine sand and clear waters. Being an archipelago with a main island significantly larger than Boracay, Palawan has much more to offer.

Palawan is not only about lazing in the sun. Palawan is home to some of the most biodiverse waters in the world. The calm waters are punctuated by gliding flying fish, their silvery emerald bodies glistening in the sun.

When swimming in these turquoise waters, t is not unusual to find yourself surrounded by thousands of fish or swimming with sea turtles. It is an island that boasts of salt water hot springs and island lakes fed both by fresh water springs and sea water tunnels.

Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Tubbataha Reef and the Puerto Princesa underground river, which was recently named one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Palawan is a place where you can come face to face with stalactites and stalagmites over land and over water, where you can knock on rock formations and listen to the odd humming noises that echo across the long caves.

The waters of Palawan are framed by spectacular white cliffs, limestone karst formations filigreed in green vegetation standing sentinel over waters that gleam like precious stones. Like much of the non-urban areas of the Philippines, these islands bring fresh water, salt water, mountains and sea together in magnificent micro-ecologies. There are mangrove forests rich in shellfish. Those mangrove forests are the home of the infamous tamilok, Palawan’s bizarre foods challenge for the intrepid traveler.

Perhaps one of the most magical experiences Palawan has to offer is the evening tour on Iwahig river. The river is protected by the local community.

On oar-powered little boats, you are surrounded by sparkling lights on all sides. On this river, artificial lights are generally disallowed. The night sky sparkles with stars. On both sides of the river, the mangrove forests are home to fireflies, twinkling in tiny bursts of light. The odd firefly moving between trees trace fleeting curlicues of light. Perhaps most magical of all are the starbursts in the river, bioluminescent plankton lighting with the movement of the waters.

It is a magical place.

Choice Rene Sabio, owner of Rene’s Saigon restaurant agrees. Rene’s restaurant is a small eating spot on the main road of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, past the airport. Locals and some tourists head out to this restaurant for what my host assured me is the best Vietnamese food in Palawan.

Half-Vietnamese and half-Filipino, Rene brings to his food an understanding of Vietnamese flavors and local ingredients. His bread is so good tourists order them in bulk to bring home. His rice noodles are fulsome and memorable. These are clearly noodles made with love.

Locals will tell you to come early. Rene will make only as much food as he wants to each day. He is not one of those owners that will make more food simply because there is increased demand. When the food quota of noodles and bread for the day have been consumed, he is done.

We had decided to do a bread run the morning after our dinner and were lucky enough to find a relatively empty restaurant. Rene was there and had time to chat. His parents had migrated to Palawan from Manila when he was a child. He said he had actually migrated to Australia at one point and had then decided to come back home to Palawan.

“This is paradise,” he said. My friends in Australia have to work hard simply to earn a few days of paradise. In the vernacular, he continued. I think it’s important to know what you really care about. Sure, I’m not not a big city.

But that’s not what I want anyway. I don’t need frills or large malls. Especially not if I have to pay for it by sacrificing time for things I truly love. Here, I can decide how much I have to work. I set my targets. I own my life. I have no boss. I can do what I enjoy. I can make food people enjoy. I love the sea. I love to dive. Here, I can go diving any time I like, the whole year round. Why would I want to be any place else?

Why A long time ago, one of my editors posed what I still think of as a slightly awkward but important question, “What is the why?”

In management, we think of it as rationale, the reason for the directions we set and the decisions we make. In strategy, it is the mission statement, the organization’s “raison d’être”, its reason for being.

Very often, in real life, we lose sight of this. We chase the next promotion, the better car, the larger house, the higher salary. In the process, we lose things. We lose time we can never gain back, time with our children while they are young, time to spend with parents while they are still with us, time spend climbing mountains while we still can.

It is a question that belongs only to the young. It must be asked at every age.

Just recently, my son asked me: “Mom, why are you still working?” No matter how old you are, there are moments that you forgo when you decide to spend time on things that you do not truly believe in.

There are, of course, economic and practical realities. The basics must be covered. But for those who have choices, there is a truly important reckoning that needs to be made. What is your truth? In the skyline of your life, what is the light that keeps the dark away?

IntegratIons

Rene’s Saigon restaurant is on Rizal Ave extension, Bancao Bancao, Puerto Princesa. From the downtown area, go past the airport and you will find it on the left.

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

GT CAPITAL Holdings Inc., the listed holding company of tycoon George Ty, said net income in 2014 rose six percent to P9.2 billion from P8.6 billion in 2013.

Minus the P2 billion nonrecurring net income booked in 2013, GT Capital’s profit grew 38 percent in 2014.

GT Capital said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues jumped 35 percent in 2014 to P143.1 billion from P105.7 billion recorded a year ago.

The conglomerate attributed the significant increase in revenues to the solid performance of GT Capital’s component companies, notably the record-setting vehicle sales of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., improved net fees of Global Business Power Corp. and the strong real estate revenues of Federal Land, Inc.

Consolidated net income of GT Capital in the fourth quarter of 2014 climbed 214 percent to P2.8 billion from P900 million a year ago.

“GT Capital concluded 2014 with its component companies largely meeting high expectations.

This was achieved by leveraging on our core strengths and the strategic partnerships formed with global brands that provide technical expertise. This unique business model allows the group to deliver sustainable healthy results. As initially planned, GT Capital has now attained a more evenly distributed income contribution profile from its subsidiaries and affiliates,” GT

Capital chairman Francisco Sebastian said.

“We face 2015 and beyond with renewed confidence in the group’s inherent capabilities, as we continue to bolster organic growth while looking out for new diversification opportunities for our portfolio,” Sebastian added.

Unit Metrobank reported a consolidated net income of P20.1 billion in 2014, driven by the robust growth in loans and deposits.

Meanwhile, the group’s automotive unit TMP reported a net income of P7.3 billion, up 71 percent from P4.3 billion in 2013, while revenues rose 30 percent to P104.9 billion from P80.7 billion realized in 2013 TMP sold a record 106,110 vehicles in retail sales against 75,587 units in 2013, for a growth of 40 percent in a market that grew 27 percent.

TMP’s retail market share for 2014 improved to 39.4 percent.

Land Bank award. Land Bank

of the Philippines president and chief executive Gilda Pico (left) receives the plaque and trophy for winning he Global Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence and Leadership Award at the 4th World CSR Congress held in Mumbai, India. With Pico is Orane Consultants Pvt. managing director and managing partner Sanjay Muthal. The Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Awards recognize outstanding achievements in economic, environmental and social dimensions by identifying and rewarding exemplary businesses in various aspects of CSR.

Stock market rallies to new high THE stock market rallied Thursday to a new record high on optimism the Philippine economy will achieve a growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent this year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 34.76 points, 0.4 percent, to a record 7,871.10 on a value turnover of P9.5 billion.

The index eclipsed the previous high of 7,861.33 points registered in March 6.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said Tuesday the economic growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent this year was attainable, given the robust domestic demand.

“Very broadly, we see the country continuing to grow in a stable inflationary environment,” Tetangco said.

“More specifically, the government’s target of 7 to 8 percent is attainable as domestic demand

conditions remain firm and supported by improving production efficiency and robust labor market dynamics,” he said.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. gained 1.3 percent to P780, while unit Ayala Land Inc. rose 1.8 percent to P37.60.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of retail and airline tycoon John Gokongwei advanced 3.4 percent to P71.70, while Energy Development Corp., the biggest steam energy producer, gained 2.7 percent to P8.49.

The rest of Asian markets mostly wound back Thursday, in line with a hefty sell-off on Wall Street, after surprisingly weak US data hinted at ongoing weakness in the world’s number one economy.

The euro broke above $1.10, boosted by receding expectations of an early US rate hike and upbeat indicators out of the euro-

zone.

Oil prices also enjoyed support from concerns about unrest in the crude-rich Middle East following news that Saudi jets had struck rebel positions in neighbouring Yemen.

Tokyo tumbled 1.39 percent, or 275.08 points, to 19,471.12 after earlier this week touching a 15year high, while Sydney sank 1.58 percent, or 94.22 points, to close at 5,879.1 and Seoul fell 0.99 percent, or 20.25 points, to 2,022.56.

Hong Kong lost 0.13 percent, dropping 31.15 points to 24,497.08 but Shanghai gained 0.58 percent, or 21.37 points, to 3,682.10, having fallen Wednesday for the first time in 11 sessions.

US investors ran for the sidelines Wednesday after the Commerce Department said durable goods orders fell in February after January’s gain. With AFP

B4

FRIDAY: MARCH 27, 2015

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

Ateneo athletic director dumped?

Que barbaridad!

SOME Eagles along Katipunan Avenue are feeling the blues due to talks that current university athletics office head Ricky Palou’s contract will not be renewed for this coming school year. Palou, who is credited by the Ateneo community as highly instrumental in the almost impossible feat of the Lady Eagles winning the recent UAAP senior women’s volleyball championship for “inviting” Tony Boy Liao as team manager six years ago—is apparently being let go according to stoolies.

Though Palou himself may not admit the real circumstances and may insist that he is “retiring”, insiders claim that he is being let go because of one unforgivable sin: he had disagreements with the current vice president for administration Fr. Nemy Que. A letter is actually going around Ateneo circles asking why an administration head who is supposed to be in charge of certain institutional offices such as facilities management, technology support and related matters would also have jurisdiction over sports or more specifically the university athletics department.

Given the scope and importance of athletics, most of the sports heads would directly report to the president, the letter went. So why the exception then in Ateneo? Simple. Fr. Nemy wanted it that way, and so under the current administration, whatever Fr. Nemy wants, Fr. Nemy will always get, the letter went.

Insiders claim it was the VP’s primary decision not to renew the contract of Palou. Worse, the Athletics head had to hear the (sad) news from someone else, not straight from the horse’s mouth as they would say. People who are familiar with Fr. Nemy say they are not surprised because this is the way the Jesuit priest allegedly operates—he will let someone else do the dirty work for him. What’s more, he will let it be known that the deed is being done upon orders of Fr. Jett Villarin, the Ateneo president.

But whether the decision came from Fr. Jett (most likely he is clueless, our stoolies say), common courtesy dictates that the subject employee should hear it straight from the decision makers, more so when it is someone like Ricky Palou whose stature in the sporting community is unquestionable.

But what is even more bothersome for many is the rumored replacement of Palou who reportedly does not have the same clout, much less stature, in the sporting community compared to the director being replaced. More likely than not, the new sports chief will not have the guts to stand up to the administration, in particular Fr. Que. Wags say that the new athletics head need only know one important word: Yes! Stoolies say Ricky may not be the last to go as others are also thinking of leaving because they are not happy with the way things are being run. Members of the Ateneo community including alumni are also wondering how the initial sports fund —a big chunk of it having come from a patron who temporarily decided to pull out—has been utilized.

It’s not certain whether Fr. Jett is really aware about what’s happening. While the current administration is big on the environment, perhaps it should also look at the situation within the Ateneo campus and try to fix the working environment which is described to Happy Hour as “toxic.”

For sure, the Ateneo administration will try to find out who has written the letter that’s circulating and it won’t be surprising if some punitive action will be taken as it’s not really done to be speaking out against a Jesuit whether in public or private, stoolies say. However, the intention is for good to come out of such revelations, and for all-too human mistakes to be corrected the Ateneo way.

••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo. com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

$35-m Emerson hub.

Emerson, a US technology and manufacturing company, officially opened on Thursday a $35-million facility at SM Cyber West Avenue in Quezon City that will house 2,300 employees.

Emerson, which has invested $55 million over the past two years, expects to grow its number of employees in the country by 10 percent annually over the next five years. Shown cutting the ribbon are Emerson chairman and chief executive David Farr (left) and Emerson Philippines vice president and general manager Phil Kelaart.

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ

BSP keeps policy rates unchanged

By Julito G. Rada

THE Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday kept the key benchmark interest rates unchanged at 4 percent for overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending for a fourth straight meeting, on manageable inflation environment.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the 2.5-percent interest rate on special deposit accounts and the 20-percent reserve requirement ratio were also kept steady.

“The Monetary Board’s decision is based on its assessment that the inflation environment continues to be manageable. Latest baseline forecasts indicate that inflation is likely to settle within the lower half of the target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2015 and 2016,” Guinigundo said.

“The forecasts are also supported by well-anchored inflation expectations, which remain within the target band over the policy horizon,” he said.

The Philippines is one of the few holdouts this year amid more than two dozen central banks

from Canada to China that have eased monetary policy as price pressure wanes.

Consumer prices rose 2.5 percent in February from a year earlier. President Benigno Aquino, who will step down in June

In BrIef SMC eyes P22.8-b placement

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp said Thursday it obtained a board approval for the re-issuance and private placement of 300 million preferred shares that could potentially raise P22.8 billion.

San Miguel did not disclose the pricing and timing of the share sale.

Based on current prices, the re-issuance of 300 million preferred series 1 shares could raise as much as P22.8 billion ($509 million).

Meanwhile, San Miguel said net income fell 45 percent in 2014 to P28.1 billion from P50.7 billion in 2013.

The conglomerate’s 2013 net income included P40 billion in one-time gain from the sale the company’s stake in Manila Electric Co. San Miguel said recurring net income posted a 244-percent hike.

Consolidated net sales in 2014 grew 5 percent to P782.4 billion from P748.2 billion in 2013 as majority of its businesses posted higher sales, Income from operations inched up by one percent to P55.8 billion.

The group’s beer unit San Miguel Brewery Inc., registered an 8 percent increase in 2014 net income to P13.51 billion. SMC Global Power ended 2014 with a 26-percent growth in operating income at P25.9 billion.

Petron ended the year with a 41-percent decline in net income to P3 billion from P5.09 billion amid record losses being posted industry-wide. Jenniffer B. Austria

Japan to fund new flyovers

THE Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a 19.5-billion-yen (P7.3 billion) loan agreement to support phase 4 of the Metro Manila interchange project and flood risk management project for Cagayan De Oro River.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Japan International Cooperation Agency chief representative Noriaki Niwa signed the loan agreement. “This invaluable support addresses all the right needs as we seek to build an economy well-guarded against disasters and strongly invested in the mobility and connectivity of its people. We expect these

2016, said Wednesday he was confident the Philippines could withstand potential interest-rate increases by the US Federal Reserve, predicting a better year for the Southeast Asian nation’s economy. projects to bring about a multiplier effect to our macroeconomic successes and to improve the quality of life in the Philippines,” Purisima said.

Under the agreement, Jica will provide official development assistance loans of 7.929 billion yen to finance the construction four grade-separated interchanges at EDSA/ North Avenue/ West Avenue; Mindanao Avenue, C5/ Greenmeadows/ Calle Industria/ Eastwood and EDSA/ Roosevelt Avenue/ Congressional Avenue.

The Metro Manila interchange construction project aims to alleviate serious traffic congestion, as well as enhance transportation capacity and efficiency around Metro Manila.

The remaining 11.576 billion yen will finance implementation of structural measures such as a new dike/retaining wall and retarding basin in the areas around Cagayan de Oro River. Jennifer Ambanta

Petrogreen solar project

PETROGREEN Energy Corp., a subsidiary of listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp., signed a service contract with the Energy Department to build a solar power project, with a capacity of 10 to 50 megawatts, in Tarlac province.

PetroGreen said the solar power plant would be developed on a 50-hectare property near Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. The site has a flat terrain, with no shading from trees or nearby topographies, and is strategically located near existing access roads, power distribution lines, and substations.

PetroGreen said it would immediately commence the two-year pre-development of the Energy-approved work program, with technical and financial due diligence studies.

PetroGreen vice resident and chief operating officer Francisco Delfin Jr. said the solar power project would have a cost in the range of $1.5 million to $2 million, “with land cost an important factor.”

Delfin said the company was also “considering taking partners for the project.”

The company intends to develop the solar facility in stages and can expedite its work program based on the uptake of the 500 MW solar feed-in-tariff allocation.

Alena Mae S. Flores

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

B5

CesAR bARRIoquInto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world Winning form.

Gracie Gold of the US performs during her ladies short program of the 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai on March 26. AFP

One pilot of crashed plane out of cockpit SEYNE, France—One of the two pilots on the Germanwings flight that crashed in the French Alps was locked out of the cockpit before the plane went down, killing 150 people, a source close to the investigation told AFP Thursday.

Cockpit recordings recovered from the crash site indicated one of the seats was pushed back and the door opened and closed. Then knocking is heard, said the source, adding “there was no more conversation from that point until the crash”.

The source said an alarm indicating the proximity to the ground could be heard before the moment of impact.

All those on board were killed when Germanwings flight 4U 9525 from Barcelona to Duesseldorf crashed in remote terrain Tuesday, after an

unexplained eight-minute descent in mid-flight.

No distress signal was sent from the Airbus A320 and the crew failed to respond to ground control’s desperate attempts to make contact.

The cockpit recording showed the pilots speaking normally in German at the start of the flight, the source said, adding that it could not be determined if it was the captain or the first officer who left the cockpit.

The New York Times cited a senior military official involved in the investigation as saying the

black box data indicated one pilot tried unsuccessfully to bash his way back in to the cockpit.

“The guy outside is knocking lightly on the door, and there is no answer,” the investigator told the newspaper. “And then he hits the door stronger, and no answer. There is never an answer.”

He continued: “You can hear he is trying to smash the door down.”

In a statement overnight, Germanwings said that “at the moment, we do not have information from competent authorities to confirm this story.”

“We are doing everything to get the most information possible and we are not engaging in speculation.”

Under strengthened security measures introduced after the September 11, 2001 hijackings and attacks, authorization to open a cockpit door can only come from inside and from a pilot.

Authorities have said they

have no explanation as yet for the tragedy, but said that the plane was still flying when it crashed into the mountain and did not explode mid-air.

Aviation experts interviewed by AFP suggested several theories. “If the pilots did not stop the airplane from flying into the mountains, it is because they were unconscious or dead, or they had decided to die, or they were forced to die,” one expert told AFP. Photos of the mangled black box retrieved at the site showed its metal casing torn and twisted by the violence of the impact. The casing of a second black box, the flight data recorder, has been found but not the device itself.

Arrangements were being made for the families of the victims, at least 51 of whom were Spaniards and at least 72 Germans, to gather near the crash site Thursday. AFP

Cambodia unveils Khmer memorial PHNOM PENH—Cambodia unveiled a new memorial at a notorious Khmer Rouge prison Thursday to remember the thousands who were tortured and murdered there during the ruthless regime’s rule in the late 1970s.

The $90,000 tribute, reminiscent of a Buddhist stupa and paid for by the German government, was unveiled in front of survivors of the Tuol Sleng prison in the capital Phnom Penh.

“I am satisfied and can die peacefully after seeing this,” Chum Mey, 85, one of a few prisoners who came out of the notorious camp alive, told AFP after the ceremony.

“It is important for all the victims who were imprisoned, tortured and killed here. I believe their souls will be happy with this memorial,” he added.

The Khmer Rouge took a former high school and converted it into a prison after they seized power in 1975.

The site, also known as S-21, has since been turned into a museum to the regime’s brutal massacres.

“This memorial, as well as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, is a place to educate the next generation so that they remember and never allow that dark regime to return again,” Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said.

Led by “Brother Number One” Pol Pot, who died in 1998 without ever facing justice, the Khmer Rouge dismantled modern society in Cambodia in their quest for an agrarian Marxist utopia in the 1970s, causing the deaths of up to two million people through starvation, overwork, torture or execution.

In its historic debut trial, the court in 2010 sentenced former Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, to 30 years in prison—later increased on appeal to life—for overseeing the deaths of 15,000 people.

Last August Nuon Chea, 88, known as “Brother Number Two”, and former head of state Khieu Samphan, 83, were given life sentences for crimes against humanity, but both have appealed.

The pair are currently undergoing a second trial centered around the killing of ethnic Vietnamese and Muslim minorities, forced marriage and rape.

Earlier this month, an investigating judge at the court charged two more former Khmer Rouge cadres with crimes against humanity despite the country’s strongman premier Hun Sen warning that prosecuting further suspects could ignite a civil war. AFP

Indian police make first arrest in nun’s rape CALCUTTA—Indian police have made their first arrest over the rape of an elderly nun that has shocked the country, a senior official said on Thursday.

Investigators traced the suspect to the western city of Mumbai and detained him on Wednesday night, the police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“He was picked up from a hideout in Mumbai on Wednesday night,” he said.

“He is being brought to

headquarters of the investigating agency in Calcutta.”

The nun, who is in her 70s, needed surgery after she was attacked earlier this month when a gang of robbers broke into the convent school in the eastern state of West Bengal where she lived.

Police in the state capital Calcutta identified four of the six robbers through CCTV footage and had detained eight people for questioning.

But no arrests were made

until Wednesday and authorities in Calcutta had faced criticism over the pace of progress in the investigation.

Last week, the West Bengal government said it was handing over the case to the country’s top investigators after coming under fire over the lack of arrests.

The assault was the latest in a string of high-profile rapes in India and added to the fears of the country’s Christian minority following a spate of attacks

on churches.

Detectives have posted a reward of 100,000 rupees ($1,600) for any leads on the suspects.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a crackdown on religious violence and has said he was deeply concerned about the attack on the nun.

Police have launched a gangrape inquiry, although officers say only one person sexually assaulted the nun. AFP

Fonda onstage. Actress Jane Fonda performs onstage during the L.A. Theater Works’ 40th Anniversary Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 25 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 032.2015 TO

SUBJECT 1.0

3.0

All Heads of Departments/Agencies and Other Offices of the National Government, NGAs Disbursing Officers, Chief Accountants, Treasury Regional Directors/Provincial Heads, and All Other Concerned.

:

Guidelines on the Report of Cash Forecast from National Government Agencies (NGAs)

BASIS 1.1

2.0

:

This DOF Circular is issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 55 Series of 2011 mandating the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) to implement and adopt a Treasury Single Account (TSA) that will allow the National Government (NG) consolidate its cash resources on daily basis and provide a more effective way of managing cash and rationalizing agency bank accounts.

2.1

To prescribe the procedural guidelines on the preparation and submission of the Cash forecast by NGAs to the BTr.

2.2

To ensure predictability in the availability of daily cash balance with Authorized Government Disbursing Banks (AGDBs) and Authorized Agent Banks (AABs) to cover the daily expenditures of the National Government (NG).

2.3

To support the government reforms in the settlement of the payables in a timely and transparent manner.

GUIDELINES Coverage 3.1.1 The following top spending NGAs are enjoined to implement the provisions of this Department Order starting 1 March 2015: 3.1.1.1 3.1.1.2 3.1.1.3 3.1.1.4 3.1.1.5 3.1.1.6 3.1.1.7 3.1.1.8 3.1.1.9 3.1.1.10

Department of Agriculture (DA) Department of Education (DepEd) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Health (DOH) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department of National Defense (DND) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)

3.1.2 All other NGAs not included in 3.1.1 hereof shall implement this Circular starting January 1, 2016.

3.2

Cash Forecast Report (CFR) 3.2.1

3.2.2

3.2.3

The forecasted cash expenditures in the CFR shall exclude non-cash disbursements.

Submission of CFR 4.1

All NGAs shall submit a three-month rolling cash forecast based on schedule shown in Annex “C” of this Circular.

4.2

NGAs that consolidate their CFR to include those from NGAs’ Regional/Provincial Offices shall directly submit their report to BTr - Receipts, Investments and Disbursement Division (BTr-RIDD) while NGAs that prepare decentralized CFR shall submit their reports to BTr Regional Offices (BTr-ROs).

4.3

The CFRs shall be submitted to the concerned BTr units every second Monday of the month preceding report date before 5:00 PM through secured email.

TRANSITORY PROVISION 5.1

6.0

The Disbursing Officer and/or Chief Accountant shall fill-up the NGA CFR as prescribed in Annex “A” of this Circular. The amounts in the CFR shall be broken down according to type of expenditures/allotment classification (i.e., Personal Services (PS), Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), Capital Outlay (CO), and Financial Expenses (FinEx).

The amounts indicated in the NGA CFR shall represent the forecasted cash expenditures which shall be forwarded to Annex “B” of this Circular based on corresponding calendar dates and type of expenditures/allotment classification.

5.0

All NGAs indicated in Section 3.1.1 of this Circular shall submit reports on actual disbursements for the month of January 2015 and the forecasted disbursements for the months of February and March 2015 following the format shown in Annex “A.” Subsequent submissions shall be based on Annex “C” of this Circular.

EFFECTIVITY 6.1

This Department Circular order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved this 17 day of FEB 2015.

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President National Irrigation Administration

OBJECTIVES

3.1

4.0

Killer drivers still thriving in India

CESAR V V. PURISIMA Secretary Secretary of Finance of Finance

(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) UPPER PAMPANGA RIVER INTEGRATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM DIVISION V Science City of Muñoz,NuevaEcija Tel. No. (044) 456-5963 www.nia.da.gov.ph

NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION UPPER PAMPANGA RIVER INTEGRATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM DIVISION V INVITATION TO BID No. NIA-UPRIIS-DV-INF2015-01 The National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS DIVISION V), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, through The CY 2015 Regular GAA funded projects intends to apply the hereunder Approved Budgets for the Contract to payment of the corresponding contract below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1. a. b. c. d.

Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work

: INF2015-01 : Improvement of Cumabol Reservoir : Brgy. Licaong, Muñoz Nueva Ecija : Construction of canal structures, Dredging of creek, construction of concrete lining and improvement of irrigation canal roadways e. Approved Budget for

the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,368,131.17 f. Contract Duration : 75 cal. days g. Amount of Bid Docs : P 10,000.00 h. PCAB Category : Small B i. Congressional District : II 2. a. b. c. d.

Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work

e.

f. g. h. i.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 11,203,283.66 Contract Duration : 90 cal. days Amount of Bid Docs : P 20,000.00 PCAB Category : Small B Congressional District : I

3. a. b.

c. d.

Contract ID Contract Name

Contract Location Scope of Work

e.

f. g. h. i.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 7,259,434.23 Contract Duration : 90 cal. days Amount of Bid Docs : P 10,000.00 PCAB Category : Small B Congressional District : I

4. a. b.

c. d.

Contract ID Contract Name

Contract Location Scope of Work

e.

f. g. h. i.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,408,107.45 Contract Duration : 75 cal. days Amount of Bid Docs : P 10,000.00 PCAB Category : Small B Congressional District : I

5. a. b. c. d. e.

f. g. h. i.

Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Contract Duration Amount of Bid Docs PCAB Category Congressional District

: : : :

: :

: :

: :

: :

INF2015-02 Construction of Canal Extension at Sub-Lateral E-9 Agcano, Guimba Nueva Ecija ECC, Construction of canal structures, desilting of canal construction of concrete lining

INF2015-03 Construction/Improvement of Culong, Curva and Tundod Irrigation Proj.

Culong and Curva, Guimba Nueva Ecija Construction of canal structures, concrete lining, road resurfacing, and desilting of canal

INF2015-04 Construction/Improvement of Catimon Irrigation Canal and E-8hc Extension Villa Rosa Licab, and Catimon, Nueva Ecija Construction of canal Structures, Desilting of canal, road resurfacing, installation of steel gates

: INF2015-05 : Improvement of Mangolago Irrigation Canal : Mangolago, Victoria Tarlac : ECC, construction of canal structures and CHB lining : Php 5,306,830.99 : 90 cal. days : P 10,000.00 : Small B : II

The National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS DIVISION V), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, now invites bids for the above-named project. Bidders should have completed a single largest completed contract (SLCC) equivalent to twenty five (25%) of a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non- discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS DIVISION V), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below on March 27, 2015 to April 17, 2015 from 8:00 am -5:00 pm, April 20, 2015 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am . A complete set of Bidding Documents (BD’s) may be purchased by the interested Bidders from the address below upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount listed.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) www. Philgepsgov.ph provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Pre-Bid Conference to be held at the Conference room of National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS DIVISION V), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija at 02:00 Pm, April 07, 2015 shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall not to be accepted.

The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below.

ACTIVITIES

DATE AND TIME

1.

Letter of Intent (Attached Company Profile)

March 27-April 07, 2015

2.

Issuance of Bid Documents

3.

4.

5.

Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Submission of Bids Opening of Bids

March 27, 2015 to April 17, 2015, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm April 20, 2015, 8:00am-10:00 am April 07, 2015 April 20, 2015 @ 12 Noon April 20, 2015 @ 2:00 Pm

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelopes shall contain the technical component of the bid, including the eligibility requirements. The second envelopes shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and pos-qualification.

The National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA- UPRIIS DIVISION V), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 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.

Submit your bids and for further information refer to : (SGD.) LEONARDO F. RAMOS Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee

Noted: (SGD.) CARLITO M. GAPASIN Manager, Division V NIA-UPRIIS

(TS-MAR. 27, 2015)

(TS-MAR. 23, 2015)

NEW DELHI— One month after Anita Rajput’s son was crushed to death by two buses as he walked home in the Indian capital, the distraught mother cannot bear to send her remaining child back to school.

“Has anything changed?

How can I let him out on the road? What if my younger son meets a similar fate,” Rajput told AFP, tears welling in her eyes.

India has some of the world’s deadliest roads, with more than 200,000 fatalities annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The deaths are blamed on weak laws, which are routinely flouted by drivers and poorly enforced, often by corrupt officials.

After years of inaction, the government is proposing tougher penalties, including heftier fines for speeding and reckless drivers -- currently as low as $2 -- in a bid to bring down the shockingly high toll.

Victims and road safety experts have been anxiously watching parliament, where premier Narendra Modi’s government has promised to introduce a bill—overhauling a law dating back to the British colonial period.

But when parliament rose this month it delayed the bill until late April, a setback victims described as a “big disappointment for the entire country” although they remain hopeful.

“It’s worth having a new law, even if it saves a single person. I know the pain,” said Pulkit Kumar, whose spine was crushed in a motorcycle accident leaving him bedridden.

Kumar, 29, was riding home in 2011 when he was knocked down by a bus while waiting at traffic lights in Delhi’s satellite town of Noida.

Forced to quit his job and faced with huge hospital bills, Kumar is, at the least, hoping for justice. But four years after the accident, a case against the bus driver is bogged down in India’s notoriously slow legal system, and he has received no payout.

“It was a governmentowned bus but I never got any compensation or at least a courtesy visit from any official,” Kumar told AFP from his home in neighboring Uttar Pradesh state.

The number of deaths on Indian roads—more than 231,000 every year, according to a WHO report in 2013—is disproportionately high. India owns only one percent of global vehicles but accounts for 15 percent of global traffic deaths, according to the World Bank. AFP

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Rediscovering Baler with Isuzu Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

Known in the motoring media circles as the un official ambassadors of local tourism for their ride and drive events around the top tourist destinations in the country, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) lived up to their billing by taking a select group of media practitioners to the historic province of Baler, Quezon.

Isuzu believes that exploring the natural beauty of the archipelago by way of driving to that destination is a way to really experience the qualities of their products. “IPC has been known to cover pretty much every scenic destination in the Philippines and at the right occasion in our media ride and drive series. This time, we like everyone to know how to appreciate the beauty that surrounds the whole archipelago, through the Isuzu Crosswind,” said IPC president Nobuo Izumina.

The beauty of Aurora, Quezon resembles to appearance of the Crosswind. Being the new travel destination in the North of Luzon, the Isuzu Crosswind also has something new to of-

FAST FASTLANE THE smell of burnt rubber filled the air as the second season of the Toyota Vios Cup successfully flagged off at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) last weekend with a record number of 40 race cars fighting for spot at the podium finish.

Organized by the country’s most dominant car manufacturer, the Vios Cup gained more popularity since its maiden season last year. “The turnout was spectacular and the race was very exciting.

It is nice to see the grid has grown in numbers, and more celebrities are racing this year,” says Michinobu Sugata, President of Toyota Motors

fer like the redesigned front fascia and radiator grille, the sharksfin antenna, roof rails, rear spoiler with reverse camera and the new headlamps and foglamps.

Following a brief speech from Izumina and a product presentation by IPC Product Development Planning Head Joseph Bautista, participants were divided among their respective Isuzu Crosswind units then drove from Quezon City to Cabanatuan via Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to have a hearty lunch at Umbria Steakhouse. This writer was in Crosswind number two with Ron delos Reyes of Malaya behind the wheel and IPC EVP Takashi Tomita as our VIP passenger.

Only minor changes were made to the current iteration of Isuzu’s best seller. The Crosswind is still powered by the ever-reliable 4JA-1L Diesel Direct inject engine, seated on a double wishbone with torsion bar springs and stabilizer bar at the front and Flex-Ride suspension, semi elliptical leaf springs with telescopic shock

absorber at the back. It is capable of delivering 85 ps at 3,900 rpm of output and 18.9 kg-m at 2,000 rpm of torque. The long and winding road to Aurora, with its crevices and potholes, was conquered with ease, while providing excess power when needed.

Reaching Baler in the afternoon, the Isuzu group enjoyed

Motul powers Vios Cup Philippines. “Toyota is also happy with the support of its major sponsors such as Motul, Toyota’s global partner in motorsports,” adds Sugata.

One of the world’s leading motorsport lubricant specialists, MOTUL has a longstanding and extremely successful technical relationship with Toyota and its motorsport and performance arm, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Gazoo Racing.

With more than 50 years of development and racing experience, Motul’s oil and lubricants has been tested in actual conditions and has been proven to provide ultra low-friction for more horsepower, incredibly

smooth and almost no noticeable drop in rpms when shifting and instantaneous engine revs with noticeable gains in horsepower. Its high performance anti-wear additive increases engine life duration and decreases wear by reducing engine internal frictions resulting in

smooth and light acceleration.

Get real protection and performance from the country’s only 100 percent fully synthetic motor oil. MOTUL guarantees total protection for your engine with its line of fully synthetic motor oils, the H-TEC 100 and 300V.

Northern Luzon (3): Baguio (Honda Baguio Spa along Marcos Highway), Ilocos Sur (Shell Gas Station, along Bonifacio St. Vigan City), Honda Cars Isabela (on call, 0917-8542622); Central Luzon (4): Honda Cars Tarlac, Honda Cars Nueva Ecija, Bulacan (Shakey’s Pulilan, DRT Highway cor. Plaridel-Pulilan Diversion Road), Subic (Subic Bay Freeport Zone); Southern Luzon (7): Carmona Cavite (Total Station),

Tagaytay (Caltex Rotonda Gas Station), Honda Sta. Rosa Service Center, Honda Cars Calamba, Lucena City (Gulang-Gulang Diversion Road), Honda Cars Cam-Sur (Pili) Honda Cars Rizal; Mindanao (1): Honda Cars Cagayan de Oro will be on call at 0917-6249346; Visayas (1): Honda Cars Negros Occidental will be on call at 0917-3250912; Metro Manila (8): Honda Cars Pasig, Honda Cars Shaw, Greenbelt Service Center (4L

Greenbelt 1 Carpark), Honda Cars Global City, Honda Cars Makati, Honda Cars Alabang, Honda Cars Tandang Sora SPA and Honda Cars Greenhills.

Moreover, a roving team will check around the road conditions and offer services if necessary. For assistance, motorists may contact them at the following hotline numbers: 0917-5721486, 0917-5735860 and 0917-5735853.

HEAT schedule on April 2 and 4 will be from 8am to 5pm and April 5 from 8am to 12nn.

2015 Subaru Legacy, Outback intro offers MOTOR Image Pilipinas Inc. is now accepting reservations for the 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback and offering a special introductory discount for the first 100 units booked plus free service for 1-year or 10,000kms.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback which will be publicly launched in the Manila International Auto Show in April are the newest flagship models of Subaru. Celebrating its 25th and 20th anniversary in

production respectively, both models have continuously improved its design and performance with new features to compliment customer’s lifestyle and to provide better driving experience to customers.

The introductory price and features of the All-New 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback are available at the Subaru showrooms in Greenhills, Global City, Manila Bay, Alabang, Sta. Rosa, Batangas, Cebu, Davao and CDO.

Arthur Balmadrid, thanking the participants who graced the event and experiencing both Aurora and the Isuzu Crosswind. The Isuzu Crosswind and Aurora has pretty much the same features—both attests beauty and ruggedness.

One is a means to get there, the other is a place of ultimate enjoyment.

Driver’s cards-supply deal up for bidding

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Lenten roadside assistance in place IN its continuous effort to provide customer service, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. together with its dealership network nationwide will set up its annual Honda Emergency Assistance Team (HEAT) to provide on-site road assistance at different locations nationwide from April 2 to 5, 2015 (except April 3, Good Friday).

FREE Honda Diagnostic Check-up There will be 24 HEAT sites nationwide:

the setting sun and a feast fit for King at the Costa Pacifica Resort. The return of the popular Isuzu Crosswind XUV automatic transmission variant is surely something to look forward to.

The sumptuous buffet of seafood and suckling pig was capped off by a short message from IPC Senior VP for Sales

THE Department of Transportation and Communications is bidding out a contract for P450million worth of driver’s license cards supply to resolve the chronic shortage of cards starting in the third quarter ofthe year.

The agency said prospective bidder may begin purchasing bid documents as bid submission and opening is set on April 20.

“The bid for each piece of license card should not exceed P 90.09. The winning supplier will be required to deliver the goods within 30 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed, which is targeted in July 2015,” DOTC said.

Given the urgent need for license card supplies, the DOTC is hoping that this time around, the project will not be stopped by judicial orders.

The current supplier Amalgamated Motors Philippines, Inc. was awarded a five-year contract way back in 1984. Upon its expiration in 1989, government extended the arrangement on a yearly basis until 2006.

Since 2006, there has been no contractual relationship between the parties but government has continued paying AMPI on a quantum meruit basis, or in sums

equivalent to the goods delivered.

Seeing the need for a proper contract as a matter of good governance, the DOTC and the LTO sought to bid the project out in December 2010. This, however, was prevented by an injunction order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City in February 2011.

Another injunction order was again issued by the same court in June 2012, in a case AMPI filed against the DOTC to question the bid. The Court of Appeals eventually caused the lifting of both injunctive writs.

In 2014, the Commission on Audit (COA) also disallowed further payments to AMPI absent a valid contract procured under applicable rules. This bolstered the DOTC and LTO’s position that the project should be bid out, contrary to potential attempts to stop the project through court issuances.

With the shortage of AMPI’s license card supply, the Land Transportation Office had to issue temporary driver’s licenses with a 150-day validity period.

In view of the continued shortage, however, the LTO removed the 150-day limit until the shortage is addressed, by way of Memorandum Circular No. AVT-20151925 dated March 20, 2015.

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7, 2 0 1 5

B8

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING Rally Legend Hiroshi Masuoka drives the allnew Strada to its limits

New Strada rolls out at Mitsubishi expo Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

Late last year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. shepherded a group of Motoring writers to Japan to test-drive the all-new Strada at the Sodeguara Forest Raceway in Chiba Prefecture.

This was in preparation for the domestic launch of their pick-up variant. Classified as a one-ton pick-up truck, the Strada was developed, engineered and to retain the concept of its predecessor: a sport-utility truck that caters to a wide range of applications for both private and commercial use.

The launch of the all-new

Strada late last week kicked off the Mitsubishi Expo weekend, which had the diamond star manufacturer bringing the brand directly to the market by way of a product display, product test drives and on-site selling at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City. After its grand launch in Thailand last year, the Philippines is the second country to release the 5th generation

Strada. It will also be introduced in the ASEAN, Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Africa, Latin America and will soon be exported to 150 countries. The Strada is built at Mitsubishi’s Laem Chabang Plant in Thailand.

Performance Beyond its new look, the improvements on the performance and other features are easily noticeable. In the Philippines, the all-new Strada will be available in 6 variants, two wheel drive (2WD): GL 4x2 base model Manual Transmission (MT), GLX 4x2 MT, GLX V 4x2 Automatic Transmission (AT) and four wheel drive (4WD): GL 4x4 base model MT, GLS V 4x4 MT and GLS Sport V 4x4 AT. At the heart of the Variable Geometry Turbocharged (VGT) variants is a 2.5 Liter 4 In-Line 16-Valve DOHC Turbocharged (VGT) and

Intercooled Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel (4D56). Thanks to this reliable engine which creates a maximum power of 178Ps/4,000rpm and an improved torque of 400N-m/2,000rpm.

The top of the line GLS Sport V is equipped with an electronic dial of the Super Select 4WD-II. This technology provides an outstanding off-road performance and superior handling with just a turn on the knob. This feature also controls the torque distribution between front and rear at a ratio of 40:60 equating to a superior handling and easy operation. This new Super Select feature enables the all-new Strada to run on full time 4WD. Rugged exterior The exterior of the Strada is more refined as it flaunts a dynamic and yet sophisti-

cated stance. The front bumper evokes strong curves with the lines flowing smoothly from the three-diamond logo in the grille to the headlamps. The improved bumper design also directs water spray outward rather than the windshield, avoiding blinding situation when driving at cruising speed through puddles. The Headlamp clusters are styled to show powerful penetrating light beams suggesting a solid impression. LED daytime running lights add to its sporty yet elegant styling. Top of the line variants such as GLS 4x4 MT and GLS Sport 4x4 AT are equipped with High Intensity Discharged headlamps for assured night time driving visibility.

The distinctive “J-line” provides a clever engineering design to shorten wheel base and maximize

the interior space. Its wheelbase of 3,000mm, front tread of 1,520mm and rear tread of 1,515mm are set to improve both handling stability and riding comfort. These tread dimensions also provide increase in maximum steering angle that permits a class-smallest minimum turning radius of 5.9m.

Interior and safety features upgraded Inside the Strada is a two-tone Black/Gray with Piano Black and Silver accent center instrument panel for a more stylish and neat impression. Compared to its predecessor, the Strada’s interior length grew by 20mm with a1,745 mm legroom, beating it competitors in the utility truck segment. The seats of the all-new Strada use wider and longer seat cushions and backrest to provide better support to its occupants.

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

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

LIFE

C1

FASHION

FRENCH WHISPERS THE STYLE SECRETS OF FRENCH WOMEN REVEALED How do they do it? How do they look like they literally rolled out of bed looking amazing? Ah, to be born with a French woman’s chic, but oh so sensible style. This is the fervent wish of women all over the world – to have a sophisticated yet effortless style when it comes to fashion and beauty. French women practically invented the term, “I woke up like this” – they throw on their clothes without a fuss and appear as if they just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. “Je ne sais quoi” – is how it is often and commonly described: literally, “I don’t know what.”

A survey by wwd.com revealed that when looking for inspiration, 48% of French women refer to regular people, while only 20% are influenced by the Internet and 16%

by TV and magazines. But more than looking for influences, 75% believe in themselves to make the right fashion choices when buying new clothes and don’t feel need to shop much, less than once a month in fact. Furthermore, they are hardly swayed by celebrities, designers or luxury brands.

We’ve distilled the style secrets of the French woman to five basic tenets, as epitomized by four high street French brands now in the Philippines: Promod, Etam France, Yves Rocher, Minelli and Jennyfer. Seen on every shopping street in Paris, these brands embody the true essence of French fashion: that indefinable French style with quality and real value of products you can keep using everyday.

Continued on C2

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PROMOD

FRIDAY : M ARCH 27 : 2015

C2 FASHION FLASH POINTS

TO THE LEFT, TO THE LEFT

Hedi Slimane must be fashion’s reigning rebel. When he assumed the mantle of artistic director of storied fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, he set about redefining the brand’s identity, dropping “Yves” and renaming the house, simply, Saint Laurent. The logo redesign followed, with the blessing of Pierre Bergé, co-founder and former business partner and lover of Yves himself.

Slimane also refused to move to Paris, preferring to remain in Los Angeles, presumably to keep his “edge.”

Last year, the Paris atelier and couture facilities of the house were moved to the Left Bank, to a 17th century Parisian townhouse on the Rue de L’Université. Now, the head office and showroom are moving from their longtime premises on Avenue Georges V to another Left Bank location along the Rue de Bellechase. The 9,000-square-foot architectural complex is a former Cistercian Abbey that was most recently used by the French military. Slimane is overseeing renovations, and the move will be completed in 2018.

The Left Bank is, in fact, integral to the Saint Laurent DNA. When Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé established their fashion house in 1961, it was called Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, signifying the break from traditional Right Bank couture, and heralding a new, revolutionary and youthful spirit in fashion.

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

FRENCH WHISPERS From C1

SECRET 1

LOVING AND KEEPING KEY PIECES

A French woman owns key pieces that complement other fashion items in her closet. She doesn’t give in to trends and she develops a signature look and sticks with itwhich is why they look so cool and easy. French style basics include the little black dress, skinny jeans, a blazer, jacket or a trench coat, styled in the indefinable way. In an interview, Ines de la Fressange said that on most days of the week, she can be found wearing “cotton shirts, jeans and blazers.”

As for the LBD (little black dress), this has been attributed to the singular French fashion icon, Coco Chanel. The German-born but French-trained Karl Lagerfeld—another revered European fashion designer and reference at the helm of Chanel— has been known to have said: “One is never over-dressed or under-dressed with a Little Black Dress.”

SECRET 2

GOOD SHOES ARE DE RIGUEUR

Stylish, comfortable shoes – the French woman owns these and wears them well. French women are always on the go and walk everywhere. Living in Paris is exciting: the trains, the views, the shopping and the cafes and boulangeries.

You will never see a French woman curse at grids and stones because she wore the wrong shoes. It

was said that a Parisian will never wear heels as high as Lady Gaga’s and whether with heels or flats or the jaunty rubber-soled shoes, the French woman’s shoes are always comfortable with quality yet fashionably complementing her insouciant sense of style.

SECRET 3

WHAT LIES UNDERNEATH MATTERS

A French woman knows that what’s under your clothes matter.

French women spend 20% of their annual clothing allowance on lingerie! So, if you want to know what lies beneath that chic nonchalance, it’s what’s inside their lingerie drawer. A French woman knows that wearing beautiful lingerie gives her a special secret and she exudes an aura of confidence and that subtle sexiness. More than about pleasing a man, French girls wear nice lingerie to make themselves feel good!

SECRET 4

FOR TRUE BEAUTY, LESS IS MORE

“Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside.”

—Coco Chanel A French woman knows that when it comes to beauty, less is definitely more. Foundations do not sell as much in France as they do in Asia or America- if it is obvious that a woman is wearing foundation, it looks wrong. They know that good skin is the foundation of any beau-

ty regimen. This includes drinking a lot of water to hydrate and using good skin care products for their face before they even begin thinking of putting on make-up. As for make-up, all they do is use a gel to brush their brows, curl their lashes and put a bit of mascara, apply a little concealer and do either the eyes or the lips, never both. And of course, a French woman always has a signature scent.

SECRET 5

DRESS FOR YOURSELF

“I want everyone to wear what they want and mix it in their own way. That, to me, is what is modern.” —Karl Lagerfeld A French woman knows to dress for herself. At an early age, a French woman decodes her style personality—glamorous, bohemian, classic, romantic, edgy, chic or sexy—and she builds her wardrobe on this aesthetic. In the wwd.com study, 51% of French women believe that being fashionable simply means to be you. Ines de la Fressange was asked what the biggest misconception is about French women’s style: “That French women only wear luxurious and wellknown brands, and they follow a lot of fashion trends. This isn’t true; they mainly buy things to feel nice, rather than to show off.”

PROMOD’s wearable mix-andmatch pieces reflect the modern French woman; Wear what makes you happy, wear it your own way and you are on your way to embodying true French style!

MCQUEEN THE MOVIE

We’ve seen Coco before Chanel. Now brace yourselves for the play about the late, much lamented British designer, Alexander McQueen.

The opening of the blockbuster exhibit “Savage Beauty” in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum may have played a part in showcasing once more McQueen’s astounding genius.

Slated to open on May 12 at London’s St. James Theatre, “McQueen” was written by James Phillips and directed by John Caird. Headlining the cast are Dianna Agron, who played Quin in “Glee,” Stephen Wright as McQueen, and Tracy-Ann Oberman as his tragic friend Isabella Blow.

The work is “more than a bio play,” according to WWD, quoting the theatre. It is described as “a journey into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of Alexander McQueen,” with the point of departure being McQueen’s fall 2008 show “The Girl Who Lived in the Tree.”

FASHION MUSICAL CHAIRS

This past week has seen changes at the top of several fashion houses.

Peter Dundas has left Emilio Pucci after seven years to take up the position of creative director at Roberto Cavalli.

Dundas is familiar with Cavalli’s DNA; from 2002 to 2005, he worked at Cavalli. His first collection will debut in September.

Emilio Pucci announced the promotion of Massimo Giorgetti to the post vacated by Dundas. Giorgetti will now be commuting between two cities while handling two brands – his own MGSM in Milan, and Pucci inFlorence.

Compiled by BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE SOURCES: WWD AND THE BUSINESS OF FASHION PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNYFER

FRIDAY : M ARCH 27 : 2015

LIFE glweekend @ gmail.com

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

C3

PASSÉ!

(THE NOT-FASHION EDITION)

BY ED BIADO Being trendy is not limited to one’s outfit choices. Trends are all around us and we can’t help but to hop on the bandwagon at some point—just because everybody else is already doing it. But when everybody actually ends up doing and liking the same things, said things reach their saturation point. Soon enough, they’ll be over because the ones who were responsible for popularizing them in the first place have since moved onto new discoveries and microtrends to jump-start.

Here, you’ll find four local lifestyle trends that were huge but have been showing their age for some time now as they near their expiration dates. Do you smell that? That’s the stench of stale.

RUSTIC TABLE-SETTING ELEMENTS For a time, quirky mason jars were all the rage in rustic kitchens the world over. But then, we started seeing those adorable yet pesky little things on every table in every restaurant, even when they don’t match the theme and décor of the place.

“Makasabay lang sa uso,” as we say in Filipino. Aside from old-

timey containers as drinking glasses, chopping boards also somehow made it to the dinner table. Again, it was a good look for country-themed freestyle establishments, but not so much elsewhere.

COMMERCIAL EDM Raise your hand if you agree that when a certain female comedian rebranded herself as ADA, the EDM Diva, the local commercial electronic dance music scene died. It really was the indication that we’ve gone beyond the point of no return and there’s no logical response but to say a little prayer for the demise of a once-hot musical style. (EDM is not a genre, by the way.) At least now that the fad is officially over, people who “mix” on their iPad apps have pretty much also stopped listing themselves as “DJ” in their Twitter bios.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOODIE-ISM Nope, taking a picture of your pancit canton does not make you a foodie. The era of food photography is long gone and the only ones who are still obsessing over the perfection of their #foodie shots are just that:

obsessed. First We Feast comments, “People who use this controversial word [foodie] as a hashtag are also the most likely to include it in their bio, or (god forbid) use it to refer to themselves in the real world.

They don’t know that people who talk about food for a living would rather stab themselves in the eye with an oyster knife than use it; it just sounds like a status label that says, ‘I’m better than my Sonic-slurping, 7-11 taquito-eating friends.’ But while those blurred-out sepia shots of roasted bone marrow look like Civil War battlefield images, at least they’re trying.”

MAINSTREAM BEACHES IN SUMMER Not going to name names, but you know which ones I’m talking about. Seriously, how can one possibly have a good time when there isn’t even any space on the sand to lounge in peace? And don’t even get me started on the time it takes to get served at a restaurant because 35 other parties arrived before you did. It’s insane and definitely not worth your vacation days.

NEW IN BEAUTY POND’S PEARL CLEANSING GEL

The first whitening facial wash in a gel formulation, the Pond’s Pearl Cleansing Gel cleanses your skin, making it whiter and fresher, without drying. Gel skincare products are lighter in texture and generally have milder ingredients, allowing its essential properties to dissolve faster and more effectively into the skin.

The new Pond’s Pearl Cleansing Gel allows for better absorption of its Pearl Essence, which is known and tested for noticeable skin whitening. With the oxygenated formulation, it cleanses and refreshes while locking in moisture, making skin softer and more supple. Also, it is perfect for sensitive skin, as it has milder ingredients compared to drying, whitening soaps.

AVON’S SKIN SO SOFT

Avon introduces as part of the Skin So Soft range the Soft & White Glutathione with SPF 15 Whitening Renewal Hand & Body Lotion. Glutathione fully moisturizes in just 12 hours and leaves skin noticeably whiter in 3 days, according to a consumer perception study. SPF 15, on the other hand, protects against skin-darkening and damaging UV rays.

JOGGJEANS SPRING SUMMER ’15 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN Diesel JoggJeans are back with a breakout campaign that channels the essence of revolutionary denim.

Artist and Instagram iconoclast Doug Abraham (AKA @ bessnyc4) unleashed his signature spliced transgressive work for JoggJean’s Spring/Summer 2015 Hybrid Denim advertising campaign. The result is a compelling visual statement that channels JoggJean’s hybrid DNA. Graphic and bold, the image is inspired by JoggJean’s edgy hybrid fabric tailored for modern hybrid lifestyles. This technically advanced jersey-denim is woven from three threads, and can be treated like denim to achieve diverse dyeing, washing and distressing effects. Soft and comfortable as a pair of sweatpants with the high quality and durability of denim, JoggJeans are designed to be put through their paces. They are built for contemporary, multi-tasking, always-moving everyday lives.

Diesel first launched JoggJean’s technology in 2011, evolving and refining the fabric courtesy of its pioneer washes and treatments. Initially worn by customers with active lifestyles and frequent travelers, JoggJeans has now established a following by denim enthusiasts.

The Hybrid Denim campaign broke in London on March 2, followed by a rollout worldwide from March 16 with a widescale media campaign and a series of worldwide events.

Animation agency Reed and Radar created a film based on Doug’s striking work, which features a soundtrack from The Black Soft. Diesel’s creative director Nichola Formichetti will introduce the new Hybrid Denim film during his talk at the South by South West interactive, music and film festival in Austin, Texas.

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

PERFORMANCE MEETS FASHION

GEOX LAUNCHES S/S 2015 FOOTWEAR AND OUTERWEAR COLLECTION GEOX, the innovative Italian shoe and clothing brand, recently launched its signature waterproof and breathable footwear collections for urban men, women and kids. Complemented by outerwear collections for men and women, GEOX’s latest lines guarantee a season of incomparable functionality and uncompromised style that are perfect for life in the metro.

WEATHER-PROOF YOUR LENTEN BREAK WITH

AccuWeather & RaincheckPH Access free basic internet services with Talk ‘N Text and Facebook’s Internet.org app Don’t let a sudden downpour ruin your Lenten break. Having access to current weather advisories will help you plan your activities so the weather is the least of your worries.

Through a collaboration with Talk ‘N Text (TNT) and Facebook’s Internet.org, TNT mobile subscribers nationwide may now access AccuWeather and RaincheckPH free of data charges for timely weather updates to help them plan for family activities this Lenten season.

AccuWeather is the world’s largest and fastest growing weather media company, and leading crossplatform provider of accurate, global weather information.

“AccuWeather is very proud to be a part of Facebook and the Internet.org mission since it first launched and through its continued

expansion. We are committed to improving people’s lives by making our timely, informative, and localized weather forecasts available for all people everywhere to help them plan and prepare for weather situations,” said Steven Smith, Chief Digital Officer, AccuWeather.

Meanwhile, RaincheckPH is the country’s first rain preparedness mobile app that can alert you with 95-percent accuracy if it is going to rain in your exact location or in your next destination. Developed by Voyager Innovations, it uses data from the Project NOAH of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“As simple as knowing the chances for rain is already useful.

RaincheckPH is a simple but powerful app that can help Filipinos stay prepared for the weather. We’re happy that our countrymen can access this app free of data charges,” Said Dindo Marzan, AVP, Product Development & Management at Voyager Innovations Inc. (Voyager).

“PANALO ANG MAY ALAM”

AccuWeather and RaincheckPH are among the 24 initial websites featuring informative and practical content that can be accessed for free via Internet.org by Facebook

Text INTERNET to 9999

with Talk ‘N Text, an initiative that aims to make mobile Internet services available to Filipinos who are not yet connected to the Internet.

“With Internet.org by Facebook, TNT subscribers can access the latest weather updates for that hasslefree Lenten break. Since mobile data access to these sites is free, they can check online as often as needed without it having to eat up on their airtime load,” said Charles A. Lim, executive vice president and Wireless Consumer Division Head at Smart.

“Moreover, with Facebook and Messenger, TNT users can stay connected with friends and loved ones with Internet.org,” added Lim.

You can simply download the Internet.org app on Google Play Store if you are using an Android smartphone. You can also access the Internet.org site by typing www. internet.org on their mobile browser if you are using a non-Android handset or a basic phone.

Within the app or mobile site, you can choose whether you prefer English or Filipino. Then, choose AccuWeather or RaincheckPH among the list of available sites to check out the latest weather updates at your location or next destination.

Additional information on how to get the app and use the services can be found at www.talkntext. com.ph/internetorg or by texting INTERNET to 9999.

Smart and Sun Cellular subscribers all over the country can also access the Internet.org app and mobile site without incurring data charges.

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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1D FEVER HIGH DESPITE RAIN ON SUNDAY

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housands of One Direction fans cried and screamed their hearts out when the British-Irish boy band performed live in Manila recently. Filipino die-hards, young and old, were beyond ecstatic when Smart Communications, Inc. via its musicstreaming app SPINNR flew in the popular band for a two-night performance at the Mall of Asia Concert grounds.

The audience on both concerts (March 21 and 22) turned out to be a mix of Directioners from all walks of life as ticket winners of Smart promos trouped to the Mall of Asia Concert grounds.

Most of the fans braved the daylong lines and rainy evenings for Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. Lines around the venue were formed as early as 10 a.m.and by 2 p.m., it had stretched all the way down to the mall.

From that time till the end of concert, you could hear screams and you’d see fans crying, a strong indications that every difficulty weathered to get to the concert venue was worth it as soon as the four music superstars (minus the ailing Zayn Malik) showed up on stage at 8:48 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Payne, who is credited for having written a handful of 1D hits including “Story Of My Life,” started raving over the love they were getting from legions of supporters just after the first song. He shouted, “Hey Manila!” and the screaming thousands roared louder back at him.

He went on to talk to the crowd, “Manila, I’ve got to say. We’ve only just started and I’m looking at this crowd and it’s already one of my favorite gigs ever. It’s amazing!”

As if a noise-detonating button was pushed, screams got louder when Payne said, “Now I know, I know that it took a long time for us to come out here. But thank you for being patient. It means the world to us. We are really, really happy to be here right now so thank you so so much! We love you Manila!”

Styles told the fans to step from the venue chairs. “Can I ask you for one favor? If you’re on a chair or if you are pushing someone, you need to stop or you’ll be arrested.” But when he playfully threatened the crowd by saying, “I will arrest every single one of you here tonight! I’m going for you first! So stop pushing,” he just decided to revert to love, “Let’s love each other! Let love each other! Flowers! Flowers! And candy!” while pretending to throw flowers and candies to the audience.

And by the time the boys cued their fourth song, even parents and guardians are mouthing the lyrics to “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” Payne was also able to seek approval screams when he asked the audience, “Now I’ve seen on Twitter that Manila are some of the craziest fans around. Is that true?”

But it was Tomlinson who took things to more expressions of gratitude. He said, “Thank you for putting us up on this

One Direction holds two-night sold-out concerts at the Mall of Asia open ground attracting thousands of fans called Directioners despite slight drizzle last Sunday

stage. Because it’s incredible to be in the Philippines so thank you so much. It is undoubtedly the hottest show we’ve ever had but you guys are incredible. Thank you so much. Keep up the vibe!”

Horan was sentimental about the whole affair. While introducing a song, he said, “This next song is one that I wrote with a band called McFly but it pretty much sums up situations like this because we all come from small places all over England and Ireland. And because of you guys, we’re here tonight in Manila doing a show! So what I’m saying is, if it wasn’t for you, we will not be here tonight so thank you so much!”

UNITED FOR ONE DIRECTION

Winning subscribers arrived at the venue early because some of them came from different parts of the country. Grateful for their tickets, fans crowded Spinnr and Smart booths for selfies that don’t seem to end.

Winning subscribers were able to score raffle entries just by participating in various Smart promos—either through prepaid loading or downloading songs through Spinnr. Postpaid subscribers also won tickets through Smart Rewards.

Since Smart has been actively pushing “Internet for All” in various projects, winners who were able to subscribe to the Free Internet and other data packages opened up more chances for raffle entries.

“This is really what the Spinnr experi-

ence is all about. Smart’s ‘Internet for All’ campaign helped subscribers win 1D tickets through Spinnr,” said Spinnr Product Manager Lucille Tang. “It is really in events as big as this that we get to see rewards of our commitment to subscribers when they are lined up and having the best times of their lives through concerts and participating in our Smart booths,” she added referring to a Smart Dome set up where Directioners were able to engage in fun 1D related activities.

Spinnr recently wrapped an Ariana Grande Fly-Off promo contest and will be flying winners to the US for free to watch her concert next month. Beyond the listening and song-streaming service of catalogues from foreign and local artists, Spinnr has also walked the talk when it comes to bringing amazing experiences (#SpinnrExperience).

Big industry names like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, 5 Seconds of Summer, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, and Rihanna were brought closer to music fans through live concert events, Fly-Offs, or Meet ‘N Greet promos where subscribers got to splurge on all-expense paid tickets or trips to watch concerts locally or in different parts of the world. Spinnr is also known to give out artists’ exclusive merchandise, video hang-outs with artists among other activities.

For upcoming promos, visit www.spinnr.ph or follow @SpinnrPHon Twitter.

Now I know, I know that it took a long time for us to come out here. But thank you for being patient.

It means the world to us. We are really, really happy to be here right now so thank you so so much! We love you Manila!

– Liam Payne

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

‘STORM DISASTER’ INVESTIGATES IMPACT OF SUPER STORMS

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iscovery Channel will broadcast Flight 8501: Storm Disaster, about the tragic events of Air Asia flight 8501. The aircraft, with 155 passengers and seven crew, was lost in a storm 40 minutes into its journey from Indonesia to Singapore on Dec. 28.2014 – concluding the worst year for aviation disasters in a decade. The 60-minute special attempts to shed some light on the mystery that surrounds the event, and provides one of the most comprehensive explanations as to what happened.

Flight 8501: Storm Disaster will premiere on Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. on April 12. The special will also air across Asia Pacific and internationally, in more than 220 countries and territories.

Theresa Ong, senior vice president and general manager, Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “Once again, Discovery is bringing viewers compelling stories that have strong local interest. In the past, topical shows such as Haiyan: After The Megastorm, After The Wave, And Flight 370: The Missing Links, have resonated well with audiences in the region. These specials help provide insight into the tragedies and tell inspiring stories of bravery and the tenacity of the human spirit in the darkest of hours.”

Comparing and contrasting the story of Air Asia flight 8501 with recent aviation tragedies such as Air France flight 447 and Malaysia Airlines flight 370, the documentary will examine the impact of the Earth’s changing climate on the aviation industry. It will question whether so-called “super storms” are becoming more frequent and severe, putting planes at greater risk than ever before. It will also explore whether today’s aviation technology leaves pilots too dependent on automation, resulting in information overload in critical situations.

For the first time, computergenerated animation will break down radar data from the final moments of the flight. Leading meteorologists will use bespoke weather data from the day of the accident to look at the effects of the storm on one of the world’s safest planes, the Airbus A320.

The special will also demonstrate the consequences of a mid-air stall, performed in a light aircraft by an experienced test pilot, explaining how such an occurrence could have been a factor in Flight 8501’s final moments. The documentary also features exclusive interviews with renowned global experts and those close to the event, including the legal representative for the victims’ families.

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he highly anticipated new season of the Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning Game Of Thrones returns for its 10-episode fifth season and premieres the same time as the U.S. on Monday, April 13 at 9 a.m. with a primetime encore at 9 p.m. the same day exclusively on HBO / HBO HD. New episodes debut weekly at the same time. The series will also be available via broadband streaming anytime, anywhere on multiple devices on HBO GO in the Philippines.

Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, the hit series tells an epic story of treachery and nobility set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years, and only the lust for power is eternal.

Jon Snow is struggling to balance the demands of the Night’s Watch with those of the newly arrived Stannis Baratheon, who styles himself the rightful king

Storm Disaster on Discovery will shed light on the climatic changes and how it impacts the airline industry

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 42 44 45 46 48 51 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Wine valley 5 Out loud 10 — mater 14 Actor — Guinness 15 Sketch 16 Potpie veggies 17 Headstrong 18 Office copier 19 Sets a price 20 Taxpayers 22 Four duos 23 Zillions of years

24 26 29 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Memsahib’s nanny Accolade Concocted (2 wds.)

Toadies’ replies Happy rumbles Geisha’s tie — it on thick Banal Coalition Bail out Dry-heat bath Dreary

‘GAME OF THRONES’ SEASON 5 ON HBO

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Causing havoc Expels Long river Paid athletes RBIs, TDs, etc.

Flower boxes St. Louis landmark Type of wool Util. bill Bait Bucolic Moreno or Rudner Be rife with Den River in Belgium

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DOWN 1 DEA operative 2 Jai — 3 Flea, to Fido 4 Carried out 5 Siren 6 Shaman’s findings 7 Lemons and clunkers 8 Back when 9 Caesar’s law 10 Cochise’s tribe 11 In case 12 Slap together 13 Like some mgrs.

21 Menageries 22 Squirrel hangouts 24 Major artery

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26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 37 38 40

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 56 57

“Mondo Cane” theme Rule Show an old sitcom Whisper on stage Giving a line to Parcels out Kapitan’s command (hyph.)

Mining tools Dried plum Follow closely Like a windy day Snowshoes alternative Great benefit Ball game opener Entreat Come from behind NaCl Undeniable Farm unit Inca Empire, once Ivy Leaguers Solar plexus Lasting aftereffect Almost-grads Famous mummy

of Westeros. Meanwhile, Cersei scrambles to hold on to power in King’s Landing amidst the Tyrells and the rise of a religious group led by the enigmatic High Sparrow, while Jaime embarks on a secret mission. Across the Narrow Sea, Arya seeks an old friend and a fugitive Tyrion finds a new cause. And as danger mounts in Meereen, Daenerys finds that her tenuous hold on the city requires hard sacrifices.

Returning series regulars this season include: Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Aidan Gillen (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark).

Additional returning series regulars this season include: Al-

fie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), DeanCharles Chapman (Tommen), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Conleth Hill (Varys), Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow), Carice van Houten (Melisandre) and Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand).

New cast members for the fifth season include: Jonathan Pryce (the High Sparrow), Alexander Siddig (Doran Martell), DeObia Oparei (Areo Hotah), Keisha Castle-Hughes (Obara Sand), Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (Tyene Sand), Jessica Henwick (Nym Sand), Nell Tiger Free (Myrcella Baratheon) and Toby Sebastian (Trystane Martell).

F R I D AY : M A R C H 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

PEOPLE

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...ARE TALKING ABOUT

MELISSA MENDEZ

She fired the first shot but accepted defeat in the end when she publicly apologized to “Andrew Wolff’s friend.” But her apology was not accepted hence people are waiting for the kind of behavior we are going to see next from the aging bit player. There’s one big lesson this teleserye-like brouhaha has taught us and no it’s not about following seating assignment in airplanes, it’s all about the power of social media in turning virtually unknown individuals into talk of town.

DARREN ESPANTO

Lea Salonga once said that the 13-year-old singer should have won The Voice Kids PH since selection of the finalist is purely based on talent. And she’s right, Darren is the only contestant in the kids version of the hit reality singing show who has the capability to make it big as a recording artist. Darren started to breakthrough when his debut album went Gold a few days ago. This is a sign that his growing fan base is willing to support the teen singer’s career and give him the honor that he deserves.

GABBI GARCIA

Don’t raise your eyebrows if her name doesn’t ring a bell because soon enough this teen star will headline most of the biggest shows in her mother studio.

Gabbi is now being groomed as the next big star of Kapuso Network. As a clear indication of the network’s plan for her, Gabbi is appearing in two important shows, InstaDad and the much anticipated television remake of Let the Love Begin.

...ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT

AI AI DELAS ALAS

The Kapuso Network made sure that she would feel better about her major career decision. Ai Ai is set to star in two Kapuso shows, one of which is a primetime series and the other one is comedy series opposite Tom Rodriguez and Christian Bautista.

This is making us laugh hard already. Of course we know she’ll be back in the other station, the same thing happened when she felt she’s no longer the preferred female clown of her mother studio.

NEIL PEREZ

His victory in an international male pageant opened a lot of doors for him including endorsements and television appearances.

Taking advantage of this newfound fame, the handsome cop decided to finally try showbiz via TV 5’s Wattpad series. We have so much respect for him not because he’s in uniform but also because of the honor he brought to the country, but please we have this thing called “acting workshop.” It does wonders including not making a talent look like a lifeless stump on the telly. As one viewer said in Tagalog, “Bumalik ka na lang sa pagpupulis!

Paulo Avelino admits affair with KC Concepcion

JERICHO ROSALES

The Bridges of Love star staged a concert in Cambodia hoping that it would establish himself as a versatile entertainer. It turned out that the whole attempt was a big failure. Only a few people showed up at the concert venue that looked like an abandoned warehouse. So, why did the concert flop? First, Echo is not a K-Pop star that can stage sold out arenas.

Second, Echo doesn’t have a list of original material he can call his signature songs.

And finally, the very obvious fact, he is not a successful recording star.

CARLA ABELLANA’S CHOICE: KAPUSO Actress Carla Abella renews her contract with GMA Network. At the signing were the network officers: from left,GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.,Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, and Carla’s manager Arnold Vegafria

Some actors’ choice on which network they wish to be associated with depends on a lot of things. For Carla Abellana who remains a loyal Kapuso after renewing her contract with the network on March 23, it’s the feeling of being at home and being with people who allow her to grow as a performer.

The actress signed another three-year exclusive contract with GMA Network.

During the contract signing, the network’s big guns were all there Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata; GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno; Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara; Assistant Vice President for Drama Productions Cheryl Ching-Sy. Of course, Carla’s manager Arnold Vegafria wasn’t too far behind.

Carla, who has been a loyal Kapuso for the last six years, shares that she is happy with how the Network helped her with her career, “I don’t see myself anywhere else. This is my home and this is where I belong. Same faces, always smiling. I told myself that these same people I’m gonna work with for the next three years.”

Atty. Gozon is pleased that Carla continues to affirm her loyalty to the Kapuso Network, “We offered Carla to renew her contract with the network. So, you see, she isn’t just beautiful, more importantly she is very loyal. We consider those things. So, we can’t ask for more from her. We consider ourselves lucky to have Carla again.”

Duavit has nothing but praises for Carla and considers her as one of the most talented and versatile GMA stars, “There are things or situations that we can’t part with.

Let me thanks Carla for her trust and for all the honors she has brought us all. She is an exceptional actress, very professional,

very versatile. And we do not see Carla anywhere but here.”

GMA Network has maintained a good relationship with Carla over the years, and the management expresses how easy it is to work with people who share a common ground.

Rasonable shares the upcoming projects of Carla this year, “She’s going to do another major soap. She’ll start working in two months, towards the middle of the year.

She also has another project with News and Public Affairs, and Ismol Family is doing very well and she is also in Sunday All Stars.”

Vegafria, in turn, admits that his loyalty is with GMA because of the continued support they get from the network. He says, “We’re very comfortable and happy with how Carla is treated. GMA gave her a break and up to now, the support continues. So there’s no way for her, even me, to entertain offers from other networks HHHHH Aiko Melendez has proven once more her acting caliber. She recently bagged the Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film award at the 7th International Filmmakers Festival of World Cinema in London for a role she played in Louie Ignacio’s Asintado (Between the Eyes). Aiko bested seven other actresses from different countries in the same category.

The movie, an official Cinemalaya entry last year, is Aiko’s first foray into indie film. Aiko plays Julia, a widowed mother of two who finds herself at the crossroads of choosing between saving her older son or risking her younger son’s safety. The story is situated in a town in Nueva Eciija and takes place during the Taong Putik festival.

Aiko was not able to attend the event in London because of prior commitments as a member of the cast of ABS-CBN’s Inday Bote and the indie film Daluyong.

“This award somehow boosted my confidence and it made me love myself more,” says Aiko. “But the honor isn’t just mine alone. It’s for every Filipino.”

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

KAPUSO STARS REVEAL SUMMER PLANS

Enzo Pineda

Kristoffer Martin

Ruru Madrid

Summer time holds a great deal of excitement for most people including some of Philippine TV’s famous personalities. In this time of the year ISAH V. RED when they are given the chance to unwind, will they be able to explore the country’s vacation spots or will it just be more work for them?

Some Kapuso stars were asked on what they have planned for the next few weeks, where they’ll be, and what they’ll do this summer season. Read on as the celebrities reveal their dream summer vacation.

SIMPLY RED

KRIS BERNAL (Hiram na Alaala) SUMMER PLAN: My friends and I plan to visit Palawan. I’ve heard it’s a paradise.

DREAM VACATION: My dream summer vacation would be mostly water adventures. I want to try surfing and diving.

ALJUR ABRENICA (Sunday All Stars) SUMMER PLAN: An out-of-town vacation somewhere in the Northern Philippines.

DREAM VACATION: A Maldives summer getaway.

SEF CADAYONA (Sabado-badoo) SUMMER PLAN: Since a new show has just arrived on my lap, together with my current shows that I’m working hard on, all I can say is my summer vacation will be devoted entirely to work and make viewers happy.

DREAM VACATION: A humble white house in the middle of a bright forest where there is a lake nearby good for canoeing.

ENZO PINEDA (More Than Words) SUMMER PLAN: My plan is to go to Las Vegas and watch the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight.

I also plan to go to the beach when I get back from Las Vegas.

DREAM VACATION: On a beach doing a lot of fun activities with my family.

GWEN ZAMORA (Bubble Gang) SUMMER PLAN: Work work work.

I’ve been travelling too much. It is time to go into work grind mode.

DREAM VACATION: The Maldives.

I would like to simply breathe in the beauty of its beach shores and lay under the sun all day.

Kim Rodriguez

KRISTOFFER MARTIN (Healing Hearts) SUMMER PLAN: Boracay. LaBoracay.

DREAM VACATION: I’m more of a beach person, so I would also want to visit the beaches in Bali.

Next week a lot of people are going to leave the city for a week or few days break. Now, where are the stars headed for on Holy Week?

KIM RODRIGUEZ (Strawberry Lane) SUMMER PLAN: I’m planning to visit the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur with my family.

DREAM VACATION: On a beach, my surfing paradise.

Gwen Zamora

RURU MADRID (Let The Love Begin) SUMMER PLAN: I want to go to the beach. Spend summer with my family.

DREAM VACATION: Hawaii.

I’ve heard it’s one of the best travel destinations in the world.

ANDRE PARAS (The Half Sisters) SUMMER PLAN: My plans this summer: To focus on ‘The Half Sisters’ and just spend quality time with family.

DREAM VACATION: My dream summer vacation will be in a secret island where only friends and family are allowed there.

MIGUEL TANFELIX (Once Upon A Kiss) SUMMER PLAN: I can go anywhere basta I’m with my family.

DREAM VACATION: Where I can enjoy the tropical weather.

Where I can enjoy the heat.

Where I can see new and wonderful landscapes. Where I can try new things with my family.

To get the latest updates about various Kapuso personalities and programs, visit the Network’s official website via www. gmanetwork.com.

Miguel Tanfelix

Andrei Paras